Power For Your Purpose

0:00:00.360 --> 0:00:02.120 Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. 0:00:02.200 --> 0:00:05.200 Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting 0:00:05.240 --> 0:00:08.160 the ministry. If you enjoy today's message, why don't you 0:00:08.200 --> 0:00:10.360 be a blessing and share it with a friend. We 0:00:10.480 --> 0:00:13.000 appreciate you and pray for God to very best in 0:00:13.039 --> 0:00:13.640 your life. 0:00:13.880 --> 0:00:14.680 God bless you. 0:00:15.080 --> 0:00:17.360 It's great to be with you today, and I hope 0:00:17.360 --> 0:00:19.800 you'll stay connected with us during the week through our 0:00:19.840 --> 0:00:23.760 daily podcast or YouTube channel, social media, and you can 0:00:23.800 --> 0:00:25.079 come visit us in person. 0:00:25.280 --> 0:00:27.000 We'd love to have you be a part of one 0:00:27.000 --> 0:00:30.000 of our services. But I'd like to start with something funny, 0:00:30.000 --> 0:00:31.800 and I heard about this man. 0:00:31.960 --> 0:00:35.839 He was on vacation in Jerusalem with his family when 0:00:35.880 --> 0:00:38.800 his mother in law suddenly died. He went to make 0:00:38.920 --> 0:00:41.960 arrangements to get the body back home, and the consulate 0:00:42.040 --> 0:00:44.720 said it would cost five thousand dollars to have the 0:00:44.760 --> 0:00:47.400 body shipped, but he could have her buried right there 0:00:47.400 --> 0:00:48.920 in Jerusalem. 0:00:48.440 --> 0:00:51.320 For just one hundred and fifty dollars. The man thought 0:00:51.320 --> 0:00:53.400 about at a moment, he said, nah, I'd like to 0:00:53.440 --> 0:00:54.160 have her shipped. 0:00:54.600 --> 0:00:57.120 The consulate said, wow, you must have really loved your 0:00:57.160 --> 0:00:59.800 mother in law. He said, no, it's not so much 0:00:59.840 --> 0:01:03.319 that I just remember a case here years ago when 0:01:03.360 --> 0:01:06.399 they buried someone and on the third day they arose. 0:01:06.319 --> 0:01:09.720 And I can't take that chance. Now I have an 0:01:09.760 --> 0:01:10.959 amazing mother in law. 0:01:10.840 --> 0:01:13.600 Y'all, I gotta tell you that it's her daughter I've 0:01:13.600 --> 0:01:14.280 got a problem with. 0:01:14.400 --> 0:01:15.640 But all right, here we go, y'all. 0:01:16.480 --> 0:01:19.319 Are you ready? This is my Bible. I am what 0:01:19.440 --> 0:01:22.040 it says I am. I have what it says I have. 0:01:22.440 --> 0:01:25.000 I can do what it says I can do. Today 0:01:25.120 --> 0:01:28.480 I will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess. 0:01:28.880 --> 0:01:32.199 My mind is alert, my heart is receptive. I will 0:01:32.240 --> 0:01:36.240 never be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. 0:01:37.560 --> 0:01:40.120 I want to talk to you today about power for 0:01:40.280 --> 0:01:44.280 your purpose. We all face situations that seem too big 0:01:44.319 --> 0:01:49.160 for us. A dream that looks impossible, medical reports not good. 0:01:49.480 --> 0:01:52.920 Child is off course. It's easy to get discouraged and 0:01:53.040 --> 0:01:54.200 feel overwhelmed. 0:01:54.520 --> 0:01:58.640 But God knew every difficulty you would face. He wouldn't 0:01:58.680 --> 0:02:01.240 have allowed it if it was going to stop your purpose. 0:02:02.000 --> 0:02:05.760 He has these destiny moments where his power will come 0:02:05.800 --> 0:02:09.240 on you in a greater way to fulfill what He's 0:02:09.280 --> 0:02:13.040 called you to do. This is not ordinary, not something 0:02:13.040 --> 0:02:17.640 you can work up will power determination. This is supernatural power, 0:02:18.160 --> 0:02:21.760 supernatural favor that causes you to do what you couldn't 0:02:21.800 --> 0:02:23.919 do and overcome. 0:02:23.560 --> 0:02:26.960 What should have stopped you. You're not at a disadvantage. 0:02:27.200 --> 0:02:30.440 The odds may be against you, you may be outnumbered, 0:02:30.639 --> 0:02:32.200 but you have a secret weapon. 0:02:32.520 --> 0:02:34.920 The spirit of God will empower you. 0:02:35.200 --> 0:02:39.280 To defeat giants, to break addictions, to accomplish dreams. 0:02:40.040 --> 0:02:42.840 Now quick focusing on what you don't have, how this. 0:02:43.160 --> 0:02:45.840 Problem's too big and it's never going to resolve. 0:02:46.440 --> 0:02:48.000 No, your time is coming. 0:02:48.600 --> 0:02:52.440 Your destiny moments are already scheduled to where you're going 0:02:52.520 --> 0:02:57.640 to feel power, strength, ability that you've never felt, to 0:02:57.720 --> 0:03:00.720 step into the purpose that God is order danged for you. 0:03:01.320 --> 0:03:03.400 We see this in the life of Sampson. 0:03:03.760 --> 0:03:06.360 An angel appeared to his mother and said she's going 0:03:06.440 --> 0:03:08.959 to have a baby, that he would deliver the. 0:03:08.880 --> 0:03:10.560 Israelites from the Philistines. 0:03:10.680 --> 0:03:13.840 There was a divine calling on his life, something God 0:03:13.960 --> 0:03:17.560 ordained him to do. As he got older, he saw 0:03:17.600 --> 0:03:20.240 this young woman that he really liked. He told his 0:03:20.320 --> 0:03:23.639 parents he wanted to marry her. Those days the parents 0:03:24.040 --> 0:03:26.720 arranged the wedding, they weren't for it because she was 0:03:26.760 --> 0:03:30.640 a Philistines. One day, while he was walking to her city, 0:03:30.960 --> 0:03:34.480 a lion jumped out of the woods and attacked Sampson. 0:03:34.800 --> 0:03:38.520 One verse says it took him by surprise. Suddenly he's 0:03:38.520 --> 0:03:41.120 in this crisis that should have been the end of 0:03:41.200 --> 0:03:45.280 Samson had a bad break, wrong place, wrong time, attacked 0:03:45.280 --> 0:03:48.120 by a lion. But what God is purpose for your 0:03:48.200 --> 0:03:52.680 life cannot be stopped by bad breaks, by unexpected trouble, 0:03:53.040 --> 0:03:56.440 by obstacles that you didn't see coming. Verse six says, 0:03:56.720 --> 0:04:01.080 at that moment, the spirit of God power took control 0:04:01.200 --> 0:04:04.480 of Samson, and he ripped the lion apart with his 0:04:04.560 --> 0:04:08.600 bare hands. All of a sudden, he had this supernatural strength, 0:04:09.040 --> 0:04:12.040 strength he had never felt before. It wasn't like he 0:04:12.320 --> 0:04:16.200 decided to be brave, decided to have this courage. The 0:04:16.240 --> 0:04:19.120 spirit of God took control of him. He didn't have 0:04:19.160 --> 0:04:22.279 a choice. He was just minding his own business. But 0:04:22.440 --> 0:04:25.560 what God has purposed for your life, he will empower 0:04:25.640 --> 0:04:30.520 you to do. You may face some unexpected challenges, things 0:04:30.520 --> 0:04:34.520 you didn't see coming, your health, your finances, with a child, 0:04:34.600 --> 0:04:38.000 and like that lion, it suddenly attacks and all. 0:04:37.839 --> 0:04:41.120 The facts say, man, you're done. Is too big, this is. 0:04:41.120 --> 0:04:44.520 Too much you know, Like with Samson, the spirit of 0:04:44.560 --> 0:04:47.240 God is going to come on you in a powerful way. 0:04:47.560 --> 0:04:50.600 It's going to take control and help you do what 0:04:50.680 --> 0:04:54.080 you couldn't do by yourself. The scripture says, when the 0:04:54.279 --> 0:04:57.000 enemy comes in like a flood, the spirit. 0:04:56.640 --> 0:04:59.599 Of God will raise up a barrier. You're not fighting 0:04:59.640 --> 0:05:00.320 on your own. 0:05:00.960 --> 0:05:04.360 You're not at the mercy of faith and people a sickness. 0:05:04.560 --> 0:05:08.599 You have a defender, a protector. He's going before you, 0:05:08.760 --> 0:05:10.640 and he's ordering your steps. 0:05:11.120 --> 0:05:14.599 He's planned your days. He knows where the lions are hiding. 0:05:15.240 --> 0:05:18.640 He knows where the bad breaks, the unexpected trouble is. 0:05:19.480 --> 0:05:22.240 It was a surprise to Samson, but it wasn't a 0:05:22.279 --> 0:05:25.320 surprise to God. You don't have to live worried about 0:05:25.360 --> 0:05:28.119 what might happen and Joe, what if I get laid 0:05:28.160 --> 0:05:30.719 off or what if the medical report's not good? Or 0:05:30.760 --> 0:05:34.320 what if this relationship doesn't work out. God knows everything 0:05:34.400 --> 0:05:38.760 that's going to happen. He already has solutions to problems 0:05:38.760 --> 0:05:41.839 you haven't even had. He so already lined up your 0:05:41.920 --> 0:05:45.520 destiny moments where His spirit rises up in you. 0:05:45.720 --> 0:05:46.760 In a powerful way. 0:05:47.360 --> 0:05:50.560 You defeat the giant, You tear the lion apart, you 0:05:50.680 --> 0:05:54.160 break the addiction. See, God didn't send an angel to 0:05:54.160 --> 0:05:58.080 defeat the lion. He didn't send another person, an army, 0:05:58.200 --> 0:06:00.800 a game warden. That would all been It's fine, but 0:06:00.839 --> 0:06:02.880 you don't have to rely on other people. 0:06:03.200 --> 0:06:05.320 The spirit of God lives in you. 0:06:05.320 --> 0:06:09.320 You are powerful, you were equipped, you are anointed. It's 0:06:09.360 --> 0:06:13.279 significant that a lion came out of nowhere and attacked him. 0:06:13.640 --> 0:06:14.520 This is symbolic. 0:06:14.839 --> 0:06:18.520 The scripture says, the enemy goes about as a roaring lion, 0:06:19.040 --> 0:06:22.600 seeking whom he may devour. The good news is he 0:06:22.640 --> 0:06:27.159 can't devour everyone. You are God's property when you made 0:06:27.240 --> 0:06:30.880 Jesus the lord of your life. Yes, the lion may attack. 0:06:31.440 --> 0:06:35.520 It seems bigger, stronger. He thinks you're easy game. But 0:06:35.600 --> 0:06:38.440 what he doesn't realize is you belong to the most 0:06:38.560 --> 0:06:39.159 high God. 0:06:39.720 --> 0:06:41.559 You are not doing life on your own. 0:06:42.480 --> 0:06:46.320 When the enemy attacks, God doesn't sit back watch what happens. 0:06:46.680 --> 0:06:49.080 He sends his spirit to rise up in you. 0:06:49.800 --> 0:06:50.520 There's not a. 0:06:50.440 --> 0:06:53.720 Lion you face that you can't tear apart, not a 0:06:53.760 --> 0:06:57.560 problem you can't overcome, not an addiction, a sickness, a 0:06:57.560 --> 0:07:00.840 bad break that can keep you from your purpose. And 0:07:00.960 --> 0:07:06.039 the lion attacking Sampson was not only an unexpected. 0:07:05.320 --> 0:07:07.320 Attack, but it happened in private. 0:07:07.960 --> 0:07:11.520 No one was around, no one saw the attack, No 0:07:11.560 --> 0:07:13.040 one saw what he struggled with. 0:07:13.640 --> 0:07:15.200 This could have happened. 0:07:14.760 --> 0:07:18.320 Like with David when he defeated Goliath. The whole army 0:07:18.440 --> 0:07:22.520 was cheering and celebrating. God was showing us what you 0:07:22.640 --> 0:07:25.760 struggle with in private. He's going to help you defeat 0:07:26.640 --> 0:07:28.400 those habits that you're not proud of. 0:07:29.080 --> 0:07:31.760 You tried to get free, tried to stay. 0:07:31.520 --> 0:07:34.640 Disciplined, but you keep falling back. This is your year 0:07:34.680 --> 0:07:38.200 for freedom, this is your year for victory. God has 0:07:38.280 --> 0:07:42.400 seen you doing everything you can. He's seen your effort, 0:07:43.040 --> 0:07:45.720 but now he's about to step in and give you 0:07:45.880 --> 0:07:46.880 his power. 0:07:46.560 --> 0:07:47.960 To break free. 0:07:48.120 --> 0:07:52.240 Defeating that lion was the first time Sampson saw God's 0:07:52.240 --> 0:07:55.240 spirit come on him with that kind of power. The 0:07:55.320 --> 0:07:59.120 principle is you have to win your private battles before 0:07:59.160 --> 0:08:01.600 you can be trusted it with public victories. 0:08:02.240 --> 0:08:03.200 And if you don't. 0:08:02.920 --> 0:08:05.160 Deal with things, just keep putting it off. 0:08:05.600 --> 0:08:06.760 That's going to keep you stuck. 0:08:07.480 --> 0:08:10.320 You're hearing this because God is about to have his 0:08:10.560 --> 0:08:13.920 power rise up in you in a greater way to 0:08:14.000 --> 0:08:17.679 defeat the lion to break the bad habit. Now, Joel, 0:08:17.720 --> 0:08:20.160 I tried. I couldn't do it before. This is a 0:08:20.200 --> 0:08:23.920 new day. God is doing a new thing. You couldn't 0:08:23.920 --> 0:08:24.480 do it before. 0:08:24.720 --> 0:08:28.080 Neither could Sampson. He couldn't defeat a lion. He was 0:08:28.120 --> 0:08:28.880 a teenager. 0:08:29.400 --> 0:08:32.559 He never had that kind of strength, that kind of ability. 0:08:33.200 --> 0:08:36.360 But it says the spirit of God took control of him. 0:08:37.040 --> 0:08:40.319 Now, as believers, we all have God's spirit on the inside, 0:08:40.960 --> 0:08:44.160 but there will be these destiny moments where his spirit 0:08:44.280 --> 0:08:44.880 will take. 0:08:44.720 --> 0:08:46.160 Control of you. 0:08:46.160 --> 0:08:49.480 You'll have a power you've never had to break things 0:08:49.720 --> 0:08:54.280 that you could never break. And what's significant is Sampson's power, 0:08:54.640 --> 0:08:58.600 this supernatural ability. It was not just about him. It 0:08:58.720 --> 0:09:01.800 was about delivering the Isa relights. He was part of 0:09:01.840 --> 0:09:05.480 a bigger plan to free God's people. He wasn't just 0:09:05.520 --> 0:09:08.720 fighting for himself. He was fighting for his family and 0:09:08.800 --> 0:09:12.360 for all of Israel. They had been oppressed so long 0:09:12.480 --> 0:09:17.240 and lived so defeated. They said, Samson, don't bother the Philistines. 0:09:17.720 --> 0:09:20.080 Don't you know they rule over us. 0:09:20.440 --> 0:09:23.600 They had this limited mindset. We're victims. That's the way 0:09:23.640 --> 0:09:24.560 we've always been. 0:09:24.640 --> 0:09:27.760 Joe, my family has always struggled, always been angry, always 0:09:27.760 --> 0:09:31.720 been depressed. God has raised you up to break those barriers, 0:09:32.080 --> 0:09:35.360 to set new standards. He wouldn't have let you face 0:09:35.440 --> 0:09:38.720 that lion if it was going to stop you. And 0:09:38.840 --> 0:09:42.960 even when Samson made mistakes, God off course, the power 0:09:43.080 --> 0:09:47.240 kept coming on him because God's purpose for your life 0:09:47.360 --> 0:09:51.640 will override bad breaks, people that do you wrong, even 0:09:51.760 --> 0:09:56.120 failures and habits that should stop you. God used Sampson 0:09:56.360 --> 0:10:01.200 despite his flaws and weaknesses, despite the oppera position being 0:10:01.320 --> 0:10:06.120 stronger like Sampson. There's a destiny for you to fulfill. 0:10:06.960 --> 0:10:07.600 An angel. 0:10:07.679 --> 0:10:11.640 May not announce to your mother your birth, but God chose. 0:10:11.440 --> 0:10:14.640 You before you were formed in your mother's womb. He 0:10:14.760 --> 0:10:15.520 then picked you. 0:10:16.160 --> 0:10:20.280 He's given you an assignment and something to accomplish, not 0:10:20.400 --> 0:10:23.440 to just wander through life to feed it worried. There's 0:10:23.480 --> 0:10:27.680 a calling on your life. It's not just about you. 0:10:27.679 --> 0:10:31.199 You're a peace to the puzzle. You're a strategic part 0:10:31.360 --> 0:10:32.480 in the plan of God. 0:10:33.200 --> 0:10:36.560 That's why the enemy comes against you, and that's why 0:10:36.600 --> 0:10:39.560 you're going to have these times like Samson, where the 0:10:39.600 --> 0:10:42.600 spirit of God comes on you powerfully. 0:10:42.760 --> 0:10:43.920 You can't explain it. 0:10:44.559 --> 0:10:48.320 You have an unexpected challenge, and you discover favor and 0:10:48.400 --> 0:10:53.400 ability that you've never had. That surprise attack, that line 0:10:53.440 --> 0:10:54.600 catches you off guard. 0:10:55.200 --> 0:10:57.959 But the real surprise is what happens to the lion. 0:10:58.559 --> 0:11:02.640 You rise up in power with favor defeat what should 0:11:02.679 --> 0:11:06.920 have defeated you. Samson's parents made the arrangements to marry 0:11:06.960 --> 0:11:10.720 the Philistine girl. Sampson decided to have a bachelor party 0:11:10.720 --> 0:11:13.679 in thirty men were there. He said to them, I'm 0:11:13.679 --> 0:11:16.240 going to tell you a riddle. If you'll figure it out, 0:11:16.559 --> 0:11:21.960 I'll give you thirty nice, expensive robes. But if you can't, 0:11:22.240 --> 0:11:25.760 you have to give me thirty robes. They tried and tried, 0:11:25.800 --> 0:11:28.920 but couldn't figure it out. So they began to pressure 0:11:29.000 --> 0:11:29.760 his fiance. 0:11:30.280 --> 0:11:31.720 They'd been friends for years. 0:11:32.040 --> 0:11:34.520 They said to her, you have to find out her. 0:11:34.720 --> 0:11:37.800 We're going to go broke buying these nice robes. All 0:11:37.840 --> 0:11:42.680 this pressure, well, she kept asking Sampson, please tell me, please. 0:11:42.760 --> 0:11:44.840 Day after day after day. 0:11:45.240 --> 0:11:49.200 After seven days of nagging, a man can only take 0:11:49.360 --> 0:11:53.440 so much. Sampson finally gave in and told the answer. 0:11:53.960 --> 0:11:55.400 Well, she went and told all the men. 0:11:56.120 --> 0:12:00.080 They came to Sampson so happy, so relieved, and told 0:12:00.120 --> 0:12:02.960 him what the riddle meant, Samson said to them in 0:12:03.040 --> 0:12:06.920 verse eighteen. If you hadn't plowed with my heifer, you 0:12:06.920 --> 0:12:10.040 wouldn't have found the answer to my riddle. Now, if 0:12:10.080 --> 0:12:12.800 you're referring to your fiance as a heifer, you're. 0:12:12.600 --> 0:12:13.800 Gonna need God's power. 0:12:14.840 --> 0:12:19.080 Sampson owed these thirty nice robes. The scripture says the 0:12:19.120 --> 0:12:21.920 spirit of the Lord powerfully took. 0:12:21.760 --> 0:12:23.079 Control of Samson. 0:12:23.360 --> 0:12:26.680 He went to a neighboring city, killed thirty men and 0:12:26.720 --> 0:12:31.200 took their robes. This wasn't about Sampson doing right, making 0:12:31.280 --> 0:12:37.719 good choices. He had a supernatural calling, but he was unfocused, undisciplined. 0:12:38.320 --> 0:12:43.480 Despite his failures, despite his shortcomings, God's spirit came on. 0:12:43.559 --> 0:12:45.240 Him to fulfill his purpose. 0:12:46.240 --> 0:12:49.280 You would think God would say, find Samson, I'll find 0:12:49.320 --> 0:12:52.920 someone else. But what God purposed for your life will 0:12:52.920 --> 0:12:57.040 come to pass. Your mistakes didn't stop it. You may 0:12:57.040 --> 0:12:59.080 not be where you should be in life. You got 0:12:59.080 --> 0:13:03.640 off course distracted playing games. The good news is God 0:13:03.760 --> 0:13:06.640 is not finished with you. What He's assigned for you 0:13:06.800 --> 0:13:10.440 is still on the schedule. I don't know, joy, I 0:13:10.520 --> 0:13:13.320 think I stopped my destiny. I'm too far off course. 0:13:13.559 --> 0:13:15.840 Can I tell you you're not that powerful. 0:13:16.520 --> 0:13:19.000 You can't cancel what God has planned. 0:13:19.360 --> 0:13:21.880 You may delay it, you may make it harder. But 0:13:22.040 --> 0:13:26.840 what God has purpose will come to fulfillment. Sampson called 0:13:26.840 --> 0:13:29.760 off the wedding and didn't marry the girl. Later he 0:13:29.840 --> 0:13:33.319 changed his mind and went back, but the lady had 0:13:33.360 --> 0:13:34.520 married someone else. 0:13:34.920 --> 0:13:37.559 He was so upset he caught. 0:13:37.400 --> 0:13:41.680 Three hundred foxes set their tails on fire. They ran 0:13:41.760 --> 0:13:45.080 through the fields and burned all the grain. When the 0:13:45.080 --> 0:13:48.840 Philistines found out who did it, they were furious. Sampson 0:13:48.880 --> 0:13:51.640 was hiding in a cave and the Philistines came with 0:13:51.840 --> 0:13:54.959 full force. The Israelites asked what they were doing there, 0:13:55.000 --> 0:13:57.880 and they said, we're here to capture Samson. If you 0:13:57.960 --> 0:14:00.640 don't give them to us, we're gonna attack your city. 0:14:01.040 --> 0:14:04.240 So three thousand men from Israel went to the cave 0:14:04.320 --> 0:14:06.640 and told Sampson they were going to give him to 0:14:06.640 --> 0:14:09.000 the Philistines so they wouldn't be harmed. 0:14:09.320 --> 0:14:10.199 Sampson agreed. 0:14:11.000 --> 0:14:14.480 Verse thirteen says they tied Sampson up with two new 0:14:14.559 --> 0:14:18.560 ropes and took him to the Philistines. They saw Samson, 0:14:18.600 --> 0:14:21.320 they were so excited started celebrating. 0:14:21.480 --> 0:14:23.560 We finally got him here. 0:14:23.680 --> 0:14:29.200 Sampson is bound, outnumbered, surrounded by a huge army. Most 0:14:29.240 --> 0:14:32.360 of it is his own fault. He didn't make good choices. 0:14:32.960 --> 0:14:36.400 Looks like he's done, But the scripture says the spirit 0:14:36.440 --> 0:14:40.440 of God powerfully took control of Sampson, and he snapped 0:14:40.440 --> 0:14:42.520 the ropes as if they were strings. 0:14:43.680 --> 0:14:45.000 All these times when. 0:14:44.880 --> 0:14:49.040 He should have been captured, defeated, injured from the line, 0:14:49.400 --> 0:14:50.880 stuck because of mistakes. 0:14:51.480 --> 0:14:54.920 But look at how the purpose of God prevails. The 0:14:54.960 --> 0:14:58.840 spirit of the Lord kept coming on him powerfully. 