The Danger of Mechanical Praise: A Gospel Audit

• The Power of Praise vs. Worry [01:07:24 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor contrasts negative atmospheres created by worry and discouragement with the positive, heaven-responsive atmosphere created by praising God's greatness.
• God's Presence in Worship [01:08:01 ▶️ 📄]
  > Explains the theological concept that God inhabits or is enthroned in the praises of His people, responding to thanksgiving rather than complaints.
• Spiritual Warfare and Breakthrough [01:08:38 ▶️ 📄]
  > Describes praise as a catalyst for angelic activity, prison doors opening, and turning obstacles into stepping stones, citing Paul and Silas.
• The Power of Praise vs. Complaining [01:07:24 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor contrasts the 'sound of worry' and 'discouragement' with the 'sound of praise,' arguing that praise invites God's presence while complaining invites defeat.
• Atmosphere Creation [01:07:39 ▶️ 📄]
  > The concept that human words create a spiritual atmosphere that either allows God to work or allows the enemy to steal, kill, and destroy.
• Continuous Joyful Attitude [01:10:10 ▶️ 📄]
  > Based on Ephesians, the pastor argues for a lifestyle of continual thanksgiving and melody in the heart, regardless of external circumstances.
• Spiritual Warfare and Victory [01:08:56 ▶️ 📄]
  > The claim that praise causes angels to work, opens prison doors, and turns enemies into footstools, referencing Paul and Silas.
• The Mechanics of Praise [01:21:47 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor uses the analogy of water vapor condensing into clouds to explain how continuous praise builds up spiritual momentum until God releases blessings.
• Sowing and Reaping Spiritual Vapors [01:23:46 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor argues that whatever words or attitudes one 'sends up' (praise or complaint) will 'rain back down' on them, citing Hosea 10:12.
• Biblical Examples of Faithful Praise [01:30:02 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor references Elijah in 1 Kings 18, highlighting how he praised God for rain before seeing any physical evidence, leading to the end of the drought.
• Evangelistic Appeal [01:34:44 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor transitions to a call for salvation, asking the congregation if they are at peace with God and inviting them to stand and pray for a new beginning.
• Salvation and Rededication [01:35:12 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor urges the congregation to accept Christ's salvation or rededicate their lives, emphasizing that God is not mad and sins are forgiven.
• Overcoming Shame and Fear [01:35:59 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor addresses the fear of standing up in public by citing Jesus' promise not to be ashamed of those who are not ashamed of Him.
• Community and Discipleship [01:37:49 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor encourages regular attendance and 'plugging in' to the church community for spiritual growth and blessing.

• Sermon Illustration [01:08:56 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor references the biblical account of Paul and Silas, noting that the sound of praise caused prison doors to open in the midnight hour.
• Sermon Illustration [01:12:53 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor uses an analogy of birds in his backyard: crows that squawk and screech (representing complaining and negativity) versus cardinals that sing and whistle (representing praise and joy). He notes that crows are scavengers that feed on death, while cardinals lift the spirit, illustrating the choice between making noise or making music.
• Sermon Illustration [01:18:16 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor references the biblical story of David, who chose to bless the Lord and write songs of praise despite being hunted by King Saul, overlooked by his father, and facing death, demonstrating that one can be a 'cardinal' even in dire circumstances.
• Sermon Illustration [01:21:47 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor uses the natural process of cloud formation: sun shining on water creates invisible vapor that rises, condenses, and eventually releases rain. He uses this to illustrate how continuous praise (vapors) builds up in the atmosphere until it releases God's favor and blessing (rain).
• Sermon Illustration [01:27:21 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor shares a personal anecdote about a negative landscaper at Lakewood Church in his twenties who constantly complained about his life, roof leaks, and bills, ultimately dying of terminal cancer in his fifties, illustrating the principle that sending up defeat results in receiving defeat.
• Sermon Illustration [01:35:59 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor references a hypothetical person named Joe who is embarrassed to stand up in front of others, using this to illustrate the internal struggle of shame versus faith.
• Sermon Illustration [01:39:17 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor mentions specific staff members, George and Tondra, and their book as a resource for encouragement.

• Pastoral Charge [00:04:08 ▶️ 📄]
  > Turn worries/problems over to God and declare His greatness during the service.
• Pastoral Charge [00:06:26 ▶️ 📄]
  > Praise God with boldness and confidence in their identity as His children.
• Pastoral Charge [00:31:51 ▶️ 📄]
  > Submit prayer requests in the online chat.
• Pastoral Charge [00:34:12 ▶️ 📄]
  > Believe for a job answer within the week.
• Pastoral Charge [01:33:24 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor invites the congregation to bow their heads and pray together to seal the message, asking for conviction against negativity and for a lifestyle of praise.
• Pastoral Charge [01:34:44 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor asks the congregation to consider their eternal status and invites those who are not at peace with God or need to rededicate their lives to stand up and pray together.
• Pastoral Charge [01:36:26 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor commands the congregation to physically stand up as a step of faith to receive salvation or rededication.
• Pastoral Charge [01:35:24 ▶️ 📄]
  > Stand up from your seat to publicly declare faith or rededication.
• Pastoral Charge [01:36:26 ▶️ 📄]
  > Stand up and remain standing while the congregation applauds.
• Pastoral Charge [01:37:15 ▶️ 📄]
  > Recite a specific prayer of repentance and acceptance of Christ.
• Pastoral Charge [01:37:43 ▶️ 📄]
  > Commit to attending church services regularly.
• Pastoral Charge [01:38:27 ▶️ 📄]
  > Visit the 'New Beginnings' area after the service to meet staff and receive resources.
• Pastoral Charge [01:39:01 ▶️ 📄]
  > Write the date May 24, 2026, in their Bible as a marker of a new beginning.

[00:02:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:02:43] Welcome to Lakewood today. Thanks for coming out. How many of you ready to worship the Lord this morning and God's been good to us all brought us through another week. What an honor it is to have you with us today. We speak blessings over you. We can feel God's presence when we all come together. So thanks for coming out. Beautiful online family listening live on Sirius XM. I really believe that your new week is going to go better because you've taken time to honor God by being here today. My dad
[00:03:13] taught me from the time I was a little boy, when you honor God, God will always honor you.
[00:03:18] In other words, you can't give God something without him giving you more back in return.
[00:03:23] It's just the way God is. We're not here to just get something, but you come here and you, you give God praise and you've given God your time, your energy. Many of you give him your
[00:03:32] resources, your support. Well, you know what? That's just the way God is. I believe today as you're worshiping, you're going to feel God filling you afresh and anew with strength and peace and anything that the week that the week took out of you i believe god's going to fill
[00:03:47] you back up and not not just to full but how about to overflowing so you can be a blessing when you go out this week so man we serve a great god he's got us all in the palm of his hand and i've learned
[00:03:59] when you when you magnify god that brings things back into perspective so i don't know if there's something today right here at the start you just got to say you know what i'm gonna turn that worry
[00:04:08] over to God right now or that that problem that I have or that that mistake last week or these people or the the health issue let me tell you God's bigger than anything that we're facing
[00:04:18] it's not a surprise to him why don't you turn that over to him and just you know we take this next hour and we're just saying God you're bigger you're you're greater you got me in the palm of
[00:04:29] your hand so that attitude of faith is what allows God to work and you know you do that here's what my prayer is and my declaration every time we come that not one of us will leave the same way
[00:04:39] we came in here. You're going to go out of here with more joy, more faith, and more victory.

[00:04:44] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]
[00:04:44] Thanks for coming out. Good morning, church. You know, it's interesting because sometimes when we go through uncertainties or unanswered questions or things we don't know about, we wonder sometimes, God, where are you? But I want to remind you of a powerful scripture today that's found in Psalms.
[00:05:02] God is our refuge and our strength. He's a very present help in our time of need.
[00:05:09] So I just want to encourage you today. If there's some things that you feel like you don't know the answer to, I want you to know that God's present in your every day.
[00:05:18] He's present in that answer. We've just got to believe it. We've got to do what Joel was saying.
[00:05:24] We've got to turn over the worry and invite God into that circumstance, into those troubles, into that place that we don't know about.
[00:05:34] So today, I just want to encourage you, the kind of God that we serve is a very present God.
[00:05:39] He's not the God of the I was.
[00:05:41] He's the God of the right now.
[00:05:43] He's the God of your present right now.
[00:05:46] So whatever you need, I encourage you, turn it over to God and let him fill you.
[00:05:50] He is your strength.
[00:05:52] He's your healing.
[00:05:53] He's your breakthrough.
[00:05:55] He is your anything that you need today.
[00:05:57] And you know what I love about God?
[00:05:59] it's never too small and it's certainly never too big for him to handle. He is working behind the scenes in your life right now. So let's knowing that, let's enter into his presence with confidence and boldness and faith because God is moved by our faith. He's not moved by our
[00:06:17] doubt, our insecurities. He is moved. It says, come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find help in your time of need.
[00:06:26] So right now, when we praise Him, praise Him with boldness.
[00:06:30] Praise Him like you know that He loves you, that He chose you, and that you're His child.
[00:06:36] Amen?
[00:06:37] Let's enter into His presence.
[00:06:39] Father, we thank you so much for this day.
[00:06:41] And then, Father, we know we need you.
[00:06:43] And we're nothing without you.
[00:06:45] But thank you that you've covered us in your righteousness.
[00:06:48] And we can come before you with confidence, knowing you're a loving, heavenly Father, full of mercy and full of grace.
[00:06:55] And Father, we thank you.
[00:06:56] You are very present in this moment right now.
[00:07:00] And Father, I pray for all of those who need a miracle right now.
[00:07:03] All of those with unanswered questions, troubles, hardships, uncertainty.
[00:07:08] Father, we give those to you right now and we receive your miracle working power in Jesus' name.
[00:07:14] And everyone said, amen.

[00:07:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]
[00:07:28] Lord, we thank you for another day to be alive

[00:23:18] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:23:18] and for who you are, Lord.
[00:23:20] We recognize, Lord, you're the creator of the universe.
[00:23:25] You created it, you control it, and you've got us all in the palm of your hand.
[00:23:30] Lord, we're not here with a sad song.
[00:23:32] We're here to give you praise, to say you're worthy of it all.
[00:23:36] Lord, we recognize we wouldn't be standing here without your goodness and your mercy and your favor.
[00:23:42] For, Lord, you chose us before we could choose you.
[00:23:45] you knew us before we were formed in our mother's womb and here we stand today redeemed and forgiven not as ordinary people but as your children favored and anointed and empowered well able to do what you called us to do and Lord we come back to say thank you for choosing us and thank
[00:24:04] you for your mercy Lord as we start the new week off we commit our lives afresh and anew into your hands we say make us mold us into who you want us to be Lord I thank you you're going before us
[00:24:17] right now making crooked places straight opening right doors closing wrong doors bringing the right people across our path and Lord weeding out those that should not be there thank you that we have clear direction for our lives Lord I thank you that we can clearly hear yours our spiritual ears
[00:24:37] and eyes are open and sensitive to your voice. Lord, that we can clearly hear what you're saying to us. You said you've given us the power to obey. Lord, help us to make great decisions that honor
[00:24:50] you, that move us toward our God-given destiny. Lord, I thank you 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, depression, anxiety, mental issues, sicknesses, chronic pain, addictions, dysfunction from the
[00:25:12] past, trauma. Lord, I thank you that today is a breakthrough day, that you're doing what only you can do. Lord, we know no weapon formed against us will prosper, that even now you're pushing back
[00:25:25] forces of darkness. Lord, I speak strength into your people. I speak your healing, your victory, fresh vision fresh anointing fresh momentum and fresh growth Lord I think in 2026 you're doing a new thing not a get by year but a blessed year a productive year a favor filled year
[00:25:46] Lord I do lift up all those that are fighting battles in their health here in the building watching and listening Lord you said you'd restore health back to your people Lord I think even now that healing and wholeness is flowing into all those that need it. Lord, we just receive
[00:26:03] it by faith coming into our body, our joints, our bones, our ligaments, our tissues. Lord, I thank you that sickness cannot live in our bodies for we are your temples. By your stripes, we were healed. And the number of our days, Lord, I thank you, you will fulfill in Jesus name.
[00:26:21] And Lord, not just physically, but I lift up those that are in tough times and those that have gone through loss. Father, you said you're close to the brokenhearted. Let them feel your presence. Lord, I thank you that you're comforting them and they feel peace that only you can give.
[00:26:38] Even though it may feel like it's the end, Lord, let them see it's a new beginning, that you're still in control. Lord, you said weeping endures for a night, but joy is coming in the morning. So Lord, I thank you for the joy that's on the way. I speak those new beginnings,
[00:26:55] that freshness in Jesus' name. Lord, you've done great things in the past, but we believe, declare the best is still yet to come, that we are victors and never victims in Jesus' name. And if you
[00:27:08] receive it, can you say amen today? So great to have you in the house of the Lord today. Honored to have you here. Come on, let's make our declaration of faith. Ready? I am blessed,
[00:27:21] 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.
[00:27:50] I will become all I was created to be in Jesus name. Amen. I love that whole, all those words, but how about equipped, empowered, and anointed? No, you're not, you're not here by accident. God
[00:28:08] didn't just say, okay, you're on your own. No, he's equipped you with everything you need to fulfill your destiny. I love that in the Psalms. It says, God has armed us with strength for every
[00:28:18] battle. See being equipped, empowered, anointed doesn't mean you won't have challenges.
[00:28:22] I mean, actually, you know, you have forces that come against you because you are anointed, because you are a threat to the enemy. And it says in Psalms, many are the afflictions of the righteous. You know, we'd all wish and say, Hey, you'll have less afflictions if you're righteous,
[00:28:38] but you know what? You will have forces come against you, but don't stop there. The rest of it says, but the Lord delivers you out of them all. So yeah, things may be coming against you
[00:28:50] today, but there is a force for you that cannot stop you. You keep believing, you keep seeing those praises, you keep standing in faith. And let me tell you, God has the final say.
[00:29:01] He said to Joshua, be strong and of good courage for the Lord your God is with you.
[00:29:08] See, it'd be one thing to think, oh, if I just tell him, hey, be strong, be courageous, man, you can do it, but I can take it further. Not in your own strength, but the most high God is with
[00:29:17] you. He's fighting battles. He sees what you're up against. He knows the dreams he's put in your heart. And he knows, you know what, you know, sometimes people or circumstances, but you know, come back to that place of peace. God being for you is more than the world being against you.
[00:29:33] That cannot stop your purpose. You keep doing the right thing. You know what I've learned?
[00:29:37] That God will make the enemy pay for bringing the trouble into your life and he'll bring you better than you were before. Let's be believers, not doubters. Victoria said it earlier. God's moved by our faith. That's why I love coming to Lakewood with faith-filled people. We believe
[00:29:55] God can even do what medicine cannot do. He's not limited by your finances or by how you were raised or really even by mistakes you've made. If you will get back in the game, God can still get you
[00:30:08] to where you're supposed to be.
[00:30:09] You can still become all he was created you to be.
[00:30:13] We're gonna take a moment to pray today.
[00:30:15] Individually here in the building, if you need prayer, we'd be honored to pray for you one-on-one.
[00:30:20] There'll be prayer partners all over the building.
[00:30:22] So during this next song, anyone's welcome to come down for prayer and we'll take a moment to speak life and agree with you.
[00:30:29] And the rest of you, you're welcome to be seated if you like, we'll take this moment to pray.
[00:30:34] And our beautiful online family listening live on Sirius XM, Victoria is there to pray for you.
[00:30:39] Always an honor to have you.
[00:30:41] Thanks for being a part today.

[00:30:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]
[00:30:46] Welcome to this part of the service.
[00:30:48] And as they're being prayed for in the sanctuary, this is such a special opportunity that we can agree in prayer.
[00:30:55] And I believe what the scripture says, we're two or more agree on touching anything it shall be done for us.
[00:31:02] So we're going to agree for what you need God to do in your life.
[00:31:05] And maybe you don't need God to do anything right now.
[00:31:08] So stay in agreement with us that those who do need something, that God will work and move in their life quickly. That's what we want. We want him to work quickly. Sometimes we wait for a long
[00:31:21] time and we have to be patient. But you know what? We can ask God, God, would you move quickly in my life? No matter what, I'm going to stay in faith. But God, I know that when I pray, the tide of the
[00:31:33] battle turns. And that's the kind of faith you have to have, that you have to know that your prayers are making a difference and that God is working behind the scenes. You know, sometimes he's working when we feel it the least. And we see later that he has done amazing things in our
[00:31:51] life. So if you need prayer, would you put it in the chat right now? Because we want to stand in faith with you. We already have a few prayer requests right now. And we also have some prayer
[00:32:02] uh, some prayer praises, some praise reports that I'd like to just kind of share with you at first, because, you know, when we hear the testimony of people and we hear something that God's done for
[00:32:13] them, I want to remind you, he's no respecter of persons. He will do the same for you. And so I just want to encourage you today with Lisa. She said that her husband, uh, had a job offer after
[00:32:26] two months of interviewing, two months. And I'm sure Lisa, that you and your husband, those were waiting seasons. Those two months probably felt like four, may have felt like a year because sometimes when we're waiting, you know, it can feel so long and so hard, but I believe that you
[00:32:43] kept the faith, that you continue to pray and you continue to believe and you got your miracle. So we rejoice with you, Lisa. And Daniel said, Daniel said that his son graduated. And I think that's
[00:32:58] a beautiful, wonderful accomplishment. So, you know, we want to pray for all those who have graduated and are moving on to the next season of their life. And we congratulate all those graduates as well. So we just want to say that, you know, no matter if you're looking for a job,
[00:33:15] If you're starting a new career, if you're moving into a new season, just invite God into that season.
[00:33:22] Invite God into that because He really wants to be a very present help in your time of need.
[00:33:28] He is present with you always.
[00:33:31] In fact, He's as close as the very breath you breathe.
[00:33:33] When you call on His name, He is there, and it brings such comfort and such joy to our hearts.
[00:33:40] But Lisa, she's asking for prayer because, what is she asking for prayer?
[00:33:47] For her to get a job offer from the company that she wants.
[00:33:51] So Lisa, I just read the praise report to you about how after two months, Angie's husband got a job.
[00:33:58] After two months of interviews, so we're going to believe the same for you.
[00:34:01] And it's not even going to take two months.
[00:34:03] How about we just believe that that job that you're wanting and that job you're interviewing for, you'll hear the answer this week.
[00:34:09] Let's just believe this week it'll come.
[00:34:12] So we're going to stand in faith for you, Lisa and Daniel, that you'll have favor for your business.
[00:34:19] And we also have Healing Jimmy that needs God to send a kidney donor.
[00:34:25] He needs a kidney.
[00:34:26] So we believe that God can do that.
[00:34:28] He can give you the exact kidney that you need that will just fit in your body perfectly.
[00:34:34] And you will be able to just have a long, strong life with that kidney.
[00:34:39] Lisa, she's having back surgery on Wednesday, June 3rd.
[00:34:43] So we're going to stand with Lisa as well.
[00:34:45] And I don't know what you need.
[00:34:46] Is it a job?
[00:34:47] Is it a restoration in your family?
[00:34:50] A financial breakthrough of some sort?
[00:34:52] Or like Jimmy and Lisa, you need healing.
[00:34:55] Let's just pray right now.
[00:34:56] Let's just pray that God sees you, He hears you, and He answers you.
[00:35:01] Amen.
[00:35:01] Father, I just lift up Jimmy.
[00:35:03] And Father, I thank you that he will find that kidney donor.
[00:35:05] And it will be a speedy father find.
[00:35:08] It will come quickly in Jesus' name and just give him the peace and comfort he needs until it gets there.
[00:35:16] And, Father, we speak just over Lisa's healing of her back and that her surgery would go well at June 3rd.
[00:35:23] And, Father, we thank you for all those out there who are facing a surgery or a diagnosis or something, Father, in their body.
[00:35:30] And we speak healing to them right now in Jesus' name.
[00:35:33] And we command those symptoms to go and the healing to come.
[00:35:38] and we do it by the stripes of Jesus.
[00:35:40] Our confession comes because of what Jesus did for us and our faith comes because of the stripes that were born on his back and the promise that there is a stripe for every disease, every sickness and every symptom that we could have.
[00:35:54] So we cover you today in the name of Jesus and with the blood of Jesus.
[00:35:59] So Father, we thank you that you are with them and that you are comforting them and that you are taking those symptoms away and given them just the strength to make it to the other side.
[00:36:10] And, Father, I thank you they will make it to that other side and they will be healthy and whole, ever with whole, in Jesus' name.
[00:36:18] And, Father, we're praying for all of those who need jobs, who need financial breakthroughs, Father, who need cars and just they need, Father, to be able to send their children to school and to college.
[00:36:29] And, Father, just give them those finances, Father, from heaven.
[00:36:33] Open up the windows and pour out blessings on them that they cannot contain.
[00:36:38] Father, we thank you that you promise you'd meet every need according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
[00:36:43] So that's what we're standing on today.
[00:36:45] Father, that you are meeting the needs of your people in abundance in Jesus' name.
[00:36:51] And Father, anyone else who needs anything from you, I thank you that you're there for them and we pray it all in Jesus' name.
[00:36:59] Amen and amen.
[00:37:00] We love you guys and we're gonna stand in faith with you.

[00:37:03] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]
[00:37:03] is right around the corner, August 28th and 29th. But this weekend, we thought we'd bring

[00:38:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]
[00:38:59] in some of our keynote speakers to talk about a brand new resource, a brand new book.
[00:39:04] It just came out in the last few days. It's called The Marriage Game Plan. Would you help me welcome to the stage my good friends, George and Tondra Gregory? Man, okay, so you've been married for 30 years or more, 30 plus years. That qualifies you to speak at a marriage
[00:39:26] conference. Two adult children. Tondra, you've been a professional counselor for well over 15 years. And George, you said that you're entering in your 10th season as the official chaplain of the Los Angeles Chargers. That's right. Wow. So I'm curious, George, what was that journey like
[00:39:47] getting into the NFL and being a chaplain and how did it lead to this book? Yeah, well, not only have

[00:39:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:39:53] We've been married for 30 years, but we've walked with the Lord for 30 years together.
[00:39:58] And there's one thing that we learned about God is that the places He delivers you from, oftentimes He'll call you back to go in those same areas and bring health and healing to people or couples who need it the most.
[00:40:17] You see, I wish I could say, Clayton, that our marriage started off on the right foot.
[00:40:21] We talk about, in our book, a lot about how to be better teammates, right?
[00:40:26] You're on the same team.
[00:40:27] You should be better teammates.
[00:40:29] But in our marriage, sometimes when we first started off, we had this thing that we call intense fellowship.
[00:40:35] Anybody have intense fellowship in your marriage?
[00:40:38] That's code word for a fight.
[00:40:41] Because we didn't really understand that we were two individuals coming together by God to create this marriage union, but we needed to be better teammates.
[00:40:49] That's why we write throughout the book about how to be better teammates.
[00:40:53] But once the Lord gave us a game plan, and once He healed our marriage, we prayed a dangerous prayer, and we said, Lord, put us on the front lines of couples who need marriage hope the
[00:41:03] most.
[00:41:03] And what we found out was in the NFL that NFL marriages end in divorce 70% after retirement.
[00:41:11] Seventy percent end in divorce after retirement.
[00:41:14] And when we prayed that prayer, we got a call from the New York Jets, and they needed help for their couples. And so we kind of laughed at each other and said, man, God's got a funny
[00:41:23] sense of humor. He's going to use us to reach the New York Jets. Well, the New York Giants called us. And then sooner or later, Coach Anthony Lynn, who became the new head coach of the Los Angeles
[00:41:34] Chargers, called us and asked us to come out to LA to become the new chaplains of the Chargers.
[00:41:39] But what I've learned in the last 16 seasons of walking in the NFL is really these teams, they want to win and they want to win on a big elite level. And that convicted us because what
[00:41:51] we realized this morning, going through those affirmations that God didn't make us average, right? And we shouldn't have average marriages. And so we looked at these NFL players. Come on, you can give that a hand. We looked at these NFL players who said that they wanted to be elite and
[00:42:08] not have average, not be an average player. And so why shouldn't God's children have elite marriages, It's not average marriages because we've got the kiss of God on us.
[00:42:18] And that's what we talk about throughout our book is the game plan on how to win in your marriage.

[00:42:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]
[00:42:23] How to win in your marriage.
[00:42:25] Anybody want an elite marriage?
[00:42:26] That sounds incredible.
[00:42:29] Tondre, you know, you talk about the game plan and developing a winning strategy.
[00:42:34] You know, with all the people that you guys have helped, all the couples that you've counseled and mentored, How have you seen it be such a great thing to have a game plan for marriage?

[00:42:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]
[00:42:45] Yes.
[00:42:46] So many couples start out with all the starry eyes and all the hope and all the expectations of happily ever after.
[00:42:55] But it comes a time in everyone's marriage where the dust settles and the happily ever after fades.
[00:43:03] And then you look at each other like Chris Rock's movie.
[00:43:06] Now, why do we get married?
[00:43:08] Okay.
[00:43:09] So, we are all struggling to figure out because God wants us to become one in marriage.
[00:43:17] He takes two uniquely designed individuals and then say, when you get married, you're to become one.
[00:43:24] Well, becoming one is very hard to do.
[00:43:28] And it leaves a lot of couples feeling frustrated, feeling discouraged, feeling hopeless and confused about how to make their marriage work.
[00:43:38] And this is where the game plan comes in, because a game plan helps put couples on the same page and heading in the right direction.
[00:43:47] Now, a lot of times we assume, especially because we're both Christians, we assume that we're on the same page.
[00:43:56] But oneness is a process and it requires intention and planning and executing a winning strategy.
[00:44:04] yeah so so I do feel like a game plan is that missing link to help you figure out your differences and how you work well as a team that's really good that's really good one

[00:44:18] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]
[00:44:18] Genesis 2 talks about the two shall become one you know and oneness is a process it's not the two shall become one immediately it's it's over time right so in your book you guys talk about
[00:44:31] winning the home game you know and there's so many things whether it's time jobs kids that are always trying to maybe trying to tear us apart but you guys talk about the importance of winning
[00:44:44] the home game unpack that just a little bit why is that so important yeah well again after 16

[00:44:49] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:44:49] seasons of working with NFL players we we learned that they want to win every game whether home or way, but what we challenge them is don't just win in your philanthropic activities or on the
[00:45:03] football field. That's great. We want you to win there, but don't neglect winning at home, right?
[00:45:10] There's so many men that we're so courageous about our careers or extracurricular activities or things of that nature. But man, we've learned to ask these pro players this question, how are you winning at home and the conviction that will come some of them are doing great at
[00:45:27] home but others of them know they need more encouragement and so we'd like to tell everyone whether we're talking in NFL locker rooms or everyday living rooms to not just win in your away game outside the home but win be dogged that God has an answer for me to win at home and maybe
[00:45:43] you're sitting in here this morning and you say well man we're struggling and or you say we're not winning in the first quarter. Let me tell you something. Marriage is a long season, and because
[00:45:52] you're not winning in one quarter, you never give up on those Houston Texans or Dallas Cowboys. You keep cheering for them until the very end. So, we're cheering you on this morning that God has
[00:46:03] a plan for you not only to win away, but in your home game. That's powerful. That's so powerful.

[00:46:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]
[00:46:09] Well, George and Tondra are going to be up in the lobby signing their books here in just a little bit, but you know, in the few minutes that we have left, everybody is on a journey in their
[00:46:18] relationship and we're all at different stages. Encourage the people just a little bit in where they are right now in their stage of marriage or in their relationship, and then pray over us,

[00:46:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]
[00:46:28] if you don't mind. Yes. So there is hope. It doesn't matter where you're from or what you've been through. Your past doesn't define where you're going in your future. You get to decide what type of relationship and marriage you want to have. George and I, we're a picture of God's
[00:46:49] grace. We did not start our marriage off being experts. We struggled a lot. And so we say that God has a sense of humor. Like we shouldn't be married here for 30 years. And then on top of
[00:47:04] that, now we're trying to help other people. How did we get here? How did we help other people figure out how to be married. And so that's why I'm saying it's not about where you're from. It's
[00:47:16] about what do you want to have in your marriage? And I want to challenge you today. Listen, most people drown because they won't simply raise their hand and say, I need help and cry out for help.
[00:47:31] So the challenge is, please don't die in a sea of lifeguards.
[00:47:38] There is so much hope and so much help out here for your marriage.

[00:47:43] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]
[00:47:43] That's great.

[00:47:44] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]
[00:47:44] Yeah, and if that's you this morning, I just want to pray a prayer for all of us.
[00:47:48] So if we've got a good marriage, the prayer is, Lord, help our marriage to become a great marriage.
[00:47:52] If we're in a season of challenge in our marriage, you know what?
[00:47:56] God doesn't leave you there.
[00:47:57] He knows how to bring you out of that tough season.
[00:48:01] And so, Lord, we just declare out of our mouths this morning that we want to win in marriage.
[00:48:07] We want to win in raising our kids and loving our spouse.
[00:48:10] And, Lord, we say no weapon formed against these couples should prosper.
[00:48:15] But, Lord, we pray, Lord God, that you would teach us how to be better teammates, teach us how to be better encouragers, teach us how to honor one another.
[00:48:22] Teach us, Lord God, that even in the tough days that you give us a way out.
[00:48:27] Lord, I pray, kiss our marriages this morning. Send your Holy Spirit to give us the power of God to live out the marriage covenant that you've caused us to live. And it's in Jesus' name that

[00:48:39] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]
[00:48:39] we pray. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Hi, Lakewood family. I'm here at Mukengi Mission Hospital in Northwest province of Zambia. Been here for five and a half weeks. I'll be here for three months. Just wanted to give you three quick snapshots of my first few weeks here. The first
[00:48:57] is a 35-year-old gentleman by the name of Kelvin who came in with a bad infection in his abdomen from a ruptured appendix.
[00:49:04] It had been there for five days.
[00:49:05] He was very sick.
[00:49:06] Took his appendix out, washed his abdomen out.
[00:49:09] But post-operatively, he didn't do that well.
[00:49:12] I remember in the ICU one day saying, Kelvin, can I pray for you?
[00:49:15] And I laid my hands on him.
[00:49:17] And as he did, he lifted his hands up like as to receive his healing.
[00:49:20] And I want you to know just a couple of days later, he turned the corner.
[00:49:23] And a few days later after that, he was able to go home.
[00:49:26] just a testimony to God's healing power.
[00:49:29] The second snapshot is a little six-year-old that I saw in the clinic.
[00:49:32] She'd been previously operated on here.
[00:49:34] She had a tumor in her left kidney that they took out 90% of the tumor, but she needed life-saving chemotherapy, and it would just be impossible for this poor family to receive that therapy 20 hours away in Lusaka.
[00:49:48] For $187 that you gave this young lady, this young girl, this family, We were able to send her for that life-saving chemotherapy, and we're believing that God will touch her, heal her, and satisfy her with a long, healthy life.
[00:50:03] The last thing is it's been a great joy for me to be able to work with a lot of the young Zambian doctors and surgeons.
[00:50:10] For the first time, we're able to operate with some, and help train some upper-level residents.
[00:50:16] Three out of the four that I've had the pleasure to work with have all known Joel, and they all said the same thing.
[00:50:23] They said he lifts, he encourages, and he strengthens them and gives them hope that tomorrow's gonna be better.
[00:50:30] Matter of fact, one of the young ladies, she's probably 27 or 28, she said, I've been watching Joel since I was just a little child.
[00:50:37] So just a testimony to what you're doing.
[00:50:40] You're taking care of people like Kelvin, you're taking care of the young lady that needed to go to Lusaka, and you're blessing and encouraging and strengthening the next generation of people here in Zambia.
[00:50:50] So thank you for what you're doing.
[00:50:52] love you can't wait to see you again in july god bless yeah so good my brother dr paul

[00:50:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:50:58] well that all happens because of you guys your faithfulness your consistency so always want to encourage you that you're making a difference you know everybody can't go like paul and operate on people or you know maybe do it in some other country but in effect you're doing it
[00:51:16] because you give and you support the ministry so thanks for all your generosity keeping everything going and really helping us all to make a difference. So every service, we take a moment to worship the Lord with our tithes and our offerings. That's what we'll do now. And just
[00:51:29] always want to say thank you because you guys are generous givers. And I was reading, and I think it's Proverbs 20. It says, when you help those in need, you are lending to the Lord and he will
[00:51:41] repay you. I believe that's what you do every week as you give and you support. So you got a promise you can stand on. And, you know, I don't know if it's always just in finances, but God can repay
[00:51:52] you with ideas and creativity, or he can repay you with great relationships, great family, and he can repay you in your, in your resources, you know, cause you, it takes money to live and God knows that. And so as you give today, whenever you give, I always encourage you to give in faith.
[00:52:09] You know, it's one thing to just give, okay, they talked me into it. Okay, God, I got to do this.
[00:52:13] And just, you know, nowadays you can just click the button on the, you know, on the computer, and that's, that's good. The old days we, you know, it's more, we passed out the offering and
[00:52:20] you kind of did it in church, but, but you can still, you click that button. You can still do it in faith. God, I'm, I'm doing this to be a blessing, to, to honor you. And Lord, I'm given
[00:52:29] knowing that you'll open the windows of heaven back unto me because I'm obedient and helping others. So as you give today, whenever you give, just like I said, give in faith. Remember this, the economy is not our source. Our job is not our source. We're grateful for our jobs, but
[00:52:45] God is our source. You are connected to a supply line that will never run dry.
[00:52:50] Can I tell you, God can bless you beyond your paycheck. You're not limited. We look at stuff in the natural and this is what I make. This is when I'll get out of debt. This is, but God has
[00:52:59] some supernatural provision and supernatural abundance. You remember? Okay. I'll stop y'all.
[00:53:05] Remember Peter? He found that Jesus, he needed to pay his taxes. Jesus said, go catch a fish.
[00:53:10] And he caught it in the fish's mouth. Well, God was showing us I've got resources, an unusual places. So stay in faith and give in faith. Yeah, I love that, Joel. You know, that's the truth.

[00:53:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]
[00:53:20] God is moved by our faith. But, you know, I look out and I think about your giving and what you're doing with that giving. You are building. See, the church is built by the people of God. The church
[00:53:33] is not a building. It's a covering. It's a covering to help hurting people. It's a covering to reach out and bring people into the knowledge of Jesus Christ to heal their families, to restore.
[00:53:47] You're a builder when you give. You work with God. You know, the Bible says that we're to carry one another's burdens. We can't all, like Joel said, be like Paul over there. But you know what?
[00:53:59] When you give, you're carrying someone's burden each and every day. So just know when you give and you build, God is going to build you. God is going to build what you need built as you're
[00:54:11] building others. The Bible says, give and it'll be given back to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. God is a running over God. And I love when Joel speaks faith because you've got to grab it. You can't let it pass you by. You got to take that for me.
[00:54:30] I want to receive that and i'm going to hold on to it and i'm going to believe it The bible says hold fast your profession of faith without wavering for you promise is faithful That means you got to hold on to it. Something's going to try to pull it out of your hand
[00:54:46] When you don't see that paycheck, I mean you're holding on. No, my god is faithful. I am a tither I'm a giver. I so I have the promise to stand on And these days it's going to take some faith
[00:55:00] some mountain moving faith. So know today you're a builder. And when you build, God will build you.
[00:55:07] We love you guys. And we know, you know, how important it is for you to raise your family, to do what you need to do. And we know it. So I know God does it. Amen. Amen. We love you guys

[00:55:19] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[00:55:19] so much. That's so good. Let me speak a blessing. Lord, thank you for our generous givers here in the building, watching and listening. And Lord, today we give not because we have to, because we
[00:55:28] want to, to honor you, to put you first place. Lord, we wouldn't have these resources if you hadn't given us health and strength and opportunity and talent. We recognize it all comes from you. Lord, as we tithe
[00:55:40] our income and give offerings, Lord, we do it knowing that you see it and Lord, knowing that it's going to good work to help people all over the world, to build your kingdom, to bring hope
[00:55:52] here in the states and here and around the world. And so we give in faith and Lord, just thank you for what you promised that you will repay your people, that you will bless them with ideas, creativity, and wisdom.
[00:56:05] Let their gifts and talents come out.
[00:56:08] Lord, I think that you'll draw opportunity and contracts, the right people.
[00:56:13] Lord, I just thank you for that supernatural provision, blessing them in greater ways so we can be a bigger blessing, so we can bring about your kingdom.
[00:56:23] Lord, you can trust us to be good stewards, faithful with what we have.
[00:56:27] And Lord, I thank you.
[00:56:28] You'll entrust us all with more.
[00:56:30] I pray this in the name of Jesus.
[00:56:32] Amen and amen.
[00:56:34] God bless you as you give today.

[00:56:36] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]
[00:56:36] Here are some ways you can give.
[00:56:39] Using your smartphone, scan the QR code located on the screen.
[00:56:43] Then select the online giving option that is most convenient for you.
[00:56:48] Or go to lakewoodchurch.com slash give.
[00:56:52] Text give hope to 77977.
[00:56:55] Mail a check to P.O. Box 27450, Houston, Texas 77227 or call us toll free at 888-567-JOEL.

[00:57:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]
[00:57:09] I thought you were What a God, what a God

[00:57:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]
[00:57:59] Steve, thank y'all. Hey guys, thanks for coming out to Lakewood. Let's all stand one last time

[01:02:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]
[01:02:04] today, but what an awesome thing to have you in the house of the Lord on a Sunday morning. And man, didn't y'all appreciate, uh, George and Tondra here, powerful, powerful members. Thank ministers. Thanks for being with us. And every month we honor one of our volunteer teams. And
[01:02:21] this, this month is the marriage ministry that pastor Clayton and Ashley run. And there's got some amazing people behind me, Jeff and Michelle, Thad and Jeanette. These guys have been volunteer 15, 20 years. Just that's what Lakewood's all about. Just faithful people here day in and day
[01:02:37] out. And so we celebrate what you guys do represent the marriage ministry. But you know, I look behind me, I see the choir and the ushers and the greeters and the parking people in the
[01:02:47] parking lot, the children's ministry. Well, it's because of faithful people like you. So thanks for being a part. And if you want to join one of our teams, we're not here to make you, you know,
[01:02:57] I'm not here to make you work. I want you to meet some great people at Lakewood. You will meet lifelong friends like these guys when you get on some of these teams. So if you have time,
[01:03:06] you can serve the same service you come in a lot of these things. If you want to, you can check out the web and get signed up. But anyway, we're honoring you guys. And something Tondra said
[01:03:14] was very powerful. She said, I can't say as good as she did, but basically don't drown in a sea of lifeguards. In other words, there's, there's help for your marriage. There's help for your, you know, if you're struggling with an addiction, there's help in all these different areas, but
[01:03:29] sometimes, you know, we're, we're ashamed or, you know, we don't want to admit it, but that's, there's no shame in asking for help. Your marriage can be restored and, you know, in the area, any area of your life. So we celebrate you guys. Thank you for all that you do. Come on,
[01:03:42] give all of our volunteers, our team members. I thank you. We love you guys. Thank y'all.
[01:03:47] all of you know, it's Memorial Day weekend. We always want to take a moment and honor the brave men and women that have given their lives and make where we can be free today. And
[01:04:02] we just, we speak blessings. We remember, we honor, you know, I know some of you had loved ones that maybe gave their life or, or if not, I know many of you serve or you're in the armed
[01:04:16] forces or you have children or family members. So we just honor you. We don't take any of that for granted. We live in a great country and we just thank God that we're free, that we can meet
[01:04:26] today. And just all the people that have helped pave the way to make this happen. We remember them in Jesus name. Amen. Last thing, then we'll get started with our message, but Hey, all the men,
[01:04:41] once a year, we do a men's event on a Friday night where it's this Friday night. So men, we love to have you come back. We have a amazing, powerful, mighty men of God here at Lakewood.
[01:04:51] So men come on back. We'll have a little bit of a service. We'll have a lot of encouragement camaraderie. We bring the food trucks out here and you know, you can get taught, encouraged, inspired. Plus you can meet some great friends and you know, connections are important these
[01:05:06] days. So I hope men you'll come back if you possibly can, but honored to have you all.
[01:05:11] If you're visiting special, welcome to you. Love to meet you out in the lobby after the service.
[01:05:16] If you've got a moment, but thanks for all coming out today. I'm going to ask you when you see yourself on the big screen. Can you give our Lakewood TV, our TV audience a great big Lakewood
[01:05:24] welcome if you would. 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
[01:05:39] visit us in person. We'd love to have you be a part of one of our services. I'd like to start with something funny and I heard about this lady. She surprised a burglar in her house late one
[01:05:50] night. She was home alone, didn't have any kind of weapon. She didn't know what to do. Finally, she decided, I'll quote a scripture verse. She shouted out, Acts 2.38. The burglar froze in his tracks, wouldn't move. And the police soon arrived and were amazed that a woman with no weapon could
[01:06:10] do this. They asked the burglar, what was it about that scripture that had such an effect on you?
[01:06:16] He said scripture what scripture I thought she said she had an axe and 238 All right, y'all 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
[01:06:33] 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'm about to receive the incorruptible indestructible ever-living seed of the word of God I'll never be the same never never never
[01:06:53] I'll never be the same in Jesus name God bless you if you'd like to open your Bibles to Ephesians chapter 5 and verse 18 you're welcome to Ephesians 5 and verse 18 and we'll put the other scriptures
[01:07:08] on the screen as well and don't forget we have great services all week Spanish speaking two o'clock today. Monday night, the Bible study. Wednesday night, we're back in person. Youth and junior high media as well. Something good for every member of your family. But thanks again for coming
[01:07:24] out. I want to talk to you today about the sound that opens heaven. Every person has a sound. With our words, we're creating an atmosphere. Some people's sound is worry. What if it doesn't work
[01:07:39] out. Other people, their sound is discouragement. It's never going to change. Or a sound of not enough. I can't get ahead. Those sounds will keep you limited. That atmosphere will bring defeat and lack. But there is a sound that heaven responds to. A sound that brings healing, favor,
[01:08:01] and breakthroughs. It's the sound of praise. The scripture says God inhabits our praises.
[01:08:08] God shows up not when you complain Not when you talk about how big the problem is but when you talk about how big our god is One version says god is enthroned when we praise him
[01:08:22] When you go around thanking god for his goodness and bragging on what he's done You're putting god on the throne Not the worry not the discouragement not the problem You're making him bigger than anything that comes against you
[01:08:38] That's the sound that causes angels to go to work That's the sound that opens prison doors in the midnight hour just as paul and silas That's the sound that turns enemies into footstools that takes that stumbling block and makes it into a stepping stone
[01:08:56] What sound are you creating?
[01:09:00] Oh, Joel, man, it's been rough.
[01:09:02] Doesn't look like my child will ever get back on course.
[01:09:05] I lost a big client.
[01:09:06] I don't see how I can make it.
[01:09:08] That's the wrong sound.
[01:09:10] Don't use your words to describe the situation.
[01:09:13] Use your words to change the situation.
[01:09:16] Start thanking God for what he promised you.
[01:09:19] Lord, I thank you that as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
[01:09:24] Father, I thank you that you're supplying all of my needs.
[01:09:26] You said, even in famine, I would have more than enough.
[01:09:30] That's the sound that gets God's attention.
[01:09:34] You can't talk defeat and have victory.
[01:09:37] You can't talk sickness and have health.
[01:09:40] Get a new sound.
[01:09:42] You have to change your atmosphere.
[01:09:44] You're creating an environment for either God to work, to open the heavens, bring good breaks, influence, turnarounds, or for the enemy to work, to steal, to kill, to destroy.
[01:09:58] Pay attention to your sound.
[01:10:01] Paul said in Ephesians, be continually filled with the spirit, making melody in your heart to the Lord.
[01:10:10] We're supposed to be making melody in our heart.
[01:10:14] That means joyful, cheerful, a song of praise, always thanking God for what he's done, talking about his goodness.
[01:10:23] It says to do this continually.
[01:10:24] One version says to be ever filled This is not something you do every once in a while When things are going your way You have a good attitude When your boss is treating you right then you'll thank god when this medical report changes then you'll be grateful
[01:10:41] This should be a lifestyle Under your breath all through the day. You're constantly making melody Lord, thank you for waking me up this morning. Thank you for strength to get out of bed Making breakfast for your children. Not oh man. I'm so tired another bill. No, how about lord?
[01:11:00] Thank you for blessing me with these beautiful children Not I gotta go to work Traffic is so bad. No lord. Thank you for this job. Thank you for the gifts. You've given me Thank you for a car to drive lord. I'm grateful for this opportunity
[01:11:14] Oh the people at my office they get on my nerves They don't treat me right they play politics It's tempting to complain Don't let them take your song You can make melody in the midst of a difficult situation
[01:11:28] Lord, I thank you that you're my vindicator that you're fighting my battles Lord, thank you that you're preparing that table in the presence of my enemies Start speaking his promises Declaring what he says about you. That's what heaven responds to
[01:11:44] sound of praise sound of thanksgiving When god hears that melody coming from your heart. He sends angels with answers favor peace and breakthroughs That's how you're going to overcome adversity That's how you'll outlast the opposition
[01:12:01] Not by complaining Not by begging god telling him how bad it is The more you talk about the problem the more it weighs you down The longer you dwell on it the more discouraged you'll get
[01:12:15] change your sound Get in tune with god He's looking for that song of praise. That's what he inhabits when he hears you praising through the pain and Worshipping in the wilderness a good attitude when it's not fair
[01:12:31] All the forces of darkness cannot stop you I've heard it said complain and remain or praise and be raised Are you making melody or are you making noise?
[01:12:45] Do you have a song of praise?
[01:12:47] or are you complaining, talking about the problem? That's going to keep you where you are.
[01:12:53] I went out in my backyard the other day and there were all these crows, hundreds of them, everywhere you looked, on the ground, in the trees, on my roof. It was so loud, all this squawking
[01:13:06] and screeching. There was nothing pleasant about it. It was in fact, irritating, just a bunch of noise. But at the same time, in the midst of all this clamor, I could hear some cardinals and
[01:13:18] robins singing, whistling back and forth, so cheerful and happy, like they were having a conversation, celebrating the morning. I thought about the contrast. Those crows, no offense, but you're irritating. You're getting on my nerves. The sooner you leave, the better it will
[01:13:39] be. But these cardinals, they're making melody. They lift your spirit. They have a joyful song, a bright outlook. That's the way it is in life. You can be a crow or you can be a cardinal.
[01:13:54] Both birds were in the same environment, same backyard, same weather, same circumstances, but one squawking and one singing. The difference is the crow doesn't have a choice.
[01:14:06] That's the voice he was given but you and I do have a choice You can choose your sound You can go through the day crowing Complaining focused on what's wrong or you can be a cardinal
[01:14:22] Go through the day singing and thanking god for what he's done declaring his promises When you're a crow you're making it difficult on your relationships Can I tell you something your friends may not tell you nobody wants to be around a crow
[01:14:39] Somebody's always complaining negative talking about their problems You're pushing away the good people in your life You're making it harder on your spouse and children. Not only that it's keeping you from opportunity and promotion
[01:14:55] Do yourself a favor tell the crow in you you're done You're not welcome here. You're not going to run my life Let the cardinal in How do you do it?
[01:15:09] You get up in the morning and the crow shows up. I don't want to go to work I can't stand my boss These kids get on my nerves. That's the crow And let me come in. Let me dictate your attitude
[01:15:22] You have to say no. Thanks. Mr. Crow. You're in retirement You are permanently done. I don't need you anymore Let the cardinal come out father. Thank you for another day to be alive for this is the day you have made
[01:15:35] I'm gonna live it happy Lord, i'm grateful for my family father. Thank you for choosing me before I could even choose you That's making melody in your heart. That's the sound heaven responds to Not crowing about it
[01:15:50] Complaining will keep you stuck But when you're a cardinal making melody a joyful spirit that's what activates God's goodness. It's interesting that crows gravitate toward what's dead. They're scavengers. They feed on carcasses and animals that are decaying and rotting.
[01:16:12] It's symbolic that they make that squawking sound. If you're focused on what's dead in your life, you're going to crow too. If you're dwelling on relationships that didn't make it, Who hurt you? Mistakes you've made? You're not going to have a song. You're going to have a
[01:16:29] squawk. You can't stay ever filled, dwelling on your disappointments. Who let you down?
[01:16:36] Quit feeding off of dead things. It's poisoning your spirit. It's souring your attitude. It's limiting your vision. Nothing that's happened to you has stopped God's purpose for your life.
[01:16:49] No mistake you've made has canceled your destiny God has seen every injustice Every hurt every person that walked away He knows how to take what was meant for harm and turn it to your advantage
[01:17:03] Now quit dwelling on what didn't work out and move forward with your life get your song back Get your joy back Start making melody not making noise You can't always change your circumstances but you can change your sound.
[01:17:22] When you're making melody despite the disappointments and you're thanking God for what's right instead of focusing on what's wrong, that's the sound that gets heaven's attention.
[01:17:33] That's when God will step in and make the wrongs right and pay you back for the injustice.
[01:17:40] No more complaining, self-pity, it's not fair.
[01:17:45] Bitterness, they did me wrong.
[01:17:46] defeat. I'll never get ahead. That's the crow sound. That's noise. Crows talk about the problem.
[01:17:54] Cardinals talk about the promises. Crows make noise. Cardinals make music. Crows react to the environment. Cardinals rise above it. But the truth is there's a crow and a cardinal in each one of us. You get to choose your voice. David put it this way. I will bless the Lord at all times.
[01:18:16] his praise will continually be in my mouth. David was saying in effect, I'm going to be a cardinal.
[01:18:23] I'm going to choose to make melody. I'm going to focus on the greatness of my God. I'm going to declare his promises over my life. Well, David had every reason to be a crumb. All kinds of unfair
[01:18:36] things came against him. Being overlooked by his father, when Samuel came to choose the next king, He could have been offended man. My old father doesn't believe in me, but he didn't let the crow in
[01:18:48] He knew people may leave you out, but god will call you in They may discount you but god will cause you to shine King saul was jealous and tried to kill david threw spears at him
[01:19:02] David could have been angry Man, i'm trying to help you and you're trying to kill me Saul chased him through the desert made his life miserable But out hiding in the caves, running for his life,
[01:19:16] some scholars say that's where he wrote some of the great songs.
[01:19:20] Like, sing a new song unto the Lord.
[01:19:22] Let us exalt his name together.
[01:19:25] Wait a minute, you're singing when this king is trying to kill you?
[01:19:30] You're blessing the Lord when you could be complaining?
[01:19:33] You're being a cardinal when you have every reason to be a crow?
[01:19:38] David knew this secret.
[01:19:39] there is a sound that heaven responds to a sound that keeps your enemies from defeating you a sound that brings protection provision favor it's the sound of praise it's the sound of magnifying our God talking about his greatness declaring his promises when you have that song
[01:20:00] of praise in your heart the enemy cannot keep you down when you do like David and keep making melody in your heart. Lord, I want to thank you that no weapon formed against me will ever prosper.
[01:20:13] You being for me is more than anything trying to stop me. Nothing can stand against you.
[01:20:19] That's the sound that gets heaven's attention. Maybe today you need to change your sound.
[01:20:25] You need to tell that crow, go on vacation. No more complaining, being sour, begging God.
[01:20:33] turn that worry into worship turn that pressure into praise start making melody no more making noise learn to bless the Lord at all times the bigger you make God the smaller your problems become as you begin to do this it's not only going to make you feel better you're going to
[01:20:54] get your joy back and have more energy but things are about to shift what looked permanent like it could never change, God is going to suddenly turn around. You can't explain it. There was no Saul,
[01:21:07] no sign, but suddenly Saul is gone and you take the throne, so to speak. You get promoted. You're vindicated. Or suddenly Samuel shows up and anoints you as king. You go from being overlooked to being
[01:21:22] in charge, from borrowing to lending, from sickness to health. How did that happen? You found the sound that opens heaven. The sound of praise, the sound of faith making melody in your heart. It's interesting how a cloud forms. The sun shines on water and produces an invisible vapor. You can't
[01:21:47] see it, you can't feel it, but those vapors rise up into the earth's atmosphere. They condense and eventually become clouds. When enough vapors go up, those clouds get too heavy to hold it all and the water begins to release.
[01:22:03] First a mist, then a sprinkle.
[01:22:06] But if the condensation keeps building up, those clouds will open up and begin to pour down rain.
[01:22:13] In the scripture, rain is symbolic of God's favor, his goodness and his blessing.
[01:22:20] Sometimes we find ourselves in a dry season, a drought, not getting any good breaks, dealing with these problems.
[01:22:28] The good news is you can create an atmosphere for rain in your life Your praise is the vapors going up to form the clouds You may not see anything happening. You don't feel any different
[01:22:42] But as you go through the day thanking god for his goodness and making melody in your heart Lord, I thank you that i'm alive today. Thank you for my family father Thank you that you're fighting my battles and you're making my crooked places straight lord god
[01:22:57] I know you're all powerful and nothing can stand against you. That's not just being grateful.
[01:23:04] That's creating clouds. Your praise is shifting things in the atmosphere. As you keep praising and keep making melody, there will be a time where those clouds open up and you will see the rain of God's blessing, favor, healing, abundance. It wasn't a coincidence. It wasn't a lucky break.
[01:23:26] You sent the praises up. You created that atmosphere for God to work. But sometimes we're complaining about what's not happening and why isn't this changing? And when is this problem going to resolve? My question is, what are you sending up? What you send up is going
[01:23:46] to come back down. If you send up complaints, negativity, it's not fair. You're going to get back defeat, lack, struggle. Change what you're sending up. If you have a child that's off course, it's easy to talk about the problem. Call your friends, tell them what's wrong, how he's never
[01:24:06] going to change. Those are the wrong vapors. They're forming the wrong clouds. Try a different approach. Lord, thank you that my seed is blessed. Father, you said that my children will be mighty in the land. Thank you that what you have purposed for them will come to pass. You keep thanking God
[01:24:25] and you don't see anything happening. That's okay. The vapors are going up. The cloud is getting fuller. There will be a time when the heavens open, the rain comes down, breakthroughs, deliverance, your child back on course, or maybe you're fighting a battle in your health, or perhaps
[01:24:43] you had a setback in your finances. Be careful what you're sending up. It's important what you're saying in difficult times. No more, I'll never get well, Joel. You should see the medical report.
[01:24:57] All the odds are against me. I'll never get out of debt. Zip that up. That's forming the wrong clouds. That's going to bring defeat, negativity, struggle. Send up some new vapors. Lord, I thank you that you're restoring health back into me, that I will live and not die and declare the
[01:25:14] works of the Lord. Instead of complaining about the finances, how about, Father, I want to thank you that you're Jehovah Jireh, the Lord, my provider, that you're pouring out blessings that I cannot contain. Well, Joel, I tried that for a week, but nothing happened. Your cloud didn't
[01:25:31] get full enough. You need to keep sending up those praises. Keep thanking God for what he promised.
[01:25:37] Every time you do the cloud is getting heavier It's just a matter of time before you see the downpour the goodness of god Another interesting thing about rain is scientists tell us that there's the same amount of water on the earth today
[01:25:55] As there has always been there's no new water. Everything's recycled I used to think when it rained that was new water forming But actually it's the same water the sun hit it It condensed, went back into the clouds
[01:26:10] and came back down again.
[01:26:13] Well, the scripture talks about how God has blessings stored up for the righteous.
[01:26:18] There are blessings that have your name on them.
[01:26:21] Good breaks, opportunity, maybe that baby you've been dreaming about, they belong to you.
[01:26:27] How do you get it out of storage?
[01:26:30] Praise is one of the ways God releases what he has already prepared for you.
[01:26:36] Your healing is already there.
[01:26:37] your freedom your abundance but it needs your voice your sound your thanksgiving to form those clouds so God will release what's been stored up you don't have to beg God it's already in place just thank him in advance all through the day thank him for your healing thank him for your
[01:27:00] dreams thank him for the provision thank him that he's working even when you don't see anything happening. Keep those vapors going up, continually making melody, and you will see the heavens open up, pour down blessings that you cannot contain. When I was in my early twenties, I worked here at
[01:27:21] Lakewood, the other location. There was this man that did the landscaping and some repairs around the property. He was in his forties. He was always so negative, always something going wrong. And I would see him and just in passing being friendly. Hey, good morning. How you doing?
[01:27:41] He would say, Oh, Joel, it's so hard. I'm having such a struggle. He would tell me how he had a leak in his roof and some of his equipment broke. His wife was sick. He didn't know if he could pay
[01:27:53] his bills. It was always such a sad, depressing story. I just wanted to say, hi, I didn't know the world was coming to an end. And I understand, you know, if that happens at times, we all go
[01:28:08] through difficult seasons, but this was every time year after year, his first line was always, it's so hard. Well, here's the problem. What you're sending up, you're going to get back down.
[01:28:22] You send up defeat long enough. It's going to rain defeat. You send up, can't do it. Bad breaks, always struggle. You're going to see just that. You're creating the clouds. Those vapors are forming what you're declaring. When this man was in his early fifties, he was diagnosed with
[01:28:42] terminal cancer and he struggled for a few months and soon passed away. I thought to myself, you know, it's sad, but that's all he ever talked about. Defeat, struggle so hard, not going to make it. Don't send those things up. It's going to come back down. The scripture says in Hosea,
[01:29:02] sow to the heavens righteousness and God will rain down righteousness on you. Notice that principle, what you sow upward will rain back down on you. But some people sow complaints, sow discouragement, sow bitterness. They wonder why nothing is changing, why they're still
[01:29:21] struggling. You have to change what you're sowing. When you sow praise and you sow the promises of God and you're always thanking him for who he is, magnifying his greatness, then you're going to reap the blessing and favor of God. Keep the right vapors going up. Let it become a lifestyle where
[01:29:42] you're always making melody in your heart. When you sow righteousness, Hosea said, God will reign righteousness. That means right opportunities, right people, the right breaks. This is what Elijah did. First Kings chapter 18, the people of Israel had been in a famine for three and a half
[01:30:02] years, no rain, no growth. But in verse 41, Elisha said, I hear the sound of the abundance of rain.
[01:30:12] He heard something in his spirit, a sound from heaven, a promise from God. He didn't wait till saw the rain, he went on top of Mount Carmel and began to thank God for the rain. He let that sound
[01:30:26] in his spirit become a sound of praise to God. When God gives you a sound, when he gives you a promise, turn that promise into praise. Start thanking God for what he said and thank him that
[01:30:40] he's working in your life. Every time you do, those vapors are going up, your clouds getting heavier.
[01:30:46] Well, elijah told his assistant to go out and see if there was any sign of rain The young man came back. Sorry elijah, not a cloud in the sky. It's perfectly clear Elijah didn't get discouraged. He didn't start sending up complaints. God. Where are you? Why didn't this happen?
[01:31:05] He just kept sending up more praise lord. I thank you that the rain is coming. Thank you that abundance is on the way The assistant went back checked again again again six times still nothing
[01:31:17] Thoughts told elijah you're wasting your time You heard wrong Elijah just kept on praising sending up more things god. I know that you're faithful I know things are happening behind the scenes The seventh time the assistant came back
[01:31:34] And said this time I saw a little cloud starting to form Don't be fooled a little cloud can bring a big blessing Before long the heavens opened up the drought came to an end. There was a downpour of rain
[01:31:50] Maybe you've been in a drought Things not improving Feels like you're stuck but like elijah you've been sending up your praise Thanking god for his goodness When you don't see any sign you could be crowing, but you keep singing making melody
[01:32:07] Like god did for him the heavens are about to open up You're going to see the reign of god's favor the abundance the breakthrough the healing you are closer than you think Don't stop now. You may be on time number five time number six, but seven is coming. God is working
[01:32:27] That cloud is getting fuller Keep sending up the right vapors the praise the thanksgiving Remember when that old crow comes wanting to complain tell him you're not welcome here That's not the right sound. You know the sound that opens heaven the sound of praise
[01:32:48] Now keep making melody in your heart keep sowing to the heavens faith Hope the promises of god. I believe and declare the heavens are about to sow back to you rain is coming healing freedom the right people breakthroughs the fullness of your destiny in jesus name
[01:33:09] and if you receive it can you say amen let's pray together if you have five minutes stick with me here we'll just seal it in praise lord thank you for what we've heard i know it falls on great
[01:33:24] ground faithful people here at lakewood so many came out to honor you and so many watching and listening. And Lord, I thank you that this word has taken root in the good soil of our lives.
[01:33:36] Holy Spirit, I ask you to just convict us when we start to speak defeat or complain or negativity.
[01:33:43] Lord, we're going to use our words to bless you at all times. Lord, help us all to be cardinals, to have that song of praise, that melody always playing in our spirit, in our thoughts. And
[01:33:55] Father, I thank you. You're doing for us what you did for David, what you did for Elijah. Lord, that you're fighting those battles, those unfair situations. Lord, we're going to praise you through it. Lord, we thank you that you're working, that nothing can stand against you,
[01:34:12] that what you have purposed for your people will come to pass. Lord, as they go out this week at work or at school or the kids during the summer, I just thank you that your angels are watching
[01:34:23] after every person, protecting them, guarding, guiding, and watching after them. I speak your blessing over your people in Jesus name. With our heads bowed in prayer, just a quick question before we leave. If your heart stopped beating in the next few minutes, are you at peace with God?
[01:34:44] 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
[01:34:58] this comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In just a moment, if you're not at peace with the Lord, or maybe you are a Christian, but you've grown cold toward God, you know you need
[01:35:12] to rededicate your life. 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.
[01:35:24] I can't think of a better time to get on the road to victory than right now. God is not mad at you.
[01:35:32] 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.
[01:35:45] do it another time listen the Bible says today is the day of salvation don't put it off so easy well Joe it's embarrassing to stand in front of everyone have people at the house I can't lift my
[01:35:59] 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 to show God that
[01:36:13] you're not ashamed to him. If you're not at peace with the Lord or you just need to rededicate and recommit your life to Christ, you need a fresh new start, a new beginning. If that's you, would you
[01:36:26] 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. Come on,
[01:36:41] don't put it off. I feel like there ought to be a few others up top, in the back. Your heart's beating fast. Anybody else watching, listening? Still time for you. Anybody else? Well, God bless
[01:36:58] you. Please remain standing if you don't mind, but I want to tell you how proud we are of you.
[01:37:04] I know that took courage to stand, but more importantly, I know God is never going to be ashamed of you because you took this step of faith today. The scripture says that whoever calls on
[01:37:15] 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 please? Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I make you my Lord
[01:37:31] and Savior. Amen. We'll remain standing one more moment. I want to tell you how much we love you, how we're going to be praying for you. This next year of your life is an incredibly important time
[01:37:43] and I want to invite you and even challenge you to come back and be with us on a regular basis.
[01:37:49] You know, if you get plugged in here, like I was talking earlier, I know, you know, Sundays is a day off for most people, but I can promise you this, there is a blessing on your life
[01:37:58] when you put God first place and get into a community of faith, get plugged in.
[01:38:03] We'd love to have you here at Lakewood and you know, whether you do it online or however you do it, but I believe if you'll give us this next year, before the year is over,
[01:38:12] Your life will never be the same for the better People ask me joel. Really? What's the next step? Well right out here after service. There's a place called new beginnings It's a space we've designed it takes about 15 20 minutes. You can meet some of our staff
[01:38:27] They're going to give you some resources to help you grow I'll be there in about 15 minutes as well Maybe 10 minutes love to shake your hand if you got a minute If not, i'm always out that way, but I'd love to meet you sometime
[01:38:38] But hope you'll take me up on this offer because you know, this is a great moment in your life today Let's continue it on You'll be amazed at what god will do in your life and where he'll take you if you just put him first place
[01:38:51] And so I hope you'll take me up on that 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
[01:39:01] Why don't you write it down in your bible may 24th?
[01:39:05] 2026, a new day of victory in your life in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Well, let's all stand together if you would, please. Thanks so much for coming out today. Blessed to have you. Hope you'll stop
[01:39:17] by and see George and Tondra over here. If you got a minute, pick up their book. It's great encouragement, but until we meet again, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord show
[01:39:27] you his favor and have mercy on you. And may the Lord watch over you and give you his peace.
[01:39:32] have a great Memorial Day weekend we love you, see you back real soon