God's Protection (— Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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God’s Protection

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“ ‘Because he loves me,’ says the LORD, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.’ ”

(Psalm 91:14, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

One time, I was outside my house standing under a big oak tree talking with some people. There had been a severe drought in Houston, and the trees were very stressed. After we got through talking, we walked away. About ten seconds later, this big branch fell right where we were standing. If we had still been there, we would all be in the hospital. We walked away at just the right time. It wasn’t a lucky break; it was the goodness of God directing our steps. Today, I encourage you to be on the lookout for God’s goodness. Acknowledge His name; acknowledge His love. Listen to the still, small voice and let Him direct your steps. He will lead you, guide you and protect you all the days of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for Your protection. Thank You for Your faithfulness and love. I acknowledge Your name. I acknowledge Your love and thank You for Your goodness in every area of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Seeing His Glory (— Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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Seeing His Glory

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Then Moses said, ‘Now show me your glory.’ ”

(Exodus 33:18, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Moses was talking to God and said, “God, show me Your glory.” God responded by saying, in effect, “Okay, Moses. I’ll show it to you, but you can’t see My face. The way you’ll know that I’ve been here is that you will see My goodness.” Whenever something good happens, large or small, God is saying, “That’s a sign of My presence.” I believe that if you’re seeing goodness in your life, you’re seeing God. You’re seeing a sign of His presence. I’m convinced that we see God at work all day long, but many times, we don’t recognize it. Today, be on the lookout for God’s goodness. Thank Him and praise Him for the little things as well as the big things. As you acknowledge His goodness, you’ll see Him more clearly and know His love in ways you never have before.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. Show me Your glory; show me Your love. Help me to see You and know You more every day in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Excel in Giving (— Joel & Victoria Osteen )

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Excel in Giving

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“But since you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you — see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”

(2 Corinthians 8:7, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Paul said in Second Corinthians, “I want you to excel in the gracious ministry of giving.” He could have said, “I want you to excel in business, excel in sports, excel in medicine.” That’s all good. But he said, “What I want you to really be great at, what I want you to excel in is giving.” I’ve made up my mind I’m going to live my life as a giver and not a taker. If you get around me, I better warn you, you’re going to get blessed. I’m going to study ways that I can be good to you. I’m going to encourage you. I’m going to buy your dinner. I’m going to be good to your children. I’m going to help make your dreams come to pass. See, when I come to the end of my life, I don’t want people to say, “Oh yeah, Joel had that big church, didn’t he? He wrote some nice books.” No, I want them to say, “Joel was a giver. Joel made me better. Joel brightened my day. Joel was good to me.” Let that be your desire, too, to leave people better off than when you met them. Excel in the grace of giving and glorify God in all you do!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for empowering me to do good to others. Show me ways that I can be a blessing to others and honor You in all that I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Do Good (— Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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Do Good

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

(Acts 10:38, ASV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

The first thing Jesus did before healing, before ministering, before delivering is that He was good to people. Think about that for a moment. We all have an assignment. You could say that we all have a ministry. It may not be up in front of people. It may not be to go overseas and be a missionary. Our ministry starts by being good to people. When goodness flows out of our hearts, it catches people’s attention. It causes them to want to know more about what we have. We can say all day long, “I love you,” but true love is seen in what we do. If I really love you, I’ll be good to you. I’ll prefer you. God said to Abraham, “I will bless you and you will be a blessing.” One key to being blessed is: are you willing to be a blessing? Are you willing to do good?

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, today I ask that You empower me to do good. Help me to love others. Use me to be a blessing and be a testimony of Your goodness so that others may come to know You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen