Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Live a Resurrected Life - Joel Osteen

Every person goes through adversities or times of difficulty. Maybe you didn't get a promotion you deserved, or you lost a loved one, a friend betrayed you. It's easy to get negative and bitter and lose your enthusiasm for life, but understand today, you are not defined by your past, you are prepared by your past. Every challenge you've been through, every adversity you've faced, God has deposited something on the inside of you. Your character was being developed. Strength was being increased. Your vision was being enlarged. With every difficulty, you can experience a new level of God's goodness!

You may have had unfair things happen, but remember, all things work together for good when you love the Lord! It doesn't say that all things are good, but God will turn your test into a testimony. No matter what challenge you may be facing now, no matter what you've experienced in your past, if you'll stay in faith God will turn it around for your good! Choose to have a resurrection mentality--you may have gone through an emotional death, and burial but it's time for you to rise again. God wants to give you His beauty for ashes, and joy for mourning. He wants to bring you out stronger, happier, healthier, better off than you were before!

God's love goes way beyond any human love you have ever experienced! People may come and go from your life, but God is always with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Human love may be conditional, but God's love is supernatural; it's unconditional, and it knows no limits. There's nothing you can do to earn His love and nothing you can do to stop His love.

Grace is God's unmerited favor. It's kindness from Him that we don't deserve. Grace empowers us and strengthens us. No matter what has happened in your past, you can receive God's grace and forgiveness and start fresh today. You can hold your head up high because His grace is enough. You may not be perfect, but you are forgiven.

When you go around holding on to your past mistakes or think you have to try to make things up to God, it's like saying that His grace isn't enough. Jesus has already paid for your mistakes. All you have to do is receive His grace today and thank Him for His favor and empowerment in your life. In the same way, extend that grace to others. Don't try to punish people for their past mistakes; instead, give them favor to start over. As you allow God's grace to flow through you, you will be strengthened and empowered. You'll see yourself rise higher, and you will enjoy God's blessing in every area of your life.

God promises that He is near to those who call upon His name. It doesn't matter where you are or what you're going through; He is your deliverer. He'll bring light into your darkest hour; He'll bring rain into the dry places; He'll bring restoration and healing to the broken places. When you call on His name, you can be assured that He will respond. As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, God will faithfully respond when you seek Him.

Sometimes, people think they have to clean themselves up or change their behavior or habits before they can turn to Him, but that's not what God says. He is ready to receive you just as you are. Even if you feel like a mess, He'll take your mess and turn it into a message. His arms are open wide today. Open your heart and call upon Him. Press on to know Him and His goodness.

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