Monthly Archives: August 2012
Stronger By Faith
by Joyce Meyer – posted August 22, 2012
The Lord is my Strength and my Song, and He has become my Salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. —Exodus 15:2
God does not want to just give you strength; He wants to be your strength. In 1 Samuel 15:29 God is referred to as the Strength of Israel. There was a time when Israel knew God was their strength. But when they forgot it, they always started to fail and their lives began to be filled with destruction.
How do you receive strength from God? By faith. Hebrews 11:11 says that by faith Sarah received strength to conceive a child when she was well past childbearing age. By faith you can receive strength to stay in a difficult marriage, raise a difficult child, or prosper in a difficult job. Start receiving God as your strength by faith. It will quicken your body as well as your spirit and soul.
From the book Ending Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2004 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.
Our Daily Bread – A Picture Of Him
Read: Hebrews 12:3-11
One day my son uncapped an orange marker and drew a picture of his father. His toddler’s rendering featured eyes, a nose, and a mouth, all inside of a circle on top of two long sticks (he informed me that those were the legs). Although my little boy scored high marks for effort, his picture didn’t quite capture the specifics that would have created a close likeness to my husband: blue eyes, a confident smile, and silver-flecked hair.
As God’s children, we sometimes create images of our heavenly Father that aren’t accurate. We may view God as unloving when He corrects sinful patterns in our lives. And because discipline is painful (Heb. 12:11), we may assume that God’s correction is a form of divine revenge or the result of His anger. In reality, it is proof of His love for us. The Bible says, “Whom the Lord loves He chastens” (v.6). He disciplines us for our benefit, so that we “may be partakers of His holiness” (v.10) and experience the peace that comes from right living (v.11).
Today, if you are facing God’s discipline, remember that He isn’t peering down at you with an angry scowl or shaking a vengeful fist. Picture Him as a concerned Father, lovingly correcting His child in whom He delights (Prov. 3:12).
help me to see it’s Your love in action. May Your loving
discipline mold and shape my character
so that I become more and more like You. Amen.
Our Daily Bread – Theory Of Everything
Read: John 1:1-13
Scientists have been looking for the “Theory of Everything.” One person who thinks he found it is physicist Brian Greene, who wrote The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory. Greene’s “string theory” is a complicated concept suggesting that at its tiniest level everything consists of combinations of vibrating strands, or strings. He has described his theory as “a framework with the capacity to explain every fundamental feature upon which the world is constructed.”
Over the years, thinkers from Newton to Einstein to Hawking to Greene have spent the greater portion of their lives trying to figure out how the universe works—and they have proposed fascinating theories.
In reality, for any theory to explain everything in the universe adequately it must begin and end with God. “All things . . . visible and invisible” (Col. 1:16) have their origin in Him and exist for His glory (Ps. 72:19). The first few verses of John’s gospel tell us that our Lord created the universe—and that without His hand of creation nothing would exist.
That’s why when we consider the world and everything in it, we can exclaim with Isaiah: “The whole earth is full of His glory!” (6:3). Praise His holy name!
Sun, moon, and stars beyond compare;
His workmanship we can’t deny—
His fingerprints are everywhere. —Seals
Beyond Critical Voices
Today’s Scripture:
Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise… – Micah 7:8, NIV.
Today’s Word:
Anytime you set out to do something great in life, there will be critics. If you’re going to be a great businessperson, coach, student, leader or employee, there will be opposition. The more success you have, the more opportunities there will be for distractions. The higher you go, the more haters will come out. When you start stretching to a new level and pursuing what God has placed in your heart, the jealous people, the critical people, and the small-minded people come out of the woodwork and start making negative comments, but you don’t have to let that distract you.
If you are under pressure today, if the critical voices are coming against you, know that it’s because you are making a difference. Don’t let them throw you off course. Instead, dig your heels in, set your face like a flint, and say, “I will not get distracted. I will not get drawn into battles that don’t matter. It doesn’t matter what others think; it matters what God thinks!”
Today, look beyond the critics. Stand strong in adversity. Press forward to what lies ahead and win the prize of life that He has prepared for you!
Prayer for Today:
Father, today I choose to let go of the negative voices, offenses and hurts from critical voices. I choose to focus on You and the good plan You have for me. Give me Your peace and joy as I move forward in the victory You have prepared for me in Jesus’ name! Amen.
Copyright © 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
What Do You Want Him to Do?
Posted by Joel Osteen on 8/17/2012
There’s a story in Matthew 20 about a time when Jesus was leaving the city of Jericho. Two blind men were sitting on the side of the road. When they heard all of the commotion of Jesus passing by, they began to holler out, “Jesus! Have mercy on us!” All of the people around them said, “Be quiet! You’re going to disturb Him.” But the blind men shouted even louder, “Jesus! Please! Have mercy on us!”
Jesus walked over to them and said something interesting. He asked, “What is it that you want Me to do for you?” It seemed obvious what they needed. They were blind. Why would Jesus say, “What do you want Me to do for you?” See, Jesus knew what their physical condition was, but He was asking about their heart condition. He wanted to know what they were believing. He wanted to know what their level of faith was. They could have said, “Jesus, we just need somebody to help us. It’s hard being blind. Jesus, we need better shelter. We need a better place to live.” But these men were bold. They knew what they wanted. They said, “Lord, we want our sight.” The scripture says, “When Jesus saw their faith, He touched their eyes, and for the first time, they were able to see.”
Today, imagine that Jesus is standing before you asking the same thing that He asked these blind men. “What do you want Me to do for you?” The way you respond is going to determine what He does. Now don’t say, “God, I just want to get by this year. Times are tough.” “God, my family is so dysfunctional. Just try to help us stay together.” “God, I don’t enjoy my job, but just help me to endure it.” Dare to say, “God, I’m asking for a blessed, prosperous year.” “God, I want to be free from this sickness.” “God, I want to see my whole family serving You.”
It’s not enough to just think about it. It’s not enough to just hope for it. Something supernatural happens when you ask. It puts a demand on your faith. When you ask, God releases His favor. When you ask, the angels go to work. When you ask, supernatural doors will begin to open. Ask in faith knowing that He hears you, and He is faithful. He will complete the good work He started in you!
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7, NIV).
Copyright © 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
Our Daily Bread – Sharpening One Another
Read: 1 Kings 19:19-21
Social networks on the Internet are on the rise. Even when separated by great distance, people are still able to gain insights and a listening ear from peers on-line. Blogs, Twitter, e-mail, and Web links add to the ways we can receive and give spiritual guidance.
But it’s also valuable to meet face to face with mature believers for mentoring. “Elisha . . . followed Elijah” (1 Kings 19:21), and Paul mentored Timothy as “a true son in the faith” (1 Tim. 1:2). He even admonished Timothy to set up a chain of mentoring which would multiply spiritual growth (2 Tim. 2:2). Moses exhorted parents to teach their children throughout their day: “when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deut. 6:7). The Master Teacher, Christ Himself, illustrated how to mentor: “He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out” (Mark 3:14).
From these passages we see the value of meeting face to face in a variety of settings so that we can sharpen one another spiritually (Prov. 27:17). Along life’s journey, there are times when we can benefit from a wise guide or provide this same service to one who wants to follow.
younger person in the faith I could help?
Please lead me so that I might grow stronger
spiritually and help others as well.
When Things Are Out of Control
Today’s Scripture:
Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense. – Proverbs 19:11, AMP.
Today’s Word:
Every day, we have opportunities to get upset, be frustrated, or get offended. Maybe you had plans that didn’t work out, or someone was rude to you at the office. Maybe you were doing something that should have taken one hour and it ended up taking three. Life is full of inconveniences, but even though we can’t always control our circumstances, we can control our reaction. I heard somebody say, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond.”
We should always go out each day with a positive attitude, full of hope and expecting God’s favor. But at the same time, we should recognize that most days are not going to go exactly as we plan. Remember, we were created to live in peace. Peace is our position of power. If you get stressed because you got off schedule or upset because your child wouldn’t eat his breakfast, or frustrated because somebody offended you, what you’re doing is giving away your power. Instead, make the decision to release those offenses and disappointments so you can live in peace and enjoy the day as the blessing God prepared for you!
Prayer for Today:
Father in heaven, today I release every care, concern, offense and disappointment to You. I choose to keep the peace that You have given me. I look forward to today knowing that You are with me, leading me in victory in Jesus’ name! Amen.
Copyright © 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
When to Turn Away
Today’s Scripture:
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. – Psalm 119:37, NIV.
Today’s Word:
In order to live the life of victory God has promised, you have to be very selective about what you give your time and attention to. You have to recognize which thoughts to ignore, which comments to ignore, and sometimes, which people to ignore. Every “battle” that comes across your path is not a battle that you’re supposed to fight. Many battles are simply distractions to try to lure you off course. If that battle is not between you and your God-given destiny, it’s a battle you should ignore.
Many people get thrown off course because they are always trying to straighten everyone else out or win their approval. But if that’s your focus, you are wasting valuable time and energy that you should be using to pursue your dreams. Turn away from that distraction! You don’t need the approval of everyone around you; you only need God’s approval!
Friend, it’s very freeing when you realize you don’t have to fight every battle. You don’t have to straighten people out. You don’t have to pay somebody back. Instead, focus on what matters, focus on God and His Word so you can live in peace and happiness every day of your life!
Prayer for Today:
Father, thank You for ordering my steps. Thank You for planning good things for me. Help me to discern the things I should ignore. Help me to avoid distractions as I focus my heart and mind on You today in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Copyright © 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
A Little Change Will Do You Good!
Posted by Victoria Osteen on 8/14/2012
One time I was being interviewed by a journalist for a news article, and after asking several questions, the man said, “What would you like to change if you could change anything about yourself?” I thought for a second and said, “Well, I’d like to change myself.” He looked at me sort of funny and said, “Well, what’s wrong with you?” I said, “Well, I know that if I constantly change myself, if I work on myself, if I’m constantly growing and improving, then I have the ability to change and impact the things around me.”
See, we weren’t meant to be stagnant. We were meant to grow, change and improve. I want to be a better mother. I want to be a better wife. I want to be a better leader. I want to have more discipline, more focus and more wisdom. I want to be able to hear from God better. I want hear His truth spoken everywhere that I am! I want to be a better person and a better example for Him. Don’t you?
Today, I just encourage you; don’t ever settle for “good enough.” Don’t ever settle for “just getting by.” Keep pressing forward. Keep pressing into God. Let His Word renew your thinking and transform you into His image. Be the best version of you that you can possibly be! Don’t be afraid to grow; don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to change because a little change will do you good!
“And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude]” (Ephesians 4:23, AMP).
Copyright © 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
Lunch Lady Faces $600 Fine For Feeding Needy Children In Pennsylvania
By Rene Lynch
August 17, 2012, 1:10 p.m.
Video Link: Lunch Lady Fined For Feeding Hungry Children
Lunch lady Angela Prattis thought she was just doing God’s work, handing out free lunches to hungry children in a Pennsylvania neighborhood. But even acts of altruism, it seems, must bow to red tape.
National outrage has erupted after Prattis found herself running afoul of Chester Township zoning laws and threatened with a $600 fine if she continued, according to NBC10 Philadelphia.
Moreover, she faces a $1,000 fee if she wants to continue performing her good deeds, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The lunch lady, who is also a youth pastor at her church, was told that she needed a township zoning permit continue to hand out lunches outside her home. And the approval process requires an official hearing. And that hearing would cost her $1,000, the Inquirer reported.
It was enough to raise questions about whether Prattis could continue her work. She is a married mother of three and also a trained volunteer with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Nutritional Development Services, which supplies the food she gives out, according to the Inquirer.
The food is paid for by the state, according to the Inquirer, which also reported that program representatives had inspected and approved Prattis’ operation.
The stalemate has prompted an outpouring of support. So far, several in the community offered to cover the $1,000 bill. She has received dozens of calls from others offering to do whatever is needed to keep the lunch lady on the job, and a law firm has also offered to represent her for free.
Prattis told the Inquirer that she’s grateful for the offers but has not taken any money yet because she’s still hoping authorities will waive the fee.
The Inquirer said it spoke to the township’s acting solicitor, Murray Eckell, who acknowledged that the incident is giving local government a black eye. But he said the township is in a difficult position.
“Suppose a child gets hurt on her property,” Eckell was quoted as saying. “Will the family sue the township? What if somebody gets food poisoning?
“What she is doing is commendable…. But if we don’t have laws, there’s chaos. It’s a difficult situation for the township to be in.”
NBC10 says Prattis plans to attend the next township meeting in a bid to clear up the controversy, but until then she plans to continue feeding children.
The Chester Township manager did not return a phone call seeking comment by the time this article was posted online.
I Am Lady Fab 