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Nina and Michelle, are best friends with a passion for the Lord. They bring uplifting conversations, encouragement, and shared personal stories of overcoming and victory straight to your screen.
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The Stretching of Faith 0:02 We wanna honor God because He sees everything.0:10 You were born with a plan and a purpose. He's the God of all things possible. He's the God of all0:22 miracles.0:52 Welcome to Grace Grace with Naina Michelle. I'm Michelle Humphreys.0:56 And I am Naina Keegan. Welcome to the broadcast today. Today, we're gonna be talking about how God stretches us to maximize what we already have in us. And and, you know, we we don't always like1:08 the stretching. The stretching part is not fun sometimes. But when we on the other side of it, you know, once we've been stretched and been through that process and and, you know, again, that's1:20 never never a good thing sometimes when we're in the midst of it. But we can always look back, like, you know, I was to say hindsight's 20 20 with God because you can say, ah, you know, thank you that that, you1:32 know, this has brought me to this place now or I see what you were doing now. And and it's always for our good. It's always, you know, so many times in the bible when God was stretching1:43 people, you know, and and making them really it's about getting you out of your comfort zone because so many of us are just all hunky dory happy in our little comfort zone, but we don't accomplish1:55 great things for God in the comfort zone. And do you know what occurred to me? Is is that, you know, no no fight do you ever notice that that God2:07 never calls us to a fair fight? Like, it's it's not. Look at look at David against Goliath. Look at, like, Gideon and his little 300 men versus the whole big army. Because2:19 if if we had a fair fight, we would always take our own credit. Oh, yeah. But because it's never fair, God gets the glory. We can say, this was2:30 impossible, but God did it, and he gets the glory for all of it. But it had to stretch us. Do you think about how people in the Bible had to be stretched to be like, I'm going into this battle with for2:42 what? You know, like, we're we're gonna we're gonna walk around this this this this these walls for for 7 days and and be completely quiet? If that wasn't stretching, the whole time2:54 under my breath, I'd be like, this is so stupid. Like like, what am I doing? Like, over and over again, the stretching brought forth the victory. And it's never a fair fight when God's in it3:06 because God will be glorified in it and not you. You can't take the credit for that. It's always him. And I love that.3:14 Amen. And I mean and it's all the time where we can't lean on our own understanding. Amen. Because when we're being stretched, it does not make sense. It absolutely makes 0 sense.3:26 And every time God has stretched me, which I think happens on the daily, to where you you know, I I thought about this, and I I think I've shared this before. You know, how the3:38 Bible talks about in your bowl, that there are bowls of prayer. Like, you you God never, waste a tear. Your tears are in a bottle, and3:50 and it also says that all your prayers are in a bowl, that he keeps them. So it's an insurance policy. It's3:56 an incense.3:57 It's an incense before the Lord. And I think about my bowl, Mosey says, god, I don't I don't know what to do next. You guys need4:06 to just4:06 show me what to do next. It's huge. I need I need help. Right? I mean, we need help all the time. We we have to trust God in the stretching. And, I mean,4:19 so many times, I have just said to the lord, I've got nothing. I can't think of 1 thing. I can't think of 1 thing, and that's stretching.4:30 And and, I mean, I'm you know, like, in in what I do, a lot of times, I'm asked to speak about something, like, on the spot. And a lot of times, I'll4:42 I'll text Nina, please pray right now. Please pray right now. And I and I am asking God because, I mean, I am completely stretched, and and I'm I'm, like, walking up to the mic. And the4:54 Bible says,4:55 But what do I always say to you?4:57 You you always say you got it.4:59 Because it's really the second you get if you had it all planned, it you know, it's always better because then the Holy Spirit just speaks through you anyway, and it'll come out better than anything you would have had5:09 planned.5:10 Yeah.5:10 That's how it It5:11 is it is like it's a stretching that goes on. And I mean, I have been walking up to the podium, and, you know, at the last minute, they'll change5:23 something or they'll ask me to say something. And, I mean, I'm thinking I can't think of 1 thing. My mind is a complete blank. And and I when I get up there and I'm5:35 I'm I'm, like, crying out to God, and I know my bowl is like, here's 1 more time she's saying, help. You gotta tell me what to say because I've got5:47 nothing. And that's the stretch. Right? That's the stretch. And and God will just flow out. Yes. And I'm always amazed because sometimes while I'm saying it, I'm going,5:58 god, that's pretty cool.6:00 I love that, and I hadn't even thought of it. And, I mean, when when it says open your mouth and I will feel it, he really will.6:07 Because he and he's done that for us on the show. There's been times where we've had to, stop because there was a sound problem or something was going on, And then the show starts over again and it's completely6:18 different. Or we watch it back and we don't remember saying any of those certain things because we tried to let the Holy Spirit well, we don't try to. We we we do. Like, Holy Spirit, have your way and6:30 really speak what the people need to hear. And and, you know, think about it being like a rubber band. Like, do you remember we would have we would have date ourselves. Do you remember that toy Stretch Armstrong? I don't6:40 know if you my brother had 1 of these. And I remember us, like, he'd be like, you take that in. It was this little rubber, like like like doll guy. Like, he was like a little superhero outfit and you would6:52 just stretch him and we he would try to get him around a tree. Like you would just stretch this guy and then it would and you could just it was amazing what you could do with this stretch Armstrong. And so when I think7:03 about like stretching in a physical way, like, you know, if you're I like to run, I like to exercise and do things, but if you don't stretch ahead of time, you can get hurt.7:15 And so I always like to stretch, that's how you get warmed up and that's how your your muscles and your body can be prepared for, for what you're, you know, like the task at hand, what you're gonna be doing with the run7:26 or whatever you're gonna be doing. And so it's the same with with, you know, the the stretching for for for your mind and your stretching in the Lord is like, that's going to prepare you for the heavy lifting, for7:38 what God's gotta do for you because that's how we're gonna grow spiritual muscles as well. And so we have to you know, when he's stretching you and, you know, it's like, God, I I I feel like you're yanking me out of my7:50 comfort zone, and I don't really like it and I like it over here where I where I recognize everything and it's the status quo. And but we're never gonna do great things for God in the status quo always because the8:01 kingdom of heaven is always advancing and we wanna be part of that. And so if we're not open to, okay, bring on the stretching, like let me let me go through, like show me what's next. If8:13 I have to leave this little comfort zone to get to this next place with you, then you leave me, guide me, show me Because I don't I I don't wanna stay behind. I wanna do everything you have called me to8:25 do or want me to do. And, you know, we could have never imagined a TV show or any of these things. And it seemed so ridiculous at the when it was first told to8:37 us. And yet, here we are because we got out of our comfort zone and let me tell you, it was very uncomfortable to to even think about it. And yet, here we are. So we're gonna talk more about letting8:48 God stretch you as soon as we come right back. You are watching Grace Grace with Naina and Michelle. Stay right there.8:54 Hello, everyone. I'm excited to announce the next generation of energy drinks, Rev 7. It has no sugar and no caffeine. Instead, Rev 7 uses go bEmbracing the Stretch 9:06 h b. Go b h b is 1 of the body's primary ketones, and it provides the most efficient and clean fuel that your body needs. It also helps you stay energized all day with no crashes. Not only that, it produces9:26 balance your mood. Rev 7 does all that while stress and helps balance your mood. Rev 7 does all that while being the best tasting energy drink ever. So go to my pillow dot com or call the number on9:37 your screen. Use your promo code to save 20 percent today. I'm so sure you're gonna love Rev 7. For a limited time, you get our introductory 3 pack absolutely free. I drink Rev9:49 7 every day, and I absolutely love it, and so will you.9:54 Welcome back to Grace Grace with Naina Michelle. We are talking about being stretched, and I am telling you, you really haven't been through life with God10:06 unless you've been stretched. I mean, can you even live a Christian life and not be stretched? Because God is always going to call us out of our comfort zones. He does.10:17 Even in like how we listen to God. Right? How we listen to God, those little obedience callings that he'll ask you to10:29 do, those little nudges, you know, and and and that's a stretch. Sometimes, you know, the Lord will say, go over to this person, say this, And you're like, I don't know them.10:41 I don't want10:41 to right now. Yes. This is so strange. And yet it's a stretching. And so but if you will obey God, you're gonna those people will be be blessed and you're10:53 gonna be blessed. And often, it it's gonna create a relationship that you need and they need. And, I mean, even how Naina and I know 1 another was a11:05 stretch of faith. Yeah. That that the Lord told me to to go to her house and all of these things. And, I mean, just even our our our friendship has you know, the initial11:17 friendship was a stretch of faith. Right?11:20 Well, and it's all about obedience and that's the stretching because it really is, again, when it's not comfortable and it's not ordinary, and that's usually how you know it's God. Because, you know, when he's like, go11:31 talk to him or send this person a text or send this word, and sometimes it can seem like it's a crazy word and yet you're like, you know that it's not something I normally say or it's not something I would11:43 normally send to somebody and and the the feeling doesn't go away. And then you feel like, okay, now I I know I have to do this. And then you'll always, always, it'll be like, I so needed to hear that today. Thank you11:55 for sending this to me today. Even though it was like so out of the ordinary or so out of our comfort zone, but what I have realized is that when you obey in those things, it's12:07 it's really helpful for you because there's confirmation in it that you know you heard from the Lord. And so so when you practice hearing that voice of the Lord, that stretching that12:19 he does, he brings you more and he uses you more and he uses you more and more and more. And you step out and, you know, when you're talking to strangers and witnessing to people and God will put you in places12:31 where, like, even my husband and I were, you know, had to hitchhike coming down Pikes Peak so that we could meet a lady, a a young girl, a young woman and speak into her life. And it was like a12:43 crazy set of circumstances. But once we, you know, met her, who ended up giving us a ride down the rest of the mountain, and I was able to witness to her and speak into her life, and12:54 I'm still in contact with her, that that it all made sense why we went through such stretching. Like, who's who's hitchhiking down Pikes Peak in the middle of13:06 a crazy storm? Like, it was just bizarre. But, you know, there you are getting stretched for what? Yeah. For for God to use you, for God to to, like,13:19 put you exactly where you needed to be even on a giant mountain in the middle of a storm so that he could reach somebody.13:27 That's right. And and like the Bible says, the testing of our faith is like precious gold. And when we're being stretched, we're being tested. When we're asked to step out in faith,13:39 you know, and and do something that's not familiar, you know, I I I mean, we are being tested. And and so many times, that just is combined with don't13:51 lean on your own understanding. You have to trust God in the stretch and trust God while you're waiting. To me, waiting, which we did a show about14:02 today, about when we wait, that's a stretch. Right? Isn't it Hang on. Hold on. So weary waiting on the Lord. It's like, when,14:14 God, When are you gonna do this miracle? Are you gonna intervene? And we know that he says he will. And so that's a stretch when you believe God no matter what you14:26 see, because faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen. So when we are being stretched, we are showing God that we14:38 have faith in him regardless of what we're looking at. You know? I mean, how many times have you been in an impossible situation and just because14:50 you've gotten out of this, situation with the Lord because he was faithful in that, then he you can believe him to be faithful in the situation15:02 where you are right now. And even though you're being stretched, you're being tested, and that is like pure gold to15:10 the Lord. Think about, like, how we are with our own children or grandchildren and and maybe they're in a situation where there's some other kids and you wanna encourage them to go play or whatever. It's like, go say hi,15:21 go talk to them, go introduce yourself or, you know, you you you are nudging them and encouraging them to get out of their comfort zone Right. To go play and meet other kids and and, you know, maybe that's something new15:32 to them. But that's exactly what God does to us. You know, he we're his children and he's like, go ahead, come on, you know, let's let's, you know, go speak to that person, go do this, go do that. And, you know, some of15:43 the very things that you are terrified of, like I used to I used to hate to fly, like, way back when I was when I was really young. I was like, hated to fly. I was terrified. Hated public15:55 speaking. I remember being the mom for 1 of the little teens and I was, like, mortified that I had to, like, speak to everybody. It was just but I think about what the devil the devil tries to hold you back for16:06 those very things God wants to use you. And so, you know, that's why you have to just allow him to just nudge you and get on out there and use you in in in the stretching is what's gonna16:18 bring about the victory.16:20 I you know, I I know you know this, but, you know, this is, like, 1 of the stories from childhood that really stretched my faith. I I had I was a tap16:32 dancer. You know, what a useless thing for an adult. Right? But I was as a child, I was a tap dancer. I wish I had played the piano so that I could actually play the piano now. But instead, I16:44 tapped. So, you know, when are you gonna tap as an adult? Right? So right? You never know. So I had16:51 learned this. Can make racket in your house like a like a