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Joel Osteen Podcast
God's Gracious Hand | Joel Osteen
00:30:27
God’s gracious hand of favor is actively working in your life—opening impossible doors, breaking limitations, and releasing supernatural breakthroughs!
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- [00:01]
Joel Osteen
When work gets crazy, I like to stop by the bar after have a few cold ones. I don't drink at all until 4 o'.
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Amica Insurance Announcer
Clock.
- [00:09]
Doritos Commercial Voice
We limit ourselves to one bottle of wine a night.
- [00:12]
Cosentyx Commercial Voice
Excessive drinking has a way of sneaking up on us. A few drinks, a few nights a week, it can add up and suddenly we're at greater risk for long term problems like heart disease, cancer and depression. Reason enough to rethink to Drink more@rethinkthedrink.com.
- [00:29]
Amica Insurance Announcer
Noha Initiative they say if you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together. At Amica Insurance, we know what matters most to you and we work even harder to protect it together. As a mutual insurance company, we're built for our customers and prioritize your needs. Amica empathy is our best policy. Call 877-41-America and get a quote today. Are you ready to get spicy?
- [01:02]
Doritos Commercial Voice
These Doritos Golden Sriracha aren't that spicy.
- [01:06]
Victoria Osteen
Maybe it's time to turn up the.
- [01:08]
Joel Osteen
Heat or turn it down.
- [01:09]
Doritos Commercial Voice
It's time for something that's not too spicy.
- [01:11]
Joel Osteen
Try Doritos Golden Sriracha Spicy but not too spicy. Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry.
- [01:22]
Victoria Osteen (Promotional Voice)
If you enjoyed today's message, why don't you be a blessing and share it with a friend?
- [01:26]
Joel Osteen
We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in your life. God bless you. It's great to be with you today and I hope you'll stay connected with us during the week through our Daily podcast, our YouTube channel and social media. And you can come visit us in person. We'd love to have you be a part of one of our services. I'd like to start with something funny and I heard about this church and one Sunday morning everything was going great until a bolt of lightning hit the sanctuary. When the smoke cleared, Satan himself was standing behind the podium. People panicked and took off running as fast as they could. Everyone, that is, except one lady. She sat on the front row, as calm as can be, and Satan was appalled. He said, lady, do you know who I am? She said, I sure do. He said, well, aren't you afraid of me? She said, not in the least bit. He said, why not? She said, why should I be? I've been married to your brother for 30 years. 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 the gracious hand of God. We all face obstacles that look too big to overcome and dreams that seem impossible to accomplish. Sometimes it's situations that are just complicated in a relationship or health, a business. We tried our best, but we don't see how it could ever work out. But when you gave your life to Christ, God put something on you that gives you an advantage, something that'll cause you to stand out, to accomplish dreams that seem over your head, to overcome problems that look permanent. The scripture calls it the gracious hand of God. It's his favor that will open doors you couldn't open. It's a divine empowerment where you have the strength, the courage to overcome what should stop you. It's supernatural provision where you have the resources, the funding, the right people. Where you defy the odds. You go where you've never dreamed. You can look back now and see the gracious hand of God. How did you get promoted when you weren't the next in line? You weren't the most qualified, but for some reason, they chose you. That was his gracious hand causing you to stand out. The medical report said you wouldn't get well. Experts said, just learn to live with it. But somehow it turned around and today you're healthy and whole. That wasn't luck, wasn't a coincidence. It was the gracious hand of God. Or maybe there was dysfunction in your family, growing up, addiction, compromise, people taking the easy way out. That should have been you. But you're the exception. You broke that generational limitation and now you're blessed, successful, living a victorious life. You couldn't do that on your own. It was the gracious hand of God empowering you, favoring you, making ways where you didn't see a way. When you understand that you have God's gracious hand, you won't live intimidated, thinking you're at a disadvantage. And man, this obstacle's too big. I'll never get well. We'll always struggle, not have enough. No. You'll put your shoulders back. You'll pray bold prayers. You'll expect things to change in your favor. Your attitude will be, this may be too much for me, but I know a secret. I have an advantage. There's something on me that causes me to stand out, to overcome, to defy the odds. The gracious hand of God is on my life. David said in Psalm 41, by this I know you have favored me. My enemies could not triumph over me. The favor of God will keep your enemies from defeating you. That sickness should take you out, should stop your destiny. But God steps in and says no, you don't have the final say. I do. His favor won't let it triumph over you. The trouble at work should set you back. Those people that are playing politics, pushing you down, trying to make you look bad, seems like they have the advantage. Don't worry. There is something on you they can't see. There is a favor that keeps you from being defeated. They may push you down, but they can't keep you down. The favor on your life will cause you to bounce right back up. See, when you honor God, you keep him first. You have his gracious hand on you that makes you unstoppable. Think about Joseph. His brothers were jealous and threw him into a pit that should have been the end. A teenager in a pit left there to die. No way to get out. But then, out of nowhere, a caravan of Ishmaelites showed up traveling through the desert. They got there at just the right time when the brothers were about to leave. Instead, they sold Joseph as a slave and his life was spared. That caravan came from a city hundreds of miles away. They had been traveling weeks and weeks before Joseph was in the pit. They were already on the way. God knows everything that's going to happen to you. He's already arranged solutions to problems that you haven't even had. It may look like that opposition is going to get the best of you, but what you can't see is a caravan is already on the way with your freedom, your breakthrough, your abundance, your healing. Why is that? The gracious hand of God is on your life. You belong to the most high. You are his prized possession. He said in Psalms. He has surrounded you with favor like a shield. This favor is not just for good breaks, not just to accomplish dreams, but it's to keep your enemies from defeating you. Joseph was sold as a slave and taken to Egypt and worked for a high ranking military official. He was so excellent, the official put him in charge of his whole household. He ran all the affairs, the staff and the upkeep. But the official's wife tried to seduce Joseph. She liked him, but he wouldn't give in. He was a man of honor and integrity. Even though he had been mistreated and betrayed, he still honored God. This wife lied about Joseph and said he was trying to harm her. And of course her husband was furious and had him put in prison. Another setback. Now he's not only a slave in a foreign country, but he's incarcerated. All the odds are against him. Having God's favor doesn't mean we won't have difficulties. But it does mean those enemies will not triumph over you. They won't have the last laugh. Breakthrough is coming. In prison, Joseph was so excellent that the warden put him in charge of the whole prison. You've heard that phrase, you can't keep a good man down. The truth is, you can't keep a favored man down. When God's gracious hand is on you, you keep rising to the top, defying the odds. You keep succeeding despite what comes against you. One day, Joseph interpreted the Pharaoh's dream. The leader of the country. The pharaoh was so impressed, he made Joseph the prime minister of Egypt. You too may have had some bad breaks and obstacles that look like you could never overcome. If Joseph were here, he would tell you, don't ever rule out the favor of God. His gracious hand on your life will cause you to rise out of a pit to excel despite who did you wrong, to shine in the midst of opposition. God is fighting your battles. His favor doesn't keep us out of difficulty, doesn't stop all the trouble, but it will keep the trouble from stopping you. When you're in a pit, you don't feel like there's any way out. Look up, for your redemption draws nigh. There is a God not only watching over you, but his gracious hand is on your life. His favor is surrounding you. What he has purposed will come to pass. No person can stop it. No sickness, no trouble, no addiction. The enemies you see today, you will see no more. When you're in a pit facing trouble, it's good to look back and remember what God has done. Find some victories so you can say, like David, by this I know we have favor. We're in the former compact center. The opposition was bigger, stronger. They had more resources. But they couldn't keep us out. By this, I know my family has favor. My mother is still alive 44 years after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. The cancer couldn't triumph over her. By this, I know I have favor. The critics couldn't stop me. The naysayers, the noise, the chatter. They tried their best, but their best was not enough. The more they pushed down, the more God pushed up. He's taken me further than I've ever imagined. You don't have to fight all these battles. You can stay in peace knowing that there's a force for you that cannot be defeated. The gracious hand of God protecting you, empowering you, favoring you, providing for you when you're tempted to get discouraged. And we all do and think, oh, no, Joel, this enemy's too big, this opposition too strong. I don't see any way out of this problem. You're looking at it from a natural point of view. God is supernatural. The favor he put on you goes beyond your talent, your strength, your resources. It's not limited to what you can do. It's his power. He created the universe. He spoke worlds into existence. He parts red seas. He multiplied two fish and to feed 5,000. He caused Sarah to have a baby at 90 years old. He opened prison doors for Paul and Silas. He used a slingshot to bring down a giant. He is all powerful. Nothing can stand against our God. And he is breathing on your life right now. You're about to see his gracious hand do something you've never seen, like Joseph. Bring you out of trouble, into victory, out of sickness, into health, out of being lonely, to a great relationship, out of struggling into abundance. Now you have to get in agreement with God. No more. I never get any good breaks. I've had this addiction so long and I don't have the talent to accomplish my dream. Try a different approach. Father, thank you. That your gracious hand is upon my life. That your favor is keeping enemies from defeating me. Opening right doors, bringing the right people, causing me to go further than I ever imagined. This is what Nehemiah did. The Israelites had been in exile in Babylon for many years and some of them had returned home to Jerusalem. But the city was in ruins and the walls were broken down. There was no protection. Without the walls, they were easy prey to bandits. Well, Nehemiah lived a thousand miles away. He worked as a cupbearer for the king of Persia. When he heard about how his people in Jerusalem were in such need and the walls down, they were so vulnerable. Verse 4 says he sat down and wept. He was so burdened by it. For four months he prayed and fasted and we asking God to help. He never dreamed that God would put the desire in him to go back and rebuild those walls. He wasn't a builder. He didn't have the funds, the materials, the crew. I'm sure he thought, God, this is impossible. Yes, I'm concerned, but I'm not the answer. You have to find someone more qualified, more experienced. But God will ask you to do things that seem over your head. We're like Nehemiah. You can find a thousand reasons why you can't do it. You don't have the talent. You're too young, too old, too timid. Wrong nationality. Here's the key. God wouldn't have asked you if you didn't have everything you need. He'll never ask you to do something and not give you the ability to do. May be over your head, but it's not over his head. You have to realize his gracious hand is on you. It's a hand of favor. Things will happen that you couldn't make happen. Don't talk yourself out of it or you'll miss the greatness God put in you. Nehemiah went to the king and asked for permission to take a leave of absence to go back home and rebuild the walls. Imagine the faith that took. He didn't have a high ranking position. He wasn't in management. He was working in the kitchen, serving, cleaning, running errands. You would think he would be timid and shy. But when you know the favor of God is on your life, you'll have a boldness, a courage to step out and do what God's put in your heart. He asked the king. And much to his surprise, the king said, yes, Nehemiah, you can go. He gave him permission. Nehemiah was grateful. But he didn't stop there. He said, thank you so much. But King, I don't have any materials. I don't have any funds. Will you give me letters requiring the owners of the lumber mills and the stone quarries to give me the supplies I need? Another bold request. Once again, the king said yes. Now he has the time off. He has the materials. But he said one more thing. King, I need protection when I travel back home. It'll be dangerous. I need letters to all the governors of the cities I go through telling them who I am and how they need to watch after me. All these requests seemed like he was pushing his luck. The king could have said, man, Nehemiah, I gave you time off. Get out of here. But Proverbs says, God will turn the heart of a king. God will cause the people you need to be good to you. The king agreed to do it. That didn't make sense. Why was he so good to Nehemiah? Why did he treat him with such kindness and generosity? Nehemiah said in verse 8, the king granted me these requests because the gracious hand of God was on me. Nehemiah understood this secret, that there was a favor on him that would cause him to accomplish what he couldn't accomplish on his own. Doors would open that he couldn't Open. It would cause people to go out of their way to be good to him. If he hadn't been aware of the gracious hand of God, he would have never had the boldness to ask the king the courage to leave that comfortable environment to take this step of faith. My question for you is, do you realize what you have? That you're not just ordinary, doing life on your own, limited by your environment, your education, your connections? No, the gracious hand of God is on you. A favor that empowers and enables and opens doors and keeps enemies from defeating you. When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem and saw all the ruins, it was much worse than he thought. And logically speaking, he didn't know how he was going to do it. He found some men and told them of his dream to rebuild the walls and ask if they would help. I'm sure some of them, said Nehemiah, it's impossible. Look at this mess. We're not builders. We don't have the equipment, the resources. Nehemiah said in verse 18, I told the people how the gracious hand of God was on my life. They were trying to talk him out of it. He said, in effect, no, guys, there's something on me you can't see. I may look ordinary, yes, I'm a cupbearer. But I have an advantage. The favor of God is on my life. There is a force for me greater than any force trying to stop me. They said no at first, but then they all changed their minds, said Nehemiah. We're in. Let's do this. The favor of God will bring the people. You need to get behind your vision to help you excel. You don't have to beg people, try to manipulate. Convince them to be for you. God will move on the right people. They started rebuilding the wall and had all kinds of opposition. City leaders tried to stop them, critics stirred up trouble and bandits came and tried to get them to fight. Just because you're having trouble, it doesn't mean you're not in God's will. When you step out to do what he's called you to do and to take new ground, live with excellence and integrity, you're going to have opposition, trouble, naysayers. The enemy doesn't want you to move forward. The good news is the favor on your life will keep those enemies from defeating you. They may come, but if you'll stay in faith, they will fail. No weapon formed against you will prosper. When the enemy comes in like a flood, the scripture says the spirit of God will raise up A barrier. The spirit of God is the favor of God. Keep doing the right thing. Don't get distracted fighting battles that you're not supposed to fight. Nehemiah had people at the bottom of the mountain making fun of him, threatening him. All kinds of noise and negative chatter. But Nehemiah ignored it. He knew it was a distraction to try to get him to lose focus, to come down from building to fighting. Let God fight your battles. All the noise, the chatter, people trying to make you look bad. They cannot stop your destiny. You have to let God take care of it. Let him be your Vindicator.
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Amica Insurance Announcer
He.
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Joel Osteen
If you start fighting and trying to prove and defend and pay them back, God's going to step back. But if you'll leave it alone, God will take care of what's trying to stop you. God will vindicate you better than you can vindicate yourselves. It looked like rebuilding the wall would take years and years. I mean, it was a daunting task. But Nehemiah did it in just 52 days. A few months earlier, he was working as a cupbearer, just minding his own business. Now he's known as one of the heroes of faith. He helps save God's people. I wonder how many of us are discounting ourselves. God put the promise in our heart. But the dream looks too big and the problem too great. We're focused on what we don't have, what we can't do. When the truth is the gracious hand of God is on your life. Just like Nehemiah, there is a favor on you. A divine empowerment, the blessing of the Most High. But this won't do you any good if you don't recognize it. A key to Nehemiah fulfilling his purpose was he was aware of the favor. He declared it to other people. He wasn't bragging on himself. He was bragging on God. His gracious hand is on me. See, out of your heart, your mouth speaks. You can tell what you believe by what you're saying. I think this sickness is going to be the end of me or I'll never break this addiction. Joel, the expert said we can't have a baby. Negative talk will bring a negative future. You are prophesying what's coming. If you talk defeat, lack can't do it. Too big, you're going to see that. Why don't you do like Nehemiah? When it looks impossible, when you don't see your way, you could be complaining. No. No. The gracious hand of God is on my life. His favor keeps my enemies from defeating me. His favor has taken me where I can't go on my own. I've seen in my own life, the more I brag on the favor of God, the more favor I see. The more I talk about God's goodness, his provision. How he's opened doors, brought the right people, given us a compact center, healed my mom. The more I see God show out in my life all through the day. Keep this down in your spirit. Lord, I thank you that your gracious hand is upon me. I thank you that your favor is causing me to stand out. That you're breathing on my health, my children, my finances, on my dreams. Nehemiah's colleague was a priest named Ezra. God put in his heart to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls, but Ezra was going to rebuild the city. Six times in the scripture, Ezra mentions the gracious hand of God. It's not a coincidence that both he and Nehemiah did great things. Look at their mindset. They could have been complaining. God, we don't have the supplies or God, I'm a minister. I can't rebuild the city. They have plenty of reasons not to. But they weren't focused on what they didn't have, what looked impossible. They were focused on the favor God put on them. They understood they weren't doing life by themselves. They had divine enablement that the hand of God was on their life. His hand is a hand of healing. It's a hand of provision. It's a hand of deliverance. A hand of acceleration where God speeds things up. When you look at your situation, you may think like they did. How can I accomplish my dreams? Oh, I don't have the funds, the experience. How can I build that wall? I'll tell you how. The gracious hand of God. Well, how's my son going to get back on course? He. He's with the wrong crowd. The gracious hand of God. How am I going to get well? You should see the medical report. The gracious hand of God. There is a favor on you that will cause you to overcome what should defeat you. Cause you to accomplish what looks too big. 1997. Victoria and I acquired a construction permit for the last full power television station here in Houston. We knew God opened the door and we were so excited. Couldn't wait to put the station on the air. We bought the transmitter and the antenna, a lot of the equipment, but we couldn't find a place for the studio. What made it difficult is it had to be close to a cell tower so we could Microwave the signal to the main tower up north. We looked for months and gone to different places and a couple of times we found locations that we liked. But when we did the research, there wasn't a tower close enough. We were tempted to get discouraged, but my father always taught us about the favor of God before we left for school. Every morning as a child, my mother would pray, lord, thank you that my children have your favor. It's always been down in me. Well, our real estate agent took us to another office complex and we like this one more than any of the others. It seemed perfect. We went up on the roof to look around but there wasn't a tower in sight. Another dead end. As we were about to leave, I heard some bulldozers on the other side of this wood fence where we had parked. And I was curious about what they were building and I grabbed the top of the fence and pulled myself up. They were putting forms in for a Foundation about 40ft by 40ft. I thought maybe a garage or some kind of storage building. The man saw me and stopped the tractor. I smiled and said, hey, what are you building? He said, we're building a cell tower. It'll be up in two months. Almost fell off that fence. That was our favorite office building and the tower was going in right next door. That wasn't good luck. That was the gracious hand of God. When you look back over your life, you can see his hand of favor, his hand of blessing. Can I encourage you? His gracious hand is still on you. There is a favor that keeps your enemies from defeating you. A power that will cause you to overcome, to withstand. God is going before you right now, making crooked places straight, lining up the right people, the breaks you need. Don't live intimidated thinking you're at a disadvantage. Man, this problem's too big. Instead of living problem minded, live favor minded. Do like Nehemiah and keep declaring, the gracious hand of God is on my life. Keep bragging on his goodness, talking about his favor. Sure, you may have big obstacles, but we serve a big God. Your dream may look impossible. One touch of his favor and doors will open that you've never dreamed would open. He wouldn't have given you that promise if he wasn't going to bring it to pass. Now I believe and declare, like Nehemiah, God is about to show out in your life. Cause people to be good to you. Like Joseph. You're going to rise up despite what tried to push you down. Promotion, breakthroughs, healing the fullness of your destiny. In Jesus name and if you receive it, can you say Amen? 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'll 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 new walk with the Lord. You can text the number on the screen or go to the website, but I hope you'll get into a good Bible based church and keep God first place. It's easy to get stuck in life because of fear and lack of confidence or we've been through disappointments. But I'm excited about Victoria's new book, Grace to Go. It'll help you move past what's holding you back and step into new levels of your destiny.
- [28:35]
Victoria Osteen (Promotional Voice)
My heart for this book is that you will discover the courage, the gifts and the faith that God has put in you so that you can see your dreams come to pass. It's not too late. The obstacles are not too big. The grace of God equips you to go beyond your comfort zone and overcome what looks impossible. You are stronger than you think. You are not alone. You are Graced to Go.
- [28:59]
Victoria Osteen
As our way of saying thank you for your gift of any amount this month we'll send you Victoria Osteen's brand new book Graced to Go. Step onto the bigger, bolder life that belongs to you. This inspiring resource will help you break through fear, insecurity or regret and activate the faith to move forward. Each chapter will stir your spirit, renew your perspective and empower you to live boldly. You don't have to wait for perfect conditions. God's grace meets you where you are and propels you into a future full of purpose and peace. With an additional gift, we'll send you the Grace to Go Bold Bundle featuring Grace to Go by Victoria Osteen and Pray Bold by Joel Osteen. These two powerful books will stir your faith, break hesitation and help you believe big again.
- [29:52]
Victoria Osteen (Promotional Voice)
Grace is power. When you receive it by faith, it enables you to take the next step so you can become all you were created to be.
- [30:01]
Joel Osteen
Victoria and I are so grateful to spend this time with you. We pray for you and your family every day. Thank you 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 gifts. 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 watch on YouTube, the new Joel Osteen Network Social media of course. Listen on Sirius XM24. 7. We'll help you stay encouraged and inspired. If you're a pastor, we'd like to invite you to our Pastors Gathering. We'd be honored to spend the day with you here at Lakewood. We'll share some of the things we've learned, insights and behind the scenes. Be a time of inspiration and encouragement. We'd love to meet you.
- [30:51]
Victoria Osteen
These two powerful books will will stir your faith, break hesitation and help you believe big again. Be sure to request your copy of these powerful resources today for an additional donation. This month we are also offering the NLT Large Print Thin Line Reference Bible. This Bible also enables you to connect through your smartphone or tablet to a vast power packed array of study notes, devotionals, interactive maps, videos, worship music. You can request these inspiring resources by calling 888-567-JOEL or logging on to jolostein.com today. Call or click anytime 24 hours a day. Start fresh. Step forward. You are graced to go request your copies today.
- [31:43]
Cosentyx Commercial Voice
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- [32:16]
Amica Insurance Announcer
You want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together. At Amica Insurance, we know what matters most to you and we work even harder to protect it together. As a mutual insurance company, we're built for our customers and prioritize your needs. Amica Empathy is our best policy. Call 877-41-America and get a quote today.
- [32:45]
Joel Osteen
Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms can be unpredictable.
- [32:49]
Cosentyx Commercial Voice
I had joint pain and I couldn't.
- [32:51]
Joel Osteen
Move like I used to.
- [32:53]
Cosentyx Commercial Voice
I needed relief.
- [32:55]
Victoria Osteen
I got Cosentyx.
- [32:57]
Joel Osteen
It helped me move better.
- [32:59]
Doritos Commercial Voice
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- [33:40]
Joel Osteen
Ask.
- [33:41]
Cosentyx Commercial Voice
Your rheumatologist about cosenty.