Beloved in Christ Ministry

I shared this five years ago, and I think it is worth sharing again, Have an exciting year indeed. Beloved, it is well with us, no matter what we are going through. It is the beginning of a new year, and the devil is looking for all avenues to destroy us, attacking us and our families with diseases and trying very hard to frighten us. But let us remember that His grace is sufficient for us and that His strengh is made perfect in our weaknesses. Also, His word says that when we pass through the waters, he will be with us. So Jesus is with us in these storms of ill-health and other problems, let us keep trusting Him, He will take us through and we will arrive safely. Amen

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria So often, when people make mistakes, they get down on themselves and think, “If only...” “I should have...” “What if...?” It’s easy to feel like you’ve missed the best plan for your life. That’s when people get discouraged and stop pursuing their God-given dreams. But understand today, just because you’ve made a mistake or failed in some way, that doesn’t cancel God’s plan. God never disqualifies you. He never says, “Go sit on the sidelines. You’ve blown it too many times. You’ve got too many weaknesses.” No, God always gives you another chance! Some of the great people in the Bible made very poor choices. The apostle Paul started off as a murderer, yet his destiny was bigger than his mistakes. He ended up becoming a great leader and writing over half of the New Testament. What am I saying? Our mistakes, our failures, o

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us” (1 John 4:12, NLT) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria If you’re like most, you have photos in your home of the people who mean the most to you. You may enjoy showing these photos to others and reliving the special moments captured. But have you ever thought about having a picture of God in your house? It may not be in a frame on the shelf, but today’s scripture tells us that when we love others, we are creating a picture of God. We are showing others what He looks like because God is love. Understand today that God wants us to know Him, and He wants to reveal Himself to the world through us. He wants us to display His love and share it with others. First Corinthians 13 tells us what love looks like. Take a few minutes each day and let that scripture sink down into your heart. Remember, you are never more like God than when you are lov

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “...Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7, NLT) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Did you know that the way you treat people has an impact on the effectiveness of your prayers? The Bible says that the prayer of the righteous person is powerful, but if we aren’t treating others with honor, kindness and respect, then we aren’t allowing His righteousness to operate in us. When we don’t treat others the way we should, it closes the door to God’s power and hinders our prayers. This is especially true in a marriage relationship. Marriage isn’t just an agreement between two people to live life together. Marriage is a God-ordained institution that helps us understand love and unity. When two people are married, they become one physically, spiritually and emotionally. This particular passage is directed toward husbands, but it applies to all believers as well. We should always treat others “with understanding,” which means consi

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, ‘Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?’ But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge — to the great amazement of the governor” (Matthew 27:12–14, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria One time, a reporter asked me what I thought about two men he named, but I hadn’t ever heard of them. I just replied, “I’m sorry. I don’t know them.” He began to laugh and thought that was so funny. I asked, “Well, who are they?” He said, “Joel, they are your two most outspoken critics. They’re always talking about you.” He couldn’t believe that I hadn’t ever heard of them. I’ve learned that you can’t waste your time engaging in conflicts that don’t matter. There will always be critics. There will always be naysayers, but we have to follow the example of Jesus. When He was falsely accused, He didn’t try to defend Himself. He gave no reply to the

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense” (Proverbs 19:11, AMP) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Every day, we have opportunities to get upset, be frustrated or get offended. Maybe you had plans that didn’t work out, or someone was rude to you at the office. Maybe you were doing something that should have taken one hour, and it ended up taking three. Life is full of inconveniences, but even though we can’t always control our circumstances, we can control our reaction. I heard somebody say, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond.” We should always go out each day with a positive attitude, full of hope and expecting God’s favor. But at the same time, we should recognize that most days are not going to go exactly as we planned. Remember, we were created to live in peace. Peace is our position of power. If you get stressed because you got off schedule or upset because your ch

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “...I will walk within my house with a perfect heart” (Psalm 101:2, NKJ) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria This time of year, people often take time to reflect and set goals for the New Year. But have you ever set “perfection” as a goal on your list? Now, that may seem a little strange or unobtainable to many, but really, in God’s eyes perfection isn’t about performance. In fact, it isn’t about behavior at all. What God is looking for is a heart that is perfect toward Him. Scripture says that man looks on the outside, but God looks at the heart. That means that He is more pleased with someone who has a heart toward Him who may mess up than He is with someone doing all the right things for all the wrong reasons. The condition of your heart is extremely important to God. When you have a right heart, you are humble before Him. You seek His ways. You get up each day with a desire to please Him. You submit every area of your life to Him, and you are wil

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “I will listen to what God the Lord will say; he promises peace to his people...” (Psalm 85:8, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria No matter what is going on in your life right now, the Lord promises that you can have peace. It doesn’t matter what’s happening in the economy, in your relationships or at the office; nothing in this world can take His peace from you. But notice the first part of this verse — we have to do our part. We have to listen to what He tells us to do. You may be thinking to yourself, “God doesn’t speak to me.” But once you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you become His. The Bible says that you are His sheep, and you can hear His voice, and the voice of a stranger you will not follow. The Lord speaks in many ways. First of all, He speaks through the Word of God. But sometimes He speaks through the encouragement of a friend, or through a song, or in the beauty of nature. Sometimes it’s a simple “knowing” deep down on the ins

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure” (Proverbs 16:9, AMP) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Oftentimes as children, we have dreams for the future, dreams of being ball players and actresses, super heroes and firemen. But most of the time, they end up just being wishful thinking. As we get older, we grow out of them. It’s good to play and have dreams as children, but when we grow up, we have to know the difference between a God-given dream and a wish. I remember when I was a little boy, I dreamed of playing basketball for the Houston Rockets. That was definitely a fantasy! Beyond our wishes though, we all have dreams placed inside of us by the Creator of the universe. In fact, the Latin word for “desire” means “from the Father.” One way to tell if a dream is really from God is that the desire won’t go away. You may have had it for years, but you still can’t let it go. In fact, you may have tried to let it go, but

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “And on going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then opening their treasure bags, they presented to Him gifts — gold and frankincense and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11 AMP) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Can you imagine what it must have been like for the Wise Men when they saw Jesus? He was just a child in a stable surrounded by animals, but these Wise Men recognized that He was the King of kings and the Lord of lords; the Savior of the world. Immediately, they fell on their faces to worship Him, but notice what they did next — they presented Him gifts as part of their worship. And they didn’t just give any old thing they had; they gave Him their absolute best — costly gold, frankincense and myrrh. When we give Jesus our absolute best — our time, talent and resources, it is truly an act of worship. We are saying with our actions, “God, You mean more to me than anything. Because You are so awesome

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” (Proverbs 29:18, KJV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Throughout life, we will always have forces opposing us to try to keep us from becoming all God’s created us to be. And many times, the adversities and unfair situations are set up by the enemy to try to discourage us and deceive us into giving up on our dreams. Today, you may feel like you’re at an empty place in life. Not much is going your way. You’ve been through difficulties and setbacks. But I believe God wants to restore you. He wants to encourage you, and pour out His spirit upon you. He wants to do a new thing in and through you. It doesn’t matter what’s happened in your past, God has something new for your future. I always say, when one dream dies, dream another dream. Today, remember, God has placed so much inside of you. You have gifts, talents and abilities that no one else has. You may have had more than your share of unfair things happe

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “ ‘Here comes that dreamer!’ they said to each other” (Genesis, 37:19, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria In scripture, Joseph was a dreamer. His dreams were so real that he just had to tell others about them. Not everyone was as excited about Joseph’s dreams as he was, but that didn’t keep him from dreaming. It didn’t keep him from believing what was in his heart. When opposition came, when his family turned their back on him, when he was falsely accused and thrown into prison, he kept on dreaming. His life didn’t take the route he had expected, but God was working behind the scenes realigning his steps until those dreams in his heart became reality. Today, I want to encourage you, no matter what route your life has taken, no matter who has turned their back on you, no matter what anyone else has said about you, those God-given dreams in your heart are still in the making. Your part is to keep believing, keep forgiving, keep following your heart, an

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Then he touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith will it be done to you’ ” (Matthew 9:29, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria God created us as visual beings. He is a creative God, and He’s given us the ability to create as well. It all starts with what you see in your mind’s eye. Everyone has their own mental picture of the way they see themselves, their family and their future. This picture determines what kind of life you live. If you have an image of success, victory, health, happiness and abundance, you will naturally gravitate toward that. But if you have an image of lack, defeat and mediocrity, that negative mental picture will keep you from God’s best. Remember, if you’re going to be successful, you have to first see yourself as successful — the way God sees you. According to your faith, it will be done to you. Faith comes by hearing the Word. That’s why it’s so important to take time every day to study and meditate on God’s pr

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, AMP) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, not only is your eternity secure, but you become a child of the Most High God. You instantly have an Everlasting Father! Think about that word everlasting. It means that before the beginning of time, the Father was there. He was waiting for you to accept Him and become a child of His. I can only imagine that He was excited and anticipating that day just like a father would anticipate the birth of his child in the natural. I can imagine that each day God would think, “Is it today?” I don’t know what your experience has been with your earthly father, but God is a good and perfect Father. He loves you with an everlasting love. He loves everything about

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria After Jesus was born, the Bible tells us in Matthew chapter two that Wise Men came from the East to bow before Him and worship Him. They went to great lengths just to get a glimpse of the Child and traveled a long distance for many months, following the star. When they saw Him, they were so overwhelmed. The scripture says they fell on their faces to honor and worship Him. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. That means that we should have a reverential honor and respect for Him — just like the Wise Men did. We are wise when we set everything else in life aside in order to seek Him. We are wise when we worship Him and give Him everything that we are. We are wise when we take time to honor Him. Remember, God is a rewarder of the people who diligently seek after Him. As you continue to put Him

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria The Bible calls Jesus the Prince of Peace. That means He is the ruler of peace. He is the ultimate peace. Having His peace is not like having the peace the world has; His peace is permanent. It never changes, and it can never be taken away. It’s interesting that the word “peace” literally means “to set at one again.” In other words, when we are one with the Father, when we line up our thoughts, our words and our actions with Him through the blood of Jesus Christ, we will experience His peace in our lives. Anytime you find that you don’t have peace about something on the inside of your heart, when you feel an uneasiness, that’s a sign that you should stop and pray and make sure you are in line with God’s direction. Remember

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder...” (Isaiah 9:6, NKJ) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria When Jesus came to earth, He brought with Him everything you need to be empowered to live a life of victory. He came as a little baby, but He represented all authority in heaven and earth. When you choose to serve Him, you have access to all of His resources. You have access to His peace, power, authority, provision, joy and strength. He brought all of this to us when He came to earth. Unto us a child is born...unto us victory is given. Unto us, peace is given. Unto us, provision is given. Unto us hope and healing are given. Unto us eternal life is given! Whatever you need today, remember, when Jesus came into the world, He made a way for every one of your needs to be met spiritually, emotionally and physically. Surrender your life to Him and receive all the spiritual blessings He has in store for you

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession” (Psalm 2:8, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Did you know it pleases God when we pray bold prayers and ask Him for big things? The God we serve doesn’t want us to just barely get by in life. He wants us to thrive and experience the fullness of His blessing. He wants us to not only have our needs met, but be in a position to reach out and help meet the needs of others, too! When we ask God for something, a supernatural door is opened. We are showing our faith in Him, and faith gives God something to work with. In fact, scripture says that without faith, it is impossible to please God. He wants us to come to Him and know His goodness. He wants us to believe that He is good and that He has good things in store for us. Today, I encourage you to get bold with your prayers. Ask God for big things. Believe that He is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Put

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “...an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. ‘Joseph, son of David,’ the angel said, ‘do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit’ ” (Matthew 1:20, NLT) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Have you ever felt overwhelmed or even afraid of what God has called you to do? Maybe you were pursuing a dream or goal and things didn’t turn out the way you planned. Joseph had planned to take Mary as his wife, but when he found out she was pregnant, he didn’t know what to think. He was afraid that he might be making a mistake because things didn’t turn out the way he planned. But, God sent a messenger in a dream to reassure Joseph that he was on the right path. Today let me reassure you that God knows right where you are, and He knows how to get you to where you need to be. Even when things don’t go the way you planned, His hand is on you. Do not be afraid, trust that God is working behind the

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “...But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Phillipians 3:13, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Are you down on yourself today because of past mistakes you’ve made or because you’re not where you want to be in life? God knows every poor choice, every difficulty, every wrong turn you may have made, and He’s already planned your comeback! In scripture, Jonah took a detour, so to speak. It took him a little bit longer, but because he called out to God, because he believed, God not only rescued him, but God got him to his final destination. Friend, know today that failure is not final. God always has the final say. Mistakes don’t have to keep you from your destiny. God’s plan can override every setback. Your world may be in turmoil today in a relationship, in your finances or health. But know this: not only will God rescue you; He will set your feet on a rock and lead you to your final destination in life. Reme

You were created and fashioned by the Master. He made you just the way you are, and He has a specific and amazing plan for you, a destiny for your life. I love what the Bible says in the book of Ephesians. It says “we are God’s masterpiece.” Today, God calls you His masterpiece! You have seeds of greatness inside of you. You may be able to easily spot the greatness in others, but today I want you to see the greatness God has put in you. You have a destiny: a unique call, a special purpose that God created just for you. It’s there waiting for you. It’s always been there. The Bible says that He planned it for you long ago. It’s easy to hear it, but it can be a lot harder to actually receive it. You can even believe it for somebody else. You believe God’s best for your friends and the loved ones in your life. You encourage and support them as they pursue their destiny, but you struggle to receive it in your own heart. God doesn’t see you as a “maybe” or a “what if.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion” (Psalm 103:4, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria I know people who feel like they’ve wasted years of their lives because of poor choices. They spent years in a relationship that was toxic, years with an addiction, years at a job where they weren’t fulfilled. But you have to realize, nothing you have been through is ever wasted. Your past experiences, good and bad have deposited something on the inside of you. Those challenges have sharpened you to help make you who you are today. When the enemy brings hardship into your life, God has a way of taking that experience and turning it around for your advantage. You may think you’ve hit a dead end, but if you’ll stay in faith, you will see God begin to open up a new route. He’ll put the right people in your path, the right opportunities, the right circumstances to move you forward toward your God-given destiny. Today, don’t

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again...” (Proverbs 24:16, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Life is full of things that try to push us down. We all face disappointments and setbacks. Maybe you received some bad news about your health or perhaps a relationship didn’t work out. That was a setback. It’s easy to get discouraged or lose your enthusiasm or even be tempted to just settle where you are. But if we’re going to see God’s best, we have to have a “bounce back” mentality. That means when you get knocked down, you don’t stay down. You get back up again. You have to know that every time adversity comes against you, it’s a setup for a comeback! Remember, as a believer in Jesus, the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives on the inside of you. There is no challenge too difficult, no obstacle too high, no sickness, no disappointment, no person, nothing that can keep you from your God-given destiny. If you stay in fai

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria No matter where you’ve been, no matter what you’ve done, realize today that your destiny supersedes your mistakes. When God designed the plan for your life, it wasn’t dependent on you being perfect, never making a mistake, or never taking a wrong turn. No, God knew we would all make mistakes. He knows how to get you back on track no matter where you are in life. Just like there are many routes on a map, God has a plan to help you reach your destination. He has detours, shortcuts and bypasses. He has already calculated the entire route for your life. Today, if you’re feeling like you’ve blown it, if you feel like you are too old, too far gone or too off track, know that nothing you've done, no mistake that you’ve made — or ever will make — is a surprise to God. He’s already got it figured out. He’s arranged a comeback for every setback! He has grace for ev

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land — a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills” (Deuteronomy 8:7, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Are you facing an area of lack in your life? Lack in your finances, lack in your relationships, lack in your physical health? The good news is that’s not the place God wants you to stay. He wants to bring you into a new land with no lack, no shortage, no defeat and no mediocrity. He wants you to live in a place where you will have more than enough so you can be a blessing to others. He wants to lift you up and keep you up. He wants you to remain stable and strong in Him. The key is that in order to get God’s results, we have to do things God’s way. His love is unconditional, His access is unlimited, but our obedience is what opens the door to His blessings. We have to do our part and humble ourselves before Him and keep pressing forward with an attitude of faith an

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria In today’s society, many people have accepted mediocrity as the norm. They do as little as they can to get by, always looking for the easy way out. If the boss isn’t watching, they’re playing on the computer. They simply go to work to pick up a paycheck, then wonder why they’re not promoted and don’t see increase. It’s because God doesn’t bless mediocrity; He blesses excellence. Whatever we do, we should do it to the best of our ability and set the standard. Remember, you are ultimately working for the Lord. He’s the one who put those talents and abilities in you. You are a steward of the gifts He’s given. Other people may show up late. They may complain. They may cut corners. But don’t sink down to their level — you are working for Almighty God. You are called to excellence! I encourage you today, stay determined. S

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits...” (Psalm 68:19, NKJ) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria This morning when you woke up, what was the first thing that went through your mind? Maybe you have a deadline to meet or a to-do list a mile long. Maybe you are facing a challenge or going through a difficulty in a relationship that’s consuming your thoughts. Today, I want to encourage you, instead of focusing on what your circumstances have to offer, focus on what God has to offer you. His mercies are new every morning, and His compassion never fails. He has victory in store for you today. He has provision in store for you today. He has joy in store for you today, and He has peace in store for you today. He daily loads you with benefits! The key to “loading up” these daily benefits is setting your focus in the right direction. You can’t wait to see how you feel, what kind of mood your spouse is in, or what the traffic is like. No, you have to set

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE "No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God" (Romans 4:20 AMP) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Just as putting your physical body into action makes it grow strong, putting your faith in action through prayer and thanksgiving will cause your faith to grow strong, too. I love what this verse says about Abraham: No unbelief made him waver regarding the promise of God. What does it mean to waver? To waver means to go back and forth. It's a very unsteady posture. Spiritual wavering is when we go back and forth in believing the promises of God. Wavering shows up in our words and actions. Notice this verse didn't say that Abraham never had unbelief or doubtful thoughts. It tells us that he didn't let those thoughts cause him to waver in his words, actions and resolve. He took captive every thought and stood strong

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…" (Jeremiah 1:5, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria What an amazing thought: God knew you before you were even born! He saw your unformed substance and said, "I have a purpose for this life. I have good plans for them!" Then He breathed His life into you and sent you through your mother and father. They may have had issues, but that doesn't have to stop you from becoming all that God intended you to be. You have been handpicked by Almighty God to be here at this time in history! Sometimes we hear parents say, "We weren't expecting this child. They were a surprise. They were an accident." No, that child may have been a surprise to you, but they weren't a surprise to Almighty God. No child can be born without God breathing His life into them. You may think, "Well, Joel, I was unwanted. I was an unplanned pregnancy." No, you wouldn't be here if God didn't g

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria So many people today wonder what God’s will is for their lives. Oftentimes, they look for big things like signs and supernatural events. But really, God’s will for us unfolds each and every day as we obey Him and serve Him with a thankful heart. When you wake up every morning with an attitude of praise and thanksgiving, you just took a step toward your destiny — you are walking in the will of God. When you go throughout your day thanking God that His hand of blessing is upon you, thanking Him for ordering your steps, thanking Him for a new day, you are taking another step in His will. Today, remember to keep the right perspective. We should have goals and dreams and look forward to a bright future, but the way you live your life today is what’s going to get you to where you need to be tomorrow. Keep praising, keep bel

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!” (1 Chronicles 16:34, AMP) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria No matter what is going on in life, you can find a reason to thank God. What you dwell on is what you will draw into your life. You can either focus on your problems, or you can focus on your blessings. The question is: do you want more problems, or do you want more blessings? One thing I’ve noticed is that when you live with an attitude of constant gratitude, not only do you thank God for what He’s done in your life, you start thanking Him for what He will do in your life. You thank Him for opening doors for you. You thank Him for increasing you. You thank Him for bringing the right people into your life. When you say “thank you” to God for the things that are coming, it’s really a declaration of your faith in Him. You are saying in essence, “God, I’m so sure of Your goodness, I’m so sure that You’re workin

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4, NKJ) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria What a wonderful privilege we have to enter boldly to His throne of grace. I’m so glad we serve a personal God who desires a relationship with you and me. I’m so glad we have access to Him 24 hours a day, seven days a week! But notice, today’s verse tells that we shouldn’t just come any old way to God. We shouldn’t come empty-handed to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. What do we have that’s worthy of Almighty God? Our praise. Our thanksgiving. Our worship. We are to enter His gates with an offering from our hearts of adoration because He is so worthy! We have to understand, praise isn’t just about singing songs on Sunday mornings. Praise is the expression of gratefulness to Father God for Who He is and all that He has done. Praise gets God’s attention. Praise is a powerful tool in the lif

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE "No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God" (Romans 4:20 AMP) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Just as putting your physical body into action makes it grow strong, putting your faith in action through prayer and thanksgiving will cause your faith to grow strong, too. I love what this verse says about Abraham: No unbelief made him waver regarding the promise of God. What does it mean to waver? To waver means to go back and forth. It's a very unsteady posture. Spiritual wavering is when we go back and forth in believing the promises of God. Wavering shows up in our words and actions. Notice this verse didn't say that Abraham never had unbelief or doubtful thoughts. It tells us that he didn't let those thoughts cause him to waver in his words, actions and resolve. He took captive every thought and stood strong

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE "Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him" (Jeremiah 17:7, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Today, I want to declare words of blessing over you. I want to call forth your seeds of greatness. Someone may have told you what you can't become, but I'm here to tell you what you can become. As a believer in Jesus, all of the blessings in His Word belong to you! Receive it by faith today! You are a person of destiny. You are equipped. You are talented. You are creative. You were designed for a purpose. You are loved, chosen and accepted by Almighty God. There is nothing you can do to make Him love you more and nothing you can do to make Him love you less. His grace is sufficient for you. His angels have charge over you. You are blessed coming in and blessed going out. You have uncommon wisdom. You have uncommon joy. You have uncommon peace. He is your vindicator, and He will fight for you! No weapon formed against

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “...with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria I had a gentleman tell me not long ago that his business was very, very slow. It looked like he would go under. He owned a small manufacturing company with one main competitor in town, a national company that was bigger with more resources. With the economy down, it made it harder and harder for him to stay open. This man was flexible about what he should do next, but he really believed he was in the business God wanted him to be in. So, he kept praying, believing and hoping; and instead of considering his circumstances, he considered his God. And just when he thought he was going to have to close down, his main competitor had a change in leadership and direction and decided to pull out of this market. Now he’s breaking all kinds of records. Friend, today I want to encourage you. If there’s something coming against you, consider your God. He has a way to meet every one

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Learning to walk in the destiny God has for you is a process. The first step is to get a vision, a clear picture from God that you can see. The next step is to trust Him — to believe in faith that it will happen. And then finally, you take a step of faith and live out what God has promised no matter what your circumstances or people around you have to say. First you dream it, than you believe it, and then you live it. Every dream I’ve ever received from God has followed this same pattern. We see in scripture that even the great men and women of the Bible walked through this process. They had to overcome doubts, they struggled on their journey, but they held fast to what God said knowing that He is faithful to complete what He started in us! Today, if you are having a hard time bel

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…" (Jeremiah 1:5, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria What an amazing thought: God knew you before you were even born! He saw your unformed substance and said, "I have a purpose for this life. I have good plans for them!" Then He breathed His life into you and sent you through your mother and father. They may have had issues, but that doesn't have to stop you from becoming all that God intended you to be. You have been handpicked by Almighty God to be here at this time in history! Sometimes we hear parents say, "We weren't expecting this child. They were a surprise. They were an accident." No, that child may have been a surprise to you, but they weren't a surprise to Almighty God. No child can be born without God breathing His life into them. You may think, "Well, Joel, I was unwanted. I was an unplanned pregnancy." No, you wouldn't be here if God didn't g

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:6, NKJ) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Do you need direction in your life? Ask yourself, “Am I acknowledging God in all my ways?” In other words, is He first place in your life? All throughout the day, we should be acknowledging God, asking for His help, seeking His wisdom, obeying His commands and thanking Him for His goodness. In the morning, we should wake up and say, “Father, thank You for another beautiful day. I commit this day, my plans and my future into Your hands.” When you start the day like this, you are acknowledging God. He promises to crown your day with success. When you are driving on the freeway say, “Father, thank You for keeping me safe.” At the office say, “Lord, help me to be focused and productive today.” At home, “Father, bless my children.” Before you go to bed, “Lord, thank You for a good night’s rest.” When you’re acknowledging Him in all your ways, He

