1 00:00:00,569 --> 00:00:03,029 Speaker 1: What a joy to be with you today. We're praying 2 00:00:03,050 --> 00:00:05,590 Speaker 1: for you and your family. I know God has great 3 00:00:05,650 --> 00:00:08,330 Speaker 1: things in store. You wouldn't be alive if there weren't 4 00:00:08,450 --> 00:00:11,030 Speaker 1: more victories in front of you. So know that we 5 00:00:11,070 --> 00:00:13,230 Speaker 1: love you. We're praying for you. Hey, I hope you'll 6 00:00:13,250 --> 00:00:15,390 Speaker 1: stay tuned to the very end. We've got some special 7 00:00:15,460 --> 00:00:18,060 Speaker 1: resources to help you stay encouraged and inspired. 8 00:00:20,100 --> 00:00:23,360 Speaker 2: Listen, I want to remind us to spend our time 9 00:00:23,460 --> 00:00:30,000 Speaker 2: investing in our future. Don't invest in the past. Investing 10 00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:35,040 Speaker 2: in the past is when you relive your hurts, your pains, 11 00:00:35,550 --> 00:00:39,589 Speaker 2: your disappointments. See, it's easy to focus on who hurt you, 12 00:00:40,190 --> 00:00:43,890 Speaker 2: what didn't work out, what mistake you've made, but you 13 00:00:43,909 --> 00:00:44,590 Speaker 2: know what that is? 14 00:00:44,950 --> 00:00:48,650 Speaker 3: It's a big waste of time and energy. 15 00:00:49,370 --> 00:00:53,350 Speaker 2: We can't do anything about what happened in our past. 16 00:00:53,910 --> 00:00:56,710 Speaker 3: It's done, it's over with, it's finished. 17 00:00:57,560 --> 00:01:01,380 Speaker 2: But we can do something about today. And when you 18 00:01:01,450 --> 00:01:06,030 Speaker 2: begin to focus on what you can change and not 19 00:01:06,069 --> 00:01:11,009 Speaker 2: what you can't change, that is a good investment in 20 00:01:11,030 --> 00:01:15,310 Speaker 2: the future. You know, we weren't designed to carry around 21 00:01:15,709 --> 00:01:21,010 Speaker 2: a lot of unnecessary negative baggage. And sometimes we fill 22 00:01:21,130 --> 00:01:27,550 Speaker 2: our bags with bitterness, resentment, heartache, But can I tell 23 00:01:27,610 --> 00:01:30,089 Speaker 2: you that you've got to get up every day and 24 00:01:30,150 --> 00:01:34,190 Speaker 2: let that stuff go? Forgive the people who offended you. 25 00:01:34,709 --> 00:01:35,809 Speaker 2: Release them. 26 00:01:36,410 --> 00:01:37,450 Speaker 3: Forgive yourself. 27 00:01:38,430 --> 00:01:41,800 Speaker 2: You see, when you are weighed down with all of 28 00:01:41,880 --> 00:01:45,300 Speaker 2: this junk, it's hard to see where you're going. 29 00:01:46,060 --> 00:01:48,080 Speaker 3: It's hard to even be ready to get there. 30 00:01:48,970 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 2: One time, Joel and I, we had scheduled back-to-back work trips. 31 00:01:53,880 --> 00:01:56,380 Speaker 2: We really don't ever do this, but this just happened 32 00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:59,270 Speaker 2: to be an instance that we did this. We had 33 00:01:59,350 --> 00:02:02,530 Speaker 2: come home from a week out and we came back 34 00:02:02,690 --> 00:02:05,130 Speaker 2: in and we only had like two hours to be 35 00:02:05,150 --> 00:02:05,490 Speaker 2: at home. 36 00:02:06,330 --> 00:02:08,790 Speaker 3: And then we'd have to turn around, head back to 37 00:02:08,830 --> 00:02:09,590 Speaker 3: the airport. 38 00:02:10,090 --> 00:02:12,410 Speaker 2: Well, on the way home, all I could think about 39 00:02:12,530 --> 00:02:15,850 Speaker 2: was those dirty clothes in my suitcase. There was a 40 00:02:15,950 --> 00:02:19,910 Speaker 2: week's worth of dirty clothes in my suitcase. When I 41 00:02:19,970 --> 00:02:23,510 Speaker 2: got home, I dumped all those dirty clothes and I 42 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:25,470 Speaker 2: began to refresh my suitcase. 43 00:02:26,180 --> 00:02:27,419 Speaker 3: Something amazing happened. 44 00:02:27,900 --> 00:02:30,680 Speaker 2: Where I was tired and anxious on my way home, 45 00:02:30,740 --> 00:02:35,139 Speaker 2: just thinking about all that in my suitcase, I became refreshed. 46 00:02:35,740 --> 00:02:38,600 Speaker 3: And you know what? I was prepared to go on. 47 00:02:38,580 --> 00:02:42,850 Speaker 2: My next trip because I had exchanged that dirty clothes 48 00:02:43,150 --> 00:02:45,989 Speaker 2: with fresh new clothes. And do you know a lot 49 00:02:46,030 --> 00:02:50,590 Speaker 2: of times we get so weighed down with this emotional 50 00:02:50,650 --> 00:02:55,769 Speaker 2: baggage of clutter that's full of pain and heartache that 51 00:02:55,810 --> 00:02:59,470 Speaker 2: we lose our passion and excitement for living. In fact, 52 00:02:59,530 --> 00:03:02,550 Speaker 2: we're not even prepared where God wants us to go. 53 00:03:03,010 --> 00:03:04,950 Speaker 3: We're just too weighed down. 54 00:03:04,790 --> 00:03:07,960 Speaker 2: And anxious Can I tell you that you need to 55 00:03:08,000 --> 00:03:12,680 Speaker 2: refresh your emotional baggage every single day? You need to 56 00:03:12,760 --> 00:03:17,130 Speaker 2: learn to travel light. Because I can tell you this, 57 00:03:17,610 --> 00:03:21,470 Speaker 2: where you're going is far more important than where you've been. 58 00:03:22,070 --> 00:03:25,989 Speaker 3: But you can't be weighed down from the past. You know, 59 00:03:26,030 --> 00:03:26,670 Speaker 3: too often. 60 00:03:27,190 --> 00:03:30,560 Speaker 2: People don't even enjoy what they're doing today. They can't 61 00:03:30,600 --> 00:03:34,640 Speaker 2: enjoy the opportunities that they're living in today because they're 62 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:39,020 Speaker 2: too focused on yesterday. There was a woman who had 63 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:41,970 Speaker 2: been divorced for a couple of years. And one day 64 00:03:42,060 --> 00:03:45,670 Speaker 2: she met this man and he was a very nice man. 65 00:03:45,730 --> 00:03:49,090 Speaker 3: He seemed to be very happy. He was successful. He 66 00:03:49,130 --> 00:03:49,990 Speaker 3: went to church. 67 00:03:50,450 --> 00:03:54,770 Speaker 2: She was excited about the possibilities, but she made a mistake. 68 00:03:55,540 --> 00:03:58,820 Speaker 2: When she went into that relationship, she began to constantly 69 00:03:58,900 --> 00:04:02,080 Speaker 2: talk about her hurts and pains of the past. She 70 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:05,060 Speaker 2: would describe why she acted certain ways or why she 71 00:04:05,150 --> 00:04:07,890 Speaker 2: said certain things. It was because she was so hurt 72 00:04:08,350 --> 00:04:11,830 Speaker 2: by her first husband. You know, after a while, that 73 00:04:11,910 --> 00:04:14,390 Speaker 2: man told one of her friends, he said, you know, 74 00:04:14,470 --> 00:04:17,770 Speaker 2: she's so focused on what happened to her. She can't 75 00:04:17,810 --> 00:04:21,050 Speaker 2: move forward. We're not making any kind of connection here. 76 00:04:21,089 --> 00:04:24,029 Speaker 2: And I really don't feel like the relationship is right. 