1 00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:03,880 Speaker 1: You're ready for a comeback, and with Purdue Global, you 2 00:00:03,920 --> 00:00:07,080 Speaker 1: can do more than take classes. You can take charge 3 00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:11,440 Speaker 1: of your story, of your career, of your life, Earn 4 00:00:11,480 --> 00:00:13,480 Speaker 1: a degree you can be proud of, and get an 5 00:00:13,600 --> 00:00:18,439 Speaker 1: education employer's respect. It's time, your time, not just to 6 00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:20,880 Speaker 1: go back to school, but to come back and move 7 00:00:20,960 --> 00:00:25,760 Speaker 1: forward with Purdue Global, Purdue's online university for working adults. 8 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:29,840 Speaker 1: Start your comeback at Purdueglobal dot edu. 9 00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:32,159 Speaker 2: He'll forget about the video game you gave him on 10 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 2: his birthday. 11 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:34,959 Speaker 3: Wow, Thanks Grandpa, but. 12 00:00:34,960 --> 00:00:37,159 Speaker 2: He'll never forget how you invest it in his future 13 00:00:37,200 --> 00:00:41,760 Speaker 2: with the units stap. Wow, thanks Grandpa. The unit stap 14 00:00:41,760 --> 00:00:44,280 Speaker 2: makes it easy for grandparents and family friends to give 15 00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:47,040 Speaker 2: funds to a child's investment account for a limited time. 16 00:00:47,159 --> 00:00:49,279 Speaker 2: Download the uns stap and use the code I heeart 17 00:00:49,360 --> 00:00:51,640 Speaker 2: fifty at sign up to receive a fifty dollars bonus 18 00:00:51,640 --> 00:00:54,200 Speaker 2: when you fund your account. That's code iHeart fifty when 19 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:57,200 Speaker 2: you sign up at unest dot co for a fifty 20 00:00:57,240 --> 00:00:59,960 Speaker 2: dollars bonus. See terms and conditions at uns dots. 21 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:03,600 Speaker 4: No one likes to talk about money. Am I saving enough? 22 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:05,760 Speaker 4: Can I buy a house? Am I paying too much? 23 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:08,480 Speaker 4: In taxes, will I be able to retire? What if 24 00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:11,080 Speaker 4: you could unlock insights about your finances in less than 25 00:01:11,120 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 4: five minutes, with a clear picture of where you stand 26 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:16,399 Speaker 4: today and where your money can work harder. Now you 27 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:19,480 Speaker 4: can visit facet dot com to take the free quiz 28 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:23,280 Speaker 4: and get your financial wellness score today. That's face t 29 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:25,679 Speaker 4: dot com. This add a sponsored by Facet. Facet Wealth 30 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:27,840 Speaker 4: in Corporated is an SEC registered investment advisor. This is 31 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:29,839 Speaker 4: not an offer to buy yourself security snor is it investment, 32 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 4: legal or tax advice. 33 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:34,039 Speaker 5: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 34 00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:37,200 Speaker 5: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 35 00:01:37,280 --> 00:01:39,880 Speaker 5: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 36 00:01:39,959 --> 00:01:42,600 Speaker 5: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 37 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:54,120 Speaker 5: for God's very best in your life. 38 00:01:56,440 --> 00:02:00,000 Speaker 3: Oh God, bless you. Good joy to come into your homes. 39 00:02:00,040 --> 00:02:02,160 Speaker 5: If you're ever in the Houston area, I hope that 40 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:04,760 Speaker 5: you'll stop by, take a look at our new facility 41 00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:06,680 Speaker 5: and be a part of one of our services. I 42 00:02:06,720 --> 00:02:09,120 Speaker 5: can tell you this, it's better in person than it 43 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:14,200 Speaker 5: is on TV, and we'd love to have you. I 44 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:16,840 Speaker 5: like to start with something funny each week, and this 45 00:02:16,919 --> 00:02:20,400 Speaker 5: has no spiritual value whatsoever, but I thought I'd tell it. 46 00:02:21,000 --> 00:02:24,080 Speaker 5: A group of people were coming down this real crowded 47 00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:26,720 Speaker 5: elevator and they were packed in there like sardines, and 48 00:02:26,760 --> 00:02:29,360 Speaker 5: it was hot and stuffy, and on top of that, 49 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:33,640 Speaker 5: something smelled really, really bad. This one lady she had 50 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:36,280 Speaker 5: finally had enough, and she said, well, we can certainly 51 00:02:36,320 --> 00:02:40,320 Speaker 5: tell somebody's deodorant is not working today. A guy in 52 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:42,440 Speaker 5: the corner spoke up and said, couldn't be mine, lady, 53 00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:47,160 Speaker 5: I'm not wearing any all right, hold your bibles up, 54 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:50,120 Speaker 5: say it like you mean it. Ready, this is my Bible. 55 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:53,160 Speaker 5: I am what it says I am. I have what 56 00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:55,680 Speaker 5: it says I have. I can do what it says 57 00:02:55,720 --> 00:02:58,400 Speaker 5: I can do. Today I will be talked the word 58 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:02,760 Speaker 5: of God. I bold confess. My mind is alert, my 59 00:03:02,960 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 5: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, 60 00:03:07,919 --> 00:03:12,520 Speaker 5: God bless you. We've been talking about expecting good things 61 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:15,400 Speaker 5: and how important it is that we keep our hopes up. 62 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:19,400 Speaker 5: Hope is called the anchor of our souls. You need 63 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:21,799 Speaker 5: to know deep down on the inside that there are 64 00:03:21,919 --> 00:03:24,960 Speaker 5: good days up ahead, and no matter what you may 65 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:27,840 Speaker 5: be facing, no matter how long you've been that way. 66 00:03:28,240 --> 00:03:31,680 Speaker 5: God can turn any situation around. And we need to 67 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:35,520 Speaker 5: get up every morning expecting good things. We should get 68 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:39,160 Speaker 5: up expecting things to change. And if you're in tough 69 00:03:39,240 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 5: times today, don't believe that lie that nothing's. 70 00:03:42,680 --> 00:03:45,160 Speaker 3: Ever going to get any better. You've been this way 71 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 3: too long. 72 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:50,040 Speaker 5: Now your attitude should be I know this too shall pass. 73 00:03:50,360 --> 00:03:53,120 Speaker 5: I know it is not going to last forever, and 74 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:55,000 Speaker 5: that's one of the keys to stay. 75 00:03:54,720 --> 00:03:59,040 Speaker 3: In full of hope. Don't believe the never and forever lies. 76 00:03:59,640 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 5: I know some of you have struggled in an area 77 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:05,080 Speaker 5: for a long time and the enemy keeps telling you. 78 00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:06,160 Speaker 3: You're never gonna get well. 79 00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:09,520 Speaker 5: You've always had that sickness, You're never gonna get out 80 00:04:09,560 --> 00:04:12,320 Speaker 5: of that problem, You're never gonna get married. No, don't 81 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:15,200 Speaker 5: believe that junk when you say, Joel, I've been praying 82 00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:18,559 Speaker 5: for years, I've been believing for a long time. Listen, 83 00:04:18,600 --> 00:04:21,880 Speaker 5: you've got to keep on believing, keep praying, keep hoping. 84 00:04:22,440 --> 00:04:25,039 Speaker 5: After all, this could be the day God turns it 85 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:28,719 Speaker 5: all around. This could be the day everything changes. And 86 00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:31,159 Speaker 5: if it doesn't happen today, the good news is it 87 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:34,680 Speaker 5: could happen tomorrow. It could happen later this week, but 88 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:37,359 Speaker 5: you've got to do your part and stay full of hope, 89 00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:42,320 Speaker 5: stay full of expectancy, and understand all it takes is 90 00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:46,120 Speaker 5: one touch of God's favor. One touch of God's favor 91 00:04:46,360 --> 00:04:47,880 Speaker 5: and that situation. 92 00:04:47,480 --> 00:04:49,799 Speaker 3: At work or at home will totally resolve. 93 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,240 Speaker 5: One touch of God's favor and your financial situation will 94 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:56,680 Speaker 5: turn around. Or one touch of God's favor and he 95 00:04:56,720 --> 00:04:59,080 Speaker 5: can bring you a mate. He can cause you to 96 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:01,880 Speaker 5: be at the right place at the right time, and 97 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:04,520 Speaker 5: all of a sudden you meet the man or woman 98 00:05:04,600 --> 00:05:08,640 Speaker 5: of your dreams. See, God is a god of the suddenlast, 99 00:05:09,160 --> 00:05:10,599 Speaker 5: and in a split second. 100 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:12,159 Speaker 3: He can turn any situation around. 101 00:05:12,880 --> 00:05:16,240 Speaker 5: And it says in Second Corinthians, we shouldn't look at 102 00:05:16,279 --> 00:05:20,039 Speaker 5: the things that are seen because they're only temporary, but 103 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:22,440 Speaker 5: we should look at the things that are not seen, 104 00:05:22,880 --> 00:05:27,440 Speaker 5: because they are eternal. One translation says, the things that 105 00:05:27,520 --> 00:05:29,960 Speaker 5: are seen are subject to change. 106 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:31,240 Speaker 3: I like that. 107 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:33,919 Speaker 5: Your child may be giving you a hard time, but 108 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:37,960 Speaker 5: he is subject to change. Your health may be going downhill, 109 00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:38,640 Speaker 5: but it's. 110 00:05:38,520 --> 00:05:40,080 Speaker 3: Subject to change. 111 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:42,600 Speaker 5: Your marriage may be on the rocks, or maybe your 112 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:44,599 Speaker 5: financial situation today. 113 00:05:44,480 --> 00:05:46,920 Speaker 3: Looks pretty dismal, but thank God. 114 00:05:47,040 --> 00:05:49,960 Speaker 5: All of that is subject to change, and some of 115 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:51,840 Speaker 5: you need to get your checkbook out and look at 116 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:56,919 Speaker 5: it and say you are subject to change. Or maybe 117 00:05:57,000 --> 00:05:59,360 Speaker 5: you have a boss that's not treating you right, he's 118 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:02,440 Speaker 5: disrespect for in condescending. Well, why don't you just smile 119 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:04,719 Speaker 5: at him one day and say, sir, you are subject 120 00:06:04,800 --> 00:06:06,039 Speaker 5: to change. 121 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:08,599 Speaker 3: I don't suggest you do it to his face. You 122 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:11,880 Speaker 3: better do that. You may be looking for another job. 123 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:16,000 Speaker 5: But what I'm saying is everything negative in your life 124 00:06:16,080 --> 00:06:18,680 Speaker 5: it didn't come to stay, it came to pass. You 125 00:06:18,760 --> 00:06:21,359 Speaker 5: may have been in that situation a long time, but 126 00:06:21,440 --> 00:06:23,680 Speaker 5: hear what God is saying to you. If you'll just 127 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:27,080 Speaker 5: keep your hopes up and staying an attitude of faith, 128 00:06:27,320 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 5: then the best is yet to come. God has good 129 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:32,960 Speaker 5: things in store. I've been saying since the first of 130 00:06:33,000 --> 00:06:36,400 Speaker 5: this year. I believe that two thousand and five is 131 00:06:36,440 --> 00:06:39,960 Speaker 5: going to be a year of God's unprecedented favor. I 132 00:06:40,000 --> 00:06:41,840 Speaker 5: believe it's going to be a year where you see 133 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:44,719 Speaker 5: your family members come in, a year when you see 134 00:06:44,760 --> 00:06:49,640 Speaker 5: your health get better, where you see all kinds of increase, promotion, restoration. 135 00:06:50,279 --> 00:06:53,200 Speaker 5: And we're already seeing so much of that happening. We're 136 00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:56,360 Speaker 5: getting so many good reports. Well, you say, Joe, nothing 137 00:06:56,600 --> 00:06:58,560 Speaker 5: better has happened to me in two thousand and five. 138 00:06:58,640 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 3: It's just all been the same. 139 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:00,160 Speaker 4: Am. 140 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:02,080 Speaker 5: I aren't sure what you're talking about. Well, let me 141 00:07:02,160 --> 00:07:05,800 Speaker 5: challenge you. Don't quit hoping. You've still got five months left. 142 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:08,400 Speaker 5: Why don't you believe that you can get in on it. 143 00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:12,120 Speaker 5: Why don't you start getting up expecting things to change. 144 00:07:13,120 --> 00:07:15,240 Speaker 5: And if for some reason it doesn't happen this year, 145 00:07:15,280 --> 00:07:15,800 Speaker 5: you don't. 146 00:07:15,640 --> 00:07:17,840 Speaker 3: Have to get discouraged. We're gonna believe it's gonna happen 147 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:20,440 Speaker 3: next year. We're gonna stay full of hope. 148 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:22,640 Speaker 5: Well, you say, Joe, what if I get my hopes 149 00:07:22,760 --> 00:07:25,280 Speaker 5: up and nothing happens. What if you get your hopes 150 00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:28,440 Speaker 5: up and something does happen? If you believe, all things 151 00:07:28,440 --> 00:07:31,960 Speaker 5: are possible. But if you go around negative and discouraged 152 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 5: in doubt, I can tell you not very much good 153 00:07:34,560 --> 00:07:36,960 Speaker 5: is gonna happen in your life. What you say, Joe, 154 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:39,120 Speaker 5: My problem is if I get my hopes up and 155 00:07:39,160 --> 00:07:41,480 Speaker 5: it doesn't happen that day, then I'll go to bed 156 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:44,960 Speaker 5: all disappointed. And I don't need another disappointment in my life. 157 00:07:45,400 --> 00:07:47,280 Speaker 5: But really, that's not the way to look at it. 158 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:48,960 Speaker 5: If it doesn't happen, you need to go to bed 159 00:07:49,040 --> 00:07:50,680 Speaker 5: saying Father, I thank you. 160 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:53,280 Speaker 3: Now. I know I'm one day closer to seeing it 161 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:55,040 Speaker 3: come to pass. I know I'm one. 162 00:07:54,920 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 5: Day closer to seeing it turn around. You gotta stay 163 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:01,160 Speaker 5: full of hope. You don't have any hope. You're not 164 00:08:01,200 --> 00:08:04,040 Speaker 5: gonna have any faith. And some of you have allowed 165 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:07,320 Speaker 5: yourself to get negative and discouraged, and you're not really 166 00:08:07,400 --> 00:08:11,040 Speaker 5: believing for anything to get better in your life. You've 167 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:14,480 Speaker 5: lost your enthusiasm, you've lost your passion. But my prayer 168 00:08:14,560 --> 00:08:16,760 Speaker 5: today is that I'm going to light a new fire 169 00:08:16,840 --> 00:08:19,360 Speaker 5: on the inside, and every one of you are going 170 00:08:19,440 --> 00:08:22,640 Speaker 5: to go out of here full of hope, full of expectancy, 171 00:08:22,880 --> 00:08:26,160 Speaker 5: knowing that there are good days up ahead. The scripture 172 00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:29,240 Speaker 5: says there in Zachariaan nine to twelve, if you will 173 00:08:29,280 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 5: be a prisoner of hope, God will restore back to 174 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:35,640 Speaker 5: you double your former prosperity. 175 00:08:36,240 --> 00:08:37,400 Speaker 3: What a great promise. 176 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:40,160 Speaker 5: But really, there are a lot of things we can 177 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:44,880 Speaker 5: be a prisoner to negative thinking, doubt, fear, anger, low 178 00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 5: self esteem. But you notice God wants us to be 179 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:50,960 Speaker 5: a prisoner of hope. And if we'll get up each 180 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:55,360 Speaker 5: day expecting good things he's promised he'll restore back to 181 00:08:55,440 --> 00:08:55,960 Speaker 5: us double. 182 00:08:56,120 --> 00:08:58,439 Speaker 3: He'll do more than we can ask or think. Well, 183 00:08:58,440 --> 00:09:01,040 Speaker 3: what does that mean? To be a prison of hope? 184 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:04,040 Speaker 5: That simply means that no matter what comes against you, 185 00:09:04,040 --> 00:09:06,320 Speaker 5: you don't let it get you down. You get a 186 00:09:06,320 --> 00:09:09,520 Speaker 5: bad report from the doctor, that's okay. I know the 187 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:12,679 Speaker 5: things that are impossible with men are possible with God. 188 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:16,280 Speaker 5: You're struggling in a situation at work today, Well, that's 189 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:19,040 Speaker 5: all right. I know God is fighting my battles for me. 190 00:09:19,360 --> 00:09:22,679 Speaker 5: I know he's making my crooked places straight. Or maybe 191 00:09:22,679 --> 00:09:25,960 Speaker 5: you go through a disappointment, your plans didn't work out. 192 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:29,280 Speaker 5: You're tempted to get all discouraged, But now your attitude 193 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:32,480 Speaker 5: should be God, I know you always have my best 194 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:33,240 Speaker 5: interest at heart. 195 00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:36,120 Speaker 3: This door, yes, it closed, but that means you've got 196 00:09:36,160 --> 00:09:37,280 Speaker 3: something better in store. 197 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:40,040 Speaker 5: Some of you today in the natural, it doesn't really 198 00:09:40,040 --> 00:09:41,960 Speaker 5: look like your dreams are gonna come to pass, and 199 00:09:42,360 --> 00:09:44,480 Speaker 5: you kind of got a good reason to be negative 200 00:09:44,520 --> 00:09:47,320 Speaker 5: and discouraged. I would just challenge you to dig your 201 00:09:47,360 --> 00:09:49,760 Speaker 5: heels in and say no, I'm gonna shake off this 202 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:52,760 Speaker 5: old defeated mentality, and I'm gonna start being a prisoner 203 00:09:52,840 --> 00:09:55,440 Speaker 5: of hope. I know God can make a way in 204 00:09:55,520 --> 00:09:56,920 Speaker 5: my life, and I'm gonna start. 205 00:09:56,800 --> 00:09:58,320 Speaker 3: Believing for his very best. 206 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:01,720 Speaker 5: And when you have that kind of attitude, that allows 207 00:10:01,760 --> 00:10:04,880 Speaker 5: God to restore double back to you. I know, when 208 00:10:04,920 --> 00:10:07,280 Speaker 5: my father went to be with the Lord, we didn't 209 00:10:07,320 --> 00:10:09,760 Speaker 5: really know what we were gonna do. Daddy had not 210 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:13,439 Speaker 5: raised up anyone to take his place and pasture this church, 211 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:16,559 Speaker 5: and really I had only spoken one time before, and 212 00:10:16,600 --> 00:10:19,240 Speaker 5: we were so shocked by my father's death. And of 213 00:10:19,280 --> 00:10:21,679 Speaker 5: course all the critics had been telling us how we 214 00:10:21,679 --> 00:10:24,040 Speaker 5: were gonna go under and how we weren't gonna make it. 215 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:27,240 Speaker 5: But we made a decision early on that we weren't 216 00:10:27,280 --> 00:10:29,199 Speaker 5: going to just look at the things that we could 217 00:10:29,240 --> 00:10:31,319 Speaker 5: see with our physical eyes, but we were going to 218 00:10:31,400 --> 00:10:33,960 Speaker 5: look out through our eyes of faith. We made a 219 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:36,760 Speaker 5: decision that we were going to be prisoners of hope. 220 00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:40,080 Speaker 5: And we kept telling ourselves during that time, God is 221 00:10:40,120 --> 00:10:43,960 Speaker 5: in control, he is guiding us, he's leading us, he's 222 00:10:44,040 --> 00:10:47,000 Speaker 5: giving us what we need. We kept hoping, kept praying, 223 00:10:47,120 --> 00:10:51,080 Speaker 5: kept believing, and it didn't happen overnight. And I can't 224 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:53,719 Speaker 5: say that it was necessarily easy. But I can tell 225 00:10:53,760 --> 00:10:57,520 Speaker 5: you this. As we trusted God, he gave us his wisdom. 226 00:10:57,920 --> 00:11:00,720 Speaker 5: He gave us strength and ability that we didn't have before. 227 00:11:01,160 --> 00:11:03,520 Speaker 5: The church begin to grow, and grow so much so 228 00:11:03,679 --> 00:11:06,120 Speaker 5: that we needed a new place. And even when this 229 00:11:06,280 --> 00:11:11,280 Speaker 5: place became available, it looked impossible as well. But once 230 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:13,959 Speaker 5: again God was faithful and he brought us through with 231 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:16,360 Speaker 5: the victory. I think it about this scripture as I 232 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:19,800 Speaker 5: studied this week. Isn't it interesting that our old auditorium 233 00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:23,160 Speaker 5: held eight thousand people, but now this new place holds 234 00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:27,480 Speaker 5: sixteen thousand, exactly double. And I believe that because we 235 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:31,480 Speaker 5: were prisoners of hope, God restored back to us double 236 00:11:31,520 --> 00:11:34,200 Speaker 5: what we had before. He did more than we could 237 00:11:34,240 --> 00:11:37,160 Speaker 5: even ask or think. And some of you today you 238 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:41,240 Speaker 5: are not expecting enough. You've been through some tough times, 239 00:11:41,280 --> 00:11:43,480 Speaker 5: and you're kind of thinking, man, if I could just 240 00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:46,319 Speaker 5: be as happy as I was before, or if I 241 00:11:46,360 --> 00:11:48,400 Speaker 5: could just get a job back like the one I 242 00:11:48,480 --> 00:11:51,120 Speaker 5: used to have before I got laid off. Now, that's 243 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:53,400 Speaker 5: not the right way to look at it. God doesn't 244 00:11:53,440 --> 00:11:55,520 Speaker 5: want to just bring you out like you were before. 245 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:58,120 Speaker 5: He wants to bring you out better. Off than you 246 00:11:58,200 --> 00:12:01,840 Speaker 5: were before. He wants to increase is. He wants to 247 00:12:01,880 --> 00:12:06,360 Speaker 5: bring you out stronger, happier, healthier. Why don't you get 248 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:08,760 Speaker 5: a vision of that today? Why don't you start believing 249 00:12:08,800 --> 00:12:13,680 Speaker 5: for twice the strength, twice the wisdom, twice the joy, 250 00:12:13,840 --> 00:12:17,400 Speaker 5: twice the income. If you will be a prisoner of hope, 251 00:12:17,640 --> 00:12:20,679 Speaker 5: God will restored double back to you. Now, I'm not 252 00:12:20,720 --> 00:12:24,040 Speaker 5: saying this happens overnight. Really, what I'm talking about today 253 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:27,880 Speaker 5: is living a lifestyle of expecting good things, living a 254 00:12:27,920 --> 00:12:31,600 Speaker 5: lifestyle of believing for the best. I know this young 255 00:12:31,679 --> 00:12:34,040 Speaker 5: lady a few years ago, she had to have an 256 00:12:34,080 --> 00:12:38,000 Speaker 5: emergency surgery and for some reason, it wasn't covered on 257 00:12:38,120 --> 00:12:38,920 Speaker 5: her insurance. 258 00:12:38,920 --> 00:12:39,760 Speaker 3: It was a kind of. 259 00:12:39,720 --> 00:12:42,520 Speaker 5: Odd little loophole there, and she ended up owing the 260 00:12:42,520 --> 00:12:46,360 Speaker 5: hospital over twenty seven thousand dollars. She was very young, 261 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:48,920 Speaker 5: she didn't have that kind of extra money, and so 262 00:12:48,960 --> 00:12:51,240 Speaker 5: they worked out a payment plan with the hospital where 263 00:12:51,280 --> 00:12:54,080 Speaker 5: she was paying them back a little each week. And 264 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:56,760 Speaker 5: she really couldn't afford this. She was really struggling. 265 00:12:57,120 --> 00:12:59,560 Speaker 3: She was a single mom, and this was just causing 266 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:02,479 Speaker 3: her to get behind. But you know, she didn't. 267 00:13:02,240 --> 00:13:06,559 Speaker 5: Get discouraged, she didn't go around complaining about how life 268 00:13:06,600 --> 00:13:08,440 Speaker 5: wasn't gonna get any better and why did. 269 00:13:08,280 --> 00:13:09,000 Speaker 3: This happen to me? 270 00:13:09,640 --> 00:13:12,480 Speaker 5: No, she was a prisoner of hope. She stayed in 271 00:13:12,520 --> 00:13:15,160 Speaker 5: that attitude of faith. She said, God, I know you're 272 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:17,800 Speaker 5: in control. I don't know how I'm ever gonna pay 273 00:13:17,840 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 5: this debt back. I don't know how I'm ever gonna 274 00:13:20,120 --> 00:13:22,600 Speaker 5: be well off. But God, I know you can make 275 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:25,240 Speaker 5: a way. And see, you got to realize your job 276 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:28,640 Speaker 5: is not your source. God is your source. One time, 277 00:13:28,679 --> 00:13:34,080 Speaker 5: when when Peter needed money to pay his taxes, Jesus said, Peter, 278 00:13:34,520 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 5: just go. 279 00:13:34,920 --> 00:13:37,800 Speaker 3: Down to the lake and the first. 280 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:40,319 Speaker 5: Fish you catch, it's gonna have enough money in it 281 00:13:40,480 --> 00:13:42,480 Speaker 5: for both yours and my taxes. 282 00:13:42,960 --> 00:13:45,480 Speaker 3: He did it, and sure enough, that's exactly what happened. 283 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:47,680 Speaker 5: I know some of you are already planning to go 284 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:52,160 Speaker 5: fishing tomorrow, aren't you, But don't limit God be a 285 00:13:52,280 --> 00:13:55,280 Speaker 5: prisoner of hope. Some of you think, Man, I could 286 00:13:55,320 --> 00:13:58,120 Speaker 5: never be well off. I could never pay my house off, 287 00:13:58,120 --> 00:13:59,760 Speaker 5: I could never get out of debt, I could never 288 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:02,440 Speaker 5: see my dreams come to pass. Quit thinking like that, 289 00:14:02,720 --> 00:14:04,359 Speaker 5: Stay hopeful, stay expected. 290 00:14:04,480 --> 00:14:05,480 Speaker 3: God can make away. 291 00:14:06,120 --> 00:14:08,440 Speaker 5: This is just what this young lady did, and do 292 00:14:08,480 --> 00:14:11,840 Speaker 5: you know a few days before Christmas that year, she 293 00:14:11,920 --> 00:14:14,680 Speaker 5: got a letter in the mail from the hospital. They said, 294 00:14:14,720 --> 00:14:17,400 Speaker 5: every year we like to choose a few families and 295 00:14:17,440 --> 00:14:20,960 Speaker 5: do something special for them, and this year, we've chosen you, 296 00:14:21,280 --> 00:14:23,640 Speaker 5: and we're just writing to inform you that we are 297 00:14:23,720 --> 00:14:29,280 Speaker 5: canceling your twenty seven thousand dollars debt. And if that 298 00:14:29,440 --> 00:14:32,640 Speaker 5: wasn't good enough, the letter went on to say, not 299 00:14:32,760 --> 00:14:35,200 Speaker 5: only are we going to forgive your debt, but we 300 00:14:35,240 --> 00:14:38,480 Speaker 5: are going to refund to you the several thousand dollars 301 00:14:38,600 --> 00:14:41,800 Speaker 5: that you've already paid us. That's God doing more than 302 00:14:41,840 --> 00:14:44,760 Speaker 5: you could even ask or think. Hey, you say, Joel, 303 00:14:44,840 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 5: that never happened to me. Man, you don't know my luck. Listen, 304 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:51,480 Speaker 5: You're exactly right, It'll never happen with that kind of attitude. 