1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: No one likes to talk about money. Am I saving enough? 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:05,040 Speaker 1: Can I buy a house? Am I paying too much 3 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:07,760 Speaker 1: in taxes? Will I be able to retire? What if 4 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: you could unlock insights about your finances in less than 5 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 1: five minutes, with a clear picture of where you stand 6 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: today and where your money can work harder. Now you 7 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,759 Speaker 1: can visit facet dot com to take the free quiz 8 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 1: and get your financial wellness score today. That's Facet dot com. 9 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: This ad is sponsored by Facet. Fast Wealth in Corporated 10 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: is an sec registered investment advisor. 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Start your comeback at Purdueglobal dot edu. 23 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:02,200 Speaker 3: He'll forget about the video game you gave him on 24 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:02,800 Speaker 3: his birthday. 25 00:01:03,120 --> 00:01:05,000 Speaker 4: Wow, thanks Grandpa, but. 26 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:07,200 Speaker 3: He'll never forget how you invest it in his future 27 00:01:07,280 --> 00:01:08,240 Speaker 3: with the uns stapp. 28 00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:10,720 Speaker 4: Wow, thanks Grandpa. 29 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:13,560 Speaker 3: The unit stap makes it easy for grandparents and family 30 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 3: friends to give funds to a child's investment account for 31 00:01:16,319 --> 00:01:18,720 Speaker 3: a limited time. Download the uns stapp and use the 32 00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:20,800 Speaker 3: code I heeart fifty at sign up to receive a 33 00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:23,319 Speaker 3: fifty dollars bonus when you find your account. That's code 34 00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:26,360 Speaker 3: iHeart fifty when you sign up at unest dot co 35 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:29,280 Speaker 3: for a fifty dollars bonus. See terms and conditions at 36 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:30,080 Speaker 3: UNEs dot co. 37 00:01:32,360 --> 00:01:35,120 Speaker 4: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 38 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:37,920 Speaker 4: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. 39 00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:40,399 Speaker 5: If you enjoy today's message, why don't you be a 40 00:01:40,440 --> 00:01:41,959 Speaker 5: blessing and share it with a friend. 41 00:01:42,280 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 4: We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in 42 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:48,560 Speaker 4: your life. Now, God bless you. It is always our 43 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:51,520 Speaker 4: joy to come into your homes. We love you. We 44 00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:54,840 Speaker 4: know God has great things in store. He rewards people 45 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:56,880 Speaker 4: that seek after Him, and I believe that you and 46 00:01:57,160 --> 00:01:59,160 Speaker 4: you here as well, and if you're ever in our area, 47 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:01,080 Speaker 4: I hope you'll stop by and see this. We give 48 00:02:01,120 --> 00:02:04,000 Speaker 4: you a personal invitation, and I promise you we'll make 49 00:02:04,040 --> 00:02:06,240 Speaker 4: you feel right at home. These are the finest people 50 00:02:06,240 --> 00:02:08,240 Speaker 4: in all of Houston, right here at Lakewood, so come 51 00:02:08,240 --> 00:02:10,399 Speaker 4: out and be a part of one of our services. 52 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:12,760 Speaker 4: I like to get started each week with something kind 53 00:02:12,760 --> 00:02:15,720 Speaker 4: of funny, so listen to this one. During his wedding rehearsal, 54 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:18,359 Speaker 4: the groom approached the pastor and said, I'll give you 55 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:21,400 Speaker 4: one hundred dollars if you'll change the wedding vows and 56 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:24,920 Speaker 4: leave out all the love, honor, and obey parts. He 57 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:27,000 Speaker 4: pressed one hundred dollars bill into the pastor's hand and 58 00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:29,720 Speaker 4: walked away with a smile. The next day, during the vowels, 59 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:32,320 Speaker 4: the pastor asked him, do you promise to bow down 60 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:35,760 Speaker 4: before her, fulfill her every wish, and serve her breakfast 61 00:02:35,800 --> 00:02:38,560 Speaker 4: in bed for as long as you shall live. The 62 00:02:38,600 --> 00:02:41,040 Speaker 4: groom gulfed in astonishment, and finally, in a weak voice, 63 00:02:41,200 --> 00:02:43,640 Speaker 4: entered yes. He then leaned toward the pastor and said, hey, 64 00:02:43,680 --> 00:02:45,920 Speaker 4: I thought we had a deal. The pastor handed him 65 00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:48,239 Speaker 4: his money back and said she made me a much 66 00:02:48,280 --> 00:02:53,840 Speaker 4: better offer her. That's what he gets. Hold up to 67 00:02:53,840 --> 00:02:56,680 Speaker 4: your bibles and let's say it together. Ready, this is 68 00:02:56,800 --> 00:03:00,200 Speaker 4: my Bible. I am what it says I am. I 69 00:03:00,240 --> 00:03:02,720 Speaker 4: have what it says I have. I can do what 70 00:03:02,840 --> 00:03:05,680 Speaker 4: it says I can do. Today I'll be taught the 71 00:03:05,720 --> 00:03:09,840 Speaker 4: word of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, 72 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:13,400 Speaker 4: my heart is receptive. I will never be the same. 73 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:19,000 Speaker 4: I am about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible, ever living 74 00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:24,120 Speaker 4: seed of the Word of God. I'll never be the same, never, never, never, 75 00:03:24,560 --> 00:03:28,720 Speaker 4: I'll never be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. 