Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church
Keep Your Seat
- In the old testament the priest had to go into the temple to offer sacrifices for people's sins at a certain time. When Jesus was crucified he said "it was finished"
- But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, Hebrews 10:12
- And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2:6
- When you live seated you keep your peace.
- Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me. Psalm 138:7
- You can work hard and dream from a place of rest knowing that God's favor is on your life.
- Inner rest is just as important as physical rest.
- Live from a place of Trust.
- …28 After this, Jesus, knowing[a] that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
- It Is Finished
- John 19:28-30 New King James Version (NKJV)When Pastor Joel first started ministering from the pulpit he's worry about whether or not he'd be successful. After every sermon he'd be relieved for a few hours then he'd
- Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10
- It's easy to LET your mind play all of the "what ifs".
- Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
- The first thing you should do when you're under attack is put your feet up.
- The Lord says to my lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." Psalm 110:1
- It takes work to stay seated
- Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Hebrews 4:11
- Living guilty is NOT resting
- The priest had to make a sacrifice every day
- WE HAVE new grace and mercy that is available for every day.
- You are working FROM victory not for victory.
- Be faithful when nothing is changing.
- Sometimes we are frustrated because we are trying to change something that we can't change.
- Don't focus on pleasing others
- Some people aren't being disciplined to manage their own lives
- When you run to help others you are enabling their dysfunction
- You can't fulfill your own destiny if you are allowing others to pull you out of rest
- Co-dependent relationships
- Be nice but be firm
- It may be uncomfortable at times
- Sometimes you have to ignore some text messages and phone calls
- VIII.Don't give away your joy to someone who you don't even know'
- Be an eagle not a crow
- The crow is a smaller bird with significant maneuverability. The eagle is a large bird with great physical strength.
- Due to physical strength, eagles have been spotted flying much higher in the air than a crow. Rising above the conflict, to an altitude where the crow cannot fly is an interesting method of dealing with the conflict. And it communicates a different demeanor than the direct aggressive frontal attack.
- Rise Higher
Victoria Osteen @ Lakewood Church
Staying Strong in God Through Joy
I Life tries to show us difficulties and heartaches but Jesus wants to show us that we have what it takes to handle those difficulties.
A Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
II The joy that Jesus gives doesn't have anything to do with what is going on around us.
A I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11
B God's blessings start on the inside but then they show up on the outside.
III When Victoria got a lemon tree it didn't have any lemons on it. Victoria cultivated and developed it so now it has produced fruit.
A Victoria didn't put her lemon tree in the ground when she needed lemons because it would take time to grow those lemons.
B Store up the word on the inside for use when needed.
IV Rejoice means to brighten.
A Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4
B You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12
V Facial Feedback Theory
A Your brain is constantly monitoring what's happening in your body. It analyzes things like muscle tension, posture, heart rate, breathing, and, yes, facial expressions, to judge how you are feeling. Put yourself in a happier position, and you can boost your mood. Practice a depressed face and slumped posture, and watch the gloom set in.
B The pencil trick
1 Put a pencil between your lips in just the right way, and you'll feel happier
2 Forces your face to mimic a genuine smile, recruiting just the muscles of the mouth, cheeks, and eyes that come to life when you are happy.
C Don't let life's difficulties push your joy down
1 Joy signals victory
