By: Joel Osteen
This world will give you plenty of reasons to give up, but God wants to give you TWICE the LIFE!
Can you believe that 2008 is coming to an end?
What a year it's been! For many it has been filled with trials and adversity. It has been a time of great economic uncertainty. And those who live along the Gulf Coast have persevered through one of the most serious hurricane seasons we've faced in years. Yet even in the midst of these earthly trials, 2008 has been a time of great joy and God's abundant blessings. As a ministry we have seen more lives touched by our outreaches than ever before.
Victoria and I have realized that when we face the pressures of life, when financial concerns, health issues, and fears about the future tempt us, we need to remember and claim the promises of God more than ever.
We can't allow the negativity — the reports of doom and gloom — to take root in our hearts and control our thoughts. If you are going to receive everything that God has for you in 2009, you need to keep your faith and hope in the Lord strong through the end of this year.
Let me encourage you to remember God's Word and all of the abundant promises of His protection, provision, hope and a future. These promises become even more significant when we find ourselves troubled.
We have to remind ourselves that God's not mad at us. He's not mad at you — He's madly in love with you. He knows exactly what you are facing, and though you may not feel like it, He has a "double portion" of blessing planned for you and your future. Look at what it says in His Word:
Because you got a double dose of trouble and more than your share of contempt, your inheritance in the land will be doubled and your joy go on forever (Isaiah 61:7 The Message).
What an amazing promise! The prophet Isaiah was speaking to a group of hurting people who refused to give up. They put their trust in God. They didn't let the circumstances of life steal their joy or the promises of a great future. God promised to reward them, and, like always, God made good on His promise.
In 2009, I believe that God wants to give you double for your trouble. He wants to give you twice the life — twice the joy, twice the faith, twice the peace, twice the love and twice the hope that you've ever known.
Twice the life doesn't mean that we won't have problems. We're always going to face challenges and obstacles, but we've got to believe that God is for us and He has good things in store for you and me. We have to be determined not to look at how big our mountains are but focus on how big our God is!
Tired, discouraged, negative people drain the life from others. But positive, faith-filled, encouraging, enthusiastic people bless others everywhere they go. They are always looking to give and be a blessing to others, and God promises to give back to them a double portion. No matter your current circumstances, look to share a simple compliment, a kind gesture, a listening ear. These simple gestures can make all the difference in the lives of those around you. Keeping a positive attitude of faith is the key to God unleashing His peace and power in your life.
Would you like to have twice the energy in 2009? What about twice the peace? Twice the answers to your prayers? Twice the satisfaction or twice the purpose? Whatever it is you need today, God wants to give you double for your past troubles!
God's Word says it's possible. All you have to do is be faithful and believe.
It doesn't matter if your past was dark . . . your future is bright.
If you feel like you missed your chance . . . it's never too late.
And even if you've experienced good things . . .your best is yet to come.
Today is the time to expect greater opportunities, new possibilities, divine connections and miraculous open doors.
Remember, God wants to give you a double portion — or as I like to say . . . twice the life.
This is what I'm expecting in 2009. I want you to have twice the life — to be twice as effective. I want twice the lives to come to know Christ. I want my staff to be twice as successful. I want our ministry to be twice as effective in everything we do through our many efforts around the world.
This can happen if we finish the year strong together. We can't afford to be afraid, shrink back or quit; we must hold true to our faith. God wants to give you twice the life so you can be blessed mand so that you can be a blessing to others. God asks us to give generously, not reluctantly — so that in all things and at all times we will abound for every good work (2 Corinthians 9:7-8).
Victoria and I are asking God for a double portion of blessing upon this ministry here at the end of the year. For many of you, this is the best time to give your best gift. Giving to the purposes of God is a way to express your gratitude for what He has done for you and is also a seed that will reap a harvest in 2009. Please pray about making a special year-end, tax-deductible gift today that will help launch our many outreaches into the New Year with great momentum.
When I think about all that our nation — and world — is facing right now, I know that Jesus Christ is our only true hope. Our faith must be strong, and our efforts to reach people for Christ must be more effective than ever . . . in fact twice as effective.
In appreciation for your gift of any size to the ministry this month I will send you a fantastic new resource, titled Twice the Life: Expecting the Multiplication of God. This dynamic new series features two messages on CD as well as two messages on DVD. Victoria and I are confident that the inspiration you will find in this series will cause your faith to rise to new levels. Join your faith with ours as we thank God for His goodness and together believe Him for twice the life in 2009.
There is no gift too small and no gift too large. Every gift given in faith to advance the kingdom of God makes a difference. We are praying many of you will consider a gift of $250 or more as a special year-end gift. And in appreciation, we will send you one of the most exciting packages we've ever produced — T-N-T: Ingredients for Explosive Life Growth. Please check out the enclosed reply to find out more about the resources found in the T-N-T package.
Finally, take some time to ask God to give you twice the life in 2009. I know for Victoria and me, we have a number of areas we're praying for, including that God will give those impacted by the hurricanes the support and resource they need to rebuild. We pray that the Lord will restore to them a double portion of everything that the enemy has stolen (Just like it says in Isaiah!).
Victoria and I are interested in what you are believing for in 2009. Share your "twice the life" prayers with us by replying to this email. Please send your prayer today so that we can stand with you in faith. There is no end to what God can do when you believe.
This will be one of my last opportunities in 2008 to say "thank you" for being a vital part of this ministry. We love you and know that God has great plans ahead for you and your family. I hope to hear from you soon. Consider sending your best gift and make sure to enclose your "twice the life" prayer request.
Expecting great things in 2009,
Joel and Victoria
