The Good Father

Pastor Joel @ Lakewood Church

People are not perfect and fathers are no exception. Many times, fathers don't have the things that children need. Most fathers don't plan to mess up their children but like a pebble in a peaceful pond, there are ripple effects. But God knew what we'd be missing and has it in store for us and he will never let us down. Don't stay focused on what an earthly father didn't give.

When God laid out each life, he took all of the setbacks into consideration and the Good Father will make it up to you

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:32 NIV

God takes good pleasure in giving.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

Psalm 68:5 NIV

The good father can help you to break generational curses.

At that time the Lord said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again." So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth.

Joshua 5:2‭-‬3 NIV

http://bible.com/111/jos.5.2-3.NIV

When you don't get what you need a a ,child it can be much more painful to receive it as an adult.

These men were in their 20s receiving something they should have received at 8 day old from their fathers.

The good father can bring down walls easier than you imagined.

Then the Lord said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in."

Joshua 6:2‭-‬5 NIV

People usually have to fight to conquer a city.

God will make it easier on you because of what you were missing.

You may be wounded but God has a plan for the wounded.

Ishmael had to pay the price for Abraham's mistake. Abraham was wealthy but when he sent Ishmael and his mom away at the request of his wife, hr only sent them with a loaf of bread and a bottle of water.

God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation."

Genesis 21:17‭-‬18 NIV

Even if your parents made a mess out of your life the Good Father God knows how to bring greatness from a great mess! Beauty from ashes!

Ishmael's dad was called the father of faith but he put Ishmael in a bad situation. Sometimes good people can do bad things to you.  Stop trying to make people pay you back. 

Victoria's Exhortation

Be A  God-Made man.

God spoke to Abraham.

The Lord had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you.  "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

Genesis 12:1‭-‬2 NIV

He trusted God to make him able.

We are the seed of Abraham because we were born of Jesus Christ

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."  Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

Romans 4:18‭-‬24 NIV

Abraham was not perfect. God's pattern is a great mentorship program. God won't disqualify us if we make a mistake.

...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6 NIV

Blessing Your Enemies

Pastor Joel @ Lakewood Church

It doesn't take faith to be kind to those who are kind to us. 

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,   Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

Luke 6:27‭-‬28 KJV

We bless others for our own sake. We usually get an immediate opportunity to decide how, we'll treat our enemies. Be big enough to swallow your pride.

God doesn't promote us to pay someone back. One way to bless others is simply to not talk bad about your enemy.

Organization badmouthed Pastor Joel and soon needed Pastor's recommendation. Pastor knew that he could honestly communicate how the organization had treated him but in the end it's a good organization doing good things for society.

You can say things that are true but in the wrong context it's bad.

Compassion organizations operate on people standing on both sides of the line

If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:  For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.

Proverbs 25:21‭-‬22 KJV

When you're humble, you're not excusing their actions.

Joseph was betrayed by his brothers which led to 13 years of misfortune until he was placed 2nd in command. Josepg proved that he could do the right thing even when the wrong thing was happening.

And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.  Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.

Genesis 45:14‭-‬15 KJV

Can you handle being mistreated and betrayed then put in a position on power over them. 

It's one thing to disagree, but it's another thing to throw someone under the bus.

Blessing your enemies shows people who you really are.

David...And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?

2 Samuel 9:1 KJV

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21 KJV

Korean War: Communist, United Nations, Orphanage

It's easy to hold on to hurt but if you live out of a place of forgiveness you'll feel better. 

God says, what they owe you,  put it on my account. What you do with Onesimus will determine how God deals with you. (Philemon)

Think about the mercy that God shows us.  You have to give people the grace to change. People really can't pay you back. 

Victoria's Exhortation

For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.  And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

Philippians 1:8‭-‬9 KJV

We can't love on cruise control, it has to mature and grow. Commitment, Focus, and Determination have to be present.

We have to adapt our love to our natural changes. The love we give to a baby isn't the same love that we give to adults or even as adults. Find ways to communicate in a better way and get insight into who people are so that you can serve them well.

Our love should not be limited to the love that were receiving because love makes things happen by looking into a situation and giving what the situation needs. 

We need to be smart with our love. Love is a feeling that can grow or fizzle out.

The only way that we can love is to allow God's love on the inside.

Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,  Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.   This is the first and great commandment.   And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.   On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Matthew 22:35‭-‬40 KJV

When my love tank is low there is a source that never rubs dry.

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:   But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

John 4:13‭-‬14 KJV

Let's not let our love depend on what's happening on the outside but what's going on in the inside.