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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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00:10:40,263 --> 00:10:41,843
decisions that honor God.

275
00:10:43,558 --> 00:10:46,338
Life is going by so fast it seems like

276
00:10:46,338 --> 00:10:48,108
just yesterday I graduated from

277
00:10:48,108 --> 00:10:50,498
high school. I look up now I'm 39

278
00:10:50,498 --> 00:10:51,962
years old. [Audience laughing]

279
00:10:51,962 --> 00:10:54,262
We don't have time to be distracted.

280
00:10:54,305 --> 00:10:56,805
We have a purpose to fulfill.

281
00:10:56,868 --> 00:10:59,586
It's interesting what Jesus told about the

282
00:10:59,586 --> 00:11:03,586
talents. One man had 1, another had 2,

283
00:11:03,586 --> 00:11:05,066
and the 3rd had 5.

284
00:11:05,066 --> 00:11:06,766
They all went out and doubled what

285
00:11:06,766 --> 00:11:07,777
they had.

286
00:11:07,777 --> 00:11:09,617
Expect the man with 1. He was afraid

287
00:11:09,617 --> 00:11:11,526
and hid his talent.

288
00:11:11,573 --> 00:11:14,333
The owner said take from him the one

289
00:11:14,333 --> 00:11:16,683
and give to the one who has five.

290
00:11:16,932 --> 00:11:20,052
The scripture says the man who has used

291
00:11:20,052 --> 00:11:21,772
well, what has given him.

292
00:11:21,960 --> 00:11:25,770
The point is if you don't use well

293
00:11:25,770 --> 00:11:27,742
what's been given to you.

294
00:11:27,742 --> 00:11:29,972
Eventually it will be taken away.

295
00:11:29,972 --> 00:11:32,399
That is what happened to Samson.

296
00:11:32,399 --> 00:11:34,520
He didn't fulfill the best plan.

297
00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:38,520
Having his eyes gouged out, the enemy

298
00:11:38,520 --> 00:11:41,800
making fun of him. That was not God's best

299
00:11:41,893 --> 00:11:44,513
I don't want us to come to the end of life

300
00:11:44,513 --> 00:11:45,733
and be like Samson.

301
00:11:45,754 --> 00:11:47,984
Man, I made it but were beat up,

302
00:11:47,984 --> 00:11:50,004
broke, addicted, lonely.

303
00:11:50,004 --> 00:11:51,872
That is not your destiny.

304
00:11:51,872 --> 00:11:54,822
Samson would have had a different story

305
00:11:54,822 --> 00:11:57,212
if he had not gotten sidetracked.

306
00:11:57,212 --> 00:12:00,298
This should stir us up to stay focused.

307
00:12:00,298 --> 00:12:02,823
To stay on course, to deal with things

308
00:12:02,823 --> 00:12:04,463
that we know are not right.

309
00:12:04,635 --> 00:12:06,675
There is no shame in getting of course,

310
00:12:06,675 --> 00:12:09,755
were human, we make mistakes.

311
00:12:09,897 --> 00:12:13,607
There is shame in staying off course.

312
00:12:13,607 --> 00:12:16,237
No matter what you've done, how much

313
00:12:16,237 --> 00:12:17,390
time you wasted.

314
00:12:17,390 --> 00:12:19,568
You can still get back on course.

315
00:12:19,568 --> 00:12:22,078
You are in a window of grace today.

316
00:12:22,078 --> 00:12:24,768
You have not missed your chance, you

317
00:12:24,768 --> 00:12:27,396
would not be hearing this if God wasn't

318
00:12:27,396 --> 00:12:30,236
giving you the mercy, the grace, and the

319
00:12:30,236 --> 00:12:32,678
power to make changes.

320
00:12:32,696 --> 00:12:35,729
Let's not be a Samson, have all this power

321
00:12:35,729 --> 00:12:37,489
favor, anointing, and then get

322
00:12:37,489 --> 00:12:38,449
sidetracked.

323
00:12:38,449 --> 00:12:41,899
Waste our time, rather than invest it.

324
00:12:42,112 --> 00:12:44,012
If you will use well what God has given

325
00:12:44,012 --> 00:12:46,238
you. You know what will happen?

326
00:12:46,238 --> 00:12:47,628
God will give you more.