76 00:03:28,720 --> 00:03:32,440 Speaker 4: You sound great as usual. We've been talking about tapping 77 00:03:32,440 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 4: into the potential that's on the inside and really using 78 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:38,880 Speaker 4: our God given gifts and talents. I want to focus 79 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:42,600 Speaker 4: today on being willing to step out and take a risk. 80 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:46,119 Speaker 4: You will never be all God's created you to be 81 00:03:46,520 --> 00:03:49,320 Speaker 4: if you just live with a play it safe mentality 82 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:52,320 Speaker 4: and you think about it. Peter was the only one 83 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:55,120 Speaker 4: that walked on the water, but he also was the 84 00:03:55,160 --> 00:03:57,560 Speaker 4: only one that was willing to get out of the boat. 85 00:03:58,120 --> 00:04:00,400 Speaker 4: And you'll never walk on the water in your life. 86 00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:03,920 Speaker 4: You'll never reach your full potential unless you have the 87 00:04:04,080 --> 00:04:07,400 Speaker 4: courage and the boldness to take a step of faith 88 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 4: and do what God's put in your heart. Some people 89 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:12,480 Speaker 4: will stay in a job that they don't like for 90 00:04:12,520 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 4: twenty five years. They're not using their gifts and talents. 91 00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:18,800 Speaker 4: It's not a good environment. They don't really feel fulfilled, 92 00:04:19,160 --> 00:04:22,279 Speaker 4: but they'll just stay there year after year, all because 93 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:26,000 Speaker 4: it's safe. They're comfortable. They don't want to take a risk. 94 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:29,680 Speaker 4: God is opening up new doors, but they're allowing all 95 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:32,320 Speaker 4: the what ifs to talk them out of it. What 96 00:04:32,360 --> 00:04:34,600 Speaker 4: if I take this new job and I don't like it. 97 00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:37,480 Speaker 4: What if it doesn't work out. What if I don't 98 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:40,000 Speaker 4: meet any new friends. What if it's all a big mistake. 99 00:04:40,560 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 4: Nor have you ever thought about this? What if you 100 00:04:42,960 --> 00:04:45,599 Speaker 4: take that job and it thrusts you into your God 101 00:04:45,680 --> 00:04:48,560 Speaker 4: given destiny? What if you love it? What if you 102 00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:50,840 Speaker 4: can't wait to get there in the morning. What if 103 00:04:50,880 --> 00:04:53,080 Speaker 4: you find out you have gifts and talents that you 104 00:04:53,160 --> 00:04:56,400 Speaker 4: never knew you had. You will never know unless you're 105 00:04:56,440 --> 00:04:58,960 Speaker 4: willing to step out and take a risk. 106 00:04:59,320 --> 00:04:59,400 Speaker 3: Now. 107 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:01,640 Speaker 4: I want to chow leng you today to get out 108 00:05:01,680 --> 00:05:05,880 Speaker 4: of your comfort zone. You have so much incredible potential 109 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:09,440 Speaker 4: on the inside. God has put gifts and talents in 110 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:12,520 Speaker 4: you that you probably don't know anything about. You can 111 00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:15,960 Speaker 4: rise higher than you can even imagine. You can accomplish 112 00:05:15,960 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 4: things that you never thought possible. But you've got to 113 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:22,520 Speaker 4: do your part and have the courage to take advantage 114 00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:26,560 Speaker 4: of what God brings across your path. See, God made you. 115 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:29,640 Speaker 4: He knows what you're capable of. He knows what he's 116 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:32,800 Speaker 4: put on the inside of you, and so throughout life 117 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:35,839 Speaker 4: He's going to present you with opportunities that in the 118 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:38,360 Speaker 4: natural you may not think you can handle. You may 119 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:40,719 Speaker 4: not think you're capable of it, and you'll be tempted 120 00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:43,480 Speaker 4: to just shrink back in fear. But if you'll look 121 00:05:43,520 --> 00:05:47,880 Speaker 4: deep down in your heart, there'll be an excitement and enthusiasm. 122 00:05:48,040 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 4: Something down in here will be telling you you know 123 00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:52,279 Speaker 4: what you can do. This, you have what it takes. 124 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:55,080 Speaker 4: And if you'll learn to listen to your heart and 125 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:57,719 Speaker 4: not your head and just be bold and take that 126 00:05:57,800 --> 00:06:00,320 Speaker 4: step of faith, that's when you'll accomplish thing that you 127 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:03,320 Speaker 4: never thought possible. And I believe some of you, even 128 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:05,920 Speaker 4: in the near future, are going to be offered a 129 00:06:06,279 --> 00:06:09,120 Speaker 4: new position at work, something that sort of in the 130 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:11,719 Speaker 4: natural just looks like it's over your head. But listen, 131 00:06:11,720 --> 00:06:14,240 Speaker 4: don't you. Dare shrink back in fear. It may be 132 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:16,400 Speaker 4: over your head, but the good news is it's not 133 00:06:16,440 --> 00:06:19,600 Speaker 4: over God's head. And when you come to the end 134 00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:22,840 Speaker 4: of your own natural ability, that's when you're going to 135 00:06:22,880 --> 00:06:26,599 Speaker 4: start tapping into God's supernatural ability. You take that step 136 00:06:26,640 --> 00:06:28,960 Speaker 4: of faith, and God will give you everything you need. 137 00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:32,400 Speaker 4: He will empower you to do his will. Some of you, 138 00:06:32,480 --> 00:06:35,599 Speaker 4: I believe, are even going to be offered an opportunity 139 00:06:35,720 --> 00:06:38,640 Speaker 4: to change careers and get into the field that you're 140 00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:41,479 Speaker 4: really passionate about. But every voice is going to be 141 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:43,839 Speaker 4: telling you men, you better stay in the boat. You 142 00:06:43,920 --> 00:06:46,359 Speaker 4: better play it safe. That's a big mistake. You can't 143 00:06:46,360 --> 00:06:49,640 Speaker 4: handle that. But no, God is saying you can handle it. 144 00:06:49,920 --> 00:06:52,560 Speaker 4: You do have what it takes. You can fulfill your 145 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:55,880 Speaker 4: God given destiny. Dare to take that step of faith, 146 00:06:56,279 --> 00:06:58,680 Speaker 4: get out of your comfort zone, and you'll begin to 147 00:06:58,720 --> 00:07:01,960 Speaker 4: see God do great things in your life. One time, 148 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:05,200 Speaker 4: Peter and James and John had been out fishing all 149 00:07:05,279 --> 00:07:08,520 Speaker 4: night long. They hadn't caught anything. The next morning, Jesus 150 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 4: came walking by and he said Hey, guys, launch out 151 00:07:11,600 --> 00:07:14,840 Speaker 4: into the deep and you'll catch a great hall of fish. 152 00:07:15,160 --> 00:07:17,680 Speaker 4: And they did what he asked, and sure enough, they 153 00:07:17,760 --> 00:07:20,600 Speaker 4: caught so many fish that their nets begin to break. 