There is no limit to what you can thank Him for since every good and perfect gift that we enjoy today comes directly from Him (James 1:17). Even if you have had a rough day at work and you are facing a seemingly impossible challenge, you can practice His presence.

Gospel Corner

26/11/25

Joel Osteen Ministries

Today’s Word
Today’s Scripture
Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.”
1 Kings 17:2–4, NIV

A Specific Place of Blessing
The prophet Elijah told King Ahab that because the people had turned away from Jehovah and were worshipping idols, there wouldn’t be rain for years. Then God spoke today’s Scripture to Elijah. Notice there’s a specific safe place where God has commanded you to be blessed—not maybe, not hope so. No, He’s commanded the ravens to feed you. He’s commanded provision, commanded resources, commanded the right people to be there. But here’s the key: The blessing was by a specific brook and provision was by ravens. If Elijah had stayed in Samaria, thinking that God would take care of him there, he would have missed the blessing.

When God tells you to do something, don’t reason it out, don’t ask friends, and don’t come up with alternatives. Just do it. Sometimes you have to leave a friend who’s pulling you down, or leave an environment where you compromise, or leave what didn’t work out and move forward into the new things God has for you. Be quick to obey what you hear in your spirit. God is leading you to your place of blessing.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for the times when You hide me from trouble and provide for all my needs. Thank You for the other times when You call me out of my comfort zone and take me where I’ve never gone. I look forward to being led to my place of blessing and whatever You want to do in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

There are Christians who know in theory that Jesus is with them, but they do not actively practice His presence. For me personally, one of the best ways to practice the presence of the Lord is to thank Him all the time.

You can give thanks to Him for everything. Just say, “Lord, I thank You for this beautiful sunset. I thank You for Your love and for surrounding me with good things and good friends.”

There is no limit to what you can thank Him for since every good and perfect gift that we enjoy today comes directly from Him (James 1:17). Even if you have had a rough day at work and you are facing a seemingly impossible challenge, you can practice His presence.

The moment you realize that your heart is heavy with worry and your mind is plagued by anxiety, share your challenge with Jesus and thank Him that this problem is not bigger than His hands. Begin to surrender it to Him and depend on Him for His strength, power, and peace.

As you do that, you are already practicing the presence of the Lord. And as you honor His presence and behave like He is indeed with you, He sees it as faith in Him and intervenes on your behalf for your success in whatever situation you may be in.

It is sad when Christians behave like some husbands who bring their wives to a party, only to ignore them completely. Their wives could be right there with them physically, but these guys are so engaged with their own friends, talking about the stock market, economy, or latest game on television, that their wives might as well not be with them.

Ladies, do you know men like that? Now, men who are reading this, I know you are not like that, so don’t get offended, all right? I know you cherish and love your wife.

What I am trying to illustrate is that just because someone is with you physically, it does not mean that the person feels appreciated by you. Appreciation only occurs when you start acknowledging the presence of that person.

Now, what does the word “appreciate” mean? It means “to increase in value.” If you appreciate someone, the person increases in value in your eyes.

My friend, the Lord is already with you, so start to practice His presence. Begin by thanking Him, appreciating Him and increasing His value in your eyes, and you will see Him acting on your behalf.