The Danger of Decisionism: Why ‘Standing Up’ Cannot Save

• Identity and Performance 00:39:26 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor describes how identity becomes a battle rooted in performance, where individuals base their worth on doing better, faster, and seeking the applause of others.
• Identity and Pain/Mistakes 00:40:18 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor explains how identity shifts from performance to pain and mistakes, where individuals define themselves by their rejection, disappointment, and errors.
• Identity and Expectations/Titles 00:41:04 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor discusses how identity is further complicated by living for the expectations of others and relying on titles like executive, entrepreneur, or pastor.
• Identity and Possessions 00:41:47 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor notes that identity can become tied to possessions, such as cars, degrees, and homes, leading to a spiral of control.
• Alignment with Jesus 00:42:38 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor introduces the solution: aligning with Jesus allows Him to rearrange narratives and define identity based on being made in God's image, rather than mirrors or labels.
• Divine Naming and Calling 00:43:26 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor emphasizes that Jesus determines who a person is, citing Isaiah 62 about receiving a new name from the Lord, freeing believers from subpar labels.
• Decision to Follow God's Calling 00:44:51 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor calls the congregation to stand and decide to let God define their identity, rejecting labels in favor of being defined by the Creator.

• Sermon Illustration 00:03:42 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor uses an analogy of rebooting a computer to explain the spiritual need to reset one's internal state, letting go of worry and guilt to receive God's blessings.
• Sermon Illustration 00:45:07 ▶️ 📄
  > The pastor uses the analogy of a painting where God takes a marker to sign His name at the bottom, defining the believer's identity.

• Pastoral Charge 00:44:51 ▶️ 📄
  > Stand up and verbally declare a desire to live according to God's calling.
• Pastoral Charge 00:46:18 ▶️ 📄
  > Shout praise to Jesus.

[00:03:11] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]
[00:03:11] Thanks for coming out. How many of you are ready to worship the Lord today and God's being good to us? I like that song. It's another day the Lord has made and we feel blessed to be able to spend part of this day with you guys and all of you watching online, listening live on Sirius XM. I really believe that you made the service better because you came today. You brought God with you and joy and faith and victory. So what an honor it is to have you here. And I don't know if there's anything trying to weigh you down, but the first of the week and you know, Sunday,
[00:03:42] really every day, but it's important to kind of, you know, reset. I think at the start of the day and always liking it to like rebooting your computer. I never reboot mine. And, you know,
[00:03:52] after about six months, I got things not working and it's slow. And I finally had to, but that's what we can do today. We can just kind of reboot our, our inside, our spiritual life, our emotions.
[00:04:02] And the way we do that, you know what, we're letting go of all the worry, letting go of all the guilt, what somebody said, you know, something we could be concerned about. Why don't you come
[00:04:11] back to that place of peace and say, okay, God, I know I'm in the palm of your hand. I know you're fighting my battles. I know you're guiding me and guarding me. Well, that place of peace is a place
[00:04:20] of power. And that's really where you can receive what God has for you today. So I hope you'll do that. Know that God, know that you wouldn't be alive unless God had greater things in your future.
[00:04:29] And so that's one reason we can just stir up our faith and not just hype it up, but God, we're thanking you in advance for the healing and the breakthroughs, the goodness, the mercy for the future you have for us.
[00:04:41] And when you do that, that allows God to do great things.
[00:04:44] But we are so blessed to have you here.
[00:04:46] I'll just open it up in prayer.
[00:04:47] Lord, thank you for another day to be alive.
[00:04:50] And Lord, as we sing these praises this morning, I know they come up and you receive them.
[00:04:54] And as they do, Lord, I just ask that you send your goodness and mercy back down to your people.
[00:04:59] Peace and strength.
[00:05:00] We love you, God.
[00:05:01] We worship you.
[00:05:02] We honor you.
[00:05:03] We thank you for who you are.
[00:05:04] Great and greatly to be praised.
[00:05:07] In Jesus' name, amen.
[00:05:08] Thanks for coming out today.

[00:05:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:05:09] weakness. We recognize your goodness, your mercy, and your favor upon our lives. Lord, we know you

[00:23:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]
[00:23:12] chose us before we could choose you. Here we stand today redeemed and forgiven, not as ordinary people, but Lord, as your children, children of the most high God. And Father, we thank you for all that you've done. Lord, we recognize you woke us up this morning and you gave us breath to breathe
[00:23:30] another day to be alive. Lord, we're not going to live it in fear, in worry, in condemnation, in anger. Lord, we're going to live it in faith. We're going to live it in praise, thanking you for all that you've done. Lord, not even focused on what's wrong in our life.
[00:23:47] We want to thank you for what's right in our lives and not looking at how far we have to go, but Lord, we thank you for how far you've already brought us to today. Thank you for your goodness,
[00:23:56] for your mercy and just Lord another opportunity to be together as your family here in person online listening Lord we commit our lives afresh and anew into your hands we ask you Lord to make
[00:24:10] us and mold us into who you want us to be I thank you Lord that we will not get stuck not get stagnant bad habits things we know that are not your best but Lord even today that you're breathing
[00:24:22] in our direction, that we are moving forward or closer in our walk with you and better off in our relationships, kinder, quicker to forgive, better in our careers or let our gifts and talents come
[00:24:37] out to the full and Lord, even better off in our health, stronger and more energetic and full of energy, full of your faith. Lord, I thank you that our greatest days are not behind us, that they're
[00:24:48] still in front of us, that 2026 won't be a get by year, but a blessed year, productive, healthy favor field year. Lord show out in our lives this year, show us signs of your favor, breathe on us
[00:25:04] in a new way. And I just thank you for the new things that you're doing, Lord, that we have the room to receive it. Lord God, I think even now, Lord, as we're worshiping you, that every force
[00:25:16] that's tried to stop us has been broken in the name of Jesus. Depression, anxiety, mental struggles, sickness, chronic pain, addictions, bad habits, trouble at work, at home, in our finances.
[00:25:32] Lord, we believe today is a breakthrough day that you are fighting our battles, doing what we can't do on our own. But Lord God, our eyes are upon you. We may have some giants in our path, but Lord, we
[00:25:44] know with your help, we can slay any giant. We can run through any truth. We can become who you created us to be. So Lord, we put our faith and our trust and our hope in you today. And I thank
[00:25:56] you for leading us and guiding us clear direction for our lives, good decisions that honor you.
[00:26:02] And father, I do lift up those that are fighting battles in their health.
[00:26:06] Some in the building, maybe listening, watching from hospitals. Lord, you said that you're Jehovah Rapha, the Lord, our healer. Lord, like you healed my mom, I know you can heal these people as well.
[00:26:19] Even when it doesn't look good, Father, we know you have the final say. So I speak healing and wholeness, strength. Lord, I thank you for restoring what the enemy's trying to steal.
