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> JOEL: GOD BLESS YOU.
IT’S GREAT TO BE WITH YOU
TODAY. I’LL 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 EACH WEEK.
I HEARD ABOUT THIS ELDERLY
COUPLE. THEY WERE HAVING A
TERRIBLE TIME WITH THEIR
MEMORY. THEY WENT TO THE
DOCTOR, HE INSTRUCTED THEM
TO START WRITING DOWN
EVERYTHING THEY HAD BEEN
FORGETTING. THE NEXT NIGHT,
THEY WERE WATCHING
TELEVISION. THE WIFE SAID,
“I SURE WOULD LIKE A BOWL
OF ICE CREAM.”
THE HUSBAND SAID,
“I’LL GO GET IT FOR YOU.”
SHE SAID, “HONEY, YOU KNOW
WHAT THE DOCTOR SAID, YOU
BETTER WRITE IT DOWN.”
HE SAID, “I’M JUST GOING TO
THE KITCHEN, I’M NOT GOING
TO FORGET IT.” HE CAME BACK
A FEW MINUTES LATER AND
HANDED HER A PLATE OF
BACON AND EGGS.
SHE SHOOK HER HEAD, SAID,
“I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN IT.
YOU FORGOT MY TOAST.”
SAY IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT.
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 NEVER BE THE SAME
IN JESUS’ NAME.
GOD BLESS YOU.
I WANT TO TALK TO YOU TODAY
ABOUT DEALING WITH
DIFFICULT PEOPLE.
I WAS GOING TO TITLE THIS
DEALING WITH FRIENDS,
FAMILY, AND COWORKERS.
BECAUSE SOMEONE WILL BE
DIFFICULT, SOMEONE WILL GET
ON YOUR NERVES, A COWORKER
THAT’S JEALOUS, A NEIGHBOR
THAT’S RUDE, A RELATIVE
THAT’S NOT FOR YOU.
HOW YOU HANDLE DIFFICULT
PEOPLE WILL DETERMINE HOW
HIGH YOU WILL GO.
IF YOU TREAT THEM THE WAY
THEY TREAT YOU, THEN YOU’LL
GET STUCK.
IF THEY’RE DISRESPECTFUL
AND YOU’RE DISRESPECTFUL
BACK, THAT WILL KEEP YOU
FROM GOING FURTHER.
THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, “YOU
OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.”
YOU NEVER OVERCOME
DISRESPECT WITH MORE
DISRESPECT.
YOU NEVER GET AHEAD DOING
TO OTHERS WHAT THEY DID TO
YOU.
THAT’S A TEST OF YOUR
CHARACTER.
GOD IS SEEING WHAT HE CAN
TRUST YOU WITH.
WILL YOU BE THE BIGGER
PERSON AND OVERLOOK THE
INSULT?
WILL YOU STAY ON THE HIGH
ROAD AND NOT GET BAITED
INTO CONFLICT?
YOU ONLY HAVE SO MUCH
EMOTIONAL ENERGY EACH DAY.
IT’S NOT AN UNLIMITED
SUPPLY.
IT TAKES A LOT OF ENERGY TO
GET UPSET, TO LIVE
OFFENDED, TO THINK ABOUT
WHAT THEY SAID, TO TRY TO
STRAIGHTEN THEM OUT.
THAT’S ENERGY YOU NEED FOR
YOUR DREAMS, TO PURSUE YOUR
GOALS, TO ENJOY YOUR FAMILY.
DON’T SPEND IT ON THINGS
THAT DON’T MATTER.
YOU CAN’T CONTROL HOW
EVERYONE TREATS YOU, BUT
YOU CAN CONTROL HOW YOU
RESPOND.
WHEN SOMEONE IS RUDE, YOU
DON’T HAVE TO GET UPSET.
WHEN THEY CUT YOU OFF IN
TRAFFIC, THAT DOESN’T HAVE
TO RUIN YOUR MORNING.
WHEN A COWORKER LEAVES YOU
OUT, YOU CAN’T CONTROL
THAT, BUT YOU CAN STAY IN
PEACE KNOWING THAT GOD IS
FIGHTING YOUR BATTLES.
WHEN YOU TAKE THE HIGH
ROAD, YOU’LL NOT ONLY ENJOY
YOUR LIFE MORE, BUT YOU’RE
SHOWING GOD HE CAN TRUST
YOU WITH MORE INFLUENCE,
WITH MORE FAVOR.
DON’T GO THE NEXT TWENTY
YEARS LETTING THE SAME
THINGS UPSET YOU, THE SAME
COWORKER GET ON YOUR
NERVES, THE SAME GRUMPY
RELATIVE STEAL YOUR JOY.
THEY MAY NOT CHANGE; BUT
HERE’S THE KEY, YOU CAN
CHANGE.
SOMETIMES WE’VE TRAINED
OURSELVES TO RESPOND A
CERTAIN WAY.
“IF THEY SAY THIS, I’M
GOING TO GET UPSET.
IF THEY LEAVE ME OUT, I’M
GOING TO LEAVE THEM OUT.
IF YOUR CRAZY UNCLE MAKES
FUN OF ME, I’M GOING TO
TELL HIM OFF.” THE PROBLEM
IS YOU’RE LETTING THEM
CONTROL YOU.
IF THEY PERFORM A CERTAIN
WAY, IT’S GOING TO SOUR
YOUR DAY.
WHY DON’T YOU TAKE THE
CONTROLS BACK?
JESUS SAID, “STOP ALLOWING
YOURSELF TO GET UPSET.”
SOMEONE CAN’T MAKE YOU GET
UPSET; YOU HAVE TO GIVE
THEM PERMISSION TO UPSET
YOU.
YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE CHOICE,
“I’M OFFENDED, I’M
DISCOURAGED, I’M SOUR.”
SOME PEOPLE KNOW EXACTLY
WHAT BUTTONS THEY CAN PUSH
TO GET YOU BENT OUT OF
SHAPE.
NEXT TIME THEY PUSH THOSE
BUTTONS, JUST SMILE AND
SAY, “NOT THIS TIME.
I’M STAYING IN PEACE; I’M
GOING TO ENJOY THIS DAY.”
IF SOMEONE IS
DISRESPECTFUL, RUDE, ALWAYS
FINDING FAULT, THEY HAVE
ISSUES THEY HAVEN’T DEALT
WITH.
THEY END UP WITH
BITTERNESS, ANGER,
INSECURITY, BOTTLED UP ON
THE INSIDE.
SOMETIMES THAT POISON WILL
TRY TO GET OFF ON YOU.
YOU HAVE TO STAY ON THE
OFFENSIVE.
“THEY MAY BE RUDE, BUT I’M
NOT TAKING THE BAIT.
I’M STAYING CALM. I’M GOING
TO BE RESPECTFUL, DESPITE
HOW THEY TREAT ME.
OR MY BOSS CELEBRATES
EVERYONE EXCEPT ME.
HE GIVES OTHERS CREDIT FOR
MY WORK, BUT I’M NOT GOING
TO LIVE SOUR, I’M NOT
WORKING UNTO PEOPLE I’M
WORKING UNTO GOD.” “JOEL,
IF I ALWAYS TAKE THE HIGH
ROAD, PEOPLE WILL TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF ME.
I’LL LOOK WEAK.
I HAVE TO STAND UP FOR
MYSELF.” YOU NEVER GO WRONG
BY TAKING THE HIGH ROAD.
YOU NEVER LOSE OUT WHEN
YOU’RE KIND, WHEN YOU
OVERLOOK AN OFFENSE, WHEN
YOU CHOOSE TO STAY IN PEACE.
THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, “WHEN
YOU’RE GOOD TO YOUR
ENEMIES, IT’S LIKE HEAPING
COALS OF FIRE ON THEIR
HEAD.” YOU WOULD THINK, IF
WE TREAT OUR ENEMIES THE
WAY THEY TREATED US THAT
WOULD BE GOOD PAYBACK.
“IF THEY TALK BAD ABOUT ME,
I’M GOING TO TALK BAD ABOUT
THEM. IF THEY LEAVE ME OUT,
I’M GOING TO LEAVE THEM OUT.
IF SHE’S RUDE TO ME, TWO
CAN PLAY AT THAT GAME, I’LL
BE RUDE TO HER.” THAT FEELS
GOOD TO OUR FLESH, TO LET
THEM HAVE IT, BUT YOU NEVER
COME OUT AHEAD BY DOING TO
OTHERS WHAT THEY DID TO YOU.
THE REAL WAY YOU SEE FAVOR,
INCREASE IS YOU BLESS YOUR
ENEMIES.
WHEN YOU’RE GOOD TO THOSE
THAT ARE NOT GOOD TO YOU,
NOT ONLY WILL YOU RISE
HIGHER, BUT GOD WILL DEAL
WITH THOSE WHO ARE NOT
TREATING YOU RIGHT.
HE KNOWS HOW TO HEAP COALS
OF FIRE, HOW TO PUT
PRESSURE, HOW TO MAKE THEM
THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT YOU.
SEVERAL TIMES IN THE
SCRIPTURE, IT REFERS TO THE
BELIEVER AS AN EAGLE.
ISAIAH SAID, “YOU WILL
MOUNT UP WITH WINGS LIKE AN
EAGLE.” IT’S SIGNIFICANT
THAT GOD CHOSE AN EAGLE.
AN EAGLE CAN FLY HIGHER
THAN JUST ABOUT ANY OTHER
BIRD. THEY’VE SPOTTED
EAGLES AT THIRTY THOUSAND
FEET IN THE AIR, UP WHERE
THE BIG JETS FLY.
I READ WHERE A CROW IS A
NATURAL PEST TO THE EAGLE.
ALTHOUGH THE EAGLE IS
BIGGER AND STRONGER, THE
CROW IS MORE AGILE, IT CAN
TURN QUICKER, MANEUVER
FASTER.
SOMETIMES TO ANNOY THE
EAGLE, THE CROW WILL FOLLOW
RIGHT BEHIND THE EAGLE,
JUST PESTERING IT, TRYING
TO CAUSE IT TROUBLE.
THE EAGLE COULD TURN AROUND
AND TRY TO FIGHT, THINK,
“I’M BIGGER THAN THIS CROW,
I’M GOING TO SHOW HIM WHO I
AM.” INSTEAD, WHEN THE
EAGLE IS TIRED OF DEALING
WITH THE CROW, IT DOESN’T
TRY TO OUTMANEUVER IT,
MOVING LEFT AND RIGHT, IT
SIMPLY STARTS FLYING
HIGHER AND HIGHER.
