Displaying Christian Sermons by tag: Today's Word

Joel Osteen (February-03-2023) Daily Devotional: Receive It - Today's Inspiration Word

Today’s Scripture: Ruth 2:12, NIV - May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.

Today’s Word: A young Moabite widow named Ruth moved to Bethlehem to take care of her elderly mother-in-law, Naomi. To survive, she went into the harvest fields every day to pick up whatever wheat the workers missed. God brought her to the attention of Boaz, the owner of the fields, who began to help her, then fell in love with her. God's blessing was on Ruth, and she and Naomi went from poverty and disappointment to abundance and joy.

Like Ruth, you may have been through disappointments, but things are about to turn in your favor. Quit telling yourself all the reasons for why you can't receive the blessing of God as Ruth did. It's not going to happen just by your ability, your talent, or your connections. It's going to happen by the Spirit of the living God. He's breathing on your life right now. His favor is surrounding you. There are breakthroughs already en route-healing, promotions, contracts, the right people are already headed your way. Now don't talk yourself out of it. Receive His blessing.

Prayer for Today: Father, thank You that You know every hardship and difficult situation I have faced and will face. Thank You that You have more blessings and favor for me than I can dream. I believe that Your favor is surrounding me and breakthroughs are on the way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Joel Osteen (February-02-2023) Daily Devotional: The Next Best - Today's Inspiration Word.

Today's Scripture: This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. 2 Corinthians 9:10, MSG

Today's Word: first public miracle when He turned water into wine at the wedding in John 2, it would have been a great miracle if He had given them the same wine that had run out. We would be telling the story that God can restore, that when you run out, He can give you more. That’s good, but God is so loving that He doesn’t bring you out the same. He gives you the best wine. The best is simply something that you’ve never seen—favor, health, opportunity, finances, influence. The best is in front of you. After you see that best, then God will give you something better, a new best. That’s what it means when the Scripture says He’s taking you from glory to glory. In between those glories, there may be seasons when you feel as though you have nothing more to give—no more creativity, no more resources, no more options. It had to run out so you can see your next best. It’s all a part of God’s plan.

Prayer for Today: “Father, thank You for all the ways You provide for me every day. Thank You that when one of those provisions runs out, You are getting me in a position to increase me. I believe that You have something bigger, something better, something more rewarding up in front of me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Joel Osteen (February-01-2023) Daily Devotional: When Not to Resist - Today's Word.

Today's Scripture - But Jesus said, “Don’t resist anymore.” - Luke 22:51, TLB

Today's Word: when Jesus was about to be crucified, Judas came with a group of soldiers to arrest Him. When Jesus’ disciples asked, “Lord, should we fight?” He told them to not resist. He was saying, “This is part of My plan. I can’t reach My destiny without this betrayal, without being unjustly tried, and without being crucified.”

When we face hardships, bad breaks, and disappointments, it seems like the enemy is in control. We want to fight, resist, and get upset, but God is saying, “Don’t resist anymore. Don’t fight it, don’t live bitter, and don’t try to get even. I’m still directing your steps.” Yes, resist the sickness, resist the addiction, but don’t live upset. God didn’t stop what was unfair, because it’s leading you to your destiny. You don’t know what God is up to. You can’t see that on the other side of that crucifixion is a resurrection. On the other side of the betrayal, the sickness, or the disappointment is a new level of your destiny. Stop resisting and start trusting

Prayer for Today: “Father, thank You that no matter what challenges and setbacks I face, You have a plan for how to use them for my good. Thank You that You are working behind the scenes and bringing a resurrection to what I thought was holding me back. I believe that victory is on the way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Joel Osteen (January-31-2023) Daily Devotional: Something New Is Coming - Today's Word

Today's Scripture: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:18–19, NIV

Today's Word: Isaiah’s prophecy in today’s Scripture was directed to the Israelites when they had been in captivity in Babylon for many years. I’m sure they thought, “Have you seen how powerful our enemies are? We’re stuck. We’ll never be free, never own our own houses, never live an abundant life.” But God says that if you’re dwelling on the past, you won’t see the new thing. If you’re focused on who hurt you and what wasn’t fair, you’ll miss your destiny. Living in regrets for former things will keep you from new opportunities. Reliving your mistakes will stop the new favor from springing up. If you’re looking back at the old, you won’t see the new.

