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Joel Osteen | Joel Osteen - Dare To Believe | May 17, 2026
- >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. someone sent
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- Something funny. someone sent me this interesting
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- Me this interesting observation from the book of
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- Observation from the book of genesis. it goes like this:
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- Genesis. it goes like this: in the beginning, god created
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- In the beginning, god created the earth and rested. then
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- The earth and rested. then god created man and rested.
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- God created man and rested. next god created women, and
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- Next god created women, and since then, neither god nor
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- Since then, neither god nor man has rested. (laughter)
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- Man has rested. (laughter) all right ya'll. say it like
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- All right ya'll. say it like you mean it. this is my
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- You mean it. this is my bible. i am what it says i
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- Bible. i am what it says i am. i have what it says i
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- Am. i have what it says i have. i can do what it says i
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- Have. i can do what it says i can do. today, i will be
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- Can do. today, i will be taught the word of god. i
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- 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 dare to believe. there
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- About dare to believe. there are times in life when our
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- Are times in life when our faith is high; we're filled
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- Faith is high; we're filled with great expectation. we're
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- With great expectation. we're pursuing dreams, seeing doors
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- Pursuing dreams, seeing doors open, making progress, then
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- Open, making progress, then life happens. a person walks
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- Life happens. a person walks away, a contract falls
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- Away, a contract falls through, the medical report
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- Through, the medical report isn't good. we were so close,
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- Isn't good. we were so close, it's like we could grasp it,
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- It's like we could grasp it, but now it doesn't seem
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- But now it doesn't seem possible. all of us face
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- Possible. all of us face these moments when life
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- These moments when life doesn't make sense, where
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- Doesn't make sense, where what we were hoping for
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- What we were hoping for didn't happen. our prayers
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- Didn't happen. our prayers weren't answered. it's easy
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- Weren't answered. it's easy to get discouraged. that's
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- To get discouraged. that's when doubt comes and
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- When doubt comes and whispers, “you must have
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- Whispers, “you must have heard god wrong. you'll never
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- Heard god wrong. you'll never get well. you'll never see
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- Get well. you'll never see your family restored. it's
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- Your family restored. it's too late to accomplish your
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- Too late to accomplish your dreams.” no, god wouldn't
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- Dreams.” no, god wouldn't have put that dream in your
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- Have put that dream in your heart, he wouldn't have given
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- Heart, he wouldn't have given you that promise if he wasn't
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- You that promise if he wasn't going to fulfill it. you're
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- Going to fulfill it. you're not going to understand the
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- Not going to understand the plan of god in real time. we
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- Plan of god in real time. we look at what's happening now,
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- Look at what's happening now, but god knows what's coming
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- But god knows what's coming later on. his ways are not
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- Later on. his ways are not our ways. his plans are
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- Our ways. his plans are better and bigger than our
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- Better and bigger than our plans. if you try to
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- Plans. if you try to understand everything that's
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- Understand everything that's happening in that one season,
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- Happening in that one season, you're going to be
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- You're going to be frustrated. because god is
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- Frustrated. because god is doing things now that are
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- Doing things now that are setting you up for something
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- Setting you up for something much better later on. he may
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- Much better later on. he may have to close a door, or move
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- Have to close a door, or move a person out of the way, or
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- A person out of the way, or take you through this detour,
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- Take you through this detour, this difficulty. “i don't
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- This difficulty. “i don't understand it. god, where are
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- Understand it. god, where are you? why did this happen?”
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- You? why did this happen?” faith is all about trusting
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- Faith is all about trusting when you don't understand.
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- When you don't understand. doing the right thing when
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- Doing the right thing when you have unanswered
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- You have unanswered questions, when it doesn't
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- Questions, when it doesn't make sense.
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- Make sense. all your emotions will say,
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- All your emotions will say, “be disappointed. live in
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- “be disappointed. live in self-pity. give up on your
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- Self-pity. give up on your dream.” no, come back to that
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- Dream.” no, come back to that place of peace, that place of
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- Place of peace, that place of trust. god is ordering your
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- Trust. god is ordering your steps. he is the author of
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- Steps. he is the author of your story. he has planned
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- Your story. he has planned your days for good and not
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- Your days for good and not for harm. yes, there may be
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- For harm. yes, there may be some seasons you don't
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- Some seasons you don't understand, seasons of
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- Understand, seasons of struggle, where what was
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- Struggle, where what was working is not working
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- Working is not working anymore. seasons of silence,
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- Anymore. seasons of silence, you're praying, doing the
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- You're praying, doing the right thing but nothing is
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- Right thing but nothing is changing. seasons of closed
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- Changing. seasons of closed doors, disappointments. where
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- Doors, disappointments. where it looks like it's canceled
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- It looks like it's canceled your dream. but god wouldn't
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- Your dream. but god wouldn't have allowed it if it was
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- Have allowed it if it was going to stop your purpose.
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- Going to stop your purpose. it looks like a setback, the
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- It looks like a setback, the truth is, it's setting you up
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- Truth is, it's setting you up for something you've never
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- For something you've never seen. dare to believe. dare
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- Seen. dare to believe. dare to trust him when it doesn't
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- To trust him when it doesn't make sense. when you don't
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- Make sense. when you don't understand. when doubt comes
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- Understand. when doubt comes bombarding your mind telling
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- Bombarding your mind telling you it's too late, it's over,
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- You it's too late, it's over, it's never going to happen.
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- It's never going to happen. what god started he's going
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- What god started he's going to finish. what he promised
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- To finish. what he promised you is still on the schedule.
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- You is still on the schedule. no disappointment can stop
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- No disappointment can stop him. no sickness. no bad
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- Him. no sickness. no bad break. god has the final say.
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- Break. god has the final say. he has you in the palm of his
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- He has you in the palm of his hand. he sees you doing the
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- Hand. he sees you doing the right thing when it's hard.
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- Right thing when it's hard. he sees you praising when you
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- He sees you praising when you could be complaining, staying
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- Could be complaining, staying in faith when all the
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- In faith when all the circumstances say you should
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- Circumstances say you should be discouraged. your time is
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- Be discouraged. your time is coming. you're going to see
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- Coming. you're going to see god show out in your life.
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- God show out in your life. jesus told peter, “you don't
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- Jesus told peter, “you don't realize what i'm doing now,
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- Realize what i'm doing now, but later on you will
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- But later on you will understand.” we get
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- Understand.” we get frustrated because we're
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- Frustrated because we're trying to figure out now.
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- Trying to figure out now. “why did that door close? why
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- “why did that door close? why did they do me wrong? why am
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- Did they do me wrong? why am i in this trouble?” no stay
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- I in this trouble?” no stay in faith. your ‘later on' is
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- In faith. your ‘later on' is coming. you're going to see
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- Coming. you're going to see it was all a part of god's
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- It was all a part of god's plan. what you thought was a
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- Plan. what you thought was a disappointment was necessary
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- Disappointment was necessary for you to step in to who you
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- For you to step in to who you were created to be.
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- Were created to be. this is what thomas had to
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- This is what thomas had to deal with. he left everything
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- Deal with. he left everything to follow jesus and became
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- To follow jesus and became one of the twelve disciples.
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- One of the twelve disciples. for three years, he saw jesus
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- For three years, he saw jesus walking in power, favor, and
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- Walking in power, favor, and huge crowds gathering. he was
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- Huge crowds gathering. he was there when jesus healed the
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- There when jesus healed the blind, cured the lepers,
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- Blind, cured the lepers, multiplied the food. he knew
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- Multiplied the food. he knew that jesus was the messiah,
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- That jesus was the messiah, the chosen one. he'd seen it
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- The chosen one. he'd seen it firsthand. but the jewish
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- Firsthand. but the jewish people in that day believed
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- People in that day believed the messiah would overthrow
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- The messiah would overthrow the roman government, free
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- The roman government, free them from oppression, restore
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- Them from oppression, restore israel back to the glory
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- Israel back to the glory days, from when david sat on
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- Days, from when david sat on the throne. they expected
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- The throne. they expected jesus to rule, to reign, to
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- Jesus to rule, to reign, to defeat the enemies. but
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- Defeat the enemies. but things didn't turn out the
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- Things didn't turn out the way they thought. instead of
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- Way they thought. instead of overthrowing rome, jesus was
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- Overthrowing rome, jesus was crucified by the romans.
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- Crucified by the romans. instead of sitting on a
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- Instead of sitting on a throne, he hung on a cross.
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- Throne, he hung on a cross. instead of this huge victory,
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- Instead of this huge victory, they saw this great defeat.
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- They saw this great defeat. their world was shattered.
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- Their world was shattered. they were confused. they had
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- They were confused. they had questions. thomas thought,
- 00:05:23.112 --> 00:05:25.114
- “did i waste my time? did i
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- “did i waste my time? did i spend three years believing a
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- Spend three years believing a lie? was i fooled, was he not
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- Lie? was i fooled, was he not who he said he was?” you can
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- Who he said he was?” you can imagine how heartbroken and
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- Imagine how heartbroken and disappointed.
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- Disappointed. what thomas couldn't see
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- What thomas couldn't see right then, was this was all
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- Right then, was this was all the plan of god. it had to
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- The plan of god. it had to happen. if it had worked out
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- Happen. if it had worked out the way thomas wanted, we
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- The way thomas wanted, we wouldn't have salvation. we
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- Wouldn't have salvation. we wouldn't have redemption,
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- Wouldn't have redemption, eternal life. thomas wanted
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- Jesus to change the
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- Jesus to change the government, god wanted jesus
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- Government, god wanted jesus to change the world. thomas
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- To change the world. thomas wanted freedom from rome, god
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- Wanted freedom from rome, god wanted freedom from sin.
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- Wanted freedom from sin. thomas wanted a temporary
- 00:05:59.048 --> 00:06:00.316
- Thomas wanted a temporary kingdom; god wanted an
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- Kingdom; god wanted an eternal kingdom. thomas
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- Eternal kingdom. thomas wanted a throne in jerusalem;
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- Wanted a throne in jerusalem; god wanted a throne on our
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- God wanted a throne on our hearts. what looked like a
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- Hearts. what looked like a setback, them crucifying
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- Setback, them crucifying jesus, was really a setup for
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- Jesus, was really a setup for us to have an abundant,
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- Us to have an abundant, victorious life. what am i
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- Victorious life. what am i saying? you can't always see
- 00:06:16.699 --> 00:06:19.569
- Saying? you can't always see the plan of god in the
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- The plan of god in the present. it's not always
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- Present. it's not always going to make sense. god is
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- Going to make sense. god is doing things that we can't
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- Doing things that we can't comprehend, that are much
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- Comprehend, that are much better than we can imagine.
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- Better than we can imagine. we get discouraged, “man,
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- We get discouraged, “man, joel, this is not what i
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- Joel, this is not what i thought would happen. this
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- Thought would happen. this company didn't treat me right
- 00:06:32.114 --> 00:06:33.249
- Company didn't treat me right after all these years. this
- 00:06:33.316 --> 00:06:34.750
- After all these years. this friend betrayed me. my loved
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- Friend betrayed me. my loved one didn't make it.” you
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- One didn't make it.” you don't know what god is up to.
- 00:06:37.753 --> 00:06:39.689
- Don't know what god is up to. things are happening behind
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- Things are happening behind the scenes that you can't see
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- The scenes that you can't see right now.
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- Right now. they crucified jesus on that
- 00:06:43.693 --> 00:06:45.094
- They crucified jesus on that friday, put him in the tomb.
- 00:06:45.161 --> 00:06:46.829
- Friday, put him in the tomb. they thought it was over. all
- 00:06:46.896 --> 00:06:48.364
- They thought it was over. all the forces of darkness were
- 00:06:48.431 --> 00:06:49.499
- The forces of darkness were celebrating, having a big
- 00:06:49.565 --> 00:06:50.900
- Celebrating, having a big party. but on sunday morning,
- 00:06:50.967 --> 00:06:53.069
- Party. but on sunday morning, it was a different story.
- 00:06:53.135 --> 00:06:54.670
- It was a different story. they got the surprise of
- 00:06:54.737 --> 00:06:55.738
- They got the surprise of their life. jesus came up out
- 00:06:55.805 --> 00:06:57.473
- Their life. jesus came up out of the grave. he said, “i am
- 00:06:57.540 --> 00:06:59.242
- Of the grave. he said, “i am he that lives. i was dead,
- 00:06:59.308 --> 00:07:01.410
- He that lives. i was dead, but i'm alive forevermore. by
- 00:07:01.477 --> 00:07:03.513
- But i'm alive forevermore. by the way, i have the keys of
- 00:07:03.579 --> 00:07:04.780
- The way, i have the keys of death and hell.” he rose in
- 00:07:04.847 --> 00:07:06.516
- Death and hell.” he rose in great victory. but the truth
- 00:07:06.582 --> 00:07:08.451
- Great victory. but the truth is jesus didn't like going
- 00:07:08.518 --> 00:07:10.620
- Is jesus didn't like going through that suffering
- 00:07:10.686 --> 00:07:11.420
- Through that suffering season. when he was mocked,
- 00:07:11.487 --> 00:07:13.689
- Season. when he was mocked, betrayed, beaten. he sweat
- 00:07:13.756 --> 00:07:15.825
- Betrayed, beaten. he sweat great drops of blood. he
- 00:07:15.892 --> 00:07:17.793
- Great drops of blood. he said, “father, if you will,
- 00:07:17.860 --> 00:07:19.262
- Said, “father, if you will, take this cup from me.” he
- 00:07:19.328 --> 00:07:21.163
- Take this cup from me.” he knew it was going to be
- 00:07:21.230 --> 00:07:22.231
- Knew it was going to be painful, but he trusted the
- 00:07:22.298 --> 00:07:24.166
- Painful, but he trusted the plan of god. he understood
- 00:07:24.233 --> 00:07:26.269
- Plan of god. he understood that it had to happen. there
- 00:07:26.335 --> 00:07:28.070
- That it had to happen. there are some levels you can only
- 00:07:28.137 --> 00:07:29.739
- Are some levels you can only get to by going through
- 00:07:29.805 --> 00:07:31.574
- Get to by going through difficult seasons. the key is
- 00:07:31.641 --> 00:07:34.277
- Difficult seasons. the key is don't focus on your
- 00:07:34.343 --> 00:07:35.478
- Don't focus on your crucifixion so to speak; you
- 00:07:35.545 --> 00:07:37.313
- Crucifixion so to speak; you have to believe that your
- 00:07:37.380 --> 00:07:38.748
- Have to believe that your resurrection is coming. it
- 00:07:38.814 --> 00:07:41.050
- Resurrection is coming. it may be friday in your life
- 00:07:41.117 --> 00:07:42.552
- May be friday in your life today. things you don't
- 00:07:42.618 --> 00:07:43.953
- Today. things you don't understand. you could be
- 00:07:44.020 --> 00:07:45.555
- Understand. you could be discouraged, “why is this
- 00:07:45.621 --> 00:07:46.956
- Discouraged, “why is this happening?” god is up to
- 00:07:47.023 --> 00:07:48.758
- Happening?” god is up to something. your sunday is
- 00:07:48.824 --> 00:07:50.626
- Something. your sunday is coming. something that you
- 00:07:50.693 --> 00:07:52.094
- Coming. something that you can't see right now. it's
- 00:07:52.161 --> 00:07:53.496
- Can't see right now. it's going to launch you into a
- 00:07:53.563 --> 00:07:54.830
- Going to launch you into a new level of your destiny.
- 00:07:54.897 --> 00:07:57.466
- When my father went to be.
- 00:07:57.567 --> 00:07:58.501
- When my father went to be. with the lord, seventy-seven
- 00:07:58.568 --> 00:08:00.002
- With the lord, seventy-seven years old, he had a heart
- 00:08:00.069 --> 00:08:01.437
- Years old, he had a heart attack and suddenly passed. i
- 00:08:01.504 --> 00:08:03.439
- Attack and suddenly passed. i didn't understand that. i
- 00:08:03.506 --> 00:08:05.041
- Didn't understand that. i thought daddy would live
- 00:08:05.107 --> 00:08:05.942
- Thought daddy would live another twenty years. we were
- 00:08:06.008 --> 00:08:07.710
- Another twenty years. we were best friends, now he was
- 00:08:07.777 --> 00:08:09.645
- Gone. it felt like everything
- 00:08:09.745 --> 00:08:12.048
- Gone. it felt like everything was upside down, like this
- 00:08:12.114 --> 00:08:13.282
- Was upside down, like this was the end; but i soon
- 00:08:13.349 --> 00:08:15.284
- Was the end; but i soon realized, it was all a part
- 00:08:15.351 --> 00:08:16.986
- Realized, it was all a part of god's plan. i never had
- 00:08:17.053 --> 00:08:19.422
- Of god's plan. i never had ministered before. i had been
- 00:08:19.488 --> 00:08:21.223
- Ministered before. i had been behind the scenes for
- 00:08:21.290 --> 00:08:22.325
- Behind the scenes for seventeen years. my father
- 00:08:22.391 --> 00:08:23.960
- Seventeen years. my father tried to get me up here again
- 00:08:24.026 --> 00:08:25.227
- Tried to get me up here again and again. when he passed, i
- 00:08:25.294 --> 00:08:26.429
- And again. when he passed, i suddenly had the desire to
- 00:08:26.495 --> 00:08:29.131
- Suddenly had the desire to step up and pastor the
- 00:08:29.198 --> 00:08:31.867
- Step up and pastor the church. i didn't know any of
- 00:08:31.934 --> 00:08:33.269
- Church. i didn't know any of this was in me. i didn't
- 00:08:33.336 --> 00:08:34.804
- This was in me. i didn't think i could minister. but
- 00:08:34.870 --> 00:08:36.305
- Think i could minister. but there are gifts and talents
- 00:08:36.372 --> 00:08:37.773
- There are gifts and talents god has put in you, sometimes
- 00:08:37.840 --> 00:08:40.209
- God has put in you, sometimes he has to push you into your
- 00:08:40.276 --> 00:08:41.644
- He has to push you into your destiny. the struggle, the
- 00:08:41.711 --> 00:08:44.180
- Destiny. the struggle, the disappointment, the things
- 00:08:44.246 --> 00:08:45.881
- Disappointment, the things you don't understand, it's
- 00:08:45.948 --> 00:08:47.416
- You don't understand, it's going to launch you into a
- 00:08:47.483 --> 00:08:48.684
- Going to launch you into a new level of your purpose. we
- 00:08:48.751 --> 00:08:51.120
- New level of your purpose. we see the moment, but god sees
- 00:08:51.187 --> 00:08:53.155
- See the moment, but god sees the whole story. we don't
- 00:08:53.222 --> 00:08:54.924
- The whole story. we don't like friday, but stay in
- 00:08:54.991 --> 00:08:56.425
- Like friday, but stay in faith, sunday is coming.
- 00:08:56.492 --> 00:08:58.561
- Faith, sunday is coming. the scripture says, “lean not
- 00:08:58.628 --> 00:09:01.030
- The scripture says, “lean not to your own understanding.”
- 00:09:01.097 --> 00:09:02.665
- To your own understanding.” things are going to happen
- 00:09:02.732 --> 00:09:04.133
- Things are going to happen that we don't understand.
- 00:09:04.200 --> 00:09:05.267
- That we don't understand. it's because our
- 00:09:05.334 --> 00:09:06.602
- It's because our understanding is limited. we
- 00:09:06.669 --> 00:09:08.638
- Understanding is limited. we are natural, god is
- 00:09:08.704 --> 00:09:10.139
- Are natural, god is supernatural. he said we
- 00:09:10.206 --> 00:09:11.874
- Supernatural. he said we haven't seen, heard or
- 00:09:11.941 --> 00:09:13.609
- Haven't seen, heard or imagined what he has in
- 00:09:13.676 --> 00:09:15.211
- Imagined what he has in store. what he's planning,
- 00:09:15.277 --> 00:09:17.747
- Store. what he's planning, you can't see right now.
- 00:09:17.813 --> 00:09:19.448
- You can't see right now. where he's taking you, it may
- 00:09:19.515 --> 00:09:21.417
- Where he's taking you, it may not happen by traditional,
- 00:09:21.484 --> 00:09:23.219
- Not happen by traditional, ordinary ways. he's going to
- 00:09:23.285 --> 00:09:24.987
- Ordinary ways. he's going to do things uncommon, that you
- 00:09:25.054 --> 00:09:27.156
- Do things uncommon, that you haven't thought of. bigger
- 00:09:27.223 --> 00:09:28.891
- Haven't thought of. bigger than you had planned. had
- 00:09:28.958 --> 00:09:30.660
- Than you had planned. had jesus done what the disciples
- 00:09:30.726 --> 00:09:32.395
- Jesus done what the disciples wanted, became that political
- 00:09:32.461 --> 00:09:34.363
- Wanted, became that political messiah and overthrown the
- 00:09:34.430 --> 00:09:36.032
- Messiah and overthrown the government, we wouldn't have
- 00:09:36.098 --> 00:09:37.500
- Government, we wouldn't have a savior. his ways are better
- 00:09:37.566 --> 00:09:39.835
- A savior. his ways are better than our ways. trust him when
- 00:09:39.902 --> 00:09:41.837
- Than our ways. trust him when it doesn't make sense.
- 00:09:41.904 --> 00:09:43.806
- On that sunday evening, after
- 00:09:43.906 --> 00:09:45.641
- On that sunday evening, after they crucified jesus, the
- 00:09:45.708 --> 00:09:47.343
- They crucified jesus, the disciples were in a room,
- 00:09:47.410 --> 00:09:49.145
- Disciples were in a room, locked behind closed doors.
- 00:09:49.211 --> 00:09:50.946
- Locked behind closed doors. they were afraid of the
- 00:09:51.013 --> 00:09:51.681
- They were afraid of the jewish leaders. what would
- 00:09:51.747 --> 00:09:53.449
- Jewish leaders. what would happen after the crucifixion?
- 00:09:53.516 --> 00:09:55.084
- Happen after the crucifixion? would they be next? when
- 00:09:55.151 --> 00:09:56.719
- Would they be next? when jesus suddenly appeared to
- 00:09:56.786 --> 00:09:58.421
- Jesus suddenly appeared to them. standing right in the
- 00:09:58.487 --> 00:10:00.056
- Them. standing right in the middle and talked with them.
- 00:10:00.122 --> 00:10:01.190
- Middle and talked with them. you can imagine, how they
- 00:10:01.257 --> 00:10:02.925
- You can imagine, how they were in awe. well thomas
- 00:10:02.992 --> 00:10:04.994
- Were in awe. well thomas wasn't there that night. they
- 00:10:05.061 --> 00:10:06.829
- Wasn't there that night. they rushed out to find him,
- 00:10:06.896 --> 00:10:07.963
- Rushed out to find him, couldn't wait to tell him the
- 00:10:08.030 --> 00:10:08.931
- Good news. they said,
- 00:10:09.031 --> 00:10:10.299
- Good news. they said, “thomas, we've seen the lord.
- 00:10:10.366 --> 00:10:12.501
- “thomas, we've seen the lord. he's alive.” they thought, of
- 00:10:12.568 --> 00:10:14.904
- He's alive.” they thought, of course, he would be excited.
- 00:10:14.970 --> 00:10:16.205
- Course, he would be excited. but thomas was a little more
- 00:10:16.272 --> 00:10:17.907
- But thomas was a little more analytical. he was logical,
- 00:10:17.973 --> 00:10:20.142
- Analytical. he was logical, practical. he had questions.
- 00:10:20.209 --> 00:10:23.179
- Practical. he had questions. “this didn't make sense. he
- 00:10:23.245 --> 00:10:24.513
- “this didn't make sense. he was crucified. how could he
- 00:10:24.580 --> 00:10:26.182
- Was crucified. how could he be alive? that's not
- 00:10:26.248 --> 00:10:27.249
- Be alive? that's not possible.” he answered them
- 00:10:27.316 --> 00:10:28.951
- Possible.” he answered them back, “unless i see the nail
- 00:10:29.018 --> 00:10:31.020
- Back, “unless i see the nail prints in his hands. unless i
- 00:10:31.087 --> 00:10:33.155
- Prints in his hands. unless i touch the wounds in his side,
- 00:10:33.222 --> 00:10:34.890
- Touch the wounds in his side, i'm not going to believe.” it
- 00:10:34.957 --> 00:10:37.026
- I'm not going to believe.” it wasn't so much that thomas
- 00:10:37.093 --> 00:10:38.761
- Wasn't so much that thomas was lacking faith, or he
- 00:10:38.828 --> 00:10:40.529
- Was lacking faith, or he wasn't committed enough. it's
- 00:10:40.596 --> 00:10:42.431
- Wasn't committed enough. it's that he didn't want to be
- 00:10:42.498 --> 00:10:43.332
- That he didn't want to be hurt again. that
- 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:45.034
- Hurt again. that disappointment, that loss was
- 00:10:45.101 --> 00:10:46.836
- Disappointment, that loss was so painful. he couldn't deal
- 00:10:46.902 --> 00:10:48.571
- So painful. he couldn't deal with anything more. sometimes
- 00:10:48.637 --> 00:10:50.673
- With anything more. sometimes when we've been through
- 00:10:50.740 --> 00:10:51.273
- When we've been through hurts, plans haven't worked
- 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:53.409
- Hurts, plans haven't worked out, it's tempting to lower
- 00:10:53.476 --> 00:10:55.244
- Out, it's tempting to lower our expectations. don't get
- 00:10:55.311 --> 00:10:57.246
- Our expectations. don't get our hopes up. it's easier to
- 00:10:57.313 --> 00:10:59.148
- Our hopes up. it's easier to not believe and just accept
- 00:10:59.215 --> 00:11:01.617
- Not believe and just accept it. “joel, i doubt that i can
- 00:11:01.684 --> 00:11:03.285
- It. “joel, i doubt that i can get well now, but i can live
- 00:11:03.352 --> 00:11:05.221
- Get well now, but i can live with this sickness. i doubt
- 00:11:05.287 --> 00:11:06.789
- With this sickness. i doubt i'll ever be free from this
- 00:11:06.856 --> 00:11:07.990
- I'll ever be free from this addiction. it's been so long,
- 00:11:08.057 --> 00:11:09.191
- Addiction. it's been so long, but i can handle it. i doubt
- 00:11:09.258 --> 00:11:11.127
- But i can handle it. i doubt i'll meet the right person; i
- 00:11:11.193 --> 00:11:12.394
- I'll meet the right person; i doubt i'll ever see
- 00:11:12.461 --> 00:11:13.295
- Doubt i'll ever see abundance, the open windows
- 00:11:13.362 --> 00:11:14.597
- Abundance, the open windows of heaven.” that's right
- 00:11:14.663 --> 00:11:15.731
- Of heaven.” that's right where thomas was. he thought,
- 00:11:15.798 --> 00:11:17.700
- Where thomas was. he thought, “i've grieved this loss. i've
- 00:11:17.767 --> 00:11:19.502
- “i've grieved this loss. i've accepted it's not going to
- 00:11:19.568 --> 00:11:20.603
- Accepted it's not going to happen. i'm okay with the
- 00:11:20.669 --> 00:11:22.371
- Happen. i'm okay with the disappointment.” you may be
- 00:11:22.438 --> 00:11:24.373
- Disappointment.” you may be okay, but god's not okay. he
- 00:11:24.440 --> 00:11:27.042
- Okay, but god's not okay. he loves you too much to let you
- 00:11:27.109 --> 00:11:28.677
- Loves you too much to let you miss your destiny. you may
- 00:11:28.744 --> 00:11:30.513
- Miss your destiny. you may have given up on a dream, but
- 00:11:30.579 --> 00:11:32.081
- Have given up on a dream, but god has not given up. when
- 00:11:32.148 --> 00:11:34.216
- God has not given up. when you won't go to him, he'll
- 00:11:34.283 --> 00:11:35.718
- You won't go to him, he'll come to you.
- 00:11:35.785 --> 00:11:37.119
- Come to you. a week later, the disciples
- 00:11:37.186 --> 00:11:38.587
- A week later, the disciples were in a room again. this
- 00:11:38.654 --> 00:11:40.322
- Were in a room again. this time thomas was there. the
- 00:11:40.389 --> 00:11:42.158
- Time thomas was there. the door was locked, deadbolted.
- 00:11:42.224 --> 00:11:44.460
- Door was locked, deadbolted. all of the sudden, jesus came
- 00:11:44.527 --> 00:11:45.895
- All of the sudden, jesus came walking through the door.
- 00:11:45.961 --> 00:11:47.530
- Walking through the door. they were standing there in
- 00:11:47.596 --> 00:11:48.664
- They were standing there in astonishment. jesus walked
- 00:11:48.731 --> 00:11:51.033
- Astonishment. jesus walked right past peter. passed
- 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:52.968
- Right past peter. passed john, matthew, james, and he
- 00:11:53.035 --> 00:11:55.237
- John, matthew, james, and he went straight to thomas. he
- 00:11:55.304 --> 00:11:57.506
- Went straight to thomas. he bypassed all the people who
- 00:11:57.573 --> 00:11:59.175
- Bypassed all the people who had faith and went to the one
- 00:11:59.241 --> 00:12:01.010
- Had faith and went to the one person that had doubt. he
- 00:12:01.076 --> 00:12:03.145
- Person that had doubt. he didn't speak to the
- 00:12:03.212 --> 00:12:03.879
- Didn't speak to the believers; he went to the one
- 00:12:03.946 --> 00:12:05.514
- Believers; he went to the one man that didn't believe. he
- 00:12:05.581 --> 00:12:07.583
- Man that didn't believe. he reached out his hands and
- 00:12:07.650 --> 00:12:09.084
- Reached out his hands and said, “thomas, touch my nail
- 00:12:09.151 --> 00:12:11.020
- Said, “thomas, touch my nail prints.” he turned his body,
- 00:12:11.086 --> 00:12:12.988
- Prints.” he turned his body, “thomas, touch the wounds on
- 00:12:13.055 --> 00:12:14.924
- “thomas, touch the wounds on my side.” god was showing us
- 00:12:14.990 --> 00:12:17.459
- My side.” god was showing us that doubt doesn't disqualify
- 00:12:17.526 --> 00:12:19.395
- That doubt doesn't disqualify you. jesus could have said,
- 00:12:19.461 --> 00:12:21.263
- You. jesus could have said, “fine thomas. i don't need
- 00:12:21.330 --> 00:12:23.132
- “fine thomas. i don't need you anymore. i'll find
- 00:12:23.199 --> 00:12:24.800
- You anymore. i'll find somebody else that will
- 00:12:24.867 --> 00:12:25.601
- Somebody else that will believe. good riddance.” god
- 00:12:25.668 --> 00:12:27.870
- Believe. good riddance.” god doesn't write you off because
- 00:12:27.937 --> 00:12:29.572
- Doesn't write you off because you don't have enough faith.
- 00:12:29.638 --> 00:12:31.140
- You don't have enough faith. you have questions, things
- 00:12:31.207 --> 00:12:32.741
- You have questions, things you don't understand. the
- 00:12:32.808 --> 00:12:34.310
- You don't understand. the enemy will try to bring
- 00:12:34.376 --> 00:12:35.544
- Enemy will try to bring condemnation, “you're not
- 00:12:35.611 --> 00:12:37.213
- Condemnation, “you're not strong enough. you're not
- 00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:38.948
- Strong enough. you're not committed enough. why are you
- 00:12:39.014 --> 00:12:40.216
- Committed enough. why are you doubting?” you're doubting
- 00:12:40.282 --> 00:12:41.817
- Doubting?” you're doubting because you're human. it
- 00:12:41.884 --> 00:12:43.686
- Because you're human. it doesn't mean you're going to
- 00:12:43.752 --> 00:12:44.720
- Doesn't mean you're going to miss god's plan. you're not
- 00:12:44.787 --> 00:12:46.689
- Miss god's plan. you're not going to see his goodness.
- 00:12:46.755 --> 00:12:48.190
- Going to see his goodness. god knows your heart. there
- 00:12:48.257 --> 00:12:50.192
- God knows your heart. there may be doubt in your head,
- 00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:51.861
- May be doubt in your head, but in your heart, you love
- 00:12:51.927 --> 00:12:53.395
- But in your heart, you love god. you want to believe.
- 00:12:53.462 --> 00:12:55.464
- God. you want to believe. you're trying to stay in
- 00:12:55.531 --> 00:12:56.532
- You're trying to stay in faith. god will come to you
- 00:12:56.599 --> 00:12:59.034
- Faith. god will come to you even in your doubt. he knows
- 00:12:59.101 --> 00:13:01.437
- Even in your doubt. he knows the struggles are real.
- 00:13:01.503 --> 00:13:03.339
- The struggles are real. disappointments can weigh us
- 00:13:03.405 --> 00:13:04.740
- Disappointments can weigh us down. people that do us
- 00:13:04.807 --> 00:13:06.575
- Down. people that do us wrong, doors that close, that
- 00:13:06.642 --> 00:13:08.544
- Wrong, doors that close, that can bring discouragement,
- 00:13:08.611 --> 00:13:10.079
- Can bring discouragement, bring questions. “i must have
- 00:13:10.145 --> 00:13:11.146
- Bring questions. “i must have heard god wrong.” he's not
- 00:13:11.213 --> 00:13:13.349
- Heard god wrong.” he's not saying, “if you're superman,
- 00:13:13.415 --> 00:13:15.651
- Saying, “if you're superman, if you never doubt, never
- 00:13:15.718 --> 00:13:17.486
- If you never doubt, never have a down moment, then i'll
- 00:13:17.553 --> 00:13:18.621
- Have a down moment, then i'll help you. then i'll show you
- 00:13:18.687 --> 00:13:20.389
- Help you. then i'll show you favor.” no even in the
- 00:13:20.456 --> 00:13:22.424
- Favor.” no even in the doubts, god is looking for
- 00:13:22.491 --> 00:13:23.893
- Doubts, god is looking for you. he's coming your way.
- 00:13:23.959 --> 00:13:26.829
- You. he's coming your way. when my mother was fighting
- 00:13:26.896 --> 00:13:27.930
- When my mother was fighting terminal cancer, she told how
- 00:13:27.997 --> 00:13:29.999
- Terminal cancer, she told how she would wake up in the
- 00:13:30.065 --> 00:13:31.033
- She would wake up in the middle of the night so
- 00:13:31.100 --> 00:13:32.534
- Middle of the night so worried and fearful. all
- 00:13:32.601 --> 00:13:34.436
- Worried and fearful. all these thoughts telling her
- 00:13:34.503 --> 00:13:35.471
- These thoughts telling her that it was over and there
- 00:13:35.537 --> 00:13:36.872
- That it was over and there was no way to get well. she
- 00:13:36.939 --> 00:13:39.041
- Was no way to get well. she would get a little
- 00:13:39.108 --> 00:13:39.675
- Would get a little discouraged and even
- 00:13:39.742 --> 00:13:41.310
- Discouraged and even confused. trying to stay in
- 00:13:41.377 --> 00:13:43.545
- Confused. trying to stay in faith, but doubt was so real
- 00:13:43.612 --> 00:13:45.180
- Faith, but doubt was so real and so strong. she told my
- 00:13:45.247 --> 00:13:47.383
- And so strong. she told my father, “john, i feel bad
- 00:13:47.449 --> 00:13:48.784
- Father, “john, i feel bad that i'm doubting. i'm trying
- 00:13:48.851 --> 00:13:50.619
- That i'm doubting. i'm trying my best, but these negative
- 00:13:50.686 --> 00:13:52.254
- My best, but these negative thoughts keep weighing me
- 00:13:52.321 --> 00:13:53.255
- Thoughts keep weighing me down.” my father told her,
- 00:13:53.322 --> 00:13:55.190
- Down.” my father told her, “dodie, you're doubting in
- 00:13:55.257 --> 00:13:56.625
- “dodie, you're doubting in your mind, but in your heart,
- 00:13:56.692 --> 00:13:58.827
- Your mind, but in your heart, you believe god. in your
- 00:13:58.894 --> 00:14:00.329
- You believe god. in your spirit, you know healing is
- 00:14:00.396 --> 00:14:02.364
- Spirit, you know healing is coming.” we all know god
- 00:14:02.431 --> 00:14:04.934
- Coming.” we all know god works when we have faith, but
- 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:06.769
- Works when we have faith, but what i want you to see is god
- 00:14:06.835 --> 00:14:08.537
- What i want you to see is god is so good, he'll meet you in
- 00:14:08.604 --> 00:14:10.439
- Is so good, he'll meet you in your doubt. when you have
- 00:14:10.506 --> 00:14:12.074
- Your doubt. when you have questions, when you feel
- 00:14:12.141 --> 00:14:13.609
- Questions, when you feel confused, when things happen
- 00:14:13.676 --> 00:14:15.577
- Confused, when things happen that you don't understand.
- 00:14:15.644 --> 00:14:17.246
- That you don't understand. i love how jesus walked
- 00:14:17.313 --> 00:14:18.981
- I love how jesus walked through a closed door. he
- 00:14:19.048 --> 00:14:20.616
- Through a closed door. he didn't knock. he didn't go
- 00:14:20.683 --> 00:14:22.151
- Didn't knock. he didn't go through a window; he didn't
- 00:14:22.217 --> 00:14:23.452
- Through a window; he didn't try to push the door open. he
- 00:14:23.519 --> 00:14:24.887
- Try to push the door open. he simply walked through the
- 00:14:24.954 --> 00:14:26.021
- Simply walked through the door. you may have doors that
- 00:14:26.088 --> 00:14:28.090
- Door. you may have doors that are locked in your life, so
- 00:14:28.157 --> 00:14:29.625
- Are locked in your life, so to speak; things that seem
- 00:14:29.692 --> 00:14:31.527
- To speak; things that seem impossible, in your health,
- 00:14:31.593 --> 00:14:33.729
- Impossible, in your health, your finances, your dreams.
- 00:14:33.796 --> 00:14:35.030
- Your finances, your dreams. no way in the natural. the
- 00:14:35.097 --> 00:14:36.532
- No way in the natural. the good news is there's not a
- 00:14:36.598 --> 00:14:38.000
- Good news is there's not a door that god can't walk
- 00:14:38.067 --> 00:14:39.568
- Door that god can't walk through. not a sickness he
- 00:14:39.635 --> 00:14:41.270
- Through. not a sickness he can't heal. not an addiction
- 00:14:41.337 --> 00:14:44.139
- Can't heal. not an addiction he can't break. not a child
- 00:14:44.206 --> 00:14:46.308
- He can't break. not a child he can't turn around. you
- 00:14:46.375 --> 00:14:47.776
- He can't turn around. you have the most powerful force
- 00:14:47.843 --> 00:14:49.311
- Have the most powerful force in the universe on your side.
- 00:14:49.378 --> 00:14:52.181
- In the universe on your side. but maybe today you're like
- 00:14:52.247 --> 00:14:53.549
- But maybe today you're like thomas, things haven't turned
- 00:14:53.615 --> 00:14:55.551
- Thomas, things haven't turned out the way you thought.
- 00:14:55.617 --> 00:14:57.086
- Out the way you thought. you're looking at it in real
- 00:14:57.152 --> 00:14:58.287
- You're looking at it in real time, and it doesn't make
- 00:14:58.354 --> 00:14:59.621
- Time, and it doesn't make sense. the medical report is
- 00:14:59.688 --> 00:15:01.623
- Sense. the medical report is not good. now you're doubting
- 00:15:01.690 --> 00:15:03.726
- Not good. now you're doubting whether you'll get well. you
- 00:15:03.792 --> 00:15:05.461
- Whether you'll get well. you had that breakup; now you're
- 00:15:05.527 --> 00:15:07.229
- Had that breakup; now you're doubting if you'll ever meet
- 00:15:07.296 --> 00:15:08.430
- Doubting if you'll ever meet anyone. you lost that client,
- 00:15:08.497 --> 00:15:10.399
- Anyone. you lost that client, you're doubting if your
- 00:15:10.466 --> 00:15:11.600
- You're doubting if your business can make it. you're
- 00:15:11.667 --> 00:15:13.369
- Business can make it. you're right where thomas was. the
- 00:15:13.435 --> 00:15:15.204
- Right where thomas was. the door is locked, deadbolted,
- 00:15:15.270 --> 00:15:17.573
- Door is locked, deadbolted, odds are against you. what
- 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:19.208
- Odds are against you. what you can't see is god is about
- 00:15:19.274 --> 00:15:20.976
- You can't see is god is about to walk through that door.
- 00:15:21.043 --> 00:15:22.644
- To walk through that door. it's going to be
- 00:15:22.711 --> 00:15:23.245
- It's going to be supernatural. you couldn't
- 00:15:23.312 --> 00:15:24.880
- Supernatural. you couldn't make it happen. it's the hand
- 00:15:24.947 --> 00:15:26.515
- Make it happen. it's the hand of god, doing what only he
- 00:15:26.582 --> 00:15:28.250
- Of god, doing what only he can do. resurrection sunday
- 00:15:28.317 --> 00:15:31.453
- Can do. resurrection sunday is not just about jesus
- 00:15:31.520 --> 00:15:33.288
- Is not just about jesus rising from the dead, that's
- 00:15:33.355 --> 00:15:34.590
- Rising from the dead, that's the most important thing. but
- 00:15:34.656 --> 00:15:36.425
- The most important thing. but if jesus can walk out of a
- 00:15:36.492 --> 00:15:37.760
- If jesus can walk out of a tomb, he can walk into your
- 00:15:37.826 --> 00:15:39.628
- Tomb, he can walk into your doubt. dare to trust him.
- 00:15:39.695 --> 00:15:42.398
- Doubt. dare to trust him. dare to believe. it may not
- 00:15:42.464 --> 00:15:44.600
- Dare to believe. it may not make sense right now, but
- 00:15:44.666 --> 00:15:46.068
- Make sense right now, but he's working behind the
- 00:15:46.135 --> 00:15:47.636
- He's working behind the scenes. his plan is better
- 00:15:47.703 --> 00:15:49.571
- Scenes. his plan is better than your plan. it may be
- 00:15:49.638 --> 00:15:51.373
- Than your plan. it may be friday in your life, but
- 00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:52.841
- Friday in your life, but sunday is coming. something
- 00:15:52.908 --> 00:15:54.410
- Sunday is coming. something that launches you into your
- 00:15:54.476 --> 00:15:56.245
- That launches you into your destiny.
- 00:15:56.311 --> 00:15:58.013
- Jesus told the disciples in
- 00:15:58.113 --> 00:15:59.648
- Jesus told the disciples in john chapter 16, “it's better
- 00:15:59.715 --> 00:16:01.750
- John chapter 16, “it's better for you if i go away, that
- 00:16:01.817 --> 00:16:04.253
- For you if i go away, that way the holy spirit can
- 00:16:04.319 --> 00:16:05.554
- Way the holy spirit can come.” they couldn't
- 00:16:05.621 --> 00:16:06.722
- Come.” they couldn't understand that in real time.
- 00:16:06.789 --> 00:16:08.724
- Understand that in real time. nothing could be positive
- 00:16:08.791 --> 00:16:09.958
- Nothing could be positive about jesus leaving. he was
- 00:16:10.025 --> 00:16:11.660
- About jesus leaving. he was their leader, their teacher,
- 00:16:11.727 --> 00:16:13.395
- Their leader, their teacher, their messiah. they had seen
- 00:16:13.462 --> 00:16:15.264
- Their messiah. they had seen all the miracles, all the
- 00:16:15.330 --> 00:16:16.265
- All the miracles, all the good that he had done. this
- 00:16:16.331 --> 00:16:18.133
- Good that he had done. this made no sense that it would
- 00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:19.601
- Made no sense that it would be better if he left. it's
- 00:16:19.668 --> 00:16:21.870
- Be better if he left. it's because they couldn't see the
- 00:16:21.937 --> 00:16:23.305
- Because they couldn't see the plan of god. they didn't know
- 00:16:23.372 --> 00:16:24.807
- What was coming. before jesus
- 00:16:24.907 --> 00:16:27.042
- What was coming. before jesus rose again, the holy spirit
- 00:16:27.109 --> 00:16:29.144
- Rose again, the holy spirit only lived in certain people.
- 00:16:29.211 --> 00:16:31.013
- Only lived in certain people. prophets and priests. in the
- 00:16:31.080 --> 00:16:32.948
- Prophets and priests. in the old testament, david would
- 00:16:33.015 --> 00:16:34.383
- Old testament, david would tell his men, “go to the
- 00:16:34.450 --> 00:16:35.651
- Tell his men, “go to the prophet and ask him what god
- 00:16:35.717 --> 00:16:37.453
- Prophet and ask him what god wants us to do.” when you
- 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:39.254
- Wants us to do.” when you made mistakes, you had to go
- 00:16:39.321 --> 00:16:40.489
- Made mistakes, you had to go find a priest to make a
- 00:16:40.556 --> 00:16:41.890
- Find a priest to make a sacrifice for your sins. they
- 00:16:41.957 --> 00:16:43.759
- Sacrifice for your sins. they were dependent on other
- 00:16:43.826 --> 00:16:45.094
- Were dependent on other people for guidance,
- 00:16:45.160 --> 00:16:46.628
- People for guidance, protection. everything in the
- 00:16:46.695 --> 00:16:48.864
- Protection. everything in the disciples reasoning said
- 00:16:48.931 --> 00:16:50.799
- Disciples reasoning said jesus leaving is a bad thing.
- 00:16:50.866 --> 00:16:53.435
- Jesus leaving is a bad thing. “this is not what we
- 00:16:53.502 --> 00:16:54.269
- “this is not what we expected. with him not here,
- 00:16:54.336 --> 00:16:56.438
- Expected. with him not here, we'll be less effective.” but
- 00:16:56.505 --> 00:16:58.540
- We'll be less effective.” but it was just the opposite.
- 00:16:58.607 --> 00:17:00.042
- It was just the opposite. when jesus left, he sent the
- 00:17:00.109 --> 00:17:01.844
- When jesus left, he sent the holy spirit to live on the
- 00:17:01.910 --> 00:17:03.946
- Holy spirit to live on the inside of each one of us. now
- 00:17:04.012 --> 00:17:06.215
- Inside of each one of us. now we don't have to go to a
- 00:17:06.281 --> 00:17:07.149
- We don't have to go to a prophet. we don't have to
- 00:17:07.216 --> 00:17:08.650
- Prophet. we don't have to find a priest, a minister, a
- 00:17:08.717 --> 00:17:10.686
- Find a priest, a minister, a pastor, we are temples of the
- 00:17:10.752 --> 00:17:12.788
- Pastor, we are temples of the most high god. the holy
- 00:17:12.855 --> 00:17:14.423
- Most high god. the holy spirit is in you right now
- 00:17:14.490 --> 00:17:16.191
- Spirit is in you right now leading you, guiding you.
- 00:17:16.258 --> 00:17:17.926
- Leading you, guiding you. he's called your counselor,
- 00:17:17.993 --> 00:17:19.728
- He's called your counselor, your advocate, your helper.
- 00:17:19.795 --> 00:17:21.864
- Your advocate, your helper. that's why jesus said, “it's
- 00:17:21.930 --> 00:17:23.765
- That's why jesus said, “it's better for you that i go
- 00:17:23.832 --> 00:17:25.033
- Better for you that i go away.”
- 00:17:25.100 --> 00:17:26.034
- Away.” sometimes god will remove
- 00:17:26.101 --> 00:17:28.070
- Sometimes god will remove things we don't understand.
- 00:17:28.137 --> 00:17:30.038
- Things we don't understand. he'll close doors, move
- 00:17:30.105 --> 00:17:31.907
- He'll close doors, move someone out of our life. we
- 00:17:31.974 --> 00:17:33.342
- Someone out of our life. we don't like it. nothing in our
- 00:17:33.408 --> 00:17:35.377
- Don't like it. nothing in our logic can see how it's a good
- 00:17:35.444 --> 00:17:36.778
- Logic can see how it's a good thing. you don't understand
- 00:17:36.845 --> 00:17:38.747
- Thing. you don't understand it now, but later on you
- 00:17:38.814 --> 00:17:40.415
- It now, but later on you will. god is doing things you
- 00:17:40.482 --> 00:17:42.351
- Will. god is doing things you can't see. he's going to take
- 00:17:42.417 --> 00:17:44.219
- Can't see. he's going to take you where you've never been.
- 00:17:44.286 --> 00:17:46.155
- You where you've never been. trust him when it doesn't
- 00:17:46.221 --> 00:17:47.623
- Trust him when it doesn't make sense. don't fight
- 00:17:47.689 --> 00:17:49.258
- Make sense. don't fight everything you don't like.
- 00:17:49.324 --> 00:17:50.826
- Everything you don't like. god is smarter than we are.
- 00:17:50.893 --> 00:17:52.594
- God is smarter than we are. if he's closing a door or
- 00:17:52.661 --> 00:17:54.796
- If he's closing a door or doing something you don't
- 00:17:54.863 --> 00:17:56.098
- Doing something you don't understand, be mature enough
- 00:17:56.165 --> 00:17:58.066
- Understand, be mature enough to say, “god, i trust you.
- 00:17:58.133 --> 00:18:00.068
- To say, “god, i trust you. you know what's best for me.
- 00:18:00.135 --> 00:18:02.471
- You know what's best for me. i may not like this, i may be
- 00:18:02.538 --> 00:18:04.473
- I may not like this, i may be in a crucifixion right now,
- 00:18:04.540 --> 00:18:06.275
- In a crucifixion right now, but i believe my resurrection
- 00:18:06.341 --> 00:18:08.177
- But i believe my resurrection is coming.”
- 00:18:08.243 --> 00:18:09.645
- Thomas became known as
- 00:18:09.745 --> 00:18:11.280
- Thomas became known as doubting thomas. we were
- 00:18:11.346 --> 00:18:13.048
- Doubting thomas. we were taught in sunday school,
- 00:18:13.115 --> 00:18:14.483
- Taught in sunday school, don't be like thomas. he
- 00:18:14.550 --> 00:18:16.351
- Don't be like thomas. he didn't have enough faith. he
- 00:18:16.418 --> 00:18:17.553
- Didn't have enough faith. he had to have proof. but do you
- 00:18:17.619 --> 00:18:19.388
- Had to have proof. but do you know how long thomas doubted?
- 00:18:19.454 --> 00:18:21.523
- Was it for a year, five
- 00:18:21.623 --> 00:18:23.225
- Was it for a year, five years, thirty years? he's got
- 00:18:23.292 --> 00:18:24.993
- Years, thirty years? he's got this nickname that's lasted
- 00:18:25.060 --> 00:18:26.762
- This nickname that's lasted two thousand years. no,
- 00:18:26.828 --> 00:18:28.530
- Two thousand years. no, thomas doubted for eight
- 00:18:28.597 --> 00:18:30.165
- Thomas doubted for eight days. it was eight days from
- 00:18:30.232 --> 00:18:32.901
- Days. it was eight days from the time they told him jesus
- 00:18:32.968 --> 00:18:34.303
- The time they told him jesus had risen, until the moment
- 00:18:34.369 --> 00:18:36.271
- Had risen, until the moment jesus walked in the room.
- 00:18:36.338 --> 00:18:38.106
- Jesus walked in the room. eight days and thousands of
- 00:18:38.173 --> 00:18:39.775
- Eight days and thousands of years later people are still
- 00:18:39.841 --> 00:18:41.376
- Years later people are still calling him doubting thomas.
- 00:18:41.443 --> 00:18:43.512
- Calling him doubting thomas. what's my point? people will
- 00:18:43.579 --> 00:18:45.147
- What's my point? people will try to label you by one bad
- 00:18:45.214 --> 00:18:47.082
- Try to label you by one bad moment. by one failure, one
- 00:18:47.149 --> 00:18:49.885
- Moment. by one failure, one tough season, one breakup. do
- 00:18:49.952 --> 00:18:51.820
- Tough season, one breakup. do yourself a favor. take off
- 00:18:51.887 --> 00:18:53.222
- Yourself a favor. take off those labels. weak thomas.
- 00:18:53.288 --> 00:18:55.624
- Those labels. weak thomas. addicted thomas. divorced
- 00:18:55.691 --> 00:18:58.393
- Addicted thomas. divorced thomas. compromising thomas.
- 00:18:58.460 --> 00:19:00.329
- Thomas. compromising thomas. that's not who you are. that
- 00:19:00.395 --> 00:19:02.197
- That's not who you are. that was one moment of your life.
- 00:19:02.264 --> 00:19:04.266
- Was one moment of your life. you may have failed, but you
- 00:19:04.333 --> 00:19:05.567
- You may have failed, but you are not a failure. that's
- 00:19:05.634 --> 00:19:06.902
- Are not a failure. that's what you did, that's not who
- 00:19:06.969 --> 00:19:08.337
- What you did, that's not who you are. you may have
- 00:19:08.403 --> 00:19:10.138
- You are. you may have doubted, but you're not a
- 00:19:10.205 --> 00:19:11.206
- Doubted, but you're not a doubter. don't let that label
- 00:19:11.273 --> 00:19:13.375
- Doubter. don't let that label become permanent. you may
- 00:19:13.442 --> 00:19:14.876
- Become permanent. you may struggle with an addiction,
- 00:19:14.943 --> 00:19:16.211
- Struggle with an addiction, but you are not an addict.
- 00:19:16.278 --> 00:19:17.713
- But you are not an addict. you are a child of the most
- 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:19.081
- You are a child of the most high god. don't let people
- 00:19:19.147 --> 00:19:21.216
- High god. don't let people label you. let god label you.
- 00:19:21.283 --> 00:19:24.253
- Label you. let god label you. we call him doubting thomas.
- 00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:25.687
- We call him doubting thomas. you know what god calls him,
- 00:19:25.754 --> 00:19:26.788
- You know what god calls him, believing thomas. forgiven
- 00:19:26.855 --> 00:19:28.624
- Believing thomas. forgiven thomas. blessed thomas. now
- 00:19:28.690 --> 00:19:30.792
- Thomas. blessed thomas. now you may need to take off some
- 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:32.194
- You may need to take off some labels today. unattractive,
- 00:19:32.261 --> 00:19:34.529
- Labels today. unattractive, damaged, hurt, compromiser.
- 00:19:34.596 --> 00:19:37.199
- Damaged, hurt, compromiser. don't let that define your
- 00:19:37.266 --> 00:19:38.533
- Don't let that define your future. every person has had
- 00:19:38.600 --> 00:19:41.036
- Future. every person has had a moment of doubt, a moment
- 00:19:41.103 --> 00:19:43.005
- A moment of doubt, a moment of compromise that we wish we
- 00:19:43.071 --> 00:19:44.906
- Of compromise that we wish we could undo. if we could go
- 00:19:44.973 --> 00:19:46.775
- Could undo. if we could go back, we'd do better. if
- 00:19:46.842 --> 00:19:48.577
- Back, we'd do better. if thomas had another chance, he
- 00:19:48.644 --> 00:19:50.178
- Thomas had another chance, he would have believed right at
- 00:19:50.245 --> 00:19:51.246
- Would have believed right at first. but it happened. you
- 00:19:51.313 --> 00:19:53.282
- First. but it happened. you can't change the past, but
- 00:19:53.348 --> 00:19:55.183
- Can't change the past, but you don't have to let it
- 00:19:55.250 --> 00:19:56.118
- You don't have to let it define you. the enemy is an
- 00:19:56.184 --> 00:19:58.787
- Define you. the enemy is an expert with labels. he'd love
- 00:19:58.854 --> 00:20:00.956
- Expert with labels. he'd love to deceive you into wearing
- 00:20:01.023 --> 00:20:02.124
- To deceive you into wearing that doubting label.
- 00:20:02.190 --> 00:20:03.759
- That doubting label. inferior, shame, washed up,
- 00:20:03.825 --> 00:20:07.262
- Inferior, shame, washed up, unworthy. take off those
- 00:20:07.329 --> 00:20:08.997
- Unworthy. take off those labels. you are who god says
- 00:20:09.064 --> 00:20:10.966
- Labels. you are who god says you are. blessed, valuable,
- 00:20:11.033 --> 00:20:13.101
- You are. blessed, valuable, worthy, a masterpiece. people
- 00:20:13.168 --> 00:20:17.139
- Worthy, a masterpiece. people may define you by what you
- 00:20:17.205 --> 00:20:18.774
- May define you by what you did, but god defines you by
- 00:20:18.840 --> 00:20:20.942
- Did, but god defines you by what jesus did. he made you
- 00:20:21.009 --> 00:20:23.145
- What jesus did. he made you worthy. he made you
- 00:20:23.211 --> 00:20:24.579
- Worthy. he made you righteous. he calls you his
- 00:20:24.646 --> 00:20:26.014
- Righteous. he calls you his own child. his prized
- 00:20:26.081 --> 00:20:27.983
- Own child. his prized possession.
- 00:20:28.050 --> 00:20:29.251
- Possession. this is really a good lesson
- 00:20:29.318 --> 00:20:30.786
- This is really a good lesson for all of us. don't judge
- 00:20:30.852 --> 00:20:32.554
- For all of us. don't judge people by one event. don't
- 00:20:32.621 --> 00:20:35.023
- People by one event. don't label them by one bad season.
- 00:20:35.090 --> 00:20:37.192
- Label them by one bad season. “i can't believe they did
- 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:38.493
- “i can't believe they did that.” if it wasn't for the
- 00:20:38.560 --> 00:20:40.162
- That.” if it wasn't for the grace of god, you could have
- 00:20:40.228 --> 00:20:41.463
- Grace of god, you could have done it too. it wasn't just
- 00:20:41.530 --> 00:20:43.231
- Done it too. it wasn't just your discipline, your focus,
- 00:20:43.298 --> 00:20:45.100
- Your discipline, your focus, it was the mercy of god
- 00:20:45.167 --> 00:20:46.468
- It was the mercy of god helping you. don't be
- 00:20:46.535 --> 00:20:48.136
- Helping you. don't be self-righteous, holier than
- 00:20:48.203 --> 00:20:50.138
- Self-righteous, holier than thou. “i would have never
- 00:20:50.205 --> 00:20:50.972
- Thou. “i would have never done that.” no, our
- 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:52.240
- Done that.” no, our righteousness comes from god.
- 00:20:52.307 --> 00:20:54.509
- Righteousness comes from god. walk humbly. recognize it's
- 00:20:54.576 --> 00:20:56.845
- Walk humbly. recognize it's his mercy and his grace
- 00:20:56.912 --> 00:20:58.647
- His mercy and his grace keeping us on course. the
- 00:20:58.714 --> 00:21:00.649
- Keeping us on course. the mercy you show others is the
- 00:21:00.716 --> 00:21:02.417
- Mercy you show others is the mercy god is going to show
- 00:21:02.484 --> 00:21:03.785
- Mercy god is going to show you. this is what lakewood is
- 00:21:03.852 --> 00:21:05.954
- You. this is what lakewood is all about. people walk in
- 00:21:06.021 --> 00:21:07.656
- All about. people walk in here with shortcomings,
- 00:21:07.723 --> 00:21:09.157
- Here with shortcomings, addictions, compromise,
- 00:21:09.224 --> 00:21:11.159
- Addictions, compromise, doubt. but we don't call you
- 00:21:11.226 --> 00:21:12.894
- Doubt. but we don't call you by what you've done, we call
- 00:21:12.961 --> 00:21:14.563
- By what you've done, we call you by who god says you are.
- 00:21:14.629 --> 00:21:16.698
- You by who god says you are. not doubting thomas, that was
- 00:21:16.765 --> 00:21:18.767
- Eight days but believingt was
- 00:21:18.867 --> 00:21:20.936
- Eight days but believingt was thomas. not addicted thomas,
- 00:21:21.002 --> 00:21:23.071
- Thomas. not addicted thomas, but free thomas. not ashamed
- 00:21:23.138 --> 00:21:25.440
- But free thomas. not ashamed thomas, but worthy thomas.
- 00:21:25.507 --> 00:21:27.476
- Thomas, but worthy thomas. not failing thomas, but
- 00:21:27.542 --> 00:21:28.944
- Not failing thomas, but victorious thomas.
- 00:21:29.010 --> 00:21:30.912
- Victorious thomas. thomas is probably most known
- 00:21:30.979 --> 00:21:32.714
- Thomas is probably most known for his doubt, but that
- 00:21:32.781 --> 00:21:34.116
- For his doubt, but that wasn't the end of the story.
- 00:21:34.182 --> 00:21:35.784
- Wasn't the end of the story. that eight days got a lot of
- 00:21:35.851 --> 00:21:37.152
- That eight days got a lot of attention, but what we don't
- 00:21:37.219 --> 00:21:38.754
- Attention, but what we don't hear a lot about is thomas
- 00:21:38.820 --> 00:21:40.756
- Hear a lot about is thomas took the gospel further than
- 00:21:40.822 --> 00:21:42.758
- Took the gospel further than any other disciple. peter,
- 00:21:42.824 --> 00:21:44.893
- James, john; they went to
- 00:21:44.993 --> 00:21:46.461
- James, john; they went to rome, greece, judea. thomas
- 00:21:46.528 --> 00:21:49.097
- Rome, greece, judea. thomas went to india, to another
- 00:21:49.164 --> 00:21:50.832
- Went to india, to another continent, three thousand
- 00:21:50.899 --> 00:21:52.467
- Continent, three thousand miles away. the man who
- 00:21:52.534 --> 00:21:54.269
- Miles away. the man who doubted, god used to go the
- 00:21:54.336 --> 00:21:56.104
- Doubted, god used to go the furthest. i've been to india
- 00:21:56.171 --> 00:21:57.973
- Furthest. i've been to india many times with my father.
- 00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:59.975
- Many times with my father. everywhere you go you meet a
- 00:22:00.041 --> 00:22:01.209
- Everywhere you go you meet a thomas. churches are named
- 00:22:01.276 --> 00:22:03.245
- Thomas. churches are named after thomas. parents name
- 00:22:03.311 --> 00:22:04.780
- After thomas. parents name their sons thomas. there are
- 00:22:04.846 --> 00:22:06.415
- Their sons thomas. there are groups called st thomas
- 00:22:06.481 --> 00:22:07.749
- Groups called st thomas christians that trace their
- 00:22:07.816 --> 00:22:09.484
- Christians that trace their faith back to thomas two
- 00:22:09.551 --> 00:22:11.119
- Faith back to thomas two thousand years ago. yes,
- 00:22:11.186 --> 00:22:12.888
- Thousand years ago. yes, thomas had a season of doubt,
- 00:22:12.954 --> 00:22:15.190
- Thomas had a season of doubt, but he didn't let it define
- 00:22:15.257 --> 00:22:16.558
- But he didn't let it define him. he went on to live a
- 00:22:16.625 --> 00:22:18.226
- Him. he went on to live a lifetime of faith. and
- 00:22:18.293 --> 00:22:20.195
- Lifetime of faith. and because of that, millions of
- 00:22:20.262 --> 00:22:21.530
- Because of that, millions of people in india, generations
- 00:22:21.596 --> 00:22:23.698
- People in india, generations later are still hearing about
- 00:22:23.765 --> 00:22:25.700
- Later are still hearing about the goodness of god.
- 00:22:25.767 --> 00:22:26.568
- The goodness of god. but the enemy would love to
- 00:22:26.635 --> 00:22:28.203
- But the enemy would love to convince you that your
- 00:22:28.270 --> 00:22:29.104
- Convince you that your doubts, your failures, what's
- 00:22:29.171 --> 00:22:31.807
- Doubts, your failures, what's happened in the past has
- 00:22:31.873 --> 00:22:33.341
- Happened in the past has tainted your future. just sit
- 00:22:33.408 --> 00:22:35.610
- Tainted your future. just sit on the sidelines. don't
- 00:22:35.677 --> 00:22:37.245
- On the sidelines. don't believe those lies. god is
- 00:22:37.312 --> 00:22:39.047
- Believe those lies. god is coming to you with love, with
- 00:22:39.114 --> 00:22:40.682
- Coming to you with love, with mercy, with forgiveness, not
- 00:22:40.749 --> 00:22:42.884
- Mercy, with forgiveness, not to just make it through, but
- 00:22:42.951 --> 00:22:44.553
- To just make it through, but like with thomas, to go
- 00:22:44.619 --> 00:22:45.654
- Like with thomas, to go further, to leave your mark.
- 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:48.423
- Further, to leave your mark. the best part of your life is
- 00:22:48.490 --> 00:22:49.825
- The best part of your life is still in front of you.
- 00:22:49.891 --> 00:22:51.693
- Still in front of you. jesus said to thomas,
- 00:22:51.760 --> 00:22:53.395
- Jesus said to thomas, “because you have seen me,
- 00:22:53.462 --> 00:22:54.763
- “because you have seen me, you have believed. but
- 00:22:54.830 --> 00:22:56.398
- You have believed. but blessed are those who have
- 00:22:56.465 --> 00:22:57.599
- Blessed are those who have not seen yet will believe.”
- 00:22:57.666 --> 00:23:00.202
- Not seen yet will believe.” that's you and me. we haven't
- 00:23:00.268 --> 00:23:02.003
- That's you and me. we haven't seen. we weren't there in
- 00:23:02.070 --> 00:23:03.839
- Seen. we weren't there in person. we weren't able to
- 00:23:03.905 --> 00:23:05.240
- Person. we weren't able to touch, to feel. yet you're
- 00:23:05.307 --> 00:23:07.342
- Touch, to feel. yet you're here. you're honoring god.
- 00:23:07.409 --> 00:23:09.611
- Here. you're honoring god. you're putting him first
- 00:23:09.678 --> 00:23:10.879
- You're putting him first place. you are blessed
- 00:23:10.946 --> 00:23:12.647
- Place. you are blessed because you believe and you
- 00:23:12.714 --> 00:23:14.216
- Haven't seen. maybe likeyou
- 00:23:14.316 --> 00:23:16.451
- Haven't seen. maybe likeyou thomas, you've had seasons of
- 00:23:16.518 --> 00:23:18.019
- Thomas, you've had seasons of doubt, wondering, questions.
- 00:23:18.086 --> 00:23:20.856
- Doubt, wondering, questions. that didn't disqualify you.
- 00:23:20.922 --> 00:23:22.958
- That didn't disqualify you. if god can use thomas, he can
- 00:23:23.024 --> 00:23:25.193
- Use you. or maybe you're in a
- 00:23:25.293 --> 00:23:27.295
- Use you. or maybe you're in a situation now that don't make
- 00:23:27.362 --> 00:23:28.597
- Situation now that don't make sense. it feels like you're
- 00:23:28.663 --> 00:23:30.165
- Sense. it feels like you're going backwards. god is up to
- 00:23:30.232 --> 00:23:32.000
- Going backwards. god is up to something behind the scenes.
- 00:23:32.067 --> 00:23:33.935
- Something behind the scenes. you don't understand it now,
- 00:23:34.002 --> 00:23:35.837
- You don't understand it now, trust him, later on you will.
- 00:23:35.904 --> 00:23:38.139
- Trust him, later on you will. his plan will unfold into
- 00:23:38.206 --> 00:23:40.408
- His plan will unfold into something better than you
- 00:23:40.475 --> 00:23:41.576
- Something better than you ever imagined. if thomas were
- 00:23:41.643 --> 00:23:43.945
- Ever imagined. if thomas were here today, he would tell
- 00:23:44.012 --> 00:23:44.980
- Here today, he would tell you, take off the negative
- 00:23:45.046 --> 00:23:46.748
- You, take off the negative labels. don't be defined by
- 00:23:46.815 --> 00:23:48.917
- Labels. don't be defined by one event, by one bad season,
- 00:23:48.984 --> 00:23:51.319
- One event, by one bad season, don't let that sour the rest
- 00:23:51.386 --> 00:23:52.587
- Don't let that sour the rest of your life. move forward in
- 00:23:52.654 --> 00:23:54.623
- Of your life. move forward in faith. your destiny is
- 00:23:54.689 --> 00:23:56.758
- Faith. your destiny is waiting. your children are
- 00:23:56.825 --> 00:23:58.727
- Waiting. your children are counting on you. relatives in
- 00:23:58.793 --> 00:24:00.729
- Counting on you. relatives in heaven, those that have gone
- 00:24:00.795 --> 00:24:02.163
- Heaven, those that have gone before you, are cheering you
- 00:24:02.230 --> 00:24:03.732
- Before you, are cheering you on right now. this is your
- 00:24:03.798 --> 00:24:05.133
- On right now. this is your moment. this is your time to
- 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:06.902
- Moment. this is your time to shine. dare to believe. if
- 00:24:06.968 --> 00:24:09.738
- Shine. dare to believe. if you'll do this, i believe and
- 00:24:09.804 --> 00:24:11.172
- You'll do this, i believe and declare, like thomas, doubt
- 00:24:11.239 --> 00:24:13.408
- Declare, like thomas, doubt is not going to stop you,
- 00:24:13.475 --> 00:24:14.843
- Is not going to stop you, it's going launch you,
- 00:24:14.910 --> 00:24:15.911
- It's going launch you, further and higher. it may be
- 00:24:15.977 --> 00:24:18.213
- Further and higher. it may be friday, but sunday is coming.
- 00:24:18.280 --> 00:24:21.116
- Friday, but sunday is coming. healing, favor,
- 00:24:21.182 --> 00:24:22.784
- Healing, favor, breakthroughs, the fullness
- 00:24:22.851 --> 00:24:24.486
- Breakthroughs, the fullness of your destiny, in jesus'
- 00:24:24.553 --> 00:24:26.621
- Of your destiny, in jesus' name. if you receive it, can
- 00:24:26.688 --> 00:24:28.924
- Name. if you receive it, can you say amen today? (applause)
- 00:24:29.024 --> 00:24:31.159
- I'd like to give you anpplause)
- 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:32.594
- I'd like to give you anpplause) opportunity to make jesus the
- 00:24:32.661 --> 00:24:34.362
- Opportunity to make jesus the lord of your life. would you
- 00:24:34.429 --> 00:24:35.797
- Lord of your life. would you pray with me? just say, “lord
- 00:24:35.864 --> 00:24:37.599
- Pray with me? just say, “lord jesus, i repent of my sins.
- 00:24:37.666 --> 00:24:40.635
- Jesus, i repent of my sins. come into my heart. i make
- 00:24:40.702 --> 00:24:42.537
- Come into my heart. i make you my lord and savior.” if
- 00:24:42.604 --> 00:24:44.606
- You my lord and savior.” if you prayed that simple
- 00:24:44.673 --> 00:24:45.373
- You prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got
- 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:46.575
- Prayer, we believe you got born again. we'd love to send
- 00:24:46.641 --> 00:24:48.209
- Born again. we'd love to send you some free information on
- 00:24:48.276 --> 00:24:49.477
- You some free information on your new walk with the lord.
- 00:24:49.544 --> 00:24:50.579
- Your new walk with the lord. you can text the number on
- 00:24:50.645 --> 00:24:51.947
- You can text the number on the screen or go to the
- 00:24:52.013 --> 00:24:52.981
- The screen or go to the website. but i hope you'll
- 00:24:53.048 --> 00:24:54.616
- Website. but i hope you'll get into a good bible-based
- 00:24:54.683 --> 00:24:56.351
- Get into a good bible-based church and keep god first
- 00:24:56.418 --> 00:24:57.986
- Church and keep god first place.
- 00:24:58.053 --> 00:24:58.787
- It's easy to feel stuck in life
- 00:25:01.856 --> 00:25:03.658
- It's easy to feel stuck in life wondering why
- 00:25:03.725 --> 00:25:04.326
- Wondering why things aren't
- 00:25:04.392 --> 00:25:04.826
- Things aren't changing and worrying
- 00:25:04.893 --> 00:25:06.027
- Changing and worrying if it will ever happen,
- 00:25:06.094 --> 00:25:07.429
- If it will ever happen, but there's
- 00:25:07.495 --> 00:25:08.129
- But there's a better way to wait.
- 00:25:08.196 --> 00:25:09.531
- I'd love to send you
- 00:25:09.631 --> 00:25:10.332
- I'd love to send you my new resource called
- 00:25:10.398 --> 00:25:11.666
- My new resource called pray it forward.
- 00:25:11.733 --> 00:25:13.001
- Pray it forward. this book is a collection
- 00:25:13.068 --> 00:25:14.269
- This book is a collection of prayers and promises
- 00:25:14.336 --> 00:25:15.637
- Of prayers and promises from the scripture
- 00:25:15.704 --> 00:25:16.738
- From the scripture to help you pray boldly
- 00:25:16.805 --> 00:25:18.306
- To help you pray boldly to strengthen your faith.
- 00:25:18.373 --> 00:25:20.041
- To strengthen your faith. while you're waiting,
- 00:25:20.108 --> 00:25:21.076
- While you're waiting, it's important
- 00:25:21.142 --> 00:25:21.776
- It's important to keep your mind
- 00:25:21.843 --> 00:25:22.644
- To keep your mind filled with hope
- 00:25:22.711 --> 00:25:23.478
- Filled with hope and expectancy.
- 00:25:23.545 --> 00:25:25.013
- And expectancy. when you pray in faith,
- 00:25:25.080 --> 00:25:26.481
- When you pray in faith, believe in what god promised,
- 00:25:26.548 --> 00:25:28.249
- Believe in what god promised, that's what moves
- 00:25:28.316 --> 00:25:29.017
- That's what moves the hands of god.
- 00:25:29.084 --> 00:25:30.118
- The hands of god. and that's when you'll see
- 00:25:30.185 --> 00:25:31.086
- And that's when you'll see doors open and healing
- 00:25:31.152 --> 00:25:32.687
- Doors open and healing begins to come.
- 00:25:32.754 --> 00:25:33.588
- Begins to come. breakthroughs in your family.
- 00:25:33.655 --> 00:25:35.323
- Breakthroughs in your family. don't let doubt hold you back.
- 00:25:35.390 --> 00:25:37.025
- Don't let doubt hold you back. pray it forward.
- 00:25:37.092 --> 00:25:38.293
- Pray it forward. as our way of saying thank you
- 00:25:38.360 --> 00:25:40.161
- As our way of saying thank you for your gift of any amount,
- 00:25:40.228 --> 00:25:41.930
- For your gift of any amount, we'd love to
- 00:25:41.997 --> 00:25:42.797
- We'd love to send you a copy of pray
- 00:25:42.864 --> 00:25:44.165
- Send you a copy of pray it forward: guided prayers
- 00:25:44.232 --> 00:25:45.867
- It forward: guided prayers for faith and breakthrough.
- 00:25:45.934 --> 00:25:47.569
- For faith and breakthrough. inspired by real life
- 00:25:47.636 --> 00:25:49.270
- Inspired by real life answered prayers,
- 00:25:49.337 --> 00:25:50.372
- Answered prayers, pray it forward will help you
- 00:25:50.438 --> 00:25:52.007
- Pray it forward will help you speak god's promises
- 00:25:52.073 --> 00:25:53.375
- Speak god's promises over your life
- 00:25:53.441 --> 00:25:54.275
- Over your life and over the people you love.
- 00:25:54.342 --> 00:25:56.378
- And over the people you love. trusting that when you ask
- 00:25:56.444 --> 00:25:58.046
- Trusting that when you ask in faith,
- 00:25:58.113 --> 00:25:58.880
- In faith, god is already at work
- 00:25:58.947 --> 00:26:00.615
- God is already at work preparing victory ahead of you.
- 00:26:00.682 --> 00:26:02.917
- Preparing victory ahead of you. you can take these prayers
- 00:26:02.984 --> 00:26:04.185
- You can take these prayers and scriptures
- 00:26:04.252 --> 00:26:04.886
- And scriptures and pray them forward.
- 00:26:04.953 --> 00:26:06.388
- And pray them forward. they'll build
- 00:26:06.454 --> 00:26:07.088
- They'll build a momentum of faith
- 00:26:07.155 --> 00:26:08.490
- A momentum of faith that carries you past obstacles
- 00:26:08.556 --> 00:26:10.425
- That carries you past obstacles and into the promises
- 00:26:10.492 --> 00:26:11.993
- And into the promises god has spoken over your life.
- 00:26:12.060 --> 00:26:14.663
- God has spoken over your life. when you pray the promises,
- 00:26:14.729 --> 00:26:16.331
- When you pray the promises, what god has spoken over
- 00:26:16.398 --> 00:26:17.666
- What god has spoken over your life,
- 00:26:17.732 --> 00:26:18.266
- Your life, those are powerful prayers.
- 00:26:18.333 --> 00:26:19.834
- Those are powerful prayers. and that's when
- 00:26:19.901 --> 00:26:20.602
- And that's when god shows up and does
- 00:26:20.669 --> 00:26:21.870
- God shows up and does what only he can do.
- 00:26:21.936 --> 00:26:23.571
- What only he can do. thanks so much
- 00:26:23.638 --> 00:26:24.172
- Thanks so much for being with us.
- 00:26:24.239 --> 00:26:25.306
- For being with us. victoria and i pray for
- 00:26:25.373 --> 00:26:26.608
- Victoria and i pray for you and your family every day
- 00:26:26.675 --> 00:26:28.376
- You and your family every day and we appreciate your prayer
- 00:26:28.443 --> 00:26:30.111
- And we appreciate your prayer and support.
- 00:26:30.178 --> 00:26:31.112
- And support. your generosity
- 00:26:31.179 --> 00:26:32.213
- Your generosity helps us
- 00:26:32.280 --> 00:26:32.747
- Helps us take this message of hope
- 00:26:32.814 --> 00:26:34.082
- Take this message of hope to people around the world.
- 00:26:34.149 --> 00:26:36.084
- To people around the world. a special
- 00:26:36.151 --> 00:26:36.451
- A special thank you to our champion
- 00:26:36.518 --> 00:26:37.652
- Thank you to our champion of hope partners
- 00:26:37.719 --> 00:26:38.720
- Of hope partners for all you do
- 00:26:38.787 --> 00:26:39.454
- For all you do to make the ministry possible.
- 00:26:39.521 --> 00:26:41.122
- To make the ministry possible. if you're not a partner,
- 00:26:41.189 --> 00:26:42.357
- If you're not a partner, i hope you'll
- 00:26:42.424 --> 00:26:42.924
- I hope you'll consider becoming one.
- 00:26:42.991 --> 00:26:44.292
- Consider becoming one. but until we meet again,
- 00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:45.794
- But until we meet again, may the lord bless
- 00:26:45.860 --> 00:26:46.761
- May the lord bless you and keep you.
- 00:26:46.828 --> 00:26:48.363
- You and keep you. request your copy of
- 00:26:48.430 --> 00:26:49.564
- Request your copy of pray it forward:
- 00:26:49.631 --> 00:26:50.932
- Pray it forward: guided prayers for faith
- 00:26:50.999 --> 00:26:52.467
- Guided prayers for faith and breakthrough,
- 00:26:52.534 --> 00:26:53.368
- And breakthrough, available this month
- 00:26:53.435 --> 00:26:55.603
- Available this month you can also receive the pray
- 00:26:55.670 --> 00:26:57.405
- You can also receive the pray it forward companion prayer
- 00:26:57.472 --> 00:26:59.007
- It forward companion prayer journal, designed
- 00:26:59.074 --> 00:27:00.141
- Journal, designed to help you engage
- 00:27:00.208 --> 00:27:01.309
- To help you engage in scripture,
- 00:27:01.376 --> 00:27:02.177
- In scripture, personalize
- 00:27:02.243 --> 00:27:02.977
- Personalize faith-filled prayers,
- 00:27:03.044 --> 00:27:04.112
- Faith-filled prayers, and put
- 00:27:04.179 --> 00:27:04.779
- And put god's promises into action.
- 00:27:04.846 --> 00:27:06.815
- God's promises into action. with an additional gift,
- 00:27:06.881 --> 00:27:08.216
- With an additional gift, you can receive the pray
- 00:27:08.283 --> 00:27:09.551
- You can receive the pray it forward prayers
- 00:27:09.617 --> 00:27:10.552
- It forward prayers essential collection
- 00:27:10.618 --> 00:27:11.820
- Essential collection that centers around
- 00:27:11.886 --> 00:27:12.887
- That centers around a prayer
- 00:27:12.954 --> 00:27:13.388
- A prayer bowl with scripture cards,
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