Declaring Favor

Pastor Joel @ Lakewood Church

We release favor through our words. Things begin to change in the unseen realms.

Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

Luke 2:52 NLT

It's about more than being positive but releasing your faith.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

Psalms 23:6 NKJV

When you know that you have favor you will approach even tough tasks with boldness. In Nehemiah 2 we see this where the prophet asked for everything he'd need. 

And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king's words that he had spoken to me. So they said, "Let us rise up and build." Then they set their hands to this good work.

Nehemiah 2:18 NKJV

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:6 NKJV

In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].

PROVERBS 3:6 AMP

Ask the Lord for rain In the time of the latter rain. The Lord will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, Grass in the field for everyone.

Zechariah 10:1 NKJV

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

I Peter 1:13 NKJV

The Messenger-Angel said, "Can't you tell?" "No, sir," I said. Then he said, "This is God 's Message to Zerubbabel: 'You can't force these things. They only come about through my Spirit,' says God -of-the-Angel-Armies. 'So, big mountain, who do you think you are? Next to Zerubbabel you're nothing but a molehill. He'll proceed to set the Cornerstone in place, accompanied by cheers: Yes! Yes! Do it!'"

Zechariah 4:5‭-‬7 MSG

Will you donate to my revolution?

Dear A;Philosophy, This year I've put my weight behind Augie’s Quest® and STRONG by Zumba® for their #STRONGER4ALS Challenge to raise $150,000 for research to find a cure for ALS. I've been sweating and fundraising throughout the month and have committed to raise at least $250 while participating in the 30-Day workout challenge. Today, I’m asking you to please help me reach my goal for this amazing cause. Every dollar counts, every amount helps, and your support will benefit those losing muscle functionality. You can DONATE HERE: link to page. ALS is a disorder that paralyzes the body but leaves the mind intact. On average, patients live between two to five years. An ALS diagnosis is a death sentence, but it’s not an incurable disease. It’s just underfunded. Together with your support, we can change that. Any contribution that you make would be most gratefully appreciated. If you can't give, you can still support the cause by sharing this (http://cure.augiesquest.org/goto/TheJRochelle) page with your friends, family members and coworkers. With more people aware, we will be lunging closer to finding a cure. If you want to make a bigger impact, you can join my team and let's KICK SOME ALS! Kindly yours Click here to visit my personal page. If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address: http://cure.augiesquest.org/site/TR?px=1003718&pg=personal&fr_id=1070&s_locale=en_US&et=iKISYp2My8u-ccCaykMX0A If you no longer wish to receive email messages sent from your friends on behalf of this organization, please click here or paste this URL into your browser: http://cure.augiesquest.org/site/TellFriendOpt?action=optout&toe=b6e8cbb3cb65e2549dabb38da9a8aecf93ea6e0ab5304f839f4ae40619ef762a Don't want to receive these emails anymore? Unsubscribe strongbyZumba.com Augiesquest.org Copyright© 2018 Zumba Fitness, LLC Zumba®, Zumba Fitness® and the Zumba Fitness logos are trademarks of Zumba Fitness, LLC. 800 Silks Run, Suite 2310, Hallandale, FL 33009

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Will you donate to my revolution?

Dear A;Philosophy, This year I've put my weight behind Augie’s Quest® and STRONG by Zumba® for their #STRONGER4ALS Challenge to raise $150,000 for research to find a cure for ALS. I've been sweating and fundraising throughout the month and have committed to raise at least $250 while participating in the 30-Day workout challenge. Today, I’m asking you to please help me reach my goal for this amazing cause. Every dollar counts, every amount helps, and your support will benefit those losing muscle functionality. You can DONATE HERE: link to page. ALS is a disorder that paralyzes the body but leaves the mind intact. On average, patients live between two to five years. An ALS diagnosis is a death sentence, but it’s not an incurable disease. It’s just underfunded. Together with your support, we can change that. Any contribution that you make would be most gratefully appreciated. If you can't give, you can still support the cause by sharing this (http://cure.augiesquest.org/goto/TheJRochelle) page with your friends, family members and coworkers. With more people aware, we will be lunging closer to finding a cure. If you want to make a bigger impact, you can join my team and let's KICK SOME ALS! Kindly yours Click here to visit my personal page. If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address: http://cure.augiesquest.org/site/TR?px=1003718&pg=personal&fr_id=1070&s_locale=en_US&et=89am7aPI-H3Bca2y3vGgaQ If you no longer wish to receive email messages sent from your friends on behalf of this organization, please click here or paste this URL into your browser: http://cure.augiesquest.org/site/TellFriendOpt?action=optout&toe=b6e8cbb3cb65e2549dabb38da9a8aecf93ea6e0ab5304f839f4ae40619ef762a Don't want to receive these emails anymore? Unsubscribe strongbyZumba.com Augiesquest.org Copyright© 2018 Zumba Fitness, LLC Zumba®, Zumba Fitness® and the Zumba Fitness logos are trademarks of Zumba Fitness, LLC. 800 Silks Run, Suite 2310, Hallandale, FL 33009

