"God not my will but Your will be done.
When you release control you’re showing God that you trust Him."
~Pastor Joel Osteen,
Lakewood Church Saturday November 8, 2014
When you release control you’re showing God that you trust Him."
~Pastor Joel Osteen,
Lakewood Church Saturday November 8, 2014
Joke:
God describes the ideal woman to Adam but says it will cost him an arm and a leg. Adam says “What can I get for a rib?”, and the rest is history.
Bible Confession:
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. Tonight 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.
Key Scripture:
The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your loving-kindness, Lord, continues forever. Don’t abandon me—for you made me.
Joyce Meyer will be here at Lakewood this Thursday through Saturday. More info
It’s easy to get so focused on our goals we won’t be happy unless it happens.
We put God in a box by telling Him how/when/where to do it.
God’s ways aren’t our ways; they’re better than our ways.
If it has to be your way you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
God can see the things we can’t see.
A better approach is to say “God this is what I want but I trust You.”
When you release control it takes the pressure off.
We can get out of balance.
If you have to have it to be happy then the enemy can use it against you.
A mature attitude says “Even if it doesn’t work out my way I will still enjoy my life.” Knowing God is in complete control.
It’s like we’re holding on too tightly.
It can become an idol.
You’re always thinking about it, praying about it…
God not my will but Your will be done.
When you release control you’re showing God that you trust Him.
There are times in life that God will ask you to release the thing you want the most.
It’s a test.
If you pass it God will give you back what you wanted or something better.
This happened with Abraham and Isaac. [Genesis 22:1-18]
God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on the altar.
It wasn’t easy but Abraham released control.
God I trust You.
I can be happy even if it doesn’t happen my way.
God said NO DON’T DO IT [Genesis 22:12]
Can you be happy if it doesn’t work out your way?
Maybe you’ve been standing on a promise for a long time.
Even if it doesn’t happen I’ll still be good to people.
That’s putting your dream on the altar.
You don’t have to see the dream come to pass to be happy.
That proves you trust God.
Joel wanted the Compaq Center so badly it consumed him.
He was always talking and praying about it.
More people came against them.
He realized one day that he was so consumed that he wasn’t enjoying his life.
He said “God I believe this facility is supposed to be ours but if it doesn’t work out I’ll still do my best at the other location.”
Not long after that things started falling into place.
When you release control you are passing a very important test – the trust test.
Joel met a lady who was praying for her husband to come to church.
Year after year she was passionate and determined but he wouldn’t come.
She got frustrated and discouraged.
Joel told her to release control.
Turn it over to God.
Put it on the altar.
God if he never comes I’m still going to trust You…
And stay in peace.
When you show God you don’t have to have it that’s when God goes to work.
God I’ve done all I can; I won’t live my life upset anymore.
I’m putting it on the altar; giving it to You.
The lady got her joy back.
Her actions said “God I trust You”.
About 2 years later her husband asked if he could come to church with her.
It was his idea.
He’s been coming ever since.
Joel isn’t saying give up on the promise.
He’s saying release the frustration.
Psalm 138:8 says The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your loving-kindness, Lord, continues forever. Don’t abandon me—for you made me.
If you trust Him God will open the right doors.
HE will work out His plan for your life.
It’s easy to be frustrated when your plans aren’t working out.
God why is it taking so long?
You can plant the seed, you can water it, but only God can bring the sunshine.
As long as you’re doing your best rest assured God will get you where you’re supposed to go.
Only God can bring healing.
Cast your cares on the LORD. [Psalm 55:22]
The cares are the worries and anxieties.
What if it doesn’t work?
Worry ties the hands of Almighty God.
Trying to change things you can’t change will keep you from God’s best.
God my life is in Your hands.
Lord I thank You for doing what I can’t do on my own.
Instead of trying to make yourself get well stay in peace.
Stay in peace.
Cast your cares.
Release the control.
You can’t make people like you.
God has to give you the sunshine.
He has to breathe in your life.
Cast your care not your responsibilities.
Do what you can and take your hands off it.
Maybe you don’t get the promotion; you can’t control that.
But you can control your response to it.
Nothing that’s happening is going unnoticed by God.
Frustration comes from trying to control things we can’t control.
If it’s not happening on our timetable we try to make it happen.
Many people are working overtime trying to change things they cannot change.
The only thing you can control 100% of the time is your attitude.
Somebody hurts you, you can’t control that.
But you can control whether or not you get offended.
Life happens, but you can control whether you live upset and worried.
In Houston it’s hot and humid in the summer.
Some people complain every year.
Dread it or say this is where God has me and I believe I have the grace to handle it.
Why be unhappy about something you cannot change?
Being upset won’t make the traffic go any faster. [Traffic is bad also]
Use that time to thank God for all He’s done.
The traffic may not change, but you can change.
Life happens to all of us.
We’ll have delays and unfair situations we can’t control.
Years ago Joel was looking for a parking space.
Finally a couple got to their car and backed out.
Joel waited on the space a long time but someone came from the wrong way and stole it at the last minute.
Joel was tempted to honk and yell but he’s learned life is too short to get frustrated over things you can’t control.
If you’re only going to be happy if everything goes your way you’ll live an unhappy life.
Jesus said Stop allowing yourselves to be upset. [John 14:27]
Decide that no matter what comes against you, you won’t get upset.
I choose to be happy.
I choose to enjoy this day.
I’ve made up my mind to stay in peace.
Joel was working on his computer when the power went out.
He lost the message he’d spent hours working on.
So frustrating.
Lost almost a whole day’s worth of work.
All the venting wouldn’t bring his work back.
John 16:33 says in life you’ll have trouble.
Things will happen you can’t control.
Focus on what you can control.
Joel shook off the self-pity.
Lord You said what was meant for my harm will work out for my good. [Genesis 50:20]
In a couple of hours Joel had even better notes.
The next time you’re tempted to be offended start passing these tests.
Don’t let the same people and things get on your nerves.
You can’t get this day back.
Don’t waste time offended, upset, and discouraged.
You can’t get away from these tests.
Don’t allow yourself to be upset.
In Australia they say “No worries” all the time.
They’re so laid back and nothing bothers them.
Joel loves that it reminds you not to worry.
No worries - God is directing my steps.
The medical report is not good? No worries.
If we’d develop a no-worries mentality we’d enjoy life and probably live longer.
We’re always looking for the fountain of youth.
Spending money on ways to look/feel younger.
One way is to quit worrying.
Worry less; trust more.
Stress less; smile more.
When daughter Alexandra was about 5 years old the store was about to close.
Joel really wanted to go that day so they hurried up and got ready.
They made it to the mall parking lot with 8 minutes to spare.
He couldn’t get one of Alexandra’s shoes on — there were 2 left shoes.
Alexandra was a Daddy’s girl; she’d do anything for him.
He asked, “Would you wear this left shoe on the right foot for Daddy?”
She smiled real big and said “No I won’t.”
So they didn’t make it there in time – no big deal.
If you only had 3 months to live how many things would stop upsetting you?
Let it go; life is too short.
Start releasing the worry.
Release the struggle.
You don’t have to make your dreams come to pass.
Only God can make the sun shine.
God promises HE will work out His plan for your life.
He’ll open the right doors and bring the right people into your life.
Prayer
Altar Call
This is a really good sermon!
ReplyDeleteI agree, thanks for your feedback!
DeleteI heard this on tv the other day, and the message was exactly what I needed at the time. Am glad I found it online so I can print it out and read it again and again and again.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that God led you to exactly what you needed. I'm also glad the notes were a blessing. You can order the message on CD or DVD at LakewoodChurch.com if you like. God bless you.
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