Blog Archives
Our Daily Bread – Plugged In
Read: Isaiah 40:27-31
My wife was working at home on her computer recently when she suddenly noticed her laptop battery power was low and the computer was about to shut down. The computer was plugged in, though, so it shouldn’t have been using the battery. Following the laptop cord to the extension cord, she finally noticed that the extension cord was actually plugged back into itself instead of the wall outlet! She looked at me, amused, and said, “There’s a devotional in there somewhere.”
As she said it, I was reminded of a passage of Scripture on the power of God: Isaiah 40:27-31. Isaiah identifies the true and unending Source of strength from which we must draw ours—“the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth” (v.28). Then he speaks to those whose strength is ebbing, encouraging them to wait on the Lord to find their strength renewed (vv.29-31).
Jesus spoke of us as branches abiding in Him as the Vine (John 15:4-5). It’s a parallel to Isaiah’s powerful closing, which promises that if we’re plugged into God we will “run and not be weary, . . . walk and not faint” (Isa. 40:31).
When we find ourselves weary and distressed, we need to plug into the true Source of strength and life.
Through Him who loved us so;
The Christ who dwells within us
Is the greatest power we know. —Carmichael
New Levels
Today’s Scripture:
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7, NLT.
Today’s Word:
God’s desire is that we continually progress, that we reach higher heights and go to new levels. Oftentimes, as soon as we make the decision to step out in faith and obey God, the enemy brings in fear to try to stop us. He’ll bring thoughts like, “What if you fail? What are other people going to think? You don’t have what it takes.” He’ll do his best to use fear to try to convince us to shrink back and stay where we are.
The Bible says that fear is a spirit. It plays on our emotions and holds us back. But the good news is that we have power over fear! The Bible says that perfect love casts out all fear. When we receive God’s perfect love, we will have confidence about the future because we know His plans are for our good. I’ve heard it said that fear is an acronym for False Evidence Appearing Real. Understand that fear is a lie. Today, choose to believe God’s Word and receive His love so that you can overcome fear and move forward into the good life He has prepared for you!
Prayer for Today:
Father in heaven, thank You for taking me to new levels. I know You have equipped me with a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Fill me with Your confidence and assurance to embrace everything You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Copyright © 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
Thank God For Generational Blessings!
Posted by Joel Osteen on 8/3/2012
We can all look back through our family lines and see how our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and others in our family history have affected our lives. Sometimes people see negative things that have been passed down, but the blessing of God is passed down as well. In fact, Exodus 20:6 says that He shows love and mercy to a thousand generations of those who obey Him. Maybe you don’t know anyone in your recent family history who was dedicated to the Lord, but do you think someone in your history a thousand generations back may have been?
When we walk into divine blessing and God gives us something we don’t deserve, we have to realize that sometimes it’s because somebody in our family line sowed those seeds. Every act of kindness, every time one of your relatives sacrificed and honored God, they set you up for success. They may not have reaped a reward in their lifetime, but God is faithful. He doesn’t forget about it.
In my own life, I realize that the reason I am doing what I am doing today is because my parents sowed seeds for 40 years before I ever got here. I’m reaping the rewards of a generational blessing. My father went to school with holes in his pants. He would put cardboard in the bottom of his shoes because they were so torn up. They made great sacrifices so that we could be where we are today. One way I can honor them is by wearing my blessings well—by thanking God for His faithfulness and fulfilling what has been handed down to me.
In the same way, you have the opportunity to honor the generations that came before you by walking in the blessing that has been passed down. So many people only focus on the negative things that have been passed down, but that doesn’t glorify God. That doesn’t set your future generations up for success. Let today be the day that you decide to receive those generational blessings and thank God for them. Don’t let others talk you out of living the abundant life. Some people come in at the end of the movie and see you blessed, prosperous, healthy, sober, free and happy and want to judge and criticize you, but the problem is that they missed the first part. They didn’t see the sacrifices that your relatives made. They didn’t see the struggles that you endured. They didn’t see the battles that you fought, the times you felt like giving up, but you kept pressing forward. They didn’t see the price that was paid to get you to where you are. That blessing may look free, but the truth is, it cost something.
Friend, don’t ever let anyone make you feel guilty for the favor, the honor, the joy, the peace, the victory that God has given you. Somebody paid the price. Seeds were sown. Receive the blessing by faith and thank God for His faithfulness throughout your generations!
Copyright © 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
Our Daily Bread – Hopes And Dreams
Read: Acts 20:16-24
In 1960, everyone in the high school I attended participated in Project TALENT. For several days, we took tests that surveyed our aptitudes in academic subjects. In addition, we were asked to express our plans, hopes, and dreams for the future. What we didn’t know was that we were among 400,000 participants from 1,300 schools in the largest study of high school students ever conducted in the US. None of us involved in the study could have imagined how our lives would turn out.
The same was true for Saul of Tarsus. As a young man, his goal was to destroy the followers of Jesus (Acts 7:58–8:3; Gal. 1:13). But after his conversion, he became the apostle Paul, whose mission was to multiply them. As he journeyed to Jerusalem, facing prison and hardship, Paul said, “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24niv).
When our goal is to honor the Lord, He guides and guards us each step of the way. Whatever our hopes and dreams may be, when we place them in God’s hands we know that everything, including setback or success, is under His control.
And then leave them in His hand,
We can trust His love and care for us
To fulfill what He has planned. —Sper
Even Brighter
Today’s Scripture:
The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. – Proverbs 4:18, NLT.
Today’s Word:
Are you facing a situation that seems dark today? As a believer, God promises that your path will shine brighter and brighter as you seek His truth and righteousness in every situation. What is righteousness? Righteousness is simply being in right standing with God. Being in right standing with God is about submitting your life to Him. It’s about obeying His commands and seeking His plan for your life on a daily basis. As you seek Him, the light of God’s Word will guide you in every decision you face.
No matter what’s happening in your life today, take time to ask the Lord to shine His light on you. Ask Him to confirm His plan for you. As you continue pursuing His truth and righteousness, as you continue to make His Word a priority in your life, you will experience more of His blessings. You’ll see those brighter days as you move forward in the good plan He has in store for you!
Prayer for Today:
Father God, I know that You have a wonderful plan and purpose for me. I desire to be in right standing with You. Show me Your ways and teach me to walk righteously before You. Shine Your light in my heart and give me strength to pursue the path You have in store for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Copyright © 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
Lean Into Him
Posted by Victoria Osteen on 7/31/2012
Have you ever been in a crowded, noisy room trying to have a conversation with someone? If you can’t hear what they are saying, what do you do? Most likely, you lean in just a little bit closer so you can hear them better. You probably focus more intently on their facial expressions so you can understand what they are communicating. In the same way, when the noise of life seems overwhelming, that’s when we need to lean into God just a little bit closer. That’s when we need to make the extra effort to focus more intently on Him.
There’s a passage in First Kings where Elijah goes up on the mountain to meet with the Lord. Scripture says a great, powerful wind blew and broke the rocks, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire, a still, small voice. This tells me that when life rages all around, when circumstances seem powerful and overwhelming, that’s when we need to wait for His still, small voice.
If you’re in a situation today where you feel like you can’t quite hear God, maybe it’s time to lean into Him a little bit more. Maybe it’s time to tune out the voices of the world so you can set your focus on Him. Maybe it’s time to turn off technology, turn off the phone, and clear your schedule for Him. Know that He loves you with an everlasting love, and He has good things in store for your future.
Today and every day, we need to make sure to set aside time for Him. Let’s be diligent to study His Word and spend time in prayer and worship. When you meditate on Him, when you keep yourself in an atmosphere of faith and surround yourself with other believers, you’ll hear His voice more clearly. He’ll speak to you; He’ll guide your steps and lead you into victory all the days of your life.
Develop Self-Control
by Joyce Meyer – posted August 14, 2012
He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls. —Proverbs 25:28
Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22–23). It develops as we spend time fellowshipping with God and practicing obedience to Him. Sometimes we would rather that God control us and make us do the right thing. But He wants us to rule over our spirit.
Proverbs 16:32 says, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, he who rules his [own] spirit than he who takes a city.” It takes self-control not to get offended, not to become angry every time somebody doesn’t do something the way we want it done.
Self-control is needed over our thoughts, our words, and our appetites. But once we master our own spirit, we are considered to be powerful in the eyes of God—stronger than one who takes a city.
From the book Starting Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2003 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.
Moving Up Higher
Today’s Scripture:
You will arise and have mercy on Zion; for the time to favor her, yes, the set time, has come. – Psalm 102:13, NKJV.
Today’s Word:
One thing I’ve learned in my life is that God likes to outdo Himself. His dream for your life is so much bigger than your own. His ways are higher, and He has an appointed time of favor for your life. He is going to take you places that you never thought possible. He is going to open up doors that you never have imagined. He’s going to bring talent out of you that you didn’t even know you had. This is the time to get excited about your future! It’s time to get your hopes up because you have been chosen by the Creator of the universe. Your destiny is not determined by the economy, how you were raised, or your education. Your destiny is determined by Almighty God.
Today, I want to encourage you to set your thoughts on things above. It’s time for you to move up higher to a new level. The good news is that God has already laid out victory before you. I declare that in the days ahead you’re going to stumble into it. Get ready because God is going to raise you up into the life of blessing He has prepared for you!
Prayer for Today:
Father God, thank You for this day. Thank You for the good plan You have for me. I believe it is my time of set favor; it’s my time to rise higher; it’s my time to experience every breakthrough and every blessing You have in store for me in Jesus’ name! Amen.
Copyright © 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
Our Daily Bread – It Will Be Worth It All
Read: Hebrews 11:8-16
We wondered why a friend of ours kept traveling to Hobart, Tasmania. Recently she invited us to join her there. From the airport we drove over a bridge and through the city and suburbs. Nothing outstanding—but we kept on traveling. After a few difficult hairpin turns that took us slowly and sharply uphill, we saw the outline of the coast below. Still quite ordinary looking.
But as we drove up the steep driveway and arrived at our destination, the spectacular panorama of the city became clear. Even the bridge we had driven over that seemed so drab looked beautiful! Now we knew why she so often traveled there.
The lives of the pioneers of faith in Hebrews 11 had their share of “hairpin turns” and “humdrum” situations. But they pressed on and did not turn back. Their destination? Heaven, “the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (v.10).
Esther Kerr Rusthoi wrote about our journey to heaven in her hymn “When We See Christ”:
It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus;
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase;
So bravely run the race, till we see Christ!
Today, whether life is ordinary or difficult, keep pressing on. At the end of the journey, you will see the amazing place God has prepared for us. And it will be well worth it!
I Am Lady Fab 