Better Together

Let God Guide Your Plans - Episode 1131

January 5, 2026 | S8 E1131 | 52:34

At the new year, we often set goals and make plans. Let's surrender our agendas to the One who holds the future. When we seek Him, we find rest, purpose, and destiny. | TBN Prayer Line: 714-731-1000

#Change #Goals #Widow/Widower #Plan #Hope #Encouragement #Parenting #Faith #TrustGod #Obedience #Grief #SpiritualGrowth #Failure #Visions/Dreams #VoiceofGod #Accountability #Distractions #WordofGod #RestofGod #Focus #Stewardship #Joy #Surrender #Relationships #Gifting/Talent #LaurieCrouch #SheilaWalsh #DeeDeeFreeman #AmieDockery

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Better Together | Let God Guide Your Plans - Episode 1131 | January 5, 2026

...
00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:00.356
Laurie crouch: the start of a new year is a time for
00:00:00.824 --> 00:00:02.459
Reflection and growth.
00:00:02.592 --> 00:00:03.793
If last year didn't quite go as planned for you or you need a
00:00:03.893 --> 00:00:04.961
Fresh start, you are not alone.
00:00:07.263 --> 00:00:09.332
So, come on, let's talk about it.
00:00:09.332 --> 00:00:10.834
♪♪♪
00:00:10.834 --> 00:00:39.195
Sheila walsh: i can't believe that we're standing on the
00:00:20.844 --> 00:00:41.331
Threshold of a new year.
00:00:41.331 --> 00:00:42.799
That's wild to me.
00:00:42.799 --> 00:00:44.167
It feels like 2025 just kind of disappeared really quickly.
00:00:44.167 --> 00:00:47.937
But it made me think about what it's like at home in scotland
00:00:47.937 --> 00:00:50.473
When i was growing up.
00:00:50.473 --> 00:00:51.841
New year's eve was always a very fun time.
00:00:51.841 --> 00:00:54.177
Not the way we do it here in the states, or in some parts of
00:00:54.177 --> 00:00:58.047
The world.
00:00:58.047 --> 00:00:59.382
It's not a big party thing, it's a big family and
00:00:59.382 --> 00:01:01.885
Neighborhood thing.
00:01:01.885 --> 00:01:03.253
When it gets to one second past midnight, what we do is that
00:01:03.253 --> 00:01:06.756
We'll try to be the first person to visit our neighbor.
00:01:06.756 --> 00:01:09.626
It's called first fooding.
00:01:09.626 --> 00:01:11.794
And you take a piece of coal, we're great gift givers.
00:01:11.794 --> 00:01:16.232
It's supposed to be a symbol of "may you always have enough coal
00:01:16.232 --> 00:01:19.035
To burn."
00:01:19.035 --> 00:01:20.370
May, you know, your home always be warm and full of love.
00:01:20.370 --> 00:01:23.673
But new year's day was what i loved because we always had a
00:01:23.673 --> 00:01:27.010
New year's day conference.
00:01:27.010 --> 00:01:28.611
And there was a gentleman called dr. alan redpath, and he was
00:01:28.611 --> 00:01:32.148
Usually the speaker.
00:01:32.148 --> 00:01:33.883
And i was usually the singer, and he was just phenomenal.
00:01:33.883 --> 00:01:37.754
And every new year, i would have this opportunity to sit down and
00:01:37.754 --> 00:01:41.324
Take notes of fresh direction and clarity.
00:01:41.324 --> 00:01:45.528
But i was thinking about this last night and thinking about
00:01:45.528 --> 00:01:47.630
Our whole week together.
00:01:47.630 --> 00:01:48.998
The lord reminded me of something i haven't thought
00:01:48.998 --> 00:01:50.867
About for a while, and it kind of took me back.
00:01:50.867 --> 00:01:53.836
Because i'm thinking of people who are moving into a new year
00:01:53.836 --> 00:01:56.773
And thinking, "will this be any different?"
00:01:56.773 --> 00:01:58.975
You know, "i feel like i blew it last year, you know, things sort
00:01:58.975 --> 00:02:01.778
Of not great."
00:02:01.778 --> 00:02:03.413
But it was actually something that happened while i was in a
00:02:03.413 --> 00:02:07.083
Psychiatric hospital.
00:02:07.083 --> 00:02:08.418
After i'd been there for three weeks, they want to take you on
00:02:08.418 --> 00:02:11.688
Some kind of outing outside the hospital, so that you're not
00:02:11.688 --> 00:02:14.324
Just suddenly back in the world.
00:02:14.324 --> 00:02:16.125
So, this young nurse said to me, "i'm gonna take you, so would
00:02:16.125 --> 00:02:18.895
You like to go to the mall, or do you want to go to a movie?"
00:02:18.895 --> 00:02:22.198
And i said, "no, i don't want to do either of those, i want to go
00:02:22.198 --> 00:02:24.801
To church.
00:02:24.801 --> 00:02:26.135
And i don't care what denomination, as long as it's a
00:02:26.135 --> 00:02:28.471
Bible-believing church, that's what i'd like to do."
00:02:28.471 --> 00:02:30.406
And she was like, "oh, okay."
00:02:30.406 --> 00:02:32.141
So, on that sunday morning, we went to church, and it was a
00:02:32.141 --> 00:02:35.044
Little episcopalian church in washington d.c.
00:02:35.044 --> 00:02:38.281
And i remember the sunlight coming through the stained glass
00:02:38.281 --> 00:02:40.583
Windows, and i just felt so kind of lost, and it had been such a
00:02:40.583 --> 00:02:46.155
Hard year.
00:02:46.155 --> 00:02:47.590
And i don't even remember much of what the pastor said that
00:02:47.590 --> 00:02:50.393
Morning, but at one point in his message, he said, "some of you
00:02:50.393 --> 00:02:53.396
Feel--in here feel as if you're dead inside.
00:02:53.396 --> 00:02:55.965
As if all your dreams, and all your plans, and everything that,
00:02:55.965 --> 00:02:59.302
You know, you felt god had given you has died."
00:02:59.302 --> 00:03:02.171
And he said, "i just want you to know one thing: jesus is here.
00:03:02.171 --> 00:03:06.743
And you don't have to get yourself out of that hole.
00:03:06.743 --> 00:03:09.646
All you have to do is call on his name and he will reach in
00:03:09.646 --> 00:03:13.082
And grab hold of you and pull you free."
00:03:13.082 --> 00:03:16.953
Now, i didn't know what the traditions of that particular
00:03:16.953 --> 00:03:19.422
Church were, but at the end of the service, i literally ran to
00:03:19.422 --> 00:03:23.293
The front and they had this plain wooden cross and i lay
00:03:23.293 --> 00:03:26.629
Face down in front of this cross.
00:03:26.629 --> 00:03:29.232
And the organist was still playing, and she was playing a
00:03:29.232 --> 00:03:32.268
Hymn that my grandmother used to sing to me when i was just a
00:03:32.268 --> 00:03:34.671
Little girl, "rock of ages, cleft for me.
00:03:34.671 --> 00:03:37.473
Let me hide myself in thee."
00:03:37.473 --> 00:03:39.709
But then it got to this verse, "nothing in my hands i bring.
00:03:39.709 --> 00:03:44.347
Simply to thy cross i cling."
00:03:44.347 --> 00:03:47.050
And it was like suddenly, it was like i got it, you know?
00:03:47.050 --> 00:03:51.321
It's never been about me getting it right.
00:03:51.321 --> 00:03:53.289
It's never been about me not falling down.
00:03:53.289 --> 00:03:55.224
It's always been about what christ has already done.
00:03:55.224 --> 00:03:58.728
And so, that was a turning point in my life, something so simple,
00:03:58.728 --> 00:04:04.233
Just between the lord and i.
00:04:04.233 --> 00:04:05.902
I kind of want everybody to know
00:04:05.902 --> 00:04:07.637
This week, the past is gone, you know?
00:04:07.637 --> 00:04:10.873
We get a new beginning with jesus.
00:04:10.873 --> 00:04:13.209
When you build that new foundation on the fact that it's
00:04:13.209 --> 00:04:16.446
"nothing in my hands i bring, simply to thy cross i cling," it
00:04:16.446 --> 00:04:21.084
Just--to me, it gives hope for moving forward in confidence.
00:04:21.084 --> 00:04:25.822
Brittany price brooker: it is never too late to use your gifts
00:04:25.822 --> 00:04:28.358
For the kingdom of god.
00:04:28.358 --> 00:04:29.759
No matter what is in your past, no matter what mistakes you
00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:32.762
Think you have made, god is the redeeming god who can take any
00:04:32.762 --> 00:04:36.866
Of our stories and do the miraculous.
00:04:36.866 --> 00:04:39.168
All he wants is our yes.
00:04:39.168 --> 00:04:41.871
Sheila: i just wondered, what the whole new year experience is
00:04:41.871 --> 00:04:44.907
Like for any of you, or moments that were key in realigning
00:04:44.907 --> 00:04:48.544
Where you're at, or what you're doing?
00:04:48.544 --> 00:04:50.380
Deedee freeman: i always think about how we always wait
00:04:50.380 --> 00:04:53.216
To, you know, the new year, to change who we are.
00:04:53.216 --> 00:04:58.888
And jesus is present all through the years and we can make shifts
00:04:58.888 --> 00:05:04.694
And changes at any stage or any point in our lives.
00:05:04.694 --> 00:05:09.198
But i've lived for those moments as well, you know?
00:05:09.198 --> 00:05:12.268
It's like, things have been so rough and then you can't wait
00:05:12.268 --> 00:05:15.671
Until the new year because you think you're going to get
00:05:15.671 --> 00:05:17.640
Something different.
00:05:17.640 --> 00:05:19.075
But one of the things i realized is that when you look at year,
00:05:19.075 --> 00:05:22.645
You see ear in it, right?
00:05:22.645 --> 00:05:24.814
You see ears, so, if i don't get a new ear to hear the voice of
00:05:24.814 --> 00:05:28.484
God, i'm only going to do what i did the last year.
00:05:28.484 --> 00:05:32.922
And so, we got to position ourselves to hear something
00:05:32.922 --> 00:05:35.658
Different in order to get something different.
00:05:35.658 --> 00:05:38.561
But i've lived for those moments.
00:05:38.561 --> 00:05:40.096
It's like i wanna do something different.
00:05:40.096 --> 00:05:42.665
I wanna change, but if i wake up tomorrow and i'm in the middle
00:05:42.665 --> 00:05:46.436
Of the year, i don't wanna waste the rest of the year.
00:05:46.436 --> 00:05:50.072
It's like i'm not gonna stay on that same path for that
00:05:50.072 --> 00:05:52.775
Same course.
00:05:52.775 --> 00:05:54.143
It's like come on, let's shift, let's do something different,
00:05:54.143 --> 00:05:56.913
But i think people just see it as a fresh start.
00:05:56.913 --> 00:06:00.983
Deedee: i hear often that people do not know the voice of
00:06:00.983 --> 00:06:04.353
God and they ask, "how can i learn the voice of god?"
00:06:04.353 --> 00:06:08.891
And it's really simple.
00:06:08.891 --> 00:06:10.760
It's just like learning the voice of anyone else that you
00:06:10.760 --> 00:06:14.630
Are in relationship with, you spend time with them.
00:06:14.630 --> 00:06:18.601
And sometimes you may mistaken their voice for someone else,
00:06:18.601 --> 00:06:23.406
But what do you do?
00:06:23.406 --> 00:06:24.740
You go back and you ask them, did they say?
00:06:24.740 --> 00:06:28.778
And when you do that, you develop a relationship and a
00:06:28.778 --> 00:06:33.182
Knowing for the next time.
00:06:33.182 --> 00:06:35.051
So, when they say something, you will know exactly who said it.
00:06:35.051 --> 00:06:39.322
Well, it works the same way with the spirit of god.
00:06:39.322 --> 00:06:41.891
When god is speaking to us, and if you're not sure, go back and
00:06:41.891 --> 00:06:45.561
Say, "father, did you say this?"
00:06:45.561 --> 00:06:48.130
Don't make a move until you know it is his voice for you.
00:06:48.130 --> 00:06:52.702
But the more time you spend with him, the more you will know it
00:06:52.702 --> 00:06:56.339
Was god for you.
00:06:56.339 --> 00:06:59.041
Brittany: i think of "his mercies are new every morning."
00:06:59.041 --> 00:07:01.878
I knew, for me, after loss, when i went to the new year, i
00:07:01.878 --> 00:07:04.680
Thought, "man, lord, is this gonna be a better year?
00:07:04.680 --> 00:07:07.183
Am i gonna come up for air?"
00:07:07.183 --> 00:07:08.784
And i didn't know all that was ahead of me, but it felt like
00:07:08.784 --> 00:07:11.153
His mercies are new.
00:07:11.153 --> 00:07:12.488
Like, "god, i've never lived in this year before.
00:07:12.488 --> 00:07:14.457
So, god, what are you gonna do this year?"
00:07:14.457 --> 00:07:16.125
And it's like a fresh surrender, honestly.
00:07:16.125 --> 00:07:18.461
And so, i've always loved january, because the fresh new
00:07:18.461 --> 00:07:22.331
Year, for me, especially after loss when you go through the
00:07:22.331 --> 00:07:24.333
Holidays, and they're tender, and all that, it felt like a
00:07:24.333 --> 00:07:26.736
Fresh start.
00:07:26.736 --> 00:07:28.104
This year, we went and each of our kids, we just asked them,
00:07:28.104 --> 00:07:30.039
"why don't you just sit before the lord, ask god for a word for
00:07:30.039 --> 00:07:32.909
This year.
00:07:32.909 --> 00:07:34.243
Something that you want to work on."
00:07:34.243 --> 00:07:35.611
And i have six kids from 15 to 4, and so, the words are really
00:07:35.611 --> 00:07:40.182
Unique, which each of them come with, that we had them just go
00:07:40.182 --> 00:07:44.053
Sit and do that before the lord by themselves.
00:07:44.053 --> 00:07:45.955
And then we came together as a family and we had a big meal
00:07:45.955 --> 00:07:49.692
Together and we talked about our word.
00:07:49.692 --> 00:07:51.394
And so, we said, "well, mommy's--this is mommy's word."
00:07:51.394 --> 00:07:54.697
And my word was "enjoy."
00:07:54.697 --> 00:07:57.700
I really wanted to work on pausing and enjoying what god
00:07:57.700 --> 00:08:01.304
Had given me.
00:08:01.304 --> 00:08:02.838
And so, they have held me accountable and they are going
00:08:02.838 --> 00:08:05.708
To hold me accountable.
00:08:05.708 --> 00:08:07.043
And so, our goal is to meet once a month and go over, how are
00:08:07.043 --> 00:08:10.379
We doing?
00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:11.714
Are we pressing into that?
00:08:11.714 --> 00:08:13.082
Are we listening to god's voice?
00:08:13.082 --> 00:08:14.417
And trying to teach them, like you said, to have an ear to
00:08:14.417 --> 00:08:17.453
Listen to the voice of god.
00:08:17.453 --> 00:08:19.088
And that life is like a tightrope with the lord.
00:08:19.088 --> 00:08:21.891
Like you get off, you know, base and god brings you back, and you
00:08:21.891 --> 00:08:24.894
Go in this direction, he brings you back.
00:08:24.894 --> 00:08:26.562
So, for us, i feel like accountability has been
00:08:26.562 --> 00:08:29.065
Really--it's gonna--we're excited about this year to
00:08:29.065 --> 00:08:32.268
Persevere together and go towards what we feel like god's
00:08:32.268 --> 00:08:34.837
Calling us to do.
00:08:34.837 --> 00:08:36.205
Deedee: i like those check-ins.
00:08:36.205 --> 00:08:37.540
You said once a month, just check in like, "okay, where are
00:08:37.540 --> 00:08:39.842
We now?"
00:08:39.842 --> 00:08:41.210
Brittany: and you know, kids, they keep you accountable, man.
00:08:41.210 --> 00:08:43.079
I mean, "the other day--"
00:08:43.079 --> 00:08:45.915
"you said, are you really doing this?"
00:08:45.915 --> 00:08:50.186
Brittany: how do we make space for god to reveal himself in a
00:08:50.186 --> 00:08:52.655
New way?
00:08:52.655 --> 00:08:53.990
Sometimes you just need to literally cut out all of the
00:08:53.990 --> 00:08:55.925
Distractions, trim out the fat of your life, and ask the lord
00:08:55.925 --> 00:08:59.629
To speak.
00:08:59.629 --> 00:09:00.997
So many times, we're consuming so many distracting things that
00:09:00.997 --> 00:09:04.066
It's hard for us to even focus on what god is teaching us.
00:09:04.066 --> 00:09:07.069
I want to encourage you to literally quiet out the
00:09:07.069 --> 00:09:09.772
Uninvited voices in your life and ask the lord to speak.
00:09:09.772 --> 00:09:14.877
Amie dockery: has anybody ever had, where you've named the
00:09:14.877 --> 00:09:17.146
Year, or you feel like you have a word for the year and then
00:09:17.146 --> 00:09:20.282
That thing has been more embattled than ever?
00:09:20.282 --> 00:09:24.820
Like enjoyment, you know, i had joy was one of the words that i
00:09:24.820 --> 00:09:29.125
Had and it felt like the opposite of joy happened to me.
00:09:29.125 --> 00:09:32.662
I think it was 2020 that my word was "joy" and it was almost like
00:09:32.662 --> 00:09:38.734
God was saying, "this is what you're gonna contend for."
00:09:38.734 --> 00:09:41.537
And i love that you said ear is in the word year, because i
00:09:41.537 --> 00:09:46.475
Think for so many of us, we're--when we're goal-oriented,
00:09:46.475 --> 00:09:49.545
We think about what do i wanna accomplish this year?
00:09:49.545 --> 00:09:52.214
What do i wanna see happen?
00:09:52.214 --> 00:09:54.016
And so, we'll call those things out.
00:09:54.016 --> 00:09:55.951
Gym memberships go up, you know, people sign up for things, how
00:09:55.951 --> 00:10:00.356
Many books they wanna read, the bible app, you know, fasting and
00:10:00.356 --> 00:10:04.193
Make it four days.
00:10:04.193 --> 00:10:05.561
And, you know, there's a lot of failure right out of the gate in
00:10:05.561 --> 00:10:09.331
The beginning of the year.
00:10:09.331 --> 00:10:10.666
And i think what has helped me the most is understanding that
00:10:10.666 --> 00:10:14.036
Whatever god has called me to for a year, that is what has
00:10:14.036 --> 00:10:17.640
Been battled in my life.
00:10:17.640 --> 00:10:19.775
And i think him putting it in my--before my eyes really helped
00:10:19.775 --> 00:10:24.280
Me set the tone to go, "okay, this is important to god."
00:10:24.280 --> 00:10:27.750
But i think hearing from god, not just having random goals,
00:10:27.750 --> 00:10:32.188
But hearing first is what's so important.
00:10:32.188 --> 00:10:34.790
Because our ears are our spiritual womb.
00:10:34.790 --> 00:10:38.194
That's--it's like that's where we conceive the word of god, and
00:10:38.194 --> 00:10:42.231
Hold on to it, and nurture it, and believe in it.
00:10:42.231 --> 00:10:44.867
And i think leaning in to go, "god, i want to hear you at the
00:10:44.867 --> 00:10:47.770
Beginning of the year.
00:10:47.770 --> 00:10:49.138
I don't just want to declare all the things: i'd like to lose
00:10:49.138 --> 00:10:51.474
Weight, or i'd like to have--get married and have a relationship.
00:10:51.474 --> 00:10:54.677
But what do you have contained in your promises to fulfill for
00:10:54.677 --> 00:10:59.348
Me this year?
00:10:59.348 --> 00:11:00.783
And, "he delights," the bible says, "in revealing and in
00:11:00.783 --> 00:11:05.154
Surprising his people."
00:11:05.154 --> 00:11:06.856
But i think intentionality is what january is really all about
00:11:06.856 --> 00:11:10.226
For most people.
00:11:10.226 --> 00:11:11.594
A clean slate and going, "god, how can i leave more room for
00:11:11.594 --> 00:11:15.064
You in this year?"
00:11:15.064 --> 00:11:17.166
And i think it begins by hearing.
00:11:17.166 --> 00:11:19.969
Amie: it's so important to allow the holy spirit to refocus us as
00:11:19.969 --> 00:11:24.807
We move forward.
00:11:24.807 --> 00:11:26.175
And we allow him to do that by laying all of our plans at his
00:11:26.175 --> 00:11:30.546
Feet, putting our plans, our agenda, our goals even on the
00:11:30.546 --> 00:11:35.050
Altar and asking god to intervene, asking him if that's
00:11:35.050 --> 00:11:40.523
His will.
00:11:40.523 --> 00:11:41.857
And the lord will be faithful to speak.
00:11:41.857 --> 00:11:43.592
He always speaks through his word.
00:11:43.592 --> 00:11:45.427
So i think being open-minded, openhearted, and making sure our
00:11:45.427 --> 00:11:49.632
Ears in the spirit and our eyes in the spirit are open for his
00:11:49.632 --> 00:11:53.602
Will and his plans as we move forward.
00:11:53.602 --> 00:11:56.238
Not just moving forward willy-nilly, but surrendered,
00:11:56.238 --> 00:11:59.909
Walking carefully, and discerning.
00:11:59.909 --> 00:12:03.612
God wants to teach us how to discern evil from good, and
00:12:03.612 --> 00:12:08.350
Right from wrong, and light from darkness.
00:12:08.350 --> 00:12:11.187
And as we yield to him, i think that is more and more revealed
00:12:11.187 --> 00:12:15.658
Through his purpose in our lives as we move forward.
00:12:15.658 --> 00:12:19.361
Amie: god's language is more process, not outcome.
00:12:19.361 --> 00:12:24.433
We were at a funeral recently and they were talking about the
00:12:24.433 --> 00:12:28.704
Woman who passed and that people would ask her questions.
00:12:28.704 --> 00:12:32.541
She was just a matriarch and a woman of faith, and they would
00:12:32.541 --> 00:12:36.278
Ask her this question, "well, what about people who pray and
00:12:36.278 --> 00:12:40.916
They never get a miracle?
00:12:40.916 --> 00:12:42.284
What about people who give their whole life to the lord and then
00:12:42.284 --> 00:12:44.620
They're diagnosed with something?"
00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:46.255
And she said, "so often we get so consumed with whether god's
00:12:46.255 --> 00:12:51.293
Doing his part that we don't do our part."
00:12:51.293 --> 00:12:54.363
And i think god's part is the process, leading us through the
00:12:54.363 --> 00:12:58.467
Process, and developing us, strengthening us, but we're so
00:12:58.467 --> 00:13:02.705
Focused on outcome.
00:13:02.705 --> 00:13:04.073
I think that's why we set goals because i want to be able to
00:13:04.073 --> 00:13:07.343
Celebrate this moment in time.
00:13:07.343 --> 00:13:09.278
And god is much more concerned with the process because we're
00:13:09.278 --> 00:13:13.716
The product to him.
00:13:13.716 --> 00:13:16.018
Our lives are the product to us, but to him, we are the fruit,
00:13:16.018 --> 00:13:19.855
We're the product.
00:13:19.855 --> 00:13:21.223
Deedee: in his mind, he already reached his goal.
00:13:21.223 --> 00:13:24.493
You know, it's complete, it's finished, but we're trying to
00:13:24.493 --> 00:13:28.230
Reach that goal.
00:13:28.230 --> 00:13:29.565
It's like if we can operate from a finished mindset, then we can
00:13:29.565 --> 00:13:35.871
Get there a lot faster.
00:13:35.871 --> 00:13:37.673
Amie: not from striving.
00:13:37.673 --> 00:13:39.008
Deedee: right.
00:13:39.008 --> 00:13:40.376
Brittany: but pressing towards.
00:13:40.376 --> 00:13:41.710
You know, like philippians 3:12, "not that i've already obtained
00:13:41.710 --> 00:13:43.879
This or am already perfect, but i press on to make it my own,
00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:47.816
Because christ has made me his own."
00:13:47.816 --> 00:13:49.618
And again it talks about, "i strain forward to what lies
00:13:49.618 --> 00:13:52.588
Ahead, i press on."
00:13:52.588 --> 00:13:53.923
But i love that language because it's not one of failure.
00:13:53.923 --> 00:13:56.725
It's one of, if i fall, i get back up.
00:13:56.725 --> 00:13:59.128
I strain, i am pressing forward the calling that god has on
00:13:59.128 --> 00:14:02.665
Our life.
00:14:02.665 --> 00:14:03.999
Because we are going to have moments where we fail and we are
00:14:03.999 --> 00:14:05.935
Going to have those moments where we're just bone weary and
00:14:05.935 --> 00:14:08.938
We go, "god, i can't do this."
00:14:08.938 --> 00:14:11.273
And that's when you go, "but i will press forward to the
00:14:11.273 --> 00:14:13.509
Calling of christ.
00:14:13.509 --> 00:14:14.843
I'm going to keep moving. i'm going to strain."
00:14:14.843 --> 00:14:16.178
I love that word "straining."
00:14:16.178 --> 00:14:17.579
You know, it's not like that was an easy thing, "oh, it's just
00:14:17.579 --> 00:14:19.815
Easy to press forward."
00:14:19.815 --> 00:14:21.750
No, it's a strain sometimes and we've got to press in and not
00:14:21.750 --> 00:14:24.520
Doing it in our own strength, but in the power of what you
00:14:24.520 --> 00:14:27.723
Said, that the finished work of jesus, that he has already
00:14:27.723 --> 00:14:31.060
Done it.
00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:32.394
He's already done the work, and we can lean in his power and his
00:14:32.394 --> 00:14:34.496
Strength to press forward.
00:14:34.496 --> 00:14:36.832
Laurie: i think it's really important that our children see
00:14:36.832 --> 00:14:39.702
Us resting in the finished work of the cross.
00:14:39.702 --> 00:14:42.705
Because when we do that, then we're not striving to get
00:14:42.705 --> 00:14:46.075
Something done, we're not striving to make things happen,
00:14:46.075 --> 00:14:49.578
We're resting in the promise of god that we have an assignment
00:14:49.578 --> 00:14:53.415
And a destiny and a purpose that's bigger than anything else
00:14:53.415 --> 00:14:57.019
That we can encounter.
00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:58.587
And so, showing our children and believing god with our kids, i
00:14:58.587 --> 00:15:03.625
Think it's so important that they see us believing and
00:15:03.625 --> 00:15:06.295
Trusting god in obedience and walking by faith and resting
00:15:06.295 --> 00:15:10.332
That he's already provided, he's all in control, he's got this,
00:15:10.332 --> 00:15:14.603
And we're just walking our path.
00:15:14.603 --> 00:15:17.840
Brittany: to pick up a dream that i thought was dead, it took
00:15:22.011 --> 00:15:24.713
Courage that came from jesus alone.
00:15:24.713 --> 00:15:27.082
Oftentimes, we think, especially walking through loss or the
00:15:27.082 --> 00:15:30.285
Death of dreams, that things are dead forever.
00:15:30.285 --> 00:15:33.622
But we serve a living god, full of living hope, and who can
00:15:33.622 --> 00:15:37.092
Resurrect anything in our lives, and use it for god's glory.
00:15:37.092 --> 00:15:40.996
And it's through him alone that we can be strong and courageous
00:15:40.996 --> 00:15:44.466
To walk out the plans for our life.
00:15:44.466 --> 00:15:47.970
Amie: the start of a new year brings new hope and
00:15:47.970 --> 00:15:50.406
Renewed dreams.
00:15:50.406 --> 00:15:51.907
Sheila: here at "better together" we're expecting big
00:15:51.907 --> 00:15:53.942
Things for the coming year, more friends, and more
00:15:53.942 --> 00:15:56.712
Great conversations.
00:15:56.712 --> 00:15:58.047
Laurie: stay connected with us on social media and tell us what
00:15:58.047 --> 00:16:00.916
Dream god has placed in your heart for the new year.
00:16:00.916 --> 00:16:05.005
Dream god has placed in your heart for the new year.
00:16:05.005 --> 00:16:06.488
Sheila: one of the things i love about god's word is when you
00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:13.629
Read the psalms, you get a really clear picture of the fact
00:16:13.629 --> 00:16:16.865
That god wants to direct our steps.
00:16:16.865 --> 00:16:19.568
You know, maybe you think, going into a new year, oh my gosh, i'm
00:16:19.568 --> 00:16:22.304
Not sure what to do.
00:16:22.304 --> 00:16:23.639
One of the beautiful things when you read the word of god and
00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:27.376
Maybe read out loud to yourself, you'll get very clear direction
00:16:27.376 --> 00:16:30.612
As to which step to take next.
00:16:30.612 --> 00:16:33.215
Sheila: i love the way that eugene peterson translates
00:16:37.352 --> 00:16:39.621
Hebrews 12, where he says, "keep your eyes on jesus, who both
00:16:39.621 --> 00:16:42.925
Began and finished this race we're in.
00:16:42.925 --> 00:16:45.394
Study how he did it.
00:16:45.394 --> 00:16:46.862
Because he never lost sight of where he was headed.
00:16:46.862 --> 00:16:49.865
He was able to put up with anything along the way: the
00:16:49.865 --> 00:16:52.401
Cross, the shame, whatever."
00:16:52.401 --> 00:16:54.002
So i think you know, study how he did it.
00:16:54.002 --> 00:16:56.672
He never lost sight of where he was going.
00:16:56.672 --> 00:16:58.540
It's so interesting, that where it says, "he never lost sight of
00:16:58.540 --> 00:17:01.944
Where he was heading, but paid no attention to the shame."
00:17:01.944 --> 00:17:06.014
It's--in the greek, it's got this sense of having stayed in a
00:17:06.014 --> 00:17:09.685
Place longer than you expected.
00:17:09.685 --> 00:17:12.354
And i think, how many people are thinking, "lord, i'm still in a
00:17:12.354 --> 00:17:15.224
Place that was not what i expected"?
00:17:15.224 --> 00:17:18.093
But when you keep your eyes fixed on jesus, who never lost
00:17:18.093 --> 00:17:21.163
Sight of where he was headed, i think that makes the journey a
00:17:21.163 --> 00:17:25.134
Lot clearer.
00:17:25.134 --> 00:17:26.502
Brittany: and, you know, it talks about how we all desire,
00:17:26.502 --> 00:17:28.570
You know, in the word of god to be called, "well done, my good
00:17:28.570 --> 00:17:31.974
And faithful servant."
00:17:31.974 --> 00:17:33.342
It doesn't say, "well done, you did everything on your list.
00:17:33.342 --> 00:17:36.044
You achieved every goal you've ever made on new year's and you
00:17:36.044 --> 00:17:39.915
Knocked it out of the park."
00:17:39.915 --> 00:17:41.250
It says, "well done, good and faithful servant."
00:17:41.250 --> 00:17:43.352
And i think sometimes we just have to lean in that, of, "lord,
00:17:43.352 --> 00:17:45.888
I was faithful today with what you called me.
00:17:45.888 --> 00:17:48.056
I'm faithful today with what you put on my lap."
00:17:48.056 --> 00:17:50.492
And i remember one time i met with this older widow.
00:17:50.492 --> 00:17:54.062
And i, at that time, had my three tiny babies, and i was
00:17:54.062 --> 00:17:57.633
Like, "man, i'm just worried about having these teenagers,"
00:17:57.633 --> 00:18:00.035
And i was just moving forward in my head.
00:18:00.035 --> 00:18:02.304
And she said, "what's in your lap today?"
00:18:02.304 --> 00:18:04.206
I said, "a baby that needs to be fed."
00:18:04.206 --> 00:18:06.074
And so, she said, "be faithful with the baby that needs to
00:18:06.074 --> 00:18:08.610
Be fed.
00:18:08.610 --> 00:18:09.978
And the next moment, be faithful with what the toddler needs."
00:18:09.978 --> 00:18:12.681
She said, "that's who god is.
00:18:12.681 --> 00:18:14.049
He's not asking you to do all these things for ten years down
00:18:14.049 --> 00:18:17.219
The road, he's asking you to be faithful with today."
00:18:17.219 --> 00:18:19.888
And so, i just want to encourage everybody in that.
00:18:19.888 --> 00:18:22.424
Is that, we are called to be faithful with whatever god calls
00:18:22.424 --> 00:18:25.160
Us to.
00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:26.528
And sometimes it looks utterly different than what our list
00:18:26.528 --> 00:18:29.231
Looks like and what we
00:18:29.231 --> 00:18:30.599
Thought our calling was in life, like, the lord is
00:18:30.599 --> 00:18:32.634
Able and he is good and he's got goodness no matter what.
00:18:32.634 --> 00:18:35.771
Deedee: we stress ourselves out so much.
00:18:35.771 --> 00:18:38.574
It's like, why do we think we have to add more to our plates?
00:18:38.574 --> 00:18:42.778
But i think we get in the habit of comparing what we have
00:18:42.778 --> 00:18:47.683
Accomplished to what others have accomplished.
00:18:47.683 --> 00:18:50.485
And then it's like, "oh no, i need to do more so i could
00:18:50.485 --> 00:18:53.755
Be that."
00:18:53.755 --> 00:18:55.090
It's like, what did he call you to do?
00:18:55.090 --> 00:18:57.226
Take care of the baby that's in your lap.
00:18:57.226 --> 00:18:59.895
Amie: every year, we want a new direction from god, but
00:18:59.895 --> 00:19:02.698
Sometimes we don't get a new direction.
00:19:02.698 --> 00:19:05.133
Sometimes it's a continuation of what he's already been
00:19:05.133 --> 00:19:07.836
Working on.
00:19:07.836 --> 00:19:09.171
God doesn't live by our rules, or even on our calendar.
00:19:09.171 --> 00:19:12.874
So, i think it's important as we pursue something fresh and
00:19:12.874 --> 00:19:16.378
New from god that we ask him to reveal himself through the
00:19:16.378 --> 00:19:21.149
Old assignment.
00:19:21.149 --> 00:19:22.484
"god, how can i do this job, but better?
00:19:22.484 --> 00:19:25.687
How can i have this relationship, but
00:19:25.687 --> 00:19:28.056
More fulfilling?"
00:19:28.056 --> 00:19:29.391
And god will minister to you right in the season and
00:19:29.391 --> 00:19:32.294
Assignment that he has you in right now.
00:19:32.294 --> 00:19:35.764
Laurie: you know, i think everybody looks towards a
00:19:35.764 --> 00:19:37.599
New year.
00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:38.934
I get a little cynical about it because i think, "man, if i
00:19:38.934 --> 00:19:41.370
Didn't do it yesterday, then what do i think i'm looking
00:19:41.370 --> 00:19:43.672
Forward to just because it turns another calendar year?"
00:19:43.672 --> 00:19:47.709
So i think we should be about all of it, all the time,
00:19:47.709 --> 00:19:51.046
You know?
00:19:51.046 --> 00:19:53.148
And so, every year, normally, i buy this beautiful journal and i
00:19:53.148 --> 00:19:57.552
Love all that stuff and i get about to the 17th of january and
00:19:57.552 --> 00:20:02.324
It just goes dark, you know, there's nothing to write.
00:20:02.324 --> 00:20:04.793
So, i've got about 40 journals in my house that my husband
00:20:04.793 --> 00:20:08.964
Picks up on occasion.
00:20:08.964 --> 00:20:10.332
He just laughs because he says, "where's the rest?"
00:20:10.332 --> 00:20:14.002
Brittany: i'm not alone in this. deedee: no, you're not.
00:20:14.002 --> 00:20:16.571
Laurie: you know, and i love when i hear people journal
00:20:16.571 --> 00:20:18.307
And stuff.
00:20:18.307 --> 00:20:19.675
My mindset is like, "i don't want to remember what i just
00:20:19.675 --> 00:20:22.477
Came through.
00:20:22.477 --> 00:20:23.812
I'm glad i didn't write my feelings down because i don't
00:20:23.812 --> 00:20:26.682
Want to remember that because i'm out of it now."
00:20:26.682 --> 00:20:31.153
And so, you know, but it's so funny.
00:20:31.153 --> 00:20:33.522
But i think when we ask god for our words, our joy, or
00:20:33.522 --> 00:20:38.493
Enjoyment, we're calling on that.
00:20:38.493 --> 00:20:41.363
We're calling--god's calling on our faith.
00:20:41.363 --> 00:20:43.532
It's like when you're pregnant, you see every other
00:20:43.532 --> 00:20:45.634
Pregnant girl.
00:20:45.634 --> 00:20:47.002
So, my word is joy this year, okay?
00:20:47.002 --> 00:20:48.804
Well, you're gonna have every opportunity in the world to hone
00:20:48.804 --> 00:20:52.774
In on joy.
00:20:52.774 --> 00:20:55.110
I'm gonna have an opportunity to find my joy in the situations
00:20:55.110 --> 00:21:00.182
Around me, you know?
00:21:00.182 --> 00:21:01.550
Sheila: but that's so true.
00:21:01.550 --> 00:21:02.884
It's often in the opposite that that very thing is produced.
00:21:02.884 --> 00:21:05.921
I remember one year praying for patience.
00:21:05.921 --> 00:21:09.424
Laurie: god's gonna allow you to have the opportunity to
00:21:09.424 --> 00:21:10.992
Be patient.
00:21:10.992 --> 00:21:12.327
Sheila: and there were so many things that were just
00:21:12.327 --> 00:21:13.695
Like so frustrating.
00:21:13.695 --> 00:21:15.030
And then i began to think, "now, lord, this is your wisdom."
00:21:15.030 --> 00:21:17.065
I mean, it's just--it's like these are my two--two of my
00:21:17.065 --> 00:21:20.335
Favorite verses in the bible.
00:21:20.335 --> 00:21:21.703
They're so well known, but proverbs 3:5-6.
00:21:21.703 --> 00:21:24.740
Love this, "trust in the lord with all your heart, do not
00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:28.977
Depend on your own understanding.
00:21:28.977 --> 00:21:31.113
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path
00:21:31.113 --> 00:21:33.682
To take."
00:21:33.682 --> 00:21:35.050
I think sometimes we get so caught up with what's god's will
00:21:35.050 --> 00:21:36.918
For my life this year, as opposed to just thinking, "well,
00:21:36.918 --> 00:21:39.821
What about just being in his presence?
00:21:39.821 --> 00:21:41.957
What about just following him and loving him?"
00:21:41.957 --> 00:21:44.526
And i was thinking today when i was driving in, "if we really
00:21:44.526 --> 00:21:48.430
Began to live with this understanding of how deeply
00:21:48.430 --> 00:21:52.367
Loved we are, how profoundly loved we are, how good god is,
00:21:52.367 --> 00:21:57.172
How faithful god is, how much he loves us, it would take all the
00:21:57.172 --> 00:22:01.910
Stress of thinking, i'm gonna do this this year."
00:22:01.910 --> 00:22:04.379
Like i am--i joined a gym three times, then i discovered you
00:22:04.379 --> 00:22:07.783
Also actually have to go.
00:22:07.783 --> 00:22:09.451
It's not enough just to join the gym, you have to show up.
00:22:09.451 --> 00:22:11.853
I don't do any of those things anymore that are like--because
00:22:11.853 --> 00:22:14.790
One of the words that i have got rid of for this year is the
00:22:14.790 --> 00:22:17.159
Word "should."
00:22:17.159 --> 00:22:18.493
I don't like the word should.
00:22:18.493 --> 00:22:19.928
I like the word "will," you know?
00:22:19.928 --> 00:22:21.963
But i think sometimes you go, "i should do that, i should
00:22:21.963 --> 00:22:23.799
Do that."
00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:25.167
And it comes with this negative connotation, as opposed to, say,
00:22:25.167 --> 00:22:26.968
"by god's grace, i will do this."
00:22:26.968 --> 00:22:28.770
Brittany: that's good.
00:22:28.770 --> 00:22:30.105
Sheila: so, i've canceled should.
00:22:30.105 --> 00:22:31.473
Laurie: yeah.
00:22:31.473 --> 00:22:32.808
Deedee: but why do we think we have to come up with
00:22:32.808 --> 00:22:34.509
Something new, you know?
00:22:34.509 --> 00:22:36.344
Like, god is going to give us something new today and we
00:22:36.344 --> 00:22:39.514
Didn't finish what he gave us yesterday.
00:22:39.514 --> 00:22:42.651
It's like go back and do, you know, the other set
00:22:42.651 --> 00:22:46.221
Of instructions.
00:22:46.221 --> 00:22:47.889
And i think that's what compiles all of the stress
00:22:47.889 --> 00:22:52.727
Because it's like, "oh, i didn't do what i was supposed to do
00:22:52.727 --> 00:22:55.130
In 2020.
00:22:55.130 --> 00:22:56.498
Now, that's still on my list.
00:22:56.498 --> 00:22:57.833
Now, here it is 2026."
00:22:57.833 --> 00:22:59.935
And so, i have this pile up from the previous years and now i'm
00:22:59.935 --> 00:23:04.539
Adding more to it.
00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:05.907
Now i'm really stressed.
00:23:05.907 --> 00:23:07.509
And then we go again, get back to this place of failure.
00:23:07.509 --> 00:23:10.946
It's like just do the last set of instructions.
00:23:10.946 --> 00:23:14.916
Sheila: at the start of a new year, many of us are kind of
00:23:14.916 --> 00:23:18.887
Almost preconditioned to think that we need a) a fresh word or,
00:23:18.887 --> 00:23:22.891
You know, we need a fresh commission.
00:23:22.891 --> 00:23:24.860
And i like that.
00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:26.495
I mean i do, there's something about that that i like.
00:23:26.495 --> 00:23:29.164
For me, it's more at the end of the year, i take everything that
00:23:29.164 --> 00:23:33.235
I've been doing and i just place it all out before the lord and
00:23:33.235 --> 00:23:37.172
Just basically say, "lord, show me what to pick up, and i'll
00:23:37.172 --> 00:23:39.841
Pick it up.
00:23:39.841 --> 00:23:41.209
And show me what to lay down and i'll lay it down."
00:23:41.209 --> 00:23:43.378
The great thing about our father is he wants to direct our steps
00:23:43.378 --> 00:23:47.148
More than we even want to know his will.
00:23:47.148 --> 00:23:49.184
Trust him and he will direct you.
00:23:49.184 --> 00:23:52.621
Laurie: and to remember who we're serving because "good and
00:23:52.621 --> 00:23:55.323
Faithful servant."
00:23:55.323 --> 00:23:56.691
It's like, if you've ever waited tables, you know what that's
00:23:56.691 --> 00:24:00.095
Like to be instant.
00:24:00.095 --> 00:24:01.596
I have to be ready at any moment to bring whatever they need, to
00:24:01.596 --> 00:24:05.233
Ask them what they need.
00:24:05.233 --> 00:24:06.801
And if you--the bible says, "you can't serve two masters."
00:24:06.801 --> 00:24:10.405
And so i think a lot of what we put on our goal list and all
00:24:10.405 --> 00:24:13.608
That is serving ourselves and not being ready and at hand
00:24:13.608 --> 00:24:19.347
Whenever he needs us to do something.
00:24:19.347 --> 00:24:21.516
So, maybe perhaps this year a difference that could really
00:24:21.516 --> 00:24:25.320
Make a change for people, you know, to look at every day, "am
00:24:25.320 --> 00:24:29.591
I serving you today, god?"
00:24:29.591 --> 00:24:31.993
What best serves you?
00:24:31.993 --> 00:24:33.695
Because whatever he's already put on your plate, he's
00:24:33.695 --> 00:24:36.898
Expecting you to be faithful with.
00:24:36.898 --> 00:24:38.867
Because that's abundance.
00:24:38.867 --> 00:24:40.201
That's--you have today something you prayed for already before.
00:24:40.201 --> 00:24:44.806
And we forget that.
00:24:44.806 --> 00:24:46.174
Once we get things, we're like, "okay, i got the house, now i've
00:24:46.174 --> 00:24:49.644
Got the maintenance."
00:24:49.644 --> 00:24:51.012
And we're so focused on that that we forget to be grateful
00:24:51.012 --> 00:24:54.449
That, "okay, my plate is full because he's blessed me, but i
00:24:54.449 --> 00:24:57.652
Have to take care of this before i add more things."
00:24:57.652 --> 00:25:00.488
And i think every time i've ever gotten really overwhelmed and
00:25:00.488 --> 00:25:03.191
Frustrated, the lord's asked me, "okay, let's look at everything
00:25:03.191 --> 00:25:06.561
On your plate.
00:25:06.561 --> 00:25:07.896
Now, who gave you that?
00:25:07.896 --> 00:25:09.264
Who told you you had to do that?"
00:25:09.264 --> 00:25:10.599
And when i went through, it's like, "well, but i feel like,
00:25:10.599 --> 00:25:14.002
You know, i have to be faithful with the gift you've given me."
00:25:14.002 --> 00:25:17.205
"but i didn't ask you--i didn't put that pressure.
00:25:17.205 --> 00:25:19.708
You put that pressure on yourself, that timeline,
00:25:19.708 --> 00:25:22.477
That deadline."
00:25:22.477 --> 00:25:23.845
And so, once i would remove those things, i'd go, "okay, i
00:25:23.845 --> 00:25:27.482
Can really do this.
00:25:27.482 --> 00:25:28.817
I don't have to be so overwhelmed."
00:25:28.817 --> 00:25:31.720
I've put a lot on myself, a lot of expectation, or i've taken on
00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:35.924
What i feel people expect me to do.
00:25:35.924 --> 00:25:38.627
And is that the voice of god, other people's expectations?
00:25:38.627 --> 00:25:43.231
Because i think a lot of people round the new year and they
00:25:43.231 --> 00:25:47.602
Either encounter things that wasn't on their bingo card and
00:25:47.602 --> 00:25:52.607
They're surprised.
00:25:52.607 --> 00:25:53.975
God's not surprised.
00:25:53.975 --> 00:25:55.577
So, i think if we could make one goal: let's leave margin for the
00:25:55.577 --> 00:26:00.181
Move of god.
00:26:00.181 --> 00:26:01.516
Deedee: oh, and the second goal: let's take everything off
00:26:01.516 --> 00:26:05.553
The list that we put on.
00:26:05.553 --> 00:26:08.590
Laurie: "let's seek first the kingdom of god."
00:26:08.590 --> 00:26:11.359
Deedee: that's bible.
00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:12.727
Laurie: "and his righteousness.
00:26:12.727 --> 00:26:14.062
And all the other things, yes, will be added."
00:26:14.062 --> 00:26:17.766
My dreams, my whatever wants, or all the things that god wants
00:26:17.766 --> 00:26:23.304
For me will be added unto me if i just seek what he wants.
00:26:23.304 --> 00:26:26.975
That's every day, that's just not a new year's resolution,
00:26:26.975 --> 00:26:29.944
That's every day that i wake up, to seek first, "god, i just
00:26:29.944 --> 00:26:34.082
Wanna know what you have for me today."
00:26:34.082 --> 00:26:36.885
Sheila: i think sometimes we get confused when we wonder, "is
00:26:36.885 --> 00:26:39.721
This something i want to do with my life or is this god's plan
00:26:39.721 --> 00:26:42.490
For my life?"
00:26:42.490 --> 00:26:43.825
You know, there's a scripture that said that, "god gives us
00:26:43.825 --> 00:26:45.527
The desires of our heart."
00:26:45.527 --> 00:26:47.395
And what i believe that means, if you look in the original
00:26:47.395 --> 00:26:49.597
Language, is god is the one who plants those desires and those
00:26:49.597 --> 00:26:52.567
Talents and those gifts in us, and then he fulfills that.
00:26:52.567 --> 00:26:56.771
So, i mean, we get to commit our way to the lord, trust in him
00:26:56.771 --> 00:26:59.674
And he will act, but your desires might not be too far
00:26:59.674 --> 00:27:03.712
Away from what god has actually designed you to do.
00:27:03.712 --> 00:27:07.148
Deedee: yeah, and the older you get, like at my age now, i'm
00:27:07.148 --> 00:27:10.719
Looking for a more condensed list.
00:27:10.719 --> 00:27:15.323
You know, on brittany's age, i'll probably be adding,
00:27:15.323 --> 00:27:18.793
Thinking about, "oh, let me hurry up and get this done."
00:27:18.793 --> 00:27:21.196
I know, now i wanna know, "god, okay, what is my
00:27:21.196 --> 00:27:24.699
Assignment today?"
00:27:24.699 --> 00:27:27.302
Today, i'm not even concerned about tomorrow.
00:27:27.302 --> 00:27:29.804
Tell me what i'm supposed to do today, you know?
00:27:29.804 --> 00:27:32.540
Okay, i'm okay with the goals and the plans and, you know,
00:27:32.540 --> 00:27:36.811
Setting timelines and all of that.
00:27:36.811 --> 00:27:38.780
I'm okay with that, but i just need to know like what am i
00:27:38.780 --> 00:27:42.317
Supposed to do today?
00:27:42.317 --> 00:27:43.718
Brittany: and sometimes it's rest.
00:27:43.718 --> 00:27:45.153
You know, one of the things i've learned through our big battle
00:27:45.153 --> 00:27:48.356
With sickness is that rest, you know, you think it's earned, but
00:27:48.356 --> 00:27:51.893
No, it's a gift given that god gives us.
00:27:51.893 --> 00:27:54.329
I mean, there's a reason in the bible that talks about sabbath.
00:27:54.329 --> 00:27:56.931
And so, i even think going into the new year, oftentimes we
00:27:56.931 --> 00:28:00.101
Think in this hustle culture that we live in, that, oh, we
00:28:00.101 --> 00:28:03.071
Need to do this and we need to produce this, and god is saying,
00:28:03.071 --> 00:28:05.807
"come, rest in me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and i
00:28:05.807 --> 00:28:09.377
Will give you rest."
00:28:09.377 --> 00:28:10.745
And the rest is not found in our circumstances because the
00:28:10.745 --> 00:28:13.047
Reality is from december to january, our circumstances
00:28:13.047 --> 00:28:17.018
Didn't change, right?
00:28:17.018 --> 00:28:18.586
But we can still find rest in god, who is faithful and true no
00:28:18.586 --> 00:28:22.891
Matter what happens in our circumstances.
00:28:22.891 --> 00:28:25.160
And i do think that that's important for all of us, is to
00:28:25.160 --> 00:28:27.996
Rest in god, no matter what our to do list looks like.
00:28:27.996 --> 00:28:31.866
And, again, take it before the lord.
00:28:31.866 --> 00:28:33.835
I mean, sometimes that is the thing.
00:28:33.835 --> 00:28:35.470
I remember, i wrote a big long to-do list when i had two
00:28:35.470 --> 00:28:38.973
Little boys.
00:28:38.973 --> 00:28:40.341
And my husband crossed it off and he wrote in bold
00:28:40.341 --> 00:28:42.143
Letters, "rest."
00:28:42.143 --> 00:28:43.912
Because he knew i was weary and he knew what i actually needed
00:28:43.912 --> 00:28:47.549
That day was not to do all these things, but it was to rest.
00:28:47.549 --> 00:28:50.451
And i think how much more our father god sees us and he sees
00:28:50.451 --> 00:28:54.422
When we are weary, and when we are tired, and he's going, "i'm
00:28:54.422 --> 00:28:57.659
Not saying add to your list.
00:28:57.659 --> 00:28:59.227
I'm saying just rest.
00:28:59.227 --> 00:29:00.562
It's okay. go take a nap."
00:29:00.562 --> 00:29:01.963
My mom says, "sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is
00:29:01.963 --> 00:29:04.699
Take a nap."
00:29:04.699 --> 00:29:06.034
Laurie: the productivity of rest, knowing that god
00:29:06.034 --> 00:29:09.404
Has everything.
00:29:09.404 --> 00:29:11.406
We've been talking about it, god's already done it, right?
00:29:11.406 --> 00:29:14.876
God's already supplied our needs.
00:29:14.876 --> 00:29:16.411
If we think about--if we think about it, god's already gotten
00:29:16.411 --> 00:29:21.182
Us through this trouble.
00:29:21.182 --> 00:29:23.184
God has already made the way.
00:29:23.184 --> 00:29:25.353
No matter what we're facing, god has already brought us through
00:29:25.353 --> 00:29:30.425
And given us victory, and we just have to walk it out.
00:29:30.425 --> 00:29:34.395
So, if we lived in that and we could rest in that, our lives
00:29:34.395 --> 00:29:39.634
Would be so much more, i'm not gonna say easy, but so much more
00:29:39.634 --> 00:29:46.107
Fulfilled in the process.
00:29:46.107 --> 00:29:48.176
Peace-filled.
00:29:48.176 --> 00:29:49.544
It's peace-filled, joy-filled.
00:29:49.544 --> 00:29:51.212
And it's growing, and it's capacity, and it's just growing
00:29:51.212 --> 00:29:55.483
In god and in maturity, hopefully.
00:29:55.483 --> 00:29:58.720
Looking back of what happened last year of like, "oh, man,
00:29:58.720 --> 00:30:01.623
There are some things that happened last year that i don't
00:30:01.623 --> 00:30:03.992
Want to happen this year," right?
00:30:03.992 --> 00:30:05.960
But i'm more strong when you face things like that.
00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:10.598
I'm stronger this year, i'm wiser, i'm mentally fit, better,
00:30:10.598 --> 00:30:17.038
You know, i've got more tenacity this year.
00:30:17.038 --> 00:30:19.440
I've got more faith this year.
00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:21.743
I've got more boldness this year.
00:30:21.743 --> 00:30:24.279
So, all the things that have brought us up to this day are
00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:28.216
Good for us.
00:30:28.216 --> 00:30:29.550
I have more patience.
00:30:29.550 --> 00:30:30.919
And so, every trial, everything that we go through, has a
00:30:30.919 --> 00:30:35.423
Purpose, and it's to make us complete and entire, lacking
00:30:35.423 --> 00:30:39.694
Nothing from god.
00:30:39.694 --> 00:30:41.996
Deedee: you know, i often think about a baby.
00:30:41.996 --> 00:30:44.132
When a baby is born, they have everything that they will ever
00:30:44.132 --> 00:30:48.970
Need on the inside of them to be an adult.
00:30:48.970 --> 00:30:52.507
They don't have to go back to the manufacturer, come back into
00:30:52.507 --> 00:30:56.411
The womb to get everything that they will need as they're
00:30:56.411 --> 00:30:59.647
Growing up through life.
00:30:59.647 --> 00:31:01.149
Well, it's the same way with the father.
00:31:01.149 --> 00:31:02.850
When you received him as lord and savior of your life, he
00:31:02.850 --> 00:31:06.688
Equipped you with everything that you will ever need.
00:31:06.688 --> 00:31:10.992
So, you don't ever have to walk from a place of being prepared,
00:31:10.992 --> 00:31:15.430
You have to know that you have already been prepared.
00:31:15.430 --> 00:31:18.833
So, you can rest assured that god has equipped you for
00:31:18.833 --> 00:31:23.071
Whatever he has called you to fulfill.
00:31:23.071 --> 00:31:26.641
Brittany: i started doing something at the end of the year
00:31:26.641 --> 00:31:28.810
Because we had a hard couple of years.
00:31:28.810 --> 00:31:30.211
Like you were saying, like sometimes you look back and you
00:31:30.211 --> 00:31:32.347
Go, "i never want to live that year ever again."
00:31:32.347 --> 00:31:35.650
And then sometimes, you're like, i would love to live that year
00:31:35.650 --> 00:31:38.686
Again, you know, holding my babies for the first time and
00:31:38.686 --> 00:31:41.222
All these things.
00:31:41.222 --> 00:31:42.590
But i started to practice when those years were tough, when i
00:31:42.590 --> 00:31:45.293
Looked back and i thought, "oh, that was a tough year."
00:31:45.293 --> 00:31:47.595
I started to write down all the ways that i saw god show up
00:31:47.595 --> 00:31:50.598
That year.
00:31:50.598 --> 00:31:51.933
And so, recently, at the end of the year, we went and took all
00:31:51.933 --> 00:31:55.536
Of our kids.
00:31:55.536 --> 00:31:56.871
We are big outdoors people because i have so many boys.
00:31:56.871 --> 00:31:58.506
And so, we went out in the woods and built a fire, and i got in
00:31:58.506 --> 00:32:01.709
The hammock and i literally just started to write down all the
00:32:01.709 --> 00:32:05.113
Ways that we had seen god show up.
00:32:05.113 --> 00:32:06.748
And i was there for hours.
00:32:06.748 --> 00:32:08.416
I got to 350 things that i could list out, of the year, of the
00:32:08.416 --> 00:32:13.554
Ways that god showed up in our lives.
00:32:13.554 --> 00:32:16.024
And so, before i sat down, i was thinking, "oh, what a year."
00:32:16.024 --> 00:32:20.595
And by the time i sat down and i finished that and then read
00:32:20.595 --> 00:32:24.966
Them to my kids, and they started shaking.
00:32:24.966 --> 00:32:26.934
Oh, i remember god doing that.
00:32:26.934 --> 00:32:28.269
Oh yeah, i remember that. oh yeah, i remember that.
00:32:28.269 --> 00:32:31.139
It just recalled to our mind god's faithfulness.
00:32:31.139 --> 00:32:34.308
And so, like you were saying, laurie, is when we do that, we
00:32:34.308 --> 00:32:37.745
Can look back and see, "but god, you produced endurance in me
00:32:37.745 --> 00:32:41.349
That year.
00:32:41.349 --> 00:32:42.717
You showed that you were a father to me.
00:32:42.717 --> 00:32:44.819
You showed that you cared for me, that you saw me, you took
00:32:44.819 --> 00:32:47.822
Care of this need, you brought this friend in my life.
00:32:47.822 --> 00:32:50.525
You strengthened me when i thought i couldn't live through
00:32:50.525 --> 00:32:52.994
Another day like that.
00:32:52.994 --> 00:32:54.328
And look, we've lived through a whole year like that, you know?
00:32:54.328 --> 00:32:56.964
God, you healed me, you restored.
00:32:56.964 --> 00:32:58.733
Look at this marriage that i prayed for, that they're
00:32:58.733 --> 00:33:01.769
Still together.
00:33:01.769 --> 00:33:03.137
Lord, you did it. you held it."
00:33:03.137 --> 00:33:04.505
You know, and so, oftentimes, i think, that when we sit down
00:33:04.505 --> 00:33:07.608
And when we write out what god has done, it honestly produces
00:33:07.608 --> 00:33:11.245
So much hope and encouragement for us to go, "if god, if you
00:33:11.245 --> 00:33:14.182
Did that last year in a hard year, you could do it again.
00:33:14.182 --> 00:33:17.852
And you will."
00:33:17.852 --> 00:33:19.187
Sheila: there's something powerful about remembrance.
00:33:19.187 --> 00:33:20.555
The numbers of times in the old testament where the people are
00:33:20.555 --> 00:33:22.824
Called to remember.
00:33:22.824 --> 00:33:24.225
And somehow when you remember god's track record, it does.
00:33:24.225 --> 00:33:27.328
But i love that discipline.
00:33:27.328 --> 00:33:28.663
I love that you read them to your children.
00:33:28.663 --> 00:33:31.132
To me, that's such a beautiful way of training up a child in
00:33:31.132 --> 00:33:33.367
The way he should go.
00:33:33.367 --> 00:33:34.702
Amie: yeah, and not just to enter a new year with your hand
00:33:34.702 --> 00:33:36.871
Out, saying, "god, now this year this is what i want."
00:33:36.871 --> 00:33:40.274
But, you know, "enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts
00:33:40.274 --> 00:33:42.777
With praise."
00:33:42.777 --> 00:33:44.112
It's like, you want to hear from god, do you want intimacy
00:33:44.112 --> 00:33:45.913
With god?
00:33:45.913 --> 00:33:47.281
Enter with a list of, i see you, i know what you've done, and i
00:33:47.281 --> 00:33:50.651
Celebrate your goodness in my life.
00:33:50.651 --> 00:33:52.487
That's profound.
00:33:52.487 --> 00:33:53.855
Deedee: a lot of times we think being busy is being
00:33:53.855 --> 00:33:56.791
Productive, and it's not.
00:33:56.791 --> 00:33:58.392
You know, we're just busy.
00:33:58.392 --> 00:33:59.861
So, we don't even recognize what god has already done through our
00:33:59.861 --> 00:34:04.132
Year, you know, and whatever you focus on, that's what's gonna
00:34:04.132 --> 00:34:07.135
Be magnified.
00:34:07.135 --> 00:34:08.503
So, if you focus on all of the bad and all of the negative
00:34:08.503 --> 00:34:12.173
Things that have happened, then you'll feel like, "oh, where
00:34:12.173 --> 00:34:15.009
Was god?
00:34:15.009 --> 00:34:16.377
You know, he wasn't there for me."
00:34:16.377 --> 00:34:17.712
But for you to be that disciplined and that
00:34:17.712 --> 00:34:19.714
Intentional to say, now, let me sit down and let me count how
00:34:19.714 --> 00:34:24.785
Many times he has.
00:34:24.785 --> 00:34:26.888
That's beautiful because now you've magnified, and then to be
00:34:26.888 --> 00:34:29.624
Able to teach your kids that skill, it's like that will
00:34:29.624 --> 00:34:33.394
Prepare them later to say, "okay, let me identify the good
00:34:33.394 --> 00:34:38.032
In every bad situation because there's always something good we
00:34:38.032 --> 00:34:42.503
Can focus on."
00:34:42.503 --> 00:34:44.805
Amie: it's so important for us to declare god's truth over our
00:34:44.805 --> 00:34:49.277
Lives because we've got voices coming to us from all
00:34:49.277 --> 00:34:52.980
Different directions.
00:34:52.980 --> 00:34:54.549
The voice of disqualification, the accusation of the enemy, the
00:34:54.549 --> 00:34:59.187
Voice of failure, the voice of fear.
00:34:59.187 --> 00:35:02.256
And god's truth speaks to us from a place of eternity, not
00:35:02.256 --> 00:35:06.627
Based on our temporary situations or storms.
00:35:06.627 --> 00:35:09.997
So, it's so important that we get in touch with the anchor of
00:35:09.997 --> 00:35:13.401
God's word and speak that over our lives because truth
00:35:13.401 --> 00:35:17.271
Is eternal.
00:35:17.271 --> 00:35:18.639
While lies are temporary, truth speaks to eternity.
00:35:18.639 --> 00:35:23.644
Sheila: i always love the start of a new year.
00:35:27.582 --> 00:35:30.251
And it used to be because i'd make all these, you know,
00:35:30.251 --> 00:35:32.753
Resolutions, which i never kept.
00:35:32.753 --> 00:35:34.488
You know, i'm--i'll lose weight, i'll join a gym, i'll go to the
00:35:34.488 --> 00:35:37.491
Gym, not only join it, all these things, i don't do any of
00:35:37.491 --> 00:35:39.927
That anymore.
00:35:39.927 --> 00:35:41.295
Now, what i do is, it's like lord, today and for the next 365
00:35:41.295 --> 00:35:46.867
Days, i want to pursue you.
00:35:46.867 --> 00:35:48.402
I want to get to know you better.
00:35:48.402 --> 00:35:49.937
I want to walk with you, i want to read your words, i wanna talk
00:35:49.937 --> 00:35:53.474
With you.
00:35:53.474 --> 00:35:55.376
I've shifted my focus from all the stuff that i think would
00:35:55.376 --> 00:35:58.946
Make me better to the one thing i know changes my heart, and
00:35:58.946 --> 00:36:03.184
That's simply being in god's presence.
00:36:03.184 --> 00:36:06.254
Laurie: be the first to know all the latest "better
00:36:06.254 --> 00:36:08.556
Together" updates.
00:36:08.556 --> 00:36:10.157
Visit bettertogether.tv to sign up for our weekly emails and
00:36:10.157 --> 00:36:14.262
Never miss the latest news.
00:36:14.262 --> 00:36:17.002
Never miss the latest news.
00:36:17.002 --> 00:36:18.432
Brittany: sometimes our new assignment from god is not what
00:36:22.603 --> 00:36:25.006
We expected.
00:36:25.006 --> 00:36:26.374
I know i look at my whole life and i think this is nothing like
00:36:26.374 --> 00:36:29.910
I expected it to be.
00:36:29.910 --> 00:36:31.712
But the beauty of walking with jesus is that we can trust his
00:36:31.712 --> 00:36:35.049
Heart, we can trust his hand, we can trust that his plans are
00:36:35.049 --> 00:36:38.886
Greater than anything we can imagine.
00:36:38.886 --> 00:36:41.255
You may not see the fruit of it today, but you can trust that
00:36:41.255 --> 00:36:44.292
God is working out good things in your life, for his glory, and
00:36:44.292 --> 00:36:48.162
For his kingdom.
00:36:48.162 --> 00:36:49.497
And so, we can trust him even when it doesn't make sense, even
00:36:49.497 --> 00:36:52.133
When we don't feel it, and know that he has good plans for you.
00:36:52.133 --> 00:36:55.770
Sheila: you know, when you talked earlier about jesus
00:36:59.874 --> 00:37:01.842
Saying, "well done, good and faithful servant," i was reading
00:37:01.842 --> 00:37:04.812
Through social media the other day and someone had passed and
00:37:04.812 --> 00:37:08.683
There was the usual thing of now they'll be hearing "well done,
00:37:08.683 --> 00:37:10.751
Good and faithful servant."
00:37:10.751 --> 00:37:12.086
And i found myself thinking, "when did you say that, lord?"
00:37:12.086 --> 00:37:14.322
Like i wanted to know exactly where it was.
00:37:14.322 --> 00:37:16.824
And so, you go to matthew 25, and it's that olivet discourse
00:37:16.824 --> 00:37:20.695
Where jesus is with his closest friends on the mount of olives,
00:37:20.695 --> 00:37:23.964
Right before he's about to be betrayed and crucified.
00:37:23.964 --> 00:37:26.867
And he tells the story of a master going away and he gives
00:37:26.867 --> 00:37:30.871
One servant five bags of silver and gives one two, and gives one
00:37:30.871 --> 00:37:33.774
One, and when he comes back, the one with five now has ten, and
00:37:33.774 --> 00:37:37.845
He says to him, "well done, good and faithful servant.
00:37:37.845 --> 00:37:40.047
Enter into the joy of the lord."
00:37:40.047 --> 00:37:41.816
The thing that i found fascinating,
00:37:41.816 --> 00:37:43.184
The one that was given two, who had now produced four, was told
00:37:43.184 --> 00:37:46.887
Exactly the same thing.
00:37:46.887 --> 00:37:48.255
It wasn't like, "well, well done, that's not quite as good
00:37:48.255 --> 00:37:50.458
As her or quite as good as him."
00:37:50.458 --> 00:37:52.660
It was, "well done, good and faithful servant.
00:37:52.660 --> 00:37:54.695
Enter the joy."
00:37:54.695 --> 00:37:56.030
The third guy, we'll talk about him later.
00:37:56.030 --> 00:37:59.233
But it made me think, 'cause sometimes we look at people and
00:37:59.233 --> 00:38:01.502
We compare our lives and we think, "well, god's really
00:38:01.502 --> 00:38:03.537
Gifted you and there's so much you can do."
00:38:03.537 --> 00:38:06.440
But to hear that from the lord, all he asks is, "what did you do
00:38:06.440 --> 00:38:09.877
With what i gave you?
00:38:09.877 --> 00:38:11.412
Whatever i put in your hands, that's all i'm gonna ask you.
00:38:11.412 --> 00:38:14.348
And when you take what i've put in your hands, and you use that
00:38:14.348 --> 00:38:17.184
For my glory, and you serve me faithfully, then you're going to
00:38:17.184 --> 00:38:20.454
Hear, 'well done, good and faithful servant.'"
00:38:20.454 --> 00:38:22.890
Brittany: it's really stewardship.
00:38:22.890 --> 00:38:24.225
I mean, it really is.
00:38:24.225 --> 00:38:25.593
Sheila: yeah, it's stewardship.
00:38:25.593 --> 00:38:26.927
Brittany: and with that, if you look at your calling,
00:38:26.927 --> 00:38:28.295
And i love what you said of, even the capacity, right?
00:38:28.295 --> 00:38:30.131
We can look at other people's lives, and i have friends that
00:38:30.131 --> 00:38:33.100
Have these high capacities, right?
00:38:33.100 --> 00:38:34.602
And they have one child.
00:38:34.602 --> 00:38:35.970
Well, i have six kids that have walked through intense trauma.
00:38:35.970 --> 00:38:38.472
And so, my capacity in being able to do things out of the
00:38:38.472 --> 00:38:42.042
Home looks very different than my friend that has one child.
00:38:42.042 --> 00:38:45.312
But my capacity in my home is very big right now, and that's
00:38:45.312 --> 00:38:48.983
What god has called me to.
00:38:48.983 --> 00:38:50.351
And so, there's so many times where you go, "okay, god, this
00:38:50.351 --> 00:38:53.287
Is what i have and i surrender it to you.
00:38:53.287 --> 00:38:55.356
This is the energy i have for today.
00:38:55.356 --> 00:38:57.057
This is my capacity i have for today.
00:38:57.057 --> 00:38:59.393
God, help me to steward it wisely for your glory."
00:38:59.393 --> 00:39:02.096
And it really is about stewardship with anything that
00:39:02.096 --> 00:39:04.532
God has given us.
00:39:04.532 --> 00:39:05.866
"every good and perfect gift comes from above," and all of
00:39:05.866 --> 00:39:07.835
Our lives are to literally point to the glory of god.
00:39:07.835 --> 00:39:11.305
And so i think when we look at it that way, and we look at it,
00:39:11.305 --> 00:39:14.575
"god, we just want to steward this for your glory.
00:39:14.575 --> 00:39:16.377
Whatever it looks like, just help me to be faithful with it."
00:39:16.377 --> 00:39:18.946
It takes the pressure off ourselves and the pressure off,
00:39:18.946 --> 00:39:22.283
You know, comparing to other people's capacity.
00:39:22.283 --> 00:39:24.518
Because if i compare to everyone else's capacity, i will always
00:39:24.518 --> 00:39:27.755
Feel like a failure.
00:39:27.755 --> 00:39:29.089
But when i look at jesus and say, "god, you are my strength,
00:39:29.089 --> 00:39:31.659
You are the joy of my salvation, you have called me to these
00:39:31.659 --> 00:39:34.829
Things, and you will make a way," then it changes my whole
00:39:34.829 --> 00:39:38.032
Focus on it.
00:39:38.032 --> 00:39:39.366
Sheila: yeah, that's so good because we think jesus talked
00:39:39.366 --> 00:39:41.235
About that in so many different ways.
00:39:41.235 --> 00:39:42.870
Like, even on the mountain with the feeding of the 9,000 or
00:39:42.870 --> 00:39:46.106
10,000 people.
00:39:46.106 --> 00:39:47.441
When he says, i think it's to andrew, he says, "what do
00:39:47.441 --> 00:39:49.977
You have?"
00:39:49.977 --> 00:39:51.412
Doesn't say, you know, "you need everything, what do you have?"
00:39:51.412 --> 00:39:55.749
And then--but that to me is such a spiritual principle.
00:39:55.749 --> 00:39:58.519
God takes what we have, are not enough, and blesses it, and
00:39:58.519 --> 00:40:02.623
Breaks it, and makes it more than enough.
00:40:02.623 --> 00:40:05.392
Laurie: you know i think sometimes we can see challenges
00:40:05.392 --> 00:40:07.995
As something negative towards us, but when in all reality, god
00:40:07.995 --> 00:40:11.765
Is using that as an opportunity for us to walk by faith.
00:40:11.765 --> 00:40:15.836
He said, "the righteous live by faith."
00:40:15.836 --> 00:40:18.005
That's how we please god is by walking in faith.
00:40:18.005 --> 00:40:21.242
So, those opportune moments to find the joy in something or
00:40:21.242 --> 00:40:26.380
Know that i'm gonna have peace through this storm or all the
00:40:26.380 --> 00:40:30.117
Things that he's provided for us, that's what he gets to
00:40:30.117 --> 00:40:34.421
Experience when we receive it and we get to walk in freedom
00:40:34.421 --> 00:40:37.958
Through the difficulties of our life.
00:40:37.958 --> 00:40:40.661
Amie: but the surrendering is important because you can't be
00:40:40.661 --> 00:40:43.831
Multiplied without surrendering.
00:40:43.831 --> 00:40:45.966
And i think that's the--maybe the word for people is--because
00:40:45.966 --> 00:40:50.337
I'm just thinking of the women who are overwhelmed, maybe even
00:40:50.337 --> 00:40:53.774
Single moms, who're running back and forth trying to get their
00:40:53.774 --> 00:40:57.144
Kids where they need to be, and there's just not enough hours in
00:40:57.144 --> 00:41:01.081
The day to know, "okay, god, how can i have hope for this
00:41:01.081 --> 00:41:05.653
New year?
00:41:05.653 --> 00:41:07.021
What do you wanna do in me and through me?"
00:41:07.021 --> 00:41:09.223
And i think understanding it isn't giving up on goals, it
00:41:09.223 --> 00:41:13.694
Isn't giving up on gifts, it's a surrendering every desire you
00:41:13.694 --> 00:41:18.432
Have to him.
00:41:18.432 --> 00:41:19.767
Because he does multiply what you give him, he gives you back,
00:41:19.767 --> 00:41:23.304
Overflowing he gives you back.
00:41:23.304 --> 00:41:25.606
And i think that's probably the key to really help because my
00:41:25.606 --> 00:41:28.709
Heart just goes out to, i remember when it was like that
00:41:28.709 --> 00:41:32.379
For me with a bunch of little kids, thinking like i have
00:41:32.379 --> 00:41:35.616
Dreams and i have visions, but i don't have time to accomplish
00:41:35.616 --> 00:41:39.587
Any of this.
00:41:39.587 --> 00:41:40.955
What do i do?
00:41:40.955 --> 00:41:42.289
What's the practical takeaway in a new year?
00:41:42.289 --> 00:41:44.091
You know, and i think it's just leaning.
00:41:44.091 --> 00:41:46.994
The more you lean, the more you not give up.
00:41:46.994 --> 00:41:49.830
You don't give up, you don't lay it down because we are
00:41:49.830 --> 00:41:52.600
Stewarding the gifts god's given us.
00:41:52.600 --> 00:41:54.802
But recognizing acknowledging the desire and then giving it
00:41:54.802 --> 00:41:58.172
Back to the lord in worship.
00:41:58.172 --> 00:41:59.673
Deedee: and using the time that you do have.
00:41:59.673 --> 00:42:03.410
You know, because i think everyone waits for this perfect
00:42:03.410 --> 00:42:07.915
Plan or this perfect time or this perfect version of, you
00:42:07.915 --> 00:42:13.654
Know, who we wanna be or who god has really created us to be, and
00:42:13.654 --> 00:42:17.625
We never get started.
00:42:17.625 --> 00:42:19.326
It's like take the small steps.
00:42:19.326 --> 00:42:21.028
If you got five minutes in a day, use that to your advantage.
00:42:21.028 --> 00:42:25.199
Amie: one of the most powerful things the lord ever spoke to me
00:42:25.199 --> 00:42:28.469
Was we had four kids by our 4th anniversary.
00:42:28.469 --> 00:42:34.441
Yeah, because we had twins, yes.
00:42:34.441 --> 00:42:37.978
And so, i was so overwhelmed, i had four kids, three and under.
00:42:37.978 --> 00:42:43.150
And i had such a heart and desire to write a book for
00:42:43.150 --> 00:42:47.388
Ministers' children because of what i've been through.
00:42:47.388 --> 00:42:50.491
And god opened the door and the opportunity, and i'm like, "how
00:42:50.491 --> 00:42:53.961
Am i supposed to have time to do this?
00:42:53.961 --> 00:42:56.397
I've got twins that i have 30 minutes between when twin a
00:42:56.397 --> 00:43:01.135
Wakes up to feed, you know, change, diaper, all that stuff,
00:43:01.135 --> 00:43:05.939
And then the second one, i've got a 30-minute window."
00:43:05.939 --> 00:43:08.676
And i remember the lord speaking to me and saying, "you can do
00:43:08.676 --> 00:43:11.011
Powerful things with small pockets of time."
00:43:11.011 --> 00:43:14.181
And so, i started lacing together these 30-minute
00:43:14.181 --> 00:43:19.753
Increments, and i was able to write and publish my first book
00:43:19.753 --> 00:43:24.458
In that season of time when all the kids were three and under.
00:43:24.458 --> 00:43:28.729
And it was a fruitful season and it wasn't that i wasn't focused
00:43:28.729 --> 00:43:32.833
On them, it was when they took a nap in that 30 minutes, i was
00:43:32.833 --> 00:43:36.670
Able to go, "okay, god."
00:43:36.670 --> 00:43:38.038
And he would allow me to pick up right where i had left off.
00:43:38.038 --> 00:43:42.009
And i think that's what, if we could surrender, like you're
00:43:42.009 --> 00:43:45.145
Saying, it doesn't have to be, "oh, your life's gonna stop and
00:43:45.145 --> 00:43:48.182
You get a month to write a book."
00:43:48.182 --> 00:43:49.983
Or you get, you know, all this time to work in, you know, work
00:43:49.983 --> 00:43:53.987
On your job and better yourself, and--that you can take those
00:43:53.987 --> 00:43:57.825
Small moments and steward them wisely and ask god instead of
00:43:57.825 --> 00:44:01.829
Vegging out and watching a show, and sinking in a, what do they
00:44:01.829 --> 00:44:05.699
Call it?
00:44:05.699 --> 00:44:07.067
A show hole.
00:44:07.067 --> 00:44:08.902
You can actually do something really profound with the time
00:44:08.902 --> 00:44:12.473
That god's given.
00:44:12.473 --> 00:44:13.807
Deedee: maximizing those moments.
00:44:13.807 --> 00:44:15.809
Deedee: i know there are times in life where you feel
00:44:15.809 --> 00:44:18.479
Like you have missed an opportunity for god to do
00:44:18.479 --> 00:44:21.682
Something great in your life.
00:44:21.682 --> 00:44:23.617
Well, god knew exactly where you were going to be at at this time
00:44:23.617 --> 00:44:29.022
In your life.
00:44:29.022 --> 00:44:30.357
And so, whatever he is giving you to do, i promise you, you
00:44:30.357 --> 00:44:34.561
Will have the opportunity to do it.
00:44:34.561 --> 00:44:37.831
Stop stressing over the time that has been spent and start
00:44:37.831 --> 00:44:41.602
Focusing on the time that god has for you to do and accomplish
00:44:41.602 --> 00:44:46.573
Everything he has for you.
00:44:46.573 --> 00:44:49.510
Laurie: i sit here and wonder how we can do that.
00:44:49.510 --> 00:44:52.946
Deedee: you're trying to figure out how we can maximize
00:44:52.946 --> 00:44:55.149
Those moments.
00:44:55.149 --> 00:44:56.550
Laurie: you know, because sometimes i sit
00:44:56.550 --> 00:44:58.585
And sheila reads, and she's so knowledgeable because she has
00:44:58.585 --> 00:45:04.491
Read so much all of her life.
00:45:04.491 --> 00:45:05.826
And sometimes i sit there and go, "where do you find time to
00:45:05.826 --> 00:45:08.962
Read so much?"
00:45:08.962 --> 00:45:10.464
Amie: she takes it with her everywhere she goes.
00:45:10.464 --> 00:45:12.933
Laurie: and i just need to be better at that, you know?
00:45:12.933 --> 00:45:15.903
Sheila: but i love what you and matt do.
00:45:15.903 --> 00:45:17.404
I said, i was talking to barry about it last night, and i was
00:45:17.404 --> 00:45:19.506
Like, "it's so sweet.
00:45:19.506 --> 00:45:20.841
They read to each other at night."
00:45:20.841 --> 00:45:22.709
Laurie: he does, he reads to me.
00:45:22.709 --> 00:45:24.077
Sheila: he reads to you. i love that.
00:45:24.077 --> 00:45:25.445
I think that is just, it's a beautiful gift.
00:45:25.445 --> 00:45:28.115
Amie: well, that's a 2-for-1 because it's a marriage bonus.
00:45:28.115 --> 00:45:32.653
Brittany: because everyone has different giftings, you know?
00:45:32.653 --> 00:45:34.721
There's things that, that's why we get to do this together.
00:45:34.721 --> 00:45:37.124
And that's why part of going into the new year and part of
00:45:37.124 --> 00:45:40.561
Having goals and asking god, and that's why you do it in
00:45:40.561 --> 00:45:43.130
Community, because you learn from each other.
00:45:43.130 --> 00:45:45.165
I mean, i sit with you and i learned so much from you,
00:45:45.165 --> 00:45:47.701
Laurie, and i learned so much from you.
00:45:47.701 --> 00:45:49.970
And i've been so enjoying the time with you guys and learning
00:45:49.970 --> 00:45:52.840
From you.
00:45:52.840 --> 00:45:54.208
But that is what's neat, is that you can look and amie, "i want
00:45:54.208 --> 00:45:56.410
To grow on reading."
00:45:56.410 --> 00:45:57.744
She looks at you, amie, "man, that's a great idea for your
00:45:57.744 --> 00:45:59.847
Marriage," you know?
00:45:59.847 --> 00:46:01.181
I was in my friend's house the other day and she was cooking
00:46:01.181 --> 00:46:03.650
And we were talking and i'm like, "oh, that's a
00:46:03.650 --> 00:46:05.719
Great recipe."
00:46:05.719 --> 00:46:07.054
And i love the way that she discipled her kid in this
00:46:07.054 --> 00:46:09.523
Amazing moment.
00:46:09.523 --> 00:46:10.858
I thought, "this is why we do things together."
00:46:10.858 --> 00:46:12.392
It's because you got to watch it in real time, and learn.
00:46:12.392 --> 00:46:15.462
And we get to encourage each other in it, to not lose heart,
00:46:15.462 --> 00:46:18.732
To keep pressing forward, and straining together towards
00:46:18.732 --> 00:46:21.869
The goal.
00:46:21.869 --> 00:46:23.837
Brittany: there are things that we can do when we are seeking
00:46:23.837 --> 00:46:25.873
God and asking him for a word, and he always speaks through his
00:46:25.873 --> 00:46:29.309
People and through his presence and through
00:46:29.309 --> 00:46:30.978
His promises.
00:46:30.978 --> 00:46:32.312
So, if you are asking the lord for a new word this year, open
00:46:32.312 --> 00:46:35.282
Up the word of god.
00:46:35.282 --> 00:46:36.650
Ask the holy spirit to show you and ask god to confirm it
00:46:36.650 --> 00:46:39.620
Through his people.
00:46:39.620 --> 00:46:41.421
Amie: i love that, adding relationship with god to your
00:46:41.421 --> 00:46:44.858
New year plans and relationships with other people.
00:46:44.858 --> 00:46:49.129
Because every time god has ever elevated my life it's come
00:46:49.129 --> 00:46:52.966
Through a new relationship.
00:46:52.966 --> 00:46:55.002
And i think if we challenge ourselves to go, whatever goal
00:46:55.002 --> 00:46:58.572
Or dream god's put in your heart, he hasn't put it there
00:46:58.572 --> 00:47:01.675
For you to accomplish or to bring it to fruition all
00:47:01.675 --> 00:47:04.311
By yourself.
00:47:04.311 --> 00:47:05.679
To some water, some plant, you know, some reap.
00:47:05.679 --> 00:47:09.850
And we need to remember that relationships are the way those
00:47:09.850 --> 00:47:13.387
Things can take place is not, you know, being an island
00:47:13.387 --> 00:47:16.723
To ourselves.
00:47:16.723 --> 00:47:18.091
Deedee: i love that.
00:47:18.091 --> 00:47:19.426
I love that as a goal to add to your life, add a new friend, add
00:47:19.426 --> 00:47:22.963
Some--because i mean it's not just about spending time, but
00:47:22.963 --> 00:47:26.667
It's about the beneficial factor that comes from that, you know,
00:47:26.667 --> 00:47:30.871
Being able to grow and stretch.
00:47:30.871 --> 00:47:32.439
But typically, we surround ourselves with the people that
00:47:32.439 --> 00:47:36.743
Think like us, act like us, move like us, look like us, and we
00:47:36.743 --> 00:47:40.714
Don't expand who we are.
00:47:40.714 --> 00:47:42.749
So i think having a goal is to say, "let me go outside of my
00:47:42.749 --> 00:47:47.354
Norm or outside of my comfort zone so i can be increased.
00:47:47.354 --> 00:47:51.391
So, let me learn something new or something different.
00:47:51.391 --> 00:47:54.161
I think that's a beautiful goal for people to take away even,
00:47:54.161 --> 00:47:57.597
You know, today.
00:47:57.597 --> 00:47:58.966
Sheila: i love this.
00:47:58.966 --> 00:48:00.300
It's gonna be a good week. it's gonna be a great week.
00:48:00.300 --> 00:48:01.902
So let's pray.
00:48:01.902 --> 00:48:03.503
Father, first of all, we just want to tell you how much we
00:48:03.503 --> 00:48:05.739
Love you.
00:48:05.739 --> 00:48:07.641
But thank you so much for loving us, thank you for pouring your
00:48:07.641 --> 00:48:11.778
Mercy and your grace all over us.
00:48:11.778 --> 00:48:14.948
And lord, right now i just want to thank you for these
00:48:14.948 --> 00:48:16.984
Four women.
00:48:16.984 --> 00:48:18.352
Lord, there's so much that i've--the scarlet threads in all
00:48:18.352 --> 00:48:21.989
Of their lives of things they have walked through or are
00:48:21.989 --> 00:48:25.459
Walking through and yet still trust you, still keep looking
00:48:25.459 --> 00:48:30.464
To you.
00:48:30.464 --> 00:48:31.832
Lord, that's what we want to be for all our sisters watching,
00:48:31.832 --> 00:48:34.835
For all our brothers watching.
00:48:34.835 --> 00:48:36.536
That rather than this being a year of, "i'm gonna do this and
00:48:36.536 --> 00:48:38.972
I'm gonna do that," it would be a year spent in your presence.
00:48:38.972 --> 00:48:43.010
Because your presence changes everything, and in your
00:48:43.010 --> 00:48:45.946
Presence, there's fullness of joy.
00:48:45.946 --> 00:48:48.849
So, i just ask right now, lord, for anyone who feels burdened
00:48:48.849 --> 00:48:52.319
Already, that we would take you up on that offer of that divine
00:48:52.319 --> 00:48:55.489
Exchange, that we would come unto you, and we would lay our
00:48:55.489 --> 00:48:58.358
Burdens down.
00:48:58.358 --> 00:48:59.693
And only pick up what you have designed us to carry.
00:48:59.693 --> 00:49:02.929
And we ask it in the powerful, beautiful, wonderful name
00:49:02.929 --> 00:49:06.366
Of jesus.
00:49:06.366 --> 00:49:08.168
Amen.
00:49:08.168 --> 00:49:09.503
Amen, amen.
00:49:09.503 --> 00:49:11.104
Laurie: connect with us on social media and let us know how
00:49:11.104 --> 00:49:13.540
Our team can pray for you.
00:49:13.540 --> 00:49:18.678
Amie: this question is from tracie who watches us on
00:49:22.783 --> 00:49:25.652
Youtube, and she writes, "how can i know what my purpose is
00:49:25.652 --> 00:49:29.790
And what gifts god has given to me?
00:49:29.790 --> 00:49:32.325
I feel like a failure sometimes.
00:49:32.325 --> 00:49:34.094
I wish god would just talk to me out loud and tell me.
00:49:34.094 --> 00:49:37.164
Does anyone else feel this way?
00:49:37.164 --> 00:49:38.899
I feel like time is running out because of my age."
00:49:38.899 --> 00:49:42.769
Brittany: well, i have to say, i think a lot of us, you know,
00:49:42.769 --> 00:49:45.272
Wonder, "god, what do you have for me today?
00:49:45.272 --> 00:49:47.174
What is your will?
00:49:47.174 --> 00:49:48.508
What are my gifts?"
00:49:48.508 --> 00:49:49.876
And the first thing i want to say is, it is never too late to
00:49:49.876 --> 00:49:52.379
Use anything that god has gifted us for his glory.
00:49:52.379 --> 00:49:55.382
It is never too late.
00:49:55.382 --> 00:49:56.750
You never run out of time because god works outside of
00:49:56.750 --> 00:49:59.019
Time and he can redeem and restore any of our stories.
00:49:59.019 --> 00:50:02.856
And oftentimes, we look at other people's lives and we think,
00:50:02.856 --> 00:50:05.892
"man, they have these amazing gifts," but you have been given
00:50:05.892 --> 00:50:08.428
Gifts that god has given you.
00:50:08.428 --> 00:50:10.063
So, i would just sit before god and ask him, "lord, what gifts
00:50:10.063 --> 00:50:13.433
Have you given me?
00:50:13.433 --> 00:50:14.768
And how can i use this for your glory and for your kingdom and
00:50:14.768 --> 00:50:18.371
Be faithful with that?"
00:50:18.371 --> 00:50:19.806
And sometimes it looks like where your two feet are planted,
00:50:19.806 --> 00:50:22.676
That is your ministry, and that is where you use your gifts.
00:50:22.676 --> 00:50:25.245
And for often, for me, it looks like using my gifts in mundane
00:50:25.245 --> 00:50:28.515
Places, like at my home and honoring god there, and other
00:50:28.515 --> 00:50:32.219
Times it may look like amie speaking and preaching from a
00:50:32.219 --> 00:50:35.288
Stage and declaring god's goodness and his faithfulness.
00:50:35.288 --> 00:50:38.058
So, wherever god has you, just be found faithful there.
00:50:38.058 --> 00:50:41.495
Amie: that's good.
00:50:41.495 --> 00:50:44.131
Laurie: stream full episodes of "better together" on demand.
00:50:44.131 --> 00:50:47.901
Go to bettertogether.tv to stream all of our
00:50:47.901 --> 00:50:50.670
Latest conversations.
00:50:50.670 --> 00:50:50.670

Let God Guide Your Plans - Episode 1131

January 5, 2026 | S8 E1131 | 52:34

Closed captions

Share