327
00:12:47,628 --> 00:12:50,242
When he can trust you to be a good

328
00:12:50,242 --> 00:12:52,992
steward of your gifts, time, and

329
00:12:52,992 --> 00:12:55,982
you stay focused. You get rid of

330
00:12:55,982 --> 00:12:58,462
distractions. He will take you further

331
00:12:58,462 --> 00:13:00,217
than you ever dreamed.

332
00:13:00,217 --> 00:13:02,857
But sometimes it's not the major things,

333
00:13:02,857 --> 00:13:04,967
like way we got way off course like Samson

334
00:13:04,967 --> 00:13:06,697
It can be little things like time

335
00:13:06,697 --> 00:13:07,787
and energy.

336
00:13:07,787 --> 00:13:11,087
Jealous of a coworker, competing with them

337
00:13:11,087 --> 00:13:13,057
, trying to prove your worth and prove

338
00:13:13,057 --> 00:13:14,077
your talent.

339
00:13:15,021 --> 00:13:17,751
If you live with that proving mentality,

340
00:13:17,751 --> 00:13:20,111
it's like you're on a treadmill that's

341
00:13:20,111 --> 00:13:21,801
never going to stop.

342
00:13:21,801 --> 00:13:23,791
Because there will always be someone more

343
00:13:23,791 --> 00:13:27,791
talented, more attractive, more successful

344
00:13:27,791 --> 00:13:30,781
That's a distraction. You're not running

345
00:13:30,781 --> 00:13:33,211
their race. The only person you should

346
00:13:33,211 --> 00:13:34,531
compete with is yourself.

347
00:13:34,757 --> 00:13:37,397
Have a goal to be better next year,

348
00:13:37,397 --> 00:13:40,187
than you are right now. Be healthier,

349
00:13:40,187 --> 00:13:43,117
smarter, kinder, more generous, to be

350
00:13:43,117 --> 00:13:44,467
closer to God.

351
00:13:45,411 --> 00:13:47,581
You'll never reach your potential if your

352
00:13:47,581 --> 00:13:50,201
competing with others, basing your

353
00:13:50,201 --> 00:13:52,571
worth and value on how you measure

354
00:13:52,571 --> 00:13:53,771
up to them.

355
00:13:54,021 --> 00:13:57,071
Successful people are so focused on what

356
00:13:57,071 --> 00:13:59,641
their doing, they don't have time to look

357
00:13:59,641 --> 00:14:01,031
around at others.

358
00:14:01,031 --> 00:14:03,681
One translation of Proverbs 4 says

359
00:14:03,681 --> 00:14:05,971
"Don't look to the left or to the right,

360
00:14:05,971 --> 00:14:07,311
stay focused on the goal."

361
00:14:07,421 --> 00:14:09,581
Quit competing, quit comparing, and

362
00:14:09,581 --> 00:14:11,031
run your race."

363
00:14:11,098 --> 00:14:13,378
I talked to a gentleman after service and

364
00:14:13,378 --> 00:14:16,138
he told how a relationship he was in

365
00:14:16,138 --> 00:14:18,968
didn't last. He had given it his best but

366
00:14:18,968 --> 00:14:21,298
the woman had other ideas and walked

367
00:14:21,298 --> 00:14:25,298
away. Broke his heart, so angry and bitter

368
00:14:25,298 --> 00:14:27,798
I realize that's very painful.

369
00:14:27,798 --> 00:14:29,838
Things happen in life that we

370
00:14:29,838 --> 00:14:32,698
don't understand. There is a time where we

371
00:14:32,698 --> 00:14:35,298
have to heal and give ourselves grace to

372
00:14:35,298 --> 00:14:36,468
get strong again.

373
00:14:36,594 --> 00:14:39,054
You can't let a season of mourning

374
00:14:39,054 --> 00:14:41,514
turn into a lifetime of mourning.

375
00:14:41,514 --> 00:14:44,194
If you don't let it go, it will poison

376
00:14:44,194 --> 00:14:44,954
your life.

377
00:14:45,537 --> 00:14:47,497
He was so upset, I thought it happened

378
00:14:47,497 --> 00:14:51,497
a mother ago. I asked him when it happened

379
00:14:51,497 --> 00:14:55,497
He said this happened in 1997.

380
00:14:55,544 --> 00:14:57,725
I didn't say anything but I calculated in

381
00:14:57,725 --> 00:15:01,042
my mind. 2007, 2017, 2020.

382
00:15:01,150 --> 00:15:04,170
That was 27 years ago. Yes, we all have

383
00:15:04,690 --> 00:15:07,130
hurts. Disappointments, bad breaks but at

384
00:15:07,170 --> 00:15:09,330
some point you have to move on with your

385
00:15:09,450 --> 00:15:12,500
life. The enemy would love to use that

386
00:15:12,500 --> 00:15:14,580
hurt to get you sidetracked.

387
00:15:15,273 --> 00:15:18,103
To where you live bitter, bitter, chip

388
00:15:18,103 --> 00:15:20,413
on your shoulder, never expecting

389
00:15:20,413 --> 00:15:22,793
anything good. The problem with not

390
00:15:22,793 --> 00:15:25,503
letting it go is that it's going to poison

391
00:15:25,503 --> 00:15:26,733
the next relationship.

392
00:15:26,893 --> 00:15:28,833
God said he would give you

393
00:15:28,833 --> 00:15:30,663
beauty for those ashes.

394
00:15:30,821 --> 00:15:33,321
I've learned you have to let go of the

395
00:15:33,321 --> 00:15:36,221
ashes before you'll see the beauty.

396
00:15:36,221 --> 00:15:38,141
You're not making the most of each day

397
00:15:38,141 --> 00:15:40,681
if you're holding on to unforgiveness

398
00:15:40,681 --> 00:15:43,881
trying to pay people back. They hurt you

399
00:15:43,881 --> 00:15:46,501
once, don't let them continue to hurt you.

400
00:15:48,945 --> 00:15:51,255
It takes a lot of emotional energy

401
00:15:51,255 --> 00:15:53,215
to think about what they did and how

402
00:15:53,215 --> 00:15:56,555
that wasn't right. You need that energy

403
00:15:56,555 --> 00:16:00,045
to love the people God had given you now.

404
00:16:00,045 --> 00:16:02,615
To play with your children, to purse your

405
00:16:02,615 --> 00:16:03,535
dreams.

406
00:16:03,535 --> 00:16:06,375
Maybe the course correction for you is

407
00:16:06,375 --> 00:16:08,845
to forgive the person who did you wrong.

408
00:16:08,845 --> 00:16:10,795
Forgive your parents for what they

409
00:16:10,795 --> 00:16:12,165
did not give you.

410
00:16:12,165 --> 00:16:14,225
Forgive the business partner that cheated

411
00:16:14,225 --> 00:16:14,985
you.

412
00:16:14,985 --> 00:16:16,805
Life's too short to carry around

413
00:16:16,805 --> 00:16:17,995
the bitterness.

414
00:16:17,995 --> 00:16:20,355
You'll always have these offences, people

415
00:16:20,355 --> 00:16:22,375
saying things that aren't true, somebody

416
00:16:22,375 --> 00:16:25,255
walks away. You can't stop that from com-

417
00:16:25,255 --> 00:16:27,285
ing but you don't have to let it stop you.

418
00:16:28,441 --> 00:16:31,171
You don' have to get sidetracked, you can

419
00:16:31,171 --> 00:16:33,611
stay on the best path and trust God to

420
00:16:33,611 --> 00:16:34,831
make it up to you.

421
00:16:35,328 --> 00:16:37,288
Years ago, I was driving with a friend

422
00:16:37,288 --> 00:16:41,288
to his house after we came from the gym.

423
00:16:42,503 --> 00:16:45,313
He invited some of us over and I jumped in

424
00:16:45,313 --> 00:16:47,363
the car to ride with him. He had a real

425
00:16:47,363 --> 00:16:51,363
nice sports car. Kept it super clean.

426
00:16:52,298 --> 00:16:54,818
On the way to his house, I noticed that

427
00:16:54,818 --> 00:16:57,438
he took the long way. 3 or 4 miles out of

428
00:16:57,438 --> 00:17:01,438
the way. I asked him why?

429
00:17:01,502 --> 00:17:03,912
He said my ex-girlfriend lives on this

430
00:17:03,912 --> 00:17:04,682
street.

431
00:17:05,577 --> 00:17:09,577
I always drive by to make sure she sees

432
00:17:09,577 --> 00:17:11,377
what she missed out on.

433
00:17:11,761 --> 00:17:14,141
They had been broken up for years but

434
00:17:14,141 --> 00:17:15,991
he was still driving by every chance

435
00:17:15,991 --> 00:17:16,731
he got.

436
00:17:16,731 --> 00:17:19,981
Trying to prove he was worthy, successful

437
00:17:19,981 --> 00:17:22,641
and trying to prove he could make it

438
00:17:22,641 --> 00:17:23,741
without her.

439
00:17:23,741 --> 00:17:25,841
He couldn't see it but he was distracted.

440
00:17:25,841 --> 00:17:28,241
spending time and energy on something

441
00:17:28,241 --> 00:17:30,861
that didn't matter. Don't let that be you.

442
00:17:30,934 --> 00:17:34,254
Are you using well what God has given you?

443
00:17:34,254 --> 00:17:35,894
Or have you gotten sidetracked?

444
00:17:36,566 --> 00:17:39,027
Trying to prove to people who you are

445
00:17:39,027 --> 00:17:41,187
jealous of that friend, offended by that

446
00:17:41,187 --> 00:17:43,737
coworker. Your time is too valuable for

447
00:17:43,737 --> 00:17:44,557
that.

448
00:17:45,322 --> 00:17:47,362
The funny thing about my friend is that he

449
00:17:47,362 --> 00:17:49,876
found out later that his ex-girlfriend

450
00:17:49,876 --> 00:17:51,316
had moved to another state.

451
00:17:51,316 --> 00:17:52,416
[Audience laughing]

452
00:17:52,775 --> 00:17:55,515
He had been driving by that house 2 years

453
00:17:55,515 --> 00:17:57,465
and she wasn't even there.

454
00:17:57,465 --> 00:18:00,425
God has a sense of humor.

455
00:18:00,425 --> 00:18:02,925
My prayer is God show us any areas

456
00:18:02,925 --> 00:18:05,705
that we need to have a course correction,

457
00:18:05,705 --> 00:18:07,045
where we don't realize.

458
00:18:10,089 --> 00:18:13,309
Verse Samual 25. David and his 6 men were

459
00:18:13,309 --> 00:18:15,649
living out in the countryside. This is

460
00:18:15,649 --> 00:18:17,369
when Saul was chasing David.

461
00:18:18,308 --> 00:18:21,038
There was a wealthy man named Nabel that

462
00:18:21,038 --> 00:18:23,818
lived right next door. He had thousands

463
00:18:23,818 --> 00:18:27,398
of sheep and cattle. David and his army

464
00:18:27,398 --> 00:18:30,158
had been protecting Nabel by just being

465
00:18:30,158 --> 00:18:33,578
that area. When bandits came and they saw

466
00:18:33,578 --> 00:18:35,758
David's forces, they would naturally back

467
00:18:35,758 --> 00:18:38,815
down. It was time for sheering the sheep,

468
00:18:38,815 --> 00:18:41,138
the harvest season. David sent

469
00:18:41,138 --> 00:18:43,848
messengers to Nabel since they have

470
00:18:43,848 --> 00:18:45,828
watched over his property.

471
00:18:46,758 --> 00:18:49,476
Nabel what very rude and harsh.

472
00:18:49,902 --> 00:18:53,542
His name means fool and he lived up to it.

473
00:18:53,542 --> 00:18:55,462
He said who is this man David?

474
00:18:55,462 --> 00:18:58,336
I don't even know him. You tell him I am

475
00:18:58,336 --> 00:19:00,306
not going to give him a penny.

476
00:19:00,306 --> 00:19:03,036
He insulted David. When the men came back

477
00:19:03,036 --> 00:19:05,227
with report David was furious.

478
00:19:05,626 --> 00:19:07,476
He told his men to pack up their

479
00:19:07,476 --> 00:19:09,206
belongings. They were going to go

480
00:19:09,206 --> 00:19:10,292
take care of Nabel.

481
00:19:12,427 --> 00:19:15,118
Your not supposed to fight every battle.

482
00:19:15,189 --> 00:19:17,779
Many of the things that come against us

483
00:19:17,779 --> 00:19:19,779
are simply distractions. If that battle

484
00:19:19,779 --> 00:19:23,189
is not between you and your destiny

485
00:19:23,189 --> 00:19:24,709
you need to ignore it.

486
00:19:24,996 --> 00:19:27,252
That's the enemy trying to get

487
00:19:27,252 --> 00:19:28,484
you sidetracked.

488
00:19:28,874 --> 00:19:31,924
Involved in conflict that doesn't matter.

489
00:19:31,924 --> 00:19:34,264
You have to ask yourself, are there any

490
00:19:34,264 --> 00:19:37,574
spoils? If you win is it going to move you

491
00:19:37,574 --> 00:19:39,004
towards your purpose?

492
00:19:39,004 --> 00:19:41,304
or is it just going to feed your ego?

493
00:19:41,304 --> 00:19:42,858
Make you feel better.

494
00:19:42,858 --> 00:19:45,168
You don't have time to respond to every

495
00:19:45,168 --> 00:19:47,082
critic. To try to straighten out

496
00:19:47,082 --> 00:19:49,562
every coworker, make that friend stop

497
00:19:49,562 --> 00:19:51,392
saying things that aren't true.

498
00:19:52,267 --> 00:19:54,617
One of the enemy's favorite tools is

499
00:19:54,788 --> 00:19:56,848
to bait you into conflict.

500
00:19:57,209 --> 00:19:59,339
Get you stirred up. Don't fall into

501
00:19:59,339 --> 00:20:00,323
that trap.

502
00:20:00,581 --> 00:20:03,394
You're time in valuable, your energy,

503
00:20:03,394 --> 00:20:06,604
your emotions. You have to be selective

504
00:20:06,604 --> 00:20:08,404
what you give that to.

505
00:20:08,404 --> 00:20:10,564
If you make the mistake of fighting

506
00:20:10,564 --> 00:20:11,483
every battle.

507
00:20:11,483 --> 00:20:13,303
Your not going to have the time or

508
00:20:13,303 --> 00:20:16,650
the emotional energy to reach your purpose

509
00:20:16,708 --> 00:20:19,268
The scripture says God will silence

510
00:20:19,268 --> 00:20:20,597
the lying lips.

511
00:20:20,597 --> 00:20:22,727
If you ignore it, God will take care of

512
00:20:22,727 --> 00:20:23,907
your enemies.

513
00:20:24,051 --> 00:20:26,671
David headed toward Nabel's house

514
00:20:26,671 --> 00:20:28,441
so upset, full speed ahead.

515
00:20:28,441 --> 00:20:31,413
About to make a mistake, that would affect

516
00:20:31,413 --> 00:20:34,213
his destiny. Here's how good God is

517
00:20:34,213 --> 00:20:36,833
Nabel's wife met David on the road with

518
00:20:36,833 --> 00:20:39,879
all kinds of food and provision.

519
00:20:39,879 --> 00:20:42,839
She bowed down before him. In verse 24

520
00:20:42,839 --> 00:20:45,489
she said David, you were called to be the

521
00:20:45,489 --> 00:20:47,929
king of Israel. Why would you even fight

522
00:20:47,929 --> 00:20:50,587
with this fool? Don't let this needless

523
00:20:50,587 --> 00:20:53,377
battle be a blemish on your record.

524
00:20:53,856 --> 00:20:56,156
Notice she called it a needless battle.

525
00:20:56,638 --> 00:20:59,648
He knew it was a distraction. David came

526
00:20:59,648 --> 00:21:02,418
to his senses. He said Abagael the Lord

527
00:21:02,418 --> 00:21:05,039
God Isreal has sent you to me today

528
00:21:05,039 --> 00:21:07,099
for you have not kept me from

529
00:21:07,099 --> 00:21:10,009
carrying out vengeance, not one of your

530
00:21:10,009 --> 00:21:12,929
family members would be alive.

531
00:21:12,929 --> 00:21:15,299
We're all going to encounter Nabel's

532
00:21:15,299 --> 00:21:15,999
in life.

533
00:21:15,999 --> 00:21:18,099
People that are rude, hard to along with,

534
00:21:18,099 --> 00:21:20,369
stir up trouble. I'll ask you what

535
00:21:20,369 --> 00:21:21,869
Abigail asked David.

536
00:21:21,869 --> 00:21:23,955
Why are fighting with a fool?

537
00:21:23,955 --> 00:21:26,634
Why are you in conflict with someone

538
00:21:26,634 --> 00:21:29,234
that is not between you and your destiny?

539
00:21:29,234 --> 00:21:31,764
They are a distraction. Trying to get you

540
00:21:31,764 --> 00:21:33,764
off course. Wasting valuable

541
00:21:33,764 --> 00:21:36,624
time and energy that you need to for

542
00:21:36,624 --> 00:21:37,814
your dreams.

543
00:21:37,918 --> 00:21:40,638
Had Abigail not intervened and kept David

544
00:21:40,638 --> 00:21:42,088
out of that conflict.

545
00:21:42,088 --> 00:21:44,640
We might not be talking about David

546
00:21:44,728 --> 00:21:47,588
God will always send you an Abigail

547
00:21:47,588 --> 00:21:50,048
to warn you when you're about to get

548
00:21:50,048 --> 00:21:51,078
sidetracked.

549
00:21:51,078 --> 00:21:53,555
Maybe today, I'm that Abigail.

550
00:21:53,566 --> 00:21:55,956
God sent me to remind you not to get

551
00:21:55,956 --> 00:21:59,022
baited into conflict.

552
00:21:59,033 --> 00:22:01,633
You could be upset, offended, trying

553
00:22:01,633 --> 00:22:03,973
to pay them back. All that is going

554
00:22:03,973 --> 00:22:05,943
to do is get you off course.

555
00:22:05,943 --> 00:22:07,973
and keep you from the great things God

556
00:22:07,973 --> 00:22:09,000
has in store.

557
00:22:09,035 --> 00:22:11,155
What they say can't stop your purpose.

558
00:22:11,913 --> 00:22:14,743
They may be loud, jealous, noisy. Their

559
00:22:14,743 --> 00:22:15,893
just a Nabel.

560
00:22:15,897 --> 00:22:18,599
You keep running your race, focused on

561
00:22:18,599 --> 00:22:20,429
what God's called you to do.

562
00:22:20,429 --> 00:22:22,499
And got will take care of the Nabel's in

563
00:22:22,499 --> 00:22:23,389
your life.

564
00:22:23,389 --> 00:22:24,894
[Audience applauding ]

565
00:22:24,894 --> 00:22:27,576
Elijah in the scripture had an assistant

566
00:22:27,576 --> 00:22:29,936
named Elijah. He left his family business

567
00:22:29,936 --> 00:22:33,426
as a young man to take care of Elijah.

568
00:22:33,426 --> 00:22:36,286
He served him faithfully through the years

569
00:22:36,513 --> 00:22:39,173
When Elijah was about to pass, he asked

570
00:22:39,173 --> 00:22:41,913
Elijah what he wanted. Elijah said

571
00:22:41,913 --> 00:22:43,763
a double portion of his spirt.

572
00:22:43,927 --> 00:22:45,767
That is what he received.

573
00:22:45,767 --> 00:22:48,277
There are twice as many miracles recorded

574
00:22:48,277 --> 00:22:50,747
for Elijah than Elijah.

575
00:22:51,523 --> 00:22:54,210
Eljah had an assistant name Ghazia.

576
00:22:54,210 --> 00:22:56,440
He served Elijah year after year.

577
00:22:56,746 --> 00:22:59,664
Everything was going great. He was next

578
00:22:59,664 --> 00:23:02,033
in line to do amazing things.

579
00:23:02,131 --> 00:23:04,791
Being mentored by this great prophet.

580
00:23:04,879 --> 00:23:07,701
One day a Capitan of the Syrian Army

581
00:23:07,701 --> 00:23:10,731
came to Elijah. He had leprosy.

582
00:23:10,731 --> 00:23:13,591
Elijah told him to go wash in the

583
00:23:13,591 --> 00:23:15,541
Jordan River seven times and he would

584
00:23:15,541 --> 00:23:16,431
be healed.

585
00:23:16,431 --> 00:23:18,881
When he did, his skin was perfectly normal

586
00:23:18,881 --> 00:23:22,196
He came back to Elijah so grateful,

587
00:23:22,196 --> 00:23:24,725
so happy. He tried to pay him.

588
00:23:24,725 --> 00:23:27,325
Do something to show his gratitude but

589
00:23:27,325 --> 00:23:28,895
Elijah wouldn't take it.

590
00:23:28,952 --> 00:23:31,252
He knew it was God that healed him

591
00:23:31,252 --> 00:23:32,002
and not him.

592
00:23:32,019 --> 00:23:34,259
The Capitan pleaded with him and said

593
00:23:34,259 --> 00:23:36,209
please let me leave you some gold

594
00:23:36,209 --> 00:23:38,444
or silver or something to help you.

595
00:23:38,488 --> 00:23:42,168
Again, Elijah refused. Well, Ghazia

596
00:23:42,168 --> 00:23:43,998
was there overhearing all this.

597
00:23:44,263 --> 00:23:47,483
Captain and his entourage headed back home

598
00:23:47,483 --> 00:23:50,230
Ghazia snuck out of the camp without

599
00:23:50,230 --> 00:23:52,807
Elijah knowing. He caught up with him,

600
00:23:52,807 --> 00:23:54,667
they were so surprised and

601
00:23:54,667 --> 00:23:55,794
said what's wrong?

602
00:23:55,794 --> 00:23:57,594
He said nothing, but we had some

603
00:23:57,594 --> 00:24:00,064
unexpected guests show up. Elijah changed

604
00:24:00,064 --> 00:24:02,220
his mind and would like some of those

605
00:24:02,220 --> 00:24:03,350
gifts that you offered.

606
00:24:03,954 --> 00:24:06,114
He got the money and headed back to the

607
00:24:06,114 --> 00:24:06,834
house.

608
00:24:06,834 --> 00:24:08,834
Thinking nobody knew anything but God sees

609
00:24:08,834 --> 00:24:11,500
everything. He is the one that controls

610
00:24:11,500 --> 00:24:14,252
the universe. Promotion doesn't come

611
00:24:14,252 --> 00:24:15,872
from people, it comes from God.

612
00:24:17,250 --> 00:24:19,350
Elijah called him in and said Ghazia

613
00:24:19,350 --> 00:24:20,790
where have you been?

614
00:24:20,790 --> 00:24:22,640
He said nowhere, I've just been here

615
00:24:22,640 --> 00:24:23,790
hanging out.

616
00:24:23,790 --> 00:24:25,440
The scripture says immediately,

617
00:24:25,440 --> 00:24:29,440
Ghazia's skin was filled with leprosy.

618
00:24:30,015 --> 00:24:32,525
What's interesting is you never read

619
00:24:32,525 --> 00:24:34,715
anything more about Ghazia in

620
00:24:34,715 --> 00:24:35,815
the scripture.

621
00:24:36,036 --> 00:24:39,256
We hear all about Elijah, how great he was

622
00:24:39,256 --> 00:24:42,046
Elijah and all the miracles he performed.

623
00:24:42,405 --> 00:24:45,165
Ghazia was next in line. He should have

624
00:24:45,165 --> 00:24:48,245
had 4 times the anointing of Elijah.

625
00:24:48,415 --> 00:24:50,375
But distractions can keep you from your

626
00:24:50,375 --> 00:24:51,155
purpose.

627
00:24:51,882 --> 00:24:54,682
Being sidetracked can stop your destiny.

628
00:24:54,682 --> 00:24:57,972
Ghazia thought man if I can get a few of

629
00:24:57,972 --> 00:25:01,342
these gifts, without anybody knowing.

630
00:25:01,342 --> 00:25:02,842
That will put me way ahead.

631
00:25:02,842 --> 00:25:05,452
He didn't realize, God would have blessed

632
00:25:05,452 --> 00:25:08,122
him in much greater ways by being a person

633
00:25:08,122 --> 00:25:08,942
of honor.

634
00:25:09,485 --> 00:25:11,525
Staying on that high road.

635
00:25:11,525 --> 00:25:14,285
My father had a message about Ghazia

636
00:25:14,285 --> 00:25:16,445
called the man who could've been.

637
00:25:17,153 --> 00:25:19,923
Don't miss the greatness God put in you

638
00:25:19,923 --> 00:25:22,003
because you got sidetracked.

