If we can encourage others, we should encourage them.
~Romans 12:8

Friday, November 30, 2012

Joyce Meyer - Focus on the Positive Things 11/8/12

Here are notes I took with my laptop at Joyce Meyer's conference at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX November 8-10, 2012. It's very long but it's very good. I pray you are as blessed by her words as I was.


Thursday 11/8/12

Invitation to salvation
·        God lives everywhere but he’s 2 different places: His throne in heaven and the human heart
·        He wants to be a friend that sticks closer than a brother
·        He wants to help you change your life
·        To live a full abundant life
·        Repentance means godly sorrow and turning towards the Lord
·        As you repent God wants to re-elevate you
·        Bring you back to a higher purpose
·        Believe in this gospel
·        Ask Jesus to be your savior
·        The Lord of your life
·        Give the car keys of your life to Jesus and let Him drive
·        It’s a life time commitment


OFFERING

Joyce will be teaching tonight on focusing on the positive things
The importance of learning about how to celebrate your victories as opposed to grieving excessively over failures/disappointments

Focus on the positive things in life
·        If you can really hear what God is saying tonight it can change your life
·        Everyone in here has some kind of problem
·        It depends on how much you focus on the problems
·        Someone asked her “Right now what is Joyce Meyer’s greatest concern?”
·        She no longer focuses on what’s wrong in her life
·        Dave always says do your responsibility then cast your care
·        Do what you can and cast the rest on God
·        Trust Him
·        You can still enjoy your life while you have a problem
·        You’re not the One making something happening
·        Don’t waste one more day on discouragement
·        You can’t do anything about it
·        Having done all stand
·        Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. Ephesians 6:13
·        Your place is as a son or daughter of the most high God
·        Jesus paid for you to enjoy your life
·        We are totally wasting what God give us if we mourn
·        Learn how to focus on good things
·        What we focus on is what we magnify
·        What we talk about is what we become more consciously aware of
·        Think about the possibilities in your life not the problems
·        Hebrews 12:2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
·        Learn to celebrate
·        We celebrate in different ways
·        Take a day off
·        Get a manicure or pedicure
·        Go to a sporting event
·        Give yourself a break or you will get burned out
·        Don’t wait for someone else to give you a break
·        Never feel guilty for resting
·        Romans 12:21 will be our foundational scripture
·        Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good. Romans 12:21
·        By doing good with the life Joyce had left she overcame the evil she started out with
·        You can have a good finish
·        We can overcome evil with good because whatever God has is better than what the devil has
·        John 10:10  The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
·        Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
·        Walk and live habitually
·        If you make enough good habits there won’t be room for bad habits
·        Instead of focusing on losing weight focus on eating healthy
·        Walk and live habitually in the Holy Spirit
·        If you can’t do anything about it you might as well give it to God and enjoy your life
·        Most people cast their responsibility and keep their care (that’s backwards)
·        Go and bless someone else
·        You don’t have to even feel like doing it
·        I’m going to overcome the evil in my life by purposely doing good
·        It makes the devil so mad
·        The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32
·        11 And He said, There was a certain man who had two sons; 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the part of the property that falls [to me]. And he divided the estate between them. 13 And not many days after that, the younger son gathered up all that he had and journeyed into a distant country, and there he wasted his fortune in reckless and loose [from restraint] living. 14 And when he had spent all he had, a mighty famine came upon that country, and he began to fall behind and be in want. 15 So he went and forced (glued) himself upon one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed hogs. 16 And he would gladly have fed on and filled his belly with the carob pods that the hogs were eating, but [they could not satisfy his hunger and] nobody gave him anything [better]. 17 Then when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have enough food, and [even food] to spare, but I am perishing (dying) here of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [just] make me like one of your hired servants. 20 So he got up and came to his [own] father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness [for him]; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him [fervently]. 21 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son [I no longer deserve to be recognized as a son of yours]! 22 But the father said to his bond servants, Bring quickly the best robe (the festive robe of honor) and put it on him; and give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet. 23 And bring out that [wheat-]fattened calf and kill it; and let us revel and feast and be happy and make merry, 24 Because this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to revel and feast and make merry. 25 But his older son was in the field; and as he returned and came near the house, he heard music and dancing.  26 And having called one of the servant [boys] to him, he began to ask what this meant. 27 And he said to him, Your brother has come, and your father has killed that [wheat-] fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and well. 28 But [the elder brother] was angry [with deep-seated wrath] and resolved not to go in. Then his father came out and began to plead with him, 29 But he answered his father, Look! These many years I have served you, and I have never disobeyed your command. Yet you never gave me [so much as] a [little] kid, that I might revel and feast and be happy and make merry with my friends; 30 But when this son of yours arrived, who has devoured your estate with immoral women, you have killed for him that [wheat-] fattened calf! 31 And the father said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But it was fitting to make merry, to revel and feast and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!
·        Notice the father divided the inheritance; he didn’t just give to the younger brother
·        The younger started out with the attitude “give me”
·        That’s how immature start out
·        God won’t let us stay that way
·        The young man wasted his inheritance
·        He suddenly came to himself in the pigpen
·        Hey this wasn’t a good idea
·        It was that journey that took him from “give me” to “make me”
·        The father did everything he could for his son
·        A robe, a ring, a fatted calf
·        He didn’t say I’m not sure I can trust you
·        He didn’t bring up everything the boy had done wrong
·        He focused on the one good thing happening  - my son has come home
·        We could be upset about all kinds of stuff
·        You may not like your job but some out of work person would love to have it
·        You may focus on everything wrong with your husband but some lonely lady would probably like to take him off your hands
·        We need to learn how to focus on the good things
·        God focuses on the good things in us
·        He focuses on our progress
·        You need to do likewise
·        Let’s learn how to focus on the positive things
·        Let’s have an all out party
·        God loves a party
·        Wow I don’t have to worry about my problems, I can have a party?
·        I’m sure the father worked hard for his money
·        The younger son got lots of that money and he wasted it on things his father disapproves of
·        And not once did the father try and make him feel bad
·        The elder brother got his nose out of joint
·        You gave him the fatted calf and you didn’t even give me a skinny goat!
·        Son you were with me the whole time, you could’ve had a party anytime you wanted
·        You can have a party any time you want
·        You can enjoy your imperfect life and your imperfect friends
·        Stop talking about everything that’s wrong all the time
·        This is for whosoever will
·        Let’s have a shift in our thinking
·        Surely you can find something in your life that’s good to focus on
·        We could focus on how far we have to go or on how far we’ve come
·        We’re going to focus on our progress and be excited about the good things to come
·        And when the devil throws up your mistakes to you you will thank him for reminding you how good God is to put up with you…
·        There’s a party going on and the elder is outside in the dark sulking
·        That didn’t stop the party
·        You can go to the party or you can stay outside the party but the party is on!
·        You can sit outside thinking about the skinny goat you never had or enjoy the fatted calf with your brother
·        Every single person has something special going on in their life that no one else has
·        Joyce can’t sing but she can talk
·        Joyce was with her family recently and her 4 year old grandson was trying to get her attention and father said she’s talking right now and he said she’s been talking all day
·        Celebration
·        God loves a party
·        There’s a lot of difficult things going on in the world and in people’s lives
·        There are times of difficulties
·        Dealing with issues is just part of what we have to do
·        We all have to deal with issues in life
·        One way to prevent them from overwhelming us is by celebrating that which we should celebrate
·        Go have some fun
·        It’s an attitude of celebration
·        One of the main things that you should celebrate is you
·        You should celebrate you
·        Because you are fearfully and wonderfully made
·        Learn to celebrate the life that God has given you
·        Jesus’ first miracle was at a party
·        A wedding celebration
·        God likes a party
·        He’s cool with celebration
·        He loves when we celebrate and laugh together
·        At the end of all God’s work He said it is good and He took a day off
·        We don’t take time to enjoy the fruit of our labors
·        If you’ve got a beautiful home stop and look at it and celebrate
·        Celebrate your good health
·        Celebrate that you have at least one person somewhere that cares about you
·        Focus on the good things
·        Every single one of you can get in a good mood tonight
·        Don’t tell God: Lord if You don’t do something I can’t stay saved another day
·        Joyce has been there and done that and been around that mountain a thousand times
·        God is not impressed with that
·        The bible is full of commanded celebrations
·        They were commanded by God
·        Every one of them was a party
·        The Sabbath was a day of celebration
·        Joyce is asking us to take regular time to enjoy our lives
·        Don’t be a person who brags that you haven’t had a day off in 12 years
·        That doesn’t make you impressive; it makes you dumb
·        Passover was a time of feast and celebration
·        Today Joyce was thinking we should get together as families and celebrate the good things God has done in your life
·        Take the time to celebrate more
·        Celebrate the goodness of God
·        We remember what we ought to forget and we forget what we ought to remember
·        Dave talks about how we forget how our nation was started
·        God commanded the Israelites to celebrate
·        It helps us and strengthens us so we can handle the rest of life; things we may not know are coming
·        The joy of the Lord is our strength
·        Nehemiah 8:10 Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.
·        The feast of unleavened bread lasted 7 days
·        God said I don’t want you to forget how I brought you out of bondage
·        Joyce has only missed 2 out of thousands of meetings due to illness
·        That is amazing
·        God has kept me
·        One woman said to Joyce she hasn’t had any powerful testimonies because she didn’t have major obstacles she overcame
·        God said your testimony is I kept you
·        Do your responsibility and cast your care
·        If you can do something do it; if you can’t cast your care
·        Show God you trust Him by casting your care
·        Feast of tabernacles was a celebration of protection…
·        We don’t have to do this now because of commandments like the Israelites did
·        Joyce said but we don’t take the time to celebrate our victories today
·        I’ve accomplished something and I’m going to celebrate
·        We ought to be living with an attitude of celebration all the time
·        Joyce I’m too deep for that, I don’t feel happy
·        Joyce has a book for that
·        Living Beyond Your Feelings
·        The Israelites partied all the time
·        Joyce used to be one of those deep people
·        Always thinking about how to solve her problems
·        Had the weight of the world on her shoulders
·        You can learn to enjoy your journey
·        Don’t be so frustrated about reaching your destination; enjoy the journey
·        When you do reach that destination you'll be there a short time before there is a new one
·        Learn how to celebrate victories large and small
·        “I don’t care about my birthday”
·        Shame on you
·        You’re more than just a year older
·        If we throw a party for a 1 year old what kind should we have for a 60 year old
·        Why would we celebrate getting through one year but not 50?
·        Next year Joyce will be 70 and she’s having a week long party
·        In a year your heart beats approx 38 million times
·        It takes a lot of miraculous power to keep us up and running
·        Don’t have a nonchalant attitude
·        That’s how people get bitter and burned out
·        Decide to celebrate your life
·        Nobody gave me a party then give yourself a party
·        Lose that negative attitude
·        You are worthy of a bit of extravagance every once in a while
·        Everything you get doesn’t have to be something you desperately need
·        Matthew 26: Now when Jesus came back to Bethany and was in the house of Simon the leper, A woman came up to Him with an alabaster flask of very precious perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, For what purpose is all this waste? For this perfume might have been sold for a large sum and the money given to the poor. 10 But Jesus, fully aware of this, said to them, Why do you bother the woman? She has done a noble (praiseworthy and beautiful) thing to Me. 11 For you always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me. 12 In pouring this perfume on My body she has done something to prepare Me for My burial.
·        Vs 9 sounds very spiritual
·        Sometimes we get so stinking religious we can’t enjoy nothing
·        This extravagant act of love and sacrifice that this woman poured upon Jesus…
·        She was willing to give up a year’s wages
·        But Jesus was about to experience his most difficult challenge
·        What she has done has prepared me for my burial
·        The joy he received from her sacrifice prepared him for the next difficult time coming in his life
·        A man asked God what to give Joyce and God said give Dave a gift
·        Dave doesn’t need another putter but this man bought Dave a really nice expensive putter
·        It brought Dave great joy
·        Dave didn’t need it; it was extravagant – but it blessed him so much
·        God wants to come into our lives and do extravagant things for us to balance out all the other disappointments in life
·        God wants to do these things and He works through people
·        Blessings come through people who are willing to listen to God
·        We need to be more open to letting God use us to pour out blessings on others
·        Some will give to the poor
·        But those who aren’t poor can be blessed also
·        Be radical blessings to people
·        You cannot out give God
·        Don’t be a party pooper
·        Sometimes people ask Joyce what she likes and it’s taken until her most recent years she’s been figuring that out
·        She likes beauty
·        Scenery, furniture, material, places…
·        She likes pretty things and she doesn’t apologize for that
·        She has a lot of pretty clothes
·        We need some extra touches that add zest to our life
·        Joyce doesn’t understand getting excited about a putter but Dave loves it
·        Anything that happens to her family Joyce gets in a message in 24 hours
·        Focus on what you do right and not what you do wrong
·        Some mothers wonder if they’re good mothers
·        Joyce read story where man goes right to bed and woman does a bunch of stuff first
·        You’re not built for guilt
·        It’s proven scientifically that guilt releases hormones that lead towards disease and emotional problems
·        You don’t have  to be haughty but neither do you have to think about everything that’s wrong with you all the time
·        Be a God pleaser not a people pleaser


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