Robert Jeffress - Survival Tip #4: Develop A Victor, Not A Victim, Mindset (Part 2)

July 15, 2026 | 27:30

Pathway to Victory provides practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through clear, Biblical teaching.

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Survival Tip #4: Develop A Victor, Not A Victim, Mindset (Part 2) | July 15, 2026
  • ♪ music ♪
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  • From the pulpit
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  • Of the first baptist church of dallas, texas,
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  • This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Hi, i am robert jeffress,
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  • And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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  • Life has a way of knocking us down
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  • Through unfair circumstances, false accusations,
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  • And people who disappoint us.
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  • When that happens,
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  • It can be tempting to see yourself as a victim,
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  • But god's word says you don't have to live that way.
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  • Today i'm going to show you three qualities
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  • That will help you stop just surviving and start overcoming.
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  • My message is titled, survival tip number four:
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  • Develop a victor, not a victim mindset
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  • On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪ praise the lord ♪
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  • ♪ from whom all blessings flow ♪
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  • ♪ for he has washed and made me white as snow ♪
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  • ♪ i'm redeemed from all my sin and shame ♪
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  • ♪ for now and forever ♪
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  • -♪ praise his holy name ♪ -♪ praise his holy name ♪
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  • ♪ praise his holy name ♪
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  • ♪ praise his holy name ♪
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  • ♪ to god be the glory now and forever ♪
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  • ♪ praise his holy name ♪
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  • ♪ god is great ♪
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  • ♪ and greatly to be praised ♪
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  • ♪ above all others ♪
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  • ♪ let his name be raised ♪
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  • ♪ saints and angels evermore proclaim ♪
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  • ♪ that he alone is worthy ♪
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  • ♪ praise his holy name ♪
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  • ♪ praise his holy name ♪
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  • ♪ praise his holy name ♪
  • 00:03:18.521 --> 00:03:24.093
  • ♪ to god be the glory now and forever ♪
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  • ♪ praise his holy name ♪
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  • ♪ praise his holy name ♪
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  • ♪ praise his holy name ♪
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  • ♪ to god be the glory ♪
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  • ♪ now and forever ♪
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  • ♪ praise his holy name ♪
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  • ♪ praise his holy ♪
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  • -♪ praise his holy name ♪ -♪ praise his holy ♪
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  • ♪ praise his holy name ♪
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  • ♪ to god be the glory ♪
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  • ♪ now and forever ♪
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  • ♪ praise his holy name ♪
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  • (applause)
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  • If you've ever felt like your faith is under attack,
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  • Like the world is trying to wear you down,
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  • You're not imagining it.
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  • The cultural pressure and spiritual opposition is real,
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  • But you don't have to face it alone.
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  • In his powerful book, "courageous,"
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  • Dr. robert jeffress offers 10 practical biblical strategies
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  • For standing strong.
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  • Strategies that will give you fresh fire
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  • And real hope in a world hostile to your faith.
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  • Request your copy of "courageous"
  • 00:05:51.407 --> 00:05:53.309
  • When you give a generous ministry gift
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  • To "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • Joseph distinguished himself
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  • By his diligent work in potiphar's house.
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  • Potiphar noticed it,
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  • And he promoted him to be in charge
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  • Of all of potiphar's household.
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  • Everything was under joseph's control.
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  • The only thing off limits to joseph was mrs. potiphar.
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  • Unfortunately, mrs. potiphar never got the memo
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  • 'cause she didn't realize joseph was off limits to her,
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  • And so she immediately started to seduce joseph.
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  • Day after day, she would try to seduce him.
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  • On one occasion, she said to him, "lie with me,"
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  • Which in hebrew means have sex with me.
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  • And remember his reply in genesis 39:9?
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  • "how could i do such an evil thing and sin against god?"
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  • Joseph made it out of that one.
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  • He never had to suffer that again, right?
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  • Wrong.
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  • Don't ever think
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  • Just because you've successfully battled temptation one time
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  • That it's over.
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  • The bible says that mrs. potiphar came to joseph
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  • Day after day after day.
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  • That's how temptation comes.
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  • And finally, on one day,
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  • When all the other servants were out of the house,
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  • She was alone with joseph,
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  • And she grabbed him by the shoulder,
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  • And she said, "lie with me."
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  • How did joseph respond?
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  • He said, "ms. potiphar,
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  • I sense you have some great unmet need in your life,
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  • And i'd like to pray for you right now.
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  • Can we just pray together here?"
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  • (congregation laughs)
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  • No, no.
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  • He knew that situation was too hot
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  • For his hebrew hormones to handle.
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  • And so he did the most spiritual thing he could do.
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  • He ran as fast as he could in the opposite direction.
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  • In fact, he left so quickly,
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  • She was left with just a piece of his garment in her hand,
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  • And then the time of reckoning came.
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  • Mr. potiphar came home.
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  • And noticed what happened, verse 17 of genesis 39,
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  • "then she spoke to potiphar with these words,
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  • 'the hebrew slave whom you brought to us came into me
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  • To make sport of me.
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  • And it happened as i raised my voice
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  • And screamed that he left his garment beside me
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  • And fled outside.'"
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  • Now, it came about
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  • When potiphar heard the words of his wife,
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  • Which she spoke to him, saying,
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  • "this is what your slave did to me,"
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  • That he refused to believe his wife
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  • And believed joseph, and said,
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  • "joseph, because you have not sinned against me
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  • Or against god,
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  • I'm going to promote you
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  • To the highest position in my whole household,
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  • And half of my kingdom belongs to you."
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  • Does your bible say that?
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  • No.
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  • When the accusation came,
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  • "this is what your slave did to me,"
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  • The bible says, "and potiphar's anger burned."
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  • In fact, it burned so hot
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  • That he ended up throwing joseph into prison.
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  • You know, we have this strange idea
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  • That if we do the right thing, we get rewarded.
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  • And when we don't get rewarded for doing the right thing,
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  • We begin to doubt god.
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  • God, i thought you said you're a rewarder
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  • Of those who do the right thing.
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  • We get rewarded eventually, but not immediately.
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  • In fact, many times, perhaps even most times,
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  • Instead of being rewarded for doing the right thing,
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  • We suffer for doing the right thing.
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  • Doing the right thing many times
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  • Has a cost associated with it.
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  • The bible talks about that in 1 peter 2.
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  • Peter said, "there is no reward for suffering
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  • When you do the wrong thing."
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  • We think if we're suffering,
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  • That it must be for righteousness.
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  • A lot of times our suffering isn't for righteousness,
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  • It's for unrighteousness.
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  • A christian who's lazy in his job ends up getting fired.
  • 00:10:06.962 --> 00:10:11.367
  • A christian who refuses to pay his income tax
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  • Ends up going to prison.
  • 00:10:15.538 --> 00:10:17.740
  • A christian who cheats on his
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  • Or her mate ends up getting divorced,
  • 00:10:19.408 --> 00:10:22.445
  • And those christians walk around
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  • And say, "oh, please pray for me.
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  • I'm suffering for jesus."
  • 00:10:25.081 --> 00:10:27.416
  • No, they're not suffering for jesus,
  • 00:10:27.416 --> 00:10:28.918
  • They're suffering for themselves.
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  • They are suffering for doing the wrong thing,
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  • Not the right thing.
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  • But listen to the words of the apostle peter.
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  • 1 peter 2:20-21,
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  • "for what credit is there if,
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  • When you sin and are harshly treated,
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  • You endure it with patience?
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  • But if when you do what is right and suffer for it,
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  • You patiently endure it, this finds favor with god.
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  • For you have been called for this purpose
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  • Since christ also suffered for you,
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  • Leaving you an example for you to follow in his steps."
  • 00:10:59.582 --> 00:11:04.754
  • Joseph experienced negative consequences
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  • For doing what was right, not what was wrong.
  • 00:11:08.023 --> 00:11:11.927
  • And he had to overcome that unfair accusation
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  • That changed his life completely, coming from potiphar.
  • 00:11:14.764 --> 00:11:19.268
  • And that led to a third source of difficulty in his life,
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  • Overcoming unfair neglect by his own friends.
  • 00:11:22.538 --> 00:11:27.143
  • Joseph goes to prison.
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  • He didn't know at the time
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  • That he would spend two full years there,
  • 00:11:30.880 --> 00:11:33.549
  • But he thought probably, at least at first,
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  • God's going to get me out of here.
  • 00:11:36.051 --> 00:11:37.853
  • This is an unjust sentence.
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  • God is a god of justice.
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  • Surely he's not going to allow me to languish in this prison.
  • 00:11:41.023 --> 00:11:43.893
  • And sure enough, not long after he was thrown into prison,
  • 00:11:43.893 --> 00:11:47.129
  • Two new people came to prison as well,
  • 00:11:47.129 --> 00:11:49.965
  • And they both came from pharaoh's household.
  • 00:11:49.965 --> 00:11:53.169
  • One was the cupbearer and one was the baker.
  • 00:11:53.169 --> 00:11:56.438
  • Remember, the cupbearer had a very prestigious job.
  • 00:11:56.438 --> 00:11:59.008
  • His job was to taste the wine before the king drank it.
  • 00:11:59.008 --> 00:12:01.811
  • If assassins had poisoned it to kill the pharaoh,
  • 00:12:01.811 --> 00:12:05.614
  • The cupbearer was the first to know it.
  • 00:12:05.614 --> 00:12:08.050
  • He was a trusted servant of pharaoh.
