1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:02,040 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. 2 00:00:02,320 --> 00:00:05,320 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting 3 00:00:05,360 --> 00:00:08,280 Speaker 2: the ministry. If you enjoy today's message, why don't you 4 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:10,480 Speaker 2: be a blessing and share it with a friend. We 5 00:00:10,560 --> 00:00:14,240 Speaker 2: appreciate you and pray for God's very best in your life. 6 00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:18,400 Speaker 2: Will God bless you? It's always a joint of coming 7 00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:21,119 Speaker 2: to your homes. We love you and we know God 8 00:00:21,160 --> 00:00:23,280 Speaker 2: has great things in store for each one of you. 9 00:00:23,560 --> 00:00:25,760 Speaker 2: If you're ever in our area, I hope you'll stop 10 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:27,800 Speaker 2: by and be a part of one of our services. 11 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:30,320 Speaker 2: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 12 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:32,559 Speaker 2: But thanks so much for tuning in, and thank you 13 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:35,159 Speaker 2: again for coming out today. I like to start with 14 00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:37,800 Speaker 2: something funny each week. And I heard about this new 15 00:00:37,840 --> 00:00:41,640 Speaker 2: police recruit. He was taking his final exam and he 16 00:00:41,680 --> 00:00:44,760 Speaker 2: was in front of this large classroom. The sergeant said 17 00:00:44,800 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 2: to him, what would you do if you had to 18 00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:51,000 Speaker 2: arrest your own mother in law without missing a beat? 19 00:00:51,080 --> 00:00:55,720 Speaker 2: He said, call for back up, Hold up your Bible 20 00:00:55,800 --> 00:00:58,800 Speaker 2: and say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 21 00:00:59,160 --> 00:01:01,680 Speaker 2: I am what it's as I am. I have what 22 00:01:01,760 --> 00:01:04,360 Speaker 2: it says I have, I can do what it says. 23 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:07,160 Speaker 2: I can do today. I will be taught the word 24 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:11,480 Speaker 2: of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert, my 25 00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:16,119 Speaker 2: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, 26 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:19,880 Speaker 2: God bless you. I want to talk to you today 27 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:25,080 Speaker 2: about how your life is divinely orchestrated. The scripture talks 28 00:01:25,120 --> 00:01:28,640 Speaker 2: about how God has already written all of our days 29 00:01:28,720 --> 00:01:32,440 Speaker 2: in his book. He promised that his plans for us 30 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:35,800 Speaker 2: are for good and not evil, and that doesn't mean 31 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:39,920 Speaker 2: that we won't go through negative situations. It means that 32 00:01:39,959 --> 00:01:43,400 Speaker 2: God will use everything we go through to move us 33 00:01:43,440 --> 00:01:44,920 Speaker 2: toward that good plan. 34 00:01:45,880 --> 00:01:48,080 Speaker 1: We all have things happen that we don't. 35 00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:51,520 Speaker 2: Understand, and it's easy to think, why did this friend 36 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:55,280 Speaker 2: betray me? Why did this company lay me off? Why 37 00:01:55,320 --> 00:01:56,680 Speaker 2: didn't I get that promotion? 38 00:01:57,040 --> 00:01:57,520 Speaker 1: Why work? 39 00:01:57,600 --> 00:02:01,880 Speaker 2: My prayers answered, we have to under stand. Just because 40 00:02:02,120 --> 00:02:05,800 Speaker 2: it seems unfair, just because it looks like a bad 41 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:09,480 Speaker 2: break doesn't mean it's not a part of God's plan. 42 00:02:10,680 --> 00:02:12,240 Speaker 1: Just as God uses. 43 00:02:12,080 --> 00:02:23,600 Speaker 2: Promotion, breakthroughs, loyal people, encouragement, God also uses disappointments, closed doors, betrayals, persecution. 44 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:25,280 Speaker 1: To move us toward his divine plan. 45 00:02:26,240 --> 00:02:29,280 Speaker 2: One of the best things I've ever learned is nothing 46 00:02:29,440 --> 00:02:33,520 Speaker 2: in life happens to me, it happens for me. In 47 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:36,640 Speaker 2: other words, God would not have allowed it unless he 48 00:02:36,680 --> 00:02:39,880 Speaker 2: had a purpose for it. That friend that walked out 49 00:02:39,919 --> 00:02:43,799 Speaker 2: of a relationship, that person that hurts you. God could 50 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:46,520 Speaker 2: have stopped it. He's God. He could have kept it 51 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:50,120 Speaker 2: from happening. But since he didn't, you have to accept 52 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:54,800 Speaker 2: the fact this disappointment, this betrayal, this bad break. I 53 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:58,160 Speaker 2: may not like it, it may be painful right now, 54 00:02:58,760 --> 00:03:01,880 Speaker 2: but I know all ultimately it is not going to 55 00:03:01,919 --> 00:03:02,840 Speaker 2: work against me. 56 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:04,560 Speaker 1: It's going to work for me. 57 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:07,840 Speaker 2: I know God has already written a good plan for 58 00:03:07,960 --> 00:03:10,639 Speaker 2: my life, and as long as I stay in faith, 59 00:03:11,040 --> 00:03:13,560 Speaker 2: what was meant for my harm, God will use to 60 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:18,160 Speaker 2: my advantage. When you know your life is divinely orchestrated, 61 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:21,760 Speaker 2: takes all the pressure off. You go through a disappointment, 62 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:25,640 Speaker 2: you don't get upset. Your attitude is no big deal. 63 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:28,400 Speaker 2: I know this is a part of God's plan. This 64 00:03:28,480 --> 00:03:31,880 Speaker 2: is not happening to me, It's happening for me. You 65 00:03:31,960 --> 00:03:35,440 Speaker 2: get laid off. Yes, I'm disappointed, but I'm not gonna 66 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:36,840 Speaker 2: live with a chip on my shoulder. 