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A Public Display

Pastor Joel @ Lakewood Church

God is going to show out in a way that not only will I see his power but EVERYONE will see. God will give me a public display. I won't have to say anything to my critics, God will. What He will do in my life remove any doubt.

The Lord replied, "Listen, I am making a covenant with you in the presence of all your people. I will perform miracles that have never been performed anywhere in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people around you will see the power of the Lord —the awesome power I will display for you.

Exodus 34:10 NLT

God could display his power however he sees fit but he's going to do it through me. 

Sometimes God will let you get in a situation that seems impossible so everyone will know it was God.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

Psalms 23:5 NLT

Send me a sign of your favor. Then those who hate me will be put to shame, for you, O Lord , help and comfort me.

Psalms 86:17 NLT

People will see first hand God's favor on your life. 

David and Goliath

When David defeated Goliath,  a larger, older, more experienced fighter, in front of everyone they had no choice but believe God was on his side.

Then Elijah said to them, "I am the only prophet of the Lord who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets. Now bring two bulls. The prophets of Baal may choose whichever one they wish and cut it into pieces and lay it on the wood of their altar, but without setting fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood on the altar, but not set fire to it. Then call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord . The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!" And all the people agreed. At the usual time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, "O Lord , God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command. O Lord , answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O Lord , are God and that you have brought them back to yourself."

1 Kings 18:22‭-‬24‭, ‬36‭-‬37 NLT

If you ask big, God will show out big.

Immediately the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, "The Lord —he is God! Yes, the Lord is God!"

1 Kings 18:38‭-‬39 NLT

God will move what looks permanent.

Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn't even smell of smoke! Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king's command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!"

Daniel 3:26‭-‬29 NLT

Paul lived a blessed life performing and witnessing great miracle.

And King Agrippa knows about these things. I speak boldly, for I am sure these events are all familiar to him, for they were not done in a corner!

Acts of the Apostles 26:26 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/act.26.26.NLT

The Joshua Generation

Pastor Joel @ Lakewood Church

The freed Israelites only heard about the blessings God had for them wondering around for 40 years. The next generation experienced the blessings. Voices will tell you that you'll only dream like that first generation but we're in the Joshua Generation!

Oh, taste and see that the Lord  is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalms 34:8 NKJV

We aren't just going to believe for promises, we're going to see the promises.

"Now therefore, stand and see this great thing which the Lord will do before your eyes:

I Samuel 12:16 NKJV

The people who went before may have struggled but I'm not with them!

In the Book of Joshua, the city of Jericho was the first Canaanite city that the Israelites attacked upon their entry into Canaan (the promised land). The Israelites destroyed the Bronze Age wall of Jericho by walking around it with the Ark of the Covenant for seven days.

Generational Blessings

"So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant— when you have eaten and are full—

Deuteronomy 6:10‭-‬11 NKJV

John's Compaq Center Seed

Lee Brown was the first AA police chief; Pastor John and Momma Dodie sowed a seed of kindness by attending his reception and letting him know that that were praying for him. 

20 years later Pastor Joel called the same man, but he was a Mayor, to ask him about buying the compaq center. Lee Brown said that he thought it would be a great idea.

Had his parents not cultivated that relationship Lee Brown may not have even taken that call.

Dr. Todd Price

Was contacted about an executive who had symptoms similar to disease's he had treated on his mission trips. He determined that the man had a serious malaria infection but he didn't have time to request the normal medicine from the CDC. After prayer, he came up with an idea to do a blood transfusion and the man recovered within a day, the fastest he'd ever witnessed.

Wisdom that goes beyond your normal understanding.

The Lord will extend your powerful kingdom from Jerusalem ; you will rule over your enemies.

Psalms 110:2 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.110.2.NLT

A year to remember...

John Gray @ Lakewood Church

So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: "The  Spirit of the Lord  is  upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to  the  poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to  the  captives And recovery of sight to  the  blind, To  set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord ." Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.

Luke 4:16‭-‬20 NKJV

Jesus made sure to remain in community.

Can we recognize when we see the thing that we've been reading (prayer journals, prayer notes, scripture, etc...)

2018 was a year of exposure.

God loves me too much to let me linger in a relationship that isn't pushing me forward.

You can't argue with people who are committed to misunderstand you.

Stop showing a filtered version of yourself.

Don't throw out the whole year because you had a few bad days.

And he said to him, "Say now to her, 'Look, you have been concerned for us with all this care. What can  I do for you? Do you want me to speak on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?' " She answered, "I dwell among my own people." So he said, "What then is to be done for her?" And Gehazi answered, "Actually, she has no son, and her husband is old." So he said, "Call her." When he had called her, she stood in the doorway. Then he said, "About this time next year you shall embrace a son." And she said, "No, my Lord. Man of God, do not lie to your maidservant!" But the woman conceived, and bore a son when the appointed time had come, of which Elisha had told her.

II Kings 4:13‭-‬17 NKJV

1. What was God trying to teach us?

• You've been putting people on pedestals who don't belong there.

• 

People will judge your entire book based on the chapter they walked in on.

The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.

Proverbs 29:25 NKJV

2. How was God trying to reach us?

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2‭-‬4 NKJV

Remember vs. Dismember

God had all the pieces to put 2018 together.

God pruned and planted.

Miracles In Your Mouth

Pastor Joel @ Lakewood Church 

The spirit of faith is in our words. Thinking positive us great but until you speak it, it may not come into fruition.

And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak,

II Corinthians 4:13 NKJV

Beat your plowshares into swords And your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, 'I am strong.' "

Joel 3:10 NKJV

It doesn't say let the weak talk about the weakness and call 5 friends to discuss it. This doesn't mean that you lie, it means that you say the things that God says about you. 

When David faced goliath he understood that the miracle was in his mouth.

Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

I Samuel 17:45‭-‬46 NKJV

"Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.

Matthew 18:19 NKJV

There might be times when no one is there to agree with you. That's when you need to get you heart and mouth in agreement.

You don't need people to agree with you. 

We give life to what we speak. Your words can keep you from your destiny.

But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."... And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time."

Luke 1:13‭, ‬18‭-‬20 NKJV

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23 NKJV

Being directed to "hold fast" implies that something will try to take ot away.

Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, "Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant."

Psalms 35:27 NKJV

Words are seeds.

By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

Hebrews 11:22 NKJV

There may be no sign of your God given heart desire but you should speak of ot before it happens.

Psalm 91 says "I will say of the Lord , "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."

Psalms 91:2 NKJV

It then goes on to list great things that will happen. But in verse 9  Because you have made the Lord , who  is  my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place,

Psalms 91:9 NKJV

Use words to confirm what you heard not to argue it.

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus . Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:31‭, ‬38 NKJV

Words are seeds.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21 NKJV

A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth, But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.

Proverbs 13:2 NKJV

God said let the be light before he created a light source.

(Day 3)

Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.

Genesis 1:3 NKJV

(Day 4)

Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth"; and it was so.

Genesis 1:14‭-‬15 NKJV

Old Covenant 

So Moses cried out to the Lord , saying, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!" And the Lord said to Moses, "Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Exodus 17:4‭-‬6 NKJV

New Covenant

Now there was no water for the congregation; so they gathered together against Moses and Aaron. Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals." So Moses took the rod from before the Lord as He commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?" Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them."

Numbers 20:2‭, ‬7‭-‬12 NKJV

https://bible.com/bible/114/num.20.2-12.NKJV

Water can flow without too much effort.