Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks so much for listening to the podcast and thanks for supporting

the ministry. We believe you're going to have an awesome 2024, healthy, productive, and favor-filled.

God bless you today and enjoy the message. Well, God bless you. It's a joy to come into your homes.

And if you're ever in our area, please stop by and be a part of one of our services. I promise you, we'll make it feel right at home. But I like to start with something funny. And I heard about these two men, the Pope and a lawyer. They died on the same day, went to heaven. Peter met them at the gates, said, follow me, I'll take you to your

homes. Peter dropped the Pope off at this small wood frame house, one bed, one table, nothing to it.

He then took the lawyer to this magnificent house. He was huge, had a big swimming pool,

beautiful view out back. The lawyer was overwhelmed. Said, Peter, how did I manage to get this spectacular place? And the Pope only got the small

place. Peter said, we have dozens of popes. You're the first lawyer. 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 seasons of silence. We all go

through times what doesn't feel like we're making progress. We're praying, but our prayers

aren't being answered. We're being our best, but not getting good breaks. The problem hasn't

turned around. Seems like God went on vacation.

But the silence is not a sign that God is not working. He may not be changing the circumstances,

but he is changing us. God uses the seasons of silence to get us prepared.

When we're not getting our way, we're doing the right thing, but we're being overlooked.

Our friend got married, but we're still single.

We're working harder than our co-worker, but they got the promotion.

We feel overlooked, undervalued, forgotten.

These times of isolation where you're not being celebrated are extremely valuable.

Nothing may be changing on the outside, but something's happening on the inside.

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