en-us Sun, 14 Oct 2007 18:42:21 -0400 Pastor Joel Osteen and Lakewood Church Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:06:37 -0400185161 God has placed dreams and desires in your heart. You may have promises that you're standing on, things that you believe will come to pass, and you're waiting for your dreams to be fulfilled. James 5:7 says, \"Be patient as you wait see how the farmer waits expectantly.\" Maybe you're waiting for a relationship to improve, waiting to get married or waiting for a promotion. As you do so, wait with expectancy. Instead of becoming discouraged or negative while you wait, begin expecting for God straighten out your path for your dream to come true. Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:06:33 -0400 400787 Do you know that you can be someone else's miracle? Galatians 6:10 says, \"As occasion and opportunity arise, let us do good for all people.\" This means that whenever you have the opportunity to do good or whenever you're able to be a blessing to others, don't pass it up. When you wake up each morning ask God to show you someone you can bless that day. Ask Him to bring somebody across your path that has a need and then walk out of your home looking for ways to do good. It may not be something big - just a smile here, an encouraging word there, buying somebody's dinner or giving somebody a ride. Choose to focus on living to give. When you do, you'll find that it's one of the most rewarding and God honoring ways for you to live. Joel Osteen Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:06:26 -0400 647241 Ephesians 5:18 says to Too often we expect the people in our lives to perform perfectly, to never disappoint us and to always be there for us. But no one is perfect and those are unrealistic expectations. There is no such thing as the perfect spouse, boss or friend. No matter how much others love you or how good they are, at some point, they are going to disappoint you or hurt your feelings. Instead of becoming resentful or bitter when others do not measure up, give them grace and understand that it is simply a part of life. Romans 12:16 says that we need to \"adapt and adjust in order to keep the peace.\" If you'll have the right expectations in your relationships and give others mercy, your relationships will begin to grow and God will honor you for doing your part. Joel Osteen Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:06:19 -0400 533503 We all have good intentions. We may want to give up an addiction, a bad attitude or being impatient and do what we know is right. But, it's not enough to simply have the desire to do something. Matthew 26:41 says, \"The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Pray that you don't come into the temptation.\" One of the keys to controlling your weaknesses and overcoming temptations is to learn to pray so that you will become strong in your weakest areas. Ask God to help you with your temper, your thought life and your relationships with others. If you do, God will give you the strength you need to overcome any obstacle! Joel Osteen Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:06:14 -0400 479942 It’s important to develop good habits in life. A habit is something that you do without thinking about it and you may do it for so long that it almost becomes involuntary. Studies say that ninety percent of your normal behavior is based on your habits. For example, you have habits that determine how you treat people, how you spend money, what you watch and what you listen to. Some people have developed habits that are keeping them from God’s best. But, you can learn how to develop God honoring habits that will help you live the kind of life that God intended. Joel Osteen Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:05:50 -0400 478945 When you look at situations in your life that you want to change or dreams that you want to come to pass, you probably begin putting together a plan to make it happen. But, if you're not careful, you can put God in a box and tell Him how, when and where to achieve those dreams. The Scripture says in Isaiah 55, \"God's ways are not our ways. They are higher and better than our ways.\" Instead of trying to make your plan work, remember that God already has a better way mapped out. Begin to trust God and know that He has your best interests in mind. And, even when things don't seem to be going according to your plan, stay open and believe that He is directing your steps. Joel Osteen Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:05:48 -0400 693140 http://www.lakewood.cc Too many people are sitting on the sidelines of life with no enthusiasm towards their future because they have made mistakes and experienced some setbacks. But, God is not looking for perfect people. If He were, we would all be disqualified. God is looking for people that have a heart that's right toward Him. If you have a heart that is seeking God and you wake up each day striving to do your best, then you do not have to live guilty and condemned. When those old thoughts come to mind saying, \"You don't deserve God's blessings,\" just respond with, \"You're exactly right. I know I don't deserve it, but that's what God's mercy is all about.\" The goodness of God will make miracles out of all your mistakes. Joel Osteen Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:05:43 -0400 587789 We all go through disappointments and setbacks. Sometimes relationships do not work out, a friend betrays you or you do not receive a promotion you deserve. When this happens, it can be easy to get discouraged, lose your joy and enthusiasm. But, even though life is not always fair, our God always is! He is a God of justice. He sees every wrong that's ever been done to you, every person that's ever hurt you and every unfair situation. The good news is as you stay faithful and not become bitter, God promises He will pay you back for every injustice. He will take what was meant for your harm and He'll turn it around and use it to your advantage. Let me encourage you today, that as you choose the right attitude and give God the glory through every circumstance, He will not only bring you out, He'll bring you out better than you were before. Joel Osteen Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:05:38 -0400 700944 We all have dreams and desires that we believe God will help to come to pass. These dreams are like seeds planted in the soil of our hearts and most of the time, they do not bloom overnight. Often, there is a period of waiting involved and this is when it is so easy to give up, become discouraged and to settle for mediocrity. But God never gives up on a dream. Once the seed is planted and the promise takes root, we may give up, but the seed is still in us. If you'll stir your faith up and start believing once again, then God can begin bring it to pass. Every time you give God praise, keep pressing on or have a smile on your face, you will water that seed. And if you do this, you'll allow God to give birth to your dreams and you'll live the life of victory He has in store. Joel Osteen Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:05:35 -0400 439725 How you begin your day usually determines the kind of day you experience. If you begin your day in a hurry, rushing from one task to another or stressed out, often you will become uptight and stay on the edge the rest of the day. In the Bible, David says, \"Early in the morning, my song will rise to You.\" If you're going to be your best and live life to the full, then God needs to receive the first part of your day. Before the stress and busyness comes, before you read the newspaper and before you think about all you have to do, take time to thank God for His goodness. Read the Scriptures, meditate on His promises and speak words of victory over your life. When you do this, you're giving God your first fruits and he'll walk with you the rest of the day! Joel Osteen Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:05:27 -0400 497021