1 00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:03,600 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Jolan Victoria. Thanks so much for listening 2 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:07,280 Speaker 1: to the podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. We 3 00:00:07,320 --> 00:00:11,160 Speaker 1: believe you're going to have an awesome twenty twenty four, healthy, productive, 4 00:00:11,320 --> 00:00:15,680 Speaker 1: and favor filled. God bless you today and enjoy the message. Well, 5 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:18,160 Speaker 1: God bless you. It's always a joy to come into 6 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:20,720 Speaker 1: your homes, and if you're ever in our area, please 7 00:00:20,720 --> 00:00:23,080 Speaker 1: stop by and be a part of one of our services. 8 00:00:23,239 --> 00:00:25,440 Speaker 1: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 9 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:28,120 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for tuning in, and thank you again 10 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:30,800 Speaker 1: for coming out. I like to start with something funny, 11 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:34,239 Speaker 1: and I heard about this reporter that was visiting churches 12 00:00:34,240 --> 00:00:37,839 Speaker 1: across the nation. While in the Northeast, he saw this 13 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:41,320 Speaker 1: golden telephone on the wall with a sign that said 14 00:00:41,360 --> 00:00:45,199 Speaker 1: calls ten thousand dollars a minute. He asked the pastor 15 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:48,440 Speaker 1: what it meant. The pastor explained that was a direct 16 00:00:48,479 --> 00:00:51,040 Speaker 1: line to Heaven. If you were willing to pay the price, 17 00:00:51,159 --> 00:00:54,720 Speaker 1: you could talk directly to God. He continued visiting different 18 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:57,800 Speaker 1: churches and saw the same golden phone the same sign. 19 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:01,400 Speaker 1: Finally made it to Texas. He saw the phone, but 20 00:01:01,440 --> 00:01:05,600 Speaker 1: the sign said calls twenty five cents a minute entregued, 21 00:01:05,720 --> 00:01:08,080 Speaker 1: he asked the pastor why it was so much cheaper. 22 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:11,039 Speaker 1: The pastor said, you're in Texas now, it's a local call. 23 00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:17,240 Speaker 1: Say it like I mean, this is my Bible. I 24 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:19,520 Speaker 1: am what it says I am. I have what it 25 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:21,880 Speaker 1: says I have. I can do what it says I 26 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:24,880 Speaker 1: can do. Today I will be taught the word of God. 27 00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:29,480 Speaker 1: I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my heart is recepted. 28 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:33,520 Speaker 1: I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, God 29 00:01:33,600 --> 00:01:37,039 Speaker 1: bless you. I want to talk to you today about 30 00:01:37,319 --> 00:01:41,480 Speaker 1: shining brightly. How you live your life is sending a 31 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:45,440 Speaker 1: message to those around you more than your words, more 32 00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:48,800 Speaker 1: than what you say. People are watching, how you live, 33 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:52,840 Speaker 1: how you respond to adversity, how you treat others, how 34 00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:56,120 Speaker 1: consistent you are when you go out each day with 35 00:01:56,160 --> 00:01:59,280 Speaker 1: a smile on your face. You're kind, you're in a 36 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:02,880 Speaker 1: good mood, You're always doing things for others. That's one 37 00:02:02,880 --> 00:02:07,200 Speaker 1: of the best witnesses you can have. Our actions speak 38 00:02:07,320 --> 00:02:10,919 Speaker 1: much louder than our words. I've heard it said, preach 39 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:15,639 Speaker 1: at all times, use words only when necessary. Your life 40 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:18,880 Speaker 1: is your message, and the scripture tells us we have 41 00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:22,400 Speaker 1: the power to be a witness. It doesn't say to 42 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:26,040 Speaker 1: witness to preach a sermon, to straighten people out, to 43 00:02:26,120 --> 00:02:29,000 Speaker 1: tell them what they're doing wrong. Now, the real power 44 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:33,120 Speaker 1: is to be a witness. When people see you living 45 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:37,080 Speaker 1: a life of excellence and integrity day in and day out. 46 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:41,839 Speaker 1: You're happy, friendly, good natured. That has a greater impact 47 00:02:42,040 --> 00:02:45,760 Speaker 1: than anything we could ever say. We can quote scriptures 48 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:48,520 Speaker 1: all day long, come to church every time the doors 49 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:51,960 Speaker 1: are open, keep a praise music on. But if you 50 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:55,560 Speaker 1: complain about the boss, get upset because of the traffic, 51 00:02:56,080 --> 00:03:01,280 Speaker 1: play politics to get ahead. Your example will ride anything 52 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:04,919 Speaker 1: that you say. Parents, we can tell our children be kind, 53 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:09,680 Speaker 1: be respectful, but if they see us being disrespectful, not 54 00:03:09,680 --> 00:03:12,120 Speaker 1: treating people right, it will go in one ear and 55 00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:15,399 Speaker 1: out the other. The power is in what you do. 56 00:03:16,400 --> 00:03:20,000 Speaker 1: Most people are not reading their bibles. They're reading your life. 57 00:03:20,800 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 1: They may never listen to a minister, they may never 58 00:03:22,919 --> 00:03:26,000 Speaker 1: come to church, but they're watching how you live. And 59 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:29,600 Speaker 1: we should have so much joy, so much peace. We 60 00:03:29,639 --> 00:03:32,760 Speaker 1: should be so kind, so generous, so good natured that 61 00:03:32,840 --> 00:03:35,960 Speaker 1: people want what we have. That's what it means to 62 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:38,680 Speaker 1: be the light of the world. And we come to 63 00:03:38,760 --> 00:03:42,280 Speaker 1: church each week to get our batteries charged, to get 64 00:03:42,320 --> 00:03:45,880 Speaker 1: filled back up, to be encouraged to grow, to learn. 