Be Happy Where You Are | Joel Osteen | Lakewood Church Service

You fight the battle. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) They said it couldn't be done. This giant was just too strong. They said you don't have a chance. But there's something they don't understand. Armies rise, battles rage. They're going to bow at the sound of one name. When we praise, they all fall. Our victory's in the Almighty God.

I've got the victory. I've got the victory. I've got his power in me. They going to hear me say, "I got the victory. I got the victory. I got the victory. ((music playing)) They're gonna hear me say, "I got the victory." Hey, welcome everyone. Thanks for coming out to Lakewood today.

How many of you are ready to worship the Lord this morning? And well, God brought us through another week and here we are all together. So blessed and so honored to have you. I know you could be doing anything today, but you came to the house of the Lord.

So, we welcome you and our online family listening live on SiriusXM. Another great day to be alive. So, thanks for being here. And you know, the thought that you know, I walk in, we were saying, "We got the victory." You know, that's just not kind of hyping it up.

But the scripture says, "Thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph." And I I've learned what you focus on, you make bigger, you know, and I I want to focus on the greatness of our God. and we may have some challenges, but can I just remind us upfront?

God has us all in the palm of his hands. He knows exactly what we're facing, what we're going through. And you know, God didn't bring us this far to leave us where we are. And I've learned when you have an attitude of faith, an attitude of trust, and really an attitude of peace.

That's that's an important place. Peace is a place of power. And you come back to that place of peace and say, "God, I know you're in control of my life. I know you're guiding, guarding, protecting me." Well, that's what allows God to do great things in our life.

So, it's perfect time here at the start of the week, the start of the service. If something's trying to weigh you down, it's just, you know, you turn it over to God. God, I'm trusting you. And I'm going to take this time to worship you and to thank you.

And the last thought, you know, the bigger we make God, smaller problems become. So, we take this first half hour to thank God for what he's done, singing praise and worshiping. And it's not just killing time. That's when you're allowing God to work in your own life. He's going to fill you a fresh and a new with whatever you need today.

That's always our prayer that not one of us will leave the same way we came in. But you're going to go out of here with more joy, more faith, more victory in Jesus name. Oh, I love that. Good morning, church. More joy, more faith, and more victory. How many of you want that in your life?

I know that I do. That's for sure. You know, the scripture says where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. There is freedom from worry. There's freedom from depression. There's freedom from doubt, fear, overwhelming uh thoughts in the Lord. And you know what? This is something that we don't have to manufacture because we have the spirit of God living on the inside of us.

The most powerful force in the universe is with us each and every single day. But when we come in here and we stand together in faith and we worship, you know what we're doing? We're fortifying our spirit. So our spirit connected with God's spirit is where the freedom comes in.

See, we don't have to try to make uh God do something for us. We don't have to try to say, "God, you know, free me." All we have to do is connect with the spirit of God. And chains begin to break. Things begin to change in your life. miracles begin to happen because God wants to free his people.

He wants us to walk in divine freedom and victory. We don't have to do anything except connect with him. But there is one thing that is important in this journey and that is found in Peter and it says to cast your cares upon the Lord. It says release the weight of them.

You see, when you're weighed down, it's hard to focus on God and believe what he wants to speak in your life because it's a distraction. It's always a pulling away instead of a drawing near. And God is saying, "Release today what I want you to release. Release what I'm asking you to release so that your spirit can be free to connect with my spirit."

Have you know, I think about it like this. I'll maybe come in from the grocery store and I have all these bags hooked on my arm and I'm like weighed down and as soon as I see Joel I'm like help and he begins to take the bags off my arm and there's just a freedom.

It's like this is too much weight for me to carry. Some of you may work out these big strong men with a trainer. You got these big old weights and as soon as that trainer helps you lift those weights off there's just a freedom and a release. So this morning God is saying release it to me. this morning.

There may be some troubles. There may be some things that are trying to weigh you down. Release it and step into the freedom that I have for you. Amen. Father, we thank you for your freedom that it fills the air, Father. It fills the atmosphere and it lives on the inside of us.

Thank you, Father, for breaking chains, for doing what only you can do. Lord, we look to you, Father, for this freedom. And we want to walk in it with joy and victory, trusting you. Father, we love you this morning and we lift you up. We lift up the name of Jesus where our help comes from.

We love you and we give you all the praise and it's in that precious name. And everyone said, "Amen." They say we'd never be free, that our failure was guaranteed. They said, "oh, don't hold your breath," but I've seen our God's faithfulness. Kingdoms rise, rulers fade. ((music playing)) When we praise ((music playing)) mighty God.

I've got the victory. I've got the victory. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) I've got the victory. I've got the victory. Oh, I'm not running. I'm not running. All of my enemies got another thing coming. I'm not running. I'm not running. With the Lord on my side I ain't afraid of nothin. I'm not running.

((music playing)) I'm not running. ((music playing)) I've got the victory. I've got the victory. I've got ((music playing)) to hear me say I've got the victory. I've got the I've got the victory. I've got His ((music playing)) They're gonna hear me say, "I've got the victory." Come on, church. You know we have a reason to rejoice today.

God is good. Amen. Enter His gates with thanksgiving. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) joy in the house of the Lord. A home where your soul is restored. Come on through the open door. Come on through the open door. There's grace that abounds here and now. A place where new mercies are found. All are welcome in this house.

All are welcome in this house. Come on, we sing. Enter His gates with thanksgiving. Enter His courts with praise. This is a house of worship. We bless his holy name. ((music playing)) This is a house of worship. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) rejoice again. ((music playing)) with thanksgiving. Enter his courts—come on, sing it. This is a house of worship.

We bless his holy name. Yeah. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) again. ((music playing)) I hear it in the wind. I rise to look again. The spirit is stirring something up ahead. In faith, Lord, I believe for rains I've yet to see. Before the clouds are forming, my God is faithful from age to age. And what He promised won't be delayed.

My eyes can't see it, but through my faith, I hear the sound of heaven an abundance of rain. ((music playing)) I hear it ((music playing)) The miracle I seek is on the way ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) We welcome your rain. Welcome your hope. Welcome provision. We welcome your peace. Welcome your joy. Welcome your freedom. Here comes the king mighty to save, reigning in power.

We hear it in the sound of heaven pouring out. Come on church, let's declare. We welcome your rain. Welcome your hope. Welcome provision. We welcome your peace. Welcome your joy. Welcome your freedom. Here comes the king. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) The rain is falling. The spirit falling. So let it rain. Let it rain.

Open the floodgates of heaven. Let it rain. Let it rain. Open the floodgates of heaven. Let it rain. Let it rain. Open the flood— Let it rain. Let it rain. Let it rain. Open the fl—let it rain. Let it rain. Let it rain. Let it rain. Open the flood— Let it rain.

((music playing)) ((music playing)) We welcome the rain. Welcome your hope. Welcome provision. We welcome your peace. Welcome your joy. Welcome your freedom. Here comes the king. He's mighty to save and reigning in power. We hear it in the sound of heaven pouring out. We welcome your— We welcome the rain. Welcome your hope.

Welcome provision. We welcome your—welcome your joy... [singing] That's it. And here comes the king... [singing] reigning in power. We hear it in the sound of heaven pouring out. We hear it in the sound of heaven pouring out. ((applause)) ((music playing)) There's no better place, no better time to respond with surrender, cuz you put your love on the line ((music playing)) Here in this moment, be lifted high.

Lord, I offer my heart and worship your glory divine. So come like the wind ((music playing)) Fall like the rain. ((music playing)) Oh Holy Spirit, ((music playing)) inhabit this place. We give you the room, ((music playing)) Lord, have your way. ((music playing)) Oh, Holy Spirit, ((music playing)) inhabit our praise forever more. Now is the moment. ((music playing)) Now is the time.

((music playing)) We'll see mirales happen when we put you first ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Oh, ((music playing)) This is our prayer today. Come do whatever you want to. Nothing's impossible for you. Bring down the heavens here on the earth. Oh, Holy Spirit, come do whatever you want to. ((music playing)) Nothing's impossible for—someone lift it up church—bring down the heavens here on the earth.

Holy Spirit. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Lord God, we love you today. Lord, we thank you for all that you've done in our lives and bringing us into another week, letting us be together here. And Lord, we say what we're singing. Come do what you want to do. Lord, make us and mold us into who you want us to be.

And Lord, we believe even right now that you're working in our lives. And behind the scenes, things are changing. hand, Lord, that you're fighting our battles. We do come back to that place of peace, Lord. We trust you. We believe that we're in the palm of your hand.

Lord, we thank you for choosing us before we could choose you. And you brought us here as people of destiny, that we are well able to do what you've called us to do. And Lord, I thank you that as we're worshiping you this morning, that every force that's tried to stop us has been broken in the name of Jesus. depression, anxiety, mental illnesses, and sicknesses, chronic pain, addictions, whatever it may be.

Lord, I thank you today is a breakthrough day that you're doing what only you can do. For Lord, our eyes are upon you today. And we just thank you, Lord, that you're just breathing fresh vision upon your people and fresh anointing and fresh favor, fresh momentum, fresh growth.

Lord, we're leaving the old behind and getting ready for the new things that you're doing. And Lord, I thank you that 2026 won't be a get by year, but it'll be a blessed year and a prosperous year. Lord, a year where we see you do uncommon things, things that we couldn't make happen on our own.

For Lord, our eyes are upon you today. And we just thank you, Lord, for the plan that you've already laid out for each one of us. Lord God, I thank you for your wisdom that we have clear direction with our lives, that we know the right decisions. You said you'd give us the power to obey.

And Lord, I just thank you for clarity of thought that you're our doorkeeper, that you open and close the doors in our lives. And Lord, we're going to keep honoring you. And I thank you that you will get us to where we're supposed to be. Lord, I do lift up those that are fighting battles in their health here in the building, watching, listening.

Lord, we know that you're our healer, that nothing is too hard for you. And thank you, Lord, even now that healing is flowing into all those that need it. Lord, you can even do what medicine cannot do. We know you have the final say. So, Lord, I just speak healing, wholeness, strength, and vitality.

That the number of our days you will fulfill. That even now the tide is beginning to turn in your people's health. That we will run and not be weary. Lord, I thank you that you're working even right now. Health, wholeness, strength, energy, and vitality in Jesus' name. And Lord, not just physically, but I lift up those that are in tough times and those that have gone through loss.

Father, you said you're close to the brokenhearted. And I ask that they'd feel your presence right now. Lord, that you're comforting them and giving them that peace that only you can give. that even though it may seem like it's an end, Lord, you'll show them it's a new beginning, that you have beauty for the ashes.

And Lord, I just thank you for letting hope rise in their hearts right now. And letting them know that we're praying for them. Lord, you said weeping endures for a night, but joy is coming in the morning. So Lord, I think of the morning is on the way.

The joy is on the way. Lord, you've done great things in the past, but we believe, declare the best is still yet to come. that we are victors and never victims in Jesus' name. And if you receive it, can you say amen today? Every week we make a declaration of faith just to remind ourselves who God says we are.

Sometimes in life, you know, life will try to label you. People will tell you things, but it's good on a regular basis. I hope you do it every day just in your thinking, in your internal dialogue. This is what we need to be telling ourselves. It's who God says we are.

Are you ready? I am blessed, prosperous, redeemed, forgiven, healthy, whole, talented, creative, confident, secure, focused, prepared, qualified, motivated, valuable, free, determined, equipped, empowered, anointed, accepted, and approved. Not average, not mediocre. I am a child of the most high God. I will become all I was created to be in Jesus name.

Amen and amen. Come on, let that sink down. Not average, not mediocre. The most high God chose you. He handpicked you to be here. You didn't just happen to show up in 2026. Your parents decided to have a baby a while back. Well, they may have decided that, but you know what?

You didn't come. You came through your parents, but you came from Almighty God. He's the one that destined us all to be here. And you know, I think about how God could have chosen Moses to be here in 2026 or David or Ruth or Esther or the disciples.

But when he looked at 2026, he said, "I need somebody I can really count on." He didn't chose them. He chose you. He knew that you could carry out his will, that you are a person of destiny. So, you know, remind yourself who you are. I was thinking about that song we were singing before we pray here in a moment.

You know, uh it it talks about it was Elisha that he heard the sound of the abundance of rain before he saw a cloud in the sky. In other words, God will speak things to your spirit that you may not see for a little while. And there's where the test is going to take place.

Well, I don't think it's going to happen, Joel. I I don't think my child's going to get back on course and nothing's nothing's happening or or this medical report or this financial situation. But don't talk yourself out of what God has spoken to your spirit through his promises, through just a thought, through a dream.

You know, he heard the sound of the abundance of rain. And you know, they went out, not a cloud in the sky. You must have heard wrong. But he told his assistant, "Go look again." So, you don't see anything happening in the natural. Your attitude is, "I'm going to keep looking because I know my God is faithful.

I know what he promised is on the way. And I'm going to trust his timing. Don't talk yourself out of it. How about talking yourself into it? God, I know you're faithful. I know as for me in my house, we will serve the Lord. God, I know I will lend and not borrow.

God, I know uh whatever it is, I'm believe. I know this baby is on the way that you promised me. You heard it in your spirit. Now, keep believing for it. Don't get talked out of it. Let me tell you, 2026, you're going to see God do some uncommon things in your life, some unusual things, open some new doors, bring right people, turn situations around in Jesus name.

Well, we take a moment to pray individually in every service. So, if you need prayer, we'd be honored to pray for you all over the building. There'll be prayer partners at the front of the section. During this next song, anyone's welcome to come for prayer. rest of you, you're welcome to be seated if you'd like, but we'll take this moment to pray.

And our beautiful online family and listening live on SiriusXM, thanks for being with us. And beautiful Victoria is there to pray for you as well. It's honored to have you today. We welcome you to this time of prayer. We are so glad that you've joined us and we are excited that we can join our faith with you and pray.

You know, the Bible says that the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and he is attentive to their prayers. I want you to know today that God sees you. You're at the right place. You've got the right heart and he is listening. So know today as we pray, if you have a prayer request, put it in the chat.

But as we pray, we believe that God hears us. That he's not some far away God. He's not a God who just listens when he wants to. He's a constant in our life. He's a constant companion and he listens when we pray. You know, I love what David said even in the most challenging times.

He said, "I love the Lord because he hears me when I call out to him." See, the psalmist David knew and had this faith in his heart that when he called out to God that God heard him. And I believe that's the kind of faith it takes for God to move in our life.

Not to hope God, well, maybe he hears, maybe it'll work out. No. to say, "God, I believe what it says in Romans 8:28 that you work all things together for good for those who love you and are called according to your purpose." So God, it may not look good, but God, I can trust you that you're working behind the scenes.

That you're doing things that I can't do. You're doing things that maybe I can't even see. So today, as you put your prayers in the prayer request, I want you to know God even sees that. He knows everything about you. And I believe it's your faith that moves the hand of God because the Bible says he is pleased when we have faith.

And faith is not only just believing that God's working, but trusting and waiting patiently for the answer. So today, I want to tell you a few prayer requests that we've already received. Marie, her sister, is suffering from kidney disease. So Marie, we want to tell you that we want to join our faith with you and we're going to pray that your sister's kidney disease is turned around, that the diagnosis is is that God knows that and that the doctors, he's going to use the doctors, but he is the miracle worker.

So that's why we want to pray to him. Yes, we want him to lead us and we want him to guide us to the best places, the best medical help. We want him to guide the doctor's hands. but our trust and our faith is ultimately in him. So, we're going to pray for your sister, Tiffany.

She found out the tumor on her kidney is is cancer and she has to have surgery to have it removed. So, Tiffany, we're going to stand with you. I know this is a a trying time and a very scary time and and sometimes we hear these voices of is it going to get better?

Is this the end? But I just want to tell you, we're going to pray that those voices that are doubt and unbelief and coming against you so strong will be overrode by the praise that you have coming out of your mouth and the victory that you're believing God for.

You know, sometimes we feel like, well, this is it. This is, you know, this is what I have. But I want to encourage you to resist those symptoms and resist those diagnosis. not in uh not just denying it, but saying I don't receive it. I'm going to resist what the enemy wants to put on me and I'm going to receive the healing that God has for me because the scripture said it was by the stripes of Jesus that we are healed.

And so those are the voices we want to hear. We want to hear we are healed by the stripes of Jesus. We're going to walk in faith. You know, I love what Moses, he always walked in faith. He was over a hundred years old. And he would say, "My natural eye won't be abaded and my forces my natural forces will not be will not be dimmed."

Actually, it's the other way around. My eye won't be dimmed and my natural forces will not be abaded. What that means is he said, "I'm going to live as strong as I can my whole life. I'm going to believe for the best no matter what." And so that's what we're doing.

We're going to pray in faith and we're just going to live by faith today. So, if you need healing in your body, just just whatever it is, maybe put your hand on the place you need to be healed. If there's something in your body that you're concerned about or you got a bad diagnosis, I'm going to join my faith with you right now.

Father, I thank you that the healing power of Jesus Christ, Father, is flowing into my brothers and sisters right now. And that, Father God, there's no distance in prayer. And as we pray and join our faith together, we declare Father that the symptoms have to go and healing is coming.

The turnaround is coming in Jesus' name. Father, we thank you that we can trust you with our lives. You made our bodies. You created our bodies and you know how to repair our bodies. So, Father, we want our bodies to work like they were intended to work. Father, we want diabetes.

We want any kind of heart disease. We want any kind of of stroke or any kind of of of of um something that would come against our bodies of of of of mouth formation in our body, Father, which cease from being right now. And Lord, we just give it to you and surrender it to you now.

Father, help us to take care of our bodies. Help us to be wise. Help us to eat right. Help us to exercise. Help us to sleep. Help us do what we can do in the natural. remind us, Holy Spirit, of what we can do. And Father, we give you all those things that we cannot do.

Thank you for the doctors. Thank you for the nurses. Thank you for the people that are trying to help us, the support that we have, but Father, we're ultimately keeping our eyes on you in Jesus' name. Amen. And amen. I believe that they're going to be turnaround in your bodies, that you're going to see the deliverance of God in Jesus' name.

Keep the faith. We also have uh financial reports uh financial uh prayer requests for a financial breakthrough to get out of debt. Sarah asks for that. Um Sam for a scholarship for her daughter. So we want to stand with you on those things as well. If you need any kind of breakthrough in your finances, we declare in Jesus' name that he is the provider, that he is the one who provides and we look to him.

We thank you, Father, that when we seek you first, you said you would add all these things unto us. So, Father, if there's uh people who need jobs or cars or like Sherry or Sam, Father, they need a they need open doors, they need breakthroughs, Father, we ask that you would do it all in the name of Jesus.

And Father, we look to you. We tithe. We give what you ask us to give. We do what you ask us to do. And father, we walk under the open windows of heaven in Jesus' name. And we believe that that God is going to bless you and that you are going to see turnaround in your financial area.

We love you and until next time, God bless. ((music playing)) There is no one else. ((music playing)) No one else will do. ((applause)) I want to just keep this atmosphere of faith and worship and praise if we can in the house. I want to lean into this idea of praise a little bit if I could just for a brief moment because we're going to do something I think pretty powerful here in a second.

Um, praise in the Bible, it's written throughout scripture. This this idea and this principle of praise. Praise in the Bible literally means to celebrate, to boast, to make much of. And it is a principle that God has designed for you and me to embrace in our lives. And I don't know about you, but it's it's built in us instinctively to praise.

Um, I don't know about you, but I I've I've seen people all around me and I've experienced atmospheres where people praise their sports teams. I mean, it's March Madness. Have you I you mean game-winning shots, overtime wins, football games. You see people hugging, high-fiving strangers, like losing their minds over their favorite team winning.

And it's not just limited to to sports. I mean, I've seen some of you lose your minds at a gender reveal. I've seen graduation moments. I've seen weddings, uh, engagement parties where people celebrate. They make much of the moment. They offer their praise. Why? because that moment is worthy to them of it.

And so we must begin to ask ourselves, what is worthy of my praise in my life? I had a moment early in my faith where I felt God asked me a question. He said, "Nick, do you bring me your praise in the same energy and same passion that you bring your favorite football team?"

And it wasn't a condemning question. God was teaching me about my praise because I'm an energetic guy. I'm passionate. When I watch football, it's getting all of me. When I do anything, you're getting all of me. It's coming from an authentic place. And God was just saying, "I want that authentic energy and praise when you come into my house or my presence in response to the grace that you've been given."