67 00:03:37,280 --> 00:03:39,240 Speaker 1: I know this is not a surprise to God. 68 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:42,720 Speaker 2: And when one door closes, I know God will always 69 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:44,320 Speaker 2: open up a bigger and a better door. 70 00:03:45,240 --> 00:03:47,400 Speaker 1: Somebody lies about you, does you wrong? 71 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:50,440 Speaker 2: That's okay. I'm not gonna try to pay them back. 72 00:03:50,880 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 2: I know nothing can happen without God's permission. So I'm 73 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:56,840 Speaker 2: gonna stay on the high road and pass this test 74 00:03:57,120 --> 00:03:59,320 Speaker 2: and let God take me to a new level of 75 00:03:59,360 --> 00:04:03,520 Speaker 2: my destiny. What if Jesus would have gotten upset when 76 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:07,560 Speaker 2: Judas betrayed him? What if he would have said, come on, God, 77 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:10,280 Speaker 2: I'm your son, How could you let this happen? 78 00:04:10,680 --> 00:04:12,640 Speaker 1: He's my disciple? This is not fair. 79 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:17,800 Speaker 2: No, Jesus even knew beforehand that Judas was going to 80 00:04:17,839 --> 00:04:21,240 Speaker 2: betray him, but he still didn't try to stop him. 81 00:04:22,080 --> 00:04:23,920 Speaker 1: In one sense, God. 82 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:27,839 Speaker 2: Used Judas more than he used the other disciples, because 83 00:04:27,880 --> 00:04:31,240 Speaker 2: if Judas had not betrayed Jesus, there would have never 84 00:04:31,279 --> 00:04:34,640 Speaker 2: been a crucifixion. Without a crucifixion, there wouldn't have been 85 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:38,840 Speaker 2: a resurrection. Without a resurrection, we wouldn't have redemption. What 86 00:04:38,880 --> 00:04:43,039 Speaker 2: am I saying? The person that betrayed Jesus played a 87 00:04:43,080 --> 00:04:48,640 Speaker 2: critical role in Jesus fulfilling his divine destiny. Quit complaining 88 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 2: about someone that walked out on you. If they betrayed you, 89 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:55,719 Speaker 2: they didn't set you back, they set you up. If 90 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:58,800 Speaker 2: they had not done you wrong, you wouldn't see the 91 00:04:58,839 --> 00:05:02,159 Speaker 2: amazing future of God has in store. You may not 92 00:05:02,240 --> 00:05:04,960 Speaker 2: have liked it, but God was using that to get 93 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:08,080 Speaker 2: you to where he wanted you to be. Anytime we 94 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:10,400 Speaker 2: go to a new level, we have to pass the 95 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:13,839 Speaker 2: test of a new level of obedience where we shake 96 00:05:13,920 --> 00:05:17,360 Speaker 2: off the wrongs. We keep a good attitude even when 97 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:20,160 Speaker 2: we feel like being discouraged. We believe it's going to 98 00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:22,680 Speaker 2: get better, even though our mind is telling us is 99 00:05:22,720 --> 00:05:25,760 Speaker 2: never going to work out. Deep down, you've got to 100 00:05:25,839 --> 00:05:28,760 Speaker 2: know that. You know that, you know my life is 101 00:05:28,839 --> 00:05:30,280 Speaker 2: divinely orchestrated. 102 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:33,440 Speaker 1: This is not happening to me. This is happening for me. 103 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:37,440 Speaker 2: God's going to use it to my advantage. Remember when 104 00:05:37,480 --> 00:05:39,880 Speaker 2: I was in college, there was a gentleman that was 105 00:05:39,920 --> 00:05:43,560 Speaker 2: in charge of the television facility. The university had a 106 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:48,440 Speaker 2: big television studio, a big production center. It was known 107 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:50,880 Speaker 2: all over the world, and that was my passion. I 108 00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 2: loved cameras and editing, anything that had to do with production. 109 00:05:54,680 --> 00:05:57,040 Speaker 2: And I had met this gentleman several years earlier, and 110 00:05:57,360 --> 00:05:59,800 Speaker 2: when I first got to college, he invited me to 111 00:05:59,839 --> 00:06:02,440 Speaker 2: come over and see the studios and he was showing 112 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:06,080 Speaker 2: me around. It was so amazing, the beautiful sets, the 113 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:11,000 Speaker 2: control room, the editing suites was so exciting. My dream 114 00:06:11,320 --> 00:06:13,960 Speaker 2: was to work there, he said, Joel, no big deal, 115 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:17,120 Speaker 2: just fill out an application and I'll make sure that 116 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:20,359 Speaker 2: it happens. I applied for the job, and a couple 117 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:22,200 Speaker 2: of weeks went by and I didn't hear anything. 118 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:24,880 Speaker 1: So I called him back, but he was too busy 119 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:25,359 Speaker 1: to talk. 120 00:06:25,800 --> 00:06:29,960 Speaker 2: I called him again and again and again, day after day, 121 00:06:30,080 --> 00:06:31,000 Speaker 2: week after week. 122 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:32,520 Speaker 1: He was always either. 123 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:36,080 Speaker 2: Too busy, out of the office, some reason he couldn't talk. 124 00:06:36,480 --> 00:06:39,039 Speaker 2: I even went back to the studio in person three 125 00:06:39,120 --> 00:06:42,359 Speaker 2: or four times. Still he would not see me. After 126 00:06:42,520 --> 00:06:45,920 Speaker 2: several months of constantly trying to get in touch with him, 127 00:06:46,240 --> 00:06:49,560 Speaker 2: I finally accepted the fact, Hey, this just isn't meant 128 00:06:49,560 --> 00:06:49,760 Speaker 2: to be. 129 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:51,720 Speaker 1: I was very disappointed. 130 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:56,720 Speaker 2: I couldn't understand it then, but looking back now, I 131 00:06:56,839 --> 00:07:01,080 Speaker 2: know that that closed door was God's plan. The man 132 00:07:01,200 --> 00:07:04,040 Speaker 2: was a good man, but I believe God caused him 133 00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:07,279 Speaker 2: to not call me back because if I had gotten 134 00:07:07,320 --> 00:07:11,040 Speaker 2: that position, I would have been so excited. I know 135 00:07:11,160 --> 00:07:14,000 Speaker 2: my personality. I would have been so caught up. I 136 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:16,920 Speaker 2: would have never come back here to Lakewood to start 137 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:18,680 Speaker 2: the television outreach like I did. 138 00:07:19,360 --> 00:07:22,680 Speaker 1: Without that closed door, I don't believe I would be 139 00:07:22,720 --> 00:07:25,160 Speaker 1: standing here today. What am I saying? 140 00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:29,680 Speaker 2: The closed doors have been orchestrated by Almighty God. The 141 00:07:29,720 --> 00:07:33,760 Speaker 2: person that wouldn't call you back, the friend that ignored you, 142 00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:35,920 Speaker 2: the coworker that betrayed you. 143 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:38,040 Speaker 1: Don't sit around in self pity. 144 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:41,200 Speaker 2: Shake the dust off your feet and move forward with 145 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:44,600 Speaker 2: your life. If God wanted you to have that job, 146 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:47,240 Speaker 2: he would have given you that job. No person can 147 00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:50,400 Speaker 2: stand against our God. If God wanted you to marry 148 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:53,480 Speaker 2: that man, marry that woman, you would have married them. 149 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:56,760 Speaker 1: Quit sulking. God has somebody better in store. 150 00:07:57,520 --> 00:07:59,840 Speaker 2: If God wanted them to call you back, they would 151 00:07:59,880 --> 00:08:02,480 Speaker 2: have called you back. Now, put on a new attitude. 152 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:06,720 Speaker 2: Their rejection is going to lead to God's promotion. They 153 00:08:06,760 --> 00:08:09,960 Speaker 2: didn't happen to you, They happened for you. It may 154 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:12,680 Speaker 2: have looked like a setback, but really it was a 155 00:08:12,800 --> 00:08:16,280 Speaker 2: set up for God to do something amazing in your life. 156 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:18,920 Speaker 2: You may not be able to see it right now. 157 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:22,560 Speaker 2: You may not understand. It doesn't make any sense, But 158 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:26,280 Speaker 2: one day you will understand it. One day you will 159 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:28,920 Speaker 2: see God's wisdom and be glad that. 160 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:30,000 Speaker 1: He didn't open the door. 161 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:33,320 Speaker 2: It may be in a month, in a year, or 162 00:08:33,360 --> 00:08:36,160 Speaker 2: in thirty years, but one day you'll look back like 163 00:08:36,280 --> 00:08:38,560 Speaker 2: I did, and say, it. 164 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:40,120 Speaker 1: Was good that he didn't call me back. 165 00:08:40,679 --> 00:08:43,040 Speaker 2: It was good that the friend walked away, or I'd 166 00:08:43,040 --> 00:08:45,760 Speaker 2: have never met my spouse. It was good that God 167 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:48,720 Speaker 2: didn't answer my prayers my way, or I wouldn't see 168 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:51,240 Speaker 2: the amazing opportunity that God's given me. 169 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:51,520 Speaker 1: Now. 170 00:08:52,520 --> 00:08:56,240 Speaker 2: My challenge to us is to trust him. Don't live 171 00:08:56,320 --> 00:08:59,840 Speaker 2: upset because a friend betrayed you. That's not a surprise 172 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:03,920 Speaker 2: of God. Don't be bitter because your prayers didn't get 173 00:09:03,960 --> 00:09:05,280 Speaker 2: answered the way you wanted. 174 00:09:05,679 --> 00:09:06,839 Speaker 1: God has something better. 175 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:09,800 Speaker 2: Gonna have a chip on your shoulder because you went 176 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:12,040 Speaker 2: through a disappointment, a bad break. 177 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:14,080 Speaker 1: God is still on the throne. 178 00:09:14,520 --> 00:09:17,120 Speaker 2: He would not have allowed that unless he was gonna 179 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:21,160 Speaker 2: use it to your advantage. A few years ago, myself 180 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:24,000 Speaker 2: and some of our staff were on a plane flying 181 00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:26,640 Speaker 2: to another city, and it was a smaller plane that 182 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:29,880 Speaker 2: held about twelve people. There was one seat on each 183 00:09:29,920 --> 00:09:33,199 Speaker 2: side of the island. After we took off, I wanted 184 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:35,240 Speaker 2: to open up my tray table so I could write 185 00:09:35,240 --> 00:09:38,480 Speaker 2: some notes, and the table was on the side right 186 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:42,120 Speaker 2: underneath my window, and I pulled and pulled and pulled, 187 00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:45,360 Speaker 2: but it was stuck. My friend Johnny was sitting next 188 00:09:45,400 --> 00:09:47,880 Speaker 2: to me, and he pulled his out just as easily 189 00:09:47,920 --> 00:09:50,400 Speaker 2: as could be. I went back to mine, and I 190 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:54,200 Speaker 2: jerked and I yanked, and I finagled and I struggled, 191 00:09:54,200 --> 00:09:56,600 Speaker 2: but still couldn't get it out. So Johnny came over 192 00:09:56,640 --> 00:09:59,280 Speaker 2: and he started pulling on it. Another staff member came 193 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:02,280 Speaker 2: and we were all pulling on it. About that time 194 00:10:02,400 --> 00:10:05,680 Speaker 2: I looked up right over the window where we were pulling. 