1 00:00:01,080 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. 2 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:05,960 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting 3 00:00:05,960 --> 00:00:08,880 Speaker 2: the ministry. If you enjoy today's message, why don't you 4 00:00:08,960 --> 00:00:11,160 Speaker 2: be a blessing and share it with a friend. We 5 00:00:11,200 --> 00:00:15,000 Speaker 2: appreciate you and pray for God's very best in your life. 6 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:17,919 Speaker 1: Now, God bless you. It's a joy to come into 7 00:00:17,960 --> 00:00:20,239 Speaker 1: your homes. I say it often, but we come with 8 00:00:20,320 --> 00:00:20,960 Speaker 1: good news. 9 00:00:21,160 --> 00:00:23,720 Speaker 2: We know God rewards people that seek after Him and 10 00:00:23,920 --> 00:00:26,160 Speaker 2: I believe that's you. Or you wouldn't be tuned in today, 11 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:28,120 Speaker 2: But thank you for tuning in. If you're ever in 12 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:30,320 Speaker 2: our area, I hope you'll stop by and see us. 13 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:32,360 Speaker 2: I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 14 00:00:32,479 --> 00:00:34,680 Speaker 2: These are the finest people in all of Houston, right 15 00:00:34,680 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 2: here at Lakewood. 16 00:00:35,680 --> 00:00:37,640 Speaker 1: So come by and see us sometime. But thank you 17 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:38,599 Speaker 1: again for tuning in. 18 00:00:39,720 --> 00:00:41,720 Speaker 2: I like to start each week with something kind of funny, 19 00:00:41,760 --> 00:00:43,760 Speaker 2: and of course y'all know these are just jokes, so 20 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 2: don't write me a letter, all right. A couple celebrating 21 00:00:47,320 --> 00:00:50,800 Speaker 2: their fiftieth wedding anniversary had never had an argument, and 22 00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:53,479 Speaker 2: they were asked about the secret of their success. The 23 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:56,360 Speaker 2: men explained as they were leaving the church on their honeymoon. 24 00:00:56,680 --> 00:00:59,920 Speaker 2: The wife's horse refused to go. She got off, looked 25 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:02,639 Speaker 2: him in the eyes and said, that's one. He went 26 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:05,240 Speaker 2: a little further and stopped again. She got off and 27 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:08,040 Speaker 2: said that's two. He went a little more, but once 28 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:11,000 Speaker 2: again he stopped. This time, she got off, pulled out 29 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:14,920 Speaker 2: her revolver, and shot the horse dead. The husband was appalled. 30 00:01:14,959 --> 00:01:16,400 Speaker 2: He said, what do you think you're doing. You can't 31 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:18,440 Speaker 2: just shoot an animal. She looked him in the eyes 32 00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:24,160 Speaker 2: and said, honey, that's one. They never had an argument 33 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:27,640 Speaker 2: after that. All right, hold of your bible, stay it 34 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:30,920 Speaker 2: with me, ready, This is my Bible. I am what 35 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:33,760 Speaker 2: it says I am. I have what it says I have. 36 00:01:34,319 --> 00:01:37,080 Speaker 2: I can do what it says I can do. Today 37 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:40,520 Speaker 2: I will be talked the word of God. I boldly confess. 38 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:44,679 Speaker 2: My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. I will 39 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:50,320 Speaker 2: never be the same. I am about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible, 40 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:53,160 Speaker 2: ever living seed of the Word of God. 41 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:54,480 Speaker 1: I'll never be. 42 00:01:54,480 --> 00:01:57,840 Speaker 2: The same, never, never, never, I'll never. 43 00:01:57,600 --> 00:01:58,240 Speaker 1: Be the same. 44 00:01:58,680 --> 00:02:03,320 Speaker 2: In Jesus' name, God bless you. We've been talking about 45 00:02:03,440 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 2: being our very best right where we are and how 46 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:09,320 Speaker 2: we need to be productive in spite of our adversities. 47 00:02:09,800 --> 00:02:10,440 Speaker 1: When you're in a. 48 00:02:10,400 --> 00:02:14,200 Speaker 2: Difficult situation and something's going on that you don't like, 49 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:17,840 Speaker 2: very often that is simply a test of your faith, 50 00:02:18,480 --> 00:02:21,080 Speaker 2: and the key to coming out is to just stay 51 00:02:21,200 --> 00:02:24,520 Speaker 2: right where you are with a good attitude until God 52 00:02:24,639 --> 00:02:28,239 Speaker 2: changes things. You have to stay under what God has 53 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:31,800 Speaker 2: you under until he releases you. And we all have 54 00:02:31,960 --> 00:02:35,280 Speaker 2: times where we're not getting our way, or somebody is 55 00:02:35,480 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 2: mistreating us, or we're kind of uncomfortable, and the easy 56 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:42,080 Speaker 2: thing is to just run from it. The easy thing 57 00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:44,240 Speaker 2: is to say, well, I'm out of here. I don't 58 00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:46,119 Speaker 2: have to put up with this boss. I'll go find 59 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:48,360 Speaker 2: me another job. Or I don't have to put up 60 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:51,000 Speaker 2: with this marriage he's not treating me right. Or I'm 61 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:53,720 Speaker 2: not going to work in this children's ministry nobody ever 62 00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:57,360 Speaker 2: appreciates me. Now, those are all tests of your faith, 63 00:02:57,760 --> 00:03:01,000 Speaker 2: and you cannot just run from everything that's different. You've 64 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:03,959 Speaker 2: got to stay under where God has you until he 65 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:04,720 Speaker 2: releases you. 66 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:05,880 Speaker 1: And if you'll do. 67 00:03:05,919 --> 00:03:08,560 Speaker 2: That, God will not only bring you out, he'll bring 68 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:09,600 Speaker 2: you out with the promotion. 69 00:03:09,960 --> 00:03:11,959 Speaker 1: He'll bring you out better off than you were before. 70 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:15,720 Speaker 2: And the Scripture says here in one Peter five, verse six, 71 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:20,200 Speaker 2: to humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, and. 72 00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:22,560 Speaker 1: In due time he will exalt you. 73 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:26,639 Speaker 2: Notice what'll happen If we'll just swallow our pride and 74 00:03:26,680 --> 00:03:29,400 Speaker 2: do the right thing, even though the wrong thing is happening. 75 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 2: Then God promises in due season he will exalt us. 76 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:35,000 Speaker 1: He will promote us. 77 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:38,360 Speaker 2: But human nature is to run from everything that makes 78 00:03:38,440 --> 00:03:42,520 Speaker 2: us uncomfortable, to leave a marriage that's difficult, to get 79 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:44,560 Speaker 2: out of a job where we're not being treated right, 80 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:47,640 Speaker 2: or even just to avoid a person in our life 81 00:03:47,640 --> 00:03:48,080 Speaker 2: that kind. 82 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 1: Of irritates us. 83 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:51,200 Speaker 2: Well, bless God, I don't have to put up with you. 84 00:03:51,440 --> 00:03:52,440 Speaker 2: I'm a child of God. 85 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:53,200 Speaker 1: I'm out of here. 86 00:03:53,680 --> 00:03:56,400 Speaker 2: But really our attitude should be God, I'm going to 87 00:03:56,520 --> 00:03:59,920 Speaker 2: humble myself under your mighty hand. I may not understand 88 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:02,080 Speaker 2: all that's going on in my life, but God, I 89 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:04,440 Speaker 2: do know this. You're big enough to bring me out 90 00:04:04,440 --> 00:04:07,960 Speaker 2: of this difficulty, and at the right time, after I've 91 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:10,440 Speaker 2: passed the test, after you've done the work in me, 92 00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:12,880 Speaker 2: I know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that You're 93 00:04:12,880 --> 00:04:15,240 Speaker 2: gonna bring me out better off than I was before. 94 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:19,760 Speaker 2: See God, exhausts the humble in due time, and humility 95 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:22,960 Speaker 2: almost always means we're gonna have to come under some 96 00:04:23,040 --> 00:04:26,120 Speaker 2: kind of authority or some kind of situation that we 97 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:28,840 Speaker 2: don't like and we're not getting our way, and in 98 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:30,800 Speaker 2: the natural, we're gonna just want to do our best 99 00:04:30,839 --> 00:04:33,520 Speaker 2: to try to get out of there. But understand, you 100 00:04:33,600 --> 00:04:36,880 Speaker 2: cannot just pray away everything uncomfortable in your life. 101 00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:38,960 Speaker 1: And so often when times get. 102 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:41,720 Speaker 2: Tough, we pray, we resist, we rebuke, Then we get 103 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:45,240 Speaker 2: kind of frustrated because we don't see anything changing. But 104 00:04:45,279 --> 00:04:48,520 Speaker 2: the truth is, sometimes God allows us to go through 105 00:04:48,520 --> 00:04:51,160 Speaker 2: a difficulty in order to do a work in us. 106 00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:54,800 Speaker 2: That's when we grow. That's when our character is really 107 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:58,440 Speaker 2: being developed. We don't grow when everything's easy. We don't 108 00:04:58,440 --> 00:05:01,039 Speaker 2: grow when we're always getting our way. We grow in 109 00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:04,479 Speaker 2: the tough times. That's when we're being stressed. That's when 110 00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:07,120 Speaker 2: God is doing a work in us. If you're ever 111 00:05:07,160 --> 00:05:10,480 Speaker 2: going to get promoted, you have to first pass the test. 112 00:05:10,920 --> 00:05:13,120 Speaker 2: You have to stay where you are with a good 113 00:05:13,160 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 2: attitude and just keep being your best day in and 114 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:19,120 Speaker 2: day out, even though you don't see anything getting better. 115 00:05:19,560 --> 00:05:23,200 Speaker 2: You have to humble yourself under God's mighty hand, knowing 116 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 2: that at the right time, he's going to change things. 117 00:05:25,800 --> 00:05:28,040 Speaker 2: But in the meantime, he's doing a work in you. 118 00:05:28,320 --> 00:05:30,560 Speaker 2: He's going to get some good out of that. If 119 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:33,520 Speaker 2: you're in tough times today, you need to just recognize 120 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:35,600 Speaker 2: that's an opportunity to come up higher. 121 00:05:35,880 --> 00:05:37,560 Speaker 1: That's God trying to promote you. 122 00:05:38,040 --> 00:05:40,760 Speaker 2: And no, God doesn't necessarily send the trouble, but he 123 00:05:40,839 --> 00:05:44,680 Speaker 2: will use it. And the fact is before promotion, there 124 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:48,000 Speaker 2: will always be some kind of testing. And the good 125 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:51,040 Speaker 2: news is God will never allow you to be at 126 00:05:51,040 --> 00:05:53,919 Speaker 2: a certain place, even if it's unfair, even if it's difficult, 127 00:05:54,360 --> 00:05:57,400 Speaker 2: without giving you the strength and the ability to be 128 00:05:57,480 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 2: there with a good attitude. God will always get you 129 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:03,080 Speaker 2: the help you need. I have this friend that pastors 130 00:06:03,120 --> 00:06:05,520 Speaker 2: a church in another state, and he had really been 131 00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:08,800 Speaker 2: praying and believing for years for his church to grow, 132 00:06:09,240 --> 00:06:12,039 Speaker 2: and he did everything he possibly could do, but it 133 00:06:12,080 --> 00:06:13,200 Speaker 2: seemed like they were stuck. 134 00:06:13,720 --> 00:06:15,919 Speaker 1: They had leveled off with a couple hundred people. 135 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:18,640 Speaker 2: Nothing wrong with that, but he had a much bigger 136 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:21,360 Speaker 2: vision in his heart, and that whole time he did 137 00:06:21,400 --> 00:06:24,520 Speaker 2: his best not to get discouraged, and he just kept giving. 