154 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:24,160 Speaker 4: And I believe that's a spiritual principle. God said, get 155 00:07:24,160 --> 00:07:26,520 Speaker 4: out into the deep, and that's when you're going to 156 00:07:26,560 --> 00:07:29,760 Speaker 4: see great things begin to happen. In other words, there 157 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:32,080 Speaker 4: will be times in our lives that we feel like 158 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:34,520 Speaker 4: we're in over our heads. We think, man, what have 159 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:37,920 Speaker 4: I gotten myself into? Can I really do this? But 160 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:40,440 Speaker 4: if you will just stick with it, it's in those 161 00:07:40,560 --> 00:07:43,880 Speaker 4: deep waters that those seeds of greatness that God has 162 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:46,320 Speaker 4: put in you will begin to come out. That's when 163 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:49,560 Speaker 4: you'll accomplish things that you didn't think possible. But see, 164 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:51,680 Speaker 4: human nature is to always want to stay in the 165 00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:54,880 Speaker 4: shallow waters, where it's safe, where our feet can touch 166 00:07:54,920 --> 00:07:57,880 Speaker 4: the ground. For instance, I'll sing in the choir, but 167 00:07:58,160 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 4: don't expect me to do the solo like that you 168 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:03,320 Speaker 4: lady today. Or I'll take the new position at work, 169 00:08:03,360 --> 00:08:05,320 Speaker 4: but man, I can't do the presentation in front of 170 00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:07,640 Speaker 4: all those people. Or Joe, I've got my business, I've 171 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:11,360 Speaker 4: got my one location, but I can't expand man, that's risky. 172 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:14,600 Speaker 4: You know what the economy's like. See, so often we 173 00:08:14,680 --> 00:08:17,320 Speaker 4: just want to stay where we're comfortable, where we know 174 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:20,280 Speaker 4: where all the money's coming from, where we got everything 175 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:23,200 Speaker 4: figured out. We don't want to have to stretch ourselves. 176 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:25,360 Speaker 4: We don't want to have to do something that we 177 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:28,640 Speaker 4: haven't done before, so we just stay in the shallow waters, 178 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:31,440 Speaker 4: play it safe. That way, if something happens, we can 179 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:34,120 Speaker 4: always run back to the shore. But no, I believe 180 00:08:34,160 --> 00:08:36,439 Speaker 4: God is saying to us today, if you want to 181 00:08:36,480 --> 00:08:39,600 Speaker 4: experience that great hall, if you want to be everything 182 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:41,960 Speaker 4: God's created you to be, You're gonna have to be 183 00:08:42,040 --> 00:08:44,320 Speaker 4: willing to take some risk and get out there into 184 00:08:44,320 --> 00:08:46,480 Speaker 4: the deep waters. You got to come to that place 185 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:48,800 Speaker 4: in your life where you say, God, sink or swim. 186 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:51,480 Speaker 4: I'm going all out with you, God. I'm gonna take 187 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:53,800 Speaker 4: this step of faith, and I'm counting on you to 188 00:08:53,840 --> 00:08:56,440 Speaker 4: give me wisdom. I'm counting on you to guide me. 189 00:08:56,679 --> 00:08:59,000 Speaker 4: I'm trusting you to give me the strength and the 190 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:01,319 Speaker 4: ability to do what I can't do on my own. 191 00:09:01,760 --> 00:09:03,880 Speaker 4: That's the attitude we've got to have if we're going 192 00:09:03,960 --> 00:09:07,040 Speaker 4: to reach our full potential. But some of you today 193 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:10,480 Speaker 4: you're just coasting. You're not even having to use your faith. 194 00:09:10,520 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 4: You're playing it so super safe. But listen, being in 195 00:09:14,200 --> 00:09:18,120 Speaker 4: God's perfect will is always going to stretch us. God 196 00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:20,720 Speaker 4: is not going to allow us to get too comfortable. 197 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:24,320 Speaker 4: Otherwise we don't have to use our faith. And some 198 00:09:24,440 --> 00:09:27,319 Speaker 4: of you, everything that you're doing today, really you can 199 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:30,200 Speaker 4: do it in your own natural strength, your own natural ability. 200 00:09:30,240 --> 00:09:32,880 Speaker 4: You're not having to stretch, you don't need God's health. 201 00:09:33,400 --> 00:09:36,800 Speaker 4: But God wants us to always be growing, always be 202 00:09:36,920 --> 00:09:39,959 Speaker 4: reaching for new heights. And that's why He's going to 203 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:43,000 Speaker 4: put us in situations Like I said that, we don't 204 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:44,920 Speaker 4: think we can do it in the natural. God, this 205 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:48,000 Speaker 4: just seems like it's out of my league. But understand this. 206 00:09:48,559 --> 00:09:51,720 Speaker 4: God would not have brought that opportunity across your path, 207 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:54,320 Speaker 4: and he would not have put the desire deep down 208 00:09:54,320 --> 00:09:56,840 Speaker 4: in your heart if he didn't already know that you 209 00:09:56,880 --> 00:09:59,240 Speaker 4: were capable of doing that. And if you will just 210 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:01,640 Speaker 4: dare to get out out of your comfort zone and 211 00:10:01,720 --> 00:10:06,000 Speaker 4: take that step of faith, you will experience a supernatural strength, 212 00:10:06,400 --> 00:10:10,440 Speaker 4: a supernatural wisdom, a supernatural ability to do what you 213 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:13,800 Speaker 4: haven't done before. But this will only happen when you 214 00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:17,520 Speaker 4: come to the end of your own natural ability. Too 215 00:10:17,559 --> 00:10:20,480 Speaker 4: many people today though they're living in the safe zone. 216 00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:22,400 Speaker 4: But I want to challenge you to get out over 217 00:10:22,520 --> 00:10:26,559 Speaker 4: into the