Going After the Prodigals

Lakewood Church
Pastor Joel Osteen!

• We all know people who fell off course after going through something dificult.

The book of James (2:16 If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?) tells us to be proactive when helping prodigals.

• You don't need to tell them what they are doing wrong, you just need to tell them 3 things: We miss you, we need you, and we love you.

We can't help everyone but we can help someone. God put certain people in our paths for a reason. The closests thing to the hear of God is helping lost people. (Luke 15:9-32)

• In the parable of the Lost Sheep 99 of the sheep were just fine, but 1 was missing. You have to notice who's missing.

• I can ONLY talk to my flock, because that's the group that I have a relationship with.

D.L. Moody and Mr. Kimble

• Galatians 6:1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person GENTLY. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

• Mark 2:17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

It's great to celebrate with the people who haven't fallen off, but our real ministry is with those who have. When we go after them, we need to go GENTLY.

• Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

"It's not my job to scare the hell out of people."

-- Sent from JRochelle's Palm Pre

Worship @L56

Today is the last day of the Level 56 Focus Topic: Worship. A lot of people would call it strange to "teach" anyone about worship but on the contrary, the word tells us in Proverbs 22:6 to train up children in the way that they should go so that when they are old they will not depart. The 5th and 6th graders of Level 56 need to understand the purpose of worship. Furthermore, they need to feel comfortable worshiping the Lord no matter where they are. This month I saw students enter into God's presence and it was beautiful. I'm so glad that we gave them a chance to explore worship in a safe setting.

Covering The Neiman Marcus Spring Trends Event

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www.facebook.com/byjrochelle

-- Rendering endless possibilities.

Acting On The Word

“Listen, dear friends, to God's truth, bend your ears to what I tell you. I'm chewing on the morsel of a proverb; I'll let you in on the sweet old truths, Stories I heard from my elders, counsel I learned at my mother's knee. I’m not keeping this to myself, I’m passing it along to the next generation— God's fame and fortune, the marvelous things he has done. [I’m acting on the word.]”

Psalm 78

My grandfather always says, “Baby, how is anyone going to know how good God is if you don’t tell them?”  Many people call it being braggadocios [Wizig Word] but sharing your testimony is acting on the Word. You are a part of God’s drama ministry, let me tell you how. God commands us to share our testimony. 

Rehearse God’s blessings! Judges 5:11 says, ...rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord!” If one word signifies drama ministry, it’s rehearse! The first time you share your testimony it may be hard, but as the adage goes, practice makes perfect! My friend Kaisha adds, “...be careful what you practice”; if you practice NOT sharing your testimony, that is the skill that you were perfect.

Write and distribute a script! Psalm 103:2 says bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Now if you ever get the chance to meet me, you will find out that I love to tell stories and sometimes I repeat the same ones. This is one way that I bless the Lord and remind myself of my benefits. Furthermore, in Exodus 17:14 God commands moses to write down God’s blessings! Sounds like a script to me!

Get over your stage fright! Sharing your testimony is one way to overcome the enemy! Revelation 12:11 says that “they overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony...” Everytime you share God’s goodness you strengthen your faith.

Lights, camera, action! Once you practice and get over your stage fright, it’s off to the stage! 1 Timothy 6:12 says to profess a good profession before many witnesses! Sounds like a performance to me! This is how we pass faith on to others and younger generations. Deuteronomy 6:7 says talk to them when you sit in your house! Sounds like Theater to me!

Practice your monologue. Jesse Adams and Wendell Burton always tell us to have at least  monologues memorized. Jesse tells a story about meeting a casting director and knowing a monologue that he learned in college by heart. That monologue led him to success. Likewise, sharing your testimony will lead you to success in your #1 job found in Matthew 28:18-20:

...Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, TEACHING them to obey everything Jesus has commanded you...

“Remember, all the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances, and on man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.”

As You Like It Act 2, scene 7, 139-143

Be ready to play your part when the time comes. Get a copy of the script, Rehearse, practice, get over your stage fright, perform, and never forget your lines!

Jury Duty ByJRochelle!!!

I served on my first jury today! As a child dramatic crime shows glamorized this act of service and I, being a fan of service and drama, wanted to be a part of a crime story. As an adult, my enticement wained and to be honest when I first received my summons, I was UPSET. But I actually enjoyed jury duty.

The right to a trial by jury is a cherished right here in the United States and that means we the people have the responsibility to fulfill that right. This fact was explained in the jury assembly room by presiding judge, Barbara Hartle and reiterated in the courtroom by the prosecutung attorney.

After leaving the jury assembly room where they take care of a little house keeping, I was called to court. First, we went through voir dire. The judge had us to introduce ourselves and made sure none of us knew anyone in the room. The lawyers proceeded to ask us a few questions and then chose 6 of us to serve on the jury.

I was chosen! Being chosen awakened a little of my childhood excitement; eventhough it was only a speeding ticket I finally made my way to a crime story. Texas is one of the only states that criminalizes traffic offenses: traffic offenses are class C misdemeanors.

The trial started with opening statements. Then each side proceeded to present their case. We jurors sat listening to the questions, testimony, and objections! Once the case was done we received our instructions and headed to the jury deliberation room. We re-read the charges and proceeded to discuss the facts of the case. Oh, and guess who the presiding juror was! It was ME!!!! After careful deliberation we voted, I wrote our judgement, and headed  back to the court where the judge read our decision.

I'm excited to have served for the first time and hope that I get the previlege again!

JURY DUTY TIPS

• It's really not that bad!
• The court has wifi so bring your smart phone or tablet PC
• Wear as few accesories as possible, you'll get through security screaning faster!
• Smile! So many go in with a bad attitude, you could change the climate.
• Bring snacks (and/or lunch!) They go on a lunch break at 12 no matter what!
• Take it seriously, you are helping to preserve an invaluable right.

-- Jeniro is on the go, catch up with her on Twiter @Orinej

Improving My Vision

Lakewood Church
Pastor Joel!

Improving My Vision

• The pictures I have in my mind affect my future. If my vision is limited, the my future will be limited.

Genesis 11:6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

• There was a knee surgery study where they pretended to do the surgery. Years later the subjects reported improvement; the conclusion was that since the brain EXPECTED to get better they got better.

John 5:38-40 There is nothing left in your memory of his Message because you do not take his Messenger seriously. "You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you'll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren't willing to receive from me the life you say you want.

• God wanted Abraham to have a picture of the promise so he could be reminded of that promise.

Genesis 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

• Life may not be fair, but God is fair! Life's plan doesn't get cancelled because of a disappointment or mistake.

Psalm 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

• Let the seeds of greatness God placed on the inside take root.

• If you can see the invisible, then God will do the impossible!

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

• Sometimes you need to get out of your environment to enlarge your vision.

• "Frog in a Well" A frog was born in a well with his family and thought it was the best thing in the world. "We have ALL the water to ourselves. One day he crawled up to the top and saw a pond and realized what he had was just a drop in the bucket compared to what the world had to offer.

• "Rapper Interview" There was a rapper who sang violent and negative lyrics. A reporter asked him why that was so. He said, "Man I'm just rapping about life." The truth is that he was rapping about HIS life. If he had just walked 3 miles out of his neighborhood, then he would have seen a different life!

Joshua hung around Moses and went to the promised land. Elisha hung around Elijah and got a double portion. Sampson hung around compromisers and lost his blessing. Who you hang around has a lot to do with your vision.

-- Sent from JRochelle's Palm Pre

LEVEL56: WORSHIP (Week 2)

John 4:23-24 23 But the time is coming-it has, in fact, come-when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. God is sheer being itself-Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."

Worship reflects our relationship with God.

Worship us not about me.

Leave it at the alter.

-- Sent from JRochelle's Palm Pre

Compass Class

When my husband I decided to date we started attending Lakewood Church; as an added bonus to the Godly motivation via Joel Osteen and the endless community services offered via the Church, Lakewood offers Compass Classes (i.e. Bible Study Classes) before and after each service! My husband I attend the Young Married Couple’s compass class led by Thad&Jeanette, Wes&Val, or Richard&Sherri. We love our compass class; it provides practical biblical teachings on how to cultivate a healthy marriage through scripture, personal experience, and excellent books! So far, we have read 4 books with the group: 

The leaders are very transparent in sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly. That really helps out because you don't feel like the "strange one" who just isn't getting it right. The thing that each book and talk bring to light is that you can't love your spouse the way you receive love, you have to find out how that person receives love. This is an excellent class. If you are looking for a good Bible Study to cultivate your marriage, then try this one out. For more information email: marriedlife@lakewood.cc