Beloved in Christ Ministry

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John  16:33 , NIV) TODAY’S WORD  from Joel and Victoria It’s easy to be positive and encouraging when everything is going your way, isn’t it? But every one is going to have obstacles to overcome in life. Problems have a purpose, and part of God’s purpose for allowing you to face obstacles is to test your attitude. That’s why you need to be positive even in negative situations. Remember, God wants you to live life to the fullest. And He has provided a way for you to enjoy your life, even when you’re going through hard times. Look closely again at John  16:33 . Jesus has just told you that you will face tribulation. But then He says, “Take heart!” That’s the secret. One translation puts it this way: “When you have trouble, cheer up.” What God is saying is that you can choose to be joyful and pos...

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians  4:18 , NKJV) TODAY’S WORD  from Joel and Victoria God wants you to focus on the good things He has for you, which are far greater than the things you can see around you. Unfortunately, too many people give up when they face tough times. They stop expecting anything good to happen. But the truth is, hardships and trials are really opportunities for you to go higher. Whatever struggles you’re going through right now, no matter how large or small...they are subject to change. God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Your health may not look very good today, but it’s subject to change. You may be out of work today, but that’s subject to change. Your finances may look dismal today, but that’s subject to change! You may be struggling in your relationsh...

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it, and he will.” (Psalm 37:5, NLT) TODAY’S WORD  from Joel and Victoria Commitment is a very important word in life. It’s is an essential part of your job, your marriage and your relationship with God. In the Bible, when God says that He is committed to you, He means committed no matter what. He wants you to commit everything you do to Him, so that He can help you succeed. You can’t be the employee, spouse, or friend God wants you to be without having complete commitment to the cause. The same is true, possibly even more so, in your relationship with Christ. He wants you to commit everything you do to Him because He truly does desire good things for you. You just have to be willing to give it all to Him. A PRAYER FOR TODAY God, help me to be totally committed to You, because I know You are to me. Thank You for promising to help me if I turn my commitments over to You. In Jesu...

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians  2:13 , NLT) TODAY’S WORD  from Joel and Victoria Do you desire to please Him? When you become a believer by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, God begins working in you. He changes your desires from self-seeking to God-seeking. When you make a wrong choice or do something that displeases Him, most times, you know it immediately. There’s uneasiness on the inside of you. You might even feel a little sick to your stomach. That’s because the desire to please God is built inside of you. That “feeling” is the Spirit’s gentle conviction that keeps us on the path He has for us. But notice He didn’t just give you the desire to please Him; He gave you the power to please Him, too. He didn’t just call you; He equipped you! Follow that inner prompting so that your actions will line up with your heart’s desire. And remember, even when you make a mis...

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT) TODAY’S WORD  from Joel and Victoria Surround yourself with the right people and you can fulfill the dreams God gives you. Put yourself in relationships with people who are not only like-minded, but are also seeking to honor God in their own lives. Here is a thought to consider today: if your friends don’t point you toward God’s goal for you, then they’re not very good friends. You want to be around dream-builders, not dream-crashers! When you prune the relationships around you, you’re not cutting things out of your life; you’re making room for growth so that you can reach your God-given potential! When you make room for God’s best, you can walk away from the lesser things that the world has to offer. A PRAYER FOR TODAY God, I know You have my best in mind and in Your plans. Thank You...

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 You can probably think of many times in which you simply did not give your best effort, or didn’t really try very hard. Every person, because of our human imperfections, sometimes chooses to be lazy and not try. But the example given by Christ, and the one mentioned in Colossians 3, is completely the opposite. Christians are to be the best at whatever they do, because they are to do everything as if they were doing it for God alone! When you put your whole heart into whatever it is you are supposed to do, God will recognize that and bless you for it. You should strive for and pursue excellence in all you do, for the sake of God; He blesses excellence! A PRAYER FOR TODAY God, I want to do my work and everything else with true excellence. Give me Your power to be an example of Christ to thos...

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people” (1 Thessalonians 1:4, NLT) TODAY’S WORD  from Joel and Victoria When others look at your life, do they know that God loves you? Can they see the change in you? Do they know you are a follower of His? Remember, the evidence is in your words and actions. The most important thing you could ever know and show is that God loves you. His love changes us. His love empowers us. His love takes us to new levels. His love gives us eternal life. Open your heart fully and receive His love today. Then turn around and love Him in return by following His commands. Make the decision today to let His love show all over you! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father in heaven, thank You for loving me, for empowering me, and changing me to be more like You. Have Your way in my heart so that I can be a shining light of Your love to the people around me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” (1 John  3:17 , ESV) TODAY’S WORD  from Joel and Victoria You’ve probably heard the saying that “you may be the only Jesus someone ever sees.” There may be a desperate person who is in need of something as small as a smile or a little money, and you might be the best or the only example of Jesus’ love to them! With this in mind, look for ways today to live with true compassion and a caring attitude toward others. That’s how you can plant seeds of God in someone. You may not be around to see the seeds grow into a large and beautiful plant, but you could make a life-changing impact where you are! A PRAYER FOR TODAY God, I thank You for Your love and compassion for me. Help me to live life in the same spirit. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.