Blog Archives
Wait With Confidence
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“…See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm…” (James 5:7–8 NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
In the book of James, the Bible tells us that we should wait for God’s promises like a farmer waits for his harvest. Now, I’ve never seen a farmer plant a crop and then worry night and day about whether or not it’s going to come up. He doesn’t lose sleep thinking, “Oh, I hope that my corn is going to take root. Please, God, let my corn bring a harvest.” No, he waits with confidence, knowing that the harvest will come. He does his part, and he knows that seed will produce a good crop.
In the same way, we should wait confidently for the promises of God. We have to stand firm on His Word. It’s not enough to just hope that your situation is going to turn around. Instead of the attitude, “I hope I get well,” have the attitude of confidence and say, “Thank You, Lord, that I am getting well.” Start waiting like the farmer. Wait with a knowing. Wait with confidence. Be sure that as you put God’s Word into practice, just like the farmer, you will see that harvest of blessing in your own life in return.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. Today, I choose to stand firm on Your Word. I choose to follow Your commands and believe that I will see Your promises come to pass in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
© 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
Balance and Contentment
By: Victoria Osteen
When you think of the word contentment, what does it mean to you? Are you content in this life? Are you content in all circumstances? Some people get confused about the concept of contentment because they think it means they have to settle where they are, or just sit back and go with the flow. However, there’s a huge difference between being content and being complacent. When you are content, you are satisfied; you’re full. It’s not that you aren’t pursuing your goals or striving to reach new levels; you are just able to enjoy where you are on the way to where you are going.
For example, everyone knows that if you send a woman to the mall to buy a new sweater, she might stroll through fourteen different stores while she’s there. She keeps her “mission” on the backburner of her mind, content to browse the stores and enjoy her journey. On the other hand, most men can’t understand at all why a woman would spend all that time wandering around! A man’s approach would be to get in and out of the mall in ten minutes. (Eight if he’s been to that store before and knows his way around.) That’s because most men are more mission-minded. They focus on the goal, whereas most women focus on the experience. The truth is, we have to have both. We have to be mission-minded and enjoy ourselves on the way to reaching our goals. When we learn to have balance in our approach to life, we will experience contentment in our journey.
One of the best ways I know to find contentment in your circumstances is to reach out and help someone else who is in need. There’s always someone in your life that you can impact. There’s always someone who needs what you have to give. When you turn your focus toward helping others, your own challenges seem more manageable, and sometimes, they simply disappear. That’s because whatever you make happen for other people, God will make happen for you.
Today, I encourage you to find contentment in your journey by reaching out to others. Focusing on others instead of your own circumstances brings balance to your perspective. When you live in balance, you live in supernatural contentment and position yourself to be a vessel of His glory all the days of your life!
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” (Philippians 4:12, NIV)
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Let Your Love Show
By: Victoria Osteen
I heard about a woman who said to her husband one day, “Honey, do you really love me?”
He looked at her strangely and said, “Why would you ask me that? I told you that I loved you the day I married you thirty-five years ago. If it ever changes, I’ll let you know.”
We’ve probably all encountered people like that, but the truth is that the phrase “I love you” can never be heard enough in our homes. We can’t take for granted that the people we love automatically know it. Maybe you weren’t raised in an expressive environment, but why don’t you be the one to start a new tradition? You can affect your family line for generations to come by speaking words of love. What better legacy to leave than a legacy of love, kindness and encouragement.
I was discussing the power of encouragement with one of my friends one afternoon, and she said something I thought was right on. She said, “When I brag on my husband, I can see a change in him. He rises to the occasion and strives to go to new levels. But when I nag at him or say nothing at all, he’s more complacent and doesn’t have the passion and enthusiasm to accomplish what is in his heart.”
That’s true for all of us. Nagging only makes things worse, but encouraging words will put people on their feet and bring out the best in them. We should always look for opportunities to speak words of blessing over the people around us. When your spouse gets a promotion at work, take time to say, “I knew you could do it! You’re amazing!” When your child comes home with good grades, even if they are less than you had hoped, don’t be too busy to celebrate. Stop and say, “I am so proud of you. Way to go!” When your mother fixes Sunday dinner for the whole family, tell her, “Mom, I know that’s a lot of work, but your hospitality means so much.” When your coworker loses fifteen pounds, don’t be jealous; congratulate her with a compliment. Let words of life flow freely from your lips. As you sow seeds of love and blessing, always remember that you are displaying the glory of God. He is love, and when we show love, we are showing Him. Let your words and actions say “I love you” because that’s how we show the world that we are followers of His.
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35, NIV).
Copyright © Beliefnet, Inc. and/or its licensors
He Collects Your Tears
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” (Psalm 56:8, NLT)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Do you know how important you are to God? He cares so much about every detail of your life. He cares about your thoughts, feelings and emotions. In fact, what you are going through is so important to Him that He records every sorrow and collects every tear you’ve shed. Why would God record your sorrows and collect your tears? Because He loves you so much, and He is your Vindicator. He’s keeping account of every wrong that’s ever been done to you so that He can make up for every single one of them. He wants to restore everything that has ever been stolen. He wants to heal every single hurt and pain. He sees the longings and desires of your heart, and you can rest knowing that He is working things out for your good!
So today, know that you are precious to Him. He has your best interest at heart. He is working to bring restoration and peace to you. Keep standing, keep believing, and keep doing the right thing because the One who collects your tears will restore every broken place in your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me and setting me free. Thank You for being my Vindicator. I choose to release every hurt, pain and sorrow, knowing that You will make all things new in Your time in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
© 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
Understand His Will
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17, NKJV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Faith begins where the will of God is known. If you don’t understand God’s will, how can you have faith in what He wants to do in your life? Scripture says that when we understand His will, we are wise. How do you know what God’s will is? By reading and studying His Word. He tells us in scripture that His plans are for our good. He tells us that He takes pleasure in prospering His children. He tells us that His desire is for us to live in health, peace and joy.
Today and every day, take time to develop your faith by reading His Word and connecting with the Father through prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct your Bible study time. He is your helper, and He desires to reveal the will of the Father to your heart. As you submit your life to Him, you will understand His will and walk in supernatural wisdom in every area of your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me Your Word which contains Your promises. I commit myself to You to study and learn so that I may know You and Your goodness. I invite You to work in and through me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
© 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
The Lord Is With You
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, NKJV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
No matter what today has in store, as a believer, you can approach the day with boldness and confidence. Why? Because the Lord is with you, and in Him is everything you need in this life! That means that if you need provision for something today, provision is with you. If you need wisdom today, wisdom is with you. If you need strength, joy or peace today, it’s with you. You can be confident today knowing that all of your needs are supplied spiritually, physically and emotionally because the Lord is with you. And best of all, He’s promised never to leave you.
Remember, don’t ever let the lies from the enemy or pressure from the world keep you from taking hold of everything the Lord has for you. Open your heart by faith and receive whatever you need today. Step out in boldness and strength because the Lord is with you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me today. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for being closer to me than the air I breathe. I receive Your promises today in faith and confidence. I cast all of my cares on You and set my heart on You today in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
© 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
Bold As A Lion
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1, NKJV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
As a believer in Jesus Christ, you are called to live a bold, confident and overcoming life. You don’t have to live under a burden of fear. You don’t have to live with anxiety. Because of Jesus, fear, worry and uncertainty are beneath you. When you rise up in faith knowing that God is with you and for you, all doubt and fear has to leave your life.
Notice that today’s scripture says that the righteous are as bold as a lion. Righteousness is God’s way of doing things. When you do things His way, when you are submitted to His plan for your life, He promises success. It may not always be the way we had in mind, but ultimately, His plan is to prosper you, not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future!
Today, if you’ve been feeling anxious or fearful, begin to declare God’s truth over your life which will set you free! Declare that you are righteous in Christ Jesus! Declare that you are more than a conqueror! Declare that you are as bold as a lion because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, I come to You in the precious name of Jesus, thanking You for boldness. I choose to stand strong in Your righteousness. I renounce the spirit of fear. I renounce anxiety. I renounce worry, and I take up faith which works by love. Thank You for having Your way in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
© 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
The Gift Of Today
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Sometimes, our days can be so full and busy that we forget how precious and fragile our time on earth really is. It can be so easy to allow little things to creep in and steal our peace and joy. Maybe something didn’t go your way, or someone said something upsetting. Even traffic can cause us to get our focus off if we let it. But, we have to remember that each day is a gift. If we choose to focus on what’s wrong, we’ll miss out on the beauty that each day has to offer.
I encourage you today; don’t let the precious moments of life pass you by. Don’t wait for holidays and birthdays to show people that you care. Remember, each day is unique and irreplaceable, a gift from heaven above. You have been given time that can be invested or wasted; hours that can be used or misused. That’s why the psalmist prayed to God, “Teach us to number our days.” He was saying, “Teach us to value every moment we’ve been given so we can live a life pleasing to You.”
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of today. I choose to focus on the blessing of each moment instead of allowing the little things to steal my joy. Keep me close to You always as I submit every area of my heart and mind to You in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
© 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
Living In Contentment
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
In life, it’s easy to get so focused on our dreams and goals, the things we want, that it consumes us. We can get to the point where we’re not happy, and we’re not going to be happy until it happens. But I’ve found that if we have to have something in order to be happy, our lives are out of balance. When our goals and dreams start to frustrate us, and we lose our peace and we’re not enjoying life, that’s a sure sign that we’re holding on too tightly. What’s the solution? You’ve got to release it. Freedom comes when you say, “God, I’m turning it all over to You. You know my desires, and You know what’s best for me. I’m choosing to trust You and Your timing.”
When we learn to be content whatever the circumstances, the power of the enemy is broken. It takes away his ability to frustrate us. Not only that, but by our actions we are showing our faith in God. When you choose to trust in His timing, you can live in peace, you can live in joy, and you can rest in Him, knowing that He has good things in store for your future!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, today I choose to trust in You. I release frustration over the dreams and desires in my heart, knowing that You know what’s best for me. I choose to trust in Your timing because You are faithful, and I will bless You in all things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
© 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
Celebrate Your Freedom
“You have been set free from sin…” (Romans 6:18, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Today in America, we celebrate Independence Day. July 4, 1776 was the day America declared its independence, but the battle for freedom went on until 1783 — seven years later. Even though the people declared their freedom in 1776, they had to stand and fight for many years before the British would accept and recognized the United States of America.
In the same way, we have to declare our freedom and be determined to stand against the opposing forces of darkness in our lives. We have to declare our freedom from addiction, poverty, sickness and lack. We have to stand and fight until we fully experience His freedom and the peace that He has promised.
I love what the early colonists did once they signed the Declaration of Independence. They read it out loud in public. They published it in the newspaper. They spread the word. They continued to declare and celebrate even though they were in the midst of the battle.
Today, no matter what battle you may be facing, declare that you are free and celebrate your freedom because the victory you seek is on the way!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for setting me free in every area of my life. I declare today that nothing can hold me back. I declare that I am free from sickness, poverty, lack and addiction. I declare that You have set me free and thank You for freedom and discipline in every area of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
© 2012 Joel Osteen Ministries
I Am Lady Fab 