God’s Spirit Is Working in You

By Rick Warren Ministries

“God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13 NLT).

It is the Holy Spirit’s job to produce Christlike character in you.

The Bible says, “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT). This process of changing us to be more like Jesus is called sanctification.

You cannot reproduce the character of Jesus on your own strength. New Year’s resolutions, willpower, and best intentions are not enough. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to make the changes God wants to make in our lives: “God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13 NLT).

Mention the “power of the Holy Spirit,” and many people think of miraculous demonstrations and intense emotions. But most of the time the Holy Spirit’s power is released in your life in quiet, unassuming ways. He often nudges us with “a gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:12 NIV).

Christlikeness is not produced by imitation, but by inhabitation. We choose to allow Christ to live through us. “For this is the secret: Christ lives in you” (Colossians 1:27 NLT).

How is this practical to the way we live life each day? Through the choices we make. We choose to do the right thing in situations and then trust God’s Spirit to give us his power, love, faith, and wisdom to do it. Since God’s Spirit lives inside of us, these things are always available for the asking.

Why Some People Almost Always Successful?

"Failure is not a single, cataclysmic event. You don't fail overnight. Instead, failure is a few errors in judgement, repeated every day." JIM ROHN
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Like everyone else, I´ve spent some time thinking about why some people are so successful in life. And what factors in success that are under more personal control than others. Successful people might be intelligent. Or have had a socially well connected upbringings. Or be naturally energetic and open and positive. But a lot of the factors that make some people more successful at almost anything in life are very much under their control. And much can be improved in anyone’s life by learning from the people that have gone before us.

Here are some of the thoughts on success that I´ve come up with from reading/watching documentaries throughout the years about people such as Michael Jordan, Thomas Edison, Eleanor Roosevelt and Henry Ford. The following factors of success are just a few and I´m quite sure there are a lot more.

- They make decisions and take action
Right or wrong action, they take it. Either way it’s always better than making no decisions and taking no action at all. As Franklin Roosevelt said: “It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.”

- They do things even when they don´t feel like it
I think this is a pretty huge factor. A lot of us back down when we don´t want to do something, even though it may eventually bring us to a wonderful experience or goal. Successful people may not always like doing some of the things they have to do. But they do them anyway. And in the longer run that makes all the difference.

Marked Moments

By Joel Osteen Ministries

"…time and chance happen to them all"
(Ecclesiastes 9:11, AMP)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

God created every one of us to be successful. Before the foundation of the world, He laid out an exact plan for our lives. In this plan, He has marked moments that are going to come across your path. These moments are not ordinary. They are destiny-altering moments. They are designed to thrust you years ahead.

Today's verse says that time and chance comes together for every person. That means you'll have opportunities to meet the right people, opportunities to advance in your career, and opportunities to fulfill your dreams. God has already prearranged times of increase, promotion, and blessing. You may not be seeing a lot of good breaks right now, but let me encourage you; in your future there are seasons of favor and increase! God has ordained moments in the supernatural to help you get ahead.

I encourage you today to see with your eyes of faith the good things God has in store for your future. Thank Him for what He's doing and what He's about to do. Thank Him for divine connections and marked moments, and thank Him for fulfilling every dream and desire He's placed within your heart!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Heavenly Father, thank You for marked moments and divine opportunities in my life. I trust that You are working behind the scenes no matter what the circumstances look like. I choose today to keep my heart and mind focused on Your goodness, knowing that You are a rewarder of the people who diligently seek after You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Does God still speak to people?

This will give you the chills.......
GOOD chills.

A young man had been to Wednesday Night Bible Study..

The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice
The young man couldn't help but wonder, 'Does God still speak to people?'

After service, he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message.
Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways...

It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, 'God...If you still speak t o people, speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey.'

As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk.

He shook his head and said out loud, 'God is that you?' He didn't get a reply and started on toward home.

But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk.

The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli.

'Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk..' It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home.

As he passed Seventh Street , he again felt the urge, 'Turn Down that street.'

This is crazy he thought, and drove on past the intersection.

Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street ..

At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh.

Half jokingly, he said out loud,

'Okay, God, I will.'

He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi-commercial area of town. It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either.
The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed.