faith zone. Have some courage, have the boldness 218 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:29,360 Speaker 4: to pursue what God has put in your heart. I 219 00:10:29,400 --> 00:10:31,880 Speaker 4: know this is what I did when my father went 220 00:10:31,920 --> 00:10:34,400 Speaker 4: to be with the Lord back in nineteen ninety nine. 221 00:10:34,679 --> 00:10:37,040 Speaker 4: You know, I was in my safe zone. I was 222 00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:39,320 Speaker 4: working behind the scenes here at the church, doing the 223 00:10:39,360 --> 00:10:43,360 Speaker 4: television production, and I was comfortable. That was easy for me. 224 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:46,920 Speaker 4: I wasn't having to stretch. But when Daddy died, all 225 00:10:46,960 --> 00:10:49,120 Speaker 4: of a sudden, deep down in here, I had a 226 00:10:49,200 --> 00:10:52,800 Speaker 4: desire to step up and pastor this church. I don't 227 00:10:52,840 --> 00:10:55,199 Speaker 4: know how to explain it. I just knew that I 228 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:57,600 Speaker 4: knew that I knew that I was supposed to do it. 229 00:10:58,080 --> 00:11:00,640 Speaker 4: But in the natural, I had never really each before, 230 00:11:01,040 --> 00:11:03,160 Speaker 4: and I thought of all the reasons why I shouldn't 231 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:05,960 Speaker 4: do it. I thought, God, I am not the most qualified, 232 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:08,600 Speaker 4: and I've never been to seminary, and on and on. 233 00:11:08,720 --> 00:11:12,120 Speaker 4: All these excuses begin to fill my mind. But sometimes 234 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:14,840 Speaker 4: if you're gonna follow your heart, if you're gonna do 235 00:11:14,880 --> 00:11:17,000 Speaker 4: what you know, you're supposed to do down in here. 236 00:11:17,240 --> 00:11:19,680 Speaker 4: You're gonna have to turn your mind off because you 237 00:11:19,720 --> 00:11:22,880 Speaker 4: can overanalyze something to death. You can figure out all 238 00:11:22,880 --> 00:11:25,120 Speaker 4: the reasons why you shouldn't do it and why it's 239 00:11:25,120 --> 00:11:27,120 Speaker 4: not gonna work out for you. And I could have 240 00:11:27,160 --> 00:11:30,920 Speaker 4: so easily talked myself out of it, all these negative thoughts, Joel, 241 00:11:31,040 --> 00:11:32,520 Speaker 4: you're gonna get up there and make a fool out 242 00:11:32,520 --> 00:11:35,280 Speaker 4: of yourself. Nobody's gonna come listen to you. That church 243 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:37,600 Speaker 4: is gonna go down to nothing, On and on. I 244 00:11:37,640 --> 00:11:39,720 Speaker 4: had to get rid of all that jump, and I'd 245 00:11:39,720 --> 00:11:42,000 Speaker 4: go stand before the mirror and I'd talk to myself. 246 00:11:42,120 --> 00:11:44,360 Speaker 4: I'd say, Joel, you are strong in the Lord and 247 00:11:44,400 --> 00:11:46,920 Speaker 4: the power of his mind. You are well able to 248 00:11:46,960 --> 00:11:49,600 Speaker 4: do what God's called you to death. I would remind 249 00:11:49,640 --> 00:11:52,240 Speaker 4: myself if God before me, who dared be against me, 250 00:11:52,960 --> 00:11:56,080 Speaker 4: And as I stepped out and got beyond my own 251 00:11:56,240 --> 00:11:59,480 Speaker 4: natural ability, that's when God stepped in and gave me 252 00:11:59,559 --> 00:12:02,600 Speaker 4: his suit for natural ability. He brought gifts out of 253 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:05,720 Speaker 4: me that I never even knew I had. My father 254 00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:07,640 Speaker 4: used to try to get me up here to preach 255 00:12:07,679 --> 00:12:10,520 Speaker 4: for seventeen years, but I'd never do it. I was 256 00:12:10,559 --> 00:12:13,320 Speaker 4: too nervous, too shy. I didn't know I had the 257 00:12:13,360 --> 00:12:16,200 Speaker 4: gift to communicate with people. But see, God knew it. 258 00:12:16,559 --> 00:12:19,200 Speaker 4: He put that on the inside of me. And in 259 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:22,240 Speaker 4: the same way, you have incredible things on the inside 260 00:12:22,240 --> 00:12:24,760 Speaker 4: of you that you probably don't know anything about. You 261 00:12:24,920 --> 00:12:28,200 Speaker 4: have gifts and talents and abilities that can take you 262 00:12:28,280 --> 00:12:30,839 Speaker 4: places that you've never even dreamed of. But you got 263 00:12:30,880 --> 00:12:33,720 Speaker 4: to do your part and work with God and start 264 00:12:33,720 --> 00:12:36,400 Speaker 4: taking some of these steps of faith. You can't let 265 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:39,319 Speaker 4: the fear of failure or the fear of the unknown 266 00:12:39,760 --> 00:12:42,360 Speaker 4: keep you from taking a risk. But you said, Joe, 267 00:12:42,440 --> 00:12:44,800 Speaker 4: if God would just give me a blueprint and show 268 00:12:44,800 --> 00:12:46,679 Speaker 4: me how everything's going to turn out, then I'll take 269 00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:49,079 Speaker 4: my step of faith. Or if God'll just show me 270 00:12:49,160 --> 00:12:51,439 Speaker 4: all the details, then I'll be a little more comfortable. 271 00:12:51,720 --> 00:12:54,240 Speaker 4: But no, if God did that, it wouldn't take any faith. 272 00:12:54,840 --> 00:12:57,280 Speaker 4: You are not going to know all the details about 273 00:12:57,280 --> 00:12:59,640 Speaker 4: your future. You got to take a step of faith 274 00:12:59,760 --> 00:13:02,439 Speaker 4: and then God lead you. Then God will show you, 275 00:13:02,760 --> 00:13:05,840 Speaker 4: he said to Abraham, leave the place where you are, 276 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:09,120 Speaker 4: and I will show you where I'm sending you. We 277 00:13:09,200 --> 00:13:12,079 Speaker 4: think just the opposite. God, You show me and I'll go. No, 278 00:13:12,240 --> 00:13:15,280 Speaker 4: God says, you go and I'll show you. In other words, 279 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:18,920 Speaker 4: God wants us to take the first step. And it's interesting. 280 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:21,720 Speaker 4: When God parted the Jordan River for the children of Israel, 281 00:13:21,920 --> 00:13:25,560 Speaker 4: the scripture says that the waters didn't open up until 282 00:13:25,559 --> 00:13:29,160 Speaker 4: the priest first put their feet in those waters. Don't 283 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:31,040 Speaker 4: you know that took faith to go out there and 284 00:13:31,040 --> 00:13:33,959 Speaker 4: start walking in the water expecting God to open it up. 285 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:36,600 Speaker 4: We think, God, if you part my red sea, sure 286 00:13:36,640 --> 00:13:38,679 Speaker 4: all go running through it. But no, God says, you 287 00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:41,000 Speaker 4: get out there and get your feet wet, and then 288 00:13:41,040 --> 00:13:43,800 Speaker 4: I'll do supernatural things in your life. And I was 289 00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:47,080 Speaker 4: thinking about had I not stepped up and pastored this church, 290 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:50,640 Speaker 4: had I not pursued this God given opportunity, I'm sure 291 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:53,640 Speaker 4: I would be doing okay, I'm sure my life would 292 00:13:53,640 --> 00:13:56,360 Speaker 4: be fine, but I don't believe that I would be 293 00:13:56,440 --> 00:13:59,520 Speaker 4: as fulfilled as I am today. I don't believe i'd 294 00:13:59,520 --> 00:14:02,760 Speaker 4: get up each day with the excitement, the enthusiasm, the 295 00:14:02,800 --> 00:14:05,760 Speaker 4: passion that I do today. And I really believe the 296 00:14:05,840 --> 00:14:09,960 Speaker 4: reason many people today are just bored with their life 297 00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:13,080 Speaker 4: and they're not really challenged and they've lost their purpose 298 00:14:13,480 --> 00:14:17,000 Speaker 4: is simply because they're not stepping out. God is presenting 299 00:14:17,080 --> 00:14:21,200 Speaker 4: opportunity after opportunity, but they're just shrinking back in fear. Man, 300 00:14:21,240 --> 00:14:24,720 Speaker 4: I can't do that. I'm too shy, I'm not educated enough, 301 00:14:24,760 --> 00:14:27,480 Speaker 4: I'm not talented in that area. No, you've got to 302 00:14:27,600 --> 00:14:30,280 Speaker 4: search your heart, and if you believe it's something God 303 00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:33,000 Speaker 4: is bringing across your path, you got to be willing 304 00:14:33,040 --> 00:14:36,440 Speaker 4: to be bold and take that risk. Well, you say, Joel, 305 00:14:36,480 --> 00:14:38,120 Speaker 4: what if I step out and miss it? What if 306 00:14:38,120 --> 00:14:40,840 Speaker 4: I make a mistake? Listen, I would rather miss it 307 00:14:40,960 --> 00:14:43,520 Speaker 4: trying than to sit back and play it safe all 308 00:14:43,560 --> 00:14:45,920 Speaker 4: my life and never really know what I could have been. 309 00:14:46,560 --> 00:14:50,120 Speaker 4: And understand, God sees your heart. If you step out 310 00:14:50,120 --> 00:14:53,320 Speaker 4: in faith, with a pure heart toward God, with the 311 00:14:53,440 --> 00:14:56,680 Speaker 4: right motives, doing your best to please him. Even if 312 00:14:56,720 --> 00:14:58,800 Speaker 4: you do miss it, God is still going to get 313 00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:01,600 Speaker 4: some value out of it. God, in his great mercy, 314 00:15:01,640 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 4: will somehow, some way turn it around and still use 315 00:15:04,800 --> 00:15:08,200 Speaker 4: it to your advantage. Now I've discovered sometimes you gotta 316 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:10,600 Speaker 4: find out what's not gonna work before you find out 317 00:15:10,640 --> 00:15:13,200 Speaker 4: what will work. Sometimes you've got to come to some 318 00:15:13,240 --> 00:15:16,040 Speaker 4: closed doors before you're ever gonna get to your open doors. 319 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:19,040 Speaker 4: But too many people today are just living life bored. 320 00:15:19,400 --> 00:15:23,120 Speaker 4: They're not challenged, they're not growing, They're just punching that 321 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:27,240 Speaker 4: time clock, bringing home a paycheck. But there's no enthusiasm, 322 00:15:27,640 --> 00:15:31,040 Speaker 4: no passion. And it's because they've allowed their lives to 323 00:15:31,080 --> 00:15:33,920 Speaker 4: get stagnant. They become stale, and they're just doing the 324 00:15:33,960 --> 00:15:37,680 Speaker 4: same thing the same way, day after day. And I 325 00:15:37,760 --> 00:15:42,120 Speaker 4: really believe God is bringing opportunities across their path, opportunities 326 00:15:42,160 --> 00:15:46,040 Speaker 4: to grow, opportunities for advancement. But they're comfortable, and they 327 00:15:46,120 --> 00:15:48,760 Speaker 4: let the fear of failure and the fear of the unknown, 328 00:15:48,840 --> 00:15:51,320 Speaker 4: and the fear of what other people might think cause 329 00:15:51,440 --> 00:15:54,040 Speaker 4: them to stay in that boat. Well, you say, Joel, 330 00:15:54,080 --> 00:15:56,480 Speaker 4: I'm just real conservative. I'd just rather play it safe 331 00:15:56,520 --> 00:16:00,160 Speaker 4: than sorry. No, I'm not suggesting that we just be 332 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:02,760 Speaker 4: foolish and jump into anything that comes along. You got 333 00:16:02,800 --> 00:16:05,720 Speaker 4: to pray, you got to use wisdom, and you've got 334 00:16:05,720 --> 00:16:07,680 Speaker 4: to make sure you know in your heart it's right 335 00:16:07,760 --> 00:16:09,960 Speaker 4: for you. But what I'm saying is, once you know 336 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:12,040 Speaker 4: that you need to act on it, you've got to 337 00:16:12,080 --> 00:16:15,240 Speaker 4: take some steps of faith. The Bible talks about how 338 00:16:15,240 --> 00:16:17,880 Speaker 4: the children of Israel were to follow the ark of 339 00:16:17,920 --> 00:16:21,320 Speaker 4: the Covenant that represented God, and so during the day 340 00:16:21,560 --> 00:16:23,960 Speaker 4: there would be a cloud overhead, and they'd get up 341 00:16:23,960 --> 00:16:26,280 Speaker 4: in the morning and just watch for the cloud. If 342 00:16:26,280 --> 00:16:30,000 Speaker 4: the cloud moved, they moved. If the cloud stayed, they stayed. 343 00:16:30,440 --> 00:16:32,800 Speaker 4: Sometimes they would set up their camp and the cloud 344 00:16:32,840 --> 00:16:36,040 Speaker 4: would stay for several weeks. Other times the cloud would 345 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:38,560 Speaker 4: move overnight, they'd have to pack up and get going. 346 00:16:39,080 --> 00:16:41,480 Speaker 4: They could have had the attitude, God, we're tired of moving. 347 00:16:41,880 --> 00:16:44,640 Speaker 4: We're comfortable here, got all the camps set up, got 348 00:16:44,680 --> 00:16:47,400 Speaker 4: everything just right. No, if they had done that, they 349 00:16:47,400 --> 00:16:50,400 Speaker 4: would not have had God's blessings in favor. You've got 350 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:52,960 Speaker 4: to move when God says move. You've got to be 351 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:56,560 Speaker 4: willing to change. Don't get stuck in a rut. God 352 00:16:56,640 --> 00:17:01,160 Speaker 4: wants you to always be growing, always be learning, always 353 00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:04,680 Speaker 4: be improving. If you're doing the same thing you did 354 00:17:04,800 --> 00:17:08,560 Speaker 4: ten years ago without any improvement and you're not even 355 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:10,720 Speaker 4: challenged by it now and you can basically just do 356 00:17:10,800 --> 00:17:13,200 Speaker 4: it in your sleep, then you need to make sure 357 00:17:13,359 --> 00:17:16,640 Speaker 4: you're where you're supposed to be. Are you following the cloud? 358 00:17:17,160 --> 00:17:21,200 Speaker 4: You should have to be stretching yourself, trying new things, 359 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:25,359 Speaker 4: improving in your field. See God is a progressive God. 360 00:17:25,760 --> 00:17:27,919 Speaker 4: Once you reach a certain level, he may leave you 361 00:17:27,960 --> 00:17:29,919 Speaker 4: there for a little while, but he's not gonna let 362 00:17:29,960 --> 00:17:32,520 Speaker 4: you stay too long. He's gonna push you. He won't 363 00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:35,680 Speaker 4: let you stay comfortable at one certain place. God wants 364 00:17:35,760 --> 00:17:38,520 Speaker 4: us to keep growing. He said to the children of 365 00:17:38,560 --> 00:17:41,600 Speaker 4: Israel and Joshua three verse four. The reason they needed 366 00:17:41,600 --> 00:17:44,800 Speaker 4: to follow the cloud was because you have not passed 367 00:17:44,800 --> 00:17:47,720 Speaker 4: this way before. I believe God saying the same thing 368 00:17:47,760 --> 00:17:51,200 Speaker 4: to every one of us. New things are on the horizon, 369 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:54,800 Speaker 4: changes are in the air. Maybe, like I said, it's 370 00:17:54,840 --> 00:17:57,480 Speaker 4: going to be a new position at work. Maybe you're 371 00:17:57,520 --> 00:17:59,959 Speaker 4: here and you're single, and God's about to bring somebody 372 00:18:00,119 --> 00:18:04,040 Speaker 4: new into your life, a new relationship, a new opportunity 373 00:18:04,080 --> 00:18:07,679 Speaker 4: in business, in ministry, something that you haven't done before. 374 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:10,560 Speaker 4: If I can tell you, all those things are going 375 00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:13,720 Speaker 4: to involve taking a step of faith. And my prayer 376 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:16,880 Speaker 4: today is that God is releasing a spirit of boldness 377 00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:20,439 Speaker 4: in you, that you will have that pioneering spirit. Our 378 00:18:20,520 --> 00:18:23,400 Speaker 4: attitude should be. I may never have done this before, 379 00:18:23,440 --> 00:18:25,520 Speaker 4: but I'm willing to step out and try. I'm going 380 00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:29,080 Speaker 4: to go into some of those uncharted territories, and really 381 00:18:29,119 --> 00:18:31,600 Speaker 4: that's what we've done here at Lakewood for the last 382 00:18:31,760 --> 00:18:35,040 Speaker 4: few years, we've just sort of followed the cloud. When 383 00:18:35,040 --> 00:18:37,760 Speaker 4: I first became pastor, I know my main goal was 384 00:18:37,760 --> 00:18:41,200 Speaker 4: to just try to survive, just try to maintain things. 385 00:18:41,359 --> 00:18:43,320 Speaker 4: But I can tell you this, when you really follow 386 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:45,600 Speaker 4: the cloud, God will do more than you can ask her. 387 00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:49,360 Speaker 4: Think your life will be exciting. You know, we didn't 388 00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:53,359 Speaker 4: just maintain. We begin to grow. On the first Sunday 389 00:18:53,400 --> 00:18:55,639 Speaker 4: of the year two thousand, we stepped out in faith 390 00:18:55,840 --> 00:18:58,720 Speaker 4: and started a second Sunday morning service. I didn't know 391 00:18:58,760 --> 00:19:01,199 Speaker 4: if anybody would come, but at that first service there 392 00:19:01,200 --> 00:19:04,480 Speaker 4: were over five thousand people there, and it continued to grow. 393 00:19:04,960 --> 00:19:07,760 Speaker 4: We added several other services through the years, and we 394 00:19:07,800 --> 00:19:10,639 Speaker 4: still needed more room. And as we were preparing to 395 00:19:10,680 --> 00:19:13,680 Speaker 4: build a new sanctuary, we got word that the Compact 396 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:16,720 Speaker 4: Center was becoming available. God opened up that door and 397 00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:19,960 Speaker 4: we just followed the cloud. After we did some research, 398 00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:23,000 Speaker 4: we found out it's gonna cost about eighty million dollars 399 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:25,280 Speaker 4: to renovate it. And in the natural, that was kind 400 00:19:25,280 --> 00:19:27,879 Speaker 4: of over our heads. We could have easily played it 401 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:30,000 Speaker 4: saved and said, man, let's don't do that, let's don't 402 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:32,960 Speaker 4: take that risk. But no, we decided to get out 403 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:36,680 Speaker 4: of our safe zone over into the faith zone. I've discovered. 404 00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:39,080 Speaker 4: Once you're out over your head, doesn't matter how deep 405 00:19:39,119 --> 00:19:41,920 Speaker 4: the waters are, you might as well just go all 406 00:19:41,960 --> 00:19:47,080 Speaker 4: out with God. That's where you're gonna see the miracles. 407 00:19:47,520 --> 00:19:50,200 Speaker 4: That's where you're gonna see God's favor in God's blessings 408 00:19:50,200 --> 00:19:52,480 Speaker 4: show up in new ways. Most of you know in 409 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:55,320 Speaker 4: a few months we're gonna be moving into that new facility. 410 00:19:55,480 --> 00:19:57,480 Speaker 4: But friends, you've got a fall of the cloud in 411 00:19:57,520 --> 00:20:00,960 Speaker 4: your own life, don't be afraid of the new challenges. 412 00:20:01,160 --> 00:20:05,600 Speaker 4: Have that pioneering spirit. Too often we allow our lives 413 00:20:05,640 --> 00:20:09,320 Speaker 4: to become stale because of feared. We need to be bold, 414 00:20:09,480 --> 00:20:13,680 Speaker 4: stay open, and pursue those God given opportunities and understand 415 00:20:13,760 --> 00:20:17,600 Speaker 4: there is a place that God has specifically designed for 416 00:20:17,680 --> 00:20:20,840 Speaker 4: you where all your needs will be supplied, where you'll 417 00:20:20,880 --> 00:20:24,080 Speaker 4: be happy and fulfilled, and where you'll be using your 418 00:20:24,119 --> 00:20:27,520 Speaker 4: gifts and talents to the full. But many times we're 419 00:20:27,560 --> 00:20:30,800 Speaker 4: over here playing it safe while God has our place 420 00:20:30,880 --> 00:20:34,480 Speaker 4: of provision and victory over here. And unless you get 421 00:20:34,520 --> 00:20:37,320 Speaker 4: to where you're supposed to be in God's perfect will, 422 00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:39,760 Speaker 4: then life's going to be a struggle and you're not 423 00:20:39,800 --> 00:20:42,080 Speaker 4: going to have the joy and peace and victory that 424 00:20:42,119 --> 00:20:44,240 Speaker 4: God really wants you to have. And I was thinking 425 00:20:44,280 --> 00:20:47,399 Speaker 4: about the prophet Elijah. God said to him there in 426 00:20:47,480 --> 00:20:51,400 Speaker 4: First Kings, chapter seventeen, verse three, leave where you are, 427 00:20:52,160 --> 00:20:55,480 Speaker 4: go east down to the brook Cherith, for I have 428 00:20:55,680 --> 00:20:59,639 Speaker 4: commanded the ravens to feed you there. Notice there was 429 00:20:59,680 --> 00:21:03,439 Speaker 4: a place where God had specifically commended his needs to 430 00:21:03,440 --> 00:21:06,919 Speaker 4: be supplied. But what's interesting is it was up to 431 00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:09,960 Speaker 4: Elijah to get to that place. He had to take 432 00:21:09,960 --> 00:21:12,399 Speaker 4: a step of faith, he had to be obedient. He 433 00:21:12,440 --> 00:21:15,320 Speaker 4: could have thought, God, I'm comfortable where I am. That's 434 00:21:15,359 --> 00:21:17,240 Speaker 4: a lot of trouble to go down to the brook, 435 00:21:17,320 --> 00:21:19,120 Speaker 4: and now I just want to stay in my routine 436 00:21:19,160 --> 00:21:22,000 Speaker 4: and do what I've always been doing. The problem with 437 00:21:22,119 --> 00:21:25,879 Speaker 4: that is those ravens would have still taken his provision 438 00:21:26,040 --> 00:21:28,080 Speaker 4: down to the brook. In other words, God would have 439 00:21:28,119 --> 00:21:31,439 Speaker 4: still been supplying his needs. The problem is he's not 440 00:21:31,520 --> 00:21:34,320 Speaker 4: in the right place. Wasn't God's fault? And in the 441 00:21:34,359 --> 00:21:36,879 Speaker 4: same way, I know God has a place where he 442 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:39,720 Speaker 4: has commended every one of us to be blessed. He 443 00:21:39,800 --> 00:21:43,000 Speaker 4: has a place where he's commanded those ravens to feed you, 444 00:21:43,560 --> 00:21:45,959 Speaker 4: But we've got to make sure we get to that place, 445 00:21:46,119 --> 00:21:48,840 Speaker 4: we stay in that place, and we follow the cloud. 446 00:21:49,400 --> 00:21:51,879 Speaker 4: It goes on to say that eventually that the brook 447 00:21:52,040 --> 00:21:54,760 Speaker 4: dried up and there wasn't any water. God said in 448 00:21:54,880 --> 00:21:57,479 Speaker 4: verse nine, Elijah, you got to leave this place and 449 00:21:57,520 --> 00:22:00,399 Speaker 4: go to another city, for I have command did a 450 00:22:00,480 --> 00:22:03,600 Speaker 4: widow woman to take care of you. Once again, there 451 00:22:03,680 --> 00:22:08,000 Speaker 4: was another place where God had specifically commanded Elijah to 452 00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:11,240 Speaker 4: be blessed. This time, Elijah could have thought, God, I'm 453 00:22:11,400 --> 00:22:14,439 Speaker 4: comfortable here by the brook. I like it here. I 454 00:22:14,480 --> 00:22:16,080 Speaker 4: know this is where you told me to go. I 455 00:22:16,080 --> 00:22:18,440 Speaker 4: don't know why I can't just stay here. So here's 456 00:22:18,480 --> 00:22:21,400 Speaker 4: my point. Just because it was right in your life 457 00:22:21,440 --> 00:22:24,080 Speaker 4: at one time doesn't mean it's going to be right forever. 458 00:22:24,280 --> 00:22:27,400 Speaker 4: You've got to follow the cloud, stay open and watch 459 00:22:27,440 --> 00:22:31,320 Speaker 4: for opportunities. Don't be hard headed. And when your brook 460 00:22:31,520 --> 00:22:34,080 Speaker 4: drives up, so to speak, and God presents you with 461 00:22:34,200 --> 00:22:38,200 Speaker 4: another opportunity, be willing to change. And you said, Joe, 462 00:22:38,200 --> 00:22:41,040 Speaker 4: I'm just so comfortable in this position at work. Now 463 00:22:41,080 --> 00:22:43,800 Speaker 4: they want me to take a management position, or now 464 00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:46,760 Speaker 4: this other company's offered me a job, or now I've 465 00:22:46,800 --> 00:22:49,320 Speaker 4: got an opportunity to go back to school. Well, you've 466 00:22:49,320 --> 00:22:51,600 Speaker 4: got to check your heart, and if you feel good 467 00:22:51,640 --> 00:22:54,440 Speaker 4: about it down in here, don't let the fact that 468 00:22:54,480 --> 00:22:57,520 Speaker 4: you are comfortable or that you've been doing something a 469 00:22:57,600 --> 00:23:00,920 Speaker 4: long time keep you from pursuit and what God's bringing 470 00:23:00,960 --> 00:23:04,080 Speaker 4: across your path. As I said, God's always going to 471 00:23:04,080 --> 00:23:06,720 Speaker 4: be pushing us and stretching us. We got to make 472 00:23:06,760 --> 00:23:09,560 Speaker 4: sure that we learn how to follow the cloud. I 473 00:23:09,600 --> 00:23:12,760 Speaker 4: know my father, after he started this church in nineteen 474 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:17,040 Speaker 4: fifty nine, he left it for several years and traveled overseas. 475 00:23:17,320 --> 00:23:20,400 Speaker 4: He was holding these great crusades with thousands and thousands 476 00:23:20,440 --> 00:23:23,119 Speaker 4: of people in him, very successful in that area. He 477 00:23:23,200 --> 00:23:25,639 Speaker 4: was just as happy as he could be. But Daddy 478 00:23:25,680 --> 00:23:28,600 Speaker 4: told how one day God began to speak to him, 479 00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:31,280 Speaker 4: not out loud, but right down in here about coming 480 00:23:31,320 --> 00:23:35,240 Speaker 4: back to Houston and pastoring Lakewood once again. That time, 481 00:23:35,320 --> 00:23:37,719 Speaker 4: there were only ninety members in the church, and they 482 00:23:37,720 --> 00:23:40,679 Speaker 4: were still meeting in a little Rundown feed store and 483 00:23:40,720 --> 00:23:43,480 Speaker 4: in the natural. It didn't look like a very wise decision. 484 00:23:44,040 --> 00:23:46,159 Speaker 4: All of Daddy's friends tried to talk him out of it. 485 00:23:46,400 --> 00:23:48,879 Speaker 4: They said, John, you're making a big mistake. You're not 486 00:23:49,040 --> 00:23:50,760 Speaker 4: called to be a pastor, you're called to go out 487 00:23:50,800 --> 00:23:53,440 Speaker 4: all over the world. But deep down in his heart, 488 00:23:53,520 --> 00:23:55,920 Speaker 4: Daddy knew it was what he was supposed to do. 489 00:23:56,240 --> 00:23:58,840 Speaker 4: He knew the brook was drying up, he could see 490 00:23:58,880 --> 00:24:02,040 Speaker 4: the cloud moving, and so he just followed his heart 491 00:24:02,240 --> 00:24:04,680 Speaker 4: and came back to Lakewood. And that's when the church 492 00:24:04,760 --> 00:24:07,800 Speaker 4: began to grow. It prospered, and he ended up touching 493 00:24:07,800 --> 00:24:10,800 Speaker 4: people all over the world right here from Houston. But 494 00:24:10,880 --> 00:24:13,879 Speaker 4: had Daddy not taken that step of faith, had he 495 00:24:13,960 --> 00:24:16,800 Speaker 4: not been willing to take a risk and leave a 496 00:24:16,920 --> 00:24:20,040 Speaker 4: worldwide ministry to come back to ninety people in a 497 00:24:20,080 --> 00:24:23,480 Speaker 4: little feed store, I don't believe that his life would 498 00:24:23,480 --> 00:24:26,240 Speaker 4: have had the impact that it had. He would have 499 00:24:26,359 --> 00:24:29,240 Speaker 4: always had to struggle. There would have been a strain 500 00:24:29,400 --> 00:24:32,600 Speaker 4: trying to make the ministry work, always having this burden. 501 00:24:33,040 --> 00:24:36,359 Speaker 4: Because see, when you're out of God's perfect will, you 502 00:24:36,440 --> 00:24:39,080 Speaker 4: are missing the place where God has commanded you to 503 00:24:39,080 --> 00:24:42,720 Speaker 4: be blessed, where God has commanded your needs to be supplied. 504 00:24:43,040 --> 00:24:46,400 Speaker 4: And that's why I'm challenging us today. Make sure you're 505 00:24:46,440 --> 00:24:49,520 Speaker 4: where you're supposed to be. Don't let the fear of 506 00:24:49,600 --> 00:24:53,120 Speaker 4: failure stop you. Don't let other people talk you out 507 00:24:53,160 --> 00:24:55,240 Speaker 4: of it, and don't let how it looks in the 508 00:24:55,359 --> 00:24:58,399 Speaker 4: natural keep you from taking that step of faith. You 509 00:24:58,520 --> 00:25:00,600 Speaker 4: do what God has put in your heart. And you 510 00:25:00,680 --> 00:25:02,440 Speaker 4: may think, you know, I don't know if I can 511 00:25:02,560 --> 00:25:05,320 Speaker 4: do that. That looks a little difficult. Let me remind 512 00:25:05,359 --> 00:25:08,080 Speaker 4: you that you and God are a majority. If God 513 00:25:08,119 --> 00:25:10,600 Speaker 4: be for you, who dare be against you? You step 514 00:25:10,640 --> 00:25:13,480 Speaker 4: out and do what you can do. You do the natural, 515 00:25:13,520 --> 00:25:16,520 Speaker 4: and God will step in and do the supernatural. I 516 00:25:16,520 --> 00:25:19,320 Speaker 4: love the story of Esther. She was bald, she had 517 00:25:19,320 --> 00:25:23,600 Speaker 4: that pioneering spirit, She was a young, beautiful Jewish girl, 518 00:25:23,960 --> 00:25:26,920 Speaker 4: and she was presented an opportunity to save the people 519 00:25:26,960 --> 00:25:30,400 Speaker 4: of Israel. Mordecai said to her, Esther, go in there 520 00:25:30,440 --> 00:25:32,840 Speaker 4: and stand before the king and plead with him and 521 00:25:32,960 --> 00:25:35,840 Speaker 4: tell him that there's somebody trying to destroy us. But 522 00:25:35,920 --> 00:25:38,320 Speaker 4: there was a law that said if you went before 523 00:25:38,359 --> 00:25:41,640 Speaker 4: the king without him holding up his golden rod, then 524 00:25:41,680 --> 00:25:44,240 Speaker 4: you would be killed. And I'm sure in the natural, 525 00:25:44,480 --> 00:25:46,440 Speaker 4: Esther didn't want to do it. I'm sure in the 526 00:25:46,520 --> 00:25:48,560 Speaker 4: natural she is thinking about man alive. What if I 527 00:25:48,600 --> 00:25:50,400 Speaker 4: go in there and he doesn't hold it up, That'll 528 00:25:50,440 --> 00:25:52,760 Speaker 4: be the end of me. But the word of the 529 00:25:52,800 --> 00:25:56,439 Speaker 4: Lord came to her and said, Esther, if you remain 530 00:25:56,680 --> 00:26:00,639 Speaker 4: silent at this time, relief and deliverance, We'll come to 531 00:26:00,680 --> 00:26:03,320 Speaker 4: the Jews from somebody else. But as for you and 532 00:26:03,359 --> 00:26:06,439 Speaker 4: your family, you will perish. And who knows but that 533 00:26:06,520 --> 00:26:08,879 Speaker 4: you have come to the kingdom for such a time 534 00:26:08,960 --> 00:26:12,360 Speaker 4: as this isn't an interesting. God was saying, in effect, Esther, 535 00:26:12,520 --> 00:26:15,000 Speaker 4: if you just play it safe and sit back. If 536 00:26:15,040 --> 00:26:17,240 Speaker 4: you don't take this step of faith, that's fine. I'll 537 00:26:17,280 --> 00:26:20,760 Speaker 4: find somebody else to deliver my people. But the problem is, Esther, 538 00:26:21,000 --> 00:26:24,160 Speaker 4: you're gonna miss out on your divine destiny. See, this 539 00:26:24,359 --> 00:26:26,960 Speaker 4: was not an opportunity that would come to her time 540 00:26:27,000 --> 00:26:29,639 Speaker 4: and time again. This was her one chance to make 541 00:26:29,680 --> 00:26:33,120 Speaker 4: a mark. This was her chance to really fulfill her 542 00:26:33,160 --> 00:26:36,520 Speaker 4: purpose in life. And I love what Esther said. She said, 543 00:26:36,800 --> 00:26:39,600 Speaker 4: if I perish, I perish. But I will not let 544 00:26:39,680 --> 00:26:42,719 Speaker 4: this moment pass. She was saying, sink or swim, I'm 545 00:26:42,720 --> 00:26:46,360 Speaker 4: gonna take this step of faith. And because of her courage, 546 00:26:46,359 --> 00:26:49,640 Speaker 4: because of her boldness, we're talking about her today. She's 547 00:26:49,720 --> 00:26:53,439 Speaker 4: one of the great heroes of faith. But sometimes we 548 00:26:53,560 --> 00:26:55,880 Speaker 4: come to a place in our life that is a 549 00:26:55,920 --> 00:27:00,800 Speaker 4: destiny altering decision. Many times we'll get another chins, but 550 00:27:00,840 --> 00:27:04,120 Speaker 4: there are times we come to an opportunity that will 551 00:27:04,119 --> 00:27:07,200 Speaker 4: not pass our way again, just like Esther's. I believe 552 00:27:07,240 --> 00:27:09,720 Speaker 4: stepping up after my father died was one of those 553 00:27:09,760 --> 00:27:12,359 Speaker 4: times for me. Now. I don't know what's going on 554 00:27:12,440 --> 00:27:15,160 Speaker 4: in your life. Maybe you have an opportunity in front 555 00:27:15,160 --> 00:27:16,919 Speaker 4: of you right now that you need to make a 556 00:27:16,960 --> 00:27:20,440 Speaker 4: decision about. Or maybe God is just getting you prepared 557 00:27:20,880 --> 00:27:22,720 Speaker 4: for some things that are come in your way in 558 00:27:22,760 --> 00:27:27,160 Speaker 4: the future. Whatever it is, be bold, have the courage 559 00:27:27,200 --> 00:27:30,200 Speaker 4: to step up and take a risk. Friends. Don't live 560 00:27:30,240 --> 00:27:33,440 Speaker 4: your whole life in your comfort zone. Yes you'll be safe, 561 00:27:33,480 --> 00:27:35,959 Speaker 4: but there are red seas you will have never seen parted. 562 00:27:36,359 --> 00:27:39,320 Speaker 4: They're a golias you will have never defeated. Dare to 563 00:27:39,359 --> 00:27:43,000 Speaker 4: stretch your faith, Dare to take that risk. God has 564 00:27:43,000 --> 00:27:45,120 Speaker 4: so much more in store for every one of you. 565 00:27:45,600 --> 00:27:48,280 Speaker 4: He wants to take you places that you've never dreamed of. 566 00:27:48,680 --> 00:27:50,960 Speaker 4: And the good news is He's put the right stuff 567 00:27:51,000 --> 00:27:54,040 Speaker 4: on the inside of you. You have seeds of greatness, 568 00:27:54,240 --> 00:27:57,320 Speaker 4: You are full of God's incredible potential. You have his 569 00:27:57,600 --> 00:28:00,600 Speaker 4: can do power. Why don't you make it decision with 570 00:28:00,680 --> 00:28:03,040 Speaker 4: me that you're gonna hold your shoulders back and start 571 00:28:03,080 --> 00:28:06,159 Speaker 4: living with more boldness. You're gonna have that pioneering spirit, 572 00:28:06,359 --> 00:28:10,160 Speaker 4: and when those opportunities come, you're gonna step out in faith. Friends, 573 00:28:10,160 --> 00:28:12,200 Speaker 4: if you'll get out of your safe zone and get 574 00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:14,679 Speaker 4: over into the faith zone and just fall of the 575 00:28:14,720 --> 00:28:17,960 Speaker 4: cloud wherever it leads. God has promised he will commend 576 00:28:18,040 --> 00:28:20,960 Speaker 4: you to be blessed and you'll experience the abundant life 577 00:28:21,000 --> 00:28:23,320 Speaker 4: he has in story. Amen, how many ofver receive it 578 00:28:23,400 --> 00:28:26,520 Speaker 4: this morning? I know you do. We never like to 579 00:28:26,600 --> 00:28:30,080 Speaker 4: close our broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make 580 00:28:30,200 --> 00:28:32,879 Speaker 4: Jesus the lord of your life. Would you pray with me? 581 00:28:33,480 --> 00:28:38,640 Speaker 4: Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 582 00:28:38,680 --> 00:28:43,560 Speaker 4: into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. Friends, 583 00:28:43,560 --> 00:28:45,880 Speaker 4: if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 584 00:28:45,880 --> 00:28:49,040 Speaker 4: born again. Get in a good Bible based church, keep 585 00:28:49,040 --> 00:28:51,960 Speaker 4: God first place. He's gonna take your places that you've 586 00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:55,960 Speaker 4: never dreamed of. Thanks so much for listening to today's message. 587 00:28:56,080 --> 00:28:58,880 Speaker 4: I hope you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest 588 00:28:58,920 --> 00:29:02,360 Speaker 4: podcast to keep be encouraged and inspired all through the week. 589 00:29:02,560 --> 00:29:04,800 Speaker 3: Help us to continue to share the message of hope 590 00:29:04,800 --> 00:29:06,280 Speaker 3: with those all around the world. 591 00:29:06,600 --> 00:29:09,360 Speaker 2: Visit joeloasting dot com or click the link in the 592 00:29:09,400 --> 00:29:11,560 Speaker 2: description to partner with us today. 593 00:29:11,800 --> 00:29:14,280 Speaker 4: We hope you'll share this message with a friend and 594 00:29:14,360 --> 00:29:17,160 Speaker 4: be sure to follow us on social media. We're praying 595 00:29:17,240 --> 00:29:20,320 Speaker 4: for you. I know God's best is still ahead. 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