← Joel Osteen Podcast
Joel Osteen Podcast
God Will Bring You To A Flourishing Finish | Joel Osteen
00:31:03
That disappointment is not your final chapter. God has a comeback lined up for every setback.
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Joel Osteen
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Joel Osteen
Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you enjoyed today's message, why don't you be a blessing and share it with a friend? We appreciate you and pray for God's grace. Best in your life. Well, God bless you. It's a joy to come into your homes. We love you. We know God has great things in store and if you're ever in our area, stop by and be a part of one of our services. I promise you we'll make you feel right at home. Thanks so much for tuning in. Thank you again for coming out. I like to start with something funny each week. And I heard about this archaeologist from New York. He dug down 10ft and found traces of copper wiring. And dating back 100 years, he concluded that New Yorkers had a telephone network over 100 years ago. Not to be outdone, an archaeologist from California dug down 20ft and found copper wiring dating back 200 years. He concluded that Californians had a massive communications network 100 years before the New Yorkers. Here in these reports, Bubba from Texas dug down 30ft on his farm and found absolutely not. He concluded. 300 years ago, Texans had already gone wireless. Hold up your Bibles. 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 how God wants to bring you to a flourishing finish. We all go through disappointments and have unfair things that happen. The mistake many people make is they get stuck where they are. They get bitter and negative and they end up giving up on their dreams. Had a lady tell how she had worked for this company many years, gave it her best, was as loyal as can be. But when the company changed ownership, the new leader said that they didn't need her anymore. After 22 years, she was let go. She was all discouraged. She just couldn't understand how God could let that happen. But here's the good news. That disappointment is not the final chapter. God never ends in a negative. If you'll keep moving forward with your life, God promises in Philippians 1:6, he will bring you to a flourishing finish. Not a defeated finish, a bankrupt finish, a betrayed finish, a barely get by finish. No, in your future, God has a victorious finish. That setback, the disappointment, the betrayal. Instead of it working against you, God knows how to turn it around and cause it to work for you. When you're in difficult times, don't settle where you are. Don't put your roots down and think that it's never going to change. No, for every setback, God's already lined up a comeback. For every injustice, vindication. For every disappointment, restoration. New beginnings. In Second Corinthians 2:14, it says, thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph. You could say we're in a fixed fight. We already know the outcome. In the end, we will be victorious. Sometimes I'll record a football game and watch it. When I get home later, I already know how the game ends. I've talked to friends, watched the news. I know my team wins. And so while I'm watching, I don't get discouraged. If my team falls behind, I don't get up tight. If it's halftime and we still haven't scored, I'm totally at peace. Why? I already know the outcome. The truth is, the further behind we fall, the more excited I am. Because that means a big comeback is on its way. I can't wait to see what's going to happen. As believers, this is the promise God makes to us. You may go through disappointments. At times it seems like you're far behind, like it's never going to work out. But you got to remind yourself, I am in a fixed fight. I already know the outcome. God never ends in defeat. When it's all said and done, I'm the victor and not the victim. I'm going to come out of this setback, not defeated, bedraggled, half dead. No, I'm going to come out promoted, increased healthier, to a flourishing finish. Little over 2,000 years ago, Jesus was on his way to the cross. He'd been beaten by the soldiers, mocked and ridiculed. He was so discouraged, he sweat great drops of blood. His body was in pain, his spirit in agony. Yet deep down, he understood this principle. He knew he was in a fixed fight. He knew his father never ends in defeat. That's why he didn't call thousands of angels to come rescue him like he could have. That's why he didn't try to defend himself and answer his accusers. That's why he said, father, forgive them. On Friday, it didn't look good, but he knew Sunday was coming. On Friday, the enemies were rejoicing, having a party, celebrating his defeat. But on Sunday morning, it was a different story. Jesus came out of the grave. He said, I am he that lives. I was dead, but I'm alive forevermore. Jesus crushed Satan's head, took from him the keys of death and hell. He said, because I live now, you can live also. It may feel like Friday in your life, things don't look good in your finances, your health, maybe a legal situation. Looks like you've already lost or like you're far behind. No, the good news is Sunday is coming. God does not end in defeat. He's got another victory in your future. My friend Dale Bronner says God always ends in all is well. So if all is not well, that simply means it's not the end. Don't quit believing victory is in front of you. Well, you say, joel, all is not well in my finances. I'm struggling. I'm in debt. That's okay. It's not the end. God is still working. Jehovah Jireh, the Lord, your provider, has breakthroughs coming your way. If all is not well in your health, don't get discouraged. It's not the end. God has healing, restoration