The Good Father

Pastor Joel @ Lakewood Church

People are not perfect and fathers are no exception. Many times, fathers don't have the things that children need. Most fathers don't plan to mess up their children but like a pebble in a peaceful pond, there are ripple effects. But God knew what we'd be missing and has it in store for us and he will never let us down. Don't stay focused on what an earthly father didn't give.

When God laid out each life, he took all of the setbacks into consideration and the Good Father will make it up to you

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:32 NIV

God takes good pleasure in giving.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

Psalm 68:5 NIV

The good father can help you to break generational curses.

At that time the Lord said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again." So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth.

Joshua 5:2‭-‬3 NIV

http://bible.com/111/jos.5.2-3.NIV

When you don't get what you need a a ,child it can be much more painful to receive it as an adult.

These men were in their 20s receiving something they should have received at 8 day old from their fathers.

The good father can bring down walls easier than you imagined.

Then the Lord said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in."

Joshua 6:2‭-‬5 NIV

People usually have to fight to conquer a city.

God will make it easier on you because of what you were missing.

You may be wounded but God has a plan for the wounded.

Ishmael had to pay the price for Abraham's mistake. Abraham was wealthy but when he sent Ishmael and his mom away at the request of his wife, hr only sent them with a loaf of bread and a bottle of water.

God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation."

Genesis 21:17‭-‬18 NIV

Even if your parents made a mess out of your life the Good Father God knows how to bring greatness from a great mess! Beauty from ashes!

Ishmael's dad was called the father of faith but he put Ishmael in a bad situation. Sometimes good people can do bad things to you.  Stop trying to make people pay you back. 

Victoria's Exhortation

Be A  God-Made man.

God spoke to Abraham.

The Lord had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you.  "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

Genesis 12:1‭-‬2 NIV

He trusted God to make him able.

We are the seed of Abraham because we were born of Jesus Christ

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."  Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

Romans 4:18‭-‬24 NIV

Abraham was not perfect. God's pattern is a great mentorship program. God won't disqualify us if we make a mistake.

...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6 NIV

Right on Time

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church

We all have things that we are waiting on and we know that God put the promise in our heart but we wonder why it’s taking so long. It’s not enough to trust God, we have to also accept his timing.

1. Faith without patience will get you in trouble.
1. Hebrews 12:6
2. that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
3. Faith without patience will get you int
2. God knows what he’s doing we don’t have to force anything.
1. We don’ have to beat down any doors.
2. Psalm 106:13
1. They soon forgot His works;They did not wait for His counsel, 
3. Matthew 11:28-30
1. “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
3. Come into the unforced rhythms of grace
1. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 
1. Faith acts before it feels.
2. Nothing changes unless you choose to use your faith to express love.
3. Prayer lessens the grip of the attitude in you.
2. Things will happen without the struggle
4. There are season
1. Planting, Growth, Harvest, Etc…
2. Lemon Trees
1. There are sometimes when Lemon trees produce a lot of lemons but sometimes they don’t. There’s nothing wrong it’s just not their time to produce
2. They naturally bear fruit.
5. Psalm 1
1. Blessed is the onewho does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.
1. Waiting is not pleasant
2. Don’t compare someone else’s situation to yours
6. God can see the big picture
1. Sometimes God shows his love not  by what he gives but what he withholds.
1. God knows what we can handle
2. In order to protect us, God says “Not now”
3. A good father may have  a good gift but he won’t give it at the wrong time
2. Example
1. When Jonathan was 10, Joel didn’t give him the car keys
1. Him having a car at 10 wouldn’t be a blessing it would be a curse

1. (2) Joel Approached his dad about creating a radio broadcast
1. Pastor John didn’t want to do that
2. Joel honored his father and didn’t go through with it.
1. Joel didn’t know that his father would pass away 2 years later and now he does have a radio broadcast on SiriusXM
1. He didn’t realize the dreams that he had were for him and it wasn’t time for them yet.
1. Our steps are not directed
1. Psalm 37:23
1. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,And He delights in his way.
1. Wait for the plan to Unfold
1. Joseph
1. Sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, falsely imprisoned, he rose to become vizier, the second most powerful man in Egypt next to Pharaoh, where his presence and office caused Israel to leave Canaan and settle in Egypt.
1. Everything that happened to Joseph lead him to his destiny
2. It didn’t seem like anything was happening
3. In order to protect us, God says “Not now”
4. A good father may have  a good gift but he won’t give it at the wrong time
2. Sometimes other people will get blessed while you’re waiting
1. Mark 5
1. v.22-24: one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.” 24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.
2. v35: a woman with an issue of blood interrupted his walk to touch his garment and be healed
1. While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”
2. He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement.
2. The man came to Jesus asking for a healing but because of the delay he received a resurrection

Proverbs 3:5…

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.

Victoria's Exhortation: Love in Faith

1. When we respect others we are promoting the gospel of God. Anyone can throw rocks, anyone can hate on someone. We're the ones who should share God's love. The church should stick together standing under the banner of Jesus Christ and what he did for us. The world needs to see
1. Galatians 5:6
1. For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.
2. 1 Corinthians 13:1
1. If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  
2. When an opinion divides you, you need to keep that opinion to yourself. We have to love people through faith; we don't have to use faith to love people who aren't difficult.
3. Romans 12:18
1. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 
1. Faith acts before it feels.
2. Nothing changes unless you choose to use your faith to express love.
3. Prayer lessens the grip of the attitude in you.
2. There may be people who may never change, but when you express faith through love you change.
1. Sometimes the best way to show love is to be quiet.
2. A girl approached Victoria to have a fight and she approached Victoria declaring that she was going to fight here. Victoria didn't know the girl but she asked why. The girl said, "I don't like the way you act." So Victoria said, "Then I'll change" and the girl walked away!
3. You benefit when you're kind.
4. Proverbs 11:17
1. The merciful man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
2. When you decide that you're going to love God by loving other you'll change.