HOPE FOR TODAY MAGAZINE from Joel Osteen Ministries
Vol 2 Issue 2 FALL/WINTER 09
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Let’s Take Out the Trash
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Allow God to restore your dreams and embrace all that God has in store for you.
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Share Your Story
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A September 11th first responder is touched by God in his darkest hour. Hear his story.
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Seek Peace
Find the peace that only God can give.
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HOPE FOR TODAY MAGAZINE from Joel Osteen Ministries
IT’S DIFFERENT WHEN YOU HOLD THEM
Perspectives on Paul and Jennifer’s mission trip to Africa. By Dr. Paul & Jennifer Osteen
Activate, Achieve, and Increase in 2010. By Joel Osteen
12 LET’S TAKE THE TRASH OUT IT’S DIFFERENT WHEN LET’S TAKEYOU THEHOLD TRASHTHEM OUT
COVER STORY
By Dr. Paul Witt & Jennifer Osteen Marcos
OPEN DOORS
As the new year approaches, make Find out more about Dr. Paul and this a timeexperiences to take the trash in your Jennifer’s duringout their life. Don’t go around the odor of recent mission trip to with Africa. bitterness and hatred.
This holiday season, resolve to put aside differences and enjoy the people in your life.
Marcos Witt is pastor of the spanish speaking services at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX.
Don’t carry the garbage of the past into the new year. By Marcos Witt
16 NEW MESSAGE SERIES
Eight inspiring new message series are available, just in time for Christmas!
17 FAITH IS HERE AND NOW
Da’dra’s testimony of the power of staying in faith. By Da’dra Greathouse
19 THE PRINCIPLE OF GIVING IN THE SEASON OF GIVING Understanding the key to financial blessings. By Lisa Comes
22 TAKE HOLD OF GOD’S STRENGTH
In busy times, rely on God’s Word for the strength you need. By Dodie Osteen
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In your darkest moments, God is there - watch as 9/11 survivor Vinny Forrez recounts his story of deliverance and empowerment.
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Find out practical steps to putting your trash out....for Paul Osteen, M.D. isgood. an associate pastor at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX.
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SEEK PEACE
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FEATURES
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Vol 2 Issue 2 FALL/WINTER 09
Don’t be locked out any longer! With the doors open wide, there’s no limit to what God will do in your life.
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JOEL OSTEEN
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Have you ever been “locked out?” All of us have been, either by accident or on purpose. And being locked out can be really frustrating. If you’re like me, you might try just about anything you can to get in the door. You turn the doorknob left and right, hoping somehow, some way it will open up. Your mind races, trying to remember the last place you had your keys. You even try to call someone to come open the door for you. Once the door finally swings open, there’s a feeling of relief and even excitement — you’re no longer blocked or denied the right of being where you are supposed to be. Did you know that you are supposed to be living in the fullness of God and experiencing His blessings and favor? It’s your birthright as a child of
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Almighty God. But maybe you have felt “locked out” from this type of living. You may be there right now. You may feel like there is a life of abundance God has for you to live, but you haven’t experienced His fullness and His doors of opportunity haven’t opened just yet. I want to encourage you to keep knocking, keep believing, keep living, and keep praying; your door will open! This is what Jesus tells you to do. In Luke 11:9-10 He says, “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened” (NLT).
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OPEN DOORS JOEL OSTEEN
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Be encouraged by Jesus’ words and let them fill you with the hope and faith to keep going! No matter what you’ve been through, no matter what you’re facing now, no matter how difficult or even good things are now, this is not the time to stop asking or believing for God to do great things in your life. I know it’s so easy to get focused on the end result — what lies on the other side of your open door. But I can promise you from my own experiences that during the different seasons of waiting, God isn’t only going to fulfill the promises He’s given you. He’s going to change you during the process for the better, to ready you for the new doors of opportunities that will open.
