Rekindling Dreams: Pursuing God's Best for Our Lives

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. **Genesis 29:15-30** - The story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel.
2. **2 Corinthians 5:5** - "The Spirit of God wets our appetite by giving us a taste of what's ahead."
3. **Jeremiah 29:11** - "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

#### Observation Questions
1. What was Jacob's initial agreement with Laban regarding Rachel, and how was he deceived? ([42:17])
2. How does the story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel serve as an allegory for our own lives according to the sermon? ([47:25])
3. What does 2 Corinthians 5:5 suggest about God's promises and our dreams?
4. According to Jeremiah 29:11, what are God's plans for us, and how do they contrast with settling for less?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Jacob working for Rachel illustrate the concept of striving for God's best in our lives? ([42:17])
2. What does the sermon suggest about the temporary nature of 'Leah' seasons in our lives? How should we view these seasons? ([58:28])
3. How does the pastor's personal anecdote about the motorcycle shop relate to the broader spiritual message of not settling? ([34:41])
4. What sacrifices might be necessary to pursue God's vision for our lives, as illustrated by the story of the church's beginnings? ([56:30])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you have settled for less than God's best? What steps can you take to move towards the 'Rachel' in your life? ([36:40])
2. The sermon mentions the cost of following God's vision. What sacrifices are you willing to make to pursue the dreams and visions God has placed in your heart? ([56:30])
3. If you find yourself in a 'Leah' season, how can you remind yourself that this is temporary and prepare for the 'Rachel' season? ([58:28])
4. How can you rekindle your commitment to Christ if you feel you have settled in your spiritual life? What practical steps can you take this week? ([01:11:46])
5. Living proactively towards your dreams involves daily intentional actions. What specific actions can you take this week to move closer to your God-given dreams? ([01:02:28])
6. The sermon encourages us to recognize where we've settled. Identify one area in your life where you have become complacent. What is one immediate action you can take to change this? ([36:40])
7. How can you support others in your small group who may be struggling with settling for less? What practical ways can you encourage and uplift them? ([55:42])

Day 1: Unmasking Complacency in Our Lives
In our spiritual journey, it's easy to become comfortable with the status quo, especially in areas where we should be striving for more. Recognizing where we've settled is the first step towards making a change. It's essential to examine our lives critically and identify where we might be accepting less than what God has promised us. This could be in our personal relationships, our careers, or even our spiritual practices. By acknowledging these areas, we open the door to God's transformative power and prepare ourselves for the growth He desires for us. This recognition is not just about seeing the shortcomings but also about envisioning what could be if we align more closely with God's intentions for us. [41:23]

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you have become complacent, and how can you begin to address this with God's help?

Day 2: The High Cost of God's Vision
Pursuing the vision God has for our lives often requires significant sacrifices. This might mean giving up comfort, facing hard truths, or stepping into roles that challenge us. The story of our church's early days, where personal sacrifices paved the way for growth, mirrors the biblical principle that valuable achievements in God's kingdom are seldom without cost. Embracing this aspect of spiritual growth encourages us to invest ourselves fully, not just in hopes of personal gain but to fulfill the greater purpose God has laid out for us. This commitment is a testament to our faith and a declaration that we trust God's plan over our comfort. [56:30]

"And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:38 ESV)

Reflection: What are you currently holding onto that God is asking you to sacrifice for the sake of His vision for your life?

Day 3: Temporary Seasons of Challenge
Every believer will face 'Leah' seasons—times when things aren't going as hoped or when we feel like we're not where we're supposed to be. However, these seasons are only temporary and serve a purpose in God's grand design. They prepare and strengthen us for the 'Rachel' seasons—the fulfillment of God's promises. Understanding that these challenging times are not permanent can help us to endure and learn from them, rather than being defined by them. This perspective shift is crucial for maintaining hope and perseverance in our faith journey. [58:28]

"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." (2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a past 'Leah' season in your life. How did it prepare you for a 'Rachel' season that followed?

Day 4: Rekindling Our Spiritual Commitment
If you've found yourself drifting or settling in your faith, consider this a divine invitation to rekindle your commitment to Christ. It's never too late to renew our dedication and pursue the fullness of life that God offers. This decision to not settle for mediocrity can dramatically shift our spiritual trajectory, sparking a new chapter filled with growth and deeper connection with God. Let this day be the starting point of a renewed journey towards the dreams and visions God has placed in your heart. [01:11:46]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV)

Reflection: What does rekindling your commitment to Christ look like practically in your daily life?

Day 5: Proactively Pursuing Our God-Given Dreams
Living proactively towards our dreams involves daily decisions that align with God's vision. It means speaking life into our aspirations and not being discouraged by setbacks or delays. God's timing is perfect, and He is actively preparing us for what's to come. By keeping our faith active and our actions aligned with our beliefs, we position ourselves to step into the roles and opportunities God has prepared for us. This proactive stance is essential for seeing our God-given dreams come to fruition. [01:02:28]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9 ESV)

Reflection: What is one action you can take today to move closer to a dream God has placed in your heart?

Good morning. Wow. Wasn't that great, our worship team? Man, I love it. I love the energy that's on that team. Love to listen to you worship.

Well, if I haven't got to tell you yet today, I want to tell you that I love you dearly from my heart. Anita and I do. We consider it a real privilege to journey with you on this journey.

Last week, we had the opportunity of ministering in a church in Macon. I think we met with them three or four times. They're a growing church, helping them to grow. They've been sending some of their people here to learn better. And we just enjoy that God's allowing us. And Pastor Chris did an amazing job last week. That was a great teaching. We thank God.

Doesn't matter who's behind this pulpit at the Father's house. Everyone carries a great word because they carry the anointing of the house. They're not building a castle, but we're building the kingdom of God. And it's good to see you. Some of you have been gone different places. We're good to see you today. Welcome back. God bless you.

Well, if you have your Bible today, your iPhone, your iPad, however you read the word, let's say this together today.

This is my Bible. It is the word of God. It is life to me. And I will never be the same again in Jesus' name. Amen.

Father, we love you today. We thank you for the amazing answers to prayer that you have already provided. How awesome it is to know you. And today, Lord, as we approach this two-part teaching that we're going to do this week and the following week, we ask you to direct us and guide us, bring things to our remembrance that we had forgotten, that you had spoken to us years ago to accomplish.

And I pray today, Holy Spirit, that you would anoint me. Don't let me say anything I shouldn't say, but let me say everything I should say today in the name of Jesus. And at the end of this teaching today, Father, our main goal is that you be glorified, that the saints be edified, and the devil be terrified in the name of Jesus.

Well, it was Father's Day weekend. I just turned 60. And we... We were standing in a big dog motorcycle shop in Daytona looking at super choppers. I looked and I found this beautiful blue chopper. And I thought, man, that is really beautiful. I stood there. Anita and I, we talked, we prayed. And I stood there and I had remembrances.

And I said to myself, I don't want to go through life always just settling. And by that, I meant I had all these things in my mind. Now, when I was in high school, of course, my dad wouldn't let me have a car until I graduated. Thank God for a good dad that just doesn't let you do your own. And second of all, I had to buy my own, all right? So that's a good thing.

And so he said, you know, you can have a motorcycle. So all my friends had big Harleys. One of my friends had a 305 Big Bear Scrambler that I still am envious of to this day. And I had a 90cc Yamaha trail bike. Even my wife, when she was in school, she had a 350 Yamaha bagger that I did. And I often, man, I just, it just sucks to settle when you want something.

And then I thought, yeah. And I passed all the heirs of the super sports cars. You know, when I got out of high school and my friends had fast Mustangs, they had 57 Chevys. You know, I'm dating myself from some of you that are younger. And I had, we found a 1960 pale green Bel Air Chevy parked in a cow pasture that wouldn't run. The transmission was out of it.

So we took the transmission out of it automatic and put a three-speed Hurst in there. And I drove the car, even though I settled. And I stood in that chopper shop. And the thought came to me, I'm not going to 10 years from now look back and regret that I didn't at least have one chopper in my life. And I drove out that day in this beautiful blue chopper.

Now, they call those beer-hopping choppers because they're designed for short trips. But we made a lot of long trips on that. I know some of that didn't amount to anything to some of you ladies especially. But here's what I want to ask you today. What is it? Or where is it that you've settled?

And immediately, the Holy Spirit brings something to your mind. You started something. You began something. Maybe it was school. Maybe it was that, you know, you had that desire to be close to God. And so you pressed in. But as you were pressing in, it just kind of got now that you just feel, yeah, that was a time in my life. And you've settled.

What is it? Is it a dream? Is there a dream that God gave you to accomplish something? And because you started and it was difficult and you've given up on that dream? Maybe it was a promise that God gave you that he was going to do something special in your life. Now it's been years and you think that's not there.

Maybe it was that you thought the Lord was going to heal you. And you believed that. But you've learned to settle. And instead of praying and believing God for your healing, you said something like this. Well, I guess I'll just live with this for the rest of my life. Or maybe it's a promotion. And we get discouraged and we quit believing.

And we begin to water down what God wants us to do instead of stepping out in faith. And we just say, well, you know, I'm just safe right now. Safe. Safe is like kissing your sister. That's not a place to be. We don't want to live safe.

Now here's what some of you may think. Terry, I don't really like my job, but at least I'm employed and it's good enough. I was believing for a nice house, but I guess this apartment will have to do. I was hoping I would get well, but I'm learning to live with my sickness. I guess I'm at least okay.

I know I'm not where I should be to be thriving with the Lord, but I'm okay. I'm okay. Here's what the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5 and 5. The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what's ahead. He's shown you things in your dream. He's asked you to start a business.

He's asked you to go back to school. He's asked you to step out in faith in the area of your life. He's asked you to believe for Him and get your own house, your own property. He's a God that wants to bless you, but we get to the place that we want to be safe.

Years ago, we had faith to believe for things. But now we've maybe... Maybe you've hit 60 or 70. We're going to just slide for the rest of our life. And if you have a heartbeat, God is saying it's not time for you to give up. He's wanting to reestablish that dream, that desire to get beyond beige and do something colorful with your life.

It's not okay to just be okay. The enemy can't stop God's plan for your life. But he'll do his best to convince you to settle along the way. Where have you settled? Where have you settled?

Jeremiah 29 and 11 says, For I know the plans. This is God speaking. For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord. Read it with me. Plans for good and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope. He said, I know the plans. And they're not outdated. They're still alive.

That dream, that purpose, that job that He showed you, that promotion that you're going to get. It just seems like everything has pushed you against that. That expansion of your business. He's shown you already how to expand that business. But you've become safe.

After all, you know, we came through COVID and people who weren't safe. Now look, God hadn't called us to be safe. He said, I've given you a future and a hope. We have to have a holy determination or resolve that says, I refuse to settle for less than God promised me.

You haven't. You've missed your chance. What God promised you is still on the table. So don't water it down. Don't have a partial healing. Don't have a make-do promotion or we got a good enough marriage.

There was a guy in the Old Testament that I'd like for us to reintroduce ourselves to. And if you have your Bible, turn with me because it's going to be a long passage in Genesis 29. Because he faced the same thing that some of us are facing because we've settled. Just settled.

We've settled. Man, I just felt the Holy Spirit just speak to me to somebody specific in this service or maybe watching online. And God showed you what he wants to do with your life. He showed you the position that you're supposed to hold.

He's shown you that it's beyond you just working for somebody else, but he's shown you that he's got a place for you, something for you to do. And you haven't stepped out in faith in that because it seems like such a big challenge and you've settled. You've settled.

So Jacob, we're going to study today. Let me remind you, he is the son of Isaac, the grandson of Abraham. And so he's run to Laban, his uncle, because he's just deceived his brother and cheated him out of his inheritance. And he ran for his life to the area of Laban, where Laban is, his uncle.

And he comes there and he starts working and serving him. So follow with me, Genesis 29, verse 15. Laban is his uncle. Then Laban said to Jacob, because Jacob had been working for him, "Because you're my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, would you underline this? Tell me, what should your wages be?" Would you underline that? What should your wages be? Say that with me. What should your wages be?

Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the elder was Leah and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah's eyes were delicate. Some translations say weak. They lacked luster. There was something strange about her eyes. She could have been cross-eyed. We don't know. But Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance.

I think that's interesting that God was sure that he put in there that you would know that it's all right to have a nice form and it's all right to have a nice appearance. You know? Don't just get up and show up somewhere the way you got out of bed. You look in the mirror and you make a difference with your life, men and women.

In fact, when I get to heaven, I want to be sure I look up Rachel. I want to see how God looks at somebody that's beautiful in form and beautiful. Just a side note, that's silly, right? Now, Jacob, yeah, Anita will be there.

Now, Jacob, he loved Rachel. And he said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter." And Laban said, "Well, it's better that I give her to you than I should give her to another man. Stay with me."

So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled. I've worked seven hard years, and now I want to go into her." Now we want to be married.

Then Laban gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast. Now it came to pass in the evening that he took Leah, his daughter, and brought her to Jacob, and he went into her. And Laban gave his maid, Zipla, to his daughter Leah as a maid.

And so it came to pass in the morning, after the hangover, after he had lights, because it was dark, he gave his daughter Leah as a maid. And so it came to pass in the morning, after the hangover, it was dark the night, and she had a veil on.

And it came to pass in the morning that, behold, it was Leah. Evidently, Leah was a cohort to this deception. And so he says to Laban, "What is this you've done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?"

It's interesting, the deceiver has just been deceived. And Laban said, "Well, it must be done so in our country to give the younger before the firstborn. So just fulfill a week with her. Just go through the wedding ceremony for a week. And then I will give you Rachel if you'll work for me for another seven years."

And Jacob did so and fulfilled the week. He gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife also. And Laban gave his maid, Bilhah, to Rachel as a maid. Then Jacob also went into Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years.

Now, I know some of you are a little upset, but it seems like that she was just merchandise that was merchandised off. But you got to realize in that culture, marriages were arranged. And as Tina Turner said, what's love got to do with it? It had nothing to do with love. It was compatibility.

And you say, well, that's not fair. Hey, it was only 150 years ago that we quit doing the same thing in our culture. Marriages were arranged. I know some of you wish that your parents had arranged who you married. That was the former relationship.

And the whole thing about multi-wives, that's not God's design. Later, Jesus says, he brings light to that. And he says in Matthew 19, 4 and 6, marriage is to be between one man, biological man, and one biological woman. That's marriage. One, not multiple.

So you say, well, then why didn't God say something? Well, just listen to this. This is so important. Just because God tolerates sin for a season doesn't mean he approves of it. You may be walking in sin in the face of God and just ignoring him and coming to church and pretending that everything is all right.

And God, you're not going to do that. You're not going to do that. God hasn't chastised you yet. And so you get into a season and you think it's all right to live the way that you are. But I'm telling you, it may be a season, but God's word is still true.

Now, I want to look at this passage this morning and use this historical truth as an allegory. For those of you that forgot about English a long time ago, allegory is literally a literary device that shows how a story carries a broader application than just the historical significance.

So allegorically for us today, Rachel represents the ultimate. Rachel represents the best. Rachel represents your pursued dream, the dream that God gave you. Rachel represents the vision that God gave you for what he wants you to do. Rachel represents how it was when you first fell in love with Jesus and you met Jesus and you accepted him into your heart.

But Leah, now I'm going to probably stir up more questions than I can answer this morning. So good luck, life group leaders. Leah, and I know it seems unfair to us, but Leah was the second best. Leah wasn't the dream of Jacob. Rachel is best. Leah is survival. Rachel is revival.

So I want to say to you, some of you have settled for a cross-eyed Leah in your life when you desired a Rachel. And I'm not talking about a person. I'm talking about the ultimate dream, the ultimate vision that God had for you. And it was up here and you've come to this place and said, man, that's so hard to go from here to there.

And circumstances have given me a Leah. And so I guess I need to settle with Leah and never have the ultimate of the Rachel in my life. So I think there's some life lessons for you. And I'm going to talk to you about that.

Number one, you decide. Say that with me. You decide. Look at your neighbor and say, it's up to you what you're going to receive. He said, what should your wages be? Well, he said, well, I would like to have Rachel and I'll work seven years. He set the wages, not Laban. He said it.

So you see, some of you are looking at circumstances and you're waiting for circumstances to change so that you can find a way to live. And I'm going to talk to you about that. Fulfill the dream that God has for you. No, you set the wages. You speak with your mouth what you're going to receive.

You're saying, no, I'm not going to settle for anything less than Rachel. And I'll work seven hard years to accomplish that. You decide. Don't live with Leah when you really want a Rachel. Don't settle for less when God promised you the best.

Don't settle with addiction when you know that God wants you to be free. Don't settle with the smoke of a past relationship with God when you've been touched by the power of the Holy Spirit and you know the difference in smoke or the fire of God. Don't settle for the smoke, but when, and forget the power of the Holy Spirit and don't settle for dread, dead, dry stuff.

When you've experienced the rain of the Holy Spirit, you decide. No, don't tell me it's somebody else's fault. Don't tell me it's a church. Don't tell me it's a person you work for. Don't tell me it's a person that doesn't give you a break. I'm telling you, you've got a higher power in your life. His name is God.

And if he's shown you something to accomplish, you can accomplish that, but you've got to set the wages. You've got to start saying, I'm not going to settle where I am. This is where we're going. We're not going to settle, but we're going to where God wants us.

And number two, here's another life lesson. I wish I didn't have to say this, but this is so real. Expect the crossroads. Expect the crossroads. Verse 25 says, so it came to pass in the morning, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, "What is this you've done to me? I was waiting for Rachel. You've deceived me."

He woke up that morning with less than his original dream. Now, let me tell you something that happened as a result of this. This swap, the bride in the darkness of the night resulted in a tradition among this culture that on the wedding night, when they were being married, she pulled down the veil to be sure that it was the right one because nobody wanted to do the tricky swap anymore of giving you a Leah when you were expecting a Rachel.

Some of you need to do the tricky swap anymore. To be sure that veil is pulled down on where you are right now and realize this is not what God has for me. This is not where I'm supposed to be. I know it. And so I'm not going to settle.

It was a sneaky switch. There comes a point in everyone's life that you come to a crossroads somewhere halfway to your promise, to your dream, to your destiny. And you have one of two choices. I'll just settle. I'll make the best of it.

I know God's called me to the mission field, but the ages, the years have stacked up. And I guess I'll just spend the rest of my life supporting other people who go. I know God showed me how to start a business. I know the business he wants me to do. But do you realize how much it costs? Do you realize how many times people have failed?

Do you remember how many times in my past I started and it didn't accomplish? It's good enough. I'll just settle. Many times before the plan comes into fulfillment, you have an interruption. I want to tell you right now, what you're experiencing is just an interruption.

Life is too short. I remember the story of a farmer. He told his friend, he said, I'm taking Betsy the milk cow to the auction and I'm selling her. He said, why in the world would you take the producer of your milk? He said, because I'm tired of getting kicked every time when I try to get milk.

So that morning he woke up. And he said to Betsy, "Betsy, life is too short for you to kick the daylights out of me every day. You're going to the auction and I'm selling you. Life is too short."

I'm here to say to you today, life is too short for you to settle for less than that God has intended for you to do. Less than. We just settle.

Read the story about a man who worked hard all year long for one week vacation. And on that one week vacation every year, he'd take his mother-in-law. And somebody asked him, said, why in the world would you take your mother-in-law on a one week vacation? Because that's all you get.

He said, because when she goes with me, one week feels like a month. I guess he didn't want to settle. Here's what I know we have to do. We have to contend, not pretend.

Some of you have been pretending everything is okay. And boy, today the Holy Spirit is messing up with your lunchbox. He's stirring something deep in you that you've let go dormant for years. Why? Because he has something so far above.

He has something so far above what this church is experiencing right now. These churches that we're able to pour into. These churches that we're able to help mentor and grow. I stood there last week and the lady, the pastor's wife looked at me and Anita and she started crying.

