Don't Settle For Good Enough | Joel Osteen

Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you enjoyed today's message, why don't you be a blessing and share it with a friend? We appreciate you and pray for God's very best in your life. Well, God bless you and welcome. So good to come into your homes and if you're ever in our area, I hope you'll stop by and be a part of one of our services. I promise you, we'll make you feel right at home. But thanks so much for tuning in today and thank you again for coming out. I like to start with something funny. And I heard about this senior citizen. He was driving down the freeway in his brand new Corvette with the top down going 80 miles an hour. When he noticed flashing lights from a state trooper behind him. Without thinking about it, he floored it to 100 miles an hour. The trooper flipped on his sirens and the man came to his senses and pulled over. Said, officer, I'm so sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. The state trooper said listen sir, it's friday at four o'clock My shift ends in 30 minutes if you can give me a reason for speeding that i've never heard before then i'll let you go He thought about it and said officer years ago My wife ran off with a state trooper and I thought you were bringing her back The officer said have a great weekend Hold up your bible say it like you mean it. This is my bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do. Today I will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert. My heart is receptive. I will never be the same in Jesus name. God bless you. I want to talk to you today about not settling for good enough. It's easy to think my marriage is not what it should be, but at least we're still together. It's good enough or I don't really like this job, but at least I'm employed. It's good enough I would love to make a's in school, but i'm not that smart. These c's are good enough Too many people are living with things that are less than god's best. They've lost their passion At one time they had a big dream. They were excited about their future But they hit some bumps along the way didn't happen on their timetable Now they've gotten discouraged thinking that it's never going to happen. They accept it as their lot in life But just because you haven't seen what god promised you come to pass doesn't mean that it's not going to happen Don't make the mistake of settling for good enough Good enough is not your destiny. You are a child of the most high god You have seeds of greatness on the inside You were created to excel, to live an abundant life. You may be struggling in your health, your finances, with an addiction. It's been that way a long time. Now you're just coasting thinking, what's the use? It's always going to be this way. No, you've got to get your fire back. It's not over until God says it's over. You've got to start believing again. Start dreaming again. Start pursuing what God put in your heart. Genesis 38, there's a story about a woman that was pregnant with twins. When she was giving birth, one of the baby's arms came out. The midwife tied a small cord around it and was going to gently pull him. But before she could, he pulled his arm back and his brother broke through and came out first. One stretched and one settled. Like this woman, on the inside of each one of us, there are two people. One says, I'm going to become everything God's created me to be. I can do all things through Christ. I'm surrounded by God's favor. The other says, you'll never get out of debt. The economy's too bad. You'll never lose the weight. Your metabolism is off. You'll never break that addiction. Just learn to live with it. One wants to stretch. The other wants to settle. Now you get to choose which person you're going to be. Too many people make the choice to settle. They believe the lies that you've reached your limits. You never get any good breaks. Where you are is where you're always going to be. Now, if you're going to see the fullness of what God has in store, you have to have the attitude, I'm not going to let good enough be good enough. I know I was created for greatness. I was created to excel, to live a healthy life, to overcome obstacles, to fulfill my destiny. I am not going to settle. I'm going to stretch. I'm going to let go of what didn't work out and reach forward to the new things God has in store. But some of you have lost your fire. At one time, you knew you would break that addiction. You knew you would beat that sickness. You knew you would get married, but you've gone through disappointments. Didn't happen the way you thought. Now you've accepted the fact that it's probably not going to happen. You've gotten comfortable with good enough. But God is saying to you what he said to the people of Israel. You have dwelt long enough on this mountain. It's time to move forward. God has new levels in front of you. New opportunities, new relationships, promotions, breakthroughs. But you've got to stir up what God put on the inside. the dreams, the promises that you pushed down, thought, oh, it's not going to happen, Joel. I'm too old. I don't have the connections. I don't know the right people. No, God has it all figured out. If you'll start believing again, start dreaming again, start pursuing what God put in your heart, God will make a way where you don't see a way. He'll connect you to the right people. He will open doors that no man can shut. What God spoke over your life, what he promised you in the night, what he whispered in your spirit, those hidden dreams he will bring to pass. See, just because you gave up on a dream doesn't mean God gave up. Just because you decided you're not going to get well, never break the addiction, never get married. You might have changed your mind, but the good news is God didn't change his mind. He still has a victorious plan in front of you. Why don't you get in agreement with God? I read a story about a young man that had a dream to play professional football. In high school, he was a star player, won all kinds of awards. He came from a very small town where everybody knew him. All the children looked up to him, wanted to be like him, a local hero. But most of the coaches thought he was too small to play in college. He was turned down by all the major universities. He ended up at a junior college working at a pizza restaurant, not even playing football. One night he was delivering a pizza. A 10-year-old boy answered the door. When this boy saw the young man, his eyes got so big. The boy was starstruck. He couldn't believe the player he had watched so many times thrill the crowd so quick, so fast, was standing right in front of him. About that time the boy's father walked up and the young man gave the father the pizza. The little boy was very confused. He looked up at his father He looked at the young man and said very innocently what are you doing delivering pizzas Those words from a 10 boy lit a new fire on the inside When he got off of work, he went to the gym and started training. That summer, he trained harder than he'd ever trained before. He gained 70 pounds, got bigger, stronger, quicker, faster. In the fall, he tried out at a major university where he always wanted to play. He not only made the team, but he became their star player. Two years ago, he was drafted in the first round to play professional football. Today, he is a star in the NFL living out his dream. But here's what he said. It would have never happened if that 10-year-old boy wouldn't have asked me, what are you doing selling pizzas? my question today Have you settled somewhere Way beneath what you know God has put in you Have you given up on a dream? Let go of a promise Because it didn't happen the first time You had a setback Somebody told you no, you're not talented enough. You're not big enough I ask you respectfully What are you doing there? You have so much in you You are full of talent ideas, creativity, potential. When God breathed his life into you, he put a part of himself in you. You have the DNA of almighty God. You were never created to be average, to barely get by, to always struggle, to just have to take the leftovers. You were created as the head and not the tail. You are equipped, empowered, fully loaded, lacking nothing. Don't you dare settle for second best. Don't get stuck in a rut thinking that you've reached your limits. Draw the line in the sand and say, that's it. I've let good enough be good enough long enough. Today is a new day. May not have happened the first time, the fifth time, or the 30th time, but I'm not going to settle. I'm going to start stretching my faith, looking for opportunities, taking steps to improve. I'm going to become everything God's created me to be. Listen, when you do the natural, God will show up and do the supernatural. When you do what you can, God will come and do what you cannot. Don't take the easy way out, stand strong and fight the good fight of faith. In the scripture, Abraham is listed as one of the heroes of faith. He's the one that God made one of the first covenants with. But what's interesting is God spoke to Abraham's father many years before and told him to go where he told Abraham. It says in Genesis 11 that Abraham's father left Ur and headed out toward Canaan. He had his goal. He was going to the promised land, just like God told Abraham. But it says he stopped along the way and settled in Haran. Why did he stop? There were too many difficulties. It was hard traveling with all of his flocks and herds. He had his family, his possessions, wasn't comfortable. He finally decided, I can't go any further. I know this isn't the promised land, but it's good enough. At least we can survive out here. At least we can make it. How many times do we do the same thing? We start off right. We've got a big dream. We're going to fulfill our destiny. But along the way, we face opposition. Adversity arises. Too many times we say like Abraham's father, what's the use? I'm never going to break this addiction. My marriage is never going to get better. I'll never accomplish my dreams. I'm just going to settle here. It's good enough. No, I want to light a new fire in you today. You are not weak, defeated, lacking. You have been armed with strength for every battle. That obstacle is no match for you. You have the most powerful force in the universe breathing in your direction. Now, don't be a weakling. Be a warrior. Your marriage is worth fighting for. Your health is worth fighting for your dreams your children. They are worth fighting for You got to dig your heels in and say I am in it to win it I know god didn't bring me this far to leave me here I'm, not going to settle halfway Three-fourths of the way or nine-tenths of the way i'm going to make it all the way in to my promised land If you're going to be victorious, you have to have a made up mind. You've got to be determined. You're not going to give up when it gets difficult. You're not going to complain because it's taken a long time. Not going to get discouraged because you went through a setback. You know everything God promised you is worth fighting for. So you are in it for the long haul. Now, some of you today, you need to pull up your stakes. you've camped halfway like Abraham's father. You've gotten comfortable and decided that your dreams are never going to come to pass. Your health is never going to improve. I'm asking you to pack up your tent, gather up your belongings, and start moving forward. You may have taken a temporary delay, but that's okay. That didn't stop your destiny. Today can be your new beginning. God is breathing new life into your spirit. He has greater victories in front of you. Get a vision for it. Well, you say, Joel, this sounds good, but I've been single a long time. I don't think I'll ever meet the right person. Or I work hard, but I never get any promotion. Every time you dwell on those negative, discouraging thoughts, you are digging another stake halfway toward your promised land. First place we lose the battle is in our own thinking. If you don't think you can be successful, then you never will be. If you don't think you can overcome the past, meet the right person, accomplish your dreams, you'll get stuck right where you are. You've got to change your thinking. Listen, right now, the creator of the universe is arranging things in your favor. He said no good thing will he withhold because you walk uprightly. He's not going to withhold the right person, the wisdom, the breaks, the turnaround. Get rid of a negative, defeated mentality. Make room in your thinking for the new thing God wants to do. He wants to take you all the way in to your promised land. I read about this professor at a major university. He was in class about to pass out the final exam, the most important test of the year. Before he did, he told his students how proud he was of them. And because they had worked so hard, he made them a special offer. He said anyone that would like an automatic C on this test Just raise your hand and i'll give you a C. You won't even have to take the test One hand slowly went up then another and another until about half of the students opted out of taking the test They walked out of the room so relieved so happy the professor went on to pass out the test to the rest of the students he placed it face down on the desk asked them not to turn it over until he instructed them to For the next few minutes he encouraged them about how they were going to do great things in life and how they should always strive to do their best. Then he gave the word that it was okay, turn the test over and get started. The test only had two sentences. It read, congratulations, you just made an A. This is what we do many times. We settle for a C, not realizing God has an A in our future. Joel, I don't think I'll ever get over this sickness. I'm just learning to live with it. That's taking a C. You've got to change your thinking. God is restoring health unto me. I will live and not die. I'm getting stronger, healthier, better. That's going for the A. Well, I'm getting up there in years. You know how your health starts to go downhill? That's taking a C. I'll never break this addiction. I've had it since high school. Another C. How about this one? Joel, this guy I'm dating, I know he's not good for me. He doesn't treat me right, but I may not ever meet anybody else. That's not a C. That's a D. That's an F. God has an A, but you'll never see it if you keep taking the C's. Yes, the C's are easier. You don't have to stretch. You don't have to get out of your comfort zone, but you'll never be truly fulfilled if you keep settling for C's. The good news is God already has A's in your future. He has the right person, a happy marriage, a successful career, health, wholeness, freedom, victory. Don't take the easy way out. The A's are worth fighting for. I can't think of much that would be sadder than to come to the end of life and have to wonder what could I have become if I didn't settle for good enough? What could I have been if I didn't take so many C's, but instead I press forward, striving to be my very best. You may have taken some C's in the past. We all have, but make a decision with me from now on. You're only going for the A's. I know some of you are thinking, well, Joel, I married a C. What should I do? You stick with him and make him into an A. But here's the key. Don't look at your husband now. That's the wrong time. Straight ahead. here's the key. If you're not seeing in your life, what God promised in your spirit, then keep moving forward. It's only temporary. Like the young man delivering pizzas. You may be doing something that's below your potential working at a job. You're not even using your gifts. Don't slack off when you're there. Keep being your best, but see that as only temporary. That's just a season that you're passing through. Don't put your stakes down. If where you're living doesn't match what God put in your spirit, be grateful, keep a good attitude, but see it as only temporary. Don't settle there. If the medical report doesn't agree with what God says about you, don't accept it as the way it's always going to be. Your attitude should be, this is just a season that I'm passing through. I'm coming into health. wholeness, victory. Even if it's something good, maybe God has blessed you, a family, a job, health. You've seen his favor, but you know, there are greater levels in front of you. It's easy to think, Joel, I'm happy. I have no complaints. God's been good to me, but I've learned that good is the enemy of great. You may be doing good. You're using your gifts, but deep down, you know, you have more in you. Don't let good be an excuse to keep you from God's best. Stir up your greatness, stretch into a new level. This is where the people of Israel missed it. God brought them out of slavery. They were headed toward the promised land, a land flowing with milk and honey. The spies came back and said, Moses, we have never seen such a magnificent land, so beautiful, luscious, green. The fruits and vegetables were like nothing they'd experienced. It took two people to carry the bushels of grapes. They were so big. That's the vision God had in front of them. That was the aid. But in the wilderness, they saw God's goodness. They saw God part the Red Sea, bring water out of a rock, rain down manna from heaven. But do you know that was all only temporary provision? That was only the sea. The mistake they made is when they came to the promised land, there were people living on it. All they had to do was fight for the land and God promised them the victory. The problem is that group was not willing to fight. They thought it's not worth it. It's too much trouble. Besides, those people are bigger than us anyway. I believe one reason they settled for the sea so easily is because they had seen God's favor in the wilderness. They thought it's not so bad out here. God takes care of us. He feeds us. He clothes us. It's good enough. They were too easily satisfied. They didn't realize everything God had done up to that point was only temporary provision. It was to take them in to their land of abundance. Most of you can say like me, you've seen God be good to you. God's blessed you with health, a family, a job. He's opened doors that should not have opened. He's shown your favor, protected you. Can I tell you that was only temporary provision. You have not made it into your promised land. God is taking you somewhere greater than you've ever imagined. The scripture says, no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined the amazing things God has in store for those that love the Lord. Now don't make the mistake they did and build a house where you should be pitching a tent. Don't let your temporary provision become permanent. Yes, God's been good to you, but you haven't seen anything yet. What God has in your future will supersede what you've seen in the past. Thank God for his goodness. Be grateful for the red seas that part. Thank him for the protection, the provision, the favor. But if it's not more than you can ask or think, be bold enough to pick up your stakes and say, God, this is all great. You've been awesome in my life and I thank you for it. But God, I believe this is only temporary provision where you're taking me is to a land of abundance, a place like I've never experienced before. That's not being selfish. That's releasing your faith for the fullness of your destiny. After all, God said, I will give you houses that you didn't have to build. You will reap from vineyards that you did not plan. One version says, may the God of your fathers make you a thousand times more than you are. I don't know about you, but I can't settle here. I got to pull up my stakes. God has a thousand times more. More joy more peace more influence more wisdom more ideas more creativity more good breaks Let take the limits off of God All right let me finish Let's take the limits off of God. When my father went to be with the Lord in 1999 and I stepped up to pastor the church, one of our goals is if we could just maintain what my parents had built, we thought we would be doing good. But God's plan for our life is much bigger than our own. God doesn't want us to get stuck at one level. He's a God of increase. We didn't maintain the church begin to grow before long that 8,000 seat sanctuary. It was filled to the brim and we needed more room. And after about nine months, we had to add a second Sunday morning service. A few months later, a Saturday night service later, even another service. And I was so amazed. I thought for sure that was our promised land. Seeing that other building filled three or four times a week. But looking back now, I realize that was only temporary provision. That was God just sustaining us while we were on the way to where he was really taking us. One day, God opened up the doors to this place, the former compact center. He parted some red seas and God gave us a building that was already built. That other location, it didn't have any drive-by traffic. You had to want to go out there to church, but this new place, it's on the second busiest freeway in the nation. Friends, God has houses that you didn't have to build. He has vineyards that you didn't have to plant. You may be blessed today. God's been good to you, but what's in your future is exceedingly abundantly above and beyond. Don't you dare settle where you are. God's promised land for your life is greater than anything that you've imagined. Now, don't be surprised if the two voices, the two people start talking to you. One wants you to settle. It'll tell you, this is not for you today. You've reached your limits. You've made too many mistakes. You never get any good breaks. The other will tell you, this is for you today. Make room for God to do something new, something big, something out of the ordinary. Why don't you let that voice take root? When Joshua was leading the people of Israel. God said, Joshua, you have not passed this way before. God is saying the same thing to us. Something out of the ordinary is coming your way. New levels of favor, unprecedented opportunities, divine connections. God has A's in your future. People already lined up to be good to you. What makes them an A is you don't have to find them. They'll come find you. When you honor God, his blessings will chase you down. You won't be able to outrun the good things of God. My challenge today, don't settle where you are in your health, your relationships, your career, your walk with the Lord. Keep stretching, keep growing, keep believing, keep dreaming. Don't let good enough be good enough. Be determined to become everything God created you to be. And some of you have dwelt on that same mountain long enough. It's time to pull up your stakes, Pack up your belongings, start moving forward. Enlarge your vision. Make room in your thinking for the new thing God wants to do. Don't let your temporary provision become permanent. If you'll learn this principle of stretching and not settling, then you will see the fullness of what God has in store. I believe you will overcome obstacles, accomplish dreams, not like Abraham's father, but like Joshua. you're going to make it all the way into your promised land. I declare it in Jesus' name. If you receive it, can you say amen? We never like to close our broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus the Lord of your life. Would you pray with me? Just say, Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior. 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 you places that you've never dreamed of. We all go through disappointments and things that are not fair, but God sees every hurt, every injustice, and he's promised to pay you back for the unfair things. I'd love to send you my new resource, Double for Your Trouble. It's filled with inspiration to help you stay in faith and not get bitter and think, why me? No, that setback may have been painful, but the fact is it sets you up for double. God will make the enemy pay and bring you out better than you were before. This ministry is reaching people around the world with a message of hope. And as our way of saying thank you for your gift of any amount, we would like to send you a copy of Double for Your Trouble, a daily guide for restoration. This 31-day spiral-bound resource is an invitation into healing, restoration, and the abundant life God has promised. Whether you're walking through a season of loss, believing for a breakthrough, or simply looking for a deeper connection with God, this guide is designed to help you reflect, realign, and rebuild day by day. Receive your copy and know that whatever you're facing today, grief, loss, uncertainty, it doesn't define your future. Choose to trust God. He sees you. He cares deeply. And He is the God who restores double. None of us like difficulties, but if you'll stay in faith, you won't come out the same. You'll come out with double. Victoria and I pray for you and your family every day. Thank you for your prayers and support. Your donations are bringing hope to people around the world. Special thank you to our Champion of Hope partners for all you do to make the ministry possible. Until we see you again next week, may the Lord bless you and keep you. Be sure to request your copy of Double for Your Trouble, available this month by simply visiting us at joelostein.com or call 888-567-JOEL. You can also receive God's Got You Restoration Duo. This book is a powerful reminder that no matter what you face, you are not alone. God's got you, and He will never let you go. In addition to these two inspiration books, you can also receive the Double Portion Restoration Bible Collection. This beautifully curated collection brings together the restoring of hope of double for your trouble and the comforting reassurance of God's got you. paired with a stunning CSB Thinline Bible, digital study edition in camel suede soft leather touch. This elegant Bible offers a rich, immersive study experience, an enduring companion, as you lean in to God's promises of renewal and restoration. Let these resources strengthen your faith, steady your heart, and remind you each day that God is restoring, leading, and working double on your behalf. You can request these inspiring resources by calling 888-567-JOEL or logging on to joelostein.com today. If you've never been to Lakewood, we have a great opportunity to come. We call it Homecoming Weekend. We'd love to meet you and your family. You can see the building and attend one of the services. It's a great time to be a part of the Lakewood family. Looking forward to seeing you at Homecoming Weekend. you