0:00:00.000,0:00:01.590 [Audience applauding] 0:00:01.590,0:00:02.860 [Joel] God bless you 0:00:02.860,0:00:04.680 it's great to be with you today and 0:00:04.680,0:00:06.480 I hope you'll stay connected with us 0:00:06.480,0:00:08.335 during the week. Our daily podcast, 0:00:08.335,0:00:10.475 or YouTube channel, social media, 0:00:10.475,0:00:12.205 and you can come visit us in person. 0:00:12.205,0:00:13.865 We'd love to have you be apart 0:00:13.865,0:00:15.385 of one of our services. 0:00:15.385,0:00:17.355 I like to start with something funny and 0:00:17.355,0:00:18.765 I heard about these brothers 0:00:18.765,0:00:21.013 ages 4 and 6. 0:00:21.013,0:00:22.513 They were spending the night 0:00:22.513,0:00:24.093 at their grandmothers house and 0:00:24.093,0:00:25.953 she told them before they went to bed 0:00:25.953,0:00:27.823 to make sure they said their prayers. 0:00:27.823,0:00:29.723 They went to their bedroom and 0:00:29.723,0:00:31.103 got down on their knees and 0:00:31.103,0:00:32.953 the youngest brother started praying 0:00:32.953,0:00:34.263 at the top of his lungs. 0:00:34.263,0:00:37.373 God, I pray for a new bicycle, pray for a 0:00:37.373,0:00:39.283 PlayStation. I pray for a puppy . 0:00:39.283,0:00:40.913 His brother stopped and said 0:00:40.913,0:00:42.633 Why are you screaming? 0:00:42.633,0:00:44.663 God is not deaf. He said I know that. 0:00:44.663,0:00:46.213 But grandmother is. 0:00:46.213,0:00:47.273 [Audience laughing] 0:00:47.273,0:00:49.953 Say it like you mean it. This is my bible 0:00:49.953,0:00:51.723 I am what it says I am 0:00:52.193,0:00:54.083 I have what it says I have 0:00:54.083,0:00:56.310 I can do what it says I can do. 0:00:56.310,0:00:59.010 Today I will be taught the word of God. 0:00:59.010,0:01:01.710 I boldly confess, my mind is alert, 0:01:01.710,0:01:03.390 my heart is receptive, 0:01:03.390,0:01:05.445 I will never be the same. 0:01:05.445,0:01:08.775 In Jesus name. God bless you. 0:01:09.436,0:01:11.826 I want to talk to you today about 0:01:11.826,0:01:14.716 not getting sidetracked. God has a best 0:01:14.716,0:01:16.366 track for all of our lives. 0:01:16.366,0:01:19.423 A path that leads to our divine purpose. 0:01:19.423,0:01:21.933 It's filled with opportunity, favor and 0:01:21.933,0:01:22.943 protection. 0:01:22.943,0:01:25.353 But along the way their will be forces 0:01:25.353,0:01:28.311 trying to get us off course. 0:01:28.311,0:01:30.133 That will compromise. 0:01:30.133,0:01:32.733 Hanging around the wrong people, living 0:01:32.733,0:01:35.338 offended. These are all distractions to 0:01:35.338,0:01:36.910 keep us from our destiny. 0:01:36.910,0:01:40.143 The enemy cannot stop your purpose 0:01:40.143,0:01:42.772 but if he can get you sidetracked, 0:01:42.772,0:01:45.002 entangled, fighting battles that 0:01:45.002,0:01:47.862 don't matter. Busy doing good things but 0:01:47.862,0:01:50.232 not the best. Then he can keep you 0:01:50.232,0:01:51.832 from your purpose. 0:01:51.832,0:01:54.503 Proverbs 4 says "look straight ahead, 0:01:54.503,0:01:56.913 stick to the path and stay safe. 0:01:57.226,0:01:59.296 Do not get sidetracked." 0:01:59.385,0:02:01.845 God knew there would be all these 0:02:01.845,0:02:03.835 opportunities to get off course. If your 0:02:03.835,0:02:06.530 going to reach your highest potential 0:02:06.530,0:02:08.774 you have to recognize what's a 0:02:08.774,0:02:11.300 distraction and what's important. 0:02:11.300,0:02:13.550 What you should spend your time on, 0:02:13.641,0:02:16.701 what's valuable, what's making you better, 0:02:16.701,0:02:19.447 causing you to grow and what's dragging 0:02:19.447,0:02:22.324 you down. Causing you to compromise. 0:02:22.324,0:02:25.201 Paul said in Ephesians "To make the most 0:02:25.201,0:02:28.381 of your time, not living vague, but with 0:02:28.381,0:02:29.871 purpose, in every step." 0:02:30.335,0:02:33.275 Time is one of the most valuable things 0:02:33.275,0:02:34.455 that you have. 0:02:34.832,0:02:37.309 Once we live this day, you can never 0:02:37.309,0:02:38.349 get it back. 0:02:38.639,0:02:41.269 Just like you spend your money, you are 0:02:41.269,0:02:42.711 spending your time. 0:02:42.861,0:02:45.889 But your time is more valuable than money. 0:02:45.889,0:02:48.809 You can make more money but you can't 0:02:48.809,0:02:50.359 make more time. 0:02:50.359,0:02:52.379 Are you investing your time, living with 0:02:52.379,0:02:55.919 purpose, on course, pursing your dreams 0:02:55.988,0:02:58.128 or are you wasting your time? 0:02:59.124,0:03:01.674 Living vague, distracted playing on 0:03:01.674,0:03:04.397 social media, taking the easy way out. 0:03:04.751,0:03:06.873 This day is a gift from God, 0:03:06.906,0:03:09.276 We have a responsibility to live focused, 0:03:09.986,0:03:13.026 wisely, making the most of it. 0:03:13.175,0:03:15.932 On a regular basis, you need to evaluate 0:03:15.969,0:03:18.129 how you're spending your time. 0:03:18.300,0:03:20.317 Are you on that best path? 0:03:20.317,0:03:22.967 Honoring God. Doing what he put in your 0:03:22.967,0:03:25.907 heart. Or have you gotten sidetracked? 0:03:25.907,0:03:28.047 Holding a grudge, mad at that 0:03:28.047,0:03:30.985 family member, jealous of that coworker. 0:03:30.985,0:03:33.485 Trying to outperform them. Hanging around 0:03:33.485,0:03:35.551 friends that bring out the work in you. 0:03:35.551,0:03:38.491 The fact is we've all gotten of course 0:03:38.491,0:03:41.941 at times. Made mistakes, been distracted. 0:03:42.008,0:03:45.088 The good news is that you can get back on 0:03:45.088,0:03:47.654 course. It's not too late. You haven't 0:03:47.654,0:03:50.606 gotten too far off. You can still become 0:03:50.716,0:03:52.958 who you were created to be. 0:03:52.958,0:03:55.148 Now you have to do your part and make 0:03:55.148,0:03:56.937 a course correction. 0:03:57.070,0:03:59.510 Recognize what is a distraction. 0:03:59.957,0:04:02.664 An entanglement, what's got you busy 0:04:02.664,0:04:05.494 spinning wheels, but not going anywhere. 0:04:05.707,0:04:08.256 Make the necessary adjustments. 0:04:08.256,0:04:10.532 You have a destiny to fulfill. 0:04:10.532,0:04:12.692 There's a calling on your life. 0:04:12.692,0:04:15.312 An assignment for you to accomplish. 0:04:15.312,0:04:18.252 How you spend your time, will determine 0:04:18.252,0:04:20.964 whether you fulfill that best plan, see 0:04:20.964,0:04:23.919 God do more than you can imagine or 0:04:23.919,0:04:26.704 whether you get stuck and having to settle 0:04:26.704,0:04:28.234 for a life mediocrity. 0:04:28.234,0:04:30.844 In the scripture, Samson's birth was 0:04:30.844,0:04:33.964 predicted by the prophets. His mother was 0:04:33.964,0:04:36.164 bearing and an angel appeared. 0:04:36.164,0:04:37.798 Said she would bear a son and 0:04:37.798,0:04:39.868 He would leave the Israelites. 0:04:39.868,0:04:42.594 That his hair was never to be cut. 0:04:42.732,0:04:45.672 Long hair was a sign that he was dedicated 0:04:45.672,0:04:46.542 to God. 0:04:46.688,0:04:49.508 She gave birth to Samson and I can imagine 0:04:49.508,0:04:51.979 as a little boy. She told him Samson 0:04:51.979,0:04:53.629 there is a calling on your life. 0:04:53.629,0:04:55.869 An angel appeared to me, you're going 0:04:55.869,0:04:57.099 to do something great. 0:04:57.320,0:04:59.787 He'd heard this since he was a child. 0:04:59.787,0:05:02.007 One time when he was a young man 0:05:02.007,0:05:03.627 he was walking down a road 0:05:03.627,0:05:05.497 and this Lion attacked him 0:05:05.497,0:05:08.247 The scripture says "The spirit of the Lord 0:05:08.247,0:05:09.959 powerfully took control of him." 0:05:09.968,0:05:12.208 He ripped the Lion apart with his 0:05:12.208,0:05:13.548 bare hands. 0:05:13.703,0:05:15.863 That was the first time he recognized 0:05:15.863,0:05:17.903 there was something different about him. 0:05:21.253,0:05:23.843 He knew he had this incredible calling. 0:05:23.843,0:05:25.783 That God had raised him up to save his 0:05:25.783,0:05:26.673 people. 0:05:26.868,0:05:29.601 Whenever you have a great assignment 0:05:29.601,0:05:32.088 the enemy will always come with 0:05:32.088,0:05:35.198 distractions, temptations, opportunities 0:05:35.198,0:05:37.978 to compromise. He will bring people 0:05:37.978,0:05:40.188 to try to bait you into conflict. 0:05:40.255,0:05:42.689 That is not a part of your destiny. 0:05:42.689,0:05:45.069 His goal is to get you sidetracked, 0:05:45.069,0:05:48.020 of course. Where you're not focusing on 0:05:48.020,0:05:50.840 what your called to do. You're entangled 0:05:50.840,0:05:53.230 in things that don't matter. 0:05:53.412,0:05:55.702 You may wonder why people come against you 0:05:55.702,0:05:58.604 and you struggle with that same tempation, 0:05:58.604,0:06:00.844 you don't feel like being disciplined. 0:06:00.844,0:06:02.894 It's because there is a great calling on 0:06:02.894,0:06:04.253 your life. 0:06:04.651,0:06:07.566 The enemy would leave you alone if he 0:06:07.566,0:06:09.356 didn't know you were a threat. 0:06:09.362,0:06:11.923 He's not fighting you for where you are, 0:06:11.923,0:06:14.103 he is fighting you for where you are going 0:06:14.229,0:06:16.633 He knows there is greatness in you. 0:06:16.771,0:06:19.668 Sometimes he can see our potential better 0:06:19.668,0:06:20.568 than we can. 0:06:20.900,0:06:22.866 He knows you're a giant killer, 0:06:22.866,0:06:25.706 a history maker, your destined to take 0:06:25.706,0:06:27.376 your family to new levels. 0:06:27.659,0:06:29.185 So, what's his strategy? 0:06:29.523,0:06:32.723 Get you distracted, jealous, compromised, 0:06:33.068,0:06:35.728 busy doing things that are not a part 0:06:35.728,0:06:36.958 of your destiny. 0:06:37.288,0:06:39.786 You would think Samson that since 0:06:39.786,0:06:41.566 he had this supernatural strength. 0:06:41.593,0:06:44.253 He heard about the angel prophesize his 0:06:44.253,0:06:46.753 birth. He would go out of his way to make 0:06:46.753,0:06:49.523 good decisions, be responsible with God 0:06:49.523,0:06:50.913 had given him. 0:06:51.088,0:06:53.908 He let his guard down, started hanging 0:06:53.908,0:06:56.278 around the wrong people. He married a 0:06:56.278,0:06:58.238 girl from the city of Tenma. 0:06:58.238,0:07:00.842 She was a philistine. The philistine's 0:07:00.842,0:07:03.022 were the ones oppressing the Israelites. 0:07:03.022,0:07:05.592 He was supposed to deliver the from 0:07:05.592,0:07:07.812 the philistines instead he's sleeping with 0:07:07.812,0:07:11.812 a philistine. He had this incredible gift 0:07:11.884,0:07:14.474 all this power. What does he do? 0:07:14.474,0:07:17.174 He starts telling riddles to the enemy. 0:07:17.174,0:07:19.942 He made a bet, if you can figure out 0:07:19.942,0:07:22.524 my riddle. I'll give you 60 white robes 0:07:22.524,0:07:24.935 and if not, you give me 60 robes. 0:07:24.935,0:07:27.442 Playing games, not focused on the 0:07:27.442,0:07:29.272 destiny, he was called to. 0:07:29.457,0:07:31.735 This led to all kinds of conflict. 0:07:31.735,0:07:33.750 He killed 1,000 philistines. 0:07:33.750,0:07:36.740 He tore the gates of the city and carried 0:07:36.740,0:07:39.194 them off. They couldn't figure out how 0:07:39.194,0:07:40.044 to stop him. 0:07:40.121,0:07:42.582 He fell in love with another philistine 0:07:42.582,0:07:43.892 women named Delilah. 0:07:43.892,0:07:46.162 She kept asking him about where 0:07:46.162,0:07:48.912 his power came from. He would make up 0:07:48.912,0:07:50.199 things and tease her. 0:07:50.199,0:07:52.810 Would never tell her the secret was his 0:07:52.810,0:07:53.662 long hair. 0:07:54.358,0:07:56.686 she nagged him and nagged him 0:07:56.686,0:07:59.626 and nagged him. A man can only take so 0:07:59.626,0:08:02.276 much nagging that he finally gave in. 0:08:02.276,0:08:04.456 The philistines cut his hair while he was 0:08:04.456,0:08:05.606 sleeping. 0:08:05.620,0:08:07.640 They came to capture him. 0:08:07.714,0:08:11.714 He stood ready to fight but this time 0:08:11.740,0:08:14.260 there was no supernatural strength. 0:08:14.260,0:08:15.880 No power to overcome. 0:08:16.205,0:08:20.205 He had lost what God had given him. 0:08:20.291,0:08:22.921 I can imagine many times along the way 0:08:23.010,0:08:24.800 he heard a still small voice saying 0:08:24.954,0:08:28.232 come on Samson get back on course, 0:08:28.232,0:08:31.542 quit playing around with your destiny. 0:08:31.542,0:08:33.762 Be responsible for what I entrusted 0:08:33.762,0:08:34.782 you with. 0:08:34.782,0:08:37.052 God will always give us opportunities 0:08:37.052,0:08:39.308 to have a course correction. 0:08:39.308,0:08:42.138 He doesn't hold our faults against us 0:08:42.138,0:08:44.208 he doesn't say man you're done, you 0:08:44.208,0:08:47.188 made too many mistakes. There will come a 0:08:47.188,0:08:49.490 time where that window of grace 0:08:49.490,0:08:50.510 will close. 0:08:50.656,0:08:52.890 Where if you're not going to be 0:08:52.890,0:08:55.460 responsible with the gifts, the favor, the 0:08:55.460,0:08:57.740 opportunity. God will force things 0:08:57.740,0:08:58.540 to change. 0:08:58.647,0:09:00.737 Doesn't mean you're not going to have 0:09:00.737,0:09:02.397 another chance but he is not going 0:09:02.397,0:09:04.047 to let you stay of course 0:09:04.047,0:09:05.507 and be comfortable. 0:09:05.597,0:09:07.987 Just ask Jonah, sitting in the belly 0:09:07.987,0:09:08.877 of a whale. 0:09:09.024,0:09:11.370 Samson could always count on this 0:09:11.370,0:09:13.010 supernatural strength. 0:09:13.010,0:09:15.146 Thinking I can tell riddles, I can 0:09:15.146,0:09:17.636 compromise, hangout with the enemy, 0:09:17.636,0:09:19.496 no big deal. I've got a secret weapon. 0:09:19.701,0:09:22.461 But Paul said I do not frustrate the 0:09:22.461,0:09:24.031 grace of God. 0:09:24.121,0:09:26.521 God will never run out of grace, 0:09:26.521,0:09:28.491 never run out of mercy but if you take it 0:09:28.491,0:09:32.491 for granted. It may not be there in the 0:09:32.491,0:09:33.641 same way. 0:09:33.641,0:09:35.741 Samson's story is not in the scripture to 0:09:35.741,0:09:39.741 depress us. It actually has a good ending. 0:09:39.741,0:09:41.921 It's there to challenge us, to make 0:09:41.921,0:09:42.931 course corrections. 0:09:43.188,0:09:46.358 Pay attention to the still small voice. 0:09:46.358,0:09:49.238 That thing that is bother your conscience 0:09:49.238,0:09:51.758 You know that friend is not good for you 0:09:51.758,0:09:53.793 or you need to spend more time with 0:09:53.793,0:09:55.773 your children. Less on the computer, 0:09:55.773,0:09:58.521 or you need to ignore that coworker that 0:09:58.521,0:09:59.511 gets on your nerves. 0:09:59.511,0:10:01.487 Not let is upset you everyday. 0:10:01.507,0:10:03.884 That's the enemy trying to get you 0:10:03.884,0:10:06.739 sidetracked. You don't have time for that. 0:10:06.739,0:10:09.579 The angel may have not prophesized your 0:10:09.579,0:10:12.109 birth like Samson but before you were 0:10:12.109,0:10:14.509 formed in your mother's womb, the most 0:10:14.509,0:10:17.649 high God knew you and planned out your day 0:10:17.772,0:10:20.018 he has given you gifts, talents, 0:10:20.018,0:10:22.978 opportunities. Are you making the most of 0:10:22.978,0:10:25.378 each day? Spending your time wisely, 0:10:25.426,0:10:28.056 or have you gotten sidetracked? 0:10:28.167,0:10:30.327 Like Samson playing with the enemy, 0:10:30.327,0:10:33.487 compromising, not serious about your gifts 0:10:33.617,0:10:36.867 This is time for course correction. 0:10:37.033,0:10:40.263 To get focused, to be on purpose, to make 0:10:40.263,0:10:41.843 decisions that honor God. 0:10:43.558,0:10:46.338 Life is going by so fast it seems like 0:10:46.338,0:10:48.108 just yesterday I graduated from 0:10:48.108,0:10:50.498 high school. I look up now I'm 39 0:10:50.498,0:10:51.962 years old. [Audience laughing] 0:10:51.962,0:10:54.262 We don't have time to be distracted. 0:10:54.305,0:10:56.805 We have a purpose to fulfill. 0:10:56.868,0:10:59.586 It's interesting what Jesus told about the 0:10:59.586,0:11:03.586 talents. One man had 1, another had 2, 0:11:03.586,0:11:05.066 and the 3rd had 5. 0:11:05.066,0:11:06.766 They all went out and doubled what 0:11:06.766,0:11:07.777 they had. 0:11:07.777,0:11:09.617 Expect the man with 1. He was afraid 0:11:09.617,0:11:11.526 and hid his talent. 0:11:11.573,0:11:14.333 The owner said take from him the one 0:11:14.333,0:11:16.683 and give to the one who has five. 0:11:16.932,0:11:20.052 The scripture says the man who has used 0:11:20.052,0:11:21.772 well, what has given him. 0:11:21.960,0:11:25.770 The point is if you don't use well 0:11:25.770,0:11:27.742 what's been given to you. 0:11:27.742,0:11:29.972 Eventually it will be taken away. 0:11:29.972,0:11:32.399 That is what happened to Samson. 0:11:32.399,0:11:34.520 He didn't fulfill the best plan. 0:11:34.520,0:11:38.520 Having his eyes gouged out, the enemy 0:11:38.520,0:11:41.800 making fun of him. That was not God's best 0:11:41.893,0:11:44.513 I don't want us to come to the end of life 0:11:44.513,0:11:45.733 and be like Samson. 0:11:45.754,0:11:47.984 Man, I made it but were beat up, 0:11:47.984,0:11:50.004 broke, addicted, lonely. 0:11:50.004,0:11:51.872 That is not your destiny. 0:11:51.872,0:11:54.822 Samson would have had a different story 0:11:54.822,0:11:57.212 if he had not gotten sidetracked. 0:11:57.212,0:12:00.298 This should stir us up to stay focused. 0:12:00.298,0:12:02.823 To stay on course, to deal with things 0:12:02.823,0:12:04.463 that we know are not right. 0:12:04.635,0:12:06.675 There is no shame in getting of course, 0:12:06.675,0:12:09.755 were human, we make mistakes. 0:12:09.897,0:12:13.607 There is shame in staying off course. 0:12:13.607,0:12:16.237 No matter what you've done, how much 0:12:16.237,0:12:17.390 time you wasted. 0:12:17.390,0:12:19.568 You can still get back on course. 0:12:19.568,0:12:22.078 You are in a window of grace today. 0:12:22.078,0:12:24.768 You have not missed your chance, you 0:12:24.768,0:12:27.396 would not be hearing this if God wasn't 0:12:27.396,0:12:30.236 giving you the mercy, the grace, and the 0:12:30.236,0:12:32.678 power to make changes. 0:12:32.696,0:12:35.729 Let's not be a Samson, have all this power 0:12:35.729,0:12:37.489 favor, anointing, and then get 0:12:37.489,0:12:38.449 sidetracked. 0:12:38.449,0:12:41.899 Waste our time, rather than invest it. 0:12:42.112,0:12:44.012 If you will use well what God has given 0:12:44.012,0:12:46.238 you. You know what will happen? 0:12:46.238,0:12:47.628 God will give you more. 0:12:47.628,0:12:50.242 When he can trust you to be a good 0:12:50.242,0:12:52.992 steward of your gifts, time, and 0:12:52.992,0:12:55.982 you stay focused. You get rid of 0:12:55.982,0:12:58.462 distractions. He will take you further 0:12:58.462,0:13:00.217 than you ever dreamed. 0:13:00.217,0:13:02.857 But sometimes it's not the major things, 0:13:02.857,0:13:04.967 like way we got way off course like Samson 0:13:04.967,0:13:06.697 It can be little things like time 0:13:06.697,0:13:07.787 and energy. 0:13:07.787,0:13:11.087 Jealous of a coworker, competing with them 0:13:11.087,0:13:13.057 , trying to prove your worth and prove 0:13:13.057,0:13:14.077 your talent. 0:13:15.021,0:13:17.751 If you live with that proving mentality, 0:13:17.751,0:13:20.111 it's like you're on a treadmill that's 0:13:20.111,0:13:21.801 never going to stop. 0:13:21.801,0:13:23.791 Because there will always be someone more 0:13:23.791,0:13:27.791 talented, more attractive, more successful 0:13:27.791,0:13:30.781 That's a distraction. You're not running 0:13:30.781,0:13:33.211 their race. The only person you should 0:13:33.211,0:13:34.531 compete with is yourself. 0:13:34.757,0:13:37.397 Have a goal to be better next year, 0:13:37.397,0:13:40.187 than you are right now. Be healthier, 0:13:40.187,0:13:43.117 smarter, kinder, more generous, to be 0:13:43.117,0:13:44.467 closer to God. 0:13:45.411,0:13:47.581 You'll never reach your potential if your 0:13:47.581,0:13:50.201 competing with others, basing your 0:13:50.201,0:13:52.571 worth and value on how you measure 0:13:52.571,0:13:53.771 up to them. 0:13:54.021,0:13:57.071 Successful people are so focused on what 0:13:57.071,0:13:59.641 their doing, they don't have time to look 0:13:59.641,0:14:01.031 around at others. 0:14:01.031,0:14:03.681 One translation of Proverbs 4 says 0:14:03.681,0:14:05.971 "Don't look to the left or to the right, 0:14:05.971,0:14:07.311 stay focused on the goal." 0:14:07.421,0:14:09.581 Quit competing, quit comparing, and 0:14:09.581,0:14:11.031 run your race." 0:14:11.098,0:14:13.378 I talked to a gentleman after service and 0:14:13.378,0:14:16.138 he told how a relationship he was in 0:14:16.138,0:14:18.968 didn't last. He had given it his best but 0:14:18.968,0:14:21.298 the woman had other ideas and walked 0:14:21.298,0:14:25.298 away. Broke his heart, so angry and bitter 0:14:25.298,0:14:27.798 I realize that's very painful. 0:14:27.798,0:14:29.838 Things happen in life that we 0:14:29.838,0:14:32.698 don't understand. There is a time where we 0:14:32.698,0:14:35.298 have to heal and give ourselves grace to 0:14:35.298,0:14:36.468 get strong again. 0:14:36.594,0:14:39.054 You can't let a season of mourning 0:14:39.054,0:14:41.514 turn into a lifetime of mourning. 0:14:41.514,0:14:44.194 If you don't let it go, it will poison 0:14:44.194,0:14:44.954 your life. 0:14:45.537,0:14:47.497 He was so upset, I thought it happened 0:14:47.497,0:14:51.497 a mother ago. I asked him when it happened 0:14:51.497,0:14:55.497 He said this happened in 1997. 0:14:55.544,0:14:57.725 I didn't say anything but I calculated in 0:14:57.725,0:15:01.042 my mind. 2007, 2017, 2020. 0:15:01.150,0:15:04.170 That was 27 years ago. Yes, we all have 0:15:04.690,0:15:07.130 hurts. Disappointments, bad breaks but at 0:15:07.170,0:15:09.330 some point you have to move on with your 0:15:09.450,0:15:12.500 life. The enemy would love to use that 0:15:12.500,0:15:14.580 hurt to get you sidetracked. 0:15:15.273,0:15:18.103 To where you live bitter, bitter, chip 0:15:18.103,0:15:20.413 on your shoulder, never expecting 0:15:20.413,0:15:22.793 anything good. The problem with not 0:15:22.793,0:15:25.503 letting it go is that it's going to poison 0:15:25.503,0:15:26.733 the next relationship. 0:15:26.893,0:15:28.833 God said he would give you 0:15:28.833,0:15:30.663 beauty for those ashes. 0:15:30.821,0:15:33.321 I've learned you have to let go of the 0:15:33.321,0:15:36.221 ashes before you'll see the beauty. 0:15:36.221,0:15:38.141 You're not making the most of each day 0:15:38.141,0:15:40.681 if you're holding on to unforgiveness 0:15:40.681,0:15:43.881 trying to pay people back. They hurt you 0:15:43.881,0:15:46.501 once, don't let them continue to hurt you. 0:15:48.945,0:15:51.255 It takes a lot of emotional energy 0:15:51.255,0:15:53.215 to think about what they did and how 0:15:53.215,0:15:56.555 that wasn't right. You need that energy 0:15:56.555,0:16:00.045 to love the people God had given you now. 0:16:00.045,0:16:02.615 To play with your children, to purse your 0:16:02.615,0:16:03.535 dreams. 0:16:03.535,0:16:06.375 Maybe the course correction for you is 0:16:06.375,0:16:08.845 to forgive the person who did you wrong. 0:16:08.845,0:16:10.795 Forgive your parents for what they 0:16:10.795,0:16:12.165 did not give you. 0:16:12.165,0:16:14.225 Forgive the business partner that cheated 0:16:14.225,0:16:14.985 you. 0:16:14.985,0:16:16.805 Life's too short to carry around 0:16:16.805,0:16:17.995 the bitterness. 0:16:17.995,0:16:20.355 You'll always have these offences, people 0:16:20.355,0:16:22.375 saying things that aren't true, somebody 0:16:22.375,0:16:25.255 walks away. You can't stop that from com- 0:16:25.255,0:16:27.285 ing but you don't have to let it stop you. 0:16:28.441,0:16:31.171 You don' have to get sidetracked, you can 0:16:31.171,0:16:33.611 stay on the best path and trust God to 0:16:33.611,0:16:34.831 make it up to you. 0:16:35.328,0:16:37.288 Years ago, I was driving with a friend 0:16:37.288,0:16:41.288 to his house after we came from the gym. 0:16:42.503,0:16:45.313 He invited some of us over and I jumped in 0:16:45.313,0:16:47.363 the car to ride with him. He had a real 0:16:47.363,0:16:51.363 nice sports car. Kept it super clean. 0:16:52.298,0:16:54.818 On the way to his house, I noticed that 0:16:54.818,0:16:57.438 he took the long way. 3 or 4 miles out of 0:16:57.438,0:17:01.438 the way. I asked him why? 0:17:01.502,0:17:03.912 He said my ex-girlfriend lives on this 0:17:03.912,0:17:04.682 street. 0:17:05.577,0:17:09.577 I always drive by to make sure she sees 0:17:09.577,0:17:11.377 what she missed out on. 0:17:11.761,0:17:14.141 They had been broken up for years but 0:17:14.141,0:17:15.991 he was still driving by every chance 0:17:15.991,0:17:16.731 he got. 0:17:16.731,0:17:19.981 Trying to prove he was worthy, successful 0:17:19.981,0:17:22.641 and trying to prove he could make it 0:17:22.641,0:17:23.741 without her. 0:17:23.741,0:17:25.841 He couldn't see it but he was distracted. 0:17:25.841,0:17:28.241 spending time and energy on something 0:17:28.241,0:17:30.861 that didn't matter. Don't let that be you. 0:17:30.934,0:17:34.254 Are you using well what God has given you? 0:17:34.254,0:17:35.894 Or have you gotten sidetracked? 0:17:36.566,0:17:39.027 Trying to prove to people who you are 0:17:39.027,0:17:41.187 jealous of that friend, offended by that 0:17:41.187,0:17:43.737 coworker. Your time is too valuable for 0:17:43.737,0:17:44.557 that. 0:17:45.322,0:17:47.362 The funny thing about my friend is that he 0:17:47.362,0:17:49.876 found out later that his ex-girlfriend 0:17:49.876,0:17:51.316 had moved to another state. 0:17:51.316,0:17:52.416 [Audience laughing] 0:17:52.775,0:17:55.515 He had been driving by that house 2 years 0:17:55.515,0:17:57.465 and she wasn't even there. 0:17:57.465,0:18:00.425 God has a sense of humor. 0:18:00.425,0:18:02.925 My prayer is God show us any areas 0:18:02.925,0:18:05.705 that we need to have a course correction, 0:18:05.705,0:18:07.045 where we don't realize. 0:18:10.089,0:18:13.309 Verse Samual 25. David and his 6 men were 0:18:13.309,0:18:15.649 living out in the countryside. This is 0:18:15.649,0:18:17.369 when Saul was chasing David. 0:18:18.308,0:18:21.038 There was a wealthy man named Nabel that 0:18:21.038,0:18:23.818 lived right next door. He had thousands 0:18:23.818,0:18:27.398 of sheep and cattle. David and his army 0:18:27.398,0:18:30.158 had been protecting Nabel by just being 0:18:30.158,0:18:33.578 that area. When bandits came and they saw 0:18:33.578,0:18:35.758 David's forces, they would naturally back 0:18:35.758,0:18:38.815 down. It was time for sheering the sheep, 0:18:38.815,0:18:41.138 the harvest season. David sent 0:18:41.138,0:18:43.848 messengers to Nabel since they have 0:18:43.848,0:18:45.828 watched over his property. 0:18:46.758,0:18:49.476 Nabel what very rude and harsh. 0:18:49.902,0:18:53.542 His name means fool and he lived up to it. 0:18:53.542,0:18:55.462 He said who is this man David? 0:18:55.462,0:18:58.336 I don't even know him. You tell him I am 0:18:58.336,0:19:00.306 not going to give him a penny. 0:19:00.306,0:19:03.036 He insulted David. When the men came back 0:19:03.036,0:19:05.227 with report David was furious. 0:19:05.626,0:19:07.476 He told his men to pack up their 0:19:07.476,0:19:09.206 belongings. They were going to go 0:19:09.206,0:19:10.292 take care of Nabel. 0:19:12.427,0:19:15.118 Your not supposed to fight every battle. 0:19:15.189,0:19:17.779 Many of the things that come against us 0:19:17.779,0:19:19.779 are simply distractions. If that battle 0:19:19.779,0:19:23.189 is not between you and your destiny 0:19:23.189,0:19:24.709 you need to ignore it. 0:19:24.996,0:19:27.252 That's the enemy trying to get 0:19:27.252,0:19:28.484 you sidetracked. 0:19:28.874,0:19:31.924 Involved in conflict that doesn't matter. 0:19:31.924,0:19:34.264 You have to ask yourself, are there any 0:19:34.264,0:19:37.574 spoils? If you win is it going to move you 0:19:37.574,0:19:39.004 towards your purpose? 0:19:39.004,0:19:41.304 or is it just going to feed your ego? 0:19:41.304,0:19:42.858 Make you feel better. 0:19:42.858,0:19:45.168 You don't have time to respond to every 0:19:45.168,0:19:47.082 critic. To try to straighten out 0:19:47.082,0:19:49.562 every coworker, make that friend stop 0:19:49.562,0:19:51.392 saying things that aren't true. 0:19:52.267,0:19:54.617 One of the enemy's favorite tools is 0:19:54.788,0:19:56.848 to bait you into conflict. 0:19:57.209,0:19:59.339 Get you stirred up. Don't fall into 0:19:59.339,0:20:00.323 that trap. 0:20:00.581,0:20:03.394 You're time in valuable, your energy, 0:20:03.394,0:20:06.604 your emotions. You have to be selective 0:20:06.604,0:20:08.404 what you give that to. 0:20:08.404,0:20:10.564 If you make the mistake of fighting 0:20:10.564,0:20:11.483 every battle. 0:20:11.483,0:20:13.303 Your not going to have the time or 0:20:13.303,0:20:16.650 the emotional energy to reach your purpose 0:20:16.708,0:20:19.268 The scripture says God will silence 0:20:19.268,0:20:20.597 the lying lips. 0:20:20.597,0:20:22.727 If you ignore it, God will take care of 0:20:22.727,0:20:23.907 your enemies. 0:20:24.051,0:20:26.671 David headed toward Nabel's house 0:20:26.671,0:20:28.441 so upset, full speed ahead. 0:20:28.441,0:20:31.413 About to make a mistake, that would affect 0:20:31.413,0:20:34.213 his destiny. Here's how good God is 0:20:34.213,0:20:36.833 Nabel's wife met David on the road with 0:20:36.833,0:20:39.879 all kinds of food and provision. 0:20:39.879,0:20:42.839 She bowed down before him. In verse 24 0:20:42.839,0:20:45.489 she said David, you were called to be the 0:20:45.489,0:20:47.929 king of Israel. Why would you even fight 0:20:47.929,0:20:50.587 with this fool? Don't let this needless 0:20:50.587,0:20:53.377 battle be a blemish on your record. 0:20:53.856,0:20:56.156 Notice she called it a needless battle. 0:20:56.638,0:20:59.648 He knew it was a distraction. David came 0:20:59.648,0:21:02.418 to his senses. He said Abagael the Lord 0:21:02.418,0:21:05.039 God Isreal has sent you to me today 0:21:05.039,0:21:07.099 for you have not kept me from 0:21:07.099,0:21:10.009 carrying out vengeance, not one of your 0:21:10.009,0:21:12.929 family members would be alive. 0:21:12.929,0:21:15.299 We're all going to encounter Nabel's 0:21:15.299,0:21:15.999 in life. 0:21:15.999,0:21:18.099 People that are rude, hard to along with, 0:21:18.099,0:21:20.369 stir up trouble. I'll ask you what 0:21:20.369,0:21:21.869 Abigail asked David. 0:21:21.869,0:21:23.955 Why are fighting with a fool? 0:21:23.955,0:21:26.634 Why are you in conflict with someone 0:21:26.634,0:21:29.234 that is not between you and your destiny? 0:21:29.234,0:21:31.764 They are a distraction. Trying to get you 0:21:31.764,0:21:33.764 off course. Wasting valuable 0:21:33.764,0:21:36.624 time and energy that you need to for 0:21:36.624,0:21:37.814 your dreams. 0:21:37.918,0:21:40.638 Had Abigail not intervened and kept David 0:21:40.638,0:21:42.088 out of that conflict. 0:21:42.088,0:21:44.640 We might not be talking about David 0:21:44.728,0:21:47.588 God will always send you an Abigail 0:21:47.588,0:21:50.048 to warn you when you're about to get 0:21:50.048,0:21:51.078 sidetracked. 0:21:51.078,0:21:53.555 Maybe today, I'm that Abigail. 0:21:53.566,0:21:55.956 God sent me to remind you not to get 0:21:55.956,0:21:59.022 baited into conflict. 0:21:59.033,0:22:01.633 You could be upset, offended, trying 0:22:01.633,0:22:03.973 to pay them back. All that is going 0:22:03.973,0:22:05.943 to do is get you off course. 0:22:05.943,0:22:07.973 and keep you from the great things God 0:22:07.973,0:22:09.000 has in store. 0:22:09.035,0:22:11.155 What they say can't stop your purpose. 0:22:11.913,0:22:14.743 They may be loud, jealous, noisy. Their 0:22:14.743,0:22:15.893 just a Nabel. 0:22:15.897,0:22:18.599 You keep running your race, focused on 0:22:18.599,0:22:20.429 what God's called you to do. 0:22:20.429,0:22:22.499 And got will take care of the Nabel's in 0:22:22.499,0:22:23.389 your life. 0:22:23.389,0:22:24.894 [Audience applauding ] 0:22:24.894,0:22:27.576 Elijah in the scripture had an assistant 0:22:27.576,0:22:29.936 named Elijah. He left his family business 0:22:29.936,0:22:33.426 as a young man to take care of Elijah. 0:22:33.426,0:22:36.286 He served him faithfully through the years 0:22:36.513,0:22:39.173 When Elijah was about to pass, he asked 0:22:39.173,0:22:41.913 Elijah what he wanted. Elijah said 0:22:41.913,0:22:43.763 a double portion of his spirt. 0:22:43.927,0:22:45.767 That is what he received. 0:22:45.767,0:22:48.277 There are twice as many miracles recorded 0:22:48.277,0:22:50.747 for Elijah than Elijah. 0:22:51.523,0:22:54.210 Eljah had an assistant name Ghazia. 0:22:54.210,0:22:56.440 He served Elijah year after year. 0:22:56.746,0:22:59.664 Everything was going great. He was next 0:22:59.664,0:23:02.033 in line to do amazing things. 0:23:02.131,0:23:04.791 Being mentored by this great prophet. 0:23:04.879,0:23:07.701 One day a Capitan of the Syrian Army 0:23:07.701,0:23:10.731 came to Elijah. He had leprosy. 0:23:10.731,0:23:13.591 Elijah told him to go wash in the 0:23:13.591,0:23:15.541 Jordan River seven times and he would 0:23:15.541,0:23:16.431 be healed. 0:23:16.431,0:23:18.881 When he did, his skin was perfectly normal 0:23:18.881,0:23:22.196 He came back to Elijah so grateful, 0:23:22.196,0:23:24.725 so happy. He tried to pay him. 0:23:24.725,0:23:27.325 Do something to show his gratitude but 0:23:27.325,0:23:28.895 Elijah wouldn't take it. 0:23:28.952,0:23:31.252 He knew it was God that healed him 0:23:31.252,0:23:32.002 and not him. 0:23:32.019,0:23:34.259 The Capitan pleaded with him and said 0:23:34.259,0:23:36.209 please let me leave you some gold 0:23:36.209,0:23:38.444 or silver or something to help you. 0:23:38.488,0:23:42.168 Again, Elijah refused. Well, Ghazia 0:23:42.168,0:23:43.998 was there overhearing all this. 0:23:44.263,0:23:47.483 Captain and his entourage headed back home 0:23:47.483,0:23:50.230 Ghazia snuck out of the camp without 0:23:50.230,0:23:52.807 Elijah knowing. He caught up with him, 0:23:52.807,0:23:54.667 they were so surprised and 0:23:54.667,0:23:55.794 said what's wrong? 0:23:55.794,0:23:57.594 He said nothing, but we had some 0:23:57.594,0:24:00.064 unexpected guests show up. Elijah changed 0:24:00.064,0:24:02.220 his mind and would like some of those 0:24:02.220,0:24:03.350 gifts that you offered. 0:24:03.954,0:24:06.114 He got the money and headed back to the 0:24:06.114,0:24:06.834 house. 0:24:06.834,0:24:08.834 Thinking nobody knew anything but God sees 0:24:08.834,0:24:11.500 everything. He is the one that controls 0:24:11.500,0:24:14.252 the universe. Promotion doesn't come 0:24:14.252,0:24:15.872 from people, it comes from God. 0:24:17.250,0:24:19.350 Elijah called him in and said Ghazia 0:24:19.350,0:24:20.790 where have you been? 0:24:20.790,0:24:22.640 He said nowhere, I've just been here 0:24:22.640,0:24:23.790 hanging out. 0:24:23.790,0:24:25.440 The scripture says immediately, 0:24:25.440,0:24:29.440 Ghazia's skin was filled with leprosy. 0:24:30.015,0:24:32.525 What's interesting is you never read 0:24:32.525,0:24:34.715 anything more about Ghazia in 0:24:34.715,0:24:35.815 the scripture. 0:24:36.036,0:24:39.256 We hear all about Elijah, how great he was 0:24:39.256,0:24:42.046 Elijah and all the miracles he performed. 0:24:42.405,0:24:45.165 Ghazia was next in line. He should have 0:24:45.165,0:24:48.245 had 4 times the anointing of Elijah. 0:24:48.415,0:24:50.375 But distractions can keep you from your 0:24:50.375,0:24:51.155 purpose. 0:24:51.882,0:24:54.682 Being sidetracked can stop your destiny. 0:24:54.682,0:24:57.972 Ghazia thought man if I can get a few of 0:24:57.972,0:25:01.342 these gifts, without anybody knowing. 0:25:01.342,0:25:02.842 That will put me way ahead. 0:25:02.842,0:25:05.452 He didn't realize, God would have blessed 0:25:05.452,0:25:08.122 him in much greater ways by being a person 0:25:08.122,0:25:08.942 of honor. 0:25:09.485,0:25:11.525 Staying on that high road. 0:25:11.525,0:25:14.285 My father had a message about Ghazia 0:25:14.285,0:25:16.445 called the man who could've been. 0:25:17.153,0:25:19.923 Don't miss the greatness God put in you 0:25:19.923,0:25:22.003 because you got sidetracked. 0:25:22.190,0:25:24.380 Listen to the still small voice, pay 0:25:24.380,0:25:26.360 attention when your conscience is 0:25:26.360,0:25:28.830 bothering you. Learn to deal with 0:25:28.830,0:25:31.040 those things God brings to life. 0:25:31.128,0:25:33.408 We're not going to be here forever, let's 0:25:33.408,0:25:35.519 make the most of each day. 0:25:35.992,0:25:38.282 Well Joel, I think it's too late for me. 0:25:38.341,0:25:40.626 I'm like Ghazia, I think I missed 0:25:40.626,0:25:42.771 my chance. Let me show you 0:25:42.771,0:25:44.531 the beauty of our God. 0:25:44.531,0:25:47.231 Samson made mistakes year after year, 0:25:47.231,0:25:49.401 wasn't a good steward with what God gave 0:25:49.401,0:25:52.068 him, ended up lying, in captivity. 0:25:52.068,0:25:54.798 The scripture says, the spirt of God 0:25:54.798,0:25:57.658 came on Samson one more time. 0:25:57.796,0:26:00.476 Samson defeated more Philistines in his 0:26:00.476,0:26:02.256 death than he did his whole life. 0:26:03.074,0:26:05.924 That's what happens when you get back 0:26:05.924,0:26:06.694 on course. 0:26:06.780,0:26:09.530 God doesn't hold your mistakes against 0:26:09.530,0:26:12.350 you. Is there any area you need to make 0:26:12.350,0:26:13.960 a course correction? 0:26:13.960,0:26:16.280 Holding on to unforgiveness, trying 0:26:16.280,0:26:18.660 to prove your worth. Like Samson 0:26:18.660,0:26:20.940 playing around with your gift. 0:26:20.940,0:26:23.520 Don't go another week like that, you put 0:26:23.520,0:26:25.960 it off a week. It will turn into a year. 0:26:25.960,0:26:27.780 A year into twenty years. 0:26:27.780,0:26:29.860 You can get back on course today. 0:26:29.860,0:26:33.420 God's mercy, his grace is available. 0:26:33.537,0:26:35.487 You just have to tap into it. 0:26:35.487,0:26:38.447 If you do this, I believe and declare 0:26:38.447,0:26:40.639 God's going to help you get back 0:26:40.639,0:26:42.699 on the best path for your life. 0:26:42.831,0:26:45.711 The favor, the ability, the blessing. 0:26:45.711,0:26:47.791 You will fulfill your purpose and 0:26:47.791,0:26:49.911 become all you were created to be. 0:26:49.911,0:26:51.785 In Jesus name 0:26:51.785,0:26:54.724 and if you receive it, can you say amen 0:26:55.332,0:26:58.192 I'd like to give you an opportunity to 0:26:58.192,0:27:00.422 make Jesus the Lord of your life. 0:27:00.660,0:27:02.180 Would you pray with me? 0:27:02.324,0:27:05.544 Just say, Lord Jesus I repent of my sins 0:27:05.544,0:27:08.124 come into my heart, I make you my 0:27:08.124,0:27:10.884 Lord and Savior. 0:27:10.884,0:27:12.946 If you prayed that simple prayer, 0:27:12.946,0:27:15.070 we believe you got born again. 0:27:15.070,0:27:17.000 We'd love to send you some free 0:27:17.000,0:27:18.780 information on your new walk with the 0:27:18.780,0:27:20.850 Lord. You can text the number on the 0:27:20.850,0:27:22.580 screen or go to the website. 0:27:22.580,0:27:24.920 I hope you'll get into a good bible 0:27:24.920,0:27:25.890 based church. 0:27:25.890,0:27:28.322 and keep God first place.