138 00:06:24,279 --> 00:06:26,279 Speaker 1: It all he had day in and day out. 139 00:06:26,760 --> 00:06:29,200 Speaker 2: But one day he and his family moved to another 140 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:32,280 Speaker 2: house in that same area. And so now every time 141 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:34,719 Speaker 2: he goes to his church, the only way to get 142 00:06:34,720 --> 00:06:37,640 Speaker 2: there was to pass by one of the largest churches 143 00:06:37,680 --> 00:06:38,240 Speaker 2: in the area. 144 00:06:38,760 --> 00:06:41,839 Speaker 1: And so not only would he see the beautiful campus 145 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:44,120 Speaker 1: and all the success they were having, but. 146 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:47,000 Speaker 2: On Sunday mornings, he would get stuck in their traffic 147 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 2: and he'd have to sit there and wait and wait 148 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 2: and fight through the cars and thousands of people going 149 00:06:52,440 --> 00:06:54,640 Speaker 2: to this other church just so he could get to 150 00:06:54,680 --> 00:06:56,960 Speaker 2: his church and preach to a few hundred people. I mean, 151 00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:59,200 Speaker 2: it was like rubbing salt on the wound. And he 152 00:06:59,279 --> 00:07:01,440 Speaker 2: told how he was so tempted to thank God. This 153 00:07:01,640 --> 00:07:03,839 Speaker 2: just didn't fair. Why don't you have a few hundred 154 00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:05,680 Speaker 2: of these people come to my church. That's all I'm 155 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:07,919 Speaker 2: asking for. I mean, you talk about a test of 156 00:07:07,960 --> 00:07:10,880 Speaker 2: his faith. But no, this young man made a decision 157 00:07:11,040 --> 00:07:13,160 Speaker 2: that he was just going to keep a good attitude 158 00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:17,080 Speaker 2: when he drove there on Sundays. Instead of complaining, instead 159 00:07:17,120 --> 00:07:20,559 Speaker 2: of getting sour, he just humbled himself and he said, Father, 160 00:07:20,840 --> 00:07:24,040 Speaker 2: I pray that you bless this church, bless the pastor 161 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:28,160 Speaker 2: increased them, give them even more. And he did that faithfully, 162 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:31,239 Speaker 2: month after month, even for several years. And this whole 163 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:34,120 Speaker 2: time his church didn't grow one bit. He didn't see 164 00:07:34,160 --> 00:07:37,680 Speaker 2: anything getting better, but he just kept on blessing them. See, 165 00:07:37,720 --> 00:07:41,360 Speaker 2: that was a time of testing in his life, before promotion. 166 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:44,560 Speaker 2: There's going to be a test, and fortunately he just 167 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:45,840 Speaker 2: kept passing that test. 168 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:49,040 Speaker 1: He didn't get bitter, he didn't let it still his joy. 169 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:52,400 Speaker 2: He just stayed under where God had him with a 170 00:07:52,440 --> 00:07:55,480 Speaker 2: good attitude. And do you know, one day, for no 171 00:07:55,640 --> 00:07:58,960 Speaker 2: apparent reason, his church took off. I mean month after 172 00:07:59,040 --> 00:08:02,120 Speaker 2: month they got big and bigger. And today he too 173 00:08:02,240 --> 00:08:05,600 Speaker 2: is preaching to thousands. He's seeing those dreams come to pass. 174 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:08,640 Speaker 2: But my point is we have to be faithful right 175 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:12,240 Speaker 2: where we are and keep a good attitude even when 176 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:15,800 Speaker 2: it doesn't seem fair, even when we don't see anything happening. 177 00:08:16,200 --> 00:08:19,400 Speaker 2: And another important thing is don't ever be jealous of 178 00:08:19,440 --> 00:08:22,720 Speaker 2: other people's successes. If you are jealous, you will never 179 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 2: get to where God wants you to be. 180 00:08:24,720 --> 00:08:26,960 Speaker 1: Hell, Joel, I just don't understand it. I deserve it 181 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:27,640 Speaker 1: more than they do. 182 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:31,000 Speaker 2: Well, maybe that's true, but have you ever thought about 183 00:08:31,120 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 2: that could be a test of your faith. And don't 184 00:08:34,400 --> 00:08:37,960 Speaker 2: be surprised if you're believing for something to change in 185 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:40,760 Speaker 2: your life, something to improve that if four or five 186 00:08:40,800 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 2: of your friends don't show up and have the exact 187 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:44,440 Speaker 2: same thing that you are believing for. 188 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:45,880 Speaker 1: I talked to a man the. 189 00:08:45,880 --> 00:08:48,600 Speaker 2: Other day, and he had been really standing in faith 190 00:08:48,640 --> 00:08:50,880 Speaker 2: that God would bring the right person into his life. 191 00:08:50,880 --> 00:08:52,959 Speaker 2: He really wanted to get married, and so he told 192 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:55,479 Speaker 2: me how he had been praying and believing and confessing 193 00:08:55,720 --> 00:08:58,320 Speaker 2: ten or twelve years. But a good friend of his 194 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:01,160 Speaker 2: that just been praying for like six months had just 195 00:09:01,280 --> 00:09:03,840 Speaker 2: met somebody beautiful and they fell in love and they're 196 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:04,680 Speaker 2: about to get married. 197 00:09:04,920 --> 00:09:07,760 Speaker 1: He was so down, he said, Joe, I don't understand it. 198 00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:08,680 Speaker 1: It's just not fair. 199 00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 2: I said, no, listen, whatever you do, be happy for him, 200 00:09:12,440 --> 00:09:16,360 Speaker 2: rejoice with him. Nothing will keep our dreams from coming 201 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:21,360 Speaker 2: to pass any quicker than being jealous of somebody else's success. Well, Joel, 202 00:09:21,360 --> 00:09:23,520 Speaker 2: they got the promotion that I was praying for and 203 00:09:23,559 --> 00:09:24,560 Speaker 2: they don't even go to church. 204 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:27,480 Speaker 1: I don't understand that. Or Joel, they just. 205 00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:29,760 Speaker 2: Bought a brand new house and they don't even give 206 00:09:29,880 --> 00:09:30,600 Speaker 2: in the offering. 207 00:09:30,720 --> 00:09:33,920 Speaker 1: I know, I watch him. 208 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:38,280 Speaker 2: No. First thing is quit being so nosy. The second 209 00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:41,880 Speaker 2: thing is quick comparing your situation and learn to be 210 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:43,959 Speaker 2: happy for other people's successes. 