Joel Osteen #494 - Seeing People Through Eyes of Love

Gifts for a King

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“And on going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then opening their treasure bags, they presented to Him gifts — gold and frankincense and myrrh”

(Matthew 2:11 AMP)

TODAY’S WORD

Can you imagine what it must have been like for the Wise Men when they saw Jesus? He was just a child in a stable surrounded by animals, but these Wise Men recognized that He was the King of kings and the Lord of lords; the Savior of the world. Immediately, they fell on their faces to worship Him, but notice what they did next — they presented Him gifts as part of their worship. And they didn’t just give any old thing they had; they gave Him their absolute best — costly gold, frankincense and myrrh. When we give Jesus our absolute best — our time, talent and resources, it is truly an act of worship. We are saying with our actions, “God, You mean more to me than anything. Because You are so awesome, I want to give You everything that I am.” It pleases Him when we come to Him with this attitude. When we draw near to Him with an open and humble heart, He draws near to us. Remember, when you give Him your best, He gives you His best in return.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, I humbly come to You, giving You all that I am. I honor You as King of kings and Lord of lords. I bless You today for You alone are worthy of my absolute best. I love You and thank You for sending Your Son Jesus, the perfect gift in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lakewood Church

2012 - Ephesians 1:19 Year

In just a few days, a brand-new year will be upon us, and Victoria and I are believing a special promise over your life, found in Ephesians 1:19. It says this: “I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe...”

I want to encourage you to believe with us that God will pour out His incredible favor and power like never before. A new year brings new hope, new blessing and new opportunities. So get ready! 

If you will position yourself to receive from God and choose in your heart to say “yes” to all that God wants to do through you, He promises you that you are headed for “greatness”. 

No matter what others have told you, no matter how they made you feel, listen to what God is saying. He is saying that there is treasure on the inside of you. He is saying that you have something to offer that no one else has. He is saying you are unique and special! 

Increasing your capacity to receive

I wanna talk to you today, about increasing your capacity to receive. God has all kinds of great things in store for you. He has favor in your future, that you have never imagined. Hes got good breaks, new opportunities, the right people. God wants to take you to places that you ve never even dreamed off. But here is the key, God is limited by our capacity to receive.

For instance if you have a 1 gallon bucket, but I have 50 gallons to give you. The problem is not with the supply, the problem is you do not have the capacity to receive, if you get rid of the small container and get something larger, God can give you more. It’s the same principle with God. If we think, we have reached our limits, if we think the economy is too bad and we are gonna have a down year, if we think, we will never get well, like what the medical report says, Ever afford a house that we really want, its not that God has the resources, its not that he has the ability, the fact is our container is too small. Our thinking is limited, we have to enlarge our vision and make room for something to happen. Our attitude should be yes the economy is down, but I know God is still on the thrown. I know he has promotion & increase lined up for me. I know his favor surrounds me like a shield, I know wherever I go, goodness & mercy will follow me and so Im expecting for an extraordinary year. When you have that kind of an attitude, what do you do?, you are increasing your capacity to receive, thats when your going to see God show up and show out in unusual ways. 

For some people, they go around with a small cup so to speak, others have traded in their cup and they’ve got a bucket, they are doing Ok, they are surviving and not planning on going much further & still others they’ve traded in the bucket they’ve got a barrel, there is one other group, this group is very unusual, these people believe for far and beyond favor. They believe that God is going to prosper them, even when there is a recession. They believe that their children will be mighty in the land. They are expecting for explosive blessings. They know down deep, supernatural increase is coming their way, so they don’t have a cup, they don’t have a bucket, they don’t have a barrel, they ve been coming to church too long, they’ve got a barn, they’ve got a whole warehouse. They are expecting God to open the windows of heaven, expecting supernatural opportunities, exponential increase. 

It says in Psalms, “Open your mouth wide and I will fill it”. My question is “Do you have your mouth open wide?” what are you expecting. Well Jeba, I don’t think, I will ever meet my sales goals, this year, with the economy like it is. I don’t think I will ever get promoted, I am not that qualified. I don’t think I will ever get well. The problem is, your mouth is barely open.  You are not expecting good breaks. You are not expecting increase. You are not expecting God to show up and turn it around and unfortunately you wont be disappointed. 

The scripture says, Jesus said it, according to your faith it will be done with you. He might as well as said, if you have a cup, I will fill you with a cup level of blessing. You got a bucket? I will fill you with a bucket level of blessing, if you got a barn, in other words, if you will take the limits off of God, if you will believe for supernatural opportunities, if you will go out each day,  expecting for far and beyond favor, you wont be disappointed. 

Psalm 37:19 says, Even in famine, the righteous will have more than enough. When you have your mouth open wide, you are not expecting to pay your monthly mortgage payment.  You are believing to totally pay your house off. To live totally debt free, that’s barn level living, 

Let me ask you a question, do you go out each day knowing that favor is already in your future, or have you got stuck in a rut. This is what happened to the people of Israel, they were headed towards the promise land, they had big goals, big dreams, but along the way, they hit some set backs, had some disappointments, they got so discouraged, they gave up on their dreams, and just settled where they were. One day, God said to them, you have dwelt long enough on this mountain, I believe that God is saying that to each one of us. You’ve been where you are long enough. Some of you have held that cup, year after year, its how you were raised, its all you have known.i am asking you to increase your capacity to receive, that means your going to stretch your faith,  your going to start thinking bigger, believing bigger, you are going to go beyond barriers that have held you back,and your going to give room for God to do something new. I've learnt that you ve got to give God permission to increase you. You’ve got to give God permission to prosper you.  

Jesus said it like this, "You cant put new wine on old wine skin". He says, you cant go to a new level, with an old way of thinking, many of you are expecting God to do something new. When you hear this truth, that its gonna be a great year, that God has got more instore, something resonates on the inside, that’s your spirit person, coming into agreement with God. And very often our natural mind, will allow us talk us out of it. Your mind would say, its not going to happen for you. Your not going to have a great year, you know what the economy is like or your not going to get well, you saw what the medical report says. Your not going to get married, you’ve been single so long, just accept it. No, get rid of that old wine skin. Trade in that small container for something larger. This is a new season, whats happened in the past is over and done. You may been through some disappointments, tried, failed, it didn’t work out, that’s ok. God is still in control. Get a new vision for your life. Have the attitude, this is my year to go to a new level, this is my year to be totally healthy, this is my year to meet the person of my dreams. 

If you will open your mouth wide, God says I will fill it. But it starts here, right here with us, with our capacity to receive, we cannot go around thinking thoughts of mediocrity, and expect to excel. We cant think thoughts of defeat, barely get by, help me to survive, and at the same time, expect God to fill us with abundance, the 2 don’t go together, get rid of that cup, trade in that bucket, throw away that barrel, and come over to the barn level, it says in Psalm 115, "The lord your God  shall increase you and your family more and more." Increase has always been on Gods mind. His dream, is that we never get stuck at that one level. In fact Jesus said, he came that we might have life to the full, in abundance , till it overflows, you need to get that on the inside. Here is where im headed, 3 places, to a full life, to a abundant life  an overflowing life. If you will stay in faith, no matter what container you put out there, God will cause it to overflow.

//Joel Osteens Story, 

//I remember when I wrote my first book, your best life now, 

It says in proverbs 29:18, if people cant see what God is doing, they stumble, in other words, if you don’t have that vision for increase, if your not expecting favor, if your kind of just satisfied with what you are, then you will live below your privileges. But if you will get a vision, not of only who you are, the child of the most high, but a vision of what your entitled to, and you go out expecting for supernatural opportunities and favor, it goes on to say, if you can see what God has revealed, you will be the most blessed, notice not average blessed, not good enough blessed, as the child of the most high, you were entitled to be the most blessed. 

Well you say, Jeba, I never get any good breaks, I will not be able to pay my house off. Never get out of debt, never get well, No your vision is limited, Im trying to tell today to understand, the great things God has in store,  the amazing places he is going to take you. The incredible opportunities he has in your future, because I know, if your vision increases, then your capacity to receive increases, and that’s when the most high will pour out blessings, to where you say, I am not a little blessed, im not average blessed, I have to say, I am most blessed.  

Well if you say, Joel, are you one of those prosperity ministers. No I am not a prosperity minister, but I can tell you this, I am not a poverty minister. I cannot find one place in the scripture, where it says, we have to drag around defeated, depressed, barely making it, always just scrapping by, it is just the opposite, you remember those three things, the abundant life, a full life, and an overflowing life, you and I are supposed to be examples of what it means to live for the true and the living God, everywhere we go we should be so blessed, we should look so good, so sharp, we should be so kind, so friendly, so generous. People may say, what is it with them, they always look good, they are always friendly, they are always in a good mood, People should want what we have. 

If I bought my 2 children up here, today, with their clothes are ragidy, holes in their pants, nothings ironed, hairs messed up, long dry faces, first thing you will think, is what kind of a father is he?. Why would he let his kids go around like that. It’s a poor reflection on me. It’s the same principle with our God, it doesn’t bring him any honor, when we supposed to go around defeated, depressed, barely getting by, no matter where you are, no matter what level your at, you need to put your shoulders back, hold your head up high, put a smile on your face, carry yourself with confidence, you are a child of the most high God. You may have only one suite, one dress, one outfit, you need to clean it, iron it, and wear it like your on top of the world. 

It says here, in Romans 5:17, we are terrained in life as Kings, when God looks at us, he doesn’t see us defeated, barely getting by, just take the left over positions, not at all, God sees you as a King, he sees you as a Queen, you have his royal blood flowing through your veins, you and I are suppose to reign in life, you know what that word, reign means?. It means your time in power. God said, we are terrained, how long?  In life,that means, as long as your live, that is your time for power, you don’t have a 2 year term like a Mayor, a 4 year term like a President, your term is to reign Every single day, to be victorious, to rise to new levels, to accomplish great things And on those days, where you don’t feel like a king, you don’t feel like a queen, if you could remember to just reach down and check your pulse, and as long as you feel something beating, you can say, what do you know, its still my time to reign. Let that be a reminder to put on a new attitude, and sometimes you have to do this by faith, you may not feel victorious, it may not look like your blessed, but I like what somebody said, you've got to fake it until you make it, by faith you need to walk like a king, talk like a king, think like a king, dress like a king and smile like a king. Don’t go by what you see, go by what you know, there is royalty in your DNA, you have the blood of a winner, you were created to reign in life.

To many people are living below their privileges , its because their vision has been clouded, by past mistakes, disappointments, how they were raised, they don’t feel like royalty, they don’t think they will be successful, really accomplish what Gods, put in their heart, but I believe today, as I am speaking faith into you, something is happening on the inside, new seeds are taking root, strongholds that may have kept you back for years,  even right now are being broken, you need to rise up and say that’s it. Im not settling where I am, I know, that’s its still my time of power, yes I may have taken a break for a little while, but ive got an announcement, Im still coming back, im gonna start stepping up to who God created me to be .  When you really understand your God given position, the fact that you were created to reign, its still your time of power, those negative mindsets, cannot stand, as you renew your mind, a transformation is taking place,  your vision is increasing today, I believe even right now, you are making room for God to do more, the good news in God is ready to pour out more, it doesn’t matter what has happened in the past, what matters is your future, don’t live below your priveledges, you are not created to be average, God put a crown of favor on your head, he has destined you to do great things, you may not have seen it yet, but if you will stay in faith and make room for it, the most high says, you are going to be most blessed, your going to have the most peace, the most friends, the most fulfillment, the most resources, the most wisdom the most opportunity, most blessed means, you will not lack in any good area.

Some of you today, you’ve got to give God permission to increase you, You have given, you have served, you have honored him. The only thing, that is holding you back is a limited mindset, maybe you have tried and struggled, and it didn’t work out, I don’t know, I talked to people, they don’t feel or deserved to be blessed, because of past mistakes, you got to shake all of that off. Dare to believe, get rid of that cup, get rid of that bucket, get rid of that barrel, God has a barn load full of blessings, instore for each one of you.

Joels Father - John Osteen.

This is what my Father had to do.  Daddy was raised in a extremely poor environment, that’s all he had ever known,  he developed this limited mindset, really it is a poverty mentality, it had been engraved in him, he loved God and he was a good person, early on he didn’t have any vision for increase, he thought barely getting by and struggling was his life, he didn’t want to complain about it and so he accepted it. When he first started pastoring, this was more than 60 years ago,

My daddy, his capacity to receive was limited, he had embraced that little cup for so long, he could not fathom having a bucket,  or a barrel, much less a barn, here God was trying to do something new. God was trying to expand him,  but he had that old wine skin. One gentleman handed him the cheque of 1000$, daddy took it by the corner, the very tip, like there was something wrong with it, like it was poison, he said oh no brother, I could never receive this for myself, I must put it in the church treasury, he walked over and when he dropped it in the offering plate, right when he let it go, he felt sick to his stomach. Why was that?. 

God has put something on the inside of everyone of us, that says, we are supposed to be blessed,  we are supposed to rise higher,  we are supposed to leave an inheritance, to our childrens children. My father eventually learned this truth. He shook of that poverty mindset, and he began to increase his capacity to receive. He inherited a cup, he got rid of it and put a bucket . God filled it up. He put a barrel out there, God increased him. He developed this more than enough,  barn level mentality. We wouldn’t be here today, if he was willing to breakout of the cup. 

Your relatives may have handed you a cup, maybe your parents, the people you grew up with, handed you that cup but, that does not have the limits for your life. You need to draw the line in the sand, where I am is not where I am staying. I may have been handed this cup, but im trading it in, not for a bucket, not for a barrel. I am going for the Gold. I have my sites set on that barn. And now as you increase your capacity to receive, God is going to open up supernatural doors. He is going to give you new ideas, he is going to bring talent out of you, that you’ve never even had. Don’t live with a  narrow vision. Don’t think that you have reached your limits. You would not be alive if you’ve not had increase in your future. Get rid of that old wine skin. You may have victories in your past. But you haven’t seen anything yet. You haven’t touched the surface of what God has in store. He has levels of blessings in your future, that are going to amaze you.

Its like this little frog that I heard about, he was born in the bottom of the well, it was just a small circular well, like you will see in a typical rural area farm, and just he and his family live there, he was so content everyday, splashing around, to play in the well, he thought life is good. We've got all the water in the world to ourselves, it just doesn’t get any better than this. And as it got a little bit older, he noticed the light at the top of the well. He wondered what was up there. One day he got his confidence up. He climbed the side of the well. Very cautiously when he got to the top. He peeped over the well, low and behold the first thing that he saw, was a pond, he couldn’t believe it. It was thousands of times bigger than what he had. He hopped a little further, and he came to a Lake, he stood there in amazement, he hopped a little bit further, and he eventually, he came to the Ocean, he looked left and right, as far as he could see, from miles and miles, there was water. He began to realize how limited his thinking was. He thought he had it all, but all he really had, was a drop in the bucket, compared to what God wanted him to enjoy, and in the same way, Gods dream for your life, is so much bigger, so much better, than you could even imagine, if God showed you, what he had instore, it will boggle your mind. 

But so many times its like this little frog. Our thinking is limited. We've been enclosed in our environment, all we've learnt is a certain level of living,  a certain way of thinking, to often we get satisfied, this is just my lot in life, but could it be that God has oceans for you to enjoy, but your staying in a little pond, thinking that you have it all. Could it be that you have a cup mentality, yet God is standing over by a big barn that has your name on it. Im asking you to go a little further, than you used to going. Dare to do like that little frog, and look out over the edge. Get a bigger vision for your life. Believe for bigger things. Your best days are not in your past, they are still in your future. 

It says in Psalms 35:27, let them say continually, let the Lord be magnified,  who takes pleasure in the prosperity of his children. Notice, they were supposed to go around saying this. Let God be magnified, he takes pleasure, in prospering them. I believe that one reason, that they have say it all the time, that’s because when God hears something long enough, it gets down on the inside,  we start to believe, and it starts to affect our vision. All through the day, they’ve heard themselves declaring favor over their lives. Saying God takes pleasure in the prospering me, they were saying in effect, I am coming up higher, im coming out of debt, new doors are opening, God is restoring my marriage, my health is improving, what were they doing, they were increasing their capacity to receive. We’ve got to do the same thing, speak that favor over your life. Somebody asked you how you are doing, no matter how you feel, you need to tell him, I am blessed and highly favored. And you might as well add, and im going to have a supernatural year. 

Friends God takes pleasure in prospering you. Will you get this down in your spirit. God wants you to rise higher. Some of you are stuck in a rut. Maybe like my father, you come from generations of lack, defeat and constantly struggling. Your just about to accept, that’s the way its always going to be. Well you got to get rid of that old mindset. Make a decision today, you are coming out of the well, coming out of the pond, coming out of the lake, and you are headed straight towards the ocean, you are going to enjoy the fullness of what God has in-store. Remember you were created to reign. You are a king, you are a queen. And your time of power is still in session. And if you open your mouth wide, God is going to fill it. You may not see how it could happen,  but that’s ok , God has  a way. He has explosive blessings, that can thrust you to a whole new level.

One touch of Gods favor, can take you from the well, to right over the ocean, and if you will take the limits off of God, and make room for his to do something new, then your not going to have an average year, your not going to have a mediocre year, your going to have a supernatural year. Your going to see supernatural breaks,  supernatural healing, supernatural deliverance, supernatural restoration, supernatural opportunities, supernatural connections,  God is going to unleash supernatural increase in your life, when you look back, your going to be able to say, 2010 was my year to shine, it was a supernatural year. Do you receive it today...

I want to give you an opportunity to make Jesus the Lord of your life.

Say, Lord Jesus, I repented my sins, come into my heart, I make you my Lord and savior, 

If you’ve prayed that simple prayer, we believe that you are born again. Keep God first place in your life, he will take you to places that you’ve never dreamed off. 

Joel Osteen - You are Closer to your Miracle than you Think

Wise Men Still Seek Him

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”

(Proverbs 9:10, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD

After Jesus was born, the Bible tells us in Matthew chapter two that Wise Men came from the East to bow before Him and worship Him. They went to great lengths just to get a glimpse of the Child and traveled a long distance for many months, following the star. When they saw Him, they were so overwhelmed. The scripture says they fell on their faces to honor and worship Him. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. That means that we should have a reverential honor and respect for Him — just like the Wise Men did. We are wise when we set everything else in life aside in order to seek Him. We are wise when we worship Him and give Him everything that we are. We are wise when we take time to honor Him. Remember, God is a rewarder of the people who diligently seek after Him. As you continue to put Him first in all you do, you’ll increase in wisdom and discernment, and you’ll move forward into the life of blessing He has in store for you.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, today I choose wisdom by choosing to honor You. I put You first in my heart, my mind, my emotions and my actions. Show me Your ways that I may walk with You and acknowledge You in everything I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prince of Peace

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”

(Isaiah 9:6 NIV)

TODAY’S WORD

The Bible calls Jesus the Prince of Peace. That means He is the ruler of peace. He is the ultimate peace. Having His peace is not like having the peace the world has; His peace is permanent. It never changes, and it can never be taken away. It’s interesting that the word “peace” literally means “to set at one again.” In other words, when we are one with the Father, when we line up our thoughts, our words and our actions with Him through the blood of Jesus Christ, we will experience His peace in our lives. Anytime you find that you don’t have peace about something on the inside of your heart, when you feel an uneasiness, that’s a sign that you should stop and pray and make sure you are in line with God’s direction. Remember, His plans are for your good. He leads you by peace and fills you with His joy. When you choose His ways, you become one with Him and experience His peace and blessing all the days of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for filling me with Your peace and joy. Have Your way in my heart and remove anything that displeases You. Help me to clearly hear Your voice so I can walk in all of Your ways in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Wonderful Counselor

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor...”

(Isaiah 9:6, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD

Do you need wisdom or direction in your life today? The scripture tells us that Jesus is our Counselor. And He’s not just any kind of Counselor, He’s a Wonderful Counselor. When something is wonderful, it means it is unusually good, marvelous or astonishing. Think about that for a moment. God is a marvelous, astonishing, unusually good Counselor — the very best you could ever have! Today, no matter what you may be facing, no matter what kinds of decisions you have to make, consider God. Ask Him to direct your steps and confirm His perfect will for your life. Remember, He is the best counselor there is. Let Him direct and guide your path. Seek Him with your whole heart, put Him first, and let Him lead you in blessing and victory in every area of your life.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, You are my Wonderful Counselor. I submit all my ways to You. I trust that You have a good plan for me. Thank You for giving me wisdom and direction in every area of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Unto Us

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder...”

