JOEL: GOD BLESS YOU.
IT'S GREAT TO BE WITH YOU TODAY. 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.
I HEARD ABOUT THIS SCIENTIST. HE SAID TO GOD,
“WE'VE DECIDED WE NO LONGER NEED YOU. WE CAN CLONE
PEOPLE, TRANSPLANT HEARTS, DO ALL KINDS OF THINGS
ONCE CONSIDERED MIRACULOUS.” GOD SAID, “FINE, BUT TO
PROVE YOU DON'T NEED ME, LET'S HAVE A MAN MAKING
CONTEST. THE ONLY REQUIREMENT IS YOU HAVE
TO MAKE MAN OUT OF DIRT.” THE SCIENTIST SAID,
“GREAT”, AND REACHED DOWN TO PICK UP A HANDFUL OF
DIRT. GOD SAID, “NOT SO FAST, GO GET YOUR OWN DIRT.”
HERE WE GO, READY? 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 PASS THE TEST. WE ALL FACE SITUATIONS THAT ARE
UNCOMFORTABLE. WE'RE NOT GETTING OUR WAY,
SOMEONE IS NOT TREATING US RIGHT, OUR DREAM IS TAKING
LONGER THAN WE THOUGHT. IT'S EASY TO GET UPSET,
LIVE FRUSTRATED, WONDERING WHY IT'S NOT CHANGING.
BUT MUCH OF LIFE IS A TEST. YOU DON'T REALLY KNOW
WHAT'S IN YOU UNTIL YOU'RE PUT UNDER PRESSURE.
IT'S EASY TO HAVE A GOOD ATTITUDE WHEN EVERYTHING IS
GOING OUR WAY, PEOPLE ARE BEING GOOD TO YOU, DOORS
ARE OPENING. THE DRIVER NEXT TO YOU
POLITELY LETS YOU IN. YOU'LL FEEL THE JOY OF THE
LORD, “THANK YOU LORD FOR YOUR FAVOR.” THAT'S GOOD.
PRAISE, GRATEFULNESS IS INSIDE YOU.
BUT HOW ABOUT WHEN THE DRIVER ISN'T SO POLITE.
IN FACT, THEY MAKE SURE YOU DON'T GET IN, STAY RIGHT ON
THE OTHER PERSON'S BUMPER. YOU MAY FIND OUT THERE ARE
SOME OTHER THINGS IN YOU BESIDES PRAISE AND
THANKSGIVING. YOU WEREN'T SPEAKING IN TONGUES BUT
ANOTHER LANGUAGE STARTED COMING OUT. PETER TOLD
JESUS, “I'LL NEVER DENY YOU, I'M YOUR MOST
FAITHFUL DISCIPLE.” HIS HEART WAS RIGHT, HE HAD
GOOD INTENTIONS. STANDING WITH THE OTHER
DISCIPLES, IN THAT ATMOSPHERE OF FAITH, THAT
WASN'T DIFFICULT. BUT WHEN HE WAS PUT UNDER PRESSURE,
WHEN THE ROMAN SOLDIERS WERE ARRESTING JESUS, WHEN
THE HEAT WAS TURNED UP, THE YOUNG LADY SAID, “HE'S ONE
OF HIS DISCIPLES.” PETER SAID, “NO, I'M NOT.
YOU HAVE THE WRONG PERSON.” THREE TIMES HE DENIED THAT
HE KNEW JESUS. THE PRESSURE BRINGS TO
LIGHT WEAKNESSES IN OUR CHARACTER, AREAS WE NEED TO
DEAL WITH. IF WE'LL BE WILLING TO
CHANGE, MAKE ADJUSTMENTS, START PASSING THOSE TESTS,
THEN GOD WILL SHOW US MORE OF HIS FAVOR.
JUST BECAUSE PETER FAILED THAT TEST, IT DIDN'T STOP
HIS DESTINY. GOD DOESN'T GIVE UP ON US.
HE GIVES US ANOTHER CHANCE. IT'S SIGNIFICANT THAT PETER
IS THE ONE THAT WROTE, “DON'T BE SURPRISED AT THE
FIERY TRIAL THAT IS TO TEST YOUR QUALITY.” THE PURPOSE
OF THE TRIAL IS TO TEST YOUR CHARACTER.
GOD ALREADY KNOWS HOW YOU'RE GOING TO RESPOND.
IT'S NOT TO SHOW GOD, IT'S TO SHOW YOU WHAT'S IN YOU.
EVERY TRAFFIC JAM, EVERY PERSON THAT GETS ON YOUR
NERVES, EVERY TIME YOU'RE TEMPTED TO BE JEALOUS,
CRITICAL, PAY SOMEONE BACK, THAT'S NOT A RANDOM
CHALLENGE, THAT'S GOD TESTING YOUR QUALITY.
THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW, TO COME UP HIGHER, TO
SHOW HIM WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF.
THE PROBLEM WITH FAILING THE TEST, BEING RUDE TO
SOMEONE THAT'S RUDE TO YOU, GETTING UPSET EVERY TIME
YOU GET STUCK IN TRAFFIC, BEING JEALOUS OVER A FRIEND
THAT GOT A PROMOTION, WHEN YOU DON'T PASS, YOU'RE
GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE THE TEST AGAIN. IT'S NOT GOING
TO GO AWAY. GOD IS GOING TO KEEP
TESTING YOUR QUALITY. HE LOVES YOU TOO MUCH TO
LET YOU STAY AT ONE LEVEL. THAT'S WHY YOU CAN'T PRAY
AWAY EVERYTHING THAT'S UNCOMFORTABLE.
“GOD GET THIS COWORKER OUT OF MY LIFE.
THEY'RE IRRITATING ME. THEY'RE GETTING ON MY
NERVES.” THAT'S A TEST. WHY DON'T YOU BE AN EAGLE, RISE
ABOVE THEIR PETTINESS, STOP LETTING THEM STEAL YOUR JOY.
STOP GIVING THEM YOUR POWER. WHEN YOU LET SOMEONE ELSE
DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT YOU'RE GOING TO STAY IN
PEACE, YOU'RE HANDING THEM YOUR THERMOSTAT.
YOU'RE LETTING THEM CONTROL YOUR TEMPERATURE.
THEY SAY SOMETHING RUDE; YOU GET UPSET.
THEY LEAVE YOU OUT, YOU GET OFFENDED.
THEY IGNORE YOU; YOUR DAY IS SOURED.
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR, TAKE YOUR THERMOSTAT BACK.
QUIT LETTING OTHER PEOPLE CONTROL YOUR ATMOSPHERE,
DETERMINE YOUR MOOD, YOUR PEACE, YOUR JOY.
YOU CAN'T CONTROL WHAT THEY DO, BUT YOU CAN CONTROL HOW
YOU RESPOND. START PASSING THAT TEST.
NEXT TIME THEY'RE RUDE, JUST SMILE AND GO ABOUT
YOUR DAY. WHEN THEY LEAVE YOU OUT,
JUST STAY IN PEACE, “GOD I KNOW YOU'RE FIGHTING MY
BATTLES. YOU'RE MY VINDICATOR.” WHEN
THEY TRY TO MAKE YOU FEEL SMALL, JUST IGNORE IT AND
MOVE ON. THEY DON'T DETERMINE YOUR
DESTINY. YOU'RE NOT WHO THEY SAY YOU
ARE, YOU ARE WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE.
YOU'RE A MASTERPIECE, ONE OF A KIND, CROWNED WITH
FAVOR. INSTEAD OF TRYING TO PRAY
THEM AWAY, TRY A DIFFERENT APPROACH AND BE HAPPY
DESPITE WHAT THEY'RE DOING. BLOOM WHERE YOU'RE PLANTED.
THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, “NO PERSON CAN TAKE YOUR JOY.”
THEY CAN'T TAKE IT. YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT.
MAKE UP YOUR MIND, “I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE THIS JERK, I
MEAN THIS COWORKER MY JOY.” DON'T GO THE NEXT TWENTY
YEARS LETTING THE SAME THINGS UPSET YOU, THE SAME
PEOPLE, SAME TRAFFIC, SAME DELAYS.
IT'S A TEST. IF YOU'LL GROW, IF YOU'LL RESPOND
DIFFERENTLY, SOMETIMES GOD WILL REMOVE IT.
BUT HERE'S THE KEY, EVEN IF HE DOESN'T BECAUSE YOU'VE
CHANGED, BECAUSE YOUR CHARACTER HAS COME UP
HIGHER, IT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT YOU.
I'VE FOUND, WHEN GOD IS NOT CHANGING THE CIRCUMSTANCE,
HE'S USING THE CIRCUMSTANCE TO CHANGE ME.
I'M A VERY GOAL-ORIENTED PERSON.
I HAVE A PLAN, I'M FOCUSED, I LIKE TO GET THINGS DONE.
THAT'S A NICE WAY OF SAYING I STRUGGLE WITH BEING
IMPATIENT. BUT IT SEEMED LIKE THE MORE
IN A HURRY I WAS, THE MORE I WOULD FIND MYSELF IN
SITUATIONS WHERE I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT.
AT THE GROCERY STORE, THERE WOULD BE THREE REGISTERS TO
CHECK OUT. I'D MAKE SURE I WOULD GET
IN THE SHORTEST LINE. I WOULD CALCULATE IT.
COUNT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN LINE, STUDY HOW MUCH WAS
IN THEIR CART. I WAS ON A MISSION TO GET IN AND GET
OUT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. INVARIABLY, THE PERSON IN
FRONT OF ME WOULD NEED A PRICE CHECK, THEY CAN'T
FIND THE ITEM, THE COMPUTER IS MALFUNCTIONING.
ONE TIME THE CLERK WAS NEW. SHE WAS SO SLOW.
THE SUPERVISOR HAD TO COME OVER THREE TIMES.
THE WHOLE TIME I WATCHED PEOPLE IN OTHER LINES PASS
ME BY. THAT WOULD GET ME SO
STRESSED. I NEVER REALIZED IT WAS A
TEST. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A BAD BREAK, I CHOSE THE
WRONG LINE. ONE DAY IT DAWNED ON ME
THAT I ALWAYS GOT BEHIND THE SLOWEST PERSON, IN THE
GROCERY STORE, ON THE FREEWAY, AT THE AIRPORT.
WHY IS THAT? YOU'LL BE TESTED IN THE
AREA OF YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESS.
I'M NOT TESTED IN BEING FOCUSED, BEING RESPONSIBLE,
TAKING RISK, THOSE ARE MY STRENGTHS.
I'M TESTED IN BEING IMPATIENT.
IF YOU STRUGGLE WITH BEING JEALOUS, DON'T BE SURPRISED
IF YOU SEE EVERY FRIEND THAT GETS SOMETHING THAT
YOU WANT. YOUR COWORKER MAKES HALF AS
MUCH AS YOU, THEY DRIVE UP IN A BRAND-NEW CAR.
YOU TAKE YOUR FAMILY ON VACATION FOR A FEW DAYS
DOWN TO LAKE CONROE, YOU WERE HAPPY UNTIL YOUR
NEIGHBOR CALLS FROM PARIS, THEY'RE SPENDING TWO WEEKS
THERE. YOU'RE BELIEVING FOR A
SPOUSE, TO MEET THE RIGHT PERSON, YOUR BEST FRIEND
GETS ENGAGED, YOUR COUSIN, YOUR CO-WORKER, YOUR
NINETY-YEAR-OLD GRANDMOTHER. YOU'RE THE BRIDESMAID IN
SIX WEDDINGS, SMILING, “I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU.”
INSIDE, “I AM SO UPSET. GOD THIS IS SO NOT FAIR.”
I'LL TELL YOU SOMETHING FUNNY.
A PASTOR FRIEND OF MINE HE WAS BELIEVING FOR A NEW
BUILDING FOR HIS CHURCH. FOR SEVERAL YEARS, HE'D
BEEN PRAYING, LOOKING EVERYWHERE, RAISING FUNDS,
BUT NOTHING WAS AVAILABLE. A NEW PASTOR MOVED IN TOWN,
HADN'T BEEN THERE TWO MONTHS.
HE CALLED MY FRIEND, SAID, “I WANT TO COME PICK YOU UP
AND TAKE YOU SOMEWHERE.” MY FRIEND WAS EXCITED.
HE THOUGHT MAYBE HE'D FOUND MY FRIEND A NEW BUILDING, A
PLACE TO RENT. HE DROVE HIM TO THIS
BEAUTIFUL BUILDING, PRIME LOCATION, GREAT PARKING.
HE SAID, “THE OWNER OF THIS PROPERTY, JUST TOLD ME I
COULD USE IT RENT FREE FOR FIVE YEARS.
ISN'T THIS AWESOME?” MY FRIEND SAID, “YES, IT SO
AWESOME.” HE DIDN'T MEAN A WORD OF IT.
HE WAS SO DISCOURAGED. BUT GOD BLESSING SOMEONE
ELSE DOESN'T MEAN HE'S NOT GOING TO BLESS YOU.
GOD DIDN'T RUN OUT OF FAVOR. THAT'S A TEST. HE'S
WATCHING TO SEE HOW YOU'RE GOING TO RESPOND.
“WELL, THEY DON'T DESERVE IT, I'VE BEEN HERE LONGER
THAN THEM, I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.” NO PASS THE
TEST. BE HAPPY FOR THEM. THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO
SHOW GOD WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF.
IF YOU WILL CELEBRATE OTHERS, THEN GOD WILL HAVE
PLENTY OF TIMES WHERE PEOPLE WILL CELEBRATE YOU.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE AREAS THAT YOU'RE TESTED IN. IT'S
NOT A COINCIDENCE. WHEN GOD BRINGS THINGS TO
LIGHT, YOU HAVE TO BE WILLING TO DEAL WITH IT.
THESE IMPURITIES IN OUR CHARACTER, KEEP US FROM
RISING HIGHER. THEY DON'T COME OUT IN THE
GOOD TIMES, THEY COME OUT WHEN WE'RE UNDER PRESSURE.
DON'T IGNORE IT. DON'T KEEP RESPONDING THE
SAME WAY. GOD WANTS TO ENTRUST YOU
WITH MORE FAVOR, MORE INFLUENCE, MORE RESOURCES.
THAT'S WHY HE'S TESTING YOUR CHARACTER.
ONE TIME I HAD A MEETING AT THE CHURCH.
AT THAT TIME, IT WAS A THIRTY-MINUTE DRIVE FROM MY
HOUSE. I LEFT A LITTLE LATE, BUT I
KNEW IF I DIDN'T HIT ANY TRAFFIC I WOULD GET THERE
RIGHT ON TIME. I PRAYED FOR FAVOR, “LORD,
THANK YOU FOR MAKING MY CROOKED PLACES STRAIGHT.”
THERE WAS A LIGHT LEAVING MY NEIGHBORHOOD, IN THREE
YEARS I HAD NEVER SEEN IT RED, IT WAS ALWAYS GREEN
BUT RIGHT WHEN I GOT TO THE INTERSECTION IT TURNED RED.
IT WAS THE STRANGEST THING. I GOT ON THE FREEWAY AND
TOOK OFF, PRAYING THAT GOD WOULD GIVE ME DISCERNMENT
TO KNOW WHICH HILL THE POLICEMAN WOULD BE SITTING
OVER. I WAS DOING FINE, STILL HAD
TIME TO MAKE IT, THEN THE TRAFFIC STARTED SLOWING
DOWN. AS IT GOT SLOWER, MY BLOOD
PRESSURE WENT HIGHER AND HIGHER.
IT SLOWED DOWN ALL THE WAY TO TWENTY MILES AN HOUR.
IT WAS NEVER THAT SLOW AT THAT TIME OF DAY.
I WAS FRUSTRATED. THE LANE NEXT TO ME WAS
GOING A LITTLE FASTER, I TRIED TO GET OVER, BUT
NOBODY WOULD LET ME IN. I WAVED, SMILED, BLEW KISSES,
HELD UP A TWENTY, BUT NOTHING.
FINALLY, SOMEONE PAUSED AND LET ME IN. I THOUGHT,
“THANK GOD.” I GOT OVER. RIGHT WHEN I DID, THAT LANE
STOPPED. I SAT THERE AND WATCHED THE
LANE I WAS IN PASS ME BY. I WAS SO STRESSED.
I JUST KNEW THAT WAS THE ENEMY ATTACKING ME, MAKING
ME LATE. NOW, I REALIZE THAT WAS GOD
ATTACKING MY IMPATIENCE. THAT WAS GOD ALLOWING ME TO
BE IN AN UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION TO BRING TO LIGHT
IMPURITIES IN MY CHARACTER. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT,
BUT I STARTED DEALING WITH IT, RULING OVER MY
EMOTIONS, NOT LETTING THAT UPSET ME.
NOW I'VE LEARNED TO STAY IN PEACE, THAT GOD IS ORDERING
MY STEPS, THAT I'M AT THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT
TIME. ARE YOU TRYING TO PRAY AWAY
WHAT GOD IS WANTING TO USE TO REFINE YOU?
INSTEAD OF TRYING TO CHANGE EVERYTHING, WHY DON'T YOU
PRAY, “GOD HELP ME TO CHANGE.
HELP ME TO COME UP HIGHER, TO BE MORE PATIENT, TO
OVERLOOK THE OFFENSE, TO NOT BE JEALOUS, TO NOT LET
OTHER PEOPLE STEAL MY JOY.” SOMETIMES THE TEST IS TO BE
GOOD TO SOMEONE THAT'S NOT BEING GOOD TO YOU.
IT'S EASY TO TREAT PEOPLE THE WAY THEY TREAT US.
THEY'RE RUDE TO US, WE'RE GOING TO BE RUDE TO THEM.
THEY PUT US DOWN, WE'RE GOING TO PUT THEM DOWN.
THEY STABBED ME IN THE BACK AT WORK, I'M GOING TO GET
REVENGE. BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO
REACH YOUR DESTINY, YOU HAVE TO BE THE BIGGER
PERSON, AND LET GOD FIGHT YOUR BATTLES.
IF YOU SINK DOWN TO THEIR LEVEL, GET BAITED INTO
CONFLICT, REVENGEFUL, PAYING PEOPLE BACK, THEN
GOD CAN'T TRUST YOU WITH MORE INFLUENCE.
THAT'S A TEST. PROVE TO GOD THAT YOU'LL STAY ON THE
HIGH ROAD. BE AN EAGLE AND RISE ABOVE
IT. THIS IS WHAT DAVID DID.
HE WAS ONE OF KING SAUL'S MAIN ARMOR BEARERS.
WHEN SAUL WASN'T FEELING WELL, DAVID WOULD COME IN
AND PLAY THE HARP, SAUL WOULD GET BETTER.
BUT SAUL WAS JEALOUS OF DAVID.
HE COULD SEE THE FAVOR ON HIS LIFE.
INSTEAD OF BEING HAPPY FOR HIM, HE LET THAT JEALOUSY
GET STRONGER AND STRONGER. IT MADE HIM BITTER TOWARD
DAVID. ONE DAY, WHILE DAVID WAS
PLAYING THE HARP, BEING GOOD TO SAUL, SAUL THREW A
SPEAR AND BARELY MISSED DAVID.
HERE DAVID WAS DOING THE RIGHT THING, TRYING TO HELP
SAUL, BUT SAUL WAS TRYING TO KILL HIM. DAVID COULD
HAVE FOUGHT BACK, TRIED TO GET EVEN, BUT HE KNEW SAUL
HAD BEEN ANOINTED KING. HE RESPECTED THE AUTHORITY
HE WAS UNDER. SO, HE RAN INTO THE DESERT.
