GOD HAS PUT GREATNESS IN YOU. HE’S CALLED YOU TO STAND OUT, TO BE A DIFFERENCE MAKER, TO TAKE YOUR FAMILY TO A NEW LEVEL. YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE THICK-SKINNED AND DETERMINED TO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME TRYING TO WIN PEOPLE OVER WHO ARE NOT HAPPY WHEN YOU SUCCEED.

GOSPEL CORNER

01/08/24

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

Today’s Scripture
Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
Ezra 3:11, NKJV

BE PREPARED FOR OPPOSITION
In Ezra 3, with the permission of the king of Persia, fifty thousand Israelite men had returned to Jerusalem from exile with a leader named Zerubbabel to rebuild the temple. After two years, they finished the foundation and had a big celebration. Zerubbabel knew God’s favor was on his life. Everything was falling into place—the building supplies, the workers, the king’s provisions—and they were about to start the next phase when opposition arose. Local enemies of Judah didn’t want the temple rebuilt, so they stirred up trouble to stop it.

When you start to take steps of faith and see God’s favor, it’s amazing how that can stir up other people’s jealousy, criticism, gossip, and slander. But God has put greatness in you. He’s called you to stand out, to be a difference maker, to take your family to a new level. You’re going to have to be thick-skinned and determined to not waste your time trying to win people over who are not happy when you succeed. Just stay focused on what God has called you to do.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You have called me to be a difference maker and to fulfill the purpose You have for me. Thank You that my highest potential lies ahead of me and is not subject to the approval of other people. I will set my face and stay focused on what You have called me to do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO

I love it when I’m in Israel and I hear little children running around in playgrounds, calling out, “Abba! Abba!” and jumping into their daddies’ embraces. To the Jews, Abba is the most intimate way in which you can address your father.

It’s a beautiful picture of the truth that through Jesus, you have received the Spirit of sonship by whom you cry out “Abba, Father.” Did you notice that the Holy Spirit refused to translate the original Aramaic word “Abba” into English?

In Abba’s arms, a child is most secure, protected, and loved. No enemy can pull a child out of his or her Abba’s strong arms. That’s the image God wants us to have when we pray to Him and call Him “Abba.” Of course, you can call Him “Daddy” or “Papa,” or whatever term helps you to see God as a warm, loving, and caring Father.

Unless you can see Him as your Abba Father, you will continue to have a “spirit of bondage again to fear” (Rom. 8:15), referring to the Old Testament fear of God. It’s a slavish fear of judgment and punishment that brings you into bondage and makes you afraid of God.

But God doesn’t want you to fear Him. He wants you to have a Spirit of sonship! Too many believers are living with an orphan, fatherless spirit. If you are entangled with all kinds of fears, guilt, and worries today, what you need is a good heavenly dose of the Father’s love for you!

Something amazing happens in your spirit when you see God as your Father. If my daughter, Jessica, has a nightmare, all she has to do is cry out, “Daddy!” and Daddy is there! Jessica doesn’t have to go, “O Father that liveth and inhabiteth the next room, I plead with thee to come to me at this time of peril, that thou mayest rescue me from this nightmare!” All she has to do is to cry out, “Daddy!” and I’m there.

Similarly, in your moments of weakness you don’t have to approach God with perfect prayers. You just cry out, “Daddy!” and your heavenly Father runs to you!

You are not coming before a judge. You are coming before your Father, your Daddy God, who embraces and loves you just the way you are.

Take time to come to your Abba Father today. Believe that He loves you unconditionally today. See Him welcoming you with a smile on His face and with outstretched arms. Run into His embrace, bask in His perfect love for you, and let it melt away every worry, fear, and insecurity.

When you believe and receive your Father’s love for you, it will put unshakable peace and strength in your heart!