(Isaiah 9:6, NKJ)

TODAY’S WORD

When Jesus came to earth, He brought with Him everything you need to be empowered to live a life of victory. He came as a little baby, but He represented all authority in heaven and earth. When you choose to serve Him, you have access to all of His resources. You have access to His peace, power, authority, provision, joy and strength. He brought all of this to us when He came to earth. Unto us a child is born...unto us victory is given. Unto us, peace is given. Unto us, provision is given. Unto us hope and healing are given. Unto us eternal life is given! Whatever you need today, remember, when Jesus came into the world, He made a way for every one of your needs to be met spiritually, emotionally and physically. Surrender your life to Him and receive all the spiritual blessings He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, so that I could be free to live an abundant life in You. Fill me with the revelation of Your love and everything that You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Emmanuel, God with Us

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel — which, when translated, means, God with us”

(Matthew 1:23, AMP)

TODAY’S WORD

In the Bible, Jesus has many names that identify His character. One of those names is Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” Before Jesus came to earth, the Spirit of God resided in the temple. The people had to go through all sorts of rituals to become clean enough to go near Him. Now, as believers, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He is the one who cleanses us and actually makes His home in our hearts. Isn’t it good to know that God is with us? He is closer than the very air that we breathe. His peace is always with us. His joy is always with us. His power is always with us, and His victory is always with us. The next time you feel alone, remember, you serve Emmanuel — the God who is always with you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for choosing to make Your home in me. Thank You for filling me with Your peace and joy. I bless You today knowing that You will never leave me nor forsake me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Joel Osteen - Message #523 - "Stay Open for Change"

Do Not Be Afraid

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“...an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. ‘Joseph, son of David,’ the angel said, ‘do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit’ ”

(Matthew 1:20, NLT)

TODAY’S WORD

Have you ever felt overwhelmed or even afraid of what God has called you to do? Maybe you were pursuing a dream or goal and things didn’t turn out the way you planned. Joseph had planned to take Mary as his wife, but when he found out she was pregnant, he didn’t know what to think. He was afraid that he might be making a mistake because things didn’t turn out the way he planned. But, God sent a messenger in a dream to reassure Joseph that he was on the right path. Today let me reassure you that God knows right where you are, and He knows how to get you to where you need to be. Even when things don’t go the way you planned, His hand is on you. Do not be afraid, trust that God is working behind the scenes on your behalf and that He will lead you into the life of blessing that He has prepared for you.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, I choose to trust in You. Even when things don’t go the way I planned, I know You are at work in my life. Thank You for Your perfect love which casts out all fear. I love You and surrender every area of my life to You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

A New Route

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion”
(Psalm 103:4, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD 

I know people who feel like they’ve wasted years of their lives because of poor choices. They spent years in a relationship that was toxic, years with an addiction, years at a job where they weren’t fulfilled. But you have to realize, nothing you have been through is ever wasted. Your past experiences, good and bad have deposited something on the inside of you. Those challenges have sharpened you to help make you who you are today. When the enemy brings hardship into your life, God has a way of taking that experience and turning it around for your advantage. You may think you’ve hit a dead end, but if you’ll stay in faith, you will see God begin to open up a new route. He’ll put the right people in your path, the right opportunities, the right circumstances to move you forward toward your God-given destiny.

Today, don’t focus on what’s happened in your past, focus on what God will do in your future. He wants to restore your soul and revive your dreams. Keep believing, keep expecting, keep hoping because God has a new route for your future!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, I come humbly before You today. I give You my past, present and future knowing that You will redeem my life. I release those who have hurt me, I choose forgiveness so I can be free to move forward in the new route You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen

Setup for a Comeback

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again...”
(Proverbs 24:16, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD

Life is full of things that try to push us down. We all face disappointments and setbacks. Maybe you received some bad news about your health or perhaps a relationship didn’t work out. That was a setback. It’s easy to get discouraged or lose your enthusiasm or even be tempted to just settle where you are. But if we’re going to see God’s best, we have to have a “bounce back” mentality. That means when you get knocked down, you don’t stay down. You get back up again. You have to know that every time adversity comes against you, it’s a setup for a comeback!

Remember, as a believer in Jesus, the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives on the inside of you. There is no challenge too difficult, no obstacle too high, no sickness, no disappointment, no person, nothing that can keep you from your God-given destiny. If you stay in faith, then God will turn what was meant to be a stumbling block into a stepping stone, and you’ll move forward in strength, full of faith and victory!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for setting me up for success in everything I do. I choose to trust and rely on You knowing that Your plans are for my good. I know my best days are ahead of me and look ahead to the blessings You have in store for me in Jesus’ name. Amen

God has an incredible EXCITING PLAN for your life!

You were created and fashioned by the Master. He made you just the way you are, and He has a specific and amazing plan for you, a destiny for your life. 

I love what the Bible says in the book of Ephesians. It says “we are God’s masterpiece.” 

Today, God calls you His masterpiece! You have seeds of greatness inside of you. You may be able to easily spot the greatness in others, but today I want you to see the greatness God has put in you. 

You have a destiny: a unique call, a special purpose that God created just for you. 

It’s there waiting for you. It’s always been there. The Bible says that He planned it for you long ago.

It’s easy to hear it, but it can be a lot harder to actually receive it. You can even believe it for somebody else. You believe God’s best for your friends and the loved ones in your life. You encourage and support them as they pursue their destiny, but you struggle to receive it in your own heart. 

God doesn’t see you as a “maybe” or a “what if.” He doesn’t see wasted potential. When He looks at you, God simply says, “You are destined, you are My masterpiece.” 

And today, God is saying it’s time! It is time for you to start seeing yourself the way He sees you. 

I want to give you a fresh word from God, and I declare over your life...Today is a new day!

No matter what God has called you to, you are a masterpiece. You are filled with His greatness!

I want to encourage you to let this truth really sink in and let it change the way you think, and ultimately the way you live. 

We love you and we’re praying that you won’t just hear this message...but that you’ll receive it as God’s promise to you. 

It’s About the Way You Finish

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”
(2 Timothy 4:7, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD

So often, when people make mistakes, they get down on themselves and think, “If only...” “I should have...” “What if...?” It’s easy to feel like you’ve missed the best plan for your life. That’s when people get discouraged and stop pursuing their God-given dreams. But understand today, just because you’ve made a mistake or failed in some way, that doesn’t cancel God’s plan. God never disqualifies you. He never says, “Go sit on the sidelines. You’ve blown it too many times. You’ve got too many weaknesses.” No, God always gives you another chance!

Some of the great people in the Bible made very poor choices. The apostle Paul started off as a murderer, yet his destiny was bigger than his mistakes. He ended up becoming a great leader and writing over half of the New Testament.

What am I saying? Our mistakes, our failures, our poor choices don’t have to keep us from our God-given destiny. With God, it’s not about the way you start in life, it’s about the way you finish. Receive His grace today and embrace the bright future He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy to me. I trust that my days are ordered of You. I ask that You strengthen and empower me to fulfill Your call on my life. I love You and bless You today in Jesus’ name. Amen.

His Plan for You Remains

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable”
(Romans 11:29, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD

No matter where you’ve been, no matter what you’ve done, realize today that your destiny supersedes your mistakes. When God designed the plan for your life, it wasn’t dependent on you being perfect, never making a mistake, or never taking a wrong turn. No, God knew we would all make mistakes. He knows how to get you back on track no matter where you are in life. Just like there are many routes on a map, God has a plan to help you reach your destination. He has detours, shortcuts and bypasses. He has already calculated the entire route for your life.

Today, if you’re feeling like you’ve blown it, if you feel like you are too old, too far gone or too off track, know that nothing you've done, no mistake that you’ve made — or ever will make — is a surprise to God. He’s already got it figured out. He’s arranged a comeback for every setback! He has grace for every weakness. He has mercy for every failure. Receive it today and move forward with boldness into the destiny He has for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for the gifts and talents You’ve given me. Thank You for keeping me on track and ordering my steps. I repent today for any disobedience that has caused me to get off course. Keep me close to You always as I set my love on You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Give Your Faith a Voice

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak”
(2 Corinthians 4:13, NKJ)

TODAY’S WORD 

Every believer has been given a measure of faith. In order to see the promises of God come to pass in your life, you have to give your faith a voice. You must declare what God says about you in His Word. Those seeds of faith inside you are activated when you speak them out into the atmosphere. That’s why the scripture tells us, “Let the weak say I am strong. Let the poor say I am rich.” When you give your faith a voice, you send forth the Word of God, and the Bible says that He watches over His Word to bring it to pass in your life.

The key is not to allow words of defeat or negativity to come out of your mouth. Don’t dig up your seed by speaking against His Word. Instead, water your seed by continuing to declare the Word of God. When you wake up every morning, thank Him that His promises are coming to pass in your life. As you do, you will see those things come to pass, and you will live the life of victory God has prepared for you.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, I humbly come before You giving You my thoughts, my actions and my words. Help me to activate my faith by speaking Your Word daily. May my words and thoughts be pleasing to You always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Declare Your Freedom

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“You have been set free from sin...”
(Romans 6:18, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD

Today in America, we celebrate Independence Day. July 4, 1776 was the day America declared her independence, but the battle for freedom went on until 1783 — seven years later. Even though the people declared their freedom in 1776, they had to stand and fight for many years before the British would accept and recognized the United States of America.

In the same way, we have to declare our freedom and be determined to stand against the opposing forces in our lives. We have to declare our freedom from addiction, poverty, sickness and lack. We have to stand and fight until we fully experience His freedom and the peace that He has promised.

I love what the early colonists did once they signed the Declaration of Independence. They read it out loud in public. They published it in the newspaper. They spread the word. They continued to declare and celebrate even though they were in the midst of the battle.

Whatever battle you may be facing today, declare that you are free! Declare that you are an overcomer! Celebrate now because the victory you seek is on the way!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for setting me free in every area of my life. I declare today that nothing can hold me back. I declare that I am free from sickness, poverty, lack and addiction. I declare that You have set me free and thank You for freedom and discipline in every area of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Let the Encouragement Flow

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up”
(Proverbs 12:25, NLT)

TODAY’S WORD

When you see someone who is struggling, a co-worker who is discouraged, a friend who is not up to par, how do you respond? Our words can be what keeps a person going; our compliments can put a spring back into their step. Now more than ever, we need to automatically let the encouragement flow. We need to tell others how much we love them, how we value them, and tell them that they are talented and creative. Always remember, with your words you carry life-giving water. You carry hope, healing, encouragement and new beginnings, and you can pour it out everywhere you go.

Today, choose to speak encouragement. Choose to speak victory and faith. Instead of telling people what they’re doing wrong, instead of pointing out all their faults, find what they are doing right. Focus on the good. There are already enough critical, judgmental people in the world. Let’s be people who lift up others and restore them. Let’s be the light of Jesus in the world.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, thank You for speaking through me. Thank You for using me to be a blessing to others. Thank You for encouraging my heart as I find ways to encourage the people around me. I love You and bless Your holy Name. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Speak as the Oracles of God

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God...”
(1 Peter 4:11, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD

When God wants to speak to people on earth, do you know how He does it? Most often, He speaks through His people. He uses our voice to bring life, healing and hope to others. When you reach out to someone, when you’re kind and speak encouragement, God’s voice is blended with your voice. Your words become His words. The natural takes on a supernatural. That’s why you can say something ordinary, something simple like “You look beautiful” or “You can make it,” and it’s life changing to the other person. To you it’s nothing, but when God takes your natural and puts His super with it, it can impact that person’s destiny.

Today, remember, you are God’s voice in the earth. When you speak to others, declare what God would say about them. Let your words be used to bring life, hope and blessing. Speak as the oracles of God and be His mouthpiece everywhere you go.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing and using me. I surrender every area of my being to You. Use me to be a blessing to others. Give me Your peace, strength and joy as I keep my mind stayed on You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

You Have the Power

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“The tongue has the power of life and death...”
(Proverbs 18:21, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD

Our words have the power to lift people up or push people down. We can say something to make others feel better about themselves or make them feel worse. It’s amazing what a simple compliment will do. When you tell someone “You look nice today,” or “Great job on that presentation at the office,” or “I really enjoy working with you,” those simple words will put a spring in their step and brighten their day. It doesn’t take much time and doesn’t cost you anything, yet with your words, you can bless their life.

That’s the power God has given each one of us. Every day we should have a goal of finding at least one person that we can encourage. Let’s be free with our compliments. Point out what somebody is doing right, not what they are doing wrong. There is already enough pushing people down. Let’s make it our business to lift people up, to brighten their day, to make them feel better about themselves. Remember, your words are seeds. When you deposit life and blessing into others, that’s what you’ll reap in your own life in return!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, thank You for filling me with Your life-giving power. I choose to use my words to bless others and glorify You. Show me ways to sow seeds of life into others. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.