A Lifetime of Favor

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime...”

(Psalm 30:4–5, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Let this truth sink down into your spirit today: God’s favor is not for a season; it’s for a lifetime. How do we obtain God’s favor? Proverbs three tells us that when we honor His Word, when we obey His commands and walk in mercy and truth, that’s how we find favor in God’s sight. When we do our part, God will do His part. Today, if you are believing God for something, maybe a turnaround in a relationship, career or your health, stand firm that God’s Word is true. When you put Him first place in your life, when you follow His commands, He promises to pour out His favor on you. When those thoughts try to tell you, “It’s not going to happen. It’s too good to be true.” Turn it around and say, “Father, I want to thank You for Your favor on my life, on my children, on my career, on my future. I am Your child, and I know it’s not temporary. It’s not seasonal. It doesn’t come and go. Thank you, God, for a lifetime of favor!”

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. I choose to honor You in all I do. I choose to acknowledge Your ways. Thank You for pouring at Your favor and blessing on me as I boldly follow Your commands in Jesus’ name. Amen.

You’re on Assignment

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

(2 Corinthians 5:20, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

God has an assignment for you that nobody else can fulfill. God needs you. He needs your gifts, your smile, your love, your passion. You are a part of His divine plan. You have something to offer nobody else can offer. Nobody has your exact personality, your exact looks. There is something unique about you. Don’t wear that “average” label. If you think you’re average, then you’ll be average. If you think you’re ordinary, then you’ll live an ordinary, “get by life” and never do anything great. The truth is, there is nothing ordinary about you. You have the fingerprints of God all over you. The Creator of the universe breathed His life into you. He crowned you with His favor. You have royal blood flowing through your veins. You have a destiny to fulfill, something greater than you’ve ever even imagined. Embrace His truth, embrace His love, and embrace the blessings He has in store for your future!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for equipping me and choosing me to be Your ambassador on earth. Help me to be Your light and use my gifts and talents to lead others to know You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

When Fear Knocks on the Door

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

(Ephesians 6:12, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Friends, throughout life, fear will come knocking at the door, selling you the worst case scenario. Fear tells you, “You’re going to lose your job. Your marriage is over. Your business is falling apart. Your child is done. It’s all downhill from here.” When those thoughts come, you don’t have to buy in. You don’t have to accept those thoughts. Here’s the key: when fear knocks, let faith answer the door. Don’t give those thoughts of fear the time of day. Don’t let them intimidate you. Answer back with faith. “Lord, You said the number of my days You would fulfill. God, You said Your plans for me are for good and not evil. God, You said what’s meant for my harm You would turn around and use to my advantage.” If you’ll keep an attitude of faith and expectancy, it’s like keeping the door locked on an intruder. Fear has no right in the life of a believer. Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. Remember, the battle is in your mind. The enemy is after your thoughts. Don’t give him the time of day; and when fear knocks, let faith answer the door!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I thank You for Your Word which says that You have not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. I receive peace in my heart and mind and stand strong in faith knowing that the greater One lives in me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Find Where It’s Written

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Jesus answered, ‘It is written...’ ”

(Matthew 4:4, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Anytime you are facing adversity or trials, the first line of defense needs to be in your mind. If you allow fear to come in and take root in your thinking, it becomes a stronghold that affects every part of you. But when thoughts of fear come, you don’t have to “sign for the package,” so to speak. Instead of activating fear by meditating on it, believing it and speaking it, you can turn things around and activate faith. How do you activate faith? Hebrews tells us that the Word of God is living and active, sharper than a double-edged sword, able to divide soul and spirit. When the enemy tried to tempt Jesus, He gave us the example of how to respond. He said, “It Is Written!” Instead of going through the day worried, thinking about how it’s not going to work out, start meditating on what God says. Activate faith by speaking the Word of God. Let it sink down inside of you and transform your being. Always remember, His Word is alive, His Word is truth, His Word is your weapon. So take hold of His promises and find where it is written!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for Your Word which lights my path and transforms my life. I choose today to turn my thoughts toward You. I choose today to meditate on Your Word and Your promises so that I can be empowered to live in the victory You have prepared for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

What Can God Do Through You?

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”

(Judges 6:12, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Many people feel inadequate to do anything for God. But God doesn’t see you as inadequate, He sees you as complete, lacking nothing in Him! In scripture, Gideon was hiding out from his enemies. He was afraid and didn’t feel equipped to do what God called him to do. Gideon was focused on his circumstances and his limitations, but God was focused on what He could do through Gideon. Gideon felt weak, but God saw him as strong. Gideon felt unqualified, but God saw him as ready to do the job. Gideon felt insecure, but God saw him as full of boldness. Sure enough, when Gideon obeyed God, against all odds, he ended in victory! Today, what can God do through you? It isn’t about how qualified you feel. It isn’t about how talented you are; it’s really about how yielded you are. When you obey God, when you trust Him beyond trusting your circumstances, that’s when His power becomes available to you. That’s when He can work through you and bring about greatness in every area of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for giving me a spirit of boldness. Thank You for giving me a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. I yield myself to You. I yield my heart, my mind and my whole being. Have Your way in me and lead me into Your victory in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Who You Are

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

(1 Peter 2:9, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Today, many people are walking around not knowing who they really are. Not naturally speaking, of course, but spiritually speaking. Once you receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you take on a new identity — His identity. Everything He is, you become. Because Jesus is an overcomer, you are an overcomer (1 John 4:4). Because Jesus is more than a conqueror, you are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37). You become empowered to do all things through Christ who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13)! Let these words sink down deep in your heart today. Realize that because of Jesus, there is greatness on the inside of you. As you study and meditate on the Word of God, you will realize your true potential. You’ll discover who you really are so you can live the good life He has called you to!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for choosing me. Thank You for loving me and calling me according to Your purposes. I receive Your promises. I receive Your truth. I let go of the old and receive the blessing You have in store for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Visible Faith

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

(James 2:18, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

We all have dreams that we’re hoping will come to pass and promises that we’re believing for. We should always be praying, believing and hoping — that’s all part of faith. But there’s another part of faith that, oftentimes, people leave out, and that is putting action behind your faith. Scripture tells us that our works or actions prove our faith. In other words, when we really believe God, we obey Him. We can pray all day long, “God, get me out of this problem.” Or, “God, give me that promotion.” But if you really want to get God’s attention and see Him move in amazing ways, take it one step further and do something to demonstrate your faith. Let your actions prove your faith in Him. For example, maybe you need a turnaround in a relationship. Are you being the one to show love, honor and forgiveness? Maybe you need a financial breakthrough. Are you obeying Him and being faithful in your finances? Maybe you lost your job. Are you putting your resume out and knocking on new doors? That’s one way to take a step of faith. Today, make sure you put action behind your faith. Make it visible in the eyes of God and man and watch Him come through on your behalf!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I come to You today releasing every part of my mind, will and emotions to You. Show me ways that I can demonstrate my faith in You. Help me to make wise decisions so I can walk in higher places with You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Get Excited About Your Future!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day”

(Proverbs 4:18, ESV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

No matter what is happening in your life today, as a believer in Jesus, you have a reason to be excited about your future! If things seem dark right now, know that the dawn will soon appear. The key is you have to remember that you are not here by accident. You have a purpose and destiny to fulfill, and He isn’t finished with you yet. Your best days are not behind you; your best days are out in front of you. One thing I know is that God is a God of increase. He has greater things in store for your future than you have experienced in your past. His dream for your future is so much bigger than your own. He wants to take you places that you’ve never dreamed and open up doors that you’ve never imagined. He wants to bring talent out of you that you didn’t even know you had. He wants to increase you and cause you to be a greater blessing to the people around you. Today, get your hopes up and get excited about your future! Begin to thank Him for what He has in store. Keep standing, keep believing and keep moving forward because God has explosive blessings in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I humbly come to You giving You all that I am. I trust that You have good things in store for my future. I choose to keep my eyes on You no matter what’s happening in my circumstances. I know that You are faithful, and I receive the blessings that You have in store for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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 from Joel and Victoria

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.