Divine Surprises - JO
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00:00Want to talk to you today about divine surprises
00:04God has moments of favor already lined up for you that you didn't see coming
00:10Unexpected blessings and good breaks that catch you off guard
00:14There was no sign of it. You weren't next in line for the promotion. The medical report said you weren't going to get well
00:21You've been single a long time
00:23No indication anything was going to change
00:26Then suddenly your business takes off your health turns around you meet the right person
00:32It's not just a lucky break just a coincidence
00:36That's a divine surprise the hand of God showing out in your life
00:42Unexpectedly, you couldn't plan it. No reason to believe it was going to happen
00:47But God steps in and says surprise
00:50Does something out of the ordinary you never saw coming
00:55Deuteronomy 28 says if you'll obey God's Word and follow his commands
01:00Then all these blessings will overtake you
01:04One translation of that word overtake is to catch by surprise
01:10You may be in a situation that looks permanent
01:13You've gone as far as you can in your career a child
01:16It'll never get back on course or that trouble at work will always hinder you
01:21What you can't see is God has some surprises coming your way
01:26Because you're honoring him. He has blessings that are going to overtake you
01:31Favor that you can't outrun good breaks that chase you down
01:36Now get ready for some surprises some unexpected blessings
01:41You look back thing man. I didn't see that door opening
01:44I didn't see that person showing up. I didn't see me feeling this good
01:49I didn't see me running my own business one surprise and you'll go from struggling to overflow
01:56From being lonely to being with the person of your dreams from overcome with problems to overcome with opportunities
02:04You wouldn't be hearing this if God didn't have surprises coming your way
02:09He's about to do something suddenly
02:12Unexpectedly
02:14Favor that catapult you ahead good breaks that thrust you into your destiny. You couldn't make it happen
02:20It's not something you work for you deserved you had planned
02:25It's the favor of God breathing on your life taking you where you couldn't go on your own
02:32All through the scripture we see these divine surprises
02:36Paul and Silas were in prison in the deepest dungeon their hands and feet in chains no way out
02:43But at midnight there was a great earthquake
02:46The prison doors flung open the chains fell off. They walked out as free men
02:52What happened God said surprise?
02:55It looked impossible
02:57The odds were against them, but God won't let you get in a problem that he can't bring you out of
03:04You may not see a way, but that's okay. It's gonna be unexpected. It's gonna catch you off-guard
03:11This is what happened with Abraham and Sarah
03:14God promised them a baby, but they were way too old
03:18Year after year went by still no child now. It was impossible
03:23No way in the natural, but when Sarah was 90 years old God said surprise
03:29Sometimes God waits on purpose, so it'll be a bigger miracle
03:34Not only will you know it's him, but other people will see his blessing on your life
03:40There may be promises God has put in your heart, but seems too late. It's not practical now
03:47No get ready for a surprise what God started. He's going to finish one surprise, and you'll have the baby
03:55One surprise and chains will break that addiction won't control you anymore
04:00One surprise and doors will open that you never imagined
04:05Now thoughts will tell you it's not gonna happen. It's too late for me Joel too hard too much opposition
04:11Don't believe those lies turn it around father. Thank you that you're a God of surprises
04:17Thank you that you have unexpected blessings in my future that you will get me to where I'm supposed to be
04:25John chapter 5 there was a man who had been crippled for 38 years
04:30Every day he went to the pool of Bethesda when the angel troubled the water the first person in would get healed
04:37Well, he didn't have anyone to help him year after year
04:41He just sat there hoping something would change, but nothing was different
04:46One day Jesus came walking by he asked the man if he wanted to get well
04:51The man told how he didn't have anyone to help him get in the water and how impossible it was
04:58Jesus simply said rise take up your bed and walk
05:03Instantly the man was healed got up for the first time in 38 years
05:08What was that God saying surprise?
05:11The man thought he'd be that way 38 more years, but suddenly he was well
05:17You may be dealing with things that look like they'll never change your health your finances your family
05:24Like this man, you've gone to the pool each day you prayed
05:28Believed done what you can
05:31God sees your faithfulness. He sees you're doing the right thing when it's hard
05:36Believing when nothing's improving
05:38Praising when nothing's changing
05:40Like with this man, there's a surprise coming
05:44Something unexpected and it's interesting the man didn't go to Jesus
05:50Jesus came to the man
05:52You don't know what God has come in your way
05:55Healing that's going to overtake you good breaks that are going to catch you by surprise
06:00And see we all have things that we're chasing
06:03Chasing our dreams chasing good health chasing a relationship. There's nothing wrong with that
06:09But what's even more exciting is what God has chasing you the favor that he's already planned to overtake you
06:18Here's the whole key. You don't have to chase the blessing
06:22Strive and manipulate force doors to open make people like you
06:28Know if you'll chase God the blessings will chase you if you'll keep God first place
06:34You won't be able to outrun what he has in store they'll catch you by surprise
06:40One reason it's a surprise is because what God has planned is so much bigger
06:46So much more rewarding than what you have in mind
06:51When I look back over my life most of the time I've seen
06:56Opportunities blessing the right people. It's not something I had planned
07:00I was just honoring God being my best and his blessings caught me by surprise
07:0722 years old I walked into a jewelry store to buy a battery for my watch
07:13Outwalked the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen to wait on me. It was Victoria. It was like God said surprise. I
07:21Don't know if God said it to her, but he sure said it to me
07:25or maybe it was my flesh, but I took it as God, but
07:29We dated a year and a half and she couldn't keep her hands off of me so we got married
07:35Few years later
07:37We bought an old run-down house on a half-acre lot close into the city
07:43We're gonna fix it up and live there the day we closed on the property
07:47I was in the front yard and this car pulled over and a lady got out and
07:52Asked if I wanted to sell the property. I said no ma'am. We just bought it and we're gonna fix it up and move in
07:58She said how about if you sell it for a good profit, maybe ten percent more than you paid and I thanked her but told her
08:04No, she said well
08:06Congratulations. You just bought your dream house. I don't know what she meant
08:11It was an old run-down house had cracks in the floor and windows were broken out
08:16well come to find out the neighborhood was in the process of changing the deed restrictions so you could subdivide the property a
08:24Builder knocked on our door
08:25We ended up selling him half of the property for more than we paid for the whole property
08:31He built two new homes there one for us. It was indeed our dream house
08:36We thought we were just buying an old fixer-upper, but God said surprise
08:41that blessing
08:43Catapulted us ahead. What am I saying? God has some of these blessings that are going to overtake you
08:51Because you're chasing him his blessings are going to chase you
08:56see we look at our circumstances from a natural logical point of view and we see limitations in our career our
09:05Finances what neighborhood we could live in or maybe our health what our children could accomplish
09:11We make plans and set expectations
09:14But what you can't see are these divine surprises
09:18Things you could have never planned
09:21Blessings that will catapult you ahead
09:24Never dreamed at 27 years old. We would live in that beautiful house
09:29Couldn't plan that there was no way logically speaking, but God stepped in and did what only he can do
09:37Who knows what God has planned for you? He said you haven't seen heard or imagined what he has in store
09:45You're gonna come into these divine surprises you didn't see it coming you can't explain it you didn't deserve it
09:52It's just the goodness of God
09:55Pushing you into new levels of your destiny
09:59After my father went to be with the Lord and I started pastoring we were looking for property to build a larger auditorium
10:08Twice the property we found was sold out from under us
10:12We couldn't find any more and I was tempted to be discouraged. I didn't see how we could expand
10:18I was looking at everything in the natural, but God is supernatural
10:23His ways are better than our ways
10:26Many times the reason our plans aren't coming to pass is because they're too small
10:32If God did what we wanted, we wouldn't see the fullness of our destiny
10:37In six months after that last property didn't go through. I was just minding my own business
10:43Going through the day the phone rang a friend. I hadn't spoken to in a long time
10:48He said he had to have lunch with me. It was important. We went to lunch
10:53He told me that the Rockets basketball team was moving out of the compact center and we should try to get this as our facility
11:01It was like God said surprise. I didn't see this coming
11:05This was more than I could ever imagine
11:08God caused things to fall into place and two years later the City Council voted for us to have this facility
11:15you know what this building is a
11:18surprise
11:19God's blessing chasing us down. I
11:22Tried to go after the other properties, but this building came to me
11:28You can look back in your life and see times where God surprised you
11:32Opened doors brought the right people turn the trouble around
11:37The scripture says in Job God is famous for his great and unexpected acts
11:43There is no end to his surprises
11:46Can I encourage you your best surprises are still in front of you?
