Displaying Christian Sermons by tag: Joel Osteen
Joel Osteen (March 19, 2024) Daily Devotional: The Answer Is on the Way.
Today's Scripture: And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:15, ESV
Today's Word: when you pray, you can know that you have your requests. When you believe and receive your healing, or the promotion, or the freedom, things begin to happen in the unseen realm. But if the answer is always in your future, you haven’t received it in your spirit. What God is going to bring to pass is not what you ask for, but what you believe you receive when you pray. Are you receiving when you’re believing? Do you know that you have your request? It’s not just, “God, I’m asking You to help me break this addiction.” That’s good, but by itself it’s not enough. Follow it up with: “Lord, I receive my freedom. Thank You that I am free from this addiction now—not that I’m going to be free one day. No, I have my request now.” When you prayed, you not only believed it, but you received it. Now change your report from “I’m hoping to” to “It’s already done.” It’s just a matter of time before what happened in the unseen realm shows up in the natural realm.
Prayer for Today: “Father, thank You for the privilege of coming to You, the Creator of the universe, and being able to know that I have the requests I have asked of You. Thank You that I can believe and receive now. I believe and declare that the answer is on the way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Joel Osteen (March-19-2024) Daily Devotional: Forever Lies - Today's Inspiration Word.
Today's Scripture: Job 19:25, NKJV - For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth.
Today's Word: In the Scriptures, Job was doing the right thing, honoring God, and the bottom fell out. He lost his business, lost his children, lost his health and had boils all over his body. Just because we’re people of faith doesn’t mean we won’t have difficulties. When Job looked at everything he’d lost, he got depressed and wanted to die. He saw his situation as permanent. As long as he believed those forever lies, his forever mentality overwhelmed him with depression.
At perhaps Job’s lowest moment, he changed his attitude to one of faith and declared, “I know my Redeemer lives. I know that He will vindicate me soon.” And that’s exactly what happened. God is showing us that when we feel discouraged, when we don’t see how it can work out, at some point we have to do as Job did and say, “I know God is still in control. This problem is not permanent. Soon it’s going to turn around.” When you live with this soon mentality, all the forces of darkness cannot keep you down.
Prayer for Today: Father, thank You that no matter what I go through, You are my Redeemer and my vindicator. Thank You that You can bring me out of difficulties better off than I was before they showed up. I believe and declare that You live and are in control in the tough times. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Joel Osteen - Sermon: Calling Over Comfort. There are some seasons when God will call you to leave the familiar and step out into the unknown. It may be uncomfortable, but if you’ll push past the fear, God will make things happen that you couldn’t make happen on your own. I want to talk to you today about calling over comfort.
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Joel: God bless you. It's great to have you with us today. I hope you'll stay connected with us all through the week. You can download our daily podcast, listen to the messages anytime. Or you can go to our YouTube channel, follow us on Instagram, Facebook. But thanks for tuning in today. I like to start with something funny. I heard about these three men; a Baptist, a Catholic, and a Charismatic. They died on the same day and went to heaven. Saint Peter met them at the pearly gates and said, "I'm so sorry, men, your rooms are not available yet." He didn't know what to do. So, he decided to call Satan and see if he would keep them for a little while. Satan reluctantly agreed. A few hours later, Satan called back and said, "Peter, you've got to come get these guys. The Baptist man is saving everyone, the Catholic man is forgiving everyone, and the Charismatic has already raised enough money for air-conditioning." Alright, 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 calling over comfort. It's easy to get comfortable in life with things that are less than God's best. We know there's more in us, but we don't want to have to stretch. We don't want to take that risk. What if it doesn't work out? What if the door doesn't open? We can get comfortable with friends that are pulling us down, comfortable with addictions, comfortable with self-pity, always thinking about what we didn't get, how we're at a disadvantage. The problem with staying comfortable is you will miss your destiny. When God is about to take you higher, there will always be this conflict, something you have to choose, comfort or calling. Are you going to stay where you are, not rock the boat, not have to stretch, not have to be more disciplined, not have to push past your fears? Are you going to choose to stay comfortable or are you going to step out in faith and take a risk? If you'll leave the comfort and come into the calling,
God will make things happen that you couldn't make happen. Too often we think, "When I get the courage, I'll do this. When I have the strength, the confidence, then I'll get out of my comfort zone, then I'll forgive the person that hurt me, then I'll deal with this bad attitude." If you're waiting to feel what you need to feel, you'll be waiting your whole life. You may not ever feel like forgiving that person that did you wrong. You feel bitter, you feel angry. You have to make a move, then God will make a move. You may not have the strength now, that's because God is waiting for you to move. When you step out, strength will come, courage will come, favor will come. Are you choosing comfort over the calling? Are there areas where you know you need to make changes? You need to work on a relationship, you need to forgive, you need to stretch but you're letting fear and what people will think and how it seems too hard keep you in your comfort. God is saying, "If you'll choose my calling over your comfort, if you'll do what I'm asking you to do even though it's difficult, then I'll step in and give you supernatural strength, I'll give you the boldness, the courage, the favor to accomplish dreams, to overcome obstacles, to go where you couldn't go on your own."
In John 5 there was a man that had been crippled for thirty-eight years. Everyday people carried him on a mat to the pool of Bethesda. There was a legend they believed that when the waters bubbled up, an angel was touching the water and the first person in would be healed. There were five large porches around this pool. It was surrounded by sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed. Year after year this man came to the pool. I can imagine the first few years he believed he would get well, he came with expectancy, knowing that it could happen that day. But the first year passed and nothing happened, then another and another. Now, thirty-eight years later, he wasn't expecting anything to happen. He had tried; it didn't work out. Now, he was comfortable in his dysfunction. He was surrounded by other people who were dysfunctional. This is all he knew: going to the pool every day, laying there, talking to his friends who were lame, blind, couldn't walk. Sometimes, when we're dysfunctional, we like to get around other dysfunctional people. That way, we feel more at ease. When we're insecure, we find other people who are insecure. When we're struggling with an addiction, we find other people who are addicted. Don't get around people that enable your dysfunction.
If you're depressed, don't hang around people that are depressed. If you're fighting an illness, don't go find other people that are sick, so you can sit around and talk about your illnesses. Hang around people that have what you want, not people that are struggling with what you struggle with. The enemy would love for you to stay in a limited environment that holds you down, limits your vision, and keeps you from dreaming, believing, expecting. Don't fall into that trap. If you're depressed, find some happy friends. If you're addicted, find some free friends. If you're sick, find some healthy friends. If you're broke, find some blessed friends.
One day Jesus showed up at this pool. Out of all the people there, Jesus came over to this man. He said, "Don't you want to get well?" That seemed like an odd question. That's why he was by the pool. But you can be at the right place in the wrong frame of mind and miss your miracle. Jesus knew after all those years the man was comfortable. He had lost his passion to be well. Instead of saying, "Yes, I want to get well. That's what I've been believing for." The man said, "I can't get well. I don't have anyone to help me. When the angel comes, someone always gets in front of me." Jesus didn't feel sorry for the man. He didn't say, "Too bad, you're at a disadvantage." Jesus looked at the man and said, "Rise, pick up your bed, and walk." Jesus asked him to do something that he couldn't do. The man could have said, "What do you mean get up? Don't you know I'm crippled? I haven't walked in thirty-eight years." This man heard the call. Jesus told him to rise up, but every thought said, "You can't get up. You've been this way too long." He had to make a decision, "Am I going to stay in my dysfunction, where I'm comfortable, where I've been the last thirty-eight years? Or am I going to act on the calling? Am I going to stretch, try something that I've never done?" Something rose up in this man. Against all odds, he sat up. Suddenly strength came into his legs. He stood up and started walking. Instantly he was healed. None of this would have happened if he would have stayed where he was comfortable.
