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Speaker 1: Victoria and I believe in you're gonna have a blessed summer.

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Speaker 1: Praying for you guys every day, and thanks for being

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Speaker 1: with us today. Hey, I'm excited. Victoria's got a new

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Speaker 1: book out. It's called Grace to Go, and I know

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Speaker 1: it's going to bless you. I'm excited because in this

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Speaker 1: book you will see how you are strengthened, that you

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Speaker 1: are prepared and you are ready for anything that's in

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Speaker 1: front of you.

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Speaker 2: You are grace to go. Enjoy today's message. God bless you.

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Speaker 1: It's great to be with you today, and I hope

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Speaker 1: you'll stay connected with us during the week through our

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Speaker 1: daily podcast, our YouTube channel, social media, and you can

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Speaker 1: come visit us in person.

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Speaker 2: We'd love to have you be a part of one

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Speaker 2: of our services.

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Speaker 1: I'd like to start with something funny, and I heard

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Speaker 1: about this church one Sunday morning. Everything was going great

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Speaker 1: until a bolt of lightning hit the sanctuary. When the

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Speaker 1: smoke cleared, Satan himself was standing behind the podium. People

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Speaker 1: panicked and took off running as fast as they could.

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Speaker 1: Everyone that is, except one lady. She sat on the

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Speaker 1: front row as calm as Cande. Satan was appalled. He said, lady,

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Speaker 1: do you know who I am? She said, I sure do.

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Speaker 1: He said, well, aren't you afraid of me? She said

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Speaker 1: not in the least spent. He said why not? She said,

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Speaker 1: why should I be? I've been married to your brother

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Speaker 1: for thirty years.

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Speaker 2: Say like you mean it. This is my Bible. I

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Speaker 2: am what it says I am. I have what it

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Speaker 2: says I have. I can do what it says I

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Speaker 2: can do.

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Speaker 1: Today I will be taught the word of God. I

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Speaker 1: boldly confess. My mind is alert, my heart is receptive.

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Speaker 1: I will never be the same. In Jesus's name, God

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Speaker 1: bless you. I want to talk to you today about

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Speaker 1: you've been chosen. I grew up playing basketball, and from

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Speaker 1: the time I was a little boy, I loved the game.

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Speaker 1: When I was twelve years old, we went to my grandparents'

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Speaker 1: house to spend the day in I took my ball

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Speaker 1: and walked to the park about.

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Speaker 2: Three blocks away. In there were all these guys playing.

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Speaker 1: They were in their late teams, much bigger, stronger, and better.

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Speaker 1: It's very competitive, and I was over at shooting on

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Speaker 1: a goal, making sure to stay.

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Speaker 2: Out of the way.

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Speaker 1: When the game was over, the two best players started

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Speaker 1: to pick new teams. There's about fifteen people waiting, and

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Speaker 1: this one captain looked around at all of his friends.

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Speaker 1: He knew everyone, all these great players.

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Speaker 2: Then he looked over at me and said, I choose

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Speaker 2: that guy. I nearly passed out.

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Speaker 1: He was a foot taller than me, a different nationality,

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Speaker 1: twenty times better. Yet he bypassed all the people he

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Speaker 1: was supposed to.

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Speaker 2: Pick, and he chose a stranger. His friend said, are

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Speaker 2: you kidding? He's too small. One said yes, Plus he's white.

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Speaker 1: That means he can't jump. Another said he's not one

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Speaker 1: of us. You don't even know him. I never expected

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Speaker 1: to be chosen. I didn't deserve it. I couldn't perform

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Speaker 1: at their level. I didn't come from their background. But

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Speaker 1: for some reason, he picked me. I'll never forget how

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Speaker 1: that made me feel valuable, approved confident, all because I

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Speaker 1: had been chosen.

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Speaker 2: That's what God did for us. We were all strangers.

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Speaker 2: We couldn't measure up. We didn't deserve his love, his mercy,

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Speaker 2: his goodness.

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Speaker 1: But the scripture says, while we were yet strangers, while

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Speaker 1: we were far off, God brought us near through the

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Speaker 1: blood of Christ.

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Speaker 2: Jesus said in John, you didn't choose me. I chose you.

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Speaker 2: God hand picked you. You may feel like I did

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Speaker 2: at the park. You don't fit in. You weren't raised

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Speaker 2: in this, you come from a different background. None of

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Speaker 2: that stops God. He still chooses you.

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Speaker 1: Thoughts would tell you you made too many mistakes, you're

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Speaker 1: too small, you're not qualified, you don't come from a

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Speaker 1: background of faith. God says, that's okay. You're exactly who

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Speaker 1: I'm looking for. I choose strangers. I choose people that

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Speaker 1: don't look like you'd expect, people that don't perform perfectly,

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Speaker 1: people with flaws and weaknesses. That doesn't disqualify you, it's

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Speaker 1: just the opposite.

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Speaker 2: You're who God chooses. He sees what's in you. He

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Speaker 2: knows your potential.

