1 00:00:00,409 --> 00:00:03,010 Speaker 1: Hey, thanks again for being with us today. Always my 2 00:00:03,170 --> 00:00:05,350 Speaker 1: honor to be able to share God's Word with you 3 00:00:05,370 --> 00:00:08,150 Speaker 1: and hopefully inspire you and encourage you. If you're enjoying 4 00:00:08,170 --> 00:00:10,280 Speaker 1: the podcast, I hope you'll share it with a friend, 5 00:00:10,460 --> 00:00:13,240 Speaker 1: pass it along. Let's inspire some other people as well. 6 00:00:13,280 --> 00:00:14,980 Speaker 1: But know that we love you. It's going to be 7 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:18,680 Speaker 1: a blessed day for you. Well, God bless you. It's 8 00:00:18,739 --> 00:00:21,320 Speaker 1: a joy to come into your homes. And if you're 9 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:24,340 Speaker 1: ever in our area, please stop by, be a part 10 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:27,140 Speaker 1: of one of our services. I promise you, we'll make 11 00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:29,880 Speaker 1: you feel right at home. I like to start with 12 00:00:29,900 --> 00:00:32,900 Speaker 1: something funny. And I heard about this man. He was 13 00:00:32,940 --> 00:00:37,750 Speaker 1: the only Protestant in a large Catholic neighborhood. Every Friday 14 00:00:37,830 --> 00:00:41,610 Speaker 1: during Lent, while his neighbors were eating cold fish, he 15 00:00:41,650 --> 00:00:45,489 Speaker 1: was in his backyard grilling a steak. They couldn't stand 16 00:00:45,510 --> 00:00:49,460 Speaker 1: the temptation and decided to try to convert him to Catholicism. 17 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:53,559 Speaker 1: He finally agreed. A priest came over, sprinkled water on 18 00:00:53,580 --> 00:00:56,320 Speaker 1: his head, said, you were born a Baptist, you were 19 00:00:56,360 --> 00:01:00,150 Speaker 1: raised a Baptist, but now you're a Catholic. The next year, 20 00:01:00,430 --> 00:01:03,410 Speaker 1: on the first Friday of Lent, they smelled the same smell. 21 00:01:04,090 --> 00:01:06,530 Speaker 1: They rushed to his house. He was in his backyard 22 00:01:06,780 --> 00:01:10,500 Speaker 1: sprinkling water over his steak, saying, you were born a cow, 23 00:01:10,620 --> 00:01:12,820 Speaker 1: you were raised a cow, but now you're a fish. 24 00:01:15,250 --> 00:01:17,590 Speaker 1: Say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 25 00:01:18,030 --> 00:01:20,270 Speaker 1: I am what it says I am. I have what 26 00:01:20,310 --> 00:01:22,709 Speaker 1: it says I have. I can do what it says 27 00:01:22,790 --> 00:01:25,620 Speaker 1: I can do. Today, I will be taught the Word 28 00:01:25,660 --> 00:01:29,819 Speaker 1: of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert. My 29 00:01:29,860 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 1: heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, 30 00:01:34,540 --> 00:01:37,690 Speaker 1: God bless you. I want to talk to you today 31 00:01:37,750 --> 00:01:41,750 Speaker 1: about knowing you are loved. When Victoria and I had 32 00:01:41,770 --> 00:01:44,970 Speaker 1: been dating for about nine months, a friend of mine 33 00:01:45,030 --> 00:01:49,190 Speaker 1: called me secretly. She said, Joel, I just talked to Victoria. 34 00:01:49,730 --> 00:01:52,420 Speaker 1: Don't tell her that I called, but she told me 35 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:57,100 Speaker 1: she thinks she loves you. And my friend was so excited. 36 00:01:57,680 --> 00:01:59,980 Speaker 1: She was waiting for me to join in the excitement, 37 00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:03,740 Speaker 1: but I had a problem with two words, she thinks. 38 00:02:04,940 --> 00:02:08,540 Speaker 1: If she thinks she loves me, that means maybe she does, 39 00:02:08,860 --> 00:02:11,500 Speaker 1: maybe she doesn't. She's still trying to figure it out. 40 00:02:11,900 --> 00:02:15,120 Speaker 1: It could go either way. She thinks didn't give me 41 00:02:15,220 --> 00:02:18,350 Speaker 1: any confidence at all. In fact, it made me think 42 00:02:18,610 --> 00:02:21,030 Speaker 1: I need to perform better. I need to do more, 43 00:02:21,310 --> 00:02:25,389 Speaker 1: try to impress, be good enough. She thinks put me 44 00:02:25,490 --> 00:02:30,270 Speaker 1: under more pressure. Eventually, I'm happy to say Victoria came 45 00:02:30,310 --> 00:02:34,109 Speaker 1: to her senses and She went from I think to 46 00:02:34,270 --> 00:02:37,309 Speaker 1: I know that was over 30 years ago. But when 47 00:02:37,350 --> 00:02:40,850 Speaker 1: you know somebody loves you, it puts you at ease. 48 00:02:41,490 --> 00:02:45,669 Speaker 1: You don't have to try to perform, impress, be good enough. 49 00:02:46,070 --> 00:02:51,620 Speaker 1: You can relax, be yourself. You're comfortable. You're secure. But 50 00:02:51,660 --> 00:02:54,519 Speaker 1: a lot of people live with this. I think he 51 00:02:54,600 --> 00:02:58,440 Speaker 1: loves me mentality when it comes to God. They base 52 00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:01,720 Speaker 1: it on their performance. I went to church last week. 53 00:03:02,210 --> 00:03:05,530 Speaker 1: I did good. I think He loves me. I volunteered 54 00:03:05,550 --> 00:03:08,710 Speaker 1: at the hospital. I was kind to my neighbor. I 55 00:03:08,750 --> 00:03:13,350 Speaker 1: resisted temptation. I earned His love. The problem with this 56 00:03:13,430 --> 00:03:17,030 Speaker 1: approach is when we make mistakes, we get off course, 57 00:03:17,410 --> 00:03:21,079 Speaker 1: we don't perform perfectly, we think God goes and finds 58 00:03:21,180 --> 00:03:24,870 Speaker 1: somebody else to love. After all, if you don't love me, 59 00:03:25,350 --> 00:03:27,929 Speaker 1: human nature says, I'm not going to love you back. 60 00:03:28,850 --> 00:03:33,490 Speaker 1: But God is not like people. People can love you conditionally. 