195 00:10:05,880 --> 00:10:08,800 Speaker 2: There was a big sign that had bold letters. It 196 00:10:08,920 --> 00:10:16,160 Speaker 2: said not a trade table, emergency exit only. I said, 197 00:10:16,200 --> 00:10:21,760 Speaker 2: thank you Lord for not answering that prayer. Friends, God 198 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:25,360 Speaker 2: has our best interest at heart. I wonder how many 199 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:29,880 Speaker 2: times we're frustrated because it's not happening our way on 200 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:32,840 Speaker 2: our timetable, and God's up in the heavens with a 201 00:10:32,840 --> 00:10:36,040 Speaker 2: big smile on his face, thinking to himself, if you 202 00:10:36,120 --> 00:10:38,800 Speaker 2: only knew what you were asking for. I love you 203 00:10:38,880 --> 00:10:43,280 Speaker 2: way too much to answer those prayers. But when you know, 204 00:10:44,760 --> 00:10:49,280 Speaker 2: when you know your life is divinely orchestrated, you don't 205 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:53,480 Speaker 2: get frustrated and force things to happen. You trust God 206 00:10:53,520 --> 00:10:56,280 Speaker 2: to do it his way. You don't get upset when 207 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:59,480 Speaker 2: somebody does you wrong. You know that God can use 208 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:03,600 Speaker 2: evil your enemies to keep you moving forward. I was 209 00:11:03,640 --> 00:11:06,520 Speaker 2: out running not long ago. I have this two mile 210 00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:09,880 Speaker 2: path that I run through my neighborhood, and this particular 211 00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:13,520 Speaker 2: day it had been extremely difficult. I had been traveling 212 00:11:13,559 --> 00:11:15,840 Speaker 2: a lot, and I'd just eatn dinner. 213 00:11:15,559 --> 00:11:17,319 Speaker 1: And didn't really let my food settle. 214 00:11:17,400 --> 00:11:19,839 Speaker 2: And while I was running, my side started hurting and 215 00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:22,560 Speaker 2: kind of cramping up, and I was very winded, and 216 00:11:22,880 --> 00:11:26,400 Speaker 2: with every step I heard that voice saying, stop, stop, 217 00:11:26,600 --> 00:11:28,600 Speaker 2: you're too tired, it's too painful. 218 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:31,400 Speaker 1: Just walk the rest of the way. I'm a very 219 00:11:31,520 --> 00:11:32,440 Speaker 1: determined person. 220 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:35,720 Speaker 2: I don't like to stop, but this day I just 221 00:11:35,800 --> 00:11:38,520 Speaker 2: didn't think that I could finish, and I was planning 222 00:11:38,600 --> 00:11:41,080 Speaker 2: to run up to the corner and walk the last 223 00:11:41,160 --> 00:11:43,800 Speaker 2: quarter of a mile or so to my house. But 224 00:11:43,880 --> 00:11:48,439 Speaker 2: about that time, this little white poodle with pink bows 225 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:52,400 Speaker 2: in her hair came barking out toward me. Ninety miles 226 00:11:52,440 --> 00:11:55,360 Speaker 2: an hour, barking up a storm. I thought to myself, 227 00:11:55,360 --> 00:11:58,560 Speaker 2: that dog is so cute, seemed so happy, so friendly. 228 00:11:58,880 --> 00:12:00,719 Speaker 2: But when she got up to me while I was 229 00:12:00,760 --> 00:12:03,640 Speaker 2: still running, all of a sudden, that dog bit my 230 00:12:03,880 --> 00:12:05,319 Speaker 2: sock and tore part. 231 00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 1: Of it away. Do you know? 232 00:12:07,679 --> 00:12:11,559 Speaker 2: I forgot all about my side hurting. I forgot all 233 00:12:11,559 --> 00:12:15,559 Speaker 2: about being tired. I took off running with a new passion, 234 00:12:17,280 --> 00:12:21,200 Speaker 2: trying to get away from this part poodle, part pit bull. 235 00:12:22,920 --> 00:12:26,320 Speaker 2: The whole time she was chasing me, darting in and 236 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:30,040 Speaker 2: out around my feet, trying to bite me again. Neighbor 237 00:12:30,120 --> 00:12:32,720 Speaker 2: drove by, and I just smiled like everything was okay. 238 00:12:32,840 --> 00:12:37,080 Speaker 2: But on the inside, my heart was racing, the adrenaline 239 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:41,040 Speaker 2: was flowing. I was so consumed trying to not let 240 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:44,000 Speaker 2: that little dog bite me. I ended up running right 241 00:12:44,160 --> 00:12:49,120 Speaker 2: past my house. I was planning on stopping a quarter 242 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:52,880 Speaker 2: of a mile earlier. I went further than I normally 243 00:12:52,920 --> 00:12:57,840 Speaker 2: would have, all because this little dog distracted me, caused 244 00:12:57,880 --> 00:13:01,280 Speaker 2: me to forget about my pain, forget about myself. Friends, 245 00:13:01,320 --> 00:13:05,920 Speaker 2: God works in mysterious ways. Don't complain about your enemies. 246 00:13:06,120 --> 00:13:09,080 Speaker 2: God can use your enemies to keep you going further. 247 00:13:09,360 --> 00:13:16,040 Speaker 2: When you would have given up. Sometimes sometimes your enemies 248 00:13:16,080 --> 00:13:19,480 Speaker 2: will do more to catapult you to success than your friends. 249 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:23,080 Speaker 2: A few years ago, when word got out that we 250 00:13:23,120 --> 00:13:25,920 Speaker 2: wanted to move our church to this place, one of 251 00:13:25,920 --> 00:13:28,680 Speaker 2: my good friends was at a business luncheon here in town. 252 00:13:28,880 --> 00:13:31,680 Speaker 2: There were several hundred business leaders there, and there was 253 00:13:31,679 --> 00:13:35,959 Speaker 2: a gentleman at his table, an older man, very well known, 254 00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:37,679 Speaker 2: very influential. 255 00:13:38,160 --> 00:13:40,040 Speaker 1: When he heard that my friend went. 256 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:43,240 Speaker 2: To Lakewood, he laughed and he said to the whole table, 257 00:13:43,720 --> 00:13:47,760 Speaker 2: it'll be a cold day in hell before Lakewood ever gets. 258 00:13:47,600 --> 00:13:48,400 Speaker 1: The Compact Center. 259 00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:51,240 Speaker 2: And up to that point, I really wanted to get 260 00:13:51,280 --> 00:13:55,480 Speaker 2: the facility. But when I heard that, my determination went 261 00:13:55,559 --> 00:13:56,679 Speaker 2: up to a whole new level. 262 00:13:57,000 --> 00:13:59,960 Speaker 1: I had a new fire, a new dissolved, a new. 263 00:14:01,600 --> 00:14:04,960 Speaker 2: Anytime I even thought about wanting to give up, God 264 00:14:04,960 --> 00:14:07,320 Speaker 2: would let me hear those words, It'll be a cold 265 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:10,360 Speaker 2: day in hell. That man doesn't know how much he 266 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:12,800 Speaker 2: helped us. If I ever see him, I need to 267 00:14:12,840 --> 00:14:15,640 Speaker 2: buy him dinner McDonald's. 268 00:14:15,640 --> 00:14:16,080 Speaker 1: Probably. 269 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:21,720 Speaker 2: But in the Old Testament, God used a donkey to speak, 270 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:24,120 Speaker 2: And let me tell you, God used him. He didn't 271 00:14:24,160 --> 00:14:29,560 Speaker 2: happen to us, he happened for us. I didn't call 272 00:14:29,640 --> 00:14:34,720 Speaker 2: him a donkey. In the Book of Exodus, when the 273 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:38,160 Speaker 2: people of Israel were trying to leave Egypt, God said, 274 00:14:38,600 --> 00:14:42,360 Speaker 2: I'm going to harden Pharaoh's heart and cause him to 275 00:14:42,440 --> 00:14:46,200 Speaker 2: chase after you. I have planned this so I will 276 00:14:46,240 --> 00:14:51,320 Speaker 2: receive great glory at Pharaoh's expense. Notice God was the 277 00:14:51,360 --> 00:14:55,920 Speaker 2: one that hardened Pharaoh's heart. God had already planned for 278 00:14:56,000 --> 00:14:59,080 Speaker 2: him to cause them trouble. Why so God could show 279 00:14:59,120 --> 00:15:02,840 Speaker 2: his power in greater way. This tells me two things. 280 00:15:02,920 --> 00:15:06,080 Speaker 2: Number one, God is in control of our enemies. And 281 00:15:06,200 --> 00:15:09,520 Speaker 2: number two, if we'll keep the right attitude, God will 282 00:15:09,560 --> 00:15:12,560 Speaker 2: take the opposition and use it to show us his 283 00:15:12,760 --> 00:15:16,360 Speaker 2: favor in a new way. God had a great plan 284 00:15:16,400 --> 00:15:19,960 Speaker 2: for David's life. He was a shepherd boy, a teenager. 285 00:15:20,000 --> 00:15:22,160 Speaker 2: Nobody had ever heard of him. What did God do? 286 00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:25,640 Speaker 1: Sent him an enemy, sent him Goliath. 287 00:15:26,320 --> 00:15:29,640 Speaker 2: Goliath in David's life was there for one purpose to 288 00:15:29,720 --> 00:15:34,320 Speaker 2: promote David. In the same way, every adversity, every challenge, 289 00:15:34,360 --> 00:15:37,320 Speaker 2: every enemy is there for one reason to promote you, 290 00:15:37,760 --> 00:15:41,080 Speaker 2: to make you stronger, to develop your character, not to 291 00:15:41,120 --> 00:15:43,080 Speaker 2: defeat you, but to make you better. 292 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:45,160 Speaker 1: I think about Joseph. 293 00:15:45,640 --> 00:15:48,320 Speaker 2: God gave him a big dream that one day he 294 00:15:48,360 --> 00:15:49,400 Speaker 2: would rule a nation. 295 00:15:50,200 --> 00:15:50,880 Speaker 1: What happened. 296 00:15:51,200 --> 00:15:55,920 Speaker 2: His brothers betrayed him, sold him into slavery. Potiphar's wife 297 00:15:56,080 --> 00:15:59,400 Speaker 2: lied about him, his cell made in prison when he 298 00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:00,600 Speaker 2: got out of for. 299 00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:02,040 Speaker 1: God all about Joseph. 300 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:06,480 Speaker 2: But Joseph understood this principle. He didn't get bitter, he 301 00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:07,240 Speaker 2: didn't complain. 302 00:16:07,560 --> 00:16:09,120 Speaker 1: He just kept being his best. 303 00:16:09,480 --> 00:16:13,600 Speaker 2: He knew his life was divinely orchestrated. When it was 304 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:16,640 Speaker 2: all said and done, Joseph saw the dream come to pass. 305 00:16:17,600 --> 00:16:19,320 Speaker 1: Too many people get. 306 00:16:19,200 --> 00:16:23,600 Speaker 2: Stuck somewhere along the way because they don't understand why 307 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:28,160 Speaker 2: something happened, Why this person left me, why this company 308 00:16:28,280 --> 00:16:32,400 Speaker 2: laid me off, why this coworker betrayed me. No quit 309 00:16:32,520 --> 00:16:36,680 Speaker 2: dwelling on the whys of life. We will never understand 310 00:16:36,760 --> 00:16:40,640 Speaker 2: all of God's plan. Our mind is much too small 311 00:16:40,920 --> 00:16:43,480 Speaker 2: to comprehend God's infinite wisdom. 312 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:45,800 Speaker 1: I can't explain. 313 00:16:45,440 --> 00:16:47,960 Speaker 2: Every bad thing that's happened, but I can tell you 314 00:16:48,040 --> 00:16:49,239 Speaker 2: this God. 315 00:16:49,040 --> 00:16:50,400 Speaker 1: Is still on the throne. 316 00:16:50,560 --> 00:16:53,400 Speaker 2: He's still got a great plan for your life. What 317 00:16:53,640 --> 00:16:56,320 Speaker 2: was meant for your harm? God wants to use it 318 00:16:56,360 --> 00:16:59,320 Speaker 2: to your advantage. But you've got to do your part 319 00:16:59,360 --> 00:17:02,680 Speaker 2: and shake off the self pity, the blame, the discouragement, 320 00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:07,399 Speaker 2: the disappointment. No enemy is powerful enough to keep you 321 00:17:07,440 --> 00:17:12,440 Speaker 2: from your destiny. No injustice, no betrayal, no disappointment. We 322 00:17:12,560 --> 00:17:16,440 Speaker 2: serve the most High God. He controls the whole universe. 323 00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:19,440 Speaker 2: If you'll get in agreement with him, he'll not only 324 00:17:19,480 --> 00:17:21,440 Speaker 2: bring you through the trouble, he'll bring you. 325 00:17:21,440 --> 00:17:23,440 Speaker 1: Out better off than you were before. 326 00:17:24,440 --> 00:17:28,680 Speaker 2: In the scripture, Philip was living in Jerusalem. That's where 327 00:17:28,680 --> 00:17:31,560 Speaker 2: he and one hundred and twenty other believers had been 328 00:17:31,560 --> 00:17:34,439 Speaker 2: in the Upper Room, and they had heard the sound 329 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:38,080 Speaker 2: of a rushing mighty wind and experienced the day of Pentecost, 330 00:17:38,320 --> 00:17:41,960 Speaker 2: God's power and freshness in a new way. Philip had 331 00:17:41,960 --> 00:17:45,040 Speaker 2: seen God do many amazing things there in Jerusalem. 332 00:17:45,160 --> 00:17:46,440 Speaker 1: He loved being there. 333 00:17:47,040 --> 00:17:52,719 Speaker 2: But the scripture says persecution arose in Jerusalem. Notice people 334 00:17:52,760 --> 00:17:57,280 Speaker 2: came against Philip. He had trouble opposition, so much so 335 00:17:57,840 --> 00:18:00,679 Speaker 2: that Philip got run out of Jerusale. 336 00:18:00,720 --> 00:18:04,080 Speaker 1: He had to leave and go to Samaria. Think about this. 337 00:18:04,560 --> 00:18:06,439 Speaker 1: God could have stopped the persecution. 338 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:10,840 Speaker 2: God could have quieted the people that were opposing them. 339 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:14,320 Speaker 2: After all, earlier God had shut the mouths of lions. 340 00:18:14,720 --> 00:18:17,919 Speaker 2: Why didn't God do it. It was because God wanted 341 00:18:17,960 --> 00:18:18,560 Speaker 2: Philip to. 342 00:18:18,520 --> 00:18:19,320 Speaker 1: Go to Samaria. 343 00:18:19,720 --> 00:18:22,760 Speaker 2: He wanted him there, but God didn't send an angel 344 00:18:22,800 --> 00:18:23,440 Speaker 2: to tell him. 345 00:18:23,640 --> 00:18:26,120 Speaker 1: He didn't send a prophet. This time. 346 00:18:26,440 --> 00:18:30,440 Speaker 2: God used people coming against Philip to get him to Samaria, 347 00:18:30,640 --> 00:18:33,840 Speaker 2: where God wanted him to be. It was in Samaria 348 00:18:34,200 --> 00:18:37,600 Speaker 2: that Philip saw his greatest days of ministry. That's where 349 00:18:37,600 --> 00:18:39,320 Speaker 2: he saw his life really blossom. 350 00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:43,440 Speaker 1: What's my point. The persecution was for a purpose. 351 00:18:44,119 --> 00:18:47,760 Speaker 2: God used it to get Philip to his place of blessing. 352 00:18:48,720 --> 00:18:52,760 Speaker 2: Don't fight against every closed door. Don't be depressed when 353 00:18:52,800 --> 00:18:54,320 Speaker 2: people come against you. 354 00:18:54,320 --> 00:18:54,879 Speaker 1: You don't know. 355 00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:58,159 Speaker 2: God may be using that to get you to your Samaria, 356 00:18:58,320 --> 00:19:01,600 Speaker 2: to your new place of blessing. This is what happened 357 00:19:01,600 --> 00:19:04,639 Speaker 2: to my father back in the nineteen fifties. He was 358 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:06,640 Speaker 2: a successful pastor and. 359 00:19:06,320 --> 00:19:07,639 Speaker 1: Everything was going great. 360 00:19:07,720 --> 00:19:11,600 Speaker 2: But one day some of his main leaders turned on him, 361 00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:15,120 Speaker 2: people that had been with him for many years. They 362 00:19:15,119 --> 00:19:19,120 Speaker 2: didn't like his new message of faith and hope and victory. 363 00:19:19,240 --> 00:19:23,200 Speaker 2: Long story short, they pressured him into leaving that church. 364 00:19:24,040 --> 00:19:27,399 Speaker 2: My father had just built a beautiful new sanctuary. He 365 00:19:27,440 --> 00:19:30,600 Speaker 2: had poured his heart and sould into those people. He 366 00:19:30,640 --> 00:19:34,480 Speaker 2: could not understand how these lifelong friends could all of 367 00:19:34,520 --> 00:19:36,640 Speaker 2: a sudden be so against him. 368 00:19:37,040 --> 00:19:38,560 Speaker 1: Didn't make sense to my father. 369 00:19:39,080 --> 00:19:41,600 Speaker 2: But the truth is that was all a part of 370 00:19:41,640 --> 00:19:46,080 Speaker 2: God's divine plan. My father left that church, but he 371 00:19:46,119 --> 00:19:49,639 Speaker 2: didn't sit around depressed and defeated. He went out and 372 00:19:49,720 --> 00:19:54,000 Speaker 2: found an abandoned feed store and started Lakewood Church on 373 00:19:54,119 --> 00:19:57,520 Speaker 2: Mother's Day in nineteen fifty nine with ninety people. Do 374 00:19:57,600 --> 00:20:02,280 Speaker 2: you know, for the next forty years, my father saw 375 00:20:02,359 --> 00:20:04,800 Speaker 2: God do more than he could even ask or think. 376 00:20:05,320 --> 00:20:08,400 Speaker 2: Here we are now still going strong. Here's my point. 377 00:20:08,720 --> 00:20:11,560 Speaker 1: Had it not been for the opposition, had it not. 378 00:20:11,600 --> 00:20:14,159 Speaker 2: Been for the people coming against him, he would have 379 00:20:14,280 --> 00:20:17,920 Speaker 2: stayed in his boat and missed the fullness of what. 380 00:20:17,960 --> 00:20:18,919 Speaker 1: God had in store. 381 00:20:20,080 --> 00:20:23,640 Speaker 2: Sometimes God will use difficult people to push you. 382 00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:25,360 Speaker 1: Out of your comfort zone. 383 00:20:25,400 --> 00:20:30,080 Speaker 2: Sometimes God will allow opposition in Jerusalem, so to speak, 384 00:20:30,400 --> 00:20:32,920 Speaker 2: so he can get you to Samaria, where you'll see 385 00:20:32,920 --> 00:20:33,960 Speaker 2: a new level. 386 00:20:33,720 --> 00:20:35,600 Speaker 1: Of his favor in his increase. 387 00:20:36,400 --> 00:20:40,199 Speaker 2: Don't fight against closed doors. Don't be discouraged because a 388 00:20:40,240 --> 00:20:44,480 Speaker 2: friend walked away. God knows what he's doing. He's directing 389 00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:46,440 Speaker 2: your steps. Learn to just flow with it. 390 00:20:47,200 --> 00:20:49,919 Speaker 1: See it's easy to have a good attitude when we 391 00:20:49,960 --> 00:20:52,760 Speaker 1: get a promotion. When we see a breakthrough, when. 392 00:20:52,560 --> 00:20:55,640 Speaker 2: Our prayers are being answered, we know God is in control. 393 00:20:56,359 --> 00:20:58,560 Speaker 2: But what I want us to see today is when 394 00:20:58,640 --> 00:21:01,440 Speaker 2: our prayers aren't being answered, when people come against us, 395 00:21:01,600 --> 00:21:05,560 Speaker 2: when plans don't work out, God is still in complete control. 396 00:21:06,040 --> 00:21:11,399 Speaker 2: Your life is divinely orchestrated, not just the good seasons, 397 00:21:11,680 --> 00:21:13,560 Speaker 2: but even the rough seasons. 398 00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:16,080 Speaker 1: Now, don't complain about what went wrong. 399 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:19,640 Speaker 2: Well, Hell, Joel, these people the office played politics. They 400 00:21:19,720 --> 00:21:22,920 Speaker 2: cheated me out of my promotions. They pushed me out 401 00:21:23,000 --> 00:21:26,280 Speaker 2: of my position. Now, if you'll stay in faith, you'll 402 00:21:26,320 --> 00:21:29,280 Speaker 2: discover they didn't push you out, they pushed you up. 403 00:21:29,680 --> 00:21:33,240 Speaker 2: God will use the persecution to promote you. He'll use 404 00:21:33,280 --> 00:21:37,280 Speaker 2: the opposition to make you stronger. That closed door will 405 00:21:37,359 --> 00:21:40,479 Speaker 2: lead to a bigger and a better open door. One 406 00:21:40,560 --> 00:21:43,439 Speaker 2: day you'll look back and say, like my father, Lord, 407 00:21:43,560 --> 00:21:46,720 Speaker 2: thank you for letting them push me out. Thank you 408 00:21:46,800 --> 00:21:49,320 Speaker 2: for letting them come against me so I could get 409 00:21:49,320 --> 00:21:52,959 Speaker 2: out of that narrow, limited environment out here into the 410 00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:56,600 Speaker 2: deep waters where I could see the surpassing greatness of 411 00:21:56,640 --> 00:21:57,200 Speaker 2: your favor. 412 00:21:58,000 --> 00:21:59,160 Speaker 1: See. I used to just. 413 00:21:59,200 --> 00:22:02,880 Speaker 2: Thank God only for my open doors, But now I've 414 00:22:02,960 --> 00:22:06,600 Speaker 2: learned to thank God for my closed doors, because that 415 00:22:06,640 --> 00:22:11,119 Speaker 2: closed door means God has something better in story. The 416 00:22:11,200 --> 00:22:15,480 Speaker 2: opposition means a new level is coming. The persecution is 417 00:22:15,520 --> 00:22:18,520 Speaker 2: a sign God is about to release his favor in 418 00:22:18,560 --> 00:22:19,280 Speaker 2: a greater way. 419 00:22:20,240 --> 00:22:22,359 Speaker 1: Now. The key is to stay in faith. 420 00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:26,280 Speaker 2: If we get bitter and say God, why is this happening, 421 00:22:26,600 --> 00:22:29,080 Speaker 2: we try to pay people back and get revenge, then 422 00:22:29,119 --> 00:22:31,840 Speaker 2: we'll get stuck right where we are. The way you 423 00:22:31,960 --> 00:22:35,400 Speaker 2: pass the test is to say God, I trust you. 424 00:22:35,960 --> 00:22:38,639 Speaker 2: I believe my life is in your hands. I know 425 00:22:38,760 --> 00:22:41,960 Speaker 2: you know what's best for me. I may not understand this, 426 00:22:42,520 --> 00:22:44,760 Speaker 2: it may not make sense, but I believe it's a 427 00:22:44,800 --> 00:22:47,400 Speaker 2: part of your plan. You have a purpose for it. 428 00:22:47,520 --> 00:22:50,280 Speaker 2: So I'm gonna let go of the self pity, the blame, 429 00:22:50,640 --> 00:22:53,840 Speaker 2: the discouragement, and I'm gonna get a fresh new vision 430 00:22:53,960 --> 00:22:57,560 Speaker 2: for my life, knowing that you promised all things are 431 00:22:57,640 --> 00:23:00,800 Speaker 2: going to work together for my good. When you show 432 00:23:00,880 --> 00:23:04,560 Speaker 2: God you trust him like that that your faith will 433 00:23:04,560 --> 00:23:08,080 Speaker 2: allow God to do amazing things in your life. In 434 00:23:08,160 --> 00:23:12,000 Speaker 2: the early nineteen hundreds, Alabama cotton farmers were facing a 435 00:23:12,040 --> 00:23:13,159 Speaker 2: major challenge. 436 00:23:13,600 --> 00:23:15,240 Speaker 1: A tiny insect. 437 00:23:14,840 --> 00:23:18,520 Speaker 2: Called the bow weavil had migrated from South America. It 438 00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:22,600 Speaker 2: was quickly destroying their crops. They tried everything they could 439 00:23:22,640 --> 00:23:27,520 Speaker 2: to get rid of it. They exterminated with different pesticides, chemicals, 440 00:23:27,800 --> 00:23:31,000 Speaker 2: They even came up with their own special formula, still 441 00:23:31,080 --> 00:23:34,199 Speaker 2: to no avail. Eventually, all they could do was just 442 00:23:34,280 --> 00:23:37,760 Speaker 2: sit back and watch their livelihood be eaten away. It 443 00:23:37,840 --> 00:23:41,240 Speaker 2: was very discouraging, look like it was over. But as 444 00:23:41,280 --> 00:23:45,400 Speaker 2: they were sitting around kind of depressed and defeated, one 445 00:23:45,400 --> 00:23:48,679 Speaker 2: of the farmers had an idea. He said, instead of 446 00:23:48,720 --> 00:23:52,200 Speaker 2: planting our normal cotton crops, which we know the bow 447 00:23:52,240 --> 00:23:57,600 Speaker 2: weevils will destroy, why don't we try peanuts instead. Those 448 00:23:57,680 --> 00:24:00,240 Speaker 2: other farmers looked at him like a cow at a 449 00:24:00,280 --> 00:24:03,920 Speaker 2: new gate, said, peanuts. Can't make a living off of peanuts. 450 00:24:03,920 --> 00:24:06,560 Speaker 2: What are you talking about. He finally convinced them. 451 00:24:06,920 --> 00:24:07,960 Speaker 1: They went to work. 452 00:24:08,480 --> 00:24:11,840 Speaker 2: What they discovered was the bowl weavil did not like 453 00:24:11,880 --> 00:24:15,560 Speaker 2: the taste of peanuts. Those crops took off like nothing 454 00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:18,879 Speaker 2: they had ever seen. The farmers made more money in 455 00:24:19,080 --> 00:24:22,560 Speaker 2: three months off of peanuts than they'd normally make in 456 00:24:22,600 --> 00:24:25,800 Speaker 2: a year off their normal cotton crops. Even when the 457 00:24:25,840 --> 00:24:28,920 Speaker 2: bowl weevils left the region, they never did go back 458 00:24:28,920 --> 00:24:29,440 Speaker 2: to cotton. 459 00:24:29,560 --> 00:24:30,840 Speaker 1: They stuck with peanuts. 460 00:24:31,080 --> 00:24:34,160 Speaker 2: They went on to produce more peanuts than any other 461 00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:37,240 Speaker 2: country in the world. But a lot of times we 462 00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:40,360 Speaker 2: complain about the bowl weevils of life. 463 00:24:40,440 --> 00:24:43,280 Speaker 1: God, why did you let this person hurt me? God? 464 00:24:43,320 --> 00:24:46,000 Speaker 1: Why did you let me lose my main client? God? 465 00:24:46,040 --> 00:24:48,920 Speaker 2: Why did these people treat me so badly? We don't 466 00:24:48,960 --> 00:24:52,520 Speaker 2: realize the bowl weevil is not there to destroy us, 467 00:24:52,800 --> 00:24:55,680 Speaker 2: but to simply show us the new thing God wants 468 00:24:55,720 --> 00:24:59,560 Speaker 2: to do. Just like God caused Pharaoh to harden his 469 00:24:59,640 --> 00:25:02,680 Speaker 2: heart so he could show his power in a greater way, 470 00:25:03,320 --> 00:25:06,680 Speaker 2: God will allow bull weavils so he can show us 471 00:25:06,760 --> 00:25:10,000 Speaker 2: his favor in a greater way. You may be dealing 472 00:25:10,000 --> 00:25:13,119 Speaker 2: with some bul weavils right now, maybe at the office. 473 00:25:13,320 --> 00:25:16,359 Speaker 1: Listen, here's my encouragement to you. Stay in faith. 474 00:25:16,520 --> 00:25:21,240 Speaker 2: Peanuts are hitted your way. It may look like a setback, 475 00:25:21,440 --> 00:25:23,600 Speaker 2: but really it is a setup for God to do 476 00:25:23,680 --> 00:25:27,920 Speaker 2: something new. Now, don't you dare drag around depressed complaining 477 00:25:28,000 --> 00:25:30,760 Speaker 2: about how bad they treated you, about how wrong it was. 478 00:25:30,960 --> 00:25:32,720 Speaker 1: You know what that is. That's a bull weavil. 479 00:25:33,119 --> 00:25:35,960 Speaker 2: It looks like it's there to destroy you, when in 480 00:25:35,960 --> 00:25:38,280 Speaker 2: fact God allowed it so he could take you to 481 00:25:38,320 --> 00:25:42,080 Speaker 2: a new level at the office. That person that's always 482 00:25:42,320 --> 00:25:45,080 Speaker 2: giving you a hard time, trying to ruin your reputation. 483 00:25:45,400 --> 00:25:48,400 Speaker 2: When you see him tomorrow, just think to yourself, he's 484 00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:51,160 Speaker 2: just a bull weavil. He's trying to take me down. 485 00:25:51,320 --> 00:25:53,199 Speaker 2: But I know the truth. God's going to use him 486 00:25:53,240 --> 00:25:56,679 Speaker 2: to take me up. That's what the scripture says. God 487 00:25:56,760 --> 00:26:01,040 Speaker 2: will cause your enemies to become your footstools. In other words, 488 00:26:01,040 --> 00:26:05,800 Speaker 2: when people come against you, opposition, persecution, betrayal, that's not 489 00:26:05,920 --> 00:26:07,560 Speaker 2: going to be a stumbling. 490 00:26:07,119 --> 00:26:08,320 Speaker 1: Block to take you down. 491 00:26:08,680 --> 00:26:11,320 Speaker 2: If you'll stay in faith, God will use it as 492 00:26:11,359 --> 00:26:15,000 Speaker 2: a stepping stone to take you higher. Friends, your life 493 00:26:15,160 --> 00:26:19,720 Speaker 2: is divinely orchestrated. Not just all the good breaks. God 494 00:26:19,760 --> 00:26:23,800 Speaker 2: has even lined up the right enemies, the right Golias, the. 495 00:26:23,800 --> 00:26:27,800 Speaker 1: Judases, the bull weebles. Nothing that happens is a coincidence. 496 00:26:28,400 --> 00:26:31,480 Speaker 2: You may not understand it, it may not make sense, 497 00:26:31,800 --> 00:26:35,119 Speaker 2: but don't get soured. Don't start complaining. Stay in faith. 498 00:26:35,440 --> 00:26:37,840 Speaker 2: God wouldn't have allowed it unless he had a purpose. 499 00:26:38,240 --> 00:26:40,440 Speaker 2: One day you will look back and see what. 500 00:26:40,400 --> 00:26:41,040 Speaker 1: God is doing. 