211 00:09:44,320 --> 00:09:46,440 Speaker 1: That's the only way you'll ever go up higher. You 212 00:09:46,559 --> 00:09:47,640 Speaker 1: have to pass that test. 213 00:09:48,240 --> 00:09:50,560 Speaker 2: I know this lady that was saving up for a 214 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:53,400 Speaker 2: certain kind of coat. This was many years ago, and 215 00:09:53,400 --> 00:09:55,600 Speaker 2: they didn't have much money, and she saw this real 216 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:58,600 Speaker 2: nice long coat in a magazine, and so she had 217 00:09:58,640 --> 00:10:01,480 Speaker 2: been really saving her money, doing everything she could to 218 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:04,120 Speaker 2: purchase that coat. One day and she had this neighbor 219 00:10:04,160 --> 00:10:07,319 Speaker 2: that lived across the street that she didn't particularly care for. 220 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:09,840 Speaker 2: This lady was a little more well off and she 221 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:12,440 Speaker 2: kind of liked to flaunt everything that she had. And 222 00:10:12,520 --> 00:10:15,000 Speaker 2: one day, out of the clear blue the neighbor rang 223 00:10:15,040 --> 00:10:17,599 Speaker 2: her doorbell, and when she opened up the door, lo 224 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:20,480 Speaker 2: and behold she was wearing the exact coat she'd been 225 00:10:20,520 --> 00:10:23,240 Speaker 2: saving up for her. And this neighbor knew nothing about it, 226 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:25,600 Speaker 2: and she was so excited, and she kind of twirled 227 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:27,680 Speaker 2: around and around. She said, look, you hear what my 228 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:29,680 Speaker 2: mother just bought me, kind of modeling it. 229 00:10:29,960 --> 00:10:31,920 Speaker 1: And then this lady she had to bite her tongue. 230 00:10:31,960 --> 00:10:34,280 Speaker 2: She said, oh, yeah, that's kind of beautiful, but she said, 231 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:36,160 Speaker 2: in the back of her mind, she was thinking I 232 00:10:36,160 --> 00:10:39,080 Speaker 2: wanted to rip that coat off of her. She went 233 00:10:39,080 --> 00:10:41,040 Speaker 2: inside and slammed the door, and she said, God, that 234 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:44,680 Speaker 2: is not fair. I pray, I believe, I go to church, 235 00:10:44,720 --> 00:10:47,360 Speaker 2: I save my money. When is anything good ever going 236 00:10:47,400 --> 00:10:47,960 Speaker 2: to happen to me? 237 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:48,960 Speaker 1: And she said. 238 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:51,320 Speaker 2: God spoke to her right down in here, and he said, 239 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:54,200 Speaker 2: as soon as you quit being so jealous, as soon 240 00:10:54,240 --> 00:10:57,280 Speaker 2: as you get happy for other success. See, we got 241 00:10:57,280 --> 00:11:00,360 Speaker 2: to pass the test. We gotta stay under what God 242 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:03,000 Speaker 2: has us under it with a good attitude. And there's 243 00:11:03,000 --> 00:11:05,320 Speaker 2: gonna be plenty of times in life where we just 244 00:11:05,360 --> 00:11:07,640 Speaker 2: gotta swallow our pride and say, you know what, I 245 00:11:07,679 --> 00:11:10,200 Speaker 2: don't understand this, but I'm not gonna be jealous. 246 00:11:10,360 --> 00:11:12,600 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna be critical. I'm not gonna get upset. 247 00:11:13,000 --> 00:11:15,440 Speaker 2: Even if I never get what I want, I'm gonna 248 00:11:15,480 --> 00:11:18,120 Speaker 2: keep a good attitude and just keep being my very best. 249 00:11:18,480 --> 00:11:20,320 Speaker 1: That's what it means to pass the test. 250 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:23,360 Speaker 2: That's when God can promote us. I was thinking about 251 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:25,600 Speaker 2: this young lady that I know. One time, she went 252 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:28,520 Speaker 2: through a very bitter divorce. It's a very dark time 253 00:11:28,559 --> 00:11:31,680 Speaker 2: in her life. And every day on her way to work, 254 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:34,800 Speaker 2: she had to drive by the home of her ex husband. 255 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:37,640 Speaker 2: And she tried move and she tried getting another job. 256 00:11:37,679 --> 00:11:39,840 Speaker 2: It just didn't work out. And so every day she 257 00:11:39,920 --> 00:11:42,280 Speaker 2: had to pass by that place. But see, that was 258 00:11:42,320 --> 00:11:45,360 Speaker 2: a test of her faith. Was she gonna get angry? 259 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:49,000 Speaker 2: Was she gonna blame God? Was she gonna just relive 260 00:11:49,040 --> 00:11:51,760 Speaker 2: all the hurts and pains, or was she gonna let 261 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:54,320 Speaker 2: it go and just move on with her life? And 262 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:56,680 Speaker 2: don't you know, God could have opened up another path. 263 00:11:57,200 --> 00:11:59,760 Speaker 2: God could have moved her ex husband. God could have 264 00:11:59,760 --> 00:12:02,280 Speaker 2: given her a job in another city. I mean, after all, 265 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:05,559 Speaker 2: he's God. But no, that was a time of testing 266 00:12:05,920 --> 00:12:08,240 Speaker 2: and she had to stay under where God had her 267 00:12:08,640 --> 00:12:11,440 Speaker 2: and pass that test before she could get promoted. And 268 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 2: she did exactly that, and today she's seeing great things 269 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:14,960 Speaker 2: with her life. 270 00:12:15,559 --> 00:12:17,040 Speaker 1: Well, what are you up against today? 271 00:12:17,600 --> 00:12:20,520 Speaker 2: Maybe you're dealing with the situation that seems unfair and 272 00:12:20,760 --> 00:12:23,120 Speaker 2: you've been there for a long time and now you're 273 00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:26,080 Speaker 2: starting to get a little bit discouraged. I challenge you 274 00:12:26,360 --> 00:12:28,360 Speaker 2: to just make a decision that you're gonna stay right 275 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 2: where you are with a good attitude until God turns 276 00:12:31,840 --> 00:12:32,320 Speaker 2: it around. 277 00:12:32,679 --> 00:12:34,239 Speaker 1: Let God be your vindicator. 278 00:12:34,679 --> 00:12:37,200 Speaker 2: And sometimes even with the sickness or even with a 279 00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:40,520 Speaker 2: major problem, we let it totally consume us and we 280 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:43,120 Speaker 2: spend every minute praying, believe and resistance. 281 00:12:43,679 --> 00:12:45,520 Speaker 1: But I really believe a better way. 282 00:12:45,679 --> 00:12:48,520 Speaker 2: Is to simply say, God, my life is in your hands. 283 00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:51,360 Speaker 2: I know nothing's too difficult for you, and at the 284 00:12:51,440 --> 00:12:54,280 Speaker 2: right time, You're gonna turn this around. But in the meantime, 285 00:12:54,320 --> 00:12:56,719 Speaker 2: I'm gonna keep living my best life. I'm gonna keep 286 00:12:56,720 --> 00:12:59,320 Speaker 2: being good to people. I'm gonna have a smile on 287 00:12:59,400 --> 00:13:03,040 Speaker 2: my face. I'm going to have a grateful attitude in 288 00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:06,679 Speaker 2: spite of these adversities. See, you shouldn't always be fighting 289 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:10,679 Speaker 2: on the inside, upset about this, worried about that discourage 290 00:13:10,720 --> 00:13:12,040 Speaker 2: because it's taken so long. 291 00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:14,520 Speaker 1: Now, why don't you just relax. 