Called Into His Marvelous Light

Lakewood Church | by Joel and Victoria Osteen

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9, NKJV).

When I think of light, I think of warmth, healing and power. I think of it dispelling darkness and helping us to see. Scripture says that God is light. In Him, there is no darkness at all. He has called us to live in His light, to experience His comfort, strength, healing, power and direction. He doesn't want us to rely on what the world has to offer for comfort, He wants to be our comfort.

So many people today, even believers, are struggling with strongholds and addictions, but God wants to see us all set free and walking in His liberty. That's why we have our "Celebrate Recovery" class so that you can learn to embrace the freedom He has for you by walking in His marvelous light. Don't let the trappings of this world grab you. Don't allow addictions, wrong mindsets or unhealthy behaviors hold you back. You were created to be free. For more information, click here

Please know that Victoria and I love you and pray for you every day. We believe your best days are ahead, and we want to see you move forward in victory in every area of your life!

Joel & Victoria Osteen

What's Up in the Women's Ministry

Women | by Jackie Garner, Director of Women's Ministry

We are beginning a series titled 'What God Really Thinks About Women' learning about the personal lives of Women in the Bible, I really believe God wants to open our eyes to what He really thinks about women and the prominent place He has positioned us in the Kingdom and how an encounter with HIM can transform us into the Women Of Influence that will change our generation and the generations to come. 

 I believe each of us will find deeper significance in our own spiritual lives as we study these ”Leading Ladies of the Bible”, whether the women Jesus encountered in His earthly ministry and how that encounter changed their destiny or the women God touched in the Old Testament to fulfill their purpose for Him.  

One of the things I know for sure is that all of the women in the word who responded to master’s touch went on to live out the call of God on their lives and that’s exactly what we want these teachings to inspire you to do; fulfill the call of God on your life.      

 For instance: Mary of Nazareth was just an ordinary young girl who was chosen to fulfill an extraordinary purpose, the mother of the savior of the world. Mary said  YES, LORD, willingly taking her place to fulfill the call of God on her life, believing whatever the cost to her, being a 13 yr old , engaged to marry Joseph, she knew it might cost her everything , her reputation, her marriage, yet she trusted God hoping He would redeem it all!

Mary Magdalene, was delivered from the spiritual darkness of demon possession, 7 demons, and was freed to minister to Jesus and his disciples, being one of the few women who had the privilege of following Jesus on his earthly journey.  She was the first person Jesus saw after His ressurection and was the woman God chose to announce to the disciples and therefore the world “HE IS RESIN, Jesus is alive!!!!  

And from the Old Testament we will study some influential women such as Deborah the prophetess, who advised military leaders, Esther the Queen, who saved the Jews from total extinction; Rahab the harlot, who risked her own life, rescued the spies saving them from the Jericho soldiers, and some women you have probably haven’t heard of, like Jochebed the mother of leaders.

As we study these mighty women of God, our hope is that you see yourselves in their struggles and ultimate victories and realize that just as God used them powerfully in their time, He intends to use each of you for “such a time as this” now in the 21st century just like He used those women in their day!

God hasn’t changed “He is the same yesterday today and forever! His plan of redemption hasn’t changed!  And just as He chose to use those ordinary women for His extraordinary purpose; YOU too, have been chosen to glorify God for His specific purpose for this day and age!!

And just as these women each stepped up to the call of God in their lives, I know I am looking at women right now, who are stepping up to the call of God on your lives.

Many of you know the calling on your life and are walking it out. This series will encourage you and give you wisdom as you continue on.

Some of you know your calling but you are in preparation so you can move out in confidence when the time comes, this series will help prepare you and increase your confidence!

Many of you don’t know exactly what God is calling you to do but you are seeking His direction; and many times God uses His  Word to speak that direction to you.  And then there are some of you are in transition waiting on God to open the doors to the next phase of your destiny. 

Whatever place you are in, Lakewood Women's Ministry wants to link arms with you to ignite your passion and keep it burning, support your ministry, encourage you in your calling, teach you and inspire you to be a woman of influence for God in your families, your church, your careers, your city and this world by fulfilling God’s call on your life; which is your destiny!

In closing, I just want to remind us of 2 things Lisa Osteen Comes shared recently in her Wednesday night teaching; God is surrounding us with His love and favor, and His Angels are surrounding us; God sends them to minister to us, strengthen us and help us fight our battles.  Just as God dispatched the angel Gabriel to assist Daniel, God is still sending the angels to assist us. Ask God to open your eyes to the angels that are surrounding us even this moment to help us run our race. 

And secondly, Lisa also reminded us of what the apostle Paul said in Hebrew; that a great cloud of witnesses are cheering us on, the women who have gone before us are cheering us on.

They are saying “we have been where you are, we know exactly how you feel, we believe in you; you can make it and we can assure you that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that you can ask or imagine according to the power that works within you!  And Ladies, This series is designed to empower YOU to run your race knowing that if God be for you, who can be against you!!!

Finally, encourage your friends to come and hear about the lives of women who were changed by our Lord, God!

When you hear their stories of how Gods love, favor, forgiveness and healing gave them the courage to obey His call on their lives, I know you will experience more of His love, favor, forgiveness and healing in your life to take the next step to accomplish your destiny impacting this world for God’s glory!!

You Are Called Blessed!

Lakewood Church | by Joel and Victoria Osteen

This weekend, we celebrate Mother's Day. We honor their love, life and investment into families. Proverbs 31 talks about the woman who honors the Lord and tells us that she deserves honor. In verse 28 it says that, "Her children arise and call her blessed."

Today, we rise up and bless the mothers, but we also rise up and bless all who honor the Lord! Psalm one says that when we take delight in His laws, when we put Him first place, we open the door to His blessing in our lives.

Victoria and I want you to know how much we love and appreciate you. We bless you in the name of Jesus. We believe your best days are ahead of you, and as you put the Lord first in everything you do, He will direct your paths.

We also want to invite you to be a part of our Compass Classes. God created you and me for fellowship; first, for fellowship with Him, and then for fellowship with other people. God uses the people in our lives to help us grow and stand strong against the storms of life. He didn't create you to live life on your own. He set up a plan in His Word for victory; He's given you His Holy Spirit to guide you, and He's established the family of God to walk with you and help you navigate life. Click here for more information about our Compass Classes

We love you!

Joel & Victoria Osteen

Lakewood Internship

Internships | by Jason Morriss

We love this time of year!  Now is when we are busy selecting the next unique group of people to join us on a journey unlike any other.  A 10-month Internship in one of the most creative and effective ministry contexts in the world might be just what you need to clarify God’s call on your life!  

Lakewood is known for being open to the lost and the hurting.  But our openness doesn’t stop there.  We are totally committed to teaching the next generation what we have learned about how to do ministry in the real world.  The passion to share what we have learned is part of our culture here at Lakewood, and it's the heart of our Internship Program. 

If you have ever sensed the call of God on your life to do ministry… you owe it to yourself to consider what our Internship Program has to offer.  If you are in between careers, recently graduated or even retired, Internship might be for you! 

Give us a call at 713-491-5256, or send an email to lakewoodintern@lakewood.cc for more information. 

We are building another incredible team of people asking God, what’s next Lord?  Should you be on it? 

Men's & Women's Encounter Ministry

Encounters | by Norma Gonzalez

Registration is now open for the upcoming Fall Women's Encounter and Men's Encounter. The Encounter provides you with 24 hours away from the everyday details of life with an opportunity to release burdens and strongholds, build new personal relationships, and deepen your walk with Christ.

The peaceful setting of Kaiserhof Retreat Center in Tomball, Texas, ushers you onto a pathway of a 'new and refreshing revelation of Jesus for your life' through dynamic praise and worship, drama performances, personal testimonies, and small group interaction.

The registration cost is $75.00 and it covers all lodging, meals, and resources. The registrations are available in the Lakewood Bookstore and payments also are accepted there.

Space is limited so please do not delay registering if you plan on attending the Encounter.

WOMEN'S ENCOUNTER is September 7 and 8, 2012.  Contact NORMA GONZALEZ at normag@lakewood.cc or call 713-491-1140 with any questions.

MEN'S ENCOUNTER is September 14  and 15, 2012. Contact CRAIG WEVERINK at men@lakewood.cc or call 832-405-7490 with any questions.