  • 00:12:08.050 --> 00:12:10.519
  • And the baker, well, was in charge of baking bread.
  • 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:12.955
  • So for some reason, both men had displeased pharaoh,
  • 00:12:12.955 --> 00:12:16.225
  • So they get thrown into prison,
  • 00:12:16.225 --> 00:12:18.260
  • And they make friends with joseph.
  • 00:12:18.260 --> 00:12:19.995
  • And they one night had a bad dream, and they came to joseph,
  • 00:12:19.995 --> 00:12:24.767
  • And they said,
  • 00:12:24.767 --> 00:12:26.268
  • "joseph, we've heard that you're able to interpret dreams.
  • 00:12:26.268 --> 00:12:27.670
  • Can you help us?
  • 00:12:27.670 --> 00:12:28.904
  • Joseph says, "sure, what's the dream?"
  • 00:12:28.904 --> 00:12:31.006
  • The cupbearer says,
  • 00:12:31.006 --> 00:12:32.308
  • "well, my dream was that i was squeezing grapes
  • 00:12:32.308 --> 00:12:34.710
  • Into the king's chalice, pharaoh's chalice.
  • 00:12:34.710 --> 00:12:38.480
  • What does that mean?"
  • 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:40.249
  • And joseph said, "oh, that's easy.
  • 00:12:40.249 --> 00:12:42.017
  • It means in three days you're going to be released from prison
  • 00:12:42.017 --> 00:12:44.486
  • And restored to your position."
  • 00:12:44.486 --> 00:12:46.589
  • The baker raises his hand and said, "oh, i've got one.
  • 00:12:46.589 --> 00:12:49.358
  • Can you do mine next?
  • 00:12:49.358 --> 00:12:50.826
  • Interpret my dream?"
  • 00:12:50.826 --> 00:12:52.828
  • Joseph said, "yeah, what was your dream?"
  • 00:12:52.828 --> 00:12:54.330
  • He said, "well, my dream i had last night
  • 00:12:54.330 --> 00:12:56.432
  • Was there were these baskets of bread,
  • 00:12:56.432 --> 00:12:59.168
  • And birds came to eat the bread."
  • 00:12:59.168 --> 00:13:02.204
  • Joseph frowned and said, "sorry to tell you,
  • 00:13:03.105 --> 00:13:05.307
  • That means in three days you're going to be executed."
  • 00:13:05.307 --> 00:13:08.177
  • And sure enough, three days later, the baker was executed.
  • 00:13:09.345 --> 00:13:12.915
  • The cupbearer was released from prison
  • 00:13:12.915 --> 00:13:14.884
  • And sent back to pharaoh's palace.
  • 00:13:14.884 --> 00:13:18.153
  • But before he left, joseph said to the cupbearer,
  • 00:13:18.153 --> 00:13:20.956
  • "i only ask that you do one thing.
  • 00:13:20.956 --> 00:13:23.158
  • When you get out and you're in front of pharaoh,
  • 00:13:23.158 --> 00:13:26.929
  • Don't forget me.
  • 00:13:26.929 --> 00:13:28.564
  • Remind pharaoh about me and how i've been unfairly accused."
  • 00:13:28.564 --> 00:13:32.167
  • The cupbearer says, "you don't have to worry about that.
  • 00:13:32.167 --> 00:13:34.937
  • After all you've done for me, how could i ever forget you?"
  • 00:13:34.937 --> 00:13:39.074
  • I'm sure that night
  • 00:13:39.074 --> 00:13:40.476
  • Joseph began packing his belongings together
  • 00:13:40.476 --> 00:13:44.146
  • 'cause he knew by the next day he was going to be released.
  • 00:13:44.146 --> 00:13:48.083
  • The next day comes and goes, no word.
  • 00:13:48.083 --> 00:13:51.320
  • A week passes, nothing.
  • 00:13:51.320 --> 00:13:53.923
  • A month, not a word.
  • 00:13:53.923 --> 00:13:55.691
  • Not even a postcard from the cupbearer.
  • 00:13:55.691 --> 00:13:58.560
  • A year passes, joseph realizes he's been forgotten,
  • 00:13:59.628 --> 00:14:04.733
  • Forsaken forever.
  • 00:14:05.167 --> 00:14:08.470
  • He was forgotten.
  • 00:14:08.904 --> 00:14:10.673
  • He was neglected unfairly by a friend.
  • 00:14:10.673 --> 00:14:14.310
  • But interestingly, two full years passed
  • 00:14:15.177 --> 00:14:18.948
  • When on a day that began like any other day,
  • 00:14:18.948 --> 00:14:22.818
  • The soldiers came, they put their key in the lock,
  • 00:14:22.818 --> 00:14:26.789
  • Unlocked the prison door,
  • 00:14:26.789 --> 00:14:28.023
  • And said, "pharaoh wants to see you today."
  • 00:14:28.023 --> 00:14:33.829
  • How did that happen?
  • 00:14:34.296 --> 00:14:36.231
  • Joseph thought he had been forgotten by god,
  • 00:14:36.231 --> 00:14:39.134
  • Forgotten by the cupbearer.
  • 00:14:39.134 --> 00:14:41.236
  • But what joseph didn't realize
  • 00:14:41.236 --> 00:14:42.871
  • Was god was doing something over here
  • 00:14:42.871 --> 00:14:45.140
  • That joseph couldn't even see.
  • 00:14:45.140 --> 00:14:46.875
  • He was doing something in pharaoh's heart,
  • 00:14:46.875 --> 00:14:49.445
  • And he sent pharaoh a disturbing dream,
  • 00:14:49.445 --> 00:14:52.414
  • And nobody could interpret the dream,
  • 00:14:52.414 --> 00:14:54.984
  • And the cupbearer remembered,
  • 00:14:54.984 --> 00:14:56.752
  • "there's a guy i knew in prison one time
  • 00:14:56.752 --> 00:14:59.521
  • Who knows how to interpret dreams."
  • 00:14:59.521 --> 00:15:01.890
  • You remember the rest of the story?
  • 00:15:01.890 --> 00:15:03.625
  • Joseph is brought into pharaoh's presence.
  • 00:15:03.625 --> 00:15:06.662
  • Pharaoh tells him the dream,
  • 00:15:06.662 --> 00:15:08.097
  • And joseph says, "your dream means that seven years
  • 00:15:08.097 --> 00:15:11.900
  • Of plentiful harvest are about to come to egypt,
  • 00:15:11.900 --> 00:15:15.871
  • But those seven years of plenty
  • 00:15:15.871 --> 00:15:17.573
  • Will be followed by a famine of seven years.
  • 00:15:17.573 --> 00:15:20.909
  • And pharaoh, the best advice i can give you
  • 00:15:20.909 --> 00:15:23.145
  • Is take 20% of the excess grains, store it up,
  • 00:15:23.145 --> 00:15:26.615
  • And save it so when the famine comes,
  • 00:15:26.615 --> 00:15:29.385
  • There'll be plenty of food for everyone."
  • 00:15:29.385 --> 00:15:32.654
  • Pharaoh was so impressed with joseph
  • 00:15:32.654 --> 00:15:35.557
  • That he promoted him to prime minister of all of egypt.
  • 00:15:35.557 --> 00:15:40.829
  • That's how god works.
  • 00:15:41.330 --> 00:15:43.399
  • Joseph was an overcomer
  • 00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:46.568
  • Who was able to overcome adverse circumstances
  • 00:15:46.568 --> 00:15:50.239
  • Instead of becoming a victim.
  • 00:15:50.239 --> 00:15:52.841
  • Now, some of you might be saying,
  • 00:15:52.841 --> 00:15:54.276
  • "well, my story really doesn't parallel joseph's,"
  • 00:15:54.276 --> 00:15:57.312
  • But i bet you've been on the receiving end
  • 00:15:57.312 --> 00:15:59.615
  • Of some of the problems joseph experienced.
  • 00:15:59.615 --> 00:16:03.252
  • You've been on the receiving end
  • 00:16:03.252 --> 00:16:04.820
  • Of unloving actions by a family member.
  • 00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:09.191
  • You know what it's like to be unfairly accused
  • 00:16:09.191 --> 00:16:13.495
  • By people of a wrongdoing of which you're not guilty.
  • 00:16:13.495 --> 00:16:18.033
  • You know what it's like to experience undeserved neglect
  • 00:16:18.033 --> 00:16:21.904
  • By people you've worked for and helped so much.
  • 00:16:21.904 --> 00:16:26.175
  • How do you overcome those situations?
  • 00:16:26.175 --> 00:16:29.912
  • In a word, it's through tenacity.
  • 00:16:29.912 --> 00:16:32.881
  • Overcomers are people who are tenacious.
  • 00:16:32.881 --> 00:16:36.685
  • You know that word tenacious means literally to hold fast.
  • 00:16:36.685 --> 00:16:42.024
  • When i think of an overcomer, a victor, a tenacious person,
  • 00:16:43.225 --> 00:16:45.994
  • I think about the late winston churchill,
  • 00:16:45.994 --> 00:16:48.997
  • Who was so persistent he refused to surrender,
  • 00:16:48.997 --> 00:16:52.134
  • Even when the nazis threatened to overtake the world.
  • 00:16:52.134 --> 00:16:55.704
  • You know winston churchill was known as the british bulldog.
  • 00:16:55.704 --> 00:17:00.576
  • You remember that one time churchill was talking
  • 00:17:00.576 --> 00:17:03.812
  • To a group of reporters, and he asked them,
  • 00:17:03.812 --> 00:17:05.881
  • "do you know why it is the english bulldog
  • 00:17:05.881 --> 00:17:08.851
  • Has a jutting chin and a sloping face?"
  • 00:17:08.851 --> 00:17:13.655
  • They said, "no, why is that?"
  • 00:17:13.655 --> 00:17:15.858
  • Churchill said, "so that it can breathe
  • 00:17:15.858 --> 00:17:18.760
  • While it's still holding on."
  • 00:17:18.760 --> 00:17:21.830
  • That's what tenacious people do.
  • 00:17:21.830 --> 00:17:24.199
  • They keep breathing, but they don't let go.
  • 00:17:24.199 --> 00:17:28.237
  • How do you develop that kind of attitude of persistence?
  • 00:17:28.237 --> 00:17:32.007
  • I want you to notice again from 1 john 5 three ways
  • 00:17:32.007 --> 00:17:36.945
  • That we become victors instead of victims.
  • 00:17:36.945 --> 00:17:41.049
  • Number one, victors keep god's commandments.
  • 00:17:41.049 --> 00:17:46.321
  • They keep god's commandments.
  • 00:17:46.955 --> 00:17:48.490
  • Remember john said, "who is it that is an overcomer?
  • 00:17:48.490 --> 00:17:51.660
  • It is he who believes.
  • 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:53.028
  • And who is it that believes?
  • 00:17:53.028 --> 00:17:54.496
  • The one who keeps god's commandments."
  • 00:17:54.496 --> 00:17:57.733
  • It didn't matter what situation joseph was in,
  • 00:17:57.733 --> 00:18:01.103
  • He was dedicated to keeping god's commandments.
  • 00:18:01.103 --> 00:18:04.206
  • Remember his words to mrs. potiphar in genesis 39:9?
  • 00:18:04.206 --> 00:18:07.476
  • "how then could i do this great evil and sin against god?"
  • 00:18:07.476 --> 00:18:13.382
  • I thought of this last night
  • 00:18:13.982 --> 00:18:15.317
  • As i was reading that story about dominique,
  • 00:18:15.317 --> 00:18:18.453
  • Who kept his father's commandments
  • 00:18:18.453 --> 00:18:20.556
  • And ended up surviving over hypothermia.
  • 00:18:20.556 --> 00:18:24.393
  • I thought of a little phrase that i wrote down.
  • 00:18:24.393 --> 00:18:27.396
  • When you don't know what to do,
  • 00:18:27.396 --> 00:18:30.065
  • Obey what you know to be true.
  • 00:18:30.065 --> 00:18:32.901
  • When you find yourself in a storm of adversity,
  • 00:18:33.835 --> 00:18:37.606
  • When you're not sure what the next step is,
  • 00:18:37.606 --> 00:18:40.976
  • One move is always a safe move,
  • 00:18:40.976 --> 00:18:42.945
  • And that is to obey god's commandments.
  • 00:18:42.945 --> 00:18:46.882
  • When you don't know what to do,
  • 00:18:46.882 --> 00:18:48.951
  • Obey what you know to be true.
  • 00:18:48.951 --> 00:18:51.920
  • That's how you become a victor rather than a victim.
  • 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:57.259
  • Secondly, victors glorify god in their lives.
  • 00:18:58.227 --> 00:19:01.830
  • They glorify god in their lives.
  • 00:19:01.830 --> 00:19:04.666
  • That word glorify means to shine the spotlight on god.
  • 00:19:04.666 --> 00:19:09.504
  • Victors are people who realize
  • 00:19:09.504 --> 00:19:11.373
  • That we are here for one purpose,
  • 00:19:11.373 --> 00:19:13.442
  • Not to bring glory to ourself,
  • 00:19:13.442 --> 00:19:15.143
  • Not to direct people's attention toward us,
  • 00:19:15.143 --> 00:19:17.613
  • But to direct people's attention toward god.
  • 00:19:17.613 --> 00:19:21.416
  • And it didn't matter where joseph was,
  • 00:19:21.416 --> 00:19:23.685
  • Whether he was in the pit,
  • 00:19:23.685 --> 00:19:25.520
  • Whether he was working as a slave for potiphar,
  • 00:19:25.520 --> 00:19:29.224
  • Whether he was in prison for two years,
  • 00:19:29.224 --> 00:19:31.660
  • Or whether he was prime minister of egypt,
  • 00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:33.895
  • In every situation, joseph tried to bring glory to god.
  • 00:19:33.895 --> 00:19:38.467
  • And god recognized that in joseph,
  • 00:19:38.467 --> 00:19:41.203
  • And that's why he honored joseph's life.
  • 00:19:41.203 --> 00:19:44.039
  • The apostle paul reminds us in 1 corinthians 10:31,
  • 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:47.676
  • "whether then you eat or you drink or whatever you do,
  • 00:19:47.676 --> 00:19:52.948
  • Do all to the glory of god."
  • 00:19:53.548 --> 00:19:56.652
  • Victors obey god's commandments.
  • 00:19:57.286 --> 00:20:00.055
  • They glorify god with their lives.
  • 00:20:00.055 --> 00:20:01.890
  • And finally, victors trust in god's purposes.
  • 00:20:01.890 --> 00:20:07.195
  • Victors believe that god is always working on their behalf,
  • 00:20:08.363 --> 00:20:11.300
  • Even though in the darkness they can't always see
  • 00:20:11.300 --> 00:20:14.136
  • What god is up to,
  • 00:20:14.136 --> 00:20:16.271
  • And that's true about your life right now.
  • 00:20:16.271 --> 00:20:18.674
  • You may feel like you've been forgotten by others,
  • 00:20:18.674 --> 00:20:21.943
  • By god himself.
  • 00:20:21.943 --> 00:20:23.612
  • Forsaken, that god doesn't know where you are.
  • 00:20:23.612 --> 00:20:27.082
  • He knows exactly where you are.
  • 00:20:27.082 --> 00:20:29.117
  • He knows exactly what's going on in your life.
  • 00:20:29.117 --> 00:20:32.487
  • Romans 8:28 says,
  • 00:20:32.487 --> 00:20:34.022
  • "and we know that god causes all things
  • 00:20:34.022 --> 00:20:36.725
  • To work together for good to those who love god
  • 00:20:36.725 --> 00:20:40.529
  • And those who are called according to his purpose."
  • 00:20:40.529 --> 00:20:43.732
  • But don't miss the next verse.
  • 00:20:43.732 --> 00:20:45.000
  • Romans 8:29, "for whom god foreknew,
  • 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:48.437
  • He predestined to be conformed to the image of his son."
  • 00:20:48.437 --> 00:20:53.742
  • You know everything that's going on
  • 00:20:54.509 --> 00:20:55.811
  • In your life right now with your family,
  • 00:20:55.811 --> 00:20:58.080
  • With your health, with your job, with your finances,
  • 00:20:58.080 --> 00:21:00.949
  • God is using all of it for his purpose in your life,
  • 00:21:00.949 --> 00:21:05.554
  • And that is to make you like jesus christ.
  • 00:21:05.554 --> 00:21:09.124
  • Somebody once asked a gifted sculptor
  • 00:21:09.958 --> 00:21:12.294
  • How it was he was able to chisel a lifelike image of a lion
  • 00:21:12.294 --> 00:21:16.832
  • Out of a slab of marble.
  • 00:21:16.832 --> 00:21:18.166
  • He said, "that's very easy.
  • 00:21:18.166 --> 00:21:19.801
  • I take the slab of marble, i take the hammer and chisel,
  • 00:21:19.801 --> 00:21:23.038
  • And i chisel away everything
  • 00:21:23.038 --> 00:21:25.073
  • That doesn't look like a lion in that marble slab."
  • 00:21:25.073 --> 00:21:29.778
  • You know that's what god is doing in your life right now.
  • 00:21:29.778 --> 00:21:32.981
  • He's taking his hammer,
  • 00:21:32.981 --> 00:21:34.616
  • He's taking the chisel of difficult circumstances,
  • 00:21:34.616 --> 00:21:38.253
  • And he's removing everything in your life
  • 00:21:38.253 --> 00:21:40.522
  • And my life that doesn't look like jesus christ.
  • 00:21:40.522 --> 00:21:45.394
  • He's removing every attitude, every action,
  • 00:21:45.394 --> 00:21:48.797
  • Every affection that aren't like his son, jesus,
  • 00:21:48.797 --> 00:21:51.900
  • So that we become like him
  • 00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:54.102
  • And experience the abundant life that he experienced.
  • 00:21:54.102 --> 00:21:58.540
  • That was true of joseph.
  • 00:21:58.540 --> 00:21:59.608
  • He trusted in god's purpose.
  • 00:21:59.608 --> 00:22:01.510
  • Perhaps the greatest illustration of that
  • 00:22:01.510 --> 00:22:03.912
  • Was in the climactic verse of joseph's story.
  • 00:22:03.912 --> 00:22:07.482
  • Remember in genesis chapter 50,
  • 00:22:07.482 --> 00:22:09.651
  • Joseph is reunited with his brothers.
