WE ALL WANT TO BE LIKED, BUT TOO MANY PEOPLE LET THE OPINION OF OTHERS DETERMINE WHAT THEY DO AND WHO THEY ARE.

26/10/24

GOSPEL CORNER

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
Today’s Word

Today’s Scripture
“Your approval means nothing to me.”
John 5:41, NLT

APPROVAL ADDICTION
After the religious leaders in Jerusalem criticized Jesus for healing a man on the Sabbath, He told them that their disapproval meant nothing to Him. He wasn’t dependent on who liked or supported Him. He received His approval from His Heavenly Father.

We all want to be liked, but too many people let the opinion of others determine what they do and who they are. They run everything through a filter: “How’s this going to make me look? Will others be impressed and applaud, or will they look down on me?” They don’t realize they’re addicted to approval. They have to keep pleasing others in order to feel good about themselves. But some people will never give you their approval no matter what you do. Sometimes people are for you, and sometimes they’re not. Your destiny is not predicated on their approval of you. God laid out your plan. He called you, equipped you, and gave you favor. When you’re secure in who He made you to be, you know you’re valuable, talented, attractive, and a masterpiece. You don’t need anyone else’s validation.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
“Father, thank You that I can feel good about who I am because You made me just as I am. Help me to not become dependent upon other people’s approval or try to get my value from them. I declare that I have Your approval and love and that’s all I need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

God is a good God. He is a God of love. But we will never know how much God loves us until we know how much He loves Jesus, because He gave us Jesus, His beloved Son.

Do you remember the story of Abraham in Genesis 22? Abraham’s heart must have been broken when he led his one and only promised son, Isaac, up Mount Moriah to be sacrificed. But in the end, Isaac did not have to die because God provided a substitute—a ram.

The ram caught in the thicket was really a picture of Jesus, who would one day be arrested, and led up Mount Calvary to be crucified in our place for our sins.

My friend, God so loved His Son, but He so loved you too, that He was willing to give up His Son for you. That’s how much He loves you! And if God was willing to give you heaven’s best—Jesus—do you think that He will withhold anything good from you?