Scriptures and Meditations for Your Best Life Now

Copyright © 2006 by Joel Osteen Publishing

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in review.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scriptures noted AMP are taken from Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scriptures noted NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible®. Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scriptures noted NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.

Scriptures noted TLB are taken from the The Living Bible, copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scriptures noted NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scriptures noted THE MESSAGE are from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002.

Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scriptures noted KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Literary development and design: Koechel Peterson & Associates, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Portions of this book have been adapted from Your Best Life Now, copyright © 2004 and Daily Readings from Your Best Life Now, copyright © 2005 by Joel Osteen. Published by Warner Faith.

Faith Words

Hachette Book Group

237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Visit our Web site at www.HachetteBookGroup.com.

First eBook Edition: August 2008

ISBN-13: 978-0-446-54545-7

___________________________________

TO

___________________________________

FROM

___________________________________

DATE

INTRODUCTION

SINCE THE PUBLICATION of Your Best Life Now, millions of people have been discovering what it means to live happy, successful, fulfilled lives. The answer lies in a simple yet profound process to change the way you think about your life and help you accomplish what's truly important. It starts with the understanding that the future begins with what happens in your life today. As we make the most of the present moment, we build our future one day at a time.

If you're like me, you don't want to live your life with a "barely-get-by" mentality. You want to crack the ordinary mold and become the best you.can be. You want to break the power of the past and the chains of limitations and feelings of inadequacy. You want learn how to live your best life now and discover the joy, peace, and enthusiasm that God has for you.

In this book, you will discover just how to do that! Allow the Scriptures, to speak to you. Be still and listen to what God is saying through His words. Explore what it means to enlarge your vision. Learn what God has to say about you and allow Him to rebuild your self-image. Understand the power of your thoughts and words, and begin to let go of the past. Renew your strength despite whatever adversity you face. Learn to live as a person who gives generously without reservations, and choose to be happy.

If you take these steps and apply the power of God's Word and'meditations to your life, you will begin the journey toward living the life you were born to live. No matter where you are or what challenges you face, you can live at your full potential right now—and for the rest of your life!

ENLARGE YOUR VISION

We serve the Most High God,

and His dream for your life

is so much bigger and better

than you can even imagine.

LORD, I DRAW NEAR TO HEAR YOUR WORD

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

JEREMIAH 29:11

"FOR I AM ABOUT TO DO A BRAND-NEW THING. SEE, I HAVE ALREADY BEGUN! DO YOU NOT SEE IT? I WILL MAKE A PATHWAY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS FOR MY PEOPLE TO COME HOME. I WILL CREATE RIVERS FOR THEM IN THE DESERT!"

ISAIAH 43:19 NLT

START BELIEVING FOR MORE

We serve the God who created the universe. Never settle for a small view of God. He wants to do big things and new things in our lives. God wants us to be constantly increasing, to be rising to new heights. He wants to increase you in wisdom and help you make better decisions. He wants to increase you financially, by giving you promotions, fresh ideas, and creativity. He wants to pour out "His far and beyond favor" (Eph. 2:7).

Yet, it's interesting that God asks the question, "Do you not perceive it?" In other words, are you making room for it in your thinking?

It's time to enlarge your vision. To live your best life now, you must start looking at life through eyes of faith, seeing yourself rising to new levels. See your business taking off. See your marriage restored. See your family prospering. You must conceive it and believe it is possible if you ever hope to experience it.

Friend, if you will get in agreement with God, this can be the greatest time of your life. With God on your side, you cannot possibly lose. He can make a way when it looks as though there is no way. He can open doors that no man can shut. He can supernaturally turn your life around.

Get rid of small-minded thinking and start thinking as God thinks. Think big. Think increase. Think abundance. Think more than enough!

YOUR OWN WRONG THINKING CAN KEEP YOU FROM GOD'S BEST.

MAKING MENTION OF YOU IN MY PRAYERS...THAT YOU MAY KNOW WHAT IS THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING, WHAT ARE THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS, AND WHAT IS THE EXCEEDING GREATNESS OF HIS POWER TOWARD US WHO BELIEVE.

EPHESIANS 1:18–19

"Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."

MATTHEW 9:17

CHANGE YOUR THINKING

The good news is that it's not a lack of resources on God's part or His unwillingness to show you His incredible favor that prevents you from prospering. All too often the problem lies within. You may have assumed that you've reached your limits in life, that you will never be more successful or do something meaningful or enjoy the good things in life that you've seen others enjoy.

Sad to say, you are exactly right … unless you are willing to change your thinking and start believing for something bigger. Interestingly, when Jesus wanted to encourage His followers to enlarge their visions, He reminded them, "You can't put new wine into old wineskins." He was saying that you cannot have a larger life with restricted attitudes. Will you stretch your faith and vision and get rid of those old negative mind-sets that hold you back?

You don't have to be bound by the barriers of the past. Start making room in your thinking for what God has in store for you. You must conceive it in your heart and mind before you can receive it. The key is to believe, to let the seeds God is placing in your life to take root so they can grow. Expect God's favor to help you break out of the ruts and rise to new heights. Expect to excel in whatever you do.

Remember: With God, all things are possible.

GET BEYOND THE BARRIERS OF THE PAST AND EXPECT GOD TO DO GREAT THINGS IN YOUR LIFE.

"Everything is possible for him who believes."

MARK 9:23

"It shall be done to you according to your faith."

MATTHEW 9:29 NASB

WITH GOD ON YOUR SIDE

God is constantly trying to plant new seeds in your heart. He's constantly trying to get you to conceive, to give up antiquated ideas, and spawn new bursts of creativity within. He's trying to fill you with so much hope and expectancy that the seed will grow and bring forth a tremendous harvest.

This is your time for increase. You may have been sick for a long time, but this is your time to get well. You may be bound by addictions and bad habits, but this is the time to be set free. You may be struggling financially, but this is the time for promotion. The key is to believe, to let the seed take root so it can grow.

God is saying to you something similar to what the angel told the Virgin Mary—that she would conceive without knowing a man. In other words, God was saying it would happen through supernatural means. What He wants to do in your life is not going to be by your might or power. It's going to be by His Spirit. The power of the Most High God shall come upon you and cause it to happen.

Will you allow that seed to take root? It can happen without a bank loan or having the right education. It can happen in spite of your past and what the critics are telling you. Will you believe?

With God, all things are possible.

ELIMINATE A BARELY-GET-BY MENTALITY AND LET GOD'S SEED TAKE ROOT.

LORD, I DRAW NEAR TO HEAR YOUR WORD

S