Joel Osteen

Joel Osteen - Grow Through It

March 16, 2026 | 27:29

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

#WordofGod #Praise #Prayer #Forgiveness #Challenges #Enemy #PromisesofGod #Strength #Goodness #JoelOsteen

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Joel Osteen | Joel Osteen - Grow Through It | March 16, 2026

>joel: god bless you. it's
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>joel: god bless you. it's great to be with you today.
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Great to be with you today. i hope you'll stay connected
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I 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,
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Our youtube channel, social media. and you can
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Social media. and you can come visit us in person.
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Come visit us in person. the finest people in all
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The finest people in all of houston, tx right here
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Of houston, tx right here at lakewood. we'd love to
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At lakewood. we'd love to have you be a part of one
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Have you be a part of one of our services.
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Of our services. 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 these three pastors
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About these three pastors that were in a boat together
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That were in a boat together fishing. one of them said,
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Fishing. one of them said, “we never get to let our hair
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“we never get to let our hair down. let's each tell the
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Down. let's each tell the area that we struggle in the
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Area that we struggle in the most, our greatest sin, so we
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Most, our greatest sin, so we can pray for each other.” the
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Can pray for each other.” the first pastor said, “i hate to
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First pastor said, “i hate to admit it, but i have a
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Admit it, but i have a problem with gambling.
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Problem with gambling. sometimes i sneak out at
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Sometimes i sneak out at night and gamble.” the second
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Night and gamble.” the second pastor said, “i'm ashamed to
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Pastor said, “i'm ashamed to admit this, but i have a
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Admit this, but i have a problem with cheating. i
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Problem with cheating. i hardly ever pay my taxes.”
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Hardly ever pay my taxes.” the third pastor sat there
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The third pastor sat there silently. they waited and
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Silently. they waited and waited. he wouldn't budge.
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Waited. he wouldn't budge. they said, “we are not
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They said, “we are not leaving until you tell us
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Leaving until you tell us your greatest sin.” he said,
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Your greatest sin.” he said, “alright, my greatest sin is
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“alright, my greatest sin is gossiping, and i can't wait
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Gossiping, and i can't wait to get off this boat.”
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To get off this boat.” say it like you mean it.
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Say it like you mean it. this is my bible.
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This is my bible. i am what it says i am.
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I am what it says i am. i have what it says i have.
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I have what it says i have. i can do what it says i
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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.
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Taught the word of god. i boldly confess: my mind
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I boldly confess: my mind is alert. my heart is
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Is alert. my heart is receptive. i will never
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Receptive. i will never be the same in jesus'
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Be the same in jesus' name. god bless you.
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Name. god bless you. i want to talk to you today
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I want to talk to you today about grow through it. we all
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About grow through it. we all go through things that are
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Go through things that are uncomfortable, things that we
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Uncomfortable, things that we don't like. a coworker is
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Don't like. a coworker is getting on our nerves, a
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Getting on our nerves, a child is difficult to raise,
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Child is difficult to raise, a dream is taking longer than
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A dream is taking longer than we thought. it's easy to live
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We thought. it's easy to live frustrated, wondering why
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Frustrated, wondering why it's not changing. but i've
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It's not changing. but i've learned you can't pray away
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Learned you can't pray away everything that's
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Everything that's uncomfortable. god uses
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Uncomfortable. god uses difficulties, delays,
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Difficulties, delays, inconveniences, to do a work
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Inconveniences, to do a work in us. if the situation is
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In us. if the situation is not changing, maybe god is
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Not changing, maybe god is using the situation to change
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Using the situation to change you. he wouldn't have allowed
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You. he wouldn't have allowed it if he didn't have a
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It if he didn't have a purpose for it. don't just
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Purpose for it. don't just go through it, upset, bitter,
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Go through it, upset, bitter, offended, grow through it.
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Offended, grow through it. that's an opportunity to get
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That's an opportunity to get stronger, to develop your
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Stronger, to develop your character, to build your
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Character, to build your spiritual muscles. we don't
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Spiritual muscles. we don't grow so much in the good
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Grow so much in the good times; we grow in the
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Times; we grow in the difficult times. the
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Difficult times. the scripture says, “our faith is
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Scripture says, “our faith is tested in the fire of
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Tested in the fire of affliction.” that person that
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Affliction.” that person that did you wrong. that's not
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Did you wrong. that's not random, it's not just a bad
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Random, it's not just a bad break, that's a test. god is
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Break, that's a test. god is seeing are you going to get
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Seeing are you going to get bitter, hold a grudge, try to
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Bitter, hold a grudge, try to pay them back, or are you
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Pay them back, or are you going to take the high road
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Going to take the high road and forgive? you didn't get
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And forgive? you didn't get the promotion you deserved;
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The promotion you deserved; it wasn't fair. are you going
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It wasn't fair. are you going to get upset, bad mouth the
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To get upset, bad mouth the company, slack off, or are
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Company, slack off, or are you going to keep being your
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You going to keep being your best, going the extra mile,
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Best, going the extra mile, knowing that god has
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Knowing that god has something better coming.
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Something better coming. these times when we're
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These times when we're uncomfortable, we're not
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Uncomfortable, we're not getting our way, those are
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Getting our way, those are opportunities to prove to god
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Opportunities to prove to god that you're ready to go to
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That you're ready to go to the next level. before you're
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The next level. before you're promoted, there's a time of
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Promoted, there's a time of testing, a time of proving.
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Testing, a time of proving. if you keep letting the same
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If you keep letting the same people offend you, the same
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People offend you, the same traffic upset you, the same
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Traffic upset you, the same challenges steal your joy,
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Challenges steal your joy, then you're going to get
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Then you're going to get stuck.
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Stuck. “god, i
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“god, i don't like this, it's
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Don't like this, it's uncomfortable, but i trust
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Uncomfortable, but i trust you. i know you wouldn't have
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You. i know you wouldn't have allowed it if i didn't need
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Allowed it if i didn't need it. so, i'm going to pass
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It. so, i'm going to pass this test. i'm not going to
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This test. i'm not going to let this jerk; i mean this
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Let this jerk; i mean this coworker get on my nerves.
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Coworker get on my nerves. i'm not going to get
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I'm not going to get frustrated every time i don't
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Frustrated every time i don't get my way; i'm not going to
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Get my way; i'm not going to be sour because things aren't
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Be sour because things aren't changing on my timetable.
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Changing on my timetable. god, i know you're working
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God, i know you're working all things for my good.”
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All things for my good.” that's how you grow, that's
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That's how you grow, that's how you come out stronger,
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How you come out stronger, more confident, more loving,
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More confident, more loving, more forgiving.
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More forgiving. when the israelites were in
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When the israelites were in the desert, on the way to the
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The desert, on the way to the promised land, the scripture
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Promised land, the scripture says, “god didn't take them
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Says, “god didn't take them the easiest way because they
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The easiest way because they weren't prepared for war.”
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Weren't prepared for war.” there were enemies that were
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There were enemies that were bigger and stronger that
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Bigger and stronger that would have defeated them.
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Would have defeated them. they had to go through some
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They had to go through some things to get ready for what
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Things to get ready for what god had in store. the longer
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God had in store. the longer route wasn't because god just
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Route wasn't because god just wanted to make their life
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Wanted to make their life miserable. having to deal
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Miserable. having to deal with delays, not knowing what
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With delays, not knowing what they were going to eat,
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They were going to eat, people coming against them,
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People coming against them, that was all strategic. that
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That was all strategic. that was growing them up, making
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Was growing them up, making them stronger. god knew they
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Them stronger. god knew they needed that to go into the
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Needed that to go into the promised land. the reason you
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Promised land. the reason you face difficulties, things
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Face difficulties, things that may not seem fair is
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That may not seem fair is because god has an awesome
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Because god has an awesome future in store for you.
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Future in store for you. where god is taking you is
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Where god is taking you is going to take greater faith,
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Going to take greater faith, greater strength, greater
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Greater strength, greater patience. every challenge you
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Patience. every challenge you face is a sign that god is
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Face is a sign that god is getting you ready for
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Getting you ready for something you've never seen.
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Something you've never seen. don't get sour, “why is this
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Don't get sour, “why is this happening?” have a new
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Happening?” have a new perspective. “god is growing
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Perspective. “god is growing me up. he's getting me
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Me up. he's getting me prepared for my promised
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Prepared for my promised land.”
