ALL I NEED TO DO IS KEEP MY EYES ON GOD AND FOLLOW HIM.  AMEN? YOU CAN EVEN GO ON SOME KIND OF DIET AND MAYBE YOU’RE IN A GROUP OF PEOPLE, YOU’RE ALL ON THE SAME DIET AND ONE PERSON LOSES FIVE POUNDS THAT WEEK AND SOMEBODY ELSE LOSES 8 OUNCES. “WHAT’S WRONG WITH ME? I’M JUST GOING TO QUIT AND GIVE UP.” WHY CAN’T YOU BE HAPPY ABOUT YOUR HALF A POUND? YOU KNOW WHY?  BECAUSE YOU’RE JEALOUS OF THEIR OTHER FOUR AND A HALF POUNDS YOU DIDN’T LOSE. IF THEY HAD ONLY LOST HALF A POUND, YOU’D BE HAPPY. (laughing) AM I NOT TELLING THE TRUTH? GET YOUR EYES OFF EVERYBODY ELSE AND BE HAPPY ABOUT WHAT GOD’S DOING IN YOUR LIFE. ENJOY THE GLORY YOU’RE IN. THE ONLY PLACE OR ONLY POSITION THAT YOU CAN EVER EVEN DO ANY OF THE REST OF WHAT I’M GOING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT FROM IS A PLACE OF BEING SEATED IN CHRIST; ENTERING THE REST OF GOD. YOU CANNOT DEFEAT THE DEVIL WORRYING. YOU HAVE TO BE RESTING. THE BIBLE SAYS IN HEBREWS 4 THAT THROUGH FAITH AND THROUGH BELIEVING, WE ENTER THE REST OF GOD, SO THE NEXT TIME YOU GET ALL UPSET, YOU NEED TO SAY TO YOURSELF:  SIT DOWN! I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT SITTING IN A PHYSICAL CHAIR; I’M TALKING ABOUT ENTERING THE REST OF GOD.

(Joyce) I LIKE THIS STATEMENT: YOU CAN’T RUN YOUR RACE FROM A POSITION OF LYING DOWN. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO STAY IN THE RACE, STAY UP, BE STRONG IN THE LORD, AND WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T EVER GIVE UP. TODAY WE HAVE A WONDERFUL RESOURCE OFFER; IT’S A 4-PART CD SERIES, “NEVER GIVE UP.” I THINK THIS IS A TEACHING EVERYBODY NEEDS TO HAVE BECAUSE EVERYBODY AT DIFFERENT TIMES IN THEIR LIFE FEELS LIKE GIVING UP. WE’RE GOING TO OFFER THIS TODAY FOR A GIFT OF ANY AMOUNT WHICH IS SOMETHING WE ONLY DO JUST A HANDFUL OF TIMES EACH YEAR. WE ALWAYS PICK A TEACHING SERIES THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I FEEL IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE HAVE.

I KNOW THAT DIFFERENT PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT AMOUNTS OF MONEY AND WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY CAN GET THIS ONE, SO ALL I’M ASKING YOU TO DO IS DO YOUR VERY BEST. THOSE OF YOU WHO CAN SEND MORE WILL AND THOSE WHO CAN’T, JUST DO YOUR VERY BEST. STAY WITH US AND THE ANNOUNCER WILL TELL YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS WONDERFUL OFFER. GOD BLESS YOU AND REMEMBER THAT GOD HAS A GREAT PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE.

(Joyce Meyer) IF I LOOK AT MY PAST, EVERYTHING SAYS I SHOULD BE A FAILURE.  AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER EVERYONE HAS FELT LIKE QUITTING BUT I’M HERE TO TELL YOU THERE IS ANOTHER WAY. THAT’S WHY I’VE DEVELOPED THIS TEACHING CALLED “NEVER GIVE UP.” IN IT YOU’LL DISCOVER HOW GOD HAS GIVEN US THE POWER TO OVERCOME ANY OBSTACLE THAT COMES OUR WAY.

HEBREWS 10:12: WHEREAS THIS ONE CHRIST, AFTER HE HAD OFFERED A SINGLE SACRIFICE FOR OUR SINS [THAT SHALL AVAIL] FOR ALL TIME, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, (vs. 13) THEN TO WAIT UNTIL HIS ENEMIES SHOULD BE MADE A STOOL BENEATH HIS FEET. WHOA!  HALLELUJAH! JESUS IS SEATED IN HEAVENLY PLACES WAITING FOR THE DEVIL TO BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET AND THE BIBLE SAYS THAT WE ARE SEATED IN HIM OR WITH HIM IN HEAVENLY PLACES. HE ENTERED THE REST OF GOD AND THROUGH OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM, WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ENTERING THE REST OF GOD. THE REASON WHY I’M GOING TO TAKE THE TIME TO DO THIS TONIGHT IS BECAUSE IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND THIS PROCESS, YOU WILL NEVER RUN YOUR RACE. MOST PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO HAVE SOME BIG THING, THEY’RE TRYING TO RUN THEIR RACE, HAVE THEIR SUCCESS, HAVE THEIR VICTORY, BUT THEY DON’T KNOW HOW TO LIVE IN THE REST OF GOD.

WHEN YOU ENTER THAT SABBATH REST THAT WE TALKED ABOUT A LITTLE BIT THIS MORNING, YOU CAST YOUR CARE ON GOD, YOU’RE NOT WORRIED, YOU’RE NOT FRUSTRATED, YOU’RE NOT UPSET, YOU TRUST GOD TO DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN YOUR LIFE, YOU DON’T KNOW HOW HE’S GOING TO DO IT, YOU DON’T KNOW WHEN HE’S GOING TO DO IT BUT YOU HAVE SUCH FAITH AND SUCH HOPE THAT YOU DON’T REALLY CARE HOW HE DOES IT OR WHEN HE DOES IT BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT IT WILL BE DONE RIGHT AND IT WILL BE DONE PERFECTLY AND YOU ARE PERFECTLY HAPPY TO WAIT. YOU DON’T DESPISE THE PROCESS BECAUSE YOU’VE LEARNED THAT BY ENTERING THE REST OF GOD, YOU CAN ENJOY THE JOURNEY. HOW MANY OF YOU WANT TO ENJOY YOUR JOURNEY IN CHRIST VERSUS BEING MISERABLE ALL THE TIME BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT RIGHT NOW? (applause)

GOD CHANGES US FROM GLORY TO GLORY AND I THINK WE NEED TO ENJOY EVERY GLORY WE’RE IN. IF YOU LOOK AT THE PERSON NEXT TO YOU, THEY MAY BE IN A GLORY BEYOND WHERE YOU ARE. THEY MAY KNOW MORE OF THE WORD THAN YOU.  THEY MAY HAVE MORE VICTORY THAN YOU IN SOME AREA. WHAT THE DEVIL WANTS US TO DO IS LOOK AT SOMEBODY ELSE AND THEN NOT ENJOY OUR GLORY BECAUSE NOW WE WANT TO BE IN THEIR GLORY. YOU COULD BE HAPPY PRAYING FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY UNTIL YOU GO TO BREAKFAST WITH SISTER SUPER CHRISTIAN WHO’S PRAYING THREE HOURS A DAY. (laughing)

HELLO? YOU HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO ENJOY YOUR GLORY AND REALIZE THAT YOU MAY NOT BE WHERE YOU NEED TO BE BUT THANK GOD, YOU’RE NOT WHERE YOU USED TO BE. (applause) YOU’VE NOT ARRIVED BUT YOU’RE PRESSING ON AND THE GOOD NEWS IS YOU DON’T HAVE TO COMPARE YOURSELF WITH ANYBODY ELSE BECAUSE YOU HAVE YOUR OWN PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND HE HAS A PERSONAL PLAN WITH YOU. ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISTAKES WE MAKE IS GETTING FRUSTRATED AND UPSET BECAUSE WE’RE NOT WHERE SOMEBODY ELSE IS.  STOP LOOKING AROUND AT OTHER PEOPLE AND KEEP YOUR EYES ON GOD. HE HAS A PERSONAL PLAN FOR YOU. “WHAT ABOUT ME?  WHAT ABOUT ME? WHY AM I NOT GETTING WHAT THEY’RE GETTING? WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME AND IT’S NOT HAPPENING TO THEM?” JESUS EVEN SPOKE STERNLY TO PETER WHEN HE SHOWED PETER IN JOHN CHAPTER 21 WHAT KIND OF DEATH HE WAS GOING TO DIE AND THAT HE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO SUFFER AND GO THROUGH SOME THINGS.  THE FIRST THING PETER DID WAS LOOK AT THE APOSTLE JOHN AND SAY: WHAT ABOUT HIM? IT’S RIGHT THERE IN JOHN 21. WHAT ABOUT HIM? YOU KNOW WHAT JESUS SAID? “WHAT BUSINESS IS IT OF YOURS IF HE STAYS UNTIL I COME BACK? YOU FOLLOW ME!” SOMEBODY ELSE IS NONE OF MY BUSINESS.

IF I’VE BEEN LYING DOWN AND I DECIDE, “YES, I WANT TO RUN MY RACE!” I CAN’T GET FROM THIS POSITION TO STANDING. I CAN’T JUMP FROM HERE TO STANDING.  I HAVE TO GO FROM THIS TO SITTING, THEN I GO FROM SITTING TO STANDING, THEN I GO FROM STANDING TO WALKING, THEN AFTER I WALK, WOW! I CAN RUN MY RACE!  WHOO! (applause)

BUT NOW YOU SEE, EACH ONE OF THOSE PHASES TAKES TIME AND EACH ONE HAS A MEANING THAT WE NEED TO LOOK INTO. THE FIRST THING YOU HAVE TO LEARN TO DO IS SIT. THE BIBLE SAYS IN EPHESIANS 2:6 THAT WE ARE SEATED IN HEAVENLY PLACES WITH CHRIST JESUS. WHEN YOU READ ABOUT JESUS AFTER HIS RESURRECTION, HE’S ALWAYS DEPICTED IN THE BIBLE AS SEATED. THE BIBLE DOESN’T SAY THAT HE’S STANDING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD; IT SAYS HE IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD IN HEAVENLY PLACES. GOD CALLED MY ATTENTION TO THAT A FEW YEARS AGO AND I GOT TO THINKING ABOUT THAT: WHY IS HE ALWAYS SITTING DOWN? THERE’S A VERY DEFINITE IMPORTANT MEANING TO WHY JESUS ENTERED INTO THE HEAVEN LIES AND SAT DOWN: BECAUSE HE WAS ESTABLISHING A BRAND-NEW COVENANT AND UNDER THE OLD COVENANT, WHEN THE HIGH PRIEST WENT INTO THE HOLY OF HOLIES ONCE A YEAR TO MAKE SACRIFICE FOR THE PEOPLE’S SINS, THERE WAS NO CHAIR IN THE HOLY OF HOLIES. THEY COULD NOT SIT DOWN.

IT WAS AGAINST THE LAW FOR THEM TO SIT DOWN BECAUSE THEY WERE LIVING UNDER A COVENANT OF WORKS, SO THERE WAS NO REST. THEY HAD TO KEEP WORKING. THERE WERE BELLS SEWN ON THE BOTTOM OF THE PRIEST’S ROBES. A ROPE WAS TIED AROUND HIS WAIST BECAUSE NOBODY COULD GO IN THERE BUT HIM, AND IF HE STOPPED MOVING WHILE HE WAS IN THERE, THE BELLS STOPPED RINGING AND THEY KNEW HE HAD MADE SOME KIND OF MISTAKE AND HAD DROPPED DEAD AND THEY HAD TO HAUL HIM OUT BECAUSE IT WAS A COVENANT OF WORKS, WORKS, WORKS, WORKS. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO? WHAT AM I GOING TO DO? GOTTA BE DOING SOMETHING. GOTTA BE DOING SOMETHING. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO? WHAT AM I GOING TO DO? BUT WHEN JESUS CAME, HE BEING OUR PERFECT HIGH PRIEST, THE FINAL SACRIFICE FOR ALL TIMES, WHEN HE POURED HIS BLOOD OUT AND THAT BLOOD WAS TAKEN INTO THE HEAVEN LIES AND PUT ON THE MERCY SEAT FOR ALL TIME, THE BIBLE SAYS IN HEBREWS CHAPTER 10… I WANT YOU TO GO THERE — HEBREWS 10:12-13. BY THE WAY, IF YOU DON’T LEARN HOW TO SIT, YOU’LL ALWAYS COME TO THESE PLACES OF GIVING UP.

THIS MIGHT BE GOOD. GO TO JOHN 5, VERSE 1: LATER ON THERE WAS A JEWISH FESTIVAL FOR WHICH JESUS WENT UP TO JERUSALEM. (vs. 2) NOW THERE IS IN JERUSALEM A POOL NEAR THE SHEEP GATE.  THIS POOL IN THE HEBREW IS CALLED BETHESDA AND IT HAS FIVE PORCHES (ALCOVES, DOORWAYS). (vs. 3) IN THESE LAY A GREAT NUMBER OF SICK FOLK–SOME BLIND, SOME CRIPPLED, SOME PARALYZED AND SHRIVELED UP– WAITING FOR THE BUBBLING UP OF THE WATER. THEY WERE LYING THERE WAITING FOR A MIRACLE BECAUSE ONCE A YEAR AN ANGEL CAME BY AND WHOEVER GOT INTO THE WATER FIRST WHILE THE WATER WAS BUBBLING UP GOT A MIRACLE. SO, ALL THESE PEOPLE LAY THERE ALL YEAR LONG AND ONLY ONE PERSON EACH YEAR WAS GOING TO GET A MIRACLE AND ALL THESE PEOPLE WERE LYING AROUND WAITING TO BE THE ONE. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU HAVE THAT “I NEED A MIRACLE MENTALITY,” THAT’S WHAT YOU DO; YOU JUST KIND OF LIE AROUND WITH A PASSIVE ATTITUDE ALL YOUR LIFE AND YOU DON’T DO SOME THINGS THAT YOU COULD BE DOING TO HELP YOURSELF. (vs. 5) THERE WAS A CERTAIN MAN THERE WHO HAD SUFFERED WITH A DISORDER FOR 38 YEARS. (vs. 6) WHEN JESUS NOTICED HIM LYING THERE [HELPLESS], KNOWING THAT HE HAD ALREADY BEEN A LONG TIME IN THAT CONDITION, HE SAID TO HIM, DO YOU WANT TO GET WELL? [ARE YOU SERIOUS ABOUT GETTING WELL?] AND IN JOHN 5:7, THE INVALID SAID, SIR, I HAVE NOBODY WHEN THE WATER IS MOVING TO PUT ME INTO THE POOL, BUT WHILE I AM TRYING TO COME INTO IT MYSELF, SOMEBODY ELSE ALWAYS STEPS DOWN AHEAD OF ME. THE MAN IF YOU HAVEN’T NOTICED WAS HAVING, I THINK, A LITTLE BIT OF A PITY PARTY. JESUS SAID, “HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN THERE?”  HE ALREADY KNEW HOW LONG HE HAD BEEN THERE. I THINK HE WAS TRYING TO SHOCK THE GUY INTO SOME REALIZATION: OH!  OH! (laughing)

THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS! COME ON!  SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE SAME STINKING MESS 15 YEARS, 20 YEARS, 25 YEARS, 30 YEARS, JUST LYING AROUND WAITING FOR SOME MIRACLE WORKER TO COME TO TOWN. YOU MIGHT AS WELL HAVE FUN WITH ME BECAUSE I’M GOING TO HAVE FUN. AMEN? (laughing) (applause)

YOU’D THINK JESUS WOULD FEEL SORRY FOR THIS GUY. THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS AND THE GUY SAID, “WELL, I HAVE NOBODY…” I LOVE THAT.  THAT’S ONE OF OUR BIGGEST EXCUSES. “I HAVE NOBODY TO HELP ME!” AND THEN I LOVE THIS ONE: AND EVERY TIME I TRY TO GET INTO THE POOL, SOMEBODY ELSE GETS AHEAD OF ME! (laughing)

COME ON NOW! NOW, LOVING JESUS, MERCIFUL, KIND JESUS SAYS TO THE MAN: (vs. 8 ) GET UP! AND PICK UP YOUR BED AND TAKE IT WITH YOU. I LOVE THAT! GET UP AND CLEAN UP THE MESS YOU MADE WHILE YOU’RE AT IT. I DON’T KNOW THAT ANYBODY ELSE GETS THIS OUT OF THIS STORY BUT THAT’S WHAT I GET OUT OF IT AND IT HAS MINISTERED TO ME A LOT IN MY LIFE.  THE ONLY THING THAT THE BIBLE EVER SAYS TO ANYBODY WHO IS LYING DOWN IS GET UP BECAUSE YOU CERTAINLY CANNOT RUN YOUR RACE FROM A POSITION OF LYING DOWN. SO WE’VE ESTABLISHED THAT WE’RE NOT TO BE LYING DOWN. “LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, LIFT UP YOUR HANDS, LIFT UP YOUR ATTITUDE.” THE BIBLE SAYS, “LOOK UP, FOR YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH.” YOU’RE NOT GOING TO FIND ANYTHING IN GOD LOOKING DOWN. YOU HAVE TO LOOK UP.  AMEN? THEN THE BIBLE TALKS ABOUT SITTING.  NOW ONCE AGAIN, REMEMBER THAT IF I’VE BEEN LYING DOWN… I’M GOING TO HAVE TO DO THIS A LOT, I CAN TELL. (laughing)

YOU HAVE TO BE STEADFAST. YOU HAVE TO BE DILIGENT. YOU HAVE TO BE DISCIPLINED AND YOU HAVE TO ENDURE SOME WAITING TIMES. WE ALL WANT TO RUN OUR RACE BECAUSE WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THAT, IT JUST SOUNDS LIKE THE EXCITING PART, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE KEEP THE FINISH LINE IN MIND. THE BIBLE TALKS ABOUT RUNNING BUT THE BIBLE ALSO TALKS ABOUT SOME OTHER THINGS; IT TALKS ABOUT SITTING, IT TALKS ABOUT STANDING, IT TALKS ABOUT WALKING, AND IT TALKS ABOUT RUNNING. ABOUT TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO, GOD GAVE ME A MESSAGE THAT WAS REALLY REFRESHING TO ME AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HEAR IT GET A LOT OUT OF IT. SOMETIMES I CALL IT “SIT, STAND,

WALK AND RUN” BUT TONIGHT IT FITS IN REAL WELL WITH THIS SERIES ON NEVER GIVING UP BECAUSE IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, YOU’RE MORE LIKELY TO GIVE UP THAN IF YOU DO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS BECAUSE SOMETIMES WHEN YOU’RE NOT MAKING REAL FAST PROGRESS THE DEVIL CAN CONVINCE YOU SOMETHING’S WRONG WITH YOU. “WELL, WHAT’S WRONG WITH ME? WHY ARE YOU THIS WAY AND I’M STILL THIS WAY?” GOD DOES DIFFERENT THINGS IN DIFFERENT PEOPLE, BUT IT’S HELPFUL TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS. THE BIBLE TEACHES US TO SIT. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, THE BIBLE ONLY HAS ONE THING TO SAY ABOUT LYING DOWN AND THAT IS GET UP. (laughing)

I DID A SEARCH TODAY AND I LOOKED AT THE WORD “LAYING” AND THE ONLY THING IT TELLS YOU TO LAY DOWN IS YOUR LIFE. YOU DON’T LIE DOWN BECAUSE THAT LYING DOWN REPRESENTS GIVING UP, QUITTING, NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ANYMORE. I WANT TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE TONIGHT AND I’LL JUST HAVE TO BE SILLY, I GUESS, BUT YOU KNOW I REALLY CAN’T DO MUCH FROM HERE.  YOU CAN SAY IT SURE DOES FEEL GOOD.  WELL, YOU’RE STILL JUST WASTING YOUR LIFE. YOU’RE DOING NOTHING. YOU’RE GOING NOWHERE. THERE’S NO WAY THAT FROM THIS POSITION I CAN RUN. HOW MANY OF YOU UNDERSTAND THAT? (laughing)

IS EVERYBODY SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT?  SEE, I JUST… I WAS THINKING ABOUT IT TODAY AND I THOUGHT THIS IS WHAT A LOT OF CHRISTIANS LOOK LIKE BECAUSE WE WANT ALL THESE VICTORIES, WE WANT ALL THIS PROSPERITY, AND WE WANT GOOD HEALTH, AND WE WANT BIG MINISTRIES, BUT HALF THE TIME WE’RE LYING DOWN, DEPRESSED, DISCOURAGED, DESPONDENT, BAD ATTITUDE, HANDS HANGING DOWN, HEADS HANGING DOWN, EVERYTHING LYING DOWN. I MIGHT JUST PREACH FROM THE FLOOR TONIGHT.  (laughing)

TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, BEING A VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN IS REALLY NO DIFFERENT.  IF YOU REALLY WANT TO HAVE VICTORY, THEN YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT’S GOING TO TAKE TIME AND EVERY YEAR YOU’LL MAKE PROGRESS, EVERY DAY YOU MAKE PROGRESS, EVERY MONTH YOU MAKE PROGRESS, BUT SOMETIMES WHEN WE COME INTO RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, WE HAVE QUITE A BIT THAT’S OUT OF ORDER IN OUR LIVES AND IT’S KIND OF LIKE TRYING TO TAKE DOWN A HAYSTACK ONE PIECE OF STRAW AT A TIME.  I CAN BE VERY HONEST WITH YOU AND TELL YOU THAT I’VE BEEN STUDYING THE WORD DILIGENTLY FOR 30 YEARS AND AFTER THE FIRST FIVE YEARS,

I REALLY DIDN’T FEEL LIKE I’D MADE ANY PROGRESS AT ALL. I KNOW THAT I HAD BUT I STILL HAD SO MANY THINGS OUT OF ORDER IN MY LIFE THAT I DIDN’T FEEL LIKE I WAS GETTING ANYWHERE. IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE WHO EVER JUST FEELS LIKE YOU’RE JUST NOT GETTING ANYWHERE? OKAY.  WELL, THE THING THAT THE DEVIL WANTS YOU TO DO IS TO QUIT AND GIVE UP. IT’S LIKE PEOPLE WHO GO ON A DIET AND THEY’RE LOSING TWO POUNDS A WEEK AND THAT’S ALL COOL AND THREE POUNDS A WEEK THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY HIT THIS PLATEAU WHERE NOTHING’S HAPPENING.  THEY GO TWO OR THREE WEEKS STILL BEING DILIGENT ABOUT THEIR DIET BUT THEY’RE NOT LOSING ANY WEIGHT. LOTS AND LOTS OF PEOPLE GIVE UP RIGHT THEN AND GO RIGHT BACK TO THEIR OLD HABITS. 

BUT IF YOU WILL STAND YOUR GROUND AND CONTINUE TO DO WHAT’S RIGHT, THEN YOU’LL REACH A PLACE WHERE YOU’LL BEGIN TO LOSE AGAIN. IT’S THE SAME WAY WITH ANYTHING THAT YOU DO.  WE HAVE A TENDENCY TO MAKE SOME PROGRESS, THEN THERE’S A PERIOD OF WAITING, THEN WE MAKE SOME PROGRESS, THEN THERE’S A PERIOD OF WAITING. YOU’VE GOT SOMETHING TO FEED YOUR EMOTIONS WHEN YOU’RE MAKING QUICK PROGRESS BUT WHEN YOU’RE NO LONGER MAKING QUICK PROGRESS, THAT’S WHEN YOU FIND OUT HOW COMMITTED YOU REALLY ARE AND IF YOU’RE GOING TO SEE THINGS THROUGH TO THE FINISH. I WANT YOU TO MAKE A DECISION TONIGHT IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY THAT YOU’RE GOING TO BE COMMITTED FOR THE LONG HAUL. NOW, AS I SAID, THERE’S A PROCESS. EVERYTHING THE BIBLE TEACHES US IS A PROCESS.  RENEWING YOUR MIND IS A PROCESS. RENEWING YOUR ATTITUDE IS A PROCESS. TAKING A NEGATIVE PERSON AND TURNING THEM INTO A POSITIVE PERSON THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD IS A PROCESS.  GETTING OUT OF DEBT IS A PROCESS. GETTING YOUR HOUSE CLEANED UP IS A PROCESS. RESTORING A RELATIONSHIP THAT’S GONE HAYWIRE IS A PROCESS. YOU HAVE TO BE COMMITTED.

(Joyce Meyer) HAVE YOU EVER FELT LIKE GIVING UP?  I’M SURE EVERYONE HAS TO SAY, “WELL, SURE I’VE FELT LIKE THAT AT TIMES.” WE ALL HAVE, BUT EVERYTHING IN LIFE IS A PROCESS INCLUDING OUR BREAKTHROUGHS, SO STAY WITH US AND LEARN HOW TO ENDURE AND FINISH THE RACE. (music) 

(Joyce) TONIGHT WE’RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT RUNNING YOUR RACE. THE BIBLE TALKS ABOUT EACH OF US RUNNING A RACE AND PAUL SAID THAT HE WAS DETERMINED TO FINISH HIS COURSE WITH JOY. ACTUALLY, THE BIBLE HAS QUITE A BIT TO SAY ABOUT RUNNING. ELIJAH RAN TWENTY MILES AND OUTRAN AHAB’S CHARIOT, GIVING HIM THE NEWS THAT IT WAS ABOUT TO RAIN.  THE BIBLE SAYS, “BY MY GOD, I CAN RUN THROUGH A TROOP AND LEAP OVER A WALL.” IT SAYS, “THEY THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD SHALL RUN AND NOT BE WEARY; THEY SHALL WALK AND THEY SHALL NOT FAINT.” RUNNING YOUR RACE, HOWEVER, IS A PROCESS AND THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO LEARN, TO BE HONEST, BEFORE YOU WILL GET AROUND TO RUNNING. WE ALL WANT TO START OUT AT THE END BUT YOU DON’T START THERE; YOU START AT THE BEGINNING. SECOND CORINTHIANS 3:18 FOR EXAMPLE SAYS THAT GOD CHANGES US INTO HIS IMAGE AS WE CONTINUE — EVERYBODY SAY: CONTINUE. SAY: CONTINUE. (Continue!)

 SAY IT ONE MORE TIME. (Continue!) — IN THE WORD OF GOD. GOD CHANGES US INTO HIS IMAGE NOT BECAUSE WE READ THE BIBLE ONCE AND SAY A SINNER’S PRAYER BUT BECAUSE WE CONTINUE IN THE WORD OF GOD AND WE ARE CHANGED INTO HIS IMAGE FROM GLORY TO GLORY TO GLORY. THAT MEANS A LITTLE BIT AT A TIME GOD CHANGES US. DEUTERONOMY 7:22 SAYS THAT GOD DELIVERS US FROM OUR ENEMIES LITTLE BY LITTLE. WE’RE NOT REAL EXCITED ABOUT LITTLE BUT A LOT OF LITTLES WILL EVENTUALLY MAKE SOMETHING BIG.  HAS ANYBODY NOTICED THAT GOD IS NOT IN A BIG HURRY? YOU KNOW WHY?  BECAUSE HE LIKES TO DO THINGS RIGHT AND TO BE HONEST, WHEN YOU’RE IN A BIG HURRY ABOUT THINGS, YOU USUALLY DON’T END UP DOING THEM RIGHT OR WELL. ONE OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO MAKE YOUR MIND UP ABOUT IS EVERYTHING TAKES LONGER THAN YOU’D LIKE IT TO. IF YOU BUILD A HOUSE, IT’S GOING TO TAKE LONGER THAN YOU’D LIKE IT TO AND IT WON’T BE DONE WHEN THEY TELL YOU IT WILL BE DONE.  HASN’T THAT BEEN MOST OF YOUR EXPERIENCE? DOESN’T GET DONE WHEN IT’S SUPPOSED TO GET DONE. MOST THINGS ARE HARDER THAN YOU THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE, THEY TAKE LONGER THAN YOU THOUGHT THEY WOULD TAKE, AND IT COSTS YOU MORE THAN YOU EVER THOUGHT THAT YOU COULD PAY.

ANYONE! THERE’S NO PIT TOO DEEP FOR HIM TO REACH DOWN IN IT AND GET YOU OUT. I’M GOING TO PRAY A PRAYER WITH YOU.  JESUS IS GOING TO COME TO LIVE IN YOU.  YOU’RE GOING TO BECOME THE HOME OF GOD. THAT IS SO BEAUTIFUL! YOU’RE GOING TO GET TO KNOW HIM. YOU’RE GOING TO BEGIN TO PRAY AND TALK TO HIM. DON’T TURN PRAYER INTO SOME RELIGIOUS THING THAT YOU HAVE TO DO AS A DUTY. IT’S TALKING TO GOD. LEARN HOW TO HEAR FROM GOD. STUDY HIS WORD, ONCE AGAIN, NOT AS AN OBLIGATION OR A DUTY BUT TO GET TO KNOW HIM AND TO KNOW HIS WAYS. PRAY THIS PRAYER WITH ME RIGHT NOW:  FATHER GOD, I LOVE YOU. JESUS, I BELIEVE IN YOU. I’M CONVINCED IN MY HEART THAT YOU DIED FOR ME. YOU PAID FOR MY SINS. YOU POURED YOUR BLOOD OUT FOR ME. I’M A SINNER. I’M SO SORRY FOR THE WAY I’VE LIVED.  FORGIVE ME. WASH ME CLEAN OF EVERY SIN. COME AND LIVE IN ME RIGHT NOW.

I RECEIVE YOU, JESUS. I GIVE MYSELF TO YOU. I SURRENDER! NOW YOU’RE MINE AND I’M YOURS. I’M SAVED. MY SINS ARE FORGIVEN.

I’M A CHILD OF GOD. I’M ON MY WAY TO HEAVEN AND I’M GOING TO ENJOY THE JOURNEY! COME ON, GIVE GOD PRAISE. (cheering) (applause)

IT’S JUST THAT SIMPLE!

(Joyce) IF YOU’VE RECEIVED JESUS INTO YOUR LIFE, YOU HAVE JUST BEGUN A JOURNEY TO FREEDOM AND PEACE. CONTACT US. THERE’S A FREE BOOK THAT WE’D LIKE TO GIVE YOU THAT WILL HELP YOU IN YOUR NEW WALK WITH CHRIST. THIS JOURNEY HAS SOME CHALLENGES BUT IT BRINGS MORE JOY THAN ANYTHING YOU’VE EVER EXPERIENCED. JUST REMEMBER THAT JESUS LOVES YOU AND THIS NEW WAY OF LIVING WILL HELP YOU OVERCOME YOUR PAST AND ENJOY YOUR FUTURE. GOD BLESS YOU.

YOU CAN PUT YOUR HANDS DOWN. I’M GOING TO ASK ONE MORE TIME BEFORE WE GO ON WITH THIS. PLEASE!  THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION YOU’LL EVER MAKE IN YOUR LIFE. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE HERE WHO DID NOT LIFT YOUR HAND YET BUT YOU SAY, “DON’T LEAVE ME OUT. I DON’T EVEN KNOW FOR SURE WHAT ALL THIS MEANS, JOYCE, BUT I FEEL IN MY HEART THAT I NEED A CHANGE IN MY LIFE. I’M NOT LIVING RIGHT. THINGS ARE NOT RIGHT AND I WANT TO RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST.” COULD I SEE YOUR HAND RIGHT NOW IF THAT’S YOU?  PRAISE GOD. NOW LISTEN TO ME JUST A MINUTE. HERE’S WHAT I’M GONNA ASK YOU TO DO AND THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. PEOPLE DON’T LIKE TO DO THIS BUT WE’RE NOT ASKING YOU TO MAKE YOU MISERABLE. THERE’S A POINT. I’M GOING TO ASK YOU IN JUST A MOMENT WHEN I TELL YOU TO, TO GET UP OUT OF YOUR SEAT AND COME MEET ME DOWN HERE IN THE FRONT.  YOU SAY, “I DON’T WANT TO GET UP IN FRONT OF ALL THOSE PEOPLE.” WELL, YOU CAN’T START YOUR WALK WITH GOD BEING ASHAMED OF JESUS.

DON’T START OUT TRYING TO BE A SNEAKY CHRISTIAN. IF YOU WON’T TAKE A STAND IN HERE, YOU WILL NOT GO OUT OF THESE DOORS AND EVER TAKE A STAND OUT IN THE WORLD. IF YOU CAN’T STAND UP IN FRONT OF THIS KIND OF PEOPLE, YOU’LL NEVER STAND UP OUT THERE. IF YOU’RE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS, THEN YOU’RE NOT GOING TO MIND THE TIME IT TAKES, YOU’RE NOT GOING TO CARE WHAT ANYBODY THINKS. THE BIBLE SAYS, “IF YOU WILL NOT BE ASHAMED OF HIM, HE WILL NOT BE ASHAMED OF YOU.” I WANT TO PRAY A VERY SPECIAL PRAYER WITH YOU AND WE WANT TO GIVE YOU A GIFT THAT WE BELIEVE WILL HELP YOU GET YOUR NEW LIFE STARTED RIGHT WITH CHRIST.

IF YOU HAVE A FRIEND, YOU’RE WELCOME TO BRING THEM WITH YOU. IF YOU SAW SOMEBODY NEXT TO YOU LIFT THEIR HAND AND THEY DON’T LOOK LIKE THEY’RE GONNA GET UP, WHY DON’T YOU TAKE THEIR HAND AND SAY, “COME ON, I KNOW IT MAY BE KIND OF SCARY BUT I’M GONNA WALK YOU DOWN AND GO WITH YOU.” EVERY ONE YOU RIGHT NOW, IF YOU LIFTED YOUR HAND AND YOU MEANT BUSINESS, I WANT YOU TO FOLLOW THIS YOUNG MAN’S LEAD WHO’S BEING BOLD AND GET UP OUT OF THOSE SEATS AND COME DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW.  COME ON, NOW! RIGHT NOW! FROM ALL OVER THE BUILDING. COME ON, WE’RE GOING TO WAIT FOR YOU.  WHILE WE WORSHIP GOD, WE’RE GOING TO WAIT FOR YOU. GET UP AS CLOSE TO THE ALTAR AS YOU CAN. THIS IS YOUR NIGHT! HALLELUJAH! COME ON AND COME.  KEEP COMING. COME ON, KEEP COMING. YEAH, HA-HA!  WHOO! OUR GOD REIGNS! OUR GOD REIGNS! THERE’S NEW LIFE FOR YOU RIGHT HERE TONIGHT. A MIRACLE IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE IN YOUR HEART. YOU’RE NOT GOING TO LOOK AT YOURSELF IN THE MIRROR AND LOOK ANY DIFFERENTLY, YOU MAY NOT FEEL ANY DIFFERENTLY BUT YOU’RE GOING TO TAKE THIS BASED ON THE WORD OF GOD THAT ANYONE WHO CALLS UPON THE NAME OF JESUS SHALL BE SAVED! (applause)

I DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU ARE TONIGHT WITH GOD BUT GOD GOT YOU HERE AND I BELIEVE THERE ARE PROBABLY SEVERAL THOUSAND PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM TONIGHT WHO ARE NOT RIGHT WITH GOD. YOU’VE EITHER NEVER MADE JESUS CHRIST THE LORD OF YOUR LIFE, YOU DIDN’T UNDERSTAND IT, YOU WERE AFRAID OF IT, YOU WERE PUTTING IT OFF UNTIL SOME OTHER TIME, YOU DIDN’T THINK HE WOULD TAKE YOU THE WAY YOU ARE, AND I NEED YOU TO KNOW TONIGHT THAT HE’S WAITING WITH OPEN ARMS. THEN THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT WHO HAVE TRIED TO SERVE GOD BUT YOU’VE BACKSLIDDEN, YOU’VE FALLEN BACK INTO SIN AND IT’S POSSIBLE THAT YOU’RE EVEN MORE MISERABLE THAN THAT GROUP WHO NEVER RECEIVED CHRIST TO START WITH BECAUSE TO EVEN TASTE OF CHRIST JUST A LITTLE BIT AND THEN FALL AWAY… YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIVE LIKE THAT.  THROUGH RIGHT TEACHING YOU CAN BE TAUGHT HOW TO LIVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFE AND YOU CAN SERIOUSLY RECOMMIT YOUR LIFE TONIGHT.  AND THEN ALL THOSE RELIGIOUS PEOPLE — PEOPLE WHO GO TO CHURCH, YOU GO TO CHURCH. ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN? WELL, I GO TO CHURCH. I CAN GO SIT IN MY GARAGE ALL WEEK AND THAT WILL NEVER MAKE ME A CAR. (laughing)

GOING AND SITTING IN CHURCH DOESN’T MAKE YOU A CHRISTIAN. WHAT MAKES YOU A “CHRIST-IAN” IS TO RECEIVE HIM INTO YOUR HEART, AND LITERALLY WHEN YOU ASK JESUS TO BE YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR, HE COMES TO LIVE IN YOU AND YOU BECOME PREGNANT, SO TO SPEAK, IN YOUR SPIRIT WITH EVERYTHING THAT GOD IS AND THEN YOU BEGIN TO WORK THAT OUT AND WALK THAT OUT IN YOUR LIFE. IT IS THE MOST EXCITING JOURNEY THAT ANYBODY COULD EVER BE ON! (applause)

SO I WANT TO ASK YOU RIGHT NOW WITH EVERY HEAD BOWED AND EVERY EYE CLOSED AND NOBODY PLEASE MOVING AROUND OR DISTURBING ANYBODY, IF YOU’RE HERE TONIGHT AND YOU SAY, “BOY, JOYCE, YOU’RE TALKING TO ME. I NEED TO GIVE MY LIFE TO CHRIST.  I NEED TO GET RIGHT WITH GOD.  I’M ONE OF THOSE RELIGIOUS PEOPLE, I JUST GO TO CHURCH BUT I DON’T THINK I’M BORN AGAIN; I DON’T HAVE THAT NEW LIFE IN CHRIST THAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT.” IF THAT’S YOU, WOULD YOU SLIP YOUR HAND UP REALLY HIGH

AND LET ME SEE WHERE YOU ARE?  COME ON, ALL OVER THIS BUILDING. HIGH, HIGH, HIGH.  UP, UP. YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS TONIGHT.  NOBODY’S GOING TO GO HOME AND REGRET THAT ONCE AGAIN YOU LET AN OPPORTUNITY PASS YOU BY.  THAT’S WONDERFUL. HANDS UP ALL OVER THE PLACE. WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THIS BUILDING, IF GOD IS DEALING WITH YOU RIGHT NOW, I WANT YOU TO GET READY TO SURRENDER.