When the Water Breaks

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It's time 0:01:00.120 --> 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. 0:01:15.680 --> 0:01:19.240 Welcome to the Jill Loustine Podcast. Help leu's continue to 0:01:19.280 --> 0:01:22.160 share the message of hope with those all over the world. 0:01:22.680 --> 0:01:26.240 Visit joeloostin dot com slash give hope to give a 0:01:26.240 --> 0:01:28.560 gift today. 0:01:35.840 --> 0:01:38.640 Well, God bless you. It's a joy to come into 0:01:38.680 --> 0:01:41.839 your homes and if you're ever in our area, please 0:01:41.880 --> 0:01:44.320 come out and be a part of one of our services. 0:01:44.440 --> 0:01:46.959 I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. 0:01:47.800 --> 0:01:49.160 I like to start with something. 0:01:48.920 --> 0:01:52.080 Funny, and I heard about this pastor and song leader 0:01:52.200 --> 0:01:55.560 that weren't getting along, and it started spilling over into 0:01:55.600 --> 0:02:01.160 the services. One Sunday, the pastor talked about being a giver. Afterwards, 0:02:01.200 --> 0:02:04.000 the song leader got up and led the song Jesus 0:02:04.040 --> 0:02:07.800 paid it all. The next week he talked about not gossiping. 0:02:08.120 --> 0:02:10.520 The song leader got up and led, I love to 0:02:10.560 --> 0:02:14.680 tell the story. The pastor was so frustrated he resigned, 0:02:15.160 --> 0:02:18.880 told his congregation, Jesus brought me here, and Jesus has 0:02:18.960 --> 0:02:22.000 taken me away. The song leader then led, what a 0:02:22.040 --> 0:02:22.680 friend we. 0:02:22.680 --> 0:02:24.080 Have in Jesus life. 0:02:25.120 --> 0:02:27.720 Say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. 0:02:28.120 --> 0:02:30.560 I am what it says I am. I have what 0:02:30.639 --> 0:02:33.120 it says I have. I can do what it says 0:02:33.160 --> 0:02:35.920 I can do. Today I will be taught the word 0:02:35.960 --> 0:02:40.080 of God. I boldly confess. My mind is alert, my 0:02:40.200 --> 0:02:44.680 heart is receptive. I will never be the same. In Jesus' name, 0:02:45.160 --> 0:02:48.320 God bless you. I want to talk to you today 0:02:48.360 --> 0:02:53.200 about when the water breaks. Years ago, when Victoria was 0:02:53.240 --> 0:02:56.480 pregnant with our first child, she was at a downtown 0:02:56.600 --> 0:02:58.959 office building headed to an appointment. 0:02:59.480 --> 0:03:00.240 She was in the. 0:03:00.080 --> 0:03:05.480 Final stages of pregnancy, standing in a crowded elevator, minding 0:03:05.520 --> 0:03:06.520 her own business. 0:03:06.919 --> 0:03:09.040 All of a sudden, her water broke. 0:03:09.680 --> 0:03:12.800 Water came pouring out on the ground, and Victoria was 0:03:12.880 --> 0:03:15.680 kind of embarrassed. She tried to stand back and not 0:03:15.720 --> 0:03:19.400 affect anyone else. But the people on the elevator didn't 0:03:19.440 --> 0:03:23.919 get upset. They weren't paniced thinking something was wrong. They 0:03:23.960 --> 0:03:27.799 knew the water breaking was a sign she was about 0:03:27.840 --> 0:03:28.519 to give birth. 0:03:29.160 --> 0:03:30.880 They knew it was all a part. 0:03:30.680 --> 0:03:34.000 Of the process that her baby was about to be born. 0:03:35.000 --> 0:03:38.720 Victoria got off the elevator and drove straight to the hospital. 0:03:39.240 --> 0:03:42.640 Not long after that, she gave birth to our son, Jonathan. 0:03:43.400 --> 0:03:46.120 And when the water breaks in your life. 0:03:46.440 --> 0:03:50.360 When you face an unexpected difficulty, you didn't see it coming. 0:03:50.880 --> 0:03:52.920 You were going along being your best. 0:03:53.400 --> 0:03:56.920 You came down with an illness, a relationship didn't work out, 0:03:57.440 --> 0:03:58.360 the company. 0:03:58.000 --> 0:03:59.000 Had to lay you off. 0:03:59.360 --> 0:04:02.320 It's easy to get discouraged and think it's never going 0:04:02.400 --> 0:04:03.040 to get better. 0:04:03.840 --> 0:04:05.080 Have a new perspective. 0:04:05.480 --> 0:04:09.080 When the water breaks, that's a sign you're about to 0:04:09.080 --> 0:04:13.400 give birth. God's about to do something new, something that 0:04:13.440 --> 0:04:18.039 you haven't seen. Without the water breaking, you would get stuck. 0:04:18.560 --> 0:04:21.480 You wouldn't reach the fullness of what God has in store. 0:04:22.279 --> 0:04:24.719 And that's what's happened to all of us here in Houston. 0:04:25.080 --> 0:04:29.479 Hurricane Harvey came and our water broke. There was a flood, 0:04:30.320 --> 0:04:33.720 and looking at it on the surface, at the damage, 0:04:33.960 --> 0:04:36.920 it's easy to get discouraged. I think that ruined my house, 0:04:37.360 --> 0:04:41.039 that flooded my car, that disrupted my life. What you 0:04:41.160 --> 0:04:45.160 have to remember is the water breaking means a birth 0:04:45.400 --> 0:04:50.080 is coming. The trauma indicates transition is on the way. 0:04:50.960 --> 0:04:53.159 God never brings you out the same. 0:04:53.760 --> 0:04:58.320 He's birthing you into something greater. Your house may have flooded, 0:04:58.600 --> 0:04:59.919 but you're going to give birth to it. 0:05:00.120 --> 0:05:03.320 New house, an improved house, a remodeled house. 0:05:04.000 --> 0:05:08.920 God is transitioning you into another level. He has new 0:05:08.960 --> 0:05:12.560 things he wants to birth, not just through you, but 0:05:12.760 --> 0:05:13.240 in you. 0:05:14.120 --> 0:05:15.560 In the difficult times. 0:05:15.760 --> 0:05:19.680 If you'll keep the right attitude, you'll develop a greater strength, 0:05:20.279 --> 0:05:24.760 a greater confidence, a greater trust in God. Don't complain 0:05:24.880 --> 0:05:29.200 because the water broke. Get ready. Favor is coming, Increase 0:05:29.320 --> 0:05:33.320 is coming, New levels are coming. What you give birth 0:05:33.400 --> 0:05:37.760 to will be greater than anything that you've lost. You 0:05:37.800 --> 0:05:40.159 may have lost your car, You're going to give birth 0:05:40.279 --> 0:05:43.799 to a better car. You may have lost a relationship. 0:05:44.160 --> 0:05:47.000 Somebody walked away. You're going to give birth to a 0:05:47.000 --> 0:05:48.160 better relationship. 0:05:49.040 --> 0:05:52.320 The company had to downside said they don't need you. 0:05:52.320 --> 0:05:56.000 You were loyal. You didn't see it coming. Don't get better. 0:05:56.440 --> 0:06:00.280 God has a better job, in a higher position, with 0:06:00.320 --> 0:06:04.240 more influence, more income, more benefits, where your gifts can 0:06:04.279 --> 0:06:06.680 come out in a greater way. 0:06:06.960 --> 0:06:08.839 Now I'm not just encouraging you. 0:06:09.120 --> 0:06:13.240 I'm prophesying You're going to give birth to something greater 0:06:13.400 --> 0:06:18.000 than you've imagined. God is going to open doors you 0:06:18.120 --> 0:06:23.160 never dreamed would open, give you resources, opportunities, influence. 0:06:23.560 --> 0:06:24.480 That is amazing. 0:06:25.360 --> 0:06:29.320 But the floods, the disappointments, the betrayals, they are all 0:06:29.480 --> 0:06:33.919 a part of God's plan. Without the water breaking, you 0:06:34.040 --> 0:06:37.839 can't give birth. And when we give birth, there will 0:06:37.880 --> 0:06:41.680 be labor pains. You're going to have to push, stretch, 0:06:42.200 --> 0:06:46.440 be willing to be uncomfortable. But when you understand it's 0:06:46.480 --> 0:06:49.760 a part of the process, when you realize you can't 0:06:49.800 --> 0:06:53.480 go to the next level without the water breaking, then 0:06:53.520 --> 0:06:57.119 you'll go through it with a good attitude. You could 0:06:57.160 --> 0:07:01.120 be negative, complaining. Instead you have a smile on your face. 0:07:01.680 --> 0:07:04.960 You have a song of praise in your heart, expectancy 0:07:05.120 --> 0:07:10.120 in your spirit. You know the trauma means transition is coming. 0:07:10.840 --> 0:07:13.640 You know it's just a matter of time before you 0:07:13.720 --> 0:07:16.520 give birth to the new things God has in store. 0:07:17.560 --> 0:07:21.120 The process may be uncomfortable, but the. 0:07:21.120 --> 0:07:22.680 Purpose is worth it. 0:07:23.440 --> 0:07:26.720 If you could see where God is taking you, if 0:07:26.760 --> 0:07:30.120 you could see the new things on the horizon, the favor, 0:07:30.560 --> 0:07:34.400 the influence, the opportunities, the friendships. Then you wouldn't be 0:07:34.480 --> 0:07:39.080 bothered by what you're going through. Paul said, these light 0:07:39.360 --> 0:07:43.440 afflictions are for a moment, yet they work in us 0:07:43.600 --> 0:07:49.040 and eternal weight of glory. What you're going through is temporary. 0:07:49.160 --> 0:07:54.080 The birthing process doesn't last forever. The discomfort is for 0:07:54.160 --> 0:07:57.880 a moment, but what you give birth to, the blessings, 0:07:58.040 --> 0:07:59.000 they will last. 0:07:58.760 --> 0:07:59.680 For a lifetime. 0:08:00.400 --> 0:08:04.640 And what's interesting is Victoria didn't choose where her water broke. 0:08:05.520 --> 0:08:07.600 If she knew when it was going to break, she. 0:08:07.560 --> 0:08:10.120 Would have stayed at home had it all planned out, 0:08:10.320 --> 0:08:11.080 been prepared. 0:08:11.880 --> 0:08:14.720 But you can't choose where your water breaks. 0:08:15.480 --> 0:08:19.600 You can't choose when the flood comes, the disappointment, the loss. 0:08:20.200 --> 0:08:23.440 We can't decide when we're going to give birth. That's 0:08:23.480 --> 0:08:27.360 in God's hands and we may not understand it, but 0:08:27.440 --> 0:08:31.240 God knows what he's doing. There is a purpose for 0:08:31.320 --> 0:08:36.000 every challenge. Most of the time we can see the challenge, 0:08:36.600 --> 0:08:38.040 but we can't see the purpose. 