CDC Announcer (5:27)

But.

Joel Osteen (5:27)

But Mary said, I'm gonna take this opportunity when all my busyness and all the concerns that I have to just linger here with Jesus. Cause he's at my house today. I'm gonna sit at his feet. I'm gonna pour out my heart to him so he can pour in his thoughts to me. You see, Martha was so disturbed that her sister was. Would have the audacity to sit at the feet of Jesus when there was so much to do. That she said, jesus, you need to tell my sister to come help me. She needs to get up and she needs to get in this kitchen. There's the emails to answer. There's stuff on the stove. The kids needed to be taken care of. There's a bunch of stuff to do, and she needs to get up and she needs to help me. Can you believe she would even say that to her guest of honor? He said to her, mary has chosen the one important thing. She's chosen that one thing. She's chosen the better way. Now, let me just tell you this right now. He said, there's one important thing, there's a better way. Now, he was very much aware of the legitimate concerns that these women had. The Bible says that Jesus said, in this world, you're going to have trouble, you're going to have hardship, you're going to have some things that come against you. But be of good cheer, I have already overcome the world. Be of good cheer. I've already overcome the world. I guess when you look at that scripture, you can say, easy for you to say, Jesus, you're God. I still have these troubles and these concerns. This is what he was saying. He wasn't saying that you shouldn't take your responsibility seriously. He wasn't saying that there weren't legitimately things to be done. He was saying, there's one important thing and it's the better way. What he was saying is all these concerns, all these crisis, all these things that are coming against you, you need to come hang around at my feet, linger in my presence. Because, see, that's the one important thing that's gonna help you get through. That's the better way to handle worry and stress. That's the better way to handle worry and stress. You see, I believe that Mary somehow figured out the better way. And she did wasn't that she was lazy, it wasn't that she didn't care. Mary said, look, this is my chance right now to empty out the concerns and to put in all that God is. You see, that's the better way. Have you ever planned a birthday party or a holiday celebration at your house or some gathering, and you were so stressed out that you made your own self miserable and maybe some of your friends and family as well? There's a better way to handle the stresses of life. The word worry comes from an old English word in the 1500s that meant to strangle. To strangle. I think that's an amazing interpretation of that word because worry and stress literally chokes the fun out of life. It literally pressures us in every relationship that we have. It steals our joy. Think about it. Jesus was at Martha's house. She couldn't even enjoy the fact that Jesus was there. She missed the whole beauty of the moment. She couldn't calm down, relax and be peaceful. She allowed the stress that was going on in her mind to strain the relationship with her own sister. See, it was an attitude that changed. Worry doesn't change anything but your personality, it changes your disposition. It doesn't make the situation better. Actually, it makes the situation worse. I worked with a woman several years ago and she had some legitimate concerns in her life. And I could see how it was affecting her entire life. Her son was in the military and he had been deployed to another country. She was extremely concerned about his well being and if he was going to make it and how things were going. She was so concerned and so worked up that I saw it begin to change her disposition, change her personality. She could hardly even function at work. And I said to her, I said, look, there's gotta be a better way to handle this situation. I mean, he is there. There is not a thing that you can do about it. You've got to come to this place of peace and rest in the Lord. So I began to pray with her and then I began to make some suggestions. I said, look, you need to get some scriptures. You need to have them ready just as your warfare. When these thoughts start strangling your joy and your peace, you need to write out some declarations. When you feel that tension coming against you, you need to say, God, thank you that my son is in the palm of your hand. Thank you Father. That no weapon formed against him will prosper. Father, thank you. Your angels have charge over him to keep him in all of his ways. He won't even dash his foot against the stone, but he'll tread upon the lion and the cobra. The young lion shall he trample underfoot. Thank you, Father. You put a bloodline around him that the enemy cannot cross. Father. I thank you Lord, that my son will come home safely. I began to see her put this into practice. Little by little, she began to take control over that worry. And I could see the strength come back. I could see her focus and her resolve come back. She began to praise God in the midst of her fear and her torment. And it made all the difference in her life. You see, worry pulls us away from God's power. But worship and praise draws us to him and it changes the situation. I have a good news to report. Six years serving in the military and her son came home safely. He came home safely, you see. Worries, a weight. It weighs us down, causes us to not be productive. In fact, the Bible says, lay aside every weight that would so easily beset us. Come on, us. So you have to lay it aside because it says that you have to run with purpose in every step. And when you are weighed down, you can't run. My sweet friend was so weighed down, she couldn't hardly get to work, much less run. You see, when she began to lay aside that weight, she was able to run out her purpose. See, her prayers, her intercession for her son was much more powerful than her worry. When she talked to him on the phone, she could say, son, I want to tell you I'm praying for you. The angels of the Lord have charge over you. You walk out and you be bold with confidence. Know that God Almighty is looking after you. She could encourage him to pray for himself. You see, when she began to lay aside the weight and run with purpose, she was way more effective. There's a technique that I use, and I've used it for years, and it works for me. You just gotta find something that works for you, right? So when I have these concerns and these troubles, I imagine a big helium balloon, big, beautiful balloon, red, red balloon. It's a power color. And I began to put those troubles in that balloon. And I imagine myself holding that balloon by the string, holding it out in front of me with those troubles. And I look at that balloon and I let it go and I release it to God. And I say, God, thank you that you're bigger than all these troubles. Thank you that you love me and that you said you'd perfect those things that concern me. So I'm going to give them to you. These troubles are just gonna go right at your feet. Jesus, you're gonna take care of them. You see, sometimes I have to admit, sometimes I have to let go of a whole bouquet of balloons. Do what you gotta do. Do what you gotta do to release the worry and the care. Because Jesus will sustain you when you release it to him. Listen, if you feel the pressure, the stranglehold of worry coming on you, even if it's automatic, push the pause button. Let's be like Mary. Let's take a lesson from this woman and let's sit at his feet. Let's linger there for a while. Let's empty out the concerns so that we'll have room to receive his goodness, his thoughts towards us, his wisdom, his joy. Listen. Weight is only going to weigh you down, but when you let it go to him, all things can be new again. Amen. Amen.

Joel Osteen Ministry Announcer (15:22)

God's healing isn't earned, it's received and you can discover how in the next 31 days.

Joel Osteen (15:29)

Life has a way of working, wearing us down physically, mentally, emotionally. But God didn't create us to just survive, but to thrive. I'm excited about our new devotional Happy, Healthy and free. For 31 days I'll take you on a wellness journey for your spirit, body and soul. It's filled with daily declarations, scriptures, encouragement. As you get your mind in tune with what God says, you'll experience a refreshing, a revitalization. You were created to be strong, to be passionate, to live happy, healthy and free.

Joel Osteen Ministry Announcer (16:05)

When you contact us today, we'll send you happy, healthy and free a 31 day wellness journey as our way of saying thank you for your gift of any amount. This devotional will help you strengthen your faith, declare God's promises and receive the healing he's already made available to you. Spirit, soul and body. God wants you whole and this resource will help you experience his peace from the inside out. Please request your copy today. Begin a life receiving, life giving journey that will transform your spirit, mind and body. In just 31 days, God is going.

Joel Osteen (16:43)

To restore what the enemy tried to steal. Your joy, your peace, your health. Victoria and I pray for you and your family every day. Thanks so much for your prayer and support. Your generosity is bringing hope to 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 jaw Osteen Network social media. You can listen on SiriusXM 24 hours a day. We'll keep you encouraged and inspired until we see you next time. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Joel Osteen Ministry Announcer (17:26)

Be sure to request your copy of Happy, healthy and a 31 day wellness journey. Visit jolostein.com or call 888-567-Joel for an additional gift that month we are also offering the Wholeness and Promise Bundle which includes the Happy, Healthy and Free Book plus the Words of Promise Journal, a beautifully designed journal where you can reflect, record prayers and speak life over your future. You can also request the Happy, Healthy and Free collection featuring the devotional, the Journal and a beautifully crafted set of three desktop encouragement blocks Each whitewashed wooden block displays one powerful word, happy, healthy and free along with a carefully chosen scripture. Place them in your home or workspace as daily reminders of God's promises for your life. You can request these life changing resources by calling 888-567-JOEL or logging on to jolostein.com today. Call or click 824 hours a day. This is your season to rise stronger, live lighter and walk daily in God's healing and peace. Request your copies today.

Joel Osteen (18:42)

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.

Scott Hanson (19:11)

Now is your time to get into a new Dr. Horton home by taking advantage of its national Red Tag Sales event. This Saturday, October 4th through October 19th. Stop by any of its participating communities and find select red tag homes at Incredible Pricing. So whether you're buying your first home or looking for an upgrade, you don't want to miss the Red Tag Sales event. Starting this Saturday, discover the Dr. Horton Difference at Dr. Horton.com Dr. Horton America's Builder and Equal Housing Opportunity Builder. When's the last time you got something that was fast, reliable and affordable? Like almost never, right? Well, US Cellular Home Internet is breaking that streak. You get fast speeds, a rock solid connection and a super sweet price. Just $39.99 a month when you bundle it with a wireless plan. That means you can stream, scroll, shop and binge without lag or crazy bills. It's not magic, just really good Internet. Check out US Cellular Home Internet today built for US terms apply. Visit uscellular.com for details.

Lowe's Commercial Voice (20:09)

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