Appreciating The People In Your Life

0:00:00.200 --> 0:00:02.880 No one likes to talk about money. Am I saving enough? 0:00:02.960 --> 0:00:05.040 Can I buy a house? Am I paying too much 0:00:05.040 --> 0:00:07.760 in taxes? Will I be able to retire? What if 0:00:07.760 --> 0:00:10.360 you could unlock insights about your finances in less than 0:00:10.400 --> 0:00:12.840 five minutes, with a clear picture of where you stand 0:00:12.880 --> 0:00:15.720 today and where your money can work harder. Now you 0:00:15.760 --> 0:00:18.759 can visit facet dot com to take the free quiz 0:00:18.800 --> 0:00:23.400 and get your financial wellness score today. That's Facet dot com. 0:00:23.400 --> 0:00:25.360 This ad is sponsored by Facet. Fast Wealth in Corporated 0:00:25.440 --> 0:00:27.280 is an sec registered investment advisor. This is not an 0:00:27.320 --> 0:00:29.080 offer to buy your self securities or is it investment, 0:00:29.160 --> 0:00:30.080 legal or tax advice. 0:00:30.760 --> 0:00:33.960 You're ready for a comeback, and with Purdue Global you 0:00:34.000 --> 0:00:37.200 can do more than take classes. You can take charge 0:00:37.520 --> 0:00:41.520 of your story, of your career, of your life, Earn 0:00:41.560 --> 0:00:43.559 a degree you can be proud of, and get an 0:00:43.680 --> 0:00:48.559 education employer's respect. 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Download the uns stap and use the 0:01:18.800 --> 0:01:20.840 code I heeart fifty at sign up to receive a 0:01:20.880 --> 0:01:23.400 fifty dollars bonus when you fund your account. That's code 0:01:23.400 --> 0:01:26.400 iHeart fifty when you sign up at unest dot co 0:01:26.760 --> 0:01:29.319 for a fifty dollars bonus. See terms and conditions at 0:01:29.440 --> 0:01:30.120 UNEs dot co. 0:01:31.280 --> 0:01:34.000 Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 0:01:34.040 --> 0:01:37.200 our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 0:01:37.280 --> 0:01:39.880 enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 0:01:39.920 --> 0:01:40.840 share it with a friend. 0:01:41.160 --> 0:01:44.199 We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in your. 0:01:44.160 --> 0:01:57.040 Life, and God bless you. 0:01:57.320 --> 0:01:59.200 It's a joy to come into your homes. 0:01:59.480 --> 0:02:01.919 We love you, and if you're ever in our area, 0:02:02.120 --> 0:02:04.520 please stop buying be a part of one of our services. 0:02:04.720 --> 0:02:06.840 I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 0:02:07.200 --> 0:02:09.440 Thanks so much for tuning in today, and thank you 0:02:09.480 --> 0:02:11.919 again for coming out. I like to start with something 0:02:11.919 --> 0:02:15.200 funny and I heard about this country couple. They were 0:02:15.240 --> 0:02:19.320 celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary and they had never had 0:02:19.360 --> 0:02:23.400 an argument before, not one. Somebody asked them the secret 0:02:23.480 --> 0:02:26.639 of their success, and the husband explained. As they were 0:02:26.680 --> 0:02:30.320 leaving the church going on their honeymoon, the wife's horse 0:02:30.400 --> 0:02:33.560 refused to go. She got off, looked the horse in 0:02:33.600 --> 0:02:36.799 the eyes and said, that's one. The horse went a 0:02:36.840 --> 0:02:38.320 little bit further, stopped again. 0:02:38.880 --> 0:02:40.280 She got off, looked the. 0:02:40.200 --> 0:02:42.840 Horse in the eyes and said that's two. Went a 0:02:42.880 --> 0:02:46.160 little bit more, but stopped once again. This time, she 0:02:46.280 --> 0:02:49.919 got off, pulled out her revolver, and shot the horse dead. 0:02:50.680 --> 0:02:52.680 He said, what in the world are you doing. You 0:02:52.720 --> 0:02:55.680 can't just shoot an animal. She looked at him and said, honey, 0:02:55.919 --> 0:03:01.840 that's one. Hold up your bibles and we don't recommend that. 0:03:01.960 --> 0:03:02.200 Now. 0:03:03.600 --> 0:03:06.480 This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. 0:03:06.840 --> 0:03:09.120 I have what it says I have. I can do 0:03:09.240 --> 0:03:11.880 what it says I can do. Today I will be 0:03:11.960 --> 0:03:15.760 taught the word of God. I boldly confess. My mind 0:03:15.840 --> 0:03:19.160 is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 0:03:19.280 --> 0:03:23.880 the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want 0:03:23.919 --> 0:03:27.280 to talk to you today about appreciating the people in 0:03:27.320 --> 0:03:31.080 your life. There are people around you that are making 0:03:31.120 --> 0:03:34.600 you look good, people that are using their gifts to 0:03:34.680 --> 0:03:37.560 make your life easier, people that are going out of 0:03:37.600 --> 0:03:42.240 their way making sacrifices so you can accomplish your dreams. 0:03:42.880 --> 0:03:46.080 None of us got to where we are on our own. 0:03:46.280 --> 0:03:49.360 The more you give credit to others, the more God 0:03:49.400 --> 0:03:54.400 will bless you. The scripture says, humble yourself, and God 0:03:54.520 --> 0:03:58.680 will exalt you. It takes humility to say I didn't 0:03:58.680 --> 0:04:02.160 get here by myself. I had awesome parents, I have 0:04:02.240 --> 0:04:05.680 an amazing wife. I've had friends that have believed in me. 0:04:06.280 --> 0:04:10.200 There's no such thing as a self made person. Even 0:04:10.280 --> 0:04:14.480 before we were born, people were watching over us, doctors, nurses, 0:04:14.560 --> 0:04:19.479 medical staff. When we arrived, our parents grandparents made great 0:04:19.560 --> 0:04:23.360 sacrifices to make sure we were taken care of. We've 0:04:23.400 --> 0:04:28.040 all had friends, coaches, teachers, mentors that went the extra 0:04:28.160 --> 0:04:32.080 mile to make us better. And then there are people 0:04:32.279 --> 0:04:35.719 that we might not think much about. They're in the shadows, 0:04:35.880 --> 0:04:39.000 but they make our life easier. We sleep better at 0:04:39.120 --> 0:04:43.479 night knowing the police officers are out patrolling. Our streets 0:04:43.560 --> 0:04:47.239 stay clean because the trash collectors come by twice a week. 0:04:47.880 --> 0:04:51.279 The grocery store shelves have just what we need because 0:04:51.320 --> 0:04:55.160 the young man keeps them stocked. Your life is easier 0:04:55.400 --> 0:05:00.240 because somebody is serving, somebody is investing in you. My 0:05:00.360 --> 0:05:03.880 question is are you thanking them? Are you telling them 0:05:03.920 --> 0:05:08.560 how you appreciate it, expressing your gratitude. I realize the 0:05:08.640 --> 0:05:11.320 reason I look good is because I have a lot 0:05:11.360 --> 0:05:14.120 of people that make me look good. I have an 0:05:14.120 --> 0:05:18.520 incredible staff, an amazing family, fantastic friends. 0:05:18.920 --> 0:05:20.839 I am quick to give them the credit. 0:05:21.760 --> 0:05:26.240 My suit is pressed and clean today because my friend Sam, 0:05:26.480 --> 0:05:29.560 who owns a clothing store, won't let me wear it 0:05:29.839 --> 0:05:32.719 unless he first presses it. I tell him, Sam, I've 0:05:32.760 --> 0:05:35.080 only worn it once since you pressed it last. 0:05:35.120 --> 0:05:37.320 Time doesn't matter. Bring it over here. 0:05:37.480 --> 0:05:40.400 I want it to look perfect. The funny thing is 0:05:40.440 --> 0:05:42.920 I don't even take it to him. My friend Johnny 0:05:42.960 --> 0:05:46.600 comes by the house, gets my suit, takes it to Sam's, 0:05:46.760 --> 0:05:49.320 goes back and picks it up. I stand up and 0:05:49.400 --> 0:05:53.080 look nice. But I realize it didn't happen by myself. 0:05:53.440 --> 0:05:56.560 I've got Sam, I've got Johnny. Plus I didn't even 0:05:56.600 --> 0:05:57.320 pick out my suit. 0:05:57.400 --> 0:05:58.120 Victoria did. 0:06:00.160 --> 0:06:02.480 It took three people to get me in this suit, 0:06:03.560 --> 0:06:08.279 No wonder I look so good. Taint for granted the 0:06:08.400 --> 0:06:10.600 people that are making your life easier. 0:06:11.279 --> 0:06:12.960 Be generous with your thanks. 0:06:13.480 --> 0:06:18.440 Take time to express appreciation, write a note, send a text, 0:06:18.760 --> 0:06:21.160 or the old fashioned way pick up the telephone. Hey, 0:06:21.240 --> 0:06:23.280 I want to tell you how much you. 0:06:23.279 --> 0:06:26.080 Mean to me. Thank you for making me look good. 0:06:26.880 --> 0:06:30.120 Those simple words will go further than you can imagine. 0:06:30.560 --> 0:06:35.360 When you acknowledge their sacrifice, their input, their talent, it 0:06:35.400 --> 0:06:37.240 builds incredible loyalty. 0:06:38.080 --> 0:06:38.840 When they know. 0:06:39.640 --> 0:06:43.200 You know they're making you look good, you realize they're 0:06:43.200 --> 0:06:47.080 making your life easier, they'll want to do even more. See, 0:06:47.080 --> 0:06:50.640 people have no problem helping you succeed. They have no 0:06:50.720 --> 0:06:54.040 problem making your life easier as long as you give 0:06:54.080 --> 0:06:58.479 them the proper credit. As long as you acknowledge their contribution, 0:06:58.839 --> 0:07:01.359 they'll bend over back words to help you go further. 0:07:02.240 --> 0:07:05.200 But the reason many people get stuck is they start 0:07:05.200 --> 0:07:09.400 taking people for granted. They become proud and think, I 0:07:09.480 --> 0:07:12.560 did this on my own. Look how talented I am. 0:07:12.600 --> 0:07:15.520 Look how good my suit looks. No, it says they're 0:07:15.560 --> 0:07:20.600 in Proverbs pride goes before a fall. One reason is 0:07:20.600 --> 0:07:24.160 when you become proud and you don't acknowledge those that 0:07:24.200 --> 0:07:29.280 have helped you, your team becomes weak. Lack of thanks 0:07:29.440 --> 0:07:33.960 erodes loyalty. When you don't appreciate people, they don't want 0:07:34.000 --> 0:07:35.920 to help you. They're not going to go out of 0:07:35.960 --> 0:07:38.320 their way to try to make you look good as 0:07:38.360 --> 0:07:41.440 long as you're taking all the credit. Now, be more 0:07:41.480 --> 0:07:46.280 aware of who's making your life easier. That neighbor that 0:07:46.400 --> 0:07:49.880 swings by your house takes your son to ball practice. 0:07:50.280 --> 0:07:53.200 Make sure they know how much you appreciate them. Have 0:07:53.320 --> 0:07:56.280 them over for dinner sometime, Give them a gift certificate 0:07:56.440 --> 0:08:01.120 to go out to eat. Express your thanks. That coworker 0:08:01.280 --> 0:08:04.320 that goes out of their way to teach you to 0:08:04.400 --> 0:08:08.600 share what they know. Take time to thank them on 0:08:08.640 --> 0:08:12.120 a regular basis. Hey, I appreciate you so and end. 0:08:12.040 --> 0:08:14.960 Of my life. I realize you don't have to do this. 0:08:16.000 --> 0:08:18.960 Our children wouldn't be very smart if we didn't have 0:08:19.080 --> 0:08:23.280 great teachers and principles and coaches and educators that give 0:08:23.360 --> 0:08:24.400 their life. 0:08:24.160 --> 0:08:25.760 To teach and educate them. 0:08:26.040 --> 0:08:30.400 Have you think those teachers lately they're investing into your children. 0:08:32.600 --> 0:08:34.199 I was at the hospital. 0:08:33.800 --> 0:08:36.440 Visiting a man a while back, and I couldn't help 0:08:36.480 --> 0:08:43.360 but notice all the doctors, nurses, hospital staff, how kind, caring, loving, 0:08:43.679 --> 0:08:47.080 gracious they were. This nurse came in the room with 0:08:47.120 --> 0:08:51.400 the hot town started rubbing this man's feet and massaging them. 0:08:52.000 --> 0:08:54.160 When she left, I said, I didn't know you had 0:08:54.160 --> 0:08:57.000 a problem with your feet. He said, I don't, but 0:08:57.040 --> 0:08:59.720 she comes in and does that every hour because she 0:08:59.800 --> 0:09:03.800 knows it makes me feel better. Don't take for granted 0:09:04.040 --> 0:09:07.360 the people that are making you feel better, making you 0:09:07.400 --> 0:09:12.079 look better, making you live better. Captain Charles Plum was 0:09:12.120 --> 0:09:16.360 a Navy fighter pilot in Vietnam. He flew seventy five 0:09:16.520 --> 0:09:21.480 successful combat missions, but on number seventy six, his plane 0:09:21.559 --> 0:09:25.560 was hit by a surface to air missile and exploded. Somehow, 0:09:25.600 --> 0:09:29.000 he was able to eject and safely parachute to the ground, 0:09:29.240 --> 0:09:32.040 where he was captured by the enemy forces, and after 0:09:32.080 --> 0:09:35.840 spending six years in a Vietnamese prison, he was released 0:09:35.840 --> 0:09:38.319 to come back to the United States, where he went 0:09:38.360 --> 0:09:41.960 on to live a normal life. Many years later, he 0:09:42.080 --> 0:09:45.080 was in a restaurant with his wife. This man came 0:09:45.120 --> 0:09:46.480 up and said, I know. 0:09:46.400 --> 0:09:47.000 Who you are. 0:09:47.320 --> 0:09:51.400 You're Captain Charles Plum. You flew fighter jets off the 0:09:51.520 --> 0:09:55.360 US Kitty Hawk in Vietnam. I remember when you got 0:09:55.400 --> 0:09:58.160 shout down and you had to parachute to the ground. 0:09:58.840 --> 0:10:01.840 Captain Plum was a that he knew so many details. 0:10:02.040 --> 0:10:03.960 He said, who are you and how do you know 0:10:04.040 --> 0:10:07.720 all that? He said, I was in the Navy, a sailor, 0:10:07.840 --> 0:10:10.400 on that same ship where you would take off from. 0:10:10.760 --> 0:10:13.080 I was the one that packed your parachute. 0:10:14.080 --> 0:10:16.640 Captain Plum got up and gave him a big hug, 0:10:16.679 --> 0:10:19.719 and they talked and reminisced for a few minutes. Then 0:10:19.760 --> 0:10:22.960 they said goodbye and went their separate ways. That night, 0:10:23.080 --> 0:10:26.840 Captain Plum couldn't sleep. He kept thinking about the man 0:10:27.000 --> 0:10:29.920 he had met in the restaurant. He wondered what he 0:10:30.000 --> 0:10:33.679 might have looked like years ago in a sailor uniform. 0:10:34.360 --> 0:10:37.000 He thought about how many times he must have passed 0:10:37.080 --> 0:10:40.960 him on the ship and never acknowledged him, never said hello, 0:10:41.160 --> 0:10:44.840 good morning. How are you see? Captain Plum was a 0:10:44.880 --> 0:10:49.000 fighter pilot. He was at the top of his field. Respected, 0:10:49.320 --> 0:10:52.959 Everyone looked up to him. This other man nothing wrong 0:10:53.000 --> 0:10:55.280 with him, He was fine, But he was a sailor. 0:10:55.720 --> 0:10:58.839 He wasn't at Captain Plum's same level. So back then 0:10:59.160 --> 0:11:02.600 Captain Plum didn't give him the time of day. Now 0:11:02.679 --> 0:11:06.400 it grated on his conscience. He thought about all the 0:11:06.520 --> 0:11:10.280 lonely hours that sailor must have spent in the hall 0:11:10.400 --> 0:11:15.200 of the ship, carefully sowing the fabric together, making sure 0:11:15.360 --> 0:11:19.960 the parachute was just right, then folding it perfectly, going 0:11:20.040 --> 0:11:23.080 to great links to make sure it was as precise 0:11:23.320 --> 0:11:27.120 as could be, knowing that somebody's life could depend on it. 0:11:28.000 --> 0:11:31.240 Now Captain Plum has a new appreciation for this man. 0:11:31.800 --> 0:11:36.000 He goes around the world asking people, who's packing your parachute, 0:11:36.679 --> 0:11:40.640 who's behind the scenes making you look good, who's investing 0:11:40.720 --> 0:11:44.800 in you, who's making your life easier? Like Captain Plum, 0:11:45.160 --> 0:11:48.640 Are you walking by people every day at the house, 0:11:49.160 --> 0:11:52.559 at the office, at the school, and you don't realize 0:11:52.800 --> 0:11:55.120 how instrumental they are in your life? 0:11:55.760 --> 0:11:59.320 They seem kind of insignificant. But if you didn't have. 0:11:59.280 --> 0:12:02.040 Them, if they didn't do a good job, if they 0:12:02.040 --> 0:12:06.079 weren't there, your life would be much more difficult. Don't 0:12:06.120 --> 0:12:10.120 see them as secondary. You didn't get here by yourself. 0:12:10.600 --> 0:12:14.960 All along the way people have been packing your parachute. 0:12:15.000 --> 0:12:18.280 Have you told your parents lately thank you for all 0:12:18.360 --> 0:12:21.120 that they did? They got up early in the morning 0:12:21.160 --> 0:12:24.160 to make your breakfast. They ran you a ball practice, 0:12:24.360 --> 0:12:26.840 made sure you had what you needed, stayed up late 0:12:26.880 --> 0:12:29.200 to help you do your homework. They didn't do it 0:12:29.240 --> 0:12:32.440 because they had to. They did it because they love you, 0:12:32.800 --> 0:12:35.960 because they want your life to be better than theirs. 0:12:36.679 --> 0:12:39.880 Have you told your mom lately, Hey mom, thanks for 0:12:39.960 --> 0:12:43.480 packing my parachute. Hey dad, thanks for making me better? 0:12:44.720 --> 0:12:47.640 You say, Joel, My parents didn't raise me right. They 0:12:47.640 --> 0:12:49.559 didn't do this. They should have done more of that. 0:12:50.080 --> 0:12:53.160 I'm not saying they were perfect. They probably made mistakes. 0:12:53.280 --> 0:12:57.200 We all have, but keep it in perspective. Your mother 0:12:57.400 --> 0:13:00.880 changed your diaper, fed you when you were hung, kept 0:13:00.880 --> 0:13:01.640 you warm when. 0:13:01.480 --> 0:13:04.440 You were cold, stayed up all night when you didn't 0:13:04.440 --> 0:13:08.040 feel well. The good far outweighs the bad. 0:13:08.800 --> 0:13:11.720 You wouldn't be where you are if she didn't make sacrifices. 0:13:12.440 --> 0:13:15.880 Take time to thank those that have made you better. 0:13:16.720 --> 0:13:19.199 I know people that are at odds with their parents, 0:13:19.240 --> 0:13:22.120 not speaking at odds with the people that raised them. 0:13:22.520 --> 0:13:26.240 But I found when you humble yourself and say thank you, 0:13:26.840 --> 0:13:32.280 healing takes place. When you appreciate people, relationships can be restored. 0:13:33.000 --> 0:13:35.640 You got to quit focusing on everything they did wrong 0:13:35.840 --> 0:13:38.640 and find something they did right. Hey Mom, Hey dad, 0:13:38.880 --> 0:13:42.160 thanks for investing in me. Get in this habit of 0:13:42.240 --> 0:13:46.520 appreciating the people in your life. Tell that cousin, that 0:13:46.720 --> 0:13:48.839 uncle that took you under his wing. 0:13:49.120 --> 0:13:50.760 How much he means to you. 0:13:51.520 --> 0:13:54.840 Tell that friend that's always watching after you, thanks for 0:13:54.920 --> 0:13:58.040 your friendship. I am so blessed that God puts you 0:13:58.160 --> 0:14:01.880 in my life. S one of us has people that 0:14:02.000 --> 0:14:06.320 are packing our parachutes. Look around this week. Who's help 0:14:06.440 --> 0:14:09.320 make you into who you are? Who's been there to 0:14:09.400 --> 0:14:12.720 comfort you in a time of loss, who encourages you 0:14:12.760 --> 0:14:15.880 when you're down? Who can you count on when nobody 0:14:15.920 --> 0:14:18.800 else is around? Those are some of the people that 0:14:18.880 --> 0:14:22.680 are packing your parachute. Years ago, my brother Paul went 0:14:22.720 --> 0:14:25.840 through a very difficult time in his life. He was 0:14:25.880 --> 0:14:29.480 the chief of surgery at the hospital. His medical profession 0:14:29.600 --> 0:14:33.520 was booming, but his personal life was falling apart. His 0:14:33.560 --> 0:14:37.120 marriage didn't make it. It was a few days before Christmas. 0:14:37.320 --> 0:14:41.560 He was so heartbroken, so devastated. To make matters worse 0:14:42.000 --> 0:14:44.480 that Christmas, he couldn't come home to be with our 0:14:44.520 --> 0:14:47.720 family because of his work schedule. He was at his 0:14:47.840 --> 0:14:52.280 home alone in another state. Like most men, to try 0:14:52.280 --> 0:14:54.760 to bury the pain. He went out in the backyard 0:14:54.800 --> 0:14:59.400 and he started a project, hammering and sawing away. His 0:14:59.440 --> 0:15:03.400 next door came over and asked Paul innocently what he 0:15:03.480 --> 0:15:04.760 was going to do for Christmas. 0:15:05.040 --> 0:15:06.760 He knew nothing about what was going on. 0:15:07.480 --> 0:15:10.680 Paul made some kind of excuse, saying that he had plans, 0:15:11.000 --> 0:15:14.760 but that made the loneliness even greater. As he was 0:15:14.800 --> 0:15:18.200 out there hammering away, feeling the weight of the world 0:15:18.200 --> 0:15:22.360 on his shoulders, thoughts telling him You're a failure. Nobody 0:15:22.360 --> 0:15:25.000 even cares about you. You're never going to be happy again. 0:15:25.400 --> 0:15:28.440 He heard the gate to the backyard open and he 0:15:28.520 --> 0:15:31.720 looked over and saw the ups man coming around the 0:15:31.800 --> 0:15:35.120 corner handed Paul a package. It was a box of 0:15:35.200 --> 0:15:40.000 chocolates sent to him from my sister, Tamra. The note read, Paul, 0:15:40.080 --> 0:15:40.920 we love you. 0:15:41.120 --> 0:15:44.240 And miss you so much. Can't wait to see you soon. 0:15:45.000 --> 0:15:48.280 Paul said those chocolates were one of the greatest Christmas 0:15:48.280 --> 0:15:52.400 gifts he had ever received. What was Tamra doing packing 0:15:52.440 --> 0:15:56.120 his parachute? Every one of us has people in our 0:15:56.160 --> 0:15:58.760 life like that that had been there in a time 0:15:58.800 --> 0:16:03.600 of need, family member, a friend, a coworker, when everybody 0:16:03.640 --> 0:16:06.760 else was too busy. They were the ones to stop 0:16:06.800 --> 0:16:09.560 by and encourage us. They were the ones that took 0:16:09.640 --> 0:16:12.720 time to mail the box of chocolates. They went out 0:16:12.720 --> 0:16:16.200 of their way to make sure we were okay. Don't 0:16:16.200 --> 0:16:19.800 take them for granted. Tell them how much you love them, 0:16:20.040 --> 0:16:20.640 how much you. 0:16:20.760 --> 0:16:22.040 Value their friendship. 0:16:22.800 --> 0:16:26.440 You and I are winning today because somebody helped us 0:16:26.480 --> 0:16:26.840 to win. 0:16:27.400 --> 0:16:28.920 Somebody packed our parashute. 0:16:29.760 --> 0:16:34.760 In the scripture, Joshua and his men were out fighting 0:16:34.840 --> 0:16:38.560 a battle and they were having great success defeating the enemy. 0:16:38.960 --> 0:16:40.600 Everything was going perfect. 0:16:41.080 --> 0:16:45.600 But what Joshua didn't realize is he was winning because 0:16:45.680 --> 0:16:49.080 Moses was up on a hill holding up his hands, 0:16:49.560 --> 0:16:52.720 and as long as Moses had his hands in the air, 0:16:53.120 --> 0:16:57.280 Joshua would win. When Moses got tired, Aaron and her 0:16:57.440 --> 0:17:00.920 came over and helped him hold his hands in the air. Now, 0:17:01.040 --> 0:17:05.000 Joshua is winning because of three other people that he 0:17:05.080 --> 0:17:08.760 can't see. People that are behind the scenes are making 0:17:08.800 --> 0:17:13.199 a difference. Could it be, like Joshua, there are people 0:17:13.560 --> 0:17:16.359 that we're not aware of, people that we're not paying 0:17:16.400 --> 0:17:20.000 attention to that are helping us to win. We don't 0:17:20.080 --> 0:17:24.160 realize we're winning because our grandmother's praying for us every day. 0:17:24.760 --> 0:17:28.600 Thank her for packing your parachute. We're being blessed because 0:17:28.640 --> 0:17:33.000 our spouse is making great sacrifices, taking care of children, 0:17:33.400 --> 0:17:36.520 never complaining, never putting pressure on us, so that we 0:17:36.520 --> 0:17:40.240 can accomplish our dreams. Don't take them for granted. Thank 0:17:40.320 --> 0:17:43.879 them for helping you to win. Year or so after 0:17:43.920 --> 0:17:47.600 my father died and I started ministering, I sat down 0:17:47.640 --> 0:17:51.720 one day and wrote about fifteen thank you letters to 0:17:51.880 --> 0:17:55.800 ministers that I had grown up with. The Hagens, the Copelands, 0:17:55.840 --> 0:17:59.760 the Savells, the Planets's, the Shambocks. These were people that 0:17:59.840 --> 0:18:03.280 can through Lakewood on a regular basis. When I was younger, 0:18:03.560 --> 0:18:06.640 friends of our family. I never dreamed that I would 0:18:06.640 --> 0:18:09.960 be a minister. One day, when I would prepare my sermons, 0:18:10.200 --> 0:18:14.000 I realized how much they had impacted me and what 0:18:14.080 --> 0:18:17.359 great examples they had been. I didn't know at the time, 0:18:17.400 --> 0:18:21.359 but they were packing my parachute. They were investing in me. 0:18:21.880 --> 0:18:25.840 Now I'm winning because they helped me to win. Take 0:18:25.920 --> 0:18:28.879 time to thank the people that have made you better. 0:18:29.760 --> 0:18:33.679 My friend Bink drives over from Austin every Sunday morning 0:18:34.000 --> 0:18:36.680 two and a half hours to adjust these cameras. 0:18:37.119 --> 0:18:38.160 He's the best. 0:18:37.880 --> 0:18:41.480 There is in demand all over. He didn't have to come. 0:18:41.600 --> 0:18:44.840 He's got plenty of work. Plus he's had his hip replaced, 0:18:45.119 --> 0:18:48.200 doesn't get around like he used to. But every Sunday 0:18:48.400 --> 0:18:52.119 as faithful as can be, there's Bink making me look good, 0:18:52.520 --> 0:18:56.800 packing my parachute, helping me to win. I realized there 0:18:56.840 --> 0:19:01.320 were people in this facility hours before the service, making 0:19:01.359 --> 0:19:04.439 sure the lights were adjusted, the sound was perfect, the 0:19:04.480 --> 0:19:07.680 building was the right temperature. Thank you to the technicians, 0:19:07.720 --> 0:19:11.719 Thank you to the building engineers. Before Jonathan learned how 0:19:11.760 --> 0:19:14.320 to drive, some Sundays he needed to be at church 0:19:14.400 --> 0:19:16.919 early in I would bring him at seven in the morning, 0:19:17.240 --> 0:19:20.320 an hour and a half before our first service. I 0:19:20.400 --> 0:19:23.280 was always so amazed when I pulled up to see 0:19:23.359 --> 0:19:27.880 hundreds of volunteers streaming in from the parking lot on 0:19:27.920 --> 0:19:30.439 their day off, seven o'clock in the morning. 0:19:30.760 --> 0:19:33.639 Nobody's paying them. We didn't beg them to do it. 0:19:33.840 --> 0:19:36.360 They're doing it because they love God and they want 0:19:36.359 --> 0:19:37.600 to help other people to win. 0:19:40.359 --> 0:19:44.920 Our ushers seat thousands of people every weekend. The head 0:19:45.000 --> 0:19:47.879 ushers will come to the early service and study the 0:19:47.960 --> 0:19:50.720 crowd and study the parking lot. So they can get 0:19:50.760 --> 0:19:54.119 prepared how to seat people for the eleven o'clock service. 0:19:54.760 --> 0:19:59.320 I'm winning because somebody's making me look good. Somebody's packing 0:19:59.359 --> 0:20:02.680 my parishie. Now I'm gonna do my part to thank 0:20:02.760 --> 0:20:05.560 them and tell them how much I value what they're 0:20:05.560 --> 0:20:09.560 doing this. Don't be like Captain Plum and overlook the 0:20:09.760 --> 0:20:13.280 very people that are keeping it all together, the ones 0:20:13.320 --> 0:20:16.399 that are with us day in and day out, making 0:20:16.480 --> 0:20:20.280 our lives better. Thank you to all the incredible volunteers 0:20:20.320 --> 0:20:20.960 at Lakewood. 0:20:21.040 --> 0:20:22.600 What an amazing job you do. 0:20:22.960 --> 0:20:26.240 Sometimes I get the credit, but I know, like with 0:20:26.400 --> 0:20:30.040 Joshua life with Moses, I'm winning because you're holding up 0:20:30.040 --> 0:20:35.560 my hands. You're giving, you're serving, you're coming early, you're volunteering. Friends, 0:20:36.440 --> 0:20:41.439 our lives have been divinely linked together. I can't write 0:20:41.480 --> 0:20:45.080 my life's story without including you. You can't write yours 0:20:45.240 --> 0:20:49.000 without including me. God connected us together to make each 0:20:49.040 --> 0:20:55.520 other better. Proverb says, as iron sharpens iron, one man 0:20:55.560 --> 0:20:59.199 sharpens another. Thank you for making me sharper. Thank you 0:20:59.240 --> 0:21:01.720 for making me better. Thank you for believing in me, 0:21:01.880 --> 0:21:04.080 for praying for me, for being here each week, for 0:21:04.119 --> 0:21:04.920 watching each week. 0:21:05.480 --> 0:21:06.840 Thanks for helping me to win. 0:21:08.960 --> 0:21:13.080 See learn to express your appreciation. 0:21:13.800 --> 0:21:17.159 A lot of times we feel appreciation. We think, wow, 0:21:17.320 --> 0:21:20.439 I love them, they're amazing, they mean the world to me. 0:21:20.760 --> 0:21:24.359 But here's the key. Nobody knows what you're thinking. Your 0:21:24.400 --> 0:21:27.600 thoughts don't bless anybody. I can think all day long, 0:21:27.600 --> 0:21:29.720 how much I love you, how much I value you. 0:21:30.119 --> 0:21:31.560 But love is not. 0:21:31.800 --> 0:21:35.800 Love until it's expressed, until it's given away. You got 0:21:35.800 --> 0:21:39.160 to pick up the phone, tell them, hey. 0:21:39.240 --> 0:21:41.480 You mean the world to me. I'm thinking about you. 0:21:41.960 --> 0:21:44.359 Or go give them a hug, buy them dinner, do 0:21:44.480 --> 0:21:48.800 something to express that love. I stand down here during 0:21:48.840 --> 0:21:51.280 the praise and worship, the first part of our services, 0:21:51.280 --> 0:21:55.080 and so often I think these worship leaders we have 0:21:55.320 --> 0:21:58.479 are fantastic Steve Dandrah Cindy Israel. 0:21:58.720 --> 0:22:01.400 They are second to none. When they sing, they give 0:22:01.440 --> 0:22:02.359 me goosebumps. 0:22:02.760 --> 0:22:05.359 But I have to remind myself what I'm telling you. 0:22:05.720 --> 0:22:08.919 My thoughts aren't blessing them. They don't know what I'm thinking. 0:22:09.400 --> 0:22:11.520 So every month or so I'll send them a text. 0:22:11.560 --> 0:22:14.920 You were amazing, you were anointed. Thanks for being a part. 0:22:14.720 --> 0:22:15.320 Of our team. 0:22:16.040 --> 0:22:19.359 See learn to give flowers while people are still living. 0:22:19.960 --> 0:22:20.880 Don't wait till. 0:22:20.680 --> 0:22:24.400 Somebody dies before you decide to tell. 0:22:24.200 --> 0:22:26.280 Them how much they mean to you. 0:22:27.280 --> 0:22:29.440 I've been to a lot of funerals and I hear 0:22:29.560 --> 0:22:33.080 so many great things, and I always think I wish 0:22:33.240 --> 0:22:35.920 this person was still here to hear. 0:22:35.840 --> 0:22:38.760 What's being said. Listen. If you've got something good to 0:22:38.800 --> 0:22:39.640 say about. 0:22:39.359 --> 0:22:42.080 Me, say it now, Say it while I'm alive. Say it, 0:22:42.119 --> 0:22:44.600 why I can hear it. If you got something bad, 0:22:44.960 --> 0:22:49.879 wait till I'm dead. Earlier this year, we were in 0:22:49.960 --> 0:22:53.840 Chicago at the White Sox Baseball Stadium, preparing to have 0:22:54.080 --> 0:22:57.000 a Night of Hope. The first person we met in 0:22:57.040 --> 0:22:59.520 the parking lot was a gentleman named Joe. 0:23:00.200 --> 0:23:02.200 We drove in a couple of months before. 0:23:01.960 --> 0:23:05.080 Our event, and it was a little bit cold, rainy, windy, 0:23:05.359 --> 0:23:09.479 but there was Joe waving us in big smile, happy 0:23:09.520 --> 0:23:12.000 as could be. I didn't think much about it, just 0:23:12.040 --> 0:23:14.920 a friendly parking lot attendance. We went back three or 0:23:14.960 --> 0:23:18.760 four times before our event, and without fail, Joe was 0:23:18.800 --> 0:23:23.280 there greeting us the same way, happy friendly. When we 0:23:23.440 --> 0:23:27.360 left the Night of Hope late Saturday night, driving out 0:23:27.359 --> 0:23:30.600 of the stadium, the last one I saw waving goodbye 0:23:30.680 --> 0:23:34.240 to us with a big smile was Joe. Two thousand 0:23:34.240 --> 0:23:37.280 and six, the Chicago White Sox won the World Series. 0:23:37.880 --> 0:23:41.439 Normally just the coaches and the players get the World 0:23:41.600 --> 0:23:42.640 Championship ring. 0:23:43.000 --> 0:23:44.080 That's so valuable. 0:23:44.600 --> 0:23:48.280 Sometimes higher level staff will get a less expensive version 0:23:48.359 --> 0:23:52.119 of the ring. But mister Jerry Reinsdorf, the owner of 0:23:52.119 --> 0:23:55.960 the White Sox, a fine gentleman. He understands this principle. 0:23:56.280 --> 0:23:59.920 He knows who's packing his parachute. It's not just the players, 0:24:00.320 --> 0:24:03.320 just the coaches, the people out front. He knows the 0:24:03.440 --> 0:24:07.240 behind the seams people are making him a winner as well. 0:24:07.760 --> 0:24:12.879 He gave the most expensive World Series Championship ring to 0:24:13.040 --> 0:24:17.040 every parking lot attendant, every ticket taker, everyone on the 0:24:17.080 --> 0:24:21.480 maintenance crew, everyone that ran the building, from the most 0:24:21.560 --> 0:24:26.199 important to the seemingly least important. He was saying, I 0:24:26.400 --> 0:24:28.639 realize who's making this team great. 0:24:28.840 --> 0:24:31.119 It's all of us now, no wonder. 0:24:31.240 --> 0:24:34.240 Joe is out there with a smile every day, giving 0:24:34.320 --> 0:24:37.800 it his best. He knows he's not seen as secondary. 0:24:38.160 --> 0:24:42.159 He's not just feeling a position. He's appreciated by the owner. 0:24:42.640 --> 0:24:46.760 Today Joe wears his championship ring. When you value people, 0:24:47.080 --> 0:24:50.000 they'll go the extra mile. You and I may not 0:24:50.080 --> 0:24:53.480 own a professional sports team. But we all have people 0:24:53.800 --> 0:24:56.600 that are making our life better, people that are making 0:24:56.640 --> 0:25:00.520 our life easier. They're the behind the seams people. They're 0:25:00.560 --> 0:25:03.640 the people that assist you at the office. They pick 0:25:03.720 --> 0:25:06.480 up your children at school when you're too busy. They 0:25:06.520 --> 0:25:09.359 mow the lawn, they wash your clothes, they press your suit. 0:25:10.040 --> 0:25:13.840 Make sure you're giving them the championship ring. Make sure 0:25:13.880 --> 0:25:17.040 they know how much you value and appreciate what they're doing. 0:25:17.320 --> 0:25:20.959 They're packing your parachute. Don't just pass by them and 0:25:21.040 --> 0:25:24.200 never say thank you. They're in the hull of the ship, 0:25:24.480 --> 0:25:27.800 so to speak, behind the scenes, keeping it all together. 0:25:28.160 --> 0:25:33.560 Be generous with your thanks. Really, this appreciation should start. 0:25:33.200 --> 0:25:35.720 In our own home, with our own family. 0:25:36.480 --> 0:25:39.680 Sometimes we take for granted the people that are helping 0:25:39.800 --> 0:25:43.360 us the most. That's why I always give credit give 0:25:43.440 --> 0:25:46.960 honor to my mother. I realize I'm reaping many of 0:25:47.000 --> 0:25:50.040 the seeds that she's sown down through the years. I 0:25:50.040 --> 0:25:52.679 wouldn't be half of who I am today if it 0:25:52.720 --> 0:25:57.440 were not for Victoria. Victoria has not only packed my parachute, 0:25:57.600 --> 0:26:01.439 she pushed me out of the plane. She encouraged me 0:26:01.520 --> 0:26:05.840 to take big steps of faith. Our two children, Jonathan 0:26:05.880 --> 0:26:09.920 and Alexandra travel with us everywhere we go. They never complain, 0:26:10.160 --> 0:26:12.920 always have a smile. I don't take that for granted. 0:26:13.560 --> 0:26:16.480 I have two brothers in law that are instrumental in 0:26:16.560 --> 0:26:20.120 running the ministry. Don and Kevin are incredible at what 0:26:20.160 --> 0:26:23.720 they do. I'm winning today because they're helping me to win. 0:26:24.560 --> 0:26:28.439 My sister, Lisa has worked at the ministry nearly thirty years. 0:26:28.960 --> 0:26:31.679 When my father was alive, she used to sit behind 0:26:31.720 --> 0:26:35.000 my dad in the services, and she would always remind 0:26:35.080 --> 0:26:37.520 Daddy of what he needed to announce, and she would 0:26:37.600 --> 0:26:39.720 keep him up to speed on everything that's going on. 0:26:40.200 --> 0:26:42.480 Lisa's very organized, very efficient. 0:26:43.160 --> 0:26:46.040 Two weeks after my father died, I was sitting in 0:26:46.080 --> 0:26:48.919 his chair about to go up and minister, and Lisa 0:26:49.040 --> 0:26:52.160 was behind me. She leaned over to whisper something in 0:26:52.200 --> 0:26:55.000 my ear, like she had done with my father all 0:26:55.000 --> 0:26:58.919 that time. When she leaned back, she heard God speak 0:26:59.000 --> 0:27:01.760 something to her, not out loud, but write down in here. 0:27:02.240 --> 0:27:05.680 He said, Lisa, just as you've served your father all 0:27:05.720 --> 0:27:08.399 these years, now you are to serve your brother. 0:27:09.200 --> 0:27:10.120 The last twelve. 0:27:09.960 --> 0:27:13.760 Years, Lisa's been an incredible friend and incredible support, an 0:27:13.760 --> 0:27:15.080 amazing Bible teacher. 0:27:16.280 --> 0:27:19.080 When my dad died. My brother Paul, as you. 0:27:19.080 --> 0:27:21.959 Know, gave up his medical practice to come back and 0:27:22.000 --> 0:27:25.399 help us pastor the church. He told my mother, Joel 0:27:25.520 --> 0:27:28.880 used to be just my younger brother, but now he's 0:27:28.920 --> 0:27:33.000 my pastor as well. You wouldn't think that I'd make 0:27:33.080 --> 0:27:34.919 fun of him so much, but I can't help it. 0:27:36.200 --> 0:27:39.000 Don't take for granted the people that are closest to you. 0:27:39.600 --> 0:27:43.160 Here's your assignment this week as you go out. Identify 0:27:43.520 --> 0:27:47.679 who's making your life better, who's packing your parachute, Identify 0:27:47.920 --> 0:27:51.080 who's helping you to win. And then number two very important, 0:27:51.480 --> 0:27:55.439 express your appreciation. Don't just think about it. Write them 0:27:55.440 --> 0:27:57.760 a note, call them and take them out to dinner, 0:27:58.200 --> 0:27:59.879 pick up the phone, tell them how much. 0:27:59.720 --> 0:28:03.240 They mean to you. When you take time to appreciate 0:28:03.320 --> 0:28:04.160 the people. 0:28:03.800 --> 0:28:06.640 In your life, they will be more loyal, they will 0:28:06.640 --> 0:28:10.560 do a better job. Plus you will feel rewarded. There's 0:28:10.600 --> 0:28:14.679 a satisfaction that comes from lifting others up. When you 0:28:14.760 --> 0:28:18.440 express love, the other person is blessed and your own 0:28:18.480 --> 0:28:21.639 life will be enriched. Remember, none of us got to 0:28:21.680 --> 0:28:23.160 where we are on our own. 0:28:23.720 --> 0:28:24.680 If you'll develop this. 0:28:24.720 --> 0:28:27.840 Habit of appreciating the people in your life, you'll not 0:28:27.920 --> 0:28:31.680 only have better relationships, not only enjoy your life more, 0:28:31.840 --> 0:28:32.840 but you'll go further. 0:28:33.160 --> 0:28:34.280 You'll accomplish more. 0:28:34.720 --> 0:28:38.000 I believe and declare you'll become everything that God's created 0:28:38.040 --> 0:28:38.320 you to be. 0:28:38.400 --> 0:28:40.120 Amen. Do you receive it today? 0:28:41.760 --> 0:28:44.480 We never like to close our broadcast without giving you 0:28:44.520 --> 0:28:47.320 an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 0:28:47.440 --> 0:28:51.520 Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 0:28:51.640 --> 0:28:52.800 repent of my sins. 0:28:54.040 --> 0:28:54.920 Come into my heart. 0:28:56.000 --> 0:28:59.400 I make you my Lord and savior. Friends, if you 0:28:59.440 --> 0:29:02.560 prayed that prayer, we believe you got born again. Get 0:29:02.600 --> 0:29:05.320 in a good Bible based chart. Keep God first place. 0:29:05.600 --> 0:29:07.840 He's going to take your places you've never dreamed of. 0:29:08.600 --> 0:29:11.480 Thank you for listening to the Joel Los Deine podcast. 0:29:11.800 --> 0:29:14.440 Help us continue to share the message of hope with 0:29:14.560 --> 0:29:15.920 those all over the world. 0:29:16.240 --> 0:29:17.800 Visit Joelostin dot. 0:29:17.600 --> 0:29:20.640 Com slash give Hope to give a gift today. 0:29:21.920 --> 0:29:24.360 Thanks so much for listening to today's message. 0:29:24.480 --> 0:29:27.240 I hope you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest 0:29:27.280 --> 0:29:28.680 podcast to keep. 0:29:28.520 --> 0:29:31.480 You inspired all through the week. We're praying for you. 0:29:31.680 --> 0:29:34.120 I know God's best is still ahead. 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