THE CROW CAN’T GO WHERE THE
EAGLE CAN GO.
IT CAN’T HANDLE THAT HIGH
OF AN ALTITUDE, EVENTUALLY
IT WILL FALL AWAY.
IN LIFE, THERE WILL ALWAYS
BE SOME CROWS.
YOU MAY WORK WITH CROWS,
YOU MAY HAVE NEIGHBORS THAT
ARE CROWS, YOU MAY BE
SITTING BY A CROW.
JUST LAUGH AND THEY WON’T
KNOW IT.
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE PEOPLE
THAT CAN GET ON YOUR NERVES.
THEY FEEL LIKE IT’S THEIR
CALLING IN LIFE TO ANNOY
YOU, IRRITATE YOU, PUSH
YOUR BUTTONS.
THAT WILL CONTINUE TO
HAPPEN AS LONG AS YOU’RE
STAYING DOWN AT THEIR LEVEL.
YOU’LL GET UPSET, BE BAITED
INTO CONFLICT, LIVE
OFFENDED.
YOU HAVE TO REALIZE YOU’RE
AN EAGLE.
THE WAY YOU GET RID OF
CROWS IS NOT ENGAGING WITH
THEM BUT BY GOING UP HIGHER.
DON’T PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT
THEY’RE SAYING, QUIT
READING THE NEGATIVE
COMMENTS, DON’T LET THAT
OFFENSE GET DOWN IN YOUR
SPIRIT.
IF YOU DO, YOU’LL GET DRAWN
INTO CONFLICT.
YOU’RE AN EAGLE, YOU’RE NOT
SUPPOSED TO BE FIGHTING
WITH CROWS.
YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE
UPSET WITH SOME CHICKENS,
PECKING AROUND, DEALING
WITH THINGS THAT DON’T
MATTER.
QUIT BEING FRUSTRATED BY
THE TURKEYS, PEOPLE THAT
DON’T UNDERSTAND YOU,
PEOPLE THAT MAKE A LOT OF
NOISE TRYING TO STEAL YOUR
PEACE.
THOSE ARE DISTRACTIONS,
TRYING TO GET YOU OFF
COURSE, WASTING TIME AND
ENERGY THAT YOU NEED TO
PURSUE YOUR GOALS.
YOU CAN’T STOP THE CROWS
FROM CROWING.
YOU CAN’T STOP THE CHICKENS
FROM PECKING.
THE PEOPLE BEING RUDE, THE
OFFENSE, THE DISRESPECT,
THAT GROUCHY NEIGHBOR, THAT
CRITICAL COWORKER, BUT YOU
CAN SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND
RISE HIGHER.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO GET
ENGAGED IN THOSE PETTY
THINGS THAT DON’T MATTER.
YOU WERE CREATED TO SOAR,
DESIGNED TO DO BIG THINGS,
TO LEAVE YOUR MARK, TO BE A
HISTORY MAKER.
DON’T WASTE YOUR VALUABLE
TIME DEALING WITH CROWS.
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE PEOPLE
THAT DON’T UNDERSTAND YOU,
PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT FOR
YOU, THAT TRY TO HINDER
YOUR CALLING.
YES, THEY’LL SAY HURTFUL
THINGS, TRY TO MAKE YOU
LOOK BAD, PUT YOU AT A
DISADVANTAGE.
HUMAN NATURE IS TO GET IN
THERE AND FIGHT, STRAIGHTEN
THEM OUT, SHOW THEM WHAT
WE’RE MADE OF.
DON’T TAKE THAT BAIT.
THAT’S A DISTRACTION.
THEY DON’T CONTROL YOUR
DESTINY.
THEY DIDN’T BREATHE LIFE
INTO YOU.
THEY DIDN’T CHOOSE YOU
BEFORE YOU WERE FORMED IN
YOUR MOTHER’S WOMB.
WHAT THEY SAY CANNOT STOP
YOUR PURPOSE.
DON’T GIVE IT THE TIME OF
DAY.
IGNORE IT AND MOVE FORWARD.
YOU KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN?
THE CROWS WILL FALL AWAY.
THEY CAN’T HANG WITH YOU.
THEY CAN’T GO WHERE YOU’RE
GOING.
GOD PUT GREATNESS IN YOU.
THERE’S A LOT OF NEGATIVE
CHATTER THESE DAYS.
WITH ALL THE SOCIAL MEDIA,
WAYS TO COMMUNICATE, PEOPLE
CAN EXPRESS THEIR OPINION
SO EASILY AND SAY THINGS
THAT ARE DEROGATORY, TRY TO
DISCREDIT YOU.
THE ONLY POWER THAT HAS IS
THE POWER YOU GIVE IT.
IF YOU LET IT GET IN YOU,
YOU START DWELLING ON IT,
THAT WILL POISON YOUR
SPIRIT.
OVER TIME IT WILL CHANGE
WHO YOU ARE.
YOU’LL BECOME DEFENSIVE,
TRY TO PROVE TO PEOPLE
YOU’RE OKAY, YOU’RE NOT
WHAT THEY SAID.
YOU’RE GIVING THEM YOUR
POWER.
YOU’RE ENGAGED IN A BATTLE
THAT YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO
BE IN. THE CROWS ARE GOING
TO CROW, MAKE A LOT OF
NOISE.
