Living at Rest

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church

• We are supposed to do everything in peace.
• Hebrews 4:11 KJV
• Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 
• Rest is a place where we know God is in control.
• We need to put up peace barriers.
• If we don’t put up boundaries then we have a tendency to live worried and on edge.
• Common Peace Breakers:
• The news, needy people, irresponsible people, social media…
• What we take in through our eyes and ears can effect our spirit.
• Getting on social media can get you stuck in a comparison trap.
• Some people are peace stealers.
• Some people won't deal with their own issues because they know you will take care of it.
• Don't take on a false sense of responsibility. If they won't make good choices then that's their problem.
• You need to have hours of operation.
• Set a specific time that you don’t take calls.
• Sometimes instead of helping people we are enabling them.
• For every happy friend you have you are 20% more likely to be happy
• Proverbs 13:20
• Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
• Proverbs 20:19
• A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.
• Proverbs 27:17
• As iron sharpens iron,    so one person sharpens another.
• Jesus left the crowds and went away for rest.
• Mark 4
• God is in the boat at peace when a storm arrises.
• Do not disturb sign at hotel.
• People and Circumstances may pass that do not disturb sign but I have the final say.
• The “do not disturb” sign is for me.

Peaceful on Purpose

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church

• God never said that we wouldn't have storms, he promised peace in the midst of the storm.
• You have to protect your peace.
• You weren't created to be worried. Your mind needs a break
• 1 Peter 5:7 NLT
• Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 
• Psalms 23:1-2 KJV
• The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
• Worry is a thief.
• Peace helps you to have the right perspective.
• Take the worry off of the thrown. Use the energy you use to worry to thank God. Let worry be a reminder to praise God.
• Guard your mind.
• Your life will follow your thoughts.
• I'm not designed to carry a heavy load.
• Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 
• Matthew 6:27 KJV
• Worrying doesn't add an inch to your life.
• Speed hump story with the worry tree.
• Pastor Joel and his neighbors lobbied to have a speed bump installed on their street but Pastor Joel got worried that the speed bump warning sign would be installed in front of his house. So he measured to the spot where speed bumps signs were usually installed and planted a tree. When the sign was finally installed, it was installed on the other side of the street no where near his house.
• Matthew 6:34 AMP
• So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble. 
• God has given me grace for today.
• What-ifs will depress you.
• Armed with strength for every battle.
• Don't waste today worried about tomorrow.
• 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. 
• Hebrews 4:3 KJV
• Enter into God's rest.
• "Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove. 
• Matthew 10:16 MSG
• Sheep count on the shepherd to guide and protect them.
• Be at rest.
• Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.  And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.  And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 
• Acts 12:5-7 KJV
• Worry weakens the immune system.
• Ananias protested, "Master, you can't be serious. Everybody's talking about this man and the terrible things he's been doing, his reign of terror against your people in Jerusalem! And now he's shown up here with papers from the Chief Priest that give him license to do the same to us." 
• Acts 9:13-14 MSG
• Saul had already been changed on the road to Damascus.
• God has already solved many problems that I'm worried about.
• Have you ever felt like your hands were tied thinking that something out of your control needs to change.  The good thing is that God had all control! God asked me to walk by faith not by sight. Don't limit your options by what you see.
• The Children of Israel limited Gods power in their lives. 
• Psalm 78
• Joshua's and Caleb's reports (Numbers 25-34):
• But Caleb tried to quiet the (people's negative report) as they stood before Moses. "Let's go at once to take the land," he said. "We can certainly conquer it!"
• Get your eyes off of yourself and focus on the limitless God.
• Joshua 1:7
• Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.