WHETHER IT IS A PHYSICAL SYMPTOM, A FINANCIAL CHALLENGE, OR A FAMILY SITUATION THAT YOU ARE ANXIOUS ABOUT, CALL UPON HIM AND ALLOW HIS PEACE TO SUPERNATURALLY GUARD YOUR HEART IN EVERY AREA THAT YOU ARE TROUBLED (Phil. 4:6–7).

GOSPEL CORNER

26/07/24

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
John 15:1–2, NIV

Pruning Sometimes God will remove things in our lives that we don’t understand. Perhaps He will remove a friendship, someone who’s pulling us down, causing us to compromise. We don’t like change. We were comfortable. Now we’re going to have to stretch and grow. Don’t fight the pruning of the branch. God knows what He’s doing. He’s not going to leave something on you that will keep you from your purpose. He’ll never ask you to do something and then not give you the ability to do it. If He’s asking you to walk away from an unhealthy relationship, you know a season is coming to an end for your good. If you resist it, you’re going to miss the greater things God has in store. Let Him remove what He knows is keeping you from the true you He created you to be. He’s not trying to take something from you; He’s trying to get something better to you. He wants to bring out the true you. The true you is more fruitful, more blessed, and more successful than you can imagine.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for knowing what’s best for my life and for tending over me as a gardener. Thank You for times of pruning when You cut back something in my life so I can bear more fruit. I believe that Your purpose is to bring something better into my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO

We have a God who wants us to run to Him. And the moment we do, He has promised that He will answer us. Not “might,” or “perhaps,” but a definite “will.”

And He does not stop at merely assuring us that He will answer us. He goes on record for all eternity, saying, “I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him” (boldface mine).

Do you know why we can have the assurance that when we call on Him, He will answer us? It’s because of the divine exchange that took place at the cross, where our Lord Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46).

He was forsaken—left helpless, totally abandoned, and deserted—so that today, we can have the confidence that our heavenly Father will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). What a Savior!

Don’t you feel so loved and so cherished by our Lord? And He made it so easy for us to receive His promises—our part is to simply call upon Him and let Him be our God. Whatever you may be going through today, call upon Him right now and He will deliver and honor you!

Whenever I am troubled, I tell the Lord, “Lord, I am worried about this situation, but I place it in Your nail-pierced hands right now. I surrender into Your hands all my worries, concerns, and cares in this area.” Then, I receive His peace, and when the enemy tries to fire new arrows of fear into my heart and mind, I remind myself that the situation is already in the Lord’s hands. I remind myself of His promise that He will deliver me!

Are you living with panic attacks, fear, and chronic anxiety? Don’t allow the devil to cripple you with all kinds of negative mental pictures, or by replaying all the worst-case scenarios in your head.

Call out to your Savior, Jesus Christ! He wants you to cast “all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7, boldface mine). You are not a sheep without a Shepherd, so stop trying to carry all your cares upon your own shoulders.

Whether it is a physical symptom, a financial challenge, or a family situation that you are anxious about, call upon Him and allow His peace to supernaturally guard your heart in every area that you are troubled (Phil. 4:6–7).