Grow in Christ

“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!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

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

is a great one. And (if) when I come out of it, it’s definitely going to take me to another level!

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?

My faith never used to be very strong, but I have grown so much in the past year. I love feeling so close to God, but I still feel like I can be even closer. I am reading the bible for the first time and I’m loving it. I also have a journal I write in daily. It’s basically like a diary, but it’s full of letters to God, just talking about my day. I’ve found that if I have a bad day, and I just start ranting about it, I feel even worse afterwards. Since I have been writing in my journal, I feel much calmer. It helps me to put my problems into perspective and see them from the other person’s point of view. I love feeling this close, but I want to continue growing even closer.

BECAUSE I HAVE TO