Beauty for Ashes

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Beauty for Ashes

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“He will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness.”

(Isaiah 61:3, TLB)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Everyone has experienced hurt and disappointment. We’ve all been burnt by life. But God doesn’t want us to sit in the ashes of the past; He wants to trade our brokenness for healing. He wants to give us beauty for our ashes. The key is that we have to be willing to give up the ashes in order to receive the beauty. You can’t have both because the old has to go before the new can come. Today, are you willing to trust Him with your past hurts? Are you willing to let go of the pain, to forgive others and yourself so you can move forward in freedom? Don’t waste another day sitting in the ashes. The past is over, but your future remains. Let God give you joy instead of mourning, and let Him make something beautiful out of the ashes of your life today!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

God, thank You for promising to sweep away the ashes of my past and give me something beautiful in their place. I choose to give them up to You and receive Your healing and restoration in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

He Still Has a Plan

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He Still Has a Plan TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria The scripture tells us that without vision, people perish. If you don’t have a dream or vision for your life, then you’re not really going to reach your fullest potential. Maybe at one time you had a dream, but you went through some disappointments or setbacks. Things didn’t turn out the way you planned. But here’s a key: when one dream dies, dream another dream. Just because it didn’t work out the way you had it planned doesn’t mean that God doesn’t have another plan. You cannot allow one disappointment or even a series of disappointments to convince you that your dream is over. It’s time to dig your heals in and hold on to the promises in your heart. Stir up those God-given dreams today and watch Him pour out His favor and blessing upon you and fulfill every desire in your heart! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father in heaven, I come humbly to You. I give You my past, my disappointments, my brokenness. Fill me with Your hope and expectation and give me the dreams and desires that You have in store for my life in Jesus’ name. Amen. — Joel & Victoria Osteen

Don't Get Stuck in the Past

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Don’t Get Stuck in the Past

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

(2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

The very moment we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we instantly become a new creation. Our spirits are made alive in Him, the old passes away, and His peace fills our hearts. Of course, everything in your life doesn’t change instantly. Some things do, but some things God will do in your life over time as you grow in your relationship with Him. The key is to keep moving forward in your spiritual journey one step at a time. Keep your eyes forward and don’t get stuck in the past. Today, remember, God is at work in your life. You may not be where you want to be. You may have made some mistakes or had some setbacks. But remember, in Him, you are the righteousness of God. In Him, you are new. In Him is everything you need to have victory in every area of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, thank You for making me new! Thank You for ordering and directing my steps. I trust that You are at work in my life transforming me into Your image. Keep me close to You as I put You first in everything I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

The Day You've Been Waiting For

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The Day You’ve Been Waiting For

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

(Isaiah 43:19, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Have you ever found yourself waiting for something? Waiting for that promotion? Waiting for that relationship? Waiting for a breakthrough? Waiting for something new? Well, I’ve got good news for you: I believe today is the day you’ve been waiting for! I believe God is doing a new thing for you today. Notice in today’s verse, the question is: Do you not perceive it? This tells me that God can be doing something in our lives, but if we are so focused on our circumstances, we can miss what God is doing. That’s why it’s so important to lift your eyes toward Him and declare His promises over your life. No matter what your circumstances look like, declare that God is at work. Declare victory, declare blessing, declare hope, and declare that today is the day that you’ve been waiting for!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for working in my life. I thank You that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. I declare that today is a new day, and You are going to do something special in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen