JOEL OSTEEN: WELL, GOD
BLESS YOU.
IT'S A JOY TO COME INTO YOUR
HOMES, AND IF YOU'RE EVER IN
OUR AREA, PLEASE STOP BY.
I PROMISE YOU, WE WILL MAKE
YOU FEEL RIGHT AT HOME.
I LIKE TO START WITH
SOMETHING FUNNY, AND I HEARD
ABOUT THIS POSITIVE FARMER
AND NEGATIVE FARMER.
WHEN IT WOULD RAIN, THE
POSITIVE FARMER WOULD SAY,
"LORD, THANK YOU FOR WATERING
OUR CROPS."
THE NEGATIVE FARMER WOULD
SAY, "YEAH, BUT IF IT KEEPS
THIS UP, IT'S GOING TO ROT
THE ROOTS."
WHEN THE SUN CAME OUT, THE
POSITIVE FARMER, "LORD, THANK
YOU FOR GIVING OUR PLANTS
VALUABLE NUTRIENTS."
THE NEGATIVE FARMER, "YEAH,
BUT IF IT KEEPS IT UP, IT'S
GOING TO SCORCH THE CROPS."
ONE DAY, THEY WENT BIRD
HUNTING TOGETHER IN A BOAT.
THE POSITIVE FARMER JUST GOT
A NEW BIRD DOG.
HE WAS SO PROUD OF HIM.
HE SHOT A BIRD--FELL IN THE
WATER.
SAID TO THE NEGATIVE FARMER,
"WATCH THIS."
THE DOG JUMPED OUT OF THE
BOAT, RAN ON TOP OF THE
WATER, PICKED UP THE BIRD,
RAN BACK ON TOP OF THE WATER,
PUT IT IN THE BOAT.
HE SAID, "WHAT'D YOU THINK?"
THE NEGATIVE FARMER SAID, "I
SHOULD'VE KNOWN IT.
THAT DOG CAN'T EVEN SWIM."
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'LL BOLDLY CONFESS: MY MIND
IS ALERT, MY HEART IS
RECEPTIVE, I WILL NEVER BE
THE SAME.
IN JESUS'S NAME."
GOD BLESS YOU.
I WANT TO TALK TO YOU TODAY
ABOUT "IT'S WORTH THE WAIT."
WE ALL HAVE THINGS THAT WE'RE
WAITING FOR: A DREAM TO COME
TO PASS, PROBLEM TO TURN
AROUND, TO MEET THE RIGHT
PERSON.
WHEN IT'S TAKING LONGER THAN
WE THOUGHT, IT'S EASY TO GET
DISCOURAGED, TO BECOME
IMPATIENT AND THINK, "WHEN IS
IT EVER GOING TO HAPPEN?"
BUT SOMETIMES IT'S NOT
HAPPENING BECAUSE WE'RE NOT
PREPARED FOR WHAT GOD HAS
PREPARED.
YOU'RE READY FOR WHAT YOU
HAVE IN MIND, BUT IF YOU
COULD SEE WHAT GOD HAS IN
MIND, YOU WOULD REALIZE YOU
COULDN'T HANDLE IT RIGHT NOW.
YOU NEED MORE TIME TO GROW,
TO DEVELOP, TO GAIN
EXPERIENCE.
THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, "LET
PATIENCE HAVE ITS PERFECT
WORK."
PATIENCE IS DEVELOPED IN THE
"WAIT" ROOM.
WHEN I WAS PLAYING SPORTS IN
HIGH SCHOOL, THE COACH WOULD
HAVE US SPEND AN HOUR A DAY
LIFTING WEIGHTS.
I DIDN'T WANT TO DO THAT.
I WANTED TO PLAY BASKETBALL.
THAT SEEMED LIKE A WASTE OF
TIME.
BUT IN THAT WEIGHT ROOM, WE
WERE GETTING STRONGER,
BUILDING ENDURANCE SO WE
COULD SUCCEED ON THE COURT.
BEFORE YOU SEE WHAT GOD
PROMISED, BEFORE YOU GET ON
THE COURT, GOD WILL SEND YOU
TO THE WAIT ROOM, W-A-I-T.
YOU MAY NOT LIKE IT.
YOU DON'T SEE ANYTHING
HAPPENING.
OTHER PEOPLE ARE IN THE GAME,
MAKING PROGRESS.
YOU'RE STUCK WAITING, BUT
THAT TIME IN THE WAIT ROOM IS
CRITICAL.
YOU MAY NOT SEE ANYTHING
CHANGING, BUT SOMETHING IS
HAPPENING.
PATIENCE IS WORKING.
YOUR SPIRITUAL MUSCLES ARE
GETTING STRONGER.
YOU'RE GROWING, DEVELOPING.
PATIENCE IS BUILDING YOU,
GETTING YOU PREPARED SO YOU
CAN SUSTAIN WHAT GOD HAS
COMING.
DON'T DISCOUNT THE WAITING
PERIODS.
DON'T GET DISCOURAGED BECAUSE
IT'S NOT HAPPENING AS FAST AS
YOU WOULD LIKE.
THE LONGER IT TAKES, THAT
MEANS THE MORE GOD HAS IN
STORE.
WHEN IT'S YOUR TIME, WHEN HE
KNOWS YOU'RE READY, WHAT YOU
GIVE BIRTH TO IS GOING TO BE
MUCH BIGGER THAN YOU'VE
IMAGINED.
HEBREWS SAYS, "YOU HAVE NEED
OF PATIENCE SO YOU CAN
RECEIVE THE PROMISES."
WE KNOW WE NEED TO HAVE
FAITH.
WE KNOW WE NEED TO BELIEVE.
THOSE THINGS SEEM OBVIOUS,
BUT THIS SAYS WE NEED
PATIENCE IF WE'RE GOING TO
SEE PROMISES COME TO PASS.
MAYBE YOU'VE BEEN PRAYING,
BELIEVING, BEING YOUR BEST,
BUT YOU DON'T SEE ANYTHING
CHANGING.
YOU'RE TEMPTED TO LIVE
STRESSED.
HAVE A NEW PERSPECTIVE.
YOU'RE IN THE WAIT ROOM.
YOU'RE NOT MISSING OUT.
YOU'RE NOT FALLING BEHIND.
GOD HAS YOU RIGHT WHERE HE
WANTS YOU.
THAT PROMISE IS RIGHT ON
SCHEDULE.
NOW DO YOUR PART AND WAIT
WITH A GOOD ATTITUDE, NOT
UPSET, COMPLAINING, "WHEN IS
IT EVER GOING TO HAPPEN?"
NO, TURN IT AROUND: "FATHER,
THANK YOU THAT WHAT YOU
STARTED IN MY LIFE, YOU WILL
FINISH.
THANK YOU THAT WHAT YOU
PROMISED IS ON THE WAY."
IF YOU WILL WAIT WITH THE
RIGHT ATTITUDE, AFTER
PATIENCE HAS DONE ITS WORK,
YOU'RE GOING TO SEE PROMISES
COME TO PASS, BUT WE SEE
WAITING AS NEGATIVE.
WE DON'T LIKE IT.
NOTHING IS HAPPENING.
WE'RE INTERESTED IN THE
DESTINATION, BUT GOD IS
INTERESTED IN THE JOURNEY.
HE'S WORKING ON US ALONG THE
WAY.
WHEN WE UNDERSTAND THAT
WAITING DOESN'T MEAN NOTHING
IS HAPPENING, DOESN'T MEAN
GOD HAS FORGOTTEN ABOUT US,
IT'S ALL A PART OF THE
PROCESS, THEN WE CAN STAY IN
FAITH, KNOWING THAT, AT THE
RIGHT TIME, GOD WILL GET US
TO WHERE WE'RE SUPPOSED TO
BE.
DAVID WAITED 13 YEARS TO TAKE
THE THRONE AFTER THE PROPHET
SAMUEL ANOINTED HIM TO BE THE
NEXT KING.
GOD COULD'VE TAKEN HIM
STRAIGHT TO THE THRONE, BUT
DAVID WASN'T READY.
HE HAD TO GO THROUGH A TIME
OF TESTING, AND DURING THOSE
13 YEARS, HE FAITHFULLY TOOK
CARE OF HIS FATHER'S SHEEP.
SEEMED LIKE A MENIAL
POSITION.
HE KNEW HE HAD BIGGER THINGS
IN HIM.
HE HAD HEARD THE PROPHET SAY
THAT HE WAS A KING, BUT HAD
DAVID NOT PASSED THE TEST IN
THE WAIT ROOM, HE WOULD'VE
NEVER HAVE MADE IT TO THE
THRONE.
HE HAD TO SHOW GOD HE WOULD
TAKE CARE OF HIS FATHER'S
SHEEP BEFORE GOD WOULD TRUST
HIM TO TAKE CARE OF HIS
SHEEP, THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL.
WHILE YOU WAIT, BE YOUR BEST
WHERE YOU ARE.
THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT TIME.
GOD IS WATCHING TO SEE IF
YOU'RE READY.
HERE'S THE KEY: IF WHAT
YOU'RE PRAYING ABOUT ISN'T
CHANGING, THEN GOD IS USING
THAT SITUATION TO CHANGE YOU.
IF IT'S NOT WORKING OUT, THEN
IT'S WORKING OUT SOMETHING IN
YOU.
ALL THINGS ARE WORKING FOR
YOUR GOOD.
WHEN WE ACQUIRED THE COMPAQ
CENTER, A COMPANY FILED A
LAWSUIT TO TRY TO KEEP US
FROM MOVING IN.
I HAD ALREADY ANNOUNCED TO
THE CONGREGATION THAT IT WAS
OURS.
PEOPLE HAD GIVEN TO HELP
RENOVATE IT.
NOW THERE WAS A CHANCE IT
WASN'T GOING TO HAPPEN.
THOUGHTS TOLD ME, "JOEL,
YOU'RE GOING TO LOOK LIKE A
FOOL.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE
THE FUNDS BACK.
IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG MESS."
I WAS TEMPTED TO WORRY, LIVE
STRESSED OUT, BUT I PRAYED
LIKE I HAD NEVER PRAYED.
WHEN I WOKE UP IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE NIGHT, THINKING, "THE
OPPOSITION IS TOO BIG," "IT'S
NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN," I'D
TURN IT AROUND: "FATHER,
THANK YOU THAT YOU BEING FOR
ME IS MORE THAN THE WORLD
BEING AGAINST ME."
THIS WENT ON MONTH AFTER
MONTH, EVEN YEAR AFTER YEAR.
I WAS IN THE WAIT ROOM.
I HAD THE PROMISE, BUT
NOTHING WAS IMPROVING.
I DIDN'T LIKE IT, BUT
SOMETHING WAS HAPPENING THAT
I COULDN'T SEE: I WAS
GROWING.
I WAS DEVELOPING A GREATER
TRUST IN GOD.
IN THAT WAIT ROOM, I LEARNED
TO STAND STRONG, EVEN WHEN IT
SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE.
I LIFT WEIGHTS NOW AT HOME
AND, WHEN I'M ON THE BENCH, I
PUSH THE BARBELL UP AND DOWN,
BUT WHAT'S INTERESTING IS THE
WEIGHT NEVER CHANGES.
THE ONLY THING IN THE WAIT
ROOM THAT EVER CHANGES IS ME.
THE SITUATION YOU'RE IN MAY
NOT BE CHANGING, THEN YOU'RE
IN THE WAIT ROOM.
IF IT'S NOT CHANGING, DON'T
WORRY.
YOU'RE CHANGING.
PATIENTS IS WORKING.
YOU'RE GETTING STRONGER, MORE
DETERMINED.
IT'S PREPARING YOU.
ALMOST THREE YEARS LATER,
THAT COMPANY DROPPED THE
LAWSUIT, AND WE GOT THE
BUILDING.
IT WAS A GREAT VICTORY, BUT
THINK OF THIS: GOD COULD'VE
GIVEN ME THE VICTORY THE
FIRST WEEK JUST AS EASILY.
HE COULD'VE DONE IT SUDDENLY
AND TURNED IT AROUND RIGHT
AWAY, AND I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD
TO SPEND ALL THAT TIME IN THE
WAIT ROOM.
WOULD'VE BEEN SO MUCH EASIER.
THE PROBLEM IS, I WOULDN'T
HAVE BEEN PREPARED FOR WHAT
WAS COMING.
I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO
HANDLE THE GROWTH, THE
INFLUENCE, THE OPPOSITION.
GOD HAD TO GET ME STRONGER.
HE DIDN'T USE THE GOOD TIMES.
HE USED THE RESISTANCE.
YOU DON'T GROW WHEN
EVERYTHING IS EASY.
IN THOSE THREE YEARS, I
LEARNED TO TRUST GOD IN A NEW
WAY.
I DEVELOPED A GREATER
RESOLVE, A GREATER
CONFIDENCE.
YOU CAN'T GET THAT OVERNIGHT.
THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN ON A
WEEKEND.
IT TAKES TIME.
WHEN JOSEPH WAS IN PRISON
UNFAIRLY ALL THOSE YEARS,
SAYS IN PSALMS, "HIS FEET
WERE IN CHAINS OF IRON, AND
HIS SOUL ENTERED INTO THAT
IRON."
HE DIDN'T LIKE IT, BUT THOSE
CHALLENGES WERE DEVELOPING
SOMETHING IN HIM: COURAGE,
STRENGTH, ENDURANCE, THAT HE
COULDN'T GET ANY OTHER WAY.
IT HAPPENED IN THE WAIT ROOM,
AND I'LL ADMIT, I DON'T LIKE
TO WAIT.
I LIKE TO MOVE FAST.
I LIKE TO MAKE PROGRESS.
I LIKE TO GET THINGS DONE.
MY PRAYER USED TO BE, "GOD,
DO IT NOW.
DO IT IN A HURRY.
DO IT FAST," BUT I'VE LEARNED
SOME THINGS TAKE TIME.
WE LIVE IN A MICROWAVE
SOCIETY, BUT WE SERVE A
CROCK-POT GOD.
YOU CAN'T GET MICROWAVE
MATURITY, MICROWAVE BROKE,
MICROWAVE ANOINTING.
SO MUCH IS DEVELOPED IN THE
PROCESS.
SOMETIMES PEOPLE SAY TO ME,
"JOEL, PRAY THAT GOD WILL
GIVE ME YOUR ANOINTING."
I KNOW THEY'RE BEING
RESPECTFUL, BUT I WANT TO
SAY, "YOU CAN'T HAVE MY
ANOINTING WITHOUT GOING
THROUGH WHAT I'VE BEEN
THROUGH, WITHOUT THE
SACRIFICES, WITHOUT THE
CLOSED DOORS, WITHOUT THE
LOSS, WITHOUT FACING THE
GIANTS."
THERE'S A PRICE TO PAY TO BE
PREPARED.
IN THAT WAIT ROOM, WHEN
YOU'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING
BUT NOTHING'S CHANGING, YOU
HAVE THE PROMISE BUT YOU'RE
NOT MAKING PROGRESS,
REMEMBER, SOMETHING IS
HAPPENING: YOU'RE GROWING.
YOU'RE DEVELOPING.
YOU MAY NOT LIKE IT, BUT YOU
CAN'T BYPASS THE PROCESS.
YOU CAN'T SKIP THE WAIT ROOM
AND REACH THE FULLNESS OF
YOUR DESTINY.
WHEN MY FATHER WENT TO BE
WITH THE LORD, I STEPPED UP
TO PASTOR THE CHURCH.
THINGS BEGAN TO GROW.
ALL OF THE SUDDEN, I WAS IN
THE SPOTLIGHT.
PEOPLE WERE WATCHING AND
COMING.
SOMEONE REFERRED TO ME AS AN
"OVERNIGHT SUCCESS," SAID
THAT I HAD COME OUT OF
NOWHERE, BUT THE TRUTH IS, I
HAD BEEN IN THE WAIT ROOM FOR
17 YEARS BEHIND THE SCENES
HERE AT LAKEWOOD.
I DIDN'T KNOW IT THEN, BUT
GOD WAS GETTING ME PREPARED
FOR WHAT I'M DOING NOW.
HAD I NOT BEEN MY BEST WHERE
I WAS, HAD I NOT BEEN
FAITHFUL TO SERVE MY FATHER,
TO TRYING TO MAKE HIM LOOK
GOOD, CARRYING OUT HIS
VISION, THEN GOD COULDN'T
HAVE TRUSTED ME WITH MY OWN
VISION.
WHAT AM I SAYING?
KEEP A GOOD ATTITUDE WHEN
IT'S NOT HAPPENING AS FAST AS
YOU WOULD LIKE.
DAVID SAID, "GOD, MY TIMES
ARE IN YOUR HANDS."
IT'S VERY POWERFUL WHEN YOU
CAN SAY, "GOD, I NOT ONLY
TRUST YOUR WAYS, BUT I TRUST
YOUR TIMING.
I KNOW, AT THE RIGHT TIME,
WHEN I'M READY, WHEN I CAN
HANDLE IT, YOU WILL TAKE ME
TO NEW LEVELS OF MY DESTINY."
BUT THE MISTAKE WE MAKE TOO
OFTEN IS WE GET IN A HURRY
AND TRY TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN
IN OUR OWN TIMING.
THIS IS WHAT THE YOUNG MAN
DID IN THE STORY OF THE
PRODIGAL SON.
HE WENT TO HIS FATHER AND
SAID, "GIVE ME THE PORTION OF
GOODS THAT BELONGED TO ME."
THEY WERE RIGHTFULLY HIS.
IT WAS HIS INHERITANCE, BUT A
BLESSING GIVEN AT THE WRONG
TIME IS NOT A BLESSING, AND
SOMETHING MAY HAVE YOUR NAME
ON IT, YOU KNOW GOD HAS PUT
IT IN YOUR HEART, BUT IF IT
HAPPENS TOO SOON AND YOU'RE
NOT PREPARED, THE BLESSING
WILL BECOME A BURDEN.
A GOOD FATHER WON'T GIVE A
GOOD GIFT AT THE WRONG TIME.
WHEN OUR DAUGHTER ALEXANDRA
TURNED 18, WE GOT HER A CAR.
I LOVED HER JUST AS MUCH WHEN
SHE WAS FIVE YEARS OLD.
I WOULD'VE DONE ANYTHING FOR
HER.
I HAD THE FUNDS, BUT I KNEW,
GIVING HER A CAR AT FIVE
WOULDN'T BE A BLESSING.
SOMETIMES GOD PROVES HIS LOVE
TO US BY WHAT HE'S NOT
LETTING US HAVE.
DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT'S NEVER
GOING TO HAPPEN.
WE JUST HAVE TO SPEND MORE
TIME IN THE WAIT ROOM,
GROWING, DEVELOPING, GAINING
EXPERIENCE, LEARNING TO TRUST
GOD, LEARNING TO FORGIVE,
LEARNING TO KEEP A GOOD
ATTITUDE WHEN THINGS AREN'T
GOING OUR WAY.
THE SOONER WE PASS THESE
TESTS, THE SOONER GOD WILL
RELEASE WHAT BELONGS TO US.
SEE, THE PRODIGAL SON GOT HIS
INHERITANCE TOO SOON.
HE WENT OUT AND WASTED IT,
SPENT IT ALL LIVING WILDLY.
I USED TO PRAY, "GOD, GIVE ME
EVERYTHING IN A HURRY."
NOW I'VE LEARNED TO PRAY,
"GOD, DON'T GIVE ME ANYTHING
TOO SOON.
DON'T TAKE ME ANYWHERE
THAT I CAN'T HANDLE.
DON'T OPEN A DOOR THAT I
DON'T HAVE THE GRACE TO BE
THERE."
THE PRODIGAL SON WANTED HIS
PREPARED BLESSING.
THE PROBLEM WAS, HE WAS
UNPREPARED.
HE COULDN'T SUSTAIN THE
WEIGHT OF WHAT GOD HAD IN
STORE FOR HIM, AND ONE REASON
WE GET IN A HURRY IS WE THINK
WE'RE FALLING BEHIND: OUR
FRIEND IS GETTING MARRIED.
OUR CO-WORKER GOT PROMOTED.
THE NEIGHBORS MOVED INTO A
NEW HOUSE.
WE GOT TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.
WE'RE BEING LEFT OUT.
WELL, HERE'S THE KEY: WHAT
HAS YOUR NAME ON IT WILL NOT
GO TO ANYONE ELSE.
WHAT BELONGS TO YOU WILL NOT
GO TO ANOTHER PERSON.
"WELL, JOEL, THIS GUY MAY GET
AWAY.
IF I DON'T DO SOMETHING NOW,
IF I DON'T COMPROMISE, HE MAY
NOT STICK AROUND."
IF YOU HAVE TO COMPROMISE,
HE'S NOT THE RIGHT ONE.
GOD HAS SOMEBODY ORDAINED FOR
YOU, SOMEBODY BETTER THAN YOU
CAN IMAGINE.
YOU WON'T HAVE TO BEG THEM TO
STAY, TALK THEM INTO CALLING
YOU, CONVINCE THEM TO
SPENDING TIME.
THEY'LL BE SO IN LOVE WITH
YOU, YOU CAN'T GET RID OF
THEM.
THEY'LL TREAT YOU LIKE A
QUEEN, LIKE A KING.
STAY IN THAT WAIT ROOM, BE
PATIENT.
YOU MAY BE READY, BUT GOD'S
STILL WORKING ON THE OTHER
PERSON.
DAVID WAS OUT IN THE
SHEPHERDS' FIELDS WHEN THE
PROPHET SAMUEL CAME TO HIS
HOUSE TO ANOINT ONE OF THE
SONS AS THE NEXT KING.
DAVID'S FATHER, JESSE, DIDN'T
EVEN BRING DAVID IN.
HE THOUGHT, "THERE'S NO WAY
IT'S DAVID.
HE'S TOO YOUNG."
WHEN SAMUEL WENT TO POUR THE
OIL ON THE OTHER SEVEN SONS,
THE OIL WOULDN'T FLOW.
I CAN IMAGINE HIM TURNING THE
BOTTLE UPSIDE DOWN, HITTING
IT.
NOTHING WOULD COME OUT.
GOD WAS SHOWING US, NO MATTER
HOW HARD SOMEONE TRIES TO GET
WHAT'S YOURS, THEY MAY
MANIPULATE, CONNIVE, IGNORE,
LEAVE YOU OUT, THE OIL IS NOT
GOING TO FLOW TO THEM.
WHAT HAS YOUR NAME ON IT IS
COMING YOUR WAY.
THE PERSON, THE JOB, THE
HOUSE, THE OPPORTUNITY, THE
PROMOTION CANNOT GO TO ANYONE
ELSE.
THAT'S WHY WE DON'T HAVE TO
LIVE JEALOUS OR ENVIOUS OF
OTHER PEOPLE.
"WELL, JOEL, MY COWORKER GOT
THE PROMOTION THAT I WORKED
SO HARD FOR.
THEY PLAYED POLITICS.
IT WASN'T FAIR."
IF IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE
YOURS, YOU WOULD HAVE IT.
STAY IN THE WAIT ROOM.
KEEP A GOOD ATTITUDE, KEEP
GROWING, KEEP PASSING THE
TEST.
WHAT GOD HAS FOR YOU IS ON
THE WAY.
THE REASON IT'S TAKING LONGER
IS BECAUSE IT'S MUCH BIGGER,
MUCH MORE REWARDING THAN YOU
THOUGHT.
WHEN YOU SEE WHAT GOD DID,
YOU'LL SAY, "IT WAS WORTH THE
WAIT."
WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON GOD
BRINGS INTO YOUR LIFE,
SOMEBODY BETTER THAN YOU
DREAMED, YOU'LL SAY, "IT WAS
WORTH THE WAIT."
THE CONTRACT DIDN'T GO
THROUGH FOR THE LAST HOUSE.
YOU WERE DISAPPOINTED.
WHEN YOU SEE THE NEW DOOR GOD
OPENS, YOU'RE GOING TO SAY,
"IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT."
WHEN WE WERE TRYING TO BUY
PROPERTY TO BUILD A NEW
SANCTUARY, TWICE, THE LAND
WAS SOLD OUT FROM UNDER US.
I WAS DISAPPOINTED.
I THOUGHT THE DREAM WAS
COMING TRUE, BUT GOD SENT ME
BACK TO THE WAIT ROOM.
SEEMED LIKE WE WERE STUCK.
OUT OF NOWHERE, THE COMPAQ
CENTER OPENED UP.
I DIDN'T GO AFTER IT.
IT CAME AFTER ME.
I CAN TELL YOU, STANDING HERE
TODAY, IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT.
YOU COULDN'T PAY ME TO TAKE
THOSE OTHER PROPERTIES.
THIS IS WHAT GOD HAD IN MIND,
SOMETHING MORE THAN WE COULD
IMAGINE.
NOW, MAYBE THE DOOR DIDN'T
OPEN FOR YOU.
THE JOB, THE POSITION, THE
RELATIONSHIP DIDN'T WORK OUT.
THAT MEANS GOD HAS SOMETHING
BETTER.
STAY IN FAITH, AND ONE DAY,
YOU'LL SEE IT WAS WORTH THE
WAIT.
I READ WHERE AN ELEPHANT IS
PREGNANT FOR ALMOST TWO
YEARS, THE ANIMAL IS SO
LARGE, TAKES A LONG TIME FOR
THE BABY ELEPHANT TO DEVELOP.
ELEPHANT'S GIVE BIRTH TO ONLY
ONE BABY PER PREGNANCY.
A DOG, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS
PREGNANT FOR ONLY 63 DAYS.
AFTER TWO MONTHS, THE MOTHER
CAN GIVE BIRTH FROM BETWEEN
FIVE AND EIGHT PUPPIES,
TYPICALLY.
IMAGINE THE ELEPHANT AND DOG
HAVING A CONVERSATION.
THE DOG SAYS, "I DON'T THINK
YOU'RE PREGNANT.
I GAVE BIRTH AFTER TWO
MONTHS.
SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH YOU."
THE DOG GOES OUT AND GETS
PREGNANT AGAIN AND AGAIN,
GIVING BIRTH EVERY SEVERAL
MONTHS.
TWO YEARS LATER, THE DOG
COMES BACK TO THE ELEPHANT
WITH 30 PUPPIES FOLLOWING.
HE SAYS, "I KNOW YOU'RE NOT
PREGNANT NOW.
LOOK AT ALL THESE PUPPIES.
I'VE GIVEN BIRTH MULTIPLE
TIMES."
THE ELEPHANT SAYS, "NO,
HERE'S THE DIFFERENCE: THE
REASON YOU'VE GIVEN BIRTH SO
MANY TIMES AND I'M STILL
PREGNANT IS BECAUSE WHAT I'M
CARRYING IS NOT SOMETHING
COMMON, NOT SOMETHING USUAL.
I'M ABOUT TO GIVE BIRTH TO
SOMETHING BIG, SOMETHING OUT
OF THE ORDINARY."
MAYBE YOU'VE BEEN IN THAT
WAIT ROOM A LONG TIME.
YOU'VE SEEN PEOPLE ACCOMPLISH
DREAMS, GET MARRIED, MOVE
INTO THEIR HOUSES.
THAT'S GREAT.
BE HAPPY FOR THEM.
BUT THE REASON IT'S TAKING SO
LONG FOR YOU, IS BECAUSE WHAT
YOU'RE CARRYING IS NOT A
PUPPY.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING SMALL.
YOU'RE ABOUT TO GIVE BIRTH TO
SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T KNOW WAS
IN YOU.
GOD'S ABOUT TO OPEN A DOOR
THAT YOU DIDN'T SEE COMING.
I THOUGHT I WAS CARRYING A
PUPPY.
I DIDN'T KNOW A COMPAQ CENTER
WAS IN ME.
DON'T GET DISCOURAGED BECAUSE
IT'S TAKEN LONGER.
THAT'S A SIGN THAT YOU'RE
CARRYING AN ELEPHANT.
WHAT YOU GIVE BIRTH TO IS
GOING TO SURPRISE PEOPLE: A
DREAM, A MINISTRY, A BUSINESS
THAT TOUCHES THE WORLD.
YOU'RE GOING TO GO FURTHER
THAN YOU THOUGHT, MAKE A
GREATER IMPACT THAN YOU'VE
IMAGINED.
THAT'S WHY YOU'VE BEEN IN THE
WAIT ROOM SO LONG.
WHEN PEOPLE TELL YOU, "I
DON'T KNOW, I DON'T THINK
YOU'RE PREGNANT.
IT WOULD'VE HAPPENED BY NOW";
"YOU STILL THINK YOU'RE GOING
TO MEET THE RIGHT PERSON?
STILL THINK YOU'RE GOING TO
GET THE PROMOTION?
STILL THINK YOU'RE GOING TO
PAY YOUR HOUSE OFF?
YOU'VE BEEN BELIEVING A LONG
TIME," JUST SAY, "YEAH, I
KNOW A SECRET.
I'M CARRYING AN ELEPHANT."
WHEN YOU GIVE BIRTH, YOU'RE
GOING TO SAY, "LOOK WHAT THE
LORD HAS DONE."
IT'S GOING TO BE MORE THAN
YOU'VE IMAGINED.
A FRIEND OF MINE THAT ATTENDS
LAKEWOOD WITH HIS FAMILY, HE
GREW UP IN SOUTH AMERICA.
HE GOT INVOLVED IN THE
MANAGEMENT OF PROFESSIONAL
BASKETBALL, RIGHT OUT OF
COLLEGE.
HE'S WORKED FOR THE HOUSTON
ROCKETS AS AN ASSISTANT TO
THE GENERAL MANAGER FOR
YEARS.
HIS DREAM IS TO BECOME A
GENERAL MANAGER.
SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES OPENED
UP.
