http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/osteen/ en-us Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:48:57 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2134070/posts Look for Opportunity Today's Scripture “Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains” (Colossians 4:3, NLT). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Paul was writing these words while he was in chains in prison. He was arrested for preaching the gospel. Everything in his surroundings shouted “limitations,” but instead of looking at his surroundings, Paul kept his eyes on the limitless God. He kept looking for the open door of opportunity that God would have for him next. No matter... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2134070/posts#comment Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:48:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2133430/posts Share Your Life Today's Scripture “We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too” (1 Thessalonians 2:8). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria People all over the world are searching for grace and peace. They are powerful forces in the life of the believer. First of all, we are saved by God’s grace through faith. We don’t deserve it and can’t earn His grace and forgiveness, but He gives it to us anyway. Grace is God’s favor that opens the door to salvation, but it doesn’t stop there.... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2133430/posts#comment Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:46:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2131971/posts Let His Love Show Today's Scripture “We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people” (1 Thessalonians 1:4, NLT). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Paul starts his letter to the Thessalonians with a compliment and exhortation about how well they were living. He could see God’s love in them. He told them that the way they responded to the Gospel and the way the Holy Spirit confirmed their faith was evidence that God was holding them in high esteem. In other words, by their actions, they were letting... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2131971/posts#comment Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:48:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2131360/posts The Desire to Please Him Today's Scripture “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Do you desire to please Him? When you become a believer by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, God begins working in you. He changes your desires from self-seeking to God-seeking. When you make a wrong choice or do something that displeases Him, most times, you know it immediately. There’s uneasiness on the inside of you. You might even feel a little sick to your... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2131360/posts#comment Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:45:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2130658/posts Harvest Always Comes Today's Scripture “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant” (Galatians 6:7, NLT). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Have you ever looked at a large, old tree and wondered how long it has been there? It’s amazing to think that, at one point, that gigantic tree was merely a tiny seed. In the same way, our words and actions are seeds; and we will always reap a harvest on what we sow. What are you sowing into the lives around you? What are you sowing into your... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2130658/posts#comment Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:44:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2129957/posts God’s Deep Secrets Today's Scripture “That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ’No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’ But it was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit. For His Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10, NLT). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Who do you share your deepest secrets with? Most people only share their inner thoughts with those who are closest to them. People they trust. People they’ve gone... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2129957/posts#comment Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:55:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2129295/posts I Can See Today's Scripture “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!” (John 9:25). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Jesus healed a blind man and the religious crowd got all upset. They started arguing over why he was healed, and how he was healed, and who was to blame for him being blind in the first place. They were hounding the man with questions. Finally, the man said, “Listen, guys. You all are confusing me. I can’t answer all of your questions.... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2129295/posts#comment Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:43:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2127753/posts Nothing Wasted Today's Scripture After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted” (John 6:12). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria The Bible tells of a time when Jesus fed a crowd of five thousand with only five loaves. That day, everyone had more than enough to eat and there were still twelve baskets full of bread. That’s because we serve a God of abundance! I love that Jesus told the disciples to collect all the leftovers “so that nothing is wasted.” With God, nothing is ever wasted. He’ll never waste... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2127753/posts#comment Fri, 7 Nov 2008 12:43:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2126861/posts Set the Blessing in Motion Today's Scripture “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (Luke 6:38). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria God is a god of abundance! He wants to pour out His abundance on you until you are so full that you are running over with His goodness. And notice how this verse starts. It says, “Give, and it will be given to you.” Your... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2126861/posts#comment Thu, 6 Nov 2008 12:47:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2125755/posts One More Time Today's Scripture “When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, 'Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish' " (Luke 5:4). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Several times in Peter’s life, Jesus asked him to go the extra mile, to toss his fishing net over the other side of the boat—one more time. And these fishing nets weren’t small. They weren’t easy to move from side to side. They were very heavy. Peter was reluctant, but he did it anyway because Jesus asked him to, and... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2125755/posts#comment Wed, 5 Nov 2008 12:46:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2124560/posts Look Beneath the Surface Today's Scripture “Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly” (John 7:24). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria We don’t realize how many times we look at someone, and in a split second, we decide if we’re going to like them or not. The scripture says that man looks at the outward appearance of others while God looks at the heart. Now, you might be thinking, “Of course, God looks at the heart, He’s God. How am I supposed to look at another person’s heart?” You may not exactly know a person’s heart, but... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2124560/posts#comment Tue, 4 Nov 2008 12:47:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2123340/posts It Is Written Today's Scripture Jesus replied, "It is written, 'You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him'" (Luke 4:8). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Jesus was in the desert to pray. He'd been fasting. He was alone and probably weak in His body. Along comes Satan to offer Him an easy way out of going to the cross. "You can gain the world by letting me give it to you. Why don't you take the easy way out?" the devil was saying. But Jesus knew that the mission wasn't just to gain the world.... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2123340/posts#comment Mon, 3 Nov 2008 12:44:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2120605/posts Activate Strength Today's Scripture “But as for me, I am filled with power— with the Spirit of the Lord. I am filled with justice and strength…” (Micah 3:8). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Micah knew how to encourage himself in the Lord. He understood how to draw courage and purpose into his life. He realized the power in His words and knew that speaking the truth is the most effective way to prepare him to accomplish all God has in store. Did you know that we activate the blessing of God’s favor by speaking it over our own... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2120605/posts#comment Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:53:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2119487/posts Good Ground Today's Scripture “Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted” (Matthew 13:8). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria There are many kinds of seeds we can sow, but do you know what produces the best crop? The seed of God's Word planted on the soil of our hearts. The more of the Word you take into your heart, the more abundant harvest it will produce. Our job, as believers, is to make sure we are good ground. The... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2119487/posts#comment Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:49:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2118355/posts He Will Respond Today's Scripture “Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know Him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring” (Hosea 6:3). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria God promises that He is near to those who call upon His name. It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re going through; He is your deliverer. He’ll bring light into your darkest hour; He’ll bring rain into the dry places; He’ll bring restoration and healing to the broken places. When... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2118355/posts#comment Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:53:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2117292/posts He is Your Rescuer Today's Scripture “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” (Daniel 6:20b). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Most people won’t ever literally come face to face with a hungry lion, but we’ve all been in situations where we feel like we are about to be “eaten up” or destroyed. Daniel lived a life of excellence and found favor with the king. The king kept promoting him and giving him more authority which made the other administrators jealous and angry. They manipulated... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2117292/posts#comment Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:45:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2116280/posts His Grace is Enough Today's Scripture “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (II Corinthians 12:9). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Grace is God’s unmerited favor. It’s kindness from Him that we don’t deserve. Grace empowers us and strengthens us. No matter what has happened in your past, you can receive God’s grace and forgiveness and start fresh today. You can hold your head up high because His grace is enough. You may not be perfect, but you are forgiven. When you go around holding on to your past mistakes or... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2116280/posts#comment Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:42:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2113920/posts Connect to Your Deliverer Today's Scripture “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” (Habakkuk 3:17-18). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Habakkuk knew what to do when things seemed completely hopeless. His world was literally falling apart around Him. There was destruction every where he looked.... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2113920/posts#comment Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:51:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2113011/posts He’s Working on Your Behalf Today's Scripture “We know that God will work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria God is working behind the scenes in your life, today. No matter what you may be facing, no matter what trial you may be going through, God has a plan to turn things around in your favor. Right now, He is working out a plan for your good. Right now, He is orchestrating the right people to come across your path.... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2113011/posts#comment Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:43:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2112000/posts The Lord Is With You Today's Scripture "Be bold, be strong, for the Lord is with you" (Joshua 1:9). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria No matter what today has in store, as a believer, you can approach the day with boldness and confidence. Why? Because the Lord is with you, and in Him is everything you need in this life. That means that if you need provision for something today, provision is with you. If you need wisdom today, wisdom is with you. If you need strength, joy, or peace today, it's with you. You can be confident... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2112000/posts#comment Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:48:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2111015/posts Give Your Faith a Voice Today's Scripture “And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak” (2 Corinthians 4:13 NKJ). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Every believer has been given a measure of faith. In order to see the promises of God come to pass in your life, you have to give your faith a voice. You must declare what God says about you in His Word. Those seeds of faith inside you are activated when you speak them out into... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2111015/posts#comment Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:46:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2110034/posts Encourage Yourself Today's Scripture “David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him…But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (I Samuel 30:6) Today's Word from Joel and Victoria It’s good to have friends and family around to cheer you up when you’re down, but in order to truly live in victory, that encouragement has to come from the inside. When your mind is telling you it’s not worth it, when your circumstances seem difficult, deep down inside, your spirit has to have the resolve that says, “I refuse to settle where I am.”... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2110034/posts#comment Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:45:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2107874/posts He Is Your Rock Today's Scripture “My God, my Rock, in Him will I take refuge; my Shield and the Horn of my salvation; my Stronghold and my Refuge, my Savior--You save me from violence. I call on the Lord, Who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies” (II Samuel 22:3-4 AMP). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria When life seems uncertain, when things seem unstable, remember God is your Rock and Refuge! You can find safety and security in the name of the Lord. The scripture tells us that the name of the... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2107874/posts#comment Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:46:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2106905/posts Nothing Can Separate Us Today's Scripture “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria God’s love goes way beyond any human love you have ever experienced! People may come and go from your life, but God is always with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Human love... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2106905/posts#comment Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:44:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2105988/posts In His Presence is Fullness Today's Scripture “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy…” (Psalm 16:11). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Do you need something from the Lord today? The scripture tells us that Jesus came so that you could have life, and have it abundantly, or to the full. Everything you need, spiritually, physically, and emotionally is found in the presence of Almighty God. He wants to show you the path of life and pour out His abundance and favor on you. The scripture tells us that God inhabits... Email http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2105988/posts#comment Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:44:53 GMT