Again, he sensed somet hing, 'Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street. The young man looked at the house.. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat.

'Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid.' Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk.

Finally, he opened the door, 'Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something, but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here.'

He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, 'Who is it? What do you want?' Then the door opened before the young man could get away.

The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. 'What is it?'

The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, 'Here, I brought this to you.' The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway.

Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen... The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face.

The man began speaking and half crying, 'We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk.'

His wife in the kitchen yelled out, 'I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?'

The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man's hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face.
He knew that God still answers prayers.

A Commitment to Seek Only God Leads to Blessing

By Rick Warren Ministries

“Then the man said, ‘Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me’” (Genesis 32:26 NLT).

Obviously, God could have overpowered Jacob and ended the wrestling match instantly. Why did God let the struggle go on?

Here’s the lesson: When God allows a crisis into your life, He doesn’t solve it immediately. He lets it go on for a while because he wants to see if you’re really serious about seeking him. If God answered your prayers immediately, you’d begin to think God was a big vending machine: put in a prayer, pull out whatever you need.

I can’t tell you how many people say, “Rick, I am praying for a financial miracle in my life. I am so in debt and I'm praying for a financial miracle.” I want to say, “Did you get in debt supernaturally?” The truth is no. You worked hard at it. You made foolish decisions. You spent more money than you could make. You didn’t save for the lean times that inevitably come in life. You didn’t use your money wisely.

Why should God just bail you out? If God just instantly bailed you out of your financial crisis, then tomorrow you’d go out and overspend again. You wouldn’t learn discipline, or money management, or wisdom, or persistence. God is not just going to bail you out of the debt you got yourself into; he will help you get out of debt but he wants to build your character.

If you’re in a crisis right now, hang in there! Don’t give up. Don’t run from it. Don’t try to escape. The problems you have in your life didn’t get those overnight. You may have worked years getting yourself into this mess. You have a lot of ingrained patterns, bad responses, wrong habits, and wrong ways of responding that have built up over the years. So God isn’t going to remove those all at once. It’s kind of like peeling an onion; he takes it off one layer at a time.

God Wants You Strong

By Rick Warren Ministries

“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’ At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked” (John 5:8–9 NIV).

For 38 years the man was paralyzed in a sickly cycle of passive dependency, coping to make it to the end of each day, longing for something else.

It’s the kind of circular survival thinking that traps us in a death-like state where we’re ruled by our fears and our stress, far removed from the abundant life Jesus promised.

Then Jesus said, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”

He gave the man an option: “You can get up and walk, step into faith and leave behind your fear. God is strong, and he wants you strong.”

Like our own steps of faith, the first step was surely the hardest for the man. He had 38 years of experience telling him his legs would not support a walk; he had no experience in trusting this man named Jesus.

It took courage, energy and pain to take the first step, but then, he had one step of experience telling him Jesus might be right; two steps telling him Jesus could be right; three steps telling him Jesus must be right; four steps telling him Jesus is absolutely right.

Jesus didn’t enslave the man; he liberated him, empowering him with choice and independence from his fears.

When we’re paralyzed in confusion and fear, the questions remain:

‧ Do I want to be healed?
‧ Will I do whatever God says to be healed?
‧ Will I pick up my mat and walk, making godly, healing choices?
‧ Will I step into faith and walk away from my fear?

Pray – ‘Father, I want to be healed. Help me in my unbelief. Be my strength and my boldness. Amen.’

In Due Season

By Joel Osteen Ministries

"I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase and the trees of the field yield their fruit"
(Leviticus 26:4, AMP)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

God has set up seasons in our lives. It's easy to get frustrated when our dreams aren't coming to pass on our timetable, but every season is not harvest season. There are plowing seasons. There are planting seasons. There are watering seasons. Sure, we would love for every season to be a time of increase left and right, good breaks here and there. But without the other seasons, we wouldn't be prepared. For example, it's during the plowing seasons that God brings issues to light that we need to deal with. He's getting us prepared for promotion.

If you're not making as much progress as you would like, the key is to not lose any ground. Don't go backwards. Hold your position. Keep a good attitude and do the right thing even when it's hard. When you do that, you are passing the test, and God promises that your due season of harvest is coming. Be encouraged because your appointed time of increase, favor, and promotion is on its way, and He will fulfill every dream and desire He's placed within your heart!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father God, I bless You today. I thank You for preparing me for the blessing and promotion You have in my future. I surrender my heart, mind, will and emotions to You so that I can live as a testimony of Your work in my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Loving CHRIST, Loving others ...

Dear Brothers & Sisters in CHRIST,

I want to encourage you to invite others (Friends, Colleagues, Relatives, Neighbors,) to our LORD JESUS. I know most Christians have this desire, including those who are reading this now. What I want to emphasis is that we must have a schedule or a action plan for it . Example, you can give tracts, write to others (testimony), give CDs (sermons or testimony) & wearing gospel T-shirts. Take opportunity to include these materials when you send greeting cards on special occasions ( Birthdays, Christmas or Get Well Card ). Start Something.

Some years ago, I did asked the LORD what I will regret when I leave this earth. I want to quickly repent before it's too late. Immediately, after I asked the LORD...a collection of thoughts came to me. Thoughts of people going the other way (Hell) It was like telling me to treasure every opportunity to invite people around me to Christ.

Since then, I started giving out tracts and gradually friends joined me. After that, I tried to do it own a regular basis by giving it out to strangers along my journey to different places.

Proverbs 11:30 "He who winneth souls is wise."
Proverbs 10:1 "A wise son makes his father glad"

Even the book "Heaven is so real" by Choo Thomas emphasis on witnessing, spending time with the LORD, giving tithes, etc

Do encourage other Christians to invite others to JESUS. Don't be a silence Christian.

Also, I want to encourage you on Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue."

Be Blessed !

It Is

It's so good to know that you have someone who'll be willing to help you cope up in every frustrations you're having. Every depressing moments, every down moments, every self-worthless-realization moments, he'd be there, not because you want someone to be with you, but because he wants to be with you.

It's great to know when a person appreciates every little thing you do. Even a smile would mean a lot to him, just because you own that smile. And that even if no words are expressed as long as the eyes understand, you'd be able to communicate, just like that.

It's overwhelming when a person tells you that he loves you for who you are. He may not have an answer when you ask him why, but really, he doesn't have to have reasons for loving you.

It's more grateful to know that someone is grateful to have you. We don't choose the people who enter our lives, so it must be luck that you have that person, then you have to be thankful. It may just be coincidence or fate, but whatever the reason is, you have to be thankful in having him the same way he is thankful for having you.

It's a wonderful feeling when you're on the verge of giving up the things you've worked hard for, someone isn't just helping you carry the weight on your shoulders, but he carries it on his own because he'd also be in pain when you are in pain. And then you'll realize, trials would all be worth it as long as you have him, not because he would do things for you, but because you gather all the strength you need, in him and his love.

It's a superb feeling when one is willing to take the risks just so you'll be happy. Unselfishness rule in him just so happiness would take over you.

It's a nice feeling that when you're apart, and days seem to be long, that person misses you. Yes, you might feel bad about not being with each other, but knowing that you feel the same way would drive those blues away, thinking, you'd fight over that feeling because you're looking forward to seeing each other, and that's something to be happy about.

It's a great feeling when he wants to be with you because of the happiness you have when you're together. That even if corny jokes and senseless stories are told, it won't matter as long as you're together.

It's a lovely feeling when someone thinks about your future, with or without him. He cares and he cares enough to think of you and what you'll be someday. But of course, he also wants to be in it someday.

It's a nice feeling when you can be who you really are with that person. No pretentions, no lies, no hypocrisy, because he accepts you for who you are. You can be funny, you can be embarrased, but it won't matter coz it doesn't matter to him. Trust and faith in each other keeps you alive. And it will always do.

It's good to know that you have someone who'll not have the intentions of breaking your heart. Instead, he would be willing to mend it, picking up the broken pieces of your heart that your past love have scattered in the ground. He may not be able to put the pieces back to where they really belong, but you shouldn't mind, because he had repaired that heart of yours, and he fixed it in his own way. He loves you in his own way, not the way your past did. He fixed your heart in a different way, to keep you from feeling the pains of your past heartache and to make you feel, the love, that he's unselfishly giving.

It's a great feeling when that person has every effort to let you feel what he feels for you. Because of the distractions, you may not hear him shout it to the world, but as long as you feel it, his efforts has paid off, big time. And when you feel the same way too... He'd feel as if he's the luckiest person alive.

... when in fact, you're more blessed to have him.

God Will Cause Your Gift To Prosper You

By Joseph Prince Ministries

Proverbs 17:8
A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; wherever he turns, he prospers.

When we see something moldy, we throw it away. But when Alexander Fleming saw his culture dishes contaminated with mold, he discovered penicillin. You see, he had a gift which prospered him.

Joseph, a Hebrew slave in Egypt, had nothing except his gift of interpreting dreams. But look at what that gift did for him. It prospered him. He interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and became the most powerful man in Egypt after Pharaoh. (Genesis 41)

“But Pastor Prince, what if I don’t have any gift?”

My friend, don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t have any gift. God has given each person a gift which can open doors of opportunities and bring in great blessings.

Maybe you are just not aware of that gift you have inside you, or perhaps it has profited you nothing thus far as you have not found out how best to use it. You need to take your gift and ask God for wisdom to cultivate it until it becomes such a powerful tool or “precious stone” that wherever you turn, you prosper.

This was the case with a church brother who was tremendously gifted in the creative arts. For a long time, he lacked the confidence and boldness to leave the security of his police job and step out on his own. But when he began to seek God’s wisdom for his situation, God gave him boldness to leave his job and go back to school to pursue the creative arts. In school, he prospered, becoming one of its top students and impressing the principal so much with his creative gift that he was offered a teaching position in the school even before he graduated.

Now, please don’t go and quit your job after reading this. What you should do is ask God for wisdom regarding your gift. For when the wisdom of God is added to your gift, that gift becomes “a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; wherever he turns, he prospers”.

A Confession Helps You Move Toward Transformation

By Rick Warren Ministries

“‘What is your name?’ the man asked. He replied, ‘Jacob’” (Genesis 32:27 NLT).

God allows a crisis to get our attention, and then he uses the crisis to develop our character. One thing that signals we’re changing is when we confess that we’re the problem. We stop blaming other people and we admit, “I am the problem with my life.” Until you understand this, there can be no major change in your life. This is the breakthrough God knows we need.

God asks Jacob, “What is your name?” This is a very strange request because God obviously already knew Jacob’s name. We need to understand that in ancient cultures you were always named for your character, what you really were. Your name might be Tall or Short; or your name might be Brave or Lazy. You were given a name which was your label. It wasn’t just something that sounded nice. It represented your character.

That’s a problem because Jacob means “deceiver, manipulator, liar.” And Jacob lived up to his name! When Jacob says, “My name is Jacob,” it is an act of confession. He’s admitting, “I am a manipulator.”

Whenever I read this verse I wonder what it would be like to be named for your greatest character fault: “Hi, I'm Greedy . . . ” What would be your name? Bitter? Angry? Uncontrollable Temper? Lustful? Afraid? “Hi, I'm Gossip.”

Here’s the insight into this: We will never be able to change until we openly and honestly and authentically admit our sin, our weakness, our fault, our frailty, our character defects, confessing this to ourselves, to God, and to other people.

One of the most humbling things in the world to do is to go, “This is who I am. I am a __________.” You fill in the blank. “I am a worrier . . . I am a domineering person . . . I am a person who runs from conflict . . . I am an addict.” Just admit it. Stop making excuses; stop rationalizing; stop justifying; stop blaming other people. You’ve got to come clean about what everybody else sees but you won’t admit.

When you come to God and say, “God, I want to own up to the weaknesses and the filth, the wrong in my life.” And you tell God, “This is who I really am,” God is not going to be surprised. God already knows, but he needs you to confess so the work of change can begin.

What do you need to admit about yourself?

GOD

God is a name
We use to identify You

As if to describe
A species set apart

But the essence of your being
Absolute purity in all your parts

What You are in all your Glory
Gentle, patient, peaceful, loving

Make You only in all creation
Worthy of worship and devotion

And so I fall before your brilliance
In adoration of your Being

And call You humbly from within me
What You are – in truth
My God

Lead me

Prune me

Use me

Take me

Whose Report Will You Believe?

By Joel Osteen MInistries

"I have heard a report from the Lord…"
(Jeremiah 49:14, AMP)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Every day we get "reports" from the news, our experiences, our friends and family, and many other sources. We also get reports from the Word of God, which oftentimes, contradicts what others are saying. That's when we have a choice: do we believe what we hear in the natural, or do we believe the report of the Lord?

Friend, we serve a supernatural God! Just because we don't see a way doesn't mean that He doesn't have a way. God can bring one opportunity across your path that will thrust you to a new level. He has explosive blessings that can blast you out of debt and into abundance. "Well, I don't think I'll ever get well. You should see what the medical report says about me." No, that may be true according to medical science, but we have another report and it says, "You will live and not die. God is restoring health unto you." With men it may be impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Choose today to believe the report of the Lord. Stand strong no matter what is going on around you knowing that He is leading you into victory in every area of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father in heaven, I choose to believe Your Word above all else. I know that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf, and You will cause me to triumph. Help me to tune out the negative voices of the world so that I can focus on Your goodness all the days of my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Directions for Life

By Gloria Copeland Ministries

If any one intends to come after Me, let him deny himself--forget, ignore, disown, lose sight of himself and his own interests--and take up his cross, and...follow with Me. For whoever wants to save his [higher...] life, will lose [it]...and whoever gives up his life for My sake and the Gospel's, will save [it].
– Mark 8:34-35

When Jesus said those words, He wasn't just giving us a prescription for getting to heaven. He was telling us how to live a superior life right here on earth.

You see, there's a high life that we can live right here, right now. But to get in on it, we have to lay down the way of life that most of us are accustomed to. We may have to let go of the very things we've been trying so hard to latch onto. We have to set our hearts instead on doing what God wants us to do.

That's what Jesus did. He didn't live His life for Himself. He lived it completely for God. He did only what the Father told Him to do--and He lived in total victory.

It's time to realize that getting born again is not something we do just to miss hell. Our purpose is to please God. To lay down our lives in order to fulfill His desires. To be His special possessions in the earth and to do whatever He tells us to do. Our top priority is to give ourselves to Him and to live in communion with Him. To spend enough time with Him that we can hear His voice and respond in obedience.

Only when we do that will we be genuinely fulfilled. Only when we do that will we be able to live the high life we've been longing for.

EASY ... DIFFICULT!!!

Easy is to judge the mistakes of others...... ...
Difficult is to recognize our own mistakes.... .....

Easy is to talk without thinking.... .......
Difficult is to refrain the tongue...... .....

Easy is to hurt someone who loves us..........
Difficult is to heal the wound....... ....

Easy is to forgive others...... ....
Difficult is to ask for forgiveness. ......... .

Easy is to set rules....... ...
Difficult is to follow them........ ...

Easy is to dream every night....... ...
Difficult is to fight for a dream....... ..

Easy is to show victory..... ....
Difficult is to assume defeat with dignity..... .....

Easy is to admire a full moon........ ..
Difficult to see the other side........ ....

Easy is to stumble with a stone.......
Difficult is to get up........

Easy is to enjoy life every day......... ..
Difficult to give its real value....... ...

Easy is to promise something to someone.....
Difficult is to fulfill that promise..... .......

Easy is to say we love........ .
Difficult is to show it every day.........

Easy is to criticize others...... ...
Difficult is to improve oneself..... ...

Easy is to make mistakes.... ........
Difficult is to learn from them........ .....

Easy is to weep for a lost love........ ..
Difficult is to take care of it so not to lose it..........

Easy is to think about improving... .......
Difficult is to stop thinking it and put it into action......

Easy is to think bad of others...... .....
Difficult is to give them the benefit of the doubt....... .....

Easy is to receive..... ....
Difficult is to give........ ..

Easy to read this........ ...
Difficult to follow...... ...

Easy is keep the friendship with words....... ....
Difficult is to keep it with meanings !!!!!!!!!!!! !!

The Heart of the King

By Kenneth Copeland Ministries

The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
– Proverbs 21:1

Think about that for a moment! God has reserved the right to override the will of a nation's leader, if need be, to see that His people are governed according to His will.

What's more, God will hear the prayer of any government leader. Even if he's the worst reprobate in the whole world. He heard the prayer of old King Nebuchadnezzar. Believe me, that means He'll listen to any leader!

You see, Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon. He was an ungodly ruler of an ungodly nation. However, he'd taken captives from the land of Judah. He had some of God's people under his authority. So, God began to deal with him.

Again and again, God warned him, "Nebuchadnezzar, you're going to lose your mind if you don't straighten up." And, sure enough, he went just as crazy as could be.

He stayed that way for years too. Then one day he cried out to God and God heard him.

Despite his status as a heathen king of a heathen nation, God intervened repeatedly in Nebuchadnezzar's life and heard him when he finally cried out for help. Why? Because he had God's people under his rule!

That same principle still holds true today. If we'll open the way through prayer, God will deal with our leaders!

If we will humble ourselves in unity and pray, God can change the injustice and corruption that exist in our country, or any country for that matter. He'll change the hearts of everyone from the White House on down to make sure His children are governed justly.

Make it a point to pray for our leaders today!

Keep Stretching

By Joel Osteen Ministries

"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back…"
(Isaiah, NIV)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Are you just barely getting by in an area of your life, or are you enjoying the abundant life God has for you? God wants you to constantly be increasing. He wants you to be happy in your marriage. He wants you to enjoy your work. He wants you to be continually rising to new heights. If you're in sales, God wants you to lead that company. If you're an athlete, God wants you to set new records. If you're a mom, God wants you to be the best mom that you can possibly be.

We serve a big God with big dreams and plans for your future. Maybe some things haven't worked out the way you thought they should because those plans were too small. Maybe it's time to stretch yourself further and get a bigger vision for your life. If you're not sure how to do that, start by asking God to increase your thinking. Ask Him to increase your capacity to receive from Him. Ask Him to enlarge your tent stakes; then watch and see what He will do in your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father God, thank You for Your grace and mercy in my life. Thank You for believing in me, for giving me a hope and a future. Today I choose to stretch; I choose increase; I choose to rise up higher so that I can be all You’ve created me to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Begin Again

By Joel Osteen Ministries

"He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!…"
(Revelation 21:5, NIV)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Can you remember the time when you first discovered a big dream in your heart? Maybe you were determined to excel in your career, or excel as a parent; or even excel in your walk with the Lord. You probably started out strong, but maybe things got a little difficult and didn't happen as quickly as you would have liked. At that point many people decide, "Let's just settle here. It's not exactly what we wanted, but at least, it's good enough."

Friend, I want to remind you today that you were made for more than good enough! Maybe things haven't worked out the way you planned, but now is not the time to stop and settle. Now is the time to dig your heals in and begin again. And even if that dream has died—it's time to dream another dream. God has so much for you in your future.

If you've settled in any area of your life, take that first step by declaring, "I am not going to settle for mediocrity. I am made for so much more! Things may be difficult, but I am pressing forward. I'm going to keep believing, and I'm going to make it all the way in to my Promised Land!"

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"Father in heaven, thank You for this new day. Thank You for the opportunity to begin again. I choose to press forward and keep believing for the dreams and desires You’ve placed in my heart. I trust You today with everything that I am. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Don't Let Division Stunt Your Growth

By Kenneth Copeland

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions....
– 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Envying, strife and divisions had reduced the early Corinthian Christians back to the natural, or carnal, state that they were in before they were born again. It had so stunted their spiritual growth that they couldn't understand the things the Apostle Paul wanted to teach them.

Satan has sent the same spirit of division among us today. He knows that a house divided against itself will fall. He also knows if we all come together in the unity of our faith, we'll arrive at the full stature of Christ Jesus (Eph. 4:13). So he has assigned a spirit of division to operate in our personal lives, our church lives, our social lives and our family lives. His goal is the same as it was in Corinth: To bring envying, strife, division and to stunt our spiritual growth.

But we don't have to yield to that spirit. Instead Paul says, "[by] speaking the truth in love, [we] may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ."

Compare "speaking the truth in love" to "envyings, strife, and divisions." Diametrical opposites, aren't they? You can't do both of them at the same time. As you speak the truth in love, you grow up. As you envy, fuss and separate from one another, you go back to babyhood.

Don't let Satan stop your spiritual growth by giving in to the spirit of division but speak the truth in love and "grow up into Him in all things!"