HE WENT AND INTERVIEWED, BIG
POSITIONS, HAD HIS HOPES UP,
BUT IT DIDN'T WORK OUT.
I TALKED TO HIM A COUPLE OF
YEARS AFTER HE WAS TURNED
DOWN BY ANOTHER TEAM.
HE WAS SO CLOSE, BUT THEY
SAID, "NO," AND CHOSE
SOMEBODY ELSE.
THESE DOORS KEPT CLOSING.
HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT, BUT
HE KEPT BEING HIS BEST.
HE WAS IN THE WAIT ROOM.
OTHERS WERE BEING PROMOTED.
SEEMED LIKE HE WAS BEING
BYPASSED, BUT WHAT HAS YOUR
NAME ON IT, IT'S NOT GOING TO
GO TO ANYONE ELSE.
IN THE SAME WAY, YOU CAN'T
OPEN A DOOR THAT GOD HAS
CLOSED, AND SOMETIMES GOD HAS
TO SHUT THE DOOR BECAUSE WHAT
WE'RE BELIEVING FOR IS TOO
SMALL.
GOD HAS SOMETHING MUCH
BIGGER.
HE LOVES YOU TOO MUCH TO LET
YOU MISS YOUR DESTINY.
AFTER BEING TURNED DOWN AGAIN
AND AGAIN, A FEW MONTHS AGO,
HE FLEW TO MINNESOTA TO
INTERVIEW WITH THE
TIMBERWOLVES PROFESSIONAL
BASKETBALL TEAM.
THEY DIDN'T JUST OFFER HIM
THE POSITION OF GENERAL
MANAGER, LIKE HE WAS HOPING.
THEY OFFERED HIM THE POSITION
OF PRESIDENT OF THE WHOLE
ORGANIZATION.
ONE REPORT SAID, "THEY GAVE
HIM THE KEYS TO THE CAR."
NOW MY FRIEND GERSSON ROSAS
IS THE HIGHEST-RANKING LATINO
IN ALL OF PROFESSIONAL
BASKETBALL.
WHEN IT'S TAKING LONGER THAN
YOU THOUGHT, IT'S BECAUSE
YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE BIRTH TO
AN ELEPHANT, SOMETHING
BIGGER, SOMETHING MORE
REWARDING THAN YOU'VE
IMAGINED.
NOW, KEEP A GOOD ATTITUDE IN
THE WAIT ROOM.
WHEN DOORS ARE CLOSING, WHEN
YOU'RE BEING BYPASSED, CAN I
ENCOURAGE YOU?
YOUR TIME IS COMING.
THERE'S A BIRTH IN YOUR
FUTURE.
THERE'S SOMETHING BIG,
SOMETHING THAT YOU WEREN'T
EXPECTING.
WHEN YOU SEE WHAT GOD WAS UP
TO, YOU'RE GOING TO LOOK BACK
AND SAY, LIKE MY FRIEND
GERSSON, "IT WAS WORTH THE
WAIT."
PSALMS 37, SAYS, "DON'T BE
IMPATIENT FOR THE LORD TO
ACT.
TRAVEL STEADY ALONG HIS PATH.
HE WILL HONOR YOU AND GIVE
YOU THE LAND."
WHEN YOU'RE FAITHFUL IN THE
WAIT ROOM, WHEN YOU DON'T GET
IMPATIENT, YOU DON'T GET
FRUSTRATED BY CLOSED DOORS,
YOU DON'T LIVE JEALOUS OF
OTHERS, BECAUSE YOU'RE
TRAVELING STEADY, HONORING
GOD, HE WILL GIVE YOU THE
LAND.
THAT MEANS YOU DON'T HAVE TO
MAKE THINGS HAPPEN IN YOUR
OWN STRENGTH.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO MANIPULATE
PEOPLE, TRY TO FORCE THE
DOORS TO OPEN.
GOD WILL GIVE YOU THE
POSITION, GIVE YOU THE
SPOUSE, GIVE YOU THE
INFLUENCE, GIVE YOU THE
COMPAQ CENTER.
DON'T FIGHT THE WAIT ROOM.
YOU'RE NOT FALLING BEHIND.
GOD HAS ALREADY LINED UP THE
LAND HE'S GOING TO GIVE YOU.
HE'S ALREADY PUT YOUR NAME ON
THINGS BIGGER AND BETTER THAN
YOU CAN IMAGINE.
NOW KEEP TRAVELING STEADY,
KEEP TRUSTING GOD EVEN THOUGH
YOU DON'T SEE ANYTHING
CHANGING.
WHEN I WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD,
IT WAS CHRISTMASTIME.
I WENT WITH MY FATHER TO BUY
A BICYCLE FOR MY LITTLE
SISTER APRIL.
HE WANTED ME TO HELP PICK OUT
WHAT I THOUGHT SHE WOULD
LIKE.
WE WERE AT THE STORE, LOOKING
AT ALL THESE BIKES.
HE HAD ME GET ON DIFFERENT
ONES TO TRY THEM ON, SEE IF I
THOUGHT THEY WOULD FIT HER.
AFTER A HALF AN HOUR, WE
PICKED HER OUT A BIKE.
