1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: No one likes to talk about money. Am I saving enough? 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:05,040 Speaker 1: Can I buy a house? Am I paying too much 3 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:07,760 Speaker 1: in taxes? Will I be able to retire? What if 4 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: you could unlock insights about your finances in less than 5 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 1: five minutes, with a clear picture of where you stand 6 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: today and where your money can work harder. Now you 7 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,759 Speaker 1: can visit facet dot com to take the free quiz 8 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 1: and get your financial wellness score today. That's Facet dot com. 9 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: This ad is sponsored by Facet. Fast Wealth in Corporated 10 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: is an sec registered investment advisor. This is not an 11 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: offer to buy your self securities or is it investment, 12 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: legal or tax advice. 13 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:33,960 Speaker 2: You're ready for a comeback, and with Purdue Global you 14 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:37,200 Speaker 2: can do more than take classes. You can take charge 15 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:41,520 Speaker 2: of your story, of your career, of your life, Earn 16 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:43,559 Speaker 2: a degree you can be proud of, and get an 17 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:48,559 Speaker 2: education employer's respect. It's time, your time, not just to 18 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:50,960 Speaker 2: go back to school, but to come back and move 19 00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:55,840 Speaker 2: forward with Purdue Global, Purdue's online university for working adults. 20 00:00:56,440 --> 00:00:59,920 Speaker 2: Start your comeback at Purdueglobal dot edu. 21 00:01:00,280 --> 00:01:02,240 Speaker 3: He'll forget about the video game you gave him on 22 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:02,840 Speaker 3: his birthday. 23 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:05,119 Speaker 4: Wow, thanks Grandpa. 24 00:01:04,880 --> 00:01:06,840 Speaker 3: But He'll never forget how you invest it in his 25 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:08,280 Speaker 3: future with the uns STAPP. 26 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:10,800 Speaker 4: Wow, Thanks Grandpa. 27 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:13,640 Speaker 3: The units STAP makes it easy for grandparents and family 28 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:16,319 Speaker 3: friends to give funds to a child's investment account for 29 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:18,760 Speaker 3: a limited time. Download the uns stap and use the 30 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:20,840 Speaker 3: code I heeart fifty at sign up to receive a 31 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:23,400 Speaker 3: fifty dollars bonus when you find your account. That's code 32 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:26,400 Speaker 3: iHeart fifty when you sign up at unest dot co 33 00:01:26,760 --> 00:01:29,319 Speaker 3: for a fifty dollars bonus. See terms and conditions at 34 00:01:29,440 --> 00:01:30,120 Speaker 3: UNEs dot co. 35 00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:33,440 Speaker 4: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. 36 00:01:33,480 --> 00:01:36,520 Speaker 5: Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting 37 00:01:36,520 --> 00:01:37,200 Speaker 5: the ministry. 38 00:01:37,319 --> 00:01:39,679 Speaker 6: If you enjoy today's message, why don't you be a 39 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 6: blessing and share it with a friend. 40 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:44,280 Speaker 5: We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in 41 00:01:44,319 --> 00:01:45,080 Speaker 5: your life. 42 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:51,400 Speaker 4: Oh God bless you. It is always a joy that 43 00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:52,560 Speaker 4: coming to your homes. 44 00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:55,240 Speaker 5: We love you, and we're believing that this year is 45 00:01:55,240 --> 00:01:57,000 Speaker 5: going to be your best year so far, and we 46 00:01:57,160 --> 00:01:59,960 Speaker 5: just appreciate you tuning in. If you're ever in our area, 47 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:02,240 Speaker 5: I hope you'll stop by and see us. I promise 48 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:04,840 Speaker 5: you we'll give you a warm welcome. These are the 49 00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:07,360 Speaker 5: finest people in all of Houston right here with me today. 50 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:09,040 Speaker 4: So come on out and be a part of one 51 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:10,080 Speaker 4: of our services. 52 00:02:10,720 --> 00:02:12,520 Speaker 5: I like to get started each week with something kind 53 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:14,720 Speaker 5: of funny, so listen to this one. A young man 54 00:02:14,919 --> 00:02:18,200 Speaker 5: once asked God how long a million years was to him. 55 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:21,120 Speaker 5: God said, a million years to me, is just like 56 00:02:21,160 --> 00:02:24,239 Speaker 5: a single second in your time. Then he asked God 57 00:02:24,280 --> 00:02:27,160 Speaker 5: what a million dollars was like to him. God said, 58 00:02:27,160 --> 00:02:29,640 Speaker 5: a million dollars to me, is just like a single 59 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:32,359 Speaker 5: penny to you. The young man god his courage up 60 00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:35,079 Speaker 5: and said, God, would you please just give me one penny? 61 00:02:36,440 --> 00:02:41,440 Speaker 4: God said sure, just a second. All right, hold up 62 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:43,280 Speaker 4: your bibles and say it like you mean it. Are 63 00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:43,760 Speaker 4: you ready? 64 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:47,440 Speaker 5: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 65 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:50,720 Speaker 5: I have what it says I have. I can do 66 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:53,440 Speaker 5: what it says I can do. Today I will be 67 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:57,720 Speaker 5: taught the word of God. How boldly confess. My mind 68 00:02:57,840 --> 00:03:01,400 Speaker 5: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 69 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:06,800 Speaker 5: the same. I am about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible, 70 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:09,000 Speaker 5: ever living seed. 71 00:03:08,960 --> 00:03:09,959 Speaker 4: Of the Word of God. 72 00:03:10,480 --> 00:03:14,440 Speaker 5: I'll never be the same, never, never, never, I'll never 73 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:18,200 Speaker 5: be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. You 74 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:22,320 Speaker 5: sound great as usual. We've been talking about the importance 75 00:03:22,320 --> 00:03:24,720 Speaker 5: of staying full of joy and how we need to 76 00:03:24,800 --> 00:03:27,079 Speaker 5: learn to laugh and have a good sense of humor. 77 00:03:27,639 --> 00:03:30,280 Speaker 4: I believe that God wants us to be the happiest 78 00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:31,040 Speaker 4: people around. 