Joel Osteen - I Declare (01/05/2021)
Joel Osteen preaches on the incredible power of spoken declarations, drawing from Isaiah 61:1-2 where the prophet announces God’s favor and freedom, and how Jesus reaffirmed this in the synagogue. He declares blessings of favor, breakthroughs, healing, and freedom over listeners, urging them to receive these words so they ignite destiny and override past negatives.
The Power of Declaring God’s Favor
I want to talk to you today about «I Declare.» Words are powerful. They have the ability to set the direction for our lives. When they are spoken over us by someone who has authority, like a parent, a coach, a mentor, they can determine our destiny. The reason some people are not reaching their potential is that they have never had blessings spoken over them. They have never had anyone declare what they can become, who God says they are, how they have seeds of greatness.
Isaiah 61:1-2 says, «The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to declare the year of God’s favor, to announce freedom to the captives, the recovery of sight to the blind, good news to the poor.» Isaiah went around declaring favor, freedom, victory. All those who would receive it, those who would let those words take root, would see it come to pass.
Jesus Repeats the Declaration
Hundreds of years later, Jesus was in the synagogue in Nazareth. He picked up a scroll that had the writings of Isaiah. Of all the things He could have read, hundreds of different passages, He found this same place and read it to the people: «The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to declare the year of God’s favor.»
Jesus knew the power of declaring. He knew you have to hear victory spoken over you, you have to hear abundance, healing, freedom for it to come to pass. You may have heard it in the past, but life happens. 2020 may have taken your passion. You go through disappointments, a dream did not work out, you are still believing to meet the right person.
Those thoughts of doubt come: «It is never going to happen. You are never going to get well. You have seen your best days.» The negative starts to drown out what was spoken over you. That is why you need a fresh blessing. You need fresh favor spoken over your life. You need a fresh anointing.
Receiving Fresh Blessings Today
That is what I am going to do today. Like Isaiah declared the blessing, Jesus thought it was so important that He repeated it, I am going to declare some things that God says about you. If you will let these words take root, if you will receive them into your spirit, they are going to put you on a path to greater joy, better health, stronger relationships, to new levels of your destiny.
These words have the power to ignite something in your spirit, to wake up dreams, to stir up gifts, to unleash the favor, the blessings, the potential that God put in you. When Jesus chose His disciples, they were ordinary people—a fisherman, tax collectors, a carpenter. He looked at them and said: «You are the light of the world, you are the salt of the earth.»
They could have thought, «What is He talking about? There is nothing special about us.» Their reasoning said He had the wrong people, but down in their spirit something ignited, something came alive. Their seeds of greatness began to take root. They felt faith rising up, destiny calling them.
Instead of talking themselves out of it, they got in agreement: «Yes, we are the light of the world. Yes, we are going to leave our mark, we are going to impact this generation.» Jesus spoke the blessing, He declared favor and influence, and because they agreed, they saw it come to pass. They are still affecting us two thousand years later.
Don’t Talk Yourself Out of Favor
Do not talk yourself out of this favor. Do not think of all the reasons this cannot happen for you. The blessing I am going to speak is more powerful than any force that is trying to hold you back. The blessing is not canceled out because of your background, how you were raised, your education.
It is not stopped by mistakes you have made, by how long it has been, by disappointments. The blessing is a supernatural empowerment, a divine favor that will thrust you where you cannot go on your own.
I declare for you and your family: this will be a year of God’s favor. That new doors are going to open. Opportunities are going to find you. Good breaks are going to track you down. Divine connections, the right people are going to show up. People that will use their influence to help you go further.
People that have been ordained to help you reach your destiny. You do not have to make this happen, you do not have to manipulate things, try to convince someone to like you. God has already lined up the right people for you.
Unexpected Blessings Like Ruth
In the Old Testament, Ruth was out in the fields picking up leftover wheat. She was a young widow who had lost her husband. I am sure she was discouraged, thinking life was all downhill from here. But the scripture says the owner of that field noticed Ruth and wanted to be good to her.
Ruth did not see him, but he saw her. Suddenly he had the desire to help her. God has people that you cannot see right now, but they have seen you. He has already given them a desire to be good to you, to show you favor, to open a door, to help you get through a challenge.
That man did not just help Ruth—he fell in love with Ruth, and they ended up getting married. You may have been through disappointments, things have not worked out, but I declare: like with Ruth, things are about to turn in your favor.
I declare unexpected blessings, good breaks that you did not see coming, promotion when you were not next in line, problems turning around when there was no sign of it. Ruth thought she would have to pick up wheat the rest of her life to survive. She never dreamed one day she would not be working in the field—she would own the field.
Catapulted to New Levels
God has good breaks in your future that are going to catapult you to a new level. Blessings that are going to thrust you into influence. Resources, ability that you have never imagined. I am declaring over you the year of God’s favor.
Now take the limits off of God, and take the limits off of yourself. Quit telling yourself all the reasons you cannot accomplish your dream, what you do not have, what you did not get. It is not going to happen just by your ability, your talent, your connections—it is going to happen by the Spirit of the living God.
He is breathing on your life right now. His favor is surrounding you in a greater way. There are breakthroughs already en route: healing, promotion, contracts, the right people—they are already headed your way.
Now do not talk yourself out of it. Receive the blessing: «Lord, I believe what You declared, that this will be a year of God’s favor for me. That You are taking me where I cannot go on my own.»
Expectancy Changes Everything
When you know you have the blessing, that the Most High God has spoken victory, abundance, breakthroughs, then there is an expectancy. When you face obstacles, you do not get discouraged—you know God is fighting your battles.
When people come against you, they may be more powerful, but you know God is all-powerful. When the dream looks too big, you know with God all things are possible, that He has equipped you, empowered you, and anointed you.
There was a lady in the scripture who had been barren her whole life and not able to have children. She and her husband had plenty of resources, a nice house, influential friends. Life was good except for this one thing: she was not able to have a baby.
She was friends with the prophet Elisha. When he was in town, he would stay at their house. One day Elisha had the desire to be good to this lady. He had known her for a while, but suddenly he wanted to do something special for her.
God Puts Desires in Hearts
God knows how to put desires in people’s hearts to be good to you. You keep doing the right thing, honoring God, and He will line up the right people to help you. Elisha said to her, «By this time next year you are going to have a baby» (2 Kings 4:16).
She nearly passed out. She said, «Elisha, do not tease me like that. I am an old woman, my husband is older than me, it is not possible to have a baby.» Her mind said there was no way, but down in her spirit she was excited. She received the blessing.
A year later, just like God promised, she was holding that little baby in her arms. What she thought was too good to be true became a reality.
We have people tell us, «If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.» That may be good advice in one sense, but when it comes to what God says, you have to have the boldness to believe it.
By This Time Next Year…
«God, this seems too good to be true, but I know You are a supernatural God. You created the universe; You can make things happen that I could never make happen.» Some of the dreams you have given up on—it seems too late, you could never get well, never start the business, never see your family restored—that would be too good to be true.
God is saying, «Get ready. By this time next year you are going to see it come to pass.» By this time next year you are going to have that baby you have been dreaming about. You have been lonely a long time, you have accepted that is the way it is always going to be—by this time next year you are going to meet someone better than you have imagined.
You tried to start the business, nothing worked out, nobody would help you, you think you have missed your chance—by this time next year it is going to be up and running, things are going to fall into place.
Or you have struggled with that sickness a long time, you have accepted that you will have to live with it—I declare: by this time next year you are going to be completely healthy and whole. You are going to feel better than you have ever felt. You are going to run and not be weary, you are going to walk and not faint.
Freedom from Anxiety and Depression
The anxiety, the depression seems permanent—by this time next year you are going to be free. There is going to be great joy in your life. God is turning your mourning into dancing, your sorrow into joy.
When Job was in the most difficult battle of his life—he lost his health, his family, his business—as he was sitting in the ashes thinking he was done, God said (Job 8:21), «I will yet fill your mouth with laughter.»
That seemed unbelievable. «No way,» I am sure Job thought. «I will never laugh again; my world has fallen apart.» But deep down he let those words take root: «This is not the end. God is still on the throne; He has the final say.»
Instead of complaining, Job looked up and said (Job 19:25), «I know my Redeemer lives.» He received the blessing. He said in effect, «God, if You declare there will be great laughter in my house, it seems too good to be true, but I am bold enough to believe it.»
Some scholars say that Job’s whole trial, that whole difficulty we read about, only lasted nine months.
Temporary Struggles, Permanent Victory
You may have things coming against you in your health, your finances, your relationships—receive this into your spirit: by this time next year it is going to be a totally different story. What you thought was permanent is only temporary. What looks too big, you will defeat. What seems impossible, you will accomplish.
How could this happen? There is a blessing on your life. You are in the year of God’s favor. I am announcing what Jesus did: freedom for the captives, good news to those that are struggling. The struggle is not how your story ends. By this time next year you are going to see it turn around.
Your mind may tell you, «This is too good to be true, Joel"—that is the way the lady thought when Elisha told her she was going to have a baby. If she would have stayed negative, doubting, she would have stopped the promise.
What God is speaking over you may seem too good to be true. It is hard for you to accept it—how could this happen? The right attitude is: «God, I do not see a way, but I know You have a way. If You declare it, I am going to receive it. I believe it is my year of favor. I believe by this time next year I am going to see You show out in my life. Take me where I cannot go on my own, and help me to be free from things that look permanent.»
Breaking Free from Addiction
Maybe you are struggling with an addiction. You have tried to stop with no success. People have told you that you will always be addicted; it has been in your family line for generations. This is a new day. I declare: you are free.
What has held you back in the past will not hold you back anymore. This is a year for breakthroughs. Chains are being loosed right now, strongholds are coming down. You are about to step into freedom that you have never seen.
What used to be a struggle is about to get easier. That desire for the addiction is going to get less and less; its power over you has come to an end. The scripture (Psalm 75:10) says it this way: «The strength of the wicked has been cut off and the power of the godly has been increased.»
The strength of what is coming against you has been cut off. Now every day speak victory over your life: «Father, thank You that I am free. This addiction does not control me. I will become all that You have created me to be.»
A Real Story of Sudden Freedom
I talked to a lady who struggled with an addiction since her teens. She is in her forties now. She told how others in her family had the same addictions. She had heard her whole life, «You will always be addicted; it runs in our family.» It looked like that negative cycle would continue.
A couple of years ago, one of her coworkers gave her my podcast, and she started listening. She heard me talking about how you were not created to be addicted, how that is not who you are—that is what you do. Who you are is a child of the Most High God. You were created to be free.
When she heard that, something came alive on the inside. Those words of faith ignited the freedom in her spirit. She had never had anyone speak the blessing over her; no one had ever declared freedom for the captives.
She had heard for years negative words: what she could not do, how she would be limited, how she would never measure up. That day was a turning point. She started saying every morning, «I am free. This addiction does not control me; it is not my destiny.»
She started seeing herself differently. Instead of struggling, addicted, she saw herself healthy, whole, free. About three months later, she woke up one morning and had no desire for the addiction. It did not happen gradually—suddenly she was free.
She said, «I am happier today and more fulfilled than I have ever been.» This all happened when someone spoke the blessing over her. When I declared freedom, she did her part and received it into her spirit.
Breaking Generational Curses
If you just hear these words, they will encourage you, help you for a few days, but if you will let them take root in your spirit, if you will get in agreement and say, «Yes, this is for me,» then they will become a reality.
Like with her, some of the negative things we deal with have been in our family line for generations. They keep getting passed down: addictions, depression, bad relationships.
I talked to a man who had a problem with his temper. He said, «Joel, I do not know what is wrong with me; I get angry so easily.» He told how his father was the same way, how his grandfather was very hot-tempered.
These spirits can get in family lines and travel from generation to generation. I have seen people who come from parents that were divorced end up divorced. You look back generations and see a pattern—practically everyone went through a divorce.
It is not a coincidence that we struggle in certain areas. Maybe you cannot seem to get ahead—you take one step forward, and it is two steps backward. Just when you are ready to move up, you have an unexpected expense, something goes wrong, takes your funds—it is always something.
That is not just bad luck; those are generational forces that are limiting you. They are keeping you from stepping into the abundance and victory that belongs to you.
This will continue going to the next generation, and to the next, until someone rises up and puts an end to it. I believe that someone is you. You would not be hearing this if you were not called to make a difference. You have been raised up for such a time as this.
I declare that every generational curse that is in your family line is broken. I declare the addictions, depression, divorce, low self-esteem, poverty, not having enough—those forces will no longer have any power over you in the name of Jesus.
I declare that you are the difference maker. I declare that you will set a new standard, that you will take your family to a higher level. I declare supernatural favor, supernatural breakthroughs, supernatural increase.
From Poverty to Ministry: My Father’s Story
My father was raised in poverty. His parents' family lost everything during the Great Depression. He had to drop out of high school to work on the farm to help the family survive. It did not look like he had much of a future.
But at seventeen years old he gave his life to Christ—the first one in his family. He suddenly had the desire to become a minister. He had no education, no experience, no money, but he told his parents he was going to leave the farm and start ministering. He could feel those seeds of greatness on the inside.
His parents were good people, but they did not understand. They said, «John, you are making a big mistake. All you know how to do is work on the farm. You better stay here with us.» They were saying, «You do not have what it takes. You are not that talented. We have always been poor, defeated, mediocre—that is just who we are.»
If my father would have listened to those words, I would not be here. To receive the blessing, you have to get rid of all the negative things people have spoken over you. They may have meant well; they were trying to help you, but they told you what you cannot do, how you do not measure up, how you will never be successful.
That ex-spouse: how you are not attractive, nobody will ever want you. Do not let them limit your future. They do not know what is in you. They did not see you before you were formed in your mother’s womb. They did not breathe life into you. They did not call you, equip you, empower you.
What God Declares About You
God is saying to you today: you are blessed, you are favored, you are strong, talented, valuable, free. You have greatness in you. You are destined to leave your mark, to make the world a better place.
You are about to shine; you are about to see favor in greater ways. You have celebrated others, but you are about to be celebrated. You have admired friends, you have honored coworkers—you are about to be admired, esteemed, honored.
You are going to come out of the background into the foreground. From being overlooked to being in charge.
I declare you will excel, you will rise higher, you will go further than anyone thought, you will accomplish more than you have ever dreamed.
You may feel stuck in your career, like you cannot get ahead—I declare: you are about to be unstuck, you are about to step into opportunity that you have never imagined. You are going to discover things in you that you did not know you had: gifts, talents, books, songs, movies, ideas, inventions, businesses.
Now do your part: tune out all the negative voices. What God has declared, no person can stop—no bad break, no disappointment. The blessing always overrides the curse.
The Home Run That Defied Words
Gaylord Perry was a star baseball pitcher. He spent twenty-two years in the major leagues, most of them with the San Francisco Giants. He is in the Hall of Fame, one of the best pitchers of all time.
Although Perry was a great pitcher, he was a terrible hitter. He had less than half the hits of an average pitcher. In 1964 his manager, Alvin Dark, was so frustrated with his hitting that he told the newspaper, halfway kidding, «Mark my word, a man will land on the moon before Perry hits a home run.»
His coach declared how bad of a hitter he was, and Perry continued to struggle year after year. Five years later, on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin set foot on the moon. History was made.
That same night Perry was pitching against the Dodgers. During the third inning, the announcer asked everyone to stand and have a moment of thanks for the astronauts who landed on the moon. A few minutes later Perry stepped up to the plate and hit the first home run of his career.
His manager’s words became a prophecy. I wonder how many more home runs he would have hit if he had not let those words limit his life?
Are you being limited, held back by negative things people have spoken over you? How much further will you go if you will tune out what they have said and receive what God says about you?
He says you are about to step into new levels of favor, that you are about to go where you have never gone, that what stopped you in the past will not stop you anymore. Get in agreement with God.
The Irrevocable Power of Blessing
In the Old Testament they understood the power of the blessing. When the father was getting up there in years, he would call his children in and speak words of life and victory over them. Those words would literally help set the course for their life.
Without the blessing they knew they could not accomplish their dreams; they could not go as far as they should. This blessing was so valuable and so life-changing that Jacob tricked his twin brother Esau so he could get his blessing.
Esau was the firstborn son; he was to receive a double portion. Their father Isaac was partially blind and could not tell it was not Esau, so he spoke the double portion over Jacob. When Esau came in and wanted the blessing, Isaac realized he had been tricked. He began to weep and weep. He told Esau, «I have spoken the blessing, and I cannot take it back.»
Maybe you have never had anyone speak the blessing over you: your father was not around, the people that raised you did not encourage you, nobody was there to tell you what you could become.
Sometimes they did the opposite: all you heard is what you cannot do, how you will never be successful, you are not that talented. First off, you have to let that all go. Tune out every negative, derogatory, hurtful thing that was spoken over you, and receive these new words into your spirit. This is what your Heavenly Father says about you.
Declarations of Blessing Over You
I declare by the authority that God has given me that you are blessed.
I declare: you are blessed with wisdom, that you have clear direction, that you make good choices in life.
I declare: you are blessed with courage, with strength, with great vision, with an obedient heart, with a positive outlook.
I declare: you are blessed with good health, with vitality, with energy, that you will live a long, satisfied life.
I declare: you are blessed with a good family, good friends, healthy relationships, that your children will be mighty in the land.
I declare: you are blessed with protection, that God is guarding you, that angels are watching over you and your family.
I declare: you are blessed with promotion, with success, with good ideas, with creativity.
I declare: whatever you put your hands to will prosper. You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. You will be blessed when you go in and blessed when you come out.
I declare: you will lend and not borrow; you will be above and not beneath.
I declare: every negative word, every curse that has been spoken over you—right now that curse is broken.
I declare: negative things that have been in your family line for generations will no longer have any effect on you. The generational curse is broken, and the generational blessing is beginning.
I declare: this will be a year of God’s favor, freedom for every bad habit, recovery for everything that was stolen. That from this day forward you will experience a new sense of freedom, a new happiness, a new fulfillment.
Friends, I declare: you are blessed. And if you receive the blessing, can you say amen?
Lord, we receive it into our hearts. Lord, we thank You that 2021 will be a year of Your favor, Lord. That everyone under the sound of my voice is blessed, Lord. We tune out all the negative, Lord. I thank You that the blessing on our life will take us where we cannot go on our own. I thank You, Lord, that You are fighting battles, bringing the right people, making things happen that we could not make happen. Lord, we go out today with great expectancy in 2021, knowing that You are on the throne, that You have already called us, You have already blessed us. You knew us before we were formed in our mother’s womb, and Lord, we stand here redeemed and forgiven, surrounded by Your favor. We put our shoulders back today. Lord, we know You being for us is more than the world being against us. We are going to walk in this blessing, and Lord, we are going to be a greater blessing wherever we go, in Jesus' name.
An Invitation to New Beginnings
With our heads bowed in prayer, just a quick question: if your heart stopped beating in the next few minutes, are you at peace with God? Do you know where you would spend eternity?
If not, I would love to pray with you. I am not here to condemn anybody; I am here to help you find a new beginning. I know this comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
In just a moment, if you are not at peace with the Lord, or maybe you are a Christian but you have grown cold toward God, you know you need to rededicate your life, you need to start the year off right—if that is you, you just need a new beginning—in just a moment I am going to ask you to take a step of faith and stand right where you are.
You are watching or listening? You can just lift your hand. I cannot think of a better time to get on the road to victory than right now. The good news: God is not mad at you. Your sins have already been forgiven; all you have to do is accept the free gift of Christ’s salvation. Will you do it this morning?
The enemy in your thoughts will tell you, «Do it later. Do it another time.» Listen, the Bible says, «Today is the day of salvation.» Do not put it off. You are not hearing this by accident.
«Well, Joel, it is embarrassing to stand in front of all those people. I have people over at the house; I do not want to lift my hand.» Listen to what Jesus said: «If you will not be ashamed of Me before people, then I will not be ashamed of you before My Father in heaven.»
I am going to give you a great opportunity to show God that you are not ashamed of Him. If you are not at peace with the Lord, or you just need to rededicate your life, you need a fresh new start, a new beginning—if that is you, would you be bold, take that step of faith, and stand right where you are, and we will pray together?
Come on, Lakewood, let us give them a hand as they stand all over the building. Come on, do not put it off. How about watching, listening? You can just slip your hand up. I do not have to see it; God sees it.
Come on now, a few more—anybody else? Start the new year off right—up top, anybody else? Well, God bless you. And please remain standing if you do not mind. Let me tell you: we are proud of you. More importantly, I know the angels are rejoicing in the heavens. It is going to be a new beginning in your life. God is never going to be ashamed of you because you took this step of faith.
The scripture says: whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Let me help you to call. Would you all pray this with me? Everyone that is listening:
Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make You my Lord and Savior. Amen.
Well, let me tell you how proud we are of you. Remain standing just for a moment. I want to tell you: we are going to be praying for you; we love you.
I am going to give you a challenge. I want to ask you to give us the next year of your life—make a commitment that you are going to come as often as you can, or you are going to watch online for the next year, just like you go to work.
I will make a promise to you: your life will never be the same for the better. Get plugged in; keep God first place. We are all busy these days, all got a lot of things to do, but your life goes better when you put God first place by honoring Him—stay planted in the house of the Lord.
We have some great courses online; you can take our new beginnings course right there online. Listen, let me know this: the moment you stood up, God washed away all your sins, your mistakes, your failures. You are starting with a fresh clean slate.
Write it down in your Bible: January 3rd, 2021—a new day of victory in your life. In Jesus' name, amen.
Final Blessing and Dismissal
Let us all stand together, if you would please. Thanks for coming out today. How many of you are going home better off than you were before? Amen.
Well, we are going to speak that blessing one more time until we meet again (Numbers 6): «May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord show you His favor and have mercy on you. May the Lord watch over you and give you His peace.»
God bless you. Have a great week, happy new year, see you back real soon.