coming your way. All is not well in your family, in a relationship, don't write a child off or a spouse off. They may be on the wrong course, but it's not the end. In the end, God promises all will be well. Friends, our God does not end in defeat. He didn't say most of the time, I'll cause you to triumph. No, he said, I'll always cause you to triumph. You may go through difficulties, through unfair situations, through betrayals, but that's the way you need to see it. You're going through. You're not staying there. It's not permanent. Defeat is not your normal state. If all is not well in your life, that simply means you haven't made it to your new destination. If you'll keep moving forward, you'll come into a new season of victory. Blessing Favor I love the story that our friend Danny Gokey told last weekend. He's the young man from American Idol that sang for us. His wife was born with a heart condition. They prayed and believed that God would heal her, but during a surgery there were complications. Long story short, the young lady went to be with the Lord. Danny was devastated. He sunk into deep depression. He thought that his life was over. He couldn't understand how God could let that happen to him. The scripture talks about how God has written every page of our life in his book. God knows our future. He's already planned it out. The good news is your book ends in victory. Your final chapter is not you falling apart, going bankrupt, getting betrayed, living lonely. No. God's plans for you are for good to bring you to a flourishing finish. When you go through a disappointment and something doesn't work out, the key is to not get stuck on that page. If you will keep moving forward, you'll come into a new chapter. A chapter of victory, a chapter of restoration. Danny got stuck on that negative page for a while. But he told how one day he put his foot down and he said, I refuse to let this disappointment ruined the rest of my life. He started moving forward. God began to open up new doors. Today Danny has a successful career in the music industry. Not only that, he started a charity to help families that are struggling. Named after his wife called Sophia's Heart. What am I saying? God never ends on a negative. Just because a company let you go or a spouse walked out or a loved one died doesn't mean it's the end or God has a new beginning. If you'll do like Danny and shake off the bitterness and shake off the self pity and start moving forward, then you will see God begin to open new doors and bring new Opportunities and new people. There are amazing victories still in your future. Well, you say, joel, what about Danny's wife? She ended in defeat. She died at a young age. No, when you go to heaven, that's not defeat. That's the ultimate victory. You're going to a place where there's no sorrow, no pain, no heartache. You won't be in heaven two seconds before you realize it's the greatest victory of your life. I heard about this elderly lady. She was in her final days, very close to death. And she called her pastor to come to her home to talk about the funeral. She gave instructions about what songs she wanted sung and what passages she wanted read. Her final request was to be buried with a fork in her hand. He said, a fork? Why a fork? And she explained how at the church dinners and other social functions, after the main course was served, somebody would always come by and say, keep your fork. That meant dessert was coming. Chocolate cake, apple pie. When people heard, keep your fork, they knew the best part of the meal was on the way. Couldn't wait to see what they were going to get. She said to the pastor, when people see me laying there with a fork in my hand, and they'll know, I can't wait to get where I'm going. See, when you have the. When you have the right perspective, you realize even in death, if you know the Lord, it's not ending on a negative. That's God taking you to a flourishing finish. Think about Joseph. He was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery and put in prison. Yet Joseph never got bitter, never blamed God, never gave up on his dreams. Why, he understood this principle. He knew all was not well, so it couldn't be the end. He just kept being his best, doing the right thing when it was hard. In the end, God not only promoted him, put him in charge over all of Egypt, God vindicated him. The brothers that betrayed him came back and bowed low before him. That's a flourishing finish. As a young man, David was anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the next king of Israel. Over the next few years, David was very loyal to the present king. At that time, King Saul. David did him nothing but good. Yet Saul hated David. He was jealous of him. Chased him all through the wilderness. David had to live on the run, fearing for his life. He could have thought, samuel doesn't know what he's talking about. Never going to be the king. No. David knew all was not well, so it couldn't be the end. He just kept being his best, staying on the High road. And one day he saw the promise come to pass. You may have circumstances right now that could easily talk you out of what God has put in your heart. Deep down, you know you're going to be healthy again. You know a relationship's going to be restored, or you know a dream is going to come to pass. But like Joseph, something unfair has happened. Maybe like David, somebody's not treating you right. God is saying it's not the end. I'm still working behind the scenes. I have breakthroughs coming your way. I have vindication, restoration, promotion. Victory is in your future, friends, if you'll stay in faith. God will never let the enemy have the last laugh. God promises he will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies. That