[00:26:30] That with long life, you will satisfy us. That even today, the tide of the battle would begin to turn in your people's health in the name of Jesus. Lord, I do lift up those as well that
[00:26:42] are going through tough times, those that have been through loss and heartache.
[00:26:46] Father, you said you're close to the brokenhearted.
[00:26:49] Let them feel your presence.
[00:26:51] Let them know that we're praying.
[00:26:53] I ask, Lord, that you comfort them, that they have peace that only you can give, that even though it may feel like it's the end, that they'll see it's a new beginning, that you have beauty for the ashes,
[00:27:04] that you're still in control, that we've been endures for a night, but joy is coming in the morning.
[00:27:09] So, Lord, I thank you for the joy that's on the way in Jesus name. Lord, we thank you again for all that you've done in the past, but we believe, declare the best is still yet to come, that we are victors and never victims
[00:27:24] in Jesus name. And if you receive it, can you say amen today? So good to have you in the house of the Lord. We make a declaration of faith every service. We're going to say it now. Come on,
[00:27:37] say it like you mean it. 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
[00:28:11] in Jesus name. Amen. You said amazing today. I love that phrase. I say it all the time. We are victors and never victims, you know, because sometimes life can, you know, can try to make
[00:28:27] you have a victim mentality. Even if you've had success in some areas, you know, maybe in other areas, you know, just sometimes that negativity and yeah, but why'd these people do this to you?
[00:28:37] Or why is that job held you back? Or why is there's always some reason, but man, you gotta, you gotta, you know, anytime you, you, you give in to being a victim, you're, you're making an
[00:28:46] excuse to not become who God's created you to be. God never said we wouldn't have things come against us, but he said, you know, the scripture says, thanks be to God who always causes us to
[00:28:56] triumph. So yeah, we may have things come against us, but you know, don't take on that, that, that mentality. Know that you are a victor that, you know, the scripture says that not, not only are
[00:29:07] you a conqueror, but you are more than a conqueror. Well, the fact is you can't conquer something if you don't have something come against you. So life's going to happen to us all, but you know,
[00:29:17] let's don't sink down into that. Oh, why did this happen? Kind of got that self-pity, that chip on our shoulder. No, let me tell you, if you will stay in faith, God will make the enemy pay for
[00:29:26] bringing the trouble into your life. You know what I've learned? And the scripture even says that God won't bring you out the same. He'll bring you out better than you were before.
[00:29:36] And sometimes, you know, it's kind of an odd way to look at it, but when trouble comes, you can think, you know what? I should be discouraged. But in a sense, I'm encouraged because the scripture says, God will pay you back double for the unfair things that have happened.
[00:29:49] So if you can stay in faith and, you know, just shake off the victim mentality, you know, we can all think of an excuse why we can't rise higher, why we can't meet the addiction,
[00:29:58] why we can't have harmony in our family, but you know what? Turn all that off and say, God, I thank you that you're working behind the scenes. God, you've made me to be victorious, that you are more than a conqueror. We believe 2026, God's going to do some unusual things in
[00:30:13] your life. Some things you haven't seen before. Keep your faith out there. You got to, you have to make room for it in your mind. That's what allows God to work. We believe in 2026, a blessed
[00:30:23] year, a productive year, a favor filled year. How about a year when God brings some of your family back in to know him that you didn't think would ever come back? How about a year when some new
[00:30:34] doors of opportunity open in your business, in your career? How about a year where you break free from that addiction that's been holding you back or from that chronic pain that you feel like you got to live with? Let me tell you, 2026 is your year to see God do some unusual things.
[00:30:49] let's be believers and not doubters and watch what God will do in Jesus name.
[00:30:55] We take a moment every service to take a moment to pray individually. So if you need prayer today, something you just want us to agree with you about, there'll be a prayer partner at the front
[00:31:05] of your section, all over the building. Anyone's welcome to come down for prayer during this next song and the rest of you, you're welcome to be seated if you'd like. And we'll take this moment
[00:31:14] to pray. Thanks so much to our beautiful online family listening live on Sirius XM.
[00:31:19] My friend Sarah is there to pray for you as well.
[00:31:21] Thanks for being with us.

[00:31:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]
[00:31:26] Welcome, Lakewood family, all of our online family.
[00:31:29] It is so good to have you with us this morning.
[00:31:32] And such an honor for me to get to spend this time with you.
[00:31:36] Wherever you are in the world, watching on your, maybe listening or watching on your TV, comfortable on your couch, whatever's going on, we're just glad that you decided to join us.
[00:31:46] Well, as Pastor Joel said, as the congregation inside is going to their prayer partners, We're taking this time to lift your needs up and to be standing in agreement with you for what you're believing God for.
[00:31:58] So continue to put in the chats what you're praying for, what we're believing for.
[00:32:04] And we want to agree with you on that.
[00:32:05] We have prayer partners that pray for you all the time.
[00:32:08] Also make sure that you put in a praise report.
[00:32:11] I already have some that have come in, but we love to hear what God is doing in your lives.
[00:32:15] And we love to celebrate that with you because there's so many things that are going wrong and we're not naive to that.
[00:32:21] But when you stop and look around, there are so many more things that are going right in our lives.
[00:32:28] So let's begin to focus on that and just come to God with praise and thanksgiving.
[00:32:33] In fact, that's what we're doing in worship leading up to this is we are worshiping God and we're thanking Him that He cares for us, that He listens to us, and that He cares about
[00:32:42] the details of our lives.
[00:32:44] We sang this morning one of my favorite songs, and in the lyrics it says that, who am I, that you would keep me on your mind. And then it goes on to say, God, I'm just grateful
[00:32:54] for you. It's one of my favorite songs. And we take this minute just to thank him that we are on his mind. There's a scripture in Psalms 139, I think it's 17. And it talks about how vast are
[00:33:07] your thoughts of me, oh God, how can I even count them? And I'm paraphrasing, but it goes on to say that if I were to count them, it would be far more than the grains of sand on the earth. That's how
[00:33:18] often God thinks of you, that there's too many to count. We are always on his mind. So God, we thank you for that. Right now, we're going to lift up. The Bible says where two or more
[00:33:28] are gathered together in agreement, that not only is his presence there, but there's power in that agreement. So God, we just thank you. We lift these praise reports. Marie, her son is out of ICU. Praise God. That is huge. And we're so thankful to God for that.
[00:33:45] what scary moments when the people we love get in critical care.
[00:33:48] But God, thank you that he is out.
[00:33:51] Robin, she is thanking God for exceeding her expectations at work.
[00:33:56] And she met her sales goals.
[00:33:58] Congratulations, Robin, on that.
[00:34:00] That is incredible.
[00:34:01] Good for you.
