YOU CAN STILL BECOME A MIGHTY HERO. GIVE GOD YOUR IMAGE. SEE YOURSELF THE WAY HE SEES YOU.

GOSPEL CORNER

07/11/24

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
Today’s Word

Today’s Scripture
“But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!”
Judges 6:15, NLT

A Damaged Image Has to Go.
Too often we don’t realize that our self-image has been damaged. We’ve been through hurts and disappointments and made mistakes, then we wonder why we can’t rise higher. It’s similar to what happened with Gideon. When an angel showed up and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you,” he was afraid and hiding from the enemy. Gideon’s image was “least one, poorest, defeated, can’t do anything great.” God’s image was “mighty hero, fearless courage, history maker.” Here’s the key: You can’t keep your damaged image and have God’s, too. You have to give God your image. Let Him control how you see yourself—not the media, not your family, not your job, not your critics. God knows what’s in you. He will help you become what you want to be.

Is a wrong image keeping you from your greatness? Have you believed lies such as, “You’re too old, too young, not smart enough, not gifted”? That’s okay. You’re right where Gideon was. You can still become a mighty hero. Give God your image. See yourself the way He sees you.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for the call to get my hopes up, to start expecting things to change, to wake up what You put in me. Thank You that I am not limited by my past, by dysfunction passed down through my family, or by what others have said about me. I believe that You are going to help me rise up and be a mighty hero. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Storms of life. You know them well. They overwhelm you. Wave after wave of relentless battering that knocks you off your feet till you don’t know which side is up. Till every ounce of energy is used up and you feel so weak, abandoned, and lonely. Perhaps you’re caught in one of life’s storms right now.

When the disciples of Jesus were out at sea, caught in a turbulent tempest, and tossed by the waves, who came to them in their darkest hour? It was Jesus Himself (Matt. 14:22–33). Jesus came in style, walking on the raging waters. The loving Savior came to them at their exact point of need to rescue them.

What does this tell you? That He is above the storms. He walks above—He is greater than—every adversity and opposition that you may be facing right now, and He comes to you to rescue you!

With the billowing waves beneath His feet, His first words to His disciples were, “Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here!” (Matt. 14:27 NLT). What comfort those words must have brought to the disciples who were exhausted and shaking with fear for their lives.

My friend, when the storms of life rage, don’t go by what you see and hear all around you. Don’t go by your negative feelings and emotions. Live by the truth of God’s Word, which encourages you to “be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic . . . For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you” (Deut. 31:6 NLT).

Our God is a personal and loving God who is with you in your boat right in the midst of the howling storm. He knows how to lead you to victory every time. He cannot fail you!