Joel Osteen

Joel Osteen - Seeing From A Distance

June 25, 2026 | 27:29

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

#Encouragement #Faith #Destiny #Healing #Purpose #Discouragement #PromisesofGod #Anointing #Control #JoelOsteen

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Joel Osteen | Joel Osteen - Seeing From A Distance | June 25, 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. we'd love to have you be a
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We'd love to have you be a part of one of our services.
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Part of one 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 this pastor. he was
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About this pastor. he was raising funds for a new
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Raising funds for a new auditorium. he said to the
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Auditorium. he said to the congregation, “anyone who
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Congregation, “anyone who will give a thousand dollars
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Will give a thousand dollars can pick out the next three
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Can pick out the next three hymns.” a little old lady in
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Hymns.” a little old lady in the back raised her hand and
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The back raised her hand and said, “pastor, i'll do it.”
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Said, “pastor, i'll do it.” he was so excited, he said,
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He was so excited, he said, “thank you so much. now which
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“thank you so much. now which three hymns would you like?”
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Three hymns would you like?” she looked over the
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She looked over the congregation and said, “i'll
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Congregation and said, “i'll take him and him and him.”
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Take him and him and him.” (laughter)
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(laughter) alright y'all, say it like
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Alright y'all, say it like you mean it. this is my
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You mean it. this is my bible. i am what it says i
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Bible. i am what it says i am. i have what it says i
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Am. i have what it says i have. i can do what it says i
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Have. i can do what it says i can do. today, i will be
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Can do. today, i will be taught the word of god. i
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Taught the word of god. i boldly confess: my mind is
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Boldly confess: my mind is alert. my heart is receptive.
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Alert. my heart is receptive. i will never be the same in
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I will never be the same in jesus' name. god bless you.
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Jesus' name. god bless you. i want to talk to you today
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I want to talk to you today about seeing from a distance.
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About seeing from a distance. we all have promises in our
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We all have promises in our heart, dreams we're believing
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Heart, dreams we're believing for. but sometimes they seem
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For. but sometimes they seem so far off, so unlikely. we
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So far off, so unlikely. we don't see how we can get
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Don't see how we can get well, how we'll meet the
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Well, how we'll meet the right person. it doesn't look
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Right person. it doesn't look like our child will ever get
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Like our child will ever get back on course. it's such a
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Back on course. it's such a long way off that it's easy
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Long way off that it's easy to get discouraged and think
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To get discouraged and think that it's never going to
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That it's never going to happen. hebrews 11 talks
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Happen. hebrews 11 talks about the heroes of faith and
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About the heroes of faith and all the amazing things they
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All the amazing things they accomplished and how god
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Accomplished and how god showed up and did what only
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Showed up and did what only he could do. parted the red
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He could do. parted the red sea for moses, brought down
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Sea for moses, brought down the walls of jericho for
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The walls of jericho for joshua, closed the mouths of
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Joshua, closed the mouths of lions for daniel. they were
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Lions for daniel. they were all in situations that looked
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All in situations that looked impossible. no way out. verse
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Impossible. no way out. verse thirteen gives us a secret of
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Thirteen gives us a secret of how they saw the promises
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How they saw the promises come to pass. it says, “they
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Come to pass. it says, “they had not yet received what god
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Had not yet received what god promised, but they saw it
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Promised, but they saw it from a distance and welcomed
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From a distance and welcomed the promises of god.” when
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The promises of god.” when every circumstance said,
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Every circumstance said, “it's never going to happen.
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“it's never going to happen. it's been too long. the
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It's been too long. the opposition is too big.” they
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Opposition is too big.” they just kept seeing it in the
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Just kept seeing it in the distance. their attitude was,
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Distance. their attitude was, “it may be a long way off,
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“it may be a long way off, but i still believe what god
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But i still believe what god promised. i still believe
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Promised. i still believe what he started he will
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What he started he will finish. i still believe he
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Finish. i still believe he can make a way where i don't
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Can make a way where i don't see a way.”
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See a way.” your healing may look far
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Your healing may look far away. your freedom, your
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Away. your freedom, your abundance, meeting the right
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Abundance, meeting the right person, may look a long way
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Person, may look a long way off. what am i saying? don't
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Off. what am i saying? don't get discouraged by the
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Get discouraged by the distance. get up every
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Distance. get up every morning and wave at your
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Morning and wave at your healing, wave at your
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Healing, wave at your family's salvation, wave at
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Family's salvation, wave at your freedom, wave at that
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Your freedom, wave at that spouse you've been dreaming
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Spouse you've been dreaming about, wave at your
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About, wave at your abundance. you have to give
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Abundance. you have to give it permission to become a
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It permission to become a reality.
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Reality. but too often, we let the
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But too often, we let the distance cause us to quit
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Distance cause us to quit believing. “there's no way i
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Believing. “there's no way i can get well joel, you should
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Can get well joel, you should see the report. my family
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See the report. my family can't be restored. there's so
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Can't be restored. there's so much strife.” the distance is
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Much strife.” the distance is a test. how you respond when
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A test. how you respond when things are far away will
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Things are far away will determine whether or not you
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Determine whether or not you see them become a reality. it
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See them become a reality. it may be a long way off, but
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May be a long way off, but that doesn't mean it's not
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That doesn't mean it's not going to happen. promises
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Going to happen. promises start in the distance.
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Start in the distance. healing starts in the
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Healing starts in the distance. dreams start in the
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Distance. dreams start in the distance. the enemy would
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Distance. the enemy would love for you to let the
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Love for you to let the distance talk you out of what
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Distance talk you out of what god put in your spirit. he'll
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God put in your spirit. he'll whisper, “it's too far way.
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Whisper, “it's too far way. it's not possible. it would
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It's not possible. it would have happened by now.” don't
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Have happened by now.” don't believe those lies. god
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Believe those lies. god wouldn't have put that in
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Wouldn't have put that in your heart if he wasn't going
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Your heart if he wasn't going to bring it to pass. you have
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To bring it to pass. you have to keep seeing it in the
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To keep seeing it in the distance, calling it in by
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Distance, calling it in by faith, thanking god that it's
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Faith, thanking god that it's coming, expecting things to
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Coming, expecting things to change in your favor. just
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Change in your favor. just like i waved at my friends at
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Like i waved at my friends at the airport that were far
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The airport that were far away, wave at your healing,
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Away, wave at your healing, wave at your new business,
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Wave at your new business, wave at your dream. make it
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Wave at your dream. make it feel welcome. give it
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Feel welcome. give it permission to become a
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Permission to become a reality. that's when god will
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Reality. that's when god will step in and take what looks
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Step in and take what looks far away, what's unlikely,
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Far away, what's unlikely, what no one saw coming, and
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What no one saw coming, and make it a reality.
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Make it a reality. this is what abraham had to
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This is what abraham had to do. he didn't have any
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Do. he didn't have any children. no way to carry on
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Children. no way to carry on his legacy. he was very
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His legacy. he was very discouraged. he said, “god,
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Discouraged. he said, “god, you've blessed me in great
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You've blessed me in great ways, but i don't have a
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Ways, but i don't have a child. i'm going to have to
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Child. i'm going to have to leave my inheritance to my
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Leave my inheritance to my staff.” god said, “no
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Staff.” god said, “no abraham, i'm going to give
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Abraham, i'm going to give you a son. you will become
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You a son. you will become the father of many nations.”
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The father of many nations.” the problem was abraham and
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The problem was abraham and his wife sarah were way too
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His wife sarah were way too old. sarah was seventy. she
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Old. sarah was seventy. she had already gone through the
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Had already gone through the change of life. on top of
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Change of life. on top of that, she was barren. never
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That, she was barren. never able to have children. you
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Able to have children. you talk about the promise being
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Talk about the promise being in the distance, far away,
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In the distance, far away, this one was in another
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This one was in another universe. no woman had ever
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Universe. no woman had ever had a baby at that age. when
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Had a baby at that age. when sarah first heard it, she
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Sarah first heard it, she laughed. she said, “how can
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Laughed. she said, “how can an old woman like me and a
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An old woman like me and a worn-out man like abraham
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Worn-out man like abraham ever have a baby?” she told
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Ever have a baby?” she told it like it was. abraham
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It like it was. abraham was in his tent at night. god
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Was in his tent at night. god told him to go outside and
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Told him to go outside and look up at the stars. as many
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Look up at the stars. as many as he could see, that's how
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As he could see, that's how many children he was going to
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Many children he was going to have. god wanted him to have
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Have. god wanted him to have this picture but think about
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This picture but think about the stars. they're a long way
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The stars. they're a long way away off, millions of miles,
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Away off, millions of miles, far in the distance.
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Far in the distance. god could have had abraham go
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God could have had abraham go to the busy marketplace in
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To the busy marketplace in the city square, and see all
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The city square, and see all the people up close, right
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The people up close, right there, where you could touch
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There, where you could touch them. but on purpose, he gave
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Them. but on purpose, he gave him this image of a promise
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Him this image of a promise far away. when god puts
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Far away. when god puts things in your heart that
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Things in your heart that seem a long way off, that's
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Seem a long way off, that's when you have to show god
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When you have to show god what you're made of. you'll
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What you're made of. you'll either dismiss it, “it's
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Either dismiss it, “it's never going to happen.” or
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Never going to happen.” or you'll wave at it, “god, i
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You'll wave at it, “god, i thank you that it's on the
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Thank you that it's on the way. i believe what you
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Way. i believe what you promised.” you'll either push
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Promised.” you'll either push it away with doubt and
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It away with doubt and discouragement, or you'll
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Discouragement, or you'll welcome it with faith and
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Welcome it with faith and expectancy. sarah laughed in
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Expectancy. sarah laughed in unbelief. she just looked at
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Unbelief. she just looked at it in the natural, but
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It in the natural, but abraham knew god is
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Abraham knew god is supernatural. romans 4 says,
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Supernatural. romans 4 says, “even though this promise
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“even though this promise seemed utterly impossible,
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Seemed utterly impossible, abraham was fully convinced,
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Abraham was fully convinced, god was able to do what he
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God was able to do what he promised.” it goes on to say,
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Promised.” it goes on to say, “he did not waver in his
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“he did not waver in his faith, but grew stronger by
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Faith, but grew stronger by giving praise to god.” i can
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Giving praise to god.” i can imagine abraham at night
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Imagine abraham at night looking up at the stars and
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Looking up at the stars and waving at them, “father i
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Waving at them, “father i know you are faithful to what
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Know you are faithful to what you promised. i thank you
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You promised. i thank you that my son is on the way.”
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That my son is on the way.” he stayed strong in faith by
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He stayed strong in faith by continuing to thank god that
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Continuing to thank god that it was coming.
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It was coming. when the promise is in the
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When the promise is in the distance, far away, you're
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Distance, far away, you're going to have plenty of
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Going to have plenty of opportunities to get
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Opportunities to get discouraged, grow weary.
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Discouraged, grow weary. thoughts will tell you, “it's
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Thoughts will tell you, “it's not going to work out. you
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Not going to work out. you heard the reports. it's too
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Heard the reports. it's too late.” tune all that out and
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Late.” tune all that out and keep seeing it from a
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Keep seeing it from a distance. the distance
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Distance. the distance doesn't mean god is not going
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Doesn't mean god is not going to do it. most of his
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To do it. most of his promises start far away. if
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Promises start far away. if it was close, practical, you
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It was close, practical, you could figure it out, you have
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Could figure it out, you have everything you need, then it
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Everything you need, then it wouldn't take faith. god is
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Wouldn't take faith. god is going to put things in your
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Going to put things in your heart that seem unlikely,
00:07:55.431 --> 00:07:58.034
Heart that seem unlikely, never happened in your
00:07:58.100 --> 00:07:59.135
Never happened in your family, all your reasoning
00:07:59.201 --> 00:08:01.037
Family, all your reasoning says no way. that's when you
00:08:01.103 --> 00:08:03.005
Says no way. that's when you have to do like abraham,
00:08:03.072 --> 00:08:04.373
Have to do like abraham, against all hope, hope on in
00:08:04.440 --> 00:08:06.509
Against all hope, hope on in faith. keep waving at it.
00:08:06.576 --> 00:08:08.844
Faith. keep waving at it. keep thanking god that he's
00:08:08.911 --> 00:08:10.046
Keep thanking god that he's working. keep believing that
00:08:10.112 --> 00:08:11.881
Working. keep believing that it's coming.
00:08:11.948 --> 00:08:13.516
It's coming. abraham had this promise a
00:08:13.583 --> 00:08:14.884
Abraham had this promise a year, no baby; two years,
00:08:14.951 --> 00:08:18.120
Year, no baby; two years, nothing happened. five years,
00:08:18.187 --> 00:08:20.289
Nothing happened. five years, still nothing. it already
00:08:20.356 --> 00:08:22.525
Still nothing. it already seemed impossible, now with
00:08:22.592 --> 00:08:24.627
Seemed impossible, now with each year that goes by, it
00:08:24.694 --> 00:08:26.395
Each year that goes by, it becomes more unlikely. what
00:08:26.462 --> 00:08:28.965
Becomes more unlikely. what do you do when you're doing
00:08:29.031 --> 00:08:30.366
Do you do when you're doing the right thing, but
00:08:30.433 --> 00:08:31.601
The right thing, but nothing's improving. it's not
00:08:31.667 --> 00:08:33.603
Nothing's improving. it's not getting any closer. that
00:08:33.669 --> 00:08:35.838
Getting any closer. that doesn't mean god is not
00:08:35.905 --> 00:08:37.473
Doesn't mean god is not working. you have to keep
00:08:37.540 --> 00:08:39.008
Working. you have to keep seeing it by faith. keep
00:08:39.075 --> 00:08:41.210
Seeing it by faith. keep waving it in. keep talking
00:08:41.277 --> 00:08:43.479
Waving it in. keep talking like it's coming. keep
00:08:43.546 --> 00:08:44.947
Like it's coming. keep expecting things to change.
00:08:45.014 --> 00:08:47.083
Expecting things to change. not moved by how far off it
00:08:47.149 --> 00:08:48.751
Not moved by how far off it is, but fully persuaded that
00:08:48.818 --> 00:08:51.487
Is, but fully persuaded that god will do what he promised.
00:08:51.554 --> 00:08:53.656
God will do what he promised. twenty years later, sarah
00:08:53.723 --> 00:08:55.291
Twenty years later, sarah conceived and gave birth to a
00:08:55.358 --> 00:08:57.360
Conceived and gave birth to a son at ninety-one years old.
00:08:57.426 --> 00:09:00.096
Son at ninety-one years old. there may be things you're
00:09:00.162 --> 00:09:01.163
There may be things you're believing for that seem far
00:09:01.230 --> 00:09:02.932
Believing for that seem far off, no sign of it in the
00:09:02.999 --> 00:09:04.934
Off, no sign of it in the natural. thoughts telling
00:09:05.001 --> 00:09:06.802
Natural. thoughts telling you, “it's never going work
00:09:06.869 --> 00:09:07.937
You, “it's never going work out.” but like abraham, you
00:09:08.004 --> 00:09:10.406
Out.” but like abraham, you keep seeing it from a
00:09:10.473 --> 00:09:11.507
Keep seeing it from a distance, trusting that god
00:09:11.574 --> 00:09:13.676
Distance, trusting that god is working, welcoming that
00:09:13.743 --> 00:09:15.511
Is working, welcoming that promise. god is going to do
00:09:15.578 --> 00:09:17.680
Promise. god is going to do for you what he did for him.
00:09:17.747 --> 00:09:20.249
For you what he did for him. it may have been years but
00:09:20.316 --> 00:09:21.884
It may have been years but get ready, breakthroughs are
00:09:21.951 --> 00:09:23.486
Get ready, breakthroughs are coming. healing is coming.
00:09:23.552 --> 00:09:25.721
Coming. healing is coming. that baby is coming. your
00:09:25.788 --> 00:09:27.556
That baby is coming. your promotion is coming. suddenly
00:09:27.623 --> 00:09:29.892
Promotion is coming. suddenly things are going to change.
00:09:29.959 --> 00:09:31.427
Things are going to change. you can't explain it. it
00:09:31.494 --> 00:09:33.195
You can't explain it. it seemed like it was far away.
00:09:33.262 --> 00:09:34.764
Seemed like it was far away. but here's a key, god knows
00:09:34.830 --> 00:09:37.099
But here's a key, god knows how to accelerate things. he
00:09:37.166 --> 00:09:39.168
How to accelerate things. he can speed up what should take
00:09:39.235 --> 00:09:40.870
Can speed up what should take years. one touch of his favor
00:09:40.936 --> 00:09:43.639
Years. one touch of his favor and what you see in the
00:09:43.706 --> 00:09:45.074
And what you see in the distance, will suddenly
00:09:45.141 --> 00:09:46.842
Distance, will suddenly become a reality. if abraham
00:09:46.909 --> 00:09:49.612
Become a reality. if abraham were here today, he would
00:09:49.679 --> 00:09:50.846
Were here today, he would tell you, don't get
00:09:50.913 --> 00:09:52.281
Tell you, don't get discouraged by the distance.
00:09:52.348 --> 00:09:54.283
Discouraged by the distance. don't quit believing because
00:09:54.350 --> 00:09:55.551
Don't quit believing because it seems far away. you are
00:09:55.618 --> 00:09:57.486
It seems far away. you are closer than you think. you
00:09:57.553 --> 00:09:59.588
Closer than you think. you are on the verge of seeing
00:09:59.655 --> 00:10:00.923
Are on the verge of seeing god do something that you've
00:10:00.990 --> 00:10:02.391
God do something that you've never seen.
00:10:02.458 --> 00:10:04.093
Never seen. when i was growing up, there
00:10:04.160 --> 00:10:05.361
When i was growing up, there were five of us kids in the
00:10:05.428 --> 00:10:06.696
Were five of us kids in the house. we lived on an acre
00:10:06.762 --> 00:10:08.731
House. we lived on an acre lot out in the country. we
00:10:08.798 --> 00:10:10.666
Lot out in the country. we had two dogs. at one time, we
00:10:10.733 --> 00:10:13.002
Had two dogs. at one time, we had some chickens and
00:10:13.069 --> 00:10:14.203
Had some chickens and roosters in a pen in our
00:10:14.270 --> 00:10:15.971
Roosters in a pen in our backyard. they were always
00:10:16.038 --> 00:10:17.973
Backyard. they were always getting out. we'd have to go
00:10:18.040 --> 00:10:19.842
Getting out. we'd have to go to the neighbors and round up
00:10:19.909 --> 00:10:21.477
To the neighbors and round up our runaway chickens. our dog
00:10:21.544 --> 00:10:23.846
Our runaway chickens. our dog scooter, a big german
00:10:23.913 --> 00:10:25.614
Scooter, a big german shepherd, he was constantly
00:10:25.681 --> 00:10:27.817
Shepherd, he was constantly in other people's business.
00:10:27.883 --> 00:10:29.485
In other people's business. neighbors would call, “please
00:10:29.552 --> 00:10:30.720
Neighbors would call, “please come get your dog.” bottom
00:10:30.786 --> 00:10:32.188
Come get your dog.” bottom line, my father was tired of
00:10:32.254 --> 00:10:34.857
Line, my father was tired of dealing with all the
00:10:34.924 --> 00:10:35.524
Dealing with all the headaches that come with a
00:10:35.591 --> 00:10:37.326
Headaches that come with a bunch of animals. but when i
00:10:37.393 --> 00:10:39.128
Bunch of animals. but when i was seven years old, my
00:10:39.195 --> 00:10:40.763
Was seven years old, my sister tamara, she's eighteen
00:10:40.830 --> 00:10:42.965
Sister tamara, she's eighteen months older than i am, she
00:10:43.032 --> 00:10:44.800
Months older than i am, she decided she wanted some
00:10:44.867 --> 00:10:46.402
Decided she wanted some rabbits. she asked my father.
00:10:46.469 --> 00:10:48.838
Rabbits. she asked my father. daddy didn't have to think
00:10:48.904 --> 00:10:50.773
Daddy didn't have to think twice. he said, “not a chance
00:10:50.840 --> 00:10:52.475
Twice. he said, “not a chance in the world, tamara. we are
00:10:52.541 --> 00:10:54.276
In the world, tamara. we are not getting any rabbits.”
00:10:54.343 --> 00:10:56.045
Not getting any rabbits.” that went in one ear and out
00:10:56.112 --> 00:10:57.680
That went in one ear and out the other. it didn't phase
00:10:57.747 --> 00:10:59.882
The other. it didn't phase tamara. she was stubborn, i
00:10:59.949 --> 00:11:01.517
Tamara. she was stubborn, i mean she was determined. a
00:11:01.584 --> 00:11:03.152
Mean she was determined. a few hours later, “daddy, can
00:11:03.219 --> 00:11:05.087
Few hours later, “daddy, can we please get some rabbits.
00:11:05.154 --> 00:11:07.123
We please get some rabbits. i'll take care of them. you
00:11:07.189 --> 00:11:08.524
I'll take care of them. you won't have to do anything.”
00:11:08.591 --> 00:11:10.326
Won't have to do anything.” she kept asking and asking,
00:11:10.392 --> 00:11:12.428
She kept asking and asking, week after week, month after
00:11:12.495 --> 00:11:13.763
Week after week, month after month. she finally wore my
00:11:13.829 --> 00:11:15.531
Month. she finally wore my father down.
00:11:15.598 --> 00:11:16.932
Father down. he said “tamara, even if we
00:11:16.999 --> 00:11:18.367
He said “tamara, even if we wanted to get rabbits, we
00:11:18.434 --> 00:11:20.169
Wanted to get rabbits, we don't know where to buy
00:11:20.236 --> 00:11:21.003
Don't know where to buy them.” tamara said, “yes i
00:11:21.070 --> 00:11:22.938
Them.” tamara said, “yes i do, daddy. i know exactly
00:11:23.005 --> 00:11:24.473
Do, daddy. i know exactly where to get them.” he said,
00:11:24.540 --> 00:11:25.975
Where to get them.” he said, “where?” she said, “let's get
00:11:26.041 --> 00:11:27.576
“where?” she said, “let's get in the car and i'll show
00:11:27.643 --> 00:11:28.811
In the car and i'll show you.” we all got in. she
00:11:28.878 --> 00:11:31.280
You.” we all got in. she asked my father to drive
00:11:31.347 --> 00:11:32.648
Asked my father to drive toward the church. we lived
00:11:32.715 --> 00:11:34.216
Toward the church. we lived in humble, we got on highway
00:11:34.283 --> 00:11:35.417
In humble, we got on highway 59 and started driving. about
00:11:35.484 --> 00:11:38.120
59 and started driving. about ten minutes in, she said,
00:11:38.187 --> 00:11:39.488
Ten minutes in, she said, “slow down, slow down.” then
00:11:39.555 --> 00:11:41.690
“slow down, slow down.” then she pointed over to the right
00:11:41.757 --> 00:11:43.359
She pointed over to the right and said, “there it is.”
00:11:43.425 --> 00:11:45.127
And said, “there it is.” about a quarter of a mile off
00:11:45.194 --> 00:11:46.829
About a quarter of a mile off the freeway, past the feeder,
00:11:46.896 --> 00:11:49.431
The freeway, past the feeder, past the shopping center,
00:11:49.498 --> 00:11:51.267
Past the shopping center, down a side street of this
00:11:51.333 --> 00:11:53.002
Down a side street of this neighborhood, one of the
00:11:53.068 --> 00:11:54.737
Neighborhood, one of the houses had a little sign on
00:11:54.804 --> 00:11:57.039
Houses had a little sign on the fence out front, about
00:11:57.106 --> 00:11:59.041
The fence out front, about two feet wide, with
00:11:59.108 --> 00:12:00.609
Two feet wide, with handwritten letters, that
00:12:00.676 --> 00:12:01.844
Handwritten letters, that said, rabbits for sale. to
00:12:01.911 --> 00:12:04.680
Said, rabbits for sale. to see that sign from the
00:12:04.747 --> 00:12:05.948
See that sign from the freeway, you would have to
00:12:06.015 --> 00:12:07.449
Freeway, you would have to have supernatural vision. how
00:12:07.516 --> 00:12:10.085
Have supernatural vision. how she saw that driving sixty
00:12:10.152 --> 00:12:12.721
She saw that driving sixty miles an hour down the
00:12:12.788 --> 00:12:14.323
Miles an hour down the highway had to be a miracle.
00:12:14.390 --> 00:12:17.293
Highway had to be a miracle. but faith sees what other
00:12:17.359 --> 00:12:19.195
But faith sees what other people can't see. we had
00:12:19.261 --> 00:12:21.630
People can't see. we had driven down that freeway
00:12:21.697 --> 00:12:23.632
Driven down that freeway hundreds of times, maybe
00:12:23.699 --> 00:12:26.235
Hundreds of times, maybe thousands of times coming to
00:12:26.302 --> 00:12:27.803
Thousands of times coming to church, but none of us saw
00:12:27.870 --> 00:12:30.139
Church, but none of us saw anything about rabbits. but
00:12:30.206 --> 00:12:32.107
Anything about rabbits. but tamara knew how to see from a
00:12:32.174 --> 00:12:33.776
Tamara knew how to see from a distance.
00:12:33.843 --> 00:12:35.177
Distance. my father said, “okay tamara,
00:12:35.244 --> 00:12:36.512
My father said, “okay tamara, but even if we did get some
00:12:36.579 --> 00:12:38.280
But even if we did get some rabbits, we don't have any
00:12:38.347 --> 00:12:39.915
Rabbits, we don't have any place to put them.” she said,
00:12:39.982 --> 00:12:41.817
Place to put them.” she said, “yes, we do, daddy. i already
00:12:41.884 --> 00:12:43.319
“yes, we do, daddy. i already had paul make them a cage and
00:12:43.385 --> 00:12:45.888
Had paul make them a cage and it's perfect.” faith not only
00:12:45.955 --> 00:12:48.324
It's perfect.” faith not only sees from a distance, but it
00:12:48.390 --> 00:12:50.259
Sees from a distance, but it makes plans for what god
00:12:50.326 --> 00:12:51.760
Makes plans for what god promised. don't just see it,
00:12:51.827 --> 00:12:55.397
Promised. don't just see it, take it a step further and
00:12:55.464 --> 00:12:57.366
Take it a step further and start building your cage.
00:12:57.433 --> 00:12:59.635
Start building your cage. start making plans to get
00:12:59.702 --> 00:13:01.203
Start making plans to get well, plans to get out of
00:13:01.270 --> 00:13:03.172
Well, plans to get out of debt, plans to meet the right
00:13:03.239 --> 00:13:04.840
Debt, plans to meet the right person. not, “if it ever
00:13:04.907 --> 00:13:06.809
Person. not, “if it ever happens, but when i start my
00:13:06.876 --> 00:13:08.577
Happens, but when i start my new business. when i meet my
00:13:08.644 --> 00:13:10.246
New business. when i meet my spouse. when i'm able to run
00:13:10.312 --> 00:13:12.281
Spouse. when i'm able to run again. when my child comes
00:13:12.348 --> 00:13:13.916
Again. when my child comes back home.” that's what
00:13:13.983 --> 00:13:15.451
Back home.” that's what allows the most high god to
00:13:15.517 --> 00:13:17.353
Allows the most high god to go to work. seeing what
00:13:17.419 --> 00:13:19.288
Go to work. seeing what others can't see, declaring
00:13:19.355 --> 00:13:21.190
Others can't see, declaring it, believing it will happen,
00:13:21.257 --> 00:13:23.125
It, believing it will happen, making plans for what god put
00:13:23.192 --> 00:13:25.094
Making plans for what god put in your heart. we had those
00:13:25.160 --> 00:13:27.162
In your heart. we had those rabbits about three days
00:13:27.229 --> 00:13:29.098
Rabbits about three days before they escaped from
00:13:29.164 --> 00:13:30.432
Before they escaped from paul's amazing cage. he's a
00:13:30.499 --> 00:13:33.369
Paul's amazing cage. he's a surgeon not a builder.
00:13:33.435 --> 00:13:34.570
Surgeon not a builder. in 1 kings 18, the people of
00:13:34.637 --> 00:13:37.840
In 1 kings 18, the people of samaria had been in a drought
00:13:37.907 --> 00:13:39.642
Samaria had been in a drought for three and a half years.
00:13:39.708 --> 00:13:41.110
For three and a half years. they were barely surviving.
00:13:41.176 --> 00:13:43.779
They were barely surviving. god gave a promise to elijah
00:13:43.846 --> 00:13:46.682
God gave a promise to elijah that there was going be an
00:13:46.749 --> 00:13:47.483
That there was going be an abundance of rain. he was so
00:13:47.549 --> 00:13:49.752
Abundance of rain. he was so confident that he told king
00:13:49.818 --> 00:13:51.854
Confident that he told king ahab, the man that ruled that
00:13:51.921 --> 00:13:54.523
Ahab, the man that ruled that area that the drought was
00:13:54.590 --> 00:13:56.125
Area that the drought was coming to an end. he didn't
00:13:56.191 --> 00:13:58.093
Coming to an end. he didn't just hear the promise, but he
00:13:58.160 --> 00:13:59.728
Just hear the promise, but he declared what god said. he
00:13:59.795 --> 00:14:02.031
Declared what god said. he talked like it was going to
00:14:02.097 --> 00:14:03.165
Talked like it was going to happen. i'm sure ahab
00:14:03.232 --> 00:14:05.601
Happen. i'm sure ahab thought, “elijah, there's not
00:14:05.668 --> 00:14:07.136
Thought, “elijah, there's not a cloud in the sky. there's
00:14:07.202 --> 00:14:08.804
A cloud in the sky. there's no sign of rain. that doesn't
00:14:08.871 --> 00:14:10.572
No sign of rain. that doesn't make sense.” but faith sees
00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:13.108
Make sense.” but faith sees what other people cannot see.
00:14:13.175 --> 00:14:15.611
What other people cannot see. elijah went on top of mount
00:14:15.678 --> 00:14:17.246
Elijah went on top of mount carmel and began to thank god
00:14:17.313 --> 00:14:19.515
Carmel and began to thank god that the rain was coming.
00:14:19.581 --> 00:14:21.450
That the rain was coming. thanking him for something
00:14:21.517 --> 00:14:22.885
Thanking him for something that seemed far away. he
00:14:22.952 --> 00:14:24.987
That seemed far away. he asked his assistant to go to
00:14:25.054 --> 00:14:26.855
Asked his assistant to go to the other side of the
00:14:26.922 --> 00:14:27.923
The other side of the mountain to see if there was
00:14:27.990 --> 00:14:28.958
Mountain to see if there was any sign of rain. he was
00:14:29.024 --> 00:14:30.793
Any sign of rain. he was hoping to get a little
00:14:30.859 --> 00:14:31.694
Hoping to get a little encouragement. “god, i'm
00:14:31.760 --> 00:14:33.362
Encouragement. “god, i'm seeing it by faith, but at
00:14:33.429 --> 00:14:35.197
Seeing it by faith, but at least let me see a few
00:14:35.264 --> 00:14:36.365
Least let me see a few clouds. let me see a little
00:14:36.432 --> 00:14:38.000
Clouds. let me see a little change.” the assistant came
00:14:38.067 --> 00:14:40.202
Change.” the assistant came back and said, “elijah,
00:14:40.269 --> 00:14:41.203
Back and said, “elijah, nothing. it's perfectly
00:14:41.270 --> 00:14:42.972
Nothing. it's perfectly clear. it's not going to
00:14:43.038 --> 00:14:44.306
Clear. it's not going to rain.” the assistant didn't
00:14:44.373 --> 00:14:46.508
Rain.” the assistant didn't mean anything wrong; he was
00:14:46.575 --> 00:14:48.210
Mean anything wrong; he was just reporting the facts. but
00:14:48.277 --> 00:14:50.446
Just reporting the facts. but to stay in faith, you have to
00:14:50.512 --> 00:14:52.548
To stay in faith, you have to ignore the negative reports.
00:14:52.614 --> 00:14:55.117
Ignore the negative reports. everyone can't see what you
00:14:55.184 --> 00:14:56.685
Everyone can't see what you see. they didn't hear what
00:14:56.752 --> 00:14:58.654
See. they didn't hear what you heard. it's too far in
00:14:58.721 --> 00:15:00.556
You heard. it's too far in the distance for them to see
00:15:00.622 --> 00:15:02.124
The distance for them to see it. they'll tell you, “it's
00:15:02.191 --> 00:15:03.459
It. they'll tell you, “it's not going to rain. you're
00:15:03.525 --> 00:15:05.127
Not going to rain. you're never going to get well,
00:15:05.194 --> 00:15:06.729
Never going to get well, never break that addiction.”
00:15:06.795 --> 00:15:08.564
Never break that addiction.” let it go in one ear and out
00:15:08.630 --> 00:15:10.366
Let it go in one ear and out the other. they don't
00:15:10.432 --> 00:15:11.667
The other. they don't determine your destiny, god
00:15:11.734 --> 00:15:13.535
Determine your destiny, god does.
00:15:13.602 --> 00:15:14.970
Does. elijah asked the assistant to
00:15:15.037 --> 00:15:17.206
Elijah asked the assistant to go look again. he came back
00:15:17.272 --> 00:15:19.441
Go look again. he came back and said the same thing,
00:15:19.508 --> 00:15:20.876
And said the same thing, “nothing. no wind, no clouds.
00:15:20.943 --> 00:15:23.245
“nothing. no wind, no clouds. not any different.” this
00:15:23.312 --> 00:15:24.913
Not any different.” this happened six times. the same
00:15:24.980 --> 00:15:27.349
Happened six times. the same negative report. sometimes
00:15:27.416 --> 00:15:29.918
Negative report. sometimes when you're looking for what
00:15:29.985 --> 00:15:31.120
When you're looking for what god promised, it's so far in
00:15:31.186 --> 00:15:33.255
God promised, it's so far in the distance, you can't see
00:15:33.322 --> 00:15:35.157
The distance, you can't see anything with your natural
00:15:35.224 --> 00:15:36.458
Anything with your natural eyes. it's not visible yet.
00:15:36.525 --> 00:15:39.161
Eyes. it's not visible yet. this is when you have to use
00:15:39.228 --> 00:15:40.396
This is when you have to use your eyes of faith. “i don't
00:15:40.462 --> 00:15:42.698
Your eyes of faith. “i don't feel any better yet, but by
00:15:42.765 --> 00:15:44.600
Feel any better yet, but by faith i see my healing. no
00:15:44.666 --> 00:15:47.002
Faith i see my healing. no doors have opened yet, but by
00:15:47.069 --> 00:15:48.604
Doors have opened yet, but by faith, i see my dream coming
00:15:48.670 --> 00:15:50.339
Faith, i see my dream coming to pass. my child is still
00:15:50.406 --> 00:15:52.441
To pass. my child is still off course, but by faith i
00:15:52.508 --> 00:15:54.410
Off course, but by faith i see him fulfilling his
00:15:54.476 --> 00:15:55.978
See him fulfilling his purpose.”
00:15:56.045 --> 00:15:57.279
Purpose.” the seventh time the
00:15:57.346 --> 00:15:58.414
The seventh time the assistant came back, he said,
00:15:58.480 --> 00:16:00.249
Assistant came back, he said, “this time i saw a small
00:16:00.315 --> 00:16:02.518
“this time i saw a small cloud about the size of a
00:16:02.584 --> 00:16:04.853
Cloud about the size of a man's hand in the sky.” it's
00:16:04.920 --> 00:16:07.656
Man's hand in the sky.” it's significant that god could
00:16:07.723 --> 00:16:09.525
Significant that god could have had a big bank of clouds
00:16:09.591 --> 00:16:11.393
Have had a big bank of clouds roll in, all the sky get
00:16:11.460 --> 00:16:13.629
Roll in, all the sky get dark, where it was obvious it
00:16:13.695 --> 00:16:15.531
Dark, where it was obvious it was going to rain. but notice
00:16:15.597 --> 00:16:17.866
Was going to rain. but notice how this came about in
00:16:17.933 --> 00:16:19.201
How this came about in stages, nothing for six
00:16:19.268 --> 00:16:21.236
Stages, nothing for six times, now just a little
00:16:21.303 --> 00:16:23.172
Times, now just a little cloud. elijah could have
00:16:23.238 --> 00:16:24.907
Cloud. elijah could have gotten discouraged. “god i
00:16:24.973 --> 00:16:26.708
Gotten discouraged. “god i must have heard you wrong.
00:16:26.775 --> 00:16:28.043
Must have heard you wrong. maybe it's not going to
00:16:28.110 --> 00:16:28.844
Maybe it's not going to rain.” no when he saw that
00:16:28.911 --> 00:16:31.013
Rain.” no when he saw that small cloud, he came off the
00:16:31.080 --> 00:16:33.082
Small cloud, he came off the mountain, told king ahab to
00:16:33.148 --> 00:16:35.350
Mountain, told king ahab to get in his chariot and hurry
00:16:35.417 --> 00:16:37.086
Get in his chariot and hurry to another city or he would
00:16:37.152 --> 00:16:38.987
To another city or he would be stopped by the rain. he
00:16:39.054 --> 00:16:41.123
Be stopped by the rain. he didn't just see it, but he
00:16:41.190 --> 00:16:42.391
Didn't just see it, but he made plans like it was going
00:16:42.458 --> 00:16:44.159
Made plans like it was going to happen. it wasn't long
00:16:44.226 --> 00:16:46.228
To happen. it wasn't long till the heavens opened and
00:16:46.295 --> 00:16:47.963
Till the heavens opened and the drought came to an end.
00:16:48.030 --> 00:16:50.399
The drought came to an end. there may be promises god has
00:16:50.466 --> 00:16:52.034
There may be promises god has spoken to you, but they too
00:16:52.101 --> 00:16:54.069
Spoken to you, but they too seem so far off. it's
00:16:54.136 --> 00:16:56.205
Seem so far off. it's tempting to quit believing.
00:16:56.271 --> 00:16:58.173
Tempting to quit believing. like elijah, you have to keep
00:16:58.240 --> 00:17:00.109
Like elijah, you have to keep seeing it in the distance,
00:17:00.175 --> 00:17:02.111
Seeing it in the distance, waving at what god promised,
00:17:02.177 --> 00:17:04.246
Waving at what god promised, expecting things to change in
00:17:04.313 --> 00:17:06.081
Expecting things to change in your favor. when you welcome
00:17:06.148 --> 00:17:08.283
Your favor. when you welcome it, you give it permission to
00:17:08.350 --> 00:17:10.152
It, you give it permission to come. if elijah would have
00:17:10.219 --> 00:17:12.588
Come. if elijah would have doubted, talked defeat, let
00:17:12.654 --> 00:17:15.324
Doubted, talked defeat, let that assistant convince him
00:17:15.390 --> 00:17:16.658
That assistant convince him that it wasn't going to
00:17:16.725 --> 00:17:17.359
That it wasn't going to happen, we wouldn't be
00:17:17.426 --> 00:17:18.794
Happen, we wouldn't be talking about him. there are
00:17:18.861 --> 00:17:20.762
Talking about him. there are levels of your destiny you
00:17:20.829 --> 00:17:22.798
Levels of your destiny you cannot reach without seeing
00:17:22.865 --> 00:17:24.967
Cannot reach without seeing in the distance. believing
00:17:25.033 --> 00:17:27.002
In the distance. believing when it's far away. it
00:17:27.069 --> 00:17:28.370
When it's far away. it doesn't seem possible. this
00:17:28.437 --> 00:17:30.205
Doesn't seem possible. this is what separates ordinary
00:17:30.272 --> 00:17:31.840
Is what separates ordinary people from heroes of faith.
00:17:31.907 --> 00:17:34.910
People from heroes of faith. where god is taking you is
00:17:34.977 --> 00:17:37.045
Where god is taking you is much bigger than you've
00:17:37.112 --> 00:17:38.147
Much bigger than you've imagined, with more
00:17:38.213 --> 00:17:39.748
Imagined, with more influence, more resources,
00:17:39.815 --> 00:17:41.884
Influence, more resources, more anointing. but for that
00:17:41.950 --> 00:17:44.253
More anointing. but for that to happen, there will be
00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.954
To happen, there will be things that seem over your
00:17:46.021 --> 00:17:47.656
Things that seem over your head, out of your control,
00:17:47.723 --> 00:17:50.192
Head, out of your control, not possible. “you can't have
00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:52.528
Not possible. “you can't have baby abraham, you're too old.
00:17:52.594 --> 00:17:55.297
Baby abraham, you're too old. it's not going to rain
00:17:55.364 --> 00:17:56.165
It's not going to rain elijah, you're in a drought.
00:17:56.231 --> 00:17:58.767
Elijah, you're in a drought. you can't take the throne
00:17:58.834 --> 00:18:00.002
You can't take the throne david, king saul is chasing
00:18:00.068 --> 00:18:01.670
David, king saul is chasing you.” when it seems far away,
00:18:01.737 --> 00:18:04.373
You.” when it seems far away, that's okay. just keep seeing
00:18:04.439 --> 00:18:06.408
That's okay. just keep seeing it by faith. believing when
00:18:06.475 --> 00:18:08.644
It by faith. believing when every circumstance says
00:18:08.710 --> 00:18:10.012
Every circumstance says there's no way. like with
00:18:10.078 --> 00:18:12.080
There's no way. like with elijah, that little cloud way
00:18:12.147 --> 00:18:14.449
Elijah, that little cloud way off in the distance, will
00:18:14.516 --> 00:18:15.884
Off in the distance, will suddenly turn into a
00:18:15.951 --> 00:18:17.019
Suddenly turn into a downpour, an abundance of
00:18:17.085 --> 00:18:19.121
Downpour, an abundance of rain. you will see what god
00:18:19.188 --> 00:18:21.323
Rain. you will see what god promised.
00:18:21.390 --> 00:18:22.858
Promised. my nephew matt is my brother
00:18:22.925 --> 00:18:24.526
My nephew matt is my brother paul's son. when he was
00:18:24.593 --> 00:18:26.361
Paul's son. when he was twelve years old, matt
00:18:26.428 --> 00:18:28.330
Twelve years old, matt started struggling with
00:18:28.397 --> 00:18:29.398
Started struggling with depression. he lost interest
00:18:29.464 --> 00:18:31.600
Depression. he lost interest in school, wouldn't engage
00:18:31.667 --> 00:18:33.602
In school, wouldn't engage socially with other students,
00:18:33.669 --> 00:18:35.237
Socially with other students, or hardly even his own
00:18:35.304 --> 00:18:36.872
Or hardly even his own family. the depression became
00:18:36.939 --> 00:18:39.074
Family. the depression became so bad that he had to drop
00:18:39.141 --> 00:18:40.642
So bad that he had to drop out of school. this was
00:18:40.709 --> 00:18:42.578
Out of school. this was breaking paul's heart. paul
00:18:42.644 --> 00:18:44.446
Breaking paul's heart. paul prayed, believed, quoted
00:18:44.513 --> 00:18:46.515
Prayed, believed, quoted scriptures, but nothing
00:18:46.582 --> 00:18:47.916
Scriptures, but nothing improved. year after year
00:18:47.983 --> 00:18:50.018
Improved. year after year went by, no sign of change.
00:18:50.085 --> 00:18:53.188
Went by, no sign of change. paul could have given up,
00:18:53.255 --> 00:18:54.356
Paul could have given up, thought, “maybe, it's not
00:18:54.423 --> 00:18:55.490
Thought, “maybe, it's not meant to be,” but he did what
00:18:55.557 --> 00:18:57.192
Meant to be,” but he did what i'm asking us to do. he kept
00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:59.361
I'm asking us to do. he kept seeing it from a distance. it
00:18:59.428 --> 00:19:01.997
Seeing it from a distance. it looked far away for matt to
00:19:02.064 --> 00:19:03.565
Looked far away for matt to fulfill his destiny. that
00:19:03.632 --> 00:19:05.667
Fulfill his destiny. that promise that “as for me and
00:19:05.734 --> 00:19:07.336
Promise that “as for me and my house, we will serve the
00:19:07.402 --> 00:19:08.971
My house, we will serve the lord”, didn't seem possible
00:19:09.037 --> 00:19:11.273
Lord”, didn't seem possible at that point. paul heard
00:19:11.340 --> 00:19:13.208
At that point. paul heard abundance in effect, but
00:19:13.275 --> 00:19:15.377
Abundance in effect, but there wasn't a cloud in the
00:19:15.444 --> 00:19:16.311
There wasn't a cloud in the sky. like elijah, paul kept
00:19:16.378 --> 00:19:19.147
Sky. like elijah, paul kept looking, “god, i don't see a
00:19:19.214 --> 00:19:21.083
Looking, “god, i don't see a sign, but i know you're
00:19:21.149 --> 00:19:22.484
Sign, but i know you're working, doing things behind
00:19:22.551 --> 00:19:24.653
Working, doing things behind the scenes.” he didn't have
00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:26.521
The scenes.” he didn't have to have it right in front of
00:19:26.588 --> 00:19:27.923
To have it right in front of him to believe, he believed
00:19:27.990 --> 00:19:29.524
Him to believe, he believed from a distance, when there
00:19:29.591 --> 00:19:31.059
From a distance, when there were no clouds, no sign,
00:19:31.126 --> 00:19:33.362
Were no clouds, no sign, nothing improving.
00:19:33.428 --> 00:19:35.297
Nothing improving. when jesus rose from the
00:19:35.364 --> 00:19:36.531
When jesus rose from the grave, he appeared to his
00:19:36.598 --> 00:19:38.200
Grave, he appeared to his disciples; thomas wasn't
00:19:38.267 --> 00:19:40.369
Disciples; thomas wasn't there that day. thomas said,
00:19:40.435 --> 00:19:42.337
There that day. thomas said, “i'm not going to believe
00:19:42.404 --> 00:19:43.438
“i'm not going to believe unless i see jesus up close.
00:19:43.505 --> 00:19:45.841
Unless i see jesus up close. unless i feel the nail prints
00:19:45.907 --> 00:19:47.409
Unless i feel the nail prints in his hands and see the
00:19:47.476 --> 00:19:48.777
In his hands and see the scars on his side.” jesus
00:19:48.844 --> 00:19:51.313
Scars on his side.” jesus appeared to him later and
00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:53.015
Appeared to him later and said, “thomas, you have
00:19:53.081 --> 00:19:53.949
Said, “thomas, you have believed because you have
00:19:54.016 --> 00:19:55.617
Believed because you have seen, but blessed are those
00:19:55.684 --> 00:19:57.686
Seen, but blessed are those who will believe and have not
00:19:57.753 --> 00:19:59.454
Who will believe and have not seen.” don't be a thomas. “i
00:19:59.521 --> 00:20:02.891
Seen.” don't be a thomas. “i have to see it up close,
00:20:02.958 --> 00:20:03.992
Have to see it up close, joel. when it's right here,
00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:05.494
Joel. when it's right here, then i'll believe.” no be an
00:20:05.560 --> 00:20:07.229
Then i'll believe.” no be an elijah, be a paul, see it
00:20:07.296 --> 00:20:09.765
Elijah, be a paul, see it from a distance. believe when
00:20:09.831 --> 00:20:11.800
From a distance. believe when it's far away, when there's
00:20:11.867 --> 00:20:13.435
It's far away, when there's no sign, it looks unlikely.
00:20:13.502 --> 00:20:16.138
No sign, it looks unlikely. that's what it takes to
00:20:16.204 --> 00:20:17.539
That's what it takes to become a hero of faith.
00:20:17.606 --> 00:20:19.441
Become a hero of faith. that's when you'll see god
00:20:19.508 --> 00:20:20.609
That's when you'll see god show out in your life and do
00:20:20.676 --> 00:20:22.311
Show out in your life and do more than you can imagine.
00:20:22.377 --> 00:20:24.446
More than you can imagine. matt spent years struggling
00:20:24.513 --> 00:20:26.048
Matt spent years struggling with that depression. but
00:20:26.114 --> 00:20:27.482
With that depression. but when you have people praying
00:20:27.549 --> 00:20:28.884
When you have people praying for you, declaring freedom,
00:20:28.950 --> 00:20:31.086
For you, declaring freedom, speaking victory, forces of
00:20:31.153 --> 00:20:33.655
Speaking victory, forces of darkness cannot stay. there
00:20:33.722 --> 00:20:35.757
Darkness cannot stay. there will come a point where god
00:20:35.824 --> 00:20:37.192
Will come a point where god says, “enough is enough. your
00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:39.361
Says, “enough is enough. your time in this famine is over.”
00:20:39.428 --> 00:20:41.763
Time in this famine is over.” that's what happened with
00:20:41.830 --> 00:20:42.597
That's what happened with matt. it was like those
00:20:42.664 --> 00:20:43.999
Matt. it was like those chains of depression were
00:20:44.066 --> 00:20:45.534
Chains of depression were broken suddenly off of him.
00:20:45.600 --> 00:20:47.202
Broken suddenly off of him. he got his passion back, got
00:20:47.269 --> 00:20:49.571
He got his passion back, got his joy back. he went and
00:20:49.638 --> 00:20:51.506
His joy back. he went and finished high school. went on
00:20:51.573 --> 00:20:53.475
Finished high school. went on to college. got his
00:20:53.542 --> 00:20:54.609
To college. got his bachelor's degree. went on to
00:20:54.676 --> 00:20:56.511
Bachelor's degree. went on to law school. got his law
00:20:56.578 --> 00:20:58.080
Law school. got his law degree. (applause) now-matt,
00:20:58.146 --> 00:21:00.682
Degree. (applause) now-matt, right here on the front row.
00:21:00.749 --> 00:21:01.817
Right here on the front row. now, he's an attorney with
00:21:01.883 --> 00:21:04.686
Now, he's an attorney with us, working here at lakewood.
00:21:04.753 --> 00:21:06.288
Us, working here at lakewood. he runs our humanitarian
00:21:06.355 --> 00:21:07.923
He runs our humanitarian outreaches, helping people
00:21:07.989 --> 00:21:09.358
Outreaches, helping people all over the world. what paul
00:21:09.424 --> 00:21:11.827
All over the world. what paul used to see from a distance,
00:21:11.893 --> 00:21:14.296
Used to see from a distance, his son blessed, mighty in
00:21:14.363 --> 00:21:16.231
His son blessed, mighty in the land, fulfilling his
00:21:16.298 --> 00:21:17.399
The land, fulfilling his purpose, has now become a
00:21:17.466 --> 00:21:19.368
Purpose, has now become a reality. he sees it up close.
00:21:19.434 --> 00:21:22.938
Reality. he sees it up close. is there something god
00:21:23.004 --> 00:21:24.005
Is there something god promised you that seems far
00:21:24.072 --> 00:21:25.574
Promised you that seems far away, that dream to write a
00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:27.676
Away, that dream to write a book, to get healthy again,
00:21:27.743 --> 00:21:30.112
Book, to get healthy again, to be free from the
00:21:30.178 --> 00:21:31.046
To be free from the addiction. there's no sign of
00:21:31.113 --> 00:21:33.115
Addiction. there's no sign of it happening now. you're
00:21:33.181 --> 00:21:34.649
It happening now. you're right where paul was, right
00:21:34.716 --> 00:21:36.451
Right where paul was, right where abraham was. don't let
00:21:36.518 --> 00:21:38.553
Where abraham was. don't let the distance discourage you.
00:21:38.620 --> 00:21:40.255
The distance discourage you. dare to see it by faith.
00:21:40.322 --> 00:21:42.524
Dare to see it by faith. when the prodigal son left
00:21:42.591 --> 00:21:43.892
When the prodigal son left home and wasted all of his
00:21:43.959 --> 00:21:45.560
Home and wasted all of his money partying and living
00:21:45.627 --> 00:21:47.362
Money partying and living wild, he got so desperate,
00:21:47.429 --> 00:21:49.631
Wild, he got so desperate, that he decided to go back
00:21:49.698 --> 00:21:50.999
That he decided to go back home. the scripture says,
00:21:51.066 --> 00:21:53.135
Home. the scripture says, “when the father saw him a
00:21:53.201 --> 00:21:55.070
“when the father saw him a long way off, he ran out to
00:21:55.137 --> 00:21:57.539
Long way off, he ran out to greet him.” this father
00:21:57.606 --> 00:21:59.408
Greet him.” this father represents god. what is god
00:21:59.474 --> 00:22:01.777
Represents god. what is god doing when things are a long
00:22:01.843 --> 00:22:03.612
Doing when things are a long way off. when this father
00:22:03.678 --> 00:22:05.647
Way off. when this father hadn't heard from his son for
00:22:05.714 --> 00:22:07.282
Hadn't heard from his son for months, i can imagine him
00:22:07.349 --> 00:22:09.217
Months, i can imagine him telling his staff, “get the
00:22:09.284 --> 00:22:10.819
Telling his staff, “get the best robe out. make sure it's
00:22:10.886 --> 00:22:12.954
Best robe out. make sure it's washed and ironed. i'm going
00:22:13.021 --> 00:22:14.756
Washed and ironed. i'm going to need it when my son
00:22:14.823 --> 00:22:15.924
To need it when my son returns. get the family ring
00:22:15.991 --> 00:22:18.226
Returns. get the family ring and make sure it's polished.
00:22:18.293 --> 00:22:19.961
And make sure it's polished. feed the cattle, i'm going to
00:22:20.028 --> 00:22:21.363
Feed the cattle, i'm going to need a fatted calf here real
00:22:21.430 --> 00:22:22.898
Need a fatted calf here real soon.” while the son was a
00:22:22.964 --> 00:22:25.233
Soon.” while the son was a long way off, the father was
00:22:25.300 --> 00:22:27.402
Long way off, the father was working behind the scenes,
00:22:27.469 --> 00:22:29.604
Working behind the scenes, making plans for him to come
00:22:29.671 --> 00:22:31.206
Making plans for him to come home in victory. you may have
00:22:31.273 --> 00:22:33.875
Home in victory. you may have promises that seem a long way
00:22:33.942 --> 00:22:35.677
Promises that seem a long way off. it kind of feels like
00:22:35.744 --> 00:22:37.446
Off. it kind of feels like god has forgotten about you,
00:22:37.512 --> 00:22:38.880
God has forgotten about you, gone on vacation. no can i
00:22:38.947 --> 00:22:40.949
Gone on vacation. no can i tell you, god is working
00:22:41.016 --> 00:22:42.551
Tell you, god is working right now, making plans for
00:22:42.617 --> 00:22:44.519
Right now, making plans for your victory, arranging
00:22:44.586 --> 00:22:46.354
Your victory, arranging things in your favor, lining
00:22:46.421 --> 00:22:48.490
Things in your favor, lining up the right people.
00:22:48.557 --> 00:22:50.525
Up the right people. even though it's in the
00:22:50.592 --> 00:22:51.893
Even though it's in the distance, believe that it's
00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:53.829
Distance, believe that it's on the way. get up each
00:22:53.895 --> 00:22:55.730
On the way. get up each morning and wave to your
00:22:55.797 --> 00:22:56.998
Morning and wave to your healing, wave to your
00:22:57.065 --> 00:22:58.567
Healing, wave to your freedom, wave to your
00:22:58.633 --> 00:22:59.601
Freedom, wave to your abundance. you have to
00:22:59.668 --> 00:23:01.169
Abundance. you have to welcome it. give it
00:23:01.236 --> 00:23:02.637
Welcome it. give it permission to come. doubt
00:23:02.704 --> 00:23:04.806
Permission to come. doubt will try to talk you out of
00:23:04.873 --> 00:23:06.007
Will try to talk you out of it. “come on, there are no
00:23:06.074 --> 00:23:07.309
It. “come on, there are no clouds in the sky. you're too
00:23:07.375 --> 00:23:09.311
Clouds in the sky. you're too old to have that child. the
00:23:09.377 --> 00:23:11.213
Old to have that child. the experts say it's not going to
00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:12.414
Experts say it's not going to happen.” look beyond all
00:23:12.481 --> 00:23:14.115
Happen.” look beyond all that. do like tamara and see
00:23:14.182 --> 00:23:16.751
That. do like tamara and see what other people can't see.
00:23:16.818 --> 00:23:18.720
What other people can't see. make plans for what god put
00:23:18.787 --> 00:23:20.355
Make plans for what god put in your heart. it may not
00:23:20.422 --> 00:23:21.723
In your heart. it may not happen for them, but it can
00:23:21.790 --> 00:23:23.458
Happen for them, but it can happen for you. you're not
00:23:23.525 --> 00:23:25.160
Happen for you. you're not ordinary, you're a hero of
00:23:25.227 --> 00:23:26.995
Ordinary, you're a hero of faith. there is greatness in
00:23:27.062 --> 00:23:29.164
Faith. there is greatness in you. you know this secret, to
00:23:29.231 --> 00:23:31.333
You. you know this secret, to see it from a distance. i
00:23:31.399 --> 00:23:33.602
See it from a distance. i know many of you have been
00:23:33.668 --> 00:23:35.003
Know many of you have been doing this. faithfully
00:23:35.070 --> 00:23:36.538
Doing this. faithfully believing when you don't see
00:23:36.605 --> 00:23:38.240
Believing when you don't see any sign. it looks far way,
00:23:38.306 --> 00:23:40.709
Any sign. it looks far way, but can i encourage you. you
00:23:40.775 --> 00:23:42.244
But can i encourage you. you are closer than you think. i
00:23:42.310 --> 00:23:44.446
Are closer than you think. i believe and declare, like
00:23:44.513 --> 00:23:46.481
Believe and declare, like elijah, there's about to be a
00:23:46.548 --> 00:23:49.284
Elijah, there's about to be a downpour of favor, a downpour
00:23:49.351 --> 00:23:51.553
Downpour of favor, a downpour of healing, a downpour of
00:23:51.620 --> 00:23:53.922
Of healing, a downpour of freedom. like sarah and
00:23:53.989 --> 00:23:55.724
Freedom. like sarah and abraham, that baby, that
00:23:55.790 --> 00:23:57.259
Abraham, that baby, that promise is on the way. like
00:23:57.325 --> 00:23:59.160
Promise is on the way. like my brother paul, a turnaround
00:23:59.227 --> 00:24:01.363
My brother paul, a turnaround in your family members, in
00:24:01.429 --> 00:24:03.365
In your family members, in jesus' name. if you receive
00:24:03.431 --> 00:24:05.367
Jesus' name. if you receive it, can you say amen?
00:24:05.433 --> 00:24:07.369
It, can you say amen? (applause)
00:24:07.435 --> 00:24:08.570
Every day we can live:
00:24:09.237 --> 00:24:11.473
Every day we can live: discouraged, angry,
00:24:11.540 --> 00:24:13.408
Discouraged, angry, depressed, defeated.
00:24:13.475 --> 00:24:15.310
Depressed, defeated. is it possible
00:24:15.377 --> 00:24:16.144
Is it possible to turn these negatives
00:24:16.211 --> 00:24:17.379
To turn these negatives into an outlook
00:24:17.445 --> 00:24:18.246
Into an outlook filled with purpose,
00:24:18.313 --> 00:24:19.414
Filled with purpose, happiness and joy?
00:24:19.481 --> 00:24:21.917
Happiness and joy? every day we make choices.
00:24:21.983 --> 00:24:23.652
Every day we make choices. how we see ourselves,
00:24:23.718 --> 00:24:24.986
How we see ourselves, how we respond to challenges,
00:24:25.053 --> 00:24:26.755
How we respond to challenges, how we approach
00:24:26.821 --> 00:24:27.689
How we approach what's in front of us.
00:24:27.756 --> 00:24:29.090
What's in front of us. i've written
00:24:29.157 --> 00:24:29.591
A devotional called today
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A devotional called today i choose: devotions
00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:32.761
I choose: devotions for a better life.
00:24:32.827 --> 00:24:34.262
For a better life. it's designed to help
00:24:34.329 --> 00:24:35.397
It's designed to help you make those choices
00:24:35.463 --> 00:24:36.431
You make those choices on purpose, to choose
00:24:36.498 --> 00:24:37.832
On purpose, to choose faith over fear
00:24:37.899 --> 00:24:39.100
Faith over fear and peace
00:24:39.167 --> 00:24:39.668
And peace over frustration
00:24:39.734 --> 00:24:40.735
Over frustration and kindness over offense.
00:24:40.802 --> 00:24:43.238
And kindness over offense. each day is filled
00:24:43.305 --> 00:24:44.172
Each day is filled with scripture
00:24:44.239 --> 00:24:44.773
With scripture and practical encouragement
00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:46.675
And practical encouragement to help you live
00:24:46.741 --> 00:24:47.275
To help you live with confidence and victory.
00:24:47.342 --> 00:24:49.277
With confidence and victory. you can't wait to see
00:24:49.344 --> 00:24:50.345
You can't wait to see what kind of day
00:24:50.412 --> 00:24:51.046
What kind of day it's going to be.
00:24:51.112 --> 00:24:51.880
It's going to be. you have to decide
00:24:51.947 --> 00:24:52.747
You have to decide ahead of time.
00:24:52.814 --> 00:24:53.848
Ahead of time. when you do,
00:24:53.915 --> 00:24:54.749
When you do, you can step into
00:24:54.816 --> 00:24:55.717
You can step into a more blessed, fulfilled life.
00:24:55.784 --> 00:24:58.053
A more blessed, fulfilled life. i'd love to send you a copy.
00:24:58.119 --> 00:25:00.221
I'd love to send you a copy. as our way of saying thank you
00:25:00.322 --> 00:25:01.890
As our way of saying thank you for your gift of any amount,
00:25:01.957 --> 00:25:03.592
For your gift of any amount, we would like to
00:25:03.658 --> 00:25:04.292
We would like to send you a copy of today
00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:06.194
Send you a copy of today i choose: devotions
00:25:06.261 --> 00:25:07.862
I choose: devotions for a better life.
00:25:07.929 --> 00:25:09.197
Every day begins with a choice,
00:25:09.297 --> 00:25:11.266
Every day begins with a choice, and this inspiring book
00:25:11.333 --> 00:25:13.134
And this inspiring book is packed
00:25:13.201 --> 00:25:13.802
Is packed with powerful devotional truths
00:25:13.868 --> 00:25:15.737
With powerful devotional truths that will help you
00:25:15.804 --> 00:25:16.605
That will help you in the specific challenges
00:25:16.671 --> 00:25:18.106
In the specific challenges you face in life,
00:25:18.173 --> 00:25:19.441
You face in life, including: today,
00:25:19.507 --> 00:25:20.909
Including: today, i choose to
00:25:20.976 --> 00:25:21.876
I choose to turn down the noise,
00:25:21.943 --> 00:25:23.311
Turn down the noise, to believe
00:25:23.378 --> 00:25:24.112
To believe what i cannot see,
00:25:24.179 --> 00:25:25.413
What i cannot see, to be happy,
00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.581
To be happy, to trust god's timing.
00:25:26.648 --> 00:25:28.316
To trust god's timing. they will transform
00:25:28.383 --> 00:25:29.484
They will transform your attitude, your outlook,
00:25:29.551 --> 00:25:31.319
Your attitude, your outlook, your entire day.
00:25:31.386 --> 00:25:32.721
Your entire day. as you embrace
00:25:32.787 --> 00:25:33.622
As you embrace these biblical principles,
00:25:33.688 --> 00:25:35.223
These biblical principles, you'll see problems dissolve,
00:25:35.290 --> 00:25:37.258
You'll see problems dissolve, hope restored, mountains move.
00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:39.995
Choose the joy and happiness
00:25:40.095 --> 00:25:41.763
Choose the joy and happiness god has chosen for you.
00:25:41.830 --> 00:25:43.431
God has chosen for you. be sure to request
00:25:43.498 --> 00:25:44.633
Be sure to request your copy of today
00:25:44.699 --> 00:25:46.067
Your copy of today i choose: devotions
00:25:46.134 --> 00:25:47.736
I choose: devotions for a better life,
00:25:47.802 --> 00:25:48.837
For a better life, available this month
00:25:48.903 --> 00:25:50.171
Available this month by simply visiting us
00:25:50.238 --> 00:25:51.473
By simply visiting us at joelosteen.com
00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:53.174
At joelosteen.com or call 888-567-joel.
00:25:53.241 --> 00:25:56.845
Or call 888-567-joel. call or click anytime,
00:25:56.911 --> 00:25:58.613
Call or click anytime, 24 hours a day.
00:25:58.680 --> 00:26:00.582
24 hours a day. when you make choices
00:26:00.649 --> 00:26:01.850
When you make choices based on what
00:26:01.916 --> 00:26:02.517
Based on what god says about you,
00:26:02.584 --> 00:26:03.985
God says about you, you're going to live happier,
00:26:04.052 --> 00:26:05.453
You're going to live happier, have more peace,
00:26:05.520 --> 00:26:06.454
Have more peace, and you'll be a bigger blessing
00:26:06.521 --> 00:26:08.323
And you'll be a bigger blessing to others.
00:26:08.390 --> 00:26:09.324
To others. thanks so much
00:26:09.391 --> 00:26:10.025
Thanks so much for being with us today.
00:26:10.091 --> 00:26:11.426
For being with us today. victoria and i pray for
00:26:11.493 --> 00:26:12.661
Victoria and i pray for you and your family every day.
00:26:12.761 --> 00:26:14.429
You and your family every day. we sure appreciate your prayer
00:26:14.529 --> 00:26:16.164
We sure appreciate your prayer and support.
00:26:16.231 --> 00:26:17.198
And support. your generosity
00:26:17.265 --> 00:26:18.500
Your generosity helps us
00:26:18.566 --> 00:26:19.034
Helps us take this message
00:26:19.100 --> 00:26:19.934
Take this message to people around the world.
00:26:20.001 --> 00:26:22.037
To people around the world. and a special
00:26:22.103 --> 00:26:22.470
And a special thank you to our champion
00:26:22.537 --> 00:26:23.772
Thank you to our champion of hope partners
00:26:23.838 --> 00:26:24.773
Of hope partners for all you do
00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:25.540
For all you do to make the ministry possible.
00:26:25.640 --> 00:26:27.375
To make the ministry possible. and until we meet again,
00:26:27.442 --> 00:26:28.877
And until we meet again, may the lord bless
00:26:28.943 --> 00:26:29.844
May the lord bless you and keep you.
00:26:29.911 --> 00:26:31.813
You and keep you. be sure to
00:26:31.880 --> 00:26:32.547
Be sure to request your copy of today
00:26:32.614 --> 00:26:34.449
Request your copy of today i choose: devotions
00:26:34.516 --> 00:26:36.051
I choose: devotions for a better life,
00:26:36.117 --> 00:26:37.218
For a better life, available this month
00:26:37.285 --> 00:26:38.520
Available this month by simply visiting us
00:26:38.586 --> 00:26:39.821
By simply visiting us at joelosteen.com
00:26:39.888 --> 00:26:41.623
At joelosteen.com or call 888-567-joel.
00:26:41.690 --> 00:26:45.226
Or call 888-567-joel. call or click anytime,
00:26:45.293 --> 00:26:46.995
Call or click anytime, 24 hours a day.
00:26:47.062 --> 00:26:48.697
24 hours a day. you can also receive the today
00:26:48.797 --> 00:26:50.665
You can also receive the today i choose to rejoice
00:26:50.732 --> 00:26:52.033
I choose to rejoice signature edition art
00:26:52.100 --> 00:26:53.468
Signature edition art print created to encourage
00:26:53.535 --> 00:26:55.303
Print created to encourage faith
00:26:55.370 --> 00:26:55.704
Faith and purpose-filled living.
00:26:55.770 --> 00:26:57.372
And purpose-filled living. this beautifully-framed
00:26:57.439 --> 00:26:58.807
This beautifully-framed 12 by 15 art
00:26:58.873 --> 00:27:00.075
12 by 15 art piece features
00:27:00.141 --> 00:27:01.009
Piece features the powerful promise
00:27:01.076 --> 00:27:02.243
The powerful promise of psalm 118:24.
00:27:02.310 --> 00:27:04.546
Of psalm 118:24. this is the day
00:27:04.612 --> 00:27:05.580
This is the day the lord has made.
00:27:05.647 --> 00:27:06.848
The lord has made. we will rejoice
00:27:06.915 --> 00:27:07.916
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
00:27:07.982 --> 00:27:09.484
And be glad in it. choose every morning
00:27:09.551 --> 00:27:10.685
Choose every morning to begin
00:27:10.752 --> 00:27:11.219
To begin with a declaration of god's
00:27:11.286 --> 00:27:12.987
With a declaration of god's eternal promise.
00:27:13.054 --> 00:27:14.489
Eternal promise. you can request these
00:27:14.556 --> 00:27:15.590
You can request these inspiring resources
00:27:15.657 --> 00:27:16.925
Inspiring resources by calling 888-567-joel
00:27:16.991 --> 00:27:20.095
By calling 888-567-joel or logging on to joelosteen.com
00:27:20.161 --> 00:27:22.697
Or logging on to joelosteen.com today.
00:27:22.764 --> 00:27:23.531
Today. call or click anytime,
00:27:23.598 --> 00:27:25.266
Call or click anytime, 24 hours a day.
00:27:25.333 --> 00:27:27.569

Joel Osteen - Seeing From A Distance

June 25, 2026 | 27:29

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