Be Generous (- Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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Be Generous

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed"
(Proverbs 11:25, NIV)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Do you need refreshing today? So many people go around overwhelmed, tired, worn down, barely getting by. But that's not God's best. He wants us to prosper. He wants us to be refreshed. Here's the key: be generous and refresh others. Is there someone at the office you can be a blessing to? Can you lighten someone's load? Maybe a family member is going through a hard time. Can you help them out? Can you cook them a meal? Refreshing someone can be as simple as a smile or an encouraging word. Don't wait until you feel like doing it, that day may never come! Do it because the Scripture tells us to. Do it because it blesses the Lord.

Today, look for someone to be a blessing to. As you step out and refresh others, as you live a life of generosity, you will be refreshed and experience His blessing in your own life in return.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy in my life. Thank You for blessing me so that I can be a blessing to others. Teach me to be generous. Show me how I can refresh others and bring glory to You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

It is Written in the Book of Life

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’’”

⁸ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’

¹² Jesus answered, “It says: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’’(Luke 4:4, 8, 12, NIV)

“..., which is the book of life. ….” (Revelation 20:12, NIV)

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⁷ In his life on earth Jesus made his prayers and requests with loud cries and tears to God, who could save him from death. Because he was humble and devoted, God heard him. (Hebrews 5:7,GNT)

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⁵ Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (I Peter 5:5, NIV)

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SO DO NOT WORRY

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Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?(Matthew 6:26, NIV)

“So do not worry,...”(Matthew 6:31,NIV) “..., because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”(Hebrews 13:5, NIV) “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8, ) “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8, NIV)

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Where the Blessing Is (— Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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Where the Blessing Is

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity…for there the Lord has commanded the blessing…"
(Psalm 133:1-3, AMP)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

So many people today desire God’s blessing in their lives, but did you know He commands blessing when we are at peace with the people around us?

As believers, we are called to work together in unity so that we can fulfill God’s purposes. We are called to serve one another in love and serve together in the house of the Lord. Is there someone in your life that you don’t quite get along with? The Bible says to pray for that person and go out of your way to be a blessing to them. It isn’t easy, but the reward is eternal. His blessing is everlasting.

Make the decision today to live in peace and unity with your brothers and sisters in the Lord. Look for common ground. Even if the only thing you can agree on is Jesus, focus on that. Focus on the love you have for God and for seeing people come to know Him. Live together in unity so that the world will see your love. Open the door to see His blessing in every area of your life.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, search my heart today and see if there is anything that is keeping me from walking in unity with other believers. I choose love today. I choose peace today. I choose unity today. Help me to be an example of love to those around me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

A Mark of Honor (— Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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A Mark of Honor

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"It is an honor for a man to cease from strife…"
(Proverbs 20:3, AMP)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Oftentimes, challenges are merely distractions meant to keep us from pursuing our destiny. Maybe someone in the office isn't as friendly to you as you'd like. Maybe you have a neighbor who always parks in front of your house and blocks your mailbox. Those things may be frustrating, but they have little significance when you look at the big picture. You can't allow the little things to open the door to strife in your life.

In the Bible, just before David fought the giant Goliath, his brother Iliab tried to confront him. David knew that arguing with Iliab wasn't even worth his time and strength. He knew his real battle was with Goliath, and he didn't want to be distracted. He simply "turned away" from Iliab and kept his focus on what he was called to do. In our own lives today, most frustrations aren't worth our energy. When we avoid strife, it is a mark of honor.

Today, I encourage you to turn away from strife. Keep your focus on what God has called you to do. As you do, you will live in honor, and you'll move forward in the destiny He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, thank You for Your hand of victory in my life. Give me the wisdom and courage I need to walk away from strife so I can focus on the destiny You have prepared for me. I love You and bless You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

To Him Be the Glory Forever!

²⁹ for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.(Romans 11:29)

⁴ Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. 

 ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:4-6, 9, 14, 16-19, 21, NIV)

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.(Romans 12:9, NIV)

¹³ Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. ¹⁷ Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.(James 4:13-17,NIV)

³⁵ “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” ³⁶ For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.(Romans 11:35-36, NIV)

 

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The Greatness of His Favor (— Joel & Victoria Osteen)

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The Greatness of His Favor

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us…raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus"
(Ephesians 2:4-7, NKJ))

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Oftentimes, people set their focus on what God has done in the past—how He parted the Red Sea or stopped the sun for Joshua or fed thousands of people with just a little boy's small lunch. Yes, God has performed many amazing miracles throughout history; and it's important that we give Him praise, but at the same time, we also have to look forward to what God wants to do in our lives today.

In today's verse, Paul says that "in the ages to come" God would do things that exceed anything He's ever done before. I believe that the "ages to come" is this day and time we're living in right now. God wants to outdo Himself in our generation! Remember, God is a God of increase. Where you are today is not where you are supposed to stay. He has greater levels of His favor and blessing in store for your future. Dare to dream big! Dare to keep a God-sized vision in front of you! Dare to take hold of every spiritual blessing He has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for showing me Your love. Today I open my heart and mind to You so that I can see the greatness of what You want to do in my life. Use me for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.