Here are my notes from the message delivered by Pastor Joel Osteen at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas on Saturday 4/19/2014 at 7 pm.
It's an encouraging message about persevering even when things look bleak. Contains several real life examples of God showing up when it looked like it was over.
It’s easy to give up on our dreams.
Easy to say “I’ll never get well.”
“I’ll never meet the right person.”
Every thing God promised He still has every intention of bringing it to pass.
God has the final say.
And He’s saying I’m still going to do it.
What God started He will finish.
A couple tried to have baby for years.
Doctors said there’s no chance.
God said it’s not over.
She got pregnant and had her beautiful baby girl dedicated at Lakewood.
There was an estranged mother and son.
She prayed daily for years.
2 weeks ago he knocked on his parents’ door and they reconciled.
The first thing he wanted to do is go to church.
Is there something you’ve given up on?
It’s not over.
Just because you don’t see a way doesn’t mean God doesn’t have a way.
God is about to do a new thing.
What you thought was dead is about to come back to life.
God knows how to resurrect dead things.
You think you’ve missed too many opportunities.
You may have given up but God hasn’t.
God is going to resurrect those dead things.
You’ll feel a stir, passion, a new excitement.
When thoughts say it won’t ever happen answer back “It’s not over”.
You’re still single.
You’re still not well.
You’re still in a small apartment.
You’ve got to get in agreement with God.
Start dreaming again.
Believing again.
A man’s business had really gone down.
His main competitor was very big.
When economy went down he had lots of trouble and his business went down even more.
He was tempted to get discouraged but he knew God put that dream in his heart.
He thought it was over.
But that national company decided to pull out of his market.
Now that man’s business is booming.
God had breathed in his direction.
You may not be able to beat the competition but God may remove it.
Scripture talks about death, burial and resurrection.
Don’t get stuck in the first two phases.
Some get discouraged and bitter after death and burial.
You’ve been through the death, you’ve come through the burial.
Don’t stop there.
Phase 3 is coming.
God wants to give you beauty for those ashes.
It may be Friday in your life right now.
Don’t get stuck on Friday.
Sunday is coming.
Expect God to do something new.
Healthy and whole, being a blessing to others.
God has the final say.
People can’t stop God’s plan for your life.
God has already taken bad breaks and setbacks into account.
This is what the first family had to do.
Eve talked Adam into eating the forbidden fruit.
They messed up and were sure God was finished with them.
It’s interesting; God came looking for them.
People say “I found God”.
But God wasn’t lost.
God came looking for you.
Adam said “We did wrong, we ate the fruit.”
They had to stay out the garden.
No matter what, your story isn’t supposed to end in mediocrity and defeat.
God was saying “Eve I’ll make this serpent that tricked you pay”.
This is your chance to get even.
Your seed is going to bruise that serpent’s head.
This was a promise God put in Eve's heart.
She was probably excited when she first learned she was pregnant.
Which son would fulfill the promise?
Would it be Cain or Abel?
She tried to raise them right.
But Cain became very jealous of Abel.
Cain killed Abel – the first murder in the bible.
Cain was sent away and Eve lost both sons in the same day.
It seemed her promise was lost.
Something deep down said ‘This is not the way your story is supposed to end.’
Every thought may be telling you it’s not going to happen.
You may have been through a loss.
Know it’s not over.
The enemy may be laughing now but restoration is coming.
It may be Friday but Sunday is on the way.
Would Eve believe God or get discouraged and settle?
The promise would come through Eve.
That means she’d have to get pregnant again.
How hard that must have been, to face pregnancy after such terrible loss and disappointment.
Genesis 4:25 Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying,
“God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.”
That was like Eve saying, “I’ve had the wind knocked out of me but I won’t stay down.”
God has the final say and He’s appointed another seed.
For all you’ve lost…
God has already appointed another seed.
Your story won’t end in mediocrity and defeat.
It ends with you bruising the serpent’s head.
You’ve got to get your fire back.
God has another relationship for you.
You’re not going to die empty, lonely, depressed.
Eve gave birth to another son; they named him Seth.
Jesus came from Seth’s line.
Abel - an innocent man - went to Cain’s field and was killed.
This was a foreshadowing of the Messiah.
Jesus an innocent man.
Cain killed Abel while Abel was in his youth.
At the young age of 33 Jesus was crucified.
All of hell cheered when Jesus died.
They thought Jesus had overstepped his bounds.
Genesis 4:10
The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.
Cain thought he had the last word.
He didn’t realize the blood of his brother was crying out for justice.
A little over 2000 years ago the Roman soldiers crucified Jesus.
They thought it was over.
But Jesus blood is still speaking today.
His blood says we’re redeemed, forgiven.
In hell they were celebrating but someone starts coming in.
His hair is like wool, his eyes are like fire...
The music kicks in.
[Rocky theme]
They thought they killed Jesus.
Jesus said put the party on hold.
It’s not over.
I’m still alive.
Jesus was the original party crasher.
He defeated Satan and took away the keys of death and hell.
I AM He that lives.
Because he lives we can live.
The same power lives in us.
No sickness is too powerful.
We have the greatest force in the universe inside us.
By faith hear that music playing in the background.
You have a right to be healthy hole victorious.
The enemy’s best will never be enough.
Just as Abel’s blood cried out for justice,
Jesus’ blood is crying out for you.
God sees every tear, every injustice.
God told the Israelites I’ve seen your affliction.
That’s the blood crying out.
If you’ll stay in faith God will pay you back for all the wrongs.
It may be Friday in your life right now but Sunday is coming.
Young man named Daniel in Chicago.
At 12 he was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with brain tumor.
Woke up without any motor skills.
Half his body was paralyzed.
It was Friday and it looked dark.
He was in the hospital 100 days.
Have to relearn how to walk and talk.
Mother had to take care of him.
Father missed 3 months of work.
Chemo made him sick.
From age 5 he and his family watched Joel on TV.
They heard "You’re a victor not a victim."
He never dreamed what kind of battle he’d have to face.
He wrote Joel notes thanking him for his messages.
Sent Joel pictures with sayings on it.
100% cancer free and in front row.
[Daniel stood up and was acknowledged.]
He’s a mighty man of faith.
Maybe like Daniel you’re facing a major obstacle.
God can correct what’s wrong.
There’s another report.
You’ll live and not die.
God has the final say.
Joel saw California Bears play Stanford Cardinals.
Stanford was ahead and there was only four seconds left.
All they had to do is tackle Bears in order to win.
The Stanford marching band rushed onto the field celebrating what they thought was a sure win when the Bear was down.
Somehow the downed player got the ball to someone else and 6 laterals and the California player was headed to the end zone.
But the marching band was on the field.
He had to go through them but he made it and his team won.
Sometimes the enemy will send his band onto the field before the game is over.
Tell him “Get your band off my field.”
It’s not over.
There’s a force in you that cannot be defeated.
Job had to do this.
He’d lost everything.
The marching band was on his field.
In the midst of that difficulty God heard the blood crying out.
God restored everything double.
Remember The Blood is still speaking for you.
It says you have a right to be free.
Like Daniel, God is going to restore what was stolen.
You’ll rise higher and over every obstacle.
Closing Prayer
It's an encouraging message about persevering even when things look bleak. Contains several real life examples of God showing up when it looked like it was over.
It’s easy to give up on our dreams.
Easy to say “I’ll never get well.”
“I’ll never meet the right person.”
Every thing God promised He still has every intention of bringing it to pass.
God has the final say.
And He’s saying I’m still going to do it.
What God started He will finish.
A couple tried to have baby for years.
Doctors said there’s no chance.
God said it’s not over.
She got pregnant and had her beautiful baby girl dedicated at Lakewood.
There was an estranged mother and son.
She prayed daily for years.
2 weeks ago he knocked on his parents’ door and they reconciled.
The first thing he wanted to do is go to church.
Is there something you’ve given up on?
It’s not over.
Just because you don’t see a way doesn’t mean God doesn’t have a way.
God is about to do a new thing.
What you thought was dead is about to come back to life.
God knows how to resurrect dead things.
You think you’ve missed too many opportunities.
You may have given up but God hasn’t.
God is going to resurrect those dead things.
You’ll feel a stir, passion, a new excitement.
When thoughts say it won’t ever happen answer back “It’s not over”.
You’re still single.
You’re still not well.
You’re still in a small apartment.
You’ve got to get in agreement with God.
Start dreaming again.
Believing again.
A man’s business had really gone down.
His main competitor was very big.
When economy went down he had lots of trouble and his business went down even more.
He was tempted to get discouraged but he knew God put that dream in his heart.
He thought it was over.
But that national company decided to pull out of his market.
Now that man’s business is booming.
God had breathed in his direction.
You may not be able to beat the competition but God may remove it.
Scripture talks about death, burial and resurrection.
Don’t get stuck in the first two phases.
Some get discouraged and bitter after death and burial.
You’ve been through the death, you’ve come through the burial.
Don’t stop there.
Phase 3 is coming.
God wants to give you beauty for those ashes.
It may be Friday in your life right now.
Don’t get stuck on Friday.
Sunday is coming.
Expect God to do something new.
Healthy and whole, being a blessing to others.
God has the final say.
People can’t stop God’s plan for your life.
God has already taken bad breaks and setbacks into account.
This is what the first family had to do.
Eve talked Adam into eating the forbidden fruit.
They messed up and were sure God was finished with them.
