Archive for the ‘goodnews blog’ Category
December 23rd, 2009 | 
Author: TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel–which, when translated, means, God with us.” -Matthew 1:23, AMP
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
In the Bible, Jesus has many names that identify His character. One of those names is Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” Before Jesus came to the earth, the Spirit of God resided in the temple. The people had to go through all sorts of rituals to make them clean enough to go near Him.
Now, as believers, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He is the one who cleanses us and actually makes His home in our hearts.
Isn’t it good to know that God is with us? He is closer than the very air we breathe. His peace is always with us. His joy is always with us. His power is always with us, and His victory is always with us. The next time you feel alone, remember, you serve Emmanuel—the God who is always with you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
“Father in heaven, thank You for choosing to make Your home in me. Thank You for filling me with Your peace and joy. I bless You today, knowing that You will never leave me nor forsake me. In Jesus’ Name.”
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” -Thessalonians 5:18, NIV
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Are you giving thanks in every circumstance? This might seem like a stretch at first, especially when you are going through a season of difficulty. But notice today’s verse doesn’t say to give thanks “for” everything, it says give thanks “in” everything. In other words, no matter what’s going on, find something to be thankful for. Don’t just focus on what’s wrong in your life; focus on what God will do in your life!
When you are thankful, it opens the door for God to move on your behalf. That’s why it says “this is God’s will for you.” He wants you to be close to Him and receive His strength and power by giving thanks.
Today, have the attitude that says, “God, in spite of what’s happened, I choose to be grateful. I may be sick, but Father, thank You for being my healer. Thank you for giving me great friends and family.” Or, “I may be struggling in my marriage, but God, thank You for being my restorer. Thank You for giving me another sunrise.”
As you give thanks in everything, you will see God’s hand move mightily on your behalf. Before long, you’ll come out of that difficulty better, stronger, and wiser than before!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
“Father God, today I choose to give You thanks in all things! I know that You are a good God, and You have good plans in store for my future. I bless You and thank You for another day to sing Your praise! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind…” -Romans 12:2, AMP
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Many people today don’t realize that the reason they’re not happy, the reason they’re not enjoying life is simply because they’ve trained their minds in the wrong direction. They’ve trained their mind to worry. They’ve trained their mind to complain. They’ve trained their mind to see the negative. But just as we can form these negative mindsets, we can retrain our minds and form positive mindsets.
One of the main keys to developing a positive attitude is to learn how to stay grateful. When you stay grateful, you are focusing on what’s right rather than what’s wrong. This doesn’t happen automatically, you have to discipline yourself to focus on the positive. You have to make a conscious effort every single day until a good habit is formed.
Remember, when you live with an attitude of praise and thanksgiving, you are shielding yourself from the attacks of the enemy. The seeds of discouragement cannot take root in a grateful heart. Neither can bitterness, envy, or strife. When you have a grateful heart, you are strong. You are empowered, and you can confidently enjoy the good life He has prearranged for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
“Father in heaven, today I surrender my thoughts and mind to You. Help me retrain my thoughts so that they are in line with Your will for my life. I choose to have a positive attitude of faith and expectancy and thank You for empowering me to enjoy the good life You have for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
So many people today are living with less than God’s best because they’ve allowed fear to stop them from pursuing their dreams. We have to remember that fear is not from God. It’s a lie from the enemy to paralyze us and steal our power.
Today’s verse tells what God has given us: power, love, and self-discipline or self-control. When you are confident in God’s promises, there’s nothing that can stop you. But when fear creeps in, you hesitate. You’re not as strong as you were before. You feel powerless. Not only that, but it affects your love. Love prompts us to give, and when we are afraid, we tend to clench our fists and act selfishly. Fear also affects our self-discipline or self-control. It makes us panic and do things without thinking.
If you’ve allowed fear to steal from you in any area of life, today you can be free–you can be finished with fear. Conquering fear starts with a choice to believe God’s promises, and then taking a step of faith to act on them. As you step out, God will be with you. He’ll give you power, love, and self-discipline so that you can confidently move forward into the abundant life He has for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
“Father God, I come to You today declaring that I am finished with fear. Thank You for giving me power, love, and a sound mind. I choose to stand on Your promises. Fill me with Your peace and joy today as I move forward in victory with You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“…And God has visited His people [in order to help and care for and provide for them]!” -Luke 7:16, AMP
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Every person has times of visitation from the Lord. These are the times when God distinctly intervenes in our lives to bring us help, direction, care, and provision. He’s ordained special times to pour out His love, favor, and blessing. It may be through a person we meet, an unexpected promotion, or supernatural favor so that in a split second we are thrust years ahead. These marked moments in our lives keep us on the course of our destiny.
When you really understand this point, you don’t have to be frustrated because things aren’t happening as fast as you’d like. You don’t have to worry about how things will turn out. All you have to do is stay in faith, knowing that God is directing your steps.
As long as we keep believing, our marked moments are on their way. Don’t allow the enemy to steal your joy or distract you by getting you focused in the wrong direction. Remember, God is on your side, and He is leading you and guiding you in the path of victory in every area of your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your divine favor and direction on my life. I choose to release my cares today and trust wholeheartedly in You. Teach me to recognize those marked moments so that I can give all the glory and praise to You! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase and the trees of the field yield their fruit” -Leviticus 26:4, AMP
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
God has set up seasons in our lives. It’s easy to get frustrated when our dreams aren’t coming to pass on our timetable, but every season is not harvest season. There are plowing seasons. There are planting seasons. There are watering seasons.
Sure, we would love for every season to be a time of increase left and right, good breaks here and there. But without the other seasons, we wouldn’t be prepared. For example, it’s during the plowing seasons that God brings issues to light that we need to deal with. He’s getting us prepared for promotion.
If you’re not making as much progress as you would like, the key is to not lose any ground. Don’t go backwards. Hold your position. Keep a good attitude and do the right thing even when it’s hard. When you do that, you are passing the test, and God promises that your due season of harvest is coming.
Be encouraged because your appointed time of increase, favor, and promotion is on its way, and He will fulfill every dream and desire He’s placed within your heart!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
“Father God, I bless You today. I thank You for preparing me for the blessing and promotion You have in my future. I surrender my heart, mind, will and emotions to You so that I can live as a testimony of Your work in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“And I will make My covenant (solemn pledge) between Me and you and will multiply you exceedingly” -Genesis 17:2, AMP
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
God is in the multiplication business. It doesn’t matter what your need is today, God wants to increase you.
One time in the Old Testament, God simply multiplied the sound of four men’s footsteps and caused them to sound like a mighty army. When their enemies heard them coming, they took off running. Thousands of people, thousands of troops running for their lives, scared to death, thinking they were being attacked by a massive army, when in fact, it was just four people.
Friend, God can make you seem bigger than you really are. He can make you look more powerful. He knows how to multiply your influence, your strength, your talent. He can multiply your income or whatever else you need! You don’t have to figure it all out.
All you have to do is believe. If you will release your faith and get up every day expecting God’s far and beyond favor, then you’re going to see God show up and do amazing things. He’ll bless you beyond your wildest dreams and multiply you in every area of your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
“Father God, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. Thank You for Your promise to bless and multiply me. Direct my steps and keep me close to You as I stand in faith for the good things You have in store for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” -Hebrews 10:23, NIV
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
At some point in life we all face hardships. It may be something physically or emotionally challenging. Or it may be a dream or an opportunity that we missed out on. Whatever your difficulty is, don’t let it discourage you from believing in God’s best.
The enemy wants to keep you focused on everything negative that’s happened, but don’t let him steal the dreams God has given you. He knows that if he can deceive you into thinking things won’t get better, you’ll lose hope and give up.
There will always be obstacles trying to keep you from becoming all God’s created you to be, but God has given you a promise for good and not harm. He has plans for better things ahead. It’s important to believe God and keep an attitude of faith despite your circumstances.
Choose today to hold on to God’s promises no matter what your situation looks like. Refuse to give up on the plans He has made for your life. God knows what challenges you’ve faced, and He has a way to turn things around for your good. Start thanking and praising Him for what He’s already done and what He will do.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
“Heavenly Father, today I choose to believe in Your promises instead of what I see around me. I will not give up on the dreams You have given me because I know they will come true. Thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
It’s easy for people to let go of their dreams when all they see is what they’re lacking or what’s not happening for them. But God sees the whole picture when He looks at your dreams. He has equipped you for the victory, even though you sometimes can’t see how you will win with what you have to work with right now.
Remember that God is always at work in your life. He is giving you favor and opening doors of new opportunities, so keep looking and hoping; the things He has promised and planned for you will happen. As you put your confidence in God, He will continue to work in supernatural ways to guide you into all He has for you.
Are you looking at the whole picture today? Can you see how God is working to bring the right things together for your success? If you’re not seeing things happen for you, don’t give up on your dreams. Be confident in God’s promises; He sees things that you can’t see, and He will make sure that His plans for you are fulfilled. Hold on to your dreams today. Have faith in God – He wants to bring you the desires of your heart.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
“Heavenly Father, today I have a renewed confidence in You. Help me to see my life the way You see it – whole and complete. Thank You for not only beginning a good work in me, but also finishing it. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
by Bo Sanchez
Did you suffer a loss recently?
A job? A relationship? Material things stolen from you?
Many of my friends lost many things in the recent flood.
My friends lost homes. My friends lost businesses. With tears, my auntie said, “Bo, I lost all the material things I’ve collected over the past 50 years of my life!” Some friends told me that what was most painful was loosing all their photographs—the memories of a lifetime.
Friend, I’ve got a message for you today: Believe that every storm will end. And after the storm, a new morning begins.
Remember that every loss is temporary.
If you lost a loved one, that loss is temporary. In heaven, you’ll see your beloved again and your reunion will last forever.
If you lost photographs, believe that in heaven, God will give back to you DVD copies of all the sweetest memories you’ve had in your life. (I’m not sure what video version they use up there, but I’m sure it’ll be the most modern. Perhaps it’ll be a virtual reality video!)
If you lost material things or opportunities or relationships, believe that God is creating room for something better to come your way.
How will this “better” happen?
Start being grateful.
That’s not a typo.
In the midst of your loss, be thankful.
I know you’ll complain, “Bo, there’s nothing to be thankful for! I lost half my life!”
Well, be thankful for the other half that you still have.
Don’t focus on what you lost, focus on what you still have.
You’ve got too many good things happening to you to be down!
Say this with me, “I’m too blessed to be stressed.” (Not original from me. Got it from a bumper sticker.)
Why be grateful?
Because you attract what you focus on. I’ve said that before so many times, but I’ll keep saying it until God calls me home. Because it’s so powerful.
When you become grateful, you attract more of what you’re grateful for.
Gratitude is a blessings magnet.
My Business Loss
Many years ago, I lost a lot of money in a businesses venture.
It was a big loss for me. At that time, I lost almost my entire net worth.
I was tempted to mope, to sulk, to carry a heavy burden for a long time.
Actually, I allowed myself to grieve for awhile—which was very healthy.
But I decided not to grieve for too long, or I would be stuck forever.
After some time, I declared, “God has something better for me.”
I chose to smile. I chose to look at the brighter side. I chose to believe that better businesses would come my way. In fact, I began declaring the unbelievable. I said, “I’ll earn ten times what I lost!”
Later that week, a friend asked me, “Is it true that you lost a lot of money in that business?”
I said, “Yes, I did.”
“It happens to you too, huh? And I thought people like you are exempt from these things. So why are you smiling?”
“Because I believe God is redirecting me to a better business. And I know that I’ll earn ten times what I lost.”
It was a big claim and some friends couldn’t understand why I was so relaxed.
But a few years later, what I declared happened.
I started new businesses and I began to earn ten times what I lost. What I lost—my savings for years—I earned in a few months. Today, my new businesses are multiplying. I ask myself sometimes, “What if I didn’t fail in that business?
I would still be stuck in that business! I wouldn’t have the new business that I have now.”
And imagine if kept moping and sulking—would I have seen the new opportunities around me? Imagine if I kept mourning my loss—would I have had the energy to venture into something new?
Friend, don’t focus at the problems in your life.
Don’t focus on what you loss.
Instead, focus on two things: look at what you still have and look at the new things that God will give you.
And be grateful.
Where Is The Real Storm?
Typhoon Ondoy came and went.
But the real storm is not out there.
The real storm is in your mind.
Do you believe that great things will happen to you?
Imagine a party balloon.
At first, it’s bright and fat and goes up to the ceiling.
But after a few days, it becomes deflated.
It stays on the floor.
We’re like balloons.
What keeps us up is hope.
But life happens, and everyday, we leak hope.
Especially when big trials come, we surely leak out a lot of hope.
And we’re deflated.
Here’s what you need to do: You need to refill your heart with hope. So that you can rise up again.
Dispel the storms in your mind.
It may be stormy on the outside but it shouldn’t be stormy on the inside.
The only way to dispel the storms is to be grateful for what you have today and what will happen tomorrow.
God is redirecting you to something better.
Sit up straight. Out loud, say this declaration with me…
I’m strong in the Lord. I’m blessed. I’m forgiven. I’m protected. I’m redeemed. I’m equipped. I’m anointed. Healing flows in my body. New doors will open before me. I’ll meet the right people, the right opportunities, at the right time, at the right place. I’ll regain ten times what I lost… In Jesus name!
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
