A (11:43)

I am.

B (11:43)

I am who God says I am. When the prophet Samuel came to David's house to choose the next king, David's father, Jesse lined up very proudly all of his sons. All, that is, except David. Jesse didn't even bother to bring David in from the shepherd's fields. He was saying, David's too young. He's too small. He's not talented, he doesn't have the experience or. All my other sons are big, strong, impressive. But the scripture says God doesn't judge the way people judge. People look on the outside. God looks on the inside. You may not be as, quote, impressive as somebody else. Don't worry about it. God put in you exactly what you need. Other people may not see it, but almighty God can see it. Eleanor Roosevelt said, no one can make you feel inferior without your permission. People may have tried to push you down, leave you out, make you feel insignificant, let that bounce off of you like water off of a duck's back. David's own father didn't really believe in him. He didn't even have the courtesy to go get him from the shepherd's fields to at least let Samuel take a look at him. David could have let that rejection cause him to feel inferior, intimidated, not valuable. No, David understood this principle. He knew how to hit the delete button. His father's voice came to him, saying, you're not as good as your brothers. Delete. You're not big enough. Delete. You're not talented. Delete. You'll always be stuck in the shepherd's fields. Delete. If David would have allowed his father's voice to become a stronghold, we wouldn't be talking about him today. Let me ask you, are There any viruses that are contaminating your computer? Are you allowing what people have spoken over you to hold you back? The scripture tells how we've got to pull down these strongholds. We can't stop the negative voices from coming, but we can choose whether or not we're going to dwell on them. God's given each one of us a delete button. I talked to a man that was raised by a very negative father. His father was always putting him down, telling him what he couldn't become. And this son in his 20s and even through his 30s, he couldn't seem to get ahead. Life was always a struggle. Had a college degree, but he couldn't get a good job, couldn't keep a steady relationship. He told how his father's words were always playing in the back of his mind. You'll never be successful. You don't have what it takes. Even on his deathbed, his father looked at him and said, you, brother never amounted to anything and you won't either. Last words he ever heard his father speak. For years he went around angry, inferior. He wouldn't take a new position. He didn't feel qualified. He was too afraid. All these bondages because of the words that were spoken over him. We know the importance of a father's blessing and what weight and what importance that carries. But unfortunately, some people don't receive that blessing. One day he heard me talking about wrong mindsets and make sure you don't have things that are holding you back. He realized his father's words had become a stronghold. He started hitting the delete button, reprogramming his software instead of, you don't have what it takes. Delete. I'm equipped, I'm empowered. I'm well able. Instead of, you'll never amount to anything. Delete. I will fulfill my destiny. I will become all that God's created me to be. Today, this gentleman is extremely successful, has a beautiful family. They volunteer at our services. Everything changed when he started hitting the delete button. Maybe, like him, you didn't receive your earthly father's blessing. The good news is you have your heavenly father's blessing. Almighty God is saying to you, you are my masterpiece. You are one of a kind. You have seeds of greatness. You are equipped, strong, talented, beautiful. That's what should be playing in our mind. No matter who tried to tell you otherwise. A parent, a friend, a coach, a neighbor. Delete that and reprogram your software. You are not defective. You are not flawed. You have been fearfully and wonderfully made. I know some of you have been through unfair situations. People have spoken things over you that they had no business saying. You could easily go around feeling bad. Low self esteem, low self worth. No. Don't ever let what someone said or what someone did keep you from knowing who you really are. You are a child of the Most High God. You have royal blood flowing through your veins. God has crowned you with his favorite and people may have tried to push you down and make you feel insignificant, but that does not change who you are. You are still the apple of God's eye. You are still his most prized possession. God still has an amazing future in front of you. If you will hit that delete button, get rid of any strongholds. God will take what was meant for your harm and he will use it to your advantage. The psalmist said, even if my father and mother forsake me, God will adopt me as his very own child. I know a lady that for many years struggled with her self worth. Growing up, she never felt like she was good enough and like she fit in. Come to find out, these insecurities stemmed from being a child born out of wedlock. Her mother and father weren't married, and as a little girl, one day she saw her birth certificate and and a little box was checked that said not legitimate. That phrase became ingrained in her thinking all through her childhood, her teenage years. Anytime she tried to move forward, those words would come up in her mind once again. You're a mistake. Nobody even wanted you. You're not valuable. She didn't know any better. She believed that lie. It was affecting her personality, her attitude, even her marriage. One day she heard this truth that your worth and value doesn't come from people, it comes from Almighty God, she said. It was like something exploded on the inside. She recognized those words were holding her back in bondage. And she decided to start hitting the delete button when those thoughts came saying, you're not valuable. You have no future. Instead of dwelling on it and letting it depress her, she reprogrammed her software. I'm not a mistake. I'm not an accident. God chose me to be here before the foundation of the world. I'm accepted. I'm approved. I am valuable. Her attitude was, no matter what my birth certificate says, I know I am legitimate. Almighty God breathed His life into me today. She's living a blessed, free, confident life. Make sure there are no strongholds that are keeping you back. I've learned anytime we try to move forward in faith, there will always be people trying to contaminate our Software. They may not do it on purpose, but they'll tell you what you can't do and why it's not going to work out. And my cousin tried and failed, and my grandmother died of that same disease. The negative voices will come out of the woodwork, but remember, God didn't put the promise in them. God put the promise in you. Don't let people talk you out of your destiny. For years, while Carl Lewis was training for the Olympic Games, all the experts said a person would never be able to jump 30ft in distance. The scientists had done their studies, ran all their calculations. According to their research, no one would ever be able to jump that far. A reporter asked Carl Lewis what he thought about it. He said, yes, I know the experts say it can't be done, but I don't dwell on it. I know talk like that has a way of sinking down to my feet. He was saying, if I dwell on that long enough, it's going to reprogram my software and convince me that it's impossible. Carl hit the delete button and went out that year to jump over 30ft and break the world record. I say this respectfully, but the experts are not always right. The experts told my mother she wouldn't be alive today. The experts told us we would never have this beautiful facility. The experts told David he could never defeat Goliath. Of course we should stay open, listen to good advice and wise counsel. But God's ways are not our ways. Sometimes God will drop things in your heart that don't make any sense, things that go against normal logic. Years ago, my father tried to build a new sanctuary again and again. But every time he went to get started, he felt a check in his spirit. He knew it wasn't the right time. So he waited, year after year. Finally, in 1987, when Houston was in the greatest recession our city has ever seen, it was two weeks before Christmas. My father had just gotten out of the hospital from having open heart surgery when he heard God whisper in his ear, now is the time to build. All the experts said, no way. This is the worst possible time to get started. You'll never raise the money in this economy. Plus your health is weak. It's going to be hard on you as you recover. On and on, my father listened to their advice. But when he left, he said, thanks, but no thanks. He hit the delete button. God, you say now's the time to build. We're going to build. They went on to build that sanctuary in a little over a year, totally debt free. I like this saying. Faith begins with stuffing your ears full of cotton. Don't let people talk you out of it. A college student told his professor he had an idea to start an overnight shipping company. The professor dismissed it, said, that's not a good idea. That company would never get off the ground. The student hit the delete button and started the company anyway. He called it Federal Express. It's done pretty good. Thomas Edison invented the phonograph. He told the world it has no commercial value. Even Thomas Edison was wrong. All the experts told a young man named Emmett Smith that at 5ft 9 inches tall, he was too small and too slow to play professional football. Emmet grew up in a low income family, lived in public housing. Most of the scouts said it's not going to work out. But Emmett knew how to hit the delete button and he went on to rush for more yardage than any player in NFL history. Emmett has won three Super Bowls. He's in the hall of Fame. Plus he won Dancing with the Stars, and that's important. What are the experts telling you that you can't do? You're too tall, too short, too young, too old. It's not a good idea. Why don't you delete all the negative voices and let Almighty God be your expert? After all, he controls the universe. He knows what he put in you. He's the one that can bring your dreams to pass. Heard a story about a young boy named Theodore Giesel. He loved to draw, had a very vivid imagination, and every spare minute he spent drawing pictures and cartoons. His dream was to become an artist and create children's books. In high school, he took his first art class. When the teacher saw his work and how it was so cartoonish and so playful, he said, son, you'll never be an artist. This is not your gift. This looks like child's play. Theodore dropped out of the art class but continued to draw. He took his first children's book to a publisher, but they said the same thing. This is not something people are going to buy. It's too cartoonish. He went to another publisher and another. He was turned down 29 times. All the experts said marketable. But publisher number 30 decided to take a chance. Instead of using his normal name, he chose the name Dr. Seuss. Dr. Seuss went on to sell more children's books than any person in history. Are the experts telling you you can't accomplish your dreams? You can't get well, you can't get out of debt, you can't go back to school? No like Dr. Seuss. Start hitting the delete button. God didn't put the dream in them. He put the dream in you. You have what you need, the talent, the strength, the wisdom, the favor to do what God has put in your own heart. When my father went to be with the Lord and I stepped up to pastor the church, all the experts said, he can't minister. He's never done it before. He's too young. He doesn't have the training. Never been to cemetery. I mean, seminary. He doesn't have that booming voice. He doesn't have that dynamic personality. On and on, day after day. I had to hit the delete button. I remember one time I was in the front lobby after service, and I just finished my message. This was like the second or third time that I ministered. I overheard these two ladies in the lobby talking. One said, he's not nearly as good as his father. The other one said, yeah, there's no way this is ever going to last. Those words were like daggers. I was already intimidated, insecure. That was like the last thing that I needed to hear. But I realize now sometimes God allows things like that on purpose. Those are tests of our faith to see what we're made of. When I heard that, something rose up on the inside. And I thought to myself, you may not think it's going to last, but what you think doesn't really matter. I don't need your approval. I have Almighty God's approval. Today, 12 years later, they're gone. And I'm still here. And you know, the funny thing is, I don't miss them. Start hitting the delete button. It's not going to last. Delete. It's impossible. Delete. You don't have what it takes. Delete. Read about a gentleman named Daniel. He was born with a learning disorder. He has severe dyslexia, where he has trouble recognizing words. He can barely read, barely write. Plus, he has coordination problems. He couldn't tie his shoe or button his shirt until he was in the fifth grade. In the 1960s, when he grew up, the teachers referred to him as being mentally retarded. Some of the students would make fun of him, call him names. Slow, dumb, weirdo. It looked like he would sit on the sidelines of life and let that disability hold him back. No, not Daniel. He knew how to hit the delete button. He didn't let the negative comments take root. Today, people don't call him dumb. They don't call him slow. They don't. They call him Governor. Daniel Malloy is now The Governor of Connecticut. He can still barely read. He says writing is almost impossible. But just because you have a quote limitation that doesn't have to keep you from your destiny. Start hitting the delete button. You are not who people say you are. You are who God says you are. Reprogram your software. Get rid of any scrapbook strongholds that are keeping you back. Friends, your life is going to follow your thoughts. Some of you have had this negative recording playing over and over in your mind. I'm asking us to change the recording. Put on what God says about you. You are blessed, you are forgiven, you are talented, you are a masterpiece. Don't let any viruses contaminate your computer. If you will be quick to hit the delete button. Keep your mind filled with thoughts of faith. Like David, you will overcome every negative word spoken over you. Like the governor. A limitation won't hold you back. Like Emmett Smith, the experts won't determine your destiny. God will. I believe and declare you will rise higher, accomplish dreams, overcome obstacles and become everything God's created you to be. Do you receive it today? We never like to close our broadcast without giving 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. Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get in a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. He's going to take you places you've never dreamed of.

