Guard Against Bitterness

Thanks to the people at Joel Osteen's ministry, I am allowed to share this article with you.

This is a scripture to hold on to.

Eric

Today's Scripture

"When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown" Isaiah 43:2 (TLB).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Have you ever experienced something that truly tested your faith, your joy and your convictions? We're not talking about just having a bad day or having to deal with difficult people - but enduring an intense situation that rocks you to your very core. When many people face such soul-searching events, they let their happiness and joy turn into bitterness and anger. Make sure this doesn't happen to you. Don't give the evil one the victory by becoming an ineffective Christian due to lingering bitterness. Even if you're being tested, God has promised to remain faithful. He is all-powerful, and He can pull you out of your troubles at any moment. Choose to remain faithful and joyous despite your present circumstances.

A Prayer for Today

God, please help me to trust You and not give in to bitterness or anger, even in the middle of my trials. Thank You for the promise of Your never-failing love. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

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Joel Osteen Ministries, 3700 Southwest Freeway, Houston TX 77027


Copyright © 2007 by Joel Osteen Ministries

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Sincerely,
Eric Standlee
713.690.8877 x205



"Posture is hard to get when your taught,
but when around those with it is easily caught."


"Prospered not to increase my standard of living, but to increase my standard of giving."

Miracles

The heroes of faith often built altars to remember their miraculous experiences with God and miracles they received from God.

I had such and experience yesterday and wanted to build an altar to God.

Yesterday, a brother and friend of mine invited me to go with him to a local church.  I normally go elsewhere, but I felt the Spirit tug.  So, we went and the sermon focused on us being conduits of giving to the kingdom, and being surrounded by the heroes of the faith cheering us on.  The sermon was good and seeing this brother's success through God in reaching many unchurched was very impressive.

So, we went to lunch and started talking about the pastor and his father who was also a pastor.  And, who walks in but that pastor's father.  We chatted and found out he isn't retired and he is recovering from some stuff that came upon him and he is helping the pastor whose sermon we just listened to.  In fact, things are going so well that the father and son are looking at starting another campus.  They are running things very lean and doing their best to reach the unreached.  It was exciting to see what God was doing.

It was also a miracle that we would just happen to be eating in the same place and get to share our hearts with these pastors.  I want to make sure that I share this miracle that God has done yesterday.

I believe the words of a very successful mentor of mine who shared that they write down miracles every day and as they do that more and more miracles become apparent.  Miracles are amazing things that only God could do that lead us closer to God.  Writing them down helps our faith.  Sharing them helps others' faith.

Be blessed,

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Sincerely,
Eric Standlee

Today's Word with Joel & Victoria

Success starts with praising God in all things.  If as we are told here God can work through all circumstances, then that means for example that jail time can be turned into major success.  Thus, you have major reason to praise God even in the low times.

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Being Strengthened In Adversity   Every adversity is an opportunity for God's Word to come alive in your life and see you through to victory.		No Matter What Today's Scripture "I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel" Philippians 1:12 (ESV). Today's Word from Joel and Victoria We all could learn quite a bit from the apostle Paul. He was deliriously happy and joyous because of what Christ had done in his life. Even when he was chained and shackled in a dark prison because of his faith, Paul praised God and was excited to deliver his message of the gospel. He says in Philippians 1 that he knew he was suffering for a purpose and that he rejoiced because of the advancement of God's message even when he couldn't be out preaching the gospel. My friend, you can't defeat a person who gives God praise no matter what! And the best part is that God can work in your life the same way He worked in Paul's. God can turn some of the worst possible situations into some of the most worthwhile experiences if you have the right attitude. Praise God today . . . no matter what! A Prayer for Today God, I realize that You can take even my bad days and accomplish something great for Your glory. Thank You for the way You display Your power and love in my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen. Read another Word with Joel & Victoria Choose a month to view an archived message: Select a month... March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 Joel Osteen Ministries, 3700 Southwest Freeway, Houston TX 77027 Change your email preferences or unsubscribe. Copyright © 2007 by Joel Osteen Ministries

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Sincerely,
Eric Standlee
713.690.8877 x205

Spiritual Warfare or else

As a business person, you owe it to your company to pray the scriptures over your company and against your enemy.

Pray that no weapon of the enemy will prosper against you.

Pray that your enemy will be miserable so that they will come to Jesus.

Pray that scriptures of blessing on your business and family.

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Sincerely,
Eric Standlee
713.690.8877 x205

Here is something I was reading to my kids tonight

I thought this reading from Jesus Wants All of Me, Smouse, was very appropriate to our business lives:

Ship Ahoy!

My life is like a little boat anchored in the harbor.  The water is calm and smooth.  The breeze is gentle and warm.  And, I am safe.  But I cannot stay here forever.  God wants me to launch out into the wild, open water, to ride the mighty, crashing waves.  He wants me to let go.  He wants me to trust Him and follow Him wherever He may go.

"If you know these things, happy are you if you do them."
John 13:17

You haven't been give the gifts you have been given just for you.  God blessed you with forgiveness, wealth, business, life, love, friends, family, and success so that He can get it through you to someone else.  How do you do that?  You can do it stuck at harbor.  You have to get out there and mix it up.  You have to do them.

Stop grumbling about what you don't have yet and use what has been given to you already.  Are you surprised that more don't find success?  Not me.  It is only those who figure out that success is for those who "do it" and persevere in "doing it" and not for those safe at harbor with sails furled.

Instead, be grateful for everything.  List all the things you have to be grateful about.  Then chose to be grateful for even those things that others wouldn't chose to be grateful about.  Unfurl those sails.  Risk bumping into other ships and stumbling into uncharted waters.  You only have this life.

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Sincerely,
Eric Standlee
713.690.8877 x205