God Is A Rewarder

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See terms and conditions at 0:01:29.360 --> 0:01:30.080 UNEs 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 --> 0:01:40.800 blessing and share it with a friends. 0:01:41.120 --> 0:01:43.840 We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in 0:01:43.880 --> 0:01:58.520 your life. Well, God bless you. It's always a joy 0:01:58.520 --> 0:02:01.240 to come into your homes. I love you. If you're 0:02:01.280 --> 0:02:03.640 ever in our area, please stop by and be a 0:02:03.680 --> 0:02:06.080 part of one of our services. I promise you we'll 0:02:06.080 --> 0:02:08.400 make you feel right at home. Thanks so much for 0:02:08.480 --> 0:02:10.880 tuning in, and thank you again for coming out today. 0:02:11.480 --> 0:02:14.000 I like to start with something funny, and I take 0:02:14.080 --> 0:02:16.560 no credit for this joke. It was given to me 0:02:16.800 --> 0:02:21.840 by my brother Paul. I heard about this blonde lady. 0:02:22.000 --> 0:02:25.919 She was already not starting. Good is it. She was 0:02:25.960 --> 0:02:28.400 out in the yard doing some work with the weed 0:02:28.440 --> 0:02:33.120 eater when she accidentally cut off her cat's tail. He 0:02:33.280 --> 0:02:35.400 was in the bushes and she didn't see him, and 0:02:35.440 --> 0:02:38.680 she felt so bad. She grabbed the cat, grabbed the tail, 0:02:38.960 --> 0:02:42.360 told her friend She's going to Walmart. She said, Walmart. 0:02:42.440 --> 0:02:46.400 While Walmart, she said, hello, They're the largest retailer in 0:02:46.480 --> 0:02:53.200 the world. Paul's cell number is seven one three. Say 0:02:53.240 --> 0:02:56.040 it like you mean it. This is my Bible. I 0:02:56.080 --> 0:02:58.480 am what it says I am. I have what it 0:02:58.520 --> 0:03:00.960 says I have. I can do what it says I 0:03:01.000 --> 0:03:04.120 can do. Today I will be taught the word of God. 0:03:04.560 --> 0:03:08.919 I boldly confess my mind is alert, my heart is receptive. 0:03:09.280 --> 0:03:12.840 I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, God 0:03:12.880 --> 0:03:16.480 bless you. I want to talk to you today about 0:03:16.520 --> 0:03:20.480 how God is a rewarder when you put God first 0:03:20.520 --> 0:03:24.399 place and you make it your highest propority to please Him, 0:03:24.960 --> 0:03:28.359 then you can expect to live a blessed, fulfilled life. 0:03:28.960 --> 0:03:31.239 That's what it says in Hebrews eleven six. 0:03:31.800 --> 0:03:36.000 God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. 0:03:36.520 --> 0:03:41.080 Notice who God rewards not people that half heartedly seek him, 0:03:41.280 --> 0:03:44.000 people that only think about him when they're having a problem, 0:03:44.320 --> 0:03:47.080 people that only come to church when something special is 0:03:47.120 --> 0:03:47.520 going on. 0:03:48.200 --> 0:03:48.240 No. 0:03:48.440 --> 0:03:53.240 God rewards people that diligently seek him. People like you 0:03:53.840 --> 0:03:56.760 that get up every morning and thank Him for his goodness. 0:03:57.280 --> 0:04:00.400 People that go through the day meditating on his promses, 0:04:01.040 --> 0:04:03.920 people that give him praise in the good times and 0:04:04.000 --> 0:04:08.000 in the tough times. People that are always growing, learning, 0:04:08.280 --> 0:04:12.760 striving to do better. When you diligently seek God, he 0:04:12.920 --> 0:04:19.160 promises a reward is coming. God will give you strength, wisdom, favor, 0:04:19.200 --> 0:04:23.520 good breaks, promotion, healing, restoration. You won't be able to 0:04:23.600 --> 0:04:26.960 outrun the good things of God when you seek Him 0:04:27.200 --> 0:04:30.880 with your whole heart. And what's interesting about a reward 0:04:31.360 --> 0:04:34.280 is it's put in place before anyone claims it. 0:04:35.000 --> 0:04:36.240 Right now, there are. 0:04:36.120 --> 0:04:39.680 Rewards for certain fugitives that are on the loose. The 0:04:39.760 --> 0:04:43.080 money is already in a fund just waiting for someone 0:04:43.120 --> 0:04:45.960 to step up and claim it. The only thing you 0:04:46.040 --> 0:04:49.760 have to do is find that fugitive, and then the 0:04:49.839 --> 0:04:53.520 money would be released in that fund. In the same way, 0:04:54.040 --> 0:04:57.280 God has a reward that's already been put in place. 0:04:57.839 --> 0:05:01.800 It's just waiting to be released. The only catch is 0:05:01.800 --> 0:05:05.240 we have to meet the demands of the reward. Now. 0:05:05.279 --> 0:05:08.799 The amazing thing about God is he says, you don't 0:05:08.800 --> 0:05:12.400 even have to find me. If you'll just seek me, 0:05:12.920 --> 0:05:15.880 I'll give you the reward. If you'll just make an 0:05:15.920 --> 0:05:18.880 effort to please me, if you'll just get up in 0:05:18.920 --> 0:05:22.520 the morning and thank me, if you'll just read the scripture. 0:05:22.880 --> 0:05:26.240 You may not even understand it, but God says, that's okay, 0:05:26.560 --> 0:05:29.560 I'll give you the reward for just making the effort. 0:05:30.720 --> 0:05:32.640 Was driving out of my neighborhood the other day and 0:05:32.960 --> 0:05:35.760 I saw a sign on a telephone pole. It said 0:05:36.040 --> 0:05:39.080 lost dog, had a picture of the dog, and at 0:05:39.120 --> 0:05:43.599 the bottom, in big letters, it read reward five hundred dollars. 0:05:44.279 --> 0:05:46.920 Imagine I went to the house, knocked on the door, said, hey, 0:05:47.160 --> 0:05:50.159 I've been looking for your dog the last two hours. 0:05:50.320 --> 0:05:52.880 I've searched this whole section of the neighborhood. Now I'm 0:05:52.880 --> 0:05:56.520 here for the reward. That first question would behave where's 0:05:56.560 --> 0:05:59.039 the dog? Well, sorry, I didn't find the dog, but 0:05:59.080 --> 0:06:02.000 I promise you I've been looking. They would say, sir, 0:06:02.279 --> 0:06:06.919 no dog, no reward. This is what's so great about God, 0:06:06.960 --> 0:06:11.040 He says, I'll pay you just for looking. I'll bless 0:06:11.080 --> 0:06:14.320 you just for seeking me. I'll reward you just for 0:06:14.400 --> 0:06:19.320 coming to church. I'll show you favor just forgetting up 0:06:19.320 --> 0:06:23.560 in the morning and meditating on my promises. The reward 0:06:23.839 --> 0:06:26.800 is not in having it all figured out. The reward 0:06:27.000 --> 0:06:30.200 is in the seeking. The reward is in making the effort. 0:06:31.320 --> 0:06:34.120 My father came from a family that didn't have anything 0:06:34.120 --> 0:06:36.560 to do with God. They were good people, but he 0:06:36.600 --> 0:06:39.920 didn't have any kind of spiritual upbringing. At the age 0:06:39.960 --> 0:06:43.440 of seventeen, Daddy gave his life to Christ, first one 0:06:43.440 --> 0:06:47.320 in the family. God called him to preach. As a teenager, 0:06:47.520 --> 0:06:51.960 he started ministering in the prisons, in the senior citizens' homes, 0:06:52.120 --> 0:06:55.600 on the street corners. He didn't know anything about the Bible. 0:06:56.040 --> 0:06:57.400 He'd never been to seminary. 0:06:57.920 --> 0:07:01.800 He called job job. One time, he preached a whole 0:07:01.839 --> 0:07:05.080 sermon on Samson and realized at the end, he'd been 0:07:05.080 --> 0:07:10.280 calling him Tarzan. He didn't have it all together, but 0:07:10.400 --> 0:07:15.400 Daddy had a desire to please God. He was seeking him, 0:07:15.400 --> 0:07:19.600 making the effort. God doesn't say, if you know all 0:07:19.640 --> 0:07:23.920 the scriptures, if you understand all the theology, I'll give 0:07:23.960 --> 0:07:27.480 you the reward. Now, God says, I'll pay you for 0:07:27.640 --> 0:07:31.320 making the effort. I'll pay you for trying. I'll pay 0:07:31.400 --> 0:07:34.400 you for seeking me. From the time I was a 0:07:34.400 --> 0:07:38.840 little boy, my parents taught me the importance of honoring God. 0:07:39.440 --> 0:07:40.360 Now I wasn't perfect. 0:07:40.400 --> 0:07:43.200 I made mistakes, But for as long back as I 0:07:43.200 --> 0:07:46.679 could remember, I would get up every morning and thank 0:07:46.760 --> 0:07:50.280 God for the day and ask Him for wisdom and guidance. 0:07:50.920 --> 0:07:53.640 Every day I would read a chapter in my Bible. 0:07:54.200 --> 0:07:57.679 Didn't always understand it, still don't, And I'm the pastor 0:07:57.720 --> 0:08:01.360 of a big church. Has an blessed me because I'm 0:08:01.360 --> 0:08:05.720 the smartest, the most qualified, the most talented. God has 0:08:05.760 --> 0:08:09.280 blessed me because I've made it a gold to seek Him, 0:08:09.640 --> 0:08:15.160 to honor Him, to please him. Every morning, I still 0:08:15.160 --> 0:08:16.880 get out and take the first half hour of the 0:08:17.000 --> 0:08:20.520 day to thank God for his goodness, to acknowledge Him 0:08:20.560 --> 0:08:23.920 as my savior, to ask him for wisdom. I pray 0:08:23.960 --> 0:08:27.480 every day. Lord, let everything I do today bring honor 0:08:27.480 --> 0:08:30.400 to your name. And God has taking me places that 0:08:30.480 --> 0:08:33.839 I've never dreamed of. It's blessed our family more than 0:08:33.840 --> 0:08:36.560 I could imagine. I'd love to tell you I'm just 0:08:36.640 --> 0:08:41.160 that smart, I'm just that talented. I'm just an overachiever. No, 0:08:41.320 --> 0:08:44.240 I have done my part to develop what God's given me. 0:08:44.559 --> 0:08:48.080 But I know the promotion, the favor, the blessing has 0:08:48.120 --> 0:08:52.120 come because I've kept God first place. I've done my 0:08:52.200 --> 0:08:56.280 best to diligently seek him. I'm asking you to do 0:08:56.360 --> 0:09:01.840 the same thing. Make pleasing God your high priority. Get 0:09:01.920 --> 0:09:04.960 up every morning and thank God for what He's done. 0:09:05.520 --> 0:09:08.560 Take time to read the scripture all through the day. 0:09:08.640 --> 0:09:13.199 Meditate on God's promises. When you have a major decision, ask. 0:09:12.960 --> 0:09:13.960 God for wisdom. 