SAUL CAME CHASING HIM. AT ONE POINT, DAVID FOUND SAUL
AND ALL OF HIS MEN ASLEEP. IT WAS DAVID'S BIG CHANCE
TO GET EVEN, TO PAY HIM BACK.
IN ONE MOMENT, HE COULD TAKE SAUL OUT, BUT HE
WOULDN'T DO IT. WHEN SAUL FOUND OUT HOW
DAVID SPARED HIS LIFE, HE WEPT, AND SAID, “DAVID,
YOU'RE A BETTER MAN THAN ME.”
THE REASON GOD COULD TRUST DAVID WITH SO MUCH
INFLUENCE, HONOR, RESOURCES IS HE KEPT PASSING THE
TEST. ALL THESE TIMES HE WAS UNDER GREAT PRESSURE,
WHERE HE COULD HAVE DONE WHAT HE FELT LIKE, TOLD
SAUL OFF, GOT REVENGE, MADE HIS LIFE MISERABLE, DAVID
WOULDN'T DO IT. HE TOOK THE HIGH ROAD.
HE LET GOD FIGHT HIS BATTLES.
HE WAS KIND TO SOMEONE THAT WASN'T KIND TO HIM. WHEN
YOU TREAT PEOPLE RIGHT THAT DON'T TREAT YOU RIGHT,
YOU'RE PROVING TO GOD THAT YOU CAN HANDLE MORE
INFLUENCE, MORE RESPONSIBILITY.
THIS IS A MAJOR TEST. BECAUSE MOST OF US WILL BE
GOOD TO PEOPLE THAT ARE GOOD TO US, BUT TO GO WHERE
GOD WANTS YOU TO GO, YOU HAVE TO BE GOOD TO PEOPLE
THAT ARE NOT GOOD TO YOU. WHEN YOU LET GOD REFINE
YOU, YOU DON'T LET THE OFFENSE GET IN, YOU DON'T
LIVE THINKING ABOUT PAYING PEOPLE BACK, BUT YOU STAY
IN PEACE, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE GOD'S FAVOR AND
BLESSING IN GREAT WAYS. DON'T BE SURPRISED IF YOU
FIND YOURSELF IN SITUATIONS THAT ARE NOT FAIR, PEOPLE
THAT DIDN'T KEEP THEIR WORD. THEY PLAYED POLITICS
AND MADE YOU LOOK BAD. THEY BETRAYED YOU.
YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO GET EVEN. YOUR FLESH SAYS, “DO
TO THEM WHAT THEY DID TO YOU.” PASS THE TEST. BE A
DAVID. THAT'S GOD SEEING WHAT
YOU'RE MADE OF. IT'S EASY TO TELL PEOPLE
OFF, IT'S EASY TO BE RUDE WHEN SOMEONE'S RUDE TO YOU.
BUT THAT WILL KEEP YOU AT THE SAME PLACE.
GOD WANTS TO TAKE YOU HIGHER, TO PLACES THAT
YOU'VE NEVER SEEN. HE'LL ALLOW YOU TO BE
UNCOMFORTABLE. THE SCRIPTURE CALLS IT THE
FIERY CHALLENGE IS TO TEST YOUR QUALITY.
SOMETIMES GOD WILL PUT YOU IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIRE.
IN THAT PRESSURE, IMPURITIES WILL COME OUT.
REVENGE, “TWO CAN PLAY AT THIS GAME.” PRIDE, “I DON'T
HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THIS.” SARCASM. “YOU REALLY THINK
YOU'RE THAT HOT?” NO, STAY IN PEACE.
LET GOD FIGHT YOUR BATTLES. THE PSALMIST SAID, REMAIN
CALM IN TIMES OF ADVERSITY. THAT'S PASSING THE TEST.
THAT'S WHAT ALLOWS GOD TO TAKE YOU WHERE YOU'VE NEVER
DREAMED. “JOEL, THESE PEOPLE AT WORK
GET ON MY NERVES. I'VE BEEN PRAYING FOR GOD
TO MOVE THEM.” HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT, MAYBE
GOD HAS YOU THERE ON PURPOSE?
MAYBE THAT'S A TEST. IF HE REMOVED EVERYTHING
UNCOMFORTABLE, YOU WOULD NEVER GROW.
INSTEAD OF BEING SOUR, WHY DON'T YOU TRY A DIFFERENT
APPROACH AND KEEP A GOOD ATTITUDE.
“MY SPOUSE AGGRAVATES ME. SHE KNOWS JUST WHAT BUTTONS
TO PUSH, THAT'S WHY I SAY THINGS I SHOULDN'T, THAT'S
WHY I GET UPSET.” NO, THAT'S A TEST OF YOUR
CHARACTER. IN THAT FIRE, IMPURITIES
ARE COMING OUT. UNDER PRESSURE, YOU'RE
SEEING WHAT'S IN YOU. NEXT TIME THAT HAPPENS
RESPOND A DIFFERENT WAY. PROVERBS 21 SAYS, “IF
YOU'LL KEEP YOUR MOUTH CLOSED, YOU'LL STAY OUT OF
TROUBLE.” ONE WAY TO PASS THE TEST, IS REAL SIMPLE,
KEEP YOUR MOUTH CLOSED. QUIT LETTING YOUR EMOTIONS
CONTROL YOUR MOUTH. YOUR TONGUE CAN START
WORLD-WAR THREE, YOUR TONGUE CAN GET YOU FIRED,
YOUR TONGUE CAN HAVE YOU SLEEPING ON THE COUCH AT
NIGHT. NEXT TIME YOU FEEL LIKE
SAYING SOMETHING HURTFUL, DISRESPECTFUL, TELLING
SOMEONE OFF, TAKE A DEEP BREATH, PAUSE FOR TEN
SECONDS, UNDER YOUR BREATH, “GOD HELP ME TO CONTROL MY
TONGUE. HELP ME TO PASS THIS TEST.”
IF YOU'LL KEEP YOUR MOUTH CLOSED, THE NEXT TIME IT
WILL BE A LITTLE EASIER. THE NEXT TIME EASIER.
DON'T GO YEAR AFTER YEAR RESPONDING THE SAME WAY.
THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW.
YOU CAN CHANGE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE
SARCASTIC, SAY HURTFUL, CRITICAL WORDS THAT WOUND
PEOPLE, BRING STRIFE AND CONFLICT.
“WHAT IF MY SPOUSE DOESN'T CHANGE?” IF YOU'LL CHANGE,
THEY'LL CHANGE. SOMETIMES WE'RE WAITING FOR
THE OTHER PERSON TO MOVE FIRST, THEN WE'LL DO BETTER.
YOU HAVE TO BE THE BIGGER PERSON.
YOU BE THE ONE TO KEEP YOUR MOUTH CLOSED.
YOU BE THE ONE TO WALK AWAY FROM CONFLICT.
YOU BE THE ONE TO PASS THE TEST.
THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, “IN A HOUSE THERE ARE VESSELS OF
WOOD AND CLAY FOR ORDINARY USE, BUT THERE ARE VESSELS
OF GOLD FOR GOD'S HIGHEST PURPOSES.” WE CAN STAY
VESSELS OF WOOD AND CLAY. THAT'S FINE, WE'RE STILL
GOD'S CREATION. HE MADE US.
WE CAN LIVE WITH THESE IMPURITIES AND STILL MAKE
IT THROUGH LIFE. BUT I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT
JUST MAKING IT THROUGH, I'M TALKING ABOUT SEEING THE
GREATNESS GOD PUT IN YOU, BEING A VESSEL OF GOLD,
USED FOR GOD'S HIGHEST PURPOSES.
THAT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE KEEP LETTING GOD REFINE US,
WE KEEP DEALING WITH WHAT HE BRINGS TO LIGHT.
YOU CAN'T REBUKE EVERYTHING YOU DON'T LIKE; YOU CAN'T
PRAY AWAY EVERY GROUCHY PERSON, THE DELAYS, THE
CLERK THAT'S RUDE, THE SPOUSE THAT GETS ON YOUR
NERVES. THOSE ARE TESTS.
THEY MAY NOT CHANGE BUT YOU CAN CHANGE.
A KEY TO SEEING GOD'S BEST IS TO STAY PLIABLE, WALK IN
HUMILITY, BE WILLING TO CHANGE.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO GET ALONG BETTER IN
RELATIONSHIPS? WHAT IMPROVEMENTS CAN YOU
MAKE, NOT YOUR SPOUSE, YOUR BOSS, YOUR CHILDREN, WHAT
AREAS CAN YOU COME UP HIGHER IN TO HAVE BETTER
RELATIONSHIPS. DON'T PRAY FOR GOD TO
CHANGE SOMEONE ELSE, WITHOUT FIRST PRAYING,
“GOD, SHOW ME WHERE I NEED TO CHANGE.”
I USED TO PLAY BASKETBALL AT THE YMCA.
WHEN I'D COME HOME AFTER PLAYING FOR A COUPLE OF
HOURS, FULL COURT, HIGH INTENSITY, I WOULD BE
REALLY SWEATY. THE CLOSEST SINK FROM THE
BACK DOOR WAS THE KITCHEN SINK.
I'D ALWAYS STOP AND WASH MY HANDS.
VICTORIA DIDN'T LIKE ME USING THE KITCHEN SINK WHEN
I WAS SO SWEATY. SHE DIDN'T WANT THAT AROUND
ALL THE FOOD. SHE ASKED ME NOT TO WASH MY
HANDS IN THERE. IT WAS A SMALL THING, NO
BIG DEAL. USE THE OTHER SINK, THAT
MAKES SENSE. BUT IT'S FUNNY HOW WE CAN
COME UP WITH EXCUSES. THAT WAS A REASONABLE
REQUEST, BUT I THOUGHT OF ALL THE REASONS I SHOULDN'T
DO IT. “THIS IS THE CLOSEST SINK.
I'M TIRED. I DON'T WANT TO WALK TO THE
OTHER SINK.” HERE I'VE JUST RUN UP AND DOWN THE COURT
FOR TWO HOURS AND NOW I DON'T WANT TO WALK ANOTHER
THIRTY FEET. SOMETIMES PRIDE CAN BLIND
US. WE CAN COME UP WITH LAME
EXCUSES TO NOT DO WHAT WE KNOW WE SHOULD DO.
MY MIND KEPT GOING, “THIS IS MY HOUSE TOO.
THAT IS NOT RIGHT THAT I CAN'T USE THAT SINK.” I
THINK ABOUT IT NOW AND IT SEEMS SO STRANGE.
WHAT WAS THE BIG DEAL? BUT SOMETIMES WE'RE JUST
BEING CONTENTIOUS. WE JUST WANT OUR WAY.
OUR PRIDE SAYS, “I CAN DO WHAT I WANT TO DO.”
I WOULD WASH MY HANDS THERE FROM TIME TO TIME.
“JOEL, PLEASE USE THE OTHER SINK.” “VICTORIA IT'S NOT
HURTING ANYTHING. I'M NOT CONTAMINATING THE
FOOD.” SOMETIMES THE TEST IS TO JUST HONOR YOUR WIFE.
HONOR YOUR HUSBAND. TO BE GOOD TO THE PEOPLE
GOD PUT IN YOUR LIFE. HOW CAN GOD TRUST YOU TO
LEAD OTHERS, IF YOU DON'T TREAT YOUR OWN FAMILY WITH
RESPECT? HOW COULD HE TRUST DAVID TO
LEAD THE ISRAELITES IF HE WASN'T HONORABLE TO KING
SAUL? MAYBE IT'S JUST A TEST TO
SEE HOW OBEDIENT YOU'LL BE, WHETHER YOU'LL DO THE RIGHT
THING WHEN IT'S A SMALL THING, WHETHER YOU'LL GO
THE EXTRA MILE WHEN YOU DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR.
THIS IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING A VESSEL OF
WOOD, FOR ORDINARY USE OR BEING A VESSEL OF HONOR,
FOR GOD'S HIGHEST PURPOSES. ONE DAY I CAME HOME FROM
PLAYING BASKETBALL AND VICTORIA WASN'T THERE.
SHE WAS OUT RUNNING ERRANDS. I THOUGHT, “OH GREAT, I'LL
GO IN THE KITCHEN, SHE WON'T SEE ME, NOBODY WILL
KNOW.” I WAS ABOUT TO WASH MY HANDS AND I HEARD THIS
VOICE DOWN IN HERE SAYING, “JOEL, WHEN ARE YOU GOING
TO START HONORING YOUR WIFE AND NOT WASH YOUR HANDS
HERE?” I THOUGHT, “IS THAT YOU LORD?” SHE COULDN'T SEE
ME BUT THE ONE WHO MATTERS COULD SEE ME.
HE CONTROLS THE UNIVERSE. IT'S NOT ALWAYS THE BIG
THINGS THAT ARE KEEPING US FROM GOD'S BEST, IT'S THE
SMALL THINGS. IF I CAN'T HONOR MY WIFE,
SHOW RESPECT, BY DOING A SMALL THING, HOW CAN GOD
TRUST ME TO LEAD LAKEWOOD. DON'T LET A SMALL THING
KEEP YOU FROM YOUR GREATNESS.
HOW WE TREAT PEOPLE MATTERS. YOU CAN'T BE HARSH,
CONTENTIOUS, HARD TO GET ALONG WITH AND REACH YOUR
POTENTIAL. THE SCRIPTURE SAYS,
“HUSBANDS, IF WE'RE NOT TREATING OUR WIFE RIGHT,
THEN OUR PRAYERS WILL BE HINDERED.” YOU SHOULDN'T
TREAT ANYONE BETTER THAN YOU TREAT YOUR OWN FAMILY.
BE KIND, LOVING, RESPECTFUL. PAUL SAID IN COLOSSIANS,
“WHATEVER YOU DO, DO IT UNTO GOD, AND NOT UNTO
PEOPLE.” SOMETIMES THERE ARE THINGS WE DON'T FEEL
LIKE DOING. IT DOESN'T SEEM FAIR.
AT WORK, YOU'RE NOT GETTING CREDIT, SOMEONE IS NOT
TREATING YOU RIGHT. WHY SHOULD YOU BE KIND TO
THEM, WHY SHOULD YOU KEEP A GOOD ATTITUDE, WHY SHOULD
YOU GO THE EXTRA MILE? GOD IS SAYING, “WILL YOU DO
IT UNTO ME? WILL YOU KEEP YOUR MOUTH
CLOSED FOR ME, WILL YOU BE KIND TO THAT PERSON THAT
DOESN'T DESERVE IT FOR ME, WILL YOU NOT WASH YOUR
HANDS IN THAT SINK FOR ME, WILL YOU BE YOUR BEST AT
WORK FOR ME?” DO IT UNTO GOD.
HE'S THE ONE THAT MATTERS. PROMOTION DOESN'T COME FROM
PEOPLE; IT COMES FROM HIM. WHEN YOU DO THE RIGHT THING
WHEN IT'S HARD, YOU'RE PASSING THE TEST. LIKE WITH
DAVID, YOU'RE GOING TO GO TO LEVELS THAT YOU'VE NEVER
IMAGINED. GOD IS GETTING YOU PREPARED
NOW FOR THE NEW THINGS HE HAS IN STORE.
ANYTIME YOU'RE GOING TO GO HIGHER, YOUR FLESH HAS TO
GO LOWER. GOD IS GOING TO REQUIRE
GREATER OBEDIENCE, THINGS THAT YOU'D RATHER NOT HAVE
TO DEAL WITH. BUT THOSE TESTS ARE NOT
THERE TO STOP YOU, THAT'S A SIGN THAT GOD IS REFINING
YOU, GETTING YOU PREPARED FOR SOMETHING GREATER.
WHEN THESE IMPURITIES COME TO LIGHT, DON'T PUSH IT
DOWN, “THAT'S JUST ME, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN IMPATIENT, I'M
ALWAYS CONTENTIOUS, I ALWAYS WASH MY HANDS HERE.
WE ALWAYS ARGUE, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN JEALOUS.” NO
MAKE THE ADJUSTMENTS, RESPOND DIFFERENTLY.
YOU WOULDN'T BE HEARING THIS IF GOD DIDN'T HAVE NEW
LEVELS IN YOUR FUTURE. THAT'S WHY HE'S GETTING YOU
PREPARED, TO HANDLE THE WEIGHT OF GLORY.
GOD TOLD THE ISRAELITES, DEUTERONOMY 8:2, “I LED YOU
INTO THE WILDERNESS FOR A PURPOSE, TO TEST YOU AND TO
PROVE YOU, TO SEE IF YOU WOULD KEEP MY COMMANDS.”
BEFORE YOU GO INTO THE PROMISED LAND, THERE WILL
BE TIMES OF TESTING, TIMES OF PROVING, WHERE YOU HAVE
TO SHOW GOD, YOU'LL DO THE RIGHT THING WHEN YOU DON'T
FEEL LIKE IT. YOU'LL KEEP A GOOD ATTITUDE
WHEN IT'S NOT FAIR. YOU'LL DEAL WITH THE
IMPURITIES HE BRINGS TO LIGHT.
WHEN THE ISRAELITES CAME UNDER PRESSURE, THEY KEPT
FAILING THE TEST. THEY COMPLAINED ABOUT THE
GIANTS, COMPLAINED ABOUT THE FOOD, COMPLAINED THAT
IT WAS SO HOT. THAT GROUP NEVER MADE IT
INTO THE PROMISED LAND. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF
THEY WOULD HAVE DEALT WITH THAT NEGATIVE, COMPLAINING
SPIRIT. INSTEAD OF SAYING, “THESE
GIANTS ARE TOO BIG, WE'RE NEVER GOING TO MAKE IT.”
THEY WOULD HAVE SAID, “YES, THE GIANTS ARE BIG BUT GOD
WE KNOW YOU'RE BIGGER. YES, IT'S HOT OUT HERE BUT,
LORD, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING US OUT OF SLAVERY,
THANKS FOR MAKING A WAY WHERE WE DIDN'T SEE A WAY.”
THEY COULD HAVE GONE IN, BUT THEY LET THOSE
IMPURITIES KEEP THEM OUT. IT WASN'T GOD'S FAULT. HE
GAVE THEM CHANCE AFTER CHANCE TO CHANGE.
BUT GOD IS NOT GOING TO MAKE YOU DO THE RIGHT THING.
HE'LL ALLOW THE PRESSURE, SHOW YOU WHAT YOU NEED TO
DEAL WITH, BUT YOU HAVE TO DO YOUR PART AND BE WILLING
TO CHANGE. MAKE THE ADJUSTMENTS.
DON'T KEEP RESPONDING THE SAME WAY.
THE DELAYS, TRAFFIC, PEOPLE THAT GET ON YOUR NERVES,
THAT'S NOT RANDOM. THOSE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO COME
UP HIGHER. THOSE CHALLENGES ARE TO
TEST YOUR QUALITY. NOW MY CHALLENGE IS SHOW
GOD WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF. PROVE TO HIM THAT YOU CAN
HANDLE MORE INFLUENCE, MORE FAVOR, MORE RESPONSIBILITY
BY PASSING THE TEST. IF YOU'LL DO THIS, I BELIEVE
AND DECLARE, NEW DOORS ARE GOING TO OPEN, YOUR
RELATIONSHIPS ARE GOING TO GET BETTER, YOU WILL RISE
HIGHER, ACCOMPLISH DREAMS AND BECOME ALL YOU WERE
CREATED TO BE, IN JESUS' NAME.
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.
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.