61 00:03:34,230 --> 00:03:37,470 Speaker 1: If you do right, perform right, treat me right, then 62 00:03:37,530 --> 00:03:40,330 Speaker 1: I'll love you. But if you let me down, I'll 63 00:03:40,350 --> 00:03:44,510 Speaker 1: go find somebody else. But when we make mistakes, God 64 00:03:44,550 --> 00:03:48,250 Speaker 1: doesn't change his mind. You can run away from God. 65 00:03:48,610 --> 00:03:51,550 Speaker 1: Instead of turning the other way, God will come running 66 00:03:51,690 --> 00:03:56,420 Speaker 1: towards you. Quit trying to earn this love. There's nothing 67 00:03:56,460 --> 00:03:59,580 Speaker 1: you can do to make God love you any more 68 00:03:59,980 --> 00:04:03,680 Speaker 1: or any less. It's a gift. Just receive it by faith. 69 00:04:04,880 --> 00:04:08,330 Speaker 1: Sometimes we're trying to clean ourselves up, get good enough. 70 00:04:08,830 --> 00:04:12,990 Speaker 1: Then we'll believe God really loves us. Take the pressure off. 71 00:04:13,430 --> 00:04:16,390 Speaker 1: God loves you right now. He loved you when you 72 00:04:16,430 --> 00:04:19,169 Speaker 1: were wrong. He loved you when you were off course. 73 00:04:19,650 --> 00:04:23,750 Speaker 1: Paul said, nothing can separate us from the love of God. 74 00:04:24,510 --> 00:04:28,870 Speaker 1: You are a marked man, a marked woman. God put 75 00:04:28,910 --> 00:04:33,350 Speaker 1: his love on you. Now you are permanently loved. The 76 00:04:33,390 --> 00:04:35,860 Speaker 1: psalmist said, if I go down to the depths of 77 00:04:35,900 --> 00:04:38,960 Speaker 1: the ocean, God, you are there. If I go way 78 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:41,920 Speaker 1: up into the heavens, God, you are still there. You 79 00:04:41,940 --> 00:04:45,420 Speaker 1: can't get away from this love. Well, Joel, I'm an atheist. 80 00:04:45,779 --> 00:04:49,090 Speaker 1: I don't believe in God. He still loves you. I've 81 00:04:49,130 --> 00:04:52,910 Speaker 1: made mistakes. I've had a rough past. Nothing you've done 82 00:04:53,210 --> 00:04:57,090 Speaker 1: has changed God's love. I have an addiction. I still 83 00:04:57,150 --> 00:05:01,080 Speaker 1: struggle with my temper. That didn't cancel this love. The 84 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:05,240 Speaker 1: scripture talks about the great love wherewith God loved us. 85 00:05:05,260 --> 00:05:08,780 Speaker 1: It wasn't a little love and I think love, a 86 00:05:08,820 --> 00:05:12,820 Speaker 1: conditional love. It was a great love. We think about 87 00:05:13,160 --> 00:05:17,180 Speaker 1: how much we love God, but what's more profound is 88 00:05:17,279 --> 00:05:21,840 Speaker 1: how much God loves you. Before you were formed in 89 00:05:21,860 --> 00:05:26,270 Speaker 1: your mother's womb, God knew you. He took time to 90 00:05:26,330 --> 00:05:29,590 Speaker 1: plan out all of your days. He knows your thoughts 91 00:05:29,890 --> 00:05:33,030 Speaker 1: before you think them. He knows your words before you 92 00:05:33,089 --> 00:05:37,320 Speaker 1: speak them. Jesus said, the hair on your head are 93 00:05:37,440 --> 00:05:41,690 Speaker 1: all numbered. Now I love Victoria, but I have never 94 00:05:41,770 --> 00:05:46,730 Speaker 1: taken time to number her hairs. Number doesn't mean there 95 00:05:46,770 --> 00:05:48,610 Speaker 1: are 54,623. That's counted. Numbered means this is hair number 21,238. 96 00:05:48,589 --> 00:05:51,270 Speaker 1: Every time you take a shower, every time we lose 97 00:05:51,290 --> 00:05:52,910 Speaker 1: a hair, God has to renumber. There was a popular 98 00:05:52,970 --> 00:06:05,230 Speaker 1: book turned into a movie a few years ago. It 99 00:06:05,270 --> 00:06:08,970 Speaker 1: was called, He's Just Not That Into You. It was 100 00:06:09,029 --> 00:06:12,790 Speaker 1: about guys not really liking a girl. Can I tell you, 101 00:06:13,190 --> 00:06:17,729 Speaker 1: God is just the opposite. He's way into you. If 102 00:06:17,770 --> 00:06:21,479 Speaker 1: he's taking the time to number your hairs, to know 103 00:06:21,500 --> 00:06:24,920 Speaker 1: your thoughts, to plan out all of your days, do 104 00:06:24,980 --> 00:06:28,760 Speaker 1: you really think there's anything you can do to cause 105 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:32,789 Speaker 1: him to stop loving you? But how God must feel 106 00:06:33,070 --> 00:06:35,650 Speaker 1: when we go around thinking, I think he loves me. 107 00:06:36,270 --> 00:06:38,640 Speaker 1: I think I'm good enough. I think I haven't done 108 00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:42,539 Speaker 1: too much wrong. Get rid of the I think mentality 109 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:47,100 Speaker 1: and start having an I know mentality. It's very freeing 110 00:06:47,160 --> 00:06:50,479 Speaker 1: when you can say, I know God loves me. I 111 00:06:50,540 --> 00:06:53,099 Speaker 1: know I'm the apple of his eye. I know he's 112 00:06:53,160 --> 00:06:57,480 Speaker 1: smiling down on me. Voices will whisper, not you. You've 113 00:06:57,520 --> 00:07:01,430 Speaker 1: made mistakes. You lost your temper. You're not religious enough. 114 00:07:02,290 --> 00:07:05,970 Speaker 1: God doesn't love you because you're religious or good enough 115 00:07:06,410 --> 00:07:09,990 Speaker 1: or come from a certain family. He loves you because 116 00:07:10,030 --> 00:07:13,630 Speaker 1: you are his child. He breathed his life into you. 117 00:07:14,380 --> 00:07:18,000 Speaker 1: When you receive this love, you'll live with a confidence. 118 00:07:18,620 --> 00:07:21,680 Speaker 1: When you go from I think to I know, you'll 119 00:07:21,700 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 1: quit trying to earn it, quit trying to be good enough. 120 00:07:24,880 --> 00:07:28,880 Speaker 1: You'll live secure knowing that your heavenly father loves you. 121 00:07:29,930 --> 00:07:32,690 Speaker 1: In the Bible, the book of John was written by 122 00:07:32,730 --> 00:07:37,150 Speaker 1: the disciple John. What's interesting is he never referred to 123 00:07:37,250 --> 00:07:41,810 Speaker 1: himself as John. When he talked about himself, instead of 124 00:07:41,950 --> 00:07:46,530 Speaker 1: using his name, he said, the disciple whom Jesus loved. 125 00:07:47,610 --> 00:07:51,250 Speaker 1: In John 13, he wrote, the disciple whom Jesus loved 126 00:07:51,590 --> 00:07:54,470 Speaker 1: was sitting next to Jesus. He could have just written, 127 00:07:54,830 --> 00:07:58,590 Speaker 1: John was sitting next to Jesus. When Matthew, Mark, and 128 00:07:58,630 --> 00:08:02,110 Speaker 1: Luke wrote their books, their accounts of the gospel, they 129 00:08:02,190 --> 00:08:06,330 Speaker 1: referred to themselves using their own name. Can you imagine 130 00:08:06,790 --> 00:08:09,790 Speaker 1: if they would have read John's account? They would have thought, 131 00:08:10,170 --> 00:08:13,850 Speaker 1: who does John think he is describing himself as the 132 00:08:14,050 --> 00:08:17,410 Speaker 1: one Jesus loved? Jesus loved us all, the nerve of 133 00:08:17,450 --> 00:08:22,070 Speaker 1: that guy. But John had an incredible confidence, not just 134 00:08:22,490 --> 00:08:25,330 Speaker 1: in how much he loved God, but in how much 135 00:08:25,730 --> 00:08:30,280 Speaker 1: God loved him. Four times he referred to himself as 136 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:34,439 Speaker 1: the disciple whom Jesus loved. You would think, all right, John, 137 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:37,040 Speaker 1: we got it the first time. We heard you loud 138 00:08:37,080 --> 00:08:39,790 Speaker 1: and clear. You think you're the one he loves. You 139 00:08:39,830 --> 00:08:43,910 Speaker 1: don't have to keep telling us. But in chapter 19, 140 00:08:43,910 --> 00:08:47,790 Speaker 1: he wrote again, when Jesus saw his mother and the 141 00:08:47,850 --> 00:08:52,920 Speaker 1: disciple whom Jesus loved. Now, you know, Jesus loved his mother. 142 00:08:53,679 --> 00:08:56,420 Speaker 1: In fact, he probably loved his mother more than he 143 00:08:56,460 --> 00:09:00,020 Speaker 1: loved John. But John didn't take the time to tell 144 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:03,010 Speaker 1: us how much he loved his mother. He just reiterated 145 00:09:03,050 --> 00:09:06,510 Speaker 1: the fact he was the one Jesus loved. Now you 146 00:09:06,550 --> 00:09:08,689 Speaker 1: can fault him for it, but I have to give 147 00:09:08,730 --> 00:09:19,640 Speaker 1: him credit. He knew how much he was loved. Two 148 00:09:19,700 --> 00:09:24,080 Speaker 1: chapters later, John wrote, the disciple whom Jesus loved said 149 00:09:24,120 --> 00:09:27,959 Speaker 1: to Peter, It's funny. He didn't say the disciple whom 150 00:09:28,010 --> 00:09:31,780 Speaker 1: Jesus loved said to the other disciple whom Jesus loved. 151 00:09:32,679 --> 00:09:36,700 Speaker 1: You could take this as being arrogant, self-centered, but John 152 00:09:36,760 --> 00:09:40,100 Speaker 1: was showing us the confidence he had in how much 153 00:09:40,140 --> 00:09:43,980 Speaker 1: he knew God loved him. When you can do like John, 154 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:47,719 Speaker 1: maybe not announce it to everybody. Don't put it on 155 00:09:47,740 --> 00:09:50,830 Speaker 1: your business card, but in your heart, I'm the one 156 00:09:50,870 --> 00:09:55,170 Speaker 1: that he loves. You wake up in the morning. Good morning, Lord. 157 00:09:55,510 --> 00:09:58,550 Speaker 1: It's the one that you love. All through the day. Lord, 158 00:09:58,610 --> 00:10:02,000 Speaker 1: I love you and I know. I'm the one you love. 159 00:10:03,020 --> 00:10:06,439 Speaker 1: When Lazarus was very sick and close to death, his 160 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:09,949 Speaker 1: two sisters, Mary and Martha sent a note to their 161 00:10:09,990 --> 00:10:13,810 Speaker 1: good friend, Jesus, asking him to come and pray for Lazarus. 162 00:10:14,130 --> 00:10:18,050 Speaker 1: Jesus was in another city. The note didn't say, Jesus, 163 00:10:18,090 --> 00:10:22,490 Speaker 1: we're begging you, please come pray for Lazarus. Jesus, you know, 164 00:10:22,590 --> 00:10:24,770 Speaker 1: Lazarus is a good man. You know how much he 165 00:10:24,830 --> 00:10:29,770 Speaker 1: loves you. Instead, the note read, Jesus, the one you 166 00:10:29,860 --> 00:10:34,520 Speaker 1: love is sick. They didn't tell Jesus how much Lazarus 167 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:38,780 Speaker 1: loved him. They thought it would be more persuasive, more 168 00:10:38,840 --> 00:10:44,740 Speaker 1: effective to remind Jesus how much he loved Lazarus. Sometimes 169 00:10:44,780 --> 00:10:47,220 Speaker 1: we're trying to convince God that we love him. God, 170 00:10:47,240 --> 00:10:49,780 Speaker 1: I went to church last week. God, I bit my 171 00:10:49,820 --> 00:10:53,020 Speaker 1: tongue at the office when I felt like telling them off. God, 172 00:10:53,070 --> 00:10:56,390 Speaker 1: I've been performing perfectly. Would you please help me? Why 173 00:10:56,429 --> 00:10:59,750 Speaker 1: don't you do like Mary and Martha and say, Lord, 174 00:11:00,250 --> 00:11:03,530 Speaker 1: the one you love needs healing. The one you love 175 00:11:03,610 --> 00:11:06,410 Speaker 1: is lonely. The one you love has a child that's 176 00:11:06,490 --> 00:11:10,540 Speaker 1: off course. What moves God is not just your love 177 00:11:10,580 --> 00:11:15,679 Speaker 1: for him. but recognizing his love for you. It pleases 178 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:19,530 Speaker 1: God when you know you are dearly loved. That's why 179 00:11:19,550 --> 00:11:23,210 Speaker 1: the scripture says, come boldly to the throne. Don't go 180 00:11:23,250 --> 00:11:26,329 Speaker 1: like a weak worm of the dust. If my son 181 00:11:26,390 --> 00:11:31,170 Speaker 1: came up to me, half embarrassed, ashamed, head down, dad, 182 00:11:31,250 --> 00:11:34,390 Speaker 1: I hate to bother you. I know you're busy. I 183 00:11:34,410 --> 00:11:36,710 Speaker 1: don't deserve it. It's just little old me, but dad, 184 00:11:36,770 --> 00:11:38,990 Speaker 1: I'm just begging you. Would you help me in this area? 185 00:11:40,070 --> 00:11:42,750 Speaker 1: I wouldn't feel sorry for him. I would feel bad 186 00:11:42,809 --> 00:11:46,590 Speaker 1: about myself. As a father, I would think, what have 187 00:11:46,650 --> 00:11:50,290 Speaker 1: I done wrong? My son comes to me so inferior, 188 00:11:50,350 --> 00:11:54,150 Speaker 1: feeling unworthy, begging me for a little help. It's not 189 00:11:54,490 --> 00:11:57,030 Speaker 1: my lack of love for my son. I'd give him 190 00:11:57,070 --> 00:12:00,460 Speaker 1: the world. It's his lack of knowing how much he 191 00:12:00,550 --> 00:12:03,740 Speaker 1: is loved. Now I'm happy to say my children don't 192 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:06,620 Speaker 1: feel that way. They know how much they're loved and 193 00:12:06,640 --> 00:12:10,320 Speaker 1: they're not afraid to ask. When our daughter Alexandra was 194 00:12:10,320 --> 00:12:12,800 Speaker 1: 10 years old, she was going out to eat with 195 00:12:12,840 --> 00:12:15,500 Speaker 1: her cousins and they were about to go ice skating. 196 00:12:15,990 --> 00:12:18,429 Speaker 1: She came up to me in the den and said, dad, 197 00:12:18,970 --> 00:12:21,589 Speaker 1: can I have $ 20 to go out to eat and 198 00:12:21,610 --> 00:12:25,449 Speaker 1: go ice skating? I said, sure, go back and get 199 00:12:25,470 --> 00:12:28,170 Speaker 1: it off my bathroom counter where I keep my keys. 200 00:12:28,690 --> 00:12:31,370 Speaker 1: She gave me a kiss and said, thank you. Then 201 00:12:31,429 --> 00:12:35,010 Speaker 1: she turned and started walking toward the garage the wrong way. 202 00:12:35,610 --> 00:12:37,290 Speaker 1: I said, wait a minute, aren't you going to go 203 00:12:37,330 --> 00:12:40,380 Speaker 1: get the money? She smiled and said, I already got it. 204 00:12:43,170 --> 00:12:47,360 Speaker 1: She said, I knew you would say yes. That made 205 00:12:47,420 --> 00:12:51,440 Speaker 1: me feel good as a father. She knows how much 206 00:12:51,540 --> 00:12:55,020 Speaker 1: I love her. She's not living with an I think mentality. 207 00:12:55,580 --> 00:12:58,200 Speaker 1: I hope he loves me. If I perform good enough, 208 00:12:58,240 --> 00:13:02,320 Speaker 1: he'll love me. She has no doubt my father loves me. 209 00:13:03,309 --> 00:13:06,750 Speaker 1: What if we felt that same way about our heavenly father? 210 00:13:07,450 --> 00:13:09,950 Speaker 1: You want to make God smile? You want to make 211 00:13:09,990 --> 00:13:14,060 Speaker 1: his day? Start approaching him like you know he loves you. 212 00:13:14,520 --> 00:13:17,700 Speaker 1: You know he's for you. You know he's longing to 213 00:13:17,740 --> 00:13:21,400 Speaker 1: be good to you. It doesn't bring God any pleasure 214 00:13:22,020 --> 00:13:26,050 Speaker 1: for us to go around insecure, unworthy, beating ourselves up 215 00:13:26,090 --> 00:13:30,329 Speaker 1: for past mistakes. Shake that off and start going boldly 216 00:13:30,410 --> 00:13:34,220 Speaker 1: to the throne. Our daughter Alexandra is in college now. 217 00:13:34,760 --> 00:13:37,460 Speaker 1: She called Victoria a few months ago and told how 218 00:13:37,500 --> 00:13:41,849 Speaker 1: their sorority was having the big mother-daughter weekend, wanted to 219 00:13:41,890 --> 00:13:45,650 Speaker 1: make sure that Victoria could come. She gave Victoria the dates. 220 00:13:46,230 --> 00:13:50,680 Speaker 1: It just so happened it was this weekend. Victoria said, oh, Alexandra, 221 00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:54,010 Speaker 1: we have a night of hope that Friday night. Plus 222 00:13:54,050 --> 00:13:56,589 Speaker 1: dad and I are supposed to speak at Lakewood that weekend. 223 00:13:56,929 --> 00:14:01,150 Speaker 1: And dad really doesn't like me to miss. Alexandra said, oh, mom, 224 00:14:01,190 --> 00:14:04,650 Speaker 1: don't worry. I'll call dad. He'll do anything that I ask. 225 00:14:06,200 --> 00:14:10,380 Speaker 1: She called and you notice they're not here. You know 226 00:14:10,420 --> 00:14:14,300 Speaker 1: why Alexandra can have that boldness. She knows she's the 227 00:14:14,400 --> 00:14:18,099 Speaker 1: one I love. She knows she's my prized possession. She 228 00:14:18,160 --> 00:14:21,160 Speaker 1: knows I'll go out of my way to be good 229 00:14:21,180 --> 00:14:24,560 Speaker 1: to her. She's my child. Now I'll be good to 230 00:14:24,600 --> 00:14:28,140 Speaker 1: your child. I'll be kind, loving, generous, but let's be honest. 231 00:14:28,660 --> 00:14:31,630 Speaker 1: If it's between your child and my child, I'm going 232 00:14:31,650 --> 00:14:34,930 Speaker 1: to choose my child. That's my daughter. She's my favorite. 233 00:14:36,090 --> 00:14:39,710 Speaker 1: That's the way God feels about you. You're his child. 234 00:14:40,310 --> 00:14:43,140 Speaker 1: Can I tell you a secret? Don't tell anyone. Keep 235 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:47,970 Speaker 1: it confidential. You're his favorite. You're the one that he loves. 236 00:14:49,250 --> 00:14:52,890 Speaker 1: I've heard it said, God has no favorites. I think 237 00:14:52,930 --> 00:14:57,410 Speaker 1: that's wrong. God has all favorites. You're his favorite. You're 238 00:14:57,450 --> 00:15:00,100 Speaker 1: his favorite. You're his favorite. You're his favorite. God has 239 00:15:00,130 --> 00:15:04,140 Speaker 1: the amazing ability to trade us all like we're his favorite. 240 00:15:04,680 --> 00:15:07,900 Speaker 1: He's not like people. He doesn't have to pick and choose. 241 00:15:08,140 --> 00:15:12,400 Speaker 1: He has unlimited love. He doesn't just show love. He 242 00:15:12,440 --> 00:15:16,370 Speaker 1: doesn't just express love. He is love. That's not what 243 00:15:16,410 --> 00:15:19,630 Speaker 1: he does. It's who he is. When you start seeing 244 00:15:19,670 --> 00:15:23,350 Speaker 1: yourself as his favorite, you'll go to him with confidence. 245 00:15:23,990 --> 00:15:27,610 Speaker 1: You'll pray bold prayers. You'll ask him for your dreams. 246 00:15:27,990 --> 00:15:30,670 Speaker 1: You'll believe for your health to turn around. You'll expect 247 00:15:30,770 --> 00:15:33,920 Speaker 1: new doors to open, not because of who you are, 248 00:15:34,420 --> 00:15:38,220 Speaker 1: but because of who your father is. You know he'll 249 00:15:38,240 --> 00:15:40,360 Speaker 1: go out of his way to be good to you. 250 00:15:41,400 --> 00:15:44,660 Speaker 1: I grew up with five siblings. My sister April is 251 00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:47,780 Speaker 1: the youngest and She always felt like she was the 252 00:15:47,850 --> 00:15:51,690 Speaker 1: favorite of the family. The truth is my parents had 253 00:15:51,750 --> 00:15:55,470 Speaker 1: more resources when she came along. My older brother, Paul 254 00:15:55,550 --> 00:15:58,030 Speaker 1: is 47 years older than April. I mean, 12 years 255 00:15:58,150 --> 00:16:03,020 Speaker 1: older than April. But from a young age, April started 256 00:16:03,080 --> 00:16:06,700 Speaker 1: telling us all that she was our parents' favorite. Now 257 00:16:06,740 --> 00:16:09,530 Speaker 1: that never bothered me because I knew she wasn't. I was. 258 00:16:11,090 --> 00:16:14,150 Speaker 1: but she's been doing this so long. Now, when my 259 00:16:14,230 --> 00:16:17,950 Speaker 1: mother sends us kids a group text, it lists our 260 00:16:17,990 --> 00:16:21,550 Speaker 1: names at the top, Paul, Lisa, Tamara, Joel, instead of April, 261 00:16:21,820 --> 00:16:25,620 Speaker 1: it says favorite. I had my mother's cell phone one 262 00:16:25,660 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 1: time under the contacts. She has April stored as favorite. 263 00:16:31,120 --> 00:16:36,560 Speaker 1: Now that's not right. I can imagine if God had 264 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:40,530 Speaker 1: a cell phone, you would be stored under favorite, not 265 00:16:40,610 --> 00:16:46,790 Speaker 1: Joseph Rodriguez, favorite Rodriguez, favorite Smith, favorite Edward, favorite Rebecca. 266 00:16:47,030 --> 00:16:51,370 Speaker 1: We're all his favorite. You're the one that he loves. Well, 267 00:16:51,390 --> 00:16:54,250 Speaker 1: not me, Joel. You don't know the mistakes I've made. 268 00:16:54,730 --> 00:16:57,340 Speaker 1: You don't know the past I've lived. When I clean 269 00:16:57,400 --> 00:16:59,820 Speaker 1: myself up, I know God will love me a lot more. 270 00:17:00,660 --> 00:17:04,119 Speaker 1: Nothing you can do will make God love you anymore. 271 00:17:04,619 --> 00:17:07,500 Speaker 1: You might as well believe you're his favorite right now. 272 00:17:07,520 --> 00:17:11,680 Speaker 1: Now he may not be pleased with all your behavior, 273 00:17:12,160 --> 00:17:15,350 Speaker 1: but that doesn't change his love for you. When we 274 00:17:15,390 --> 00:17:19,149 Speaker 1: go around guilty, beating ourselves up, that doesn't help you 275 00:17:19,170 --> 00:17:22,250 Speaker 1: to do better. It pushes you down, causes you to 276 00:17:22,310 --> 00:17:26,420 Speaker 1: struggle more. But when you receive God's love and know 277 00:17:26,460 --> 00:17:30,900 Speaker 1: despite your shortcomings, he's still proud of you. He still 278 00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:34,900 Speaker 1: says you're amazing. He still calls you a masterpiece. That's 279 00:17:34,960 --> 00:17:37,669 Speaker 1: what lifts your spirit. That's what gives you the strength 280 00:17:37,710 --> 00:17:40,550 Speaker 1: to do better and to break those chains that are 281 00:17:40,570 --> 00:17:45,090 Speaker 1: holding you back. Luke chapter 19, there's the story of Zacchaeus. 282 00:17:45,630 --> 00:17:48,879 Speaker 1: He was a tax collector. Back in those days, they 283 00:17:48,910 --> 00:17:52,939 Speaker 1: were known for being dishonest, for cheating people. They were 284 00:17:52,980 --> 00:17:58,550 Speaker 1: very disliked, even hated. Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector. 285 00:17:59,050 --> 00:18:03,950 Speaker 1: He was especially despised, looked down on by everyone, not 286 00:18:04,010 --> 00:18:08,990 Speaker 1: just figuratively, but even physically. He was very short. One day, 287 00:18:09,130 --> 00:18:13,020 Speaker 1: Jesus came passing through their town and Word spread quickly. 288 00:18:13,580 --> 00:18:16,200 Speaker 1: Everyone went out to try to get a glimpse of Jesus, 289 00:18:16,460 --> 00:18:21,340 Speaker 1: including Zacchaeus. It was so crowded, so many throngs of people, 290 00:18:21,600 --> 00:18:25,400 Speaker 1: Zacchaeus couldn't see anything. He was too short. Rather than 291 00:18:25,460 --> 00:18:28,490 Speaker 1: give up, he decided to climb up in a tree. 292 00:18:29,190 --> 00:18:32,990 Speaker 1: He got in perfect position, had a great viewpoint. In 293 00:18:33,030 --> 00:18:36,409 Speaker 1: a few minutes, Jesus came walking down the stream. I 294 00:18:36,450 --> 00:18:40,350 Speaker 1: can imagine Zacchaeus was in awe. He had heard how 295 00:18:40,670 --> 00:18:44,650 Speaker 1: Jesus had healed the sick, opened blind eyes, cured the lepers. 