Abiding Not Striving

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What if 0:01:08.520 --> 0:01:11.080 you could unlock insights about your finances in less than 0:01:11.120 --> 0:01:13.600 five minutes, with a clear picture of where you stand 0:01:13.600 --> 0:01:16.399 today and where your money can work harder. Now you 0:01:16.520 --> 0:01:19.480 can visit facet dot com to take the free quiz 0:01:19.520 --> 0:01:24.120 and get your financial wellness score today. That's Facet dot com. 0:01:24.160 --> 0:01:26.080 This add a sponsored by Facet. Facet Wealth in Corporated 0:01:26.200 --> 0:01:28.040 is an SEC registered investment advisor. This is not an 0:01:28.040 --> 0:01:30.080 offer to buy yourself securities snoor is it investment, legal 0:01:30.160 --> 0:01:30.759 or tax advice. 0:01:30.959 --> 0:01:35.080 Can't overcome that challenge, You can't break the addiction accomplish 0:01:35.120 --> 0:01:38.840 your dream just with your own will power, your own 0:01:38.959 --> 0:01:43.720 hard work. You need power from on high. When you're abiding, 0:01:44.040 --> 0:01:47.440 there's a force that breathes in your direction, a favor 0:01:47.520 --> 0:01:50.800 that opens doors that you couldn't open, that breaks chains 0:01:50.840 --> 0:01:55.400 that will holding you back, that releases healing, creativity increase 0:01:55.600 --> 0:01:58.920 that will catapult you into your destiny. Hi, this is 0:01:59.000 --> 0:02:02.240 Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to our podcast and 0:02:02.360 --> 0:02:05.600 thanks for supporting the ministry. If you enjoy today's message, 0:02:05.760 --> 0:02:07.520 why don't you be a blessing and share it with 0:02:07.600 --> 0:02:10.560 a friend. We appreciate you and pray for God's very 0:02:10.639 --> 0:02:17.760 best in your life. God bless you. It's great to 0:02:17.880 --> 0:02:20.120 have you with us today, and if you're ever in 0:02:20.240 --> 0:02:23.000 our area, please stop buy be a part of one 0:02:23.040 --> 0:02:25.760 of our services. We would love to have you now. 0:02:25.760 --> 0:02:28.120 I hope you'll stay connected with us during the week. 0:02:28.480 --> 0:02:32.160 We have a daily podcast. You can download our YouTube channel, 0:02:32.400 --> 0:02:35.720 watch the messages anytime. You can follow us on social media. 0:02:35.960 --> 0:02:39.399 We'll keep you encouraged and inspired. I'd like to start 0:02:39.480 --> 0:02:42.840 with something funny, and I heard about this elderly pastor. 0:02:43.320 --> 0:02:46.120 He was close to death. He sent word for two 0:02:46.160 --> 0:02:49.679 of his members, an ours agent and a lawyer to 0:02:49.800 --> 0:02:53.320 come to his house. Upon arrival, he motioned for them 0:02:53.360 --> 0:02:55.800 to sit on each side of the bed. The men 0:02:55.919 --> 0:02:58.200 were very moved that they could be with the minister 0:02:58.400 --> 0:03:02.040 in his final moments. At one point, the lawyer asked, Sir, 0:03:02.440 --> 0:03:05.640 why did you choose both of us. The minister mustered 0:03:05.720 --> 0:03:09.080 up some strength and said, Jesus died between two sinners, 0:03:09.240 --> 0:03:12.280 and that's the way I want to go. All right, 0:03:12.520 --> 0:03:15.160 say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 0:03:15.600 --> 0:03:17.919 I am what it says I am, I have what 0:03:18.080 --> 0:03:20.440 it says I have, I can do what it says 0:03:20.520 --> 0:03:23.119 I can do today. I will be taught the word 0:03:23.200 --> 0:03:27.280 of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my 0:03:27.440 --> 0:03:31.840 heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, 0:03:32.400 --> 0:03:35.640 God bless you. I want to talk to you today 0:03:35.680 --> 0:03:40.680 about abiding, not striving. It's easy to go through life 0:03:40.760 --> 0:03:44.520 thinking we have to make everything happen, make our business grow, 0:03:45.040 --> 0:03:48.720 make ourselves get well, make our child do right. There's 0:03:48.800 --> 0:03:52.640 this constant pressure, always something we need to fix, some 0:03:52.840 --> 0:03:56.400 area we need to improve in. So we live striving, 0:03:57.000 --> 0:04:00.240 trying to force a door to open. Do better, then 0:04:00.320 --> 0:04:04.000 we'll gain approval. Work harder, then we'll get the good break. 0:04:04.560 --> 0:04:07.920 It's like there's a war going on inside. No rest, 0:04:08.480 --> 0:04:12.680 no peace. You weren't created to live that way. Psalm 0:04:12.760 --> 0:04:16.840 forty six says be still and know that I am God. 0:04:17.600 --> 0:04:21.680 One translation says, stop your striving and know that I 0:04:21.760 --> 0:04:25.400 am God. As long as you're in this striving mode 0:04:25.839 --> 0:04:28.720 trying to fix everything, thinking that it's all up to you, 0:04:29.360 --> 0:04:31.880 then you're not going to know he's God. You're not 0:04:31.920 --> 0:04:34.679 going to see his favor and his goodness like you should. 0:04:35.480 --> 0:04:38.160 It's very freeing when you realize you don't have to 0:04:38.279 --> 0:04:42.520 make everything happen. If you'll keep God first place, He'll 0:04:42.600 --> 0:04:45.520 bring the good breaks to you. He'll cause the right 0:04:45.640 --> 0:04:49.520 doors to open. He'll send the healing. All striving is 0:04:49.640 --> 0:04:53.160 doing is wearing you out, causing you to feel overwhelmed, 0:04:53.600 --> 0:04:57.920 can't sleep at night, have digestive problems. Take the pressure off. 0:04:58.560 --> 0:05:01.480 It's not your job to fix it everything. You can't 0:05:01.600 --> 0:05:04.960 make people do what's right. Make your coworker like you, 0:05:05.560 --> 0:05:08.960 make your business grow. Your job is to be your 0:05:09.040 --> 0:05:12.840 best each day. Honor God and he will bring dreams 0:05:12.880 --> 0:05:18.080 to past. He'll turn negative situations around, even areas you 0:05:18.240 --> 0:05:21.880 need to improve in. Don't be down on yourself because 0:05:21.920 --> 0:05:24.440 you're not where you want to be. God is the 0:05:24.600 --> 0:05:28.440 potter you were the claim. He's changing you from glory 0:05:28.560 --> 0:05:32.320 to glory. You can't make yourself grow any faster than 0:05:32.360 --> 0:05:35.120 He has planned. You may not be where you want 0:05:35.160 --> 0:05:38.120 to be, but learn to enjoy the glory that you're 0:05:38.200 --> 0:05:41.680 in right now. How much more peace could you have 0:05:42.360 --> 0:05:45.240 if you got out of the striving mode? How much 0:05:45.360 --> 0:05:48.000 more would you enjoy your life if you would turn 0:05:48.080 --> 0:05:52.320 those situations over to God. Quit trying to do what 0:05:52.520 --> 0:05:56.400 only he can do. It's not work harder perform better, 0:05:56.640 --> 0:05:59.760 then it will happen. Live from a place of peace, 0:06:00.400 --> 0:06:04.200 do your best, and then rest. When you stop striving, 0:06:04.560 --> 0:06:07.840 you'll know he's God. He'll make things happen that you 0:06:07.920 --> 0:06:12.560 couldn't make happen. John chapter fifteen. Jesus was talking to 0:06:12.680 --> 0:06:15.919 his disciples. This was one of the last times they 0:06:15.920 --> 0:06:19.480 would be together before he was crucified. He said in 0:06:19.600 --> 0:06:23.800 verse five, I am divine. You are the branches. If 0:06:23.839 --> 0:06:27.880 you abide in me, you will bear much fruit. For 0:06:28.000 --> 0:06:32.600 apart from me, you can do nothing. Imagine how important 0:06:32.680 --> 0:06:35.440 these words were. He could have talked to them about 0:06:35.600 --> 0:06:40.840 performing miracles, being strong, starting new churches, but when he 0:06:40.960 --> 0:06:44.080 was about to leave, he told them, this is how 0:06:44.200 --> 0:06:47.080 you're going to be successful. This is how you're going 0:06:47.120 --> 0:06:50.919 to overcome challenges. This is how you'll fulfill your destiny. 0:06:51.640 --> 0:06:55.920 Abide in me, and you will bear much fruit. The 0:06:56.000 --> 0:07:00.680 word abide in the original language means to depend, rely on, 0:07:01.240 --> 0:07:04.920 to relax. He was saying, if you'll depend on me, 0:07:05.720 --> 0:07:09.280 if you'll rest in me, then you can relax. You 0:07:09.360 --> 0:07:12.400 don't have to strive, you don't have to force things. 0:07:13.000 --> 0:07:17.200 Live worried, pressured, wondering how it's going to happen. When 0:07:17.240 --> 0:07:21.640 you're abiding, you're going to bear much fruit. You would 0:07:21.640 --> 0:07:24.720 think it would be just the opposite. If you'll work harder, 0:07:25.320 --> 0:07:28.400 put in more effort, then you'll see the dream. Then 0:07:28.480 --> 0:07:32.000 you'll get the promotion. Then the problem will turn around. No, 0:07:32.200 --> 0:07:35.960 not if you'll strive, you'll bear much fruit. But if 0:07:36.000 --> 0:07:41.119 you'll abide, you'll see increase, You'll see favor. See. Faith 0:07:41.280 --> 0:07:44.440 has a rest when you don't see how something can 0:07:44.520 --> 0:07:48.840 work out. The medical report's not good, your finances are down. 0:07:49.440 --> 0:07:52.760 It's easy to get all stressed, all worked up. I 0:07:52.840 --> 0:07:56.560 got to fix this. Don't fall into that trap. Instead 0:07:56.560 --> 0:08:01.200 of striving, start abiding, Stay in peace. God. I know 0:08:01.640 --> 0:08:04.520 you're still on the throne. I can't make this happen 0:08:04.680 --> 0:08:08.280 in my own strength, but I believe because I'm connected 0:08:08.360 --> 0:08:11.920 to you, I'm depending on you. I'm relying on you, 0:08:12.520 --> 0:08:14.960 that you're going to cause me to bear much fruit, 0:08:15.480 --> 0:08:18.800 that I'm going to see this situation turn in my favor. 0:08:19.840 --> 0:08:23.240 When you're abiding, it takes the pressure off. Instead of 0:08:23.320 --> 0:08:26.160 focusing on what you can do, you're focused on what 0:08:26.320 --> 0:08:30.080 God can do. You're depending on His goodness, his favor, 0:08:30.320 --> 0:08:34.599 his power. As long as you're striving, you're limited to 0:08:34.720 --> 0:08:38.320 what you can accomplish. The problem is we all face 0:08:38.440 --> 0:08:41.720 giants that are too big, people that are more powerful, 0:08:42.240 --> 0:08:45.880 a medical report that says there's no way our strength, 0:08:46.320 --> 0:08:49.760 our effort, our talent, no matter how hard we try, 0:08:50.200 --> 0:08:54.160 will not be enough. That's why God said, apart from me, 0:08:54.720 --> 0:08:58.400 you can do nothing. You can't overcome that challenge. You 0:08:58.480 --> 0:09:02.600 can't break the addiction accomplish your dream just with your 0:09:02.679 --> 0:09:06.640 own will power, your own hard work. You need power 0:09:06.760 --> 0:09:10.520 from on high. When you're abiding, there's a force that 0:09:10.640 --> 0:09:14.199 breathes in your direction, a favor that opens doors that 0:09:14.320 --> 0:09:17.440 you couldn't open, that breaks chains that are holding you back, 0:09:17.760 --> 0:09:22.960 that releases healing, creativity, increase that will catapult you into 0:09:23.040 --> 0:09:26.400 your destiny. One of the best prayers we can pray 0:09:26.600 --> 0:09:30.960 every morning is God, I'm depending on you today. I'm 0:09:31.040 --> 0:09:34.079 relying on you, and God, I'm going to relax in you. 0:09:34.760 --> 0:09:37.680 I believe because I'm connected to you, that I will 0:09:37.720 --> 0:09:41.040 bear much fruit. Now I'm not saying that we sit 0:09:41.200 --> 0:09:43.880 back and do nothing. We have to use our gifts, 0:09:44.400 --> 0:09:48.360 be our best, but don't become dependent on just your 0:09:48.480 --> 0:09:52.240 ability your efforts, thinking that you have to make it happen. 0:09:52.840 --> 0:09:55.440 Do what you can and then leave it up to God. 0:09:56.240 --> 0:09:58.959 As long as you're abiding in him, you're going to 0:09:59.040 --> 0:10:03.079 bear not a little fruit, not some fruit, but much fruit. 0:10:04.000 --> 0:10:07.800 If you'll start abiding and not just striving, you're going 0:10:07.880 --> 0:10:10.760 to see more fruit with less work. You're gonna go 0:10:10.960 --> 0:10:14.599 further with less frustration. You're going to accomplish more in 0:10:14.760 --> 0:10:18.199 less time. Someone says, aren't you worried about your child? 0:10:18.640 --> 0:10:22.079 He's not getting better? Just answer, No, I'm not worrying. 0:10:22.480 --> 0:10:27.280 I'm abiding, I'm trusting. I'm believing. I know that God's 0:10:27.320 --> 0:10:31.360 in control. Well, you lost that big contract, aren't you upset? 0:10:31.920 --> 0:10:31.959 No? 0:10:32.160 --> 0:10:35.120 I know I'm connected to the vine, to a supply 0:10:35.280 --> 0:10:38.480 line that will never run dry. Now gonna live stress, 0:10:38.800 --> 0:10:42.959 I'm abiding, I'm at peace. I know another opportunity is coming. 0:10:43.880 --> 0:10:47.400 What about the medical report doesn't look good? Yes, but 0:10:47.520 --> 0:10:49.800 I'm not moved by what I see. I'm moved by 0:10:49.840 --> 0:10:52.920 what I know. God is restoring health back into me. 0:10:53.559 --> 0:10:57.640 I'm depending on him, I'm relying on him. I'm gonna 0:10:57.720 --> 0:11:01.640 relax knowing that nothing can snatch me out of his hands. 0:11:02.360 --> 0:11:06.120 Are you striving or are you abiding? There are plenty 0:11:06.160 --> 0:11:10.400 of opportunities to strive. We can all live worried, stress, 0:11:10.760 --> 0:11:14.320 trying to fix everything in our own strength. That's overwhelming. 0:11:15.080 --> 0:11:18.240 Come back to a place of peace. The scripture says, 0:11:18.520 --> 0:11:22.640 your father knows what you need, He knows what you're facing, 0:11:23.240 --> 0:11:26.400 He knows the dreams he's placed in your heart. He 0:11:26.559 --> 0:11:30.679 sees the struggles, the unfair situations, the times you were 0:11:30.720 --> 0:11:33.680 put at a disadvantage. You don't have to do life 0:11:33.800 --> 0:11:36.880 on your own, trying to make up for it, trying 0:11:36.920 --> 0:11:41.000 to accomplish the dream. Jesus said, come to me and 0:11:41.160 --> 0:11:45.079 I will give you rest. Stop your striving depending on 0:11:45.160 --> 0:11:49.240 your own efforts, your own ability. That's draining. If you'll 0:11:49.280 --> 0:11:52.800 start depending on him, you'll feel that load lift off 0:11:52.840 --> 0:11:55.439 of you. Because God has you in the palm of 0:11:55.520 --> 0:11:59.200 his hand. He hasn't let go of you. You may 0:11:59.280 --> 0:12:02.880 not be connected to him, but he's not disconnected from you. 0:12:03.720 --> 0:12:06.600 But if you're going to feel his strength, see his favor, 0:12:06.880 --> 0:12:09.840 you have to stay connected to the vine. You can 0:12:09.920 --> 0:12:12.679 only do so much in your own efforts. But when 0:12:12.720 --> 0:12:14.959 you get up each day and say, God, I'm not 0:12:15.040 --> 0:12:17.920 going to worry today. I'm not going to live frustrated 0:12:18.000 --> 0:12:20.800 by what I can't change. God, I'm depending on you. 0:12:21.600 --> 0:12:23.880 I can't do this on my own, but I know 0:12:24.240 --> 0:12:27.640 connected to you, I can do all things connected to you. 0:12:28.160 --> 0:12:31.520 I can accomplish my dreams. Connected to you, I will 0:12:31.559 --> 0:12:36.240 see this problem turn around. It's significant that Jesus used 0:12:36.360 --> 0:12:40.160 fruit in this illustration. We have some lemon trees in 0:12:40.240 --> 0:12:43.679 our backyard. I see the lemons out there, hanging on 0:12:43.800 --> 0:12:48.439 the vine. They're just abiding. They're not struggling. They're not 0:12:48.600 --> 0:12:52.720 frustrated thinking why am I not growing faster? How am 0:12:52.760 --> 0:12:55.400 I going to change from green to yellow? I'm the 0:12:55.440 --> 0:12:59.120 wrong color? What if I don't ripen. I've never walked 0:12:59.160 --> 0:13:03.360 by and heard a complaining. I've never seen a worried lemon. 0:13:04.000 --> 0:13:08.480 They just hang there, drawing strength from the vine. They're 0:13:08.559 --> 0:13:12.320 not stressed because they know as long as they're connected 0:13:12.400 --> 0:13:15.360 to the source, to the vine, they're going to get 0:13:15.440 --> 0:13:19.719 everything that they need. Sometimes we wonder, how can I 0:13:19.760 --> 0:13:23.160 accomplish my dream? What if I don't meet the right person? 0:13:23.720 --> 0:13:26.520 What if I don't get this scholarship. Know, as long 0:13:26.720 --> 0:13:29.640 as you're connected to the vine, you don't have to worry. 0:13:30.320 --> 0:13:33.920 It's not your job to figure everything out. There are 0:13:34.080 --> 0:13:37.559 things that you can't see because you're the fruit you're 0:13:37.640 --> 0:13:40.679 not the vine. The vine is where the lemon is 0:13:40.760 --> 0:13:45.080 getting nutrients. That's what's causing it to develop pulp, grow 0:13:45.200 --> 0:13:48.240 seeds on the inside, and turn from a flower blossom 0:13:48.559 --> 0:13:52.400 to form a thick outer skin. Quit worrying about how 0:13:52.480 --> 0:13:56.240 everything is going to work out. God has already planned 0:13:56.280 --> 0:13:59.400 out all of your days. There's not a problem you 0:13:59.640 --> 0:14:03.120 have or will ever have that he doesn't have a solution. 0:14:04.080 --> 0:14:06.360 He's the one that's going to cause you to bloom 0:14:07.120 --> 0:14:10.080 like that lemon. He's developing in you what you need 0:14:10.200 --> 0:14:14.640 to blossom to grow to fulfill your purpose. You shouldn't 0:14:14.720 --> 0:14:18.120 live with that unrest on the inside, thinking that you're 0:14:18.200 --> 0:14:22.200 limited because you're connected to the vine. You can stay 0:14:22.280 --> 0:14:25.720 in peace. God is bringing the nutrients you need, the 0:14:25.880 --> 0:14:29.800 right people, the right breaks, the healing, the favor. At 0:14:29.840 --> 0:14:33.240 the appointed time, you'll ripen. You're going to go from 0:14:33.320 --> 0:14:36.000 green to yellow, so to speak. You're going to see 0:14:36.080 --> 0:14:39.600 doors open, the medical report turn around. The dream will 0:14:39.680 --> 0:14:43.880 come to pass. Now do your part. Quit striving and 0:14:44.000 --> 0:14:47.920 start abiding. Live from a place of peace, a place 0:14:47.960 --> 0:14:51.520 of rest. When you're tempted to worry, try to force 0:14:51.600 --> 0:14:54.680 things to happen, just say no, thanks, I'm connected to 0:14:54.760 --> 0:14:57.840 the vine. God, I'm depending on you, so I'm going 0:14:57.920 --> 0:15:01.600 to relax. I'm gonna enjoy this day, knowing that you 0:15:01.840 --> 0:15:06.160 promised I will bear much fruit. Most of the good 0:15:06.240 --> 0:15:09.400 breaks I've seen in my life, they'd come when I 0:15:09.560 --> 0:15:14.040 was simply abiding, just being my best, honoring God. I 0:15:14.160 --> 0:15:17.680 walked into a jewelry store and met Victoria. I wasn't 0:15:17.720 --> 0:15:19.880 trying to force it. God, when am I going to 0:15:19.960 --> 0:15:24.440 meet someone frustrated? I was simply abiding, and the blessing 0:15:24.560 --> 0:15:28.720 came to me. When we needed a larger auditorium, we 0:15:28.880 --> 0:15:33.720 tried to buy property. Twice those doors closed. I was disappointed, 0:15:34.280 --> 0:15:37.120 but I did what I'm asking us to do. I said, God, 0:15:37.720 --> 0:15:41.360 you're in control. I'm not going to live frustrated trying 0:15:41.400 --> 0:15:44.720 to make something happen. I trust you. I know you 0:15:44.920 --> 0:15:47.680 know what's best. I came back to that place of 0:15:47.800 --> 0:15:52.200 peace and just kept abiding, kept being faithful. One day, 0:15:52.280 --> 0:15:54.840 out of the blue, a friend called and said the 0:15:54.960 --> 0:15:59.160 compact Center was coming available. I called the mayor. Things 0:15:59.200 --> 0:16:02.760 fell into place, and here we are. The Compact Center 0:16:03.120 --> 0:16:06.040 came to me. I was trying to make it happen 0:16:06.160 --> 0:16:10.080 in my own strength, buying that property. I knew God 0:16:10.200 --> 0:16:13.680 put the desire in me. I had bigger dreams, but 0:16:13.800 --> 0:16:17.720 it wasn't the right time. God is so merciful he'll 0:16:17.800 --> 0:16:22.040 close doors when it's not his best. It's important to 0:16:22.160 --> 0:16:25.520 trust God's timing. When we know the dream is in 0:16:25.600 --> 0:16:28.840 our heart, we know what God promised, we go after it. 0:16:29.440 --> 0:16:32.560 We take steps of faith, and that's good. I'm not 0:16:32.680 --> 0:16:35.360 saying to sit back, but you have to be open 0:16:35.720 --> 0:16:38.160 that if it doesn't happen the way you thought, then 0:16:38.240 --> 0:16:42.520 God has something better. That closed door is God protecting you. 0:16:43.600 --> 0:16:47.400 Sometimes we get impatient. We think we're missing out, we're 0:16:47.480 --> 0:16:52.000 falling behind. But I've learned what belongs to you is 0:16:52.080 --> 0:16:54.960 not going to go to anyone else. What has your 0:16:55.080 --> 0:16:58.280 name on it will come to you. Instead of trying 0:16:58.320 --> 0:17:03.440 to force things, relax, stay in peace. God's ordering your steps. 0:17:04.040 --> 0:17:07.560 He's already lined up what you need to fulfill your destiny. 0:17:08.240 --> 0:17:11.120 If it hasn't happened yet, it wasn't the right time. 0:17:11.840 --> 0:17:15.760 If the door closed, something better is coming. You don't 0:17:15.800 --> 0:17:19.320 have to manipulate things, try to convince people to like you, 0:17:19.760 --> 0:17:23.399 force the doors to open, let the blessings come to you. 0:17:24.359 --> 0:17:28.480 If you're having to connive and convince you're frustrated, can't 0:17:28.520 --> 0:17:31.159 sleep at night. You need to let that go and 0:17:31.280 --> 0:17:34.360 trust God to do it his way. This is where 0:17:34.400 --> 0:17:38.120 Abraham and Sarah missed it. God gave them the promise 0:17:38.280 --> 0:17:41.280 that they would have a child, but instead of abiding 0:17:41.960 --> 0:17:46.760 trusting God's timing, they were impatient nothing was happening. They 0:17:46.840 --> 0:17:51.040 got frustrated and decided to help God out. Sarah told 0:17:51.160 --> 0:17:54.520 Abraham to sleep with her maid. They had a son 0:17:55.040 --> 0:17:58.480 that they named Ishmael, but he wasn't the promised child, 0:17:59.000 --> 0:18:02.080 and it wasn't ishmael fault. But that baby cost all 0:18:02.200 --> 0:18:06.000 kinds of strife and contention. It's much better to wait 0:18:06.119 --> 0:18:08.520 for the right thing than to have to deal with 0:18:08.600 --> 0:18:12.200 an Ishmael. Things we birth in our own efforts. That's 0:18:12.280 --> 0:18:15.840 what causes us heartache and pain. If your promise is 0:18:15.920 --> 0:18:19.520 not happening on your timetable, trust that God knows what 0:18:19.640 --> 0:18:23.800 he's doing. He knows what's best. Instead of striving like 0:18:23.920 --> 0:18:26.679 they did, I'm gonna have this baby. I'm gonna make 0:18:26.720 --> 0:18:29.879 it happen. I'm gonna marry this person even though I 0:18:29.960 --> 0:18:32.879 don't have peace. I'm gonna buy this house even though 0:18:32.920 --> 0:18:36.200 it's not what I really want. He be patient. Don't 0:18:36.280 --> 0:18:39.880 settle for second best. Just because it hasn't happened yet 0:18:40.200 --> 0:18:43.880 doesn't mean it's not going to happen. Keep abiding, keep 0:18:43.960 --> 0:18:48.040 doing the right thing. Your time is coming. The truth is, 0:18:48.600 --> 0:18:51.760 we've all probably burst some ishmaels, we've all forced some 0:18:51.920 --> 0:18:55.280 things to happen. But here's how good God is that 0:18:55.480 --> 0:18:58.920 didn't stop the promise. God doesn't say, man, you blew it. 0:18:59.400 --> 0:19:01.800 You now, it's not going to happen. 0:19:02.359 --> 0:19:02.399 No. 0:19:02.600 --> 0:19:06.200 Twenty years after God gave Abraham the promise. This was 0:19:06.240 --> 0:19:10.240 after they had Ishmael, after they had made mistakes. Sarah 0:19:10.359 --> 0:19:13.920 got pregnant at ninety years old and gave birth to Isaac, 0:19:14.200 --> 0:19:17.439 the promised child. And it may be taken longer than 0:19:17.520 --> 0:19:21.320 you thought, but don't water down your dreams. Don't settle 0:19:21.400 --> 0:19:23.720 for less than what you know God put in your heart. 0:19:24.400 --> 0:19:26.560 You don't have to make it happen. Only in your 0:19:26.600 --> 0:19:30.240 own strength. Yes, use your gifts, do what you can, 0:19:30.560 --> 0:19:34.159 but don't force things. You keep abiding, and Isaac is 0:19:34.240 --> 0:19:37.280 coming at the right time. You're going to see God 0:19:37.480 --> 0:19:42.160 show out in your life. In the meantime, relax, enjoy 0:19:42.320 --> 0:19:45.200 where you are while you're waiting for things to change. 0:19:46.119 --> 0:19:49.400 The way to pass the test is not being frustrated 0:19:49.600 --> 0:19:53.000 by what hasn't happened, not upset because your friend got 0:19:53.080 --> 0:19:56.720 married and you haven't met anyone, not giving up because 0:19:56.760 --> 0:19:59.439 the property was sold out from under you two times. 0:20:00.280 --> 0:20:03.480 Just keep doing the right things, staying close to God, 0:20:03.960 --> 0:20:07.320 connected to the vine. That's where your strength is coming from. 0:20:07.800 --> 0:20:12.280 That's where the favor, the blessing, the healing. Is One 0:20:12.359 --> 0:20:14.520 thing I've always liked to do since I was a 0:20:14.600 --> 0:20:18.920 little boy, is catch leaves falling from trees. We lived 0:20:18.960 --> 0:20:21.479 out on an acre lot in the suburbs and there 0:20:21.520 --> 0:20:24.320 were dozens of large oak trees on it. On a 0:20:24.400 --> 0:20:27.240 fall day, the wind would blow and I would see 0:20:27.240 --> 0:20:31.280 how many leaves I could catch. Years later, not long 0:20:31.320 --> 0:20:34.200 after I'd started pasturing, I came home from the church 0:20:34.280 --> 0:20:37.479 one afternoon. It had been a long day. We were 0:20:37.560 --> 0:20:41.479 dealing with some problems at the office, people coming against us. 0:20:41.920 --> 0:20:44.760 These opportunities we thought were going to work out didn't 0:20:44.800 --> 0:20:48.000 go through. I was tired and kind of frustrated, and 0:20:48.520 --> 0:20:50.960 I was in the backyard and we had this one 0:20:51.080 --> 0:20:55.160 big tree. The wind started blowing. Leaves begin to fall 0:20:55.320 --> 0:20:58.879 all around me, hundreds of them, if not thousands. It 0:20:58.960 --> 0:21:03.000 looked like it was rain leaves. I naturally started trying 0:21:03.040 --> 0:21:07.000 to catch them, grabbing here, grabbing there, but I couldn't 0:21:07.040 --> 0:21:10.359 catch anything. It was the strangest thing. Right when I 0:21:10.440 --> 0:21:12.639 was about to grab the leaf, it would dart away. 0:21:13.359 --> 0:21:15.760 I caught more. When I was eight years old. I 0:21:15.920 --> 0:21:19.240 was already frustrated. This was like pouring salt on the wound. 0:21:19.560 --> 0:21:23.080 Nothing was working out. A couple of hours later, I 0:21:23.160 --> 0:21:26.040 went out for a run through the neighborhood. So I 0:21:26.119 --> 0:21:29.359 turned the corner coming down the last half mile, the 0:21:29.440 --> 0:21:32.800 wind started blowing and leaves were falling here and there, 0:21:32.880 --> 0:21:35.359 and I didn't pay any attention. I just kept running. 0:21:36.119 --> 0:21:40.280 About a minute later, after everything had calmed down, as 0:21:40.400 --> 0:21:44.560 this arm came up, a leaf landed perfectly in my hand. 0:21:45.440 --> 0:21:47.800 I didn't try to catch it. I didn't even see 0:21:47.840 --> 0:21:51.400 it coming. It just fell right into my palm while 0:21:51.480 --> 0:21:54.880 it was in motion. It was like God said to me, Joel, 0:21:55.200 --> 0:21:58.880 you're striving trying to make all these things happen, make 0:21:58.960 --> 0:22:02.720 the ministry grow, make doors open, make people before you. 0:22:03.200 --> 0:22:06.240 You don't have to do that. I control the universe. 0:22:06.560 --> 0:22:10.080 What I want open will open, what's supposed to be 0:22:10.280 --> 0:22:14.240 yours will fall into your hands. You don't have to 0:22:14.359 --> 0:22:18.200 manipulate things, do it all in your own ability. God 0:22:18.280 --> 0:22:22.080 will direct the winds to find your hand. He'll cause 0:22:22.160 --> 0:22:25.679 opportunity to find you. He'll turn people that are against 0:22:25.760 --> 0:22:29.040 you to be for you. Now, when I'm tempted to 0:22:29.440 --> 0:22:32.600 whorry in wonder why something is taking so long and 0:22:32.920 --> 0:22:35.280 how's it going to work out, I open my desk 0:22:35.440 --> 0:22:39.440 drawer and I get this leap out. It reminds me 0:22:40.359 --> 0:22:43.520 that what belongs to me will come to me, that 0:22:43.720 --> 0:22:47.320 the creator of the universe, the God who spoke worlds 0:22:47.400 --> 0:22:50.960 into existence, is ordering my steps. That I don't have 0:22:51.119 --> 0:22:55.080 to strive. I just have to abide, keep honoring God. 0:22:55.920 --> 0:22:58.920 Just keep walking in his ways, and you will bear 0:22:59.040 --> 0:23:03.680 much fruit. The compact center is much fruit. Victoria is 0:23:03.800 --> 0:23:09.800 much fruit, expensive fruit. Our serious radio channel, our serious 0:23:09.920 --> 0:23:14.239 radio channel, came to me much fruit. I wonder if 0:23:14.320 --> 0:23:18.240 you're doing like I was, trying to grab belief, frustrating 0:23:18.280 --> 0:23:21.920 because something is not changing, wondering why it's not working out, 0:23:22.200 --> 0:23:25.879 Stop striving. At the right time, what belongs to you 0:23:26.440 --> 0:23:29.320 is going to drop into your hand. It's not gonna 0:23:29.320 --> 0:23:33.080 happen by your own efforts, your own ability. Yes, use 0:23:33.119 --> 0:23:36.240 your gifts. Yes, be your best, but what God is 0:23:36.280 --> 0:23:40.160 about to do is supernatural. You couldn't make it happen 0:23:40.240 --> 0:23:43.760 in your own strength. You didn't have the power, the ability, 0:23:44.000 --> 0:23:49.160 the experience. But because you're abiding, not striving, you're going 0:23:49.200 --> 0:23:53.359 to bear much fruit. As a teenager, David was out 0:23:53.440 --> 0:23:56.639 in the shepherd's fields taking care of his father's sheep. 0:23:57.200 --> 0:23:59.720 God put a big dream in his heart. He knew 0:23:59.720 --> 0:24:02.359 he was destined to do great things, but he was 0:24:02.400 --> 0:24:05.960 stuck out there. Nobody paid any attention to him. He 0:24:06.040 --> 0:24:08.840 could have thought, I'm not staying here. I have more 0:24:08.960 --> 0:24:11.240 in me. I'm gonna show people what I can do. 0:24:12.200 --> 0:24:15.080 But he didn't try to force the door open. He 0:24:15.160 --> 0:24:17.480 didn't get in a hurry and try to make something 0:24:17.600 --> 0:24:21.399 happen out of God's timing. He stayed faithful where he was. 0:24:22.240 --> 0:24:25.160 He took care of those sheep day in and day out, 0:24:25.280 --> 0:24:30.359 and made sure they were protected, well fed, being his best. 0:24:30.680 --> 0:24:34.200 When no one was watching, what was he doing? Abiding, 0:24:34.880 --> 0:24:38.640 staying connected to the vine. One day, the prophet Samuel 0:24:38.720 --> 0:24:42.200 showed up at David's house. He told his father Jesse 0:24:42.640 --> 0:24:45.119 that he was there to anoint one of his sons 0:24:45.240 --> 0:24:48.320 as the next king. Of Israel. It wasn't any of 0:24:48.440 --> 0:24:51.239 the seven sons that were in the house. They had 0:24:51.280 --> 0:24:54.240 to send a messenger out to David to tell him 0:24:54.480 --> 0:24:57.880 to come in from the shepherd's fields. The moment Samuel 0:24:57.960 --> 0:25:02.520 saw him, he said, that's the notice. David didn't go 0:25:02.600 --> 0:25:06.280 after the crown. The crown came to him. He didn't 0:25:06.320 --> 0:25:10.440 manipulate things, lived sour because he was stuck in the fields, 0:25:10.840 --> 0:25:14.360 complain about how he got left out. He just kept abiding, 0:25:15.119 --> 0:25:18.920 being his best, working under God, not under people, and 0:25:19.160 --> 0:25:22.879 much fruit came knocking at his door. If you'll just 0:25:23.000 --> 0:25:26.919 keep abiding, doing the right thing when no one is watching, 0:25:27.400 --> 0:25:31.880 staying faithful when things aren't changing life with David, favor 0:25:32.080 --> 0:25:35.320 is going to come looking for you. Good breaks, healing, 0:25:35.680 --> 0:25:38.359 the right people are going to come knocking at your door. 0:25:39.160 --> 0:25:42.560 You're not being left out. God hasn't forgotten about you. 0:25:42.960 --> 0:25:46.240 He sees your faithfulness. He sees you doing the right 0:25:46.359 --> 0:25:50.400 thing when it's hard. Your time is coming. Stay connected 0:25:50.440 --> 0:25:53.120 to the vine, and much fruit is on the way. 0:25:53.560 --> 0:25:57.520 Something better than you've imagined. The reason it's taken longer 0:25:57.600 --> 0:25:59.800 than you thought is it's going to be bigger than 0:25:59.800 --> 0:26:03.520 you thought. Out of the ordinary, something that you didn't 0:26:03.560 --> 0:26:07.040 see coming. I walked in our living room the other 0:26:07.160 --> 0:26:10.240 day and there was a lizard on the floor looking 0:26:10.280 --> 0:26:12.920 out the window. I didn't want to touch him, but 0:26:13.040 --> 0:26:15.399 I didn't want him in the house. I got a 0:26:15.480 --> 0:26:17.840 paper grocery bag, and I was going to catch him 0:26:17.960 --> 0:26:20.399 and put him outside. I put it on the floor 0:26:20.600 --> 0:26:23.639 just right and carefully scooted it up to him, but 0:26:23.760 --> 0:26:26.639 at the last minute he ran away. I tried this 0:26:26.840 --> 0:26:30.040 again and again. Every time he would out maneuver me, 0:26:30.680 --> 0:26:33.720 run under the couch. I'd move that, get him in 0:26:33.760 --> 0:26:36.280 a corner. He'd run up the wall. This went on 0:26:36.400 --> 0:26:40.520 for fifteen minutes. I'd chased him all over the room. Finally, 0:26:40.640 --> 0:26:44.520 he was so tired, so exhausted, that he couldn't run anymore. 0:26:45.000 --> 0:26:47.640 I scooped him up, opened the door, and let him out. 0:26:48.480 --> 0:26:51.359 The whole time he was running, I was trying to 0:26:51.520 --> 0:26:54.840 help him, but he wouldn't let me. He didn't see 0:26:54.880 --> 0:26:58.359 a way out. He didn't realize I could open a door. 0:26:59.119 --> 0:27:02.000 All he saw was dead ends. From his point of view, 0:27:02.200 --> 0:27:05.080 there was nowhere to go. But I'll operate on a 0:27:05.119 --> 0:27:10.080 different level. I'm thousands of times bigger, stronger, more powerful. 0:27:11.000 --> 0:27:14.200 How many of us are like that lizard. We're trying 0:27:14.240 --> 0:27:17.240 to do everything in our own strength. Solve this problem, 0:27:17.520 --> 0:27:21.440 fix this person, accomplish this dream. The whole time, God 0:27:21.560 --> 0:27:24.440 is saying, I want to help you, but you have 0:27:24.560 --> 0:27:27.600 to let me. As long as you're doing it only 0:27:27.720 --> 0:27:31.040 in your own strength, you're gonna be frustrated. You're gonna 0:27:31.040 --> 0:27:34.800 get worn down, exhausted. You have to depend on him, 0:27:35.480 --> 0:27:38.800 rely on him, and he'll make things happen that you 0:27:38.920 --> 0:27:42.720 can't make happen. God can see things that we can't see. 0:27:43.480 --> 0:27:47.600 We see dead ends, no way out, can't break this addiction. 0:27:48.119 --> 0:27:51.880 The medical report's not good. It's not possible. We're natural. 0:27:52.160 --> 0:27:55.920 But God is supernatural. He can part red seas, he 0:27:56.000 --> 0:28:00.440 can heal sick bodies. He can cause contracts, opportunities, good 0:28:00.520 --> 0:28:04.440 breaks to come to you. This doesn't happen if you're striving, 0:28:05.040 --> 0:28:07.480 trying to do it all on your own. It happens 0:28:07.640 --> 0:28:13.399 if you're abiding, trusting him, not worried, not stressed, but relaxed, 0:28:13.720 --> 0:28:17.560 knowing that He's in control. Every morning, it's good to 0:28:17.720 --> 0:28:21.840 admit our dependence on him. God, I need you today. 0:28:22.480 --> 0:28:24.960 I'm going to stay connected to the vine. I'm going 0:28:25.040 --> 0:28:28.720 to be my best, use my talents, work hard. But God, 0:28:28.760 --> 0:28:32.119 I'm trusting you to bring the increase I know. Apart 0:28:32.200 --> 0:28:35.520 from you, I can do nothing. You don't have to 0:28:35.600 --> 0:28:39.360 go through life all worked up on edge. Today can 0:28:39.440 --> 0:28:42.560 be a turning point. Come out from under that pressure. 0:28:43.120 --> 0:28:47.120 You can't fix everyone, change everything. That's not your job. 0:28:47.840 --> 0:28:49.920 God is saying to you what he said to the 0:28:50.000 --> 0:28:54.360 people thousands of years ago. Stop your striving, Be still, 0:28:54.880 --> 0:28:57.600 and you will know that I am God. If you'll 0:28:57.640 --> 0:29:01.920 make this decision to abide and not strive, I believe 0:29:02.120 --> 0:29:05.400 and declare you're not only going to enjoy life more, 0:29:05.760 --> 0:29:09.480 but you're going to bear much fruit. Like David, promotion 0:29:09.840 --> 0:29:12.240 is going to come looking for you things you didn't 0:29:12.280 --> 0:29:17.000 see coming, healing, restoration, the right people, new levels of 0:29:17.120 --> 0:29:20.760 your destiny in Jesus' name, and if you receive it, 0:29:21.080 --> 0:29:24.520 can you say amen? I'd like to give you an 0:29:24.560 --> 0:29:28.120 opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. Would 0:29:28.160 --> 0:29:32.440 you pray with me? Just say, Lord Jesus, I'll repent 0:29:32.520 --> 0:29:37.080 of my sins. Come into my heart. I make you 0:29:37.240 --> 0:29:41.320 my lord and savior. If you prayed that simple prayer, 0:29:41.440 --> 0:29:44.200 we believe you got born again. We'd love to send 0:29:44.240 --> 0:29:46.800 you some free information on your new walk with the Lord. 0:29:47.040 --> 0:29:48.840 If you'll just go to the website or text the 0:29:48.960 --> 0:29:51.600 number on the screen, I hope you'll get into a 0:29:51.720 --> 0:29:55.600 good Bible based church and keep God first place. Thanks 0:29:55.680 --> 0:29:58.520 so much for listening to today's message. I hope you'll 0:29:58.560 --> 0:30:02.040 subscribe so you can the latest podcast to keep you 0:30:02.200 --> 0:30:04.280 encouraged and inspired all through the week. 0:30:04.480 --> 0:30:06.680 Help us to continue to share the message of hope 0:30:06.720 --> 0:30:08.160 with those all around the world. 0:30:08.520 --> 0:30:11.240 Visit Joelosting dot com or click the link in the 0:30:11.320 --> 0:30:13.440 description to partner with us today. 0:30:13.760 --> 0:30:16.160 We hope you'll share this message with a friend and 0:30:16.280 --> 0:30:19.080 be sure to follow us on social media. We're praying 0:30:19.160 --> 0:30:22.240 for you. I know God's best is still ahead. We'll 0:30:22.280 --> 0:30:23.080 see you next time. 0:30:25.400 --> 0:30:28.040 With millions of books on Amazon, there's a reading feeling 0:30:28.160 --> 0:30:33.160 for everyone. 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