means the people that did you wrong, mistreated you, disrespected you, one day they will see you blessed, prosperous, vindicated, happy, fulfilled. Just like Joseph's brothers that bow down low before him. God will make sure you get the honor and the respect you deserve. Your life is not going to end on a negative. I met a young couple from New Orleans. They have three small children. They lost everything during Hurricane Katrina. The house that they worked so hard for was swept away. Their furniture, their possessions, their car. They made it out with just the clothes on their back. A bus dropped them off at the Houston Astrodome. One of our couples helped them to find an apartment and get back on their feet. This couple, they were sharp people. He told how he was the first one in his family to ever own a home. First one to ever graduate from college. The future was bright. Everything was going good. Then Hurricane Katrina hit and just took the wind out of their cells. A couple from Lakewood would go pick them up every Sunday and bring them to church. And they would hear about how we are victors and not victims. And how God will pay us back double for our trouble. And how God never ends in defeat. They shook off the self pity. They got a fresh new vision for their life. Last week they brought pictures of the new house that they just moved into. He told about the new job he got making better money in New Orleans. They had a run down house. They were happy with it. They were grateful. But here, God blessed them with a brand new house. They had hand me down furniture there, but here God blessed them with brand new furniture. Their children went to an okay school, but here they go to an excellent school. What happened? They kept moving forward. They turned the page and they walked into that flourishing finish. Now the enemy's not having the last Laugh, they're having the last laugh. When you go through disappointments, something doesn't work out. You've got to do like they did. Shake off the bitterness, shake off the self pity and say, this setback, it is not the end. It's a new beginning. All is not well. So I know God is still working. He's got a flourishing finish in my future. That's what we did when my father went to be with the Lord. Some people thought that Lakewood had seen its best days. The critics said that it wouldn't last, it would dwindle down to nothing. But thank God he had other plans. Go down, it went up. The critics didn't have the last laugh. We had the last laugh. Really. Lakewood wasn't finished. We were just getting started. I remember when my father died that night of a heart attack, unexpectedly. All in our family was not well. My father had never raised up anyone to take over the ministry. We didn't know how everything was going to turn out. We didn't have all the answers. But we understood this principle that God never ends on a negative. Instead of getting stuck on that page, we just kept moving forward, little by little, doing our best, being faithful, being good to people. When I look out today, I can see the faithfulness of God. I can say, like David, look what the Lord has done. Friends, God's dream is to see you flourish. To come out of a setback, stronger, increase, better, promoted. Get this down in your spirit. A flourishing finish. Not ending your career, getting pushed out the door. No, if that happened, keep moving forward. God has new opportunities. Not with somebody walking out of a relationship, you being betrayed, you being scarred. No, if that happens, don't get stuck on that page. If they left you, you didn't need them. If they walked out, they weren't a part of your divine destiny. God has the right people lined up for you. He's not planning on you living depressed, defeated, betrayed, disappointed. His plan is to bring you out with a flourishing finish, get a vision for it. I know this man that after 27 years of marriage, his wife walked in one day and told him she was seeing someone else and it was over. He was devastated. So betrayed he didn't leave the house for months and months. He quit his job. He was a successful executive, but he gave it all up, not thinking he'd ever be happy again. When I saw him, he looked 20 years older than he was. He used to be fun, friendly and likable. But now he had this deep sadness all about him. And I talked him into coming over to Lakewood little by little. It didn't happen overnight, but he began to get his joy back. He began to dream again. You could see the spring coming back up in his step. About three years ago, he met a young lady. They got married. And he told me the other day, joel, I have never been so happy in all of my life. He was in amazement at what God had done. Friends, that's the goodness of our God. When it looks dark, when you don't see how you'll ever be happy, doesn't look like there's a way. Listen, God has a way. If you will stay in faith, God will not let the enemy have the last laugh. You will have the last laugh. It may be Friday, but Sunday is coming. Now, don't lose your passion for life. Don't believe the thoughts that are telling you. Never going to get any better. You're never going to meet someone. This disappointment's going to be the end of you. No. God has the final say. And he's saying, your life is not going to end on a negative. I'm bringing you to a flourishing finish. This couple. I know they have a son that for many years was on the wrong course. He was raised in a great environment, but for some reason, he got running with the wrong crowd, got involved in drugs, and he ended up in and out of jail. This couple prayed. They believed they got him treatment. They did everything that they could, but it seemed like the more they did, the worse he got. It was taking a huge toll on this family. Didn't look like he was ever going to change. But instead of complaining about it every day, they would speak God's word over their sons. They would say things like, father, you said, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. You said, the seed of the righteous would be mighty in the land. So we thank you that our son will fulfill his destiny. He'll do great things for you. They didn't call him what he was. They called him what they wanted him to be. About two years ago, this son went through a total transformation. Got back in church, got off the drugs, went back to college, got his degree. Today he has a successful career. In his spare time, he volunteers at the ministry helping other young people that are struggling with addictions. What am I saying? Don't give up on your family. Don't give up on your son, your daughter. God never ends on a negative like in this case. It may get worse before it gets better. That's a sign the enemy is taking his best shot. But Know this. His best will never be enough. The forces that are for you are greater than the forces that are against you. We are called the good fight of faith. The reason it's a good fight is because we always win. It may not happen on our timetable or the way we had planned out, but God's a faithful God. If you will believe, your life will not end on a negative. The very thing the enemy tries to destroy you with. God can turn it around and use that to help you bless other people. This young man is now a drug counselor helping other young people. The addiction didn't defeat him, it promoted him. That's a flourishing finish. In the scripture, there was a lady that had a son that died. And she was the friend of the prophet Elisha. She went to see him. A servant saw her coming, thought that was unusual and said, is everything okay? She replied, all is well. Somebody else stopped her. What's wrong? All is well. She ran into another person. What's going on? All is well. The whole time her son was at home, dead, yet she's telling everyone, all is well. See, sometimes you have to say, all is well before everything will be well. You have to say, I'm blessed. Even when your checkbook doesn't say you're blessed, you have to say, I'm healthy. When the medical report doesn't say you're healthy, you have to call your son mighty in the land. Even when he's running with the wrong crowd, you've got to speak it by faith. She got to Elisha and he prayed, and her son came back to life. But I believe it was her faith that caused God to act. When you're in difficult times, don't call yourself what you are. Do like this lady. Call yourself the way you want to be, by faith. Call it well. Call your future bright. Call yourself blessed. Call your children fulfilling their destiny. I talk to a lot of people that are really down on themselves because of the mistakes they've made. They don't think they deserve God's goodness. That's the amazing thing about the mercy of God. Even when we bring trouble on ourselves, even when it's our fault, God is so merciful. If you'll receive his forgiveness, not go around guilty, condemned, beating yourself up, God says, I'll still bring you to a flourishing finish. Think about Samson. His birth was predicted in the scripture. An angel appeared to his mother and said, you're going to have a son. He'll be a deliverer. How? His hair was not supposed to be cut. That was the secret of his strength. Samson had a supernatural beginning. He grew up to do great things. And he had this incredible strength. Where he could not be conquered by his enemies. But over time, he let his guard down, became undisciplined. He told someone about his hair. They ended up cutting his hair. He lost his strength. He was captured by his enemies. They were so afraid of him, they gouged out both of his eyes. Now, this once powerful man that carried God's anointing and favorite. Ended up chained, working as a slave, grinding at the mill. You would think God wouldn't have anything to do with him. He had his chance. He had a supernatural birth, supernatural strength. God gave him favor. Too bad he made wrong choices. No, that's not the way our God thinks. God will always give you another chance. You may have made a thousand mistakes. But God does not want your life to end on a negative. The scripture says Samson's hair began to grow once again. After all these mistakes, God was saying, I'm still going to bring you out with a flourishing finish. One day, Samson was in this large hall. They were having a reception with thousands of people. The enemy had him chained to the walls. It's like he was on display. They were coming by, making fun, mocking him. Samson asked one of the small children. Hands on the pillars of that hall so he could rest. The scripture says the spirit of the Lord came on Samson one more time. God gave him his strength back. Do you know he pushed those walls down? And he defeated more of his enemies in his death than he did his whole lifetime. That's a flourishing finish. That's what God wants to do for you. But some of you think you made too many mistakes. You just have to sit on the sidelines of life. God could never bring your dreams to pass. No. Just like with Samson. The spirit of the Lord is going to come on you another time. Now you've got to do your part and shake off the blame. Quit beating yourself up. You can't do anything about the past. But you can do something about your future. Put your shoulders back. Hold your head up high. Say, God, I may have made a lot of mistakes. But if you did it for Samson, I know you can do it for me. I'm not going to go around beating myself up. Guilty, condemned. I believe my end is going to be better than my beginning. I believe the rest of my life is going