Joel Osteen - Dare To Believe

May 17, 2026 | 27:29

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

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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,
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  • “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
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  • 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
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  • 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,
  • 00:06:28.411 --> 00:06:29.712
  • We get discouraged, “man, joel, this is not what i
  • 00:06:29.779 --> 00:06:30.880
  • Joel, this is not what i thought would happen. this
  • 00:06:30.947 --> 00:06:32.048
  • 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
  • 00:06:34.817 --> 00:06:36.319
  • Friend betrayed me. my loved one didn't make it.” you
  • 00:06:36.385 --> 00:06:37.687
  • 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
  • 00:06:39.755 --> 00:06:40.957
  • Things are happening behind the scenes that you can't see
  • 00:06:41.023 --> 00:06:42.425
  • The scenes that you can't see right now.
  • 00:06:42.492 --> 00:06:43.626
  • 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
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  • 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
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  • They'll build a momentum of faith
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  • A momentum of faith that carries you past obstacles
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  • 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,
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  • 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,
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  • 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
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  • 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,
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  • If you're not a partner, i hope you'll
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  • I hope you'll consider becoming one.
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  • Consider becoming one. but until we meet again,
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  • But until we meet again, may the lord bless
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  • May the lord bless you and keep you.
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  • You and keep you. request your copy of
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  • Request your copy of pray it forward:
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  • Pray it forward: guided prayers for faith
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