Surrender The Outcome

0:00:00.440 --> 0:00:02.160 Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. 0:00:02.240 --> 0:00:05.279 Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting 0:00:05.280 --> 0:00:08.240 the ministry. If you enjoy today's message, why don't you 0:00:08.280 --> 0:00:11.000 be a blessing and share it with a friend, reappreciate 0:00:11.119 --> 0:00:13.600 you and pray for God's very best in your life. 0:00:14.040 --> 0:00:14.720 God bless you. 0:00:15.200 --> 0:00:17.680 It's great to be with you today, and I hope 0:00:17.720 --> 0:00:20.000 you'll stay connected with us during the week through our 0:00:20.079 --> 0:00:24.319 daily podcast or YouTube channel, social media, and you can come. 0:00:24.360 --> 0:00:25.400 Visit us in person. 0:00:25.640 --> 0:00:27.360 We'd love to have you be a part of one 0:00:27.360 --> 0:00:30.440 of our services. But I'd like to start with something funny. 0:00:30.480 --> 0:00:33.800 And I heard about this man. He was quietly reading 0:00:33.840 --> 0:00:36.839 the newspaper when his wife snuck up behind him and 0:00:36.920 --> 0:00:38.920 hit him on the head with a frying pan. 0:00:39.640 --> 0:00:40.880 He said, what was that for? 0:00:41.520 --> 0:00:43.479 She said, that was for the piece of paper I 0:00:43.520 --> 0:00:46.400 found in your pocket with the name Mary Lou on it. 0:00:46.960 --> 0:00:49.680 He said, all, honey, that's just one of the horses 0:00:49.720 --> 0:00:53.640 that I bet on at the racetrack last week. She apologized, 0:00:53.680 --> 0:00:56.680 went about her business. Two days later, she hit him 0:00:56.680 --> 0:00:59.480 on the head with a bigger frying pan. After he 0:00:59.560 --> 0:01:01.000 woke up, and he said, what in the world was 0:01:01.040 --> 0:01:05.920 that for? She said, your horse just called. That is 0:01:05.959 --> 0:01:06.760 not good at all. 0:01:06.840 --> 0:01:09.160 Here we go, y'all say it like you mean it. 0:01:09.400 --> 0:01:10.520 This is my Bible. 0:01:10.920 --> 0:01:13.200 I am what it says I am. I have what 0:01:13.319 --> 0:01:15.720 it says I have. I can do what it says 0:01:15.800 --> 0:01:18.520 I can do. Today I will be taught the word 0:01:18.560 --> 0:01:22.520 of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my 0:01:22.600 --> 0:01:27.320 heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name. 0:01:27.520 --> 0:01:28.280 God bless you. 0:01:29.480 --> 0:01:32.680 I want to talk to you today about surrender the outcome. 0:01:33.720 --> 0:01:37.280 We all have goals and dreams and promises we're standing on, 0:01:37.480 --> 0:01:40.400 and we have our idea of how it should work. 0:01:40.240 --> 0:01:42.080 Out and when it should happen. 0:01:42.400 --> 0:01:44.920 This door will open, and this person will show up, 0:01:45.440 --> 0:01:48.800 this will start to improve. But God's ways are not 0:01:48.920 --> 0:01:53.440 our ways. His plans are higher and better than our plans. 0:01:53.960 --> 0:01:58.160 Much of our frustration comes from trying to control the outcome. 0:01:58.960 --> 0:02:01.400 If you're only going to be happy, if God does 0:02:01.440 --> 0:02:06.000 it your way, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. God 0:02:06.040 --> 0:02:09.520 doesn't always take you the shortest route. He can see 0:02:09.639 --> 0:02:13.320 dead ends that you can't see. He knows the motives 0:02:13.360 --> 0:02:16.359 of people and what they're really up to. We think 0:02:16.400 --> 0:02:19.320 they'd be good for us and we need their favor. 0:02:19.760 --> 0:02:22.520 But God can see how they would hinder our destiny, 0:02:22.800 --> 0:02:27.120 so he's keeping them away. We can be frustrated, thanking God, 0:02:27.160 --> 0:02:30.360 where are you? But God is not ignoring you. He's 0:02:30.440 --> 0:02:34.840 protecting you. He's keeping you from heartache and pain. If 0:02:34.840 --> 0:02:37.400 you're going to stay in peace, you have to learn 0:02:37.720 --> 0:02:41.320 to surrender the outcome. You have to trust that God 0:02:41.400 --> 0:02:44.960 knows what's best, that his plans for you are for good. 0:02:45.680 --> 0:02:48.680 If it's not happening the way that you thought, that 0:02:48.800 --> 0:02:52.240 means he has something better. And there's nothing wrong with 0:02:52.480 --> 0:02:56.080 telling God what you want, what you're believing for. But 0:02:56.160 --> 0:02:59.320 the key is to leave the timing and the way 0:02:59.360 --> 0:03:01.040 it happened in his hands. 0:03:01.680 --> 0:03:04.399 Hold tightly to your dreams, but hold. 0:03:04.240 --> 0:03:07.799 Loosely to how it's going to happen. And someone tell 0:03:07.880 --> 0:03:09.079 me recently. 0:03:08.840 --> 0:03:12.080 Joel, God let me down. I prayed, I worked hard. 0:03:12.160 --> 0:03:13.200 He didn't come through for me. 0:03:13.880 --> 0:03:16.880 They had their minds set on one way, the way 0:03:16.880 --> 0:03:21.480 they wanted, but we can't see all that God can see. 0:03:21.520 --> 0:03:25.800 Sometimes it's a divine delay. God's not doing it now 0:03:26.120 --> 0:03:30.160 because everything is not ready, or a divine detour. 