1 00:00:00,920 --> 00:00:02,440 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Jolan Victoria. 2 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:05,560 Speaker 2: Thanks so much for listening to the podcast and thanks 3 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:07,040 Speaker 2: for supporting the ministry. 4 00:00:07,360 --> 00:00:08,640 Speaker 1: We believe you're going to have an. 5 00:00:08,600 --> 00:00:12,760 Speaker 2: Awesome twenty twenty four, healthy, productive, and favor filled. 6 00:00:13,039 --> 00:00:15,320 Speaker 1: God bless you today and enjoy the message. 7 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:19,360 Speaker 2: God bless you always a joy to come into your homes. 8 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:22,240 Speaker 2: We love you and we know God has great things 9 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:25,120 Speaker 2: in store. And if you're ever in our area, please 10 00:00:25,160 --> 00:00:27,720 Speaker 2: stop by and be a part of one of our services. 11 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:30,240 Speaker 1: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 12 00:00:30,560 --> 00:00:32,880 Speaker 2: But thanks so much for tuning in today and thank 13 00:00:32,920 --> 00:00:35,280 Speaker 2: you again for coming out. I like to start with 14 00:00:35,360 --> 00:00:37,920 Speaker 2: something funny each week, and I heard about this old 15 00:00:37,960 --> 00:00:41,680 Speaker 2: country farmer. He was taking his nephew camping for the 16 00:00:41,720 --> 00:00:45,720 Speaker 2: first time. His nephew had five degrees and was one 17 00:00:45,720 --> 00:00:48,640 Speaker 2: of the smartest men alive. They set up their tent 18 00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:51,440 Speaker 2: and quickly fell asleep. In the middle of the ninth 19 00:00:51,720 --> 00:00:53,960 Speaker 2: the farmer woke up his nephew and said, look up. 20 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:55,400 Speaker 1: What do you see. 21 00:00:55,600 --> 00:00:58,520 Speaker 2: The nephew said, I see millions of stars. 22 00:00:58,840 --> 00:01:00,760 Speaker 1: He said, I know that. What does it tell you? 23 00:01:01,160 --> 00:01:04,320 Speaker 2: He said, astronomically, it tells me there are billions of 24 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:07,679 Speaker 2: galaxies Meteorologically, it tells me it's going to be a 25 00:01:07,680 --> 00:01:11,040 Speaker 2: beautiful day. Theologically, it tells me God is a great creator. 26 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:12,160 Speaker 1: What does it tell you? 27 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:15,280 Speaker 2: The old farmer shook his head, said, it tells me 28 00:01:15,720 --> 00:01:16,920 Speaker 2: somebody stole our tent. 29 00:01:18,959 --> 00:01:21,360 Speaker 3: All right, hold up your bible and say it like 30 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:24,760 Speaker 3: you mean it. This is my Bible. I am what 31 00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:27,520 Speaker 3: it says I am. I have what it says I have. 32 00:01:28,080 --> 00:01:30,880 Speaker 3: I can do what it says I can do. Today 33 00:01:30,959 --> 00:01:33,800 Speaker 3: I will be taught the word of God. I boldly 34 00:01:33,880 --> 00:01:37,680 Speaker 3: confess my mind is alert, my heart is receptive. 35 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 1: I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, God 36 00:01:41,680 --> 00:01:42,200 Speaker 1: bless you. 37 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:46,200 Speaker 2: I want to talk to you today about signs of 38 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:50,240 Speaker 2: God's favor. When God puts a promise in our heart, 39 00:01:50,360 --> 00:01:53,200 Speaker 2: he will always give us some kind of sign that 40 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:56,000 Speaker 2: the promise is going to come to pass, something to 41 00:01:56,040 --> 00:02:00,440 Speaker 2: boost our faith, to encourage us. It may be something small. 42 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:04,480 Speaker 2: A friend makes one comment. They don't even realize it, 43 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:07,800 Speaker 2: but it's exactly what you needed to hear. Something lights 44 00:02:07,880 --> 00:02:11,679 Speaker 2: up on the inside. That's a sign from God. I've 45 00:02:11,720 --> 00:02:14,520 Speaker 2: had people tell me after the service, Joel, when you 46 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:17,800 Speaker 2: mentioned this in your message, it's just what I needed. 47 00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:20,840 Speaker 2: I think to myself, I didn't even talk about that. 48 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:24,280 Speaker 2: You know what that is God causing them to hear 49 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:28,080 Speaker 2: what they needed to hear. Or maybe you're reading the 50 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:31,120 Speaker 2: scripture and all of a sudden a verse jumps out 51 00:02:31,160 --> 00:02:31,880 Speaker 2: at you. 52 00:02:31,880 --> 00:02:33,359 Speaker 1: You feel ten feet tall. 53 00:02:33,760 --> 00:02:36,800 Speaker 2: You know God's in control, you know he's fighting your battles. 54 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:38,760 Speaker 1: That's a sign from God. 55 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:42,040 Speaker 2: Couple of months after my father went to be with 56 00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:44,520 Speaker 2: the Lord and I stepped up to pastor the church. 57 00:02:45,040 --> 00:02:48,400 Speaker 1: There were so many changes taking place, things that were 58 00:02:48,440 --> 00:02:48,919 Speaker 1: going on. 59 00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:52,640 Speaker 2: At times, I was tempted to feel overwhelmed, like I 60 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:55,760 Speaker 2: wasn't able to do it. One day when it seemed 61 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:58,200 Speaker 2: like it was the worst ever and it. 62 00:02:58,160 --> 00:03:01,519 Speaker 1: Wasn't going to work out, to bed so concerned. 63 00:03:02,160 --> 00:03:04,760 Speaker 2: But when I woke up the next morning, I could 64 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:09,240 Speaker 2: hear myself singing a song of praise, not out loud, 65 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:12,560 Speaker 2: but on the inside. I was singing it over and over, 66 00:03:12,880 --> 00:03:15,960 Speaker 2: that song we used to sing you, O Lord, are 67 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:18,800 Speaker 2: a shield under me, the glory and the lifter of 68 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:23,160 Speaker 2: my head. I woke up refreshed, re energized, knowing that 69 00:03:23,240 --> 00:03:24,280 Speaker 2: I was well able. 70 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:27,000 Speaker 1: That was a sign from Almighty God. 71 00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:31,400 Speaker 2: The scripture talks about how God will confirm his word 72 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:36,000 Speaker 2: with signs following. We often think that just means when 73 00:03:36,200 --> 00:03:40,640 Speaker 2: someone ministers that there'll be salvation, healing, and miracles, and yes, 74 00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:44,480 Speaker 2: that's true, but it also means when God puts a 75 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:48,839 Speaker 2: promise in your heart, he will confirm that promise by 76 00:03:48,880 --> 00:03:52,440 Speaker 2: showing you some kind of sign. It may be through 77 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:56,760 Speaker 2: a dream, through another person, through nature, through his word, 78 00:03:57,720 --> 00:04:01,840 Speaker 2: or through something that seems like a coence. It looks 79 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:03,080 Speaker 2: insignificant to. 80 00:04:03,040 --> 00:04:05,840 Speaker 1: Others, but to you, you know, it's. 81 00:04:05,680 --> 00:04:09,880 Speaker 2: God saying I'm in control, I'm directing your steps, and 82 00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:13,760 Speaker 2: it's important that we recognize these signs. That's what's going 83 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:16,919 Speaker 2: to help keep us encouraged while we're waiting for the 84 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:19,800 Speaker 2: promises to come to pass. When we're at tempted to 85 00:04:19,839 --> 00:04:22,279 Speaker 2: get down, we can go back and say, no, I've 86 00:04:22,279 --> 00:04:25,960 Speaker 2: got this sign. God confirmed it through a phrase that 87 00:04:26,040 --> 00:04:28,760 Speaker 2: was spoken to me, through a dream that I had, 88 00:04:29,080 --> 00:04:32,000 Speaker 2: through the time I woke up singing. If you can 89 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:36,560 Speaker 2: remember not just the promise, but the time God confirmed 90 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:39,080 Speaker 2: it with a sign. That's going to give you the 91 00:04:39,160 --> 00:04:42,120 Speaker 2: faith to stand strong and see the promise. 92 00:04:41,839 --> 00:04:42,720 Speaker 1: Come to fulfillment. 93 00:04:43,440 --> 00:04:45,960 Speaker 2: At the house where my parents used to live, they 94 00:04:45,960 --> 00:04:48,839 Speaker 2: had large windows in the den that looked out to 95 00:04:48,920 --> 00:04:52,760 Speaker 2: a courtyard. It was actually a town home. Every day, 96 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:57,240 Speaker 2: for months, this little redbird, a cardinal would come into 97 00:04:57,240 --> 00:05:01,200 Speaker 2: the courtyard sit on a branch by the window in 98 00:05:01,279 --> 00:05:01,679 Speaker 2: the den. 99 00:05:02,279 --> 00:05:03,760 Speaker 1: My mother loves birds. 100 00:05:04,120 --> 00:05:06,880 Speaker 2: She would sit there and watch that little bird and 101 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:10,000 Speaker 2: enjoy it so much she got to where she looked 102 00:05:10,040 --> 00:05:13,480 Speaker 2: forward to that bird coming by each day. This went 103 00:05:13,520 --> 00:05:17,839 Speaker 2: on for five or six months, just like clockwork, every afternoon, 104 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:20,680 Speaker 2: the little cardinal would show up and spend three or 105 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:25,200 Speaker 2: four hours in the courtyard. Well, eventually he quit coming there. 106 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:27,960 Speaker 2: About a year later, my father went to be with 107 00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:30,599 Speaker 2: the Lord, and now my mom was living at home 108 00:05:30,640 --> 00:05:34,360 Speaker 2: by herself, and after being married for nearly fifty years, 109 00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:37,560 Speaker 2: she was having to make some adjustments. I'm sure there 110 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:40,720 Speaker 2: were times that she was tempted to feel lonely, to 111 00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:42,159 Speaker 2: get down and discourage. 112 00:05:42,600 --> 00:05:43,560 Speaker 1: Do you know what happened? 113 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 2: That little cardinal started coming back to the courtyard once 114 00:05:47,240 --> 00:05:51,840 Speaker 2: again every day, singing, chirping, having a good time. 115 00:05:52,520 --> 00:05:55,920 Speaker 1: That wasn't a coincidence, That wasn't a lucky break. That 116 00:05:56,080 --> 00:05:58,680 Speaker 1: was a sign from the creator of the universe. 117 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:02,039 Speaker 2: That was Almighty God saying to my mother. I'm still 118 00:06:02,120 --> 00:06:04,320 Speaker 2: in control. I still have a plan. 119 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:07,000 Speaker 1: Everything's going to work out. See. 120 00:06:07,040 --> 00:06:12,680 Speaker 2: God controls the whole universe, He controls nature, he controls animals. 121 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:16,240 Speaker 2: If you will be sensitive, you will see the hand 122 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 2: of God at work, even in small things. That's God 123 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:24,080 Speaker 2: talking to you, showing you a sign, letting you know 124 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:28,640 Speaker 2: he's going to bring those promises to pass. David understood 125 00:06:28,680 --> 00:06:33,240 Speaker 2: this principle. He said in Psalm eighty six seventeen, God, 126 00:06:33,320 --> 00:06:37,919 Speaker 2: send me a sign of your favor. Notice David was 127 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 2: on the offensive. He wasn't waiting around to see if 128 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:45,000 Speaker 2: there was going to be a sign. His attitude was God, 129 00:06:45,040 --> 00:06:47,719 Speaker 2: I know you promised you would give me a sign, 130 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:51,279 Speaker 2: So I'm asking you to confirm what you put in 131 00:06:51,360 --> 00:06:55,320 Speaker 2: my heart. I wonder what would happen if we would 132 00:06:55,360 --> 00:06:58,760 Speaker 2: be as bold as David and say, God, give me 133 00:06:58,839 --> 00:07:02,160 Speaker 2: a sign that the property is going to sell, give 134 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:04,799 Speaker 2: me a sign that my child's going to come back home. 135 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:07,280 Speaker 2: Give me a sign that I'm going to. 136 00:07:07,240 --> 00:07:08,200 Speaker 1: Meet the right person. 137 00:07:09,040 --> 00:07:12,800 Speaker 2: If you'll be bold enough to ask, God promises he 138 00:07:12,880 --> 00:07:16,240 Speaker 2: will confirm that word by showing you some kind of 139 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:20,040 Speaker 2: sign that means he'll do something out of the ordinary, 140 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:23,000 Speaker 2: something unusual to where you know. 141 00:07:23,160 --> 00:07:25,840 Speaker 1: Beyond the shadow of a doubt. It was the hand 142 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:26,760 Speaker 1: of God. 143 00:07:26,760 --> 00:07:30,400 Speaker 2: Confirming what He's already put in your heart. This is 144 00:07:30,440 --> 00:07:34,040 Speaker 2: what King Hezekiah did. He was very sick and close 145 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:36,720 Speaker 2: to death, and the prophet Isaiah showed up at the 146 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:41,360 Speaker 2: palace and said, Hezekiah, sorry, but God says you're about 147 00:07:41,360 --> 00:07:41,800 Speaker 2: to die. 148 00:07:41,960 --> 00:07:45,040 Speaker 1: Your time here on earth is done. Of course, that 149 00:07:45,240 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 1: wasn't the news Hezekiah was hoping for it. He began 150 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:49,960 Speaker 1: to pray and plead with God. 151 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:54,680 Speaker 2: Before Isaiah could leave the palace grounds, God spoke to 152 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:58,320 Speaker 2: him and said, Isaiah, go back and tell Hezekiah, I'm 153 00:07:58,320 --> 00:08:02,480 Speaker 2: going to extend his life by fifteen more years. When 154 00:08:02,520 --> 00:08:06,040 Speaker 2: Hezekiah got the news, of course, he was thrilled, but 155 00:08:06,160 --> 00:08:10,800 Speaker 2: he wanted confirmation. I can hear him saying, Isaiah, I'm 156 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:15,160 Speaker 2: very grateful, very happy, but I need a sign. God 157 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:17,400 Speaker 2: promised he would confirm this word. 158 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:20,280 Speaker 1: I need something to encourage my faith. 159 00:08:21,360 --> 00:08:24,080 Speaker 2: Isaiah didn't say, Hezekiah, would you leave God alone? 160 00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:26,760 Speaker 1: He gave you a promise, man, just stand on it. 161 00:08:27,040 --> 00:08:30,920 Speaker 2: No, he said in Second Kings twenty verse nine, this 162 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:35,200 Speaker 2: is the sign from the Lord to prove he will 163 00:08:35,240 --> 00:08:39,520 Speaker 2: do what he promised, the son will go backwards ten degrees. 164 00:08:40,360 --> 00:08:43,959 Speaker 2: They went outside and looked at the shadows on the sundial, 165 00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:46,400 Speaker 2: and sure enough, instead of going forward. 166 00:08:46,320 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 1: Those shadows begin to go backwards. 167 00:08:49,080 --> 00:08:53,280 Speaker 2: Now, every time Hezekiah was tempted to get discouraged and 168 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:56,240 Speaker 2: think that he wouldn't get well, he would not only 169 00:08:56,520 --> 00:08:59,719 Speaker 2: thank God for the promise, but he would remember the 170 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:04,040 Speaker 2: time God confirmed it by showing him a sign. He 171 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:08,160 Speaker 2: would think, if God can cause the son to go backwards. 172 00:09:07,640 --> 00:09:10,520 Speaker 1: Then he can heal my body. If God can cause 173 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:12,920 Speaker 1: me to wake up singing, he can cause me to 174 00:09:12,960 --> 00:09:14,000 Speaker 1: stand up here in minister. 175 00:09:14,800 --> 00:09:18,280 Speaker 2: If God can cause a little cardinal to come into 176 00:09:18,320 --> 00:09:22,360 Speaker 2: my mom's courtyard to cheer her up, surely God can 177 00:09:22,360 --> 00:09:24,840 Speaker 2: take care of my mother and give her a new beginning. 178 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:29,800 Speaker 2: God gave Hezekiah this sign to encourage his faith. 179 00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:32,480 Speaker 1: God wants to do the same thing for us. 180 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:37,640 Speaker 2: God knows that when we're standing on his promises, believing 181 00:09:37,679 --> 00:09:41,080 Speaker 2: to accomplish a dream, to overcome an illness, to get 182 00:09:41,080 --> 00:09:45,480 Speaker 2: out of debt, at times it can seem impossible. Every 183 00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:48,640 Speaker 2: voice tells us it's not going to happen. You're too old. 184 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:51,920 Speaker 2: It's been too long, You made too many mistakes. It's 185 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:55,400 Speaker 2: easy to get discouraged and give up on these promises. 186 00:09:55,880 --> 00:09:58,080 Speaker 2: But if we can just learn to do like David 187 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:01,840 Speaker 2: and say, God, give give me a sign of your favor. 188 00:10:02,440 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 2: Give me a sign that my health is going to improve, 189 00:10:05,640 --> 00:10:08,640 Speaker 2: Give me a sign that this relationship has your blessing. 190 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:12,720 Speaker 2: It's scriptural to ask for a sign of God's favor. 191 00:10:13,320 --> 00:10:17,120 Speaker 2: That's your faith being released, and faith is what allows 192 00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:20,760 Speaker 2: God to do amazing things. I received a letter from 193 00:10:20,760 --> 00:10:23,880 Speaker 2: a young lady. She lost her husband at twenty nine 194 00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:28,120 Speaker 2: years old. He was killed in a motorcycle accident. They 195 00:10:28,120 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 2: had two beautiful daughters. Of course, her world was turned 196 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:35,560 Speaker 2: upside down. It was difficult, but she stood on the 197 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:37,360 Speaker 2: promise that God would give. 198 00:10:37,240 --> 00:10:40,240 Speaker 1: Her beauty for ashes, joy for mourning. 199 00:10:41,120 --> 00:10:44,360 Speaker 2: Several years later, she met a young man and fell 200 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 2: in love, and they decided to get married. And although 201 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:52,240 Speaker 2: she was happy, down deep she felt a little bit guilty. 202 00:10:52,320 --> 00:10:54,720 Speaker 2: She believed that her first husband would want her to 203 00:10:54,760 --> 00:10:57,600 Speaker 2: go on with her life and remarry, but she was 204 00:10:57,679 --> 00:11:01,600 Speaker 2: constantly dealing with these lingering thought of doubt. A week 205 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:05,360 Speaker 2: before she left for Hawaii to get remarried, she got 206 00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:08,600 Speaker 2: down on her knees and said, God, I'm asking you 207 00:11:09,160 --> 00:11:11,960 Speaker 2: to give me a sign so i'll know that I 208 00:11:12,040 --> 00:11:16,600 Speaker 2: have your blessing and my first husband's blessing. She said, Joel, 209 00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:18,720 Speaker 2: I'm not too good at seeing. 210 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:21,480 Speaker 1: Signs, so I asked for something obvious. 211 00:11:21,840 --> 00:11:23,960 Speaker 2: They were going to get married outdoors on the beach 212 00:11:24,040 --> 00:11:26,720 Speaker 2: there in Hawaii. She asked God to give her a 213 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:30,960 Speaker 2: rainbow in the sky. After she thought about it, she 214 00:11:31,040 --> 00:11:34,880 Speaker 2: felt like that was too far out, too extreme. Those 215 00:11:34,920 --> 00:11:37,560 Speaker 2: thoughts came saying, who do you think you are. God's 216 00:11:37,600 --> 00:11:40,120 Speaker 2: not going to give you a rainbow talked her out 217 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:42,600 Speaker 2: of it. She finally thought, well, maybe I'll just see 218 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:46,720 Speaker 2: a butterfly at the ceremony, or maybe a beautiful sunset, 219 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:49,680 Speaker 2: and that'll let me know that I'm making the right decision. 220 00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:51,400 Speaker 1: Didn't think anything more about it. 221 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:55,360 Speaker 2: The day of the wedding, Just as the ceremony started, 222 00:11:55,600 --> 00:11:59,960 Speaker 2: out of nowhere, there appeared not only one beautiful rainbow, 223 00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:04,160 Speaker 2: but there were two beautiful rainbows lighting up the sky. 224 00:12:06,800 --> 00:12:09,920 Speaker 2: The lady that was coordinating the wedding said she had 225 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:12,520 Speaker 2: done weddings there for over twenty years. 226 00:12:12,400 --> 00:12:14,439 Speaker 1: And never seen that happen once before. 227 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:17,800 Speaker 2: As soon as they got through taking their wedding pictures, 228 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:20,000 Speaker 2: the rainbows quietly disappeared. 229 00:12:20,640 --> 00:12:21,839 Speaker 1: She said, Joel, I know. 230 00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:27,040 Speaker 2: One rainbow was God saying you have my approval, and 231 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:30,520 Speaker 2: the second rainbow was God saying you have your first 232 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:34,320 Speaker 2: husband's blessing as well. She closed the letter by saying, 233 00:12:34,800 --> 00:12:37,640 Speaker 2: who would have ever thought you could ask God to 234 00:12:37,679 --> 00:12:40,760 Speaker 2: give you a rainbow and he'd not only give you one, 235 00:12:41,120 --> 00:12:43,520 Speaker 2: but he'd give you two. Friends, that's the kind of 236 00:12:43,520 --> 00:12:44,360 Speaker 2: God we serve. 237 00:12:44,559 --> 00:12:48,320 Speaker 1: He likes to outdo himself. But here's my point. 238 00:12:49,040 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 2: I don't believe she would have seen those rainbows if 239 00:12:52,320 --> 00:12:55,400 Speaker 2: she had not been bold enough to ask. Some of 240 00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:59,320 Speaker 2: you never see any signs, but it's because you're not asking. 241 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:01,280 Speaker 1: God wants to do. 242 00:13:01,280 --> 00:13:04,400 Speaker 2: Something amazing in your life. He wants to do things 243 00:13:04,440 --> 00:13:08,480 Speaker 2: to strengthen your faith, to uplift your spirits. But he's 244 00:13:08,520 --> 00:13:11,360 Speaker 2: waiting for us to take the first step. We have 245 00:13:11,640 --> 00:13:13,000 Speaker 2: not because we ask. 246 00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:13,200 Speaker 4: Not. 247 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:17,640 Speaker 2: Those promises that you're standing on today, the dreams in 248 00:13:17,679 --> 00:13:21,480 Speaker 2: your heart, the situations you'll believing to turn around. Dare 249 00:13:21,520 --> 00:13:24,240 Speaker 2: to say, God, give me a sign of your favor, 250 00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:27,360 Speaker 2: give me a sign that I'm going the right direction. 251 00:13:28,280 --> 00:13:32,160 Speaker 2: If you'll release your faith by asking, then be on 252 00:13:32,240 --> 00:13:37,280 Speaker 2: the lookout expecting God's goodness. He promises he will confirm 253 00:13:37,440 --> 00:13:38,920 Speaker 2: that word. 254 00:13:38,360 --> 00:13:40,160 Speaker 1: By showing you some kind of sign. 255 00:13:40,840 --> 00:13:43,360 Speaker 2: I'm not saying that God's going to give us everything 256 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:45,439 Speaker 2: we ask for, and if we say we need a rainbow, 257 00:13:45,440 --> 00:13:46,360 Speaker 2: there'll be a rainbow. 258 00:13:46,679 --> 00:13:48,319 Speaker 1: No, we don't tell God what to do. 259 00:13:48,640 --> 00:13:52,360 Speaker 2: We simply need to ask in faith and then trust 260 00:13:52,400 --> 00:13:55,440 Speaker 2: God to do it his way. He's God, he knows 261 00:13:55,520 --> 00:13:58,400 Speaker 2: how to confirm what he's saying to you. But what 262 00:13:58,480 --> 00:14:01,960 Speaker 2: I love about this young lady is her boldness. That 263 00:14:02,080 --> 00:14:04,600 Speaker 2: took a lot of nerve to say, God, give me 264 00:14:04,640 --> 00:14:08,400 Speaker 2: a rainbow. She could have thought, God's not that concerned 265 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:11,440 Speaker 2: about me. He's got bigger things to deal with. I 266 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:16,560 Speaker 2: can't bother God. No, understand, you are a God's biggest deal. 267 00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:19,600 Speaker 2: You are the apple of God's eye. You are his 268 00:14:19,720 --> 00:14:23,120 Speaker 2: most prized possession. God knows when you get up and 269 00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:28,200 Speaker 2: when you sit down. He knows when you feel lonely, discouraged, 270 00:14:28,400 --> 00:14:31,960 Speaker 2: when you're overwhelmed. If you're going to see these signs 271 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:35,560 Speaker 2: of God's favor to build your faith, to help you 272 00:14:35,640 --> 00:14:39,120 Speaker 2: overcome obstacles, and you got to do like this young lady, 273 00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:43,720 Speaker 2: rise up with a boldness, understanding who you are, a 274 00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:48,320 Speaker 2: child of the most High God, valuable, chosen, set apart, 275 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:52,240 Speaker 2: crowned with favor. Now you got to put your shoulders back, 276 00:14:52,440 --> 00:14:56,480 Speaker 2: hold your head up high, and dare to say, like David, God, 277 00:14:56,720 --> 00:14:59,160 Speaker 2: give me a sign that promotion is coming. 278 00:14:59,480 --> 00:15:00,520 Speaker 1: Give me a. 279 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:03,640 Speaker 2: Sign that this depression is leaving. Give me a sign 280 00:15:03,760 --> 00:15:07,280 Speaker 2: that my child is going to break this addiction. When 281 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:11,680 Speaker 2: you ask, you're releasing your faith. You're saying God, I 282 00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:14,040 Speaker 2: believe you can do what you promised. 283 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:14,640 Speaker 1: God. 284 00:15:14,680 --> 00:15:18,040 Speaker 2: I believe you're bigger than what the medical report says. 285 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:21,400 Speaker 2: I believe you're greater than what my bank account looks like. 286 00:15:21,840 --> 00:15:24,720 Speaker 2: I believe you're stronger than what the critics are telling me. 287 00:15:25,200 --> 00:15:27,880 Speaker 2: I may not see away, but God, I know you 288 00:15:28,040 --> 00:15:31,480 Speaker 2: have a way and you will bring these promises to pass. 289 00:15:33,360 --> 00:15:36,520 Speaker 2: I remember when my mother was so sick in nineteen 290 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:38,400 Speaker 2: eighty one with terminal cancer. 291 00:15:38,880 --> 00:15:40,800 Speaker 1: Didn't look like she was going to make it. 292 00:15:41,360 --> 00:15:45,280 Speaker 2: We'd been praying and believing week after week, but she 293 00:15:45,440 --> 00:15:49,360 Speaker 2: wasn't getting any better. My father had this attitude we're 294 00:15:49,400 --> 00:15:52,920 Speaker 2: talking about, saying, God, send me a sign of your favor. 295 00:15:53,760 --> 00:15:56,600 Speaker 2: One night we got home from church, and my father 296 00:15:56,640 --> 00:15:59,480 Speaker 2: went to his bedroom to change clothes, and he put 297 00:15:59,520 --> 00:16:01,800 Speaker 2: his Bible on the bed, and it just so happened 298 00:16:01,800 --> 00:16:04,720 Speaker 2: to fall open in the middle. He didn't think anything 299 00:16:04,760 --> 00:16:07,440 Speaker 2: about it, but as he was hanging his coat up 300 00:16:07,480 --> 00:16:10,800 Speaker 2: on the hangar, for some reason, he felt drawn to 301 00:16:10,880 --> 00:16:11,440 Speaker 2: the Bible. 302 00:16:12,160 --> 00:16:12,760 Speaker 1: As he was. 303 00:16:12,760 --> 00:16:17,200 Speaker 2: Watching it, the pages begin to flip and flip and flip, 304 00:16:17,680 --> 00:16:20,640 Speaker 2: just like someone was intentionally turning them. 305 00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:21,920 Speaker 1: He thought, that's odd. 306 00:16:22,320 --> 00:16:25,640 Speaker 2: The air conditioner wasn't on, there wasn't a fan. He 307 00:16:25,680 --> 00:16:28,000 Speaker 2: went over there and one of the pages is sort 308 00:16:28,040 --> 00:16:29,320 Speaker 2: of halfway flipped. 309 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:29,680 Speaker 1: Up on the other. 310 00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:33,640 Speaker 2: The first verse that he saw, the one that totally 311 00:16:33,680 --> 00:16:38,840 Speaker 2: stuck out, was Psalm one five thirty seven. It says 312 00:16:39,440 --> 00:16:43,040 Speaker 2: God brought them out with silver and gold, and there 313 00:16:43,160 --> 00:16:48,080 Speaker 2: was not one sickly person among them. When he read that, 314 00:16:48,240 --> 00:16:52,440 Speaker 2: it was like electricity shot through his whole body. He 315 00:16:52,520 --> 00:16:55,200 Speaker 2: knew God was saying, my mother was. 316 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:57,640 Speaker 1: Going to come out healthy and home. 317 00:16:58,880 --> 00:17:02,920 Speaker 2: Month after month went, we didn't see any signs of improvement. 318 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:06,920 Speaker 2: But instead of getting discouraged, we would always go back 319 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:10,119 Speaker 2: and remember that night that God turned the pages in 320 00:17:10,200 --> 00:17:10,720 Speaker 2: the Bible. 321 00:17:11,359 --> 00:17:12,119 Speaker 1: That was a. 322 00:17:12,040 --> 00:17:16,679 Speaker 2: Sign from God to my father confirming those promises that 323 00:17:16,720 --> 00:17:19,480 Speaker 2: we were standing on. I don't know if it was 324 00:17:19,520 --> 00:17:22,680 Speaker 2: their conditioner or maybe just a natural gust of air, 325 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:26,520 Speaker 2: but whatever caused it, ultimately we knew it was the 326 00:17:26,640 --> 00:17:30,159 Speaker 2: hand of God speaking faith to our heart. We chose 327 00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:34,159 Speaker 2: to believe that it was God confirming his word. That 328 00:17:34,280 --> 00:17:37,240 Speaker 2: was nearly thirty years ago, and today my mother is 329 00:17:37,280 --> 00:17:41,680 Speaker 2: still healthy and strong, going ninety miles an hour every 330 00:17:41,680 --> 00:17:47,200 Speaker 2: single day. But I wonder how many times we miss 331 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:50,800 Speaker 2: the signs God is giving us. We think, oh wow, 332 00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:53,800 Speaker 2: the pages on the Bible flip, that's a good scripture, 333 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:56,480 Speaker 2: Oh wow, there was a rainbow in the sky. 334 00:17:56,960 --> 00:17:59,879 Speaker 1: No, be sensitive to what God is doing. 335 00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:03,680 Speaker 2: There's no such thing as a coincidence, no such thing 336 00:18:03,680 --> 00:18:06,960 Speaker 2: as a lucky break. That's the hand of God at 337 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:10,200 Speaker 2: work in your life. It could very well be God 338 00:18:10,560 --> 00:18:14,600 Speaker 2: confirming a promise that He's placed in your heart. A 339 00:18:14,640 --> 00:18:17,320 Speaker 2: few years ago, I was out running and I'd had 340 00:18:17,320 --> 00:18:20,320 Speaker 2: a long day, and there were some situations I was 341 00:18:20,359 --> 00:18:23,359 Speaker 2: hoping would turn around, and I was wondering why it 342 00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:26,040 Speaker 2: was taking so long, and when it was ever going 343 00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:30,160 Speaker 2: to get any better. Just kind of frustrated and stressed out, 344 00:18:30,359 --> 00:18:33,439 Speaker 2: trying to make things happen. While I was running, it 345 00:18:33,480 --> 00:18:36,479 Speaker 2: was very windy. The leaves were blowing off the trees. 346 00:18:36,560 --> 00:18:38,760 Speaker 2: And one thing I've always liked to do is to 347 00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:41,320 Speaker 2: try to catch leaves. So while I was running, I 348 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:44,400 Speaker 2: was grabbing here and grabbing there, but I couldn't catch 349 00:18:44,440 --> 00:18:48,040 Speaker 2: these leaves. They were very small. They were darting all around. 350 00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:51,440 Speaker 2: But at one point there was this huge burst of air. 351 00:18:52,040 --> 00:18:55,439 Speaker 2: There must have been a thousand leaves falling all around me, 352 00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:57,359 Speaker 2: and I thought, Wow, this is my chance. 353 00:18:57,400 --> 00:18:58,320 Speaker 1: And I started. 354 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:01,879 Speaker 2: Grabbing and grabbing and grabbing, but I could not catch 355 00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:05,439 Speaker 2: one single leaf. I couldn't believe it. And here I 356 00:19:05,520 --> 00:19:07,840 Speaker 2: was out running to try to relieve stress, and I 357 00:19:07,920 --> 00:19:10,160 Speaker 2: was getting more stressed out because I couldn't catch a leaf. 358 00:19:10,240 --> 00:19:14,000 Speaker 1: And finally I just said forget about it, kept on running. 359 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:18,360 Speaker 2: About fifteen minutes later, while I was still running, as 360 00:19:18,440 --> 00:19:21,040 Speaker 2: this arm went up into the air, just a natural motion, 361 00:19:21,480 --> 00:19:24,320 Speaker 2: I felt something hit the palm of my hand. 362 00:19:24,800 --> 00:19:27,480 Speaker 1: I opened it up and it was this leaf. I 363 00:19:27,520 --> 00:19:28,359 Speaker 1: couldn't believe it. 364 00:19:29,160 --> 00:19:32,879 Speaker 2: I've been running practically my whole life and never had 365 00:19:32,920 --> 00:19:36,480 Speaker 2: a leaf fall into my hand. That was God saying 366 00:19:36,480 --> 00:19:39,560 Speaker 2: to me, Joel, you don't have to grab You don't 367 00:19:39,560 --> 00:19:41,040 Speaker 2: have to try to make things happen. 368 00:19:41,320 --> 00:19:42,880 Speaker 1: You don't have to live frustrated. 369 00:19:45,440 --> 00:19:49,400 Speaker 2: He was saying, just trust me and I'll give you 370 00:19:49,560 --> 00:19:50,960 Speaker 2: the desires of your heart. 371 00:19:52,359 --> 00:19:52,639 Speaker 1: Now. 372 00:19:52,680 --> 00:19:55,679 Speaker 2: Every time something is not happening as fast as I 373 00:19:55,720 --> 00:19:58,560 Speaker 2: would like, or I'm tempted to worry, if it's going 374 00:19:58,600 --> 00:20:00,760 Speaker 2: to work out, I'll go go back and get my 375 00:20:00,840 --> 00:20:01,320 Speaker 2: leaf out. 376 00:20:01,440 --> 00:20:01,959 Speaker 1: Look at it. 377 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:06,280 Speaker 2: This leaf reminds me that the creator of the universe 378 00:20:06,440 --> 00:20:07,720 Speaker 2: is in control of my life. 379 00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:09,119 Speaker 1: It reminds me. 380 00:20:11,280 --> 00:20:14,960 Speaker 2: It reminds me that the Most High God is directing 381 00:20:15,000 --> 00:20:19,240 Speaker 2: my steps, making my crooked places straight, surrounding me with 382 00:20:19,320 --> 00:20:23,480 Speaker 2: his favor. If God can cause a leaf to blow 383 00:20:23,480 --> 00:20:26,359 Speaker 2: out of a tree at the exact right time to 384 00:20:26,440 --> 00:20:29,720 Speaker 2: hit the palm of my hand while I'm running in motion, 385 00:20:30,400 --> 00:20:32,960 Speaker 2: then surely God can get us to where we're supposed 386 00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:36,919 Speaker 2: to be. And no person can stop us, no economy 387 00:20:36,960 --> 00:20:41,160 Speaker 2: can stop us, no sickness can stop you, no bad 388 00:20:41,240 --> 00:20:45,720 Speaker 2: break can stop you. If God before you to dare 389 00:20:45,800 --> 00:20:50,720 Speaker 2: be against you, you need to go back and remember 390 00:20:50,960 --> 00:20:52,680 Speaker 2: the great things as God has done. 391 00:20:52,840 --> 00:20:54,160 Speaker 1: Go back and get your leaf. 392 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:58,199 Speaker 2: I'm convinced every one of us has things we know 393 00:20:58,600 --> 00:21:00,000 Speaker 2: had to be the hand of God. 394 00:21:00,000 --> 00:21:00,240 Speaker 4: God. 395 00:21:01,160 --> 00:21:05,080 Speaker 2: Somebody you bumped into introduced you to your spouse, A 396 00:21:05,119 --> 00:21:09,320 Speaker 2: coworker unexpectedly resigned, and all of a sudden you were promoted. 397 00:21:09,800 --> 00:21:13,120 Speaker 2: A stranger came by to help. They spoke one phrase 398 00:21:13,320 --> 00:21:16,879 Speaker 2: that spoke volumes to your heart. Those are signs of 399 00:21:16,880 --> 00:21:20,560 Speaker 2: God's favor, just like my leaf. When you are tempted 400 00:21:20,600 --> 00:21:23,000 Speaker 2: to get down, think it's not going to work out, 401 00:21:23,240 --> 00:21:26,160 Speaker 2: go get your leaf out and say no. I remember 402 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:29,120 Speaker 2: when God opened up that door. I remember when God 403 00:21:29,200 --> 00:21:32,439 Speaker 2: made away. I remember when God spared my life. I 404 00:21:32,560 --> 00:21:37,359 Speaker 2: remember when God healed my child. Remembering the great things 405 00:21:37,400 --> 00:21:40,120 Speaker 2: God has done is going to give you the strength 406 00:21:40,240 --> 00:21:43,200 Speaker 2: to keep fighting that good fight of faith, because you'll 407 00:21:43,200 --> 00:21:45,560 Speaker 2: know if God did it for you once, he'll do 408 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:49,600 Speaker 2: it for you again. This good to keep something in 409 00:21:49,640 --> 00:21:52,440 Speaker 2: front of you that reminds you of God's goodness. 410 00:21:52,800 --> 00:21:54,919 Speaker 1: That's why I keep this leaf in my desk. 411 00:21:55,400 --> 00:21:58,280 Speaker 2: Every time I see it, it reminds me that God 412 00:21:58,359 --> 00:22:02,040 Speaker 2: is in complete control. Remember when we were trying to 413 00:22:02,080 --> 00:22:05,560 Speaker 2: acquire this new facility, there was a council member that 414 00:22:05,600 --> 00:22:09,119 Speaker 2: I could not get in touch with. I'd called and called, 415 00:22:09,160 --> 00:22:12,439 Speaker 2: but he was either always too busy or out of 416 00:22:12,440 --> 00:22:15,240 Speaker 2: the office, there was some excuse, and he would never 417 00:22:15,320 --> 00:22:19,000 Speaker 2: call me back. After doing this for several months, I 418 00:22:19,080 --> 00:22:20,639 Speaker 2: finally decided to quit trying. 419 00:22:20,880 --> 00:22:22,520 Speaker 1: I knew that he was avoiding us. 420 00:22:23,040 --> 00:22:26,280 Speaker 2: I'd already been told by his staff very clearly that 421 00:22:26,400 --> 00:22:29,320 Speaker 2: he was not for us. I thought, well, I'll just 422 00:22:29,359 --> 00:22:32,359 Speaker 2: write him off. No use wasting our time and energy. 423 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:35,639 Speaker 2: And during the process of trying to get this facility, 424 00:22:36,080 --> 00:22:39,199 Speaker 2: there were plenty of opportunities like that to where we 425 00:22:39,240 --> 00:22:42,000 Speaker 2: could have gotten discouraged. But I did just what I'm 426 00:22:42,040 --> 00:22:44,960 Speaker 2: asking you to do. Every morning I got up and said, God, 427 00:22:45,280 --> 00:22:48,720 Speaker 2: give me a sign of your favor, something to encourage 428 00:22:48,720 --> 00:22:52,320 Speaker 2: my heart. One evening, I was in a sporting goods 429 00:22:52,320 --> 00:22:55,960 Speaker 2: store trying on some tennis shoes. It was very late, 430 00:22:56,200 --> 00:22:58,879 Speaker 2: the store was just about to close. It was cold 431 00:22:58,880 --> 00:23:02,280 Speaker 2: and rainy outside. Was hardly anybody else in the store. 432 00:23:02,760 --> 00:23:04,720 Speaker 2: But at one point, when I looked up from trying 433 00:23:04,760 --> 00:23:08,040 Speaker 2: on those shoes, that council member was standing just a 434 00:23:08,080 --> 00:23:10,960 Speaker 2: few feet in front of me, and I thought, God, 435 00:23:11,040 --> 00:23:14,560 Speaker 2: you are so good because he is caught and. 436 00:23:14,520 --> 00:23:15,960 Speaker 1: He has nowhere to run. 437 00:23:17,440 --> 00:23:20,199 Speaker 2: Friends, God has a way of having you at the 438 00:23:20,320 --> 00:23:23,840 Speaker 2: right place at the right time. He came right up 439 00:23:23,880 --> 00:23:27,800 Speaker 2: to me, very friendly and said, old Pastor Osteen, I've 440 00:23:27,800 --> 00:23:28,880 Speaker 2: been meaning. 441 00:23:28,560 --> 00:23:29,560 Speaker 1: To get back to you. 442 00:23:29,800 --> 00:23:32,919 Speaker 2: I've just been so busy, and I stepped back in 443 00:23:32,960 --> 00:23:38,119 Speaker 2: case the lightning struck. He went on to say, I 444 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:41,760 Speaker 2: want you to know I'm one hundred percent for you. 445 00:23:41,760 --> 00:23:44,439 Speaker 2: You can definitely count on my vote. 446 00:23:44,560 --> 00:23:45,640 Speaker 1: I was amazed. 447 00:23:46,520 --> 00:23:50,280 Speaker 2: I had been told very clearly that he was totally 448 00:23:50,440 --> 00:23:53,800 Speaker 2: against us and he would never vote for us. It 449 00:23:53,880 --> 00:23:57,680 Speaker 2: says in Proverbs God can turn the heart of a king. 450 00:23:58,240 --> 00:24:02,200 Speaker 2: That means the people that are so against you, God 451 00:24:02,240 --> 00:24:05,840 Speaker 2: can suddenly cause them to be totally for you. See, 452 00:24:05,880 --> 00:24:08,320 Speaker 2: God is not just in control of your life. 453 00:24:08,760 --> 00:24:11,280 Speaker 1: He's even in control of your enemies. 454 00:24:12,119 --> 00:24:15,040 Speaker 2: Those people that are so against you right now trying 455 00:24:15,040 --> 00:24:17,360 Speaker 2: to hold you back and keep you from your dreams. 456 00:24:17,880 --> 00:24:21,000 Speaker 2: Don't waste your time worrying about it. They can't stop 457 00:24:21,040 --> 00:24:27,960 Speaker 2: your destiny. God controls your destiny. If you need them 458 00:24:27,960 --> 00:24:30,280 Speaker 2: to be for you so you can get to where 459 00:24:30,280 --> 00:24:33,200 Speaker 2: you're supposed to be, then God will either change their 460 00:24:33,240 --> 00:24:35,560 Speaker 2: heart or he'll simply move them out of the way. 461 00:24:35,840 --> 00:24:38,960 Speaker 2: But no person can keep you from your God given destiny. 462 00:24:40,240 --> 00:24:45,000 Speaker 2: That one encounter of unexpectedly meeting the council member finding 463 00:24:45,040 --> 00:24:47,840 Speaker 2: out he was for us. That was a sign of 464 00:24:47,880 --> 00:24:51,600 Speaker 2: God's favor more than the one vote. That was God's 465 00:24:51,640 --> 00:24:55,439 Speaker 2: saying to me, Joel, I've got you back. Don't worry 466 00:24:55,440 --> 00:24:58,399 Speaker 2: if somebody's not for you. I'll turn the hearts that 467 00:24:58,480 --> 00:25:01,840 Speaker 2: need to be turned. I'll your battles, I'll direct your steps. 468 00:25:02,160 --> 00:25:04,800 Speaker 2: My favor will get you to where you're supposed to be. 469 00:25:05,600 --> 00:25:07,040 Speaker 1: And that's exactly what happened. 470 00:25:07,080 --> 00:25:09,800 Speaker 2: Here we are today enjoying God's blessings. 471 00:25:10,000 --> 00:25:12,000 Speaker 1: We saw the promises come to pass. 472 00:25:14,000 --> 00:25:16,879 Speaker 2: Many of you have been standing on promises for a 473 00:25:16,960 --> 00:25:20,720 Speaker 2: long time, believing for something to change, but you don't 474 00:25:20,720 --> 00:25:24,840 Speaker 2: see anything happening. You could easily get discouraged, but understand, 475 00:25:24,920 --> 00:25:28,600 Speaker 2: just like in my situation, God is in complete control 476 00:25:28,720 --> 00:25:31,920 Speaker 2: of your life. People may have tried to stop you. 477 00:25:32,520 --> 00:25:35,040 Speaker 2: Circumstances may have tried to talk you out of it. 478 00:25:35,280 --> 00:25:37,960 Speaker 2: Your own thoughts may be telling you that it's all over. 479 00:25:38,560 --> 00:25:41,359 Speaker 2: But the good news is God has the final say, 480 00:25:41,760 --> 00:25:45,000 Speaker 2: and he has every intention of getting you to where 481 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:47,640 Speaker 2: you're supposed to be. Now you've got to dare say, 482 00:25:47,760 --> 00:25:51,000 Speaker 2: like David, God, give me a sign of your favor. 483 00:25:51,480 --> 00:25:53,960 Speaker 2: Give me a sign that that promotion is coming. Give 484 00:25:54,000 --> 00:25:56,000 Speaker 2: me a sign that this situation is. 485 00:25:55,960 --> 00:25:56,879 Speaker 1: Going to turn around. 486 00:25:57,280 --> 00:26:00,040 Speaker 2: Then when you're tempted to get discouraged, you can go 487 00:26:00,119 --> 00:26:03,639 Speaker 2: back and say, now, I remember the rainbow in the sky. 488 00:26:04,240 --> 00:26:07,080 Speaker 2: I remember the pages the Bible flipping on their own. 489 00:26:07,520 --> 00:26:10,760 Speaker 2: I remember catching the leaf. I remember bumping into the 490 00:26:10,840 --> 00:26:13,600 Speaker 2: council member. I remember when I woke up singing. 491 00:26:14,280 --> 00:26:16,160 Speaker 1: If you can remember. 492 00:26:15,800 --> 00:26:19,040 Speaker 2: The signs God gave you, it'll breathe new life into 493 00:26:19,119 --> 00:26:21,800 Speaker 2: your dreams, and it won't matter if the promise takes 494 00:26:21,800 --> 00:26:24,080 Speaker 2: a week, a year, or twenty years. 495 00:26:24,080 --> 00:26:25,240 Speaker 1: Deep down you'll know. 496 00:26:25,280 --> 00:26:27,520 Speaker 2: That you know God is still going to bring that 497 00:26:27,560 --> 00:26:32,800 Speaker 2: promise to past. I believe that many of you this 498 00:26:32,960 --> 00:26:36,399 Speaker 2: week you're going to see a sign of God's favor. 499 00:26:36,960 --> 00:26:39,760 Speaker 2: Something is going to happen to where you say, I 500 00:26:39,880 --> 00:26:42,960 Speaker 2: know that was the hand of God showing me that 501 00:26:43,000 --> 00:26:47,160 Speaker 2: He's in control of my life. Be expecting God's goodness, 502 00:26:47,480 --> 00:26:50,600 Speaker 2: keep looking for God's favor. If you do that, God 503 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:53,879 Speaker 2: will not only confirm the word with some kind of sign, 504 00:26:54,119 --> 00:26:56,800 Speaker 2: but you're going to see Ephesians three twenty At work, 505 00:26:57,080 --> 00:27:00,560 Speaker 2: God is going to do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond. 506 00:27:01,040 --> 00:27:01,760 Speaker 1: I believe it. 507 00:27:02,080 --> 00:27:04,560 Speaker 2: I declare it over each one of you in the 508 00:27:04,640 --> 00:27:07,080 Speaker 2: name of Jesus. And if you receive it, can you 509 00:27:07,119 --> 00:27:07,679 Speaker 2: say amen? 510 00:27:07,720 --> 00:27:12,840 Speaker 1: And amen amen. We never like to close our broadcast 511 00:27:13,000 --> 00:27:15,840 Speaker 1: without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus the lord 512 00:27:15,880 --> 00:27:17,720 Speaker 1: of your life. Would you pray with me? 513 00:27:18,280 --> 00:27:22,200 Speaker 2: Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins. 514 00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:26,320 Speaker 1: Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and 515 00:27:26,359 --> 00:27:28,199 Speaker 1: save you. Friends. 516 00:27:28,200 --> 00:27:30,560 Speaker 2: If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 517 00:27:30,560 --> 00:27:33,920 Speaker 2: born again. Get in a good Bible based church. Keep 518 00:27:33,960 --> 00:27:34,919 Speaker 2: God first place. 519 00:27:35,160 --> 00:27:37,600 Speaker 1: He's going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 520 00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:43,600 Speaker 5: Sometimes the circumstances of life can be overwhelmingly negative. What 521 00:27:43,680 --> 00:27:46,480 Speaker 5: should we do when we experience these kinds of negative 522 00:27:46,520 --> 00:27:47,800 Speaker 5: reports and realities. 523 00:27:50,080 --> 00:27:53,000 Speaker 2: Our life is like a container. It can only hold 524 00:27:53,080 --> 00:27:57,280 Speaker 2: so much. When we allow negative things in, like worry, guilt, 525 00:27:57,400 --> 00:28:01,000 Speaker 2: and unforgiveness, that's taking up space for the good things 526 00:28:01,040 --> 00:28:03,639 Speaker 2: that belonged to you. That's why I wrote my book 527 00:28:03,680 --> 00:28:06,160 Speaker 2: Empty Out the Negative. I'll show you how to get 528 00:28:06,280 --> 00:28:09,360 Speaker 2: rid of what's limiting you so you can live a victorious, 529 00:28:09,480 --> 00:28:10,359 Speaker 2: fulfilled life. 530 00:28:10,680 --> 00:28:13,840 Speaker 4: When you make room for joy, peace, and faith. God 531 00:28:13,880 --> 00:28:15,880 Speaker 4: will feel you afresh and anews. 532 00:28:15,680 --> 00:28:17,960 Speaker 5: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 533 00:28:18,000 --> 00:28:20,840 Speaker 5: of any amount to the ministry. This month, Joel and 534 00:28:20,960 --> 00:28:24,400 Speaker 5: Victoria would like to send you this powerful book. Empty 535 00:28:24,440 --> 00:28:28,679 Speaker 5: out the negative, empty out fear, and replace it with faith. 536 00:28:29,800 --> 00:28:36,240 Speaker 2: My doctor, he said, I went in there and there 537 00:28:36,320 --> 00:28:37,760 Speaker 2: is no cancer in your body. 538 00:28:38,720 --> 00:28:42,680 Speaker 5: Empty out a hurt filled childhood, and replace it with confidence. 539 00:28:43,680 --> 00:28:47,200 Speaker 5: So I took what Joel said and I physically replaced 540 00:28:47,240 --> 00:28:48,040 Speaker 5: them with. 541 00:28:48,200 --> 00:28:51,880 Speaker 1: I am strong, I am worthy. I started saying those 542 00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:53,320 Speaker 1: over and over and over. 543 00:28:53,880 --> 00:28:57,560 Speaker 5: Empty out broken relationships and find renewed love. 544 00:28:58,120 --> 00:29:00,400 Speaker 6: In a world that's just so full of so much 545 00:29:00,480 --> 00:29:03,520 Speaker 6: noise and negativity and hatred, and just to come and 546 00:29:03,600 --> 00:29:06,760 Speaker 6: have so much encouragement filled into you. You know, it's 547 00:29:06,840 --> 00:29:08,840 Speaker 6: something I've never had in my whole life. 548 00:29:09,040 --> 00:29:11,440 Speaker 2: Are you holding onto things that are weighing you down? 549 00:29:11,720 --> 00:29:13,840 Speaker 2: It's time to empty that out so you can live 550 00:29:13,840 --> 00:29:15,920 Speaker 2: a positive, faith filled line. 551 00:29:16,160 --> 00:29:18,720 Speaker 4: Joel and I pray for you every day. We're believing 552 00:29:18,800 --> 00:29:22,080 Speaker 4: for God's very best for you and your family. You 553 00:29:22,080 --> 00:29:26,160 Speaker 4: know we appreciate your prayers and your support. Your generosity 554 00:29:26,280 --> 00:29:27,960 Speaker 4: is impacting so many lives. 555 00:29:28,080 --> 00:29:31,640 Speaker 2: Remember you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, 556 00:29:32,080 --> 00:29:36,560 Speaker 2: download our daily podcast, listen on Sirious xam, watch the 557 00:29:36,600 --> 00:29:40,560 Speaker 2: new joeloastin network streaming on television. But until we see 558 00:29:40,560 --> 00:29:43,240 Speaker 2: you next week now, the Lord bless you and keep you. 559 00:29:43,760 --> 00:29:46,320 Speaker 5: Be sure to request your copy of Empty Out the 560 00:29:46,400 --> 00:29:50,520 Speaker 5: Negative today. Visit Joelostein dot com or call eight eight 561 00:29:50,520 --> 00:29:52,440 Speaker 5: eight five six seven Joel