77 00:04:24,610 --> 00:04:27,310 Speaker 2: So he decided that he was just gonna quit seeing 78 00:04:27,350 --> 00:04:33,250 Speaker 2: her because she made the mistake of living in the past. 79 00:04:34,180 --> 00:04:38,960 Speaker 2: She failed at an opportunity that she had for her future. See, 80 00:04:38,980 --> 00:04:43,900 Speaker 2: when you carry negative baggage into your relationships, you can 81 00:04:43,960 --> 00:04:48,919 Speaker 2: ruin many relationships. See, we've got to decide that it's 82 00:04:48,980 --> 00:04:52,250 Speaker 2: time to let it go. It's time to put it 83 00:04:52,290 --> 00:04:56,380 Speaker 2: in the past, to shut the door to it. One time, 84 00:04:56,540 --> 00:04:59,120 Speaker 2: Joel and I were going to this like highly secure 85 00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:03,279 Speaker 2: government building. And so there was two sets of double doors. 86 00:05:03,779 --> 00:05:05,859 Speaker 2: So we stood in front of the first set of doors. 87 00:05:05,660 --> 00:05:06,540 Speaker 3: And it opened up. 88 00:05:07,060 --> 00:05:10,080 Speaker 2: And we began to walk past those doors to go 89 00:05:10,100 --> 00:05:13,690 Speaker 2: through the second set. But we noticed the second set 90 00:05:13,790 --> 00:05:18,589 Speaker 2: would not open until the first set closed. And do 91 00:05:18,650 --> 00:05:21,580 Speaker 2: you know in life, You're not going to be able 92 00:05:21,640 --> 00:05:25,860 Speaker 2: to walk through open doors until you close the doors 93 00:05:25,900 --> 00:05:32,950 Speaker 2: that are behind you. When you're holding on to bitterness, regret, 94 00:05:33,550 --> 00:05:37,349 Speaker 2: the mistakes you've made, it'll get you stuck. It's like 95 00:05:37,790 --> 00:05:42,830 Speaker 2: a trap you can't get out of. Years ago, the 96 00:05:42,870 --> 00:05:46,170 Speaker 2: way hunters used to trap monkeys was they would take 97 00:05:46,210 --> 00:05:49,190 Speaker 2: a big barrel and they would fill it full of bananas. 98 00:05:49,960 --> 00:05:51,539 Speaker 3: And at the end of that barrel, they would cut 99 00:05:51,580 --> 00:05:52,740 Speaker 3: a very small hole. 100 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:56,160 Speaker 2: Just big enough for the monkey to get its hand 101 00:05:56,440 --> 00:05:59,540 Speaker 2: and arm through. Now the monkey, unaware that this was 102 00:05:59,600 --> 00:06:03,339 Speaker 2: a trap, would stick his hand in there and grab 103 00:06:03,380 --> 00:06:07,290 Speaker 2: a fistful of bananas. But the problem was, as long 104 00:06:07,330 --> 00:06:10,809 Speaker 2: as he was holding on to those bananas, he couldn't 105 00:06:10,830 --> 00:06:14,170 Speaker 2: get his hand out of the barrel. You see, he 106 00:06:14,270 --> 00:06:18,630 Speaker 2: could have just simply let the bananas go, taken his 107 00:06:18,670 --> 00:06:21,089 Speaker 2: hand out of the barrel, and gone on his way. 108 00:06:22,089 --> 00:06:24,450 Speaker 2: But see, because he was holding on to the barrel, 109 00:06:25,680 --> 00:06:28,140 Speaker 2: he was trapped and he couldn't get away. 110 00:06:29,020 --> 00:06:32,640 Speaker 3: See, we can't let yesterday trap us. 111 00:06:33,220 --> 00:06:36,820 Speaker 2: We cannot be trapped in the past when God has 112 00:06:36,860 --> 00:06:40,400 Speaker 2: a bright future. Unfair things happen to all of us. 113 00:06:41,100 --> 00:06:45,730 Speaker 2: We experience loss. We all make mistakes. People hurt us. 114 00:06:46,290 --> 00:06:49,430 Speaker 2: We become offended. But we have to make a decision. 115 00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:53,740 Speaker 2: that we're not going to invest in those things. You see, 116 00:06:53,779 --> 00:06:57,820 Speaker 2: we'll have negative seasons. The Bible says that trouble will come. 117 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:02,880 Speaker 2: We will have seasons of disappointment, seasons that we don't 118 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:06,540 Speaker 2: always care for. But we can't allow that season to 119 00:07:06,580 --> 00:07:10,679 Speaker 2: define our life. We can't wear the labels of that season. 120 00:07:11,320 --> 00:07:14,190 Speaker 2: You see, we've got to put our foot down and say, 121 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:20,290 Speaker 2: no more. God wants to give you beauty for ashes, 122 00:07:20,410 --> 00:07:24,910 Speaker 2: the scripture says. But you cannot receive the beauty if 123 00:07:24,950 --> 00:07:29,090 Speaker 2: you don't give God your ashes. The best way is 124 00:07:29,130 --> 00:07:33,340 Speaker 2: to give God your hurts, your pains, and then open 125 00:07:33,440 --> 00:07:37,280 Speaker 2: up wide so that you can receive the beauty that 126 00:07:37,340 --> 00:07:41,020 Speaker 2: he has in store for you. The scripture says this, 127 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:45,700 Speaker 2: think on these things, things that are good, things that 128 00:07:45,750 --> 00:07:50,850 Speaker 2: are pure, things that are trustworthy, of a good report. See, 129 00:07:50,910 --> 00:07:53,470 Speaker 2: these are the things we are supposed to set our 130 00:07:53,530 --> 00:07:56,330 Speaker 2: mind on. When we set our mind on the good 131 00:07:56,410 --> 00:07:58,880 Speaker 2: things that God has for us, when we begin to 132 00:07:58,920 --> 00:08:01,700 Speaker 2: set our mind on what God says about us, when 133 00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:06,340 Speaker 2: we begin to count our blessings, that is investing in 134 00:08:06,380 --> 00:08:10,500 Speaker 2: our future. That is the best investment that we can make. 135 00:08:11,500 --> 00:08:13,310 Speaker 2: I want to say it one more time. 136 00:08:14,250 --> 00:08:18,230 Speaker 3: Let it go. Just let it go. 137 00:08:18,250 --> 00:08:24,010 Speaker 2: If there's anything holding you back today, it's too high 138 00:08:24,050 --> 00:08:25,250 Speaker 2: of a price to pay. 139 00:08:25,870 --> 00:08:26,550 Speaker 3: Let it go. 140 00:08:27,070 --> 00:08:30,610 Speaker 2: Because God's got bigger and greater things in your future. 141 00:08:31,210 --> 00:08:34,410 Speaker 2: And where you're going is way more important than where 142 00:08:34,470 --> 00:08:35,000 Speaker 2: you've been. 143 00:08:35,050 --> 00:08:35,479 Speaker 3: Amen? 144 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:40,660 Speaker 2: I just want to take an opportunity right now for 145 00:08:40,740 --> 00:08:43,040 Speaker 2: every one of us to let go of the ashes. 146 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:44,720 Speaker 3: To release them to God. 147 00:08:45,540 --> 00:08:47,200 Speaker 2: You know, we can hear a sermon and we can 148 00:08:47,260 --> 00:08:48,760 Speaker 2: say we're going to do it, but I just want 149 00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:51,680 Speaker 2: to take this time right now because how important it 150 00:08:51,860 --> 00:08:55,890 Speaker 2: is for us to just give God these hurts and pains, 151 00:08:56,270 --> 00:09:00,329 Speaker 2: to release them so we can receive our bright future. 152 00:09:00,650 --> 00:09:03,209 Speaker 2: So right now, just through your eyes of faith, let's 153 00:09:03,230 --> 00:09:06,170 Speaker 2: just pray. Father, I thank you right now. We've heard 154 00:09:06,210 --> 00:09:09,610 Speaker 2: this message. We know it to be true, God. We've 155 00:09:09,670 --> 00:09:14,370 Speaker 2: experienced this phenomenon of living in our past and. 156 00:09:14,340 --> 00:09:16,980 Speaker 3: How it holds us back. And Father, we don't want 157 00:09:17,040 --> 00:09:17,740 Speaker 3: that anymore. 158 00:09:18,080 --> 00:09:20,939 Speaker 2: We want to close the door to our past. So Father, 159 00:09:20,960 --> 00:09:24,570 Speaker 2: you can open the door to fresh new opportunity. God, 160 00:09:24,610 --> 00:09:27,370 Speaker 2: you said that your mercies are fresh and new every 161 00:09:27,470 --> 00:09:30,090 Speaker 2: single day. So Father, we want to pick up. 162 00:09:30,030 --> 00:09:31,350 Speaker 3: Those fresh new mercies. 163 00:09:31,750 --> 00:09:34,670 Speaker 2: We want to unload that emotional baggage, those things that 164 00:09:34,710 --> 00:09:37,340 Speaker 2: didn't work out. And God, we want to refresh our 165 00:09:37,420 --> 00:09:41,040 Speaker 2: mental aspect and our mental life. Father, we want to 166 00:09:41,080 --> 00:09:43,260 Speaker 2: know that you are for us and not against us. 167 00:09:43,740 --> 00:09:46,439 Speaker 2: So we declare right now, Father, as we let go 168 00:09:46,460 --> 00:09:50,870 Speaker 2: of the ashes, we are receiving your beauty. Thank you, Father, 169 00:09:50,910 --> 00:09:55,230 Speaker 2: for good opportunity. Thank you for great families, wonderful relationships. 170 00:09:55,670 --> 00:09:57,890 Speaker 2: Thank you, Father, that everything we put our hand to 171 00:09:57,910 --> 00:09:59,150 Speaker 2: will prosper and succeed. 172 00:09:59,630 --> 00:10:02,210 Speaker 3: Because, God, we've got a fresh new mental attitude. 173 00:10:02,590 --> 00:10:06,229 Speaker 2: Thank you, Father, that you're blessing far out seeds anything 174 00:10:06,270 --> 00:10:09,050 Speaker 2: we've ever done in the past. Thank you for everything 175 00:10:09,390 --> 00:10:12,130 Speaker 2: that you're doing and everything that you're going to do. 176 00:10:12,540 --> 00:10:16,059 Speaker 3: In Jesus' name. And everyone said, amen. 177 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:16,520 Speaker 2: Amen. 178 00:10:24,830 --> 00:10:27,810 Speaker 1: The scripture says, write the vision and make it plain 179 00:10:27,870 --> 00:10:31,410 Speaker 1: to see. There's something powerful about writing down what you're 180 00:10:31,450 --> 00:10:33,990 Speaker 1: believing for. That's why I'd love to send you my 181 00:10:34,050 --> 00:10:37,140 Speaker 1: new I Believe Planner. It's a place to write down 182 00:10:37,179 --> 00:10:40,720 Speaker 1: your dreams, your prayers, and the promises you're standing on. 183 00:10:41,300 --> 00:10:44,120 Speaker 1: What stays before your eyes has a way of staying 184 00:10:44,160 --> 00:10:46,360 Speaker 1: in your heart. Every time you see what you've written, 185 00:10:46,380 --> 00:10:47,610 Speaker 1: it's a way of staying in your heart. let it 186 00:10:47,620 --> 00:10:49,970 Speaker 1: be a reminder to thank God that He's already at 187 00:10:50,010 --> 00:10:52,050 Speaker 1: work behind the scenes, even. 188 00:10:51,929 --> 00:10:52,949 Speaker 3: When you can't see it. 189 00:10:53,570 --> 00:10:55,270 Speaker 1: As you keep your faith in front of you day 190 00:10:55,330 --> 00:10:59,630 Speaker 1: after day, you'll be encouraged, your expectation will grow, and 191 00:10:59,650 --> 00:11:02,319 Speaker 1: you'll begin to see God bring those dreams to pass. 192 00:11:03,160 --> 00:11:06,540 Speaker 4: The I Believe Planner is a beautiful new resource designed 193 00:11:06,580 --> 00:11:09,540 Speaker 4: to help you believe God for more in your health, 194 00:11:09,820 --> 00:11:13,740 Speaker 4: your family, your future. Inside, you'll find a weekly I 195 00:11:13,780 --> 00:11:17,620 Speaker 4: Believe Declaration to frame your mindset and shift the atmosphere 196 00:11:17,700 --> 00:11:21,980 Speaker 4: with God's Word, daily planning, to-dos, and prayer prompts, and 197 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:25,500 Speaker 4: space to reflect and record God's faithfulness in your life. 198 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:28,820 Speaker 4: Each month brings a fresh scripture and theme, plus a 199 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:32,540 Speaker 4: QR code linking to an exclusive message from Joel, to 200 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:36,840 Speaker 4: keep you encouraged all year long. This 15-month planner will 201 00:11:36,880 --> 00:11:39,500 Speaker 4: inspire you for the rest of this year and set 202 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:43,970 Speaker 4: you on a course for breakthrough throughout 2027. It's yours 203 00:11:44,040 --> 00:11:46,730 Speaker 4: as a thank you for your gift to the ministry today. 204 00:11:47,290 --> 00:11:50,650 Speaker 4: Be sure to request your copy of The I Believe Planner, 205 00:11:50,929 --> 00:11:57,910 Speaker 4: available this month by visiting us at joelosteen.com or call 888-567-JOEL. 206 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:01,179 Speaker 1: Don't just carry your dreams in your heart. Put them 207 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:03,949 Speaker 1: on paper. And as you read them each day, keep 208 00:12:04,030 --> 00:12:07,330 Speaker 1: thanking God that he's working. Victoria and I are praying 209 00:12:07,350 --> 00:12:10,209 Speaker 1: for you and your family every day. Thanks so much 210 00:12:10,250 --> 00:12:14,070 Speaker 1: for your prayer and support. Your generosity helps us take 211 00:12:14,110 --> 00:12:17,170 Speaker 1: this message of hope to people around the world. A 212 00:12:17,190 --> 00:12:19,930 Speaker 1: special thank you to our Champion of Hope partners for 213 00:12:20,030 --> 00:12:23,190 Speaker 1: all you do to make the ministry possible. Until we 214 00:12:23,230 --> 00:12:26,130 Speaker 1: meet again, may the Lord keep you and bless you. 215 00:12:27,080 --> 00:12:30,400 Speaker 4: Be sure to request your copy of The I Believe Planner, 216 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:37,620 Speaker 4: available this month by visiting us at joelosteen.com or call 888-567-JOEL. 217 00:12:38,020 --> 00:12:40,920 Speaker 4: With an additional gift, you can also receive the I 218 00:12:40,980 --> 00:12:45,089 Speaker 4: Believe in His Word collection, featuring the Passion Translation New 219 00:12:45,130 --> 00:12:49,350 Speaker 4: Testament Reader's Edition, alongside the I Believe Planner, so you 220 00:12:49,390 --> 00:12:53,050 Speaker 4: can carry God's Word with you every single day, right 221 00:12:53,110 --> 00:12:56,840 Speaker 4: alongside the promises you're standing on. Don't wait until 2027 222 00:12:56,840 --> 00:13:01,490 Speaker 4: to believe God for more. This is your moment. You 223 00:13:01,520 --> 00:13:07,490 Speaker 4: can request these inspiring resources by calling 888-567-JOEL or logging 224 00:13:07,590 --> 00:13:12,120 Speaker 4: on to joelostein.com today. Call or click anytime, 24 hours 225 00:13:12,160 --> 00:13:12,270 Speaker 4: a day.