0:03:30.919 --> 0:03:31.799 He caused you to. 0:03:31.760 --> 0:03:35.440 Take that turn you weren't expecting because it's leading to 0:03:35.480 --> 0:03:40.360 something greater. Just because it hasn't happened your way doesn't. 0:03:40.000 --> 0:03:43.200 Mean that God has forgotten about you. He lets you down. 0:03:43.640 --> 0:03:47.480 I don't understand the problem is you're trying to be God. 0:03:48.280 --> 0:03:49.800 You're trying to control. 0:03:49.480 --> 0:03:53.000 Things you can't control. You have to turn the outcome 0:03:53.120 --> 0:03:57.200 over to him. Our part is to believe, to obey, 0:03:57.520 --> 0:04:00.360 to trust. His part is to get a us to 0:04:00.400 --> 0:04:04.160 our destinies. See the scripture says God didn't lead the 0:04:04.280 --> 0:04:08.880 Israelites the shortest route to the Promised Land because they 0:04:08.960 --> 0:04:12.480 weren't preparing for war. They would have been defeated by 0:04:12.520 --> 0:04:16.440 their enemies. What they thought was a delay was really 0:04:16.480 --> 0:04:20.640 God protecting them. They were frustrated, Moses, why did you 0:04:20.720 --> 0:04:23.560 bring us out here to die? But the whole time 0:04:23.680 --> 0:04:26.680 they were in the plan of God, they couldn't see 0:04:26.680 --> 0:04:28.320 it because they had their. 0:04:28.279 --> 0:04:30.240 Idea of how it would work out. 0:04:31.080 --> 0:04:33.200 If you're going to stay in peace, you have to 0:04:33.279 --> 0:04:36.720 learn to surrender the outcome. God is going to do 0:04:36.839 --> 0:04:40.120 things in your life that you don't have plan, that 0:04:40.160 --> 0:04:44.279 you didn't see coming. Quit trying to control things you 0:04:44.360 --> 0:04:47.320 were never meant to control, trying to force the door 0:04:47.400 --> 0:04:50.520 to open and manipulate that person to like you, and 0:04:50.760 --> 0:04:54.479 frustrated because you're not seeing the results. The right approach 0:04:54.800 --> 0:04:57.240 is God, this is what I want, this is what 0:04:57.279 --> 0:05:02.400 I'm believing for. But God to you is not dependent 0:05:02.520 --> 0:05:03.359 on the results. 0:05:03.960 --> 0:05:06.359 Whether you answer this prayer the way I want or not. 0:05:06.640 --> 0:05:10.040 I'm still gonna honor you, whether my business takes off 0:05:10.120 --> 0:05:13.200 or not, whether my health turns around, whether I get 0:05:13.240 --> 0:05:16.280 that scholarship or not. God, I'm still going to praise you. 0:05:16.680 --> 0:05:19.159 I'm still gonna have a smile. I'm still gonna be 0:05:19.240 --> 0:05:19.760 my best. 0:05:20.080 --> 0:05:21.120 That's real faith. 0:05:21.880 --> 0:05:26.120 That's showing God that you trust him, not conditional faith. 0:05:26.520 --> 0:05:29.159 If God does everything I want, then I'll be happy. 0:05:29.800 --> 0:05:32.680 If he comes through on my timetable, then i'll serve him. 0:05:33.040 --> 0:05:36.800 That's gonna keep you from your destiny. God is working 0:05:36.880 --> 0:05:40.440 in ways that we don't understand. Well, Joel, I was 0:05:40.480 --> 0:05:43.919 being my best at work, but the company didn't promote me. 0:05:44.360 --> 0:05:46.599 I was next in line, but I got passed over. 0:05:47.240 --> 0:05:50.839 That feels like rejection. But the truth is God is 0:05:50.880 --> 0:05:55.800 your doorkeeper. Because you're honoring him, He's controlling the doors 0:05:55.839 --> 0:05:59.640 in your life, what opens and what closes. That's not 0:05:59.640 --> 0:06:04.559 red it's direction. God is keeping you in his plan. 0:06:05.160 --> 0:06:08.720 He opens doors that no man can shut. What He 0:06:08.800 --> 0:06:11.960 has in store when it's the right time. No person 0:06:12.000 --> 0:06:15.520 can stop, no bad break, no company, no government. 0:06:15.720 --> 0:06:18.840 He has all power. If you want to save. 0:06:18.640 --> 0:06:23.359 Yourself a lot of frustration, surrender the outcome. Quit trying 0:06:23.360 --> 0:06:26.520 to control how it's going to work out, when is 0:06:26.560 --> 0:06:29.640 going to happen, and who needs to show up. You're 0:06:29.640 --> 0:06:32.479 putting God in a box, telling him what to do, 0:06:33.040 --> 0:06:34.400 how to do it, no offense. 0:06:34.960 --> 0:06:37.360 He doesn't need your help. He's God. 0:06:37.760 --> 0:06:42.160 When you surrender the outcome, you're saying, God, I trust you. 0:06:42.160 --> 0:06:44.640 You know what's best for my life. You'll get me 0:06:44.720 --> 0:06:48.000 to where I'm supposed to be. This takes the pressure off. 0:06:48.320 --> 0:06:51.000 But too often we're trying to control the outcome and 0:06:51.080 --> 0:06:55.599 force the door to open, straining, manipulating. The scripture says 0:06:55.880 --> 0:06:58.880 God is already written every day of your life. 0:06:59.360 --> 0:07:01.880 He is thing plan that you can't see. 0:07:02.360 --> 0:07:04.880 But if your faith is based on what you thought 0:07:04.920 --> 0:07:09.320 would happen, God didn't answer my prayers, that situation didn't 0:07:09.360 --> 0:07:09.680 work out. 0:07:09.920 --> 0:07:11.800 That's gonna limit you. 0:07:10.800 --> 0:07:15.840 You're disappointed, But God is working behind the scenes, keeping 0:07:15.840 --> 0:07:16.960 you in his best plan. 0:07:17.880 --> 0:07:20.200 He may be leading you a longer route on. 0:07:20.200 --> 0:07:24.720 Purpose, or you're concerned about the opposition, but God is 0:07:24.800 --> 0:07:27.760 using it to do a work in you, getting you prepared, 0:07:28.640 --> 0:07:31.480 or that problem you hope would be resolved by now. 0:07:32.200 --> 0:07:35.160 God hasn't delivered you from it. He's gonna take you 0:07:35.240 --> 0:07:38.800 through it. It's going to be a greater testimony. You 0:07:38.840 --> 0:07:42.240 don't understand it now, but when it's all said and done, 0:07:42.320 --> 0:07:45.720 you're gonna come out with greater influence, greater honor, greater 0:07:45.840 --> 0:07:48.680 resources as an example. 0:07:48.200 --> 0:07:49.160 Of God's goodness. 0:07:50.200 --> 0:07:53.080 That wouldn't have happened if God would have done it 0:07:53.240 --> 0:07:58.000 your way. Why don't you surrender the outcome all those 0:07:58.000 --> 0:08:00.800 things you could be worried about, Why is this happening? 0:08:00.960 --> 0:08:04.040 Turn it over to him, do your best, and then 0:08:04.200 --> 0:08:05.320 rest God. 0:08:05.360 --> 0:08:07.600 I don't have to have my way to be happy. 0:08:07.760 --> 0:08:11.560 I trust you. I know your way is better. This 0:08:11.720 --> 0:08:15.200 is what the three Hebrew teenagers did. They lived in 0:08:15.280 --> 0:08:19.280 Babylon and King Nebuka Nezar had created this idol and 0:08:19.480 --> 0:08:22.320 ordered them all to bow down and worship. Well, these 0:08:22.320 --> 0:08:26.200 teenagers only worship Jehovah. They wouldn't bow. Some of the 0:08:26.240 --> 0:08:29.360 people were upset and they ran told the king. We 0:08:29.480 --> 0:08:32.800 got these troublemakers, these teenagers that won't bow. 0:08:33.440 --> 0:08:36.880 Well. The King flew into a rage. He was so angry. 0:08:37.320 --> 0:08:39.800 He called them together said I'm gonna give you one 0:08:39.840 --> 0:08:43.400 more chance. If you don't bow down, I'm gonna have 0:08:43.440 --> 0:08:47.240 you thrown into a fiery furnace. They said, in verse seventeen, King, 0:08:47.640 --> 0:08:50.240 we're not going to bow if you throw us into 0:08:50.280 --> 0:08:54.120 the furnace. We know our God is able to deliver us. 0:08:54.440 --> 0:08:56.960 He will rescue us from your power. 0:08:57.520 --> 0:08:58.480 I love their faith. 0:08:58.720 --> 0:09:01.800 I love how they declare that we know God is 0:09:01.840 --> 0:09:05.000 able to deliver us. We know he's all powerful. We're 0:09:05.040 --> 0:09:08.959 not afraid of you. They were bold and confident. But 0:09:09.000 --> 0:09:12.080 the next verse is the key. But even if he 0:09:12.200 --> 0:09:16.520 doesn't deliver us, we're still knucking to bow down. Their 0:09:16.640 --> 0:09:20.760 commitment wasn't based on getting the results they were hoping 0:09:20.800 --> 0:09:21.120 for it. 0:09:21.800 --> 0:09:23.520 They didn't say, God will serve you. 0:09:23.960 --> 0:09:26.319 As long as we don't get thrown into that furnace, 0:09:26.960 --> 0:09:29.839 we won't bow. As long as you change the King's mind. 0:09:30.440 --> 0:09:34.120 That's conditional faith. As long as you answer my prayers, 0:09:34.760 --> 0:09:38.560 change my spoles, open this door, turn my health around, 0:09:38.760 --> 0:09:42.280 then I'll give you praise. But true faith is when 0:09:42.360 --> 0:09:43.640 you surrender the outcome. 0:09:44.760 --> 0:09:45.000 God. 0:09:45.080 --> 0:09:48.280 I know you can deliver me, but even if you don't, 0:09:48.360 --> 0:09:51.600 I'm still not gonna bow. I know you can heal me, 0:09:52.200 --> 0:09:55.040 That's what I'm believing for. But even if you don't, 0:09:55.120 --> 0:09:57.920 I'm still going to honor you. I know you can 0:09:57.960 --> 0:10:01.800 bring my child back home, can increase my business, but 0:10:02.000 --> 0:10:04.839 even if it doesn't happen, I'm not gonna live bitter. 0:10:05.520 --> 0:10:06.680 God. I trust you. 0:10:07.320 --> 0:10:10.160 I know your plans for me are for good. Whether 0:10:10.240 --> 0:10:13.160 you take me through it or deliver me from it, 0:10:13.600 --> 0:10:16.880 I'm gonna stay in peace with a good attitude, knowing 0:10:16.880 --> 0:10:19.319 that it's all working together for my good. 0:10:20.160 --> 0:10:23.800 What am I saying? Don't be a fair weathered believer. 0:10:24.600 --> 0:10:27.640 If God does what you want, you get the results 0:10:27.720 --> 0:10:30.640 you were counting on, then you'll be happy. Then you'll 0:10:30.640 --> 0:10:34.600 pursue your dreams. Then you'll put God first. God is 0:10:34.640 --> 0:10:38.960 looking for people like these teenagers that will surrender the outcome, 0:10:39.720 --> 0:10:42.959 that are committed to Him, whether he delivers you from 0:10:43.000 --> 0:10:46.600 the fire or you get thrown into the fire. People 0:10:46.600 --> 0:10:50.600 that aren't swayed by what they thought, what they had planned, 0:10:50.640 --> 0:10:53.760 what they hope for. You don't get bitter. You don't 0:10:53.800 --> 0:10:57.120 give up on your dreams. Think about job. In the 0:10:57.160 --> 0:11:00.440 middle of all of his troubles, his whole world fell apart. 