If you’re ever in our area, please drop 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 today. Thank you again for coming out. I’d like to start with something funny. I heard about this elderly couple; they’d been married for over 60 years. They were at a Church fellowship, and someone asked them the secret of their success. The man told how he always treated his wife with respect and took her on trips all around the world. He said in fact for our own 25th wedding anniversary I took her to Beijing, China. Everyone politely applauded, and then someone asked, what’d you do for your 50th wedding anniversary? He said, I went back and picked her up.
Hold up your Bible, 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 it’s your due season. We all have things that we’re believing for, dreams we want to accomplish, problems we’re hoping will turn around. Maybe it’s to see our family be restored, to lose some weight, to break an addiction, to start our own business. But, sometimes, as it goes on, month after month, even year after year, and we don’t see anything changing, it’s easy to get discouraged and think, it’s never going to happen. This is as good as it gets. I’ll just learn to live with it.
While it is good to be content where we are, we shouldn’t lose our expectancy. Just because it hasn’t happened yet, doesn’t mean that it’s not going to happen. There will always be forces trying to convince us to settle where we are. On a regular basis, you have to stir your faith up. God hasn’t brought you this far to leave you. What He started in your life, He’s going to finish. You may not see how it’s going to work out, but God has a way. When you believe, the Creator of the Universe goes to work.
Paul said here, in Galatians 6, don’t get tired of doing what’s right, for in due season, you will reap if you don’t give up. What I sense in my spirit is that we are entering in to a due season year. A year of where God is going to show out in your life. Promises you’ve been standing on, dreams you’ve been praying about. In this due season year, God is going to cause things to fall into place. He’s going to make things happen that you couldn’t make happen on your own. Problems you’ve been believing to turn around; in due season, things are going to change in your favor.
You may have had that addiction for 20 years. You’ve tried your best again and again to break it with no success. The good news is, this is your due season. This is your year to be free. Or maybe you’ve struggled in your finances; you can’t seem to get ahead. You take one step forward, two steps backwards; let this phrase sink down into your spirit. Due season is here. Promotion is coming. Good breaks are coming. Lack is not your destiny. Constantly struggling, barely getting by, is not the end of your story. Keep believing, keep expecting. Keep honoring God. Abundance is heading your way.
In this due season year, your cup is going to run over. See, sometimes you need these words of faith and victory spoken over your life. Words have creative power. If you’ll let them take root in your spirit, they can help ignite your dreams, ignite your faith, ignite the potential on the inside.
Your mind might try to talk you out of it. You can’t figure out how it’s going to happen. That’s okay; that’s not your job. Your job is to believe. Your job is to say, yes God this is for me today. I believe that it is my due season year.
A lot of people these days struggle with depression. It’s like a dark cloud follows them around; they haven’t been able to shake it in the past. Looks like that’s the way it’s always going to be. But the difference is you’ve come in to a due season. God is about to lift you out of that pit, set your feet up on a rock, and put a new song in your heart.
In due season, chains are broken. Depression cannot stay; sadness has to go. You’re going to feel a new sense of joy, a new happiness, a new passion for your life.
I was talking to a young lady last week. She’d gone through a breakup in a relationship about three years ago. She was very discouraged, very lonely, didn’t think she would ever meet the right person. And I told her what I’m telling you. In this due season year, divine connections are coming your way. God is going to bring somebody into your life better than you ever imagined.
Now, you’ve got to get in agreement with God all through the day; Lord thank you that 2015 is my due season year. Lord, I believe this is my year to get healthy and whole. This is my year to meet the people of my dreams, this is my year to go further in my career, to step into a new level of my destiny.
My brother Paul has a son named Matthew, my nephew. At the age of 12, Matt started struggling with depression. He lost all interest in school, he wouldn’t engage socially with the other students or hardly even his own family. It seemed like the more Paul and Jennifer prayed, the worse Matt became. The depression eventually got so bad that he had to drop out of school. Here Matt is so smart, so talented, but it didn’t look like he was going to fulfill his destiny.
The Scripture says, if you don’t get tired of doing what’s right, you will reap. Paul didn’t see anything changing, but he kept praying, he kept believing. God, you said as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. You said, the seed of the righteous will be mighty in the land. You said, your plans for Matt are for good and not evil. Year after year went by, no sign of anything improving.
But, one day, unexpectedly, out of the blue, it was like those chains of depression were broken off of Matt. He got his joy back, he got his passion back. He had a whole new outlook on life. He went back and finished high school. He went to college and got his Bachelor’s Degree, went on to Law School and got his Law degree.
Today, Matt is an attorney, working with us here on staff at Lakewood in the Ministry. Right here in the front row, that’s Matt and his beautiful wife Mandy. What happened? Matt came into a due season. It didn’t look like it would ever get better but suddenly, unexpectedly, out of the ordinary, things turned in his favor.
You may be facing a situation like my brother Paul that you’ve been praying about for a long time. It doesn’t look like it will ever change. You could easily get discouraged. Just accept it and say Joel I’m never going to get well, my child is never going to straighten up, my business is not going to make it. No, you need to get ready; you’re coming into a due season.
Like Matt, unexpectedly, extraordinarily, things are going to change in your favor. That business that’s slow, that doesn’t look like it’s going to make it, God knows how to bring you customers, new clients, cause you to sand out, God can give you ideas, creativity, wisdom. He’s called Jehovah Jireh, the Lord Our Provider. One touch of His favor can put you 50 years down the road.
Now, keep believing, keep expecting; don’t get tired of doing what’s right. In other words, don’t start complaining about what’s not working out, how it’s never going to resolve. If Paul would have gone around saying, I don’t think Matt’s ever going to straighten out, I think that depression’s going to get the best of him, Matt probably wouldn’t be where he is today. Stay in faith.
When you’re tempted to get discouraged, turn it around. Lord, I want to thank you, this is my due season year. This is my year to seize things, this is my year to conceive that baby that we’ve been dreaming about, this is my year to get free from that chronic pain, to see breakthroughs in my life.
This is what a lady did in the Scripture. She had been sick for 12 years with a bleeding disorder. She’d been to the best doctors of her day, tried different treatments, different medicines, nothing seemed to work. She could have thought, this is my lot in life, I’ve been told by the experts I’ll never get well. I’ll have to learn to live with it. No, deep down, this lady knew she was supposed to be healthy and whole. That she was a victor and not a victim.
One day, a friend told her that Jesus was passing through her town. When she heard that, something rose up on the inside and said, this is your time, this is your moment, it’s your due season. She heard what I’m telling you today. Even though she was weak from losing blood, even though every thought told her that she was wasting her time, she started making her way through the crowd, trying to get to Jesus. Moving people out of the way, saying excuse me, I need to get through, pardon me, I don’t mean to be rude but I’m on a mission, it’s my due season.
The Scripture says that she kept saying to herself, if I can touch him I know I will be healed. She didn’t just say it once; she said it again and again. Healing is coming, restoration is coming, favor is coming. She was filled with expectancy. Believing that something good was about to happen.
As Jesus passed by, you know the story, she reached out and barely touched the edge of His robe. Instantly, she was made whole. Jesus stopped, said to his disciples, who just touched me? They said, Jesus, what do you mean? It’s packed; everybody’s touching you. He said, no, somebody touched me with such faith, with such expectancy, that they drew the miracle working power right out of me.
About that time, Jesus saw this woman. She was afraid, nervous, thought she had done something wrong. Jesus smiled and said, your faith has made you whole, you are free from this disease.
What am I saying? When we live with expectancy, it gets God’s attention. When we go through the day saying Lord I believe this is my due season year, this is my year to accomplish dreams, to break free from this depression, this is my year to meet the right people, this is my year to get healthy and whole. We’re doing exactly what this lady did. Your faith can cause God to stop in His tracks.
What I find interesting is Jesus didn’t heal everyone around Him that day. There were other sick people in the crowd, other people that had needs, but He passed on by. The difference was this lady released her faith. It started in her thinking.
All through the day we should have this expectancy; you have to keep talking to yourself the right way. In other words, if you’re facing an illness, you can’t afford to go around saying, I don’t think I’ll ever get better Joel, I’ve had it so long, I think this is going to be the end of me.
No, start talking to yourself like this lady. This is my year to get well. God is restoring health into me. The remainder of my days He will fulfill. If you’re struggling in your finances, not, I’ll never have enough, I’ll never get ahead. No, this is my year to get into overflow, to get debt-free, to lend and not borrow. Blessings are chasing me down. Favor surrounds me like a shield. Whatever I touch prospers and succeeds.
If you’re lonely, not any of this I’ll never meet the right person, I’m too old, I don’t have a good personality, I’m not that attractive. Zip that up. This is my year for divine connections. God is directing my steps, bringing the right people across my path.
Maybe you’ve been through a disappointment last year. You had a setback. You could easily come into the New Year with a ‘poor old me’ mentality and think, oh just my luck, I always get these bad breaks. No, turn it around. This is your year to see beauty for ashes. What was meant for your harm, God is going to use to your advantage. The best part of your life is right up in front of you.
You may have had a setback but really it was a setup for God to do something better. Zachariah said, if you will be a prisoner of hope, God will pay you back twice for what you lost. This is your year to see double. This is your year for vindication, for restoration, for new beginnings. Now, get your mind going in the right direction. Start talking to yourself the right way.
This is one reason that we don’t see God’s best. Our mind is in neutral, like the other people that were around Jesus that day that didn’t get healed. We’re not thinking anything bad but we’re not releasing our faith. There’s no expectancy. Faith is what causes God to work. You can be at the right place, at the right time, but because you’re in the wrong frame of mind you’ll miss God’s best. This lady was at the right place at the right time. Jesus was passing by. But unlike the other people, she was in the right frame of mind, expecting things to change, expecting healing, expecting a breakthrough. She saw it come to pass. Today, you are at the right place, you are at the right time. God destined you to be hearing this. Two out of three are already good but number three is the deal breaker; are you in the right frame of mind?
Do you believe this is your due season year? Do you believe it’s your year for favor, for increase, for restoration, for new beginnings? Jesus is passing by right now, so to speak. He’s not moved by our needs; there are plenty of needs. He’s concerned about our needs, but He’s moved by our faith. It’s easy to think, well, Joel, the medical report says I’m not going to get well. My business is never going to make it. This legal dispute is never going to resolve. No, shake off the doubt. Shake off the negativity. You’re at the right place. You’re at the right time. Now, all you’ve got to do is get in the right frame of mind.
Do like this lady. Lord, I want to thank you; this is my due season year. This is my year to step into leadership, to finish school, to break the addiction, to come into overflow, to meet the person of my dreams. If you’ll keep saying it to yourself, thanking God in advance, you’d better get ready; God is going to show out in your life. He’s going to take you where you could not go on your own, opening doors that no man can shut, connecting you to the right people. He’s going to restore what you thought was over and done. It’s going to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, out of the ordinary to where you look up and go, wow, I didn’t see that coming.
Most of the time when we hear that phrase “I didn’t see that coming,” it’s about the negative. I lost my main client, Joel, I didn’t see that coming. Got a bad medical report, didn’t see that coming. Or my friend walked out on me and left me for somebody else, I didn’t see that coming. But in this due season year, God is going to turn it around. Just got a promotion, didn’t see that coming. My child made straight A’s in school, didn’t see that coming. Moved into a beautiful new house, didn’t see that coming. My health turned around, I feel better than ever, didn’t see that coming.
Do you remember that old country song that said, “Let’s give them something to talk about”? This year, God’s going to give you something to talk about. He’s going to make you an example of His goodness. That lady who was healed after 12 years of being sick. I’m sure everywhere she went, let me tell you what the Lord has done for me; she had something to talk about.
You hear me telling all the time about how God healed my mother from terminal cancer. What happened? God gave us something to talk about. When my father went to be with the Lord, God helped me to step up and Pastor the Church. He’s taken us places we never dreamed. What was that? God was giving us something to talk about.
God bringing my nephew Matt out of depression. What was that? God giving us something else to talk about. Every one of you can look back in your life and see a time when God made a way when you didn’t see a way. He put you at the right place; you met that person and fell in love. He protected your child from that accident. He gave you the promotion, even though you weren’t the most qualified. He turned that problem around; He’s given you something to talk about. And can I tell you? You haven’t seen anything yet. What God has in this due season year is going to be bigger, better, more rewarding than anything you’ve seen in the past.
I know this man that lives in another city and he would come to Houston several times a year for treatment at MD Anderson, our cancer hospital. He had an incurable disease; this had been going on for about 6 years. The only way he could continue living was to keep taking these treatments. He had a good attitude about it; I would see him in the lobbies and he would say, Joel I’m just blessed to be here today. The last time he came in town, his doctor, one of the leading cancer specialists said, in all of my years of practice I’ve never seen this happen but this disease that you have that’s supposed to be incurable for some reason it’s slowly starting to fade away; you don’t need to take these treatments anymore. This man was so excited. He had already planned on taking that treatment for the rest of his life. He didn’t see that coming. God gave him something to talk about.
You need to get ready, in this due season year, you’re going to look up like him and say, wow, I paid my house off, didn’t see that coming. Broke the addiction, didn’t see that coming. Or my family member that used to party all of the time, he’s coming to Church with me, making good decisions, fulfilling his destiny, sure didn’t see that coming.
The Scripture says, when you honor God with your life, when you keep Him in first place, His blessings will chase you down and overtake you. We’ve all had negative things overtake us. Life happens, but don’t get stuck expecting the negative. This year God is going to turn the table; good breaks are chasing you down. Favor, healing, opportunity, come chasing after you.
One definition of the word overtake is to catch you by surprise. When it says God’s blessings will overtake you, you could say God’s going to surprise you; suddenly, unexpectedly, out of the ordinary. A good break, healing, a promotion, a divine intervention.
I was at a book signing in New York this one time. A young couple came up to the table, very excited. And they told how I was at that same bookstore a couple of years earlier. They had never met before but it just so happened they were standing in line next to each other. They met that day, they became friends and started dating, a year and a half later they got married. They came up and said, Joel today we are celebrating our one year wedding anniversary.
They were simply going to a book signing to get a book signed and it was like God said surprise let me put the person of your dreams right in line next to you. There were over 1,000 people in line that day; they could have been 50 people apart and they would have never met. But God knows how to connect you to the right people.
He knows how to get you to your destiny. You have no idea what God has in store for you. He has some surprises that if He showed you right now it would boggle your mind. In this due season year, things that you have been praying about are going to suddenly fall into place; the right people show up, the right opportunities, out of the ordinary, unexpectedly, God’s going to give you something to talk about.
David said it this way in Psalm 27, where would I be if I had not believed I would see the goodness of God? I wonder how many blessings we’re missing out on? How much favor increase we’re not seeing simply because we’re not expecting it, we’re not releasing our faith? David was saying, in effect, if I had not believed maybe I wouldn’t have defeated Goliath, maybe I wouldn’t have taken the throne of Israel, maybe I wouldn’t have recovered my family, my possessions, when my city of Ziklag was burned down. Where would I be if I had not believed?
The Scripture talks about how God has blessings stored up for those that love the Lord. There are blessings that have your name on them right now that are stored up. There is promotion stored up for you, healing stored up. That baby that you’ve been dreaming about; it’s stored up. God’s already destined it to be yours. But if you never believe, if you think, Joel this is not going to happen for me, I never get any good breaks, or God would never bless me, I’ve made too many mistakes. I could never pay my house off; are you kidding, that’s out of the question. That kind of thinking will keep you from God’s best.
Why don’t you try a different approach? And say, God, I believe you want to be good to me. I believe you have surprises in my future. I believe this is my due season year. When you live with this expectancy, God can give you something to talk about. You’ll look up and say like David, where would I be if I had not believed to see the goodness of God?
Some friends of mine were moving to another state to start a Church. They flew into town to try to find a house. They’d done all of their research. They knew where they wanted to live and what kind of house they liked. There was this one particular builder that they were very fond of. They went to see some of his model homes. The salesman came out and said you’re welcome to look but don’t get your hopes up, there’s a year and a half wait for any of our houses. So many people were moving into that city.
Well they didn’t have a year and a half to wait. They were about to leave and at the last minute the husband said, well, we’ll have a look at some of these models, just to check them out. They went up and down the street and looked at about 12 different homes. Just as they were pulling out, the salespeople came running up to them and asked them which house model they liked the best. They told the particular one. He was holding in his hand a contract that had just fallen through.
He showed this couple it was the exact model they were looking for. He said, there are over 200 people in line in front of you. I’m supposed to call the next one in the list but something told me to come back here and offer this house to you. They said, we appreciate that but we’d only like it if it was on a cul-de-sac overlooking the city. He said, get in the car. He took them to the house; it was on a quiet cul-de-sac with a beautiful view of the city. They signed the contract and moved in a few weeks later. That was one of those blessings God had stored up for them.
They left that day saying, wow, we didn’t see that coming. You need to get ready, in this due season year, God has some surprises in store for you. Some of those blessings that He’s had stored up, He’s about to release. It’s going to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, out of the ordinary. Friends, you’re at the right place, you’re at the right time; I’m asking you to get in the right frame of mind, all through the day, like the lady that touched Jesus. Lord, I want to thank you that this is my due season year. Keep expecting, keep believing, keep honoring God.
If you do that, I believe and declare 2015 God is going to amaze you with His goodness. You’re going to see dreams come to pass, promises fulfilled, relationships restored, favor, health, increase, a new level of your destiny, in Jesus’ name. If you receive it today, can you say, 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’ll make you my Lord and Savior.
Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get in a good Bible-based Church, keep God in first place, He’s going to take you where you’ve never dreamed.
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How many of you are visiting? Can we see your hands one more time? Welcome to you. God bless you. It’s a joy to have you here. I’d love to meet you after the service; I’ll be in the lobby back there if you’ve got a little while. But always our joy to have you here. Remember this, your life will go better when you keep God in first place, like you’re doing today. When you walk out the door, say Lord I thank you, I’m going to flourish this week. When you’re planted in the House of the Lord, you will flourish, so thanks so much for being here, you make the service better by coming. There are so many watching and listening on SeriusXM as well.
Hey, also, Bethel, Jenn and Brian, they have their brand new CD, it comes out on Tuesday but it’s here right there in the back; it’s great to have some new music playing in your car and all through your house. But, anyway, thanks for coming out. I’m going to ask you if you see yourself on the screen, can you give our TV audience a great big Lakewood welcome.
God bless you. It’s always a joy to come into your homes and if you’re ever in our area, please drop by and be a part of one of our services. I promise you it will make you feel right at home. Thanks so much for tuning in today and thank you again for coming out. I’d like to start with something funny.
I heard about this little girl, she was sitting in her grandfather’s lap. She noticed how wrinkled his face was. As she contemplated the difference between his and hers, she asked, granddaddy, did God make you? He kind of laughed and said, yes honey He made me a long time ago. She then asked, did God make me? He said, yes, He made you just a little while ago. She thought about it a minute and said, granddaddy, God’s getting better, isn’t He?
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. I am about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible, ever-living seed of the word of God. I’ll never be the same, never, never, never. I’ll never be the same, in Jesus’ name. God bless you.
If you’d like to open your Bibles to Corinthians II 12:9. While you’re turning to Corinthians II 12:9, don’t forget we have a great Spanish-speaking service at 1:45, just a little while from now. It’ll be a great service tonight at 7, Bethel Music will be helping to lead our whole young adult worship service. Pastor Nick. If you’re young at heart, you’re welcome to come. Wednesday night our Pastor John Grey is going to be here; it’s a great time on Wednesday nights as well. Come out as often as you can.
One last favor I’ll always ask of you. If you could stay until the end of the service, if you don’t mind, if you would please. I understand if you have to go to work or catch a plane, but please as little walking around as possible, just not to distract others. I’m very much honored to have you here.