639
00:25:22,190 --> 00:25:24,380
Listen to the still small voice, pay

640
00:25:24,380 --> 00:25:26,360
attention when your conscience is

641
00:25:26,360 --> 00:25:28,830
bothering you. Learn to deal with

642
00:25:28,830 --> 00:25:31,040
those things God brings to life.

643
00:25:31,128 --> 00:25:33,408
We're not going to be here forever, let's

644
00:25:33,408 --> 00:25:35,519
make the most of each day.

645
00:25:35,992 --> 00:25:38,282
Well Joel, I think it's too late for me.

646
00:25:38,341 --> 00:25:40,626
I'm like Ghazia, I think I missed

647
00:25:40,626 --> 00:25:42,771
my chance. Let me show you

648
00:25:42,771 --> 00:25:44,531
the beauty of our God.

649
00:25:44,531 --> 00:25:47,231
Samson made mistakes year after year,

650
00:25:47,231 --> 00:25:49,401
wasn't a good steward with what God gave

651
00:25:49,401 --> 00:25:52,068
him, ended up lying, in captivity.

652
00:25:52,068 --> 00:25:54,798
The scripture says, the spirt of God

653
00:25:54,798 --> 00:25:57,658
came on Samson one more time.

654
00:25:57,796 --> 00:26:00,476
Samson defeated more Philistines in his

655
00:26:00,476 --> 00:26:02,256
death than he did his whole life.

656
00:26:03,074 --> 00:26:05,924
That's what happens when you get back

657
00:26:05,924 --> 00:26:06,694
on course.

658
00:26:06,780 --> 00:26:09,530
God doesn't hold your mistakes against

659
00:26:09,530 --> 00:26:12,350
you. Is there any area you need to make

660
00:26:12,350 --> 00:26:13,960
a course correction?

661
00:26:13,960 --> 00:26:16,280
Holding on to unforgiveness, trying

662
00:26:16,280 --> 00:26:18,660
to prove your worth. Like Samson

663
00:26:18,660 --> 00:26:20,940
playing around with your gift.

664
00:26:20,940 --> 00:26:23,520
Don't go another week like that, you put

665
00:26:23,520 --> 00:26:25,960
it off a week. It will turn into a year.

666
00:26:25,960 --> 00:26:27,780
A year into twenty years.

667
00:26:27,780 --> 00:26:29,860
You can get back on course today.

668
00:26:29,860 --> 00:26:33,420
God's mercy, his grace is available.

669
00:26:33,537 --> 00:26:35,487
You just have to tap into it.

670
00:26:35,487 --> 00:26:38,447
If you do this, I believe and declare

671
00:26:38,447 --> 00:26:40,639
God's going to help you get back

672
00:26:40,639 --> 00:26:42,699
on the best path for your life.

673
00:26:42,831 --> 00:26:45,711
The favor, the ability, the blessing.

674
00:26:45,711 --> 00:26:47,791
You will fulfill your purpose and

675
00:26:47,791 --> 00:26:49,911
become all you were created to be.

676
00:26:49,911 --> 00:26:51,785
In Jesus name

677
00:26:51,785 --> 00:26:54,724
and if you receive it, can you say amen

678
00:26:55,332 --> 00:26:58,192
I'd like to give you an opportunity to

679
00:26:58,192 --> 00:27:00,422
make Jesus the Lord of your life.

680
00:27:00,660 --> 00:27:02,180
Would you pray with me?

681
00:27:02,324 --> 00:27:05,544
Just say, Lord Jesus I repent of my sins

682
00:27:05,544 --> 00:27:08,124
come into my heart, I make you my

683
00:27:08,124 --> 00:27:10,884
Lord and Savior.

684
00:27:10,884 --> 00:27:12,946
If you prayed that simple prayer,

685
00:27:12,946 --> 00:27:15,070
we believe you got born again.

686
00:27:15,070 --> 00:27:17,000
We'd love to send you some free

687
00:27:17,000 --> 00:27:18,780
information on your new walk with the

688
00:27:18,780 --> 00:27:20,850
Lord. You can text the number on the

689
00:27:20,850 --> 00:27:22,580
screen or go to the website.

690
00:27:22,580 --> 00:27:24,920
I hope you'll get into a good bible

691
00:27:24,920 --> 00:27:25,890
based church.

692
00:27:25,890 --> 00:27:28,322
and keep God first place.