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Land.” but if god gave you right
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But if god gave you right now, all that he has lined
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Now, all that he has lined up, it wouldn't be a
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Up, it wouldn't be a blessing, it would be a
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Blessing, it would be a burden. he loves you too much
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Burden. he loves you too much to give you what you can't
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To give you what you can't handle. there will be seasons
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Handle. there will be seasons where it's taking longer than
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Where it's taking longer than you thought. you're still in
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You thought. you're still in the desert, dealing with that
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The desert, dealing with that cranky neighbor, fighting
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Cranky neighbor, fighting that battle in your health,
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That battle in your health, pressured raising that child.
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Pressured raising that child. you could be sour, “when is
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You could be sour, “when is this going to change?” no
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This going to change?” no that's a time to prove to god
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That's a time to prove to god who you are. you're not weak.
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Who you are. you're not weak. you're a warrior. you don't
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You're a warrior. you don't fall apart when trouble
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Fall apart when trouble comes. you are strong in the
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Comes. you are strong in the lord. you don't complain that
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Lord. you don't complain that you can't take it anymore.
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You can't take it anymore. you can do all things through
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You can do all things through christ. you don't live
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Christ. you don't live offended by people that did
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Offended by people that did you wrong. you let god be
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You wrong. you let god be your vindicator. that's how
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Your vindicator. that's how you don't just go through it,
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You don't just go through it, you grow through it. when you
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You grow through it. when you prove to god that you'll be
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Prove to god that you'll be faithful when it's not fair,
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Faithful when it's not fair, you'll be good to people that
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You'll be good to people that are not good to you, you'll
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Are not good to you, you'll stay in peace when you should
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Stay in peace when you should be upset, because your
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Be upset, because your spiritual muscles are
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Spiritual muscles are growing, because you're
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Growing, because you're getting stronger, developing
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Getting stronger, developing your character, god can take
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Your character, god can take you to new levels of your
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You to new levels of your destiny. he can entrust you
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Destiny. he can entrust you with more favor, more
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With more favor, more resources, more influence.
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Resources, more influence. i know sometimes it's
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I know sometimes it's painful, but the pain has a
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Painful, but the pain has a purpose. when i lift weights,
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Purpose. when i lift weights, the last two or three reps
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The last two or three reps are always painful. my mind
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Are always painful. my mind says, “stop, this is
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Says, “stop, this is hurting.” i'm uncomfortable,
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Hurting.” i'm uncomfortable, i don't like it, but i know
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I don't like it, but i know that pressure, that pain is,
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That pressure, that pain is, number one, only temporary
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Number one, only temporary and, number two, it's causing
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And, number two, it's causing me to get stronger. i was
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Me to get stronger. i was uncomfortable for a short
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Uncomfortable for a short time, but the results lasted
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Time, but the results lasted a long time. now i have this
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A long time. now i have this massive, good-looking
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Massive, good-looking physique. in my mind i do.
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Physique. in my mind i do. you may be uncomfortable for
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You may be uncomfortable for a season. yes, it's hard to
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A season. yes, it's hard to bite your tongue when
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Bite your tongue when somebody's rude. it's hard to
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Somebody's rude. it's hard to keep a good attitude when the
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Keep a good attitude when the contract didn't go through.
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Contract didn't go through. it's hard to stay in faith
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It's hard to stay in faith when things aren't changing.
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When things aren't changing. but if you'll dig down deep
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But if you'll dig down deep and pass the test, you're
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And pass the test, you're going to come in to favor
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Going to come in to favor that will last a long time.
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That will last a long time. here's what i've learned, the
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Here's what i've learned, the pain of discipline is less
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Pain of discipline is less than the pain of regret. it
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Than the pain of regret. it is painful to do the right
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Is painful to do the right thing when it's hard, but
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Thing when it's hard, but it's less painful to look
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It's less painful to look back and think, “what could i
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Back and think, “what could i have become, if i wouldn't
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Have become, if i wouldn't have let this temper get the
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Have let this temper get the best of me? what could i have
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Best of me? what could i have become if i'd learned how to
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Become if i'd learned how to overcome this compromise,
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Overcome this compromise, deal with this impatience,
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Deal with this impatience, this jealousy, this pride,
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This jealousy, this pride, being easily offended hold me
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Being easily offended hold me back?”
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Back?” the mistake the israelites
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The mistake the israelites made out in the desert is
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Made out in the desert is they didn't grow through it.
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They didn't grow through it. they didn't pass the test.
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They didn't pass the test. they thought the delay was a
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They thought the delay was a bad break. when in fact it
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Bad break. when in fact it was god protecting them. he
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Was god protecting them. he knew they weren't ready. they
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Knew they weren't ready. they would have been defeated. he
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Would have been defeated. he was doing them a favor, but
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Was doing them a favor, but they thought he had forgotten
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They thought he had forgotten about them. they were
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About them. they were negative and complained,
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Negative and complained, “moses why did you bring us
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“moses why did you bring us out in the desert to die?
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Out in the desert to die? there's nothing good to eat
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There's nothing good to eat out here.” god gave them
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Out here.” god gave them manna every morning for
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Manna every morning for breakfast, but they got tired
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Breakfast, but they got tired of it. because they didn't
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Of it. because they didn't pass the test, because they
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Pass the test, because they never grew, never developed
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Never grew, never developed the faith, the trust, the
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The faith, the trust, the character, they went around
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Character, they went around the same mountain for forty
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The same mountain for forty years. here god had brought
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Years. here god had brought them out of slavery, sent
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Them out of slavery, sent plagues on their oppressors,
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Plagues on their oppressors, parted the red sea, drowned
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Parted the red sea, drowned pharaoh's army. god didn't do
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Pharaoh's army. god didn't do all those amazing things to
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All those amazing things to leave them in the desert.
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Leave them in the desert. what was the problem? they
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What was the problem? they didn't pass the test. they
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Didn't pass the test. they never got prepared for where
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Never got prepared for where god was taking them. they
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God was taking them. they complained when it wasn't
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Complained when it wasn't easy, they got discouraged
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Easy, they got discouraged because it was taking longer,
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Because it was taking longer, they were frustrated because
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They were frustrated because they weren't getting their
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They weren't getting their way. when the truth is all
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Way. when the truth is all those difficulties, all those
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Those difficulties, all those inconveniences, that wasn't
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Inconveniences, that wasn't the enemy, that was god
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The enemy, that was god giving them opportunities to
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Giving them opportunities to grow.
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Grow. how you handle difficulties
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How you handle difficulties will determine whether you
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Will determine whether you make it into your promised
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Make it into your promised land. god has the good
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Land. god has the good breaks. he has the right
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Breaks. he has the right people, the resources. but
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People, the resources. but before that happens, you have
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Before that happens, you have to prove to him that you can
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To prove to him that you can handle it. the way you're
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Handle it. the way you're tested is in the fire of
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Tested is in the fire of affliction, in
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Affliction, in disappointments, delays, when
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Disappointments, delays, when you're not getting your way.
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You're not getting your way. recognize that's an
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Recognize that's an opportunity to come up
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Opportunity to come up higher. it's easy to get
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Higher. it's easy to get negative, try to pay people
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Negative, try to pay people back. it's easy to live in
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Back. it's easy to live in self-pity, discouraged over a
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Self-pity, discouraged over a bad break. it's easy to get
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Bad break. it's easy to get upset in traffic, it's easy
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Upset in traffic, it's easy to be rude to people that are
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To be rude to people that are rude to you. but what if you
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Rude to you. but what if you knew all that was a test.
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Knew all that was a test. that it wasn't random, it was
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That it wasn't random, it was strategic, that god put you
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Strategic, that god put you there to see how you would
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There to see how you would respond. don't be like the
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Respond. don't be like the israelites and go the next
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Israelites and go the next forty years letting the same
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Forty years letting the same things upset you, the same
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Things upset you, the same people offend you, same
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People offend you, same traffic frustrate you, same
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Traffic frustrate you, same compromise defeat you. that's
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Compromise defeat you. that's going through it, i'm asking
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Going through it, i'm asking you to grow through it.
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You to grow through it. instead of waiting for it to
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Instead of waiting for it to change, why don't you change.
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Change, why don't you change. instead of trying to pray
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Instead of trying to pray away the difficulty, why
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Away the difficulty, why don't you pray, “god help me
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Don't you pray, “god help me to do the right thing in the
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To do the right thing in the midst of this difficulty.”
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Midst of this difficulty.” every challenge is an
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Every challenge is an opportunity to prove to god
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Opportunity to prove to god that you can handle the
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That you can handle the favor, the influence, the
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Favor, the influence, the destiny that he's laid out
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Destiny that he's laid out for you. it's not going to
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For you. it's not going to come without testing, without
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Come without testing, without proving that you have the
00:10:42.431 --> 00:10:43.733
Proving that you have the character, the integrity, the
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Character, the integrity, the fortitude to handle it.
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Fortitude to handle it. we see this with joseph in
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We see this with joseph in the scripture. as a teenager,
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The scripture. as a teenager, god gave him a dream that he
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God gave him a dream that he would be in leadership, and
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Would be in leadership, and he would see great favor and
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He would see great favor and influence. he was excited. he
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Influence. he was excited. he knew big things were in his
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Knew big things were in his future. but psalm 105 says,
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Future. but psalm 105 says, “until the time came to
00:11:04.186 --> 00:11:05.888
“until the time came to fulfill joseph's dream, god
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Fulfill joseph's dream, god tested joseph's character.”
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Tested joseph's character.” it's significant that god
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It's significant that god gave him a dream, then god
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Gave him a dream, then god said, “i'm going to test you
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Said, “i'm going to test you to see if you can handle it.
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To see if you can handle it. i'm going to test your
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I'm going to test your character. will you be good
00:11:18.734 --> 00:11:20.603
Character. will you be good to people that are not good
00:11:20.669 --> 00:11:21.804
To people that are not good to you? i'm going to test
00:11:21.871 --> 00:11:23.472
To you? i'm going to test your endurance. will you give
00:11:23.539 --> 00:11:25.107
Your endurance. will you give up if it doesn't happen fast
00:11:25.174 --> 00:11:26.675
Up if it doesn't happen fast enough? i'm going to test
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Enough? i'm going to test your integrity. will you do
00:11:28.477 --> 00:11:30.012
Your integrity. will you do the right thing when no one
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The right thing when no one is watching? i'm going to
00:11:31.747 --> 00:11:33.215
Is watching? i'm going to test your attitude. will you
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Test your attitude. will you get sour when things don't go
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Get sour when things don't go your way?” we love when god
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Your way?” we love when god gives us a dream, we know
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Gives us a dream, we know something big is in our
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Something big is in our future, but we have to
00:11:42.057 --> 00:11:43.692
Future, but we have to realize along with the dream,
00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:46.128
Realize along with the dream, come tests. how we respond
00:11:46.195 --> 00:11:49.365
Come tests. how we respond will determine whether we
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Will determine whether we keep going around the
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Keep going around the mountain, or whether we go
00:11:51.667 --> 00:11:53.035
Mountain, or whether we go into our promised land.
00:11:53.102 --> 00:11:55.805
Into our promised land. joseph's brothers heard about
00:11:55.871 --> 00:11:57.173
Joseph's brothers heard about this dream, and they didn't
00:11:57.239 --> 00:11:58.574
This dream, and they didn't like it. they were already
00:11:58.641 --> 00:12:00.242
Like it. they were already jealous of joseph. he was
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Jealous of joseph. he was their father's favorite
00:12:02.278 --> 00:12:03.245
Their father's favorite child. one day these brothers
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Child. one day these brothers were in another city, taking
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Were in another city, taking care of their animals out in
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Care of their animals out in the pastures. joseph's father
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The pastures. joseph's father asked him to travel there to
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Asked him to travel there to check on them. when the
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Check on them. when the brothers saw him coming, they
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Brothers saw him coming, they thought this is our chance to
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Thought this is our chance to get rid of joseph. they threw
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Get rid of joseph. they threw him into a pit. they were
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Him into a pit. they were going to leave him there when
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Going to leave him there when they saw a caravan of
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They saw a caravan of ishmaelites coming. instead,
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Ishmaelites coming. instead, they sold joseph as a slave.
00:12:25.067 --> 00:12:27.536
They sold joseph as a slave. his whole world was turned
00:12:27.603 --> 00:12:28.938
His whole world was turned upside down. he went from his
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Upside down. he went from his father's favorite child, to a
00:12:31.106 --> 00:12:33.209
Father's favorite child, to a slave in a foreign country,
00:12:33.275 --> 00:12:35.811
Slave in a foreign country, didn't speak the language,
00:12:35.878 --> 00:12:37.446
Didn't speak the language, his freedom was gone. you
00:12:37.513 --> 00:12:39.515
His freedom was gone. you would think he would be
00:12:39.582 --> 00:12:40.316
Would think he would be bitter, “god where are you,
00:12:40.382 --> 00:12:42.852
Bitter, “god where are you, why did you let my family
00:12:42.918 --> 00:12:44.019
Why did you let my family betray me?” but you never
00:12:44.086 --> 00:12:46.155
Betray me?” but you never read where joseph complained.
00:12:46.222 --> 00:12:47.723
Read where joseph complained. he kept being his best, doing
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He kept being his best, doing the right thing when the
00:12:50.359 --> 00:12:51.493
The right thing when the wrong thing happened. so much
00:12:51.560 --> 00:12:53.329
Wrong thing happened. so much so that the owner of that
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So that the owner of that house put joseph in charge of
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House put joseph in charge of all of his household. joseph
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All of his household. joseph wasn't just going through it;
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Wasn't just going through it; he was growing through it.
00:13:01.704 --> 00:13:03.572
He was growing through it. his attitude was, “this is
00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:05.274
His attitude was, “this is where god has me, so i'm
00:13:05.341 --> 00:13:06.675
Where god has me, so i'm going to shine. it's not
00:13:06.742 --> 00:13:08.410
Going to shine. it's not fair, i don't understand it,
00:13:08.477 --> 00:13:10.279
Fair, i don't understand it, but god, i trust you. i
00:13:10.346 --> 00:13:12.047
But god, i trust you. i believe that you're ordering
00:13:12.114 --> 00:13:13.249
Believe that you're ordering my steps.”
00:13:13.315 --> 00:13:14.717
My steps.” the owner's wife lied about
00:13:14.783 --> 00:13:16.151
The owner's wife lied about joseph, he was falsely
00:13:16.218 --> 00:13:17.720
Joseph, he was falsely accused and put in prison.
00:13:17.786 --> 00:13:20.155
Accused and put in prison. surely now he would be upset,
00:13:20.222 --> 00:13:22.725
Surely now he would be upset, “god i've had enough.” but
00:13:22.791 --> 00:13:24.493
“god i've had enough.” but joseph kept doing the right
00:13:24.560 --> 00:13:25.895
Joseph kept doing the right thing. he excelled in prison.
00:13:25.961 --> 00:13:28.364
Thing. he excelled in prison. the warden ended up putting
00:13:28.430 --> 00:13:29.632
The warden ended up putting him in charge. notice how
00:13:29.698 --> 00:13:31.734
Him in charge. notice how he's passing the test.
00:13:31.800 --> 00:13:33.369
He's passing the test. proving to god that he could
00:13:33.435 --> 00:13:35.537
Proving to god that he could be trusted; that he had the
00:13:35.604 --> 00:13:36.639
Be trusted; that he had the character, the integrity, the
00:13:36.705 --> 00:13:38.841
Character, the integrity, the humility. he interpreted a
00:13:38.908 --> 00:13:41.210
Humility. he interpreted a dream for a fellow prisoner.
00:13:41.277 --> 00:13:42.645
Dream for a fellow prisoner. he could have been sour, “i'm
00:13:42.711 --> 00:13:44.813
He could have been sour, “i'm not going to do you a favor.
00:13:44.880 --> 00:13:46.015
Not going to do you a favor. i've got more problems than
00:13:46.081 --> 00:13:47.650
I've got more problems than you.” he was unselfish. not
00:13:47.716 --> 00:13:50.619
You.” he was unselfish. not long after that, he
00:13:50.686 --> 00:13:51.921
Long after that, he interpreted the pharaoh's
00:13:51.987 --> 00:13:53.122
Interpreted the pharaoh's dream. the pharoah was so
00:13:53.188 --> 00:13:54.924
Dream. the pharoah was so impressed, he made joseph the
00:13:54.990 --> 00:13:56.692
Impressed, he made joseph the prime minister of egypt.