501 00:26:41,440 --> 00:26:44,560 Speaker 2: I'm asking you to dare to trust him, believe that 502 00:26:44,600 --> 00:26:47,160 Speaker 2: He's got your best interest at heart. If you will 503 00:26:47,240 --> 00:26:50,960 Speaker 2: shake off the disappointment, the self pity, the blame, then 504 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:52,840 Speaker 2: you'll discover nothing. 505 00:26:52,520 --> 00:26:55,120 Speaker 1: In life happened to you, it happened for you. 506 00:26:55,560 --> 00:26:59,200 Speaker 2: I believe in declare you will overcome every obstacle, defeat 507 00:26:59,240 --> 00:27:02,680 Speaker 2: every enemy, and you will accomplish every God given dream. 508 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:04,600 Speaker 1: If you receive it. Can you give the. 509 00:27:04,520 --> 00:27:06,200 Speaker 2: Lord one more shout of praise today? 510 00:27:08,400 --> 00:27:11,240 Speaker 1: But we never like to close our broadcast without giving you. 511 00:27:11,240 --> 00:27:14,159 Speaker 2: An opportunity to make Jesus the Lord of your life. 512 00:27:14,320 --> 00:27:18,720 Speaker 2: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord Jesus, I'll 513 00:27:18,760 --> 00:27:23,640 Speaker 2: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 514 00:27:23,720 --> 00:27:25,000 Speaker 2: you my Lord and savior. 515 00:27:26,240 --> 00:27:26,800 Speaker 1: Friends, if you. 516 00:27:26,800 --> 00:27:29,439 Speaker 2: Prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. 517 00:27:29,840 --> 00:27:32,960 Speaker 2: Get in a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. 518 00:27:33,200 --> 00:27:35,560 Speaker 1: He's going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 519 00:27:36,480 --> 00:27:38,640 Speaker 2: When was the last time you asked God to do 520 00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:43,720 Speaker 2: something that seemed impossible? If you only pray small, ordinary prayers, 521 00:27:43,880 --> 00:27:45,159 Speaker 2: you live a small. 522 00:27:45,000 --> 00:27:48,159 Speaker 1: Ordinary lie. I have a new book called Pray Bold. 523 00:27:48,600 --> 00:27:51,080 Speaker 2: I'll challenge you to stretch your faith and believe of 524 00:27:51,160 --> 00:27:54,280 Speaker 2: the big things God puts in your heart. Victoria and 525 00:27:54,320 --> 00:27:56,960 Speaker 2: I used to have season tickets to watch the Rockets 526 00:27:56,960 --> 00:28:00,920 Speaker 2: play basketball here. We never dreamed it could be when 527 00:28:00,920 --> 00:28:03,640 Speaker 2: they moved out. Somehow we had the faith to pray 528 00:28:03,640 --> 00:28:06,760 Speaker 2: a bold prayer. God made things happen that we could 529 00:28:06,840 --> 00:28:10,080 Speaker 2: never make happen. It's the same for you, who knows 530 00:28:10,080 --> 00:28:12,400 Speaker 2: what God will do in your life. If you'll dare 531 00:28:12,440 --> 00:28:15,720 Speaker 2: to pray bold, ask him for your dreams, ask for 532 00:28:15,800 --> 00:28:18,840 Speaker 2: your healing, ask for your freedom. That's when God will 533 00:28:18,880 --> 00:28:21,880 Speaker 2: show up and do more than you could ever imagine. 534 00:28:22,240 --> 00:28:24,560 Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift 535 00:28:24,600 --> 00:28:27,240 Speaker 3: of any amount, this month, we would like to send 536 00:28:27,280 --> 00:28:30,760 Speaker 3: you a copy of Joel's brand new book, Pray Bold, 537 00:28:31,119 --> 00:28:35,440 Speaker 3: Dare to Ask and Believe Big. Joel shares that when 538 00:28:35,480 --> 00:28:39,560 Speaker 3: we pray, we can tap into God's creative, awesome power, 539 00:28:40,040 --> 00:28:43,800 Speaker 3: something bigger than we have ever imagined. God doesn't want 540 00:28:43,840 --> 00:28:47,280 Speaker 3: us to just pray in our comfort zones. No, God 541 00:28:47,360 --> 00:28:51,520 Speaker 3: loves when we pray big, believe big, expect Him to 542 00:28:51,600 --> 00:28:55,760 Speaker 3: do the unexpected. There are inspiring stories from the Bible, 543 00:28:56,000 --> 00:28:59,560 Speaker 3: from history, and personal testimonies of people who dared to 544 00:28:59,600 --> 00:29:03,920 Speaker 3: believe God in extraordinary ways. You'll learn how to practically 545 00:29:03,960 --> 00:29:07,280 Speaker 3: expand your prayers and watch your life move from the 546 00:29:07,320 --> 00:29:12,440 Speaker 3: common to the extraordinary, from less than to overflowing. Be 547 00:29:12,560 --> 00:29:16,200 Speaker 3: sure to request your copy of Pray Bold Today. Visit 548 00:29:16,280 --> 00:29:19,680 Speaker 3: Joelostin dot com or call us toll free. 549 00:29:19,760 --> 00:29:22,960 Speaker 2: God has put dreams in your heart, things He's whispered 550 00:29:23,000 --> 00:29:25,960 Speaker 2: in the Nied that seem impossible. But as you pray 551 00:29:26,000 --> 00:29:28,480 Speaker 2: these bold prayers, you're going to see the goodness of 552 00:29:28,520 --> 00:29:32,000 Speaker 2: God in ways you've never seen victor in our belief, 553 00:29:32,040 --> 00:29:34,800 Speaker 2: and you're gonna have a great twenty twenty five. We 554 00:29:34,920 --> 00:29:37,560 Speaker 2: pray for you and your family every day, but God's 555 00:29:37,680 --> 00:29:40,400 Speaker 2: very best. We want to thank you for your prayer 556 00:29:40,480 --> 00:29:43,640 Speaker 2: and your support. You're impacting people all over the world. 557 00:29:43,960 --> 00:29:47,000 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of Prey Bold Today. 558 00:29:47,560 --> 00:29:51,720 Speaker 3: Visit Joelostein dot com or call us toll free. Finally, 559 00:29:52,040 --> 00:29:55,520 Speaker 3: elevates your personal time with God by requesting the My 560 00:29:55,720 --> 00:30:00,520 Speaker 3: Time with God Collection. This beautiful collection contains the Bold 561 00:30:00,600 --> 00:30:05,040 Speaker 3: new release, plus the New Living Translation, one year Chronological 562 00:30:05,080 --> 00:30:08,600 Speaker 3: Study Bible, and a beautiful glass mug and throw blanket 563 00:30:08,880 --> 00:30:12,440 Speaker 3: based around the inspiring scripture from Psalm forty six to ten. 564 00:30:12,880 --> 00:30:16,040 Speaker 3: Be Still and Know that I Am God. You can 565 00:30:16,160 --> 00:30:19,320 Speaker 3: learn more about this unique new gift collection by calling 566 00:30:19,440 --> 00:30:22,920 Speaker 3: eight eight eight five six seven Joel. We're logging onto 567 00:30:23,000 --> 00:30:24,920 Speaker 3: Joeloustein dot com today. 568 00:30:25,960 --> 00:30:29,400 Speaker 2: Remember you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, 569 00:30:29,760 --> 00:30:34,200 Speaker 2: download our daily podcast, listen on Sirius XM, watch on YouTube, 570 00:30:34,680 --> 00:30:37,800 Speaker 2: and now the new Joel Ostein network streaming on television 571 00:30:37,880 --> 00:30:41,200 Speaker 2: twenty four hours a day. If you've never been to Lakewood, 572 00:30:41,400 --> 00:30:45,400 Speaker 2: we have a great opportunity. We called it Homecoming Weekend. 573 00:30:45,880 --> 00:30:48,760 Speaker 2: We love to meet you and your family. You can 574 00:30:48,960 --> 00:30:51,760 Speaker 2: see the building and attend one of the services. It's 575 00:30:51,800 --> 00:30:54,680 Speaker 2: a great time to be a part of the Lakewood family. 576 00:30:54,720 --> 00:30:57,280 Speaker 2: Looking forward to seeing your Homecoming Weekend.