0:14:58.600 --> 0:15:02.480 To overcome what have stopped him, to break chains that 0:15:02.800 --> 0:15:06.200 should have held him back. Like Sampson, you may be 0:15:06.320 --> 0:15:11.720 struggling with things that have you bound, addictions or bad habits, 0:15:11.800 --> 0:15:14.800 wrong mindsets, been that way a long time. 0:15:15.520 --> 0:15:16.920 You tried and couldn't break it. 0:15:17.640 --> 0:15:20.240 The enemy may have tied you up, or you may 0:15:20.240 --> 0:15:24.520 have tied yourself up. Sampson's own people bound him. But 0:15:24.720 --> 0:15:27.520 being bound is not how your story ends. 0:15:28.240 --> 0:15:29.600 You can't do it on your own. 0:15:29.920 --> 0:15:32.560 But the spirit of God is going to come powerfully 0:15:32.600 --> 0:15:37.440 on you to break addictions, break chains of depression. How 0:15:37.480 --> 0:15:40.520 about chains of sickness, chains of lack and struggle. 0:15:40.920 --> 0:15:41.880 Our God is a. 0:15:41.880 --> 0:15:46.840 Chain breaker, a yoke destroyer, a burden lifter. He's going 0:15:46.920 --> 0:15:49.400 to take control, and you're going to feel a strength 0:15:49.400 --> 0:15:52.600 that you've never felt to break what you couldn't break. 0:15:53.440 --> 0:15:56.160 Maybe it was someone else that sort of tied you 0:15:56.320 --> 0:15:57.200 up and they put you. 0:15:57.160 --> 0:15:58.280 At a disadvantage. 0:15:58.520 --> 0:16:01.960 What you saw growing up was bad havests and people 0:16:02.080 --> 0:16:05.760 modeled addictions and anger wasn't necessarily your choice. 0:16:05.800 --> 0:16:08.240 He just kind of fell into it. God knew what 0:16:08.280 --> 0:16:08.880 you would face. 0:16:09.680 --> 0:16:12.280 He knew the things that wouldn't be fair, and the 0:16:12.400 --> 0:16:14.600 times that no fault of your own, you. 0:16:14.600 --> 0:16:15.360 Got tied up. 0:16:16.280 --> 0:16:18.640 Thoughts now, whisper. It's the way it's always going to be. 0:16:19.000 --> 0:16:21.440 You know what God did for Sampson, he's about to 0:16:21.480 --> 0:16:22.000 do for you. 0:16:22.360 --> 0:16:26.080 Get ready to snap some chains what should be permanent. 0:16:26.160 --> 0:16:28.520 It's gonna feel like a piece of thread when the 0:16:28.560 --> 0:16:30.000 Most High empowers you. 0:16:30.200 --> 0:16:32.320 It's not natural, it's supernatural. 0:16:32.880 --> 0:16:36.119 Sampson broke those chains, and he picked up the jawbone 0:16:36.160 --> 0:16:41.200 of a donkey and defeated one thousand Philistines. God is 0:16:41.240 --> 0:16:45.440 showing us, even when you're surrounded by enemies, even when 0:16:45.520 --> 0:16:49.160 things have you bound it looks impossible, there's a force 0:16:49.280 --> 0:16:54.840 coming that you can't explain a power that overcomes any opposition, a. 0:16:54.760 --> 0:16:57.400 Favor to defeat what should have defeated you. 0:16:57.760 --> 0:17:01.480 It's the spirit of God in power you to fulfill 0:17:01.560 --> 0:17:05.520 your purpose. When Sampson was attacked by that line, he 0:17:05.640 --> 0:17:09.159 tore it apart. One version says, though he had nothing 0:17:09.280 --> 0:17:10.200 in his hands. 0:17:10.800 --> 0:17:14.280 Sometimes we don't think we have what we need. Joel, 0:17:14.320 --> 0:17:15.400 I would believe this. 0:17:16.000 --> 0:17:18.800 If I had more talent, or if I was more discipline, 0:17:19.080 --> 0:17:21.760 had more connections, more resources, then I. 0:17:21.760 --> 0:17:23.160 Could accomplish my dreams. 0:17:23.720 --> 0:17:27.200 When God called you, he knew everything you didn't have. 0:17:28.040 --> 0:17:31.119 He knew who would leave you out, the doors that 0:17:31.160 --> 0:17:34.040 would close, the family you would come from. 0:17:34.560 --> 0:17:36.880 None of that is going to stop who you were 0:17:36.920 --> 0:17:37.560 created to be. 0:17:38.600 --> 0:17:41.639 God chose a young man named Saul as the first 0:17:41.760 --> 0:17:45.960 king of Israel. Didn't seem like a logical choice. Saul 0:17:46.040 --> 0:17:50.360 came from the smallest tribe, the least significant family. When 0:17:50.440 --> 0:17:53.640 Samuel came to announce Saul and present him in front 0:17:53.680 --> 0:17:56.480 of the people, Saul was hiding in a storeroom. 0:17:57.000 --> 0:17:57.880 He wouldn't come out. 0:17:58.359 --> 0:18:03.520 He was afraid, intimate, thinking of everything he was not how. 0:18:03.359 --> 0:18:07.520 He didn't have what it takes. But God doesn't make mistakes. 0:18:08.240 --> 0:18:11.040 He didn't choose Saul and then think, oh, man, I 0:18:11.040 --> 0:18:13.760 didn't know he was weak. I didn't know he'd be 0:18:13.800 --> 0:18:17.520 afraid or insecure, or with Samson. I didn't know he'd 0:18:17.520 --> 0:18:21.560 play around, make poor choices. I didn't know his own family, 0:18:21.640 --> 0:18:24.280 his own people would tie him up. No, God knew 0:18:24.320 --> 0:18:28.800 everything about you. He's the one that created you. He's 0:18:28.840 --> 0:18:32.720 these potential in you that you can't see. He knows 0:18:32.800 --> 0:18:36.600 the greatness that there's a mighty hero, a giant killer, 0:18:36.760 --> 0:18:40.640 a barrier breaker in you. He's already lined up your 0:18:40.720 --> 0:18:44.800 destiny moments where his spirit will rise up powerfully in 0:18:44.840 --> 0:18:49.320 you to do what you couldn't do. Samuel finally got 0:18:49.400 --> 0:18:53.000 Saul to come out. He was standing there, afraid and intimidated. 0:18:53.320 --> 0:18:56.480 Samuel looked at him and said, in verse six, the 0:18:56.520 --> 0:18:59.240 spirit of the Lord will come on you with power. 0:18:59.840 --> 0:19:03.720 You will be changed into a different person. Sometimes the 0:19:03.840 --> 0:19:05.359 reason we don't think we can. 0:19:05.240 --> 0:19:09.720 Accomplish a dream or overcome an obstacle is we can't 0:19:09.760 --> 0:19:11.440 see what God is about to do. 0:19:12.359 --> 0:19:15.040 It's natural to have doubts and think, Joel, how could 0:19:15.080 --> 0:19:18.359 this happen. There's a goliath, there's a lion. It's too big. 0:19:18.760 --> 0:19:20.000 Those are normal thoughts. 0:19:20.440 --> 0:19:24.080 But when God's spirit comes on you powerfully, You'll be 0:19:24.200 --> 0:19:25.840 changed into a different person. 0:19:26.640 --> 0:19:27.280 And this is not. 0:19:27.359 --> 0:19:31.040 Something that you have to make happen. Strive, just dare 0:19:31.080 --> 0:19:34.800 to believe God. This obstacle looks too big. I feel 0:19:34.800 --> 0:19:38.840 bound by these chains. I'm hiding because I'm afraid. But God, 0:19:38.880 --> 0:19:41.600 I believe your spirit is coming something that. 0:19:41.520 --> 0:19:42.359 I've never seen. 0:19:42.840 --> 0:19:48.920 Supernatural healing, strength, doors, opening, chains, breaking, turning me into 0:19:48.920 --> 0:19:49.840 a different person. 0:19:50.440 --> 0:19:51.200 What does that mean? 0:19:51.359 --> 0:19:55.720 From afraid to competent, from sick to healthy, from addicted 0:19:55.760 --> 0:20:00.000 to free, from struggling to abundance from defeat in diviction? 0:20:01.520 --> 0:20:03.280 My father went to be with the Lord on a 0:20:03.400 --> 0:20:07.800 Saturday in nineteen ninety nine, and that was unexpected. He 0:20:07.840 --> 0:20:11.320 had a heart attack and suddenly passed. For the first 0:20:11.400 --> 0:20:13.560 couple of days, I was kind of in a fog. 0:20:13.840 --> 0:20:14.800 I couldn't believe my. 0:20:14.760 --> 0:20:19.320 Father was gone, my best friend outside of Victorian. I'd 0:20:19.320 --> 0:20:22.960 been behind the scenes at Lakewood seventeen years doing the production, 0:20:23.119 --> 0:20:24.960 and I never wanted. 0:20:24.640 --> 0:20:25.840 To get up in front of people. 0:20:26.280 --> 0:20:29.560 I'm more quiet and reserved, and my father tried to 0:20:29.680 --> 0:20:32.040 get me up to help him pastor, but I didn't 0:20:32.040 --> 0:20:32.879 feel qualified. 0:20:33.480 --> 0:20:35.520 He was so strong, and he had a big. 0:20:35.320 --> 0:20:37.639 Personality, and I thought, that's not me. 0:20:37.760 --> 0:20:38.720 I didn't get any of that. 0:20:39.359 --> 0:20:39.520 Well. 0:20:39.560 --> 0:20:42.760 Four days after he passed. That next Wednesday, we were 0:20:42.800 --> 0:20:45.680 at the memorial service. I was standing on the platform 0:20:45.800 --> 0:20:49.000 with Victoria, the rest of my siblings and their spouses. 0:20:49.560 --> 0:20:50.920 My mother was up speaking. 0:20:51.280 --> 0:20:53.520 When she finished, she turned around and looked at all 0:20:53.560 --> 0:20:54.880 of us and said, does. 0:20:54.720 --> 0:20:56.360 Anyone want to say anything? 0:20:57.359 --> 0:21:00.520 Normally I would be the last one, would do my 0:21:00.600 --> 0:21:03.320 best to get out of it. But for some reason 0:21:03.640 --> 0:21:05.880 I started walking to the podium. 0:21:06.119 --> 0:21:08.679 In my mind I was thinking, what are you doing, Joey, 0:21:08.720 --> 0:21:10.960 You are crazy, all this doubt. 0:21:11.280 --> 0:21:15.040 But in my spirit I could feel something rising up. 0:21:15.680 --> 0:21:16.280 It was like. 0:21:16.240 --> 0:21:19.080 Something took control of me and I felt this boldness, 0:21:19.440 --> 0:21:21.800 this confidence to step. 0:21:21.600 --> 0:21:24.520 Up and say something. I don't know what I said. 0:21:24.560 --> 0:21:26.399 I hope it's good, but I was just in all 0:21:26.480 --> 0:21:29.080 that I got up there. I had never ministered in 0:21:29.160 --> 0:21:32.199 seventeen years, but that day it was like I was 0:21:32.240 --> 0:21:35.840 turned into a different person. Suddenly I had the desire 0:21:36.000 --> 0:21:38.639 to pasture the church. I didn't dread it, I wanted 0:21:38.680 --> 0:21:41.040 to do it. I had this knowing that I've been 0:21:41.200 --> 0:21:43.840 raised up for this. I didn't know if I'd be 0:21:43.880 --> 0:21:46.240 any good or I didn't know if people would listen, 0:21:46.320 --> 0:21:48.399 or if they'd continue to come. But I thought we 0:21:48.440 --> 0:21:51.040 were about to find out. If they don't, I'll go 0:21:51.200 --> 0:21:54.280 work at Waterburger. But who would have ever thought we 0:21:54.320 --> 0:21:57.240 would be here. I never dreamed that in my future 0:21:57.680 --> 0:22:00.040 was the Compact Center where I used to watch the 0:22:00.160 --> 0:22:04.280 Rockets play basketball, that I'd have books and serious radio media. 0:22:04.480 --> 0:22:07.800 You don't know what God has planned for you. All 0:22:07.840 --> 0:22:10.640 we can see is right here. But God knows what. 0:22:10.640 --> 0:22:12.240 He's put in you. 0:22:12.240 --> 0:22:16.520 You'll compact sinners, the golias you'll defeat, the lions you'll 0:22:16.520 --> 0:22:20.520 tear apart, the change you'll break, The dreams you'll accomplish 0:22:20.720 --> 0:22:22.800 that will catapult your family ahead. 0:22:23.440 --> 0:22:25.880 How's this going to happen? When you feel. 0:22:25.680 --> 0:22:29.560 Limited, when the obstacles look too big, when you're hiding 0:22:29.720 --> 0:22:30.800 instead of shining. 