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Speaker 1: He told Jeremiah, before you were formed in your mother's womb,

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Speaker 1: I knew you and approved you. I've called you to

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Speaker 1: speak to nations before.

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Speaker 2: You were born.

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Speaker 1: God not only chose you, but he put a calling

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Speaker 1: on your life.

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Speaker 2: He put greatness in you.

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Speaker 1: He's destined you to leave your mark. The enemy will

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Speaker 1: work over time to try to make you feel left out,

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Speaker 1: like you don't matter, You're not smart enough, you don't

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Speaker 1: fit in you're too different.

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Speaker 2: Don't believe those lies.

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Speaker 1: God specializes in choosing strangers. He chooses people that society

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Speaker 1: wouldn't expect. He chose a shepherd boy named David become

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Speaker 1: the King of Israel. David didn't come from royalty. They

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Speaker 1: were poor, His family had no influence. When he showed

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Speaker 1: up at the palace, they would have thought, who is

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Speaker 1: this stranger?

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Speaker 2: He's not qualified.

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Speaker 1: God chose Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery.

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Speaker 1: Moses had made a mistake and took a man's life.

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Speaker 1: He had to spend forty years in hiding in the desert.

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Speaker 2: He had a problem with his speech. He stuttered.

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Speaker 1: God could have found someone with less baggage, more eloquent,

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Speaker 1: but he chose a stranger. Jesus was traveling to Galileeed.

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Speaker 1: He told his disciples, I must go through Samaria. That

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Speaker 1: wasn't the normal route, that was the long way. He

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Speaker 1: was at a well waiting when a woman came to

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Speaker 1: get water. He asked her for something to drink. She said, sir,

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Speaker 1: you're a Jew. I'm a Samaritan. You know we don't

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Speaker 1: get along. Why are you talking to me? Jesus said,

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Speaker 1: if you knew who I am, You would ask, and I.

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Speaker 2: Would give you living water.

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Speaker 1: Jesus began to tell her all about her life, how

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Speaker 1: she had had five husbands, how she was living with

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Speaker 1: a six man. No doubt, she was the talk of

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Speaker 1: the town. People look down on her, made fun.

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Speaker 2: There's that lady. Who's she with this week?

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Speaker 1: She was so amazed that Jesus knew everything about her.

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Speaker 2: She said, we know one day the Messiah will come.

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Speaker 2: Jesus said to her, I am the Messiah.

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Speaker 1: The first person Jesus ever told he was the Messiah.

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Speaker 1: Wasn't the head rabbi, wasn't the chief priest, wasn't the mayor.

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Speaker 1: It was this woman, a stranger, someone that society had

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Speaker 1: written off too many mistakes, not worthy.

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Speaker 2: She doesn't fit in.

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Speaker 1: God doesn't choose the way we choose. He never writes

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Speaker 1: you off. He never gives up on you. His calling

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Speaker 1: on your life is irrevocable. That means he doesn't change

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Speaker 1: his mind. When Jesus chose his disciples, he didn't go

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Speaker 1: to the synagogue to find the best candidates with the

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Speaker 1: best credentials. He didn't run an ad on zip recruiterer

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Speaker 1: to get the most qualified. He chose Peter a fisherman.

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Speaker 1: He didn't have any kind of background of faith. He

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Speaker 1: never been to the temple. He was hot tempered, cursed

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Speaker 1: people out. He chose Matthew, a tax collector. They were

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Speaker 1: known for being dishonest. What if Jesus would have hired

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Speaker 1: a consulting firm to review his choices, he would have

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Speaker 1: come back something like this. We've run a test on

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Speaker 1: all the men you've submitted. We're sorry, but none of

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Speaker 1: them are qualified for a management position. Peter is emotionally

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Speaker 1: unstable and given to fits of range. Thomas has a

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Speaker 1: doubting spirit that underminds morale. Matthew has integrity issues, has

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Speaker 1: been blacklisted by the Jerusalem Better Business Bureau. Here's what

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Speaker 1: I'm saying, why are you disqualifying yourself thinking you have

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Speaker 1: too many flaws, You don't fit in, you don't come

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Speaker 1: from the right background, You've made too many wrong choices.

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Speaker 2: God knew every mistake you would make.

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Speaker 1: He knew what you would struggle with, he knew the

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Speaker 1: environment you'd be raised in, and he still chooses you.

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Speaker 2: Think about this.

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Speaker 1: Jesus knew that Peter would deny him before he chose him.

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Speaker 1: He knew Peter had some dysfunction, that he struggled with

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Speaker 1: his temper, that he'd tell you what he thought.

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Speaker 2: He knew Peter didn't look like a.

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Speaker 1: Quote religious person, that he didn't fit in that mold,

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Speaker 1: that he was a rough, strong fisherman. Jesus took that

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Speaker 1: all into account, and he still chose him. It's because

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Speaker 1: God loves to choose strangers, people that don't seem like

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Speaker 1: they fit, people that weren't raised in faith, people that

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Speaker 1: have shortcomings, that are rough around the edges.

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Speaker 2: You wouldn't be hearing this if you weren't chosen.

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Speaker 1: Don't go your whole life thinking you don't measure up,

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Speaker 1: you don't perform good enough, you're not talented enough, you

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Speaker 1: don't fit in, when in fact, you've been handpicked by

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Speaker 1: the creator of the universe, the God who knew you

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Speaker 1: before you were formed in your mother's womb, not only

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Speaker 1: chose you, but he's approved you.

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Speaker 2: He calls you.

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Speaker 1: A masterpiece, one of a kind, fearfully and wonderfully made.

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Speaker 1: Now people may disapprove you, They may look down on you,

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Speaker 1: tell you what you're not, try to make you feel

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Speaker 1: less than. Let that go in one ear and out

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Speaker 1: the other. You don't need their approval. You have Almighty

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Speaker 1: God's approval. Every morning we should start the day Father,

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Speaker 1: thank you that I've been chosen, that your handpicked me.

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Speaker 1: What you're saying is I am worthy, I am valuable,

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Speaker 1: I am needed, I am loved, I am full of purpose.

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Speaker 2: I have seeds of greatness. I will leave my mark.

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Speaker 1: When you know you're chosen, you'll hold your head up high.

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Speaker 1: You live with confidence not because of who you are,

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Speaker 1: but because of who you are.

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Speaker 2: And yes, God could have picked someone.

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Speaker 1: More talented, from a more influential family, with less weakness,

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Speaker 1: less baggage, but on purpose, he chose you.

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Speaker 2: It's because you're a perfect fit.

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Speaker 1: You have exactly what you need to fulfill your assignment.

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Speaker 2: What you've been through that didn't.

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Speaker 1: Stop you, that prepared you, That setback didn't disqualify you.

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Speaker 1: It was necessary to get you ready for where God

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Speaker 1: is taking you. Quit beating yourself up thinking you missed

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Speaker 1: your chance. You've been through too much. If I'd have

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Speaker 1: performed better, not made these mistakes, God took all that.

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Speaker 2: Into account, and he still chose you.

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Speaker 1: He doesn't disqualify you. Don't disqualify yourself. When that young

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Speaker 1: man picked me to be on his team, even though

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Speaker 1: I was half his size and not nearly as skilled

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Speaker 1: as those other players. I'm either naive or a little

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Speaker 1: bit crazy. But that spirit of Lebron James.

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Speaker 2: Came on me.

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Speaker 1: I thought, if you think I can play, if you

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Speaker 1: have that much confidence in me, then I must be

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Speaker 1: better than I thought. I took that as a sign

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Speaker 1: that it was my time to shine.

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Speaker 2: That he wouldn't have chosen me if he thought I

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Speaker 2: was going to fail.

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Speaker 1: Now, when opportunities come across your path that seemed too big,

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Speaker 1: too much, don't shrink back. I can't take the management position.

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Speaker 1: I'm not that qualified. I'll never get in that college.

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Speaker 1: I'm not that smart. I could never date that person.

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Speaker 1: They're so out of my league.

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Speaker 2: Have a new perspective. God has so much confidence in you.

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Speaker 2: He wouldn't have put you there if you're going to

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Speaker 2: fall apart. Be overwhelmed.

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Speaker 1: Fact that He chose you means he's already equipped you,

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Speaker 1: empowered you, and anointed you. This is your time to shine.

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Speaker 1: Step into your greatness. You've been raised up for such

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Speaker 1: a time as this, And yes it may be over

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Speaker 1: your head, but it's not over God's head. You and

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Speaker 1: God are a majority As you take a step of faith,

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Speaker 1: you'll discover courage, strength, ability like you've never seen. Imagine

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Speaker 1: how David felt when he was chosen to face Goliath.

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Speaker 2: That didn't make sense.

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Speaker 1: He could have thought, this is not God choosing me,

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Speaker 1: this is the devil trying to get be killed. I mean,

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Speaker 1: Goliath was twice his size.

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Speaker 2: He had more training, more armor, more experience.

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Speaker 1: But God doesn't call you without equipping you. What you

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Speaker 1: have may seem small in comparison to what you're up against,

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Speaker 1: just a slingshot, a few stones, but when God breathes

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Speaker 1: on it, it'll bring down giants. God's favor on your

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Speaker 1: slingshot is more powerful than an army coming against you.

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Speaker 1: And don't talk to yourself out of your dreams. Talk

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Speaker 1: yourself into your dreams. This giant may look big, but

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Speaker 1: I know I've been chosen. God wouldn't have allowed it

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Speaker 1: if I wasn't well able. I can do all things

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Speaker 1: through Christ. When Jesus was on his way to be crucified,

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Speaker 1: the soldiers forced him to carry his own cross. He

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Speaker 1: had been beaten, mocked, and ridiculed. His body was weak,

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Speaker 1: his mind was tired. He was suffering from exhaustion as

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Speaker 1: he was carrying the cross.

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Speaker 2: He fell down, couldn't take it anymore.

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Speaker 1: The scripture says there was a man coming in town

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Speaker 1: from another country, Simon of Serene. The soldiers had him

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Speaker 1: carried jesus cross. It's significant that it tells us Simon.

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Speaker 2: Was from Serene. Serene was a city.

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Speaker 1: In North Africa. He wasn't from Jerusalem. He was a foreigner,

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Speaker 1: a stranger, no doubt. He didn't know who Jesus was.

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Speaker 1: He's just traveling through and suddenly found himself carrying the cross.

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Speaker 2: He didn't know he would be a part of history.

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Speaker 1: Simon never dreamed we'd be talking about him today.

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Speaker 2: God could have had one of.

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Speaker 1: The disciples close by to carry the cross, after all,

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Speaker 1: this was such a historic moment. He could have had

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Speaker 1: blind Bartimaeus, who Jesus killed, be there, one of the

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Speaker 1: lepers that were cleansed. But of all the people Jesus impacted,

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Speaker 1: all the ones he taught, fed, encouraged, healed, the one

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Speaker 1: who would be with him in his final critical moments

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Speaker 1: was a stranger. Simon didn't look like Jesus. He was

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Speaker 1: a different nationality. He didn't worship in the temples like Jesus.

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Speaker 1: He wasn't Jewish, he was from another faith. But God

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Speaker 1: on purpose chooses strangers, people that seem unlikely, people that

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Speaker 1: don't look like they belong. Sometimes we fight being chosen.

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Speaker 1: Simon could have said to the soldiers, no, not me,

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Speaker 1: find someone else.

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Speaker 2: I don't know this man. I'm not a religious person.

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Speaker 2: I don't come.

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Speaker 1: From a family of faith. Can't you see I'm a

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Speaker 1: different nationality. None of that matters to God. He knew

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Speaker 1: Simon was a stranger. He knew there was no history

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Speaker 1: with Jesus. He knew his family was from a different background.

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Speaker 1: He knew voices would whisper, Simon, you can't do this,

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Speaker 1: this doesn't make sense. Don't get involved, tell them that

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Speaker 1: you're busy. All these thoughts trying to talk him out

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Speaker 1: of it, but deep down he could.

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Speaker 2: Hear this voice whispering, You've been chosen. This is your moment.

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Speaker 2: I know you're a stranger.

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Speaker 1: I know this is not the environment you're used to,

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Speaker 1: but I'm calling you. Simon could have made excuses, he

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Speaker 1: could have tried to turn away, but he accepted the calling.

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Speaker 1: He stepped into purpose and destiny greater than he ever dreamed.

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Speaker 1: Maybe today, like Simon, you're fighting being chosen. You know

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Speaker 1: God's calling is on you, But you're a stranger. You

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Speaker 1: weren't raised in this. You don't look like you fit.

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Speaker 1: You have weaknesses, you've made mistakes. The truth is we

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Speaker 1: were all strangers. We may look like we have it

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Speaker 1: all together, but we've all fallen short.

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Speaker 2: This is the beauty of our God.

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Speaker 1: While we were yet strangers, while we were far off, God,

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Speaker 1: in his great mercy, chose us. He didn't choose you

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Speaker 1: based on your performance. He chose you based on his love.

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Speaker 1: Simon didn't know Jesus, he didn't have any history with him.

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Speaker 1: But God had a divine purpose for his life, something

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Speaker 1: bigger than he ever dreamed.

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Speaker 2: Who knows where.

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Speaker 1: God will take you if you'll simply answer the call.

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Speaker 1: Sometimes we think to carry the cross, to accept that

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Speaker 1: we've been chosen, have to give up so much and

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Speaker 1: just live a lame, boring life.

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Speaker 2: The truth is you'll gain so much more.

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Speaker 1: God's dream for your life is so much bigger, so much.

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Speaker 2: More rewarding, more fulfilling.

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Speaker 1: Yes, you will give up some things, fear, insecurity, addictions, depression, compromise.

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Speaker 2: He's chosen you. My question is will you choose him?

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Speaker 1: Don't go through life handpicked by the Creator, with seeds

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Speaker 1: of greatness, redeemed and forgiven. But never step up to

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Speaker 1: who you were created to be. Let today be the

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Speaker 1: day you say, God, I believe I'm chosen. I believe

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Speaker 1: I'm worthy, I believe I'm valuable. I may be a stranger,

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Speaker 1: this may be new to me, but I'm coming into

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Speaker 1: the family. I'm going to live my life as a son,

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Speaker 1: as a daughter of the Most High God. There was

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Speaker 1: this very wealthy lady that had passed and as far

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Speaker 1: as they knew, she had never left a will. She

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Speaker 1: had this huge house filled with all kinds of furniture

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Speaker 1: and expensive antiques.

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Speaker 2: She had beautiful jewelry, huge art.

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Speaker 1: Collection, paintings from all over the world, millions of dollars

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Speaker 1: of worth. A company came in to auction everything. Often

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Speaker 1: a couple hundred people were there. They started the auction

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Speaker 1: in the foyer with a picture of this lady's son.

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Speaker 1: It was a portrait hanging on the wall. It was nice,

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Speaker 1: but nobody wanted that. They were waiting for all the

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Speaker 1: other items. After a couple of moments of silence, the

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Speaker 1: lady's housekeeper bid twenty dollars.

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Speaker 2: She'd help raise the boy and loved him dearly.

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Speaker 1: The auctioneer looked around one more time, finally said, going, going, gone.

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Speaker 1: The housekeeper took the painting down. On the back there

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Speaker 1: was a handwritten note signed by the lady. It said,

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Speaker 1: whoever chooses the Sun gets it all.

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Speaker 2: The auction was suddenly over.

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Speaker 1: Now the housekeeper owned it all. It's the same way today.

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Speaker 1: When you choose the Sun, when you choose the risen Savior,

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Speaker 1: when you choose.

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Speaker 2: Jesus, you get it all.

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Speaker 1: Abundant life, eternal life, joy Pea Street, Victory. My father

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Speaker 1: was raised in a family that didn't know anything about God.

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Speaker 1: They were very poor and they lost everything during the

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Speaker 1: Great Depression. He had to drop out of high school

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Speaker 1: to work on the farm to help out. Look like

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Speaker 1: his life would be limited, no money, little education, no

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Speaker 1: future to speak of.

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Speaker 2: But my father had a friend named Sam.

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Speaker 1: He would get to school early and write scriptures.

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Speaker 2: On the chalkboard. My dad was so embarrassed he didn't

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Speaker 2: want to have anything to do with religion or faith.

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Speaker 1: But at seventeen years old, he was walking home from

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Speaker 1: a nightclub at two o'clock in the morning. He looked

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Speaker 1: up at the stars and for some reason. He began

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Speaker 1: to think about God what he was going to do

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Speaker 1: with his life. The next morning, my father went to

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Speaker 1: church with Sam and gave his life to Christ. That

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Speaker 1: changed the whole trajectory of our family. My father was

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Speaker 1: like Simon, a stranger. There was no history of faith,

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Speaker 1: nothing in his background that said he would believe. He

359
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Speaker 1: was a teenager partying doing his own thing. But God,

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Speaker 1: in his mercy, chose my father before he could choose him.

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Speaker 1: Walking home from that nightclub that night, that was God

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Speaker 1: drawing my father like him. You may not have a

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Speaker 1: background of faith. You don't think you could live up

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Speaker 1: to the standards. You've had too much negative baggage. None

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Speaker 1: of that stops God. He loves to choose strangers and

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Speaker 1: do something awesome with their lives. Don't make excuses. My

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Speaker 1: father could have thought, God, I don't have much to offer.

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Speaker 1: I don't have much education, don't have any influence, I

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Speaker 1: don't have a family's honored you.

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Speaker 2: God's not looking at what you don't have. All he

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Speaker 2: needs is what you do have.

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Speaker 1: Your willingness, your obedience, your courage, your faith. You can

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Speaker 1: impact your family line for generations to come.

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Speaker 2: You can be the one that breaks the.

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Speaker 1: Cycle of defeat, mediocrity and starts the cycle of blessing, favor, honor, integrity.

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Speaker 1: You may be a stranger, but don't stay a stranger.

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Speaker 1: You've been chosen. God's calling is on your life. There's

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Speaker 1: an assignment for you to accomplish. It's something bigger than

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Speaker 1: you've imagined, and you may not feel qualified. You don't

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Speaker 1: have the training. The giant looks too big. But when

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Speaker 1: you step into that calling, there's a supernatural force that

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Speaker 1: will push you into your destiny, a favor that will

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Speaker 1: open doors no person can shut. A power to accomplish

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Speaker 1: dreams you never thought possible. When Jesus was on the cross,

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Speaker 1: there were two thieves crucified on each side, and one

386
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Speaker 1: mocked him and said, man, you couldn't even save yourself.

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Speaker 1: The other said, Jesus, when you come into your kingdom,

388
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Speaker 1: please remember me. He believed Jesus was the Messiah, that

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Speaker 1: he was a king.

390
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Speaker 2: Going into his kingdom. Jesus didn't say, I don't even

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Speaker 2: know you. You didn't follow me.

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Speaker 1: You never came to the temple when I talked, You

393
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Speaker 1: never got baptized. Oh, Jesus said, this day you will

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Speaker 1: be with me in Paradise down to his last breath

395
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Speaker 1: on this earth.

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Speaker 2: God was showing us that.

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Speaker 1: He chooses strangers, that our past doesn't determine our future,

398
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Speaker 1: that when we're at our worst, God is at his best.

399
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Speaker 2: That's when his mercy shows out.

400
00:22:47,280 --> 00:22:49,320
Speaker 1: Jesus could have said to the man, well, tell me,

401
00:22:49,359 --> 00:22:52,000
Speaker 1: did you do any good works? How much time did

402
00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:54,800
Speaker 1: you serve others? How were you raised? Then don't think

403
00:22:54,840 --> 00:22:58,920
Speaker 1: about your request. No, the scripture says, by grace are

404
00:22:58,960 --> 00:23:02,399
Speaker 1: we saved through faith, not of works. It is a

405
00:23:02,440 --> 00:23:06,720
Speaker 1: gift from God. There's a man in the scripture named Saul.

406
00:23:07,160 --> 00:23:10,120
Speaker 1: He was the greatest enemy of the church. He went

407
00:23:10,160 --> 00:23:14,240
Speaker 1: around arresting believers and having them put in jail. You

408
00:23:14,280 --> 00:23:16,960
Speaker 1: would think God wouldn't have anything to do with him.

409
00:23:17,160 --> 00:23:21,200
Speaker 1: He's too far off course. Now, don't ever write anyone off.

410
00:23:21,640 --> 00:23:25,800
Speaker 1: The mercy of God is bigger than any mistake you've made.

411
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Speaker 1: It's bigger than any force that's trying to stop your children,

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Speaker 1: your loved ones.

413
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Speaker 2: As Saul was traveling.

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Speaker 1: To Damascus with papers in hand to arrest believers, a

415
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Speaker 1: bright light shine down from heaven knocked him off His horse,

416
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Speaker 1: fell to the ground and couldn't see a voice boomed out, Saul,

417
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Speaker 1: why do you persecute me? Saul was puzzled. He said,

418
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Speaker 1: who are you? The voice answered, I am Jesus. Of

419
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Speaker 1: all the people God could be dealing with, he's talking

420
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Speaker 1: to this stranger.

421
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Speaker 2: This man is so against him.

422
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Speaker 1: God told Anonius, go pray for Saul, for he's a

423
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Speaker 1: chosen vessel to bear my name. Here's the biggest enemy

424
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Speaker 1: of the church, and God is saying.

425
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Speaker 2: I chose him.

426
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Speaker 1: Why are you believing those lies that you've made too

427
00:24:14,920 --> 00:24:18,240
Speaker 1: many mistakes, that God won't have anything to do with you,

428
00:24:18,480 --> 00:24:21,720
Speaker 1: that you're stuck where you are, when in fact, God

429
00:24:21,800 --> 00:24:26,639
Speaker 1: is saying you're a chosen vessel. Your mistakes didn't cancel

430
00:24:26,720 --> 00:24:31,360
Speaker 1: your destiny. God doesn't consult your past to determine your future.

431
00:24:32,320 --> 00:24:35,959
Speaker 1: The enemy would love to keep you condemned, feeling unworthy,

432
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Speaker 1: like you don't belong, you don't measure up.

433
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Speaker 2: That's why the scripture says.

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Speaker 1: While you were far off, while you were a stranger,

435
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Speaker 1: God brought you.

436
00:24:44,960 --> 00:24:46,600
Speaker 2: In through Christ.

437
00:24:47,240 --> 00:24:51,320
Speaker 1: In that one destiny moment, Saul's life was forever changed.

438
00:24:51,680 --> 00:24:53,240
Speaker 2: He became the apostle Paul.

439
00:24:53,840 --> 00:24:56,439
Speaker 1: He went from the greatest enemy of the church to

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00:24:56,520 --> 00:24:59,720
Speaker 1: the greatest asset of the church. He wrote over half

441
00:24:59,760 --> 00:25:02,760
Speaker 1: of the books in the New Testament. Now, all that

442
00:25:02,920 --> 00:25:07,119
Speaker 1: time Saul was reaking have it, causing trouble, that didn't

443
00:25:07,160 --> 00:25:08,120
Speaker 1: stop God's plan.

444
00:25:08,840 --> 00:25:12,640
Speaker 2: God knew he was a chosen vessel. God doesn't give

445
00:25:12,720 --> 00:25:13,240
Speaker 2: up on you.

446
00:25:13,840 --> 00:25:16,720
Speaker 1: People look at what you are, but God sees what

447
00:25:16,800 --> 00:25:21,600
Speaker 1: you can become. It's no coincidence that Paul wrote in Ephesians.

448
00:25:22,080 --> 00:25:25,800
Speaker 1: You are no longer strangers, you are no longer foreigners,

449
00:25:26,040 --> 00:25:29,359
Speaker 1: but you belong to the household of God. Get this

450
00:25:29,480 --> 00:25:33,560
Speaker 1: down in your spirit. You've been chosen. You belong in

451
00:25:33,640 --> 00:25:37,200
Speaker 1: God's family, the creator of the universe hand pics.

452
00:25:37,280 --> 00:25:41,520
Speaker 2: You not met y'all. I've made too many mistakes. You

453
00:25:41,560 --> 00:25:44,760
Speaker 2: don't know what I've done. You're a Paul, You're a

454
00:25:44,880 --> 00:25:45,760
Speaker 2: chosen vessel.

455
00:25:46,520 --> 00:25:48,480
Speaker 1: Well. I don't come from a background of faith.

456
00:25:48,840 --> 00:25:51,480
Speaker 2: I wasn't raised like this. I don't fit in. You're

457
00:25:51,520 --> 00:25:53,600
Speaker 2: a Simon. You're still chosen.

458
00:25:54,400 --> 00:25:57,440
Speaker 1: Well. I have flaws and weaknesses. I don't perform perfectly.

459
00:25:57,920 --> 00:25:58,560
Speaker 2: You're a Peter.

460
00:25:59,400 --> 00:26:03,880
Speaker 1: God knew every shortcoming, and he still chose you. Now,

461
00:26:03,880 --> 00:26:07,359
Speaker 1: the tragedy is to go through life being chosen and

462
00:26:07,480 --> 00:26:11,360
Speaker 1: never recognize it. You have to accept that God has

463
00:26:11,400 --> 00:26:14,399
Speaker 1: a calling on your life, that he's put seeds of

464
00:26:14,480 --> 00:26:17,479
Speaker 1: greatness in you, that He's given you a purpose, a

465
00:26:17,520 --> 00:26:18,840
Speaker 1: divine assignment.

466
00:26:19,560 --> 00:26:24,040
Speaker 2: Don't let fear, guilt insecurity keep you from stepping.

467
00:26:23,720 --> 00:26:27,000
Speaker 1: Into your greatness. Step up to who you were created

468
00:26:27,080 --> 00:26:30,440
Speaker 1: to be. This is your time to shine. You've been

469
00:26:30,560 --> 00:26:33,360
Speaker 1: chosen to set a new standard for your family.

470
00:26:33,840 --> 00:26:35,520
Speaker 2: You've been chosen to break.

471
00:26:35,400 --> 00:26:38,679
Speaker 1: A cycle of dysfunction. You've been chosen to live a

472
00:26:38,720 --> 00:26:44,600
Speaker 1: life of excellence, integrity, and abundant victorious life. Now when

473
00:26:44,640 --> 00:26:49,080
Speaker 1: thoughts whisper, no, no, no, man, You're unworthy, You're unqualified.

474
00:26:49,600 --> 00:26:50,959
Speaker 2: This is not your background.

475
00:26:51,160 --> 00:26:54,040
Speaker 1: Tune all that out every morning, Father.

476
00:26:53,920 --> 00:26:55,760
Speaker 2: Thank you that I am chosen.

477
00:26:56,400 --> 00:27:00,200
Speaker 1: Let me tell you again, you are worthy, You are valuable,

478
00:27:00,640 --> 00:27:04,920
Speaker 1: You are favored, You are anointed. Your past is forgiven,

479
00:27:05,280 --> 00:27:08,720
Speaker 1: your future is bright. You are well able to fulfill

480
00:27:08,800 --> 00:27:13,600
Speaker 1: your purpose. I believe and declare, like Simon, You're about

481
00:27:13,640 --> 00:27:16,080
Speaker 1: to step into some destiny moments.

482
00:27:16,280 --> 00:27:17,720
Speaker 2: Things you couldn't make happen.

483
00:27:17,960 --> 00:27:21,520
Speaker 1: The favor of God's going to propel you ahead like Saul.

484
00:27:21,640 --> 00:27:25,560
Speaker 1: God's gonna free you from every bondage, turn negative situations

485
00:27:25,600 --> 00:27:30,119
Speaker 1: around promotion is coming, Healing is coming, breakthroughs are coming.

486
00:27:30,359 --> 00:27:33,720
Speaker 1: The fullness of your destiny in Jesus' name.

487
00:27:34,200 --> 00:27:36,000
Speaker 2: Have you received it? Can you say amen?

488
00:27:38,720 --> 00:27:41,440
Speaker 1: I'd like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus

489
00:27:41,520 --> 00:27:42,520
Speaker 1: the Lord of your life.

490
00:27:43,040 --> 00:27:46,760
Speaker 2: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I

491
00:27:46,880 --> 00:27:50,840
Speaker 2: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make

492
00:27:50,920 --> 00:27:52,360
Speaker 2: you my Lord and savior.

493
00:27:53,200 --> 00:27:55,680
Speaker 1: If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got

494
00:27:55,680 --> 00:27:56,399
Speaker 1: born again.

495
00:27:56,960 --> 00:27:59,359
Speaker 2: We'd love to send you some free information on your

496
00:27:59,400 --> 00:28:00,520
Speaker 2: new walk with the Lord.

497
00:28:00,760 --> 00:28:03,000
Speaker 1: You can text the number on the screen or go

498
00:28:03,040 --> 00:28:05,520
Speaker 1: to the website. But I hope you'll get into a

499
00:28:05,640 --> 00:28:10,840
Speaker 1: good Bible based church and keep God first place. Sometimes

500
00:28:10,880 --> 00:28:14,560
Speaker 1: in life, people don't choose us. We've all felt overlooked

501
00:28:14,800 --> 00:28:17,959
Speaker 1: like we're not good enough. It's easy to live inferior

502
00:28:18,080 --> 00:28:19,480
Speaker 1: thinking we don't measure up.

