joel osteen, joel osteen ministriesChange is one of the most difficult things that we all face but change is inevitable. Mark Twain said, “The only person who likes change is a wet baby.” One reason people don’t like change is because they get comfortable where they are. We get used to our friends, our job, or the place we live. And even if it’s not perfect, we accept it because it’s familiar. When we’re not willing to change, we get stuck in what God “used to do” instead of moving forward into what God “is about to do.” The truth is, just because God has blessed you where you are, doesn’t mean you’re supposed to just sit back and settle there.

I read about some people who had a business idea and took it to one of the leading companies that rents movies and videos. They said, “We’ve got an idea and we’d like to partner with you on it. We’ve developed the technology to send movies through the internet. This gives people the option to order a movie from home instead of driving back and forth to a store.” The company wasn’t interested in that idea. They said, “No, thanks. We’re the leaders in our field. We know what we’re doing.” The people with the idea said, “Fine.” Then, they started their own company called Netflix. Today Netflix has taken off and has practically put the other company who rejected their idea out of business.

My point is that you have to stay open to new ideas. You have to stay open to what God is doing now. What God did five years ago may not be what He has for you today. If you’re going to be successful, you have to be willing to change.

In Deuteronomy, when the people of Israel were in the desert on the way to their Promised Land, God gave them manna to eat. That was good. It sustained them for a while but it wasn’t permanent provision. One day, the manna stopped coming but the people had to keep moving forward. Then, God gave them quail and they were so excited. That fed them for a while but it was also just temporary. God was taking them to the Promised Land where they would have permanent provision. When the manna stopped coming, when the quail didn’t show up, they recognized it was only temporary provision. They knew God had something much greater for their future so they kept moving forward.

The fact is that God could have kept the quail and the manna coming. But God likes freshness. He works in seasons. He is a God of increase! If you will stay open and be willing to change, then you’ll see His success—His provision will lead you into your Promised Land!

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