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Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you enjoyed today's message, why don't you be a blessing and share it with a friend? We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in your life. God bless you. It is always a joy to come into your homes. We love you.
And if you're ever in our area, I hope you'll stop by and be a part of one of our services. I promise you we'll have a lot of fun. Plus, we'll make you feel right at home. But thanks for tuning in. Thanks again for coming out. I like to start with something funny and I heard about this airplane that was about to crash and there were four passengers, but only three parachutes.
The first passenger said, I'm a leading heart surgeon. My patients need me. He took the first parachute and jumped. The second passenger said, I'm a rocket scientist and one of the smartest men alive. My country needs me. He took the second parachute and jumped. The third passenger was Pope John Paul. He said to the fourth passenger, a 10-year-old Boy Scout, son, I'm old and frail.
I don't have much time left. You take the last parachute. The Boy Scout said, don't worry about it, sir. There are still two parachutes left. The smartest man alive, he just jumped out with my backpack. All right, hold up your Bible. 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 increasing your capacity to receive. God has all kinds of great things in store for you. He has favor in your future like you've never imagined. He's got good breaks, new opportunities, the right people.
God wants to take you places you've never even dreamed of. But here's the key. God is limited by our capacity to receive. For instance, if you have a one gallon bucket, yet I have 50 gallons to give you, the problem is not with the supply. The problem is you don't have the capacity to receive. If you'd get rid of that small container and get something larger, then I could give you more.
It's the same principle with God. If we think we've reached our limits, we think the economy's too bad, we're going to have a down year. We think we'll never get well. That's what the medical report says. Never afford the house that we really want. It's not that God doesn't have the resources. It's not that he doesn't have the ability. The fact is our container is too small.
Our thinking is limited. We have to enlarge our vision and make room for the new things God wants to do. And our attitude should be, yes, the economy is down, but I know God is still on the throne. I know he still has promotion and increase already lined up for me. I know his favor surrounds me like a shield. I know wherever I go, goodness and mercy follow me.
So I'm believing to have an extraordinary year. When you have that kind of attitude, what are you doing? You're increasing your capacity to receive. That's when you're going to see God show up and show out in unusual ways. But some people, they go around with a small cup, so to speak. They're not expecting much. They've always struggled. Others have traded in their cup and they've got a bucket.
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Chapter 2: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
And unfortunately, you won't be disappointed. The scripture says, Jesus said it, according to your faith, it will be done unto you. He might as well have said, if you've got a cup, I'll fill you with a cup level of blessing. If you got a bucket, I'll fill you with a bucket level of blessing.
But he's saying, if you've got a barn, in other words, if you'll take the limits off of God, if you'll believe for supernatural opportunities, if you'll go out each day expecting far and beyond favor, you won't be disappointed. Psalm 37, 19 says, even in famine, the righteous will have more than enough. When you've got your mouth open wide, you're not complaining about the economy.
You're expecting to have a supernatural year. You're expecting increase even in a middle of a recession. Your child may be off course, but you're not praying, oh God, just keep him from driving me crazy. No, you're saying, God, you said my children will be mighty in the land. So I want to thank you.
You're not only going to turn them around, but you're going to use him to do something great for you. When you have your mouth open wide, you're not just hoping to make your monthly mortgage payments. You're believing to totally pay your house off, to live totally debt free. That's barn level living. Let me ask you, do you go out each day knowing that favor is already in your future?
Or have you gotten stuck in a rut? This is what happened to the people of Israel. They were headed toward the promised land. They had big goals, big dreams.
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Chapter 3: How does God limit our capacity to receive?
But along the way, they hit some setbacks, had some disappointments. They got so discouraged, they gave up on their dreams and just settled where they were. One day God said to them, you have dwelt long enough on this mountain. I believe God is saying that to each one of us. You've been where you are long enough. Some of you have held that cup year after year. It's how you were raised.
It's all you've ever known. Some of you at one time, you had your sights set on the barn, but you had some setbacks and now you've just settled for that bucket. God is saying, this is a new day. Get your fire back. Where you are is not where you're supposed to stay. I'm asking you to increase your capacity to receive. That means you're going to stretch your faith.
You're going to start thinking bigger, believing bigger. You're going to go beyond barriers that have held you back and you're going to make room for God to do something new. I've learned you've got to give God permission to increase you. You've got to give God permission to prosper you. God has brought opportunities across my path in years past that I turned down. I thought they were too big.
I didn't think I was qualified. It was so far beyond what I thought I could handle. I didn't even get in agreement with God and at least release my faith for it. Now I realize I wasn't giving God permission to prosper me. I missed those opportunities to go further. Jesus put it like this. You can't put new wine in old wineskins.
He was saying you can't go to a new level with an old way of thinking. Many of you are ready for God to do something new. When you hear this truth, that it's going to be a great year, that God has more in store, something resonates on the inside. That's your spirit person coming into agreement with God. But very often, our natural mind will try to talk us out of it.
Your mind will tell you, it's not going to happen for you. You're not going to have a great year. You know what the economy's like. Or you're never going to get well. You saw what the medical report says. You're never going to get married. You've been single so long. Just accept it. No, get rid of that old wineskin. Trade in that small container for something larger. This is a new season.
What's happened in the past is over and done. You may have been through some disappointments, tried, failed, it didn't work out. That's okay.
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Chapter 4: What mindset do we need to adopt for increased blessings?
God is still in control. Get a new vision for your life. Have the attitude, this is my year to go to a new level. This is my year to be totally healthy. This is my year to meet the person of my dreams. If you open your mouth wide, God said he will fill it. But it starts right here with us, with our capacity to receive. We cannot go around thinking thoughts of mediocrity and expect to excel.
We can't think thoughts of defeat, barely get by, help me to survive, and at the same time, expect God to fill us with abundance. The two don't go together. Get rid of that cup, trade in that bucket, throw away that barrel, and come over to the barn level. God is a God of abundance. And it says in Psalm 115, the Lord your God will increase you and your family more and more.
Increase has always been on God's mind. His dream is that we'd never get stuck at one level. In fact, Jesus said he came that we might have life to the full in abundance till it overflows. You need to get that on the inside. Here's why I'm headed three places to a full life and abundant life and overflowing life.
And if you'll stay in faith, no matter what container you put out there, God will cause it to overflow. I remember when I wrote my first book, Your Best Life Now, before it came out. I would pray, God, if you'll just let this sell 50,000 copies. That was so big in my mind. I was stretching my faith.
Chapter 5: How can we expand our vision for God's blessings?
At that time, we had about 20,000 people coming each weekend. And I thought if each one of you would buy one copy, that would be about half of the 50. Then I'll get my family and friends and neighbors. But God likes to do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond. He is a God of overflow. That book went on to sell more than 100 times that 50,000.
I've learned now if you'll start higher, God will still cause it to overflow. It's great to overflow with a cup. It's exciting to overflow with a bucket or a barrel. But when you put that barn level faith out there, that's when you'll see God do more than you can ask or think. That's when you'll see God open up doors that you thought were impossible. What happened?
You stretched your faith and that allowed God to pour out his far and beyond favor. And I want you to get a bigger vision for your life. It says in Proverbs 29, verse 18, if people can't see what God is doing, they stumble.
In other words, if you don't have this vision for increase, if you're not expecting favor, you've just kind of gotten satisfied with where you are, then you will live below your privileges. But if you will get a vision, not of only who you are, a child of the most high, but a vision of what you're entitled to, and you go out expecting supernatural opportunities in favor,
It goes on to say, if you can see what God has revealed, you will be the most blessed. Notice, not average blessed, not good enough blessed. As a child of the most high, you are entitled to be the most blessed. Well, you say, Joel, I never get any good breaks. I don't think I'll ever be able to pay my house off, never get out of debt, never get well. No, your vision is limited.
I'm trying to help you today understand the great things God has in store, the amazing places he's going to take you, the incredible opportunities he has in your future. Because I know if your vision increases, then your capacity to receive will increase.
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Chapter 6: What examples illustrate the importance of faith in receiving?
And that's when the most high will pour out blessings to where you say, I am not a little blessed. I'm not average blessed. I have to say, I am most blessed. Well, you say, Joel, are you one of those prosperity ministers? No, I'm not a prosperity minister, but I can tell you this. I am not a poverty minister. I cannot.
I cannot find one place in the scripture where we're supposed to drag around defeated, depressed, barely making it, always just scraping by. It is just the opposite. You remember those three things, an abundant life, an overflowing life, a full life. You and I are supposed to be examples of what it means to live for the true and the living God. Everywhere we go, we should be so blessed.
We should look so good, so sharp. We should be so kind, so friendly, so generous. People think, man, what is it with them? They always look good. They're always friendly. They're always in a good mood. People should want what we have.
If I brought our two children up here today and their clothes were all raggedy, holes in their pants, nothing's iron, hair's messed up, long, drab faces, first thing you would think, is man, what kind of father is he? Why would he let his kids go around looking like that? It's a poor reflection on me. It's the same thing with our God.