00:13:56.759 --> 00:13:58.928
Prime minister of egypt. overnight, he went from a
00:13:58.994 --> 00:14:00.529
Overnight, he went from a slave to one of the most
00:14:00.596 --> 00:14:01.964
Slave to one of the most powerful people of that day.
00:14:02.031 --> 00:14:04.600
Powerful people of that day. notice how the dream came to
00:14:04.667 --> 00:14:06.168
Notice how the dream came to pass. god tested joseph's
00:14:06.235 --> 00:14:08.404
Pass. god tested joseph's character all along the way.
00:14:08.470 --> 00:14:11.173
Character all along the way. the challenges we face aren't
00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:12.675
The challenges we face aren't random. that's god giving you
00:14:12.741 --> 00:14:14.510
Random. that's god giving you an opportunity to develop
00:14:14.576 --> 00:14:16.378
An opportunity to develop your muscles, to get
00:14:16.445 --> 00:14:17.846
Your muscles, to get stronger, to prove to him
00:14:17.913 --> 00:14:20.082
Stronger, to prove to him that you can handle the
00:14:20.149 --> 00:14:21.083
That you can handle the promotion.
00:14:21.150 --> 00:14:22.484
Promotion. it may not be as dramatic as
00:14:22.551 --> 00:14:23.886
It may not be as dramatic as joseph, being put in prison
00:14:23.953 --> 00:14:25.955
Joseph, being put in prison for something you didn't do.
00:14:26.021 --> 00:14:27.656
For something you didn't do. it may just be how you handle
00:14:27.723 --> 00:14:29.892
It may just be how you handle the traffic each morning, how
00:14:29.959 --> 00:14:31.994
The traffic each morning, how you treat that person at work
00:14:32.061 --> 00:14:33.395
You treat that person at work that's not good to you, how
00:14:33.462 --> 00:14:35.030
That's not good to you, how you respond when you're doing
00:14:35.097 --> 00:14:36.632
You respond when you're doing the right thing but the wrong
00:14:36.699 --> 00:14:38.400
The right thing but the wrong thing is happening. don't get
00:14:38.467 --> 00:14:40.402
Thing is happening. don't get bitter. don't try to pay
00:14:40.469 --> 00:14:42.037
Bitter. don't try to pay people back. be a joseph.
00:14:42.104 --> 00:14:45.007
People back. be a joseph. show god what you're made of.
00:14:45.074 --> 00:14:47.276
Show god what you're made of. that's an opportunity to
00:14:47.343 --> 00:14:48.444
That's an opportunity to grow. when you do the right
00:14:48.510 --> 00:14:50.713
Grow. when you do the right thing, your spiritual muscles
00:14:50.779 --> 00:14:52.214
Thing, your spiritual muscles are getting stronger. your
00:14:52.281 --> 00:14:53.749
Are getting stronger. your trust, your patience, your
00:14:53.816 --> 00:14:55.951
Trust, your patience, your endurance, your faith is
00:14:56.018 --> 00:14:57.486
Endurance, your faith is increasing. when god sees
00:14:57.553 --> 00:14:59.922
Increasing. when god sees that you can handle the
00:14:59.989 --> 00:15:00.956
That you can handle the dream, when you've proven to
00:15:01.023 --> 00:15:02.925
Dream, when you've proven to him that you have the
00:15:02.992 --> 00:15:04.059
Him that you have the character, the integrity,
00:15:04.126 --> 00:15:06.095
Character, the integrity, he'll open doors you could
00:15:06.161 --> 00:15:07.229
He'll open doors you could never open. he'll defeat
00:15:07.296 --> 00:15:09.131
Never open. he'll defeat giants that were much bigger.
00:15:09.198 --> 00:15:10.599
Giants that were much bigger. you'll find yourself further
00:15:10.666 --> 00:15:12.401
You'll find yourself further than you ever imagined.
00:15:12.468 --> 00:15:14.536
Than you ever imagined. maybe like joseph, you're in
00:15:14.603 --> 00:15:16.205
Maybe like joseph, you're in that time of testing now.
00:15:16.271 --> 00:15:18.507
That time of testing now. wondering why these unfair
00:15:18.574 --> 00:15:19.842
Wondering why these unfair things have happened, why
00:15:19.908 --> 00:15:21.510
Things have happened, why these doors have closed, why
00:15:21.577 --> 00:15:23.178
These doors have closed, why it's taking so long. god has
00:15:23.245 --> 00:15:25.447
It's taking so long. god has not forgotten about you. he
00:15:25.514 --> 00:15:27.683
Not forgotten about you. he sees you doing the right
00:15:27.750 --> 00:15:29.118
Sees you doing the right thing when it's hard. he sees
00:15:29.184 --> 00:15:31.320
Thing when it's hard. he sees you praising when you could
00:15:31.387 --> 00:15:32.855
You praising when you could be complaining. he sees you
00:15:32.921 --> 00:15:34.857
Be complaining. he sees you at work being your best, and
00:15:34.923 --> 00:15:36.592
At work being your best, and not getting the credit. he
00:15:36.658 --> 00:15:38.427
Not getting the credit. he sees the lonely nights, those
00:15:38.494 --> 00:15:40.696
Sees the lonely nights, those tears from what's breaking
00:15:40.763 --> 00:15:41.964
Tears from what's breaking your heart. but you're still
00:15:42.031 --> 00:15:43.332
Your heart. but you're still serving, still giving, still
00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:45.267
Serving, still giving, still being good to people. you are
00:15:45.334 --> 00:15:46.869
Being good to people. you are proving to god that you can
00:15:46.935 --> 00:15:48.604
Proving to god that you can handle the blessing. thoughts
00:15:48.670 --> 00:15:50.939
Handle the blessing. thoughts will whisper, “it's never
00:15:51.006 --> 00:15:51.640
Will whisper, “it's never going to work out.” no, your
00:15:51.707 --> 00:15:53.042
Going to work out.” no, your time is coming. the scripture
00:15:53.108 --> 00:15:55.277
Time is coming. the scripture says, “when you have passed
00:15:55.344 --> 00:15:56.845
Says, “when you have passed the test, you will receive
00:15:56.912 --> 00:15:58.814
The test, you will receive the victor's crown of life.”
00:15:58.881 --> 00:16:01.216
The victor's crown of life.” victory is coming. favor is
00:16:01.283 --> 00:16:03.485
Victory is coming. favor is coming. you've been
00:16:03.552 --> 00:16:04.720
Coming. you've been struggling a long time, ease
00:16:04.787 --> 00:16:06.388
Struggling a long time, ease is coming. god is about to
00:16:06.455 --> 00:16:08.390
Is coming. god is about to shift some things. like with
00:16:08.457 --> 00:16:10.793
Shift some things. like with joseph, he's going to take
00:16:10.859 --> 00:16:12.361
Joseph, he's going to take you from the background to
00:16:12.428 --> 00:16:13.562
You from the background to the foreground. it's going to
00:16:13.629 --> 00:16:15.364
The foreground. it's going to happen suddenly. a shift,
00:16:15.431 --> 00:16:17.433
Happen suddenly. a shift, from borrowing to lending,
00:16:17.499 --> 00:16:19.401
From borrowing to lending, from being stuck to being
00:16:19.468 --> 00:16:20.736
From being stuck to being promoted, from mourning to
00:16:20.803 --> 00:16:22.671
Promoted, from mourning to dancing, from sorrow to joy.
00:16:22.738 --> 00:16:25.307
Dancing, from sorrow to joy. that victor's crown is on the
00:16:25.374 --> 00:16:27.242
That victor's crown is on the way. now keep being faithful.
00:16:27.309 --> 00:16:30.379
Way. now keep being faithful. keep doing the right thing
00:16:30.446 --> 00:16:31.447
Keep doing the right thing when you're uncomfortable.
00:16:31.513 --> 00:16:33.082
When you're uncomfortable. you don't understand it. it's
00:16:33.148 --> 00:16:34.616
You don't understand it. it's not fair. don't just go
00:16:34.683 --> 00:16:36.285
Not fair. don't just go through, grow through it.
00:16:36.351 --> 00:16:38.353
Through, grow through it. it's doing something on the
00:16:38.420 --> 00:16:39.588
It's doing something on the inside of you. it's getting
00:16:39.655 --> 00:16:41.657
Inside of you. it's getting you prepared for something
00:16:41.723 --> 00:16:43.258
You prepared for something you've never seen.
00:16:43.325 --> 00:16:44.193
You've never seen. a couple of years after my
00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:46.328
A couple of years after my father passed, the church was
00:16:46.395 --> 00:16:48.030
Father passed, the church was growing, and we needed a
00:16:48.097 --> 00:16:49.565
Growing, and we needed a larger auditorium. the compaq
00:16:49.631 --> 00:16:51.800
Larger auditorium. the compaq center, this place, became
00:16:51.867 --> 00:16:53.202
Center, this place, became available. after a year and a
00:16:53.268 --> 00:16:55.003
Available. after a year and a half battle, by the grace of
00:16:55.070 --> 00:16:56.805
Half battle, by the grace of god, ten city council members
00:16:56.872 --> 00:16:58.774
God, ten city council members voted for us, and we got the
00:16:58.841 --> 00:17:00.576
Voted for us, and we got the facility. we were so excited.
00:17:00.642 --> 00:17:03.612
Facility. we were so excited. i grew up watching the
00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:04.613
I grew up watching the rockets play basketball here.
00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:06.548
Rockets play basketball here. this was more than i ever
00:17:06.615 --> 00:17:07.683
This was more than i ever dreamed. but the day after
00:17:07.749 --> 00:17:10.152
Dreamed. but the day after that big victory, a large
00:17:10.219 --> 00:17:12.321
That big victory, a large company that owns all the
00:17:12.387 --> 00:17:13.856
Company that owns all the property around this
00:17:13.922 --> 00:17:14.923
Property around this building, filed a federal
00:17:14.990 --> 00:17:16.692
Building, filed a federal lawsuit to try to keep us
00:17:16.758 --> 00:17:18.360
Lawsuit to try to keep us from moving in. they said we
00:17:18.427 --> 00:17:20.362
From moving in. they said we violated the deed
00:17:20.429 --> 00:17:21.396
Violated the deed restrictions, that this was a
00:17:21.463 --> 00:17:23.165
Restrictions, that this was a sports facility and not a
00:17:23.232 --> 00:17:24.533
Sports facility and not a church. our attorneys told us
00:17:24.600 --> 00:17:27.603
Church. our attorneys told us there was no guarantee that
00:17:27.669 --> 00:17:28.804
There was no guarantee that we would win, that it could
00:17:28.871 --> 00:17:30.205
We would win, that it could be tied up in the court
00:17:30.272 --> 00:17:31.206
Be tied up in the court system for ten years. i
00:17:31.273 --> 00:17:33.208
System for ten years. i thought, “god, you just gave
00:17:33.275 --> 00:17:35.110
Thought, “god, you just gave us this great victory.” we
00:17:35.177 --> 00:17:36.879
Us this great victory.” we just spent the day
00:17:36.945 --> 00:17:37.713
Just spent the day celebrating, now it was like
00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:39.815
Celebrating, now it was like the wind was taken out of our
00:17:39.882 --> 00:17:41.216
The wind was taken out of our sail. i prayed, believed,
00:17:41.283 --> 00:17:43.886
Sail. i prayed, believed, declared but nothing changed.
00:17:43.952 --> 00:17:46.121
Declared but nothing changed. months went by, the other
00:17:46.188 --> 00:17:47.990
Months went by, the other side didn't want to talk. it
00:17:48.056 --> 00:17:49.925
Side didn't want to talk. it was to their advantage to
00:17:49.992 --> 00:17:51.126
Was to their advantage to just sit it out. the longer
00:17:51.193 --> 00:17:53.028
Just sit it out. the longer it took, the worse it was for
00:17:53.095 --> 00:17:54.696
It took, the worse it was for us.
00:17:54.763 --> 00:17:55.964
Us. i had to do what i'm asking
00:17:56.031 --> 00:17:57.366
I had to do what i'm asking you to do. i didn't like it.
00:17:57.432 --> 00:18:00.169
You to do. i didn't like it. i was uncomfortable. thoughts
00:18:00.235 --> 00:18:02.337
I was uncomfortable. thoughts told me, “joel, it's never
00:18:02.404 --> 00:18:03.205
Told me, “joel, it's never going to work out. you're
00:18:03.272 --> 00:18:04.706
Going to work out. you're going to look like a fool.
00:18:04.773 --> 00:18:05.874
Going to look like a fool. you told those people you got
00:18:05.941 --> 00:18:07.176
You told those people you got the building, you celebrated,
00:18:07.242 --> 00:18:08.977
The building, you celebrated, you're going to have to give
00:18:09.044 --> 00:18:09.645
You're going to have to give it back.” i said, “no thanks.
00:18:09.711 --> 00:18:11.713
It back.” i said, “no thanks. god, i know you're still on
00:18:11.780 --> 00:18:13.282
God, i know you're still on the throne. i know what you
00:18:13.348 --> 00:18:14.950
The throne. i know what you started you will finish, i
00:18:15.017 --> 00:18:16.852
Started you will finish, i know you being for us is more
00:18:16.919 --> 00:18:18.720
Know you being for us is more than the world being against
00:18:18.787 --> 00:18:19.955
Than the world being against us.” there were many nights i
00:18:20.022 --> 00:18:22.291
Us.” there were many nights i woke up in a cold sweat,
00:18:22.357 --> 00:18:24.359
Woke up in a cold sweat, tempted to worry, doubt. i
00:18:24.426 --> 00:18:26.528
Tempted to worry, doubt. i had to make that decision to
00:18:26.595 --> 00:18:27.796
Had to make that decision to tune it out. two years later,
00:18:27.863 --> 00:18:30.365
Tune it out. two years later, with hardly any contact, the
00:18:30.432 --> 00:18:32.434
With hardly any contact, the other side called and said
00:18:32.501 --> 00:18:33.769
Other side called and said they wanted to meet.
00:18:33.835 --> 00:18:35.137
They wanted to meet. twenty-four hours after that,
00:18:35.204 --> 00:18:37.005
Twenty-four hours after that, they had not only dropped the
00:18:37.072 --> 00:18:38.207
They had not only dropped the lawsuit, but they leased us
00:18:38.273 --> 00:18:40.242
Lawsuit, but they leased us nine thousand covered parking
00:18:40.309 --> 00:18:42.110
Nine thousand covered parking spaces. we didn't have to
00:18:42.177 --> 00:18:43.512
Spaces. we didn't have to build a fifty-million-dollar
00:18:43.579 --> 00:18:44.813
Build a fifty-million-dollar garage.
00:18:44.880 --> 00:18:46.014
Garage. what am i saying? before your
00:18:46.081 --> 00:18:48.217
What am i saying? before your dream comes to pass, god will
00:18:48.283 --> 00:18:50.652
Dream comes to pass, god will test your character. he'll
00:18:50.719 --> 00:18:52.688
Test your character. he'll put you in situations that
00:18:52.754 --> 00:18:53.989
Put you in situations that are uncomfortable, that you
00:18:54.056 --> 00:18:55.324
Are uncomfortable, that you don't understand. god could
00:18:55.390 --> 00:18:57.526
Don't understand. god could have turned this around in
00:18:57.593 --> 00:18:58.694
Have turned this around in two weeks instead of two
00:18:58.760 --> 00:19:00.395
Two weeks instead of two years. it was no harder for
00:19:00.462 --> 00:19:01.997
Years. it was no harder for god, he's god. but he was
00:19:02.064 --> 00:19:04.166
God, he's god. but he was doing a work in me. he was
00:19:04.233 --> 00:19:06.568
Doing a work in me. he was getting me prepared to handle
00:19:06.635 --> 00:19:08.070
Getting me prepared to handle the blessings that were
00:19:08.136 --> 00:19:09.137
The blessings that were coming. it's not always about
00:19:09.204 --> 00:19:11.473
Coming. it's not always about right now. god is looking
00:19:11.540 --> 00:19:13.108
Right now. god is looking down the road at what you're
00:19:13.175 --> 00:19:14.643
Down the road at what you're going to need to handle the
00:19:14.710 --> 00:19:16.211
Going to need to handle the weight of blessing, the
00:19:16.278 --> 00:19:17.713
Weight of blessing, the weight of favor. in those two
00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:20.282
Weight of favor. in those two years, i learned to pray like
00:19:20.349 --> 00:19:22.084
Years, i learned to pray like i had never prayed. i learned
00:19:22.150 --> 00:19:24.086
I had never prayed. i learned to trust that god was in
00:19:24.152 --> 00:19:25.520
To trust that god was in control. i learned to lean
00:19:25.587 --> 00:19:27.256
Control. i learned to lean not to my own understanding.
00:19:27.322 --> 00:19:29.925
Not to my own understanding. some things you can only
00:19:29.992 --> 00:19:31.360
Some things you can only learn in the battle, in the
00:19:31.426 --> 00:19:33.362
Learn in the battle, in the difficulty, when you don't
00:19:33.428 --> 00:19:34.796
Difficulty, when you don't see a way. but god wouldn't
00:19:34.863 --> 00:19:36.932
See a way. but god wouldn't have allowed it if it wasn't
00:19:36.999 --> 00:19:38.634
Have allowed it if it wasn't working for your good. if
00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:40.736
Working for your good. if it's not changing, maybe god
00:19:40.802 --> 00:19:42.604
It's not changing, maybe god is changing you. he's giving
00:19:42.671 --> 00:19:44.640
Is changing you. he's giving you an opportunity to grow,
00:19:44.706 --> 00:19:46.708
You an opportunity to grow, to develop greater character,
00:19:46.775 --> 00:19:48.577
To develop greater character, to prove to him that you
00:19:48.644 --> 00:19:50.112
To prove to him that you won't give up easily, that
00:19:50.178 --> 00:19:51.947
Won't give up easily, that you'll do the right thing
00:19:52.014 --> 00:19:52.881
You'll do the right thing when it's hard, that you'll
00:19:52.948 --> 00:19:54.449
When it's hard, that you'll believe when every thought
00:19:54.516 --> 00:19:55.817
Believe when every thought says to doubt, that you'll
00:19:55.884 --> 00:19:57.319
Says to doubt, that you'll stand strong in faith, even
00:19:57.386 --> 00:19:59.688
Stand strong in faith, even when you're facing a goliath.
00:19:59.755 --> 00:20:01.723
When you're facing a goliath. think about david. he was
00:20:01.790 --> 00:20:03.325
Think about david. he was anointed to be the next king
00:20:03.392 --> 00:20:05.093
Anointed to be the next king of israel. the prophet samuel
00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:06.928
Of israel. the prophet samuel showed up at his house, chose
00:20:06.995 --> 00:20:08.597
Showed up at his house, chose him over his brothers; a
00:20:08.664 --> 00:20:10.399
Him over his brothers; a remarkable moment. but david
00:20:10.465 --> 00:20:12.834
Remarkable moment. but david didn't go to the palace, he
00:20:12.901 --> 00:20:14.670
Didn't go to the palace, he went back to the shepherds'
00:20:14.736 --> 00:20:15.804
Went back to the shepherds' fields. you can be anointed
00:20:15.871 --> 00:20:18.840
Fields. you can be anointed before you're appointed. like
00:20:18.907 --> 00:20:21.176
Before you're appointed. like joseph, you can have the
00:20:21.243 --> 00:20:22.511
Joseph, you can have the dream, but there will be a
00:20:22.577 --> 00:20:24.012
Dream, but there will be a time of testing, a time of
00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:25.747
Time of testing, a time of proving to get you prepared
00:20:25.814 --> 00:20:28.050
Proving to get you prepared for what god promised. this
00:20:28.116 --> 00:20:29.951
For what god promised. this is where we can get
00:20:30.018 --> 00:20:30.686
Is where we can get discouraged. “god, you
00:20:30.752 --> 00:20:31.853
Discouraged. “god, you anointed me, why did you send
00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:33.922
Anointed me, why did you send me back to take care of these
00:20:33.989 --> 00:20:35.123
Me back to take care of these sheep?” david could have
00:20:35.190 --> 00:20:36.925
Sheep?” david could have complained. he could have
00:20:36.992 --> 00:20:38.427
Complained. he could have slacked off, but out in the
00:20:38.493 --> 00:20:40.295
Slacked off, but out in the shepherds' fields, with no
00:20:40.362 --> 00:20:41.797
Shepherds' fields, with no one watching, he kept being
00:20:41.863 --> 00:20:43.398
One watching, he kept being his best. he's a king, with a
00:20:43.465 --> 00:20:45.801
His best. he's a king, with a big dream. what's he doing?
00:20:45.867 --> 00:20:48.270
Big dream. what's he doing? shoveling sheep dung,
00:20:48.337 --> 00:20:50.205
Shoveling sheep dung, protecting the animals,
00:20:50.272 --> 00:20:51.506
Protecting the animals, closely watching them. he had
00:20:51.573 --> 00:20:54.042
Closely watching them. he had his sling shot ready. if a
00:20:54.109 --> 00:20:55.577
His sling shot ready. if a wild animal came, david was
00:20:55.644 --> 00:20:57.446
Wild animal came, david was there. he nailed it. never
00:20:57.512 --> 00:20:59.748
There. he nailed it. never dreaming, that one day he
00:20:59.815 --> 00:21:01.483
Dreaming, that one day he would use that same skill to
00:21:01.550 --> 00:21:03.285
Would use that same skill to slay a giant. david had to
00:21:03.352 --> 00:21:06.088
Slay a giant. david had to prove, he would take care of
00:21:06.154 --> 00:21:08.056
Prove, he would take care of those sheep, before god would
00:21:08.123 --> 00:21:09.991
Those sheep, before god would allow him to take care of his
00:21:10.058 --> 00:21:11.893
Allow him to take care of his people. don't despise the
00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:14.196
People. don't despise the small beginnings. don't slack
00:21:14.262 --> 00:21:16.231
Small beginnings. don't slack off because you're not
00:21:16.298 --> 00:21:17.599
Off because you're not getting recognition, nobody
00:21:17.666 --> 00:21:19.434
Getting recognition, nobody is celebrating you. you're in
00:21:19.501 --> 00:21:21.002
Is celebrating you. you're in preparation. keep passing
00:21:21.069 --> 00:21:23.205
Preparation. keep passing those tests, being your best,
00:21:23.271 --> 00:21:25.440
Those tests, being your best, serving when no one is
00:21:25.507 --> 00:21:26.675
Serving when no one is looking, doing the right
00:21:26.742 --> 00:21:28.276
Looking, doing the right thing when you're not getting
00:21:28.343 --> 00:21:29.311
Thing when you're not getting credit. god is watching. he
00:21:29.378 --> 00:21:32.447
Credit. god is watching. he sees your faithfulness. he's
00:21:32.514 --> 00:21:34.249
Sees your faithfulness. he's sees how trustworthy you are,
00:21:34.316 --> 00:21:35.917
Sees how trustworthy you are, how you have that spirit of
00:21:35.984 --> 00:21:37.285
How you have that spirit of excellence.
00:21:37.352 --> 00:21:38.854
Excellence. king saul suffered from
00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:40.122
King saul suffered from depression. they sent for
00:21:40.188 --> 00:21:41.723
Depression. they sent for david to come to the palace
00:21:41.790 --> 00:21:43.358
David to come to the palace to play the harp for saul. as
00:21:43.425 --> 00:21:45.627
To play the harp for saul. as david was playing, being good
00:21:45.694 --> 00:21:47.496
David was playing, being good to saul, saul threw a spear
00:21:47.562 --> 00:21:49.164
To saul, saul threw a spear at david and tried to kill
00:21:49.231 --> 00:21:50.432
At david and tried to kill him. this happened several
00:21:50.499 --> 00:21:52.167
Him. this happened several times. david had to flee for
00:21:52.234 --> 00:21:54.269
Times. david had to flee for his life. he had done no
00:21:54.336 --> 00:21:56.004
His life. he had done no wrong. he didn't deserve
00:21:56.071 --> 00:21:57.606
Wrong. he didn't deserve this, but now he was living
00:21:57.672 --> 00:21:59.040
This, but now he was living in caves, hiding in the
00:21:59.107 --> 00:22:00.809
In caves, hiding in the wilderness. saul kept chasing
00:22:00.876 --> 00:22:02.978
Wilderness. saul kept chasing him. one night, saul and his
00:22:03.044 --> 00:22:05.013
Him. one night, saul and his men were asleep. david snuck
00:22:05.080 --> 00:22:07.682
Men were asleep. david snuck over to their camp. this was
00:22:07.749 --> 00:22:09.684
Over to their camp. this was his big chance to get rid of
00:22:09.751 --> 00:22:11.219
His big chance to get rid of saul. he could finally put an
00:22:11.286 --> 00:22:13.255
Saul. he could finally put an end to this man that was
00:22:13.321 --> 00:22:14.589
End to this man that was making him miserable. finally
00:22:14.656 --> 00:22:16.391
Making him miserable. finally get out of this uncomfortable
00:22:16.458 --> 00:22:17.926
Get out of this uncomfortable situation, but david wouldn't
00:22:17.993 --> 00:22:20.295
Situation, but david wouldn't do it. he knew saul was the
00:22:20.362 --> 00:22:22.697
Do it. he knew saul was the king, and he wasn't going to
00:22:22.764 --> 00:22:24.533
King, and he wasn't going to touch god's anointed. he was
00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:26.401
Touch god's anointed. he was going to let god make the
00:22:26.468 --> 00:22:27.569
Going to let god make the transition. when god can
00:22:27.636 --> 00:22:29.838
Transition. when god can trust you to not get out of
00:22:29.905 --> 00:22:31.973
Trust you to not get out of every uncomfortable situation
00:22:32.040 --> 00:22:34.609
Every uncomfortable situation but to do the right thing, to
00:22:34.676 --> 00:22:36.645
But to do the right thing, to take the high road, forgive
00:22:36.711 --> 00:22:38.547
Take the high road, forgive your enemies, not live sour
00:22:38.613 --> 00:22:40.882
Your enemies, not live sour because you had the bad
00:22:40.949 --> 00:22:41.917
Because you had the bad break, frustrated because a
00:22:41.983 --> 00:22:44.085
Break, frustrated because a dream hasn't come to pass,
00:22:44.152 --> 00:22:46.087
Dream hasn't come to pass, you are proving to god that
00:22:46.154 --> 00:22:47.989
You are proving to god that you can take your throne, so
00:22:48.056 --> 00:22:49.324
You can take your throne, so to speak. that you can handle
00:22:49.391 --> 00:22:50.859
To speak. that you can handle the blessing, the favor, that
00:22:50.926 --> 00:22:52.961
The blessing, the favor, that he has in store.
00:22:53.028 --> 00:22:54.896
He has in store. it may be unfair; you don't
00:22:54.963 --> 00:22:56.765
It may be unfair; you don't understand it. don't just go
00:22:56.832 --> 00:22:58.633
Understand it. don't just go through it, grow through it.
00:22:58.700 --> 00:23:01.069
Through it, grow through it. god sees what's happening. he
00:23:01.136 --> 00:23:03.371
God sees what's happening. he sees who did you wrong. he
00:23:03.438 --> 00:23:05.307
Sees who did you wrong. he sees what didn't work out. he
00:23:05.373 --> 00:23:07.309
Sees what didn't work out. he sees the medical report.
00:23:07.375 --> 00:23:09.311
Sees the medical report. that's not how your story
00:23:09.377 --> 00:23:11.046
That's not how your story ends. that's one chapter in
00:23:11.112 --> 00:23:13.281
Ends. that's one chapter in the book that's he's written
00:23:13.348 --> 00:23:14.349
The book that's he's written for your life. there are many
00:23:14.416 --> 00:23:16.117
For your life. there are many great chapters up ahead.
00:23:16.184 --> 00:23:18.653
Great chapters up ahead. don't fight everything you
00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.721
Don't fight everything you don't like. before you ask
00:23:19.788 --> 00:23:21.756
Don't like. before you ask god to change the situation,
00:23:21.823 --> 00:23:23.658
God to change the situation, say, “god, help me to change.
00:23:23.725 --> 00:23:25.994
Say, “god, help me to change. help me to grow. help me to
00:23:26.061 --> 00:23:27.562
Help me to grow. help me to come up higher; to trust you
00:23:27.629 --> 00:23:29.164
Come up higher; to trust you more.” those are
00:23:29.231 --> 00:23:30.632
More.” those are opportunities to show god
00:23:30.699 --> 00:23:32.801
Opportunities to show god that you're ready for the
00:23:32.868 --> 00:23:34.135
That you're ready for the amazing future he has in
00:23:34.202 --> 00:23:35.937
Amazing future he has in store. you haven't seen,
00:23:36.004 --> 00:23:37.839
Store. you haven't seen, heard, or imagined where god
00:23:37.906 --> 00:23:39.908
Heard, or imagined where god is taking you. that's why you
00:23:39.975 --> 00:23:41.810
Is taking you. that's why you face challenges, he's getting
00:23:41.877 --> 00:23:43.512
Face challenges, he's getting you prepared for something
00:23:43.578 --> 00:23:45.080
You prepared for something greater. if you'll keep the
00:23:45.146 --> 00:23:46.915
Greater. if you'll keep the right attitude and not just
00:23:46.982 --> 00:23:48.550
Right attitude and not just go through it, but grow
00:23:48.617 --> 00:23:49.684
Go through it, but grow through it, i believe and
00:23:49.751 --> 00:23:51.419
Through it, i believe and declare, like joseph you're
00:23:51.486 --> 00:23:53.555
Declare, like joseph you're going to see god vindicate
00:23:53.622 --> 00:23:55.123
Going to see god vindicate you and suddenly turn things
00:23:55.190 --> 00:23:57.125
You and suddenly turn things around. like david, you're
00:23:57.192 --> 00:23:59.160
Around. like david, you're going to defeat giants,
00:23:59.227 --> 00:24:00.762
Going to defeat giants, accomplish dreams and reach
00:24:00.829 --> 00:24:02.731
Accomplish dreams and reach the fullness of your destiny,
00:24:02.797 --> 00:24:04.399
The fullness of your destiny, in jesus' name. and if you
00:24:04.466 --> 00:24:07.002
In jesus' name. and if you receive it, can you say amen?
00:24:07.068 --> 00:24:10.005
Joel's message
00:24:10.605 --> 00:24:11.640
Joel's message resonated with me
00:24:11.706 --> 00:24:12.807
Resonated with me because i tried to listen
00:24:12.874 --> 00:24:13.909
Because i tried to listen to other people
00:24:13.975 --> 00:24:15.043
To other people and some of them
00:24:15.110 --> 00:24:15.977
And some of them were like hellfire
00:24:16.044 --> 00:24:17.178
Were like hellfire and brimstone.
00:24:17.245 --> 00:24:18.046
And brimstone. so i took what joel said
00:24:18.113 --> 00:24:20.482
So i took what joel said in the i am's and
00:24:20.549 --> 00:24:21.983
In the i am's and i physically replaced them with
00:24:22.050 --> 00:24:24.219
I physically replaced them with i am strong, i am worthy.
00:24:24.286 --> 00:24:26.588
I am strong, i am worthy. i started
00:24:26.655 --> 00:24:27.389
I started saying those over and over
00:24:27.455 --> 00:24:29.057
Saying those over and over and over throughout my day,
00:24:29.124 --> 00:24:31.259
And over throughout my day, and i said, you know,
00:24:31.326 --> 00:24:32.594
And i said, you know, i will do this for one year.
00:24:32.661 --> 00:24:35.330
I will do this for one year. and it actually changed
00:24:35.397 --> 00:24:37.232
And it actually changed my mindset
00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:38.133
My mindset from being a victim
00:24:38.199 --> 00:24:40.035
From being a victim to being a victor.
00:24:40.101 --> 00:24:42.203
To being a victor. what a powerful story.
00:24:42.270 --> 00:24:43.939
What a powerful story. one life changed by hope,
00:24:44.005 --> 00:24:45.640
One life changed by hope, by faith,
00:24:45.707 --> 00:24:46.441
By faith, by the goodness of god.
00:24:46.508 --> 00:24:48.310
By the goodness of god. this is the reason
00:24:48.376 --> 00:24:49.277
This is the reason we do what we do.
00:24:49.344 --> 00:24:50.312
We do what we do. every message,
00:24:50.378 --> 00:24:51.379
Every message, every broadcast, every prayer.
00:24:51.446 --> 00:24:53.548
Every broadcast, every prayer. it's about reaching people
00:24:53.615 --> 00:24:54.883
It's about reaching people right where they are,
00:24:54.950 --> 00:24:56.084
Right where they are, and reminding them
00:24:56.151 --> 00:24:57.152
And reminding them that god is not finished
00:24:57.218 --> 00:24:58.386
That god is not finished with them.
00:24:58.453 --> 00:24:59.421
With them. the truth is,
00:24:59.487 --> 00:25:00.488
The truth is, none of this happens
00:25:00.555 --> 00:25:01.456
None of this happens without you.
00:25:01.523 --> 00:25:02.657
Without you. this is the time of year
00:25:02.724 --> 00:25:03.858
This is the time of year when my team and i make plans
00:25:03.925 --> 00:25:05.827
When my team and i make plans for how we can impact
00:25:05.894 --> 00:25:06.928
For how we can impact as many people as possible
00:25:06.995 --> 00:25:08.797
As many people as possible over the next 12 months.
00:25:08.863 --> 00:25:10.398
Over the next 12 months. so thank you
00:25:10.465 --> 00:25:10.966
So thank you in advance for your generosity.
00:25:11.032 --> 00:25:13.068
In advance for your generosity. god sees your heart
00:25:13.134 --> 00:25:14.235
God sees your heart to help others
00:25:14.302 --> 00:25:15.170
To help others to make a difference
00:25:15.236 --> 00:25:16.237
To make a difference with your life.
00:25:16.304 --> 00:25:17.505
With your life. as our way of saying thank you,
00:25:17.572 --> 00:25:19.074
As our way of saying thank you, we want to send you
00:25:19.140 --> 00:25:19.874
We want to send you a new resource called double
00:25:19.941 --> 00:25:21.476
A new resource called double for your trouble.
00:25:21.543 --> 00:25:22.677
For your trouble. it will encourage you
00:25:22.744 --> 00:25:24.112
It will encourage you and uplift you.
00:25:24.179 --> 00:25:25.847
And uplift you. this ministry
00:25:25.914 --> 00:25:26.715
This ministry is reaching people
00:25:26.781 --> 00:25:27.649
Is reaching people around the world
00:25:27.716 --> 00:25:28.617
Around the world with the message of hope,
00:25:28.683 --> 00:25:30.118
With the message of hope, and as our way of saying
00:25:30.185 --> 00:25:31.353
And as our way of saying thank you
00:25:31.419 --> 00:25:31.920
Thank you for your gift of any amount,
00:25:31.987 --> 00:25:33.622
For your gift of any amount, we would like to send you
00:25:33.688 --> 00:25:34.856
We would like to send you a copy of double
00:25:34.923 --> 00:25:35.957
A copy of double for your trouble:
00:25:36.024 --> 00:25:36.891
For your trouble: a daily guide for restoration.
00:25:36.958 --> 00:25:39.227
A daily guide for restoration. this 31-day spiral bound
00:25:39.294 --> 00:25:41.363
This 31-day spiral bound resource is an invitation
00:25:41.429 --> 00:25:43.064
Resource is an invitation into healing, restoration,
00:25:43.131 --> 00:25:44.966
Into healing, restoration, and the abundant life
00:25:45.033 --> 00:25:46.334
And the abundant life god has promised.
00:25:46.401 --> 00:25:47.802
God has promised. whether you're walking
00:25:47.869 --> 00:25:48.803
Whether you're walking through a season of loss,
00:25:48.870 --> 00:25:50.238
Through a season of loss, believing for a breakthrough,
00:25:50.305 --> 00:25:51.940
Believing for a breakthrough, or simply looking
00:25:52.007 --> 00:25:53.008
Or simply looking for a deeper connection
00:25:53.074 --> 00:25:54.242
For a deeper connection with god,
00:25:54.309 --> 00:25:55.110
With god, this guide is designed
00:25:55.176 --> 00:25:56.411
This guide is designed to help you
00:25:56.478 --> 00:25:57.078
To help you reflect, realign,
00:25:57.145 --> 00:25:58.747
Reflect, realign, and rebuild day by day.
00:25:58.813 --> 00:26:01.416
And rebuild day by day. choose to trust god.
00:26:01.483 --> 00:26:03.218
Choose to trust god. he sees you.
00:26:03.284 --> 00:26:04.386
He sees you. he cares deeply.
00:26:04.452 --> 00:26:05.887
He cares deeply. and he is the god
00:26:05.954 --> 00:26:07.322
And he is the god who restores double.
00:26:07.389 --> 00:26:09.157
Who restores double. none of us like difficulties.
00:26:09.224 --> 00:26:11.059
None of us like difficulties. but if you'll stay in faith,
00:26:11.126 --> 00:26:12.394
But if you'll stay in faith, you won't come out the same.
00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:14.062
You won't come out the same. you'll come out with double.
00:26:14.129 --> 00:26:16.031
You'll come out with double. victoria and i pray for
00:26:16.097 --> 00:26:17.065
Victoria and i pray for you and your family every day.
00:26:17.132 --> 00:26:19.100
You and your family every day. thank you for your prayers
00:26:19.167 --> 00:26:20.335
Thank you for your prayers and support.
00:26:20.402 --> 00:26:21.403
And support. your donations
00:26:21.469 --> 00:26:22.303
Your donations are bringing hope
00:26:22.370 --> 00:26:23.004
Are bringing hope to people around the world.
00:26:23.071 --> 00:26:24.939
To people around the world. special thank you
00:26:25.006 --> 00:26:25.907
Special thank you to our champion
00:26:25.974 --> 00:26:26.541
To our champion of hope partners
00:26:26.608 --> 00:26:27.475
Of hope partners for all you do
00:26:27.542 --> 00:26:28.443
For all you do to make the ministry possible.
00:26:28.510 --> 00:26:30.445
To make the ministry possible. until we see you again
00:26:30.512 --> 00:26:31.379
Until we see you again next week,
00:26:31.446 --> 00:26:32.080
Next week, may the lord bless
00:26:32.147 --> 00:26:32.981
May the lord bless you and keep you.
00:26:33.048 --> 00:26:34.849
You and keep you. request your copy of double
00:26:34.916 --> 00:26:36.651
Request your copy of double for your trouble
00:26:36.718 --> 00:26:37.552
For your trouble available this month.
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Available this month. you can also receive.
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You can also receive. god's got you restoration duo.
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God's got you restoration duo. this book is a
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This book is a powerful reminder
00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:45.527
Powerful reminder that no matter what you face,
00:26:45.593 --> 00:26:47.328
That no matter what you face, you are not alone.
00:26:47.395 --> 00:26:48.897
You are not alone. god's got you
00:26:48.963 --> 00:26:50.031
God's got you and he will never let you go.
00:26:50.098 --> 00:26:52.200
And he will never let you go. in addition
00:26:52.267 --> 00:26:52.801
In addition to these two inspiration books,
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To these two inspiration books, you can also receive
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You can also receive the double portion
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The double portion restoration bible collection.
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Restoration bible collection. this beautifully
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This beautifully curated collection
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Curated collection brings together
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Brings together the restoring of hope of double
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The restoring of hope of double for your trouble
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For your trouble and the comforting
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And the comforting reassurance of god's
00:27:05.613 --> 00:27:06.881
Reassurance of god's got to you.
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Got to you. paired with a stunning csb
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Paired with a stunning csb thin line bible
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Suede soft leather touch. this elegant bible offers
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This elegant bible offers a rich, immersive study
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A rich, immersive study experience
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Experience and enduring companion
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And enduring companion as you lean in to god's
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As you lean in to god's promises of renewal
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Promises of renewal and restoration.
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And restoration. request your copies today.
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Request your copies today. call or click anytime,
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Call or click anytime, 24 hours a day.
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Joel Osteen - Grow Through It

March 16, 2026 | 27:29

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