Two Angels

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family.The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room.Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement.

As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it.When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied,"Things aren't always what they seem."

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife.After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest

When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears.Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lie dead in the field.
The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel, "How could you have let this happen?"

"The first man had everything, yet you helped him", she accused.The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die. "Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied.

"When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall.Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it.""Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead". Things aren't always what they seem."

Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You just might not know it until some time later...

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Keep Sowing

Today's Scripture

“As long as the earth remains, there will be seedtime and harvest” (Genesis 8:22).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

God loves you so much, and He wants you to live in abundance in every area of your life. In the book of Genesis, in the very beginning, He established a system for increase. Everything in life operates off of seedtime and harvest. As long as you have seed, you have increase in your hand. But a seed will lay dormant until it is placed in the right conditions. You have to plant that seed and water it in order for it to grow. What are the seeds you have in your hand? It can be as simple as the seed of a smile that will produce happiness in your life. It can be a financial seed that will produce provision in your life. Give and it shall be given back to you in greater measure. The Bible says that God’s Word is water and when you speak the Word, you are watering your seeds. Ask the Lord today to show you what seeds you have in your hand. He’ll show you where to plant them, and He’ll watch over those seeds to produce an abundant harvest in every area of your life!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, thank You for seedtime and harvest. Thank You for the system to activate blessing in my life. Show me where to give the seed I have in my hand so that I can reap the harvest You have prepared for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Joel Osteen Ministries

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Live Skillfully

Today's Scripture

“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings…” (Proverbs 22:29).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Too often times, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut in life, doing the same thing the same way. But if we are going to live at our best, we should constantly be growing and sharpening our skills. We should strive to learn and grow every single day; because when you stop learning, you stop growing, and when you stop growing, you stop living. What are you doing to stretch yourself? What are you doing to improve your skills? Don’t get trapped into thinking that “good enough” is good enough. You are created for more than just average. Today is a new day and there are new heights for you to climb. Pursue what you love, and keep developing that area of your life. Take a class or find a mentor that will help you live skillfully. As you do, you’ll rise up higher and higher. You will stand before kings and rulers and you’ll live the blessed life He has in store for you.

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the ability to grow and increase in every area of my life. Show me ways to improve my skills so that I can honor You in everything I do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Joel Osteen Ministries

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What Now?

Is the end near? Is judgment day just around the corner? The signs have been more pronounced. The world is experiencing calamities in the form of hurricanes, typhoons, earthquake, war and famine. New drugs are being invented and produced to counter diseases but still, many are dying.

There are some bacteria-causing diseases that have morphed and became resistant to drugs. The price of gas is exorbitant. Same gender marriages are being legalized. winning argument in support of gay marriages is that homosexuals should have the same rights and privileges enjoyed by heterosexual marriages. The Judeo-Christian belief in the teachings of the Bible regarding homosexuality has been conveniently disregarded. Oprah is putting up her own new-age religion. With millions of viewers worldwide, she might just hit it big time converting her viewers to her core beliefs.

Are we in the threshold of being another Sodom and Gomorrah? Are we all going to turn into pillars of salt or not? Are we still going to dissect the word of God, twisting it whichever way we can so we can righteously say that what we do is according or supported by the Bible? Are we now one of the growing numbers of unbelievers who support civil rights more than Christian rights?

What now is your moral compass?

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Pray With Me

I am in one of my "God I have so many problems I just want to curl up and die" mood again. Things have not been going on smoothly. I can feel the frustrations and sadness that some of kids are going through right now and I can't do anything about it. I can feel myself gradually slipping into a helpless stage.

The deceiver is active! All around me, us, problems, situations, predicaments are ever present. In times of tribulation, being human, we feel burdened and sometimes doubtful of caring presence of God. I guess it is alright to feel sad. I guess it is alright to sometimes question God's plan in our lives. I guess we just have to pray harder, work harder and develop a stronger faith in our risen Lord.

Please pray with me that we all prevail all our perceived and real unsurmountable trials.

Lord, we thank you for giving us the chance to live each day. We thank you for the trials that test us like gold. We thank you for the everlasting grace that You forever shine our way. Lord, we humble ourselves and ask that we may be able sail through our problems. May You provide us all our needs in all aspects of oor lives.be May we become living testaments of the Glory of God and His everlasting son Jesus Christ. We claim all these in the Jesus' name, Amen! Amen! Amen!

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Carrot, Egg and Coffee

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'

'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

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The Power of Two

Today's Scripture

“Two are better than one… If one falls down, his friend can help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

God likes two together. The Bible says in Matthew 18 that there is power when two or more pray in agreement. One can put a thousand to flight, but two can put ten thousand to flight! Where there are two or more gathered in His name, God is there. And just like Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs of two to fulfill their mission, God will send a friend or partner to come along side you to help you fulfill your life’s mission. You may not see that special friend or partner right now; but remember, you are never alone because you and God are a majority. Why don’t you step out and be that friend that someone needs today. Is there someone in your life that you can reach out to and offer encouragement and support? Can you be that friend that helps someone when they fall? Sometimes a simple phone call or note of encouragement is all it takes. Be willing to support your friends. Get behind their dreams and encourage them to press forward. As you sow those seeds of hope and faith, God will bring people in your life to encourage you, too, and you’ll move forward in victory all the days of your life.

A Prayer for Today

Father God, thank You for the privilege to come before Your throne. Thank You for empowering me by Your Spirit. I ask that You show me ways to be a blessing and encouragement to the people around me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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