I wanted to talk to you about secret frustrations. We can be blessed in many areas, with good health, good family, a good job, but then just have one thing that’s not right, one temptation we can’t seem to overcome, one thing in a relationship that’s not fulfilling. Maybe one nagging health issue. Nobody can see it. On the outside we seem fine, but on the inside we’re frustrated.
I talked to a lady last week. She volunteers as one of our prayer partners. She and her husband have been believing to have a baby for many years with no success. Every so often during the services she’ll pray for people in that same situation who have a child. And over time, again and again, they’ll bring their babies back. So happy. She sees their prayers being answered but her own prayers not being answered. She looks like she’s on top of the word; she’s beautiful, successful, great husband. But what you can’t see is this secret frustration; this one thing she can’t understand.
Life is full of contradictions. You’re helping other people get well but you don’t feel that well. Your coworkers are all being promoted, you’re working just as hard, sacrificing just as much, but nobody notices you. If we’re honest, we all have these secret frustrations, things we know God could change. We know He could open the door, He could remove the temptation, He could give us the baby we’ve been dreaming about, but it’s not happening.
We have to realize God is a sovereign God. We’re not going to understand why everything happens. There are some things that God doesn’t relieve, some situations He waits a long time to change. We have to trust that He knows what’s best for you. Everything that’s not changing, what He’s not removing, if you’ll keep the right attitude, it won’t work against you, it will work for you. Don’t let the contradictions of life cause you to be sour and give up on your dreams.
The Apostle Paul wrote over half of the New Testament. He came from an influential family, was highly educated. God used him in incredible ways. But as effective as Paul was, he had this secret frustration; he called it a thorn in his flesh. Scholars had debated for years whether that was a physical condition, some kind of illness, or whether it was emotional.
People coming against him, the persecution. But whatever this thorn was, whatever was bothering Paul, he asked God 3 times to remove it. One version says he implored God to take it away. That means he gave it his best argument. God, you know I’m doing my best, serving you, writing all of these books, the least you can do is heal me. If anybody had pull with God it would have been Paul. But what’s interesting is God didn’t remove the thorn. He said, Paul my grace is sufficient for you. My power shows up best in weakness.
Is there something you’ve been imploring God to change? A situation in your health, your finance, your relationships? You’ve asked again and again; nothing’s improving. I’m not saying to give up and settle there. What I’m saying is until God removes it, don’t let it steal your joy. Don’t let it sour your life. You have the grace to be there. The right attitude is I’m not going to let this secret frustration, this thorn in my flesh, so to speak, frustrate me anymore. God, I believe your grace is sufficient. Now I know at the right time you’ll change it, but even if you don’t change it, I’m still going to be my best and honor you.
You have to make up your mind that if your spouse never changes, if your health never improves, if you have to put up with that grouchy boss the rest of your life, you are not going to complain, you’re not going to use it as an excuse to slack off. You’re going to tap into this grace. It is sufficient for you. Here’s the key. Don’t stay focused on the frustration. If Paul would have gone around thinking, God why won’t you remove this thorn, why won’t you change my child, why won’t you help my business grow? If he would have stayed focused in the why’s of life, he would have never fulfilled his destiny. Faith is trusting God when life doesn’t make sense.
A man named Smith Wigglesworth was one of the great ministers of the early 1900s. He would have large meetings where he would see hundreds of people heal all kinds of miracles. But most of Wigglesworth’s life, he suffered from kidney stones. Many times he would leave the services in so much pain that he couldn’t walk, had to go home and lay on the floor, hour after hour, to try to get some kind of relief. Here he had just seen all of these great miracles, but he didn’t see his own miracle. He could have gotten bitter; God this is not fair, you healed them, why don’t you heal me? No, he had this attitude your grace is sufficient for every situation, even when I don’t understand it, even when it doesn’t make sense, God I trust you. I’m not going to let this secret frustration keep me from my destiny.
If you’re going to reach your highest potential, you can’t be a weakling. You have to be a warrior. There will be things you don’t understand, things that don’t make sense. But God knows what He’s doing. His ways are better than our ways. He is the potter, we are the clay. When it’s time to be removed, He will remove it. Until then, dig your heels in, fight the good fight of faith. You have the grace you need for every situation.
When Jesus healed a man that had been crippled for 38 years, there by the Pool of Bethesda, God told him to get up and take up his bed and walk. I believe it was significant that he asked him to take his bed with him. He didn’t need it anymore after all, but God was saying this thing that’s held you back, this thing that’s kept you from being your best for so many years, I want you to take it with you as a reminder of what I’ve done in your life. Even though he could walk, even though he didn’t need the bed, it remained a part of his life. It was a contradiction; I’m healed, I’m healthy, I can walk, but I’ve still got my bed.
Imagine him going to help someone else that is struggling. They’d look at him and go how can you help me? You’ve still got that bed. You’re still carrying around that thing that held you back. He said, no, it’s not what you think; it’s not a limitation to slow me down, it’s a testimony of what God has done in my life. This bed may look like a liability, but really it’s an asset. Every time I see it, it reminds me to give God praise; it reminds me where He brought me from. It reminds me that if He can do it for me once, He can do it for me again. What am I saying?
Even though God frees you from certain things, you may still have your bed. You may still be tempted in that same area. The weakness, the limitation, may not totally gone away. One reason God doesn’t remove the bed totally is not to slow you down, give you an excuse to go back, but rather to remind you of where you came from. That bed is not there to discourage you but to inspire you.
I’ve been ministering now for close to 15 years. When I first started, I was so nervous, intimidated. I was – thank you but, I was insecure and I didn’t really feel qualified. Over the last few years, of course, I’ve grown and become more confident. But the truth is God didn’t make me into a different person. When I get up here, you may not see it but I still have my bed. Those weaknesses, those limitations, come back from time to time. But I don’t see them the same way. They don’t intimidate me. They remind me of my dependency on God.
Another reason God doesn’t totally remove the bed is because if you think you can do it all on your own, you’ve got it all figured out, you don’t need His help, before long you’ll be back to where you were. But if you’ll see the weakness, the temptation, as a reminder to ask God for His help, to show your dependency on Him, then you will continue to rise higher in spite of what comes against you.
Now I can say I’ve got my bed but I’m the Pastor of the Church. I’ve got my bed but I’m healthy, happy, victoriously. In the Old Testament, God told Moses to go tell Pharaoh to let the people go. Moses said, God how would he know that you sent me? I don’t come from an influential family. What makes you think Pharaoh’s going to listen to me? God told Moses to throw his staff on the ground. When he did, it turned into a snake. He picked it back up and it turned back into a staff.
He told him to put his arm in his coat. When he pulled it out it was filled with leprosy. He pulled it in and then pulled it back out; it was clean as can be. God was showing him these signs so he would go in with confidence, knowing that Pharaoh would listen to him. But Moses had another concern. He said, God I can’t stand before Pharaoh, I stutter; I’ve got a problem with my speech. You would think since God just showed him these great miraculous signs, God would simply touch his tongue, make him normal, and take away the stuttering. But God didn’t do that. He didn’t remove the problem. He was saying to Moses what He said to Paul; Moses, my grace is sufficient, my power shows up best in weaknesses, and Moses if I needed to remove that stuttering so that you could fulfill your destiny I would have removed it.
Are you waiting for God to remove something before you can be happy? Before you can pursue a dream? Before you can finish school? If God hasn’t removed it, it’s not an accident. You don’t have to put your life on hold because you have a secret frustration. You have everything you need to fulfill your destiny.
The Scripture talks about how we have treasure in these earthen vessels. All of us have imperfections in our clay vessels. In other words, there’s probably at least one thing that God is not removing that we could easily be irritated by, live frustrated. Lord, if I didn’t have this back pain, have to struggle with this weight issue, didn’t have this coworker that gets on my nerves, this legal problem. Or how about if I hadn’t have gone through a bad childhood, the divorce, the hurt, the pain. Whatever your thorn is, God is saying to us what He said to Paul, my grace is sufficient. Quit fighting it, quit letting it steal your joy. When it’s time to be removed, God will remove it. Until then, tap into this grace. God, my life is in your hands. You know what I want, you know my dreams, you know what’s bothering me; I may not understand it, it may not make sense, but God I trust you.
Here’s a key. If God is not removing it, it’s not an accident. There is a reason. Paul thought the thorn in his flesh was to keep him from being puffed up and too proud. Maybe that was true. Only God knows. But that secret frustration may just be a time of testing where you have to prove to God that you’re going to be content and do your best even though it’s not going your way. You’re going to keep giving, even though you’re not receiving.
You’re going to keep honoring Him, even though you’re not seeing things change. God could be using that to grow you up and develop your character. Some things we can only learn through experience. We can’t learn through reading a book or listening to a message. The Scripture says, our faith is tried in the fire of affliction. That’s where our spiritual muscles are developed. You can’t get stronger if you’re not put under any pressure. You have to work out, exercise your faith; it may not be comfortable, you may not like it, but if you’ll stick with it, it’s not working against you, it’s working for you. You’re growing, you’re coming up higher; you’re getting prepared for new levels.
See, you can’t be promoted without preparation. God won’t give you a 100lb blessing if He knows you can only lift 50lbs. If He gave you the 100lbs, it wouldn’t be a blessing, it would be a burden. It wouldn’t help you; it would hurt you. He’s got to get you prepared. Your gifts can take you to a certain level but if you don’t have the character to match you won’t stay there very long. Character is developed in the tough times. When we’re not getting our way, but we keep doing the right thing. Like Paul, we’ve asked God a lot more than 3 times to remove it. God, get this person out of my life that gets on my nerves. God, give me that child, God, change my spouse. While God is changing it, until He removes it, if you will stay in faith, not get bitter, not give up on your dreams, here’s the beauty. Even if the situation doesn’t change, you will change. God is growing you up, getting you prepared for new levels of your destiny.
I’ve learned, your character is more important than your talent. You can have all of the talent in the world but if you don’t have strong character you’re not going to go very far. We can all trust God in the good times that’s easy. I’m asking you, can you trust Him with the secret frustrations? The things that are not changing. You prayed and believed but He’s not removing it. The question is not only can you trust God but, more importantly, can God trust you? Will you pass the test, stay in faith, even when you don’t understand it?