to be the best of my life. Friends, we are in a fixed fight. God has already promised us the victory. Remember, if all is not well in your life, that simply means it's not the end. Don't get discouraged. God's still working. It may be Friday, but the good news is Sunday is coming. Now I'm asking you to shake off the defeat, the discouragement, the self pity. It may not have been fair, but don't get stuck on that page. If you'll keep moving forward, you'll come into a chapter of victory, a chapter of restoration, a chapter of new beginnings. No matter what comes your way, let me declare it over you. Your life is not going to end on a negative. God is going to restore what's been stolen. He's going to repair what's been broken. He's going to take every setback and turn it into a setup for a greater comeback. You're not going to come out with a barely get by finish, an okay finish. No, you need to get ready. God's going to bring you out to a flourishing finish. I believe it. I declare it in Jesus name. If you receive it, give the Lord one more shout of praise this morning. Amen. We never like to close our broadcast without giving 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, I believe you got born again. Get in a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. He's going to take you places that you've never dreamed of. Each week I stand on this stage and remind you of what God says about you. Because it's easy to be defined by who people say we are or by our own negative thoughts that we're not talented or problems too big. The key is to go back to who God says you are. I'd love to send you my new book, 101 Great Things that God says about you. I'll help you discover your true identity. God says you're blessed, you're chosen, you're forgiven. You have seeds of greatness. Your future is bright. When you get in agreement with God and declare his promises, you'll rise higher and become all you were created to be.
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Victoria Osteen
As our way of saying thank you for your gift of any amount. This month we would like to send you a copy of Joel's brand new resource 101 Things God says about you. Faith reminders when you need them most. As you read and reflect the story of your life, the way you see yourself will radically change. It will become a reflection of God Himself and what he says about you. Use this resource to encourage your heart and remind you of who you are in Him. You are everything God says about you within these pages. So read it, experience it, and believe it. As an added bonus, you can detach the beautiful poster at the back of the book to read and declare these reminders every day. Yes, you are who God says you are. Now is your time to start believing it. Be sure to request your copy of 101 Things God says About yout, visit jolosteen.com or call 888567, Joel.
- [30:35]
Joel Osteen
As you dwell on what God says about you, you're going to see yourself for who you really are. Strong and talented, valuable, a victor, never a victim. Victoria and I want you to know that we love you and we pray for you every day. Thanks so much for your prayer and support. Your generosity is helping people around the world. Special thank you to our Champion of Hope partners for your monthly support. If you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. Remember, you can watch the services online every Sunday morning, download our daily podcast, listen on SiriusXM, watch our YouTube channel, and the new Joel Osteen network streaming 24 hours a day until we meet again. May the Lord bless you and keep you.
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Victoria Osteen
Be sure to request your copy of 101 Things God says About yout, visit jolosteen.com or call 888-567-Joel for an additional donation. This month we are also offering 101,000 great things God says about you card set. These cards can serve as daily reminders of who God says you are. Additionally, you can request the beautiful copy of the Passion Translation, Power, Provision and Peace. This book brings fresh insight and deeper understanding to the early church's journey, Paul's teachings, and the practical application of faith in daily life. You can request these unique resources by calling 888-567-JOEL or logging on to jolostein.com today. Call or click anytime 24 hours a day. Discover your true identity in Christ. Request your copies today. Did you know that skincare can start in the laundry room? Allfreeclear is the number one laundry detergent brand recommended by dermatologists, allergists and pediatricians. For sensitive all freeclear is 100% free of dyes and perfumes. It provides an effective clean that's gentle on skin while removing impurities like dirt and body oil without leaving irritating residues. Plus, all free clear liquid is safer choice certified by the US EPA for a clean you can feel good about. All you need is All Free Clear. Make your Memorial Day weekend joyfully chill with a cool, creamy sensation of My Mochi ice cream. My Mochi is perfectly portioned scoops of premium ice cream wrapped in sweet soft dough. It comes in all your favorite flavors like strawberry, mango, cookies and cream and amazing new flavors like lemon cheesecake. My Mochi ice cream is gluten free and only around 70 calories per piece. Look for the purple box of My Mochi at Walmart or visit mymochi.com to find a store near you. Hey everybody, Conan O' Brien here with an ad about my podcast. Conan O' Brien needs a friend. I've had so many fantastic conversations with people I truly admire. People like Michelle Obama, Bruce Springsteen, Maya Rudolph, Tom Hanks. New episodes are out every Monday and we have a really good time. So subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts.