Joel Osteen

Joel Osteen - Born With A Blessing

December 14, 2025 | 29:0

Joel and Victoria Osteen's message of unconditional love and unending hope reaches everyone across the world.

#Blessing #Potential #Purpose #Generations #Giving #Generosity #Sow #Seed #Reap #Honor #GlorifyGod #Favor #JoelOsteen

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Joel Osteen | Joel Osteen - Born With A Blessing | December 14, 2025

>joel: god bless you. it's
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>joel: god bless you. it's great to be with you today. i
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Great to be with you today. i hope you'll stay connected
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Hope you'll stay connected with us during the week,
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With us during the week, through our daily podcast,
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Through our daily podcast, our youtube channel, social
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Our youtube channel, social media. and you can come visit
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Media. and you can come visit us in person. we'd love to
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Us in person. we'd love to have you be a part of one of
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Have you be a part of one of our services.
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I like to start with
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I like to start with something funny. i heard
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Something funny. i heard about this pastor. he bought
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About this pastor. he bought a new horse. he trained it to
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A new horse. he trained it to respond to, “praise the
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Respond to, “praise the lord,” meaning “giddy up,”
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Lord,” meaning “giddy up,” and “hallelujah,” meaning,
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And “hallelujah,” meaning, “whoa.” every time he said,
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“whoa.” every time he said, “praise the lord,” the horse
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“praise the lord,” the horse took off running. when he
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Took off running. when he said, “hallelujah,” it would
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Said, “hallelujah,” it would quickly stop. one day he was
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Quickly stop. one day he was out riding, the horse got
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Out riding, the horse got spooked, took off running
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Spooked, took off running straight toward the cliff,
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Straight toward the cliff, going full blast. in the
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Going full blast. in the panic, he couldn't remember
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Panic, he couldn't remember what he'd taught the horse.
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What he'd taught the horse. he said, “bless god, glory,
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He said, “bless god, glory, amen,” nothing happened. at
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Amen,” nothing happened. at the last moment, he shouted
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The last moment, he shouted “hallelujah,” the horse came
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“hallelujah,” the horse came to a screeching halt, just
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To a screeching halt, just inches before the edge of the
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Inches before the edge of the cliff. he breathed a sigh of
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Cliff. he breathed a sigh of relief and said, “praise the
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Relief and said, “praise the lord.”
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Lord.” say it like you mean it. this
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Say it like you mean it. this is my bible. i am what it
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Is my bible. i am what it says i am. i have what it
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Says i am. i have what it says i have. i can do what it
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Says i have. i can do what it says i can do. today, i will
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Says i can do. today, i will be taught the word of god. i
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Be taught the word of god. i boldly confess: my mind is
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Boldly confess: my mind is alert. my heart is receptive.
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Alert. my heart is receptive. i will never be the same in
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I will never be the same in jesus' name. god bless you.
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Jesus' name. god bless you. i want to talk to you today
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I want to talk to you today about born with a blessing.
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About born with a blessing. when you have a generous
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When you have a generous spirit, you're always giving
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Spirit, you're always giving your time, your resources,
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Your time, your resources, being a blessing. those are
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Being a blessing. those are seeds you're sowing, that
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Seeds you're sowing, that will not only make your life
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Will not only make your life more rewarding, but it's
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More rewarding, but it's impacting your children and
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Impacting your children and family line. there's a
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Family line. there's a generational blessing when
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Generational blessing when you live generously. your
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You live generously. your giving, your faithfulness,
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Giving, your faithfulness, you may not see the full
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You may not see the full harvest of those seeds. some
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Harvest of those seeds. some of it is being stored up for
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Of it is being stored up for those that come after you.
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Those that come after you. your children will harvest
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Your children will harvest what you planted. your great
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What you planted. your great grandchildren will come into
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Grandchildren will come into favor because of you. your
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Favor because of you. your giving is being credited to
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Giving is being credited to their account. it doesn't
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Their account. it doesn't mean you won't be blessed,
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Mean you won't be blessed, but because you have a
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But because you have a generous spirit you will see
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Generous spirit you will see running over blessings.
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Running over blessings. blessings that spill over to
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Blessings that spill over to the next generation. the
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The next generation. the scripture says when you honor
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Scripture says when you honor god with your giving, he will
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God with your giving, he will pour out blessings you can't
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Pour out blessings you can't contain. that means you can't
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Contain. that means you can't contain it in your lifetime.
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Contain it in your lifetime. it's too much for one
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It's too much for one generation. it's going to get
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Generation. it's going to get passed down to your family
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Passed down to your family line. i'm living in blessings
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Line. i'm living in blessings today that i didn't earn.
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Today that i didn't earn. people that went before me
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People that went before me were generous. they made
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Were generous. they made sacrifices to help others.
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Sacrifices to help others. they honored god with their
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They honored god with their life, and now i'm reaping
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Life, and now i'm reaping favor from the seeds they
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Favor from the seeds they sowed. every time you give of
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Sowed. every time you give of your time, your talent, your
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Your time, your talent, your resources, you are storing up
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Resources, you are storing up blessings for your family.
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Blessings for your family. they're going to walk into
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They're going to walk into favor, see doors open, the
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Favor, see doors open, the right people show up, because
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Right people show up, because of your generosity. it's a
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Of your generosity. it's a running over blessing. you
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Running over blessing. you were faithful, and it ran
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Were faithful, and it ran over to your great
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Over to your great grandchildren. they can't
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Grandchildren. they can't explain it. it seems like a
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Explain it. it seems like a lucky break. no that's a
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Lucky break. no that's a generational blessing.
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Generational blessing. they're reaping a harvest
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They're reaping a harvest from the seeds you sowed.
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From the seeds you sowed. in genesis 4, abraham had to
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In genesis 4, abraham had to go rescue his nephew lot. he
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Go rescue his nephew lot. he had been captured by these
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Had been captured by these bandits. abraham and his men
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Bandits. abraham and his men snuck up in the middle of the
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Snuck up in the middle of the night and attacked the
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Night and attacked the opposition. they got lot, his
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Opposition. they got lot, his family and all the
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Family and all the possessions back. plus, they
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Possessions back. plus, they gathered up the enemy's
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Gathered up the enemy's spoils. it was a great
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Spoils. it was a great victory. as they were
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Victory. as they were returning, melchizedek, the
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Returning, melchizedek, the high priest, met abraham to
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High priest, met abraham to congratulate him. verse 20
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Congratulate him. verse 20 says, “abraham gave
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Says, “abraham gave melchizedek a tenth of
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Melchizedek a tenth of everything he recovered.” the
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Everything he recovered.” the first place in the scripture
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First place in the scripture where we see the tithe, ten
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Where we see the tithe, ten percent of our income.
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Percent of our income. abraham didn't have to do
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Abraham didn't have to do this. it wasn't required, but
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This. it wasn't required, but abraham was a giver. he
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Abraham was a giver. he recognized it was god's favor
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Recognized it was god's favor that brought him the victory.
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That brought him the victory. he wanted to bless the high
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He wanted to bless the high priest with some of the
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Priest with some of the spoils to show how god was
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Spoils to show how god was first place in his life and
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First place in his life and how he was grateful for what
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How he was grateful for what god had done. that seemed
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God had done. that seemed like a nice thing to do, just
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Like a nice thing to do, just being generous but it was
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Being generous but it was more significant than that.
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More significant than that. abraham had a son named
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Abraham had a son named isaac. isaac had a son named
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Isaac. isaac had a son named jacob. jacob had a son named
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Jacob. jacob had a son named levi. levi was four
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Levi. levi was four generations after abraham.
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Generations after abraham. hebrews says, “levi paid
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Hebrews says, “levi paid tithes to melchizedek through
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Tithes to melchizedek through his ancestor abraham. for
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His ancestor abraham. for although levi was not yet
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Although levi was not yet born, the seed from which he
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Born, the seed from which he came was in abraham's loins
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Came was in abraham's loins when he gave the tithe to
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When he gave the tithe to melchizedek.” this is saying,
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Melchizedek.” this is saying, abraham gave that gift. he
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Abraham gave that gift. he honored god, and his great,
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Honored god, and his great, great grandson, a young man
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Great grandson, a young man he had never met, had not yet
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He had never met, had not yet been born, was credited with
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Been born, was credited with giving tithes. levi came out
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Giving tithes. levi came out of the womb with favor he had
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Of the womb with favor he had nothing to do with. he was
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Nothing to do with. he was born with a blessing because
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Born with a blessing because his grandfather was so
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Generous. notice theso
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Generous. notice theso principle, when abraham gave,
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Principle, when abraham gave, he didn't just see favor. the
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He didn't just see favor. the scripture says he had an
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Scripture says he had an abundance of cattle and
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Abundance of cattle and sheep, one of the wealthiest
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Sheep, one of the wealthiest men of his day. but his
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Men of his day. but his generosity didn't just impact
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Generosity didn't just impact him, it was credited to his
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Great grandson's account.
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Great grandson's account. four generations later, levi
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Four generations later, levi showed up with a blessing
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Showed up with a blessing because of abraham's giving.
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Because of abraham's giving. let's live our lives in such
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Let's live our lives in such a way that our descendants
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A way that our descendants are born with a blessing. you
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Are born with a blessing. you can impact future generations
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Can impact future generations by living generously. you'll
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By living generously. you'll not only see god bless you,
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Not only see god bless you, but there will be blessings
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But there will be blessings you can't contain. blessings
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You can't contain. blessings that flow down to your
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That flow down to your children, your grandchildren.
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Children, your grandchildren. i realize i didn't get here
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I realize i didn't get here by myself. i didn't have the
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By myself. i didn't have the skill, the courage, the faith
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Skill, the courage, the faith to make all this happen. i
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To make all this happen. i was born with favor in my
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Was born with favor in my account that i had nothing to
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Do with. my grandfather on my
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Do with. my grandfather on my mother's side was a giver. he
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Mother's side was a giver. he had a rough childhood. he
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Had a rough childhood. he lost his father at eight
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Lost his father at eight years old, and was passed
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Years old, and was passed from family to family. nobody
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From family to family. nobody wanted him. he lived out in a
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Wanted him. he lived out in a barn, on his own. he could
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Barn, on his own. he could have been bitter, gone
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Have been bitter, gone through life with a chip on
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Through life with a chip on his shoulder. but you have to
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His shoulder. but you have to take the hand you've been
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Take the hand you've been dealt and make the most of
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It. nothing that's happened
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It. nothing that's happened to you has to stop your
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To you has to stop your purpose. he met my
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Purpose. he met my grandmother, they got
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Grandmother, they got married. at eighteen, my
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Married. at eighteen, my grandfather got a job at the
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Grandfather got a job at the exxon refinery in baytown.
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Exxon refinery in baytown. for forty years, he never
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For forty years, he never missed a day of work. he was
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Missed a day of work. he was faithful. when he retired,
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Faithful. when he retired, he'd come to lakewood during
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He'd come to lakewood during the week to do repairs and
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The week to do repairs and help the staff. i would see
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Help the staff. i would see him underneath the portable
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Him underneath the portable buildings, working on the
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Buildings, working on the plumbing. he was generous.
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Plumbing. he was generous. when he passed at ninety-four
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When he passed at ninety-four years old, we were going
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Years old, we were going through his belongings. we
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Through his belongings. we found a notebook where he
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Found a notebook where he kept a record of all of his
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Kept a record of all of his giving. it was all
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Giving. it was all handwritten. six dollars to
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Handwritten. six dollars to central baptist church, his
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Central baptist church, his tithe. eight dollars to the
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Tithe. eight dollars to the lakewood building fund, four
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Lakewood building fund, four dollars to missions. every
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Dollars to missions. every gift, year after year,
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Gift, year after year, recorded in this book. but he
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Recorded in this book. but he wasn't the only one keeping
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Wasn't the only one keeping records. god sees the
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Records. god sees the sacrifices you make. he sees
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Sacrifices you make. he sees you going the extra mile,
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You going the extra mile, giving, serving, helping
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Giving, serving, helping others. he's not only going
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Others. he's not only going to bring that back to you
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To bring that back to you pressed down, shaken
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Pressed down, shaken together, but there's going
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Together, but there's going to be some running over. some
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To be some running over. some that's going to be credited
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That's going to be credited to your children, to those
00:07:23.622 --> 00:07:25.524
To your children, to those that come after you. no
00:07:25.590 --> 00:07:27.158
That come after you. no wonder i'm blessed. i was
00:07:27.225 --> 00:07:28.860
Wonder i'm blessed. i was born with a blessing. i can't
00:07:28.927 --> 00:07:31.196
Born with a blessing. i can't take credit for it. i had a
00:07:31.263 --> 00:07:32.664
Take credit for it. i had a grandfather that honored god,
00:07:32.731 --> 00:07:34.866
Grandfather that honored god, that lived generously with
00:07:34.933 --> 00:07:36.468
That lived generously with his talent, his resources.
00:07:36.535 --> 00:07:39.304
His talent, his resources. now i'm walking in favor that
00:07:39.371 --> 00:07:41.273
Now i'm walking in favor that i can't explain. good breaks
00:07:41.339 --> 00:07:43.508
I can't explain. good breaks that i didn't earn. it's a
00:07:43.575 --> 00:07:45.143
That i didn't earn. it's a generational blessing. it's
00:07:45.210 --> 00:07:47.479
Generational blessing. it's because those that went
00:07:47.546 --> 00:07:48.880
Because those that went before me stored up favor,
00:07:48.947 --> 00:07:51.216
Before me stored up favor, stored up mercy. freely it's
00:07:51.283 --> 00:07:53.985
Stored up mercy. freely it's been given to me. now i'm
00:07:54.052 --> 00:07:55.587
Been given to me. now i'm going to freely give to
00:07:55.654 --> 00:07:56.821
Going to freely give to others. i'm going to make
00:07:56.888 --> 00:07:58.423
Others. i'm going to make sure; i store up plenty in my
00:07:58.490 --> 00:08:00.458
Sure; i store up plenty in my children's accounts. let's
00:08:00.525 --> 00:08:02.360
Children's accounts. let's live in such a way that our
00:08:02.427 --> 00:08:03.929
Live in such a way that our grandchildren, our great
00:08:03.995 --> 00:08:05.797
Grandchildren, our great grandchildren, four or five
00:08:05.864 --> 00:08:07.566
Grandchildren, four or five generations later, like levi,
00:08:07.632 --> 00:08:09.701
Generations later, like levi, they're born with a blessing
00:08:09.768 --> 00:08:12.003
They're born with a blessing because of you. you went the
00:08:12.070 --> 00:08:14.139
Because of you. you went the extra mile. you stayed late
00:08:14.205 --> 00:08:16.241
Extra mile. you stayed late to help that friend. you came
00:08:16.308 --> 00:08:18.143
To help that friend. you came early to serve at church. you
00:08:18.209 --> 00:08:20.011
Early to serve at church. you stretched to support the
00:08:20.078 --> 00:08:21.146
Stretched to support the ministry. all those gifts are
00:08:21.212 --> 00:08:23.949
Ministry. all those gifts are being credited to those who
00:08:24.015 --> 00:08:25.617
Being credited to those who are coming after you. you
00:08:25.684 --> 00:08:27.052
Are coming after you. you can't contain all god is
00:08:27.118 --> 00:08:28.253
Can't contain all god is going to do. i'm not saying
00:08:28.320 --> 00:08:30.055
Going to do. i'm not saying he's not going to bless you,
00:08:30.121 --> 00:08:31.156
He's not going to bless you, but one lifetime is not
00:08:31.222 --> 00:08:33.091
But one lifetime is not enough. it's going to spill
00:08:33.158 --> 00:08:34.459
Enough. it's going to spill over to your family line, to
00:08:34.526 --> 00:08:36.361
Over to your family line, to future generations.
00:08:36.428 --> 00:08:38.530
Future generations. i was eighteen years old. one
00:08:38.597 --> 00:08:40.332
I was eighteen years old. one evening my parents were
00:08:40.398 --> 00:08:41.833
Evening my parents were dressed up and about to leave
00:08:41.900 --> 00:08:43.134
Dressed up and about to leave the house. it wasn't a church
00:08:43.201 --> 00:08:44.869
The house. it wasn't a church night. i asked where they
00:08:44.936 --> 00:08:45.971
Night. i asked where they were going. my father said
00:08:46.037 --> 00:08:47.706
Were going. my father said there was a new police chief
00:08:47.772 --> 00:08:48.974
There was a new police chief in town. he was the first
00:08:49.040 --> 00:08:50.875
In town. he was the first african american chief in
00:08:50.942 --> 00:08:52.344
African american chief in houston, and they were going
00:08:52.410 --> 00:08:53.845
Houston, and they were going to welcome him. i said,
00:08:53.912 --> 00:08:55.547
To welcome him. i said, “that's great. do you know
00:08:55.614 --> 00:08:56.748
“that's great. do you know him?” they said, “no, we've
00:08:56.815 --> 00:08:58.383
Him?” they said, “no, we've never met him.” i said, “did
00:08:58.450 --> 00:09:00.085
Never met him.” i said, “did someone invite you?” they
00:09:00.151 --> 00:09:01.653
Someone invite you?” they said, “no, nobody invited
00:09:01.720 --> 00:09:02.921
Said, “no, nobody invited us.” i said, “do you know
00:09:02.988 --> 00:09:04.456
Us.” i said, “do you know other people there?” they
00:09:04.522 --> 00:09:05.624
Other people there?” they said, “no joel, we're just
00:09:05.690 --> 00:09:07.092
Said, “no joel, we're just going to make him feel
00:09:07.158 --> 00:09:08.193
Going to make him feel welcome and let him know that
00:09:08.259 --> 00:09:09.828
Welcome and let him know that we support him, and we're
00:09:09.894 --> 00:09:11.029
We support him, and we're praying for him.” that struck
00:09:11.096 --> 00:09:13.398
Praying for him.” that struck me as being so odd. you don't
00:09:13.465 --> 00:09:15.300
Me as being so odd. you don't know him, you don't have to
00:09:15.367 --> 00:09:16.534
Know him, you don't have to go, nobody's expecting you,
00:09:16.601 --> 00:09:19.204
Go, nobody's expecting you, but my parents were givers.
00:09:19.270 --> 00:09:21.139
But my parents were givers. they loved to invest in
00:09:21.206 --> 00:09:22.507
They loved to invest in people, to encourage. they
00:09:22.574 --> 00:09:24.876
People, to encourage. they were always for the
00:09:24.943 --> 00:09:25.710
Were always for the underdogs. if someone wrote
00:09:25.777 --> 00:09:27.479
Underdogs. if someone wrote you off, my parents would be
00:09:27.545 --> 00:09:29.147
You off, my parents would be there to tell you, you can
00:09:29.214 --> 00:09:30.315
There to tell you, you can still do it. if you failed,
00:09:30.382 --> 00:09:32.617
Still do it. if you failed, you made a mistake, they
00:09:32.684 --> 00:09:33.852
You made a mistake, they would be there to lift you
00:09:33.918 --> 00:09:34.719
Would be there to lift you up, to help restore you, to
00:09:34.786 --> 00:09:37.055
Up, to help restore you, to let you know, god has another
00:09:37.122 --> 00:09:38.723
Let you know, god has another chance.
00:09:38.790 --> 00:09:39.991
Chance. they went to the reception
00:09:40.058 --> 00:09:41.092
They went to the reception and met chief brown and told
00:09:41.159 --> 00:09:43.194
And met chief brown and told them how they believed in
00:09:43.261 --> 00:09:44.229
Them how they believed in him, and how all of lakewood
00:09:44.295 --> 00:09:45.797
Him, and how all of lakewood would be praying. just sowing
00:09:45.864 --> 00:09:47.265
Would be praying. just sowing a seed of friendship, just
00:09:47.332 --> 00:09:49.134
A seed of friendship, just being kind, letting him know
00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:51.202
Being kind, letting him know that they care. twenty-one
00:09:51.269 --> 00:09:53.171
That they care. twenty-one years later, my father had
00:09:53.238 --> 00:09:54.673
Years later, my father had gone to be with the lord, i
00:09:54.739 --> 00:09:56.374
Gone to be with the lord, i had been pastoring for three
00:09:56.441 --> 00:09:57.676
Had been pastoring for three years. the church was
00:09:57.742 --> 00:09:59.144
Years. the church was growing. we needed a larger
00:09:59.210 --> 00:10:01.146
Growing. we needed a larger auditorium. we couldn't find
00:10:01.212 --> 00:10:03.148
Auditorium. we couldn't find any property to build. a
00:10:03.214 --> 00:10:05.183
Any property to build. a friend called and said the
00:10:05.250 --> 00:10:06.217
Friend called and said the rockets basketball team was
00:10:06.284 --> 00:10:08.119
Rockets basketball team was going to move out of the
00:10:08.186 --> 00:10:08.787
Going to move out of the compaq center, and we should
00:10:08.853 --> 00:10:10.321
Compaq center, and we should try to get that building for
00:10:10.388 --> 00:10:11.423
Try to get that building for lakewood. it was owned by the
00:10:11.489 --> 00:10:13.391
Lakewood. it was owned by the city. when he said that,
00:10:13.458 --> 00:10:15.593
Something came alive on the
00:10:15.694 --> 00:10:16.961
Something came alive on the inside. i knew we were
00:10:17.028 --> 00:10:18.797
Inside. i knew we were supposed to go after it. he
00:10:18.863 --> 00:10:20.532
Supposed to go after it. he said, “joel, you should call
00:10:20.598 --> 00:10:21.766
Said, “joel, you should call the mayor and ask him about
00:10:21.833 --> 00:10:23.201
The mayor and ask him about it.” i had only been
00:10:23.268 --> 00:10:24.369
It.” i had only been pastoring a short time.
00:10:24.436 --> 00:10:25.704
Pastoring a short time. nobody knew who i was. i
00:10:25.770 --> 00:10:27.372
Nobody knew who i was. i thought, “i can't call the
00:10:27.439 --> 00:10:28.039
Thought, “i can't call the mayor. he's not going to take
00:10:28.106 --> 00:10:29.541
Mayor. he's not going to take my call.” then i remembered
00:10:29.607 --> 00:10:31.543
My call.” then i remembered who the mayor was. it was no
00:10:31.609 --> 00:10:33.478
Who the mayor was. it was no longer police chief lee
00:10:33.545 --> 00:10:34.946
Longer police chief lee brown, now it was mayor lee
00:10:35.013 --> 00:10:37.115
Brown, now it was mayor lee brown. the same man my
00:10:37.182 --> 00:10:39.784
Brown. the same man my parents befriended twenty-one
00:10:39.851 --> 00:10:41.419
Parents befriended twenty-one years earlier. daddy may have
00:10:41.486 --> 00:10:43.388
Been gone, but that favor was
00:10:43.488 --> 00:10:45.223
Been gone, but that favor was stored up in my account.
00:10:45.290 --> 00:10:46.925
Stored up in my account. i called the city, fifteen
00:10:46.991 --> 00:10:48.460
I called the city, fifteen seconds later, the mayor was
00:10:48.526 --> 00:10:49.661
Seconds later, the mayor was on the line. he said, “joel
00:10:49.728 --> 00:10:51.129
On the line. he said, “joel what can i do for you?” i
00:10:51.196 --> 00:10:52.497
What can i do for you?” i told him how we were
00:10:52.564 --> 00:10:53.331
Told him how we were interested in the compaq
00:10:53.398 --> 00:10:54.632
Interested in the compaq center. he said, “joel i
00:10:54.699 --> 00:10:55.967
Center. he said, “joel i think lakewood having the
00:10:56.034 --> 00:10:57.268
Think lakewood having the compaq center would be great
00:10:57.335 --> 00:10:59.237
Compaq center would be great for the city of houston.” i
00:10:59.304 --> 00:11:01.306
For the city of houston.” i thought, “how can this be
00:11:01.372 --> 00:11:02.941
Thought, “how can this be happening? why does he want
00:11:03.007 --> 00:11:04.843
Happening? why does he want to go out of his way to be
00:11:04.909 --> 00:11:06.211
To go out of his way to be good to us?” that wasn't
00:11:06.277 --> 00:11:08.279
Good to us?” that wasn't something i did, that was the
00:11:08.346 --> 00:11:10.048
Something i did, that was the blessing that came from my
00:11:10.115 --> 00:11:11.750
Blessing that came from my parent's generosity. at
00:11:11.816 --> 00:11:14.052
Parent's generosity. at eighteen years old, i
00:11:14.119 --> 00:11:15.553
Eighteen years old, i wondered why they were going.
00:11:15.620 --> 00:11:17.455
Wondered why they were going. that seemed odd, but when you
00:11:17.522 --> 00:11:18.990
That seemed odd, but when you live a generous life, you
00:11:19.057 --> 00:11:20.859
Live a generous life, you don't know what you're
00:11:20.925 --> 00:11:21.659
Don't know what you're storing up. you don't know
00:11:21.726 --> 00:11:23.261
Storing up. you don't know how god is not only going to
00:11:23.328 --> 00:11:24.963
How god is not only going to bless you but bless those
00:11:25.029 --> 00:11:26.765
Bless you but bless those that come after you. on my
00:11:26.831 --> 00:11:28.666
That come after you. on my own i didn't have the clout,
00:11:28.733 --> 00:11:30.401
Own i didn't have the clout, the influence, the
00:11:30.468 --> 00:11:31.202
The influence, the experience, but there was
00:11:31.269 --> 00:11:32.837
Experience, but there was favor in my account.
00:11:32.904 --> 00:11:34.906
Favor in my account. when you look back over your
00:11:34.973 --> 00:11:36.074
When you look back over your life, how many challenges
00:11:36.141 --> 00:11:37.876
Life, how many challenges have you overcome that should
00:11:37.942 --> 00:11:39.511
Have you overcome that should have stopped you. obstacles
00:11:39.577 --> 00:11:41.746
Have stopped you. obstacles too big, dreams too great,
00:11:41.813 --> 00:11:44.249
Too big, dreams too great, but somehow you had the
00:11:44.315 --> 00:11:45.216
But somehow you had the strength to outlast, the door
00:11:45.283 --> 00:11:47.285
Strength to outlast, the door opened, the company chose
00:11:47.352 --> 00:11:48.820
Opened, the company chose you, the sickness turned
00:11:48.887 --> 00:11:50.021
You, the sickness turned around. somehow you got
00:11:50.088 --> 00:11:51.689
Around. somehow you got pregnant when they said you
00:11:51.756 --> 00:11:53.057
Pregnant when they said you couldn't have a baby. there
00:11:53.124 --> 00:11:54.726
Couldn't have a baby. there are good breaks you can't
00:11:54.793 --> 00:11:56.027
Are good breaks you can't explain, turnarounds you
00:11:56.094 --> 00:11:57.929
Explain, turnarounds you didn't see coming, favor that
00:11:57.996 --> 00:11:59.831
Didn't see coming, favor that thrust you ahead. it's
00:11:59.898 --> 00:12:01.566
Thrust you ahead. it's because someone in your
00:12:01.633 --> 00:12:03.234
Because someone in your family line stored up
00:12:03.301 --> 00:12:04.969
Family line stored up blessings for you. someone
00:12:05.036 --> 00:12:06.971
Blessings for you. someone gave, sacrificed, served, and
00:12:07.038 --> 00:12:09.474
Gave, sacrificed, served, and those blessings ran over into
00:12:09.541 --> 00:12:11.109
Those blessings ran over into your account. they couldn't
00:12:11.176 --> 00:12:12.844
Your account. they couldn't contain it, and now you're
00:12:12.911 --> 00:12:14.145
Contain it, and now you're being promoted. you're seeing
00:12:14.212 --> 00:12:15.947
Being promoted. you're seeing favor. it's a generational
00:12:16.014 --> 00:12:17.816
Favor. it's a generational blessing. it's like levi, you
00:12:17.882 --> 00:12:20.051
Blessing. it's like levi, you were born with a blessing.
