Today’s Word with Joel & Victoria Osteen Ministries

Today’s Scripture
“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins…”
(Ephesians 2:1, NKJV)
You Are Alive
Jesus came to give us life! Think about that for a minute. You used to be dead in your sins and trespasses. You had no hope. You lived in fear. But once you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you weren’t dead in your sin anymore. You now have hope for the future. You are alive in Christ! God wants you to live life to the fullest today. It doesn’t matter how you may feel or what you are facing, start thanking God for giving you life. Even if He didn’t do another thing for us, giving us eternal life is more than enough reason to praise and thank Him every day. Thank Him for eyes to see and ears to hear. Thank Him for the air that you breathe. Thank Him for loving you and making you alive today!

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for making me alive in Christ today. Thank You that I am new. Show me how to live every day to the fullest so that I can enjoy life the way You intended in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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Leaders Are Serene By Bobby Schuller

Originally posted here: http://hourofpower.org/leaders-are-serene/

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

– 1 Peter 5:8-9

Yesterday, we talked about the fact that we were created with a need for serenity and rest and how Jesus is the source of those things. Today, I want to share with one of the reasons why I believe this is the case.

To use a few examples from pop culture, what do you think Mary Poppins, the Fonz, Gandalf, Yoda, Sensei Wu from the Lego Movie, and Morgan Freeman (in pretty much any role) have in common? Though you may not see too many connections, I believe the common denominator is that they were all relaxed. Because their characters were not easily riled, they were able to naturally influence those around them. Similarly, think about disaster scenarios you have either lived through or seen depicted in television or movies. Nearly always, the person who ends up being the hero is the one who manages to stay calm and lead others to safety. You see, to be a leader does not mean to be anxious and amped up; on the contrary, it means to be tranquil and at peace. In fact, in leadership studies, they call the leader the non-anxious presence in the room.

Friend, just like your Rabbi Jesus, you were designed to be at peace so you can lead and have an effect on those around you! You were created to live abundantly and being rested is the only way to do that. You were also fashioned to have divine influence, and the best way to be an ambassador of power in the Kingdom of God is to be a person of serenity. When you are relaxed, it indicates that you possess wisdom and are someone worth following. This is why peace is listed in Galatians as one of the fruits of living connected to the Holy Spirit. Being at rest is proof that you belong to Jesus, and it’s one of the primary vessels He uses to reach and transform the world around you! Isn’t that an amazing thought?

Prayer
Jesus, I pray for more of the fruit of peace in my life, by the power of your Holy Spirit. Make me a person of tranquility so I can impact and lead those around me.

Reflection
Are you a peaceful and relaxed person? If so, how has it enabled you to lead others? If not, how can you cultivate more serenity in your life?

Friday 21st Week in Ordinary Time

Matthew 25.1-13
Jesus told this parable to his disciples: “The kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
“As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps.
“The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and
buy some for yourselves.’
“And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’
“Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

 

Jesus loves hidden souls. A hidden flower is the most fragrant. I must strive to make the interior of my soul a resting place for the heart of Jesus. – St. Faustina
Prayer
“Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts.” Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Balancing That Strong Feeling

My Joyous Feature

There’s that strong empowerment that shall overtake that part of a discovery moment. Cherish that life straight ahead. It feels like that a stronger moment can overcome so many obstructions. Seeing it more than that pure success in life. That moment can hold that strong ability in so many ways.

A strong life shall balance out a dream. Bringing it into a much bigger level. Through it all things shall escape the struggles in life. Creating a meaningful source. Making it into a bright feeling that can lead up to that compassionate moment.

Life can believe into that strong emotion. Balancing it out into that meaningful reaction. Nothing can carry that strong feeling into something else. Making that moment unbelievable and very passionate about certain things in life.

A person can carry that opportunity to have that strong reaction among themselves. Thinking of themselves as if they can have that…

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Today’s Word with Joel & Victoria Osteen Ministries

Today’s Scripture
“Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
(Luke 7:47, AMP)
Love Much
Did you know that forgiveness opens the door for love to operate in your life? In this Scripture passage, Jesus was at a Pharisee’s house when “a certain immoral woman” came in and poured a jar of expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and began to wash them with her tears and her hair. The religious leaders were shocked that Jesus would allow this “sinner” to touch Him. But she knew she was forgiven. When she received Christ’s forgiveness, love was the automatic response. She was forgiven of much, and she loved and longed to please Him.

Do you want more love in your life? Do you want to feel more of God’s love and have stronger relationships with the people around you? Open your heart to forgiveness. Receive Christ’s forgiveness and extend it to others. When you are forgiven much, you will love much. As Christ’s love flows through you, your faith will be strengthened, your hope will be renewed, and you will be empowered to live the abundant life He has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today
“Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for Your forgiveness which opens the door for Your love to flow through me. Show me Your love and help me to be a light and example of love everywhere I go in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Made to Rest By Bobby Schuller

Originally posted here: http://hourofpower.org/made-to-rest/

“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.”

– Psalm 63:7

Did you know that you were created to rest and relax? Just like your body is designed to need food and water in order to survive, your flesh and your spirit also need tranquility in order to be healthy and thrive physically and spiritually. Need an example of this? Think about the last time you were awake all night. Whether worried about something that kept you tossing and turning or intentionally not sleeping due to studying or other activities, I can almost guarantee that you felt the impact of being short on sleep the next day.

I remember once before Hannah and I had kids, we were involved in youth ministry and we had a student all-nighter at the church. Along with a hundred other sugar-hyped, hormonal teenagers, we stayed awake through the night and finally got home around 7 a.m. the next day. After stumbling into bed, we were asleep for about half an hour when we heard pounding on the roof of the house we were renting at the time. To our dismay, we forgot that our landlord had scheduled a roof repair that morning. Disgruntled and groggy, we made our way back to the church youth house that we had left only a while earlier and crashed on the floor there. I slept on top of an empty Cheerios bag, but I was too exhausted to even care!

Friend, God fashioned you for serenity, and walking in rest is part of His covenant promise to you. Though you might feel like it’s next to impossible to break out of the cycle of racing thoughts and busy insanity, Jesus has made a way. When you meditate on His promises, spend time in His presence, and lift your heart and mouth to Him in praise, He refreshes your soul, relaxes your mind, and your body finds the peace it has been longing for. Standing in the sustaining power of your Savior makes the worries and problems that plague you smaller, because nothing is too hard for the One who created the Universe! Isn’t that great news?

Prayer
I am grateful, Jesus, that you created me to rest and that you will provide it. No matter what I am going through, I will seek refuge and serenity in the shadow of your wings.

Reflection
When was the last time you felt exhausted but couldn’t rest? Did you run to Jesus? If so, how did He help you?

PASSION OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST

O God, who willed that Saint John the Baptist should go ahead of your Son both in his birth and in his death, grant that, as he died a Martyr for truth and justice, we, too, may fight hard for the confession of what you teach.
Prayer
“Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts.” Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Serenity in Your Spirit By Bobby Schuller

Originally posted here: http://hourofpower.org/serenity-in-your-spirit/

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

– Isaiah 26:3
Where do you go when you are trying to escape? While it’s not always physically possible to move yourself to a different location, I believe most of us have a place of mental relief; a dreamland or an imaginary oasis that transports us away from our present reality.

For me, it’s nearly always a location on the water, particularly a dock along clear blue seas where I can lie down and feel warm air wafting over me. I imagine myself taking a nap there as all my stress floats away. For Hannah, it’s the emerald hills of Ireland or the Dover shores of England. She imagines herself as a character in Pride and Prejudice, with her long dress floating behind her as she walks through the open terrain in total freedom. For you, it might be a tropical island, a ragged cliff with crashing seas below, or a valley that looks up to a majestic waterfall. No matter what form they take, our escapelands nearly always have their roots in childhood — a time in our lives before the stresses and pressures of “adulting” took hold. Since I spent a lot of time fishing in tropical places like Mexico as a boy, my mind takes me there. Likewise, since Hannah grew up in Oklahoma, her family would enjoy trips to the Ozarks, so she reverts to places of open space and greenery when she is trying to find peace. While imaginary oases like these can be a blessing when we seek to escape the frantic pace of our routine, the reality is that we shouldn’t have to check out in order to experience tranquility in our everyday lives.

Friend, I’m all for you having a peaceful mental place, but I want you to know that walking in serenity of mind and heart is possible each and every day because of your friend Jesus. Since your Savior was relaxed, you can be, too. He has called you to enjoy a tranquility of spirit that is not dependent upon your external circumstances. In fact, you can be just as relaxed in your workplace, car, or home as in your imaginary dreamland — the key is keeping your focus on the Lord and resting in His strength when you are tempted to carry your burdens alone. Though it’s easy to wish you could revert back to childhood, you are a child of the King of the Universe and His strong arms are holding you tightly and securely, even now. Because He bears the weight of your outcomes, your heart is free to run and soar beyond the highest place your imagination can take you! Isn’t that an awesome thought?

Prayer
Jesus, I am thankful that I can live a life of tranquility when I invite your relaxed presence into my daily routine. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on you.

Reflection
Where do you run to in an effort to escape from the daily circumstances of your life? How can you invite Jesus into that place so He can give you something even better?

 

 

Today’s Word with Joel & Victoria Osteen Ministries

Today’s Scripture
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels…”
(2 Corinthians 4:7, NKJV)
Treasures Deep Within
You have many treasures buried deep inside of you—gifts, talents and abilities that you don’t even know about yet. But the greatest treasure within you is the Spirit of God. You carry the treasure of God in an earthen vessel! He’s also deposited treasures on the inside of you that are tied to your purpose. By His Spirit, you will discover that God has fully equipped you for everything you need in this life. We have to draw out those treasures inside of us by what we speak and what we believe. We stir up the gifts by praying in the Spirit. Don’t let those treasures lie dormant. Seek God and follow His leading. Dig deep, stir it up and move forward in the destiny God has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for choosing to live inside of me. Show me the treasures You have deposited within me so that I can fulfill Your purposes for me all the days of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Wednesday 21st Week in Ordinary Time

Psalm 139
You have searched me and you know me, Lord.

Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.

If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day.

 

PRAYER OF ST. AUGUSTINE
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.
Prayer
“Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts.” Saint Teresa of Calcutta