11:51God's gonna do things that boggle your mind
11:54Explosive blessings his goodness chasing you down taking you where you've never dreamed
12:01This is what happened with David didn't look like he would do anything significant
12:06He was a teenager stuck out in the shepherd's fields taking care of his father's sheep
12:12His brothers had prestigious positions. They were in the army people looked up to them
12:18David was the youngest he didn't have the training the experience the size there were seven brothers in line ahead of him
12:26He was simply being faithful
12:29Watching over the sheep being his best where he was not complaining. I'm stuck out here
12:35It's boring. I don't like these sheep
12:38He kept doing the right thing when no one was watching
12:42Could have slacked off been lazy cut corners, but he was a person of excellence and integrity
12:49He knew that people may not be watching but God is watching
12:54He sees you go in the extra mile
12:57Working hard without the credit raising children. No one's saying. Thank you
13:02Giving serving helping when in fact you could use the help. That's the kind of people God surprises
13:09You're in position for divine favor
13:12supernatural increase
13:14while David was taking care of those sheep God spoke to a man named Samuel a
13:20Prophet in a different city and said go to Bethlehem to the house of a man named Jesse
13:26I'm going to show you the next king of Israel
13:29Samuel started heading toward Jesse's house
13:33David was out in the fields
13:35Minding his own business. He didn't think anything was going to change
13:39Little did he know a surprise was already in round
13:43God had already lined up a supernatural connection that would forever change his life
13:50Many of you are like David you've been faithful
13:53You've been keep doing the right thing going the extra mile
13:58You can't see it, but there are surprises already headed your way
14:03You don't know who God has spoken to about you. You can't hear what God has planned
14:09But suddenly Samuel is going to show up people with influence. It will be good to you open doors
14:17Opportunities that you didn't see coming
14:19Yeah, Joel. I don't know anybody like that. I don't have connections to people with great resources great influence
14:27David didn't know Samuel. He had never met the Prophet. What's even more amazing is Samuel didn't know David
14:35He'd never seen David never heard of him
14:38David's family wasn't prominent. Well known they were shepherds
14:43working-class ordinary people
14:45God knows how to cause you to stand out one surprise and they'll take you from the background to the foreground
14:52From being overlooked to being in charge
14:56Samuel showed up at Jesse's house knocked on the door and you can imagine what Jesse thought
15:02When he told him he was there to anoint one of his sons as the next king
15:07Jesse couldn't believe what he was hearing. He called seven of his sons in so proud so excited
15:15To see who would be the next king
15:17Samuel passed on the first son not him
15:20Second son not him three four all seven sons. None of them
15:25He asked Jesse if he had any more sons. He said yes, my youngest Dave is out in the fields, but I'm sure it's not him
15:34People may lead you out
15:36Discount you think you're not king material, but God knows the greatness he put in you
15:42He knows how to cause you to be seen when Samuel saw David he didn't think twice he said that's the one
15:50It's like God said surprise
15:53Not only did David not see it coming, but his father his brothers. They didn't see it coming
16:00No matter who overlooks you tries to push you down discredit you. Don't worry
16:05They cannot stop what God is playing for you
16:09Because you're chasing after God his blessings are going to chase you down
16:14You don't have to go after them. They're gonna come looking for you
16:19like Samuel traveling to Bethlehem
16:22knocking on the door
16:24Bypassing who others expect God has the right people in route to you
16:29The healing to come knocking on your door the business to come tracking you down
16:35Like David out in the fields you didn't see it coming you couldn't have planned it
16:40It's a divine surprise God doing what only he can do. I
16:45Met a young student that's here from another country and he completed his undergraduate work
16:51And he was in the process of getting his master's degree
16:54But he had a problem with his visa when he went to enroll for the next school year
16:59He was told he couldn't finish because of this issue. It was very discouraged
17:05He had studied hard and made great grades, but now it looked like it wouldn't work out
17:10He called everyone he knew did everything he could no success
17:15He had talked to the school several times and met with different people, but they couldn't help him
17:21He's about to make his flight arrangements to go back home
17:24And he decided to go check with the school one last time
17:27Went to the admissions office and there was a different man there never talked with him before
17:33He explained his situation at one point the man asked him if he attended Lakewood
17:39He said he did the man said I know you do because I see you there every Sunday
17:44He's one of our faithful volunteers. Let me tell you when you get a Lakewood person good things are going to happen
17:51Lakewood people are full of faith
17:54Lakewood people believe in a God who can move mountains a God who can part Red Seas a God who can give you a compact
18:01Center
18:02The man went back to the work went back to the back and begin to work and research
18:07And talk with some other people he came back an hour later and said we figured out a way to extend your visa
18:15The student was so thrilled the man said not only that we have a fund to help students
18:20We're gonna award you a scholarship for your next three years
18:26What was that God saying surprise
18:31Unexpected blessings who was that man a Samuel
18:34He was ordained by God to bless to favor to point out
18:39God has the Samuels lined up for you the right people at the right time. That'll go out of their way to help you
18:47Surprises you didn't see coming you couldn't have planned it. It's the goodness of God overtaking you
18:53What he has in mind is far greater. It will exceed anything you've imagined
19:00One morning Jesus was teaching the people at the Sea of Galilee
19:04It's very crowded and he saw a boat over by the shore and some men coming in from fishing. It was Peter
19:13Jesus asked if he could borrow the boat Peter agreed
19:16When Jesus finished teaching he wanted to thank Peter
19:20He told him to go back in the water throw his nets out and he would catch many fish
19:26Well, Peter has fished all night and caught nothing. He was a professional fisherman
19:31He knew when to fish where to fish how to fish. He was tired ready to go home
19:37I'm sure he thought sir. I appreciate your advice, but you're a teacher
19:41You're a rabbi. I'm a fisherman you stick to teaching and I'll stick to fishing
19:47He could have talked himself out of it, but Peter did what Jesus asked him to do
19:53When he threw the nets out there were so many fish that the nets begin to break
19:58The boat was so loaded down that it began to sink
20:02They had to call for other boats to gather up the fish
20:05The scripture says they were awestruck at the size of their catch never seen anything like that
20:12Few minutes earlier there were no fish, but God said surprise
20:18He controls the fish God controls the contracts the resources the opportunities
20:24Peter had worked all night strained
20:27Strive put forth his best effort came up empty
20:31But when God says surprise the fish will find you
20:35You don't have to look for them. They'll come to your net
20:38you obey what God's telling you and blessings will chase you down the fish will overtake you and
20:46Notice how God surprises not just a normal average catch
20:50But a net breaking boat sinking blessing blessings that not only increase you
20:57But it spills over to people connected to you a running over blessing
21:03Peter was so amazed and so in awe. He ran to Jesus fell on his knees and said Lord, please leave me
21:10I'm too much of a sinner to be around you
21:14This could be the end of the story
21:16Jesus left they went their separate ways
21:19But Jesus looked at Peter and said don't worry Peter from now on you're going to be fishing for people
21:27Right then and there he chose Peter as his first disciple
21:31You're talking about surprises
21:34This guy is a fisherman. He's rough. He uses bad language
21:38He just admitted he's not worthy, but surprise God doesn't choose the way we choose
21:45You too may think that God wouldn't have anything to do with you. You've made too many mistakes
21:51Too far off course. You don't know anything about faith. Neither did Peter
21:56Your surprise is God is calling you today
22:00He has a destiny for you to fulfill. He's going to use you to do amazing things
22:06You are not disqualified because of your mistakes
22:10Voices will tell you like Peter. You're not worthy. The mercy of God is bigger than any mistake you've made
22:17He's already taken into account every wrong turn. He still wants you
22:23The scripture says Peter left everything and followed Jesus
22:28That tells me you don't have to get cleaned up enough
22:32Behave good enough and get rid of all your weaknesses. Then you can follow
22:37No, come just as you are
22:40God is standing before you with arms open ready to receive you
22:44Don't let this surprise go to waste start following him like Peter
22:49God will make more out of your life than you ever dreamed. I
22:54Have some friends that own their own business and few years ago
22:59One of their employees made some mistakes in the accounting and how things were processed
23:05Their tax returns weren't filed accurately
23:08Accurately, they ended up owing a hundred thousand dollars to the IRS
23:13They didn't have the funds to pay look like this would shut their business down
23:18They met with the government official
23:20But the lady was very rude and demanded that all the money be paid within a month that there were no other options
23:28They left that day very discouraged not knowing what to do
23:33But instead of living worried not able to sleep
23:36They just kept thanking God that he was making ways where they didn't see a way that he was working behind the scenes a
23:43Month later they went back to their scheduled meeting
23:47Hoping the lady had changed their mind and they sat in her office and another woman came in
23:53She said the lady they had met with the last time had moved to a different state
23:58And she was no longer there. They explained their situation to this woman. She had a totally different view
24:04She didn't think they owed the money. She went met with the supervisors came back in a few minutes
24:10She said if you'll write a check for a hundred dollars, this will be settled today
24:16They left there saying we didn't see that coming
24:20Like Peter that was a net breaking blessing
24:24God has some of these surprises for you
24:28Unexpected blessings favor that catches you off-guard
24:32You may have situations that look impossible. No fish out there
24:37Medical reports not good
24:39Property sold out from under you. You don't know what God is up to
24:43Like this couple he's moving the wrong people out of the way to get you in position for a surprise
24:50Like us in the compact center that door closed because he's about to surprise you with something better
24:57Like David you feel stuck out in the fields. No one's noticing you but Samuel is coming
25:03God has already spoken to the people that will be a part of your surprise
25:09You don't have to chase the blessing. Our job is to honor God and the blessing will chase you
25:15You won't be able to outrun the healing the good breaks the right people now
25:20No, you've been faithful. You've kept God first place now get ready for a surprise. I believe and declare
25:28Unexpected favor on your life the goodness of God suddenly overtaken you
25:33Divine surprises that catapult you into your destiny in Jesus name
25:40And if you receive it, can you say amen?