65 00:03:46,520 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 1: But our real assignment begins when we leave this auditorium. 66 00:03:50,880 --> 00:03:54,360 Speaker 1: There's already plenty of light in here. Most of us 67 00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:58,320 Speaker 1: are believers, we have faith. We're expecting good things. Our 68 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:03,200 Speaker 1: light is not very effective around other light. It's like 69 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:06,320 Speaker 1: this little boy. His father bought him a new flashlight. 70 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:09,240 Speaker 1: He was outside on a bright sunny day, and he 71 00:04:09,560 --> 00:04:12,760 Speaker 1: turned it on, shined it around, couldn't see anything. Said, daddy, 72 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:16,520 Speaker 1: doesn't work. Something's wrong. Dad said, no, son, it's fine. 73 00:04:16,640 --> 00:04:19,680 Speaker 1: It wasn't designed to work in the light. It was 74 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:22,600 Speaker 1: made to work in the darkness. That's when you'll see 75 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:26,320 Speaker 1: what it can really do. Too often we complain about 76 00:04:26,360 --> 00:04:29,720 Speaker 1: the darkness. I don't like this job. These people are 77 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:33,039 Speaker 1: so negative. Nobody has a good attitude. Let me ask you, 78 00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:36,320 Speaker 1: why do you think God puts you there? They don't 79 00:04:36,360 --> 00:04:39,920 Speaker 1: need more light in the bright places. That's an opportunity 80 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:43,520 Speaker 1: for you to shine. I've heard it said. You can 81 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:47,719 Speaker 1: either be a thermometer and just measure the temperature, become 82 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:51,240 Speaker 1: like everyone else, or you can be a thermostat and 83 00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:55,600 Speaker 1: change the temperature when you hear people complaining about the company. 84 00:04:55,680 --> 00:04:58,039 Speaker 1: Don't join in. Yeah, it's really bad around here. Be 85 00:04:58,080 --> 00:05:01,679 Speaker 1: a thermostat. Turn it around. Things may not be perfect, 86 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:04,440 Speaker 1: but I'm grateful that I have a job. I'm thankful 87 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:06,960 Speaker 1: that I can come to work each day. You are 88 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:10,359 Speaker 1: the light of the world. Don't add to the darkness. 89 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:15,159 Speaker 1: Turn your light on. It works best in the dark places, 90 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:20,800 Speaker 1: when you're around negative influences, gossiping, complaining, people playing politics. 91 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:24,760 Speaker 1: Don't turn it off, don't hide it. Realize that's what 92 00:05:24,839 --> 00:05:28,919 Speaker 1: your light was designed for. Let it shine brightly. The 93 00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:33,040 Speaker 1: scripture talks about wives that have husbands that are not believers. 94 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:37,479 Speaker 1: It says, don't try to win them over with your speech. 95 00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:42,040 Speaker 1: Your godly life will speak to them better than any words. 96 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:45,479 Speaker 1: They will be won over by watching how you live. 97 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:48,680 Speaker 1: In other words, you don't have to preach to people. 98 00:05:49,200 --> 00:05:50,960 Speaker 1: You don't have to try to straighten them out. Hey, 99 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:53,400 Speaker 1: you need to have a better attitude, you need to 100 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:57,280 Speaker 1: have a new perspective. No, just be happy, be friendly, 101 00:05:58,120 --> 00:06:01,040 Speaker 1: be a person of excellence. That's how you let your 102 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:05,080 Speaker 1: light shine with your actions, not just with your words. 103 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:08,600 Speaker 1: Everybody's discouraged, but you've got a spring in your steps. 104 00:06:08,920 --> 00:06:12,200 Speaker 1: You're in a good mood. Everybody's slacking off, but you're 105 00:06:12,240 --> 00:06:15,720 Speaker 1: giving it your best. Everybody's upset at the company because 106 00:06:15,720 --> 00:06:17,920 Speaker 1: they have to work late, but you're just the same. 107 00:06:18,160 --> 00:06:20,960 Speaker 1: Happy in the good times, happy in the tough times. 108 00:06:21,320 --> 00:06:25,719 Speaker 1: That's letting your light shine brightly. My father told how 109 00:06:25,920 --> 00:06:28,680 Speaker 1: when he was a young man, this one church where 110 00:06:28,720 --> 00:06:33,240 Speaker 1: he went to minister was so dead. Nobody clapped, nobody's saying, 111 00:06:33,320 --> 00:06:36,960 Speaker 1: nobody responded. He thought, God, what am I doing here? 112 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:40,040 Speaker 1: These people don't want to be in church. They certainly 113 00:06:40,080 --> 00:06:43,080 Speaker 1: don't want to listen to me. It's dead. He heard 114 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:45,680 Speaker 1: God say, right down in here, son, why do you 115 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:48,680 Speaker 1: think I sent you there? They don't need more light 116 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:52,039 Speaker 1: where it's already bright. I sent you to stir them up. 117 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:56,120 Speaker 1: I sent you to be a thermostat, to ignite that spark, 118 00:06:56,320 --> 00:07:00,440 Speaker 1: that fleeing that's on the inside. God will send us 119 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:03,760 Speaker 1: into dark places so we can make a difference, so 120 00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:08,200 Speaker 1: our light will shine brightly. Quit complaining about the family 121 00:07:08,279 --> 00:07:12,240 Speaker 1: you married into. God deeds in laws, these outlaws, this 122 00:07:12,360 --> 00:07:14,920 Speaker 1: mother in law. God, they get on my nerves. You're 123 00:07:14,960 --> 00:07:18,440 Speaker 1: not there by accident. God has you there on purpose. 