1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:06,240 Speaker 1: our podcast and thanks for supporting the minis Strength. If 3 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:08,880 Speaker 1: you enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing 4 00:00:08,960 --> 00:00:11,479 Speaker 1: and share it with a friend. We appreciate you and 5 00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 1: pray for God's very best in your life. Will God 6 00:00:14,560 --> 00:00:17,599 Speaker 1: bless you? It's joy to come into your homes. We 7 00:00:17,800 --> 00:00:20,880 Speaker 1: love you. If you're ever in our area, please stop 8 00:00:20,960 --> 00:00:22,960 Speaker 1: by and be a part of one of our services. 9 00:00:23,160 --> 00:00:25,800 Speaker 1: These are the finest people in all of Houston, Texas 10 00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:28,400 Speaker 1: right here at Lakewood. We'd love to have you come out. 11 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:31,360 Speaker 1: But thanks for tuning in and thank you again for 12 00:00:31,400 --> 00:00:33,880 Speaker 1: coming out today. And I like to start with something funny. 13 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:36,239 Speaker 1: And I heard about this little boy. He was out 14 00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:39,280 Speaker 1: in his front yard playing. This man came walking down 15 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:42,640 Speaker 1: the street kind of frustrated. He said, son, I'm lost. 16 00:00:42,880 --> 00:00:45,360 Speaker 1: Can you tell me how to get to the post office. 17 00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:47,520 Speaker 1: The little boy said, yeah, go to the stop sign 18 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:50,760 Speaker 1: and turn left. It's right around the corner. He thanked him. Said, 19 00:00:50,760 --> 00:00:53,200 Speaker 1: by the way, I'm the new pastor here in town. 20 00:00:53,600 --> 00:00:56,280 Speaker 1: If you'll come to my church this Sunday, I'll tell 21 00:00:56,360 --> 00:00:58,880 Speaker 1: you how to get to heaven. The little boy said, 22 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:00,640 Speaker 1: no thanks, you don't know how to get to the 23 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:05,560 Speaker 1: post office. Hold up your Bible. Say it like you 24 00:01:05,640 --> 00:01:08,600 Speaker 1: mean it. This is my Bible. I am what it 25 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:10,959 Speaker 1: says I am. I have what it says I have. 26 00:01:11,520 --> 00:01:14,000 Speaker 1: I can do what it says I can do. Today 27 00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:17,400 Speaker 1: I will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess. 28 00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:21,200 Speaker 1: My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. I will 29 00:01:21,240 --> 00:01:25,000 Speaker 1: never be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. 30 00:01:25,959 --> 00:01:28,520 Speaker 1: I want to talk to you today about the gracious 31 00:01:28,720 --> 00:01:32,640 Speaker 1: hand of God. There's a popular show on television called 32 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:36,880 Speaker 1: The X Factor. The judges study the different contestants and 33 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:40,640 Speaker 1: they try to figure out who has that indefinable something 34 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:44,520 Speaker 1: that makes them stand out. You can't necessarily put your 35 00:01:44,520 --> 00:01:48,400 Speaker 1: finger on it. It's not just talent, not just looks, 36 00:01:48,480 --> 00:01:52,720 Speaker 1: not just personality. There's just something about them that makes 37 00:01:52,760 --> 00:01:56,800 Speaker 1: them special, something that gives them an advantage. I've heard 38 00:01:56,840 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 1: the judges say, I don't know what it is, but 39 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:02,160 Speaker 1: you've got it. Call it the X Factor. Well, in 40 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:05,400 Speaker 1: the same way, when God breths his life into you, 41 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:09,160 Speaker 1: he puts something on you to give you an advantage. 42 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:13,360 Speaker 1: There's something about you that makes you stand out, something 43 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:17,840 Speaker 1: that draws opportunity, something that causes you to overcome obstacles 44 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:22,000 Speaker 1: to accomplish dreams. They call it the X factor, but 45 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:26,040 Speaker 1: the scripture calls it the gracious hand of God. It's 46 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:29,720 Speaker 1: God's favor, it's his blessing. You can't put your finger 47 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:33,880 Speaker 1: on it. It's not just your talent, your education, your 48 00:02:33,919 --> 00:02:38,520 Speaker 1: hard work. It's Almighty God breathing in your direction. You 49 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:41,799 Speaker 1: could call it the favor factor. Now, I know most 50 00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:44,280 Speaker 1: of you, like me, When you look back, you think, 51 00:02:44,600 --> 00:02:47,160 Speaker 1: how did I get to where I am? This was 52 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:50,000 Speaker 1: not just my own ability. How did I marry this 53 00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:53,640 Speaker 1: beautiful girl, or like my mother? How did I overcome 54 00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:57,079 Speaker 1: that sickness when the medical report said no way? How 55 00:02:57,120 --> 00:02:59,800 Speaker 1: could I be this happy, this blessed after all I've been. 56 00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:04,200 Speaker 1: That's not just good fortune, not just a lucky break. 57 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:08,639 Speaker 1: That's the gracious hand of God, his favor, his blessing, 58 00:03:08,680 --> 00:03:12,560 Speaker 1: his goodness on your life. Psalm forty four says it 59 00:03:12,639 --> 00:03:16,359 Speaker 1: was not their own strength that gave them the victory. 60 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:20,480 Speaker 1: It was because you favored them and smiled down on them. 61 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 1: Just like these people. The victories you've seen in the 62 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:28,560 Speaker 1: past weren't just your own doing. It was because God 63 00:03:28,680 --> 00:03:32,000 Speaker 1: favored you. You wouldn't be where you are if the 64 00:03:32,040 --> 00:03:36,200 Speaker 1: gracious hand of God was not on your life. Every accomplishment, 65 00:03:36,760 --> 00:03:41,560 Speaker 1: every good break, every obstacle you overcame. That was God 66 00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:45,360 Speaker 1: opening the door, God bringing the right people, God turning 67 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:49,280 Speaker 1: it around. It was the creator of the universe smiling 68 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:52,320 Speaker 1: down on you. His gracious hand is at work in 69 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:56,320 Speaker 1: your life. Now. You may not have as much education 70 00:03:56,520 --> 00:03:59,960 Speaker 1: as somebody else, but that's okay. You have an advantage. 71 00:04:00,200 --> 00:04:04,400 Speaker 1: You have this favor factor. Maybe you don't come from 72 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:08,400 Speaker 1: the most influential family. That's all right. God's favor can 73 00:04:08,440 --> 00:04:10,760 Speaker 1: take you where you could not go on your own. 74 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:15,000 Speaker 1: Deep down, you have to know there's something about you 75 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 1: that is indefiable. It can't be measured, can't be put 76 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:23,120 Speaker 1: on paper, can't be explained. Other people may not be 77 00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:26,159 Speaker 1: able to figure it out. All they know is you've 78 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:30,000 Speaker 1: got it. There's something about you they like, something that 79 00:04:30,080 --> 00:04:33,640 Speaker 1: causes you to overcome, something that causes you to succeed. 80 00:04:34,120 --> 00:04:38,120 Speaker 1: That's the gracious hand of God. When you realize you 81 00:04:38,240 --> 00:04:42,400 Speaker 1: have this advantage, an edge, you'll go out each day 82 00:04:42,760 --> 00:04:46,839 Speaker 1: not intimidated by your dreams, not discourage thinking that the 83 00:04:46,880 --> 00:04:50,239 Speaker 1: problem is too big. No, you'll put your shoulders back, 84 00:04:50,520 --> 00:04:52,800 Speaker 1: You'll hold your head up high, go out with a 85 00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:57,320 Speaker 1: spring in your step, confident, secure, knowing that you've got 86 00:04:57,320 --> 00:05:01,160 Speaker 1: what it takes. You've got the favor of God. Recently, 87 00:05:01,200 --> 00:05:03,800 Speaker 1: someone came up to men. They wanted to start this 88 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:07,440 Speaker 1: new business. They've done all this great research. They had 89 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:12,440 Speaker 1: a fantastic presentation, but on paper, they didn't have the experience. 90 00:05:12,960 --> 00:05:16,919 Speaker 1: On paper, they weren't qualified. In their heart, it was 91 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:19,560 Speaker 1: telling them, yes, I can do this, but their head 92 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 1: kept telling them all the reasons why it wasn't going 93 00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:26,640 Speaker 1: to work out. But you have to remind yourself because 94 00:05:26,720 --> 00:05:30,320 Speaker 1: you keep God first place, because you honor Him with 95 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:34,000 Speaker 1: your life. There's something about you that can't be put 96 00:05:34,040 --> 00:05:39,480 Speaker 1: on paper, something that's indefinable. It's Almighty God breathing in 97 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:44,200 Speaker 1: your direction. It's God causing good breaks to come. It's 98 00:05:44,240 --> 00:05:47,640 Speaker 1: the right people being attracted to you. It's the still 99 00:05:47,720 --> 00:05:52,360 Speaker 1: small voice giving you inside information, letting you know things 100 00:05:52,360 --> 00:05:55,600 Speaker 1: that are critical to your success that can't be measured. 101 00:05:56,080 --> 00:05:59,479 Speaker 1: In other words, you can have less talent, but with 102 00:05:59,600 --> 00:06:02,880 Speaker 1: God's favor, you'll go further than people that have more talent. 103 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:07,560 Speaker 1: You can have less experience. Less training, but because Almighty 104 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:10,440 Speaker 1: God is smiling down on you, you'll go further than 105 00:06:10,520 --> 00:06:14,159 Speaker 1: people that have more training, more experience. Some of you 106 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:17,720 Speaker 1: small business owners, you may not have all the equipment, 107 00:06:18,279 --> 00:06:21,599 Speaker 1: all the marketing, all the money backing you up as 108 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 1: some big competitor, some big company, But because you honor God, 109 00:06:26,440 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 1: his favor can cause you to defy the odds and 110 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:34,240 Speaker 1: outperform companies that should be running circles around you. That's 111 00:06:34,279 --> 00:06:37,600 Speaker 1: what happened to one of our members. His computer company 112 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 1: made up of three people, just had a client come 113 00:06:41,320 --> 00:06:44,040 Speaker 1: to him from another company that was more than one 114 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:48,520 Speaker 1: hundred times his size. This other company has a huge staff, 115 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:54,000 Speaker 1: offices all over the world, practically unlimited in resources. But 116 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:57,280 Speaker 1: this client said, we like your work. We're going to 117 00:06:57,320 --> 00:07:01,280 Speaker 1: move our account to your firm. He is outperforming a 118 00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:05,200 Speaker 1: company that is many, many times his size. That other 119 00:07:05,240 --> 00:07:07,880 Speaker 1: company is scratching their head thinking what is it with 120 00:07:07,960 --> 00:07:10,360 Speaker 1: this man. I'll tell you what it is. It's the 121 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 1: gracious hand of God. It's God's favor causing him to 122 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:18,520 Speaker 1: stand out. It's God's favor causing people to be drawn 123 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:23,640 Speaker 1: to him. Friends, It's not necessarily how big, or influential 124 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:28,120 Speaker 1: or educated someone is when you have the favor factor 125 00:07:28,600 --> 00:07:32,840 Speaker 1: that gives you an advantage. God's favor opens the right doors. 126 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 1: His favor will bring good breaks. The favor of God 127 00:07:36,960 --> 00:07:40,040 Speaker 1: will cause you to accomplish what you could not accomplish 128 00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:43,600 Speaker 1: on your own. It gives you an edge. Now, if 129 00:07:43,600 --> 00:07:46,679 Speaker 1: you're going to see the gracious hand of God at work, 130 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:50,880 Speaker 1: you can't go through the day intimidated thinking that you're 131 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:53,640 Speaker 1: averaging Joel, I wish I would get some of these 132 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:57,640 Speaker 1: good breaks. No, you have to carry yourself like you 133 00:07:57,720 --> 00:08:00,680 Speaker 1: have God's hand on you. You have to think like you 134 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:04,320 Speaker 1: have favor, talk like you have favor, walk like you 135 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:08,720 Speaker 1: have favor, dressed like you have favor. Not arrogantly, not 136 00:08:08,840 --> 00:08:11,600 Speaker 1: thinking that you're better than somebody else, but with this 137 00:08:11,880 --> 00:08:15,880 Speaker 1: quiet confidence, knowing that you have an advantage, you have 138 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:19,400 Speaker 1: an edge. The gracious hand of God is on your life. 139 00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:23,440 Speaker 1: That's what Namiyah did. In the scripture. He heard that 140 00:08:23,480 --> 00:08:26,520 Speaker 1: the walls of Jerusalem had been torn down and the 141 00:08:26,560 --> 00:08:30,040 Speaker 1: people were living there unprotected, and this really bothered him. 142 00:08:30,080 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 1: That's where he was from. God put a dream in 143 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:37,080 Speaker 1: his heart to rebuild these walls in the natural. It 144 00:08:37,160 --> 00:08:40,880 Speaker 1: was impossible. He was living over a thousand miles away, 145 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:44,680 Speaker 1: working as a cupbearer to the king. He didn't have 146 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:49,280 Speaker 1: the money, the manpower, the influence on paper. He didn't 147 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:52,280 Speaker 1: have a chance. The dream was much bigger than he 148 00:08:52,320 --> 00:08:57,079 Speaker 1: could accomplish on his own. But Niemiah understood this principle. 149 00:08:57,520 --> 00:09:00,880 Speaker 1: He knew he had the favor factor. One day he 150 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:03,800 Speaker 1: asked the king for permission to take a leave of 151 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:07,120 Speaker 1: absence to go back to Jerusalem and build those walls. 152 00:09:07,880 --> 00:09:12,080 Speaker 1: Notice his confidence, his boldness. He wasn't high up in 153 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:16,000 Speaker 1: the king's staff. He wasn't a cabinet member, an adviser. 154 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:19,400 Speaker 1: He was working in the kitchen, cleaning the tables, not 155 00:09:19,480 --> 00:09:24,160 Speaker 1: necessarily an influential position. But when he asked, the King 156 00:09:24,200 --> 00:09:27,520 Speaker 1: didn't hesitate. He said, no problem, Neemiah, go ahead and 157 00:09:27,559 --> 00:09:30,360 Speaker 1: go back and rebuild those walls. God caused him to 158 00:09:30,400 --> 00:09:34,600 Speaker 1: have favor. But Neamiah didn't stop there. He said, King, 159 00:09:34,880 --> 00:09:37,240 Speaker 1: I need your help. I need you to write a 160 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:40,920 Speaker 1: letter to all the different leaders of the regions. I'm 161 00:09:40,960 --> 00:09:44,000 Speaker 1: going to be traveling through telling them who I am 162 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:47,560 Speaker 1: and what I'm doing, so i'll have protection so they 163 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:51,920 Speaker 1: won't harm me. The king agreed. Niamiah still wasn't finished. 164 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:55,040 Speaker 1: He said, King, one more thing. I don't have any money, 165 00:09:55,520 --> 00:09:58,400 Speaker 1: I don't have any resources. I need you to write 166 00:09:58,400 --> 00:10:02,000 Speaker 1: a letter asking the people that owned the timber mills 167 00:10:02,280 --> 00:10:05,960 Speaker 1: and the supply houses to give me the materials to 168 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:10,079 Speaker 1: rebuild these walls. Once again, the king said, no problem, Neamiah, 169 00:10:10,200 --> 00:10:14,240 Speaker 1: I'll do it for you. Niamiah left that day not 170 00:10:14,280 --> 00:10:17,920 Speaker 1: only with the protection, but with the materials he needed 171 00:10:17,960 --> 00:10:21,440 Speaker 1: to complete the task. And Namiah two verse eight, it 172 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:25,960 Speaker 1: tells us why this happened. Namiah said, the king granted 173 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:30,400 Speaker 1: me these requests because the gracious hand of God was 174 00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:36,080 Speaker 1: upon me. Niamiah recognized he had the favor factor. He 175 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:39,720 Speaker 1: knew God had put something on him, even though on 176 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:43,920 Speaker 1: paper he wasn't qualified, he didn't have the experience, didn't 177 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:47,120 Speaker 1: have the resources. He said, in fact, I've got something 178 00:10:47,160 --> 00:10:49,839 Speaker 1: better than that. The gracious hand of God is on 179 00:10:49,960 --> 00:10:54,160 Speaker 1: my life. When you understand you have this same favor, 180 00:10:54,640 --> 00:10:57,720 Speaker 1: the like Neamiah, you'll rise up with a boldness, with 181 00:10:57,840 --> 00:11:01,040 Speaker 1: the confidence, and you'll pursue what God placed in your heart. 182 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:04,200 Speaker 1: He got to Jerusalem and he saw the place was 183 00:11:04,240 --> 00:11:08,400 Speaker 1: in total disarray, much worse than he expected. He found 184 00:11:08,400 --> 00:11:10,920 Speaker 1: some people and shared his vision to rebuild the walls, 185 00:11:11,480 --> 00:11:14,880 Speaker 1: trying to convince them to help. He said, in verse eighteen, 186 00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:18,600 Speaker 1: I told them how the gracious hand of God was 187 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:22,760 Speaker 1: on my life. Notice how Neamiyah was always bragging on 188 00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:26,600 Speaker 1: God's favor, no doubt. Some of them said, Neemiah, you 189 00:11:26,679 --> 00:11:29,720 Speaker 1: can't do this. You're not a builder, you're not qualified, 190 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:32,600 Speaker 1: you don't have the experience. This is impossible. He said, no, no, 191 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:36,040 Speaker 1: there's something about me. You can't sing, something that can't 192 00:11:36,080 --> 00:11:38,680 Speaker 1: be put on paper. The gracious hand of God is 193 00:11:38,720 --> 00:11:42,319 Speaker 1: on my life. They started rebuilding these walls and had 194 00:11:42,360 --> 00:11:45,880 Speaker 1: all kinds of opposition. The cilly leaders tried to shut 195 00:11:45,960 --> 00:11:49,640 Speaker 1: them down, the critics tried to stop them. These bandits 196 00:11:49,679 --> 00:11:52,560 Speaker 1: came up and started fighting one thing after another, but 197 00:11:52,720 --> 00:11:56,240 Speaker 1: every time the favor of God helped them to overcome. 198 00:11:57,240 --> 00:11:59,360 Speaker 1: It should have taken them at least a year to 199 00:11:59,400 --> 00:12:02,360 Speaker 1: complete the war, but they did it in just fifty 200 00:12:02,400 --> 00:12:06,400 Speaker 1: two days. When you realize God's hand of favor is 201 00:12:06,520 --> 00:12:10,439 Speaker 1: upon you, you will accomplish your dreams faster than you thought. 202 00:12:11,320 --> 00:12:15,880 Speaker 1: You may be facing a situation like Nehemiah that seems impossible. 203 00:12:16,520 --> 00:12:19,480 Speaker 1: Don't go around talking about how big The problem is 204 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:22,080 Speaker 1: how you're never going to make it. I just don't 205 00:12:22,080 --> 00:12:25,480 Speaker 1: have the resources. No, zip that up and do like 206 00:12:25,559 --> 00:12:29,160 Speaker 1: he did, start declaring, The gracious hand of God is 207 00:12:29,240 --> 00:12:32,000 Speaker 1: upon my life. How are you gonna get out of debt? 208 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:35,720 Speaker 1: The gracious hand of God? How are you gonna get well? 209 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:38,520 Speaker 1: The gracious hand of God? How are you going to 210 00:12:38,559 --> 00:12:41,520 Speaker 1: break that addiction? The gracious hand of God? How are 211 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:44,520 Speaker 1: you going to accomplish your dreams? The gracious hand of God. 212 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:47,960 Speaker 1: The more you brag on God's favor, the more of 213 00:12:47,960 --> 00:12:51,560 Speaker 1: his favor you'll see it. If Neemiah would have thought, 214 00:12:51,559 --> 00:12:54,840 Speaker 1: oh man, I'm just average. I'd love to rebuild the walls, 215 00:12:54,880 --> 00:12:57,520 Speaker 1: but I don't have the money. My boss will never 216 00:12:57,640 --> 00:13:00,000 Speaker 1: let me off. I live too far away, we would 217 00:13:00,160 --> 00:13:05,120 Speaker 1: be reading about him today. Some of you are disqualifying yourself. 218 00:13:05,880 --> 00:13:10,120 Speaker 1: God's gracious hand is on you. You have this favor factor, 219 00:13:10,640 --> 00:13:13,560 Speaker 1: but you keep dwelling on everything you don't have, the 220 00:13:13,640 --> 00:13:16,840 Speaker 1: mistakes you made, and how somebody else is so much 221 00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:20,679 Speaker 1: more talented. You're just looking in the natural at what's 222 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:24,680 Speaker 1: on paper. But there's something about you that cannot be measured, 223 00:13:25,040 --> 00:13:29,160 Speaker 1: something that goes beyond your talent, Your education, your ability. 224 00:13:29,520 --> 00:13:33,960 Speaker 1: It's the favor of Almighty God. Now quit telling yourself 225 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:36,760 Speaker 1: the wall is too big, the dream is too great, 226 00:13:37,080 --> 00:13:40,160 Speaker 1: the obstacles are too high. No, it's not going to 227 00:13:40,240 --> 00:13:43,040 Speaker 1: happen in your own strength. It's not going to happen 228 00:13:43,040 --> 00:13:46,360 Speaker 1: in your own power. It's going to happen because Almighty 229 00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:50,240 Speaker 1: God favors you. The victory is going to come because 230 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:53,480 Speaker 1: God smiles down on you. Now, let's get in agreement 231 00:13:53,520 --> 00:13:57,480 Speaker 1: with God. Don't go around thinking all these negative, self 232 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:00,920 Speaker 1: defeating thoughts. Know all through the day, Father, thank you 233 00:14:00,960 --> 00:14:04,040 Speaker 1: that your gracious hand is upon me. I know I 234 00:14:04,120 --> 00:14:07,679 Speaker 1: have an advantage. I have an edge. Other people may 235 00:14:07,720 --> 00:14:10,240 Speaker 1: not see it. They may try to push me down, 236 00:14:10,360 --> 00:14:13,800 Speaker 1: disqualify me. But that's okay. I know the truth. I 237 00:14:13,840 --> 00:14:18,400 Speaker 1: have the favor factor. I'm well able to fulfill my destiny. 238 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:21,720 Speaker 1: This is what Neamiah did, and today we're reading about 239 00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:24,800 Speaker 1: him as one of the heroes of faith. When you're 240 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:28,640 Speaker 1: in difficult times, more than ever, you need to declare 241 00:14:28,680 --> 00:14:33,160 Speaker 1: God's favor. David said in Psalm forty one, the favor 242 00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:37,880 Speaker 1: of God keeps my enemies from defeating me. Notice what's 243 00:14:37,920 --> 00:14:40,800 Speaker 1: going to keep you from being defeated the favor of God. 244 00:14:41,800 --> 00:14:45,400 Speaker 1: In your finances. Business may be slow. You don't see 245 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:47,880 Speaker 1: how you could ever get ahead. You need to look 246 00:14:47,960 --> 00:14:51,040 Speaker 1: at that enemy of debt, that enemy of lack, and 247 00:14:51,120 --> 00:14:53,760 Speaker 1: say you will not defeat me. I have the favor 248 00:14:53,800 --> 00:14:57,960 Speaker 1: of God. Whatever I touch will prosper and succeed. Speak 249 00:14:58,040 --> 00:15:02,640 Speaker 1: favor over your finances. In your health, maybe you're facing 250 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:06,520 Speaker 1: a sickness. The odds are against you. The medical report says, 251 00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:09,800 Speaker 1: no way. Look at that enemy of sickness and say 252 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:12,640 Speaker 1: you will not defeat me. The gracious hand of God 253 00:15:12,760 --> 00:15:15,680 Speaker 1: is on my life. Healing is flowing through me. I'm 254 00:15:15,680 --> 00:15:20,040 Speaker 1: getting stronger, healthier, better every day. This is what Job did. 255 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:23,400 Speaker 1: He went through a nine month period where everything that 256 00:15:23,440 --> 00:15:27,280 Speaker 1: could go wrong did. He lost his business, he lost 257 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:30,400 Speaker 1: his health, had these big boils all over his body. 258 00:15:30,920 --> 00:15:33,920 Speaker 1: I'm sure it was very painful. His wife said, Job 259 00:15:34,080 --> 00:15:36,920 Speaker 1: just cursed God and die. It's never going to work out. 260 00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:39,760 Speaker 1: This is the end of us. Job had plenty of 261 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:45,080 Speaker 1: opportunities to get negative, bitter blame God. No Job understood 262 00:15:45,080 --> 00:15:49,160 Speaker 1: this principle. He knew the favor of God would keep 263 00:15:49,160 --> 00:15:52,680 Speaker 1: his enemies from defeating him. In the midst of the 264 00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:57,080 Speaker 1: adversity didn't look good. He felt bad. All the odds 265 00:15:57,120 --> 00:16:01,640 Speaker 1: were against him. But he said in Job chapter ten, God, 266 00:16:01,760 --> 00:16:06,040 Speaker 1: I know you have granted me favor. He was basically 267 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:09,400 Speaker 1: saying what Neamiah said, the gracious hand of God is 268 00:16:09,480 --> 00:16:13,400 Speaker 1: upon me. Now in the natural, it didn't look like 269 00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:17,200 Speaker 1: Job had any favor. It looked like every bad break 270 00:16:17,320 --> 00:16:20,920 Speaker 1: that could have come did. But this is what faith 271 00:16:21,080 --> 00:16:24,080 Speaker 1: is all about. You can't wait till you see it 272 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:27,120 Speaker 1: before you decide to believe it. You have to believe 273 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:30,680 Speaker 1: it first and then you'll see it. You may be thinking, Joel, 274 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:35,200 Speaker 1: I don't have any of this favor. God's gracious hand 275 00:16:35,280 --> 00:16:38,400 Speaker 1: is not on me. If you knew my situation, if 276 00:16:38,440 --> 00:16:41,320 Speaker 1: you could only see my problem. No, you're right where 277 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:44,880 Speaker 1: Job was. You're right where Namiyah was. What's going to 278 00:16:44,960 --> 00:16:48,120 Speaker 1: determine the outcome is what kind of attitude you have. 279 00:16:49,280 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 1: And what's interesting is Job said, God, you've granted me 280 00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:58,440 Speaker 1: favor in chapter ten. He didn't get restored and healed 281 00:16:58,520 --> 00:17:03,160 Speaker 1: and see things turn around until chapter forty two, right 282 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:06,280 Speaker 1: at the beginning of the trouble, when it hit him 283 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:09,360 Speaker 1: the hardest. He was the most tempted to get down 284 00:17:09,600 --> 00:17:12,680 Speaker 1: That's when he dug his heels in, lifted his face 285 00:17:12,720 --> 00:17:15,280 Speaker 1: toward the heavens, and said, Father, I want to thank 286 00:17:15,320 --> 00:17:18,800 Speaker 1: you that I have your favor. No wonder, Job came 287 00:17:18,840 --> 00:17:21,760 Speaker 1: out with twice what he had before. No wonder, his 288 00:17:21,960 --> 00:17:26,159 Speaker 1: enemies couldn't keep him defeated. A lot of times we think, God, 289 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:28,879 Speaker 1: as soon as it turns around, then I'll know I 290 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:31,840 Speaker 1: have your favor. Then i'll thank you God. As soon 291 00:17:31,880 --> 00:17:34,719 Speaker 1: as I rebuild the walls, then i'll tell people your 292 00:17:34,760 --> 00:17:37,440 Speaker 1: gracious hand is upon me. As soon as I accomplish 293 00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:40,919 Speaker 1: my dreams, then I'll brag on your goodness. No. What 294 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:44,760 Speaker 1: causes God to defeat our enemies, what causes him to 295 00:17:44,800 --> 00:17:49,800 Speaker 1: give us breakthroughs and supernatural ability is when we thank 296 00:17:49,920 --> 00:17:52,840 Speaker 1: God for his favor even though we don't see any 297 00:17:52,880 --> 00:17:56,159 Speaker 1: sign of favor. When you say, Father, thank you that 298 00:17:56,200 --> 00:17:59,320 Speaker 1: your gracious hand is upon me, even though nothing is 299 00:17:59,359 --> 00:18:02,200 Speaker 1: going your wife, when you say, Lord, I know I've 300 00:18:02,240 --> 00:18:06,240 Speaker 1: got what it takes, even though you feel unqualified inferior. 301 00:18:06,560 --> 00:18:10,480 Speaker 1: That's what allows God to do amazing things. If Job 302 00:18:10,520 --> 00:18:12,679 Speaker 1: would have just sat back and thought, well, I'm a 303 00:18:12,680 --> 00:18:15,680 Speaker 1: good person, I love the Lord. I hope God will 304 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:18,840 Speaker 1: do something about this trouble. He would have stayed defeated. 305 00:18:19,560 --> 00:18:22,720 Speaker 1: Job came out with the victory because he kicked his 306 00:18:22,880 --> 00:18:26,560 Speaker 1: faith into gear and started speaking favor in the midst 307 00:18:26,600 --> 00:18:30,400 Speaker 1: of the adversity. Some of you are up against big challenges. 