Displaying Christian Sermons by tag: daily devotion
Joel Osteen (November-12-2022) Today's Word: Clean House.
Today’s Scripture - 1 Kings 15:11–12, MSG - Asa conducted himself well before GOD, reviving the ways of his ancestor David. He cleaned house...and threw out all the idols his predecessors had made.
Today’s Word: King Asa took the throne of Judah and boldly removed the idols and pagan altars that his predecessors had allowed. He put a stop to what had been stopping Judah from prospering. When an army of a million men attacked Judah, Asa called out to God for help, and the Lord defeated that army with Judah taking an abundance of plunder.
Do you need to do some house cleaning? Are you letting things hang around that you know are not good? You need to put a stop to it before it stops you. You may need to remove the anger, the jealousy, the bitterness, a critical spirit. Remove it, and God will take you to a new level. He'll make things happen that you could never make happen. Sometimes we think things on the outside are stopping us, but if we would look inside and remove what we know is not the best, we would see God's favor in new ways.
Prayer for Today: "Father, thank You that I can take the bold steps to remove those things I need to get out of my life. I can't do it on my own, so I ask You for help to break and get rid of whatever needs to be removed. Help me clean my house. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
John Hagee (November-12-2022) Daily Devotion:
John 16:33 - In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
Immediately before His crucifixion, Jesus warned His disciples of coming trials. After promising that troubles would befall them, He gave a strange command: Cheer up!
Trials take different forms. Satan recognizes the power and favor in our lives. God has given each of us a divine destiny filled with abundance and promise. Satan schemes to kill those dreams, steal our blessings, and ultimately destroy us – anything to hold us back and push us down.
Trials occur simply because we live in a fallen world. Since Genesis, earth has lived under the curse of sin, a fractured relationship with God and with one another. Sin opened the door to every kind of disease and disaster. We suffer its repercussions daily.
Maybe a trial comes for our greater good. God is setting us up for more! We have all asked God for more strength, more power, more resources. Remember the prayer of Jabez: “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory…” (I Chronicles 4:10)? Expanding our territory means pulling up tent pegs and painfully stretching to enlarge our capacity for His gifts. And, oh the joy that follows!
Whether Satan is setting you back or God is setting you up, take heart! Jesus gave us good reason for joy: His is the final victory!
Today's Blessing: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. There is no mountain God will not move, no storm He will not stop, no difficulty He will not defeat. Rejoice in your ultimate triumph!
Today's Bible Reading:
- Old Testament - Ezekiel 24:1-26:21
- New Testament - Hebrews 11:1-16
- Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 110:1-7, Proverbs 27:14
Peace Stealers - Joel Osteen Today's Word (November-11-2021).
Today’s Scripture Hebrews 4:11, AMP "Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves."
Today’s Word: "The rest of God" in today's Scripture is a place where we know God is in control. But here's the key: once you enter that rest, you're not automatically going to stay there. Life is full of peace stealers. If you watch the news twenty-four hours a day, you will live worried, fearful, and on edge. If you get on social media and constantly compare yourself to others, you'll never feel good about who you are because someone else will be more beautiful, more talented, more successful. If you let people dump all their problems on you, they will steal your peace and exhaust you.
There will always be people and circumstances trying to pull you out of God's rest. If you're going to live in peace, you have to put some boundaries up and be careful about what you feed your inner person--encouraging things that build you up and cause you to be positive, hopeful, inspired.
Prayer for Today: "Father, thank You that I can make it my top priority to feed on Your Word and be built up with Your truth. Show me where I need to put up boundaries from anyone or anything that steals my peace. Keep me free from comparing myself to others. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
John Hagee (November-11-2022) Daily Devotion: Nehemiah 8:10 - Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
When we face various hardships, it does not mean that the Lord no longer loves us. In this life, troubles just mean that we are breathing!
Anything in this world that is worth possessing requires a struggle to lay hold of it. Behind every prosperous business, someone strived to succeed. Every great church has overcome obstacles of all sorts. Every loving couple has contended for their marriage. Every believer has fought the good fight of faith.
