01/12/23
JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD
Today’s Scripture
And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests.
Nehemiah 2:8, NIV
THE GRACIOUS HAND OF GOD
Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the Persian king, Artaxerxes, when he prayed a bold prayer that the king be favorable to help him restore the broken-down walls of Jerusalem. Even though there was no reason why the king would help, when Nehemiah went to the king, the first thing the king said was, “How can I help you?” When God puts a big dream in your heart, He’s already lined up the right people to help you. Not only that, but the king agreed to provide the timbers, building supplies, and a military escort to keep him safe on the thousand-mile journey.
Nehemiah would tell you, “When you’re facing a big obstacle that looks impossible, thoughts will tell you that it will never work out. But the right people will be there to help you, the funds will show up, the good breaks will come. You have an advantage. The gracious hand of God is on your life.” There is favor on your life that will cause you to do what you could never do on your own.
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for the dreams You put in my heart. Thank You that You have the right people and everything I need ready at the right time and place. I declare that Your gracious hand of favor is helping to take me to new levels. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
SECTION TWO
Who do you think you are? Have you forgotten all the mistakes you’ve made?
Things will never get better. You should just accept your lot.
It’s not going to work—you are just going to fail again!
Nobody loves you. You are all alone.
Have you been at the receiving end of these words of discouragement, accusation, and dismissal?
I’ve seen these tactics of deception, loaded with condemning judgment, used too many times by the adversary. I’ve seen too many people, who have tried to move out from under the shadow of their past or break free from their addictions, end up succumbing to these lies about themselves, their identity, and their future and their destiny. As a result, they are unable to break free, and day after day, they simply live to perpetuate the pain, fears, and addictions to which they’re bound.
That’s the power of wrong believing.
Wrong believing puts people in a prison—a prison where its inmates behave as though they are incarcerated in a maximum-security penitentiary. They march inexorably to their dank cells of self-doubt and addictions. They allow themselves to be led into dungeons of destructive behaviors. They have convinced themselves never to dream of a better place, believing that they have no choice but to live in despair, frustration, and defeat.
If that describes you, it’s time for a prison break, my friend. It’s time to break free from the crippling grip of all that has held you back. How? Through right believing—the light that illuminates the path of freedom out of this prison.
Know and believe that God does not want you to live imprisoned by fears, guilt, and addictions. Open your heart to believe His plan for you is to live with joy overflowing, peace that surpasses understanding, and an unshakable confidence in what He has done for you. Through the cross, Jesus has paid for you to have His abundant life—a life marked by His liberty, His power, and His blessings.
It’s time to let go of the life of defeat and step into a life full of victory, security, and God’s abundant grace!
Dara Network TV 