0:09:14.320 --> 0:09:17.360 If you live like that, God will take you places 0:09:17.440 --> 0:09:20.920 that you've never dreamed of. Think about David. He wasn't 0:09:20.960 --> 0:09:25.080 the biggest, strongest, most qualified. How did he make it 0:09:25.080 --> 0:09:28.480 to the palace? How did he surpass others that had 0:09:28.520 --> 0:09:33.000 more natural ability? The scripture says David was a man 0:09:33.280 --> 0:09:38.320 after God's own heart. David was constantly seeking God. He 0:09:38.440 --> 0:09:42.400 was always writing songs of praise, telling God how much 0:09:42.440 --> 0:09:45.280 he loved him, how much he needed him, how great 0:09:45.320 --> 0:09:49.600 God was. When you diligently seek God, you will go 0:09:49.720 --> 0:09:52.760 places that your natural ability could not have taken you. 0:09:54.040 --> 0:09:56.920 My sister Lisa met a lady in Atlanta last week. 0:09:57.240 --> 0:09:59.640 She and her husband were in the oil business. At 0:09:59.640 --> 0:10:02.720 one time, they'd been very successful that over the last 0:10:02.760 --> 0:10:05.800 few years the business had really gone down. In fact, 0:10:05.800 --> 0:10:08.360 they were about to go bankrupt. They had laid off 0:10:08.400 --> 0:10:11.720 all their employees. They were close to losing their own home. 0:10:12.440 --> 0:10:15.160 Now it was starting to affect their marriage. They weren't 0:10:15.200 --> 0:10:18.320 getting along one thing after another. One day they were 0:10:18.320 --> 0:10:21.240 flipping through the channels and they saw us on television. 0:10:21.520 --> 0:10:22.520 They started listening. 0:10:22.600 --> 0:10:26.480 Each week, faith began to rise in their hearts. They 0:10:26.520 --> 0:10:30.080 heard me talking about how God is a God of restoration, 0:10:30.679 --> 0:10:33.439 how he can do exceedingly, abundantly. 0:10:32.840 --> 0:10:33.840 Above and beyond. 0:10:34.760 --> 0:10:39.080 Those words of encouragement were like cool water to their dry, 0:10:39.400 --> 0:10:43.560 thirsty souls. It impacted them so much they wanted to 0:10:43.600 --> 0:10:47.760 be here in person. They lived in Mississippi, but every 0:10:47.840 --> 0:10:51.680 week they would find the cheapest airfare they could find 0:10:52.120 --> 0:10:55.880 and they would fly to Houston on Saturday, and attend 0:10:55.960 --> 0:10:59.640 Lakewood and then fly home after the service, week after week, 0:11:00.000 --> 0:11:03.880 month after month. I'm talking about diligently seeking him. It's 0:11:03.920 --> 0:11:07.199 funny some people won't go across the street to honor God. 0:11:07.559 --> 0:11:10.120 They're busy, they're tired, they don't want to be inconvenience. 0:11:10.520 --> 0:11:14.720 But this couple was flying from another state. Friends, God 0:11:14.800 --> 0:11:18.679 sees every sacrifice you make. He sees when you get 0:11:18.720 --> 0:11:21.520 up in the morning to seek Him. He sees when 0:11:21.559 --> 0:11:24.200 you take time to pray before you make the decision. 0:11:24.760 --> 0:11:27.880 He sees you're getting your children dressed, driving down the 0:11:27.880 --> 0:11:32.800 freeway to come to church. Your effort has not gone unnoticed. 0:11:32.920 --> 0:11:36.560 Let me assure you a reward is coming. You cannot 0:11:36.679 --> 0:11:40.439 give God something without him giving you more back in return. 0:11:41.600 --> 0:11:45.000 You've given God your time by coming today, by watching, 0:11:45.440 --> 0:11:47.600 God is going to help you to get more done 0:11:47.600 --> 0:11:50.440 this week. Many of you gave in the offering. You 0:11:50.520 --> 0:11:53.520 spent gas money. God's going to cause what you have 0:11:53.720 --> 0:11:56.240 left over to go further than if you would have 0:11:56.280 --> 0:11:59.040 kept it off for yourself. That's just the way God is. 0:11:59.240 --> 0:12:03.960 When you seek him, he rewards you. This couple kept 0:12:03.960 --> 0:12:07.679 flying in Saturday after Saturday, week after week, a journey 0:12:07.720 --> 0:12:11.520 of faith. The husband felt very strongly about drilling for 0:12:11.640 --> 0:12:13.040 oil on this certain. 0:12:12.800 --> 0:12:15.640 Piece of property. He drilled with no success. 0:12:15.880 --> 0:12:19.800 He drilled at the same property again, no success, ten times, 0:12:20.000 --> 0:12:23.880 twenty times, thirty times, forty times. His wife said, honey, 0:12:24.200 --> 0:12:27.720 don't drill on this property anymore. You've already done that. 0:12:27.800 --> 0:12:31.400 Drill somewhere else. Something down in here kept telling him, 0:12:31.679 --> 0:12:34.679 drill right where you are. His crew thought he had 0:12:34.720 --> 0:12:37.760 lost his mind. They thought he was far off. But 0:12:37.880 --> 0:12:41.400 when you honor God, he will give you inside information. 0:12:41.840 --> 0:12:45.720 He'll lead you and direct you. He drilled the forty 0:12:45.760 --> 0:12:48.640 six time nothing, forty seven times nothing, But on the 0:12:48.640 --> 0:12:53.160 forty eighth time they struck oil. Today they're not struggling anymore. 0:12:53.520 --> 0:12:55.440 When they want to come see us, they don't go 0:12:55.480 --> 0:12:58.359 buy a cheap ticket. They'll go get on their own airplane. 0:12:58.600 --> 0:13:03.040 God has blessed them more than they could even imagine, 0:13:03.200 --> 0:13:06.360 and they are being a bigger blessing, more than they 0:13:06.400 --> 0:13:11.079 ever imagined. Friends, when you diligently seek God, he promises 0:13:11.120 --> 0:13:15.319 a reward is coming. Many of you have been faithful, 0:13:15.679 --> 0:13:18.840 You've honored God. You've gotten up early to spend time 0:13:18.880 --> 0:13:21.560 with him. You come every time the doors are open. 0:13:22.000 --> 0:13:25.640 God is saying, get ready or reward is coming. God's 0:13:25.679 --> 0:13:29.120 going to give you inside information. He's going to cause 0:13:29.200 --> 0:13:31.800 you to be at the right place at the right time. 0:13:32.200 --> 0:13:35.360 Like this couple. God has something big come in your way. 0:13:36.360 --> 0:13:36.920 Here's the key. 0:13:37.280 --> 0:13:40.800 If you don't realize God is a rewarder, then you 0:13:40.840 --> 0:13:45.280 want to expect his goodness. Your expectation is your faith 0:13:45.400 --> 0:13:49.600 being released. That's what allows God to do amazing things. Well, 0:13:49.640 --> 0:13:51.720 you say, Joe, you're saying to just serve God, just 0:13:51.760 --> 0:13:54.760 to seek him to get something from him. No, we 0:13:54.880 --> 0:13:58.480 serve God because we love him. But I understand the 0:13:58.640 --> 0:14:02.400 nature of God. When you honor God, he says, in effect, 0:14:02.720 --> 0:14:05.640 you don't work for me for free. I'll pay you 0:14:05.720 --> 0:14:09.920 for seeking me. Our attitude should be I've put God first. 0:14:10.240 --> 0:14:12.760 I've done my best to please him, so I know 0:14:13.240 --> 0:14:14.320 payday is coming. 0:14:14.679 --> 0:14:16.720 I know that reward is on its way. 0:14:17.760 --> 0:14:21.440 Jesus said in Matthew six thirty three, seek first the 0:14:21.560 --> 0:14:26.280 Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things 0:14:26.440 --> 0:14:28.600 will be added unto you. 0:14:28.640 --> 0:14:31.880 Notice the key. Seek first the kingdom. 0:14:32.120 --> 0:14:36.120 In other words, don't seek the blessing, seek the bless ore. 0:14:37.240 --> 0:14:43.120 Don't be consumed by things. Don't chase after money, fame, fortune, bigger, this, 0:14:43.240 --> 0:14:43.800 bigger that. 0:14:44.320 --> 0:14:45.760 Chase after God. 0:14:45.920 --> 0:14:49.240 If you will seek the bless ore, then all these 0:14:49.320 --> 0:14:53.320 blessings will be added unto you. This is where many 0:14:53.360 --> 0:14:57.440 people miss it. When we seek things. Life is very shallow. 0:14:57.960 --> 0:15:01.200 We're always struggling trying to make it happen God to 0:15:01.240 --> 0:15:04.400 have something bigger. But when you seek the bless ore 0:15:05.000 --> 0:15:08.240 and say, God, my highest priority is to please you, 0:15:08.560 --> 0:15:11.120 help me to honor you. When you live that way 0:15:11.600 --> 0:15:14.920 instead of chasing blessings, blessings will chase you. 0:15:15.720 --> 0:15:15.840 Now. 0:15:15.880 --> 0:15:19.120 I'm all for having goals, dreams, pursuing what God's put 0:15:19.160 --> 0:15:21.760 in our heart. But I've seen over and over in 0:15:21.840 --> 0:15:24.160 my own life, when I'm just doing my best to 0:15:24.200 --> 0:15:28.680 please God, to honor Him, focused on his principles, then 0:15:28.960 --> 0:15:32.440 out of the blue, a good break, unexpected favor. I'm 0:15:32.480 --> 0:15:35.360 at the right place at the right time. I didn't 0:15:35.400 --> 0:15:38.560 have to manipulate things, I didn't have to struggle to 0:15:38.560 --> 0:15:42.400 make it happen. It was a reward. It was something 0:15:42.480 --> 0:15:45.800 God blessed me with because I was on his payroll. 0:15:46.160 --> 0:15:49.480 I was diligently seeking him. I love how it says 0:15:49.920 --> 0:15:53.120 all these things will be added under you, not a 0:15:53.120 --> 0:15:56.400 few things, not a half a dozen. God is a 0:15:56.400 --> 0:16:00.120 god of abundance. When you keep him first place, you 0:16:00.160 --> 0:16:02.960 won't be able to contain all the good things that 0:16:03.000 --> 0:16:06.400 God brings across your path. And our main mission in 0:16:06.440 --> 0:16:10.880 life should not be making money. Our main mission should 0:16:10.880 --> 0:16:15.200 be honoring God. Here's what I've learned. When you honor God, 0:16:15.360 --> 0:16:18.760 the money will come. When you honor God, he'll open 0:16:18.800 --> 0:16:21.880 the right doors, He'll bring the right people, He'll cause 0:16:21.920 --> 0:16:24.000 you to be at the right place at the right time. 0:16:24.960 --> 0:16:27.640 Victoria and I have never had money as a goal. 0:16:28.080 --> 0:16:31.880 Our goal is to please God. Victoria could say she 0:16:32.000 --> 0:16:36.200 has sought the blessing and the bleeding has come. All 0:16:36.280 --> 0:16:39.880 these things have been added. Now here's my challenge. Don't 0:16:39.920 --> 0:16:42.840 fall in love with the blessing. Fall in love with 0:16:42.880 --> 0:16:47.760 the blessed Lord. Don't be so consumed that you got 0:16:47.760 --> 0:16:50.320 to have that bigger house, you got to have that promotion, 0:16:50.480 --> 0:16:53.280 working night and day trying to make it happen. No, 0:16:53.440 --> 0:16:56.840 you're not called to make money. You'll call to make 0:16:56.880 --> 0:17:00.960 a difference. You'll call to honor God. I'm sure work hard, 0:17:01.000 --> 0:17:04.720 develop your talents, be your best, but don't chase money. 0:17:05.000 --> 0:17:09.160 Chase God. If you will seek the bless or, God 0:17:09.200 --> 0:17:12.680 will give you what money cannot buy. You can work 0:17:12.760 --> 0:17:15.760 twenty four to seven, but you can't buy health, you 0:17:15.800 --> 0:17:18.760 can't buy strength, you can't buy a good night's rest. 0:17:19.200 --> 0:17:22.919 Seek first the Kingdom and God will reward you with 0:17:23.119 --> 0:17:29.280 all these things. That word seek is a strong word. 0:17:29.880 --> 0:17:35.000 One definition says to require as a vital necessity. You 0:17:35.119 --> 0:17:38.760 need to see spending time with God as being vital 0:17:39.040 --> 0:17:42.320 to living a victorious life. Because sometimes we get up 0:17:42.320 --> 0:17:44.000 in the morning we think, I don't want to read 0:17:44.080 --> 0:17:46.680 my Bible today, I don't feel like going to church. 0:17:46.720 --> 0:17:50.359 I'm tired. But once you develop the habit and you 0:17:50.480 --> 0:17:54.280 see the benefit of how you feel refreshed and restored, 0:17:54.720 --> 0:17:56.960 and how you make better decisions and how you have 0:17:57.040 --> 0:18:00.679 God's favor, then you'll think I can were not to 0:18:00.760 --> 0:18:04.720 do this without spending time. It just doesn't feel right. 0:18:05.440 --> 0:18:07.800 People tell me again and again, Joel, when I don't 0:18:07.800 --> 0:18:10.239 come to church each week, I just don't have that 0:18:10.359 --> 0:18:14.760 boost that I need. It says seek first the Kingdom. 0:18:15.119 --> 0:18:18.480 In other words, honor God at the start of your day, 0:18:19.040 --> 0:18:22.400 make it a part of your routine. Last few months 0:18:22.400 --> 0:18:26.040 of my father's life he was on dialysis three times 0:18:26.080 --> 0:18:28.600 a week for four hours a day. He would go 0:18:28.640 --> 0:18:31.880 to the clinic to have his blood cleansed. There were 0:18:31.920 --> 0:18:35.040 times that he didn't feel like going. He was tired, 0:18:35.440 --> 0:18:38.639 he was busy, wanted to do something else, didn't matter. 0:18:38.920 --> 0:18:42.879 He went anyway. Why his life depended on it. It 0:18:42.960 --> 0:18:43.720 wasn't an option. 0:18:44.240 --> 0:18:45.000 It was vital. 0:18:45.880 --> 0:18:48.800 My father loved to travel all over the world, but 0:18:48.880 --> 0:18:52.320 when he started dialysis, he had to change his plans 0:18:52.680 --> 0:18:57.239 and rearrange his priorities. He knew how important dialysis was 0:18:57.280 --> 0:19:00.560 to him. That's the way we need to see seeking 0:19:00.600 --> 0:19:05.800 God require it as a vital necessity. When things get busy, 0:19:06.240 --> 0:19:09.119 the children need you. It's hectic at the office, you 0:19:09.200 --> 0:19:11.520 got a thousand things to do. You got to put 0:19:11.520 --> 0:19:14.440 your foot down and say, no, this is not an option. 0:19:14.920 --> 0:19:17.280 If I'm going to be strong, if I'm going to 0:19:17.320 --> 0:19:20.280 be productive today, if I'm going to have God's favor, 0:19:20.520 --> 0:19:23.200 then I got to rearrange some priorities so I can 0:19:23.240 --> 0:19:26.480 spend time with God. You may have to get up earlier, 0:19:26.640 --> 0:19:29.720 before the children need you, before the email goes off, 0:19:29.920 --> 0:19:35.000 before the phone starts ringing. You draw strength, encouragement, wisdom 0:19:35.200 --> 0:19:38.400 when you're in God's presence. That's what's going to keep 0:19:38.440 --> 0:19:42.679 your life fresh. Just like we feed our physical man, 0:19:42.960 --> 0:19:47.320 we need to feed our spiritual man. Learn to invest 0:19:47.480 --> 0:19:52.040 in yourself. Sometimes we feed the outer person three hot 0:19:52.080 --> 0:19:55.440 meals a day, but we only feed our inner person 0:19:55.760 --> 0:19:59.200 one cold snack a week. We wonder why we don't 0:19:59.240 --> 0:20:03.080 have energy and favor and wisdom and creativity. It's because 0:20:03.320 --> 0:20:06.560 we're not taking time to get filled back up. The 0:20:06.600 --> 0:20:12.200 scripture says, in God's presence is fullness of joy, fullness 0:20:12.200 --> 0:20:14.040 of peace, fullness of victory. 0:20:14.320 --> 0:20:17.760 That's where you're refreshed and restored. Every day. 0:20:17.920 --> 0:20:20.520 You need to take time to read your Bible all 0:20:20.560 --> 0:20:23.879 through the day, Meditate on God's promises, put on some 0:20:24.000 --> 0:20:27.199 good praise music, have that quiet time which is you 0:20:27.400 --> 0:20:32.560 and God. No these days everything is so noisy, so hectic, 0:20:32.680 --> 0:20:35.520 so busy. But when you get alone and say God, 0:20:36.040 --> 0:20:39.359 I love you today, thank you for my life, for 0:20:39.480 --> 0:20:42.959 my family, for the opportunities you've given me. Lord, I 0:20:43.040 --> 0:20:45.480 know every good thing comes from you. 0:20:46.400 --> 0:20:47.400 When you live like. 0:20:47.400 --> 0:20:50.640 That, you will have fresh oil to keep your light 0:20:50.920 --> 0:20:54.520 burning brightly. It's easy to take care of everyone else, 0:20:54.880 --> 0:20:58.399 but your first priority is to take care of yourself. 0:21:00.080 --> 0:21:03.640 We're always giving, taking care of the children, working over 0:21:03.680 --> 0:21:07.080 time at the office, helping that friend that's struggling. And 0:21:07.119 --> 0:21:10.840 that's all good. But if we're not careful, we're always giving, 0:21:11.160 --> 0:21:14.560 and we end up run down. You have to take 0:21:14.600 --> 0:21:19.040 time every day to get filled back up. When you're 0:21:19.080 --> 0:21:23.520 in God's presence, like today, you're being refreshed, restored, re 0:21:23.680 --> 0:21:30.159 energized Proverbs three six SSS. In all your ways, acknowledge God, 0:21:30.680 --> 0:21:34.840 and he will crown your efforts with success. All through 0:21:34.880 --> 0:21:38.719 the day, we should be acknowledging God, asking for his health, 0:21:39.200 --> 0:21:44.359 seeking his wisdom, thanking him for his goodness. In the morning, Father, 0:21:44.480 --> 0:21:47.840 thank you for another beautiful day. I commit this day, 0:21:48.200 --> 0:21:52.200 my plans, my future into your hands. You just acknowledge God. 0:21:52.680 --> 0:21:56.840 He promises he'll crown that day with success. Driving on 0:21:56.880 --> 0:21:59.920 the freeway, Father, thank you for getting me their safe 0:22:00.040 --> 0:22:03.080 fleet at the office. Lord, help me to be productive 0:22:03.119 --> 0:22:07.080 today at home. Father, bless my children. Before you go 0:22:07.160 --> 0:22:09.680 to bed, Lord, thank you for a good night's rest. 0:22:10.600 --> 0:22:14.840 When you're constantly acknowledging God, you're seeking him. 0:22:15.240 --> 0:22:17.320 He says, a reward is coming. 0:22:18.480 --> 0:22:21.400 I wonder how much more of God's favor we would 0:22:21.440 --> 0:22:26.280 see if we would acknowledge God more often. Friends, God 0:22:26.480 --> 0:22:29.600 is a gentleman. He's not going to butt into your life. 0:22:29.800 --> 0:22:33.120 You have to invite him in, not just once when 0:22:33.160 --> 0:22:35.720 you commit your life to him. I'm talking about all 0:22:35.800 --> 0:22:40.720 through the day, in all your ways, acknowledge God, even 0:22:40.800 --> 0:22:42.560 things that we can do on our own. 0:22:43.160 --> 0:22:46.399 If you will acknowledge God, it will go better. It 0:22:46.440 --> 0:22:48.840 will be easier at the grocery store. 0:22:48.960 --> 0:22:51.840 Father, help me to find good deals today in a 0:22:51.880 --> 0:22:54.320 crowded parking lot. Lord, help me to find a parking 0:22:54.359 --> 0:22:57.720 spot before you play that ballgame. Lord, help my skills, 0:22:57.800 --> 0:22:59.920 my gifts, my talents to come out to the full. 0:23:01.119 --> 0:23:04.240 So often we think we can only talk to God 0:23:04.440 --> 0:23:09.199 about major problems, major obstacles. But God wants to be 0:23:09.280 --> 0:23:13.400 involved in every part of our lives. That's why he said, 0:23:13.760 --> 0:23:17.320 in all your ways, if you'll acknowledge me, if you'll 0:23:17.320 --> 0:23:21.240 put me first, I'll give you a reward. See. When 0:23:21.280 --> 0:23:25.400 we acknowledge God, we're showing our dependency on him. We're 0:23:25.400 --> 0:23:29.000 putting away our pride and in humility, we're saying, God, 0:23:29.040 --> 0:23:32.880 I need you today. I'm counting on your strength, your favor. 