[00:34:02] You know, we do what we can do in the natural.
[00:34:05] And then we ask God to put his super upon our natural.
[00:34:08] And that's when supernatural things begin to happen.
[00:34:10] So we do our part and God comes in and he gets us and takes us to places that we couldn't go on our own.
[00:34:16] So congratulations, Robin, on doing the hard work and bringing God along with you for that.
[00:34:22] We want to go into some financial prayer requests that we had.
[00:34:26] Brandy, you're asking for financial blessings in your life.
[00:34:29] Lisa, praying that her mortgage will be paid off this year.
[00:34:33] Lisa, agree with you on that.
[00:34:35] Again, we do our part and then we watch what God does.
[00:34:38] And we just believe with you that your home will be paid for and you will own that.
[00:34:43] And what peace of mind to know that it belongs to you.
[00:34:46] And then what freedom in your finances to have that mortgage money out and available to use for something else.
[00:34:52] So we agree with you that that will be done.
[00:34:55] And good job.
[00:34:56] Good job on being a good steward of what God has given you.
[00:34:59] So for healing, the Bible says that He is our healer, that by His stripes we are healed.
[00:35:05] And so we just come in agreement.
[00:35:06] But we know so many people are battling, whether it's a heart that needs to be healed or a physical body that needs to be healed.
[00:35:13] But God cares about these things.
[00:35:15] And we just believe now that God, that we will receive healing from him.
[00:35:20] Ruth, healing from diabetes.
[00:35:22] And Carol, praying for an upcoming surgery, praying that that goes well.
[00:35:27] So we're agreeing with both of you.
[00:35:28] We thank God for the doctors.
[00:35:30] God, we thank you for the wisdom that you give them.
[00:35:33] and Lord, we thank you that you know the needs before we even ask.
[00:35:36] You created our bodies, you knitted us together in our mother's womb and Lord, you know what's taking place and what's going on.
[00:35:43] So Father, we ask that you heal anyone that is watching online that is in need of a healing.
[00:35:48] Just put your hands towards the screen and just know that we're in agreement with you, that God is there and that the doctors have wisdom and that you will get to the right doctor or find the right issue that's causing your pain,
[00:36:00] whatever that may be.
[00:36:01] We just believe that that is done in Jesus' name.
[00:36:05] Family, Linda, we pray you lost your husband unexpectedly, and you're praying for peace.
[00:36:11] We're so sorry about that, Linda.
[00:36:13] I can't imagine how hard.
[00:36:15] The Bible says when you're married that two become one flesh.
[00:36:18] So literally, that's like ripping a part of your flesh away.
[00:36:22] So we stand with you, and we're sorry about that.
[00:36:24] Anyone that's come with a loss, just know that the Bible says that God is close to the brokenhearted.
[00:36:30] So we're there with you.
[00:36:31] Uh, Patricia praying that her family grows closer to the Lord. Amen. Father, we thank you that you love our family more than we do and that you're calling them by name. And today, when they hear
[00:36:43] the voice of the Lord, not if, but the Bible says that when they hear the voice of the Lord, that they will stop father and that they will listen to you and they will follow you. Um,
[00:36:52] in no matter where they are, what they're doing, no matter how embittered they may be at the things and their circumstances, but that God, your voice will be heard over all the others and they will follow you and the voice of another
[00:37:05] that they will not follow.
[00:37:06] So we just agree together that families are becoming whole.
[00:37:09] And again, whatever your prayer request is, keep putting that in.
[00:37:13] There's people in the chats that are watching online that are prayer warriors, that you may not see their face like you see mine, but we're agreeing together and we're believing God for all the things that he promises.
[00:37:24] In Jesus' name we pray.
[00:37:26] amen let's go back to service every morning that we wake up we get up and go to the mirror and

[00:39:03] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]
[00:39:03] when we're preparing for the day every time that we get up and look in the mirror we're asking ourselves a question whether we verbalize it or not saying who are we who do we need to be for
[00:39:13] the day do I need to change my outfit because of who I'm going to be around do I need to adjust my calendar who do I need to be who am I but that seems simple and even if we never
[00:39:26] vocalize it as something that we're doing even with our actions. Who am I becomes not a simple question. It becomes more of a battle for many of us. The problem with identity is it doesn't
[00:39:40] get answered that simply a lot of times. It actually looks a lot more like this in the mirror of our lives. Maybe we start with our performance and we see ourselves in there and we think that
[00:39:52] we need to do better. And we need to do more. And we got to go faster. And we think that the applause of the people who are seeing our performance is where we need to root our
[00:40:04] identity in. So we base who we are off of how well we do. And then we move over from performance and we go to pain. See, pain hurts because of the rejection. Because of the disappointment. Because
[00:40:18] I think there's a there's a space where where pain makes us bitter even if it wasn't our fault and then we move on from pain and we go to mistakes and we say wait but that's a little
[00:40:29] different than than pain because I can think about the the last time I said it was the last time and I can think about when I missed it and I can think about when I didn't make the team and I can think
[00:40:38] about when I didn't get the promotion and I think about when I made the the problems and all of these issues and I must be as good as my mistakes or as bad as my mistakes and we move over from
[00:40:47] mistakes to expectations ah expectations one word they who are they anyway we're living for they we we make what are they gonna think and what are they going to do if I move over here what are
[00:41:04] they going to say and we're making decisions and trying to live for likes of people who do not even like themselves but we live for the expectations and we move on from expectations to titles
[00:41:16] see not all titles are bad like dad or mom or brother or sister or wife or husband but then you got other ones that that aren't bad either but they start to cloud it all you you say executive
[00:41:32] and entrepreneur and then you you have pastor and you have leader and all of these different things and then you have possessions and you say well maybe I'm only what I can amass what I can
[00:41:47] safe what about the cars what about the degrees what about what about the homes and and very quickly you see that you can see yourselves in the mirror but the problem is you only see
[00:42:02] yourselves in the mirror when you move and look around the words and all of the labels and all of the titles so you start to spiral and then it becomes a whirlwind and you're cycling out of
[00:42:13] control looking for your identity but then something happens because you say who am I but something happens when you get into alignment with Jesus see when you get into alignment with Jesus he rearranges some things he moves some things around he says you can come out of the
[00:42:38] reflections you don't need any of the mirrors you don't need any of the reflections why because you were made in my image when you understand that Jesus is willing to rewrite narratives and move some things around yeah things have made you say who am I but he can readjust it so then you start
[00:42:58] to say I am who you say it doesn't become a question anymore family you become certain you get to walk in with confidence in the classroom in the living room in the courtroom or the board
[00:43:13] room because you understand who called you. Isaiah 62 says this, that you shall be given a new name that the mouth of the Lord will name. I don't know about you, but I'm grateful that I get to live a
[00:43:26] life where Jesus is the one who determines who I am. Not the labels, not the mirrors. I might look like my mama, but I'm made in the image of God. I don't know if anybody else is with me in here
[00:43:38] this morning to know that he called you so then you don't have to worry about your name you show up in those same spaces the living room the courtroom the boardroom and you say well who are
[00:43:51] you called who are you in the sickbed healed who are you forgiven who are you redeemed who are you confident who are you mighty why because he told me so and i don't know about you but that's enough
[00:44:09] for me. If he said it, I have to believe it. Does anybody in the room say I've been living a subpar life because I've been following labels and looking around words in the mirror and that's
[00:44:19] not who God called me. God called me a bunch of other stuff that had nothing to do with these labels. Some of those labels are nice. Some of those labels are good, but I want to live the
[00:44:28] way that God has called me. I don't want a subpar life because I'm following subpar labels. I want to follow the calling and the name of the Lord. Does anybody believe that this morning?
[00:44:42] if that's you i just want you to stand to your feet you say i want to live the way god has called me and i'm just going to pray we're just going to make a decision in here
[00:44:51] to say the labels are cool the labels are going to come and go but i want to be with the one who created me i want him to take the marker out and sign his name at the bottom of the painting
[00:45:07] i'm going to let him define who i am so father in the name of jesus these are your students your babies the dads the moms yeah all of those great titles but we will never outgrow being your children so father I pray right now for a peace that surpasses all
[00:45:28] understanding I pray that every single person Lord under the sound of my voice would have a renewed sense of their calling we don't make these declarations every week for no reason father we get into agreement with your word about us so Lord as the author and the finisher of our faith we
[00:45:44] just get in alignment with you. We let you rearrange the words and the narratives. We let you fix our vision, Father, so we can be who you called us to be. So we wouldn't subscribe to the
[00:45:54] labels or look around the words for our reflection. God, we would see our reflection in you, knowing that we are made in your image. So Father, I pray that today would be the last day that we settle
[00:46:04] for a subpar life because we have been settling for subpar labels and that we would walk in the way that you have called us. Be with us, Father, from this day forward with new names. In Jesus'
[00:46:18] name, all God's people said, amen. Come on, all God's people said, amen. Come on, Lakewood, if you love Jesus, would you give him a shout of praise this morning? God bless you.

[00:46:32] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[00:46:32] Hello, Lakewood. I am greeting you from Casa Aster in Guatemala. Casa Aster is a residential program that provides services to girls who have gone through challenging circumstances in their and it's the only program in this community that offers full residential
[00:46:47] care to girls with special needs. That's why we are so excited to be having the inauguration and launch of the first Champions Club in this area. A Champions Club that's specifically tailored to provide for these girls in this
[00:47:00] residential program. And we know that these girls are already champions but now they're gonna have the specialized programming that really will help them become who God intends them to be and who they have the potential to be. And we
[00:47:12] are so excited that as we see the impact this champions club has here that word of mouth is going to spread and we're gonna see that impact spread across the community we're going to see girls boys minors adults all of the individuals
[00:47:25] with special needs here in this area be impacted and have availability of services that they don't have access to now so we're so excited we're prayerful and we're thankful for all of your support and generosity that allows us to
[00:47:37] to be here and to make this happen. I missed it. Oh, sorry. I was doing something too much

[00:47:51] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]
[00:47:51] information, but anyway, they knocked on the door. I said, who's knocking? I thought, oh yeah, there's a service going on. Anyway, I'm kidding. I usually, no, anyway, I'm good. Thank y'all for being so supportive. You know that we show you these videos every week, because I want you to
[00:48:04] know when you give and you support the ministry, you're giving into good soil. I mean, I don't know when I watch it, I feel honored that we're able to help people. And how about helping special
[00:48:13] needs people down in Guatemala and all over the world. Well, I say that just, you know, that help that happens because of faithful people, your generosity and supporting the ministry. So we take a moment in every service to worship the Lord with our ties and our offerings. So we'll
[00:48:27] do that now. And you know, I've never been one to pressure people in to give and, you know, make you feel guilty. It's not about that. Let me tell you, when you, when you give Lakewood,
[00:48:36] people are so generous. And as you give, there's a blessing on your life that, you know, that God puts on you. You live under the open windows of heaven. And I was even thinking this week,
[00:48:45] I was reading in the scripture, Jesus talked about, he was at the temple and he saw people coming and giving. And that, that widow gave, and she gave a small amount and he made the point,
[00:48:55] you know, she gave more than all of y'all. Cause it's not the amount, it's the proportion. But what struck me when I read it this week is that God sees your giving. He sees the sacrifices you
[00:49:05] make. He sees, you know, whether it's a lot or a little, but you know, God sees even you being here today and watching, listening, you're giving God your time, your energy, your resources. And I've learned from the time I was a little boy that you can never give God something without
[00:49:21] him giving you more back in return. It's just the way God is. And I don't, you know, I really don't really give to get you give to be a blessing and to help other people, but it's just the way God
[00:49:30] is. So I want you to know today, cause I know you guys are the most generous and consistent givers.
[00:49:35] you support the ministry. We're able to take the gospel all over the world through media and humanitarian. It's because of faithful people. And so I just want you to know God sees that and that God is a rewarder. It does say that when you, when you honor God with your wealth,
[00:49:51] that you live under the open windows of heaven. I just pray that on each one of you, just that you'll see God's goodness in new ways and that you'll be able to fulfill your dreams, your,
[00:50:00] what you want to do with your children and your personal things. And then you can also support the kingdom. There's nothing wrong with being blessed so you can be a blessing. So keep that down in your spirit, live with an abundant mentality. You know, I, I just remind myself
[00:50:14] all the time, you know what? I may not have everything right now, but you know what is coming in, you know, in terms of being able to spread the gospel and not a home. No, I can't do
[00:50:22] that. I can't afford that. You know, a better phrase is I can't afford it right now, but it is coming. Cause I'm going to keep honoring God and I'm going to keep serving him and doing what
[00:50:30] he's called me to do. God will never give you the vision without giving you the provision. So it's going to come in. You keep being faithful. You're going to see the open windows of heaven. Let me
[00:50:39] pray. Lord, thank you for our faithful givers here at Lakewood, listening, watching. Lord, we don't give because we have to. We give to honor you, to put you first place. And Lord, as we give today, we give in faith that these funds will help people all over the world to
[00:50:54] build your kingdom and to uplift lives and to bring hope. And Lord, I just speak the blessing over all the givers today, Lord, as they give, I thank you that they do live under the open
[00:51:04] windows of heaven. Let their gifts and talents come out to the full. Lord, I thank you that you're bringing opportunity and contracts and business that they couldn't have done on their own, but your hand of favor is upon them. Lord, I thank you for ideas and creativity and just your
[00:51:21] goodness in new ways, helping all those that are struggling in their finances. Lord, I thank you that you'll show them your goodness, your abundance as well.
[00:51:29] And we pray all this in the name of Jesus.
[00:51:31] God bless you today as you give.

[00:51:35] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]
[00:51:35] Here are some ways you can give.
[00:51:38] Using your smartphone, scan the QR code located on the screen.
[00:51:42] Then select the online giving option that is the most convenient for you.
[00:51:46] Go to lakewoodchurch.com slash give.
[00:51:50] Text GIVEHOPE to 77977.
[00:51:54] mail a check to P.O. Box 27450, Houston, Texas, 77227, or call us toll-free at 888-567-JOEL.

[00:53:03] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:53:03] It's not just the letters that speak.
[00:53:07] You're in the whole thing.
[00:53:11] It's always been Jesus.
[00:53:14] Oh, ancient of death to come.
[00:53:20] Messiah, you're not just a ray.
[00:58:00] Well, let's all stand one last time, if you don't mind.

[00:58:18] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]
[00:58:18] But I want to tell you what an honor it is, again, to have you at Lakewood.
[00:58:21] Thanks for coming out.
[00:58:22] The scripture says when you're planted in the house of the Lord, you will flourish.
[00:58:26] listen you're here you could be doing a lot of things but you're in the house of the Lord let me tell you when you go out the doors today just Lord I think I'm gonna flourish in every good
[00:58:35] area this week I'm looking at flourishing people we love you we pray for every day and I love what Pastor Devante Pastor Devante that's very very powerful he's right over here but uh Pastor Devante
[00:58:46] he's our youth pastor he's more than the youth pastor but he does our youth every Wednesday night you have teenagers junior high they meet up there on the fourth floor over there very powerful people that we can help you. Every area, every area, we have something for all of you, but just
[00:59:02] thanks for being a part of the Lakewood family. If you're visiting with us, you're our special guest today. Just honored to have you. Hope you come back whenever you can, but just blessed to have you in the house of the Lord. I'm going to ask you when you see yourself on the big screen,
[00:59:14] can you give our TV audience a great big Lakewood welcome? 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 or
[00:59:27] YouTube channel and social media, and you can come visit us in person. We'd love to have you be a part of one of our services. I like to start with something funny. I heard about this lady. She'd
[00:59:38] just gotten out of choir practice and she was so fired up. She put a honk. If you love Jesus bumper sticker on her car at the intersection, she is digging in her purse and didn't notice the light
[00:59:49] had changed. She said, I was so excited to find out the guy behind me. Love Jesus. He started honking.
[00:59:56] So I rolled my window down, waved real big, said, I love Jesus too. She said, I found out a whole lot of people love Jesus. Everyone started honking. One man even screamed, Jesus Christ.
[01:00:09] She said, after we shared all that love together, I was the only one that made it through the intersection. All right, y'all say it like you mean it. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am.
[01:00:21] 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.
[01:00:28] I boldly confess my mind is alert. My heart is receptive. I will never be the same. I'm about to receive the incorruptible, indestructible, ever living seed of the word of God. I'll never be the
[01:00:43] 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 Proverbs chapter 19 and verse 21. You're welcome to turn there and we'll put
[01:00:59] scriptures up on the screen. And most of you know, we have a great service this afternoon at two o'clock and it's all in Spanish, amazing Spanish team. Wednesday night, we're back in person as well if you want to come out. But again, thanks for coming today. I want to talk to you today
[01:01:14] about God's purpose will prevail. Before you were born, God gave you an assignment, something to accomplish. He's already lined up the right people, the resources, what doors will open and what doors will close. You're not just wandering through life, hoping to get a good break.
[01:01:34] You are walking out a divine purpose. Your steps are being ordered. Even things you don't understand. God wouldn't have allowed it if it wasn't going to move you toward your destiny.
[01:01:46] everything is serving his plan you don't have to fight closed doors get upset when your plans don't work out God is behind the scenes orchestrating maneuvering positioning you for what he has in mind and Proverbs 19 says you can make many plans but the Lord's purpose
[01:02:07] will prevail God's purpose is stronger than your plans now I don't mean that in a negative sense but sometimes we plan things that are less than God's best. We're planning this level that we've always seen, but God is going to take you to new levels. He's going to cause you to set new
[01:02:25] standards, break barriers of the past. God's purpose is stronger than opposition. People that come against you try to hold you back. It's stronger than the environment that you're in or how you were raised and things you can't control. You didn't choose which family you
[01:02:43] would be born in. You didn't choose how you'd be raised, what battles you'd have to fight and negative things that were passed down. You could think you're at a disadvantage, but God knew everything you would have to deal with. What he has purposed will override all that. Just ask a
[01:03:01] lady in the scripture named Esther. She was an orphan, lost her parents, raised poor. What could she ever do that was significant? How could she leave her mark? No, God's purpose isn't limited by what you didn't get. It's not limited by how you were raised things that put you at a
[01:03:19] disadvantage before Esther was born. God marked her as a person of great influence to stand before the King and to save his people. God knew what family she would be born in. He could have chosen
[01:03:33] someone born in royalty, in affluence. He knew she would lose her parents at a young age, have this heartache to deal with, feel like she was the least likely. But what God has purposed will override injustice. It will override disadvantage, bad breaks, being left out.
[01:03:53] He's taken everything about you into account. All your circumstances, opposition, mistakes you would make. None of that has stopped what he has planned. Now quit discounting yourself because of what you don't have. Well, if I came from a better family, Joel, we were more successful. I had a
[01:04:14] better environment, more opportunity. I didn't have these people against me, coworkers trying to leave me out. You can't control all that. If you take on the responsibility to fix everyone and convince them to like you and force this door to open,
[01:04:31] you're gonna waste a lot of time frustrated trying to change things that you can't change.
[01:04:36] That's not your job, that's God's job.
[01:04:39] What he has purposed is not stopped by opposition, by people, by delays.
[01:04:46] He's already planned out your good breaks that will thrust you ahead and supernatural turnarounds where you'll break out of what's held you back.
[01:04:54] you'll step into levels. You can't imagine your plans may not have worked out. What you had in mind may not have happened, but God's plans are better than your plans. His dream for your life
[01:05:08] is better than your dream. You can stay in peace knowing that God's plan cannot be stopped by bad breaks, cannot be altered by opposition, cannot be overridden by mistakes. All those things have been taken into account. God says you can make many plans. In effect, you can have many
[01:05:28] disappointments, many adversities, many delays, but don't worry. What I have purpose will prevail.
[01:05:35] What I decided before you showed up on planet earth, what I assigned you to accomplish cannot be overridden. It will come to pass. Isaiah put it this way. The Lord of hosts has purposed it.
[01:05:48] who can annul it? His hand is stretched out. Who can turn it back? Remember when Moses stretched out his hand and the red sea parted. Imagine the most high God stretching out his hand over your
[01:06:02] life. That outstretched hand is releasing miracles. It's pushing back forces of darkness.
[01:06:08] It's defeating enemies of sickness, addictions, dysfunction, things you can't defeat on your own.
[01:06:15] not only that it's opening doors parting seas bringing you through on dry ground making ways where there was no way this is the god we serve fighting for you favoring you sustaining you defeating your enemies you are not at the mercy of people circumstances who's not for you what's
[01:06:37] the economy like? What family did I come from? His purpose overrides all those things. Sickness won't prevail. His purpose will prevail. Nothing can snatch you out of God's hands.
[01:06:51] The opposition may be stronger people with more influence, more resources, but they are no match for our God. He created the universe. He flung stars into space. Who can stand against our God?
[01:07:04] and yes I know on your own it may not be possible but you're not on your own there's something God put on you before you were born a purpose a calling an assignment that's not just up to you
[01:07:20] it's his sovereign will it's something he's decided that will happen there's nothing we can do to change his sovereign will he will bring it to pass now there's a conditional will where our choices, impact our future. We make bad decisions. There are consequences, heartache delays.
[01:07:40] We make it more difficult, but God's sovereign will, his purpose for your life cannot be changed.
[01:07:48] Just ask Jonah. God told him to go to the city of Nineveh and preach to the people, but he didn't want to go. He got on a boat going the opposite direction, but you can't override what God has purposed. You can run, but you can't hide. God knows how to get
[01:08:07] his way. You can do it the easy way, or you can go the hard way. Jonah chose the hard way. He ran.
[01:08:15] There was a great storm. So unusual, so uncommon. The crew asked who's on board is causing all this trouble. Well, Jonah was man enough to admit the problem. He said, I'm the one. The crew was so
[01:08:29] grateful, so kind. They threw him overboard. That should have been the end, but God had already called an Uber. He had a whale waiting for Jonah. It swallowed him, took him to the shore and spit
[01:08:42] him out on dry ground. God said it again, go to Nineveh. This time he went. Your mistakes didn't cancel the assignment God has for you. You may delay it. You may make it more difficult, but his
[01:08:57] purpose will prevail. Now quit being frustrated over what didn't work out the way you thought.
[01:09:04] When you understand this principle, you won't fight closed doors, live stress because that coworker leaves you out or worried about your health. Stay in peace. God is fighting for you.
[01:09:17] So many times we're trying to force things to happen and manipulate this situation, control this outcome. That's not our job. Our job is to honor God, keep him first place and trust him with the outcomes. When things happen that don't make sense, the right attitude is God. I
[01:09:36] don't understand this, but I thank you that your purpose for my life will prevail that nothing can stand against the assignment that you've given me. It's very freeing to know. It's not just up to
[01:09:50] you. I got to make my career go and make these people like me and fight this opposition, prove to them that I'm as smart as they are. That's called works of the flesh. That's trying to do
[01:10:03] it all in our own strength. That'll wear you out. There's no winning doing that. There will always be something that takes your joy. It's not up to you to control outcomes, strive and strain.
[01:10:16] there's a much better way to live. When you understand what God has purpose, he's going to make happen. He's going to open doors. He's going to move wrong people out of the way. He's going
[01:10:29] to cause you to shine, to stand out, and you can stay in peace. You know, he's controlling the outcomes. He's behind the scenes, orchestrating things you can't see right now. Sometimes I've learned. He'll take you backwards before you can go forward. He'll let setbacks happen. But what
[01:10:49] you can't see is it's setting you up for greater things at the moment. It won't make sense. It's easy to get frustrated. Think that you're off track. God, I'm doing the right thing. Why did
[01:11:01] this happen? Trust him when you can't trace him. Stay in peace when it doesn't make sense. God's ways are not our ways. On the way to your purpose, there will be divine delays and divine detours.
[01:11:17] God taking us a different route that we don't understand. Maybe people do you wrong or setbacks that weren't your fault. It's all a part of the plan. It's not catching God off guard. He's not
[01:11:30] reacting to this problem, trying to come up with a solution real fast. He knows everything. It's strategic. It's positioning you for greater things. Later on, you will see how it was all necessary. It looked like it was working against you. The fact is it was working for you. It had
[01:11:50] to happen to get you to where God was taking you. Moses was born into an environment that was chaotic and dysfunctional. The leader of Egypt, the Pharaoh was afraid that Hebrew people were getting too big. They were multiplying so fast they could overtake the Egyptians. So he ordered
[01:12:11] all the Hebrew boys, two years old and under to be killed. Looked like Moses was born at the wrong time under this death decree. Soldiers come into houses looking for the male babies. Well, God
[01:12:25] could have had him born a few years earlier, a few years later, then we wouldn't have this problem.
[01:12:29] but God is doing things we can't see. What we think are bad breaks and random many times are the strategic hand of God. I'm sure Moses mother was so stressed, so upset. She's got this beautiful
[01:12:45] baby. She can't understand why this has happened, but instead of living sour, giving up, she hid baby Moses for three months. She risked her own life trying to save her son. When he got too big,
[01:12:59] she put him in a basket and sent him down the Nile river. You can imagine letting your baby go.
[01:13:06] There were snakes, alligators, all kinds of danger, but it just so happened that Pharaoh's daughter was out taking a bath. She heard the cries coming from the little basket. When she saw baby Moses, it was love at first sight. She took him in the palace and adopted him as her
[01:13:26] own child. Well, Moses was raised in royalty. He learned protocol, leadership, how to, how government works and how to speak to authorities and how to lead large groups. None of this was random. Moses' mother could have never known that 80 years later, that little baby would be the one
[01:13:48] that would come back to the palace and deliver the Israelites from the Egyptians. When God told Moses to go speak to the Pharaoh to let the people go, Moses walked into a familiar environment.
[01:14:02] He'd grown up in a palace. He understood how everything worked. God was preparing him back as a child for what he had planned decades later. And some of the opposition, bad breaks, things you go through now won't make sense. It seems random, but you don't know what God is up
[01:14:22] to. It looks like it's setting you back, but really it's setting you up. Moses being sent down the Nile, being raised by a different family, that trouble was actually transportation.
[01:14:36] Wasn't the enemy. It was God getting Moses into position to accomplish his purpose.
[01:14:43] The assignment God has for you will take you through some detours, delays, betrayals. You have to trust that his purpose is at work. It's not always about your comfort. It's about your calling. There will be these times you're uncomfortable. You don't like it. God, I don't
[01:15:03] want to send my baby down the Nile. Why was he born at this time? You can't see what God is up to. Trust him. He's promised his purpose for your life will prevail. You can't see it now,
[01:15:16] but later on you will see it was all necessary. A few years after Victoria and I were married, there was a knock on our door one Saturday morning. I answered it and a police officer
[01:15:28] was standing there. Of course I was alarmed and he handed me some papers, smiled real big and said, somebody must not like you. It was a lawsuit. The people that had bought the house we'd moved out
[01:15:41] of were suing us over the plumbing. I wasn't the builder. Everything worked great when we lived there. I didn't know what they were talking about. They didn't just sue us. They sued the architect, the builder, the plumber, the real estate agent, next door neighbor, the mailman,
[01:15:56] they sued everybody. I was 26 years old and I was so stressed and so worried, man, I got to find some lawyers and try to defend ourselves. And what if we don't win? What if we owe all this money?
[01:16:10] This seems so unfair, like a waste of time and resources. Lawsuit went on for several months.
[01:16:17] Finally came time for me to give my deposition. I had to go downtown to a high rise and sit with attorneys and our lawyers had spent hours preparing me and telling me how I was going to work and what
[01:16:29] to expect. Next morning I gave my deposition. I was so stressed, so uptight about it. I became nauseated. When I finished the deposition, a couple of hours later, I walked out and went straight to
[01:16:42] the restroom and threw up. I felt terrible. Well, a few months later, the whole lawsuit was dismissed. We were all cleared. Nothing ever came out of it. It seemed like just a random bad break.
[01:16:54] Hey man, life happens. Just deal with it and move on. But we don't know what God is up to.
[01:17:00] God doesn't send the storm, but he doesn't waste anything. He wouldn't have allowed it if it wasn't going to work to your advantage. And sometimes it's not the enemy. It's God orchestrating things we don't like to move us into our purpose, to prepare us for what we're going to need later.
[01:17:19] I didn't like that lawsuit. There was nothing good about it. As far as I was concerned, took a lot of time, money, heartache, but everything you go through is depositing something in you. It's making you stronger. It's giving you experiences, new things that giving you new
[01:17:38] experience, new ways of doing things. I was ready to put that lawsuit in the rear view mirror, never thinking about it again. But 13 years later, when we acquired this building, the former compact center, a company filed a lawsuit to try to keep us from moving in. I had to go give a
[01:17:57] deposition. This time it wasn't for a minor plumbing dispute, something that didn't really matter. It was for something that was critical to my destiny. Wasn't a few month lawsuit. It was a year and a half lawsuit. When I went to give my deposition, I knew exactly what to expect.
[01:18:16] I had done it before. I wasn't intimidated by the other side. I wasn't afraid of the process nervous about what to say. I could feel God's hand of favor and blessing. The last time I was
[01:18:30] nauseated, all stressed. This time I was bold, confident, full of faith, knowing that God was fighting for us. Looking back now, I realize God allowed that other lawsuit. It was necessary to get me prepared to understand how it all worked. So when I needed to shine, I would shine. There
[01:18:53] There will be things that we don't understand that don't make sense at the time. Like Moses mother.
[01:19:00] Why did I have a baby now? Why do I have to send him down the now? Why did that person sue me? I'm not a plumber. God's doing things we can't see right now. His purpose is at work, getting you
[01:19:12] prepared, moving you into position. When you're tempted to get frustrated, come back to this place of peace. Father, thank you that your purpose for my life will prevail, that your hand is outstretched toward me. Even now I've learned to go through difficult things with a good
[01:19:30] attitude. The scripture says all things work together for good, for those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose. How do you know the difficulty you don't like is not going to work for you? Good. What if it was necessary for something down the road
[01:19:48] that is preparing you or perhaps positioning you for greater things, yet you're fighting it, thinking about how it's not fair.
[01:19:56] How about having a bigger perspective?
[01:19:59] God is working on things today that you're gonna need 20 years from now.
[01:20:04] But if you look at everything on the surface, try to understand it right now, it won't make sense.
[01:20:10] Moses' birth in that troubled time was necessary for something God had planned for him 80 years later, to deliver his people. What if God is doing something in your life now, you don't understand, but 80 years from now, 40 years from now, or like with me, 13 years later, it's going to be
[01:20:31] instrumental in you fulfilling your purpose, something much bigger than you've imagined.
[01:20:38] When you're tempted to be frustrated, things aren't working out. Keep this phrase down in your spirit, God's purpose for your life will prevail. The bad breaks didn't stop it. The delays, the lawsuits, the Pharaoh's trying to make your life miserable. God's purpose overrides all those
[01:20:56] things. He's your way maker. He parts red seas. He'll slay your giants. He'll call you out of the shepherd's fields and anoint you when you're overlooked. He'll close the mouths of hungry lines. He opens prison doors in the midnight hour. If Lazarus was here, he would tell you,
[01:21:15] even when you're in a tomb wrapped in grave clothes, he'll call you back to life to finish your assignment. If Sarah was here, she would tell you, even at 90 years old, if he's promised
[01:21:27] you a child, he'll bring it to pass. If my father was here, he would tell you, even if you were born into poverty. Even if you don't have the education, the resources, you can still leave your mark and
[01:21:40] set a new standard for your family. If my mother was here, she would tell you, even if you've been diagnosed with terminal cancer, even if you're given a few weeks to live, if it's not your time
[01:21:52] to go, you're not going to go. God's purpose will prevail. Not the cancer, not the addiction, not the dysfunction not your mistakes but what God has purpose will override every bad break every person trying to hold you back every injustice his hand is outstretched towards
[01:22:14] you right now it's a hand of healing a hand of provision a hand of favor what he has purpose for your life is right on schedule you didn't miss it mistakes didn't cancel it bad breaks
[01:22:28] didn't override it. The trouble didn't stop it. The trouble positioned you. Everything is serving God's plan. Now quit trying to figure it out. Believe in those lies. You must be off track.
[01:22:40] You must've done something wrong. No, God is ordering your steps. His calling on your life has not changed. The route may not be what you expected, but you're still going to get to the destination he has for you. Can I tell you, it's going to be better than you imagine, bigger than
[01:22:58] you dream, more rewarding than you thought possible. Deuteronomy 31 says, the Lord said to Moses, the time has come for you to die. The time wasn't determined by the enemy, by circumstances, by sickness, by accidents. God has numbered your days. He determines when you're going to come to
[01:23:21] be with him. Moses could have been killed by the soldiers born at the wrong time, killed in the Nile river, tumped over as a baby and drowned. Could have been killed at 80 years old when he
[01:23:33] went to the Pharaoh to tell him, let the people go. Could have been killed by the water at the Red Sea, killed in the desert those 40 years, but his life was never in the hands of the Pharaoh
[01:23:44] or the hands of people, circumstances and mistakes. It was in the hands of almighty God.
[01:23:51] Nothing can snatch you away. He determines your beginning when you would be born and he determines when you'll come home, not the sickness, not the trouble, not the enemy. Your life is in God's hands. His purpose will prevail. If the sickness could take you out before your time, then that
[01:24:12] would be bigger than God. If the trouble accidents, addictions could end your life early before what God had purposed, then he wouldn't be God. Quit worrying about your future. Your days are numbered. You're not going to go until God says it's time to go. He sent you here. And when it's
[01:24:30] time, he'll take you back home. Well, Joel, I don't know if I believe that, man. I had a loved one that died earlier. Friend lost in an accident. My father passed at 77. Some people told me,
[01:24:44] Joel, the enemy took your father. The enemy didn't take my father. He fulfilled his purpose.
[01:24:49] the enemy did not take your loved one he doesn't have that kind of power we may not be able to understand it all i can't explain everything but you can be assured the number of your days god
[01:25:02] will fulfill his purpose for your life will prevail one time the old testament the israelites were camped next to the city of moab the king of moab knew they couldn't defeat the israelites they were too big, too strong. So he sent men to bring the prophet Balaam to curse the people of
[01:25:21] Israel. He thought, if I can't beat him physically, then I'll try this other way. But Balaam would only say what the Lord told him and he wouldn't curse the Israelites. This happened twice. The king got so frustrated. The third time he said, I'll pay you all this money if you'll just speak
[01:25:39] defeat over them. Balaam said in verse 13, I am powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord. When God has purposed something, even your enemies become powerless. They can plot scheme, criticize, but they cannot stop what God has ordained. You may have things coming against you
[01:26:00] now, a sickness, addiction, a trouble with a child. Can I encourage you? It is powerless to stop your purpose. The weapon may have formed, but it will not prosper. The most high God has his hands outstretched towards you. Hand of healing, a hand of deliverance, a hand of freedom.
[01:26:21] His purpose is at work in your life. You may not understand it, but you can trust that God knows what he's doing. Later on, you will see what you thought was a setback was really setting you up
[01:26:33] for greater things. Don't fight everything you don't like. Don't try to control all the outcomes.
[01:26:39] That's God's job. Stay in peace, live at rest, knowing that his purpose will prevail. If you'll do this, I believe and declare like Moses, despite bad breaks, you will step into favor, blessing, influence, despite mistakes and delays. You will go further, rise higher and become all God's
[01:27:00] created you to be in Jesus name. If you receive it, can you say amen? Let's pray together. If you have five minutes, let's just seal it in prayer. If you can stick with me, but Lord, thank you for
[01:27:14] what we've heard. I know it falls on great ground, faithful people here at Lakewood. Lord, we all have gone through things we don't understand. Maybe some are in that place now and Lord, we're going to come back to this place of peace. We thank you that your purpose will prevail or that
[01:27:29] you will defeat giants, that you will make ways where we don't see a way. And Lord, I just speak victory over your people. I speak your goodness over each one of them. Lord, I thank you for
[01:27:39] watching after them and their children as they go out this week, that your angels are watching after them and protecting them and Lord that they will become who you've created them to be with their heads bowed in prayer. Just a quick question. If your heart stopped beating in the
[01:27:55] 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.
[01:28:09] I'm here to help you find a new beginning. I know this comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And just a moment, if you're not at peace with the Lord, or maybe you are a
[01:28:22] Christian, but you've grown cold toward God. You know, you need to rededicate your life.
[01:28:28] You need a fresh new start. 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
[01:28:39] 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
[01:28:52] today? The enemy in your thoughts, he'll whisper, oh, 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, Joel, it's embarrassing to stand in front of everyone. I have people at the house. I can't
[01:29:10] lift my hand. Listen to what Jesus said. 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
[01:29:22] to show God that you're not ashamed of him.
[01:29:24] If you're not at peace with the Lord or you just need to rededicate your life, you need a fresh new start.
[01:29:31] You need that new beginning.
[01:29:32] If that's you, would you be bold?
[01:29:34] Take the step of faith and stand right where you are and we'll pray together.
[01:29:38] Would you do that?
[01:29:39] Come on, Lakewood.
[01:29:40] Let's give them a hand as they stand all over the building.
[01:29:43] Come on, don't put it off.
[01:29:50] I feel like there ought to be others.
[01:29:51] Anybody else?
[01:29:53] Still time for you.
[01:29:55] Lakewood, let's clap for me.
[01:29:56] And they're still standing.
[01:29:57] up top, watching, listening. Anybody else? Well, God bless you. Please remain standing if you don't mind, but I want to tell you how proud we are of you. I know it took courage to stand,
[01:30:11] but 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
[01:30:21] you to call. Do you mind all praying this after me? If you would please Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins come into my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. Amen. I'll remain standing one more
[01:30:37] moment. If you don't mind, I want to tell you how much we love you. Proud of you. We're going to be praying for you. This next year of your life is incredibly important. And I want to challenge
[01:30:46] you to come back and get plugged in, be a part, whether you're in person online, however you do it. But I'll promise you this. If you'll come get into a community of faith before that year is
[01:30:57] over, your life will never be the same for the better. We're going to help you grow and become who God's created you to be. And if you can come in person, it's so important because, you know,
[01:31:07] I'd love for you to get plugged in, meaning join the choir, the ushers, the prayer partners, some of our teams. I want you to meet some great people here at Lakewood. You need people that are going
[01:31:16] to pull you up in your faith and help you to move forward. So important, your relationships. You can meet some lifelong friends right here at Lakewood. So we'd love to have you come back. I know you're
[01:31:26] busy on Sundays. It's a day off, but let me tell you, there's a blessing on your life when you put God first place and get into community faith. We'd be honored to have you. People ask me,
[01:31:36] Joel, what's the next step? Well, we've designed a space after the service right over here. We call it new beginnings. It's on that second floor. And the class takes about 20 minutes. We'll give you
[01:31:44] some resources to help you grow, tell you what it means to be born again. You can meet some of our staff and team, but it's a great way to start. So I hope you'll take, take us up on that. Sometime
[01:31:54] I'd love to meet you after service.
[01:31:56] I can't do it today, but I'd love to meet you sometime.
[01:31:58] But know this, the moment you stood up, God washed away all your sins, your mistakes, your failures.
[01:32:05] You are starting with a fresh, clean slate.
[01:32:08] How about writing it down in your Bible?
[01:32:10] April 26, 2026, a new day of victory in your life.
[01:32:14] In Jesus' name, amen.
[01:32:16] Well, let's all stand together if you would, please.
[01:32:20] Thanks so much for coming out today.
[01:32:22] How many of you are going home better off than you were before, amen?
[01:32:25] all right guys we love you let me speak a blessing 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
[01:32:37] give you his peace God bless you have an amazing week a favor-filled week see you back real soon