0:08:38.800 --> 0:08:42.360 The problem is visible, but the purpose is hidden. 0:08:43.200 --> 0:08:46.200 This is when we have to say, God, I trust you, 0:08:46.880 --> 0:08:49.679 I don't see what you're doing doesn't make sense to me. 0:08:49.840 --> 0:08:53.920 God my house flooded, or my child got off course, my. 0:08:53.960 --> 0:08:57.559 Finances went down. God, I don't understand it, but I 0:08:57.640 --> 0:09:01.840 know your ways are better than ways. My life is 0:09:01.920 --> 0:09:04.720 in your hands, I've learned. 0:09:05.320 --> 0:09:09.520 God will not mismanage your life. He will not allow 0:09:09.679 --> 0:09:14.959 things to happen that don't somehow move you toward your destiny. 0:09:15.040 --> 0:09:18.199 He can see things that we can't see. He knows 0:09:18.240 --> 0:09:20.080 the end from the beginning. 0:09:20.800 --> 0:09:23.360 And there are times it feels like God's taken us 0:09:23.360 --> 0:09:26.679 the wrong direction. We were about to pay the car 0:09:26.720 --> 0:09:29.680 off and the flood hits. We have to start all over. 0:09:30.400 --> 0:09:33.200 Somebody spread rumors and you didn't get the promotion. 0:09:33.960 --> 0:09:37.240 We think, God, where were you? You could have stopped 0:09:37.280 --> 0:09:37.720 the flood. 0:09:37.800 --> 0:09:41.280 God, you could have kept me from this rejection. What 0:09:41.360 --> 0:09:45.480 we can't see are the disappointments, the betrayals, the bad 0:09:45.559 --> 0:09:46.720 breaks are. 0:09:46.640 --> 0:09:50.040 All a part of God's plan. We don't like it. 0:09:50.040 --> 0:09:54.960 It's uncomfortable, but without them we wouldn't reach the fullness. 0:09:54.440 --> 0:09:58.800 Of our destinies. We see this in the scripture with Joseph. 0:09:59.000 --> 0:10:01.600 He was doing the right pace thing, but he was 0:10:01.640 --> 0:10:07.040 betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused by 0:10:07.040 --> 0:10:11.280 a lady put in prison for thirteen years. It was 0:10:11.360 --> 0:10:15.959 one bad break after another. But one day Joseph interpreted 0:10:16.000 --> 0:10:20.080 a dream for the Pharaoh. Pharaoh was so pleased he 0:10:20.160 --> 0:10:23.800 put Joseph in charge of the food supply in all 0:10:23.840 --> 0:10:27.680 of Egypt. Joseph was second in command of the nation, 0:10:28.200 --> 0:10:30.560 one of the most powerful people of that day. 0:10:31.440 --> 0:10:32.200 But why did. 0:10:32.080 --> 0:10:35.559 God allow Joseph to go through all these difficulties. 0:10:35.960 --> 0:10:39.520 It didn't seem fair. But God wasn't just making his 0:10:39.679 --> 0:10:44.360 life miserable. He had a plan. God knew years later 0:10:45.000 --> 0:10:47.080 there would be a famine in the land. 0:10:47.760 --> 0:10:50.640 Egypt would be the only place that would have food. 0:10:51.400 --> 0:10:54.800 God had to put someone on the inside of Egypt 0:10:55.200 --> 0:10:58.720 that would be favorable to the Israelites so they could survive. 0:11:00.080 --> 0:11:02.880 God ordain Joseph to be betrayed. 0:11:03.440 --> 0:11:06.520 He ordained him to be falsely accused, ordained him to 0:11:06.559 --> 0:11:07.559 be put in prison. 0:11:08.160 --> 0:11:12.760 That whole time, God was ordering his steps. Yet if we. 0:11:12.720 --> 0:11:16.079 Looked at the steps individually, we would think, Wow, Joseph, 0:11:16.480 --> 0:11:17.640 you got a raw deal. 0:11:18.160 --> 0:11:19.400 God must not like you. 0:11:20.240 --> 0:11:25.120 The truth is God trusted Joseph so much. He knew 0:11:25.280 --> 0:11:28.480 he could count on Joseph to go through the things 0:11:28.520 --> 0:11:29.920 He didn't understand. 0:11:30.280 --> 0:11:32.240 With a good attitude. 0:11:32.360 --> 0:11:36.360 If Joseph would have become bitter, angry, held a grudge, 0:11:36.760 --> 0:11:37.840 he would have gotten stuck. 0:11:38.160 --> 0:11:40.520 He wouldn't have made it to the throne. 0:11:40.600 --> 0:11:43.920 And when you face things you don't understand that are 0:11:43.920 --> 0:11:45.920 not fair, be a Joseph. 0:11:46.920 --> 0:11:50.080 Dare to believe that God is in complete control. 0:11:50.640 --> 0:11:53.720 Dare to believe that He's still directing your steps. 0:11:54.080 --> 0:11:56.520 It's all a part of the plan to get you 0:11:56.920 --> 0:12:00.200 to where you're supposed to be. Now. I know you 0:12:00.240 --> 0:12:03.320 can trust God, but can God trust you? 0:12:04.160 --> 0:12:07.080 Can he trust you with difficulties to be a Joseph, 0:12:07.480 --> 0:12:11.080 to keep a good attitude even when life doesn't seem fair. 0:12:12.000 --> 0:12:15.800 Sometimes we're trying to pray away what God has ordained. 0:12:16.240 --> 0:12:16.960 Joseph could have. 0:12:16.960 --> 0:12:21.000 Prayed, God, please keep my brothers from betraying me. His 0:12:21.160 --> 0:12:25.280 prayer wouldn't have been answered, not because God didn't love him, 0:12:25.720 --> 0:12:27.520 but because God can. 0:12:27.360 --> 0:12:28.600 See the big picture. 0:12:29.400 --> 0:12:33.400 God knew that betrayal was an important step that was 0:12:33.520 --> 0:12:35.760 leading Joseph somewhere amazing. 0:12:36.400 --> 0:12:38.360 Had God kept Joseph from. 0:12:38.200 --> 0:12:41.720 The betrayal, he would have kept him from his destiny. 0:12:42.840 --> 0:12:46.480 God loves you too much to answer a prayer that's 0:12:46.520 --> 0:12:50.400 going to keep you from your purpose when it doesn't. 0:12:50.080 --> 0:12:50.880 Happen our way. 0:12:51.400 --> 0:12:54.520 It's tempting to get discouraged. God, why didn't you turn 0:12:54.520 --> 0:12:58.000 it around? Why didn't you answer me? Your way may 0:12:58.040 --> 0:13:01.360 be more comfortable, but it will limit how high you 0:13:01.440 --> 0:13:05.280 can go. That's why God won't let us be comfortable 0:13:05.400 --> 0:13:06.240 all the time. 0:13:06.840 --> 0:13:08.160 There will be seasons of. 0:13:08.200 --> 0:13:12.360 Stretching, growing where we're not getting our way, where the 0:13:12.400 --> 0:13:15.960 wrong thing is happening. The good news is God has 0:13:16.000 --> 0:13:20.000 given us strength for every battle, grace for every season. 0:13:20.480 --> 0:13:23.679 There's nothing you're facing that's too much for you. 0:13:23.280 --> 0:13:24.559 You can handle it. 0:13:25.200 --> 0:13:28.360 You've been equipped, empowered, and anointed. 0:13:29.040 --> 0:13:30.359 And here's the key. 0:13:30.679 --> 0:13:34.920 Just because you have difficulties doesn't mean you don't have favor. 0:13:36.040 --> 0:13:39.840 While Joseph was a slave, he had favor with Potterphar, 0:13:40.280 --> 0:13:42.680 the man that he worked for. Potterphar put him in 0:13:42.760 --> 0:13:46.720 charge of his whole house. In the prison, Joseph had 0:13:46.800 --> 0:13:49.640 favor with the guards. They put him in charge of 0:13:49.679 --> 0:13:53.440 the prison. He should have been at a disadvantage, but 0:13:53.600 --> 0:13:57.440 because of the favor on his life, it caused him 0:13:57.640 --> 0:14:01.839 to keep rising to the top. The scripture says Potter 0:14:02.000 --> 0:14:05.920 for saw the Lord was with Joseph and gave him 0:14:05.960 --> 0:14:08.200 success in everything that he did. 0:14:09.080 --> 0:14:10.320 You may be in a storm. 0:14:10.920 --> 0:14:14.720 Forces are coming against you that seem bigger, stronger, more powerful. 0:14:15.000 --> 0:14:19.280 Stay encouraged. You have the favor of God. You can 0:14:19.360 --> 0:14:23.680 shine even in a storm. You can excel even when 0:14:23.720 --> 0:14:27.560 people are trying to push you down. God's favor will 0:14:27.600 --> 0:14:30.920 cause you to overcome what you could not overcome on 0:14:31.000 --> 0:14:35.360 your own. You will defeat giants that are bigger, accomplish 0:14:35.440 --> 0:14:36.520 dreams where you. 0:14:36.480 --> 0:14:37.840 Didn't have the experience. 0:14:38.160 --> 0:14:42.040 The favor on your life gives you an advantage. I 0:14:42.120 --> 0:14:45.920 love what David said in Psalm thirty. God's favor last 0:14:46.280 --> 0:14:52.320 for a lifetime. The adversity is temporary. The favor is permanent. 0:14:53.280 --> 0:14:54.080 You didn't have. 0:14:53.960 --> 0:14:57.080 Favor before the storm. Look what happened. You must not 0:14:57.200 --> 0:14:59.400 have it now. Favor doesn't come and go. 0:15:00.200 --> 0:15:03.840 The right attitude is I'm favored in the flood, I'm 0:15:03.880 --> 0:15:07.560 favored in the hospital, I'm favored in the financial difficulty. 0:15:08.120 --> 0:15:11.680 Favor doesn't leave you. You used to have favor, No, 0:15:12.000 --> 0:15:15.000 you have favor right now. Favor is what's going to 0:15:15.040 --> 0:15:18.360 help you overcome the challenge. Instead of thinking, oh man, 0:15:18.400 --> 0:15:21.760 look what I've been through it's not fair. Turn it around. Father, 0:15:22.080 --> 0:15:24.960 Thank you for your favor. Thank you that good breaks 0:15:25.000 --> 0:15:28.240 are chasing me down. Thank you that blessings are headed 0:15:28.280 --> 0:15:32.280 my way. Isaiah said, when you go through the flood, 0:15:32.840 --> 0:15:33.840 you will not drown. 0:15:34.480 --> 0:15:37.120 When you go through the fire, you won't be burned. 0:15:37.680 --> 0:15:40.840 Psalm thirty seven says, when you're in the famine, you 0:15:40.880 --> 0:15:44.560 will have more than enough. Notice the three f's. Through 0:15:44.560 --> 0:15:47.480 the flood, through the fire, through the famine. The good 0:15:47.560 --> 0:15:49.680 news is God has one more. 0:15:49.640 --> 0:15:53.760 F It's called favor. When you're in the flood, don't complain. 