0:23:33.720 --> 0:23:37.840 It's this attitude of dependency. That God responds to. That's 0:23:37.880 --> 0:23:40.560 what causes him to show up and crown that day 0:23:40.560 --> 0:23:44.040 with success. On the other hand, when we don't ask 0:23:44.080 --> 0:23:48.280 for God's help, we're showing our self reliance. We're saying, 0:23:48.320 --> 0:23:51.280 in effect, God, I got this covered today. I don't 0:23:51.359 --> 0:23:51.639 need you. 0:23:51.720 --> 0:23:52.760 I can do it on my own. 0:23:53.480 --> 0:23:56.640 That's when God will step back and take away his blessing. 0:23:57.200 --> 0:23:59.639 It doesn't mean that we want to accomplish things, But 0:23:59.800 --> 0:24:03.520 my point is this, how much more could we accomplish? 0:24:03.800 --> 0:24:06.399 How much easier would it be? How much less of 0:24:06.400 --> 0:24:10.040 a headache, stress and strain if we had the creator 0:24:10.119 --> 0:24:13.760 of the universe breathing in our direction in all of 0:24:13.800 --> 0:24:18.240 your ways? Learn to acknowledge God. A few years ago, 0:24:18.640 --> 0:24:21.240 one of our rabbits got out of the cage. We 0:24:21.359 --> 0:24:24.320 have this fenced off area in our backyard, and somebody 0:24:24.400 --> 0:24:27.399 left the little gate open, and this has happened several 0:24:27.440 --> 0:24:30.840 times before, and this particular rabbit that got out was 0:24:30.880 --> 0:24:35.440 almost impossible to catch. A few months earlier, he got out, 0:24:35.440 --> 0:24:37.879 and I spent over two and a half hours in 0:24:37.960 --> 0:24:41.439 my backyard with my children trying to catch this rabbit. 0:24:41.840 --> 0:24:43.879 He gets along the fence line in the bushes and 0:24:43.960 --> 0:24:44.680 runs up and down. 0:24:44.720 --> 0:24:47.120 He is so fast. I took some food out there 0:24:47.160 --> 0:24:48.280 to bribe him, and. 0:24:48.080 --> 0:24:50.320 I gave him the food, but he got away before 0:24:50.359 --> 0:24:53.760 I could grab him. Then I got my children, Jonathan Alexandra. 0:24:53.880 --> 0:24:56.160 They got a big blanket and I had a blanket, 0:24:56.240 --> 0:24:59.040 and we were on that fence line, very strategically closing 0:24:59.080 --> 0:25:02.080 in through our blankets. Though he was able to get 0:25:02.080 --> 0:25:05.280 away after two and a half hours, I was so frustrated. 0:25:05.359 --> 0:25:06.200 I went in the house. 0:25:06.720 --> 0:25:09.840 About a half hour later, our daughter, Alexandra, she was 0:25:09.880 --> 0:25:12.679 about seven at that time, she caught the rabbit. But 0:25:12.760 --> 0:25:16.000 this particular morning, it was very early. I was in 0:25:16.040 --> 0:25:18.840 my office at home preparing my message, and the children 0:25:18.840 --> 0:25:21.119 were about to go to school. They came running up 0:25:21.160 --> 0:25:24.200 the stairs and said, Daddy, Daddy, the rabbit is out. 0:25:24.280 --> 0:25:25.520 And he's in the front yard. 0:25:26.440 --> 0:25:29.080 To me, that was the worst possible news I could 0:25:29.119 --> 0:25:32.119 have received. You could have said the house was on fire, 0:25:32.359 --> 0:25:34.320 and I thought, okay, I can deal with that, But 0:25:34.400 --> 0:25:36.600 I did not want to deal with this stinking rabbit. 0:25:36.640 --> 0:25:39.679 I mean, this beautiful rabbit. It took me two and 0:25:39.680 --> 0:25:42.879 a half hours in the backyard. I thought, man alive 0:25:42.920 --> 0:25:44.639 in the front yard. He can run all the way 0:25:44.680 --> 0:25:47.159 down the street. We're gonna be here forever. And I 0:25:47.240 --> 0:25:50.480 went out there and Victorian, some neighbors and our children. 0:25:50.800 --> 0:25:53.359 They were looking at the rabbit in the bushes, just 0:25:53.400 --> 0:25:56.560 as calm as can be. This time, I decided a 0:25:56.600 --> 0:26:00.639 different approach. I thought, I'm gonna pray. I remember Proverbs 0:26:00.640 --> 0:26:03.280 three six. I said, Father, you said if I would 0:26:03.320 --> 0:26:05.879 acknowledge you in all my ways, you had crowned my 0:26:05.920 --> 0:26:09.359 efforts with success. God, I know you made this rabbit. 0:26:10.000 --> 0:26:13.040 You're in complete control. And said, God, I'm asking you 0:26:13.119 --> 0:26:15.760 to cause this rabbit to be still so I can 0:26:15.800 --> 0:26:19.480 catch him and go on about my business. You laugh, 0:26:19.560 --> 0:26:23.119 but it turns out good. I went over to that 0:26:23.240 --> 0:26:26.080 rabbit and he turned like he's gonna take off running 0:26:26.160 --> 0:26:29.359 like he always does. But for some reason, it was 0:26:29.440 --> 0:26:33.200 like something put the brakes on him. He didn't twitch, 0:26:33.720 --> 0:26:37.359 he didn't sniff, he didn't wiggle. He was frozen in 0:26:37.440 --> 0:26:40.280 his tracks. I was able to pick up that rabbit. Listen, 0:26:40.280 --> 0:26:42.720 we've had that rabbit six years. I've never caught that 0:26:42.800 --> 0:26:45.960 rabbit that easily before. When I got that rabbit, he 0:26:46.080 --> 0:26:49.440 started going wild, trying to get loose. It's like God, 0:26:49.520 --> 0:26:50.840 said Joel. I gave him to you. 0:26:50.920 --> 0:26:51.520 But good luck. 0:26:51.560 --> 0:26:58.000 Now that rabbit was so mad. He was snarling at me, 0:26:58.480 --> 0:27:00.520 like he was thinking, how in the world did I 0:27:00.640 --> 0:27:02.720 let you catch me in? I thought, don't get mad 0:27:02.760 --> 0:27:06.639 at me. God did it to you. Let me encourage you. 0:27:07.080 --> 0:27:10.840 Acknowledge God in all your ways, in big things, in 0:27:10.920 --> 0:27:14.080 little things, at home, at the office, the little league, field, 0:27:14.160 --> 0:27:18.720 the grocery store. God, I need you today. God, I 0:27:18.840 --> 0:27:22.560 recognize You're the source of my strength. That's seeking God. 0:27:23.000 --> 0:27:26.800 He promises a reward is coming. Proverbs twenty two four 0:27:26.920 --> 0:27:30.879 says the reward of true humility and fear of the 0:27:30.920 --> 0:27:36.000 Lord is wealth, honor, and a long life. That's my 0:27:36.119 --> 0:27:39.520 prayer for each of you, that you will have God's favor, 0:27:39.520 --> 0:27:41.680 that you will live a long life, and that you 0:27:41.720 --> 0:27:43.800 will see all your dreams come to pass. 0:27:44.000 --> 0:27:44.919 How does this happen? 0:27:45.440 --> 0:27:50.680 By honoring God? Make pleasing God your highest priority. Get 0:27:50.760 --> 0:27:54.000 up every morning and thank God for his goodness all 0:27:54.080 --> 0:27:54.640 through the day. 0:27:54.800 --> 0:27:55.800 Acknowledge God. 0:27:56.480 --> 0:27:59.199 Keep your inner man filled up by spending time with 0:27:59.320 --> 0:28:04.520 God as a vital necessity. Remember, don't seek the blessing. 0:28:04.960 --> 0:28:08.040 Seek the bless ord, and the blessing will come. All 0:28:08.119 --> 0:28:09.040 these things will be. 0:28:08.960 --> 0:28:09.760 Added under you. 0:28:10.359 --> 0:28:10.479 Now. 0:28:10.520 --> 0:28:14.080 I believe today, because you are diligently seeking God, a 0:28:14.240 --> 0:28:18.400 reward is coming. Get ready for God's goodness. He's going 0:28:18.480 --> 0:28:21.879 to turn negative situations around. He's going to open up 0:28:21.960 --> 0:28:25.920 new doors. God's going to give you inside information. He's 0:28:25.960 --> 0:28:28.479 going to pour out his favor in ways greater than 0:28:28.520 --> 0:28:31.840 you ever imagined. God is saying, I'm going to pay 0:28:31.960 --> 0:28:35.879 you for seeking Me with favor, with honor, and with 0:28:35.960 --> 0:28:42.120 a long, blessed, satisfied, productive, prosperous, faith filled, healthy life. 0:28:42.200 --> 0:28:44.560 I declare it, and I believe it over each one 0:28:44.560 --> 0:28:46.680 of you. If you receive it, can you say it? 0:28:46.760 --> 0:28:46.920 Men? 0:28:46.960 --> 0:28:51.400 Today, we never like to close our broadcast without giving 0:28:51.400 --> 0:28:54.200 you an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of your life. 0:28:54.440 --> 0:28:58.560 Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 0:28:58.720 --> 0:29:03.480 repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 0:29:03.520 --> 0:29:07.080 you my Lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed that 0:29:07.160 --> 0:29:10.040 simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get in 0:29:10.080 --> 0:29:12.840 a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. 0:29:13.080 --> 0:29:15.280 He's going to take your places you've never dreamed of. 0:29:16.000 --> 0:29:19.400 Thank you for listening to the Joelus Deine podcast. Help 0:29:19.520 --> 0:29:22.240 us continue to share the message of Hope with those 0:29:22.320 --> 0:29:26.240 all over the world. Visit jolostin dot com slash give 0:29:26.320 --> 0:29:28.000 Hope to give a gift today. 0:29:29.280 --> 0:29:32.200 Thanks so much for listening to today's message. I hope 0:29:32.200 --> 0:29:35.600 you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest podcast to 0:29:35.680 --> 0:29:38.880 keep you inspired all through the week. We're praying for you. 0:29:39.040 --> 0:29:41.480 I know God's best is still ahead. We'll see you 0:29:41.560 --> 0:29:42.080 next time.