JOEL: GOD BLESS YOU.
IT'S GREAT TO BE WITH YOU
TODAY. I HOPE YOU'LL STAY
CONNECTED WITH US DURING
THE WEEK, THROUGH OUR DAILY
PODCAST, OUR YOUTUBE
CHANNEL, SOCIAL MEDIA.
WE'LL KEEP YOU ENCOURAGED
AND INSPIRED.
I LIKE TO START WITH
SOMETHING FUNNY.
ONE DAY ADAM WAS FEELING
VERY LONELY. GOD SAID,
"ADAM, I'M GOING TO MAKE
YOU A COMPANION.
IT'S GOING TO BE CALLED
A WOMAN. THIS PERSON WILL
COOK FOR YOU, WASH YOUR
CLOTHES, SHE WILL BEAR
YOUR CHILDREN AND NEVER
ASK YOU TO GET UP IN
THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
SHE WILL ALWAYS AGREE WITH
YOU. IF YOU DO HAVE A
DISAGREEMENT, SHE'LL BE THE
FIRST ONE TO ADMIT SHE WAS
WRONG."
ADAM SAID, "WOW GOD, WHAT
WILL A WOMAN LIKE THIS
COST?" GOD SAID, "AN ARM
AND A LEG." ADAM SAID,
"WHAT CAN I GET FOR A
RIB?" AND THE REST IS
HISTORY. (APPLAUSE)
COME ON, ALL THE MEN
SAID AMEN! ARE YOU
READY?
THIS IS MY BIBLE.
I AM WHAT IT SAYS I AM.
I HAVE WHAT IT SAYS I HAVE.
I CAN DO WHAT IT SAYS I CAN
DO. TODAY, I WILL BE TAUGHT
THE WORD OF GOD.
I BOLDLY CONFESS: MY MIND
IS ALERT. MY HEART IS
RECEPTIVE. I WILL NEVERND
BE THE SAME IN JESUS'
NAME. GOD BLESS YOU.
I WANT TO TALK TO YOU TODAY
ABOUT DEALING WITH NEGATIVE
THOUGHTS.
NO MATTER HOW GOOD OF A
PERSON YOU ARE, HOW MUCH
FAITH YOU HAVE, YOU'LL
NEVER GET TO THE PLACE
WHERE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS
DON'T COME.
DISCOURAGING THOUGHTS,
"YOUR DREAM IS NEVER GOING
TO COME TO PASS, YOU'LL
NEVER MEET THE RIGHT
PERSON, IT WOULD HAVE
HAPPENED BY NOW."
THOUGHTS OF WORRY, "THE
MEDICAL REPORT IS NOT GOOD,
YOUR CHILD IS OFF COURSE,
BUSINESS IS SLOWING DOWN,
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?"
THE ENEMY'S MAIN TOOLS ARE
DECEPTION AND LIES.
YOUR MIND IS THE BULLSEYE
OF HIS TARGET.
IF HE CAN CONTROL YOUR
THINKING, HE CAN CONTROL
YOUR LIFE.
YOU CAN'T STOP NEGATIVE
THOUGHTS FROM COMING, BUT
HERE'S THE KEY, JUST
BECAUSE A THOUGHT COMES
DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO
THINK IT.
YOU CONTROL THE DOORWAY TO
YOUR MIND.
YOU'RE IN CHARGE OF WHAT
YOU GIVE ACCESS TO.
THAT'S WHY THE SCRIPTURE
TELLS US TO GUARD OUR MINDS.
BE SELECTIVE IN WHAT YOU
ALLOW IN. IF THE THOUGHT IS
NEGATIVE, DISCOURAGING,
BRINGING WORRY AND FEAR, DO
YOURSELF A FAVOR DON'T LET
IT IN. IT'S NOT
COMPLICATED, DON'T DWELL ON
IT.
DON'T GIVE IT THE TIME OF
DAY.
TOO OFTEN WHEN THESE
NEGATIVE THOUGHTS COME, WE
DON'T THINK TWICE.
WE JUST ALLOW THEM ACCESS,
GO AROUND WORRIED,
DISCOURAGED, INTIMIDATED.
START PAYING ATTENTION TO
WHAT YOU'RE DWELLING ON.
WHEN DISCOURAGING THOUGHTS
COME, "NOTHING GOOD IS IN
YOUR FUTURE.
WHY DO YOU EVEN HAVE YOUR
HOPES UP?
YOU'RE GOING TO BE
DISAPPOINTED AGAIN."
BEFORE YOU DWELL ON THAT,
BEFORE YOU LET IT TAKE
ROOT, ASK YOURSELF, "WHERE
IS THIS THOUGHT COMING
FROM."
IF IT'S NOT POSITIVE,
HOPEFUL, ENCOURAGING, IT'S
NOT FROM GOD.
THAT'S THE ENEMY DOING WHAT
HE DOES BEST, TRYING TO
PLANT NEGATIVE SEEDS,
FEARFUL SEEDS, INFERIOR
SEEDS.
GOD SAID HERE IN ISAIAH,
"IF YOU'LL KEEP YOUR MIND
STAYED ON ME, I WILL KEEP
YOU IN PERFECT PEACE."
WHAT IS YOUR MIND STAYED ON?
WHAT ARE YOU DWELLING ON
THROUGHOUT THE DAY?
"JOEL, HAVE YOU WATCHED THE
NEWS?
INTEREST RATES GOING UP,
THE RECESSION, THE STOCK
MARKET, I'M WORRIED."
THOSE ARE ALL VALID
THOUGHTS.
I'M NOT SAYING TO DENY
REALITY.
I'M SAYING BE SELECTIVE IN
WHAT YOU DWELL ON.
THE RIGHT APPROACH IS, "YES
THERE'S A LOT OF
UNCERTAINTY, I DON'T KNOW
HOW IT'S ALL GOING TO TURN
OUT, BUT GOD I KNOW YOU'RE
MY PROVIDER.
JUST AS YOU TAKE CARE OF
THE BIRDS OF THE AIR, FEED
AND CLOTHE THEM, YOU'RE
GOING TO TAKE CARE OF ME."
INSTEAD OF KEEPING YOUR
MIND STAYED ON YOUR
PROBLEMS, STAYED ON THE
NEWS, STAYED ON DOUBT,
STAYED ON WORRY; KEEP IT
STAYED ON WHAT GOD PROMISED
YOU.
HERE'S A SIMPLE PRINCIPLE.
WHEN A NEGATIVE THOUGHT
COMES, ERASE IT AND REPLACE
IT.
IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO JUST NOT
THINK NEGATIVE.
BECAUSE ONCE YOU DISMISS
IT, ONCE YOU MAKE THE
DECISION, "I'M NOT DWELLING
ON THAT, I'M NOT LETTING
THAT WORRY IN."
THAT'S GOOD, BUT THE
PROBLEM IS IT WILL COME
BACK IN A FEW SECONDS.
ONCE YOU ERASE THE
NEGATIVE, REPLACE IT WITH A
POSITIVE THOUGHT.
DON'T LEAVE YOUR MIND EMPTY.
THE THOUGHT COMES, "NOTHING
GOOD IS IN YOUR FUTURE."
DISMISS IT, DON'T GIVE IT
THE TIME OF DAY.
THEN TAKE THE NEXT STEP,
"FATHER, YOU PROMISED, THE
PATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS, MY
PATH IS GETTING BRIGHTER
AND BRIGHTER.
YOU SAID MY LATTER DAYS
WILL BE BETTER THAN MY
FORMER DAYS."
WHEN THE THOUGHTS COME,
"THE PROBLEM IS TOO BIG,
THE OPPOSITION TOO STRONG.
YOU'LL NEVER GET PAST IT."
YOU CAN LET THAT PLAY AND
LIVE DEFEATED, DISCOURAGED,
INTIMIDATED.
OR YOU CAN REPLACE IT WITH
WHAT GOD SAYS.
"FATHER, YOU SAID WHEN THE
ENEMY COMES AGAINST ME ONE
WAY, YOU WOULD DEFEAT THEM
AND CAUSE THEM TO FLEE
SEVEN DIFFERENT WAYS.
YES, THIS MAY BE TOO BIG
FOR ME BUT I KNOW IT'S NOT
TOO BIG FOR YOU."
HOW ABOUT WHEN THESE NEVER
LIES COME.
LIES THAT TELL YOU, "YOU'LL
NEVER GET WELL, NEVER MEET
THE RIGHT PERSON, NEVER GET
OUT OF DEBT."
DON'T LET THAT PLAY IN YOUR
MIND.
IF YOU DO, YOU'RE DEFEATING
YOURSELF.
THAT'S KEEPING YOU FROM
SEEING GOD'S FAVOR.
ERASE IT, THAT'S THE FIRST
STEP.
"I'M NOT DWELLING ON THAT
ANYMORE."
THEN TAKE THE NEXT STEP AND
REPLACE IT.
"FATHER, THANK YOU THAT
WHAT YOU STARTED IN MY LIFE
YOU WILL FINISH.
WHAT I'M UP AGAINST IS NOT
PERMANENT, I KNOW THIS TOO
SHALL PASS.
BREAKTHROUGHS ARE COMING,
HEALING IS COMING, FREEDOM
IS COMING, VICTORY IS
COMING."
GET YOUR MIND GOING IN THE
RIGHT DIRECTION AND YOUR
LIFE WILL GO IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION.
YOU'RE GOING TO DRAW IN
WHAT YOU'RE CONSTANTLY
THINKING ABOUT.
IF YOU'RE THINKING CAN'T DO
IT THOUGHTS, "I'M NOT
ENOUGH, THIS PROBLEM IS TOO
BIG."
YOU'RE DRAWING IN DEFEAT.
THAT'S MAKING YOU WEAKER,
YOUR GIFTS ARE BEING PUSHED
DOWN, YOUR FAITH IS BEING
DIMINISHED.
WHY DON'T YOU TRY ERASING
AND REPLACING?
HOW MUCH FURTHER WILL YOU
GO, HOW MUCH HAPPIER WILL
YOU LIVE, HOW MUCH MORE OF
GOD'S FAVOR WILL YOU SEE,
IF YOU'LL GUARD YOUR MIND.
IF YOU'LL BE SELECTIVE IN
WHAT YOU'RE DWELLING ON, IF
YOU'LL KEEP IT STAYED ON
HIM.
JOSHUA SAID, "IF YOU WILL
MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD, YOU
WILL PROSPER AND HAVE GOOD
SUCCESS."
MEDITATE MEANS TO THINK
ABOUT OVER AND OVER.
WORRY IS MEDITATING.
IT'S LETTING THE NEGATIVE
PLAY AGAIN AND AGAIN. SOME
PEOPLE HAVE THIS PRINCIPLE
DOWN.
THEY'RE PROFESSIONAL
WORRIERS.
THE PROBLEM IS THEY'RE
MEDITATING ON THE WRONG
THINGS.
THEY'RE LETTING THE
NEGATIVE CONTINUALLY PLAY.
WHY DON'T YOU SWITCH WHAT
YOU'RE MEDITATING ON?
IT DOESN'T TAKE ANY MORE
ENERGY TO BELIEVE THAN IT
DOES TO WORRY.
THIS ONE SMALL TWEAK CAN
MAKE A LIFE CHANGING
DIFFERENCE.
INSTEAD OF GOING THROUGH
THE DAY WORRIED ABOUT YOUR
FUTURE, WONDERING HOW
YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE IT.
A SMALL TWEAK, "FATHER,
THANK YOU THAT YOU HAVE ME
IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND.
I KNOW YOU'RE ORDERING MYE
STEPS. PALM OF YOUR HAND.
YOU SAID NO GOOD THING WILL
YOU WITHHOLD BECAUSE I WALK
UPRIGHTLY."
NOW, INSTEAD OF YOUR
THOUGHTS DEFEATING YOU,
DRAINING YOUR ENERGY,
LIMITING YOUR FUTURE,
YOU'RE USING YOUR THOUGHTS
TO ENCOURAGE YOU, TO
EMPOWER YOU, TO BUILD YOUR
FAITH.
"JOEL, I'M WORRIED ABOUT MY
CHILD.
HE'S OFF COURSE, RUNNING
WITH THE WRONG CROWD.
THAT'S WHY I CAN'T SLEEP AT
NIGHT, THAT'S WHY I'M
UPSET."
I KNOW THAT'S DIFFICULT. I
KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE YOUR
CHILDREN; BUT WORRYING IS
NOT MAKING IT BETTER.
LIVING STRESSED IS NOT
HELPING HIM OR YOU.
THE REASON YOU DON'T HAVE
PEACE IS YOUR MIND IS
STAYED ON THE PROBLEM, YOUR
MIND IS STAYED ON WHAT'S
NOT WORKING OUT.
GOD SAID, IF YOU'LL MAKE A
SWITCH, IF YOU'LL KEEP YOUR
MIND STAYED ON ME, IF
YOU'LL THINK POSITIVE,
HOPEFUL, FAITH FILLED
THOUGHTS, THEN I'LL GIVE
YOU PEACE IN THE MIDST OF
THE PROBLEM. INSTEAD OF
DWELLING ON ALL THE
NEGATIVE, WHAT MIGHT
HAPPEN, WHY DON'T YOU USE
THAT SAME ENERGY TO
MEDITATE ON WHAT GOD
PROMISED YOU.
"FATHER, YOU SAID, MY
CHILDREN ARE MIGHTY IN THE
LAND.
YOU SAID THE SEED OF THE
RIGHTEOUS IS BLESSED, THAT
AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE WE
WILL SERVE THE LORD."
NEGATIVE THOUGHTS ARE GOING
TO COME, BUT IF YOU'LL
LEARN THIS PRINCIPLE TO
ERASE AND REPLACE, YOU
WON'T GIVE IN TO THE WORRY,
THE FEAR, THE
DISCOURAGEMENT.
YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING,
THOUGHTS SOMETIMES WHISPER,
"IT'S GOING TO BE A LOUSY
DAY, I HAVE SO MANY
PROBLEMS, I DON'T FEEL LIKE
DEALING WITH THESE
CHILDREN."
YOU CAN EITHER DWELL ON
THAT, BELIEVE THAT IT'S
TRUE.
YOU'LL GO AROUND
DISCOURAGED.
IT WILL BECOME A REALITY.
YOU'LL HAVE A LOUSY DAY.
BUT A BETTER APPROACH IS TO
SAY, "NO THANKS, I'M NOT
GOING TO DWELL ON THOSE
DISCOURAGING THOUGHTS.
THEY CAME TO MY MIND, BUT I
KNOW I CONTROL THE DOORWAY.
I DON'T HAVE TO ALLOW THEM
IN. I'M GOING TO ERASE THEM
AND REPLACE THEM WITH SOME
BETTER THOUGHTS.
"THIS IS GOING TO BE ASOME
GREAT DAY.UGHTS.
FATHER, THANK YOU THAT I'M
ALIVE.
THANK YOU THAT YOU WOKE ME
UP THIS MORNING.
THANK YOU THAT I'M HEALTHY.
THANK YOU THAT YOU HAVE A
BRIGHT FUTURE IN STORE FOR
ME."
WHAT'S PLAYING IN YOUR MIND?
WHAT ARE YOU GIVING ACCESS
TO?
PAUL SAID IN PHILIPPIANS,
"THINK ON THINGS THAT ARE
POSITIVE, THINGS THAT ARE
WHOLESOME, THINGS THAT ARE
OF A GOOD REPORT."
YOU CAN'T THINK NEGATIVE
AND HAVE A POSITIVE LIFE.
YOU CAN'T THINK SICKNESS
AND GET WELL.
YOU CAN'T THINK LACK AND
HAVE ABUNDANCE.
THE BATTLE IS TAKING PLACE
IN OUR MIND.
BE SELECTIVE OF WHAT YOU
ALLOW IN.
IMAGINE SOMEONE SHOWED UP
AT YOUR HOUSE, KNOCKED ON
YOUR FRONT DOOR.
YOU OPENED IT AND THERE WAS
THIS STRANGER.
HE WAS CARRYING AN AXE, A
HAMMER, A RIFLE, A BAG OF
POISON, ALL THESE HARMFUL,
DANGEROUS THINGS.
YOU WOULDN'T SAY, "HEY,
COME ON IN. MAKE YOURSELF
AT HOME.
GOOD TO SEE YOU.
GOT SOME FOOD IN THE
FRIDGE."
YOU WOULDN'T THINK TWICE.
YOU WOULD TELL HIM, "YOU'RE
NOT WELCOME HERE.
YOU NEED TO GET OFF MY
PROPERTY."
YOU WOULD SHUT THE DOOR,
DEAD BOLT IT AND MAKE SURE
HE LEFT. YOUR MIND IS YOUR
HOUSE.
IT'S WHERE YOU LIVE.
THERE'S NOTHING MORE
VALUABLE, MORE IMPORTANT,
MORE SACRED.
WHY ARE YOU LETTING
DESTRUCTIVE THOUGHTS IN?
WHY ARE YOU LETTING FEAR
ROAM AROUND?
WHY ARE YOU LETTING WORRY
HAVE FREE REIGN?
WHY ARE YOU ALLOWING DOUBT
AND, "YOU CAN'T DO IT, IT'S
NEVER GOING TO WORK OUT,"
TO HAVE A SEAT ON YOUR
COUCH?
THAT'S YOUR PROPERTY.
YOU HAVE COMPLETE CONTROL
OVER WHAT YOU LET IN. YOU
CAN'T STOP IT FROM COMING,
IT MAY KNOCK ON THE DOOR,
BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO GIVE
IT ACCESS.
NEXT TIME FEAR KNOCKS,
"YOU'LL NEVER GET WELL, YOU
SAW THE REPORT, THIS
SICKNESS IS THE END."
WHY DON'T YOU SAY, "NO
THANKS, YOU'RE NOT WELCOME
HERE.
I WILL LIVE AND NOT DIE.
GOD IS RESTORING HEALTH
UNTO ME."
WHEN FEAR KNOCKS, LET FAITH
ANSWER.."
NEXT TIME DOUBT SHOWS UP,
"IT'S TOO BIG, IT'S NEVER
GOING TO WORK OUT, YOU
DON'T HAVE THE CONNECTIONS."
JUST SAY, "SORRY DOUBT, YOU
HAVE THE WRONG ADDRESS.
THERE'S NO PLACE FOR YOU
HERE."
WHEN INSECURITY COMES
KNOCKING, "YOU'RE NOT GOOD
ENOUGH, YOU'RE NOT
ATTRACTIVE, YOU DON'T HAVE
A GOOD PERSONALITY, NOBODY
WANTS TO BE AROUND YOU."
DON'T YOU DARE LET THOSE
THOUGHTS IN. YOUR ATTITUDE
SHOULD BE, "GET OFF MY
PROPERTY.
YOU'RE NOT WELCOME HERE.
I KNOW WHO I AM. I'M A
MASTERPIECE, I'M ONE OF A
KIND, I'M MADE IN THE IMAGE
OF GOD.
I'M CROWNED WITH FAVOR; I'M
WEARING A ROBE OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS.
I HAVE BEEN FEARFULLY AND
WONDERFULLY MADE."
START CLOSING THE DOOR TO
THE NEGATIVE, CLOSE THE
DOOR TO THESE DESTRUCTIVE,
LIMITING, DEFEATING
THOUGHTS.
SOMETIMES WE'VE BELIEVED
THEM SO LONG, THEY'VE
BECOME A PART OF WHO WE ARE.
WE DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER.
IT'S HOW WE WERE RAISED.
WE OPENED THE DOOR AND NOW
IT'S LIKE THEY'VE TAKEN UP
RESIDENCE.
THEY HAVE THEIR OWN ROOM.
IMAGINE FEAR, WORRY, DOUBT,
INSECURITY, LIVING IN YOUR
HOUSE.
DRAGGING YOU DOWN, STEALING
YOUR JOY, TAKING YOUR PEACE.
THAT MAY BE THE WAY IT'S
BEEN, BUT THIS IS GOING TO
BE A NEW DAY.
IT'S TIME TO DO SOME HOUSE
CLEANING.
YOU NEED TO EVICT SOME
TENANTS THAT HAVE BEEN
LIVING IN YOUR MIND.
THE GOOD NEWS IS YOU'RE IN
CHARGE.
THEY MAY SEEM BIGGER,
STRONGER, MORE POWERFUL,
BUT YOU DETERMINE WHAT
STAYS IN YOUR MIND.
YOU NEED TO TELL FEAR,
"YOU'RE EVICTED, YOU'RE NOT
WELCOME HERE ANYMORE.
I'M NOT LIVING AFRAID OF
WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN.
MY FUTURE IS IN GOD'S HANDS.
NOTHING CAN STAND AGAINST
HIM."
TELL WORRY, "YOU'VE BEEN
WITH ME LONG ENOUGH, I'M
SORRY, YOU'VE LOST YOUR
LEASE."
TELL DOUBT, "YOUR TIME IS
UP, I'VE GOT SOME NEW
RULES, YOU HAVE TO GO."
TELL INSECURITY, "SORRY, NO
MORE PLACE FOR YOU.
YOU'RE OUT OF HERE.
SEE YOU, I'M NOT GOING TO
BE YOU."
ALL THAT NEGATIVE THAT'S
WEIGHING YOU DOWN, LIMITING
YOUR FUTURE, WHY DON'T YOU
SERVE SOME EVICTION NOTICES.
KEEP YOUR MIND POSITIVE,
HOPEFUL, FULL OF FAITH,
EXPECTING GOOD THINGS,
BELIEVING TO OVERCOME,
TRUSTING GOD TO DO WHAT
ONLY HE CAN DO.
HERE'S WHAT I'VE LEARNED IS
WHEN YOUR MIND IS FILLED
WITH THE POSITIVE, THERE'S
NO ROOM FOR THE NEGATIVE.
WHEN YOU'RE FULL OF FAITH,
PRAISE, GRATITUDE,
BELIEVING FOR THE BEST,
WHEN THE NEGATIVE COMES,
YOU DON'T EVEN ANSWER THE
DOOR.
YOU DON'T PAY IT ANY
ATTENTION.
FEAR KNOCKS BUT THERE'S A
NO VACANCY SIGN.
"CAN'T THEY HEAR ME?"
NO, THIS MIND IS FULL OF
FAITH.
COMPLAINING KNOCKS,
DISCOURAGEMENT.
"SORRY, NO VACANCY.
THIS MIND IS FULL OF PRAISE.
"FATHER, THANK YOU FOR WHAT
YOU'VE DONE.
THANK YOU FOR FIGHTING MY
BATTLES.
THANK YOU FOR SURROUNDING
ME WITH FAVOR."
WHEN WORRY COMES, "WHAT
ABOUT THESE GAS PRICES, DID
YOU SEE THE NEWS,
INFLATION, RECESSION?"
"SORRY, NO VACANCY.
FATHER, THANK YOU THAT
YOU'RE JEHOVAH JIREH, THE
LORD MY PROVIDER.
THE ECONOMY IS NOT MY
SOURCE; GOD, YOU ARE MY
SOURCE.
I KNOW I'M CONNECTED TO A
SUPPLY LINE THAT WILL NEVER
RUN DRY."
THIS IS NOT JUST BEING
POSITIVE THIS IS RELEASING
YOUR FAITH.
THIS IS WHAT ALLOWS GOD TO
DO AWESOME THINGS.
WHEN YOUR MIND IS STAYED ON
HIM, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE
PEACE IN THE MIDDLE OF A
PANDEMIC, FAVOR IN A
FAMINE, STRENGTH IN THE
STORM, GOING UP, WHEN YOU
SHOULD BE GOING DOWN.
WHAT'S PLAYING IN YOUR MIND?
ARE THERE SOME TENANTS YOU
NEED TO EVICT?
ARE THERE DESTRUCTIVE,
DISCOURAGING THOUGHTS THAT
YOU NEED TO STOP ALLOWING
IN.
THIS IS WHAT MY MOTHER HAD
TO DO.
YOU KNOW HER STORY.
SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH
TERMINAL LIVER CANCER IN
1981, AND GIVEN A FEW WEEKS
TO LIVE.
SHE WAS ONLY FORTY-SIX
YEARS OLD.
SHE HAD BEEN PERFECTLY
HEALTHY.
ALWAYS ACTIVE, WORKING IN
THE YARD, PASTORING THE
CHURCH WITH MY FATHER,
TRAVELING THE WORLD;
SUDDENLY SHE GETS THIS
TERRIBLE NEWS.
SHE BECAME SO FRAIL.
SHE WEIGHED EIGHTY-NINE
POUNDS, HER SKIN WAS VERY
YELLOW.
THE DOCTORS SAID THERE WAS
NOTHING MORE THEY COULD DO.
YOU CAN IMAGINE THE
THOUGHTS THAT CAME KNOCKING
AT HER DOOR.
"THIS IS IT, YOU'RE DONE,
MAKE PLANS FOR YOUR
FUNERAL."
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,
WHEN SHE COULDN'T SLEEP,
THE THOUGHT CAME, "YOU CAN
BE BURIED IN THAT NEW PINK
DRESS YOU JUST BOUGHT."
MY MOTHER HAD GOOD REASONS
TO FEEL WORRIED, AFRAID,
HOPELESS, BUT SHE
UNDERSTOOD THIS PRINCIPLE.
WHEN FEAR KNOCKED, SHE
DIDN'T LET IT IN. WHEN
WORRY KNOCKED, SAID, "IT'S
OVER, QUIT BELIEVING."
SHE SAID, "YOU'RE NOT
WELCOME HERE."
WHEN DOUBT KNOCKED, "YOU
HEARD THE REPORT. THEY'RE
THE BEST DOCTORS IN THE
WORLD, THERE'S NOTHING MORE
THEY CAN DO."
SHE SAID, "NO THANKS,
THERE'S NO ROOM FOR YOU IN
MY THINKING."
SHE GUARDED HER MIND.
SHE WAS EXTREMELY SELECTIVE
OF WHAT SHE ALLOWED IN. SHE
KNEW SHE WAS IN A FIGHT.
SHE WASN'T ABOUT TO GIVE
HER VALUABLE REAL ESTATE,
HER MIND, ANY ROOM FOR
NEGATIVE, DISCOURAGING,
DEFEATING THOUGHTS.
WHEN YOU'RE IN A BATTLE,
WHEN FORCES ARE COMING
AGAINST YOU IN A GREAT WAY,
THAT'S WHEN YOU'LL BE THE
MOST TEMPTED TO BELIEVE THE
LIES, GET DISCOURAGED,
"IT'S NEVER GOING TO WORK
OUT, JUST ACCEPT IT."
MORE THAN EVER, YOU NEED TO
CLOSE THE DOOR.
DON'T GIVE THOSE LIES
ACCESS.
YOU NEED ALL YOUR ENERGY TO
BELIEVE, TO STAY STRONG, TO
HAVE FAITH TO OVERCOME
WHAT'S TRYING TO STOP YOU.
BE DILIGENT.
THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, "GIVE
NO PLACE TO THE ENEMY."
THAT MEANS, DON'T GIVE HIM
ANY ROOMS IN YOUR HOUSE.
DON'T GIVE HIM ANY PLACE IN
YOUR THINKING.OUR HOUSE.
MY MOTHER DIDN'T JUST ERASE
THE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS, BUT
SHE REPLACED THEM WITH
GOD'S WORD. THE BEST
DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE.
SHE KEPT HER MIND FILLED
WITH GOD'S PROMISES.
ALL THROUGH THE DAY, I
WOULD HEAR HER QUOTING
SCRIPTURE, "I WILL LIVE AND
NOT DIE.
GOD IS RESTORING HEALTH
UNTO ME.
WITH LONG LIFE HE WILL
SATISFY ME."
IF YOU LEAVE YOUR MIND
EMPTY, IT'S GOING TO
NATURALLY GRAVITATE TOWARD
THE NEGATIVE.
ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE IN
DIFFICULT TIMES.
THAT'S WHEN YOU NEED TO BE
VERY DISCIPLINED IN WHAT
YOU ALLOW IN. AND ON
PURPOSE, THINK THOUGHTS OF
HOPE, FAITH, HEALING,
VICTORY.
A FRIEND OF MINE WAS
DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER.
HE WAS A PROFESSIONAL
FOOTBALL PLAYER.
HE HAD TO STOP PLAYING TO
TAKE THE TREATMENT.
HE COULD HAVE BEEN
DISCOURAGED, GIVEN UP ON
HIS DREAMS, BUT HIS
ATTITUDE WAS, "THIS ILLNESS
IS NOT GOING TO DEFEAT ME,
IT'S JUST A BUMP IN THE
ROAD.
I WILL PLAY FOOTBALL AGAIN;
I WILL ACCOMPLISH MY GOD
GIVEN DREAMS."
HE WAS SO DISCIPLINED TO
GUARD HIS MIND; HE WOULDN'T
LET ANYONE USE THE WORD
CANCER IN HIS HOUSE.
HE TOLD HIS FAMILY, HIS
FRIENDS, EVEN HIS DOCTORS,
HE DIDN'T WANT THEM
SPEAKING THAT WORD OVER
HIM. HE DIDN'T WANT IT DOWN
IN HIS SPIRIT.
WHEN HE WAS TAKING CHEMO,
THE WHOLE TIME, "FATHER,
THANK YOU THAT I AM HEALED,
THAT THIS TOO SHALL PASS,
THAT GREATER IS HE THAT'S
IN ME THAN WHAT'S TRYING
TO STOP ME."
TWO YEARS LATER, AGAINST
ALL ODDS, HE WAS BACK IN
THE LEAGUE, PLAYING
PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL.
THOUGHTS TOLD HIM ALL THE
REASONS IT WOULD NEVER
HAPPEN, BUT HE DIDN'T
ANSWER THE DOOR.
HE GAVE NO PLACE TO THE
ENEMY.
DON'T LET THOSE LIES TAKE
ROOT.
DON'T GIVE THEM ACCESS BY
BELIEVING THEM. DWELL ON
WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT YOU.
MY MOTHER KEPT DOING THIS.
IT DIDN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT
BUT LITTLE BY LITTLE SHE
GOT BETTER AND BETTER.
MEDICAL SCIENCE EVEN TELLS
US THAT WHEN PEOPLE ARE
POSITIVE, HOPEFUL, THEY
BELIEVE THEY'LL GET WELL,
THEY'RE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO
RECOVER, THAN THOSE WHO ARE
NEGATIVE AND DISCOURAGED.
MY MOTHER IS EIGHTY-EIGHT
YEARS OLD TODAY; HEALTHY,
WHOLE, STRONG.
FROM A FEW WEEKS TO LIVE TO
FORTY-TWO YEARS LATER.
GOD HAS THE FINAL SAY.
WHY DON'T YOU GET IN
AGREEMENT WITH HIM?
DON'T LET THOSE LIES PLAY
IN YOUR MIND.
START ERASING THEM, AND
THEN TAKE THE NEXT STEP,
REPLACE THEM WITH FAITH
FILLED, FAVOR FILLED,
VICTORIOUS THOUGHTS.
HERE'S ANOTHER KEY, YOU'RE
MOVING TOWARD WHAT YOU'RE
CONSTANTLY THINKING ABOUT.
THIS CAN BE HELPFUL, OR IT
CAN BE HARMFUL.
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT
YOUR FUTURE?
"JOEL, I NEVER GET ANY GOOD
BREAKS, THIS PANDEMIC HAS
SET ME BACK.
I WISH I HAD MORE TALENT."
YOU'RE MOVING TOWARD
DEFEAT, LACK, MEDIOCRITY.
TRY A NEW APPROACH.
"FAVOR IS IN MY FUTURE,
GOOD BREAKS ARE CHASING ME
DOWN, THE RIGHT PEOPLE ARE
HEADED MY WAY.
FATHER, THANK YOU THAT THE
BEST PART OF MY LIFE IS
STILL IN FRONT OF ME."
WHEN YOU THINK LIKE THAT,
YOU'RE MOVING TOWARD FAVOR,
INCREASE, OPEN DOORS,
ABUNDANCE.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT
YOUR HEALTH?
"I'VE HAD THIS ADDICTION
FOR YEARS, EVERYONE IN MY
FAMILY STRUGGLES WITH
DEPRESSION, I'LL NEVER GET
BACK IN SHAPE."
THAT'S MOVING YOU IN THE
WRONG DIRECTION.
CHANGE STARTS IN YOUR
THINKING.
HOW ABOUT THIS APPROACH,
"THIS ADDICTION IS NOT
PERMANENT.
CHAINS THAT HAVE HELD ME
BACK ARE BEING BROKEN.
I AM FREE, I AM WHOLE.
I AM HEALTHY, I AM IN SHAPE.
I AM ATTRACTIVE, I AM FULL
OF ENERGY, VITALITY, AND
STRENGTH.
MY YOUTH IS BEING RENEWED
LIKE THE EAGLES."
GET YOUR MIND GOING IN THE
RIGHT DIRECTION.
YOUR LIFE IS GOING TO
FOLLOW YOUR THOUGHTS.
THE SCRIPTURE SAYS IN
COLOSSIANS, "SET YOUR MIND
AND KEEP IT SET."
AT THE START OF THE DAY,
YOU NEED SET YOUR MIND.
WHEN YOU GET OUT OF BED,
"FATHER, THANK YOU FOR THE
GIFT OF THIS DAY.
IT'S ANOTHER DAY THAT YOU
HAVE MADE.
I'M GOING TO CHOOSE TO BE
HAPPY, I'M GOING TO SEE THE
BEST. I'M GOING TO BE A
BLESSING TO OTHERS.
I'M GOING TO LIVE THIS DAY
TO THE FULL."
IF YOU DON'T SET YOUR MIND,
THE ENEMY WILL SET IT FOR
YOU.
YOU'LL WAKE UP AND THINK
ABOUT ALL YOUR PROBLEMS AND
EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE
WRONG, "I'LL NEVER BREAK
THIS ADDICTION, I SHOULD
HAVE EATEN BETTER
YESTERDAY, I CAN'T BELIEVE
THAT COWORKER WAS RUDE TO
ME."
DON'T START THE DAY OFF
NEGATIVE.
DON'T BRING YESTERDAY'S
TROUBLE, YESTERDAY'S
DISAPPOINTMENT, YESTERDAY'S
FAILURES INTO TODAY.
START THE DAY AFRESH AND
ANEW.
THE PSALMIST SAID, "GOD'S
MERCIES ARE NEW EVERY
MORNING."
NOT EVERY AFTERNOON, NOT
EVERY EVENING.
EACH MORNING, RECEIVE THE
NEW MERCY.
HOW YOU START THE DAY MANY
TIMES WILL DETERMINE WHAT
KIND OF DAY IT'S GOING TO
BE.
DON'T EVER START THE DAY IN
NEUTRAL.
DON'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT KIND
OF DAY IT'S GOING TO BE,
DETERMINE WHAT KIND OF DAY
IT'S GOING TO BE.
MAKE UP YOUR MIND, "THIS IS
GOING TO BE A GREAT DAY.
I'M GOING TO BE PRODUCTIVE,
I'M GOING TO ENJOY MY
FAMILY, I'M GOING TO HONOR
GOD, I'M GRATEFUL TO BENOR
ALIVE."
THAT'S SETTING YOUR MIND.
THAT'S MAKING PLANS FOR A
BLESSED DAY.
IT GOES ON TO SAY, "KEEP IT
SET".
THAT IMPLIES THINGS ARE
GOING TO HAPPEN THAT WILL
TRY TO UNSET IT.
CHALLENGES, DELAYS, PEOPLE
THAT ARE RUDE, DOORS THAT
CLOSE.
YOU CAN'T STOP THAT FROM
HAPPENING, BUT YOU CAN
CHOOSE TO NOT LET IT GET ON
THE INSIDE.
WHEN WORRY COMES, "NO, MY
MIND IS SET.
GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE.
HE'S IN CONTROL OF MY LIFE."
WHEN OFFENSE COMES, YOU CAN
GET UPSET, LIVE BITTER.
NO, "GOD IS MY VINDICATOR.
HE'S FIGHTING MY BATTLES."
THE CONTRACT DIDN'T GO
THROUGH, YOU DIDN'T GET THE
POSITION.
YOU COULD BE DOWN,
DISAPPOINTED, BUT YOUR MIND
IS SET.
"GOD, I TRUST YOU.
I KNOW YOU WOULDN'T HAVE
CLOSED THIS DOOR UNLESS YOU
HAD SOMETHING BETTER IN
STORE."
DON'T LET THE CHALLENGES
DURING THE DAY, UNSET YOUR
MIND.
KEEP IT SET.
KEEP IT STAYED ON HIM. KEEP
IT FULL OF PRAISE, KEEP
EXPECTING GOOD THINGS, KEEP
BELIEVING FOR WHAT GOD
PROMISED.
I TALKED TO A MAN THAT WAS
MOVING TO HOUSTON FROM
ANOTHER CITY.
HE GOT A PROMOTION THAT
HE'D BEEN BELIEVING FOR A
LONG TIME.
IT WAS A DREAM COME TRUE.
THEY HAD TO SELL THEIR
HOUSE BEFORE THEY COULD BUY
A HOUSE HERE.
THE PROBLEM WAS THE REAL
ESTATE MARKET IN THEIR CITY
WAS VERY DEPRESSED, HARDLY
ANYTHING WAS SELLING.
ON HIS STREET ALONE, THERE
WERE FOUR HOUSES FOR SALE,
AND MANY MORE IN THE
NEIGHBORHOOD.
THOUGHTS CAME TELLING THEM
ALL THE REASONS THEIR HOUSE
WOULDN'T SALE, THE JOB
WOULDN'T WORK OUT.
"THE MARKET IS SOFT,
THERE'S TOO MUCH INVENTORY,
THIS ISN'T THE RIGHT TIME."
THEY WERE TEMPTED TO GET
DISCOURAGED, NOT THINK IT
COULD HAPPEN, BUT THEY
UNDERSTOOD THIS PRINCIPLE.
WHEN DOUBT KNOCKED, THEY
SAID, "NO THANKS, YOU'RE
NOT WELCOME HERE."
WHEN THOUGHTS OF WORRY
CAME, "WHAT IF IT DOESN'T
WORK OUT, WHAT IF YOU MISS
THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY,
WHAT IF YOU CAN'T MOVE?"
THEY SAID, "SORRY WORRY,
YOU DON'T BELONG HERE.
WE DON'T HAVE SPACE FOR
YOU."
THEY KEPT THEIR MIND FILLED
WITH FAITH.
"FATHER, WE KNOW YOU CANLED
MAKE A WAY, WHERE WE DON'T
SEE A WAY.
THANK YOU, LORD, THAT
YOU'RE CAUSING OUR PROPERTY
TO STAND OUT, THAT YOUR
FAVOR SURROUNDS US LIKE A
SHIELD."
THE REAL ESTATE AGENT TOLD
THEM THAT ON AVERAGE IT WAS
TAKING OVER A YEAR FOR
PROPERTIES TO SALE, TO NOT
GET THEIR HOPES UP.
ALL THE FACTS SAID IT WOULD
BE MONTHS AND MONTHS, BUT
TWO WEEKS AFTER THEY PUT
THE HOUSE ON THE MARKET IT
SOLD FOR FULL PRICE.
THEY MET WITH THE NEW
OWNERS AND ASKED WHY THEY
CHOSE THEIR HOUSE OUT OF
ALL THE OTHERS.
THEY SAID, "WE LOOKED AT
OVER THIRTY PROPERTIES, BUT
WHEN WE WALKED IN YOURS,
SOMETHING JUST FELT RIGHT.
WE KNEW IT WAS SUPPOSED TO
BE OURS."
GOD KNOWS HOW TO BRING THE
RIGHT PEOPLE TO YOU.
HE KNOWS HOW TO OPEN DOORS
YOU CAN'T OPEN.
HE KNOWS HOW TO TURN YOUR
CHILD AROUND, HOW TO FREE
YOU FROM THAT ADDICTION.
DON'T BELIEVE THOSE LIES
THAT, "IT'S NOT GOING TO
HAPPEN, IT'S TOO LATE, THE
ODDS ARE AGAINST YOU."
JUST SAY, "NO THANKS,
YOU'RE NOT WELCOME HERE.
I'M GOING TO KEEP MY MIND
STAYED ON HIM."
ARE YOUR THOUGHTS LIMITING
YOU OR ARE YOUR THOUGHTS
EMPOWERING YOU?
ARE YOU THINKING THOUGHTS
OF DEFEAT, WORRY, CAN'T DO
IT OR ARE YOU THINKING
THOUGHTS OF VICTORY, FAVOR,
BREAKTHROUGHS, ABUNDANCE?
THERE'S A BATTLE TAKING
PLACE IN YOUR THINKING.
I'M ASKING YOU TO START
CLOSING THE DOOR TO THE
NEGATIVE.
YOU CONTROL THE ACCESS.
BE SELECTIVE.
DON'T JUST LET ANYTHING IN.
WRONG THINKING WILL KEEP
YOU FROM YOUR DESTINY.
START ERASING AND REPLACING.
ERASE THE NEGATIVE, DON'T
GIVE IT THE TIME OF DAY,
REPLACE IT WITH GOD'S WORD,
WITH POSITIVE, FAITH FILLED
THOUGHTS.
IF YOU'LL DO THIS, I
BELIEVE AND DECLARE,
BECAUSE YOUR MIND IS STAYED
ON HIM, YOU'RE GOING TO
HAVE MORE PEACE, MORE JOY,
MORE FAVOR.
FORCES THAT HAVE HELD YOU
BACK ARE BEING BROKEN RIGHT
NOW.
YOU'RE ABOUT TO RISE
HIGHER, ACCOMPLISH DREAMS
AND GO FURTHER THAN YOU'VE
IMAGINED.
I DECLARE IT IN THE NAME OF
JESUS.
IF YOU RECEIVE IT, CAN YOU
SAY AMEN?
I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU AN
OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE JESUS
THE LORD OF YOUR LIFE.
WOULD YOU PRAY WITH ME?
JUST SAY, "LORD JESUS, I
REPENT OF MY SINS.
COME INTO MY HEART. I MAKE
YOU MY LORD AND SAVIOR."
IF YOU PRAYED THAT SIMPLEE
PRAYER, WE BELIEVE YOU GOT
BORN AGAIN. WE'D LOVE TO
SEND YOU SOME FREE
INFORMATION ON YOUR NEW
WALK WITH THE LORD. YOU CAN
TEXT THE NUMBER OR GO TO
THE WEBSITE.
I HOPE YOU'LL GET INTO A
GOOD BIBLE-BASED CHURCH AND
KEEP GOD FIRST PLACE.
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