Twice the joy..

Got this in my email this morning and I am so glad I did. I strongly believe God will bless us double next year. Earlier this month, He has confirmed to us that He is giving us new direction and I know moving on to a new path is not as easy as it sounds so I am so happy to have receive HIS promise of help and guidance before we journey on to that new direction. Read on..


Dear Raquel,

Without a doubt, the last few weeks of December is one of my favorite times of the year!

The end of a year and the cold winter season always serve to remind me to focus on what really matters in life. We worship God by celebrating the birth of Christ. We create lasting memories as we spend unforgettable moments with family and loved ones. We reflect on all that God has done in our lives over the past year. And we look forward to an even greater level of the promises of God in the year to come!

More than any other time, Christmas and New Year's are filled with hope, love, joy, peace and promise. There's a life lesson for us to learn in all of this. During the holiday season, challenges, difficulty and problems may still surround you, but if you will take a moment every day to focus on God and all the ways He's blessed you, you can take your life to a new level, higher than ever before.

Isaiah 61:7 promises that instead of shame and trouble, God will double the inheritance of His people and they'll be filled with everlasting joy.

This is God's promise to you: double for your trouble, or as I like to call it, TWICE the LIFE! A "double portion" of God's goodness, a "double portion" of His favor and wisdom on your life. That is our prayer for you in 2009.
It's time for you to trust God for the destiny that the enemy has tried so hard to convince you was impossible. It's time to believe God for the unimaginable. It's time to move beyond your past. If you've been hurt, it's time to forgive. If you've been discouraged, it's time to put on a garment of praise and experience the joy of the Lord. If you've been worried and afraid, it's time to have faith like never before in the provision and purposes of God. It's time to live with confidence that God wants to give you a blessed and prosperous future in every area of your life!

The power of God's promises and His love for you is so much stronger than the pain of your past. Victoria and I know this in our hearts. God wants you to use your troubles as a springboard into your future. Your troubles are what God often uses to take you to a new, higher level of living. This is what is so great about our God. He takes any trouble we have and says, "I will give you double the inheritance for your trouble." Twice the joy, twice the fulfillment, twice the impact . . . twice the life!"..........................................

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The email is from Joel & Victoria Osteen ministries. I believe God has just used them to encourage me, to keep on moving on and be excited for the new year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

Living Under the Rain of God

God longs for us to be like a well-watered garden, flourishing, full of joy, always in blossom, even during times of famine. In the Bible, the prophet Elijah experienced an extreme drought for three and half years. Even though his circumstances could have easily kept him discouraged, he activated His faith through praising God and thanking Him for all He had done. It wasn’t long before the heavens opened up and provided rain for the people in the land.

When you are in a dry spell, decide to be like Elijah and continue to give God praise. The key to staying flourished and keeping vitality in our lives during dry times is to send up praise. By praising God at all times, what happens naturally with rain accumulating in a cloud will be the same spiritually in our lives. When you keep sending up praise, that cloud, like a rain cloud, can only hold so much before it releases and comes bursting down. It’s a cloud of God’s blessing raining down favor, keeping you protected, giving you good breaks, and making sure you are always in blossom.

When times grow difficult and thoughts of “It’s never going to change” come into your mind, that is when it’s time to switch over into praise and say, “Father, I want to thank You that You’re changing things in my favor.” Remember, God has promised to prosper us even in the desert!

Source : Joel Osteen Ministries (devotionals)

Jesus is still the reason for the season

May all of us have a meaningful Christmas! and as we celebrate let's not forget the reason behind all this celebrations.Got this in my inbox days ago and thought it is something good to share.

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JESUS is Better than Santa

Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year
JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.

You have to stand in line to see Santa
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and
He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly
JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry"
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you".

Santa's little helpers make toys
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.

We need to put Christ back in Christmas.
Jesus is still the reason for the season.

Detox Your Mind

Just wanna share this devotional from Joel Osteen Ministries :)
******************************************************************************** Today's Scripture

“Above all else guard your heart for it affects everything you do” (Proverbs 4:23).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

These days, we hear a lot about detoxing our physical bodies. Bacteria can build up. Pesticides and chemicals can get into our system. Experts recommend that you go through a deep cleansing periodically and stay away from what is harmful so you can rid yourself of these toxins.

In the same way, there are all kinds of toxins that can build up in our minds. When we go around dwelling on the wrong thoughts, thinking about what we can’t do, how somebody hurt us, or how we’ll never get ahead; those thoughts are toxic. And toxic thoughts left alone become like toxic waste. It gets into your heart, and eventually, contaminates your whole life. It affects your self-image, your attitude, and your level of confidence. That’s why the Bible tells us that we have to guard our hearts and minds above all else because if your mind gets polluted, your whole life is going to be polluted.

Make the decision today to go on a fast from negative, self-defeating thoughts. Cleanse your mind from what is harmful and fill yourself with thoughts of faith and victory. As you do, those good thoughts will strengthen and empower you to live the good life He has planned for you!

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, I come to You today willing to let go of anything that would hold me back from Your great promises. I choose to guard my thoughts and fill my heart with Your Word. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Do your best

and leave the results in the hands of GOD.

so you need not worry as long as you did your best. It's been a week since I read that in one of my daily readings in 'our daily bread".

and I'm still meditating on it until now.

at this time where I do a lot of activities I know I needed that. I needed to trust the Lord even more.

As long as I DO MY BEST and TRUST GOD, I just have to leave the results in HIS MIGHTY HANDS.