Beyond Critical Voices (— Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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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 from Joel and Victoria 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! A 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. — Joel & Victoria Osteen

When Things Are Out of Control (— Joel & Victoria Osteen )

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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 from Joel and Victoria 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! A 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. — Joel & Victoria Osteen

When to Turn Away (— Joel & Victoria Osteen )

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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 from Joel and Victoria

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!

A 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.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Rising Up (— Joel & Victoria Osteen )

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Rising Up TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31, KJV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria We serve a God of increase. He wants you to continually rise up higher in Him. He wants you to know Him more so He can reveal His glory through you. He wants you to be blessed so that you can be a blessing to others. He wants to take you to the next level in every area of your life! The “next level” looks different for each of us. For you, it may be seeing your family restored. It may be healing in your body. It may be a promotion at work or new friendships that you’ve desired. No matter what it is, know that God has your best in His heart. He desires to do exceedingly, abundantly above and beyond what you could ask, think or imagine. He loves to do above and beyond and show Himself strong on your behalf. Today, meditate on the fact that God loves you so much. As you submit every area of your life to Him, He will cause you to rise up higher. He will give you strength and take you to the next level in every area of your life. A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, I humbly come to You giving You every area of my mind, will and emotions. I submit my desires to You knowing that Your ways are higher. Thank You for leading me and causing me to rise up to the next level in every area of life in Jesus’ name. Amen. — Joel & Victoria Osteen

On Your Side! (— Joel & Victoria Osteen)

pQn]Pa}mG];yU,

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(rUw];m'8;31' NIV)

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kw]lp].lgc];yU,' mUiw]:An]mn];l}:kGL,suk];etL,nL:'PLhUw].sUiw];mI;tp].Kam],tuik];kqt],EKw}.pn]lIlI' El:' tI:kUin],tUwQc];lUc]sUiw];nn].n}.' kUn];sUiw];mI;w}.lQp]:hgp]:him];hgm];mn];tc];nm]nn].Am],Tac],' wn];mUiw];nL:mn];ethUiw]:lqc];Et.Et.wL:wL:'n}nn].Sc]" kUv];kL:' mG];KG]:hU.ekL:' eyL;Sun}.mI;w}. la};An]sac]:tUv];Kam]:pUn].kGL,nn].'w}.eSla};la};yw].AUiw]:' mn];l}:hp].mI;ktiAn]JPL;sw]:Puc]; tn];KUw];AL,nL,yG],lUc]pn]w}.nn].yw].AUiw]:" eyL;Sun}.mI;tac];yum],mat]:' kgp]:pUiw]:mn];hU.An]wL: JPL;sw]:n}.pQn]sG]Pa},mn];mI;Pa},mn];w}.nn].'El:Aik],' An]JPL;sw]:epL;tn];tqp];tt];mk];mn]: tL,Agc],ep.w}.pn]yw].nn]." An]lp].lgc];tqt]:etL;lIn}.Et.' nc],An]TL,wrL.JPL;sw]:pn] ktiw}.nn].' kUn];mUic];tc];la}Kw]sqn],Tqw]Kiun]:lQp]:wQc];lUc]nn].hUk];wn];yw].eS' mUiw]:TUn]:Tiuc] sQt];wn];n}.' Kw]hgc].Sqn],SQc]Agc],ep.nn].El:' PLhUw].lm];wQc];sUiw];nn].pin]:lUm].pk];Kit];kGL, pqt]:mUt];&"

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eKL:SB;tgc];tL,miBw]:n}.'

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On Your Side! TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Joshua chapter six tells the story about how the odds were stacked against Joshua and the people of Israel. They were standing at the massive walls of Jericho that many thought were impenetrable. I’m sure as he was standing before the well-fortified walls and gates of the city, many around him didn’t think his future was too bright. But you see Joshua had something others overlooked; he had the promise of Almighty God. Joshua had faith because He knew God was on His side, and God had already determined the victory. Sure enough, just as God promised, the people marched around the city for six days, and on the seventh day, they shouted the victory and the walls came tumbling down! Today, don’t look at the walls in your life; look at the promise of God. He is for you, and if God is for you, nothing can stand against you. Get a vision of victory and don’t let it go. Keep moving forward in faith and obedience knowing that when you do, the Most High God is on your side! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father God, thank You for Your favor, grace and victory in my life. I choose to trust You. I choose to follow Your leading. I choose to be faithful to You because You are faithful to me. I love You and bless You in Jesus’ name. Amen. — Joel & Victoria Osteen

New Levels (— Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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(2Tim];mtI,'1;7' NLT)

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Tm],mkYam];lik]:lat]:w}.wL:' An]kUw]n}.pQn]wivin],n}yw]." mn];mL;lQn]:tI:lUm];Tat]:sG]tiun], tQn]:hw];nn].eS' yiut];Aw]hw];Tg}lc]nn]." kUv];kL:Kaw],caw];lIn}.sm].' hw];mI;AL,nL,ep.nUiw] An]kUw]nn].w}.yw].&" kYam];lik]:lat]:wL:' tac];hk].sqt]:sac],man],mqn]:n}.tqp];pqt]:pak]:pqt]: tac];kUw]sUiw];nn].mUt];yw].'n}AUiw]:" epL;wL:hw];hp].Aw]tac];hk].sqt]:sac],man],mqn]:JPL;sw]: yw].n}ekL:' hw];etmI;tac];tm];sG]lium];sG]pun]:tL,lgc]:wn];mUiw];nL:hw];nn].w}.' ygn].kgp]:pUiw]:'hw]; hU.An]wL:wac];Pqn]tc];nm]lUc]mn];sw]:n}.pQn]tL,lgc]:lIhw];lgn].lgn].nn]." kw]yam]:l};yin]; wL:'!kUw]@n}n}.mn];pQn]tUw]lik]:eyL:An]luk].tI:wL:' Sak]:eS,An]Pit];epL,pQn]mL;An]Et.' (False Evidence Appearing Real,)'nn].n}yw]." hU.pgc],sqc]:lqc];sG]w}.An]wL:' tac];kUw]n}.pQn]tac]; pqt].lqn]An]niuc]:kUv];'n}nn].tL." wn];mUiw]:n}.' lUik]:tac];tL,yum],eKL:kGam];JPL;sw]:eSEl:' hp].Aw]tac];hk].mn];sw]:tL.' nc],hiuw]SUepL;sac]:mc]ep.Kam]:pUn].tac];kUw]nn].pqt]:eSyw].'kaw]. Kiun]:nL:kGL,nG];ASak]:PwlI' An]mn];sw]:hac]:hqn];w}.tL,SU(mG];)nn].&"

eKL:SB;tgc];tL,miBw]:n}.'

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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 from Joel and Victoria

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!

A 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.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Even Brighter (— Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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(Tuc];kGam];'4;18' NLT)

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eKL:SB;tgc];tL,miBw]:n}.'

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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 from Joel and Victoria 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! A 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. — Joel & Victoria Osteen