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See, difficult times don’t simply come your way just so you can survive them; God uses these times in your life to form and refine you. He allows the situations to shape your attitude and perspectives so that He can bring the right people, the right abilities, and the right opportunities into your life that will open doors no man can shut. Once those doors open wide, there’s no limit to what God will do in your life.
When you stay faithful and diligent, you can experience breakthrough just like the apostle Paul and many others who’ve
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gone on before us. Paul faithfully served God even while all kinds of challenges were coming at him. Then, in a moment, everything changed. First Corinthians 16:9 says, “A huge door of opportunity for good work has opened up here” (The Message).
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Victoria and I believe this is God’s Word to you: A wide-open, huge door of opportunity for good work and great results is coming your way.
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We serve a faithful God who always rewards those who are watching and waiting for His goodness and who are expecting His incomparable power that’s at work and available to all who believe!
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IT’S YOUR TIME
In this new two-part audio series, Joel shares the keys to pressing through to victory. You’ll be encouraged as you discover the doors of opportunity that God has planned for you.
This powerful new book from Joel will inspire you and give you hope, helping you live the life God intended for you. Filled with encouragement, guidance on praying bold prayers and many other practical tools, this incredible resource will keep you pushing ahead toward your destiny. With your gift, you’ll also receive the brand new Open Doors audio resource.
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IT’S YOUR TIME
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VICTORIA OSTEEN
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is a great time of the year. It’s so good to be with family and friends, especially those we’re close to and those we haven’t seen in a while.
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But we all know what can happen when we get a whole room full of people together; you get people with different personalities, beliefs and opinions; and everyone doesn’t always see eye-to-eye on things all the time.
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SEEK PEACE
BRINGING THE HOPE OF CHRIST TO THE WORLD from Joel Osteen Ministries
VICTORIA OSTEEN
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These small differences shouldn’t separate us and challenge our peace. They should not cause us to dislike each other. Rather, they should remind us that everyone is entitled to their own opinions and thoughts, and that we are each created wonderfully, fearfully, differently by God.
it’s a movie you saw. If you try hard enough, you can almost always find common ground, or you can find things that you truly like about them. Maybe it’s their eyes, their smile, or something they are wearing.
The most important thing is to seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14).
But one thing I know that we should find is the common ground of peace. It should hold us steady and secure. It should let us know that we don’t have to prove our point to anyone. After all, we weren’t put on this earth to straighten everybody out. And there are a lot of people that we could not straighten out even if we thought we could!
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So this holiday season, enjoy the people in your life and realize it’s not always who is right, but what is right. And peace is the right choice every time.
I always keep this in mind when I am around someone that I feel like we don’t see eye-toeye on a few things. I like to find common ground with that person. There is always something you can find about a person that you like or you share in common. Maybe it’s a hobby. Maybe it’s a friend in common. Maybe
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DR. PAUL & JENNIFER OSTEEN
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It’s Different when you Hold Them
In July of this year, my family and I went to Kenya again for a three-month medical missions trip. Like our past trip, I performed many surgeries while Jennifer and my family lent a helping hand in the orphanages. Here’s a couple perspectives from Jennifer and I on our experiences with Caleb, Lydia and Ben. Many of you know that we took care of 6-week old orphaned triplets during our stay. I so looked forward to coming home and holding them and feeding them and helping put them to bed. Jenn was up many times during the night to feed them, but occasionally when one (or more!) stirred or cried early in the morning, I was able to pick him (her) up and hold him (her).
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One morning, long before daylight, I heard little Caleb crying so I picked him up and brought him to bed with us and held him in the darkness as I drank my coffee. Even though he had been crying pretty hard, when I picked him up and held him close, he immediately became so calm and quiet and still. I thought he was asleep so I took my alarm clock and pressed the little button that activiates the light to let you see the time. In the soft green, barely perceptible glow of the light, I saw two little eyes, wide open, looking up at me. Somehow in that moment something shifted inside me.
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I SO LOOKED FORWARD TO COMING HOME AND HOLDING THEM...
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For many years we have cared about orphaned children, we have prayed for them, we have supported them monthly, we have sent them clothes, we have befriended and helped build and resource
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IT’S DIFFERENT WHEN YOU HOLD THEM DR. PAUL & JENNIFER OSTEEN
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orphanages…but as I held little Caleb in the darkness of night and saw those little eyes wide open looking at me–what once was somehow just a “concept” of caring for orphans became very much a reality that will forever be a part of my heart. I am so thankful for the opportunity to care for these little ones and so thankful that no matter what home they eventually are a part of…they will always be a part of my heart. – Paul It was very hard to let them go after weeks of investing my time, my energy and my love. I had grown very attached, and like any mother knew each of their little individual cries. I could not only tell their cries from one another, but could
distinguish between the hunger cry and the sleepy whimper from the dirty diaper to the scream. I had figured out that Ben was too big to be next to Lydia, but Caleb loved the comfort of his big brother next to him. I felt like I knew them intimately as my own children. While the challenges of triplets were new to me, the instincts of mothering, loving and nurturing little babies were not. Every parent, whether natural or not, knows the depths of the love you feel for your children. I am reminded that if I loved them that much and grew to know them that well, how much more deeply He must love and care for us. If we love with an imperfect human love-what love He lavishes on us as a perfect Heavenly Father. They were ‘fostered’ into my family for just a few short weeks and He has adopted us as His own forever. They
were formed in someone else’s womb, yet I loved them like my own and He is the one who has formed us all and knows every hair on our head.
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IT WAS VERY HARD TO LET THEM GO...
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The Baby Center is a wonderfully clean, safe and warm place. There is plenty of food, clothes, diapers and essentials, but mostly love. The workers are Christian, good and caring and if I had to leave them anywhere, I am glad it could be there with them. – Jennifer Want to see more photos and read more about Paul & Jennifer’s experience in Africa?
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JOEL OSTEEN
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I wrote my new book to inspire others around the world to expand their vision and ignite their faith for increase in their life. Tough times require strong faith, but every disappointment gives us fresh opportunities, and each season of scarcity gives way to new seasons of increase. You may have been through some challenging times this past year. But, your best days are still ahead.
RECEIVE YOUR COPY
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History has shown that economic depressions and recessions surely do cause suffering, but they also serve as catalysts for inspiration, creativity, and new levels of achievement that ultimately make for better lives and a better world. Many of the world’s strongest corporations were forged in times such as these.
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Some doors may have closed, but others will open. The important thing is to keep your hope alive. Oftentimes, our darkest hour becomes our brightest hour. Zechariah 9:12 says that we should be prisoners of hope. It’s easy to give up. It’s easy to get discouraged. But God wants us to be full of hope and expectancy.
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It’s like this experiment that was done comparing the attitudes of two rats. Researchers wanted to see how their attitudes affected their will to live, so they put one rat in a large tub of water with high sides so he could not get out. Then, they placed the tub in a dark room where the rat was timed on how long he could keep swimming before he gave up; the rat stopped swimming in only a little over three minutes.
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IT’S YOUR TIME JOEL OSTEEN
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Another rat was placed in the same tub except this time they allowed a bright ray of light to shine into the room. That rat swam more than 36 hours, 700 times longer than the rat with no light!
me out of the horrible pit…and put a new song in my mouth.”
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It’s your time to be lifted. It’s your time for a new song in your mouth.
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Why was that? The rat with no light had no hope. When he looked ahead he saw only darkness. There wasn’t any reason to keep swimming.
Where you are now is not where you will always be. There are brighter days ahead. Favor, promotion, increase; remember, no good thing will God withhold because you walk uprightly.
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Right now, it might feel like that in your life, but there is hope! Now more than ever, it’s time to believe that God is in control, and keep your passion and enthusiasm. Even if you’ve been through a tough time, resolve to move forward in hope. Don’t stay down; put on a new attitude.
