Finishing strong

John Gray

• Isaiah 66:1-2 “Heaven’s my throne, earth is my footstool. What sort of house could you build for me? What holiday spot reserve for me? I made all this! I own all this!” God’s Decree. “But there is something I’m looking for: a person simple and plain, reverently responsive to what I say.  
• Heaven is his throne and earth his Foot stool but He only wants to live in my heart
• Development is necessary for us to be able to receive blessings.
• Some of us want the fruit without the root
• Acts 20:22-24 KJV
  And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. I am a grace made individual and his grail is sufficient
• Start with an attitude of gratitude
• Philippians 3:12-14 KJV Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
• John 19:30 KJV When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
• Reflect think about the goodness of Jesus and all that he's done GOOD in my life.
• Refrain from complaining Exodus 16:1-3
• On the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left Egypt, the whole company of Israel moved on from Elim to the Wilderness of Sin which is between Elim and Sinai. The whole company of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron there in the wilderness. The Israelites said, “Why didn’t God let us die in comfort in Egypt where we had lamb stew and all the bread we could eat? You’ve brought us out into this wilderness to starve us to death, the whole company of Israel!”
• Fear of the Future will cause you to live in bondage
• Rejoice Nehemiah 8:12
• So the people went away to eat a festive meal and to send presents; it was a time of great and joyful celebration because they could hear and understand God’s words.
• Repeat Phil 4:4
• Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Paul Osteen

Mark 5:25-34

A woman who had suffered a condition of hemorrhaging for twelve years—a long succession of physicians had treated her, and treated her badly, taking all her money and leaving her worse off than before—had heard about Jesus. She slipped in from behind and touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, “If I can put a finger on his robe, I can get well.” The moment she did it, the flow of blood dried up. She could feel the change and knew her plague was over and done with.  30 At the same moment, Jesus felt energy discharging from him. He turned around to the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?”  His disciples said, “What are you talking about? With this crowd pushing and jostling you, you’re asking, ‘Who touched me?’ Dozens have touched you!”  But he went on asking, looking around to see who had done it. The woman, knowing what had happened, knowing she was the one, stepped up in fear and trembling, knelt before him, and gave him the whole story.  Jesus said to her, “Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! Be healed of your plague.”

• The woman had probably gone 12 years without anyone touching her due to the stigma attached to her disease.
• She still didn't give up
• Because of the condition, she knew that she'd be condemned for touching anyone, so she decided that touching his clothes would be enough!
• According to the thinking of the day, when this unclean woman touched Jesus, it would make Him unclean. But because of the nature of Jesus and the power of God, that isn’t how it worked. When she touched His garment Jesus wasn’t made unclean, the woman was made whole.
• Jesus knew who had touched him, but for the benefit of the woman (so she wouldn't be embarrassed) he was a gentleman and asked her to reveal herself!
• Jesus said that her faith made her whole!

Lisa Comes

• Shared about the double portion
• Joy is a weapon against the enemy.
• It builds a wall (Nehemiah 8 )
• 2013 was about development
• survival not arrival

The 7th Year

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church

• The 1st place we lose the battle is in our mind
• Stir up your faith and stand against lies of permanency'
• It did not come to stay it came to pass
• Deuteronomy 15:1-2 KJV
• At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the Lord's release.
• A man had an inoperable tumor for years and with treatment they were never able to get rid of it. They came to Houston so he could get treatment at the cancer center. He decided to visit Lakewood Church
• LAKEWOOD CHURCH'S 7TH YEAR
• In 2003 the when the Rockets moved to the Toyota Center, the City of Houston leased the arena to Lakewood. 7 years later, we were able to buy the building outright from the city for $7.5 million.
• Mark 9:23 ...if you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes...
• MIDNIGHT
• Midnight is the transition time period from one day to the next: the moment when the date changes. In ancient Roman timekeeping, midnight was halfway between sunset and sunrise, varying according to the seasons.
• Dont take ownership of things that are only with me temporarily
• Sometimes people say "my debt" "my high blood pressure" and etc...Those things are only temporary because God is working things out for my good. I am a lender not a borrower, I am healed, and etc!
• 1 Corinthians 4:17 KJV
• For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every w.here in every church.
• I am a foreigner I do not have citizenship here. This may be where 1 am but it is not who l am.
• 2 Kings 20:1-6 MSG
• Some time later Hezekiah became deathly sick. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz paid him a visit and said, “Put your affairs in order; you’re about to die—you haven’t long to live.” 
• Hezekiah received unfavorable news.
• Hezekiah turned from Isaiah and faced God , praying: Remember, O God , who I am, what I’ve done! I’ve lived an honest life before you, My heart’s been true and steady, I’ve lived to please you; lived for your approval. And then the tears flowed. Hezekiah wept.
• Hezekiah prayed to God, reminding Him of His promises.
• Isaiah, leaving, was not halfway across the courtyard when the word of God stopped him: “Go back and tell Hezekiah, prince of my people, ‘ God ’s word, Hezekiah! From the God of your ancestor David: I’ve listened to your prayer and I’ve observed your tears. I’m going to heal you. In three days you will walk on your own legs into The Temple of God . I’ve just added fifteen years to your life; I’m saving you from the king of Assyria, and I’m covering this city with my shield—for my sake and my servant David’s sake.’”
• Hezekiah received a new prognosis from Jehovah Jireh!
• Stop telling God what you heard!
• Alot of times l take my problems to God instead of my praise.
• God is omnicient, he knows my problems already
• Acts 9:13-15 KJV
• Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
• Announce and Then declare
• Isaiah 61:1-2 KJV
• The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord , and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
• Change what IS coming out of my mouth
• Romans 4:17 KJV
• (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Victoria Osteen @ Lakewood Church

• Hebrews 4:16 KJV
• l Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
• l Sometimes we start to murmur and complain so much that we do it without realizing it . But what we do notice is that things start to get more difficult. when things become difficult it should be a signal that we need to shift back into saying what God says.
• Hebrews 12:1 KJV
• l Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
• l Shake off the junk and put down the baggage so l can be free to recieve
• l Psalms 37:7 KJV
• Rest in the Lord , and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
• Matthew 6:27-34 KJV
• Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

The Break Out

John Gray @ Lakewood Church

• Sometimes you are in prison and then it gets worse because then it gets dark.
• IF I have to knock then its not my door
• God IS opening my doors and IM about to walk right through
• My blessing is going to be freedom for those around me.

• BACKGROUND
• Acts 16:16-21 KJV
  And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
• The "demon-possessed woman" is the last person Paul wanted agreeing with him!
• The woman was how her "pimps" made their money so when the spirit came out of her they were upset so they lied and said the men were "troubling" their city
• Draw your own conclusions!

• The Break Out
• Acts 16:25-28 KJV
  And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

• At midnight, when things could not get worse they sang praise and prayed.
• Praise can shift the ground under me
• All I need is one person to get in agreement with me and that person can be me! l can encourage my self
• 1 Samuel 30:6-8 6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
• When I don't know whether or not my praise is getting through l can rest assure that God inhabits the praises of His people
• Psalms 22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel
• At midnight my eyes see darkness but my faith sees morning.
• You cant be a prison keeper without beIng in The prison yourself

Victoria Osteen

• Be a Thermostat
• Set the tone
• I am not to read the temperature then adjust
• I am supposed to set the temperature and change the atmosphere
• A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule.
• The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule 'braying'--or whatever mules do when they fall into wells.After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened...and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his
  back...a thought struck him.It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back...HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did, blow after blow."Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up!" he repeated to encourage himself.No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP! You're right! It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL!What seemed like would bury him, actually blessed him...all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.
• THAT'S LIFE!

• If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity...THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO BURY US USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT AND BLESS US!
• IF I feel like I AM In a pit
• Shake off deception and step up to a new level.

Serving One Another

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church

• Matthew 20:27-28…and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
• BE OPEN TO HELP ANYONE
• Johnny McGowan is a friend of Joel's and Joel always recounts how much of a servant he is. He's always trying to help someone or make someone feel important. Joel told a story about when he called Johnny to go somewhere with him and he said that he couldn't because he was helping someone repair their roof. The person he was helping was a friend of his neighbor.
• Matthew 10:42 KJV
• And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
• When you serve others its like you are serving God
• Dont look for people to pay you back
• JJ Moses: is a former American football wide receiver in the NFL. During his career he was listed as the shortest player in the NFL at 5'6".
• Even though he was an NFL player he would volunteer as an Usher at Lakewood and continues to do so. He counts that as his most honorable time is as an usher.
• When you do God's will you will be recharged. You will be Fed because you are doing God's will
• John 4:32 KJV
• But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
• John 4:33-34 KJV
• Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
• When you lift Others God will lift you.
• Kind words work wonders.
• This should start at home
• John 13:1-17
• Jesus washed the disciples' feet
• Matthew 20:28 ...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
• Be willing to carry someone.
• Lakewood Church offers water baptism and occasionally Joel Osteen baptizes people himself. On the day of the baptism, a younger man came in with an older man who appeared to have been confined to a wheel chair. He helped the man get up the stairs to the baptism pool and then carried him into the water. Afterwards, he carried the man out. Joel asked him if the man was his father. The young that older gentleman said under his breath, "I wish I could go". The younger man sitting next to him overheard him and told he older man that he should. But the older man said that he wouldn't be able to get to church or into the water. The younger man made arrangements to pick the older gentleman up, bring him to church, AND help him in and out of the water. Everyone wanted to know how he knew the man. Everyone was moved to find out that he was a stranger.
• Matthew 25:40 KJV
• And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
• Don't give up.
• God sees you helping others.
• Matthew 6:4 KJV
• That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
  
• Victoria Osteen

• ① God wants us to see what we cant
• ② I can't live in The place where I am unhappy
• ③ Delay is not denial
• Luke 18:2-8 KJV
• ...There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect,
  which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
• Don't judge God's ability by the condition of the circumstances

Just Do It

Joel @ Lakewood Church

• Sometimes God Wants us to do things that do not make sense, do not fit into my schedule, or are Outside of our budget.
• With every act of Obedience there is a blessing attached
• You have to have bold obedience. Faith is not in your head, faith is in your heart.
• Before the red sea was parted The Israelites had to get their feet wet.
• Exodus 14:15-16 
• God said to Moses: “Why cry out to me? Speak to the Israelites. Order them to get moving.
• Hold your staff high and stretch your hand out over the sea: Split the sea! The Israelites will walk through the sea on dry ground.
• John Osteen collected $6000 to pour the foundation for and sanctuary. The Lord told Him to donate the money to a nearby church. He did and Then after that donations flooded in.
• Joel is reaping a harvest from a seed that was sown years ago.
• God told Isaac to plant his crops in a Famine which did nor make sense.
• Genesis 26:12 KJV
  Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him.
• Acts 9:1, 11-13 KJV
• And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
• God commanded Ananias to heal someone who had been persecuting Christians. This did not make sense. But since Ananias was obedient Paul went on to preach the gospel and write much of the Bible.
• Acts 9:17-18 KJJ
• And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
• Paul Osteen left his successful medical practice to help his father's church. now he gives medical treatment to assist at Lakewood after his father died. Now Paul uses his medical practice to spread the gospel in countries where people wouldn't usually have access to health care!
• God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac his promised son. Abraham obeyed and just as he was about to do it, this happens...
• Genesis 22:15-18 KJV
• And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord , for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

• Victoria Osteen @ Lakewood Church

• Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
• For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord , thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
• Sometimes When it take long we put down what we believe and pick up what me see became me get good at being human when aid wants us to be supernatural because we serve a supernatural God. So we have to Watch and See
• Watch
• Observe.
• Observing is a long process. You have to take hold of what you see and absorb them.
• Long Processes produce brilliant results
• A diamond IS produced when coal Is put under pressure.
• David spent most of His young life watching His Father's sheep until one day his father sent him to the enemy line. Before he faced Goliath he remembered his past victories. His brothers ridiculed Him but he had to look past those distracting voices because that pressure is making me shiny and brilliant.
• 1 Samuel 17 34-37: But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
• See
• Isaiah 43:19 KJV
• Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.. .

Moving Forward

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church

• As long as l live in regret looking the past it will keep me from my bright future.
• Don't let what someone did or didn't do for me hold Me back or  poison my future.
• Resentment Regrets Disappointment are bags that can weigh you down and God didn't create me to carry that much weight
• In the car, the rearview mirror is smaller than The windshield because what lies ahead is more important than what is behind you.
• My bad breaks did not stop Gods plan for my liFe.
• Philippians 4:8 KJV
  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
• Quit thinking about it and quit talking about it. when there negative pictures come up, change The channel because I have the remote
• Isaiah 61:3 KJV
  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord , that he might be glorified.
• You have to let go of the negative to receive the positive. The enemy would love for me to sit in the ashes.
• Philippians 3:13-14 KJV
  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
• 1 Samuel 16:1 KJV
  And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth–lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
• There is a problem with excessive mourning.
  God can take What I see as a stumbling block and use it as a stepping stone.
• I SHOULD sow my losses as a seed.
• James Franco
• James Franco become trapped in a canyon. A boulder has him pinned down…after a few days his arm dies so he cuts it off.
• IF something Is dead in my liFe l had to not due with it. I have to be willing to walk away
• Job 2:8 KJV, Job 19:25
• And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.
• For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
• Isaiah 61:7 KJV
• For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
  .
• Victoria @ Lakewood Church
• Proverbs 18:21 KJV 
• Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
• James 3:4-8 KJV
• Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and
  hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
• James 1:5 KJV
• If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
• You can take your tongue and turn your life around.

Doing Business in Deep Waters

If you're ever going to do anything great in life there will be setbacks, oppositions, delays, critics. But that will happen when you are taking new ground and making a difference.

• Psalm 107:23-24 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.

• When you're in the deep waters you aren't praying "God please don't let me face anything big" because you realize that big dreams come with big challenges.

• When you're in deep waters, you aren't trying to convince everyone to like you; your coworkers may get jealous, you relatives may find fault, your friends may not celebrate you but you can't go to the shallow waters to deal with pettiness.

• You can't please every person and please God at the same time; if you please God he will take care of the dissenters.

• You only have so much emotional energy for a day so you have to be selective  of who you spend your time with and what you spend your time thinking about. You have to stay in the deep waters.

• You have to learn to love some family members from a distance because you can't spend the whole week with certain people because they will pull you into the shallow water. Some people will NEVER be for you but you don't have to have anyone's approval to fulfill your destiny.

• Here is what Paul said when he faced opposition:

• ROMANS 3:3-4 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?  Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written:  “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.”

• Billy Graham went to England early in his evangelistic career and was getting a lot of negative reaction from the media about him coming over to share the Gospel. A critical reporter said to him, "So you came over here on a great big luxury ocean liner, huh? How can you justify that when Jesus rode around on a lowly donkey everywhere he went?" Billy's response was, "If you can find me a donkey that walks on water, I'll buy it in a minute" 

• Don't fight battles with small-minded people. People who belittle you are being little.
• In 1 Samuel 10:17-27 Samuel anointed Saul as the next king. Most people celebrated him but there were those who said bad things about him. In verse 27  it says that "some rebels said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace."
• You don't need to try to prove yourself.

• Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.

• God has a hedge of protection around me that the enemy cannot penetrate.
• Deuteronomy 28:7 The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.

• The size of your problem is an indication of the size of your destiny.
• Without Goliath, David would still be known as a Shepherd. (1 Samuel 17)
• Our difficulties come to promote us.

• Exodus 1:12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites

• Psalm 23:5 [God] prepare(s) a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
• God will make sure that your enemies see you promoted.
• Haman tried to discredit Mordecai. Mordecai didn't try to get even.
• Esther 6: 10-11  “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.” So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”
• Don't be discouraged by the opposition; be encouraged knowing that on the other side of that opposition is a new level of my destiny.
• When a gazelle or wildebeest is close to giving birth, a lion will stalk that animal waiting for her to go into labor because the lion knows that she is an easy target.
• When you are close to giving birth to your dreams you will face the most opposition, so don't be surprised.

• Zechariah 9:12 Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope;     even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.
• I have been prepared by my past.

• 1 Samuel 4:19-22 His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near the time of delivery. When she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she went into labor and gave birth, but was overcome by her labor pains. 20 As she was dying, the women attending her said, “Don’t despair; you have given birth to a son.” But she did not respond or pay any attention.  21 She named the boy Ichabod,[c] saying, “The Glory has departed from Israel”—because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 She said, “The Glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”  
• She named her future based on what had happened in the past.
• She could have easily named him, "The Glory will return"
• Never name your future based on a negative past:
• i.e… I didn't get any breaks last year, it's going to be the same this year
• This is a NEW DAY and God is doing NEW THINGS.
• You attitude in a difficult situation should be, "this is only temporary"
• God's face is shining down on me. He's opening new doors of opportunity.
• When you look at your future, there should be an expectancy.
• David faced many obstacles but this was his attitude.
• Psalm 27:13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for.
• Isaiah 60: 1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

You Are Valuable

Jentezen Franklin @ Lakewood Church

• Hongkong is the capitol of Tattoos. Born loser is the most popular tattoo . Before a tattoo Is placed on a persons body, it is already permanently inked on your mind.

• Christoper Columbus
• According to Earl Rosenthal, author of The Palace of Charles V in Granada (1985), the motto is closely associated with the Pillars of Hercules, which, according to Greek mythology, were built by Hercules near the Straits of Gibraltar to mark the edge of the then known world. According to mythology the pillars bore the warning Nec plus ultra (also Non plus ultra, "nothing farther beyond"), serving as a warning to sailors and navigators to go no farther and also a warning not to go farther.
• After Columbus sailed to the Americas, The Spanish coat of arms depicts two crown-topped pillars of Hercules (with red banners displaying the motto in Latin, "PLUS ULTRA," meaning "More Beyond," alluding to Columbus' discovery of the New World).
• That tattoo was removed!

• Roger Banister
• Roger Bannister was the first person to break the 4-minute mile demolishing a long standing myth that it could never be done.  Once he broke through the paper barrier, 17 other people broke the 4-minute mile that year and over 100 the next year.
• That tattoo was removed.

• • Philippians 3:11-14
• If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

• Do not be overcome by the devil's tattoos .

• Romans 12:1-2 KJV
• I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

• l am who God says l am.
• A hundred dollar bill's value doesn't change no matter what it goes through because it's creator says that it's worth one hundred dollars. Even if someone uses it to buy drugs, then it's used to bribe someone in a bad business deal, then pay for a prostitute…it's still worth $100

• How to remove a tattoo: a laser light stirs up the blood on the inside .
• 1 John 1:7 "...if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

• IF Satan keeps bringing up my past then it means that he doesn't have any new material. When you are reminded of your past, praise God that you aren't there anymore.

Being A Magnet For Blessings

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church

• When you honor God he places a commanded blessing on you that acts like a magnet.
• Deuteronomy 28:1-2 KJVA
  And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the [Lord] thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the [Lord] thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: and all these blessings shall come on thete, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the [Lord] thy God.

• When you keep God first place live a heat seeking Missle blessings will track you down
• Infrared homing refers to a passive missile guidance system which uses the emission from a target of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared part of the spectrum to track and follow it. Missiles which use infrared seeking are often referred to as "heat-seekers", since infrared is just below the visible spectrum of light in frequency and is radiated strongly by hot bodies. Many objects such as people, vehicle engines and aircraft generate and retain heat, and as such, are especially visible in the infra-red wavelengths of light compared to objects in the background. No matter how much the target moves around the missile stays locked. That's how blessings are.
• I have to keep being my best right where I amand like a magnet l will draw blessings in.
• What God has planned for me is bigger than my wildest dreams.
• IF I am not faithful in the wilderness then how can God trust me in the promised land.
• God has already lined up what I need
• Matthew 6:33 KJVA
  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
• Proverbs 13:22 CEB
  Good people leave their grandchildren an inheritance, but the wealth of sinners is stored up for the righteous.
• Colossians 3:22-23 CEB
  Slaves, obey your masters on earth in everything. Don't just obey like people pleasers when they are watching. Instead, obey with the single motivation of fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do it from the heart for the Lord and not for people.
• You cant have faith if you don't first have hope.
• Hebrews 11:1 KJV
  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
• You have to have NOW faith
• On the first night of Hope a publisher from 1 of the largest book publishing company SAW people going in and through a series of events published Joel's next book and preprinted more copies of his book than any book ever
• When we dwell on the negative we demagnetize our magnet.

The Real Jesus

John Gray @ Lakewood Church

• Jesus is calling me to present an accurate picture of His character. Jesus is not comfortable or Safe...l haVe the answer and I need to share it.  Sometimes God asks you to''go out of your way )
• John 4:3-11 KJV
• He left Judæa, and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

1. *Jesus went out of His way.
2. *Jesus was intentional and related to the woman at her point of need
3. *You have to be relational relatable and relevant
4. *Jesus didn't judge her

Be A Magnet for Blessings

Joel Osteen

God will send blessings for you IF you honor Him with your life

• Deuteronomy 28:1-2 KJV
  And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.
• Continue being your best where you are.
• you don't have to Worry and play games to get people to like you . All you need to do is honor God will and he will make the divine connections.
  IF you are not faithful in the wilderness then how can he trust you In The promised land. God has explosive blessings in my future.

• Proverbs 13:22 KJV
  A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
• There and some eventualies in my future. I just need to seek God and not the things.
• Matthew 6:33 KJV
  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
• You cant have faith if you don't have hope. Do not become complacent because you do not see anything happening. Dream big!
• Hebrews 11:1 KJV
  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

← Cow story d

There was a missionary living in a town where a dairy farmer was selling milk for ridiculous prices. One day a few of the cows walked over to that missionary's house. The missionary returned the cows. This continued for weeks. Finally, the dairy farmer told the missionary to keep those cows. The missionary started selling milk for lower prices putting the dairy farmer out of business. 

• Proverbs 13:21 KJV
  Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repaid.

Victoria Osteen

• Luke 2:37 KJV
  And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
  Sometimes that's what we want to do as believers.
  God didn't design us to struggle. So we have to make a decision to love ourselves.
• If you know that there are discouraging people and situations in our paths then we need to plan ahead.
• Psalms 3:3 KJV
  But thou, O Lord , art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
• If you aren't feeling peace about a situation then stand still.
• No one can fill my needs but God. God has my destiny today,  but it's up to me to decide how long it would take.

Activating The Right Genes

I just happened to watch Gattaca this morning while getting ready to head to Lakewood Church where the sermon title was "Activating the Right Gene". The movie was about "a genetically inferior man who assumes the identity of a superior one in order to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel" and the sermon was about how though we may be "genetically predisposed" to certain negative traits we can choose to activate the things that God says about us and not what science says about us! It got me wondering if there are things about myself that I feel have been inherited through my bloodline and will inevitably hold me back. I'm still not sure. In this blog I want to talk about the movie and the sermon.

Gattaca

The first Title card is a scripture from the Bible, "Consider God's handiwork; who can straighten what He hath made crooked? (Ecclesiastes 7:13)" and we soon meet Vincent Freeman posing as Jerome Mirrow. Society categorized Vincent as less than suitable given his genetic make-up and Jerome Morrow as a perfect genetic specimen. Jerome is a paraplegic who lacks desire and Vincent Freeman is a "god child" willing to risk everything to succeed.

I thought one of the most interesting parts in the movie was when Vincent said that from an early age he came to think of himself as others thought of him, chronically ill and wherever he went genetic prophecy preceded him. I actually talked about this movie with my husband on the way to church. When people decide that they have a disadvantage anything that happens becomes evidence to that belief but Vincent proved that the things that happened were only evidence that he was human. I don't want to give away too much of the movie, because I want you to go watch it. I watched it for free on my Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 using the Crackle app.

Joel Osteen at Lakewood Church

• There are genes that you can deactivate.
• Its easy to use genes as an excuse but I need to take responsibility For myself. Not only can I put A stop to a curse but I can pass down a blessing
• Iniquities will continue until someone takes a stand to put a stop to it.
  Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV
  I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
  ★ Ernest Hemingway's Family has a history of suicide .
  ★Make choices that help my family
• IF Saul had taken care of his enemy (in l Samuel 15) when he had the power then Esther may not had to deal with that issue 500 years later.
  Ezekiel 18:2-3 KJV
  What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? As I live, saith the Lord God , ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.
  My family may have made decisions that set me back but this is a new day. Deal with the issues that are holding me back.
• James 5:16 KJV
  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
  ★You can not sweep things under the rug and expect it to go away. 
• Dont learn to function in the dysfunction.
• ★Don't Take The Scenic Route
  The Osteens went on a trip and the bellman took them down a beautiful winding road to their bungalow. So that IS the way Joel would go. The next day Joel's son told him that there was a shorter way. Joel refused arguing that he was going the way that the bellman went. On the last day of
  the trip Johnathan asked if they could go his way just once, so they did. His way was shorter; it turns out the bellman was taking the scenic route and according to the map, it was a big circle .
• ★ Sometimes what l have seen modeled may not have been the right way. I need to examine the things that I do and determine whether that the best way.

Victoria At Lakewood Church

Someone May Need to Borrow Your Shoes

Acts 20:35 KJV
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

• God wants us to be tanked up because it is more blessed to give then to receive . we usually think about physical gifts but words one free encouragement is free and etc...
• Joel and Victoria went to Italy and bought his dad some nice shoes. After his dad died , Joel wore those shoes for 2 years.
• Joel's dad had lived a life that Joel wanted to glean from.
• We need to live in such away that others want to borrow our shoes.