A (29:34)

Fear can be a powerful force and will try to make you feel alone, stuck without hope. But fear doesn't have to get the final say. There is a way out.

B (29:46)

Fear is a powerful force, but so is faith. What we focus on shapes our reality. In my new book, no More Fear, you have the mind of Christ. I'll show you how to silence fear and live boldly in faith and confidence. Just like David said, though I walk through the valley, I will not fear. You too can walk through life's challenges without being paralyzed by fear. I can't promise you you'll never feel fear. But I can teach you how to rise above it. By dwelling on what God says. Learning to replace the anxious thoughts with faith filled ones. You can live from a place of peace, power and purpose.

A (30:25)

As our way of saying thank you for your gift of any amount that this month we would like to send you a copy of Joel's book no More Fear. You have the mind of Christ. The Bible proclaims the Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I Fear. This powerful and practical book will help you silence doubt, overcome anxiety, and step boldly into God's overcoming power. When fear whispers, you can't. This devotional will stir your faith to declare God will. Each page reminds you that you weren't created to live in fear or despair. You were created to live with passion, purpose and confidence in God's plans for your life. Let God's Word equip you to rise above fear and walk in victory.

B (31:14)

Fear doesn't have the final say. God does. Be bold, be strong and step up to who has he made you to be? Victoria and I want you to know we're praying for you and your family, believing for God's very best. Thank you so much for your prayer and support. Your generosity is helping people around the world. As we finish this year, I hope you'll consider making a special year end gift. Helps to keep the ministry strong. I always want to thank our Champion of Hope partners for your monthly gifts. If you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. Until we see you next time. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

A (31:53)

Be sure to request your copy of Joel's new book no More Fear. You have the mind of Christ. Visit joellostein.com or call 888-567 Joel and for an additional gift this month we're also offering the God's Word Work Study Collection. This empowering sense includes the niv the Message Parallel Bible, Joel's no More Fear Devotional, the classic how to read you'd Bible and enjoy it, plus a beautifully crafted leather bookmark with pen. You can request these inspiring scripture discovery resources by calling 888-567 Joel or logging on to joellostein.com today. Call or click anytime 24 hours a day. Silence, Fear. Strengthen your spirit. Let God's word equip you to rise above fear and walk in victory. Request these resources today. With stays under $250 a night, Vrbo makes it easy to celebrate sweater weather. You could book a cabin, stay with leaf views for days, or a brownstone in a city where festivals are just a walk away. Or a lakeside home with a fire pit for cozy nights with friends. Or if you're not a sweater person, we can call it corduroy weather. More flexible and with stays under $250 a night, you can book a home that suits your exact needs. Book now@vrbo.com hey weirdos, I'm Alaina. And I'm Ash and we are the hosts of Morbid Podcast. Each week we dive into the dark and fresh, fascinating world of true crime, spooky history, and the unexplained. From infamous killers and unsolved mysteries to haunted places and strange legends. We cover it all with research, empathy, humor, and a few creative expletives. It's smart, it's spooky, and it's just the right amount of weird. Two new episodes drop every week, and there's even a bonus once a month. Find us wherever you listen to podcasts.

B (33:56)

Yay.

A (33:57)

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