308 00:18:30,680 --> 00:18:33,639 Speaker 1: This is not the time to be passive. More than ever, 309 00:18:33,920 --> 00:18:37,439 Speaker 1: Like Job, Like Nehemiah, you need to start declaring God's 310 00:18:37,440 --> 00:18:40,119 Speaker 1: favor all through the day. Lord, thank you that your 311 00:18:40,160 --> 00:18:43,000 Speaker 1: gracious hand is upon me. Lord, thank you that your 312 00:18:43,119 --> 00:18:46,399 Speaker 1: favor keeps my enemies from defeating me. Lord, thank you 313 00:18:46,480 --> 00:18:49,359 Speaker 1: that your favor will make a way, even though I 314 00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:53,440 Speaker 1: don't see anyway. All through the scripture there are examples 315 00:18:53,680 --> 00:18:56,800 Speaker 1: where people were in need, but the favor of God 316 00:18:56,840 --> 00:19:00,800 Speaker 1: turned it around. Noah was facing the great this challenge 317 00:19:00,840 --> 00:19:03,840 Speaker 1: of his life. The earth was about to be destroyed 318 00:19:03,840 --> 00:19:07,320 Speaker 1: with the flood, and it looked impossible, But the scripture 319 00:19:07,400 --> 00:19:11,479 Speaker 1: says Noah found favor in the sight of God. He 320 00:19:11,560 --> 00:19:14,360 Speaker 1: was able to build that arc and saved his family. 321 00:19:15,320 --> 00:19:17,920 Speaker 1: Ruth had just gone through the loss of her husband, 322 00:19:18,359 --> 00:19:21,840 Speaker 1: a great disappointment. She was living in another city, barely 323 00:19:21,880 --> 00:19:26,199 Speaker 1: making it in poverty. But Ruth found favor with a 324 00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:29,520 Speaker 1: man named Boaz. He was very wealthy. They ended up 325 00:19:29,560 --> 00:19:32,119 Speaker 1: getting married. Ruth went on to live a life of 326 00:19:32,160 --> 00:19:37,439 Speaker 1: abundance happiness. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and sold 327 00:19:37,440 --> 00:19:41,840 Speaker 1: into slavery. But Joseph found favor with a man named Potiphar. 328 00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:45,120 Speaker 1: The man he worked for, he found favor with Fairoh 329 00:19:45,480 --> 00:19:48,560 Speaker 1: and was put in charge over all of Egypt. In 330 00:19:48,600 --> 00:19:52,119 Speaker 1: each of these cases, the favor of God came in 331 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:56,040 Speaker 1: the midst of life's challenges. It came in a flood, 332 00:19:56,560 --> 00:20:00,280 Speaker 1: in a famine, and when somebody was being mistreated. When 333 00:20:00,280 --> 00:20:03,240 Speaker 1: you're in the tough times of life, we're like Joseph, 334 00:20:03,760 --> 00:20:08,320 Speaker 1: something unfair is happening, Like Ruth. You're having difficulties in 335 00:20:08,359 --> 00:20:12,000 Speaker 1: your finances, Like Noah, the whole world has falling apart. 336 00:20:12,400 --> 00:20:16,439 Speaker 1: Don't get depressed, don't start complaining, get all worried. No 337 00:20:16,560 --> 00:20:18,919 Speaker 1: more than ever. Father, I want to thank you that 338 00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:21,760 Speaker 1: your gracious hand is upon me. Lord, I may not 339 00:20:21,880 --> 00:20:24,560 Speaker 1: see away, but I know you have a way. If 340 00:20:24,600 --> 00:20:28,520 Speaker 1: you'll declare God's favor, it will keep your enemies from 341 00:20:28,520 --> 00:20:33,119 Speaker 1: defeating you. Those enemies may look bigger, stronger, more powerful, 342 00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:35,639 Speaker 1: But let me tell you God has put something on 343 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:38,760 Speaker 1: you that will cause you to be the victor. En 344 00:20:38,760 --> 00:20:42,760 Speaker 1: never the victim, keep declaring his favor in times of need. 345 00:20:44,280 --> 00:20:48,320 Speaker 1: I was reading about this small fish called a Moses' soul. 346 00:20:48,920 --> 00:20:52,040 Speaker 1: It's a little flounder that's found over in the Red Sea. 347 00:20:52,680 --> 00:20:56,479 Speaker 1: There are also large sharks in those waters. These sharks 348 00:20:56,520 --> 00:20:59,480 Speaker 1: would typically eat this kind of fish, but back in 349 00:20:59,520 --> 00:21:04,040 Speaker 1: the early nineteen seventies, a group of researchers noticed something 350 00:21:04,119 --> 00:21:08,040 Speaker 1: amazing about the little Moses soul. All the other fish 351 00:21:08,040 --> 00:21:10,639 Speaker 1: in that category, same size and same weight, would be 352 00:21:10,680 --> 00:21:13,720 Speaker 1: eaten by the sharks, but for some reason, these sharks 353 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:17,520 Speaker 1: would not eat the Moses' soul. They found out this 354 00:21:17,560 --> 00:21:22,320 Speaker 1: little Moses soul has a very unique defense system. Whenever 355 00:21:22,359 --> 00:21:27,120 Speaker 1: it senses any kind of danger, it naturally secretes poisonous 356 00:21:27,200 --> 00:21:32,000 Speaker 1: toxins out of its glands. These toxins literally caused the 357 00:21:32,040 --> 00:21:35,679 Speaker 1: shark's jaws to freeze. It showed a picture of this 358 00:21:35,800 --> 00:21:40,120 Speaker 1: little Moses's soul inside the shark's mouth. He'd obviously come 359 00:21:40,119 --> 00:21:42,159 Speaker 1: in for the kill. All the shark had to do 360 00:21:42,280 --> 00:21:45,439 Speaker 1: was bite down. There was dinner. The only problem was 361 00:21:45,680 --> 00:21:48,760 Speaker 1: the shark couldn't do it. God puts something on this 362 00:21:48,840 --> 00:21:51,800 Speaker 1: little fish to protect him, and as long as the 363 00:21:51,840 --> 00:21:54,480 Speaker 1: shark was there, his jaw was frozen, he would have 364 00:21:54,600 --> 00:21:57,680 Speaker 1: to swim away for a few seconds before that jaw 365 00:21:57,720 --> 00:22:00,600 Speaker 1: would be released and go back to normal. That's what 366 00:22:00,640 --> 00:22:03,439 Speaker 1: the scripture means when it says, the favor of God 367 00:22:03,680 --> 00:22:06,760 Speaker 1: will keep my enemies from defeating me. God has put 368 00:22:06,800 --> 00:22:10,320 Speaker 1: something on you that it will cause you to be victorious. 369 00:22:11,800 --> 00:22:15,920 Speaker 1: The way you release these poisonous toxins, so to speak, 370 00:22:16,200 --> 00:22:19,920 Speaker 1: to keep the shark's jaws frozen, is by thanking God 371 00:22:19,960 --> 00:22:23,560 Speaker 1: for his favor. Every time you say, Lord, thank you 372 00:22:23,800 --> 00:22:27,640 Speaker 1: that your gracious hand is upon me, toxins are released 373 00:22:27,840 --> 00:22:31,600 Speaker 1: that paralyze the enemy. Lord, thank you that I'm surrounded 374 00:22:31,680 --> 00:22:35,320 Speaker 1: by your favor. More toxins, more protection is being released. 375 00:22:36,119 --> 00:22:38,560 Speaker 1: But if you go around talking about how big the 376 00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:41,520 Speaker 1: problem is, how you're never going to make it, that 377 00:22:41,560 --> 00:22:45,600 Speaker 1: does just the opposite, That acts like bait, that attracts 378 00:22:45,600 --> 00:22:48,919 Speaker 1: the enemy, that'll make it more difficult when you're in 379 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:53,520 Speaker 1: tough times, Remember that little fish. If you get negative, worried, 380 00:22:53,640 --> 00:22:57,119 Speaker 1: start complaining, you're going to attract more difficulty. But if 381 00:22:57,160 --> 00:23:01,280 Speaker 1: you'll dare, just declare God's favor, it'll release a power 382 00:23:01,520 --> 00:23:05,000 Speaker 1: that will keep those enemies from defeating you. When you 383 00:23:05,080 --> 00:23:08,560 Speaker 1: really understand that you have God's favor, you won't get 384 00:23:08,640 --> 00:23:11,840 Speaker 1: bent out of shape when trouble comes your way. Think 385 00:23:11,840 --> 00:23:15,040 Speaker 1: about this little moses soul when it's in the shark's mouth. 386 00:23:15,520 --> 00:23:18,480 Speaker 1: His blood pressure doesn't go up. He doesn't run called 387 00:23:18,560 --> 00:23:21,280 Speaker 1: nine to one one. He doesn't get depressed and say, oh, 388 00:23:21,320 --> 00:23:23,760 Speaker 1: this is not my day. No, he just goes about 389 00:23:23,760 --> 00:23:27,879 Speaker 1: his business. He knows there's something special about him. Before 390 00:23:27,920 --> 00:23:31,080 Speaker 1: the foundation of the world, God ordained that he would 391 00:23:31,119 --> 00:23:34,280 Speaker 1: be protected from that enemy. So he just rest in 392 00:23:34,359 --> 00:23:37,040 Speaker 1: who God made him to be. When you get a 393 00:23:37,080 --> 00:23:40,160 Speaker 1: revelation of who you are, a child of the most 394 00:23:40,200 --> 00:23:45,000 Speaker 1: High God crowned with favor, then when adversity comes, when 395 00:23:45,040 --> 00:23:48,000 Speaker 1: you face difficulties, you won't get worried or been out 396 00:23:48,040 --> 00:23:51,959 Speaker 1: of shape like this little fish. You'll declare God's favor 397 00:23:52,040 --> 00:23:55,440 Speaker 1: and you'll know that those enemies cannot keep you defeated. 398 00:23:56,920 --> 00:23:59,840 Speaker 1: I saw a report on the news a few years ago. 399 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:04,199 Speaker 1: So this teenage girl had driven her car into some 400 00:24:04,359 --> 00:24:07,439 Speaker 1: high water on this flooded street, and she ended up 401 00:24:07,480 --> 00:24:11,560 Speaker 1: stranded in her car, and the water was rising extremely quickly. 402 00:24:11,920 --> 00:24:14,280 Speaker 1: In just two or three minutes is already up over 403 00:24:14,320 --> 00:24:17,600 Speaker 1: her hood. Now she couldn't open the car doors because 404 00:24:17,600 --> 00:24:20,440 Speaker 1: the water pressure was too strong. She couldn't roll down 405 00:24:20,520 --> 00:24:23,920 Speaker 1: her windows they were electric, and her car had stalled. 406 00:24:23,920 --> 00:24:26,040 Speaker 1: And they were showing this all on the news, and 407 00:24:26,160 --> 00:24:28,920 Speaker 1: my heart was beating so fast. She was in there, 408 00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:32,120 Speaker 1: just praying and praying. This man jumped in the water 409 00:24:32,240 --> 00:24:35,520 Speaker 1: and swam over there, and he started beating on the window, 410 00:24:35,600 --> 00:24:39,119 Speaker 1: trying to break it open, with no success. The whole 411 00:24:39,160 --> 00:24:42,600 Speaker 1: time the car was floating down the road. I'll never 412 00:24:42,680 --> 00:24:45,360 Speaker 1: forget seeing this, just like in slow motion. At one 413 00:24:45,400 --> 00:24:49,280 Speaker 1: point the car tilted forward and the whole car went 414 00:24:49,359 --> 00:24:52,760 Speaker 1: totally underwater. My heart sunk. I thought, man, this is 415 00:24:52,880 --> 00:24:56,280 Speaker 1: just the end. About that time, another man jumps in 416 00:24:56,320 --> 00:24:59,840 Speaker 1: the water and he swims toward that car like he's superman. 417 00:25:00,440 --> 00:25:04,159 Speaker 1: Somehow he found the car went under water and disappeared 418 00:25:04,160 --> 00:25:07,840 Speaker 1: for about thirty seconds. Seemed like an eternity. But in 419 00:25:07,880 --> 00:25:10,679 Speaker 1: a few seconds you saw the young girl's arm come 420 00:25:10,760 --> 00:25:13,440 Speaker 1: up out of the water. I thought, my goodness, how 421 00:25:13,480 --> 00:25:16,000 Speaker 1: did he get a window open or a door opened 422 00:25:16,080 --> 00:25:18,840 Speaker 1: under there? A few seconds later he pulled her whole 423 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:21,560 Speaker 1: body out and he was able to help her get 424 00:25:21,560 --> 00:25:24,159 Speaker 1: to the shore. She was perfectly fine, walked off on 425 00:25:24,200 --> 00:25:27,640 Speaker 1: her own two feet. If that wasn't amazing enough. When 426 00:25:27,640 --> 00:25:30,840 Speaker 1: the wrecker pulled the car out of the water, they 427 00:25:30,920 --> 00:25:34,400 Speaker 1: noticed that no windows had been broken, no windows were down, 428 00:25:34,520 --> 00:25:37,640 Speaker 1: no doors, no evidence that any doors had been opened. 429 00:25:37,840 --> 00:25:40,760 Speaker 1: The newscaster sat there dumbfounded. He said, I don't know 430 00:25:40,800 --> 00:25:43,240 Speaker 1: you figure that one out. Listen, when you walk in 431 00:25:43,320 --> 00:25:47,200 Speaker 1: God's favor, no weapon formed against you is gonna prosper. 432 00:25:49,320 --> 00:25:53,199 Speaker 1: No matter how big the obstacle looks. The favor of 433 00:25:53,320 --> 00:25:57,280 Speaker 1: God will keep those enemies from defeating you. Just like 434 00:25:57,400 --> 00:26:01,040 Speaker 1: that little fish. God has put something on you. If 435 00:26:01,040 --> 00:26:03,400 Speaker 1: it's not your time to go, you're not gonna go. 436 00:26:04,040 --> 00:26:08,120 Speaker 1: Start declaring God's favor over your life. Speak favor over 437 00:26:08,160 --> 00:26:11,560 Speaker 1: your finances, over your health, over your family all through 438 00:26:11,600 --> 00:26:14,879 Speaker 1: the day. Lord, thank you that your gracious hand is 439 00:26:14,960 --> 00:26:19,800 Speaker 1: upon me. Friends, you have this favor factor. It can't 440 00:26:19,840 --> 00:26:23,080 Speaker 1: be measured. There's something about you that you can't put 441 00:26:23,119 --> 00:26:26,280 Speaker 1: on paper. Bottom line is you've got what it takes. 442 00:26:26,640 --> 00:26:29,760 Speaker 1: Now do your part and activate this favor in the 443 00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:33,679 Speaker 1: tough times. Don't complain, do like job Lord. Thank you, 444 00:26:33,800 --> 00:26:36,920 Speaker 1: I know I have your favor. When the dream looks 445 00:26:36,960 --> 00:26:40,960 Speaker 1: too big, don't give up. Do like Namiyah. Lord, thank 446 00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:44,440 Speaker 1: you that your gracious hand is upon me. If you'll 447 00:26:44,440 --> 00:26:49,000 Speaker 1: do this like job, you'll overcome every obstacle. Like ni Amiyah, 448 00:26:49,240 --> 00:26:52,240 Speaker 1: you will accomplish every God given dream. And I believe 449 00:26:52,320 --> 00:26:55,600 Speaker 1: and declare you will become everything God's created you to be, 450 00:26:55,720 --> 00:26:59,080 Speaker 1: and you will have everything God intended for you to have. Amen. 451 00:26:59,119 --> 00:27:02,760 Speaker 1: Do you receive it today? We never like to close 452 00:27:02,800 --> 00:27:06,320 Speaker 1: our broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus 453 00:27:06,359 --> 00:27:08,359 Speaker 1: the lord of your life. Would you pray with me? 454 00:27:08,960 --> 00:27:14,120 Speaker 1: Just say, Lord, Jesus, I'll repent of my sins. Come 455 00:27:14,160 --> 00:27:19,280 Speaker 1: into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. Friends, 456 00:27:19,320 --> 00:27:21,720 Speaker 1: if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 457 00:27:21,760 --> 00:27:25,120 Speaker 1: born again. Get in a good Bible based church. Keep 458 00:27:25,160 --> 00:27:27,719 Speaker 1: God first place. He's going to take your places that 459 00:27:27,760 --> 00:27:28,639 Speaker 1: you've never dreamed of. 460 00:27:30,560 --> 00:27:35,600 Speaker 2: Are you in a situation where you feel lost, afraid, hopeless, 461 00:27:35,880 --> 00:27:40,679 Speaker 2: where there seems to be no solutions, no answers, no 462 00:27:40,840 --> 00:27:44,159 Speaker 2: way out. It's time for your turnaround. 463 00:27:44,400 --> 00:27:47,400 Speaker 1: We all face situations that look like they'll never change. 464 00:27:47,440 --> 00:27:50,320 Speaker 1: It's easy to get discouraged. I love to send you 465 00:27:50,400 --> 00:27:53,040 Speaker 1: my book turn Around, How God Can Take You from 466 00:27:53,040 --> 00:27:56,600 Speaker 1: a Setback to a Comeback, where you'll discover how God 467 00:27:56,640 --> 00:28:01,520 Speaker 1: can turn sickness into health, lack into abundance, addictions into freedom. 468 00:28:02,000 --> 00:28:05,480 Speaker 1: It'll inspire you to keep believing and have an expectancy 469 00:28:05,560 --> 00:28:09,120 Speaker 1: for things to turn in your favor. Recent weeks, we've 470 00:28:09,160 --> 00:28:13,040 Speaker 1: been celebrating the incredible life of my mother, her miraculous 471 00:28:13,119 --> 00:28:17,200 Speaker 1: turnaround story of overcoming terminal cancer over forty years ago. 472 00:28:17,560 --> 00:28:21,199 Speaker 1: It's a testimony of the power of God's promises. Just 473 00:28:21,200 --> 00:28:23,959 Speaker 1: because you don't see a way doesn't mean God doesn't 474 00:28:23,960 --> 00:28:27,080 Speaker 1: have a way. Stay in faith, your turnaround is on 475 00:28:27,160 --> 00:28:27,520 Speaker 1: the way. 476 00:28:28,320 --> 00:28:30,680 Speaker 2: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 477 00:28:30,760 --> 00:28:33,359 Speaker 2: of any amount, this month, we would like to send 478 00:28:33,400 --> 00:28:37,200 Speaker 2: you a copy of Joel's brand new book, Turnaround, How 479 00:28:37,240 --> 00:28:40,840 Speaker 2: God Can Take You from Setback to come Back. Through 480 00:28:40,880 --> 00:28:46,320 Speaker 2: biblical examples, real life applications, and practical encouragement, you'll learn 481 00:28:46,400 --> 00:28:50,160 Speaker 2: to see challenges through a faith filled perspective. Each section 482 00:28:50,360 --> 00:28:53,480 Speaker 2: highlights a faith turnaround point to help you see a 483 00:28:53,560 --> 00:28:58,200 Speaker 2: positive change in your life. As you meditate on His promises, 484 00:28:58,480 --> 00:29:02,520 Speaker 2: you'll begin to see your great challenges turn around. These 485 00:29:02,640 --> 00:29:07,520 Speaker 2: power packed life transforming stories will shift your mindset, strengthen 486 00:29:07,560 --> 00:29:11,960 Speaker 2: your faith, and turn your trials into triumphs. Request your 487 00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:15,960 Speaker 2: copy today and see the turnaround and breakthrough you've been 488 00:29:16,000 --> 00:29:16,480 Speaker 2: waiting for. 489 00:29:17,600 --> 00:29:19,840 Speaker 1: God won't let you get in a problem that He 490 00:29:19,880 --> 00:29:23,400 Speaker 1: can't bring you out of. There are turnarounds in your future. 491 00:29:23,920 --> 00:29:26,640 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for being with us today. Victoria and 492 00:29:26,720 --> 00:29:29,240 Speaker 1: I pray for you and your family, and we sure 493 00:29:29,240 --> 00:29:33,280 Speaker 1: appreciate your prayer and support. Your generosity is helping bring 494 00:29:33,360 --> 00:29:36,720 Speaker 1: hope to people around the world. Special thank you to 495 00:29:36,760 --> 00:29:39,800 Speaker 1: our Champion of Hope partners for your monthly gifts. If 496 00:29:39,800 --> 00:29:42,600 Speaker 1: you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider it becoming one. 497 00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:46,520 Speaker 1: Remember you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, 498 00:29:46,960 --> 00:29:51,240 Speaker 1: download our daily podcast, watch on YouTube the new Joelosting 499 00:29:51,320 --> 00:29:54,600 Speaker 1: Network social media. Of course, you can listen Serious XM 500 00:29:54,680 --> 00:29:57,400 Speaker 1: twenty four hours a day. We'll keep you encouraged and 501 00:29:57,480 --> 00:30:00,880 Speaker 1: inspired until we see you next time. Miid The Lord 502 00:30:00,920 --> 00:30:02,320 Speaker 1: bless you and keep you. 503 00:30:03,120 --> 00:30:06,480 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of Turnaround How God 504 00:30:06,520 --> 00:30:10,600 Speaker 2: Can take You from setback to Comeback. Visit joelostein dot 505 00:30:10,640 --> 00:30:14,240 Speaker 2: com or call eight eight eight five six seven Joel 506 00:30:14,960 --> 00:30:18,120 Speaker 2: for an additional donation. This month, we are also offering 507 00:30:18,160 --> 00:30:21,760 Speaker 2: the Turnaround Faith Duo, one for you and one to 508 00:30:21,840 --> 00:30:24,760 Speaker 2: share with a friend or family member to encourage them. 509 00:30:25,080 --> 00:30:29,080 Speaker 2: You can also request the Turnaround Victory Collection. It includes 510 00:30:29,120 --> 00:30:32,800 Speaker 2: two turnaround books and the beautiful set of three wooden 511 00:30:32,920 --> 00:30:38,600 Speaker 2: encouragement blocks, Happy, Healthy, and Free, each featuring and uplifting scripture. 512 00:30:39,200 --> 00:30:42,960 Speaker 2: You can request these inspiring resources by calling eight eight 513 00:30:43,000 --> 00:30:47,040 Speaker 2: eight five six seven Joel or logging on to Joelostein 514 00:30:47,120 --> 00:30:51,080 Speaker 2: dot com Today. Call or click any time, twenty four 515 00:30:51,120 --> 00:30:54,680 Speaker 2: hours a day. Your life is about to turn around. 516 00:30:55,280 --> 00:30:57,160 Speaker 2: Request these resources today