http://anointedmessagesnotes.blogspot.com/2014/11/covered-by-mercy-joel-osteen.html If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. Romans 12:8 Anointed Messages Sermon Notes Great Messages from Great Ministers. COVERED BY MERCY – JOEL OSTEEN “Even when we do dumb things God still has us covered.” Pastor Joel Osteen, Lakewood Church Saturday November 22, 2014 Joke:A woman asks to sit in the very front of church. The usher says “You don’t want to sit in front; the pastor is very boring.” The woman says “Do you know who I am? I’m the pastor’s mother.” The usher asks “Do you know who I am?” and when the mother says no the usher says “Praise the Lord”. Key Scripture:Titus 3:5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, COVERED BY MERCYWe all make mistakes.It’s easy to live guilty.Live with regret.Joel talked to a man who got off course in his business, and in his marriage.He said “It’s my fault; I brought the problem on myself.”We can understand God blessing us when we do what’s right.The beauty of mercy is even when we make mistakes God will not only bring you out, He’ll help clean up the mess you made.That relationship you weren’t supposed to get into…Perhaps a job you knew you weren’t supposed to take…God doesn’t say “Maybe next time you’ll listen”.God’s mercy is bigger than that mistake.He’ll cause something good to come out of it.But you can’t sit around feeling guilty, beating yourself up for past mistakes.It takes a lot of boldness to believe that God will still bless you in spite of your mistakes.The enemy will tell you that you don’t deserve it.“who do you think you are?”God told Jonah to go to Nineveh but Jonah went in the opposite direction. [Jonah 1]Huge storm on the boat.Jonah acknowledged that he was the problem.They threw him overboard.It looked like it was over.He was getting what he deserved.God said Jonah you can run away, but you can’t outrun My mercy.Psalmist said you can never get away from God’s mercy. [Psalm 136] [Psalm 139]God’s always there, ready to give you another chance.Got you covered with mercy.Jonah felt guilty.But God has a way even when we don’t see a way.Be encouraged; God already has the solution.He knows how to bring you out better off than you were.A huge fish swallowed Jonah.Saved from the storm but into another mess.His thoughts told him “Jonah you’re getting what you deserved”.But Jonah began to pray. [Jonah 2]I cried to the Lord in my trouble Jonah 2:2Declaring the answer while still in the trouble.Jonah 2:3-9You threw me into the ocean depths,    and I sank down to the heart of the sea.The mighty waters engulfed me;    I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves.4 Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence.    Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’ 5 “I sank beneath the waves,    and the waters closed over me.    Seaweed wrapped itself around my head.6 I sank down to the very roots of the mountains.    I was imprisoned in the earth,    whose gates lock shut forever.But you, O Lord my God,    snatched me from the jaws of death!7 As my life was slipping away,    I remembered the Lord.And my earnest prayer went out to you    in your holy Temple.8 Those who worship false gods    turn their backs on all God’s mercies.9 But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise,    and I will fulfill all my vows.    For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.” Notice his prayer is in past tense like it’s already done.Lord I know You’ll rescue me, clean up the mistakes, and bring me out better off.Human nature sits on the sidelines feeling guilty.God I believe You’ll still bless me.God doesn’t say Who do you think you are?God will do for you what He did for Jonah.The fish spit him out immediately.God can set you free in a split second.God doesn’t want to just bring you out;He’ll give you another chance to get to where you’re supposed to be.You didn’t miss your destiny just because you made mistakes.Jonah 3:1 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time:God will always give you another chance to fulfill His best plan for your life.It’s not too late for you to become your best.If you’ll do your part the right doors will open.God knows how to make up for lost time.Jonah made a mistake but it didn’t stop his destiny.MY MERCY IS BIGGER THAN THAT MISTAKE.I STILL WANT YOU TO FULFILL THE BEST PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE.Maybe you’ve made mistakes.Blown your marriage, failed in business.You can rise up like Jonah did and say God I know salvation comes from You alone.When you have that attitude God will give you another chance.God has you covered.I STILL WANT YOU TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR DREAMS.I STILL HAVE A DESTINY FOR YOU TO FULFILL.We can all look back and see times where we made the mess but God cleaned it up.Or we were unfaithful and should’ve lost our marriage but God restored the family.People think we’re blessed because we did everything right.No we made a wrong turn like Jonah but God turned it around.There were some mountains we knew we weren’t supposed to climb.Half way up we realized this isn’t what I thought it would be.I thank God for bringing me off mountains I never should’ve been on.A business deal came along that was so appealing Joel knew he wanted it.There were little small signs that something wasn’t right.He ignored the warnings because he wanted it so badly.It never took off.They invested a lot and always struggled.God tried to warn him.He felt the unrest but didn’t listen.If we only got what we deserved none of us would fulfill our destiny.When they finally decided to get rid of the business against all odds someone bought the business at twice what was expected.God knows how to make miracles out of our mistakes.The accuser will tell you that you’re done.You pursued the wrong dream.You’re in over your head.God will take your wrong and make it right.God has mercy for…