THE CHICKENS ARE GOING TO
PECK, THERE’S GOING TO BE
GOSSIP, JEALOUSY,
CRITICISM. PEOPLE WILL HAVE
PLENTY OF OPINIONS ABOUT
HOW YOU ARE TO RUN YOUR
LIFE, WHAT YOU SHOULD WEAR,
WHAT YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY
ON, HOW YOU SHOULD RAISE
YOUR CHILDREN.
SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE ARE SO
FOCUSED ON THEIR GOALS,
THEIR DREAMS, THEY DON’T
PAY ATTENTION TO THE CROWS.
QUIT LETTING THAT POISON
GET IN YOUR SPIRIT.
YOU HAVE A DESTINY TO
FULFILL.
GOD HAS GIVEN YOU THE GIFT
OF LIFE.
HE COULD HAVE CHOSEN ANY
ONE TO BE HERE AT THIS
TIME, BUT HE CHOSE YOU AND
ME.
LET’S MAKE THE MOST OF THIS
DAY.
HOW MUCH TIME ARE YOU
WASTING OFFENDED, UPSET,
LETTING DIFFICULT PEOPLE
STEAL YOUR JOY?
IT’S TIME TO GET FOCUSED.
TUNE OUT ALL THE NEGATIVE
AND RUN YOUR RACE WITH
PURPOSE.
IN 2 KINGS 2, ELISHA WAS
TRAVELING FROM JERICHO TO
BETHEL.
AS HE WAS WALKING DOWN THE
ROAD, THESE YOUNG MEN CAME
OUT AND STARTED MAKING FUN
OF HIM BECAUSE HE WAS BALD.
THEY SAID IN VERSE 23, “GET
OUT OF HERE YOU BALDHEAD,
MOCKING HIM, AGAIN AND
AGAIN. GO AWAY, BALDY.”
ELISHA COULD HAVE BEEN
UPSET, OFFENDED.
HE AND HIS MEN WERE BIGGER,
STRONGER.
HE COULD HAVE GONE OVER
THERE AND STRAIGHTENED THEM
OUT, BUT HE DIDN’T TAKE THE
BAIT.
HE SAID IN EFFECT, “I’M
GOING TO STAY IN PEACE AND
LET GOD FIGHT MY BATTLES.”
HE UNDERSTOOD THEY WERE
JUST A BUNCH OF CROWS,
MAKING A LOT OF NOISE,
TRYING TO GET HIM
DISTRACTED, ENGAGED IN
BATTLES THAT DIDN’T MATTER.
HE KEPT ON GOING.
AS HE WALKED ON, TWO BEARS
SUDDENLY CAME OUT OF THE
WOODS AND MAULED ALL
FORTY-TWO BOYS THAT WERE
MAKING FUN OF HIM. WHEN YOU
LET GOD BE YOUR VINDICATOR,
HE’LL TAKE CARE OF WHO’S
TRYING TO STOP YOU.
HE’LL DEAL WITH THE
DISRESPECT, THE JEALOUSY,
THE PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING
YOU WRONG.
YOU’RE AN EAGLE.
DON’T COME DOWN AND FIGHT
BATTLES THAT DON’T MATTER.
YOU KEEP SOARING, KEEP
DOING THE RIGHT THING AND
GOD WILL DEAL WITH THE
CROWS, THE CHICKENS, AND
THE TURKEYS.
ALL THAT NEGATIVE CHATTER,
IT’S JUST NOISE.
IT CANNOT STOP YOUR DESTINY.
PSALM 45 SAYS, “GOD HAS
ANOINTED US WITH THE OIL OF
JOY.” WHEN YOU WALK IN YOUR
ANOINTING, THERE’S AN OIL
ON YOU TO WHERE NOTHING CAN
STICK.
YOU’RE LIKE A TEFLON PAN.
DISRESPECT WILL COME,
PEOPLE WILL SAY HURTFUL
THINGS, THE GOOD NEWS IS
YOU HAVE A NO STICK
ANOINTING.
YOU CAN LET THAT GO AND IT
WILL SLIDE RIGHT OFF OF
YOU, NOT HAVE ANY EFFECT.
THAT COWORKER LEAVES YOU
OUT, PLAYS POLITICS, YOU
COULD BE OFFENDED, UPSET,
BUT YOU HAVE THE OIL OF
JOY, YOU JUST LET IT GO.
SOMEONE IS RUDE TO YOU,
JUMPS DOWN YOUR THROAT, YOU
COULD BE RUDE BACK TO THEM,
GIVE THEM A PIECE OF YOUR
MIND, BUT LIKE THAT TEFLON
PAN, IT SLIDES RIGHT OFF,
YOU GO ON AND ENJOY THE DAY.
YOU WEREN’T CREATED TO HOLD
ON TO THINGS, OFFENSE,
DISRESPECT, HURTFUL WORDS.
NEXT TIME SOMETHING HAPPENS
THAT COULD UPSET YOU,
INSTEAD OF RESPONDING THE
SAME WAY, TRY A DIFFERENT
APPROACH.
“FATHER, THANK YOU THAT
I’VE BEEN ANOINTED WITH THE
OIL OF JOY.
I’M GOING TO STAY IN PEACE,
I’M GOING TO FOCUS ON MY
GOALS KNOWING THAT YOU ARE
FIGHTING MY BATTLES.”