My parents started Lakewood Church with 90 people in 1959. A few years later, my father put somebody else in charge so he could leave the Church and travel the world. He would go and hold these large crusades, 50,000 people in other countries. He was living his dream. Life was good. But around 1966 he knew he was supposed to come back and pastor Lakewood once again. My mom said, John when Houston hears you’re back, they’re going to come out by the thousands. Well Houston heard but Houston didn’t care. They stayed away by the thousands.
Now, instead of speaking to big crowds like my dad was used to, he was speaking to these 90 people. Three times a week, year after year. He thought, oh, I know I have more in me. I’m being my best, I’m honoring you, but nothing’s changing, I’m not seeing any growth. A secret frustration. But what my father didn’t realize is something was changing. Not the size of the congregation. He was changing. He was developing character. He was proving to God that he would be faithful in the tough times. If you’re not faithful in the wilderness, how can God trust you to be faithful in the promise land?
My father on the outside was happy; he gave his best to those 90 people. But deep down he has to deal with this secret frustration. In 1972, it was like God opened up a faucet. People started coming to Lakewood from all over the city; it grew and grew to a Church of thousands. It’s still growing today.
But maybe, like my father, you’re doing the right thing but not seeing any growth, not being promoted, it’s frustrating. It may not look like anything’s happening on the outside but if you’ll keep being your best, something’s happening on the inside. God is changing you. He is growing you up. He’s getting you prepared.
Now, keep doing the right thing. Keep being good to other people. Keep having that spirit of excellence. Too many people let these secret frustrations cause them to get bitter, give up on their dreams, lose their passion. Recognize it’s a test. If you will stay in faith, God will get you to where you’re supposed to be.
Genesis 29, there’s this story of 2 sisters, Rachel and Leah. When a young man named Jacob saw Rachel, he fell head over heels for her. It was love at first sight. You see, Rachel was extremely attractive. The Scripture says, she was beautiful in every way, with a lovely face and a shapely figure. Let me tell you, when God says you are fine, you are bad to the bone. Rachel had it going on.
Jacob, he didn’t even think twice. He went straight to her dad Leben and said, can I marry your daughter? Leben said, yes you can but you have to first work for me for 7 years. He worked those 7 years, was so excited, but Leben tricked Jacob. At the weddings in those days they wore very thick veils. You couldn’t tell who was in there. And of course he thought it was Rachel but in fact it was Leah. The Scripture says, Leah had weak eyes and was dog looking. I’m not sure what weak eyes means but I know what dog looking is, I’ve got a brother named Paul. I couldn’t resist. Don’t show Paul anymore.
No offence to Leah but Rachel got the looks in the family. I forgot what I’m talking about now. So, at the wedding, Jacob had a little too much to drink. He woke up the next morning, looked over in bed and there was weak eyes looking back at him. He nearly passed out. He ran to Leben’s house, what do you mean? This is not the deal we cut. I wanted Rachel not Leah. He said, I understand Jacob, but it’s our custom that the oldest daughter has to get married off first. Work for me for another 7 years and I’ll let you marry Rachel. He did it and finally got to marry her. Love makes you do dumb things.
But I’m sure when people saw Rachel around town, so beautiful, they thought that’s one blessed woman. She’s so stunning, she has a husband that adores her, she comes from a good family, but what they couldn’t see was Rachel had a secret frustration. Her dream was to have a baby but she was barren. She couldn’t conceive. Year after year, no baby. I can hear her every night, God please give me a child. Please remove this baroness. God, I want a baby.
On the other hand, her sister Leah gave Jacob one son after another. Four boys, strong, handsome, good looking, life was good for Leah. She was seeing a dream come to pass. But Leah too had a secret frustration. The Scripture says that Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. I can hear Leah every night, God why won’t my husband love me more?
The point is, everyone is dealing with something, whether you’re a Rachel blessed in this area or a Leah blessed in this area. There will be areas that can frustrate you, things that you don’t understand. Things that God is not removing. You have to make up your mind you are not going to let it sour your mind. Do what you can, trust God to do what you can’t. The right attitude is, God I’m not going to live my life sour. If this never changes, if I never have a child, I’m still going to be happy. If my life never improves, I’m still not going to be sour. If I see somebody that’s more talented, more beautiful, has more, I’m not going to be envious or jealous. I’m at peace with who I am.
When you stay in peace, not trying to figure out why they could have the baby, why she’s more beautiful, why her husband loves her more, no, let that go. You’re never going to understand it. If you’ll live in peace, God will remove what needs to be removed. He will change what needs to be changed.
This is what happened with Rachel. Years later, God removed the barrenness. She had a son named Joseph. That secret frustration was taken away. For most of my father’s life, he suffered with high blood pressure. He was constantly trying to find new medicine to control it. Many times the side effects would make him feel bad. Nobody knew the Scripture more than my dad and nobody had more faith. But for some reason God didn’t take it away. But I never heard my dad complain. His attitude was God I’m going to be my best, whether you heal me of this high blood pressure or whether you don’t. He had a made-up mind. Toward the end of his life, the medicine would make him dizzy. He couldn’t sleep a lot of nights. He would come in Sundays and preach his heart out. Nobody even knew it. He could have thought, God I’ve served you for over 50 years. The least you could do is answer my prayer.
