God Controls Your Doors

0:00:00.440 --> 0:00:02.200 Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. 0:00:02.240 --> 0:00:05.279 Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting 0:00:05.280 --> 0:00:05.920 the ministry. 0:00:06.120 --> 0:00:08.440 If you enjoy today's message, why don't you be a 0:00:08.440 --> 0:00:10.000 blessing and share it with a friend. 0:00:10.360 --> 0:00:13.040 We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in 0:00:13.080 --> 0:00:15.640 your life. Well, God bless you. It's great to be. 0:00:15.680 --> 0:00:18.120 With you today, and I hope you'll stay. 0:00:17.880 --> 0:00:19.320 Connected with us during the. 0:00:19.280 --> 0:00:24.040 Week through our daily podcast, YouTube channel, social media, and 0:00:24.120 --> 0:00:24.800 you can come. 0:00:24.720 --> 0:00:27.000 Visit us in person. We'd love to have you be 0:00:27.040 --> 0:00:28.720 a part of one of our services. 0:00:29.080 --> 0:00:31.560 I like to start with something funny, and my brother 0:00:31.600 --> 0:00:33.720 Paul sent me this one, so you can blame him. 0:00:33.760 --> 0:00:36.639 But here's how it goes. I heard about this husband. 0:00:36.840 --> 0:00:39.639 He said to his wife, do you know men are 0:00:39.680 --> 0:00:44.120 going to arrive in heaven thirty minutes before women? She said, 0:00:44.159 --> 0:00:46.840 what are you talking about? Where'd you see that? He said, 0:00:46.880 --> 0:00:50.440 right here? In the scripture, Revelation eight one says when 0:00:50.440 --> 0:00:53.800 he opened the seventh Seal, there was silence in heaven 0:00:53.960 --> 0:00:58.240 for thirty minutes. Okay, Paul, they didn't like it. Here 0:00:58.280 --> 0:01:01.600 we go, y'all. This here's my Bible. I am what 0:01:01.680 --> 0:01:04.360 it says, I am. I have what it says I have, 0:01:04.840 --> 0:01:07.440 I can do what it says I can do. Today 0:01:07.600 --> 0:01:10.960 I will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess. 0:01:11.400 --> 0:01:14.959 My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. I will 0:01:15.000 --> 0:01:19.000 never be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. 0:01:20.520 --> 0:01:22.560 I want to talk to you today about. 0:01:22.480 --> 0:01:24.200 God controls your doors. 0:01:25.200 --> 0:01:28.120 We all have dreams we want to accomplish and things 0:01:28.120 --> 0:01:32.000 we're believing for. But sometimes we wonder how it's going 0:01:32.040 --> 0:01:35.399 to happen. Will I meet the right people, What if 0:01:35.400 --> 0:01:35.960 I don't. 0:01:35.720 --> 0:01:38.680 Get the scholarship, What if the loan doesn't go through. 0:01:39.319 --> 0:01:43.199 We end up striving and straining trying to force doors 0:01:43.240 --> 0:01:46.679 to open. It Frustrated because we didn't get the promotion, 0:01:46.920 --> 0:01:50.920 and upset because this person walked away, we think we 0:01:51.040 --> 0:01:51.720 have to do it. 0:01:51.720 --> 0:01:52.800 All on our own. 0:01:53.520 --> 0:01:57.560 The good news is God is your doorkeeper. He's in 0:01:57.640 --> 0:02:01.400 control of the doors in your life, what opens and 0:02:01.480 --> 0:02:06.040 what closes. You're not at the mercy of fate. Luck 0:02:06.200 --> 0:02:10.320 and if this person likes you. The scripture says God 0:02:10.360 --> 0:02:13.680 will open doors that no person can shut, and he 0:02:13.720 --> 0:02:18.240 will shut doors that no person can open. Every shut 0:02:18.280 --> 0:02:22.040 door is not the enemy. God will shut doors to 0:02:22.160 --> 0:02:26.520 protect you. He'll move someone out of your life because 0:02:26.560 --> 0:02:28.799 he knows they're not going to be good for you. 0:02:29.720 --> 0:02:33.680 He'll let the boss overlook you for the promotion because 0:02:33.720 --> 0:02:38.320 he has something much better in store. Sometimes he closes 0:02:38.440 --> 0:02:42.440 doors because we're believing too small. He can see the 0:02:42.560 --> 0:02:46.760 greatness in you. He knows what you're capable of. He's 0:02:46.760 --> 0:02:50.600 not gonna let you settle for second best. He'll shut 0:02:50.680 --> 0:02:54.360 a door that you wanted so badly. This person was 0:02:54.400 --> 0:02:58.000 so good Joyce she was fine, or he was tall, dark, 0:02:58.080 --> 0:03:02.359 handsome and rich. But where God is taking you, they 0:03:02.400 --> 0:03:07.000 cannot go. God is not punishing you. He's protecting you. 0:03:07.800 --> 0:03:10.720 If he let us have our way all the time, we. 0:03:10.600 --> 0:03:14.440 Wouldn't reach the fullness of our destiny. He loves you 0:03:14.560 --> 0:03:18.079 too much to not close doors. We love when he 0:03:18.160 --> 0:03:21.560 opens doors. We know that's the hand of God, But 0:03:21.600 --> 0:03:23.160 the closed doors are. 0:03:23.160 --> 0:03:24.200 Just as important. 0:03:24.880 --> 0:03:27.800 He's keeping you on the best plan for your life. 0:03:28.639 --> 0:03:30.680 He can see things we can't see. 0:03:31.160 --> 0:03:32.040 The big picture. 0:03:32.720 --> 0:03:35.920 He's already written every day of our life in his book. 0:03:36.400 --> 0:03:39.360 What may look good to us is really leading to 0:03:39.400 --> 0:03:42.200 a dead end. It would be a waste of time 0:03:42.320 --> 0:03:46.040 and energy. So he'll step in as your doorkeeper and 0:03:46.120 --> 0:03:50.000 close the door. When you realize this, it takes the 0:03:50.080 --> 0:03:55.480 pressure off. You don't live frustrated striving. You can stay 0:03:55.480 --> 0:03:58.960 in peace knowing that the doors you need open no 0:03:59.160 --> 0:04:03.240 person can shell. If God wanted you to have that promotion, 0:04:03.920 --> 0:04:05.440 the boss wouldn't have overlooked you. 0:04:06.200 --> 0:04:08.640 Don't blame your boss. It was a hand of God. 0:04:09.320 --> 0:04:12.520 If God wanted you to marry that person that walked away, 0:04:13.080 --> 0:04:14.200 you would have married him. 0:04:14.640 --> 0:04:17.599 He didn't walk away on his own. God shut the door. 0:04:18.080 --> 0:04:20.960 If God wanted you to have that house that fell through, 0:04:21.320 --> 0:04:21.920 you would have. 0:04:21.960 --> 0:04:24.200 It looks like a bad break. 0:04:24.680 --> 0:04:27.680 I'm sure it's normal to be disappointed, but you have 0:04:27.760 --> 0:04:31.160 to come back to this truth that God is your doorkeeper. 0:04:31.839 --> 0:04:34.520 No person can shut what God wants open. 0:04:35.240 --> 0:04:38.600 No force of darkness can stop what God has purposed 0:04:38.640 --> 0:04:40.120 for your life. 0:04:40.360 --> 0:04:43.480 The question is will you trust him with your doors? 0:04:44.240 --> 0:04:47.200 Will you believe that He has your best interests at heart, 0:04:47.800 --> 0:04:50.960 That he will open doors that no man can shut. 0:04:51.360 --> 0:04:54.880 That means he will favor you, bring the right people, 0:04:55.400 --> 0:04:57.520 cause promotion to track you down. 0:04:58.680 --> 0:05:01.240 He's not just a god who closes doors. 0:05:01.760 --> 0:05:05.240 He's a God who opens doors that you couldn't open. 0:05:05.960 --> 0:05:10.400 A God who surprises you with opportunity, with promotion, with 0:05:10.520 --> 0:05:14.800 influence that you didn't see coming. Think about David. He 0:05:14.920 --> 0:05:18.400 was out in the shepherd's fields, seventeen years old, taking 0:05:18.440 --> 0:05:22.039 care of his father's sheep. He had big dreams, He 0:05:22.120 --> 0:05:24.599 felt greatness on the inside. 0:05:24.000 --> 0:05:26.040 But there were no opportunities. 0:05:26.520 --> 0:05:29.760 He came from a family of shepherds, ordinary people. 0:05:30.320 --> 0:05:31.839 They didn't have much influence. 0:05:32.560 --> 0:05:35.520 But when God is ready to promote you, he doesn't 0:05:35.600 --> 0:05:39.680 check your resume, what family you come from, who you know. 0:05:40.520 --> 0:05:43.559 God looks at your heart. Do you have a heart 0:05:43.680 --> 0:05:44.320 to please in? 0:05:44.880 --> 0:05:48.839 Can he trust you with greater influence, with promotion, with favor. 0:05:49.480 --> 0:05:53.080 One day, the prophet Samuel came from another city to 0:05:53.240 --> 0:05:57.560 Jesse's house, David's father, to anoint one of the sons 0:05:58.000 --> 0:06:01.400 as the next king of Israel. Jesse had eight sons. 0:06:02.000 --> 0:06:05.960 He called seven of them to stand before Samuel. He 0:06:06.080 --> 0:06:09.280 left David out in the fields. He thought, it's not David, 0:06:09.760 --> 0:06:14.440 he's too young, he'll never do anything great. Jesse shut 0:06:14.560 --> 0:06:19.360 the door. He ruled David out. But God is your doorkeeper. 0:06:19.880 --> 0:06:24.360 He opens doors that no man can shut. Jesse didn't 0:06:24.400 --> 0:06:28.000 believe in David. But Jesse didn't have the final says. 0:06:28.400 --> 0:06:32.400 People are not your doorkeeper. They may try to discount you, 0:06:32.800 --> 0:06:36.760 leave you out, push you down. They don't control your doors, 0:06:37.080 --> 0:06:41.360 the most high God does. Don't get bitter, don't try 0:06:41.360 --> 0:06:43.839 to get even prove to them who you are. 0:06:44.760 --> 0:06:47.320 You don't need their approval. They may be. 0:06:47.360 --> 0:06:52.320 Over you have more seniority, more experience, But what God 0:06:52.400 --> 0:06:54.599 has for you they cannot stop. 0:06:55.560 --> 0:06:58.080 They may try to shut the door. Don't worry. The 0:06:58.160 --> 0:07:03.080 doorkeeper is coming. Who opens doors that no person can shut. 0:07:04.040 --> 0:07:06.960 I can see Samuel trying to pour the oil on 0:07:07.080 --> 0:07:10.840 each of the suns, but the oil wouldn't flow. It 0:07:10.960 --> 0:07:14.120 defied gravity, wouldn't go to who Jesse wanted. 0:07:14.800 --> 0:07:18.200 So Samuel asked Jesse if he had any other sons. 0:07:18.520 --> 0:07:21.880 Jesse scratched his head so puzzle, he said, yes, I 0:07:21.920 --> 0:07:24.840 have a son named David. He's the youngest out in 0:07:24.880 --> 0:07:29.000 the fields. Samuel said, bring him in. People may leave 0:07:29.040 --> 0:07:32.200 you out, but when it's your time, God will bring 0:07:32.240 --> 0:07:36.960 you in. They may overlook you, try to close the door, 0:07:37.000 --> 0:07:37.720 hold you back. 0:07:38.280 --> 0:07:42.000 But God sees you. He knows what you need for 0:07:42.120 --> 0:07:42.880 your destiny. 0:07:42.960 --> 0:07:46.240 It He's the one that put the dreams in you. 0:07:46.320 --> 0:07:48.360 People can't stop it. 0:07:48.400 --> 0:07:51.080 Could be an upset because someone is not for you, 0:07:51.760 --> 0:07:54.560 or trying to win over that coworker that doesn't believe 0:07:54.600 --> 0:07:59.640 in you. They're not your doorkeeper. They don't control the opportunities. 0:07:59.720 --> 0:08:03.760 The God breaks the influence that comes from Almighty God. 0:08:04.920 --> 0:08:08.680 If you don't realize this, you'll live offended at the Jesseys. 0:08:09.120 --> 0:08:11.520 Why did they leave me out? Man? Why do is 0:08:11.560 --> 0:08:12.640 my own family not. 0:08:12.680 --> 0:08:15.920 Believe in me? You'll end up insecure. I guess man, 0:08:15.960 --> 0:08:18.520 I'm just not good enough. We'll tune all that out. 0:08:18.920 --> 0:08:19.880 You have one. 0:08:19.760 --> 0:08:22.520 Doorkeeper, not your boss, not your. 0:08:22.400 --> 0:08:26.800 Family, not the critics, not the enemy. The most High God. 0:08:26.520 --> 0:08:30.920 Is your doorkeeper. When he's ready to open doors. All 0:08:31.000 --> 0:08:33.560 the forces of darkness cannot stop him. 0:08:34.400 --> 0:08:38.560 People can't stop him, The economy can't stop him. Bad 0:08:38.679 --> 0:08:42.400 breaks can't stop him. Your past won't stop him. He 0:08:42.559 --> 0:08:46.880 controls your doors. David came in from the fields, and 0:08:47.000 --> 0:08:51.439 Samuel poured the jar and the oil begin to freely flow. 0:08:51.720 --> 0:08:55.280 He was anointed the next king of Israel. The oil 0:08:55.360 --> 0:08:58.239 God has for you is not going to flow. 0:08:58.000 --> 0:09:00.839 To anyone else. Would worry in that. 0:09:00.880 --> 0:09:04.400 Someone got your promotion and got your boyfriend. You wanted 0:09:04.440 --> 0:09:07.920 to date that man got your house. Your contract didn't 0:09:07.920 --> 0:09:11.480 go through. If you didn't get it, they didn't take it. 0:09:11.679 --> 0:09:15.760 God closed the door. They're not your doorkeeper. They don't 0:09:15.800 --> 0:09:20.400 control your breaks, who you meet, what you have access to. 0:09:20.679 --> 0:09:23.239 God does your oil? 0:09:23.559 --> 0:09:27.480 Can't flow to another person. God ordained it for you. 0:09:28.040 --> 0:09:29.439 It has your name on it. 0:09:30.280 --> 0:09:33.800 In the same way, Quit warning what someone else has. 0:09:34.440 --> 0:09:35.600 Don't live in envious man. 0:09:35.640 --> 0:09:38.840 I wish I had their talent, their resources, their looks, 0:09:39.160 --> 0:09:39.880 their life. 0:09:40.360 --> 0:09:41.960 You're not anointed to be them. 0:09:42.600 --> 0:09:45.120 If God gave you what they have, it wouldn't be 0:09:45.160 --> 0:09:47.120 a blessing, it would be a burden. 0:09:48.240 --> 0:09:51.360 God has designed a specific path for you. 0:09:52.120 --> 0:09:55.640 He's already lined up the right people, the right breaks, 0:09:55.880 --> 0:10:00.199 the favor, and at the right time, He'll open the door. 0:10:00.880 --> 0:10:02.600 You don't have to live worried man. Why am I 0:10:02.640 --> 0:10:05.520 still out here in the shepherd's fields? Why are people 0:10:05.600 --> 0:10:10.160 passing me up? How you wait will determine how long 0:10:10.160 --> 0:10:14.760 you're going to wait. When doors haven't opened, You're in 0:10:14.840 --> 0:10:19.959 a silent season and everyone else is being promoted, getting married, 0:10:20.640 --> 0:10:23.920 moving into a new house, having that baby, and you're 0:10:23.960 --> 0:10:25.360 still in the shepherd's fields. 0:10:25.679 --> 0:10:26.560 Feels unfair. 0:10:27.320 --> 0:10:30.200 It's easy to get discouraged and try to force doors 0:10:30.240 --> 0:10:34.040 to open. No, be still and know that he is God. 0:10:35.080 --> 0:10:39.480 He has not forgotten about you. He's already lined up 0:10:39.559 --> 0:10:43.040 the right doors, doors that no person can shut. 0:10:43.960 --> 0:10:45.560 Now, trust him. Why you're waiting. 0:10:46.360 --> 0:10:49.760 Keep a good attitude when the doors haven't opened, Keep 0:10:49.800 --> 0:10:52.760 doing the right thing when the wrong thing has happened. 0:10:53.200 --> 0:10:55.319 Samuel is on the way. 0:10:55.520 --> 0:10:59.880 God is already scheduled to open doors, doors that will thrust. 0:10:59.520 --> 0:11:00.880 You in your destiny. 0:11:01.920 --> 0:11:04.800 At one point, David went to take his brother's lunch. 0:11:05.200 --> 0:11:08.200 They were in the army on the battlefield, and he 0:11:08.200 --> 0:11:13.240 heard Goliath taunting the Israelites, and something rose up in him, 0:11:13.400 --> 0:11:16.920 this fire on the inside. He told King Saul that 0:11:17.000 --> 0:11:21.040 he wanted to fight Goliath. Saul said, David, you're just 0:11:21.080 --> 0:11:21.559 a boy. 0:11:22.200 --> 0:11:25.760 You don't have a chance. Saul tried to close the door. 0:11:26.240 --> 0:11:27.320 You're not qualified. 0:11:28.000 --> 0:11:31.200 His brothers made fun of him, said, David, what did 0:11:31.240 --> 0:11:33.839 you do with those few sheep that you're supposed to 0:11:33.920 --> 0:11:37.240 be taking care of back at home. Tried to belittle him, 0:11:37.640 --> 0:11:42.280 closed the door. David felt the sting of rejection from his. 0:11:42.160 --> 0:11:43.760 Father, not believing in him. 0:11:44.520 --> 0:11:49.960 He had plenty of opportunities to live discouraged inferior. 0:11:48.960 --> 0:11:49.800 Go back home. 0:11:50.760 --> 0:11:55.679 Despite all this opposition, The scripture says, David ran toward Goliath. 0:11:56.720 --> 0:12:00.360 He's running to face a giant that's twice his size. 0:12:00.640 --> 0:12:01.720 That doesn't make sense. 0:12:02.400 --> 0:12:06.280 But when God opens the door, there's a faith, a courage, 0:12:06.520 --> 0:12:09.119 a power to do what he's called. 0:12:08.880 --> 0:12:09.360 You to do. 0:12:10.040 --> 0:12:13.520 God won't open a door without giving you everything you 0:12:13.640 --> 0:12:14.880 need to walk through it. 0:12:16.080 --> 0:12:19.920 You may have gone through some closed doors, like David. 0:12:19.960 --> 0:12:23.320 You got passed over. People didn't believe in you, and 0:12:23.600 --> 0:12:24.199 you think. 0:12:24.040 --> 0:12:26.840 Where you are is where you'll always be. Can I 0:12:26.960 --> 0:12:30.440 encourage you? Doors are about to open that you never 0:12:30.520 --> 0:12:34.240 dreamed would open. It's going to happen sooner than you think. 0:12:34.760 --> 0:12:38.120 It's going to be better than you've imagined. You were 0:12:38.200 --> 0:12:42.360 faithful in the shepherd's fields. God heard you praising when 0:12:42.400 --> 0:12:45.400 you could have been complaining, doing the right thing when 0:12:45.440 --> 0:12:46.680 you weren't getting the credit. 0:12:47.040 --> 0:12:49.200 He's about to surprise you. 0:12:49.240 --> 0:12:53.080 Samuel is about to show up something you didn't see coming, 0:12:53.559 --> 0:12:58.280 the right person, finding you your business, taking off your child, 0:12:58.320 --> 0:13:01.800 turning around your health, in proving this is a door 0:13:02.120 --> 0:13:05.199 that no person can shut, a door that will thrust 0:13:05.240 --> 0:13:06.440 you into your purpose. 0:13:07.200 --> 0:13:08.000 Now here's the key. 0:13:08.400 --> 0:13:11.800 It's easy to trust God with the open doors when 0:13:11.840 --> 0:13:14.680 Samuel comes, when Goliath falls. 0:13:15.120 --> 0:13:17.520 We know that's the favor and goodness of God. 0:13:18.360 --> 0:13:21.480 But will you trust him with your closed doors when 0:13:21.520 --> 0:13:24.600 you didn't get what you wanted? Samuel went to your 0:13:24.600 --> 0:13:27.720 cousin's house. You hit Goliath with the rock, but he 0:13:27.800 --> 0:13:31.360 smacks you back. None of us like the closed doors. 0:13:31.600 --> 0:13:34.720 Well, we prayed, we believe we did our best, but 0:13:34.800 --> 0:13:35.680 it didn't work out. 0:13:36.559 --> 0:13:40.640 But just as God opens doors, he closes doors. You 0:13:40.760 --> 0:13:43.839 have to go through your closed doors before you'll get 0:13:43.880 --> 0:13:44.960 to your open doors. 0:13:45.840 --> 0:13:47.559 You'll be tempted to get discouraged. 0:13:48.120 --> 0:13:51.360 God is not fair. Why didn't I get that position? 0:13:52.120 --> 0:13:55.600 Why did that person walk away? Why didn't that contract 0:13:55.640 --> 0:13:59.400 go through? We're not going to understand it all at 0:13:59.400 --> 0:14:03.320 the time. It's not gonna make sense. But God knows 0:14:03.400 --> 0:14:07.680 things we don't know. He can see detours, delays, and 0:14:07.800 --> 0:14:10.400 dead ends. You have to trust him when the door 0:14:10.480 --> 0:14:14.360 closes when you didn't get what you wanted, because if 0:14:14.400 --> 0:14:18.360 you hold on too tightly, you'll become bitter. It'll keep 0:14:18.400 --> 0:14:20.680 you from the new doors God wants to open. 0:14:21.480 --> 0:14:25.360 You have to release it, let it go. It's fine. 0:14:25.400 --> 0:14:29.840 To be honest, God, I wanted this. I don't understand it. 0:14:29.840 --> 0:14:33.200 It looks right to me, but God, I trust you, 0:14:33.200 --> 0:14:34.440 you know what's best. 0:14:34.160 --> 0:14:35.800 For my life. 0:14:36.000 --> 0:14:39.400 After I graduated from high school, I went off to college, 0:14:39.440 --> 0:14:46.160 and from my early teens I always loved television production, cameras, lighting, editing. 0:14:46.680 --> 0:14:48.920 I knew that's what I wanted to do with my life. 0:14:48.960 --> 0:14:50.560 And the church had. 0:14:50.400 --> 0:14:53.560 Cameras growing up, and I would come down as a 0:14:53.600 --> 0:14:56.680 teenager on Saturday and play with the equipment. 0:14:57.200 --> 0:14:59.440 Sundays i'd run camera during the services. 0:15:00.360 --> 0:15:03.880 The college I went to had a big TV production program, 0:15:04.440 --> 0:15:06.240 was known as one of the best in the country. 0:15:06.880 --> 0:15:09.680 When I first arrived, I called a man that i'd 0:15:09.720 --> 0:15:13.200 met a few years earlier. He was the production manager 0:15:13.840 --> 0:15:16.400 in charge of all the hiring, and he was so 0:15:16.560 --> 0:15:20.480 friendly and he knew my father. He invited me to 0:15:20.480 --> 0:15:24.160 tour the facility in I went over and walked around, 0:15:24.320 --> 0:15:28.040 saw all the studios, editing, bass and control rooms. 0:15:28.360 --> 0:15:31.400 I was like a kid at an amusement park. Was 0:15:31.480 --> 0:15:34.600 so amazing. I dreamed of being in that environment. 0:15:35.280 --> 0:15:37.760 I gave him my phone number, a little resume, and 0:15:38.080 --> 0:15:40.360 told him what I'd done at the church running camera 0:15:40.960 --> 0:15:41.400 but you know. 0:15:41.400 --> 0:15:41.880 It doesn't matter. 0:15:41.920 --> 0:15:44.560 I'll do anything. I'll just start pulling cable. I just 0:15:44.600 --> 0:15:47.920 wanted to be there so badly. He said, no problem, Joe, 0:15:48.000 --> 0:15:50.560 we'd love to have you. I'll call you in a 0:15:50.600 --> 0:15:53.400 week or so and give you the details. I left 0:15:53.400 --> 0:15:56.600 that day so excited. Well a week went by and 0:15:57.120 --> 0:15:59.520 I didn't hear from him. By the way, he's probably 0:15:59.560 --> 0:16:04.680 just busy. In two weeks, still nothing, so I called him, 0:16:04.920 --> 0:16:08.000 but he wouldn't call me back. I went by the studio, 0:16:08.320 --> 0:16:09.360 but every time there. 0:16:09.240 --> 0:16:10.000 Was an excuse. 0:16:10.280 --> 0:16:13.280 He's busy, he's out to lunch, he can't talk right now. 0:16:13.880 --> 0:16:14.920 It was very odd. 0:16:15.680 --> 0:16:19.480 After several months of trying, I finally got the message that. 0:16:19.400 --> 0:16:22.280 It wasn't going to happen. I was so disappointed. 0:16:22.840 --> 0:16:26.480 I couldn't understand why this would have been perfect, such 0:16:26.520 --> 0:16:30.320 a good experience. I wanted that position more than anything. 0:16:31.080 --> 0:16:34.160 I was tempted to be aggravated at him. God, why 0:16:34.200 --> 0:16:36.120 did this jerk? I mean, why wouldn't this man call 0:16:36.240 --> 0:16:40.680 me back? But the same God who opens doors will 0:16:40.720 --> 0:16:44.200 closed doors. If you only trust him when you get 0:16:44.240 --> 0:16:48.040 your way, you'll be frustrated because. 0:16:47.640 --> 0:16:51.440 Some doors were closed. That don't make sense. To us. 0:16:51.640 --> 0:16:54.240 That was my dream to work there. I knew that 0:16:54.400 --> 0:16:57.720 was right for me. But God knows the best plan. 0:16:58.400 --> 0:17:02.120 He knows what's leading to your purpose and what's a distraction. 0:17:03.000 --> 0:17:06.280 And sometimes what we think is best is really a 0:17:06.320 --> 0:17:09.080 detour that will waste time and energy. 0:17:09.800 --> 0:17:13.399 We can't see it. But again God has the advantage. 0:17:13.480 --> 0:17:16.280 He can see the end from the beginning. 0:17:16.720 --> 0:17:19.520 I know you trust him with your open doors, but 0:17:19.600 --> 0:17:22.240 will you trust him with your closed doors when you 0:17:22.280 --> 0:17:25.119 don't get what you are praying for, when it doesn't 0:17:25.160 --> 0:17:26.800 turn out the way you hope. 0:17:27.640 --> 0:17:29.960 Looking back now I can see what God was doing. 0:17:30.440 --> 0:17:33.080 If I had gotten that job, I would have been 0:17:33.119 --> 0:17:35.480 so excited and so caught. 0:17:35.280 --> 0:17:35.800 Up in it. 0:17:36.240 --> 0:17:39.040 I would have never come back to start the television 0:17:39.080 --> 0:17:40.680 ministry here at Lakewood. 0:17:41.440 --> 0:17:42.680 I know my personality. 0:17:42.960 --> 0:17:45.480 I would have been so satisfied that I wouldn't have 0:17:45.520 --> 0:17:48.800 wanted to leave. And at the time I was put 0:17:48.800 --> 0:17:51.720 out that that man didn't call me back, he didn't 0:17:51.800 --> 0:17:52.880 keep his word. 0:17:53.040 --> 0:17:57.480 Now realized it wasn't him. It was God closing the doors. 0:17:58.040 --> 0:18:03.160 God closes doors that no person can open. That man 0:18:03.280 --> 0:18:07.280 loved me, he loved my father. It didn't make sense, 0:18:07.640 --> 0:18:11.800 But God is your doorkeeper. He's going to close doors 0:18:12.119 --> 0:18:15.159 that will keep you from his best plan. If you 0:18:15.200 --> 0:18:18.960 don't understand this, you'll live offended at people and mad 0:18:19.040 --> 0:18:22.160 at your boss because he passed you over, and upset 0:18:22.200 --> 0:18:24.960 with God because that person you wanted today he won't 0:18:25.000 --> 0:18:27.880 give you the time of day. Have a new perspective 0:18:28.320 --> 0:18:32.520 what God has for you. No person can stop the 0:18:32.600 --> 0:18:33.919 doors he's going to open. 0:18:34.280 --> 0:18:35.480 No man can close. 0:18:36.440 --> 0:18:39.520 And if a door is closing, I know it's disappointing, 0:18:40.000 --> 0:18:42.520 but you have to come back to this place of peace. 0:18:42.920 --> 0:18:43.160 God. 0:18:43.200 --> 0:18:46.800 I don't like it, but I trust you as my doorkeeper. 0:18:47.760 --> 0:18:50.560 If I hadn't come back from college, I wouldn't have 0:18:50.600 --> 0:18:55.399 spent those seventeen years behind the scenes, editing my father's sermons, 0:18:55.840 --> 0:18:59.719 hearing all the scriptures and stories that prepared me for 0:18:59.760 --> 0:19:02.520 what I'm doing now. I wouldn't have been here when 0:19:02.560 --> 0:19:05.359 my father passed to step up and pastor the church. 0:19:05.880 --> 0:19:08.720 I would have never seen the compact center, the books, 0:19:08.920 --> 0:19:14.440 the favor. I was disappointed then, but now I say, Lord, thank. 0:19:14.160 --> 0:19:18.479 You for closing those doors. You weren't punishing me, You 0:19:18.520 --> 0:19:19.480 were protecting me. 0:19:20.720 --> 0:19:23.760 You are making sure I would be where I needed 0:19:23.760 --> 0:19:28.639 to be when you open doors bigger than I could imagine. 0:19:28.720 --> 0:19:31.440 I had to go through the closed doors to get 0:19:31.480 --> 0:19:32.479 to my open doors. 0:19:33.280 --> 0:19:34.640 Maturity is when. 0:19:34.440 --> 0:19:37.240 You come to a point where you say, God, my 0:19:37.359 --> 0:19:40.600 life is in your hands. I trust you to open 0:19:40.600 --> 0:19:44.600 the right doors, supernatural opportunities, and God, I. 0:19:44.560 --> 0:19:46.160 Trust you with my closed doors. 0:19:46.600 --> 0:19:49.880 When I don't understand it, when people walk away, when 0:19:49.880 --> 0:19:52.640 I don't get what I want, God you know what's 0:19:52.680 --> 0:19:55.639 best for me. This is such a freeing way to 0:19:55.720 --> 0:19:59.520 live because it takes all the pressure off. It's not 0:19:59.680 --> 0:20:02.919 up to us to strain and force this door to 0:20:03.000 --> 0:20:06.320 open and manipulate things to bring a dream to pass. 0:20:06.880 --> 0:20:09.160 All you're going to do is frustrate yourself. 0:20:09.800 --> 0:20:12.840 The good news is if you'll keep honoring God and 0:20:13.280 --> 0:20:14.960 being your best each day. 0:20:15.280 --> 0:20:17.040 Then Samuel is going to find you. 0:20:17.840 --> 0:20:20.960 God will open a door that no person can shut. 0:20:21.560 --> 0:20:25.280 That door is going to be bigger, more rewarding than 0:20:25.320 --> 0:20:28.560 anything you had in mind. I dream of being in 0:20:28.600 --> 0:20:31.640 television production. I never knew I could get up here 0:20:31.720 --> 0:20:34.200 and speak in front of people, be on the other 0:20:34.320 --> 0:20:37.520 side of the camera, see gifts come out that I 0:20:37.560 --> 0:20:42.040 didn't even know I had. Sometimes God closes a door 0:20:42.440 --> 0:20:43.280 because we're. 0:20:43.040 --> 0:20:44.040 Thinking too small. 0:20:44.880 --> 0:20:47.280 If he gave us what we wanted, it would stun 0:20:47.320 --> 0:20:52.080 our growth, limit our potential. Now God has put greatness 0:20:52.119 --> 0:20:55.639 in you. He's going to take you where you can't go. 0:20:55.640 --> 0:20:56.359 On your own. 0:20:57.240 --> 0:21:00.359 We're looking for doors that we can open, how we 0:21:00.400 --> 0:21:03.480 can be promoted, how we can increase, and that's all good. 0:21:04.000 --> 0:21:07.200 But what God has coming are doors that you could 0:21:07.200 --> 0:21:08.320 have never opened. 0:21:09.040 --> 0:21:12.440 You didn't have the training, the experience, the funds. I'm 0:21:12.480 --> 0:21:17.240 talking about supernatural doors that thrust you ahead, doors that 0:21:17.400 --> 0:21:20.920 surprise you, that exceed your expectations. 0:21:21.680 --> 0:21:23.920 And if you look back over your life, I'm. 0:21:23.760 --> 0:21:28.000 Sure you too can see some closed doors. Things you 0:21:28.080 --> 0:21:32.560 don't understand, that don't make sense. You wanted it so badly, 0:21:32.640 --> 0:21:36.600 but it didn't work out. That would be disappointing. If 0:21:36.720 --> 0:21:40.880 life was just random happenstance man, you had a bad break. 0:21:41.320 --> 0:21:44.919 No, you have a doorkeeper. The most time, God is 0:21:45.000 --> 0:21:48.520 watching over your life. He's not only ordering. 0:21:48.240 --> 0:21:52.600 Your steps, but he's controlling your doors. He's weeding out 0:21:52.680 --> 0:21:57.080 the wrong people. He's stopping opportunities that would be a distraction. 0:21:57.960 --> 0:22:01.399 He's not letting you take that small promotion so he 0:22:01.440 --> 0:22:04.640 can give you a bigger one. He closed that one 0:22:04.760 --> 0:22:07.960 job you wanted, so like me, he can launch you 0:22:08.040 --> 0:22:12.760 into something better than you've ever imagined. Now, no, we're 0:22:12.800 --> 0:22:15.760 happy over the open doors, but I want you to 0:22:15.800 --> 0:22:17.960 be at peace with your closed doors. 0:22:18.760 --> 0:22:19.560 If what you're. 0:22:19.400 --> 0:22:23.679 Believing for hasn't happened yet, you didn't get what you wanted. 0:22:24.400 --> 0:22:25.880 What if you knew God was. 0:22:25.920 --> 0:22:30.399 Protecting you, that he has something far greater. So he 0:22:30.520 --> 0:22:33.879 had to shut that door, not because he's holding your back, 0:22:34.320 --> 0:22:37.439 but so you'll be in position for a door that 0:22:37.520 --> 0:22:42.040 no man can open, for something supernatural, something better than 0:22:42.080 --> 0:22:42.879 you've imagined. 0:22:43.960 --> 0:22:45.080 Acts Chapter twelve. 0:22:45.640 --> 0:22:49.919 King Herod had Peter put in prison for sharing his faith. 0:22:50.760 --> 0:22:54.720 Herod had already had the disciple James killed. When he 0:22:54.760 --> 0:22:57.520 saw that it pleased the people. It looked like Peter 0:22:57.760 --> 0:23:01.560 was next in line. He was in the chained between 0:23:01.600 --> 0:23:04.399 two guards. He was going to be brought to trial 0:23:04.480 --> 0:23:07.879 the next day. This could be the last night of 0:23:07.920 --> 0:23:11.960 Peter's life. While he was asleep in the middle of 0:23:12.000 --> 0:23:14.080 the night, an angel showed up. 0:23:15.080 --> 0:23:19.080 It's significant that he was sleeping the night before he 0:23:19.119 --> 0:23:20.919 could lose his life. 0:23:20.960 --> 0:23:24.000 Peter had a trust, a faith that God was in 0:23:24.080 --> 0:23:25.880 control of his life. 0:23:26.000 --> 0:23:28.760 The angel had to wake him up. The chains fell 0:23:28.800 --> 0:23:29.639 off of his feet. 0:23:30.160 --> 0:23:34.800 The scripture says, the prison doors open of their own accord. 0:23:35.840 --> 0:23:39.679 People didn't open them. Peter's friends didn't sneak in and 0:23:39.800 --> 0:23:42.080 open it. No guard, no staff. 0:23:42.720 --> 0:23:46.520 This was the doorkeeper God doing what only he can do, 0:23:47.080 --> 0:23:51.000 opening doors that no person can shut. We have a 0:23:51.080 --> 0:23:54.439 gate outside our driveway at home, and sometimes when a 0:23:54.440 --> 0:23:57.440 friend is coming over, I'll stand at the back window 0:23:57.560 --> 0:24:00.680 and I have the remote control. When I see them 0:24:00.680 --> 0:24:03.440 pull up, I hit the button so they can drive in. 0:24:04.359 --> 0:24:06.960 They never see me, but I see them. 0:24:07.680 --> 0:24:10.480 They couldn't get in this gate by themselves, but I'm 0:24:10.520 --> 0:24:11.360 the gatekeeper. 0:24:11.680 --> 0:24:14.720 I'm watching for them when they arrive. No big deal. 0:24:14.760 --> 0:24:19.159 Click, it opens on its own accord. Can I encourage you? 0:24:19.280 --> 0:24:22.919 God has the remote control to doors you can't open. 0:24:23.800 --> 0:24:26.720 You come to a door where you don't have the training. 0:24:27.800 --> 0:24:31.359 Medical reports not good, Your boss doesn't like you, the 0:24:31.440 --> 0:24:35.120 loan didn't go through. The good news is your doorkeeper 0:24:35.200 --> 0:24:39.840 is there. He has the remote. Like Peter, You're gonna 0:24:39.840 --> 0:24:43.560 see some doors open of their own accord. Things you 0:24:43.560 --> 0:24:48.560 couldn't make happen, not little doors, not ordinary, supernatural, the 0:24:48.680 --> 0:24:52.159 hand of God good breaks that you didn't see coming 0:24:52.920 --> 0:24:56.959 opportunities you've never imagined. How About like a compact center, 0:24:57.400 --> 0:25:01.159 how about like my mother healed from terminal cancer, things 0:25:01.160 --> 0:25:05.040 that defy the odds. And this was so amazing that 0:25:05.240 --> 0:25:08.119 Peter thought he was dreaming. He was out of the 0:25:08.160 --> 0:25:12.080 prison on the streets before he realized what had really happened. 0:25:13.119 --> 0:25:16.080 God has doors He's going to open for you that 0:25:16.160 --> 0:25:17.000 will seem like a. 0:25:17.040 --> 0:25:20.840 Dream, too good to be true. That's what it means. 0:25:20.920 --> 0:25:23.199 A door no person can open. 0:25:23.840 --> 0:25:27.439 It's out of your league, over your head, beyond what 0:25:27.520 --> 0:25:28.600 you're qualified for. 0:25:29.200 --> 0:25:32.680 Here's the beauty. It's going to open of its own accord. 0:25:33.560 --> 0:25:38.919 It wasn't all your striving, straining, living pressure. No, just 0:25:39.000 --> 0:25:42.879 keep God first place, keep honoring him, and He's going 0:25:42.960 --> 0:25:45.919 to open doors you never imagine would open. 0:25:46.800 --> 0:25:50.959 One reason is because you've been faithful with your closed doors. 0:25:51.760 --> 0:25:54.520 You didn't get sour when you didn't get your way. 0:25:54.600 --> 0:25:57.359 You kept a good attitude when you were overlooked for 0:25:57.400 --> 0:26:01.240 the promotion. You kept thanking God even though friends were 0:26:01.280 --> 0:26:02.160 passing you up. 0:26:02.720 --> 0:26:05.920 You pass the test. Now God is going to do 0:26:06.040 --> 0:26:07.360 what only he can do. 0:26:08.320 --> 0:26:11.399 I'm asking you to trust him with the doors in 0:26:11.480 --> 0:26:15.960 your life. No more frustrated over closed doors and things 0:26:16.000 --> 0:26:17.000 you don't understand. 0:26:17.640 --> 0:26:19.040 God knows what he's doing. 0:26:20.000 --> 0:26:23.200 No more straining trying to force things to happen. 0:26:23.600 --> 0:26:25.200 Take the pressure off. 0:26:25.280 --> 0:26:30.199 God controls what opens and what closes, not people, not 0:26:30.359 --> 0:26:33.919 bad breaks, not the enemy. You may be waiting for 0:26:34.000 --> 0:26:36.080 a door to open. I know thoughts can take. Hey, 0:26:36.080 --> 0:26:39.439 it's never gonna happen. No, Samuel is already on the 0:26:39.520 --> 0:26:43.879 schedule at the right time. God will surprise you. It 0:26:43.920 --> 0:26:48.320 will be better than you've imagined. Trust him as your doorkeeper. 0:26:48.640 --> 0:26:52.399 If you'll do this, I believe and declare. God is 0:26:52.440 --> 0:26:56.320 not only gonna protect you by closing wrong doors, but 0:26:56.480 --> 0:27:02.680 like Peter, you're gonna see doors open of their own accord, promotion, breakthroughs, healing, 0:27:02.760 --> 0:27:07.920 divind connections, the fullness of your destiny in Jesus's name, 0:27:08.520 --> 0:27:12.600 and if you receive it. Can you say amen, I'd 0:27:12.600 --> 0:27:15.280 like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus the 0:27:15.320 --> 0:27:19.840 lord of your life. Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, 0:27:20.520 --> 0:27:24.119 come into my heart. I repent of my sins. I 0:27:24.280 --> 0:27:27.439 make you my Lord and savior. If you prayed that 0:27:27.520 --> 0:27:30.959 simple prayer, we believe you got born again. We'd love 0:27:31.040 --> 0:27:33.160 to send you some free information on your new walk 0:27:33.200 --> 0:27:35.399 with the Lord. You can go to the website or 0:27:35.480 --> 0:27:38.000 text the number on the screen, but I hope you'll 0:27:38.000 --> 0:27:41.280 get into a good Bible based church and keep God 0:27:41.600 --> 0:27:42.320 first place. 0:27:43.480 --> 0:27:45.640 It's easy to let the day get away from us 0:27:45.720 --> 0:27:48.680 before the day even starts. The first few minutes of 0:27:48.720 --> 0:27:51.960 your morning are more powerful than you might think. Life 0:27:52.000 --> 0:27:54.960 moves really fast sometimes, and it can be easy to 0:27:55.000 --> 0:27:57.879 begin each day by zeroing in on your problems. 0:27:58.240 --> 0:27:59.280 But here's the truth. 0:28:00.119 --> 0:28:02.560 How you start the day can determine what kind of 0:28:02.600 --> 0:28:04.640 day is going to be. And I'd love to send 0:28:04.640 --> 0:28:06.720 you my devotional three minute mornings. 0:28:06.840 --> 0:28:08.480 Start your day the blessed way. 0:28:08.680 --> 0:28:11.199 Three minutes doesn't seem like a lot of time, but 0:28:11.240 --> 0:28:13.680 when you put God first place and get your mind 0:28:13.720 --> 0:28:16.359 going in the right direction, is setting the tone for 0:28:16.400 --> 0:28:18.200 a blessed, productive day. 0:28:18.480 --> 0:28:19.040 Is filled with. 0:28:19.040 --> 0:28:22.160 Inspiration and encouragement to help you begin each day with a. 0:28:22.160 --> 0:28:24.600 Fresh attitude, grateful that you're alive. 0:28:24.960 --> 0:28:27.919 It's amazing what happens when you take three minutes and 0:28:27.960 --> 0:28:31.560 speak blessings over your life and declaring God's favor. Three 0:28:31.600 --> 0:28:33.280 minute Mornings is our gift to. 0:28:33.200 --> 0:28:36.159 You As our way of saying thank you for your 0:28:36.240 --> 0:28:38.760 gift of any amount this month, we would like to 0:28:38.800 --> 0:28:42.640 send you a copy of Joel's new devotional Three Minute Mornings. 0:28:42.800 --> 0:28:46.560 Start your day in Faith. This powerful book will open 0:28:46.600 --> 0:28:50.520 the pathways to experience God's presence and peace in your life, 0:28:50.840 --> 0:28:55.000 and there you will find renewed energy, assurance, and wisdom 0:28:55.080 --> 0:28:58.480 to face your day. The Bible promises that God is 0:28:58.480 --> 0:29:01.840 a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, So as 0:29:01.880 --> 0:29:05.120 you pause for only three minutes and take in his 0:29:05.280 --> 0:29:09.120 wonderful promises in this book, you'll be positioning yourself to 0:29:09.200 --> 0:29:12.400 receive all the amazing things that God has in store 0:29:12.440 --> 0:29:16.240 for you. Please request your copy today and watch anxiety 0:29:16.440 --> 0:29:22.360 turn to divine answers, weakness to strength, problems to renewed possibilities, 0:29:22.640 --> 0:29:28.160 frustrations to God's favor. Yes, only three minutes will transform 0:29:28.240 --> 0:29:29.240 your entire day. 0:29:30.000 --> 0:29:32.160 From the time I was a little boy, my parents 0:29:32.160 --> 0:29:35.040 taught me the value of starting the day off in faith. 0:29:35.360 --> 0:29:38.680 Three Minute Mornings will help you do just that. Victoria 0:29:38.680 --> 0:29:41.680 and I pray for you every day for God's very best. 0:29:42.160 --> 0:29:44.440 We want to thank you for your prayer and support. 0:29:44.760 --> 0:29:48.320 You're impacting people all over the world. A special thank 0:29:48.360 --> 0:29:51.440 you to our Champion of Hope partners for your monthly support. 0:29:51.840 --> 0:29:54.840 If you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. 0:29:55.280 --> 0:29:56.360 Remember you can watch the. 0:29:56.320 --> 0:30:00.560 Services online every Sunday morning, download our Daily Post podcast, 0:30:01.000 --> 0:30:04.520 listen on Serious Exam, watch our YouTube channel, and the 0:30:04.640 --> 0:30:08.240 Joel Ostein Network streaming on television twenty four hours a 0:30:08.360 --> 0:30:10.200 day until we see you again. 0:30:10.560 --> 0:30:12.360 May the Lord bless you and keep you. 0:30:13.200 --> 0:30:16.200 Be sure to request your copy of three Minute Mornings 0:30:16.360 --> 0:30:20.120 Start your day in faith. Visit Joelostein dot com or 0:30:20.200 --> 0:30:24.040 call eight eight eight five six seven Joel for an 0:30:24.040 --> 0:30:27.600 additional donation. This month, we are also offering the Faith 0:30:27.640 --> 0:30:31.480 and Freedom Bundle. You'll receive an additional devotional filled with 0:30:31.680 --> 0:30:35.400 daily wisdom to guide you in living with favor, focus 0:30:35.440 --> 0:30:39.440 and freedom. Also available, our Morning Power and Peace Collection 0:30:39.800 --> 0:30:44.760 includes Power, Provision and Peace, beautifully bound and timeless elegance. 0:30:45.120 --> 0:30:49.440 This dynamic New Testament, the Passion Translation helps you walk 0:30:49.520 --> 0:30:53.760 in God's best. You can request these inspiring resources by 0:30:53.800 --> 0:30:57.440 calling eight eight eight five six seven Joel or logging 0:30:57.440 --> 0:31:01.920 on to Jolostein dot com today call or click anytime 0:31:02.120 --> 0:31:05.720 twenty four hours a day, be inspired every morning. 0:31:06.200 --> 0:31:07.720 Request your copies today,