You’ve probably heard it before. All the self-help gurus — life coaches, motivational speakers, and even preachers — exhort us to live with “excellence.”

But what does that really mean — and does it really make any difference? This week we’ll wrap up our sermon series based on Joel Osteen’s book Your Best Life Now by exploring how far we should — and shouldn’t — take this notion of “excellence” if we want to live well.

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Often life’s most important decisions are made quickly, when the pressure is on — and can reverberate through our lives for years.

When the heat is on, will you make the right decision? This sermon continues to explore Your Best Life Now.

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Did you know that happiness is a learned skill? We don’t often think of it that way, but it is.

Listen or watch to learn a practical, time-tested spiritual “formula” for cultivating greater happiness in life. This sermon is another installment in our series based on Joel Osteen’s book, Your Best Life Now.

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This sermon looks at the principle of “sowing and reaping.”

Some Christians say we have the power to shape our own future to be anything we want it to be just by what we do — give love, get love back, give money, get money in return. Is it that simple?

To what extent do my actions now affect the shape of my life to come?

This sermon references a Sowing Seeds of Abundance worksheet.

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It would be difficult to imagine a bird that was happy without being able to fly, or a dolphin that was happy without being able to swim. Birds were created to fly; dolphins to swim. Take that away and they’ve lost their essence.

So what about us humans? What is the characteristic action that defines us, without which we cannot be happy? Jesus says most people live and die without ever figuring that out. Listen or watch as explore Jesus’ answer. It’s not what you think!

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No doubt, someone has told you, “Don’t let the hard times get you down!”, or words to that effect.

But the same jokers who spout cliches like that don’t tell you how to not let the bad stuff get you down.

In this sermon, as we look at Joel Osteen’s fifth principle from Your Best Life Now, we’ll dig into some practical ways to triumph while you’re in the midst of hard times. Listen for something more than a cliche.

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When someone is treating you badly, how do you react? Do you strike back? Or is there a better way?

Last Sunday we talked about how important it is to be willing to forgive and let go of the past. But what if something isn’t in your past? What if it’s happening now?

How should someone who wants to live well respond to an ongoing oppressive situation? Listen as we delve into the spiritual principles that will help us rise above the stress and trouble.

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Think about some of your past hurts or mistakes. Are they easy to conjure up? Is it a struggle to let go of them?

The past — all of those mistakes, bad memories, times of pain — can be like quicksand, dragging us down and never letting go.

This sermon looks at the 4th principle from Joel Osteen’s Your Best Life Now — letting go of the past. Listen or watch for some practical ways to leave the past in the past.

Click to watch the webcast of this sermon. If you notice errors or have suggestions, please email us.