It’s interesting; God came looking for them.
People say “I found God”.
But God wasn’t lost.
God came looking for you.
Adam said “We did wrong, we ate the fruit.”
They had to stay out the garden.
No matter what, your story isn’t supposed to end in mediocrity and defeat.
God was saying “Eve I’ll make this serpent that tricked you pay”.
This is your chance to get even.
Your seed is going to bruise that serpent’s head.
This was a promise God put in Eve's heart.
She was probably excited when she first learned she was pregnant.
Which son would fulfill the promise?
Would it be Cain or Abel?
She tried to raise them right.
But Cain became very jealous of Abel.
Cain killed Abel – the first murder in the bible.
Cain was sent away and Eve lost both sons in the same day.
It seemed her promise was lost.
Something deep down said ‘This is not the way your story is supposed to end.’
Every thought may be telling you it’s not going to happen.
You may have been through a loss.
Know it’s not over.
The enemy may be laughing now but restoration is coming.
It may be Friday but Sunday is on the way.
Would Eve believe God or get discouraged and settle?
The promise would come through Eve.
That means she’d have to get pregnant again.
How hard that must have been, to face pregnancy after such terrible loss and disappointment.
Genesis 4:25 Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying,
That was like Eve saying, “I’ve had the wind knocked out of me but I won’t stay down.”
God has the final say and He’s appointed another seed.
For all you’ve lost…
God has already appointed another seed.
Your story won’t end in mediocrity and defeat.
It ends with you bruising the serpent’s head.
You’ve got to get your fire back.
God has another relationship for you.
You’re not going to die empty, lonely, depressed.
Eve gave birth to another son; they named him Seth.
Jesus came from Seth’s line.
Abel - an innocent man - went to Cain’s field and was killed.
This was a foreshadowing of the Messiah.
Jesus an innocent man.
Cain killed Abel while Abel was in his youth.
At the young age of 33 Jesus was crucified.
All of hell cheered when Jesus died.
They thought Jesus had overstepped his bounds.
Genesis 4:10
The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.
Cain thought he had the last word.
He didn’t realize the blood of his brother was crying out for justice.
A little over 2000 years ago the Roman soldiers crucified Jesus.
They thought it was over.
But Jesus blood is still speaking today.
His blood says we’re redeemed, forgiven.
In hell they were celebrating but someone starts coming in.
His hair is like wool, his eyes are like fire...
The music kicks in.
They thought they killed Jesus.
Jesus said put the party on hold.
It’s not over.
I’m still alive.
Jesus was the original party crasher.
He defeated Satan and took away the keys of death and hell.
I AM He that lives.
Because he lives we can live.
The same power lives in us.
No sickness is too powerful.
We have the greatest force in the universe inside us.
By faith hear that music playing in the background.
You have a right to be healthy hole victorious.
The enemy’s best will never be enough.
Just as Abel’s blood cried out for justice,
Jesus’ blood is crying out for you.
God sees every tear, every injustice.
God told the Israelites I’ve seen your affliction.
That’s the blood crying out.
If you’ll stay in faith God will pay you back for all the wrongs.
It may be Friday in your life right now but Sunday is coming.
Young man named Daniel in Chicago.
At 12 he was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with brain tumor.
Woke up without any motor skills.
Half his body was paralyzed.
It was Friday and it looked dark.
He was in the hospital 100 days.
Have to relearn how to walk and talk.
Mother had to take care of him.
Father missed 3 months of work.
Chemo made him sick.
From age 5 he and his family watched Joel on TV.
They heard "You’re a victor not a victim."
He never dreamed what kind of battle he’d have to face.
He wrote Joel notes thanking him for his messages.
Sent Joel pictures with sayings on it.
100% cancer free and in front row.
[Daniel stood up and was acknowledged.]
He’s a mighty man of faith.
Maybe like Daniel you’re facing a major obstacle.
God can correct what’s wrong.
There’s another report.
You’ll live and not die.
God has the final say.
Joel saw California Bears play Stanford Cardinals.
Stanford was ahead and there was only four seconds left.
All they had to do is tackle Bears in order to win.
The Stanford marching band rushed onto the field celebrating what they thought was a sure win when the Bear was down.
Somehow the downed player got the ball to someone else and 6 laterals and the California player was headed to the end zone.
But the marching band was on the field.
He had to go through them but he made it and his team won.
Sometimes the enemy will send his band onto the field before the game is over.
Tell him “Get your band off my field.”
It’s not over.
There’s a force in you that cannot be defeated.
Job had to do this.
He’d lost everything.
The marching band was on his field.
In the midst of that difficulty God heard the blood crying out.
God restored everything double.
Remember The Blood is still speaking for you.
It says you have a right to be free.
Like Daniel, God is going to restore what was stolen.
Closing Prayer
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