5/10/23

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES

THE 15/15 EXPERIENCE SPECIAL EDITION

Today’s Word

Today’s Scripture
This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24, NLT

CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY
The Scripture says, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5, NKJV). Every morning, God sends you a fresh supply of joy. You can dismiss it and think, That’s not for me. I have too much coming against me. Or you can receive it and say, “Things may not be perfect in my life, but I know that God is on the throne. He’s ordering my steps, and His plans for me are for good, so I’m going to enjoy this day.”

This is what David did. He faced all kinds of opposition—armies trying to stop him, people slandering him. But in the middle of that, he said, “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). His circumstances said that he should be discouraged, afraid, and lonely. If he were reporting on the situation, he would have said, “This is the day the Lord has made, and I’m really discouraged. I have a lot of problems.” That would have been the truth. But he wasn’t reporting; he was making a declaration of faith.

He was saying, “Despite the opposition, I will be happy. Despite people lying about me, I will be happy. Despite my family not believing in me, I’m going to live this day happy.” If you’re going to be happy, you have to be happy on purpose, because there will be people, betrayals, delays, and all kinds of situations that can cause you to live sour. You have to put your foot down and say, “That’s it. I’m not letting other people steal my joy. I’m not letting what’s not working out cause me to be sour. I’m not letting this problem at work keep me from enjoying my life. I will rejoice and I will be glad. I will live this day happy.”

Your will is more powerful than how you feel. David didn’t feel happy when he wrote this, but he declared, “I will rejoice.” Don’t wait to feel happy before you decide to be happy. You have to decide first, then the happiness will come. As with David, you may feel discouraged. You may have a good reason—things were unfair, you went through a loss, nothing looks promising in your future. The enemy would love for you to think that’s the way it’s always going to be—to just drag through the day sour and never get your hopes up. No, you have to kick your will into gear. “I will be happy. I will enjoy this day. I will focus on the goodness of God.” Your will is going to override how you feel. A mark of maturity is when you can be happy even when things aren’t going your way, because your joy is not based on your circumstances.

REFLECTION
Have you ever thought about happiness being a choice that you make daily? What about happiness not being based on circumstances? How would making the choice to be happy change how you relate to people?

Starting now, decide that you will be happy and enjoy this day, no matter what happens. How does this choice affect your will? Your mood? Your thoughts? Your feelings?

Declaration
Today, I declare that no circumstance or problem can keep me from the joy God has for me. This is the day the Lord has made, and I will choose to rejoice and be glad. The Most High God is ordering my steps, and His plans for me are good. I declare that God is my provider, my waymaker, and the One who gives beauty for ashes. I declare that nothing can stop the good that God has ordained for me and that my future is more joyful than I can imagine.

PRAYER
Dear Lord,
Thank You that my happiness is not based on my circumstances. As I open my eyes each morning, help me to choose joy, faith, and happiness. Remind me that each day is a gift, and I get to decide how to unwrap it. Let me say, “Today, I choose to be happy. I choose to see the good, and I’m thankful. I will show love to my family and friends and savor every moment.” Don’t allow me to let my troubles decide how I live, Lord. When I’m stuck in traffic, when things feel tough, help me remember that You’re in control. If I dwell on the difficulties, I’m choosing my problems over Your promises. But You tell me, “Joy comes in the morning,” and I believe that. Instead of focusing on what’s wrong, thinking I’m not worthy or things are too hard, help me to say, “Life isn’t perfect, but God, You are. You guide my steps. Your plans for me are good. I will embrace this day with joy.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen

SECTION TWO

In Romans 4:13, it is clear that God’s promise that Abraham and his seed would be heirs of the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Today, because we belong to Jesus, we are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise (Gal. 3:29). And the more we believe that we are righteous in Christ, the more we will experience His provision.

My friend, being an heir of the world and walking in Abraham’s blessings of health, protection, and abundant provision come by faith. This is believing that even though we don’t deserve any blessing from God, we have been made righteous by the sacrifice and finished work of His Son, and qualify for all His blessings!

On the cross, Jesus took our sins and gave us His righteousness. He took our poverty and gave us His abundance. He took our shame and gave us His victory. Today, believe that you have been made righteous by Jesus’ finished work and start walking in the blessings of Abraham!

04/10/23

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JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES

THE 15/15 EXPERIENCE SPECIAL EDITION

04/10/23

Today’s Word

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
He has reconciled you to Himself through the death of Christ in His physical body. As a result, He has brought you into His own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault. But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News . . .
Colossians 1:22–23, NLT

STAY POSITIVE TOWARD YOURSELF.
Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40, NIV). You can’t love others if you don’t first love yourself. The best thing you can do for your family and friends is to be good to you, be kind to you, be merciful to you, be forgiving to you, be loving to you. You’re good to others, so why aren’t you good to you? You don’t criticize your friend, so why are you criticizing you? You compliment your coworker, so when was the last time you complimented yourself? You admire other people’s talents, so why don’t you admire your talents? Start being good to you. That’s not being selfish or arrogant; that’s loving yourself.

Too many people go through life being against themselves, feeling as though something’s wrong inside. I heard someone say, “I discovered the enemy. It was me.” Are you your enemy? Are you defeating yourself, limiting your dreams, sabotaging your relationships—all because you don’t like yourself? You have enough people and circumstances against you, so don’t be against yourself.

When you wake up in the morning, don’t lie in bed and think of everything you feel is wrong with you or what you don’t like about your looks. You don’t need to relive your mistakes. Why didn’t I finish college? I should have been more disciplined. I lost my temper yesterday. Those are toxic thoughts that will drain your strength, your energy, and your enthusiasm. Instead of focusing on what you think is wrong with you, start focusing on what’s right with you. You have weaknesses, you’ve made mistakes—we all have—but there’s a lot more right with you than there is wrong with you. Dwelling on the negative doesn’t help you do better. Beating yourself up for past mistakes doesn’t move you forward. The better you feel about yourself, the better you’ll do. The more you like yourself, the further you’ll go.

REFLECTION
What stands out to you in Joel’s encouragement to Stay Positive Toward Yourself? In what area(s) of your life do you need to be kinder, more loving, and more compassionate to yourself?

DECLARATION
Today, I declare that because of Jesus, I am holy, blameless, and without fault. I will love myself so that I can love others the way God intends. I declare that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. The Creator of the universe breathed life into me, and He is still changing me. I declare that God has entrusted me with gifts and talents, and I will fulfill His purpose for my life.

PRAYER
Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your incredible love, forgiveness, and compassion. I humbly ask for Your mercy to guide me to a place of self-compassion where I can forgive myself as You have so generously forgiven me. Help me to be at peace with myself so that I can nurture peace with my loved ones. I seek Your divine wisdom, Lord, to see myself as You see me. Let me remember that through Jesus, I am free, forgiven, and favored in Your eyes. Show me how to appreciate myself as the masterpiece You say I am, reminding me of the distinctive gifts and talents that You’ve given me. As I cultivate greater love and appreciation for all that You made me to be, guide me to share that love with others, living out the divine purpose You have planned for my life. In the powerful Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen

SECTION TWO

A warning is issued in 1 Peter 5:8—”Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

I know that a lion roars to intimidate and to bring fear, but I used to wonder what kind of fear the devil tries to instill in the believer. We must let the Bible interpret the Bible. We can’t base our interpretations on our denominational backgrounds or our experiences.

One day, I was reading Proverbs 19 when I came across verse 12: “The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.” Who is the king that this verse refers to? It is our Lord Jesus!

So when the devil goes about like a roaring lion, he is trying to impersonate the King. He is trying to make you feel as if God is angry with you. Every time you hear preaching that leaves you with a sense that God is angry with you, guess what? You have just been roared at!

But know this, beloved: God will NEVER be angry with you ever again. He only has to tell us this, but He wanted us to be so sure that He swore in His Word that He would never be angry with us again.

Today’s verses are from Isaiah 54, which is right after the famous messianic chapter of the sufferings of Christ in Isaiah 53. Therefore, Isaiah 54 is spelling out the triumphs and spoils of His sufferings.

Do you know why God will never be angry with us again? It is because of what Christ has accomplished for us! On the cross, God poured out all His anger on the body of His Son. Jesus exhausted all the fiery indignation of a holy God against all our sins, and when all of God’s judgment of our sins had been completely exhausted, He shouted, “It is finished!” (John 19:30).

And because our sins have already been punished, God, who is a holy and just God, will not punish us today when we believe in what Christ has done. God’s holiness is now on your side. His righteousness is now for you, not against you. You are His beloved, in whom He is well pleased because of Jesus’ finished work!

The next time the devil tries to rob you of your sense of being beloved by making you think that God is angry with you, just ignore him. Ignore him when he says, “How can you call yourself a Christian?”

You are a righteous, accepted, and beloved child of God! When you believe this, you will have the confidence to face every challenge with boldness, knowing that you have God’s unmerited favor on your side!

03/10/23

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES

Today’s Word

Today’s Scripture
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
3 John 2, NKJV

A HEALTHY SOUL
We spend a lot of time and energy taking care of our physical body. We want to feel good. But we don’t spend enough time taking care of our soul. We don’t realize how much our emotions, our attitudes, and our thoughts are affecting us physically.

I want to encourage you today to pay attention to your inner life. It’s easy to adapt to things that are poisoning us, and we don’t realize it. We end up going through life just treating the symptoms. If we get to the root cause and get our soul healthy, we can have good health and good success.

We need to ask ourselves: Am I making myself sick? Am I sabotaging my relationships? Am I limiting my potential, holding myself down because my soul is unhealthy?

The writer of the book of Hebrews says, “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many” (12:15, NIV).

It describes bitterness as a root. You can’t see a root because it’s underground. But if you let it grow, it’s going to spring forth.

Bitter roots produce bitter fruit. What’s inside will show up on the outside. Often, we only try to fix the fruit, but the fruit is not the problem. We need to deal with more than just symptoms. We need to go to the source and get rid of the root.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (NLT).

One of our main responsibilities is to keep the toxins out. Keep those roots from springing up. Offenses are going to come. Cranky coworkers will come. You can’t stop disappointments, hurts, jealousy, and anger from coming. The question is, are you going to let them take root, get down in your spirit, contaminate your joy, steal your peace, take your energy, and open you up to sickness, trouble, and defeat? No, keep your soul healthy.

You have to be an active gardener. Pull up those roots. Pull up the unforgiveness. Pull up the insecurity. Pull up the guilt and condemnation. Don’t let your soul become poisoned. If your soul is bitter, your life will be bitter. If your emotional well-being is contaminated, it’s going to affect your physical well-being.

REFLECTION
What caught your attention in this reflection on A Healthy Soul? Is there anything you’ve not considered before? What can you do differently to keep/get your soul healthy?

THE 15/15 EXPERIENCE SPECIAL EDITION

DECLARATION
Today, I declare that I will be honest with myself and get my soul healthy. I will turn everything over to God, getting rid of anything that is holding me back. I declare that I am digging up roots of bitterness and releasing all worry, anger, hurt, and disappointment. I will trust in God to transform me and create in me a clean heart. I declare that as my soul prospers, strength, health, and new opportunities are coming.

PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father,
I come before You today with a humble heart, ready to open my soul to Your healing touch. I acknowledge the need to be truthful with myself and pay attention to my inner life. In this moment, I surrender every burden and obstacle I’m facing. I’m turning them over to You in faith. I declare that I am uprooting bitterness and releasing all the worry, the anger, the hurt, the disappointments that are weighing me down. I choose to put my trust in You, Lord, knowing that You have the power to transform me from the inside out. Please cleanse my heart, help me to forgive, and fill me with Your peace, joy, favor, and protection. As my soul prospers under Your guidance, I believe that strength, good health, and fresh opportunities are on the way. Thank You for loving me and for hearing my prayer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

SECTION TWO

Wake up every day expecting good. Keep your thoughts and mind positive, full of joy, full of hope, and full of anticipation of all the good things God has in store for you, His beloved!

Spring up from your bed, stand in front of your mirror and boldly declare, “I am the disciple whom Jesus loves. I am the apple of His eye. Everything I do and touch shall be blessed! The Lord’s wisdom, favor, and provision flow mightily in and through me. Amen!”

When you do this, you are accessing the Lord’s abundant provision for you, and all the stress, worries, negative emotions, and anxieties will fade away.

Perhaps today, you have to make an important presentation to your biggest client, or go for the final interview for a job you really want. Perhaps you are way behind the curve in completing an important project at work. Whatever the demands on you, start the day expecting good and to see His provision flow!

02/10/23

When I was the president of my youth ministry, I used to preach hard and strong messages, telling my youths, “You’ve got to love God! You’ve got to love the Lord with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul!” All that time, when I was preaching this to the young people, I was wondering to myself, “How in the world do I do that?”

I would look at myself and check my heart, mind, and soul—did I really love the Lord that perfectly? How could I expect my youths to love the Lord that way when I knew that I myself had failed?

At that time, I was not established in the new covenant of grace yet. I did not know that by preaching that way, I was actually placing all my youths under the law because the sum total of the law is to love God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength (Matt. 22:37–40, Mark 12:29–30).

Let me ask you this: Has anybody ever been able to love the Lord with all his heart, mind, and soul? No one. Not a single person has been able to do that.

God knew all the while that under the law, no one could love Him that perfectly. So do you know what He did? The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” I love that little word “so.” It speaks of the intensity with which God loves us.

When God sent Jesus, He was effectively saying this to us: “I know that you can’t love Me perfectly, so watch Me now. I will love you with all My heart, all My soul, all My mind, and all My strength.” And He stretched His arms wide and died for us.

This is what the Bible says about what Jesus did on the cross: “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Rom. 5:7–9).

My friend, the cross is not a demonstration of our perfect love and devotion to God. The cross is God’s demonstration of His perfect love and His perfect grace (unmerited favor) toward us, for it was while we were still sinners that Jesus died for us. He did not die for you and me because of our perfect love for God. He died for you and me because of HIS perfect love for us!

Let me give you the Bible’s definition of love to make this even clearer for you: “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Beloved, that’s the emphasis of the new covenant of grace (unmerited favor)—HIS love for us, not our love for Him!

01/10/23

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