00:12:20.118 --> 00:12:22.020
Were born with a blessing. you had relatives that sowed
00:12:22.086 --> 00:12:23.454
You had relatives that sowed seeds, but they didn't reap
00:12:23.521 --> 00:12:25.356
Seeds, but they didn't reap the whole harvest. some of
00:12:25.423 --> 00:12:26.691
The whole harvest. some of those seeds were designed to
00:12:26.758 --> 00:12:28.560
Those seeds were designed to bloom in your life. now
00:12:28.626 --> 00:12:30.395
Bloom in your life. now you're reaping from what they
00:12:30.461 --> 00:12:31.896
You're reaping from what they sowed.
00:12:31.963 --> 00:12:33.431
Sowed. my father always dreamed of
00:12:33.498 --> 00:12:35.266
My father always dreamed of building a large auditorium
00:12:35.333 --> 00:12:36.968
Building a large auditorium like the compaq center. in
00:12:37.035 --> 00:12:38.770
Like the compaq center. in one of his messages, way
00:12:38.837 --> 00:12:41.339
One of his messages, way before we moved in, he said,
00:12:41.406 --> 00:12:43.041
Before we moved in, he said, “one day we're going to buy
00:12:43.107 --> 00:12:44.142
“one day we're going to buy the summit.” that's what this
00:12:44.209 --> 00:12:45.877
The summit.” that's what this place was called back then.
00:12:45.944 --> 00:12:47.812
Place was called back then. he never saw it in his
00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:49.314
He never saw it in his lifetime. he went to be with
00:12:49.380 --> 00:12:50.682
Lifetime. he went to be with the lord. but sometimes god
00:12:50.748 --> 00:12:52.717
The lord. but sometimes god will put a dream in your
00:12:52.784 --> 00:12:53.885
Will put a dream in your heart that your children will
00:12:53.952 --> 00:12:55.620
Heart that your children will fulfill, your grandchildren.
00:12:55.687 --> 00:12:58.122
Fulfill, your grandchildren. you will see further than you
00:12:58.189 --> 00:12:59.624
You will see further than you can go. your vision may be
00:12:59.691 --> 00:13:02.227
Can go. your vision may be greater than you can
00:13:02.293 --> 00:13:03.461
Greater than you can accomplish. but god is
00:13:03.528 --> 00:13:05.396
Accomplish. but god is birthing that in your spirit
00:13:05.463 --> 00:13:07.131
Birthing that in your spirit so that future generations
00:13:07.198 --> 00:13:09.067
So that future generations can step in to what you're
00:13:09.133 --> 00:13:10.268
Can step in to what you're seeing. the good news is your
00:13:10.335 --> 00:13:13.104
Seeing. the good news is your generosity, the way you honor
00:13:13.171 --> 00:13:15.306
Generosity, the way you honor god with your obedience, your
00:13:15.373 --> 00:13:17.075
God with your obedience, your faithfulness, those seeds are
00:13:17.141 --> 00:13:19.377
Faithfulness, those seeds are accruing for your children,
00:13:19.444 --> 00:13:21.279
Accruing for your children, for your family line. like
00:13:21.346 --> 00:13:23.581
For your family line. like with me and mayor brown,
00:13:23.648 --> 00:13:25.083
With me and mayor brown, there will be destiny moments
00:13:25.149 --> 00:13:27.018
There will be destiny moments for those that come after you
00:13:27.085 --> 00:13:28.419
For those that come after you where doors open, the right
00:13:28.486 --> 00:13:30.521
Where doors open, the right people show up, to bring to
00:13:30.588 --> 00:13:32.423
People show up, to bring to pass what god put in your
00:13:32.490 --> 00:13:33.992
Pass what god put in your heart. they will reap the
00:13:34.058 --> 00:13:35.560
Heart. they will reap the harvest of some of the seeds
00:13:35.627 --> 00:13:37.495
Harvest of some of the seeds that you've sown. now keep
00:13:37.562 --> 00:13:39.564
That you've sown. now keep doing the right thing. keep
00:13:39.631 --> 00:13:41.366
Doing the right thing. keep being generous. keep
00:13:41.432 --> 00:13:42.901
Being generous. keep encouraging that friend. keep
00:13:42.967 --> 00:13:44.802
Encouraging that friend. keep taking care of that elderly
00:13:44.869 --> 00:13:46.037
Taking care of that elderly neighbor. keep giving to
00:13:46.104 --> 00:13:47.405
Neighbor. keep giving to support god's work. you're
00:13:47.472 --> 00:13:49.240
Support god's work. you're not only going to see
00:13:49.307 --> 00:13:50.141
Not only going to see increase, but there will be
00:13:50.208 --> 00:13:51.676
Increase, but there will be running over blessings,
00:13:51.743 --> 00:13:53.444
Running over blessings, blessings that you cannot
00:13:53.511 --> 00:13:54.512
Blessings that you cannot contain.
00:13:54.579 --> 00:13:56.080
Contain. in the scripture, jonathan
00:13:56.147 --> 00:13:57.749
In the scripture, jonathan was king saul's son. he was
00:13:57.815 --> 00:13:59.784
Was king saul's son. he was best friends with david.
00:13:59.851 --> 00:14:01.352
Best friends with david. jonathan had an incredibly
00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:03.021
Jonathan had an incredibly generous spirit. he was next
00:14:03.087 --> 00:14:05.356
Generous spirit. he was next in line to be the king after
00:14:05.423 --> 00:14:07.191
In line to be the king after his father passed, but he
00:14:07.258 --> 00:14:09.060
His father passed, but he knew god's hand was on david.
00:14:09.127 --> 00:14:10.929
Knew god's hand was on david. he went out of his way to be
00:14:10.995 --> 00:14:12.530
He went out of his way to be good to david. he could have
00:14:12.597 --> 00:14:14.165
Good to david. he could have been jealous, competitive,
00:14:14.232 --> 00:14:16.668
Been jealous, competitive, thought, “i've got to push
00:14:16.734 --> 00:14:17.502
Thought, “i've got to push david down. not let him get
00:14:17.568 --> 00:14:19.137
David down. not let him get my position.” but he was just
00:14:19.203 --> 00:14:21.105
My position.” but he was just the opposite. david came from
00:14:21.172 --> 00:14:23.441
The opposite. david came from a low-income family. they
00:14:23.508 --> 00:14:25.476
A low-income family. they were shepherds. jonathan was
00:14:25.543 --> 00:14:27.278
Were shepherds. jonathan was raised in royalty, in the
00:14:27.345 --> 00:14:28.680
Raised in royalty, in the palace. he understood
00:14:28.746 --> 00:14:30.181
Palace. he understood protocol and how things
00:14:30.248 --> 00:14:31.816
Protocol and how things operated. when david came to
00:14:31.883 --> 00:14:33.885
Operated. when david came to the palace, jonathan took him
00:14:33.952 --> 00:14:35.720
The palace, jonathan took him under his wing and helped him
00:14:35.787 --> 00:14:37.255
Under his wing and helped him learn how everything worked,
00:14:37.322 --> 00:14:38.790
Learn how everything worked, how to serve, how to carry
00:14:38.856 --> 00:14:40.391
How to serve, how to carry himself. when king saul
00:14:40.458 --> 00:14:42.794
Himself. when king saul became jealous of david and
00:14:42.860 --> 00:14:44.429
Became jealous of david and was trying to kill him,
00:14:44.495 --> 00:14:45.830
Was trying to kill him, jonathan protected david.
00:14:45.897 --> 00:14:47.799
Jonathan protected david. shared secrets to keep him
00:14:47.865 --> 00:14:49.167
Shared secrets to keep him safe. came up with a plan so
00:14:49.233 --> 00:14:51.169
Safe. came up with a plan so he wouldn't be harmed. if not
00:14:51.235 --> 00:14:52.937
He wouldn't be harmed. if not for jonathan, david may not
00:14:53.004 --> 00:14:54.872
For jonathan, david may not have fulfilled his purpose.
