Purify Yourself

0:00:00.400 --> 0:00:03.160 Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 0:00:03.200 --> 0:00:06.360 our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 0:00:06.440 --> 0:00:09.040 enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 0:00:09.080 --> 0:00:11.880 share it with a friend, reappreciate you and pray for 0:00:11.920 --> 0:00:14.880 God's very best in your life. Well, God bless you. 0:00:15.080 --> 0:00:17.680 It's great to be with you today, and I hope 0:00:17.680 --> 0:00:20.080 you'll stay connected with us during the week through our 0:00:20.120 --> 0:00:23.959 daily podcast or YouTube channel, social media, and you can 0:00:24.040 --> 0:00:26.479 come visit us in person. We'd love to have you 0:00:26.520 --> 0:00:28.920 be a part of one of our services. And I'd 0:00:29.000 --> 0:00:31.320 like to start with something funny. And I heard about 0:00:31.320 --> 0:00:35.160 these two men, the Pope and a lawyer. They died 0:00:35.200 --> 0:00:37.560 on the same day and went to heaven and Peter 0:00:37.680 --> 0:00:39.839 met them at the gate said follow me, I'll take 0:00:39.840 --> 0:00:42.919 it to your homes. Peter dropped the Pope off at 0:00:42.920 --> 0:00:47.280 this small wood frame house, one bed, one table, nothing 0:00:47.280 --> 0:00:51.080 to it. He then took the lawyer to this magnificent house. 0:00:51.280 --> 0:00:54.640 It was huge. You had a big swimming pool, big backyard. 0:00:55.400 --> 0:00:58.360 The lawyer was overwhelmed. He said, Peter, tell me, how 0:00:58.360 --> 0:01:01.960 did I manage to get Thisctam place when the Pope 0:01:02.040 --> 0:01:05.480 only got a small place. Peter said, we have dozens 0:01:05.480 --> 0:01:09.679 of popes, but you're the first lawyer. All right, y'all's 0:01:09.680 --> 0:01:12.240 this and Joe, here we go. This is my Bible. 0:01:12.560 --> 0:01:14.840 I am what it says I am. I have what 0:01:14.959 --> 0:01:17.480 it says I have. I can do what it says 0:01:17.520 --> 0:01:20.360 I can do. Today I will be taught the word 0:01:20.400 --> 0:01:24.640 of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert, my 0:01:24.760 --> 0:01:28.160 heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In 0:01:28.360 --> 0:01:32.520 Jesus's name, God bless you. I want to talk to 0:01:32.520 --> 0:01:36.760 you today about purify yourself. It's easy to go through 0:01:36.800 --> 0:01:42.399 life carrying things that are poisoning us. Pride, jealousy, and unforgiveness. 0:01:42.800 --> 0:01:46.760 We don't realize that's contaminating our life. As long as 0:01:46.800 --> 0:01:50.600 it's there, it's blocking the blessings that belong to us. 0:01:51.320 --> 0:01:53.920 God has already scheduled times to be good to you, 0:01:54.400 --> 0:01:58.960 to show you favor, open doors, turn problems around. But 0:01:59.080 --> 0:02:01.520 we have to be in a alignment with Him for 0:02:01.640 --> 0:02:05.400 that to happen. The scripture says blessed are the pure 0:02:05.520 --> 0:02:09.720 in heart, for they will see God. This implies if 0:02:09.720 --> 0:02:13.080 there are impurities, then you're not gonna see God's best 0:02:13.760 --> 0:02:17.079 on a regular basis. You need to ask yourself, Is 0:02:17.120 --> 0:02:20.919 there something I'm doing that's keeping me from growing? Am 0:02:20.919 --> 0:02:24.720 I holding on to bitterness that's blocking my joy? Am 0:02:24.760 --> 0:02:28.040 I dwelling on doubt, convinced my dream can't come to 0:02:28.120 --> 0:02:31.480 pass it's blocking my faith? Or am I running with 0:02:31.520 --> 0:02:36.519 the wrong crowd that's polluting my decisions and blocking my destiny. 0:02:36.680 --> 0:02:40.239 You have to get rid of the blessing blockers. It's 0:02:40.280 --> 0:02:44.280 not that God is withholding his goodness. Those impurities are 0:02:44.360 --> 0:02:47.520 keeping you from seeing his goodness. Maybe you went through 0:02:47.520 --> 0:02:50.799 a disappointment and a door closed, friend walked away, and 0:02:51.200 --> 0:02:54.240 you attempted to live sour think that life's not fair. 0:02:54.639 --> 0:02:57.880 Don't let that bitterness block the new things God has 0:02:57.919 --> 0:03:01.280 in store. If you'll keep that poi out of your spirit, 0:03:01.760 --> 0:03:04.480 God will make it up to you. Or you may 0:03:04.520 --> 0:03:07.400 have made mistakes. Now you believe in those lies that 0:03:07.720 --> 0:03:10.600 you're not worthy. Nothing good is in your future. It's 0:03:10.600 --> 0:03:14.760 too late now that guilt is blocking your blessing. When 0:03:14.800 --> 0:03:18.280 you ask for forgiveness, God forgave you the first time. 0:03:19.040 --> 0:03:22.240 He doesn't remember what you did wrong. Why are you 0:03:22.400 --> 0:03:26.360 remembering what God is forgotten? Why are you dwelling on 0:03:26.440 --> 0:03:30.840 your failures when you've been forgiven, restored and washed clean. 