124 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 1: He's counting on you to Brighten it up now, don't 125 00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:25,040 Speaker 1: add to the darkness, don't make it worse. Be a light. 126 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:28,520 Speaker 1: Do the right thing even when the wrong things happening. 127 00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:33,480 Speaker 1: Be respectful even when they're disrespectful. Keep a good attitude 128 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 1: even when you feel like being sour. Stay on the 129 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:41,680 Speaker 1: high road. They need your light shine brightly well, Joel. 130 00:07:41,960 --> 00:07:44,920 Speaker 1: I'm so dreading going to my family reunion this year. 131 00:07:45,600 --> 00:07:48,880 Speaker 1: My relatives are so sarcastic. They make fun of me 132 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 1: because I want party with them. They give me a 133 00:07:51,360 --> 00:07:53,280 Speaker 1: hard time because I go to church. I don't feel 134 00:07:53,280 --> 00:07:55,720 Speaker 1: like putting up with it. Do have a new perspective. 135 00:07:55,960 --> 00:07:59,680 Speaker 1: That's an opportunity for you to shine. It's easy to 136 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:03,280 Speaker 1: shine around everybody that loves you, everybody that celebrates you, 137 00:08:03,320 --> 00:08:07,000 Speaker 1: and things like you. The problem is your light is 138 00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:11,600 Speaker 1: not nearly effective around those people because it's already so bright. 139 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:15,760 Speaker 1: The darker the situation, the brighter your light will shine. 140 00:08:16,320 --> 00:08:18,840 Speaker 1: You don't have to try to change their minds. You 141 00:08:18,840 --> 00:08:21,240 Speaker 1: don't have to tell them everything they're doing wrong. All 142 00:08:21,280 --> 00:08:24,720 Speaker 1: you've got to do is be happy. When they make 143 00:08:24,760 --> 00:08:27,360 Speaker 1: fun of you, just laugh and let it bounce off. 144 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:31,240 Speaker 1: When they're sarcastic, just smile and move forward, No big deal. 145 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:35,760 Speaker 1: Don't let it affect you. People push buttons expecting to 146 00:08:35,800 --> 00:08:39,560 Speaker 1: get a certain response. I'll say this and they'll get upset. 147 00:08:40,160 --> 00:08:42,200 Speaker 1: I'll leave them out and they'll get their feelings hurt. 148 00:08:42,600 --> 00:08:45,920 Speaker 1: I'll be disrespectful and they'll argue, they'll be rude. Don't 149 00:08:45,960 --> 00:08:49,400 Speaker 1: fall into that trap. Turn your buttons off, let them 150 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:53,320 Speaker 1: push all they want. Just keep being kind, keep being respectful, 151 00:08:53,559 --> 00:08:58,120 Speaker 1: stay on the high road. Love never fails. Light will 152 00:08:58,160 --> 00:09:02,000 Speaker 1: always overcome darkness. It may not happen this year or 153 00:09:02,040 --> 00:09:05,040 Speaker 1: even next year, but at some point they will come 154 00:09:05,080 --> 00:09:09,440 Speaker 1: to the place where they get tired of living negative, defeated, sarcastic, 155 00:09:09,520 --> 00:09:11,760 Speaker 1: and they'll think, you know what I want what they have. 156 00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:15,600 Speaker 1: I want that joy, I want that peace, I want 157 00:09:15,600 --> 00:09:20,360 Speaker 1: that spirit of excellence. Your example, more than your words, 158 00:09:20,520 --> 00:09:23,920 Speaker 1: will be what causes in the change. Don't complain about 159 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:27,800 Speaker 1: that neighborhood you're in. God, these neighbors, these people, they're 160 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:31,040 Speaker 1: involved in things they shouldn't be involved in. They curse, 161 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:34,960 Speaker 1: they're disrespectful, they don't take care of their property. That's 162 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:38,200 Speaker 1: why God has you there. It's dark. He's counting on 163 00:09:38,280 --> 00:09:42,000 Speaker 1: you to turn on the light instead of complaining while 164 00:09:42,080 --> 00:09:45,240 Speaker 1: God had you there, Why don't you pray? God, help 165 00:09:45,320 --> 00:09:48,760 Speaker 1: my light to shine with greater intensity. God, help me 166 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:52,040 Speaker 1: to be a greater influence. Let your love, your kindness, 167 00:09:52,080 --> 00:09:56,320 Speaker 1: your mercy be seen in everything that I do. In 168 00:09:56,400 --> 00:10:00,920 Speaker 1: the scripture, David worked for King Saul became jealous of 169 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:04,040 Speaker 1: David and tried to kill him. One day, David was 170 00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:07,480 Speaker 1: playing the heart for Saul, trying to make him feel better. Saul, 171 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:11,280 Speaker 1: through a spear, barely missed David. He took off, running 172 00:10:11,320 --> 00:10:15,439 Speaker 1: for his life. Saul ended up chasing David through the wilderness, 173 00:10:15,679 --> 00:10:20,360 Speaker 1: making his life miserable. What's interesting is David never complained 174 00:10:20,400 --> 00:10:24,040 Speaker 1: about Saul. He never said, God, why is this man 175 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:26,360 Speaker 1: trying to kill me? This is not right. I haven't 176 00:10:26,360 --> 00:10:29,920 Speaker 1: done anything wrong. David just kept doing the right thing, 177 00:10:30,360 --> 00:10:34,320 Speaker 1: letting his light shine brightly. One night, while David was 178 00:10:34,360 --> 00:10:38,880 Speaker 1: on the run, he saw Saul and his men asleep 179 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:42,840 Speaker 1: in the desert. This was David's big opportunity to put 180 00:10:42,840 --> 00:10:46,240 Speaker 1: an end to it. He could have killed Saul easily 181 00:10:46,320 --> 00:10:48,600 Speaker 1: once and for all, been done with it, and nobody 182 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:51,920 Speaker 1: would have faulted him. But David wouldn't do it. He 183 00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:55,800 Speaker 1: knew Saul had been anointed to be the king. He said, God, 184 00:10:56,040 --> 00:10:58,160 Speaker 1: I'm not going to touch your anointed. I'm going to 185 00:10:58,240 --> 00:11:01,600 Speaker 1: let you fight my battles. When Saul woke up and 186 00:11:01,679 --> 00:11:05,479 Speaker 1: realized what had happened, that David could have easily killed him, 187 00:11:05,840 --> 00:11:09,240 Speaker 1: Saul said, David, you're a better man than me. He 188 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:13,079 Speaker 1: was ashamed and went back home. This didn't happen because 189 00:11:13,080 --> 00:11:16,959 Speaker 1: of David's words, because of something that he said. Come on, Saul, 190 00:11:17,160 --> 00:11:19,160 Speaker 1: I'm a good person. I'm not going to harm you. 191 00:11:19,280 --> 00:11:23,000 Speaker 1: Leave me alone. No, David let his actions do the talking. 192 00:11:23,520 --> 00:11:28,200 Speaker 1: He became a witness. People believe a sermon that they 193 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:32,120 Speaker 1: see more than a sermon that they hear. Quit trying 194 00:11:32,160 --> 00:11:34,920 Speaker 1: to pray away the darkness and just start being a 195 00:11:34,920 --> 00:11:41,080 Speaker 1: brighter light. Do it consistently. People don't change overnight. Saul 196 00:11:41,240 --> 00:11:44,720 Speaker 1: chased David for a long time, month after month, year 197 00:11:44,760 --> 00:11:48,800 Speaker 1: after year. David stayed on the high road. God eventually 198 00:11:48,880 --> 00:11:53,080 Speaker 1: vindicated him. He became the king. There may be people 199 00:11:53,120 --> 00:11:55,640 Speaker 1: in your life that you have to let your light 200 00:11:55,760 --> 00:11:59,440 Speaker 1: shine year after year. You have to be willing to 201 00:11:59,520 --> 00:12:03,320 Speaker 1: invest in them. Keep doing the right thing, even when 202 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:06,959 Speaker 1: it seems like it's not making a difference. Keep being respectful, 203 00:12:07,240 --> 00:12:10,600 Speaker 1: even though they're giving you the cold shoulder. Your consistency 204 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:14,360 Speaker 1: being a witness day in and day out, than just 205 00:12:14,520 --> 00:12:17,800 Speaker 1: like Saul, that's going to cause one day that light 206 00:12:17,920 --> 00:12:21,600 Speaker 1: to overtake the darkness. Think about when Jesus was on 207 00:12:21,679 --> 00:12:24,360 Speaker 1: the earth. He didn't spend all of his time in 208 00:12:24,440 --> 00:12:27,360 Speaker 1: the temples and the synagogues, in the churches, in the 209 00:12:27,400 --> 00:12:31,640 Speaker 1: safe places. He didn't only associate with people that believed 210 00:12:31,640 --> 00:12:35,360 Speaker 1: in him, people that celebrated who he was. He went 211 00:12:35,440 --> 00:12:37,800 Speaker 1: to the people that were not on the right track. 212 00:12:38,440 --> 00:12:42,280 Speaker 1: The tax collectors, they were known for being dishonest. He 213 00:12:42,360 --> 00:12:46,120 Speaker 1: went to the fishermen, they were rough and used bad language. 214 00:12:46,520 --> 00:12:49,559 Speaker 1: He went to the people that had failed morally. He 215 00:12:49,679 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 1: showed them mercy, was kind to them. He was called 216 00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:57,079 Speaker 1: a friend of sinners. The religious people didn't like it. 217 00:12:57,760 --> 00:13:01,600 Speaker 1: They criticized Jesus because they thought that he was associating 218 00:13:01,920 --> 00:13:04,960 Speaker 1: with what they considered to be the wrong kind of people. 219 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:09,440 Speaker 1: They didn't understand this principle that light is the most 220 00:13:09,559 --> 00:13:14,600 Speaker 1: effective in dark places. And because Jesus let his light shine, 221 00:13:14,840 --> 00:13:19,640 Speaker 1: many of those sinners became believers. Sometimes we think, God, 222 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:23,720 Speaker 1: keep me away from anyone that's struggling with a bad habit, 223 00:13:24,160 --> 00:13:27,400 Speaker 1: an addiction and anger issue. God, don't make me have 224 00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:30,360 Speaker 1: to deal with that person that's dishonest, not faithful in 225 00:13:30,360 --> 00:13:34,280 Speaker 1: a relationship. Keep me away from the darkness. But Jesus 226 00:13:34,320 --> 00:13:37,720 Speaker 1: showed just the opposite. He said, it's the sick who 227 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:41,680 Speaker 1: need a doctor, not the healthy. God will bring people 228 00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:46,200 Speaker 1: across your path that need your light. Don't have a 229 00:13:46,240 --> 00:13:50,520 Speaker 1: holier than now attitude, thinking I can't be contamidated. He 230 00:13:50,640 --> 00:13:54,920 Speaker 1: uses bad language, she's kind of loose, he doesn't have integrity. 231 00:13:55,160 --> 00:13:57,920 Speaker 1: I got to keep my distance. Now you've got the light. 232 00:13:58,600 --> 00:14:01,480 Speaker 1: God's counting on you to me make a difference. You 233 00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:04,040 Speaker 1: don't have to become best friends with them. I'm not 234 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:06,320 Speaker 1: saying to spend all your time with them. But you 235 00:14:06,360 --> 00:14:09,160 Speaker 1: can be kind, You can show them that you care. 236 00:14:09,559 --> 00:14:13,240 Speaker 1: You can be a positive influence in their life. That's 237 00:14:13,240 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 1: what a minister friend of mine did. This young lady 238 00:14:16,040 --> 00:14:18,640 Speaker 1: that cut his hair. She was a good person, but 239 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:22,760 Speaker 1: she had some issues. She was struggling with addictions, and 240 00:14:22,840 --> 00:14:25,000 Speaker 1: she'd been in and out of a bunch of relationships, 241 00:14:25,040 --> 00:14:27,960 Speaker 1: and now she was living with another boyfriend. And when 242 00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:30,160 Speaker 1: he came in to get his hair cut, She was 243 00:14:30,320 --> 00:14:33,920 Speaker 1: very uncomfortable because she knew there were some things in 244 00:14:33,960 --> 00:14:36,840 Speaker 1: her life that were not right. Him being a minister, 245 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:39,400 Speaker 1: she was certain that he was going to judge her, 246 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:42,720 Speaker 1: give her a sermon, tell her everything that she was 247 00:14:42,760 --> 00:14:47,480 Speaker 1: doing wrong. But he didn't do this. He was just kind, friendly, likable. 248 00:14:47,840 --> 00:14:50,400 Speaker 1: When he left that first day, she was so relieved. 249 00:14:51,240 --> 00:14:55,040 Speaker 1: I found most people already know what they're doing wrong. 250 00:14:55,640 --> 00:14:57,120 Speaker 1: You don't have to tell them. Man, you need to 251 00:14:57,120 --> 00:14:59,440 Speaker 1: break this addiction. You need to get out of that 252 00:14:59,520 --> 00:15:03,000 Speaker 1: toxic relationship. You need to start being more honest. You 253 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:06,480 Speaker 1: don't have to convict people of their sin. That's not 254 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:10,240 Speaker 1: your job. That's what the Holy Spirit does. Our job 255 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:12,920 Speaker 1: is to love people, to let her light shine, to 256 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:15,960 Speaker 1: be kind, to be friendly, to be good to them. 257 00:15:16,840 --> 00:15:20,240 Speaker 1: My friend noticed that this young lady, the hairdresser, she 258 00:15:20,440 --> 00:15:23,200 Speaker 1: liked a certain kind of coffee, and before he'd come 259 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:25,760 Speaker 1: get his haircut, he'd always stopped by and bring her 260 00:15:25,760 --> 00:15:29,000 Speaker 1: that cup of coffee, just being kind. She had a son, 261 00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:32,920 Speaker 1: a little boy, and every time around his birthday, Christmas, 262 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:36,200 Speaker 1: special holidays, he would pick up gift certificates to a 263 00:15:36,280 --> 00:15:39,200 Speaker 1: toy store and give that to his mother. He was 264 00:15:39,280 --> 00:15:43,240 Speaker 1: always encouraging this young lady, letting her know that he 265 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:47,000 Speaker 1: believed in her. It was about two years later she 266 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:50,840 Speaker 1: asked where his church was located, the first sign that 267 00:15:50,880 --> 00:15:53,920 Speaker 1: he was having any kind of effect. That next Sunday, 268 00:15:53,960 --> 00:15:57,040 Speaker 1: she and her boyfriend showed up at church. She hadn't 269 00:15:57,080 --> 00:16:00,480 Speaker 1: been to church since she was a little girl. She 270 00:16:00,520 --> 00:16:03,720 Speaker 1: felt a love like she had never felt. Their hearts 271 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:06,640 Speaker 1: were touched. Both she and her boyfriend gave their life 272 00:16:06,680 --> 00:16:09,840 Speaker 1: to Christ. After the service, they said to the minister, 273 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:13,480 Speaker 1: we've been living together for a long time. We need 274 00:16:13,520 --> 00:16:16,480 Speaker 1: to set a better example for our son. We'd like 275 00:16:16,560 --> 00:16:20,520 Speaker 1: to get married. Several months later, this minister performed their 276 00:16:20,720 --> 00:16:24,400 Speaker 1: wedding ceremony. Today that was years ago. They're still married, 277 00:16:24,520 --> 00:16:27,960 Speaker 1: still happy, still in church. Here's how Jesus put it, 278 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:32,400 Speaker 1: let your light shine before men so they may see 279 00:16:32,480 --> 00:16:36,440 Speaker 1: your good works. It doesn't say let your light shine 280 00:16:36,640 --> 00:16:39,920 Speaker 1: before people that deserve it, people that have it all together, 281 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:43,280 Speaker 1: people that don't have any issues. No, let it shine 282 00:16:43,720 --> 00:16:46,880 Speaker 1: before all people. How do you do it by letting 283 00:16:46,920 --> 00:16:50,920 Speaker 1: them see your good works? Can the people God's put 284 00:16:50,920 --> 00:16:53,600 Speaker 1: in your life, not the ones that have it all together, 285 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:56,560 Speaker 1: but the ones that are struggling, the ones that you 286 00:16:56,600 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 1: could easily judge and ride off and think, man, you 287 00:16:59,040 --> 00:17:01,400 Speaker 1: need to get it together. You need to straighten up. 288 00:17:01,840 --> 00:17:05,800 Speaker 1: Can they see your good works? Maybe the reason they 289 00:17:05,840 --> 00:17:09,359 Speaker 1: don't have it together just yet is because they're waiting 290 00:17:09,520 --> 00:17:13,400 Speaker 1: for your light, your love, your kindness, your mercy. When 291 00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:17,320 Speaker 1: they see your good works, they'll begin to change. If 292 00:17:17,320 --> 00:17:19,600 Speaker 1: my friend would have gone in there and preached to her, 293 00:17:20,080 --> 00:17:22,760 Speaker 1: you need to straighten up. God is not pleased. You 294 00:17:22,800 --> 00:17:25,640 Speaker 1: need to make some changes. She wouldn't have received it. 295 00:17:26,080 --> 00:17:28,720 Speaker 1: She would have become defensive, would have pushed her away. 296 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:31,440 Speaker 1: She would have found somebody else to cut his hair. 297 00:17:32,280 --> 00:17:35,280 Speaker 1: I've heard it said people don't care how much you 298 00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:39,439 Speaker 1: know until they know how much you care. When you 299 00:17:39,520 --> 00:17:42,720 Speaker 1: take time to shine light in their life. You give 300 00:17:42,720 --> 00:17:45,720 Speaker 1: a smile, you bring them a cup of coffee, you 301 00:17:45,760 --> 00:17:49,400 Speaker 1: give their child a gift. You're kind, you're helpful. They 302 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:52,720 Speaker 1: feel your love. That's what opens the door to their heart. 