Get Uncomfortable!

Get Uncomfortable!

Posted by Victoria Osteen on 10/17/2011

When was the last time you really went outside of your comfort zone to try something new? Was it something you've wanted to do for a long time, or perhaps a new opportunity that presented itself out of the blue?

One thing I know is that we were not created to be stagnate. God wants us to be constantly growing and rising to new levels in this life. He wants us to flourish and excel at whatever we set our hand to. But so many people stay right where they are, day in and day out, settling for less than God's best simply because they've grown accustomed to their circumstances, and they are comfortable. However, if we are going to experience all that God has for us, we can't just stay where we are; we have to be bold, we have to stretch, and we have to step out of our comfort zones.

Reaching new levels isn't always easy—but it wasn't meant to be easy. If everything were easy all the time, you wouldn't stretch your faith, you wouldn't increase, and you would miss out on discovering so many facets of God's character. Your life of faith begins by God doing a work in you, and then you begin to work with Him by choosing obedience. Every time you step out in faith, you learn more about who God is and who He made you to be. Every time you stretch, you are tapping into the gifts and abilities He has deposited on the inside of you. Just like treasure hunting, each new experience causes you dig deep into the riches within!

I encourage you today to stay open to what God wants to do in your life. Always remember that stretching is good for you. It's good for your body, and it's good for your mind. Stretching builds your confidence, and even though it's uncomfortable at times, it prepares you to move forward down the road to your destiny. Today, be willing to get uncomfortable because there are new levels of greatness waiting in store for your future!

The Gift of Good Bye

The Gift of Good Bye

Posted by Joel Osteen on 10/21/2011

All of us, at times, will have people who leave our lives for one reason or another. Beyond your family and the commitment of marriage, there are some relationships that are meant for just a season. It may be something you weren't expecting. You may not understand it. But if you've done your part to walk in love and forgiveness, if you know in your heart you've done your best and the person walks away, that's when you have to trust that God knows who needs to be in your life.

One time, I heard somebody talk about the gift of goodbye. It means when somebody chooses to leave, you may not realize it right away, but they just did you a huge favor. Maybe that person was holding you back. Maybe they were keeping you from spreading your wings. Maybe they weren't a good influence. When somebody leaves your life, a business partner, a friend, a neighbor, a coworker; don't take it personally. Don't get upset. Don't try to talk them into staying. Let God do a new thing in your life. Your destiny is not tied to the people who walk away from you. You may think, "Man, I need them, Joel. They're a great friend; I count on them. He's a great business partner." No, God knows who you need in your life to fulfill your purpose. If He has decided that the season is over, there's nothing you can do to hold it together. You might as well just let it go and get ready for something new that God wants to do.

Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 10, "If anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet and move on." That's what I'm encouraging you to do today. Don't try to force a relationship that has ended. Shake the dust off your feet and move on. You don't need the approval of everyone on this planet; you only need God's approval. You don't have to defend yourself because God is your defender.

Today, instead of focusing on what you don't have, focus on what you do have. Focus on the relationships that are in your life. Invest in the people around you. Look for ways to sow love and encouragement. Thank God that He is opening doors for you. Thank Him for the right connections in your life. And thank Him for the gift of goodbye because He is ordering your steps and aligning you to walk in the place of blessing He has prepared for you!

Handfuls on Purpose

Handfuls on Purpose

Posted by Joel Osteen on 10/28/2011

Scripture talks about a woman named Ruth. She had been through a lot of heartache and pain. Her husband had been killed in a battle. Now her mother-in-law, Naomi, was moving away to a different city. Ruth decided to go with her and help take care of her. During all of this, there was a great famine in the land, and they hardly had anything to eat. Every morning, Ruth would go out into the fields and follow behind the reapers that were gleaning the wheat. She would pick up the leftover wheat that had fallen behind on the ground, and that's how she and Naomi were surviving.

One day the owner of the field, a wealthy man named Boaz, came into town to check on his field. It just so happened that he saw Ruth out there and she caught his attention. He asked his workers, "Who is that new, young girl?" They said, "That's Ruth. She's a widow and just moved here. She goes behind us every day and picks up the leftover wheat." Boaz said to his workers, "Here's what I want you to do; drop handfuls of wheat on purpose for Ruth."

I love the fact that Ruth was just minding her own business, being her best, being faithful. She was focused on meeting the needs of someone else, and she was blessed in return. One day, all of the sudden, she started seeing excess wheat lying in front of her. Think about it. Suddenly, she doesn't have to struggle anymore. Suddenly, she doesn't have to search the field trying to find the leftovers. All she has to do is step and what she needs is in her path. Suddenly, she goes home with four or five times what she normally would collect. Naomi asks, "Ruth, how in the world did you get all that wheat today?" I can see Ruth scratching her head. She says, "I don't know. I just stumbled into it. Normally, I get the leftovers and scraps, but for some reason, the workers started leaving all this wheat right in my path!"

Today, I want you to know that God has dropped "handfuls on purpose" for you, too. In your future, God has already dropped favor, promotion and health. He's dropped wisdom, good breaks and divine connections. They're out in front of you just waiting for you to come along. Don't believe those lies telling you there is nothing good in store; you'll never accomplish your dreams. No, if God were to pull back the curtain and allow you to see what He's already lined up; the breaks, the people, the favor, the things He's already released into your future, you wouldn't worry again. You wouldn't be discouraged. You would be excited about your future. You would live with expectancy knowing that at any moment, you could come across one of those handfuls on purpose! (See Ruth 1).

Close the Door on Fear

Close the Door on Fear

Posted by Victoria Osteen on 10/31/2011

Oftentimes, people stay right where they are in life for one reason—fear. Fear can be paralyzing. It tries to keep us from God's best. It prevents us from growing and stretching the way God intends. Like a disease, fear in one area can spread and affect every other area of life.

The good news is that we don't have to live in fear. We don't have to let it weigh us down or hold us back. As believers in Jesus, we have victory over fear! Scripture tells us that fear isn't from God. In fact, He makes it very clear in 2 Timothy that He has not given us a spirit of fear, but He has given us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. The spirit of fear is what the enemy uses to distort reality and try to keep us from moving forward. That's why we have to pull back the curtain of fear and see it for what it really is—a lie from the enemy designed to hold us back!

You may have heard it said that fear is an acronym for False Evidence Appearing Real. If we can recognize the root of fear as a lie, then we can reject it and embrace the truth of God's Word which sets us free from fear. (John 8:32)

For example, if you are trying to avoid something new because of a fear of failure, reject that lie and embrace the truth that says, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13) If fear of the future keeps you anxious and worried, know that it's a lie. Reject the lie and embrace His truth which says, "God has a good plan for my future, a plan to prosper me and give me hope." (Jeremiah 29:11) Find what God says about your situation in the Word of God and let it sink down deeply into your heart. As you meditate on God's truth, it will set you free and empower you to move forward past fear.

Remember, ultimately it is God's perfect love that drives fear out of our lives. When you hold on to the truth of God's love for you, then nothing can hold you back. Today let His love empower you. Let His love give you confidence. Find safety, peace and joy in His love because when you do, you close the door on fear!

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18, NKJ).

The Waiting Room of Life

The Waiting Room of Life

Posted by Victoria Osteen on 10/24/2011

The other day, I was sitting in traffic and just started thinking about all the time we spend waiting in life. We wait in traffic, wait in line at the grocery store, wait for a promotion, wait for a relationship to turn around or wait for a prayer to be answered. It seems we spend a lot of time in the waiting room of life!

God sees us and is saying to us today, "I want you to wait the right way." What is the right way to wait? If you look up the word "wait" in the original Hebrew, it's translated to mean hope and expectancy. See, God wants you to wait in Him. He wants your hope and expectancy to be in Him. Isaiah 40:31 says, "Those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (NKJ)

God has promised that if we wait the right way, then we'll have the strength to wait. We won't feel overwhelmed, frustrated and "zapped" of all of our energy. If you wait in Him, you'll run and not be weary, walk and be lifted up, and soar like the eagle. This verse tells me there are seasons of waiting. Sometimes we have to walk through some things while we wait. Sometimes we run and the season goes by quickly. And sometimes, we'll just rise above the circumstances and soar through the season of waiting. No matter what, God promises to strengthen and empower us when we wait on Him.

How do we wait in Him? First of all, we need to wait with praise and worship in our hearts and mouths. Praise always precedes the victory. God says He inhabits the praises of His people, and when God shows up, the enemy has to flee!

Another way to make sure you are waiting the right way is by watching your words, thoughts and attitudes. Your thoughts direct your words which ultimately direct your life. Make sure your words line up with His Words. Come in agreement with Him because your strength comes from your unity with Him.

You've probably heard it said that your attitude determines your altitude. If you want to rise high above the storms of life, you have to set your mind on things above, not on the cares of this earth. You have to keep your focus on Jesus because He is the Author and Finisher of your faith.

Today, if you're waiting, make sure you're waiting the right way. Keep an attitude of faith and expectancy and a song of praise on your lips. Know that He is faithful, and He will renew your strength and lift you up when you choose to wait in Him.