GOSPEL CORNER: I WANT TO CHALLENGE YOU TO BREAK OUT OF A MENTALITY OF LACK BY CHOOSING TO FIX YOUR EYES ON AN ABUNDANT GOD, WHO HAS PUT HIS UNLIMITED RESOURCES AT YOUR DISPOSAL BECAUSE YOU ARE HIS BELOVED CHILD.

20/04/24

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

Today’s Scripture
“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
John 20:23, NKJV

FORGIVENESS WILL FREE YOU
After Jesus rose from the dead, He spoke today’s Scripture to His disciples. When you retain someone’s sin, you hold on to it. God was saying that when you hold on to the wrongs people have done to you, the poison contaminates you. When you don’t forgive, the sin you retain that hurt you—that bitterness, anger, hatred, or criticalness—can produce the same results in you.

It can be very hard to forgive, especially when someone has hurt you, but you don’t have to forgive them for their sakes; you forgive for your own sake. Forgiving doesn’t mean you’re excusing anyone or lessening the offense. Forgiveness keeps their poison out of your life and takes away their power to keep hurting you. Forgiveness is about choosing to release the hurt and trust God to make it up to you, so you can claim the amazing future that awaits you. When you forgive someone, you set a prisoner free from chains of anger and bitterness. That prisoner isn’t the person who hurt you; the prisoner is you.

A Prayer For Today
“Father, thank You that I can forgive other people of their sins and stay free from the poison it holds. Thank You that I can look to You to heal my hurts and right the wrongs done to me. I declare I won’t let bitterness, anger, or an offense have control over my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO

Do you believe that our God is a BIG God of abundance and inexhaustible supply? He is the Possessor of heaven and earth. He is not El Cheapo. He is El Shaddai—the Almighty, all-sufficient and all-nourishing one!

And in Christ, the abundance of God’s wisdom, favor, ability, strength, and creativity that you need for a successful family, career, and ministry, are yours to experience and enjoy.

I want to challenge you to break out of a mentality of lack by choosing to fix your eyes on an abundant God, who has put His unlimited resources at your disposal because you are His beloved child.

What is your lack today? Do you need a job? Do you need more time? Or do you just feel overwhelmed by the demands of family and work? Instead of seeing the lack, start seeing a BIG God providing for you out of His abundance, a job you’ll love, wisdom to manage your time and shalom-peace at work and at home.