We see people as they are, but God sees what they can become. We see the mess, but God sees the treasure.

03/05/25

Gospel Corner

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
Today’s Word

Today’s Scripture
Zacchaeus…took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
Luke 19:6–7, NLT

What You Can Become.
Zacchaeus was a despised tax collector, known for cheating people. He was the chief tax collector, the worst one. Everyone considered him a crook. The religious people didn’t think God would have anything to do with him. But God doesn’t judge the way we judge. We see people as they are, but God sees what they can become. We see the mess, but God sees the treasure. God sees the miracle.

When Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was passing by, something came alive inside. Even though Zacchaeus was doing wrong, God in His great mercy began to draw him. Zacchaeus felt this longing to see Jesus. No matter how many mistakes or failures you’ve made, God never writes anyone off. He still has a purpose for your life, and He never consults your past to determine your future. What you’ve done in the past doesn’t stop what God has planned. Sometimes religion tries to make you feel as though you’re not worthy. Don’t believe those lies. God’s calling is still on your life. You can still become who you were created to be.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that even though You know everything about me, You still invite Yourself to come to my house for dinner and bring the gift of salvation. Thank You that it’s not about what I’ve done or not done, but it’s about Your mercy and love. Welcome to my house. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Beloved, the more you grow in your revelation and valuation of how Jesus’ finished work has placed you in Him—in the secret place where you are safe, protected, and secure—the more you’ll find your heart at rest instead of filled with worry and fears.

Something powerful happens in your heart and in your outward circumstances when you begin to value being in Christ, in the secret place of the Father’s care, protection, and love.

Let me give you an illustration of what it means to value something. Suppose I brought you an old, dusty violin with two missing strings and I said to you, “Isn’t this beautiful?” Your reaction would probably be, “That’s not beautiful; that’s old and worthless.”

But if I told you it’s an original Stradivarius that used to belong to a world-famous violinist, all of a sudden, your appreciation of this dusty, old violin would swell and you’d ask if you could hold it. What happened? Your appreciation of the violin changed when you understood its true value.

In the same way, I want to encourage you to value the preciousness of what it means to be in Christ—being in the secret place of inseparable closeness with Him, where we have His loving presence constantly with us, watching over us and protecting us.

I strongly encourage you to keep hearing anointed preaching that keeps revealing who you are and what you have in Christ. Keep hearing grace-based teachings on God’s promises to protect you, as well as praise reports of God’s grace and protection over His people.

Why? Because as you do, you’ll begin to value being in the secret place more and more. As you do, you’ll find your heart and mind more and more at rest in Him.

You’ll wake up every morning confident of His tender care, protection, and preservation. You’ll live life full of hope and zest instead of worry and fear, and see Him deliver and protect you from whatever the enemy may throw at you!