292 00:13:14,360 --> 00:13:17,760 Speaker 2: And stay under where God has you until he changes things. 293 00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:21,319 Speaker 2: And always remember this, God created the whole universe. 294 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:22,720 Speaker 1: He can turn any. 295 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:25,600 Speaker 2: Situation around in a split second of time. There's no 296 00:13:25,640 --> 00:13:29,840 Speaker 2: sickness too big, no obstacle too high, no circumstance too difficult. 297 00:13:30,240 --> 00:13:31,520 Speaker 1: God is well able. 298 00:13:31,920 --> 00:13:34,719 Speaker 2: We simply have to do our part and get prepared 299 00:13:34,800 --> 00:13:37,720 Speaker 2: for that promotion. Let me ask you today. Are you 300 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:40,560 Speaker 2: passing the test in your life? Are you keeping a 301 00:13:40,559 --> 00:13:43,800 Speaker 2: good attitude even though you're not getting your way? Are 302 00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:47,360 Speaker 2: you staying under the authority God has you under? By that, 303 00:13:47,440 --> 00:13:51,320 Speaker 2: I mean, are you respecting your boss, respecting your parents, 304 00:13:51,480 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 2: respecting your spouse, respecting your leaders. I know when I 305 00:13:55,040 --> 00:13:57,880 Speaker 2: worked here with my father for those seventeen years, I 306 00:13:57,960 --> 00:14:00,920 Speaker 2: was in charge of the television Minute Street, and that 307 00:14:01,080 --> 00:14:01,959 Speaker 2: was my passion. 308 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:02,880 Speaker 1: I love production. 309 00:14:03,400 --> 00:14:07,600 Speaker 2: I love doing big events, concerts and live TV specials. 310 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:10,559 Speaker 2: I had a lot of ideas that I wanted to try, 311 00:14:10,600 --> 00:14:12,680 Speaker 2: and just had a heart to see the church really grow. 312 00:14:13,240 --> 00:14:15,640 Speaker 2: But toward the end of my father's life, he didn't 313 00:14:15,679 --> 00:14:17,920 Speaker 2: want to do much of that anymore. And one time 314 00:14:17,960 --> 00:14:20,480 Speaker 2: I had all these radio stations lined up to carry 315 00:14:20,480 --> 00:14:23,080 Speaker 2: our broadcast. I'd done a whole lot of work, and 316 00:14:23,280 --> 00:14:25,240 Speaker 2: I went to my father and said, Daddy, if you'll 317 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:27,440 Speaker 2: come down maybe once a week for just an hour, 318 00:14:27,800 --> 00:14:30,280 Speaker 2: we can make these openings and closings, and this will 319 00:14:30,320 --> 00:14:32,720 Speaker 2: go out all over the world and I'll never forget 320 00:14:32,920 --> 00:14:35,480 Speaker 2: what my father said. He said, Joel, I don't want 321 00:14:35,520 --> 00:14:38,200 Speaker 2: to do that. I'm seventy five years old and I'm 322 00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:40,480 Speaker 2: not looking for any more work. I just want to 323 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:44,080 Speaker 2: relax and enjoy my life and pastor this church man. 324 00:14:44,120 --> 00:14:46,840 Speaker 2: I was kind of disappointed. I thought, here, I'm young, 325 00:14:47,400 --> 00:14:49,720 Speaker 2: I've got big dreams. I don't want to do less. 326 00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:52,080 Speaker 2: I want to do more. I thought, maybe I should 327 00:14:52,160 --> 00:14:54,280 Speaker 2: just go out and do my own thing. Maybe I 328 00:14:54,280 --> 00:14:57,320 Speaker 2: should go get a job somewhere else. No, I made 329 00:14:57,320 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 2: a decision that day that I was going to stay 330 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:02,760 Speaker 2: under where God had me. Even though I wasn't getting 331 00:15:02,800 --> 00:15:05,520 Speaker 2: my way, I knew this was where I was supposed 332 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:05,720 Speaker 2: to be. 333 00:15:06,280 --> 00:15:08,840 Speaker 1: Now, I thought, after all, this is my father's vision. 334 00:15:09,160 --> 00:15:12,960 Speaker 2: He spent forty years building this place faithfully with God's health, 335 00:15:13,120 --> 00:15:15,480 Speaker 2: and I need to honor my father by doing what 336 00:15:15,520 --> 00:15:18,280 Speaker 2: he wants and not by doing what I want. And 337 00:15:18,320 --> 00:15:21,000 Speaker 2: in the natural, you know, I could have gotten discouraged. 338 00:15:22,440 --> 00:15:24,160 Speaker 1: I could have just slacked off. 339 00:15:23,920 --> 00:15:25,760 Speaker 2: And kind of you know, did as little as I 340 00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:27,800 Speaker 2: could to get by. But now I'll tell you, I 341 00:15:27,920 --> 00:15:30,480 Speaker 2: kept doing my very best day in and day out. 342 00:15:30,880 --> 00:15:31,040 Speaker 1: Well. 343 00:15:31,080 --> 00:15:32,920 Speaker 2: A couple of years later, Daddy went to be with 344 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:35,160 Speaker 2: the Lord. And I never dreamed that I would be 345 00:15:35,240 --> 00:15:37,440 Speaker 2: up here. I never dreamed I'd be the pastor and 346 00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:39,920 Speaker 2: I would be in charge. But looking back now, I 347 00:15:40,040 --> 00:15:43,200 Speaker 2: realized God put those desires in my heart for my 348 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:44,160 Speaker 2: own ministry. 349 00:15:44,280 --> 00:15:46,360 Speaker 1: It just wasn't the right time. Now. 350 00:15:46,360 --> 00:15:49,360 Speaker 2: Had I not been faithful and stayed under that authority 351 00:15:49,760 --> 00:15:52,080 Speaker 2: and just kept a good attitude and honored my father, 352 00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:54,520 Speaker 2: I don't know if I would be standing here today. 353 00:15:55,120 --> 00:15:56,720 Speaker 1: You have to pass the test. 354 00:15:56,520 --> 00:15:59,360 Speaker 2: Before you'll ever get promoted, and one of the tests 355 00:15:59,520 --> 00:16:03,160 Speaker 2: is humble yourself and staying where you know you're supposed 356 00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:06,120 Speaker 2: to be, even when you're not getting your way, even 357 00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:08,840 Speaker 2: when it's not exciting, even when you don't see your 358 00:16:08,880 --> 00:16:10,080 Speaker 2: dreams coming to pass. 359 00:16:10,360 --> 00:16:11,720 Speaker 1: And so often, you. 360 00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:14,560 Speaker 2: Know, we like to run from everything that's difficult, But 361 00:16:14,640 --> 00:16:17,280 Speaker 2: I'm convinced many times all we're doing is keeping God 362 00:16:17,320 --> 00:16:20,320 Speaker 2: from promoting us. And I'm not saying we should never leave, 363 00:16:20,320 --> 00:16:23,320 Speaker 2: of course not. I'm just talking today about not running 364 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:26,000 Speaker 2: from things that are hard in your life. Don't leave 365 00:16:26,040 --> 00:16:28,960 Speaker 2: a marriage because your spouse is not perfect. If that 366 00:16:29,080 --> 00:16:32,600 Speaker 2: was the case, we'd all leave. Don't leave a church 367 00:16:32,680 --> 00:16:35,440 Speaker 2: because you didn't get your favorite parking spot or because 368 00:16:35,480 --> 00:16:37,360 Speaker 2: the preacher preached a bad sermon. 369 00:16:37,640 --> 00:16:39,240 Speaker 1: We know that doesn't happen around here, right. 370 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:43,480 Speaker 2: Don't leave a job because they didn't take your idea 371 00:16:43,560 --> 00:16:45,360 Speaker 2: and now you got your feelings all hurt. 372 00:16:45,560 --> 00:16:46,520 Speaker 1: No, stick with it. 373 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 2: Be faithful day in and day out, keep passing that test. 374 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:54,080 Speaker 2: Think about in our marriages today, the biggest excuse we 375 00:16:54,160 --> 00:16:56,800 Speaker 2: hear is we're just not compatible. That's the number one 376 00:16:56,840 --> 00:16:59,800 Speaker 2: reason people get divorced. We just can't get along with 377 00:16:59,840 --> 00:17:02,920 Speaker 2: all all due respect. That is a cop out, because really, 378 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:06,040 Speaker 2: no two people are compatible. God made us all different 379 00:17:06,119 --> 00:17:09,640 Speaker 2: on purpose. We are opposites. But have you noticed how 380 00:17:09,680 --> 00:17:13,760 Speaker 2: opposites attract. That other person has what you need. That's 381 00:17:13,800 --> 00:17:16,360 Speaker 2: why God has brought you together. And the whole key 382 00:17:16,640 --> 00:17:18,800 Speaker 2: is we got to learn to adapt. We got to 383 00:17:18,880 --> 00:17:21,200 Speaker 2: learn to adjust, We got to go the extra mile. 384 00:17:21,680 --> 00:17:24,880 Speaker 2: The Bible talks about in marriages how we become one. 385 00:17:25,440 --> 00:17:28,720 Speaker 2: That doesn't happen on the wedding day. That happens over time. 386 00:17:29,240 --> 00:17:31,840 Speaker 2: And if you leave that marriage because you're uncomfortable and 387 00:17:31,880 --> 00:17:34,280 Speaker 2: you're not getting your way, and you go get off 388 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:36,440 Speaker 2: into another one, there's a good chance you're gonna have 389 00:17:36,480 --> 00:17:39,840 Speaker 2: the same problem. It would be far better to concentrate 390 00:17:39,880 --> 00:17:43,000 Speaker 2: on making this marriage work than to run off and 391 00:17:43,119 --> 00:17:45,119 Speaker 2: just bail out because you think you can't get along, 392 00:17:45,640 --> 00:17:48,080 Speaker 2: and I know there are exceptions. I don't think we 393 00:17:48,119 --> 00:17:50,560 Speaker 2: should live under abuse. I don't think that's God's best. 394 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:53,040 Speaker 2: But for the most part, people like to take the 395 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:55,760 Speaker 2: easy way out, thinking that the grass is greener on 396 00:17:55,800 --> 00:17:58,639 Speaker 2: the other side. But that's not the case. The grass 397 00:17:58,720 --> 00:18:01,199 Speaker 2: is not greener on the other side. The grass is 398 00:18:01,240 --> 00:18:04,040 Speaker 2: not even greener on this side. The grass is only 399 00:18:04,119 --> 00:18:06,879 Speaker 2: greener where you water it. Let me ask you today, 400 00:18:06,960 --> 00:18:11,440 Speaker 2: what are you doing to make your marriage better. I'm 401 00:18:11,440 --> 00:18:14,280 Speaker 2: not asking what your spouse is doing to make you happy. 402 00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:17,240 Speaker 2: I'm asking what are you doing to make your marriage work? 403 00:18:17,440 --> 00:18:20,280 Speaker 2: Are you going the extra mile? Are you being kind 404 00:18:20,359 --> 00:18:23,879 Speaker 2: and considerate? Are you sowing seeds for change? If you 405 00:18:23,920 --> 00:18:26,720 Speaker 2: will treat your spouse differently, if you'll treat him or 406 00:18:26,760 --> 00:18:29,440 Speaker 2: her better, they'll have to treat you differently. You will 407 00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:32,160 Speaker 2: elicit a different response. And what I'm saying is, don't 408 00:18:32,200 --> 00:18:33,679 Speaker 2: wait for somebody else to change. 409 00:18:33,760 --> 00:18:34,560 Speaker 1: You have to change. 410 00:18:34,960 --> 00:18:37,719 Speaker 2: In that situation with my father, I had to change. 411 00:18:37,800 --> 00:18:40,720 Speaker 2: Daddy was the boss. I had to stay under his authority. 412 00:18:41,119 --> 00:18:43,960 Speaker 2: And really, in a marriage, we're all under God's authority. 413 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:46,840 Speaker 2: We said at the very beginning till death do us 414 00:18:46,880 --> 00:18:49,840 Speaker 2: part for better or for worse. We made a commitment 415 00:18:49,880 --> 00:18:52,720 Speaker 2: to each other, and really we made a commitment before God. 416 00:18:53,080 --> 00:18:55,560 Speaker 1: Well, are you gonna keep your commitments? Husbands? 417 00:18:55,680 --> 00:18:58,320 Speaker 2: Are you gonna honor your wife and stick with that woman, 418 00:18:58,880 --> 00:19:00,960 Speaker 2: or are you gonna take the easy way out because 419 00:19:00,960 --> 00:19:03,480 Speaker 2: you found somebody else or because you want to go 420 00:19:03,520 --> 00:19:05,960 Speaker 2: party with the guys every night. Now, be a real 421 00:19:06,080 --> 00:19:08,800 Speaker 2: man and stay with that woman that God has given you. 422 00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:12,920 Speaker 2: She's given her life for you, she's borne your children, 423 00:19:13,040 --> 00:19:14,960 Speaker 2: she's been with you in the good times and the 424 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:18,480 Speaker 2: tough times. Why don't you start overlooking some of those differences. 425 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:21,680 Speaker 2: Quit making a mountain out of a mole hill, learn 426 00:19:21,760 --> 00:19:25,640 Speaker 2: to let go of the unforgiveness, learn to swallow your pride, 427 00:19:25,640 --> 00:19:28,800 Speaker 2: and just start treating each other with more respect. If 428 00:19:28,840 --> 00:19:31,560 Speaker 2: you want your marriage to work badly enough, it can work. 429 00:19:31,840 --> 00:19:33,880 Speaker 2: But if you make the mistake and just run off 430 00:19:33,920 --> 00:19:38,000 Speaker 2: and marry somebody else, Unfortunately, studies tell us that eighty 431 00:19:38,040 --> 00:19:41,360 Speaker 2: percent of second marriages don't work out. Either if you're 432 00:19:41,359 --> 00:19:44,360 Speaker 2: in a second marriage today or a subsequent marriage, We're 433 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:45,440 Speaker 2: gonna believe that you'll. 434 00:19:45,280 --> 00:19:46,560 Speaker 1: Be the exception to the rule. 435 00:19:46,760 --> 00:19:49,440 Speaker 2: But I'm just challenging each one of us to stick 436 00:19:49,480 --> 00:19:52,879 Speaker 2: with our marriages. Divorce should not really be an option. 437 00:19:53,600 --> 00:19:56,760 Speaker 2: Don't ever threaten your spouse with divorce. Don't ever even 438 00:19:56,800 --> 00:19:59,600 Speaker 2: bring that up. God has brought you together, and what 439 00:19:59,680 --> 00:20:02,840 Speaker 2: God brought together, don't let anybody tear apart now. I 440 00:20:02,880 --> 00:20:04,800 Speaker 2: know it may be uncomfortable, and I know some of 441 00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:07,680 Speaker 2: you are thinking right now, Joel, if you knew my marriage, 442 00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:09,600 Speaker 2: if I could tell you about my husband, you'd be 443 00:20:09,680 --> 00:20:13,760 Speaker 2: preaching a whole different sermon. I know it may be difficult, 444 00:20:13,760 --> 00:20:16,159 Speaker 2: but I also know this. God has given you the 445 00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:18,200 Speaker 2: grace you need to be right where you are. 446 00:20:18,520 --> 00:20:19,320 Speaker 1: I said it earlier. 447 00:20:19,359 --> 00:20:21,600 Speaker 2: God will not allow you to be in a situation 448 00:20:22,119 --> 00:20:25,439 Speaker 2: without giving you the strength and the ability to stand 449 00:20:25,480 --> 00:20:29,159 Speaker 2: strong into overcome it. But this doesn't happen automatically. We 450 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:31,440 Speaker 2: have to dig our heels in and say, you know what, 451 00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:33,200 Speaker 2: I'm not gonna bail out of this marriage. 452 00:20:33,359 --> 00:20:34,439 Speaker 1: I'm gonna stick with it. 453 00:20:34,480 --> 00:20:36,600 Speaker 2: I'm gonna do whatever I can to make it work. 454 00:20:37,200 --> 00:20:39,119 Speaker 2: I believe some of you today this can be a 455 00:20:39,160 --> 00:20:41,720 Speaker 2: turning point in your marriage if you'll just make up 456 00:20:41,760 --> 00:20:44,879 Speaker 2: your mind that divorce is not an option, and so 457 00:20:44,960 --> 00:20:47,040 Speaker 2: I'm gonna start doing everything I can to make my 458 00:20:47,119 --> 00:20:49,600 Speaker 2: marriage work. I'm gonna start getting home at a decent 459 00:20:49,680 --> 00:20:52,800 Speaker 2: hour and spending more time with my family. I'm gonna 460 00:20:52,840 --> 00:20:55,120 Speaker 2: start having a better attitude. I'm gonna start being more 461 00:20:55,160 --> 00:20:58,200 Speaker 2: help around the house. I'm gonna treat people kinder. I'm 462 00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:00,840 Speaker 2: going to be more considerate. I'm gonna be more friendly 463 00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:03,760 Speaker 2: to my family. See, you hold the key to what 464 00:21:03,880 --> 00:21:06,320 Speaker 2: kind of relationship you're gonna have, not your spouse. 465 00:21:06,600 --> 00:21:06,960 Speaker 1: You do. 466 00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:09,680 Speaker 2: And when you do all you can do, you are 467 00:21:09,720 --> 00:21:12,680 Speaker 2: passing the test. That's when God can bring that relationship 468 00:21:12,760 --> 00:21:15,240 Speaker 2: up higher. And really, when you think about it, if 469 00:21:15,280 --> 00:21:18,520 Speaker 2: divorce is not an option, that'll change how you approach 470 00:21:18,640 --> 00:21:21,080 Speaker 2: your marriage many times. In other words, if you think 471 00:21:21,119 --> 00:21:23,080 Speaker 2: about the fact I'm gonna spend the rest of my 472 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:25,560 Speaker 2: life with this person, well I might as well just 473 00:21:25,560 --> 00:21:28,640 Speaker 2: swallow my pride and do everything I can to make 474 00:21:28,640 --> 00:21:29,240 Speaker 2: them happy. 475 00:21:29,560 --> 00:21:32,520 Speaker 1: After all, the happier they are, the happier i'm gonna be. 476 00:21:33,200 --> 00:21:34,720 Speaker 2: You know as well as I do. It's no fun 477 00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:38,240 Speaker 2: to live in a home with strife, contention, stressed out, 478 00:21:38,280 --> 00:21:41,400 Speaker 2: and everybody's at each other's throats. Now, it'd be far 479 00:21:41,480 --> 00:21:43,359 Speaker 2: better to just make a decision and say you know what. 480 00:21:43,440 --> 00:21:46,280 Speaker 2: I'm gonna quit being so selfish. I'm gonna quit doing 481 00:21:46,320 --> 00:21:49,479 Speaker 2: things that I know irritate them. I'm gonna quit pouting 482 00:21:49,520 --> 00:21:51,439 Speaker 2: when I don't get my way. I'm gonna let go 483 00:21:51,520 --> 00:21:53,399 Speaker 2: of the past. I'm not gonna keep a record of 484 00:21:53,440 --> 00:21:54,200 Speaker 2: everything they've. 485 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:54,639 Speaker 1: Done to hurt me. 486 00:21:54,880 --> 00:21:57,400 Speaker 2: I'm gonna be the bigger person and instead, I'm gonna 487 00:21:57,400 --> 00:21:58,240 Speaker 2: do whatever I. 488 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:00,000 Speaker 1: Can to bring out the best in my life. 489 00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:02,879 Speaker 2: Spouse, that may be difficult, but as I said, you've 490 00:22:02,880 --> 00:22:04,000 Speaker 2: got to dig your heels. 491 00:22:03,760 --> 00:22:05,600 Speaker 1: In and do it anyway. 492 00:22:05,720 --> 00:22:08,719 Speaker 2: Even Jesus, when he was about to be crucified, he 493 00:22:08,840 --> 00:22:12,479 Speaker 2: was very uncomfortable, so much so he swept great drops 494 00:22:12,480 --> 00:22:15,320 Speaker 2: of blood. But isn't it interesting? He didn't say, Oh God, 495 00:22:15,320 --> 00:22:16,560 Speaker 2: I don't want to do this anymore. 496 00:22:17,040 --> 00:22:18,000 Speaker 1: This is too hard. 497 00:22:18,080 --> 00:22:21,359 Speaker 2: These people aren't treating me right. I've changed my mind. No, 498 00:22:21,480 --> 00:22:23,639 Speaker 2: He dug his heels in and he's stuck with it. 499 00:22:23,760 --> 00:22:26,600 Speaker 2: He said, Father, not my will, but your will be done. 500 00:22:27,119 --> 00:22:30,160 Speaker 2: And husbands and wives, we've made commitments to each other. 501 00:22:30,480 --> 00:22:31,080 Speaker 1: Are we going to. 502 00:22:31,119 --> 00:22:34,240 Speaker 2: Keep those commitments? You say, Joel, I found somebody else. 503 00:22:34,320 --> 00:22:36,600 Speaker 2: Now I know I'm gonna really be happy, But I 504 00:22:36,600 --> 00:22:38,920 Speaker 2: don't believe that's the case. I believe those are lies 505 00:22:39,000 --> 00:22:41,959 Speaker 2: from the enemy. And some people today they're just playing 506 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:44,640 Speaker 2: with fire. They're about to get into a relationship outside 507 00:22:44,640 --> 00:22:47,919 Speaker 2: their marriage. And listen, we've seen person after person do 508 00:22:48,040 --> 00:22:50,800 Speaker 2: that and it ends up practically ruining their life. They 509 00:22:50,880 --> 00:22:54,159 Speaker 2: lose the respect of their children, their home falls apart, 510 00:22:54,520 --> 00:22:57,920 Speaker 2: and it's all because they wouldn't stay where it was uncomfortable. 511 00:22:58,040 --> 00:22:59,560 Speaker 1: They just took the easy way out. 512 00:23:00,160 --> 00:23:02,520 Speaker 2: Now, why don't you spend that same time and effort 513 00:23:02,520 --> 00:23:05,560 Speaker 2: and energy on your own spouse. As I said, your 514 00:23:05,600 --> 00:23:08,720 Speaker 2: marriage can work if you want too bad enough, if 515 00:23:08,720 --> 00:23:10,560 Speaker 2: you are willing to do your part. And I'm not 516 00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:12,720 Speaker 2: saying it's going to be easy. You may have to 517 00:23:12,760 --> 00:23:15,240 Speaker 2: go get some more counseling than this. All I'm trying 518 00:23:15,280 --> 00:23:17,439 Speaker 2: to do is light a new fire in you today 519 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:20,240 Speaker 2: and say stick with it. Don't let the enemy terr 520 00:23:20,359 --> 00:23:23,680 Speaker 2: you apart. You know God has brought you together. Now 521 00:23:23,680 --> 00:23:25,840 Speaker 2: you've got to do everything it takes to keep that 522 00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:29,159 Speaker 2: marriage together. I think about David one time. He was 523 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:32,640 Speaker 2: in a very uncomfortable situation. He wasn't being treated right. 