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Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks so much for listening to the podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. We believe you're going to have an awesome 2024, healthy, productive, and favor-filled. God bless you today and enjoy the message. Well, God bless you. It's great to be with you today and I hope you'll stay connected with us during the week through our daily podcast, our YouTube channel, social media. We'll keep you encouraged and inspired.
I like to start with something funny and I heard about this man. He was the only Protestant in a large Catholic neighborhood. Every Friday during Lent, while his neighbors were eating cold fish, he was grilling a steak in his backyard. They couldn't stand the temptation, decided to try to convert him to Catholicism. He finally agreed. A priest came over and sprinkled water on him, said, you were born a Baptist, you were raised a Baptist, but now you're a Catholic.
The next year on the first Friday of Lent, they smelled the same smell. They rushed to his house. He was in his backyard sprinkling water over his steak saying, you were born a cow, you were raised a cow, but now you're a fish.
Say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. Today, I will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert. My heart is receptive. I will never be the same in Jesus name. God bless you. I want to talk to you today about your move when life's unfair.
We all go through disappointments, things that don't make sense. Friend walked out on you. You were overlooked for a promotion. You came down with an illness. I talked to a young lady that grew up in a home filled with abuse. Nobody was there to guide her. The people that should have been helping her were doing just the opposite. She didn't understand why she was raised in such hurt and dysfunction.
It's easy to let what's unfair be an excuse to not pursue our destiny. I can't be successful. I had a rough childhood. I'll never be happy. I lost a loved one. Can't accomplish my dream, Joel. The pandemic slowed me down. Company let me go. I didn't get the scholarship. Here's the key. It's not your fault that you got knocked down, but it is your responsibility to get back up.
That was wrong that they hurt you. That wasn't fair that you went through the injustice. That wasn't right that they walked away. I'm not lessening what you've been through. I'm not excusing their behavior, but I am telling you, you have to get back up. Your move when unfair things happen is to go forward in faith, trusting that God will make it up to you.
Because it's tempting to stay down, live bitter, give up on your dreams. After all, you have a good excuse. You may have a reason, but you don't have a right. God still has a great purpose in front of you. He saw what happened. He saw what they did, who left you out, what you lost. He said he would pay you back double for the unfair things. He said he has beauty for those ashes. There's something you have to do though.
Can't sit around in defeat, nursing your wounds. Why did this happen to me? Don't put a question mark where God has put a period. Part of faith is trusting when life doesn't make sense. We're never going to understand everything that happens. You can't let one betrayal, one divorce, one bad season sour the rest of your life.
I know it wasn't fair. I know it was painful. It wasn't your fault, but you can't stop there. You have a responsibility to get back up. That means quit reliving the hurts. Quit thinking about what they did. Quit believing the lies that you've seen your best days. God knows how to make it up to you.
When he sees you moving forward when you could be sitting in defeat You're praising when you could be complaining you have a smile when you could be depressed You're being good to someone even though you've been through hurts. You better get ready God is going to show out in your life. You will see greater favor Because of the unfair things the enemy minute for harm. God is going to turn it to your advantage. He
A man told me recently about how his business partner didn't keep his word and left him with all this debt. Now his business is struggling to make it. He was so down. He said, Joel, this man has ruined my credit. He's damaged my reputation. He took my main clients. He's basically ruined my life. It's okay to feel hurt, to feel wrong, to feel violated. God made us with feelings. I'm not saying you have to be Superman, never feel anything.
But if you're going to see the beauty for the ashes if you're going to see god pay you back for the wrongs At some point you have to rule over those feelings Get your passion back and start moving forward if you use it as an excuse It will keep you from your purpose But on the other side of the excuse is a new level of your destiny if that person that did you wrong could in fact ruin your life They would be more powerful than god
That's not possible. The bad break, the injustice, the loss did not stop God's plan for your life. Wasn't your fault that you got knocked down, but it is your responsibility to get back up. The way you move forward in faith is knowing that God is working all things for your good. May not have been good. It was unfair. It was hurtful, but God knows how to turn it for your good.
He's not going to leave your life in a broken place, in a damaged place, in an unjust place. That may be the reason you are where you are. That's your explanation, but don't make it your excuse. Have a new perspective. Yes, I had some bad breaks. That's why my business is down, but this is not how my story ends. I went through a loss. It was painful, but I know weeping endures for a night, but joy is coming in the morning.
I had a lot of dysfunction growing up. Didn't get off to a good start, but I know my latter days will be better than my former days. Nothing that's happened to you is a surprise to God. He wouldn't have allowed it if it was going to stop your purpose. You may have gone through loss, things that are not fair, but what you need to fulfill your purpose is not in what you've lost, it's in what you have left. Take the hands you've been dealt and make the most of it.
First Samuel chapter 30, David and his men were living in the city of Ziglag. They'd been on a mission for several days. When they were returning home, they noticed smoke billowing in the air from the direction of Ziglag. They picked up the pace, worried that something was wrong. As they got closer, their worst fears came true. Amalekite bandits had come in and raided the city.
They kidnapped all their wives and children, stole all their possessions and burned down their houses. It was the worst defeat that David had ever suffered. Here he was out doing the right thing, protecting God's people and his whole world fell apart. The scripture says he and his men wept until they could not weep anymore. If that wasn't bad enough, David's men were so upset, they started blaming David. They talked about stoning him.
Wasn't fair that David was doing the right thing, but the wrong thing happened Wasn't fair that his possessions were stolen his family was taken his men were turning on him But god doesn't promise us that life will always be fair He doesn't say if you do the right thing the wrong thing will never happen life happens to us all It's what we do in these unfair times that determine whether we get stuck
and let it sour the rest of our lives, or whether we move forward and see God make it up to us. David was at a critical point. He could have been bitter. God, I don't understand it. How could you let this happen? If he would have stayed in a defeated mindset, this would be the last we hear of David. He understood this principle. It wasn't his fault that he got knocked down. He had no control over that, but it was his responsibility to get back up.
He knew if he stayed in the ashes, reliving his defeat, feeling sorry for himself, it would keep him from his destiny. Yes, he had a good explanation for why he was down. Nobody would have disagreed if he'd have given up on his dreams, faded off into the sunset. But he didn't let his explanation become his excuse. I would have been a great king, but man, we got attacked at Ziglag.
I would have left my mark, but these people did me wrong. I would have been a hero of faith, but these unfair things happened to me. No, on the other side of that excuse is expansion. There's a new level of your destiny. Are you going to stick with the excuse or are you going to see the expansion? It depends on if you take responsibility and get back up when you get knocked down. Now, I know it wasn't fair.
I know they did you wrong. You don't understand it. Leave that all in God's hands. Just do your part, get your passion back, get your faith back, get your dreams back. This is what made David a champion. Not that he didn't have injustice, not that he never had bad breaks, things that weren't fair, people that did him wrong. He knew how to get back up.
He dried his tears. He shook off the defeated mindset told his men get up We're going to go attack the enemy. He didn't stay on the defensive Thinking that he's seen his best days his attitude was I have a destiny to fulfill This bad break didn't stop my purpose. I know that god will make it up to me That's how you move forward when it's unfair not looking to people
Not hoping your boss will feel sorry for you not counting on your friend to make it up to you Look up to your creator Look up to the most high. He's the one that has beauty for the ashes He's the one that can bring you out better than you were before David and his men headed out. They didn't know where the amalekites were but along the way They found a man that was very sick. They gave him food and water and asked who he was
He said he was a slave of the Amalekites. They had left him behind. He was too weak to travel. David said, tell me where they are and I'll spare your life. He led them straight to the Amalekites camp. God knows how to put the right people in your path. He knows how to get you to where you're supposed to be. The Amalekites were having a big party, celebrating the victory. Sometimes the enemy celebrates too soon.