79 00:03:31,560 --> 00:03:34,359 Speaker 5: He doesn't want us to drag through life with a long, 80 00:03:34,520 --> 00:03:38,960 Speaker 5: sour face. Always discourage never having any joy. Now, the 81 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:42,640 Speaker 5: scripture says that God wants us to live life. 82 00:03:42,360 --> 00:03:44,640 Speaker 4: To the full till it overflows. 83 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:48,600 Speaker 5: That means we not only have enough joy for ourselves, 84 00:03:48,880 --> 00:03:52,160 Speaker 5: but we have so much joy it spills over onto 85 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:55,720 Speaker 5: other people and everywhere we go. We should infect that 86 00:03:55,840 --> 00:03:59,040 Speaker 5: place with joy. And really that's one of the best 87 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:02,600 Speaker 5: witnesses that we can have. You don't necessarily have to 88 00:04:02,600 --> 00:04:05,360 Speaker 5: preach a sermon to somebody. You don't have to try 89 00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:08,200 Speaker 5: to cram the scriptures down their throat. Just be full 90 00:04:08,240 --> 00:04:11,680 Speaker 5: of joy, have a smile on your face, be fun 91 00:04:11,720 --> 00:04:12,440 Speaker 5: to be around. 92 00:04:13,120 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 4: When you are consistently happy, when. 93 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:18,160 Speaker 5: You're in a good mood day in and day out, 94 00:04:18,680 --> 00:04:21,680 Speaker 5: people are going to recognize there's something different about you, 95 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:24,440 Speaker 5: and they're going to want what you have. But understand 96 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:27,520 Speaker 5: this doesn't happen automatically. It's a choice that we have 97 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:30,640 Speaker 5: to make every single day because we live in a 98 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:35,320 Speaker 5: society that's very uptight. People today are so stressed out, 99 00:04:35,800 --> 00:04:38,039 Speaker 5: they're worried, they're frustrated, they're. 100 00:04:37,880 --> 00:04:41,159 Speaker 4: On edge, and if we're not careful, we'll get. 101 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:44,920 Speaker 5: Sucked into that same mentality where we don't have any joy. 102 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:48,760 Speaker 5: We never smile, we never laugh, we're just enduring our 103 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:51,239 Speaker 5: lives instead of really enjoying our lives. 104 00:04:51,839 --> 00:04:54,440 Speaker 4: And much of the sickness that's in our world today 105 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:56,040 Speaker 4: is a result of stress. 106 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 5: Much of it is a result of people living all 107 00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:01,920 Speaker 5: pressured and all all up tight. Now I read where 108 00:05:02,400 --> 00:05:06,039 Speaker 5: ninety percent of all doctor's visits to a primary care 109 00:05:06,120 --> 00:05:10,599 Speaker 5: physician are stress related. That tells me we're way too uptight. 110 00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:14,240 Speaker 5: We don't laugh enough, we don't have enough joy. We 111 00:05:14,279 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 5: need to realize that it's healthy to laugh, it's healthy 112 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:21,520 Speaker 5: to have a good attitude. When we laugh, it sends 113 00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:25,360 Speaker 5: healing through our body. Having a joyful attitude is going. 114 00:05:25,320 --> 00:05:27,000 Speaker 4: To keep us strong and healthy. 115 00:05:27,640 --> 00:05:30,159 Speaker 5: But some of you have kind of forgotten how to laugh, 116 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:33,440 Speaker 5: and you need to retrain yourself to see the humor. 117 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:37,400 Speaker 5: You need to retrain yourself to have fun once again. Now, 118 00:05:37,400 --> 00:05:40,640 Speaker 5: I'm convinced if some of us would laugh more, if 119 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:42,920 Speaker 5: we would just all smile more, if we'd be more 120 00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:45,120 Speaker 5: easy going, we would see more. 121 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:46,640 Speaker 4: Of God's favor in our lives. 122 00:05:47,279 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 5: And every day we're going to have opportunities to lose 123 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:53,240 Speaker 5: our joy. Somebody is rude to you at the office, 124 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:56,359 Speaker 5: or you can't find your car keys, or maybe your 125 00:05:56,480 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 5: child spills something on the carpet. 126 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:00,920 Speaker 4: We all have things that have the. 127 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:04,760 Speaker 5: Ability to cause stress, but they don't necessarily have to. 128 00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:07,920 Speaker 5: It's all in how we approach our life. And I'm 129 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:10,320 Speaker 5: asking you to lighten up a little bit and not 130 00:06:10,440 --> 00:06:14,960 Speaker 5: take everything so seriously. Quit getting upset when people don't 131 00:06:14,960 --> 00:06:19,440 Speaker 5: do what you want. Quit living all frustrated because your plans. 132 00:06:19,080 --> 00:06:19,839 Speaker 4: Didn't work out. 133 00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:23,240 Speaker 5: No, just relax and learn to go with the flow 134 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:27,159 Speaker 5: and to not always be fighting against something. If you 135 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:29,800 Speaker 5: don't do that, it's gonna keep you all pressured on 136 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:33,360 Speaker 5: the inside. Some of you today are living with all 137 00:06:33,440 --> 00:06:36,919 Speaker 5: of this internal turmoil, and it's because you're trying to 138 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:40,360 Speaker 5: run the world. You're not gonna be happy unless everybody 139 00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:43,600 Speaker 5: in your life does exactly what you want, and unless 140 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:45,960 Speaker 5: all of your plans work out the way you planned it. 141 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:49,680 Speaker 5: But listen, until you change your approach to life, the 142 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:52,720 Speaker 5: enemy is gonna steal your joy day in and day out. 143 00:06:53,320 --> 00:06:56,880 Speaker 5: You've got to realize plans don't always work out, people 144 00:06:56,960 --> 00:06:59,880 Speaker 5: don't always do what we want, and every day is 145 00:07:00,200 --> 00:07:02,840 Speaker 5: going to go just like you've scheduled it. We've got 146 00:07:02,880 --> 00:07:05,200 Speaker 5: to learn to just lighten up and go with the flow, 147 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:07,960 Speaker 5: knowing that God is still in control. 148 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:09,400 Speaker 4: And he's still directing our steps. 149 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 5: We should be easy going, good natured, and learned to 150 00:07:13,520 --> 00:07:17,160 Speaker 5: laugh see the humor in the different situations of life. 151 00:07:17,240 --> 00:07:19,200 Speaker 5: I know a while back, I was at the airport 152 00:07:19,480 --> 00:07:22,200 Speaker 5: and I was standing around the baggage claim area waiting 153 00:07:22,240 --> 00:07:24,560 Speaker 5: for our bags to come out, and four or five 154 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:26,800 Speaker 5: people had come up, and we had been talking while 155 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:29,240 Speaker 5: we were waiting, and one of the first bags that 156 00:07:29,320 --> 00:07:32,640 Speaker 5: came out was opened. The zipper had been broken, and 157 00:07:32,680 --> 00:07:35,440 Speaker 5: as it went around the baggage carousel there, you couldn't 158 00:07:35,480 --> 00:07:36,400 Speaker 5: help but notice what. 159 00:07:36,440 --> 00:07:36,840 Speaker 4: Was in it. 160 00:07:37,160 --> 00:07:42,000 Speaker 5: I mean underwear and socks and pajamas, all these personal items, 161 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:44,800 Speaker 5: and people kind of chuckled as it went by. Well, 162 00:07:44,840 --> 00:07:47,000 Speaker 5: I was standing a good ways off and I could 163 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:49,400 Speaker 5: tell that the bag was open. But it wasn't until 164 00:07:49,440 --> 00:07:51,920 Speaker 5: it got closer to me that I realized it was 165 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:57,920 Speaker 5: my bag, and I thought, man, this is embarrassing. Not 166 00:07:57,960 --> 00:08:00,400 Speaker 5: only is my bag all torn up, now the whole 167 00:08:00,400 --> 00:08:03,320 Speaker 5: world has seen everything that's in it. And I thought, 168 00:08:03,400 --> 00:08:05,120 Speaker 5: do I really want to pick up my bag or 169 00:08:05,200 --> 00:08:08,000 Speaker 5: just let it go? But when it got to me, 170 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:10,120 Speaker 5: I couldn't help it. I got my bag and everybody 171 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:12,840 Speaker 5: was kidding me, kind of laughing. I mean, here's my socks, 172 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:16,560 Speaker 5: my underwear hanging out. I just files at least it's 173 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:17,040 Speaker 5: all clean. 174 00:08:19,040 --> 00:08:19,560 Speaker 4: Do you know what. 175 00:08:19,640 --> 00:08:22,440 Speaker 5: There's no use getting upset about it, no use losing 176 00:08:22,480 --> 00:08:26,000 Speaker 5: my joy. What's done is done, and sometimes the best 177 00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:28,320 Speaker 5: things we can do is just laugh about it and 178 00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:31,800 Speaker 5: move on. Some of you today, every little thing that 179 00:08:31,840 --> 00:08:34,320 Speaker 5: doesn't go your way, you're allowing that to get you 180 00:08:34,440 --> 00:08:37,320 Speaker 5: up tight and stressed out. Man, if you get caught 181 00:08:37,559 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 5: in a traffic jam, your blood pressure shoots up. If 182 00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:42,240 Speaker 5: you can't find your car keys in the morning, that 183 00:08:42,320 --> 00:08:45,079 Speaker 5: practically ruins the rest of the day. Or if somebody 184 00:08:45,080 --> 00:08:47,720 Speaker 5: treat you a little rude somewhere had just really sets 185 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:51,280 Speaker 5: you off. But we have to realize that's the enemy 186 00:08:51,440 --> 00:08:54,400 Speaker 5: trying to set us up, to get us upset. He 187 00:08:54,559 --> 00:08:57,679 Speaker 5: knows just what buttons to push, he knows what's going 188 00:08:57,720 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 5: to steal your joy. I'm challenging you today to not 189 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 5: take his bait. Don't fall into that trap and let 190 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:07,120 Speaker 5: him control your life. I love what Jesus said here 191 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:11,560 Speaker 5: in John fourteen twenty seven. He said, stop allowing yourselves 192 00:09:11,720 --> 00:09:15,720 Speaker 5: to be upset and disturbed. In other words, learn to 193 00:09:15,800 --> 00:09:19,240 Speaker 5: go with the flow, take life as it comes, and 194 00:09:19,320 --> 00:09:23,600 Speaker 5: don't always be fighting against everything. After all, if we 195 00:09:23,679 --> 00:09:26,040 Speaker 5: can't do anything about it, what's the use in getting 196 00:09:26,040 --> 00:09:30,400 Speaker 5: all upset. Our attitude should be I may not like this, 197 00:09:30,679 --> 00:09:33,320 Speaker 5: but I can't change it, so I will be happy anyway. 198 00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:36,680 Speaker 5: I know God is still in control, He's still directing 199 00:09:36,720 --> 00:09:38,960 Speaker 5: my steps, and I refuse to let. 200 00:09:38,840 --> 00:09:40,880 Speaker 4: This adversity get me all upset. 201 00:09:41,679 --> 00:09:44,760 Speaker 5: See the scripture says no man can take your joy, 202 00:09:45,360 --> 00:09:49,200 Speaker 5: No circumstance can take your joy. That simply means you 203 00:09:49,280 --> 00:09:52,040 Speaker 5: can be happy if you want to. But the choice 204 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:55,120 Speaker 5: is strictly up to you. And some of you are 205 00:09:55,160 --> 00:09:57,880 Speaker 5: allowing other people in your life to steal your joy. 206 00:09:58,400 --> 00:10:01,800 Speaker 5: A family member or maybe somebody you work around. They're 207 00:10:01,840 --> 00:10:05,679 Speaker 5: always negative and discouraged. They've always got that sad report, 208 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:08,640 Speaker 5: and it seems like every time you're around them, it 209 00:10:08,760 --> 00:10:11,120 Speaker 5: just sucks the life and energy out of you. And 210 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:13,080 Speaker 5: you feel kind of like it's your duty to cheer 211 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:16,000 Speaker 5: them up, and it's your responsibility to keep them happy. 212 00:10:16,520 --> 00:10:19,160 Speaker 4: But no, don't let them drag you into their pit. 213 00:10:19,760 --> 00:10:22,120 Speaker 5: Of course, it's good to cheer people up, it's good 214 00:10:22,120 --> 00:10:24,640 Speaker 5: to be an encourager, good to be a friend, but 215 00:10:24,720 --> 00:10:29,200 Speaker 5: it is not your responsibility to keep them happy. And unfortunately, 216 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:32,559 Speaker 5: I've discovered that some people don't really want to be happy. 217 00:10:33,120 --> 00:10:35,720 Speaker 5: They like walling around in that old pit, and they'll 218 00:10:35,800 --> 00:10:37,920 Speaker 5: drag you down there as long as you allow it. 219 00:10:38,559 --> 00:10:40,440 Speaker 4: No, don't get into the pit with them. 220 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:43,360 Speaker 5: Your attitude should be If you don't want to be happy, 221 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:45,880 Speaker 5: that's fine, but you're not gonna keep me from being happy. 222 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:48,880 Speaker 4: I'm gonna enjoy my life. I'm gonna live each day 223 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:49,559 Speaker 4: to the forum. 224 00:10:50,120 --> 00:10:54,199 Speaker 5: Friends, don't let other people make you unhappy. And if 225 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:57,319 Speaker 5: somebody cuts you off in traffic, just bless them and 226 00:10:57,360 --> 00:11:00,839 Speaker 5: move on. Smile at them, but just learn to overlook things. 227 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:04,119 Speaker 5: Somebody's rude to you at the office, shake it off. 228 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:06,800 Speaker 4: And go on. Don't let that ruin the rest of 229 00:11:06,840 --> 00:11:07,280 Speaker 4: your day. 230 00:11:07,920 --> 00:11:11,120 Speaker 5: If you will keep yourself happy and stay full of joy, 231 00:11:11,280 --> 00:11:14,000 Speaker 5: then God will fight your battles for you. But too 232 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:16,560 Speaker 5: often we end up making a mountain out of a 233 00:11:16,600 --> 00:11:19,280 Speaker 5: mold hill. We lose our joy if we have to 234 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:22,480 Speaker 5: work late one night, or if we can't find something 235 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:24,800 Speaker 5: at the office, or if we go by somebody and 236 00:11:24,840 --> 00:11:27,240 Speaker 5: they don't speak to us. We just get all bent 237 00:11:27,280 --> 00:11:29,800 Speaker 5: out of shape. But no, that's not worth losing your 238 00:11:29,880 --> 00:11:31,760 Speaker 5: joy over. Don't make a big deal out of it. 239 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:35,880 Speaker 5: I know couples that have almost gotten a divorce over 240 00:11:35,960 --> 00:11:40,120 Speaker 5: some little quirky habit. The spouse has little things they 241 00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:43,719 Speaker 5: allowed to irritate them day in and day out. When 242 00:11:43,800 --> 00:11:46,800 Speaker 5: you do that, it'll get bigger and bigger, and before 243 00:11:46,880 --> 00:11:47,400 Speaker 5: long it. 244 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:48,839 Speaker 4: Can cause you major problems. 245 00:11:49,080 --> 00:11:51,280 Speaker 5: It can cause you to have resentment in your heart 246 00:11:51,320 --> 00:11:55,560 Speaker 5: toward that person. But we have to realize, especially as couples, 247 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:58,800 Speaker 5: that God made us different on purpose, and it is 248 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:01,080 Speaker 5: not our job to try to the other person just 249 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:04,520 Speaker 5: like us. I know too many couples that are living 250 00:12:04,600 --> 00:12:08,720 Speaker 5: all frustrated because they're constantly trying to change the other person, 251 00:12:09,440 --> 00:12:12,160 Speaker 5: and their attitude is I'm gonna be happy when my 252 00:12:12,280 --> 00:12:15,440 Speaker 5: husband changes, or all quit being so uptight when my 253 00:12:15,520 --> 00:12:16,360 Speaker 5: wife changes. 254 00:12:16,880 --> 00:12:20,240 Speaker 4: But no, you know, only God can change people, and why. 255 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:22,880 Speaker 5: Should you be unhappy about something that you can't change. 256 00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:26,520 Speaker 5: Let God change your spouse, Let God change your child, 257 00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:29,559 Speaker 5: Let God change your boss. And in the meantime, why 258 00:12:29,559 --> 00:12:31,760 Speaker 5: don't you put a smile on your face and starting 259 00:12:31,840 --> 00:12:34,800 Speaker 5: join your life. Young lady came up to me last 260 00:12:34,800 --> 00:12:37,200 Speaker 5: week and she was real upset. She said, Joe, my 261 00:12:37,320 --> 00:12:41,080 Speaker 5: boss is just not fair. It's politics at my office. 262 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:44,080 Speaker 5: I'm not getting the credit and the promotions that I deserve. 263 00:12:44,160 --> 00:12:45,680 Speaker 5: And she has really been out. 264 00:12:45,520 --> 00:12:46,280 Speaker 4: Of shape about it. 265 00:12:46,800 --> 00:12:49,360 Speaker 5: And I told her basically what I'm telling you today. 266 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:53,640 Speaker 5: Don't let somebody else steal your joy. You cannot make 267 00:12:53,720 --> 00:12:57,560 Speaker 5: your boss change, You can't make your boss do what's right, but. 268 00:12:57,440 --> 00:12:59,440 Speaker 4: You can be happy right where you are. 269 00:13:00,040 --> 00:13:01,920 Speaker 5: You got to put your foot down and say, I 270 00:13:01,960 --> 00:13:04,600 Speaker 5: am sick and tired of losing my joy every other day. 271 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:07,320 Speaker 5: And I don't care what my boss does or doesn't do. 272 00:13:07,800 --> 00:13:10,400 Speaker 5: I'm not working under him. I'm working under God. And 273 00:13:10,440 --> 00:13:12,760 Speaker 5: so I'm gonna keep a smile on my face and 274 00:13:12,800 --> 00:13:16,080 Speaker 5: I'm gonna live my life happy knowing that Almighty God 275 00:13:16,160 --> 00:13:18,280 Speaker 5: will make it up to me. And when you have 276 00:13:18,320 --> 00:13:21,560 Speaker 5: that kind of attitude, not only are you gonna enjoy 277 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:24,360 Speaker 5: your life more, but then God will begin to fight 278 00:13:24,400 --> 00:13:27,319 Speaker 5: your battles for you, and he'll make sure that you 279 00:13:27,440 --> 00:13:28,840 Speaker 5: get everything that you deserve. 280 00:13:29,440 --> 00:13:31,760 Speaker 4: But really, it's all in our approach to life. 281 00:13:32,240 --> 00:13:35,000 Speaker 5: And what I'm saying today is, don't wait for the 282 00:13:35,040 --> 00:13:38,680 Speaker 5: circumstances to change, you change. You be the one to 283 00:13:38,720 --> 00:13:41,240 Speaker 5: make a decision that you're gonna get happy right where 284 00:13:41,320 --> 00:13:43,640 Speaker 5: you are. I have a friend of mine that he's 285 00:13:43,679 --> 00:13:45,960 Speaker 5: had trouble and difficulties. 286 00:13:45,320 --> 00:13:47,160 Speaker 4: In his marriage for many, many years. 287 00:13:47,440 --> 00:13:49,439 Speaker 5: He and his wife just don't see eye to eye 288 00:13:49,559 --> 00:13:50,560 Speaker 5: on certain issues. 289 00:13:50,679 --> 00:13:53,240 Speaker 4: In fact, she doesn't even come to church with him, and. 290 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:55,720 Speaker 5: He used to really struggle with this. This would really 291 00:13:55,760 --> 00:13:58,360 Speaker 5: get him all down and discouraged. Now I saw him 292 00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:00,959 Speaker 5: the other day and ask him how everything was going, 293 00:14:01,360 --> 00:14:03,520 Speaker 5: and he was just very upbeat about it. He said, Joel, 294 00:14:03,559 --> 00:14:07,280 Speaker 5: everything's going great. I'm just really enjoying my life. And 295 00:14:07,360 --> 00:14:09,319 Speaker 5: I thought for sure that he and his wife had 296 00:14:09,320 --> 00:14:11,679 Speaker 5: worked out all those problems and things were going a 297 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:12,439 Speaker 5: whole lot better. 298 00:14:12,880 --> 00:14:15,079 Speaker 4: But he said, no, Joel, we still have a lot. 299 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:17,280 Speaker 5: Of difficulties that we're dealing with, and she still doesn't 300 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:18,160 Speaker 5: come to church with me. 301 00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:20,480 Speaker 4: But then he said something very interesting. 302 00:14:20,520 --> 00:14:23,200 Speaker 5: He said, you know what, Joel, she hasn't changed, but 303 00:14:23,320 --> 00:14:26,480 Speaker 5: I've changed. I don't let it bother me anymore. I 304 00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:29,200 Speaker 5: don't let it get me upset. And really that's what 305 00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:32,840 Speaker 5: I'm talking about today. Don't let other people keep you 306 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:35,560 Speaker 5: from being happy. They may not be doing what you 307 00:14:35,640 --> 00:14:38,200 Speaker 5: want them to do. You may have somebody in your 308 00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:40,920 Speaker 5: family that could irritate you night and day if you 309 00:14:41,040 --> 00:14:41,360 Speaker 5: let it. 310 00:14:41,720 --> 00:14:43,800 Speaker 4: But you need to just make a decision. 311 00:14:43,800 --> 00:14:45,920 Speaker 5: You're going to keep a smile on your face and 312 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 5: enjoy your life anyway. 313 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:49,320 Speaker 4: You can't change him, only God can. 314 00:14:49,440 --> 00:14:51,840 Speaker 5: So let God do it, and don't make a mountain 315 00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:54,680 Speaker 5: out of a mold hill. I've had people tell me, Joel, 316 00:14:54,720 --> 00:14:57,360 Speaker 5: I just can't get along with my husband. He gets 317 00:14:57,400 --> 00:15:00,640 Speaker 5: on my nerves. We're just incompatible. I asked him what 318 00:15:00,640 --> 00:15:04,720 Speaker 5: the problem is, and it's some very small, little quirky thing. 