Under Construction

Pastor Joel @ Lakewood Church

Pastor was building a house but before it was finished there was rain storms so in addition to the house being unfinished it was a mess. They didn't see that and decide not to finish building because that was part of the process.

We can't see anyone's plans so we can't necessarily judge people by their weaknesses.

Your mess does not disqualify you. Some people do not look like they are under construction because the mess is hidden.

Sometimes you can't tell if something is in construction or under destruction.

The most important part of the building is the foundation but when the foundation is under construction, it doesnt look like much is happening. Don't fight the foundation work.

Temporary walls

The builder does things that an untrained eye will see as a mistake.

To the untrained eye construction can look like a disaster but to an architect it looks just right because the project is not finished. God is our architect.

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT

Sarah and Abraham received a promise from God for a promised child but they came up with their own plan that caused a lot of dysfunction about and Abraham is still called our father of faith.

Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,

Romans 4:20 NIV

We all have messy places. We already have enough people and situations against us so we definitely don't need to best ourselves up.

Moses seemed to have been born in the same time.

You can't properly judge a construction project without th r plans.

For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord . "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.

2 Corinthians 2:14 NLT

"I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!

Job 42:2‭, ‬10 NLT

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18 NIV

Blessed are those who mourn,  for they will be comforted.

Matthew 5:4 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 NIV

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

Hebrews 6:19 NIV

God has lined up every chapter of my life but God promises that each chapter gets better.

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;  then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Proverbs 3:9‭-‬10 NIV

https://bible.com/bible/111/pro.3.9-10.NIV

From Patient to Physician

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church

God didn't heal you JUST so you could be well. We are blessed to be a blessing. It's not enough to bask in what God has done.

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Genesis 12:2 KJV

You get a different perspective when you experience something. Your encouragement carries more weight.

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

2 Corinthians 1:4 KJV

Take time to mentor others. We have all gone through something that qualified us to be s physician.

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Luke 6:38 KJV

Mama Dodie was healed of terminal Cancer she was thankful but she continued to pray for and encourage cancer patients. Her encouragment carries more weight.

If you let God's blessings flow through you then you'll continue to be blessed.

Are we committed to giving God's goodness away.

As long as to you're focused on what didn't work out you can't be overflowed.

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

Luke 22:31‭-‬32 NIV

Use what you've been through to strengthen others.

Who is he who condemns? It  is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

Romans 8:34 NKJV

We should live on a mission to strengthen others.

No one got to where they are alone. Someone prayed for you,  gave you a position, gave you a ride, etc...

Pastor John had a relentless friend named Sam who would constantly pour scripture into him. One day John went to church with Sam and gave his life to Christ when he was a teenager.

40 years later Pastor John did the exact same thing. 

Victoria Osteen @ Lakewood Church

We all have the power of God in us to fulfill our assignment even even when you don't feel that, way. 

God doesn't make ordinary. We judge from the outside making decisions based on our circumstances.

God works from the inside out.

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the  Lord  does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

I Samuel 16:7 NKJV

Mary was the first to encounter the living God from the inside.

Mary was young but God saw her heart. Mary was also engaged but that didn't matter...her circumstances didn't stand in the way.

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 1:38 NKJV

https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.1.38.NKJV

She went to a place where her seed could be nurtured. To her cousin Elizabeth (And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house. Luke 1:56 NKJV)

Likewise we should 

The first 3 months of her pregnancy...

Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

Luke 1:39‭-‬42 NKJV

https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.1.39-42.NKJV

How Bad Do You Want It

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Chhrch

God's promises aren't going to come to pass without opposition. You have to be relentless not passive or indifferent.

When David was annointed, he had to go back to the shepherd's field then live life on the run.

Struggles weed people out; don't have a weak mentality, have a warrior mentality. You 

When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Mark 10:47 NLT

"Be quiet!" many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, "Tell him to come here." So they called the blind man. "Cheer up," they said. "Come on, he's calling you!" Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked. "My Rabbi, " the blind man said, "I want to see!" And Jesus said to him, "Go, for your faith has healed you." Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.

Mark 10:48‭-‬52 NLT

Bartimaeus didn't let people talk him out of his dreams or make him feel embarrassed.

When the odds are against you you have to believe on a new level.

Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel's great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.

Daniel 6:3 NLT

Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.

Daniel 6:3 NKJV

It doesn't say that God distinguished him so that means that Daniel put in work.

You can't override natural laws and expect to get where you want to be.

Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days."

John 11:38‭-‬39 NKJV

Jesus could have moved the stone but he needed to see how bad they wanted it. Likewise, there are things that we need to do. 

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James 2:26 NKJV

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

Matthew 5:6 NKJV

Guy sent letters to all 395 offices of a company but they all went to the hiring office so they were expecting him. He ended up working there and going on to manage a region.

When you want something bad enough you do things that you normally wouldn't do.

When Pastor was dating Victoria he'd go shopping with her even though he hated shopping...get up early to work out with her not even complaining.

Your will is one of the most powerful things at your disposal.

Victoria Osteen @ Lakewood Church

There's a lot of information about taking care of your physical body but a lot of the time we don't think about our spiritual man.

You can look really great on the outside and be really weary on the inside.

Victoria had a lot of physical pains so she went to the doctor only to learn  that she needed to strengthen her core.

Our innerman is the core of who we are.  A strong innerman engages our extremities...our flesh. We want to walk in a posture of faith and discipline.

The physical therapist gave her a list of exercises to strengthen her core that she needed to find time in her day to include. There are things that we need to make time for to strengthen our inner man.

PRAYER

"come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

MEDITATION

"ponder the path of your feet," (Proverbs 4:26).

BIBLE STUDY

FASTING

FELLOWSHIP

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.

Ephesians 3:16 NLT

Some people feed their physical bodies 3 hot meals a day but feed their spiritual man 1 cold snack.

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:1 NLT

God may be invisible but his rich blessings are visible.