0:15:54.160 --> 0:15:55.240 Get ready for favor. 0:15:57.160 --> 0:16:00.440 The psalmist said, we didn't win the victory in our 0:16:00.480 --> 0:16:01.200 own strength. 0:16:01.520 --> 0:16:03.720 It was because you favored us. 0:16:04.760 --> 0:16:09.720 In difficult times, remind yourself there is something God has 0:16:09.800 --> 0:16:13.720 put on you that no person can stop. No bad break, 0:16:13.840 --> 0:16:17.800 no sickness, no hurricane, all the forces. 0:16:17.320 --> 0:16:20.840 Of darkness cannot hold you down. You have the favor 0:16:20.920 --> 0:16:21.400 of God. 0:16:22.640 --> 0:16:26.280 Now, God wouldn't have allowed the difficulty if it was 0:16:26.360 --> 0:16:31.000 going to keep you from your destiny. Like Joseph, that 0:16:31.120 --> 0:16:36.000 difficulty is going to launch you into your destiny. Now, 0:16:36.080 --> 0:16:40.440 quit losing sleep over what God ordained. He may not 0:16:40.520 --> 0:16:44.560 have sent it, but he controls the universe. Nothing happens 0:16:44.600 --> 0:16:47.760 without his permission. If it happened, don't. 0:16:47.520 --> 0:16:51.440 Get bitter, don't try to figure it out. Stay in faith. 0:16:51.760 --> 0:16:54.600 The favor on your life is going to cause you 0:16:54.680 --> 0:16:57.680 to rise above every obstacle. 0:16:57.960 --> 0:16:59.880 That opposition is. 0:17:00.000 --> 0:17:02.840 It's going to be what God uses to birth you 0:17:03.120 --> 0:17:06.080 into a new level, a new level in your career, 0:17:06.520 --> 0:17:09.080 in relationships, in finances, a. 0:17:09.000 --> 0:17:10.280 New level in the annointing. 0:17:11.280 --> 0:17:14.520 I've seen this in my own life every time I've 0:17:14.520 --> 0:17:18.359 had major increase. It came out of a difficult time 0:17:19.119 --> 0:17:20.439 when my father died. 0:17:21.040 --> 0:17:22.640 I lost one of my best friends. 0:17:23.160 --> 0:17:26.440 I'd worked with them seventeen years, behind the scenes every day, 0:17:26.480 --> 0:17:31.080 and we'd traveled the world together. Nothing seemed good about 0:17:31.080 --> 0:17:32.080 my father's death. 0:17:32.880 --> 0:17:33.520 But what I. 0:17:33.440 --> 0:17:37.680 Couldn't see was God was using that loss, that dark 0:17:37.800 --> 0:17:42.320 time to birth something new in me. I didn't realize 0:17:42.359 --> 0:17:45.800 it then, but the loss of my father was my 0:17:45.960 --> 0:17:50.159 water breaking. Gifts and talents were birthed in me that 0:17:50.240 --> 0:17:52.159 I didn't know I had now. 0:17:52.160 --> 0:17:53.360 I wouldn't be up here. 0:17:53.200 --> 0:17:57.120 Now if my father was still alive. I was comfortable 0:17:57.200 --> 0:18:01.760 behind the scenes. I didn't have to stretch. But sometimes 0:18:02.280 --> 0:18:05.280 God will use the storm to push you out of 0:18:05.320 --> 0:18:09.760 the womb. It's because the womb is too small. It 0:18:09.840 --> 0:18:14.000 was designed for a limited time. When the water breaks, 0:18:14.400 --> 0:18:17.560 ready or not, here you come. The key is to 0:18:17.600 --> 0:18:21.800 come with a good attitude. Come knowing that it's ordained 0:18:21.840 --> 0:18:24.840 by God, that it's a part of his plan. Come 0:18:24.960 --> 0:18:27.639 knowing that the favor on your life is going to 0:18:27.640 --> 0:18:28.680 cause you to succeed. 0:18:29.600 --> 0:18:31.720 After all, Joseph went through You. 0:18:31.880 --> 0:18:35.960 Never read where he complained, where he got sour, where 0:18:35.960 --> 0:18:40.199 he blamed people. Deep down, Joseph knew that God was 0:18:40.280 --> 0:18:45.240 in control and he would not mismanage his life. God 0:18:45.320 --> 0:18:49.040 will not allow negative things just so you can go 0:18:49.119 --> 0:18:52.000 through them. He's not up there in heaven thinking, let 0:18:52.040 --> 0:18:55.200 me send them a flood, make their lives miserable, let 0:18:55.200 --> 0:18:57.680 me take their love going away, let me cause this 0:18:57.720 --> 0:18:59.000 person to cheat them. 0:18:59.320 --> 0:19:01.119 God is heavenly father. 0:19:02.119 --> 0:19:04.840 If you're a parent, you know how much you love 0:19:04.920 --> 0:19:07.560 your children, how you go out of your way to 0:19:07.640 --> 0:19:08.800 watch after them. 0:19:08.960 --> 0:19:12.160 Protect them, be good to them. God is that way, 0:19:12.720 --> 0:19:15.880 But billions of times more, you. 0:19:15.880 --> 0:19:20.320 Are his most prized possession. There's nothing he cares more 0:19:20.359 --> 0:19:23.639 about than you. He knows the number of hair on 0:19:23.680 --> 0:19:28.000 your head. He's closely watching over you. He sees every 0:19:28.080 --> 0:19:33.800 bad break, every difficulty, every unfair situation. When you go 0:19:33.880 --> 0:19:37.480 through things you don't understand, you need to remind yourself 0:19:37.800 --> 0:19:42.200 that your heavenly Father is in control and he has 0:19:42.280 --> 0:19:45.720 your best interest at heart. What you're going through may 0:19:45.760 --> 0:19:48.200 not feel good, may not be fair. 0:19:48.160 --> 0:19:49.960 But God knows what he's doing. 