It doesn't bring him any honor when we think we're supposed to go around defeated, depressed, barely getting by. No matter where you are. No matter what level you're at, you need to put your shoulders back. Hold your head up high. Put a smile on your face. Carry yourself with confidence. You're a child of the Most High God. You may only have one suit, one dress, one outfit.
You need to clean it, iron it, and wear it like you're on top of the world. It says here in Romans 5, 17, we are to reign in life as kings. When God looks at us, He doesn't see us defeated, barely getting by, just take the leftover positions. Not at all. God sees you as a king. He sees you as a queen. You have His royal blood flowing through your veins. You and I are supposed to reign in life.
You know what that word reign means? It means your time in power. God said we're to reign how long? In life. That means as long as you're alive, that is your time in power. You don't have a two-year term like a mayor, a four-year term like a president. Your term is to reign every single day, to be victorious, to rise to new levels, to accomplish great things.
And on those days where you don't feel like a king, you don't feel like a queen, if you can just remember to reach down and check your pulse. And as long as you feel something beating, you can say, what do you know? It's still my time to reign. Amen. Let that be a reminder to put on a new attitude. And sometimes you have to do this by faith. You may not feel victorious.
It may not look like you're blessed. But I like what somebody says. You got to fake it until you make it. By faith, you need to walk like a king, talk like a king, think like a king, dress like a king, smile like a king. Don't go by what you see. Go by what you know. There is royalty in your DNA. You have the blood of a winner. You were created to reign in life.
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Chapter 7: How can past experiences affect our capacity for blessings?
Maybe like my father, you come from generations of lack and constantly struggling. You're just about to accept that's the way it's always going to be. You've got to get rid of that old mindset. Make a decision today. You're coming out of the well, coming out of the pond, coming out of the lake, and you're headed straight toward the ocean.
You're going to enjoy the fullness of what God has in store. Remember, you've been created to reign. You are a king, you are a queen, and your time of power is still in session. If you open your mouth wide, God is going to fill it. You may not see how it can happen, but that's okay. God has a way. He has explosive blessings that can thrust you to a new level.
One touch of God's favor can take you from the well right over to the ocean. If you will take the limits off of God and make room for him to do something new, then you're not going to have an average year. You're not going to have a mediocre year. You're going to have a supernatural year.
You're going to see supernatural breaks, supernatural healing, supernatural deliverance, supernatural restoration, supernatural opportunities, supernatural connections. God is going to unleash supernatural increase in your life. When you look back, you're going to be able to say 2009 was my year to shine. It was a supernatural year. Can you say amen 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 gonna take you places that you've never dreamed of.
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Chapter 8: What practical steps can we take to increase our capacity to receive?
Every day, we can live discouraged, angry, depressed, defeated. Is it possible to turn these negatives into an outlook filled with purpose, happiness, and joy?
Every day we make choices, how we see ourselves, how we respond to challenges, how we approach what's in front of us. I've written a devotional called Today I Choose, Devotions for a Better Life. It's designed to help you make those choices on purpose, to choose faith over fear, peace over frustration, and kindness over offense.
Each day is filled with scripture and practical encouragement to help you live with confidence and victory. You can't wait to see what kind of day it's going to be. You have to decide ahead of time. When you do, you can step into a more blessed, fulfilled life. I'd love to send you a copy.
As our way of saying thank you for your gift of any amount, we would like to send you a copy of Today I Choose, Devotions for a Better Life. Every day begins with a choice, and this inspiring book is packed with powerful devotional truths that will help you in the specific challenges you face in life, including...
Today I choose to turn down the noise, to believe what I cannot see, to be happy, to trust God's timing. They will transform your attitude, your outlook, your entire day. As you embrace these biblical principles, you'll see problems dissolve. Hope restored. Mountains move. Choose the joy and happiness God has chosen for you.
Be sure to request your copy of Today I Choose, Devotions for a Better Life, available this month by simply visiting us at joelostein.com or call 888-567-JOEL. Call or click anytime, 24 hours a day.
When you make choices based on what God says about you, you're going to live happier, have more peace, and you'll be a bigger blessing to others. Thanks so much for being with us today. Victoria and I pray for you and your family every day. We sure appreciate your prayer and support. Your generosity helps us take this message to people around the world.
A special thank you to our Champion of Hope partners for all you do to make the ministry possible. And until we meet again, may the Lord bless you and keep you.
Be sure to request your copy of Today I Choose, Devotions for a Better Life, available this month by simply visiting us at joelostein.com or call 888-567-JOEL. Call or click anytime, 24 hours a day. You can also receive the Today I Choose to Rejoice Signature Edition Art Print, created to encourage faith and purpose-filled living.
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