0:11:00.720 --> 0:11:03.200 Yet he looked up to the heavens and said, though 0:11:03.200 --> 0:11:04.040 he slaved me. 0:11:04.360 --> 0:11:05.880 Yet will I trust him? 0:11:06.240 --> 0:11:11.360 I would rather die in faith, trusting, believing, thanking God 0:11:11.400 --> 0:11:16.440 for his goodness, than to die bitter complaining about the results. God, 0:11:16.480 --> 0:11:18.760 why didn't you keep me out of the fire. Why 0:11:18.840 --> 0:11:22.240 didn't my prayer get answered? Why is it taking so long. 0:11:22.679 --> 0:11:25.840 If you don't learn to surrender the outcome, life's going 0:11:25.920 --> 0:11:30.600 to be frustrating. You'll end up discouraged because God's ways 0:11:30.679 --> 0:11:34.840 are not our ways. There are doors you may want open, 0:11:35.280 --> 0:11:38.280 but God is keeping them closed because what. 0:11:38.160 --> 0:11:39.520 You want is too small. 0:11:40.160 --> 0:11:44.079 It will limit your destiny. There are situations you. 0:11:44.080 --> 0:11:46.880 Want change Right now, you're uncomfortable. 0:11:47.440 --> 0:11:51.200 You're having to stretch and deal with difficult people. You 0:11:51.280 --> 0:11:54.000 can't see it, but God is using that to do 0:11:54.080 --> 0:11:58.280 a work in you. He's getting you stronger, more confident 0:11:58.880 --> 0:12:03.000 because He's about to do something you haven't seen. Now, 0:12:03.120 --> 0:12:07.720 trust him with the outcome. Quit being disappointed because things 0:12:07.760 --> 0:12:11.240 haven't gone your way. The King didn't change his mind. 0:12:11.800 --> 0:12:15.160 You didn't get delivered from the difficulty. Let's be like 0:12:15.200 --> 0:12:20.120 these teenagers. This bad break, this delay, this sickness, didn't 0:12:20.120 --> 0:12:21.080 weaken my faith. 0:12:21.320 --> 0:12:23.720 I know God is still on the throne. I know 0:12:23.840 --> 0:12:25.640 my life is still in his hands. 0:12:26.720 --> 0:12:29.199 He wouldn't have allowed it if it was going to 0:12:29.240 --> 0:12:30.200 stop your purpose. 0:12:31.040 --> 0:12:33.160 Leave the results in God's hands. 0:12:33.800 --> 0:12:36.160 Leave the way he's going to do it, and when 0:12:36.160 --> 0:12:38.040 he's going to do it up to him. 0:12:38.920 --> 0:12:42.160 I'm sure these teenagers prayed, God, please keep us out 0:12:42.200 --> 0:12:45.600 of the fire. God, please change the king's mind. 0:12:45.880 --> 0:12:49.280 They had feelings, they had emotions, they didn't want to 0:12:49.320 --> 0:12:52.439 go into the fire, but they understood this principle. 0:12:52.880 --> 0:12:54.480 We can't control the outcome. 0:12:55.000 --> 0:12:58.559 We can't make things go away and make this situation 0:12:58.760 --> 0:13:03.679 work out. One thing we can control is our attitude. 0:13:03.800 --> 0:13:08.200 I'm not gonna live worried, upset, striving. God, you know 0:13:08.240 --> 0:13:12.080 what's best for me. I believe you're working behind the scenes. 0:13:12.360 --> 0:13:14.439 What you have purpose for my life. 0:13:14.280 --> 0:13:17.840 Will come to pass. That takes the pressure off. 0:13:18.440 --> 0:13:21.920 That's how you stay in faith, not basing your commitment 0:13:22.440 --> 0:13:25.120 on whether God comes through for you on your timetable 0:13:25.600 --> 0:13:29.520 the way you had planned. Our plans are limited, but 0:13:29.600 --> 0:13:34.120 God is unlimited. Our ways are natural, but God is supernatural. 0:13:35.120 --> 0:13:39.200 He has things planned for you that you haven't seen, heard, 0:13:39.400 --> 0:13:42.960 or imagined. So that door closed that you wanted so 0:13:43.120 --> 0:13:46.520 badly to open. What if you knew God was about 0:13:46.559 --> 0:13:50.280 to open something better than you've ever dreamed. That's why 0:13:50.360 --> 0:13:54.240 it did not work out, or you got thrown into 0:13:54.280 --> 0:13:57.560 the fire, so to speak. God could have delivered you. 0:13:57.800 --> 0:13:58.760 He's done it before. 0:13:59.480 --> 0:14:00.760 This time didn't happen. 0:14:01.480 --> 0:14:03.959 You don't know what God is up to. You may 0:14:04.040 --> 0:14:04.880 be in the fire. 0:14:05.120 --> 0:14:09.320 The good news is God controls the thermostaff. He won't 0:14:09.400 --> 0:14:11.920 let you face too much heat. He knows what you 0:14:11.960 --> 0:14:12.520 can handle. 0:14:13.559 --> 0:14:15.960 The king was so upset he had them heat the 0:14:16.000 --> 0:14:19.520 fire seven times hotter than normally. They threw the teenagers 0:14:19.600 --> 0:14:21.800 in hands and feet were bound. 0:14:22.200 --> 0:14:23.040 A few minutes. 0:14:23.560 --> 0:14:25.880 The king came over to check on him. Look through 0:14:25.920 --> 0:14:26.720 the furnace door. 0:14:27.520 --> 0:14:30.680 He was puzzled. He said, didn't we throw three men 0:14:30.720 --> 0:14:31.360 in bound? 0:14:31.720 --> 0:14:34.840 I see four men loosed, and one looks like the 0:14:34.880 --> 0:14:39.440 son of God. Those teenagers came out without the smell 0:14:39.480 --> 0:14:42.240 of smoke. The king said, from now on, we're all 0:14:42.280 --> 0:14:45.000 gonna worship the God of shadrak nishek I've been to 0:14:45.080 --> 0:14:50.440 go Sometimes God will deliver you from the fire. Other 0:14:50.520 --> 0:14:53.280 times he will make you fire proof and take you 0:14:53.360 --> 0:14:54.040 through the fire. 0:14:55.000 --> 0:14:57.720 You have to leave how he does it in his hands. 0:14:58.320 --> 0:15:01.160 If God would have kept them from the fire, just 0:15:01.320 --> 0:15:04.640 change the king's mind, they wouldn't have had the influence, 0:15:04.960 --> 0:15:05.560 the favor. 0:15:06.240 --> 0:15:08.040 We probably wouldn't be talking about them. 0:15:09.000 --> 0:15:12.480 None of us like to go through difficulties, things we 0:15:12.520 --> 0:15:16.840 don't understand that are not fair. It's tempting to thank God, 0:15:16.880 --> 0:15:20.720 where are you? We know you can deliver us, We 0:15:20.760 --> 0:15:21.480 know you can. 0:15:21.360 --> 0:15:22.800 Heal, free, promote. 0:15:23.600 --> 0:15:27.200 This is what separates the people that get stuck and 0:15:27.280 --> 0:15:29.680 the people that see God show out in their life. 0:15:30.640 --> 0:15:34.200 One group is trying to control the outcome. The other 0:15:34.320 --> 0:15:38.080 has learned to surrender the outcome. One is only going 0:15:38.160 --> 0:15:41.360 to be happy if God does it their way. God, 0:15:41.400 --> 0:15:43.680 if you keep me out of the fire, if you 0:15:43.760 --> 0:15:44.840 meet my demands. 0:15:45.240 --> 0:15:48.160 The other says God, I trust you. 0:15:48.160 --> 0:15:51.760 You're my doorkeeper, you're my defender, You're my waymaker. 0:15:52.360 --> 0:15:53.520 I'm not moved by. 0:15:53.400 --> 0:15:56.560 The delays, the detours, the disappointments. 0:15:56.880 --> 0:15:58.880 I know it's all serving your plan. 0:16:00.000 --> 0:16:02.800 A few years after I began pastoring, the church was 0:16:02.840 --> 0:16:06.640 growing and we needed a larger auditorium. We couldn't build 0:16:06.720 --> 0:16:09.240 where we were because the streets weren't big enough. 0:16:09.240 --> 0:16:10.720 They couldn't handle that many people. 0:16:11.240 --> 0:16:14.080 So we found this one hundred acre tract of land 0:16:14.680 --> 0:16:17.120 right off the freeway, just a few miles from the 0:16:17.160 --> 0:16:20.720 other location. I talked to the owner and he said 0:16:20.720 --> 0:16:23.160 the property had been on the market for over twenty 0:16:23.320 --> 0:16:27.240 years and he had never had one offer. I knew 0:16:27.280 --> 0:16:30.000 God had saved that for us. He told us we 0:16:30.000 --> 0:16:32.680 didn't need to draw up the contract right then. We 0:16:32.720 --> 0:16:36.600 could do the preliminary drawings and soil samples while we 0:16:36.600 --> 0:16:39.240 were waiting for the legal work to be done. I 0:16:39.320 --> 0:16:42.360 was so excited we had this perfect piece of property. 0:16:42.920 --> 0:16:45.360 A couple of months later, we went to close on it. 0:16:45.680 --> 0:16:48.720 His secretary walked out and said, I'm sorry, the owner 0:16:48.880 --> 0:16:52.520 sold the property last night. I couldn't believe it. The 0:16:52.600 --> 0:16:56.400 men gave us his word changed his mind. I went 0:16:56.440 --> 0:17:00.480 home so discouraged. Told Victoria how unfair that was, how 0:17:00.480 --> 0:17:03.840 there was no more property. We had looked everywhere. Now 0:17:03.880 --> 0:17:07.000 we were stuck. She said, Joel, listen to me. God 0:17:07.080 --> 0:17:10.520 is still in control. The reason he closed that door 0:17:11.040 --> 0:17:12.680 is because he has something better. 0:17:13.280 --> 0:17:15.840 We're not gonna complain, be sour. 0:17:16.359 --> 0:17:19.159 We're gonna stay in faith, knowing that He's up to 0:17:19.240 --> 0:17:23.440 something that we can't see right now. She started preaching 0:17:23.480 --> 0:17:24.960 one of my sermons back to me. 0:17:26.280 --> 0:17:28.280 I didn't want to hear that. I wanted to be depressed. 0:17:28.800 --> 0:17:32.040 But when we try to control the outcome, we're gonna 0:17:32.040 --> 0:17:35.960 be frustrated because God's ways are not our ways. 0:17:36.520 --> 0:17:39.639 My way was to find property and build. That's what 0:17:39.680 --> 0:17:42.840 I'd seen my father do time after time, build. 0:17:42.600 --> 0:17:46.199 Sanctuary after sanctuary. But God is going to do something 0:17:46.280 --> 0:17:50.000 new in your life, things that your family has never seen. 0:17:50.640 --> 0:17:54.400 Now do your part and stay open. Don't put God 0:17:54.520 --> 0:17:58.320 in a box. God closed that door because my thinking 0:17:58.480 --> 0:18:02.400 was too small. What God had planned was much bigger, 0:18:02.920 --> 0:18:06.040 something I couldn't fathom. And I grew up watching the 0:18:06.119 --> 0:18:09.520 Rockets play basketball here I had seizing tickets right over there. 0:18:09.880 --> 0:18:14.040 This was the premier facility in our city. I had 0:18:14.040 --> 0:18:16.639 to let go of what I had in mind and 0:18:16.720 --> 0:18:20.240 trust that God's ways are better. About a year later, 0:18:20.680 --> 0:18:24.040 the Compact Center became available. By the grace of God, 0:18:24.080 --> 0:18:26.920 things fell into place, and here we are today, something 0:18:27.040 --> 0:18:31.040 more than I ever imagine that I've learned now to 0:18:31.240 --> 0:18:38.080 surrender the outcome. When the door closes, when there are delays, detours, 0:18:38.359 --> 0:18:39.840 things I don't understand. 0:18:40.359 --> 0:18:41.840 I know now that God is. 0:18:41.880 --> 0:18:45.359 Up to something that I can't see. And yes, I 0:18:45.440 --> 0:18:48.360 was aggravated at that man. He sold that out from 0:18:48.440 --> 0:18:50.880 under us. He didn't keep his word, he betrayed us. 0:18:51.480 --> 0:18:54.240 The fact is it wasn't his fault. He was a 0:18:54.359 --> 0:18:57.720 pawn in the hands of God. God caused him to 0:18:57.720 --> 0:19:01.040 shut the door. If he's so told us the property, 0:19:01.480 --> 0:19:03.639 we'd been too far down the road to get the 0:19:03.680 --> 0:19:08.320 compact center. Some of the things that you're disappointed over him, 0:19:08.359 --> 0:19:11.360 wondering why they didn't work out? Why is there such 0:19:11.400 --> 0:19:15.000 a delay? Why won't my business grow? If you'll stay 0:19:15.040 --> 0:19:17.919 in faith, one day you will see what God was 0:19:18.000 --> 0:19:20.920 up to. It will be better than what you had 0:19:20.920 --> 0:19:24.200 in mind. There's a man in the scripture named Saul. 0:19:24.800 --> 0:19:29.199 He was highly educated in Jewish law and greatly respected. 0:19:29.359 --> 0:19:32.840 Had a brilliant mind, fluid in several languages. 0:19:33.240 --> 0:19:37.560 He was passionate about keeping the Jewish tradition, so much 0:19:37.600 --> 0:19:41.920 so that he led the charge to persecute followers of Christ. 0:19:42.440 --> 0:19:45.399 He was the biggest enemy of the church. He was 0:19:45.440 --> 0:19:49.480 standing by giving his approval when Stephen was stoned to 0:19:49.520 --> 0:19:52.920 death for his faith. But on the road to Damascus, 0:19:53.400 --> 0:19:55.159 he had this dramatic conversion. 0:19:55.640 --> 0:19:59.119 The light shine down, the voice spoke to him. He 0:19:59.200 --> 0:20:02.520 became a belief. His name was changed to Paul. 0:20:03.200 --> 0:20:06.879 Well, he had this same passion, this same fire to 0:20:07.000 --> 0:20:08.440 share the message of Jesus. 0:20:09.240 --> 0:20:10.280 The problem was. 0:20:10.359 --> 0:20:14.240 The disciples wouldn't accept him. They knew how he was 0:20:14.280 --> 0:20:17.680 so against the church. They weren't convinced that he had changed. 0:20:18.119 --> 0:20:21.760 They were still skeptical. I'm sure, Paul thought, God, you 0:20:21.840 --> 0:20:24.919 know my heart, You're the one that changed me. My 0:20:25.040 --> 0:20:28.320 intentions are to help believers, to be an asset, but. 0:20:28.280 --> 0:20:30.960 They won't let me in. Didn't seem fair. 0:20:31.760 --> 0:20:34.960 Why would God have him go through this supernatural conversion 0:20:35.480 --> 0:20:39.640 and then be rejected by the people he's trying to help. Well, 0:20:39.680 --> 0:20:43.600 since the Jewish believers wouldn't accept him, Paul started going 0:20:43.640 --> 0:20:47.879 to the Gentiles to spread the message of Christ. Without 0:20:47.920 --> 0:20:52.840 the Disciples rejecting Paul, Christianity wouldn't have come to the Gentiles. 0:20:53.640 --> 0:20:57.160 Paul saw it as rejection, but really it was direction. 0:20:58.119 --> 0:20:59.920 It was God closing. 0:20:59.480 --> 0:21:02.919 The door to push him into the purpose that he 0:21:03.000 --> 0:21:06.840 had planned. Jesus said in Acts nine, Saul is a 0:21:06.920 --> 0:21:11.080 chosen vessel to bear my name before the Gentiles. 0:21:12.359 --> 0:21:13.400 Saul had all. 0:21:13.240 --> 0:21:18.800 This Jewish education influence. But God's ways are not our ways. 0:21:19.560 --> 0:21:22.200 God said, I'm gonna use you to reach the Gentiles. 0:21:23.320 --> 0:21:27.080 If the Jewish believers would have accepted Paul, that would 0:21:27.119 --> 0:21:31.280 have been easier for him, more comfortable. But Paul wouldn't 0:21:31.320 --> 0:21:34.280 have had the impact. We wouldn't have half the books 0:21:34.280 --> 0:21:38.040 in the New Testament if Paul would have gotten discouraged God, 0:21:38.119 --> 0:21:41.680 these people won't accept me. I don't understand it. No, 0:21:41.840 --> 0:21:46.200 Paul knew how to surrender the outcome. Maybe like him, 0:21:46.440 --> 0:21:50.400 you could be upset because the door closed, the problem 0:21:50.440 --> 0:21:54.720 hasn't turned around. People misunderstand you or stay in peace. 0:21:55.240 --> 0:21:57.280 The outcome is not your job. 0:21:57.600 --> 0:22:02.000 That's God's job. Our job is to trust him to. 0:22:02.080 --> 0:22:05.679 Obey, to do the right thing when we're not seeing 0:22:05.880 --> 0:22:09.800 the results we want. God's ways are not our ways. 0:22:10.880 --> 0:22:16.680 Sometimes he uses rejection, delays, storms to move us into 0:22:16.720 --> 0:22:21.440 our purpose. Quit fighting everything that doesn't go your way. 0:22:21.640 --> 0:22:23.920 When you surrender the outcome. 0:22:23.800 --> 0:22:27.560 This takes the pressure off because God has not forgotten 0:22:27.600 --> 0:22:31.960 about you. He has seen everything you've been through, what's 0:22:32.000 --> 0:22:36.159 taken longer than you thought, what didn't work out? Like Paul, 0:22:36.480 --> 0:22:40.720 You're going to come into opportunity, favor, influence that will 0:22:40.760 --> 0:22:44.560 only happen because God took you that way. It was 0:22:44.640 --> 0:22:50.480 all necessary, Everything is serving his plan. Years later, Paul 0:22:50.600 --> 0:22:52.280 was on a boat headed toward Rome. 0:22:52.560 --> 0:22:55.080 He was a prisoner on his way to see Caesar. 0:22:55.640 --> 0:22:56.919 On this three month. 