0:22:30.920 --> 0:22:31.440 Here's how. 0:22:31.800 --> 0:22:35.639 The Spirit of the Most High, the God who created you, 0:22:36.200 --> 0:22:39.320 the God who plans your days, the God who's ordered 0:22:39.320 --> 0:22:42.680 your steps, the God who numbers your hair, the God 0:22:42.680 --> 0:22:46.040 who fights your battles, the God who makes crooked places straight, 0:22:46.400 --> 0:22:49.200 the God who lines up the right people, the God 0:22:49.200 --> 0:22:52.200 who comes into the fire with you. The God who 0:22:52.280 --> 0:22:56.159 causes you to stand out, His spirit is going to 0:22:56.240 --> 0:23:00.480 come on you powerfully to accomplish what he's already purpose 0:23:00.520 --> 0:23:03.560 for your life. Not by might, not by power, but 0:23:03.600 --> 0:23:07.600 by the spirit of God. The life of Samson is 0:23:07.680 --> 0:23:11.720 both inspiring and a little bit sad. He started with 0:23:11.800 --> 0:23:16.240 this supernatural birth, had all this potential, but he played 0:23:16.280 --> 0:23:20.440 around with his destiny. He compromised and gave in to temptation. 0:23:21.040 --> 0:23:24.800 He ended up captured. They gouged his eyes out, and 0:23:24.840 --> 0:23:27.840 he was grinding at the mill, and the Philistines had 0:23:27.840 --> 0:23:31.880 this big party, and someone suggested to bring Samson out 0:23:32.280 --> 0:23:35.359 so they could make fun of him. And Samson asked 0:23:35.359 --> 0:23:38.159 the young man that was leading him to place his 0:23:38.240 --> 0:23:41.160 hands on the pillars of the building where he was chained. 0:23:41.840 --> 0:23:44.800 While they were all laughing and mocking. The scripture says 0:23:45.000 --> 0:23:48.240 the spirit of God came on Samson one more time. 0:23:48.800 --> 0:23:51.840 He pushed the pillars over, the building came crashing down. 0:23:52.600 --> 0:23:55.160 He defeated more enemies in his death than he did 0:23:55.200 --> 0:23:59.000 his whole life. Look at the mercy of God. When 0:23:59.040 --> 0:24:02.880 we make mistakes, get off course. God doesn't say all right, 0:24:02.880 --> 0:24:05.240 you're done. No, God has a one more. 0:24:05.080 --> 0:24:08.440 Time for you. It's not too late. You haven't missed 0:24:08.480 --> 0:24:12.440 your chance. You wouldn't be hearing this if God wasn't 0:24:12.480 --> 0:24:14.920 about to do something new in your life. 0:24:15.359 --> 0:24:18.440 One thing about Samson is all the pictures I've ever 0:24:18.480 --> 0:24:21.960 seen of him, those renderings in Sunday school and growing up. 0:24:22.320 --> 0:24:25.719 It's always this huge man, big muscles. 0:24:25.359 --> 0:24:28.199 Look like a bodybuilder. You could tell he was so 0:24:28.600 --> 0:24:31.760 strong and a force to be reckoned with. But the 0:24:31.800 --> 0:24:35.920 scripture never describes his physical size. He says that Saul 0:24:36.080 --> 0:24:40.480 was tall, and David was handsome. Goliath was huge. But 0:24:40.560 --> 0:24:44.320 when the Philistines were trying to trick Samson, they asked 0:24:44.359 --> 0:24:48.640 Delilah to find out where his strength comes from. If 0:24:48.640 --> 0:24:51.040 he was big and impressive, it'd be obvious. 0:24:51.480 --> 0:24:55.280 We know where it comes from. His biceps, his legs. 0:24:55.280 --> 0:24:56.600 Look at him, man, he's a beast. 0:24:57.119 --> 0:25:01.440 The truth is Sampson looked ordinary, like a normal person. 0:25:02.200 --> 0:25:05.320 The message is you don't have to look powerful to 0:25:05.400 --> 0:25:08.760 be powerful. Your strength doesn't come from what you have, 0:25:09.600 --> 0:25:14.000 It comes from what God has, not natural but supernatural. 0:25:14.880 --> 0:25:19.919 Like Sampson. You may face some unexpected challenges that lie surprises. 0:25:19.960 --> 0:25:20.879 You don't worry. 0:25:20.960 --> 0:25:24.600 It's not a surprise to God, just like that difficultly 0:25:25.119 --> 0:25:31.000 suddenly came His power will suddenly come on you to overcome. Now, 0:25:31.040 --> 0:25:34.679 let's win the private battles. Let's deal with what's holding 0:25:34.800 --> 0:25:38.760 us back. Don't be like the Israelites. They've always ruled 0:25:38.800 --> 0:25:42.240 over us. No, this is your time to rule. Those 0:25:42.320 --> 0:25:46.760 obstacles are not permanent. You're about to feel supernatural power 0:25:47.040 --> 0:25:51.840 to break change that dream that seems impossible. You're outnumbered 0:25:51.960 --> 0:25:55.199 over your head. Like God did for Saul, like he 0:25:55.240 --> 0:25:58.640 did for me, You're gonna be changed into a different person. 0:25:58.840 --> 0:26:03.520 Get ready for favor, Get ready for breakthrough. I believe, declare. 0:26:03.960 --> 0:26:07.800 This is your year to rise higher, to set new standards, 0:26:08.160 --> 0:26:12.000 to break barriers that have held you back, to defeat giants, 0:26:12.320 --> 0:26:16.080 to accomplish dreams, to see new levels of your destiny. 0:26:16.480 --> 0:26:19.600 In Jesus' name, and if you receive it, can you 0:26:19.680 --> 0:26:23.960 say amen? Today I'd like to give you an opportunity 0:26:24.119 --> 0:26:26.360 to make Jesus the lord of your life. 0:26:26.440 --> 0:26:30.080 Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 0:26:30.240 --> 0:26:34.360 repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 0:26:34.440 --> 0:26:36.000 you my Lord and savior. 0:26:36.720 --> 0:26:39.120 If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 0:26:39.160 --> 0:26:42.240 born again. We'd love to send you some free information 0:26:42.359 --> 0:26:44.800 on your new walk with the Lord. You can text 0:26:44.800 --> 0:26:47.399 the number on the screen or go to the website. 0:26:47.640 --> 0:26:50.280 But I hope you'll get into a good Bible based 0:26:50.359 --> 0:26:55.520 church and keep God first place. We all go through 0:26:55.560 --> 0:26:58.920 disappointments and things that are not fair, but God sees 0:26:58.960 --> 0:27:02.240 every hurt try you injustice, and He's promised to pay 0:27:02.280 --> 0:27:04.879 you back for the unfair things. Now, I love to 0:27:04.920 --> 0:27:08.080 send you my new resource, Double for your Trouble. It's 0:27:08.119 --> 0:27:11.320 filled with inspiration. Help you stay in faith and not 0:27:11.440 --> 0:27:13.119 get bitter and think why me? 0:27:13.800 --> 0:27:13.960 Now? 0:27:14.000 --> 0:27:16.959 That setback may have been painful, but the fact is 0:27:17.160 --> 0:27:18.720 it sets you up for Double. 0:27:19.040 --> 0:27:21.640 God will make the enemy pay and bring you out 0:27:21.720 --> 0:27:23.040 better than you were before. 0:27:23.840 --> 0:27:26.800 This ministry is reaching people around the world with the 0:27:26.880 --> 0:27:29.560 message of hope, and as our way of saying thank 0:27:29.640 --> 0:27:32.159 you for your gift of any amount, we would like 0:27:32.240 --> 0:27:34.680 to send you a copy of Double for your Trouble, 0:27:34.920 --> 0:27:38.960 a daily guide for restoration. This thirty one day spiral 0:27:39.000 --> 0:27:43.199 bound resource is an invitation into healing, restoration, and the 0:27:43.240 --> 0:27:47.040 abundant life God has promised. Whether you're walking through a 0:27:47.080 --> 0:27:50.919 season of loss, believing for a breakthrough, or simply looking 0:27:50.960 --> 0:27:54.360 for a deeper connection with God. This guide is designed 0:27:54.400 --> 0:27:58.800 to help you reflect, realign, and rebuild day by day. 0:27:59.440 --> 0:28:05.560 Receive your copy and know that whatever you're facing today, grief, loss, uncertainty, 0:28:05.600 --> 0:28:09.679 it doesn't define your future. Choose to trust God. He 0:28:09.800 --> 0:28:13.520 sees you, He cares deeply, and He is the God 0:28:13.600 --> 0:28:14.960 who restores Double. 0:28:15.520 --> 0:28:18.639 None of us like difficulties, but if you'll stay in faith, 0:28:18.800 --> 0:28:21.719 you won't come out the same. You'll come out with Double. 0:28:22.320 --> 0:28:25.040 Nicktoy and I pray for you and your family every day. 0:28:25.400 --> 0:28:28.679 Thank you for your prayers and support. Your donations are 0:28:28.720 --> 0:28:32.040 bringing hope to people around the world. Special thank you 0:28:32.080 --> 0:28:34.680 to our Champion of Hope partners for all you do 0:28:34.800 --> 0:28:36.400 to make the ministry possible. 0:28:36.760 --> 0:28:38.920 Until we see you again next week, mid the Lord 0:28:38.960 --> 0:28:40.400 bless you and keep you. 0:28:41.320 --> 0:28:44.400 Be sure to request your copy of Double for Your Trouble, 0:28:44.600 --> 0:28:48.440 available this month by simply visiting us at Joelostein dot 0:28:48.480 --> 0:28:50.880 com or call eight eight eight five. 0:28:50.920 --> 0:28:52.080 Six seven Joel. 0:28:52.640 --> 0:28:56.040 You can also receive God's Got You Restoration Duo. 0:28:56.520 --> 0:28:57.520 This book is a. 0:28:57.440 --> 0:29:00.680 Powerful reminder that no matter what you face, you. 0:29:00.840 --> 0:29:01.880 Are not alone. 0:29:02.080 --> 0:29:04.840 God's got you and he will never let you go. 0:29:05.360 --> 0:29:08.560 In addition to these two inspiration books, you can also 0:29:08.720 --> 0:29:13.560 receive the Double Portion Restoration Bible Collection. This beautifully curated 0:29:13.600 --> 0:29:17.040 collection brings together the restoring of hope, of double for 0:29:17.120 --> 0:29:20.400 your trouble, and the comforting reassurance of God's got you. 0:29:20.800 --> 0:29:24.680 Paired with a stunning CSB Thin Line Bible Digital Study 0:29:24.800 --> 0:29:28.920 Edition in camel Swaye's soft leather touch, this elegant Bible 0:29:29.040 --> 0:29:33.360 offers a rich, immersive study experience and enduring companion as 0:29:33.400 --> 0:29:37.720 you lean into God's promises of renewal and restoration. Let 0:29:37.760 --> 0:29:41.800 these resources strengthen your faith, study your heart, and remind 0:29:41.880 --> 0:29:46.200 you each day that God is restoring, leading, and working. 0:29:45.880 --> 0:29:47.240 Double on your behalf. 0:29:47.720 --> 0:29:51.160 You can request these inspiring resources by calling eight eight 0:29:51.240 --> 0:29:55.080 eight five six seven Joel or logging on to joelostein 0:29:55.200 --> 0:29:56.280 dot com today. 0:29:57.240 --> 0:29:59.680 If you've never been to Lakewood, we have a great 0:29:59.720 --> 0:30:01.040 option oportunity to come. 0:30:01.360 --> 0:30:04.840 We call it Homecoming Weekend. We'd love to meet you 0:30:04.920 --> 0:30:05.480 and your. 0:30:05.360 --> 0:30:08.120 Family and you can see the building and attend one 0:30:08.160 --> 0:30:10.560 of the services. It's a great time to be a 0:30:10.560 --> 0:30:13.480 part of the Lakewood family. Looking forward to seeing you 0:30:13.800 --> 0:30:15.280 at Homecoming Weekend.