Today’s Scripture:

Do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. – Hebrews 10:35, NKJV.

Today’s Word:

Have you been praying and believing for something that seems like it’s taking a lot longer than you thought? Many times, people can miss God’s best simply because they give up before they see their “due season” come. Don’t let that be you! Be encouraged today, your answer is closer than you think. If it seems like things are getting more difficult, remember, when the intensity heats up, that means you are closer to your victory. It always seems darkest just before the dawn arrives.

We serve a faithful God, and He’s working behind the scenes on your behalf. Don’t cast away your confidence today because your reward is coming. And just like a new mother forgets about her labor pain once she is finally holding her newborn, you’ll forget about your struggle when you are holding on to your promise. While you are waiting, keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. Wake up every morning and say out loud, “I’ve come too far to give up now. My due season is coming. I will reap my harvest.” Stay in faith and look for His hand of blessing because He has promised you victory, and it’s closer than you think!

Prayer for Today:

Father in heaven, today I stand believing that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. Give me Your strength to stand in faith until I see every promise fulfilled in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Posted by Victoria Osteen on 11/6/2012

Today is Election Day in America. It’s a day we get to exercise our privilege to vote for the leaders of this country. Scripture tells us in Romans 13 that government and authority is established by God and we should honor those who are in authority over us. No matter what happens at the end of the day, we are called to pray for our leaders and respect those who are in authority over us even if we don’t necessarily agree with everything they do.

Second Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” (NLT) Today and every day, let’s remember to pray for our leaders. As we do, God promises to hear us and restore our land. Join us today and make this the prayer of your heart:

Father in heaven, today we come to You on behalf of our leaders and those who are in authority over us. We pray first that they would know You, honor You, and seek Your ways. We pray that they would have wisdom and discernment to make good decisions. We pray for safety over them and their families and for peace in their hearts and minds. We pray for unity in this country, and may we always remember that we are one nation under God. Thank You, Father, for hearing our prayers and healing our land in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Copyright © 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries

Posted by Joel Osteen on 11/2/2012

There’s a story about a man who fell into a pit. Different people came along to voice their opinions. The Pharisee said, “You deserve to be in the pit.” The Catholic said, “You need to suffer while you’re in the pit.” The Baptist said, “If you’d get saved, you wouldn’t have fallen into the pit.” The Charismatic said, “Just confess, ‘I’m not in the pit.'” The mathematician said, “Let me calculate how you fell into the pit.” The IRS agent said, “Have you paid taxes on that pit?” The optimist said, “Things could be worse.” The pessimist said, “Things will get worse.”

Everyone has an opinion. If you try to please every person, the one person that will not be happy is you. And it’s funny; sometimes the people who are trying to run your life can’t even run their own. It’s good to get advice. It’s good to listen to opinions, but you’ve got to be confident enough in who God made you to be that when something doesn’t bear witness with your spirit, you have a boldness to say, “Thanks, but no thanks. I love you. I appreciate your advice, but this time, it’s not for me.”

I have a friend who’s on staff here with us. Several years ago, a man came up to him and said, “I feel very strongly that you’re supposed to go out and start your own church. You’re a great minister. You’re anointed. I know it would be a success.”

And while my friend appreciated his encouragement, that didn’t bear witness with him at all. He knows he is called to be here. This is exactly where God wants him to be. Month after month, this man kept coming up to him saying, “When are you going to start your church? When are you going to take that step of faith?” It went from being encouraging to pressuring him, trying to squeeze him into a mold.

My friend finally said to him, “Let me ask you, will you rent me an auditorium? Will you buy me a sound system? Will you pay my staff? Will you pay the utilities? Will you pay all the advertising costs?”

That man looked at him like he had lost his mind. He said, “No, I can’t do that. I can’t afford it.”

My friend said, “Well, if God calls me, He will take care of me. He will pay my bills. He will bring the right people. He will line up the auditorium. But if I do it because you called me, I’m going to have to rely on you, and I can tell I’d be very disappointed.”

Proverbs 29 tells us that “the fear of man brings a snare.” In other words, when you rely on the opinions of others, instead of leading you out of the pit, it will lead you into the pit! Today, learn to separate yourself from the opinions of others and consecrate yourself to God. After all, His opinion is the only one that matters, and He will lead you into life, freedom and victory all the days

Copyright © 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries