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[Audience applauding]

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[Joel] God bless you

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it's great to be with you today and

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I hope you'll stay connected with us

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during the week. Our daily podcast,

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or YouTube channel, social media,

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and you can come visit us in person.

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We'd love to have you be apart

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of one of our services.

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I like to start with something funny and

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I heard about these brothers

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ages 4 and 6.

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They were spending the night

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at their grandmothers house and

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she told them before they went to bed

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to make sure they said their prayers.

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They went to their bedroom and

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got down on their knees and

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the youngest brother started praying

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at the top of his lungs.

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God, I pray for a new bicycle, pray for a

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PlayStation. I pray for a puppy .

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His brother stopped and said

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Why are you screaming?

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God is not deaf. He said I know that.

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But grandmother is.

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[Audience laughing]

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Say it like you mean it. This is my bible

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I am what it says I am

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I have what it says I have

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I can do what it says I can do.

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Today I will be taught the word of God.

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I boldly confess, my mind is alert,

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my heart is receptive,

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I will never be the same.

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In Jesus name. God bless you.

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I want to talk to you today about

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not getting sidetracked. God has a best

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track for all of our lives.

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A path that leads to our divine purpose.

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It's filled with opportunity, favor and

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protection.

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But along the way their will be forces

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trying to get us off course.

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That will compromise.

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Hanging around the wrong people, living

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offended. These are all distractions to

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keep us from our destiny.

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The enemy cannot stop your purpose

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but if he can get you sidetracked,

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entangled, fighting battles that

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don't matter. Busy doing good things but

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not the best. Then he can keep you

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from your purpose.

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Proverbs 4 says "look straight ahead,

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stick to the path and stay safe.

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Do not get sidetracked."

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God knew there would be all these

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opportunities to get off course. If your

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going to reach your highest potential

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you have to recognize what's a

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distraction and what's important.

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What you should spend your time on,

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what's valuable, what's making you better,

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causing you to grow and what's dragging

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you down. Causing you to compromise.

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Paul said in Ephesians "To make the most

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of your time, not living vague, but with

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purpose, in every step."

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Time is one of the most valuable things

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that you have.

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Once we live this day, you can never

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get it back.

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Just like you spend your money, you are

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spending your time.

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But your time is more valuable than money.

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You can make more money but you can't

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make more time.

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Are you investing your time, living with

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purpose, on course, pursing your dreams

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or are you wasting your time?

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Living vague, distracted playing on

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social media, taking the easy way out.

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This day is a gift from God,

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We have a responsibility to live focused,

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wisely, making the most of it.

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On a regular basis, you need to evaluate

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how you're spending your time.

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Are you on that best path?

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Honoring God. Doing what he put in your

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heart. Or have you gotten sidetracked?

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Holding a grudge, mad at that

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family member, jealous of that coworker.

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Trying to outperform them. Hanging around

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friends that bring out the work in you.

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The fact is we've all gotten of course

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at times. Made mistakes, been distracted.

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The good news is that you can get back on

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course. It's not too late. You haven't

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gotten too far off. You can still become

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who you were created to be.

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Now you have to do your part and make

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a course correction.

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Recognize what is a distraction.

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An entanglement, what's got you busy

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spinning wheels, but not going anywhere.

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Make the necessary adjustments.

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You have a destiny to fulfill.

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There's a calling on your life.

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An assignment for you to accomplish.

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How you spend your time, will determine

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whether you fulfill that best plan, see

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God do more than you can imagine or

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whether you get stuck and having to settle

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for a life mediocrity.

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In the scripture, Samson's birth was

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predicted by the prophets. His mother was

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bearing and an angel appeared.

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Said she would bear a son and

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He would leave the Israelites.

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That his hair was never to be cut.

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Long hair was a sign that he was dedicated

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to God.

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She gave birth to Samson and I can imagine

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as a little boy. She told him Samson

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there is a calling on your life.

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An angel appeared to me, you're going

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to do something great.

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He'd heard this since he was a child.

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One time when he was a young man

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he was walking down a road

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and this Lion attacked him

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The scripture says "The spirit of the Lord

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powerfully took control of him."

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He ripped the Lion apart with his

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bare hands.

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That was the first time he recognized

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there was something different about him.

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He knew he had this incredible calling.

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That God had raised him up to save his

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people.

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Whenever you have a great assignment

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the enemy will always come with

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distractions, temptations, opportunities

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to compromise. He will bring people

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to try to bait you into conflict.

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That is not a part of your destiny.

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His goal is to get you sidetracked,

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of course. Where you're not focusing on

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what your called to do. You're entangled

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in things that don't matter.

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You may wonder why people come against you

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and you struggle with that same tempation,

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you don't feel like being disciplined.

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It's because there is a great calling on

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your life.

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The enemy would leave you alone if he

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didn't know you were a threat.

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He's not fighting you for where you are,

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he is fighting you for where you are going

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He knows there is greatness in you.

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Sometimes he can see our potential better

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than we can.

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He knows you're a giant killer,

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a history maker, your destined to take

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your family to new levels.

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So, what's his strategy?

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Get you distracted, jealous, compromised,

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busy doing things that are not a part

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of your destiny.

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You would think Samson that since

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he had this supernatural strength.

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He heard about the angel prophesize his

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birth. He would go out of his way to make

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good decisions, be responsible with God

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had given him.

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He let his guard down, started hanging

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around the wrong people. He married a

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girl from the city of Tenma.

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She was a philistine. The philistine's

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were the ones oppressing the Israelites.

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He was supposed to deliver the from

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the philistines instead he's sleeping with

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a philistine. He had this incredible gift

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all this power. What does he do?

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He starts telling riddles to the enemy.

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He made a bet, if you can figure out

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my riddle. I'll give you 60 white robes

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and if not, you give me 60 robes.

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Playing games, not focused on the

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destiny, he was called to.

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This led to all kinds of conflict.

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He killed 1,000 philistines.

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He tore the gates of the city and carried

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them off. They couldn't figure out how

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to stop him.

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He fell in love with another philistine

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women named Delilah.

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She kept asking him about where

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his power came from. He would make up

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things and tease her.

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Would never tell her the secret was his

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long hair.

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she nagged him and nagged him

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and nagged him. A man can only take so

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much nagging that he finally gave in.

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The philistines cut his hair while he was

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sleeping.

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They came to capture him.

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He stood ready to fight but this time

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there was no supernatural strength.

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No power to overcome.

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He had lost what God had given him.

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I can imagine many times along the way

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he heard a still small voice saying

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come on Samson get back on course,

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quit playing around with your destiny.

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Be responsible for what I entrusted

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you with.

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God will always give us opportunities

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to have a course correction.

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He doesn't hold our faults against us

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he doesn't say man you're done, you

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made too many mistakes. There will come a

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time where that window of grace

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will close.

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Where if you're not going to be

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responsible with the gifts, the favor, the

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opportunity. God will force things

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to change.

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Doesn't mean you're not going to have

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another chance but he is not going

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to let you stay of course

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and be comfortable.

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Just ask Jonah, sitting in the belly

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of a whale.

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Samson could always count on this

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supernatural strength.

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Thinking I can tell riddles, I can

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compromise, hangout with the enemy,

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no big deal. I've got a secret weapon.

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But Paul said I do not frustrate the

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grace of God.

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God will never run out of grace,

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never run out of mercy but if you take it

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for granted. It may not be there in the

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same way.

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Samson's story is not in the scripture to

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depress us. It actually has a good ending.

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It's there to challenge us, to make

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course corrections.

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Pay attention to the still small voice.

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That thing that is bother your conscience

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You know that friend is not good for you

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or you need to spend more time with

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your children. Less on the computer,

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or you need to ignore that coworker that

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gets on your nerves.

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Not let is upset you everyday.

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That's the enemy trying to get you

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sidetracked. You don't have time for that.

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The angel may have not prophesized your

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birth like Samson but before you were

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formed in your mother's womb, the most

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high God knew you and planned out your day

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he has given you gifts, talents,

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opportunities. Are you making the most of

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each day? Spending your time wisely,

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or have you gotten sidetracked?

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Like Samson playing with the enemy,

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compromising, not serious about your gifts

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This is time for course correction.

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To get focused, to be on purpose, to make

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decisions that honor God.

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Life is going by so fast it seems like

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just yesterday I graduated from

277
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
high school. I look up now I'm 39

278
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
years old. [Audience laughing]

279
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We don't have time to be distracted.

280
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We have a purpose to fulfill.

281
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It's interesting what Jesus told about the

282
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
talents. One man had 1, another had 2,

283
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and the 3rd had 5.

284
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
They all went out and doubled what

285
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
they had.

286
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Expect the man with 1. He was afraid

287
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and hid his talent.

288
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
The owner said take from him the one

289
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and give to the one who has five.

290
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
The scripture says the man who has used

291
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
well, what has given him.

292
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
The point is if you don't use well

293
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
what's been given to you.

294
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Eventually it will be taken away.

295
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
That is what happened to Samson.

296
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He didn't fulfill the best plan.

297
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Having his eyes gouged out, the enemy

298
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
making fun of him. That was not God's best

299
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I don't want us to come to the end of life

300
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and be like Samson.

301
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Man, I made it but were beat up,

302
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
broke, addicted, lonely.

303
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
That is not your destiny.

304
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Samson would have had a different story

305
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
if he had not gotten sidetracked.

306
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
This should stir us up to stay focused.

307
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
To stay on course, to deal with things

308
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that we know are not right.

309
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
There is no shame in getting of course,

310
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
were human, we make mistakes.

311
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
There is shame in staying off course.

312
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
No matter what you've done, how much

313
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
time you wasted.

314
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You can still get back on course.

315
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You are in a window of grace today.

316
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You have not missed your chance, you

317
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
would not be hearing this if God wasn't

318
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
giving you the mercy, the grace, and the

319
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
power to make changes.

320
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Let's not be a Samson, have all this power

321
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
favor, anointing, and then get

322
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
sidetracked.

323
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Waste our time, rather than invest it.

324
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
If you will use well what God has given

325
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
you. You know what will happen?

326
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
God will give you more.

327
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
When he can trust you to be a good

328
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
steward of your gifts, time, and

329
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
you stay focused. You get rid of

330
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
distractions. He will take you further

331
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
than you ever dreamed.

332
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
But sometimes it's not the major things,

333
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
like way we got way off course like Samson

334
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It can be little things like time

335
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and energy.

336
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Jealous of a coworker, competing with them

337
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
, trying to prove your worth and prove

338
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
your talent.

339
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
If you live with that proving mentality,

340
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
it's like you're on a treadmill that's

341
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
never going to stop.

342
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Because there will always be someone more

343
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
talented, more attractive, more successful

344
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
That's a distraction. You're not running

345
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
their race. The only person you should

346
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
compete with is yourself.

347
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Have a goal to be better next year,

348
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
than you are right now. Be healthier,

349
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
smarter, kinder, more generous, to be

350
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
closer to God.

351
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You'll never reach your potential if your

352
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
competing with others, basing your

353
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
worth and value on how you measure

354
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
up to them.

355
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Successful people are so focused on what

356
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
their doing, they don't have time to look

357
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
around at others.

358
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
One translation of Proverbs 4 says

359
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
"Don't look to the left or to the right,

360
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
stay focused on the goal."

361
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Quit competing, quit comparing, and

362
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
run your race."

363
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I talked to a gentleman after service and

364
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
he told how a relationship he was in

365
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
didn't last. He had given it his best but

366
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the woman had other ideas and walked

367
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
away. Broke his heart, so angry and bitter

368
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I realize that's very painful.

369
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Things happen in life that we

370
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
don't understand. There is a time where we

371
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
have to heal and give ourselves grace to

372
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
get strong again.

373
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You can't let a season of mourning

374
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
turn into a lifetime of mourning.

375
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
If you don't let it go, it will poison

376
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
your life.

377
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He was so upset, I thought it happened

378
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
a mother ago. I asked him when it happened

379
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He said this happened in 1997.

380
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I didn't say anything but I calculated in

381
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
my mind. 2007, 2017, 2020.

382
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
That was 27 years ago. Yes, we all have

383
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
hurts. Disappointments, bad breaks but at

384
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
some point you have to move on with your

385
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
life. The enemy would love to use that

386
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
hurt to get you sidetracked.

387
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
To where you live bitter, bitter, chip

388
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
on your shoulder, never expecting

389
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
anything good. The problem with not

390
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
letting it go is that it's going to poison

391
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the next relationship.

392
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
God said he would give you

393
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
beauty for those ashes.

394
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I've learned you have to let go of the

395
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
ashes before you'll see the beauty.

396
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You're not making the most of each day

397
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
if you're holding on to unforgiveness

398
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
trying to pay people back. They hurt you

399
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
once, don't let them continue to hurt you.

400
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It takes a lot of emotional energy

401
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to think about what they did and how

402
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that wasn't right. You need that energy

403
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to love the people God had given you now.

404
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
To play with your children, to purse your

405
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
dreams.

406
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Maybe the course correction for you is

407
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to forgive the person who did you wrong.

408
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Forgive your parents for what they

409
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
did not give you.

410
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Forgive the business partner that cheated

411
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
you.

412
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Life's too short to carry around

413
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the bitterness.

414
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You'll always have these offences, people

415
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
saying things that aren't true, somebody

416
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
walks away. You can't stop that from com-

417
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
ing but you don't have to let it stop you.

418
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You don' have to get sidetracked, you can

419
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
stay on the best path and trust God to

420
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
make it up to you.

421
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Years ago, I was driving with a friend

422
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to his house after we came from the gym.

423
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He invited some of us over and I jumped in

424
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the car to ride with him. He had a real

425
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
nice sports car. Kept it super clean.

426
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
On the way to his house, I noticed that

427
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
he took the long way. 3 or 4 miles out of

428
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the way. I asked him why?

429
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He said my ex-girlfriend lives on this

430
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
street.

431
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I always drive by to make sure she sees

432
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
what she missed out on.

433
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
They had been broken up for years but

434
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
he was still driving by every chance

435
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
he got.

436
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Trying to prove he was worthy, successful

437
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and trying to prove he could make it

438
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
without her.

439
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He couldn't see it but he was distracted.

440
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
spending time and energy on something

441
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that didn't matter. Don't let that be you.

442
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Are you using well what God has given you?

443
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Or have you gotten sidetracked?

444
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Trying to prove to people who you are

445
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
jealous of that friend, offended by that

446
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
coworker. Your time is too valuable for

447
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that.

448
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
The funny thing about my friend is that he

449
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
found out later that his ex-girlfriend

450
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
had moved to another state.

451
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
[Audience laughing]

452
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He had been driving by that house 2 years

453
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and she wasn't even there.

454
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
God has a sense of humor.

455
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
My prayer is God show us any areas

456
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that we need to have a course correction,

457
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
where we don't realize.

458
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Verse Samual 25. David and his 6 men were

459
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
living out in the countryside. This is

460
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
when Saul was chasing David.

461
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
There was a wealthy man named Nabel that

462
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
lived right next door. He had thousands

463
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
of sheep and cattle. David and his army

464
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
had been protecting Nabel by just being

465
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that area. When bandits came and they saw

466
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
David's forces, they would naturally back

467
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
down. It was time for sheering the sheep,

468
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the harvest season. David sent

469
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
messengers to Nabel since they have

470
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
watched over his property.

471
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Nabel what very rude and harsh.

472
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
His name means fool and he lived up to it.

473
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He said who is this man David?

474
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I don't even know him. You tell him I am

475
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
not going to give him a penny.

476
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He insulted David. When the men came back

477
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
with report David was furious.

478
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He told his men to pack up their

479
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
belongings. They were going to go

480
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
take care of Nabel.

481
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Your not supposed to fight every battle.

482
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Many of the things that come against us

483
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
are simply distractions. If that battle

484
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
is not between you and your destiny

485
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
you need to ignore it.

486
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
That's the enemy trying to get

487
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
you sidetracked.

488
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Involved in conflict that doesn't matter.

489
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You have to ask yourself, are there any

490
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
spoils? If you win is it going to move you

491
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
towards your purpose?

492
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
or is it just going to feed your ego?

493
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Make you feel better.

494
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You don't have time to respond to every

495
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
critic. To try to straighten out

496
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
every coworker, make that friend stop

497
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
saying things that aren't true.

498
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
One of the enemy's favorite tools is

499
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to bait you into conflict.

500
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Get you stirred up. Don't fall into

501
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that trap.

502
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You're time in valuable, your energy,

503
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
your emotions. You have to be selective

504
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
what you give that to.

505
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
If you make the mistake of fighting

506
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
every battle.

507
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Your not going to have the time or

508
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the emotional energy to reach your purpose

509
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
The scripture says God will silence

510
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the lying lips.

511
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
If you ignore it, God will take care of

512
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
your enemies.

513
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
David headed toward Nabel's house

514
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
so upset, full speed ahead.

515
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
About to make a mistake, that would affect

516
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
his destiny. Here's how good God is

517
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Nabel's wife met David on the road with

518
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
all kinds of food and provision.

519
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
She bowed down before him. In verse 24

520
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
she said David, you were called to be the

521
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
king of Israel. Why would you even fight

522
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
with this fool? Don't let this needless

523
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
battle be a blemish on your record.

524
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Notice she called it a needless battle.

525
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He knew it was a distraction. David came

526
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to his senses. He said Abagael the Lord

527
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
God Isreal has sent you to me today

528
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
for you have not kept me from

529
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
carrying out vengeance, not one of your

530
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
family members would be alive.

531
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We're all going to encounter Nabel's

532
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in life.

533
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
People that are rude, hard to along with,

534
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
stir up trouble. I'll ask you what

535
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Abigail asked David.

536
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Why are fighting with a fool?

537
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Why are you in conflict with someone

538
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that is not between you and your destiny?

539
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
They are a distraction. Trying to get you

540
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
off course. Wasting valuable

541
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
time and energy that you need to for

542
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
your dreams.

543
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Had Abigail not intervened and kept David

544
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
out of that conflict.

545
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We might not be talking about David

546
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
God will always send you an Abigail

547
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to warn you when you're about to get

548
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
sidetracked.

549
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Maybe today, I'm that Abigail.

550
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
God sent me to remind you not to get

551
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
baited into conflict.

552
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You could be upset, offended, trying

553
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to pay them back. All that is going

554
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to do is get you off course.

555
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and keep you from the great things God

556
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
has in store.

557
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What they say can't stop your purpose.

558
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
They may be loud, jealous, noisy. Their

559
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
just a Nabel.

560
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You keep running your race, focused on

561
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
what God's called you to do.

562
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And got will take care of the Nabel's in

563
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
your life.

564
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
[Audience applauding ]

565
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Elijah in the scripture had an assistant

566
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
named Elijah. He left his family business

567
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
as a young man to take care of Elijah.

568
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He served him faithfully through the years

569
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
When Elijah was about to pass, he asked

570
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Elijah what he wanted. Elijah said

571
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
a double portion of his spirt.

572
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
That is what he received.

573
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
There are twice as many miracles recorded

574
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
for Elijah than Elijah.

575
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Eljah had an assistant name Ghazia.

576
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He served Elijah year after year.

577
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Everything was going great. He was next

578
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in line to do amazing things.

579
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Being mentored by this great prophet.

580
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
One day a Capitan of the Syrian Army

581
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
came to Elijah. He had leprosy.

582
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Elijah told him to go wash in the

583
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Jordan River seven times and he would

584
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
be healed.

585
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
When he did, his skin was perfectly normal

586
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He came back to Elijah so grateful,

587
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
so happy. He tried to pay him.

588
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Do something to show his gratitude but

589
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Elijah wouldn't take it.

590
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He knew it was God that healed him

591
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and not him.

592
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
The Capitan pleaded with him and said

593
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
please let me leave you some gold

594
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
or silver or something to help you.

595
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Again, Elijah refused. Well, Ghazia

596
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
was there overhearing all this.

597
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Captain and his entourage headed back home

598
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Ghazia snuck out of the camp without

599
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Elijah knowing. He caught up with him,

600
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
they were so surprised and

601
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
said what's wrong?

602
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He said nothing, but we had some

603
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
unexpected guests show up. Elijah changed

604
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
his mind and would like some of those

605
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
gifts that you offered.

606
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He got the money and headed back to the

607
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
house.

608
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Thinking nobody knew anything but God sees

609
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
everything. He is the one that controls

610
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the universe. Promotion doesn't come

611
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
from people, it comes from God.

612
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Elijah called him in and said Ghazia

613
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
where have you been?

614
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He said nowhere, I've just been here

615
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
hanging out.

616
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
The scripture says immediately,

617
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Ghazia's skin was filled with leprosy.

618
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What's interesting is you never read

619
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
anything more about Ghazia in

620
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the scripture.

621
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We hear all about Elijah, how great he was

622
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Elijah and all the miracles he performed.

623
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Ghazia was next in line. He should have

624
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
had 4 times the anointing of Elijah.

625
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
But distractions can keep you from your

626
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
purpose.

627
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Being sidetracked can stop your destiny.

628
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Ghazia thought man if I can get a few of

629
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
these gifts, without anybody knowing.

630
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
That will put me way ahead.

631
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
He didn't realize, God would have blessed

632
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
him in much greater ways by being a person

633
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
of honor.

634
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Staying on that high road.

635
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
My father had a message about Ghazia

636
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
called the man who could've been.

637
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Don't miss the greatness God put in you

638
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
because you got sidetracked.

639
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Listen to the still small voice, pay

640
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
attention when your conscience is

641
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
bothering you. Learn to deal with

642
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
those things God brings to life.

643
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We're not going to be here forever, let's

644
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
make the most of each day.

645
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Well Joel, I think it's too late for me.

646
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I'm like Ghazia, I think I missed

647
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
my chance. Let me show you

648
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the beauty of our God.

649
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Samson made mistakes year after year,

650
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
wasn't a good steward with what God gave

651
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
him, ended up lying, in captivity.

652
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
The scripture says, the spirt of God

653
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
came on Samson one more time.

654
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Samson defeated more Philistines in his

655
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
death than he did his whole life.

656
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
That's what happens when you get back

657
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
on course.

658
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
God doesn't hold your mistakes against

659
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
you. Is there any area you need to make

660
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
a course correction?

661
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Holding on to unforgiveness, trying

662
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to prove your worth. Like Samson

663
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
playing around with your gift.

664
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Don't go another week like that, you put

665
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
it off a week. It will turn into a year.

666
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
A year into twenty years.

667
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You can get back on course today.

668
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
God's mercy, his grace is available.

669
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You just have to tap into it.

670
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
If you do this, I believe and declare

671
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
God's going to help you get back

672
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
on the best path for your life.

673
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
The favor, the ability, the blessing.

674
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You will fulfill your purpose and

675
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
become all you were created to be.

676
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
In Jesus name

677
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and if you receive it, can you say amen

678
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I'd like to give you an opportunity to

679
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
make Jesus the Lord of your life.

680
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Would you pray with me?

681
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Just say, Lord Jesus I repent of my sins

682
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
come into my heart, I make you my

683
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Lord and Savior.

684
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
If you prayed that simple prayer,

685
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we believe you got born again.

686
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We'd love to send you some free

687
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
information on your new walk with the

688
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Lord. You can text the number on the

689
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
screen or go to the website.

690
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I hope you'll get into a good bible

691
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
based church.

692
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and keep God first place.