When you drive your car, there’s a big windshield in front of you and a very small rearview mirror. The reason it’s so small is because what’s behind you is not nearly as important as what’s in front of you. Where you’re going is what matters, not where you’ve been. Is there something you need to forget, so you can see the new thing?

Prayer for Today: “Father, thank You that You are the God who is always doing something new, and Your plans are always good. I believe that even now You are working in ways I don’t yet see. I won’t dwell on the past, but I will look forward to the new things You’re doing in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Joel Osteen (January-30-2023) Daily Devotional: Your Most Important Relationship - Today's Inspiration Word

Today’s Scripture: Mark 12:31, CEV - "The second most important commandment says: 'Love others as much as you love yourself.'"

Today’s Word: The most important relationship you have is the relationship with yourself. Too many people don't like who they are. They focus on their faults, weaknesses, mistakes, and failures. They wish they were taller, had a better personality, and looked like their cousin instead of accepting themselves as a masterpiece, made in the image of God. Then they wonder why they're not happy, and why they don't have good relationships. It's because they don't like themselves. If you don't get along with you, you're not going to get along with other people.

You can't love others if you don't first love yourself. The best thing you can do for your family and friends is to be good to you, be kind to you, be merciful to you, be forgiving to you, be loving to you. You're good to others, so why aren't you good to you? You don't criticize your friend, so why are you criticizing you? You compliment your coworker, so why not compliment yourself? Start being good to you-that's not being selfish, that's loving yourself.

Prayer for Today: Father, thank You for making me in Your image with gifts, talents, and abilities to enjoy life and accomplish Your will. Help me to love myself, with all my weaknesses and shortcomings and things I wish were different. I declare that I am happy to be who You made me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Joel Osteen (January-29-2023) Sunday Daily Devotional: Are You Swinging Your Sword? - Today's Inspiration Word

Today’s Scripture: Ephesians 6:17, NIV - Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Today’s Word: It's easy to let difficulties and disappointments and opposition wear us down to where we lose our fight and passion. But you can't be passive and just take whatever comes your way. You're in a fight against forces that are trying to keep you from your destiny, and your weapon is God's Word. When you have His promises coming out of your mouth, you are swinging your sword. When you swing, God will fight for you. When you declare His promises, angels go to work, forces of darkness are pushed back, negative situations will turn around. But as long as you're passive and saying, "I never get any good breaks. I'll probably never get well," your sword is in its sheath. You have to get your sword out and say, "Father, thank You that no weapon formed against me will prosper. Thank You that Your being for me is more than the world being against me." You know what you just did? You swung your sword.

Are you swinging your sword? You have to initiate God's power.

Prayer for Today: Father, thank You for giving me the sword of Your Word to defeat the enemy. Thank You that I can believe and speak Your promises to initiate Your power. I declare that no weapon formed against me will prosper. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Joel Osteen (January-27-2023) Daily Devotional: Seek the Kingdom - Today's Inspiration Word.

Today's Scripture - David asked the men standing near him, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” - 1 Samuel 17:26, NIV

Today's Word: when David went out to face Goliath, his brothers made fun of him, his father didn’t think he had what it takes, and King Saul said he was too young and inexperienced. No one believed in him, but he didn’t go out to prove to them who he was. It wasn’t about proving; it was about fulfilling his purpose. He saw a giant defying the armies of the living God. If David had gone out just to prove himself to people, to show them he was a giant killer, to feed his ego, he wouldn’t have seen God’s favor. His motives were to advance the kingdom. He wasn’t doing it for people’s applause, for fame, for influence, for a position. It was about honoring God. When you have the right motives in life, God will take your slingshot and cause you to defeat a giant. He’ll open doors you couldn’t open. He’ll cause you to look good, to be honored, to be admired. You weren’t seeking fame, trying to impress, trying to outperform; you were seeking the kingdom

