Better Together

Stand on God's Promise | Better Together Episode 1164

May 7, 2026 | S8 E1164 | 50:59

What happens when a mother truly believes God's promises? She begins to pray with bold faith, trusts God with her children, and walks confidently into the future! Remember, God's plan for you is GOOD—trust Him with every area of your life! | TBN Prayer Line: 714-731-1000

#PromisesofGod #Faithfulness #Prayer #Confidence #Mother #Parenting #Wisdom #Strength #Family #Encouragement #Faith #Hope #Community #ProdigalSon #Testimony #Discouragement #TrustGod #Obedience #Affirmation #Endurance #Disappointed #WaitingonGod #LaurieCrouch #HollyWagner #DeeDeeFreeman #DebraFileta

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Better Together | Stand on God's Promise | Better Together Episode 1164 | May 7, 2026

Laurie crouch: throughout scripture god tells us, "do not
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Be afraid and just have faith."
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When everything seems to be going wrong, we must look to the
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Only one who can make all things right.
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Come on, join us.
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♪♪♪
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Debra fileta: you know, when you walk through a season where your
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Faith is kind of shaken, i went through a really hard season of
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Just asking the lord for something really specific that
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Concerned our family, and it didn't happen the way that i
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Had hoped.
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It was kind of a letdown and it rocked my relationship with god
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In some ways.
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It rocked the boat.
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Looking back, it was a good thing, but it was like, "do you
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Care about these things?
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Do you see?
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Do you even hear?
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Is there a point in me asking?"
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You know, all these questions that you have to wrestle with.
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And god took me on a journey for sure over the next decade of
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Learning to trust him, and it came to a head.
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One day, my son had this really complex surgery scheduled, and
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It was like gonna be a very hard time for him.
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So it was like a two-week recovery and he was six and he'd
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Already had multiple surgeries before, but this was like the
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Big daddy of the surgeries.
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And we knew it was like this huge hurdle that awaited us.
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But because a decade ago my faith had been kind of rocked, i
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Stopped asking things of god that i thought he might not be
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Able to do.
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It's almost like my way of protecting myself, and it
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Started seeping into how i parented.
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You know, it started seeping into everything without me
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Really realizing i was doing it.
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So i'm holding him the night before surgery and i'm like,
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"tomorrow's gonna be a long, difficult day.
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What are we going to do?
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This poor little guy has to go through this again."
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And i said, "lord, would you just be with him tomorrow?
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Would you be with the surgeon?
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Would you help him?"
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You know, good requests, but not big enough requests,
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You know.
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They're like safe.
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The surgery would go well.
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And i felt in my spirit jesus say, "why don't you ask that he
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Wouldn't have to have the surgery?"
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And i'm like, "nope, not gonna do that.
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That's so unrealistic."
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And then i felt it again, "why don't you ask that he wouldn't
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Have to do the surgery?"
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And i'm like, okay, now i'm transported to ten years ago
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Asking god for something really significant, and it didn't
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Happen, you know, and i'm like sitting there, this is
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All happening.
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I'm holding my son.
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I'm like processing and i'm like, "okay, jesus, i wanna
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Trust you with big things again, you know.
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I'm gonna cry.
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Holly wagner: have a tissue.
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Debra: it's like, i wanna try again.
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And not because this is like the end all be all, but because i
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Needed to learn to trust him again.
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Next morning, i just was like, "i'm just gonna obey and ask the
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Lord for this."
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We go in and he--they take him back, he gets the anesthesia,
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They start the process.
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And i'm like kind of fidgety in the waiting room.
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So i'm like, i'm just gonna go get a coffee, and my husband
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Was there.
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At least one of us had to be in the waiting room.
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It was a four hour surgery.
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They had to, like, take a skin graft and put it in another area
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And it was just this whole ordeal.
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So i'm like, i'm just gonna go distract myself 'cause four
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Hours is gonna pass by so slowly.
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And 45 minutes in, my husband calls and he's like, "hey, hon,
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I'm with the surgeon."
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And my husband's a surgeon and i know surgeons do not break scrub
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Unless something really bad happens.
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So i'm like, my heart sinks, and he's like, "don't worry,
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Everything's okay."
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The surgeon says, "i went in there and we don't have to do
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This surgery."
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Elyse mahan: oh my goodness.
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Debra: i'm like, "excuse me?"
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He's like, "we went in there, what we thought we saw on the
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Scans looks different now that we're in here and we don't have
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To do this surgery.
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So, he's in the recovery right now and as soon as his
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Anesthesia wears off, you guys can take him home."
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Laurie: well, praise god.
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Dr. deedee freeman: god is so good.
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Debra: i started to cry not because my son didn't have to
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Do surgery.
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Like, i would have been fine--
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Holly: oh no, i know why you're crying.
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Debra: but because the lord restored my faithfulness.
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Laurie: thank you, jesus.
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Holly: and he didn't start with a small thing.
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He didn't start like with a small request.
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It was a big one.
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Debra: it was a big one.
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And he taught me, "you don't have to play it safe."
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You know, sometimes in life i think we treat god like people,
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And when he doesn't meet our expectations, we start to doubt
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Who he is and what he can do.
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But that moment was just such a reminder for me to have faith
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And hold on to his promises and most importantly, hold on to him
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And that i can ask big things of my father for my children, for
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My family and expect great things of him.
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And sure, they're not always gonna look like what i expect,
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You know, but for me it was a lesson in increasing my
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Expectations of god and his goodness and how much he cares
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For me and my family.
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And honestly, i'll never forget that.
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I'll never forget that moment.
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Holly: there are some really big prayers i think that god wants
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Us to pray, and i loved debra sharing that because it did it.
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It convicted me.
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Just some prayers for my granddaughters.
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Like, there's some prayers i wanna pray for them.
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Some of the complications of the culture that, you know, we all
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Live in.
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And so just, there's some prayers i wanna pray for them or
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That i'm gonna be start big, bold, audacious prayers i'm
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Gonna pray for them.
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And then for my son, just some big bold prayers.
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I wanna--i'm gonna be committed to praying for him.
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And so, i just think that's the prayers that god wants us
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To pray.
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I feel like i've settled into some safe prayers, and i got
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Challenged today to knock it off.
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Pray some big prayers.
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Laurie: years ago, the lord told matt and i to do something back
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In the early 2000s, and we did it.
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God made miracle after miracle after miracle for this something
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To take place, and a couple years later, it felt like we
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Lost it, and we just turned it back over to the people, but to
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Me it was like, "what the heck?
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You tell us to do it and then you make miracle after miracle
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Happen and then it feels like a loss, but nothing's lost in the
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Kingdom of god, right?
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And so i had to wrap my head around it.
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But it just hurt, it's just painful.
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It was a personal thing, and i think so many people have that
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Same story.
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I don't understand that was very painful and for years, i had the
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Conversation with god about it.
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And a few years ago, i'm riding in the back of a big bus with
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Some people on it, and i look out and i'm looking at the
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Beautiful hills and stuff and i'm just kind of worshiping back
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There and the lord says, "you got, you got what you asked for,
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Didn't you?"
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And i had gotten exactly what i'd asked for.
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God gave us exactly what i asked for.
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And i said, "i did.
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I did.
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I got exactly what i asked for."
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But then it's gone, you know, but he took it away, kind of,
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You know, and he said, "why don't you ask me for more?
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Ask me for more."
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And i got super specific about it just like that and then god
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Answered that prayer, but i think so many times people get
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So discouraged.
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I live that today.
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God told me a couple of years ago to start something and we
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Did it, but then he also told us with this step of faith, he
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Said, "i'm gonna require that you give it all away."
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To sow it like you're trying to get rid of it and that's exactly
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What happened.
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But i've been here before, right?
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I know how this rolls.
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I know that god is faithful and that he wants to do so much more
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For us than we pray for, that we dream about.
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He wants to do more.
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And so i think that in our life, when we see things--and it's
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Just walking by faith, that's what that is.
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Is walking and trusting in a god who just wants us to
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Be obedient.
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He's gonna take care of things.
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"i just need you to obey my word and trust me.
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I've got you, you know, and ask me for more."
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God wants--how much do we want--your granddaughter, you're
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Talking about taking the baby to dubai 'cause she wanted to see
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Mermaids, you know.
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That's a lot, you know, she asked for more.
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God wants, and grandma wants to do that, and we get that.
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We want to do more for our kids, more than they ever dreamed of,
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More than, you know, all of it, and that's what god wants to do
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For us, but it has to be that everything belongs to god.
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I said take it back 35 years ago when we really stepped out and
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Lost it.
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Lost everything.
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I was raised up in the faith movement.
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And you know, i sat down at my piano and it was like after i
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Signed my home away, you know, i said, "if that wasn't faith,
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What we just did, i don't even know what faith is."
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And i just started playing my piano and just started singing
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And it was something like, "if you only knew the plans that i
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Had for you, if you only knew what was coming, you
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Wouldn't regret.
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That's a seed sown."
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I just started sowing it.
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It's not taken.
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Everything belongs to the lord.
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The earth is the lord's and the fullness thereof and everything,
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All day, everything belongs to him.
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So it's not lost in the kingdom.
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It belongs to god.
00:11:14.052 --> 00:11:15.420
So like david said if i gave you something, what am i doing?
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You you own it all anyway, you know.
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So it's what we think in our hearts and our faith, trusting
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God that if it's, okay, well next what do you have for
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Me now?
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What's more now just growing, you know.
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Dr. deedee: ask god today.
00:11:36.708 --> 00:11:38.042
The bible says that we have not because we do not ask, and there
00:11:38.042 --> 00:11:42.180
Are some things that you want to see manifest in your life and
00:11:42.180 --> 00:11:45.917
The only way that you're going to have those things is to ask
00:11:45.917 --> 00:11:50.221
The father to give you those things.
00:11:50.221 --> 00:11:52.423
It's okay.
00:11:52.423 --> 00:11:54.192
It doesn't matter that it didn't happen for you in the past.
00:11:54.192 --> 00:11:59.063
It doesn't matter that it didn't happen for someone else
00:11:59.063 --> 00:12:02.433
You know.
00:12:02.433 --> 00:12:03.768
Their testimony does not have to be your testimony.
00:12:03.768 --> 00:12:06.905
Your old story or your old testimony does not have to apply
00:12:06.905 --> 00:12:11.309
To this one.
00:12:11.309 --> 00:12:12.677
So ask the father today.
00:12:12.677 --> 00:12:14.279
You are not responsible for making it happen.
00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:17.582
Your responsibility is to stand in faith and to believe that he
00:12:17.582 --> 00:12:22.187
Will perform that which he has already started.
00:12:22.187 --> 00:12:27.392
Holly: god wants us to do life together because we are
00:12:27.392 --> 00:12:30.428
Better together.
00:12:30.428 --> 00:12:31.796
Dr. deedee: so connect with us on social media and share your
00:12:31.796 --> 00:12:34.465
Favorite moments from today.
00:12:34.465 --> 00:12:36.401
Laurie: we can't wait for you to join us.
00:12:36.401 --> 00:12:38.102
Let's keep the conversation going.
00:12:39.370 --> 00:12:41.573
You can find the "better together" podcast on your
00:12:41.573 --> 00:12:43.942
Favorite listening platform.
00:12:43.942 --> 00:12:45.743
Subscribe today.
00:12:45.743 --> 00:12:49.994
Subscribe today.
00:12:49.994 --> 00:12:50.049
Holly: so good.
00:12:53.452 --> 00:12:54.820
It's like you're encouraging me.
00:12:54.820 --> 00:12:56.155
I just feel like, like i just even painting that pictures like
00:12:56.155 --> 00:12:58.390
As a grandmother, right, now and as a mom, like what i want to do
00:12:58.390 --> 00:13:02.561
For my kids is nothing compared to what god wants to do.
00:13:02.561 --> 00:13:06.031
And i feel like i have backed off.
00:13:06.031 --> 00:13:08.868
Like i've gotten a little casual, like where you are, like
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A little, like, there's a lot going on.
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Does that matter what i want for my son?
00:13:15.474 --> 00:13:17.943
Does that, can i, but actually, you're challenging me.
00:13:17.943 --> 00:13:20.646
You guys are challenging me.
00:13:20.646 --> 00:13:21.981
This is good.
00:13:21.981 --> 00:13:23.349
Laurie: and i know that that's hard.
00:13:23.349 --> 00:13:25.217
That was hard for you.
00:13:25.217 --> 00:13:26.552
Debra: you know why it's hard?
00:13:26.552 --> 00:13:28.354
Because sometimes we're protecting ourselves.
00:13:28.354 --> 00:13:30.489
Dr. deedee: absolutely.
00:13:30.489 --> 00:13:31.824
Holly: yes, 100%.
00:13:31.824 --> 00:13:33.192
Debra: we're protecting ourselves.
00:13:33.192 --> 00:13:34.526
Laurie: to be disappointed, right?
00:13:34.526 --> 00:13:36.428
We get disappointed.
00:13:36.428 --> 00:13:37.796
We get disappointed with god.
00:13:37.796 --> 00:13:39.131
You know, like what, we're gonna correct him or something?
00:13:39.131 --> 00:13:41.400
He knows what he's doing.
00:13:41.400 --> 00:13:43.535
Elyse: and we know that often.
00:13:43.535 --> 00:13:45.671
We know the theology of that.
00:13:45.671 --> 00:13:47.039
God knows what he's doing, so then we feel shame for feeling
00:13:47.039 --> 00:13:50.075
Disappointed at god.
00:13:50.075 --> 00:13:52.144
And i feel, i honestly feel like sometimes we do it to protect
00:13:52.144 --> 00:13:54.914
Ourselves, but i've had so many times where i've done it, it
00:13:54.914 --> 00:13:58.217
Sounds so dumb.
00:13:58.217 --> 00:13:59.718
I've done it to try to protect god's reputation.
00:13:59.718 --> 00:14:02.454
Debra: totally, to protect him too so he doesn't let me down.
00:14:02.454 --> 00:14:06.125
Elyse: prayed prayers or prayed prayers over people.
00:14:06.125 --> 00:14:08.560
Like, i'm meant to be the pastor, the one with the faith.
00:14:08.560 --> 00:14:11.230
"god, i just pray that your will would be done," and i mean it
00:14:11.230 --> 00:14:14.166
And i get it, but--
00:14:14.166 --> 00:14:15.501
Holly: that surgery goes well kind of prayers.
00:14:15.501 --> 00:14:17.069
Those are good prayers to pray as opposed to that they don't
00:14:17.069 --> 00:14:20.072
Even need it.
00:14:20.072 --> 00:14:21.407
Elyse: but i think that right now in our world, like we need
00:14:21.407 --> 00:14:24.176
People to pray very unsafe prayers and i'm sitting here
00:14:24.176 --> 00:14:28.447
Similar to holly, just like, man, i feel so convicted, and
00:14:28.447 --> 00:14:33.452
Every season has a new thing in it, so i get it, it's not all
00:14:33.452 --> 00:14:35.587
Gonna happen today.
00:14:35.587 --> 00:14:37.256
Praise god for being a new mom and being in that season, but
00:14:37.256 --> 00:14:39.758
There is a part of me that today's capacity is not gonna be
00:14:39.758 --> 00:14:45.230
Tomorrow's capacity, and so i have to be careful that my faith
00:14:45.230 --> 00:14:49.368
Doesn't stay assuming, one, your current season is gonna be your
00:14:49.368 --> 00:14:54.306
Forever season, but that your faith doesn't stay there either.
00:14:54.306 --> 00:14:57.309
And what i mean by that is i'm a new mom, so maybe ministry looks
00:14:57.309 --> 00:15:00.512
Different, but there is stuff i can do right now, so why am i
00:15:00.512 --> 00:15:03.515
Not trusting god with the faith steps right now because it's
00:15:03.515 --> 00:15:07.720
Easy to justify the season i'm in?
00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:09.955
Does that make sense?
00:15:09.955 --> 00:15:11.557
Like i'm a new mom, let me not pray about that, that's for the
00:15:11.557 --> 00:15:13.892
Next season, why?
00:15:13.892 --> 00:15:15.260
Dr. deedee: you wanna pray now.
00:15:15.260 --> 00:15:16.595
Cover that thing now.
00:15:16.595 --> 00:15:17.930
Elyse: like why is that the next season?
00:15:17.930 --> 00:15:19.298
Like we're, my husband and i are praying right now about a step
00:15:19.298 --> 00:15:21.567
Of faith for me to take, even just to get in ministry stuff.
00:15:21.567 --> 00:15:24.937
And it's so easy to go, "that doesn't make sense.
00:15:24.937 --> 00:15:27.773
Let me just--let me work a job where it's gonna make sense for
00:15:27.773 --> 00:15:32.611
A salary," and yes that makes sense in different seasons, but
00:15:32.611 --> 00:15:34.880
Right now in our season, currently right now, it's like
00:15:34.880 --> 00:15:38.117
Elyse, he's been so good.
00:15:38.117 --> 00:15:41.120
He's been so good, and even the times when there was
00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:43.922
Disappointment there, like he has proven himself faithful,
00:15:43.922 --> 00:15:48.627
Even in the midst of it not looking like what you wanted.
00:15:48.627 --> 00:15:50.763
So why are you doubting again?
00:15:50.763 --> 00:15:53.332
It's, i just, all that to say, i'm very challenged.
00:15:53.332 --> 00:15:56.001
Debra: imagine we start praying like that for our kids and for
00:15:56.001 --> 00:15:59.271
The next generation.
00:15:59.271 --> 00:16:01.173
Like take it seriously.
00:16:01.173 --> 00:16:03.275
I think when jesus said, you know, jesus was a parent in many
00:16:03.275 --> 00:16:06.712
Ways to his disciples, right?
00:16:06.712 --> 00:16:09.648
He parented them, and he said, "you will do greater things
00:16:09.648 --> 00:16:13.886
Than me."
00:16:13.886 --> 00:16:15.220
And i'm just like imagining that our prayers hold that type of
00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:19.858
Faith as we look at our kids and bless them like they used to do
00:16:19.858 --> 00:16:25.330
In ancient days, leave them with a blessing, a prophecy,
00:16:25.330 --> 00:16:29.234
An affirmation.
00:16:29.234 --> 00:16:30.702
First of all, what could that do in the supernatural, the chains
00:16:30.702 --> 00:16:35.107
That that could break and the things that could happen
00:16:35.107 --> 00:16:37.910
Supernaturally, but then in the natural, what could that do for
00:16:37.910 --> 00:16:40.979
Our kids when they actually believe that we believe in what
00:16:40.979 --> 00:16:45.918
God can do for them, you know.
00:16:45.918 --> 00:16:49.054
Debra: i think it's important to declare god's promises over our
00:16:49.054 --> 00:16:52.491
Children out loud, because we need to hear it as much as they
00:16:52.491 --> 00:16:57.229
Need to hear it.
00:16:57.229 --> 00:16:58.597
You know, pick a few of your favorite verses that you want to
00:16:58.597 --> 00:17:03.235
Speak over your family.
00:17:03.235 --> 00:17:05.504
Maybe a verse that reminds you that no weapons formed against
00:17:05.504 --> 00:17:09.842
You will prosper.
00:17:09.842 --> 00:17:12.044
Maybe it's a verse that reminds you that god will do exceedingly
00:17:12.044 --> 00:17:14.980
And abundantly more than you could ever ask or imagine.
00:17:14.980 --> 00:17:18.650
Put those verses on sticky notes all around your house.
00:17:18.650 --> 00:17:22.087
Speak them out loud to your children in your going and your
00:17:22.087 --> 00:17:25.624
Coming, wherever you are, whatever you're doing, let god's
00:17:25.624 --> 00:17:29.027
Promises be on your lips because that means they will be on your
00:17:29.027 --> 00:17:32.631
Children's ears, which will then go into their heart.
00:17:32.631 --> 00:17:35.901
So keep speaking those promises of god out aloud in your day to
00:17:35.901 --> 00:17:40.572
Day life.
00:17:40.572 --> 00:17:42.274
Laurie: and it's not asking god for more things, it's asking, he
00:17:42.274 --> 00:17:46.979
Says, "i'll give to you and attach no sorrow to to it."
00:17:46.979 --> 00:17:51.683
I want more peace.
00:17:51.683 --> 00:17:53.285
I want more joy.
00:17:53.285 --> 00:17:54.620
I want more life.
00:17:54.620 --> 00:17:55.954
I want more health.
00:17:55.954 --> 00:17:57.322
I want more, i want more of what god is.
00:17:57.322 --> 00:18:00.592
I want more wisdom.
00:18:00.592 --> 00:18:02.161
I want more compassion, you know, it's all those things that
00:18:02.161 --> 00:18:06.932
He says, "i'll give to you liberally and i'll hold
00:18:06.932 --> 00:18:11.170
Nothing back."
00:18:11.170 --> 00:18:12.538
Everything that pertains to life and to godliness, that's what
00:18:12.538 --> 00:18:15.974
I want.
00:18:15.974 --> 00:18:17.342
It's not asking for more things and more stuff and more--
00:18:17.342 --> 00:18:20.646
I want more of god, more revelation.
00:18:20.646 --> 00:18:23.215
Debra: and not for them, for our kids.
00:18:23.215 --> 00:18:25.851
Dr. deedee: absolutely. i think about my son.
00:18:25.851 --> 00:18:27.219
My son, well, in the beginning, you know how we always think,
00:18:27.219 --> 00:18:30.022
"oh, he's gonna be the next pastor.
00:18:30.022 --> 00:18:31.957
He's gonna do this."
00:18:31.957 --> 00:18:33.592
My husband is fourth generation pastor.
00:18:33.592 --> 00:18:36.361
All of his, like his father was born in 30, mike was born in 60,
00:18:36.361 --> 00:18:42.301
My son was born in 90, so you know, he's 30 year increments.
00:18:42.301 --> 00:18:46.438
So we just knew josh is number five, and josh loves the
00:18:46.438 --> 00:18:51.743
Number five.
00:18:51.743 --> 00:18:53.078
So he thinking he just likes the number five and of course we
00:18:53.078 --> 00:18:55.781
Know five is great, but he puts a tattoo of five on him.
00:18:55.781 --> 00:19:01.420
We're like, "dude, you are the fifth generational pastor, we
00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:05.757
Know you are."
00:19:05.757 --> 00:19:07.125
He's like, "yeah, that's y'all thing.
00:19:07.125 --> 00:19:08.493
I ain't--y'all learn all them scriptures and all that, that
00:19:08.493 --> 00:19:11.396
Bible is y'all, god is gonna give me another way."
00:19:11.396 --> 00:19:14.600
So he has said this for years.
00:19:14.600 --> 00:19:16.768
And so i was telling mike maybe about four or five, maybe six
00:19:16.768 --> 00:19:21.106
Months ago, i said, "it's something that's happening right
00:19:21.106 --> 00:19:25.844
Now, whether it's pastor or not, i don't know."
00:19:25.844 --> 00:19:28.513
I said, "but i feel like i'm closer than i've ever been to
00:19:28.513 --> 00:19:33.318
See, you know, the spiritual awakening manifest in his life."
00:19:33.318 --> 00:19:38.957
And now josh is coming up creating these altar calls where
00:19:38.957 --> 00:19:43.228
He's having people come and sing and he's posting them on his, i
00:19:43.228 --> 00:19:48.166
Mean, it's like, why not sing the secular music, 'cause he
00:19:48.166 --> 00:19:52.738
Knows that's not what he wants to do.
00:19:52.738 --> 00:19:54.840
And so his whole thing is when he said that he was going
00:19:54.840 --> 00:19:58.110
Through a tough time and the only thing that would bring him
00:19:58.110 --> 00:20:01.380
Some level of peace or serenity was to be able to listen to
00:20:01.380 --> 00:20:05.917
Gospel music and he would just have moments of worship and he
00:20:05.917 --> 00:20:09.921
Wanted to be able to offer that to other people.
00:20:09.921 --> 00:20:12.824
I'm saying, "dude that's pastoring right there," you
00:20:12.824 --> 00:20:15.994
Know, and whatever that looks like to you.
00:20:15.994 --> 00:20:19.531
So what am i saying?
00:20:19.531 --> 00:20:20.866
It's the same thing we were talking about, it's like you get
00:20:20.866 --> 00:20:23.835
To a place and sometimes you wanna stop praying certain
00:20:23.835 --> 00:20:27.005
Things because you think, okay, maybe i miss god and i didn't
00:20:27.005 --> 00:20:31.510
See it happen.
00:20:31.510 --> 00:20:32.978
Whoah, you got me ready to cry, you did.
00:20:32.978 --> 00:20:36.481
Holly: well, all of us.
00:20:36.481 --> 00:20:37.816
Dr. deedee: you know, when you don't see it happening when you
00:20:37.816 --> 00:20:40.285
Want it to happen or how you thought it was gonna happen, and
00:20:40.285 --> 00:20:44.423
It kind of could throw you a little bit, but then when you
00:20:44.423 --> 00:20:47.459
Get back in faith and you start trusting god again and when you
00:20:47.459 --> 00:20:52.264
See that, it just doesn't always manifest the way we thought it
00:20:52.264 --> 00:20:56.468
Was supposed to manifest.
00:20:56.468 --> 00:20:58.270
I think as a mom or as a believer, period, we wanna
00:20:58.270 --> 00:21:03.008
Control the steps or the circumstances or the process and
00:21:03.008 --> 00:21:09.147
That's never how, you know, it may turn out, 'cause he's never
00:21:09.147 --> 00:21:13.485
Promised us a process but he's promised us his promises, you
00:21:13.485 --> 00:21:17.989
Know, for the promises of god are yes and amen.
00:21:17.989 --> 00:21:20.492
I wish he would have said, for the process of god, you know,
00:21:20.492 --> 00:21:24.563
Then we can get in there and decree some things and believe
00:21:24.563 --> 00:21:26.965
It's gonna happen like we set it up but it doesn't.
00:21:26.965 --> 00:21:30.635
And sometimes we look at that process and it totally throws us
00:21:30.635 --> 00:21:34.606
And now we wanna pray those safe prayers, "god, just let them
00:21:34.606 --> 00:21:38.143
Be saved.
00:21:38.143 --> 00:21:39.478
Let 'em just serve you.
00:21:39.478 --> 00:21:41.012
Let 'em represent you in the kingdom," instead of saying,
00:21:41.012 --> 00:21:43.782
"god, i know what you showed me.
00:21:43.782 --> 00:21:46.051
I know you've called this boy to pastor," you know, getting
00:21:46.051 --> 00:21:49.855
Back in faith for that, so.
00:21:49.855 --> 00:21:52.124
Laurie: you know, i find that when circumstances contradict
00:21:52.124 --> 00:21:55.660
The promises of god, i find that faith is not a feeling.
00:21:55.660 --> 00:22:03.068
It's a decision.
00:22:03.068 --> 00:22:04.669
It is obedience, an act of obedience.
00:22:04.669 --> 00:22:07.672
I'm going to believe in the face of absolute contradiction,
00:22:07.672 --> 00:22:13.879
That stands there looking at me with opposition.
00:22:13.879 --> 00:22:19.785
I'm going to stand and believe because faith is not an emotion.
00:22:19.785 --> 00:22:24.122
And it is something that you truly believe in and in that
00:22:24.122 --> 00:22:27.526
Waiting time, the tension between god's promises and
00:22:27.526 --> 00:22:31.062
Seeing the fulfillment, my desire, my expectancy into the
00:22:31.062 --> 00:22:35.500
Fulfillment of god, what god says, that in-between, that
00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:40.705
Process time, i believe is only strengthening you, it's
00:22:40.705 --> 00:22:43.875
Called endurance.
00:22:43.875 --> 00:22:46.411
And we are to run with endurance.
00:22:46.411 --> 00:22:50.081
We are to endure.
00:22:50.081 --> 00:22:52.317
And that, the bible says, that the trying of our faith works
00:22:52.317 --> 00:22:58.824
Patience, and let it have its perfect work because then you'll
00:22:58.824 --> 00:23:03.562
Be complete, wanting no good thing from god, you'll lack
00:23:03.562 --> 00:23:09.634
Nothing from god.
00:23:09.634 --> 00:23:11.636
That is the place i wanna be.
00:23:11.636 --> 00:23:13.438
I wanna be in that place where i don't lack peace, i don't lack
00:23:13.438 --> 00:23:19.077
Joy, i don't lack provision, i don't lack all the things that
00:23:19.077 --> 00:23:25.650
God is, the faithfulness of god.
00:23:25.650 --> 00:23:29.287
I won't lack any of that, and that's what that tension does.
00:23:29.287 --> 00:23:32.924
That's what faith does.
00:23:32.924 --> 00:23:34.793
It baits your passion to believe and so i encourage you to dig
00:23:34.793 --> 00:23:41.933
Your heels in.
00:23:41.933 --> 00:23:43.368
Let us kick your can down the road as we say here at "better
00:23:43.368 --> 00:23:46.404
Together," to walk by faith and to finish your course to endure
00:23:46.404 --> 00:23:54.813
This road because god has great things and something good is
00:23:54.813 --> 00:23:59.217
Gonna happen to you, and just have that attitude of expectancy
00:23:59.217 --> 00:24:03.455
In the wait, and the waiting on god is gonna do something
00:24:03.455 --> 00:24:06.625
Amazing for me to have faith.
00:24:06.625 --> 00:24:09.995
Elyse: my like first best friend ever in australia, she and her
00:24:09.995 --> 00:24:13.331
Family grew up, ended up moving to virginia beach, and now she's
00:24:13.331 --> 00:24:16.868
Grown up with kids, and i just saw her this weekend at their
00:24:16.868 --> 00:24:19.237
Women's conference, and we were laughing because their eldest
00:24:19.237 --> 00:24:23.074
Daughter, lennon, she started praying for her little sister.
00:24:23.074 --> 00:24:27.646
And she had two brothers and they were done.
00:24:27.646 --> 00:24:30.916
And she said, "elyse, lennon, every single night, not just,
00:24:30.916 --> 00:24:35.887
"jesus, i pray for--" "god, i thank you--god, i thank you,"
00:24:35.887 --> 00:24:41.293
She's doing this, she's grown up in church, like clearly a
00:24:41.293 --> 00:24:42.994
Pastor's kid, like you're pointing with your hand, and
00:24:42.994 --> 00:24:45.597
She's like, "i am getting a baby sister and a pet, and it's gonna
00:24:45.597 --> 00:24:49.701
Snow in virginia beach."
00:24:49.701 --> 00:24:51.403
And she's like, "oh my goodness," but she's like, "the
00:24:51.403 --> 00:24:53.538
First two we could, well, we can't do snow, but we can do a
00:24:53.538 --> 00:24:56.141
Pet maybe for christmas, but we are not having another child."
00:24:56.141 --> 00:24:59.244
She said, "elyse, tell me why--
00:24:59.244 --> 00:25:01.079
For christmas, we were like, we'll get her a fish 'cause
00:25:01.079 --> 00:25:02.881
That's a pet."
00:25:02.881 --> 00:25:04.282
So they had that.
00:25:04.282 --> 00:25:05.650
It snowed at christmas and they just welcomed their little girl.
00:25:05.650 --> 00:25:11.122
So when she got pregnant again, she's like, "elyse, there was
00:25:11.122 --> 00:25:12.824
No way i could get pregnant, and i got pregnant, and then we were
00:25:12.824 --> 00:25:15.160
Freaking out as parents: what if it's a boy, she wanted
00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:17.829
A sister."
00:25:17.829 --> 00:25:19.197
And then she just had to realize, "lennon made this
00:25:19.197 --> 00:25:21.666
Happen anyway, so it's gonna be a girl," and it's just like
00:25:21.666 --> 00:25:24.235
This, man, kids do it, that childlike faith of like she
00:25:24.235 --> 00:25:28.039
Wasn't just--she wasn't asking, "god," she wasn't, "if you will
00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:31.810
It," she wasn't king jamesing it, she was, "god, i am getting
00:25:31.810 --> 00:25:34.846
A sister, thank you for that," and it was just like, "man,
00:25:34.846 --> 00:25:38.717
Okay, let's do that."
00:25:38.717 --> 00:25:40.085
Holly: it's part of that childlike faith that we miss,
00:25:40.085 --> 00:25:42.454
Right, that the longer we live--it's like when we think
00:25:42.454 --> 00:25:46.391
About like childish, we're supposed to get rid of, but the
00:25:46.391 --> 00:25:48.994
Childlike part, the wonder, asking god for the big.
00:25:48.994 --> 00:25:55.767
Debra: yeah, and i think the caveat to that is asking him in
00:25:55.767 --> 00:26:01.306
Faith, but trusting him more than what we're asking for.
00:26:01.306 --> 00:26:06.344
Trusting him.
00:26:06.344 --> 00:26:07.746
Just like when my kids come begging me for dessert before
00:26:07.746 --> 00:26:11.850
Dinner, or, you know, sometimes they're begging for things that
00:26:11.850 --> 00:26:15.020
I know in the long run, this is not good for you, do you
00:26:15.020 --> 00:26:18.623
Trust me?
00:26:18.623 --> 00:26:19.991
Do you trust me?
00:26:19.991 --> 00:26:21.326
But in that same regard, i still want you to ask me for anything.
00:26:21.326 --> 00:26:24.629
I still want you to ask me for everything.
00:26:24.629 --> 00:26:27.265
And i think that's his heart for us.
00:26:27.265 --> 00:26:29.668
"i still want you to ask me for everything, but do you trust me
00:26:29.668 --> 00:26:33.705
To know what's good for you and what's not?"
00:26:33.705 --> 00:26:36.408
And that's really what it is, is that do i trust him?
00:26:36.408 --> 00:26:38.843
Do i trust him with my life?
00:26:38.843 --> 00:26:40.612
But then, do i trust him with my kids?
00:26:40.612 --> 00:26:44.182
Do i trust him with my family?
00:26:44.182 --> 00:26:45.583
Do i trust him with their future?
00:26:45.583 --> 00:26:47.552
Do i trust him with my children's children?
00:26:47.552 --> 00:26:50.622
And just to continue sharpening our faith and trust in god and
00:26:50.622 --> 00:26:54.793
Then asking him for more.
00:26:54.793 --> 00:26:57.529
Debra: my 10-year-old has such a heart of faith, and recently we
00:26:57.529 --> 00:27:03.401
Were looking for something that he had lost in the house and
00:27:03.401 --> 00:27:08.573
We're trying to strategize and backtrack of where could it
00:27:08.573 --> 00:27:11.342
Have gone.
00:27:11.342 --> 00:27:12.677
And he says, "mom, let's stop and pray."
00:27:12.677 --> 00:27:16.147
And that moment just challenged me, his heart of faith to ask
00:27:16.147 --> 00:27:20.151
God for things big and small.
00:27:20.151 --> 00:27:23.121
We prayed and later that evening, he found what he was
00:27:23.121 --> 00:27:27.559
Looking for.
00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:28.893
And it was just a reminder to me, no matter the need, a big
00:27:28.893 --> 00:27:32.297
Need or a small need, what if our first act is to go to our
00:27:32.297 --> 00:27:37.335
Father with all our needs and trust that he cares?
00:27:37.335 --> 00:27:41.773
So many times my children remind me of what it looks like to have
00:27:41.773 --> 00:27:45.677
Childlike faith.
00:27:45.677 --> 00:27:48.480
Debra: i'm sure there's somebody today who's like feeling like
00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:52.183
It's too late, you know, maybe their child walked away
00:27:52.183 --> 00:27:55.120
From god.
00:27:55.120 --> 00:27:56.654
Maybe they are disconnected from their child because there's a
00:27:56.654 --> 00:28:03.228
Rift in relationship and you know how many youth these days
00:28:03.228 --> 00:28:08.700
End up going no contact with their parents.
00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:11.536
It's kind of a little bit of an epidemic, right now i'm seeing
00:28:11.536 --> 00:28:14.038
As a counselor.
00:28:14.038 --> 00:28:16.174
And so maybe they're walking through that and it
00:28:16.174 --> 00:28:18.510
Feels impossible.
00:28:18.510 --> 00:28:19.844
It feels like a big ask.
00:28:19.844 --> 00:28:22.013
But as long as we have breath in our lungs, we are allowed to ask
00:28:22.013 --> 00:28:27.352
And continue to ask and ask again.
00:28:27.352 --> 00:28:30.789
I was just reading this story with one of my boys about the
00:28:30.789 --> 00:28:34.526
Crooked judge in scripture and the widow that kept asking him
00:28:34.526 --> 00:28:39.197
For justice, and he was just like, "all right, lady, you are
00:28:39.197 --> 00:28:42.534
Like bugging me, so i'm just gonna give it to you."
00:28:42.534 --> 00:28:44.602
And how much greater is our father who loves us and wants--
00:28:44.602 --> 00:28:48.373
Holly: who's not a crooked judge.
00:28:48.373 --> 00:28:49.707
Debra: who's not a crooked judge.
00:28:49.707 --> 00:28:51.075
He's an amazing father.
00:28:51.075 --> 00:28:52.677
But i do think maybe for all of us, it's the challenge of what's
00:28:52.677 --> 00:28:57.682
Keeping us from asking him for more?
00:28:57.682 --> 00:29:00.451
Laurie: so good.
00:29:00.451 --> 00:29:01.786
Dr. deedee: don't wanna be disappointed like you said, a
00:29:01.786 --> 00:29:03.788
Lot of people won't ask 'cause they don't wanna be
00:29:03.788 --> 00:29:05.824
Disappointed, they don't wanna build their hopes up.
00:29:05.824 --> 00:29:08.960
And then it could come from, you know, as a counselor you would
00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:12.130
Know more.
00:29:12.130 --> 00:29:13.464
Like just your upbringing, you know, because you've been so
00:29:13.464 --> 00:29:17.402
Rejected, you've gone through so much turmoil with your natural
00:29:17.402 --> 00:29:22.240
Parents or your natural mom, you don't even think god is gonna
00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:25.610
Perform or keep his own word when he tells us he's gonna keep
00:29:25.610 --> 00:29:29.647
His word, right?
00:29:29.647 --> 00:29:31.216
But i think also people ask for things that are outside of the
00:29:31.216 --> 00:29:36.888
Will of god as well, and then we wanna blame god that it
00:29:36.888 --> 00:29:40.491
Didn't happen.
00:29:40.491 --> 00:29:41.826
I mean, but the scripture is clear.
00:29:41.826 --> 00:29:43.194
You asked, but you asked amiss, you know.
00:29:43.194 --> 00:29:45.630
It's like some people--like me, could be for my son, you know,
00:29:45.630 --> 00:29:49.400
Like to be praying he'd be a pastor, you know, that's called,
00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:52.804
And that could be something outside of the will of god for
00:29:52.804 --> 00:29:56.107
His life, but because it didn't happen, now i'm focused on what
00:29:56.107 --> 00:29:59.744
I prayed opposed to the assignment that i was supposed
00:29:59.744 --> 00:30:02.614
To be giving to nurture and, you know, bring up.
00:30:02.614 --> 00:30:06.651
So, it's so many different reasons, right, why people won't
00:30:06.651 --> 00:30:10.788
Ask god, and he wants us to ask.
00:30:10.788 --> 00:30:14.592
Elyse: there are so many things we do all the time where we set
00:30:14.592 --> 00:30:17.262
Expectations for god.
00:30:17.262 --> 00:30:20.098
And underneath it is this desire to have faith for the promise,
00:30:20.098 --> 00:30:23.368
But we have to be careful that he promised it.
00:30:23.368 --> 00:30:28.773
So i was like, "god, you promised me a husband."
00:30:28.773 --> 00:30:31.242
Can i be honest?
00:30:31.242 --> 00:30:33.745
God never promised me a husband, he promised me healing.
00:30:33.745 --> 00:30:37.248
He promised me restoration.
00:30:37.248 --> 00:30:39.584
I can go through this book and show you all the ways that god
00:30:39.584 --> 00:30:42.287
Has promised, but i think sometimes we can attach what we
00:30:42.287 --> 00:30:47.926
Think that promise's outcome is and then that becomes the
00:30:47.926 --> 00:30:51.362
Expectation that we label onto what god's gonna do.
00:30:51.362 --> 00:30:55.934
I'm so grateful that god did give me a husband, but i had to
00:30:55.934 --> 00:31:00.004
Realize along the way that i needed to trust in the character
00:31:00.004 --> 00:31:03.174
Of god rather than the outcomes that i hoped for.
00:31:03.174 --> 00:31:07.545
That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with hoping.
00:31:07.545 --> 00:31:09.347
Please hold on to hope and hold on to the desires in your heart,
00:31:09.347 --> 00:31:12.617
The very specific pieces of them.
00:31:12.617 --> 00:31:14.319
Keep praying to god for what that looks like.
00:31:14.319 --> 00:31:17.221
But just don't attach your expectations to a version of the
00:31:17.221 --> 00:31:21.359
Promise or a version of the character of god that he didn't
00:31:21.359 --> 00:31:24.262
Promise us.
00:31:24.262 --> 00:31:25.630
That's the piece that we have to surrender, what it actually
00:31:25.630 --> 00:31:28.266
Looks like.
00:31:28.266 --> 00:31:29.734
But also be reminded that god is good.
00:31:29.734 --> 00:31:33.438
And when we surrender to him the expectations, when we surrender
00:31:33.438 --> 00:31:36.507
To him the outcomes of what the promises are gonna look like, we
00:31:36.507 --> 00:31:39.677
Can trust that he's either, he's either gonna do it or he'll
00:31:39.677 --> 00:31:45.016
Fashion and form and change us so our desire will change
00:31:45.016 --> 00:31:48.286
Through the process.
00:31:48.286 --> 00:31:49.620
Either way, when we tell god that he can have his way, we'll
00:31:49.620 --> 00:31:54.926
Never be disappointed.
00:31:54.926 --> 00:31:57.161
Debra: i think childhood is a big deal and how when you come
00:31:57.161 --> 00:32:01.265
From a childhood where you feel shame, you almost feel like you
00:32:01.265 --> 00:32:05.970
Shouldn't ask.
00:32:05.970 --> 00:32:07.338
Like, how can i ask of him?
00:32:07.338 --> 00:32:09.240
Because he's good.
00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:10.575
I'm not.
00:32:10.575 --> 00:32:11.943
I'm not worthy to ask.
00:32:11.943 --> 00:32:13.911
But again, we don't--we would never feel like that towards our
00:32:13.911 --> 00:32:16.748
Own children, you know, so.
00:32:16.748 --> 00:32:19.984
Holly: yeah, that's a good way to look at like what even with
00:32:19.984 --> 00:32:22.186
Our own kids and we're kind of, we're not meant to be the
00:32:22.186 --> 00:32:24.856
Crooked judge, but we're certainly not the judge like
00:32:24.856 --> 00:32:27.892
God is.
00:32:27.892 --> 00:32:29.260
So like we're still lesser than judge or whatever and still we
00:32:29.260 --> 00:32:31.295
Wanna give good things.
00:32:31.295 --> 00:32:32.830
Laurie: but we don't give them everything they want.
00:32:32.830 --> 00:32:34.432
Holly: but we don't give them everything.
00:32:34.432 --> 00:32:35.767
Debra: they would be wild and crazy, if you give them
00:32:35.767 --> 00:32:37.502
Everything they want, right?
00:32:37.502 --> 00:32:38.870
Holly: and then sometimes i think we don't ask because it
00:32:38.870 --> 00:32:40.605
Feels like it might be a big audacious thing, but in the
00:32:40.605 --> 00:32:45.343
Middle of a world at war, it seems like, "you got a lot of
00:32:45.343 --> 00:32:50.415
Things on your plate, god."
00:32:50.415 --> 00:32:52.517
Dr. deedee: "let me take care of this one."
00:32:52.517 --> 00:32:54.452
Elyse: "do you want me to fill the dishwasher for you?
00:32:54.452 --> 00:32:56.054
Like, you got a lot you're doing."
00:32:56.054 --> 00:32:57.388
Holly: a lot of things on your plate.
00:32:57.388 --> 00:32:58.723
So, but in--but that's where our head goes, but the reality is
00:32:58.723 --> 00:33:04.328
He's present in every moment of our day and cares about the
00:33:04.328 --> 00:33:07.632
Hairs on our heads.
00:33:07.632 --> 00:33:09.333
Elyse: that's actually so true because you think about, we were
00:33:09.333 --> 00:33:10.802
Talking about it this week, like in the moment, i'm the mom, i'm
00:33:10.802 --> 00:33:14.105
The parent, and so i don't get to be the youngest child when i
00:33:14.105 --> 00:33:17.108
Wanna be.
00:33:17.108 --> 00:33:18.443
In the same way, we like almost try to be like, "god, can i take
00:33:18.443 --> 00:33:22.180
Something off your plate?" as if he's struggling.
00:33:22.180 --> 00:33:25.817
Like he's got--he's the parent.
00:33:25.817 --> 00:33:27.485
Dr. deedee: he's too busy.
00:33:27.485 --> 00:33:28.853
Elyse: but we try to parent god and be like, "you have a lot on
00:33:28.853 --> 00:33:30.988
Your plate, let me handle it over here," and he's like, "i
00:33:30.988 --> 00:33:34.392
Did not--i'm good.
00:33:34.392 --> 00:33:35.726
Like, i can be your parent and your parent and your parent and
00:33:35.726 --> 00:33:38.863
Also over here figuring this out."
00:33:38.863 --> 00:33:40.565
Holly: and also manage the global issues.
00:33:40.565 --> 00:33:41.933
Elyse: and also manage the global issues.
00:33:41.933 --> 00:33:43.267
Like just 'cause i can't do all those things, that's why i'm not
00:33:43.267 --> 00:33:45.303
God, and for a gazillion other reasons, but we--that reminder
00:33:45.303 --> 00:33:49.707
Of, like, he can handle this, though.
00:33:49.707 --> 00:33:52.310
He can handle all of that and sometimes--
00:33:52.310 --> 00:33:53.678
Holly: and our job is to-- hebrews says to come boldly
00:33:53.678 --> 00:33:56.314
Before the throne of grace 'cause that boldly.
00:33:56.314 --> 00:33:59.283
And the reason we can is because we belong there.
00:33:59.283 --> 00:34:02.920
♪♪♪
00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:10.695
Holly: you know, my kids are in their 30s now, and so it's been
00:34:10.695 --> 00:34:13.764
Decades and decades of answering prayers from the time when my
00:34:13.764 --> 00:34:18.102
Daughter got bit in the face by a dog and had to have multiple
00:34:18.102 --> 00:34:21.606
Stitches on her face.
00:34:21.606 --> 00:34:23.307
And right now she breeds dogs, so there's no fear in her
00:34:23.307 --> 00:34:26.811
About dogs.
00:34:26.811 --> 00:34:28.146
And i just think, you know, praying for that, just like
00:34:28.146 --> 00:34:30.047
Watching, you know, god even prevent any fear from taking
00:34:30.047 --> 00:34:34.185
Place there.
00:34:34.185 --> 00:34:35.553
So it's, you know, it's those things too, it's getting in the
00:34:35.553 --> 00:34:38.089
School that i was, you know, prayed for them about and to
00:34:38.089 --> 00:34:40.625
Like the man that she's now married to, and so there's been
00:34:40.625 --> 00:34:44.462
So many answered prayers over the years.
00:34:44.462 --> 00:34:47.165
And with my son just the favor and some of the business he's
00:34:47.165 --> 00:34:50.668
Been in and i've just seen god touch their lives and i remember
00:34:50.668 --> 00:34:55.139
Praying as a little kid that-- over them every night that they
00:34:55.139 --> 00:34:58.109
Would love god and serve him every day of their life,
00:34:58.109 --> 00:35:00.978
Whatever that looked like, and they do.
00:35:00.978 --> 00:35:03.814
They both love god and they serve him and they love their
00:35:03.814 --> 00:35:08.653
Parents and i just think, "oh man, what an answered to prayer
00:35:08.653 --> 00:35:11.455
That is."
00:35:11.455 --> 00:35:12.823
Laurie: join the conversation on our "better together"
00:35:13.991 --> 00:35:16.294
Youtube channel.
00:35:16.294 --> 00:35:17.628
Subscribe today and never miss a new upload.
00:35:17.628 --> 00:35:21.991
Elyse: right before i met my husband, i was dating a guy that
00:35:25.336 --> 00:35:30.575
Very suddenly broke up with me over facetime, not a big deal,
00:35:30.575 --> 00:35:34.312
Just thought i'd mention it, and it was just this moment of like,
00:35:34.312 --> 00:35:38.783
I tried.
00:35:38.783 --> 00:35:40.117
I'm so done trying.
00:35:40.117 --> 00:35:41.886
I'm so done trying.
00:35:41.953 --> 00:35:43.287
So i don't know what has to happen, but i'm not, like i'm
00:35:43.287 --> 00:35:46.724
Just not doing this anymore, and there was this discouragement
00:35:46.724 --> 00:35:49.093
That didn't just set in, it made home in my heart, and i didn't
00:35:49.093 --> 00:35:54.365
Even know it was there 'cause it had started being there for so
00:35:54.365 --> 00:35:56.734
Long, because i still loved god, i still served god, i still
00:35:56.734 --> 00:36:01.806
Believed god for things, i just was so exhausted from
00:36:01.806 --> 00:36:07.612
Being disappointed.
00:36:07.612 --> 00:36:09.714
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, my heart was so sick.
00:36:09.714 --> 00:36:13.751
And i remember being challenged to believe again, to allow god
00:36:13.751 --> 00:36:18.422
To heal, first of all, the disappointment in my heart, as
00:36:18.422 --> 00:36:22.460
If it really was a sickness that needed healing.
00:36:22.460 --> 00:36:24.595
I think sometimes we just think we have to get over it, but
00:36:24.595 --> 00:36:27.098
Disappointment can absolutely be a sickness and that god would
00:36:27.098 --> 00:36:30.201
Heal that, and to believe again for what god had for me, but
00:36:30.201 --> 00:36:33.638
Then to look for the ways that he was already working, because
00:36:33.638 --> 00:36:37.074
I didn't realize how much i was used to looking for ways to be
00:36:37.074 --> 00:36:43.014
Okay without, or to look for ways that he's working in all
00:36:43.014 --> 00:36:46.550
The other areas.
00:36:46.550 --> 00:36:47.885
Look at the doors opening in ministry for you, look at the
00:36:47.885 --> 00:36:49.553
Friends you have, and those things are great.
00:36:49.553 --> 00:36:51.656
But sometimes believing again starts with going on this, like,
00:36:51.656 --> 00:36:54.992
Scavenger hunt for where god is working in that area rather than
00:36:54.992 --> 00:36:58.496
Looking for ways that he's not gonna answer it, and so some of
00:36:58.496 --> 00:37:02.333
My courage in those early days had to be, look for men that
00:37:02.333 --> 00:37:06.837
You're meeting that are great men.
00:37:06.837 --> 00:37:09.440
That's it.
00:37:09.440 --> 00:37:10.775
And so i would look for them and be like, "oh, he's a great guy,
00:37:10.775 --> 00:37:13.411
And he's in ministry," not that he's my husband, but just
00:37:13.411 --> 00:37:15.446
Looking, looking to start like planting seeds of hope again.
00:37:15.446 --> 00:37:20.518
And so that i started looking for where god is moving in this
00:37:20.518 --> 00:37:25.623
Area, not just other--but in this specific scary,
00:37:25.623 --> 00:37:28.492
Disappointed area.
00:37:28.492 --> 00:37:30.194
So when my husband came along, i was familiar with looking for
00:37:30.194 --> 00:37:34.098
Ways that god was already moving, that i saw him, that i
00:37:34.098 --> 00:37:37.201
Wonder if i just would have already cut it off if someone
00:37:37.201 --> 00:37:40.504
Had mentioned him because i was just used to god not working in
00:37:40.504 --> 00:37:43.841
That area.
00:37:43.841 --> 00:37:45.209
For me at least, that was one of the ways i started just rewiring
00:37:45.209 --> 00:37:49.280
Hope in that area.
00:37:49.280 --> 00:37:52.116
Debra: i love that.
00:37:52.116 --> 00:37:53.484
Laurie: you know, i think the gap even between promise and
00:37:53.484 --> 00:38:00.891
Evidence and that tension in between the time that it takes,
00:38:00.891 --> 00:38:06.497
You know, i talked about sarah waiting for isaac and that time
00:38:06.497 --> 00:38:12.203
In between there.
00:38:12.203 --> 00:38:13.537
I think that time that we wait and we trust like sarah, that
00:38:13.537 --> 00:38:21.245
Time that she waited for the promise to come probably was
00:38:21.245 --> 00:38:25.883
What carried her to be able to give isaac up, you know, and so,
00:38:25.883 --> 00:38:33.224
But that tension in between that choosing to believe over our
00:38:33.224 --> 00:38:36.894
Immediate emotion, you know, even praying for our kids, and
00:38:36.894 --> 00:38:42.299
We have a promise that as for me and my house, we will serve
00:38:42.299 --> 00:38:45.736
The lord.
00:38:45.736 --> 00:38:47.104
I'm going to see my children in heaven.
00:38:47.104 --> 00:38:48.973
I am going to believe that they fulfill their destiny and
00:38:48.973 --> 00:38:54.145
Purpose right here.
00:38:54.145 --> 00:38:55.513
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done right here on earth, you
00:38:55.513 --> 00:38:57.915
Know, and that my kids will fulfill, but sometimes, and i
00:38:57.915 --> 00:39:01.185
Think a lot of people will pray for things but maybe they'll
00:39:01.185 --> 00:39:05.489
Pass on before they ever see the promise, you know, but god is
00:39:05.489 --> 00:39:09.960
Always faithful and our responsibility is just to keep,
00:39:09.960 --> 00:39:16.033
Keep faithful to god.
00:39:16.033 --> 00:39:17.401
We always wanna, you know, make god faithful to us without being
00:39:17.401 --> 00:39:21.739
Faithful to him.
00:39:21.739 --> 00:39:24.141
Debra: the only way to continue trusting god in the middle of an
00:39:24.141 --> 00:39:28.078
Unbearable weight is to remember that the wait is not in vain.
00:39:28.078 --> 00:39:34.985
The weight is not wasted and god is working in the way, even in
00:39:34.985 --> 00:39:41.091
Ways that we cannot see and might not feel, the weight
00:39:41.091 --> 00:39:45.162
Isn't wasted.
00:39:45.162 --> 00:39:46.530
So if you're in a season of waiting right now, i just want
00:39:46.530 --> 00:39:50.034
You to imagine god working on your behalf, behind the scenes,
00:39:50.034 --> 00:39:56.941
Doing things for you, making your steps clear, fighting your
00:39:56.941 --> 00:40:02.780
Battles, doing the things that you possibly could not have done
00:40:02.780 --> 00:40:07.284
On your own.
00:40:07.284 --> 00:40:08.686
The waiting is not in vain, so have hope in a season
00:40:08.686 --> 00:40:12.389
Of waiting.
00:40:12.389 --> 00:40:14.391
Laurie: and i think we just have to stay faithful in obedience to
00:40:14.391 --> 00:40:18.462
God and just believing for my household, believing for
00:40:18.462 --> 00:40:22.633
Children that have strayed, you know, there's families that we
00:40:22.633 --> 00:40:25.736
Know, pastors families that their kids have strayed and you
00:40:25.736 --> 00:40:28.839
Think, "how did that happen?" you know.
00:40:28.839 --> 00:40:31.141
But man, we stand in faith for these kids.
00:40:31.141 --> 00:40:36.747
We stand and we believe with you today.
00:40:36.747 --> 00:40:39.750
No matter where your kids are in life, we're gonna stand and
00:40:39.750 --> 00:40:43.554
We're gonna believe that those kids are going to have an
00:40:43.554 --> 00:40:46.423
Encounter with christ himself.
00:40:46.423 --> 00:40:48.726
And it's probably most likely not gonna be through me or the
00:40:48.726 --> 00:40:53.230
Mother or the father, but god's gonna send someone your way.
00:40:53.230 --> 00:40:56.700
There's somebody to come encounter your children and--
00:40:56.700 --> 00:41:00.504
Holly: and because it's not the end of the story.
00:41:00.504 --> 00:41:01.839
Laurie: it's not.
00:41:01.839 --> 00:41:03.207
Holly: it's not the end--i mean, i say that all the time,
00:41:03.207 --> 00:41:04.942
They're like you've heard me say it a thousand times.
00:41:04.942 --> 00:41:06.310
I encourage myself to say that.
00:41:06.310 --> 00:41:07.645
Elyse: now i say it, i pretend it was me that said it, but it
00:41:07.645 --> 00:41:09.647
Was actually holly.
00:41:09.647 --> 00:41:10.981
Holly: and just like, just, even just going off what you just
00:41:10.981 --> 00:41:12.583
Said about, you know, encouraging people whose kids
00:41:12.583 --> 00:41:15.719
Have strayed.
00:41:15.719 --> 00:41:17.087
So for me, when we were pastoring that church in los
00:41:17.087 --> 00:41:19.056
Angeles, i felt like that in many ways because so many people
00:41:19.056 --> 00:41:23.928
Moved to la, young people moved to la seeking a career in the
00:41:23.928 --> 00:41:28.699
Entertainment industry or sports or somewhere, acting,
00:41:28.699 --> 00:41:32.136
Something, right?
00:41:32.136 --> 00:41:33.504
And so so many of them move there and leave families
00:41:33.504 --> 00:41:35.573
Other places.
00:41:35.573 --> 00:41:36.941
And they move there and, you know, perhaps some of them
00:41:36.941 --> 00:41:40.344
Worked their way into our church and i feel like in many ways i
00:41:40.344 --> 00:41:44.014
Was supposed to be the answer to the prayer that those mamas in
00:41:44.014 --> 00:41:47.184
The middle of the country around the world were praying that god
00:41:47.184 --> 00:41:50.554
Would lead their child into an environment of faith, that there
00:41:50.554 --> 00:41:53.657
Would be spiritual brothers and sisters and moms and dads who
00:41:53.657 --> 00:41:57.027
Would be present and come alongside.
00:41:57.027 --> 00:41:59.196
So i just think maybe we also need to open our eyes and we're
00:41:59.196 --> 00:42:02.199
Supposed to be the answer to some mama's prayer.
00:42:02.199 --> 00:42:04.802
So when you see a child struggling, it's just like,
00:42:04.802 --> 00:42:07.204
Maybe you're supposed to be the one that's encouraging and
00:42:07.204 --> 00:42:09.440
Speaking life and speaking hope and encouraging them, so.
00:42:09.440 --> 00:42:14.044
Elyse: that was my mom.
00:42:14.044 --> 00:42:15.412
Like, my mom had to let me go to la from my like sheltered, well,
00:42:15.412 --> 00:42:21.986
You've all cried, so it's my turn, sheltered church kid home
00:42:21.986 --> 00:42:26.724
In sydney, australia, to los angeles and i was like,
00:42:26.724 --> 00:42:29.960
"it'll be fine."
00:42:29.960 --> 00:42:31.295
And that was probably one of those moments where my mom was
00:42:31.295 --> 00:42:32.896
Like, "she just thinks it's gonna be fine," and part of it
00:42:32.896 --> 00:42:36.066
Is i'm grateful for that gift of faith that i had as a kid, but
00:42:36.066 --> 00:42:38.836
You get to la and you quickly find out, this is a little
00:42:38.836 --> 00:42:42.640
Crazier than i thought, and then you put a divorce in there, and
00:42:42.640 --> 00:42:45.342
My mom says like she was praying prayers that felt like she was
00:42:45.342 --> 00:42:48.612
Praying prayers into the night sky.
00:42:48.612 --> 00:42:51.015
But on the other end of that prayer was holly that got to be
00:42:51.015 --> 00:42:55.753
There in these moments where my mom couldn't physically be there
00:42:55.753 --> 00:42:58.589
And never forget being at your house when i found out some
00:42:58.589 --> 00:43:01.525
Things about my ex-husband and i don't remember falling to the
00:43:01.525 --> 00:43:05.896
Ground, but i remember beginning to fall to the ground and then
00:43:05.896 --> 00:43:10.434
You were just there and caught me, literally caught me.
00:43:10.434 --> 00:43:13.537
And so there are these moments where my mom would say that you
00:43:13.537 --> 00:43:17.074
Were on the other side of those prayers and if you had not had
00:43:17.074 --> 00:43:20.377
Eyes to see me, then who knows what would have happened.
00:43:20.377 --> 00:43:24.448
And so i think like this is a very real tangible example of
00:43:24.448 --> 00:43:28.485
What happens when my mom was praying and holly was the answer
00:43:28.485 --> 00:43:31.789
To that prayer and everyone watching is the answer to a
00:43:31.789 --> 00:43:35.693
Mom's prayer.
00:43:35.693 --> 00:43:37.194
So whose prayer are you answering today, having eyes to
00:43:37.194 --> 00:43:41.165
See the daughters that we need to be moms to?
00:43:41.165 --> 00:43:45.235
Dr. deedee: that's so good.
00:43:45.235 --> 00:43:46.570
That's so good.
00:43:46.570 --> 00:43:48.372
Laurie: i just wanna to talk to all the mothers and the fathers
00:43:48.372 --> 00:43:52.209
That have prodigal kids, kids that you have raised to serve
00:43:52.209 --> 00:43:56.947
God and maybe they've just lost their way.
00:43:56.947 --> 00:44:00.784
They've left the faith.
00:44:00.784 --> 00:44:02.686
They have turned and done some crazy things.
00:44:02.686 --> 00:44:06.190
I want you to know that god knows and god sees them.
00:44:06.190 --> 00:44:08.659
God knows exactly where they're at.
00:44:08.659 --> 00:44:10.994
He's with them too right now and your prayers will not
00:44:10.994 --> 00:44:17.334
Go unanswered.
00:44:17.334 --> 00:44:20.137
You know, sometimes i think about the thief on the cross
00:44:20.137 --> 00:44:22.473
That was next to jesus and i think about where was his mom.
00:44:22.473 --> 00:44:26.977
These are thieves, these are murderers.
00:44:26.977 --> 00:44:29.346
These are the worst of the worst being crucified with christ and
00:44:29.346 --> 00:44:33.550
In his last breaths, that guy is saying, "okay, i believe that
00:44:33.550 --> 00:44:38.622
You are the son of god."
00:44:38.622 --> 00:44:41.425
And jesus says, "you know what?
00:44:41.425 --> 00:44:43.827
Today you'll be with me in paradise."
00:44:43.827 --> 00:44:46.163
We never know what happens at the end of lives, the prayers
00:44:46.163 --> 00:44:51.702
That are prayed, you hear so many beautiful stories, but just
00:44:51.702 --> 00:44:56.039
Hang on to faith.
00:44:56.039 --> 00:44:57.708
God sees your children.
00:44:57.708 --> 00:44:59.343
God knows--just like he knows you, he knows your kids.
00:44:59.343 --> 00:45:04.181
And there will be a time, and sometimes it, you know, we say
00:45:04.181 --> 00:45:08.418
Some people have to learn the hard way, and i understand that.
00:45:08.418 --> 00:45:14.091
Sometimes, we just have to be taken to the bottom and just
00:45:14.091 --> 00:45:20.164
Know that if you trust and believe god, god hears your
00:45:20.164 --> 00:45:23.333
Prayers, god's there to answer your prayers, and i am standing
00:45:23.333 --> 00:45:27.237
With you today for your kids.
00:45:27.237 --> 00:45:30.007
Dr. deedee: i believe that it's like sowing into someone else's
00:45:30.007 --> 00:45:33.644
Life so you can reap that, you know.
00:45:33.644 --> 00:45:36.613
If you really want something from god, just go sow it into
00:45:36.613 --> 00:45:40.184
Someone else's life.
00:45:40.184 --> 00:45:42.319
Laurie: you know, we are his hands and his feet.
00:45:42.319 --> 00:45:44.555
God wants to heal people through us, you know, and i love what
00:45:44.555 --> 00:45:49.927
You do.
00:45:49.927 --> 00:45:51.361
You know, you do it very tangibly by counseling people
00:45:51.361 --> 00:45:56.099
With the knowledge of god.
00:45:56.099 --> 00:45:58.468
That's what's so powerful about what you do, debra.
00:45:58.468 --> 00:46:01.738
I just think it's a beautiful thing.
00:46:01.738 --> 00:46:04.408
Holly: so i think sometimes like even on that when we're waiting,
00:46:04.408 --> 00:46:06.977
Right, in that period, like we've prayed the big, the
00:46:06.977 --> 00:46:10.981
Big prayers.
00:46:10.981 --> 00:46:12.316
Well, there's a wait.
00:46:12.316 --> 00:46:13.684
I mean, you know, yours wasn't that long.
00:46:13.684 --> 00:46:15.118
You had--but the years in between the two years were long,
00:46:15.118 --> 00:46:19.122
And i just think so then in those, in those years, maybe to
00:46:19.122 --> 00:46:22.125
Your point, like what we should be doing is just what the
00:46:22.125 --> 00:46:26.029
Psalmist prayed, "open my eyes so that i can see the wonders.
00:46:26.029 --> 00:46:28.665
Open my eyes so that i can see," because if we're not careful,
00:46:28.665 --> 00:46:32.202
We'll look inward.
00:46:32.202 --> 00:46:33.670
We'll look inward at what we don't have, at what's
00:46:33.670 --> 00:46:36.573
Missing still.
00:46:36.573 --> 00:46:37.941
Dr. deedee: what we didn't do.
00:46:37.941 --> 00:46:39.276
Holly: what we didn't do, what we didn't get right, and i just
00:46:39.276 --> 00:46:41.812
Think in that waiting period that our job is to look out.
00:46:41.812 --> 00:46:47.050
So who can i come alongside?
00:46:47.050 --> 00:46:49.419
Who can i encourage?
00:46:49.419 --> 00:46:51.421
Debra: and like you said, what is god doing right here and
00:46:51.421 --> 00:46:54.491
Right now?
00:46:54.491 --> 00:46:55.826
I wanna open my eyes to what he's doing in my family.
00:46:55.826 --> 00:46:58.161
I wanna open my eyes to what he's doing in my kids's lives
00:46:58.161 --> 00:47:01.765
And call it out and be grateful for it, you know, spend some
00:47:01.765 --> 00:47:05.836
Time in gratitude for what he's doing.
00:47:05.836 --> 00:47:09.373
I think about when jesus in matthew 19 says, "let the little
00:47:09.373 --> 00:47:15.913
Children come to me."
00:47:15.913 --> 00:47:18.148
And he is just such an affectionate father.
00:47:18.148 --> 00:47:25.589
He loves us.
00:47:25.589 --> 00:47:26.924
He loves our children.
00:47:26.924 --> 00:47:28.492
He loves the child version inside of us.
00:47:28.492 --> 00:47:31.995
And he says, "let the little children come to me."
00:47:31.995 --> 00:47:34.131
And i think i just wanna take the time as we wrap up to think
00:47:34.131 --> 00:47:39.503
About all of the children that we're worried about or estranged
00:47:39.503 --> 00:47:45.976
From or we think about their future and satan wants to fill
00:47:45.976 --> 00:47:50.013
Us with fear instead of faith.
00:47:50.013 --> 00:47:53.884
The ones that keep us up at night.
00:47:53.884 --> 00:47:56.954
The ones that we're struggling to really believe for their
00:47:56.954 --> 00:48:00.991
Future, the ones that are in the middle of hardship.
00:48:00.991 --> 00:48:03.327
And what if we, right now, in prayer, we just bring them to
00:48:03.327 --> 00:48:07.064
The feet of jesus?
00:48:07.064 --> 00:48:08.632
There's a place for them at his feet.
00:48:08.632 --> 00:48:11.501
Jesus says, "let the little children come to me," so maybe
00:48:11.501 --> 00:48:14.304
We each think about a child that was either one of ours, a
00:48:14.304 --> 00:48:19.176
Grandchild, or someone we know, someone else's child, and let's
00:48:19.176 --> 00:48:23.113
Just bring them to the feet of jesus.
00:48:23.113 --> 00:48:27.184
Father, you know our hearts.
00:48:27.184 --> 00:48:29.853
You know what's inside of us.
00:48:29.853 --> 00:48:32.022
You know the little child inside of us too.
00:48:32.022 --> 00:48:34.524
Father, you know the children that you have entrusted us with
00:48:34.524 --> 00:48:39.863
Because they're yours.
00:48:39.863 --> 00:48:42.065
And god, we think of all the children, no matter their age or
00:48:42.065 --> 00:48:46.336
Stage right now, whether they're a newborn baby, whether they're
00:48:46.336 --> 00:48:49.573
In their 50s, 60s and beyond, we think of your children.
00:48:49.573 --> 00:48:56.680
The ones that have walked away from you, the ones that have
00:48:56.680 --> 00:49:01.952
Betrayed you, the ones who have walked away from the faith that
00:49:01.952 --> 00:49:07.257
They grew up with, the ones that are causing pain, the ones that
00:49:07.257 --> 00:49:12.229
Are in the middle of suffering.
00:49:12.229 --> 00:49:14.297
Lord, we each have someone in mind, and we can only do what we
00:49:14.297 --> 00:49:20.137
Can do.
00:49:20.137 --> 00:49:21.805
And so lord, we come before you today and we boldly ask for you
00:49:21.805 --> 00:49:26.710
To do what only you can do.
00:49:26.710 --> 00:49:30.047
We pray, god, for an anointing over them.
00:49:30.047 --> 00:49:33.517
We pray that you would open the eyes of their heart.
00:49:33.517 --> 00:49:37.621
We pray that this would be a faith-building season for them.
00:49:37.621 --> 00:49:42.259
We pray, god, that you would strengthen them and lead them
00:49:42.259 --> 00:49:46.596
Down the path of righteousness.
00:49:46.596 --> 00:49:50.333
God, we thank you that you are with us in the valley and you
00:49:50.333 --> 00:49:53.770
Are with us on the mountain.
00:49:53.770 --> 00:49:56.239
And lord, i pray that you would reignite our faith to believe in
00:49:56.239 --> 00:50:00.210
Things that maybe we've been too afraid to even dare to ask you.
00:50:00.210 --> 00:50:04.881
I pray that you would stir up our faith to ask boldly on
00:50:04.881 --> 00:50:08.485
Behalf of our families and our children and our children's
00:50:08.485 --> 00:50:13.723
Children in jesus's name, that you would just stir up our faith
00:50:13.723 --> 00:50:17.461
To believe that you are a good god, that you have all
00:50:17.461 --> 00:50:22.732
Authority, that you care about our children more than we
00:50:22.732 --> 00:50:26.136
Ever could.
00:50:26.136 --> 00:50:27.637
And so lord, we place our children at your feet and we say
00:50:27.637 --> 00:50:32.676
Thank you for what you're doing.
00:50:32.676 --> 00:50:35.512
In jesus's name, amen.
00:50:35.512 --> 00:50:40.584
Laurie: connect with us on social media and let us know how
00:50:40.584 --> 00:50:43.019
Our team can pray for you.
00:50:43.019 --> 00:50:44.721
Watch "better together" on the go.
00:50:46.289 --> 00:50:48.258
Download the free tbn+ app to stream all of your
00:50:48.258 --> 00:50:51.628
Favorite conversations.
00:50:51.628 --> 00:50:52.996
♪♪♪
00:50:52.996 --> 00:50:59.999

Stand on God's Promise | Better Together Episode 1164

May 7, 2026 | S8 E1164 | 50:59

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