0:22:56.800 --> 0:23:01.199 Journey, they encountered a huge storm for fourteen days. They 0:23:01.240 --> 0:23:04.720 didn't see the sun nor the stars. God so bad, 0:23:05.240 --> 0:23:09.040 the waves so high. They started throwing things overboard, trying 0:23:09.040 --> 0:23:09.960 to stay afloat. 0:23:10.320 --> 0:23:11.760 The scripture says that all. 0:23:11.720 --> 0:23:15.440 Hope was gone that they would be saved. They got 0:23:15.480 --> 0:23:17.840 to where they couldn't steer the ship anymore. 0:23:18.160 --> 0:23:19.240 The wind's too strong. 0:23:20.119 --> 0:23:23.960 Verse fifteen says they took down the cells and let 0:23:24.000 --> 0:23:28.000 the wind blow the ship wherever the storm wanted it 0:23:28.040 --> 0:23:32.560 to go. Instead of fighting it, trying to force it somewhere, 0:23:32.840 --> 0:23:33.720 they surrendered. 0:23:33.720 --> 0:23:35.520 The outcome well. 0:23:35.400 --> 0:23:38.920 An angel had told Paul that he would stand before Caesar. 0:23:39.440 --> 0:23:41.200 Paul could have thought, God, what's going on. 0:23:41.600 --> 0:23:44.560 I'm supposed to be going to Rome, but I'm on 0:23:44.640 --> 0:23:48.760 this boat with no sels being blown by the wind. 0:23:49.359 --> 0:23:52.520 Seemed like he was out of control, but God was 0:23:52.680 --> 0:23:56.320 ordering his steps. He caused the winds to blow that 0:23:56.440 --> 0:24:00.719 boat to a small island, ran aground and broke apart. 0:24:01.440 --> 0:24:05.000 They all jumped overboard and swam to land. There was 0:24:05.040 --> 0:24:08.480 a small group of natives that lived there. The main 0:24:08.600 --> 0:24:12.160 leader was very sick. Paul prayed for him and he 0:24:12.280 --> 0:24:17.040 was healed. Everyone gathered around Paul shared the message of Christ. 0:24:17.520 --> 0:24:22.159 Many on the island became believers. The storm looked like 0:24:22.200 --> 0:24:25.879 a bad break, but really it was a divine detour. 0:24:26.760 --> 0:24:29.720 It was God taking Paul to those people in need. 0:24:30.640 --> 0:24:31.560 Paul was it bitter. 0:24:32.240 --> 0:24:35.280 He wasn't complaining God, Why am I in this storm? 0:24:35.600 --> 0:24:39.200 Why am I shipwreck? It's not what he had planned. 0:24:39.640 --> 0:24:44.119 But he learned this principle to surrender the outcome. His 0:24:44.280 --> 0:24:48.000 faith wasn't dependent on getting the results he was hoping for. 0:24:48.560 --> 0:24:51.080 He realized God's ways are better. 0:24:52.040 --> 0:24:55.280 There are times in life the winds are blowing, the 0:24:55.320 --> 0:24:59.480 waves are high. We're trying to steer our ship, force 0:24:59.560 --> 0:25:03.879 this to have happen, make this workout, manipulate these people. 0:25:04.680 --> 0:25:07.920 But at some point you need to do like the captain. 0:25:08.040 --> 0:25:12.919 Take down yourselves, let that storm take you wherever the 0:25:12.960 --> 0:25:17.080 winds blow. God will never take you somewhere and not 0:25:17.200 --> 0:25:23.679 sustain you. Quit fighting everything, upset over who left, discouraged 0:25:23.720 --> 0:25:28.280 over the delay, Frustrated because of the setback, Come back 0:25:28.280 --> 0:25:31.639 to a place of peace. The outcome is not up 0:25:31.720 --> 0:25:36.200 to you. Our job is to stay in faith, to believe, to. 0:25:36.200 --> 0:25:37.120 Do the right thing. 0:25:37.840 --> 0:25:41.600 God is the one who controls the winds. He wouldn't 0:25:41.600 --> 0:25:44.680 have allowed that storm if it wasn't going to move 0:25:44.760 --> 0:25:49.679 you into your purpose. Let's have an attitude like these teenagers. God, 0:25:49.760 --> 0:25:52.879 I know you can deliver me, but even if you don't, 0:25:52.960 --> 0:25:54.160 I'm still gonna trust you. 0:25:54.640 --> 0:25:55.879 I'm still gonna be happy. 0:25:56.119 --> 0:26:00.000 I'm still gonna pursue my dreams. This takes the pressure off. 0:26:00.680 --> 0:26:03.800 This can save you a lot of frustration. Trying to 0:26:03.880 --> 0:26:07.240 control things you can't control will wear you out. Do 0:26:07.400 --> 0:26:09.360 yourself a favor, surrender the. 0:26:09.320 --> 0:26:13.400 Outcome, Let go and let God. If you'll do this, 0:26:13.560 --> 0:26:17.560 I believe and declare. Like these teenagers, you'll go. 0:26:17.600 --> 0:26:22.800 To see the fourth man in the fire. Supernatural breakthroughs, healing, 0:26:23.080 --> 0:26:29.199 provision like Paul, the rejection leading to direction, the storms 0:26:29.320 --> 0:26:34.240 blowing you into purpose, promotion, favor the fullness of your 0:26:34.320 --> 0:26:35.560 destiny in. 0:26:35.640 --> 0:26:39.240 Jesus' name, and if you receive it, can you say amen? 0:26:40.840 --> 0:26:43.480 I'd like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus 0:26:43.520 --> 0:26:44.720 the Lord of your life. 0:26:44.840 --> 0:26:48.560 Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord, Jesus, I 0:26:48.680 --> 0:26:52.560 repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make 0:26:52.600 --> 0:26:54.160 you my Lord and savior. 0:26:54.800 --> 0:26:57.040 If you pray that simple prayer, we believe you got 0:26:57.040 --> 0:26:59.639 born again. We'd love to send you some free and 0:26:59.680 --> 0:27:02.360 fromation on your new walk with the Lord. You can 0:27:02.400 --> 0:27:05.200 text the number on the screen or go to the website. 0:27:05.480 --> 0:27:06.440 But I hope you'll. 0:27:06.240 --> 0:27:09.600 Get into a good Bible based church and keep God 0:27:09.920 --> 0:27:10.600 first place. 0:27:12.480 --> 0:27:16.480 It's a new year. Time to see the impossible become possible. 0:27:16.800 --> 0:27:20.080 It's a new year. Life setbacks are about to become 0:27:20.200 --> 0:27:24.640 God's setups for new opportunity. It's a new year cherished 0:27:24.720 --> 0:27:27.320 dreams will become unexpected reality. 0:27:28.080 --> 0:27:30.280 The start of the new year is the perfect time 0:27:30.359 --> 0:27:34.000 to reset your focus, release disappointments of the past, and 0:27:34.080 --> 0:27:36.600 get ready for the new things God has in store. 0:27:37.160 --> 0:27:40.280 Every January we create a new three hundred and sixty 0:27:40.320 --> 0:27:42.400 five day devotional calendar. 0:27:42.800 --> 0:27:43.840 I'd love to send it to you. 0:27:44.280 --> 0:27:48.640 Each day is filled with inspiration, scripture and uplifting declarations 0:27:48.680 --> 0:27:51.639 to fuel your faith. When you begin the day thanking 0:27:51.680 --> 0:27:55.040 God for what He's done, speaking victory over your future, 0:27:55.520 --> 0:28:00.440 you're positioning yourself for a blessed, favor filled year. Things 0:28:00.440 --> 0:28:02.520 happen when you keep God first place. 0:28:03.359 --> 0:28:05.760 As our way of saying thank you for your gift 0:28:05.760 --> 0:28:08.399 of any amount this first month of the year, we 0:28:08.480 --> 0:28:10.679 would like to send you a copy of our brand 0:28:10.760 --> 0:28:13.920 new three hundred and sixty five Day twenty twenty six 0:28:14.040 --> 0:28:17.800 devotional calendar. Do you want to overcome your most pressing 0:28:17.920 --> 0:28:20.720 challenges in twenty twenty six? Do you want to see 0:28:20.720 --> 0:28:24.480 your life take off in new directions of influence, favor, 0:28:24.720 --> 0:28:28.560 and provision in the year ahead. With this daily encouragement, 0:28:28.880 --> 0:28:32.119 you'll not only smile at your day, you'll be reminded 0:28:32.240 --> 0:28:35.920 that God is smiling on your entire life. Each day 0:28:36.119 --> 0:28:40.360 will be a fresh new day. Turn discouragement to encouragement, 0:28:40.880 --> 0:28:47.440 frustration to fulfillment, anxiety to overcoming. Start each morning knowing 0:28:47.480 --> 0:28:50.480 that it's God's desire to turn what seems like an 0:28:50.600 --> 0:28:56.560 ordinary life into extraordinary favor, strength, and opportunities. Using this 0:28:56.640 --> 0:29:01.880 devotional calendar is as easy as one to three one 0:29:02.400 --> 0:29:06.560 wake up with an expectancy in your heart. Two reflect 0:29:06.600 --> 0:29:10.520 on the daily scripture, verse and devotional from Joel. Three 0:29:10.800 --> 0:29:14.360 Capture the Lord's promises to you on journaling lines for 0:29:14.520 --> 0:29:15.600 rating and reflection. 0:29:16.480 --> 0:29:18.640 Twenty twenty six is going to be one of your 0:29:18.720 --> 0:29:21.320 best years ever. We're going to help you stay in 0:29:21.360 --> 0:29:24.000 faith so you can see the goodness of God in 0:29:24.120 --> 0:29:26.800 new ways. Victoria and I pray for you and your 0:29:26.840 --> 0:29:29.320 family every day, and you want to thank you for. 0:29:29.320 --> 0:29:30.600 Your prayer and support. 0:29:31.040 --> 0:29:34.160 Your generosity is impacting lives around the world. 0:29:34.600 --> 0:29:35.560 A special thank. 0:29:35.400 --> 0:29:38.360 You to our Champion of Hope partners for your monthly gifts. 0:29:38.560 --> 0:29:41.480 If you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. 0:29:41.760 --> 0:29:45.920 Remember you can watch the services online live every Sunday morning, 0:29:46.400 --> 0:29:50.000 download our daily podcast, watch on YouTube or the new 0:29:50.080 --> 0:29:52.720 joel ost Network twenty four hours a day. 0:29:53.080 --> 0:29:56.120 Of course, listen live on Serious XM as well. But 0:29:56.240 --> 0:29:58.880 until we meet again, may the Lord bless you and 0:29:58.960 --> 0:29:59.440 keep you. 0:30:00.440 --> 0:30:03.120 Be sure to request your copy of the twenty twenty 0:30:03.160 --> 0:30:07.520 sixth devotional calendar available this month by simply visiting us 0:30:07.600 --> 0:30:11.320 at Joelostein dot com or calling eight eight eight five 0:30:11.440 --> 0:30:18.440 six seven Joel. Also no matter what season you're in, joy, sorrow, waiting, growth. 0:30:18.800 --> 0:30:22.600 God wants to speak into each and every moment. God's 0:30:22.640 --> 0:30:26.400 Word for Every Season is a guided journal series designed 0:30:26.480 --> 0:30:29.960 to help you slow down, write out scripture, and reflect 0:30:30.040 --> 0:30:33.040 on its truths, one verse at a time. As you 0:30:33.160 --> 0:30:37.440 engage with His Word, you'll discover fresh strength, deeper peace, 0:30:37.760 --> 0:30:41.720 and timely encouragement for every step of your journey. You 0:30:41.760 --> 0:30:45.560 can request these inspiring resources by calling eight eight eight 0:30:45.760 --> 0:30:49.600 five six seven Joel or logging on to Joelostein dot 0:30:49.640 --> 0:30:53.840 com today call or click anytime twenty four hours a day. 0:30:54.320 --> 0:30:56.200 Request these resources today