She said, who are you people? Who are you that you'd come to a small church like ours? Who are you? Be wherever you want. Why would you come and invest in our life? Because it's just simply this. We know that there are churches all around the world that are less than what God wants them to be.

And they settled for you and me and we three in a personal parking spot. And that's all it is when the King of Kings wants us to be a church that establishes kingdom in all the earth and brings forth his glory and power. Can you say amen, amen, amen?

Leah is cheaper than Rachel. But Rachel's worth the price. God's purpose and destiny for our life is no blue light special on a dream. It's going to cost you. Where we're sitting here today has cost Anita and I dearly.

At the very beginning it cost us all of our savings, all of our retirement. We put all that in. We didn't have anyone financially backing us. We stepped out in faith. We came to Leesburg, knew three, four people. We had lunch with them.

And we started, we talked to our pastor. And he said, yeah, I'll run an article. Everybody, and the building you're sitting in right now, the little 150 people we had on the boulevard. They gave, they gave their retirement. One gentleman gave their wedding bands of he and his wife.

Said we don't have any money, but we see this building. We see that the future that you would be sitting here the way that you are. And they said we're willing to sacrifice and we're willing to give. Anything that is worth having of God's is going to cost you a sacrifice.

You may have to give more than you thought. The Bible says in Jude 3 to contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saints. Leah the less or Rachel the best.

Some of you are single. Especially some of you girls. And maybe you're hitting 35. And people have asked you, when are you going to get married and have kids? And so you've settled for a Leah in your life. Because you feel like you're going to get married.

You feel like that you should be married. Look, when somebody says to you, why aren't you married? Just say to them, why haven't you broken a hip? Most everybody your age has already broken a hip.

Number three. Please nobody break a hip this week. I love this point. Don't allow a chapter to become your book. Sometimes you have to have a season of Leah before you get your dream.

He had to spend a week. He worked seven years. But he had to spend a week with Leah. It was a season. It wasn't where he was always going to be. Some of you are stuck in a season. And that's not what God has for you.

Don't let a chapter. And sometimes chapters in books are real painful. But how many of you know some of the painful chapters of your book, of your life, has become the greatest when you look back and say, look what God brought me through.

It was an impossible situation. Look how he healed me. Look how he restored me. Look what he brought. So I'm saying to some of you this morning, be encouraged. It's a season. I know it's been a long season.

And I know you feel like it's been a season from hell. But you can't settle. You see, not settling may mean going back to school. Not settling. Settling means that maybe you need to get near to God like you used to be.

Not settling may mean that you develop your business plan. That dream, that vision that he's shown you. You begin writing it out and you begin showing that of how it should be. For some of you sitting here today, maybe you need to get serious and put a ring on it.

Why would you settle for just living together when God created us not to live together? But I mean, where is the commitment? Where is the commitment in just living together? Somebody just wants to live with you. That means whenever they want, they can just leave you.

Maybe you need to put a ring on it today or this week or close near. Maybe we'll do another one of those ceremonies that we've done before. Put a ring on it. And we'll do some mass weddings.

Maybe you need to get into a support group to break the addiction. Maybe you need to stop talking about how bad your marriage is. And start working on your marriage, spending time with the person that you're married to.

Maybe it's time to go back to the gym. Maybe it's time to take long walks at night instead of watching too much TV and eating chips and ice cream. Maybe you need to be proactive to get back in shape.

But I wonder where you could be in five years, three years. I wonder where you could be next year. At the same time, if we left today and said, I will not settle for less. I'll keep this job right now. This is my season with Leah.

But I know the promotion is coming. You need to start saying that every day. My promotion is coming. The property that God wants me to have is coming. That dream is coming.

And here's what I know. Delayed destiny. Delayed destiny does not mean that your destiny is denied. Delayed destiny does not mean that your dream has been denied.

You remember the three Hebrew boys that were thrown in the fiery furnace? Their hands were locked and they were in the fiery furnace. And then the king came back. I mean, the fire was so hot that when the soldiers threw them in, they died because they burned alive.

And so they're in the fire. And the king comes and he says, whoa, I don't know what's happening. But there's four men. There's four men walking around in there. And the fourth one looks like the son of God.

When I get to heaven, I got to ask that question. How do you know it looks like the son of God? You heathen king? I just don't understand. I mean, don't you read things like that and just wonder?

You know, people ask me, well, how'd they know that? I said, I don't know. I'm going to ask too, just like you, okay? And if you go to the other place, maybe I'll send a message to you and tell you the answer.

But here's my point. They went in and their hands were tied. But at the fire, they literally burned the rope off, but didn't destroy them. Here's what I've seen in my heart.

For the last several weeks as I've been preparing for these two teachings, this one and next week, I've seen cords that are being broken, chains that are going to fall off, addiction that's held you back, sickness that's held you back, financial difficulties.

Now, you need to start seeing yourself free. See yourself. See yourself moving into what God wants you to do. And number four, just plan to persevere over the long haul.

You know, one thing I've learned in ministry that the most important thing is a person's character, not their abilities. A lot of people have a lot of competency in areas, but they have no character. They have no character.

I'm telling you, I'll take character over ability anytime because character keeps you. For 28 years, the Father's house has been here. The Father's house is a church of character.

I walked the streets last night, and so many people from the city that know us come up and say, you know what, we love what you guys do. Had a police officer come up to me last night, and he said, we just love how you support the blue here in our city.

We just love how you make a difference, how you let that known. I had a teacher come up and say, we just want to say to you, thank you for how that you help the teachers in our community.

Isn't that what we're supposed to do? It's about character. It's about making. It's about making a difference. If you continue to settle, five years from now, I want you to fast forward, and I want you to look at the condition of your life and say, if I'd have taken that teaching seriously, my life would be different.

I want to show you something that might help us here. In 2001, there was a movie called Castaway starring Tom Hanks. Tom Hanks' character was Chuck. He was on the verge of proposing to his girlfriend, Kelly.

Kelly, who was studying to be a professor at the college, but he had to take a business trip first, and it was over the Pacific Ocean. His plane crashed, and for four years, he was on a deserted island.

When he was finally rescued, sort of come back to life, people had forgotten about him. People had given up on the dream. Even Kelly, whom he loved, had given up on him.

And this is when Tom Hanks, or Chuck, sees Kelly. Kelly, uh, watch this. I love you too, Kelly. More than you ever knew. A lot of tragedy in that scene. Circumstances that they knew the one planned on, they couldn't control.

Kelly settled. She gave up on Chuck. Even when her heart said, don't give up, because he's still alive. But everybody else said, you just need to settle. So, well, she quit college. She quit pursuing her dream to be a professor.

She married a decent man, not her true love, and she had a child. So when Chuck came back, the true love of her life was too late. She already made another life for herself. And there was no place for Chuck in it.

Where have you settled? Would you bow your heads? I want to pray for us today.

Father, I pray that you will help us to realize that we can't give up on the dream. I know even watching that little movie clip, there were people who said, yeah, that dream is still there, that hope is still there. But I've, it's too late. It's just too late.

Lord, I pray today that you will revive dreams, hopes, plans, aspirations. Lord, that new businesses are going to come. Promotions are coming. Jobs are coming. Property is coming. Hearts that are found fire for you are coming.

With every head still bowed and you're just praying and thinking about yourself. Let me ask today. Have you settled in a relationship and sin without Jesus? Have you settled in relationships that, well, I guess we just get along.

How's that working for you? You come to church every once in a while, but you've never really made a commitment of surrendering your life to Jesus. Jesus left heaven and came here because he didn't want to have heaven without you and me.

He lived a sinless life. He died on the cross for your sins and my sins so that I could believe in him and as many as believe in him could be saved. Your sins are forgiven. You have a purpose and a meaning for life. You have a hope in heaven.

If you're here today and you honestly say or are watching online right now, Terry, I've just settled. I've never really made the decision. I used to know God, but I've just settled. But today you say, you know what? I'm not settling anymore.

I want that fire to be rekindled. I want to make a commitment to Jesus Christ in my life. Would you raise your hands right now? Make eye contact with me. Say, that's me. I need that prayer today. Thank you. Others today. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Others today.

That's me. I'm not settling. I'm making a decision today. Yes. Thank you. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks. Thank you.

Let's pray this prayer together. Father God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for dying for my sins. Thank you for paying the price. I ask you to forgive me of my sins. Come into my life. Be my Lord and Savior. Fill me with your spirit.

As best as I know how, I want to serve you all the days of my life. In Jesus' name. Church, would you celebrate with me with those seven or eight that made that decision today?

Now listen. Just hang in there with me because we're getting ready to receive our tithe and offering. But listen to me. Listen. Those of you who raised your hand, I want to do something a little bit different right now.

Let's just hold the buckets. Just let's hold the buckets. Just a second. Thanks, Dylan. Let's just hold the buckets. Those of you who raised your hand a few minutes ago and said, yeah, I want to make that decision. I'm serious.

While we are giving and worshiping and going to sing a song, I'd like for you very bravely, you raised your hand very bravely, but I'd like for you very bravely because I need to give you something that's going to help you on the journey.

I'd like for you, as we're receiving this tithe and offering, to get up from where you're sitting and over here there's a first step table and over here there's a first step table. And there may be one outside as you leave.

But as we give right now and as we worship, I want to give you an opportunity to get upright now from where you are. And I'd like for you to go over there and get those materials. Okay? Would you do that right now?

Just take your belongings and go, come on church, let's give them a hand as they go. Yeah. Thanks. Thanks. Thanks. Thanks. Yeah. Come on. Come on. Yeah. That's the way. Let's go. Over here and here. Yeah! Amen. Amen, amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

Alright, let's give! Let's worship the Lord in our giving, and then let's sing a little bit of this song, the prayer team will be down front.

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "I stood there and I had remembrances. And I said to myself, I don't want to go through life always just settling. And by that, I meant I had all these things in my mind. Now, when I was in high school, of course, my dad wouldn't let me have a car until I graduated. Thank God for a good dad that just doesn't let you do your own." [34:41](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



2. "It's about character. It's about making a difference. If you continue to settle, five years from now, I want you to fast forward, and I want you to look at the condition of your life and say, if I'd have taken that teaching seriously, my life would be different." [01:05:04](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



3. "Maybe it's time to go back to the gym. Maybe it's time to take long walks at night instead of watching too much TV and eating chips and ice cream. Maybe you need to be proactive to get back in shape. But I wonder where you could be in five years, three years. I wonder where you could be next year." [01:01:21](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



4. "Delayed destiny does not mean that your dream has been denied. You remember the three Hebrew boys that were thrown in the fiery furnace? Their hands were locked and they were in the fiery furnace. And then the king came back. I mean, the fire was so hot that when the soldiers threw them in, they died because they burned alive." [01:02:28](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



### Quotes for Members

1. "Don't live with Leah when you really want a Rachel. Don't settle for less when God promised you the best. Don't settle with addiction when you know that, God wants you to be free. Don't settle with the smoke of a past relationship with God. When you've been touched by the power of the Holy spirit and you know, the difference in smoke or the fire of God." [50:35](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



2. "We know that there are churches all around the world that are less than what God wants them to be. And they settled for you and me and we three in a personal parking spot. And that's all it is when the King of Kings wants us to be a church that establishes kingdom in all the earth. And brings forth his glory and power." [55:42](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



3. "Anything that is worth having of God's is going to cost you a sacrifice. At the very beginning it cost us all of our savings, all of our retirement. We put all that in. We didn't have anyone financially backing us. We stepped out in faith. We came to Leesburg, knew three, four people." [56:30](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



4. "Don't allow a chapter to become your book. Sometimes you have to have a season of Leah before you get your dream. He had to spend a week. He worked seven years. But he had to spend a week with Leah. It was a season. It wasn't where he was always going to be." [58:28](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



5. "You decide. Don't live with Leah when you really want a Rachel. Don't settle for less when God promised you the best. Don't settle with addiction when you know that, God wants you to be free. Don't settle with the smoke of a past relationship with God." [50:35](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)