503
00:28:20,080 --> 00:28:22,520
Speaker 2: People may have left you out. The good news is

504
00:28:22,800 --> 00:28:24,040
Speaker 2: God has chosen you.

505
00:28:24,400 --> 00:28:27,560
Speaker 1: He's the one that matters, and in my new book, Chosen,

506
00:28:28,000 --> 00:28:29,760
Speaker 1: Your life is marked for distinction.

507
00:28:30,320 --> 00:28:33,280
Speaker 2: You'll discover before you were born, God not.

508
00:28:33,280 --> 00:28:36,399
Speaker 1: Only knew you, but he handpicked you and placed a

509
00:28:36,520 --> 00:28:40,040
Speaker 1: calling on your life. You are equipped and empowered to

510
00:28:40,160 --> 00:28:44,560
Speaker 1: fulfill your destiny. When you understand that you're chosen, fear

511
00:28:44,680 --> 00:28:47,560
Speaker 1: and doubt can't stay. You'll live with the boldness to

512
00:28:47,640 --> 00:28:50,719
Speaker 1: step into the greatness God put in you. I love

513
00:28:50,760 --> 00:28:53,560
Speaker 1: to send you by new book Chosen, plus the Chosen

514
00:28:53,600 --> 00:28:55,880
Speaker 1: T Shirt from our friends at Copperfit.

515
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Speaker 3: As our way of saying thank you for your gift

516
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Speaker 3: of any amount month, we would like to send you

517
00:29:01,920 --> 00:29:06,080
Speaker 3: a copy of Joel's book Chosen. Your life is marked

518
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Speaker 3: for distinction in the scriptures. Jesus encouraged us by saying

519
00:29:10,720 --> 00:29:15,240
Speaker 3: you didn't choose me, I chose you. This powerful guide

520
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Speaker 3: will help you discover the abundant life you were designed

521
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Speaker 3: to live as a child of God. You have a calling,

522
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Speaker 3: a purpose, a destiny still to be fulfilled. When you

523
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Speaker 3: request your copy, we also want to send you our

524
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Speaker 3: exclusive Chosen T shirt from Copperfit that will remind you

525
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Speaker 3: that you've been chosen by Almighty God every time you

526
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Speaker 3: wear it. Please request these gifts today and discover that

527
00:29:41,120 --> 00:29:44,760
Speaker 3: God is moving on your behalf. Your next days are

528
00:29:44,800 --> 00:29:46,600
Speaker 3: going to be your best days.

529
00:29:47,160 --> 00:29:50,360
Speaker 1: You're not average, you're not ordinary. You've been chosen by

530
00:29:50,440 --> 00:29:53,280
Speaker 1: Almighty God. Betoy, and I want you to know how

531
00:29:53,360 --> 00:29:55,800
Speaker 1: much we love you. We pray for you and your

532
00:29:55,840 --> 00:29:59,800
Speaker 1: family every day. Thanks so much for your prayer and support.

533
00:30:00,120 --> 00:30:03,640
Speaker 1: Your generosity is helping people all over the world. Now

534
00:30:03,640 --> 00:30:06,440
Speaker 1: special thank you to our Champion of Hope partners for

535
00:30:06,520 --> 00:30:07,600
Speaker 1: your monthly gifts.

536
00:30:07,880 --> 00:30:10,920
Speaker 2: If you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one.

537
00:30:11,320 --> 00:30:15,640
Speaker 1: Remember you can watch the services online live every Sunday morning,

538
00:30:16,040 --> 00:30:20,360
Speaker 1: download our daily podcast, watch on YouTube the new Joelostein

539
00:30:20,440 --> 00:30:23,360
Speaker 1: Network social media listen on SiriusXM.

540
00:30:23,920 --> 00:30:27,040
Speaker 2: We'll keep you encouraged and inspired until we see you

541
00:30:27,080 --> 00:30:29,840
Speaker 2: next time. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

542
00:30:30,800 --> 00:30:34,240
Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of Chosen. Your life

543
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Speaker 3: is Marked for Distinction, plus our exclusive Chosen T shirt

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Speaker 3: from Copperfit. Visit Joelostein dot com or call eight eight

545
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Speaker 3: eight five six seven Joel for an additional donation. This month,

546
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Speaker 3: we are also offering the NLT Large print Thin Line

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Speaker 3: Reference Bible. This Bible also enables you to connect through

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Speaker 3: your smartphone or tablet to a vast powerpack array of

549
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Speaker 3: study notes, devote, interactive maps, videos, and worship music. You

550
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Speaker 3: can request these inspiring resources by calling eight eight eight

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Speaker 3: five six seven Joel or logging on to jolostein dot

552
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Speaker 3: com Today, call or click anytime, twenty four hours a day. Yes,

553
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Speaker 3: God has chosen you for a reason, for a purpose.

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Speaker 3: Request your copies today