Switch over into faith. You keep doing that, and fear is getting weaker and weaker while your faith is getting stronger and stronger. You’ll have peace and trust that God has you in the palm of His hand.
Your words have transformative power and give life to what you're saying. When you declare God's Word and speak blessings over your relationships, health and future, life-changing possibilities are unlimited. This month, Joel would like to send you his new book so you can declare faith-filled words that invite blessings, favor and success into your life.
Today's Word: APR 16, 2024
In Ezra 4, Zerubbabel was leading the Israelites who had returned from exile in rebuilding the temple. He laid the foundation, but then enemies came against him and forced him to stop. For ten years no work was done. Then the prophet Zechariah told him to get the capstone, which was reserved to be the last piece of stone that went into the building. Why was it important for Zerubbabel to keep the capstone in front of him? Because every time he was discouraged and thought it was impossible to finish the job, seeing it was a reminder that God would finish what He started. That was God saying to him, “I’m going to bring it to pass. Just stay in faith.” What are you believing God for? Keep your vision in front of you. Find something that is symbolic of that dream, something that inspires your faith, and put it in a place where you see it every day. Every time you see it, say, “Thank You, Lord, for bringing my dreams to pass.” What you keep in front of you, you’re moving toward.
As you face circumstances in life, sometimes it’s easy to get discouraged. But what if you could believe big and know that by this time next year, you’re going to see things turn around. This month’s ministry thank you will help make the coming year a time of expectation, hope and above all…belief!
Despite so many people calling for unity in society today, it seems as though there is more division and deeper division everywhere we look. The enemy has put iron wedges of strife and enmity between people that seem unbreakable. Too often we find people fighting against one another when they should be fighting for one another, and it’s tearing our society apart as well as our relationships, especially leading to broken families. That’s not a place where any of us want to live.
Joel and I have been married for thirty-seven years. We’ve raised our children together, built houses and a business together, and now we’re leading one of the greatest churches in the nation together. Together. When I look back, I can see that it’s not because we’re so smart or gifted. It’s because we found a way to walk together in peace and unity. That doesn’t mean we agree on everything or see eye to eye all the time. We don’t. But we’ve agreed to walk together “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2–3).
Why is it so important to keep the bond of peace in our lives? Because you will not agree with everyone all the time. We have to realize that doesn’t make one of us right and the other wrong. We have to recognize that we are different people with different opinions, and that this is what makes us different. But that doesn’t have to fragment us. That does not have to cause us to be angry or bitter toward one another. We can maintain the bond of peace.
We find this common ground of peace through the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul said that “the kingdom of God is…righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). You have to be in relationship with God before you can be in peace with others. When you are at peace with God, you can be at peace with others. The Bible talks about God’s presence reigning in peace through our lives. If you want the power of God in your life, maintain your relationships through the bond of peace.
Peace doesn’t hold grudges. Peace doesn’t get bitter. Peace doesn’t have to be right all the time or prove you’re right even if you are right. Peace doesn’t have to have its own way or have the last word. Peace is a place of power. Peace trusts. Peace believes the best. Peace is a beautiful thing.
Don’t give in to what will divide you. Pursue unity. Chase peace down and maintain its bond with one another through love. Together.
READ BLOG ENTRYSwitch over into faith. You keep doing that, and fear is getting weaker and weaker while your faith is getting stronger and stronger. You’ll have peace and trust that God has you in the palm of His hand.
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