Be Real

Victoria Osteen @ Lakewood Church

• The moment you pray, the tide of the battle begins to turn.
• Put a date on your prayer to remind yourself that God is working in your life.
• The work of a believer is to believe.
• Part of believing is trusting God.
• Doubt takes your emotions all over the place and causes you to be all over the place.
• James 1:6
• ...when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind;
• Feed your faith.
• What ever you feed is going to grow. If you feed your faith, your faith is going to grow. Doubt wants to take over and if you continue to feed it.
• The word is your food.
• Hebrews 4:12
• For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church

• It's easy to go through life wearing a mask.
• Some people have a mask for every situation: work, church, this friend, etc...
• In order to get well, you have to get real. Take that mask off and get honest with yourself.
• When you're honest, you open the door for God to come in.
• Your inner life is more important that your outer life.
• Matthew 6:5-15
• 5“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
• Matthew 5:8
• Blessed are the pure at heart.
• Facing truth can be uncomfortable.
• Look inside and get honest so that you can overcome the things that are holding you back.
• 2 Corinthians 4:2
• We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don't maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don't twist God's Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.
• Prodigal Son
• Luke 15:17 When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, 'At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger!
• He came to his senses and went back home.
• Luke 15: 18-20
• I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
• His father was looking for him.
• His father came running to him.
• His father restored him.
• David & Bathsheba
• For a year David was miserable. Until he finally took off the mask.
• Psalm 51:5-10
• Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
• The first step of recovery is to admit it.
• You can't pretend and have God's provision at the same time.
• God isn't holding any mistakes against you.
• The price has already been paid.
• Sometimes we're more concerned about what people are going to think than what God thinks.
• Everyone is struggling with something, there are no perfect people.
• James 5:16
• 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.
• 2 Corinthians 3:18
• But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
• You can't see God if you don't take off the mask
• God doesn't change you from shame to glory, but from glory to glory.
• Zacchaeus the Tax Collector
• Luke 19:1-10
• Tax collectors were notorious sinners.
• He climbed a tree to make up for his weakness, being short.
• Jesus called him by name.
• God knows who you really are.
• Zacchaeus had to come down from the tree to let Jesus into his house.
• The people who get the help are the people who are real.

The Secret Place

The holy of holies....

• Leviticus 16:2-34 describes a place that had strict rules of entry.
• There should be a place like that in us.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

• Proverbs 4:23 NIV
• Peace is a position of power.

"In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

• Ephesians 4:26 NIV
• Ships don't sink because of the water around ships sink because of water within.
• Acts 20:24 KJV
• 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.

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.

Job 8:22 KJV

• They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.

John 14:1 NIV

• "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God   ; believe also in me.
• Don't put your circumstances on the thrown.

Psalm 68:1 NIV

• May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him.

Lavish Love

Ed Newton @ CBC

• John 21:14-19
• 1. Love chases.
• This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
• John 21:14 NIV
• 2. Love comfronts.
• When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?"  "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
• * What are the "these" in my life?

• John 21:15 NIV
• 3. Love Convicts
• The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"  Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
• John 21:17 NIV
• 4. Love Calls
• Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go."  Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
• John 21:18-19 NIV
• Forgiveness is the only thing that can motivate a man to live with conviction.
• If You Could See What I See

It's Your Heart That Matters

We don't have to have be perfect for God to use us.

• For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war."
• 2 Chronicles 16:9

You may make mistakes but God is looking on the inside.

• Eg. Pharisees
• "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.
• Matthew 23:27

Even if I don't feel like I'm measuring up,  I'm in a state of glory!

• But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:18

• God doesn't expect us to be perfect but he does expect us to keep trying.,
• Stop taking inventory of all of your faults.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place. Ephesians 6:14

• God can approve you without approving of your behavior.
• Your value comes from your who not your do. Your do has been set by the creator of the universe.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."Jeremiah 1:5

• Don't let guilt and condemnation keep you from your destiny. God is not focused on my mistakes.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you James 1:5

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little." Luke 7:47

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8

Becoming A Miracle

• God brings people across our path so we can be the answer to their prayer.
• We are God's hands and feet
• Life gets more exciting.
• Dr. Paul Osteen became a double miracle at a clinic.
• Paul gave blood so that he could operate on someone.
• Roommate teaches friend a new word a day.
• Proverbs 11:25 NIV
• A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
• Young woman  becomes a widow's miracle by offering her a ride to church 
• The widow was a faithful member of Lakewood church but when Lakewood moved to the new location, she thought she wouldn't be able to attend church anymore. A young woman offered to pick her up for church and has been doing so forever. Many people think that the two are mother and daughter.
• Luke 10:30-37 MSG
• "There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man. "A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.' "What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?" "The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded. Jesus said, "Go and do the same."
• Helping hurting people is closests to Jesus's heart.
• Luke 5:31-32 MSG
• Jesus heard about it and spoke up, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I'm here inviting outsiders, not insiders—an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out."
• Tammy Trent: A hilton housekeeper was her miracle.
• Her husband drowned the day before 9/11 so she was stuck on an island alone dealing with the loss of her husband. She prayed to God that she could have someone to comfort her and unbeknownst to her, as she sobbed in the room the housekeeper heard her tears and offered to sit with her and pray.
• Proverbs 15:4 MSG
• Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.
• You might need to hold up someone's hands.
• Exodus 17:10-16 MSG
• Joshua did what Moses ordered in order to fight Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. It turned out that whenever Moses raised his hands, Israel was winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, Amalek was winning. But Moses' hands got tired. So they got a stone and set it under him. He sat on it and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on each side. So his hands remained steady until the sun went down. Joshua defeated Amalek and its army in battle. God said to Moses, "Write this up as a reminder to Joshua, to keep it before him, because I will most certainly wipe the very memory of Amalek off the face of the Earth." Moses built an altar and named it " God My Banner." He said, Salute God 's rule! God at war with Amalek Always and forever!
• Isaiah 58:6-9 MSG
• "This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer. You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.' "If you get rid of unfair practices, quit blaming victims, quit gossiping about other people's sins, If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight. I will always show you where to go. I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places— firm muscles, strong bones. You'll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. You'll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You'll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.
• Help someone cross the finish line.
• Be someone's healing hug.
• The next big thing is me!

All Is Well

• Joel @ Lakewood
• When you have an all IS well attitude It takes the pressure Off and it gives You peace to know Cod has things under control
• Daniel  3
• 16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn’t serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
• All is well whether it goes my way or not.
• You may not see a way out but God is still on the throne so all is well
• The trap The enemy sett for me can be used for God's glory.
• 1 Peter 4:12 KJV
• Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
• Matthew 13
• The weeds always pop up right before the harvest but when it comes to those weeds l didn't sew them so I dost have to reap them!
• Hebrews 4:3 KJV
• For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
• The battle is The Lord's and I need to rest
• You cant have a harvest without some weeds
• 2 Kings 4:26 KJV
• A Shunammite woman watched her son die in her arms. She decided to go see the prophet Elisha who promised her that son. She races up to Mount Carmel where Elisha. Seeing her in the distance, Elisha's servant met her on the rode and here is what she had to say:
• Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.
• You have to believe that all is well even when It does not look well
• Romans 4:17-18 MSG
• We call Abraham "father" not because he got God's attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn't that what we've always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, "I set you up as father of many peoples"? Abraham was first named "father" and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do. And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples. God himself said to him, "You're going to have a big family, Abraham!"
• Do not use your words to describe the situation me your words to change the situation.
• You are setting yourself up for disappointment IF all things have to go your way
• Paul and Silas praise in the prison.
• Paul and Silas had been beaten and thrown into jail unfairly. The two of them decided to pray and sing praises. In response there was a great earthquake which caused every door to open and to loose all the prisoners.
• Daniel in the lion's den
• IF you dont talk to yourself the right way negative thoughts will invade
• Isaiah 3:10 KJV
• Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.
• All things will work to my advantage even when things don't go my way.

• Victoria Osteen @ Lakewood Church
• God can only be glorified through us.
• Psalm 116:12-19 MSG
• What can I give back to God for the blessings he's poured out on me? I'll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God ! I'll pray in the name of God ; I'll complete what I promised God I'd do, and I'll do it together with his people. When they arrive at the gates of death, God welcomes those who love him. Oh, God , here I am, your servant, your faithful servant: set me free for your service! I'm ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice and pray in the name of God . I'll complete what I promised God I'd do, and I'll do it in company with his people, In the place of worship, in God 's house, in Jerusalem, God 's city. Hallelujah!
• Take what God has given me an use it
• All good relationships are good exchanges
• Take hold of what Is given and produce.
• God wants us to have more
• God doesn't want us to work for Him , he wants us to freely take.

Strategically Ordered Steps

Joel @ Lakewood

• God is not random. He will use everything because hers strategic. He may not have sent it but if He allowed it then He can use it.
• Judges 14:4 MSG
• (His father and mother had no idea that God was behind this, that he was arranging an opportunity against the Philistines. At the time the Philistines lorded it over Israel.)
• God knew that He needed an insider to carryout His plan
• Proverbs 20:24 MSG
• The very steps we take come from God; otherwise how would we know where we're going?
• Gods plan is not straight, there are turns u-turns Shortcuts and etc...
• Genesis 45:4-8 MSG
• "Come closer to me," Joseph said to his brothers. They came closer. "I am Joseph your brother whom you sold into Egypt. But don't feel badly, don't blame yourselves for selling me. God was behind it. God sent me here ahead of you to save lives. There has been a famine in the land now for two years; the famine will continue for five more years—neither plowing nor harvesting. God sent me on ahead to pave the way and make sure there was a remnant in the land, to save your lives in an amazing act of deliverance. So you see, it wasn't you who sent me here but God. He set me in place as a father to Pharaoh, put me in charge of his personal affairs, and made me ruler of all Egypt.
• Joseph had the promise OF God very young and
• He was his Fathers favorite but he got put on a detour. Joseph kept being faithful and through betrayal  in a pit , in slavery , and in jail he ended up 2nd in command positioned to save Gods people.
• Genesis 15:13-16 MSG
• God said to Abram, "Know this: your descendants will live as outsiders in a land not theirs; they'll be enslaved and beaten down for 400 years. Then I'll punish their slave masters; your offspring will march out of there loaded with plunder. But not you; you'll have a long and full life and die a good and peaceful death. Not until the fourth generation will your descendants return here; sin is still a thriving business among the Amorites."
• Don't get overwhelmed by The problem because its part of the process to get you to the promise.
• God is always working for my good.

Victoria Osteen

• IF 1 faint, then I will miss what aod is doing. The enemy Wants me to become unconscious to God's word.
• When we are weary it easy to faint.
• Allow Gods word to stir up in my heart.
• Matthew 4:1-11 KJV
• Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
• Jesus replaced the lies with the truth.
• Proverbs 27:18 KJV
• Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit
  thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
• Proverbs 27:18 MSG
• If you care for your orchard, you'll enjoy its fruit; if you honor your boss, you'll be honored.
• Whatever you tend to Is what will produce fruit. This is why we need to be one put what we meditate on.