Stay Committed

0:00:00.240 --> 0:00:02.640 You and your dog are close, like watch each other 0:00:02.680 --> 0:00:04.960 go to the bathroom close, But you could be even 0:00:05.000 --> 0:00:08.880 closer with BarkBox. Every month, BarkBox brings dogs and their 0:00:08.920 --> 0:00:12.639 humans together with original toys and delicious treatment. Sign up 0:00:12.640 --> 0:00:14.880 now at BarkBox dot com. Slash iHeart. 0:00:15.400 --> 0:00:18.119 No one likes to talk about money. Am I saving enough? 0:00:18.200 --> 0:00:20.239 Can I buy a house? Am I paying too much 0:00:20.280 --> 0:00:22.960 in taxes? Will I be able to retire? What if 0:00:23.000 --> 0:00:25.600 you could unlock insights about your finances in less than 0:00:25.600 --> 0:00:28.080 five minutes, with a clear picture of where you stand 0:00:28.080 --> 0:00:30.880 today and where your money can work harder. Now you 0:00:31.000 --> 0:00:34.000 can visit Facet dot com to take the free quiz 0:00:34.040 --> 0:00:38.640 and get your financial wellness score today. That's Facet dot com. 0:00:38.640 --> 0:00:40.600 This ad is sponsored by Facet. Facet Wealth in Corporated 0:00:40.680 --> 0:00:42.519 is an SEC registered investment advisor. This is not an 0:00:42.560 --> 0:00:44.600 offer to buy yourself security snor is it investment, legal 0:00:44.680 --> 0:00:45.280 or tax advice. 0:00:45.760 --> 0:00:48.360 Are you ready to move your career forward? Make your 0:00:48.360 --> 0:00:51.880 comeback with Purdue Global and get college credit for your work, school, life, 0:00:51.960 --> 0:00:55.080 or military experiences. With these credits, you may have already 0:00:55.080 --> 0:00:57.880 completed up to seventy five percent of your undergraduate degree. 0:00:57.960 --> 0:01:00.000 You've worked hard to get where you are. It's time 0:01:00.160 --> 0:01:02.200 to get the recognition you deserve and earn a degree 0:01:02.240 --> 0:01:04.840 you'll be proud of, one that employers will trust and 0:01:04.920 --> 0:01:07.119 respect when you take the next step in your life 0:01:07.120 --> 0:01:10.280 and career. Make it count with Purdue Global Produce Online 0:01:10.319 --> 0:01:14.920 University for working adults. Start your comeback at Purdueglobal dot edu. 0:01:28.560 --> 0:01:29.440 God bless you. 0:01:29.880 --> 0:01:32.360 Thanks for letting us come into your homes today. We 0:01:32.520 --> 0:01:35.680 love you, and if you're ever in our area, please 0:01:35.720 --> 0:01:38.080 stop by and be a part of one of our services. 0:01:38.319 --> 0:01:40.839 I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 0:01:41.400 --> 0:01:44.000 I like to start with something funny. I heard about 0:01:44.000 --> 0:01:48.040 this pastor. He was finishing up a fiery sermon on 0:01:48.160 --> 0:01:51.560 self control. He said, with great passion, if I had 0:01:51.600 --> 0:01:54.320 all the beer in the world, I'd throw it into 0:01:54.360 --> 0:01:57.600 the river with greater fervor. If I had all the 0:01:57.640 --> 0:02:00.200 wine in the world, I'd throw it into the river, 0:02:00.840 --> 0:02:03.000 almost at the top of his lungs. If I had 0:02:03.040 --> 0:02:04.000 all the whiskey in. 0:02:03.960 --> 0:02:07.560 The world, I'd throw it into the river. He sat down. 0:02:07.800 --> 0:02:11.160 Song leader came up said for a closing song, let's 0:02:11.160 --> 0:02:14.440 sing him three sixty five. Shall we gather at the river? 0:02:15.919 --> 0:02:18.280 Say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 0:02:18.600 --> 0:02:20.960 I am what it says I am. I have what 0:02:21.040 --> 0:02:23.440 it says I have. I can do what it says 0:02:23.480 --> 0:02:26.200 I can do. Today I will be taught the word 0:02:26.240 --> 0:02:30.360 of God. I'll boldly confess my mind is alert, my 0:02:30.480 --> 0:02:31.519 heart is receptive. 0:02:31.840 --> 0:02:33.160 I will never be the same. 0:02:33.560 --> 0:02:37.679 In Jesus' name, God bless you. I want to talk 0:02:37.720 --> 0:02:41.200 to you today about stay and committed. We all have 0:02:41.360 --> 0:02:45.400 opportunities to give up on what we're believing for, walk 0:02:45.400 --> 0:02:48.040 away from an uncomfortable situation. 0:02:48.040 --> 0:02:50.080 Slack off, and not be our best. 0:02:50.720 --> 0:02:53.600 But if you're going to reach your highest potential, you 0:02:53.760 --> 0:02:55.080 have to stay committed. 0:02:55.800 --> 0:02:57.200 You can't be moved. 0:02:56.880 --> 0:02:59.959 By what's not working out, give up on a child 0:03:00.120 --> 0:03:03.200 because he's not doing what he should, slack off at 0:03:03.200 --> 0:03:06.520 work because you're not being treated right. You have to 0:03:06.600 --> 0:03:09.520 have a made up mind that you are in it 0:03:09.560 --> 0:03:13.440 for the long haul. It may be difficult, you have 0:03:13.520 --> 0:03:15.079 a good reason to walk away. 0:03:15.680 --> 0:03:17.560 Don't take the easy way out. 0:03:17.880 --> 0:03:22.760 Stay committed to your marriage, Stay committed to raising those children. 0:03:23.320 --> 0:03:27.480 Stay committed to your friends. They may make mistakes, give 0:03:27.520 --> 0:03:31.040 them some grace. Don't be a fair weathered friend. Be 0:03:31.160 --> 0:03:32.440 committed in the good. 0:03:32.240 --> 0:03:34.000 Times and the tough times. 0:03:34.680 --> 0:03:38.000 Stay committed to your dreams. Don't give up on the 0:03:38.040 --> 0:03:41.360 promises God put in your heart. It may be taken 0:03:41.440 --> 0:03:44.720 longer than you thought, but God is still on the throne. 0:03:44.880 --> 0:03:48.440 He's a faithful God. He's already set the time to 0:03:48.520 --> 0:03:52.720 bring it to pass. Stay committed to your church, Stay 0:03:52.720 --> 0:03:56.640 committed to your job. Be a loyal person, somebody they 0:03:56.640 --> 0:03:59.160 can count on day in and day out. 0:04:00.080 --> 0:04:01.360 Always going to feel like it. 0:04:01.840 --> 0:04:05.680 There will be good days and tough days, times when 0:04:05.720 --> 0:04:09.320 it's exciting, times when you feel like giving up. That's 0:04:09.360 --> 0:04:11.960 when you have to dig your heels in and say, 0:04:12.000 --> 0:04:14.520 I'm going to do the right thing when it's hard. 0:04:15.160 --> 0:04:18.240 I'm committed to this marriage. I'm going to love you 0:04:18.640 --> 0:04:22.400 even though you don't deserve it. I'm committed to this job. 0:04:22.640 --> 0:04:25.520 I'm going to be my best even though my supervisor 0:04:25.760 --> 0:04:29.320 isn't treating me right. I'm committed to my dreams. 0:04:29.520 --> 0:04:30.200 I'm not going to. 0:04:30.160 --> 0:04:33.280 Give up because I don't see anything happening. I'm going 0:04:33.320 --> 0:04:36.040 to keep believing, expecting, thanking God. 0:04:36.200 --> 0:04:37.919 I know it's on the way. 0:04:38.160 --> 0:04:43.960 God rewards consistent, faithful, committed people, but too many people 0:04:44.320 --> 0:04:45.360 are wishy washing. 0:04:45.960 --> 0:04:49.560 They'll love you as long as you perform perfectly. Not 0:04:49.680 --> 0:04:50.400 they're out of there. 0:04:51.000 --> 0:04:54.000 They'll be their best if you keep them encouraged, keep 0:04:54.040 --> 0:04:57.160 them propped up. They'll pursue a dream as long as 0:04:57.160 --> 0:05:01.440 they're getting good breaks. Their commitment is based on things 0:05:01.480 --> 0:05:05.240 going their way. But when it's difficult, when it's taken 0:05:05.320 --> 0:05:10.120 longer than they thought, they get discouraged start to slack off. Well, Joel, 0:05:10.200 --> 0:05:13.039 I don't like my job. They don't treat me right. 0:05:13.600 --> 0:05:16.240 That's why I show up late. That's why I play 0:05:16.279 --> 0:05:19.960 on the computer half the day. You're not working under people, 0:05:20.240 --> 0:05:21.400 you're working under God. 0:05:21.800 --> 0:05:23.240 He's keeping the records. 0:05:24.000 --> 0:05:27.560 The scripture says promotion doesn't come from the North or 0:05:27.560 --> 0:05:30.960 the South, it comes from the Lord. Well, they don't 0:05:30.960 --> 0:05:35.080 pay me enough. I'm undervalued. If they would pay me more, 0:05:35.279 --> 0:05:38.120 I would do more. But if you don't pass the 0:05:38.240 --> 0:05:42.120 test of being your best, where you are showing up 0:05:42.160 --> 0:05:45.359 on time, with a good attitude, doing more than you 0:05:45.440 --> 0:05:49.039 have to, then you'll get stuck. They may not be 0:05:49.160 --> 0:05:52.240 paying you what you're worth, but your job is not 0:05:52.400 --> 0:05:59.560 your source. God is your source. And yes God uses people, supervisors, companies, 0:06:00.120 --> 0:06:01.360 but don't get them. 0:06:01.400 --> 0:06:02.800 Mixed up with your source. 0:06:03.640 --> 0:06:07.479 If you see your company as your provider, your boss 0:06:07.600 --> 0:06:11.159 as your source, then in a sense, you're making them 0:06:11.240 --> 0:06:11.840 your God. 0:06:12.560 --> 0:06:14.600 You're letting them control your destiny. 0:06:14.960 --> 0:06:18.000 They determine how high you're going to go, and if 0:06:18.000 --> 0:06:20.680 for some reason they don't like you, they're not for you. 0:06:21.160 --> 0:06:22.440 Too bad, you're limited. 0:06:23.000 --> 0:06:26.320 No, stop looking to people and start looking to God. 0:06:26.920 --> 0:06:31.160 He not only controls your destiny, he controls the whole universe. 0:06:31.960 --> 0:06:34.520 He determines how high you're going to go. 0:06:35.000 --> 0:06:39.040 No person, no supervisor, no company can stand against God. 0:06:39.800 --> 0:06:42.280 He knows what's happening. He sees what's. 0:06:42.120 --> 0:06:46.160 Unfair when you stay committed to your job, when you 0:06:46.279 --> 0:06:49.520 keep being your best day in and day out, despite 0:06:49.600 --> 0:06:51.120 who doesn't like you. 0:06:51.240 --> 0:06:54.159 God will make it up to you. God is your source. 0:06:54.360 --> 0:06:55.640 He has the final. 0:06:55.360 --> 0:06:59.680 Say, well, Joel, it's difficult to stay committed to my job, 0:07:00.160 --> 0:07:03.560 committed to my marriage, committed to this dream. Nothing's going 0:07:03.680 --> 0:07:04.679 my way. 0:07:04.760 --> 0:07:07.200 If it was easy, everyone would do it. 0:07:07.960 --> 0:07:11.720 God chose you because he knew you can handle it. 0:07:12.120 --> 0:07:15.800 You have the courage, the strength, the talent, the anointing. 0:07:16.440 --> 0:07:19.640 You're not weak, you're not lacking. You are full of 0:07:19.840 --> 0:07:23.840 can do power. You didn't come this far to stop now. 0:07:24.640 --> 0:07:27.240 The people that see dreams come to pass are the 0:07:27.320 --> 0:07:31.160 people that stay committed. I've heard it said on the 0:07:31.280 --> 0:07:36.000 road to your destiny. Halfway through, every person will be 0:07:36.080 --> 0:07:37.120 tempted to give up. 0:07:37.800 --> 0:07:41.480 Some turn around and go back. The others stay. 0:07:41.160 --> 0:07:45.960 Committed and keep moving forward. What's interesting is both people 0:07:46.320 --> 0:07:50.520 travel the same distance. One goes halfway back to where 0:07:50.560 --> 0:07:54.520 they started. The other goes halfway ahead and reach their goal. 0:07:55.480 --> 0:08:00.920 Committed people outlast the difficulty. Committed people stick with the 0:08:01.000 --> 0:08:04.360 relationship even though they have a right to walk away. 0:08:05.120 --> 0:08:08.760 Committed people go the extra mile and do more than 0:08:08.760 --> 0:08:12.400 they have to. Is there an area you've been tempted 0:08:12.480 --> 0:08:13.000 to give. 0:08:12.920 --> 0:08:15.880 Up in or just slack off, not be your best? 0:08:16.080 --> 0:08:17.200 God is saying. 0:08:17.280 --> 0:08:22.600 Stay committed, stay faithful, stay loyal. Committed people reach the 0:08:22.640 --> 0:08:27.120 fullness of their destinies. My parents started Lakewood in nineteen 0:08:27.200 --> 0:08:29.080 fifty nine with ninety people. 0:08:29.640 --> 0:08:32.760 My father always knew that he would pastor a church 0:08:32.840 --> 0:08:33.680 with thousands. 0:08:33.920 --> 0:08:37.160 God put that dream in his heart, But for thirteen 0:08:37.280 --> 0:08:41.080 years Lakewood didn't grow, had less than two hundred people. 0:08:41.920 --> 0:08:43.360 One reason we're here. 0:08:43.200 --> 0:08:47.720 Today is because my father stayed committed. He didn't say 0:08:48.280 --> 0:08:53.200 I'm committed as long as it's growing, I'm committed, as 0:08:53.240 --> 0:08:55.800 long as it's exciding, as long as things are going 0:08:55.880 --> 0:08:56.280 my way. 0:08:56.720 --> 0:08:59.160 He was committed when nothing was changing. 0:08:59.720 --> 0:09:02.680 He reached three times a week to those ninety people 0:09:03.000 --> 0:09:05.760 like he was preaching to ninety thousand. He never missed 0:09:05.760 --> 0:09:11.160 a service. Year after year, no growth, no increase. But 0:09:11.240 --> 0:09:14.679 in nineteen seventy two, it was like God flipped a switch. 0:09:15.240 --> 0:09:17.880 People begin to come from all over the city, grew 0:09:17.920 --> 0:09:21.840 to thousands and thousands. The dreams God's placed in your heart, 0:09:22.280 --> 0:09:25.840 the promises you're standing on, may be taken longer than 0:09:25.880 --> 0:09:28.720 you thought. You don't see any sign of it happening. 0:09:28.960 --> 0:09:29.760 That's a test. 0:09:30.440 --> 0:09:33.000 Are you going to get discouraged, give up on. 0:09:33.000 --> 0:09:34.120 What you're believing for? 0:09:34.640 --> 0:09:39.120 Stay committed, keep doing the right thing. God is in control. 0:09:39.679 --> 0:09:43.199 He sees your faithfulness, like with my father. You're going 0:09:43.280 --> 0:09:46.880 to come into your season of favor. Your dream is 0:09:46.960 --> 0:09:50.560 right up in front of you. Two Kings, Chapter two. 0:09:51.040 --> 0:09:54.400 The prophet Elijah was about to be taken up to 0:09:54.480 --> 0:09:59.960 heaven in a whirlwind. He had an assistant named Elisha, 0:10:00.520 --> 0:10:01.080 was like a. 0:10:01.040 --> 0:10:01.800 Son to him. 0:10:02.400 --> 0:10:06.360 Elisha took care of Elijah. He went with him everywhere 0:10:06.440 --> 0:10:09.280 and made sure that he had what he wanted. In 0:10:09.360 --> 0:10:13.959 verse two, Elijah said to Elisha, stay here, I'm going 0:10:14.120 --> 0:10:18.080 to the city of Bethel. And Elisha knew the prophet 0:10:18.160 --> 0:10:19.360 was going to be taken away. 0:10:19.800 --> 0:10:21.240 He knew he was coming to an end. 0:10:21.600 --> 0:10:24.040 He could have thought, all right, I'm gonna stay after all, 0:10:24.120 --> 0:10:29.200 his life's almost over. Instead, Elisha said to him, as 0:10:29.280 --> 0:10:31.439 surely as the Lord lives. 0:10:31.200 --> 0:10:32.280 I will never leave you. 0:10:33.040 --> 0:10:37.520 They went together to Bethel. In Bethel, Elijah said, stay here, 0:10:37.920 --> 0:10:42.280 I'm going to the city of Jericho. Elisha said it again, 0:10:42.559 --> 0:10:45.400 as surely as the Lord lives, I will not leave you. 0:10:46.200 --> 0:10:49.839 They arrived in Jericho. Elijah told him the third time, 0:10:50.240 --> 0:10:54.320 stay here, I'm going to the Jordan River. Elisha said 0:10:54.360 --> 0:10:57.880 the same thing, I will not leave you. Three times. 0:10:58.280 --> 0:11:01.960 Elijah tried to get rid of him. Three times. He said, 0:11:01.960 --> 0:11:05.480 in effect, you've done enough. You've served me well all 0:11:05.520 --> 0:11:08.560 these years. You've been faithful, loyal, Take some time off, 0:11:08.600 --> 0:11:12.800 go relax. Elisha wouldn't hear of it. His attitude was, 0:11:13.280 --> 0:11:16.439 I'm committed to you. I'm going to stick with you 0:11:16.480 --> 0:11:19.360 through thick and thin. I was with you in the 0:11:19.400 --> 0:11:22.559 good times when you were performing miracles, I'm going to 0:11:22.640 --> 0:11:24.959 be with you in the tough times as you come 0:11:25.000 --> 0:11:29.280 to an end. Nobody would have faulted Elisha if he 0:11:29.360 --> 0:11:30.679 had walked away. 0:11:30.800 --> 0:11:33.640 His boss told him to. He had a good reason. 