Make Way for Victory (— Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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Make Way for Victory

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ"
(I Corinthians 15:57, AMP)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

God desires that you live in victory in every area of your life. The scripture says He always causes us to triumph through Christ Jesus! No matter what you may be facing today, God wants to make you more than a conqueror. Are you battling sickness? God wants to give you healing. Are you struggling with a broken relationship? God wants to give you restoration and peace. Are you facing a need—physically, spiritually, or emotionally? God wants to give you provision and supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.

Notice this verse starts out by saying, "Thanks be to God." In the Bible, when God's people were going into battle, many times they sent the worshipers out in front of the warriors. When you choose to be thankful and bless the Lord in the midst of your battle, you are making a way for Him to move in your life. Start today by thanking Him for His goodness. I say it all the time, magnify your God; don't magnify your problems. Give Him the thanks and praise as He leads you into victory in every area of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, today I give You thanks for Your mercy and faithfulness in my life. Thank You for leading me into victory! I magnify You and bless Your holy Name today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Resist Fear by the Restoration Mentality

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Resist Fear by the Restoration Mentality

"Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined]…"(I Peter 5:9, AMP) "And I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…"(Joel 2:25, ESV)

The very moment you first feel fear, you have to resist it. You have to act against it. If you make the mistake of dwelling on your fears and start thinking about all the reasons why you can't do what God is telling you to do, then it won't be long before you develop a negative mindset that will keep you stuck where you are.

In the Bible, when God told David to go fight Goliath, it says that David moved quickly toward the battlefield. In other words, he didn't think about it. He didn't allow fear to grip his heart and talk him out of it. He just did what God wanted him to do.

We serve a God of restoration! You may have had some disappointments or unfair things happen in your life; but instead of dwelling on the past and living in defeat, choose to focus on His promises because God wants to restore everything that's been stolen from your life. He wants to restore your joy, your peace, your health, and your finances. But here's the key: you have to have a vision for it. You have to get your hopes up and decide to get your thoughts and words going in the right direction.

So many people today are just sitting on the sidelines of life. They have tremendous potential on the inside, but they keep letting the enemy talk them out of doing what God wants them to do. Every time they get a vision of victory for their life, the enemy brings fear; and they just swallow his lies hook, line, and sinker. Don't let that be you! Instead, obey quickly. Resist fear and boldly embrace every blessing the Lord has in store for you in 2011!

Today, choose to focus on the future and release past hurts through forgiveness. Draw a line in the sand and say, "I am a child of the Most High God, and I'm not going to live my life negative and defeated. This is a new day, and I'm taking back what belongs to me!" That's having a restoration mentality!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

“Heavenly Father, today I choose to resist fear. I choose Your Word. I choose Your love. I believe that with You, all things are possible. I thank You for choosing to restore my life. Thank You for the truth of Your Word that sets me free. I love You and bless Your Name. Thank You for giving me the power to live in victory in every area of my life. I will stand strong and move forward on the path You have for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Re: TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria, in 2010.

What Pleases God (— Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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What Pleases God

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him"
(Hebrews 11:6, NIV)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Do you know what pleases God? He's not impressed by how much knowledge we have. He isn't influenced by how many possessions we have. He's not moved by our accomplishments; He is moved simply by our faith in Him.

Faith is a gift. It's not something that has to be contrived or worked up. The scripture tells us that everyone has been given a measure of faith, and that faith grows as we hear the Word of God. That's why it's so important to stay connected to a Bible-based church where you can hear the Word of God taught. That's why it's so important to make time every day to read and study His Word because that's how you feed your faith. Best of all, the more you know His Word, the more you understand that He is a good God, and He rewards the people who seek after Him.

Today, take time to feed your faith. Meditate on His Word and ask Him to illuminate your heart with His truth. Trust that He is good and has good things in store for your future because that is faith that pleases God.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for giving me faith so that I can be pleasing to You. As I seek You and study Your Word, I invite You to illuminate my heart with Your truth. Transform me into Your image and let everything I do bring glory to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.