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00:00Want to talk to you today about peace with the plan
00:04What causes a lot of frustration is when our plans don't work out
00:08We thought by this time we'd be further in our career. We would have met someone by now
00:14We still wouldn't be dealing with this trouble at work
00:17It's easy to get discouraged because things haven't turned out the way we planned
00:23But the scripture says God's ways are not our ways. They are higher and better than our ways
00:30If you're going to stay in peace, you have to let go of what you had in mind
00:35As long as you're set on it happening one way
00:38Here's how it's gonna work out
00:40This door has to open and this person has to come I've got to be there by this age
00:46You have God in a box telling him what to do how to do it when to do it
00:52The problem is that's your plan, but it's not his plan
00:56His plan is better his plan is more rewarding and more fulfilling
01:02But here's the key. You're not always going to understand his plan. It may not make sense
01:09God doesn't take you in a straight line to your destiny. There will be twists turns and detours
01:16Times where it looks like you had a dead end
01:20Obstacles too big times where you feel like you're going the wrong way
01:24This is when you have to trust
01:26God this is not what I had in mind doesn't make sense to me, but I know you're in control. I
01:33Talked to a man that was upset with God. He was new to the faith
01:38He was in this problem and he had his plan his idea his strategies
01:43He had prayed and believed and he was very passionate
01:47But it hadn't worked out the way he wanted didn't happen on his timetable
01:52He said Joel God didn't come through for me. He let me down
01:56But if you're only going to be happy if God does what you want, then you're setting yourself up for disappointment
02:03It's not our plan. It's God's plan. It's not what we want
02:07It's what he wants the beauty is God's way is the best way if he followed our plan
02:15Always did what we had in mind
02:18We wouldn't see the fullness of our destiny the scripture says that nothing can stop his plan
02:25Things may stop our plan, but what he is purpose will come to pass
02:31You have to be still and know that he is God
02:35Not living upset man. Why is this taking so long and I can't believe that I'm still here. I'll turn it around
02:42God I'm at peace with your plan. I know you're ordering my steps
02:47You will get me to where I'm supposed to be when I'm supposed to be there
02:52See we sing that hymn. I surrender all all to Jesus
02:56I surrender one of the hardest things to surrender is what you had in mind
03:02Surrender how you think it's gonna happen
03:04If you don't understand this like that man you get upset
03:08God, where were you? I thought we'd have a baby by now. I thought I'd have my degree
03:14I thought I'd be over this illness
03:16This can save you a lot of frustration
03:19Put how you thought it was going to happen on the altar
03:23Release what you had in mind
03:25There's a freedom when you realize God is ordering your steps. He's laid out every day of your life
03:32He said his plans for you are for good
03:35You don't have to figure everything up come out with all the strategies. No trust his plan
03:42Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane
03:45Facing his greatest challenge about to be crucified
03:48He was so under so much pressure that he sweat great drops of blood
03:53He knew his father could deliver him. I mean he had raised the dead calm the storm heal the lepers
04:00He fell to his knees and said father if you're willing take this cup from me
04:06He was saying in effect, this is not what I want this is not fair
04:10I'm uncomfortable if he had stopped there he could have missed his purpose
04:16He went on to say but not my will let your will be done
04:21He was saying God. I'll release what I had in mind. I trust your plan
04:27There will be these times that you don't understand
04:30Things have come against you, you know, God could have delivered you could have turned it around but it's not changing
04:38This is when you have to surrender your will
04:41Surrender how you thought it would happen
04:44God hasn't delivered you yet because he has something better coming
04:49That difficulty is a part of his plan
04:52You have to go through it to get to the greater things. He has in store
04:57The psalmist said they went through the fire through the flood to great abundance
05:03We don't like the fires the challenges the people that do us wrong
05:08But on the other side of that difficulty is a new level of your destiny
05:13Jesus had to go through the garden through the betrayal through the rejection
05:18But now he's seated at the right hand of the father
05:22When we're in the garden
05:24Dealing with things we don't understand. It's a test. Are we gonna get frustrated God?
05:31Why did this happen lose our passion quit believing try a different approach?
05:36Release what you had in mind
05:38Maybe Gethsemane is leading you to a resurrection
05:42Maybe the betrayal was necessary to take your throne
05:46Maybe the delay is a part of God's plan taking you somewhere that you never dreamed
05:53Let go of how you thought it would happen may not be by your strategy your timing God's ways are not our ways
06:01We don't know what he's about to do. He doesn't always tell us in advance
06:06That's why we have to walk by faith and not by sight
06:10Think about the three Hebrew teenagers. They wouldn't bow down to the King's golden idol. He was so angry
06:18He said I'm gonna give you one more chance if you don't bow, I'm gonna have you thrown into a fiery furnace
06:25These teenagers never planned on facing this kind of challenge
06:29They planned on going to school being leaders getting married raising children
06:34Now unless they compromise they're going to be killed
06:38They understood this principle that nothing can stop God's plan for your life
06:43People can't stop it bad breaks can't stop it betrayals delays injustice
06:49They said to the king. We're not going to bow down for we know our God will deliver us
06:56Had great faith, but their next statement is the key. But even if he doesn't we're still not going to bow
07:04They were saying we trust his plan. Our life is in his hands
07:09They could have been complaining God, this is not fair we were doing the right thing, why did it happen?
07:15They surrendered their will to God's will
07:19The King had their hands and feet bound with cords and threw them into the fire
07:24Sometimes God's plan will take you into a furnace
07:29Just because you're in something that feels over your head. You're outnumbered. The opposition is stronger
07:35That doesn't mean you're not where you're supposed to be God is still in control
07:40He wouldn't have allowed the difficulty if it wasn't a part of your purpose a
07:46Lot of times we think God get me out of this fire and I'll give you praise
07:50God move this co-worker that gets on my nerves then I'll trust you
07:55God's plan doesn't always deliver you from the fire
07:58Sometimes he'll take you through the fire
08:01If you're set on it happening one way God you had to change this person turn this problem around make my business grow
08:08That's telling God to fit into your plan. Do it my way
08:12God has ways you've never thought of
08:15That's not only limiting what he can do, but it'll cause you to be frustrated because things aren't going according to your plan
08:23Why don't you let go of what you had in mind? Why don't you release how you thought everything would happen?
08:30Heard about a man out hiking through the mountains and he was on this high cliff
08:36Overlooking a huge Canyon somehow he lost his footing and slipped
08:40He was in this freefall headed toward the ground the last moment. He reached out
08:46Miraculously grabbed a small branch growing out of the side of the rocks as he hung there
08:52Dear hung on for dear life
08:55Dangling hundreds of feet in the air
08:57He cried out God, please save me a voice boomed out of the heavens said son let go and I'll catch you
09:05It was a long pause. The man said is there anyone else up there?
09:11We we want God to do it our way
09:14We don't want to let go of what we have in mind
09:16We don't want to surrender our will we have it figured out. We have our strategy how it's gonna happen when it's gonna happen
09:24And yes, it's good to have plans good to have a vision for your life
09:29But don't get so set in your ways that if things don't turn out the way you thought you had a detour
09:36You got thrown into the fire. It's taken longer than expected that you think God has forgotten about you. It's never gonna happen
09:44God has you right where you're supposed to be
09:47The reason it's not turning out the way you thought is because what God has in mind is much better
09:53Than what you have in mind his dream for your life is much greater than your dream
09:59But the way it's going to happen probably won't be the way you thought
10:04God will open doors. You never imagined would open
10:08Sometimes he'll take you backwards so he can thrust you forward
10:12You'll go through the fire so he can show out in your life
10:16The Giants aren't there to kill you. They're there to reveal you to show people who you are
10:23To establish you give you credibility and influence
10:28None of us plan on having a Goliath
10:31We don't plan on being thrown into a furnace if you're set on how you think it's gonna happen. You'll get sour
10:39Joel this is no not where I thought I'd be looking for a new job at this stage in my career
10:45Raising a special-needs child having to take this treatment
10:49These teenagers didn't plan on facing death at an early age
10:54They had all kinds of dreams and goals, but they surrendered their will to God's will
11:00God didn't keep them out of the fire. He did something greater
11:04He made them fireproof where the fire couldn't harm them
11:08The King looked in the window said didn't we throw three men in bound?
11:12I see four men loose and one looks like the Son of God
11:17They came out without the smell of smoke
11:20Nothing can stop what God has purpose for you
11:24Quit complaining because you got thrown into the fire
11:27That what you had in mind didn't work out. It may not have but what God has in mind will work out
11:34He's in the fire with you
11:36You may not realize it, but you too are fireproof
11:40Nothing can snatch you out of God's hands
11:44when the teenagers came out
11:46Descriptor says the King made a new decree that from now on they were all going to worship the God of Shadrach
11:54Meshach and Abednego
11:56Sometimes what you go through is not just about you. It's about what God wants to do through you
12:03God wants to make you an example of his goodness
12:07When you go through the fire and come out without the smell of smoke, you're a bright light that gets people's attention
12:14When we acquired this place the former compact center the day after the City Council
12:21Voted for us to have it a company filed a federal lawsuit to try to keep us from moving in
12:27They said we violated the deed restrictions
12:30They were the largest taxpayer in Texas a huge real estate company owned all the buildings around here
12:37That's not what I had in mind
12:39We had just celebrated the victory I'd announced to the congregation we were going to renovate it move in
12:45Now that was all put on hold
12:48Our attorneys told us it could be tied up in the courts for up to 10 years
12:52It didn't make sense to me. I was tempted to be disappointed and worried. I had to do what I'm asking you to do
12:59I
13:00Surrendered my will to his will I believed that it was all a part of his plan
13:05And even though I didn't understand it somehow some way it was working for our good
13:12Otherwise, we live fighting everything
13:15Upset over the door that closed
13:17Discouraged it has taken so long
13:19Frustrated over a child that's not changing
13:22Come back to a place of peace your plan may not have worked out, but you can trust his plan
13:29You may be in a Gethsemane
13:31Hard place, but when you say like Jesus not my will but let your will be done
13:37That's when angels go to work. That's when supernatural things will happen
13:42We all have these times where we can question what's happening God. You gave us the compact center
13:48Why did you let that company file a lawsuit?
13:52David could have said God you had
13:54Samuel come anoint me to be the next king. He chose me in front of all my brothers
13:59Why is King Saul chasing me through the desert I've done nothing but good to him
14:05Why is he so jealous now? I'm having to live in hiding that didn't make sense, but it was a part of God's plan
14:14David would have never taken the throne had he not passed the test of trusting when he didn't understand
14:21Surrendering his will to God's will
14:24Moses could have said God you delivered us from slavery
14:28You caused the Pharaoh to let us go, but now he's changed his mind
14:33We're at a dead end the Red Sea. We have no way out
14:37We have these questions. We don't understand the plan. Why did this happen?
14:42think about in punctuation, there's a question mark and there's an exclamation point an
14:49Exclamation point is simply a question mark straightened out
14:54God knows how to take the question marks in your life and turn them into exclamation points
15:00He'll take things you don't understand now
15:03Doesn't make sense
15:04But if you'll trust him if you'll do the right thing when it's hard if you'll keep praising when you could be complaining
15:11God will straighten out the question marks
15:14We see in part now the scripture says as though looking through a glass dimly
15:20But one day you will see in full
15:23One day you'll see the exclamation point. You'll see what God was up to you'll come out without the smell of smoke
15:31What you had a question about now, you're shouting about
15:34What you didn't understand now, you're thanking God that it happened what you lost sleep over now
15:40You realize it was all a part of his plan that all things were working for your good
15:46Now if you want God to turn your question marks into exclamation points, you have to trust him when you don't understand. I
15:55Didn't understand that company filing a lawsuit
15:58But a year and a half later, they not only dropped the case, but they leased us
16:049,000 cupboard parking spaces we didn't have to build a garage
16:09Those teenagers didn't like the furnace but now the whole city was worshiping Jehovah
16:15They had influence in favor. They would have never seen without the struggle
16:19Don't complain about the furnaces the Goliath's the Red Seas the lawsuits. God is up to something
16:26He wouldn't have allowed it unless he had a purpose
16:30It's very powerful when you can be at peace with his plan
16:34You don't understand it it wasn't fair but you release what you had in mind you surrender your will
16:41Knowing that God has something better
16:45Genesis 15
16:47Abraham was very disappointed
16:49God had blessed him with his great life giving him many cattle and livestock
16:53But he said in verse 2 God what good are all your blessings when I don't have a son
16:59I don't have any children no heir to leave what you've given me and continue my legacy
17:06I'm gonna have to leave it to my servants
17:09God said in verse 4 no Abraham. Your servant will not be your heir
17:13I'm going to give you a son that will inherit everything
17:17He told Abraham to look up into the night sky
17:21Many stars as he could see that's how many descendants he would have too many to count
17:27Abraham was so excited. He had this promise. He went home told his wife Sarah. We're gonna have a baby
17:34The problem was they were both way too old to have children
17:38Logically speaking it was impossible. They waited year after year nothing happened
17:44Every circumstance said it was too late, but at 90 years old
17:48This was 20 years after they received the promise Sarah gave birth to a son. They named him Isaac
17:56Can imagine how thrilled they were what that son meant to them?
18:00He was what they had dreamed about for so long now the promise was fulfilled
18:05They're so grateful if the story stopped there. It'd be a happy ending. God is good
18:11Let's move on but God's plan is going to include some twists some turns things. We don't understand
18:19When Isaac was a young boy God told Abraham to take his son on top of Mount Moriah and sacrifice it
18:27Can hear Abraham God, what do you mean? You gave me this son?
18:32This is what you promised my heir my legacy everything. I've dreamed of and now you want me to put him on this altar
18:41That was a test
18:42Would Abraham give God the thing that meant the most to him?
18:46Would he lay down what he had in mind even though it didn't make sense
18:52On the way to our destiny. We're all gonna have some Isaacs to lay down these tests where God is saying
18:59Will you trust me when it doesn't make sense?
19:02Will you put on the altar how you thought your life would turn out?
19:07Abraham didn't miss a beat
19:09He got up early the next morning took Isaac. They headed up the mountain. It's a three-day journey
19:15They got close to the top Isaac said dad we have the wood we have the fire, but where is the sacrifice?
19:23Abraham said don't worry Isaac. The Lord will provide
19:27He was saying God. I trust you doesn't make sense, but I'm surrendering my will to your will
19:34At one point Isaac realized that he was a sacrifice
19:38He wasn't a little toddler. The scripture says he carried the wood on his shoulders
19:43He was a young man, he could have resisted fought his dad dad you heard from God, but I didn't hear find someone else
19:51But even he submitted to his father's will he didn't understand it either, but he was saying God we trust you
19:59When Abraham lifted his arm an angel shouted do not harm the boy lay down the knife
20:07Abraham looked over there was a ram caught by his horns in the brush
20:12He took that ram and sacrificed it
20:15While Abraham was coming up one side of the mountain being obedient trusting God's plan
20:21The ram was coming up the other side
20:24Abraham couldn't see it, but the provision was already in route
20:29Like Abraham many of you have laid things on the altar
20:34You didn't understand it, but you said God I trust you you had to lay your child this off course on the altar
20:41Dream that didn't work out
20:43You've been taking that treatment and things haven't improved. You know, God gave you the promise, but you put it on the altar
20:51Because you've been obedient you've trusted when it didn't make sense
20:56God has some rams coming up the mountain for you healing
21:00provision restoration
21:03Abraham put what meant the most to him on the altar when he did
21:09God gave it back to him. It was through Isaac that all the nation of Israel came to pass
21:15God took that question mark. What didn't make sense to Abraham and turned it into an exclamation point
21:23Descendants like the stars in the sky
21:25Now we know him as the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob
21:30It happened because Abraham trusted a plan that didn't make sense. He was faithful with things. He didn't understand
21:38Had he been set in his ways God you gave me this child
21:42No way, I'm gonna put him on the altar. We wouldn't be talking about Abraham
21:47Sometimes God will ask you to do a hard thing to put something on the altar. That means a lot to you
21:54I've found when you give it to God and show him that you trust him. He'll always give you more back than you could ever imagine
22:01Imagine
22:03My sister Lisa and her husband Kevin
22:06Wanted to have children
22:08They weren't able to conceive and Lisa took all the fertility treatments had a couple surgeries. None of that helped
22:15Doctors finally said I'm sorry Lisa. You're not going to be able to have children
22:20She was devastated
22:22She told how she had been consumed with having a baby. It's all she thought about
22:27That was the main focus of her prayer God you promised me a baby, please let me conceive
22:33But anything you have to have in order to be happy the enemy can use against you
22:39I'm not saying to give up on a dream, but don't let them consume you to where you don't enjoy where God has you now
22:48Lisa realized she had to do like Abraham and put the baby on the altar
22:53She said God, I'm not going to ask you about this baby again, you already know what I want
22:59You know, this is my dream. I'm not gonna let it frustrate me anymore. I trust your plan for my life
23:07Few months later. She received a phone call from a friend of ours that runs an organization
23:13That helps girls in need it was a teenager about to give birth to twins
23:18Lisa had never mentioned anything to our friend. What's interesting is my brother-in-law. Kevin is a twin
23:25Was always his dream to have twins. Well, they were able to adopt those babies at birth
23:30They raised them today. They're beautiful young ladies
23:35God took that question mark
23:38Why can't I have children? He turned it into an exclamation point
23:43Lisa said I had two babies and I never had to get pregnant
23:48This all happened when she let go of what she had in mind
23:53She is trying to force it. God do it this way
23:56She had to put it on the altar the thing that meant the most to her when she did like with Abraham
24:03God gave it back to her
24:05Sometimes we can get so consumed with what we want. It's like it becomes an idol. It's a good thing
24:11But we're out of balance. We can't be happy without it
24:16Turn it over to God pray believe then rest
24:20Know that God is working
24:22Know that his plans for you are for good that nothing can stop what he's purpose for your life
24:27That at the right time it will come to pass
24:31The reason some people are frustrated is not because
24:35God is not going to give you an Isaac not because he's not going to do what he promised
24:40But it's not going to happen the way you think when you think with whom you think
24:46You have to be at peace with his plan
24:49God has not forgotten about you. He sees the lonely nights
24:54He sees the closed doors the hurts the delays. You can't see it now, but it's all working for your good
25:02Isaac is not only on the way the promise
25:05But the ram is coming up the mountain the healing the provision the spouse God is ordering your steps
25:13He's fighting your battles. He has not brought you this far to leave you trust him when you don't understand
25:20Hold tightly to your dreams, but hold loosely to how it's going to happen if you'll do this
25:27I believe and declare God's about to turn your question marks into
25:32Exclamation points things you didn't see coming the right people
25:37Restoration promotion new levels of your destiny in Jesus name, and if you receive it
25:44Can you say amen?
25:50Let's pray together if you have five minutes stick with me we'll seal it in prayer
25:55Lord, thank you for what we've heard today
25:57Father we're gonna go out of here
25:59With a greater peace trusting you or we all have things that don't make sense that weren't fair
26:05We don't understand but Lord. We're turning that over to you right now
26:09We believe we know that your plans for us for good that everything's working for our good
26:15So Lord, we're gonna go out of here with a greater trust
26:18I just pray your protection over your people their children as they go about to school or just watching after them
26:25Giving them all a flourishing week in Jesus name
26:29With our heads about in prayer just a couple quick questions before we close
26:35If your heart stopped beating in the next few minutes, are you at peace with God?
26:41Do you know where you'd spend eternity if you died a little while from now if not I would love to pray with you
26:49I'm not here to condemn anybody. I'm here to help you find a new beginning
26:55I know this comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
27:01In just a moment if you're not at peace with the Lord, or maybe you are a Christian, but you've grown cold toward God
27:08You know, you need to rededicate your life. You need a fresh new start if that's you in just a moment
27:15I'm gonna ask you to take a step of faith and stand right where you are and we'll pray together. I
27:22Can't think of a better time to get on the road to victory than right now
27:27The good news is God is not mad at you. Your sins have already been forgiven
27:32All you have to do is accept the free gift of Christ's salvation. Will you do it today?
27:40The enemy in your thoughts will tell you do it next week. Do it another time
27:45Listen to what the Bible says today is the day of salvation
27:50You're not hearing this by accident God knew you would be here
27:54Well, Joe, it's embarrassing to stand in front of everyone. I have people at the house
27:58I can't lift my hand listen to what Jesus said if you won't be ashamed of me before people
28:05Then I won't be ashamed of you before my father in heaven
28:10I'm gonna give you a great opportunity to show God that you're not ashamed of him
28:15If you're not at peace with the Lord or you just need to rededicate your life
28:20You need a fresh new start a new beginning
28:23If that's you would you be bold take that step of faith and stand right where you are and we'll pray together
28:29Would you do that? Come on Lakewood. Let's give him a hand
28:33As they stand all over the building
28:38Come on don't put it off
28:41I feel like that'll be a few more your heart's beating fast up top. Don't go home without peace
28:48Watching listening anybody else
28:52Well, God bless you
28:54Please remain standing if you don't mind, let me tell you how proud we are of you
28:58I know that took courage to stand more importantly
29:02I know the angels are rejoicing in the heavens God's never going to be ashamed of you because you took this step of faith
29:09The scripture says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved
29:14Let me help you to call. Do you mind all praying this after me everyone if you would please Lord Jesus. I
29:21repent of my sins
29:24Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior
29:30Amen remain standing one more moment. I want to tell you how much we love you
29:33We're gonna be praying for you
29:35I also want to give you a personal invitation and a challenge to come back and be with us on a regular basis
29:42We ask new believers. Give us the next year of your life
29:46Make a commitment just just like you go to work that you're gonna be here every Sunday in person online on the radio
29:53However, you do it. I'll make a promise before that year is over. Your life will never be the same for the better
29:59We're gonna help you grow and become who God's created you to be and I know you're busy on Sundays
30:05It's probably a day off
30:06But can I tell you when you put God first place get into a community of faith your life goes better
30:13There's a blessing on your life. Love to have you get involved serve on some of our teams a lot of awesome people here at
30:19Lakewood. Hey, there's a room right out here after service called new beginnings
30:23If you need anything stop by and see him prayer information. I'm gonna be out that way can't do it today
30:28Do it sometime. I want to meet you sometime
30:31But know this the moment you stood up God washed away all your sins your mistakes your failures
30:37You are starting with a fresh clean slate
30:41Write it down in your Bible August 25th
30:442024 a new day of victory in your life in Jesus name. Amen. Hey, let's all stand together if you would please
30:52Thanks so much for coming out today. How many of you going home better off than you were before? Amen
30:58All right, guys, let me speak a blessing until we meet again
31:00May the Lord bless you and keep you
31:03May the Lord show you his favor and have mercy on you and may the Lord watch after you and give you his peace
31:10God bless you. We love you. Have an awesome week a favor bill week. See you back real soon