29/08/24

GOSPEL CORNER

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

Today’s Scripture
But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn.
Genesis 48:14, NIV

FROM THE BACK TO THE FRONT
When Israel blessed the sons of Joseph, he purposefully crossed his hands and gave Ephraim the firstborn blessing. The tradition was that the right hand always gave the greatest blessing to the firstborn son. Israel was saying, “Ephraim may have been in the back and is not next in line, but I’m shifting him to a new position. I’m taking him from the back to the front. I will give him what he doesn’t deserve.”

That’s the way our God is. He has shifts in your future that will put you in positions you didn’t earn and didn’t qualify for. You may not have the seniority, but God will cross His hands and say, “I’m moving you from the back to the front, from not being qualified to suddenly being qualified, from being looked down on or disrespected to being honored and seen with influence and credibility.” This shift will put you at a place where you look back and say, “God, You amaze me with Your goodness.” Start expecting unprecedented favor, believing for God to do something new in your life.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that there are new levels of my destiny to which You are taking me that come from Your goodness and love. I expect to see Your hand of unprecedented favor working in ways exceedingly abundantly above and beyond my greatest dreams. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

God’s heart is never for you to die prematurely, nor to live a life that is miserable. Psalm 91:16 says, “With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.”

This means that God not only wants you to have a long life, but He also wants you to have a satisfying life that is full of His peace, provision, and joy! In the verse, the word “salvation” is the Hebrew word Yeshua, the name of Jesus. So God will satisfy you with a long life that is full of Jesus and His grace!

Chronic illness, depression, or a short life is not, and will never be, part of God’s plan for you. He wants you to experience a long, full life in which you walk in all the blessings of health, wholeness, and provision that He has given you through Jesus!

GOSPEL CORNER

28/08/24

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

Today’s Scripture
A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.
Proverbs 17:22, NKJV

A MERRY HEART
Not all sickness is from a lack of emotional well-being, but anytime you are weighed down with stress, burdens, disappointments, hurts, and worry, those negative emotions get into your soul and spill over to the physical. If you go around discouraged, defeated, and saying, “Look at this medical report. I’m never going to get well,” you’re helping that sickness. You’re giving it life, and you’re making yourself sicker.

Today’s Scripture says that when you’re cheerful because you know God is in control, you get free from the bitterness, the guilt, the stress, the worry, and the anger that tries to dominate your soul. When you’re thanking Him when you could be complaining, when you’re laughing when you could be crying, that’s sending healing to your body. That’s when healing is released. How many diseases will go away—headaches, high blood pressure, digestive problems—when we start taking our medicine by laughing, being joyful and good-natured? Learn to live from a place of faith and joy. It’s amazing what can happen to our physical well-being when our soul gets healthy.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for the healing power that flows through a joyful heart. Thank You that You created me with a way to release some of the stress and other negative emotions that try to get in and poison my soul. I choose to rejoice and be glad in You today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO

Stop believing the LIE that God gives you sicknesses, diseases, and accidents to punish you or teach you a lesson. These things are from the devil, and because of Jesus’ finished work, we have been redeemed from every evil work and curse.

We can receive protection from every evil occurrence, sickness, and disease. And by the stripes on Jesus’ back, we are healed!

Don’t fight for the right to be sick and defeated when God is full of grace and mercy, and wants you to be healthy, blessed, and protected from all evil occurrences!

Start to expect good gifts from the Lord. Reject anything that even remotely suggests God is angry with you, and disciplines you with sicknesses and accidents. He is a good God and a good father!

GOSPEL CORNER

27/08/24

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

Today’s Scripture
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth.
Psalm 149:6, NKJV

HIGHEST PRAISE
Too often instead of taking our praise to God, we’re taking our problems to Him. “God, I’ve had this addiction for twenty-seven years. I don’t think I’ll ever break it.” “God, these children are getting on my nerves. You’d better keep me sane.” “God, I’m working two jobs and still don’t have enough. I don’t understand it.” It’s easy to turn prayer into a complaining session, but remember, God already knows your needs. You don’t have to tell God everything that’s wrong, what you don’t like, and how long it’s been that way.

It’s much better to take your praise to God rather than your problems. Your financial situation may not look good, but turn it around. “Lord, thank You that You are supplying all my needs. Thank You that You are Jehovah Jireh, the Lord my Provider.” You may not feel well, but instead of complaining, say, “Lord, thank You that I’m getting healthier, stronger, better every day.” Your child is off course. “Lord, thank You that my child will fulfill his destiny.” Praise gets God’s attention, not complaining.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You are the Most High God who reigns over every problem that I face. Thank You that You know the details of every situation I am struggling with. I’m going to give You my highest praise and stay in peace, knowing it’s all in Your hands. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO

When I was a young believer, I heard a preacher say, “In order to draw a straying lamb to him, a shepherd will break its legs. When it’s unable to walk, he will nurse the lamb back to health. Once it’s healthy again, the lamb will be attached to him.” That terrifying picture of a shepherd stuck in my head for years!

One day, I was able to ask a real shepherd if that story was true. Aghast, he replied, “That’s nonsense! What kind of shepherd does that?”

Sadly, there are people today who still believe this nonsense. Beloved, Jesus is our good shepherd (John 10:11). When He is your shepherd, you will not want for anything.

He is your supply of everything you need. He does not “break your legs.” Instead, He leads you to places of rest, refreshing, healing, and renewal of strength!

26/08/24

GOSPEL CORNER

i encourage you to take some time each day to get the revelation of your righteousness in christ deep into your spirit. meditate on it and declare it every day.

It will put courage in your heart and bring an unshakable peace to your soul. It will energize your faith when you pray and give you a confident expectation to receive good things from your heavenly Father.

I believe that’s why our heavenly Father, in knowing the things that we need daily, tells us not to worry about them. What are we supposed to do then? We are to seek first “His [Jesus’] righteousness”—the righteousness that He has given us—and all the things that we need will be added to us.

Beloved, when you know that your right standing with God always puts Him on your side, every fear will melt away like butter on a hot day. For if God is for you, who or what can successfully prevail against you (Rom. 8:31)?

25/08/24

GOSPEL CORNER

A precious young lady who had been listening to my sermons wrote to me rejoicing over receiving a miracle she had been believing God for. She shared:

This time, I didn’t go to God with my good works and my obedience to try to earn this blessing. All I did was believe and confess how, through the finished work of Christ at the cross, I have the undeserved favor of God and His own righteousness.

And even though I had failed the test and an interview, because of His favor, I still gained admission to a reputable university in Germany on a full scholarship. Depending on Jesus’ grace alone, I received this breakthrough. I’m going to believe and confess His grace and love for me for the rest of my life!

Isn’t it wonderful that when we depend on Jesus’ grace alone, doors of opportunity, success, and provision open to us? May this testimony encourage you in whatever you are believing God for today!

24/08/24

GOSPEL CORNER

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.
2 Samuel 6:14–15, NIV

KEEP CELEBRATING
In 2 Samuel 6, David and his men had just recovered the ark of the covenant. There was a huge celebration, with shouts of joy, trumpets blowing, cymbals crashing. David was so excited that he danced with all of his might. He was the distinguished king, but he didn’t hold back from celebrating the goodness of God. When his wife Michal saw him dancing and leaping, it says she was filled with contempt and criticized him for acting like a vulgar person. David responded, “I was celebrating before the Lord, not you. What you think of me is not going to keep me from being who I am.” David wasn’t controlled by what other people thought.

When you’re honoring God, when you’re being your best, some people are going to find fault with you. They won’t give you their approval unless you lower your standards and conform to their thinking. That’s okay. Be a David. Have the attitude: “I don’t need your approval. I’m keeping God first place. I’m going to live with integrity. I’m going to do the right thing when it’s hard.”

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for the people in my life who celebrate You and approve me. Help me, though, to honor You and be my best when other people find fault and try to change me. I declare that I will freely worship and serve You with all my might. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO

It is important for you to recognize that there is a significant difference between God’s unmerited favor and favoritism. God’s unmerited favor is based entirely on Jesus’ merit, and we received it through His finished work at the cross. We did nothing to deserve His favor. It is completely unmerited.

Favoritism, however, stinks of self-effort. Individuals who rely on favoritism for promotion have to resort to apple polishing, office politics, manipulative tactics, backstabbing, and all kinds of compromises just to get what they want. They use all their efforts to open doors for themselves, and in the process, they lose themselves.

God has a higher and better way for you. It hurts Him to see His precious children groveling like sycophants just to get ahead in life.

If a door closes, so be it! Believe with full confidence that God has a better way for you. You do not have to depend on favoritism to keep opportunities open for yourself when you have God’s unmerited favor!

That was how Joseph operated. He depended on the Lord for his success, and not on favoritism, which would have required him to compromise his beliefs. When Potiphar’s wife, who was likely one of the most beautiful women in the land, kept trying to seduce Joseph to sleep with her, Joseph stood his ground on the firm foundation of unmerited favor.

He refused, saying, “There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he [Potiphar] kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9).

From his words, it is clear that Joseph knew the source of his success, favor, and blessings. He did not see giving in to Potiphar’s wife as a great wickedness and sin against Potiphar alone, but against God too.

He knew that every blessing that he had experienced was a result of the Lord’s favor on him. He knew that it was not Potiphar who promoted him from the position of a lowly slave to become the overseer of Potiphar’s entire estate. It was the Lord!

Similarly in your life, know and rejoice that it is the Lord who is the source of your blessings and success! You don’t have to resort to trying to win the favor of significant people in your life. It is the Lord’s favor on you that sets you up for recognition, promotion, and increase.

GOSPEL CORNER

23/08/24

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

Today’s Scripture
The word of the LORD came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?”
Jeremiah 1:11, NIV

WHAT DO YOU SEE?
God promised Jeremiah an amazing future, that he would speak to and impact nations, but Jeremiah made excuses that he couldn’t possibly do that. Doubt, fear, and insecurity clouded his vision. God touched his lips and said, “Don’t worry. I will put My words in your mouth.” God will never ask you to do something and not give you the ability to do it. Then He asked Jeremiah, “What do you see?” Jeremiah answered, “I see the branch of an almond tree starting to bud and blossom.” He was saying, in effect, “I see growth. I see new opportunities. I see me stepping into new levels.” Because his vision cleared, he went on to impact nations, to blossom just as God said.

God is asking you, “What do you see?” He has given you amazing promises in His Word, but maybe your vision has been limited by disappointments, setbacks, and doubts. Open your eyes to a new, fresh vision; clear out all the negative, limited thinking, and see yourself blessed, prosperous, healthy, achieving goals, building the kingdom, being a blessing. See yourself as God sees you.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that Your plan for my life is that I am always in blossom, making an impact and being a blessing. Thank You that I can fill my mind with Your Word and know Your thoughts toward me. I believe my vision is clearing and expanding for greater things. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

SECTION TWO

I love how our Lord Jesus is such a loving and practical God. When there is a problem, He goes straight to the solution.

Before Jesus stepped in to heal the man born blind, His disciples were caught up in uncovering whose sin had made the man blind. Jesus, on the other hand, was interested only in using His power to give the poor man sight!

The same way Jesus didn’t get sucked into the “blame game” is the same way He doesn’t want you to. So don’t ask what or whose sin caused your sickness. Forget about what you should or shouldn’t have done or why it happened.

Be preoccupied instead with your solution—Jesus Christ, who through the cross has removed every sin in your life and who wants to work a miracle in your body!

22/08/24

GOSPEL CORNER

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Luke 22:42, NIV

MY WILL, HIS WILL
One of the best prayers we can ever pray is “God, not my will, but Your will be done.” When things aren’t working out your way, or when your prayers aren’t being answered as you would like, that either means that God is protecting you from danger up ahead, it’s not the right time, or God has something better in store. Too often, we’re shortsighted. He knows what’s best for us. He sees the big picture. He knows when something is going to be a dead end. He knows when someone is going to be a distraction to hinder us from our destiny.

Some of the things you may be frustrated about right now, ten years from now you will look back at and thank God for not answering that prayer the way you wanted or for not opening up that door. That’s what faith is all about. Why don’t you trust God? Believe that He has you in the palms of His hands and know that when it comes time for God to open a door, no man can keep it shut.

A Prayer For Today
“Father, thank You that You know best when it comes to the things I want and ask You for. Thank You that You are directing my steps and that You’ll take me through the things I don’t understand. I am going to rest in faith, knowing that I am in the palms of Your hands. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO

You can choose life today. How? By realizing that life and death are in the power of your tongue.

So you can walk and reign in life every day: Instead of complaining about your symptoms, simply thank God for His gift of righteousness and declare your righteousness in Christ.

Say this prayer with me:

Jesus, thank You for not just loving me and removing my sins, but for also giving me Your everlasting righteousness. You ARE my righteousness—today, tomorrow, and forevermore. And because I am righteous, I will REIGN IN LIFE through You. I will reign over sin and sickness, and live a life that glorifies You!