Joel Osteen Podcast - The Power Of Believing | Joel Osteen

Episode Date: July 10, 2025

What you believe has the power to shape your future. Release your faith for the new things God wants to do in your life. Your best days are still ahead, and together we can make a difference in this ...world with the message of God's hope and love. To give visit JoelOsteen.com/GiveHope.Your life is marked for distinction. Our July offer will help you silence doubt, shake off rejection, and reach the destiny God has already prepared for you. Request the new Chosen devotional and step forward with confidence—you’ve been chosen for more, https://bit.ly/4dVacnV! Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of the Joel Osteen Podcast ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Transcript
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Starting point is 00:00:00 Victoria and I believe in you're going to have a blessed summer praying for you guys every day. And thanks for being with us today. Hey, I'm excited. Victoria's got a new book out. It's called Grace to Go. And I know it's going to bless you. I'm excited because in this book, you will see how you are strengthened, that you are prepared, and you are ready for anything that's in front of you.
Starting point is 00:00:22 You are Grace to Go. Enjoy today's message. God bless you. It's a joy to come into your homes. We love you, and we know God has great things in store for each one of you. If you're ever in our area, stop by and be a part of one of our services. I promise you, we'll make you feel right at home. But thanks for tuning in today. Thank you again for coming out. I like to start with something funny, and I heard about this group of children. They were in the cafeteria line at their Catholic elementary school.
Starting point is 00:00:51 At the beginning of the line, there was this big bowl of apples. Now, none had written a note that said, take only one God is watching. At the end of the line, there was a big batch of chocolate chip cookies. One of the children had written a note that said, take all you want. God's watching the apples. 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. In Jesus name. God bless you. I want to talk to you today about the power of believing. One of the greatest abilities God's given each one of us is our ability to believe. If you believe, you can be successful. If you believe, you can overcome mistakes of the past.
Starting point is 00:01:51 If you believe, you can fulfill your God-given destiny. There's incredible power in what we believe. What you believe is greater than what the medical report says. Of course, we respect medical science, but God has the final say. When you get an agreement with God and believe what he says about you, then what you believe can supersede any natural law. What you believe is greater than what's in your bank account. I have a friend that came to this country with nothing but the clothes on his back. Today, he runs a friend. He runs a friend. Fortune 500 company. Against all odds, he believed he could do what God put in his heart. And Paul prayed in Ephesians 119 that we would understand the incredible greatness of God's
Starting point is 00:02:42 power for those who believe. Notice the power is only activated when we believe. That means right now, the creator of the universe is just waiting to release healing, restoration, favor, promotion, abundance. The only catch is we have to believe. Now think about Mary, the mother of Christ. When she was a teenager, the angel came to her and said, you're going to have a child without knowing a man. Her first thought was, that's impossible. That's never happened before. That defies the laws of nature. She said to the angel, how can this be? He answered back, the spirit of the Lord will come on you and cause it to happen. Now, love the way Mary responded. She didn't argue with him. She didn't try to talk herself out of it. She simply said, be it under me, even as you have said. In other words, let it happen. I'm a believer. I'm in agreement with God. Sometimes just like with Mary, God will put a promise in your heart that seems impossible. A promise that says, you're going to be well. You're going to start a business. You're going to meet the right person and get married.
Starting point is 00:04:00 See, he did a thing. It's never going to happen to me, Joel. I've been this way too long. I've made too many mistakes. The medical report is too bad. Nobody in my family's been successful. On and on. We could all come up with excuses.
Starting point is 00:04:15 But I'm asking us to do like Mary. Instead of talking yourself out of it, just respond with three simple words. Lord, I believe. God says, your children will be mighty in the land. Lord, I believe. God says he's going to restore the years that we're stolen. He's going to bring you to a flourishing finish. Lord, I believe. God says whatever you touch will prosper and succeed. You will lend and not borrow the head and never the tail.
Starting point is 00:04:48 Now don't come up with five reasons why that's not going to happen. Your response should be, Lord, I believe. When you get in agreement with God, the incredible greatness of his power is activated. In the scripture, a man came to Jesus and said, my little daughter's very sick. She's close to death. Will you come to my home and pray for her? Jesus agreed, but along the way, he kept getting stopped. One interruption after another. Finally, word came back to him saying, no need to come. You've waited too late. The little girl has died. the people were upset, very distraught. But Jesus said to them, Luke 850, don't be afraid if you will only believe the little girl will be well.
Starting point is 00:05:37 Notice the phrase only believe. Jesus went to the home, prayed for the little girl, and she came back to life. But you too may be facing situations that seem impossible. And the natural, you don't see how you could get well, how you could overcome. the addiction, how your family could ever be restored. But God is saying to you what he said to them. If you will only believe, I'll turn the situation around. If you only believe breakthroughs are headed your way. Friends, it's not complicated. God didn't say if you'll pray 20 hours a day. If you'll quote 12 chapters in the scripture, then I'll do it for you. No, he said, if you'll only believe.
Starting point is 00:06:21 In other words, if you'll just get your mind going in the right direction and believe you can rise higher, believe you can overcome the obstacle, believe your family can be restored, believe you can do something great and make your mark in this generation. When you believe the surpassing greatness of God's power is released in your life, some of you're going to have to develop new habits. if you've been negative for a long time, you've got to retrain your thinking from I can't to I can. From it won't happen to it will happen. From I'll never get well to God is restoring health into me. From I never get any good breaks to God's favor surrounds me like a shield. From I made too many mistakes I'm all washed up to I'm redeemed. I'm forgiven. My best days are still out in front of me. You've got to reprogram your computer. load in some new software.
Starting point is 00:07:22 It may look impossible like it's over and done, but if you'll be a believer, God will do for you what he did for this family. God will resurrect dead dreams. He'll resurrect a dead relationship. God can resurrect what you
Starting point is 00:07:37 thought was dead. Bring those things back to life. I'm trying to talk you in today to be in a believer and not a doubter. Does it matter how bad it looks? How many people have told you no. How long it's been that way? Listen, God has the final say. It's not over till God says it's over. He controls the whole universe. Nothing that's happened to you is a surprise to God.
Starting point is 00:08:04 No disappointment, no injustice, no failure. God saw it and he wants to take what was meant for your harm and use it to your advantage. Now, you've got to shake off the self-pity, shake off the disappointment, let go of what didn't work out, and press forward into the new beginning God has in store. Friends, God has you in the palm of his hand. His plans for you are for good to promote you, to heal you, to restore you, to show you his favor. You may not see how it can happen, but lean not to your own understanding. The scripture says, that means just because you don't see a way doesn't mean God doesn't have a way. But here's the whole key today. Nothing will happen unless you believe. God has this incredible power,
Starting point is 00:08:55 favor, healing, promotion, restoration, but it's only activated when we believe. I'm asking you to believe that this is your year. Believe that every negative situation, God's turning it in your favor. Believe that good breaks are headed your way. Believe that your future will be brighter than your past. First Chronicles 2820 says, Don't be discouraged by the size of the task. For the Lord your God is with you, he will see to it that it is finished completely. Notice when you believe God will see to it that is taken care of.
Starting point is 00:09:35 When you believe you have the creator of the universe fighting your battles, arranging things in your favor, going before you moving the wrong people out of the way. You couldn't have made it happen in your own strength, but because you're a believer, the surpassing greatness of God's power is at work in your life. Now, don't be intimidated by the size of the problem, the size of your dream. Don't let that convince you to stop believing. Well, Joel, I got laid off and you just don't know my financial situation. No, but I do know Jehovah Jira, the Lord our provider.
Starting point is 00:10:13 He's still on the throne. one touch of God's favor, and you'll go from barely making it to heaven more than enough. Well, you just don't know my medical situation. Doesn't look good. No, but I do know Jehovah Rafa, the Lord our healer, has not lost his power. He has done it in the past. He can do it in the future. Well, Joel, I've got big dreams, but I don't know the right people.
Starting point is 00:10:38 I don't have the connections. That's okay. God does. You have friends in high places. when you believe God will bring the right people across your path. Don't be intimidated by the size of what you're facing. Here's what I've learned.
Starting point is 00:10:54 The bigger the problem, the bigger your destiny. The enemy would not be fighting you so hard unless he knew God had something amazing in your future. On the other side of that challenge is a new level of your destiny. The good news is when you believe, God promises he will bring it to pass. Let me assure you, nothing can stand against our God.
Starting point is 00:11:17 No disappointment, no setback, no injustice, no person, no hater, no jealousy. When you believe all the forces of darkness cannot stop God from taking you where he wants you to go. Be a believer and not a doubber. Says in the book of Hebrews, when we come to God, we must believe that he is. It's interesting. It doesn't really finish the scripture. believe that he is what? It leaves it open-ended. This is saying when you believe, God becomes whatever you need him to be. He is strength when you're weak. He is healing when you're sick. He is favor when you need a good break. He is a waymaker when you don't see a way. He is restoration when something's been stolen. He is vindication when you've been falsely accused. He is a way. He is restoration when you've been falsely accused. He is a way. He is restoration. He is restoration when something's been stolen. He is. He is, whatever you need him to be. Many of you know God by one name. You know him as a Savior. And that's
Starting point is 00:12:20 great. That's the most important way. But you need to find out what else he is. Do you know him as a resurrection God, a God that can bring back to life what you thought was dead? Do you know him as an Ephesians 320 God, a God who can do exceedingly, abundantly above and beyond? Do you know him as a healer, a store a God who gives beauty for ashes. You may have gone through hurts and disappointments and people did you wrong, but you don't have to live defeated, depressed, in self-pity. No, God wants to heal the hurts. Give you a new beginning. Bring you out better off than you were before, but you've got to know him as a God who gives beauty for ashes. Friends, there's so much more to our God. Don't keep him in a little box. Discover what else he is. I know this couple that attends
Starting point is 00:13:16 Lakewood, and for the last year and a half or so, they've heard me talking about believing for Ephesians 320 and how God wants to show us his unprecedented favor. And they dared to believe. They let that seed take root. And for the last 10 years, they've been working very hard, saving their funds, so they could hopefully purchase their first home. And at one point, Everything came together. They found the house they liked. It was a good price. They knew it was God's favor. They had the money for the down payment. They were so excited. But when they went to close on the home, the young lady was at the realtor's office, finalizing the details. She got a call from her husband saying that he had just been let go from his job. He had worked for that company for over six years, always did his best, had a good attitude. But his supervisor, never particularly liked him. Over the years, his wife just kept encouraging him, you're not working under people, you're working under God. He did his best to stay on the high road, but it seemed like at the worst possible time he got let go. To make matters worse, this all happened on his
Starting point is 00:14:27 birthday. He lost his job and the house of their dreams on the same day. Naturally, they were disappointed. But the good news is, this young couple didn't just know God as a Savior. They knew him as a God of restoration. They knew him as a God of justice, a God who will make your wrongs right. They could have easily gotten bitter, dropped out of church. But they understood this principle. If you only believe you will see the goodness of God. Instead of sitting at home every day, depressed, in self-pity, anytime he wasn't out looking for a new job, he would come up to the church and volunteer. week after week, month after month, as faithful as can be.
Starting point is 00:15:13 In the natural, it didn't look like anything was happening, but they weren't discouraged by the size of their problem. They knew as long as they believed the Lord their God would see to it that they were taken care of. Five months later, he got a call from his old company, hadn't talked to them since he had been let go. It was an executive from the corporate headquarters. He explained how he had let go of the whole.
Starting point is 00:15:38 whole management team, and this executive wanted him to come back and work for the company. He not only restored his job, but he restored all of his benefits, all of his retirement, all of his seniority. The house they wanted to buy, it already sold, but they went out looking and found a better house in a better neighborhood for a better price. Today he not only has his job back, but they're living in their dream home. God's a faithful God. Isaiah 310 says, say to the righteous, it shall be well with you. You may go through some difficulties. People may do you wrong, but because you're a believer, it shall be well with you.
Starting point is 00:16:19 You lost your job, yes, but another job is coming. It shall be well with you. The medical report doesn't look good, yes, but we have another report. It shall be well with you. You say, Joel, I've been praying, believing for this situation to change for a long time, but I don't see anything happening. No, just like with this couple, God is working behind the scenes right now, arranging things in your favor. The answer is already on the way. It's just a matter of time before it shows up. It shall be well with you. I like to think of it like setting the temperature on a thermostat.
Starting point is 00:16:57 You set the temperature to 72 degrees. Now, it may be 96 degrees in the room, far off from where you set it. You could go to the thermostat and think, this isn't working. It's not matching up. No, you don't worry about it. You know it's just a matter of time before the temperature in the room matches the temperature that you set. In the same way, we should set our thermostats on what God says about us. God says you will lend and not borrow. I'm setting my thermostat right there.
Starting point is 00:17:30 That's what I'm choosing to believe. Now, right now, I may be far from that. I may be far in debt, but that's okay. I'm not worried. As long as I've got my thermostat set, as long as I keep believing, keep honoring God, keep being my best, I know it's just a matter of time before the conditions in my life match up to the conditions in my thinking. God is a faithful God. Now, we should set our thermostats. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. you may have a child that's 32 degrees, a son that's 140 degrees. Out there living wild, doesn't matter. As long as your thermostat is set, you're not worried, you're not frustrated,
Starting point is 00:18:15 you don't have to live wondering if it's going to change. You know God is in complete control. When he sees you have a made-up mind that your thermostat, your thinking is set on his promises, on faith, on restoration, on healing, on victory, that's when God goes to. to work. It may not happen overnight, but God is faithful. He will do what he promised. And some of you today, you need to readjust your thermostat.
Starting point is 00:18:44 At one time, you believe to do something great. You believe to start that business. You believed you'd beat that addiction. But it didn't happen on your timetable. You got discouraged and you ended up giving up. God is saying reset the thermostat. Start believing once again.
Starting point is 00:19:02 believe you can live free from pain. Believe you can move into that nicer home. Believe God's bringing the right people across your path. Keep the thermostat set. Have a made up mind. When it gets cold, when it gets hot, stay in faith. This is what God says about me. I am blessed. I will live and not die. My children will be mighty in the land. My latter days will be greater than my former days. Now you may not see anything happening Week after week, month after month, maybe even year after year, does it matter? Our attitude is my thermostat is set.
Starting point is 00:19:42 I'm not moved by what I see, by what I feel, by what people tell me. I'm moved by what I know. And I know when I believe the incredible greatness of God's power is activated. I know when I believe strongholds are broken, favor, healing, promotion, restoration, they are coming my way.
Starting point is 00:20:03 In the scripture, a man by the name of Ezekiel was facing an impossible situation. There were these dead bones in a valley that God had promised would come back to life. Dead bones represent dreams and goals that we don't think will come to pass. God had the power to bring these dead bones to life, but God needed a person who believed so he could work through them. God said to Ezekiel, do you believe that these dead bones can live? Isn't it interesting? God wanted to know what Ezekiel believed. Ezekiel could have reasoned out and said, God, the bones are dead. I don't see how that's going to happen. In other words, the medical report
Starting point is 00:20:48 doesn't look good, God. Business is slow. This is a big problem. I can imagine God said, Ezekiel, I'm not asking you all of that. All I want to know is, do you believe? all at once, Ezekiel shook off the doubt, and he said in effect, Lord, I believe. The spirit of God came on him. He started prophesying and somehow, some way, those dead bones came back to life. But God is asking us what he asked Ezekiel. Do you believe you can live a blessed, prosperous, successful life? I've got the power. I'm just looking for someone who believes. Do you believe? God can turn that situation around. Damn. Do you believe you can overcome mistakes of the past? Friends, when you get in agreement with God and believe that allows God to release the incredible greatness of his power.
Starting point is 00:21:42 When Lazarus was very sick, his two sisters, Mary and Martha, sent word for Jesus to come to their hometown and pray for Lazarus. But Jesus waited too long. He waited four days. Lazarus had already died. When Jesus finally showed, up, Martha was very upset. She said, Jesus, if you would have been here sooner, my brother would still be alive. Have you ever felt like God showed up too late? You prayed, you believe, but you still didn't get the promotion. You worked hard. You had a good attitude like the young man I talked about, but the company still let you go. You stood on God's promises. You quoted the scriptures, but your prayers didn't get answered. That's the way Mary and Martha felt. They were discouraged, depressed, probably a little bit bitter.
Starting point is 00:22:33 Jesus looked at them and said, take me to the place where you have laid in. In other words, take me to the place where you stop believing. Take me to the place where you decided it was over. You got to go to that place and ask yourself, is my God still on the throne? Is my God still all powerful? Is my God still Elshad I, the God who is more than enough?
Starting point is 00:22:59 you've got to stir your faith up. God said, Mary, Martha, it looks bad, but it's not over. If you'll start believing once again, I'll show you my power in a greater way. Faith begin to rise in their hearts. Martha said, Jesus, if you'd have been here, my brother would still be alive. But I believe even now you can raise him from the dead. Sometimes you have to have even now faith. where you say, God, it looks impossible.
Starting point is 00:23:31 It looks like it's over and done. But I know you're a supernatural God, and I believe even now you can turn my finances around. Even now you can heal my body. Even now you can restore this relationship. Mary and Martha shook off the doubt, and they started believing once again. You know the story. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. And what's interesting is back in those days, the Sadducees, these were some of the people that were against Jesus.
Starting point is 00:24:03 They believed that the spirit left the body on the third day after a person died. It wasn't a coincidence that God waited for the fourth day to show up. Jesus waited on purpose so that when he raised Lazarus, there wouldn't be any doubt about it. They would know that it was a great miracle. Sometimes God will wait on purpose, not only so you will know that it's his power, but so your doubters, so your naysayers, so your unbelieving relatives won't be able to deny that God has done something amazing in your life. At first, Mary and Martha were disappointed because Jesus didn't show up in time to heal Lazarus.
Starting point is 00:24:50 They were disappointed that their prayers didn't get answered in the way they wanted. But all along, God knew what he was doing. God wasn't planning a healing. He was planning something better. He was planning a resurrection. And just because you believed and it didn't work out your way on your timetable, doesn't mean that it's over. It means just the opposite.
Starting point is 00:25:15 God's planning something better. You believed and you didn't get the promotion. You believed and you didn't qualify for the new home. Keep believing. God has something better coming. You believe, but your child hasn't turned around. Keep believing. God's going to use your child in a great way.
Starting point is 00:25:31 You believe, but 2011 hadn't been that great so far. Keep believing. It's not over. God's still on the throne. Even now, God can still turn it around. After Jesus raised Lazarus, he said to Mary and Martha, did I not tell you, if you would believe, you would see the glory of God? You may have plenty of reasons to be discouraged.
Starting point is 00:25:55 discouraged, depressed, negative. But God is saying, if you will only believe, you will see my power in new ways. Make up your mind. You're going to be a believer and not a doubter. Keep the thermostat set. You may not see how it can happen, but that's not your job. Your job is to believe. Know this right now, behind the scenes, God's working in your life, arranging things in your favor. don't be intimidated by the size of what you're facing. Stay in faith and the Lord your God will make sure that it comes to pass. Get this down in your spirit. Because you're a believer, all will be well with you.
Starting point is 00:26:39 All will be well with your family. All will be well with your finances. All will be well in your health. All will be well with your career. You need to get ready because God's promise. are about to come to pass in your life. It may not have happened in the past on your timetable. That's because God's not planning a healing.
Starting point is 00:27:00 He's planning a resurrection. It's going to be better, bigger, greater than you've ever imagined. Be a believer. Take the limits off of God. Keep your face stirred up. I believe and declare you're going to see God's goodness in amazing ways. Amen. Come on, give the Lord one more shout of praise today.
Starting point is 00:27:16 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'll repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I 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 first place. He's going to take your places you've never dreamed of. Sometimes in life, people don't choose us. We've all felt overlooked and like we're not good enough? It's easy to live inferior thinking we don't measure up.
Starting point is 00:27:55 People may have left you out. The good news is God has chosen you. He's the one that matters. In my new book, Chosen, Your life is marked for distinction. You'll discover, before you were born, God not only knew you, but he handpicked you and placed a calling on your life. You are equipped and empowered to fulfill your destiny.
Starting point is 00:28:17 When you understand that you're chosen, Fear and doubt can't stay, you'll live with a boldness to step into the greatness God put in you. I love to send you my new book, Chosen, plus the chosen t-shirt from our friends at CopperFit. As our way of saying thank you for your gift of any amount this month, we would like to send you a copy of Joel's book, Chosen. Your life is marked for distinction. In the scriptures, Jesus encouraged us by saying, you didn't choose me, I chose you. This powerful guide will help you discover the abundant life you were designed to live. As a child of God, you have a calling, a purpose, a destiny still to be fulfilled.
Starting point is 00:29:01 When you request your copy, we also want to send you our exclusive chosen t-shirt from CopperFit that will remind you that you've been chosen by Almighty God every time you wear it. Please request these gifts today and discover that God is moving on your behalf. Your next days are going to be your best days. You're not average. You're not ordinary. You've been chosen by Almighty God. Victoria and I want you to know how much we love you. We pray for you and your family every day. Thanks so much for your prayer and support. Your generosity is helping people all over the world. A special thank you to our Champion of Hope partners for your monthly gift.
Starting point is 00:29:43 If you're not a partner, I hope you'll consider becoming one. Remember, you can watch the services online live every Sunday morning, download our daily podcast, watch on YouTube, the new Joel Osteen Network, social media, listen on SiriusXM. We'll keep you encouraged and inspired. Until we see you next time, may the Lord bless you and keep you. Be sure to request your copy of Chosen. Your life is marked for distinction, plus our exclusive chosen.
Starting point is 00:30:13 t-shirt from Copperfit. Visit Joel Osteen.com or call 888-567 Joel. For an additional donation this month, we are also offering the NLT Large Print Thinline Reference Bible. This Bible also enables you to connect through your smartphone or tablet to a vast power-packed array of study notes, devotionals, interactive maps, videos, and worship music. You can request these inspiring resources by calling 888-567, Joel, or logging on to joelosteen.com today. Call or click anytime, 24 hours a day. Yes, God has chosen you for a reason, for a purpose. Request your copies today.

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