Anytime God is going to do something new in your life, give you more influence, more favor, more anointing, more resources, there's going to be this test of being uncomfortable. Are you willing to stretch, to do something you've never done? Move away from tradition, from certain people, from what you're familiar with? Don't let the comfort keep you from the calling. Where God is taking you is going to require risks. You're going to have to leave what's familiar and step into the unknown. Like this man, God is going to ask you to do things that you don't think you can do. In your own ability you can't, but when you take that step of faith, God will step in and give you supernatural ability. But sometimes we've been a certain way so long, we've convinced ourselves of what we can't do. "I can't run my department; I don't have the talent. I can't break this addiction; I've had it since high school. I can't get the Compaq Center; I've only been ministering for two years." God doesn't ask you and then not give you what you need. The question is, are you going to stay comfortable, where it's safe, or are you going to step into your calling?
I'm not saying this is easy; if it was easy, everyone would do it. This takes boldness. This takes a made-up mind that says, "I am not going to let fear, insecurity, what I don't think I can do, keep me in my limited environment. I'm going to stretch. I'm going to take risks. I may have to hurt some feelings, but I'm going to make changes to follow the call. I'm not going to sit around in dysfunction, surrounded by dysfunctional friends. I'm going to rise and walk." Your destiny is too great, your assignment too important, to let fear, what will people think, what if it doesn't work out, hold you back. If you know how everything is going to work out, you don't need faith. If you can accomplish your dreams in your own ability, then your dreams are too small. That may be a steppingstone, but God will put dreams in your heart where you don't have the finances, the connections, the experience. If He doesn't show up, then it won't happen. You'll be tempted to think like the lame man, "I can't walk. God, you're telling me to do something that I've never done." If you'll take that step of faith, you'll see God do something that you've never seen. You'll see doors open you couldn't open, you'll see divine connections, people show up that want to help you, things fall into place. That's because in your calling, there's favor. In your calling, opportunities will find you. In your calling, you'll break addictions, you'll beat the cancer, you'll defeat that depression. But in your comfort, you'll get stuck where you are. If you're always comfortable, then there'll be lack, dysfunction, mediocrity. God is saying to you, "I'm calling you up higher, I'm calling you into abundance, I'm calling you into freedom, I'm calling you into new levels." Now don't let comfort hold you back. The fear may still be there, but you have to act on your purpose, not on your fear.
Fear will keep you from your destiny. Fear will keep you by the pool another year. You may feel fear, but you have to do it afraid. As you step out, courage will come. Confidence will show up. The favor, the blessing, the healing, it's waiting for you not in your comfort but in your calling. If you're never uncomfortable, you're not growing. If you never have to stretch your faith, you're never over your head, then you're going to be limited. God will bring opportunities across your path so you can come up to a new level, go where you've never been, break bondages that have been passed down in your family line. It takes courage, it takes a holy determination. You'll be tempted to play it safe, don't rock the boat, "I don't want to have to stretch, try something new, it seems impossible."
God wouldn't have given you the opportunity, He wouldn't have told you to rise and walk if you couldn't do it. Don't let comfort hold you back. Being comfortable will keep you from your potential. You were created to stretch. You were created to go further. Yes, there will be seasons where you're comfortable, seasons where you're enjoying favor and blessings, but God is not going to leave you in your comfort. He's taking you from glory to glory. You can't reach new levels of glory without being uncomfortable, without having to stretch, without believing for things that seem unlikely. I've learned, the calling will disrupt your comfort. There will be strategic times in your life, like this crippled man, that God will call you up higher, He'll call you to break the addiction. You were fine for a long time, but suddenly you know you have to do something. He'll call you to leave the familiar and go into the unknown. That's what happened to me.
I worked seventeen years behind the scenes here at Lakewood doing the television production. When my father went to be with the Lord, I knew I was supposed to step up and pastor the church, but I was comfortable behind the scenes. I didn't want to be in front of people. I wouldn't know what to say. All these fears, insecurity, intimidation were trying to hold me back. I had to make a decision: was I going to act on my calling or stay in my comfort? There were all these loud thoughts saying, "You better stay where you are. You don't have the training, the experience, you've never ministered before. It's not worth the risk." God was calling me to rise and walk. Like that crippled man, my first thought was, "I can't. I've never done it." But when I got quiet, I could hear this still small voice telling me, "Joel, you've got what it takes, you've been raised up for this time, this is your moment. You are well able."
The enemy will always tell you what you can't do, but if you'll turn down his lies, you'll hear a still small voice telling you what you can do. "You can break that addiction; you can beat that cancer; you can teach that class; you can start that business; you can pay your house off; you can rise and walk." "Joel, what if I try it and it doesn't work out?" What if you try and it does work out? What if you take that step of faith and you go to a new level? What if it thrusts you further than you've imagined? What if you discover you can do what you've never done, you can walk, you can lead, you can live free and whole. Don't let the what-ifs talk you out of your destiny. Turn them around. What if God shows up and favors you? What if doors open you never dreamed would open? What if you beat that addiction after all these years? Here's the key, if you never try, you're never going to know. There are no risks in playing it safe, no risk in lying by the pool another thirty-eight years. You already know what's going to happen. But how sad it will be to come to the end of life and never know what you could have become if you would have just dared to take some risks, if you would have acted on the call and not the comfort. If you would have listened to the still small voice, the Most High God, instead of all the loud, intimidating lies of the enemy. When my father went to be with the Lord, there were other family members on staff that were ministers. My sisters, brothers-in-law. They had more experience, they were very capable, excellent ministers. They could have wanted to pastor the church.
My personality type is I don't like conflict. I want everyone to be happy. I'll go out of my way to avoid even a possible confrontation. But I knew if I was going to step up and do what God called me to do, I had to tell my family what I was thinking. I asked if they would all meet me at the church one morning. You talk about being uncomfortable and way out of what I was used to. I called this big family meeting, the first time in my life. I was so nervous, wondering what everyone was going to think and how it was going to turn out. But when you make a move, God will make a move. I told them how I felt like God wanted me to pastor the church and I didn't know how it was going to work out or even if it was right but that's what I believed in my heart. I waited for all this conflict, all this debate. I'm sure some others felt the same way, that they were supposed to become the pastor, after all, they had more credentials. All I had was my high school diploma, one year of college, and my good looks. That was debatable.
After my big speech, the whole room went silent. Finally, my sister Lisa spoke up and said, "Joel, if you feel that way, we're all going to support you." The next person said the same thing, and again and again. I thought, "You mean there's not going to be this big debate, all this tension, strife, discord?" When you step into your calling, God will make your crooked places straight. He'll cause people to be for you that could be against you. He'll prepare their hearts; He'll fight your battles. That meeting ended with my mother saying, "Joel, I can't believe it's going to be you. You're the least likely one." I said, "Thank you, Mother, for your confidence." I walked out of there feeling about two feet tall. Friends, life is short, time is flying by. You have to make this decision: Are you going to stay comfortable, or are you going to step into your calling? On the other side of that uncomfortableness are new levels, new relationships, businesses, Compaq Centers. Are you letting fear hold you back, fear of what might happen?
I had played out in my mind over and over that family meeting, strife, discord, contention, arguing. None of that happened. Most of the negative things you think are going to happen are not going to happen. Why? God has already prepared the way. He's already lined up the right people. He's moving out the wrong people. He has the breaks you need, the favor, the strength, the healing, the freedom. All He needs is for you to step into your calling. Don't let fear hold you back, fear of what people are going to think. "What are they going to say, what if they're not for me?" If they're not for you, then you don't need them.
Your destiny is not dependent on everyone being for you. God has already lined up the people you need that will be there to support you, people that will help you accomplish your dreams. If a person or a group of people could stop your destiny, they would be more powerful than God. Quit worrying about what they might say, "They may not be for me, they may try to discredit me." They cannot stand against our God. Him being for you is more than the world being against you. We all have these times like I had; they are destiny moments. That opportunity is not going to pass by again. If you let fear keep you in your comfort zone, people didn't stop you, you stopped yourself. I'm asking you to choose your calling over your comfort. Every time God has taken me to a new level, every time I've seen favor in greater ways, one common thing has happened. I was uncomfortable, I had to do something I didn't like, I had to stretch, I had to walk down a path that wasn't familiar.
There was a lady in the Scripture named Rahab. She lived in the city of Jericho. She didn't have a good reputation; she was a prostitute. People looked down on her, didn't give her the time of day, thought, "Why would she live like that?" But God never writes anyone off. The Scripture says, "His calling on your life is irrevocable." That means God has already given you an assignment. He's already called you and He's not going to change His mind. You may make mistakes, get off course, do things you know you shouldn't but that doesn't change the call. God still has a destiny for you to fulfill. His mercy is bigger than any mistake you've made.
Joshua and the Israelites were headed to the Promised Land. The city of Jericho stood in their path. Joshua sent two men in to spy out the land. They looked around all that day; at night they needed a place to stay. Of all places, they came to Rahab's house. She found out who they were, and something came alive on the inside. All of the sudden she had this desire to help them. She told them how she believed in their God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. She not only took them in, but she hid them. The next morning, the king of Jericho sent men to Rahab's house, and said, "Bring those men out, they're spies." She said, "I'm sorry, they left last night out the city gates right before dusk, if you hurry you can probably still catch them." Those men took off. The spies told her, "Because you've protected us, when we attack the city, we're not going to harm you or anyone in your house."
Rahab's life was spared. None of this would have happened if she wasn't willing to take a risk. She had to decide, "Am I going to stay where it's comfortable, keep living in dysfunction, doing things I'm not proud of or am I going to step into my calling?" She had this boldness, this courage to do something out of the ordinary. She had to take a chance that the king would find out she was hiding the spies. But deep down she knew this was a destiny moment, a chance to do the right thing, to show God that she believed in Him. I'm sure thoughts told her, "God's not going to have anything to do with you. Look at the life you've lived. Look at all the mistakes you've made." Somehow Rahab tuned that all out and thought, "God, I know you still have a purpose for me. I know I can still leave my mark." She took this risk and her whole world changed. Rahab ended up marrying a Jewish man, they had a son named Boaz.
Boaz married Ruth, they had a son named Obed. Obed had a son named Jesse; Jesse had a son named David. That means Rahab, this former prostitute, is in the family line of Jesus Christ. Like Rahab, when you choose your calling over your comfort, you can affect generations to come. Who knows how not only your life will be impacted for the good but because you chose to stretch when you felt like playing it safe, you chose to take the high road instead of compromising, you chose to leave the comfort of the addiction, the comfort of the dysfunction, and take steps to overcome. Your family line will look back and see the blessing, the freedom, the abundance started with you. You saying yes to your calling, you being willing to be obedient to do the right thing when it was hard, to forgive when you were wronged, to push past fear and step into your purpose. You were the difference maker. Is there some area God is asking you to leave your comfort and come into your calling?
Rahab felt the calling on her life, but the environment wasn't conducive to serve God. They didn't worship Jehovah. No one in her family believed in God. She was in an occupation that was looked down on, but because she stepped out of her comfort, what she was used to, she is now listed as one of the heroes of faith. Maybe like her, you come from a family that doesn't have any kind of faith, you're in an environment with people that don't have anything to do with God. All around you there's compromising, mediocrity, people taking the easy way out. The reason you feel that stirring in your spirit, the reason something is coming alive on the inside is because God is calling you. He's been waiting for you. You're not hearing this by accident, this is a destiny moment. The question is will you leave your comfort and step into your calling. Will you leave what's familiar, things that have held you down, people that are causing you to compromise, and make this decision that you're going to honor God. You're going to step up to who you were created to be. It's easy to play it safe, don't rock the boat. "I don't want to have to change, I don't want to be uncomfortable." But you'll never fulfill your purpose staying comfortable.
On the other side of the discomfort, is a new level of your destiny. I know today I am looking at heroes of faith. I'm looking at people that have greatness in them, great courage, great talent, great favor. "Not me, Joel. I've had a rough background, I'm not in a good environment." You're right where Rahab was. You are one decision away from stepping into your greatness. One decision from setting your family on a new course to freedom, honor, blessing, victory. Now do your part, leave the comfort and come into your calling. If you'll do this, I believe and declare, like the crippled man, chains that have held you back are being broken, sicknesses, addictions, lack, poverty, limited thinking. You're about to rise and walk. God is about to do what you couldn't do on your own. Like Rahab, you're going to see favor, promotion, protection, the right people, the fullness of your destiny, in Jesus' name. I'd like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus the Lord of your life.
Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior. If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. We'd love to send you some free information on your walk with the Lord. Just text the number on the screen. I hope you'll get into a good Bible-based church and keep God first place.
Joel: Thanks for watching this message. I hope you enjoyed it. We upload new videos every week to keep you inspired and encouraged. So don't forget to hit the like button and make sure you subscribe to our channel.
Victoria: Let us know in the comments below how this message has encouraged you. We would love to hear from you. We're praying for you and your family. We'll see you next time.
Joel Osteen Watch Sermon: I Will Not Fear. God has not given us that spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind. When you’re tempted to be afraid, live anxious, worried about how it’s going to work out, you need to do like David and remind yourself, the Lord is my Shepherd. Still your emotions. Come back to a place of peace.
Joel Osteen Daily Devotional (March 18, 2024) Healthy Prayers.
Today's Scripture: You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. - James 4:2–3, NKJV
Today's Word: in today’s Scripture, the word “amiss” means “sick, weak, miserable.” This is saying, “You won’t receive when you pray sick prayers, when you pray weak prayers.” When we pray out of selfish motives or just to make it through, that’s a sick prayer. “God, I’m so defeated. Please do something.” That prayer needs to go to Urgent Care; that prayer is on its last leg. Try a different approach; try a bold prayer. “God, there’s a lot coming against me, but I know nothing is too big for You. Thank You that the blessings You have for me are so great they will overflow to those around me.” That’s a healthy prayer. That gets God’s attention. He responds to faith-filled prayers.
Are you praying bold prayers? Are you asking God to turn situations around that look impossible? How many miracles are you missing because you’re not asking? Dare to ask, not just for your needs, but for others to be blessed through you. Ask for the big things God’s put in your heart. He’s longing to be good to you.
Prayer for Today: “Father, thank You that You want to do great things in my life so that Your greatness will be displayed. Help me to pray bold prayers that release Your favor to open new doors and bless others. I declare that I am going to ask You for everything You have put in my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Joel Osteen (March 17, 2024) Daily Devotional: Walk by the Spirit.
Today's Scripture: Galatians 5:16–17, NIV - So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
Today's Word: Your choices are never free from the inner conflict of the flesh and the Spirit. You have to know that this is a battle that will never go away. You can be a believer who has matured for fifty years, but you will still have to deal with the flesh, the carnal nature that basically tells you to live and do whatever you feel. You don’t overcome it one time and it’s defeated. It will come back again and again. You have to get skilled at saying, “No, I’m not going to let my flesh have what it wants. I’m not going to let my guard down and give in.”
Are you winning the war within? Are you living by the Spirit, making decisions that honor God? Or are you letting the flesh win, doing whatever you feel? You need to take the flesh off the throne. Quit letting it determine your decisions and dictate how you live, respond, and handle adversity. Start walking by the Spirit, taking the high road, and doing the right thing when it’s hard.
Prayer for Today: “Father, thank You that I can choose to be disciplined and to say no to the flesh and its desires. Thank You that every day I can take my feelings off the throne and allow Your Spirit to control my life. Help me to walk by the Spirit and do what’s right. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Joel Osteen - Sermon: Who Do You Say You Are? Life is full of voices that will try to define you. But you are not who people say you are; you are who God says you are. If you’re going to reach your destiny, you have to go back to what God says about you. I want to talk to you today about "Who do you say you are?" There are a lot of voices in life trying to define us, tell us who we are.
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God bless you, it's great to be with you today. We are believing for God's best for you and your family. I hope you'll stay connected with us throughout the week. We have a daily podcast; you can listen to the messages all the time. Or go to our YouTube channel, Instagram, lots of ways we can keep you inspired and encouraged. But thanks for tuning in today. I like to start with something funny. I heard about this husband and wife; they'd been arguing for a long time about who should make the coffee in the morning. The husband thought it was the wife's job, but she just didn't agree. After several heated debates, she finally told him, "I can prove it to you from the Bible that it's the man's job to make the coffee." He said, "What are you talking about? There's nothing in the Bible about the man making the coffee." She said, "Sure there is." She opened the Bible and turned to the book of Hebrews.
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 "Who do you say you are?" There are a lot of voices in life trying to define us, tell us who we are. Sometimes they're uplifting, a parent telling us that we're talented and we can do great things. Other times they're negative, "You're not attractive, there's nothing special about you." Our own thoughts will try to label us, "You've made too many mistakes, you missed your chance." When you listen to all these voices it's easy to think, "Who's telling the truth, who am I? Am I talented or am I ordinary? Am I strong and confident or am I weak and insecure? Do I have a bright future, or have I blown it?" Here's the key. The only voice that matters is your voice. Who do you say you are?
What you choose is what you will become. Instead of letting people define you, instead of letting circumstances label you, you need to go back to what God said about you. God says, "You can do all things through Christ. You're equipped and empowered." Other voices will tell you, "The problem is too big, you don't have what it takes." Who do you say you are? God says, "You have seeds of greatness, you are destined to leave your mark." Other voices will tell you, "You're just ordinary, you'll never do anything significant." You have the final choice. Who do you say you are? The problem with some people is they've chosen the wrong voice so long that they don't know who they really are. They've let people label them, tell them what they're not and what they can't do. They've allowed circumstances to define them, mistakes, disappointments, now they've lost their passion. If you let these other voices play, it will keep you from your destiny. The only one that knows who you really are is your creator. He calls you a masterpiece. He said you've been fearfully and wonderfully made. He said you will be mighty in the land. That you are more than a conqueror, strong, confident, approved, valuable.
That's who you were created to be. When you say what God says about you, then you activate what he put on the inside. You can't say I'm weak and tap into the power. You can't say I'll never get ahead and tap into the abundance. You can't say I'm not that talented and tap into your greatness. Who do you say you are? Not who do other people say you are, who does your family say you are, who does your coworkers say you are? No disrespect, but you are not who people say you are, you are who God says you are. People can't always see what God put in you, they can't see the potential, the gifts, the greatness. If you let them put their limitations on you, convince you that you can't accomplish your dream, you'll never get out of debt, you can't overcome that sickness. Then because you're letting them define you, what they're saying is going to come to pass. They may speak negative things, but it has no power if you don't let it get in you.
Don't repeat the negative people have spoken over you. In John 1, the Jewish leaders sent men out into the desert to find out who John the Baptist was. They had heard so much about him, he had a large following. These leaders traveled from Jerusalem and asked John if he was the Christ. He told them no. They asked if he was Elijah. He said it again, "I'm not." They said in verse 22, "Then tell us who you are, so we can give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" John could have answered many different ways. He could have told them about his background, his education, his philosophy. But verse 23 says, "John replied in the words of Isaiah, 'I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, prepare the way for the Lord.'" He went back to what the scripture said about him. He didn't say what he felt, he didn't say how he was raised, what he was dealing with. He said what God said about him. Imagine someone asks you, "Who do you say you are so we can tell others?" What kind of answer would you have? "This pandemic has me worried, my back's been hurting, my business is slow, these kids are getting on my nerves. I'm really discouraged." Zip that up. That is not who you are.
Go back to the scripture and say what God says about you. Your answer should be, "Tell them I'm strong, anointed, talented, favored, healthy, blessed, forgiven, fearfully and wonderfully made." We start off every service saying, "I am what God says I am." I am not what I feel. I may feel weak, but God says I'm strong, so my report is I am strong. When you say that, strength starts heading your way. You may not feel up to par. You're dealing with an illness, struggling with anxiety, fighting that depression. It's easy to wear the labels: sick, depressed, anxious, defeated. "That's just who I am." That's not who you are. That's what you're dealing with. You're not a sick person trying to get well. You're a well person fighting off sickness. Don't let that difficulty become your identity. Don't get in agreement with the negative. Go back to what your Creator said. God said He's restoring health back unto you. He said you will run and not be weary. He said weeping endures for a night, but joy is coming in the morning. What do you say about yourself, "I'm sick, I'm depressed?" No, I'm healthy, I'm whole, I'm energetic, I'm free, I'm happy, I'm victorious. If you'll start saying what God says about you instead of what you feel, you'll see things begin to turn around. Don't go through life wearing these negative labels. I talked to a man that was so down on himself. He told me how he had made mistakes and didn't raise his children right. He was struggling with an addiction. He said, "I feel so unworthy, I don't deserve to be blessed."
When you're down on yourself it's not doing anything productive. Being against yourself is not going to help you move forward. The enemy is called the accuser. He'll remind you of every mistake you've made, every time you've failed. He'd love for you to wear these labels: unworthy, washed up, no future. I told him what I'm telling you, as long as you see yourself unworthy, not deserving, it's going to keep you where you are. Instead of wearing those labels, why don't you say what God says about you. "I'm forgiven, I'm redeemed, I'm restored. My past is over, and my future is bright. Who do you say you are? Not who do your mistakes say you are, who do your friends say you are, who do the negative thoughts say you are? What you say overrides all the others. What you say gives it the right to come to pass. Now quit saying negative things about yourself. "I'm so overweight. I'm so undisciplined. I'll never get out of this neighborhood; I'll never break this addiction." You're going to become what you believe. Why don't you start saying what God says about you? "I'm talented, I'm successful, I'm prosperous, I'm free, I'm valuable, I'm a masterpiece." What you say about yourself is going to become a reality. Who do you say you are? "I'm just average." You're going to be average. When the truth is God didn't make anyone average. Nobody has your fingerprints; nobody can do what you can do. But as long as you believe you're ordinary, you won't shine like you're supposed to shine.
When Moses was born, the scripture says, "He was no ordinary child." There was something special about him. As he grew up, he could sense his destiny was to deliver the Israelites out of slavery. He had good intentions, but he made a mistake, he ended up having to flee to the desert. He spent forty years in hiding. I can imagine voices told him how he blew it, that he missed his chance. He could have worn the labels: failure, washed up, too late. But deep down he could hear that still small voice telling him, "You are no ordinary child. This is not how your story ends. There is greatness in you." Just because you've made mistakes doesn't mean that stopped your destiny. What God started He's going to finish. What stops us is when we start wearing the negative labels, when we start believing that we're washed up, we quit pursuing our dreams. After forty years in the desert, God appeared to Moses and said, "Now it's your time to fulfill your destiny." He went on to deliver the Israelites, part the Red Sea, and do great things. I don't believe this would have happened if Moses would have seen himself as a failure. "I've made too many mistakes." Instead, he saw himself as no ordinary child. He kept the right image on the inside.
When you were born, God said the same thing about you as He did Moses, "This is no ordinary child." God put greatness in you. He's destined you to leave your mark. You may have made mistakes, you may have obstacles, it's taking longer than you thought, but that doesn't change what's in you. Now the enemy will work overtime to try to steal your sense of value, your sense of worth. He knows if he can distort your identity, who you are, and convince you that you're just average, nothing special about you, then he can keep you from your greatness. I wonder what you could accomplish, I wonder how far God will take you if you will just live like you are no ordinary child. Not arrogantly but knowing God has placed greatness in you. That there's a favor on your life that will take you where you can't go on your own, an anointing that will break every chain that's trying to hold you back, a blessing that will cause you to stand out.
Who do you say you are? Not ordinary, not average, you are a child of the Most High God. You have royal blood flowing through your veins. You've been crowned with favor. What's trying to stop you doesn't have a chance. God being for you is more than the world being against you. That dream may seem too big, for some people it is, but not for you, you're no ordinary child. That sickness should be the end, the medical report says you're done, but not for you, you're no ordinary child. That mistake you made should have stopped your destiny, it should have limited your future, but not for you. You are no ordinary child. God handpicked you. Before you could choose Him, He chose you.
When He created you, God stepped back and said, "That was very good." Now, God created universes, He flung stars into space, He made spectacular sunrises, magnificent mountain ranges but He never said they were very good. The only thing He said that about was you. Now don't go around thinking you're average, you don't have much to offer. You are no ordinary child. You are a history maker. You are a world changer. You are destined to leave your mark. "Joel, this sounds good, but I think you have the wrong person. There's nothing unusual about me. I'm not super talented. I don't have a great personality; I don't come from an influential family." As long as you're discounting yourself, you're not going to see your greatness. Who do you say you are, ordinary, average? You're going to become that. I'm asking you to get in agreement with God. He said you are no ordinary child. It doesn't matter how you were raised, it's not dependent on how much education you have, or how many connections, what obstacles you're up against. When you believe doors will open you never dreamed would open. God will take you further than you can imagine. The prophet Joel said, "Wake up the mighty men, wake up the mighty women."
I want to wake up your greatness, wake up your dreams, wake up that business God put in you, wake up that book, the movie, the song, the orphanage, the ministry. It may seem like it's over your head, but you have to understand, you are no ordinary child. You're not average. You can accomplish much more than you think. You are stronger than you think. You are more anointed than you think. You are more favored than you think. You are more talented than you think. The dreams and gifts God put in you are much bigger than you think. If you're going to see the fullness of what's in you, then you have to see yourself the right way. Who do you say you are? Don't you dare say, "I'm average, I'm ordinary."
Get in agreement with God. "I am no ordinary child. I am highly favored, I am destined for greatness, I am surrounded with God's goodness." When you know you're an unusual child, you will see unusual favor, unusual healings, unusual doors open, unusual breakthroughs. We would have never gotten the Compaq Center if I didn't believe that I was no ordinary child. Now everything in me said I was ordinary. When I stepped up to pastor the church, I felt unqualified. But you can't go by your feelings. I chose to believe what God said, that I was equipped and empowered. I had never ministered, I didn't have the training, the experience. All the circumstances said I was average, there was nothing special about me. But deep down I was bold enough to believe that I was no ordinary child. I didn't tell anyone, but I could feel the seeds of greatness. I could hear God whispering in the night that big doors were going to open.
Victoria told me ten years before my father passed that one day, I would pastor the church. That seemed so odd to me. I thought, "Boy, I've got her fooled. I can't get up in front of people." I felt ordinary but the scripture says, "There is fire shut up in your bones." There is greatness shut up on the inside. As I stepped up, I discovered talent that I didn't know was in me. There was a boldness and confidence that I'd never had before. When I heard the Compaq Center was coming available, I didn't think twice. I never thought about where we would get the funds or how it could happen, I just knew we were supposed to pursue it. When you know that you're no ordinary child, you'll go after dreams that seem too big. You'll pray bold prayers. You'll believe for things that most people think are impossible. There are Compaq Centers that have your name on them, dreams much bigger than you thought, businesses, ministries. How can it happen? You don't have the experience, the funding, the connections. You are no ordinary child. There is a favor on your life that will catapult you ahead, a blessing that will cause people to help you. God is not asking you to figure it out, He's just asking you to believe. Not only believe in Him but believe in who He created you to be. Who do you say you are? If you're going to reach your destiny, if you're going to see your Compaq Centers, your dreams, your healing, you have to know that you're not ordinary. There's something special about you. Not because of who you are but because of whose you are. The Most High God breathed life into you. "Joel, I don't feel special." You don't have to feel it, you just have to believe it. If you'll believe it long enough, then you'll not only feel it, but you'll see it. I didn't feel special, I felt ordinary, but I chose to believe it by faith.
Now every time I walk into this stadium, I know I am no ordinary child. I know I couldn't have done this on my own, but the Creator of the Universe favored me. I didn't think I could speak in front of people; I was too quiet, too reserved. Every time I flip through the channels and see myself on television, I do a double take. I'm amazed at where God has taken me. I realize I am no ordinary child. No, I'm not bragging on me, I'm bragging on the greatness of our God. He wants to take you places that you've never dreamed. What He has planned for your future is bigger and more rewarding than you've ever imagined.
In Judges 6, the Midianites had overtaken the people of Israel and were making their lives miserable. There was a man named Gideon that was hiding the winepress, afraid of the Midianites. An angel appeared to him and said, "Mighty hero, the Lord is with you." I can imagine Gideon looked around and thought, "Who's he talking about? I'm not a mighty hero, I'm hiding. I'm afraid." The angel went on to tell him that he was to rescue the people of Israel from the Midianites. He was to lead the charge. Gideon was so taken aback. He said to the angel, "How can I deliver the Israelites? I come from the weakest tribe and I'm the youngest one in my family." He was saying, "God, you have the wrong person. I'm young, I'm weak, I'm intimidated." He started making all these excuses telling God what he wasn't. But I've learned, God won't ask you to do something if He hasn't already given you what you need. You may not have tapped into it yet but it's in you.
Like with Gideon, God is calling you a mighty hero. Other voices will call you ordinary, not talented, weak, afraid. Someone is wrong. These are two conflicting reports. You're either a mighty hero or you're weak and unable. Here's the key, you get to choose. Who do you say you are? Either voice can come to pass, it's all dependent on who you agree with. Are you going to agree with God and say, "Yes, I believe I'm a mighty hero. I'm equipped and empowered. I'm well able to fulfill my destiny." Or are you going to do like Gideon and start making excuses to stay where you are. "I wasn't raised in a good environment, Joel. I've had some bad breaks; this company did me wrong, this person walked out on me, nobody would help me with my dream." Respectfully, none of that matters. What God has ordained for you cannot be stopped by people, by bad breaks, by disappointments. God already knew it was going to happen. He's already lined up what you need. Now, He's calling you a mighty hero. He's calling you to set new standards, to take your family to a new level. A mighty hero to break generational curses that keep getting passed down, He's calling you to put an end to that dysfunction. A mighty hero to stop the poverty and lack, and step into abundance and overflow.
What's interesting is when God called Gideon a mighty hero, he hadn't done anything significant. He hadn't defeated a giant like David, hadn't parted the Red Sea like Moses, hadn't brought a dead person back to life like Elijah. It seemed like he was just ordinary, just working on the farm every day, gathering up the wheat. But God calls us what we are before it happens. He knows what's in us. He's the one that put the potential, the gifts, the talents. Gideon finally did what I'm asking us to do. Instead of seeing himself as ordinary, not able to, something rose up on the inside. He said in effect, "If God says I'm a mighty hero, then I believe I'm a mighty hero." He went out with thirty-two thousand men to fight the Midianites, but God told him that was too many. He kept weeding it down more and more. Finally, when he just had three hundred men, he went out to fight this army of thousands and thousands.
Sometimes God will let the odds be against you in a great way, so when He turns it around, you'll know it's Him and not you. At midnight, Gideon and those three hundred men attacked the Midianites. They rushed to their camp shouting, "A sword for the Lord and a sword for Gideon." Here a few days earlier Gideon was hiding from his enemies, now he's rushing toward them with all of the men shouting his name. God wanted Gideon to hear them declaring that he was a mighty hero. The Midianites got confused and started fighting each other. They ended up defeating themselves and Gideon won the victory. When God calls you a mighty hero, if you'll get in agreement with Him, you will become a mighty hero. He will make things happen that you couldn't make happen. Now quit discounting yourself. "If I had the training, if I came from a different family, if this pandemic hadn't of hit, then I could do something great."
God wants to do something great in your life despite the odds being against you. He's not limited by what you don't have, by what the economy is doing, by what hasn't worked out. He doesn't need everything you think you need. He's going to cause you to accomplish great things with less resources. Just ask David, all he had was a slingshot and a few stones, but that catapulted him into his destiny. God is calling you a giant killer, a history maker, a mighty hero. Why don't you get in agreement with Him? What a shame to live and die and never really know who you are. What could you become if you saw yourself the way God sees you? What dreams could you accomplish, what obstacles could you overcome, what businesses could you build, what books could you write, what influence could you have if you only knew who you are? Gideon didn't feel like a mighty hero. He didn't come from influence and wealth. He wasn't strong and courageous. Nothing about his circumstances looked like what God said. But God calls you what you are before you become it. Then it's up to you. If you'll believe it, get it down in your spirit, it will become a reality.
Gideon never dream one day he would be in the Bible. He never dreamed thousands of years ago, we'd be talking about his story. You don't know where God is taking you. You don't know the doors He's going to open, the giants you're going to defeat, the influence you're going to have. There's an awesome future in front of you but it's dependent on how you see yourself. Who do you say you are? Average, limited, disadvantaged, not able to? That will keep you from your destiny. Instead of letting people define you, instead of letting your past label you, why don't you go back to what God says about you. He's the one that made you.
Like Gideon, you may not realize who you are. God sent an angel to remind him, he rose up and left his mark. An angel may not appear to you but maybe God is using me to remind you who you are. You are a mighty hero, you are a masterpiece, you are strong, valuable, talented, confident, healthy, anointed, victorious, forgiven. You are no ordinary child. Put your shoulders back, hold your head up high, and step up to who you were created to be. If you'll do this, I believe and declare, you're going to see God show out in your life. New doors are about to open, new opportunities, giants are about to come down, healing, favor, breakthroughs, the fullness of your destiny, in Jesus' name.
I'd like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus the Lord of your life. Would you pray with me? Just say, "Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior." If you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. We'd love to give you some free information on your new walk with the Lord. Just text the number on the screen or go to the website. I hope you'll get into a good Bible-based church and keep God first place.
Joel: Thanks for watching this message. I hope you enjoyed it. We upload new videos every week to keep you inspired and encouraged. So don't forget to hit the like button and make sure you subscribe to our channel.
Victoria: Let us know in the comments below how this message has encouraged you. We would love to hear from you. We're praying for you and your family. We'll see you next time!
Joel Osteen (March-17-2024) Daily Devotional: Can-Do Power - Today's Inspiration Word.
Today's Scripture - Philippians 4:13, NKJV: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Today's Word: when God designed you, He knew what pressures you would face: financial pressure, relationship pressure, raising children pressure, dealing with an illness pressure. If that pressure was going to crush you, God wouldn’t have put you there. He doesn’t make mistakes. Whatever you face, remind yourself that you can handle it. Now you have to get in agreement with God. If you go around thinking, “This pressure at work is too much. I can’t take it,” that’s going to defeat you.
The Scripture says you are full of can-do power. You are well able to overcome opposition, to outlast adversity. But can-do power doesn’t do any good if you have a can’t-do mentality. Quit looking at all the things you can’t do. Have a new perspective: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. This obstacle may be big, but I can overcome it. This trouble is taking longer than I thought, but I can outlast it. This situation feels overwhelming, but I’m designed for it. I’m strong, I’m anointed, and I’m equipped.”
Prayer for Today: Father, thank You for designing me with strength for every pressure that I will ever face. Thank You that You have already equipped me with power to overcome opposition and outlast adversity. I declare that I am strong and can do all things through Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Joel Osteen - Sermon: It's Worth The Wait. When we're in a waiting season, it’s easy to feel discouraged and impatient. But God is using the delay to prepare you for His favor. You can stay in faith, knowing that at the right time, He will deliver you to your breakthrough. I want to talk to you today about "It's Worth the Wait." We all have things that we're waiting for: a dream to come to pass, problem to turn around, to meet the right person. When it's taking longer than we thought, it's easy to get discouraged, to become impatient and think, "When is it ever going to happen?" But sometimes it's not happening because we're not prepared for what God has prepared.
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Joel Osteen: Well, God bless you. It's a joy to come into your homes, and if you're ever in our area, please stop by. I promise you, we will make you feel right at home. I like to start with something funny, and I heard about this positive farmer and negative farmer. When it would rain, the positive farmer would say, "Lord, thank you for watering our crops." The negative farmer would say, "Yeah, but if it keeps this up, it's going to rot the roots." When the sun came out, the positive farmer, "Lord, thank you for giving our plants valuable nutrients." The negative farmer, "Yeah, but if it keeps it up, it's going to scorch the crops." One day, they went bird hunting together in a boat. The positive farmer just got a new bird dog. He was so proud of him. He shot a bird—fell in the water. Said to the negative farmer, "Watch this." The dog jumped out of the boat, ran on top of the water, picked up the bird, ran back on top of the water, put it in the boat. He said, "What'd you think?" The negative farmer said, "I should've known it. That dog can't even swim." 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'll boldly confess: My mind is alert, my heart is receptive, I will never be the same. In Jesus's name." God bless you.
I want to talk to you today about "It's Worth the Wait." We all have things that we're waiting for: a dream to come to pass, problem to turn around, to meet the right person. When it's taking longer than we thought, it's easy to get discouraged, to become impatient and think, "When is it ever going to happen?" But sometimes it's not happening because we're not prepared for what God has prepared. You're ready for what you have in mind, but if you could see what God has in mind, you would realize you couldn't handle it right now. You need more time to grow, to develop, to gain experience.
The scripture says, "Let patience have its perfect work." Patience is developed in the "wait" room. When I was playing sports in high school, the coach would have us spend an hour a day lifting weights. I didn't want to do that. I wanted to play basketball. That seemed like a waste of time. But in that weight room, we were getting stronger, building endurance so we could succeed on the court. Before you see what God promised, before you get on the court, God will send you to the wait room, W-A-I-T. You may not like it. You don't see anything happening. Other people are in the game, making progress. You're stuck waiting, but that time in the wait room is critical. You may not see anything changing, but something is happening. Patience is working. Your spiritual muscles are getting stronger. You're growing, developing. Patience is building you, getting you prepared so you can sustain what God has coming. Don't discount the waiting periods. Don't get discouraged because it's not happening as fast as you would like. The longer it takes, that means the more God has in store.
When it's your time, when He knows you're ready, what you give birth to is going to be much bigger than you've imagined. Hebrews says, "You have need of patience so you can receive the promises." We know we need to have faith. We know we need to believe. Those things seem obvious, but this says we need patience if we're going to see promises come to pass. Maybe you've been praying, believing, being your best, but you don't see anything changing. You're tempted to live stressed. Have a new perspective. You're in the wait room. You're not missing out. You're not falling behind. God has you right where He wants you. That promise is right on schedule. Now do your part and wait with a good attitude, not upset, complaining, "When is it ever going to happen?" No, turn it around: "Father, thank you that what you started in my life, you will finish.
Thank you that what you promised is on the way. If you will wait with the right attitude, after patience has done its work, you're going to see promises come to pass, but we see waiting as negative. We don't like it. Nothing is happening. We're interested in the destination, but God is interested in the journey. He's working on us along the way. When we understand that waiting doesn't mean nothing is happening, doesn't mean God has forgotten about us, it's all a part of the process, then we can stay in faith, knowing that, at the right time, God will get us to where we're supposed to be.
David waited 13 years to take the throne after the prophet Samuel anointed him to be the next king. God could've taken him straight to the throne, but David wasn't ready. He had to go through a time of testing, and during those 13 years, he faithfully took care of his father's sheep. Seemed like a menial position. He knew he had bigger things in him. He had heard the prophet say that he was a king, but had David not passed the test in the wait room, he would've never made it to the throne. He had to show God he would take care of his father's sheep before God would trust him to take care of His sheep, the people of Israel. While you wait, be your best where you are. That's a very important time. God is watching to see if you're ready. Here's the key: If what you're praying about isn't changing, then God is using that situation to change you. If it's not working out, then it's working out something in you. All things are working for your good.
When we acquired the Compaq Center, a company filed a lawsuit to try to keep us from moving in. I had already announced to the congregation that it was ours. People had given to help renovate it. Now there was a chance it wasn't going to happen. Thoughts told me, "Joel, you're going to look like a fool. You're going to have to give the funds back. It's going to be a big mess." I was tempted to worry, live stressed out, but I prayed like I had never prayed. When I woke up in the middle of the night, thinking, "The opposition is too big," "It's never going to happen," I'd turn it around: "Father, thank you that you being for me is more than the world being against me." This went on month after month, even year after year. I was in the wait room. I had the promise, but nothing was improving. I didn't like it, but something was happening that I couldn't see: I was growing. I was developing a greater trust in God. In that wait room, I learned to stand strong, even when it seemed impossible. I lift weights now at home and, when I'm on the bench, I push the barbell up and down, but what's interesting is the weight never changes. The only thing in the wait room that ever changes is me. The situation you're in may not be changing, then you're in the wait room. If it's not changing, don't worry. You're changing. Patience is working. You're getting stronger, more determined. It's preparing you. Almost three years later, that company dropped the lawsuit, and we got the building.
It was a great victory, but think of this: God could've given me the victory the first week just as easily. He could've done it suddenly and turned it around right away, and I wouldn't have had to spend all that time in the wait room. Would've been so much easier. The problem is, I wouldn't have been prepared for what was coming. I wouldn't have been able to handle the growth, the influence, the opposition. God had to get me stronger. He didn't use the good times. He used the resistance. You don't grow when everything is easy. In those three years, I learned to trust God in a new way. I developed a greater resolve, a greater confidence. You can't get that overnight. That doesn't happen on a weekend. It takes time.
When Joseph was in prison unfairly all those years, it says in Psalms, "His feet were in chains of iron, and his soul entered into that iron." He didn't like it, but those challenges were developing something in him: courage, strength, endurance, that he couldn't get any other way. It happened in the wait room, and I'll admit, I don't like to wait. I like to move fast. I like to make progress. I like to get things done. My prayer used to be, "God, do it now. Do it in a hurry. Do it fast," but I've learned some things take time. We live in a microwave society, but we serve a crock-pot God. You can't get microwave maturity, microwave growth, microwave anointing. So much is developed in the process.
Sometimes people say to me, "Joel, pray that God will give me your anointing." I know they're being respectful, but I want to say, "You can't have my anointing without going through what I've been through, without the sacrifices, without the closed doors, without the loss, without facing the giants." There's a price to pay to be prepared. In that wait room, when you're doing the right thing but nothing's changing, you have the promise but you're not making progress, remember, something is happening: You're growing. You're developing. You may not like it, but you can't bypass the process. You can't skip the wait room and reach the fullness of your destiny.
When my father went to be with the Lord, I stepped up to pastor the church. Things began to grow. All of a sudden, I was in the spotlight. People were watching and coming. Someone referred to me as an "overnight success," said that I had come out of nowhere, but the truth is, I had been in the wait room for 17 years behind the scenes here at Lakewood. I didn't know it then, but God was getting me prepared for what I'm doing now. Had I not been my best where I was, had I not been faithful to serve my father, to try to make him look good, carrying out his vision, then God couldn't have trusted me with my own vision. What am I saying? Keep a good attitude when it's not happening as fast as you would like.
David said, "God, my times are in your hands." It's very powerful when you can say, "God, I not only trust your ways, but I trust your timing. I know, at the right time, when I'm ready, when I can handle it, you will take me to new levels of my destiny." But the mistake we make too often is we get in a hurry and try to make things happen in our own timing. This is what the young man did in the story of the prodigal son. He went to his father and said, "Give me the portion of goods that belonged to me." They were rightfully his. It was his inheritance, but a blessing given at the wrong time is not a blessing, and something may have your name on it, you know God has put it in your heart, but if it happens too soon and you're not prepared, the blessing will become a burden. A good father won't give a good gift at the wrong time.
When our daughter Alexandra turned 18, we got her a car. I loved her just as much when she was five years old. I would've done anything for her. I had the funds, but I knew, giving her a car at five wouldn't be a blessing. Sometimes God proves His love to us by what He's not letting us have. Doesn't mean that it's never going to happen. We just have to spend more time in the wait room, growing, developing, gaining experience, learning to trust God, learning to forgive, learning to keep a good attitude when things aren't going our way. The sooner we pass these tests, the sooner God will release what belongs to us. See, the prodigal son got his inheritance too soon. He went out and wasted it, spent it all living wildly. I used to pray, "God, give me everything in a hurry." Now I've learned to pray, "God, don't give me anything too soon. Don't take me anywhere that I can't handle. Don't open a door that I don't have the grace to be there."
The prodigal son wanted his prepared blessing. The problem was, he was unprepared. He couldn't sustain the weight of what God had in store for him, and one reason we get in a hurry is we think we're falling behind: our friend is getting married, our coworker got promoted, the neighbors moved into a new house. We've got to make things happen. We're being left out. Well, here's the key: What has your name on it will not go to anyone else. What belongs to you will not go to another person. "Well, Joel, this guy may get away. If I don't do something now, if I don't compromise, he may not stick around." If you have to compromise, he's not the right one. God has somebody ordained for you, somebody better than you can imagine. You won't have to beg them to stay, talk them into calling you, convince them to spend time. They'll be so in love with you, you can't get rid of them. They'll treat you like a queen, like a king. Stay in that wait room, be patient. You may be ready, but God's still working on the other person.
David was out in the shepherds' fields when the prophet Samuel came to his house to anoint one of the sons as the next king. David's father, Jesse, didn't even bring David in. He thought, "There's no way it's David. He's too young." When Samuel went to pour the oil on the other seven sons, the oil wouldn't flow. I can imagine him turning the bottle upside down, hitting it. Nothing would come out. God was showing us, no matter how hard someone tries to get what's yours, they may manipulate, connive, ignore, leave you out, the oil is not going to flow to them. What has your name on it is coming your way.
The person, the job, the house, the opportunity, the promotion cannot go to anyone else. That's why we don't have to live jealous or envious of other people. "Well, Joel, my coworker got the promotion that I worked so hard for. They played politics. It wasn't fair." If it was supposed to be yours, you would have it. Stay in the wait room. Keep a good attitude, keep growing, keep passing the test. What God has for you is on the way. The reason it's taking longer is because it's much bigger, much more rewarding than you thought. When you see what God did, you'll say, "It was worth the wait." When you see the person God brings into your life, somebody better than you dreamed, you'll say, "It was worth the wait." The contract didn't go through for the last house. You were disappointed.
When you see the new door God opens, you're going to say, "It was worth the wait." When we were trying to buy property to build a new sanctuary, twice, the land was sold out from under us. I was disappointed. I thought the dream was coming true, but God sent me back to the wait room. Seemed like we were stuck. Out of nowhere, the Compaq Center opened up. I didn't go after it. It came after me. I can tell you, standing here today, it was worth the wait. You couldn't pay me to take those other properties. This is what God had in mind, something more than we could imagine. Now, maybe the door didn't open for you. The job, the position, the relationship didn't work out. That means God has something better.
Stay in faith, and one day, you'll see it was worth the wait. I read where an elephant is pregnant for almost two years. The animal is so large, it takes a long time for the baby elephant to develop. Elephants give birth to only one baby per pregnancy. A dog, on the other hand, is pregnant for only 63 days. After two months, the mother can give birth to between five and eight puppies, typically. Imagine the elephant and dog having a conversation. The dog says, "I don't think you're pregnant. I gave birth after two months. Something is wrong with you." The dog goes out and gets pregnant again and again, giving birth every several months.
Two years later, the dog comes back to the elephant with 30 puppies following. He says, "I know you're not pregnant now. Look at all these puppies. I've given birth multiple times." The elephant says, "No, here's the difference: The reason you've given birth so many times and I'm still pregnant is because what I'm carrying is not something common, not something usual. I'm about to give birth to something big, something out of the ordinary." Maybe you've been in that wait room a long time. You've seen people accomplish dreams, get married, move into their houses. That's great. Be happy for them. But the reason it's taking so long for you is because what you're carrying is not a puppy. It's not something small. You're about to give birth to something you didn't know was in you. God's about to open a door that you didn't see coming. I thought I was carrying a puppy. I didn't know a Compaq Center was in me. Don't get discouraged because it's taken longer. That's a sign that you're carrying an elephant. What you give birth to is going to surprise people: a dream, a ministry, a business that touches the world. You're going to go further than you thought, make a greater impact than you've imagined. That's why you've been in the wait room so long. When people tell you, "I don't know, I don't think you're pregnant. It would've happened by now"; "You still think you're going to meet the right person? Still think you're going to get the promotion? Still think you're going to pay your house off?
You've been believing a long time," just say, "Yeah, I know a secret. I'm carrying an elephant." When you give birth, you're going to say, "Look what the Lord has done." It's going to be more than you've imagined. A friend of mine that attends Lakewood with his family, he grew up in South America. He got involved in the management of professional basketball, right out of college. He's worked for the Houston Rockets as an assistant to the general manager for years. His dream is to become a general manager. Several opportunities opened up. He went and interviewed, big positions, had his hopes up, but it didn't work out. I talked to him a couple of years after he was turned down by another team. He was so close, but they said, "No," and chose somebody else. These doors kept closing. He didn't understand it, but he kept being his best. He was in the wait room. Others were being promoted. Seemed like he was being bypassed, but what has your name on it, it's not going to go to anyone else. In the same way, you can't open a door that God has closed, and sometimes God has to shut the door because what we're believing for is too small. God has something much bigger. He loves you too much to let you miss your destiny. After being turned down again and again, a few months ago, he flew to Minnesota to interview with the Timberwolves professional basketball team. They didn't just offer him the position of general manager, like he was hoping. They offered him the position of president of the whole organization. One report said, "They gave him the keys to the car." Now my friend Gersson Rosas is the highest-ranking Latino in all of professional basketball. When it's taking longer than you thought, it's because you're going to give birth to an elephant, something bigger, something more rewarding than you've imagined. Now, keep a good attitude in the wait room. When doors are closing, when you're being bypassed, can I encourage you? Your time is coming. There's a birth in your future. There's something big, something that you weren't expecting.
When you see what God was up to, you're going to look back and say, like my friend Gersson, "It was worth the wait." Psalms 37, says, "Don't be impatient for the Lord to act. Travel steady along his path. He will honor you and give you the land." When you're faithful in the wait room, when you don't get impatient, you don't get frustrated by closed doors, you don't live jealous of others, because you're traveling steady, honoring God, He will give you the land. That means you don't have to make things happen in your own strength. You don't have to manipulate people, try to force the doors to open.
God will give you the position, give you the spouse, give you the influence, give you the Compaq Center. Don't fight the wait room. You're not falling behind. God has already lined up the land He's going to give you. He's already put your name on things bigger and better than you can imagine. Now keep traveling steady, keep trusting God even though you don't see anything changing.
When I was eight years old, it was Christmastime. I went with my father to buy a bicycle for my little sister April. He wanted me to help pick out what I thought she would like. We were at the store, looking at all these bikes. He had me get on different ones to try them on, see if I thought they would fit her. After a half an hour, we picked her out a bike. He was going to go back later and get it. In a couple of days, I noticed on our back patio, a big sheet covering the bike that we had bought her. Then I went over to lift it up to take a peek. My father said, "No, Joel, I don't want you to look at it." I said, "Why not? I've already seen it." He said, "I just don't want you to." He didn't give me a reason. When he wasn't there, I was tempted to go over and look, but unlike my brother Paul, I obeyed my parents. If it would've been Victoria, she would've taken the bike out and ridden it. But this was a couple of weeks before Christmas.
Every day I asked my father if I could look at the bike. He told me, "No," again and again. I couldn't understand it. What was it going to hurt? Christmas morning finally came around, and all of us kids slept in the den together. Six o'clock, we went and woke my parents up. We opened all the gifts under the tree. Then my father said, "April, there's another gift for you, out on the patio." We all went out. My father took the sheet off. There wasn't just one bike there. There were two bikes, one for me, as well. My father had taken me to the store, really, to find out what I liked. Sorry, April, that's why you got a boy's bike. Sometimes—that's funny, isn't it?
Sometimes God is not letting us see something now because it's not the right time. He's got the cover on it, but when you come out of the wait room, when it's your time, it's going to surprise you, something that you weren't expecting. It didn't make sense to me at the time why my father wouldn't let me look. Now I understand why I had to wait: my bike was under there. You may not understand why you're having to wait, but God has a reason. There are some things He has covered for you right now. When He uncovers them, you're going to say, "It was worth the wait."
Now my challenge: don't be impatient for God to act. Don't be discouraged by what's not happening. God is working. In that wait room, He's getting you prepared for what He has prepared. The reason it's taking longer is you have something big in you, not a puppy, but an elephant. If you will stay in that wait room with a good attitude, if you'll keep traveling steady, I believe and declare, God's about to uncover something you didn't see coming. He's about to surprise you with opportunity, promotion, divine connections, the fullness of your destinies, in Jesus's name, and if you receive it, can you say, "Amen," today? Well, I'd like to give you an opportunity to make Jesus the Lord of your life. Would you pray with me?
Just say, "Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior." Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get in a good Bible-based church. Keep God first place.
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Victoria: Let us know in the comments below how this message has encouraged you. We would love to hear from you. We're praying for you and your family. We'll see you next time!
Joel Osteen (March-16-2024) Today's word: Go to Sleep
Today's Scripture: Suddenly there was an angel at his side and light flooding the room. The angel shook Peter and got him up: “Hurry!” (Acts 12:7, MSG)
Today's word: The apostle Peter was chained between two soldiers in prison. The next day it looked as though Peter would be put to death. Yet when an angel appeared in the prison during the night, Peter was sleeping so soundly he had to be shaken awake. If you were Peter, would you be sleeping soundly? Peter must have thought, “God, I’ve done my best, believed and prayed, and now I’m going to rest in You.”
Worrying doesn’t make anything better. Constantly reminding God about what’s wrong only makes us depressed. Take the problem off the throne and put God back on the throne. If you’re talking about your problem more than you’re talking about your God, you have the wrong one on the throne. Try a different approach and do what Peter did—go to sleep. Enter into His rest. Say, “God, I know You’re bigger than anything I’m facing. You said You never sleep, so I’m going to sleep, knowing that You are fighting my battles.” That’s a freeing way to live.
A Prayer for Today: “Father, thank You for Your strength and comfort in difficult times. I refuse to be overwhelmed by problems because You will bring me through to victory. I declare that I am resting in the Almighty God who is greater than anything I face. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”