0:03:31.840 --> 0:03:36.440 Try a different approach and purify yourself. See, sometimes we're 0:03:36.480 --> 0:03:39.200 waiting for God to do something. For God is waiting 0:03:39.280 --> 0:03:43.640 on us. You have to remove the blessing blockers. When 0:03:43.640 --> 0:03:47.520 your heart is pure, you will see God's favor, his healing, 0:03:47.880 --> 0:03:51.240 his restoration. And this is not something we should do 0:03:51.360 --> 0:03:55.400 once a year, once a quarter. On a daily basis. 0:03:55.960 --> 0:04:01.520 You need to empty out any unforgiveness, doubt, anger. If 0:04:01.520 --> 0:04:05.080 you'll get in this habit of purifying yourself, then you're 0:04:05.120 --> 0:04:09.760 in position for God to show himself strong in your life. 0:04:09.800 --> 0:04:13.320 After forty years of wandering in the desert, the Israelites 0:04:13.400 --> 0:04:16.920 were about to go into the Promised Land. Moses had died. 0:04:17.240 --> 0:04:20.280 Now Joshua was in charge. They were camped at the 0:04:20.360 --> 0:04:24.120 Jordan River needed to get across. The problem was it 0:04:24.200 --> 0:04:28.320 was swollen over a mile wide well. Joshua had seen 0:04:28.360 --> 0:04:31.159 how God parted the Red Sea for Moses, and he 0:04:31.240 --> 0:04:34.479 believed God would do that for him. Early one morning, 0:04:34.880 --> 0:04:37.839 he called everyone together and told them how the next 0:04:38.000 --> 0:04:41.039 day they were going to follow the priest into the water. 0:04:41.600 --> 0:04:43.840 The priest would be carrying the ark of the Covenant 0:04:44.120 --> 0:04:47.279 that represented the presence of God. I'm sure some of 0:04:47.279 --> 0:04:50.640 the people were worried, thinking, Joshua, there's a river there 0:04:50.640 --> 0:04:56.240 we can't get across. Joshua said in verse five, purify yourselves. 0:04:56.720 --> 0:05:00.240 For tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you. 0:05:00.880 --> 0:05:03.800 The next day, the Jordan River was going to part. 0:05:04.000 --> 0:05:06.680 A few days later, the walls of Jericho were going 0:05:06.760 --> 0:05:10.239 to fall. These were moments of favor God had already 0:05:10.279 --> 0:05:14.000 planned for them, but there was a requirement something the 0:05:14.080 --> 0:05:18.000 people had to do before it could happen. Joshua was said, 0:05:18.360 --> 0:05:22.360 purify yourself. They had to go through this process of 0:05:22.400 --> 0:05:26.440 cleansing and consecration. I could imagine some of them were busy, 0:05:27.040 --> 0:05:29.840 they were tired. They didn't feel like it, but they 0:05:29.839 --> 0:05:32.920 didn't see it as an option. They knew if I 0:05:32.960 --> 0:05:35.920 don't purify myself, I'm not going to be allowed to go. 0:05:36.560 --> 0:05:40.680 Purification was a requirement. They had to wash their clothes, 0:05:41.360 --> 0:05:45.720 abstain from intimacy, offer a burnt offering for sins. It 0:05:45.839 --> 0:05:49.800 was a time of consecration and cleansing that prepared them 0:05:50.000 --> 0:05:52.920 for what God was about to do. And they had 0:05:52.960 --> 0:05:56.400 these ceremonial laws back then, of course we don't have today. 0:05:56.839 --> 0:05:59.800 But the principle is still true. If you're going to 0:05:59.839 --> 0:06:02.400 see the wonders of God, if you're going to step 0:06:02.440 --> 0:06:06.920 into new levels, you have to purify yourself. The higher 0:06:06.960 --> 0:06:10.880 you go, the more consecrated you have to be. For 0:06:10.920 --> 0:06:13.800 God to release more of his favor. You have to 0:06:13.839 --> 0:06:19.040 step up to a new level of commitment, focus, discipline. 0:06:19.400 --> 0:06:21.599 You may not be able to hang around the same 0:06:21.720 --> 0:06:25.440 friends and see the wonders of God. You may have 0:06:25.520 --> 0:06:28.560 to adjust how you spend your time, what you're watching, 0:06:29.160 --> 0:06:33.039 your attitude, your thought life. If you'll come up higher 0:06:33.080 --> 0:06:36.960 in those areas, you're positioning yourself for God to do 0:06:37.000 --> 0:06:41.279 greater things. And the next day, after they had purified themselves, 0:06:41.480 --> 0:06:45.440 the priests walked into the water with everyone following them. 0:06:45.520 --> 0:06:47.760 Just like the Red Sea, it opened up. The people 0:06:47.800 --> 0:06:51.320 went through on dry ground. They saw the wonders of God. 0:06:52.040 --> 0:06:54.400 God is saying to us what he said to them. 0:06:54.880 --> 0:06:58.359 If you will purify yourself, you will see Me do 0:06:58.520 --> 0:07:03.159 amazing things in your life. If you will release the unforgiveness, 0:07:03.720 --> 0:07:06.760 If you'll be happy for that friend instead of jealous, 0:07:07.160 --> 0:07:10.080 if you'll bite your tongue and not say hurtful things, 0:07:10.600 --> 0:07:14.600 if you'll stop believing that you're not enough, not valuable. 0:07:14.880 --> 0:07:17.920 If you'll get rid of the insecurity, then you will 0:07:17.960 --> 0:07:22.360 step into favor. Good breaks the wonders that God has 0:07:22.400 --> 0:07:26.160 already planned for you. And it's significant that Joshua didn't 0:07:26.200 --> 0:07:29.520 say the priests will help purify you. The leadership will 0:07:29.520 --> 0:07:32.880 do it. Find a friend to purify you. This is 0:07:32.920 --> 0:07:36.640 something only you can do. You have to make the choice. 