Joel Osteen

Joel Osteen - Pruned For Promotion

January 27, 2026 | 27:29

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

#WordofGod #Preparation #Prayer #Strength #Endurance #Imagination #Blessing #JoelOsteen

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Joel Osteen | Joel Osteen - Pruned For Promotion | January 27, 2026

>> joel osteen: well,
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>> joel osteen: well, god bless you.
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God bless you. it's a joy to come
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It's a joy to come into your homes.
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Into your homes. if you're ever in our area,
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If you're ever in our area, please stop by and be a part
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Please stop by and be a part of one of our services.
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Of one of our services. i promise you we'll make you
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I promise you we'll make you feel right at home.
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Feel right at home. i like to start with
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I like to start with something funny, and i heard
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Something funny, and i heard about this man,
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About this man, he was driving through
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He was driving through an intersection that was
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An intersection that was monitored by cameras.
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Monitored by cameras. if you ran the light or broke
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If you ran the light or broke the law in any way, you'd
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The law in any way, you'd receive a ticket in the mail.
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Receive a ticket in the mail. so, he made sure to go
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So, he made sure to go through it extra slowly, but
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Through it extra slowly, but he noticed the camera flashed
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He noticed the camera flashed and took his picture.
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And took his picture. he thought,
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He thought, "that's not right."
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"that's not right." he turned around and drove
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He turned around and drove through it even more slowly.
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Through it even more slowly. once again,
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Once again, the camera flashed.
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The camera flashed. he thought,
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He thought, "this thing is messed up.
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"this thing is messed up. they cannot give me
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They cannot give me a ticket."
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A ticket." out of spite, he drove
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Out of spite, he drove through it three more times,
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Through it three more times, each time waving at the
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Each time waving at the camera with a big smile.
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Camera with a big smile. a week later, he received
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A week later, he received five tickets in the mail for
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Five tickets in the mail for not wearing his seatbelt.
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Not wearing his seatbelt. 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
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I can do what it says i can do.
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I can do. today, i will be taught
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Today, i will be taught the word of god.
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The word of god. i boldly confess my mind is
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I 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
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I will never be the same in jesus's name.
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In jesus's name. god bless you.
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God bless you. i want to talk to you today
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I want to talk to you today about pruned for promotion.
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About pruned for promotion. we all go through times
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We all go through times where it feels like we're
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Where it feels like we're going backwards.
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Going backwards. we were doing so good,
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We were doing so good, business was strong,
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Business was strong, our family was happy.
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Our family was happy. we knew we had god's favor,
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We knew we had god's favor, but then things turned.
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But then things turned. we lost a major client.
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We lost a major client. our child didn't get
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Our child didn't get the scholarship.
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The scholarship. a friend walked away, and we
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A friend walked away, and we wonder what happened,
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Wonder what happened, what did we do wrong?
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What did we do wrong? but just because you're
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But just because you're having difficulties and
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Having difficulties and things you don't understand
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Things you don't understand doesn't mean you're not
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Doesn't mean you're not in god's will.
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In god's will. god is ordering our steps.
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God is ordering our steps. sometimes he will order
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Sometimes he will order a cutback.
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A cutback. just as there are seasons
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Just as there are seasons of growth,
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Of growth, there are seasons of pruning,
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There are seasons of pruning, and without the pruning,
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And without the pruning, we won't become all
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We won't become all we were created to be, and
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We were created to be, and god won't allow a cutback if
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God won't allow a cutback if it's not going to eventually
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It's not going to eventually work for your good.
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Work for your good. it may be uncomfortable,
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It may be uncomfortable, you don't understand it.
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You don't understand it. you lost a contract,
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You lost a contract, you lost a relationship,
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You lost a relationship, lost an opportunity.
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Lost an opportunity. god wouldn't have let you
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God wouldn't have let you lose that if he wasn't going
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Lose that if he wasn't going to give you something better.
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To give you something better. he may have pruned a friend
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He may have pruned a friend out of your life.
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Out of your life. there's a better friend
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There's a better friend coming.
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Coming. you may have lost a job.
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You may have lost a job. there's a better job
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There's a better job on the way.
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On the way. you suffered a setback
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You suffered a setback in your health.
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In your health. better health is
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Better health is in your future.
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In your future. don't be discouraged
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Don't be discouraged by the cutback.
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By the cutback. it's a sign new growth
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It's a sign new growth is coming.
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Is coming. jesus said in john 15,
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Jesus said in john 15, "i am the vine,
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"i am the vine, you are the branches.
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You are the branches. my father is the gardener.
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My father is the gardener. every branch that doesn't
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Every branch that doesn't produce fruit he cuts away."
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Produce fruit he cuts away." this makes sense.
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This makes sense. when we have things in life
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When we have things in life that are not productive, a
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That are not productive, a friend pulling us down, a job
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Friend pulling us down, a job not leading anywhere, he'll
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Not leading anywhere, he'll cut those things away so we
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Cut those things away so we can put our attention and
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Can put our attention and focus on the things that are
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Focus on the things that are moving us forward.
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Moving us forward. we can understand losing
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We can understand losing something that's
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Something that's not adding value.
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Not adding value. but he goes on to say, "every
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But he goes on to say, "every branch that does bear fruit
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Branch that does bear fruit the gardener cuts back
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The gardener cuts back so it will bear more fruit."
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So it will bear more fruit." the only way to go from fruit
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The only way to go from fruit to more fruit is to be cut
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To more fruit is to be cut back, and there are times in
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Back, and there are times in life where we will lose
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Life where we will lose something that doesn't
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Something that doesn't make sense.
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Make sense. you're going to work
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You're going to work with a good attitude,
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With a good attitude, helping others, faithfully
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Helping others, faithfully raising your children.
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Raising your children. you're doing the right thing,
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You're doing the right thing, but the wrong thing happens.
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But the wrong thing happens. instead of being discouraged,
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Instead of being discouraged, slacking off, having no
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Slacking off, having no passion, recognize it's
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Passion, recognize it's a pruning season.
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A pruning season. without that cutback,
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Without that cutback, you won't see new growth,
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You won't see new growth, and you may be satisfied
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And you may be satisfied to stay where you are,
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To stay where you are, not be uncomfortable,
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Not be uncomfortable, not rock the boat,
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Not rock the boat, but god is not satisfied.
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But god is not satisfied. he loves you too much to let
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He loves you too much to let you miss your destiny.
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You miss your destiny. he has new levels
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He has new levels in front of you.
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In front of you. will you trust him in
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Will you trust him in the cutback seasons?
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The cutback seasons? will you keep doing the right
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Will you keep doing the right thing in the times of
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Thing in the times of pruning, when things have
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Pruning, when things have gone backwards, when you
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Gone backwards, when you could be discouraged?
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Could be discouraged? jesus said, "if you abide
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Jesus said, "if you abide in me, you will bear
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In me, you will bear much fruit."
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Much fruit." he talks in this passage
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He talks in this passage about fruit, more fruit,
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About fruit, more fruit, and much fruit.
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And much fruit. the way to increase
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The way to increase is simply by abiding.
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Is simply by abiding. he was saying when things
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He was saying when things happen you don't understand,
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Happen you don't understand, things that don't make sense,
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Things that don't make sense, when you could be bitter,
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When you could be bitter, you could slack off,
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You could slack off, instead if you'll trust me,
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Instead if you'll trust me, if you'll believe i'm still
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If you'll believe i'm still directing your steps,
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Directing your steps, if you'll praise me
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If you'll praise me even when it's not fair,
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Even when it's not fair, if you'll stay faithful when
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If you'll stay faithful when you could be frustrated,
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You could be frustrated, if you'll abide.
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If you'll abide. that means you keep doing
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That means you keep doing the right thing.
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The right thing. you keep a smile
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You keep a smile on your face.
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On your face. you keep being good
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You keep being good to people.
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To people. you keep expecting
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You keep expecting god's favor.
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God's favor. then you're passing the test.
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Then you're passing the test. you'll come in to more fruit,
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You'll come in to more fruit, and when you prove to god
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And when you prove to god that you'll be faithful in
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That you'll be faithful in the cutback seasons, he'll
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The cutback seasons, he'll release into much fruit.
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Release into much fruit. he'll take you where you
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He'll take you where you could not go on your own.
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Could not go on your own. but we're not going to see
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But we're not going to see these new levels without
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These new levels without going through seasons of
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Going through seasons of losing things we don't
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Losing things we don't understand, seasons that
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Understand, seasons that are uncomfortable,
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Are uncomfortable, seasons where what worked
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Seasons where what worked in the past is not
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In the past is not working now.
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Working now. don't be discouraged,
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Don't be discouraged, the cutback season is all
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The cutback season is all a part of the process.
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A part of the process. it's a sign that new growth
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It's a sign that new growth is coming.
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Is coming. i talked to a man, the
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I talked to a man, the company he worked for sold.
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Company he worked for sold. they let all the employees
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They let all the employees go, and for the longest time,
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Go, and for the longest time, he couldn't find a new job.
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He couldn't find a new job. he ended up having to move
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He ended up having to move back home to another state.
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Back home to another state. he was living with his
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He was living with his mother.
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Mother. he's in his 50s.
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He's in his 50s. he said, "i never dreamed
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He said, "i never dreamed i'd be here at my age.
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I'd be here at my age. i don't know what happened."
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I don't know what happened." i told him what
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I told him what i'm telling you.
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I'm telling you. "you came into
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"you came into a cutback season.
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A cutback season. it's not a surprise to god.
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It's not a surprise to god. now, whether you stay there
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Now, whether you stay there or not depends
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Or not depends on what you do.
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On what you do. if you get bitter, complain,
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If you get bitter, complain, talk about how bad life is,
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Talk about how bad life is, then you'll get stuck.
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Then you'll get stuck. but when you recognize that
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But when you recognize that cutback is a sign that new
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Cutback is a sign that new growth is coming, that more
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Growth is coming, that more fruit is in your future, that
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Fruit is in your future, that god is getting you prepared
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God is getting you prepared for new levels, and you make
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For new levels, and you make this decision to trust him,
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This decision to trust him, to believe that he's
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To believe that he's in control, then things
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In control, then things are going to change
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Are going to change in your favor.
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In your favor. you're going to see new doors
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You're going to see new doors begin to open.
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Begin to open. i saw him about a year later,
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I saw him about a year later, he had a new job.
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He had a new job. he'd just moved into
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He'd just moved into a beautiful new house.
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A beautiful new house. he said, "joel, i am happier
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He said, "joel, i am happier and more fulfilled
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And more fulfilled than i've ever been."
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Than i've ever been." don't let the cutback
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Don't let the cutback fool you.
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Fool you. the enemy didn't get control
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The enemy didn't get control of the pruning shears.
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Of the pruning shears. he didn't overtake god
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He didn't overtake god and now he's directing
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And now he's directing your steps.
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Your steps. god is still in control.
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God is still in control. you may not like the cutback.
00:07:33.543 --> 00:07:36.178
You may not like the cutback. it may not make sense.
00:07:36.245 --> 00:07:37.980
It may not make sense. this is what faith
00:07:38.047 --> 00:07:38.981
This is what faith is all about.
00:07:39.048 --> 00:07:40.516
Is all about. "god, i don't understand it,
00:07:40.583 --> 00:07:42.318
"god, i don't understand it, but i trust you.
00:07:42.385 --> 00:07:43.819
But i trust you. i know you wouldn't have
00:07:43.886 --> 00:07:44.887
I know you wouldn't have allowed it if you didn't have
00:07:44.954 --> 00:07:46.455
Allowed it if you didn't have a purpose.
00:07:46.522 --> 00:07:47.390
A purpose. i want to thank you that i'm
00:07:47.456 --> 00:07:48.925
I want to thank you that i'm not just going to come out,
00:07:48.991 --> 00:07:50.693
Not just going to come out, but i'm going
00:07:50.760 --> 00:07:51.360
But i'm going to come out better."
00:07:51.427 --> 00:07:51.994
To come out better." but i wonder how many times
00:07:52.061 --> 00:07:54.230
But i wonder how many times we're fighting what god has
00:07:54.297 --> 00:07:56.432
We're fighting what god has ordained, and i believe in
00:07:56.499 --> 00:07:58.801
Ordained, and i believe in standing against sicknesses,
00:07:58.868 --> 00:08:00.970
Standing against sicknesses, addictions, dysfunction.
00:08:01.037 --> 00:08:03.272
Addictions, dysfunction. but every difficulty is not
00:08:03.339 --> 00:08:05.741
But every difficulty is not the enemy, it's the gardener.
00:08:05.808 --> 00:08:08.477
The enemy, it's the gardener. god prunes us.
00:08:08.544 --> 00:08:10.246
God prunes us. he cuts things back not
00:08:10.313 --> 00:08:12.548
He cuts things back not to limit us, but to get us
00:08:12.615 --> 00:08:14.517
To limit us, but to get us prepared for new growth.
00:08:14.584 --> 00:08:17.219
Prepared for new growth. are you discouraged over
00:08:17.286 --> 00:08:18.688
Are you discouraged over something you lost, something
00:08:18.754 --> 00:08:20.556
Something you lost, something that didn't work out,
00:08:20.623 --> 00:08:22.224
That didn't work out, thinking the enemy is
00:08:22.291 --> 00:08:23.259
Thinking the enemy is hindering you when, in fact,
00:08:23.326 --> 00:08:25.328
Hindering you when, in fact, it's the hand of god?
00:08:25.394 --> 00:08:27.430
It's the hand of god? we give the enemy
00:08:27.496 --> 00:08:28.464
We give the enemy too much credit.
00:08:28.531 --> 00:08:29.599
Too much credit. he can't touch you without
00:08:29.665 --> 00:08:31.133
He can't touch you without god's permission.
00:08:31.200 --> 00:08:33.235
God's permission. we believe that god
00:08:33.302 --> 00:08:34.570
We believe that god is directing our steps
00:08:34.637 --> 00:08:35.771
Is directing our steps when good things
00:08:35.838 --> 00:08:36.539
When good things are happening.
00:08:36.606 --> 00:08:38.107
Are happening. it's easy to thank him
00:08:38.174 --> 00:08:39.508
It's easy to thank him in the harvest seasons,
00:08:39.575 --> 00:08:41.010
In the harvest seasons, the growing seasons,
00:08:41.077 --> 00:08:42.178
The growing seasons, the promotion seasons.
00:08:42.244 --> 00:08:44.080
The promotion seasons. but in the pruning seasons,
00:08:44.146 --> 00:08:46.449
But in the pruning seasons, you have to dig down deep.
00:08:46.515 --> 00:08:48.584
You have to dig down deep. your praise in the cutback
00:08:48.651 --> 00:08:50.486
Your praise in the cutback seasons carries more weight
00:08:50.553 --> 00:08:52.588
Seasons carries more weight than in the harvest seasons.
00:08:52.655 --> 00:08:55.224
Than in the harvest seasons. you're not only showing god
00:08:55.291 --> 00:08:57.793
You're not only showing god that you trust him, but god
00:08:57.860 --> 00:08:59.962
That you trust him, but god is doing a work in you.
00:09:00.029 --> 00:09:01.897
Is doing a work in you. your character
00:09:01.964 --> 00:09:02.665
Your character is being developed.
00:09:02.732 --> 00:09:03.899
Is being developed. your spiritual muscles are
00:09:03.966 --> 00:09:05.468
Your spiritual muscles are getting stronger, and we may
00:09:05.534 --> 00:09:07.803
Getting stronger, and we may not like the pruning seasons,
00:09:07.870 --> 00:09:10.573
Not like the pruning seasons, but god is the gardener.
00:09:10.640 --> 00:09:13.042
But god is the gardener. he knows when to cut
00:09:13.109 --> 00:09:14.377
He knows when to cut something back
00:09:14.443 --> 00:09:15.378
Something back or we'll get stuck.
00:09:15.444 --> 00:09:17.046
Or we'll get stuck. he is not going to cut
00:09:17.113 --> 00:09:18.147
He is not going to cut something back without giving
00:09:18.214 --> 00:09:19.882
Something back without giving you more in return.
00:09:19.949 --> 00:09:21.684
You more in return. dare to trust him.
00:09:21.751 --> 00:09:22.718
Dare to trust him. a couple of years ago,
00:09:22.785 --> 00:09:25.121
A couple of years ago, i planted some trees
00:09:25.187 --> 00:09:26.355
I planted some trees along my fence
00:09:26.422 --> 00:09:27.523
Along my fence in the backyard to help
00:09:27.590 --> 00:09:29.091
In the backyard to help block the view.
00:09:29.158 --> 00:09:30.593
Block the view. i bought the biggest ones
00:09:30.660 --> 00:09:31.894
I bought the biggest ones i could find.
00:09:31.961 --> 00:09:32.928
I could find. they were about 15 feet tall,
00:09:32.995 --> 00:09:34.697
They were about 15 feet tall, and they're the type that
00:09:34.764 --> 00:09:36.132
And they're the type that form a thick hedge that you
00:09:36.198 --> 00:09:37.566
Form a thick hedge that you can't see through.
00:09:37.633 --> 00:09:38.367
Can't see through. they're outside my kitchen
00:09:38.434 --> 00:09:40.536
They're outside my kitchen window, and i was constantly
00:09:40.603 --> 00:09:42.405
Window, and i was constantly checking their growth.
00:09:42.471 --> 00:09:44.006
Checking their growth. i could measure how close
00:09:44.073 --> 00:09:45.808
I could measure how close they were getting to the
00:09:45.875 --> 00:09:46.609
They were getting to the telephone lines, and they
00:09:46.676 --> 00:09:48.044
Telephone lines, and they were doing really good.
00:09:48.110 --> 00:09:49.845
Were doing really good. about six months later,
00:09:49.912 --> 00:09:51.347
About six months later, the man that help with my
00:09:51.414 --> 00:09:52.548
The man that help with my landscaping said,
00:09:52.615 --> 00:09:53.916
Landscaping said, "it's time to trim the bushes,
00:09:54.016 --> 00:09:55.551
"it's time to trim the bushes, trim the trees,"
00:09:55.618 --> 00:09:56.385
Trim the trees," and asked if it was okay."
00:09:56.452 --> 00:09:58.354
And asked if it was okay." i told him yes, but not to
00:09:58.421 --> 00:10:00.589
I told him yes, but not to touch the trees
00:10:00.656 --> 00:10:01.424
Touch the trees along the back fence.
00:10:01.490 --> 00:10:02.825
Along the back fence. i wanted that thick hedge.
00:10:02.892 --> 00:10:04.694
I wanted that thick hedge. he said, "okay, but they're
00:10:04.760 --> 00:10:06.328
He said, "okay, but they're not going to grow
00:10:06.395 --> 00:10:07.163
Not going to grow like they should."
00:10:07.229 --> 00:10:08.698
Like they should." i said, "what do you mean?"
00:10:08.764 --> 00:10:10.132
I said, "what do you mean?" he said, "when we prune them,
00:10:10.199 --> 00:10:12.001
He said, "when we prune them, it stimulates new growth.
00:10:12.068 --> 00:10:14.336
It stimulates new growth. if we don't cut them back,
00:10:14.403 --> 00:10:16.072
If we don't cut them back, they won't be as tall and
00:10:16.138 --> 00:10:17.873
They won't be as tall and thick as they should be."
00:10:17.940 --> 00:10:20.109
Thick as they should be." i'm not a gardener.
00:10:20.176 --> 00:10:21.711
I'm not a gardener. i thought just the opposite.
00:10:21.777 --> 00:10:23.512
I thought just the opposite. they're growing,
00:10:23.579 --> 00:10:24.380
They're growing, they're doing good,
00:10:24.447 --> 00:10:25.181
They're doing good, don't bother them.
00:10:25.247 --> 00:10:26.816
Don't bother them. the gardener knew if he
00:10:26.882 --> 00:10:28.417
The gardener knew if he didn't bother them, if he
00:10:28.484 --> 00:10:30.252
Didn't bother them, if he didn't take them through a
00:10:30.319 --> 00:10:31.420
Didn't take them through a cutback, it would actually
00:10:31.487 --> 00:10:33.456
Cutback, it would actually limit their growth.
00:10:33.522 --> 00:10:35.091
Limit their growth. next year, they wouldn't be
00:10:35.157 --> 00:10:36.659
Next year, they wouldn't be where they should.
00:10:36.726 --> 00:10:38.527
Where they should. in the same way,
00:10:38.594 --> 00:10:39.895
In the same way, god is your gardener.
00:10:39.962 --> 00:10:42.098
God is your gardener. he's not going to cut you
00:10:42.164 --> 00:10:43.399
He's not going to cut you back without a purpose.
00:10:43.466 --> 00:10:45.267
Back without a purpose. he's not going to prune you
00:10:45.334 --> 00:10:46.769
He's not going to prune you if it's not leading
00:10:46.836 --> 00:10:48.237
If it's not leading to more fruit.
00:10:48.304 --> 00:10:49.905
To more fruit. it may not make sense to you.
00:10:49.972 --> 00:10:52.274
It may not make sense to you. you feel like you're going
00:10:52.341 --> 00:10:53.275
You feel like you're going the wrong direction.
00:10:53.342 --> 00:10:54.543
The wrong direction. god knows what he's doing.
00:10:54.610 --> 00:10:56.812
God knows what he's doing. that landscaper said to me,
00:10:56.879 --> 00:10:58.347
That landscaper said to me, "let me trim them, and watch
00:10:58.414 --> 00:11:00.549
"let me trim them, and watch where they'll be next year.
00:11:00.616 --> 00:11:02.651
Where they'll be next year. you'll be surprised at how
00:11:02.718 --> 00:11:03.919
You'll be surprised at how big and full they are."
00:11:03.986 --> 00:11:06.655
Big and full they are." you may have been cut back.
00:11:06.722 --> 00:11:08.491
You may have been cut back. god is saying, "watch where
00:11:08.557 --> 00:11:10.259
God is saying, "watch where you're going to be next year.
00:11:10.326 --> 00:11:12.228
You're going to be next year. watch the people that are
00:11:12.294 --> 00:11:13.596
Watch the people that are going to come into your life.
00:11:13.662 --> 00:11:15.464
Going to come into your life. watch the opportunities
00:11:15.531 --> 00:11:17.199
Watch the opportunities and the new doors that are
00:11:17.266 --> 00:11:18.634
And the new doors that are about to open."
00:11:18.701 --> 00:11:19.902
About to open." you won't be complaining
00:11:19.969 --> 00:11:21.270
You won't be complaining about the cutback.
00:11:21.337 --> 00:11:22.538
About the cutback. you'll be saying, "lord,
00:11:22.605 --> 00:11:23.706
You'll be saying, "lord, thank you for pruning me.
00:11:23.773 --> 00:11:25.307
Thank you for pruning me. thank you for getting me
00:11:25.374 --> 00:11:26.275
Thank you for getting me prepared.
00:11:26.342 --> 00:11:26.942
Prepared. thank you for taking me
00:11:27.009 --> 00:11:28.744
Thank you for taking me to new levels."
00:11:28.811 --> 00:11:29.945
To new levels." what i want us to see is the
00:11:30.012 --> 00:11:31.881
What i want us to see is the pruning is not because you've
00:11:31.947 --> 00:11:33.616
Pruning is not because you've done something wrong.
00:11:33.682 --> 00:11:35.184
Done something wrong. it's not because god has
00:11:35.251 --> 00:11:36.485
It's not because god has forgotten about you.
00:11:36.552 --> 00:11:37.953
Forgotten about you. it's a test.
00:11:38.020 --> 00:11:39.421
It's a test. will you abide?
00:11:39.488 --> 00:11:41.056
Will you abide? will you stay in faith?
00:11:41.123 --> 00:11:42.158
Will you stay in faith? and yes, the pruning seasons
00:11:42.224 --> 00:11:45.161
And yes, the pruning seasons are not comfortable,
00:11:45.227 --> 00:11:46.796
Are not comfortable, we don't like it, but it's all
00:11:46.896 --> 00:11:48.964
We don't like it, but it's all a part of the process.
00:11:49.031 --> 00:11:50.699
A part of the process. it's what leads
00:11:50.766 --> 00:11:51.901
It's what leads to much fruit.
00:11:51.967 --> 00:11:53.536
To much fruit. but you can't get to much
00:11:53.602 --> 00:11:55.070
But you can't get to much without being cut back.
00:11:55.137 --> 00:11:57.139
Without being cut back. if you don't understand this,
00:11:57.206 --> 00:11:58.541
If you don't understand this, you'll be frustrated.
00:11:58.607 --> 00:12:00.109
You'll be frustrated. "joel, i come every sunday.
00:12:00.176 --> 00:12:02.411
"joel, i come every sunday. i volunteer at the hospital.
00:12:02.478 --> 00:12:04.480
I volunteer at the hospital. i'm always cheering
00:12:04.547 --> 00:12:05.581
I'm always cheering people up, and now i'm
00:12:05.648 --> 00:12:07.283
People up, and now i'm the one that's down,
00:12:07.349 --> 00:12:08.117
The one that's down, i had a bad break."
00:12:08.184 --> 00:12:09.819
I had a bad break." that's not the enemy trying
00:12:09.885 --> 00:12:11.487
That's not the enemy trying to stop you.
00:12:11.554 --> 00:12:12.488
To stop you. that's god getting you
00:12:12.555 --> 00:12:13.722
That's god getting you prepared for new levels.
00:12:13.789 --> 00:12:16.158
Prepared for new levels. the apostle paul never prayed
00:12:16.225 --> 00:12:18.794
The apostle paul never prayed for god to remove
00:12:18.861 --> 00:12:20.029
For god to remove his difficulties.
00:12:20.095 --> 00:12:21.630
His difficulties. he prayed that god would give
00:12:21.697 --> 00:12:23.332
He prayed that god would give him strength to endure
00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:25.534
Him strength to endure whatever came his way,
00:12:25.601 --> 00:12:26.902
Whatever came his way, and if we could pray away
00:12:26.969 --> 00:12:29.171
And if we could pray away the cutback seasons,
00:12:29.238 --> 00:12:30.973
The cutback seasons, jesus would have done it.
00:12:31.040 --> 00:12:32.775
Jesus would have done it. the scripture says he endured
00:12:32.842 --> 00:12:35.044
The scripture says he endured the pain of the cross,
00:12:35.110 --> 00:12:36.979
The pain of the cross, looking forward to the joy
00:12:37.046 --> 00:12:38.614
Looking forward to the joy that was coming.
00:12:38.681 --> 00:12:40.282
That was coming. some things we have to
00:12:40.349 --> 00:12:42.051
Some things we have to endure, and the way to do it
00:12:42.117 --> 00:12:44.486
Endure, and the way to do it is to know that it's not
00:12:44.553 --> 00:12:46.355
Is to know that it's not permanent, and to know
00:12:46.422 --> 00:12:48.157
Permanent, and to know that you're going
00:12:48.224 --> 00:12:48.991
That you're going to come out better.
00:12:49.058 --> 00:12:50.593
To come out better. keep reminding yourself
00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:51.961
Keep reminding yourself that cutback is leading
00:12:52.027 --> 00:12:54.029
That cutback is leading to new growth.
00:12:54.096 --> 00:12:55.798
To new growth. and you may be in a cutback
00:12:55.865 --> 00:12:58.400
And you may be in a cutback season now, wondering how you
00:12:58.467 --> 00:13:00.669
Season now, wondering how you went from doing great
00:13:00.736 --> 00:13:01.937
Went from doing great to where you are.
00:13:02.004 --> 00:13:03.272
To where you are. you were being your best.
00:13:03.339 --> 00:13:05.174
You were being your best. looks like you've
00:13:05.241 --> 00:13:05.841
Looks like you've lost ground.
00:13:05.908 --> 00:13:07.009
Lost ground. yes, but that loss
00:13:07.076 --> 00:13:08.644
Yes, but that loss is not permanent.
00:13:08.711 --> 00:13:10.079
Is not permanent. what you can't see is that
00:13:10.145 --> 00:13:12.114
What you can't see is that cutback is setting you up
00:13:12.181 --> 00:13:14.116
Cutback is setting you up for new levels.
00:13:14.183 --> 00:13:15.651
For new levels. you're about to come into
00:13:15.718 --> 00:13:16.785
You're about to come into a season of much fruit,
00:13:16.852 --> 00:13:19.622
A season of much fruit, a season where you see
00:13:19.688 --> 00:13:20.990
A season where you see increase like you've
00:13:21.056 --> 00:13:21.991
Increase like you've never seen.
00:13:22.057 --> 00:13:23.259
Never seen. good breaks, promotions,
00:13:23.325 --> 00:13:25.261
Good breaks, promotions, relationships better than
00:13:25.327 --> 00:13:27.096
Relationships better than you've imagined.
00:13:27.162 --> 00:13:28.898
You've imagined. a while back, a cable network
00:13:28.964 --> 00:13:31.333
A while back, a cable network that aired our services on
00:13:31.400 --> 00:13:32.801
That aired our services on sunday nights informed us
00:13:32.868 --> 00:13:35.304
Sunday nights informed us that they were going to start
00:13:35.371 --> 00:13:36.305
That they were going to start running movies at that time.
00:13:36.372 --> 00:13:38.474
Running movies at that time. they had to cancel
00:13:38.540 --> 00:13:39.441
They had to cancel our contract.
00:13:39.508 --> 00:13:40.843
Our contract. we had been on this network
00:13:40.910 --> 00:13:42.144
We had been on this network for 35 years.
00:13:42.211 --> 00:13:44.079
For 35 years. we had a loyal audience,
00:13:44.146 --> 00:13:45.848
We had a loyal audience, people that watched us there
00:13:45.915 --> 00:13:47.016
People that watched us there faithfully each week.
00:13:47.082 --> 00:13:48.584
Faithfully each week. i thought, "god, i don't want
00:13:48.651 --> 00:13:49.585
I thought, "god, i don't want to go backwards,
00:13:49.652 --> 00:13:50.552
To go backwards, i want to go forward."
00:13:50.619 --> 00:13:51.787
I want to go forward." that was one of our best
00:13:51.854 --> 00:13:53.155
That was one of our best outlets, and here we were
00:13:53.222 --> 00:13:54.790
Outlets, and here we were doing the right thing,
00:13:54.857 --> 00:13:56.525
Doing the right thing, we were bearing fruit,
00:13:56.592 --> 00:13:58.327
We were bearing fruit, people were being helped.
00:13:58.394 --> 00:14:00.296
People were being helped. but sometimes
00:14:00.362 --> 00:14:01.597
But sometimes god closes a door
00:14:01.664 --> 00:14:02.932
God closes a door that we don't understand.
00:14:02.998 --> 00:14:04.800
That we don't understand. i've been buying airtime
00:14:04.867 --> 00:14:07.136
I've been buying airtime way back with my father's
00:14:07.202 --> 00:14:08.470
Way back with my father's ministry for many years.
00:14:08.537 --> 00:14:10.172
Ministry for many years. there's nothing available
00:14:10.239 --> 00:14:11.674
There's nothing available on sunday nights,
00:14:11.740 --> 00:14:12.675
On sunday nights, especially commercial
00:14:12.741 --> 00:14:13.876
Especially commercial television.
00:14:13.943 --> 00:14:15.010
Television. it looked like this cutback
00:14:15.077 --> 00:14:16.779
It looked like this cutback was permanent.
00:14:16.845 --> 00:14:18.113
Was permanent. about six months later, a man
00:14:18.180 --> 00:14:19.815
About six months later, a man we work with called, said,
00:14:19.882 --> 00:14:21.617
We work with called, said, "joel, i couldn't find
00:14:21.684 --> 00:14:22.952
"joel, i couldn't find another cable network
00:14:23.018 --> 00:14:24.420
Another cable network on sunday nights,
00:14:24.486 --> 00:14:25.721
On sunday nights, but i did get the broadcast
00:14:25.788 --> 00:14:27.623
But i did get the broadcast networks like cbs and abc.
00:14:27.690 --> 00:14:31.093
Networks like cbs and abc. they agreed to move their
00:14:31.160 --> 00:14:32.795
They agreed to move their programming sunday nights
00:14:32.861 --> 00:14:34.730
Programming sunday nights after the news so they could
00:14:34.797 --> 00:14:36.498
After the news so they could air your program."
00:14:36.565 --> 00:14:38.267
Air your program." the audience on the broadcast
00:14:38.334 --> 00:14:40.402
The audience on the broadcast stations is three times what
00:14:40.469 --> 00:14:42.638
Stations is three times what it was on the cable network.
00:14:42.705 --> 00:14:44.873
It was on the cable network. i went from fruit
00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:46.108
I went from fruit to more fruit.
00:14:46.175 --> 00:14:47.376
To more fruit. notice how it happened.
00:14:47.443 --> 00:14:48.744
Notice how it happened. i was cut back.
00:14:48.811 --> 00:14:50.346
I was cut back. i didn't understand it.
00:14:50.412 --> 00:14:52.047
I didn't understand it. it didn't seem like a good
00:14:52.114 --> 00:14:53.315
It didn't seem like a good thing at the time, but now
00:14:53.382 --> 00:14:54.984
Thing at the time, but now i say, "lord, thank you
00:14:55.050 --> 00:14:56.385
I say, "lord, thank you for cutting me back.
00:14:56.452 --> 00:14:57.786
For cutting me back. thank you for opening doors i
00:14:57.853 --> 00:14:59.288
Thank you for opening doors i never dreamed would open.
00:14:59.355 --> 00:15:00.422
Never dreamed would open. thank you for ordering
00:15:00.489 --> 00:15:02.257
Thank you for ordering my steps."
00:15:02.324 --> 00:15:03.759
My steps." the cutback you're
00:15:03.826 --> 00:15:05.027
The cutback you're disappointed with now,
00:15:05.094 --> 00:15:07.029
Disappointed with now, if you'll keep abiding,
00:15:07.096 --> 00:15:09.164
If you'll keep abiding, thanking god,
00:15:09.231 --> 00:15:10.399
Thanking god, being your best, one day
00:15:10.466 --> 00:15:12.601
Being your best, one day you'll look back and say
00:15:12.668 --> 00:15:13.836
You'll look back and say with me, "lord, thank you.
00:15:13.902 --> 00:15:16.071
With me, "lord, thank you. your ways are better
00:15:16.138 --> 00:15:17.039
Your ways are better than my ways.
00:15:17.106 --> 00:15:18.040
Than my ways. you could see things
00:15:18.107 --> 00:15:19.008
You could see things that i couldn't see."
00:15:19.074 --> 00:15:20.542
That i couldn't see." trust him in
00:15:20.609 --> 00:15:21.777
Trust him in the cutback seasons.
00:15:21.844 --> 00:15:23.712
The cutback seasons. believe that he's still
00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:24.880
Believe that he's still directing your steps.
00:15:24.947 --> 00:15:26.382
Directing your steps. remember, he has
00:15:26.448 --> 00:15:27.449
Remember, he has the pruning shears.
00:15:27.516 --> 00:15:29.118
The pruning shears. the enemy cannot cut
00:15:29.184 --> 00:15:30.586
The enemy cannot cut you back.
00:15:30.652 --> 00:15:31.286
You back. god has a hedge
00:15:31.353 --> 00:15:32.321
God has a hedge of protection around you.
00:15:32.388 --> 00:15:34.723
Of protection around you. in the scripture, god told
00:15:34.790 --> 00:15:36.392
In the scripture, god told abraham to take his son isaac
00:15:36.458 --> 00:15:39.261
Abraham to take his son isaac on top of a mountain
00:15:39.328 --> 00:15:40.362
On top of a mountain and sacrifice him.
00:15:40.429 --> 00:15:42.398
And sacrifice him. we think of isaac as being
00:15:42.464 --> 00:15:43.832
We think of isaac as being a little boy, but most
00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:45.401
A little boy, but most scholars believe he was
00:15:45.467 --> 00:15:46.935
Scholars believe he was in his late teens.
00:15:47.002 --> 00:15:48.904
In his late teens. the scripture says he carried
00:15:48.971 --> 00:15:50.706
The scripture says he carried a pile of wood on his
00:15:50.773 --> 00:15:52.074
A pile of wood on his shoulders for the fire.
00:15:52.141 --> 00:15:54.176
Shoulders for the fire. he could have resisted laying
00:15:54.243 --> 00:15:56.111
He could have resisted laying on the altar, resisted
00:15:56.178 --> 00:15:58.113
On the altar, resisted letting his father
00:15:58.180 --> 00:15:59.181
Letting his father tie him up.
00:15:59.248 --> 00:15:59.882
Tie him up. but he was willing to go
00:15:59.948 --> 00:16:02.051
But he was willing to go through with it.
00:16:02.117 --> 00:16:03.285
Through with it. i believe one reason is
00:16:03.352 --> 00:16:05.554
I believe one reason is because he knew the knife
00:16:05.621 --> 00:16:07.823
Because he knew the knife was in the right hands.
00:16:07.890 --> 00:16:09.792
Was in the right hands. he knew he could trust his
00:16:09.858 --> 00:16:11.794
He knew he could trust his father, and when you
00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:13.362
Father, and when you understand the pruning shears
00:16:13.429 --> 00:16:15.564
Understand the pruning shears are in your heavenly father's
00:16:15.631 --> 00:16:17.266
Are in your heavenly father's hands, when you know
00:16:17.332 --> 00:16:19.168
Hands, when you know he won't cut you back
00:16:19.234 --> 00:16:20.536
He won't cut you back without a purpose,
00:16:20.602 --> 00:16:22.171
Without a purpose, that whatever he takes
00:16:22.237 --> 00:16:23.539
That whatever he takes away temporarily is so
00:16:23.605 --> 00:16:25.774
Away temporarily is so he can bring you out with
00:16:25.841 --> 00:16:27.009
He can bring you out with more, then like isaac,
00:16:27.076 --> 00:16:29.812
More, then like isaac, you won't fight
00:16:29.878 --> 00:16:31.180
You won't fight the cutback seasons.
00:16:31.246 --> 00:16:32.881
The cutback seasons. you won't be bitter, "god,
00:16:32.948 --> 00:16:34.016
You won't be bitter, "god, i was doing my best.
00:16:34.083 --> 00:16:35.150
I was doing my best. why did this happen?"
00:16:35.217 --> 00:16:36.718
Why did this happen?" you trust your father.
00:16:36.785 --> 00:16:38.687
You trust your father. you know he's in control of
00:16:38.754 --> 00:16:40.789
You know he's in control of the cutbacks, and he wouldn't
00:16:40.856 --> 00:16:42.758
The cutbacks, and he wouldn't have taken you backwards if
00:16:42.825 --> 00:16:44.893
Have taken you backwards if he wasn't going to bring you
00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:46.128
He wasn't going to bring you out with much fruit, and i've
00:16:46.195 --> 00:16:48.864
Out with much fruit, and i've learned god's idea of much
00:16:48.931 --> 00:16:51.667
Learned god's idea of much is very different
00:16:51.733 --> 00:16:52.734
Is very different than our idea of much.
00:16:52.801 --> 00:16:54.770
Than our idea of much. you think you're blessed now?
00:16:54.837 --> 00:16:56.238
You think you're blessed now? you haven't seen
00:16:56.305 --> 00:16:57.139
You haven't seen anything yet.
00:16:57.206 --> 00:16:58.240
Anything yet. you should see what god
00:16:58.307 --> 00:16:59.575
You should see what god has in store for you.
00:16:59.641 --> 00:17:00.709
Has in store for you. i thought i was doing good
00:17:00.776 --> 00:17:04.046
I thought i was doing good all those years working
00:17:04.113 --> 00:17:05.514
All those years working behind the scenes with my
00:17:05.581 --> 00:17:06.715
Behind the scenes with my parents, putting my father's
00:17:06.782 --> 00:17:08.517
Parents, putting my father's ministry on television.
00:17:08.584 --> 00:17:10.552
Ministry on television. i never dreamed one day
00:17:10.619 --> 00:17:11.854
I never dreamed one day i would be up here,
00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:13.355
I would be up here, people would be watching
00:17:13.422 --> 00:17:14.256
People would be watching all over the world.
00:17:14.323 --> 00:17:15.390
All over the world. i went from fruit to more
00:17:15.457 --> 00:17:16.892
I went from fruit to more fruit to much fruit.
00:17:16.959 --> 00:17:18.660
Fruit to much fruit. but what brought me here
00:17:18.727 --> 00:17:20.696
But what brought me here wasn't necessarily the good
00:17:20.762 --> 00:17:22.264
Wasn't necessarily the good times, the times everything
00:17:22.331 --> 00:17:24.299
Times, the times everything fell into place.
00:17:24.366 --> 00:17:25.567
Fell into place. it was the cutbacks, the
00:17:25.634 --> 00:17:27.536
It was the cutbacks, the things i didn't understand,
00:17:27.603 --> 00:17:29.271
Things i didn't understand, the loss of my father.
00:17:29.338 --> 00:17:30.372
The loss of my father. but in all those times
00:17:30.439 --> 00:17:32.674
But in all those times that didn't make sense,
00:17:32.741 --> 00:17:34.076
That didn't make sense, i've learned i can trust
00:17:34.143 --> 00:17:35.911
I've learned i can trust the one who has
00:17:35.978 --> 00:17:37.246
The one who has the pruning shears.
00:17:37.312 --> 00:17:38.514
The pruning shears. i know the enemy
00:17:38.580 --> 00:17:39.715
I know the enemy cannot cut me back.
00:17:39.781 --> 00:17:41.283
Cannot cut me back. steve jobs was one of
00:17:41.350 --> 00:17:42.684
Steve jobs was one of the most brilliant minds
00:17:42.751 --> 00:17:44.153
The most brilliant minds of our generation.
00:17:44.219 --> 00:17:45.687
Of our generation. he founded apple computer,
00:17:45.754 --> 00:17:47.389
He founded apple computer, and it grew larger
00:17:47.456 --> 00:17:48.824
And it grew larger and larger,
00:17:48.891 --> 00:17:49.458
And larger, became very successful.
00:17:49.525 --> 00:17:50.659
Became very successful. but over the years, he had
00:17:50.726 --> 00:17:52.961
But over the years, he had conflict with his board.
00:17:53.028 --> 00:17:55.164
Conflict with his board. eventually, they voted
00:17:55.230 --> 00:17:56.732
Eventually, they voted him out.
00:17:56.798 --> 00:17:57.966
Him out. he was fired from the company
00:17:58.033 --> 00:17:59.601
He was fired from the company that he founded.
00:17:59.668 --> 00:18:01.003
That he founded. that didn't seem fair.
00:18:01.069 --> 00:18:02.571
That didn't seem fair. he could have lived bitter,
00:18:02.638 --> 00:18:03.839
He could have lived bitter, upset.
00:18:03.906 --> 00:18:05.040
Upset. instead, he went out and
00:18:05.107 --> 00:18:06.542
Instead, he went out and started another company.
00:18:06.608 --> 00:18:08.510
Started another company. it became so successful,
00:18:08.577 --> 00:18:10.712
It became so successful, a few years later
00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:12.214
A few years later apple bought his company,
00:18:12.281 --> 00:18:14.349
Apple bought his company, brought him back,
00:18:14.416 --> 00:18:15.450
Brought him back, and put him in charge.
00:18:15.517 --> 00:18:17.252
And put him in charge. he said, "if i had not been
00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:19.021
He said, "if i had not been fired by apple, i would have
00:18:19.087 --> 00:18:20.889
Fired by apple, i would have never developed these skills
00:18:20.956 --> 00:18:22.891
Never developed these skills that have made me
00:18:22.958 --> 00:18:23.825
That have made me into who i am."
00:18:23.892 --> 00:18:25.527
Into who i am." god knows what he's doing.
00:18:25.594 --> 00:18:27.729
God knows what he's doing. he's not going to let you be
00:18:27.796 --> 00:18:29.097
He's not going to let you be cut back without a purpose.
00:18:29.164 --> 00:18:31.533
Cut back without a purpose. it may look like a bad break,
00:18:31.600 --> 00:18:33.101
It may look like a bad break, but if you'll keep the right
00:18:33.168 --> 00:18:34.503
But if you'll keep the right attitude, you'll see how it
00:18:34.570 --> 00:18:36.405
Attitude, you'll see how it will all work
00:18:36.471 --> 00:18:37.306
Will all work to your advantage.
00:18:37.372 --> 00:18:39.041
To your advantage. he knows when to take
00:18:39.107 --> 00:18:40.509
He knows when to take something away.
00:18:40.576 --> 00:18:41.977
Something away. it is not to limit us,
00:18:42.044 --> 00:18:43.946
It is not to limit us, it's to promote us.
00:18:44.012 --> 00:18:46.048
It's to promote us. if that person left you,
00:18:46.114 --> 00:18:48.183
If that person left you, it wasn't an accident.
00:18:48.250 --> 00:18:49.985
It wasn't an accident. their part in your story
00:18:50.052 --> 00:18:51.520
Their part in your story was over.
00:18:51.587 --> 00:18:52.221
Was over. god pruned them,
00:18:52.287 --> 00:18:53.655
God pruned them, now keep moving forward.
00:18:53.722 --> 00:18:55.824
Now keep moving forward. if that project didn't last,
00:18:55.891 --> 00:18:58.060
If that project didn't last, it wasn't supposed to.
00:18:58.126 --> 00:18:59.595
It wasn't supposed to. god closed the door.
00:18:59.661 --> 00:19:01.530
God closed the door. don't sit around discouraged,
00:19:01.597 --> 00:19:02.798
Don't sit around discouraged, thinking, "poor old me."
00:19:02.864 --> 00:19:04.399
Thinking, "poor old me." like steve, you're being
00:19:04.466 --> 00:19:06.268
Like steve, you're being pruned to bear much fruit.
00:19:06.335 --> 00:19:09.037
Pruned to bear much fruit. get ready for the new thing
00:19:09.104 --> 00:19:10.572
Get ready for the new thing god is about to do.
00:19:10.639 --> 00:19:12.107
God is about to do. get ready for new levels
00:19:12.174 --> 00:19:13.375
Get ready for new levels of favor, new levels
00:19:13.442 --> 00:19:15.310
Of favor, new levels of abundance.
00:19:15.377 --> 00:19:17.112
Of abundance. this is what my father did.
00:19:17.179 --> 00:19:18.814
This is what my father did. back in the 1950s, he was
00:19:18.880 --> 00:19:21.049
Back in the 1950s, he was pastoring a thriving church.
00:19:21.116 --> 00:19:23.652
Pastoring a thriving church. they had just built
00:19:23.719 --> 00:19:24.519
They had just built a beautiful new sanctuary.
00:19:24.586 --> 00:19:26.588
A beautiful new sanctuary. he had 700 members.
00:19:26.655 --> 00:19:28.523
He had 700 members. that was a big deal
00:19:28.590 --> 00:19:29.458
That was a big deal back then.
00:19:29.524 --> 00:19:30.726
Back then. he was on the state board
00:19:30.792 --> 00:19:32.160
He was on the state board for his denomination.
00:19:32.227 --> 00:19:33.662
For his denomination. his future looked
00:19:33.729 --> 00:19:34.630
His future looked very bright.
00:19:34.696 --> 00:19:36.231
Very bright. my sister lisa was born
00:19:36.298 --> 00:19:37.866
My sister lisa was born with something like
00:19:37.933 --> 00:19:38.800
With something like cerebral palsy.
00:19:38.867 --> 00:19:40.669
Cerebral palsy. my father began to search the
00:19:40.736 --> 00:19:42.437
My father began to search the scriptures in a new light.
00:19:42.504 --> 00:19:44.740
Scriptures in a new light. he saw how god is a healer,
00:19:44.806 --> 00:19:46.775
He saw how god is a healer, and how he wants us to live
00:19:46.842 --> 00:19:48.577
And how he wants us to live a blessed, victorious life.
00:19:48.644 --> 00:19:51.246
A blessed, victorious life. he thought the congregation
00:19:51.313 --> 00:19:53.048
He thought the congregation would be excited about
00:19:53.115 --> 00:19:54.650
Would be excited about his new message of faith
00:19:54.716 --> 00:19:56.485
His new message of faith and victory.
00:19:56.551 --> 00:19:57.919
And victory. it was just the opposite.
00:19:57.986 --> 00:19:59.921
It was just the opposite. it didn't fit into their
00:19:59.988 --> 00:20:01.123
It didn't fit into their denominational teaching,
00:20:01.189 --> 00:20:02.424
Denominational teaching, and there was a lot
00:20:02.491 --> 00:20:03.792
And there was a lot of opposition.
00:20:03.859 --> 00:20:05.127
Of opposition. they ended up asking
00:20:05.193 --> 00:20:06.762
They ended up asking my father to leave.
00:20:06.828 --> 00:20:08.630
My father to leave. he was devastated.
00:20:08.697 --> 00:20:10.465
He was devastated. lifelong friends never spoke
00:20:10.532 --> 00:20:12.334
Lifelong friends never spoke to my mother again.
00:20:12.401 --> 00:20:14.136
To my mother again. didn't make sense,
00:20:14.202 --> 00:20:14.903
Didn't make sense, it didn't seem fair.
00:20:14.970 --> 00:20:16.505
It didn't seem fair. he could have been bitter,
00:20:16.571 --> 00:20:17.372
He could have been bitter, "god, why did this happen?
00:20:17.439 --> 00:20:18.840
"god, why did this happen? i was being my best.
00:20:18.907 --> 00:20:20.175
I was being my best. why did i go backwards?"
00:20:20.242 --> 00:20:21.276
Why did i go backwards?" but he understood every
00:20:21.343 --> 00:20:24.046
But he understood every branch that bears fruit
00:20:24.112 --> 00:20:26.248
Branch that bears fruit will be cut back,
00:20:26.315 --> 00:20:27.916
Will be cut back, not to stay at a loss,
00:20:27.983 --> 00:20:29.584
Not to stay at a loss, not to live defeated,
00:20:29.651 --> 00:20:30.952
Not to live defeated, but for one reason, to bear
00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:33.355
But for one reason, to bear much fruit, and sometimes
00:20:33.422 --> 00:20:35.624
Much fruit, and sometimes the favor of god is disguised
00:20:35.691 --> 00:20:38.627
The favor of god is disguised as a cutback.
00:20:38.694 --> 00:20:40.329
As a cutback. it takes maturity
00:20:40.395 --> 00:20:41.630
It takes maturity to distinguish
00:20:41.697 --> 00:20:42.731
To distinguish between the enemy
00:20:42.798 --> 00:20:43.765
Between the enemy trying to stop you
00:20:43.832 --> 00:20:45.300
Trying to stop you and the gardener at work,
00:20:45.367 --> 00:20:47.369
And the gardener at work, and too often
00:20:47.436 --> 00:20:48.203
And too often we're discouraged over
00:20:48.270 --> 00:20:49.404
We're discouraged over what god has ordained.
00:20:49.471 --> 00:20:51.306
What god has ordained. instead of being sour,
00:20:51.373 --> 00:20:52.641
Instead of being sour, my parents went out
00:20:52.708 --> 00:20:54.209
My parents went out and started lakewood.
00:20:54.276 --> 00:20:56.044
And started lakewood. they didn't have a beautiful
00:20:56.111 --> 00:20:57.212
They didn't have a beautiful new sanctuary.
00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:58.680
New sanctuary. they had an old,
00:20:58.747 --> 00:20:59.848
They had an old, rundown feed store.
00:20:59.915 --> 00:21:01.917
Rundown feed store. they didn't have 700 people.
00:21:01.983 --> 00:21:03.785
They didn't have 700 people. they only had 90, a cutback.
00:21:03.852 --> 00:21:06.655
They only had 90, a cutback. looked like they were going
00:21:06.722 --> 00:21:07.589
Looked like they were going the wrong direction.
00:21:07.656 --> 00:21:09.491
The wrong direction. there are times god will take
00:21:09.558 --> 00:21:11.827
There are times god will take you backwards before he
00:21:11.893 --> 00:21:13.695
You backwards before he thrusts you forward.
00:21:13.762 --> 00:21:15.464
Thrusts you forward. the cutback season is a test.
00:21:15.530 --> 00:21:18.600
The cutback season is a test. he's seeing, what are you
00:21:18.667 --> 00:21:19.868
He's seeing, what are you going to do when you have
00:21:19.935 --> 00:21:21.269
Going to do when you have a bad break,
00:21:21.336 --> 00:21:22.771
A bad break, it didn't work out?
00:21:22.838 --> 00:21:24.373
It didn't work out? you worked hard,
00:21:24.439 --> 00:21:25.207
You worked hard, but the business
00:21:25.273 --> 00:21:25.907
But the business didn't make it.
00:21:25.974 --> 00:21:26.875
Didn't make it. you were good to that person,
00:21:26.942 --> 00:21:28.276
You were good to that person, but they walked away.
00:21:28.343 --> 00:21:30.412
But they walked away. what you do in the pruning
00:21:30.479 --> 00:21:32.314
What you do in the pruning seasons will determine
00:21:32.381 --> 00:21:33.949
Seasons will determine whether you stay there,
00:21:34.015 --> 00:21:35.517
Whether you stay there, or whether you come
00:21:35.584 --> 00:21:36.184
Or whether you come out better.
00:21:36.251 --> 00:21:37.586
Out better. my parents just kept abiding,
00:21:37.652 --> 00:21:39.588
My parents just kept abiding, giving, serving, loving.
00:21:39.654 --> 00:21:42.524
Giving, serving, loving. they didn't focus on
00:21:42.591 --> 00:21:43.492
They didn't focus on what they didn't have.
00:21:43.558 --> 00:21:44.793
What they didn't have. they thanked god for what
00:21:44.860 --> 00:21:46.027
They thanked god for what they did have, and this
00:21:46.094 --> 00:21:47.729
They did have, and this didn't happen overnight,
00:21:47.796 --> 00:21:49.164
Didn't happen overnight, but like god promised,
00:21:49.231 --> 00:21:50.732
But like god promised, they went from more fruit
00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:52.234
They went from more fruit to much fruit.
00:21:52.300 --> 00:21:53.702
To much fruit. lakewood grew to a church
00:21:53.769 --> 00:21:55.170
Lakewood grew to a church of many thousands.
00:21:55.237 --> 00:21:56.438
Of many thousands. we're still going
00:21:56.505 --> 00:21:57.172
We're still going strong today.
00:21:57.239 --> 00:21:58.707
Strong today. but we all want
00:21:58.774 --> 00:21:59.875
But we all want the much fruit.
00:21:59.941 --> 00:22:01.243
The much fruit. the question is,
00:22:01.309 --> 00:22:02.511
The question is, are we willing to go
00:22:02.577 --> 00:22:03.545
Are we willing to go through the process?
00:22:03.612 --> 00:22:05.180
Through the process? will we do the right things
00:22:05.247 --> 00:22:06.782
Will we do the right things in the time of pruning, when
00:22:06.848 --> 00:22:08.784
In the time of pruning, when things don't make sense?
00:22:08.850 --> 00:22:11.219
Things don't make sense? my father would have
00:22:11.286 --> 00:22:12.354
My father would have never come into much
00:22:12.421 --> 00:22:14.256
Never come into much without the cutback.
00:22:14.322 --> 00:22:16.124
Without the cutback. he would have never become
00:22:16.191 --> 00:22:17.859
He would have never become all he was created to be
00:22:17.926 --> 00:22:19.861
All he was created to be in that limited environment.
00:22:19.928 --> 00:22:22.030
In that limited environment. that's why god
00:22:22.097 --> 00:22:22.831
That's why god pushed him out.
00:22:22.898 --> 00:22:24.433
Pushed him out. and sometimes god will
00:22:24.499 --> 00:22:25.834
And sometimes god will close a door because where
00:22:25.901 --> 00:22:28.203
Close a door because where you are is too small.
00:22:28.270 --> 00:22:30.739
You are is too small. you may not be able
00:22:30.806 --> 00:22:31.606
You may not be able to see it.
00:22:31.673 --> 00:22:32.474
To see it. it's big to you,
00:22:32.541 --> 00:22:33.341
It's big to you, it's fulfilling, but god's
00:22:33.408 --> 00:22:35.343
It's fulfilling, but god's dream for your life is
00:22:35.410 --> 00:22:36.945
Dream for your life is much bigger than yours.
00:22:37.012 --> 00:22:38.547
Much bigger than yours. his idea of much is very
00:22:38.613 --> 00:22:40.215
His idea of much is very different than our idea.
00:22:40.282 --> 00:22:42.417
Different than our idea. i'm asking you to trust him
00:22:42.484 --> 00:22:44.853
I'm asking you to trust him in the cutback seasons.
00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:47.055
In the cutback seasons. we're not going to understand
00:22:47.122 --> 00:22:48.723
We're not going to understand everything that happens
00:22:48.790 --> 00:22:49.858
Everything that happens along the way.
00:22:49.925 --> 00:22:51.326
Along the way. god knows what's best for us.
00:22:51.393 --> 00:22:53.328
God knows what's best for us. that's why the scripture says
00:22:53.395 --> 00:22:54.429
That's why the scripture says his ways are not our ways,
00:22:54.496 --> 00:22:56.798
His ways are not our ways, and you may be in a time
00:22:56.865 --> 00:22:58.800
And you may be in a time of pruning.
00:22:58.867 --> 00:23:00.001
Of pruning. you've had some cutbacks,
00:23:00.068 --> 00:23:01.269
You've had some cutbacks, you've gone the wrong
00:23:01.336 --> 00:23:02.270
You've gone the wrong direction, now you're kind
00:23:02.337 --> 00:23:03.572
Direction, now you're kind of discouraged.
00:23:03.638 --> 00:23:04.706
Of discouraged. recognize god is getting you
00:23:04.773 --> 00:23:07.108
Recognize god is getting you in position for new growth.
00:23:07.175 --> 00:23:09.611
In position for new growth. he wouldn't have pruned you
00:23:09.678 --> 00:23:11.179
He wouldn't have pruned you if he didn't have
00:23:11.246 --> 00:23:12.013
If he didn't have something better.
00:23:12.080 --> 00:23:13.548
Something better. now, do your part,
00:23:13.615 --> 00:23:14.449
Now, do your part, keep abiding.
00:23:14.516 --> 00:23:15.851
Keep abiding. keep thanking him,
00:23:15.917 --> 00:23:17.285
Keep thanking him, keep trusting him,
00:23:17.352 --> 00:23:18.253
Keep trusting him, keep staying faithful.
00:23:18.320 --> 00:23:19.688
Keep staying faithful. if you'll do this, i believe
00:23:19.754 --> 00:23:21.823
If you'll do this, i believe and declare that cutback
00:23:21.890 --> 00:23:24.192
And declare that cutback is not permanent.
00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.694
Is not permanent. like my father, you're about
00:23:25.760 --> 00:23:27.562
Like my father, you're about to come into much fruit.
00:23:27.629 --> 00:23:29.631
To come into much fruit. abundance is coming,
00:23:29.698 --> 00:23:31.032
Abundance is coming, promotion is coming,
00:23:31.099 --> 00:23:32.434
Promotion is coming, breakthroughs are coming,
00:23:32.501 --> 00:23:33.869
Breakthroughs are coming, the fullness of your destiny
00:23:33.935 --> 00:23:36.104
The fullness of your destiny in jesus's name,
00:23:36.171 --> 00:23:37.772
In jesus's name, and if you receive it,
00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:38.773
And if you receive it, can you say amen today?
00:23:38.840 --> 00:23:42.043
Can you say amen today? well, i'd like to give you an
00:23:42.110 --> 00:23:42.944
Well, i'd like to give you an opportunity to make jesus
00:23:43.011 --> 00:23:44.880
Opportunity to make jesus the lord of your life.
00:23:44.946 --> 00:23:46.815
The lord of your life. would you pray with me?
00:23:46.882 --> 00:23:48.450
Would you pray with me? just say, "lord jesus,
00:23:48.517 --> 00:23:51.253
Just say, "lord jesus, i repent of my sins.
00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:53.855
I repent of my sins. come into my heart.
00:23:53.922 --> 00:23:55.991
Come into my heart. i make you my lord
00:23:56.057 --> 00:23:57.259
I make you my lord and savior."
00:23:57.325 --> 00:23:57.959
And savior." if you prayed that
00:23:58.026 --> 00:24:00.028
If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe
00:24:00.095 --> 00:24:01.229
Simple prayer, we believe you got born again.
00:24:01.296 --> 00:24:02.797
You got born again. get in a good,
00:24:02.864 --> 00:24:03.498
Get in a good, bible based church.
00:24:03.565 --> 00:24:04.900
Bible based church. keep god first place.
00:24:04.966 --> 00:24:06.468
Keep god first place. victoria and i will be
00:24:06.535 --> 00:24:07.502
Victoria and i will be right back to speak
00:24:07.569 --> 00:24:08.203
Right back to speak a blessing over you.
00:24:08.270 --> 00:24:10.005
It's a new year.
00:24:10.639 --> 00:24:11.806
It's a new year. time to see the impossible
00:24:11.873 --> 00:24:13.508
Time to see the impossible become possible.
00:24:13.575 --> 00:24:14.910
Become possible. it's a new year.
00:24:14.976 --> 00:24:16.077
It's a new year. life's setbacks are about
00:24:16.144 --> 00:24:17.779
Life's setbacks are about to become god's setups
00:24:17.846 --> 00:24:19.347
To become god's setups for new opportunity.
00:24:19.414 --> 00:24:20.849
For new opportunity. it's a new year.
00:24:20.916 --> 00:24:22.217
It's a new year. cherished dreams
00:24:22.284 --> 00:24:23.351
Cherished dreams will become unexpected reality.
00:24:23.418 --> 00:24:26.221
Will become unexpected reality. the start of the new year
00:24:26.288 --> 00:24:27.455
The start of the new year is the perfect time
00:24:27.522 --> 00:24:28.490
Is the perfect time to reset your focus,
00:24:28.557 --> 00:24:29.958
To reset your focus, release disappointments
00:24:30.025 --> 00:24:31.192
Release disappointments of the past,
00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:32.060
Of the past, and get ready for
00:24:32.127 --> 00:24:32.861
And get ready for the new things
00:24:32.928 --> 00:24:33.662
The new things god has in store.
00:24:33.728 --> 00:24:35.297
Every january,
00:24:35.397 --> 00:24:36.331
Every january, we create
00:24:36.398 --> 00:24:36.932
We create a new 365-day
00:24:36.998 --> 00:24:39.100
A new 365-day devotional calendar.
00:24:39.167 --> 00:24:40.969
Devotional calendar. i'd love to send it to you.
00:24:41.036 --> 00:24:42.437
I'd love to send it to you. each day is filled
00:24:42.504 --> 00:24:43.371
Each day is filled with inspiration,
00:24:43.438 --> 00:24:44.372
With inspiration, scripture, and uplifting
00:24:44.439 --> 00:24:46.007
Scripture, and uplifting declarations
00:24:46.074 --> 00:24:46.808
Declarations to fuel your faith.
00:24:46.875 --> 00:24:48.310
To fuel your faith. when you begin the day thanking
00:24:48.376 --> 00:24:49.811
When you begin the day thanking god for what he's done,
00:24:49.878 --> 00:24:51.212
God for what he's done, speaking victory
00:24:51.279 --> 00:24:52.247
Speaking victory over your future,
00:24:52.314 --> 00:24:53.648
Over your future, you're positioning yourself
00:24:53.715 --> 00:24:55.150
You're positioning yourself for a blessed,
00:24:55.216 --> 00:24:56.051
For a blessed, favor-filled year.
00:24:56.117 --> 00:24:57.719
Favor-filled year. amazing things happen
00:24:57.786 --> 00:24:59.020
Amazing things happen when you keep god first place.
00:24:59.120 --> 00:25:01.456
When you keep god first place. as our way of saying thank you
00:25:01.556 --> 00:25:03.191
As our way of saying thank you for your gift of any amount
00:25:03.258 --> 00:25:04.726
For your gift of any amount this first month of the year,
00:25:04.793 --> 00:25:06.361
This first month of the year, we would like to send you
00:25:06.428 --> 00:25:07.629
A copy
00:25:07.729 --> 00:25:08.129
Aof our brand new 365-day, 2026
00:25:08.229 --> 00:25:12.167
Aof our brand new 365-day, 2026 devotional calendar.
00:25:12.233 --> 00:25:13.668
Devotional calendar. do you want to overcome
00:25:13.735 --> 00:25:15.070
Do you want to overcome your most pressing
00:25:15.136 --> 00:25:15.971
Your most pressing challenges in 2026?
00:25:16.037 --> 00:25:18.039
Challenges in 2026? do you want to see your life
00:25:18.106 --> 00:25:19.474
Do you want to see your life take off in new directions
00:25:19.541 --> 00:25:21.176
Take off in new directions of influence,
00:25:21.242 --> 00:25:22.143
Of influence, favor and provision
00:25:22.210 --> 00:25:23.645
Favor and provision in the year ahead?
00:25:23.712 --> 00:25:25.046
In the year ahead? with this daily encouragement,
00:25:25.146 --> 00:25:26.982
With this daily encouragement, you'll not only smile
00:25:27.048 --> 00:25:28.383
You'll not only smile at your day,
00:25:28.450 --> 00:25:29.250
At your day, you'll be reminded
00:25:29.317 --> 00:25:30.318
You'll be reminded that god is smiling
00:25:30.385 --> 00:25:31.653
That god is smiling on your entire life.
00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:33.421
On your entire life. each day
00:25:33.488 --> 00:25:34.222
Each day will be a fresh new day.
00:25:34.289 --> 00:25:35.857
Will be a fresh new day. turn discouragement
00:25:35.924 --> 00:25:37.492
Turn discouragement to encouragement.
00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:38.960
To encouragement. frustration to fulfillment.
00:25:39.027 --> 00:25:41.262
Frustration to fulfillment. anxiety to overcoming.
00:25:41.329 --> 00:25:43.732
Anxiety to overcoming. using this devotional calendar
00:25:43.832 --> 00:25:45.700
Using this devotional calendar is as easy as one, two, three.
00:25:45.800 --> 00:25:49.037
Is as easy as one, two, three. one: wake up with an expectancy
00:25:49.104 --> 00:25:51.840
One: wake up with an expectancy in your heart.
00:25:51.906 --> 00:25:53.141
In your heart. two: reflect
00:25:53.208 --> 00:25:54.342
Two: reflect on the daily scripture verse
00:25:54.409 --> 00:25:55.810
On the daily scripture verse and devotional from joel.
00:25:55.877 --> 00:25:57.712
And devotional from joel. three:
00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.480
Three: capture the lord's
00:25:58.546 --> 00:25:59.547
Capture the lord's promises to you
00:25:59.614 --> 00:26:00.782
Promises to you on journaling lines
00:26:00.849 --> 00:26:02.017
On journaling lines for writing and reflection.
00:26:02.083 --> 00:26:04.252
For writing and reflection. 2026 is going to be
00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:05.954
2026 is going to be one of your best years ever.
00:26:06.021 --> 00:26:07.922
One of your best years ever. we're going to help you
00:26:07.989 --> 00:26:08.590
We're going to help you stay in faith
00:26:08.657 --> 00:26:09.491
So you can see
00:26:09.591 --> 00:26:10.225
The goodness of god
00:26:10.325 --> 00:26:11.593
The goodness of god in new ways.
00:26:11.660 --> 00:26:13.061
In new ways. victoria and i pray for
00:26:13.128 --> 00:26:14.129
Victoria and i pray for you and your family every day
00:26:14.195 --> 00:26:15.830
You and your family every day and we want to
00:26:15.897 --> 00:26:16.531
And we want to thank you for your prayer
00:26:16.598 --> 00:26:17.699
Thank you for your prayer and support.
00:26:17.766 --> 00:26:18.767
And support. your generosity is impacting
00:26:18.833 --> 00:26:20.635
Your generosity is impacting lives around the world.
00:26:20.702 --> 00:26:22.370
Lives around the world. a special
00:26:22.437 --> 00:26:22.871
A special thank you to our champion
00:26:22.937 --> 00:26:24.039
Thank you to our champion of hope partners
00:26:24.105 --> 00:26:24.939
Of hope partners for your monthly gifts.
00:26:25.006 --> 00:26:26.441
For your monthly gifts. if you're not a partner,
00:26:26.508 --> 00:26:27.308
If you're not a partner, i hope you'll consider
00:26:27.375 --> 00:26:28.176
I hope you'll consider becoming one.
00:26:28.243 --> 00:26:29.477
Becoming one. remember,
00:26:29.544 --> 00:26:29.978
Remember, you can watch the services
00:26:30.045 --> 00:26:31.246
You can watch the services online live
00:26:31.312 --> 00:26:32.580
Online live every sunday morning.
00:26:32.647 --> 00:26:34.115
Every sunday morning. download our daily podcast,
00:26:34.182 --> 00:26:36.051
Download our daily podcast, watch on youtube
00:26:36.117 --> 00:26:37.385
Watch on youtube or the new joel osteen network
00:26:37.485 --> 00:26:39.154
Or the new joel osteen network 24 hours a day.
00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:40.889
24 hours a day. of course,
00:26:40.955 --> 00:26:41.256
Of course, listen live on sirius
00:26:41.322 --> 00:26:42.390
Listen live on sirius xm as well.
00:26:42.457 --> 00:26:43.792
Xm as well. but until we meet again,
00:26:43.858 --> 00:26:45.293
But until we meet again, may the lord bless
00:26:45.360 --> 00:26:46.227
May the lord bless you and keep you.
00:26:46.294 --> 00:26:48.063
You and keep you. request your copy of the 2026
00:26:48.129 --> 00:26:50.498
Request your copy of the 2026 devotional calendar today
00:26:50.565 --> 00:26:52.300
Devotional calendar today with your gift of any amount.
00:26:52.367 --> 00:26:54.369
With your gift of any amount. also, no matter what season
00:26:54.436 --> 00:26:56.271
Also, no matter what season you're in,
00:26:56.337 --> 00:26:57.005
You're in, god wants to speak into each
00:26:57.072 --> 00:26:59.040
God wants to speak into each and every moment.
00:26:59.107 --> 00:27:00.408
And every moment. god's word for
00:27:00.475 --> 00:27:01.476
God's word for every season is a guided
00:27:01.543 --> 00:27:03.178
Every season is a guided journal series
00:27:03.244 --> 00:27:04.179
Journal series designed to help you slow down,
00:27:04.245 --> 00:27:06.247
Designed to help you slow down, write out
00:27:06.314 --> 00:27:06.815
Write out scripture, and reflect
00:27:06.881 --> 00:27:08.316
Scripture, and reflect on its truth,
00:27:08.383 --> 00:27:09.217
On its truth, one verse at a time.
00:27:09.284 --> 00:27:11.019
One verse at a time. as you engage with his word,
00:27:11.086 --> 00:27:12.921
As you engage with his word, you'll discover fresh strength,
00:27:12.987 --> 00:27:14.889
You'll discover fresh strength, deeper peace,
00:27:14.956 --> 00:27:15.924
Deeper peace, and timely encouragement
00:27:15.990 --> 00:27:17.459
And timely encouragement for every step of your journey.
00:27:17.525 --> 00:27:19.661
For every step of your journey. you can request these
00:27:19.728 --> 00:27:20.762
You can request these inspiring resources
00:27:20.829 --> 00:27:22.263
Inspiring resources by calling 888-567-joel
00:27:22.330 --> 00:27:25.567
By calling 888-567-joel or logging on to
00:27:25.633 --> 00:27:26.634
Or logging on to joelosteen.com today.
00:27:26.701 --> 00:27:28.937

Joel Osteen - Pruned For Promotion

January 27, 2026 | 27:29

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