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Sometimes, it’s easy to get wrapped up in taking care of the people around us. You may find that you’re always giving, taking care of the children, working overtime at the office, or helping that friend who is struggling. And that’s all good. But if you’re not careful, you can end up feeling rundown. That’s why you have to take time every day to get filled back up. Your first priority should be taking care of yourself and making time to get into the presence of Jesus. Throughout scripture, we see that in God’s presence there is fullness of joy, fullness of peace, and fullness of victory. In His presence, you’re refreshed and restored. That’s why it’s so important to take time every day to read your Bible and meditate on His promises. We have to be diligent to have that quiet time with Him. Today, take time to get alone with

TO DAY’S SCRIPTURE “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11, KJV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Jesus came to give you joy and joy to the full! When your joy is full, it can be seen by others. Joy is supposed to be displayed. As believers, we should have a smile on our face and a spring in our step. We should be kind and friendly. We should be fun to be around. We should be full of His supernatural joy! Have you allowed the pressures of life to push you down? Have you been more focused on your circumstances than on your God? If you’re not enjoying your life or relationships, it’s time to refocus and tap into the full joy within. It’s time to draw the line in the sand and say, “That’s it. I’m not going to live another day negative, discouraged, sour or grumpy. I’m going to put a smile on my face. I’m going to let my joy be seen so I can brighten somebody else’s day. I’m going to live my life happy and

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “...Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5, NKJV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria When you wake up each morning, God sends you a special delivery of joy. It’s like it comes knocking at the door of your heart every day. The problem is that some people never answer the door. It’s right there, month after month, year after year saying, “Come on! Let me in! You can be happy! You can cheer up! You can enjoy your life!” The way to answer the door is to get up and choose an attitude of faith and expectancy by declaring that “today is going to be a good day.” When you start the day like that, you are choosing to receive the gift of joy that God sent to you. Today, make up your mind to answer the door to joy! Get up every morning and say, “Father, thank You for another beautiful day. I’m going to be happy. I’m going to enjoy this day because You are faithful. I’m going to brighten someone else’s life. I am choosing to receive Your g

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes” (Psalm 19:8, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria I have a friend who is going through treatment for cancer. He’s a young man, very talented, very athletic. If he had not told me, I would have never known anything was wrong. I’ve never once heard him complain. He’s always friendly, upbeat and enjoys life. I asked him the other day how he could keep such a good attitude during such a difficult time. He said, “Joel, when I get up in the morning, I ask myself, ‘Do you want to be depressed today or do you want to live happy?’ I choose to live happy.” Understand that if you’re going to be happy, you have to be happy on purpose. Happiness is not going to fall on you. You have to choose it by choosing right thoughts and focusing on the Father. You have to set your day in the direction that you want to go. You have to choose to meditate on H

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria God has given you everything you need in order to enjoy your life. Think about that for a minute. What is keeping you from living life to the full? You may not be in the home you want. You may not have the exact job you would like. Maybe you’re single and really want to be married. If you focus on these temporary things, it opens the door to comparison and frustration. It’s good to have big dreams. It’s good to want to increase. But if you start comparing yourself to others, it opens the door for the enemy to steal your joy. If you don’t learn to be happy where you are, you’ll never get to where you want to be. But if you’ll choose to be happy, refuse self-pity and refuse to complain, then you are sowing good seeds for God to take you where you want to be in your future. Friend, realize today that God is directing your steps. You have a future

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life...” (Proverbs 21:21, NASB) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Have you ever noticed that righteousness and loyalty go together? In other words, if we’re not being loyal — to our family, friends, country, job — then we aren’t going to experience God’s best. Loyal people are honorable people. When you’re loyal, you stick with someone through thick and thin. When you’re loyal, you keep your word — even if you get a “better” offer. Loyal people are respectful of their leaders. They honor their parents and defend their family. When you’re loyal, you are a person of integrity. You build trust and security in others. Is this an area where you can rise higher? Can you be more loyal? Are you faithful in the things you’re committed to? Don’t let the distractions of everyday life keep you from pursuing loyalty. Look for ways to be faithful to those around you. Is there something you need to set aside for the sake of a l

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Many people are waiting for their circumstances to change in order to be happy and enjoy their lives. All the time I hear things like, “As soon as I get out of this problem, Joel, I’ll be happy.” “As soon as I lose ten pounds...as soon as my business grows...as soon as my child straightens up...” No, if you don’t put your foot down and decide to be happy right now, there will always be something to keep you from being happy. God never intended for us to put off our happiness. We have a choice to make each and every day. We have to set our minds in the right direction. That’s why David said, “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” He was saying, “This is the day to be happy; not tomorrow, not when the weather clears up. Not next week, when I don’t have to work so hard. Not next month, when I make it through t