303 00:17:53,760 --> 00:17:57,400 Speaker 1: Look around at who's in your life. Where is there 304 00:17:57,480 --> 00:18:00,720 Speaker 1: some light that you can shine? Will you be a 305 00:18:00,760 --> 00:18:04,760 Speaker 1: friend to sinners? Will you take off judgmental glasses and 306 00:18:04,840 --> 00:18:08,359 Speaker 1: help love people back onto the right track? Will you 307 00:18:08,440 --> 00:18:11,240 Speaker 1: be willing to overlook some flaws, not focus on what 308 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:15,000 Speaker 1: they're doing wrong, and instead show a little mercy, be 309 00:18:15,080 --> 00:18:18,960 Speaker 1: a light in their life, a positive influence, a difference maker. 310 00:18:19,680 --> 00:18:22,320 Speaker 1: After all, if it had not been for the grace 311 00:18:22,359 --> 00:18:26,439 Speaker 1: of God, that could be you and me. Somebody shine 312 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:28,840 Speaker 1: some light in your life. Somebody helps you get to 313 00:18:28,840 --> 00:18:32,479 Speaker 1: where you are. Somebody overlooked some flaws. Somebody showed mercy. 314 00:18:33,320 --> 00:18:36,520 Speaker 1: Why don't you pass on that same light that's been 315 00:18:36,560 --> 00:18:39,639 Speaker 1: given to you. Now, I was in my twenties. I 316 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:42,520 Speaker 1: used to play basketball at this gym and there were 317 00:18:42,560 --> 00:18:45,240 Speaker 1: a lot of guys there that were very rough. They 318 00:18:45,280 --> 00:18:48,359 Speaker 1: would curse and argue, and a lot of times fights 319 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:52,159 Speaker 1: would break out. He was very competitive and very intense. 320 00:18:52,800 --> 00:18:55,240 Speaker 1: I didn't go in there and start telling everybody what 321 00:18:55,280 --> 00:18:57,760 Speaker 1: they're doing wrong. Plus they're a lot bigger than me. 322 00:18:58,320 --> 00:19:00,880 Speaker 1: I didn't try to straighten everybody. Yeah, I just went 323 00:19:00,920 --> 00:19:04,480 Speaker 1: in there being me, just living my life, consistently, happy, 324 00:19:04,880 --> 00:19:08,760 Speaker 1: in a good mood, always kind to others. Over time, 325 00:19:08,840 --> 00:19:11,840 Speaker 1: they started noticing that there was something different about me. 326 00:19:12,359 --> 00:19:15,960 Speaker 1: I wouldn't argue, I didn't get upset. I was kind 327 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:18,760 Speaker 1: to everyone. It got to the point if there was 328 00:19:18,840 --> 00:19:22,480 Speaker 1: ever a questionable call. Even if I wasn't in the game, 329 00:19:22,920 --> 00:19:25,640 Speaker 1: I was on the sidelines waiting to play next, just watching. 330 00:19:25,840 --> 00:19:29,880 Speaker 1: They would always say, ask Joel, we know he won't lie. 331 00:19:30,600 --> 00:19:33,040 Speaker 1: I never told them that my father was the pastor 332 00:19:33,040 --> 00:19:35,800 Speaker 1: of a big church in town. I worked at a ministry. 333 00:19:35,880 --> 00:19:39,119 Speaker 1: I just let my actions do the talking. There was 334 00:19:39,119 --> 00:19:41,800 Speaker 1: a young man there that had some addictions and some 335 00:19:41,880 --> 00:19:46,520 Speaker 1: real angry issues. He was very explosive. He would lose 336 00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:49,240 Speaker 1: his temper and get into fights. And I had not 337 00:19:49,400 --> 00:19:52,240 Speaker 1: talked to him that much over the years, just nothing 338 00:19:52,280 --> 00:19:55,000 Speaker 1: more than hello and how's it going. But one day 339 00:19:55,040 --> 00:19:57,200 Speaker 1: he came over in the locker room and ask if 340 00:19:57,200 --> 00:19:59,640 Speaker 1: I would help him. I thought he wanted me to 341 00:19:59,680 --> 00:20:01,920 Speaker 1: help it find a basketball or help him pull out 342 00:20:01,920 --> 00:20:04,240 Speaker 1: the bleachers so we could sit on. But he looked 343 00:20:04,240 --> 00:20:07,160 Speaker 1: at me and said, Joel, I got all these anger issues. 344 00:20:07,480 --> 00:20:10,320 Speaker 1: It's messing up my marriage. It's causing me problems at home. 345 00:20:10,359 --> 00:20:13,000 Speaker 1: And you always seem to be so calm, so friendly, 346 00:20:13,080 --> 00:20:15,719 Speaker 1: so good natured. I thought maybe you could give me 347 00:20:15,760 --> 00:20:18,720 Speaker 1: some advice. I was like twenty years old. I didn't 348 00:20:18,720 --> 00:20:20,800 Speaker 1: know how to solve his anger problems. But I ended 349 00:20:20,840 --> 00:20:24,520 Speaker 1: up invited him to come to church. He came to Lakewood. 350 00:20:24,560 --> 00:20:27,040 Speaker 1: Long story short, he gave his life to Christ. God 351 00:20:27,080 --> 00:20:30,520 Speaker 1: in some of the classes overcame those addictions. Today he's 352 00:20:30,640 --> 00:20:35,359 Speaker 1: like a different person. Calm half, be respectful. I still 353 00:20:35,359 --> 00:20:38,879 Speaker 1: see him here all the time. Here's my point. I 354 00:20:38,920 --> 00:20:41,639 Speaker 1: could have prayed, God, get all these sinners out of 355 00:20:41,640 --> 00:20:45,600 Speaker 1: the gym. God, they're arguing, they're fighting, they got addictions. 356 00:20:45,640 --> 00:20:49,639 Speaker 1: God delivered me from these people. I could have tried 357 00:20:49,680 --> 00:20:53,399 Speaker 1: to pray away the darkness. But instead I said, God, 358 00:20:53,960 --> 00:20:56,480 Speaker 1: this is where you have me right now. I know 359 00:20:56,600 --> 00:20:59,040 Speaker 1: my steps are ordered by the Lord. You brought these 360 00:20:59,040 --> 00:21:01,879 Speaker 1: people into my life. So God, my prayer is that 361 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:05,639 Speaker 1: my light will shine with greater intensity. God, let me 362 00:21:05,680 --> 00:21:08,679 Speaker 1: be a greater influence. Let them see something in me 363 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:12,480 Speaker 1: that they want. Year after year, I just kept being 364 00:21:12,480 --> 00:21:16,639 Speaker 1: a witness, being kind, being respectful, being honest, being a 365 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:20,200 Speaker 1: person of excellence. One by one, those young men would 366 00:21:20,240 --> 00:21:22,159 Speaker 1: come up, Joel, would you pray for me? Can you 367 00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:24,320 Speaker 1: give me some advice? Can I bring my family to 368 00:21:24,359 --> 00:21:27,760 Speaker 1: your church? Now? Many of them are here. When you 369 00:21:27,880 --> 00:21:31,199 Speaker 1: become a friend of sinners, when you take time to 370 00:21:31,240 --> 00:21:35,480 Speaker 1: shine light into the darkness, that's what has the greatest impact. 371 00:21:35,960 --> 00:21:38,439 Speaker 1: And the truth is we all have a ministry. We 372 00:21:38,520 --> 00:21:40,720 Speaker 1: all have a pulpit. May not look like this one, 373 00:21:40,960 --> 00:21:44,480 Speaker 1: but your life is sending out a message. Me just 374 00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:49,640 Speaker 1: living a life of kindness, respect, integrity. That spoke more 375 00:21:49,720 --> 00:21:52,960 Speaker 1: to those young men than anything I could have ever said. 376 00:21:53,400 --> 00:21:56,000 Speaker 1: I could have told them, Gods, straighten up, man, break 377 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:59,560 Speaker 1: these addictions, quit fighting, that would have had very little impact. 378 00:22:00,200 --> 00:22:04,480 Speaker 1: Talk is cheap. People are watching how you live. What 379 00:22:04,560 --> 00:22:08,720 Speaker 1: kind of example are you setting? Second Corinthians five says 380 00:22:09,040 --> 00:22:13,639 Speaker 1: we are God's personal representatives on the earth. We have 381 00:22:13,720 --> 00:22:18,480 Speaker 1: to realize people can't see God, they see us. The 382 00:22:18,560 --> 00:22:22,280 Speaker 1: question is are we making God look good? Are we 383 00:22:22,400 --> 00:22:25,280 Speaker 1: representing him the right way? Do people want what we 384 00:22:25,400 --> 00:22:29,840 Speaker 1: have or are we pushing them away? A few years ago, 385 00:22:30,320 --> 00:22:33,280 Speaker 1: I was driving in my car with six small children 386 00:22:33,640 --> 00:22:36,960 Speaker 1: with me, two of my own, plus nieces and nephews. 387 00:22:37,359 --> 00:22:39,600 Speaker 1: They all wanted to go to McDonald's to get something 388 00:22:39,600 --> 00:22:42,040 Speaker 1: to eat, so I pulled in the drive through and 389 00:22:42,440 --> 00:22:44,960 Speaker 1: I was about to place my order at the little speaker. 390 00:22:45,560 --> 00:22:48,320 Speaker 1: My nephew, Christopher was about four years old, and he 391 00:22:48,560 --> 00:22:52,800 Speaker 1: likes his hamburger with nothing on it, completely dry. So 392 00:22:52,840 --> 00:22:55,480 Speaker 1: I told the lady, the young girl through the speaker there, 393 00:22:55,760 --> 00:22:58,600 Speaker 1: that I wanted a kid's hamburger with nothing but the 394 00:22:58,720 --> 00:23:02,159 Speaker 1: bond and the peace meat. She said, would you like 395 00:23:02,240 --> 00:23:05,480 Speaker 1: pickles with that? I said no, ma'am, I don't want 396 00:23:05,520 --> 00:23:08,680 Speaker 1: anything on it. She said, okay, would you like mayonnaise? 397 00:23:09,000 --> 00:23:12,120 Speaker 1: I said no, I want it completely dry. She said, 398 00:23:12,119 --> 00:23:14,800 Speaker 1: all right, would you like mustard? I thought she was kidding. 399 00:23:15,119 --> 00:23:17,160 Speaker 1: I kind of laughed. I said, ma'am, I just want 400 00:23:17,160 --> 00:23:20,240 Speaker 1: the bond and a piece of meat. She said, okay, 401 00:23:20,240 --> 00:23:23,359 Speaker 1: So you don't want to let us, do you. This 402 00:23:23,560 --> 00:23:25,600 Speaker 1: was my first order. I had five more to go. 403 00:23:27,359 --> 00:23:31,240 Speaker 1: I had to remind myself I am God's personal representative 404 00:23:31,320 --> 00:23:35,040 Speaker 1: here on this earth. What would God do? How would 405 00:23:35,080 --> 00:23:38,520 Speaker 1: he act? Would he get upset? Would he lose his cool? 406 00:23:38,840 --> 00:23:41,280 Speaker 1: Give her a piece of his mind? I was tempted to, 407 00:23:41,440 --> 00:23:44,240 Speaker 1: but I stayed calm and ended up placing my order 408 00:23:44,280 --> 00:23:46,920 Speaker 1: and finally pulled up there to the window to pay. 409 00:23:47,480 --> 00:23:53,280 Speaker 1: First thing the young girl said was Pastor Joel. My 410 00:23:53,359 --> 00:24:00,480 Speaker 1: first thought was, thank you Jesus. You never know who's 411 00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:03,879 Speaker 1: watching you, said, Joe. You know you're on TV. I 412 00:24:03,880 --> 00:24:06,200 Speaker 1: don't have to worry about that. No, don't kid yourself. 413 00:24:06,359 --> 00:24:10,760 Speaker 1: Your children are watching, your neighbors, your co workers. Every 414 00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:14,480 Speaker 1: time you interact with someone, you're preaching a sermon. They 415 00:24:14,480 --> 00:24:18,400 Speaker 1: may not remember what you say, but they'll remember how 416 00:24:18,400 --> 00:24:21,199 Speaker 1: you made them feel. Do they feel loved? Do they 417 00:24:21,240 --> 00:24:25,640 Speaker 1: feel respected? Be careful what kind of example you're setting. 418 00:24:25,840 --> 00:24:29,680 Speaker 1: You're representing Almighty God. And I was a little boy, 419 00:24:30,200 --> 00:24:32,760 Speaker 1: my father took me and my brothers and sisters to 420 00:24:32,760 --> 00:24:35,919 Speaker 1: see the Astros play baseball at the Astrodome. And there 421 00:24:35,920 --> 00:24:38,959 Speaker 1: were these two guys behind us that were very loud 422 00:24:39,240 --> 00:24:42,639 Speaker 1: and obnoxious, that had too much to drink. When the 423 00:24:42,680 --> 00:24:45,280 Speaker 1: Astros would do something wrong, they would stand up and 424 00:24:45,359 --> 00:24:48,439 Speaker 1: curse the players. You blank, any blank player, can't you 425 00:24:48,560 --> 00:24:51,119 Speaker 1: hit the ball? This went on for about an hour. 426 00:24:51,600 --> 00:24:54,399 Speaker 1: Every time they did that, I would squirm in my 427 00:24:54,560 --> 00:24:57,960 Speaker 1: seat because I knew eventually my father was going to 428 00:24:57,960 --> 00:25:01,240 Speaker 1: say something. Daddy was very bald, it is very strong. 429 00:25:01,960 --> 00:25:04,879 Speaker 1: Sure enough, the Astros made another mistake, and they stood 430 00:25:04,920 --> 00:25:08,879 Speaker 1: up and cursed and cursed. My father turned around, I 431 00:25:08,960 --> 00:25:11,960 Speaker 1: remember it like it was yesterday, with this big smile 432 00:25:12,040 --> 00:25:15,680 Speaker 1: on his face, as friendly as can be. He said, listen, fellas, 433 00:25:16,080 --> 00:25:18,800 Speaker 1: the name of the Lord is to be praised not 434 00:25:18,840 --> 00:25:21,960 Speaker 1: to be cursed. They looked at him kind of strained, 435 00:25:22,080 --> 00:25:25,080 Speaker 1: shook their head. A few minutes one of the astros 436 00:25:25,119 --> 00:25:27,879 Speaker 1: hit a home run. They both stood up. By this 437 00:25:27,920 --> 00:25:30,280 Speaker 1: time they had had weigh too much to drink. They 438 00:25:30,320 --> 00:25:38,040 Speaker 1: lifted both hands in the air and shouted, hallelujah. They 439 00:25:38,080 --> 00:25:40,159 Speaker 1: slapped my dad on the back and said, how's that preacher. 440 00:25:42,320 --> 00:25:44,440 Speaker 1: The rest of that game, all we heard from them 441 00:25:44,600 --> 00:25:48,760 Speaker 1: was praise the Lord, hallelujah, Thank you jeesus. My point 442 00:25:48,880 --> 00:25:52,720 Speaker 1: is to represent God. You don't have to be mean. 443 00:25:53,560 --> 00:25:56,240 Speaker 1: You don't have to jump down people's throats. My father 444 00:25:56,359 --> 00:25:59,160 Speaker 1: used to say, don't be a fire hose and try 445 00:25:59,200 --> 00:26:02,399 Speaker 1: to knock people down. Just be a sprinkler. Just let 446 00:26:02,480 --> 00:26:06,119 Speaker 1: your light shine. Be kind, be friendly, keep a smile 447 00:26:06,200 --> 00:26:10,159 Speaker 1: on your face. Let people see your good works. Remember 448 00:26:10,400 --> 00:26:14,480 Speaker 1: your actions speak louder than your words. Your life is 449 00:26:14,520 --> 00:26:18,400 Speaker 1: your message. When you're in those dark places, don't complain. 450 00:26:18,760 --> 00:26:22,200 Speaker 1: Have a new perspective. That's an opportunity for your light 451 00:26:22,400 --> 00:26:26,040 Speaker 1: to shine brightly. When you go out each day, represent 452 00:26:26,160 --> 00:26:29,560 Speaker 1: God in a great way, be a witness, be a 453 00:26:29,640 --> 00:26:33,320 Speaker 1: positive influence in people's lives. If you'll put this simple 454 00:26:33,400 --> 00:26:37,320 Speaker 1: principle into action, shining brightly. You'll not only make a 455 00:26:37,320 --> 00:26:39,960 Speaker 1: difference in other people's lives, but it'll make a difference 456 00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:43,080 Speaker 1: in your own life. You'll have more favor, people will 457 00:26:43,119 --> 00:26:46,160 Speaker 1: be drawn to you. I believe and declare you will 458 00:26:46,200 --> 00:26:50,320 Speaker 1: fulfill your destiny and become everything God's created you to 459 00:26:50,359 --> 00:26:53,680 Speaker 1: be in Jesus' name. If you receive it, can you 460 00:26:53,720 --> 00:26:57,520 Speaker 1: say the man today? We never like to close our 461 00:26:57,520 --> 00:27:01,439 Speaker 1: broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus the 462 00:27:01,480 --> 00:27:05,840 Speaker 1: lord of your life. Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, 463 00:27:06,920 --> 00:27:11,320 Speaker 1: I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I 464 00:27:11,480 --> 00:27:15,040 Speaker 1: make you my Lord and savior. If you prayed that 465 00:27:15,119 --> 00:27:17,879 Speaker 1: simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get in 466 00:27:17,920 --> 00:27:21,320 Speaker 1: a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. He's 467 00:27:21,359 --> 00:27:23,560 Speaker 1: going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 468 00:27:26,080 --> 00:27:30,320 Speaker 2: What if what you imagine came to pass. What if 469 00:27:30,720 --> 00:27:33,800 Speaker 2: what you asked for turned out greater than what you 470 00:27:33,840 --> 00:27:38,000 Speaker 2: can see? What if you could plan for God's best 471 00:27:38,040 --> 00:27:38,920 Speaker 2: in your life. 472 00:27:39,600 --> 00:27:42,760 Speaker 1: We all have hopes and dreams and things we're believing for, 473 00:27:43,280 --> 00:27:45,800 Speaker 1: But what God has in store for you is more 474 00:27:45,880 --> 00:27:48,640 Speaker 1: than you can imagine. When you start the year off 475 00:27:48,680 --> 00:27:52,120 Speaker 1: in faith, believing for greater things. That's when God will 476 00:27:52,119 --> 00:27:55,919 Speaker 1: exceed your expectations. We love to send you are twenty 477 00:27:55,960 --> 00:27:59,360 Speaker 1: twenty five More to Imagine Planner. You can write down 478 00:27:59,400 --> 00:28:02,359 Speaker 1: your dreams and goals, plus use it for your everyday 479 00:28:02,400 --> 00:28:04,119 Speaker 1: activity and reminders. 480 00:28:04,200 --> 00:28:07,040 Speaker 3: It is so important to feed yourself out and faith 481 00:28:07,080 --> 00:28:10,480 Speaker 3: on a daily basis. This planner is not only a calendar, 482 00:28:10,760 --> 00:28:13,520 Speaker 3: but it's filled with inspiration and scripture to help you 483 00:28:13,560 --> 00:28:16,640 Speaker 3: stay encouraged and keep believing for what God has put 484 00:28:16,680 --> 00:28:17,320 Speaker 3: in your heart. 485 00:28:17,560 --> 00:28:20,600 Speaker 1: He sees your faithfulness, how you being your best each day. 486 00:28:20,880 --> 00:28:23,040 Speaker 1: You're going to see the goodness of God in new 487 00:28:23,080 --> 00:28:24,720 Speaker 1: ways in twenty twenty five. 488 00:28:25,359 --> 00:28:28,000 Speaker 2: As you support the ministry this month with a special 489 00:28:28,080 --> 00:28:30,639 Speaker 2: year end gift of any amount, we would like to 490 00:28:30,640 --> 00:28:33,960 Speaker 2: bless you with the More to Imagine twenty twenty five planner. 491 00:28:34,320 --> 00:28:37,159 Speaker 2: With the new planner, you can start each day writing 492 00:28:37,200 --> 00:28:40,920 Speaker 2: down the fresh vision God gives you, whether it's appointments, 493 00:28:41,080 --> 00:28:44,880 Speaker 2: daily tasks, or long term desires in your heart. Let 494 00:28:44,920 --> 00:28:48,960 Speaker 2: each note be a testament to your faith. Included are 495 00:28:49,000 --> 00:28:53,200 Speaker 2: hand picked scriptures and uplifting reflections to empower you as 496 00:28:53,240 --> 00:28:56,600 Speaker 2: you walk this faith journey. With Jesus one day at 497 00:28:56,600 --> 00:28:57,080 Speaker 2: a time. 498 00:28:57,800 --> 00:28:59,720 Speaker 3: Joel and I are standing in faith with you that 499 00:29:00,000 --> 00:29:02,280 Speaker 3: twenty twenty five will be a year of far and 500 00:29:02,280 --> 00:29:04,160 Speaker 3: beyond favor for you and your family. 501 00:29:04,320 --> 00:29:07,000 Speaker 1: We pray for you every day for God's very best, 502 00:29:07,080 --> 00:29:09,760 Speaker 1: and we want to thank you for your prayer and support, 503 00:29:10,200 --> 00:29:13,760 Speaker 1: especially your year end gifts. You are impacting people all 504 00:29:13,800 --> 00:29:17,240 Speaker 1: over the world. Remember you can watch the services online 505 00:29:17,320 --> 00:29:21,920 Speaker 1: every Sunday morning, download our daily podcast, listen on SERIOUSXM. 506 00:29:22,320 --> 00:29:25,280 Speaker 1: We'll watch our YouTube channel and the new Joel Ostein 507 00:29:25,360 --> 00:29:29,080 Speaker 1: streaming television network twenty four hours a day until we 508 00:29:29,120 --> 00:29:32,320 Speaker 1: see you next time. Have a very merry Christmas. 509 00:29:32,920 --> 00:29:35,280 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of the More to 510 00:29:35,360 --> 00:29:40,120 Speaker 2: Imagine twenty twenty five planner today. Visit Joeloustein dot com 511 00:29:40,320 --> 00:29:54,000 Speaker 2: or call us toll free.