This weekend, we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm so thankful that God sent His Son to the earth to pay the punishment for our sins and open the way for us to live in eternity with Him.
The scripture says in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that, "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God in Christ." Because of Jesus, we are made righteous or in right-standing with Almighty God. Sometimes, it's easy to think that it's our own actions that make us righteous. We think that if we do the right things, if we say the right things, if we are "good enough," then we can be righteous. But righteousness isn't about what we do; it's about what He did. He already did everything that needed to be done so that we could be the righteousness of God. Why? Because He loves us. See, sin separates you from God, but God doesn't want to be separated from you. He loves you with an everlasting love, and He wants to be united with you today.
Romans 10:9-10 tells us that all we have to do is believe this in our hearts and confess it with our mouths, and we will be saved and have eternal life with Him. If you've never made Jesus the Lord of your life, I invite you to pray this simple prayer from your heart: Dear Jesus, I know I'm a sinner and I need a Savior. I believe You are the Son of God, that You died, paying the price for my sins, and rose again. I ask You to come into my life; make me fresh and new. I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Did you pray this prayer for the first time?<link to Hope For Today Did You Pray That Prayer>
Celebrating Above and Beyond Favor!
Just nine years ago, Lakewood Church and Joel Osteen Ministries signed a 60-year lease with the City of Houston for the Compaq Center. We wanted to purchase it at the time, but it wasn't an option. We believed that at some point God would make a way for us to buy it, but we never imagined that it would be this soon. Just yesterday, the Houston City Council voted to sell the property to us! What a tremendous victory for the Body of Christ in this generation and the generations to come.
We've been talking about this being an Ephesians 3:20 year when God would do "exceedingly abundantly above and beyond all we could ask, think or imagine." We believe that this is a testimony to what God wants to do in your life as well. When you partner with this ministry through your prayers and financial giving, you position yourself to partake of the spiritual blessings God is pouring out upon us. So, get ready because God wants to do "above and beyond" in every area of your life!