GOSPEL CORNER: GOD HAS ALREADY PLANNED AHEAD OF TIME A PURPOSE FOR YOU TO FULFILL.

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

Today’s Scripture
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.
Ephesians 1:11, NIV

WHAT’S IN YOUR PLAN?
It’s easy to think that our lives are based on what we’re choosing. We all have our own free will to make decisions to do what we want. To a point, it’s true that we determine the course of our lives, but that’s not the only factor. God has a conditional will—things He does based on whether or not we make good choices, how we perform, how disciplined we are. But He also has a sovereign will—things He does regardless of our decisions. God has already planned ahead of time a purpose for you to fulfill.

Just ask the prophet Jonah. He did exactly the opposite of what God told him to do and was thrown overboard into the sea. God didn’t say, “Too bad. You’re on your own. You’re out of My will.” God had a big fish waiting to swallow him and take him to the shore, as though He called an Uber. God was saying, “Jonah, My sovereign will is that you go and speak what I say to the people of Nineveh.”

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for Your promise that You will work out Your plans for my life according to Your will. Thank You that I can stay in peace knowing that You are working behind the scenes and directing the outcomes. Help me to be patient and know that You are bringing me into my purpose. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

SECTION TWO
God wants us to go after wisdom. Wisdom is the “principal thing”, He tells us. We are not to go after riches.

But when we have wisdom, all the things we seek will follow after us, including honor and length of days. So never make riches your goal!

My friend, if you lack wisdom, simply ask God for it. He will give it to you “liberally and without reproach” (James 1:5). The truth is that He has already given you wisdom when He gave you Jesus, “who became for us wisdom from God” (1 Cor. 1:30).

So if you are facing a challenge at work and you don’t know how to resolve it, say, “Jesus, You are my wisdom. I thank You that You will provide me with the best solution.” If you have a wayward child, say, “Jesus, thank You for wisdom in loving and raising this child well.”

Beloved, you are most blessed to have Jesus, in whom resides all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge!