13/04/24

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,” says the LORD.
Jeremiah 30:17, NKJV

HEALTH RESTORED
Too often we consider only what we can see and only where we are right now. We analyze and do projections based only upon the cold hard facts. But there are times when every circumstance and every report says, “It’s impossible,” and we have to determine to focus on God and His power to supersede what’s in the natural. The economy may be down, but God says He will prosper you even in the desert. Your checking account may say you will not make the mortgage payment, but God says He will supply all of your needs. Your medical report may say your only option is to live with the sickness, but God says, “I will restore health to you.”

***Are you considering your circumstances? Or are you considering your God? He is called “the Great I Am.” He’s saying, “I am everything you need. If you’re struggling, I’m your provider. If you’re worried, I’m your peace. If you’re in trouble, I’m your deliverer. If you need a break, I’m your favor. Look to Me, and I will show up and do amazing things.”

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You are the Great I Am with power to supersede any need I have. Thank You that I have Your promise that You will restore health to me when the facts say I have to live with a sickness. I declare that my focus is upon You to do the impossible. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

SECTION TWO

Learn to see what God sees. Take a closer look at what God says in the verse above and just pause for a moment.

Was there iniquity in Israel? (When God used the word “Jacob” here, He was referring to all the children of Israel.) Was there any sin in Israel? Or was everybody in the encampment perfect?

If you were to zoom in from the top of the mountain into the encampment of Israel, it’s not hard to imagine that a wide variety of imperfections, sins, iniquities, and wickedness was present throughout the camp. But the question is, did God see it?

Look at Numbers 23:21 again. Notice that God did not say there was no sin or iniquity in His people. He simply said He did not see it. Similarly, He is not saying that there is no sin in you. What God says is, “I don’t see it.”

Wait a minute, how can an unbendingly holy God not see sin in me?

My friend, it is because those same holy eyes saw all your sins punished in the body of Jesus Christ. Your sins were punished into nonexistence.

In the Israelite encampment, even though there were iniquities, sins, and wickedness, God did not see any of them because the blood of bulls and goats, which they offered up to the Lord daily, covered the children of Israel. How much more true that is for us today, we who are washed clean forever by the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, our beautiful Savior.

Under the old covenant, the Israelites enjoyed a temporal covering through the animal sacrifices, but for us, the atonement and payment for all our sins by Jesus Christ is eternal. That is why God does not observe sin and iniquity in you nor has He seen wickedness in you. When God looks at you today, He sees you as a righteous, forgiven, healed, favored, blessed, accepted, and beloved son or daughter because of the cross of Jesus.

Now, do you see yourself as God sees you?

12/04/24

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Creation itself is on tiptoe with expectation, eagerly awaiting the moment when God’s children will be revealed.
Romans 8:19, NTE

BELIEVE THAT IT’S TRUE
There is greatness in you—talent, wisdom, and creativity. God has destined you to do something awesome. But if you see yourself as ordinary, not that talented, and not having a great personality, that distorted image is going to keep you from shining. Don’t discount who you are. Don’t let people or disappointments convince you that you are weak, lacking, or inadequate. Take off the negative labels and get in agreement with who God says you are by putting on new ones, such as “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made,” “Masterpiece,” “One of a Kind,” “Strong,” “Talented,” “Well Able,” and “Successful.”

Will you believe that is true? In today’s Scripture, Paul is saying, in effect, “All of Heaven is waiting for you to recognize who you are.” They’re standing on tiptoe, thinking, “Maybe today they’ll realize they’re a masterpiece, the King’s son or daughter. Maybe today they’ll realize they’re royalty.” Do you want to give Heaven something to cheer about? Make this a new day in your life. See yourself the way God sees you and step up to who you really are.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY
“Father, thank You that there are no negative labels that can stick to me because I am Your child. Thank You that I am not defined by a distorted image, but I am defined by what You say about me. I believe that I am Your masterpiece and fearfully and wonderfully made. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO
Where is this secret place of the Most High and how do you get there? Before I answer this question, I want you to be careful of preaching and teaching about Psalm 91 that make “the secret place of the Most High” a place that only an elite few can go to, while the rest of us have no access to it because we haven’t done enough, such as pray for eight hours.

Usually, the person who teaches along these lines is trying to say that there is a standard of holiness that you must attain before you can reach the secret place of the Most High. Now, if this is true and it takes eight hours of prayer at home to be in the secret place of the Most High, then how about those of us who have full-time jobs and can’t pray for eight hours, and who really need protection?

Think about it for a moment. Who needs more protection—the one praying in the safety of his home or the one working out there? Clearly, it is the guy who is working out there in the world where accidents are possible and where he is exposed to all kinds of viruses.

Yet, according to this teaching, he cannot access the secret place because he has not prayed eight hours a day! Does this even make sense to you?

That’s why I don’t like teaching that makes certain people—especially the preacher—appear like they are part of an elite few. The Lord’s blessings are not just for an elite few. If a blessing is from our Lord, everyone has access to it. The young and the old, the strong and the weak, the rich and the poor—all have access by faith to His blessings that are freely given (see Today’s Scripture).

Let me tell you where the secret place of the Most High is. The secret place of the Most High is a place where you are in Christ.

Wouldn’t you agree that being in Christ is to be in the safest hiding place? How did you get to be in Christ? By receiving the Lord Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.

Once you are a born-again believer, our heavenly Father sees you in Christ. You are safe, protected, and secure in the hiding place! Be anchored in this truth and see yourself walking in a greater measure of His divine protection in the days to come.

09/04/24

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”
Luke 12:25, NIV

YOUR LIFE FOLLOWS YOUR THOUGHTS.
Do you realize that your life is moving toward what you’re constantly thinking about? This can be helpful or harmful. Are you worrying about your future? “I never get good breaks. How will I ever retire?” You’re moving toward defeat, lack, and mediocrity. Try a new approach. “Favor is in my future. Good breaks are chasing me down. The right people are headed my way.” When you think like that, you’re moving toward favor, increase, open doors, and abundance.

Are you worrying about your health? “I’ve had this condition for years, and it’s getting worse. Everyone in my family struggles with depression. I’ll never get back in shape.” That’s moving you in the wrong direction. Change starts in your thinking. Try this approach, “This condition is not permanent. Chains that have held me back are being broken. I am free. I am whole. I am healthy. I am full of energy, vitality, and strength. My youth is being renewed like the eagle’s.” Get your mind going in the right direction. Your life is going to follow your thoughts.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You are in control of all the situations in my life and You are fighting my battles. I choose to guard my mind from worrisome, anxious thoughts that trap me in negativity and discouragement. I believe that no weapon formed against me will prosper. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

SECTION TWO
I believe that Jesus is doing a great work in your life right now. Maybe you can’t see it because there’s something that you have done in your past that you just can’t seem to shake off, that seems like weights around your feet holding you down.

Beloved, today is the day for your breakthrough. Learn to see what God sees by fixing your eyes on Jesus.

You need to understand that what you see or how others see you is not as important as how God sees you. Many people think that God sees them in their sins and is just waiting to pounce on them to punish them. This wrong belief produces wrong living.

If you see God this way, you can’t help but be in constant fear, insecurity, and anxiety over your past sins. Today, make a decision to turn your eyes to Jesus, for He has already made you, the believer, righteous with His blood!

In fact, the more you behold Jesus, the more you are transformed “from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18). Fixing your eyes on Jesus is the greatest holiness.

Many think they have to do more in order to be more holy, accepted, and loved by God. The truth is, when you behold Jesus more and see His love, His forgiveness, His abundant grace, and His gift of righteousness purchased for you with His own blood, you will be transformed supernaturally.

Holiness is a by-product of seeing Jesus in His grace. When you see Jesus and receive His love and grace every day, your heart is transformed inwardly.

This is not outward behavior modification. This is real change that is sustained by a heart touched by His grace and by an emancipated conscience that is forever freed from guilt.

This is when that addiction begins to drop from your life. This is when that fear begins to dissolve in His perfect love, and that condemnation arising from your past mistakes is cleansed by His precious blood.

What a life! This is the life that God wants you to experience. Can you see it? Can you see what He sees?

09/04/24

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

Today’s Scripture
But Phinehas had the courage to intervene, and the plague was stopped.
Psalm 106:30, NLT

BE A PHINEHAS
In Numbers 25, Midianite women had lured the Israelites into idol worship, partying, and committing all kinds of immorality. God was so displeased that a plague broke out and thousands of Israelites died. It looked as though the plague would continue. Then a man named Phinehas rose up and put to death an Israelite man and Midianite woman who publicly defied Moses’ warning. One person took a stand and said, “I’m going to honor God and do the right thing,” and the plague ended.

Phinehas’s action was extreme, but it saved others. Take it symbolically. You can stop the plague in your family, but you have to kill the negative cycle of anger, unforgiveness, compromise, or addiction. As long as you allow these things to live, they will kill your dreams, kill your freedom, kill your purpose, and get passed down to your children. Have the courage to step up. Our attitude should be: “This may have been passed down, but it’s not going to get past me. I will win the battle. This is where it ends.”

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for the call to rise up and take my stand against whatever negative cycle has plagued me and my family. Thank You that I am not limited by my past, by dysfunction that’s been passed down. I believe that You are going to help me take my family to the next level. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO

It is Jesus, His wisdom in your life, His righteousness, and His perfect redemptive work on the cross that make you a success. So when you boast of your success, you can boast only in Jesus.

Without Jesus, you have nothing to boast about. But with Jesus in your life, you can boast in Him and Him alone for every success and blessing that comes through His unmerited favor.

If you are strong, mighty, and wise in yourself, then God’s unmerited favor cannot flow. But when you realize your weaknesses and foolishness, and depend on Jesus instead, that is when His unmerited favor can flow unhindered in your life.

We see this in the story of Moses. In his first 40 years as an Egyptian prince who was looked up to and admired, he thought that he knew everything. The Bible says that in this first 40 years, Moses was “mighty in words and deeds” (Acts 7:22), but God could not use him.

However, in the next 40 years, something happened to Moses. He had fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew, and went to dwell in the Midian desert. He became a shepherd and was no longer considered mighty in words nor deeds. Indeed, he had even become a stutterer (Exod. 4:10).

And at this point in his life, when he probably thought that he was a has-been, insignificant compared to what he had been, and that his glory-days were behind him, God appeared to him and said, “I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people . . . out of Egypt” (Exod. 3:10).

Forty years earlier, at the zenith of his ability, Moses could not even bury properly one Egyptian whom he had killed—he was found out and forced to flee (Exod. 2:11–15). But now, stripped of his dependence on his human strength and mindful of his weaknesses, he stepped into his call, dependent solely on the unmerited favor of God. And this time, when Moses waved his rod over the sea, the sea covered tens of thousands of Egyptians perfectly (Exod. 14:26–28).

The Bible tells us that “God resists the proud, but gives grace [unmerited favor] to the humble” (1 Pet. 5:5). Beloved, God will not impose His unmerited favor on us. Whenever we want to depend on ourselves and our wisdom, He will allow us to do so.

His unmerited favor is given to those who humbly acknowledge that they cannot succeed in their own strength and ability. When we let go and depend on His unmerited favor, He will take over and do for us what we cannot do for ourselves!