Don't worry if you see them celebrating. God is not finished. David and his men attacked. The scripture says they recovered everything they had lost. All their wives and children were unharmed. They got all their possessions back. Not only that, they gathered up all the spoils from the Amalekites.
That's what happens when you don't let an injustice, a bad break, a loss cause you to get discouraged and settle where you are. But what stops us many times is we have a good reason to be sour, a good reason to give up on our dreams, had a bad childhood, person walked away, the company let us go.
Wasn't our fault that we got knocked down. I understand that but what i'm saying is it is your responsibility to get back up We wouldn't be talking about david if he'd use that bad break as an excuse. He was honoring god He was not taking revenge against king saul He didn't get bitter when his family left him out would have been different if he is slacking off Compromising doing whatever he felt like
But he was being his best a person of integrity yet the bottom fell out That's a test. Are you going to let it be an excuse that keeps you from your greatness? Or are you going to get back up knowing that god is still on the throne that he has good plans for you That what tried to stop you was only setting you up for something greater three days after david's biggest defeat
Three days after he lost everything, he not only recovered it all, but King Saul was killed in a battle and David was made king. When you face your biggest battles, the most unfair, unjust, that's a sign that you're close to seeing your greatest victories, your biggest accomplishments, your most rewarding relationships.
The enemy always fights you the hardest when he knows you're close to a new level of your destiny. Now don't settle where you are, reliving the hurt, thinking about what didn't work out. God, where were you? God never left you. He's been right by your side. That's how you made it through.
My question is not, was it unfair? Did they do you wrong? Were you left out? We all agree that it wasn't right, that you got knocked down. My question is, are you getting back up? And see, it's not your responsibility to fix everything, to straighten them out, to prove that you're okay. Leave that up to God. Your part is to simply move forward in faith, not looking back, not letting excuses keep you from dreaming again.
Not bitter over what didn't work out. You know, it's all in God's hands You trust that he's working all things for your good all things means The unfair things the things you had no control over you were doing the right thing and the wrong thing happened All things are the betrayals The times you were left out the times they said something that set you back You didn't get the promotion your family member didn't make it
Wasn't fair. It didn't make sense, but you got back up you're moving forward Like with David you're going to see God show out in your life He's going to do something unusual out of the ordinary that catapults you to a new level in the 1950s My father was pastoring a thriving church. They just built a beautiful new sanctuary He was on the state board for his denomination His future looked very bright
Then my sister Lisa was born with something like cerebral palsy. The doctors told my parents she would probably need constant care. My father went to a hotel downtown for a few days to be alone and study the scripture. He told how he took off his denominational glasses and he read the Bible like he was reading it for the first time. He saw how Jesus went around healing people, how he was a God of miracles.
He came back to his church with his new message of faith and victory. He thought they would be so excited, but it was just the opposite. Didn't fit into their tradition. There was so much divisiveness that my father ended up having to leave the church. He was devastated. He and my mother had poured their heart and soul into those people for years, and now it was all gone. My mother had lifelong friends that never spoke to her again.
When you come to these places that are not fair, it's a critical time. It's easy to get bitter, give up on life, let that be excuse to never do anything great. You have to dig down deep, say, God, this is painful. It doesn't make sense, but I know you're still in control. You wouldn't have allowed it if you didn't have a purpose for it.
Wasn't my father's fault that he got knocked down That was an injustice, but it was his responsibility to get back up He and my mother went out and started Lakewood on Mother's Day 1959 with 90 people they just come from this big beautiful sanctuary now They were in an old rundown feed store had holes in the floor cracks in the ceiling beat-up chairs
You have to take the hand you've been dealt and make the most of it Your destiny is not in what you've lost but in what you have left anything you've lost You didn't need to become who you were created to be Friendships people contracts opportunities if you lost it don't sweat it What you have left is what god is going to use to take you into your purpose
My parents, they lost the big prestigious sanctuary. You would think they'd be limited. All they had was this old feed store, but God will take what you have left, breathe on it, and it will multiply. All you may have is five loaves and two fish. The disciples asked, what is this among so many? But when God breathes on it, when he favors you, when he vindicates you, when he restores you, the little will become much.
New doors will open. Opportunities will find you. The right people will show up. God is not limited by what you lost. You have what you need to flourish, to blossom, to succeed, to do something awesome.
Those 90 members over time turned into 900 and then 9,000. That old feed store was replaced by a larger sanctuary, then a larger and another larger. People said Lakewood would never make it, but here we are 63 years later in the former compact center, still going strong. Who knows where God is going to take you and your children if you'll just get back up again.
In the scripture, God told Samuel to anoint a young man named Saul to be the first king of Israel. Saul wasn't trained in leadership. He didn't come from an influential family. I can see Samuel taking Saul under his wing, encouraging him, training him, giving him advice, counsel. He wanted him to succeed so badly.
Saul started off good. He was making the right decisions. Over time, he got off course, started compromising, and he lost the kingdom. God told Samuel, I regret that I ever made Saul king. You can imagine how Samuel must have felt. He had poured his time and energy into Saul. Now it seemed like it was all a waste. He was so focused on what he had lost, what didn't work out, wondering why Saul didn't do better.
God said to Samuel, how long are you going to mourn over Saul? Like Samuel, you may have done your best. You gave it your heart and soul, but you didn't get the position. The relationship didn't make it. The business didn't succeed. God is saying to you, how long are you going to mourn over what you lost, over what didn't work out, over what wasn't fair?
God told Samuel, fill your horn with oil and be on your way for I have chosen another king for you to anoint. God was saying, Samuel, you're focused on what you've lost. Yes, it wasn't fair. It wasn't your fault, but your destiny is not in what you lost. It's in what you have left.
It's significant that after King Saul was rejected, after Samuel's first choice didn't work out, his next choice would be David, the greatest king that ever lived. If you'll stop mourning over what you've lost, then like Samuel, you'll come into something greater, something better, something more fulfilling than you've ever imagined.
My friend Dan was one of my baseball coaches growing up and such a fine man. I was good friends with his son, Danny. When we were in our late teens, Dan's wife of many years was diagnosed with a serious illness. We all prayed and believed. We stood in faith, but she went to be with the Lord. Dan was devastated. They'd been married for many years, had several beautiful children. She was the love of his life.
It didn't seem fair that she was taken at such a young age. It wasn't Dan's fault that he got knocked down. They're good people. They love God. They help others. But when we go through loss, it is our responsibility to get back up. Yes, there's a time for mourning, but you can't let a season of mourning turn into a lifetime of mourning.
Dan was retired from the phone company and instead of sitting around the house depressed, thinking about what he lost, he would go to the funerals where my father was doing the ceremony. Nobody asked him to. He didn't know the people, but his attitude was, I've been through what you're going through. I can encourage you. I can let you know that you're going to make it. He got knocked down, but he didn't stay down.
My father noticed him at all the funerals. He asked Dan to come on staff and lead the comfort ministry that helps those that are going through loss. Few years later, Dan met a beautiful young lady named Shirley. They've been happily married for many years, seeing God's blessing and favor, still serving here at Lakewood. I can't promise you that you won't get knocked down in life.
that there won't be times when it's not fair. But I can promise you, if you'll get back up, God will give you beauty for the ashes. He will pay you back for the wrongs. When David was a teenager, the prophet Samuel came to his house to anoint one of Jesse's sons as the next king of Israel. His father, Jesse, didn't call David in from the shepherd's fields. He thought David was too young, not talented enough.
David had to deal with rejection, betrayal, ridicule. Even after Samuel anointed him, David went back to the shepherd's fields. You never read where David complained. He slacked off, talked badly about his father. He kept being his best when no one was watching. Wasn't fair that his own father didn't believe in him.
Wasn't fair that his brothers made fun of him when he took them lunch on the battlefield Wasn't fair that he was left out in the Shepherd's fields, but David understood this principle He just kept getting back up doing the right thing. He knew no person no bad break no injustice could keep him from his destiny and
King Saul suffered from bouts of depression. His staff told him that when these attacks came, he needed someone to play music. It would help him feel better. Saul agreed and asked him to find someone. They said, we know a young man named David. He's the son of Jesse. He's excellent in playing the harp. The scripture says that Saul sent a message to Jesse saying, send me your son, David, the shepherd.
He didn't send it to David. He sent it to Jesse, the very one that left him out, the very one that discounted him. People may overlook you, but God sees you. They may push you down, but God will lift you up. They may leave you out, but God will call you in. Imagine Jesse hearing a knock on his door. He answers and his officials standing before him from the palace, dressed in royal uniforms, horses, chariots outside.
Jesse thinks what in the world are they doing at my house? Did I do something wrong? Am I in trouble? The official says the king wants your son david to come work for him in the palace Jesse nearly passed out. He thought david the one I didn't think would amount to much god knows how to vindicate you He knows how to make up for the wrongs Someone may have put you at a disadvantage, but people don't have the final say
Don't let an excuse keep you from going to the palace. They never give me credit. They overlook me. They did me wrong. They can't stop your destiny. Quit mourning over what you've lost. Who wasn't for you? What wasn't fair? God sees it. He knows what's happening. If you'll move forward in faith, the right people will come looking for you. Opportunity will come tracking you down. Promotion will come knocking on your door.
It's not your fault that they weren't for you. It's not your fault that you had bad breaks, but it is your responsibility to get back up.
What you've been through may be your explanation as to why you are where you are But don't let it be your excuse to stay where you are. This is a new day God is doing a new thing. He's about to pay you back for what wasn't fair He's about to open doors. You never dreamed would open the best part of your life is still in front of you Now here's the key the enemy would love for you to get stuck
Focused on your hurts what they did what you didn't get don't fall into that trap Your move when life is unfair is to go forward in faith Knowing that god is still on the throne that he's going to work it all out for your good If you'll do this, I believe and declare like with david God is going to promote you in front of people that tried to hold you back
Like with my father, out of that rejection is going to come new levels of your destiny. Like with Samuel, Saul may not have worked out, but it's going to open the door to David to something better than you've imagined in Jesus' name. And if you receive it, can you say amen? I'd like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus the Lord of your life. Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Amen.
Come into my heart, I make you my Lord and Savior. If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. We'd love to send you some free information on your new walk with the Lord. You can text the number on the screen or go to the website. I hope you'll get into a good Bible-based church and keep God first place. God has put a specific dream in your heart. Maybe it's a dream for a better career, a blessing that enables you to bless others.
We'll be right back.
One way you know it's a God-given dream is you can't accomplish it on your own. We never thought we'd be having church in a former basketball arena, but this is what can happen when you take the limits off of God. When you believe what God put in your heart, that's when He steps in and makes ways where you never saw ways. I'd love to send you my newest book, It's Time to Dream Again. It'll help you to hold on to what God promised and not get discouraged by how impossible it looks or how long it's taking.
You are closer than you think. God's working behind the scenes right now. Stay in faith. You're going to see the greatness of God bring your dreams to pass.
God bless you.
God's plan for you is significant. His dreams for you are beyond what you could imagine. Don't wait another day. It's time to dream again. This book will help you gain a fresh perspective for your dreams and to believe for everything God has put in your heart. Victoria and I pray for you and your family every day. Thank you so much for your prayer and support. Your generosity is making a difference around the world.
Remember, you can watch the services live online every Sunday. Download the daily podcast or our YouTube channel. Listen on Sirius XM. We will keep you encouraged and inspired. But until we meet again, may the Lord bless you and keep you. Be sure to request your copy of It's Time to Dream Again today. Visit joelostein.com or call 888-567-JOEL.
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Start a show together with your included Paramount Plus subscription. Walmart Plus members save on this plus so much more. Start a 30-day free trial at WalmartPlus.com. Paramount Plus is central plan only. Separate registration required. See Walmart Plus terms and conditions.
