Today's Word with Joel Osteen - September 17, 2009 [Devotional]

Email ^ | 9/17/09 | Joel Osteen

[Vision]

Praise Precedes the Victory

Today's Scripture

"…Joshua said to the people: 'Shout, for the LORD has given you the city!'…And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat" (Joshua 6:16 & 20, NKJ)

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is when Joshua and the Israelites took over the city of Jericho. Jericho had a massive wall built around the city that no army could penetrate. But that didn't stop God from giving them the victory. He simply commanded the Israelites to march around the city in silence for six days, and on the seventh day they were to give a shout of praise.

It's interesting that they had to shout before the walls came down. It seems more natural to shout and be happy after the victory, after the walls have fallen. But no, that doesn't take any faith. We can all sing and give God praise when we're on the mountaintop. But God wants us to learn to give Him praise when we're in the valley.

If you are facing difficulty today, if there seems to be massive walls standing in the way of your breakthrough, remember, praise precedes the victory. Why don't you do like the Israelites and give a shout of praise anyway. Stand and believe that God is at work even if you don't see it. Before long, those walls will come down, and you'll move forward into the victory He has prepared for you!

A Prayer for Today

"Father in heaven, thank You for Your promise of victory. I choose to stand in faith, giving You the praise until I see my breakthrough. Thank You for strengthening me and directing my every step. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

[Vision]

"Debate of any kind is not appropriate on a devotional thread. They are closed, i.e. to be treated as if they are occurring behind the closed doors of a church." -Religion Moderator

[Vision]

'Today's Word with Joel Osteen' Ping!

"Praise Precedes the Victory"

[DaveMSmith]

You know it makes me wanna SHOUT!

[Vision]

Morning. That’s what HE wants.

[DaveMSmith]

I have some issues with the liberal branch of my church which I intend to 'shout' about tonight in an online chat.

One thing that bugs me is they claim to be earth day, tree hugging environmentalists but they have this convention every summer at some location which requires all sorts of plane flight and expense.

Besides that, they are really embracing the homosexual agenda and it's like a cancer to the truth of the church. Hollywood movies are held up above scripture for Divine Inspiration. Liberal Political causes are discussed during chats.

I'm moved to action... see http://swedenborgiancommunity.com for details.

[Vision]

Well said. The Church will live or die on homosexuality. They’ll win.

[DaveMSmith]

Perhaps churches as they exist this very day serve a useful purpose throwing their doors open to all in they can hear the Word of God and have their hearts moved. In my religion we are taught to live our lives according to our faith. It also has 3 branches which anyone could feel comfortable in to receive His teachings. A trinity of Churches of sorts.

Each individual has to seek their own path and make their own decisions in life. Turning from the materialistic world is a major part of that process that brings us home.

After my last post I went to the website and checked tonight's topic -- Johnny Appleseed. My favorite. I meditated on that and His voice said 'Let It Be'.

[Beeline]

ANOTHER DOLLAR IN JOELS TIP JAR!