296 00:18:45,170 --> 00:18:47,810 Speaker 1: Now Jesus was passing right in front of him. It 297 00:18:47,830 --> 00:18:50,790 Speaker 1: was an amazing moment. Hundreds of people were trying to 298 00:18:50,850 --> 00:18:55,040 Speaker 1: touch Jesus, get his attention. All of the sudden, in 299 00:18:55,080 --> 00:18:59,540 Speaker 1: the midst of the commotion, Jesus stopped. Everyone froze thinking, 300 00:18:59,580 --> 00:19:02,320 Speaker 1: why is he stopping? They got quiet. He's going to 301 00:19:02,400 --> 00:19:06,379 Speaker 1: say something. Jesus turned and looked up in the trees. 302 00:19:07,450 --> 00:19:11,859 Speaker 1: Time stopped for Zacchaeus. Every eye was focused on him. 303 00:19:12,660 --> 00:19:15,640 Speaker 1: Zacchaeus knew he was hated. He knew he had cheated, 304 00:19:16,020 --> 00:19:19,420 Speaker 1: done people wrong. He was waiting for Jesus to let 305 00:19:19,460 --> 00:19:23,220 Speaker 1: him have it. But Jesus said, Zacchaeus, come down from 306 00:19:23,260 --> 00:19:26,060 Speaker 1: the tree. I want to go to your house and 307 00:19:26,100 --> 00:19:31,160 Speaker 1: have dinner. At that moment, I believe Zacchaeus felt something 308 00:19:31,300 --> 00:19:36,000 Speaker 1: that he had never felt. Something on the inside said, Zacchaeus, 309 00:19:36,560 --> 00:19:39,899 Speaker 1: you're the one that he loves. Out of all the 310 00:19:39,940 --> 00:19:43,560 Speaker 1: people there that day, no doubt there were rabbis, elders 311 00:19:43,619 --> 00:19:47,869 Speaker 1: in the synagogue, respected leaders. Jesus could have gone to 312 00:19:47,910 --> 00:19:51,560 Speaker 1: dinner with any of them. but he was making this point. 313 00:19:52,220 --> 00:19:55,070 Speaker 1: You don't have to have it all together for God 314 00:19:55,109 --> 00:19:57,949 Speaker 1: to love you. You don't have to clean yourself up. 315 00:19:58,330 --> 00:20:00,430 Speaker 1: Then you can come down out of the tree. Then 316 00:20:00,470 --> 00:20:03,470 Speaker 1: you can go to dinner. That was the case. None 317 00:20:03,510 --> 00:20:07,169 Speaker 1: of us would have had a chance. What's interesting is 318 00:20:07,210 --> 00:20:11,950 Speaker 1: the name Zacchaeus means pure one. I doubt if anyone 319 00:20:12,030 --> 00:20:16,350 Speaker 1: in that crowd ever called him Zacchaeus. They probably called 320 00:20:16,369 --> 00:20:21,510 Speaker 1: him fraud, crook, cheater. One version says they called him scum. 321 00:20:22,570 --> 00:20:25,690 Speaker 1: Jesus could have looked up in the tree and said, hey, 322 00:20:25,730 --> 00:20:30,680 Speaker 1: you come down. Hey, mister, hey, sir, or somebody get 323 00:20:30,700 --> 00:20:35,160 Speaker 1: that guy for me. But on purpose, Jesus said, Zacchaeus. 324 00:20:35,910 --> 00:20:38,750 Speaker 1: Pure one, come down. I want to go to your 325 00:20:38,790 --> 00:20:43,860 Speaker 1: house for dinner. The religious leaders nearly passed out. They said, 326 00:20:43,920 --> 00:20:47,659 Speaker 1: why would he go to dinner with such a notorious sinner? 327 00:20:48,480 --> 00:20:52,080 Speaker 1: We don't see people the way God sees them. We 328 00:20:52,119 --> 00:20:56,040 Speaker 1: look at their behavior, how perfectly they perform. God looks 329 00:20:56,119 --> 00:21:01,130 Speaker 1: beyond all that. They saw a notorious sinner. God saw 330 00:21:01,470 --> 00:21:04,670 Speaker 1: the one that he loved. You may have made mistakes 331 00:21:05,490 --> 00:21:08,710 Speaker 1: like Zacchaeus. You got off course. You know you're not 332 00:21:08,770 --> 00:21:12,649 Speaker 1: where you should be. But if Jesus came passing by today, 333 00:21:13,450 --> 00:21:16,179 Speaker 1: he wouldn't say, hey, Joel, come on, man, let's go 334 00:21:16,220 --> 00:21:19,680 Speaker 1: to lunch. You got that big church. Hey, sister, do right. 335 00:21:20,240 --> 00:21:22,780 Speaker 1: You hadn't made a mistake in 33 years. I'm proud 336 00:21:22,820 --> 00:21:25,660 Speaker 1: of you. Let's go get something to eat. He would 337 00:21:25,720 --> 00:21:29,070 Speaker 1: pass by all the people that look like they have 338 00:21:29,109 --> 00:21:32,540 Speaker 1: it together. He would come to you. You're the one 339 00:21:32,740 --> 00:21:35,510 Speaker 1: that he loves. You may be up in the tree 340 00:21:36,210 --> 00:21:38,710 Speaker 1: trying to hide, dealing with issues. Can I tell you, 341 00:21:39,010 --> 00:21:43,409 Speaker 1: we all have issues. God is saying, come down, pure one. 342 00:21:44,130 --> 00:21:48,840 Speaker 1: Come down, forgiven child. Come down, redeemed daughter. Come down, 343 00:21:48,960 --> 00:21:54,540 Speaker 1: favorite one. Jesus' point in choosing Zacchaeus over all the 344 00:21:54,700 --> 00:21:58,620 Speaker 1: other quote good people was to let us know your 345 00:21:58,680 --> 00:22:03,189 Speaker 1: performance doesn't determine God's love for you. Well, Joel, if 346 00:22:03,270 --> 00:22:05,910 Speaker 1: I can break this bad habit, if I can stop 347 00:22:05,950 --> 00:22:08,210 Speaker 1: this addiction, I know he'll love me a lot more. 348 00:22:08,970 --> 00:22:12,010 Speaker 1: He will be more pleased with your behavior. Your life 349 00:22:12,070 --> 00:22:15,930 Speaker 1: will go better, but that doesn't affect God's love for you. 350 00:22:16,590 --> 00:22:21,080 Speaker 1: He's calling you pure one right now. Will you receive 351 00:22:21,119 --> 00:22:24,080 Speaker 1: this love? Will you come down and go to dinner, 352 00:22:24,140 --> 00:22:26,949 Speaker 1: so to speak? Or are you going to stay up 353 00:22:26,990 --> 00:22:31,010 Speaker 1: in that tree and let condemning voices convince you that 354 00:22:31,030 --> 00:22:33,770 Speaker 1: you're all washed up? You have to shake that off 355 00:22:34,109 --> 00:22:37,350 Speaker 1: and say it by faith. Lord, I believe I'm the 356 00:22:37,450 --> 00:22:41,970 Speaker 1: one you love. I believe despite my failures, despite my mistakes, 357 00:22:42,260 --> 00:22:46,090 Speaker 1: you still have a great plan for my life. First 358 00:22:46,119 --> 00:22:49,830 Speaker 1: John four says, this is real love. Not that we 359 00:22:49,890 --> 00:22:53,750 Speaker 1: loved God, but that he loved us and sent his 360 00:22:53,810 --> 00:22:58,590 Speaker 1: son as a sacrifice for our sins. Real love is 361 00:22:58,650 --> 00:23:01,709 Speaker 1: not our love for God. It's God's love for us. 362 00:23:02,760 --> 00:23:05,340 Speaker 1: When we try to perform to gain this love, the 363 00:23:05,380 --> 00:23:08,680 Speaker 1: problem is we'll never measure up. There will always be 364 00:23:08,780 --> 00:23:11,820 Speaker 1: something we can't do right. Some reason we can't feel 365 00:23:11,859 --> 00:23:15,340 Speaker 1: good about ourselves. Why don't you take the pressure off 366 00:23:15,869 --> 00:23:20,050 Speaker 1: and receive real love, God's love for you. That's what 367 00:23:20,090 --> 00:23:22,990 Speaker 1: the lady had to do in John chapter eight. The 368 00:23:23,040 --> 00:23:26,260 Speaker 1: religious leaders brought her to Jesus. She was caught in 369 00:23:26,300 --> 00:23:29,220 Speaker 1: the act of adultery. They threw her at his feet, 370 00:23:29,680 --> 00:23:31,900 Speaker 1: said the law says stone her. What do you say 371 00:23:31,960 --> 00:23:35,439 Speaker 1: we should do? Jesus said, you that are without sin, 372 00:23:35,600 --> 00:23:38,810 Speaker 1: throw the first stone. They all left from the oldest 373 00:23:39,010 --> 00:23:43,310 Speaker 1: to the youngest. Jesus asked the woman, where are your accusers? 374 00:23:43,690 --> 00:23:47,970 Speaker 1: Hasn't anyone condemned you? She said, no man, Lord. He said, 375 00:23:48,080 --> 00:23:51,859 Speaker 1: neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more. 376 00:23:52,619 --> 00:23:56,359 Speaker 1: He didn't say go and sin no more. Then I 377 00:23:56,400 --> 00:24:00,050 Speaker 1: won't condemn you. change your ways, get your act together, 378 00:24:00,490 --> 00:24:03,350 Speaker 1: quit giving in to the temptation, then I'll love you, 379 00:24:03,550 --> 00:24:07,090 Speaker 1: then I'll be for you. Just the opposite. He said, 380 00:24:07,109 --> 00:24:11,229 Speaker 1: I don't condemn you first. Before he talked about her behavior, 381 00:24:11,760 --> 00:24:15,420 Speaker 1: before he addressed the issues, Jesus wanted to make sure 382 00:24:15,560 --> 00:24:19,700 Speaker 1: she knew she was the one that he loved. When 383 00:24:19,760 --> 00:24:23,100 Speaker 1: she felt this real love, when she realized the one 384 00:24:23,180 --> 00:24:26,399 Speaker 1: person that could have condemned her wouldn't do it, I 385 00:24:26,440 --> 00:24:29,560 Speaker 1: believe something happened on the inside. She walked out of 386 00:24:29,600 --> 00:24:34,200 Speaker 1: there a changed woman. But sometimes religion tells us, clean 387 00:24:34,220 --> 00:24:38,440 Speaker 1: yourself up, then God will love you. Do right, perform correctly. 388 00:24:38,720 --> 00:24:40,860 Speaker 1: If not, God won't have anything to do with you. 389 00:24:41,540 --> 00:24:45,500 Speaker 1: That's not real love. That's conditional love. If you do 390 00:24:45,540 --> 00:24:48,520 Speaker 1: good enough, if you measure up, then God will help you. 391 00:24:49,210 --> 00:24:53,030 Speaker 1: Real love is not about your performance, what you do 392 00:24:53,190 --> 00:24:56,350 Speaker 1: or don't do. It's about what God has already done. 393 00:24:57,190 --> 00:25:00,409 Speaker 1: It's not based on how much you love God. It's 394 00:25:00,490 --> 00:25:04,109 Speaker 1: based on how much God loves you. When my brother 395 00:25:04,150 --> 00:25:07,210 Speaker 1: Paul was a little boy, before any of us siblings 396 00:25:07,260 --> 00:25:09,880 Speaker 1: were born, My parents would put him in his bed 397 00:25:09,940 --> 00:25:12,100 Speaker 1: at night and then they would go get in their 398 00:25:12,200 --> 00:25:14,960 Speaker 1: own bed. Their rooms were just a few feet apart 399 00:25:15,020 --> 00:25:18,679 Speaker 1: down a short hallway. My father would always say, good night, Paul. 400 00:25:19,240 --> 00:25:21,970 Speaker 1: Paul would answer back, good night, daddy. Good night, mother. 401 00:25:22,850 --> 00:25:25,270 Speaker 1: One night, for some reason, Paul was a little afraid. 402 00:25:26,020 --> 00:25:28,280 Speaker 1: A couple of minutes after they had said their good nights, 403 00:25:28,660 --> 00:25:32,720 Speaker 1: Paul said, daddy, are you still in there? My father said, yes, Paul, 404 00:25:32,850 --> 00:25:36,330 Speaker 1: I'm still here. Was quiet for a few seconds. Then 405 00:25:36,390 --> 00:25:41,210 Speaker 1: Paul asked, daddy, is your face turned toward me? My 406 00:25:41,250 --> 00:25:44,360 Speaker 1: father said, yes, Paul, my face is turned toward you. 407 00:25:45,160 --> 00:25:49,219 Speaker 1: Somehow it made Paul feel better just knowing that his 408 00:25:49,300 --> 00:25:53,420 Speaker 1: father's face was turned toward him. Can I tell you today, 409 00:25:54,040 --> 00:25:58,379 Speaker 1: your heavenly father's face is turned towards you. You're the 410 00:25:58,500 --> 00:26:02,440 Speaker 1: one that he loves. You're his favorite child. He's not 411 00:26:02,520 --> 00:26:06,980 Speaker 1: counting your mistakes against you. He's calling you pure one. 412 00:26:07,840 --> 00:26:11,770 Speaker 1: My challenge is receive this love. All through the day, Lord, 413 00:26:11,830 --> 00:26:14,669 Speaker 1: thank you that I'm the one you love. Thank you 414 00:26:14,690 --> 00:26:18,100 Speaker 1: that your face is turned toward me. Remember, real love 415 00:26:18,359 --> 00:26:21,720 Speaker 1: is not about your love for God. It's recognizing the 416 00:26:21,780 --> 00:26:25,180 Speaker 1: great love God has for you. If you'll do this, 417 00:26:25,540 --> 00:26:29,620 Speaker 1: I believe and declare you're going to live confident, secure, 418 00:26:30,060 --> 00:26:35,369 Speaker 1: overcoming obstacles, rising higher, and becoming everything he's created you 419 00:26:35,410 --> 00:26:38,379 Speaker 1: to be. In Jesus' name. And if you receive it, 420 00:26:38,590 --> 00:26:42,649 Speaker 1: can you say amen today? I'd like to give you 421 00:26:42,670 --> 00:26:45,550 Speaker 1: an opportunity to make Jesus the Lord of your life. 422 00:26:45,790 --> 00:26:50,520 Speaker 1: Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord Jesus, I 423 00:26:50,560 --> 00:26:55,560 Speaker 1: repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 424 00:26:55,580 --> 00:26:59,860 Speaker 1: you my Lord and Savior. If you prayed that simple prayer, 425 00:27:00,040 --> 00:27:02,680 Speaker 1: we believe you got born again. Get in a good 426 00:27:02,740 --> 00:27:14,020 Speaker 1: Bible-based church and keep God first place. A few years ago, 427 00:27:14,280 --> 00:27:17,679 Speaker 1: I stood in a forest of giant redwoods, trees hundreds 428 00:27:17,720 --> 00:27:20,899 Speaker 1: of feet tall and thousands of years old. I remember 429 00:27:20,960 --> 00:27:24,260 Speaker 1: thinking every one of them started as a single seed, 430 00:27:24,660 --> 00:27:27,179 Speaker 1: something you could hold in your hand. But I was 431 00:27:27,240 --> 00:27:30,370 Speaker 1: amazed at what they had become. That's not just true 432 00:27:30,410 --> 00:27:33,540 Speaker 1: of trees. It's true of you. There are seeds God 433 00:27:33,580 --> 00:27:36,120 Speaker 1: has already placed in you that are waiting to come 434 00:27:36,160 --> 00:27:39,400 Speaker 1: to life. You haven't seen all that you can become. 435 00:27:40,000 --> 00:27:42,820 Speaker 1: I'd love to send you my new 90-day devotional called 436 00:27:42,880 --> 00:27:46,260 Speaker 1: Super Bloom. It's designed to help you water what God 437 00:27:46,280 --> 00:27:49,820 Speaker 1: has already planted in your life. Each day's reading will 438 00:27:49,859 --> 00:27:53,450 Speaker 1: strengthen your faith, remind you of God's promises, and encourage 439 00:27:53,470 --> 00:27:56,489 Speaker 1: you to keep believing. As you do this, you'll see 440 00:27:56,530 --> 00:28:00,230 Speaker 1: new confidence, new joy, and new growth. Those seeds of 441 00:28:00,290 --> 00:28:03,250 Speaker 1: greatness will begin to flourish and you'll discover a life 442 00:28:03,550 --> 00:28:05,710 Speaker 1: more rewarding than you've ever imagined. 443 00:28:06,760 --> 00:28:10,420 Speaker 2: Super Bloom, 90 days of growth, encouragement, and hope for 444 00:28:10,480 --> 00:28:14,000 Speaker 2: all seasons of life is Joel's brand new devotional designed 445 00:28:14,020 --> 00:28:17,869 Speaker 2: to help you water what God has already planted in you. Inside, 446 00:28:18,050 --> 00:28:21,649 Speaker 2: you'll find 90 days of scripture, encouragement, and a simple 447 00:28:21,750 --> 00:28:25,930 Speaker 2: daily practice. Whatever season you're walking through, whatever you're believing 448 00:28:26,010 --> 00:28:30,090 Speaker 2: God for, because what you water today is what blooms tomorrow. 449 00:28:30,570 --> 00:28:32,629 Speaker 2: It's yours as a thank you for your gift to 450 00:28:32,650 --> 00:28:36,590 Speaker 2: the ministry today. Be sure to request your copy of Superbloom, 451 00:28:36,830 --> 00:28:41,350 Speaker 2: available this month by visiting us at joelostein.com or call 888-567-JOEL. 452 00:28:44,200 --> 00:28:47,130 Speaker 1: Keep watering what God has planted. I believe you're going 453 00:28:47,150 --> 00:28:50,350 Speaker 1: to come into your super bloom season. Victoria and I 454 00:28:50,390 --> 00:28:53,160 Speaker 1: love you. We're praying for you and your family every day. 455 00:28:53,200 --> 00:28:56,200 Speaker 1: And thanks so much for your prayer and support. Your 456 00:28:56,260 --> 00:28:59,460 Speaker 1: generosity helps take this message of hope to people all 457 00:28:59,580 --> 00:29:02,450 Speaker 1: over the world who need their own moment with God. 458 00:29:03,010 --> 00:29:05,450 Speaker 1: And a special thank you to our Champion of Hope partners. 459 00:29:05,750 --> 00:29:08,590 Speaker 1: Your monthly support makes a difference every single day. If 460 00:29:09,070 --> 00:29:11,560 Speaker 1: you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. 461 00:29:11,580 --> 00:29:14,980 Speaker 1: Until next time, may the Lord bless you and keep you. 462 00:29:15,780 --> 00:29:19,100 Speaker 2: Be sure to request your copy of Superbloom, available this 463 00:29:19,180 --> 00:29:25,610 Speaker 2: month by visiting us at joelosteen.com or call 888-567-JOEL. With 464 00:29:25,650 --> 00:29:28,990 Speaker 2: an additional gift, you can also receive the Superbloom devotional 465 00:29:29,110 --> 00:29:32,070 Speaker 2: together with the Planted in God journals. a place to 466 00:29:32,130 --> 00:29:35,400 Speaker 2: capture your prayers, your dreams, and all the good things 467 00:29:35,500 --> 00:29:38,390 Speaker 2: God is doing in your life. We are also making 468 00:29:38,450 --> 00:29:41,890 Speaker 2: available to you this month the Bloom Expanded Collection, the 469 00:29:41,930 --> 00:29:46,040 Speaker 2: devotional and journal together with the NLT Spiritual Growth Bible, 470 00:29:46,400 --> 00:29:49,560 Speaker 2: one of the most comprehensive study Bibles available to help 471 00:29:49,600 --> 00:29:52,920 Speaker 2: you go even deeper in God's Word. What you water 472 00:29:52,960 --> 00:29:57,160 Speaker 2: today is what blooms tomorrow. You can request these inspiring 473 00:29:57,220 --> 00:30:03,980 Speaker 2: resources by calling 888-567-JOEL or logging on to joelostein.com today. 474 00:30:04,640 --> 00:30:07,700 Speaker 2: Take the step today and watch what God planted in 475 00:30:07,740 --> 00:30:10,900 Speaker 2: you break open into your own super bloom, a season 476 00:30:10,920 --> 00:30:14,880 Speaker 2: of joy, hope, and growth you never imagined. Call or 477 00:30:14,940 --> 00:30:16,240 Speaker 2: click anytime, 24 hours a day.