HE WAS GOING TO GO BACK LATER
AND GET IT.
IN A COUPLE OF DAYS, I
NOTICED ON OUR BACK PATIO, A
BIG SHEET COVERING THE BIKE
THAT WE HAD BOUGHT HER.
THEN I WENT OVER TO LIFT IT
UP TO TAKE A PEEK.
MY FATHER SAID, "NO, JOEL, I
DON'T WANT YOU TO LOOK AT
IT."
I SAID, "WHY NOT?
I'VE ALREADY SEEN IT."
HE SAID, "I JUST DON'T WANT
YOU TO."
HE DIDN'T GIVE ME A REASON.
WHEN HE WASN'T THERE, I WAS
TEMPTED TO GO OVER AND LOOK,
BUT UNLIKE MY BROTHER PAUL, I
OBEYED MY PARENTS.
IF IT WOULD'VE BEEN VICTORIA,
SHE WOULD'VE TAKEN THE BIKE
OUT AND RIDDEN IT.
BUT THIS WAS A COUPLE OF
WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
EVERY DAY I ASKED MY FATHER
IF I COULD LOOK AT THE BIKE.
HE TOLD ME, "NO," AGAIN AND
AGAIN.
I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND IT.
WHAT WAS IT GOING TO HURT?
CHRISTMAS MORNING FINALLY
CAME AROUND, AND ALL OF US
KIDS SLEPT IN THE DEN
TOGETHER.
SIX O'CLOCK, WE WENT AND WOKE
MY PARENTS UP.
WE OPENED ALL THE GIFTS UNDER
THE TREE.
THEN MY FATHER SAID, "APRIL,
THERE'S ANOTHER GIFT FOR YOU,
OUT ON THE PATIO."
WE ALL WENT OUT.
MY FATHER TOOK THE SHEET OFF.
THERE WASN'T JUST ONE BIKE
THERE.
THERE WERE TWO BIKES, ONE FOR
ME, AS WELL.
MY FATHER HAD TAKEN ME TO THE
STORE, REALLY, TO FIND OUT
WHAT I LIKED.
SORRY, APRIL, THAT'S WHY YOU
GOT A BOY'S BIKE.
SOMETIMES--THAT'S FUNNY,
ISN'T IT?
SOMETIMES GOD IS NOT LETTING
US SEE SOMETHING NOW BECAUSE
IT'S NOT THE RIGHT TIME.
HE'S GOT THE COVER ON IT, BUT
WHEN YOU COME OUT OF THE WAIT
ROOM, WHEN IT'S YOUR TIME,
IT'S GOING TO SURPRISE YOU,
SOMETHING THAT YOU WEREN'T
EXPECTING.
IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME AT
THE TIME WHY MY FATHER
WOULDN'T LET ME LOOK.
NOW I UNDERSTAND WHY I HAD TO
WAIT: MY BIKE WAS UNDER
THERE.
YOU MAY NOT UNDERSTAND WHY
YOU'RE HAVING TO WAIT, BUT
GOD HAS A REASON.
THERE ARE SOME THINGS HE HAS
COVERED FOR YOU RIGHT NOW.
WHEN HE UNCOVERS THEM, YOU'RE
GOING TO SAY, "IT WAS WORTH
THE WAIT."
NOW MY CHALLENGE: DON'T BE
IMPATIENT FOR GOD TO ACT.
DON'T BE DISCOURAGED BY
WHAT'S NOT HAPPENING.
GOD IS WORKING.
IN THAT WAIT ROOM, HE'S
GETTING YOU PREPARED FOR WHAT
HE HAS PREPARED.
THE REASON IT'S TAKING LONGER
IS YOU HAVE SOMETHING BIG IN
YOU, NOT A PUPPY, BUT AN
ELEPHANT.
IF YOU WILL STAY IN THAT WAIT
ROOM WITH A GOOD ATTITUDE, IF
YOU'LL KEEP TRAVELING STEADY,
I BELIEVE AND DECLARE, GOD'S
ABOUT TO UNCOVER SOMETHING
YOU DIDN'T SEE COMING.
HE'S ABOUT TO SURPRISE YOU
WITH OPPORTUNITY, PROMOTION,
DIVINE CONNECTIONS, THE
FULLNESS OF YOUR DESTINIES,
IN JESUS'S NAME, AND IF YOU
RECEIVE IT, CAN YOU SAY,
"AMEN," TODAY?
WELL, I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU AN
OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE JESUS THE
LORD OF YOUR LIFE.
WOULD YOU PRAY WITH ME?
JUST SAY, "LORD JESUS, I
REPENT OF MY SINS.
COME INTO MY HEART.
I 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.
> JOEL: THANKS FOR
WATCHING THIS
MESSAGE. I HOPE
YOU ENJOYED IT.
WE UPLOAD NEW
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> VICTORIA: LET US
KNOW IN THE
COMMENTS BELOW HOW
THIS MESSAGE HAS
ENCOURAGED YOU.
WE WOULD LOVE TO
HEAR FROM YOU.
WE'RE PRAYING FOR
YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
WE'LL SEE YOU
NEXT TIME!
