1 00:00:00,569 --> 00:00:03,029 Speaker 1: What a joy to be with you today. We're praying 2 00:00:03,050 --> 00:00:05,570 Speaker 1: for you and your family. I know God has great 3 00:00:05,650 --> 00:00:08,360 Speaker 1: things in store. You wouldn't be alive if there weren't 4 00:00:08,460 --> 00:00:11,059 Speaker 1: more victories in front of you. So know that we 5 00:00:11,080 --> 00:00:13,240 Speaker 1: love you. We're praying for you. Hey, I hope you'll 6 00:00:13,260 --> 00:00:15,410 Speaker 1: stay tuned to the very end. We've got some special 7 00:00:15,470 --> 00:00:18,090 Speaker 1: resources to help you stay encouraged and inspired. 8 00:00:19,590 --> 00:00:20,489 Speaker 2: Well, God bless you. 9 00:00:20,510 --> 00:00:23,959 Speaker 1: It's a joy to come into your homes. And if 10 00:00:23,980 --> 00:00:26,460 Speaker 1: you're ever in our area, please stop by and be 11 00:00:26,500 --> 00:00:29,090 Speaker 1: a part of one of our services. I promise you, 12 00:00:29,330 --> 00:00:30,810 Speaker 1: we'll make you feel right at home. 13 00:00:31,750 --> 00:00:33,990 Speaker 2: I like to start with something funny and heard about 14 00:00:34,010 --> 00:00:34,590 Speaker 2: this man. 15 00:00:34,610 --> 00:00:37,690 Speaker 1: He was walking up to a country store and there 16 00:00:37,710 --> 00:00:40,410 Speaker 1: was this little boy sitting on the front porch with 17 00:00:40,470 --> 00:00:43,979 Speaker 1: a huge dog next to him. He said, son, does 18 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:46,800 Speaker 1: your dog bite? The boy said, no, sir, my dog 19 00:00:46,820 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 1: doesn't bite. The man reached out to pet him. The 20 00:00:49,620 --> 00:00:52,559 Speaker 1: dog took about half of his arm off. He said, son, 21 00:00:52,620 --> 00:00:54,300 Speaker 1: I thought you said your dog didn't bite. 22 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:58,570 Speaker 2: The little boy said, that's not my dog. say it 23 00:00:58,630 --> 00:01:01,580 Speaker 2: like you mean it. This is my Bible. I am 24 00:01:01,620 --> 00:01:03,960 Speaker 2: what it says I am. I have what it says 25 00:01:04,080 --> 00:01:04,480 Speaker 2: I have. 26 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:06,620 Speaker 1: I can do what it says I can do. 27 00:01:07,080 --> 00:01:08,140 Speaker 2: Today, I will be. 28 00:01:08,100 --> 00:01:11,860 Speaker 1: Taught the word of God. I boldly confess my mind 29 00:01:11,940 --> 00:01:14,040 Speaker 1: is alert. My heart is receptive. 30 00:01:14,420 --> 00:01:17,990 Speaker 2: I will never be the same in Jesus name. God 31 00:01:18,030 --> 00:01:18,590 Speaker 2: bless you. 32 00:01:18,610 --> 00:01:22,530 Speaker 1: I want to talk to you today about living joyful. 33 00:01:23,520 --> 00:01:26,580 Speaker 1: It's easy to let the pressures of life weigh us down. 34 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:30,869 Speaker 1: We have traffic to deal with, bills to pay, people 35 00:01:30,910 --> 00:01:34,429 Speaker 1: that are rude. If we're not careful, we'll look up 36 00:01:34,550 --> 00:01:37,870 Speaker 1: and we don't smile as much. We're not as friendly. 37 00:01:38,350 --> 00:01:42,110 Speaker 1: We never laugh, never have fun anymore. We have too 38 00:01:42,150 --> 00:01:47,710 Speaker 1: much pressure, too much responsibility to enjoy life. But God 39 00:01:47,770 --> 00:01:51,460 Speaker 1: didn't create you to live with a heaviness. You're not 40 00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:55,960 Speaker 1: supposed to go around solemn, serious all the time, burdened 41 00:01:55,980 --> 00:02:00,400 Speaker 1: down by problems, taking time to laugh, to have fun. 42 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:05,810 Speaker 1: That re-energizes you. It helps keep you in balance. If 43 00:02:05,850 --> 00:02:09,850 Speaker 1: it's all work, all stress, all dealing with problems, that's 44 00:02:09,870 --> 00:02:13,000 Speaker 1: going to weigh you down. You can get so busy 45 00:02:13,180 --> 00:02:18,160 Speaker 1: raising your children. changing diapers, getting them to school, making 46 00:02:18,190 --> 00:02:21,600 Speaker 1: sure their homework is done, that you don't enjoy your children. 47 00:02:22,139 --> 00:02:26,020 Speaker 1: It's all work, no time for playing. And sometimes we 48 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:29,760 Speaker 1: think we have to be serious to show that we're responsible, 49 00:02:30,410 --> 00:02:34,370 Speaker 1: but you can be responsible and good-natured at the same time. 50 00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 1: God created you with a sense of humor. You were 51 00:02:39,060 --> 00:02:41,500 Speaker 1: made to laugh, made to have fun. 52 00:02:42,260 --> 00:02:44,720 Speaker 2: Have you let the pressures of life weigh you down? 53 00:02:45,389 --> 00:02:47,650 Speaker 2: Are you always solemn, always serious? 54 00:02:48,570 --> 00:02:52,130 Speaker 1: If you don't make this adjustment, not only will you 55 00:02:52,190 --> 00:02:55,130 Speaker 1: not enjoy your life to the full, but you won't 56 00:02:55,190 --> 00:03:00,060 Speaker 1: have good relationships. Nobody wants to be around a grumpy, 57 00:03:00,200 --> 00:03:05,810 Speaker 1: sour person. That pushes people away. We represent Christ here 58 00:03:05,889 --> 00:03:09,060 Speaker 1: on this earth. If you're a believer, you need to 59 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:11,740 Speaker 1: notify your face. Put a smile on. 60 00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:14,680 Speaker 2: Be good natured. Be friendly. Learn to laugh. 61 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:19,329 Speaker 1: The scripture says a merry heart is like taking a 62 00:03:19,510 --> 00:03:23,450 Speaker 1: good medicine. Every day you need to take your medicine. 63 00:03:24,130 --> 00:03:27,750 Speaker 1: Find something that makes you laugh. See the humor in life. 64 00:03:28,450 --> 00:03:31,690 Speaker 1: It's one thing I love about Victoria. She laughs all 65 00:03:31,730 --> 00:03:34,310 Speaker 1: through the day. I can be in another part of 66 00:03:34,350 --> 00:03:35,470 Speaker 1: the house and I'll. 67 00:03:35,370 --> 00:03:39,350 Speaker 2: Hear her laughing. It echoes through the whole house. Sometimes 68 00:03:39,410 --> 00:03:41,350 Speaker 2: I'll go in to find out what it was. 69 00:03:41,650 --> 00:03:46,070 Speaker 1: It wasn't even funny. It was just something small. Most 70 00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:47,210 Speaker 1: people would have ignored it. 71 00:03:47,700 --> 00:03:52,400 Speaker 2: Not Victoria. She's looking for opportunities to laugh. She loves 72 00:03:52,460 --> 00:03:53,180 Speaker 2: to have fun. 73 00:03:53,580 --> 00:03:58,310 Speaker 1: She keeps a joyful atmosphere in our home. A while back, 74 00:03:58,430 --> 00:04:01,750 Speaker 1: we were standing on the front row during worship. I 75 00:04:01,770 --> 00:04:05,630 Speaker 1: had my eyes closed, my hands folded, thinking about what 76 00:04:05,690 --> 00:04:09,470 Speaker 1: I was going to say next. Victoria is much more outgoing. 77 00:04:09,990 --> 00:04:13,910 Speaker 1: She had both hands in the air, very expressive. All 78 00:04:13,930 --> 00:04:17,920 Speaker 1: of a sudden, as I was contemplating in deep thought, 79 00:04:18,310 --> 00:04:21,900 Speaker 1: Victoria threw her hip into mine. 80 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:24,560 Speaker 2: And about knocked me over. I looked at her. 81 00:04:24,860 --> 00:04:30,000 Speaker 1: She said, come on, Stiffy, lighten up. She calls me stiff. 82 00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:34,240 Speaker 1: I tell her the right word is dignified. A few 83 00:04:34,279 --> 00:04:37,520 Speaker 1: years ago, I was preparing a message along these lines 84 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:40,830 Speaker 1: and Victoria came in my office at home and asked 85 00:04:40,860 --> 00:04:42,600 Speaker 1: me what I was going to speak on that week. 86 00:04:43,180 --> 00:04:43,920 Speaker 2: I said, I'm going to. 87 00:04:43,920 --> 00:04:47,500 Speaker 1: Speak on staying full of joy, seeing the humor in life. 88 00:04:48,120 --> 00:04:51,160 Speaker 1: She put both hands in the air and said, woohoo, 89 00:04:51,480 --> 00:04:52,140 Speaker 1: I don't need that. 90 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:52,960 Speaker 2: But you sure do. 91 00:04:55,339 --> 00:04:58,500 Speaker 1: We've been married going on 30 years now and people 92 00:04:58,620 --> 00:05:04,000 Speaker 1: ask me, they're clapping for me, Victoria. People ask me, 93 00:05:05,420 --> 00:05:08,060 Speaker 1: People ask me all the time, what is the secret 94 00:05:08,140 --> 00:05:11,180 Speaker 1: of a good marriage? Always tell them, treat each other 95 00:05:11,220 --> 00:05:16,089 Speaker 1: with respect and keep laughter in the relationship. The family 96 00:05:16,110 --> 00:05:21,089 Speaker 1: that laughs together will stay together. But too often, we 97 00:05:21,190 --> 00:05:24,310 Speaker 1: used to laugh when we were dating. We used to 98 00:05:24,350 --> 00:05:27,589 Speaker 1: have fun. We used to enjoy each other. But now 99 00:05:27,750 --> 00:05:30,980 Speaker 1: we've let the pressures of life cause us to become 100 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:31,740 Speaker 1: more solemn. 101 00:05:32,300 --> 00:05:34,700 Speaker 2: We don't have time to laugh. We have bills to pay. 102 00:05:35,230 --> 00:05:38,010 Speaker 2: We have children to raise. We're dealing with problems. 103 00:05:38,390 --> 00:05:41,450 Speaker 1: We don't see eye to eye on every situation, but 104 00:05:41,510 --> 00:05:44,510 Speaker 1: the joy is what's going to help you get through 105 00:05:44,550 --> 00:05:48,750 Speaker 1: the tough times. Laughing together, having fun, that's going to 106 00:05:48,790 --> 00:05:51,830 Speaker 1: help keep you together. I know a couple that was 107 00:05:51,870 --> 00:05:55,770 Speaker 1: having difficulties in their marriage. They're good people. They just 108 00:05:55,830 --> 00:05:59,360 Speaker 1: let the pressures that come with everyday life drive them apart. 109 00:05:59,940 --> 00:06:03,229 Speaker 1: They were about to separate, but they decided to try 110 00:06:03,330 --> 00:06:07,010 Speaker 1: something for a few months. Once a week, they rented 111 00:06:07,029 --> 00:06:10,680 Speaker 1: a funny movie and watched it together. They would sit 112 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:14,320 Speaker 1: there and laugh and laugh. They told how that one 113 00:06:14,480 --> 00:06:17,260 Speaker 1: simple thing helped change their perspective. 114 00:06:17,740 --> 00:06:21,719 Speaker 2: It helped heal the wounds. They fell back in love. Today, 115 00:06:21,740 --> 00:06:22,880 Speaker 2: they're happily married. 116 00:06:23,910 --> 00:06:26,890 Speaker 1: Maybe you would see your relationship go to a new 117 00:06:26,950 --> 00:06:29,930 Speaker 1: level if you would get more joy in the home. 118 00:06:30,950 --> 00:06:35,369 Speaker 1: Living with pressure, stress, tension, division, that's going to drive 119 00:06:35,410 --> 00:06:39,450 Speaker 1: you apart. If you'll take time to laugh again, have 120 00:06:39,529 --> 00:06:45,010 Speaker 1: fun together, enjoy each other, that's going to breathe new life, freshness. 121 00:06:44,620 --> 00:06:45,800 Speaker 2: Into your relationship. 122 00:06:46,860 --> 00:06:50,200 Speaker 1: How long has it been since there was laughter in 123 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:54,099 Speaker 1: your home? The enemy can't stand to hear you laugh. 124 00:06:54,860 --> 00:06:58,140 Speaker 1: He can't stand to hear you having fun, laughing with 125 00:06:58,180 --> 00:07:02,630 Speaker 1: your children, laughing with your spouse, enjoying each other. He 126 00:07:02,690 --> 00:07:06,970 Speaker 1: wants there to be tension, pressure, strife. Why don't you 127 00:07:06,990 --> 00:07:11,670 Speaker 1: get on the offensive and start laughing more often? Laughter 128 00:07:11,830 --> 00:07:16,740 Speaker 1: is spiritual warfare. Laughter brings down walls. Laughter will help 129 00:07:16,780 --> 00:07:20,780 Speaker 1: your family stay together. And yes, We all have to 130 00:07:20,840 --> 00:07:24,320 Speaker 1: deal with tension and stress, but you need to create 131 00:07:24,460 --> 00:07:29,250 Speaker 1: a joyful atmosphere in your home. Don't bring in pressures 132 00:07:29,310 --> 00:07:33,710 Speaker 1: from work, stress from school, offense from what somebody said. 133 00:07:34,310 --> 00:07:37,770 Speaker 1: Your home needs to be a retreat from the negative 134 00:07:37,810 --> 00:07:40,000 Speaker 1: things you have to deal with during the day. 135 00:07:40,930 --> 00:07:41,990 Speaker 2: I heard about this man. 136 00:07:42,410 --> 00:07:45,130 Speaker 1: He had a tree in a pot next to his 137 00:07:45,210 --> 00:07:48,240 Speaker 1: back door at home. He was walking into the house 138 00:07:48,270 --> 00:07:51,100 Speaker 1: with a friend. He stopped and he touched the tree. 139 00:07:51,740 --> 00:07:54,420 Speaker 2: His friend asked him what he was doing. He said, 140 00:07:54,920 --> 00:07:56,360 Speaker 2: this is my trouble tree. 141 00:07:57,180 --> 00:08:00,560 Speaker 1: I leave all my troubles on this plant. I don't 142 00:08:00,600 --> 00:08:05,830 Speaker 1: take any worry inside. I don't take any problems, any disappointments, 143 00:08:06,070 --> 00:08:06,750 Speaker 1: any offense. 144 00:08:07,130 --> 00:08:10,300 Speaker 2: I leave it at the door. We all need a 145 00:08:10,560 --> 00:08:11,300 Speaker 2: trouble tree. 146 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:15,540 Speaker 1: Your home should be a cheerful place. If you're bringing 147 00:08:15,600 --> 00:08:19,910 Speaker 1: in stress, pressure, strife, that's going to weigh you down. 148 00:08:20,530 --> 00:08:25,290 Speaker 1: Leave the negative outside. Keep a joyful atmosphere in your home. 149 00:08:26,130 --> 00:08:29,530 Speaker 1: There was a hospital that did an experiment with patients 150 00:08:29,590 --> 00:08:31,790 Speaker 1: that had been sick for a long time and they 151 00:08:31,830 --> 00:08:35,270 Speaker 1: weren't getting well. They started taking them out to the 152 00:08:35,330 --> 00:08:39,410 Speaker 1: park several hours a day to watch the children playing. 153 00:08:40,250 --> 00:08:44,980 Speaker 1: They discovered when they heard the children laughing over and over, 154 00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:50,679 Speaker 1: the sound of laughter stimulated the body's natural healing process. 155 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:55,660 Speaker 1: It not only affected the patient's outlook, but research showed 156 00:08:56,100 --> 00:09:01,110 Speaker 1: they begin to recover faster. Just hearing other people laugh 157 00:09:01,510 --> 00:09:05,770 Speaker 1: help bring healing. Imagine what happens on the inside of 158 00:09:05,950 --> 00:09:09,590 Speaker 1: us when we live joyfully. We take time to laugh 159 00:09:09,790 --> 00:09:13,890 Speaker 1: every day. It not only affects us mentally, our attitude, 160 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:16,040 Speaker 1: our moods, it affects us physically. 161 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:18,940 Speaker 2: Laughter will help you stay younger. 162 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:23,560 Speaker 1: Every time you laugh, what's known as the youth hormone 163 00:09:23,860 --> 00:09:29,819 Speaker 1: increases 87%. That's the hormone that slows down the aging process, 164 00:09:30,160 --> 00:09:34,450 Speaker 1: helps you stay younger and fresher. You've seen people that 165 00:09:34,470 --> 00:09:36,490 Speaker 1: have been through a difficult time in life. 166 00:09:36,950 --> 00:09:39,910 Speaker 2: They were under stress and pressure. You see them two 167 00:09:39,950 --> 00:09:44,250 Speaker 2: years later, it looks like they've aged 20 years. Why 168 00:09:44,330 --> 00:09:47,130 Speaker 2: is that? When we don't laugh, we're not. 169 00:09:47,050 --> 00:09:50,670 Speaker 1: Releasing the healing that God put on the inside. When 170 00:09:50,710 --> 00:09:56,460 Speaker 1: we live stressed, somber, discouraged, those chemicals God designed to 171 00:09:56,520 --> 00:10:01,710 Speaker 1: keep us younger are sitting there inactive, ineffective. Well, Joel, 172 00:10:02,090 --> 00:10:06,310 Speaker 1: that's just not my personality. I'm a more solemn, serious person. 173 00:10:07,050 --> 00:10:10,750 Speaker 1: I realize God made us all different. My earliest baby pictures, 174 00:10:10,809 --> 00:10:14,640 Speaker 1: I'm smiling from ear to ear. We have different demeanors, but. 175 00:10:14,600 --> 00:10:17,839 Speaker 2: Most of the time what's happened is we've forgotten how 176 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:18,280 Speaker 2: to laugh. 177 00:10:19,350 --> 00:10:24,209 Speaker 1: The average child laughs 150 times a day. The average 178 00:10:24,230 --> 00:10:28,170 Speaker 1: adult laughs three times a day. And some people haven't 179 00:10:28,220 --> 00:10:32,040 Speaker 1: laughed in so long, their laugher has gotten rusty. You 180 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:35,300 Speaker 1: need to get that thing out, dust it off. Every day, 181 00:10:35,540 --> 00:10:40,010 Speaker 1: find some reason to laugh. Start taking your medicine. I 182 00:10:40,070 --> 00:10:43,350 Speaker 1: read where a common ingredient in people that live way 183 00:10:43,410 --> 00:10:47,770 Speaker 1: up into their 90s wasn't their diet, wasn't their exercise routine. 184 00:10:48,170 --> 00:10:51,870 Speaker 1: It was the fact that they are extremely joyful people. 185 00:10:52,490 --> 00:10:55,750 Speaker 1: They never forgot how to laugh. They don't take everything 186 00:10:55,830 --> 00:11:06,800 Speaker 1: so seriously. I met a man after the service. 187 00:11:06,500 --> 00:11:07,380 Speaker 2: A few years ago. 188 00:11:07,910 --> 00:11:12,540 Speaker 1: That was 106 years old. He looked 40 years younger. 189 00:11:13,179 --> 00:11:16,020 Speaker 2: He was so happy. His mind was sharp. 190 00:11:16,460 --> 00:11:20,080 Speaker 1: He stood in line 40 minutes waiting to visit. I said, 191 00:11:20,179 --> 00:11:21,960 Speaker 1: we could have gotten you a chair. You could have 192 00:11:21,980 --> 00:11:24,270 Speaker 1: sat down. He said, I don't need to sit down. 193 00:11:24,570 --> 00:11:28,370 Speaker 1: When I get old, I'll sit down. He was a 194 00:11:28,550 --> 00:11:32,550 Speaker 1: black man, handsome as can be. He didn't have one 195 00:11:32,790 --> 00:11:36,270 Speaker 1: wrinkle on his face. I said, I can't believe that 196 00:11:36,290 --> 00:11:39,790 Speaker 1: you're 106. You look like you could be 70. He 197 00:11:39,850 --> 00:11:42,860 Speaker 1: put his arm on my shoulder and said, Joel, black 198 00:11:42,910 --> 00:11:43,600 Speaker 1: don't crack. 199 00:11:46,960 --> 00:11:50,100 Speaker 2: We laughed and laughed. When he went to walk. 200 00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:52,280 Speaker 1: Away, he turned around and said to the whole group, 201 00:11:52,540 --> 00:11:57,010 Speaker 1: I'll see you next year. I thought about no wonder 202 00:11:57,110 --> 00:11:58,010 Speaker 1: he's so healthy. 203 00:11:58,470 --> 00:12:01,800 Speaker 2: He's full of joy. He still has his sense of humor. 204 00:12:02,240 --> 00:12:03,400 Speaker 2: He loves to laugh. 205 00:12:03,740 --> 00:12:07,099 Speaker 1: Think about all those years healing was flowing on the inside. 206 00:12:07,860 --> 00:12:11,130 Speaker 1: Now realize we're all going to get old. Eventually we're 207 00:12:11,210 --> 00:12:13,809 Speaker 1: all going to die, but I've made up my mind. 208 00:12:14,190 --> 00:12:17,010 Speaker 1: I'm not going to turn into a grumpy old man. 209 00:12:17,610 --> 00:12:20,030 Speaker 1: I'm not going to get more and more sour. The 210 00:12:20,110 --> 00:12:24,429 Speaker 1: older I get, the more responsibility I have. I'm going 211 00:12:24,470 --> 00:12:27,480 Speaker 1: to stay full of joy. When it's my time to go, 212 00:12:27,500 --> 00:12:31,040 Speaker 1: I'm going to go like him. Happy, friendly, good nature. 213 00:12:31,460 --> 00:12:33,680 Speaker 2: When I'm in my 90s, I'm still going to have 214 00:12:33,720 --> 00:12:37,600 Speaker 2: a smile. Still be telling my jokes. Still have my hair. 215 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:39,720 Speaker 1: May not be real, but I'm going to have some. 216 00:12:42,780 --> 00:12:47,180 Speaker 1: But sometimes we think the older we get, the more 217 00:12:47,320 --> 00:12:50,850 Speaker 1: solemn we're supposed to be, the less fun we're supposed 218 00:12:50,890 --> 00:12:51,290 Speaker 1: to have. 219 00:12:51,710 --> 00:12:55,010 Speaker 2: That's not God's way. The scripture says we. 220 00:12:54,950 --> 00:12:58,550 Speaker 1: Are to finish our course with joy. If you don't 221 00:12:58,570 --> 00:13:01,640 Speaker 1: have joy, if you don't take time to laugh regularly, 222 00:13:01,900 --> 00:13:04,540 Speaker 1: if you're not good natured, you're not going to finish 223 00:13:04,559 --> 00:13:07,660 Speaker 1: your course the way God wants you to. And I've 224 00:13:07,700 --> 00:13:11,760 Speaker 1: learned old is all in our minds. Just because our 225 00:13:11,900 --> 00:13:15,770 Speaker 1: physical body ages doesn't mean our attitude and our thoughts 226 00:13:15,929 --> 00:13:16,770 Speaker 1: have to get old. 227 00:13:17,730 --> 00:13:19,750 Speaker 2: I knew a man at the gym that was 83. 228 00:13:19,750 --> 00:13:23,150 Speaker 1: He was as happy and fun to be around as 229 00:13:23,210 --> 00:13:26,870 Speaker 1: can be. He acted like he was my age. I 230 00:13:27,010 --> 00:13:30,060 Speaker 1: asked him how he stayed so young. He said, Joel, 231 00:13:30,460 --> 00:13:34,079 Speaker 1: I don't think old thoughts. I don't think of myself 232 00:13:34,140 --> 00:13:36,520 Speaker 1: as an old man. I think of myself as in 233 00:13:36,540 --> 00:13:41,140 Speaker 1: my 20s. See, your spirit person The real you that 234 00:13:41,210 --> 00:13:43,510 Speaker 1: lives on the inside is ageless. 235 00:13:44,030 --> 00:13:45,190 Speaker 2: It's going to live forever. 236 00:13:45,890 --> 00:13:50,150 Speaker 1: Sometimes we talk ourselves into being old and sour and solemn. 237 00:13:51,210 --> 00:13:54,429 Speaker 1: When my father was 75, we'd be walking by a 238 00:13:54,470 --> 00:13:57,709 Speaker 1: group of people and he would see somebody maybe in 239 00:13:57,750 --> 00:14:00,530 Speaker 1: their 60s. Without thinking, he'd say, Joel, look at that 240 00:14:00,630 --> 00:14:04,069 Speaker 1: old man. I would think, Daddy, he's 20 years younger 241 00:14:04,110 --> 00:14:06,550 Speaker 1: than you. But in my father's. 242 00:14:06,270 --> 00:14:09,490 Speaker 2: Mind, he was still young. My father. 243 00:14:10,080 --> 00:14:14,050 Speaker 1: was a respected pastor. He was serious about his relationship 244 00:14:14,090 --> 00:14:17,829 Speaker 1: with God. He was a responsible person, but he still 245 00:14:17,890 --> 00:14:18,850 Speaker 1: loved to have fun. 246 00:14:19,790 --> 00:14:21,290 Speaker 2: One time we were in Mexico. 247 00:14:21,910 --> 00:14:24,970 Speaker 1: I was a little boy. These American tourists came up 248 00:14:25,010 --> 00:14:27,930 Speaker 1: to my father. They were looking for the post office. 249 00:14:28,390 --> 00:14:31,570 Speaker 1: They couldn't find anybody that spoke English. They said to 250 00:14:31,610 --> 00:14:36,460 Speaker 1: my father, post office, mail a letter. My father looked 251 00:14:36,480 --> 00:14:39,400 Speaker 1: at them kind of confused and said, no comprende. 252 00:14:40,600 --> 00:14:41,460 Speaker 2: Espanol. 253 00:14:42,820 --> 00:14:47,450 Speaker 1: They said it even more dramatic, post office, mail a letter. 254 00:14:47,670 --> 00:14:51,989 Speaker 1: Daddy said, oh, post office. They got real excited. Yes, yes, 255 00:14:52,050 --> 00:14:54,860 Speaker 1: post office. Daddy said, you're looking for the post office. 256 00:14:54,920 --> 00:14:58,440 Speaker 1: It's right around the corner. That man looked at my 257 00:14:58,500 --> 00:15:02,380 Speaker 1: father and said, boy, I ought to whoop you. Don't 258 00:15:02,500 --> 00:15:07,280 Speaker 1: ever lose the child on the inside. Look for opportunities 259 00:15:07,340 --> 00:15:11,370 Speaker 1: to laugh. You may have to retrain yourself to have fun. 260 00:15:11,900 --> 00:15:16,190 Speaker 1: Retrain yourself to see the humor. Sometimes if we're not working, 261 00:15:16,330 --> 00:15:19,450 Speaker 1: we feel guilty. We're stressed out thinking about what we 262 00:15:19,510 --> 00:15:23,340 Speaker 1: should be doing. But all work and no play is 263 00:15:23,460 --> 00:15:27,800 Speaker 1: out of balance. Give yourself permission to enjoy your life. 264 00:15:28,580 --> 00:15:31,680 Speaker 1: start taking your medicine, not once a month, not once 265 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:34,820 Speaker 1: a week, but every day. And you may have a 266 00:15:34,920 --> 00:15:38,400 Speaker 1: serious position like my father, but you can still have 267 00:15:38,440 --> 00:15:42,780 Speaker 1: a lighthearted spirit. During a Sunday service, I was about 268 00:15:42,830 --> 00:15:45,610 Speaker 1: to come up to minister and Victoria told me that 269 00:15:45,650 --> 00:15:46,930 Speaker 1: my hair was sticking. 270 00:15:46,750 --> 00:15:48,810 Speaker 2: Up and I needed to go in the back and 271 00:15:48,890 --> 00:15:49,360 Speaker 2: spray it. 272 00:15:50,130 --> 00:15:52,530 Speaker 1: I asked where the hairspray was and she said, it's 273 00:15:52,570 --> 00:15:55,590 Speaker 1: in the bathroom on the counter in a big red can. 274 00:15:56,320 --> 00:15:58,620 Speaker 1: I went in, found the can, sprayed my hair, but 275 00:15:58,860 --> 00:16:01,680 Speaker 1: it wouldn't keep it down. So I sprayed and sprayed 276 00:16:01,700 --> 00:16:04,800 Speaker 1: and sprayed, still wouldn't keep it down. After the service, 277 00:16:05,220 --> 00:16:07,760 Speaker 1: Victoria said, Joel, why didn't you spray your hair? It 278 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:10,610 Speaker 1: was still sticking up. I said, I did, but your 279 00:16:10,660 --> 00:16:14,030 Speaker 1: hairspray doesn't work. She said, show me what you used. 280 00:16:14,050 --> 00:16:16,090 Speaker 1: And I brought it to her. She said, Joel, this 281 00:16:16,170 --> 00:16:22,990 Speaker 1: is not hairspray. This is air freshener. I smiled and said, 282 00:16:23,010 --> 00:16:26,860 Speaker 1: at least I have the best smelling hair around. When 283 00:16:26,900 --> 00:16:31,880 Speaker 1: you're secure, you can even laugh at yourself. Getting upset 284 00:16:32,070 --> 00:16:35,050 Speaker 1: wasn't going to make it any better. If you can't 285 00:16:35,110 --> 00:16:36,950 Speaker 1: change it, there's no reason. 286 00:16:36,670 --> 00:16:37,570 Speaker 2: To lose your joy. 287 00:16:38,610 --> 00:16:42,870 Speaker 1: These days, people are very uptight, on edge. There's so 288 00:16:42,910 --> 00:16:46,979 Speaker 1: much divisiveness in our society. If we're not careful, we'll think, 289 00:16:47,400 --> 00:16:47,840 Speaker 1: this is. 290 00:16:47,760 --> 00:16:49,060 Speaker 2: No time to enjoy life. 291 00:16:49,710 --> 00:16:51,930 Speaker 1: No time to laugh, no time to see the humor, 292 00:16:52,330 --> 00:16:54,430 Speaker 1: but just the opposite is true. 293 00:16:54,970 --> 00:16:56,850 Speaker 2: More than ever, this is the. 294 00:16:56,850 --> 00:17:00,770 Speaker 1: Time to live joyfully. Be a part of the solution. 295 00:17:01,210 --> 00:17:04,369 Speaker 1: Bring some cheer to the people around you. Put a 296 00:17:04,430 --> 00:17:08,770 Speaker 1: smile on your face. There's too much sadness in our world. 297 00:17:09,690 --> 00:17:14,280 Speaker 1: Every person deals with hurt, disappointments. We all have stress 298 00:17:14,560 --> 00:17:18,830 Speaker 1: and tension. Don't let that deceive you into living with 299 00:17:18,890 --> 00:17:24,120 Speaker 1: a heaviness, discouraged, solemn. Well, Joel, I have a good excuse. 300 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:28,160 Speaker 1: I've had a lot of bad breaks. Jesus said, in life, 301 00:17:28,580 --> 00:17:32,080 Speaker 1: you will have difficulties. He acknowledged that we're going to 302 00:17:32,119 --> 00:17:35,720 Speaker 1: have challenges. Everything's not going to be perfect. He went 303 00:17:35,810 --> 00:17:37,590 Speaker 1: on to say, I have the solution. 304 00:17:37,970 --> 00:17:39,530 Speaker 2: Be of good cheer. 305 00:17:40,390 --> 00:17:45,460 Speaker 1: He didn't say be discouraged, be sad, be offended. In 306 00:17:45,500 --> 00:17:49,460 Speaker 1: the tough times, you need your joy. Joy is what 307 00:17:49,500 --> 00:17:52,960 Speaker 1: gives you strength. But if the enemy can deceive you 308 00:17:53,320 --> 00:17:57,750 Speaker 1: into living with a heaviness, discouraged, solemn, he'll be able 309 00:17:57,790 --> 00:17:59,570 Speaker 1: to defeat you at every turn. 310 00:18:00,330 --> 00:18:01,629 Speaker 2: Don't fall into that trap. 311 00:18:01,950 --> 00:18:06,390 Speaker 1: Your circumstances may not change, but you can change. Quit 312 00:18:06,470 --> 00:18:10,600 Speaker 1: letting everything burden you down. Make a decision right in 313 00:18:10,630 --> 00:18:12,240 Speaker 1: the midst of the difficulty. 314 00:18:12,600 --> 00:18:14,400 Speaker 2: You're going to be of good cheer. 315 00:18:15,490 --> 00:18:20,530 Speaker 1: Studies show that living joyfully boosts our immune system. It 316 00:18:20,590 --> 00:18:25,490 Speaker 1: lowers our blood pressure. People that laugh regularly are 40% 317 00:18:25,490 --> 00:18:29,679 Speaker 1: less likely to have a heart attack. Laughter releases the 318 00:18:29,740 --> 00:18:34,240 Speaker 1: body's natural tranquilizers that cause us to calm down and 319 00:18:34,320 --> 00:18:34,940 Speaker 1: sleep better. 320 00:18:35,840 --> 00:18:37,140 Speaker 2: The United States. 321 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:42,370 Speaker 1: Represents 6% of the world's population, but we take 90% 322 00:18:42,369 --> 00:18:43,730 Speaker 1: of the world's tranquilizers. 323 00:18:44,520 --> 00:18:45,400 Speaker 2: We're too uptight. 324 00:18:46,060 --> 00:18:50,560 Speaker 1: You're not supposed to live stressed out, always thinking about 325 00:18:50,580 --> 00:18:51,399 Speaker 1: your problems. 326 00:18:52,100 --> 00:18:54,000 Speaker 2: Your mind needs a break. 327 00:18:55,020 --> 00:18:58,600 Speaker 1: Sometimes we give our body a vacation, but our mind 328 00:18:58,660 --> 00:19:01,560 Speaker 1: never gets a day off. You can go to the beach, 329 00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:04,420 Speaker 1: watch the sunset, and still be worried about your health, 330 00:19:04,940 --> 00:19:07,520 Speaker 1: stressed out of your finances, thinking about what you. 331 00:19:07,420 --> 00:19:10,760 Speaker 2: Should be doing. You need to give your mind a break. 332 00:19:11,540 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 1: The scripture says, in God's presence is fullness of joy. 333 00:19:16,619 --> 00:19:21,320 Speaker 1: If you don't have joy, you've disconnected yourself from God's presence. 334 00:19:22,060 --> 00:19:23,199 Speaker 2: If you go through the day. 335 00:19:23,100 --> 00:19:28,430 Speaker 1: Worried, stressed, somber, you are separating yourself from the blessing, 336 00:19:28,690 --> 00:19:32,230 Speaker 1: the favor, the strength that you need. And I realize 337 00:19:32,710 --> 00:19:35,369 Speaker 1: every day, we're not going to be jumping up and down, 338 00:19:35,950 --> 00:19:37,030 Speaker 1: laughing all the time. 339 00:19:37,850 --> 00:19:39,790 Speaker 2: We have real issues to deal with. 340 00:19:40,520 --> 00:19:44,280 Speaker 1: Loved ones that have illnesses, situations in our health, in 341 00:19:44,369 --> 00:19:48,570 Speaker 1: our marriage. What I'm saying is don't let those problems 342 00:19:48,670 --> 00:19:51,500 Speaker 1: weigh you down to where you live with the heaviness. 343 00:19:52,140 --> 00:19:55,340 Speaker 2: You can't have fun. You can't laugh. You're dealing with 344 00:19:55,420 --> 00:19:56,440 Speaker 2: serious issues. 345 00:19:57,180 --> 00:20:00,800 Speaker 1: You have to have times where you can still be lighthearted. 346 00:20:01,119 --> 00:20:04,379 Speaker 1: That's what helps you to get through those times. I've 347 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:07,780 Speaker 1: been to several funerals. They can be very sad, very heavy, 348 00:20:08,240 --> 00:20:11,570 Speaker 1: but I've noticed that when someone gets up and starts 349 00:20:11,590 --> 00:20:15,780 Speaker 1: telling funny stories about the person, the audience goes from 350 00:20:15,880 --> 00:20:20,540 Speaker 1: crying to laughing, you can feel the atmosphere change. It's 351 00:20:20,580 --> 00:20:24,460 Speaker 1: like healing is taking place. The whole room is being lifted. 352 00:20:25,310 --> 00:20:28,570 Speaker 1: God didn't create you to live with the heaviness, to 353 00:20:28,609 --> 00:20:30,130 Speaker 1: go around overwhelmed. 354 00:20:30,530 --> 00:20:33,850 Speaker 2: You have to get some joy in your life. some fun, 355 00:20:33,930 --> 00:20:34,730 Speaker 2: some laughter. 356 00:20:35,330 --> 00:20:38,750 Speaker 1: That's what helped balance out the difficulties that we have 357 00:20:38,770 --> 00:20:42,320 Speaker 1: to face. I read about a lady that hadn't slept 358 00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:47,320 Speaker 1: well in years. She was constantly taking tranquilizers. She'd been 359 00:20:47,359 --> 00:20:50,530 Speaker 1: on them so long, they hardly had any effect on her. 360 00:20:51,130 --> 00:20:55,090 Speaker 1: She'd tried everything, different diets, different medications, different. 361 00:20:54,850 --> 00:20:56,570 Speaker 2: Doctors, nothing helped. 362 00:20:57,390 --> 00:20:59,780 Speaker 1: She went to a new doctor. He gave her an 363 00:20:59,960 --> 00:21:04,220 Speaker 1: unusual prescription. He told her every night before she went 364 00:21:04,270 --> 00:21:08,030 Speaker 1: to bed, she was to watch something funny, funny movie, 365 00:21:08,170 --> 00:21:11,930 Speaker 1: funny comedy, something to make her laugh. She started doing 366 00:21:11,970 --> 00:21:16,990 Speaker 1: this night after night. She begins sleeping better and better. Today, 367 00:21:17,350 --> 00:21:20,220 Speaker 1: she's off of all that medicine. She can sleep like 368 00:21:20,260 --> 00:21:20,699 Speaker 1: a baby. 369 00:21:21,300 --> 00:21:22,200 Speaker 2: What was the problem? 370 00:21:22,800 --> 00:21:27,350 Speaker 1: She was having to take man-made tranquilizers because she wasn't 371 00:21:27,400 --> 00:21:32,810 Speaker 1: releasing the natural tranquilizers that God put in us. Could 372 00:21:32,850 --> 00:21:36,270 Speaker 1: it be that you would receive the healing you've been 373 00:21:36,330 --> 00:21:40,939 Speaker 1: longing for, the headaches, the chronic pain, the depression, the 374 00:21:41,020 --> 00:21:44,859 Speaker 1: insomnia would go away if you would just lighten up 375 00:21:45,300 --> 00:21:49,389 Speaker 1: and learn to laugh more often? Much of the sicknesses 376 00:21:49,430 --> 00:21:51,950 Speaker 1: we face today are stress-related. 377 00:21:52,730 --> 00:21:53,630 Speaker 2: We're too uptight. 378 00:21:54,590 --> 00:21:57,550 Speaker 1: If a doctor gave us a prescription to take a 379 00:21:57,609 --> 00:22:00,950 Speaker 1: pill several times a day, we would be very strict 380 00:22:01,090 --> 00:22:02,470 Speaker 1: to follow his instructions. 381 00:22:02,990 --> 00:22:04,470 Speaker 2: Even if we had to get up in the middle 382 00:22:04,560 --> 00:22:05,080 Speaker 2: of the night. 383 00:22:06,119 --> 00:22:09,220 Speaker 1: I have a prescription for you, not from a doctor, 384 00:22:09,660 --> 00:22:14,900 Speaker 1: but from your creator. He says, stay cheerful, laugh every day, 385 00:22:15,340 --> 00:22:19,369 Speaker 1: be good natured, see the humor in life. If you 386 00:22:19,410 --> 00:22:23,270 Speaker 1: will stay on your prescription, have a merry heart, you'll 387 00:22:23,290 --> 00:22:23,830 Speaker 1: sleep better. 388 00:22:24,470 --> 00:22:25,609 Speaker 2: You'll be more creative. 389 00:22:26,210 --> 00:22:29,210 Speaker 1: These areas of chronic pain and sicknesses will begin to 390 00:22:29,250 --> 00:22:32,650 Speaker 1: go away. Friend of mine is a doctor and this 391 00:22:32,730 --> 00:22:35,850 Speaker 1: lady came into his practice that had a severe case 392 00:22:35,990 --> 00:22:37,290 Speaker 1: of fibromyalgia. 393 00:22:37,670 --> 00:22:38,690 Speaker 2: It's very painful. 394 00:22:39,210 --> 00:22:42,340 Speaker 1: She would spend hours a day in bed suffering. She 395 00:22:42,380 --> 00:22:46,180 Speaker 1: had chronic fatigue, no energy. She was in poor health, 396 00:22:46,280 --> 00:22:50,320 Speaker 1: not only physically, but emotionally. She'd gone through tough times 397 00:22:50,359 --> 00:22:52,139 Speaker 1: and lived a very depressed life. 398 00:22:53,080 --> 00:22:53,760 Speaker 2: He gave her. 399 00:22:53,760 --> 00:22:57,030 Speaker 1: Medicine for the pain, but he knew that was only 400 00:22:57,109 --> 00:23:01,370 Speaker 1: treating the symptom and not the root cause. After talking 401 00:23:01,430 --> 00:23:05,190 Speaker 1: to her and realizing how depressed she was, he asked her, 402 00:23:05,830 --> 00:23:06,850 Speaker 1: how long has it. 403 00:23:06,850 --> 00:23:09,889 Speaker 2: Been since you had a good hearty laugh? 404 00:23:10,740 --> 00:23:13,770 Speaker 1: She thought about it a moment and said, doctor, I 405 00:23:13,810 --> 00:23:17,090 Speaker 1: haven't had a good laugh in over 30 years since 406 00:23:17,130 --> 00:23:17,950 Speaker 1: I was a little girl. 407 00:23:18,770 --> 00:23:19,530 Speaker 2: He said, your. 408 00:23:19,410 --> 00:23:23,359 Speaker 1: Prescription is to go rent every funny movie you can find, 409 00:23:23,690 --> 00:23:27,419 Speaker 1: read every funny book and laugh as much as you can. 410 00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:29,200 Speaker 2: She began to do that. 411 00:23:29,820 --> 00:23:33,300 Speaker 1: Lying in bed, instead of feeling sorry for herself, she 412 00:23:33,359 --> 00:23:37,030 Speaker 1: started laughing. Little by little, she got her joy back. 413 00:23:37,609 --> 00:23:40,869 Speaker 1: Every day she would laugh more and more. She noticed 414 00:23:40,910 --> 00:23:42,550 Speaker 1: the pain started subsiding. 415 00:23:43,050 --> 00:23:45,230 Speaker 2: She had more energy. She felt better. 416 00:23:45,970 --> 00:23:49,169 Speaker 1: Several months later, she went back to the doctor. The 417 00:23:49,230 --> 00:23:52,430 Speaker 1: moment she walked in the door, he said he knew 418 00:23:52,609 --> 00:23:55,709 Speaker 1: something was different. There was a sparkle in her eye. 419 00:23:56,210 --> 00:23:59,280 Speaker 1: She had a smile on her face. She said, doctor, 420 00:23:59,760 --> 00:24:02,240 Speaker 1: I've never felt this good in all of my life. 421 00:24:03,260 --> 00:24:07,159 Speaker 1: Month after month, as she relearned how to laugh, she 422 00:24:07,220 --> 00:24:08,840 Speaker 1: got healthier and healthier and. 423 00:24:09,300 --> 00:24:13,140 Speaker 2: Today, she's free from all those illnesses. There is healing 424 00:24:13,320 --> 00:24:14,619 Speaker 2: power in laughter. 425 00:24:15,040 --> 00:24:19,840 Speaker 1: When you have a joyful spirit, health, wholeness is constantly 426 00:24:20,000 --> 00:24:20,880 Speaker 1: flowing through you. 427 00:24:22,040 --> 00:24:24,260 Speaker 2: Let me ask you what he asked her. 428 00:24:25,060 --> 00:24:27,959 Speaker 1: How long has it been since you had a good laugh? 429 00:24:28,619 --> 00:24:31,960 Speaker 2: A day, a week, a month, 10 years? 430 00:24:32,920 --> 00:24:36,040 Speaker 1: In the Old Testament, one way an army would overtake 431 00:24:36,100 --> 00:24:39,580 Speaker 1: a city is they would clog up the wells that 432 00:24:39,619 --> 00:24:41,330 Speaker 1: provided water to that city. 433 00:24:41,900 --> 00:24:43,530 Speaker 2: They would fill it full of stones. 434 00:24:44,109 --> 00:24:46,889 Speaker 1: Before long, people didn't have anything to drink and they 435 00:24:46,910 --> 00:24:49,869 Speaker 1: would have to come out from beyond the protected walls 436 00:24:49,890 --> 00:24:53,970 Speaker 1: and the army would attack. In the same way, all 437 00:24:54,010 --> 00:24:57,429 Speaker 1: of us have a well of joy on the inside. 438 00:24:58,260 --> 00:25:00,780 Speaker 1: When we were children, it flowed freely. 439 00:25:01,359 --> 00:25:01,980 Speaker 2: We laughed. 440 00:25:02,450 --> 00:25:05,710 Speaker 1: We had fun, we were good natured, but too often 441 00:25:06,150 --> 00:25:09,960 Speaker 1: our well has gotten clogged up with stones of worry, 442 00:25:10,040 --> 00:25:14,000 Speaker 1: stones of stress, stones of pressure. Now the water doesn't 443 00:25:14,060 --> 00:25:15,240 Speaker 1: flow like God. 444 00:25:15,100 --> 00:25:15,940 Speaker 2: Created it to. 445 00:25:16,920 --> 00:25:22,580 Speaker 1: Genesis 26 says, Isaac re-dug the wells that the Philistines 446 00:25:22,720 --> 00:25:28,030 Speaker 1: had clogged up. I think it's interesting, Isaac's name means laughter. 447 00:25:28,050 --> 00:25:28,210 Speaker 3: Laughter. 448 00:25:28,970 --> 00:25:32,669 Speaker 1: It's significant that Isaac was the one that redug the well. 449 00:25:33,570 --> 00:25:37,030 Speaker 1: God is saying, if you want to get your well unclogged, 450 00:25:37,350 --> 00:25:40,240 Speaker 1: if you want to see his goodness flow in new ways, 451 00:25:40,800 --> 00:25:44,439 Speaker 1: you have to get your joy back. Laughter is one 452 00:25:44,460 --> 00:25:48,699 Speaker 1: of the best ways to unclog your well. I'm asking 453 00:25:48,740 --> 00:25:52,500 Speaker 1: you to develop a lifestyle where you see the humor 454 00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:56,220 Speaker 1: in everyday life, laughing with your children, laughing. 455 00:25:55,920 --> 00:25:57,820 Speaker 2: With your family, being good natured. 456 00:25:58,630 --> 00:26:02,070 Speaker 1: The scripture says in Job, God will fill your mouth 457 00:26:02,230 --> 00:26:06,429 Speaker 1: with laughter. That's God's dream that your life would be 458 00:26:06,530 --> 00:26:07,670 Speaker 1: full of laughter. 459 00:26:08,450 --> 00:26:13,140 Speaker 2: Are you living stressed, somber, worried? Make a change today. 