305 00:14:51,520 --> 00:14:54,400 Speaker 5: You got to be a prisoner of hope. And it 306 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:56,480 Speaker 5: may look impossible to you, but let. 307 00:14:56,360 --> 00:14:58,960 Speaker 3: Me just remind you. Our God is the god that 308 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 3: created the universe. He's the God that flung the stars 309 00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:03,040 Speaker 3: into space. 310 00:15:03,480 --> 00:15:06,680 Speaker 5: Your enemies may be powerful, but our God is all powerful. 311 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:09,640 Speaker 5: Your obstacles may be high, but our God is the 312 00:15:09,720 --> 00:15:12,840 Speaker 5: most high. And the good news is he loves you, 313 00:15:13,520 --> 00:15:16,800 Speaker 5: He's for you, He's on your side. He wants to 314 00:15:16,840 --> 00:15:19,640 Speaker 5: take the negative that's been brought into your life and 315 00:15:19,680 --> 00:15:22,240 Speaker 5: turn it around and use it to your advantage. He 316 00:15:22,280 --> 00:15:24,920 Speaker 5: wants to pay you back double. You've got to do 317 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:28,440 Speaker 5: your part be a prisoner of hope. I was thinking 318 00:15:28,480 --> 00:15:31,560 Speaker 5: about Abraham. God promised him that he was going to 319 00:15:31,600 --> 00:15:34,040 Speaker 5: have a son, But you know the story. He was 320 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:36,800 Speaker 5: much too old, and in the natural it was an 321 00:15:36,800 --> 00:15:40,720 Speaker 5: impossible situation. But I love what the scripture says about him. 322 00:15:40,760 --> 00:15:44,960 Speaker 5: In Romans four eighteen. It says that all human reason 323 00:15:45,160 --> 00:15:48,720 Speaker 5: for hope being gone. What Abraham do He hoped on 324 00:15:48,840 --> 00:15:52,040 Speaker 5: in faith. And you may be here just like Abraham 325 00:15:52,080 --> 00:15:55,200 Speaker 5: today in the natural. You don't have any reason in 326 00:15:55,240 --> 00:15:56,240 Speaker 5: the world to be hopeful. 327 00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:57,400 Speaker 3: When you look at your. 328 00:15:57,240 --> 00:15:59,520 Speaker 5: Health, you look at your finance, as you look at your. 329 00:15:59,400 --> 00:16:01,280 Speaker 3: Marriage, seems impossible. 330 00:16:01,760 --> 00:16:04,120 Speaker 5: And I'm sure you're hearing the same lies he heard. 331 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:07,160 Speaker 5: It's never gonna change, it's never gonna get any better. 332 00:16:07,280 --> 00:16:09,840 Speaker 5: You're gonna be that way the rest of your life. Now, 333 00:16:09,920 --> 00:16:12,360 Speaker 5: let me challenge you to do what Abraham did and 334 00:16:12,480 --> 00:16:15,920 Speaker 5: hope on in faith anyway that means dare to believe 335 00:16:16,560 --> 00:16:17,960 Speaker 5: dare to go out each day. 336 00:16:17,880 --> 00:16:19,680 Speaker 3: Expecting things to change. 337 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:21,800 Speaker 5: Now, as I said, I know some of you have 338 00:16:21,880 --> 00:16:24,600 Speaker 5: been in that situation a long time. You say, Jee, 339 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:27,400 Speaker 5: I've been praying for my children to get on track 340 00:16:27,600 --> 00:16:30,480 Speaker 5: year after year after year, but they're not doing any better. 341 00:16:31,200 --> 00:16:33,440 Speaker 5: Or I've been praying for my spouse to come to church, 342 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:34,680 Speaker 5: but he's not interested. 343 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:38,040 Speaker 3: I don't think it's ever gonna happen. Now, what I'm saying. 344 00:16:37,760 --> 00:16:39,840 Speaker 5: To you today is you got to keep on believing, 345 00:16:40,200 --> 00:16:43,560 Speaker 5: keep on praying, keep on hoping, and understand this. 346 00:16:43,920 --> 00:16:47,440 Speaker 3: There's no situation too difficult for God. There's no person 347 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:48,360 Speaker 3: that is too. 348 00:16:48,160 --> 00:16:50,960 Speaker 5: Far gone for our God. I know this young man. 349 00:16:51,120 --> 00:16:54,200 Speaker 5: At one time he was living as an outlaw biker 350 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:57,440 Speaker 5: who was running with one of these motorcycle gangs. And 351 00:16:57,680 --> 00:17:00,960 Speaker 5: he was always high on some kind of drug, involved 352 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:02,960 Speaker 5: in all kinds of illegal activity. 353 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:05,920 Speaker 3: I mean, his life was totally out of control. 354 00:17:06,359 --> 00:17:08,159 Speaker 5: He told me, Joel, when I got up in the morning, 355 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:10,280 Speaker 5: the first thing I would do was go get high. 356 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:13,000 Speaker 5: He was in and out of jail all the time. 357 00:17:13,400 --> 00:17:16,639 Speaker 5: Year after year, things got worse and worse. You wouldn't 358 00:17:16,680 --> 00:17:19,840 Speaker 5: think there's any hope for this young man. But do 359 00:17:19,880 --> 00:17:23,240 Speaker 5: you know all that time back at home, he. 360 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:26,440 Speaker 3: Had a mother that was praying. She refused to give 361 00:17:26,520 --> 00:17:27,080 Speaker 3: up on him. 362 00:17:27,240 --> 00:17:30,439 Speaker 5: She was a prisoner of hope, and even though it 363 00:17:30,480 --> 00:17:33,440 Speaker 5: looked impossible, she just kept on believing. 364 00:17:33,680 --> 00:17:35,960 Speaker 3: Like Abraham, she kept hoping on in faith. 365 00:17:36,680 --> 00:17:40,320 Speaker 5: And one Mother's day, out of the clear blue, this big, 366 00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:45,560 Speaker 5: tough biker walked into Lakewood Church, long beard, tattoos and all. 367 00:17:45,840 --> 00:17:47,320 Speaker 3: He was as high as a kite. 368 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:50,360 Speaker 5: And for some reason, the usher that day took him 369 00:17:50,440 --> 00:17:52,760 Speaker 5: all the way down to the front and set him 370 00:17:52,840 --> 00:17:55,679 Speaker 5: on the second row, and all of a sudden he 371 00:17:55,760 --> 00:17:58,280 Speaker 5: began to feel the love the presence of God, and 372 00:17:58,480 --> 00:18:01,680 Speaker 5: he said it instantly sobered him up. When he left 373 00:18:01,720 --> 00:18:03,920 Speaker 5: that day, he went out into the parking lot all 374 00:18:03,960 --> 00:18:06,960 Speaker 5: by himself, and in front of his motorcycle, he got 375 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:09,640 Speaker 5: down on his knees and asked Jesus to come into 376 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:13,520 Speaker 5: his life. He said immediately, the desire for drugs and 377 00:18:13,560 --> 00:18:15,400 Speaker 5: alcohol left him in an instant. 378 00:18:15,440 --> 00:18:17,600 Speaker 3: He was set for in an instant, he was changed. 379 00:18:18,119 --> 00:18:20,879 Speaker 5: To make a long story short, today, that young man 380 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:23,000 Speaker 5: is a pastor of a church here in town. He 381 00:18:23,040 --> 00:18:25,600 Speaker 5: goes all over the world telling his story, and do 382 00:18:25,640 --> 00:18:27,840 Speaker 5: you know what God did for him, he can do 383 00:18:27,880 --> 00:18:30,200 Speaker 5: for any one of you. What God did for that 384 00:18:30,240 --> 00:18:32,359 Speaker 5: young man, he could do for your son, your daughter, 385 00:18:32,480 --> 00:18:33,120 Speaker 5: your relative. 386 00:18:33,520 --> 00:18:36,200 Speaker 3: There is nobody too far gone with our God. 387 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:39,120 Speaker 5: And it may not look like anything's happening to you, 388 00:18:39,320 --> 00:18:42,640 Speaker 5: but you need to know God is working behind the scenes, 389 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:44,600 Speaker 5: and you got to just do like that little mother, 390 00:18:44,840 --> 00:18:48,520 Speaker 5: keep hoping on in faith. I remember my father told 391 00:18:48,920 --> 00:18:52,919 Speaker 5: how his father, my grandfather, for years and years he 392 00:18:52,920 --> 00:18:55,639 Speaker 5: wouldn't have anything to do with the things of God. 393 00:18:56,400 --> 00:18:59,240 Speaker 5: He said, John, there's nothing to all that religious stuff. 394 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:00,520 Speaker 3: When I'm dead, I'm. 395 00:19:00,359 --> 00:19:02,840 Speaker 5: Dead like a dog just rolled me over in the ditch. 396 00:19:03,359 --> 00:19:06,960 Speaker 5: Daddy said, no, no, that's not right. Year after year, though, 397 00:19:07,240 --> 00:19:10,240 Speaker 5: we didn't see any change in my grandfather. And here 398 00:19:10,280 --> 00:19:13,320 Speaker 5: my father was a well known minister going all over 399 00:19:13,359 --> 00:19:17,119 Speaker 5: the world, yet his own dad didn't believe. But Daddy 400 00:19:17,280 --> 00:19:20,760 Speaker 5: never gave up on him. He was a prisoner of hope. 401 00:19:20,880 --> 00:19:22,880 Speaker 5: He knew my grandfather. 402 00:19:22,520 --> 00:19:23,639 Speaker 3: Was subject to change. 403 00:19:24,480 --> 00:19:27,520 Speaker 5: And one weekend, my father was holding a series of 404 00:19:27,560 --> 00:19:30,639 Speaker 5: meetings there in the Dallas area where my grandparents lived, 405 00:19:30,680 --> 00:19:33,040 Speaker 5: and he invited them to come out to the meetings. 406 00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:35,160 Speaker 3: And Granddaddy had never really been. 407 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:37,600 Speaker 5: To church before, but he said he would come, and 408 00:19:37,640 --> 00:19:41,240 Speaker 5: he was there Friday night. Nothing happened. Saturday night, nothing happened, 409 00:19:41,280 --> 00:19:44,159 Speaker 5: just sat there. But on Sunday morning, right in the 410 00:19:44,200 --> 00:19:47,840 Speaker 5: middle of my dad's sermon, my grandfather got up from 411 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:50,400 Speaker 5: the back of that little church and he walked down 412 00:19:50,440 --> 00:19:53,600 Speaker 5: the aisle, walked past the altar, he walked all the 413 00:19:53,640 --> 00:19:55,120 Speaker 5: way up onto the platform. 414 00:19:55,480 --> 00:19:57,439 Speaker 3: My dad had to stop his sermon. He said, Daddy, 415 00:19:57,480 --> 00:19:58,680 Speaker 3: what are you doing? What do you want? 416 00:19:59,000 --> 00:20:01,439 Speaker 5: He said, John, want to give my life to Christ now. 417 00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:04,480 Speaker 5: I want to do it right now. And do you know, 418 00:20:05,040 --> 00:20:09,000 Speaker 5: from that day forward, my grandfather never missed another service. 419 00:20:09,600 --> 00:20:12,560 Speaker 5: His favorite thing in the world was the fact that 420 00:20:12,560 --> 00:20:15,359 Speaker 5: that church had asked him to be an usher. You 421 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:17,400 Speaker 5: would have thought that asked him to be the president 422 00:20:17,440 --> 00:20:18,520 Speaker 5: of the United States. 423 00:20:18,680 --> 00:20:20,000 Speaker 3: He was so honored. 424 00:20:20,560 --> 00:20:23,240 Speaker 5: When Granddaddy died, he only had one suit to his name. 425 00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:26,679 Speaker 5: When they checked the pockets, it was full of gospel tracts. 426 00:20:26,960 --> 00:20:29,399 Speaker 3: Everywhere he went. He couldn't wait to tell people what 427 00:20:29,520 --> 00:20:30,560 Speaker 3: God had done for him. 428 00:20:30,960 --> 00:20:33,800 Speaker 5: But see what my father couldn't do in years and years, 429 00:20:34,000 --> 00:20:37,520 Speaker 5: God did in a split second of time, God suddenly 430 00:20:37,560 --> 00:20:38,399 Speaker 5: touched his heart. 431 00:20:38,680 --> 00:20:41,439 Speaker 3: God suddenly took the blinders off of him. 432 00:20:41,960 --> 00:20:45,199 Speaker 5: And it doesn't matter what your family's situation looks like. 433 00:20:45,560 --> 00:20:50,040 Speaker 5: God can turn any person around. Don't quit believing for him, 434 00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:53,800 Speaker 5: don't quit hoping. You may not think anything is happening, 435 00:20:53,960 --> 00:20:57,080 Speaker 5: but you can rest assured as long as you're in faith. 436 00:20:57,320 --> 00:21:01,119 Speaker 5: God is working behind the scenes a promise just like 437 00:21:01,200 --> 00:21:04,399 Speaker 5: Abraham had, and it says, as for me and my house, 438 00:21:04,560 --> 00:21:05,800 Speaker 5: we will serve the Lord. 439 00:21:06,520 --> 00:21:08,680 Speaker 3: It may not look like today it's ever gonna happen. 440 00:21:09,240 --> 00:21:11,359 Speaker 5: But the good news is it's not our part to 441 00:21:11,359 --> 00:21:14,400 Speaker 5: figure out how it's gonna happen. It's our part to believe. 442 00:21:14,840 --> 00:21:17,720 Speaker 5: It's our part to be a prisoner of hope. Don't 443 00:21:17,720 --> 00:21:19,879 Speaker 5: give up on your family. Don't give up on your children, 444 00:21:19,960 --> 00:21:24,640 Speaker 5: your relatives. I think about the mother of Moses. When 445 00:21:24,680 --> 00:21:28,280 Speaker 5: Moses was just a little baby, Phedro put out a 446 00:21:28,320 --> 00:21:32,080 Speaker 5: decree that all the male children two years old and 447 00:21:32,200 --> 00:21:36,080 Speaker 5: under would be killed. In Moses' mother, she could have 448 00:21:36,119 --> 00:21:39,680 Speaker 5: easily just given up. She could have easily thought, well, 449 00:21:39,840 --> 00:21:42,639 Speaker 5: too bad, just my luck, picked the wrong time to 450 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:45,400 Speaker 5: have a baby. But know that lady was a prisoner 451 00:21:45,440 --> 00:21:48,600 Speaker 5: of hope. She got little Moses, and she hit him 452 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:51,600 Speaker 5: away for three months time. When she didn't think she 453 00:21:51,640 --> 00:21:54,399 Speaker 5: could hide him any longer, she wrapped him up in 454 00:21:54,400 --> 00:21:57,200 Speaker 5: a blanket and she put him in a basket and 455 00:21:57,240 --> 00:22:00,480 Speaker 5: set him in the Nile River. And as he was 456 00:22:00,520 --> 00:22:03,840 Speaker 5: floating by a pharaoh's palace, all of a sudden, one 457 00:22:03,880 --> 00:22:06,960 Speaker 5: of Pharaoh's daughters decided to go out to the river 458 00:22:07,080 --> 00:22:09,600 Speaker 5: and take a bath. And when she did, she heard 459 00:22:09,640 --> 00:22:12,040 Speaker 5: the little baby crying, and she asked somebody to go 460 00:22:12,080 --> 00:22:14,600 Speaker 5: get him. And when they brought him back and she 461 00:22:14,720 --> 00:22:17,800 Speaker 5: saw baby Moses, she fell in love with him. She said, 462 00:22:17,800 --> 00:22:19,800 Speaker 5: this is going to be my child. I'm going to 463 00:22:19,880 --> 00:22:22,520 Speaker 5: take care of him. And she knew she needed to 464 00:22:22,520 --> 00:22:25,199 Speaker 5: feed him, and so she asked the ladies if there 465 00:22:25,240 --> 00:22:27,040 Speaker 5: was anybody there that could nurse the baby. 466 00:22:27,359 --> 00:22:30,240 Speaker 3: They went and found Moses' mother. She came back and said, 467 00:22:30,240 --> 00:22:31,360 Speaker 3: I'll be glad to do it. 468 00:22:31,880 --> 00:22:36,399 Speaker 5: And see, God not only supernaturally spared Moses' life, but 469 00:22:36,520 --> 00:22:38,719 Speaker 5: his mother was able to help raise him. And on 470 00:22:38,760 --> 00:22:42,520 Speaker 5: top of that, Pharaoh paid for it all. And if 471 00:22:42,560 --> 00:22:47,240 Speaker 5: you too will commit your children into God's hands, if 472 00:22:47,280 --> 00:22:49,600 Speaker 5: you'll not give up on your children, God will do 473 00:22:49,680 --> 00:22:52,960 Speaker 5: for you what he did for this lady, he'll supernaturally 474 00:22:52,960 --> 00:22:56,640 Speaker 5: protect your children. He'll supernaturally take care of them. Think 475 00:22:56,640 --> 00:23:00,359 Speaker 5: about how difficult it must have been for that to 476 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:04,800 Speaker 5: put her son into the Nile River, where the alligators were, 477 00:23:05,119 --> 00:23:08,160 Speaker 5: where the snakes were in the deep waters. But see, 478 00:23:08,160 --> 00:23:10,919 Speaker 5: when you trust God with your children, he'll cause the 479 00:23:10,960 --> 00:23:15,080 Speaker 5: alligators to life. Still, he'll cause the snakes to stay away. 480 00:23:15,280 --> 00:23:17,679 Speaker 5: The scripture says, when you go through the deep waters, 481 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:20,760 Speaker 5: you won't go under. When you go through the floods, 482 00:23:20,760 --> 00:23:21,680 Speaker 5: you're not gonna drown. 483 00:23:21,720 --> 00:23:23,840 Speaker 3: When you go through the fire, you're not going to 484 00:23:23,920 --> 00:23:24,399 Speaker 3: be burned. 485 00:23:24,560 --> 00:23:27,639 Speaker 5: That's what happens when you're a prisoner of hope. You 486 00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:29,760 Speaker 5: may say, Joe, you don't know my children. I just 487 00:23:29,920 --> 00:23:32,000 Speaker 5: don't think they're ever going to straighten up. No, don't 488 00:23:32,040 --> 00:23:34,919 Speaker 5: quit believing, don't ever give up. If you'll be a 489 00:23:34,960 --> 00:23:38,080 Speaker 5: prisoner of hope, God will not only bring them out, 490 00:23:38,280 --> 00:23:38,920 Speaker 5: he'll bring them. 491 00:23:38,800 --> 00:23:40,399 Speaker 3: Out better off than they were before. 492 00:23:40,880 --> 00:23:41,000 Speaker 5: Now. 493 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:43,800 Speaker 3: I don't know what you're up against today. You may 494 00:23:43,840 --> 00:23:46,320 Speaker 3: be facing the situation in your family. 495 00:23:46,280 --> 00:23:49,600 Speaker 5: Or your health, your marriage, and you know it just 496 00:23:49,640 --> 00:23:52,480 Speaker 5: looks impossible. It'd be so easy for you to go 497 00:23:52,560 --> 00:23:54,280 Speaker 5: through life negative and defeated. 498 00:23:54,760 --> 00:23:57,720 Speaker 3: But I'm asking you today to keep hope alive. 499 00:23:58,440 --> 00:24:00,359 Speaker 5: Don't just look at what you can see with your 500 00:24:00,359 --> 00:24:03,040 Speaker 5: physical eyes. God says that's only temporary. 501 00:24:03,320 --> 00:24:05,359 Speaker 3: Dare to look out through your eyes of faith. 502 00:24:05,920 --> 00:24:08,800 Speaker 5: As long as you have hope, your situation is subject 503 00:24:08,800 --> 00:24:12,119 Speaker 5: to change. As long as you've got that attitude of faith, 504 00:24:12,320 --> 00:24:16,480 Speaker 5: you are activating God's supernatural power. This is exactly what 505 00:24:16,560 --> 00:24:19,000 Speaker 5: Elijah had to do. One time, there was a great 506 00:24:19,080 --> 00:24:21,440 Speaker 5: drought in the land. For three and a half years, 507 00:24:21,440 --> 00:24:24,440 Speaker 5: it hadn't rained, and the people were very desperate for water. 508 00:24:24,920 --> 00:24:27,119 Speaker 5: And so Elijah went on top of the mountain to pray, 509 00:24:27,760 --> 00:24:29,560 Speaker 5: and God spoke to him and told him that it 510 00:24:29,680 --> 00:24:32,199 Speaker 5: was going to rain. And so now he's got this 511 00:24:32,359 --> 00:24:35,200 Speaker 5: promise in his heart. Just like many of you, you're 512 00:24:35,240 --> 00:24:39,359 Speaker 5: believing for something to change. But in the natural Elijah 513 00:24:39,359 --> 00:24:42,359 Speaker 5: didn't see any sign of rain. The skies were just 514 00:24:42,400 --> 00:24:45,920 Speaker 5: as clear as they had been year after year. But see, 515 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:49,159 Speaker 5: Elijah knew the secret to not just look with his 516 00:24:49,280 --> 00:24:51,119 Speaker 5: natural eyes. He knew how to look out through his 517 00:24:51,160 --> 00:24:54,040 Speaker 5: eyes of faith, and he could see the rain coming down. 518 00:24:54,480 --> 00:24:55,200 Speaker 2: He knew the. 519 00:24:55,200 --> 00:24:58,600 Speaker 5: Situation was subject to change, and so he acted in 520 00:24:58,640 --> 00:25:01,600 Speaker 5: faith He told one of his servants go out on 521 00:25:01,640 --> 00:25:04,080 Speaker 5: the other side of the mountain and look up and 522 00:25:04,119 --> 00:25:07,160 Speaker 5: see if you can see any sign of rain. Servant 523 00:25:07,200 --> 00:25:10,800 Speaker 5: went out, came back a few minutes later. He said, no, Elijah, 524 00:25:10,960 --> 00:25:13,480 Speaker 5: the skies are perfectly clear. I didn't see anything. It's 525 00:25:13,480 --> 00:25:17,520 Speaker 5: not gonna rain. But do you know Elijah didn't get discouraged. 526 00:25:17,960 --> 00:25:20,400 Speaker 5: He didn't say, well, I must not have heard God right. 527 00:25:20,680 --> 00:25:24,320 Speaker 5: It's never gonna rain. This situation is never gonna change. No, 528 00:25:24,480 --> 00:25:27,600 Speaker 5: he knew that God would be faithful to his word, 529 00:25:27,840 --> 00:25:30,080 Speaker 5: and he didn't lose his hope. He simply told the 530 00:25:30,080 --> 00:25:34,000 Speaker 5: servant go back and look again. Servant went back, came 531 00:25:34,040 --> 00:25:36,600 Speaker 5: back a few minutes later. He said, Elijah, you're just 532 00:25:36,640 --> 00:25:38,719 Speaker 5: wasting my time. I told you it's not gonna rain. 533 00:25:38,760 --> 00:25:41,760 Speaker 5: There's not a cloud in the sky. I love what 534 00:25:41,800 --> 00:25:44,879 Speaker 5: Elijah did. He said, we'll go back and look again 535 00:25:45,560 --> 00:25:48,600 Speaker 5: and see. That's a prisoner of hope. He didn't allow 536 00:25:48,760 --> 00:25:51,600 Speaker 5: the negative circumstances to cause him to give up. 537 00:25:51,920 --> 00:25:54,440 Speaker 3: He didn't allow that negative report. 538 00:25:54,240 --> 00:25:56,720 Speaker 5: To cause him to just lose his hope and get 539 00:25:56,760 --> 00:25:59,560 Speaker 5: all discouraged. He just kept looking out through his eyes 540 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:02,640 Speaker 5: of faith and seeing that rain come down. He told 541 00:26:02,680 --> 00:26:05,520 Speaker 5: that servant to go back again and again and again 542 00:26:05,640 --> 00:26:08,760 Speaker 5: and again. Finally, on the seventh time, the young man 543 00:26:08,800 --> 00:26:11,200 Speaker 5: came back and he said, Elijah, I don't want you 544 00:26:11,240 --> 00:26:14,040 Speaker 5: to get your hopes up, but this time I did 545 00:26:14,160 --> 00:26:16,320 Speaker 5: see just a little cloud beginning to form. 546 00:26:16,480 --> 00:26:18,960 Speaker 3: Wasn't much, just the size of a man's hand. 547 00:26:19,920 --> 00:26:23,400 Speaker 5: I can imagine Elijah's face lit up. He said, son, 548 00:26:23,520 --> 00:26:26,639 Speaker 5: you better get your umbrella and take off running, because 549 00:26:26,680 --> 00:26:29,040 Speaker 5: that rain that I've already seen through my eyes of 550 00:26:29,040 --> 00:26:31,639 Speaker 5: faith is about to unload out of these skies. And 551 00:26:31,640 --> 00:26:34,320 Speaker 5: sure enough, the Bible says it wasn't any time before 552 00:26:34,359 --> 00:26:37,360 Speaker 5: the heavens opened up and the rain came down. Well, 553 00:26:37,400 --> 00:26:40,040 Speaker 5: you too may be in some kind of drought today. 554 00:26:40,160 --> 00:26:43,280 Speaker 5: You've been praying, believe in hoping, but you don't see 555 00:26:43,280 --> 00:26:44,080 Speaker 5: anything happening. 556 00:26:44,520 --> 00:26:45,359 Speaker 3: Just like that servant. 557 00:26:45,400 --> 00:26:48,200 Speaker 5: Every time you go look, doesn't look like anything's getting better, 558 00:26:48,400 --> 00:26:51,639 Speaker 5: doesn't look like anything's changing. But I would encourage you 559 00:26:52,040 --> 00:26:54,480 Speaker 5: to do what that young man did. Go back and 560 00:26:54,520 --> 00:26:57,440 Speaker 5: look again and again and again and again. 561 00:26:57,680 --> 00:26:58,880 Speaker 3: Don't ever give up. 562 00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:02,600 Speaker 5: Even though you don't see anything happening with your physical eyes. 563 00:27:02,920 --> 00:27:05,719 Speaker 5: You need to know that behind the scenes God is 564 00:27:05,880 --> 00:27:09,280 Speaker 5: changing things in your favor, and if you'll keep seeing 565 00:27:09,280 --> 00:27:11,320 Speaker 5: it through your eyes of faith and keep being a 566 00:27:11,320 --> 00:27:14,840 Speaker 5: prisoner of hope, one day you're gonna see a little 567 00:27:14,880 --> 00:27:17,080 Speaker 5: cloud starting to form. One day you're gonna see things 568 00:27:17,080 --> 00:27:20,320 Speaker 5: start to change, and all the sudden, because heavens will 569 00:27:20,320 --> 00:27:23,199 Speaker 5: open up, suddenly, God will bring the promise to pass. 570 00:27:23,760 --> 00:27:26,000 Speaker 5: And so I want to encourage you again, no matter 571 00:27:26,040 --> 00:27:28,000 Speaker 5: what you're up against, no matter how long you've been 572 00:27:28,119 --> 00:27:32,040 Speaker 5: that way, it is subject to change. It is not permanent, 573 00:27:32,119 --> 00:27:35,040 Speaker 5: it's temporary. Didn't come to stay, it came to pass, 574 00:27:35,359 --> 00:27:37,360 Speaker 5: and you need to hear what God is saying. There 575 00:27:37,400 --> 00:27:40,160 Speaker 5: are good days up ahead for each one of you. 576 00:27:41,520 --> 00:27:44,480 Speaker 5: But listen, we've got to do our part and dig 577 00:27:44,560 --> 00:27:47,479 Speaker 5: our heels in and be a prisoner of hope. Why 578 00:27:47,520 --> 00:27:50,680 Speaker 5: don't you go out each day expecting things to change. Remember, 579 00:27:50,720 --> 00:27:52,800 Speaker 5: all it takes is one touch of God's favor. 580 00:27:53,440 --> 00:27:53,880 Speaker 3: Suddenly. 581 00:27:53,920 --> 00:27:56,840 Speaker 5: God can turn around any situation. And the good news 582 00:27:56,960 --> 00:28:00,080 Speaker 5: is it could happen today. And I really believe if 583 00:28:00,119 --> 00:28:03,040 Speaker 5: some of you are right around the corner from seeing 584 00:28:03,080 --> 00:28:06,359 Speaker 5: a major breakthrough take place in your life, a major 585 00:28:06,400 --> 00:28:10,680 Speaker 5: turning point, I would just encourage you to not give 586 00:28:10,800 --> 00:28:12,040 Speaker 5: up before it gets here. 587 00:28:12,400 --> 00:28:13,160 Speaker 3: Stay hopeful. 588 00:28:13,800 --> 00:28:17,240 Speaker 5: Abraham waited in faith for nearly twenty years, day in 589 00:28:17,280 --> 00:28:18,000 Speaker 5: and day out. 590 00:28:17,840 --> 00:28:18,960 Speaker 3: Before the promise came. 591 00:28:19,280 --> 00:28:21,359 Speaker 5: And if you will be a prisoner of hope, God 592 00:28:21,400 --> 00:28:23,680 Speaker 5: promises he'll not only bring you out, he'll bring you 593 00:28:23,720 --> 00:28:25,200 Speaker 5: out better off than you were before. 594 00:28:25,320 --> 00:28:28,040 Speaker 3: He'll bring you out with double amen. Can you give 595 00:28:28,040 --> 00:28:29,480 Speaker 3: a lord a shatter? Pray today? 596 00:28:31,920 --> 00:28:34,879 Speaker 5: We never like to close our broadcast without giving you 597 00:28:34,920 --> 00:28:37,800 Speaker 5: an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 598 00:28:38,000 --> 00:28:38,920 Speaker 3: Would you pray with me? 599 00:28:39,520 --> 00:28:44,680 Speaker 5: Just say, Lord Jesus, I'll repent of my sins. Come 600 00:28:44,680 --> 00:28:49,560 Speaker 5: into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. Friends, 601 00:28:49,560 --> 00:28:51,880 Speaker 5: if you've prayed that simple prayer, we believe. 602 00:28:51,600 --> 00:28:52,480 Speaker 3: You got born again. 603 00:28:52,840 --> 00:28:56,000 Speaker 5: Get in a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. 604 00:28:56,240 --> 00:28:58,720 Speaker 5: He's going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 605 00:28:59,360 --> 00:29:02,800 Speaker 6: Thank you for listening to the Joelo's Deein podcast. Help 606 00:29:02,880 --> 00:29:05,600 Speaker 6: us continue to share the message of hope with those 607 00:29:05,720 --> 00:29:09,600 Speaker 6: all over the world. Visit Jolostein dot com slash give 608 00:29:09,680 --> 00:29:11,360 Speaker 6: Hope to give a gift today. 609 00:29:12,640 --> 00:29:15,080 Speaker 3: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. 610 00:29:15,200 --> 00:29:17,960 Speaker 5: I hope you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest 611 00:29:18,000 --> 00:29:21,080 Speaker 5: podcast to keep you inspired all through the week. 612 00:29:21,280 --> 00:29:24,160 Speaker 3: We're praying for you. I know God's best is still ahead. 613 00:29:24,360 --> 00:29:25,480 Speaker 3: We'll see you next time. 614 00:29:32,520 --> 00:29:34,520 Speaker 7: Summer is here and our sleep is just as important 615 00:29:34,520 --> 00:29:35,479 Speaker 7: as our weekend plans. 616 00:29:35,600 --> 00:29:37,280 Speaker 6: So get the sleep you deserve with Lisa. 617 00:29:37,400 --> 00:29:39,360 Speaker 7: For a limited time, save up to seven hundred dollars 618 00:29:39,400 --> 00:29:42,560 Speaker 7: off select mattresses plus two free pillows during our summer sale. 619 00:29:42,680 --> 00:29:45,040 Speaker 7: Check out our hybrid mattress designed to keep you cool 620 00:29:45,080 --> 00:29:47,959 Speaker 7: during those hot summer nights. Lisa also offers free shipping 621 00:29:48,080 --> 00:29:49,920 Speaker 7: and a risk free one hundred night trial. 622 00:29:50,120 --> 00:29:51,320 Speaker 6: Get the Sleep you deserve. 623 00:29:51,560 --> 00:29:53,480 Speaker 7: Shop our summer sale now and save up to seven 624 00:29:53,560 --> 00:29:55,800 Speaker 7: hundred dollars off select mattresses. 625 00:29:55,280 --> 00:29:56,800 Speaker 6: Plus two free pillows at. 626 00:29:56,680 --> 00:29:59,800 Speaker 7: Lisa dot com. That's l E E SA dot com. 627 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:00,720 Speaker 7: Exclusions applied. 628 00:30:00,760 --> 00:30:02,160 Speaker 6: Visit Lisa dot com for details. 629 00:30:02,440 --> 00:30:05,160 Speaker 8: With millions of books on Amazon, there's a reading feeling 630 00:30:05,240 --> 00:30:09,600 Speaker 8: for everyone. For example, Olivia's after learning she has quite 631 00:30:09,600 --> 00:30:12,040 Speaker 8: a lot in common with the ninth century Viking, is 632 00:30:12,080 --> 00:30:16,360 Speaker 8: different to Luna's who after the old man narrowly escaped 633 00:30:16,400 --> 00:30:19,920 Speaker 8: being bitten by zombies, which is also different to Jerome's 634 00:30:20,080 --> 00:30:23,760 Speaker 8: ha his Eureka moment on finding the perfect new quote 635 00:30:23,760 --> 00:30:30,000 Speaker 8: for his dating profile. From Ahoo to ha A. Amazon 636 00:30:30,120 --> 00:30:32,200 Speaker 8: books that reading feeling awaits. 637 00:30:33,560 --> 00:30:37,320 Speaker 9: All inclusive vacations make life easy with endless eads, bottomless drinks, 638 00:30:37,320 --> 00:30:39,840 Speaker 9: and never ending fun, so booking an all inclusive vacation 639 00:30:39,920 --> 00:30:43,160 Speaker 9: should be easy too, write. That's where Apple Vacations comes in. 640 00:30:43,280 --> 00:30:45,560 Speaker 9: Book your all inclusive get away with Apple Vacations and 641 00:30:45,560 --> 00:30:48,640 Speaker 9: receive exclusive perks as select resorts. You'll find the best 642 00:30:48,680 --> 00:30:52,000 Speaker 9: deals from Reu Hotels resorts in Mexico, the Caribbean, and 643 00:30:52,040 --> 00:30:55,920 Speaker 9: Central America, and enjoy a selection of exclusive NonStop vacation flights. 644 00:30:56,120 --> 00:30:58,800 Speaker 9: Turn on easymode at Apple vacations dot com or call 645 00:30:58,840 --> 00:31:00,680 Speaker 9: your local travel advisor to get started.