JOEL OSTEEN: GOD BLESS YOU,
IT'S A JOY TO COME
INTO YOUR HOMES, AND IF YOU'RE
EVER IN OUR AREA,
PLEASE STOP BY, BE A PART
OF ONE OF OUR SERVICES.
THESE ARE THE FINEST PEOPLE
IN ALL OF HOUSTON, TEXAS,
RIGHT HERE AT LAKEWOOD.
BUT THANKS FOR TUNING IN TODAY,
AND THANKS FOR COMING OUT.
I LIKE TO START WITH SOMETHING
FUNNY, AND I HEARD ABOUT THIS
MAN, HE WAS THE ONLY PROTESTANT
IN THIS LARGE CATHOLIC
NEIGHBORHOOD.
EVERY FRIDAY DURING LENT, WHILE
HIS NEIGHBORS WERE EATING COLD
FISH, HE WAS IN HIS BACKYARD
GRILLING A STEAK.
THEY COULDN'T STAND
THE TEMPTATION AND DECIDED
TO TRY TO CONVERT HIM
TO CATHOLICISM.
HE FINALLY AGREED, A PRIEST CAME
OVER, SPRINKLED WATER ON HIM,
SAID YOU WERE BORN A BAPTIST,
YOU WERE RAISED A BAPTIST,
BUT NOW YOU'RE A CATHOLIC.
THE NEXT YEAR ON THE FIRST
FRIDAY OF LENT THEY SMELLED
THE SAME SMELL.
THEY RUSHED TO HIS HOUSE.
HE WAS IN HIS BACKYARD
SPRINKLING WATER OVER HIS STEAK,
SAYING YOU WERE BORN A COW, YOU
WERE RAISED A COW, BUT NOW
YOU'RE A FISH.
ALL RIGHT, 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'S NAME.
GOD BLESS YOU.
I WANT TO TALK TO YOU TODAY
ABOUT INVITING GOD INTO YOUR
DIFFICULTIES.
MOST OF THE TIME, WE'RE PRAYING
GOD GET ME OUT OF THIS
CHALLENGE, GET ME OUT OF THIS
TROUBLE AT WORK, GET ME
OUT OF THIS FINANCIAL SETBACK.
AND THERE'S NOTHING WRONG
WITH THAT, BUT BEFORE YOU GET
OUT, YOU HAVE TO INVITE GOD IN.
SOMETIMES THE MIRACLE IS NOT
IN GETTING OUT, IT'S IN WHAT GOD
IS GOING TO DO IN THIS
SITUATION.
INSTEAD OF JUST PRAYING GOD GET
ME OUT, WHY DON'T YOU START
PRAYING GOD COME IN TO THIS
HOSPITAL ROOM WHILE I TAKE
THE TREATMENT?
COME INTO THIS TROUBLE AT WORK
WHERE THE PEOPLE AREN'T FAIR.
COME INTO THIS ANXIETY THAT I'M
DEALING WITH.
WHAT'S MORE POWERFUL THAN GOD
BRINGING YOU OUT IS WHEN GOD
COMES IN AND BEGINS TO CHANGE
THINGS.
HE COMES IN AND GIVES YOU FAVOR
DESPITE WHO'S TRYING TO PUSH YOU
DOWN.
HE COMES IN AND GIVES YOU
STRENGTH THAT YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN,
GRACE TO OUTLAST WHAT SHOULD
STOP YOU.
AND IF YOU'RE ONLY FOCUSED
ON GOD BRINGING YOU OUT, THEN
YOU'RE GOING TO BE DISAPPOINTED,
BECAUSE GOD DOESN'T DO THINGS
ON OUR TIMETABLE.
SOMETIMES IT'S TAKING LONGER
THAN WE THOUGHT, BUT WHEN YOU
ASK GOD TO COME IN, YOU CAN BE
AT REST.
GOD, I KNOW YOU'RE RIGHT HERE
WITH ME, YOU ARE ORDERING MY
STEPS, AND AT THE RIGHT TIME,
YOU'LL GET ME TO WHERE I'M
SUPPOSED TO BE.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO FIGHT
EVERYTHING, LIVE UPSET, CAN'T
SLEEP AT NIGHT.
THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU'RE ONLY
FOCUSED ON GETTING OUT.
GOD IS WAITING TO COME IN.
WHEN YOU ASK HIM IN, YOU'RE
SAYING GOD, DON'T JUST CHANGE
THE CIRCUMSTANCES, CHANGE ME.
HELP ME TO NOT JUST GO
THROUGH THIS SITUATION, HELP ME
TO GROW THROUGH IT, HELP ME
TO LEARN, INCREASE MY FAITH, LET
MY CHARACTER COME UP HIGHER.
IF GOD DELIVERED US
OUT OF EVERYTHING INSTANTLY, WE
WOULD NEVER REACH OUR HIGHEST
POTENTIAL.
GOD WORKS IN THE TROUBLE, HE
WORKS IN THE UNCOMFORTABLE
SITUATIONS, AND SOMETIMES GOD IS
NOT BRINGING YOU OUT YET BECAUSE
HE WANTS THE ODDS TO BE
AGAINST YOU IN A BIGGER WAY
SO WHEN HE BRINGS YOU OUT IT
WILL BE A GREATER MIRACLE.
NOW, VOICES WILL WHISPER GOD
DOESN'T EVEN HEAR YOUR PRAYERS,
THAT'S WHY NOTHING'S CHANGING.
THE TRUTH IS GOD IS SETTING YOU
UP TO SHOW OUT IN YOUR LIFE.
WHEN HE BRINGS YOU OUT, NO ONE
WILL BE ABLE TO DENY THAT HIS
FAVOR IS ON YOU.
GOD SAID IN ISAIAH, "WHEN YOU GO
THROUGH THE WATERS, I WILL BE
WITH YOU.
WHEN YOU GO THROUGH THE RIVERS,
THEY WILL NOT OVERWHELM YOU.
WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH THE FIRE
YOU WILL NOT BE BURNED."
IT'S INTERESTING THAT GOD DIDN'T
SAY, "I'LL KEEP YOU OUT OF EVERY
FIRE.
YOU WON'T HAVE TO FACE ANY
FLOODS."
NO, HE SAID THE CHALLENGES WILL
COME, THERE WILL BE ADVERSITIES
AND THINGS WE DON'T UNDERSTAND,
BUT THE WHOLE KEY TO THIS VERSE
IS WHEN HE SAID, "I WILL BE
WITH YOU IN THE FIRE,
IN THE FLOOD, IN THE FAMINE."
ARE YOU TRYING TO GET
OUT OF SOMETHING THAT GOD IS
GOING TO TAKE YOU THROUGH?
ARE YOU FIGHTING THE PROCESS?
IT'S NOT FAIR, GOD, I CAN'T TAKE
IT ANYMORE.
EVERYTHING WILL CHANGE IF YOU'LL
START INVITING GOD
INTO THE FIRE.
HE'S ALREADY PROMISED HE'LL BE
WITH YOU, MAYBE HE'S JUST
WAITING FOR YOUR INVITATION.
THE RIGHT ATTITUDE IS GOD, I
KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO BRING ME
OUT, BUT IN THE MEANTIME I'M
ASKING YOU TO COME IN TO THIS
CHALLENGE IN MY HEALTH, COME
INTO THIS LOSS I'M GOING
THROUGH, COME INTO THIS
DEPRESSION THAT'S TRYING TO STOP
ME.
WHEN YOU INVITE GOD INTO YOUR
DIFFICULTY, YOU'LL FEEL HIM
BREATHING IN YOUR DIRECTION,
EMPOWERING YOU, ENABLING YOU,
FAVORING YOU.
IS IT A GREATER TESTIMONY THAT
GOD KEPT YOU OUT OF THE FIRE,
OR THAT HE CAME WITH YOU
IN THE FIRE AND BROUGHT YOU
THROUGH IT?
DAVID SAID, "THOUGH I WALK
THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW
OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL,"
WHY?
"BECAUSE YOU ARE WITH ME."
WHEN YOU KNOW GOD IS WITH YOU,
WHEN YOU'VE INVITED HIM
INTO YOUR SITUATION, YOU'LL HAVE
A SMILE IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE DIFFICULTY.
YOU'LL HAVE A SONG OF PRAISE
IN THE PRISON LIKE PAUL
AND SILAS.
YOU WON'T BE COMPLAINING
ABOUT THE TROUBLE, WORRIED
ABOUT WHEN IT'S GOING TO WORK
OUT, YOU'LL BE AT PEACE
IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM.
AND THE REASON DAVID DIDN'T LIVE
AFRAID EVEN THOUGH HE WENT
THROUGH VALLEYS AND ALL KINDS
OF ADVERSITIES IS HE UNDERSTOOD
THIS PRINCIPLE TO INVITE GOD
INTO THE TROUBLE.
HE WASN'T JUST WAITING TO GET
OUT, HE KNEW THAT GOD WAS RIGHT
THERE WITH HIM.
IF YOU'RE ONLY PRAYING GOD GET
ME OUT, YOU'LL BE DISCOURAGED
UNTIL IT CHANGES.
JOEL, I CAN'T ENJOY MY LIFE, I
HAVE THIS CHILD THAT'S
OFF COURSE, I'M DEALING
WITH AN ILLNESS, MY FINANCES ARE
LOW.
WHEN IT TURNS AROUND, THEN I'LL
HAVE A GOOD ATTITUDE.
YOU'RE WAITING FOR GOD TO BRING
YOU OUT WHILE GOD IS WAITING
FOR YOU TO INVITE HIM IN.
YOU HAVE TO DO LIKE DAVID:
"FATHER, THANK YOU THAT YOU ARE
WITH ME RIGHT HERE IN THIS
VALLEY.
I'M NOT GOING TO LIVE AFRAID,
WORRIED, I MAY NOT SEE A WAY,
BUT I KNOW YOU HAVE A WAY."
INSTEAD OF JUST TRYING TO GET
OUT OF THE VALLEY,
OUT OF THE TROUBLE,
OUT OF THE FIRE, IF YOU'LL START
SAYING GOD COME IN, LET ME FEEL
YOUR PRESENCE IN THE FIRE, SHOW
ME YOUR GREATNESS IN THIS
TROUBLE, THEN YOU'LL HAVE
A PEACE THAT PASSES
UNDERSTANDING, A JOY WHEN YOU
COULD BE DISCOURAGED, A HOPE
WHEN YOU SHOULD BE DISTRAUGHT.
IN THE SCRIPTURE THREE HEBREW
TEENAGERS WOULDN'T BOW
DOWN TO THE KING'S GOLDEN IDOL.
THE KING WAS SO FURIOUS HE
THREATENED TO HAVE THEM THROWN
INTO A FIERY FURNACE.
"THE TEENAGERS SAID, KING, WE'RE
NOT WORRIED, WE KNOW OUR GOD
WILL DELIVER US."
THIS MADE THE KING EVEN
MORE ANGRY.
HE HAD THE GUARDS TURN
UP THE FURNACE SEVEN TIMES
HOTTER THAN NORMAL.
WHY DID GOD HAVE THE KING MAKE
THE FIRE EVEN HOTTER?
HE WANTED IT TO BE A BIGGER
MIRACLE.
HE WANTED THE ODDS TO BE MORE
AGAINST THEM.
THE FACT IS GOD COULD'VE KEPT
THEM OUT OF THE FIRE, HE'S GOD.
HE PARTED RED SEAS, HE OPENED
BLIND EYES, WOULD HAVE BEEN NO
PROBLEM FOR GOD TO CHANGE
THE KING'S MIND OR TO HELP THESE
TEENAGERS ESCAPE.
BUT GOD DOESN'T DELIVER US
FROM EVERY FIRE.
SOMETIMES HE'LL TAKE YOU
THROUGH THE FIRE.
THE GOOD NEWS IS GOD KNOWS HOW
TO MAKE YOU FIREPROOF.
PEOPLE DON'T DETERMINE YOUR
DESTINY, BAD BREAKS CANNOT STOP
GOD'S PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE,
SICKNESS, ADDICTIONS, UNFAIR
SITUATIONS DON'T HAVE THE FINAL
SAY.
NOW, DON'T BE DISCOURAGED
BECAUSE GOD DIDN'T KEEP YOU
OUT OF THE FIRE.
GOD DOESN'T STOP EVERY NEGATIVE
SITUATION.
HE USES ADVERSITIES TO MOVE US
INTO OUR PURPOSE.
WE WOULD NEVER KNOW HIS POWER IF
WE WERE NEVER THROWN
INTO A FIRE, SO TO SPEAK.
YOU WOULDN'T KNOW HE WAS
A HEALER IF YOU NEVER HAD
AN ILLNESS.
WE WOULDN'T KNOW HE COULD MOVE
MOUNTAINS IF WE NEVER FACED BIG
OBSTACLES.
NOW, QUIT COMPLAINING ABOUT WHAT
YOU'RE UP AGAINST, IT'S NOT
A SURPRISE TO GOD.
THE ENEMY MAY HAVE TURNED
UP THE FIRE SEVEN TIMES HOTTER
THAN NORMAL, THEY DIDN'T DO THAT
WITHOUT GOD'S PERMISSION.
GOD IS IN CONTROL NOT JUST
OF YOUR LIFE, HE'S IN CONTROL
OF YOUR ENEMIES.
INSTEAD OF COMPLAINING
ABOUT THE FIRE, START INVITING
HIM INTO THE FIRE.
WHEN HE'S WITH YOU, YOU CANNOT
BE DEFEATED.
YOU AND GOD ARE A MAJORITY.
HE IS A SUPERNATURAL GOD, HE'S
NOT LIMITED BY THE FIRE,
BY THE FLOODS, BY THE FAMINES.
WHAT SHOULD TAKE YOU OUT CANNOT
STOP YOUR DESTINY.
INSTEAD OF COMPLAINING
ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT YOU DON'T
LIKE, IF YOU'LL RECOGNIZE THAT
GOD ALLOWED THE DIFFICULTY--.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT HE SENT IT,
BUT HE ALLOWED IT BECAUSE HE HAD
A PURPOSE.
AND THE PURPOSE IS NOT SO YOU
CAN LIVE MISERABLE, WORRIED,
AND AFRAID; HIS PURPOSE IS
TO SHOW HIS GLORY THROUGH YOU.
IT'S SO OTHER PEOPLE CAN SEE HIS
POWER AND FAVOR ON YOUR LIFE.
WITHOUT GREAT TEST, YOU WON'T
HAVE A GREAT TESTIMONY.
WITHOUT BIG BATTLES, WE WON'T
SEE BIG VICTORIES.
THESE TEENAGERS SAID, "WE KNOW
OUR GOD WILL DELIVER US."
THEY MADE THIS STATEMENT
OF FAITH.
THEN THEY SAID SOMETHING EVEN
MORE POWERFUL: "BUT EVEN IF HE
DOESN'T, WE'RE STILL NOT GOING
TO BOW DOWN."
THAT'S THE KIND OF PEOPLE THAT
GIVE THE ENEMY A NERVOUS
BREAKDOWN.
WHEN YOU CAN SAY GOD, THIS IS
WHAT I'M BELIEVING FOR, THIS IS
WHAT I'M HOPING WILL HAPPEN,
BUT GOD, EVEN IF IT DOESN'T WORK
OUT MY WAY, I'M STILL GOING
TO GIVE YOU PRAISE, I'M STILL
GOING TO BE GOOD TO OTHERS, I'M
STILL GOING TO SHOW UP SUNDAY
AND USHER, I'M STILL GOING
TO PURSUE MY DREAMS.
THAT ATTITUDE GETS GOD'S
ATTENTION, YOU'RE SAYING GOD,
NOT MY WILL, BUT LET YOUR WILL
BE DONE.
BUT TOO OFTEN WE'RE PUTTING
CONDITIONS ON GOD AND CONDITIONS
ON OUR PRAYER.
GOD, I'LL BE HAPPY IF MY BOSS
MOVES TO THE BACKSIDE OF MARS.
WHEN YOU GET HIM OUT OF MY LIFE,
THEN I'LL HAVE A GOOD ATTITUDE.
HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT GOD MAY BE
USING THAT PERSON TO DO A WORK
IN YOU, TO GROW YOU UP,
TO DEVELOP YOUR CHARACTER,
TO TEACH YOU TO LOVE THOSE THAT
ARE NOT VERY LOVABLE?
INSTEAD OF PRAYING GOD GET ME
OUT OF THIS SITUATION, I'M
ASKING YOU TO START PRAYING GOD
COME INTO THIS SITUATION, HELP
ME TO HAVE A GOOD ATTITUDE, HELP
ME TO DO THE RIGHT THING WHEN
THE WRONG THING IS HAPPENING.
IT'S VERY POWERFUL WHEN YOU CAN
SAY GOD, IF MY BOSS NEVER MOVES,
IF HE'S HERE UNTIL I GO
TO HEAVEN, I KNOW YOU HAVE GIVEN
ME THE STRENGTH TO OVERCOME,
THE POWER TO BE HAPPY
IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS
DIFFICULTY, AND I AM NOT GOING
TO LET THIS PERSON, THIS
SICKNESS, THIS INJUSTICE STEAL
MY JOY.
NOW YOU'RE GROWING, NOW YOU'RE
COMING UP HIGHER, 'CAUSE
SOMETIMES GOD IS WAITING FOR US
TO PASS THE TEST BEFORE HE
BRINGS US OUT.
THE KING HAD THE GUARDS TIE
UP THE TEENAGERS' HANDS AND FEET
WITH CORDS, AND THEY THREW THEM
INTO THE FURNACE.
IT WAS SO HOT THAT THE GUARDS
WERE INSTANTLY KILLED.
IT LOOKED LIKE THIS WAS THE END
FOR THE TEENAGERS, BUT PEOPLE
DON'T HAVE THE FINAL SAY.
IF IT'S NOT YOUR TIME TO GO,
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GO.
NOTHING CAN SNATCH YOU
OUT OF GOD'S HANDS.
IN A LITTLE WHILE THE KING CAME
TO CHECK ON THEM.
HE LOOKED THROUGH THE FURNACE
WINDOW AND WAS PUZZLED.
HE SAID, "DIDN'T WE THROW THREE
MEN IN BOUND?
I SEE FOUR MEN LOOSED, AND ONE
LOOKS LIKE THE SON OF GOD."
GOD MAY NOT KEEP YOU
OUT OF EVERY FIRE, BUT DON'T
WORRY, HE'LL COME INTO THE FIRE
WITH YOU.
HE'LL HELP YOU OVERCOME WHAT
LOOKS IMPOSSIBLE.
THAT ILLNESS SHOULD BE THE END.
THE MEDICAL REPORT SAID YOU WERE
DONE, BUT LIKE WITH MY MOTHER,
GOD CAME IN THE FIRE WITH YOU,
AND HERE YOU ARE STILL GOING
STRONG.
THAT LOVED ONE YOU LOST OR THAT
PERSON THAT WALKED AWAY, BROKE
YOUR HEART, THAT SHOULD'VE
SOURED YOUR LIFE, BUT LOOK AT YA
NOW, STILL MOVING FORWARD, DOING
GREAT THINGS, FULFILLING YOUR
PURPOSE.
HOW COULD THAT BE?
GOD CAME IN THE FIRE WITH YOU.
THE PSALMIST SAID GOD IS A VERY
PRESENT HELP IN TIMES
OF TROUBLE.
WE KNOW THAT GOD IS ALWAYS
WITH US, BUT WHEN YOU'RE
IN DIFFICULTIES AND YOU INVITE
HIM IN, YOU'RE GOING TO FEEL HIS
PRESENCE IN A GREATER WAY.
