Plan for Good
"…those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness"(Proverbs 14:22, NIV)
Do you wake up every morning expecting favor and blessing on everything you do? Do you plan for what is good? When we plan for what is good, the scripture tells us that we find love. The scripture also tells us that God is love. So, when you plan for what is good, you will find God in the midst of your plans.
I encourage you today; don't let the negative voices of the world or other people in your life get you focused in the wrong direction. It doesn't matter what is happening around you, God’s plan is always for your good. Remember, you and God are a majority.
Do you need more of God in your life? Do you need more love, peace, and faithfulness? Plan for what is good, and you will find God. You'll find His peace and joy and move forward into the life of victory He has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father in heaven, thank You for the good plan You have for my life. I choose Your plan and ask that You direct my mind and thoughts according to Your purposes. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Daily Devotion
Forget What Lies Behind
"…but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,"(Philippians 3:13, NLT)
Are you focused on forgetting what lies behind? I know many people don't fully understand what it means to forget the past. They wonder, "How can I forget something that's happened to me?" But one definition of the word forget means to disregard intentionally or to overlook. You have to intentionally disregard your past so that it doesn't keep you from moving forward. That means the good and the bad. Sometimes our past victories keep us from rising higher as much as past failures. If we don't let go of the old, we'll never be able to embrace the new.
It doesn't matter what's happened in your history, it's time to forget what lies behind. Make the choice today to press forward. Trust that God has a better future in store for you. Trust that He's working behind the scenes on your behalf. As you press forward, you will move forward, and you will embrace the life of victory God has in store for you.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father in heaven, I choose to forget the past today. I don't want anything to hold me back from the future You have prepared for me. I choose forgiveness and ask that You help me by Your Spirit to press forward in every area of my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen"
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
"…but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,"(Philippians 3:13, NLT)
Are you focused on forgetting what lies behind? I know many people don't fully understand what it means to forget the past. They wonder, "How can I forget something that's happened to me?" But one definition of the word forget means to disregard intentionally or to overlook. You have to intentionally disregard your past so that it doesn't keep you from moving forward. That means the good and the bad. Sometimes our past victories keep us from rising higher as much as past failures. If we don't let go of the old, we'll never be able to embrace the new.
It doesn't matter what's happened in your history, it's time to forget what lies behind. Make the choice today to press forward. Trust that God has a better future in store for you. Trust that He's working behind the scenes on your behalf. As you press forward, you will move forward, and you will embrace the life of victory God has in store for you.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father in heaven, I choose to forget the past today. I don't want anything to hold me back from the future You have prepared for me. I choose forgiveness and ask that You help me by Your Spirit to press forward in every area of my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen"
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Drama Service-Kingdom Players
Lee University drama group, the Kingdom Players, will appear at Harvest Center Church, Sunday, September 27 at 6:00 PM.
The Kingdom Players, a touring drama ministry team led by Dr. Jay Critz, will present exciting, humorus, and dramatic skits based on the Bible. You will be inspired and refreshed as they bring the message of God's Word to life.
Some of the skits draw out inconsistencies that exist in people's lives and encourage them to change. Others vividly portray Biblical characters, incidents, or stories. According to Duke Stone, Pastor of the Hickory Valley Church of God of Prophecy in Chattanooga, TN, the Kingdom Players' drama presentation "follows after the example that Jesus used in presenting the Gospel through the culturally-chosen means of communication and entertainment . . .parables or stories." Thus, in a biblically sound manner, the Kingdom Players strive to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ through skits of various themes and subjects that will challenge viewers' faith and encourage them to lead a more Christ-like walk with God.
Dr. Jay Crita joined Lee University after traveling for numerous years with his wife, Cherie, ministering through drama. Dr. Critz received a Bachelor of Science degree in Bible from Lee University, his Master of Art in Teaching from Lee University with emphasis in Elementary and Middle Grades Education. He has a Master of Theology from The Theological Seminary with emphasis in pastoral ministry. His Doctorate in Education is from Nova Southeastern University. He has published numerous scripts and has been training drama ministry teams for the past thirteen years. He and his family (Cherie, Mackenzie and Jameson) have been training drama teams for the past thirteen years. Their travels have taken them not only across the United States, but also to Jamaica, England, Peru and Israel.
Lee University is a four-year liberal arts university accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Lee, affiliated with the Church of God, offers ninety-seven undergraduate majors in a variety of fields and three graduate programs in church music, education, and liberal arts.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Daily Devotion
Get into Position
"Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth…"(Isaiah 54:1, NLT).
Sometimes, when we don't see our dreams and desires coming to pass, we can feel empty and barren like a woman who is unable to have children. But look at what this verse is saying: if you've got unborn promises, don't just sit around in defeat. Don't just give up and say, "Too bad for me." No, God says when you're barren, the first thing you need to do is sing a song of praise. You might think, "Well, Joel, I'm kind of depressed today. I'll sing after I have my 'baby.'" No, this passage wasn't written to people who were holding their baby and had seen their dreams come to pass. It was written to empty-armed people; people who didn't have what they were believing for. Do you know why? When you're giving God praise, do you know what you are doing? You are activating your faith and putting yourself into position to give birth to that promise. You are setting yourself up for God to move on your behalf.
Why don't you get into position today by singing a song of praise? All throughout the day, thank Him for what He is doing in your life and watch those dreams and desires come to pass.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father in heaven, I surrender all my questions, all my doubts, all my fears to You today. I know that You have a plan to fulfill every dream and desire in my heart. I choose to sing praises to You this day and thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
"Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth…"(Isaiah 54:1, NLT).
Sometimes, when we don't see our dreams and desires coming to pass, we can feel empty and barren like a woman who is unable to have children. But look at what this verse is saying: if you've got unborn promises, don't just sit around in defeat. Don't just give up and say, "Too bad for me." No, God says when you're barren, the first thing you need to do is sing a song of praise. You might think, "Well, Joel, I'm kind of depressed today. I'll sing after I have my 'baby.'" No, this passage wasn't written to people who were holding their baby and had seen their dreams come to pass. It was written to empty-armed people; people who didn't have what they were believing for. Do you know why? When you're giving God praise, do you know what you are doing? You are activating your faith and putting yourself into position to give birth to that promise. You are setting yourself up for God to move on your behalf.
Why don't you get into position today by singing a song of praise? All throughout the day, thank Him for what He is doing in your life and watch those dreams and desires come to pass.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father in heaven, I surrender all my questions, all my doubts, all my fears to You today. I know that You have a plan to fulfill every dream and desire in my heart. I choose to sing praises to You this day and thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Daily Devotion
Praise Precedes the Victory
"…Joshua said to the people: 'Shout, for the LORD has given you the city!'…And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat" (Joshua 6:16 & 20, NKJ)
One of my favorite passages in the Bible is when Joshua and the Israelites took over the city of Jericho. Jericho had a massive wall built around the city that no army could penetrate. But that didn't stop God from giving them the victory. He simply commanded the Israelites to march around the city in silence for six days, and on the seventh day they were to give a shout of praise.
It's interesting that they had to shout before the walls came down. It seems more natural to shout and be happy after the victory, after the walls have fallen. But no, that doesn't take any faith. We can all sing and give God praise when we're on the mountaintop. But God wants us to learn to give Him praise when we're in the valley.
If you are facing difficulty today, if there seems to be massive walls standing in the way of your breakthrough, remember, praise precedes the victory. Why don't you do like the Israelites and give a shout of praise anyway. Stand and believe that God is at work even if you don't see it. Before long, those walls will come down, and you'll move forward into the victory He has prepared for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father in heaven, thank You for Your promise of victory. I choose to stand in faith, giving You the praise until I see my breakthrough. Thank You for strengthening me and directing my every step. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
"…Joshua said to the people: 'Shout, for the LORD has given you the city!'…And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat" (Joshua 6:16 & 20, NKJ)
One of my favorite passages in the Bible is when Joshua and the Israelites took over the city of Jericho. Jericho had a massive wall built around the city that no army could penetrate. But that didn't stop God from giving them the victory. He simply commanded the Israelites to march around the city in silence for six days, and on the seventh day they were to give a shout of praise.
It's interesting that they had to shout before the walls came down. It seems more natural to shout and be happy after the victory, after the walls have fallen. But no, that doesn't take any faith. We can all sing and give God praise when we're on the mountaintop. But God wants us to learn to give Him praise when we're in the valley.
If you are facing difficulty today, if there seems to be massive walls standing in the way of your breakthrough, remember, praise precedes the victory. Why don't you do like the Israelites and give a shout of praise anyway. Stand and believe that God is at work even if you don't see it. Before long, those walls will come down, and you'll move forward into the victory He has prepared for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father in heaven, thank You for Your promise of victory. I choose to stand in faith, giving You the praise until I see my breakthrough. Thank You for strengthening me and directing my every step. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Daily Devotion
Dream Without Limits
"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"(Matthew 19:26, NIV)
Too many times we limit God with our thinking. God puts big dreams in our hearts, but in our eyes they look impossible and too big to accomplish. Although we want to see our dreams come to pass, we end up focusing on the mountain of obstacles before us. Maybe you dream of starting a business but you don't know where to begin. Perhaps years of physical challenges have left you feeling like you'll never be healthy. You look at your situation and begin to wonder how, and if, God will ever bring your dreams to pass.
Be encouraged today that God can do the impossible. He can supernaturally make all of the dreams He's planted inside of you come to pass. What are you focusing on today? Your situation may seem impossible, but God sees it differently. See your dreams through eyes of faith the way God sees them–fulfilled.
Make room in your thinking today for the dreams God has for you. If things look hopeless in the natural, put your confidence in the promises God gave you. Trust in Him to make all things possible for you. As you do, you'll begin to see your dreams come to pass in ways you never imagined.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Lord, I give my situation over to You today knowing with You all things are possible. All of my hopes and dreams are in Your hands, and I will no longer limit You in my thinking. I choose to see my dreams through eyes of faith and believe they will come to pass. Thank You for working supernaturally on my behalf. In Jesus' Name. Amen"
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"(Matthew 19:26, NIV)
Too many times we limit God with our thinking. God puts big dreams in our hearts, but in our eyes they look impossible and too big to accomplish. Although we want to see our dreams come to pass, we end up focusing on the mountain of obstacles before us. Maybe you dream of starting a business but you don't know where to begin. Perhaps years of physical challenges have left you feeling like you'll never be healthy. You look at your situation and begin to wonder how, and if, God will ever bring your dreams to pass.
Be encouraged today that God can do the impossible. He can supernaturally make all of the dreams He's planted inside of you come to pass. What are you focusing on today? Your situation may seem impossible, but God sees it differently. See your dreams through eyes of faith the way God sees them–fulfilled.
Make room in your thinking today for the dreams God has for you. If things look hopeless in the natural, put your confidence in the promises God gave you. Trust in Him to make all things possible for you. As you do, you'll begin to see your dreams come to pass in ways you never imagined.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Lord, I give my situation over to You today knowing with You all things are possible. All of my hopes and dreams are in Your hands, and I will no longer limit You in my thinking. I choose to see my dreams through eyes of faith and believe they will come to pass. Thank You for working supernaturally on my behalf. In Jesus' Name. Amen"
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Friday, September 4, 2009
Daily Devotion
Put Your Faith into Action
"No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God"(Romans 4:20, AMP)
Do you know how powerful praise is? Praise is putting your faith into action. Just as putting your physical body into action makes it grow stronger, putting your faith into action through prayer and thanksgiving will cause it to grow strong, too!
I love what this verse says about Abraham: No unbelief made him waver regarding the promise of God. To waver actually means to go back and forth. It's a very unsteady posture. Spiritual wavering is when we go back and forth in believing the promises of God. Spiritual wavering shows up in our words and actions. When you speak contrary to God's promises, you are wavering and unsteady. Notice this verse didn't say that Abraham never had unbelief or doubting thoughts. It says that he didn't waiver–he didn't allow his words or actions to go against God no matter what he was thinking. He took captive every thought and stood strong through His praise and worship! See, praise makes you stable. It makes you strong. It's hard to be negative when you are singing a song of praise to Him.