524 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:35,520 Speaker 2: The prophet Samuel had anointed him to be the next 525 00:23:35,600 --> 00:23:38,680 Speaker 2: king of Israel. But King Saul was so jealous of 526 00:23:38,800 --> 00:23:41,320 Speaker 2: him he was trying to kill him. Here, David had 527 00:23:41,320 --> 00:23:45,159 Speaker 2: done nothing wrong. In fact, he had always only honored Saul. 528 00:23:45,480 --> 00:23:47,919 Speaker 2: He was the one that when Saul was not feeling well, 529 00:23:48,080 --> 00:23:50,360 Speaker 2: he would bring his harp in and play it, try 530 00:23:50,400 --> 00:23:52,879 Speaker 2: to console him, try to make him feel better. But 531 00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:56,200 Speaker 2: in return, Saul paid him back by chasing him through 532 00:23:56,200 --> 00:23:58,600 Speaker 2: the wilderness, trying to get rid of him. And so 533 00:23:58,720 --> 00:24:01,119 Speaker 2: David is running from cave to cave. He's trying to 534 00:24:01,200 --> 00:24:04,360 Speaker 2: escape Saul's fury. And one night, Saul and his men 535 00:24:04,440 --> 00:24:07,399 Speaker 2: were camped out, sleeping out there in the wilderness, and 536 00:24:07,480 --> 00:24:10,320 Speaker 2: David's men saw this, and they came running to David. 537 00:24:10,359 --> 00:24:13,720 Speaker 2: They said, David, here's your big chance. You can put 538 00:24:13,760 --> 00:24:15,919 Speaker 2: an end to Saul. You can put an end to 539 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:18,399 Speaker 2: all this heartache and pain he's been causing you. 540 00:24:18,920 --> 00:24:20,960 Speaker 1: But do you know, David wouldn't do it. 541 00:24:21,240 --> 00:24:23,800 Speaker 2: He knew that Saul was still the king, and he 542 00:24:23,920 --> 00:24:26,960 Speaker 2: was still under his authority, and even though he wasn't 543 00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:29,800 Speaker 2: treating him right, he knew he had to honor that 544 00:24:29,840 --> 00:24:33,960 Speaker 2: authority and respect him anyway. In other words, David stayed 545 00:24:34,080 --> 00:24:36,680 Speaker 2: under what God had him under He just kept doing 546 00:24:36,680 --> 00:24:38,960 Speaker 2: the right thing, kept passing the test. And you know 547 00:24:39,040 --> 00:24:41,320 Speaker 2: the story. One day God took care of Saul and 548 00:24:41,400 --> 00:24:44,520 Speaker 2: David was made the king. And you too may have 549 00:24:44,680 --> 00:24:48,280 Speaker 2: a Saul in your life today, somebody that's not treating you. 550 00:24:48,280 --> 00:24:51,840 Speaker 1: Right, a spouse, a boss, a teacher, and. 551 00:24:51,760 --> 00:24:53,800 Speaker 2: You've got a good reason to just bail out of 552 00:24:53,800 --> 00:24:57,760 Speaker 2: that situation. You could easily justify just walking away, But 553 00:24:57,840 --> 00:25:00,680 Speaker 2: I'm challenging you to do like David and just stick 554 00:25:00,720 --> 00:25:04,000 Speaker 2: with it and treat them with respect. Anyway, keep doing 555 00:25:04,040 --> 00:25:06,960 Speaker 2: the right thing, even though you don't see anything changing. 556 00:25:07,280 --> 00:25:11,200 Speaker 2: God is watching you as you humble yourself under God's hand. 557 00:25:11,560 --> 00:25:14,600 Speaker 2: In due season, he will exalt you. He said, Yo, 558 00:25:14,680 --> 00:25:17,800 Speaker 2: win is due season. When's it gonna change? When God 559 00:25:17,840 --> 00:25:20,920 Speaker 2: knows you're ready? And only God knows that. God could 560 00:25:20,960 --> 00:25:23,600 Speaker 2: have taken care of Saul many months before, but he 561 00:25:23,680 --> 00:25:26,639 Speaker 2: must have known David needed that to be prepared for 562 00:25:26,680 --> 00:25:29,600 Speaker 2: what he had in store. And so, wherever you are today, 563 00:25:29,680 --> 00:25:32,320 Speaker 2: just make a decision. You're gonna be your very best. 564 00:25:32,359 --> 00:25:34,960 Speaker 2: You're gonna keep passing the test. You're gonna keep being 565 00:25:35,000 --> 00:25:38,159 Speaker 2: faithful day in and day out. When you're in tough times, 566 00:25:38,280 --> 00:25:40,600 Speaker 2: you need to just remind yourself. God is getting me 567 00:25:40,680 --> 00:25:44,480 Speaker 2: prepared for promotion. I'm coming up higher. Our attitude should 568 00:25:44,520 --> 00:25:46,960 Speaker 2: be I'm gonna stay under what God has me under 569 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:50,280 Speaker 2: until he's finished with it, until he changes things. So 570 00:25:50,359 --> 00:25:53,040 Speaker 2: let me challenge you again. Stay where you are with 571 00:25:53,080 --> 00:25:55,960 Speaker 2: a good attitude. Don't be jealous when you see other 572 00:25:55,960 --> 00:25:59,280 Speaker 2: people being blessed. Learn to be happy for their successes. 573 00:26:00,160 --> 00:26:03,200 Speaker 2: Just bail out of a difficult relationship. If you will 574 00:26:03,280 --> 00:26:06,639 Speaker 2: humble yourself and stay where you know God wants you 575 00:26:06,720 --> 00:26:09,560 Speaker 2: to be, then you are passing that test. And then 576 00:26:09,600 --> 00:26:12,360 Speaker 2: at the right time God promises he will promote you. 577 00:26:12,359 --> 00:26:15,280 Speaker 2: You'll come up high and you'll experience the joy, the peace, 578 00:26:15,560 --> 00:26:17,400 Speaker 2: and the victories that He has in story. 579 00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:20,159 Speaker 1: Amen, how many to receive it today? I know you do. 580 00:26:22,720 --> 00:26:25,679 Speaker 2: We never like to close our broadcast without giving you 581 00:26:25,720 --> 00:26:28,600 Speaker 2: an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 582 00:26:28,800 --> 00:26:32,920 Speaker 2: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 583 00:26:33,080 --> 00:26:37,640 Speaker 2: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 584 00:26:37,720 --> 00:26:41,040 Speaker 2: you my Lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed that 585 00:26:41,160 --> 00:26:43,919 Speaker 2: simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get in 586 00:26:43,960 --> 00:26:46,800 Speaker 2: a good Bible based church, keep God first place. 587 00:26:47,040 --> 00:26:49,520 Speaker 1: He's going to take your places that you've never dreamed of. 588 00:26:49,960 --> 00:26:52,520 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. 589 00:26:52,640 --> 00:26:55,440 Speaker 2: I hope you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest 590 00:26:55,480 --> 00:26:58,920 Speaker 2: podcast to keep you encouraged and inspired all through the week. 591 00:26:59,119 --> 00:27:01,359 Speaker 2: Help us to continue to share the message of hope 592 00:27:01,359 --> 00:27:04,800 Speaker 2: with those all around the world. Visit Joelosting dot com 593 00:27:04,920 --> 00:27:07,520 Speaker 2: or click the link in the description to partner with 594 00:27:07,600 --> 00:27:10,080 Speaker 2: us today. We hope you'll share this message with a 595 00:27:10,200 --> 00:27:12,879 Speaker 2: friend and be sure to follow us on social media. 596 00:27:13,160 --> 00:27:16,439 Speaker 1: We're praying for you. I know God's best is still ahead. 597 00:27:16,720 --> 00:27:17,760 Speaker 1: We'll see you next time.