Armed With The Strength For Battle

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See terms and conditions at UNEs 0:01:29.760 --> 0:01:30.080 dot co. 0:01:31.200 --> 0:01:33.959 Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 0:01:34.000 --> 0:01:36.759 our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. 0:01:36.880 --> 0:01:39.240 If you enjoy today's message, why don't you be a 0:01:39.280 --> 0:01:40.399 blessing and share it with. 0:01:40.360 --> 0:01:43.720 A friends, reappreciate you and pray for God's very best 0:01:43.760 --> 0:01:58.680 in your life. Oh God, bless you and welcome so 0:01:58.840 --> 0:02:01.720 good to come into your home. We love you, we 0:02:01.800 --> 0:02:04.320 know God has great things in store for you. If 0:02:04.320 --> 0:02:07.000 you're ever in our area, please stop buy and see us. 0:02:07.200 --> 0:02:08.800 We'd love to have you be a part of one 0:02:08.840 --> 0:02:11.640 of our services. But thanks so much for tuning in today. 0:02:12.320 --> 0:02:14.440 I like to start with something funny each week, and 0:02:14.480 --> 0:02:17.480 I heard about this pastor. He decided to skip church 0:02:17.520 --> 0:02:20.600 one Sunday morning and go play golf. He told his 0:02:20.680 --> 0:02:23.440 assistant he wasn't feeling well, and he drove to a 0:02:23.480 --> 0:02:26.440 golf course in another city where nobody would know him. 0:02:26.880 --> 0:02:29.640 He teed off on the first hole, and suddenly the 0:02:29.680 --> 0:02:32.680 wind picked up his ball and carried it an extra 0:02:32.840 --> 0:02:35.920 hundred yards and blew it right into the hole for 0:02:36.000 --> 0:02:39.000 a four hundred and twenty yard hole in one. An 0:02:39.040 --> 0:02:41.040 angel looked at God and said, what'd you do that for? 0:02:41.600 --> 0:02:46.799 God smiled and said, who's he gonna tell? All right, 0:02:47.600 --> 0:02:49.519 hold up your Bible, say it like you mean it. 0:02:49.960 --> 0:02:52.720 This is my Bible. I am what it says. 0:02:52.760 --> 0:02:53.079 I am. 0:02:53.639 --> 0:02:56.360 I have what it says I have. I can do 0:02:56.440 --> 0:02:59.120 what it says I can do. Today I will be 0:02:59.200 --> 0:03:04.120 taught of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, 0:03:04.639 --> 0:03:07.919 my heart is receptive. I will never be the same. 0:03:08.400 --> 0:03:12.519 In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want to talk 0:03:12.560 --> 0:03:16.560 to you today about having a can do mentality. Too 0:03:16.560 --> 0:03:20.720 many people go around with a weak, defeated mindset. When 0:03:20.720 --> 0:03:24.800 they face adversity or some kind of difficulty, instead of 0:03:24.840 --> 0:03:27.519 digging their heels in and fighting the good fight of faith, 0:03:27.960 --> 0:03:31.880 they get discouraged, thinking I can't do this any longer. 0:03:32.280 --> 0:03:35.560 I can't raise this child. It's too hard. I can't 0:03:35.600 --> 0:03:38.720 go to this job another day, or this sickness will 0:03:38.760 --> 0:03:41.560 probably be the end of me. They have a weakness 0:03:41.560 --> 0:03:45.400 mentality instead of a can do mentality, and it seems 0:03:45.440 --> 0:03:48.560 like they're always under attack. You ask them how they're 0:03:48.560 --> 0:03:52.200 doing well? Pretty good under the circumstances. What are you 0:03:52.240 --> 0:03:56.000 doing under there? We're supposed to be above only and 0:03:56.160 --> 0:04:00.640 never beneath it. You may have difficult circumstance, ass but 0:04:00.760 --> 0:04:04.800 know this, God has already given you the strength you 0:04:04.920 --> 0:04:08.120 need to not just endure it, but to be there 0:04:08.320 --> 0:04:11.320 with a good attitude. But it all starts right here. 0:04:11.520 --> 0:04:14.600 We have to have the right mindset. Every day. You 0:04:14.600 --> 0:04:17.159 should say I can do what I need to do. 0:04:17.920 --> 0:04:20.799 This job may be tough, but God's given me his strength. 0:04:21.440 --> 0:04:23.719 This child may be hard to raise, but I know 0:04:23.800 --> 0:04:27.839 I'm well able. This marriage may be difficult, but I'm 0:04:27.839 --> 0:04:30.239 not going to give in and take the easy way. Out. 0:04:30.480 --> 0:04:32.760 I'm going to stay strong and fight the good fight 0:04:32.800 --> 0:04:35.880 of faith. We have to have our minds made up 0:04:36.120 --> 0:04:39.000 that no matter what comes against us, we have the 0:04:39.040 --> 0:04:43.240 strength to overcome. May be something small during the day, 0:04:43.480 --> 0:04:47.720 a flat tire, a grouchy person, a child that's acting up. 0:04:48.040 --> 0:04:50.039 Deep down, you've got to know you don't have to 0:04:50.040 --> 0:04:53.200 get upset. You don't have to lose your cool. God's 0:04:53.200 --> 0:04:56.159 given you the power to stay calm when you in 0:04:56.200 --> 0:04:59.120 those situations. You need to remind yourself I have the 0:04:59.160 --> 0:05:03.320 strength to victory. If you'll have the right attitude, the 0:05:03.440 --> 0:05:05.960 right mindset, life will go a whole lot better. 0:05:06.560 --> 0:05:06.760 I know. 0:05:06.800 --> 0:05:09.560 A few months ago, I was driving in from out 0:05:09.560 --> 0:05:11.760 of town. I wanted to get home at a certain 0:05:11.800 --> 0:05:13.960 time so I had some things to take care of. 0:05:14.520 --> 0:05:16.800 But as I got close to the city, the freeway 0:05:16.920 --> 0:05:19.880 was closed. Traffic was backed up for miles and miles. 0:05:20.040 --> 0:05:22.799 Everybody had to get off. It was a big mess 0:05:22.800 --> 0:05:26.920 taken forever, and I could feel myself wanting to get upsets. 0:05:27.440 --> 0:05:30.000 I could have easily just given in let that ruin 0:05:30.080 --> 0:05:32.840 my day, but I did what I'm asking you to do. 0:05:33.520 --> 0:05:36.240 Under my breath, I said God, even though I don't 0:05:36.360 --> 0:05:39.479 like this. I know You've given me the strength to 0:05:39.520 --> 0:05:41.880 be here with a good attitude, and I'm not gonna 0:05:41.920 --> 0:05:44.440 let this steal my joy. I stayed there just as 0:05:44.440 --> 0:05:48.080 calm as can be. What happened I tapped into that strength, 0:05:48.720 --> 0:05:52.039 it says in Psalms, God has given us the power 0:05:52.279 --> 0:05:56.160 to remain calm in times of adversity. The whole key 0:05:56.240 --> 0:05:59.159 is we have to activate that power. The way we 0:05:59.279 --> 0:06:03.360 do it is by believing, even in bigger things. Maybe 0:06:03.400 --> 0:06:07.160 you're facing a serious illness, the medical report doesn't look good. 0:06:07.600 --> 0:06:10.760 Now you're tempted to live worried, negative, give up on 0:06:10.839 --> 0:06:14.280 your dreams. Or maybe it's a situation in your finances 0:06:14.560 --> 0:06:17.560 seems impossible to you, or at the office people are 0:06:17.600 --> 0:06:21.440 talking about you, stirring up strife. The easy thing is 0:06:21.480 --> 0:06:23.599 to just sink back and think too bad for me, 0:06:24.120 --> 0:06:27.120 live negative and defeated. But no, you have to get 0:06:27.240 --> 0:06:32.760 rid of that weakness mentality and start having a warrior mentality. 0:06:32.880 --> 0:06:36.280 God has strength for you right where you are. He 0:06:36.360 --> 0:06:39.440 wants you to have victory in the midst of that storm. 0:06:39.880 --> 0:06:43.080 But so much of it depends on our approach. And 0:06:43.120 --> 0:06:45.760 the scripture says here in Second Samuel twenty two, Verse 0:06:45.800 --> 0:06:49.600 forty You have armed me with strength for the battle. 0:06:50.320 --> 0:06:53.800 You have put my enemies under my feet. Verse forty 0:06:53.839 --> 0:06:57.839 three says I grind them like fine dust into the ground. 0:06:58.960 --> 0:07:02.279 Notice that phrase, God has armed you with strength for 0:07:02.320 --> 0:07:05.880 the battle. You may be in tough times, but God 0:07:05.920 --> 0:07:09.880 has equipped you and empowered you with everything you need 0:07:10.040 --> 0:07:14.000 to be victorious. God knows what you're going through. He 0:07:14.080 --> 0:07:16.679 knows the challenges you're going to face in the future. 0:07:17.280 --> 0:07:20.000 He doesn't say, have a pity party and wait till 0:07:20.040 --> 0:07:23.000 it's over, get depressed, give up on your dreams. No, 0:07:23.120 --> 0:07:26.200 he says, here, rise up in faith, for I've armed 0:07:26.240 --> 0:07:29.640 you with strength for that battle. Deep down in here, 0:07:30.000 --> 0:07:32.720 you've got to know that. You know this thing is 0:07:32.760 --> 0:07:36.400 not going to defeat me. It may look difficult, it 0:07:36.440 --> 0:07:39.440 may look impossible, but I've never given up. I know 0:07:39.520 --> 0:07:42.000 I've been armed with strength for the battle, and I 0:07:42.080 --> 0:07:44.360 believe when it's all said and done, I'm still going 0:07:44.440 --> 0:07:48.040 to be standing strong. We've all heard that phrase armed 0:07:48.160 --> 0:07:51.320 and dangerous. That's the way we need to see ourselves. 0:07:51.880 --> 0:07:54.400 You are not a weakling. You are a child of 0:07:54.440 --> 0:07:58.200 the most High God. He's already infused his can do 0:07:58.360 --> 0:08:02.480 power into you. When you rise up in your authority, 0:08:02.520 --> 0:08:06.640 with this boldness, with this confidence being determined, you're not 0:08:06.720 --> 0:08:11.040 only armed, but you are dangerous to the enemy. See 0:08:11.080 --> 0:08:13.680 in the natural, when things don't go our way, we 0:08:13.720 --> 0:08:17.760 should get down and discourage, drag through life defeated. But 0:08:17.920 --> 0:08:22.200 instead you have that warrior mentality. You have your shoulders back, 0:08:22.600 --> 0:08:25.000 you have a smile on your face. You're doing the 0:08:25.120 --> 0:08:27.720 right thing even though the wrong thing's happening to you. 0:08:28.360 --> 0:08:31.280 When you rise up in faith like that, it not 0:08:31.320 --> 0:08:34.560 only allows God to fight your battles for you, but 0:08:34.640 --> 0:08:38.400 that totally confuses the enemy. When you get up in 0:08:38.440 --> 0:08:41.080 the morning, I believe the forces of darkness look at 0:08:41.120 --> 0:08:44.440 you and say, oh no, he's awake again. Friends, you 0:08:44.480 --> 0:08:48.040 are armed and dangerous. Don't you dare drag through life 0:08:48.120 --> 0:08:52.520 with a weak, defeated mindset. Quit telling yourself I can't 0:08:52.520 --> 0:08:55.959 do this, it's too hard for me. I'm not able. No, 0:08:56.120 --> 0:08:59.320 you have the most powerful force in the universe on 0:08:59.400 --> 0:09:03.520 the inside. I tap into that power declare every day 0:09:03.880 --> 0:09:07.120 I am well able, I can do all things through Christ. 0:09:07.360 --> 0:09:10.000 I am a victor and not a victim. I have 0:09:10.120 --> 0:09:14.199 the power to overcome. When you do that, something's happening 0:09:14.280 --> 0:09:18.240 on the inside. You're getting stronger. And really, anybody can 0:09:18.280 --> 0:09:21.320 sit around and talk about what didn't work out and 0:09:21.400 --> 0:09:24.200 the breaks we didn't get and how unfair life is. 0:09:24.760 --> 0:09:27.960 We all have things coming against us. You may be 0:09:28.040 --> 0:09:30.920 in a storm, but the whole key is don't let 0:09:30.920 --> 0:09:34.760 the storm get in you. Stay in peace, stay determined, 0:09:34.760 --> 0:09:38.600 stay aggressive. You've been armed with strength for whatever you 0:09:38.679 --> 0:09:42.400 go through. And it's so important the way we see ourselves. 0:09:42.880 --> 0:09:46.000 We will never rise above the image we have of ourselves. 0:09:46.640 --> 0:09:50.400 If you see yourself as being weak, defeated, not able 0:09:50.440 --> 0:09:53.839 to that'll keep you in mediocrity. But if you can 0:09:53.880 --> 0:09:56.679 develop a new image on the inside and start to 0:09:56.720 --> 0:10:01.719 see yourself the way God sees you, strong, determined, courageous, 0:10:01.760 --> 0:10:04.439 more than a conquer If you'll see yourself that way, 0:10:04.760 --> 0:10:07.559 you'll rise to a new level. I heard a story 0:10:07.559 --> 0:10:09.680 about a man that was in a post office with 0:10:09.760 --> 0:10:13.200 his small son, and the little boy saw the pictures 0:10:13.240 --> 0:10:16.000 of the people on the wall that had committed crimes, 0:10:16.400 --> 0:10:18.880 and at the top it said the ten most wanted, 0:10:19.200 --> 0:10:22.439 and at the bottom, in big bolt letters, armed and dangerous. 0:10:23.000 --> 0:10:25.439 The little boy was intrigued by it, and he asked 0:10:25.440 --> 0:10:28.199 his father what it meant. The dad explained how those 0:10:28.240 --> 0:10:31.360 people had done wrong and now the authorities were trying 0:10:31.400 --> 0:10:33.840 to find them. The little boy thought about it a 0:10:33.880 --> 0:10:36.880 minute and said, Dad, why didn't they just keep them 0:10:37.000 --> 0:10:41.480 when they took their picture? Leave it to a child. 0:10:42.840 --> 0:10:46.520 But I was thinking, if the enemy had a post office, 0:10:46.960 --> 0:10:50.200 do you realize your picture would be up there. That's 0:10:50.240 --> 0:10:53.720 the way he sees you. Armed in dangerous. You have 0:10:53.800 --> 0:10:56.560 the power to live in victory. You have the power 0:10:56.640 --> 0:10:59.440 to endure tough times. But this isn't going to do 0:10:59.520 --> 0:11:01.720 us any good good if we have the wrong image 0:11:01.720 --> 0:11:04.760 on the inside. You can't go around thinking somehow that 0:11:04.800 --> 0:11:07.160 you're a victim. Hell, Joel Man, I'm having to work 0:11:07.200 --> 0:11:09.920 two jobs to make ends me. I've got this sickness 0:11:09.920 --> 0:11:12.160 that I've been dealing with, or got these problems at 0:11:12.200 --> 0:11:15.200 the office. Now, you're not a victim. No matter what 0:11:15.320 --> 0:11:18.760 comes your way in life. The creator of the universe 0:11:19.000 --> 0:11:22.720 has already infused you with his can do power. You 0:11:22.840 --> 0:11:26.880 have everything you need. Nothing is too much for you. 0:11:27.400 --> 0:11:30.160 If it was, God would not have allowed it. When 0:11:30.200 --> 0:11:33.000 times get tough, you have to remind yourself I have 0:11:33.080 --> 0:11:36.600 the strength to overcome. God's given me the power to endure. 0:11:37.600 --> 0:11:39.960 Every morning, when we first get up, we need to 0:11:40.000 --> 0:11:42.880 power up. In other words, we need to get our 0:11:42.920 --> 0:11:46.080 mind to going in the right direction, thinking thoughts like 0:11:46.559 --> 0:11:50.760 I'm ready for this day. I'm equipped, I'm empowered. I've 0:11:50.760 --> 0:11:54.120 got my armor on, got my shoes of peace, got 0:11:54.120 --> 0:11:57.480 my belt of truth, got my helmet of salvation, got 0:11:57.480 --> 0:12:00.000 the shield of faith, got the sword of the spirit. 0:12:00.120 --> 0:12:03.880 Speaking God's word. What are we doing receiving God's strength? 0:12:04.200 --> 0:12:07.840 We're getting empowered for the day. But so many times 0:12:07.880 --> 0:12:10.079 when we wake up, first thing we say is, oh Lord, 0:12:10.320 --> 0:12:12.760 is it already time to get up? I don't want 0:12:12.760 --> 0:12:15.120 to go to work today. Man, I got so many problems. 0:12:15.160 --> 0:12:17.760 My back's still hurting. Do I have to go to school? 0:12:18.440 --> 0:12:21.600 All that's doing is just the opposite, drain in our strength, 0:12:22.160 --> 0:12:25.480 drain in our energy. The battle is taking place in 0:12:25.520 --> 0:12:29.640 our minds. Many people don't realize they're making plans to 0:12:29.679 --> 0:12:32.760 have a lousy day. They wonder why they can't live 0:12:32.800 --> 0:12:36.120 in victory, why they can't overcome. It's because they're defeated 0:12:36.120 --> 0:12:39.120 in their thoughts. I can't do this. It's too much 0:12:39.120 --> 0:12:41.560 for me. I don't have what it takes. No get 0:12:41.640 --> 0:12:45.560 rid of that and reprogram your computer. All through the day. 0:12:45.920 --> 0:12:48.760 We should be thinking thoughts like I am well able, 0:12:49.040 --> 0:12:51.319 I can do what I need to do. Nothing's too 0:12:51.320 --> 0:12:54.280 hard for me. I'm more than a conquer God always 0:12:54.320 --> 0:12:57.120 causes me to tryumph. I am strong in the Lord. 0:12:57.840 --> 0:13:02.559 When you do that, you'll feel strength, determination, perseverance, that 0:13:02.679 --> 0:13:06.520 can do spirit will rise up. Too many people live 0:13:06.559 --> 0:13:10.600 in this negative mentality. When times get tough, they just 0:13:10.960 --> 0:13:15.520 back down. They accept defeat too easily. They retreat and 0:13:15.600 --> 0:13:18.240 run from things that are hard. But have you ever 0:13:18.280 --> 0:13:21.439 thought about with the armor of God, there's nothing for 0:13:21.559 --> 0:13:25.200 our backside, not one piece to cover us from the rear. 0:13:25.720 --> 0:13:29.120 That's because we were never supposed to be running. We 0:13:29.120 --> 0:13:32.200 weren't supposed to be sitting around depressed saying I can't 0:13:32.200 --> 0:13:34.840 believe this is happening to me. Joe, you don't know 0:13:34.880 --> 0:13:37.679 what I'm going through. No, I may not know what 0:13:37.720 --> 0:13:40.240 you're going through, and I'm certainly not making light of 0:13:40.280 --> 0:13:44.040 anyone's problems. But I do know this. God has already 0:13:44.080 --> 0:13:46.800 given you the strength to be exactly where you are. 0:13:47.440 --> 0:13:49.720 It may not be a good place, but don't let 0:13:49.800 --> 0:13:52.560 that ruin your life. You've got to learn to bloom 0:13:52.920 --> 0:13:55.960 write where you're planning. If you don't get happy where 0:13:56.000 --> 0:13:58.760 you are, most likely you'll never get to where you 0:13:58.800 --> 0:14:02.400 want to be. I have a friend that's taking chemotherapy 0:14:02.520 --> 0:14:05.200 for the third time, and I love the fact that 0:14:05.240 --> 0:14:08.720 he's a warrior. He's not sitting around saying poor old me, 0:14:08.880 --> 0:14:11.800 this hit and fair. No, he's determined. He's got his 0:14:11.920 --> 0:14:14.520 mind made up. He's not going to sit back and 0:14:14.600 --> 0:14:18.240 accept defeat. He knows he's been armed with strength for 0:14:18.280 --> 0:14:21.320 that battle. And every time I see him, he doesn't 0:14:21.360 --> 0:14:23.920 have his hair right now, he's thinner than he used 0:14:23.960 --> 0:14:26.560 to be, but he always has a smile on his face. 0:14:27.080 --> 0:14:30.280 He always has a good report. I try to encourage him, 0:14:30.560 --> 0:14:34.000 and he ends up encouraging me. You may be facing 0:14:34.040 --> 0:14:37.440 a difficulty like that. Don't just give in and say, well, Joel, 0:14:37.520 --> 0:14:40.400 I probably won't make it. The odds are against me. Now, 0:14:40.440 --> 0:14:44.080 let me tell you can defy the odds. Nothing's too 0:14:44.120 --> 0:14:49.560 hard for our God. Be a warrior and understand where 0:14:49.600 --> 0:14:53.440 you are is no surprise to God. He has you 0:14:53.600 --> 0:14:56.720 in the palm of his hand. Your attitude should be 0:14:57.000 --> 0:14:59.120 this thing's not going to defeat me. It's not going 0:14:59.200 --> 0:15:01.760 to steal my joy, boy, I've been armed with strength 0:15:01.800 --> 0:15:04.360 for this battle, and I'm gonna stay strong and keep 0:15:04.440 --> 0:15:07.080 fighting the good fight of faith until the day God 0:15:07.120 --> 0:15:10.920 takes me home. If you'll stay strong on the inside, 0:15:11.160 --> 0:15:14.560 nothing can defeat you on the outside. You may get 0:15:14.640 --> 0:15:17.120 up some mornings and you don't feel like going to work. 0:15:17.360 --> 0:15:18.400 We all do. 0:15:18.400 --> 0:15:18.440 Do. 0:15:18.520 --> 0:15:20.800 You have to tell yourself I'm well able to do 0:15:20.840 --> 0:15:23.280 this and I'm not only gonna go to work today. 0:15:23.440 --> 0:15:25.480 I'm gonna go with a good attitude and give it 0:15:25.520 --> 0:15:28.880 my very best. What I'm saying is change your mindset. 0:15:29.600 --> 0:15:32.320 You may have a child that aggravates you and gets 0:15:32.400 --> 0:15:35.680 on your nerves. Well, God knew that child was gonna 0:15:35.720 --> 0:15:39.040 be yours. It's no accident. You might as well dig 0:15:39.040 --> 0:15:41.120 your heels in and say, I'm gonna get along with 0:15:41.200 --> 0:15:43.040 this child if it's the last thing I ever do. 0:15:44.040 --> 0:15:45.920 Some days you may have to pray God, you better 0:15:45.920 --> 0:15:47.880 give me strength, or this child's gonna come home to 0:15:47.920 --> 0:15:53.560 see you be determined. Well, I don't feel like cleaning 0:15:53.600 --> 0:15:55.880 the house today. That's all I ever do. Now you 0:15:55.920 --> 0:15:58.120 need to get up in faith and attack that house. 0:15:58.680 --> 0:16:04.440 Run the vacuum like you down the enemy. Just make 0:16:04.480 --> 0:16:06.120 sure you don't get one of your children in there 0:16:06.280 --> 0:16:10.080 and earth. You may have a thousand reasons why you 0:16:10.120 --> 0:16:13.080 should live negative and depressed, but I'm asking you to 0:16:13.120 --> 0:16:15.560 get up and say, with David, this is the day 0:16:15.600 --> 0:16:18.120 the Lord has made. I'm gonna smile even though I 0:16:18.160 --> 0:16:20.600 don't feel like it. I'm gonna be good to people, 0:16:20.920 --> 0:16:23.760 even though I feel like telling somebody off. I'm gonna 0:16:23.760 --> 0:16:26.720 have a right attitude, even though I feel like being sour. 0:16:27.240 --> 0:16:29.480 As you sow a seed of doing the right thing, 0:16:29.800 --> 0:16:32.400 God will fill you with his strength. You'll begin to 0:16:32.440 --> 0:16:36.160 live life on a higher level. Colossians three twelve says 0:16:36.360 --> 0:16:40.760 we have the power to endure whatever comes along with 0:16:40.880 --> 0:16:43.840 a good attitude. If we could just get this principle 0:16:43.840 --> 0:16:47.200 on the inside, no matter what comes my way, it's 0:16:47.280 --> 0:16:50.440 not too much for me. God's in control, and he's 0:16:50.440 --> 0:16:53.680 given me the power to endure. You may work at 0:16:53.680 --> 0:16:57.000 a place doesn't seem fair. You don't like the people, 0:16:57.400 --> 0:17:01.440 your boss is obnoxious, the environment is well. The wrong 0:17:01.480 --> 0:17:03.520 approach is to get up and say I can't stand 0:17:03.600 --> 0:17:06.600 going to work at this place. I don't like these people. No, 0:17:06.840 --> 0:17:09.720 just turn it around and say, God, this is where 0:17:09.760 --> 0:17:12.560 you have me right now. I may not like it. 0:17:12.880 --> 0:17:15.800 I'd love to have another job, but until something else 0:17:15.880 --> 0:17:18.879 opens up, I'm going to receive your strength and go 0:17:18.920 --> 0:17:21.520 to work with a good attitude, knowing that you've given 0:17:21.560 --> 0:17:24.960 me the power to endure. It's all in our mindset. 0:17:25.920 --> 0:17:28.720 I have a friend that's taking care of his elderly parents. 0:17:28.880 --> 0:17:33.000 It's very difficult, very time consuming. He takes them food 0:17:33.040 --> 0:17:35.960 every day, mows their lawn, takes care of their house. 0:17:36.280 --> 0:17:38.639 He's got his own home and his own family, and 0:17:38.640 --> 0:17:40.760 every once in a while he'll start to get discouraged 0:17:40.800 --> 0:17:44.280 and start to complain, and I'll remind him, this is 0:17:44.359 --> 0:17:47.600 the season God has you in now. It may be 0:17:47.720 --> 0:17:50.960 more difficult than other seasons. But the good news is 0:17:51.400 --> 0:17:54.080 God already knew you were going to be here, and 0:17:54.119 --> 0:17:57.120 if you'll keep a good attitude and receive his strength, 0:17:57.680 --> 0:18:00.359 he'll help you to not just endure it, but to 0:18:00.440 --> 0:18:05.320 even enjoy it and remember seasons change. You may be 0:18:05.520 --> 0:18:08.240 in a tough season right now, having to raise a 0:18:08.320 --> 0:18:11.199 child that's difficult, going to a job where they're not 0:18:11.240 --> 0:18:14.520 treating you right, or maybe it's just a lonely season 0:18:14.560 --> 0:18:16.880 where you don't have a lot of friends. But if 0:18:16.880 --> 0:18:20.320 you will stay in faith that season will come to 0:18:20.359 --> 0:18:23.600 an end and there'll be brighter days up ahead. Winter 0:18:23.880 --> 0:18:27.639 always gives way to spring. Sometimes the winter is a 0:18:27.640 --> 0:18:30.560 little longer than we would like. But the fact is 0:18:31.320 --> 0:18:34.560 we don't grow near as much in the easy times 0:18:34.680 --> 0:18:38.440 as we do the tough times. Although that's difficult, you'll 0:18:38.480 --> 0:18:42.120 keep a right attitude and stay in faith. Something's happening 0:18:42.240 --> 0:18:46.719 on the inside. Your character is being developed, your roots 0:18:46.760 --> 0:18:50.919 are going down deeper, You're getting stronger. It's like a tree. 0:18:51.119 --> 0:18:53.720 We have some big oaks in our backyard, and in 0:18:53.760 --> 0:18:56.440 the winter they lose all their leaves. They look as 0:18:56.440 --> 0:19:00.000 bare and as dead as can be. But experts take 0:19:00.000 --> 0:19:02.680 tell us the trees in the winter time are gathering 0:19:02.760 --> 0:19:06.240 up sap on the inside. To me, it looks like 0:19:06.320 --> 0:19:09.840 nothing's happening. It looks like it's a very dry, stagnant time. 0:19:10.400 --> 0:19:13.120 But if those trees didn't have the sap from the winter, 0:19:13.640 --> 0:19:16.760 they wouldn't be as healthy and strong during the other seasons. 0:19:17.480 --> 0:19:20.160 In the same way, in the tough times of life, 0:19:20.280 --> 0:19:23.959 God's getting sap into us. He's making us stronger. I 0:19:24.000 --> 0:19:25.840 know some of you are thinking, God, I've got all 0:19:25.880 --> 0:19:29.600 the sap that I need. But He's getting you prepared 0:19:29.840 --> 0:19:32.520 for the great things He has in store. And when 0:19:32.520 --> 0:19:35.760 it's difficult on a regular basis, you have to remind 0:19:35.840 --> 0:19:39.320 yourself this too shall pass. This season is not going 0:19:39.359 --> 0:19:42.720 to last forever. And in the meantime, keep standing strong, 0:19:43.280 --> 0:19:46.520 keep being your best, knowing that God has empowered you 0:19:46.600 --> 0:19:49.720 to go through that season and not just barely get 0:19:49.720 --> 0:19:52.919 through it, but to even enjoy you. For some of you, 0:19:53.040 --> 0:19:57.440 right now, you're in situations that you're allowing to overwhelm you. 0:19:57.440 --> 0:19:59.840 You've already decided I can't be happy as long as 0:19:59.880 --> 0:20:03.000 I I have these problems. I can't enjoy my life 0:20:03.040 --> 0:20:05.600 as long as I'm facing this sickness. Or Joel, I've 0:20:05.600 --> 0:20:09.960 got this financial difficulty. It's the toughest thing I've ever faced. No, 0:20:10.080 --> 0:20:13.360 you've been armed with strength. You're not a weakling. You're 0:20:13.359 --> 0:20:15.800 a child of the most High God. He has not 0:20:15.960 --> 0:20:18.600 filled us with his can do power so we could 0:20:18.640 --> 0:20:21.560 give in and settle for mediocrity. He says, we are 0:20:21.600 --> 0:20:25.639 more than conquers. You may have difficulties, but remember God's 0:20:25.640 --> 0:20:28.119 given you the strength to be where you are with 0:20:28.200 --> 0:20:32.159 a good attitude. Don't dread doing things. Don't dread go 0:20:32.240 --> 0:20:35.840 into work, quit dreading facing a challenge. The moment we 0:20:35.960 --> 0:20:39.840 dread something, we lose our power. How many people, when 0:20:39.840 --> 0:20:42.200 they wake up, the first thing they think about is 0:20:42.240 --> 0:20:44.080 I don't want to get out of bed. I don't 0:20:44.080 --> 0:20:45.840 want to clean this house again. I don't want to 0:20:45.880 --> 0:20:49.040 go to school today. No, you've been armed with strength, 0:20:49.520 --> 0:20:51.199 but it's not going to do you any good if 0:20:51.240 --> 0:20:55.320 you're not activating all through the day. I'm constantly saying 0:20:55.440 --> 0:20:58.000 under my breath, I am well able to do what 0:20:58.040 --> 0:21:00.720 God's called me to do. I am strong in the Lord. 0:21:01.520 --> 0:21:04.320 A lot of times I'm saying it by faith. There 0:21:04.359 --> 0:21:06.399 are some mornings I get up and I think I 0:21:06.400 --> 0:21:09.360 cannot write another sermon. I've got so much to do, 0:21:09.680 --> 0:21:11.760 I've got so many things trying to pull me down. 0:21:12.520 --> 0:21:14.680 And if I make the mistake of dwelling on those 0:21:14.720 --> 0:21:19.320 negative thoughts, I'll start feeling weak, defeated, not able to 0:21:19.600 --> 0:21:23.239 I can feel myself beginning to slump. I've learned I've 0:21:23.280 --> 0:21:25.800 got to immediately turn it around. One of the best 0:21:25.800 --> 0:21:28.480 ways to do it is with our words. Father. I 0:21:28.480 --> 0:21:30.520 want to thank you that I'm full of your can 0:21:30.680 --> 0:21:34.400 do power. I am well able, I'm anointed, I'm strong 0:21:34.520 --> 0:21:37.640 I'm equipped, I'm called, and I know today that you're 0:21:37.680 --> 0:21:40.919 bigger than any problem. I know that you're greater than 0:21:40.960 --> 0:21:43.840 any difficulty. I know that you're stronger than any enemy. 0:21:44.080 --> 0:21:45.800 So I want to thank you that this is going 0:21:45.880 --> 0:21:48.560 to be a great day. What am I doing. I'm 0:21:48.600 --> 0:21:53.320 empowering myself. I'm shaking off that weakness mentality, and I'm 0:21:53.320 --> 0:21:57.520 putting on that can do mentality. Scripture says in Isaiah 0:21:57.760 --> 0:22:01.560 that we have to take hold of God's That means 0:22:01.640 --> 0:22:04.080 it's not going to fall on us. We're not going 0:22:04.160 --> 0:22:07.320 to automatically get up and feel empowered. We have to 0:22:07.320 --> 0:22:10.720 make a decision with our thoughts, with our attitudes, with 0:22:10.760 --> 0:22:13.719 our words, that we're going to take hold of God's strength, 0:22:14.400 --> 0:22:17.040 and it's an act of faith. You may be thinking, Joel, 0:22:17.080 --> 0:22:20.040 I don't feel strong, I don't feel like i'm able 0:22:20.080 --> 0:22:22.640 to I don't feel like I can go on. That's okay. 0:22:23.160 --> 0:22:26.479 Your feelings will change if you'll get your mind and 0:22:26.520 --> 0:22:29.480 your mouth going in the right direction. Now, I'm asking 0:22:29.520 --> 0:22:32.520 you today to rise up and have a can do mentality. 0:22:32.920 --> 0:22:37.080 Don't sit around defeated weak thinking about what you can't do. 0:22:37.680 --> 0:22:41.040 Be a warrior, Learn to take hold of God's strength. 0:22:42.000 --> 0:22:44.080 You may be in a marriage where you've been praying 0:22:44.080 --> 0:22:46.560 for years for things to get better. You don't see 0:22:46.560 --> 0:22:49.440 anything happening. Now you're attempted to think, Man, I can't 0:22:49.480 --> 0:22:52.199 go on another day, Joel, I cannot do this the 0:22:52.240 --> 0:22:55.600 rest of my life. Now here's the key. God's not 0:22:55.680 --> 0:22:57.560 asking you to do that the rest of your life. 0:22:57.600 --> 0:23:00.920 He's just asking you to do it today. Live one 0:23:01.000 --> 0:23:03.520 day at a time. You don't have the strength you 0:23:03.600 --> 0:23:06.399 need for tomorrow. You just have the strength for right now. 0:23:07.119 --> 0:23:09.880 You can't look five years down the road and try 0:23:09.880 --> 0:23:12.160 to figure out how you're gonna make it and how 0:23:12.160 --> 0:23:14.359 you're gonna get along with this person, how you're going 0:23:14.440 --> 0:23:18.919 to overcome that obstacle. Now, just receive God's strength for 0:23:19.040 --> 0:23:22.280 this moment. Get up every morning and say, Father, I'm 0:23:22.320 --> 0:23:25.400 taking hold of your strength for today. I know you've 0:23:25.400 --> 0:23:28.240 got good things in store, and even though this is difficult, 0:23:28.600 --> 0:23:31.000 I'm going to stay in faith and keep believing for 0:23:31.040 --> 0:23:34.480 the best. I talked to a lady last week. She 0:23:34.640 --> 0:23:39.159 as a child with learning disabilities. He's physically challenged as well, 0:23:39.200 --> 0:23:42.720 and he needs constant attention. Even though he's older. She's 0:23:42.720 --> 0:23:44.800 got to feed him and clothe him and bathe them 0:23:45.040 --> 0:23:47.000 in the natural. It looks like he's going to be 0:23:47.040 --> 0:23:49.159 this way for the rest of his life. And she 0:23:49.320 --> 0:23:52.000 was so tempted to get down and discourage and just 0:23:52.040 --> 0:23:55.159 give up on her dreams. And I told her what 0:23:55.280 --> 0:23:58.800 I'm telling you. God has already armed you with strength 0:23:58.840 --> 0:24:01.159 for that battle. He knew that was going to be 0:24:01.200 --> 0:24:04.240 your son before the foundation of the world, and he 0:24:04.280 --> 0:24:07.479 has equipped you with everything you need. He's anointed you, 0:24:07.560 --> 0:24:12.520 he's empowered you. He's given you wisdom, strength, determination. No 0:24:12.520 --> 0:24:15.879 matter how difficult something looks, you have to remind yourself 0:24:16.080 --> 0:24:19.440 I'm up to this task. I've been empowered by Almighty God. 0:24:20.359 --> 0:24:22.240 Not only can I do it, but if I do 0:24:22.280 --> 0:24:25.439 it with the right attitude, God promises he'll give me 0:24:25.640 --> 0:24:29.199 joy while I'm doing it. Now, I realize some of 0:24:29.200 --> 0:24:32.760 you have a more difficult path than others, but God 0:24:32.880 --> 0:24:35.720 said he would never let you go through more than 0:24:35.720 --> 0:24:38.560 you can handle. Life may have dealt you some tough 0:24:38.560 --> 0:24:40.800 things to deal with, but you need to dig your 0:24:40.880 --> 0:24:43.840 heels in and say, this may be difficult, it may 0:24:43.880 --> 0:24:46.600 not be fair, but I've come too far to stop now. 0:24:46.880 --> 0:24:49.680 I've got too much invested. I'm not gonna drag through 0:24:49.680 --> 0:24:53.479 the day defeated, weak, whiny, whimpy. I can do what 0:24:53.520 --> 0:24:56.240 I need to do. The same power that raised Christ 0:24:56.320 --> 0:24:58.600 from the dead is on the inside of me. I 0:24:58.640 --> 0:25:00.720 know I am armed, I know I am dangerous to 0:25:00.760 --> 0:25:04.880 the enemy. When you do that, you'll feel strength coming 0:25:04.920 --> 0:25:08.160 into you. Your whole attitude will come up higher. That's 0:25:08.160 --> 0:25:11.239 what it means to take hold of God's strength. In 0:25:11.280 --> 0:25:14.159 other words, you can't stay focused on the negative and 0:25:14.240 --> 0:25:17.800 how impossible it looks and who's against you. All that's 0:25:17.840 --> 0:25:20.960 gonna do is make your will. It's gonna steal your joy, 0:25:21.000 --> 0:25:23.919 your energy, your strength. If you're not careful, you'll be 0:25:24.200 --> 0:25:26.720 just tempted to want to go around having a pity party. 0:25:27.160 --> 0:25:30.000 Now you have to shake that off. Be a warrior, 0:25:30.400 --> 0:25:33.320 not a complainer. Do you know the more we talk 0:25:33.359 --> 0:25:36.720 about our problems, the more depressed we're gonna get. My 0:25:36.800 --> 0:25:39.159 father used to tell about this guy that was standing 0:25:39.200 --> 0:25:41.800 on the side of a bridge about to jump. He 0:25:41.880 --> 0:25:44.640 had so many problems, so depressed, he's just gonna end 0:25:44.640 --> 0:25:47.160 it all. His friend came running over and said, don't jump, 0:25:47.240 --> 0:25:49.880 don't jump, just tell me what you're going through. Two 0:25:49.920 --> 0:25:54.919 hours later, they both jumped. What's my point. If we 0:25:55.000 --> 0:25:59.119 stay focused on the negative, talking about our problems, thinking 0:25:59.119 --> 0:26:02.440 about our problem, it's not only going to drag us down, 0:26:02.720 --> 0:26:05.520 it's going to drag the people around us down. You 0:26:05.600 --> 0:26:08.679 may have difficulties, but you have been armed with strength 0:26:08.720 --> 0:26:11.080 for that battle. You didn't get your arms from the 0:26:11.119 --> 0:26:16.440 military or from some government. Almighty God, the creator of 0:26:16.480 --> 0:26:20.240 the universe, has armed you. He knows exactly what you need. 0:26:21.320 --> 0:26:25.399 He knows the battles that you're facing. He knows every 0:26:25.440 --> 0:26:28.240 tear you've ever shed. He knows the people that have 0:26:28.320 --> 0:26:32.040 done you wrong. He sees those lonely moments. The good 0:26:32.080 --> 0:26:35.040 news is God has given you the power to overcome. 0:26:35.800 --> 0:26:39.520 Philippians four p. Thirteen says I have strength for all 0:26:39.640 --> 0:26:44.480 things through Christ, who empowers me. I'm ready for anything 0:26:44.880 --> 0:26:49.119 and equal to anything, through Him who infuses inner strength 0:26:49.160 --> 0:26:53.200 into me. I like that. I've been empowered by Almighty God, 0:26:53.400 --> 0:26:57.160 and I'm ready for anything. That means nothing's too much 0:26:57.200 --> 0:27:01.080 for me. I'm up to the task is too hard, 0:27:01.640 --> 0:27:06.240 no obstacle is too difficult. Why Because God has infused 0:27:06.280 --> 0:27:09.520 his strength into man. This is a very freeing way 0:27:09.560 --> 0:27:12.639 to live. We can relax knowing that no matter what 0:27:12.800 --> 0:27:16.920 comes our way, We're up for it. We're equipped, we're 0:27:16.960 --> 0:27:21.280 well able, We're anointed. Almighty God has infused his can 0:27:21.359 --> 0:27:24.240 do power into each one of us. Now, I believe, 0:27:24.320 --> 0:27:28.200 even as you hear these words, your faith is growing, 0:27:29.000 --> 0:27:33.240 Dreams are coming back alive. New vision is being planted, 0:27:33.720 --> 0:27:37.399 Hope is being stirred. Something deep down in here is saying, 0:27:37.960 --> 0:27:40.120 this is who I really am. I am more than 0:27:40.119 --> 0:27:44.200 a conquer I can overcome this sickness. I can raise 0:27:44.240 --> 0:27:47.439 this child. I can stick with this marriage. I have 0:27:47.560 --> 0:27:51.159 strength for all things. Let me ask you today, what 0:27:51.240 --> 0:27:54.240 are you facing? What kind of obstacles are trying to 0:27:54.280 --> 0:27:58.199 steal your joy? Keep you in mediocrity? Let these words 0:27:58.200 --> 0:28:01.199 sink deep down one more time. God has armed you 0:28:01.760 --> 0:28:04.680 with strength for that battle. You may have gotten bad 0:28:04.800 --> 0:28:08.359 news concerning your health, You may be in a difficult marriage. 0:28:08.720 --> 0:28:11.160 Maybe it just looks like one of your dreams has died. 0:28:11.440 --> 0:28:14.720 But I'm asking you to never give up, never settle 0:28:14.760 --> 0:28:18.760 for mediocrity. Take hold of God's strength. Shake off that 0:28:18.800 --> 0:28:23.280 weakness mentality, put on a warrior mentality. God has already 0:28:23.359 --> 0:28:26.800 infused you with his can do power. If you'll rise 0:28:26.880 --> 0:28:30.200 up in faith and start acting on it. God will 0:28:30.200 --> 0:28:33.040 not only fight your battles for you, but he's promised 0:28:33.200 --> 0:28:36.680 he'll defeat your enemies like fine dust, and you'll live 0:28:36.720 --> 0:28:39.560 that life of victory he has in story. Amen, do 0:28:39.680 --> 0:28:43.760 you receive it today? Well? We never like to close 0:28:43.800 --> 0:28:47.480 our broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus 0:28:47.520 --> 0:28:49.840 the lord of your life. Would you pray with me? 0:28:50.480 --> 0:28:55.760 Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come 0:28:55.800 --> 0:28:59.280 into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. 0:29:00.600 --> 0:29:02.960 If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 0:29:03.000 --> 0:29:06.040 born again. Get in a good Bible based church. Keep 0:29:06.080 --> 0:29:08.720 God first place. He's going to take your places that 0:29:08.800 --> 0:29:09.720 you've never dreamed of. 0:29:10.400 --> 0:29:13.800 Thank you for listening to the joel Osteine podcast. Help 0:29:13.920 --> 0:29:16.640 us continue to share the message of hope with those 0:29:16.720 --> 0:29:20.640 all over the world. Visit jolostin dot com slash give 0:29:20.720 --> 0:29:22.400 Hope to give a gift today. 0:29:23.680 --> 0:29:26.600 Thanks so much for listening to today's message. I hope 0:29:26.600 --> 0:29:30.000 you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest podcast to 0:29:30.080 --> 0:29:33.280 keep you inspired all through the week. We're praying for you. 0:29:33.440 --> 0:29:35.880 I know God's best is still ahead. We'll see you 0:29:35.960 --> 0:29:36.480 next time.