0:19:50.400 --> 0:19:52.720 When he brings you out, you're not going to come 0:19:52.760 --> 0:19:55.360 out the same. You're going to come out better off 0:19:55.400 --> 0:20:00.879 than you were before. First Peter five says, after you 0:20:01.000 --> 0:20:05.720 have suffered a little while. It doesn't say after you've suffered. 0:20:05.359 --> 0:20:06.280 Your whole life. 0:20:06.560 --> 0:20:11.680 It says a little while. One translation says this suffering 0:20:12.040 --> 0:20:12.760 isn't going. 0:20:12.600 --> 0:20:13.600 To last forever. 0:20:14.280 --> 0:20:18.880 It won't be long before this generous God puts you together, 0:20:19.520 --> 0:20:21.399 back on your feet for good. 0:20:21.840 --> 0:20:24.320 He gets the last word, Yes he does. 0:20:26.000 --> 0:20:28.359 You may feel like you've been knocked down. 0:20:28.480 --> 0:20:29.400 Be encouraged. 0:20:29.720 --> 0:20:33.119 This generous God is about to put you back on 0:20:33.240 --> 0:20:34.479 your feet for good. 0:20:35.200 --> 0:20:39.280 Harvey doesn't have the final say. God has the final say. 0:20:41.080 --> 0:20:43.560 Harvey is simply a set up. 0:20:44.560 --> 0:20:48.680 The sickness, the disappointment, the betrayal. It may not make 0:20:48.800 --> 0:20:52.760 sense to you, but without it, God couldn't launch. 0:20:52.520 --> 0:20:53.679 You to a new level. 0:20:54.240 --> 0:20:57.760 It's setting you up to give birth to something greater 0:20:57.920 --> 0:21:02.359 than you can imagine. Process may be painful, but the 0:21:02.480 --> 0:21:06.200 purpose will be well worth it. One day, you're going 0:21:06.240 --> 0:21:09.719 to look back and see how God used everything that 0:21:09.800 --> 0:21:13.000 you went through. If the flood hadn't come, you wouldn't 0:21:13.000 --> 0:21:15.320 have met this person, you wouldn't have moved into this 0:21:15.400 --> 0:21:17.960 new house, you wouldn't have taken this different job. 0:21:18.400 --> 0:21:22.320 It's all working for your good. Stay in faith. It's 0:21:22.359 --> 0:21:22.840 a set of. 0:21:24.440 --> 0:21:28.000 In Acts, chapter two, the disciples were all in Jerusalem 0:21:28.160 --> 0:21:31.399 in the upper room. The Holy Spirit came in like 0:21:31.440 --> 0:21:35.000 a rushing, mighty wind. It was a great sign of 0:21:35.040 --> 0:21:38.879 God's blessing and favor. I'm sure they were excited. They 0:21:38.920 --> 0:21:41.400 knew God was on their side and they were going 0:21:41.480 --> 0:21:45.320 to do great things. But in chapter eight, a man 0:21:45.400 --> 0:21:49.560 named Saul showed up. He hated these disciples. He was 0:21:49.600 --> 0:21:53.200 having them arrested and put in prison. The scripture says 0:21:53.520 --> 0:21:56.840 Saul rereaked havoc in Jerusalem on the church. 0:21:57.560 --> 0:22:01.320 Havoc is a strong word that means he turned the 0:22:01.359 --> 0:22:02.800 city upside down. 0:22:03.480 --> 0:22:08.320 Things were thrown into disarray confusion. In the midst of 0:22:08.359 --> 0:22:12.639 this calamity, a young man named Stephen, a follower of Christ, 0:22:13.000 --> 0:22:14.000 was stoned to death. 0:22:14.600 --> 0:22:17.280 Saul was standing right there giving his approval. 0:22:17.960 --> 0:22:22.080 It's interesting that Saul came to Jerusalem and caused so 0:22:22.200 --> 0:22:27.680 much turmoil. Jerusalem means the city of peace. This was 0:22:27.800 --> 0:22:30.840 home to many of the disciples. This is where they 0:22:30.840 --> 0:22:34.320 felt secure. They could relax and be at ease. But 0:22:34.480 --> 0:22:38.360 now their city of peace was turned into a city 0:22:38.480 --> 0:22:39.280 of chaos. 0:22:40.080 --> 0:22:40.879 Where was God? 0:22:41.320 --> 0:22:44.639 A few chapters earlier, he sent the rushing mighty wind. 0:22:45.280 --> 0:22:48.520 It's not like God couldn't have stopped Saul from wreaking havoc. 0:22:49.160 --> 0:22:51.680 But God doesn't stop every difficulty. 0:22:51.840 --> 0:22:53.040 They're a part of his plan. 0:22:53.880 --> 0:22:58.639 Because of the persecution in Jerusalem, Philip had to go 0:22:58.680 --> 0:23:04.240 to Samaria. In Samaria, the scripture says Philip performed all 0:23:04.359 --> 0:23:08.800 kinds of miracles. Great favor was on his life. Blind 0:23:08.840 --> 0:23:11.480 eyes were open, the lepers were cured. 0:23:12.119 --> 0:23:14.880 What's my point, Saul was a set up. 0:23:15.480 --> 0:23:19.520 Saul wreaking havoc was to push Philip into this new 0:23:19.600 --> 0:23:25.600 level of ministry. Sometimes God will allow your place of peace, 0:23:26.320 --> 0:23:29.720 your home where you're comfortable, to be disrupted. 0:23:30.119 --> 0:23:32.760 That's what's happened to us here in Houston now. 0:23:32.760 --> 0:23:35.800 I'm not saying that God sends the storms, but God 0:23:35.880 --> 0:23:40.119 will allow storms. He will allow Sauls to come along. 0:23:40.720 --> 0:23:43.479 This is where you have to know who God is 0:23:44.000 --> 0:23:47.159 and what he's up to. Number One, God is a 0:23:47.240 --> 0:23:47.879 good God. 0:23:48.240 --> 0:23:51.360 He is for you. Number two, He's. 0:23:51.160 --> 0:23:54.760 Going to use that discomfort to launch you to a 0:23:54.800 --> 0:23:59.920 new level. The storm is your water breaking. You're about 0:23:59.920 --> 0:24:03.520 to give birth. Like Philip, You're going to see things 0:24:03.520 --> 0:24:07.480 you've never seen, accomplish what you've never accomplished. 0:24:08.200 --> 0:24:12.280 When Saul shows up, when Harvey hits things that disrupt 0:24:12.280 --> 0:24:15.919 your place of peace, be still and know that he 0:24:16.080 --> 0:24:16.520 is God. 0:24:17.080 --> 0:24:20.960 He has in the palm of his hand. The enemy 0:24:21.080 --> 0:24:24.679 sent that storm to harm you, disrupt you. What he 0:24:24.720 --> 0:24:29.080 didn't realize is God saw it coming and he already 0:24:29.160 --> 0:24:32.040 has a plan to use it to promote you, to 0:24:32.200 --> 0:24:36.680 increase you, to launch you to a new level. But 0:24:36.720 --> 0:24:39.359 none of us like to be uncomfortable, to be under 0:24:39.400 --> 0:24:44.040 pressure in situations that are unfair. The truth is giving 0:24:44.160 --> 0:24:48.320 birth is uncomfortable. I've been in the delivery room when 0:24:48.400 --> 0:24:53.359 our children were born. Victoria is as nice as can be, easygoing, 0:24:53.600 --> 0:24:56.520 fun to be around, but when she was in labor, 0:24:57.000 --> 0:25:00.760 when those contractions hit. I saw a new side of 0:25:00.800 --> 0:25:05.440 this lady. They tell you in the birthing classes beforehand 0:25:05.480 --> 0:25:07.679 that the husband is supposed to be the coach and 0:25:08.000 --> 0:25:10.719 tell the wife when to breathe. When I saw how 0:25:10.800 --> 0:25:13.440 much pain she was in, I thought, you can breathe 0:25:13.480 --> 0:25:14.480 whenever you want to. 0:25:14.960 --> 0:25:18.399 I'm not gonna tell you what to do. Well, what's funny. 0:25:18.720 --> 0:25:22.840 One moment she was in great pain, uncomfortable, But when 0:25:22.840 --> 0:25:26.359 she gave birth, when she held her little son, saw 0:25:26.400 --> 0:25:30.080 how amazing he was, she forgot all about the pain. 0:25:30.680 --> 0:25:34.920 She was so overjoyed, so grateful to God, she didn't 0:25:34.960 --> 0:25:37.000 think about what she had been through. 0:25:38.000 --> 0:25:41.840 Yes, the birthing process can be painful. We don't like it. 0:25:41.920 --> 0:25:42.919 We have to endure. 0:25:43.320 --> 0:25:46.320 But can I encourage you when you give birth to 0:25:46.400 --> 0:25:48.879 what God has put in you. When you see the 0:25:48.960 --> 0:25:51.520 new things He has in store, You're not going to 0:25:51.640 --> 0:25:55.280 remember all the trauma. You're not gonna think about what 0:25:55.359 --> 0:25:58.760 didn't work out and how unfair it was. When you 0:25:58.840 --> 0:26:02.800 see your babies, so to speak, your new house, your 0:26:02.880 --> 0:26:05.359 child back on course, your health restored. 0:26:05.640 --> 0:26:08.480 When you give birth, you're going to be so grateful 0:26:08.480 --> 0:26:10.760 to God, so amazed. 0:26:10.320 --> 0:26:13.800 At his goodness, you won't have time to think about 0:26:13.800 --> 0:26:17.919 the process. You'll be too caught up enjoying the blessings. 0:26:18.600 --> 0:26:21.159 Now my challenge keep looking ahead. 0:26:21.680 --> 0:26:22.879 Your baby is coming. 0:26:23.680 --> 0:26:27.919 It may be painful now you feel flooded by challenges. 0:26:28.280 --> 0:26:32.560 Have the right perspective. Your water broke. That means you're 0:26:32.600 --> 0:26:33.840 about to give birth. 0:26:34.359 --> 0:26:38.600 That difficulty is a setup for God to do something new, 0:26:39.200 --> 0:26:42.400 something that you haven't seen, so you can take new 0:26:42.440 --> 0:26:45.160 ground for the kingdom, so you can set a new 0:26:45.200 --> 0:26:48.960 standard for your family. You may have been through the flood, 0:26:49.400 --> 0:26:52.160 through the fire, and through the famine. 0:26:51.640 --> 0:26:54.800 But get ready for the fourth f fever is coming. 0:26:55.600 --> 0:26:58.520 What you give birth to is going to be greater 0:26:58.680 --> 0:27:02.280 than anything that you lost. This is not the time 0:27:02.320 --> 0:27:03.400 to be discouraged. 