460 00:26:13,760 --> 00:26:18,020 Speaker 1: Get your well unclogged. Take time every day to laugh. 461 00:26:18,400 --> 00:26:22,020 Speaker 1: Keep a joyful atmosphere in your home. If you will 462 00:26:22,300 --> 00:26:25,459 Speaker 1: make this decision to have a merry heart, I believe 463 00:26:25,600 --> 00:26:29,160 Speaker 1: and declare you're going to see chronic pain and illnesses 464 00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:29,800 Speaker 1: go away. 465 00:26:30,160 --> 00:26:32,020 Speaker 2: You're going to have better relationships. 466 00:26:32,380 --> 00:26:35,760 Speaker 1: You're going to feel younger, stronger, fresher, and you will 467 00:26:35,859 --> 00:26:37,920 Speaker 1: finish your course with joy. 468 00:26:38,320 --> 00:26:41,420 Speaker 2: In Jesus' name. If you receive it, can you say 469 00:26:41,440 --> 00:26:42,040 Speaker 2: amen today? 470 00:26:43,440 --> 00:26:46,140 Speaker 1: I'd like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus 471 00:26:46,220 --> 00:26:48,760 Speaker 1: the Lord of your life. Would you pray with me? 472 00:26:49,380 --> 00:26:55,340 Speaker 1: Just say, Lord Jesus. I repent of my sins. Come 473 00:26:55,380 --> 00:26:59,100 Speaker 1: into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior. 474 00:27:00,740 --> 00:27:03,180 Speaker 1: If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 475 00:27:03,240 --> 00:27:06,710 Speaker 1: born again. Get in a good Bible-based church and keep 476 00:27:06,770 --> 00:27:16,900 Speaker 1: God first place. If you want to know what you're 477 00:27:16,920 --> 00:27:19,419 Speaker 1: going to be like in five years, listen to what 478 00:27:19,460 --> 00:27:23,689 Speaker 1: you're saying about yourself. You are prophesying your future. I'd 479 00:27:23,730 --> 00:27:26,669 Speaker 1: love to send you my new book, Your Words, Your Reality. 480 00:27:27,230 --> 00:27:30,510 Speaker 1: I'll show you how to speak positive, faith-filled words that 481 00:27:30,550 --> 00:27:33,490 Speaker 1: agree with what God says about you. You'll learn how 482 00:27:33,510 --> 00:27:36,550 Speaker 1: to use your words not to describe the situation, but 483 00:27:36,590 --> 00:27:40,690 Speaker 1: to change the situation. When you speak words of health, favor, 484 00:27:40,790 --> 00:27:43,909 Speaker 1: and victory, you are setting the direction for your life. 485 00:27:44,390 --> 00:27:48,230 Speaker 1: That's how you'll break negative cycles, develop a healthier mindset, 486 00:27:48,570 --> 00:27:51,250 Speaker 1: and see more of the goodness of God in your life. 487 00:27:52,510 --> 00:27:56,430 Speaker 3: Your Words Equal Your Reality is a powerful new guidebook 488 00:27:56,590 --> 00:28:00,169 Speaker 3: designed to help you speak God's promises over every area 489 00:28:00,210 --> 00:28:04,650 Speaker 3: of your life. Inside, you'll find scripture-filled declarations for your health, 490 00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:10,020 Speaker 3: Your relationships, your finances, and your future. Plus, real guidance 491 00:28:10,220 --> 00:28:13,740 Speaker 3: for wherever you are right now. Whether you're facing a challenge, 492 00:28:14,080 --> 00:28:18,090 Speaker 3: walking in breakthrough, or somewhere in between, each page will 493 00:28:18,119 --> 00:28:21,270 Speaker 3: help you align your words with what God says and 494 00:28:21,350 --> 00:28:24,449 Speaker 3: step into the very best He has for you. It's 495 00:28:24,490 --> 00:28:26,530 Speaker 3: yours as a thank you for your gift to the 496 00:28:26,570 --> 00:28:29,990 Speaker 3: ministry today. Be sure to request your copy of Your 497 00:28:30,080 --> 00:28:34,100 Speaker 3: Words Equal Your Reality, available this month by visiting us 498 00:28:34,380 --> 00:28:36,960 Speaker 3: at joelostein.com or call 888-567-JOEL. 499 00:28:39,840 --> 00:28:42,920 Speaker 1: You can change what you're seeing by changing what you're saying. 500 00:28:43,340 --> 00:28:48,120 Speaker 1: Speak life, declare His promises, and watch what God does. Victoria, 501 00:28:48,140 --> 00:28:50,040 Speaker 1: I want you to know that we pray for you 502 00:28:50,080 --> 00:28:53,220 Speaker 1: and your family every day. Thank you for your prayer 503 00:28:53,340 --> 00:28:56,760 Speaker 1: and support. Your generosity helps us take this message of 504 00:28:56,820 --> 00:28:58,180 Speaker 1: hope around the world. 505 00:28:58,540 --> 00:29:01,380 Speaker 2: Thanks so much for helping us finish the summer strong. 506 00:29:01,880 --> 00:29:04,260 Speaker 1: A special thank you to our Champion of Hope partners 507 00:29:04,480 --> 00:29:06,780 Speaker 1: for all you do to make the ministry possible. 508 00:29:07,220 --> 00:29:09,790 Speaker 2: Until we meet again, may the Lord bless you and 509 00:29:09,870 --> 00:29:10,370 Speaker 2: keep you. 510 00:29:11,310 --> 00:29:14,390 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of Your Words Equal 511 00:29:14,430 --> 00:29:19,410 Speaker 3: Your Reality, available this month by visiting us at joelostein.com 512 00:29:19,690 --> 00:29:25,160 Speaker 3: or call 888-567-JOEL. With an additional gift, you can also 513 00:29:25,240 --> 00:29:30,800 Speaker 3: receive the 3-Minute Promise Power and Authority Collection. Featuring abundance, assurance, 514 00:29:30,920 --> 00:29:35,700 Speaker 3: and authority. A rich, empowering study drawn from the Passion Translation. 515 00:29:36,290 --> 00:29:39,430 Speaker 3: It opens up who you already are in Christ. What's 516 00:29:39,570 --> 00:29:43,490 Speaker 3: already you. yours, and the authority you already carry. Because 517 00:29:43,550 --> 00:29:47,870 Speaker 3: your next moment with God could change everything. Know who 518 00:29:47,910 --> 00:29:51,920 Speaker 3: you are. Walk in what's yours. Step into every moment 519 00:29:52,060 --> 00:29:58,010 Speaker 3: with confidence. You can request these inspiring resources by calling 520 00:29:58,030 --> 00:30:03,620 Speaker 3: 888-567-JOEL or logging on to joelostein.com today. Call or click anytime, 521 00:30:03,620 --> 00:30:04,180 Speaker 3: 24 hours a day.