Abiding in Him

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

(John 15:5, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Jesus said, “If you abide in Me, you will bear much fruit.” One translation says, “If you will depend on Me.” The word “depend” indicates continual action. You don’t depend once and then you’re done. It’s not, “Oh, I went to church on Sunday. I spent a couple hours. I did my duty.” No, if you’re going to depend on God, then all through the day your attitude should be, “God, I need You. God, help me to understand this subject in school. God, help me to raise these children.” That’s what it means to depend on God. The more you depend on God, the better things will work out. You will bear much fruit. We can take the opposite of what Jesus said. If we don’t depend on Him, we’re not going to bear much fruit. We’re not going to be as productive as we could have been. Today, choose to abide in Him. Find strength in Him and let Him empower you for everything you face in this life.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, today I choose to abide in You. You are my source, my strength, my power for life. Keep me close to You and show me Your ways in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Strength in Dependency

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

(2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

We all have areas where we need to come up higher. Perhaps you’ve struggled with a certain area year after year. Instead of getting down on yourself or trying to find solutions on the internet, maybe it’s time to pray and say, “God, I need Your help. I’m asking for Your strength.” When you humble yourself and admit that you cannot do it on your own, that’s when God can enter the scene. That’s when He can turn it around. A lot of times we think of dependency in a negative light, but dependency on God is not a weakness; it’s a strength. It enables you to tap into His power. When we yield our weakness, that’s when God shows up the strongest. But when we don’t turn to God, really, that’s a sign of pride. We’re saying, “God, I don’t really need You to help me run my life. I’m doing okay. I’ve got it all figured out.” God will step back and let us do it on our own. Today, what is holding you back? Surrender it to God. Let Him do His perfect work. Find strength in your dependency on Him.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, today I surrender all to You. Search my heart and mind. Show me if there is any area where I am trying to lean on my own strength. I choose today to trust and rely on You knowing that Your strength is perfect in my weakness in Jesus’ name. Amen.

When You Pray

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”

(Mark 11:25, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Many times, people wonder why their prayers aren’t answered. They feel distant from God but can’t explain why. They love God and try to do all the right things, but deep inside they sense that something isn’t right. Scripture tells us there are many things that can hinder our prayers. One of them is unforgiveness. God knows that holding unforgiveness is destructive because it puts up a wall between us and God. But when we choose to forgive, the wall comes down. Someone said it like this: “Forgiveness is setting the prisoner free andrealizing the prisoner was you.” When you go before God in prayer, ask Him to search your heart and mind. See if there is any unforgiveness that is blocking your prayers and affecting your relationship with Him. The other person may have been wrong, they may have hurt you deeply, but there is nothing on this earth that is worth losing your peace with Almighty God. Forgiveness doesn’t excuse the other person, it means you are trusting God with it all. Today, when you pray, choose forgiveness and don’t let anything stand in the way of the good things God has in store for your future!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, today I humbly come to You with an open and willing heart. Search me. Know me. Show me if there is any unforgiveness in my life or anything that would displease You. Thank You for showing me Your ways so that I can walk with You in peace all the days of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pray Without Ceasing

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Pray without ceasing.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:17, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

What does it mean to pray without ceasing? That doesn’t mean for 24 hours a day we should get on our knees and never do anything else, never go to work. I believe this scripture is talking about an attitude. All throughout the day, under our breath, in our thoughts, we’re constantly thinking about God, thanking Him for His goodness, meditating on His promises, and asking for His help. Prayer should be a lifestyle. It should be so ingrained in us that it’s automatic. Develop the habit of acknowledging Him. That’s when God will fight your battles. That’s when God will make the crooked places smooth. Today, be determined to pray without ceasing. Listen to the Holy Spirit’s prompting to pray. Know that God is with you and for you, and when you acknowledge Him in all your ways, He will direct your paths.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for another day to live and bless Your name. I choose to pray without ceasing, to honor You, acknowledge You and follow Your leading. Keep me close to You today as I keep my heart and mind on You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

In All Things

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

(Proverbs 3:6, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

God wants to help you in life. Not just in the big things, but in every detail. He wants to help you when you’re cooking dinner or driving in traffic. He wants to help you with your schoolwork, help you be more productive at the office, even help you find what you’re looking for when you’re at the store. The key is that God will only be involved as much as you allow Him to be. Don’t just invite Him into your day on Sunday. Don’t just ask Him about the big things. Learn to hear His voice in the little things. He is big enough to handle every single detail. Scripture says, “Acknowledge God in all of your ways.” Not some of your ways. Not just the big things — in all things. If you’ll start acknowledging God in all of your ways, He will crown your efforts with success.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, today I open my heart and life to You in a fresh, new way. I surrender every detail, every moment of every day to You. I choose to acknowledge You in all my ways knowing that Your hand is upon me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God’s Protection

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“ ‘Because he loves me,’ says the LORD, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.’ ”

(Psalm 91:14, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

One time, I was outside my house standing under a big oak tree talking with some people. There had been a severe drought in Houston, and the trees were very stressed. After we got through talking, we walked away. About ten seconds later, this big branch fell right where we were standing. If we had still been there, we would all be in the hospital. We walked away at just the right time. It wasn’t a lucky break; it was the goodness of God directing our steps. Today, I encourage you to be on the lookout for God’s goodness. Acknowledge His name; acknowledge His love. Listen to the still, small voice and let Him direct your steps. He will lead you, guide you and protect you all the days of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for Your protection. Thank You for Your faithfulness and love. I acknowledge Your name. I acknowledge Your love and thank You for Your goodness in every area of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Excel in Giving

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“But since you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you — see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”

(2 Corinthians 8:7, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Paul said in Second Corinthians, “I want you to excel in the gracious ministry of giving.” He could have said, “I want you to excel in business, excel in sports, excel in medicine.” That’s all good. But he said, “What I want you to really be great at, what I want you to excel in is giving.” I’ve made up my mind I’m going to live my life as a giver and not a taker. If you get around me, I better warn you, you’re going to get blessed. I’m going to study ways that I can be good to you. I’m going to encourage you. I’m going to buy your dinner. I’m going to be good to your children. I’m going to help make your dreams come to pass. See, when I come to the end of my life, I don’t want people to say, “Oh yeah, Joel had that big church, didn’t he? He wrote some nice books.” No, I want them to say, “Joel was a giver. Joel made me better. Joel brightened my day. Joel was good to me.” Let that be your desire, too, to leave people better off than when you met them. Excel in the grace of giving and glorify God in all you do!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for empowering me to do good to others. Show me ways that I can be a blessing to others and honor You in all that I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.