YOU'RE GOING TO BE MORE AWARE
THAT YOU'RE NOT ALONE.
AND WHEN YOU GET THROWN
INTO THE FIRE, SO TO SPEAK, YOU
WON'T BE BITTER, YOU'LL STAY
IN FAITH KNOWING THAT THE FOURTH
MAN IS RIGHT THERE WITH YOU,
THE GOD WHO CONTROLS THE FIRE,
THE GOD WHO HEALS, WHO RESTORES,
WHO PAYS YOU BACK
FOR THE INJUSTICE IS RIGHT THERE
WATCHING OVER YOU, PROTECTING
YOU, ORDERING YOUR STEPS.
MOSES WENT THROUGH A DIFFICULT
SITUATION.
HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW IT WAS GOING
TO WORK OUT.
I'M SURE HE WAS TEMPTED TO WORRY
AND THINK ABOUT HOW BIG HIS
ENEMIES WERE.
BUT GOD SAID TO HIM IN EXODUS
33, "MOSES, I WILL GO WITH YOU.
I WILL GIVE YOU REST.
EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE
FOR YOU."
MAYBE YOU'RE FACING SOME
CHALLENGES, LIFE HASN'T TURNED
OUT THE WAY YOU THOUGHT.
YOU ASKED GOD TO KEEP YOU
OUT OF THE FIRE, BUT IT DIDN'T
HAPPEN YOUR WAY.
NOW YOU'RE WONDERING HOW YOU'RE
GOING TO BEAT THE ILLNESS, HOW
YOUR FAMILY'S GOING TO BE
RESTORED.
GOD IS SAYING TO YOU WHAT HE
SAID TO MOSES: "I'M GOING
WITH YOU.
YOU'RE NOT IN THAT FIRE
BY YOURSELF, I HAVE YOU
IN THE PALM OF MY HAND.
I'M FIGHTING YOUR BATTLES."
THAT OBSTACLE MAY BE TOO MUCH
FOR YOU, BUT IT IS NOT TOO MUCH
FOR OUR GOD.
RIGHT NOW HE IS PUSHING BACK
FORCES OF DARKNESS, HE'S KEEPING
THE FIRE FROM BURNING YOU.
HE'S NOT LETTING THOSE WATERS
DROWN YOU.
HE'S YOUR PROTECTOR, YOUR
DELIVERER, YOUR WAYMAKER, YOUR
HEALER, YOUR PROVIDER.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS
ON YOUR OWN.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO FIGURE
EVERYTHING OUT.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO KNOW ALL
THE DETAILS.
YOU HAVE TO WALK BY FAITH
AND NOT BY SIGHT KNOWING THAT
HE'S RIGHT THERE WITH YOU, THAT
HE'S PROMISED EVERYTHING IS
GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT FOR YOU.
WHEN THE KING HAD THE TEENAGERS'
HANDS AND FEET TIED UP, THEY
COULD'VE PANICKED, BEEN STRESSED
OUT, BUT THEY UNDERSTOOD THIS
PRINCIPLE THAT GOD DOESN'T KEEP
US OUT OF EVERY FIRE, BUT HE
COMES INTO THE FIRE WITH US.
THEY DIDN'T FALL APART, THEY
STAYED IN PEACE.
BUT I CAN IMAGINE HOW DIFFERENT
THIS OUTCOME COULD'VE BEEN IF
THEY WOULD'VE COMPLAINED, BEEN
BITTER, DISCOURAGED.
MAYBE WE WOULDN'T BE TALKING
ABOUT THEM.
MAYBE THE FOURTH MAN WOULD'VE
NEVER SHOWN UP.
HOW WE APPROACH OUR DIFFICULTIES
MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE WHETHER
WE'RE GOING TO COME
THROUGH THEM, NOT BURN
WITHOUT THE SMELL OF SMOKE
LIKE THE TEENAGERS, OR WHETHER
WE'RE GOING TO GET STUCK IN THEM
AND MISS GOD'S BEST.
YOU MAY BE IN THE FIRE NOW,
BUT THIS IS NOT THE TIME
TO COMPLAIN, IT'S NOT THE TIME
TO JUST PRAY GOD GET ME OUT,
MORE THAN EVER YOU NEED TO START
SAYING FATHER, THANK YOU THAT
YOU ARE IN THIS FIRE WITH ME,
THANK YOU THAT NO WEAPON FORMED
AGAINST ME IS GOING TO PROSPER.
GOD, I AM NOT GOING TO WORRY, I
TRUST YOU.
I BELIEVE WHAT YOU PROMISED,
THAT EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE
FOR ME.
HERE'S HOW AMAZING GOD IS,
THE KING SAID, "DIDN'T WE THROW
THREE MEN IN BOUND?
I SEE FOUR MEN LOOSED."
WHEN THE TEENAGERS CAME OUT,
THE ONLY THING THE FIRE BURNED
WERE THE CORDS THAT WERE HOLDING
THEM BACK.
THEIR HAIR WAS FINE, SKIN WAS
FINE, CLOTHES WERE FINE, JUST
THE CORDS.
AND WHEN YOU COME OUT OF THAT
DIFFICULTY, THE ONLY THINGS THAT
ARE GOING TO BE GONE ARE
THE LIMITATIONS THAT ARE HOLDING
YOU BACK.
THE FIRE'S GOING TO BURN
OFF THE FEAR, BURN OFF NEGATIVE
MIND-SETS, BURNT
OFF RELATIONSHIPS THAT WERE
PULLING YOU DOWN, YOU'RE GOING
TO COME OUT FREE, BOLD,
CONFIDENT, HEALTHY, PROMOTED,
VICTORIOUS, READY TO FULFILL
YOUR DESTINY.
I KNOW THIS MAN, HE'S
AN EXECUTIVE AT A LARGE COMPANY.
THERE WERE SEVERAL PEOPLE
IN MANAGEMENT ABOVE HIM THAT
DIDN'T LIKE HIM, HE'S VERY
TALENTED.
THEY WERE INTIMIDATED BY HIM,
THEY KEPT DOING THEIR BEST
TO KEEP HIM DOWN.
HE WAS CONCERNED AND TRYING
TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HE SHOULD DO
AND HOW IT WAS ALL GOING TO WORK
OUT.
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS HE WOULD COME
DOWN FOR PRAYER AND TELL ME HOW
IT WASN'T GETTING ANY BETTER
AND WONDERING WHEN GOD WAS GOING
TO CHANGE IT.
IT WAS PUTTING A STRAIN ON HIS
MARRIAGE, PHYSICALLY HE WAS
STARTING TO GET RUNDOWN.
I TOLD HIM WHAT I'M TELLING YOU,
YOU'RE JUST PRAYING GOD GET ME
OUT, YOU NEED TO START PRAYING
GOD COME INTO THIS DIFFICULTY,
GOD GIVE ME THE GRACE TO BLOOM
WHERE I'M PLANTED, TO HAVE
A GOOD ATTITUDE EVEN THOUGH IT'S
NOT FAIR, GOD SHOW ME YOUR FAVOR
DESPITE WHO'S TRYING TO PUSH ME
DOWN.
HE CHANGED HIS ATTITUDE AND QUIT
WORRYING ABOUT WHEN IT WAS GOING
TO IMPROVE KNOWING THAT GOD WAS
RIGHT THERE WITH HIM IN THE FIRE
FIGHTING HIS BATTLES.
I SAW HIM A COUPLE OF YEARS
LATER, HE LOOKED AS PEACEFUL AS
CAN BE, HAD A BIG SMILE
AND GREAT ATTITUDE.
I THOUGHT EVERYTHING HAD TURNED
AROUND.
HE SAID, "NO, JOEL, THE SAME
PEOPLE ARE STILL THERE DOING
THE SAME THINGS.
THEY HAVEN'T CHANGED, BUT I'VE
CHANGED.
I DON'T LET THEM UPSET ME
ANYMORE.
I DON'T LIVE STRESSED OUT.
I ENJOY MY LIFE DESPITE HOW
THEY'RE TREATING ME.
I'M DOING THE RIGHT THING EVEN
THOUGH THEY NEVER GIVE ME
CREDIT."
THAT'S PASSING THE TEST.
THAT'S SHOWING GOD YOU'RE NOT
JUST GOING TO BE HAPPY IF HE
BRINGS YOU OUT, BUT YOU'RE GOING
TO SHINE EVEN IF IT DOESN'T
HAPPEN YOUR WAY.
YOU'RE GOING TO BE YOUR BEST
EVEN IF IT'S NOT CHANGING
ON YOUR TIMETABLE.
THAT'S INVITING GOD
INTO THE FIRE, NOT JUST GOD GET
ME OUT, BUT GOD GIVE ME
THE STRENGTH TO BE HERE
WITH A GOOD ATTITUDE.
HE WAS IN THE LOBBY ABOUT THREE
MONTHS AGO, THIS WAS THREE YEARS
AFTER HE FIRST CAME
DOWN FOR PRAYER.
HE TOLD HOW THE COMPANY HAD JUST
BEEN SOLD.
THE OWNERS GOT RID OF ALL
THE MANAGEMENT TEAM
EXCEPT FOR HIM.
HE WAS THE ONLY EXECUTIVE THEY
KEPT.
HE SAID, "JOEL, NOW I'M
IN CHARGE.
I'M RUNNING THE WHOLE COMPANY."
GOD KNOWS HOW TO VINDICATE YOU.
HE KNOWS HOW TO BRING YOU
OUT OF THE DIFFICULTY.
THE QUESTION IS ARE YOU INVITING
HIM INTO THE DIFFICULTY?
WHEN YOU'RE IN THE FIRE, YOU
CAN'T COMPLAIN, BE DISCOURAGED,
GOD, IT'S NOT FAIR.
TRY A DIFFERENT APPROACH.
GOD COME INTO THIS FIRE WITH ME,
GOD HELP ME TO DO THE RIGHT
THING, CHANGE ME WHERE I NEED
TO CHANGE, BURN OFF THINGS THAT
ARE HOLDING ME BACK.
YOU HAVE TO SHINE WHERE YOU ARE,
HAVE A SONG OF PRAISE WHEN YOU
COULD BE COMPLAINING.
KEEP A SMILE ON YOUR FACE WHEN
YOU SHOULD BE DISCOURAGED.
I KNOW IT'S NOT EASY, BUT KEEP
REMINDING YOURSELF THE CREATOR
OF THE UNIVERSE, THE MOST HIGH
GOD IS RIGHT THERE WITH YOU.
HE SEES WHAT YOU'RE UP AGAINST,
HE KNOWS WHAT'S NOT FAIR,
THE HURTS, THE DISAPPOINTMENTS,
THE LONELY NIGHTS, AND WHEN YOU
DIG YOUR HEELS IN AND DO
THE RIGHT THING, YOU WILL FEEL
A SUPERNATURAL STRENGTH, A POWER
TO DO WHAT YOU COULD NOT DO
ON YOUR OWN.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED
WITH JOSEPH IN THE SCRIPTURE.
AS A TEENAGER, HE WAS BETRAYED
BY HIS BROTHERS AND SOLD
INTO SLAVERY.
HE WORKED FOR A HIGH-RANKING
MILITARY OFFICIAL IN EGYPT NAMED
POTIPHAR.
JOSEPH IN ONE SENSE HAD EVERY
RIGHT TO BE BITTER, ANGRY.
HIS DREAMS WERE SHATTERED, HE
WAS IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY, HE
DIDN'T KNOW ANYONE, BUT YOU
NEVER READ WHERE JOSEPH
COMPLAINED.
HE JUST KEPT BEING HIS BEST
WHERE HE WAS.
HE WAS SO EXCEPTIONAL THAT
POTIPHAR PUT HIM IN CHARGE
OF HIS WHOLE HOUSE.
GENESIS 39 SAYS THE LORD WAS
WITH JOSEPH.
HE WAS SUCCESSFUL IN EVERYTHING
THAT HE DID.
JOSEPH DID WHAT I'M ASKING US
TO DO.
HE DIDN'T JUST PRAY GOD GET ME
OUT OF THIS TROUBLE, AND I'LL
HAVE A GOOD ATTITUDE.
HE SAID GOD COME INTO THIS
TROUBLE, HELP ME TO SHINE, HELP
ME TO STAND OUT.
THE NEXT VERSE SAYS POTIPHAR SAW
THAT THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH.
CAN PEOPLE SEE THAT GOD IS
WITH YOU IN THE FIRE?
ARE YOU BEING YOUR BEST EVEN
THOUGH IT'S UNFAIR?
ARE YOU SHINING WHEN YOU COULD
BE COMPLAINING?
LATER, JOSEPH WAS FALSELY
ACCUSED AND PUT IN PRISON
FOR SOMETHING THAT HE DIDN'T DO.
VERSE 21 SAYS, "BUT THE LORD WAS
WITH JOSEPH THERE TOO,"
IN THE PRISON, IN THE BETRAYAL,
IN THE INJUSTICE.
IT'S SIGNIFICANT THAT
THE SCRIPTURE TELLS US THREE
TIMES JUST A FEW VERSES
FROM EACH OTHER THAT THE LORD
WAS WITH JOSEPH.
WE GOT IT THE FIRST TIME,
BUT GOD WANTED US TO SEE THIS
PRINCIPLE THAT WHEN YOU INVITE
HIM INTO THE FIRE YOU'RE GOING
TO HAVE A FAVOR THAT PUSHES YOU
UP WHEN LIFE TRIES TO PUSH YOU
DOWN, A STRENGTH TO EXCEL WHEN
YOU COULD BE SLACKING OFF,
A POWER TO OVERCOME WHAT SHOULD
STOP YOU.
AFTER 13 YEARS OF BEING
IN THE FIRE, GOD BROUGHT JOSEPH
OUT, MADE HIM SECOND IN COMMAND
OF EGYPT.
YOU MAY BE IN A SITUATION NOW
THAT YOU DON'T THINK IS EVER
GOING TO CHANGE, BUT WHAT GOD
STARTED IN YOUR LIFE, HE'S GOING
TO FINISH.
NOW, IT MAY NOT HAPPEN ON YOUR
TIMETABLE.
INSTEAD OF JUST PRAYING GOD GET
ME OUT, BEING FRUSTRATED BECAUSE
IT'S TAKING LONGER THAN YOU
THOUGHT, WHY DON'T YOU START
INVITING GOD IN?
FATHER, THANK YOU THAT YOU ARE
WITH ME IN THIS BATTLE
WITH CANCER, YOU ARE WITH ME
IN THIS STRUGGLE
WITH THE ADDICTION, YOU ARE
WITH ME IN THIS DIVORCE, IN THIS
BREAKUP.
WHEN YOU INVITE GOD IN, YOU WILL
FEEL HIS PRESENCE IN A NEW WAY.
MARK CHAPTER 4, JESUS SAID
TO THE DISCIPLES, "LET US CROSS
TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAKE."
THEY ALL GOT IN THE BOAT, BUT AS
THEY WERE SAILING A HUGE STORM
AROSE.
THE WAVES WERE CRASHING
OVER THE BOAT, THE WIND
SO STRONG THE DISCIPLES STARTED
TO PANIC THINKING THEY WERE
ABOUT TO DIE.
JESUS WAS ASLEEP IN THE BACK
OF THE BOAT.
THEY RAN AS FAST AS THEY COULD,
"JESUS, WAKE UP.
DON'T YOU CARE THAT WE'RE
ABOUT TO DIE?"
JESUS STOOD UP AND SPOKE
TO THE STORM.
SUDDENLY EVERYTHING CALMED DOWN.
NOW, THESE DISCIPLES HAD SEEN
JESUS PERFORM GREAT MIRACLES,
HEAL THE LEPERS, RAISE A LITTLE
BOY FROM THE DEAD.
WHEN JESUS SAID, "WE'RE GOIN'
TO THE OTHER SIDE," YOU WOULD
THINK THEY WOULD BE CONFIDENT.
NOTHING FOR US TO WORRY ABOUT,
THE SON OF GOD IS IN OUR BOAT.
HE JUST SAID WE'RE GOING ACROSS.
BUT EVEN THOUGH JESUS WAS
WITH THEM, THEY STILL PANICKED.
THEY DIDN'T REALIZE THE WINDS
AND WAVES COULDN'T STOP THE GOD
WHO CREATED THE WINDS AND WAVES,
THE CREATION COULDN'T STOP
THE CREATOR.
THEY HAD NO REASON TO BE AFRAID,
THE SON OF GOD WAS IN THE STORM
WITH THEM.
I WONDER IF YOU'RE DOING
LIKE THEM, WORRIED
ABOUT SOMETHING EVEN THOUGH GOD
IS ON YOUR BOAT.
HE'S ALREADY PROMISED YOU THAT
HE WOULD RESTORE HEALTH BACK
UNTO YOU, THAT YOU WOULD LEND
AND NOT BORROW, THAT AS FOR YOU
AND YOUR HOUSE YOU WOULD SERVE
THE LORD.
NOW, THE CIRCUMSTANCES MAY LOOK
THE OPPOSITE.
THE MEDICAL REPORT'S NOT GOOD,
YOUR LOVED ONE'S OFF COURSE.
IT'S EASY TO LIVE WORRIED,
UPSET, BUT CAN I ENCOURAGE YOU?
THE MOST HIGH GOD IS ON YOUR
BOAT.
THOSE WINDS CANNOT STOP YOU,
THE SICKNESS, THE INJUSTICE,
THE PEOPLE, THEY CANNOT KEEP YOU
FROM YOUR DESTINY.
YOU MIGHT AS WELL RELAX,
EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE FINE
FOR YOU.
SURE, THE WAVES MAY BE BIG,
BUT YOU HAVE AN ADVANTAGE,
THE GOD WHO CONTROLS
THE UNIVERSE IS RIGHT THERE
WITH YOU.
NOW, DO YOUR PART, START
THANKING HIM THAT HE'S FIGHTING
YOUR BATTLES, START SHINING
WHERE YOU ARE, BEING YOUR BEST
IN SPITE OF THE DIFFICULTIES.
DON'T WAIT TILL IT CHANGES, YOU
HAVE TO INVITE HIM IN BEFORE HE
BRINGS YOU OUT.
AND IF YOU'LL DO THIS, I BELIEVE
AND DECLARE LIKE THESE
TEENAGERS, THAT FIRE IS NOT
GOING TO BURN YOU.
YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE THE FOURTH
MAN SHOW UP.
UNUSUAL THINGS ARE
ABOUT TO HAPPEN, UNUSUAL FAVOR,
UNUSUAL HEALINGS, UNUSUAL
BREAKTHROUGHS, UNUSUAL
PROMOTION, THE FULLNESS OF YOUR
DESTINY IN JESUS'S NAME.
AND IF YOU RECEIVE IT, CAN YOU
SAY AMEN TODAY?
I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU
THE 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.
GET IN A GOOD BIBLE-BASED
CHURCH, KEEP GOD FIRST PLACE.
> JOEL: WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT
COMING BACK TO NEW YORK
FOR OUR NIGHT OF HOPE
IN YANKEE STADIUM.
IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT
NIGHT OF ENCOURAGEMENT
AND INSPIRATION.
SPECIAL GUEST, KANYE WEST,
AND THE SUNDAY SERVICE
CHOIR. I HOPE YOU'LL MAKE
> JOEL: WE'RE LOOKING
FORWARD TO SEEING YOU
THERE, MAY 2ND, AT
> JOEL: THANKS FOR
WATCHING THIS
MESSAGE. I HOPE
YOU ENJOYED IT.
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> VICTORIA: LET US
KNOW IN THE
COMMENTS BELOW HOW
THIS MESSAGE HAS
ENCOURAGED YOU.
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