No, he didn’t let the secret frustration keep him from his destiny. He trusted God that it didn’t make sense. When he was 77 years old, he had to go on dialysis. He couldn’t sleep one night. He called my brother-in-law Gary and asked if he’d come over and visit with him. Around one in the morning, they were talking and Gary asked my father what he thought about the difficulties he was going through. My dad said, Gary I don’t understand it all but I know this, His mercy endures forever.
Those were the last words my father ever spoke. A few seconds later, he had a heart attack and went to be with the Lord. That was 16 years ago Friday. But I love the fact that even though God didn’t remove it daddy didn’t get bitter. He died in faith. Whatever secret frustration you’re facing, you have to make this decision like my father that even if it never changes that you’re going to keep believing. We too are going to die in faith.
This is what 3 teenagers did in the Scripture. They wouldn’t bow down to the King’s golden idle. He was so furious he was going to have them thrown into a fiery furnace. They said, King, we’re not worried, we know our God will deliver us, but even if He doesn’t we’re still not going to bow down. That’s the key. Believe for your dreams. Believe for God to turn the situation around. Then take it one step further. Even if it doesn’t happen my way, even if I don’t get delivered, God, I’m still going to be happy. God, if you turn it around I’m going to give you praise and if you don’t turn it around I’m still going to give you praise.
You live like that and all of the forces of darkness cannot stop you. Friends, don’t let these secret frustrations keep you from your destiny. Have a new perspective. You have the grace you need for every situation. If God is not removing it, there’s a reason. Don’t try to figure it out; trust in it. If you do this, I believe and declare, God is going to change what needs to be changed. He’s going to remove what needs to be removed. You’re going to rise higher, overcome obstacles, and become everything God’s created you to be. In Jesus’ name. If you receive it, can you say Amen today?
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’ll repent of my sins, come into my heart, I’ll make you my Lord and Savior.
Friends, if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get in a good Bible-based Church, keep God in first place, He’s going to take you places that you’ve never dreamed.
Let me pray for you, as well. Stay with me for 5 minutes. Lord, I thank you for what we’ve heard. I know it falls on great ground the faithful people of Lakewood and so many who are listening, as well. Lord we’re going out of here today with a greater trust for you, knowing that you’re in complete control. With our heads bowed in prayer, let me ask you, if your heart stopped beating in the next few minutes, are you at peace with God? Do you know where you’d spend eternity? If not, I would love to pray for you. In just a moment, if you’re not at peace, I want to ask you to take a step of faith and stand right where you are. Maybe you just need to rededicate your life to Christ, a new beginning, whatever that is.
The good news is, God’s not mad at you. Your sins have already been forgiven. Will you accept this free gift of Christ salvation? The enemy in your thoughts will say don’t stand up, do it next week. Or you’d be a hypocrite, you haven’t lived the right kind of life. Listen, you don’t come to Christ because you’re perfect. You come to Him just as you are. He’s standing before you with His arms held open wide. But you say, Joel it’s embarrassing to stand in front of everyone. This is what Jesus said, if you won’t be ashamed of me before people, I won’t be ashamed of you before my Father in heaven.
I want to give you a great opportunity to show God that you’re not ashamed of Him. When I ask you if you’re not at peace with the Lord or you just need to rededicate and recommit your life to Christ, if that’s you would you be bold, take a step of faith, and stand right where you are, we’re going to pray together, would you do that? Come on, Lakewood. Let’s give Him a hand, as they stand all in the building. Come on. Don’t put it off. How about up at the top? Anybody else? Take a step of faith, be bold, and get on the road to victory. You can do it this morning.
Well, God bless you. Please remain standing, if you would. Let me tell you, we’re proud of you. More importantly, I know the angels are rejoicing in the heavens right now. It’s going to be a new beginning in your life.
We prayed once but let’s do it one more time. Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins, come into my heart, I make you my Lord and Savior. Amen. Remain standing one more moment. Let me tell you how much we love you. I give you a personal invitation and a challenge to come back and be with us on a regular basis. We ask new believers, give us at least a year of your life. Come as often as you can; your life will never be the same.
We’ve got a great reception up here with my brother Paul. I’ll be in the lobby. When you come back next week, don’t come alone. Bring somebody with you, your friends, your family members. Know this. The moment you stood up, God washed away all of your sins, all of your mistakes, all of your failures. You’re starting with a fresh clean slate. Write it down in your Bible, January 25, 2015, a new day of victory in your life. Amen. Let’s all stand together if you would please. Thanks so much for coming out. How many of you are going home better off than you were before? Amen.
Alright, I’ll speak a final blessing. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord show you His mercy and have favor on you. May the Lord watch over you and give you His peace. God bless you. Have a great week, a faith-filled week. We’ll see you back soon. We love you.