Prayer for Today: “Father, thank You that when I put You and Your kingdom first and am doing the right thing, You make the right things fall into place. Thank You for Your promise that as I honor You, I am also fulfilling my purpose. Help me to live with the right motives and to be free from people pleasing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Joel Osteen (January-26-2023) Daily Devotional: The Greatness Will Come Out - Today's Inspiration Word.

Today's Scripture: I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” - Nehemiah 4:14, NIV

Today's Word: Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king of Persia before he took up the cause of rebuilding the broken down walls of Jerusalem. He didn’t have wealth, experience, or resources, and when he got to Jerusalem, he faced all kinds of opposition. It was one thing after another. But when you’re cause-driven, when you have a mission, and you stay focused on it, the greatness God put on you is going to come out as it did in Nehemiah. Rather than take years to finish rebuilding the walls, he inspired the people to do it in just fifty-two days.

You can’t make sacrifices to help those around you without God helping you. You’re going to see favor that you’ve never seen. You’re going to come out of ordinary into the uncommon, into resources, influence, and opportunity like you’ve never imagined. You have to find your cause. Live for something bigger than yourself. The greatness in you will come out when you help others, when you build their dreams, when you support advancing the kingdom.

Prayer for Today: “Father, thank You for the plans and purposes that You have for me. Thank You that I can be a part of great causes, both small and big, and see Your favor beyond what I’ve imagined. I believe that the greatness You’ve put in me is going to come out. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Joel Osteen (January-25-2023) Daily Devotional: How You Handle the Blessing - Today's Inspiration Word

Today’s Scripture: 1 Peter 3:9, NLT - Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

Today’s Word: God's favor on your life means that He will release greater blessings, greater influence, and greater resources. But you have to realize that as others see you succeed, some small-minded people will get jealous and start criticizing, finding fault, trying to make you look bad. You have to be able to handle the negative that comes with the blessing. If you're going to be offended and upset, if you allow it to bring you into conflict with people, then the blessing won't be a blessing.

You don't have to respond to the negative comments and people who don't like or understand you. Keep your heart pure and don't try to repay them. Be good to those who aren't good to you. Overlook what they say or do. The sooner you quit giving the negative your time and attention, the better off you're going to be. You have the grace to rise above it, the grace to ignore it, the grace to not let it bother you. Step into that grace and move forward to greater blessing.

Prayer for Today: Father, thank You for giving me the grace to rise above the negative comments and people who are not for me. 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. I look forward to even greater blessings. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Joel Osteen (January-24-2023) Daily Devotional: No Deficit - Today's Word. 

Today's Scripture: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Genesis 50:20, NLT

Today's Word: for thirteen years it seemed as though Joseph’s life would end in a deep deficit. He was sold into slavery by brothers who should have loved him, falsely accused of a crime and put in prison by someone who should have trusted him, had a promise broken and was forgotten. Despite all these unfair things, and all the odds against him, Joseph suddenly went from prisoner to the prime minister of Egypt in a single day. God gave Joseph a payback and used it all to work out His plan for Joseph’s life.

You may be in a deficit now. Life hasn’t been fair, people left you out, a family member turned on you, the sickness set you back. You’re tempted to lose your passion, to give up on your dreams. But stay in peace and be your best, for your time is coming. God is about to do something unusual, something extraordinary. Suddenly you’re vindicated, suddenly you’re promoted, suddenly your crooked places are made straight. What is that? The power of the Most High settling your account.

Prayer for Today: “Father, thank You that what so often looks and feels like an unsolvable deficit is really part of Your plan that moves me to my purpose. Thank You that it’s going to lead me into a new level of my destiny that I could never experience without it. I believe You will settle all my accounts. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”