Blessings Finding You | Joel Osteen | Lakewood Church Service

((music playing)) ((music playing)) Good morning, ((music playing)) Lakewood. This is the day that the Lord has made. Who is ((music playing)) ready to rejoice and be glad in it? Let's sing this ((music playing)) out together. There's a light that shines with hope and grace. Fills the sky ((music playing)) with new mercy each day. We're alive. Let your glory pour out.

Jesus, ((music playing)) there's a joy that overwhelms our souls. Cuz we know ((music playing)) our God is in control. Overflow. ((music playing)) Let your favor pour [singing] out Jesus. This is ((music playing)) the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice ((music playing)) and be glad. This is the day that the Lord has made. We'll rejoice ((music playing)) we'll rejoice and be glad in it.

((music playing)) Hey, good morning everyone. Welcome to Lakewood today. We're so blessed to have you with us. How many of you are ready to worship the Lord this morning and God's been good to all of us and brought us into another week? And as I said, honored to have you all here and of course online and listening live on SiriusXM going to have a great service today.

And I really believe that it's better because you took time to come. God saw you take this step of faith to be here. here. So, we welcome you and we just I hope you came ready to receive what God has for you today. I know this that you know it's always our prayer and our declaration that not one of us will leave the same way that we came in.

I believe if you'll do your part and by that I mean if there's anything trying to weigh you down, it's a perfect time to turn it over to God. In other words, don't don't sit here the next hour or two just kind of worry and know I got this problem and I wonder what if this happens.

But why don't you say, God, my life is in your hands. I'm going to thank you for working in my life, for fighting my battles. Here's what I've learned. The bigger we make God, the smaller our problems become, the more faith rises in our heart. So, we take the first half of the service, first 30 minutes of the service, just to thank God, to worship him, to praise him, to pray.

And so, I hope you'll join in with us today. But know that we're honored to have you here. And let me just make that declaration. Not one of us are going to leave the same way we came in here. You're going to go out of here more joy, more faith, and more victory in Jesus name.

Amen. Good morning, church. We are so glad that you've joined us today. You know, I love what you're saying, Joel, because I believe that when we focus on God, like you said, our problems become smaller. You know, King David had such a a way of knowing how to change and shift the atmosphere of his heart.

No matter what challenge he was facing, he knew that when he looked to God and give him thanks for what he already had, it began a shift in his heart and it began a shift in his mind. ((music playing)) I think that's why he wrote in Psalm 100, enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise.

So, I think we ought to take a page this morning from Psalm 100 and say, you know what, I got something to be grateful for. How many of you can cons can think of one thing, maybe two, maybe many more that you're grateful for this morning? I'll tell you what, I'm grateful I got up this morning.

I'm grateful I have a family. I'm grateful I know my name is written in the book of life. There is so much to be grateful for. And when we enter into his uh presence ((music playing)) and his gates with gratefulness and then we begin to focus on how wonderful he is, the praises just keep coming.

The praise just comes out and that pathway to God's abundance is there for us. So this morning, we are grateful people. Let's just enter in with that heart and expectancy ((music playing)) for God to come and show us some amazing things this morning. Amen. Father, we thank you for this morning.

We thank you that we can come together, Father, that we can be grateful as a body of believers. And Father, we want you to see our ((music playing)) hearts this morning. We want you to know that we are looking to you for the future, for all that we need, all that we have.

That God, it is all yours and we are yours this morning. So, Father, we just surrender it all. We thank you for today. We thank you for this moment and what ((music playing)) you want to do in this moment. And father we give you all the praise, all the honor and all the glory in Jesus' name.

And everyone said, "Amen". ((music playing)) oh I ((music playing)) won't be silent for the Lord is in this place. Oh, I can't be ((music playing)) quiet cuz he's worthy of all praise. Cuz he has been good. He has ((music playing)) been kind. He has been faithful all the time. Now with ((music playing)) everything within me, I will say.

Come on church, we declare. ((music playing)) Oh, praise the Lord of all creation. Oh ((music playing)) my ((music playing)) everything praise ((music playing)) the Lord. Now ((music playing)) we won't be silent for the Lord is in [music and singing] this room. We can't be quiet cuz his power is breaking through. Great is the name ((music playing)) that conquered the grave. Above every kingdom His will reign.

((music playing)) God's people will proclaim. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Praise ((music playing)) ((music playing)) the Lord of all creation. ((music playing)) Praise forever. [singing] ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) We give you the ((music playing)) glory. Come on, church. ((music playing)) We sing. I give you glory for all you brought me through. And now [music and singing] I'm ready for whatever you want to do. I'm ((music playing)) moving forward to follow after you. ((music playing)) And now I'm ready for whatever you want to ((music playing)) do.

Come on, let this be our prayer this morning. Your presence is an open door. We ((music playing)) want you Lord like never before. ((music playing)) Your presence, your presence ((music playing)) is an open [singing] door. So come ((music playing)) now Lord like never [singing] before. ((music playing)) In every season your grace ((music playing)) has been enough. Yes, it has. And I believe [music and singing] that the best is yet to come.

((music playing)) The cross before me. I hope ((music playing)) all things [singing] in ((music playing)) you Jesus is your presence ((music playing)) your ((music playing)) [music and singing] come down ((music playing)) like never before. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) We believe in Jesus. He can do the impossible. Oh church, you got faith ((music playing)) to believe it. Come on, we sing. Oh, I know the ((music playing)) breakthrough is coming. By faith, I see ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Who thought I'd find you at the lowest place?

Who ((music playing)) thought you'd feel me in the [singing] crowd? Who knew ((music playing)) you made good of my mistakes? You're nothing [music and singing] like I thought you were. You're better. What a God. What a God. ((music playing)) Oh, what a God. What a God. Oh, ((music playing)) what a God. What a God. It's who [music and singing] you are. What a God.

What a God. Oh, I ((music playing)) thought you'd show up for perfection. [singing] Cuz ((music playing)) what kind of God was for the lost? ((music playing)) God. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Oh, what a God you are. Oh, we love [singing] you, Lord. Oh, we ((music playing)) love you. What a God you are. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) If the highest place I reach is at your feet, then I've [music and singing] done it all.

If the best thing that I see is your glory. ((music playing)) Then I've seen it all. Your love has changed my [singing] life. Forever ((music playing)) satisfied. God, you [singing] are my ((music playing)) Everything ((music playing)) I reach ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) If the highest place I reach ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) You are my—come on church. ((music playing)) You are my—what a God. [singing] What a God. ((music playing)) What a God.

[singing] What a God. ((music playing)) It's who you are. What a God. What a God. There's no one like you, Jesus. There's no one like you, God. ((music playing)) Cuz I'm going to [singing] see ((music playing)) a victory. I'm going to see a victory. ((music playing)) For [singing] the battle belongs ((music playing)) to you, Lord. I'm going to see a victory.

I'm going to see [music and singing] a victory. For the battle belongs to [music and singing] you, Lord. I'm going to see a victory. I'm going to see a ((music playing)) victory. All [singing] the battle ((music playing)) belongs to you. I [singing] want to see ((music playing)) I want to see for my ((music playing)) belongs to you ((music playing)) So the battle belongs to you, Lord.

((music playing)) When I've reached the end of my own strength, [music and singing] that's when you step in and prove your [music and singing] faithfulness. I remember [music and singing] what my weapon is, and with lifted hands. Won't you ((music playing)) move again? Are you not the God who is in heaven? ((music playing)) The one who reigns forever. My [music and singing] eyes are on you.

My eyes are on you, Lord. You fight the battle. [music and singing] You get the glory. Here come ((music playing)) the angels. Here comes the victory. [singing] The enemy ((music playing)) [singing] You fight ((music playing)) the battle. [singing] You get the ((music playing)) Here we go. Say, I don't have [music and singing] to do this by myself. Oh. ((music playing)) But when I call your name, Lord ((music playing)) Thank you, Lord.

I will lift. I will lift my [singing] eyes ((music playing)) again to the king [singing] of all who has ((music playing)) called me friend. Cuz when the battle comes, I [music and singing] will remember. You're my great defender. ((music playing)) My eyes are on you. My eyes are on you. ((music playing)) You [singing] get the ((music playing)) angels. ((music playing)) [singing] ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) [singing] Yeah. Heat. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) You ((music playing)) fight the battle.

[singing] ((music playing)) Here come the angels. [singing] Let me say that's ((music playing)) ((music playing)) you. ((music playing)) [music and singing] ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) You ((music playing)) get the glory. Father, we love you today, Lord God. We do give you the glory, the honor. Lord, we recognize we wouldn't be here without your goodness, your mercy upon our lives. for Lord, you chose us before we could choose you.

((music playing)) We're not here with a sad song, Lord. We're here with a song of praise. We recognize your greatness and we thank you for all that you've done, for where you brought us through, ((music playing)) where you brought us to. Lord, we look back and see the victories in our lives and the times you ((music playing)) opened doors and brought us people to love and protected us.

And Lord, we know we didn't get here on our own, but it was your hand of favor and blessing. And ((music playing)) we thank you for another day to be alive, for life to live and friends and family, salvation and redemption. Lord, we bless you today. And as we start the new week off, Lord, we commit our lives a fresh and a new into your hands.

We say, make us and mold us into who you want us to be. Lord, I thank you that we are full of your wisdom. That we have clear direction for our lives. that we make decisions that honor you and that we can clearly hear your voice. You said you'd give us the power to obey.

So Lord, I thank you that we're making decisions that move us toward our God-given destiny. Lord, that you're our doorkeeper. You're opening and closing the doors in our lives. And we trust you that you will get us to where we're supposed to be. Father, I thank you that as we're worshiping you this morning, that every force that's tried to stop us has been broken in the name of Jesus.

Depression, anxiety, addiction, sicknesses, trouble at work, at home, in our finances, ((music playing)) whatever it is. Lord, I thank you today is a breakthrough day. Who can withstand Jehovah? Lord, we thank you that you are fighting our battles and that you have victories on the way. That the angels are bringing the victories even now.

That in the unseen realm, things have changed in our favor. Lord, that you will do what we can't do on our own. Thank you that you're working behind the scenes in our lives. And Lord, that will not just make it through this year, but let 2026 be a blessed year and a favorfilled year, a productive year.

A year, Lord, where we see loved ones come to know you. A year where we're free from any addictions, bad habits. A year where we're healthy and whole. And Lord, that we can run and not be weary. And Lord, we just speak blessings over this year. We thank you, Lord, that you're breathing on each one of us right now. fresh vision, fresh anointing, fresh momentum, fresh growth, fresh ideas and creativity.

Lord, I thank you that you're doing a new thing that Lord, that you're working in each one of our lives. And I do lift up those that are fighting battles in their health, those not feeling well, maybe in the hospitals, listening, watching. Lord, you said you would restore health back to your people.

We're calling on you as Jehovah Rafa, the Lord, our healer. And Lord, I thank you that healing is flowing into all those that need it right now. Lord, even doing maybe what medicine cannot do, but Lord, you have the final say. ((music playing)) We've seen you do it in the past.

Lord, do it again for your people. Free them from chronic pain. Whatever's tried to hold them back. Let today be a turnaround in ((music playing)) Jesus' name. And Lord, not just physically, but I lift up those that are in tough times, those that have gone through loss. Father, you said you're close to the brokenhearted.

Let them feel your presence even now. Let them know that we're praying. And Lord, I thank you that you're comforting them, giving them peace, Lord, even when it looks like it's the end. Let them see it's a new beginning, that you're still in control, that you have beauty for those ashes, Lord, that weeping endures for a night, but joy is coming in the morning in Jesus name.

Lord, you've done great things in the past, but we believe, declare the best ((music playing)) is still yet to come. That we are victors and never victims in Jesus' name. And if you receive it, ((music playing)) can you say amen today? ((applause)) So good to have you in the house of the Lord.

Honored to have you. Let's make our declaration of faith. Are you ready? I am blessed, prosperous, redeemed, forgiven, healthy, whole, talented, creative, confident, secure, disciplined, focused, prepared, qualified, motivated, valuable, free, determined, equipped, empowered, anointed, accepted, and approved. Not average, not mediocre. I am a child of the most high God.

I will become all I was created to be in Jesus name. Amen. ((music playing)) You sound amazing today. You sound like children of the most high God. Can keep your shoulders back, your head held high. Not just because of who you are, but how about because of whose you are.

Because of who we belong to. You know, and I'm not saying we're better than anybody else, but don't go through life thinking you're less than anybody else. not when you belong to the most high. And so that's what gives us the confidence to fulfill our destinies to go forward in faith.

And I love that song that we were singing and and you know the enemy is outnumbered. You know that's from a story. You remember when Elisha he was surrounded the the enemy troops snuck up at night and surrounded his whole house and the assistant went out and came back in in a panic said Elisha we're surrounded.

I mean there must have been tens of thousands of army that had surrounded his complex but Elijah he had the faith he said don't worry there are more for us than there are against us and you know you know his assistant he was looking at it in the natural you know what he was saying in one sense was true we're outnumbered it's two vers all of that but we have to remember there's a world that we cannot see with our natural eyes and that's the spiritual world that's where God has angels fighting in your behalf even now.

And that's where God is working, pushing back forces of darkness. And I I love what it said. Elisha simply prayed. He said, "Lord, open the young man's eyes." He went back and looked again. This time he saw a heavenly host of thousands of waring angels that were surrounding the army that was surrounding him.

You know the the principle is you know we all have things in life that oh man Joel this medical report or this financial situation this relationship issue with my child. I don't know how well you may not see a way in the natural but you have to know that God is surrounding what's trying to stop you.

His power is greater than what's coming against you. And you know God ((music playing)) didn't say you have to figure it out. He said if you believe all things are possible. Let me tell you when you believe God goes to work. And I know today I'm in a room filled with believers.

And I don't know what's coming against you, but you got to know even today that things are happening behind the scenes that you cannot see. Now, be strong and be of good courage for the Lord your God is with you and he's fighting your battles today. Let me tell you, 2026, you're going to walk into some uncommon blessings and favor that you couldn't make happen.

It's the hand of God working in your life. We're believing for each one of you. You're going to see God show out in your life. Not just in the sweet by and by. That's good. We're going to all make it to heaven, but how about in 2026, God show out in our lives.

Do something unusual, something to build your kingdom, to to show your glory. Well, we'll take a moment this morning. In every service, we do this to pray. And so, if you have an uh something you would like for us to agree with you in prayer about, we'd be honored to do that oneonone.

So during this next song, anyone's welcome to come to the front of your section. There'll be prayer partners all over the building. We'd be honored to pray for you. Rest of you, you're welcome to be seated if you like. And we'll take this next moment to pray. And our beautiful online family listening live on SiriusXM.

Thanks for always being a part. And my friend Sarah is there to pray for you as well. Good morning, Lakewood family. We are here to stand in agreement with you today on everything that's on your heart. All the prayers and petitions that you are asking God for. Maybe you not even real sure what to pray for specifically today.

Um but I want to encourage you that God knows. God knows your needs before you even ask. We want to encourage you to put those things that pop up on your heart in the chats ((music playing)) so that we have prayer partners that are watching and can be praying for you as well.

Uh we've already got some coming in and but it's not too late. go ahead and and add in everything that uh you have that you would like for us to stand in agreement with you on. I say this often ((music playing)) uh but it's just such a good reminder that Bible says where two or more are gathered together in his name that his presence ((music playing)) is there and if his presence there that means power is there so we believe something supernatural is going to be happening today and even if we don't see it right away we can trust that God is at work in each and every one of our lives.

Again, we have some that are already coming in. I see that Evelyn uh praise report here. And of course, I love starting with praise reports. ((music playing)) But Evelyn, you're thanking the Lord for another beautiful Sunday morning. I absolutely love that. When I read that, it just put a ((music playing)) smile on my face because you're right.

It is another day. It's another day that God has made and we shall ((music playing)) rejoice in that. It is a beautiful Sunday morning. If you woke up today with air in your lungs and maybe everything in your life isn't perfect, but ((music playing)) God has given you breath. That means that your time on this earth is not over.

So, just begin to thank ((music playing)) the Lord for that. Start there. If nowhere else, you know where to go. That's a great place to start, Evelyn. So, thank you for sharing, Angela. Um, God has healed you. Wow. I didn't get specifics on how he's healed you, but ultimately that doesn't matter ((music playing)) because God just says he will heal.

And whether that's with your mental health or whether that's something physical in your body, maybe it's healing of your heart ((music playing)) from a trauma or or um an abuse or something that has happened to you. God is in the business of healing. So, thank you for sharing that this morning that you are someone who has received your healing.

Thank you. It encourages the rest of us, all the other people watching, that God listens and that he's good at what he does. So, we're glad you shared that, Angela. We uh have some financial needs that ((music playing)) I'm seeing. That's important. Finances are a big thing to God. You know, we're not to be ruled by our finances, ((music playing)) but we live in a world where that's our currency.

So, it is a big deal. And God promises in his word that he will pour out the windows ((music playing)) of heaven and bless us as we're doing our part and being good stewards of what he's given us. That our finances are a concern to him because he knows how important ((music playing)) it is for us to walk on this earth with a currency.

So, Camille, for your daughter to get a scholarship, great ((music playing)) prayer request. We stand in agreement with you for that. We believe in Jesus' name that it is done, that she will have favor and that the scholarships will chase her down in Jesus' name. Uh Christie, you said uh restoration in your finances.

So, Christie, not again, not sure what all the details are to that, but in ((music playing)) complete agreement that God will restore. If I have learned anything in my life, and I'm no spring chicken ((music playing)) anymore, but I have learned and I have witnessed that God is faithful and he's a God who knows how to restore.

And that which the enemy has taken from you, God knows how to put it back together if we just trust him. If we just put him first and we give it to him, ((music playing)) he can be trusted with those things. So, whatever reason, you know, things crumbled or or got pulled out from under you, whatever reason you're walking ((music playing)) in a dark place financially, just know that God owns it all.

Um, and that sometimes it's not so much about how much we have, but ((music playing)) who are we trusting what we have to? And that's where we usually start. That's a great place to start. We have healing. Valerie, you said healing from lymphoma, cancer, ((music playing)) not a small thing. We're praying for you, Valerie. uh Carol for her medical tests to come back clear.

So we just want to pray right now over those that are asking in their bodies for healing. Um the Bible says by his stripes we are healed, ((music playing)) but we just agree that you come across the right doctors at the right time. And I've shared this before, but ((music playing)) I'll share it again.

There was a moment in my life someone I cared about got a horrible diagnosis, ended up having ((music playing)) to go to specialists at the medical center and not much hope for a future. And I remember getting that report and knowing what ((music playing)) the doctors said. And I was so grateful for the doctors because they're wise and they get wisdom from God.

But I also remember putting that and show up ((music playing)) to the Lord and saying, "God, this is what the doctors have to say, but I want to know what you have to say about my healing." And when I ((music playing)) did that, the Lord just began to encourage me and give me hope in the things that he can do.

So I want to encourage you to do as well. We take what the ((music playing)) doctors say and we know that there's some truth there, but ultimately God is the one who holds all truth and he's the one that created us and he's the one that can determine what type of healing ((music playing)) you get.

And so we just agree in Jesus' name that that is done. Uh we're going to pray over families ((music playing)) uh strength and unity. Uh Cynthia, you ask for strength and unity for your family after your ((music playing)) mother's passing. So hard when someone who is a matriarch in a family to ((music playing)) pass. uh Teresa for strength.

Her sister passed away and it's been difficult. So Teresa, we know when someone passes, it leaves such a void in our lives. So we just pray that God's hand is upon ((music playing)) you and that he walks with you and beside you. And anyone else that is struggling ((music playing)) with somebody who's now absent from their life that was such a big held such a big space.

We understand the void. We've walked ((music playing)) through that void. Um you're not alone in it. But again, just can't express it enough that when we put our hope ((music playing)) in God, that's the sustainer of the promises. That's the one we can go to in the dark ((music playing)) days. You know, a scripture is just popping to my mind and I think it's in uh Psalms 119 verse 116.

Psalms 119:116, ((music playing)) but it says, "Sustain me according to your promises that I may live and ((music playing)) do not let my hopes be dashed." And I've prayed that over my own life. And one thing ((music playing)) I want to tell you is that when we put our hopes in God, he promises that he will not let our hopes ((music playing)) be dashed.

He will not let our hopes fail because he is the one holding it all. We can put our hopes in man, put our hopes in other things, but God is the ((music playing)) ultimate hope to put our faith and trust in. Well, again, it was an honor to pray for you today.

We'll continue to pray for ((music playing)) you throughout the week. God bless you and enjoy the rest of the service. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) I sing his name Jesus. ((music playing)) So good. You may be seated. Recently in our midweek service here at Lakewood, we uh explored some hard questions. We actually did a series called Ask Anything where we allowed people to submit questions uh faith questions, life questions, and we uh as a group as a as a group of teachers uh explored them and tried to answer them, give some perspective on them.

And so we thought we would continue that conversation here this morning. Uh for all of us, those here and those watching online, I'm here with Pastor Eric Luchetta and Pastor Jeremy [__] They are two of our teachers in our Monday night Bible study as well as in the church.

Pastor Jeremy and them, they work hard with our interns, with our leadership courses, and just phenomenal teachers. And we want to continue the conversation because we believe that you can hold questions and you can hold your faith at the same time. And often times um in church we we believe the lie that you you can only have one or the other.

But there's a lot of things that we navigate in our life that are hard. And we have questions and we carry those questions. And we believe that the church is the best space to ask those questions about our faith, about circumstances, events that's transpiring in our world. So we're going to go ahead and answer them.

We're going to try. We won't maybe fully answer everything, but these are actually questions that you submitted. We asked the church on social media to submit any questions that you might have around faith, around the Bible, around life. And these are some of the ones that came. So, I'm going to start um number one to you, Pastor Jeremy, if we can.

Um this is one of the major questions that was asked is, is the Bible reliable? How do we know that the Bible is true? Ready, go. Yeah. [laughter] Uh well one one uh the first thing I would say is 2,000 years of billions of changed lives. I think that's number one that the gospel changes people's lives and out of that you see all kinds of things in the world that that uh that the people of God Christians have established over the world including hospitals, schools, all kinds of stuff.

Um but other than that I would say uh 40 authors, 66 books over 1500 years and they all tell about one story. That's supernatural in itself. Yeah. Uh 35 of the 40 writers of the Bible lived at a time when no other writers of the Bible lived. So they didn't like share, they didn't compare.

God called each one of them and inspired them to write part of scripture to give us God's self-revelation. That's what it is. And then of course we have the prophecies in second Peter chapter 1. Peter says, "Look, we were there. We were the apostles. We saw Jesus. We saw his resurrection.

But even then, we lean on the prophecies that were fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. And so those these are all things that we can lean on to understand that the Bible is clear to us. And then of course the Bible's been scrutinized more than any other book in ancient in the ancient world.

And uh it comes up strong every single time. Think that's pretty good. And then of course the resurrection of Jesus. So I mean if if there's any one thing it's like a book was written about this man. Uh it's the Bible's one story that leads to the person of Jesus Christ.

He predicted his death and resurrection and then did it. I mean that's with witness accounts. With witness accounts throughout his 500 people saw him alive at one time. It's amazing. It's amazing. Good take. Um let's switch gears. Uh I actually um asked chat GPT. I said, "What's the most common question that you get around the world?"

And this is the answer. Number one, why am I here? So people around the world are asking that question. Why am I here? What is my purpose? Why do I exist? So, Pastor Eric, why don't you go ahead and get this easy question. Um, why are we here?

Why do we exist? Give us your perspective. Yeah. Yeah. Well, I think that there's a lot can be said on why God created us and why we exist that why we exist. But I think the main reason is this. Heaven and earth were meant to reflect one another, look like one another, resemble one another, be in alignment with one another.

And God created human beings to fulfill a function, a certain role where that would happen. God wanted it that when you looked at the earth, you'd know what heaven was like. And if you were in heaven, you know what the earth was supposed to be like. that all of the beauty and the order and the justice of heaven where everything is right was meant to be seen equally in the earth.

So in other words, from the very beginning, what we see is that it was God's desire for his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. And human beings, it's human beings. We are the ones that God works with and through to cause heaven and earth to better reflect one another.

How many of you know we're made in the image of God? All right. Well, much of what it means to be made in the image of God is that we've been given the assignment to live and to work in the world in such a way where heaven and earth better reflect one another.

And when God created the earth and created human beings for that role, he said very good. He made humanity to fill this fulfill this function. And he said it is excellent. It is very good. And whatever God calls very good, he's committed to until the very end. Yes, Adam and Eve sinned.

We all sinned as well. But because of Jesus's death and resurrection, we are being conformed more and more into the image of the son, who is the image of God. In other words, our imagebearing vocation is coming only because of Jesus. It's awesome. Jesus came. He sent the spirit and now we are empowered to live the life that God intended.

It's awesome. So image bearing, you know, I think I think knowing Jesus is a part of that, right? They kind of work hand in hand that my purpose comes alive. Why am I here? To know Jesus and to bear his image. What does that look like practically though every day?

Yeah. You know, what does that actually mean for how we're supposed to live? Yeah. Well, here's the thing. Let me ask you a question. Is anybody in heaven right now depressed? No. Is anybody starving? Anybody going hungry in heaven? No. Well, then we know that that's not God's will for the earth.

That means when if you know somebody who is depressed, maybe they got a bad doctor's report, you give them a call, you encourage them. When you lift them up out of that despair, you just cause the earth to better reflect heaven. If you meet somebody's financial needs, maybe you buy them dinner.

Nobody's hungry in heaven. When you feed somebody, you are causing the earth to better reflect heaven. And so, but I would say this. Here's one thing that I feel might be the best representation or the one of the best things to do to cause heaven and earth to reflect one another.

And it's this. My daughter had a problem uh last year in fourth grade with another student. Uh this other student was kind of being rude to her. And my daughter Olivia didn't quite know how to handle it. So I suggested to her that she talks to this student and just says, "Next time that she's rude, just say, "Hey, that hurt my feelings.

Please don't talk to me like that." And I asked Olivia if she could do that. And she said yes. I dropped her off at school that morning, picked her up that afternoon, and I said, "Livia, how did it go at school today?" and she said, "Dad, it was amazing.

It was awesome." She went on to say that during the day, the that girl, her classmate, was rude to her a couple of times. And Olivia said, "Please don't talk to me like that. That hurts my feelings." She was very nice about it. But Olivia said right at the end of the day, this girl came up to her, looked her in the eyes, and said, "I am so sorry for how I've been treating you.

Please forgive me." And Olivia said, "Dad, I forgave her and we even hugged." But here's the thing that stands out the most. Now, I'm a Bible teacher and my daughter has heard me teach on this many times, but I'll never forget what Olivia said that night right before bed.

She said, "Dad, I can't help but think in that moment when we forgave one another, heaven and earth reflected one another." And so, here's what I would say. Here's what I've come to believe. I think that when two people reconcile in forgiveness, that might be the moment most where heaven and earth both reflect one another.

That's awesome. What an awesome perspective. Awesome truth. Um, Pastor Jeremy, um, last question. This is a big one. Uh, why is Jesus better? Why is he the way in in a world in a culture that we live in where you you see universalism, you see many ways? Um, one major question that came in consistently throughout the month was explain and why is Jesus different than all the other religions that are in our world today?

It's a great question. Um, number one, I would say that the resurrection sets it apart. The resurrection sets it apart in a way that Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." He predicted his death and his resurrection, and then it he did it. So, that's number one.

But I would say for all of the uh religions or religious systems around the world, they contradict one another. So they can't all be true just by nature of logic. So one of them has to be true. And we believe it's Jesus. And the difference in Jesus is that the ancient gods they they they believe that the ancient gods would have never condescended.

They would have never come down as a human being. But our God put on human flesh to reveal to us what his character is like. and then and then saved us and forgave us through his death and resurrection. So where every other religious system basically is the idea that we save ourselves or we reach up to God and try to find God on our merits, Jesus goes, "My works are the thing that saves you."

We are saved by works. It's just the works of Jesus. Yes. And we receive his works in our own place and and and have eternal life because of that. So good. So amazing. Isn't that a pretty awesome thing to re remember and to be reminded of? Anything you want to add to that thought?

No, I mean just for me personally, yeah, I would say it's the resurrection seals the deal. If he came out of the grave, he's obviously worthy of being followed. He's the only one to defeat death. That's right. Might as well give your allegiance to him. That's right. That's right.

Well, and and and his and his 11 followers all died for the faith. That tells me you don't you don't die for things you know are fake. You don't die for things you know are a lie. Yeah. You die for things that you believe are true. They believe they saw him alive.

Thank you. That's Can we thank these guys and what they do? And I mean, here here's here's two things before we before I pray for you. Number one, um we're passionate about the these conversations because the church is the space where we should be having these conversations. And these are the times these are the best spaces to bring your questions.

There there there are questions that you ask now, you will ask at some point in your life. and and we want this to be a place where you bring your questions along with your your confidence. I mean, they both work hand in hand. But I I will say that these conversations too hopefully lead you to a place of great hope and confidence in what you do put your faith in.

When you put your faith in the Bible, when you put your faith in Jesus, these type of conversations, we hope ignite your hope and ignite your confidence that you can continue to trust Jesus and his word. Amen. So, let me pray for you. Father, I thank you for every person under the sound of my voice.

Maybe they are in a place of question. Maybe they are wrestling with some things in their life because of what they see in the natural, what's happened in their life. May they gain from this moment great confidence in your word. Great confidence in trusting their whole life to you.

That you died and you rose again so that we can put great faith and trust in you for our salvation. great trust in you every day of our lives, partnering with you, bearing your image so that heaven can come to earth. Thank you, Jesus, for coming down to us and dying for us.

We're reassured today. We're reminded today and we're going to continue to bear your image every single day of our lives. We love you in Jesus name. And everybody said, "Amen." God bless you this morning. My name is Ryan Hall and I am an academic liver transplant and a padatabillary surgeon here in the Texas Medical Center.

Since I was young, I imagined getting to do was take care of people who did not really have an opportunity otherwise. Jesus told us and we all feel it uh inside to care for those in need to take care of the sick. For me, I was hoping and dreaming of doing things like this since I was a kid.

I had years where I was extremely frustrated that I hadn't yet. But I engaged and gave and came to conference ((music playing)) and did the things that I could while I was in that season. And now in a time where I'm able to go do these things, it makes me appreciate the years that I was giving and and doing what I could uh even before I ever went abroad.

If you had a chance to go to Mukinge Mission Hospital, you would see the heart of Lakewood Church and everything you see there. When ((music playing)) I got to to visit Mukinge with with Dr. Paul, you know, I could see each step that I'd heard about for years of what the church had done to help right there.

And everything that is there is geared towards caring for them in the name of Jesus and showing ((music playing)) them what he thinks of them and how much he loves them. And and so anything that you do, understand it is directly ((music playing)) impacting people in a way that I think it is probably hard to imagine.

It certainly was for me before I went. Uh so thank you so much for what you do. Uh it's making a huge impact in needy places like Mukinge Mission Hospital. Yeah, Lakewood, thank you for being so generous and just continuing to support the ministry. I see Dr. Hall over here, an amazing surgeon, just doing such great work.

But all this happens because of faithful people, you guys here and watching and listening. And we just u thank you for your generosity. And we take a moment in every service to worship the Lord with our tithes and our offerings. So we'll do that right now for a moment.

But again, just grateful for your consistency and keeping the ministry going. Not only we show you stuff that happens overseas, but we do stuff in the community as well. Part of the missions of course is to take the gospel and you know, humanitarian, but also through the media.

People all over the world watch and listen. And so this all happens because of faithful people. And sometimes, you know, they they see us, but when it comes to God's kingdom, it's, you know, you're getting the credit for changing lives all over the world. Just quick scripture, you all know it, but it says when you give, it'll be given back to you, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.

That's our prayer for each one of you. I know you're generous. You give your time, your energy, your sacrifice. Well, I just been saying it all year. 2026. How about some pressed down, shaken together, running over blessings coming your way because you're faithful. You keep doing the right thing.

So, we appreciate your generosity. Yeah, I love that scripture in Luke. You know, you think about it. God has given us a privilege to give. You know, he says, "Give and I'll I'll give it back to you." You know, we don't know all the ways that God wants to give us his blessings back.

But I do believe he wants us to experience what giving is all about. And so he says, "Give and I'll give back to you." Sometimes I have to remind myself and I want to just remind us all today, what are we believing about our giving? What are we believing it's it's actually doing?

Are we believing what it says in Luke? Are we believing that maybe quietly we don't have enough? Or does it really make a difference? You see, I think what we believe about our giving changes everything for us. You see, when we give with a heart of faith and we believe when we give, it's not only blessing other people like Dr.

Hall was talking about about the and about like the communities that we bless because he really I think that's the best gift God can give us is to know that we can take what he's given us and share it with others. See there's nothing that feeds your soul more than when you know there are people around you that are being helped that are in need.

I believe that's the best gift. Have you ever had someone that you spoke the gospel to or you were able to help and it just enriched your soul? I think when you believe that about your giving, that's the best gift. The second thing God wants to do is he wants to give it back to you.

Press down. He wants you to experience not only the blessing of helping others, but the blessing of being a giver. So today, let's remember what and believe what is our giving doing and give in faith believing that God, I'm not giving and it's not lost. I'm giving and it's abundance.

He says, "Pressed down, shaken together, running over. God, I believe I'm this is going to run over to my children, to the next generation. I'm storing up treasure in heaven." And that's what we want to get excited about. And that's what we want to keep in our heart and on our mind.

And let our faith just rise when we give. So know today that God sees you giving. And it's not about how much you give. It's about the heart with which you give. I believe God sees that. So, we want you to know we thank you and we love you.

And let's be challenged to say, "God, I'm giving in faith when I give." Yeah. I love that, Victoria. So good. Lord, thank you for our generous givers. Lord, I thank you that you're working in their lives even now. We're not giving because we have to, Lord. We're giving because we love you to honor you.

We recognize all that we have came from you. And so Lord, as we return to give our tithes, our offerings, donations, I thank you that we live under the open windows of heaven. Lord, just what you promise that you will you will bless your people in ways that they haven't seen, Lord, just at the on their jobs, opportunities, and contracts, and Lord, letting their gifts and talents come out to the full.

Thank you that they'll shine brightly, Lord. And I just thank you, Father, just for a year of abundance and overflow so we can be a greater blessing to build your kingdom. And Lord, so they can each fulfill the purposes that you've laid out for them, leaving that inheritance to their children and their children's ((music playing)) children.

Lord, I just speak abundance and overflow and your blessing over your people in Jesus' name. God bless you today as you give. We love you guys. Here are some ways you can give. Using your smartphone, scan the QR code located on the screen. Then select the online giving option that is most convenient for you.

Go to lakewoodurch.com/give. Text give hope to 77977. Mail a ((music playing)) check to P. Box 27450, Houston, Texas 77227. or call us toll-free at 888-567 Joel. Church, will you stand with us? We have a new song for you this morning. It's called Thank the Lord. Come on. ((music playing)) Thank the Lord for the day that he has made.

Thank the Lord for his goodness and his grace. Thank the Lord that he always makes a way. Hallelujah. Oh. Thank the Lord that ((music playing)) he chose to take the cross. ((music playing)) Thank the Lord for the power in his blood. ((music playing)) Thank the Lord for the wonders of his love. Hallelujah. Isn't ((music playing)) he faithful?

Isn't he good? Isn't he worthy? ((music playing)) Somebody thank the Lord. Give him the honor. Give him the praise. All of the ((music playing)) glory. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Isn't he faithful? Isn't he ((music playing)) good? Isn't he worthy? Somebody thank the Lord. Give him the honor. Give him the praise. All the glory. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Thank the Lord ((music playing)) For your mercy endureth forever.

All ((music playing)) of heaven and earth shall proclaim. Hallelujah. [singing] ((music playing)) God be praised for your miracle signs in your wonders. ((music playing)) All the glory be unto your name. Hallelujah. God praise for ((music playing)) your mercy forever. ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) ((music playing)) Oh, I love that. Thanks for being at Lakewood today. We love you guys. What an amazing way to start the week right here at Lakewood.

So honored to have you. And if you're visiting, you're our special guest. But just a a joy to have each one of you here and watching and listening. And once a month we always honor one of our volunteer teams. And this month's it's our beautiful women's ministry. Come on up.

These beautiful women. We want to honor them. ((applause)) Sarah here runs the ministry. Talia's been with us. Desiree got a beautiful baby. Desiree. I love that. And just um you know there's so many different areas you can get plugged in here at Lakewood. Women's ministry is one. And these guys meet Sunday mornings about 10:15 before the service.

Plus, they do stuff online. But, you know, we we it's a big church. We'd love to get you connected to make some great great friends. And these ladies are, you know, amazing leaders. And if you want to find out more about it, find out, you know, you can check it out on the web or after service you can find Sarah.

But a lot of different teams, choir, usher, all these things. But can we celebrate our beautiful ladies here in the women's ministry, mighty women of faith at Lakewood. Thank you guys so much. Hey guys, uh between services I met some friends from Ukraine. Uh only one of them speaks English, my friend here, but these are pastors in Ukraine.

Their building has been hit with a fighting. You see them there, the bishop, the son, and they're uh I got to visit a little while. We're doing amazing work. And you know, we don't fight battles like they fight battles. You know, buildings being hit and bombed, but you know what?

They're faithful. They're serving God. And we just speak blessings over you guys. We're going to continue to pray and support you and do all we can. Thanks for what you do. Amazing people. ((applause)) I had one more thing, y'all. If I could just uh Oh, yeah. I know what it was.

It's for our online audience. Don't forget next This Saturday is what we call homecoming. And it's for people that, you know, live out of town, you never been to Lakewood, I'd love to have you be a part. I'll be down here with my family on Saturday and Sunday you can come to the service.

That's that's next week. But thanks for being a part, guys. Great to have you here today. And I'm going to ask you when you see yourself on the big screen if you'll give our TV audience a great big Lakewood welcome. ((applause)) God bless you. It's great to be with you today.

And I hope you'll stay connected with us during the week through our daily podcast, our YouTube channel, social media, and you can come visit us in person. We'd love to have you be a part of one of our services. But I like to start with something funny. And I heard about this group of school children.

They were in the cafeteria line at their Catholic elementary school. The start of the line, there was a big bowl of apples. A nun had written a note. It said, "Take only one. God is watching." At the end of the line, there was a big bowl of chocolate chip cookies.

One of the children had written a note. It said, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples." Say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I have what it says I have. I can do what it says I can do.

Today I will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess my mind is alert. My heart is receptive. I will never be the same. I am about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible, everliving seed of the word of God. I'll never be the same. Never, never, never. I'll never be the same in Jesus' name.

God bless you. If you'd like to open your Bibles to Matthew chapter 6, you're welcome to. Matthew chapter 6 and verse 33. Don't forget we have great services all week and our new Wednesday night service has kicked up this year and it's a great service. If you can come back on Wednesday night, we have a great time here, but always honored to have you and so enjoyed our our some of our team from the Monday night Bible study, Pastor Eric and Jeremy.

Monday night. Those guys are online or those men and pastor Mark Greathouse as well. But we have a great team here at Lakewood. But thanks again for coming out. I want to talk to you today about blessings finding you. It's easy to worry about the future and how can I accomplish my dreams and what if I don't get that good break or what if my health goes down or I don't meet the right person.

Creates all this pressure where we have to make things happen. We live striving and straining trying to force this door to open and make this person like us, turn this problem around. When Jesus was talking to people like this in Matthew chapter 6, they were very worried about their food, their clothing, how they were going to make it.

He said to them in verse 33, "Don't worry about those things. Your heavenly father knows all that you need." He was saying, "God has already planned your future. He knows what it's going to take to get you to your destiny. You're not doing life on your own. It's not just up to you.

The most high God is ordering your steps. And Jesus gave us the key in verse 33. He said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." He was saying in effect, you don't have to spend your life seeking the blessing, seeking provision, seeking approval, seeking the right people.

That's going to lead to frustration. There's a better way to live. If you'll seek God, then the blessings will seek you. There's a reversal. When you keep God first place, that takes the pressure off. Now, it's not up to you to make it all happen. That's God's responsibility.

He will add all these things. But if we don't understand this, it brings stress and tension. Hey, man, I got to get this promotion and I got to win over this coworker. I got to fix this problem. And sure, we have to use our gifts. Be determined. Take steps of faith.

But you don't have to live with that pressure. You can stay in peace knowing that because you're honoring God, he's arranging the good breaks. He's lining up the right people. He's scheduling the healing, the turnaround. You don't have to find it. It's going to find you. Don't spend your life chasing the blessing.

Chase God and the blessings will chase you. But I wonder how many of us are trying to do God's job. We're striving, straining, manipulating. Don't take the pressure off. Let God be God. He knows what's best for you. He's already written every day of your life in his book.

He knows what you need, who you need, when you need it, and how to get it to you. He'll [snorts] open doors that you could never open. He'll bring people you never imagined. He'll put you in rooms where you weren't qualified, opportunity, resources, influences far beyond what you had in mind.

God's dream for your life is much bigger than your own. Amen. Where he's taken you, you could never accomplish by yourself. Just your own efforts, your talent, your hard work. That's all good. But God is going to add things that exceed your expectations, that bogle your mind, that thrust you where no one in your family has gone.

And it says, "Seek first the kingdom and his righteousness." That means his way of doing things. God's kingdom in one sense is opposite of what we naturally think. He said to bless your enemies, be good to those that do you wrong. I don't want to bless them. I want to get revenge.

Forgive those that hurt you. I don't want to forgive. I want to hold a grudge. No. Seek first the kingdom. If you want God to add, you have to do it his way. It means walking by faith and not by sight. You may have a situation where you don't see how it could work out.

The odds are against you. You could be worried, discouraged. Instead, God, I don't see a way, but I know you have a way. You being for me is more than what's trying to stop me. That's seeking the kingdom. Being faithful at work, doing the right thing when no one is watching.

Integrity, excellence, that's God's way. Trusting when you don't understand. a good attitude when life's not fair. Biting your tongue when you want to tell someone off. Putting down your carnal desires. That's not just being disciplined. That's seeking the kingdom. That's doing it God's way. That's what puts you in position for God to add all these things.

But sometimes we hear we need to seek God and we think, "Okay, I got to pray two hours in the morning. I got to read my Bible more. I got to come to church more." And that's all good. That's part of it. But you can honor God in your everyday life, having a faithfilled attitude, treating people with respect, kind to your family, being excellent at work.

That's his righteousness. That's God's way of doing things. When you live like that, you are seeking God. That means blessings are seeking you. We see this in the life of David. He was a teenager out in the shepherd's fields taking care of his father's sheep. He was the youngest of eight brothers and he got stuck with the leftover job out there in the desert.

Lonely, boring, no future to speak of. And David had big dreams. He could sense the greatness that God put in him. But he was at a disadvantage. Some of his brothers were in the military. They had prestigious positions. Well, David could have slacked off and taken the easy way out.

And I don't care about these sheep. big deal if we lose a few. Nobody's going to know. Oh, David was a person of excellence. He did the right thing when no one was watching. He cared for those sheep night and day. Made sure they had food and water.

He'd fight off wild animals. Killed a lion and a bear with his bare hands just to protect the sheep. And all that time that David was going the extra mile, doing the right thing when it was hard, being his best when he wasn't getting any credit, he wasn't just being a good son, a good employee.

He was honoring God. That was a time of testing, a time of proving. And people may not be watching, but God is watching. Maybe nobody is telling you thank you. You're not getting the credit you deserve, but you keep doing the right thing. You keep showing up on time, doing more than you have to.

People may not see it, but God sees it. He's the one that matters. He's keeping the records. You're not just being faithful. You're seeking God. You're doing things his way. That's what puts you in position for him to add all these things. Promotion doesn't come from people. It comes from the Lord.

David kept a good attitude in a difficult situation. He didn't complain, get better. Out in the fields is where he wrote some of the psalms. When he got up in the morning, he could have thought, "Oh man, another day with these stinking sheep. I'm so tired of feeding them, cleaning up them.

Why don't my brothers have to help?" He had plenty of reasons to complain and live sour. But David made the decision. He was going to do things God's way. Maybe that's where he wrote Psalm 118. This is the day the Lord has made. I'm gonna rejoice and be glad in it.

Perhaps he wrote Psalm 5 out there. Early in the morning you will hear my song of praise. Maybe it was Psalm 63. Oh God, you are my God and earnestly I seek after you. He had this attitude of praise, thanksgiving, right out in the desert when it was lonely, unfair, when he didn't see a way out.

But he's still full of praise. He's still caring for the sheep with excellence. He's still being faithful and consistent. Well, David thought that the shepherd's fields were his destiny. In the natural, there wasn't any way out. But when you seek God, blessings start seeking you. God will add things that you couldn't add.

He'll speak to people to be good to you that you've never met. God told the prophet Samuel, "Travel to the city of Bethlehem, to the house of a man named Jesse, for I've chosen one of his sons to be the next king of Israel." Here David is out in the fields just minding his own business. another ordinary day being faithful, serving with excellence, doing more than what was required.

But as he was seeking God, what he couldn't see was Samuel was seeking him. Something was headed his way that would change the course of his life. Many of you are like David. You go the extra mile. You take care of your family with kindness and compassion. Even when you're tired, you still shine.

At work, you give it your best. You serve at church, in your community, always being a blessing. It may seem like you're stuck, reach limits, no way to go higher, but God has some blessings seeking you right now. Things you can't see. You couldn't plan. There was no sign of it, but your Samuel is about to show up.

Healing is pursuing you. the right person, the door opening, the breakthrough in your business. You couldn't find it. It's going to find you. Something better than you ever dreamed. See, God sees you doing the right thing when it's hard. He sees your consistency day after day, being good to people, sacrificing your time and energy.

He sees you being excellent, staying holy and pure, refusing to compromise. God has a Samuel coming, a surprise, something unexpected. Suddenly, the right person is knocking on your door. That's not a lucky break. That's the blessing seeking you. Because you're doing things God's way, his favor is going to find you.

Samuel showed up at Jesse's house, David's father, and asked to see the sons. And Jesse brought seven of them out. Samuel looked at them, studied. No, it's not any of these. Can imagine he's a little confused. Thought, did I come to the right house? Did I hear God wrong?

Jesse spoke up. Said, "I do have one more son, but he's the youngest. He's small. He doesn't have any experience. I'm sure it's not him." People may discount you and try to make you feel like you're not enough. You're not tall enough, talented enough, attractive enough, funny enough.

The good news is you're not dependent on what people think about you. They don't determine your destiny. They may push you down, but God knows how to lift you up. They may overlook you, but God knows how to make you be seen. He'll promote you in front of the people that are trying to discredit you.

He'll prepare a table in the presence of your enemies. Now quit worrying about who's not for you and who looks down on you and why won't they give me any credit. No, your time is coming. Samuel is on the way. You keep pursuing God, doing things his way, and the blessings will chase you down.

What you couldn't make happen will come to you. You didn't have to strain, manipulate, force. It's going to fall into your hands. See, David wasn't out in the fields coming up with a campaign strategy how he could get elected. He didn't go to different villages passing out flyers, holding town halls, making a case how he'd be a great king.

He didn't go after the throne. He went after God, faithfulness and excellence, integrity, praising, and the throne came to him. You don't have to make it all happen. God said all these things he will add. What God is about to add is something you didn't see coming. You didn't work for it.

You didn't earn it. You didn't have the experience. It's the goodness of God thrusting you into your purpose. Now, here's the key. Stay consistent. Every day you do the right thing, Samuel is a little closer. You're passing the test. David had to prove to God that he would take care of those sheep before God would let him take care of his people.

If he had slacked off with the sheep and didn't keep them fed and let wild animals harm them, God would have never trusted him to take care of the Israelites. Be your best where you are. Don't wait for Samuel to show up. Then you'll have a good attitude.

Then you'll be faithful. Then you'll let your talents shine. The way to honor God is to shine where you are. Excel at your workplace. Be compassionate with your family. Be generous with your time and resources. Get up in the morning and thank God for his goodness. Stay full of praise.

That's seeking God, doing things his way. That's when blessings will come seeking you. When I look back over my life, many of the important moments when I was thrust to a new level weren't things that I was going after. I was simply honoring God like David in the shepherd's field, so to speak, just being my best where I was.

And suddenly, the Samuel showed up. In my early 20s, I went to a jewelry store to buy a battery for my watch. I walked in and here came Samuel walking. And I mean, here came Victoria walking toward me. The most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. And I don't know if God spoke to her to come wait on me or she is just overwhelmed by my good looks, but she came right over and started talking to me.

I was there to buy a battery for my watch and she ended up selling me a whole new watch. And she's been taking my money ever since then. That was 40 years ago. I don't know how that can be. I'm only 39, but ((applause)) I could have never made that happen.

But as you honor God, he has the right people coming towards you. David said, "I was young. Now I'm old, and I've never once seen the righteous forsaken." You don't have to worry. Make it all happen. Talk someone into liking you. Lower your standard cuz you may not meet anyone.

No. Keep honoring God and the right person will find you. Someone better than you can imagine that sees you as the gift that you are. They're already in route. Your steps and their steps are being ordered by the Lord. What God has purposed, nothing can stop. One Sunday morning when my father was pastoring, I was running through the front lobby up the stairs to the TV area.

Service was about to start. A man came around the corner and said, "Joel, my cousin has a construction permit for the last full power television station in Houston. He wants you to have it." I never dreamed we'd have a television station that wasn't even on my radar. I didn't go after it.

It came to me. We put the station on the air. Few years later, we sold it. It was those funds that helped us renovate the compact center. God knows what you're going to need and he knows how to bring it to you. When my father passed, I was working behind the scenes.

I never thought I'd be a minister. Suddenly, this door opened. I didn't pursue it. It pursued me. I was planning on doing television production the rest of my life. But God is going to add things that surprise you, cause you to bloom and blossom. He's put gifts in you that you haven't tapped into yet.

Few years after I'd been pastoring, Victoria encouraged me to write a book. And thought, "Victoria, I don't know how to write a book. I don't know what to say. I don't even know where to begin." But an executive from one of the largest publishing companies in the world was walking to the subway in New York going home and he saw my name on a sign.

He didn't know who I was. He'd never heard of me, but he told me something told me that I was to sign you for a book deal. He went looked us up, researched us, offered us a contract. Now I have books in many languages all over the world.

I could have never made that happen. I couldn't have planned it. I couldn't have won his favor. I didn't even know him. This was the hand of God causing blessings to seek those who seek him. One more. How about when we needed a larger auditorium? I was trying to build, but things kept falling through.

Well, a friend called that I hadn't spoken to in years, and he said, "Joel, you need to get the compact center. The Rockets basketball team is about to move out. I didn't go after this building. I didn't know anything about it. It came to us." What am I saying?

You don't have to strive and strain, try to make everything happen. You're trying to do God's job. That's going to bring frustration. You don't have to figure it all out. Your job is to keep God first place. Keep doing things his way. As you seek him, he's going to have the blessings seek you.

The right people, the contracts, the healing, the open doors. It's going to track you down. The scripture says, "No good thing will God withhold when you walk uprightly." That's you. You're walking uprightly. You're committed, faithful, being good to people. God is not going to withhold anything you need to get you to your destiny.

Samuel came and anointed David as king. A very powerful moment. But David didn't go to the throne. He went back to the shepherd's fields. One day, his father asked him to take lunch to his brothers that were in the army in another city. David could have thought, "Dad, I'm not an Aaron boy.

I'm not going to take them lunch. That's beneath me. You saw him anoint me king. I'm made for bigger things than that." He could have dismissed it, went on his way. But David wasn't too big to do a small thing. He knew as you're serving others, you were serving God.

He took the lunch. That's when he heard Goliath taunting the Israelites. As David walked in obedience in small things, in what seemed insignificant, it was leading him to a big thing. He would have never met Goliath had he not been faithful to do the simple task that his father asked.

Don't discount small acts of obedience, doing simple things that may seem beneath you. Joy, I got more training than this. I'm more qualified, more experienced. Don't ask me to take care of the sheep. find somebody else to take them lunch. You don't know what's going to be waiting for you.

There are some Goliaths, some destiny moments that are hidden in small acts of obedience. I used to pick out my father's suit and tie to wear on television each Sunday. I'd go over to his house every Saturday evening and I'd write it down. He wore this and that.

Keep the record. My mom would say, "Joel, daddy's 70 years old. He can pick out his own clothes." But I had seen what my father would wear and I wanted it to look good. But I never dreamed one day I would be picking out a suit and tie for me to wear on television.

Being obedient in small things is showing God he can trust you with big things. David took lunch to his brothers. Honoring God, doing a small thing. And Goliath showed up. A big thing that forever changed David's life. a destiny moment where he became a national hero. Hebrews says that God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek after him.

When you're seeking after God, doing things his way, then you're on God's payroll. He's a rewarder. He'll compensate you. When you do a small act of obedience, there's a reward. When you forgive someone that doesn't deserve it, God will reward you. When you get up in the morning and take time to thank God for the day and acknowledge his goodness, there's a reward.

When you stay faithful in the shepherd's field obscurity, not getting the credit, but you keep being your best, God sees that. He'll compensate you. And God knows how to pay you like no one else. He'll pay you with joy and wisdom, good health, great relationships. But sometimes we're on the wrong payrolls.

We're working for the wrong boss. Maybe we're self-employed, working for ourselves. I I got to strive. I got to strain. I got to work this thing out. The problem is we don't pay well. You'll barely get minimum wage out of that. Or we're letting our circumstances be the boss. frustrated by what's not changing, upset with the neighbor, trying to set them straight.

That doesn't pay well. Maybe we're let our letting our feelings dictate our mood. People's approval, what they said, well, Jo, they left me out. They said I'm too small. I got to prove them wrong. No, you need to change payrolls. You need to turn in your resignation. No more letting stress, fear, people's opinion, jealousy be your boss.

Get on God's payroll. Start doing things his way, seeking first his kingdom. Have you seen at the first of the year, there's this list of the best companies to work for. Some have great benefits, beautiful facilities, retirement packages, extended vacation. That's all nice, but nobody can pay you like God can pay you.

The best payroll you could ever be on is the most high God. Not just material things, but how about paying you with peace, health, a sound mind? How about supernatural provision, protection, and favor? I have to remind myself of this because it's easy to get on someone else's payroll, striving, trying to make this happen.

Wonder what it's going to be like in 10 years. How's this going to work out? What if that doesn't change? You can't control all that. Your future is in God's hands. You don't have to figure it all out. It's not up to you to get to your destiny, to open the right doors, to find the right people, to come up with the plan, the strategy.

Your job is to keep God first place. Use your gifts and talents to honor him. Then he promises he will add everything you need. You don't have to add it. He's responsible to open the doors and bring the right people, protect you. When you're on his payroll, you'll be well compensated.

He'll take you further than you can imagine. But I wonder today if you need to change payrolls. Are you self-employed, trying to do it all on your own? That's going to wear you out. Are you trying to keep score, outperform, prove who you are? You're going to go in debt.

Dave Ramsey were here, he'd tell you, "Pay it off. Get out of debt." That's draining the life out of you. Trying to keep up with people's expectations, running a race you're not supposed to be in. David would have never made it to the throne if he'd been on the wrong payroll out in the fields.

If he was bitter, competing with his brothers, trying to prove to his father who he was, he'd been stuck. His attitude was, "I'm going to do it. God's way. I'm going to seek first his kingdom. He started the morning thanking God. He excelled where he was, faithful in small things, good attitude day after day, excellent when no one was watching.

At the right time, payday came. God took him from the background to the foreground. From being discounted to being in charge and make sure you stay on the right payroll. Do it God's way. No more straining, striving, worrying. You're trying to do God's job. Take the pressure off.

Today can be a turning point. Do your best and then rest. Then God promised he will add all of these things. If you'll do this, I believe and declare like with David, Samuel is about to come looking for you. Things you couldn't make happen. good breaks, the right people, healing, freedom, the fullness of your destiny in Jesus' name.

And if you receive it, can you say amen? ((applause)) Let's pray together if you have five minutes. Let's just seal it in prayer. Lord, thank you for what we've heard. I know it falls on great ground, faithful people here at Lakewood. And Lord, today we're going to come back to that place of peace.

We're going to live honoring you, doing all that we can. And Lord, we're going to let you and trust you to do what we can. Lord, no more striving, no more straining. We're going to work hard. We're going to use our gifts, but God, we're going to trust you to do what we can.

Our life is in your hands, Lord. Help us to believe. Help us to come back to a place of peace and trust and faith. And Lord, as we do this like you did for David, in your perfect timing, you will bring the Samuels. You will defeat the Goliaths.

You will take us to our throne, to our destiny. Lord, we trust you with our lives, our children, our family, our dreams. It's in your hands. Lord, I ask that you would watch after your people. I thank you for watching after your people this week as they go to work, as their children go to school, that your angels are watching after them.

Give them a blessed week in Jesus' name. With our heads bowed in prayer, just a quick question. If your heart stopped beating in the next few minutes, are you at peace with God? Do you know where you'd spend eternity if you died a little while from now? If not, I would love to pray with you.

I'm not here to condemn anybody. I'm here to help you find a new beginning. I know this comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. in just a moment. If you're not at peace with God, or maybe you are a Christian, but you've grown cold toward God, and you know you need to rededicate and recommmit your life to Christ.

If that's you, in just a moment, I'm going to ask you to take a step of faith and stand right where you are and we'll pray together. I can't think of a better time to get on the road to victory than right now. God is not mad at you.

Your sins have already been forgiven. All you have to do is accept the free gift of Christ's salvation. Will you do it today? The enemy in your thoughts, he'll whisper, "Do it next week. Do it another time." Listen, the Bible says, "Today is the day of salvation." You're not hearing this by accident.

Well, Jo, it's embarrassing to stand in front of everyone, have people at the house, I can't lift my hand. Listen to what Jesus said. ((music playing)) If you won't be ashamed of me before people, then I won't be ashamed of you before my father in heaven. I'm going to give you a great opportunity to show God that you're not ashamed of him.

If you're not at peace with the Lord or you just need to rededicate, you need to recommmit your life to Christ, you need a fresh new start, a new beginning. If that's you, would you be bold? Take that step of faith and stand right where you are and we'll pray together.

Would you do that? Come on, Lakewood. Let's give them a hand as they stand all over the building. ((music playing)) ((applause)) Come on, don't put it off. ((music playing)) I feel like there ought to be others. Your heart's beating fast. Come on, like with us. Clap them in. They're still standing. Anybody else ((music playing)) watching, listening?

Anybody else? ((applause)) God bless you. Please remain standing. Let me tell you how proud we are of you. I know that took courage to stand. And more importantly, I know God's never going to be ashamed of you because you took this step of faith. The scripture says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Let me help you to call. Do you mind all praying this after me if you would? Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make you my Lord and Savior. Amen. Or remain standing just one more moment if you would. I want to tell you again how much we love you.

We're going to be praying for you. Also want to give you a personal invitation and a challenge to come back and be with us on a regular basis. This next year of your life is an very important time and we'd love to have you come back and get plugged in, be a part of the services.

I'll make a promise if you'll do that before the year is over, your life will never be the same for the better. We are going to help you grow and become who God's created you to be. And I know you're busy. You work hard. Sunday's probably a day off.

But I can tell you this. When you get into a community of faith and put God first place, there is a blessing on your life, your new week will go better. We'd love to have you here. Right up over here, there's a place called New Beginnings. Some of our team will be there.

They can talk to you about how you can get Yeah. what what the next steps are. We'd love to have you do this, but know this. The moment you stood up, God washed away all your sins, your mistakes, your failures. You are starting with a fresh, clean slate.

Write it down in your Bible. March 15, 2026. A new day of victory in your life in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Won't us all stand together, please. Thanks so much for coming out today. How many of you going home better off than you were before? Amen. All right, guys.

We love you. And until we meet again, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord show you his favor and have mercy on you. And may the Lord watch over you and give you his peace. God bless you. Have a great week, a favorfilled ((music playing)) week.

See you back real soon.