Angels Are Coming

0:00:00.680 --> 0:00:02.920 Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks so much for 0:00:02.960 --> 0:00:06.000 listening to the podcast. We appreciate your support and we 0:00:06.080 --> 0:00:08.280 have a brand new resource we'd like to send you 0:00:08.320 --> 0:00:11.559 this month. It's called Praying with Confidence. I'll tell you 0:00:11.600 --> 0:00:13.560 more about it at the end of the podcast. We 0:00:13.680 --> 0:00:17.120 love you and we sure hope you enjoy the message. 0:00:17.800 --> 0:00:18.600 God bless you. 0:00:19.280 --> 0:00:21.880 It's great to be with you today, and I hope 0:00:21.920 --> 0:00:24.480 you'll stay connected with us during the week to our 0:00:24.600 --> 0:00:28.760 daily podcast or YouTube channel, social media, and you can 0:00:28.800 --> 0:00:31.159 come visit us in person. We'd love to have you 0:00:31.240 --> 0:00:33.839 be a part of one of our services. I'd like 0:00:33.880 --> 0:00:36.239 to talk with something funny and I heard about this 0:00:36.400 --> 0:00:40.199 husband that died and he left his wife twenty thousand dollars. 0:00:40.760 --> 0:00:43.440 After the funeral, his wife told a friend that she 0:00:43.560 --> 0:00:46.240 was totally brunk. The friends said, what do you mean. 0:00:46.440 --> 0:00:49.000 I thought you said you had twenty thousand. She said, 0:00:49.040 --> 0:00:51.839 I did, but I spent five thousand on the funeral 0:00:52.159 --> 0:00:56.120 and fifteen thousand on the memorial stone. Friends said, wow, 0:00:56.360 --> 0:00:58.000 that must have been some kind of stone. 0:00:58.200 --> 0:00:58.960 How big was it? 0:00:59.440 --> 0:01:01.280 She held up for finger and said three and a 0:01:01.320 --> 0:01:05.440 half carrots? All right, y'all say it like you mean it. 0:01:05.760 --> 0:01:08.640 This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 0:01:09.080 --> 0:01:11.399 I have what it says I have. I can do 0:01:11.520 --> 0:01:14.080 what it says I can do. Today I will be 0:01:14.200 --> 0:01:18.039 taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 0:01:18.160 --> 0:01:21.480 is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 0:01:21.600 --> 0:01:26.479 the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 0:01:26.520 --> 0:01:30.080 to talk to you today about angels are coming. We 0:01:30.160 --> 0:01:33.480 all have times that can be overwhelming. We're dealing with 0:01:33.520 --> 0:01:37.960 an illness. Child is difficult to raise, trying to pay bills. 0:01:38.480 --> 0:01:40.360 Doors aren't opening for our dreams. 0:01:40.760 --> 0:01:43.840 We've done the right thing, We've worked hard, but it 0:01:43.880 --> 0:01:48.080 hasn't improved. Now the pressure feels like too much. We 0:01:48.120 --> 0:01:50.800 don't say how we can go on. It's not that 0:01:50.840 --> 0:01:53.560 we're weak, it's not that we don't have faith. It's 0:01:53.640 --> 0:01:56.880 battle fatigue. I talk to a man that's lived a 0:01:56.920 --> 0:01:59.040 blessed life. God's been good to. 0:01:59.040 --> 0:02:01.360 Him, but he's had some setbacks. 0:02:01.680 --> 0:02:05.120 A relationship is not working out, his business is struggling. 0:02:05.480 --> 0:02:08.520 He said, Joel, I'm at a breaking point. I can't 0:02:08.520 --> 0:02:12.359 take it anymore. And God sees what you're going through. 0:02:12.880 --> 0:02:15.880 He knows when it's too much. And the scripture says, 0:02:16.200 --> 0:02:19.680 God is a very present help in terms of trouble. 0:02:20.440 --> 0:02:24.160 When you feel overwhelmed, thinking you can't go on, God 0:02:24.200 --> 0:02:28.239 doesn't sit oddly bind think too bad, you're on your own. No, 0:02:28.400 --> 0:02:32.360 God will send angels to strengthen you, to encourage you, 0:02:32.720 --> 0:02:37.200 to help lighten that load. Angels are called ministering spirits. 0:02:37.680 --> 0:02:41.240 There are messengers that God uses to carry out his will, 0:02:41.680 --> 0:02:45.600 to fight battles, to push back forces of darkness, and 0:02:45.680 --> 0:02:49.280 to breathe new light into your spirit to refresh and 0:02:49.360 --> 0:02:53.959 re energize you. You may be tired today. You love God, 0:02:54.200 --> 0:02:57.560 you're grateful, but you're weary. You don't see how you 0:02:57.600 --> 0:03:01.520 can keep moving forward, dealing with the abie anxiety, believing 0:03:01.600 --> 0:03:04.920 for your dreams. You've stood strong as long as you can. 0:03:05.400 --> 0:03:09.640 You think I can't handle this anymore. Be encouraged. Angels 0:03:09.680 --> 0:03:14.160 are coming. Strength is coming, Freshness is coming. You're going 0:03:14.200 --> 0:03:19.200 to feel a supernatural power lifting that load, a new attitude, 0:03:19.600 --> 0:03:22.600 giving you a second wind so you can step up 0:03:22.840 --> 0:03:26.760 and fulfill your purpose. God knew at times the load 0:03:26.760 --> 0:03:30.679 would be heavy. He knew the pressures could feel overwhelming. 0:03:31.480 --> 0:03:34.760 He's not fault in you because you're not strong enough. 0:03:35.240 --> 0:03:38.920 You should be tougher. He knows we're human. We all 0:03:39.000 --> 0:03:40.120 have breaking points. 0:03:40.680 --> 0:03:43.840 He sees you being your best, going the extra mile, 0:03:44.480 --> 0:03:47.800 doing the right thing when nobody thinks you working hard 0:03:47.880 --> 0:03:49.200 but not seeing results. 0:03:49.720 --> 0:03:51.120 He's about to step. 0:03:50.760 --> 0:03:54.800 In and do what you couldn't do. He's already dispatched 0:03:54.800 --> 0:03:59.040 the angels. They're on the way, with healing in their wings, 0:03:59.400 --> 0:04:04.600 with strength, with favor, with fresh vision, with victory. You 0:04:04.680 --> 0:04:07.320 may be at a breaking point, but get ready, a 0:04:07.440 --> 0:04:12.320 breakthrough is coming. Genesis twenty eight. Jacob had a dream. 0:04:12.920 --> 0:04:16.560 He saw this stairway going up to the heavens. The 0:04:16.560 --> 0:04:21.120 scripture says there were angels ascending and descending. They were 0:04:21.120 --> 0:04:23.680 in heaven and they'd come to Earth to carry out 0:04:23.680 --> 0:04:26.640 God's will. Then they'd go back to Heaven to get 0:04:26.680 --> 0:04:31.719 their next assignment. Was this constant flow of activity, thousands 0:04:31.720 --> 0:04:36.320 and thousands of angels ascending and descending. God was showing 0:04:36.440 --> 0:04:42.480 us how he's always working, dispatching angels to rescue, to strengthen, 0:04:42.960 --> 0:04:45.920 to move people out of the way, to bring answers 0:04:45.920 --> 0:04:51.120 to prayers. We all have situations where we could feel overwhelmed, 0:04:51.640 --> 0:04:53.279 get a negative medical reporter. 0:04:53.720 --> 0:04:54.800 We're still dealing with. 0:04:54.760 --> 0:04:57.760 An addictioner, How can I take care of my elderly 0:04:57.880 --> 0:05:01.040 parents and raise my children at the same time. This 0:05:01.160 --> 0:05:05.200 pressure is too much. What you can't see is angels 0:05:05.200 --> 0:05:08.679 are coming. God has already dispatched what you need. 0:05:09.200 --> 0:05:11.040 He's not gonna let you be defeated. 0:05:11.440 --> 0:05:14.400 Angels are about to break chains that have held you back. 0:05:15.040 --> 0:05:18.760 Angels are bringing freedom. Angels are headed to your children. 0:05:19.440 --> 0:05:24.000 Angels are holding back wrong influences. Angels are en route, 0:05:24.080 --> 0:05:28.600 bringing energy, courage, fortitude, so you can rise up and 0:05:28.680 --> 0:05:32.240 do what God's called you to do. When Jesus was 0:05:32.279 --> 0:05:35.120 on the earth from the age of twelve to the 0:05:35.120 --> 0:05:38.840 age of thirty, we don't read anything about him. There's 0:05:38.839 --> 0:05:43.240 nothing recorded in the scripture for those eighteen years. But 0:05:43.320 --> 0:05:45.960 at thirty years old, he was walking out to the 0:05:46.040 --> 0:05:49.960 Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist. When 0:05:50.040 --> 0:05:53.279 John saw him, he pointed in front of a large 0:05:53.320 --> 0:05:56.520 crowd and said, there's the lamb of God who takes 0:05:56.520 --> 0:05:59.839 away the sin of the world. He was announced public 0:06:00.440 --> 0:06:03.680 for the first time, is being the Messiah. When he 0:06:03.800 --> 0:06:07.440 was baptized by John, a voice boomed out, this is 0:06:07.480 --> 0:06:10.920 my beloved son in whom I'm well pleased a dove 0:06:11.040 --> 0:06:14.440 came and landed on his shoulder, representing the Holy Spirit. 0:06:15.160 --> 0:06:17.400 Was this incredible moment where. 0:06:17.279 --> 0:06:21.159 Jesus was about to begin his ministry after eighteen years 0:06:21.160 --> 0:06:24.760 of silence, now he was ready to go. You would 0:06:24.800 --> 0:06:28.159 think God would send him to a large city, they'd 0:06:28.160 --> 0:06:31.800 have a big meeting, he'd start doing miracles, or he'd 0:06:31.839 --> 0:06:35.120 go to government leaders, influential people be. 0:06:35.160 --> 0:06:38.880 Celebrated and recognized. But the scripture. 0:06:38.480 --> 0:06:43.360 Says the spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. 0:06:42.960 --> 0:06:44.720 To be tempted by the enemy. 0:06:45.800 --> 0:06:49.680 You can be in the wilderness and be in God's will. 0:06:49.720 --> 0:06:53.400 You can be in the desert by design. The enemy 0:06:53.440 --> 0:06:57.640 didn't lead him there, the spirit led him there. Sometimes 0:06:57.680 --> 0:07:00.760 we find ourselves in the wilderness. We know we have 0:07:00.839 --> 0:07:03.840 God's favor, we know He's put big things in our heart, 0:07:04.320 --> 0:07:07.680 but we're in a dry season. We're not seeing any growth. 0:07:08.440 --> 0:07:12.200 Doors aren't opening. The opposition is stronger than ever. You 0:07:12.240 --> 0:07:15.640 could get discouraged, complain. Well, this is when you have 0:07:15.720 --> 0:07:18.480 to dig down deep and say, God, I trust you. 0:07:19.240 --> 0:07:21.520 I know I'm not in this desert by accident. 0:07:21.760 --> 0:07:22.800 You've led me here. 0:07:23.360 --> 0:07:26.560 You won't take me someplace where you won't sustain me. 0:07:27.120 --> 0:07:29.840 So Lord, I thank you for the strength, the peace, 0:07:30.000 --> 0:07:35.080 the favor, the courage to stand strong and outlast this test. 0:07:35.400 --> 0:07:37.960 If you will have the right attitude, you'll come out 0:07:37.960 --> 0:07:42.440 of the dry place into an abundant place. After forty 0:07:42.560 --> 0:07:46.240 days of fasting in the desert, the enemy came to 0:07:46.360 --> 0:07:49.880 Jesus to tempt him. Was when he was the weakest. 0:07:50.240 --> 0:07:54.360 He was tired and hungry. He tempted Jesus three times. 0:07:54.880 --> 0:07:57.200 He said, turn these stones into bread. 0:07:57.560 --> 0:08:00.960 You're hungry, make something to eat. Jesus wouldn't do it. 0:08:01.640 --> 0:08:03.840 He said, bow down before me, and I'll give you 0:08:03.920 --> 0:08:04.960 all these kingdoms. 0:08:05.360 --> 0:08:06.320 Jesus refused. 0:08:06.960 --> 0:08:10.920 Final temptation, he took Jesus to a high place overlooking 0:08:10.960 --> 0:08:13.600 the temple. He said, if you're the son of God, 0:08:13.720 --> 0:08:17.360 jump off this ledge. You said, your angels will protect you. 0:08:18.160 --> 0:08:22.720 Once again, Jesus wouldn't do it. After he passed these tests, 0:08:22.800 --> 0:08:26.920 the scripture says angels came and strengthened him. 0:08:27.520 --> 0:08:29.160 You can imagine. 0:08:28.680 --> 0:08:31.760 After not eating for forty days, having to deal with 0:08:31.800 --> 0:08:36.560 the temptations, being hot and dry, how overwhelmed he must 0:08:36.559 --> 0:08:39.200 have been. How he didn't think he could keep going. 0:08:39.920 --> 0:08:43.240 But God knows when the pressure is too much. He 0:08:43.320 --> 0:08:46.680 knows when you can't take it anymore. Here Jesus is 0:08:46.720 --> 0:08:50.160 the son of God. He's all powerful, but in his 0:08:50.280 --> 0:08:54.400 human body, he had limitations. He faced times where he 0:08:54.480 --> 0:08:56.400 felt like he was at a breaking point. 0:08:57.160 --> 0:08:58.240 Notice what God did. 0:08:58.800 --> 0:09:03.000 He sent angels to strengthen him, Angels to refresh him, 0:09:03.520 --> 0:09:06.840 give him what he needed for his destiny. And the 0:09:06.840 --> 0:09:10.560 scripture says that Jesus came out of the desert in 0:09:10.640 --> 0:09:14.000 the power of the spirit. How could he come out 0:09:14.040 --> 0:09:18.599 more powerful when he's been in a dry place, no food, 0:09:18.640 --> 0:09:25.080 being tested, facing opposition. Angels showed up. They brought supernatural strength, 0:09:25.800 --> 0:09:29.920 energy and favor and courage. You too, may be in 0:09:29.960 --> 0:09:32.960 a dry place. You don't see how you can keep going. 0:09:33.440 --> 0:09:37.600 You're fighting the good fight, but you're suffering from battle fatigue. 0:09:37.760 --> 0:09:41.600 It's been so long, feels like it's too much. God 0:09:41.679 --> 0:09:45.280 sees what's happening. You didn't go into that dry place 0:09:45.320 --> 0:09:49.760 by accident. That wilderness was not easy, but you passed 0:09:49.760 --> 0:09:53.880 the test. You've stayed faithful, You didn't give up. You 0:09:53.920 --> 0:09:58.120 didn't quit believing life with Jesus. God's about to send 0:09:58.200 --> 0:09:59.880 angels to strengthen. 0:09:59.480 --> 0:10:04.040 You to breathe new life. Fresh vision, encouragement. 0:10:04.720 --> 0:10:06.640 You're not just going to come out of the desert 0:10:07.040 --> 0:10:09.600 barely making it beat up but draggled. 0:10:09.800 --> 0:10:11.839 You're going to come out in the power of. 0:10:11.800 --> 0:10:17.040 The Spirit, with fresh vision, fresh favor, renewed strength, ready 0:10:17.040 --> 0:10:20.520 for the new levels that God has in store. When 0:10:20.559 --> 0:10:22.720 my father went to be with the Lord, that was 0:10:22.760 --> 0:10:25.360 the most difficult thing that I had ever faced. 0:10:25.920 --> 0:10:27.920 I thought he'd live another twenty years. 0:10:28.559 --> 0:10:32.160 I worked with him behind the scenes for seventeen years, 0:10:32.200 --> 0:10:36.600 and I loved doing the production, putting his messages on television, 0:10:36.640 --> 0:10:39.800 and we traveled the world together. He'd come over to 0:10:39.840 --> 0:10:42.120 our house at night, we'd have dinner, and we'd go 0:10:42.160 --> 0:10:43.880 watch the Astros play baseball. 0:10:44.080 --> 0:10:44.880 Life was good. 0:10:45.840 --> 0:10:48.720 But in nineteen ninety nine he had a heart attack 0:10:48.840 --> 0:10:52.599 and passed. My life was suddenly turned upside down, and 0:10:53.280 --> 0:10:54.840 we didn't know what was going to happen to the 0:10:54.920 --> 0:10:57.280 church and how it was all going to work out. 0:10:58.200 --> 0:11:00.760 I couldn't see it at the time, but life with 0:11:00.920 --> 0:11:06.199 Jesus the Spirit led me into the wilderness. Sometimes what 0:11:06.280 --> 0:11:09.160 we think is the enemy is really the hand of 0:11:09.240 --> 0:11:13.680 God moving us into our destiny. The closed doors, the 0:11:13.720 --> 0:11:19.160 bad breaks, the loss, nothing happens without God's permission. You 0:11:19.200 --> 0:11:23.200 shouldn't fight everything you don't like. There are deserts you 0:11:23.320 --> 0:11:26.640 have to go through to get to your destiny. In 0:11:26.679 --> 0:11:30.040 those dry places and those wilderness seasons, you. 0:11:30.040 --> 0:11:32.560 Have to know God is right there with you. 0:11:33.360 --> 0:11:36.480 He's not gonna let you go through anything you can't handle. 0:11:36.880 --> 0:11:40.679 The moment it becomes too much, God will send the angels. 0:11:41.600 --> 0:11:43.200 Now I knew deep down I. 0:11:43.160 --> 0:11:45.520 Was supposed to step up and pastor the church, but 0:11:45.880 --> 0:11:47.079 I had never ministered. 0:11:47.720 --> 0:11:50.320 I was dealing with the loss of my father. All 0:11:50.360 --> 0:11:51.240 these changes. 0:11:51.920 --> 0:11:55.559 I thought I'd be so upset and so distraught, But I. 0:11:55.559 --> 0:11:57.559 Felt a peace that I can't explain. 0:11:58.240 --> 0:12:02.880 Yes, I missed my father, but and fall apart sinking discouragement. 0:12:03.080 --> 0:12:07.040 God, why did this happen? I felt a supernatural strength. 0:12:07.600 --> 0:12:11.640 There was a courage, a confidence, a knowing that I 0:12:11.760 --> 0:12:14.640 was well able, that everything was going to work out, 0:12:14.880 --> 0:12:15.520 that God. 0:12:15.440 --> 0:12:16.440 Was still in control. 0:12:17.360 --> 0:12:20.760 Now I look back now and realize that wasn't normal. 0:12:21.360 --> 0:12:24.640 That was God's sending angels, strengthening me. 0:12:25.080 --> 0:12:27.920 Giving me the grace to go through the desert, to 0:12:28.040 --> 0:12:31.520 not give into the temptation to get bitter, live sour. 0:12:32.440 --> 0:12:33.359 It was difficult. 0:12:34.080 --> 0:12:36.800 None of us liked to go through the wilderness, but 0:12:36.920 --> 0:12:38.360 something happens. 0:12:37.920 --> 0:12:38.720 In the desert. 0:12:39.400 --> 0:12:42.240 God is getting you prepared to come out in the 0:12:42.280 --> 0:12:46.160 power of the spirit. Some things can only take place 0:12:46.320 --> 0:12:51.160 in the dry season. The loss, the disappointment, the bad break. 0:12:52.080 --> 0:12:55.480 You may find yourself there. Now you're facing pressure that 0:12:55.520 --> 0:12:58.520 you've never faced. Feels like you're at a breaking point. 0:12:58.800 --> 0:13:02.560 Can I encourage you? Angels are coming. This is not 0:13:02.640 --> 0:13:06.000 a surprise to God. He led you to the wilderness. 0:13:06.400 --> 0:13:09.800 He doesn't lead you out there alone. He knows the pressure. 0:13:10.520 --> 0:13:14.360 He knows the struggle, the loss, the pain, what didn't 0:13:14.400 --> 0:13:14.880 work out. 0:13:15.600 --> 0:13:19.200 That load is about to be lightened like God did 0:13:19.240 --> 0:13:22.160 for me. You're going to feel strength that you can't explain. 0:13:22.679 --> 0:13:24.800 You're not only going to come out, but you're gonna 0:13:24.840 --> 0:13:29.480 come out stronger, with greater confidence, greater courage, greater faith. 0:13:30.320 --> 0:13:33.720 The Book of First Kings, the prophet Elijah had this 0:13:33.800 --> 0:13:37.440 showdown with the false prophets of bel They had a 0:13:37.480 --> 0:13:41.280 contest to see who's God was real. They worshiped an 0:13:41.280 --> 0:13:45.840 idol named Bell, Elijah worshiped Jehovah. They're both built an 0:13:45.920 --> 0:13:49.040 altar and put wood on it, and whatever God started 0:13:49.040 --> 0:13:50.720 the fire would be the true God. 0:13:51.400 --> 0:13:55.240 The prophets of bel went first. They prayed, saying dance 0:13:55.320 --> 0:13:56.760 for hours, nothing happened. 0:13:57.440 --> 0:14:00.880 When it was Elijah's turn, he prayed, and fire came 0:14:00.920 --> 0:14:01.720 down from heaven. 0:14:02.360 --> 0:14:05.040 Not only burned up the wood, but burned up the stone. 0:14:05.679 --> 0:14:06.880 He destroyed four. 0:14:06.760 --> 0:14:09.880 Hundred and fifty of the false prophets of bell An 0:14:09.920 --> 0:14:11.640 amazing victory. 0:14:11.880 --> 0:14:13.360 But when the king's. 0:14:12.960 --> 0:14:17.400 Wife, Jezebel, heard about what happened to her false prophets, 0:14:17.480 --> 0:14:21.400 she was furious. She sent word to Elijah saying, if 0:14:21.440 --> 0:14:23.880 I don't kill you by this time tomorrow, I'm going 0:14:23.920 --> 0:14:27.280 to take my own life. And Elijah was so afraid 0:14:27.600 --> 0:14:31.760 he took off, running into the desert. It's interesting how 0:14:31.800 --> 0:14:35.200 we can lose perspective. He had just called down fire 0:14:35.280 --> 0:14:39.120 from heaven, saw God destroy four hundred and fifty men. 0:14:39.640 --> 0:14:43.600 But when this one woman made a threat. There's a 0:14:43.640 --> 0:14:45.480 whole message there, but I'm not going there. 0:14:45.480 --> 0:14:49.040 But when this one lady made a threat, he was 0:14:49.040 --> 0:14:53.480 filled with fear. Are you running from things because you've 0:14:53.480 --> 0:14:58.080 lost perspective? You're listening to threats, believing what the enemy 0:14:58.120 --> 0:15:01.600 whispers in your mind. When you've seen God deliver you 0:15:01.680 --> 0:15:04.640 in the past, you know He's more powerful than what 0:15:04.640 --> 0:15:05.520 you're up against. 0:15:06.360 --> 0:15:10.200 Elijah should have answered back, Jezbel, I'm not afraid of you. 0:15:10.200 --> 0:15:13.240 You can save your threats. God delivered me from all 0:15:13.280 --> 0:15:16.640 your false prophets. I am confident he will deliver me 0:15:16.880 --> 0:15:21.400 from you too. Somehow he lost perspective, and he sat 0:15:21.480 --> 0:15:26.840 down under a tree in the desert, so exhausted, so overwhelmed, 0:15:27.040 --> 0:15:27.720 he didn't. 0:15:27.440 --> 0:15:27.960 Want to live. 0:15:28.640 --> 0:15:31.440 He prayed to die. He said in the fact, God, 0:15:31.480 --> 0:15:33.840 I'm done. This pressure is too much. 0:15:33.920 --> 0:15:36.920 Just take me on home. He was at this breaking point, 0:15:37.400 --> 0:15:38.320 ready to give up. 0:15:39.000 --> 0:15:42.680 What's interesting is God didn't say, Elijah, what's wrong with you? 0:15:42.760 --> 0:15:43.000 Man? 0:15:43.600 --> 0:15:46.560 You should be stronger, You should have more faith. You 0:15:46.600 --> 0:15:48.280 shouldn't let this pressure get to you. 0:15:48.960 --> 0:15:52.640 God doesn't fault us for not being strong enough. He 0:15:52.680 --> 0:15:56.000 knows there are times that we feel overwhelmed. The scripture 0:15:56.040 --> 0:15:59.640 says he gives strength to the weary. He doesn't condemn 0:15:59.680 --> 0:16:03.200 the weird. This could have been the last we ever 0:16:03.240 --> 0:16:07.160 read about Elijah. He's tired, he's weary, he's ready to 0:16:07.240 --> 0:16:09.080 give up. What did God do? 0:16:09.680 --> 0:16:14.000 Verse five says an angel showed up while Elijah was 0:16:14.000 --> 0:16:18.120 in the desert sleeping. This angel cooked him food, made 0:16:18.120 --> 0:16:21.560 some bread, got him some water. He woke Elijah up 0:16:21.600 --> 0:16:25.320 and told him to eat. Elijah saw the freshly baked 0:16:25.320 --> 0:16:27.040 bread and he thought he was dreaming. 0:16:27.600 --> 0:16:30.440 He ate and went back to sleep. The angel woke 0:16:30.480 --> 0:16:33.040 him up a second time told him to eat some more. 0:16:33.600 --> 0:16:34.880 Elijah ate the food. 0:16:35.560 --> 0:16:39.000 Now he had the strength to make a forty day journey. 0:16:39.680 --> 0:16:43.800 His whole attitude and perspective change. He got his fireback. 0:16:44.360 --> 0:16:47.240 He realized God was still on the throne and that he. 0:16:47.280 --> 0:16:49.560 Was bigger than anything he was facing. 0:16:50.320 --> 0:16:53.160 He came out of the desert with a new passion, 0:16:53.600 --> 0:16:56.880 more energy, ready for the next season of his life. 0:16:57.560 --> 0:16:59.240 But notice how good God is. 0:17:00.040 --> 0:17:03.720 Could have had the Angel lead Elijah to some food, 0:17:04.359 --> 0:17:07.760 show him where to hunt, help him find an animal. 0:17:07.400 --> 0:17:08.639 Where he could cook the food. 0:17:09.240 --> 0:17:12.720 But the angel not only brought the food to Elijah, 0:17:12.760 --> 0:17:16.560 but he cooked it for him. God has these times 0:17:16.840 --> 0:17:20.160 where He's going to cook the food for you. You're tired, 0:17:20.760 --> 0:17:25.359 you lost perspective, weariness has set in. God has angels 0:17:25.400 --> 0:17:28.199 preparing your meal. You're not going to have to go 0:17:28.240 --> 0:17:28.879 after it. 0:17:28.880 --> 0:17:29.840 It's going to come to you. 0:17:30.280 --> 0:17:34.240 The strength, the encouragement, the provision, the right people. 0:17:34.680 --> 0:17:37.240 God is not going to let you miss your destiny. 0:17:38.480 --> 0:17:41.320 Friend of mine is a well known pastor, and years 0:17:41.320 --> 0:17:45.720 ago before anyone knew him, he was very discouraged. He'd 0:17:45.760 --> 0:17:49.439 been pastoring for several years. Small church, less than one 0:17:49.480 --> 0:17:51.920 hundred people. They hadn't seen any growth. 0:17:52.400 --> 0:17:54.920 The building was run down, needed repairs. 0:17:55.480 --> 0:17:59.040 He couldn't pay his bills, working part time on the side, 0:17:59.480 --> 0:18:01.760 trying to keepep it all going, and some of the 0:18:01.840 --> 0:18:05.080 members were disgruntled. He got to the point where he 0:18:05.200 --> 0:18:08.359 was done. The pressure was too much. He didn't have 0:18:08.400 --> 0:18:11.720 it in him anymore. He would travel during the week 0:18:11.800 --> 0:18:15.560 and speak at other small churches, and he had one 0:18:15.640 --> 0:18:17.440 last commitment and then. 0:18:17.440 --> 0:18:20.760 He was going to be finished. He's going to walk away. 0:18:20.840 --> 0:18:23.320 He spoke that night and poured out his heart and 0:18:23.440 --> 0:18:26.600 soul as he always did. No one could tell that 0:18:26.680 --> 0:18:29.199 he was at a breaking point. They couldn't see that 0:18:29.280 --> 0:18:31.680 he was drained on the inside and that he had 0:18:31.720 --> 0:18:35.880 nothing left to give. After the service, the pastor had 0:18:35.920 --> 0:18:38.840 dinner for him in the back. Word came that there 0:18:38.880 --> 0:18:40.720 was a lady that wanted to see him. 0:18:41.440 --> 0:18:44.080 He asked them to tell her that he was too tired. 0:18:44.560 --> 0:18:47.280 He had a long drive home, plus he didn't want 0:18:47.280 --> 0:18:49.200 her to have to wait that long for them to 0:18:49.240 --> 0:18:52.320 get finished eating, they told her, but she said, I 0:18:52.359 --> 0:18:53.360 don't mind waiting. 0:18:53.600 --> 0:18:57.520 I have to see him. An hour later, he walked. 0:18:57.240 --> 0:19:00.439 Into this empty church and there was this older woman 0:19:00.960 --> 0:19:05.240 with her hospital wristband still on. She was taking chemotherapy 0:19:05.320 --> 0:19:09.640 for cancer. She was very frail, her voice weak, her 0:19:09.680 --> 0:19:12.920 hands tribbling. She said, I had to tell you. If 0:19:12.920 --> 0:19:15.560 it had not been for you, I wouldn't be alive. 0:19:16.440 --> 0:19:19.520 I listened to your messages all through the day. That's 0:19:19.560 --> 0:19:22.639 what's giving me the strength and the faith to keep going. 0:19:23.080 --> 0:19:24.320 Now. I drove here from. 0:19:24.160 --> 0:19:28.000 Two hours away to tell you, whatever you do, don't 0:19:28.000 --> 0:19:32.120 stop ministring. They both stood there and wept and wept. 0:19:32.920 --> 0:19:35.200 She had no way of knowing what he was dealing 0:19:35.240 --> 0:19:39.200 with today. That pastor goes all over the world. He says, 0:19:39.240 --> 0:19:43.440 the reason I'm still in ministry is that woman. When 0:19:43.480 --> 0:19:46.920 I say God's going to send an angel, sometimes God 0:19:46.960 --> 0:19:48.200 will use people. 0:19:47.920 --> 0:19:48.760 As an angel. 0:19:49.440 --> 0:19:54.600 The scripture says, some have entertained angels unaware that friend 0:19:54.600 --> 0:19:57.680 that encouraged you, that neighbor that said the right thing 0:19:57.760 --> 0:20:00.439 at the right time, that coworker that showed up right 0:20:00.520 --> 0:20:03.600 when you needed them, sure you knew them, but what 0:20:03.640 --> 0:20:06.639 you didn't know is they carried out the assignment of 0:20:06.720 --> 0:20:11.720 an angel. They became a messenger of God. Jesus had 0:20:11.760 --> 0:20:14.840 just finished the Last Supper with his disciples, and he 0:20:14.920 --> 0:20:17.800 told them how he was going to be crucified and 0:20:17.800 --> 0:20:21.200 how he was entering the darkest part of his life. 0:20:21.240 --> 0:20:23.919 After dinner that evening, he went to the garden of 0:20:23.960 --> 0:20:27.600 Gasemine to pray, and he took his closest disciples and 0:20:28.080 --> 0:20:31.200 asked them to pray for him. He said, my soul 0:20:31.600 --> 0:20:34.680 is overwhelmed with sorrow, even to the point of debt. 0:20:35.560 --> 0:20:38.160 You can imagine the weight of what he was carrying, 0:20:38.560 --> 0:20:42.080 the pressure he was under. He was saying, I'm at 0:20:42.080 --> 0:20:42.920 my breaking point. 0:20:43.400 --> 0:20:44.639 I have to have some help. 0:20:45.440 --> 0:20:49.240 The people he was counting on, unfortunately fell asleep. 0:20:49.760 --> 0:20:53.200 They were too tired. He woke them up, said please 0:20:53.240 --> 0:20:55.840 stay up and pray. This is a critical time for me. 0:20:56.200 --> 0:20:57.480 They said, of course we will. 0:20:58.359 --> 0:21:02.280 They had good intentions, but they fell back asleep. And 0:21:02.400 --> 0:21:04.480 sometimes the people you're counting. 0:21:04.160 --> 0:21:05.320 On will let you down. 0:21:06.080 --> 0:21:09.040 They love you, they want to help, but they're not 0:21:09.160 --> 0:21:10.280 there when you need them. 0:21:10.800 --> 0:21:13.720 You can't rely on people. You have to turn to God. 0:21:14.320 --> 0:21:17.720 And Jesus was so overcome with emotion he swept great 0:21:17.800 --> 0:21:21.280 drops of blood. He said, Father, if you can please 0:21:21.440 --> 0:21:23.040 take this cup away from me. 0:21:23.840 --> 0:21:26.480 Didn't look like he could go on. How could he 0:21:26.560 --> 0:21:30.200 handle all that pressure? The scripture says an. 0:21:30.040 --> 0:21:34.680 Angel appeared and begin to strengthen him. Friends may let 0:21:34.720 --> 0:21:37.359 you down, but God will always be there for you. 0:21:38.080 --> 0:21:40.920 When it feels overwhelming, you don't know how you can 0:21:41.000 --> 0:21:44.000 raise that child, how you can deal with that sickness, 0:21:44.359 --> 0:21:47.240 how you can keep your business going, feels like it's 0:21:47.280 --> 0:21:48.000 about to break. 0:21:48.040 --> 0:21:49.520 You can I encourage you? 0:21:49.960 --> 0:21:54.360 Angels are coming. God has not forgotten about you. He 0:21:54.440 --> 0:21:57.960 knows what you're dealing with. Those times you feel troubled, 0:21:58.480 --> 0:22:01.080 you don't see how you can go on. He's going 0:22:01.119 --> 0:22:04.520 to lighten that loan. He's going to relieve the pressure. 0:22:04.760 --> 0:22:08.560 You're going to feel a supernatural strength enabling you to 0:22:08.680 --> 0:22:13.320 outlast the opposition, overcome the adversity, to step into that 0:22:13.480 --> 0:22:17.440 destiny that belongs to you. May feel like it's too 0:22:17.480 --> 0:22:20.400 much right now, but when that angel shows. 0:22:20.200 --> 0:22:22.560 Up, you're going to come out in the power of 0:22:22.600 --> 0:22:23.120 the spirit. 0:22:24.119 --> 0:22:27.280 Jesus went over and saw his disciples still not awake. 0:22:28.000 --> 0:22:30.840 This time, instead of trying to wake them up. He 0:22:30.960 --> 0:22:35.640 told them sleep on. He was saying, something happened over 0:22:35.680 --> 0:22:39.120 there in the garden. No disrespect, but I don't need 0:22:39.160 --> 0:22:43.000 you anymore. What you couldn't see is an angel showed 0:22:43.119 --> 0:22:46.879 up and empowered me for my destiny. He strengthened me 0:22:46.920 --> 0:22:49.919 where I was weak. He lifted me where I was down. 0:22:50.320 --> 0:22:53.399 He filled me with hope where I had despair. I 0:22:53.560 --> 0:22:56.439 was in great sorrow, but now I'm in great peace. 0:22:56.920 --> 0:23:00.320 I was deeply troubled, but now I'm deeply confident I 0:23:00.440 --> 0:23:05.240 will fulfill my destiny. That's what happens when the angel 0:23:05.320 --> 0:23:08.800 shows up. You may be facing things that have you trouble. 0:23:09.320 --> 0:23:11.840 You don't know how it's gonna work out. That pressure 0:23:11.920 --> 0:23:14.760 is weighing on you like you're at that breaking point. 0:23:15.160 --> 0:23:19.800 God sees you. He's concerned about you. He has angels coming. 0:23:20.560 --> 0:23:24.920 Isaiah said, you will run and not be weary. Yes, 0:23:24.960 --> 0:23:27.840 it's been hard, you've had to struggle. It's taking a 0:23:27.880 --> 0:23:31.320 long time, but this is a new day. That weariness 0:23:31.400 --> 0:23:34.080 is coming to an end. You're about to start running, 0:23:34.600 --> 0:23:39.960 running into your purpose, running into opportunity, running into great relationships, 0:23:40.200 --> 0:23:44.840 running into good health, running into freedom, running into ease 0:23:45.520 --> 0:23:48.639 where it used to be a burden so heavy, Like 0:23:48.720 --> 0:23:51.879 with Jesus, there's going to be a supernatural grace to 0:23:51.960 --> 0:23:52.480 handle it. 0:23:53.400 --> 0:23:53.520 Now. 0:23:53.600 --> 0:23:56.320 All those people you thought you had to have, the 0:23:56.320 --> 0:24:00.000 ones that fell asleep, didn't support you, weren't there for you. 0:24:00.280 --> 0:24:03.560 No offense, but you don't need them. Tell them to 0:24:03.640 --> 0:24:07.280 sleep on. The angel showed up. Your arm was strength 0:24:07.320 --> 0:24:11.960 for this battle. You're anointed for this adversity. You're favored 0:24:12.040 --> 0:24:14.840 in the famine. You can handle that pressure. 0:24:15.080 --> 0:24:17.000 You're empowered for your purpose. 0:24:18.040 --> 0:24:21.679 What's significant is Jesus was so troubled in his spirit 0:24:21.760 --> 0:24:23.280 and sweating those great. 0:24:23.119 --> 0:24:23.959 Drops of blood. 0:24:24.359 --> 0:24:27.639 But after the angel showed up and strengthened him, he 0:24:27.800 --> 0:24:32.640 never talked any more about being troubled or overwhelmed. When 0:24:32.680 --> 0:24:36.040 the guards came to arrest him, Peter cut off one 0:24:36.040 --> 0:24:39.679 of the soldier's ears. Jesus thought, you're finally awake. I 0:24:39.720 --> 0:24:42.639 don't need you now. I have the grace to carry 0:24:42.640 --> 0:24:46.280 out my assignment. I have the favor to finish my mission. 0:24:46.960 --> 0:24:51.280 When he was brought before, Pilot falsely accused, Jesus didn't 0:24:51.320 --> 0:24:54.600 fall apart when the soldiers were mocking him. Put that 0:24:54.680 --> 0:24:57.280 crown of thorns on his head. That should have been 0:24:57.320 --> 0:25:00.480 too much. Surely he would say, God, take the away, 0:25:00.720 --> 0:25:05.439 I've changed my mind. But he had supernatural strength. Those 0:25:05.520 --> 0:25:09.560 angels put in him everything he needed to finish his purpose. 0:25:10.720 --> 0:25:13.919 None of us will ever face what he did. But 0:25:14.000 --> 0:25:16.440 what I want us to see is God will never 0:25:16.560 --> 0:25:20.280 let the pressure keep you from your destiny. He'll never 0:25:20.359 --> 0:25:24.040 let you feel so overwhelmed that you can't fulfill your purpose. 0:25:24.520 --> 0:25:26.280 That's when he'll send angels. 0:25:26.760 --> 0:25:30.760 And what God has destined for your life, all the forces. 0:25:30.320 --> 0:25:32.040 Of darkness cannot stop. 0:25:32.960 --> 0:25:36.280 You may be in a difficult season, like Jesus, a 0:25:36.400 --> 0:25:39.080 dark hour, and you don't see how you can face 0:25:39.160 --> 0:25:42.400 what's in front of you. God knows what you're dealing with. 0:25:42.680 --> 0:25:47.919 He's already dispatched the angels. He's about to bring strength, power, 0:25:48.400 --> 0:25:51.960 endurance into your spirit. The fact that you're in that 0:25:52.080 --> 0:25:54.920 difficult times tells me that you're on. 0:25:54.920 --> 0:25:57.800 The verge of a new level. You're not going to 0:25:57.920 --> 0:25:59.840 just come out not the same. 0:25:59.760 --> 0:26:02.560 But in the power of the spirit, you're going to 0:26:02.600 --> 0:26:04.040 see something you've never seen. 0:26:04.520 --> 0:26:05.680 The enemy wouldn't be. 0:26:05.680 --> 0:26:08.560 Fighting you if he didn't know you were about to 0:26:08.560 --> 0:26:12.959 take new ground, set new standards, break out of limitations 0:26:13.000 --> 0:26:16.000 that have held you back. It may seem like it's 0:26:16.040 --> 0:26:18.840 over your head, but it's not over God's head. 0:26:19.160 --> 0:26:20.159 Angels are coming. 0:26:20.560 --> 0:26:24.680 Strength is coming, A second wind is coming. I believe 0:26:24.880 --> 0:26:28.840 and declare God is about to lighten that load, lift 0:26:28.840 --> 0:26:32.600 your burden, ease the struggle, relieve that pressure. 0:26:33.080 --> 0:26:35.440 You're going to feel a supernatural strength. 0:26:35.840 --> 0:26:39.960 You will run and not be weary, outlast the opposition, 0:26:40.440 --> 0:26:45.160 overcome the adversity, and reach the fullness of your destiny in. 0:26:45.240 --> 0:26:48.719 Jesus's name, and if you receive it, can you say amen? 0:26:50.640 --> 0:26:53.360 I'd like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus 0:26:53.400 --> 0:26:54.439 the Lord of your life. 0:26:54.720 --> 0:26:55.679 Would you pray with me? 0:26:56.359 --> 0:26:59.440 Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins. 0:27:00.119 --> 0:27:03.600 Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. 0:27:04.280 --> 0:27:06.720 If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 0:27:06.760 --> 0:27:07.439 born again. 0:27:08.040 --> 0:27:10.280 We'd love to send you some information on your new 0:27:10.320 --> 0:27:11.119 walk with the Lord. 0:27:11.400 --> 0:27:13.520 You can text the number on the screen or go 0:27:13.560 --> 0:27:16.040 to the website. But I hope you'll get into a 0:27:16.119 --> 0:27:19.800 good Bible based church and keep God first place. 0:27:22.040 --> 0:27:24.560 Sometimes life can make you feel like you are just 0:27:24.680 --> 0:27:27.359 living in the dark. Even your prayers don't feel like 0:27:27.400 --> 0:27:30.200 they are making it to heaven. But God is listening 0:27:30.440 --> 0:27:33.760 and his light is about to shine. 0:27:34.080 --> 0:27:36.800 We know God is all powerful, that he can answer 0:27:36.840 --> 0:27:40.040 any prayer, but sometimes we don't know what to pray. 0:27:40.520 --> 0:27:42.600 We don't think we deserve God's goodness. 0:27:42.840 --> 0:27:46.160 Maybe we're inconveniencing him, or he has more important things 0:27:46.240 --> 0:27:46.880 to deal with. 0:27:47.440 --> 0:27:49.600 But God is concerned about. 0:27:49.280 --> 0:27:53.119 Every detail of your life. He's waiting to hear your prayers. 0:27:53.600 --> 0:27:57.320 I have a new resource called Praying with Confidence, Guided 0:27:57.359 --> 0:27:58.960 Prayers for Life's Moments. 0:27:59.320 --> 0:28:01.000 When you face challenges or. 0:28:00.920 --> 0:28:04.200 Obstacles that seem too big, you'll find prayers that will 0:28:04.240 --> 0:28:07.359 build your faith, prayers that will move the hands of God. 0:28:07.920 --> 0:28:10.480 There are prayers you can pray for peace and comfort, 0:28:10.840 --> 0:28:13.960 prayers for your family and hell, prayers for your dreams 0:28:14.000 --> 0:28:17.200 and goals. As you make these prayers your own, pray 0:28:17.280 --> 0:28:20.280 with confidence, that's when you'll see the creator of the. 0:28:20.320 --> 0:28:23.959 Universe go to work. I hope you'll request your copy today. 0:28:24.840 --> 0:28:27.440 With a gift of any amount this month, we would 0:28:27.480 --> 0:28:30.240 like to immediately send you a copy of Praying with 0:28:30.359 --> 0:28:35.040 Confidence Guided Prayers for Life's Moments. In this new resource, 0:28:35.320 --> 0:28:38.480 Joel shares how to pray when you need a breakthrough, 0:28:38.960 --> 0:28:43.040 when you need strength, Yes, when life's moments happen and 0:28:43.120 --> 0:28:46.640 you're not sure how to pray, Praying confident prayers will 0:28:46.640 --> 0:28:50.160 put you on the right path. You'll enter new seasons 0:28:50.160 --> 0:28:53.440 in your prayer life that will turn challenges to victories, 0:28:53.880 --> 0:28:58.800 heartache to hope, frustration to new found favor. Be sure 0:28:58.840 --> 0:29:02.400 to request your copy of Praying with Confidence Guided Prayers 0:29:02.440 --> 0:29:06.600 for Life's Moments today. Visit Joeloustein dot com or call 0:29:06.920 --> 0:29:09.240 eighty eight five six seven Joel