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “He Who sits in the heavens laughs...” (Psalm 2:4, AMP) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Have you ever imagined God laughing in the heavens? Think about it for a moment. Right now, God is on the throne. He’s not mad. He’s not worried about the economy. He’s not upset with us. No, God is full of joy and laughing on the throne. It goes on to tell us in Psalm 37 that He’s laughing because “He can see the destruction of the enemy coming.” In other words, the reason God laughs is because He knows the end of the story. He knows the final outcome. The good news is that you and I win. God always causes us to triumph! Imagine watching the Super Bowl when you already know the outcome. You already know who is going to win. No matter how far behind the winning team falls, no matter how bad it looks for them, you wouldn’t get upset. You wouldn’t be worried. Why? Because you’ve got inside information. You know the final outcome. That’s what God is saying to us today. When

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48, AMP) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria One thing I’ve learned is that just because God puts a dream in our hearts doesn’t mean it’s going to come to pass without any opposition. See, God is going to grow us up. He’s going to mature us. He’s going to prepare us to handle the promotion He has in store. I think about Joseph in the Bible. Starting out, he didn’t have a whole lot of wisdom. He was young and immature, and God had to do a work in his life. Joseph probably shouldn’t have told his brothers about his dream that they would one day serve him! As you can imagine, his brothers were not nearly as excited about that as he was. Long story short, Joseph had to go through some things to grow up and be ready for the promotion God had in store. Friend, it’

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Have you experienced something that has taken your joy and enthusiasm for your future? Today is the day to get it back! God has you here on purpose, for a purpose. It’s time to get excited about your future and learn to enjoy each and every day. If you don’t make the conscious effort to keep your joy, not only will the enemy rob you of the joy that belongs to you, but he’ll rob your family and friends of the gift that you have to give them. When you have joy, you can use that joy to influence the people around you for good. Joy is strength, and when you have joy, you can offer strength to the people God has placed in your life. Today, draw the line in the sand and decide, “I’m not going to live another day negative, discouraged, sour and grumpy. I’m g

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “For the vision is yet for an appointed time...though it tarry, wait for it.” (Habakkuk 2:3, KJV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria If you’ve been standing in faith for the promises of God, I want you to know today that your time is coming! The dreams and desires in your heart, the things you want to accomplish, the situations you want to see changed will happen. Don’t give up just because it has taken a long time, or just because you’ve tried and failed. I encourage you today — get your fire back! Don’t be complacent about pursuing what God has placed in your heart. It may be taking a long time, but God is a faithful God. No matter how long it’s been, no matter how impossible it looks, if you’ll stay in faith, your time is coming. Every dream that’s in your heart, every promise that has taken root, God not only put it there, but He has every intention of bringing it to pass. Declare today, “My time is coming...God is working behind the scenes on my behalf..

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” (Ephesians 6:13, NLT) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria God has fully equipped you today with everything you need to stand strong in the midst of any battle you may be facing. He’s provided His full armor to protect your heart and mind, and empower you for victory! Ephesians 6:14–17 tells us about God’s spiritual armor — He’s given us the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith which stops the fiery darts of the enemy, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. You put on the armor by receiving the truth of His righteousness, peace, and salvation through His Word. When you do this, you are fully protected to resist the enemy and stand firm. Remember, your battle is not against flesh and blood. People ar

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “...stand and see the salvation of the Lord...” (II Chronicles 20:17, NAS) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Do you ever find yourself avoiding a difficult situation? Many people today run when things get hard. They run from their problems. They run from responsibility. They run from people they don’t like. They run from the past. They run from anything that makes them uncomfortable. Instead of facing the issue and dealing with it, they look for the path of least resistance, which isn’t the path to victory. If we are going to embrace all that God has for us, we have to learn how to face our challenges head on. Notice that today’s verse doesn’t say, “Keep running until you see the salvation of the Lord.” It doesn’t say, “Bury your head in the sand until God delivers you.” It doesn’t say, “Worry all night and try to figure things out until a miracle takes place.” No, God wants us to stand strong, set our faces like a flint, and fight the good fight of faith. An

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop” (Luke 8:15, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Sometimes in the natural, we don’t see how God’s promises are going to come to pass in our lives. It seems like there are so many obstacles to overcome. But we have to see God’s Word like a seed. When it’s planted in our hearts, and we water it by thinking the right thoughts and expecting good things, that little seed begins to grow into something much, much greater. Jesus told a parable in Mark, chapter four. He said, “God’s Word is like a tiny mustard seed. When it is sown, it is less than all the other seeds, one of the smallest. But when it grows up, it becomes greater than all.” Notice it goes from being less than all to being greater than all. Are you in an overwhelming situation today, maybe in your health, finances or relationships? Does God’s promise seem small com

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “As it is written: ‘I have made you a father of many nations.’ He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed — the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not” (Romans 4:17, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Twenty years before Abraham ever had a child, God said to him, “Abraham, I have made you a father of many nations.” Notice God spoke to him like it had already happened, in the past tense. I’m sure Abraham thought, “God, you must have made a mistake. I’m not a father. I don’t even have one child. Abraham could have talked himself out of it; but instead, he chose to believe. Today, you may be thinking, “I’m not blessed. I’m not confident. I’m not healthy. I’m not favored.” But when God says you’re blessed, don’t try to figure it out. Just agree with God and say, “I am blessed.” When God calls you prosperous, don’t go check your bank account. Don’t go look at the stock report. Just agree with God and say, “I am

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop” (Luke 8:15, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Sometimes in the natural, we don’t see how God’s promises are going to come to pass in our lives. It seems like there are so many obstacles to overcome. But we have to see God’s Word like a seed. When it’s planted in our hearts, and we water it by thinking the right thoughts and expecting good things, that little seed begins to grow into something much, much greater. Jesus told a parable in Mark, chapter four. He said, “God’s Word is like a tiny mustard seed. When it is sown, it is less than all the other seeds, one of the smallest. But when it grows up, it becomes greater than all.” Notice it goes from being less than all to being greater than all. Are you in an overwhelming situation today, maybe in your health, finances or relationships? Does God’s promise seem small co

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9, NKJV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria One thing I’ve learned is that you cannot out dream God. When God brings a dream to pass that He’s placed in your heart, it’s going to be greater than you ever imagined. It’s going to be bigger, better and more rewarding. You could say: God’s going to supersize your dream! Your dream may be to just get well, to be able to get around like you used to. That’s good, but God thinks bigger. When He supersizes that dream, you’ll not only be able to walk, you’ll be able to run! Your dream may be to just keep your marriage together. But God’s dream is to make your marriage happier and more fulfilling that it’s ever been before. Your dream may be to just pay your bills each month, but God’s dream is to give you an abundance so that you not only have enough for your needs, but you

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Come close to God, and God will come close to you...” (James 4:8, NLT) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria God promises that He will draw close to you when you draw close to Him. How do we draw close to Him? First of all, this verse goes on to say that we must turn away from sin because sin separates us from God. When we turn away from the things that displease Him, we are turning toward Him. That’s the first step. Then, the Bible tells us to come into His presence with thanksgiving in our hearts and give Him praise. When you have a thankful heart, you are drawing closer to Him. Thirdly, scripture tells us that God opposes the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. When you live with an attitude of humility, you are drawing closer to Him. Friend, there’s nothing more important in life than drawing close to God the Father. Seek Him with your whole heart, and you will find Him. Let Him speak to your heart by reading your Bible, praying and meditating on His pr

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 28:2, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria God wants to surprise you with His blessings today! I hear testimonies all the time of what God is doing suddenly in the lives of His people. Even recently, a man told me how he got a check in the mail unexpectedly, an inheritance from a loved one that he never even met. With that one check, he was able to pay off his house which was a desire of his heart. He thought it was going to take him 30 years, but God had other plans. It happened in a fraction of the time! Friend, when you’re in covenant with God, when you keep His commands and honor Him with your tithes and offerings, you are positioning yourself under an open window of heaven. Why don’t you take the limits off your life by stepping out and obeying God? Then, keep an attitude of faith and expectancy because He is good. He loves you with an everlasting love,

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession” (Psalm 2:8, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Did you know it pleases God when we pray bold prayers and ask Him for big things? The God we serve doesn’t want us to just barely get by in life. He wants us to thrive and experience the fullness of His blessing. He wants us to not only have our needs met, but be in a position to reach out and help meet the needs of others, too! When we ask God for something, a supernatural door is opened. We are showing our faith in Him, and faith gives God something to work with. In fact, scripture says that without faith, it is impossible to please God. He wants us to come to Him and know His goodness. He wants us to believe that He is good and that He has good things in store for us. Today, I encourage you to get bold with your prayers. Ask God for big things. Believe that He is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Put your

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Everyone loves to get something new. But as a believer in Jesus, you’re not only getting something new, you are something new. You are a brand new creation! Your eternal being, your spirit, is re-created in Christ. The old is gone, the new has come! You may not necessarily feel new right away. That’s because the Bible tells us that we are to “work out” our salvation. That means you have to retrain your body and mind to act, think, speak and live according to God’s ways instead of the old habits you used to have. Don’t ever get stuck in the rut of thinking, “I’ll never change...that’s just the way I am.” No, the Bible says that the Spirit of God aids us in our weakness. He gives us strength to overcome. He empowers us to live as more than conquerors in this life. Is there something you want to change in your life today?

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?” (Isaiah 43:19, NLT) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria The God we serve is not a small God. His plan for your life is not for you to reach one level, get stuck and stay there for 30 or 40 years. His plan is to increase you, open new doors before you, and take you places that you’ve never imagined. He has something big in your future! He’s already planned out big breaks, big opportunities and big ideas for you. You may have seen God’s goodness in the past, but you have not touched the surface of what God has in your future! God is about to do a new thing! And what I sense in my spirit is the new thing is going to be far greater than you’ve ever seen before. It’s going to be bigger than you imagined. It’s going to be more rewarding than you thought possible. Now you’ve got to come into agreement and say, “Yes, God, this is for me today. I’m not going to get stuck where I am. I’m n