Better Together

Live with Purpose | Better Together Episode 1175

June 19, 2026 | S8 E1175 | 50:59

What if living with purpose starts with joining what God is already doing? God places people and opportunities in your path, and even small acts of obedience carry eternal impact. Wherever you are today, God can use your life in meaningful ways! | TBN Prayer Line: 714-731-1000

#Purpose #IdentityinChrist #Calling #Obedience #Faith #Community #Criticism #Mentor #Discipleship #Restoration #PersonalStory #Serving #Kindness #Passion #Success #RestofGod #Encouragement #Desire #LaurieCrouch #SheilaWalsh #DonnaPisani #BlyndaLane

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Better Together | Live with Purpose | Better Together Episode 1175 | June 19, 2026

>> why am i here? everybody wants to know their purpose in
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Life. understanding our god given identity is the first
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Step to living god's way and allowing him to change our
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Hearts forever. come on, join us.
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>> oh.
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>> we have covered a lot of ground about what it means to
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Be god's masterpiece. and we've talked about courage, and we've
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Talked about identity. and i love that we're finishing the
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Week talking about purpose and how we live with purpose.
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Because what is knowing all of the things we've talked about.
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Those are like tools in a tool belt. but how do we activate
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That? how do we live it out? and this is what we're going to
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Talk about today. and i'm really excited about it. when i
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Was praying about what to say, i was trying to think of
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Stories, but i felt like the lord led me to a story in the
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Bible. and it's not one that i was very familiar with, so i
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Might fumble my way through it, but i really loved it. and it's
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The story about bezalel. i don't know if you know about
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Bezalel.
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>> that one. yeah.
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>> i was not as familiar with bezalel.
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>> i've never heard of bezalel.
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>> well, then you're.
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>> going to read my bible, so i missed that.
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>> i know, so we're going to it's going to be so fun to
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Learn. so first let me start in exodus 25. what what the lord
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Is saying here, it says in verse eight, then have them
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Make a sanctuary for me, and i will dwell among them. make
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This tabernacle in all its furnishings, exactly like the
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Pattern i will show you. so just
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In egypt. and now what is happening is they're, you know,
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They're going through the wilderness. but now moses has
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Gone on to be on mount sinai for the ten commandments. and
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What's interesting is anytime that they needed the lord's
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Presence, it was either cloud by day or fire by night. yeah.
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And so what's happening where we are now is he's saying, i'm
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Going to have you build a place where my presence can dwell.
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That had never happened before with them. so this was new.
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That's the instruction. so then you go over to chapter 31 and
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Is introduced this character, bezalel, because this is who
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God has identified as the person who's going to build the
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Tabernacle. it says, then the lord said to moses, see, i have
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Chosen bezalel, son of uri, the son of her, which, by the way,
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Very, very interestingly, her was one of the two men who were
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Held holding moses's arms up. so. so there's a lineage here.
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>> man of faith.
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>> man of faith, of the tribe of judah. and i have filled him
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With the spirit of god. it's one of the first times in the
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Bible we see that that has happened. i will fill him with
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The spirit of god with skill, ability, and knowledge in all
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Kinds of crafts to make artistic designs for work in
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Gold, silver and bronze. and then it goes on. he also
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Appoints another person named eliab to partner with him. and
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Basically it says here also i have given them skill to make
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Everything i have commanded you the tent of meeting, the ark of
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The testimony with the atonement cover on it, and all
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The other furnishings of the tent. so we're establishing
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Here is there was not a place for them to go where they could
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Dwell in the presence of god. can you imagine anything more
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Important that you were asked to do than to be the craftsmen
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Who builds the place where the spirit of god will dwell, the
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Presence of god? and what i love about this story is when i
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Was thinking about purpose, this statement came to mind.
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God builds people. man builds platforms. and may we
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Understand that our purpose is not found in a platform. right.
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Right. but it's found when god builds you.
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>> it's so good.
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>> what he does in you. here's a man who i wasn't even as
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Familiar with. sheila wasn't that this is not a household
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Name that we know in all the bible stories, yet he was the
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One. because of his gifting, because of the way god crafted
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Him and designed him. he had a skill that created a place
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Where the presence of god could dwell. right? how much more in
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The culture we live in today could we ask god to show us
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What environment can i create? lord, with the gifting and
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Skill, with the bent, with the personality, whatever it is
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That you've created me, what environment can i create that
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When people are there, they sense the presence of god.
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>> it's beautiful.
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>> when you think about all the stories in the bible and you
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Think about people in their purpose, following after god.
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Purpose isn't merely what we do for god, it's what god is doing
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On the inside of us. he's creating a people that will
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Trust him, that that he can live through, that he can move
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Through, that he can heal through becoming like christ.
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That's what he's doing with all of us from the beginning of
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Time throughout the bible. you know, you see all the stories
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In the bible where people went through. they had to walk by
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Faith. they had to suffer. they had to do the hard stuff to, to,
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To go on with god to, to make a nation of people that would
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Worship god to, to build an ark and save the world. hello. he
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Was building his kingdom. he was building a people that just
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Trusted him. and that's what he's doing today. you know, the
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Modern thing about purpose and stuff is what am i called to do?
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What makes me happy? what do i do with my life when instead we
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Should be asking, what is god doing? that's right. where is
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He going?
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>> where can i.
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>> join him? where can i join him?
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>> yeah.
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>> one of the funnest opportunities i had once, and
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It just came really through a friend was lucy swindell, who
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Was chuck swindoll sister, was one of my dearest friends. and
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She called me one day and she was very into opera and all
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Sorts of different things. and she said, sheila, i'm going to
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Meet with somebody who's a musician. would you like to
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Come? and i'm thinking, you know, gosh, who's it going to
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Be? you know, i'm thinking of some big, huge italian. and and
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I said, you know, i'll come just because i'd like to be
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With you, lucy. i said, who are we going to see? and she said,
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His name is bono. and i'm like that, that bono from u2. she
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Said, yeah, i do believe that's his group. and i'm like, yes,
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I'm in, i'm in. yeah. and there were only like four of us. we
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Met in this little boutique hotel downtown dallas. and he
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Said something that day that, i mean, i wrote it down because
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It impressed me. he said that sometimes when we're on tour,
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We have a pastor who travels with us and he's like a
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Chaplain. and, you know, he speaks to the group. and he
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Said, one night i was having a hard time. i don't know when
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The gigs had been challenging, but he said, but my chaplain
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Said to me, bono, stop asking god to bless what you're doing,
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Find out what god's doing, and join in. and i thought that was
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Such a great thing. it's like, find out what god's doing and
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Join in. give it everything you've got.
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>> to partner with god and to follow him is actually simple
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In concept, but really hard to practice out. i think really
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Actually remembering that it's not us, it's not our own empire,
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But it is his kingdom. we have to partner with him. something
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That's already been done. it's already been going on. instead
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Of creating something new now live it out. live out what you
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Are good at. but you don't have to make it about you. it's very
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Simple. just get on the train.
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>> we talked about identity earlier in the week, and i do
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Think it's an important thing to say that if we don't know
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Who god is, if we don't know who we are in god, then we will
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Be searching and chasing after what to do.
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>> yeah, yeah.
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>> but if we really rest in who he is and who we are in him, it
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Is more about finding out what he's doing and wanting to be a
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Part of it. i mentioned earlier in the week that my husband and
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I are part of the young adults group, and over a year ago, our
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Church didn't even have a young adults group. and so, funny
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Enough, i was burdened for it. probably most likely because my
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Children are that age. and when they would come home from
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College, i wanted them to have something. so you have to be
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Very careful though, when you ask the senior pastor and his
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Wife, you know, where's the young adult group at the church?
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And they're like, well, we don't have one. do you want to
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Start that? you got it now. you've got it now. and so we
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Took about 4 or 5 months. we actually came on staff for 4 or
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5 months because it ended up being a lot of work to
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Establish that. now they have a pastor and he's doing an
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Amazing job and we're still involved. and that's exactly
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What you said, sheila. where that started from is i wanted a
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Place to serve. i just had to ask the lord, what are you
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Wanting to do? where are you moving next in the church? that
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I can be a part of it. and then we we jumped in. and it's so
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Amazing to see a year ago where it was to, to now it's, it's so
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Vibrant and these young people are just coming in droves
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Because they're hungry for what god is doing. but it's just
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That idea of somebody watching today is attending church on
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Sundays only, and their church really needs them. yeah. there
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There's some department, there's some ministry that
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Needs what they have. and if you just stop and ask god, what
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Is what's my area, my small, what's my small give that i can
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Give? he will show you. he will show you because it says the
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Harvest is plenty and the laborers are few. so he will
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Show you because there's a lot of work to do. when we talk
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About living in purpose. and we want to simplify it to say,
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What is one way i can tell you to live in purpose, which
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There's so many things i could say, but what is one thing i
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Would tell you to simplify it? i would say this do the next
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Right thing. ask the lord you know your situation, you know
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What's in front of you. and you might be feeling like, i want
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To know what's out there. what is that purpose out there? and
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God is saying, you're not. i'm not going to reveal to you the
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Out there until you just do the next right thing. and when you
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Do that, that means you're looking around your your
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Situation, you're looking around your surroundings and
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You're asking, where can i be helpful? you're asking, where
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Can i use my gifting? when you when you want to do just the
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Next right thing, you're asking, lord, search my heart. is there
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Any area of sin in my life? the next right thing is building
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Character after character after character, building these
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Blocks so that when that big purpose comes, whatever you
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Think that is in the future, you have the character
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Withstand it, you have the empathy to uphold it, you have
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The compassion to move forward. all of these are building
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Blocks, and it starts by doing the next right thing.
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>> i remember belinda talking, having a conversation maybe a
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Year and a half ago, and you were just empty nesters. yeah.
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And you were tearful because you were like, what am i
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Supposed to do in this season? and i'm feeling a little bit
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Lost and floundering a bit. so to hear that you've discovered
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What that space is in this season, and you didn't give up
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In the middle and you didn't. well, they don't need me. you
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Just kept asking god. and that's probably one of the most
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Beautiful things that you can do. it's like, god, where are
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You moving? and i think everybody should at some point
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Serve in church in some capacity, because it's also a
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Place where you grow. but it's also like just being kind to
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Your neighbor or finding someone. maybe you sit next to
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Somebody in church on a sunday morning who like, if you're
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Older, like we are, well, everybody's older than somebody,
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Right? even if you're 16, you're older than a toddler,
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But finding somebody that you can speak into. and when i
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First gave my life to christ, i was just a mess. i knew nobody
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In the church. i just knew that my cousin had had invited me to
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Meet jesus. she lived three hours away. she's like, find
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This denominational church, sit in the parking lot at 3:00 in
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The morning, stoned out of my mind, having done the worst
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Things. and i'd be like, lord, if you're real, let me see you
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Standing on the front steps of this church. it's ridiculous
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What we think, you know, and you're hearing that. yeah,
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Right. he's like, here i am, i know, right? so i was just a
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Mess in searching for jesus and found this little church in our
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Town and eventually went inside. and it was there were so many
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People my age coming to this little church around that time.
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It was during like the charismatic move jesus movement.
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We were all raw, just loved jesus. we didn't know what we
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Were doing. and there was this older woman in the church. this
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Is what reminded me of this. she just was the best
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Storyteller, and she was saturated with jesus. like, you
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Know, when you walk by a cinnabon store and you're not
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Hungry and you may even be gluten issues, but you're going
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To buy one. that's how her life was. she just smelled that and
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Saturated with jesus. and all she knew to do was to tell me
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Stories. and we read from the book of john together. i love
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It, and she mentored me. i'm here today because a mildred
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Green, mildred green was 85 years old, and her job was. she
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Noticed that the old people in her neighborhood didn't have an
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Ambulance, so she bought an ambulance. and if they need if
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They were sick, she'd drive them to the hospital. wow. she
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Would also testify that they all got saved on the way in. i
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Was like, yeah, i would get saved because of the way you
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Drive. but anyway.
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>> i said.
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>> but she did what she could do. she saw a need and she
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Filled it. she saw a young 19 year old girl who didn't know
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Anything but was just hungry. yeah. and i'd sit there and
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Tears streaming down my face because she made jesus real to
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Me. and sometimes we can make it so difficult. but it's just,
00:14:03.778 --> 00:14:07.648
Lord, who am i next to?
00:14:07.648 --> 00:14:09.150
>> it is definitely the small things. because in your story,
00:14:09.150 --> 00:14:12.086
You're. mildred is my jenny merillat, and she had four kids.
00:14:12.086 --> 00:14:15.990
I think i was maybe 19, but i didn't have a good mother
00:14:15.990 --> 00:14:19.427
Figure. i didn't have a good father figure, really, and she
00:14:19.427 --> 00:14:23.097
Had no reason to invite me in. she didn't have a huge platform,
00:14:23.097 --> 00:14:27.101
But she said, hey, do you want to spend some time with me? and
00:14:27.101 --> 00:14:30.104
I said, yeah, and how many times i just sat at her kitchen
00:14:30.104 --> 00:14:33.908
Counter and she made me a sandwich. and we just talked
00:14:33.908 --> 00:14:37.845
About jesus because i knew i was called. i just didn't know
00:14:37.845 --> 00:14:41.782
What that would look like. and so often we think it has to be
00:14:41.782 --> 00:14:47.088
On a big platform. it has to be on tv. it has to be, in your
00:14:47.088 --> 00:14:51.058
Case, hundreds of thousands of people listening to you. right?
00:14:51.058 --> 00:14:53.661
But most of us don't have that.
00:14:53.661 --> 00:14:55.897
>> and i don't think i do either. but carry on.
00:14:55.897 --> 00:14:58.766
>> in my story. you do. but the truth is, like, i think that
00:14:58.766 --> 00:15:02.837
Comparison game, it's not that the most important person that
00:15:02.837 --> 00:15:06.641
Is changed the trajectory of my faith and my life is a woman
00:15:06.641 --> 00:15:11.445
Named jenny merillat.
00:15:11.445 --> 00:15:12.413
>> wow.
00:15:12.413 --> 00:15:13.547
>> who lost her battle with cancer, has had four kids, had
00:15:13.648 --> 00:15:18.185
Grandkids, and she still made time for me when i was nobody.
00:15:18.185 --> 00:15:23.224
So in matthew six, verse 21, for where your treasure is,
00:15:23.224 --> 00:15:27.561
There your heart will be also. and her treasure was in what
00:15:27.561 --> 00:15:32.566
God saw in his image.
00:15:32.566 --> 00:15:35.469
>> yeah, right.
00:15:35.469 --> 00:15:36.704
>> and i think sometimes we put our faith and our purpose in
00:15:36.704 --> 00:15:40.141
Things that are not permanent. they're fleeting. and i think i
00:15:40.141 --> 00:15:44.912
At least myself have to check myself many, many times daily
00:15:44.912 --> 00:15:49.550
Just to make sure i am in line with whatever god has called us
00:15:49.550 --> 00:15:53.587
To do and then join him.
00:15:53.587 --> 00:15:55.356
>> i love.
00:15:55.356 --> 00:15:56.524
>> that, yeah. did every one of you have somebody like that?
00:15:56.624 --> 00:15:59.260
Yeah. i love hebrews 11 talks about, you know, all the great
00:15:59.260 --> 00:16:04.298
Heroes, heroes of faith, but then it ends with those who
00:16:04.298 --> 00:16:07.601
Were faith was still accounted for them, even though they
00:16:07.601 --> 00:16:10.071
Didn't see the promise the way they wanted to. but they're
00:16:10.071 --> 00:16:13.574
Still they still had faith. and i think sometimes we discount
00:16:13.574 --> 00:16:17.278
What god can do through us because we haven't seen the
00:16:17.278 --> 00:16:20.548
Result yet. yeah. and so we were like, well, i don't have
00:16:20.548 --> 00:16:23.884
Those great stories to share or i don't even know what i mean.
00:16:23.884 --> 00:16:26.921
If all you know is john 316, or if you just hug somebody and
00:16:26.921 --> 00:16:30.758
Tell them that you love them or how great they're doing, that's
00:16:30.758 --> 00:16:33.828
Ministry, right? because i had a mildred green. i wanted to be
00:16:33.828 --> 00:16:36.764
A mildred green. i wanted to be that for somebody else. we want
00:16:36.764 --> 00:16:41.502
To hear from you.
00:16:41.502 --> 00:16:42.803
>> connect with us on social media to ask a question or
00:16:42.803 --> 00:16:45.673
Share a prayer request.
00:16:45.673 --> 00:16:46.907
>> let's encourage one another and get better together. let's
00:16:46.907 --> 00:16:50.344
Keep the conversation going. you can find the better
00:16:50.344 --> 00:16:53.280
Together podcast on your favorite listening platform.
00:16:53.280 --> 00:16:56.851
Subscribe today.
00:16:56.851 --> 00:16:59.995
Subscribe today.
00:16:59.995 --> 00:17:06.559
>> hi everyone. we're answering your questions behind the
00:17:07.727 --> 00:17:09.963
Scenes here at better together. and donna, i have a question
00:17:09.963 --> 00:17:13.466
For you from brittany. this is what she asks. what if we know
00:17:13.466 --> 00:17:17.737
Our calling, but we're not sure of the next steps to take? and
00:17:17.737 --> 00:17:20.807
What have you gained from seeking a mentor or wise
00:17:20.807 --> 00:17:23.209
Counsel from someone walking a similar path?
00:17:23.209 --> 00:17:25.712
>> so i would say, brittany, probably the first thing you
00:17:25.712 --> 00:17:28.181
Can do is to just offer to serve in whatever areas right
00:17:28.181 --> 00:17:33.720
In front of you. because i found like when i served in
00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:36.356
Kids church, even though maybe i wasn't the best at it, i was
00:17:36.356 --> 00:17:40.160
Learning as i was going encouraging your neighbor,
00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:42.128
Reaching out to people because it's as you're in motion, the
00:17:42.128 --> 00:17:44.664
It begins to define that calling. and as far as finding
00:17:44.664 --> 00:17:47.634
A mentor for me, it was. i had a really difficult time finding
00:17:47.634 --> 00:17:51.738
A mentor because there weren't a lot of women doing what what
00:17:51.738 --> 00:17:54.741
I was seeing god asking me to do. so i started just following
00:17:54.741 --> 00:17:58.778
Them. so i would listen to their sermons. i would read
00:17:58.778 --> 00:18:01.347
Their books. sometimes i would reach out to them and i would
00:18:01.347 --> 00:18:04.350
Say, hey, do you have 15 minutes? i just want to ask you
00:18:04.350 --> 00:18:07.420
One question, but honestly, look within your local church
00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:09.589
And see if there's somebody that's a little bit further
00:18:09.589 --> 00:18:12.358
Than you are, and just ask if you can have coffee. don't make
00:18:12.358 --> 00:18:15.462
It pressurized. don't make it difficult. just pull it from
00:18:15.462 --> 00:18:17.597
Their experience. that's probably the best way.
00:18:17.597 --> 00:18:19.499
>> i love it. i think sometimes the idea of mentor feels really
00:18:19.499 --> 00:18:22.735
Like a long term relationship, but i think you're exactly
00:18:22.735 --> 00:18:25.705
Right. find some people that you really appreciate their
00:18:25.705 --> 00:18:29.008
Ministry and start watching their podcasts or listening to
00:18:29.008 --> 00:18:31.111
Their sermons or that kind of thing, and then finding
00:18:31.111 --> 00:18:33.847
Somebody at your church. i love that one. that's so true. and
00:18:33.847 --> 00:18:36.850
Then also, i think to the point about the next steps, i love
00:18:36.850 --> 00:18:39.953
Just doing the next thing, like find out maybe even like some
00:18:39.953 --> 00:18:42.956
Self awareness of what do you want to do? i think sometimes
00:18:42.956 --> 00:18:46.025
We just forget to ask the question of what do i want? and
00:18:46.025 --> 00:18:49.195
Do i have a gifting or a bent to something and start there
00:18:49.195 --> 00:18:53.199
And then ask somebody in your church and that in ministry,
00:18:53.199 --> 00:18:56.035
Hey, do you have a place i could serve and begin serving?
00:18:56.035 --> 00:18:58.738
I love.
00:18:58.738 --> 00:18:59.873
>> it, yeah. or ask somebody else, what's the gift you see
00:18:59.973 --> 00:19:02.475
In me? yeah. that's great. that's helpful.
00:19:02.475 --> 00:19:04.210
>> yeah.
00:19:04.210 --> 00:19:04.811
>> that's really great.
00:19:04.811 --> 00:19:07.847
>> we're talking about purpose. and i think over my life,
00:19:07.847 --> 00:19:12.819
Especially as i've gotten older in my and more mature in my
00:19:12.819 --> 00:19:15.722
Spiritual walk, i think what has changed your identity in
00:19:15.722 --> 00:19:19.759
Christ never changed, but your roles do. yeah. and i think
00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:23.163
It's important to note, you know, i had told a story maybe
00:19:23.163 --> 00:19:26.166
The first or second day about a couple in our young adults
00:19:26.166 --> 00:19:29.736
Group that they were living together. and anyway, the lord
00:19:29.736 --> 00:19:32.705
Began moving on their hearts, and now they're completely
00:19:32.705 --> 00:19:35.241
Transformed and living for the lord and on fire for him. but
00:19:35.241 --> 00:19:39.179
Before they could have ever found this, whatever that is,
00:19:39.179 --> 00:19:41.714
Big purpose for their life, they needed to get that part of
00:19:41.714 --> 00:19:45.218
Their character in line. they needed to get like there's,
00:19:45.218 --> 00:19:48.454
There's some steps of growth. and so sometimes i think
00:19:48.454 --> 00:19:52.859
Purpose just requires movement. it doesn't necessarily it's not
00:19:52.859 --> 00:19:57.163
These big, big out there steps. it's movement. and maybe that
00:19:57.163 --> 00:20:01.801
Movement for you is you're a new believer and you just need
00:20:01.801 --> 00:20:05.004
To learn the discipline of getting in the word and
00:20:05.004 --> 00:20:07.140
Learning his ways, because you're not going to probably
00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:09.943
Ever reach big purpose if you don't have the character to
00:20:09.943 --> 00:20:12.979
Withstand it. and so i think a lot of times when i think about
00:20:12.979 --> 00:20:16.549
My identity in him has always remained the same. but my roles
00:20:16.549 --> 00:20:19.519
Have changed as i've grown in the disciplines of the lord, as
00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:22.488
I've grown in my understanding of his word, and as i've grown
00:20:22.488 --> 00:20:25.525
In gifting as well. but but that's kind of the side part of
00:20:25.525 --> 00:20:28.561
It. it's really more how is he established himself in me? how
00:20:28.561 --> 00:20:31.698
Have i allowed myself to, to be transformed into more of his
00:20:31.698 --> 00:20:36.736
Likeness so that i reflect him to the world in a different way?
00:20:36.736 --> 00:20:40.006
And so i think sometimes we make purpose a really big thing.
00:20:40.006 --> 00:20:43.509
But as long as there's some movement of seeking after him,
00:20:43.509 --> 00:20:47.847
I think he reveals the purpose. he's going to reveal it. he's
00:20:47.847 --> 00:20:51.451
Going to open the doors, whatever that is. i think we
00:20:51.451 --> 00:20:54.120
Have to focus on are we firming up and shoring up the character
00:20:54.120 --> 00:20:59.025
And the likeness of god to reflect him? so when others
00:20:59.025 --> 00:21:03.062
Look at us, we can be the.
00:21:03.062 --> 00:21:04.931
>> mildred.
00:21:04.931 --> 00:21:06.065
>> mildred green or the jenny merlot. merlot, yes. or the
00:21:06.165 --> 00:21:09.802
Valerie gooch, which is that was mine.
00:21:09.802 --> 00:21:11.738
>> yeah. the careers changed. the platforms change the every
00:21:11.738 --> 00:21:15.942
All the seasons change. but our whole thing is to know him, to
00:21:15.942 --> 00:21:21.281
Love him, to obey him, to reflect him, and to make him
00:21:21.281 --> 00:21:24.651
Known. that never changes. yeah. i believe when he formed us in
00:21:24.651 --> 00:21:29.289
The womb, he had a plan for each and every one of us.
00:21:29.289 --> 00:21:32.458
There's no doubt in my mind. and for people to take that
00:21:32.458 --> 00:21:37.130
Plan. and a lot of times it takes surrender to kind of
00:21:37.130 --> 00:21:41.067
Surrendering your own ambitions. you know, it's it's more about
00:21:41.067 --> 00:21:45.405
Obedience. yeah. it's not branding. it's a calling. it's,
00:21:45.405 --> 00:21:48.708
You know, it's all kinds of different things that we might
00:21:48.708 --> 00:21:51.978
Need to lay down and just say, okay, god, i'm going to do
00:21:51.978 --> 00:21:55.248
Exactly what you've called me to do and to, to follow you.
00:21:55.248 --> 00:21:58.217
>> and if you don't build it, you don't have to maintain it.
00:21:58.217 --> 00:22:01.354
>> right.
00:22:01.354 --> 00:22:02.555
>> exactly. and so that's, that's the thing we want god to
00:22:02.555 --> 00:22:05.124
Build whatever he's doing in us, because otherwise we strive to
00:22:05.124 --> 00:22:08.127
Maintain something that is man made. and it's, it's exhausting,
00:22:08.127 --> 00:22:11.431
Exhausting.
00:22:11.431 --> 00:22:12.198
>> that striving is the worst. yeah.
00:22:12.298 --> 00:22:13.733
>> and stable foundation.
00:22:13.733 --> 00:22:16.069
>> when we begin to pursue purpose from confidence in who
00:22:16.069 --> 00:22:20.840
God has created us to be, it's the striving is gone. you're
00:22:20.840 --> 00:22:24.377
Not trying to do something for him, for his approval. it's out
00:22:24.377 --> 00:22:29.415
Of his approval. it's out of his love. it's out of the fact
00:22:29.415 --> 00:22:32.285
That he's already holding on to us and loves us. that we get to
00:22:32.285 --> 00:22:36.122
Do this. purpose, by the way, isn't so much what you do. it's
00:22:36.122 --> 00:22:39.225
Who you belong to, whose you are. so i can't encourage you
00:22:39.225 --> 00:22:42.762
Enough to discover that as much as you can, because you'll
00:22:42.762 --> 00:22:46.366
Never see what god wants to do fully until you realize who
00:22:46.366 --> 00:22:49.302
He's created you to be.
00:22:49.302 --> 00:22:51.771
>> my life verse. i just, i'm still trying to talk my husband
00:22:51.771 --> 00:22:55.842
Into letting me get it tattooed on, but so far he's not
00:22:55.842 --> 00:22:59.345
Convinced is acts 2024. but my life is worth nothing to me
00:22:59.345 --> 00:23:05.051
Unless i use it for finishing the work assigned me by the
00:23:05.051 --> 00:23:07.854
Lord jesus. the work of telling others the good news about the
00:23:07.854 --> 00:23:11.824
Wonderful grace of god.
00:23:11.824 --> 00:23:13.326
>> yeah, i.
00:23:13.326 --> 00:23:13.893
>> love it. what more.
00:23:13.893 --> 00:23:15.294
>> could be said?
00:23:15.294 --> 00:23:16.329
>> that's amazing.
00:23:16.329 --> 00:23:17.497
>> absolutely love that. and that's paul's way down the line
00:23:17.597 --> 00:23:19.465
Now in his faith. he's close to being executed. so much is
00:23:19.465 --> 00:23:22.668
Going on. but he's like, you know what? this is all that
00:23:22.668 --> 00:23:25.505
Matters, right? my purpose is to keep telling people the
00:23:25.505 --> 00:23:28.775
Wonderful news about the outrageous grace of god.
00:23:28.775 --> 00:23:31.277
>> i would say.
00:23:31.277 --> 00:23:32.478
>> sheila, like your stories and what you've walked through
00:23:32.478 --> 00:23:34.847
Have so inspired me in like depths, even before i met you,
00:23:34.847 --> 00:23:39.185
Even before i knew you have inspired me for years. would
00:23:39.185 --> 00:23:42.855
You say that every step and everything that you've walked
00:23:42.855 --> 00:23:46.392
Through, like cleared your vision? if you hadn't walked
00:23:46.392 --> 00:23:48.928
Through that, maybe you wouldn't have seen them as
00:23:48.928 --> 00:23:50.930
Clear as you do now?
00:23:50.930 --> 00:23:52.565
>> absolutely, don. i think that's true probably for all of
00:23:52.565 --> 00:23:55.034
Us. yeah. i mean, up until, you know, lined up in the psych
00:23:55.034 --> 00:23:59.005
Hospital, i saw god one way we we've made a deal. i'll not
00:23:59.005 --> 00:24:03.276
Mess up. and you'll keep loving me. then that all falls apart.
00:24:03.276 --> 00:24:07.947
>> and just.
00:24:07.947 --> 00:24:08.848
>> because you couldn't do your part.
00:24:08.848 --> 00:24:10.550
>> just because i could not do my part. that's right.
00:24:10.550 --> 00:24:13.386
Absolutely right. and then it's like, okay, i'm not going to
00:24:13.386 --> 00:24:16.122
Pursue perfection anymore. i'm going to pursue christ who is
00:24:16.122 --> 00:24:18.491
Perfect. and then you walk through, i went through a
00:24:18.491 --> 00:24:21.360
Season where some people, when they knew that i'd been in a
00:24:21.360 --> 00:24:24.430
Psych hospital or like, you know, we're done with you. you
00:24:24.430 --> 00:24:26.666
Shouldn't be in ministry anymore. and it's like, you
00:24:26.666 --> 00:24:29.602
Know what? unless a seed falls into the ground and dies, it
00:24:29.602 --> 00:24:33.172
Remains alone. it bears no fruit. when you get that god
00:24:33.172 --> 00:24:36.409
Has a bigger plan and a purpose, it's like you stop holding
00:24:36.409 --> 00:24:41.080
Everybody else accountable for what they have. it's easy to
00:24:41.080 --> 00:24:43.883
Think, well, the reason i'm not in a better place is because of
00:24:43.883 --> 00:24:46.986
You, is because of what you said and what you didn't do.
00:24:46.986 --> 00:24:49.989
>> so.
00:24:49.989 --> 00:24:51.023
>> but when you believe in the sovereignty of a good.
00:24:51.123 --> 00:24:53.025
>> god.
00:24:53.025 --> 00:24:54.293
>> you could say, well, maybe they didn't intend it for evil,
00:24:54.293 --> 00:24:56.896
But god.
00:24:56.896 --> 00:24:57.330
>> i'm a firm.
00:24:57.330 --> 00:24:58.464
>> believer that nothing can stop your destiny or your
00:24:58.464 --> 00:25:00.900
Purpose. if you were done, you wouldn't be here anymore. the
00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:05.238
Bible talks about the men of god and women of god that serve
00:25:05.238 --> 00:25:08.307
Their purpose. and then they went on to be with the lord. so
00:25:08.307 --> 00:25:12.044
If you're still breathing, no matter where you are in life,
00:25:12.044 --> 00:25:14.914
No matter if you're at home, no matter if you're in prison, no
00:25:14.914 --> 00:25:18.317
Matter if you're on your deathbed, if you're still
00:25:18.317 --> 00:25:21.053
Breathing, you have a purpose in god. your life's not over
00:25:21.053 --> 00:25:24.323
Yet. so you're your best thing that you can do is say yes to
00:25:24.323 --> 00:25:28.561
God. the next person i meet, i'm going to share the love of
00:25:28.561 --> 00:25:32.965
Jesus with the next person i meet. i'm going to smile big
00:25:32.965 --> 00:25:36.769
Too. i'm going to do something that declares the glory of god
00:25:36.769 --> 00:25:42.275
Some way. somehow that god's not finished with me yet.
00:25:42.275 --> 00:25:47.713
>> how many ministries do we know of? i'm thinking of one
00:25:47.713 --> 00:25:50.983
That was started. it's called embrace grace and it helps
00:25:50.983 --> 00:25:54.086
Unwed mothers. and it was start started by a woman who had
00:25:54.086 --> 00:25:57.089
Gotten pregnant out of wedlock and prison ministries. you find
00:25:57.089 --> 00:26:01.027
Out that the person leading the prison ministry was also once
00:26:01.027 --> 00:26:03.629
An inmate. like how many ministries, how many moves of
00:26:03.629 --> 00:26:06.699
God have there been that have started from the person that
00:26:06.699 --> 00:26:09.302
Has the heart for it? the person who's broken for that
00:26:09.302 --> 00:26:11.938
Thing is because they experienced it themselves and
00:26:11.938 --> 00:26:15.074
They're out of their brokenness. god restored, god redeemed, and
00:26:15.074 --> 00:26:18.377
Then god put purpose into that. instead of it being something
00:26:18.377 --> 00:26:22.548
That was meant for evil, it was now turned for something for
00:26:22.548 --> 00:26:25.585
Good. so then anybody watching i think about me. what are all
00:26:25.585 --> 00:26:28.487
The ways that life or my choices, or maybe choices that
00:26:28.487 --> 00:26:31.691
Were made for me have created what actually now could be the
00:26:31.691 --> 00:26:37.430
Empathy, the thing that drives me to do it? because this is i
00:26:37.430 --> 00:26:41.367
Mean, yeah, this is how god makes useful. of tough
00:26:41.367 --> 00:26:46.038
Situations.
00:26:46.038 --> 00:26:46.539
>> you know, and.
00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:47.773
>> they're all different. all of our calls are different. i
00:26:47.773 --> 00:26:50.042
Asked my husband not too long ago, we had done something, and
00:26:50.042 --> 00:26:54.347
I'd tell you if i could remember, maybe somebody was
00:26:54.347 --> 00:26:58.351
Talking back about it and i just turned one day and i go,
00:26:58.351 --> 00:27:01.587
So what would you say to somebody if they were going to
00:27:01.587 --> 00:27:04.657
Criticize what we just did? and he goes, it's not their call.
00:27:04.657 --> 00:27:07.693
>> i love that.
00:27:07.693 --> 00:27:08.961
>> i don't care what they say. it's not their call. it's mine,
00:27:08.961 --> 00:27:11.797
I love it. i have to live my call. i don't care who doesn't
00:27:11.797 --> 00:27:15.635
Agree with what i just said. that is my call. that's what we
00:27:15.635 --> 00:27:19.572
Are called to do. and i don't care what anybody else says
00:27:19.572 --> 00:27:23.976
About it. it's not their call. yeah, because we can be so
00:27:23.976 --> 00:27:27.847
Judgmental. yes. we can be so judgmental about how they did
00:27:27.847 --> 00:27:30.716
That and how they preached that morning and how they all the
00:27:30.716 --> 00:27:34.387
Things about. and i'm just thinking, man, everybody has to
00:27:34.387 --> 00:27:37.323
Work out their own salvation. everybody needs to follow their
00:27:37.323 --> 00:27:40.126
Call. i'm here to bless and pray for and stay in my lane
00:27:40.126 --> 00:27:45.865
And get my stuff done.
00:27:45.865 --> 00:27:47.366
>> i love that.
00:27:47.366 --> 00:27:48.634
>> and not worry about you. get your stuff. that's right. even
00:27:48.634 --> 00:27:51.637
Jesus says, if they're not against us, they're for us.
00:27:51.637 --> 00:27:54.106
Let's go. you know?
00:27:54.106 --> 00:27:55.241
>> yeah.
00:27:55.241 --> 00:27:56.442
>> so i would love to know what you think. i feel like we hear
00:27:56.542 --> 00:27:59.178
These words a lot. what would you say the difference in a
00:27:59.178 --> 00:28:02.148
Calling and purpose is?
00:28:02.148 --> 00:28:03.883
>> i actually i think we're all called the same thing. i think
00:28:03.883 --> 00:28:06.719
The call is to the greatest commandment, which is to love
00:28:06.719 --> 00:28:09.388
The lord your god with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength,
00:28:09.388 --> 00:28:12.491
And then to love your neighbor as yourself. it's a pet peeve
00:28:12.491 --> 00:28:15.428
When people are like the bible clearly says, because it's like
00:28:15.428 --> 00:28:18.364
So many languages and different ancient times and all that
00:28:18.364 --> 00:28:20.499
Stuff. but i feel like that's clear because it said so
00:28:20.499 --> 00:28:23.402
Clearly so many parts of the bible. so i think all of our
00:28:23.402 --> 00:28:26.472
Call is that the how, the where i think that is manifested
00:28:26.472 --> 00:28:29.608
Differently, right? my purpose may not be the same as donna's,
00:28:29.608 --> 00:28:32.778
And it shouldn't be because that hand shouldn't tell, i
00:28:32.778 --> 00:28:35.915
Can't do that, etc. right. so our calling is the same if
00:28:35.915 --> 00:28:40.920
You're a believer, but the purpose has to be different.
00:28:40.920 --> 00:28:43.756
Are we the prison? yeah, the prison ministry won't happen or
00:28:43.756 --> 00:28:46.625
The widows ministry won't happen. or, you know, all of
00:28:46.625 --> 00:28:49.528
Those things wouldn't happen if we were just trying to be the
00:28:49.528 --> 00:28:53.499
Same. but in the end, the purpose draws us back into the
00:28:53.499 --> 00:28:57.503
Same place, which is at the foot of his throne. that's
00:28:57.503 --> 00:29:00.806
Where we have to land no matter what.
00:29:00.806 --> 00:29:02.908
>> when somebody asks me, who are you? if it was one of those
00:29:02.908 --> 00:29:08.047
Short elevator conversations, where who are you? my number
00:29:08.047 --> 00:29:11.283
One answer would be, i'm a child of god. now, my follow up
00:29:11.283 --> 00:29:15.187
Answer might be, i get the privilege of writing books. i
00:29:15.187 --> 00:29:17.723
Get the privilege of speaking. you know, i get the privilege
00:29:17.723 --> 00:29:20.526
Of singing sometimes speaking at conferences, but that's just
00:29:20.526 --> 00:29:23.529
An assignment given to me by the lord. my identity, whether
00:29:23.529 --> 00:29:27.233
I did that or whether i worked in walmart, is i am a child of
00:29:27.233 --> 00:29:31.303
The king.
00:29:31.303 --> 00:29:32.738
>> there's a thought leader named myron golden. i don't
00:29:32.738 --> 00:29:35.274
Know if you know him. and he says that your purpose is found
00:29:35.274 --> 00:29:39.211
At the intersection of passion and proficiency. and so if you
00:29:39.211 --> 00:29:44.617
Ask yourself, you know, okay, god, what am i passionate about?
00:29:44.617 --> 00:29:47.953
And what i love about what you just said is the unspoken that
00:29:47.953 --> 00:29:52.525
Is for every believer out there is the passion is jesus to know
00:29:52.525 --> 00:29:57.329
Him and to make him known. that's the passion. but then
00:29:57.329 --> 00:30:00.766
Below that, is there something that when you get up in the
00:30:00.766 --> 00:30:04.203
Morning, kind of just gets you going? and then also the
00:30:04.203 --> 00:30:07.706
Proficiency part, is there something that you're good at?
00:30:07.706 --> 00:30:09.875
So that's, i mean, i know now we're getting maybe more
00:30:09.875 --> 00:30:12.711
Practical nitty gritty of purpose, but i do think that,
00:30:12.711 --> 00:30:15.214
You know, if we're all called to be ambassadors for him, then
00:30:15.214 --> 00:30:18.818
How do we walk that out? is maybe there the purpose of
00:30:18.818 --> 00:30:23.155
Finding out what are we passionate about and what are
00:30:23.155 --> 00:30:25.324
We good at? because i think god is so intentional. we've talked
00:30:25.324 --> 00:30:28.394
Many times this week about he's he knows the hairs on our head,
00:30:28.394 --> 00:30:31.397
And he thinks of us more than the numbers of sand. if he's
00:30:31.397 --> 00:30:35.134
That kind of god, then when he fashioned you, donna, with all
00:30:35.134 --> 00:30:38.170
Of your personality and your bents and your. he fashioned
00:30:38.170 --> 00:30:40.739
You that the mark you would make in the world would be
00:30:40.739 --> 00:30:44.577
Reflective of the way that he's made you.
00:30:44.577 --> 00:30:46.579
>> right.
00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:47.179
>> i can't handle blood.
00:30:47.179 --> 00:30:47.947
>> i totally.
00:30:47.947 --> 00:30:49.215
>> but even like an iv, like to see the little thing and go, i
00:30:49.215 --> 00:30:52.585
Can't do it. i just literally right now i'm having to just
00:30:52.585 --> 00:30:55.654
Have a moment, a deep breath. i can't do any of it. so probably
00:30:55.654 --> 00:30:58.824
The proficiency side of me, i'm never going to be a nurse.
00:30:58.824 --> 00:31:01.760
Right? and he knew that about me. so he's not going to stick
00:31:01.760 --> 00:31:05.564
Me in a hospital to take care of anybody, because you would
00:31:05.564 --> 00:31:08.567
Not want that.
00:31:08.567 --> 00:31:09.602
>> one thing i would love is what would it be like if
00:31:09.702 --> 00:31:12.571
Everyone who loves and follows jesus, determined by the power
00:31:12.571 --> 00:31:14.740
Of the holy spirit to be kind?
00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:16.675
>> yeah. yes. let's just do that as a purpose. yes. there's
00:31:16.675 --> 00:31:19.712
Such a lack of kindness.
00:31:19.712 --> 00:31:21.146
>> in our world and in our church. you know, it's like,
00:31:21.146 --> 00:31:24.016
Whose side are you on? whose side are you taking? what do
00:31:24.016 --> 00:31:26.719
You think of what he did? what do you think of what she said?
00:31:26.719 --> 00:31:30.556
>> right.
00:31:30.556 --> 00:31:31.757
>> that's not her job. that's god's job. we we get to be kind,
00:31:31.857 --> 00:31:34.560
To bless and not to curse.
00:31:34.560 --> 00:31:35.728
>> yeah, yeah.
00:31:35.728 --> 00:31:36.962
>> the early church was marked and noted by josephus as being
00:31:36.962 --> 00:31:39.665
Love loving each other.
00:31:39.665 --> 00:31:40.699
>> yeah.
00:31:40.699 --> 00:31:41.800
>> and so wouldn't that be amazing? yeah. what if we were
00:31:41.901 --> 00:31:44.236
Kind? but also in the journey of discovering our proficiency.
00:31:44.236 --> 00:31:48.240
So if you had said to me 20 years ago, donna, you have a
00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:52.177
Gifting gift of writing, i would have said i have no
00:31:52.177 --> 00:31:55.014
Proficiency, nor do i have a passion to do that because it
00:31:55.014 --> 00:31:57.716
Was wrapped in fear and insecurity. but once i started
00:31:57.716 --> 00:32:02.221
Doing it, you know, by the fourth book, i'm like, maybe i
00:32:02.221 --> 00:32:05.224
Love it now.
00:32:05.224 --> 00:32:05.824
>> right?
00:32:05.824 --> 00:32:07.026
>> so i'm saying that those are starters, but don't allow what
00:32:07.126 --> 00:32:09.428
You don't think you can do to keep you from what's actually
00:32:09.428 --> 00:32:13.432
Hidden inside of you.
00:32:13.432 --> 00:32:15.267
>> did somebody say to you, hey, you should think about writing
00:32:15.267 --> 00:32:18.270
A bible study? or like, where did it start to now where
00:32:18.270 --> 00:32:21.674
Writing is something that you love.
00:32:21.674 --> 00:32:23.142
>> so the passion was we had our church was dennis and i
00:32:23.142 --> 00:32:27.079
Were older than the majority size of our church on capitol
00:32:27.079 --> 00:32:30.316
Hill. they were all millennial age. and i just like, there
00:32:30.316 --> 00:32:33.185
Needs to be a book about the journey. like how not yet.
00:32:33.185 --> 00:32:38.223
We're not yet there. and somebody needs to write that
00:32:38.223 --> 00:32:41.393
Book because they need to know that it's not a one done deal.
00:32:41.393 --> 00:32:45.097
And so then i started researching it and then started
00:32:45.097 --> 00:32:48.000
Writing books. my passion was seeing people grow. my passion
00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:51.937
Was seeing women identify their gifts, men and women. so out of
00:32:51.937 --> 00:32:55.441
That passion, then comes these. other pieces. wouldn't you.
00:32:55.441 --> 00:32:59.078
>> say that? sure. that's amazing.
00:32:59.078 --> 00:33:00.746
>> because if somebody if you 30 years ago, well, you weren't
00:33:00.746 --> 00:33:03.782
Were you born then?
00:33:03.782 --> 00:33:04.783
>> 30 years ago? i was an adult.
00:33:04.783 --> 00:33:10.622
>> had said to you you were going to be doing better
00:33:10.622 --> 00:33:13.625
Together in the early days. you would have been like.
00:33:13.625 --> 00:33:15.828
>> yeah.
00:33:15.828 --> 00:33:16.895
>> no, aside from the invitation, but what was the
00:33:16.895 --> 00:33:18.731
Passion?
00:33:18.731 --> 00:33:19.832
>> my husband pushed that passion or he had the passion.
00:33:19.932 --> 00:33:21.867
My mother in law had the passion. yeah. i didn't have a
00:33:21.867 --> 00:33:25.704
Passion i never wanted. i never was groomed to be on tv.
00:33:25.704 --> 00:33:30.376
Nothing, you know, and just it was just the call of our family.
00:33:30.376 --> 00:33:35.047
And that's just what you did. you know, i married into this.
00:33:35.047 --> 00:33:38.050
And so you just were on tv with with or without. nobody asked
00:33:38.050 --> 00:33:42.554
Me if i wanted to. it just, you know, it was just one of those.
00:33:42.554 --> 00:33:46.325
But then it's kind of seeing a need and meeting it, fulfilling
00:33:46.325 --> 00:33:49.928
It, you know? and my mom in love, jan just said one day she
00:33:49.928 --> 00:33:54.800
Said, it's time for you back. the last time thing she
00:33:54.800 --> 00:33:57.703
Actually said to me before she passed away and she could speak
00:33:57.703 --> 00:34:02.341
Was, it's time for you to do something for the women.
00:34:02.341 --> 00:34:05.244
>> wow.
00:34:05.244 --> 00:34:06.445
>> and we need to start on that right away. and then the next
00:34:06.545 --> 00:34:10.249
Time i saw her, she's laying in a hospital bed, couldn't speak
00:34:10.249 --> 00:34:13.519
Anymore. and that was her last thing to me. and so my husband
00:34:13.519 --> 00:34:17.122
Took it to heart even more than i did. started building a set
00:34:17.122 --> 00:34:20.793
In california and i was like going, okay, that was a little
00:34:20.793 --> 00:34:25.297
Bit of pressure. so i was like, okay, where's all my big mouth
00:34:25.297 --> 00:34:28.400
Friends? okay, sheila, here we are. chris. i just started
00:34:28.400 --> 00:34:32.905
Calling.
00:34:32.905 --> 00:34:33.705
>> then you just kept finding us.
00:34:33.705 --> 00:34:34.973
>> i know all the ones that can talk because i'm not a speaker
00:34:34.973 --> 00:34:39.912
And, and just have everybody come and let's, let's just talk
00:34:39.912 --> 00:34:43.549
About god and talk about the things of the lord and be the
00:34:43.549 --> 00:34:46.952
Older women that speak into the. that was kind of the way it,
00:34:46.952 --> 00:34:50.022
You know, and then we started getting all these beautiful
00:34:50.022 --> 00:34:52.891
Younger voices and it's just been amazing what god has done.
00:34:52.891 --> 00:34:55.828
Yeah. and.
00:34:55.828 --> 00:34:56.862
>> and then i'm on a plane a week ago and the flight
00:34:56.962 --> 00:35:00.365
Attendant, juliet stops me and says, your face is so familiar.
00:35:00.365 --> 00:35:05.070
Are you on a tv show? and i said, i actually am. she said,
00:35:05.070 --> 00:35:08.340
Is it better together? and i said, it is. and she said, i
00:35:08.340 --> 00:35:13.011
Watch it all the time and i have been changed. my life has
00:35:13.011 --> 00:35:17.349
Been changed by that show. praise god. and i know you said
00:35:17.349 --> 00:35:20.486
That happens all the time. so. so you're yes. even reluctant.
00:35:20.486 --> 00:35:23.922
Yes, yes. you're yes has affected generations and
00:35:23.922 --> 00:35:29.261
Hundreds of thousands of women.
00:35:29.261 --> 00:35:31.063
>> what i love about better together is 40% of our viewers
00:35:31.063 --> 00:35:34.633
Are men.
00:35:34.633 --> 00:35:35.834
>> yeah.
00:35:35.834 --> 00:35:37.035
>> wow. and i love that. so i get contacted more by men going,
00:35:37.136 --> 00:35:39.771
I watch your show all the time. yeah.
00:35:39.771 --> 00:35:41.874
>> which is awesome.
00:35:41.874 --> 00:35:44.042
>> yeah. and i just love that. he says, i've learned so much
00:35:44.042 --> 00:35:47.146
About my wife, you know, i get all the comments, but praise
00:35:47.146 --> 00:35:51.116
God. it's just it was i think it was needed and it's just had
00:35:51.116 --> 00:35:55.154
Its place. it was a plan of god.
00:35:55.154 --> 00:35:57.089
>> i think the moral of the story is, though you there was
00:35:57.089 --> 00:36:00.859
A prompt.
00:36:00.859 --> 00:36:01.360
>> a little seed.
00:36:01.360 --> 00:36:02.628
>> yeah. and you were obedient to it. lori, you, like you said,
00:36:02.628 --> 00:36:05.898
This is not my thing, but you were obedient and then you
00:36:05.898 --> 00:36:08.901
Brought people around you that could be, you know, you were
00:36:08.901 --> 00:36:11.170
The barnabas to the paul.
00:36:11.170 --> 00:36:14.173
>> i think it's so important that we stay obedient to what
00:36:14.173 --> 00:36:18.644
God is calling us to do. and, and so you may still maybe you
00:36:18.644 --> 00:36:23.215
Have lived forever with self-hate, or you have body
00:36:23.215 --> 00:36:26.785
Image issues, or you're constantly saying negative
00:36:26.785 --> 00:36:29.855
Things about yourself and you haven't realized that it
00:36:29.855 --> 00:36:32.925
Doesn't just affect you, but honestly, it'll affect your
00:36:32.925 --> 00:36:37.229
Kids and your grandkids and generations. and, and i just
00:36:37.229 --> 00:36:40.866
Love how god gives us the opportunity to speak life. in
00:36:40.866 --> 00:36:45.537
Fact, hebrews 412 tells us word of god is sharper than any two
00:36:45.537 --> 00:36:50.209
Edged sword. and literally in the original language, that
00:36:50.209 --> 00:36:53.779
Means two mouths. that means god speaks. and then we repeat
00:36:53.779 --> 00:36:58.250
What he said, and that becomes like a weapon in our hands to
00:36:58.250 --> 00:37:01.453
Silence the enemy. for me and my husband, we declare the
00:37:01.453 --> 00:37:04.923
Promises of god over our kids and our grandkids every day. i
00:37:04.923 --> 00:37:08.460
Want to see generation. i want to be in heaven, like for
00:37:08.460 --> 00:37:11.496
Eternity, and meet generations that met jesus because we spoke
00:37:11.496 --> 00:37:15.400
Life over them. and you can do the same thing.
00:37:15.400 --> 00:37:18.370
>> we haven't talked about this enough about what it takes to
00:37:18.370 --> 00:37:23.242
Have community around you. i think that is really good
00:37:23.242 --> 00:37:26.211
Because lori, you're right. it took people coming around you.
00:37:26.211 --> 00:37:29.815
>> that you were already friends with.
00:37:29.815 --> 00:37:31.516
>> that you were friends with. and i don't know if we talk
00:37:31.516 --> 00:37:34.620
About that enough to.
00:37:34.620 --> 00:37:35.854
>> yeah, you can't do it by yourself. we're called to be in
00:37:35.854 --> 00:37:38.657
Community.
00:37:38.657 --> 00:37:39.191
>> yeah, absolutely.
00:37:39.191 --> 00:37:40.359
>> right. and so you did it. you not only follow through
00:37:40.359 --> 00:37:42.794
With obedience, but you actually pulled the community
00:37:42.794 --> 00:37:44.763
In and said these voices loud, big mouths or not, these voices
00:37:44.763 --> 00:37:48.900
Are important because they are mirrored in the audience.
00:37:48.900 --> 00:37:53.672
>> yeah. and what's so cool about it is all of our
00:37:53.672 --> 00:37:56.475
Communities have grown from it now. there's so much ministry
00:37:56.475 --> 00:38:01.179
Inside of even the people that are on better together. and so
00:38:01.179 --> 00:38:04.816
The cry for better together in different countries is huge,
00:38:04.816 --> 00:38:08.086
And god's just doing amazing things. but it's all part of
00:38:08.086 --> 00:38:11.590
God's plan and perfect. that's what we get to do. we get to
00:38:11.590 --> 00:38:15.360
Jump into the flow of what god is doing.
00:38:15.360 --> 00:38:17.663
>> somebody's watching and seeing the worldwide impact has
00:38:17.663 --> 00:38:21.366
To remember that you started with a yes.
00:38:21.366 --> 00:38:23.969
>> you start with a shaky yes.
00:38:23.969 --> 00:38:25.504
>> a shaky yes, and a really small. so don't, don't hate
00:38:25.504 --> 00:38:28.640
Small beginnings. yes. like it's okay.
00:38:28.640 --> 00:38:30.575
>> you remember when jacob deceived his brother and then
00:38:30.575 --> 00:38:33.278
He goes to a journey of being deceived.
00:38:33.278 --> 00:38:35.280
>> himself, until finally he wrestles with god. and then he
00:38:35.280 --> 00:38:38.317
Crosses over into the promised land. and he goes towards
00:38:38.317 --> 00:38:41.520
Repentance, towards his brother esau. and so there's these two
00:38:41.520 --> 00:38:44.756
Little words that if you're not paying attention, you would
00:38:44.756 --> 00:38:47.025
Miss. who's watching joseph? joseph's watching his father go
00:38:47.025 --> 00:38:52.698
Towards restoration. then we fast forward to joseph's life,
00:38:52.698 --> 00:38:57.202
Where he faces betrayal. and what does joseph do? joseph
00:38:57.202 --> 00:39:00.205
Ends up leading a nation and saving nations. so i just want
00:39:00.205 --> 00:39:03.942
To say your yes, you have no idea. and the stories of people
00:39:03.942 --> 00:39:07.713
Overcoming betrayal and overcoming pain and overcoming
00:39:07.713 --> 00:39:10.382
Hurt. and we're going to silence fear and insecurity.
00:39:10.382 --> 00:39:12.784
We're going to step out in courage. we have no idea the
00:39:12.784 --> 00:39:15.787
Impact and the echo that joseph's that are watching,
00:39:15.787 --> 00:39:17.989
That are going to impact even more like the echo, i think
00:39:17.989 --> 00:39:20.892
Will be in heaven, and we'll just be sobbing because of the
00:39:20.892 --> 00:39:23.929
Stories we hear of the women in pakistan or india or israel,
00:39:23.929 --> 00:39:28.367
Wherever they are, america, wherever they are, men and
00:39:28.367 --> 00:39:31.069
Women that have been impacted by your praise god. yes.
00:39:31.069 --> 00:39:34.306
>> that's beautiful.
00:39:34.306 --> 00:39:35.640
>> beautiful. yeah.
00:39:35.640 --> 00:39:36.441
>> anybody else?
00:39:36.441 --> 00:39:37.642
>> when i was in south africa, i was speaking to a luncheon
00:39:37.642 --> 00:39:40.345
For women, and it was just maybe like, i don't know, like
00:39:40.345 --> 00:39:43.415
400 women. and the person who was introducing me said, you
00:39:43.415 --> 00:39:46.918
Know, have you visited south africa before? and i said, well,
00:39:46.918 --> 00:39:49.621
A couple of times, but not very much. i said, i'll try and tell
00:39:49.621 --> 00:39:53.425
People a bit about you. so she started to introduce me, and
00:39:53.425 --> 00:39:56.428
One of the women in the front row said, hey, we all watch
00:39:56.428 --> 00:39:59.531
Better together now, south africa. yeah.
00:39:59.531 --> 00:40:00.866
>> so yeah.
00:40:00.866 --> 00:40:02.033
>> it's a beautiful thing. i don't think we just have one
00:40:02.033 --> 00:40:05.937
Assignment from god. i've had all sorts of different
00:40:05.937 --> 00:40:08.440
Assignments from from the lord. when i was 14, i began working
00:40:08.440 --> 00:40:12.411
On weekends and then in the summertime to, to kind of get
00:40:12.411 --> 00:40:16.081
Some extra money for my mom. i worked in record stores, i
00:40:16.081 --> 00:40:19.050
Worked in clothes stores, i made beds, i did all sorts of
00:40:19.050 --> 00:40:23.555
Stuff in a hotel. and then came a time where i was a
00:40:23.555 --> 00:40:27.492
Contemporary christian artist. i was a full time singer. and
00:40:27.492 --> 00:40:30.362
Then god opened a door into television. and the interesting
00:40:30.362 --> 00:40:33.698
Thing is, you know, the only thing god looks for, he just
00:40:33.698 --> 00:40:36.701
Looks for our yes, when god opens a door and when god puts
00:40:36.701 --> 00:40:41.072
Something on your heart, you don't need to know the next 50
00:40:41.072 --> 00:40:44.509
Steps. you simply need to say, yes, lord.
00:40:44.509 --> 00:40:48.713
>> join the conversation on our better together youtube channel.
00:40:48.713 --> 00:40:52.751
Subscribe today and never miss a new upload.
00:40:52.751 --> 00:40:55.991
Subscribe today and never miss a new upload.
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>> if somebody has been watching and they're thinking,
00:41:00.025 --> 00:41:03.328
Okay, but i just still don't feel like god can use me. you
00:41:03.328 --> 00:41:08.700
Know? maybe you're like my daughter who's a new mom and
00:41:08.700 --> 00:41:12.637
She feels like her whole day is our changing diapers and
00:41:12.637 --> 00:41:16.274
Nursing babies. and how would you encourage them that
00:41:16.274 --> 00:41:19.444
Wherever they are, they have purpose?
00:41:19.444 --> 00:41:21.947
>> well, that's purpose right there. yeah, yeah. you're
00:41:21.947 --> 00:41:24.483
Praying over that baby. you never know what god's going to
00:41:24.483 --> 00:41:27.185
Do with that child. you just are present where you are right
00:41:27.185 --> 00:41:30.188
Then and just enjoy the season you're in and continue to
00:41:30.188 --> 00:41:32.457
Invite god in, i think. and then you're going to be in moms
00:41:32.457 --> 00:41:36.194
Groups. so there's going to be another mom who's experiencing
00:41:36.194 --> 00:41:38.530
The same stretch that you are.
00:41:38.530 --> 00:41:40.198
>> yeah.
00:41:40.198 --> 00:41:41.333
>> i just think we we diminish the power of encouragement.
00:41:41.433 --> 00:41:44.369
Yeah. and just being an encourager is huge. what would
00:41:44.369 --> 00:41:47.172
You guys say?
00:41:47.172 --> 00:41:48.340
>> i would agree, i think we would all say in this circle
00:41:48.340 --> 00:41:51.543
That if we could do over something, not that i would,
00:41:51.543 --> 00:41:55.013
You know, change. i think everything's taught me
00:41:55.013 --> 00:41:57.916
Something moving forward, but i would love to go back and be a
00:41:57.916 --> 00:42:02.254
Mom changing diapers and nursing my baby. but it's so
00:42:02.254 --> 00:42:05.156
Important, right, for us to be in the moment, be present in
00:42:05.156 --> 00:42:08.793
The moment, and not wish for something else. because before
00:42:08.793 --> 00:42:12.864
You know it, you're going to be wishing for that moment. that's
00:42:12.864 --> 00:42:15.433
True. so just be present right now.
00:42:15.433 --> 00:42:18.103
>> i was walking through the mall the other night, and a
00:42:18.103 --> 00:42:21.373
Girl who was working at one of the makeup counters stopped me
00:42:21.373 --> 00:42:24.342
And she said, hey, i think i know who you are. you're on
00:42:24.342 --> 00:42:27.412
That show better together. and i was like, yeah, nice to meet
00:42:27.412 --> 00:42:30.448
You. we chatted for a little while and she said, i just, i
00:42:30.448 --> 00:42:33.485
Would love to be like you. i would love for my life to have
00:42:33.485 --> 00:42:37.355
Some purpose. and i said, what do you mean by that? and she
00:42:37.355 --> 00:42:40.425
Said, well, you said on television and you talk to
00:42:40.425 --> 00:42:42.561
People about god's love. and i said, okay, tell me a little
00:42:42.561 --> 00:42:45.564
Bit about your life. and she said, well, i'm a single mom. i
00:42:45.564 --> 00:42:49.367
Have two little children. we're involved in a church. and i try
00:42:49.367 --> 00:42:52.370
And get the children there as often as i can. i try to make
00:42:52.370 --> 00:42:55.473
Sure i'm always home in time to put them both to bed. and i
00:42:55.473 --> 00:42:59.344
Said, do you realize the awesome, godly, divine
00:42:59.344 --> 00:43:01.379
Appointment you have at the moment? there's never a moment
00:43:01.379 --> 00:43:03.515
In life when we can't know the purpose that god has. that
00:43:03.515 --> 00:43:07.385
Where you find yourself right now, give yourself completely
00:43:07.385 --> 00:43:11.022
And ask god to use you where you are. i promise you will.
00:43:11.022 --> 00:43:15.727
And whatever the present moment is, it's his presence that
00:43:15.727 --> 00:43:19.397
Changes everything. good. i used to think i want answers
00:43:19.397 --> 00:43:22.434
For things and i said, no, no i don't. it's the presence of the
00:43:22.434 --> 00:43:25.570
Lord that changes.
00:43:25.570 --> 00:43:26.705
>> and that's the ultimate thing. it's not so much what
00:43:26.705 --> 00:43:29.441
You're praying for. it's not so much like the success. success
00:43:29.441 --> 00:43:31.810
Is being with jesus. yeah. like the older i've gotten, the more
00:43:31.810 --> 00:43:34.779
I'm like, that's what i want. everything else comes out of
00:43:34.779 --> 00:43:37.616
That, right?
00:43:37.616 --> 00:43:38.883
>> yeah. and i think that that is one thing that we don't want
00:43:38.883 --> 00:43:41.653
To confuse when we talk about purpose. a lot of times what
00:43:41.653 --> 00:43:45.223
Can happen is it becomes a lot about what we do, what we
00:43:45.223 --> 00:43:50.261
Manufacture or what we produce or what all of those words,
00:43:50.261 --> 00:43:53.565
Because those are real cultural words. because in the real
00:43:53.565 --> 00:43:56.735
World, the better the hustle, the better the go get em, the
00:43:56.735 --> 00:44:00.372
More successful. like a lot of the christian walk, it's turned
00:44:00.372 --> 00:44:04.275
Upside down. a lot of it is the more you rest in who he is and
00:44:04.275 --> 00:44:10.048
The more you're in his presence, the more you're in the word.
00:44:10.048 --> 00:44:13.251
And you understand that the sacrifice he made on the cross
00:44:13.251 --> 00:44:17.722
For you was so that you could live a full and fulfilled life,
00:44:17.722 --> 00:44:22.994
But in the resting that you are his son and daughter. yeah. and
00:44:22.994 --> 00:44:27.799
You are approved. i'm not sure what view of god you have or
00:44:27.799 --> 00:44:33.171
Maybe that you grew up with, but i think there's someone
00:44:33.171 --> 00:44:36.708
Watching who god is kind of a taskmaster. he's only really
00:44:36.708 --> 00:44:41.112
Needing you to do more for him to serve more, to be more do,
00:44:41.112 --> 00:44:47.285
Do, do. and today i want to bring freedom to you that god
00:44:47.285 --> 00:44:50.889
Is more interested in you being just who you are. he wants your
00:44:50.889 --> 00:44:56.127
Heart. he wants your time. and of course, out of an abundance
00:44:56.127 --> 00:45:00.865
Of love for him, you will want to end up doing something for
00:45:00.865 --> 00:45:04.035
Him. but i remember i was doing a lot of speaking a few years
00:45:04.035 --> 00:45:08.373
Back, and i felt a little bit like it had gotten to a point
00:45:08.373 --> 00:45:12.811
Of striving. and it was hard because i was still raising
00:45:12.811 --> 00:45:16.347
Kids and had a homeschool component to their education.
00:45:16.347 --> 00:45:19.217
So i was feeling pulled in a lot of different directions.
00:45:19.217 --> 00:45:21.786
And i just kept telling the lord, but i know that i want to
00:45:21.786 --> 00:45:25.423
Do this for you. i mean, i'm in it for you. i'm in it for you.
00:45:25.423 --> 00:45:29.461
And i felt like the lord just tugged on my heart and said,
00:45:29.461 --> 00:45:32.564
Belinda, i don't need you to do anything for me. i just want
00:45:32.564 --> 00:45:36.301
You to do things with me. and when i shifted that thinking
00:45:36.301 --> 00:45:39.637
From, i am doing so much for the lord to. i'm doing things
00:45:39.637 --> 00:45:43.942
With the lord, then that meant i could stop striving and i
00:45:43.942 --> 00:45:47.712
Could say no to that event because with the lord i needed
00:45:47.712 --> 00:45:51.750
To be home with my kids and with the lord. i needed to
00:45:51.750 --> 00:45:54.786
Focus on my spouse and my home. and so whenever you think about
00:45:54.786 --> 00:45:59.457
Doing things with him, it's a partnership. it's a
00:45:59.457 --> 00:46:03.828
Relationship that goes with you everywhere.
00:46:03.828 --> 00:46:06.664
>> years ago, we lived in hollywood. we were up there
00:46:06.664 --> 00:46:10.969
Making films, making movies. we were just living in these waves
00:46:10.969 --> 00:46:16.374
Of we had plenty. and then we had famine and then plenty and
00:46:16.374 --> 00:46:20.011
Famine, just doing one movie at a time, and it was just about
00:46:20.011 --> 00:46:22.881
To kill me. and i've got little kids and and sometimes we're
00:46:22.881 --> 00:46:27.519
Selling everything we have. we're selling cars, we're
00:46:27.519 --> 00:46:30.822
Selling wedding rings, we're selling. nobody knows.
00:46:30.822 --> 00:46:33.124
>> the story.
00:46:33.124 --> 00:46:34.259
>> lori to to pay payroll, you know, and i took my dogs
00:46:34.259 --> 00:46:39.464
Outside one day and i just looked up at god and i'm
00:46:39.464 --> 00:46:43.201
Walking and i just said, god, if you just would just keep us
00:46:43.201 --> 00:46:48.173
From scrambling so hard. he said, look at all that we. and
00:46:48.173 --> 00:46:54.245
Before i could get out, look at all that we could be doing for
00:46:54.245 --> 00:46:57.816
You. and i felt like i was saying that out of a pure heart
00:46:57.816 --> 00:47:01.853
Of my life is consecrated to god. but if you just take care
00:47:01.853 --> 00:47:05.690
Of the bills or just take keep the pressure off. and i stopped
00:47:05.690 --> 00:47:10.495
And i went, that is the most arrogant thing i've ever heard
00:47:10.495 --> 00:47:16.334
Anybody say. and it came out of my mouth, look at all that we
00:47:16.334 --> 00:47:19.871
Could be doing for you if you would just. it was like god
00:47:19.871 --> 00:47:23.608
Slugged me in the stomach with the most loving two by four.
00:47:23.608 --> 00:47:26.611
And he said, don't you ever think that it's anything that
00:47:26.611 --> 00:47:29.881
You do for me. but it's all that i can do in and through
00:47:29.881 --> 00:47:34.052
You.
00:47:34.052 --> 00:47:34.953
>> that's good, that's so good.
00:47:34.953 --> 00:47:36.454
>> that's like to transform your life. and so that is god's
00:47:36.454 --> 00:47:41.392
Plan. he wants us to love him, to know him, to make him known.
00:47:41.392 --> 00:47:46.331
And it's not doesn't matter what platform we sit on,
00:47:46.331 --> 00:47:50.301
Doesn't matter what what it looks like. it's what god does
00:47:50.301 --> 00:47:55.006
In the transformation of your heart and in your life, and
00:47:55.006 --> 00:47:58.977
Become the identity of christ that he paid for. he paid for
00:47:58.977 --> 00:48:04.048
Us. he paid for our life on the cross. it is not our own. so i
00:48:04.048 --> 00:48:09.153
Just encourage you to remember that your child of god, that
00:48:09.153 --> 00:48:14.092
You're loved by god, you can't change that. you can't change
00:48:14.092 --> 00:48:18.263
That he is your father.
00:48:18.263 --> 00:48:19.931
>> that's right. beautiful.
00:48:19.931 --> 00:48:20.965
>> what a beautiful.
00:48:20.965 --> 00:48:22.200
>> way to end the week. and thank you, lori, for that. it's
00:48:22.200 --> 00:48:26.237
A beautiful reminder. let's just pray █and ask
00:48:26.237 --> 00:48:29.974
Seal all that that he's doing in the hearts of this, of this
00:48:29.974 --> 00:48:34.312
Week. lord, we thank you. thank you for that beautiful reminder
00:48:34.312 --> 00:48:37.615
That we are here and we're grateful that we are. but lord,
00:48:37.615 --> 00:48:41.920
It is to love you. it is to know you. and can we just say
00:48:41.920 --> 00:48:46.224
Thank you? thank you for the cross. thank you for what
00:48:46.224 --> 00:48:50.228
You've done for us. thank you for the life that you gave us,
00:48:50.228 --> 00:48:53.031
The eternal life and the life on this earth. lord, may we be
00:48:53.031 --> 00:48:58.770
Committed to spending every day saying thank you through our
00:48:58.770 --> 00:49:03.141
Words and our actions for what you've done for us. lord, seal
00:49:03.141 --> 00:49:07.045
All the truth that has been spoken this week to those who
00:49:07.045 --> 00:49:10.148
Are watching. let them put it deep in their heart that they
00:49:10.148 --> 00:49:13.584
Would know you better from what they've listened to. and lord,
00:49:13.584 --> 00:49:16.421
Would they seek you more even after these episodes are over.
00:49:16.421 --> 00:49:19.757
Lord, we love you and we thank you. and we ask that you
00:49:19.757 --> 00:49:22.860
Continue doing that good work. in jesus name, amen.
00:49:22.860 --> 00:49:27.598
>> amen.
00:49:27.598 --> 00:49:29.801
>> connect with us on social media and let us know how our
00:49:29.801 --> 00:49:32.870
Team can pray for you.
00:49:32.870 --> 00:49:40.244
>> hey sheila here with jenny and we are answering viewer
00:49:40.244 --> 00:49:43.915
Questions behind the scenes at better together. so i have one
00:49:43.915 --> 00:49:47.185
For you. this is from brianna and she asks, how do i know if
00:49:47.185 --> 00:49:51.356
An assignment is from god or just my own desire?
00:49:51.356 --> 00:49:54.792
>> oh, brianna, that's such a good question. i think i still
00:49:54.792 --> 00:49:58.863
Struggle with knowing the difference, right? but the
00:49:58.863 --> 00:50:01.833
Truth is, i think in my experience, whatever is more
00:50:01.833 --> 00:50:05.370
Difficult and whatever you don't want to do is going to be
00:50:05.370 --> 00:50:08.539
What might be the assignment. but really, a lot of prayer and
00:50:08.539 --> 00:50:12.076
I would encourage you bring your friends in, ask them to
00:50:12.076 --> 00:50:15.513
Pray for you because you need a community of people around you
00:50:15.513 --> 00:50:18.216
To pray over the thing. and i do think that god will make it
00:50:18.216 --> 00:50:21.386
Clear to you. it might not be the answer you want, but i
00:50:21.386 --> 00:50:25.156
Think god will make it clear.
00:50:25.156 --> 00:50:26.357
>> i also think you know that scripture that says that god
00:50:26.357 --> 00:50:29.293
Gives you the desires of your heart. i think god puts the
00:50:29.293 --> 00:50:32.296
Desire there first, and then gives the opportunity for that
00:50:32.296 --> 00:50:35.133
Desire to be fulfilled. so if it's something that you want to
00:50:35.133 --> 00:50:38.136
Do for god, don't feel we get sidetracked when we think, well,
00:50:38.136 --> 00:50:41.272
There's too much of me in it. now, if you're doing this for
00:50:41.272 --> 00:50:44.342
God, you just show up. that's what chuck swindoll told me.
00:50:44.342 --> 00:50:47.278
Key to ministry. two words show up.
00:50:47.278 --> 00:50:50.048
>> watch better together on the go. download the free tbn plus
00:50:50.048 --> 00:50:53.951
App to stream all of your favorite conversations.
00:50:53.951 --> 00:50:53.951

Live with Purpose | Better Together Episode 1175

June 19, 2026 | S8 E1175 | 50:59

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