Displaying items by tag: Joel Osteen

Joel Osteen (July-03-2022) Today's Word: Keep Running Your Race

Today’s Scripture: Daniel 6:4, NLT - Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn't find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.

Today’s Word: As was true for Daniel in today's Scripture, critics are always going to be around you. There will always be somebody who doesn't understand you, doesn't like what you're doing, and who's never going to be for you. What a shame to waste time trying to convince them otherwise when the fact is that they're never going to change. I'm asking you to let God be your defender. He can make things happen that you can't make happen. He's already lined up the right people to like you, the right people to celebrate you, and the right people to push you into your purpose just as Daniel did. Don't waste your time trying to convince the wrong people. Just keep running your race, honoring God, and being a person of excellence. If you do this, all the forces of darkness cannot hold you back. God will settle your cases. He's preparing a table before you right now in the presence of your enemies. He's going to vindicate you, promote you, and honor you.

Prayer for Today: Father, thank You that You know everything that is going on in my life and all that is coming against me. Thank You that You haven't left me on my own, but that You step in and defend me when I need it. I'm not going to try to convince the wrong people, but I'll just keep running my race. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Joel Osteen (July-02-2022) Daily Devotional: Double 

Today’s Scripture: 2 Kings 2:9, NLT - Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away." And Elisha replied, "Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor."

Today’s Word: Elisha had faithfully served the prophet Elijah for many years and went everywhere he went. When Elijah was about to be taken to heaven, he asked Elisha what he wanted. You would think Elisha would ask for something ordinary, perhaps a monetary gift to provide for his future. But Elisha had learned how to pray bold prayers. He asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. He was saying, "I want to have twice the anointing, twice the favor, and to do twice as many miracles." Elijah could have said, "You have a lot of nerve. You better ask for something more realistic." But Elijah liked his boldness. He said in effect, "Stay with me, and you'll receive what you asked," and that's exactly what happened. Elisha went on to perform twice as many miracles as Elijah. That wouldn't have happened if he had not been bold to see his destiny fulfilled.

You may be happy where you are today, but God has bigger things, greater opportunities, and more influence. Don't get stuck because you're not asking for all God has for you. Be bold.

Prayer for Today: Father, thank You for where I am today and for every blessing and provision You have given me. And thank You for the double portion You have reserved for those who pray boldly. I am asking You for the greater opportunities and the open doors to all You have for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Joel Osteen (July-01-2022) Daily Devotional: Throw Your Net Out

Today’s Scripture: Luke 5:9, NIV - For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken

Today’s Word: After Peter and his companions had fished all night and caught nothing, he obeyed Jesus’ instructions to try again and caught so many fish that his nets began to break. Peter was a professional fisherman and had never caught so many fish that his nets began to break, and he had to call on another boat of companions to help him. He was astonished by it, awestruck by what followed his obedience to Jesus’ word.

You may have been working hard, doing the right thing, but you feel like you’ve caught nothing. There weren’t any fish out there the last time, but God controls the fish. He is saying, “Throw that net out one more time.” Start believing again, start dreaming again, start taking steps of faith. God is going to do things in your life that astonish you. It’s not going to be a normal catch, an average contract, an ordinary promotion. It’s going to be a net-breaking blessing—something unprecedented, favor so heavy that it starts to sink the boat.

Prayer for Today: Father, thank You that You are the God who spoke worlds into existence, and You know how to bring net-breaking blessings to my net. Help me to start taking steps of faith that open the door to Your favor. I’m going to keep believing Your Word and casting my net. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Joel Osteen (June-30-2022) Daily Devotional: Are You Sure?

Today's Scripture: So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” - 2 Samuel 5:19, NKJV

Today's Word:  when the Philistines heard that David had just been made king over all Israel, notice his humility in today’s Scripture. David was a great warrior who had won many battles, yet he didn’t proudly declare, “This is a no brainer. I’ve got this.” He got quiet and said, “God, what should I do?” He was saying, “God, I don’t want to go if You’re not going with me.” He showed his dependence on God. He recognized where his strength, his favor, and his ability came from.

Sometimes when we face a challenge, we assume God is on our side and there’s no question about whether we go to battle. But a wiser approach is, “God, what do You want me to do with this opposition. Shall I attack, or shall I be still and let You fight for me. If I go in, will You give me the victory?” We’ve all fought battles where we didn’t come out like we thought. Maybe it was because we didn’t inquire of the Lord.

Prayer for Today: “Father, thank You that You haven’t left me to work out my destiny on my own. Thank You that when I face an obstacle or challenge that I can come to You for wisdom and guidance in my decisions. Help me to stay humble and not assume that You are going with me into a battle. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Joel Osteen (June-29-2022) Daily Devotional: A Work in Progress

Today’s Scripture: Philippians 1:6, NLT - And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Today’s Word: Everyone has something they're dealing with. You are a work in progress. God has His own timetable. While He's changing you, you need to feel good about who you are, knowing that God will get you to where you're supposed to be. Most people say, "I would feel good about myself if I were more patient, less jealous, and hadn't blown that relationship." There will always be some reason why you won't feel good about who you are. The accuser will make sure to remind you of something you're not doing right, some way that you failed.

If you're going to live in victory, you have to put your foot down and say, "That's it. I'm done being against myself. I'm done focusing on my weaknesses. I know I'm a child of the Most High God. I am redeemed, restored, and forgiven. God is taking me from glory to glory, so I'm going to look away from all that distracts. I'm going to enjoy the glory I'm in right now."

Prayer for Today: Father, thank You for the good work You're doing in my life, and I know that You will keep developing and bringing it to full completion. Thank You that I am a work in progress as one of Your masterpiece creations. I declare that I am happy with who I am and who You're making me into. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Joel Osteen (June-28-2022) Daily Devotional: Get Plugged In

Today’s Scripture: Psalm 73:16–17, NIV - When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

Today’s Word: The writer of Psalm 73 was struggling to understand why God was allowing the people who were coming against him to prosper. He was discouraged. Yet he tells how in the sanctuary, he got a new perspective. He heard people thanking God and telling of His goodness. When he got around people of faith, people who knew that God was in control, that spirit of defeat and depression couldn't stay. A few verses later, he was making bold declarations of faith.

There are some breakthroughs that are only going to happen when you are in the house of the Lord. Your faith alone may not be enough. That's why God has ordained you to be in a community of faith, and why you need to get plugged into a good Bible-based church. Together, we're better. Together, we're stronger. There's power when your faith is connected to other believers' faith. Before long, instead of a small faith, you have mountain-moving faith. You're going to bloom, blossom, and flourish in the house of the Lord.

Prayer for Today: Father, thank You for the power and breakthroughs in understanding that are released when I'm connected to others. Thank You that You ordained me to be in a community of faith so that my faith can be joined to others' faith. Help me to get plugged in and see faith grow to the moving of mountains. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Joel Osteen (June-27-2022) Daily Devotional: In the Desert Places

Today’s Scripture: Genesis 28:16, NIV - When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it."

Today’s Word: When Jacob was a young man, he was a deceiver. You would think that God wouldn't have anything to do with him. But God keeps working with us and showing us His mercy. One night while Jacob was on a long journey through the desert and in a hard place, I'm sure he thought that God had forgotten about him. While he was sleeping, he had a dream in which he saw the Lord standing at the top of a huge staircase and saying, "Jacob, I will protect you wherever you go. I will be with you continually until I give you everything that I have promised." When Jacob woke up, he was in awe.

God was showing us that He's the God of desert places, of lonely times, of difficult seasons. He's right there with you when you feel alone, forgotten, and discouraged. Suddenly, the heavens will open up, and God will make things happen that you couldn't make happen. He's not going to stop until He's given you everything that He's promised.

Prayer for Today: Father, thank You for loving me so much that at times, You take me into a desert place to show me who You are. Thank You that no matter where I go or what I go through, You are always here with me. I believe You are going to bring me into everything You've promised. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Joel Osteen (June-24-2022) Daily Devotional: Be a Gap Stander

Today’s Scripture: Psalm 106:23, NIV - So he said he would destroy them--had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to keep his wrath from destroying them.

Today’s Word: Today's Scripture describes a time after God had delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, then miraculously parted the Red Sea and gave them food and water in the desert. Despite all He had done for them, they started worshipping a golden calf along with partying and being immoral. God was so angry that He would have destroyed them had not Moses fasted and prayed, asking God to have mercy on the Israelites. Because one man stood in the breach for them, God changed His mind and spared their lives.

Why don't you do as Moses did and stand in the gap for family, friends, and coworkers who are off course and making poor choices. They know better, but they're doing wrong anyway. It's easy to stand in judgment against them and write them off. But you can be the one who makes a difference. Live your life as a gap stander. Be a people lifter. Make it your mission to take time every day to help pray people into their destiny.

Prayer for Today: Father, thank You that I can stand in the gap for the people in my life who are making poor choices and doing wrong. Thank You that I can cover them in prayer and ask You to be merciful to them. I will make it my mission to pray for them every day and see them reach their destiny. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Joel Osteen (June-23-2022) Daily Devotional: Be a Blessing

Today’s Scripture: Proverbs 3:27, NIV - Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.

Today’s Word: Today's Scripture says that when you know you can be a blessing, when you have the resources to help a person in need, or when you can teach them the skills you've learned, don't put it off. You may think, "I can't help them. I have to focus on fixing my own problems." But when you make sacrifices to help other people's dreams come to pass, God will always help make your dream come to pass. As you bless others and show them favor, God is going to bless and favor you.

Don't live focused only on yourself--your problems, your sickness, your trouble at work. Go and be a blessing to someone in need. Sow a seed with your finances or a word of encouragement. Go visit your coworker who's in the hospital and pray for them. Call your friend and speak faith into their dreams. Take your elderly neighbor an evening meal. When you help solve their problems, you're setting a miracle in motion for yourself, and God is going to solve your problems.

Prayer for Today: Father, thank You for what You've brought me through that I can now use to help others to solve their problems. Thank You that I have something to give, some blessing to impart, to help make their dreams come true. I believe You will also make my dreams come to pass. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Joel Osteen (June-22-2022) Daily Devotional: Great Character

Today’s Scripture: Romans 12:21, NIV - Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Today’s Word: You don't overcome evil that has been done to you by repaying the person with the same evil they did to you--they hurt you, so you hurt them; they betray you, so you betray them. Not only will you make the problem worse and multiply the conflict, but you'll get stuck where you are. It will keep you from rising higher.

When unfair things happen to you, the apostle Paul says to not take revenge, but to leave it in God's hands to repay. That takes a big person, that takes great character, and it's really a test. When you prove to God that you're not bitter, you're not vindictive, you're not holding a grudge, you're big enough to swallow your pride and do good to them, then He knows you're ready to be promoted. He's not going to promote you to pay somebody back. When you're the bigger person, when you are loving even though someone else doesn't deserve it, that's freeing you to go to the next level.

Prayer for Today: Father, thank You that in every way possible, Jesus overcame evil by doing good. Thank You for giving me the grace to overcome evil by doing good as well. Help me to bless those who have done me wrong, to leave them in Your hands, and to believe that You are taking me to new levels. In Jesus' Name, Amen