25:45Well, let's play together if you have five minutes if you can stick with me, we'll just seal it in prayer Lord
25:51Thank you for what we've heard today
25:53I know it falls on great ground
25:56Faithful people here at Lakewood and many watching and listening Lord. We're believers out here and not doubters
26:03We believe you're a God that has
26:06supernatural
26:07Divine surprises Lord God and Lord. I just ask you to show out in your people with supernatural healing
26:14Supernatural turnarounds and Lord just help us to believe and enlarge our vision Lord. We all have situations that look impossible
26:23But we know you're the God who does the impossible. Our faith is in you today
26:28Surprise us even this week. Let us finish this year strong Lord
26:33I speak your goodness over your people all those under the sound of my voice in Jesus name
26:39With our heads bowed in prayer just a quick question if your heart stopped beating in the next few minutes
26:47Are you at peace with God?
26:49Do you know where you'd spend eternity if you died a little while from now
26:54If not, I would love to pray with you. I'm not here to condemn anybody
27:00I'm here to help you find a new beginning. I know this comes from a personal relationship
27:06with Jesus Christ
27:08And 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
27:16You know, you need to rededicate your life. You need to come back home if that's you in just a moment
27:22I'm gonna ask you to take a step of faith and
27:25Stand right where you are and we'll pray together. I
27:29Can't think of a better time to get on the road to victory than right now
27:34God is not mad at you
27:36Your sins have already been forgiven. All you have to do is accept the free gift of Christ's salvation
27:44Will you do it today?
27:46The enemy in your thoughts, he'll whisper do it next week. Do it another time. You can't stand. No, listen
27:52The Bible says today is the day of salvation
27:55Don't put it off
27:57Which always embarrassing to stand in front of everyone
28:00Have people at the house. I can't lift my hand
28:03Listen what Jesus said if you won't be ashamed of me before people
28:08Then I won't be ashamed of you before my Father in heaven
28:13I'm gonna give you a great opportunity to show God that you're not ashamed of him
28:17If you're not at peace with the Lord or you just need to rededicate your life
28:22You need a fresh new start a new beginning
28:25If that's you would you be bold take that step of faith and stand right where you are and we'll pray together
28:31Would you do that? Come on Lakewood. Let's give them a hand as they stand all over the building
28:37Come
28:41On don't put it off. I feel like there would be a few more your heart's beating fast
28:47up top
28:48watching listening
28:50One more clap Lakewood. They're still standing all over up top
28:54anybody else
28:58Well, God bless you and please remain standing if you would let me tell you how proud we are of you
29:04And I know that took courage to stand more importantly
29:07I know the that God will never be ashamed of you because you took that step of faith today
29:13The scripture says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Let me help you to call
29:19Do you mind all praying this after me if you would Lord Jesus? I
29:24Repent of my sins
29:26Come into my heart. I
29:29Make you my Lord and Savior
29:32Amen
29:33We remain standing one more moment. I want to tell you how much we love you
29:36We're gonna be praying for you
29:38I also want to give you a personal invitation and a challenge to come back and be with us on a regular basis
29:45We ask new believers to give us the next year of your life
29:49Just like you go to work make it a priority that you're gonna be here every Sunday every time you can for the next year
29:55I'll make a promise your life will never be the same for the better
29:59We're gonna help you grow and become who God's created you to be and I know you're busy
30:05Sunday may be a day off, but I can promise you it makes a difference when you put God first place
30:11You get with a good body of believers your new week will go better
30:15So I hope you'll take me up on that love to meet you sometime
30:18I'll be out there by the bookstore, even if you can't do it today
30:22After service right out of over here is a class. There's a room called new beginnings if you need anything
30:27We'd love to have you get up get joined into one of the volunteer teams because there's a lot of awesome people here at Lakewood
30:33A lot of things after the service online on the classes as well
30:36But the moment you stood up God washed away all your sins your mistakes and failures. You're starting with the fresh clean slate
30:45Write it down in your Bible October 6
30:482024 a new day of victory in your life in Jesus name. Amen
30:53Amen well, let's all stand together if you would please
30:57Thanks for coming out today. How many of you going home better off than you were before? Amen
31:02Let me speak a blessing before we go until we meet again
31:05May the Lord bless you and keep you
31:08May the Lord show you his favor and have mercy on you and may the Lord watch after you and give you his peace
31:15God bless him have a favor filled week. We'll see you back real soon