Deal Aggressively with Fear

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline"
(II Timothy 1:7, NLT)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

So many people today are missing out on God's abundant life of joy, peace, and victory because they keep giving in to fear. They are afraid to make a decision, they are afraid to confront issues, they're afraid to step out in faith, they're afraid of the past, and they're afraid of the future. But as believers, we don't have to live that way.

Fear is not from God. God has given you power, and His power is greater than the power of any of your fears. You have to make a decision to deal aggressively with fear. You can't be passive and expect to live in victory. The only way to conquer fear is to confront it head on. As long as you're running from your fears just ignoring them or sweeping them under the rug, you're not going to get any better. Refusing to deal with fear doesn't make it go away. Instead, be strong-willed and determined knowing that the enemy is defeated. As you declare God's Word that says you can be bold and strong, you'll have the courage to conquer fear and move confidently into the destiny He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father God, thank You for giving me power to overcome fear. I choose to face fear head on and drive it out of my life. Show me any areas of my life where fear is holding me back so that I can press forward into the life of victory You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Trust over Fear

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe"
(Proverbs 29:25, NIV)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Fear is one of the enemy's favorite tools to keep us from going forward in our lives. As soon as we make a decision to step out in faith and do what God is telling us to do, immediately the enemy will bring fear. He'll put thoughts in your mind like, "What if I fail? What will others think? Maybe I don't have what it takes." He'll do his best to use fear to try to convince you to shrink back and just stay right where you are.

The Bible tells us that fear is a spirit. It affects your emotions. But when you choose to put your trust in the Lord, no matter how you are feeling, you are combating fear.

Today, I encourage you, don't allow fear to trap you and hold you back. Instead, take a step of faith knowing that God is on your side. He is for you and with you, leading and guiding you in the path of victory all the days of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Heavenly Father, I choose to put my trust in You. I choose to press forward and overcome fear. I believe You have my best interest at heart and know that You are leading me in the paths of righteousness all the days of my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Who Are You Walking With?

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm"
(Proverbs 13:20, NIV)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Sometimes, in order to embrace the destiny God has in store, you have to be willing to make some changes in your life. You have to be willing to examine where you are and what you need to move forward. This may mean you need to change some friends that you're spending time with. Maybe they were fine for a season in your life, but you've outgrown them. This is a new season, and in order for you to rise higher, you have to break away from relationships that are limiting you. You have to develop some new friendships with people who are going to pull you up and inspire you to rise higher.

I've found if you're the smartest one in your group, your group is too small. Find people who are smarter than you are, people who will challenge you to stretch to the next level and become everything God's created you to be. Remember, he who walks with the wise becomes wise. Choose your friends wisely so that you can walk and live in the destiny God has in store for you.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father God, thank You for Your grace and mercy. Thank You for the good plan You have for my life. Help me choose my friends and companions wisely so that I can continue to move forward in the destiny You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Plan for Good

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"…those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness"
(Proverbs 14:22, NIV)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Do you wake up every morning expecting favor and blessing on everything you do? Do you plan for what is good? When we plan for what is good, the scripture tells us that we find love. The scripture also tells us that God is love. So, when you plan for what is good, you will find God in the midst of your plans.

I encourage you today; don't let the negative voices of the world or other people in your life get you focused in the wrong direction. It doesn't matter what is happening around you, God’s plan is always for your good. Remember, you and God are a majority.

Do you need more of God in your life? Do you need more love, peace, and faithfulness? Plan for what is good, and you will find God. You'll find His peace and joy and move forward into the life of victory He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father in heaven, thank You for the good plan You have for my life. I choose Your plan and ask that You direct my mind and thoughts according to Your purposes. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Forget What Lies Behind

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"…but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,"
(Philippians 3:13, NLT)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Are you focused on forgetting what lies behind? I know many people don't fully understand what it means to forget the past. They wonder, "How can I forget something that's happened to me?" But one definition of the word forget means to disregard intentionally or to overlook. You have tointentionally disregard your past so that it doesn't keep you from moving forward. That means the good and the bad. Sometimes our past victories keep us from rising higher as much as past failures. If we don't let go of the old, we'll never be able to embrace the new.

It doesn't matter what's happened in your history, it's time to forget what lies behind. Make the choice today to press forward. Trust that God has a better future in store for you. Trust that He's working behind the scenes on your behalf. As you press forward, you will move forward, and you will embrace the life of victory God has in store for you.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father in heaven, I choose to forget the past today. I don't want anything to hold me back from the future You have prepared for me. I choose forgiveness and ask that You help me by Your Spirit to press forward in every area of my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen"

God–Given Dreams

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure"
(Proverbs 16:9, AMP)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Oftentimes as children, we have dreams of the future. Dreams of being ball players and actresses, super heroes, and firemen. But most of the time, they end up just being wishful thinking. As we get older, we grow out of them. It's good to play and have dreams as children, but when we grow up, we have to know the difference between a God-given dream and a wish. I remember when I was a little boy, I dreamed of playing basketball for the Houston Rockets. That was definitely a fantasy!

But we all have dreams placed inside of us by the Creator of the Universe. In fact, the Latin word for "desire" means "from the Father." You can tell if a dream is really from God if that desire won't go away. You may have had it for years, and you still can't let it go. In fact, you may have tried to let it go, but it won't let go of you.

I encourage you to search your heart today and allow those God–given dreams to surface. He placed those desires inside of you for a purpose, and He's going to use them to direct you into the destiny He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father in heaven, thank You for the dreams and desires You've placed within me. I submit those dreams to You and ask that You direct my steps. Search my heart and make my thoughts agreeable to Your Word and to Your plan. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Write the Vision

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"…Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it"
(Habakkuk 2:2, ESV)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Most businesses today have a mission statement that talks about the purpose of the company. In life, every person should also have their own mission statement. What's your purpose? What are you dreaming about? What are your goals? How are you going to use your talents and abilities? Many people have an idea about where they are headed in life, but something supernatural happens when you write down your vision and make a plan. There's a resolve that takes place on the inside of you. No longer is that thing just a dream, but now it's something you can look at every day. The people around you can see it, too. You never know how God is going to use someone in your life to help you get to where you need to be. If they can see your vision, then they can run with it!

I want to encourage you, don't just vaguely live day to day. Make the decision to write down the dreams and visions you have in your heart. Submit your plans to the Lord and watch what He will do to bring them to pass.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father God, thank You for the dreams and desires You’ve placed in my heart. Direct my steps. Fill me with Your peace. Show me the purpose and plan You have for me so that I can make them clear. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

What's Your Plan?

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind"
(Proverbs 21:5, Message)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

One thing I've learned is that success is not accidental. You're not going to accidentally accomplish your dreams. You don't accidentally have good relationships. You won't accidentally lose twenty pounds. You have to have a plan. If you're going to get to the right destination, you've got to know where you’re going and how you are going to get there.

If you've ever been at the beach just floating in the water and relaxing, you'll notice that after a while, the current will take you far away. That's how it is in life, too. If you don't have clear-cut goals with a plan in place to accomplish those goals, you're not going to end up at the right place. You'll just float around in life easily distracted not knowing where you're headed.

Today, I encourage you to examine where you are in life. What are your goals? What is your plan? Maybe your first goal needs to be to make a plan. Do some research. Talk to people who have been successful at what you are trying to do. Ask the Lord to guide your steps and connect you with the right people. As you step in faith to accomplish your goals, I believe God will pour out His favor so that you can experience His supernatural blessing on everything you set your hand to.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father in heaven, I commit everything I am to You today. Direct my steps. Order my destiny. Give me the plan to accomplish every dream and desire You've placed within me. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Change Your Song

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"Unto You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my Defense, my Fortress, and High Tower, the God Who shows me mercy and steadfast love"
(Psalm 59:17, AMP)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

In the Bible, David had all kinds of challenges. People lied about him, accused him, and tried to kill him. In Psalm 59 he says, "My enemies are coming against me like vicious dogs trying to destroy me. But as for me, what am I going to do? I will sing about Your power. And I will shout for joy for You are my refuge, my place of safety in my day of distress."

Notice, in David's time of need, he wasn't sitting around having a pity party and complaining. He decided to sing about the greatness of God. He was saying in effect, "My enemies may be powerful, but I know my God is all powerful. My obstacles may be high, but I know my God is the Most High." He wasn't talking to God about how big his problems were; he was talking to his problems about how big his God was!

Do you need to change your song today? Instead of complaining and thinking about what you're not, start thanking God for what you are becoming. Just like David, stay in faith and sing to the Lord knowing that He's going to complete what He's started in you.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father God, today I choose to focus on You. I bless and praise You no matter what my circumstances look like. I know that You are on my side and thank You for always leading me in the path of victory. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Praise Precedes the Victory

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"…Joshua said to the people: 'Shout, for the LORD has given you the city!'…And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat"
(Joshua 6:16 & 20, NKJ)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is when Joshua and the Israelites took over the city of Jericho. Jericho had a massive wall built around the city that no army could penetrate. But that didn't stop God from giving them the victory. He simply commanded the Israelites to march around the city in silence for six days, and on the seventh day they were to give a shout of praise.

It's interesting that they had to shout before the walls came down. It seems more natural to shout and be happy after the victory, after the walls have fallen. But no, that doesn't take any faith. We can all sing and give God praise when we're on the mountaintop. But God wants us to learn to give Him praise when we're in the valley.

If you are facing difficulty today, if there seems to be massive walls standing in the way of your breakthrough, remember, praise precedes the victory. Why don't you do like the Israelites and give a shout of praise anyway. Stand and believe that God is at work even if you don't see it. Before long, those walls will come down, and you'll move forward into the victory He has prepared for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father in heaven, thank You for Your promise of victory. I choose to stand in faith, giving You the praise until I see my breakthrough. Thank You for strengthening me and directing my every step. In Jesus' Name. Amen."