319 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:07,040 Speaker 5: I mean, he doesn't pick his clothes up, or he 320 00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:09,800 Speaker 5: doesn't do this, he does too much of this. No, 321 00:15:10,200 --> 00:15:13,200 Speaker 5: we all have little quirky things that can get on 322 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:16,280 Speaker 5: other people's nerves. But in the big scope of things, 323 00:15:16,360 --> 00:15:18,680 Speaker 5: it doesn't even amount to hill of beans. Why don't 324 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:21,400 Speaker 5: you quit making a big deal about it. I remember 325 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:23,600 Speaker 5: when I was in college, there was this young man 326 00:15:23,720 --> 00:15:26,320 Speaker 5: in one of my classes that did something that really 327 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:30,320 Speaker 5: annoyed me. He smacked his gum instead of just chewing 328 00:15:30,360 --> 00:15:33,200 Speaker 5: gum like normal, he would smack it to where everybody 329 00:15:33,240 --> 00:15:35,920 Speaker 5: around could hear. And I mean it was very loud 330 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:38,920 Speaker 5: and very annoying, and it just so happened I was 331 00:15:38,960 --> 00:15:41,840 Speaker 5: assigned to sit right next to him, and that used. 332 00:15:41,640 --> 00:15:43,920 Speaker 4: To really bug me and get on my nerves. 333 00:15:44,360 --> 00:15:46,720 Speaker 5: And some of the other classmates had asked him not 334 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:49,000 Speaker 5: to do it, and he tried not to, but he 335 00:15:49,040 --> 00:15:49,920 Speaker 5: went right back to do it. 336 00:15:49,920 --> 00:15:51,560 Speaker 4: I only think he realized he's doing it. 337 00:15:51,880 --> 00:15:54,440 Speaker 5: But he got to the point where I almost dreaded 338 00:15:54,520 --> 00:15:56,800 Speaker 5: going to that class because I know I was gonna 339 00:15:56,800 --> 00:15:58,840 Speaker 5: have to listen to this guy chomp his gum. 340 00:15:59,320 --> 00:16:01,800 Speaker 4: And one day it dawned on me how I. 341 00:16:01,640 --> 00:16:06,320 Speaker 5: Was allowing something so trivial, something so insignificant, to steal 342 00:16:06,360 --> 00:16:06,880 Speaker 5: my joy. 343 00:16:07,400 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 4: And all I did was simply make a decision that 344 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:11,880 Speaker 4: I wasn't gonna let it bother me. Anymore. 345 00:16:12,440 --> 00:16:15,200 Speaker 5: I knew I couldn't change him, but I could change me, 346 00:16:15,720 --> 00:16:18,840 Speaker 5: and so I didn't let that upset me anymore. And 347 00:16:18,880 --> 00:16:21,080 Speaker 5: I'm sure some of you have people in your life 348 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:23,680 Speaker 5: right now that are doing little things that can really 349 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:24,760 Speaker 5: get on your nerves. 350 00:16:25,200 --> 00:16:27,680 Speaker 4: And the truth is they may not ever change. 351 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:30,600 Speaker 5: I hope they do, but even if they don't, you 352 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:33,600 Speaker 5: can make a decision like I did, to not allow 353 00:16:33,720 --> 00:16:36,920 Speaker 5: that to steal your joy. But really, it's all in 354 00:16:37,280 --> 00:16:40,080 Speaker 5: how you approach your life. And let me tell you, 355 00:16:40,160 --> 00:16:42,800 Speaker 5: getting stuck in traffic is not worth losing your joy 356 00:16:42,840 --> 00:16:45,440 Speaker 5: over having to work overtime one night, is not worth 357 00:16:45,440 --> 00:16:48,800 Speaker 5: getting upset about not being able to find the remote control, 358 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:51,880 Speaker 5: is not worth ruining the rest of your evening. Just 359 00:16:52,000 --> 00:16:56,000 Speaker 5: relax and stop fighting against everything that happens to you, 360 00:16:56,200 --> 00:16:58,920 Speaker 5: and don't let all that pressure build up on the inside. 361 00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:02,720 Speaker 4: Victoria used to do something that would really get. 362 00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:05,360 Speaker 5: On my nerves, and for years I tried to change her. 363 00:17:05,960 --> 00:17:09,399 Speaker 5: When she drives on the freeway, instead of keeping her 364 00:17:09,480 --> 00:17:12,239 Speaker 5: car in the center of the lane, she lines her 365 00:17:12,320 --> 00:17:15,159 Speaker 5: right side tires up with the right side strife in 366 00:17:15,200 --> 00:17:17,440 Speaker 5: the road, and so instead of being in the middle, 367 00:17:17,440 --> 00:17:20,360 Speaker 5: she's always over to one side. And of course, when 368 00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:23,480 Speaker 5: I ride with her and she's driving, we're on the freeway, 369 00:17:23,520 --> 00:17:25,439 Speaker 5: it just so happens that I'm the one closest to 370 00:17:25,480 --> 00:17:29,200 Speaker 5: the other cars. When an eighteen wheeler would go by 371 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:32,560 Speaker 5: and I could wipe his side mirror for him, I 372 00:17:32,640 --> 00:17:35,080 Speaker 5: knew we were a little too close. That caused me 373 00:17:35,119 --> 00:17:39,280 Speaker 5: a little concern. So for probably ten years, every time 374 00:17:39,440 --> 00:17:41,400 Speaker 5: I rode with her and we were on the freeway, 375 00:17:41,640 --> 00:17:43,879 Speaker 5: I'd get all up tight and I'd go into my 376 00:17:43,920 --> 00:17:46,480 Speaker 5: two minute speech, Victoria, please keep the car in the 377 00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:47,360 Speaker 5: center of the lane. 378 00:17:47,560 --> 00:17:50,840 Speaker 4: It's too dangerous over here. On and on. Victoria was 379 00:17:51,359 --> 00:17:51,960 Speaker 4: very open. 380 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:55,080 Speaker 5: She would always move She wasn't doing this on purpose. 381 00:17:55,119 --> 00:17:59,800 Speaker 4: I've trained her very well, but she would always move 382 00:17:59,800 --> 00:18:00,280 Speaker 4: back over. 383 00:18:00,359 --> 00:18:02,840 Speaker 5: But five minutes later, when she quit thinking about, she'd 384 00:18:02,840 --> 00:18:04,400 Speaker 5: be right back on the right side of the road. 385 00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:07,160 Speaker 5: And so I'd tell her again, Victoria, please go back 386 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:11,720 Speaker 5: to the center. I would like to see my grandchildren see. Really, 387 00:18:11,800 --> 00:18:15,159 Speaker 5: I was only focused on that one little quirk, and 388 00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:17,280 Speaker 5: I used to think it was my great calling in 389 00:18:17,359 --> 00:18:20,160 Speaker 5: life to get her straightened out and to make her 390 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:22,560 Speaker 5: and to mold her into who I wanted her to be. 391 00:18:23,320 --> 00:18:26,800 Speaker 5: But one day I realized I'm not the potter. God 392 00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:29,560 Speaker 5: is the potter. It's not my job to change her. 393 00:18:30,080 --> 00:18:32,320 Speaker 5: It was like a light turned on on the inside 394 00:18:32,359 --> 00:18:35,040 Speaker 5: and felt God speaking to me. He said, Joel, you 395 00:18:35,080 --> 00:18:37,800 Speaker 5: can get into this car until you're eighty years old 396 00:18:38,119 --> 00:18:39,639 Speaker 5: and try to change her, but it's not gonna do 397 00:18:39,680 --> 00:18:40,120 Speaker 5: any good. 398 00:18:40,480 --> 00:18:41,480 Speaker 4: So you can either. 399 00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:44,800 Speaker 5: Relax, just go with the flow, take life as it comes, 400 00:18:44,840 --> 00:18:46,439 Speaker 5: and let her be who I made her to be, 401 00:18:46,960 --> 00:18:49,480 Speaker 5: or you can spend your life frustrated and upset trying 402 00:18:49,480 --> 00:18:52,080 Speaker 5: to change her. I remember I made a decision that 403 00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:54,560 Speaker 5: very day that I was just gonna leave it alone. 404 00:18:54,920 --> 00:18:58,359 Speaker 5: It was not worth losing my joy over. Really, I 405 00:18:58,480 --> 00:18:59,359 Speaker 5: was just making. 406 00:18:59,119 --> 00:19:01,879 Speaker 4: A big deal out of something that wasn't a big deal. 407 00:19:02,240 --> 00:19:05,159 Speaker 5: After all, Victoria has never had an accident before, and 408 00:19:05,280 --> 00:19:09,080 Speaker 5: I've had two. She's never had a ticket and I've 409 00:19:09,119 --> 00:19:13,800 Speaker 5: had a few, and thank God I have been delivered. 410 00:19:13,840 --> 00:19:16,840 Speaker 5: I don't try to change her anymore. I just relaxed 411 00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:19,240 Speaker 5: and let her be who God has called her to be. 412 00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:20,840 Speaker 4: Don't make a. 413 00:19:20,760 --> 00:19:24,040 Speaker 5: Big deal out of something that's not a big deal. Really, now, 414 00:19:24,080 --> 00:19:25,840 Speaker 5: when I ride with her, it just makes my prayer 415 00:19:25,880 --> 00:19:30,160 Speaker 5: life stronger. Well, why don't you too make a decision 416 00:19:30,640 --> 00:19:32,200 Speaker 5: that you are not going to make a big deal 417 00:19:32,240 --> 00:19:34,920 Speaker 5: out of something that's really not a big deal. Why 418 00:19:34,920 --> 00:19:37,680 Speaker 5: don't you not let people steal your joy? Don't let 419 00:19:37,680 --> 00:19:41,800 Speaker 5: your circumstances steal your joy. The scripture says in Proverbs fourteen, 420 00:19:41,880 --> 00:19:45,359 Speaker 5: verse thirty that a relaxed attitude is going to lengthen 421 00:19:45,400 --> 00:19:48,320 Speaker 5: our life. But you know, just the opposite is true. 422 00:19:48,600 --> 00:19:52,400 Speaker 5: When we live all up tight and pressured on the inside, 423 00:19:52,440 --> 00:19:55,080 Speaker 5: all that's going to do, medical science tells us, is 424 00:19:55,359 --> 00:19:58,120 Speaker 5: weaken our immune system, and we're going to be much 425 00:19:58,160 --> 00:20:01,880 Speaker 5: more susceptible to sickness and disease. Another way you could 426 00:20:01,880 --> 00:20:05,360 Speaker 5: look at it is every day we live pressured and intense, 427 00:20:05,720 --> 00:20:08,840 Speaker 5: we are shortening our lives. Now, I'm asking you today 428 00:20:08,920 --> 00:20:12,600 Speaker 5: to lighten up and not let all these things, large 429 00:20:12,760 --> 00:20:13,760 Speaker 5: or small. 430 00:20:13,440 --> 00:20:14,880 Speaker 4: To steal your joy. 431 00:20:15,119 --> 00:20:17,159 Speaker 5: I want us to go into this new year with 432 00:20:17,240 --> 00:20:20,520 Speaker 5: a greater determination that we're gonna be happier than we've 433 00:20:20,520 --> 00:20:23,399 Speaker 5: ever been before. But some of you are gonna have 434 00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:26,040 Speaker 5: to put your foot down and make some serious changes 435 00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:29,119 Speaker 5: because you've gotten into a bad habit where everything is 436 00:20:29,200 --> 00:20:32,320 Speaker 5: so intense and pressured everything is just a big deal. 437 00:20:32,480 --> 00:20:35,280 Speaker 5: You never laugh, you never smile. Now you're gonna have 438 00:20:35,320 --> 00:20:38,199 Speaker 5: to draw that line into sand. Your attitude should be 439 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:41,760 Speaker 5: I refuse to live stressed out. I am not gonna 440 00:20:41,800 --> 00:20:44,479 Speaker 5: get upset when my plans don't work out. I'm not 441 00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:47,000 Speaker 5: gonna get frustrated when people don't do what I want 442 00:20:47,040 --> 00:20:49,639 Speaker 5: them to do. No, from this day forward, I'm just 443 00:20:49,680 --> 00:20:52,600 Speaker 5: gonna relax. I'm gonna take life as it comes, and 444 00:20:52,640 --> 00:20:55,560 Speaker 5: I'm gonna start enjoying my life. And see, we've gotta 445 00:20:55,600 --> 00:20:59,120 Speaker 5: realize God is in control, He is directing our steps. 446 00:21:00,160 --> 00:21:02,840 Speaker 5: Get caught by that train, you get delayed a few minutes. 447 00:21:03,080 --> 00:21:05,960 Speaker 5: Instead of getting all upset, why don't you think about 448 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:08,720 Speaker 5: the fact that just maybe God is sparing your life 449 00:21:08,760 --> 00:21:11,720 Speaker 5: from an accident. You could turn it all around and say, Father, 450 00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:14,280 Speaker 5: I thank you that you're in control and that you're 451 00:21:14,280 --> 00:21:16,280 Speaker 5: a protecting me and you got me right where you 452 00:21:16,320 --> 00:21:19,439 Speaker 5: want me. Or maybe when you have to work around 453 00:21:19,440 --> 00:21:22,359 Speaker 5: that person that's kind of irritable, maybe he's got a 454 00:21:22,359 --> 00:21:24,240 Speaker 5: bad attitude, he gets on your nerves. 455 00:21:24,600 --> 00:21:25,960 Speaker 4: Instead of getting all bent out of. 456 00:21:25,920 --> 00:21:28,639 Speaker 5: Shape, why don't you think about the fact that maybe 457 00:21:28,680 --> 00:21:30,439 Speaker 5: God has you there so you can. 458 00:21:30,320 --> 00:21:31,720 Speaker 4: Be a good influence on him. 459 00:21:32,080 --> 00:21:34,440 Speaker 5: Why won't you just pray, Father, help me to let 460 00:21:34,480 --> 00:21:37,120 Speaker 5: my light shine, help me to make a good impact 461 00:21:37,119 --> 00:21:40,680 Speaker 5: in his life. What I'm saying is, instead of always 462 00:21:40,720 --> 00:21:44,240 Speaker 5: trying to change everybody and change all your circumstances, why 463 00:21:44,280 --> 00:21:44,760 Speaker 5: don't you. 464 00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:46,440 Speaker 4: Just relax and let God change you. 465 00:21:46,800 --> 00:21:48,959 Speaker 5: Won't you make a decision that you're going to keep 466 00:21:48,960 --> 00:21:51,760 Speaker 5: a smile on your face and you're gonna enjoy your 467 00:21:51,800 --> 00:21:53,680 Speaker 5: life no matter what comes your way. 468 00:21:54,600 --> 00:21:55,840 Speaker 4: Friend, staying full. 469 00:21:55,680 --> 00:21:59,000 Speaker 5: Of joy is a powerful weapon. Staying full of joy 470 00:21:59,119 --> 00:22:02,680 Speaker 5: is spiritual war. Don't be determined that you're never gonna 471 00:22:02,680 --> 00:22:05,639 Speaker 5: have any problems in life. Be determined that you're going 472 00:22:05,680 --> 00:22:07,400 Speaker 5: to stay full of joy in the midst. 473 00:22:07,200 --> 00:22:08,000 Speaker 4: Of your problems. 474 00:22:08,520 --> 00:22:11,080 Speaker 5: And one reason why it's so important that we keep 475 00:22:11,080 --> 00:22:16,280 Speaker 5: our joy is because when difficulties and adversities come, that 476 00:22:16,320 --> 00:22:20,280 Speaker 5: can be very draining of our energy. Having a child 477 00:22:20,400 --> 00:22:23,560 Speaker 5: that's not doing right, a rebellious child that can take 478 00:22:23,600 --> 00:22:26,560 Speaker 5: a lot of your energy, Having a physical sickness, a 479 00:22:26,560 --> 00:22:29,920 Speaker 5: financial problem, or just dealing with somebody that's irritable all 480 00:22:29,920 --> 00:22:32,760 Speaker 5: the time, that can be very draining. And if you 481 00:22:32,800 --> 00:22:36,000 Speaker 5: don't have your joy, you're not gonna have the strength. 482 00:22:35,680 --> 00:22:38,080 Speaker 4: You need to really fight the good fight of faith. 483 00:22:38,720 --> 00:22:41,840 Speaker 5: And so often when trouble comes and things don't go 484 00:22:41,920 --> 00:22:44,480 Speaker 5: our way, the very first thing we do is get 485 00:22:44,520 --> 00:22:47,240 Speaker 5: down and discourage God. Why is this happening to me? 486 00:22:47,720 --> 00:22:49,840 Speaker 5: I just don't understand that I can't put up with 487 00:22:49,920 --> 00:22:53,120 Speaker 5: this anymore. No, in the tough times of life, more 488 00:22:53,160 --> 00:22:55,679 Speaker 5: than ever, we got to dig our heels in and 489 00:22:55,720 --> 00:22:58,119 Speaker 5: make a decision that we're going to keep our joy. 490 00:22:58,440 --> 00:23:01,040 Speaker 4: Because when you have your joy, you're going to be strong, 491 00:23:01,440 --> 00:23:01,879 Speaker 4: and when. 492 00:23:01,800 --> 00:23:05,040 Speaker 5: You're strong, all the forces of darkness won't be able 493 00:23:05,080 --> 00:23:08,120 Speaker 5: to defeat you. I'm convinced some of you today you'd 494 00:23:08,119 --> 00:23:11,120 Speaker 5: see your whole situation turn around if you simply get 495 00:23:11,119 --> 00:23:11,840 Speaker 5: your joy back. 496 00:23:12,119 --> 00:23:13,840 Speaker 4: I believe you'd see new victories. 497 00:23:13,880 --> 00:23:16,520 Speaker 5: You'd even rise to new levels if you just quit 498 00:23:16,560 --> 00:23:18,320 Speaker 5: living so uptight and stressed out. 499 00:23:18,680 --> 00:23:19,240 Speaker 4: When you say. 500 00:23:19,200 --> 00:23:21,720 Speaker 5: Joy, you don't know what I'm going through. I've got 501 00:23:21,720 --> 00:23:24,840 Speaker 5: so many problems. My child won't do rid, my health 502 00:23:24,880 --> 00:23:26,920 Speaker 5: is not very good. I've got all this adversity. 503 00:23:27,359 --> 00:23:28,960 Speaker 4: But really, you more. 504 00:23:28,760 --> 00:23:32,199 Speaker 5: Than ever, need to keep your joy because the joy 505 00:23:32,359 --> 00:23:34,760 Speaker 5: is going to help you to have the strength. The 506 00:23:34,920 --> 00:23:38,000 Speaker 5: joy will help you to persevere. The joy is going 507 00:23:38,080 --> 00:23:40,000 Speaker 5: to be a big part of what gets us through 508 00:23:40,040 --> 00:23:42,760 Speaker 5: the difficulty. And I love what Habakuk said. They're in 509 00:23:42,800 --> 00:23:46,119 Speaker 5: the Old Testament. He said, although the fig tree shall 510 00:23:46,160 --> 00:23:48,840 Speaker 5: not blossom and there be no fruit in the vine, 511 00:23:49,160 --> 00:23:52,080 Speaker 5: yet will I rejoice and joy in the God of 512 00:23:52,119 --> 00:23:56,160 Speaker 5: my salvation. He was saying, in effect, nothing is going 513 00:23:56,280 --> 00:24:00,359 Speaker 5: right in my life right now. My business is going downs, 514 00:24:00,359 --> 00:24:03,000 Speaker 5: have failed. But you know what, I'm not gonna let 515 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:05,240 Speaker 5: that bother me. I'm gonna stay full of joy anyway. 516 00:24:05,320 --> 00:24:08,520 Speaker 5: I'm gonna live my life happy. And really, any of 517 00:24:08,600 --> 00:24:11,120 Speaker 5: us can have a good attitude when everything is going 518 00:24:11,160 --> 00:24:13,600 Speaker 5: our way. Any of us can be happy when we're 519 00:24:13,640 --> 00:24:14,439 Speaker 5: on the mountaintop. 520 00:24:14,720 --> 00:24:15,680 Speaker 4: But I believe. 521 00:24:15,440 --> 00:24:17,840 Speaker 5: God's looking for people that will stay full of joy, 522 00:24:17,920 --> 00:24:20,480 Speaker 5: even in the valley, even in the tough times, even 523 00:24:20,480 --> 00:24:24,399 Speaker 5: in that midnight hour. And I've discovered that people that 524 00:24:24,520 --> 00:24:27,639 Speaker 5: are consistently full of joy are the ones that really 525 00:24:27,640 --> 00:24:30,840 Speaker 5: live in victory. Don't be a yo yo Christian up 526 00:24:30,840 --> 00:24:33,480 Speaker 5: when your circumstances are up, and all stressed out when 527 00:24:33,480 --> 00:24:36,760 Speaker 5: they're down. No, David said, I will bless the Lord 528 00:24:36,800 --> 00:24:39,159 Speaker 5: at all times, in the good times and in the 529 00:24:39,200 --> 00:24:41,520 Speaker 5: tough times, when things are going my way, and when 530 00:24:41,520 --> 00:24:46,920 Speaker 5: they're not going my way, he said, his praise will continually. 531 00:24:46,240 --> 00:24:47,040 Speaker 4: Be in my mouth. 532 00:24:47,480 --> 00:24:51,840 Speaker 5: That's one of the keys to victory, consistency, always staying 533 00:24:51,880 --> 00:24:54,000 Speaker 5: full of joy. And when you have one of those 534 00:24:54,080 --> 00:24:56,720 Speaker 5: days when everything that could go wrong does, one of 535 00:24:56,760 --> 00:24:59,200 Speaker 5: the best things you can do is just laugh. When 536 00:24:59,240 --> 00:25:02,080 Speaker 5: you stay full of joy in the midst of your adversity, 537 00:25:02,480 --> 00:25:05,720 Speaker 5: Really you're giving the enemy a nervous breakdown when. 538 00:25:05,520 --> 00:25:06,919 Speaker 4: He hits you with his best shot. 539 00:25:07,080 --> 00:25:09,560 Speaker 5: He's expecting you to get all negative and sour. 540 00:25:10,000 --> 00:25:11,120 Speaker 4: But he doesn't know what. 541 00:25:11,119 --> 00:25:13,560 Speaker 5: To do with people that just shake it off and 542 00:25:13,680 --> 00:25:16,119 Speaker 5: keep on keeping on, People that have a smile on 543 00:25:16,160 --> 00:25:19,440 Speaker 5: their face day in and day out. Maybe somebody's rude 544 00:25:19,480 --> 00:25:21,880 Speaker 5: to you, you just shake it off and smile anyway. 545 00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:24,199 Speaker 5: Or you get a bad report about your health it 546 00:25:24,240 --> 00:25:27,000 Speaker 5: doesn't look good, you shake it off and you've still got. 547 00:25:26,880 --> 00:25:27,800 Speaker 4: To spring in your step. 548 00:25:28,440 --> 00:25:30,840 Speaker 5: Or you get passed over for promotion, you go through 549 00:25:30,840 --> 00:25:33,480 Speaker 5: a big disappointment, but no, you just shake it off 550 00:25:33,600 --> 00:25:35,720 Speaker 5: and you still stay in that attitude of faith. 551 00:25:36,480 --> 00:25:38,119 Speaker 4: Well, you say, Joel, that seems odd. 552 00:25:38,119 --> 00:25:40,600 Speaker 5: Are you saying we should be happy and full of 553 00:25:40,680 --> 00:25:42,800 Speaker 5: joy even in the midst of our adversities. 554 00:25:43,200 --> 00:25:45,240 Speaker 4: That's exactly what God tells us to do. 555 00:25:45,600 --> 00:25:49,280 Speaker 5: In the Book of Job it says at destruction and famine, 556 00:25:49,480 --> 00:25:53,080 Speaker 5: you shall laugh. God is saying, even in your dark times, 557 00:25:53,119 --> 00:25:55,560 Speaker 5: even when everything has come against you, if you can 558 00:25:55,600 --> 00:25:58,520 Speaker 5: get stay full of joy, keep a smile on your face, 559 00:25:58,560 --> 00:26:01,760 Speaker 5: and even learn to laugh, then eventually that situation is 560 00:26:01,800 --> 00:26:04,639 Speaker 5: going to change in your favor. Joy is one of 561 00:26:04,640 --> 00:26:07,479 Speaker 5: the most powerful weapons God has given us, and that's 562 00:26:07,520 --> 00:26:10,119 Speaker 5: why it's so important that we not fall into that 563 00:26:10,160 --> 00:26:13,040 Speaker 5: old trap of living life stressed out and upset. 564 00:26:13,720 --> 00:26:14,960 Speaker 4: I remember a few years ago. 565 00:26:15,240 --> 00:26:17,400 Speaker 5: I was at home working on my computer one day, 566 00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:19,880 Speaker 5: and I had been studying for four or five hours, 567 00:26:20,040 --> 00:26:23,040 Speaker 5: and I'd made several pages of real good notes, but 568 00:26:23,080 --> 00:26:25,800 Speaker 5: then all of a sudden, the electricity went off out 569 00:26:25,840 --> 00:26:28,840 Speaker 5: of the clear blue it's really sunny outside, and normally 570 00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:31,800 Speaker 5: I'm really good about saving my material, but for some 571 00:26:31,840 --> 00:26:34,679 Speaker 5: reason this day I didn't save anything. When the power 572 00:26:34,720 --> 00:26:37,000 Speaker 5: came back on, I tried to find it, but I 573 00:26:37,040 --> 00:26:39,600 Speaker 5: couldn't locate it, and so I called the church and 574 00:26:39,880 --> 00:26:42,600 Speaker 5: they sent a technician out and he searched and searched 575 00:26:42,920 --> 00:26:45,160 Speaker 5: Finally he just said, Joe, I'm sorry. 576 00:26:44,920 --> 00:26:46,680 Speaker 4: But it's just not here. Man. 577 00:26:46,720 --> 00:26:49,840 Speaker 5: I was disappointed. I thought, all this time I've wasted. 578 00:26:49,920 --> 00:26:51,679 Speaker 5: I had some really good notes. How am I ever 579 00:26:51,760 --> 00:26:53,720 Speaker 5: gonna come up with that again? And I was so 580 00:26:53,840 --> 00:26:56,640 Speaker 5: tempted to just lose my joy and sit around kind 581 00:26:56,640 --> 00:26:59,479 Speaker 5: of having a pity party, feeling sorry for myself. But 582 00:26:59,560 --> 00:27:02,640 Speaker 5: no decision right then and there that I wasn't gonna 583 00:27:02,680 --> 00:27:03,160 Speaker 5: let that. 584 00:27:03,080 --> 00:27:04,359 Speaker 4: Computer still my joy. 585 00:27:04,880 --> 00:27:07,200 Speaker 5: Wasn't gonna let the electric company still my joy, wasn't 586 00:27:07,200 --> 00:27:09,640 Speaker 5: gonna let the enemy still my joy. And I went 587 00:27:09,720 --> 00:27:11,879 Speaker 5: back in there and sat down at my computer. My 588 00:27:12,000 --> 00:27:14,760 Speaker 5: attitude was, God's gonna give me better notes. I'm gonna 589 00:27:14,800 --> 00:27:17,680 Speaker 5: have a stronger annoying. God's gonna make what the enemy 590 00:27:17,680 --> 00:27:19,560 Speaker 5: meant for evil, He's gonna use it for my gun. 591 00:27:19,960 --> 00:27:21,920 Speaker 5: And do you know, in less than an hour's time, 592 00:27:22,280 --> 00:27:24,480 Speaker 5: I not only had more notes than before, but I 593 00:27:24,520 --> 00:27:26,240 Speaker 5: did have better notes than I made. 594 00:27:26,040 --> 00:27:28,040 Speaker 4: The first time. What am I saying today? 595 00:27:28,560 --> 00:27:31,720 Speaker 5: Don't let anything take your joy, don't let the circumstances 596 00:27:31,760 --> 00:27:35,160 Speaker 5: take your joy. Make a decision that you're gonna live 597 00:27:35,200 --> 00:27:38,080 Speaker 5: your life happy. After all, friends, we've got so much 598 00:27:38,119 --> 00:27:41,239 Speaker 5: going for us. Almighty God is on our side. He 599 00:27:41,359 --> 00:27:44,919 Speaker 5: is guiding and directing us. His favor surrounds us like 600 00:27:44,960 --> 00:27:48,840 Speaker 5: a shield. He's making our cooking places straight. God says 601 00:27:48,840 --> 00:27:52,760 Speaker 5: you're more than conquers. He always causes you to try on. Man, 602 00:27:52,840 --> 00:27:55,920 Speaker 5: we need to shake off this old, negative, defeated mentality 603 00:27:56,200 --> 00:28:00,280 Speaker 5: and let's start tapping into the joy that's on the inside. Remember, 604 00:28:00,320 --> 00:28:02,440 Speaker 5: the joy is what's going to give us the strength. 605 00:28:02,760 --> 00:28:05,119 Speaker 5: The joy is going to help you to persevere. The 606 00:28:05,240 --> 00:28:06,879 Speaker 5: joy is going to be what's going to help you 607 00:28:06,920 --> 00:28:11,639 Speaker 5: to overcome in every adversity. And a relaxed attitude is 608 00:28:11,680 --> 00:28:14,480 Speaker 5: going to lengthen your life. So let me challenge you again. 609 00:28:14,520 --> 00:28:17,320 Speaker 5: If you'll just do your part and not fight against 610 00:28:17,359 --> 00:28:20,160 Speaker 5: everything that comes against you, not live your life all 611 00:28:20,200 --> 00:28:22,840 Speaker 5: stressed out, then I can promise you this. You'll see 612 00:28:22,880 --> 00:28:25,520 Speaker 5: more of God's blessings and favor in your life, and 613 00:28:25,720 --> 00:28:28,720 Speaker 5: I believe you'll experience victories that you've never had before. 614 00:28:28,760 --> 00:28:29,119 Speaker 4: Amen. 615 00:28:31,320 --> 00:28:34,280 Speaker 5: We never like to close our broadcast without giving you 616 00:28:34,320 --> 00:28:37,000 Speaker 5: an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 617 00:28:37,480 --> 00:28:41,720 Speaker 5: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 618 00:28:41,880 --> 00:28:45,120 Speaker 5: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. 619 00:28:46,200 --> 00:28:47,920 Speaker 4: I'll make you my Lord and savior. 620 00:28:49,200 --> 00:28:51,600 Speaker 5: Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you 621 00:28:51,640 --> 00:28:54,760 Speaker 5: got born again. Get in a good Bible based church, 622 00:28:55,040 --> 00:28:56,240 Speaker 5: Keep God first place. 623 00:28:56,520 --> 00:28:58,760 Speaker 4: He's going to take your places you've never dreamed of. 624 00:28:59,120 --> 00:29:02,320 Speaker 5: Thanks so much listening to today's message. I hope you'll 625 00:29:02,320 --> 00:29:05,800 Speaker 5: subscribe so you can receive the latest podcast to keep 626 00:29:05,800 --> 00:29:08,120 Speaker 5: you encouraged and inspired all through the week. 627 00:29:08,280 --> 00:29:10,520 Speaker 3: Help us to continue to share the message of hope 628 00:29:10,520 --> 00:29:12,000 Speaker 3: with those all around the world. 629 00:29:12,320 --> 00:29:15,080 Speaker 7: Visit Joelosting dot com or click the link in the 630 00:29:15,120 --> 00:29:17,320 Speaker 7: description to partner with us today. 631 00:29:17,520 --> 00:29:20,000 Speaker 5: We hope you'll share this message with a friend and 632 00:29:20,080 --> 00:29:22,880 Speaker 5: be sure to follow us on social media. We're praying 633 00:29:22,960 --> 00:29:23,320 Speaker 5: for you. 634 00:29:23,600 --> 00:29:26,360 Speaker 4: I know God's best is still ahead. We'll see you 635 00:29:26,440 --> 00:29:26,920 Speaker 4: next time. 636 00:29:30,040 --> 00:29:33,800 Speaker 7: All inclusive vacations make life easy with endless aids, bottomless drinks, 637 00:29:33,800 --> 00:29:36,360 Speaker 7: and never ending fun, so booking an all inclusive vacation 638 00:29:36,400 --> 00:29:37,240 Speaker 7: should be easy too. 639 00:29:37,480 --> 00:29:37,840 Speaker 4: Write. 640 00:29:37,960 --> 00:29:40,680 Speaker 7: That's where Apple Vacations comes in. Book your all inclusive 641 00:29:40,720 --> 00:29:43,320 Speaker 7: get away with Apple Vacations and receive exclusive perks as 642 00:29:43,320 --> 00:29:46,080 Speaker 7: select resorts. You'll find the best deals to secrets resorts 643 00:29:46,120 --> 00:29:48,440 Speaker 7: in spats in Mexico and the Caribbean and enjoy a 644 00:29:48,480 --> 00:29:52,040 Speaker 7: selection of exclusive NonStop vacation flights. Turn on Easymode at 645 00:29:52,040 --> 00:29:54,880 Speaker 7: Apple Vacations dot com or call your local travel advisor 646 00:29:54,880 --> 00:30:01,360 Speaker 7: to get started. Enhance your child bild's reading journey with 647 00:30:01,440 --> 00:30:04,520 Speaker 7: the Good and the Beautiful's Reading Booster program. Choose from 648 00:30:04,600 --> 00:30:07,960 Speaker 7: three all in one kids for kindergarten, first or second 649 00:30:07,960 --> 00:30:12,080 Speaker 7: grade at reading booster dot com. Each kit includes reading cards, 650 00:30:12,160 --> 00:30:16,200 Speaker 7: books and games designed to create fun ways to learn phonics, 651 00:30:16,360 --> 00:30:19,960 Speaker 7: site words, and vowel sounds. There's even a free ad 652 00:30:20,000 --> 00:30:23,640 Speaker 7: free app with additional games and KidSafe content. Bring home 653 00:30:23,760 --> 00:30:26,320 Speaker 7: a love of learning with the Good and the Beautiful. 654 00:30:26,600 --> 00:30:28,760 Speaker 7: Visit reading booster dot com today. 655 00:30:29,400 --> 00:30:32,320 Speaker 6: Ever, wonder which foods connect as medicine, or maybe you're 656 00:30:32,360 --> 00:30:35,680 Speaker 6: looking to start meditation. How about finding foods that supports 657 00:30:35,720 --> 00:30:38,080 Speaker 6: brain health. If you want to improve your well being, 658 00:30:38,240 --> 00:30:40,920 Speaker 6: listen to the trusted Tangible advice brought to you by 659 00:30:41,000 --> 00:30:44,120 Speaker 6: a Sense of Wellness podcast with hosts Susan Greeley, a 660 00:30:44,120 --> 00:30:47,360 Speaker 6: wellness expert of more than twenty five years. This podcast 661 00:30:47,440 --> 00:30:50,000 Speaker 6: is brought to you by Cassel Connolly, Private Health Partners 662 00:30:50,120 --> 00:30:54,640 Speaker 6: at Premier Concierge Medicine organization that partners with exceptional physicians 663 00:30:54,760 --> 00:30:58,560 Speaker 6: to deliver an unrivaled healthcare experience while empowering members to 664 00:30:58,640 --> 00:30:59,920 Speaker 6: achieve optimal wellness.