00:14:54.939 --> 00:14:57.141
Have fulfilled his purpose. when david was about to take
00:14:57.208 --> 00:14:58.509
When david was about to take off running from king saul,
00:14:58.576 --> 00:15:00.311
Off running from king saul, jonathan met him out in the
00:15:00.378 --> 00:15:01.646
Jonathan met him out in the field. 1 samuel 18 says,
00:15:01.713 --> 00:15:04.015
Field. 1 samuel 18 says, “jonathan took off his robe
00:15:04.082 --> 00:15:05.950
“jonathan took off his robe and gave it to david along
00:15:06.017 --> 00:15:07.785
And gave it to david along with his armor, his sword,
00:15:07.852 --> 00:15:09.821
With his armor, his sword, his bow and his belt.” look
00:15:09.887 --> 00:15:11.990
His bow and his belt.” look at jonathan, a giver. not
00:15:12.056 --> 00:15:14.359
At jonathan, a giver. not only incredibly generous, but
00:15:14.425 --> 00:15:16.494
Only incredibly generous, but he's giving it to someone
00:15:16.561 --> 00:15:18.329
He's giving it to someone that's going to take his
00:15:18.396 --> 00:15:19.297
That's going to take his position. god help us to be
00:15:19.364 --> 00:15:21.632
Position. god help us to be that way. not so selfish and
00:15:21.699 --> 00:15:23.835
That way. not so selfish and insecure and competitive that
00:15:23.901 --> 00:15:25.837
Insecure and competitive that i can't bless someone that's
00:15:25.903 --> 00:15:27.872
I can't bless someone that's going to go where i want to
00:15:27.939 --> 00:15:28.906
Going to go where i want to go. that i can't be good to
00:15:28.973 --> 00:15:30.908
Go. that i can't be good to someone that's going to pass
00:15:30.975 --> 00:15:32.310
Someone that's going to pass me up. when you can pass the
00:15:32.377 --> 00:15:34.812
Me up. when you can pass the test of being good to people
00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:36.681
Test of being good to people that are going further, then
00:15:36.748 --> 00:15:38.282
That are going further, then god can entrust you with
00:15:38.349 --> 00:15:39.617
God can entrust you with greater influence, greater
00:15:39.684 --> 00:15:41.219
Greater influence, greater resources. when you're
00:15:41.285 --> 00:15:43.087
Resources. when you're unselfish, you're comfortable
00:15:43.154 --> 00:15:45.189
Unselfish, you're comfortable helping others get ahead, you
00:15:45.256 --> 00:15:47.258
Helping others get ahead, you are sowing a seed for a
00:15:47.325 --> 00:15:48.760
Are sowing a seed for a running over blessing. god is
00:15:48.826 --> 00:15:50.661
Running over blessing. god is not only going to reward your
00:15:50.728 --> 00:15:51.996
Not only going to reward your generosity, but your
00:15:52.063 --> 00:15:53.564
Generosity, but your children, those that come
00:15:53.631 --> 00:15:55.299
Children, those that come after you, are going to be
00:15:55.366 --> 00:15:56.834
After you, are going to be born with a blessing. your
00:15:56.901 --> 00:15:58.503
Born with a blessing. your giving is being credited to
00:15:58.569 --> 00:16:00.071
Giving is being credited to their account.
00:16:00.138 --> 00:16:01.539
David and jonathan hugged
00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.907
David and jonathan hugged each other goodbye. and david
00:16:02.974 --> 00:16:04.575
Each other goodbye. and david took off into the desert,
00:16:04.642 --> 00:16:05.977
Took off into the desert, with saul chasing after him.
00:16:06.044 --> 00:16:07.712
With saul chasing after him. they would only see each
00:16:07.779 --> 00:16:08.546
They would only see each other one more time. it's
00:16:08.613 --> 00:16:10.481
Other one more time. it's significant that on one of
00:16:10.548 --> 00:16:11.616
Significant that on one of their last encounters,
00:16:11.682 --> 00:16:13.484
Their last encounters, jonathan was giving all these
00:16:13.551 --> 00:16:14.886
Jonathan was giving all these gifts. as david hid in caves,
00:16:14.952 --> 00:16:17.555
Gifts. as david hid in caves, month after month, i can
00:16:17.622 --> 00:16:18.923
Month after month, i can imagine, many times he looked
00:16:18.990 --> 00:16:21.159
Imagine, many times he looked at his robe and thought about
00:16:21.225 --> 00:16:22.927
At his robe and thought about his good friend, jonathan.
00:16:22.994 --> 00:16:24.429
His good friend, jonathan. how much he loved him. put on
00:16:24.495 --> 00:16:26.230
How much he loved him. put on his belt in the morning,
00:16:26.297 --> 00:16:27.398
His belt in the morning, picked up his sword, thought,
00:16:27.465 --> 00:16:28.900
Picked up his sword, thought, “jonathan gave me this.” he
00:16:28.966 --> 00:16:30.868
Was constantly reminded of
00:16:30.968 --> 00:16:32.270
Was constantly reminded of jonathan's generosity. not
00:16:32.336 --> 00:16:34.605
Jonathan's generosity. not just material things, but how
00:16:34.672 --> 00:16:36.774
Just material things, but how jonathan helped him navigate
00:16:36.841 --> 00:16:38.176
Jonathan helped him navigate the palace, and how he
00:16:38.242 --> 00:16:39.610
The palace, and how he protected him from king saul.
00:16:39.677 --> 00:16:41.345
A few years later, jonathanl.
00:16:41.446 --> 00:16:43.681
A few years later, jonathanl. and his dad, saul, were
00:16:43.748 --> 00:16:44.816
And his dad, saul, were killed in a battle on the
00:16:44.882 --> 00:16:46.050
Killed in a battle on the same day. david was made
00:16:46.117 --> 00:16:47.852
Same day. david was made king. the promise came to
00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:49.287
King. the promise came to pass. david was incredibly
00:16:49.353 --> 00:16:51.756
Pass. david was incredibly successful, had great
00:16:51.823 --> 00:16:53.324
Victories. led the israelites
00:16:53.424 --> 00:16:55.159
Victories. led the israelites to conquer enemies and take
00:16:55.226 --> 00:16:56.561
To conquer enemies and take new ground. twenty years had
00:16:56.627 --> 00:16:58.963
New ground. twenty years had passed since jonathan was
00:16:59.030 --> 00:17:00.231
Passed since jonathan was killed. now david was known
00:17:00.298 --> 00:17:02.400
Killed. now david was known everywhere, had all this
00:17:02.467 --> 00:17:03.501
Everywhere, had all this influence and power. one
00:17:03.568 --> 00:17:05.937
Influence and power. one night he was reminiscing,
00:17:06.003 --> 00:17:07.672
Night he was reminiscing, thinking about his dear
00:17:07.738 --> 00:17:08.639
Thinking about his dear friend, jonathan, and how
00:17:08.706 --> 00:17:09.907
Friend, jonathan, and how much he missed him. he said
00:17:09.974 --> 00:17:11.776
Much he missed him. he said to his men, “is there anyone
00:17:11.843 --> 00:17:13.744
To his men, “is there anyone still alive from the house of
00:17:13.811 --> 00:17:15.379
Still alive from the house of saul that i can show kindness
00:17:15.446 --> 00:17:17.682
Saul that i can show kindness to for jonathan's sake?” two
00:17:17.748 --> 00:17:20.685
To for jonathan's sake?” two decades had passed, david was
00:17:20.751 --> 00:17:22.954
Decades had passed, david was saying, “i want to be good to
00:17:23.020 --> 00:17:24.555
Saying, “i want to be good to jonathan's family. i want to
00:17:24.622 --> 00:17:26.424
Jonathan's family. i want to show them kindness because of
00:17:26.491 --> 00:17:28.126
Show them kindness because of what he did for me.” jonathan
00:17:28.192 --> 00:17:30.761
What he did for me.” jonathan didn't help david to get
00:17:30.828 --> 00:17:32.130
Didn't help david to get something but look at how god
00:17:32.196 --> 00:17:33.664
Something but look at how god works. he was storing it up
00:17:33.731 --> 00:17:35.566
Works. he was storing it up for his children. god put it
00:17:35.633 --> 00:17:37.768
For his children. god put it in david's heart to be good
00:17:37.835 --> 00:17:39.537
In david's heart to be good to jonathan's descendants.
00:17:39.604 --> 00:17:41.339
To jonathan's descendants. his men said, “david,
00:17:41.405 --> 00:17:42.540
His men said, “david, jonathan has a son named
00:17:42.607 --> 00:17:43.741
Jonathan has a son named mephibosheth living in the
00:17:43.808 --> 00:17:45.309
Mephibosheth living in the city of lodebar, but he's
00:17:45.376 --> 00:17:47.145
City of lodebar, but he's crippled. he can't walk.”
00:17:47.211 --> 00:17:49.614
Crippled. he can't walk.” lodebar was the poorest
00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:51.482
Lodebar was the poorest places of that day. it was
00:17:51.549 --> 00:17:52.550
Places of that day. it was the slums. david said, “it
00:17:52.617 --> 00:17:54.051
The slums. david said, “it doesn't matter. go get him
00:17:54.118 --> 00:17:55.219
Doesn't matter. go get him and bring him to me.” they
00:17:55.286 --> 00:17:57.054
And bring him to me.” they searched and searched.
00:17:57.121 --> 00:17:58.022
Searched and searched. finally found him and had to
00:17:58.089 --> 00:17:59.657
Finally found him and had to carry him to the palace.
00:17:59.724 --> 00:18:01.692
Carry him to the palace. mephibosheth was nervous, he
00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:03.828
Mephibosheth was nervous, he didn't know if david was
00:18:03.895 --> 00:18:04.829
Didn't know if david was angry, trying to get revenge
00:18:04.896 --> 00:18:07.064
Angry, trying to get revenge because of his grandfather
00:18:07.131 --> 00:18:08.299
Because of his grandfather king saul trying to kill him.
00:18:08.366 --> 00:18:10.334
King saul trying to kill him. he was expecting the worst.
00:18:10.401 --> 00:18:12.303
He was expecting the worst. he came in. david said,
00:18:12.370 --> 00:18:13.371
He came in. david said, “mephibosheth, don't worry.
00:18:13.437 --> 00:18:15.506
“mephibosheth, don't worry. i'm not here to harm you, i'm
00:18:15.573 --> 00:18:17.275
I'm not here to harm you, i'm here to bless you. because
00:18:17.341 --> 00:18:19.343
Here to bless you. because your father, jonathan, was so
00:18:19.410 --> 00:18:21.245
Your father, jonathan, was so good to me, from now on
00:18:21.312 --> 00:18:23.214
Good to me, from now on you're going to live in the
00:18:23.281 --> 00:18:24.081
You're going to live in the palace with me. you're going
00:18:24.148 --> 00:18:25.750
Palace with me. you're going to eat dinner at my table
00:18:25.816 --> 00:18:27.118
To eat dinner at my table each night. and all the land
00:18:27.185 --> 00:18:29.053
Each night. and all the land that belonged to your
00:18:29.120 --> 00:18:29.754
That belonged to your grandfather, i'm giving it to
00:18:29.820 --> 00:18:31.455
Grandfather, i'm giving it to you.” here's my point,
00:18:31.522 --> 00:18:33.925
You.” here's my point, mephibosheth didn't do
00:18:33.991 --> 00:18:35.226
Mephibosheth didn't do anything to deserve this. he
00:18:35.293 --> 00:18:36.994
Anything to deserve this. he didn't know david. he didn't
00:18:37.061 --> 00:18:38.729
Didn't know david. he didn't work to earn it. but because
00:18:38.796 --> 00:18:40.665
Work to earn it. but because of his father's generosity,
00:18:40.731 --> 00:18:42.934
Of his father's generosity, he was born with a blessing.
00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:45.069
He was born with a blessing. there was favor in his
00:18:45.136 --> 00:18:46.270
There was favor in his account because his father
00:18:46.337 --> 00:18:48.506
Account because his father sowed seeds of kindness,
00:18:48.573 --> 00:18:50.308
Sowed seeds of kindness, friendship, resources. now
00:18:50.374 --> 00:18:52.476
Friendship, resources. now that harvest was coming back
00:18:52.543 --> 00:18:54.145
That harvest was coming back to his son mephibosheth. it
00:18:54.212 --> 00:18:56.113
To his son mephibosheth. it had been stored up. many of
00:18:56.180 --> 00:18:58.182
Had been stored up. many of you have sown seeds of
00:18:58.249 --> 00:19:00.851
You have sown seeds of generosity, like jonathan
00:19:00.918 --> 00:19:02.587
Generosity, like jonathan you've been a blessing to
00:19:02.653 --> 00:19:03.454
You've been a blessing to people, giving your time,
00:19:03.521 --> 00:19:05.656
People, giving your time, helping those in need,
00:19:05.723 --> 00:19:06.857
Helping those in need, supporting the ministry. god
00:19:06.924 --> 00:19:08.926
Supporting the ministry. god is keeping the records. he's
00:19:08.993 --> 00:19:10.861
Is keeping the records. he's seen the sacrifices you've
00:19:10.928 --> 00:19:12.430
Seen the sacrifices you've made. there will be a day,
00:19:12.496 --> 00:19:14.365
Made. there will be a day, where you see a running over
00:19:14.432 --> 00:19:15.766
Where you see a running over blessing. not only are you
00:19:15.833 --> 00:19:17.768
Blessing. not only are you blessed, but in the future,
00:19:17.835 --> 00:19:19.237
Blessed, but in the future, your children, great
00:19:19.303 --> 00:19:20.838
Your children, great grandchildren, god will cause
00:19:20.905 --> 00:19:22.640
Grandchildren, god will cause someone to want to be good to
00:19:22.707 --> 00:19:24.542
Someone to want to be good to them for your sake.
00:19:24.609 --> 00:19:27.044
Them for your sake. the older i get, now that i'm
00:19:27.111 --> 00:19:29.280
The older i get, now that i'm 36, the more i realize the
00:19:29.347 --> 00:19:33.317
36, the more i realize the blessing of having generous
00:19:33.384 --> 00:19:35.886
Blessing of having generous parents and generous
00:19:35.953 --> 00:19:37.521
Parents and generous grandparents. my mother would
00:19:37.588 --> 00:19:39.290
Grandparents. my mother would have turned 92 last week, her
00:19:39.357 --> 00:19:41.559
Have turned 92 last week, her first birthday in heaven.
00:19:41.626 --> 00:19:43.361
First birthday in heaven. she's with my father, my
00:19:43.427 --> 00:19:44.829
She's with my father, my grandparents. they left me so
00:19:44.895 --> 00:19:47.632
Grandparents. they left me so much better off. i often say,
00:19:47.698 --> 00:19:50.401
Much better off. i often say, “thank you daddy, thank you
00:19:50.468 --> 00:19:52.136
“thank you daddy, thank you mother, thank you granddaddy.
00:19:52.203 --> 00:19:53.771
Mother, thank you granddaddy. for you left so much in my
00:19:53.838 --> 00:19:55.339
For you left so much in my account.” how that inspires
00:19:55.406 --> 00:19:57.975
Account.” how that inspires me to live that way. it's
00:19:58.042 --> 00:20:00.144
Me to live that way. it's easy these days to be
00:20:00.211 --> 00:20:01.379
Easy these days to be selfish, self- centered. only
00:20:01.445 --> 00:20:03.981
Selfish, self- centered. only focused on me. my problems,
00:20:04.048 --> 00:20:05.783
Focused on me. my problems, my goals. “joel, i don't have
00:20:05.850 --> 00:20:07.752
My goals. “joel, i don't have time to help others. i need
00:20:07.818 --> 00:20:09.287
Time to help others. i need all my resources.” that's a
00:20:09.353 --> 00:20:11.389
All my resources.” that's a shallow way to live. we are a
00:20:11.455 --> 00:20:13.624
Shallow way to live. we are a part of a much larger plan.
00:20:13.691 --> 00:20:16.394
Part of a much larger plan. we can make it easier on
00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:18.429
We can make it easier on those that come after us, or
00:20:18.496 --> 00:20:20.331
Those that come after us, or we can make it more
00:20:20.398 --> 00:20:21.198
We can make it more difficult. we can give them
00:20:21.265 --> 00:20:23.167
Difficult. we can give them an advantage, have favor,
00:20:23.234 --> 00:20:25.536
An advantage, have favor, good breaks, mercy accredited
00:20:25.603 --> 00:20:27.605
Good breaks, mercy accredited to their account, or we can
00:20:27.672 --> 00:20:29.340
To their account, or we can be a burden. leave them with
00:20:29.407 --> 00:20:31.208
Be a burden. leave them with nothing to benefit. let's be
00:20:31.275 --> 00:20:33.077
Nothing to benefit. let's be like abraham, give out of
00:20:33.144 --> 00:20:35.279
Like abraham, give out of gratefulness for the
00:20:35.346 --> 00:20:36.180
Gratefulness for the victories god's given us. or
00:20:36.247 --> 00:20:38.149
Victories god's given us. or how about like jonathan, give
00:20:38.215 --> 00:20:39.884
How about like jonathan, give unselfishly to help others.
00:20:39.950 --> 00:20:42.820
Unselfishly to help others. that's not only going to
00:20:42.887 --> 00:20:43.688
That's not only going to cause you to be blessed, but
00:20:43.754 --> 00:20:45.256
Cause you to be blessed, but it's storing up blessings for
00:20:45.323 --> 00:20:47.191
It's storing up blessings for future generations.
00:20:47.258 --> 00:20:49.260
Future generations. in my early twenties, i was
00:20:49.327 --> 00:20:50.828
In my early twenties, i was in india with my father, and
00:20:50.895 --> 00:20:52.697
In india with my father, and a few of my siblings. we were
00:20:52.763 --> 00:20:54.699
A few of my siblings. we were at the apartment of this
00:20:54.765 --> 00:20:55.766
At the apartment of this indian pastor, a very
00:20:55.833 --> 00:20:57.768
Indian pastor, a very influential leader that my
00:20:57.835 --> 00:20:59.270
Influential leader that my father loved and lakewood
00:20:59.337 --> 00:21:01.105
Father loved and lakewood supported for many years.
00:21:01.172 --> 00:21:03.341
Supported for many years. this pastor was so passionate
00:21:03.407 --> 00:21:04.909
This pastor was so passionate about his ministry, he never
00:21:04.975 --> 00:21:06.811
About his ministry, he never got his family a nicer place
00:21:06.877 --> 00:21:08.612
Got his family a nicer place to live. they were in this
00:21:08.679 --> 00:21:10.081
To live. they were in this old rundown apartment,
00:21:10.147 --> 00:21:11.982
Old rundown apartment, dilapidated, faucets weren't
00:21:12.049 --> 00:21:13.984
Dilapidated, faucets weren't working, in a rough area. my
00:21:14.051 --> 00:21:16.320
Working, in a rough area. my father decided a couple of
00:21:16.387 --> 00:21:17.688
Father decided a couple of months earlier that he was
00:21:17.755 --> 00:21:19.190
Months earlier that he was going to give him the funds
00:21:19.256 --> 00:21:20.658
Going to give him the funds personally, from our family
00:21:20.725 --> 00:21:22.760
Personally, from our family to buy a house to live in. it
00:21:22.827 --> 00:21:24.962
To buy a house to live in. it wasn't as much as here in the
00:21:25.029 --> 00:21:26.097
Wasn't as much as here in the states, but it was still a
00:21:26.163 --> 00:21:26.964
States, but it was still a significant amount. we went
00:21:27.031 --> 00:21:28.966
To his apartment that night
00:21:29.066 --> 00:21:30.234
To his apartment that night to tell him. all of his
00:21:30.301 --> 00:21:32.103
To tell him. all of his family gathered around. he
00:21:32.169 --> 00:21:33.871
Family gathered around. he had several smaller children.
00:21:33.938 --> 00:21:36.140
Had several smaller children. my father told him that our
00:21:36.207 --> 00:21:37.375
My father told him that our family wanted to buy him a
00:21:37.441 --> 00:21:38.376
Family wanted to buy him a house, and we brought him a
00:21:38.442 --> 00:21:39.944
House, and we brought him a gift to make it happen. there
00:21:40.010 --> 00:21:41.812
Gift to make it happen. there were three of us kids, plus
00:21:41.879 --> 00:21:43.781
Were three of us kids, plus one more in our group.
00:21:43.848 --> 00:21:45.549
One more in our group. instead of having one check
00:21:45.616 --> 00:21:47.051
Instead of having one check for the whole amount, my
00:21:47.118 --> 00:21:48.486
For the whole amount, my father had five checks, so we
00:21:48.552 --> 00:21:50.588
Father had five checks, so we could each give. my father
00:21:50.654 --> 00:21:52.523
Could each give. my father gave the first one. the
00:21:52.590 --> 00:21:53.991
Gave the first one. the pastor opened it up and began
00:21:54.058 --> 00:21:55.326
Pastor opened it up and began to weep. nobody had ever
00:21:55.393 --> 00:21:57.027
Given him that much before.
00:21:57.128 --> 00:21:58.929
Given him that much before. next, i came up and handed
00:21:58.996 --> 00:22:00.364
Next, i came up and handed him the check. he started
00:22:00.431 --> 00:22:01.565
Him the check. he started weeping more. you know me, i
00:22:01.632 --> 00:22:03.401
Weeping more. you know me, i started crying myself. three
00:22:03.467 --> 00:22:05.202
Started crying myself. three more came up. one by one and
00:22:05.269 --> 00:22:06.704
More came up. one by one and handed him the check. it's a
00:22:06.771 --> 00:22:08.305
Handed him the check. it's a moment i'll never forget. i
00:22:08.372 --> 00:22:10.641
Moment i'll never forget. i had bought a new sports car
00:22:10.708 --> 00:22:12.343
Had bought a new sports car earlier that year, a camaro z
00:22:12.410 --> 00:22:14.345
Earlier that year, a camaro z 28. that was so exciting. but
00:22:14.412 --> 00:22:17.114
28. that was so exciting. but that was nothing compared to
00:22:17.181 --> 00:22:18.816
That was nothing compared to the feeling of giving that
00:22:18.883 --> 00:22:20.418
The feeling of giving that pastor that check. i had
00:22:20.484 --> 00:22:21.986
Pastor that check. i had never felt the joy, the
00:22:22.052 --> 00:22:23.587
Never felt the joy, the satisfaction. that's what the
00:22:23.654 --> 00:22:25.890
Satisfaction. that's what the scripture says, “it is better
00:22:25.956 --> 00:22:27.124
Scripture says, “it is better to give than to receive.”
00:22:27.191 --> 00:22:28.426
To give than to receive.” i realize the reason my
00:22:28.492 --> 00:22:30.728
I realize the reason my father had separate checks is
00:22:30.795 --> 00:22:32.897
Father had separate checks is he wanted us each to
00:22:32.963 --> 00:22:33.998
He wanted us each to experience the joy of giving.
00:22:34.064 --> 00:22:36.734
Experience the joy of giving. he knew it would make a
00:22:36.801 --> 00:22:37.935
He knew it would make a lasting impact. parents,
00:22:38.002 --> 00:22:39.970
Lasting impact. parents, teach your children what it
00:22:40.037 --> 00:22:41.972
Teach your children what it means to be a giver. include
00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:44.341
Means to be a giver. include them when you give your
00:22:44.408 --> 00:22:45.342
Them when you give your tithes at church. take them
00:22:45.409 --> 00:22:47.344
Tithes at church. take them to serve with you at the food
00:22:47.411 --> 00:22:48.712
To serve with you at the food bank. let them be a part when
00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:50.781
Bank. let them be a part when you're helping that friend in
00:22:50.848 --> 00:22:51.749
You're helping that friend in need or being good to that
00:22:51.816 --> 00:22:53.451
Need or being good to that neighbor. being generous is
00:22:53.517 --> 00:22:55.686
Neighbor. being generous is one of the greatest gifts we
00:22:55.753 --> 00:22:57.421
One of the greatest gifts we can leave our family. today
00:22:57.488 --> 00:22:59.723
Can leave our family. today there's so much digital
00:22:59.790 --> 00:23:00.958
There's so much digital giving. in the old days, you
00:23:01.025 --> 00:23:02.526
Giving. in the old days, you would bring your offering to
00:23:02.593 --> 00:23:03.427
Would bring your offering to church, drop it off in the
00:23:03.494 --> 00:23:04.728
Church, drop it off in the plate. it was an act of
00:23:04.795 --> 00:23:06.330
Plate. it was an act of worship. something that you
00:23:06.397 --> 00:23:07.698
Worship. something that you could see, and pray over, and
00:23:07.765 --> 00:23:09.767
Could see, and pray over, and understand the importance.
00:23:09.834 --> 00:23:11.969
Understand the importance. now with everything
00:23:12.036 --> 00:23:13.103
Now with everything electronic, it can happen and
00:23:13.170 --> 00:23:15.706
Electronic, it can happen and we don't realize the
00:23:15.773 --> 00:23:16.574
We don't realize the significance. we're doing the
00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:18.509
Significance. we're doing the right thing, but giving is an
00:23:18.576 --> 00:23:20.744
Right thing, but giving is an act of worship. it's a way we
00:23:20.811 --> 00:23:22.980
Act of worship. it's a way we honor god. a friend of mine
00:23:23.047 --> 00:23:24.982
That attends here, said when
00:23:25.082 --> 00:23:26.484
That attends here, said when he goes to give each month,
00:23:26.550 --> 00:23:28.352
He goes to give each month, he has his children gather at
00:23:28.419 --> 00:23:29.720
He has his children gather at home around the computer. he
00:23:29.787 --> 00:23:31.956
Home around the computer. he has his offering on there.
00:23:32.022 --> 00:23:33.858
Has his offering on there. they pray over it as a
00:23:33.924 --> 00:23:34.959
They pray over it as a family, thank god for the
00:23:35.025 --> 00:23:36.727
Family, thank god for the funds. when it's time to
00:23:36.794 --> 00:23:38.529
Give, he has the children
00:23:38.629 --> 00:23:40.197
Give, he has the children push the send button. so they
00:23:40.264 --> 00:23:42.500
Push the send button. so they experience what it means to
00:23:42.566 --> 00:23:44.235
Experience what it means to give.
00:23:44.301 --> 00:23:44.835
Give. when victoria was a little
00:23:44.902 --> 00:23:47.071
When victoria was a little girl, her father was a deacon
00:23:47.137 --> 00:23:49.039
Girl, her father was a deacon in the church of christ. he
00:23:49.106 --> 00:23:50.941
In the church of christ. he would take the offering back
00:23:51.008 --> 00:23:52.042
Would take the offering back to be counted. victoria was
00:23:52.109 --> 00:23:53.811
To be counted. victoria was just five or six years old.
00:23:53.878 --> 00:23:55.546
Just five or six years old. she would sit on the counter
00:23:55.613 --> 00:23:56.847
She would sit on the counter and stamp the back of the
00:23:56.914 --> 00:23:58.082
And stamp the back of the checks. get them ready for
00:23:58.148 --> 00:23:59.850
Checks. get them ready for deposit. her father could
00:23:59.917 --> 00:24:01.819
Deposit. her father could have left her with the
00:24:01.886 --> 00:24:02.620
Have left her with the others, done that on his own.
00:24:02.686 --> 00:24:05.155
Others, done that on his own. but he wanted her to know,
00:24:05.222 --> 00:24:06.790
But he wanted her to know, “we are givers. we honor god.
00:24:06.857 --> 00:24:09.460
“we are givers. we honor god. we put him first place.” how
00:24:09.527 --> 00:24:11.562
We put him first place.” how many of us have been born
00:24:11.629 --> 00:24:13.497
Many of us have been born with a blessing because we
00:24:13.564 --> 00:24:15.165
With a blessing because we had parents that were
00:24:15.232 --> 00:24:16.033
Had parents that were generous, relatives that were
00:24:16.100 --> 00:24:17.968
Generous, relatives that were givers. i pray every day,
00:24:18.035 --> 00:24:20.337
Givers. i pray every day, “god help me to be a good
00:24:20.404 --> 00:24:21.572
“god help me to be a good steward of what you've given
00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:22.940
Steward of what you've given me. help me to pass on the
00:24:23.007 --> 00:24:24.808
Me. help me to pass on the favor, the blessing by living
00:24:24.875 --> 00:24:27.077
Favor, the blessing by living generously.” many of you have
00:24:27.144 --> 00:24:29.446
Generously.” many of you have done this. you've given,
00:24:29.513 --> 00:24:31.382
Done this. you've given, served, gone out of your way,
00:24:31.448 --> 00:24:33.517
Served, gone out of your way, year after year. god has seen
00:24:33.584 --> 00:24:35.553
Year after year. god has seen every gift, every sacrifice.
00:24:35.619 --> 00:24:38.188
Every gift, every sacrifice. i believe and declare, like
00:24:38.255 --> 00:24:40.424
I believe and declare, like with abraham, not only are
00:24:40.491 --> 00:24:42.560
With abraham, not only are you going to see abundance,
00:24:42.626 --> 00:24:44.094
You going to see abundance, but your seed, your levi's,
00:24:44.161 --> 00:24:46.830
But your seed, your levi's, four generations later are
00:24:46.897 --> 00:24:48.632
Four generations later are going to be born with a
00:24:48.699 --> 00:24:49.700
Going to be born with a blessing. favor, influence,
00:24:49.767 --> 00:24:51.669
Blessing. favor, influence, good breaks, because of your
00:24:51.735 --> 00:24:53.370
Good breaks, because of your generosity, in jesus' name.
00:24:53.437 --> 00:24:56.607
Generosity, in jesus' name. if you receive it, can you
00:24:56.674 --> 00:24:57.841
If you receive it, can you say amen? (applause)
00:24:57.908 --> 00:24:59.476
What if every plan you set,
00:25:01.378 --> 00:25:04.148
What if every plan you set, every habit you formed,
00:25:04.214 --> 00:25:05.983
Every habit you formed, and every decision you made
00:25:06.050 --> 00:25:08.085
And every decision you made became a pathway
00:25:08.152 --> 00:25:09.286
Became a pathway to see god move in your life?
00:25:09.353 --> 00:25:12.389
To see god move in your life? we all have hopes and dreams;
00:25:12.456 --> 00:25:14.158
We all have hopes and dreams; things we're believing for.
00:25:14.224 --> 00:25:15.826
Things we're believing for. when you start the year
00:25:15.893 --> 00:25:16.894
When you start the year in faith,
00:25:16.961 --> 00:25:17.728
In faith, expecting god's goodness,
00:25:17.795 --> 00:25:19.363
Expecting god's goodness, you are setting the tone
00:25:19.430 --> 00:25:20.598
You are setting the tone for a blessed new year.
00:25:20.664 --> 00:25:22.466
We'd love to send you our 2026
00:25:22.600 --> 00:25:24.568
We'd love to send you our 2026 faith for today planner.
00:25:24.635 --> 00:25:26.570
Faith for today planner. you can write down your dreams
00:25:26.670 --> 00:25:27.938
You can write down your dreams and goals,
00:25:28.005 --> 00:25:28.806
And goals, plus use it for your everyday
00:25:28.872 --> 00:25:30.240
Plus use it for your everyday activities and reminders.
00:25:30.307 --> 00:25:32.142
Activities and reminders. it's important
00:25:32.209 --> 00:25:32.910
It's important to feed your faith
00:25:32.977 --> 00:25:33.944
To feed your faith on a daily basis.
00:25:34.011 --> 00:25:35.479
On a daily basis. this planner, it's
00:25:35.546 --> 00:25:36.447
This planner, it's not just a calendar,
00:25:36.513 --> 00:25:37.715
Not just a calendar, it's filled with scriptures
00:25:37.781 --> 00:25:38.983
It's filled with scriptures and inspiration
00:25:39.049 --> 00:25:40.017
And inspiration to help
00:25:40.084 --> 00:25:40.451
To help you stay encouraged
00:25:40.517 --> 00:25:41.485
You stay encouraged and keep believing
00:25:41.552 --> 00:25:42.720
And keep believing for what god
00:25:42.786 --> 00:25:43.454
For what god has put in your heart.
00:25:43.520 --> 00:25:44.488
Has put in your heart. 2026 is your year
00:25:44.555 --> 00:25:46.156
2026 is your year to see the goodness of god
00:25:46.223 --> 00:25:47.458
To see the goodness of god in greater ways.
00:25:47.524 --> 00:25:48.859
In greater ways. let go of what
00:25:48.926 --> 00:25:49.526
Let go of what didn't work out and get ready
00:25:49.593 --> 00:25:51.095
Didn't work out and get ready for the new things
00:25:51.161 --> 00:25:52.129
For the new things god has in store.
00:25:52.196 --> 00:25:53.631
God has in store. as our way of saying thank you
00:25:53.731 --> 00:25:55.366
As our way of saying thank you for your gift of any amount
00:25:55.432 --> 00:25:56.900
For your gift of any amount this month,
00:25:56.967 --> 00:25:57.635
This month, we would like to send you
00:25:57.701 --> 00:25:58.902
We would like to send you a copy of the 2026
00:25:58.969 --> 00:26:00.804
A copy of the 2026 faith for today planner.
00:26:00.871 --> 00:26:02.506
Faith for today planner. each month features
00:26:02.573 --> 00:26:04.008
Each month features a fresh theme of encouragement,
00:26:04.074 --> 00:26:06.110
A fresh theme of encouragement, a guiding scripture
00:26:06.176 --> 00:26:07.244
A guiding scripture to stand on.
00:26:07.311 --> 00:26:08.345
To stand on. room to write your goals,
00:26:08.412 --> 00:26:09.880
Room to write your goals, prayers, and vision.
00:26:09.947 --> 00:26:11.382
Prayers, and vision. space for faith steps,
00:26:11.448 --> 00:26:13.117
Space for faith steps, because faith isn't passive,
00:26:13.183 --> 00:26:15.085
Because faith isn't passive, it's active.
00:26:15.152 --> 00:26:16.153
It's active. a monthly qr code
00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:17.755
A monthly qr code linking to a message or video
00:26:17.821 --> 00:26:19.690
Linking to a message or video to keep your spirit lifted.
00:26:19.757 --> 00:26:21.625
To keep your spirit lifted. with the 2026
00:26:21.692 --> 00:26:23.060
With the 2026 faith for today planner,
00:26:23.127 --> 00:26:24.628
Faith for today planner, you'll be reminded
00:26:24.695 --> 00:26:25.729
You'll be reminded that living by faith
00:26:25.796 --> 00:26:27.231
That living by faith makes room for god to do
00:26:27.297 --> 00:26:29.133
Makes room for god to do what only he can do.
00:26:29.199 --> 00:26:31.235
What only he can do. breakthrough in your business.
00:26:31.335 --> 00:26:32.970
Breakthrough in your business. god's healing touch.
00:26:33.037 --> 00:26:34.805
God's healing touch. loved ones returning to faith.
00:26:34.905 --> 00:26:37.107
Loved ones returning to faith. request your copy of the planner
00:26:37.174 --> 00:26:39.176
Request your copy of the planner and step into the new year
00:26:39.243 --> 00:26:40.678
And step into the new year with bold faith, fresh hope,
00:26:40.744 --> 00:26:43.047
With bold faith, fresh hope, and daily encouragement
00:26:43.113 --> 00:26:44.481
And daily encouragement to strengthen your spirit
00:26:44.548 --> 00:26:45.949
To strengthen your spirit and face every challenge
00:26:46.016 --> 00:26:47.518
And face every challenge with confidence.
00:26:47.584 --> 00:26:49.053
With confidence. no matter what's happening
00:26:49.119 --> 00:26:50.120
No matter what's happening around you,
00:26:50.187 --> 00:26:50.988
Around you, faith can rise up in you.
00:26:51.055 --> 00:26:52.923
Faith can rise up in you. keep believing
00:26:52.990 --> 00:26:53.757
Keep believing and expecting a blessed 2026.
00:26:53.824 --> 00:26:56.727
And expecting a blessed 2026. victoria and i pray for
00:26:56.794 --> 00:26:57.895
Victoria and i pray for you and your family every day.
00:26:57.995 --> 00:26:59.930
You and your family every day. thank you so much
00:26:59.997 --> 00:27:00.798
Thank you so much for your prayer and support.
00:27:00.864 --> 00:27:02.666
For your prayer and support. your generosity
00:27:02.733 --> 00:27:03.600
Your generosity is helping people
00:27:03.667 --> 00:27:04.468
Is helping people around the world.
00:27:04.535 --> 00:27:05.969
Around the world. as we finish this year,
00:27:06.036 --> 00:27:07.438
As we finish this year, i hope you'll consider
00:27:07.504 --> 00:27:08.472
I hope you'll consider making a special year-end gift
00:27:08.572 --> 00:27:10.574
Making a special year-end gift to help
00:27:10.641 --> 00:27:11.008
To help keep the ministry strong.
00:27:11.075 --> 00:27:12.910
Keep the ministry strong. we so appreciate
00:27:12.976 --> 00:27:13.811
We so appreciate all the champion
00:27:13.877 --> 00:27:14.578
All the champion of hope partners
00:27:14.645 --> 00:27:15.446
Of hope partners for your monthly support.
00:27:15.512 --> 00:27:17.247
For your monthly support. we wish you and your family
00:27:17.314 --> 00:27:18.582
We wish you and your family a very merry christmas.
00:27:18.649 --> 00:27:20.517
A very merry christmas. till we see you next time,
00:27:20.584 --> 00:27:21.852
Till we see you next time, may the lord bless
00:27:21.919 --> 00:27:22.720
May the lord bless you and keep you.
00:27:22.786 --> 00:27:24.455
You and keep you. request your copy of the 2026
00:27:24.521 --> 00:27:27.024
Request your copy of the 2026 faith for today planner today.
00:27:27.124 --> 00:27:29.927

Joel Osteen - Born With A Blessing

December 14, 2025 | 29:0

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