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Covenant Diaries: Season 1 Episode 6 Diary of a Pastor's Kid
22 Plays1 year ago
Diary of a Pastor's kid
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Transcript
Welcome Back to Covenant Diaries
00:00:01
CODES
Good evening everyone. Thank you so much for joining us on today's episode. If you haven't already been catching up on our episode, we are Covenant Diaries and we're so excited to be shooting another episode. I know it's been a while since the last time that we recorded.
00:00:22
CODES
you sure about that? Oh, actually we did record it last week That's true. It's just that I haven't haven't edited that one. But yeah, it's such a joy every time that I come on here. I know we have a lot things a lot of things that we go through in the day, but like coming on here every time to record, it's so therapeutic, honestly.
00:00:42
CODES
It really is. For me, per se. i would I know that it's very therapeutic for me.
Special Guest Introduction: Pastor Joseph Persaud
00:00:48
CODES
But today, guys, we have a special guest. Remember, and I did tell you guys ahead of time that we're going to be bringing in a lot of pastor's kids in different locations from different backgrounds and from a different age group to share their experiences, you know, as a pastor's kid and in and ministry as well.
00:01:10
CODES
So, guys, you know, we did something for you guys, OK? We did something. So today we have an honored guest in our midst. I'll give you guys a hint.
00:01:21
CODES
So if you guys know the first guest that we had on and on set was the Triple J's. Jonathan, Jeremy, and Joel, if you guys do remember that episode. So today...
00:01:34
CODES
We brought out their general army commandant. Okay. We brought up their dad. Okay. Their dad. I know their dad is also a pastor's kid. So these are just generations of pastors kid. Listen, you guys are in for a treat.
00:01:48
CODES
So if there is anything that you're doing, that's going to distract your attention. Like just, just come along, come along. Okay. Bring your attention, your spirit, soul, and body in here. Okay.
00:01:59
CODES
So we can we can all have a good, a really good discussion. Okay.
Pastor Joseph's Background and Early Ministry
00:02:05
CODES
Without further ado, I'm going to introduce our guest.
00:02:10
CODES
But before that, you know, Rebecca is here with me as always. gosh. My partner in crime, right? And right now I would love to introduce you to our special guest of honor.
00:02:23
CODES
i would like you all to appreciate our beloved pastor joseph Persaud on here
00:02:31
Joel
Hello, hello. Good evening. Good to be with both of you, Rebecca and Rachel. it's
00:02:37
CODES
welcome it's a pleasure
00:02:38
Joel
It's great to be connected with what you guys are doing on this podcast. And this is a great ministry that you guys are doing to reach to an area that needs to be talked about and helped and that type of stuff.
00:02:55
CODES
For sure.
00:02:57
Joel
So kudos to both of you for doing this.
00:03:00
CODES
Thank God.
00:03:01
Joel
And I hope that folks are continuing to get blessed. and I'm sure this will continue to be a great blessing to many around the world.
00:03:10
CODES
Amen. Yes, amen, amen, amen. Really quick background gist. Okay, guys, I know he might probably be so shy that I'm saying this, but like, I have to mention that inside the inside, whole inside history for this. So the first podcast we actually shot was in Pastor Joseph's house.
00:03:29
CODES
Yep. That's actually true. Yeah.
00:03:31
Joel
Yo, yo.
00:03:32
CODES
Our first podcast episode was right on his dining table with the guys, you know. So it brings back a lot of memory because he actually is the first pastor's family that hosted us when we came to America.
00:03:44
CODES
I don't know if he remembers that. That's true. But I know from what I heard... The dinner that we had, Pastor Joe had made it. i know I'm putting you on the spot right now, but that was a good fried rice that you had made that day.
00:03:55
Joel
yeah yeah
00:03:56
CODES
But I heard that was the first time or maybe the last time that you were in the kitchen. But yeah, it was...
00:04:04
Joel
I'm in there periodically.
00:04:04
CODES
i
00:04:06
Joel
very
00:04:06
CODES
yeah no that was an honor but i couldn't believe that he actually made that because it tasted like something a woman had made so like i thought i thought it was literally his wife yeah that's what i thought too oh wow i i told my sister listen i'm gonna bring this up at the podcast i know he's probably embarrassed but like no well we just want to thank God for that family relationship and we're grateful for the gift of pastor joe and his family yep but We're going to go straight into the reason why
Growing Up in the Church
00:04:34
CODES
we're here. We're going to put Pastor Joe in the hot seat, as we always do our guest.
00:04:40
CODES
All right, Pastor Joe, you ready? We're going to fire in some questions.
00:04:43
Joel
Yeah.
00:04:44
CODES
And then going share with us your experiences as a pastor's kid or just, you know, anything that you've experienced that you would want other pastor's kids to be encouraged by. We're going ask a few questions and just like shed light on that. And we pray that the spirit of God would edify our listeners through you in the name of Jesus.
00:05:04
CODES
Becky, would you like to start with the first question? you All right. All right. We're going to you brief. All right. How was your experience like growing up as a pastor's kid?
00:05:15
CODES
The challenges, both the positive and negative of growing up in church. That's a good one.
00:05:20
Joel
Well, the growing up, I was kind of baptized into the church, meaning that from birth, maybe just a couple days after being birthed, taken to church.
00:05:34
CODES
okay
00:05:36
Joel
and that environment and dna stayed within me still stays within me and over the years uh growing up as a pastor's kid i and that's a long time ago because i became a pastor many many years ago so we're talking about growing up you know over 50 years ago 55 years ago growing
00:05:42
CODES
who
00:05:54
CODES
wow
00:06:04
Joel
and uh being in a environment where uh that's all we were trained to do to be in within the body of christ to uh live honorable life a peaceful life and
00:06:24
CODES
Yeah.
00:06:26
Joel
It's one of those where I never really had a period of wanting to leave that type of environment. And I guess starting to preach at an early age, at 14 years of age, allowed me to
00:06:35
CODES
Yeah.
00:06:42
CODES
Wow.
00:06:42
Joel
get um avoid a lot of trouble.
00:06:47
CODES
That's
00:06:47
Joel
So between those ages, 14 to 21, is a lot of times when pastors' kids make a lot of decisions regarding their independence and try to find them their their own way.
00:06:51
CODES
it's amazing.
00:06:56
CODES
True.
00:07:01
Joel
and you know, becoming a a young preacher and having to deal with that and call to speak at various places I got called to preach at my first revival at 16 years of age, special services.
00:07:16
CODES
Wow.
00:07:17
Joel
So I was busy during the period of that 14 to 21, when a lot of pastors, kids, young men and women as a whole are trying to find their identity.
00:07:30
CODES
That's true.
00:07:30
Joel
And during that period, I was already finding my identity in Christ and doing staying busy during that period in the work of the Lord.
00:07:35
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:07:42
Joel
During that period, I even enrolled in Bible school.
00:07:45
CODES
Wow.
00:07:45
Joel
I was the youngest ever enrolled in the Bible school during that period at 13 years of age.
00:07:51
CODES
Oh, my gosh.
00:07:53
Joel
13 years of age, i so I did my first class.
00:07:53
CODES
Oh, my gosh.
00:07:56
Joel
And from 13 to 17, took as many classes as I could in Bible school, from theology to New Testament survey, Old Testament survey. So i did a lot of this training many, many, many, many years ago.
00:08:13
Joel
And so I had that training. I had the preaching. had the involvement in the ministry from teaching Sunday school to youth service. to preaching, to open airs, open air meetings is when you go out.
00:08:26
Joel
They don't do that that often these days and that type of stuff.
00:08:28
CODES
yeah
00:08:30
Joel
So it was probably a unique upbringing where I started early in the ministry so and and was able to avoid a lot of the pitfalls of others who were trying to find their identity during those same periods.
00:08:47
CODES
That's so true. That's, that's interesting. I feel like, you know, when you become so occupied and that age, in the things of God, that yeah yeah, you don't have room to entertain other stuff on the outside.
00:08:59
CODES
And then you have expectation and you have people watching you. So now you gotta live You have to live, right? Right.
00:09:05
Joel
Yep.
00:09:05
CODES
You have to practice what you preach. yeah So if you're very engaged in the things of God, like I said, there will be no room for other entertainment or other external stuff that's true versus let's say that yes, you grew up in the ministry and you're not actively involved in church or involved in the things of God.
00:09:07
Joel
yep
00:09:22
CODES
Of course, there will be more space for you to entertain other stuff you shouldn't be entertaining. Yeah. That makes a lot of sense. Yeah, they do say an idol man is a devil's workshop, right? So it's good, like, mehn Well, your parents must have a big, huge role to play on that, like getting you into that at such a young age, something that's very difficult for them.
Pressures and Challenges of Pastors' Kids
00:09:46
CODES
Pastors kids in this generation to get committed to because at that age like you had mentioned they want to explore life by themselves they want to like see for themselves right they want try life out and have a taste of life by themselves and not wanting to be choked by the whole church thing but it's it's it's so refreshing to hear that even at a young age you can still make that choice and decision you're not too young to answer it to that calling
00:10:07
Joel
Thank you.
00:10:12
CODES
I also think that the parents also play a role, right? yeah At least he has, I'm sure he had the very supportive parents who, yeah you know, helped him navigate the process, not forcing, right?
00:10:23
CODES
Whereas you have you have other families, right? Where you have the the mom or the dad saying, Oh, you got to do this in church. You know, what will people say? You have to, you have to. So it doesn't give room for that child to pick and choose what they truly want. Right. yeah And then they all all of a sudden feeling like, this is being forced down my throat.
00:10:38
Joel
you.
00:10:41
CODES
Now I have to go to church. I have to do this. I have to do that. So it's not coming from a place of willingness. It's almost like they're being forced to do stuff like this. Yeah. That's why you see them hanging around people they shouldn't be hanging around with because it's not what they really truly want to do.
00:10:55
CODES
Yeah. so yeah that makes that environment like foster that desire and longing to want to involved in ministry all right what do you wish that people had told you about ministry before going into it is there anything that you've experienced that in ministry like oh i wish someone had told me this about them
00:11:16
Joel
Well, I've never had regrets going into the ministry.
00:11:18
CODES
alone
00:11:21
Joel
It's folks who are in it halfway and then they they see the good and bad and the ugly.
00:11:24
CODES
and
00:11:30
Joel
And when they see the bad and the ugly, they kind of like, wow, I didn't sign up for this. But this is not my experience that I would be leaving the ministry because I see the bad and the ugly and the downturn or anything like that.
00:11:46
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:11:51
Joel
I think being raised in a Christian home, being raised in a pastor's home, a leader's home, my dad was the district moderator of a bunch of churches. So he was involved in leadership, not only pastoring, but in leading various churches and leading the council that ran the, uh, the, the churches in that country, that, it was uh, a learning experience to see it firsthand and to see how church operated in that season.
00:12:13
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:12:20
CODES
Yeah.
00:12:25
Joel
And to, to, to the, so that prepared me for later in the ministry, as I led, that some of those things that I saw that I would try not to repeat or try not to engender that type of and environment.
00:12:41
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:12:44
Joel
And so things like pastors, when you put them together and try to trash out issues and that type of stuff, I found that sometimes at a leadership level that becomes counterproductive for folks who are struggling over petty and, and small issues.
00:13:01
CODES
True.
00:13:07
CODES
True.
00:13:08
Joel
And I find found that that could be a setback where, uh, leaders of churches try to discuss and struggle over how to do this, how to do that.
00:13:20
CODES
true
00:13:20
Joel
And I find that when people exemplify or express themselves, in a setting like that, it causes riff and it causes disunity.
00:13:31
CODES
yeah
00:13:32
Joel
And so in, in organizations, you have to know what to deal with, what not to deal with, what to leave alone.
00:13:41
CODES
exactly knowing your
00:13:41
Joel
And in, in, in leading and seeing how to lead, it allows you to avoid many pitfalls and many troubles that you would, uh, it,
00:13:53
Joel
you you would could get yourself ensnared into. So by seeing some of how things were done and some of it, what should not be done and later on leading allowed me to apply that that knowledge and then the experience and then the wisdom to avoid some of those pitfalls as I continued ministry.
00:14:21
Joel
You know, when you are pastor's kid and then when you become a pastor, you have certain amount of leverage and leadership and power.
00:14:29
CODES
it's different
00:14:33
CODES
yeah
00:14:34
Joel
And the number one reason for pastors burn out, frustrated, and wanting to give up, but one of the number one reasons is that they have they They deal with issues that they cannot solve.
00:14:54
Joel
And they try to solve it, and they burn themselves out trying to solve it.
00:14:54
CODES
Hmm.
00:14:59
Joel
So, for instance, there are many issues in life, and there are many issues in churches when a pastor or a leader tries to solve it all.
00:14:59
CODES
Hmm.
00:15:09
Joel
they burn themselves up many issues and troubles like there is a well-known well-known statistic that said that uh 80 of your anxiety and stress comes from external circumstances what people said what yeah events occur what experiences you you have outside of you where you did not engender it but you uh you become a
00:15:24
CODES
Yeah.
00:15:35
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:15:37
Joel
a part of it because someone asks you to to to be part of it. You hear about something.
00:15:42
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:15:43
Joel
a lot of it has to do with not you, but outside. And so then it affects you.
00:15:47
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:15:49
Joel
And many of those external reasons for anxiety and stress, you do not go running to fix it all. Meaning that, oh, I heard someone talk about me.
00:15:58
CODES
Fix it.
00:15:59
Joel
Let me get on the phone and find out what they said about me.
00:16:02
CODES
Yeah.
00:16:02
Joel
you'll be You'll be living a very very bitter and a very depressed life. Oh, I heard This one is fighting with each other. Let me go and try to stop the fight.
00:16:14
CODES
fix so
00:16:16
Joel
And when you tell yourself a lot of these things where you have unrealistic expectations, where you go into a unrealistic expectations and experience, and some of it you really cannot solve, you are setting yourself up for stress,
00:16:31
Joel
anxiety and depression. And it's the same thing with dealing with leading churches, growing up in a pastor's home. You have to pick your fights.
00:16:42
Joel
You have to pick what you will ingratiate yourself into, where you would immerse yourself into certain things.
00:16:43
CODES
Picking your bottles. Yeah.
00:16:48
Joel
So yeah being able to see it firsthand growing up, how churches are run, how preachers act, how people leaders deal with things,
00:17:00
Joel
allowed me to understand how to deal with it growing up and seeing it from a distance and also experiencing it personally when I started to to do leadership in churches.
00:17:14
CODES
It's interesting that you mentioned that because in prior episode, we had briefly hinted on a lot of burnouts that pastors' kids go through or even leaders go through in the ministry.
00:17:16
Joel
Okay.
00:17:27
CODES
You know, it's it's, I like that you brought it up again in a different dimension that a lot of times pastors or leaders in the ministry or pastors' kids, they they kind of it they tend to absorb a lot of things
00:17:38
Joel
You.
Navigating Ministry and Personal Growth
00:17:40
CODES
things in their environment that they shouldn't be absorbing picking battles that they shouldn't be fighting you know and and knowing when to just let things be and like being led by the holy spirit to know when or how to
00:17:56
CODES
intervene in in different situations you know it's it's i like that you mentioned that even though we had highlighted it in in previous episode it's just the see that's why i never always give in-depth details to our guests on what we talk about specifically because i leave room for the holy spirit to bring things up you know so i it's just like a there a deja vu moment for me right now that you mentioned that like you have another question to ask All right. What is your favorite Bible story and why? Ooh, I want to hear this one. hey
00:18:34
Joel
The Bible is based with a lot of a lot of great stories. And I'm...
00:18:41
CODES
You have to pick one or maybe you can do two. Just because yeah I know you have a lot of favorite Bible story, but if you if you want to pick two, then that's fine.
00:18:47
Joel
Yeah, yeah.
00:18:49
CODES
You can always do it.
00:18:49
Joel
that but but But you know, the the one that really is brings true the power of God is the conversion of Saul to Paul on the road to Damascus.
00:18:59
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:19:05
CODES
Oh, that's good one.
00:19:05
Joel
And that is a powerful story of how God can reverse your destiny
00:19:13
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:19:18
CODES
Mm.
00:19:18
Joel
where you had picked your own destiny, you picked your own career, you picked your own allotment of how you would spend your life.
00:19:32
Joel
And when God calls, he will stop heaven and earth to get to you. And the scripture talks about it in Acts, how Saul was breeding persecutions on the church
00:19:47
CODES
yeah
00:19:48
Joel
But yet in the midst of the breeding of persecutions upon the church and in the midst of his assault upon the people of God, he was born to become the great apostle of the church.
00:20:02
CODES
Hmm.
00:20:02
Joel
And it's a great story of how God changes us by His grace, His power, His salvation, turns us around and uses
00:20:08
CODES
Hmm.
00:20:14
Joel
all all um our our abilities or life to reach those who you wanted to persecute, to get to people who you wanted to destroy.
00:20:30
Joel
Now lift them up. And not only lift them up, but now becomes the great encourager.
00:20:33
CODES
Right.
00:20:37
Joel
now becomes the great motivator, now becomes the great spiritual leader. So it's one of the great stories of the Bible, Saul's conversion on the road of Damascus.
00:20:52
Joel
And then he gets his name changed from Saul to Paul. And I think in the in the premonition of...
00:21:05
Joel
oh of God's knowledge, he knew that he needed a man with Saul's ability, strength, courage, backbone, tenacity to carry the gospel to the Gentiles.
00:21:15
CODES
Hills, yeah. Mm-hmm.
00:21:21
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:21:25
Joel
Because up until then, a lot of the gospel was only being preached to the Jews. And he was brought forth convert or become that liaison, that connector to the Gentile world.
00:21:40
CODES
Yeah.
00:21:41
Joel
And he wrote two thirds of the New Testament and was shipwrecked twice, beaten with stripes, had many setbacks,
00:21:55
Joel
But yet he says his grace is sufficient for me. So the story of Paul's, Saul's conversion on the road Damascus is the one that comes home to to to me regarding the the changing, the power to change lives.
00:22:14
CODES
Wow, that's really deep. yeah I forgot where I had. It's funny that it was a couple days ago that I heard someone narrating the story Saul being transformed to Paul and then he's mentioning it now again. So I guess that was a spiritual hint of what I would hear again.
00:22:32
CODES
But i mentioning that just reminds me a lot of us pastors kids who were raised in you know in in a Christian home, in a Christian family.
00:22:33
Joel
Thank you.
00:22:43
CODES
But a lot of us, we can always relate to... Saul in a way, not that we're necessarily persecuting Christians, but a lot of us have been running away from God's calling.
00:22:57
CODES
Okay, a lot of us, we know that the calling of God is upon our life, but because of the things that we see our parents go through in ministry, the things that we see that ministry entails,
00:23:01
Joel
let
00:23:10
CODES
it kind of like brings that discouragement of seeing that we're not kind capable we're afraid of like answering that call because of the cost that comes with it because of the experiences and things that we see our leaders go through in the ministry and it it brings me back to so what Saul went through although Saul in his own understanding he thought he was doing something good according to the law but like
00:23:10
Joel
I'm to go ahead and get it.
00:23:37
CODES
it makes me wonder a lot of us who have a line of priests in our family and we know that calling is in us and a lot of us when we're from a foundation that has been set right a lot of us will notice that when we do anything outside that are not in line with the will of God it never prospers if God is calling your family has a priestly calling on your family and you choose not to answer the call and you decide to do something else
00:23:56
Joel
Yep.
00:24:05
CODES
For some reason, something is going to happen that will frustrate what you're doing.
00:24:05
Joel
yeah
00:24:10
CODES
Just like Jonah, who God had sent to, you know, prophesy to the people of Nineveh. He didn't want to go. But guess what happened? He had to at some point
00:24:24
CODES
So a lot of times, maybe you know that you're being called, but you're not answering the call.
Embracing the Call and Avoiding Pitfalls
00:24:30
CODES
But then a lot of people around you are suffering because you're not answering the call of God. A lot of people's destiny are delayed because you're not answering the call of God.
00:24:39
CODES
So, yeah, you bringing up this just, you know, took my mind back to that, how how one person's decision to serve God can have a tremendous effect and impact on so many generations, destinies of people.
00:24:54
CODES
Not that God doesn't have other options, of course, but like God is so particular in who he chooses and and on who he calls Of course, he gives he repentance is for everyone. Salvation is for everyone.
00:25:07
CODES
But if God is calling you to do something and you're refusing, it's like you're denying other people from what God has destined for them, although that God would use other people to accomplish that. But there is just a significant role that everyone plays in the ministry.
00:25:24
CODES
So I like that you brought that up. It it just took my mind back to that.
00:25:29
CODES
And is there one thing that you wish people understand about being a pastors kid?
00:25:29
Joel
Yes. Well, I think
00:25:38
Joel
pastors' kids, first of all, should not carry that badge like it is a
00:25:47
CODES
I
00:25:50
Joel
evil badge or a badge of that they are being looked at pointed i think some pastors kids uh carry a chip on their shoulder i'm a pastor's kids and they create a certain pressure on themselves when they do that pastors this kids have to what we call in colloquial terms chill out
00:25:52
CODES
love that.
00:25:57
CODES
Yeah.
00:26:04
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:26:09
CODES
yeah
00:26:16
Joel
and not carry this, oh, I am a pastors kid and my dad wants me to act this way, my mom wants me to act this way.
00:26:16
CODES
a
00:26:26
Joel
And I think it some of the the the way that pastor's kids act and operate should be more organic and more natural than forced.
00:26:35
CODES
Hey, I didn't say that again. Yeah.
00:26:38
Joel
And when it is forced, pastics kids would rebel
00:26:44
CODES
Yeah.
00:26:45
Joel
anything that is forced in you would rebel. So there is a a a very thin line to be walked and drawn between how much can a the parents of the kids, how far should they go and foist things on their kids.
00:27:01
CODES
yeah
00:27:04
Joel
In other words, it it doesn't make any sense to then demand a son to preach and he is not interested or is not at that point wanting to do it.
00:27:19
Joel
You can't voice a pastor's kid to become a leader in the church when they do not that's not what they're their feeling.
00:27:27
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:27:31
Joel
However, you you you can guide them
00:27:32
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:27:38
Joel
And you have to know. So let's say you have four kids.
00:27:41
CODES
yeah that's right that's true
00:27:41
Joel
All four are not going to respond the same way to the ministry. One is going to be more verbal. Oh, I like church. One is going to be less verbal, more silent.
00:27:53
Joel
A third might be more musically oriented. A fourth might be more technical oriented. And so you have to then develop them in the way that you see their gifts and callings are.
00:28:05
CODES
the strength yeah
00:28:07
Joel
So the one who is technical and wants to do technology and you force that person to go early and say, oh, you're going to lead this Sunday school or lead the the choir program.
00:28:14
CODES
I appreciate it. Hmm.
00:28:19
Joel
That's forcing a wrong a square peg in a wrong hole.
00:28:24
CODES
Hmm.
00:28:24
Joel
that's true that's that's That's putting the kid where they become was there in a rebellious somewhat, even if it's not overt, it's it's it's c covert.
00:28:30
CODES
Resentful. Yeah.
00:28:36
Joel
And so parents who are pastors, who are leaders, who are Christian leaders have to know by the wisdom that God has given them sometime in their life, how these kids are operating and and and their job is to keep the kid within the pale of the narrow, straight and narrow.
00:28:48
CODES
Yeah. Yeah.
00:29:03
Joel
So what do I mean by that? Their job is not to foist things on them that they are not interested in.
00:29:09
CODES
yeah
00:29:13
Joel
Their job as a parent is to train up a child in the way he should go or she should go. and When they're old, they will not depart. So what that scripture, if we were to ex explain it, it didn't say train up a child and tell him to preach.
00:29:26
CODES
Mmm.
00:29:30
Joel
Train up a child and tell him to sing.
00:29:31
CODES
Mmm. Mmm. And
00:29:32
Joel
Train up a child and tell him, They must share tracts.
00:29:36
CODES
the way I make it go.
00:29:36
Joel
It said, train up the child in the way that they should go, and when they're old, they'll not depart.
00:29:40
CODES
Mmm.
00:29:42
Joel
The way that they should go is a straight and narrow way. The way that they should go is to stay within the pale of the body of Christ.
00:29:45
CODES
Mmm.
00:29:51
CODES
Mmm.
00:29:51
Joel
The way that they should go is to attend church. Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together. The way that they should go is avoid taking...
00:30:02
Joel
jobs on Sunday so that they can be in the house of God. The way that they should go is not to put money in front of their God, not to put career in front of their God.
00:30:11
CODES
and front of their all
00:30:15
Joel
What do I mean by that? A lot of kids, 17, 18, 19, who are past as kids, at that time, and they stray from the pale of growing up in Christ.
00:30:27
Joel
And certain things happen to them. Oh, they They have to go work on Sunday or day they are studying and they have to leave the home or they go out to state and they find new friends and they're never in church.
00:30:42
CODES
who
00:30:42
Joel
So train up a child in the way you should go or she should go and and when they're old will not depart. is a is in context with keeping them on the straight and narrow, not in the context of foisting church ministries on them.
00:30:59
Joel
Pastors who do that will pay a price for it.
00:31:04
CODES
man I wish this this particular episode can reach out to a lot of a lot of parents because man this this really it hits home because it it goes really deeper than you raising them like you said in the way they should go but understanding the callings and their gifting and their strength because sometimes parents always want
00:31:09
Joel
Mm-hmm.
00:31:21
Joel
Yeah.
00:31:28
CODES
something for their kid that they want to see or what they fancy or the idea of what they consider success that's not necessarily in line with the skills or capacity that God has built the kid with you know because some kids like you had mentioned they can be built for music but not built for preaching But however, they can use that music to glorify God.
00:31:48
Joel
yeah
00:31:51
CODES
Not necessarily everyone who preaches has a pulpit. You can create your own pulpit through the music ministry that you have, through technology, using the technology to advance the kingdom by ensuring that the the gospel is preached in in in social media and all of that. like more of cultivating that skills and talent, guiding them in that way of using their talent and their gifts to glorify God and not imposing what you consider to be a talent on them, but prayerfully harnessing what God has instilled in them to be a blessing to the ministry.
00:32:16
Joel
Okay.
00:32:31
Joel
Yeah, you know, the there's there's a story of Eli. He had these two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, in the book of Samuel.
00:32:37
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:32:42
CODES
Yeah.
00:32:42
Joel
So when Samuel became the prophet, Eli was the high priest.
00:32:42
CODES
Yeah.
00:32:48
Joel
Eli ruled Israel as a high priest for 40 years.
00:32:52
CODES
yeah
00:32:52
Joel
But he had these two boys, and they were they used their father's position to bully people and did not treat people well.
00:33:03
Joel
And, you know, the other thing about the pastor's kids is they should never use the fact that they are connected to the pastor to become bullies in the church.
00:33:13
CODES
Hey, I've been wanting to do it.
00:33:16
Joel
And parents who have kids like that need to stop that and nip that in the bud and make sure that their are kids are
00:33:23
CODES
That's right.
00:33:25
Joel
show a spirit of humility and integrity and sincerity.
00:33:27
CODES
That's right.
00:33:29
Joel
And what you sow is going to reap because these two could have become the next set of high up priests, but because they violated the oath of the sanctity of the ministry, they, they went out into battle.
00:33:32
CODES
That's right.
00:33:43
CODES
and bringing strange fire
00:33:48
Joel
They died in the battle. The Ark of the Covenant was taken away. and And so the messenger brought the news to the father, Eli, who was sitting in the temple on his bench.
00:34:01
Joel
And when he heard that the Ark of the Covenant was taken away and his two sons died, he he fell backwards, broke his neck and died too. So you can't play with God too when you're in the ministry.
00:34:14
CODES
Yep.
00:34:14
Joel
And that's a sad situation regarding two sons who took advantage of the connectivity to their father's position and insulted and abused their their position and their power.
00:34:24
CODES
Yeah.
00:34:29
Joel
So it goes both ways where some pastors' kids refuse to be in the house of God.
00:34:30
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:34:37
Joel
Some, when they're in the house of God, they violate the sanctity of it too.
00:34:37
CODES
Mm.
00:34:40
CODES
Principles, yeah.
00:34:42
Joel
So it it goes both ways. Parents have to grow up their kids. Pastors have to grow up their kids.
00:34:48
CODES
Yeah.
00:34:48
Joel
in the fear and the admonition of the Lord without foisting and and bully and pushing and pressuring, but keeping them in the straight and narrow.
00:34:57
CODES
Yeah.
00:34:59
Joel
If your kid is a pompous, prideful person, they've got to deal with that.
00:34:59
CODES
Yeah.
00:35:03
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:35:03
Joel
If your kid is a a liar, you have to deal with that. If your kid is dishonest, you have to, these are the things growing them in the fear of the Lord.
00:35:12
CODES
Yeah.
00:35:12
Joel
But our job is not to go overboard and foist
00:35:17
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:35:17
Joel
and pressure them to do things that they do not, they're not called to do.
00:35:24
CODES
that's right if you look at your ministry now what path do you say reflect your parents and what part is different
00:35:37
Joel
What part reflects, say again.