Here's the thing about God. He doesn't need your praise. God doesn't need your praise. God isn't insecure. In fact, right now, God is surrounded by angels. The angels cry day and night, "Holy, holy, holy." In fact, God says if we don't offer praise, he'll get a rock to cry out.

God's not searching for praise. You know why God designed praise? He designed praise for you because he knows something about us. You You can't give praise and be negative and cynical at the same time. You can't give praise and be ungrateful at the same time. Oh friends, praise doesn't change God.

Praise changes you. And it is why God gives us this opportunity to praise him. It's why he says, "Oh, shout unto God with a voice of triumph. Clap your hands in the sanctuary. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." Are you with me today, church? This is this is for us to change perspective, to get on the same perspective as God for our lives and for our circumstances.

I love King David. King David, if you notice, he writes most of the psalms. And I love this particular part of scripture in the Old Testament where he is constantly giving God praise. The Bible says that he was dancing and shouting unto God. And when criticized, he looks around and he looks at those who are criticizing and he says, "You ain't seen nothing yet.

I will praise him and get even more undignified than this. Now, what I've discovered is that wasn't David as a young shepherd boy. This was David as a seasoned king, a seasoned warrior, and a prestigious position. And he's taught us something. You never graduate from the power of praise.

You never get old enough to praise, to lift your hands, to lift your voice, to move your body, to shout unto God. I love I love my my little man Jeremiah. Jeremiah, come give me a high five. Come give me a high five, my guy. This guy This guy prayed.

In fact, come on up here, Jeremiah. Come on up. Come on up. Come on up here. Yes. Come on up. Come on up. He's like, "No, I better not. Maybe dad will help him." There is a praise that he brings that is unbridled. He's not a part of this moment, but I was sitting over here watching him the entire worship set and it is so authentic.

It is so pure. It is so unbridled. Never change because you just taught our whole church how to pray. Can we stand to our feet? Because I'd like to do something if we can. The church team, the worship team has written a song and it's called Thank the Lord.

But what this is, this isn't a gimmick. This is an opportunity. It's an opportunity to praise him. It's an opportunity to thank the Lord. Let me ask you something. Has he been good? Has he been faithful? Is he worthy of your praise? Come on. Can we lift our hands?

Can we shout? Can we move our bodies a little bit? Can we express with passion and thank God because he's been so good. He's been so good. Jeremiah, come on church. Let's lift our voice. Let's thank the Lord. Get your hands together. Thank the Lord for the day that he has made.

Thank the Lord for his goodness and his grace. Thank the Lord that he always makes a way. Hallelujah. ((music playing)) Thank the Lord that he chose to take the cross. Thank the Lord for the power in his blood. Thank the Lord for the wonders of his love. Hallelujah. Isn't he faithful?

Isn't he good? Isn't he worthy? Somebody thank the Lord. Give him the honor. Give him the praise. All of the glory. Somebody ((music playing)) Isn't he faithful? Isn't he good? Isn't he worthy? Somebody thank the Lord. Give him the honor. Give him the praise. All of the glory. Somebody praise the Lord.

((music playing)) Lord your mercy endureth forever. All of heaven and earth shall proclaim. Sing hallelujah. God be praised for your miracle signs and your wonders. All the glory be unto your name. Hallelujah. God be praised. For your mercy endureth forever. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Over the past couple of years, Lakewood has sent humanitarian teams five times over to Ukraine.

The battles they're fighting every day are different than the battles we fight. In the middle of a four-year war, they are facing so many challenges. But I'll never forget this last time when I was driving the car with Pastor Mykola going to Salvation Church. He began to tell me a story about how they've went through so much as a country and as a people.

But one thing that they were holding on to, he said, was Pastor Joel's messages. Every week they would watch online or they'd watch a TV broadcast and his messages were encouraging them to keep going, to never give up. As I got closer to Salvation Church, I was so surprised because in Kyiv of Ukraine, right there where Salvation Church is, I saw the building that looked like Lakewood Church.

And I asked them why. And they said, "Because of the inspiration that Lakewood's been over these four years, we want to do something that would be a beacon of light in the middle of Ukraine." Lakewood, that's what we're doing. Through our TV broadcasts, through our online ministry, we're sending hope all around the world.

Even in the middle of war, we're seeing people being touched where they're not only not giving up, but they're shining God's light and causing people to become everything God created them to be. Lakewood, we are that beacon of hope. God is using our message through your giving to the darkest places in the world and a light is shining so brightly like a city on a hill.

Thank you for your generosity. It's truly making a difference all over the world. Yeah. Thank you so much, Lakewood. Amazing. Thanks for your, like Craig said, for your generosity. When I first saw the video, I thought that was our building. Put Put that back up. That's in Ukraine. a model of of Lakewood in the midst of all the war and everything that's going on.

But you know, that's the impact that that God's allowed us to make all of us together. And you know, it doesn't happen automatically. It happens through faithful people and through your giving and your donations. And we take a moment in every service to worship the Lord with our tithes and our offerings.

So that's what we'll do here for just a moment. But I always like to thank you for being generous and, you know, putting God first place and sewing into this house. I I can promise you we are we you're sewing into good seed. We're doing the best we can.

Like the video said, through media goes out all over the world and through humanitarian efforts, just many many great things that we're able to do, but it's it's through faithful people. And that that scripture I was reminded of this morning. It says, "When you help those in need, you are lending to the Lord and he will repay you."

Well, that's what you guys every do every week. You're helping those in need. So you know the the symb symbolism is you are lending to God and imagine you know somebody owes you some money. It says God will repay you. God knows how to repay you with health and joy and strength and good relationships and in your finances as well.

We're we're believing 2026 uh you know uh I said it earlier not a get by year but how about an abundant year the economy is not our source. God is our source. We are connected to a supply line that will never run dry. So you stay faithful and I just say that so when you give, you give in faith, not give.

Okay, they talked me into it. No, you're giving in faith to honor God and watch what God's going to do. Thank you for being so generous. That is so good. You know, all through the Bible, God uses people. You think about it. He used just an ordinary little boy with just just a small lunch to feed thousands of people.

He used fishermen to lift people. He uses the ordinary most of the time. And so I just want to encourage you. You may feel like it's just ordinary. Your giving is just ordinary. Is it doing anything? But can I tell you in the hands of God, that giving turns into extraordinary.

You may think, well, is it making a difference? But just like that little boy's lunch, he probably thought, what are you going to do with my lunch? But in God's hands, it multiplied. And that's exactly what is happening. God is multiplying your giving so that we can help people all over the world.

In fact, I want you to know today that God he uh excels in using the ordinary. But he wants you to know today that you're extraordinary. That you and your giving and your coming and your supporting and what you do for the kingdom is extraordinary. And when you're extraordinary in God, he always gives you more.

He gives you peace. He gives you joy. He gets you to the places you need to be. So know today, you may feel like it's just something you do. But I want you to know that you are extraordinary. And what you're doing in the hands of God is bringing people to the Lord.

He is using you through your giving. We all want to be used, right? Well, he is using you through your giving. So we want to thank you for partnering with us and being a part of this church and just come look at this building today. I mean amazing you guys are here worshiping God.

I mean this facility was meant to be a house of worship to bring people from all over the city and around the world to come and experience God. Just like we had homecoming, we have people here from different states. But you know what? even that giving is bringing people in.

I was talking to a woman the other day and I'm going to hurry, but I have to say this uh on the radio on my call-in show and she was just talking about how her and her family have so much joy when they tell Joel's jokes. They have so much joy when they talk about the Lord with each other.

And I thought that is so cool because you know what that gives us unity in God and that just gives us something to talk about. So, I know that God's going to bless you and give you something to talk about as you continue to give and be faithful to him.

We love you guys. Good. I love that. Victory. Beautiful. Lord, thank you for all of our generous givers here in the building watching and listening. Lord, we're giving today joyfully, not because we have to, but to honor you. We recognize, Lord, everything we have came from you. Just health and strength, the abundance, the resources.

And Lord, as we give tithes, offerings, donations, I thank you that you're breathing on your people. That you're multiplying what they're giving even back to them. Let their gifts and talents come out to the full. Lord, give them ideas and creativity. And thank you that you're drawing contracts and opportunities, businesses, Lord, just things that we couldn't make happen so we can further your kingdom, so we can be a bigger blessing.

Lord, we thank you. You've done it in the past, but we believe the best is yet to come. I just speak your abundance, a bountiful, profitable, uh, productive year for your people that you would show out in their lives. In Jesus name we pray. Amen and amen. God bless you as you give.

Here are some ways you can give. Using your smartphone, scan the QR code located on the screen. Then select the online giving option that is most convenient for you. Go to lakewoodurch.com/give. Text give hope to 77977. Mail a check to P. Box 27450, Houston, Texas77227. Or call us toll-free at 888-567 JOEL.

I know a name ((music playing)) that can silence roaring west. I know a name that can empty out a grave. I know a name. It's the only name that saves and it's worthy of all praise. Oh, I call you Jesus. I call you. I call you healer. Risen and reigning in power.

Something comes out of the grave. Every time I call you Jesus, I call you. I call you savior, worthy of glory forever. Something comes out of the grave. Oh, every time I call your name. ((music playing)) I have a king with dominion over death. He holds the keys ((music playing)) in his holy nail-scarred hands ((music playing)) that has crushed the serpent's head.

((music playing)) I call you Jesus. I call you. I call you healer ((music playing)) something ((music playing)) every time I call you Jesus. I call you. I call ((music playing)) ((music playing)) worthy of glory forever. Something comes out of grave ((music playing)) Every time I call your name ((music playing)) ((music playing)) every time I call your name. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Come on. Where oh death is now your sting?

Where oh grave your victory—we sing. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) I call you Jesus. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) I—I love that and I believe it as well. Come on, let's all stand one last time if you don't mind. But what an honor to have you in the house of the Lord today. We love you guys. It's going to be a beautiful new week coming up.

Very exciting. We have some pretty powerful worship here, don't we? Well, Lakewood Music just releasing a new album this week called House of Worship. You can download it wherever you stream your music. We're very proud of them. Alexandra, the whole team behind me, just a powerful powerful people and powerful worship.

You know, so much negativity in the world. It's important what you're putting putting into you. What are you feeding yourself during the week? You know, you feed yourself. Man, our God's a good God and dead things come alive. Well, that's going to keep you strong. Johnny, I'll pass that to you if you can.

Lakewood Music going to be right out there in the lobby afterwards if you want to pick it up or download it. But, uh, we got a lot of people here from our homecoming weekend. Let me see your hands, guys, if you're here for homecoming. Right here in front, a lot of you.

And just welcome you guys and had a great time down here Saturday, but um, you know, just an honor. You know, your new week goes better when you take time to put God first place. You know, it's a beautiful day. You could be doing anything today, but you came to the house of the Lord.

Don't you know God saw you come today and says when you're planted in the house of the Lord, you will flourish. I believe as you go out every week, just under your breath, Lord, I think I'm going to flourish this week. I'm going to flourish in every good air.

We love you. We pray for you. Last thing is couple weeks from now, it's it's a resurrection weekend. It's Easter Sunday. So, I'm going to invite you. I I heard a pastor say something I liked. I want to pass it on. He said, "Don't invite somebody to come to church. bring somebody to church."

In other words, you invite them. Oh, it's too big. Where do I park? I don't know. But you know what? You call them. Hey, I'm gonna come get you Sunday at 10 o'clock, Easter Sunday. You gonna bring them to church. Show them where to sit. Take them to lunch afterwards.

They're going to be your project. Why don't you bring somebody? You have influence with people. You know what I found? Anybody will come to church on Easter. Heathens will come to church on Easter. Just go invite somebody. You know, it's not just about getting them in church. It's about how God can change their lives.

Get into a community of faith. great things happen. We start off Friday night the the Good Friday service that Easter weekends and then if you have kids, there'll be tens of thousands of Easter eggs all over the the building and we'll do it real organized, but bring your kids out.

We call it Springfest, but again, honored to have you today. I'm going to ask you when you see yourself on the big screen, can you give our TV audience a great big Lakewood welcome? 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, YouTube channel, 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 like to start with something funny and I heard about these four Catholic mothers. They were bragging on their sons. The first one said, "My son is a priest. When he walks in the room, everyone calls him father."

The second one said, "My son is a bishop. When he walks in the room, everyone calls him your grace. The third said, "My son is a cardinal." When he walks in the room, everyone calls him your imminence. The fourth one said, "My son is 6'3, has broad shoulders, and is incredibly handsome."

When he walks in the room, all the ladies say, "Oh my God." 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'm about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible, everliving 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 Philippians chapter 4, you're welcome to. We'll put scriptures up on the screen as well. And don't forget there's a great Spanish speaking service at 2 today. There's Monday night Bible study that's online. Then Wednesday night, we're back in person. If you want to come out, we have a great one-hour powerful service every Wednesday.

But again, honored to have you with us today. I want to talk to you today about being happy where you are. We can always find a reason to put off our happiness. When my business grows, then I'll be happy. Or when I lose 10 pounds, when I have a baby, when my health improves, or maybe if I was married, I'd be happy.

Another person, if I wasn't married, I'd be happy. If you're putting conditions on your happiness, you're going to live a lot of your life unhappy because there will always be something you don't like that bothers you that you wish was different. There are blessings and burdens in every season.

There are great things in your life that you could be happy with right now. If you have your health, your family, you have a job opportunity, and there are things you could be discouraged over. You get to choose what you're going to focus on. If you focus on the burdens, you're going to put off your happiness.

I got to fix this problem before I can be happy. Or I've got to move into a better house or I can't be happy with this coworker. He gets on my nerves. And when he leaves, when God moves him out of my life, then I'll be happy. But here's the truth.