0:27:03.480 --> 0:27:04.040 This is the. 0:27:04.040 --> 0:27:07.680 Time to stir your faith up. God has not brought 0:27:07.720 --> 0:27:10.960 you this far to leave you. The flood may have 0:27:11.080 --> 0:27:15.639 interrupted your life, but it did not interrupt your destiny. 0:27:15.800 --> 0:27:17.840 God is still on the throne. 0:27:18.040 --> 0:27:20.639 Life with Joseph is all a part of his plan. 0:27:21.119 --> 0:27:24.600 You may not understand it, but God will not mismanage 0:27:24.600 --> 0:27:28.320 your life. Now, I believe and declare for everything that 0:27:28.400 --> 0:27:31.080 you've lost, God is going to give you back more 0:27:31.680 --> 0:27:33.240 for everything that was unfair. 0:27:33.520 --> 0:27:34.359 You're going to come. 0:27:34.200 --> 0:27:38.679 Out better, stronger, healthier, promoted to a new level of 0:27:38.720 --> 0:27:41.080 your destiny in Jesus's name. 0:27:41.520 --> 0:27:43.119 If you receive it. Can you say it? 0:27:43.240 --> 0:27:43.359 Men? 0:27:43.440 --> 0:27:48.600 Today, I'd like to give you an opportunity to make 0:27:48.720 --> 0:27:50.399 Jesus the lord of your life. 0:27:50.880 --> 0:27:52.320 Would you pray with me today? 0:27:53.119 --> 0:27:57.440 Just say Lord Jesus, I'll repent of my sins. 0:27:58.720 --> 0:28:02.080 Come into my heart. I'll make you my lord and 0:28:02.160 --> 0:28:02.520 save you. 0:28:04.040 --> 0:28:06.680 If you played that simple prayer, we believe you got 0:28:06.680 --> 0:28:09.919 born again, Get in a good Bible based church, and 0:28:10.000 --> 0:28:13.639 keep God first place. Victorian, I'll be right back to 0:28:13.680 --> 0:28:15.080 speak a blessing over you. 0:28:16.520 --> 0:28:19.000 As a thank you for your support of our ministry 0:28:19.040 --> 0:28:21.679 this month, Jewel and Victoria would like to send you 0:28:21.760 --> 0:28:25.320 a copy of Joel's news series, The Power of Peace. 0:28:25.680 --> 0:28:28.240 When you're in peace, you're in a position of power. 0:28:28.680 --> 0:28:31.760 You're saying by your actions, God, I trust you, I 0:28:31.840 --> 0:28:34.960 know you're in control. You will not only enjoy your 0:28:35.000 --> 0:28:37.560 life more, but that's what will allow God to turn 0:28:37.640 --> 0:28:39.160 negative situations around. 0:28:39.360 --> 0:28:41.320 If you're going to live peaceful, you have to do 0:28:41.360 --> 0:28:43.920 it on purpose. It's a choice that we have to make. 0:28:44.360 --> 0:28:47.280 Because this resource, you'll learn how to stay in peace 0:28:47.480 --> 0:28:49.000 and live a victorious life. 0:28:49.800 --> 0:28:52.840 Request your copy of the Power of Peace today at 0:28:52.920 --> 0:28:56.440 Joelouisdean dot com or call eight eight eight five six 0:28:56.560 --> 0:28:57.320 seven Joel. 0:28:59.040 --> 0:29:02.120 In all the years of Joel, the message of Joy 0:29:02.160 --> 0:29:05.440 has really impacted my life. He talks about how things 0:29:05.520 --> 0:29:08.120 happen that are not ideal, things that we don't plan for, 0:29:08.440 --> 0:29:11.320 but joy is found in us because Jesus is in us. 0:29:11.560 --> 0:29:13.720 I'm really grateful that to have access to the program 0:29:13.760 --> 0:29:15.600 to encourage and motivate me every week. 0:29:15.840 --> 0:29:18.719 Your support is making a difference around the world. 0:29:18.960 --> 0:29:22.000 Thank you so much for your prayer, for your generosity. 0:29:22.400 --> 0:29:25.360 Special thank you to our Champion of Whope partners for 0:29:25.440 --> 0:29:28.200 all you do to make the ministry possible. You know, 0:29:28.360 --> 0:29:31.120 Victoria and I pray for you every single day. We're 0:29:31.160 --> 0:29:34.320 believe in twenty seventeen You're going to see God's favor 0:29:34.400 --> 0:29:38.480 in new ways. Stay encouraged, stay uplifted, and know that you're. 0:29:38.280 --> 0:29:39.080 In our prayers. 0:29:39.200 --> 0:29:41.640 Don't forget I have a new book coming out October 0:29:41.680 --> 0:29:43.600 twenty fourth, Blessed in the Darkness. 0:29:43.640 --> 0:29:45.800 I know you'll enjoy it till we meet again. 0:29:46.320 --> 0:29:50.080 Know that you're redeemed, You're forgiven You're not average, You're 0:29:50.120 --> 0:29:51.760 a child of the most time. 0:29:51.640 --> 0:30:07.920 God nice buns, soft, fluffy and ultralownetcarbs. Discover hero Bread 0:30:08.000 --> 0:30:12.080 the delicious ultralow net carbbread with incredible taste and texture. 0:30:12.400 --> 0:30:15.200 Hero Bread has zero grams of sugar and is under 0:30:15.240 --> 0:30:18.000 one hundred calories per serving, plus high end fiber and 0:30:18.120 --> 0:30:21.080 up to ten grams of protein per serving. 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