00:35:40
CODES
if you look at your ministry now what part do you say reflect your parents and what part is different
00:35:47
Joel
I think the empathy and and the understanding of people, I think it mirrors somewhat of my father, where
00:35:56
CODES
yeah yes absolutely before you even say that i'm like yes that's that's so grandpa yes absolutely
00:36:03
Joel
he he had a lot of empathy for people. And he understood the feelings of people and also had a so good spirit of non retaliation against people.
00:36:17
CODES
yes that's grandpa yeah
00:36:17
Joel
And i have not, not all of those. I was able to acquire all the time in my life, but as I grew up older, I was able to make adjustments to kind of mirror some of that.
00:36:29
CODES
Oh my
00:36:34
Joel
The, my mom from her, I got my, talkativeness well and her kind of, in a way, of bluntness, but I'm not that blunt with her.
00:36:38
CODES
gosh, it's the audience. I can't. Oh my gosh. Oh my goodness. me yeah
00:36:48
Joel
I'm probably a little more diplomatic. She's a little more not diplomatic. But yeah, I think I have a little bit of both of them.
00:36:57
CODES
okay I'm sorry Pastor Joe this is hilarious. Oh my goodness. Yeah, there's just too much it's inside joke.
00:37:09
CODES
I'm sorry. I can't help it.
00:37:10
Joel
Peace.
00:37:12
CODES
But anyways, what has the what have you learned as a style of ministry that will help you improve your own style of ministry? Is there anything that you've learned? It it ties into the previous question that Becky had asked, but is there anything that you've learned or adopted from your dad and mom that would improve your style of ministry?
00:37:35
Joel
Well, I think that's similar to the question you asked before.
00:37:35
CODES
Anything would add ministry?
00:37:38
Joel
I mean, adopting the way they act, the way I explain is somewhere there in my style of ministry.
00:37:38
CODES
Yeah, yeah, yeah. It ties in.
00:37:47
Joel
you know, the talkativeness is in there, the style of ministry, the empathy, the, the, the, the spirit of forgiveness.
00:37:49
CODES
Oh my lord. I'm sorry. Oh my god. Yeah.
00:37:54
Joel
So it's, yeah. So it's almost the same question that, mirrors in, in, in the ministry. uh, But there are some differences.
00:38:07
CODES
on yeah
00:38:08
Joel
My father was more concerned or concerned a lot about taking, and this is a lot of the old timers, taking what we have and trying to make them better and perfect them.
00:38:26
CODES
Yeah.
00:38:27
Joel
And that is fine. That's that season where you take, if you had 20 people, 40 people, 50, you develop them.
00:38:29
CODES
Yeah.
00:38:35
Joel
My style of ministry is to do that, plus to reach another 50, another 100, another 200, another 300, and to take risks to do it.
00:38:35
CODES
Yeah.
00:38:43
CODES
now
00:38:47
Joel
And to reach for big visions and to stretch the cords.
00:38:52
CODES
yeah
00:38:57
Joel
So there are some differences, but the having the basic foundation, how he did some of the stuff has helped me to take this to the next level that I'm discussing.
00:39:13
CODES
to that. mean
00:39:18
CODES
what advice specifically if you have any that you want to give to other pastors this kids. Is there anything specifically that you want them to think about or any any message you have for them in their journey or anything that you've learned so far in your experiences that you would like to share to encourage pastors' this kids out there.
00:39:41
Joel
Well, I think it will be helpful for pastors kids to grow up in a very very kind,
00:39:46
CODES
Yeah.
00:39:53
Joel
humble sweet home
00:39:58
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:39:58
Joel
not a home of a strict disciplinarian, tight rope to walk. You can't do this. You cannot do this. You don't do this.
00:40:08
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:40:08
Joel
You don't. i Kids who are starting to hit 12, 14, 15 are going to rebel in some cases, maybe most cases, if that's how it has, it how they've grown up.
00:40:17
CODES
yeah
00:40:20
Joel
So, And we get to what the pastor's kids and advice to them is, an advice to the parents.
00:40:28
CODES
that's right
00:40:29
Joel
Be careful how you are growing your child up. you can't
00:40:35
Joel
You can't look at at at Mary as though she's four-year-old kid when she is now 15. There has to be an adjustment.
00:40:46
CODES
that's right yeah mm-hmm
00:40:46
Joel
Mary at 14, 15 wants to be respected. and doesn't want to be pushed down. You know, one of the things that parents make mistakes between that age when they're gaining, when the kids are trying to gain independence and gaining their identity, is to speak down to them.
00:41:08
Joel
is
00:41:09
CODES
mm-hmm mm-hmm mm-
00:41:09
Joel
so The self-confidence is lost.
00:41:13
CODES
hey
00:41:13
Joel
You know, the average child, parents, pastor's kids or not, between the ages of 12 and 21, one of the biggest things that they carry is a a a low self-esteem.
00:41:18
CODES
it's
00:41:25
CODES
low 17 that's true that's true
00:41:27
Joel
And they are dealing with anxiety. And so and they then they are dealing with issues that they can't handle.
00:41:30
CODES
that' true
00:41:35
Joel
And when parents... foist more pressure on them and not understand those types of things that they're going through, they have to prepare the kids to between yeah before 12 to be in a a good environment.
Guiding the Next Generation in Faith
00:41:57
Joel
Not an environment that's yelling. The mom is yelling at the dad. The dad's yelling at the at the mom.
00:42:00
CODES
oh
00:42:02
Joel
They're fighting. So Sometimes we we we kind of blame the kids of how they they they turn out, but some of it has to do with how the parents live in front of their kids.
00:42:11
CODES
but they're mirroring their parents yep right that's right
00:42:17
Joel
So if the parents live well, godly parents, spiritual, child praying over their their kids, laying hands on them, taking them to church, teaching them right and wrong, growing up them in the fear and the admonition of the Lord,
00:42:20
CODES
Yeah.
00:42:33
Joel
then the the child's self-esteem will be intact.
00:42:37
CODES
you
00:42:37
Joel
Their confidence will lift and you will have a better way of growing them up. So to your question as to any pointers for pastor's kids growing up is to get a resilience within you as you grow up and and know what's right and wrong
00:42:56
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:43:00
Joel
and use some of the early training you get from your parents and latch on to it.
00:43:04
CODES
Okay. Yep.
00:43:06
Joel
Don't ever believe that you are onto something better than what they have raised you in.
00:43:13
CODES
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:43:14
Joel
And what they've raised you in, you need to celebrate rather than than to disown it. And when you celebrate it and embrace it rather than disown it, you are going to have a better existence and and and and and build on top of it.
00:43:32
Joel
When you build on top of the little grace that they've they have imparted upon you, the prayers that they've imparted upon you, when you build on the the the moral moral the moral guidance that they have imparted, when you build on it, you are going to live a very powerful and a very so a very fulfilling life.
00:43:55
Joel
And you're go it's going to be easier for you to tackle circumstances and issues of life better by building on what they have taught you.
00:44:07
CODES
wow. That's a lot to that's a lot to unpack. that's it's it's It's such a deep message. saying that like brought up something in my in my mind you know Maybe you can also have an input on this as well.
00:44:24
CODES
I know growing up way back in the days where obviously there was not enough of truth being preached out there. This was so many decades ago growing up in a different country.
00:44:38
CODES
I know at some point growing up in in a Christian home, there's that tendency to feel like because you see a lot of ministers and who are way much older than you hearing from God and and all of that, like you see the demonstration of the Holy Spirit through them and all that.
00:44:55
CODES
Sometimes as a pastor's kid, you would wonder, maybe this is really not for me because maybe people only at this age group hear from God or maybe people from so-and-so background here from God.
00:45:08
CODES
I know personally, we like to keep this podcast really transparent and like just say it as it is. But personally, I know like in my mind at some point, as a little girl, i would i would always i was always thinking that, oh, maybe...
00:45:21
CODES
I'm too young to hear from God or maybe I'm too young to have a relationship with God to reconcile with God because maybe God just only talks to adults because around that time period, there was no one in my age group that are, you know, doing anything for God or, or whatnot.
00:45:38
CODES
But the dynamic dynamics is different now in this generation where thankfully more pastors kids are, are, leaning in towards that calling and and having that expression of their faith to God in different platforms. In social media, you see a lot of young people out there doing something for God. So what are what is your advice to maybe someone like me, that little Rachel decades ago, whoever, who thought or still thinks that,
00:46:09
CODES
they're too young to serve God or they're too young to develop a relationship with God just like Samuel in the Bible who God was calling but he didn't know the voice of God he just thought it was like Eli who was calling him so having that good mentorship you know helped him identify the voice of God so what is your advice to little Rachel the all the people who are like little Rachel back then yeah
00:46:11
Joel
Yeah. Hmm. Hmm.
00:46:34
Joel
Yeah, I think God is no respect to person and age ah is as as being segmented upon society that you reach a certain age and then you're respected.
00:46:37
CODES
yeah
00:46:44
CODES
yeah
00:46:47
Joel
I mean, got saved when I was 12. I started preaching at 14, hearing from God during those early years.
00:46:58
Joel
I didn't have to wait until I was 21, 25.
00:47:03
Joel
You know, I was preaching in revivals. So Jesus went to the temple at 12 years of age and was speaking to the priests and to the people around.
00:47:13
CODES
yeah
00:47:15
Joel
The mother, mom and dad went off and then they realized he wasn't with them. They went back to the temple and saw him teaching to the scribes and the Pharisees and everyone else.
00:47:28
Joel
And Samuel, you mentioned, Samuel was 12 years of age when that voice was calling him.
00:47:32
CODES
yeah
00:47:34
Joel
And, you know, before the day was over the night was over, found out it was God. Eli said, it wasn't me. and
00:47:45
CODES
Yeah.
00:47:46
Joel
And so on and on, those ages are very important ages where you could hear from God at the very young
00:47:52
CODES
Yeah.
00:47:57
Joel
age you You do not have to wait on, oh, my father could preach well and hear from God. He's 40 years of age. Or my mom is a prayer warrior. She hears from God.
00:48:09
Joel
You could hear from God at an early age. And here's one of the things though that we have to be aware of as we're growing up in the Lord.
00:48:26
Joel
Our a Christian life takes stages.
00:48:29
CODES
that's right and you walk with God yeah too
00:48:30
Joel
Stages be where you have different seasons in your life. And there's a time when you would be hearing from God or having a, your conscience is a little more sensitive to the voice of God for a period of time.
00:48:46
CODES
yeah
00:48:48
Joel
And then there's another period where you are, you haven't backslidden, but you have, you gone into another season. You are in college, you are dealing with other things and you you are, the fact that you haven't heard the voice like you did five years ago, wanna be very clear about this.
00:49:09
Joel
A lot of people feel that they're, they, they oh, I must have backslidden and the enemy shouts in their ear, you are really
00:49:15
CODES
Hey, you're getting there. You're hitting the nickel in the head. e
00:49:22
Joel
gone You used to be like this and you're gone and and you look at your life. I didn't sin. I didn't go out the way. Yeah, I used to have a more closer communion and hard.
00:49:33
Joel
but But the thing is, we go through seasons in life.
00:49:36
CODES
seasons that's right
00:49:37
Joel
Every single patriarch, every single priest, every single apostle had periods of their life.
00:49:43
CODES
hmm
00:49:47
Joel
And and and and And it's not like the the way we our peers go where, oh, we're at this level of level three, then we go to level five, and then we go to the level nine, and then we go to level 10.
00:49:59
CODES
Hey. Okay.
00:50:01
Joel
ten And it's not, oh, if I go back to level five, that means I'm backslidden. The enemy would like to tell you that.
00:50:07
CODES
Mm-hmm. Yeah.
00:50:09
Joel
You know, an example of that is like an evangelist who preached for 40 years, is now 65, 70 years of age.
00:50:14
CODES
mean
00:50:18
Joel
He's not preaching like he did for those 40 years. He's now preaching probably once a month or not preaching at all. He's now retired. But that doesn't mean that he is backslidden and he that his spirituality is less than when he was preaching for 40 years every week.
00:50:31
CODES
Yeah.
00:50:39
Joel
We go through seasons in our life. So... to to Back to your question about whether young per people can hear from God. Yes, you can. but But if you didn't hear from God when you were young, you could hear from God when you were middle-aged when you were older.
00:50:54
Joel
And maybe there are people who listen to me, they never really heard the audible voice of God. That don't mean that you're not a Christian.
00:50:59
CODES
you
00:51:00
Joel
The devil is a deceiver and wants to whisper that you are not living the right life.
00:51:01
CODES
and That's right.
00:51:06
Joel
So...
00:51:06
CODES
Yeah.
00:51:07
Joel
I want to emphasize this, that one of the things that young people and folks who are trying to live for God get caught up in the and in in the the ah it ended the lies of the devil
00:51:23
CODES
Yeah.
00:51:23
Joel
is when they are when when there they're in a different season And the enemy comes to tell them, well, you need to give up on God now.
00:51:37
Joel
You remember when Job was in a another a season? He lost his children.
00:51:41
CODES
oh my gosh we talked about this in the last episode
00:51:43
Joel
And Job got sick.
00:51:46
CODES
love
00:51:47
Joel
Well, Job was in a new season.
00:51:49
CODES
well
00:51:49
Joel
And people told him, curse God and die. Job held on. And God restored his wealth, restored his health, restored the family.
00:52:00
Joel
But During the period that he did not have all of that, he he had to just keep trusting God. So when we are in areas where we have, we we must not have, here's the important thing, unrealistic expectations of who we are and our connectivity to God.
00:52:19
CODES
Mm-hmm. Yeah.
00:52:24
Joel
Some people go through a period of super spiritual hyper connectivity to God. There's nothing wrong with it, but some people, they can go crazy where they want to go to the to to the end oh of of like the extreme.
00:52:43
Joel
you know So we have to be balanced, so we have to be moderate, and we have to know what season we're in.
00:52:46
CODES
Mm-hmm.
00:52:50
CODES
Yeah. You know, you know why, why we're just getting so excited because we exactly spoke on this, on the job scenario, like uneasoned on on the last recording and he has not yet been released.
00:53:04
CODES
that That part is not yet released.
00:53:04
Joel
Right.
00:53:05
CODES
So like you saying that it's, it's literally a confirmation that gets me so excited when the spirit is confirming things over and over and again. But yeah, we did mention the the, like you had mentioned, for people to understand season.
00:53:19
CODES
Now, I didn't know that as a a young person, you know, as as a literal Rachel, that there are times where are you you hear from God and then there are times where you don't hear from God.
00:53:29
CODES
And we kind of narrated the personality of the Holy Spirit. You know how the scripture also says to be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove. And we were were bringing up the...