While we prefer the easier route – the road most traveled – God understands that the struggle is where we get the strength to grasp the blessing. Building spiritual muscle helps us gain the power to hold onto the things that God has promised us. And this is not a stress-free workout!
In the middle of the circumstances where we find ourselves, when we offer up praise and thanksgiving, the Lord makes that place His address. And when He arrives, He brings joy with Him. He gives us beauty for ashes and dancing for mourning.
When we lift up our thanks before the victory is won, we are not denying the reality of our situation; we are telling the situation about the reality of our great, big God! So, go ahead! Sing to Him in the middle of the storm. His joy becomes our strength even as the struggle is making us stronger.
Today's Blessing: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May our loving Father protect you in the time of trouble and surround you with songs of deliverance. Selah!
Today's Bible Reading:
- Old Testament - Ezekiel 23:1-49
- New Testament - Hebrews 10:18-39
- Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 109:1-31, Proverbs 27:13
Joel Osteen (November-10-2021) Today's Word: Be an Open Book | Daily Devotion by Joel Osteen.
Today’s Scripture: Mark 9:23–24, NKJV - Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"
Today’s Word: When the father in today's Scripture cried out, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" he was being honest and vulnerable. Jesus could have said, "Sorry, but you have doubts." But when you're honest with God and get down to the real you--the scared you, the lonely you, the insecure you--God will begin to change things.
We think that when we have it all together, no fears or doubts or struggles, then we can be honest with God and He will accept us. But God is not waiting for the ideal you, for the future you, for the no-doubts you, for the cleaned-up you. God is waiting for the real you. He has mercy for every mistake, grace for every weakness, and faith for every fear. Our attitude should be, "My life is an open book. God, You know everything I am and everything I'm not. Make me, mold me, and change me where I need to be changed."
Prayer for Today: "Father, thank You that You never fault me for being honest about my struggles, my doubts, my weaknesses, and my fears. Thank You that You love me as I am, and You want the real me to come to You. I have nothing to hide. Make me, mold me, and change me. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
John Hagee (November-10-2022) Daily Devotion: Psalm 16:11 - You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
David was out warding off lions and bears when Samuel came looking to anoint a king. His own father did not recognize David’s potential until the old prophet poured the oil over his head.
From the shepherd’s field, David traveled to the battlefield. His brother angrily ordered him to go home, but David went out to confront a giant instead. The women of Israel rattled their tambourines and danced for joy in the parade that formed in his honor, and King Saul welcomed him home to the palace.
Only a short time later, David escaped with his life when King Saul tried to kill him in a jealous rage. For years, he and his mighty men hid out in caves and enemy territory to elude the murderous king. Only after Saul’s death did David take his rightful place as king of Israel.
As David pondered all the places he had been and all he had accomplished, he put pen to parchment in Psalm 16. Joy did not come from power or position, the victory of battle or the luxury of the palace. David had discovered the fullness of joy in the presence of the Lord.
Joy resides in the Jesus in our hearts. In seasons of success or times of trouble, exquisite pleasures abound in the presence of the Almighty.
Today's Blessing: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you live rejoicing in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ – our Hope and our Reward!
Today's Bible Reading:
- Old Testament - Ezekiel 21:1-22:31
- New Testament - Hebrews 10:1-17
- Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 108:1-13, Proverbs 27:12
Joyce Meyer (November-10-2022) Daily Devotion: Be Filled with the Spirit
Did you know we can actually sense the Holy Spirit in us if we pay attention? His presence releases energy, ability, power, and peace like nothing else (see Acts 1:8), and being filled with the Holy Spirit is deeply important to me.
Over the years, I’ve discovered that there are a few things I can do on purpose that help cultivate His presence:
- Think good and godly thoughts because we feed on what we think (see Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.).
- Speak positive things that release hope and joy (see Proverbs 18:21 - Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.).
- Let the Word of God fill my mind. As I meditate on various scriptures, I find the energy of the Holy Spirit being released in my soul (see Ephesians 5:18–19 - And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord).
- When I think about things I can do for other people to bless or help them, I always sense God’s power and enthusiasm (see Acts 10:38 - how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.).
If you’ll give these a try, I believe you’ll be amazed at the difference they make in your life.
Prayer Starter: Father, I want to always be filled with Your Spirit, so please give me the grace to form habits that will help me cultivate Your presence in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
John Hagee (November-09-2022) Daily Devotion: James 1:2 - My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials…
James, the brother of Jesus, asks us to do the math! When we balance the books in our lives – the burdens against the blessings – we find that it all adds up to joy.
Where would we be if God had not been for us? If He had not redeemed us, we would still be lost and wandering outside of His provision and promises. If Jesus had not paved the way to heaven with His blood, we would be facing eternal suffering and separation from our Father.
Consider how He has opened the windows of heaven to pour out innumerable blessings. Remember how He healed the disease the doctor diagnosed. Count up the prayers He has answered.
Even when we face all sorts of trouble, we can consider it nothing but joy. These tests of faith lead to endurance, maturity, and wisdom – all vital to this Christian journey.
When we consider the doors that He has opened, His protection when we were unaware, the profound peace that fills us in darkest times – we can celebrate. Joy is not in what surrounds us; it is in the One Who watches over us.
When we accurately do the math, we discover that the depth of His riches is too much for us to comprehend. We can only respond with deepest gratitude and praise.
Today's Blessing: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. Thank God for what He has brought you through and for what He is bringing you to. May your barren places burst forth with the abundance of joy!
Today's Bible Reading:
- Old Testament - Ezekiel 20:1-49
- New Testament - Hebrews 9:13-28
- Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 107:1-43, Proverbs 27:11
Joel Osteen (November-09-2021) Today's Word: Failure is an Event.
Today’s Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:11, NIV - But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Today’s Word: In life, we're all going to have times where we fall, make mistakes, and blow it. But too often, we get our performance mixed up with our identity. You may have failed, but you are not a failure. That's what you did. Failure is an event. That's not who you are. You are a child of the Most High God. You've been handpicked by the Creator of the universe. God is not judging you by your setbacks. Maybe you've blown a relationship, had an addiction, or done something you're not proud of. Don't let that become your identity. God's mercy is bigger than any mistake that you've made.
Your sins have already been forgiven. Every mistake you've made and ever will make has already been paid in full. The real question is, will you receive God's mercy? You don't have to go around feeling guilty, not excited about your future. You are free. You are clean. You are restored.
Prayer for Today: "Father, thank You that Your love and forgiveness for me is not based on my performance but upon the fact that I am Your child. Thank You that every mistake I've made and ever will make has already been paid in full by Jesus. I believe I am cleansed and free. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
Joel Osteen (November-08-2020) Today's Word: Greater than Your Circumstances.
Today’s Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17–18, NLT - Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crops fails...yet will I rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
Today’s Word: The prophet Habakkuk was saying, "My business has gone down. There's no reason in the natural to be happy, yet will I rejoice in the Lord." We can hear him going through the day, saying, "God, I praise You for Your greatness. You spoke worlds into existence. You're bigger than this sickness, bigger than this financial struggle. I rejoice in the God of my salvation."
Life is too short for you to go through it negative, discouraged, weighed down by pressure. In the midst of difficulties, have a song of praise on the inside. That's what not only keeps you full of faith, but that's what allows God to turn things around. Quit thinking about what's wrong and start thanking God for what's right. Get your song back. If you can't find any reason to be grateful, do as Habakkuk did and rejoice in the God of your salvation. Go through the day thanking God for Who He is.
Prayer for Today: "Father, thank You that I can rejoice in You, knowing that You are the God of my salvation. and victory is on the way. No matter what my circumstances look like, I know You are greater than my circumstances. I declare that You are greater than all. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
