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That's code 34 00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:26,320 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 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:32,960 Speaker 4: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. 38 00:01:33,040 --> 00:01:36,080 Speaker 5: Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting 39 00:01:36,080 --> 00:01:39,000 Speaker 5: the ministry. If you enjoy today's message, why don't you 40 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:41,840 Speaker 5: be a blessing and share it with a friends, reappreciate 41 00:01:41,920 --> 00:01:57,280 Speaker 5: you and pray for God's very best in your life. Well, 42 00:01:57,320 --> 00:01:59,800 Speaker 5: God bless you. It's always a joy to come into 43 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:02,520 Speaker 5: your homes. And if you're ever in our area, please 44 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:05,000 Speaker 5: stop buying be a part of one of our services. 45 00:02:05,160 --> 00:02:07,320 Speaker 4: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 46 00:02:07,520 --> 00:02:09,840 Speaker 5: But thanks so much for tuning in, and thank you 47 00:02:09,880 --> 00:02:12,400 Speaker 5: again for coming out today. And I like to start 48 00:02:12,440 --> 00:02:15,320 Speaker 5: with something funny. And I heard about this lady. She 49 00:02:15,440 --> 00:02:18,639 Speaker 5: saw this little old man sitting on his front porch, 50 00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:20,160 Speaker 5: rocking in his rocking chair. 51 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:22,160 Speaker 4: And I always seem to be so happy. 52 00:02:22,639 --> 00:02:25,120 Speaker 5: She finally went over to him, said, can't help but 53 00:02:25,240 --> 00:02:28,400 Speaker 5: notice you're always smiling, always in a good mood. 54 00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:31,400 Speaker 4: Tell me what is your secret for such a long 55 00:02:31,680 --> 00:02:34,080 Speaker 4: happy life? He said, that's easy. 56 00:02:34,360 --> 00:02:37,919 Speaker 5: I smoke three packs of cigarettes every day. I eat 57 00:02:37,960 --> 00:02:40,679 Speaker 5: nothing but junk food, and I never exercise. 58 00:02:41,320 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 4: She said, that's amazing. How old are you he said, 59 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:48,600 Speaker 4: twenty six. Hold up your Bible. Say it like you 60 00:02:48,680 --> 00:02:49,000 Speaker 4: mean it. 61 00:02:49,440 --> 00:02:52,079 Speaker 5: This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 62 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:54,840 Speaker 5: I have what it says I have. I can do 63 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:57,440 Speaker 5: what it says I can do. Today I will be 64 00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:01,240 Speaker 5: talked the word of God. I boldly can. My mind 65 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:04,480 Speaker 5: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 66 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:09,600 Speaker 5: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 67 00:03:09,600 --> 00:03:13,519 Speaker 5: to talk to you today about defining moments. We all 68 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:16,960 Speaker 5: make hundreds of decisions each day, and most of them 69 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:20,399 Speaker 5: are routine. We don't think much about them, but there 70 00:03:20,440 --> 00:03:24,640 Speaker 5: are certain decisions that carry much more weight. They not 71 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:28,959 Speaker 5: only affect us, they affect our children and future generations. 72 00:03:29,560 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 5: And sometimes what we think is an ordinary decision no 73 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:36,360 Speaker 5: big deal, it's really a defining moment. 74 00:03:37,240 --> 00:03:40,520 Speaker 4: When you're in a situation where you're tempted. 75 00:03:40,240 --> 00:03:44,720 Speaker 5: To compromise, to get upset, to be better, you know, 76 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:46,960 Speaker 5: to make the right choice, you have to dig your 77 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:50,520 Speaker 5: heels in, be disciplined, not go by what you feel. 78 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:55,480 Speaker 5: That's not just another routine choice. That's a defining moment, 79 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:58,880 Speaker 5: the decisions you make in these tough times. 80 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:01,320 Speaker 4: When you feel doing the easy. 81 00:04:01,040 --> 00:04:04,880 Speaker 5: Thing, you feel like telling somebody off, you feel like 82 00:04:04,960 --> 00:04:08,600 Speaker 5: being offended, you have to remind yourself this is a 83 00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:12,400 Speaker 5: defining moment. It's going to impact my destiny. So I'm 84 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:14,839 Speaker 5: going to dig my heels in and do the right thing, 85 00:04:15,240 --> 00:04:19,840 Speaker 5: even though it's difficult. See, the pain of discipline is 86 00:04:19,960 --> 00:04:24,080 Speaker 5: much less than the pain of regret. It's better to 87 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:27,240 Speaker 5: be uncomfortable for a little while than to make a 88 00:04:27,279 --> 00:04:31,320 Speaker 5: poor choice and be uncomfortable for a long time and 89 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:34,160 Speaker 5: giving into what we feel, what we want, taking. 90 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:34,760 Speaker 4: The easy way out. 91 00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:40,520 Speaker 5: That pleasure is only temporary. The pain lasts much longer. 92 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:43,200 Speaker 5: But in the heat of the moment, every voice will 93 00:04:43,240 --> 00:04:45,680 Speaker 5: tell you it doesn't matter, it's no big deal. 94 00:04:45,880 --> 00:04:48,480 Speaker 4: Just do it. Not going to hurt anything. Don't believe 95 00:04:48,520 --> 00:04:51,160 Speaker 4: those lies. It's going to impact your destiny. 96 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:57,720 Speaker 5: Jesus said, pray that you don't enter into temptation. Whatever 97 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:01,200 Speaker 5: area that you struggle in before before you leave the house, 98 00:05:01,400 --> 00:05:04,320 Speaker 5: you need to pray. God help me to keep my 99 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:07,159 Speaker 5: cool today, or God helped me to keep my eyes 100 00:05:07,200 --> 00:05:10,800 Speaker 5: on the right things. God helped me to resist this addiction, 101 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:14,800 Speaker 5: to not compromise. Then all through the day you have 102 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:19,640 Speaker 5: to guard your mind. Every temptation starts with a thought. 103 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:23,200 Speaker 5: This is where the real battle is taking place. And 104 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:27,359 Speaker 5: when those tempting thoughts come, don't dwell on it, don't 105 00:05:27,360 --> 00:05:30,200 Speaker 5: give it the time of day. If you allow it 106 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:33,120 Speaker 5: to stay, it'll draw you in and can lead you 107 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:33,920 Speaker 5: to compromise. 108 00:05:35,120 --> 00:05:36,760 Speaker 4: This is what Joseph had to do. 109 00:05:37,160 --> 00:05:39,919 Speaker 5: He was working as a slave at the house of 110 00:05:39,960 --> 00:05:44,839 Speaker 5: a man named Potterphar. He continued to excel. Eventually Potterphar 111 00:05:44,880 --> 00:05:46,960 Speaker 5: put him in charge of his whole household. 112 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:47,960 Speaker 4: Well. 113 00:05:48,040 --> 00:05:51,640 Speaker 5: Joseph was a good looking young man, tall, dark and handsome, 114 00:05:52,440 --> 00:05:55,800 Speaker 5: One day, he was walking through the house minding his 115 00:05:55,880 --> 00:05:59,760 Speaker 5: own business when Potterphar's wife came up and tried to 116 00:05:59,760 --> 00:06:04,640 Speaker 5: see him. She made advances toward him. Here, Joseph was 117 00:06:04,680 --> 00:06:08,400 Speaker 5: a slave. He'd been betrayed by his brothers, thrown. 118 00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:12,039 Speaker 4: Into a pit. He could have thought, God's forgotten about me. 119 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:16,880 Speaker 5: What's it gonna matter if I compromise. Besides, it's her idea. Anyway, 120 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:19,559 Speaker 5: I'm tired of being stuck as a slave. I'm ready 121 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:21,920 Speaker 5: to have some fun. He could have let his guard down, 122 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:25,280 Speaker 5: taken the easy way out, but he didn't do it. 123 00:06:25,839 --> 00:06:30,280 Speaker 5: He realized it was a defining moment. He wouldn't compromise. 124 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:33,880 Speaker 5: She grabbed him by the sleeve and pulled him close. 125 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:38,680 Speaker 5: The scripture says he tore himself away and took off running. 126 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:43,880 Speaker 5: Notice how determined he was. Sometimes to stay on the 127 00:06:43,960 --> 00:06:47,600 Speaker 5: high road. You have to take drastic measures. Now. 128 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:50,440 Speaker 4: I know it's not very macho to run from a woman, 129 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 4: but you gotta do what you gotta do. 130 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:57,359 Speaker 5: When he turned and ran away, she ripped part of 131 00:06:57,400 --> 00:06:58,080 Speaker 5: his coat off. 132 00:06:58,720 --> 00:07:01,760 Speaker 4: She lied about him. She falsely accused him. 133 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:05,159 Speaker 5: Joseph went to prison, but when it was all said 134 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:07,640 Speaker 5: and done, he was put in charge of all the 135 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:12,120 Speaker 5: affairs of Egypt. What you do in your defining moments 136 00:07:12,360 --> 00:07:15,960 Speaker 5: will make you or break you. If Joseph would have 137 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 5: taken the easy way out, given into the temptation, I'm 138 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:21,840 Speaker 5: not so sure he would have made it to the 139 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:25,960 Speaker 5: throne God would have forgiven him. Of course, God always 140 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 5: gives us another chance. 141 00:07:28,040 --> 00:07:29,920 Speaker 4: But to reach your highest. 142 00:07:29,440 --> 00:07:33,720 Speaker 5: Potential, you have to pass these certain tests. And the 143 00:07:33,800 --> 00:07:38,240 Speaker 5: scripture says to run from temptation. It doesn't say to 144 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:43,320 Speaker 5: just casually get away, be careful, watch out. God specifically 145 00:07:43,360 --> 00:07:49,120 Speaker 5: says run. There's a sense of urgency. This means don't 146 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:53,440 Speaker 5: play games. Your destiny is at stake. That person at 147 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:58,360 Speaker 5: the office that's overly friendly toward you, they're making advances. 148 00:07:58,960 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 5: God has a word from the Lord for you today. 149 00:08:01,760 --> 00:08:05,120 Speaker 5: Run and joel, I'm not gonna do anything. I just 150 00:08:05,280 --> 00:08:07,720 Speaker 5: like the attention they give me. No, if you mess 151 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:12,400 Speaker 5: with fire, you're going to get burned. That temporary pleasure 152 00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:17,360 Speaker 5: is not worth the long term pain. He may be tall, dark, handsome, 153 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:20,720 Speaker 5: and rich. She may be hot, fine, good looking, beautiful. 154 00:08:20,840 --> 00:08:24,280 Speaker 5: It's not worth missing your destiny over Let me make 155 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:27,560 Speaker 5: it more practical. Maybe you're trying to lose weight. You're 156 00:08:27,600 --> 00:08:32,800 Speaker 5: up at the mall and you walk by the Cynabon booth, run, 157 00:08:34,400 --> 00:08:37,480 Speaker 5: don't go over there, thinking you're just gonna look and see. 158 00:08:38,040 --> 00:08:40,160 Speaker 4: The spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. 159 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:43,800 Speaker 5: If you go over there, you're gonna end up eating 160 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:48,000 Speaker 5: three and taking four to go. When you turn the 161 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:51,160 Speaker 5: computer on and that ad pops up that you know 162 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:55,160 Speaker 5: is not healthy, run, don't go check it out. You 163 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:57,319 Speaker 5: may need to turn the computer off and go take 164 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 5: a good run. When your spy Gosh says something that 165 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:02,920 Speaker 5: irritates you, you're ready to. 166 00:09:02,920 --> 00:09:06,199 Speaker 4: Give him a piece of your mind. Tell him all right. 167 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:09,280 Speaker 5: Then, just like Joseph, you need to turn run away. 168 00:09:09,880 --> 00:09:13,600 Speaker 5: You can explain it later. What am I saying. Get 169 00:09:13,640 --> 00:09:18,839 Speaker 5: out of compromising situations as quickly as you can. God 170 00:09:18,920 --> 00:09:22,120 Speaker 5: will give you the grace to overcome what you can't 171 00:09:22,120 --> 00:09:25,040 Speaker 5: get away from, but he won't give you the grace 172 00:09:25,120 --> 00:09:29,240 Speaker 5: to overcome what we can get away from. Sometimes we 173 00:09:29,360 --> 00:09:32,800 Speaker 5: keep falling into the same temptation, the same compromise, again 174 00:09:32,840 --> 00:09:36,120 Speaker 5: and again. It could all change if we would do 175 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:40,160 Speaker 5: our part and get out of those situations. One time, 176 00:09:40,240 --> 00:09:43,000 Speaker 5: David was at home and he'd been resting most of 177 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:45,840 Speaker 5: the day, and around dusk, he decided to go up 178 00:09:45,880 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 5: on his rooftop and get some fresh air. When he did, 179 00:09:49,679 --> 00:09:53,120 Speaker 5: he looked out and saw this beautiful young lady taking 180 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:57,520 Speaker 5: a bath. Instead of running from the temptation, he said, 181 00:09:57,520 --> 00:10:04,560 Speaker 5: thank you Jesus. Scripture says, with every temptation God will 182 00:10:04,559 --> 00:10:06,600 Speaker 5: make a way of escape. 183 00:10:06,679 --> 00:10:09,560 Speaker 4: There will always be a moment of grace. 184 00:10:10,120 --> 00:10:12,200 Speaker 5: There will be a time where you have the strength 185 00:10:12,720 --> 00:10:15,520 Speaker 5: the ability to resist and walk away. 186 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:17,080 Speaker 4: But here's the key. 187 00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:22,120 Speaker 5: The moment of grace doesn't last hour after hour. Right 188 00:10:22,200 --> 00:10:25,080 Speaker 5: at the start, you gotta dig your heels in, be 189 00:10:25,200 --> 00:10:29,040 Speaker 5: disciplined to do the right thing. David let his guard down, 190 00:10:29,559 --> 00:10:32,120 Speaker 5: had an affair with the woman, then he had her 191 00:10:32,240 --> 00:10:36,680 Speaker 5: husband killed. One compromise led to another. It could have 192 00:10:36,720 --> 00:10:40,080 Speaker 5: all been avoided if it had done like Joseph. 193 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:41,920 Speaker 4: And simply ran from the temptation. 194 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:48,600 Speaker 5: Joseph's father was Jacob. Joseph had a twin brother named Esau. 195 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:53,000 Speaker 5: One time, Esau was very hungry, been out hunting, couldn't 196 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:56,400 Speaker 5: find anything to eat. All of a sudden, he smelled 197 00:10:56,400 --> 00:10:59,880 Speaker 5: this great aroma in the air. It was the stew 198 00:11:00,200 --> 00:11:03,360 Speaker 5: that Jacob had made. He went over and said, Jacob, 199 00:11:03,679 --> 00:11:06,120 Speaker 5: I'm famished. Can I have some of your stew? I'm 200 00:11:06,160 --> 00:11:06,920 Speaker 5: so hungry. 201 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:08,400 Speaker 4: You would think. 202 00:11:08,280 --> 00:11:11,320 Speaker 5: Jacob would say, sure, Esau, you're my brother, you can 203 00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:14,480 Speaker 5: have as much as you want. But Jacob never missed 204 00:11:14,520 --> 00:11:18,760 Speaker 5: an opportunity to take advantage of someone. He said, Esau, 205 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:21,800 Speaker 5: I'll be glad to give you some stew if you'll 206 00:11:21,840 --> 00:11:22,400 Speaker 5: trade me. 207 00:11:22,760 --> 00:11:27,400 Speaker 4: Your birthright for it. The birthright was extremely valuable. 208 00:11:27,960 --> 00:11:31,440 Speaker 5: It belonged to the firstborn son. It gave them a 209 00:11:31,520 --> 00:11:35,439 Speaker 5: double portion. Esau was the oldest son. He had the birthright, 210 00:11:36,160 --> 00:11:39,600 Speaker 5: but he was so hungry. He said, what good is 211 00:11:39,640 --> 00:11:42,559 Speaker 5: this birthright going to do me? If I starved to death? 212 00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:46,839 Speaker 5: When we let our feelings rule us, we never make 213 00:11:46,920 --> 00:11:51,240 Speaker 5: good decisions. Esau wasn't going to starve. He was a 214 00:11:51,280 --> 00:11:54,760 Speaker 5: skillful hunter. It was just a matter of time before 215 00:11:54,800 --> 00:11:57,720 Speaker 5: he found something to eat. But he was so moved 216 00:11:57,760 --> 00:12:01,120 Speaker 5: by his feelings he said, okay, Jacob, you got a deal. 217 00:12:01,559 --> 00:12:04,760 Speaker 5: I'll trade you my birthright for your pot of stews. 218 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:10,560 Speaker 5: Esau chose to satisfy a short term appetite, but it 219 00:12:10,640 --> 00:12:15,679 Speaker 5: cost him a lifetime blessing. He gave away something extremely 220 00:12:15,840 --> 00:12:20,200 Speaker 5: valuable because he was uncomfortable. He wanted to be happy 221 00:12:20,280 --> 00:12:23,960 Speaker 5: right then. He didn't think about the long term. He 222 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:27,840 Speaker 5: didn't realize that was a defining moment. You can't get 223 00:12:27,840 --> 00:12:30,360 Speaker 5: on board with your feelings, your feelings will lead you 224 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:31,320 Speaker 5: down the wrong path. 225 00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:33,000 Speaker 4: Hebrews says. 226 00:12:33,720 --> 00:12:37,679 Speaker 5: Esau had no chance to recall the choice he made, 227 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:39,199 Speaker 5: even though he sought. 228 00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:40,520 Speaker 4: For it with bitter tears. 229 00:12:41,600 --> 00:12:45,920 Speaker 5: I wonder how many times we're missing God's best because 230 00:12:45,960 --> 00:12:50,160 Speaker 5: we're making decisions based on the short term, what we want, 231 00:12:50,480 --> 00:12:54,240 Speaker 5: what we feel. The flesh likes to be comfortable. I 232 00:12:54,280 --> 00:12:56,320 Speaker 5: know I should bite my tongue, but it feels good 233 00:12:56,320 --> 00:12:59,000 Speaker 5: to tell him off. I know I should be faithful 234 00:12:59,040 --> 00:13:02,320 Speaker 5: in this relationship, but I like hanging with this other person. 235 00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:05,960 Speaker 5: Or I know I should have integrity in my business dealings, 236 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:06,920 Speaker 5: but Joel. 237 00:13:06,679 --> 00:13:08,720 Speaker 4: This is an easy way to get ahead. 238 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:13,960 Speaker 5: The decisions you make in your defining moments will determine 239 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:17,439 Speaker 5: how high you will rise. Will you be a Joseph 240 00:13:17,480 --> 00:13:20,640 Speaker 5: and do the right thing when it's hard, or will 241 00:13:20,679 --> 00:13:25,040 Speaker 5: you be an Esau and compromise to accommodate how you feel. 242 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:30,040 Speaker 5: Esau was so furious with Jacob for tricking him out 243 00:13:30,040 --> 00:13:34,080 Speaker 5: of his birthright, he was planning on killing him. Jacob 244 00:13:34,120 --> 00:13:36,320 Speaker 5: got word that his life was in danger and took 245 00:13:36,360 --> 00:13:41,000 Speaker 5: off running. Many years later, Jacob had become so prosperous 246 00:13:41,440 --> 00:13:44,040 Speaker 5: that the land couldn't sustain all of his animals. 247 00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:45,960 Speaker 4: He wanted to go back home. 248 00:13:46,640 --> 00:13:50,280 Speaker 5: The problem was the only route was through the land 249 00:13:50,640 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 5: that Esau owned. Jacob decided to take a chance. He 250 00:13:55,120 --> 00:13:59,679 Speaker 5: sent messengers to give gifts to Esau. The messengers came 251 00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:03,800 Speaker 5: back and said, Esau is coming to see you, and. 252 00:14:03,720 --> 00:14:07,520 Speaker 4: He's bringing four hundred men with him. Jacob thought that 253 00:14:07,559 --> 00:14:10,880 Speaker 4: means one thing revenge. He's gonna pay me back. 254 00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:16,040 Speaker 5: Jacob was so full of fear and so uptight this time, 255 00:14:16,240 --> 00:14:20,520 Speaker 5: he sent hundreds of animals ahead of him, hoping that 256 00:14:20,560 --> 00:14:24,120 Speaker 5: when Esau saw all the sheep, the camel, the goats, 257 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:25,800 Speaker 5: that his heart would be softened. 258 00:14:26,680 --> 00:14:30,560 Speaker 4: Finally, the big moment arrived. They see Esau and four 259 00:14:30,640 --> 00:14:34,800 Speaker 4: hundred men coming toward them. Jacob's heart starts beating ninety 260 00:14:34,840 --> 00:14:36,960 Speaker 4: to nothing. The adrenaline is flowing. 261 00:14:37,440 --> 00:14:41,160 Speaker 5: He's about to see the man he cheated, deceived, stole 262 00:14:41,240 --> 00:14:45,840 Speaker 5: his double portion. Jacob told someone to take his family, 263 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:51,480 Speaker 5: including his young son Joseph, over to the side hopefully so. 264 00:14:51,480 --> 00:14:52,440 Speaker 4: They wouldn't get hurt. 265 00:14:53,280 --> 00:14:57,360 Speaker 5: This little boy, Joseph is watching all the drama take place. 266 00:14:58,320 --> 00:15:02,800 Speaker 5: He knows his father cheated his uncle Esau. He knows 267 00:15:02,880 --> 00:15:04,160 Speaker 5: his dad has done wrong. 268 00:15:04,360 --> 00:15:05,560 Speaker 4: He's heard the stories. 269 00:15:06,600 --> 00:15:10,160 Speaker 5: Esau's a couple hundred yards coming toward them. In an 270 00:15:10,200 --> 00:15:14,080 Speaker 5: act of humility, Jacob went out and bowed down seven 271 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:19,000 Speaker 5: times before Esau. When Esau recognized it was Jacob, he 272 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:23,320 Speaker 5: took off running toward him. Jacob thought, oh great, I'm done. 273 00:15:23,360 --> 00:15:26,960 Speaker 5: This is it wasn't what he thought. When Esau got there, 274 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:31,440 Speaker 5: he grabbed Jacob and gave him a big hug. The 275 00:15:31,480 --> 00:15:34,560 Speaker 5: scripture says he threw his arms around his neck. 276 00:15:34,720 --> 00:15:38,680 Speaker 4: And kissed him and embraced him. They both begin to 277 00:15:38,720 --> 00:15:39,600 Speaker 4: weep and weep. 278 00:15:40,480 --> 00:15:44,160 Speaker 5: Finally, Esau looked up, said, Jacob, who are all these 279 00:15:44,200 --> 00:15:48,720 Speaker 5: people around us? Jacob said, this is my family, These 280 00:15:48,720 --> 00:15:52,520 Speaker 5: are my children. In fact, there's your little nephew, Joseph 281 00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:57,480 Speaker 5: over there. I can imagine Esau going over and hugging Joseph. 282 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:01,640 Speaker 5: It was a defining moment not only in Esau's life 283 00:16:02,040 --> 00:16:04,600 Speaker 5: this time he passed the test, but it was a 284 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:10,240 Speaker 5: defining moment in Joseph's life. He saw his uncle show 285 00:16:10,320 --> 00:16:13,680 Speaker 5: mercy to his father. He saw him forgive a wrong 286 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:18,600 Speaker 5: take the high road. This incredible act of kindness left 287 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:23,840 Speaker 5: an indelible mark on Joseph's heart. Fast forward many many 288 00:16:23,920 --> 00:16:27,920 Speaker 5: years later, this little boy Joseph is a grown man. 289 00:16:28,920 --> 00:16:32,320 Speaker 5: He's been sold into slavery, He's been thrown into a pit, 290 00:16:32,800 --> 00:16:36,400 Speaker 5: he's been through prison. Now he's the leader of a 291 00:16:36,440 --> 00:16:41,200 Speaker 5: great nation, second in command only to the Pharaoh. There's 292 00:16:41,240 --> 00:16:45,360 Speaker 5: a terrible famine throughout the land. Joseph is in charge 293 00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:48,240 Speaker 5: of the food supply, one of the most powerful people 294 00:16:48,320 --> 00:16:53,440 Speaker 5: of that time. One day, his brothers, the same ones 295 00:16:53,520 --> 00:16:56,280 Speaker 5: that threw him into a pit, the same ones that 296 00:16:56,360 --> 00:17:00,360 Speaker 5: sold him into slavery, made his life so miserable, were 297 00:17:00,400 --> 00:17:04,520 Speaker 5: now standing right before him. They were trying to get 298 00:17:04,560 --> 00:17:08,080 Speaker 5: food for their family. It had been so many years. 299 00:17:08,320 --> 00:17:12,480 Speaker 5: They don't recognize that it's their other Joseph. They all 300 00:17:12,560 --> 00:17:17,879 Speaker 5: bowed down before Joseph in humility. Joseph suddenly flashes back 301 00:17:18,440 --> 00:17:21,560 Speaker 5: to that time when he was a little boy, and 302 00:17:21,600 --> 00:17:26,440 Speaker 5: he saw Jacob, his father, bowed down to Esau. All 303 00:17:26,520 --> 00:17:30,040 Speaker 5: these emotions come flooding up in his heart. It's like 304 00:17:30,119 --> 00:17:34,200 Speaker 5: the same scene is playing out, but this time he's 305 00:17:34,240 --> 00:17:40,440 Speaker 5: in Esau's position. He remembers how Esau showed his father mercy. 306 00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:45,040 Speaker 5: He remembers how Esau forgave the wrong, treated him with kindness, 307 00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:45,960 Speaker 5: even though his. 308 00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:50,320 Speaker 4: Father didn't deserve it. Joseph looked at his brothers. 309 00:17:50,560 --> 00:17:53,280 Speaker 5: When he could have gotten revenge, when he could have 310 00:17:53,359 --> 00:17:57,639 Speaker 5: paid them back, But because of a defining moment that 311 00:17:57,800 --> 00:18:01,240 Speaker 5: happened when he was a little boy, he too was 312 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:06,120 Speaker 5: full of mercy. He treated his brothers like Esau treated 313 00:18:06,160 --> 00:18:06,639 Speaker 5: his father. 314 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:08,040 Speaker 4: Genesis says. 315 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:12,280 Speaker 5: He threw his arms around their necks, hugged them, embraced them. 316 00:18:12,440 --> 00:18:13,320 Speaker 4: They wept together. 317 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:18,400 Speaker 5: Joseph moved all of his brothers, seventy family members, including 318 00:18:18,440 --> 00:18:19,280 Speaker 5: his father. 319 00:18:19,280 --> 00:18:22,480 Speaker 4: Back to Egypt. He gave them the best part of 320 00:18:22,520 --> 00:18:24,600 Speaker 4: the land. What am I saying? 321 00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:30,040 Speaker 5: The decisions you make in your defining moments not only affect. 322 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:33,840 Speaker 4: You, they affect your children. How you respond to a 323 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:37,600 Speaker 4: wrong that's been done to you, how you handle a disappointment, 324 00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:41,680 Speaker 4: your attitude in the tough times. That's leaving a mark 325 00:18:41,840 --> 00:18:42,920 Speaker 4: on those around you. 326 00:18:43,960 --> 00:18:46,800 Speaker 5: Sometimes you have to do the right thing, not because 327 00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:50,600 Speaker 5: you feel like it, but because you're setting an example 328 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:51,920 Speaker 5: for your children. 329 00:18:52,200 --> 00:18:56,000 Speaker 4: That defining moment will live on. Maybe you get a 330 00:18:56,040 --> 00:18:59,959 Speaker 4: negative medical report, you feel like falling apart. In the 331 00:19:00,240 --> 00:19:02,439 Speaker 4: defining moment, you stay in peace. 332 00:19:03,280 --> 00:19:06,760 Speaker 5: You know God's in control the number of your days 333 00:19:06,800 --> 00:19:10,760 Speaker 5: he will fulfill. When your children hit a tough time, 334 00:19:11,160 --> 00:19:12,000 Speaker 5: you know what they'll do. 335 00:19:12,280 --> 00:19:14,840 Speaker 4: Stay in peace. They'll follow your example. 336 00:19:15,960 --> 00:19:21,280 Speaker 5: Your response in the defining moments speaks volumes. This is 337 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:26,560 Speaker 5: what's creating your legacy. What you did in the difficult times, 338 00:19:27,119 --> 00:19:29,640 Speaker 5: how you treated people that didn't treat you right. 339 00:19:30,480 --> 00:19:32,280 Speaker 4: Any of us can do the right thing in the 340 00:19:32,320 --> 00:19:33,439 Speaker 4: good times. That's easy. 341 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:37,440 Speaker 5: But to reach the fullness of your destiny, you have 342 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:41,840 Speaker 5: to pass the test of these defining moments. Years ago, 343 00:19:42,040 --> 00:19:45,720 Speaker 5: my brother Paul was in Colorado skiing with his son, Matthew. 344 00:19:46,280 --> 00:19:49,200 Speaker 5: Matt was eight years old, and they'd been out skiing 345 00:19:49,240 --> 00:19:51,359 Speaker 5: all day and that night they went out to eat. 346 00:19:51,920 --> 00:19:54,879 Speaker 5: Paul drove his rental car to the big shopping center. 347 00:19:55,200 --> 00:19:58,679 Speaker 5: After they finished eating, there was a big storm was 348 00:19:58,720 --> 00:19:59,960 Speaker 5: snowing really badly. 349 00:20:00,119 --> 00:20:01,080 Speaker 4: The wind was blowing. 350 00:20:01,520 --> 00:20:05,400 Speaker 5: You could hardly see anything like a blizzard. Hardly anyone 351 00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:09,200 Speaker 5: else was out. While Paul was still in the parking lot, 352 00:20:09,800 --> 00:20:13,080 Speaker 5: just maybe going five miles an hour. Creeping along trying 353 00:20:13,119 --> 00:20:16,480 Speaker 5: to find his way out, he noticed these flashing red 354 00:20:16,560 --> 00:20:17,520 Speaker 5: lights behind him. 355 00:20:18,040 --> 00:20:20,280 Speaker 4: He pulled over. It was the security guard. 356 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:23,520 Speaker 5: He came up to Paul's window, and he thought this 357 00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:26,399 Speaker 5: man was going to advise him about the storm and 358 00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:29,520 Speaker 5: maybe encourage him not to leave since it was a blizzard. 359 00:20:30,240 --> 00:20:34,000 Speaker 5: But this man was very curt very matter of fact. 360 00:20:34,760 --> 00:20:37,359 Speaker 5: He informed Paul that he had just run a stop 361 00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:41,240 Speaker 5: sign there in the parking lot during the blizzard, and 362 00:20:41,320 --> 00:20:43,919 Speaker 5: he was going to give him a ticket. When he 363 00:20:43,960 --> 00:20:48,000 Speaker 5: saw Paul's driver's license, he said sarcastically, Oh, I guess 364 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:50,560 Speaker 5: stop signs don't mean anything in Texas. 365 00:20:51,480 --> 00:20:54,880 Speaker 4: Paul was so irritated he was ready to give him 366 00:20:54,880 --> 00:20:57,560 Speaker 4: a piece of his mind. See Paul's not as holy 367 00:20:57,640 --> 00:20:58,200 Speaker 4: as I am. 368 00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:04,239 Speaker 5: Paul thought, here, I'm in a rental car in a 369 00:21:04,240 --> 00:21:07,000 Speaker 5: different city, I don't know the roads, in a parking 370 00:21:07,080 --> 00:21:10,119 Speaker 5: lot in the middle of a blizzard, and you're gonna 371 00:21:10,119 --> 00:21:12,080 Speaker 5: give me a ticket for running. 372 00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:12,679 Speaker 4: A stop sign. 373 00:21:13,200 --> 00:21:16,120 Speaker 5: He had this big speech all planned out for when 374 00:21:16,160 --> 00:21:19,320 Speaker 5: the officer came back to his window. Then he looked 375 00:21:19,359 --> 00:21:23,000 Speaker 5: over and noticed little Matt was taking all this in, 376 00:21:24,040 --> 00:21:25,480 Speaker 5: even though he was a young boy. 377 00:21:25,760 --> 00:21:27,920 Speaker 4: Matt knew this was an unfair situation. 378 00:21:28,800 --> 00:21:33,080 Speaker 5: When Paul realized that Matt was watching, it totally changed 379 00:21:33,080 --> 00:21:37,120 Speaker 5: his perspective. He knew this was a defining moment. How 380 00:21:37,200 --> 00:21:40,240 Speaker 5: he responded in this unfair time would. 381 00:21:40,080 --> 00:21:42,760 Speaker 4: Not only affect him, but it would affect his son. 382 00:21:43,680 --> 00:21:46,320 Speaker 5: When the officer came back, Paul was as friendly as 383 00:21:46,320 --> 00:21:49,040 Speaker 5: can be. He said, I'm sorry, officer, I'll do better 384 00:21:49,080 --> 00:21:51,840 Speaker 5: next time. He took the ticket and then tore it up. 385 00:21:52,040 --> 00:21:56,320 Speaker 5: Now I'm just kidding. But Paul never said a negative 386 00:21:56,359 --> 00:21:59,760 Speaker 5: word to Matt about the officer, didn't try to bad 387 00:21:59,760 --> 00:22:04,120 Speaker 5: Mats out him. He showed him respect and moved on. Today, 388 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:06,879 Speaker 5: Matt is a grown man, has his own child. 389 00:22:07,320 --> 00:22:10,399 Speaker 4: He's never been anything but respectful to people. 390 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:13,480 Speaker 5: But what if Paul would have been rude and thought, hey, 391 00:22:13,480 --> 00:22:15,600 Speaker 5: you know what, he's sarcastic to me, I'm gonna be 392 00:22:15,640 --> 00:22:17,120 Speaker 5: sarcastic back to him. 393 00:22:17,720 --> 00:22:20,159 Speaker 4: He would have been training his child. That's o k 394 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:23,600 Speaker 4: to be disrespectful. It's kay to buck the system. You 395 00:22:23,640 --> 00:22:25,040 Speaker 4: don't have to listen to authority. 396 00:22:25,840 --> 00:22:30,040 Speaker 5: The defining moments carry much more weight. Make sure you're 397 00:22:30,080 --> 00:22:35,000 Speaker 5: passing the test. No person lives or dies unto himself. 398 00:22:35,680 --> 00:22:37,480 Speaker 5: People are watching you, not just. 399 00:22:37,440 --> 00:22:41,320 Speaker 4: Your children, your coworkers, your neighbors, that person at the gem. 400 00:22:41,760 --> 00:22:45,159 Speaker 5: What makes the biggest impression is not what we do 401 00:22:45,240 --> 00:22:48,560 Speaker 5: in the good times, but it's how we respond in 402 00:22:48,600 --> 00:22:52,520 Speaker 5: the difficult times. The next time you have an unfair situation, 403 00:22:53,080 --> 00:22:56,399 Speaker 5: somebody does you wrong, your plans don't work out. Instead 404 00:22:56,400 --> 00:22:59,879 Speaker 5: of making a quick decision that you may regret later on, 405 00:23:00,440 --> 00:23:03,159 Speaker 5: why don't you take a step back and say, Okay, 406 00:23:03,320 --> 00:23:07,240 Speaker 5: I recognize this is one of my defining moments. I'm 407 00:23:07,240 --> 00:23:09,840 Speaker 5: not gonna take the easy way out. I'm not gonna 408 00:23:09,880 --> 00:23:12,480 Speaker 5: be rude because they were rude to me. I'm not 409 00:23:12,520 --> 00:23:15,760 Speaker 5: gonna be discouraged because I went through a loss. I 410 00:23:15,800 --> 00:23:18,560 Speaker 5: know God is still on the throne. This is not 411 00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:20,760 Speaker 5: a surprise to him. So I'm going to stay on 412 00:23:20,800 --> 00:23:23,880 Speaker 5: the high road in peace and keep doing the right thing. 413 00:23:24,560 --> 00:23:27,360 Speaker 4: When you do that, you're passing the test. 414 00:23:27,920 --> 00:23:33,600 Speaker 5: That's what's creating your legacy, more than your accomplishments, your character, 415 00:23:34,240 --> 00:23:36,560 Speaker 5: your integrity, how you treat people. 416 00:23:36,880 --> 00:23:40,760 Speaker 4: That's what's being passed down to your children, to future generations. 417 00:23:41,840 --> 00:23:44,159 Speaker 5: And we may not always get it right. I'm not 418 00:23:44,240 --> 00:23:47,439 Speaker 5: saying we should never make a mistake, but we should 419 00:23:47,480 --> 00:23:51,280 Speaker 5: be improving. We should be better this year than we 420 00:23:51,280 --> 00:23:54,800 Speaker 5: were five years ago. When I was twenty four years old, 421 00:23:55,200 --> 00:23:58,040 Speaker 5: I was in the TV control room at the church. 422 00:23:58,760 --> 00:24:01,880 Speaker 5: My father had just finished ministering. The service was just over. 423 00:24:02,440 --> 00:24:05,200 Speaker 5: I was standing there talking with some of my friends 424 00:24:05,200 --> 00:24:08,199 Speaker 5: and we were laughing and just having a good time. 425 00:24:08,840 --> 00:24:11,880 Speaker 5: My father came into the control room. I was very 426 00:24:11,920 --> 00:24:15,120 Speaker 5: surprised to see him. He never came back after the service. 427 00:24:15,760 --> 00:24:19,720 Speaker 5: He was very upset for some reason. He thought we 428 00:24:19,840 --> 00:24:23,520 Speaker 5: had been laughing and making fun of things during the service, 429 00:24:24,080 --> 00:24:27,000 Speaker 5: but we weren't. We'd been working like normal. I was directing, 430 00:24:27,040 --> 00:24:30,000 Speaker 5: the other guys were running the cameras. My father told 431 00:24:30,080 --> 00:24:33,399 Speaker 5: us how we shouldn't be disrespectful, how we shouldn't be 432 00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:35,719 Speaker 5: making fun like that, and how we should take it 433 00:24:35,760 --> 00:24:36,400 Speaker 5: more seriously. 434 00:24:36,440 --> 00:24:39,600 Speaker 4: On and on. There were six of us in the room. 435 00:24:40,320 --> 00:24:42,800 Speaker 5: The other young men weren't about to open their mouth 436 00:24:42,840 --> 00:24:45,080 Speaker 5: and defend themselves. They just took it all in like 437 00:24:45,119 --> 00:24:48,800 Speaker 5: they were guilty. But I said, very politely, Daddy, we 438 00:24:48,960 --> 00:24:52,600 Speaker 5: didn't do anything wrong. It's not what you think. He 439 00:24:52,600 --> 00:24:54,560 Speaker 5: didn't want to hear it. He kept chewing us out 440 00:24:54,760 --> 00:24:57,800 Speaker 5: letting us have it. I got home. About an hour later, 441 00:24:58,359 --> 00:25:01,639 Speaker 5: the phone rang. It was my f He said, Joel, 442 00:25:02,080 --> 00:25:06,000 Speaker 5: I blew it tonight. I'm so sorry. I was uptight 443 00:25:06,040 --> 00:25:07,160 Speaker 5: about some other things. 444 00:25:07,359 --> 00:25:09,600 Speaker 4: I want you to forgive me. I said, of course, 445 00:25:09,640 --> 00:25:12,560 Speaker 4: I'll forgive you. Then he asked for the phone numbers 446 00:25:12,720 --> 00:25:15,439 Speaker 4: of the other people in the room. He wouldn't go 447 00:25:15,480 --> 00:25:19,119 Speaker 4: to bed until he made things right. I said, you 448 00:25:19,160 --> 00:25:21,480 Speaker 4: don't have to call them, They're gonna be fine. 449 00:25:21,760 --> 00:25:24,320 Speaker 5: He said, no, I need to take care of it 450 00:25:24,400 --> 00:25:29,400 Speaker 5: right now. Eleven o'clock at night, hear this well respected 451 00:25:29,840 --> 00:25:33,200 Speaker 5: sixty five year old pastor's calling these twenty year old 452 00:25:33,200 --> 00:25:36,359 Speaker 5: old young men to say that he was sorry. To 453 00:25:36,440 --> 00:25:39,960 Speaker 5: this day, my friend still talk about that time my 454 00:25:40,040 --> 00:25:44,640 Speaker 5: father called to apologize. That was a defining moment, made 455 00:25:44,640 --> 00:25:48,840 Speaker 5: a huge impression upon me. God doesn't expect us to 456 00:25:48,840 --> 00:25:52,160 Speaker 5: be perfect, but what we do after we make a. 457 00:25:52,160 --> 00:25:57,240 Speaker 4: Mistake speaks volumes. Are you secure enough to call and apologize? 458 00:25:58,080 --> 00:26:01,560 Speaker 4: Do you have the humility I say I was wrong? 459 00:26:02,320 --> 00:26:02,919 Speaker 4: I blew it. 460 00:26:03,480 --> 00:26:09,320 Speaker 5: Forgive me, I'm sorry, Your children, your relatives, your coworkers, 461 00:26:09,440 --> 00:26:13,040 Speaker 5: They'll never forget that. That defining moment will live on 462 00:26:13,920 --> 00:26:16,920 Speaker 5: and when they make a mistake, because of your example, 463 00:26:17,359 --> 00:26:21,160 Speaker 5: they'll be inspired to do the right thing. Fifty six 464 00:26:21,240 --> 00:26:24,959 Speaker 5: years ago was another defining moment in my family's life. 465 00:26:25,400 --> 00:26:28,760 Speaker 5: My father had been the pastor of a large, successful church. 466 00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:32,040 Speaker 5: They had just built a beautiful new sanctuary, but my 467 00:26:32,119 --> 00:26:34,880 Speaker 5: father knew there was mour He came back and talked 468 00:26:34,920 --> 00:26:38,280 Speaker 5: to his congregation about how God can heal and restore 469 00:26:38,400 --> 00:26:41,040 Speaker 5: and how we should live an abundant, overcoming life. 470 00:26:41,760 --> 00:26:45,000 Speaker 4: But some of the people in the congregation didn't like 471 00:26:45,040 --> 00:26:48,560 Speaker 4: his new message of faith and hope and victory. Long 472 00:26:48,600 --> 00:26:50,640 Speaker 4: story short, my father had to leave. 473 00:26:51,520 --> 00:26:54,399 Speaker 5: Now this church that he'd poured his life into for 474 00:26:54,520 --> 00:26:58,040 Speaker 5: many many years was no longer his. He could have 475 00:26:58,080 --> 00:27:02,119 Speaker 5: easily gotten discouraged, bitter and thought, God, that's. 476 00:27:02,040 --> 00:27:02,840 Speaker 4: Doing the right thing. 477 00:27:02,880 --> 00:27:06,439 Speaker 5: Why did this happen to me? But in that defining moment, 478 00:27:07,000 --> 00:27:10,720 Speaker 5: he didn't give up. He didn't blame others, He didn't 479 00:27:10,760 --> 00:27:13,560 Speaker 5: believe the lives that he was finished. He and my 480 00:27:13,680 --> 00:27:17,480 Speaker 5: mother went out on Mother's Day in nineteen fifty nine 481 00:27:17,840 --> 00:27:22,760 Speaker 5: started Lakewood Church with ninety people. Today, we celebrate fifty 482 00:27:22,840 --> 00:27:27,439 Speaker 5: sixth anniversary because somebody made a right choice in a 483 00:27:27,480 --> 00:27:28,320 Speaker 5: defining moment. 484 00:27:29,920 --> 00:27:32,919 Speaker 4: Friends, we all have unfair situations. 485 00:27:33,359 --> 00:27:37,160 Speaker 5: We all have setbacks, the flesh lights to get discouraged, 486 00:27:37,560 --> 00:27:39,479 Speaker 5: fall into self pity, blame others. 487 00:27:40,040 --> 00:27:42,440 Speaker 4: Do like my father. Don't get stuck there. 488 00:27:42,840 --> 00:27:45,600 Speaker 5: Move on to the next chapter of your life. That 489 00:27:45,760 --> 00:27:48,080 Speaker 5: loss is to make room for a new beginning. 490 00:27:48,640 --> 00:27:49,400 Speaker 4: Now all of us. 491 00:27:49,320 --> 00:27:53,000 Speaker 5: Face these temptations, not to just compromise, but a temptation 492 00:27:53,119 --> 00:27:55,679 Speaker 5: to get discouraged, to give up on your dreams. 493 00:27:56,119 --> 00:27:59,479 Speaker 4: God has made a way of escape. There is a 494 00:27:59,600 --> 00:28:03,040 Speaker 4: moment of grace for every difficulty. I'm asking you to 495 00:28:03,119 --> 00:28:05,240 Speaker 4: step into it. Pass that test. 496 00:28:05,760 --> 00:28:09,240 Speaker 5: Remember, the decisions you make in the defining moments not 497 00:28:09,320 --> 00:28:12,000 Speaker 5: only affect you, they affect your family life. 498 00:28:12,520 --> 00:28:14,960 Speaker 4: Choose wisely stay on the high road. 499 00:28:15,320 --> 00:28:19,000 Speaker 5: If you do this, I believe and declare your defining 500 00:28:19,040 --> 00:28:20,280 Speaker 5: moments won't defeat you. 501 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:22,040 Speaker 4: They'll promote you. 502 00:28:22,040 --> 00:28:26,679 Speaker 5: You and your children will rise higher, accomplish dreams, and 503 00:28:26,760 --> 00:28:29,320 Speaker 5: become everything God created you to be. 504 00:28:29,680 --> 00:28:33,080 Speaker 4: In Jesus's name, if you receive it, can you say it? 505 00:28:33,119 --> 00:28:33,280 Speaker 3: Men? 506 00:28:33,320 --> 00:28:38,960 Speaker 5: Today, we never like to close our broadcast without giving 507 00:28:38,960 --> 00:28:41,960 Speaker 5: you an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 508 00:28:42,320 --> 00:28:46,800 Speaker 4: Would you pray with me? Just say Lord? Jesus, I'll 509 00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:47,920 Speaker 4: repent of my sins. 510 00:28:49,200 --> 00:28:54,960 Speaker 5: Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. Friends, 511 00:28:55,000 --> 00:28:57,280 Speaker 5: if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 512 00:28:57,280 --> 00:29:00,320 Speaker 5: born again. Get in a good Bible based church. Keep 513 00:29:00,320 --> 00:29:01,200 Speaker 5: God first place. 514 00:29:01,560 --> 00:29:04,000 Speaker 4: He's going to take your places that you've never dreamed. 515 00:29:04,840 --> 00:29:08,280 Speaker 6: Thank you for listening to the joel Osteine podcast. Help 516 00:29:08,400 --> 00:29:11,120 Speaker 6: us continue to share the message of hope with those 517 00:29:11,200 --> 00:29:15,120 Speaker 6: all over the world. Visit jolostin dot com slash give 518 00:29:15,200 --> 00:29:16,880 Speaker 6: Hope to give a gift today. 519 00:29:18,160 --> 00:29:20,600 Speaker 4: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. 520 00:29:20,720 --> 00:29:23,480 Speaker 5: I hope you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest 521 00:29:23,520 --> 00:29:24,920 Speaker 5: podcast to keep you. 522 00:29:24,960 --> 00:29:28,040 Speaker 4: Inspired all through the week. We're praying for you. I 523 00:29:28,080 --> 00:29:30,960 Speaker 4: know God's best is still ahead. We'll see you next time.