00:53:39
Joel
I mean,
00:53:41
CODES
why the Lord uses the dove as an example to liken to the personality of the Holy Spirit, that the dove is very sensitive to season changes. The dove is very calm and it's very quiet. it's it's It doesn't have any bitterness in it.
00:53:56
CODES
But the reason why I brought that need for understanding season changes, because sometimes, like you had mentioned, some people are in their hypersensitive season where they are very, very in tune with with the voice of God, with the presence of God, and it and it's so sharp and so crisp and so clear.
00:54:15
CODES
So when they're in a different season where they're probably in the midst of a lot of trials, a lot of temptations, where a lot of things going on around them, distractions around them, dampen their sensitivity to
00:54:17
Joel
Thank
00:54:29
CODES
the presence of God or the sensitivity to the voice of God, automatically that's where the enemy starts to sow seeds. And you're not hearing from God because you're going through this. And why are you even going through this when you're a child of God?
00:54:41
CODES
Why you going through all of this affliction? Just like they brought it up to Job that, His friends, Job's friend, i was actually doing a reading on the book of Job, how his friends, were accusing him that he's going through that because he's not living righteous and like all sorts of abuse. I mean, eventually Job prayed for them and forgive them. But like, imagine that being in that season and everyone around you tells you that you're going through what you're going through because you're not hearing from God.
00:55:07
CODES
And over time, if you're not really matured in Christ, you internalize that and decide to eventually separate from God because you feel like you you accept the voice of the enemy that's telling you that God doesn't care about you anymore. That's usually when the enemy would feed into your mind that God doesn't love you.
00:55:24
CODES
God doesn't care about you. You're backslidden. You're no longer in faith and God doesn't speak to you because you're living in sin. That's why and so it's so important, like you mentioned, to know who your God is and knowing and understanding in different season.
00:55:40
CODES
Most importantly is knowing God because knowing God means that you know that even though you're not hearing from God, God does not God does not like desert the righteous.
00:55:54
CODES
Even though you're not hearing from him, it doesn't mean that He has forsaken you because he would not forsake His righteous ones. Knowing that personality of God and knowing that He's a just God, he's a God of love. And us with as as long as you're in faith and you're in line with his will,
00:56:09
CODES
and you're living for God, there is no how he would ever abandon you. But if you don't know that side of God, that God is a covenant keeper, that he keeps covenant, He protects the one He loves, the one who abides in Him
00:56:23
CODES
If you know that part of God and know that God does not change and He does not lie, it's a good anchor in your faith to know that even though I'm going through this, God is still for me.
00:56:28
Joel
Mm-hmm.
00:56:33
CODES
He still is watching over me because He keeps covenant. Even though things may not around you may not seem like everything is going well, it might, you might have a ugly situation, but it doesn't mean that your life is ugly.
00:56:48
CODES
So having that understanding of who God is and knowing your God, knowing the word of God, obviously the only way to know God is through his word and personal relationship with him. It informs you of who God is.
00:56:59
Joel
Mm-hmm.
00:56:59
CODES
So, yeah, and that is just is's just a confirmation to what we had previously discussed and it knowing your season and knowing that even though
00:57:04
Joel
Yeah, yeah.
00:57:09
CODES
People get so accustomed to the the intense, big way God reveals himself. They don't know that God reveals himself in different ways. You cannot box God that, oh God, if God is revealing himself through fire, that means He's a God of fire.
00:57:25
CODES
No, God can also be that still small voice that you hear. You don't necessarily need the loud, why He expresses so Himself in that way, depending on the situation or the occasion, you can't confine Him to that.
00:57:39
CODES
way that He chooses to reveal Himself that's not the only way that God is but understanding that God reveals himself through different ways and knowing and knowing that and to add to what you just said right just because the season changed doesn't mean that the love of God has changed for you oh you know that again sister because a lot of people always think that when the season change means that the love of God for them has changed
00:57:41
Joel
Right.
00:58:05
CODES
god cannot change God cannot lie right the season only changes around you but that doesn't mean that God's love for you has changed most times when they see when the season change is god trying to build you up that's right right trying to increase you but that's what a lot of people tend to misunderstand a lot right so when they're going through current situation or current battles they feel like oh my goodness this this is too much i don't think i have the strength but not knowing that in that battle is you finding your strength a right because they're so focused on how how this is overwhelming how it feels yes
00:58:42
Joel
Excuse me. Excuse me.
00:58:44
CODES
They're focused on that, but they don't understand that sometimes this battle comes to improve us, maybe to increase our prayer life, right? Maybe you could have been struggling with praying, but the battles come there to shape you, right? The battle come there for you to pray more.
00:58:57
CODES
And maybe God wants you to get closer to Him That's why he lets all these things happen. And that doesn't necessari necessarily mean that his love for you has changed. His love for you hasn't changed. Except you change.
00:59:08
CODES
That's the only thing. But His love for you is always abiding.
00:59:11
Joel
Thank you.
00:59:12
CODES
Right? The season only changed. Things around you only changed. But God's still remained the same. Yeah, you know, it's it's interesting you mentioned that because I know I at some point I did went through that season in my life where I never understood what I understood now.
00:59:26
CODES
You know, it's from those experiences that you mature and you grow in understanding of God.
Faith Amidst Trials and Chaos
00:59:30
CODES
But years ago, when I did went through different season in my life, the constant lie that the enemy always told me was that God doesn't love you.
00:59:40
CODES
whenever I went through that situation, the constant lie the enemy taught told me was that you're not loved by God, you're not loved by God. But when I did recognize or when I did know that that was a lie of the enemy, I decided to start feeding my mind with the word of God that tells me that I am loved by God.
01:00:00
CODES
And it reminds me of this scripture that says that... your name shall be hephzibah like the Lord delights in you. That was my constant affirmation and confession.
01:00:13
CODES
I'm the delight of the Lord.
01:00:14
Joel
Mm-hmm.
01:00:15
CODES
I'm the delight of the Lord. And whatever you feed your mind, you become, right? When I continually, when I don't feel like I'm loved by God because I'm feeling like the situation doesn't indicate that,
01:00:27
CODES
Our walk with God is not by feelings, it's by faith. So when I don't feel it in the situation I'm going through, I believe it that I am loved by God. And eventually my mind is changed. And eventually I see the situation differently from a place of God's love for me. Not necessarily from a place of hate, but a place that God loves me.
01:00:49
CODES
And I'm going through this, but it's going to be okay. I'm going to go stronger out of this. And also, sorry, to add to what you just said. Sometimes the battle comes in there. The chaos comes in there to distract our walk with God.
01:01:03
CODES
True. You know, and even most times when the devil notice how intentional you are with your walk with God, it throws those battle in there to distract you. hmm.
01:01:14
CODES
right to make you feel like you're abandoned right to make you feel like God doesn't love you but God still do love you right the battle in there just wants to distract you distract you away from God and that's where the faith comes in right that's where trust comes in trusting that God is always with you right and when you take a look at during when the wind there was a heavy wind and the disciples were complaining
01:01:31
Joel
Thank
01:01:37
CODES
How can you be sleeping, master? And look at what is going on, right? How can you be sleeping in this moment? Can't you see we're about to die? We're going to drown, right? But they had a master sitting down there. They didn't even know who He is. They couldn't even trust him.
01:01:53
CODES
Right. So even in the midst of the chaos and the challenges, right, it's important to also have that trust and believe that the enemy always comes to steal, to kill and to destroy and to distract you.
01:02:05
CODES
As long as you have that discernment and you know and you trust God, He will bring you out and your relationship will be unshaken, unwavering. You know why also they didn't really understand their season at that moment. hey God was testing their faith in him.
01:02:21
CODES
At that moment, He was waiting to see them exercise authority because of who they're in a relationship with, because of who they know He was expecting them to exercise authority. But they were not there yet. They were seeing the problem and not God in it.
01:02:34
CODES
yeah God wanted to build their faith in that. So sometimes we're so focused on the problem that we're going through and and we're not realizing that this season we're called for is a season to take authority. yeah Yes, God shows us love and we He establishes that relationship with him.
01:02:53
CODES
The next step is for us to walk in authority because of the foundation and relationship with have with have with Him but yeah this was such a lovely episode with pastor joe and we appreciate you pastor joe for being here with us yes and for taking out the time out of your busy busy schedule to really entertain this podcast we really appreciate you yes we do and through
01:03:19
Joel
Yeah, we thank you for having us.
01:03:21
CODES
we're gonna let you off yes we're gonna let you off now because I know you have a lot on your plate but thank you much yeah
01:03:25
Joel
Yeah, I just wanted to say finally that, you know, you guys have traveled in the mission field. You were in Guyana last year and we met you guys there.
01:03:33
CODES
yeah
01:03:38
Joel
Uh, we are going in for a huge, uh, countrywide event. Hope is rising May the 9th at the cultural center in Georgetown, Guyana
01:03:51
CODES
Nice.
01:03:51
Joel
yeah We're having a 24 hour prayer for the whole nation and bringing leaders of that nation together in the evening for a time of worship and prayer celebration is going to be televised to the whole world.
01:04:06
Joel
And we're bringing the nation before God. So I want you to remember that in prayer, that this will be a national event where people from Berbice where you guys were, are coming into Georgetown, from Linden, from george of different places around the country.
01:04:12
CODES
Absolutely. Yes, yes. Amen.
01:04:18
CODES
Oh, he was so lovely. Yes.
01:04:24
Joel
There are nine different regions. Berbeis happens to be one. Ten regions, sorry. And all ten we are bringing people in. We're going to have a great evening.
01:04:35
Joel
So I wanted to let you guys know that to pray for that. And May the 9th, it's a Friday night.
01:04:41
CODES
When is this going to be again? Sorry. milk Okay.
01:04:46
Joel
Yeah, we're flying in for that.
01:04:46
CODES
Okay.
01:04:48
Joel
And it's going to be a great time for the for the nation.
01:04:51
CODES
Amen.
01:04:52
Joel
You know, I have a movement called Hope is Rising. We have done that.
01:04:55
Joel
in Guyana against suicide years ago, where we had close to 20,000 people gathered at a stadium.
01:04:55
CODES
Amazing.
01:04:59
CODES
Mm.
01:05:04
Joel
It still holds the record as one of as the largest Christian event in the history of Guyana.
01:05:04
CODES
Mm.
01:05:08
CODES
Mm.
01:05:10
Joel
And now we're going in to do something a little bit more of prayer convocation, celebration and and worship before God.
01:05:21
Joel
Bringing the nation's leaders and the people together for prayer for the nation.
01:05:24
CODES
man
01:05:28
CODES
That's amazing. Can you also let me know the details, like if you can text me the details so I can post it while I, when I do upload the recording.
01:05:35
Joel
ye Yeah, yeah,
01:05:36
CODES
So anyone who's in
Farewell and Social Media Handles
01:05:38
Joel
yeah.
01:05:38
CODES
that look into it.
01:05:38
Joel
I'll send also the radio clip that's being played in Guyana.
01:05:42
CODES
Absolutely. Okay.
01:05:44
Joel
It gives a, as a matter of fact, it gives a very, i can send it on, you guys are on WhatsApp.
01:05:44
CODES
Awesome.
01:05:54
CODES
yes yes you can send it on there and yes guys if you're listening to this and you're in that area definitely mark the date on to to attend and and pray about it on may 9th i would send in the details when i do post this episode on our platforms But yeah, thank you guys again for joining us in this yeah episode. And if you haven't already, do follow us on Instagram at Covenant Diaries and also on YouTube at Covenant Diaries.
01:06:20
CODES
And we do leave our email there if you have a prayer request or if you have any questions that you want to answer, you want to be answered regarding anything that you're going through at the moment. of course with confidentiality disclosures or whatever the case may be let us know and do send us that email before we go off pastor joe would you please say a word of prayer to our listeners
01:06:41
Joel
Yes. Father, we thank you today for this powerful time that we have come before the presence of God.
01:06:43
CODES
and
01:06:50
Joel
We thank you for Rebecca and Rachel who are doing this great work regarding in in inspiring and influencing for the good of pastors, kids and kids as a whole, people growing up looking to get into ministry, people who are
01:07:01
CODES
Amen. Amen.
01:07:08
Joel
having doubts about their life with God. And I thank you for their life. Thank you for giving them this awesome responsibility of of doing this to the nation.
01:07:19
Joel
I pray that you will bless the folks who have heard about what we have said. I pray it will be inspirational. It will be a, it will, It will be a light onto their pathway. It will help them to grow in grace, help them to walk in the spirit of God.
01:07:34
Joel
And i I pray for some young man, some young woman who may have lost their way and needed needed this work today. Let them know that there is still hope. There's a second chance. There's the power of God.
01:07:46
CODES
Amen.
01:07:46
Joel
the God can turn around like how God turned around Ruth's life.
01:07:49
CODES
Amen.
01:07:52
Joel
Ruth lost her husband. And she cleaved to Naomi and her mother-in-law and said, your God shall be my God. And when she went after God, like we need to go after God, she met her husband, second husband. Her first husband died.
01:08:09
Joel
Met him in the field. And he was a rich Jewish man. And out of that, they married and got Obad. who became the father of Jesse, who was the father of the second king of Israel, David, who was of the tribe of Judah, who was of the legacy and the lineage of Jesus Christ.
01:08:32
Joel
So we thank you, God, someone who might be thinking life is not worth it, I'm finished.
01:08:37
CODES
mmm
01:08:37
Joel
i My back is against the wall. Let him think about Ruth in the Bible who lost her husband, but cleave onto Naomi's God. And when you cleave onto the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God will guide you in pathway that you never dreamt about.
01:08:55
Joel
And God guided her where she became the great-grandmother the great-grandmother of the second king of Israel. So we thank you, God, that you are in the business of restoration, redemption, and salvation.
01:09:07
CODES
and Amen. Amen.
01:09:09
Joel
In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray.
01:09:12
CODES
Amen.
01:09:12
Joel
Amen. I just sent to you, Rachel, or Rebecca, you want that you whoever gets that number, this radio announcement is being played, if if you see it on your WhatsApp, all over the around the nation in Guyana regarding Hope is Rising.
01:09:15
CODES
Yes, sir.
01:09:22
CODES
Okay. Okay.
01:09:29
Joel
May the 9th.
01:09:30
CODES
No problem. I'll definitely put that up. Thank you once again. Thank you. Thank you so much. rachel each Thank you so much. We appreciate you.
01:09:37
Joel
Okay.
01:09:37
CODES
God bless you. And thank you all for listening and joining.
01:09:38
Joel
God bless you. Have a good evening. Yeah.
01:09:41
CODES
God bless you all. Bye.