Grow in Christ

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen

Too often people passively sit around waiting for their dreams to come true. As time goes by they begin to think things will never change for them, and the longer the wait, the more frustrated they feel. It’s important to keep moving toward your dreams in faith and hope. Expecting God’s best and making preparations to succeed will help you stay in faith during times of waiting. “Joel,” you might ask, “How do I do that?” Have expectant faith. Start talking and acting like your dreams are going to happen. People may think that sounds strange, but don’t let it bother you. God has given you a dream, and you may see things they don’t see. As you settle it in your heart and mind that God is faithful, you’ll get excited about His promises for you.
If you feel like you’re in a holding pattern, don’t get discouraged; God is working on your behalf. Put your trust in Him. Start making preparations for the dreams God has planned for you so you will be ready when they arrive. Take your faith to a higher level — go from believing to expecting — and God will bring you the desires of your heart at just the right time.

“reminds me that with him all things are possible”

I’m so very ordinary, nothing special on my own.
Oh, I have never walked on water,
And I have never calmed a storm.
Sometimes I’m hiding away from the madness around me
Like a child who’s afraid of the dark

But when I call on Jesus,
All things are possible
I can mount on wings like eagles’ and soar
When I call on Jesus,
Mountains are gonna fall
‘Cause He’ll move heaven and earth to come rescue me when I call

La la la la la, la la la la la

Weary brother, broken daughter,
Widowed, Widowed lover you’re not alone
If you’re tired and scared of the madness around you
If you can’t find the strength to carry on

When you call on Jesus,
All things are possible
You can mount on wings like eagles’ and soar
When you call on Jesus,
Mountains are gonna fall
‘Cause He’ll move heaven and earth to come rescue you when you—

Call Him in the morning’, in the afternoon time
Late in the evening’ He’ll be there
When your heart is broken,
And you feel discouraged,
You can just remember that He said
He’ll be there

When I call on Jesus,
All things are possible
I can mount on wings like eagles’ and soar
When I call on Jesus,
Mountains are gonna fall
‘Cause He’ll move heaven and earth to come rescue me (back to top first time, 2nd time finish with “when I call”)

La la la la la, la la la la la, la la la la la-a-a

“through my enemies before me, like the bursting out of great waters…”
(II Samuel 5:20, NLT)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen

A breakthrough is simply a sudden burst of God’s favor. It’s an explosion of His goodness. It’s when suddenly, God releases His power in such a way that it overwhelms you and drives out your enemies!

Maybe you’ve been praying about a child for years, and suddenly, they get back on the right course. That’s a breakthrough. Or you were trying to get in to a certain college. They said they were full, but suddenly, they call you back and say they have room for you. That’s another breakthrough. Perhaps you’ve struggled in your finances for a long time then you get a good break or a promotion. Now it’s not a struggle anymore. Those are all breakthroughs.

No matter what you’ve been facing, no matter how impossible things look, know this; the God of the breakthrough wants to visit your house. Your part is to be ready—to look for His favor and goodness.

Remember, God rewards the people who seek after Him. So keep expecting and keep believing because the God of the breakthrough is ready to overwhelm you with His goodness today!

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen

God has equipped us to stand and fight every battle we will face in life. The Bible tells us in Ephesians chapter 6 that we are to put on the whole armor of God—everything that He has equipped us with. The armor tells a lot about how we are to fight our battles.

If you study the armor of God, you’ll find that it only mentions things that cover the front of us. It talks about wearing the breastplate of righteousness which covers our chest, our heart. It talks about having our loins girt about with truth; it tells us to put on the helmet of salvation, and to protect our steps with the shoes of peace. Then it mentions the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit.

But notice, interestingly enough, not one piece of that armor covers our back. Why is that? It’s because God never intended for us to be running from the enemy. If you’re running from adversity, then you’re leaving yourself wide open to the enemy. But if you’ll put on the whole armor of God and stand on His Word, you’ll move forward into the victory God has already prepared for you!

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen

God is looking for people who have a made-up mind; people who will trust His timing. You may not see His promises happen overnight, but they will happen.

In the Bible, Abraham waited 20 years to have a son and see his promise come to pass. Moses waited 40 years to fulfill his purpose and lead the children of Israel out of captivity.

You might say, “Joel, I’ve been waiting for a year, and I don’t see anything happening.” No, something is happening. Right now, God is working behind the scenes in your life. He is arranging the right people, the right breaks, and the right opportunities.

Today’s scripture tells us that at the appointed time, the promise will come to pass, and it will not be one second late! When is the appointed time? It’s when God knows the timing is best for you.

When you understand and accept this principle, it takes all the pressure off. It’s a very freeing way to live knowing that as long as we stay in faith, God will release His favor, His increase, His restoration, and His healing at exactly the right time in our lives!

even though we may have not had more then he somedays. His philosophy was what if that was Jesus coming back? He has a very kind heart. He sees and feels more than most people.

Today I heard this song that just reminds me how much I miss B and what an impact his thoughts made on my life.

The Twenty-First Time

Nowhere to live, nowhere to fall
He used to have money, but he’s wasted it all.
His face is a photograph burned in my mind,
but I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time

He sleeps under stars, that’s all he can afford
His blanket’s an old coat he’s had since the war
He stands on the corner of Carter and Vine
But I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time

He may be a drifter, he’s grown old and gray
But what if he’s Jesus and I walk away?
I say I’m the body and drink of the wine
but I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time

She’s twenty-nine but she feels forty-eight
She can’t raise three kids on minimum wage
She’s cryin’ in back of the welfare line
but I pretend not to see her for the twenty-first time

She may be a stranger tryin’ to get through the day
but what if it’s Jesus and I walk away?
I say I’m the body and drink of the wine
but I pretend not to see her for the twenty-first time

This is a call for a change in my heart
I realize that I’ve not been doin’ my part
when I needed a Savior, I found it in Him
He gave to me, now I’ll give back to them

Drifter or stranger, father or son
I’ll look for Jesus in every one
’cause I am the body and drink of the wine
and I’m thankful there’s more than the twenty-first time

Lyrics Monk & Neagle Song Words

Single Song Words by Artist / Band : Monk & Neagle
Song Lyrics Title : The Twenty-First Time
Taken from Album : The Twenty-First Time
Single Released : 2007
Music Genre : Contemporary Christian Music

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen

All through the scripture we are told to rejoice in the Lord always. It’s interesting that the word “rejoice” doesn’t just mean to be vocal and to give God praise with our words. Rejoice also means “to brighten up,” “to spin around,” and “to leap for joy.” In other words, you rejoice with your actions. You rejoice with your countenance. Do you realize you can rejoice by simply putting a smile on your face?
When times are tough, when things aren’t going as planned, many people have a long, sour face. They’re down, discouraged, worried, and upset. But when you choose to rejoice, you smile and have a pleasant demeanor no matter what. And it’s not because you necessarily feel like it or because everything is perfect. You just simply smile by faith. You smile knowing that your expression is saying to God, “I trust You. I know you are working all things out for my good.”

Make the decision today and every day to rejoice in the Lord! Put a smile on your face and let the whole world know your hope is in the Lord

committed suicide this past weekend. I got the call from my best friend there. It seems he was on a new anti-depressant medication which made him uncharacteristically happy. Whatever that means.

He wasn’t himself…in fact he wasn’t depressed on the outside for the past few weeks. He was happy, went fishing with the guys, got a new job…things seemed to be looking up for him.

Then Friday night he went out with friends to party. They actually called me and he told me he missed me and that he would always love me. I thought they were just having cocktails and going through the “I love you stage” of the evening.

Seems he went home from that evening out…he lived alone… and deliberately opened 3 months worth of packaged anti-depressant (anti-anxiety) pills and took them with another drink. He didn’t wake up.

I have a very strong relationship with God so I find solace in knowing that my friend’s pain has ended. My God is a God of mercy and love so I know my friend is in a much better place for him now but why couldn’t we tell how very close to the edge he was?

I’ve been hearing voices
Telling me that I could
Never be what I wanna be.
They’re binding me with lies,
Haunting me at night,
And saying there’s nothing to believe.
Somewhere in the quietness,
When I’m overcome with loneliness,
I hear You call my name.
And like a father You are near
And as I listen I can hear You say

Chorus:
You are a child of Mine
Born of My own design
And you bear the heart of life.
No matter where you go,
Oh, you will always know
You have been made free in Christ.
You are a child of Mine

And so I listen as You tell me who I am
And who it is I’m gonna be.
And I hang on every word,
Knowing I have heard
I am Yours and I am free
But when I am alone at night
That is when I hear the lie
You’ll never be enough
And though I’m giving into fear
If I listen I can hear You say
Chorus:
You are a child of Mine
Born of My own design
And you bear the heart of life.
No matter where you go,
Oh, you will always know
You have been made free in Christ.
You are a child of Mine

this morning to see what message God has for me right now…today. He says God has different messages for all of us at different times in our lives so the way to find that message is to spend quiet time with God in prayer then open your Bible for his reply. My response this morning is Romans 12. Not complicated but a message I needed to be sure. What message does God have for you today?_

Romans 12
I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.

For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use,

So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another].

Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith;

[He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching;

He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness.

but hold fast to that which is good.

Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another.

Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.

Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer.

Contribute to the needs of God’s people [sharing in the necessities of the saints]; pursue the practice of hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them.

Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief].

Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits.(A)

Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone.(B)

If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God’s] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord.(C)

But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.(D)

Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good.