0:07:36.800 --> 0:07:40.520 I'm going to live a holy, consecrated life. I'm gonna 0:07:40.560 --> 0:07:43.680 do the right thing when no one is looking. I'm 0:07:43.680 --> 0:07:46.480 gonna be kind when I don't feel like it. I'm 0:07:46.520 --> 0:07:51.280 gonna resist the temptation to get angry, to compromise. If 0:07:51.280 --> 0:07:54.320 it was up to other people, our destiny would be 0:07:54.360 --> 0:07:56.920 in their hands. It's up to them to keep us 0:07:56.920 --> 0:08:00.320 on track, make sure we're disciplined. They have to hold 0:08:00.320 --> 0:08:04.680 me accountable. That's all good, but you can fool other people. 0:08:05.480 --> 0:08:07.800 They can't be with you twenty four hours a day. 0:08:08.480 --> 0:08:11.080 They don't know what you're thinking, they don't know what's 0:08:11.080 --> 0:08:16.720 happening in secret. This is all about self discipline, self control. 0:08:17.120 --> 0:08:20.720 You making the choice to keep your temple pure, to 0:08:20.760 --> 0:08:23.800 get rid of the toxins, the doubt, the jealousy, the 0:08:23.880 --> 0:08:27.680 compromise these things that are keeping you from the favor 0:08:27.960 --> 0:08:33.040 that God has in store. Joshua said, tomorrow the Lord 0:08:33.160 --> 0:08:37.280 will do great wonders. The blessing was already scheduled. Your 0:08:37.360 --> 0:08:41.480 breakthrough is already on the calendar, meeting the right person, 0:08:42.200 --> 0:08:46.760 the healing, the promotion, your promised land. God has already 0:08:46.840 --> 0:08:51.120 set the time. He's already marked that moment. But before 0:08:51.200 --> 0:08:55.280 it can happen, you have to purify yourself well. If 0:08:55.320 --> 0:08:58.439 your set time is in two days from now, are 0:08:58.480 --> 0:09:02.040 you ready? If God is scheduled your Jordan River to 0:09:02.080 --> 0:09:05.480 part next Friday, are you able to go on the trip? 0:09:06.360 --> 0:09:09.440 Have you forgiven the person that did you wrong? Have 0:09:09.559 --> 0:09:12.400 you cleansed yourself from watching things that are polluting you? 0:09:13.360 --> 0:09:16.760 Have you broken away from relationships that are pulling you down? 0:09:17.360 --> 0:09:20.480 Have you deleted those thoughts telling you you'll never get well, 0:09:20.880 --> 0:09:25.360 never be free? Those are toxins that will poison your life. 0:09:26.320 --> 0:09:26.400 Now. 0:09:26.440 --> 0:09:29.000 I know some of this is not easy, but God 0:09:29.080 --> 0:09:32.120 will never ask you to do something and not give 0:09:32.160 --> 0:09:35.320 you the ability to do it. His grace will be 0:09:35.360 --> 0:09:39.360 there to empower you. Maybe you tried before, you weren't able. 0:09:39.600 --> 0:09:42.800 You need to try again. God is breathing on you 0:09:42.920 --> 0:09:45.560 in a new way. You have the power to resist 0:09:45.600 --> 0:09:49.760 the temptation, the grace to release the hurt, the discipline 0:09:49.760 --> 0:09:52.880 to do the right thing. It may be hard to forgive, 0:09:53.280 --> 0:09:57.360 but that unforgiveness is blocking your blessing. It's harder to 0:09:57.440 --> 0:10:00.959 live bitter, to go through life with that poor your spirit. 0:10:01.800 --> 0:10:05.240 It may be difficult to control your temper, bite, your tongue, 0:10:05.440 --> 0:10:09.080 not be argumentative, but it's more difficult to live in 0:10:09.120 --> 0:10:13.720 mediocrity and miss the great wonders God asks for you. 0:10:13.720 --> 0:10:17.000 You have to get rid of the blessing blockers. Purity 0:10:17.080 --> 0:10:20.400 is power. It doesn't mean we're perfect. We all have 0:10:20.520 --> 0:10:24.200 things we're dealing with. But you're doing your best. You're 0:10:24.200 --> 0:10:28.480 not accepting mediocrity. You're taking steps daily to empty out 0:10:28.520 --> 0:10:32.439 the negative, to release the hurt, or to forgive yourself 0:10:32.440 --> 0:10:36.120 for mistakes. God sees you do in your part, you're 0:10:36.160 --> 0:10:40.760 in position to see His favor in greater ways. It's 0:10:40.800 --> 0:10:44.680 interesting how God designed the body to function. Each day 0:10:44.760 --> 0:10:48.640 we eat food and get our nutrition. The body takes 0:10:48.679 --> 0:10:52.280 what's helpful and uses it for energy and growth and 0:10:52.440 --> 0:10:56.840 new cells. Then every day there's a process of elimination 0:10:57.840 --> 0:11:02.160 where the waste, toxins, things that aren't helpful or released 0:11:02.200 --> 0:11:06.280 from the body. If there's not a daily elimination, you 0:11:06.360 --> 0:11:10.280 know what happens. You get constipated. You don't feel good, 0:11:10.640 --> 0:11:14.480 you don't have energy, you're lethargic, you can be nauseated, 0:11:14.920 --> 0:11:18.640 all because you're holding onto things that are supposed to 0:11:18.679 --> 0:11:21.920 be released. I don't want this to be gross, but 0:11:22.040 --> 0:11:26.640 some people are mentally constipated. They've held on to every hurt, 0:11:27.120 --> 0:11:31.480 every disappointment, every closed door. Great grandmother said something forty 0:11:31.559 --> 0:11:34.720 years ago. They're still upset, still mad at the boss 0:11:34.760 --> 0:11:37.800 that left them out, still dwelling on mistakes they made 0:11:37.880 --> 0:11:42.640 decades back, still reliving the loss, the pain from a breakup. 0:11:43.000 --> 0:11:46.599 As long as you're holding onto that, it's poisoning you. 0:11:46.600 --> 0:11:49.960 You're not gonna have the energy, the creativity, the joy 0:11:50.559 --> 0:11:54.040 to become who you were created to be. Do yourself 0:11:54.040 --> 0:12:01.520 a favor, have an elimination, purify yourself, release anything negative guilt. 0:12:01.040 --> 0:12:06.160 The insecurity God has great wonders in front of you. 0:12:06.640 --> 0:12:09.720 He saw what wasn't fair, he saw who hurt you, 0:12:10.320 --> 0:12:14.400 what didn't work out. He's already scheduled beauty for those ashes. 0:12:14.920 --> 0:12:18.079 He's already put on your calendar ways to pay you back. 0:12:18.559 --> 0:12:21.480 They're thrust you ahead where you don't even think about 0:12:21.559 --> 0:12:25.560 who did you wrong. There are great wonders in your future, 0:12:26.200 --> 0:12:29.440 but remember the requirement. You have to get rid of 0:12:29.480 --> 0:12:33.120 the blessing blockers. Just like in the physical you need 0:12:33.160 --> 0:12:36.040 to do this on a daily basis. Don't let things 0:12:36.040 --> 0:12:39.400 build up. The scripture says, don't let the sun go 0:12:39.600 --> 0:12:43.559 down while you're still angry. Why would God tell us 0:12:43.600 --> 0:12:47.320 to not let anger last over twenty four hours because 0:12:47.360 --> 0:12:50.000 he doesn't want us to get clogged up. This is 0:12:50.040 --> 0:12:53.680 saying don't go to bed mad at your spouse. Don't 0:12:53.679 --> 0:12:57.080 get up in the morning with condemnation, are jealous of 0:12:57.120 --> 0:13:00.880 that friend or thinking you're not good enough. Every morning. 0:13:00.920 --> 0:13:04.640 There needs to be a cleansing, a reset where you 0:13:04.760 --> 0:13:08.200 let go of all the negative. You forgive people for 0:13:08.280 --> 0:13:13.200 what they said yesterday. You forgive yourself for not performing perfectly. 0:13:13.880 --> 0:13:18.640 You set your mind in faith, in hope, discipline, thanking 0:13:18.720 --> 0:13:22.599 God for the favor on your life. That's purifying yourself. 0:13:23.400 --> 0:13:25.520 If not, the anger is going to be there one night, 0:13:25.960 --> 0:13:29.319 then two, then a month and a year. Now it's 0:13:29.320 --> 0:13:31.760 a part of who you are that may be the 0:13:31.800 --> 0:13:34.760 way it's been, but you don't have to stay that way. 0:13:35.600 --> 0:13:38.840 You wouldn't be hearing this if God wasn't calling you 0:13:38.960 --> 0:13:43.439 up higher. He has some great wonders scheduled for your life. 0:13:43.960 --> 0:13:47.760 There are some promised lands, some Jordan rivers that are 0:13:47.800 --> 0:13:51.800 about to part. Like Joshua what told the people tomorrow, 0:13:51.880 --> 0:13:54.640 it's going to happen. You need to get ready. You're 0:13:54.679 --> 0:13:58.160 about to see God show out in your life now. 0:13:58.200 --> 0:14:03.240 My whole challenge is make sure you're prepared. Don't be 0:14:03.320 --> 0:14:06.640 left on the shores watching others go into the promised 0:14:06.720 --> 0:14:10.120 land because you didn't deal with things. You didn't release 0:14:10.160 --> 0:14:13.800 the toxins. You didn't break away from bad influences. You 0:14:13.920 --> 0:14:16.800 held onto the hurt. This is a wake up call. 0:14:17.720 --> 0:14:21.080 We're not gonna be here forever. Life is flying by. 0:14:21.920 --> 0:14:25.479 We don't have time to miss opportunities. There is greatness 0:14:25.520 --> 0:14:29.120 in you. God has raised you up to set new standards. 0:14:29.640 --> 0:14:34.120 Now be responsible for what He's entrusted you with. Maybe 0:14:34.120 --> 0:14:37.960 there are things you're watching listening to that are contaminating. 0:14:38.000 --> 0:14:41.840 You tell us, no big deal. Everybody does it, but 0:14:41.880 --> 0:14:45.720 you're not everybody. You'll call descend out in the crowd. 0:14:47.120 --> 0:14:50.480 Some of these shows on television where people are unfaithful, 0:14:50.920 --> 0:14:56.240 no morals, backstabbing friends. If you're constantly watching that, those 0:14:56.320 --> 0:14:59.760 seeds are being planted in you, you're allowing that to 0:14:59.800 --> 0:15:04.440 take route. They're gonna become the same thing. Your destiny 0:15:04.520 --> 0:15:08.960 is too important, your assignment too valuable to play around 0:15:08.960 --> 0:15:12.400 with things that are gonna limit you. The scripture says 0:15:12.600 --> 0:15:16.520 you are a chosen people, set apart and called by God. 0:15:17.200 --> 0:15:21.360 One version says a peculiar people, not weird, but different. 0:15:22.000 --> 0:15:26.000 You're supposed to stand out. You're supposed to be the exception. 0:15:26.800 --> 0:15:30.400 Everyone else is compromising, not you. You've been set apart. 0:15:30.960 --> 0:15:34.720 When Joel all my coworkers complain, bad mouth the company, 0:15:35.040 --> 0:15:38.600 they all show up late and cut corners. That's fine, 0:15:38.680 --> 0:15:41.880 you're not responsible for their life. But that's not who 0:15:41.920 --> 0:15:44.800 you are. You're a cut above. You've been called to 0:15:44.840 --> 0:15:49.960 live with integrity, honesty, and excellence. When they're complaining, don't 0:15:50.040 --> 0:15:52.600 let that poison get in. You don't join in and 0:15:52.640 --> 0:15:55.240 add to the problem. Be a part of the solution. 0:15:56.040 --> 0:15:58.600 Be grateful that you have a job lord. I want 0:15:58.640 --> 0:16:00.880 to thank you that you bless me with this position. 0:16:02.120 --> 0:16:05.680 They come in late, be the exception. You get there early. 0:16:06.280 --> 0:16:09.080 You do more than you have to, Paul said in 0:16:09.160 --> 0:16:13.600 Second Corinthians come out from among them and be separate. 0:16:13.960 --> 0:16:17.480 Says the Lord. God is not looking for the crowd 0:16:18.040 --> 0:16:21.520 for what everyone is doing. He's looking for people that 0:16:21.600 --> 0:16:27.760 will separate themselves, that will live consecrated, Holy excellent, not 0:16:27.880 --> 0:16:30.320 doing as little as they can to get by that 0:16:30.480 --> 0:16:34.520 people who go the extra mile. I like to watch football, 0:16:34.600 --> 0:16:37.240 and the quarterback will get the ball and he'll look 0:16:37.280 --> 0:16:40.040 out for a receiver, someone he can throw it to. 0:16:40.920 --> 0:16:43.960 That receiver has a defender, someone on the other team 0:16:43.960 --> 0:16:47.120 that's covering him, trying not to let him catch the ball. 0:16:47.640 --> 0:16:50.920 The defender will stay as close as possible, even bumping 0:16:51.000 --> 0:16:55.680 against him. The receiver's whole job is to create separation. 0:16:56.520 --> 0:17:00.120 He's trying to lose the defender to get open the 0:17:00.200 --> 0:17:03.320 quarterback will be able to throw him the ball. The 0:17:03.400 --> 0:17:07.240 quarterback is ready to pass it. He's standing there waiting. 0:17:07.920 --> 0:17:11.240 It's up to the receiver to break away to create 0:17:11.400 --> 0:17:15.560 space so he can receive that pass. It's the same principle. 0:17:16.000 --> 0:17:19.960 God is the quarterback. He's ready to pass you the favor, 0:17:20.040 --> 0:17:23.360 the healing, the abundance, But you have to do your 0:17:23.440 --> 0:17:27.800 part and create separation. You have to get away from 0:17:27.840 --> 0:17:32.600 the crowd, the compromisers, the complainers, the naysayers, the jealous people. 0:17:33.200 --> 0:17:36.360 If you'll come out from among them, choose to live 0:17:36.400 --> 0:17:40.000 by a higher standard, then you'll be open, ready to 0:17:40.119 --> 0:17:44.119 receive the great wonders of our God. A few days 0:17:44.160 --> 0:17:47.840 before Joshua told the people to purify themselves, he sent 0:17:48.040 --> 0:17:51.439 spies into Jericho to see what the city was like. 0:17:51.560 --> 0:17:54.800 And they looked around, got the information they needed. But 0:17:54.880 --> 0:17:57.600 before they could leave, word god out that they were there. 0:17:58.200 --> 0:18:01.320 The police were going everywhere trying to find them, knocking 0:18:01.359 --> 0:18:04.280 on door after door. It was a lady that lived 0:18:04.280 --> 0:18:08.359 there named Rayhab. She was a prostitute. She took the 0:18:08.400 --> 0:18:11.719 spies into her house and hid them. She knew they 0:18:11.720 --> 0:18:15.560 were Israelites. She told them, we're all afraid of your God. 0:18:16.200 --> 0:18:19.720 We know he's all powerful and we cannot stand against him. 0:18:20.119 --> 0:18:22.560 The authorities came knocking on her door and ask if 0:18:22.560 --> 0:18:25.760 she's seen the men. She said no, they were here earlier, 0:18:26.000 --> 0:18:28.959 but they left before the city gates shut. You can 0:18:29.000 --> 0:18:32.119 probably catch them if you'll go chasing after them. The 0:18:32.160 --> 0:18:36.320 whole time, she had them hidden upstairs underneath the straw 0:18:36.400 --> 0:18:39.520 on her roof. Well, Rahab had lived a life that 0:18:39.560 --> 0:18:43.359 she wasn't pleased with. She didn't feel valuable. She was 0:18:43.400 --> 0:18:47.679 looking down on But when those spies showed up, something 0:18:47.720 --> 0:18:51.080 came alive on the inside. She thought, this is not 0:18:51.160 --> 0:18:54.399 who I am. I wasn't created to live in shame 0:18:54.520 --> 0:18:58.879 and compromise. She told the spies, I'll hide you, but 0:18:59.000 --> 0:19:01.320 when you come back to take the city, you have 0:19:01.400 --> 0:19:05.520 to promise that you'll save me and my family. She 0:19:05.680 --> 0:19:08.679 was saying, in effect, I believe in your God, the 0:19:08.720 --> 0:19:12.600 God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. When the walls of 0:19:12.680 --> 0:19:17.600 Jericho fell, all the people were defeated except Rahab and 0:19:17.720 --> 0:19:22.000 her family. She went with the Israelites into the Promised Land. 0:19:22.760 --> 0:19:27.600 She later had children. Her great grandson was Boaz, who 0:19:27.680 --> 0:19:32.480 married Ruth. You remember Ruth was David's grandmother. That means 0:19:32.520 --> 0:19:36.520 that Rahab, this former prostitute, is in the family line 0:19:36.680 --> 0:19:41.280 of Jesus. It all started when she made that decision 0:19:41.840 --> 0:19:46.320 to purify herself. God is showing us through Rahab that 0:19:46.359 --> 0:19:50.760 you're never too far gone. You're never too impure, too addicted, 0:19:51.280 --> 0:19:55.240 too rough, too angry. You can still become who you 0:19:55.280 --> 0:19:58.200 were created to be. So you have to do like her, 0:19:59.040 --> 0:20:03.320 make that decision to separate yourself, to get away from 0:20:03.320 --> 0:20:08.280 bad influences, to quit dwelling on unworthy, not valuable thoughts, 0:20:08.720 --> 0:20:12.360 to release all the toxins that are polluting your spirit. 0:20:13.400 --> 0:20:16.000 It may not be something big like rayhab, but a 0:20:16.119 --> 0:20:20.840 sour attitude can keep you from your destiny. Being critical, 0:20:21.480 --> 0:20:25.879 finding fault all the time, that's poisoning your future. The 0:20:25.960 --> 0:20:30.120 Holy Spirit doesn't condemn us, but he will convict us. 0:20:31.040 --> 0:20:35.200 Condemnation pushes you down, makes you feel bad, but conviction 0:20:35.880 --> 0:20:40.040 challenges you to come up higher. You feel that uneasiness, 0:20:40.280 --> 0:20:43.200 that unrest saying, hey, this jealousy is not who you are. 0:20:43.520 --> 0:20:48.560 Be happy for them. That's God saying purify yourself. Don't 0:20:48.560 --> 0:20:51.800 ignore it, deal with it, or you'll hear that still 0:20:51.920 --> 0:20:54.640 small voice saying, hey, quit being so harsh with your 0:20:54.680 --> 0:20:57.680 family there. Quit letting that coworker steal your joy. Every 0:20:57.760 --> 0:21:01.920 day God corrects his children. He's going to challenge you 0:21:02.000 --> 0:21:05.800 in areas where you may be comfortable for a season 0:21:05.920 --> 0:21:09.520 that was okay, but he's calling you up higher. What 0:21:09.720 --> 0:21:13.400 was fine five years ago is not fine now. He's 0:21:13.440 --> 0:21:17.040 about to do greater wonders. So he's saying there has 0:21:17.080 --> 0:21:20.800 to be a higher level of consecration. Who you used 0:21:20.840 --> 0:21:23.760 to hang around with that was okay, but not now, 0:21:24.240 --> 0:21:27.240 not for where you're about to go. What you used 0:21:27.240 --> 0:21:31.160 to watch that season is over. You're stepping into greater things. 0:21:32.080 --> 0:21:36.400 Now you have to have greater separation. The ball God 0:21:36.480 --> 0:21:39.200 is about to throw you is something you've never seen 0:21:39.520 --> 0:21:44.639 your promised land. Are you prepared? Have you purified yourself? 0:21:45.280 --> 0:21:48.360 The scripture says, in a large house there are vessels 0:21:48.359 --> 0:21:52.760 of wood and clay used for ordinary purposes, and some 0:21:52.920 --> 0:21:57.119 of silver and gold use for honorable purposes. If any 0:21:57.200 --> 0:22:02.280 person will cleanse themselves from what is dishonorable, he will 0:22:02.320 --> 0:22:06.119 be a vessel set apart, useful to the Master for 0:22:06.160 --> 0:22:10.679 his highest purposes. Let's not get stuck being wood and clay. 0:22:11.440 --> 0:22:14.280 That's fine for a while, we all start off that way. 0:22:15.000 --> 0:22:18.119 But we should be growing. We should be better this 0:22:18.280 --> 0:22:21.880 year than we were last year. Not the same bad 0:22:21.920 --> 0:22:25.720 attitude dragging me down, Not giving into the same temptation, 0:22:26.440 --> 0:22:30.040 the same guilt cloud in my future, the same hurt 0:22:30.119 --> 0:22:34.600 poisoning my dream. Those are toxins keeping you from the 0:22:34.640 --> 0:22:38.760 great wonders God has in store. And again, nobody can 0:22:38.800 --> 0:22:44.280 do this, accept you, purify yourself. Rahab did it. After 0:22:44.440 --> 0:22:49.639 years of compromise, she still reached her destiny. You can too. 0:22:50.359 --> 0:22:52.840 Are there any areas that you know are limiting you? 0:22:53.560 --> 0:22:57.960 Maybe things you've grown up with now you've accepted today 0:22:58.160 --> 0:23:01.320 can be the turning point. You're not a vessel of 0:23:01.400 --> 0:23:04.920 wood a vessel of clay. I'm looking at vessels of gold, 0:23:05.400 --> 0:23:09.560 used for God's highest purposes, ready for his great wonders. 0:23:10.240 --> 0:23:14.480 So already scheduled it. Now do your part, separate yourself, 0:23:15.119 --> 0:23:18.560 create some more room for God to bless you. I 0:23:18.600 --> 0:23:21.240 never dreamed I would be up here. God has opened 0:23:21.280 --> 0:23:25.119 doors and given me favor and opportunity like I've never imagined. 0:23:25.480 --> 0:23:30.119 But with that promotion comes opposition. People that don't understand 0:23:30.200 --> 0:23:34.480 you try to mischaracterize you. It'd be easy to let 0:23:34.480 --> 0:23:38.360 that poison get in me where I live defensive and upset, 0:23:38.640 --> 0:23:42.679 trying to pay people back. I've learned the importance of 0:23:42.800 --> 0:23:46.760 keeping my heart pure. If your heart gets contaminated, it 0:23:46.760 --> 0:23:52.040 will affect everything about you, your relationships, your attitude, your vision. 0:23:52.680 --> 0:23:56.320 That's why the scripture says guard your heart, for out 0:23:56.320 --> 0:23:59.480 of it flow the issues of life. I've learned on 0:23:59.480 --> 0:24:03.959 a daily basis. The importance of a release, a cleansing. 0:24:04.920 --> 0:24:08.640 Just like with the physical, you have to eliminate any worry, 0:24:09.160 --> 0:24:13.399 any guilt, any compromise, let all that go so you 0:24:13.440 --> 0:24:16.480 can keep your heart pure, so you can enjoy the day, 0:24:16.760 --> 0:24:20.800 love your family, and pursue your dreams. While back, I 0:24:20.960 --> 0:24:23.800 was at the hospital in the lobby at the medical center, 0:24:23.840 --> 0:24:26.560 and this couple came up and the husband asked if 0:24:26.600 --> 0:24:29.280 I would go pray for his father. He'd had surgery 0:24:29.320 --> 0:24:32.679 and was recovering very slowly. I told him I would, 0:24:32.720 --> 0:24:35.480 and we walked a long way across the street to 0:24:35.560 --> 0:24:39.680 a different wing. Finally arrived at this hospital door. They said, 0:24:39.720 --> 0:24:43.040 we'll stay out here, you just go in and surprise him. 0:24:43.440 --> 0:24:45.880 I thought, I don't know about that. I'm gonna walk 0:24:45.920 --> 0:24:48.600 in on this man I've never met. They said, oh, 0:24:48.600 --> 0:24:50.840 come on, he'll love it. And I went in. He's 0:24:50.880 --> 0:24:53.520 about seventy five years old. He didn't say a word, 0:24:54.320 --> 0:24:57.159 he just looked at me as unexcited as could be. 0:24:57.880 --> 0:25:01.119 I started encouraging, telling him that God is our healer 0:25:01.119 --> 0:25:03.080 and he's gonna come out. And then I prayed a 0:25:03.160 --> 0:25:06.600 strong prayer, declared faith and healing. When I finished, I 0:25:06.680 --> 0:25:08.880 leaned over and gave him a hug and walked out 0:25:08.880 --> 0:25:11.400 of the room. His children said, what did he do? 0:25:12.040 --> 0:25:13.919 I said, he just laid there and looked at me. 0:25:14.640 --> 0:25:17.160 They said, Oh, that's great, because he doesn't like you. 0:25:17.840 --> 0:25:20.240 He always makes fun of us when we watch you. 0:25:21.040 --> 0:25:23.159 I thought, if I had known that, i'd pray something different. 0:25:24.720 --> 0:25:28.439 God take the old goat home. But what am I saying? 0:25:28.680 --> 0:25:32.040 On a daily basis? You have to release the offense. 0:25:33.119 --> 0:25:38.399 Release what someone said. Y'all still laughing, aren't you? I 0:25:38.560 --> 0:25:42.480 wasn't laughing. I was embarrassed. But anyway, release the jealousy. 0:25:43.320 --> 0:25:48.560 Don't let the sun go down without an elimination. Purifying 0:25:48.600 --> 0:25:51.359 yourself of any toxins, things you know are gonna weigh 0:25:51.359 --> 0:25:55.400 you down. Listen, God is the quarterback. He has the favor, 0:25:55.520 --> 0:26:00.359 the increase, the opportunities, but he's looking for separation, looking 0:26:00.400 --> 0:26:03.439 for those that will come out from among them. Not 0:26:03.600 --> 0:26:07.120 that fit in. That's wood and clay. That's not who 0:26:07.160 --> 0:26:10.600 you are. You're a vessel of gold. You have greatness 0:26:10.640 --> 0:26:15.120 in you. God has his amazing wonders already on your schedule. 0:26:15.720 --> 0:26:19.680 Now do your part and purify yourself. If you'll do this, 0:26:19.760 --> 0:26:24.480 I believe and declare like Joshua Jordan, rivers are about 0:26:24.520 --> 0:26:27.600 to part for you. Doors open and you couldn't open 0:26:28.240 --> 0:26:33.520 like Rahab. Restoration, honor, influence levels that you never saw 0:26:33.600 --> 0:26:37.360 coming in Jesus' name, And if you receive it, can 0:26:37.440 --> 0:26:41.760 you say amen? I'd like to give you an opportunity 0:26:41.880 --> 0:26:44.600 to make Jesus the Lord of your life. Would you 0:26:44.640 --> 0:26:48.399 pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I repent of 0:26:48.480 --> 0:26:52.280 my sins. Come into my heart. I make you my 0:26:52.400 --> 0:26:55.960 Lord and savior. If you prayed that simple prayer, we 0:26:56.040 --> 0:26:58.879 believe you got born again. We loved us. Send you 0:26:58.960 --> 0:27:01.399 some free information on your new walk with the Lord. 0:27:01.800 --> 0:27:04.000 You can text the number on the screen or go 0:27:04.040 --> 0:27:06.480 to the website. But I hope you'll get into a 0:27:06.520 --> 0:27:10.159 good Bible based church and keep God first place. 0:27:11.840 --> 0:27:15.840 It's a new year. Time to see the impossible become possible. 0:27:16.160 --> 0:27:19.480 It's a new year. Life setbacks are about to become 0:27:19.560 --> 0:27:24.040 God's setups for new opportunity. It's a new year cherished 0:27:24.080 --> 0:27:27.320 dreams will become unexpected reality. 0:27:27.440 --> 0:27:29.680 The start of the new year is the perfect time 0:27:29.760 --> 0:27:33.359 to reset your focus, release disappointments of the past, and 0:27:33.440 --> 0:27:36.000 get ready for the new things God has in store. 0:27:36.560 --> 0:27:39.679 Every January we create a new three hundred and sixty 0:27:39.680 --> 0:27:43.240 five day devotional calendar. I'd love to send it to you. 0:27:43.680 --> 0:27:48.040 Each day is filled with inspiration, scripture, and uplifting declarations 0:27:48.040 --> 0:27:51.040 to fuel your faith. When you begin the day thanking 0:27:51.040 --> 0:27:54.440 God for what He's done, speaking victory over your future, 0:27:54.880 --> 0:27:59.440 you're positioning yourself for a blessed, favor filled year. Amazing 0:27:59.480 --> 0:28:01.880 things happen when you keep God first place. 0:28:02.720 --> 0:28:05.119 As our way of saying thank you for your gift 0:28:05.160 --> 0:28:07.760 of any amount this first month of the year, we 0:28:07.840 --> 0:28:10.080 would like to send you a copy of our brand 0:28:10.119 --> 0:28:13.280 new three hundred and sixty five day twenty twenty six 0:28:13.400 --> 0:28:17.200 devotional calendar. Do you want to overcome your most pressing 0:28:17.280 --> 0:28:18.960 challenges in twenty twenty six? 0:28:19.320 --> 0:28:20.320 Do you want to see. 0:28:20.119 --> 0:28:23.840 Your life take off in new directions of influence, favor, 0:28:24.080 --> 0:28:27.960 and provision in the year ahead. With this daily encouragement, 0:28:28.240 --> 0:28:31.520 you'll not only smile at your day, You'll be reminded 0:28:31.600 --> 0:28:35.280 that God is smiling on your entire life. Each day 0:28:35.480 --> 0:28:39.760 will be a fresh new day. Turn discouragement to encouragement, 0:28:40.240 --> 0:28:46.800 frustration to fulfillment, anxiety to overcoming. Start each morning knowing 0:28:46.840 --> 0:28:49.800 that It's God's desire to turn what seems like an 0:28:49.960 --> 0:28:55.960 ordinary life into extraordinary favor, strength, and opportunities. Using this 0:28:56.040 --> 0:29:01.280 devotional calendar is as easy as one, two three. One 0:29:01.760 --> 0:29:05.920 wake up with an expectancy in your heart. Two reflect 0:29:05.960 --> 0:29:09.920 on the daily scripture, verse and devotional from Joel. Three 0:29:10.200 --> 0:29:13.760 capture the Lord's promises to you on journaling lines for 0:29:13.840 --> 0:29:14.960 writing and reflection. 0:29:15.880 --> 0:29:18.000 Twenty twenty six is going to be one of your 0:29:18.120 --> 0:29:20.720 best years ever. We're going to help you stay in 0:29:20.760 --> 0:29:23.360 faith so you can see the goodness of God in 0:29:23.480 --> 0:29:26.200 new ways. Victory and I pray for you and your 0:29:26.200 --> 0:29:28.600 family every day, and we want to thank you for 0:29:28.720 --> 0:29:33.000 your prayer and support. Your generosity is impacting lives around 0:29:33.040 --> 0:29:35.680 the world. A special thank you to our Champion of 0:29:35.760 --> 0:29:38.880 Hope partners for your monthly gifts. If you're not a partner, 0:29:38.920 --> 0:29:42.160 I hope you'll consider becoming one. Remember you can watch 0:29:42.200 --> 0:29:47.360 the services online live every Sunday morning, download our daily podcast, 0:29:47.720 --> 0:29:51.120 watch on YouTube or the new Joel Osting Network twenty 0:29:51.120 --> 0:29:53.959 four hours a day. Of course, listen live on Serious 0:29:54.120 --> 0:29:57.200 XM as well. But until we meet again, may the 0:29:57.200 --> 0:29:58.840 Lord bless you and keep you. 0:30:00.000 --> 0:30:02.800 Sure to request your copy of the twenty twenty sixth 0:30:02.880 --> 0:30:07.120 devotional Calendar available this month by simply visiting us at 0:30:07.200 --> 0:30:11.000 Joelostein dot com or calling eight eight eight five six 0:30:11.120 --> 0:30:17.840 seven Joel. Also, no matter what season you're in, joy, sorrow, waiting, growth, 0:30:18.160 --> 0:30:22.000 God wants to speak into each and every moment. God's 0:30:22.000 --> 0:30:25.840 Word for Every Season is a guided journal series designed 0:30:25.840 --> 0:30:29.360 to help you slow down, write out scripture, and reflect 0:30:29.400 --> 0:30:32.440 on its truths, one verse at a time. As you 0:30:32.560 --> 0:30:36.800 engage with His Word, you'll discover fresh strength, deeper peace, 0:30:37.120 --> 0:30:41.040 and timely encouragement for every step of your journey. You 0:30:41.120 --> 0:30:44.920 can request these inspiring resources by calling eight eight eight 0:30:45.160 --> 0:30:49.000 five six seven Joel or logging on to joelostein dot 0:30:49.000 --> 0:30:53.200 com today call or click anytime twenty four hours a day. 0:30:53.680 --> 0:30:55.560 Request these resources today