Decide today to stand strong in worship. Put your faith into action with your words and watch what God will do on your behalf!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Heavenly Father, today I choose to bless Your name. I thank You for life. I thank You for breath. I thank You for provision, healing, strength, and joy. I praise You for abundantly supplying all my needs so that I can be a blessing to others. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
"No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God"(Romans 4:20, AMP)
Do you know how powerful praise is? Praise is putting your faith into action. Just as putting your physical body into action makes it grow stronger, putting your faith into action through prayer and thanksgiving will cause it to grow strong, too!
I love what this verse says about Abraham: No unbelief made him waver regarding the promise of God. To waver actually means to go back and forth. It's a very unsteady posture. Spiritual wavering is when we go back and forth in believing the promises of God. Spiritual wavering shows up in our words and actions. When you speak contrary to God's promises, you are wavering and unsteady. Notice this verse didn't say that Abraham never had unbelief or doubting thoughts. It says that he didn't waiver–he didn't allow his words or actions to go against God no matter what he was thinking. He took captive every thought and stood strong through His praise and worship! See, praise makes you stable. It makes you strong. It's hard to be negative when you are singing a song of praise to Him.
Decide today to stand strong in worship. Put your faith into action with your words and watch what God will do on your behalf!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Heavenly Father, today I choose to bless Your name. I thank You for life. I thank You for breath. I thank You for provision, healing, strength, and joy. I praise You for abundantly supplying all my needs so that I can be a blessing to others. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Daily Devotion
Garment of Praise
"Provide for those who grieve…a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor"(Isaiah 61:3, NIV)
What are you wearing today? Not on your physical body, but what's covering your mind and emotions? Are you clothed with despair and disappointment? Are you wearing "heaviness"?
If you've recently gone through a hurtful or disappointing situation, the Bible says there is a time to grieve. It's important to go through that process and release the hurt to God. But the Bible also says that God wants to give you a garment of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness or despair. He wants to exchange your hurt for His healing. He wants to fill you with His peace and joy.
Are the garments of yesterday holding you back and weighing you down? Maybe it's time to exchange that heaviness for His garment of praise. Maybe it's time to release those heavy burdens. It's time to forgive those who have hurt you and begin to praise your way to victory! Just start right now by thanking Him for the life you have today. Thank Him for the opportunities today has to offer. Thank Him for the beautiful sunrise. When you wear that garment of praise, you'll stand strong and display His splendor all the days of your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Heavenly Father, I humbly come to You asking that You take my old, heavy garments of despair and heaviness. Make me new today. Give me a garment of praise so that I can be a display of Your glory and splendor. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
TODAY'S WORD from Joel & Victoria Osteen
"Provide for those who grieve…a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor"(Isaiah 61:3, NIV)
What are you wearing today? Not on your physical body, but what's covering your mind and emotions? Are you clothed with despair and disappointment? Are you wearing "heaviness"?
If you've recently gone through a hurtful or disappointing situation, the Bible says there is a time to grieve. It's important to go through that process and release the hurt to God. But the Bible also says that God wants to give you a garment of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness or despair. He wants to exchange your hurt for His healing. He wants to fill you with His peace and joy.
Are the garments of yesterday holding you back and weighing you down? Maybe it's time to exchange that heaviness for His garment of praise. Maybe it's time to release those heavy burdens. It's time to forgive those who have hurt you and begin to praise your way to victory! Just start right now by thanking Him for the life you have today. Thank Him for the opportunities today has to offer. Thank Him for the beautiful sunrise. When you wear that garment of praise, you'll stand strong and display His splendor all the days of your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Heavenly Father, I humbly come to You asking that You take my old, heavy garments of despair and heaviness. Make me new today. Give me a garment of praise so that I can be a display of Your glory and splendor. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
TODAY'S WORD from Joel & Victoria Osteen
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