0:11:34.120 --> 0:11:35.360 But he wouldn't slack off. 0:11:35.880 --> 0:11:38.839 He wouldn't take the easy way out. He was committed, 0:11:39.280 --> 0:11:40.240 He was loyal. 0:11:40.720 --> 0:11:42.320 He was someone you could count on. 0:11:43.200 --> 0:11:46.360 As they crossed the Jordan River, Elijah said to him, 0:11:46.520 --> 0:11:47.520 what do you want me to. 0:11:47.520 --> 0:11:49.120 Do for you before I leave? 0:11:49.920 --> 0:11:53.520 Elisha said, I want a double portion of your anointing. 0:11:54.360 --> 0:11:57.640 He said, you've asked a hard thing, but if you 0:11:57.800 --> 0:11:59.960 see me when I'm taking away. 0:12:00.120 --> 0:12:00.880 You will have it. 0:12:01.640 --> 0:12:04.200 In a little while, as they were walking along, a 0:12:04.280 --> 0:12:09.280 whirlwind took Elijah up into the heavens. His mantle fell 0:12:09.360 --> 0:12:14.640 on Elisha. Elisha picked up Elijah's rod, struck the Jordan River, 0:12:14.760 --> 0:12:19.360 and it parted. Elisha ended up performing twice as many 0:12:19.400 --> 0:12:23.640 miracles as Elijah. Here's my point. He would have never 0:12:23.720 --> 0:12:27.440 seen the double portion if he had not stayed committed. 0:12:28.200 --> 0:12:31.080 If he had left the first time Elijah told him 0:12:31.120 --> 0:12:34.280 to go, or the second time or the third, he 0:12:34.320 --> 0:12:38.800 wouldn't have seen the fullness of his destiny. There will 0:12:38.840 --> 0:12:42.240 be plenty of times where you're tempted to walk away. 0:12:43.120 --> 0:12:45.680 Walk away from a dream, it's been too long, it's 0:12:45.720 --> 0:12:49.240 never going to happen. Walk away from a marriage, walk 0:12:49.240 --> 0:12:52.319 away from a church, walk away from a job. They 0:12:52.320 --> 0:12:55.640 don't appreciate you, they never tell you thank you. You 0:12:55.679 --> 0:12:59.240 could slack off, take the easy way out. But what 0:12:59.320 --> 0:13:03.000 you can't ze is there's a double portion up in 0:13:03.040 --> 0:13:07.720 front of you. Stay committed when it's hard, do the 0:13:07.840 --> 0:13:10.280 right thing when the wrong thing is happening. 0:13:11.000 --> 0:13:14.480 Keep loving that man, that woman even though they don't 0:13:14.520 --> 0:13:15.160 deserve it. 0:13:15.800 --> 0:13:21.480 When you stay loyal, consistent, faithful, a double portion is coming, 0:13:22.040 --> 0:13:26.840 double favor, double honor, double resources. God will pay you 0:13:26.960 --> 0:13:32.199 back for staying committed. But this double portion isn't for everyone. 0:13:32.800 --> 0:13:35.400 It's not common, it's not ordinary. 0:13:36.000 --> 0:13:38.760 It's for people that do more than they have to, 0:13:39.360 --> 0:13:42.280 for people that go the extra mind, for people that 0:13:42.400 --> 0:13:45.720 don't give up when it's not exciting. It's for people 0:13:45.800 --> 0:13:50.520 like you, people that stay committed. I can imagine after 0:13:50.640 --> 0:13:53.920 Elijah told Elisha to stay that third time and he 0:13:53.920 --> 0:13:57.120 wouldn't do it, Elisha must have thought, that. 0:13:57.160 --> 0:14:00.680 Is one stubborn boy. He will not change his mind. 0:14:01.080 --> 0:14:02.920 He is determined. To take care of me. 0:14:03.520 --> 0:14:06.560 That's the way you have to be to see God's best. 0:14:06.920 --> 0:14:11.319 There has to be a stubbornness. I'm committed to this marriage. 0:14:11.480 --> 0:14:14.920 Leaving is not an option. I'm committed to my children. 0:14:15.360 --> 0:14:17.440 No matter what they do or don't do, I'm going 0:14:17.520 --> 0:14:20.520 to be there for them. I'm committed to being my 0:14:20.680 --> 0:14:23.720 best at this job. You don't let people talk you 0:14:23.760 --> 0:14:24.320 out of it. 0:14:24.840 --> 0:14:25.880 You don't slack off. 0:14:25.800 --> 0:14:29.520 Because it's not fair. You're lonely, you're not making progress. 0:14:29.840 --> 0:14:33.359 You have a made up mind. When you stay committed, 0:14:33.840 --> 0:14:36.880 God will make things happen that you couldn't make happen. 0:14:37.560 --> 0:14:41.720 Suddenly things will turn around, Suddenly your marriage will improve, 0:14:42.040 --> 0:14:43.520 Suddenly your business. 0:14:43.200 --> 0:14:47.200 Will take off. Many of you have passed this test. 0:14:47.800 --> 0:14:51.760 You've been committed, You've been doing the right thing. Be encouraged. 0:14:52.040 --> 0:14:55.520 You are close to your double portion. You are close 0:14:55.560 --> 0:14:59.840 to a breakthrough, close to meeting the right person, close to. 0:14:59.800 --> 0:15:00.680 Your a new level. 0:15:01.720 --> 0:15:04.680 When Jesus was in the garden of Gassimone, he was 0:15:04.720 --> 0:15:09.160 so distressed that he swept great drops of blood on. 0:15:09.040 --> 0:15:10.080 The way to Calvary. 0:15:10.240 --> 0:15:13.640 He was so beaten and bruised he fell down under 0:15:13.680 --> 0:15:16.400 the weight of the cross. He could have said, God, 0:15:16.640 --> 0:15:20.000 it's too much. I did the right thing. But these 0:15:20.080 --> 0:15:22.600 people treated me badly. They mocked me. 0:15:22.760 --> 0:15:25.160 Ridiculed me, sent me to the cross. I'm done. I've 0:15:25.160 --> 0:15:25.720 had enough. 0:15:26.480 --> 0:15:30.960 Jesus stayed committed. He was committed when it wasn't fair. 0:15:31.600 --> 0:15:34.320 He was committed when he had every. 0:15:33.960 --> 0:15:34.920 Right to give up. 0:15:35.680 --> 0:15:38.920 Nobody would have faulted him if he had walked away. 0:15:39.560 --> 0:15:41.560 But he was in it for the long haul. 0:15:42.200 --> 0:15:45.720 He was stubborn when it came to fulfilling his purpose. 0:15:46.720 --> 0:15:49.800 Where are the people that would do like Jesus and 0:15:49.880 --> 0:15:53.840 stay committed. People that don't give up because it's not fair, 0:15:54.600 --> 0:15:57.160 People that don't slack off because it's taken longer than 0:15:57.200 --> 0:16:01.400 they thought. People that have a made up mine. Nineteen 0:16:01.480 --> 0:16:05.520 sixty a young man opened a pizza place in Michigan. 0:16:06.040 --> 0:16:08.400 He was an orphan that had been raised in a 0:16:08.440 --> 0:16:12.360 Catholic orphanage. He borrowed nine hundred dollars and started his 0:16:12.440 --> 0:16:13.640 small pizza place. 0:16:14.160 --> 0:16:15.920 He had all kinds of bad breaks. 0:16:16.520 --> 0:16:20.560 A business partner got into his account and stole several thousand. 0:16:20.240 --> 0:16:21.920 Dollars his life savings. 0:16:22.560 --> 0:16:26.200 Nineteen sixty eight, a fire burned his building down. The 0:16:26.280 --> 0:16:29.280 insurance company paid him a penny on the dollar. 0:16:30.040 --> 0:16:32.960 He could have gotten discouraged, thought this is not meant 0:16:32.960 --> 0:16:33.200 to be. 0:16:33.960 --> 0:16:37.680 But this young man stayed committed to the dream God 0:16:37.720 --> 0:16:38.640 placed in his heart. 0:16:39.200 --> 0:16:40.120 He had an idea. 0:16:40.800 --> 0:16:44.080 Instead of people having to come get their pizza, he 0:16:44.200 --> 0:16:45.200 decided to. 0:16:45.200 --> 0:16:47.000 Take the pizza to the people. 0:16:47.600 --> 0:16:51.040 He came up with the first delivery service. He called 0:16:51.080 --> 0:16:55.600 it Dominoes. He started with one restaurant nine hundred dollars. 0:16:55.800 --> 0:16:58.720 Today there are over six thousand Dominoes. 0:16:59.440 --> 0:17:02.800 Few years ago, Tom Monicham sold his company for a 0:17:02.840 --> 0:17:08.359 billion dollars. He's incredibly generous. He helps underprivileged children around 0:17:08.359 --> 0:17:08.840 the world. 0:17:09.359 --> 0:17:10.200 What am I saying? 0:17:10.720 --> 0:17:14.080 When you stay committed, God will open doors that you 0:17:14.080 --> 0:17:17.840 could never open. God will bring you into your double portion. 0:17:19.040 --> 0:17:21.600 And you may have plenty of reasons to give up 0:17:21.600 --> 0:17:22.280 on your dream. 0:17:22.880 --> 0:17:23.760 Like him, You've had. 0:17:23.640 --> 0:17:28.960 Disappointments, setbacks, that's all a part of the process. When 0:17:29.000 --> 0:17:31.800 you get knocked down, you have to get back up again. 0:17:32.720 --> 0:17:36.359 God didn't bring you this far to leave you. Don't 0:17:36.400 --> 0:17:41.520 settle for mediocrity. God created you for greatness. There is 0:17:41.600 --> 0:17:44.920 something in you that will cause you to stand out 0:17:45.640 --> 0:17:49.880 something nobody else has. Nobody else can do. God put 0:17:49.920 --> 0:17:52.880 a seed in you so you can leave your mark. 0:17:53.600 --> 0:17:55.360 Don't let people talk you out of it. 0:17:55.920 --> 0:17:58.120 Don't let failures convince you to give up. 0:17:58.560 --> 0:18:02.200 Don't let delays in detours cause you to get discouraged. 0:18:03.119 --> 0:18:05.840 I know a man had an idea for a business. 0:18:06.040 --> 0:18:09.920 He was turned down by thirty one banks. Thirty one 0:18:10.040 --> 0:18:12.359 experts told him it wasn't a good idea. 0:18:12.680 --> 0:18:14.040 He was wasting his time. 0:18:14.520 --> 0:18:18.080 You would think he would get the message after thirty 0:18:18.119 --> 0:18:23.160 one bank said no. Like Elisha, this young man was stubborn. 0:18:23.880 --> 0:18:26.520 Those banks said, in effect, go away, leave, it's not 0:18:26.600 --> 0:18:29.919 a good idea. He said no, thanks. I'm committed to 0:18:29.960 --> 0:18:33.480 my dream. When God puts a dream in your heart, 0:18:33.880 --> 0:18:37.040 it won't go away. You can try to push it down, 0:18:37.359 --> 0:18:41.600 dismiss it, but that seed is still alive. This young 0:18:41.640 --> 0:18:45.000 man went to bank number thirty two. They loved the idea. 0:18:45.560 --> 0:18:48.920 He started his business. It's expanded all over the world, 0:18:49.040 --> 0:18:52.480 totally taken off. Other people may have told you no, 0:18:53.240 --> 0:18:57.280 But when God says yes, his yes cancels out there no. 0:18:58.200 --> 0:19:03.480 His yes overrule what people are telling you. Stay committed 0:19:03.520 --> 0:19:06.760 to your dream, do the right thing when it's hard, 0:19:07.400 --> 0:19:11.040 When you have permission to give up on it, Joel, 0:19:11.200 --> 0:19:14.280 the bank told me no, or you have permission to 0:19:14.400 --> 0:19:16.119 walk out of a relationship. 0:19:16.520 --> 0:19:19.280 Elijah said, I could go be an Elisha. 0:19:19.880 --> 0:19:24.879 Stay committed, stay loyal, stay faithful. In the scripture, Joseph 0:19:24.960 --> 0:19:28.720 and Mary were planning their wedding. It was an exciting time. 0:19:29.359 --> 0:19:32.040 I'm sure their friends and family were so happy for them. 0:19:32.240 --> 0:19:37.160 Life was good until God interrupted their plans. The Angel 0:19:37.200 --> 0:19:40.280 appeared to Marian told her she was going to have 0:19:40.320 --> 0:19:42.520 a baby without knowing a man. 0:19:42.920 --> 0:19:44.200 He would be the son of God. 0:19:44.880 --> 0:19:48.600 While she was excited, she wasn't looking forward to having 0:19:48.640 --> 0:19:50.720 this conversation with her fiance. 0:19:51.600 --> 0:19:53.080 You can imagine how that went. 0:19:53.400 --> 0:19:57.840 Joseph, I have some interesting news. I'm pregnant. I'm having 0:19:57.840 --> 0:20:00.439 a baby. No, it's not your child, but don't worry. 0:20:00.800 --> 0:20:04.800 The angel said, I'm going to give birth to the Messiah. 0:20:04.920 --> 0:20:06.160 You can hear Joseph. 0:20:05.800 --> 0:20:07.800 Saying yeah, right. What kind of angel was that. 0:20:09.240 --> 0:20:14.399 Joseph was an honorable, well respected man, and back in 0:20:14.440 --> 0:20:18.520 those days, especially having a baby out of wedlock was 0:20:18.560 --> 0:20:21.720 a big disgrace. This was going to make him look bad, 0:20:22.040 --> 0:20:25.399 So he was going to quietly call things off, not 0:20:25.440 --> 0:20:29.640 embarrass Mary but an angel came to him and said, 0:20:29.680 --> 0:20:33.000 take Mary as your wife. Everything she's told you is 0:20:33.040 --> 0:20:36.280 the truth. Joseph could have said, that's all fine and good, 0:20:36.359 --> 0:20:38.120 but I didn't sign up for this. 0:20:38.720 --> 0:20:41.320 I don't want all this controversy. 0:20:41.000 --> 0:20:45.359 People tarnishing my reputation, always talking bad about me. He 0:20:45.480 --> 0:20:49.600 had plenty of reasons to back out, but Joseph did 0:20:49.640 --> 0:20:51.399 the right thing when it was hard. 0:20:52.080 --> 0:20:54.120 He was committed. He was loyal. 0:20:55.119 --> 0:21:00.080 In relationships with your spouse, your children, your friends. It 0:21:00.119 --> 0:21:03.560 maybe times you have a good reason to get out. 0:21:04.400 --> 0:21:07.400 They did things to hurt you. They didn't perform perfectly. 0:21:07.640 --> 0:21:11.800 They let you down. You could justify walking away. Nobody 0:21:11.840 --> 0:21:16.280 would fault you. But when you're a Joseph, when you're committed, 0:21:16.720 --> 0:21:17.640 you show mercy. 0:21:18.359 --> 0:21:19.800 You give second chances. 0:21:20.359 --> 0:21:24.199 You make allowances for mistakes. They may not deserve it. 0:21:24.440 --> 0:21:29.200 They were guilty, but only the guilty need mercy. Stay 0:21:29.200 --> 0:21:32.360 committed to your family, Stay committed to your friends. 0:21:32.880 --> 0:21:34.560 Be someone they can count on. 0:21:35.240 --> 0:21:39.320 A true friend walks in when everybody else walks out. 0:21:40.040 --> 0:21:43.000 A true friend will be there for you just when 0:21:43.080 --> 0:21:47.320 you succeed, but when you fail. I realize there are 0:21:47.359 --> 0:21:50.080 times that a relationship comes to an end you have 0:21:50.160 --> 0:21:53.560 to move on, but don't let that be a pattern 0:21:54.040 --> 0:21:56.960 where you bail out if they're not meeting all your 0:21:57.000 --> 0:22:03.000 demands living up to your expectation. People make mistakes. Good 0:22:03.040 --> 0:22:06.600 people can blow it. People that love you can let 0:22:06.720 --> 0:22:11.920 you down. God rewards people who are consistent when life 0:22:12.040 --> 0:22:14.879 is complicated, people that will stick with. 0:22:14.800 --> 0:22:17.000 Someone when they don't deserve it. 0:22:17.520 --> 0:22:20.960 People that will be their best when someone else was 0:22:21.000 --> 0:22:25.640 at their worst. Years ago, Jim Baker, the former head 0:22:25.680 --> 0:22:29.080 of the PTL television network, went to prison for not 0:22:29.200 --> 0:22:30.440 handling things properly. 0:22:30.920 --> 0:22:32.400 He admitted he made. 0:22:32.200 --> 0:22:35.600 Mistakes and it was a big scandal all over the news. 0:22:36.160 --> 0:22:39.200 When he was about to be released from prison, our 0:22:39.240 --> 0:22:44.240 friend Franklin Graham, Billy Graham's son, contacted him and said 0:22:44.240 --> 0:22:47.080 the Grahams wanted to rent him a house and provide 0:22:47.119 --> 0:22:50.159 him a car to drive. Jim Baker said, Franklin, you 0:22:50.240 --> 0:22:53.960 can't do that. I have too much negative baggage. Can't 0:22:54.000 --> 0:22:58.480 be associated with me. You'll be criticized. Franklin said, Jim, 0:22:58.640 --> 0:23:01.719 you are our friend before you went to prison, and 0:23:01.800 --> 0:23:06.320 you will be our friend afterwards. The first Sunday he 0:23:06.480 --> 0:23:11.320 was out, Ruth Graham Billy's wife called the halfway house 0:23:11.680 --> 0:23:14.800 where Jim was staying. She asked the man in charge 0:23:14.960 --> 0:23:18.000 for permission for Jim to come to church with their 0:23:18.040 --> 0:23:19.640 family that Sunday. 0:23:19.720 --> 0:23:20.760 He approved, and. 0:23:21.160 --> 0:23:23.960 As he arrived at the church, they took Jim down 0:23:23.960 --> 0:23:26.520 to the front row and sat him next to Franklin. 0:23:27.119 --> 0:23:29.240 There were two empty seats next to him. 0:23:29.640 --> 0:23:32.240 Jim didn't know who they were for, but right before 0:23:32.280 --> 0:23:35.520 the service started a side door opened, Billy and Ruth 0:23:35.560 --> 0:23:37.720 Graham came out and sat down right next to him. 0:23:38.040 --> 0:23:41.680 Billy Graham was saying to his friend Jim, I'm committed 0:23:41.720 --> 0:23:42.800 to you. 0:23:42.800 --> 0:23:43.800 You can count on me. 0:23:44.119 --> 0:23:46.280 I'll be with you in the good times, and I'll 0:23:46.280 --> 0:23:49.440 be with you in the tough times. You can tell 0:23:49.920 --> 0:23:53.280 who your true friends are not when everything's going great, 0:23:54.040 --> 0:23:54.680 not when you. 0:23:54.720 --> 0:23:57.919 Succeed, but when you fail, when you get off course. 0:23:58.560 --> 0:24:03.080 I'm asking you to be a loyal person, stay committed 0:24:03.200 --> 0:24:06.200 to the people God's put in your life. They're going 0:24:06.280 --> 0:24:09.600 to make mistakes, they're going to do things you don't understand. 0:24:10.080 --> 0:24:14.160 They don't need another judge condemning them. They don't need 0:24:14.200 --> 0:24:16.480 more guilt and shame. They've got enough of that. 0:24:16.960 --> 0:24:19.800 You can help love them back into the wholeness. 0:24:20.119 --> 0:24:23.040 You can be the friend that walks in when everybody 0:24:23.040 --> 0:24:27.959 else walks out. When you're committed, when you're loyal, doesn't 0:24:28.000 --> 0:24:32.119 mean you're approving their actions. You're simply showing them the 0:24:32.240 --> 0:24:35.639 mercy that you would want God to show you you 0:24:35.800 --> 0:24:39.960 being a healer a restorer. They have enough things pushing 0:24:40.000 --> 0:24:40.480 them down. 0:24:41.000 --> 0:24:42.680 Let's be people that lift them up. 0:24:43.880 --> 0:24:47.600 Too many people today they're fair weather friends. They'll love 0:24:47.680 --> 0:24:50.680 you in the good times, walk away in the tough times. 0:24:51.080 --> 0:24:54.720 Our attitude should be you can count on me. I'm 0:24:54.800 --> 0:24:58.320 committed to loving you. I'm committed to being good to you. 0:24:58.560 --> 0:25:00.240 I'm committed to defending you. 0:25:01.200 --> 0:25:04.520 There are relationships that would go to a new level 0:25:05.080 --> 0:25:08.000 if you would quit base in your commitment on somebody's 0:25:08.040 --> 0:25:11.359 performance and let them know you're in it for the 0:25:11.440 --> 0:25:14.920 long haul, through thick and thin, through the good times 0:25:14.960 --> 0:25:16.000 and the tough times. 0:25:16.160 --> 0:25:17.600 That takes the pressure off. 0:25:18.200 --> 0:25:21.520 There's a freedom of security when they know, beyond a 0:25:21.600 --> 0:25:24.679 shadow of a doubt, that you were for them. I 0:25:24.720 --> 0:25:28.040 read about two young men named Jim and Philip. They 0:25:28.040 --> 0:25:32.440 were best friends in high school, practically inseparable. They went 0:25:32.480 --> 0:25:36.280 to college and played sports together. After they graduated, they 0:25:36.320 --> 0:25:39.680 both joined the Marines. One day, they were in Germany 0:25:40.280 --> 0:25:43.760 on a battlefield. In the midst of this very fierce battle, 0:25:44.080 --> 0:25:47.959 gunfire was going everywhere, bombs were going off. They finally 0:25:48.000 --> 0:25:51.520 heard the command to retreat. As they were running back, 0:25:51.840 --> 0:25:55.280 Jim noticed that Philip wasn't around with him. 0:25:55.840 --> 0:25:57.000 He'd pinged into panic. 0:25:57.240 --> 0:26:00.600 He rushed to the commanding officer and asked for permission 0:26:00.640 --> 0:26:02.480 to go back and look for his friend. 0:26:03.160 --> 0:26:05.240 The officer said, are you crazy. 0:26:05.760 --> 0:26:08.480 That would be committing suicide. You don't have a chance 0:26:08.560 --> 0:26:11.760 to go back in all that gunfire. Without missing a beat, 0:26:11.840 --> 0:26:15.600 he turned around and took off running, defying his orders. 0:26:16.160 --> 0:26:20.080 In a few minutes, the officer saw him hobbling back, 0:26:20.600 --> 0:26:23.080 carrying the lifeless body of his friend. 0:26:23.720 --> 0:26:26.640 The officer screamed at him, you could have been killed. 0:26:27.080 --> 0:26:28.280 I told you not to go. 0:26:28.680 --> 0:26:32.600 I knew your friend was already dead. He said, no, sir, 0:26:33.000 --> 0:26:36.400 I got there just before he died. His last words were, 0:26:36.920 --> 0:26:41.320 I knew you'd come back. That's what I want our friends, 0:26:42.119 --> 0:26:44.280 our family to say about us. 0:26:45.080 --> 0:26:46.280 I knew you had come back. 0:26:46.920 --> 0:26:50.679 You were committed, you were loyal, you were somebody I 0:26:50.680 --> 0:26:54.479 could count on. Is there some area you're tempted to 0:26:54.520 --> 0:26:57.520 give up in, or maybe just slack off, not be 0:26:57.640 --> 0:27:01.960 your best. God is saying stay admitted, keep doing the 0:27:02.040 --> 0:27:05.240 right thing. You can't see it, but up in front 0:27:05.240 --> 0:27:09.320 of you is a double portion. There's something more rewarding 0:27:09.680 --> 0:27:13.239 than you could imagine. Yes, it may be difficult, but 0:27:13.320 --> 0:27:14.520 you are well able. 0:27:15.080 --> 0:27:16.080 Make up your mind. 0:27:16.200 --> 0:27:19.280 You are in it for the long haul. Be stubborn 0:27:19.440 --> 0:27:22.320 when it comes to not giving up. If you'll do this, 0:27:22.760 --> 0:27:26.159 I believe and declare la like Elisha, You're going to 0:27:26.240 --> 0:27:30.720 see double favor, double honor, double resources. God's going to 0:27:30.800 --> 0:27:33.520 open doors no man can shut and take you to 0:27:33.560 --> 0:27:37.600 the fullness of your destiny in Jesus's name, if you 0:27:37.640 --> 0:27:42.000 receive it, Can you say amen? Today I'd like to 0:27:42.040 --> 0:27:45.040 give you an opportunity to make Jesus the lord of 0:27:45.040 --> 0:27:49.120 your life. Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, 0:27:50.200 --> 0:27:51.640 I'll repent of my sins. 0:27:52.800 --> 0:27:56.720 Come into my heart. I make you my lord and savior. 0:27:58.119 --> 0:28:01.359 If you prayed that simple prayer, leave you got born again, 0:28:01.840 --> 0:28:03.520 Get in a good Bible based. 0:28:03.320 --> 0:28:07.359 Church, Keep God first place. Victorian. I'll be right back 0:28:07.560 --> 0:28:09.080 to speak a blessing over you. 0:28:11.160 --> 0:28:14.080 Start each day off right by having Joel lead you 0:28:14.160 --> 0:28:17.200 in declaring the truth of God's Word over your life 0:28:17.400 --> 0:28:21.080 through this powerful thirty one day audio devotional Say So. 0:28:21.760 --> 0:28:23.840 If you're going to go to the next level, You've 0:28:23.880 --> 0:28:24.560 got to say so. 0:28:25.400 --> 0:28:28.280 Say So available this month as a thank you for 0:28:28.400 --> 0:28:31.919 your support of our ministry. Declare the promises of God 0:28:32.080 --> 0:28:35.439 over your life today. When you speak words of faith 0:28:35.480 --> 0:28:38.720 and victory, you're setting the course for a victorious life. 0:28:38.800 --> 0:28:42.200 I've written thirty one promises, one for each day. Takes 0:28:42.280 --> 0:28:44.400 less than a minute. It's a great way to get 0:28:44.440 --> 0:28:47.440 the day started. Request this resource. It will help you 0:28:47.480 --> 0:28:49.440 become all God created you to be. 0:28:49.760 --> 0:28:53.400 Request your copy of Say So Today at Joeloasting dot 0:28:53.400 --> 0:28:56.800 com or call eight eight eight five six seven Joel. 0:28:57.120 --> 0:28:59.760 Before I ever heard Joel speak, I felt lost in 0:28:59.760 --> 0:29:01.880 my life. I didn't know where I was headed. But 0:29:01.960 --> 0:29:04.600 through the message of Hoping this ministry, I feel like 0:29:04.640 --> 0:29:07.880 I found my purpose. I've gotten married, we're expecting our 0:29:07.920 --> 0:29:11.840 first child. This ministry has completely changed my family's life. 0:29:12.120 --> 0:29:15.840 Your support is making a difference. Thanks for partnering with us. 0:29:16.080 --> 0:29:20.000 Your prayers, your generosity is touching lives around the world. 0:29:20.360 --> 0:29:21.720 And a special thank you to. 0:29:21.720 --> 0:29:24.520 Our champion of Whope partners for all you do to 0:29:24.600 --> 0:29:27.920 make the ministry possible. Victoria and I pray for you 0:29:28.040 --> 0:29:31.360 and your family every day. We're believing for God's very 0:29:31.520 --> 0:29:34.680 very best that you're going to see a bountiful, fruitful, 0:29:34.840 --> 0:29:38.360 prosperous year until we meet again. May the Lord bless 0:29:38.400 --> 0:29:41.960 you and keep you. Remember you're not average, You're not mediocre. 0:29:42.200 --> 0:29:43.360 You're a child of. 0:29:43.280 --> 0:29:44.200 The most High God. 0:29:49.440 --> 0:29:53.280 Be a barbecue hero with delicious ultra lownet carb Hero 0:29:53.480 --> 0:29:56.840 bread buns and tortillas, soft and fluffy, high in fiber, 0:29:56.920 --> 0:29:59.320 and with zero grams of sugar end up to ten 0:29:59.400 --> 0:30:02.240 grams of pro coming in at under one hundred calories 0:30:02.280 --> 0:30:04.960 per serving. Oh and did I mention they taste like 0:30:05.000 --> 0:30:08.640 their mouthwatering traditional versions. It's enough to have the neighbors 0:30:08.680 --> 0:30:12.240 asking for seconds. Use code IHM ten for ten percent 0:30:12.280 --> 0:30:15.280 off your first Hero Bred purchase at hero dot co. 0:30:15.640 --> 0:30:18.760 That's code IHM ten for ten percent off at hero 0:30:18.920 --> 0:30:19.320 dot Co. 0:30:20.000 --> 0:30:22.760 Enhance your child's reading journey with the Good and the 0:30:22.760 --> 0:30:26.360 Beautiful's Reading Booster program. Choose from three all in one 0:30:26.440 --> 0:30:30.120 kids for kindergarten, first or second grade at reading booster 0:30:30.280 --> 0:30:34.120 dot com. Each kit includes reading cards, books and games 0:30:34.320 --> 0:30:37.880 designed to create fun ways to learn phonics, site words, 0:30:37.920 --> 0:30:41.440 and vowel sounds. There's even a free, ad free app 0:30:41.480 --> 0:30:45.040 with additional games and KidSafe content, Bring Home a love 0:30:45.080 --> 0:30:48.040 of learning with the good and the beautiful. Visit reading 0:30:48.080 --> 0:30:49.200 booster dot com. 0:30:49.200 --> 0:30:52.520 Today, more than ever before, people are turning to the 0:30:52.600 --> 0:30:56.160 church for their mental health struggles. Unfortunately, the church has 0:30:56.240 --> 0:30:59.440 largely been ill equipped to help. That is until now. 0:30:59.680 --> 0:31:03.000 Join nearly fifty thousand people just like you who've enrolled 0:31:03.000 --> 0:31:06.160 in the Mental Health Coach training program and become equipped 0:31:06.160 --> 0:31:08.800 to health for a limited time. Apply for a full 0:31:08.840 --> 0:31:11.640 tuition scholarship and only pay a one time tech fee 0:31:11.680 --> 0:31:15.600 of fifty four dollars if accepted. Apply now at mentalhealth 0:31:15.600 --> 0:31:19.320 coach dot org. Again, that's mentalhealth coach dot org.