>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.
AND YOU CAN COME VISIT US IN PERSON. WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU BE A PART
OF ONE OF OUR SERVICES. I LIKE TO START WITH
SOMETHING FUNNY. I HEARD ABOUT THIS
SIX-YEAR-OLD BOY. HE WAS STANDING IN THE CHURCH
LOBBY STARING AT A PLAQUE ON THE WALL. IT WAS FILLED
WITH NAMES WITH SMALL AMERICAN FLAGS BY THEIR
SIDE. HE ASKED THE PASTOR WHAT IT MEANT.
THE PASTOR EXPLAINED HOW THAT WAS A MEMORIAL TO
ALL THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN THAT DIED IN THE SERVICE.
THE LITTLE BOY STOOD THERE VERY SILENTLY AND VERY
CONCERNED. HE FINALLY LOOKED UP AND ASKED,
“WAS IT THE 8:30 OR 11 O'CLOCK SERVICE?”
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 IT'S STILL GOING TO
HAPPEN. WE ALL HAVE THINGS WE'RE BELIEVING FOR.
WE'VE PRAYED, WE'VE DONE OUR BEST, BUT THE MEDICAL
REPORT HASN'T IMPROVED, WE DIDN'T GET THE PROMOTION,
WE HAVEN'T MET THE RIGHT PERSON. WE WANTED TO GO
BACK TO SCHOOL, BUT NOBODY SUPPORTED US.
WE TRIED TO START OUR BUSINESS, BUT WE HAD
OPPOSITION, DELAYS, PEOPLE DID US WRONG.
NOW WE THINK IT WASN'T MEANT TO BE. WE MAY HAVE
GIVEN UP; THE GOOD NEWS IS GOD HASN'T GIVEN UP.
HE DOESN'T ABORT DREAMS. HE'S CALLED THE AUTHOR AND
THE FINISHER OF OUR FAITH. THE DREAMS HE'S WHISPERED
IN YOUR SPIRIT, THE PROMISES YOU'RE STANDING
ON, IT MAY BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU, BUT IT'S NOT TOO MUCH
FOR HIM. HE'S SAYING TODAY, “IT'S STILL GOING TO
HAPPEN.” YOU'RE STILL GOING TO GET WELL, YOU'RE STILL
GOING TO MEET THE RIGHT PERSON, YOU'RE STILL GOING
TO HAVE THAT BABY, YOU'RE STILL GOING TO PAY YOUR
HOUSE OFF, YOU'RE STILL GOING TO BREAK THAT
ADDICTION, YOU'RE STILL GOING TO SEE YOUR CHILDREN
FULFILL THEIR PURPOSE. SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED
FAITH SPOKEN OVER YOU. WORDS HAVE POWER.
WHEN YOU'VE HEARD FOR SO LONG THAT IT'S NOT GOING
TO HAPPEN, THAT NEGATIVITY CAN TAKE ROOT. YOU HAVE TO
LET ALL THAT GO AND BY FAITH RECEIVE THIS PHRASE
INTO YOUR SPIRIT, “IT'S STILL GOING TO HAPPEN.”
EVERY VOICE MAY TELL YOU THE OPPOSITE.
“THERE'S NO WAY. IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED BY NOW.
YOU DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES.
YOU TRIED BEFORE AND IT DIDN'T WORK OUT.” LET THAT
GO IN ONE EAR AND OUT THE OTHER.
DON'T GET IN AGREEMENT WITH THE DOUBT, GET IN AGREEMENT
WITH GOD. YOU DON'T HAVE TO SEE HOW
IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN; ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS BELIEVE.
START DECLARING FAVOR OVER YOUR LIFE.
START TALKING LIKE IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
START THANKING GOD THAT HE'S WORKING.
WHEN THOSE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS COME TELLING YOU
IT'S TOO LATE, JUST ANSWER BACK, “NO THANKS.
IT'S STILL GOING TO HAPPEN.” “WELL, THE MEDICAL
REPORT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD.” “THAT'S ONE REPORT BUT I
HAVE ANOTHER REPORT. IT SAYS, I'M STILL GOING TO
GET WELL.” “YOU'VE HAD A LOT OF BAD BREAKS, LOOKS
LIKE THAT'S SET YOU BACK.” “NO THANKS.
I'M STILL GOING TO ACCOMPLISH MY DREAMS.”
“YOUR CHILDREN ARE OFF COURSE, IT SEEMS LIKE THE
MORE YOU PRAY, THE WORSE THEY GET.” “NO THANKS.
AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE'RE STILL GOING TO SERVE
THE LORD.” “YEAH, BUT WHAT YOU'RE BELIEVING FOR IS WAY
OVER YOUR HEAD. YOU DON'T HAVE THE
RESOURCES, THE CONNECTIONS, THE EXPERIENCE.
NO WAY THAT DREAM COULD COME TO PASS.” “NO, YOU'RE
LOOKING AT IN THE NATURAL, BUT THE GOD I SERVE IS
SUPERNATURAL. HE'S SAYING, IT'S STILL
GOING TO HAPPEN.” IN THE FACE OF DOUBT, NEGATIVE
VOICES, PEOPLE TELLING YOU IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK OUT,
IT'S VERY POWERFUL TO ANSWER BACK WITH THIS
DECLARATION OF FAITH, IT'S STILL GOING TO HAPPEN.
YOU'RE SAYING, “GOD, MY HOPE IS IN YOU.
I KNOW YOU'RE THE ALL-POWERFUL CREATOR OF THE
UNIVERSE. WHAT YOU PROMISED, WILL
COME TO PASS.” NO PERSON CAN STOP HIM, NO SICKNESS,
NO ADDICTION, NO DELAY, ALL THE FORCES OF DARKNESS
CANNOT STOP WHAT GOD HAS PURPOSED FOR YOUR LIFE.
THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN STOP HIM IS YOU.
IF YOU GET DISCOURAGED, NEGATIVE, LOSE YOUR PASSION.
IT SAYS IN PSALMS, “THEY LIMITED THE HOLY ONE OF
ISRAEL.” GOD TOLD THEM THEY WERE GOING TO GO INTO THE
PROMISED LAND; ALONG THE WAY THEY HAD DELAYS,
SETBACKS, OPPOSITION. THAT WAS ALL A PART OF
GOD'S PLAN. WHAT WE DO IN THE DIFFICULT
TIMES WILL DETERMINE WHETHER WE SEE THE FULLNESS
OF OUR DESTINY. THEY GOT DISCOURAGED AND
STARTED COMPLAINING. “WHAT ARE WE GOING TO EAT
OUT IN THE DESERT? HOW ARE WE GOING TO SURVIVE?
THOSE PEOPLE IN THE PROMISED LAND ARE TOO BIG.
THEY LOOK LIKE GIANTS. WE DON'T HAVE A CHANCE.”
THE WHOLE TIME GOD WAS WHISPERING, “IT'S STILL
GOING TO HAPPEN. I'M IN CONTROL.
I'M GOING TO DEFEAT THOSE ENEMIES FOR YOU.
I HAVE PROVISION FOR EVERY SEASON.” BUT THEY LET THE
DOUBT, WHAT THEY SAW, TALK THEM OUT OF WHAT GOD
PROMISED. DON'T BE LIKE THEM. GOD
PUTS THINGS IN OUR SPIRIT ON PURPOSE THAT ARE TOO BIG
FOR US. HE ALLOWS US IN SITUATIONS
WHERE WE CAN'T GET OUT ON OUR OWN.
IT'S A TEST. ARE WE GOING TO DO LIKE THEM AND GET
DISCOURAGED, MISS OUR PURPOSE?
OR ARE WE GOING TO LET WHAT GOD SAYS OVERRIDE THE DOUBT
AND BELIEVE THAT IT'S STILL GOING TO HAPPEN.
“DESPITE THE GIANTS, I'M STILL GOING TO GO INTO MY
PROMISED LAND. DESPITE THIS MEDICAL
REPORT, I'M STILL GOING TO GET WELL.
DESPITE THE OPPOSITION, I'M STILL GOING TO ACCOMPLISH
MY DREAMS.” LET ME DECLARE IT OVER YOU,
DESPITE THE DELAYS, THE SETBACKS, HOW YOU WERE
RAISED, YOU'RE STILL GOING TO LIVE A BLESSED,
FULFILLED, VICTORIOUS LIFE. DESPITE THE BREAKUP,
DESPITE WHO WALKED AWAY, THE HURTS, THE LONELINESS.
THAT'S NOT HOW YOUR STORY ENDS.
THAT'S ONE CHAPTER, BUT YOU HAVE A WHOLE BOOK.
YOU'RE STILL GOING TO MEET SOMEONE GREAT.
YOU'RE STILL GOING TO LAUGH AGAIN, LOVE AGAIN, DREAM
AGAIN. GOD SAYS YOUR LATTER DAYS WILL BE BETTER THAN
YOUR FORMER DAYS. WHEN THE THOUGHTS WHISPER,
“NO, NO, IT'S TOO LATE, YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH TOO
MUCH, IT'S NEVER GOING TO WORK OUT.” RECOGNIZE WHAT'S
HAPPENING. THAT'S THE ENEMY TRYING TO
KEEP YOU FROM THE AWESOME FUTURE GOD HAS IN STORE.
TUNE THAT OUT AND GET IN AGREEMENT WITH YOUR CREATOR.
HE'S SAYING, “IT'S STILL GOING TO HAPPEN.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE. THE GIANTS AREN'T TOO BIG.
THE OPPOSITION IS NOT TOO STRONG.” HE'S IN CONTROL.
YOU WOULDN'T BE HEARING THIS IF THERE WASN'T
SOMETHING AMAZING ABOUT TO HAPPEN.
NEW DOORS ARE ABOUT TO OPEN. THE RIGHT PEOPLE ARE ABOUT
TO SHOW UP. YOUR HEALTH IS GOING TO
SUDDENLY TURN AROUND. A SHIFT IN YOUR FINANCES,
YOUR CAREER, WHERE YOU'RE SUDDENLY CATAPULTED WHERE
YOU NEVER DREAMED. WHAT GOD HAS IN MIND IS
MUCH BIGGER, BETTER, MORE REWARDING THAN WHAT YOU HAD
IN MIND. THERE WAS A MAN IN THE
SCRIPTURE NAMED ZERUBBABEL. GOD PUT THE DREAM IN HIS
HEART TO REBUILD THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM. THE KING GAVE
HIM PERMISSION TO START THE PROJECT.
HE TOOK FIFTY THOUSAND MEN, AND THEY LAID THE
FOUNDATION. IT TOOK TWO YEARS.
THEY WERE SO EXCITED. THEY HAD A BIG CELEBRATION,
SINGING, DANCING, TRUMPETS BLOWING, CYMBALS CLASHING.
THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, “THE PEOPLE LET OUT A GREAT
SHOUT PRAISING GOD BECAUSE THE FOUNDATION HAD BEEN
LAID.” ZERUBBABEL KNEW GOD'S FAVOR WAS ON HIS LIFE. EVERYTHING WAS FALLING INTO
PLACE, THE SUPPLIES, THE PEOPLE, THE FOUNDATION
LOOKED BEAUTIFUL. THEY WERE ABOUT TO START
THE NEXT PHASE WHEN OPPOSITION AROSE.
THE ENEMIES OF JUDAH HEARD ABOUT THE PROGRESS, AND
THEY DIDN'T LIKE IT. THEY DIDN'T WANT THE TEMPLE
REBUILT, SO THEY STARTED STIRRING UP TROUBLE.
IT'S AMAZING HOW WHEN YOU START TO MAKE SOME
PROGRESS, YOU SEE FAVOR, PROMOTION, HOW THAT STIRS
PEOPLE UP, JEALOUSY, GOSSIP, SLANDER.
THEY HAD NO PROBLEM WITH ZERUBBABEL AS LONG AS HE
WAS AVERAGE. “STAY IN YOUR CORNER.
DON'T MAKE ANY WAVES.” BUT GOD HAS PUT GREATNESS IN
YOU. HE'S CALLED YOU TO STAND
OUT, TO BE A DIFFERENCE MAKER, TO TAKE YOUR FAMILY
TO A NEW LEVEL. DON'T BE SURPRISED WHEN YOU
TAKE STEPS OF FAITH, GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE,
START THE BUSINESS, GO BACK TO SCHOOL, BREAK THE
ADDICTION, YOU GET YOUR FAMILY BACK IN CHURCH, IF
YOU DON'T SEE PEOPLE FIND FAULT, CRITICIZE.
“WHY ARE THEY DOING THAT?” THEY WANT YOU TO STAY
AVERAGE. THEY WANT YOU TO BE
MEDIOCRE, BUT THAT'S NOT YOUR DESTINY. GOD IS GOING TO TAKE YOU
PLACES WHERE NO ONE IN YOUR FAMILY HAS GONE.
HE'S GOING TO CAUSE YOU TO SET A NEW STANDARD.
NOW ONE REQUIREMENT IS YOU HAVE TO BE THICK SKINNED.
YOU CAN'T GET DRAWN INTO PETTY THINGS THAT WILL PULL
YOU AWAY FROM YOUR DESTINY. THE TRICK OF THE ENEMY IS
TO GET YOU DISTRACTED, FOCUSED ON WHAT THEY'RE
SAYING, TRYING TO PROVE TO THEM THAT YOU'RE OKAY,
WORRIED ABOUT WHAT THEY THINK.
DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME TRYING TO WIN PEOPLE OVER
THAT ARE DETERMINED TO MISUNDERSTAND YOU.
THEY'RE NOT COMING AGAINST YOU; THEY'RE COMING AGAINST
THE GREATNESS GOD PUT IN YOU.
THEY'RE COMING AGAINST THE FAVOR, THE ANOINTING, THE
CALLING ON YOUR LIFE. YOU HAVE TO BE AN EAGLE AND
RISE ABOVE IT. EVERYONE IS NOT GOING TO BE
HAPPY WHEN YOU SUCCEED. THAT'S OKAY.
STAY FOCUSED ON WHAT GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO DO.
DON'T COME DOWN TO THEIR LEVEL AND GET INVOLVED IN
BATTLES THAT DON'T MATTER. THESE PEOPLE CONTINUED TO
STIR UP TROUBLE AND LIE ABOUT ZERUBBABEL.
THEY SENT A LETTER TO THE KING SAYING THAT ZERUBBABEL
AND THE PEOPLE OF JUDAH WERE TROUBLEMAKERS, THAT
THEY WEREN'T GOING TO PAY TAXES, THAT THEY WERE
TRYING TO TAKE OVER THE CITY.
NONE OF WHICH WAS TRUE. THEY WERE SO CONVINCING
THAT THE KING ISSUED AN ORDER STOPPING ALL
CONSTRUCTION. NO WORK COULD BE DONE.
WEEK AFTER WEEK WENT BY, MONTH AFTER MONTH, EVEN
YEAR AFTER YEAR. THE FOUNDATION JUST SITTING
THERE EMPTY. WEEDS GROWING UP, THE
PROPERTY RUNDOWN. I CAN IMAGINE ZERUBBABEL
STOPPING BY AT NIGHT, WALKING AROUND, SEEING THE
LUMBER STARTING TO ROT, THE SUPPLIES GOING TO WASTE.
HE THOUGHT, “GOD, I KNOW YOU TOLD ME TO REBUILD.
I KNOW I WAS DOING THE RIGHT THING, BUT ALL THIS
OPPOSITION. THESE PEOPLE LIED ABOUT ME.
THE AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN POISONED.
GOD IT'S NOT FAIR.” HE WAS DISCOURAGED, THOUGHTS TOLD,
“YOU WASTED YOUR TIME. IT'S NEVER GOING TO WORK
OUT. JUST GO BACK HOME.” BUT GOD
DOESN'T MAKE A PROMISE AND THEN CHANGE HIS MIND.
HE DOESN'T SPEAK SOMETHING TO YOU AND THEN LET THE
CIRCUMSTANCES TALK HIM OUT OF IT.
THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, “EVERYTHING SERVES HIS
PLAN.” WE'RE NOT GOING TO UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING THAT
HAPPENS, BUT THE RIGHT ATTITUDE IS, “GOD THIS
DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME, BUT I TRUST YOU.
I KNOW IT'S SERVING YOUR PLAN.” NOTHING HAPPENS
WITHOUT GOD'S PERMISSION. JUST BECAUSE HE PUT THAT
DREAM IN YOUR HEART, DOESN'T MEAN THERE WON'T BE
DELAYS, CRITICS, BAD BREAKS. TIMES WHERE IT SEEMS LIKE
THE ENEMY GOT THE BEST OF YOU.
THESE PEOPLE LIED AND SHUT DOWN THE PROJECT.
“JOEL, THIS PERSON WALKED AWAY JOEL, THE LOAN DIDN'T
GO THROUGH, MY HEALTH DIDN'T IMPROVE.
RIGHT WHEN I STARTED TO GET AHEAD, THE PANDEMIC HIT AND
SET ME BACK.” YOU'RE RIGHT WHERE ZERUBBABEL WAS.
HE HAD SEEN GOD'S FAVOR. THINGS HAD FALLEN INTO
PLACE AND THEN THE BOTTOM FELL OUT.
THAT'S WHEN THESE LIES COME. “IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN NOW.
YOU'LL NEVER GET WELL, NEVER SEE YOUR BUSINESS
SUCCEED, NEVER MEET THE RIGHT PERSON.” NO GOD HAS
NOT CHANGED HIS MIND. DESPITE THE DELAYS, THE
OPPOSITION, WHAT WASN'T FAIR, HE'S SAYING, “IT'S
STILL GOING TO HAPPEN.” YOU'RE STILL GOING TO
ACCOMPLISH THE DREAM, YOU'RE STILL GOING TO GET
WELL, YOU'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE THAT BABY. GOD SAID IN PHILIPPIANS, “I
WILL BRING YOU TO A FLOURISHING FINISH.” NOT A
DEFEATED FINISH, A BANKRUPT FINISH, A LONELY FINISH, A
BETRAYED FINISH.” GOD HAS A VICTORIOUS FINISH FOR YOU,
AN ABUNDANT FINISH, A FLOURISHING FINISH.
THAT MEANS YOU'RE BLOSSOMING, BLOOMING,
SEEING DREAMS COME TO PASS, GOING FURTHER THAN YOU'VE
IMAGINED, HEALTHY, WHOLE, FULFILLED, BEING A BIGGER
BLESSING THAN YOU'VE EVER DREAMED.” I'VE HEARD IT
SAID, GOD ALWAYS ENDS ON ALL IS WELL.
IF ALL IS NOT WELL, THEN IT'S NOT THE END.
IF IT'S NOT GOOD, THEN GOD IS NOT DONE.
IT'S JUST ANOTHER STEP ON THE WAY TO YOUR DESTINY.
THE MISTAKE WE MAKE IS WE QUIT BELIEVING ALONG THE
WAY. WE LAID THE FOUNDATION.
WE SAW GOD'S FAVOR, HAD A BIG CELEBRATION, BUT THEN
WE HAD SETBACKS, DELAYS, DISAPPOINTMENTS.
NOW EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE SAYS IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
SIXTEEN YEARS LATER, THE FOUNDATION WAS STILL JUST
SITTING THERE. NOTHING HAD CHANGED WHEN
TWO PROPHETS SHOWED UP, ZECHARIAH AND HAGGAI.
THEY SAID, “ZERUBBABEL, IT'S TIME TO START
REBUILDING THE TEMPLE.” HE COULD HAVE THOUGHT, “WHAT
DO YOU MEAN? DO YOU REALIZE IT'S BEEN
SIXTEEN YEARS? DON'T YOU KNOW WHAT WE'VE
BEEN THROUGH, WHAT HASN'T WORKED OUT, WHO WAS AGAINST
US? I THOUGHT THIS PROJECT WAS
DONE.” ZECHARIAH SAID, “NO ZERUBBABEL.
GOD SENT US TO TELL YOU, IT'S STILL GOING TO
HAPPEN.” I LOVE HOW ZERUBBABEL RESPONDED. HE COULD HAVE MADE EXCUSES,
“WE TRIED, AND IT DIDN'T WORK.
THE OPPOSITION IS STILL THERE.
I'M TOO OLD, MAN. I MISSED MY CHANCE.” NO,
THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, “ZERUBBABEL ROSE UP AND
BEGAN THE TASK OF REBUILDING THE TEMPLE.” EVERY THOUGHT TRIED TO TALK
HIM OUT OF IT, KEEP HIM DEFEATED, BUT WHEN HE HEARD
GOD SAY, “IT'S STILL GOING TO HAPPEN,” HE ROSE UP.
THAT MEANS HE GOT IN AGREEMENT WITH GOD.
HE STARTED THINKING DIFFERENTLY, “YES, THIS IS
MY TIME.” HE STARTED TALKING DIFFERENTLY, “I'M
EQUIPPED, EMPOWERED, ANOINTED.
THE FAVOR OF GOD IS ON MY LIFE.” HE TOOK STEPS OF
FAITH, GOT HIS MEN BACK TOGETHER, GOT HIS PASSION
BACK, HIS FIRE BACK, AND THEY STARTED REBUILDING.
WELL, THE SAME JERKS, I MEAN THE SAME CRITICS, WENT
BACK TO THE KING. THEY WENT BACK TO THE KING
AND SAID, “THIS MAN WE TOLD YOU ABOUT, HE'S TRYING TO
REBUILD THE TEMPLE AGAIN. YOU HAVE TO STOP HIM.” THIS
TIME, IT WAS A NEW KING. THERE HAD BEEN A CHANGE IN
LEADERSHIP. SOMETIMES GOD HAS TO MOVE
SOMEONE OUT FOR YOUR DREAM TO COME TO PASS.
HE HAS TO WEED OUT THE WRONG PEOPLE SO HE CAN PUT
PEOPLE IN THAT WILL SERVE HIS PLAN.
TRUST HIS TIMING, TRUST HIS WAYS.
JUST BECAUSE YOU LAID THE FOUNDATION, AND THINGS
DIDN'T WORK OUT, DOESN'T MEAN GOD IS THROUGH.
WHAT HE STARTED HE'S GOING TO FINISH. THIS NEW KING TOLD THE
CRITICS, HE WAS GOING TO HAVE THE OFFICIAL RECORDS
SEARCHED TO SEE WHAT WAS SAID ABOUT THIS TEMPLE.
THEY FOUND A DECREE WHERE THE TEMPLE WAS SUPPOSED TO
BE REBUILT AND PAID FOR OUT OF THE CITY TREASURY.
WHEN THE KING FOUND OUT IT WAS FOR THE ISRAELITES GOD,
HE WAS AFRAID. HE HAD HEARD ABOUT THE GOD
OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB.
HE TOLD HIS PEOPLE TO NOT ONLY LEAVE ZERUBBABEL
ALONE, TO LET HIM REBUILD THE TEMPLE.
BUT HE SAID, “YOU ARE TO PAY FOR THE FULL
CONSTRUCTION COSTS AND YOU ARE TO PROVIDE THEM FOOD
AND PROVISIONS EACH DAY; WHEAT, GRAIN, SALT, OLIVE
OIL.” GOD NOT ONLY HELPED THEM
FINISH REBUILDING THE TEMPLE, BUT HE MADE THE
ENEMY PAY FOR IT. THERE ARE DREAMS GOD HAS
PUT IN YOUR HEART. IT MAY SEEM LIKE IT'S TOO LATE,
TOO BIG, YOU DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES.
GOD WOULDN'T HAVE GIVEN YOU THE DREAM, HE WOULDN'T HAVE
PUT THE PROMISE IN YOUR HEART IF HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW
TO BRING IT TO PASS. LIKE WITH ZERUBBABEL, IT'S
NOT ONLY GOING TO STILL HAPPEN BUT THERE'S GOING TO
BE SUPERNATURAL PROVISION, SUPERNATURAL HEALING,
SUPERNATURAL FAVOR, UNCOMMON, UNUSUAL THINGS;
YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN IT, PEOPLE HELPING YOU THAT
DON'T EVEN LIKE YOU. GOD PURPOSED FOR THEM TO
PUSH YOU INTO YOUR DESTINY. NOW, YOU HAVE A PART IN
THIS. YOU CAN'T SIT BACK
THINKING, “NO, NOT ME JOEL. I'LL NEVER GET WELL; THIS
CHILD WILL NEVER GET ON COURSE.
IT'S BEEN SO LONG. THE ODDS ARE AGAINST ME.”
JUST LIKE GOD SENT ZECHARIAH, AFTER SIXTEEN
YEARS OF SILENCE, TO PROPHESY THAT THEY WERE
GOING TO REBUILD THE TEMPLE, GOD SENT ME TO TELL
YOU, IT'S STILL GOING TO HAPPEN.
YOU MAY BE IN A SILENT SEASON AS WELL.
YOU DON'T SEE ANYTHING IMPROVING.
NO GOOD BREAKS, NO OPEN DOORS, YOUR HEALTH, FAMILY,
FINANCES, JUST THE SAME. YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE A
SHIFT. GOD IS DOING A NEW THING.
THE SILENCE WAS ALL A PART OF HIS PLAN.
THE DELAYS, CLOSED DOORS, PEOPLE THAT WALKED AWAY
WERE NECESSARY. IT WAS SETTING YOU UP FOR
THIS MOMENT. THE DELAY DOESN'T MEAN THAT
GOD SAID NO, IT JUST WASN'T THE RIGHT TIME.
HE'S SAYING, “YOU'RE STILL GOING TO ACCOMPLISH THAT
DREAM. YOU'RE STILL GOING TO GET OUT OF DEBT. YOU'RE
STILL GOING TO SEE YOUR FAMILY RESTORED.” NOW YOUR
PART IS TO RISE UP. GET YOUR PASSION BACK, GET
YOUR FIRE BACK. START BELIEVING AGAIN. WHAT
YOU LET GO OF REVISIT. IT DIDN'T WORK OUT THE
FIRST TIME, THIS IS A NEW DAY.
THINGS HAVE SHIFTED. GOD'S ABOUT TO SHOW YOU WHY
IT HASN'T WORKED OUT YET. HE'S GOING TO MAKE THE
ENEMY PAY. THERE'S GOING TO BE
OPPORTUNITY, RESOURCES, FAVOR THAT YOU'VE NEVER
SEEN. YOU'RE GOING TO KNOW IT WAS
THE HAND OF GOD. I TALKED TO A LADY THAT HAD
BEEN HEALTHY HER WHOLE LIFE, VERY STRONG,
ENERGETIC, VIBRANT; SHE NOTICED SHE WASN'T FEELING
WELL. SHE HAD SOME DIGESTIVE
ISSUES. SHE WENT TO GET CHECKED OUT.
AFTER MANY TESTS, SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH PANCREATIC
CANCER. IT DIDN'T LOOK GOOD AT ALL.
THE DOCTORS TOLD HER THAT THE DEMISE WOULD HAPPEN
QUICKLY, THAT WHILE SHE WAS ABLE, SHE NEEDED TO GET
EVERYTHING IN ORDER. MAKE OUT HER WILL, VISIT
WITH FAMILY MEMBERS. THEY GAVE HER LESS THAN A
YEAR TO LIVE. SHE WAS DEVASTATED.
SHE NEVER SAW THIS COMING. SOMETIMES WE FACE THESE
UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES. THAT'S WHEN THE ENEMY WORKS
OVERTIME IN OUR MIND. “THIS IS THE END.
TOO BAD. YOU'LL NEVER GET WELL.
YOU'LL NEVER SEE YOUR CHILDREN GRADUATE.
JUST ACCEPT IT.” WHEN WE START DWELLING ON THE
NEGATIVE, WE'RE GIVING IT LIFE.
WE DRAW IN WHAT WE'RE CONSTANTLY THINKING ABOUT.
YOU HAVE TO GUARD YOUR MIND. FILL IT WITH WHAT GOD
PROMISED YOU. THE FIRST SEVERAL WEEKS,
SHE WAS SO UPSET, SO OVERWHELMED, SHE COULDN'T
SLEEP, COULD HARDLY FUNCTION.
SHE FLIPPED ON OUR SIRIUSXM CHANNEL AND HEARD ME
TALKING ABOUT HOW GOD HAS THE FINAL SAY, HOW HE CAN
DO WHAT MEDICINE CANNOT DO, HOW WHEN WE PUT OUR TRUST
IN HIM, HE CAN MAKE WAYS WHERE WE DON'T SEE A WAY.
INSTEAD OF DWELLING ON ALL THE NEGATIVE, PLAYING THE
MEDICAL REPORT OVER AND OVER, SHE STARTED PLAYING
ANOTHER REPORT, WHAT GOD SAID ABOUT HER.
“I WILL LIVE AND NOT DIE. GOD IS RESTORING HEALTH
BACK UNTO ME. DESPITE THIS DIAGNOSIS, I'M
STILL GOING TO GET WELL.” SIX WEEKS LATER, SHE WENT
IN FOR SURGERY. THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD DO
THIS PROCEDURE AND PROLONG HER LIFE A LITTLE BIT.
AFTERWARDS THE SURGEON CAME OUT WITH A VERY PUZZLED
LOOK. HE SAID, “I HAVE ALL THE
X-RAYS RIGHT HERE THAT SHOW ALL THE CANCER, BUT WHEN WE
WENT IN, WE COULDN'T FIND ANY CANCER.
YOU ARE PERFECTLY HEALTHY.” THEY HAD NO EXPLANATION.
THESE WERE SOME OF THE LEADING EXPERTS, AT ONE OF
THE MOST RENOWNED HOSPITALS IN THE WORLD.
THAT WAS GOD DOING WHAT ONLY HE CAN DO.
I REALIZE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN FOR EVERYONE, BUT HOW DO
YOU KNOW YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ONE OF THE ONES THAT
IT DOES HAPPEN FOR. WHY NOT BE A BELIEVER AND
NOT A DOUBTER? GOD IS SAYING, DESPITE THE
DIAGNOSIS, YOU'RE STILL GOING TO GET WELL.
DESPITE THE SETBACKS, YOU'RE STILL GOING TO
ACCOMPLISH YOUR DREAM. DESPITE THE DELAYS, YOU'RE
STILL GOING TO MEET THE RIGHT PERSON.
DESPITE WHAT THE EXPERTS HAVE TOLD YOU, YOU'RE STILL
GOING TO HAVE THAT BABY. DON'T TALK YOURSELF OUT OF
IT, TALK YOURSELF INTO IT. IT'S EASY TO THINK,
“NOTHING GOOD IS IN MY FUTURE, I'VE REACHED MY
LIMITS.” THAT'S GOING TO KEEP YOU WHERE YOU ARE.
WHAT GOD PROMISED YOU, IS STILL GOING TO HAPPEN.
NOW YOUR PART IS TO RISE UP. BELIEVE IT AND WATCH WHAT
GOD WILL DO. I THINK ABOUT JACOB IN THE
SCRIPTURE. HIS YOUNGEST SON JOSEPH HAD
A BIG DREAM. HE WAS GOING TO DO GREAT THINGS.
AS A FATHER, JACOB WAS SO PROUD OF JOSEPH.
WHEN HE LOOKED AT HIM, HE BEAMED WITH JOY.
HE EVEN GAVE HIM HIS COAT OF MANY COLORS, WHICH
REPRESENTED THE FAVOR ON HIS LIFE.
ONE DAY HE SENT JOSEPH TO CHECK ON HIS BROTHERS, WHO
WERE IN ANOTHER CITY. THEY WERE JEALOUS AND ENDED
UP SELLING HIM AS A SLAVE. THEY KILLED AN ANIMAL AND
PUT BLOOD ON JOSEPH'S COAT. THEY CAME HOME AND SHOWED
THEIR FATHER, “DAD, LOOKED WHAT HAPPENED.
JOSEPH MUST HAVE BEEN KILLED BY A WILD ANIMAL.”
JACOB WAS SO HEARTBROKEN. HE TORE HIS CLOTHES, HE PUT
ON SACKCLOTH. FOR WEEKS HE MOURNED.
MONTH AFTER MONTH, HIS FAMILY TRIED TO COMFORT
HIM, BUT IT WAS NO USE. HE SAID, “I WILL DIE IN
MOURNING FOR MY SON.” THIRTEEN YEARS LATER, THERE
WAS A GREAT FAMINE IN THE LAND. JACOB SENT THOSE OTHER TO
EGYPT LOOKING FOR FOOD. LITTLE DID THEY KNOW,
JOSEPH WAS IN CHARGE OF THE FOOD SUPPLY.
THEY CAME BACK HOME AND TOLD THEIR FATHER THIS
AMAZING NEWS THAT JOSEPH WAS STILL ALIVE. JACOB COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.
HE WAS IN AWE, SO OVERJOYED. EVENTUALLY, HE AND HIS
WHOLE FAMILY MOVED TO EGYPT TO LIVE WITH JOSEPH.
WHEN JACOB WAS A HUNDRED AND FORTY YEARS OLD, HE WAS
ABOUT TO PASS. HE CALLED JOSEPH AND HIS
GRANDSONS IN TO GIVE THEM THE BLESSING.
IMAGINE HOW JACOB MUST HAVE FELT. HE NEVER THOUGHT HE
WOULD SEE HIS SON AGAIN, AND NOW HE NOT ONLY HAS
JOSEPH, BUT HIS GRANDSONS ARE STANDING IN FRONT OF
HIM. IF YOU WOULD HAVE TOLD JACOB THIS WAS ALL GOING TO
HAPPEN THIRTEEN YEARS EARLIER, WHEN HE WAS
HEARTBROKEN, IN MOURNING, HE WOULD HAVE SAID,
“THERE'S NO WAY. THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE.
MY SON IS GONE. HOW COULD I EVER SEE HIS
GRANDCHILDREN.” BUT LOOK AT HOW AWESOME OUR GOD IS.
HE'S WORKING IN WAYS THAT WE COULD NEVER IMAGINE.
WE ALL HAVE DREAMS THAT WE'VE GIVEN UP ON, GOALS,
PROMISES. WE THINK, “THERE'S NO WAY.
I'VE BEEN THROUGH TOO MUCH, JOEL, THAT DOOR IS CLOSED,
I'VE MADE MISTAKES. I'VE MISSED TOO MANY
OPPORTUNITIES.” GOD IS ABOUT TO SURPRISE YOU.
HE'S GOING TO DO SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY,
SOMETHING THAT YOU DIDN'T SEE COMING, THAT WILL
BOGGLE YOUR MIND. YOU QUIT BELIEVING FOR IT.
YOU ACCEPTED THAT IT'S NEVER GOING TO WORK OUT.
BUT LIKE WITH JACOB, YOU'RE GOING TO STAND IN AWE, NOT
BELIEVING YOUR EYES, THINKING, “I COULD HAVE
NEVER FATHOMED THIS WOULD HAPPEN.” THAT'S HOW AMAZING
OUR GOD IS. YOU MAY BE IN THE MIDDLE OF
A SETBACK, IN THE MIDDLE OF A SILENT SEASON, IN THE
MIDDLE OF MOURNING, THAT IS NOT THE END.
GOD HAS A FLOURISHING FINISH FOR YOU.
HE HASN'T BROUGHT YOU THIS FAR TO LEAVE YOU.
YOUR GREATEST VICTORIES ARE NOT BEHIND YOU, THEY'RE
STILL IN FRONT OF YOU. STAY IN FAITH. IT'S STILL GOING TO HAPPEN.
THERE WAS A YOUNG WOMAN THAT WAS RAISED BY A SINGLE
MOTHER. GROWING UP SHE BEGAN TO
WONDER ABOUT HER FATHER, WHO HE WAS AND WHY HE
WASN'T IN HER LIFE. HER MOTHER HAD CONCEIVED
HER WITH THIS MAN THAT SHE DIDN'T REALLY KNOW, JUST A
ONE-NIGHT FLING. THIS MOTHER WAS KIND OF
EMBARRASSED AND DIDN'T WANT TO ELABORATE, ESPECIALLY TO
HER YOUNG DAUGHTER. AS THIS CHILD GOT OLDER,
THE MOTHER TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO REACH OUT TO THE
FATHER, BUT HE WASN'T AROUND, WOULDN'T RETURN
PHONE CALLS. HE DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS
CHILD. AFTER SHE GRADUATED FROM
COLLEGE, STARTED HER OWN FAMILY, SHE STILL HAD THIS
LONGING DEEP DOWN TO KNOW HER FATHER.
SHE HAD TWO BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN AND THOUGHT ABOUT
ALL THE MOMENTS THEY COULD BE SHARING TOGETHER.
SHE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND TRIED SEVERAL OTHER
WAYS BUT STILL NOTHING. SHE FINALLY ACCEPTED THAT
IT JUST WASN'T MEANT TO BE. BUT JUST BECAUSE WE GIVE
UP, DOESN'T MEAN GOD GIVES UP.
ONE DAY SHE RECEIVED A NOTE IN THE MAIL, OUT OF THE
BLUE. IT SAID, “THIS IS YOUR
FATHER. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO
CONNECT, I'D LOVE TO TALK TO YOU.” SHE COULDN'T
BELIEVE IT. AFTER THIRTY-NINE YEARS,
SHE WAS ABLE TO MEET HER FATHER.
THERE WAS NO ANGER, NO BITTERNESS, JUST A JOYFUL
REUNION, TEARS, LAUGHTER, AND HUGS.
IT WAS JUST IN TIME FOR HER FATHER TO COME TO THE BABY
DEDICATION OF HER SECOND CHILD.
SHE HAD GIVEN UP, BUT GOD SAID, “I HAVE A SURPRISE
FOR YOU. I'M GOING TO BRING YOU TO A
FLOURISHING FINISH.” ARE THERE THINGS YOU'VE
GIVEN UP ON? YOU THINK IT'S TOO LATE,
TOO FAR GONE, NEVER GOING TO WORK OUT.
GOD IS SAYING, “IT'S STILL GOING TO HAPPEN.” THE
DREAMS HE'S PLACED IN YOUR HEART, THE DESIRES HE'S PUT
IN YOU, THEY'RE ALREADY ON THE SCHEDULE.
NOW DO LIKE ZERUBBABEL AND RISE UP.
GET YOUR PASSION BACK. START BELIEVING AGAIN,
START PURSUING AGAIN. IF YOU'LL DO THIS, I BELIEVE
AND DECLARE, YOU'RE ABOUT TO COME OUT OF A SILENT
SEASON INTO A SURPRISE. THINGS ARE ABOUT TO SHIFT.
NEW DOORS ARE ABOUT TO OPEN, THE RIGHT PEOPLE ARE
GOING TO SHOW UP. HEALING IS COMING,
BREAKTHROUGHS, PROMOTION, NEW LEVELS OF YOUR DESTINY,
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.
YOU CAN TEXT THE NUMBER OR GO TO THE WEBSITE.
I HOPE YOU'LL GET INTO A GOOD BIBLE-BASED CHURCH AND
KEEP GOD FIRST PLACE. VICTORIA AND I WILL BE
RIGHT BACK TO SPEAK A BLESSING OVER YOU.
