Month: November 2019

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Today’s Word with Joel & Victoria Osteen Ministries

https://www.joelosteen.com/Pages/Blog.aspx?blogid=14132

Today’s Scripture
“Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name…”
(Malachi 3:16, NIV)
God’s Book of Remembrance
Do you ever keep special cards or emails from loved ones? People do this because those words of love and encouragement are important. In the same way, your words and thoughts of love are important to God, too. Did you know He has a Book of Remembrance? In this book, every time we talk about Him or thank Him for His goodness, He has the angels write it down. When you just think about God, the angels record it. In fact, this moment right now, the angels are writing it down in the Book of Remembrance. This book is not up on a dusty storeroom shelf in heaven somewhere. The Scripture says, “It stays constantly before God, wide open, as a reminder of those who are thinking of Him.” God loves you so much and values your love, too. All throughout the day, be determined to keep God in your thoughts. Meditate on His promises and thank Him for His goodness. When we keep our minds focused on Him, we won’t be distracted by the cares of this world. When you let your love for Him show, it pleases His heart and draws you closer to Him each and every day.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, today I turn my heart and mind toward You, thanking You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. I bless You today because You are worthy. I hold Your truth close to my heart so that I can always be pleasing to You in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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A Call to Fail? By Bobby Schuller

Originally posted here: https://hourofpower.org/a-call-to-fail/

“He said, ‘Go and tell this people: Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’”

– Isaiah 6:9

If God called you to fail, would you obey? As we learned a couple days ago, Isaiah quickly answered His Lord’s question as to whom He should send, even before he knew the details of the assignment. It wasn’t until after he exclaimed “Send me!” that he heard more about what his call would actually entail. In essence, God told him, “I’m sending you to your people, Israel, and they’re not going to listen to you. You’re going to preach to them about the poor, and they’re going to shut their ears. You’re going to preach to them about orphans and widows, and they’re going to calcify and harden their hearts. You’re going to preach to them against idolatry and child sacrifice, and they’re going to hate you. Not one person is going to listen or repent.” I don’t know about you, but to me, that sounds like a call to failure. If God asked me to plant a church no one would attend, to preach sermons that no one would listen to, or to go on a mission trip where no one would be saved, would I want to do it? Yet those were the harsh realities Isaiah was forced to face indefinitely. As eagerly as he had answered the Lord’s call, was forced to digest the truth that he would be a prophet to unlistening ears for the rest of his life!

Why did Isaiah answer the call, my friend? Because he loved the Lord his God with his whole heart, soul, and mind. This is how you can do it, too. Be steadfast and confident in the love of your Savior, spend time meditating on His attributes, allow His Spirit to fill your life, and walk forward by doing the next right thing. Even if it means never seeing your desired outcome here on earth, move ahead in full assurance of faith knowing that Jesus heals and redeems everything and that it will all be made right one day in Heaven. Stay closely connected to your good Father and trust that He will infuse your call with passion, power, and purpose!

Prayer
I say yes to you, Jesus, even if I never see my desired outcome on this side of Heaven.

Reflection
How would you answer if God called you to fail in the world’s eyes?

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Friday 34th Week in Ordinary Time

Luke 21.29-33
Jesus spoke to his disciples about the end which is to come. He told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

“Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.

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Practice Thanksgiving By Bobby Schuller

Originally posted here: https://hourofpower.org/practice-thanksgiving/

“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.”

– Psalm 95:2

Happy Thanksgiving! This is one of my favorite holidays because it gives me an opportunity to pause, take a break from the routine of my busy life, and simply practice gratitude. Did you notice I said practice? You see, though it’s great to have feelings of thankfulness, they bear fruit when we express them. This is especially true in our relationship with God. When we raise our hands and hearts in praise and worship to Him, something amazing happens. As we give Him our troubles, pain, and despair, He lifts the heaviness off our shoulders, takes it upon Himself, and sets us free to run. He replaces our burdensome load with a generous measure of mercy, compassion, glory, and most importantly, His amazing love. In fact, consistently giving gratitude to Jesus stirs within us a greater measure of love for others. The more we thank Him, the more we will naturally thank and bless those around us.

Friend, I encourage you to use this day of thanksgiving to commission a new habit in your life: practicing gratitude. If you don’t already, purpose every day to set aside a time to lift your heart and hands in unfettered praise to Jesus. Intentionally give Him the things that weigh you down and receive His crown of joy in place of your sorrows. Then, take the glory of His presence to others by regularly blessing them with the gift of gratitude. Never overlook an opportunity to say “thank you,” whether to your spouse, children, or to a stranger, and be quick to offer a sincere affirmation or heartfelt compliment. As you gather with friends and family today, seize the chance to bless them in the same way your Savior blesses you!

Prayer
I praise you today, Jesus, and ask for a heart that overflows with gratitude.

Reflection
How do you practice thanksgiving in your life?

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Thursday 34th Week in Ordinary Time

Luke 21.20-28
Jesus spoke to his disciples about the end which is to come. He said, “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside the city must leave it, and those out in the country must not enter it; for these are days of vengeance, as a fulfillment of all that is written.

“Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people; they will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken away as captives among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

“Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord. Should they cry to me in any distress, I will hear them and I will be their Lord for ever.

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Today’s Word with Joel & Victoria Osteen Ministries

https://www.joelosteen.com/Pages/Blog.aspx?blogid=14131

Today’s Scripture
“In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you also are being built together…”
(Ephesians 2:22, AMP)
God Didn’t Intend For Us To Go It Alone
The Scripture says in Psalm 133:1 that it brings pleasure to the Lord to see “brethren dwell together in unity.” Imagine that when you come to church and fellowship with other believers, it brings joy to the heart of our heavenly Father and strengthens you as well! It’s important to find a church home where you can participate in worship, fellowship, events, small groups, and outreach opportunities. The person who benefits most from this involvement…is you! Wherever you choose to “dwell,” you will discover your new beginning and God’s purpose for your life.

A Prayer for Today
“God, I pray for the church today. Without a place for believers to belong, we would grow weak in our faith. Thank you for giving me so many opportunities to unite in communion and fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ.”

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Send Me! By Bobby Schuller

Originally posted here: https://hourofpower.org/send-me/

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”

– Isaiah 6:8

After the angel flew to Isaiah in the temple and touched his lips with a hot coal to proclaim that his sins had been atoned for, God spoke. Though His presence had been felt and seen, He hadn’t yet opened His mouth. When His voice was finally heard, He simply asked a question, “Whom shall I send?” Though there was a group of people in that room, in their terror, all but one failed to respond. However, at the moment he was forgiven, Isaiah went from being petrified before the throne of Jehovah to being in awe and adoration of Him. Because he was shown mercy by the Holy One when He could have held his sin against him, the prophet blurted out unhesitatingly, “Here I am. Send me!” You see, once he had tasted the radical grace and wondrous power of his Lord, he was compelled to follow; there was nowhere else he wanted to be.

Friend, when you have beheld the glory of Christ’s forgiveness and the wonder of His grace, you will be compelled to say “yes” to His call. Though He could have left you stuck in the muck and mire of your sin and defeat, He lifted you up and set you free. Even now, He woos you in His might and gives you His power to overcome any obstacle that is set before you. When you make yourself available to His work by saying, “Send me!” the great adventure that results, even if it requires scaling mountains of trials, will far exceed anything you could do in your own strength. He is with you and for you, and together, you and your Savior will go forth and impact the generations!

Prayer
Jesus, I say “yes” to your call today; send me forth to do your work.

Reflection
Have you said “yes” to God’s call on your life? Where has it led you?

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Wednesday 34th Week in Ordinary Time

Luke 21.12-19
Jesus spoke to his disciples about the end which is to come. He said, “Before all the tribulations occur, the authorities will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.

“This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defence in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.

“You will be betrayed even by parents, by brothers and sisters, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.”

Give peace, O Lord, to those who wait for you, that your prophets be found true. Hear the prayers of your servant, and of your people Israel.