Displaying Christian Sermons by tag: daily devotion
Joel Osteen (November-28-2021) Today's Word: Run Your Own Race
Today’s Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24, NIV - Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
Today’s Word: Too often when we see someone who's more talented and successful, there's a tendency to think, Why can't I do that? I want what they have. If we're not careful, before long we'll be trying to outperform them, outdress them, outdrive them, outwork them. The problem is that you're competing with someone who's not in your race. Your race is specifically for you. You're not in competition with anyone else. The only competition you have is with yourself to be the best that you can be. So quit comparing yourself to others and run your race.
Nobody can beat you at being you. You can be a better you than anybody in the world. When you're comfortable with who you are, you're not trying to be something that you're not, then your own uniqueness, creativeness, and talent will come out in greater ways. Why? Because you've stepped into the anointing on your life. Be you. You are powerful when you're you.
Prayer for Today: "Father, thank You that Your favor, Your blessing, and Your grace are unique to my life. Thank You that I am just right for the race You've called me to run, and I'm not in a competition with anyone else. Help me to be the best me that I can be. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
John Hagee (November-28-2022) Daily Devotion: Psalm 35:9 - And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation.
One memorial stone stands above all others in the Christian faith, and that is the mount of Golgotha called the Place of the Skull.
There, the spotless Lamb of God hung and bled and died so that He might bring us into right relationship with our Father. On that hill, He paid the price that we have no means to pay. If He had not taken our place, God would not receive our thanksgiving. We would forever be separated from Him.
But because Jesus chose Calvary, the voiceless can now magnify His name and enter boldly into His throne room. No longer are we orphans and alone, wandering this earth without haven or home.]
Give thanks that we have been redeemed. Through the shed blood of Christ, every crimson stain has been washed whiter than snow. We now live and move and find our very existence in Him.
Praise Him for the skills and strength to do the work that He has given us each day. Rejoice that He has blessed us with divine wisdom when we did not know what to do. For joy in place of sorrow, for peace instead of anxiety, for strength instead of weakness – raise a hallelujah!
Heavenly Father, You are the giver of every good gift! We thank You for the perfect gift of Your Son, and we rejoice in our salvation!
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. With a heart of thanksgiving and a mouth filled with praise, bless the Lord! Magnify His name!
Today's Bible Reading:
- Old Testament - Daniel 5:1-31
- New Testament - 2 Peter 2:1-22
- Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 119:113-131 - Proverbs 28:19-20
Charles Stanley (November-28-2022) Daily Devotion: Transformed by the Word.
Galatians 1:11-17 - 11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; 14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. 15 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.
After Paul’s conversion, he disappeared for three years, during which the Holy Spirit instructed him in the ways of God. This was a critical time for his growth as a believer.
The Lord speaks so we can comprehend and communicate the truth. What happened during Paul’s desert years was only the beginning. God renewed the apostle’s mind and worked on conforming him to the image of Christ. For Paul, that change meant applying his knowledge as a Pharisee to the revelation that Jesus Christ was the Son of God.
Here was a man who knew Scripture thoroughly, but the truth that Jesus was the promised Messiah made him reconsider the foundation he’d been trusting. Everything Paul knew about God had to be reevaluated in light of this new information. The apostle’s spirit was being shaped according to the Father’s will. And long after Paul began his ministry, the Lord kept working on him. Every person who reads his letters is a witness to this process.
Like Paul, you are the Holy Spirit’s student, and the knowledge you reap from Scripture can change your life. If you let yourself be transformed by the Word of God, you will share it with others and make disciples.
Joyce Meyer (November-28-2021) Daily Devotion: Be Determined.
Paul said, “My determined purpose is, that I may know Christ, and the power of His resurrection, the power that lifts me out from among the dead, even while I am in the body” (see Philippians 3:10–11).
Every day is a new opportunity to get to know God in a deeper way. Read the Bible for understanding of what He wants to show you, and receive His grace to be lifted out of every past fault and freed from every bit of guilt and condemnation (see Romans 8:1; 1 John 1:9). Let His power lift you into life His way—full of righteousness, peace and joy (see Romans 14:17).
Prayer Starter: Father, I want to get to know You better today. Make Your Word clearer to me today than it was yesterday, and help me live the life You’ve called me to. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Joel Osteen (November-27-2021) Today's Word: Power Up
Today’s Scripture: Ephesians 6:11, NIV - Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
Today’s Word: When you get out of bed in the morning, the first thing you should do is power up. Get your mind going in the right direction. Remind yourself: "I'm ready for this day. I am equipped. I am empowered. I have my armor on. I have my shoes of peace. I'm not going to get upset. I'm not going to let people steal my joy. I'm not going to fight battles that aren't between me and my destiny. I have my helmet of salvation. I know I am forgiven. I am redeemed. I am approved by Almighty God. I've been handpicked by the Creator of the universe. I have my shield of faith. I'm expecting great things. I have my sword of the Spirit; I'm speaking God's Word. I know every enemy is under my feet. I've been armed with strength for this battle."
What are you doing? Powering up, getting prepared for a blessed, victorious, faith-filled day.
Prayer for Today: "Father, thank You for Your promise that no weapon formed against me will prosper. Thank You that I can put on Your armor today that is like a hedge of protection, mercy, and favor around me. I declare that I am armed and ready for the battle. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
John Hagee (November-27-2022) Daily Devotion: Psalm 106:1 - Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
When we choose thankfulness in the middle of the trial, the power and presence of God breaks through to bring us victory.
Every week, Hagee Ministries receives messages from individuals who partner with us or who need prayer for difficult situations. One particular letter came from a mother to ask for prayer for her daughter, Jesse.
Jesse was a healthy, happy teenager who joined her youth group for a much-anticipated ski trip. While hurtling down a hill, she had a terrible accident that broke her neck and several vertebrae and left her with a life-threatening head injury.
The first letter begged, “Please pray that my daughter doesn’t die.” And we did.
For several weeks, Jesse teetered between life and death, bedridden and without much hope.
Every week, Jesse’s mom sent an update: “I’m thankful that my daughter is still alive. I’m thankful that doctors are still giving me hope.”
Six weeks later, she reported: “I’m thankful that my daughter has blinked her eyes.”
Five months later, she revealed: “I’m thankful that she moved her hand.”
Ten months later, she rejoiced: “I’m thankful that she has wiggled her toes.”
After fourteen months in the hospital, Jesse’s mother sent a jubilant note: “I am thankful that my daughter is walking out of the hospital!”
Give God glory! Every day is a gift from our Father. Our praise will break through to 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. Give thanks to the God of the impossible Who does all things well!
Today's Bible Reading:
- Old Testament - Daniel 4:1-37
- New Testament - 2 Peter 1:1-21
- Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 119:96-112, Proverbs 28:17-18
Joel Osteen (November-27-2022) Daily Devotion: Remain.
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you." (John 15:7, NIV)
TODAY'S WORD: In life, we all have ups and downs. There are seasons that are more difficult than others, seasons of testing, trials and temptation where our character is being developed and our faith in God is being strengthened. Sometimes it can feel like you are taking two steps forward and then three steps backward. But if we’re not careful, we’ll start thinking that life is always going to be this way. Even in the strong seasons, you’ll start looking for things to go wrong.
God doesn’t want us to be living life like a roller coaster. He wants to bring us to a place of stability where we remain strong in Him. Jesus said, “I am the vine. You are the branches. If you abide in me, you will bear much fruit and your fruit will remain.” The word “remain” means “to be fixed, immovable, not affected by circumstances.” If you will just keep abiding in Him, just keep meditating on His Word, He’ll bring you through. He’ll make you strong, He’ll keep you stable, and you’ll keep moving forward into the life of blessing He has prepared for you!
PRAYER FOR TODAY: Father, today I set my heart and mind on You knowing that You are good and faithful. I trust that as I seek You and put You first, You will direct my steps. I choose to remain in You and follow Your leading in everything I do in Jesus’ name. Amen."
Joyce Meyer (November-27-2022) Daily Devotion: The God Who Waits.
This verse has become one of my favorites, and it has often been a source of encouragement to me when I’ve had hard times. The Living Bible paraphrases the verse like this:
Yet the Lord still waits for you to come to him, so he can show you his love; he will conquer you to bless you, just as he said. For the Lord is faithful to his promises. Blessed are all those who wait for him to help them.
Let’s think about the staggering implication of that promise: God waits for us. The Creator of the universe and the Giver of all life has chosen to wait for us—waits for us to come to our senses, waits for us to respond to His love, waits for us to turn to Him for help.
That’s an overwhelming thought. God wants to show us love.
Perhaps as much as anywhere else, Satan attempts to build a mental stronghold right there to block that promise. When we contemplate God’s love for us, many of us can’t take it in. We can only think of our failures, our shortcomings, and dozens of other reasons why God shouldn’t love us.
That reminds me of a kind man I’ve known for many years. One day he took care of a situation for me that he didn’t have to, and I was surprised and deeply touched. “You are probably the kindest man I know,” I told him.
He stared at me in shock. “Me? Kind? Oh, I can be mean-spirited and cruel,” he said. For several minutes, he explained to me that he couldn’t possibly be a kind man. “I live with myself all the time, and I see all my defects.”
“Maybe that’s the trouble,” I told him. “You see your defects so clearly, you don’t see your caring, compassionate qualities. You discount all those things.”
He never could accept that he was kind. I also used the word gentle and that surprised him, too.
Maybe that’s how it is with many of us. We’re so absorbed by our failures and all the wrong things we see about ourselves, it’s hard to believe that God wants to bless us. If we read, “God wants to punish you,” we usually wouldn’t have trouble saying, “Yes, that’s what I deserve.”
But how would we answer if someone said, “God wants to bless you”? We probably would think, “I don’t deserve that.”
How many of us actually believe we are entitled to God’s blessings? We want the good things. We want God to love us, encourage us, bless us, and give us victory, but to say we deserve those blessings may be more than we are willing to accept.
Why do we struggle over the concept of deserving? Our tendency is to think that we have to do something to earn His blessings . . . that we have to be good enough or faithful enough. We miss the point of God’s powerful, gracious love. Our blessings from God are not a result of our goodness. They are the result of His goodness.
We are entitled to God’s blessings for only one reason: because we’re His children. It’s just that simple. Those of us who are parents grasp that concept with our own children. We brought them into the world, and they deserve our love. We freely give them our love, long before they do anything good or bad. They deserve our protection and all the good things we choose to give them. They don’t deserve those things because they’ve done something to earn them, but simply because they are our children.
Satan loves to trip us up on this one. As soon as we think it is right for us to be blessed, he points to our weaknesses or our failures. God points to our relationship. That’s the difference.
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for wanting to bless me. Even though the enemy tries to make me feel undeserving, please remind me that I am Your child and You are my Father when I forget. Thank You for Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Joel Osteen (November-26-2021) Today's Word: Enter with Thanksgiving.
Today’s Scripture: Psalm 100:4, NIV - Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
Today’s Word: What an amazing privilege we have to serve a personal God who desires a relationship with us. But notice that today's Scripture tells us that we shouldn't come empty-handed to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. What do we have to give that's worthy of Almighty God? Our praise. Our thanksgiving. Our worship. We should always enter His gates with an offering of thanksgiving from our hearts.
Praise isn't just about singing songs in church. Praise is the expression of gratefulness to God for Who He is and all that He has done. Praise gets God's attention. Praise is a powerful tool in our life because God inhabits the praises of His people! When we enter His presence the right way, He enters our circumstances; and when God shows up, the enemy must flee! Today, enter into His gates with thanksgiving and open the door for Him to move on your behalf!
Prayer for Today: "Father, thank You that I can come to You with a heart full of thanksgiving. I have so much to be grateful for because of Your goodness. You are good, and Your mercy endures forever! Thank You for doing exceedingly abundantly above all I could ever ask or imagine. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
John Hagee (November-26-2020) Daily Devotion: Deuteronomy 31:8 - And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.
On that first Thanksgiving in 1621, William Bradford gathered with about 50 Pilgrims and almost 100 Native American friends to celebrate a bountiful harvest with a three-day feast, games of skill, and military exercises.
Only about half of the colony had survived the preceding winter – many succumbing to sickness and starvation. Legend tells us that on some days, the Pilgrims were rationed only five kernels of corn. Their survival relied on those small morsels of food.
As they gathered around the tables laden with venison and vegetables, Bradford shucked an ear of corn and meted out five kernels of corn to each guest. He wanted them to remember where they had started and what they had survived. Together, they gave God humble thanks.
On this special day of gratitude, look back and remember where you began and how God brought you here – the just-in-time job offer, the joy of your salvation, the word of confirmation, the check in the mail, His sustaining grace, the miraculous medical turn-around, the faces of your loved ones.
He was faithful to you in the past, and He is not finished. If He brought you from there to where you are today, He will take you the rest of the way!
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. Lift your heart and your hands to heaven to give thanks to God for His unspeakable blessings. He is worthy to be praised!
Today's Bible Reading:
- Old Testament - Daniel 2:24-3:30
- New Testament - 1 Peter 4:7-5:14
- Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 119:81-95, Proverbs 28:15-16