David said in Psalm 27:13, “What would have become of me had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness”. No matter what comes your way, let this take root. You have to believe you will see God’s goodness again. You must believe you will see God turn things around, and believe you will see Him open new doors because it’s your time.
Meet Joel & Victoria in Person!
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Meet Joel and Victoria in the following cities, where Joel will be signing copies of his new book, It’s Your Time. There may be limited line space and book quantities. Please contact the store for signing guidelines. Thursday, Dec 3 6:00 PM SAM’S CLUB 7970 N. Mesa El Paso, TX 79932 915-585-2433
Friday, Dec 4 12:00 NOON
WAL-MART 5605 W. Northern Ave. Glendale, AZ 85301 623-934-6920
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Even the psalmist David was lifted out of the pit. I love the way he said, “God lifted
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Disappointments come and go, but God’s favor is for a lifetime!
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MARCOS WITT
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I remember it like it was yesterday, the bell that sounded sharply as someone ran through the neighborhood announcing the imminent arrival of the garbage truck. This was planned to give us just enough time to collect all bags and cans of garbage and put them on the curb for the truck to take. Many times, we managed to hear the bell with plenty of time to anticipate its arrival and the task was carried out quietly and orderly. Other times, it caught us by surprise and we would run wildly through the house trying to get it all together before the garbage truck came by. Occasionally, we could not finish collecting all the trash in time for the truck to take it. When that happened, our garbage would accumulate until it was trash day again. It is very unpleasant to live with trash!
pain and wounds our heart and it is not repaired, we may begin to harbor bad feelings in some corner of our heart. Or maybe we took the time to do some good for someone at the cost of much effort and even personal sacrifice, and we do not even receive a simple thank you. Other times, we feel pain because someone fails us; maybe they forgot that appointment or that special date, birthday or anniversary. As the years add up, we can accumulate all this pain, despair, discouragement, resentment, envy, anger, rage, disappointment, and thousands of negative feelings that will begin to fill our being with the odor of bitterness and hatred. Don’t go around with that in your life. Let’s take out the trash!
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The same thing happens in our own lives. We have all probably collected emotional baggage or refuse over the years. For example, when someone causes us
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LET’S TAKE OUT THE TRASH
BRINGING THE HOPE OF CHRIST TO THE WORLD from Joel Osteen Ministries
MARCOS WITT
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The other day, I felt great sadness as I read an article in my local newspaper about two individuals at a traffic light who got so upset with one another because neither one of them wanted to give way to the other. They began to yell and curse at each other, to the extent of stopping all the traffic. They then proceeded to get out of their cars and the fight escalated until they came to blows. After it reached that point, it didn’t take long for them to take out guns, and they ended each other’s lives. I have no doubt that both individuals had accumulated a lot of emotional baggage that they had not bothered to throw away, and when they least expected it the baggage overwhelmed and destroyed them. They could no longer bear the weight of all that pain, bitterness, and the troubles of life. They died consumed by their awful bitterness, leaving their families and loved ones in terrible pain, all because they didn’t take out their garbage.
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How do we get rid of our emotional baggage or refuse? My first suggestion is that daily we decide to get rid of it so it does not accumulate. Every day before bedtime, make sure you are at peace with yourself and with everyone in your life. It is so much easier to take out the trash in small portions than to wait until it is too much for you to carry alone. The sooner we deal with the pain, disappointment, resentment or hatred, the sooner we will recover our peace. Obviously, some events in life will require a longer or slower process to heal. A divorce, abandonment, disappointment in love, death, fraud, and betrayal are all circumstances that cause painful and unpredictable emotions. These are emotions that many of us can’t handle by ourselves. For many, it will require professional help and a steady determination to not allow the pain and bitterness to pile up and thereby steal their joy and love of living.
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Here are some practical steps to take:
PRAY. When we entrust our lives to God, we realize how small our problem is when compared to His greatness and this keeps everything else in perspective.
Seek the advice of someone who is impartial to the situation and who is capable of giving good advice. Many times, we trust someone and share our hurts with someone who is more bitter than we are and all we accomplish is to double our anger and bitterness.
“Ding... ding.” What’s that sound? It’s the sound of my imaginary bell announcing the imminent arrival of the emotional garbage truck. Take advantage of this time, pick up all your emotional garbage, and let us all help make sure that you are totally free of it. Don’t let too much time pass or you might miss the garbage truck!
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MAKE A LIST.
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Write down all of the events or persons that caused you the most pain and add all the details you can remember. Then write a letter to that person about the situation and your feelings and finalize it by letting them know you forgive them. Afterward, destroy the letter. Make sure that no one else would be able to read it. We don’t want to hurt anyone else with what hurt us.
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EXERCISE.
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Make your cardiovascular system work. This will help you get rid of all that emotional garbage through your pores.
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HOPE FOR TODAY MAGAZINE from Joel Osteen Ministries
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When tragedies occur and we see our life flash before our eyes, what’s most dear to us often comes to mind; our loved ones. It’s through tragedies we’re reminded that every day lived is a true gift from God. Such reminders bring about much gratitude.
Vinny Forrez is a man with such a reminder. He was one of the many volunteer fire fighters who risked his life for the greater good of saving those lost in the rubble as a first responder at Ground Zero. In his search for those in need of rescue, he was separated from his group and all alone, trapped where he describes as one being in the pit of hell. Literally, the smell of death was overwhelming and all-consuming. Yet, just when he thought he was at the end of his life, God gave him a vision of his three children as babies; it was a vision where he could literally smell their newborn baby skin amongst the heavy smoke and fire. His vision gave him hope which led him to urgently pray to God, “If you allow me to stay, I promise, whatever it is, I’ll dedicate my life to You in doing something to help people.” God did give Vinny a second chance, and he kept his end of the deal. Less than one year after 911, Vinny and his wife, Monica started the Gear Up Foundation where they have provided over three million dollars worth of equipment and education, instilling hope to fire fighters and children in need worldwide. His story illustrates that as long as we’re alive, God has a plan for our life and a mission for us all to fulfill. This holiday season, let Vinny’s story be a reminder to cherish your time with your family and friends and be thankful. Love them and enjoy each moment spent together because as Vinny knows, life is a precious gift.
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THIS CHRISTMAS, BLESS SOMEONE WITH ONE OF THESE INSPIRING NEW SERIES
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NEW SERIES
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PRAYING BOLD PRAYERS
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UNLOCK YOUR HIGHEST POTENTIAL IN GOD.
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Your prayers release God’s blessing, favor and provision in your life and in the lives of those around you. In this new series, discover how to activate the power of God to accomplish things that are beyond your own strength with faithful prayer.
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SIX-MESSAGE SERIES FROM JOEL
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BRINGING THE HOPE OF CHRIST TO THE WORLD from Joel Osteen Ministries
DA’DRA GREATHOUSE
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very life was in danger. However, taking the doctor’s report, “You will never be able to sing again” wasn’t an option, either. I knew my God was able.
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But I also knew I had to have a plan of action supporting my faith. Yes, I knew I would need faith after my surgery, but I needed faith, here and now, before I ever went into surgery.
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When I received the news of a diagnosis that required surgery along with the outcome of most likely never being able to sing again due to vocal chord paralysis, it was a devastating blow. I’m a worship leader. I’ve been singing since I was three years old, traveling all over the world with my brother, Steve Crawford. And most recently to the news, I had started my new job alongside Steve as Lakewood’s new worship leaders. This was my dream, my gifting, my anointing and calling. Like most people’s initial reaction to such news, I felt frazzled, but I knew that didn’t move the hand of God; faith does. Undergoing surgery wasn’t an option; my
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After the news, I went home and prayed to God, “Lord, I need somebody” and immediately did my research on the internet. The Lord led me to the right man. I found a doctor who created a process to reverse vocal chord paralysis. I knew immediately that was my guy.
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FAITH IS HERE AND NOW DA’DRA GREATHOUSE
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My next plan included devising an action plan for victory. I knew the enemy was going to fight me hard when I couldn’t sing physically. I knew I would have those thoughts of defeat and questioning, “Why is my dream being taken away? I thought this is what God called me to do.” I knew I would have to do what the Bible says and cast them down immediately and not dwell on them.
I knew I had to replace the fears and speak, “I will sing for You. I will be able to do everything that You have assigned for me to do in my life.” And that’s what I did.
God doesn’t just bring us out like we were, He makes us stronger, better off than we were before. You see, the doctors told me with a big “IF”, “If you ever sing again… if….it will take a year or two” because my music memory was completely deleted from surgery. In a singer’s brain, our music memory is like a computer’s hard-drive. It’s filled with all the years of files containing the training, practicing, and developing of my voice. When we think a pitch, a phrase, or an interval, our brain sends the information to our vocal chords, and we’re able to hit that note. I had been singing since I was three, and now I had to learn it all over again. But God showed Himself strong and mighty in my life. Do you know I was singing in two months? In six months, I had
my full range back, and now I’m singing higher and lower than I ever have before.
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I didn’t give up because it got so discouraging and difficult at times. I didn’t give up because it seemed like my dream was being taken away. Faith is always trusting God even when you don’t understand it.
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Remember to hold fast the profession of your faith in your heart. If God did it for me, He’ll do it for you. He is no respecter of persons. Keep going, keep believing, and watch God’s deliverance in your own life!
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ENJOY LAKEWOOD WORSHIP THIS CHRISTMAS WITH
THE GIFT
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A CHRISTMAS PRESENTATION GET YOURS TODAY
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LISA COMES
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As we commemorate Christmas, the season of giving, remembering the greatest gift of all–Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for all mankind, let us also remember the principle of giving to God and the fruit of obedience in our lives.
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In Malachi 3:10, God says, “Bring the whole tithe to the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. ‘Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.’”
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God wants to bless you and prosper you in your finances and in all areas of your life, but there is a spiritual principle that we must follow in obeying and giving that unleashes God’s supernatural provision.
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THE PRINCIPLE OF GIVING LISA COMES
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Tithing and giving is the key to financial blessings. Oftentimes, we want to receive the latter part, the overflowing part. And God wants us to! But we have to be faithful and obedient with the first part, giving. When we are obedient, we are backing up our faith with actions. After all, faith without works is dead, and it’s our faith that pleases God. One time God spoke to my parents to give a $5,000 offering. They always tithed, but this was an offering over and above their tithe. And it was a lot of money! My brothers and sisters were young at this time. I remember Daddy gathered all of us around him and said, “Kids, God spoke to us to give this offering, and we are going to pray over it. I just want you to know that God is going to bless us in return.” He wanted us to see how God works. Well, a few weeks later, a lady from another state called my dad’s office. She said she was going to fly her own private plane to Houston because she had something to give him. Daddy
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met her at the airport, and she hand delivered a check to him for $5,000. She told him that God spoke to her to give him that money. She got back on that plane and went home.
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My dad was faithful in his giving, and in return, God supernaturally proved Himself strong and blessed my dad, according to what He promises all of us in His Word.
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Scripture says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)
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THE PRINCIPLE OF GIVING LISA COMES
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God wants to do the same in your life. When financial slumps come, that is not a time to quit tithing and giving. In fact, we have learned in our family that is a time to put more seed in the ground.
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If you haven’t been giving financially to the Lord, I encourage you to do so. The Bible says when you don’t give, that you are robbing God and yourself because if you have no seed, you have no harvest. But when you sow your tithe to the Lord, you can expect a harvest in your finances. As we approach the New Year, decide to test God in the area of your finances (because He even says to do so) and allow Him to prove Himself faithful in your life.
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Remember this: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
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DODIE OSTEEN
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TAKE HOLD OF GOD’S STRENGTH
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Everybody’s busy. Especially during the holiday season! Running here and there. Anytime you ask someone how he or she is, they nearly always say, “I’m busy!” We’re all going in different directions-mothers are rushing home from a day at work to care for their families. Fathers are hurrying to get to the kids’ ball games after a long, hard day at work. We all need strength! Did you know there is strength in God’s Word? When you get tired, go to the Word of God and find the scriptures on strength. There is usually a concordance in the back of the Bible and it lists key words and where to find them. Look up those verses and repeat them to yourself. Then raise up your hands like a little child and say, “ Now, God, I need Your strength.” You will actually sense strength flowing into your body.
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“…let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.”
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Isaiah 27:5 KJV
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Remember, during all the hustle and bustle this holiday season, when you rely on His strength, you will stay in peace! Please pray this prayer with me:
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Lord, God, I lift up my hands to You like a little child because I need Your strength today. I take hold of Your power that gives me peace and strength when I am weary. When my schedule gets too busy, Lord, remind me to stop and life my hands to You. Then I will receive Your mighty strength to do all I need to do each day. And I’ll have Your peace.
Another scripture that blesses me is Psalm 68:35 KJV, “…the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.” You know who will give you strength and power. All you have to do is ask Him.
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Adapted from Dodie Osteen’s daily devotional, Choosing Life. Click here to order your copy, or call 888-567-JOEL (5635).
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click here to download a printable version of Dodie’s Healing Scriptures card.
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HOPE FOR TODAY MAGAZINE from Joel Osteen Ministries
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God is using Joel Osteen Ministries to make a difference
not only in the United States but around the world. We are truly honored and blessed to be a part of God’s tangible love to people all over the world through our media broadcasts, online resources, and our Night of Hope events. Since 2005, we have conducted Night of Hope events in various cities and...
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NIGHT OF HOPE — INTERNATIONAL
BRINGING THE HOPE OF CHRIST TO THE WORLD from Joel Osteen Ministries
JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
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...arenas along with our worship team, providing a worship experience and an inspirational message. We have seen God’s goodness and hand of favor as literally thousands of attendees stand in every arena to make a decision to have a relationship with Christ. This year, we had the amazing privilege and honor to travel internationally to Sydney, Australia and Johannesburg, South Africa to minister. In South Africa, we spent two weeks being a part of various outreaches. In our first week, we teamed up with Feed the Children and helped feed thousands of families in need as well as visiting local orphanages and
even our own Dr. Paul Osteen’s medical mission outreach where he and his family served for three months.
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In our second week, our team from Houston was able to be hands on and build and construct a home for a family in need who has waited 15 years for a home. This family of 17 is now able to live with running water for the first time in their life.
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We had the life-changing experience of not only providing the labor, but also presenting the keys to the family and watching their excitement and tears. It was powerful seeing God’s faithfulness and provision and actually being a part of it.
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Later in the week, we held our Night of Hope event in the CocaCola Center where around 15,000 people attended. The people of Johannesburg were so receptive and excited about God’s love and His plan for their lives. We loved watching them worship! We also conducted a live worship recording the next day where all proceeds from the sale of this album will go directly to the housing project we were a part of for future families needing homes built. For $1,500 American dollars, a home like theirs can be built.
If you would like more information on how you can partner and make a difference with Feed the Children or this housing project in South Africa, please click here.
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Remember, when you partner with us through your prayers and financial support, you not only make it possible for Joel Osteen Ministries to spread the Gospel around the world, but you are a part of providing support, hope, food and resources to be placed in the hands of those in need.
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We continually thank God for allowing doors of opportunity to open to share His goodness, His unending hope and unconditional love, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those in need. We can’t wait to see what God will do next year and we hope you will check back with us periodically on our website for our event listings for 2010. If we’re ever in your area, we hope you will be a part of our Night of Hope!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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2010 Event Schedule
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March 13, 2010 – New Orleans, LA New Orleans Arena
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March 19 – The Meadowlands, NJ IZOD Center
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June 4 – Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum
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July 16 – Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden
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August 20 – Norfolk, VA Scope Arena
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Sept. 10 – Indianapolis, IN Conseco Fieldhouse
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October 8 – London, UK O2 Arena
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November 5 – Sacramento, CA Arco Arena
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December 3 – Miami, FL American Airlines Arena
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to purchase tickets or for more information about upcoming events visit JoelOsteen.com
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TELEVISION LISTINGS
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Listings By City
Sunday 8:00am*
Saturday 12:00pm Saturday 7:00pm
Albuquerque Atlanta Austin Birmingham Buffalo Charlotte Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Corpus Christi Dallas Denver Detroit Indianapolis Jacksonville Kansas City Las Vegas Los Angeles Louisville Louisville
KRQE-TV13 WAGA-TV5 KTBC-TV7 WBRC-TV6 WIVB-TV4 WCCB-TV18 WCIU-TV26 WCPO-TV9 WEWS-TV5 KZTV-TV10 KDFW-TV4 KWGN-TV2 WDIV-TV4 WRTV-TV6 WTLV-TV12 KMBC-TV9 KTNV-TV13 KTLA-TV5 WYCS-TV24 WNDA-TV9
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9:30 am 10:30 am 8:00 am 10:00 am 7:30 am 10:00 am 9:00 am 10:00 am 7:30 am 10:30 am 7:30 am 8:30 am 7:30 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 9:00 am 9:00 am 8:30 am 8:30 am 9:00 am
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WREG-TV3 WSVN-TV7 WTVF-TV5 WNYW-TV5 WTKR-TV3 WOFL-TV35 KBSI-TV23 KFVS-TV12 KPHO-TV5 KDKA-TV2 WPCB-TV40 KSAT-TV12 KSAT-TV12 KGTV-TV10 KTVU-TV2 KMOV-TV4 WTSP-TV10 WTTG-TV5 WXII-TV12
10:30 am 10:00 am 10:30 am 9:00 am 8:00 am 8:30 am 7:30 am 10:00 am 7:30 am 8:00 am 9:30 am 10:00 am 4:30 am 9:00 am 8:00 am 10:30 am 8:30 am 10:00 am 10:00 am
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All times listed are local. * Dual Feed; Airs at time listed on both EST & PST. ** This is a Friday airing.
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BECOME A PARTNER
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When You Partner With Us, Miracles Happen.
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PARTNERSHIP WITH PURPOSE The vision of this ministry is to use every avenue available to present the hope of Jesus Christ to people everywhere. We know it is this hope and the transforming power of the gospel that makes an eternal difference in people’s lives. We are committed to reaching those who live without Christ in their hearts. We are committed to encourage and equip fellow believers, strengthen
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relationships and offer help and hope to people with physical and spiritual needs. Your partnership makes this ministry possible. Your faithful and consistent monthly support makes you a Champion of Hope. By giving to this ministry, you share in the blessings and fulfillment of what God is doing throughout the earth.
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YOU ARE A CHAMPION
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As a Champion of Hope, you become a partner with Joel and Victoria. Your heart and hands are joined with theirs as you financially support the outreaches of this ministry each month. The amount of your gift is not as important as the prayers and commitment behind it. Your gift is an expression of love and dedication to advancing the kingdom of God here on earth. A champion is someone who fights for a cause, a hero who comes to the rescue of those in need. In our world today, we need hope like never before – we need Champions of Hope.
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BECOME A CHAMPION OF HOPE TODAY!
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Receive the Limited Edition Partner Bible
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LIMITED TO THE FIRST 5000 PARTNERS, THIS CALFSKIN LEATHER, RED LETTER NLT BIBLE IS AVAILABLE WITH A GIFT OF $1000 OR MORE
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This Limited Edition Partner Bible features insights, notes and encouragement from Joel and Victoria to help you grow deeper in your walk with God. Individually signed and numbered by Joel, this beautiful calfskin-bound Bible is filled with inspirations, insights and resources including specific verses to pray over for your relationships, your children, your finances and your health.
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