  • 00:22:09.651 --> 00:22:12.621
  • His brothers, who years earlier had sold him into slavery
  • 00:22:12.621 --> 00:22:16.558
  • And left him for dead,
  • 00:22:16.558 --> 00:22:18.560
  • And when they realized joseph was alive,
  • 00:22:18.560 --> 00:22:20.762
  • They trembled in fear knowing
  • 00:22:20.762 --> 00:22:22.497
  • That the prime minister of egypt, their brother,
  • 00:22:22.497 --> 00:22:25.934
  • Had the authority to put them to death.
  • 00:22:25.934 --> 00:22:28.537
  • But remember his words of kindness to them.
  • 00:22:29.438 --> 00:22:31.406
  • Genesis 50:20, he said to his brothers,
  • 00:22:31.406 --> 00:22:34.643
  • "and as for you, you meant it for evil,
  • 00:22:34.643 --> 00:22:39.614
  • But god used it for good,
  • 00:22:40.182 --> 00:22:43.385
  • To bring about this present circumstance
  • 00:22:43.385 --> 00:22:45.987
  • To preserve many people alive."
  • 00:22:45.987 --> 00:22:49.858
  • Joseph was honest.
  • 00:22:50.292 --> 00:22:51.259
  • He said to his brothers,
  • 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:52.594
  • "what you did to me was wrong, but guess what?
  • 00:22:52.594 --> 00:22:56.631
  • I serve a god who's bigger than you are.
  • 00:22:56.631 --> 00:22:59.234
  • God was able to take your worst intentions
  • 00:23:00.135 --> 00:23:02.737
  • And use them for good."
  • 00:23:02.737 --> 00:23:05.607
  • Praise be to god.
  • 00:23:05.607 --> 00:23:08.610
  • That's the attitude of a victor.
  • 00:23:08.610 --> 00:23:12.414
  • A victor doesn't feel like
  • 00:23:12.414 --> 00:23:13.715
  • That he's the victim of adverse circumstances
  • 00:23:13.715 --> 00:23:16.218
  • And adverse people.
  • 00:23:16.218 --> 00:23:17.285
  • He believes in a god
  • 00:23:17.285 --> 00:23:19.187
  • Who's working out his purpose in our life.
  • 00:23:19.187 --> 00:23:22.958
  • Victors obey god's commandments.
  • 00:23:22.958 --> 00:23:26.528
  • Victors glorify god in their lives.
  • 00:23:26.528 --> 00:23:29.831
  • Victors trust in the purpose of god.
  • 00:23:29.831 --> 00:23:33.301
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:23:33.301 --> 00:23:38.340
  • Aside from jesus christ,
  • 00:23:38.840 --> 00:23:40.575
  • No man has overcome more challenges in his life than joseph.
  • 00:23:40.575 --> 00:23:45.080
  • Yet joseph emerged from his trials as a victor.
  • 00:23:45.080 --> 00:23:48.917
  • In closing today,
  • 00:23:48.917 --> 00:23:50.318
  • I want to share an encouraging comment from you,
  • 00:23:50.318 --> 00:23:52.420
  • From someone who recently wrote to us saying,
  • 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:55.257
  • "in this confusing time,
  • 00:23:55.257 --> 00:23:56.925
  • You are helping me decipher truth from untruth
  • 00:23:56.925 --> 00:24:00.195
  • And teach others to know the truth as well.
  • 00:24:00.195 --> 00:24:03.098
  • I'm sharing with my husband and teenage sons.
  • 00:24:03.098 --> 00:24:06.835
  • Thank you for standing firm in god's word."
  • 00:24:06.835 --> 00:24:10.305
  • Comments like this one show us that lives are being changed
  • 00:24:10.305 --> 00:24:14.009
  • Through "pathway to victory."
  • 00:24:14.009 --> 00:24:15.677
  • Thank you for partnering with us to pierce the darkness
  • 00:24:15.677 --> 00:24:18.980
  • With the light of god's word.
  • 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:20.749
  • Now, please stay right there
  • 00:24:20.749 --> 00:24:22.083
  • And i'll be back with more in just a moment.
  • 00:24:22.083 --> 00:24:24.719
  • Christians today are living in hostile territory.
  • 00:24:25.754 --> 00:24:29.024
  • The attacks are real, the opposition is fierce,
  • 00:24:29.024 --> 00:24:32.260
  • And mistakes couldn't be higher.
  • 00:24:32.260 --> 00:24:34.629
  • That's why i wrote "courageous"
  • 00:24:34.629 --> 00:24:36.798
  • To give you the biblical tools you need,
  • 00:24:36.798 --> 00:24:38.767
  • Not just to survive, but to stand strong and thrive.
  • 00:24:38.767 --> 00:24:43.071
  • In "courageous,"
  • 00:24:43.071 --> 00:24:44.339
  • You'll find 10 biblical survival strategies
  • 00:24:44.339 --> 00:24:46.808
  • Drawn straight from scripture that will give you fresh fire
  • 00:24:46.808 --> 00:24:49.945
  • And real hope, no matter what you're facing.
  • 00:24:49.945 --> 00:24:52.781
  • Survivors have two things in common,
  • 00:24:52.781 --> 00:24:55.150
  • A different response to trouble
  • 00:24:55.150 --> 00:24:57.152
  • And a different perspective on life.
  • 00:24:57.152 --> 00:24:59.955
  • In "courageous,"
  • 00:24:59.955 --> 00:25:01.423
  • I'll give you 10 biblical strategies to develop both
  • 00:25:01.423 --> 00:25:04.526
  • And come out stronger on the other side.
  • 00:25:04.526 --> 00:25:07.429
  • Request your copy of "courageous"
  • 00:25:07.429 --> 00:25:09.164
  • When you give a generous ministry gift
  • 00:25:09.164 --> 00:25:10.966
  • To "pathway to victory"
  • 00:25:10.966 --> 00:25:12.534
  • Or when you become a pathway partner.
  • 00:25:12.534 --> 00:25:14.936
  • And when your ministry gift is $75 or more,
  • 00:25:14.936 --> 00:25:18.340
  • We'll send you the courageous leadership kit
  • 00:25:18.340 --> 00:25:20.842
  • Containing the "courageous" book,
  • 00:25:20.842 --> 00:25:22.611
  • The personal and group study guidebook,
  • 00:25:22.611 --> 00:25:24.980
  • 10 courageous encouragement cards,
  • 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:27.082
  • Plus the complete teaching series on cd and dvd.
  • 00:25:27.082 --> 00:25:30.885
  • As christians, we are living in a threatening environment.
  • 00:25:30.885 --> 00:25:34.956
  • We have an adversary, the devil,
  • 00:25:34.956 --> 00:25:36.725
  • Who's intent on destroying everything important to us.
  • 00:25:36.725 --> 00:25:40.795
  • Thank you for partnering with "pathway to victory."
  • 00:25:40.795 --> 00:25:43.531
  • Your generosity funds the proclamation
  • 00:25:43.531 --> 00:25:45.867
  • Of god's word across television, radio, and online,
  • 00:25:45.867 --> 00:25:49.337
  • Bringing bold, biblical hope right here at home
  • 00:25:49.337 --> 00:25:52.641
  • And around the world.
  • 00:25:52.641 --> 00:25:56.911
  • Joseph faced betrayal, false accusations,
  • 00:25:57.779 --> 00:26:00.482
  • And years of neglect,
  • 00:26:00.482 --> 00:26:02.217
  • And through all of it, he kept the attitude of a victor.
  • 00:26:02.217 --> 00:26:06.254
  • That same overcomer mindset
  • 00:26:06.254 --> 00:26:08.490
  • Is available to every believer today,
  • 00:26:08.490 --> 00:26:11.426
  • And next time we'll build on that foundation
  • 00:26:11.426 --> 00:26:13.561
  • With survival tip number five,
  • 00:26:13.561 --> 00:26:15.697
  • Because when a crisis hits,
  • 00:26:15.697 --> 00:26:17.599
  • Your response will only be as strong
  • 00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:19.701
  • As the training you've put in beforehand.
  • 00:26:19.701 --> 00:26:23.071
  • Stay tuned for a preview
  • 00:26:23.071 --> 00:26:24.572
  • Of what's coming up next in our series, "courageous."
  • 00:26:24.572 --> 00:26:28.109
  • When you face a crisis,
  • 00:26:28.610 --> 00:26:30.011
  • It's important that you already be trained in what to do
  • 00:26:30.011 --> 00:26:33.381
  • So that your memory can take over.
  • 00:26:33.381 --> 00:26:35.583
  • If we allow a crisis to take us out and send us crashing,
  • 00:26:35.583 --> 00:26:40.922
  • We not only destroy our lives,
  • 00:26:41.556 --> 00:26:44.092
  • But we destroy those of everyone around us.
  • 00:26:44.092 --> 00:26:47.028
  • Set your dvr and join us next time
  • 00:26:47.028 --> 00:26:49.297
  • For survival tip number five.
  • 00:26:49.297 --> 00:26:51.466
  • Trust your training here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:51.466 --> 00:26:57.305
  • What if your next vacation
  • 00:26:57.872 --> 00:26:59.174
  • Changed the way you read your bible forever?
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  • Join me for nine nights sailing the mediterranean
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  • With every detail taken care of.
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  • When you stand where paul stood,
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  • Your bible comes alive in ways it never has before.
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  • Sail with us
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  • On the pathway to victory journeys of paul cruise,
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  • May, 2027.
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  • The early bird discount ends july 31st, so act now.
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  • Call 888-280-6747,
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  • Or visit ptv.org.
  • 00:27:25.300 --> 00:27:25.300