Tag: Motivation

#SaturdayStamps: James VanDerZee

 

Beginning in 1916, James Van Der Zee (1886-1983) photographed the people of Harlem for more than six decades, depicting the life of one of the most celebrated black communities in the world. By providing elaborate costumes, props, and backdrops, in combination with creative double exposures, expert retouching, and airbrushing, Van Der Zee became renowned for the quality of his portraits. Although he gained fame for his portrayal of African-American celebrities who passed through Harlem, Van Der Zee made his daily living by taking thousands of photographs of Harlem’s residents, including family groups, weddings, athletic teams, and social clubs.

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Know His Kindness

“…God’s kindness leads you toward repentance.” (Romans 2:4)

Today’s Word

Is there anything in your life that is keeping you from God? Is there anything that is blocking your relationship with Him? In the natural, when we’ve wronged someone, sometimes it’s easier to avoid them than to face potential rejection. It’s easy to look at God the way we view other people. But God isn’t like that. He’s waiting for you with open arms. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done; know that His kindness leads you to repentance. God is standing there with open arms. He wants to help you get passed that obstacle. He doesn’t want there to be anything in the way of your relationship with Him. Don’t let condemnation keep you from going to God. Know His kindness today. Experience His goodness. Trust His faithfulness. He’s promised He’ll never leave you nor forsake you. Turn to Him today and let Him pour His loving kindness out upon you today. As you experience His kindness, you’ll be empowered and strengthened to live the good life that God has planned for you!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me today. Thank You for Your Kindness. I come to You and repent of any sin that would block our relationship today. Help me be more like You. I bless You today. In Jesus Name’. Amen.

~Joel Osteen

Get And Stay This Way

It’s possible to love someone and not be committed.
You could say you love the man you’re dating, but if you’re not available to him as a listening ear  when he needs you, if you’re not supportive of his endeavors, and if you’re dipping out and dating other people behind his back, then you can claim to have deep, heartfelt love for him all you want – but you’re obviously not committed to him.

 

It’s the same way with God.

 

We can say we’re Christian all day every day and claim to love Him with all of our mind, body, soul and strength – yet if we don’t make ourselves available to be used by God by not taking time out of our day to pray, if we don’t stand for what He stands for nor believe in what He believes in according to His Word, if we don’t attend church regularly yet the Word admonishes not to forsake the assembly of other believers (Hebrews 10:25), and if we dip out on Him by pulling out the grace card every other week as we continue to have sex on the regular while making excuses to sin instead of coming up with excuses not to sin – then we may say we’re saved, but we’re truly not committed.
They that hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled  (Matthew 5:6)
The more you hunger, thirst and long for more of God, and the more you couple that desire with action (such as showing up for daily prayer whether at your church or at home, attending service regularly, and really seeking God about your purpose and destiny and not making another move until He reveals it to you), the more He will make Himself known to you.
The more you read His Word the more His character becomes your character, and the easier it becomes for you not to sin against Him as reading the Word grows your spirit and kills the flesh (Psalm 119:11)
The more you pray, read the Word, and praise God on a consistent basis and not just when you need something from Him, the more your commitment level will rise and the more He can trust you with the ultimate assignment and purpose He has for you.
God is not hiding anything from you.  (Psalm 84:11)
He’s just waiting for you to show up so He can lead, guide, direct and talk to you.  He’s waiting for you to turn your salvation confession into a lifestyle so that as you seek Him daily He will be found of you and will show Himself strong in you. It’s not enough to just get saved, now it’s time to get committed.
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. 2 Chronicles 16:9a
*Originally published

Saving Faith

“And he said unto the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” (Luke 7:50)

When you look at and consider what the woman (who was identified by Luke as being a sinner) endured, it makes her situation that more remarkable.  Risking objection and ridicule by those who were at Simon, the Pharisee’s house, she opened an expensive box of ointment and began to wash Jesus’ feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, and applied the ointment to them.

This selfless act of love, devotion, and worship, prompted Jesus to declare her sins forgiven, sending her off in peace.  This is what Jesus is looking for in each of us.  He’s not looking for someone to draw attention to themselves or boast about their many accomplishments.  He is looking for those who acknowledge their sins, seek after him in faith, and who, in humility, worship him with all that they have.  This is the type of faith that saves.  This is what God is looking for in each of us.  What type of faith are you expressing?

Prayer:  Father, we thank you and give you glory, honor, and praise for what you have accomplished in us through Christ our Lord.  Teach us to rely solely upon his finished work on the cross for our sins that we may enjoy life with you.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

~Joel Osteen

Completely Satisfied

Today’s Scripture

“Blessed, fortunate, happy and spiritually prosperous…are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, uprightness and right standing with God, for they shall be completely satisfied” (Matthew 5:6 AMP).

Today’s Word

God longs to pour out his abundant blessing on every area of your life. He wants you to live completely satisfied. When you hunger and thirst for righteousness–God’s way of doing things–then you will live in complete satisfaction. You direct your hunger by choosing what you focus on. For example, if you focus on your favorite food, if you start thinking about it early in the morning, and all throughout the day, chances are, by the end of the day you’ll be eating it! What you give your attention to, you will desire.

In the same way, the more you give your attention to God and His Word, the more you will hunger for Him. Just like the scripture promises, when you hunger for righteousness, you will be completely satisfied. The world offers so many things for you to give your attention to, but they aren’t things that will satisfy. You might think you want a particular car, or certain clothes, or live in a particular neighborhood. There’s nothing wrong with those things, but understand that “things” won’t ever satisfy you. Recognize that only God will satisfy you. As you hunger for Him, you’ll live in peace and blessing and live completely satisfied all the days of your life!

A Prayer for Today

Father in Heaven, I come to You today, I ask for forgiveness for allowing anything to capture my heart and attention more than You. I choose today to give You top priority, and choose to hunger for Your righteousness. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

– Joel & Victoria Osteen