And I don't want to depress you, but he may never leave. What if some of those burdens never change? Are you going to spend your life unhappy, waiting for people and circumstances to do what you want, then you'll enjoy your life? It's a wrong way to live. You're putting your happiness in other people's hands.

You're letting your joy be dependent on the circumstances. You have to take control of your happiness. You are responsible to keep yourself happy. It's not up to other people. Joy, my spouse, my boss, my neighbor, they're the problem. They aggravate me. They leave me out. You can't control all that.

They may not change, but you can change. You can be happy right where you are. You can enjoy your life despite what's not going your way. Paul said in Philippians chapter 4, I have learned how to be content whatever state I'm in, whether I'm abased or abounding. He was saying, "Whether I have a lot or a little, whether people are treating me right or wrong, whether my plans have worked out or they haven't, I'm still going to be happy.

I'm still going to keep my joy." His happiness wasn't dependent on his conditions. Wasn't dependent on what people said or if they did what he wanted or if he's in a blooming season, seeing growth and promotion, then he'd be happy. Seasons change. Plans don't always work out. People can let us down.

Doors can close. A mark of maturity is that you're happy whatever state you're in. Your happiness is not based on your circumstances. It's based on a decision. The fact that you're a child of the most high God. And you recognize he's given you another day to be alive and the strength to get out of bed, breath to breathe.

So you focus on the good. You thank God for the blessings. You choose, like David, to rejoice and be glad. See, happiness is not a feeling. It's a decision that we make. If you're going to be happy, you have to be happy on purpose. Paul said, "I have learned how to be content."

He didn't say, "I woke up content. I'm just naturally content. It's easy for me to stay happy no matter what." This took practice. This took training, ruling over his emotions, getting up in the morning when he didn't feel joy. Things weren't going his way and people weren't treating him right.

Prayers not being answered. Yet, he made the decision, I'm going to be happy today. I'm going to enjoy where I am. He learned to do it. My question is, have you learned how to be content? Have you trained yourself to be happy, to see the good, focus on the blessings, to start each day positive and full of joy?

The enemy would love for us to go through life discontent, unhappy, discouraged, always something to keep us from enjoying where we are. Don't fall in that trap. This day is a gift and it dishonors God to go through it sour, offended, no passion. Everything may not be perfect.

We all have things that come against us. The key is to enjoy where you are while God is in the process of changing things. If you don't get happy where you are, you probably won't get to where you want to be. It's easy to complain, live sour, when this changes, I'll be happy.

No, you can be happy right where you are. What are you focused on? The blessings or the burdens? If you focus on what's wrong and how long it's taken, who hurt you, you're going to be discouraged. Change your focus to the blessings, you're alive, you're healthy, you have people to love.

See, you never get to the place where all the burdens are gone and all you have are blessings. With the blessings come burdens. If you're waiting for the burdens to leave, then you'll be happy. You'll be waiting your whole life. In my situation, God has taken me further than I've ever imagined.

I have the honor to speak to you guys and many people. He's given me influence and resources and have a beautiful family, good health, and extremely good looks. But with all these Why are you laughing? But anyway, but with all these incredible blessings come some burdens. There are two or three things I could be worried about, discouraged over, offended.

How's this going to work out? If I dwell on the burdens, I'm not going to have any joy. I'm gonna go through the day discouraged and worried. Part of learning to be content is to focus on the blessings and not the burdens. What you focus on gets bigger.

You're always thinking about the person at work that gets on your nerves and how that's not fair. You need to pay them back. You're making it bigger and the blessings are getting smaller. The fact is, you have a job. You have talent. You have hell. Change your focus.

When Paul wrote this passage, I've learned to be content. He was in a prison cell. He'd been arrested for sharing his faith and was awaiting trial. If anyone had a reason to be discontent, unhappy, at least in the natural, would have been Paul. He was beaten three times for teaching about Jesus.

He was falsely accused and misunderstood by the believers. They wouldn't accept him. He was opposed by the religious leaders. He'd been shipwrecked and bitten by a poisonous snake. This was all while he was fulfilling his purpose, doing what God called him to do. But his attitude was, "These prison walls aren't going to take my joy.

These bad breaks are not going to cause me to be sour. I'm not focused on the burdens. I'm focused on the blessings. I'm still alive. I still have a purpose to fulfill. I still am in the palm of God's hand. He couldn't leave the prison. He couldn't go out and share his faith anymore.

They thought they had him stopped, but Paul got his pen out and started writing. He wrote much of the New Testament from a prison cell. The enemy thought he was shutting Paul up. But God knows how to take what was meant for harm and use it to your advantage.

In that cell, Paul wrote, "Rejoice in the Lord always." Again, I say, "Rejoice." He wrote, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy." He wrote, "I think myself happy." He was telling us, "The location doesn't have to determine your happiness. How you're being treated, what's not working out, that doesn't dictate your joy.

You determine your happiness. You can think yourself happy or you can think yourself depressed. You can think yourself grateful or you can think yourself sour. When you focus on the blessings and magnify the good things in your life and thank God for where he's brought you to, his favor, his protection, then you're going to enjoy where you are despite what's coming against you.

After Paul wrote that passage, I've learned to be content. The next verse is the one we quote all the time. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. He wrote it in the context of keeping you joy, staying content when things come against us. How can I be happy in a hard place?

Through Christ who gives you strength. How can I enjoy my life joy despite these burdens? Through Christ. How can I keep a good attitude with this cranky coworker? Through Christ. You're not doing it on your own. When you choose to be happy where you are, God will breathe on your life and strengthen you and empower you.

See, Paul wasn't happy about being in prison, but he was happy in prison. He didn't let the circumstances stop his happiness. You're not happy about being in the hospital, but you can be happy in the hospital. Just because you're in a difficult place doesn't mean you have to be unhappy.

You can count it all joy. You're not happy with that person at work that's trying to make you look bad, but you can be happy despite what they're doing. There is grace for every season. When you're happy in a place where you should be discouraged, you are passing the test.

And at the right time, God will vindicate you. He'll promote you. He'll turn it around. But Paul could have thought, "Man, when I get out of this prison, then I'll be happy. When people stop attacking me. When they understand who I really am, then I'll be in a good mood."

No, he said, "I'm happy right where I am. I'm going to write some books. I'm going to leave my mark." It's very powerful when you are content in every situation. When you're not waiting to be happy one day, when I get through this trouble, when my health turns around, when my career takes off, even though it's not happening yet, you're still happy.

You're still enjoying the day. You've learned how to be content. A lady came down for prayer one time and she was very discouraged because her husband wouldn't come to church with her. She'd been trying for years to convince him, but he wouldn't do it. We prayed and asked God to change his heart.

She came down the next week more frustrated. Same thing. Month later, she was back still worried, upset. God, why won't you do anything? 6 months later, same thing. She wasn't going to be happy until it worked out her way. She was putting her happiness on hold, basing it on what her husband did.

Life is too short to live that way. You can't make people change and you can't make situations turn around. Pray, believe, do what you can, then leave it in God's hands. Proverbs says, "Those who trust in the Lord will be happy." When things aren't changing, the only way you're going to be happy is by trusting that God is working, believing that he's fighting your battles, making those crooked places straight, that he's your provider, your healer, your way maker.

When you're trusting, you can be happy while you're waiting, knowing that God is in the process of changing things. If you're dealing with an illness, you could be worried, losing sleep, no way I can be content, Joel. You don't know what I'm facing. Try a different approach. Father, thank you that you're my healer.

That you're restoring health back unto me. That the number of my days you will fulfill. When your trust is in him, you can be happy while you're waiting. Maybe you have a child off course, business is struggling, or you're dealing with an addiction. It's easy to put your happiness on hold, live worried, discouraged.

The right attitude is, Father, I thank you that you're working behind the scenes, doing things I can't see. That what you have purposed for my life is on the way. Freedom, breakthroughs, the right people, abundance, declaring the greatness of God and speaking his promises. That's going to build your faith.

That's how you can enjoy where you are and not just endure where you are. When you don't have joy, you don't have strength. It's hard to keep a good attitude, hard to believe. But when you're happy where you are, despite what's coming against you, you're going to have the strength you need to stay in faith while you're waiting for things to change.

And the truth is, most of our lives, we're waiting for something to get better, waiting for a problem to turn around, or waiting to meet the right person, waiting to advance in our career. If you don't learn to enjoy the waiting seasons, times like with Paul when you're in the prison, so to speak, then you'll live so much of your life unhappy.

And what a tragedy to come to the end of life and realize that we've lived way too long worried, discouraged, offended. Jesus said he came that you might enjoy life. If this is going to happen, you have to put your foot down and say, "That's it. I'm gonna start being happy where I am.

Yes, I have some problems at work, but that's okay. I'm gonna be happy today. Yes, I'm dealing with this health health issue, but I'm not going to spend another minute worried about it. God, my trust is in you. Or doors haven't opened for my dreams yet. Still haven't met the right person.

Still have this legal problem. I'm not putting my happiness on hold. This is the day the Lord has made. I'm going to be happy today. But sometimes we're waiting for the destination to be happy. You know, when I accomplish the dream, when I meet the right person, when we get that breakthrough.

Oh, how about enjoying the journey? How about enjoying where God has you right now? This is a great day to be alive. There are blessings God has given every one of us. And sure, we all have some burdens, but don't let the burdens keep you from seeing the blessings.

Don't let what you don't have keep you from appreciating what you do have. Don't let what hasn't worked out keep you from enjoying what has worked out. This day is a gift from God. One way we honor him is by being content in every situation. Being happy in the good times and happy in the tough times.

Several years later, that lady that was believing for her husband, she came back and I saw her out in the lobby after service and she was so happy. She had a big smile. She came over and gave me a hug. And I thought she must have good news.

I said, "Wow, it's so great to see you again. Seemed like you're so excited, so cheerful." I'd only seen her when she was down, discouraged, complaining. I said, "Your husband must be coming with you now." She said, "No, Joel, he still won't come. He hasn't changed, but I've changed.

I don't let that take my joy anymore. I'm not discouraged over it. I don't complain. I know it's in God's hands." I wonder if, like her, you're unhappy about something you can't control. You're not enjoying where you are because someone won't do what you want. You're not content because the door hasn't opened or the medical report hasn't improved.

The child is still off course. That's in God's hands. That's not your responsibility. You pray, believe, do your best, then you have to trust. Trust God's timing and trust his ways. If you're only going to be happy if it happens your way, you may be frustrated. It may take longer than you thought.

But when you've made up your mind to be happy where you are, content in every situation, then life's not a drag. You're still enjoying the day, being good to your family, thanking God for his blessings. That's a freeing way to live, happy while you're waiting, joyful despite what's not working out.

I don't want to come to the end of my life and look back and think, man, I wasted a lot of years being worried and so much time stressed over that situation and so long wondering about how that's going to resolve. Let's make adjustments now. Once we live this day, we can't get it back.

I've learned you're as happy as you want to be. You determine your happiness. It's not the circumstances. It's not other people. You get to choose whether you enjoy this day or endure this day. Whether you focus on the blessings or focus on the burdens. When I first started pastoring, I had never ministered before.

And it was very difficult for me to to write a message. I had no experience doing it. And on Wednesdays and Thursdays, I would listen to teaching CDs and read books. And it was like cramming for a test. I felt this pressure to come up with something good for Sundays.

I would write my messages on Fridays and Saturdays and deliver it on Sunday. Driving home from church, I'd be so relieved. Thank God. And then that thought would come, what are you going to speak on next Sunday? It's six days away. I got to where I dreaded Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.

Every week I thought, "Oh, here we go again." I was planning on it being hard. I was expecting it to be difficult. And after about two years of doing that, it dawned on me that I'm dreading half my week. That means half my year I'm not enjoying. And if I don't make a change, half my life I'm going to be unhappy.

I had to do what I'm asking you to do. I put my foot down and said, "That's it. No more dreading. God, I trust you to give me the words to speak." You said, "Your yoke is easy. Your burden's light. You've given me grace for every season. I'm going to enjoy what you've called me to do.

I shifted my mindset from enduring to enjoying. From I have to write a message to I get to write a message. From what a big challenge this is to what a big opportunity this is. With that simple shift, not only got easier, my message not only got better, but now I look forward to getting to write.

Now, it's a joy to be able to do this. I don't think it would be this way if I had not changed my mindset. I had conditioned myself. It's going to be hard. I don't like this. When we dread things, we're inviting the negative. We're giving permission for it to be harder, more stress, take longer.

God has given you the grace for everything that you face. Not to endure it, but to enjoy it. To be happy even in hard places. How much of your life are you enjoying? And how much are you enduring? Have you learned to be content? Are you happy where you are?

Or are you letting the circumstances and people determine your happiness? Doing I like I did, dreading things. I don't want to go to work today and I don't want to have to deal with these children. I don't like having to take this treatment. That's making it harder. That's giving away your power.

If you'll approach it with faith, with joy, knowing that you're well aable, then you're going to have the strength that you didn't have, ability, favor, not just to excel, to be h but to be happy where you are. It says in Ecclesiastes that you are to enjoy the fruit of your work.

This is a gift that God has given you. You're not supposed to dread your work, dread cleaning your house, dread going to the grocery store, dread writing that proposal. There's grace for it. Quit telling yourself, "It's going to be hard. Quit planning on having a difficult day." Change your mindset.

I'm grateful to get to go to work today. I'm blessed to be able to raise these children. God, I thank you for the strength to clean this house. I'm going to enjoy this day. I'm going to live it to the full. If you're going to be happy, you have to be proactive because dread's going to show up.

Discouragement's going to come knocking on your door. Worry is going to text you. What about this situation? What if it doesn't work out? Tell them, "No thanks. I've already decided I'm going to live this day happy." Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a teenager engaged to Joseph. was one of the best times of her life.

She was planning her wedding, lining up the bridesmaid, picking out the flowers, the food, when an angel appeared and said she was highly favored and she's going to have a baby without knowing a man and he would be the Messiah. Mary was excited. She said, "Let it happen."

But what she didn't know was all of her plans were about to be interrupted. When Joseph found out she was pregnant, he's going to call off the wedding and quietly walk away. Angel appeared to him and told him the baby was the Messiah to go through with it.

Well, King Herod called senses they had to travel to Bethlehem to Joseph's hometown. Mary was nine months pregnant riding a donkey 80 miles bouncing up and down. A difficult assignment, but you never read where Mary complained. You never read where she got upset. They arrived in Bethlehem looking for a place to have the baby, but no hotel available.

They were turned down again and again. They found a stable where they kept animals. She gave birth to Jesus, our savior. Well, a few months they had to flee to Egypt. Another interruption, disappointment. Mary could have been discouraged. This is not what I had planned. God, where are you?

Well, she was content at every stage, even things she didn't understand. She trusted in the difficult times. She was happy in the hard places. Not I'm going to be happy when I'll get off this lousy donkey, get me an Escalade next time. I'm going to be happy when I have this baby.

Happy when Herod quits chasing us. I'll be happy when these people quit gossiping, talking bad about me. She learned to be content in whatever state she was in. That's why God could trust her with something so important. And God may have assigned you to a difficult task, something you didn't see coming, raising a difficult child, or dealing with an illness, a tough season in your career.

It's because he can trust you. He's counting on you to carry out his purpose so you can go where you've never been. Don't let the difficulty sour your life. Take your passion. God won't put you somewhere without the grace to be there with a good attitude. You can be happy even in hard places.

When you choose to be content, to stay full of joy, God breathes on your life and he'll make things happen that you couldn't make happen. Mary could have focused on the burdens and look at all these things coming against me, but she focused on the blessing, the promise God gave her.

What you focus on in the hard seasons will determine whether you endure it or you enjoy it. And God has not brought you this far to leave you. What's going to help you get through the tough seasons is the joy. That's what gives you the strength. I'm asking you to quit putting off your happiness.

Quit waiting till the challenge is over, till you get married, till the get the promotion, till you see the healing. How about being happy right where you are? How about being content in every season? Whatever comes your way. Friends, life is short. Time is flying by. If you're going to be happy, you're going to have to do it on purpose because there will always be something to take your joy.

People, traffic, delays, turn on the news. That'll depress you. You have to choose joy each morning. Choose to be content. Whatever comes your way, if you'll do this, I believe and declare like Paul, you will flourish. You will excel. you will leave your mark. Favor is coming. Healing the right people, the fullness of your destiny in Jesus' name.

And if you receive it, can you say amen? Let's pray together. If you have five minutes, if you can stick with me, we're just going to seal it in prayer. Lord, I thank you for what we've heard today. I know it falls on great ground. Faithful people here at Lakewood and many watching and listening.

Lord, we're committed today that we're going to we're going to enjoy our lives. Holy Spirit, show us areas where we're letting things take our joy and not not living each day to the full. And Lord God, we commit to change to keep our minds focused on the blessings.

And Lord, we're going to trust you for these things that we could easily be worried about and stressed over. Lord, we trust you. And as we continue to honor you and put you first, Lord, thank you that you'll get us to where we're supposed to be, like you did for Paul, despite all that came against him and despite what comes against us, Lord, you'll let us flourish and shine and become all that you've created us to be.

Lord, strengthen your people. Protect them as they go out this week. Let your angels watch after their children and whatever they put their hands to do. I commit them into your hands in Jesus' name. With our heads bowed in prayer, 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 you died a few minutes from now? If not, I would love to pray with you. I'm not here to condemn anybody. I'm here to help you find a new beginning. And I know this comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

In just a moment, if you're not at peace with the Lord, or maybe you are a Christian, but you've grown cold toward God and you know you need to rededicate your life, you need a fresh new start. If that's you, in just a moment, I'm going to ask you to take a step of faith and stand right where you are and we'll pray together.

I can't think of a better time to get on the road to victory than right now. God is not mad at you. Your sins have already been forgiven. All you have to do is accept the free gift of Christ salvation. Will you do it today? The enemy in your thoughts, he'll whisper, "Do it next week.

Do it another time." Listen, the Bible says, "Today is the day of salvation." Don't put it off. It's so easy. Well, Joel, it's embarrassing to stand in front of everyone. I have people at the house. I can't lift my hand. Listen to what Jesus said. If you won't be ashamed of me before people, then I won't be ashamed of you before my father in heaven.

I'm going to give you a great opportunity to show God that you're not ashamed of him. If you're not at peace with the Lord, or you just need to rededicate your life, you need that fresh new start, that new beginning. If that's you, would you be bold? Take that step of faith and stand right where you are and we'll pray together.

Would you do that? Come on, Lakewood. Let's give them a hand as they stand all over the building. Come on, don't put it off. I feel like there ought to be others. Anybody else? Still time for you. Come on, Lakewood. They're still standing all over. Anybody else watching, listening?

Still time for you. Anybody else? Well, God bless you. And please remain standing if you don't mind. And let me tell you how proud we are of you. I know that took courage to stand. More importantly, I know God will never be ashamed of you because you took this step of faith.

And the scripture says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Let me help you to call. Do you mind all praying this after me if you would please? Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior.

Amen. Or may s in one more moment. I want to tell you again how much we love you. We're going to be praying for you. also want to give you a personal invitation and a challenge to come back and be with us on a regular basis. This next year of your life is incredibly important.

We encourage you to come and get plugged in if you'll give us this next year. I'll make a promise before the year is over. Your life will never be the same for the better. We're going to help you grow and become who God's created you to be. And I know you're busy.

You work hard. Sundays are probably a day off. But I can make a promise. When you get when you put God first place and get into a community of faith, your new week goes better. There is a blessing on your life. We'd love to have you here if it works out.

And if you do come, I'd love you to get plugged in. Ushers, choir, greeter, prayer part, a lot of areas. I'd love for you to meet some of the great people of Lakewood. You can check it out on the web. How to connect up here. There's a room called New Beginning.

Some of our staff's over there. I'm going to be in the lobby back there after service. You got a minute. I'd love to shake your hand. If not, I'm out there a lot of times after I speak. But know this, the moment you stood up, God washed away all your sins, your mistakes, your failures.

You are starting with a fresh, clean slate. Write it down in your Bible. March 22nd, 2026. A new day of victory in your life in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Well, let's all sing together if you would please. Thanks for coming out today. How many of you going home better off than you were before?

Amen. Let me speak a blessing. Until we meet again, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord show you his favor and have mercy on you. And may the Lord watch over you and give you his peace. God bless you. We love you very much.

Have an amazing week. See you back real soon.