12/10/23
JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
THE 15/15 EXPERIENCE SPECIAL EDITION
Today’s Word
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:12–13, NLT
DON’T RELY ON PEOPLE
When we know that the Creator of the universe lives in us, when we know He’s equipped us, empowered us, and anointed us, we can put our shoulders back and hold our head high, knowing that if God approves us, we don’t have to have people’s approval. It’s good when people encourage us and cheer us on, but what I’m saying is to not become dependent on that. If someone’s not giving you what you expect, if they’re not validating you, that’s okay. You can validate yourself. You can approve yourself. You are self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency. You can feel good about who you are, knowing that God handpicked you, created you in His image, and put seeds of greatness inside.
What am I saying? You don’t need somebody else’s praise. You don’t have to have people’s applause. You have the applause from the One who matters most, from the God who spoke worlds into existence. I’d rather have His applause than people’s applause. But you may say, “Well, if I could convince this person to like me, he knows a lot of people, and maybe he could open some new doors for me.” Promotion doesn’t come from people. It comes from the Lord. God knows where all the opportunities are. He can make things happen for you without you having to convince someone to like you. You don’t have to play up to people to try to win their favor. If they don’t want to be your friend, it’s their loss, not yours. Do yourself a favor and keep moving forward. They’re not a part of your destiny. God has divine connections for you—people He’s already lined up. They’re already in your future.
Sometimes the reason people don’t give us what we need is because they don’t have it. Nobody gave it to them. They didn’t see it modeled when they were growing up. If they weren’t raised by parents who showed affection, expressed feelings of love, and were good to each other, the problem is, they don’t have it to give. If you’re trying to get it from them, you’re going to be frustrated. Why don’t you let them off the hook and go to God for what they can’t give you?
Here’s the key: God has it all. If you learn this principle of not relying on people but going to Him for your encouragement, your approval, and your self-worth, then you won’t live stressed out because somebody is not giving you what you expect.
REFLECTION
How can the principle of Don’t Rely on People free you from needing the approval of others, like your family, friends, or coworkers?
People may not encourage you, but you can encourage yourself. Others may not make you feel special, but you can remember how God sees you. You can say, “I am a child of the Most High God. I am wearing a crown of favor. I am one of a kind. I am a masterpiece.” Let this get down in your spirit. Take a few minutes to write about who you are in Christ.
DECLARATION
Today, I declare that I am equipped, empowered, and anointed for everything that God has called me to do. I receive my encouragement and worth from Him, and I will rely on Him rather than on the approval of people. I declare that I am created in the image of God and that He has handpicked me for His purpose. I am strong, healthy, and highly favored. I declare that the forces that are for me are greater than anything that comes against me.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me and placing seeds of greatness within me. I know that You live in me, and I can hold my head high and be confident, understanding that Your approval is all that matters. Help me not to depend on the praise and validation of others. I remind myself that I am sufficient in Your sufficiency. I can feel good about who I am because You handpicked me and created me in Your image. That is what truly matters. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen
SECTION TWO
Learning to see what God sees is a powerful key in right believing. It involves replacing your wrong beliefs with right beliefs based on God’s Word.
When Jesus saw the man with the withered hand, He didn’t just see the withered hand, He saw that there was more than enough grace for that hand to be made completely whole. Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” The man did as told, and his hand was completely restored and made as whole as his other hand (Mark 3:1–5).
Now, you don’t say “stretch out your hand” to someone whose hand is obviously shriveled and disabled unless you see differently. Jesus sees differently from you and me. That’s why we need to go back to God’s Word and learn to see what He sees.
When Jesus sees a disease, a lack, or someone trapped in fear, guilt, addiction, and sin, He doesn’t just see the problem. He sees God’s healing, grace, and power superabounding in that area of weakness.
You too can change what you believe by seeing beyond what your natural eyes see. Press in to see what God sees. In your very area of lack, struggle, or challenge, see His superabounding grace all around your current situation.
Jesus says to you today, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Give all your weaknesses, failings, and mistakes to the Lord Jesus and see Him transform your weaknesses into strengths.
What you believe is powerful, so are you going by what you see or what God sees? You may not be able to stop negative thoughts from passing through your mind or unhealthy emotions such as fear gripping your heart, but you can definitely anchor your thoughts and emotions on the unshakable Word of God. You can certainly ensure that you believe right regarding what God says about you in His Word, which contains His precious promises to you.
The more you learn and believe right about His love and what His Word says about your situation and your life, the more your thoughts will line up with His thoughts about you. You’ll begin to develop thoughts of peace and not of evil, thoughts of hope and a bright future (Jer. 29:11). And you’ll be transformed!
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