Joel Osteen

Joel Osteen - God's Gracious Hand

August 17, 2025 | S25 E229 | 29:0

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

#inActive #HandofGod #Grace #Favor #Supernatural #Provision #Trials-HardTimes #Challenges #Overcoming #Tribulation #Blessing

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Joel Osteen | Joel Osteen - God's Gracious Hand | August 17, 2025

I like to start with
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I like to start with something funny. i heard
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Something funny. i heard about this church, one sunday
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About this church, one sunday morning, everything was going
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Morning, everything was going great until a bolt of
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Great until a bolt of lightning hit the sanctuary.
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Lightning hit the sanctuary. when the smoke cleared, satan
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When the smoke cleared, satan himself was standing behind
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Himself was standing behind the podium. people panicked,
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The podium. people panicked, took off running as fast as
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Took off running as fast as they could. everyone that is,
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They could. everyone that is, except one lady. she sat on
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Except one lady. she sat on the front row as calm as can
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The front row as calm as can be. satan was appalled. he
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Be. satan was appalled. he said, “lady, do you know who
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Said, “lady, do you know who i am?” she said, “i sure do.”
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I am?” she said, “i sure do.” he said, “well, aren't you
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He said, “well, aren't you afraid of me?” she said, “not
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Afraid of me?” she said, “not in the least bit.” he said,
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In the least bit.” he said, “why not?” she said, “why
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“why not?” she said, “why should i be? i've been
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Should i be? i've been married to your brother for
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Married to your brother for thirty years.” (laughter)
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Thirty years.” (laughter) this is my bible. i am what
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This is my bible. i am what it says i am. i have what it
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It says i am. i have what it says i have. i can do what it
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Says i have. i can do what it says i can do. today, i will
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Says i can do. today, i will be taught the word of god. i
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Be taught the word of god. i boldly confess: my mind is
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Boldly confess: my mind is alert. my heart is receptive.
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Alert. my heart is receptive. i will never be the same in
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I will never be the same in jesus' name. god bless you.
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Jesus' name. god bless you. i want to talk to you today
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I want to talk to you today about the gracious hand of
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About the gracious hand of god. we all face obstacles
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God. we all face obstacles that look too big to
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That look too big to overcome. dreams that seem
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Overcome. dreams that seem impossible to accomplish.
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Impossible to accomplish. sometimes it's situations
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Sometimes it's situations that are just complicated. in
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That are just complicated. in a relationship, our health, a
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A relationship, our health, a business. we've tried our
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Business. we've tried our best, but we don't see how it
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Best, but we don't see how it could ever work out. but when
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Could ever work out. but when you gave your life to christ,
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You gave your life to christ, god put something on you that
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God put something on you that gives you an advantage.
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Gives you an advantage. something that will cause you
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Something that will cause you to stand out, to accomplish
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To stand out, to accomplish dreams that seem over your
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Dreams that seem over your head, to overcome problems
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Head, to overcome problems that look permanent. the
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That look permanent. the scripture calls it the
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Scripture calls it the gracious hand of god. it's
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Gracious hand of god. it's his favor that will open
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His favor that will open doors you couldn't open. it's
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Doors you couldn't open. it's a divine empowerment, where
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A divine empowerment, where you have the strength, the
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You have the strength, the courage, to overcome what
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Courage, to overcome what should stop you. it's
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Should stop you. it's supernatural provision, where
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Supernatural provision, where you have the resources, the
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You have the resources, the funding, the right people.
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Funding, the right people. where you defy the odds and
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Where you defy the odds and you go where you've never
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You go where you've never dreamed.
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Dreamed. you can look back now and see
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You can look back now and see the gracious hand of god. how
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The gracious hand of god. how did you get promoted when you
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Did you get promoted when you weren't next in line? you
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Weren't next in line? you weren't the most qualified,
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Weren't the most qualified, but for some reason they
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But for some reason they chose you. that was his
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Chose you. that was his gracious hand causing you to
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Gracious hand causing you to stand out. the medical report
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Stand out. the medical report said you wouldn't get well.
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Said you wouldn't get well. experts said just learn to
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Experts said just learn to live with it. but
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Live with it. but somehow it turned around.
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Somehow it turned around. today you're healthy and
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Today you're healthy and whole. that wasn't luck. it
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Whole. that wasn't luck. it wasn't a coincidence. it was
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Wasn't a coincidence. it was the gracious hand of god.
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The gracious hand of god. maybe there was dysfunction
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Maybe there was dysfunction in your family growing up,
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In your family growing up, addiction, compromise, people
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Addiction, compromise, people taking the easy way out. that
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Taking the easy way out. that should have been you, but
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Should have been you, but you're the exception. you
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You're the exception. you broke that generational
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Broke that generational limitation and now you're
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Limitation and now you're blessed, successful, living a
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Blessed, successful, living a victorious life. you couldn't
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Victorious life. you couldn't do that on your own. it was
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Do that on your own. it was the gracious hand of god
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The gracious hand of god empowering you, favoring you,
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Empowering you, favoring you, making ways where you didn't
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See a way.
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When you understand that you
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When you understand that you have god's gracious hand, you
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Have god's gracious hand, you won't live intimidated,
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Won't live intimidated, thinking you're at a
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Thinking you're at a disadvantage. “this
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Disadvantage. “this obstacle's too big. i'll
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Obstacle's too big. i'll never get well. we'll always
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Never get well. we'll always struggle, not have enough.”
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Struggle, not have enough.” no, you'll put your shoulders
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No, you'll put your shoulders back. you'll pray bold
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Back. you'll pray bold prayers. you'll expect things
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Prayers. you'll expect things to change in your favor. your
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To change in your favor. your attitude will be, “this may
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Attitude will be, “this may be too much for me, but i
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Be too much for me, but i know a secret, i have an
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Know a secret, i have an advantage. there's something
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Advantage. there's something on me that causes me to stand
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On me that causes me to stand out, to overcome, to defy the
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Out, to overcome, to defy the odds. the gracious hand of
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Odds. the gracious hand of god is on my life.”
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God is on my life.” david said in psalm 41, “by
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David said in psalm 41, “by this i know you have favored
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This i know you have favored me, my enemies could not
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Me, my enemies could not triumph over me.” the favor
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Triumph over me.” the favor of god will keep your enemies
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Of god will keep your enemies from defeating you. that
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From defeating you. that sickness should take you out,
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Sickness should take you out, should stop your destiny, but
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Should stop your destiny, but god steps in and says, “no,
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God steps in and says, “no, you don't have the final say,
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You don't have the final say, i do.” his favor won't let it
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I do.” his favor won't let it triumph over you. the trouble
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Triumph over you. the trouble at work should set you back.
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At work should set you back. those people that are playing
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Those people that are playing politics, pushing you down,
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Politics, pushing you down, trying to make you look bad.
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Trying to make you look bad. it seems like they have the
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It seems like they have the advantage. don't worry. there
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Advantage. don't worry. there is something on you they
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Is something on you they can't see. there is a favor
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Can't see. there is a favor that keeps you from being
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That keeps you from being defeated. they may push you
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Defeated. they may push you down, but they can't keep you
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Down, but they can't keep you down. the favor on your life
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Down. the favor on your life will cause you to bounce
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Will cause you to bounce right back up. when you honor
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Right back up. when you honor god, you keep him first, you
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God, you keep him first, you have his gracious hand on
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Have his gracious hand on you. this makes you
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You. this makes you unstoppable.
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Unstoppable. think about joseph, his
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Think about joseph, his brothers were jealous and
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Brothers were jealous and threw him into a pit. that
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Threw him into a pit. that should have been the end; a
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Should have been the end; a teenager, left in a pit, no
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Teenager, left in a pit, no way to get out, left there to
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Way to get out, left there to die. but then out of nowhere,
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Die. but then out of nowhere, a caravan of ishmaelites
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A caravan of ishmaelites showed up, traveling through
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Showed up, traveling through the desert. they got there at
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The desert. they got there at just the right time, when the
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Just the right time, when the brothers were about to leave.
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Brothers were about to leave. instead, they sold joseph as
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Instead, they sold joseph as a slave. his life was spared.
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A slave. his life was spared. that caravan came from a city
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That caravan came from a city hundreds of miles away. they
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Hundreds of miles away. they had been traveling weeks and
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Had been traveling weeks and weeks. before joseph was in
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Weeks. before joseph was in the pit, they were already on
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The pit, they were already on the way. god knows everything
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The way. god knows everything that's going to happen to
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That's going to happen to you. he's already arranged
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You. he's already arranged solutions to problems that
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Solutions to problems that you haven't even had. it may
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You haven't even had. it may look like that opposition is
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Look like that opposition is going to get the best of you,
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Going to get the best of you, but what you can't see, is a
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But what you can't see, is a caravan is already on the way
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Caravan is already on the way with your freedom, your
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With your freedom, your breakthrough, your abundance,
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Breakthrough, your abundance, your healing. why is that?
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Your healing. why is that? the gracious hand of god is
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The gracious hand of god is on your life. you belong to
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On your life. you belong to the most high. you are his
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The most high. you are his prized possession. he said in
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Prized possession. he said in psalms he has surrounded you
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Psalms he has surrounded you with favor like a shield.
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With favor like a shield. this favor is not just for
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This favor is not just for good breaks, not just to
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Good breaks, not just to accomplish dreams, but it's
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Accomplish dreams, but it's to keep your enemies from
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To keep your enemies from defeating you.
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Joseph was sold as a slave.
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Joseph was sold as a slave. he was taken to egypt and
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He was taken to egypt and worked for a high-ranking
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Worked for a high-ranking military official. he was so
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Military official. he was so excellent, the official put
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Excellent, the official put him in charge of his whole
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Him in charge of his whole household. he ran all the
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Household. he ran all the affairs, the staff, the
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Affairs, the staff, the upkeep. but the official's
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Upkeep. but the official's wife tried to seduce joseph.
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Wife tried to seduce joseph. she liked him, but he
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She liked him, but he wouldn't give in. he was a
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Wouldn't give in. he was a man of honor, and integrity.
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Man of honor, and integrity. even though he had been
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Even though he had been mistreated, betrayed, he
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Mistreated, betrayed, he still honored god. this wife
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Still honored god. this wife lied about joseph and said he
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Lied about joseph and said he was trying to harm her. her
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Was trying to harm her. her husband was furious and had
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Husband was furious and had him put in prison. another
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Him put in prison. another setback. now he's not only a
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Setback. now he's not only a slave, in a foreign country,
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But he's incarcerated. all
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But he's incarcerated. all the odds are against him.
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The odds are against him. having god's favor doesn't
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Having god's favor doesn't mean we won't have
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Mean we won't have difficulties, but it does
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Difficulties, but it does mean those enemies will not
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Mean those enemies will not triumph over you. they won't
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Triumph over you. they won't have the last laugh.
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Have the last laugh. breakthrough is coming.
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In prison, joseph was so
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In prison, joseph was so excellent, the warden put him
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Excellent, the warden put him in charge of the whole
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In charge of the whole prison. you've heard that
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Prison. you've heard that saying, you can't keep a good
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Saying, you can't keep a good man down. the truth is you
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Man down. the truth is you can't keep a favored man
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Can't keep a favored man down. when god's gracious
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Hand is on you, you keep
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Hand is on you, you keep rising to the top, defying
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Rising to the top, defying the odds. you keep succeeding
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The odds. you keep succeeding despite what comes against
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Despite what comes against you. one day, joseph
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You. one day, joseph interpreted the pharaoh's
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Interpreted the pharaoh's dream, the leader of the
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Dream, the leader of the country. the pharoah was so
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Country. the pharoah was so impressed, he made joseph the
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Impressed, he made joseph the prime minister of egypt. you
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Prime minister of egypt. you too may have had some bad
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Too may have had some bad breaks, obstacles that look
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Breaks, obstacles that look like you could never
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Like you could never overcome. if joseph were
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Overcome. if joseph were here, he would tell you,
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Here, he would tell you, don't ever rule out the favor
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Don't ever rule out the favor of god. his gracious hand on
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Of god. his gracious hand on your life will cause you to
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Your life will cause you to rise out of a pit, to excel
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Rise out of a pit, to excel despite who did you wrong, to
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Despite who did you wrong, to shine in the midst of
00:07:36.379 --> 00:07:37.813
Shine in the midst of opposition. god is fighting
00:07:37.880 --> 00:07:40.349
Opposition. god is fighting your battles. his favor
00:07:40.416 --> 00:07:42.285
Your battles. his favor doesn't keep us out of
00:07:42.351 --> 00:07:43.185
Doesn't keep us out of difficulty. it doesn't stop
00:07:43.252 --> 00:07:45.154
Difficulty. it doesn't stop all the trouble, but it will
00:07:45.221 --> 00:07:46.989
All the trouble, but it will keep the trouble from
00:07:47.056 --> 00:07:48.124
Keep the trouble from stopping you. when you're in
00:07:48.190 --> 00:07:50.560
Stopping you. when you're in a pit. you don't feel like
00:07:50.626 --> 00:07:52.228
A pit. you don't feel like there's any way out, look up
00:07:52.295 --> 00:07:54.430
There's any way out, look up for your redemption draws
00:07:54.497 --> 00:07:55.565
For your redemption draws nigh. there is a god, not
00:07:55.631 --> 00:07:57.867
Nigh. there is a god, not only watching over you, but
00:07:57.934 --> 00:07:59.835
Only watching over you, but his gracious hand is on your
00:07:59.902 --> 00:08:01.437
His gracious hand is on your life. his favor is
00:08:01.504 --> 00:08:03.272
Life. his favor is surrounding you. what he has
00:08:03.339 --> 00:08:05.141
Surrounding you. what he has purposed will come to pass.
00:08:05.207 --> 00:08:07.143
Purposed will come to pass. no person can stop it, no
00:08:07.209 --> 00:08:09.078
No person can stop it, no sickness, no trouble, no
00:08:09.145 --> 00:08:10.713
Sickness, no trouble, no addiction. the enemies you
00:08:10.780 --> 00:08:12.415
Addiction. the enemies you see today, you will see no
00:08:12.481 --> 00:08:13.883
More.
00:08:13.983 --> 00:08:15.318
When you're in a pit, facing
00:08:15.418 --> 00:08:16.852
When you're in a pit, facing trouble, it's good to look
00:08:16.919 --> 00:08:18.788
Trouble, it's good to look back and remember what god
00:08:18.854 --> 00:08:20.790
Back and remember what god has done. find some victories
00:08:20.856 --> 00:08:23.159
Has done. find some victories so you can say like david,
00:08:23.225 --> 00:08:25.061
So you can say like david, “by this i know we have
00:08:25.127 --> 00:08:26.495
“by this i know we have favor, we're in the former
00:08:26.562 --> 00:08:28.030
Favor, we're in the former compaq center.” the
00:08:28.097 --> 00:08:29.865
Compaq center.” the opposition was bigger,
00:08:29.932 --> 00:08:31.367
Opposition was bigger, stronger, they had more
00:08:31.434 --> 00:08:32.735
Stronger, they had more resources, but they couldn't
00:08:32.802 --> 00:08:34.437
Resources, but they couldn't keep us out. by this i know
00:08:34.503 --> 00:08:37.106
Keep us out. by this i know my family has favor, my
00:08:37.173 --> 00:08:39.141
My family has favor, my mother is still alive.
00:08:39.208 --> 00:08:40.676
Mother is still alive. forty-four years after being
00:08:40.743 --> 00:08:42.578
Forty-four years after being diagnosed with terminal
00:08:42.645 --> 00:08:43.913
Diagnosed with terminal cancer. but the cancer
00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:46.549
Cancer. but the cancer couldn't triumph over her. by
00:08:46.616 --> 00:08:48.918
Couldn't triumph over her. by this i know i have favor, the
00:08:48.985 --> 00:08:50.786
This i know i have favor, the critics couldn't stop me. the
00:08:50.853 --> 00:08:52.521
Critics couldn't stop me. the naysayers, the noise, the
00:08:52.588 --> 00:08:54.056
Naysayers, the noise, the chatter, they tried their
00:08:54.123 --> 00:08:55.224
Chatter, they tried their best, but their best was not
00:08:55.291 --> 00:08:56.959
Best, but their best was not enough. the more they pushed
00:08:57.026 --> 00:08:59.061
Enough. the more they pushed down, the more god pushed up.
00:08:59.128 --> 00:09:01.397
Down, the more god pushed up. he's taken me further than
00:09:01.464 --> 00:09:03.132
He's taken me further than i've ever imagined. you don't
00:09:03.199 --> 00:09:05.334
I've ever imagined. you don't have to fight all these
00:09:05.401 --> 00:09:06.335
Have to fight all these battles. you can stay in
00:09:06.402 --> 00:09:07.937
Battles. you can stay in peace, knowing that there's a
00:09:08.004 --> 00:09:09.639
Peace, knowing that there's a force for you that cannot be
00:09:09.705 --> 00:09:11.741
Force for you that cannot be defeated. the gracious hand
00:09:11.807 --> 00:09:13.843
Defeated. the gracious hand of god, protecting you,
00:09:13.909 --> 00:09:15.611
Of god, protecting you, empowering you, favoring you,
00:09:15.678 --> 00:09:17.546
Empowering you, favoring you, providing for you. when
00:09:17.613 --> 00:09:19.548
Providing for you. when you're tempted to get
00:09:19.615 --> 00:09:20.249
You're tempted to get discouraged, and we all do,
00:09:20.316 --> 00:09:21.283
Discouraged, and we all do, and think, “oh no, joel, this
00:09:21.350 --> 00:09:22.852
And think, “oh no, joel, this enemy is too big. this
00:09:22.918 --> 00:09:24.420
Enemy is too big. this opposition too strong. i
00:09:24.487 --> 00:09:26.255
Opposition too strong. i don't see any way out of this
00:09:26.322 --> 00:09:27.523
Don't see any way out of this problem.” you're looking at
00:09:27.590 --> 00:09:29.325
Problem.” you're looking at it from a natural point of
00:09:29.392 --> 00:09:30.693
It from a natural point of view. god is supernatural.
00:09:30.760 --> 00:09:33.162
View. god is supernatural. the favor he put on you goes
00:09:33.229 --> 00:09:35.364
The favor he put on you goes beyond your talent, your
00:09:35.431 --> 00:09:37.333
Beyond your talent, your strength, your resources.
00:09:37.400 --> 00:09:39.602
Strength, your resources. it's not limited to what you
00:09:39.669 --> 00:09:41.003
It's not limited to what you can do. it's his power.
00:09:41.070 --> 00:09:43.539
Can do. it's his power. he created the universe. he
00:09:43.606 --> 00:09:45.541
He created the universe. he spoke worlds into existence.
00:09:45.608 --> 00:09:47.777
Spoke worlds into existence. he parts red seas. he
00:09:47.843 --> 00:09:49.679
He parts red seas. he multiplied two fish to feed
00:09:49.745 --> 00:09:51.814
Multiplied two fish to feed five thousand. he caused
00:09:51.881 --> 00:09:53.783
Five thousand. he caused sarah to have a baby at
00:09:53.849 --> 00:09:55.051
Sarah to have a baby at ninety years old. he opened
00:09:55.117 --> 00:09:57.086
Ninety years old. he opened prison doors for paul and
00:09:57.153 --> 00:09:58.521
Prison doors for paul and silas. he used a sling shot
00:09:58.587 --> 00:10:00.856
Silas. he used a sling shot to bring down a giant. he is
00:10:00.923 --> 00:10:03.092
To bring down a giant. he is all powerful. nothing can
00:10:03.159 --> 00:10:05.261
All powerful. nothing can stand against our god. he is
00:10:05.327 --> 00:10:07.763
Stand against our god. he is breathing on your life right
00:10:07.830 --> 00:10:09.632
Breathing on your life right now. you're about to see his
00:10:09.699 --> 00:10:12.268
Now. you're about to see his gracious hand do something
00:10:12.334 --> 00:10:14.303
Gracious hand do something you've never seen. like
00:10:14.370 --> 00:10:16.138
You've never seen. like joseph, bring you out of that
00:10:16.205 --> 00:10:17.840
Joseph, bring you out of that trouble into victory. out of
00:10:17.907 --> 00:10:20.109
Trouble into victory. out of sickness into health. out of
00:10:20.176 --> 00:10:22.111
Sickness into health. out of being lonely, to a great
00:10:22.178 --> 00:10:23.546
Being lonely, to a great relationship. out of
00:10:23.612 --> 00:10:24.980
Relationship. out of struggling, into abundance.
00:10:25.047 --> 00:10:26.482
Struggling, into abundance. now you have to get in
00:10:26.549 --> 00:10:28.484
Now you have to get in agreement with god. no more,
00:10:28.551 --> 00:10:31.253
Agreement with god. no more, “i never get any good breaks.
00:10:31.320 --> 00:10:33.089
“i never get any good breaks. i've had this addiction so
00:10:33.155 --> 00:10:34.190
I've had this addiction so long. i don't have the talent
00:10:34.256 --> 00:10:36.225
Long. i don't have the talent i need to accomplish my
00:10:36.292 --> 00:10:36.959
I need to accomplish my dream.” no, try a different
00:10:37.026 --> 00:10:38.327
Dream.” no, try a different approach. “father, i thank
00:10:38.394 --> 00:10:39.995
Approach. “father, i thank you that your gracious hand
00:10:40.062 --> 00:10:41.764
You that your gracious hand is upon my life. that your
00:10:41.831 --> 00:10:43.666
Is upon my life. that your favor is keeping enemies from
00:10:43.733 --> 00:10:45.668
Favor is keeping enemies from defeating me, opening right
00:10:45.735 --> 00:10:47.536
Defeating me, opening right doors, bringing the right
00:10:47.603 --> 00:10:48.904
Doors, bringing the right people, causing me to go
00:10:48.971 --> 00:10:50.372
People, causing me to go further than i ever imagined.”
00:10:50.473 --> 00:10:53.375
This is what nehemiah did.ned.”
00:10:53.476 --> 00:10:55.144
This is what nehemiah did.ned.” the israelites lived in exile
00:10:55.211 --> 00:10:57.213
The israelites lived in exile in babylon for many years.
00:10:57.279 --> 00:10:58.848
In babylon for many years. some of them had returned
00:10:58.914 --> 00:11:00.616
Some of them had returned home to jerusalem, but the
00:11:00.683 --> 00:11:02.518
Home to jerusalem, but the city was in ruins, and the
00:11:02.585 --> 00:11:04.220
City was in ruins, and the walls were broken down. there
00:11:04.286 --> 00:11:06.288
Walls were broken down. there was no protection. without
00:11:06.355 --> 00:11:08.157
Was no protection. without the walls, they were easy
00:11:08.224 --> 00:11:09.291
The walls, they were easy prey to bandits. nehemiah
00:11:09.358 --> 00:11:11.694
Prey to bandits. nehemiah lived a thousand miles away.
00:11:11.761 --> 00:11:13.929
Lived a thousand miles away. he worked as a cupbearer for
00:11:13.996 --> 00:11:15.231
He worked as a cupbearer for the king of persia. when he
00:11:15.297 --> 00:11:17.366
The king of persia. when he heard about how his people in
00:11:17.433 --> 00:11:19.468
Jerusalem were in such need
00:11:19.568 --> 00:11:21.470
Jerusalem were in such need and the walls down, they were
00:11:21.537 --> 00:11:22.838
And the walls down, they were so vulnerable, verse 4 says,
00:11:22.905 --> 00:11:25.775
So vulnerable, verse 4 says, “he sat down and wept.” he
00:11:25.841 --> 00:11:28.043
“he sat down and wept.” he was so burdened by it. for
00:11:28.110 --> 00:11:29.779
Was so burdened by it. for four months and he prayed and
00:11:29.845 --> 00:11:31.413
Four months and he prayed and fasted asking god to help. he
00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:34.550
Fasted asking god to help. he never dreamed that god would
00:11:34.617 --> 00:11:35.985
Never dreamed that god would put the desire in him to go
00:11:36.051 --> 00:11:38.220
Put the desire in him to go back and rebuild those walls.
00:11:38.287 --> 00:11:40.422
Back and rebuild those walls. he wasn't a builder. he
00:11:40.489 --> 00:11:41.924
He wasn't a builder. he didn't have the funds, the
00:11:41.991 --> 00:11:43.159
Didn't have the funds, the materials, the crew. i'm sure
00:11:43.225 --> 00:11:45.361
Materials, the crew. i'm sure he thought, “god this is
00:11:45.427 --> 00:11:46.162
He thought, “god this is impossible. i'm concerned but
00:11:46.228 --> 00:11:48.631
Impossible. i'm concerned but i'm not the answer. you've
00:11:48.697 --> 00:11:50.166
I'm not the answer. you've got to find someone more
00:11:50.232 --> 00:11:51.267
Got to find someone more qualified, more experienced.”
00:11:51.333 --> 00:11:53.269
Qualified, more experienced.” but god will ask you to do
00:11:53.335 --> 00:11:54.737
But god will ask you to do things that seem over your
00:11:54.804 --> 00:11:56.372
Things that seem over your head. where like nehemiah,
00:11:56.438 --> 00:11:58.674
Head. where like nehemiah, you can find a thousand
00:11:58.741 --> 00:12:00.276
You can find a thousand reasons why you can't do it.
00:12:00.342 --> 00:12:02.178
Reasons why you can't do it. you don't have the talent.
00:12:02.244 --> 00:12:03.679
You don't have the talent. you're too young, too old,
00:12:03.746 --> 00:12:05.214
You're too young, too old, too timid, wrong nationality.
00:12:05.281 --> 00:12:07.249
Too timid, wrong nationality. here's the key, god wouldn't
00:12:07.316 --> 00:12:09.018
Here's the key, god wouldn't have asked you if you didn't
00:12:09.084 --> 00:12:10.719
Have asked you if you didn't have everything you need.
00:12:10.786 --> 00:12:12.688
Have everything you need. he'll never ask you to do
00:12:12.755 --> 00:12:14.156
He'll never ask you to do something and not give you
00:12:14.223 --> 00:12:15.925
Something and not give you the ability to do it. it may
00:12:15.991 --> 00:12:18.327
The ability to do it. it may be over your head, but it's
00:12:18.394 --> 00:12:20.095
Be over your head, but it's not over his head. you have
00:12:20.162 --> 00:12:22.164
Not over his head. you have to realize his gracious hand
00:12:22.231 --> 00:12:24.366
To realize his gracious hand is on you. it's a hand of
00:12:24.433 --> 00:12:26.168
Is on you. it's a hand of favor. things will happen
00:12:26.235 --> 00:12:28.003
Favor. things will happen that you couldn't make
00:12:28.070 --> 00:12:28.871
That you couldn't make happen. don't talk yourself
00:12:28.938 --> 00:12:30.873
Happen. don't talk yourself out of it, or you'll miss the
00:12:30.940 --> 00:12:32.308
Out of it, or you'll miss the greatness god put in you.
00:12:32.374 --> 00:12:34.610
Nehemiah went to the king and
00:12:34.710 --> 00:12:36.412
Nehemiah went to the king and asked for permission to take
00:12:36.478 --> 00:12:38.080
Asked for permission to take a leave of absence to go back
00:12:38.147 --> 00:12:39.915
A leave of absence to go back home and rebuild the walls.
00:12:39.982 --> 00:12:41.917
Home and rebuild the walls. imagine the faith that took.
00:12:41.984 --> 00:12:43.485
Imagine the faith that took. he didn't have a high-ranking
00:12:43.552 --> 00:12:45.287
He didn't have a high-ranking position. he wasn't in
00:12:45.354 --> 00:12:47.022
Management. he was working in
00:12:47.122 --> 00:12:48.524
Management. he was working in the kitchen, serving,
00:12:48.591 --> 00:12:50.359
The kitchen, serving, cleaning, running errands.
00:12:50.426 --> 00:12:52.428
Cleaning, running errands. you would think he would be
00:12:52.494 --> 00:12:53.395
You would think he would be timid, shy, but when you know
00:12:53.462 --> 00:12:56.165
Timid, shy, but when you know the favor of god is on your
00:12:56.232 --> 00:12:57.800
The favor of god is on your life, you'll have a boldness,
00:12:57.867 --> 00:12:59.835
Life, you'll have a boldness, a courage to step out and do
00:12:59.902 --> 00:13:02.271
A courage to step out and do what god's put in your heart.
00:13:02.338 --> 00:13:04.106
What god's put in your heart. he asked the king and much to
00:13:04.173 --> 00:13:05.808
He asked the king and much to his surprise, the king said,
00:13:05.875 --> 00:13:07.376
His surprise, the king said, “yes, nehemiah. you can go.”
00:13:07.443 --> 00:13:09.845
“yes, nehemiah. you can go.” he gave him permission.
00:13:09.912 --> 00:13:11.747
He gave him permission. nehemiah was grateful but he
00:13:11.814 --> 00:13:13.515
Nehemiah was grateful but he didn't stop there. he said,
00:13:13.582 --> 00:13:15.017
Didn't stop there. he said, “thank you so much, but king,
00:13:15.084 --> 00:13:16.919
“thank you so much, but king, i don't have any materials. i
00:13:16.986 --> 00:13:18.888
I don't have any materials. i don't have any funds. will
00:13:18.954 --> 00:13:20.756
Don't have any funds. will you give me letters requiring
00:13:20.823 --> 00:13:22.892
You give me letters requiring the owners of the lumber
00:13:22.958 --> 00:13:24.026
The owners of the lumber mills and the stone quarries
00:13:24.093 --> 00:13:25.794
Mills and the stone quarries to give me the supplies i
00:13:25.861 --> 00:13:27.029
To give me the supplies i need.” another bold request.
00:13:27.096 --> 00:13:29.765
Need.” another bold request. once again, the king said
00:13:29.832 --> 00:13:31.267
Once again, the king said yes. now he has the time off,
00:13:31.333 --> 00:13:34.103
Yes. now he has the time off, he has the materials. but he
00:13:34.169 --> 00:13:35.671
He has the materials. but he said, “one more thing, king.
00:13:35.738 --> 00:13:37.373
Said, “one more thing, king. i need protection. when i
00:13:37.439 --> 00:13:39.508
I need protection. when i travel back home, it will be
00:13:39.575 --> 00:13:40.709
Travel back home, it will be dangerous. i need letters to
00:13:40.776 --> 00:13:42.778
Dangerous. i need letters to all the governors of the
00:13:42.845 --> 00:13:44.213
All the governors of the cities i go through telling
00:13:44.280 --> 00:13:45.981
Cities i go through telling them who i am and how they
00:13:46.048 --> 00:13:47.616
Them who i am and how they need to watch after me.” all
00:13:47.683 --> 00:13:49.685
Need to watch after me.” all these requests. seemed like
00:13:49.752 --> 00:13:51.253
He was pushing his luck. the
00:13:51.353 --> 00:13:52.855
He was pushing his luck. the king could have said, “man,
00:13:52.922 --> 00:13:53.822
King could have said, “man, nehemiah, i gave you time
00:13:53.889 --> 00:13:54.790
Nehemiah, i gave you time off; get out of here.”
00:13:54.857 --> 00:13:56.292
Off; get out of here.” proverbs says, “god will turn
00:13:56.358 --> 00:13:58.127
Proverbs says, “god will turn the heart of a king.” god
00:13:58.193 --> 00:13:59.962
The heart of a king.” god will cause the people you
00:14:00.029 --> 00:14:01.297
Will cause the people you need to be good to you. the
00:14:01.363 --> 00:14:04.066
Need to be good to you. the king agreed to do it.
00:14:04.133 --> 00:14:05.734
King agreed to do it. that didn't make sense. why
00:14:05.801 --> 00:14:08.170
That didn't make sense. why was he so good to nehemiah.
00:14:08.237 --> 00:14:09.972
Was he so good to nehemiah. why did he treat him with
00:14:10.039 --> 00:14:10.806
Why did he treat him with such kindness and generosity.
00:14:10.873 --> 00:14:13.342
Such kindness and generosity. nehemiah said in verse 8,
00:14:13.409 --> 00:14:15.511
Nehemiah said in verse 8, “the king granted me these
00:14:15.577 --> 00:14:16.946
“the king granted me these requests, because the
00:14:17.012 --> 00:14:18.647
Requests, because the gracious hand of god was on
00:14:18.714 --> 00:14:20.616
Me.” nehemiah understood this
00:14:20.716 --> 00:14:23.585
Me.” nehemiah understood this secret, that there was a
00:14:23.652 --> 00:14:24.820
Secret, that there was a favor on him that would cause
00:14:24.887 --> 00:14:26.956
Favor on him that would cause him to accomplish what he
00:14:27.022 --> 00:14:28.657
Him to accomplish what he couldn't accomplish on his
00:14:28.724 --> 00:14:29.892
Couldn't accomplish on his own. doors would open that he
00:14:29.959 --> 00:14:32.294
Own. doors would open that he couldn't open, that would
00:14:32.361 --> 00:14:33.762
Couldn't open, that would cause people to go out of
00:14:33.829 --> 00:14:35.030
Cause people to go out of their way to be good to him.
00:14:35.097 --> 00:14:37.566
Their way to be good to him. if he hadn't been aware of
00:14:37.633 --> 00:14:39.168
If he hadn't been aware of the gracious hand of god, he
00:14:39.234 --> 00:14:41.537
The gracious hand of god, he would have never had the
00:14:41.603 --> 00:14:42.304
Would have never had the boldness to ask the king, and
00:14:42.371 --> 00:14:44.473
Boldness to ask the king, and the courage to leave the
00:14:44.540 --> 00:14:45.741
The courage to leave the comfortable environment to
00:14:45.808 --> 00:14:47.376
Comfortable environment to take this step of faith. my
00:14:47.443 --> 00:14:49.611
Take this step of faith. my question for you is, do you
00:14:49.678 --> 00:14:52.314
Question for you is, do you realize what you have? that
00:14:52.381 --> 00:14:53.983
Realize what you have? that you're not just ordinary,
00:14:54.049 --> 00:14:56.018
You're not just ordinary, doing life on your own,
00:14:56.085 --> 00:14:57.653
Doing life on your own, limited by your environment,
00:14:57.720 --> 00:14:59.154
Limited by your environment, your education, your
00:14:59.221 --> 00:15:00.823
Your education, your connections. no, the gracious
00:15:00.889 --> 00:15:03.058
Connections. no, the gracious hand of god is on you. a
00:15:03.125 --> 00:15:05.227
Hand of god is on you. a favor that empowers and
00:15:05.294 --> 00:15:07.296
Favor that empowers and enables and opens doors and
00:15:07.363 --> 00:15:09.665
Enables and opens doors and keeps enemies from defeating
00:15:09.732 --> 00:15:11.600
You.
00:15:11.700 --> 00:15:12.501
When nehemiah arrived in
00:15:12.601 --> 00:15:14.036
When nehemiah arrived in jerusalem, saw all the ruins.
00:15:14.103 --> 00:15:16.605
Jerusalem, saw all the ruins. it was much worse than he
00:15:16.672 --> 00:15:17.773
It was much worse than he thought. logically speaking,
00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:19.541
Thought. logically speaking, he didn't know how he was
00:15:19.608 --> 00:15:20.676
He didn't know how he was going to do it. he found some
00:15:20.743 --> 00:15:22.678
Going to do it. he found some men, told them of his dream
00:15:22.745 --> 00:15:24.747
Men, told them of his dream to rebuild the walls, and
00:15:24.813 --> 00:15:26.148
To rebuild the walls, and asked if they would help. i'm
00:15:26.215 --> 00:15:28.250
Asked if they would help. i'm sure some of them said,
00:15:28.317 --> 00:15:29.218
Sure some of them said, “nehemiah that's impossible.
00:15:29.284 --> 00:15:31.553
“nehemiah that's impossible. look at this mess. we're not
00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:33.222
Look at this mess. we're not builders. we don't have the
00:15:33.288 --> 00:15:34.690
Builders. we don't have the equipment, the resources.”
00:15:34.757 --> 00:15:37.259
Equipment, the resources.” nehemiah said in verse 18, “i
00:15:37.326 --> 00:15:39.561
Nehemiah said in verse 18, “i told the people how the
00:15:39.628 --> 00:15:41.263
Told the people how the gracious hand of god was on
00:15:41.330 --> 00:15:42.998
Gracious hand of god was on my life.” they were trying to
00:15:43.065 --> 00:15:45.367
My life.” they were trying to talk him out of it, but he
00:15:45.434 --> 00:15:46.935
Talk him out of it, but he said in effect, “no guys,
00:15:47.002 --> 00:15:48.604
Said in effect, “no guys, there's something on me you
00:15:48.670 --> 00:15:49.772
There's something on me you can't see. i may look
00:15:49.838 --> 00:15:51.707
Can't see. i may look ordinary. yes, i'm a
00:15:51.774 --> 00:15:53.175
Ordinary. yes, i'm a cupbearer, but i have an
00:15:53.242 --> 00:15:54.743
Cupbearer, but i have an advantage, the favor of god
00:15:54.810 --> 00:15:56.912
Advantage, the favor of god is on my life. there is a
00:15:56.979 --> 00:15:58.480
Is on my life. there is a force for me greater than any
00:15:58.547 --> 00:16:00.916
Force for me greater than any force trying to stop me.”
00:16:00.983 --> 00:16:02.751
Force trying to stop me.” they said no at first, but
00:16:02.818 --> 00:16:04.787
They said no at first, but then they all changed their
00:16:04.853 --> 00:16:05.854
Then they all changed their mind and said, “nehemiah,
00:16:05.921 --> 00:16:07.456
Mind and said, “nehemiah, we're all in. let's do this.”
00:16:07.523 --> 00:16:09.291
We're all in. let's do this.” the favor of god will bring
00:16:09.358 --> 00:16:11.093
The favor of god will bring the people you need to get
00:16:11.160 --> 00:16:12.828
The people you need to get behind your vision, to help
00:16:12.895 --> 00:16:14.730
Behind your vision, to help you excel. you don't have to
00:16:14.797 --> 00:16:16.832
You excel. you don't have to beg people, try to
00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:18.567
Beg people, try to manipulate, convince them to
00:16:18.634 --> 00:16:20.502
Manipulate, convince them to be for you, god will move on
00:16:20.569 --> 00:16:22.538
Be for you, god will move on the right people.
00:16:22.604 --> 00:16:24.206
The right people. they started rebuilding the
00:16:24.273 --> 00:16:25.441
They started rebuilding the wall and had all kinds of
00:16:25.507 --> 00:16:27.109
Wall and had all kinds of opposition. city leaders
00:16:27.176 --> 00:16:29.044
Opposition. city leaders tried to stop them. critics
00:16:29.111 --> 00:16:31.413
Tried to stop them. critics stirred up trouble. bandits
00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:33.482
Stirred up trouble. bandits came and tried to get them to
00:16:33.549 --> 00:16:34.817
Came and tried to get them to fight. just because you're
00:16:34.883 --> 00:16:36.885
Fight. just because you're having trouble doesn't mean
00:16:36.952 --> 00:16:38.654
Having trouble doesn't mean you're not in god's will.
00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:40.856
You're not in god's will. when you step out to do what
00:16:40.923 --> 00:16:42.324
When you step out to do what he's called you to do, take
00:16:42.391 --> 00:16:44.126
He's called you to do, take new ground, live with
00:16:44.193 --> 00:16:45.761
New ground, live with excellence and integrity,
00:16:45.828 --> 00:16:47.696
Excellence and integrity, you're going to have
00:16:47.763 --> 00:16:48.330
You're going to have opposition, trouble,
00:16:48.397 --> 00:16:50.199
Opposition, trouble, naysayers. the enemy doesn't
00:16:50.265 --> 00:16:52.167
Naysayers. the enemy doesn't want you to move forward. but
00:16:52.234 --> 00:16:53.936
Want you to move forward. but the good news is the favor on
00:16:54.002 --> 00:16:56.171
The good news is the favor on your life will keep those
00:16:56.238 --> 00:16:57.806
Your life will keep those enemies from defeating you.
00:16:57.873 --> 00:16:59.942
Enemies from defeating you. they may come, but if you'll
00:17:00.008 --> 00:17:01.710
They may come, but if you'll stay in faith, they will
00:17:01.777 --> 00:17:03.212
Stay in faith, they will fail. no weapon formed
00:17:03.278 --> 00:17:05.414
Fail. no weapon formed against you will prosper.
00:17:05.481 --> 00:17:07.349
Against you will prosper. when the enemy comes in like
00:17:07.416 --> 00:17:08.951
When the enemy comes in like a flood, the scripture says,
00:17:09.017 --> 00:17:11.720
A flood, the scripture says, the spirit of god will raise
00:17:11.787 --> 00:17:13.589
The spirit of god will raise up a barrier. the spirit of
00:17:13.655 --> 00:17:15.624
Up a barrier. the spirit of god is the favor of god. keep
00:17:15.691 --> 00:17:17.860
God is the favor of god. keep doing the right thing. don't
00:17:17.926 --> 00:17:19.561
Doing the right thing. don't get distracted fighting
00:17:19.628 --> 00:17:21.029
Get distracted fighting battles that you're not
00:17:21.096 --> 00:17:22.397
Battles that you're not supposed to fight.
00:17:22.464 --> 00:17:24.166
Nehemiah had people at the
00:17:24.266 --> 00:17:25.434
Nehemiah had people at the bottom of the mountain making
00:17:25.501 --> 00:17:26.635
Bottom of the mountain making fun of him, threatening him,
00:17:26.702 --> 00:17:28.437
Fun of him, threatening him, all kinds of noise and
00:17:28.504 --> 00:17:29.638
All kinds of noise and negative chatter. but
00:17:29.705 --> 00:17:31.073
Negative chatter. but nehemiah ignored it. he knew
00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:33.375
Nehemiah ignored it. he knew it was a distraction to try
00:17:33.442 --> 00:17:35.511
To get him to lose focus, to
00:17:35.611 --> 00:17:37.079
To get him to lose focus, to come down from building to
00:17:37.146 --> 00:17:38.380
Come down from building to fighting. let god fight your
00:17:38.447 --> 00:17:40.749
Fighting. let god fight your battles. all the noise, the
00:17:40.816 --> 00:17:43.152
Battles. all the noise, the chatter, people that try to
00:17:43.218 --> 00:17:44.653
Chatter, people that try to make you look bad, they
00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:46.255
Make you look bad, they cannot stop your destiny. you
00:17:46.321 --> 00:17:48.991
Cannot stop your destiny. you have to let god take care of
00:17:49.057 --> 00:17:50.626
Have to let god take care of it. let him be your
00:17:50.692 --> 00:17:52.227
It. let him be your vindicator. if you start
00:17:52.294 --> 00:17:54.096
Vindicator. if you start fighting and trying to prove
00:17:54.163 --> 00:17:55.998
Fighting and trying to prove and defend and pay them back,
00:17:56.064 --> 00:17:57.699
And defend and pay them back, then god is going to step
00:17:57.766 --> 00:17:58.934
Then god is going to step back. but if you'll leave it
00:17:59.001 --> 00:18:00.936
Back. but if you'll leave it alone, god will take care of
00:18:01.003 --> 00:18:03.305
Alone, god will take care of what's trying to stop you.
00:18:03.372 --> 00:18:04.773
What's trying to stop you. god can vindicate you better
00:18:04.840 --> 00:18:07.109
God can vindicate you better than you can vindicate
00:18:07.176 --> 00:18:08.076
Than you can vindicate yourself.
00:18:08.143 --> 00:18:09.645
Yourself. it looked like rebuilding the
00:18:09.711 --> 00:18:10.712
It looked like rebuilding the wall would take years and
00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:12.047
Wall would take years and years. it was a daunting
00:18:12.114 --> 00:18:13.348
Years. it was a daunting task. but nehemiah did it in
00:18:13.415 --> 00:18:15.751
Task. but nehemiah did it in just 52 days. a few months
00:18:15.817 --> 00:18:18.453
Just 52 days. a few months earlier, he was working as a
00:18:18.520 --> 00:18:20.088
Earlier, he was working as a cupbearer, just minding his
00:18:20.155 --> 00:18:21.790
Cupbearer, just minding his own business, but now he's
00:18:21.857 --> 00:18:24.059
Own business, but now he's known as one of the heroes of
00:18:24.126 --> 00:18:25.627
Known as one of the heroes of faith. he helped save god's
00:18:25.694 --> 00:18:27.663
Faith. he helped save god's people. i wonder how many of
00:18:27.729 --> 00:18:29.898
People. i wonder how many of us are discounting ourselves.
00:18:29.965 --> 00:18:32.434
Us are discounting ourselves. god put the promise in our
00:18:32.501 --> 00:18:33.635
God put the promise in our heart, but the dream looks
00:18:33.702 --> 00:18:35.037
Heart, but the dream looks too big, the problem too
00:18:35.103 --> 00:18:36.939
Too big, the problem too great. we're focused on what
00:18:37.005 --> 00:18:38.740
Great. we're focused on what we don't have, what we can't
00:18:38.807 --> 00:18:40.309
We don't have, what we can't do. when the truth is, the
00:18:40.375 --> 00:18:42.678
Do. when the truth is, the gracious hand of god is on
00:18:42.744 --> 00:18:44.479
Gracious hand of god is on your life. just like
00:18:44.546 --> 00:18:46.315
Your life. just like nehemiah, there is a favor on
00:18:46.381 --> 00:18:48.417
Nehemiah, there is a favor on you, a divine empowerment,
00:18:48.483 --> 00:18:51.086
You, a divine empowerment, the blessing of the most
00:18:51.153 --> 00:18:52.454
The blessing of the most high. but this won't do you
00:18:52.521 --> 00:18:54.556
High. but this won't do you any good if you don't
00:18:54.623 --> 00:18:55.757
Any good if you don't recognize it. a key to
00:18:55.824 --> 00:18:57.726
Recognize it. a key to nehemiah fulfilling his
00:18:57.793 --> 00:18:59.194
Nehemiah fulfilling his purpose was he was aware of
00:18:59.261 --> 00:19:01.396
Purpose was he was aware of the favor. he declared it to
00:19:01.463 --> 00:19:03.498
The favor. he declared it to other people. he wasn't
00:19:03.565 --> 00:19:05.267
Other people. he wasn't bragging on himself; he was
00:19:05.334 --> 00:19:06.735
Bragging on himself; he was bragging on god. “his
00:19:06.802 --> 00:19:08.103
Bragging on god. “his gracious hand is on me.”
00:19:08.170 --> 00:19:10.906
Gracious hand is on me.” out of your heart, your mouth
00:19:10.973 --> 00:19:12.608
Out of your heart, your mouth speaks. you can tell what you
00:19:12.674 --> 00:19:14.943
Speaks. you can tell what you believe by what you're
00:19:15.010 --> 00:19:16.278
Believe by what you're saying. “i think this
00:19:16.345 --> 00:19:18.046
Sickness is going to be the
00:19:18.146 --> 00:19:18.847
Sickness is going to be the end of me. i'll never break
00:19:18.914 --> 00:19:20.549
End of me. i'll never break this addiction. joel, the
00:19:20.616 --> 00:19:22.217
This addiction. joel, the experts said we can't have a
00:19:22.284 --> 00:19:23.619
Experts said we can't have a baby.” negative talk will
00:19:23.685 --> 00:19:25.787
Baby.” negative talk will bring a negative future. you
00:19:25.854 --> 00:19:27.723
Bring a negative future. you are prophesying what's
00:19:27.789 --> 00:19:28.957
Are prophesying what's coming. if you talk defeat,
00:19:29.024 --> 00:19:31.927
Lack, can't do it, too big;
00:19:32.027 --> 00:19:33.528
Lack, can't do it, too big; you're going to see that. why
00:19:33.595 --> 00:19:35.597
You're going to see that. why don't you do like nehemiah?
00:19:35.664 --> 00:19:37.666
Don't you do like nehemiah? when it looks impossible,
00:19:37.733 --> 00:19:39.301
When it looks impossible, when you don't see a way, you
00:19:39.368 --> 00:19:40.502
When you don't see a way, you could be complaining. “no,
00:19:40.569 --> 00:19:41.937
Could be complaining. “no, no, the gracious hand of god
00:19:42.004 --> 00:19:43.805
No, the gracious hand of god is on my life. his favor
00:19:43.872 --> 00:19:46.208
Is on my life. his favor keeps my enemies from
00:19:46.275 --> 00:19:47.376
Keeps my enemies from defeating me. his favor is
00:19:47.442 --> 00:19:49.177
Defeating me. his favor is taking me where i can't go on
00:19:49.244 --> 00:19:50.946
Taking me where i can't go on my own.” i've seen in my own
00:19:51.013 --> 00:19:52.848
My own.” i've seen in my own life, the more i brag on the
00:19:52.914 --> 00:19:55.017
Life, the more i brag on the favor of god, the more favor
00:19:55.083 --> 00:19:57.119
Favor of god, the more favor i see. the more i talk about
00:19:57.185 --> 00:19:59.321
I see. the more i talk about god's goodness, his
00:19:59.388 --> 00:20:00.922
God's goodness, his provision, how he's opened
00:20:00.989 --> 00:20:02.758
Provision, how he's opened doors, brought the right
00:20:02.824 --> 00:20:03.859
Doors, brought the right people, given us the compaq
00:20:03.925 --> 00:20:05.460
People, given us the compaq center, healed my mom, the
00:20:05.527 --> 00:20:07.095
Center, healed my mom, the more i see god show out in my
00:20:07.162 --> 00:20:09.031
More i see god show out in my life. all through the day,
00:20:09.097 --> 00:20:11.233
Life. all through the day, keep this down in your
00:20:11.300 --> 00:20:12.367
Keep this down in your spirit, “lord, i thank you
00:20:12.434 --> 00:20:14.169
Spirit, “lord, i thank you that your gracious hand is
00:20:14.236 --> 00:20:15.470
That your gracious hand is upon me. i thank you that
00:20:15.537 --> 00:20:17.005
Upon me. i thank you that your favor is causing me to
00:20:17.072 --> 00:20:18.540
Your favor is causing me to stand out, that you're
00:20:18.607 --> 00:20:19.975
Stand out, that you're breathing on my health, my
00:20:20.042 --> 00:20:21.677
Breathing on my health, my children, my finances, on my
00:20:21.743 --> 00:20:23.745
Children, my finances, on my dreams.”
00:20:23.812 --> 00:20:25.314
Dreams.” nehemiah's colleague was a
00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:27.149
Nehemiah's colleague was a priest named ezra. god put in
00:20:27.215 --> 00:20:29.751
Priest named ezra. god put in his heart to rebuild the city
00:20:29.818 --> 00:20:31.353
His heart to rebuild the city of jerusalem. nehemiah
00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:33.255
Of jerusalem. nehemiah rebuilt the walls; ezra was
00:20:33.322 --> 00:20:35.190
Rebuilt the walls; ezra was going to rebuild the city.
00:20:35.257 --> 00:20:36.825
Going to rebuild the city. six times in the scripture,
00:20:36.892 --> 00:20:38.927
Six times in the scripture, ezra mentions the gracious
00:20:38.994 --> 00:20:40.862
Ezra mentions the gracious hand of god. it's not a
00:20:40.929 --> 00:20:42.931
Hand of god. it's not a coincidence that both he and
00:20:42.998 --> 00:20:45.133
Coincidence that both he and nehemiah did great things.
00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:47.536
Nehemiah did great things. look at their mindset. they
00:20:47.602 --> 00:20:49.371
Look at their mindset. they could have been complaining,
00:20:49.438 --> 00:20:51.039
Could have been complaining, “god, we don't have the
00:20:51.106 --> 00:20:51.707
“god, we don't have the supplies. god, i'm a
00:20:51.773 --> 00:20:53.442
Supplies. god, i'm a minister. i can't rebuild the
00:20:53.508 --> 00:20:54.743
Minister. i can't rebuild the city.” they had plenty of
00:20:54.810 --> 00:20:56.912
City.” they had plenty of reasons not to, but they
00:20:56.978 --> 00:20:59.081
Reasons not to, but they weren't focused on what they
00:20:59.147 --> 00:21:00.248
Weren't focused on what they didn't have, what looked
00:21:00.315 --> 00:21:01.917
Didn't have, what looked impossible, they were focused
00:21:01.983 --> 00:21:04.152
Impossible, they were focused on the favor god put on them.
00:21:04.219 --> 00:21:05.620
On the favor god put on them. they understood they weren't
00:21:05.687 --> 00:21:08.090
They understood they weren't doing life by themselves.
00:21:08.156 --> 00:21:09.825
Doing life by themselves. they had a divine enablement;
00:21:09.891 --> 00:21:12.027
They had a divine enablement; that the hand of god was on
00:21:12.094 --> 00:21:13.628
That the hand of god was on their life. his hand is a
00:21:13.695 --> 00:21:15.864
Their life. his hand is a hand of healing. it's a hand
00:21:15.931 --> 00:21:17.766
Hand of healing. it's a hand of provision, it's a hand of
00:21:17.833 --> 00:21:19.501
Of provision, it's a hand of deliverance, a hand of
00:21:19.568 --> 00:21:20.869
Deliverance, a hand of acceleration where god speeds
00:21:20.936 --> 00:21:23.171
Acceleration where god speeds things up. when you look at
00:21:23.238 --> 00:21:25.407
Things up. when you look at your situation, you may think
00:21:25.474 --> 00:21:26.708
Your situation, you may think like they did, “how can i
00:21:26.775 --> 00:21:28.076
Like they did, “how can i accomplish my dream, joel? i
00:21:28.143 --> 00:21:30.011
Accomplish my dream, joel? i don't have the funds, the
00:21:30.078 --> 00:21:31.580
Don't have the funds, the experience, the people. how
00:21:31.646 --> 00:21:32.347
Experience, the people. how can i build that wall?” i'll
00:21:32.414 --> 00:21:33.915
Can i build that wall?” i'll tell you how. the gracious
00:21:33.982 --> 00:21:35.617
Tell you how. the gracious hand of god. “how is my son
00:21:35.684 --> 00:21:38.387
Hand of god. “how is my son going to get back on course?
00:21:38.453 --> 00:21:39.521
Going to get back on course? he's with the wrong crowd.”
00:21:39.588 --> 00:21:41.256
He's with the wrong crowd.” the gracious hand of god.
00:21:41.323 --> 00:21:43.325
The gracious hand of god. “how am i going to get well?
00:21:43.392 --> 00:21:44.326
“how am i going to get well? you should see the medical
00:21:44.393 --> 00:21:45.293
You should see the medical report.” the gracious hand of
00:21:45.360 --> 00:21:47.229
Report.” the gracious hand of god. there is a favor on you
00:21:47.295 --> 00:21:50.298
God. there is a favor on you that will cause you to
00:21:50.365 --> 00:21:51.133
That will cause you to overcome what should defeat
00:21:51.199 --> 00:21:52.934
Overcome what should defeat you, cause you to accomplish
00:21:53.001 --> 00:21:55.103
You, cause you to accomplish what looks too big.
00:21:55.170 --> 00:21:56.171
In 1997, victoria and i
00:21:56.271 --> 00:21:59.241
In 1997, victoria and i acquired a construction
00:21:59.307 --> 00:22:00.642
Acquired a construction permit for the last full
00:22:00.709 --> 00:22:02.511
Permit for the last full powered television station
00:22:02.577 --> 00:22:03.812
Powered television station here in houston. we knew god
00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:05.781
Here in houston. we knew god opened the door, and we were
00:22:05.847 --> 00:22:06.982
Opened the door, and we were so excited and couldn't wait
00:22:07.048 --> 00:22:08.850
So excited and couldn't wait to put the station on the
00:22:08.917 --> 00:22:09.851
To put the station on the air. we bought the
00:22:09.918 --> 00:22:11.052
Air. we bought the transmitter, the antenna, a
00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:13.388
Transmitter, the antenna, a lot of the equipment, but we
00:22:13.455 --> 00:22:15.090
Lot of the equipment, but we couldn't find a place for the
00:22:15.157 --> 00:22:16.224
Couldn't find a place for the studio. what made it
00:22:16.291 --> 00:22:17.959
Studio. what made it difficult is it had to be
00:22:18.026 --> 00:22:19.528
Difficult is it had to be close to a cell tower, so we
00:22:19.594 --> 00:22:21.663
Close to a cell tower, so we could microwave the signal to
00:22:21.730 --> 00:22:23.098
Could microwave the signal to the main tower up north. we
00:22:23.165 --> 00:22:25.300
Had looked for months, gone
00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:27.035
Had looked for months, gone to different places. a couple
00:22:27.102 --> 00:22:28.737
To different places. a couple of times, we found locations
00:22:28.804 --> 00:22:30.705
Of times, we found locations that we liked, but when we
00:22:30.772 --> 00:22:31.706
That we liked, but when we did the research, there
00:22:31.773 --> 00:22:32.874
Did the research, there wasn't a tower close enough.
00:22:32.941 --> 00:22:34.776
We were
00:22:34.876 --> 00:22:35.610
Tempted to get
00:22:35.710 --> 00:22:36.311
Tempted to get discouraged, but my father
00:22:36.378 --> 00:22:38.146
Discouraged, but my father always taught us about the
00:22:38.213 --> 00:22:39.347
Always taught us about the favor of god. before we left
00:22:39.414 --> 00:22:41.249
Favor of god. before we left for school every morning as a
00:22:41.316 --> 00:22:42.584
For school every morning as a child, my mother would pray,
00:22:42.651 --> 00:22:44.186
Child, my mother would pray, “lord, thank you that my
00:22:44.252 --> 00:22:45.420
“lord, thank you that my children have your favor.”
00:22:45.487 --> 00:22:46.888
Children have your favor.” it's always been down in me.
00:22:46.955 --> 00:22:49.224
Well, our real estate agent.
00:22:49.324 --> 00:22:50.525
Well, our real estate agent. took us to another office
00:22:50.592 --> 00:22:51.626
Took us to another office complex. we liked this one
00:22:51.693 --> 00:22:54.095
Complex. we liked this one more than any of the others.
00:22:54.162 --> 00:22:55.397
More than any of the others. it seemed perfect. we went up
00:22:55.464 --> 00:22:57.265
It seemed perfect. we went up on the roof to look around,
00:22:57.332 --> 00:22:58.967
On the roof to look around, but there wasn't a tower in
00:22:59.034 --> 00:23:00.702
But there wasn't a tower in sight. another dead end. as
00:23:00.769 --> 00:23:03.271
We were about to leave, i
00:23:03.371 --> 00:23:04.339
We were about to leave, i heard some bull dozers on the
00:23:04.406 --> 00:23:06.274
Heard some bull dozers on the other side of this wood fence
00:23:06.341 --> 00:23:07.709
Other side of this wood fence where we had parked. i was
00:23:07.776 --> 00:23:09.511
Where we had parked. i was curious about what they were
00:23:09.578 --> 00:23:10.545
Curious about what they were building. i grabbed the top
00:23:10.612 --> 00:23:12.080
Building. i grabbed the top of the fence and pulled
00:23:12.147 --> 00:23:12.881
Of the fence and pulled myself up. they were putting
00:23:12.948 --> 00:23:14.783
Myself up. they were putting forms in for a foundation. it
00:23:14.850 --> 00:23:16.518
Forms in for a foundation. it was about forty feet by forty
00:23:16.585 --> 00:23:18.019
Was about forty feet by forty feet. maybe a garage or some
00:23:18.086 --> 00:23:20.055
Feet. maybe a garage or some kind of storage building. the
00:23:20.121 --> 00:23:21.857
Kind of storage building. the man saw me and stopped the
00:23:21.923 --> 00:23:23.191
Man saw me and stopped the tractor. i smiled ad said,
00:23:23.258 --> 00:23:25.160
Tractor. i smiled ad said, “what are you building?” he
00:23:25.227 --> 00:23:26.661
“what are you building?” he said, “we're building a cell
00:23:26.728 --> 00:23:27.796
Said, “we're building a cell tower. it will be up in two
00:23:27.863 --> 00:23:29.731
Tower. it will be up in two months.” i almost fell off
00:23:29.798 --> 00:23:32.434
Months.” i almost fell off that fence. that was our
00:23:32.501 --> 00:23:34.035
That fence. that was our favorite office building, and
00:23:34.102 --> 00:23:36.338
Favorite office building, and the tower was going in right
00:23:36.404 --> 00:23:37.873
The tower was going in right next door. that wasn't luck,
00:23:37.939 --> 00:23:40.675
Next door. that wasn't luck, that was the gracious hand of
00:23:40.742 --> 00:23:42.077
That was the gracious hand of god.
00:23:42.143 --> 00:23:43.645
God. when you look back over your
00:23:43.712 --> 00:23:44.846
When you look back over your life, you can see his hand of
00:23:44.913 --> 00:23:46.915
Life, you can see his hand of favor, his hand of blessing.
00:23:46.982 --> 00:23:49.184
Favor, his hand of blessing. can i encourage you; his
00:23:49.251 --> 00:23:50.819
Can i encourage you; his gracious hand is still on
00:23:50.886 --> 00:23:52.354
Gracious hand is still on you. there is a favor that
00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:54.356
You. there is a favor that keeps your enemies from
00:23:54.422 --> 00:23:55.524
Keeps your enemies from defeating you. a power that
00:23:55.590 --> 00:23:57.292
Defeating you. a power that will cause you to overcome,
00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:58.960
Will cause you to overcome, to withstand. god is going
00:23:59.027 --> 00:24:01.196
To withstand. god is going before you right now making
00:24:01.263 --> 00:24:02.764
Before you right now making crooked places straight,
00:24:02.831 --> 00:24:04.366
Crooked places straight, lining up the right people,
00:24:04.432 --> 00:24:05.600
Lining up the right people, the breaks you need. don't
00:24:05.667 --> 00:24:07.369
The breaks you need. don't live intimidated, thinking
00:24:07.435 --> 00:24:09.337
Live intimidated, thinking you're at a disadvantage,
00:24:09.404 --> 00:24:10.505
You're at a disadvantage, “this problem is too big.”
00:24:10.572 --> 00:24:12.207
“this problem is too big.” instead of living problem
00:24:12.274 --> 00:24:13.475
Instead of living problem minded, live favor minded. do
00:24:13.542 --> 00:24:16.144
Minded, live favor minded. do like nehemiah and keep
00:24:16.211 --> 00:24:17.512
Like nehemiah and keep declaring, “the gracious hand
00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:19.114
Declaring, “the gracious hand of god is on my life.” keep
00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:20.982
Of god is on my life.” keep bragging on his goodness,
00:24:21.049 --> 00:24:22.517
Bragging on his goodness, talking about his favor.
00:24:22.584 --> 00:24:24.286
Talking about his favor. sure, you may have big
00:24:24.352 --> 00:24:25.253
Sure, you may have big obstacles, but we serve a big
00:24:25.320 --> 00:24:27.088
Obstacles, but we serve a big god. your dream may look
00:24:27.155 --> 00:24:28.890
God. your dream may look impossible, but one touch of
00:24:28.957 --> 00:24:30.525
Impossible, but one touch of his favor and doors will open
00:24:30.592 --> 00:24:33.028
His favor and doors will open you never dreamed would open.
00:24:33.094 --> 00:24:34.529
You never dreamed would open. he wouldn't have given you
00:24:34.596 --> 00:24:35.463
He wouldn't have given you that promise, if he wasn't
00:24:35.530 --> 00:24:37.065
That promise, if he wasn't going to bring it to pass. i
00:24:37.132 --> 00:24:38.667
Going to bring it to pass. i believe and declare, like
00:24:38.733 --> 00:24:40.335
Believe and declare, like nehemiah, god is about to
00:24:40.402 --> 00:24:42.037
Nehemiah, god is about to show out in your life. cause
00:24:42.103 --> 00:24:44.105
Show out in your life. cause people to be good to you.
00:24:44.172 --> 00:24:45.840
People to be good to you. like joseph, you're going to
00:24:45.907 --> 00:24:46.975
Like joseph, you're going to rise up despite what tried to
00:24:47.042 --> 00:24:48.777
Rise up despite what tried to push you down, promotion,
00:24:48.843 --> 00:24:50.478
Push you down, promotion, breakthroughs, healing, the
00:24:50.545 --> 00:24:52.547
Breakthroughs, healing, the fullness of your destiny, in
00:24:52.614 --> 00:24:54.950
Fullness of your destiny, in jesus' name. if you receive
00:24:55.016 --> 00:24:57.118
Jesus' name. if you receive it, can you say amen?
00:24:57.185 --> 00:24:58.587
It, can you say amen? (applause)
00:24:58.653 --> 00:24:59.988
It's easy to get stuck in life
00:25:00.755 --> 00:25:02.457
It's easy to get stuck in life because of fear
00:25:02.524 --> 00:25:03.358
Because of fear and lack of confidence,
00:25:03.425 --> 00:25:04.526
And lack of confidence, or we've been
00:25:04.593 --> 00:25:05.460
Or we've been through disappointments.
00:25:05.527 --> 00:25:07.028
Through disappointments. but i'm excited
00:25:07.095 --> 00:25:07.762
But i'm excited about victoria's new book,
00:25:07.829 --> 00:25:09.297
About victoria's new book, graced to go.
00:25:09.364 --> 00:25:10.799
Graced to go. it'll help you move past
00:25:10.865 --> 00:25:12.133
It'll help you move past what's holding you
00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:12.801
What's holding you back, and step into new levels
00:25:12.867 --> 00:25:14.736
Back, and step into new levels of your destiny.
00:25:14.803 --> 00:25:15.937
My heart for this book
00:25:16.037 --> 00:25:17.105
My heart for this book is that you will discover
00:25:17.172 --> 00:25:18.440
Is that you will discover the courage,
00:25:18.506 --> 00:25:19.341
The courage, the gifts, and the faith
00:25:19.407 --> 00:25:21.009
The gifts, and the faith that god has put in you
00:25:21.076 --> 00:25:22.377
That god has put in you so that you can see
00:25:22.444 --> 00:25:23.244
So that you can see your dreams come to pass.
00:25:23.311 --> 00:25:24.913
Your dreams come to pass. it's not too late.
00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:26.247
It's not too late. the obstacles are not too big.
00:25:26.314 --> 00:25:28.316
The obstacles are not too big. the grace of god equips
00:25:28.383 --> 00:25:29.718
The grace of god equips you to go beyond
00:25:29.784 --> 00:25:30.518
You to go beyond your comfort zone
00:25:30.585 --> 00:25:31.786
Your comfort zone and overcome
00:25:31.853 --> 00:25:32.754
And overcome what looks impossible.
00:25:32.821 --> 00:25:34.189
What looks impossible. you are stronger than you
00:25:34.255 --> 00:25:35.357
You are stronger than you think. you are not alone.
00:25:35.423 --> 00:25:37.125
Think. you are not alone. you are graced to go.
00:25:37.192 --> 00:25:39.427
You are graced to go. as our way of saying
00:25:39.494 --> 00:25:40.595
As our way of saying thank you
00:25:40.662 --> 00:25:41.129
Thank you for your gift of any amount
00:25:41.196 --> 00:25:42.631
For your gift of any amount this month, we'll send you
00:25:42.697 --> 00:25:44.132
This month, we'll send you victoria osteen's
00:25:44.199 --> 00:25:45.433
Victoria osteen's brand new book,
00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:46.701
Brand new book, graced to go:
00:25:46.768 --> 00:25:47.902
Graced to go: step into the
00:25:47.969 --> 00:25:48.837
Step into the bigger, bolder life
00:25:48.903 --> 00:25:50.338
Bigger, bolder life that belongs to you.
00:25:50.405 --> 00:25:52.107
That belongs to you. this inspiring resource
00:25:52.173 --> 00:25:53.642
This inspiring resource will help
00:25:53.708 --> 00:25:54.075
Will help you break through
00:25:54.142 --> 00:25:54.776
You break through fear, insecurity,
00:25:54.843 --> 00:25:56.478
Fear, insecurity, or regret
00:25:56.544 --> 00:25:57.412
Or regret and activate the faith
00:25:57.479 --> 00:25:58.847
And activate the faith to move forward.
00:25:58.913 --> 00:26:00.148
To move forward. each chapter will stir
00:26:00.215 --> 00:26:01.616
Each chapter will stir your spirit,
00:26:01.683 --> 00:26:02.484
Your spirit, renew your perspective,
00:26:02.550 --> 00:26:03.985
Renew your perspective, and empower you to live boldly.
00:26:04.052 --> 00:26:06.688
And empower you to live boldly. you don't have to wait
00:26:06.755 --> 00:26:07.722
You don't have to wait for perfect conditions.
00:26:07.789 --> 00:26:09.224
For perfect conditions. god's grace meets you
00:26:09.290 --> 00:26:10.692
God's grace meets you where you are
00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.559
Where you are and propels you into a future
00:26:11.626 --> 00:26:13.461
And propels you into a future full of purpose and peace.
00:26:13.528 --> 00:26:15.830
Full of purpose and peace. with an additional gift,
00:26:15.897 --> 00:26:17.132
With an additional gift, we'll send you the
00:26:17.198 --> 00:26:18.033
We'll send you the graced to go bold bundle,
00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:20.201
Graced to go bold bundle, featuring graced to go
00:26:20.268 --> 00:26:21.603
Featuring graced to go by victoria osteen,
00:26:21.670 --> 00:26:23.171
By victoria osteen, and pray bold by joel osteen.
00:26:23.238 --> 00:26:25.807
And pray bold by joel osteen. these two powerful
00:26:25.874 --> 00:26:27.075
These two powerful books will stir
00:26:27.142 --> 00:26:28.076
Books will stir your faith,
00:26:28.143 --> 00:26:28.910
Your faith, break hesitation,
00:26:28.977 --> 00:26:30.145
Break hesitation, and help you believe big again.
00:26:30.211 --> 00:26:32.847
And help you believe big again. victoria and i are so grateful
00:26:32.914 --> 00:26:34.249
Victoria and i are so grateful to spend this time with you.
00:26:34.315 --> 00:26:35.817
To spend this time with you. we pray for
00:26:35.884 --> 00:26:36.484
We pray for you and your family every day,
00:26:36.551 --> 00:26:38.186
You and your family every day, and thank you so much
00:26:38.253 --> 00:26:39.454
And thank you so much for your prayer and support.
00:26:39.521 --> 00:26:41.389
For your prayer and support. your generosity
00:26:41.456 --> 00:26:42.357
Your generosity is helping people
00:26:42.424 --> 00:26:43.158
Is helping people around the world.
00:26:43.224 --> 00:26:44.459
Around the world. special thank you to our
00:26:44.526 --> 00:26:45.694
Special thank you to our champion of hope partners
00:26:45.760 --> 00:26:46.995
Champion of hope partners for your monthly gifts.
00:26:47.062 --> 00:26:48.563
For your monthly gifts. if you're not a partner,
00:26:48.630 --> 00:26:49.330
If you're not a partner, i hope you'll consider
00:26:49.397 --> 00:26:50.198
I hope you'll consider becoming one.
00:26:50.265 --> 00:26:51.499
Becoming one. remember,
00:26:51.566 --> 00:26:51.900
Remember, you can watch the services
00:26:51.966 --> 00:26:53.168
You can watch the services online every sunday
00:26:53.234 --> 00:26:54.569
Online every sunday morning, download
00:26:54.636 --> 00:26:55.737
Morning, download our daily podcast,
00:26:55.804 --> 00:26:57.305
Our daily podcast, watch on youtube,
00:26:57.372 --> 00:26:58.606
Watch on youtube, the new joel osteen network,
00:26:58.673 --> 00:27:00.208
The new joel osteen network, social media,
00:27:00.275 --> 00:27:01.276
Social media, of course
00:27:01.342 --> 00:27:01.643
Of course listen on sirius xm 24/7.
00:27:01.710 --> 00:27:03.978
Listen on sirius xm 24/7. we'll help
00:27:04.045 --> 00:27:04.379
We'll help you stay encouraged
00:27:04.446 --> 00:27:05.513
You stay encouraged and inspired.
00:27:05.580 --> 00:27:06.748
And inspired. if you're a pastor,
00:27:06.815 --> 00:27:07.916
If you're a pastor, we'd like to invite you
00:27:07.982 --> 00:27:08.983
We'd like to invite you to our pastors gathering.
00:27:09.050 --> 00:27:10.652
To our pastors gathering. we'd be honored
00:27:10.719 --> 00:27:11.486
We'd be honored to spend the day
00:27:11.553 --> 00:27:12.220
To spend the day with you here at lakewood.
00:27:12.287 --> 00:27:13.888
With you here at lakewood. we'll share some of the things
00:27:13.955 --> 00:27:15.190
We'll share some of the things we've learned, insights,
00:27:15.256 --> 00:27:16.891
We've learned, insights, and behind the scenes.
00:27:16.958 --> 00:27:18.126
And behind the scenes. it'll be a time of inspiration
00:27:18.193 --> 00:27:19.728
It'll be a time of inspiration and encouragement.
00:27:19.794 --> 00:27:20.695
And encouragement. we'd love to meet you.
00:27:20.762 --> 00:27:22.530

Joel Osteen - God's Gracious Hand

August 17, 2025 | S25 E229 | 29:0

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