YOU CAN’T GET RID OF THE
DIFFICULT PEOPLE, BUT IF
YOU’LL RESPOND THE RIGHT
WAY, THEY WON’T KEEP YOU
FROM HAVING A BLESSED,
PRODUCTIVE, FAVOR FILLED
DAY.
ARE YOU LETTING THINGS
UPSET YOU THAT DON’T HAVE
TO UPSET YOU?
ARE YOU GIVING AWAY YOUR
POWER, LETTING WHAT PEOPLE
DO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT
YOU’RE GOING TO BE HAPPY?
YOU NEED TO TAKE CONTROL
BACK OF YOUR HAPPINESS.
QUIT PUTTING IT IN SOMEONE
ELSE’S HANDS.
IF YOU’RE COUNTING ON
EVERYONE TO TREAT YOU NICE
AND BE KIND AND SAY GOOD
THINGS, THEN YOU’RE GOING
TO BE HAPPY, YOU’RE GIVING
THEM YOUR POWER.
YOU CONTROL YOUR HAPPINESS.
YOU HAVE TO MAKE UP YOUR
MIND, NO MATTER WHAT PEOPLE
DO, NO MATTER WHAT THEY
SAY, HOW THEY TREAT YOU,
THEY’RE NOT GOING TO STEAL
YOUR JOY.
THEY MAY NOT WANT TO BE
HAPPY, BUT THEY SHOULDN’T
KEEP YOU FROM BEING HAPPY.
THEY MAY BE RUDE, ANGRY,
DISRESPECTFUL, BUT YOU
CAN’T LET THEIR ISSUES SOUR
YOUR DAY.
BE LIKE THAT TEFLON PAN,
LET IT BOUNCE OFF OF YOU
AND ENJOY YOUR DAY DESPITE
OF WHAT THEY DO.
I WAS AT AN ELECTRONICS
STORE TO BUY SOME PARTS FOR
OUR TELEVISION EQUIPMENT,
THIS WAS BACK WHEN I WORKED
BEHIND THE SCENES IN
PRODUCTION HERE AT LAKEWOOD.
THE PARTS WERE IN THE BACK,
THE STAFF HAD TO GET THEM
FOR YOU.
I HAD DONE THIS MANY TIMES
BEFORE.
THE MAN AT THE COUNTER WAS
ON THE PHONE, HE WASN’T IN
ANY HURRY TO GET OFF.
HE COULD SEE ME STANDING
THERE, BUT HE TALKED ABOUT
FIFTEEN MINUTES.
I WAITED PATIENTLY,
EVENTUALLY HE HUNG UP.
I THOUGHT HE WOULD
ACKNOWLEDGE ME AND SEE WHAT
I NEEDED, BUT HE NEVER
LOOKED UP.
FINALLY, I ASKED IF HE
COULD HELP ME.
YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT I
HAD JUST INSULTED HIM. HE
SAID SO GRUFFLY, VERY
AGGRAVATED, “WHAT DO YOU
NEED?” I ASKED HIM FOR THIS
CERTAIN PART. HE LOOKED AT
IT AND SAID, “WE DON’T
CARRY THAT. WE NEVER HAVE.”
I TOLD HIM HOW I’D
PURCHASED IT THERE MANY
TIMES BEFORE.
HIS FACE GOT REAL RED,
SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF
HIS EARS, HE LOOKED LIKE HE
WAS ABOUT TO EXPLODE.
HE USED SEVERAL CURSE WORDS
AND SAID, “I TOLD YOU I
DON’T HAVE IT, NOW DON’T
ASK ME FOR IT AGAIN.”
I WANTED TO SAY, “I’LL ASK
YOU AS MANY TIMES AS I FEEL
LIKE ASKING. I’LL CALL YOU
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
IF I WANT TO.”
BUT I NOTICED HE WAS BIGGER
THAN ME.
I JUST SMILED AND SAID, “NO
PROBLEM. HAVE A NICE DAY.”
I DIDN’T MEAN IT BUT AT
LEAST I SAID IT.
I HAD TO MAKE THIS CHOICE.
WAS I GOING TO LET HIS
POISON GET IN ME, POLLUTE
MY DAY, SOUR MY ATTITUDE,
SPEND MY EMOTIONAL ENERGY
UPSET, AGGRAVATED?
OR WAS I GOING TO BE A
TEFLON PAN, HAVE THAT NO
STICK ANOINTING, LET ALL
THAT DISRESPECT, THE ANGER,
THE POISON SLIDE RIGHT OFF
OF ME.
I DECIDED TO LET IT GO.
YOU CAN’T STOP PEOPLE FROM
DUMPING THEIR GARBAGE, BUT
YOU CAN KEEP YOUR LID ON.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO LET ALL
THEIR TRASH GET IN YOU.
SOMETIMES WE HAVE
UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS.
WE THINK WE’LL HAVE A GOOD
DAY, AS LONG AS WE DON’T
ENCOUNTER ANY RUDE PEOPLE,
AS LONG AS OUR FAMILY SAYS
NICE THINGS, AS LONG AS OUR
COWORKERS PERFORM
PERFECTLY, THEN WE’LL STAY
IN PEACE.
BUT THAT’S NOT REALITY.
DIFFICULT PEOPLE ARE ALL
AROUND.
THERE WILL BE SOMEONE THAT
CAN STEAL YOUR JOY, GET YOU
OFFENDED, LEAVE YOU OUT,
SAY SOMETHING THAT’S NOT
TRUE.
THE KEY IS NOT TRYING TO
AVOID IT, IT’S TO HANDLE IT
THE RIGHT WAY.
DON’T TAKE THE BAIT.
DON’T LET THE OFFENSE STAY.
DON’T DWELL ON THE NEGATIVE
COMMENTS.
KEEP YOURSELF OILED UP, TO
WHERE YOU DON’T LET
ANYTHING STICK.
THIS IS HOW YOU LIVE HAPPY,
NOT BY AVOIDING DIFFICULT
PEOPLE, BUT BY NOT TAKING
THEIR GARBAGE.
BY NOT RESPONDING TO THEM,
THE WAY THEY TREATED YOU.
IT’S BY BEING AN EAGLE, BY
RISING HIGHER THAN THE
OFFENSE, THE HURT, THE
JEALOUSY.
WHEN GOD CAN TRUST YOU TO
DO THE RIGHT THING WHEN
IT’S HARD, THERE’S NO LIMIT
TO HOW HIGH HE WILL TAKE
YOU.
THERE WAS A MAN WALKING
DOWN THE STREET WITH HIS
FRIEND TO GET A NEWSPAPER.
WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT THE
CORNER STORE, THE CLERK IN
THE SMALL NEWSSTAND WAS
VERY COLD, INCONSIDERATE,
NOT FRIENDLY AT ALL.
THE MAN BOUGHT THE PAPER
AND SAID POLITELY, “I HOPE
YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY.” AS
THEY WALKED AWAY, THE
FRIEND SAID, “IS THAT CLERK
ALWAYS THAT RUDE?” HE SAID,
“YES, EVERY MORNING.” HE
SAID, “WELL ARE YOU ALWAYS
THAT NICE TO HIM?” THE MAN
SAID, “YES, EVERY MORNING.”
THE FRIEND LOOKED PUZZLED
AND SAID, “WHY?” THE MAN
SAID, “I’VE MADE UP MY MIND
I’M NOT GOING TO LET ONE
PERSON RUIN MY DAY.” LIKE
HIM, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A
MADE-UP MIND, YOU’RE NOT
GOING TO LET ONE NEGATIVE
COMMENT RUIN YOUR DAY.
YOU’RE NOT GOING TO LET A
DISRESPECTFUL COWORKER, A
CLASSMATE THAT’S MAKING FUN
OF YOU, A DRIVER THAT CUTS
YOU OFF IN TRAFFIC, TO SOUR
YOUR DAY.
DECIDE AHEAD OF TIME, “I’M
PUTTING ON THE OIL OF JOY.
WHATEVER COMES MY WAY,
NEGATIVE COMMENTS,
DISRESPECT, RUDE PEOPLE,
THAT’S GOING TO SLIDE RIGHT
OFF OF ME.”
HOW MUCH MORE WILL YOU
ENJOY YOUR LIFE, IF YOU’LL
HAVE THIS NO STICK
ANOINTING?
YOU CAN’T CONTROL WHAT
PEOPLE DO.
IF THEY WANT TO BE
OFFENSIVE, RUDE, HARD TO
GET ALONG WITH, THAT’S
THEIR CHOICE.
BUT YOU CAN CONTROL HOW YOU
RESPOND.
THE MOST POWERFUL THING YOU
CAN DO, IS LET IT SLIDE
RIGHT OFF, DON’T GIVE IT
THE TIME OF DAY.
DON’T THINK ABOUT IT
ANYMORE, DON’T RELIVE IT,
DON’T GO CALL YOUR FRIENDS
AND TELL THEM WHAT THEY
SAID.
KEEP YOUR HEART PURE.
SAVE YOUR EMOTIONAL ENERGY
TO LIVE THIS DAY TO THE
FULL, TO PURSUE YOUR
DREAMS, TO LOVE YOUR
FAMILY, TO BE GOOD TO YOUR
NEIGHBOR’S.
WHEN SOMEONE IS RUDE,
THEY’RE OFFENSIVE, DON’T
TAKE THAT PERSONALLY.
IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU, IT’S
THEIR OWN STRUGGLES ON THE
INSIDE.
THEY DON’T LIKE THEMSELVES,
THAT’S WHY THEY DON’T LIKE
YOU.
THEY’RE UPSET OVER THINGS
THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO
WITH YOU, YOU JUST HAPPENED
TO ENTER THEIR STORY WHEN
THEY’RE BLOWING OFF STEAM.
STAY OILED UP AND MOVE ON.
NONE OF THAT WILL STOP YOUR
DESTINY, UNLESS YOU GET
DISTRACTED AND START
FIGHTING BATTLES THAT DON’T
MATTER, TRYING TO PAY
PEOPLE BACK INSTEAD OF
LETTING GOD BE YOUR
VINDICATOR.
THIS IS WHAT DAVID DID.
1 SAMUEL 25, DAVID AND HIS
MEN HAD BEEN LIVING OUT IN
THE COUNTRYSIDE, THEY WERE
ON THE RUN FROM KING SAUL.
A MAN NAMED NABAL, LIVED IN
THE CITY OF CARMEL NOT FAR
FROM DAVID.
HE WAS VERY WEALTHY, WITH
THOUSANDS OF SHEEP AND
GOATS.
BUT VERSE 3 SAYS, “NABAL
WAS A MEAN MAN, HE WAS
DISHONEST AND HARD TO GET
ALONG WITH.” DAVID AND HIS
ARMY HAD BEEN PROTECTING
NABAL’S PROPERTY BY JUST
BEING THERE.
THEY WERE VERY POWERFUL,
THEY COULD HAVE TAKEN THE
FLOCKS, GOT RID OF HIS
SHEPHERDS, BUT THEY WERE
GOOD TO NABAL.
IT WAS TIME FOR SHEERING
THE SHEEP, THE HARVEST
SEASON.
DAVID SENT MESSENGERS TO
NABAL ASKING FOR FOOD SINCE
THEY HAD BEEN PROTECTING
HIS FAMILY AND FLOCKS.
YOU WOULD THINK NABAL WOULD
BE GRATEFUL, HE HAD THESE
MEN WATCHING AFTER HIM, BUT
NABAL WAS VERY RUDE.
HE SAID, “WHO IS THIS MAN,
DAVID?
I NEVER ASKED HIM TO DO TO
ANYTHING FOR ME.
I DON’T OWE HIM A PENNY.
TELL HIM TO FORGET IT, I’M
NOT GOING TO GIVE HIM
ANYTHING.” WHEN DAVID HEARD
THAT, IT SET HIM OFF.
HE DIDN’T THINK ABOUT THE
OIL OF JOY.
HE DIDN’T SING THE PSALM HE
WROTE, “THIS IS THE DAY THE
LORD HAS MADE, LET’S BE
GLAD.” HE WAS FURIOUS.
HE TOLD HIS MEN, “PACK UP,
WE’RE GOING TO GO TAKE CARE
OF NABAL.” HE SAID, “AS
SURELY AS I LIVE, NOT ONE
OF NABAL’S FAMILY MEMBERS
WILL BE ALIVE BY THIS TIME
TOMORROW.”
DAVID WAS OFFENDED, ANGRY.
HE WASN’T GOING TO LET
NABAL GET BY WITH INSULTING
HIM. YES, THERE ARE TIMES
WE’RE SUPPOSED TO FIGHT, WE
NEED TO TAKE ACTION.
DAVID FOUGHT GOLIATH.
BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE
THAT BATTLE IS BETWEEN YOU
AND YOUR DESTINY.
IF NOT, IT’S A DISTRACTION.
DAVID WAS SO WROUGHT UP IN
HIS EMOTIONS, HE DIDN’T
REALIZE THIS WASN’T A
BATTLE HE WAS SUPPOSED TO
FIGHT.
HOW MANY TIMES ARE WE
FIGHTING BATTLES, BECAUSE
LIKE DAVID, WE’RE OFFENDED,
WE’RE UPSET, THEY DID US
WRONG, BUT THAT WASN’T A
BATTLE BETWEEN US AND OUR
DESTINY.
IT WAS JUST OUR FLESH
GETTING RILED UP, WANTING
TO TAKE MATTERS INTO OUR
OWN HANDS.
WE WERE SUPPOSED TO LET IT
SLIDE OFF, NOT DWELL ON IT,
AND TRUST GOD TO BE OUR
VINDICATOR.
HERE’S HOW MERCIFUL GOD IS.
DAVID WAS HEADED TOWARD
NABAL’S HOUSE, FULL SPEED
AHEAD, ABOUT TO MAKE A
MISTAKE THAT WOULD HINDER
HIS DESTINY.
NABAL’S WIFE WAS A LADY
NAMED ABIGAIL.
SHE WAS A WISE WOMAN.
SHE LOADED UP TWO HUNDRED
LOAVES OF BREAD, TWO
HUNDRED BOTTLES OF WINE,
FIVE HUNDRED CAKES AND
HEADED OUT TO MEET DAVID.
WHEN SHE SAW HIM, SHE BOWED
DOWN LOW AND SAID, “DAVID,
MY HUSBAND IS A FOOL.
HE’S HARDHEADED, HOT
TEMPERED, DISHONEST. HE
SHOULDN’T HAVE INSULTED YOU.
I’VE BROUGHT YOU THESE
GIFTS HOPING YOU’LL FORGIVE
HIM.” SHE WENT ON TO SAY,
“DAVID YOU ARE CALLED TO BE
THE KING OF ISRAEL.
WHY WOULD YOU EVEN FIGHT
WITH THIS FOOL?
WHY WOULD YOU WASTE YOUR
TIME WITH THIS STUBBORN MAN?
DON’T LET THIS NEEDLESS
BATTLE BE A BLEMISH ON YOUR
RECORD.” SHE SPOKE WISDOM
INTO DAVID.
SHE WAS SAYING, “DAVID,
LOOK AT WHO YOU ARE, YOU’RE
THE NEXT KING.
GOD IS GOING TO ENTRUST YOU
WITH AN ENDURING DYNASTY
BUT YOU’RE ABOUT TO BLOW IT
TAKING REVENGE ON THIS
FOOL.” DAVID CAME TO HIS
SENSES.
HE SAID, “ABIGAIL, THE LORD
GOD OF ISRAEL SURELY HAS
SENT YOU TO ME TODAY.
FOR IF YOU HAD NOT KEPT ME
FROM CARRYING OUT VENGEANCE
WITH MY OWN HANDS, NOT ONE
OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS
WOULD BE ALIVE.”
WE’RE ALL GOING TO
ENCOUNTER NABAL’S IN LIFE,
PEOPLE THAT ARE RUDE,
HARD TO GET ALONG WITH,
OFFENSIVE.
I’LL ASK YOU WHAT ABIGAIL
ASKED DAVID, “WHY ARE YOU
FIGHTING WITH A FOOL?
WHY ARE YOU IN CONFLICT
WITH SOMEONE THAT’S NOT
GOING ANYWHERE?
WHY ARE YOU UPSET WITH THAT
PERSON THAT CUT YOU OFF IN
TRAFFIC?
YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW THEM.
WHY ARE YOU OFFENDED AT THE
COWORKER?
THEY’RE NOT BETWEEN YOU AND
YOUR DESTINY.” THEY CAN’T
STOP WHAT GOD HAS PLANNED
FOR YOU.
SO, THEY DON’T LIKE YOU,
THEY MADE NEGATIVE
COMMENTS, THEY LEFT YOU
OUT, THAT’S A TEST. YOU
CAN’T REACH YOUR DESTINY
WITHOUT DIFFICULT PEOPLE.
DON’T GET DISTRACTED,
BAITED INTO CONFLICT, IN
BATTLES THAT DON’T MATTER.
BE LIKE THAT TEFLON PAN,
DON’T LET ANY OF IT STICK.
GOD HAS AN AWESOME FUTURE
FOR YOU, BUT THE ENEMY WILL
WORK OVERTIME, LIKE WITH
DAVID, TO TRY TO GET YOU
DISTRACTED, OFFENDED,
TRYING TO PAY PEOPLE BACK.
DON’T TAKE THE BAIT.
ABIGAIL CAME BACK HOME THE
NEXT MORNING, TOLD HER
HUSBAND WHAT SHE HAD DONE.
WHEN HE HEARD IT, NABAL HAD
A STROKE, BECAME PARALYZED.
TEN DAYS LATER HE DIED.
ABIGAIL WAS A BEAUTIFUL
WOMAN; DAVID DIDN’T WASTE
ANY TIME.
HE SENT WORD ASKING HER TO
BECOME HIS WIFE; SHE AGREED.
WHEN YOU LET GOD FIGHT YOUR
BATTLES, YOU’LL COME OUT
BETTER THAN YOU WERE BEFORE.
I’M NOT SAYING YOU’RE GOING
TO GET AN EXTRA WIFE, BUT
HE’LL MAKE IT UP TO YOU.
BUT IF IT HADN’T BEEN FOR
ABIGAIL, IF SHE HAD NOT
STOPPED DAVID FROM ACTING
ON HIS EMOTIONS, WE MIGHT
NOT BE TALKING ABOUT DAVID.
IF YOU LET PEOPLE GET YOU
UPSET, OFFENDED, WHERE
YOU’RE FOCUSED ON PAYING
THEM BACK, YOU CAN MISS
YOUR DESTINY.
MAYBE TODAY I’M YOUR
ABIGAIL.
MAYBE GOD SENT ME TO REMIND
YOU TO NOT LET DIFFICULT
PEOPLE BAIT YOU INTO
CONFLICT, STEAL YOUR JOY,
CAUSE YOU TO LIVE
FRUSTRATED, SPENDING ENERGY
ON THINGS THAT DON’T MATTER.
YOU CAN’T GET AWAY FROM THE
NABAL’S.
YOU MAY PRAY ONE AWAY, BUT
NABAL JR WILL SHOW UP
TOMORROW.
YOU HAVE TO MAKE UP YOUR
MIND THAT DIFFICULT PEOPLE
ARE NOT GOING TO CONTROL
YOU, YOU’RE NOT GOING TO
LET THEM OFFEND YOU, UPSET
YOU, PUSH YOUR BUTTONS.
TURN THOSE BUTTONS OFF.
STAY IN PEACE.
TIME IS SHORT. WE’RE NOT
ALWAYS GOING TO BE HERE.
DON’T WASTE ANOTHER MINUTE
FIGHTING WITH THE CROWS,
ARGUING WITH CHICKENS,
DEBATING WITH TURKEYS.
BE AN EAGLE.
START RISING ABOVE THAT.
IF YOU’LL DO THIS, I
BELIEVE AND DECLARE, YOU’RE
NOT ONLY GOING TO ENJOY
YOUR LIFE MORE, BUT GOD
WILL TAKE CARE OF YOUR
NABAL’S.
YOU’RE GOING TO SEE
VINDICATION, PROMOTION,
FAVOR, BREAKTHROUGHS, NEW
LEVELS OF YOUR DESTINY, IN
JESUS’ NAME.
IF YOU RECEIVE IT, CAN YOU
SAY AMEN TODAY?
(APPLAUSE)
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 SIMPLE
PRAYER, WE BELIEVE YOU GOT
BORN AGAIN. WE’D LOVE TO
SEND YOU SOME INFORMATION
ON YOUR WALK WITH THE LORD.
JUST TEXT THE NUMBER OR YOU
CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE.
I HOPE YOU’LL GET INTO A
GOOD BIBLE-BASED CHURCH AND
KEEP GOD FIRST PLACE.