piano.16:54 There was this big, you know, fair, and, there was a giant talent show, and a lot of people entered. And my dance teacher decided that we were gonna, you know, rev it up, and we were17:06 gonna learn this routine in a couple of days. And I mean, it was hard. And I got up in front of, I don't know how many people, maybe a thousand or more. I mean, it was packed.17:18 And in the middle of it, I just forgot my routine. I mean, my mind went blank. And normally, I could make it up as I went. I just would make it up as I went if I if if my mind went blank.17:30 That night, I wasn't having it. It just I wasn't in the mood, and I'm not kidding y'all. It was it was terrible.17:37 Did a hook come across stage and pull you off?17:39 Worse. Worse. I jumped out into the audience.17:45 I mean,17:45 I was a kid.17:46 A flash mob. I was like Were they supposed to catch17:48 you? I started that thing. Crowd surfing. Oh, my god. Jumped out. And I I mean, it's so embarrassing, so humiliating. I knew people in the audience. My dance teacher was18:00 in the audience, and I could see her. She was going, no. No. Save yourself. And so I went home, and, I mean, I cried and I cried and I cried.18:12 And the but the next night was actually the talent show. That was the 1 that was actually the competition. It's the premium. To do it again the next night. And I was like, I don't wanna do that again. And I think about,18:24 you know, how just little things like that will stretch you even as a kid. And so, you know, we were back in the eighties, you know, where, you know, I we we heard all these cliches, a winner never18:36 quits and a winner never wins and all those cliches and, you know, they they they thought of everything to try to get me back up on that stage, and and I did. And and I was grateful that I did, and18:47 and I finished the the whole, you know, I finished the whole routine that next night.18:53 And18:53 I was so excited to have a winner. Thank you.18:55 But I'm gonna call it quits so we can take our break in Jesus' name. Oh, I didn't even18:59 realize we were that far into it.19:01 It's an awesome story, though. Out surfing Michelle. So we'll be right back. Stay right there. You're watching Grace Grace with Naida and Michelle.Flowing in Faith 19:09 Hello, everyone. I'm excited to announce the next generation of energy drinks, Rev 7. It has no sugar and no caffeine. Instead, Rev 7 uses go b h19:22 Go BHB is 1 of the body's primary ketones, and it provides the most efficient and clean fuel that your body needs. It also helps you stay energized all day with no crashes.19:34 Not only that, it produces 3 times more brain energy than sugar, which helps boost your memory, focus, and mental sharpness. It also helps reduce stress and helps balance your mood.19:45 Rev 7 does all that while being the best tasting energy drink ever. So go to my pillow dot com or call the number on your screen. Use your promo code to save 20 percent today. I'm so sure19:57 you're gonna love Rev 7. For a limited time, you get our introductory 3 pack absolutely free. I drink Rev 7 every day, and I absolutely love it, and so will you.20:09 Welcome back to Grace Grace with Naina and Michelle. We're talking about the stretching, you know, And God wants us to, you know, maximize what we already have. And, you know, so I know this kinda sounds weird, but, you20:21 know, sometimes we just gotta take the ugly first step. Sometimes it just doesn't look pretty. It doesn't look like anything, you know, that we are capable of even. It it's not maybe not our20:32 bend, you know, you know, and and most of the time I'm gonna say that's the case because if it were all that easy to you, it wouldn't be a stretch. Right? And so, you know, think about like Moses, when he had to stretch20:44 out his arm over over some sea, over, like, an ocean. Like, think about that. He is gonna get blamed for everything. This guy is leading all these people,20:56 like, thousands and thousands millions of people out of out of Egypt with pharaoh chasing them. And and they are at a Red Sea and there is nothing good about this, what's coming. They're all just21:08 thinking, well, they're we're dead. We're he's gonna kill us. You know, the enemy's at your back. Okay. But what does he do? He has to stretch out his hand in faith to maximize21:20 what he already had. He had that staff. He had the Lord. And he didn't know what the stretching was gonna do. He didn't know what was gonna happen. I mean, maybe, you know, he thought that God was just gonna wipe out the21:32 enemy or cause them to retreat or or fall back or whatever he might have been thinking or or or maybe just the same. We're doomed. I don't even know what I'm doing here. Like, put yourself in so many of these bible,21:44 characters' mindsets or or the things that they had to go through. And yet, what happened? God stretched his faith and there they were walking across an ocean21:56 bed that was dry. It wasn't even muddy. And and, you know, and to get to get across, like, completely fine. And on top of that, the waves would fill back22:08 in on top of the enemy and wipe them out. I mean, who just saw that coming? And so, you know, think about the the over and over again, the people in the bible that were that had to step out in22:19 audacious faith, out of their comfort zones, take that ugly first step that was like, what am I doing here? Why am I even doing this? But just let God take you the rest of the way, the way let22:31 him lead you, guide you, and show you. He says in the word that he will order your steps. And so, recently he gave me the scriptures well, it was a word. I was, you know, reading my Bible and just kind22:43 of praying, and straight up in my spirit, almost it's it's, I wanna say audible, but it's really not, but it's like I hear it and it's Interesting. And it's so and he just said to get in the22:55 river with him. Just told me to get in the river with him. And then I was like, okay. And then I kinda saw in my mind's eye, I saw this crystal clear, beautiful river, and and23:07 I I I just felt like I was I got in there with him and with Jesus. And it was just this beautiful, current that was just taking me where where we needed to go,23:19 and it was just beautiful. And the sides and the flowers and the beautiful along the river banks and all of that. And he was saying, that that's how it should be, not striving,23:31 that he would just let us flow with him in in the way we need to go. And then I started to look up scriptures about the river and I immediately got the scripture that says, you know, in the river, you know, you get in23:42 the river with him where everything lives and everything flourishes and thrives in the river. And so I I I like was it's like just really studying what he wanted, you23:54 know, for us, what he was meaning by that. And then it was like 3 or 4 days later, I'm sure everybody knows Dutch Sheets, but he has a ministry. And his his give him 15,24:06 he has a 15 minute prayer every day, was like, get in the river with the Lord. And it was the exact scripture. And so God always confirms. And so, you know, we don't we don't we need to just let him take24:18 us out of our comfort zone, just flow in that river with him, just get in there, let let know that everything with Jesus flourishes and thrives and brings24:30 life. And and I promise you, you know, you you let him do the stretching and let him take you where you need to go. Yes.24:37 And and right now, we wanna pray with you. If you don't know the Lord, we wanna pray with you right now so you can get in that river and life will flow out of you. So, Lord, we24:49 thank you that that you want us. You are calling us to get in the river. You are calling us to a deeper trust. You are stretching us25:01 so that so that we can grab your hand. Your word says that I will lead you by my righteous right hand. Sometimes that is a stretch of faith. And we ask you right now,25:12 that that, lord, we we trust you. We believe that you died on the cross. We declare you, lord. We ask you to forgive us of our sins, and we say that we will never be the same because25:25 you, Lord, are going to stretch us into something beautiful. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. Amen.25:33 Well, thank you so much, for our wonderful viewers. We just love you guys, and we're so grateful to our partners and supporters. I mean, without this, we cannot we we cannot do this without you, and so we're so grateful.25:44 So head on over to social media. We wanna hear from you. What's God doing in your life? We wanna pray for you, with you, for you, and we also wanna hear your praise reports. And so stay tuned, you're gonna wanna hear25:55 from Daryl Youngblood. He has a powerful ministry called RDOF, Rational Defense of Faith. You're gonna wanna stay and hear that powerful message. We love you guys. We're so grateful for you. Have a blessed and wonderful26:07 day. God bless you. Does science disprove God? Is there a war between science and faith?26:13 We don't need God to create a universe. There's no evidence for God, and it's irrational.26:17 Is there no evidence for God?26:19 Am I delusional for my beliefs?26:21 It is delusional and stupid.26:30 DOF26:37 RDOF uses logic and reasoning.26:39 RDOF has empowered my sons to defend their faith with facts.26:43 If you wanna be equipped to defend against the biggest objections26:48 to the existence of God, r d o f is the place for you. Has science really ruled out God? Is faith at war with science? If you wanna be equipped to respond to26:59 these claims and more, check out r d o f dot org.27:12 The evidence he presents is so powerful and overwhelming.27:15 Incredibly compelling, yet easily understandable.27:18 We believe in rationality. Existence of God.27:25 I would leave every event with a mind boggling awe and assurance.27:31 I never believed in God. I just think it was craziness. RDOF confirmed my faith. RDOF confirmed my full belief, full faith in the Lord, man.27:42 The appearance of design in the universe is undeniable.27:49 The lights, the crowd, the videos.27:55 To book a presentation or watch our free videos, go to r d o f dot org or find us on Facebook at RDOF events.In this video 0:00 The Stretching of Faith9:03 Embracing the Stretch19:09 Flowing in Faith
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