He who is of a greedy spirit stirs up strife, but he who puts his trust in the Lord shall be enriched and blessed.

Proverbs 28:25 (AMPC)

Greed is a terrible thing. No matter how much people have, if they allow greed to rule them, they will always want more and more. In addition, they will never be content with—or thankful for—what they have. We always overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21), so I have found that the best way to prevent greed from ruling in my life is to be aggressively generous. I want to encourage you to ask God daily to show you something you can do for someone else.

Focusing our thoughts on others keeps us from being selfish and self-centered. When we ask God to help us do this, He may show us something as simple as sending someone a text message of appreciation or encouragement. He could show us something that will require a donation of time or money. When we give, we never lose anything because our generous deeds always return to bless us (Luke 6:37–38).

God’s Word teaches us to be on our guard against greed, because life does not consist of our possessions (Luke 12:15). The more generous we are, the more joy we will have.

Prayer of the Day: Father, help me not to be a greedy person who always wants more and more, but instead help me be generous to everyone I can, in every way. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

So then, whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them….

Matthew 7:12 (AMPC)

I was awake for a couple of hours last night, and as I lay in the darkness, the words of Jesus—“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”—came to mind. I thought about them until I fell asleep, and this morning I continued to ponder them. When I opened my Bible and studied this passage along with the surrounding Scriptures, I received new insight—one that connects this teaching to answered prayer.

Prior to the statement about how we treat others, we find an invitation from our Lord Jesus to ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, and knock and keep on knocking. He also promises that we will receive favorable answers to each request. We will receive, we will find, and doors will be opened (Matthew 7:7–8). He assures us of His goodness and willingness to help us and then makes this statement: So then, whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them (Matthew 7:12 AMPC). The phrase “so then” means there is a connection between answered prayer and how we treat other people.

I think we would be astonished at the difference in our lives in every respect if we truly did treat others the way we want to be treated. It certainly would change many things in how we respond to people and how we live our lives. Actually, it would change the world! I have decided to purposely be more focused every day on doing so, and I pray you will join me. That scripture is often called the Golden Rule, but I prefer to call it the “Golden Key” that will unlock and release God’s best in our lives.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, help me treat others as I want to be treated. Fill my heart with kindness, compassion, and love, and let my actions reflect Your goodness each day, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going.”

John 8:14 (AMPC)

Many people struggle emotionally because they simply do not know who they really are. They are not grounded in their true identity, and they feel lacking in certain ways.

Our identity is established as a result of who and what we choose to identify with. If we identify with people and what they say about us, we will end up in trouble, but if we identify with Jesus and His opinion of us, we will not have an identity crisis.

Today’s scripture indicates that Jesus knew who He was because He knew where He came from and where He was going. Many of the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day, were angry at Jesus’ confidence in who He was. But no matter what people said about Jesus, He did not identify with it. He identified with what His heavenly Father said about Him. He identified with God.

Identification with Christ is a doctrinal foundation of the Christian faith. As a believer, you belong to God. Your identity is in Him, and you are complete in Him. This truth will give you confidence to walk through this world, dealing with all kinds of people, with your head held high. It will enable you to follow your heart and do what God leads you to do without becoming emotionally upset when people do not agree with you or your choices. The more firmly you are rooted in your identity in Christ, the more you will realize that you are not lacking in any way. You have—and are—everything in Him.

Prayer of the Day: Thank You, God, that my identity is in You. Help me grow deeper in the identity You give me.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Establish my steps and direct them by [means of] Your word.

Psalm 119:133 (AMPC)

People often ask, “How do I know what God wants me to do with my life?” Some spend many years being totally immobile because they are waiting to hear a voice from heaven telling them what to do. My best advice to anyone in this position is to simply do something. Do what you think God might be calling you to do and if you make a mistake, He will help you correct it. Don’t spend your life so afraid of making a mistake that you never try to obey what you believe God has spoken to you. I like to say, you can’t drive a parked car. You need to be moving if you want God to show you which way to go. He has no need to say to you. “Turn left” if you are not going anywhere. But if you are moving, He can give you directions.

Let me insert a word of wisdom here. There are certainly times when we need to be still, wait on God, pray, and not take immediate action. But that does not apply to every situation. There are times when the only way we can discover God’s will is to get moving in a certain direction and let Him speak to us and lead us as we go. If you are going in the wrong direction, He ill close that door and open another one.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, give me courage to move forward in faith. Guide my steps, correct my mistakes, and help me trust that You will lead me as I obey and follow You, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV)

When we do what is right and good for a long time, and believe we are sowing good seed but not reaping a good harvest, we can become frustrated. But Paul urges us to not grow weary of doing good. We should not do good simply to receive a reward but because it is right. This may mean treating someone well for a long time before they begin to treat us well in return. They may never treat us well, but our reward comes from God, not from other human beings. When we look to people for appreciation or affirmation, we may be disappointed, but God never forgets what we have done, and He knows exactly how to bless us.

Part of verse 10 of today’s scripture in the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition, offers an instruction that has changed my life. It reads, Be mindful to be a blessing. To be mindful means to have your mind full of something or to purposefully think about it.

Developing the habit of thinking intentionally about ways to bless other people has greatly added to my joy. I encourage you to ask God to show you how you can bless specific people in your life. I believe He will. Learn to listen to people, because they often mention in conversation what they need, like, or want. If you are able, then try to do it for them.

Prayer of the Day: Father, help me not grow weary in doing good. Fill my mind with ways to bless others, trust You for my reward, and give with joy, patience, and love, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—consecrated to Him—set apart for His purpose]; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and [be found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (AMP)

God loves you, and He is interested in every single part of your life—not just the spiritual part. Just look at what 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says about this: Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (ESV).

This verse clearly says that we can be sanctified completely, “wholly consecrated to God.” God created us as tri-part beings: We are spirits, we have souls, and we live in bodies. Your spirit is the part of you that receives revelation from God, and your con- science functions through it. Your soul is made up of your mind, will, and emotions, and your body is the house you live in.

God wants every part of our lives to be healthy and whole. This is important, because if even one of those areas is unhealthy, we won’t be able to fully enjoy the life Jesus came to give us. Not only does God want you to be spiritually sound—born again through a personal relationship with Jesus—but He also wants a life for you that’s free from depression, anger, unforgiveness, and so on. He wants you to have peace and joy in your soul!

Prayer of the Day: God, thank You for caring about every part of my life. I commit to You my soul, my spirit, and my body. Thank You for working in me to make me whole, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.

Matthew 7:8 (AMPC)

If there is a promise in God’s Word, don’t stop asking to receive it. Let today’s scripture encourage you to refuse to give up. Continue asking, seeking, and knocking, and you will receive, find, and see doors open for you.

I prayed for my father’s salvation for more than forty years. Finally, at the age of eighty, he received Christ and was baptized. It seemed as if it would never happen, but it did.

Even Jesus, who always got His prayers answered, had to pray twice for a blind man’s eyes to be opened:

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. (Mark 8:22–25 NIV)

Let this Scripture passage encourage you to never give up on receiving God’s promises.

Prayer of the Day: God, help me keep asking, seeking, and knocking. Strengthen my faith when answers take time and remind me that You are faithful to fulfill every promise in Your perfect way, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Instead of your [former] shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonor and reproach [your people] shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double [what they had forfeited]; everlasting joy shall be theirs.

Isaiah 53:7 (ESV)

Isaiah 61:7 says, Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion (NIV). God can completely restore us—no matter what we’ve done or been through. And He wants to bring us to places that are better than where we would have been if we had never gone through the messes in our lives. He wants to give us double for our trouble! Notice the phrase “instead of your shame.” I had a shame-based nature for many years because of the abuse I experienced from my father. It made me feel like something must be wrong with me for him to do the things he did to me.

But the first thing Jesus gives us through our relationships with Him is righteousness, or “right standing with God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). The enemy wants us to think about everything we think is wrong with us. But when we do this, it just gives our problems more strength over us. We need to learn how to “walk by the Spirit,” because then we will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16 ESV). This is what it means to be transformed into the image of Christ. And while it’s not always easy, we can do it with God’s help, and I guarantee it will be worth it in the end.

Prayer of the Day: God, You know what I have been through. We have been through it together. While I would be happy with complete restoration, You are a God Who goes above and beyond all I can imagine, so I trust that You will not only restore me, but give me double for my trouble, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not hide my wickedness; I said, “I will confess [all] my transgressions to the LORD”; and You forgave the guilt of my sin.

Psalm 32:5 (AMP)

Our soul can be wounded for many reasons. Sometimes, we are wounded because of things other people have done to us. Sometimes, the wounds come from our own bad choices. Even when we regret past sin or mistakes, the pain they caused will linger if we let it.

Some people who are very strong Christians and walk closely with God today will tell you that they have not always had an intimate relationship with Him. Some of them, like me, have abuse, betrayal, addictions, and other hurtful things in their background. They are healed today because they refused to allow their past to determine their future. I want you to know that no matter what is in your past or how painful it has been, healing is available for you and your future can be better than you ever imagined.

One of the most important steps you can take toward the healing of your soul is to talk to God about what hurts you and confess to Him any sin you have committed. If there is shame or guilt associated with what happened to you (as in the case of victims of abuse or in the case of someone who made a very bad decision that affected others), you may wonder if God really wants to hear about it. I can assure you that He does. First of all, He knows everything about the situation anyway. And second, He understands that acknowledging our wrongdoing helps cleanse it from our soul. There is no one better than God to talk to about the things that have hurt you. You can talk to God about anything, and He will not judge you or be angry or frustrated with you. He loves you more than anyone on earth ever could, and He is the only one with the power to heal your broken heart.

Many people in the Bible sinned and failed. Some of those we think of as being closest to God made bad choices. Abraham got tired of waiting for God to give him a son through Sarah, so he turned to her handmaid instead (Genesis 16:1–4). David lusted after Bathsheba and got her pregnant, then had her husband killed (2 Samuel 11:2–24). But both Abraham and David recovered and went on to do great things for God. James refers to Abraham as “a friend of God” (James 2:23), and the Bible calls David a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22).

One of the keys of David’s restoration and the great future he enjoyed after his moral failure was his willingness to repent and receive God’s forgiveness. He wrote that God desires truth in our innermost being (Psalm 51:6 AMP). I encourage you today to talk to God about the things that have hurt you or the ways you have failed in the past, and He will comfort you. You can be restored completely, and I encourage you to believe that with all your heart.

Prayer of the Day: God, I bring You every wound, failure, and regret. Heal my heart, cleanse my soul, and restore my future. I trust Your forgiveness and believe You can make me whole again, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Adapted from Battlefield of the Mind

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:13 (KJV)

In the days when Peter wrote these words, men wore long, flowing robes that hindered fast progress or strenuous action. They wore broad belts (or girdles) about their waists, and when they wanted to move into action, they “girded up their loins”—that is, they shortened their robes by pulling them up inside their belts. That term is similar to what we mean when we say, “Roll up your sleeves.” Peter’s words here are a serious call to action—a reminder that when we lose our focus, it is time for us to do some serious thinking.

I’ve already talked about how staying too busy can result in an abnormal mind as opposed to a normal mind. Now I want to point out that another way the devil attacks your normal mind is by causing your thoughts to wander. It’s a mental attack. If you do not discipline your mind to remain focused on what is important, the devil will cause it to wander aimlessly to other things. When this inability to concentrate goes on for a while, you may begin to wonder if there is something wrong with your mind. What you often fail to realize is that when you’ve allowed your mind to wander for so long, you’re hardly aware that it’s taking place.

In some cases, there may be physical causes for not being able to concentrate, such as anemia or certain B-vitamin deficiencies. You may not be eating properly. Or you may have become excessively fatigued. It’s a good idea to consider all the potential causes as you search for a solution. I’ve learned that when I’m excessively tired, Satan tries to attack my mind because he knows it’s more difficult for me to resist him during those times.

Sometimes a lack of concentration creates a lack of comprehension. Perhaps as you are reading the Bible, you find yourself hurrying to get through so you can do something else. Out of a sense of duty, you are determined to finish reading a chapter—and you do. But when you are finished, you can’t recall anything you have read. Your eyes scanned the pages, but your mind was engaged somewhere else.

Perhaps you have even experienced this battle for your mind in church. You attend regularly—and the devil can’t always stop that—but he can cause your mind to start wandering during the sermon. Have you ever been fully engrossed in listening to a sermon, and then you suddenly realize that your mind has wandered and you have no idea what was said?

If the devil can rob you of the benefits of reading the Bible and hearing God’s Word at church, he has won some major skirmishes in the battle for your mind. This is why Peter tells us to “gird up the loins of our minds.” You must take action by confronting your wandering mind and disciplining it to focus on what’s important.

In conversation, I used to fake it when I realized my mind had wandered. Now I deal with it honestly by asking, “Would you please back up and repeat that? I let my mind wander off, and I didn’t hear a thing you said.” This kind of behavior not only interrupts the plan of the enemy but also brings victory over the problem.

It’s not easy to discipline your mind when it has been allowed to wander aimlessly, but you can do it. When you discover that your thoughts have wandered, you must exercise discipline and make the necessary corrections. The devil would like to convince you that you can’t help yourself, but when you consistently come against his bid for your mind, he is defeated, and you have won another battle.

Prayer of the Day: Holy Spirit, I realize how quickly Satan distracts me and then capitalizes on my wandering mind. Forgive me for allowing him to lead me astray. I thank You for giving me a good, clear mind, and in the name of Jesus, I ask You to help me overcome every temptation to lose my focus, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

The Lord said to Abram, Go … away from your country, from your relatives and your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.

Genesis 12:1 (AMPC)

How would you feel if God told you to leave your home, your family, and everything that is familiar and comfortable and head out to who knows where?

That is the challenge Abram faced, and it frightened him. But God kept saying to him, “Fear not.” That’s the same message He gave to Joshua when He called him to lead the children of Israel to the promised land.

You want to wait until you’re not afraid before you do anything, but if you do that, you will accomplish very little for God. Abram and Joshua had to step out in faith and obedience to do what God had commanded them to do—and they had to do it afraid. They took “steps of faith” even though they had “feelings of fear.”

That’s what you will have to do to accomplish the job God wants you to do. But He’ll be with you, saying, “Fear not.”

Prayer of the Day: God, help me step out in faith even when I feel afraid. I trust Your presence, Your guidance, and Your promises as I obey You, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

And [pray] also for me, that [ freedom of ] utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel), for which I am an ambassador in a coupling chain [in prison. Pray] that I may declare it boldly and courageously, as I ought to do.

Ephesians 6:19-20 (AMPC)

If you start your day right, you will have a better day, and you will be a better witness for the Lord. Dedicate yourself to God afresh each morning.

Tell Him, “Lord, I give You the gifts and talents that You put in me. I want to use them for Your glory. I want to lead somebody to You. Put in my path someone to whom I can minister, someone I can encourage. Help me to be a blessing to someone today. Lord, I want to be Your ambassador and represent You today.”

Prayer of the Day: Lord, I dedicate this day to You. Use my gifts for Your glory, lead me to encourage others, and help me represent You well in every moment, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

They said to Him, We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish. He said, Bring them here to Me. Then He ordered the crowds to recline on the grass; and He took the five loaves and the two fish, and, looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and blessed and broke the loaves and handed the pieces to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

Matthew14:17–19 (AMPC)

One of the biggest mistakes we can make in life is to focus on what we don’t have or have lost and fail to take an inventory of what we do have. When Jesus desired to feed five thousand men—plus women and children—the disciples said all they had was a little boy’s lunch, which consisted of five small loaves of bread and two fish. They assured Him it was not enough for a crowd the size they had. However, Jesus took the lunch and multiplied it. He fed thousands of men, women, and children and had twelve baskets of leftovers (Matthew 14:15–21).

If we will just give God what we have, He will use it and give us back more than we had to begin with. The Bible says that God created everything we see out of “things that are unseen,” so I have decided that if He can do that, surely He can do something with my little bit—no matter how unimpressive it is.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, thank You for all You have given me. I ask You to use it for Your glory and to provide all that I need, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].

1 Corinthians 13:7 (AMP)

The Bible teaches us to always see the good in people and believe the best of every person.

But if we let our thoughts lead our lives, they usually tend toward negativity. Our flesh, without the influence of the Holy Spirit, is dark and negative. Thankfully, we don’t have to walk in the flesh, but we can choose to be led by the Spirit (Romans 8:5). When we choose to let the Spirit lead us, we will see the best in other people, and we will be filled with God’s love and peace in our souls.

In your time with God, ask Him to help you see other people as His children rather than as adversaries. Decide to look past their faults and see them as God sees them. Allow the Holy Spirit to help you see the best in every person in your life.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, help me see people through Your eyes. Replace negative thoughts with love, grace, and peace, and teach me to believe the best in everyone, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit…is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self- control…

Galatians 5:22-23 (AMPC)

I remember the years when I was what I call a “yo-yo Christian.” I was continually up and down emotionally. If my husband, Dave, did what I liked, I was happy. If he didn’t do what I liked, I would get mad. I had not yet learned how to be led by the Holy Spirit and was letting my feelings control my behavior.

More than anything else, believers tell me how they feel. “I feel nobody loves me.” “I feel my spouse doesn’t treat me right.” “I feel that I’ll never be happy.” “I feel . . . I don’t feel . . .” and on and on it goes.

God wants us to realize that our emotions are never going to go away, so we must learn to manage them rather than let them manage us. We can choose to exercise self-control and not let our flesh rule us. Not one of us will, or even should, get everything we want. A spiritually mature believer can be peaceful and happy even when they don’t get what they want. We can choose to tell ourselves that we are not going to be able to say everything we want to say, eat everything we want to eat, and always do what we feel like doing. Choose to let the Holy Spirit help you do what is right no matter how you feel!

Prayer of the Day: Holy Spirit, help me manage my emotions instead of letting them control me. Teach me self-control, guide my choices, and help me do what’s right no matter how I feel, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

Romans 5:17 (AMPC)

God wants us to think, speak, and behave rightly, so He gives us what we need in order to do those things. God will never require us to do something without giving us what we need to do it. God gives us the gift of righteousness so we can become righteous in what we think, say, and do!

Although we have sinned, our sins cannot be compared to the righteousness of God’s free gift. Our sin is great, but His free gift of righteousness is greater.

The fruit of your life cannot be any greater than what you believe you are, so you must learn to think about and believe in your righteousness in Christ. If you think all the time that something is wrong with you, then you will keep producing wrong things, but believing you’re right with God will help you produce right behavior.

Prayer of the Day: Father, thank You for the gift of righteousness in Christ. Help me think, speak, and live from who I am in You, producing fruit that honors You every day, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

Matthew 11:28 (AMPC)

Being relaxed feels wonderful. Being nervous, tense, and worried are not so wonderful. Why aren’t more people relaxed? Jesus said if we are weary and overburdened, we should go to Him and He will give us rest, relaxation, and ease (Matthew 11:28–29). Jesus wants to teach us the right way to live, which is different from the way most of the world lives.

It would be putting it mildly to say that I was an uptight woman for the first half of my life. I simply did not know how to relax, and it was due to me not being willing to completely trust God. I trusted God for things, but not in things. I kept trying to be the one in control. Even though God was in the driver’s seat of my life, I kept one hand on the wheel just in case He took a wrong turn. Relaxation is impossible without trust!

If you know you can’t fix the problem you have, then why not relax while God is working on it? It sounds easy, but it took many years for me to be able to do this. I know from experience that the ability to relax and go with the flow in life is dependent upon our willingness to trust God completely. If things don’t go your way, instead of being.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, help me release control and fully trust You today. Teach me to relax, rest in Your care, and follow Your way instead of my own, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

And the Lord said, My Presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.

Exodus 33:14 (AMPC)

Being relaxed feels wonderful. Being nervous, tense, and worried are not so wonderful. Why aren’t more people relaxed? Jesus said if we are weary and overburdened, we should go to Him and He will give us rest, relaxation, and ease (Matthew 11:28–29). Jesus wants to teach us the right way to live, which is different from the way most of the world lives.

It would be putting it mildly to say that I was an uptight woman for the first half of my life. I simply did not know how to relax, and it was due to me not being willing to completely trust God. I trusted God for things, but not in things. I kept trying to be the one in control. Even though God was in the driver’s seat of my life, I kept one hand on the wheel just in case He took a wrong turn. Relaxation is impossible without trust!

If you know you can’t fix the problem you have, then why not relax while God is working on it? It sounds easy, but it took many years for me to be able to do this. I know from experience that the ability to relax and go with the flow in life is dependent upon our willingness to trust God completely. If things don’t go your way, instead of being upset, you can believe that getting your way was not what you needed. God knew that, so He gave you what was best for you, instead of what you wanted.

If you are waiting much longer than you had hoped to, you can get frustrated, angry, and upset, or you can say, “God’s timing is perfect; He is never late. And my steps are ordered by the Lord.” Now you can relax and simply go with the flow of what is happening in your life. When it comes to things that are out of our control, we can either ruin the day or relax and enjoy it while God is working on the situation. As long as we believe, God keeps working!

Prayer of the Day: Lord, help me release control and fully trust You today. Teach me to relax, rest in Your care, and follow Your way instead of my own, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Psalm 32:8 (NIV)

Often in life, situations require us to take some kind of action, but we don’t know what to do. However, we can trust God to show us what to do at exactly the right time. We need to be willing to obey Him, because what He leads us to do may not be what we would have done, or it may seem to our way of thinking that it won’t work.

In Luke 5:4–7, Jesus tells Peter and some other disciples who had been fishing all night and caught nothing to go out into deeper water and cast their nets again. Peter indicated that he didn’t think it would work and that they were tired, but he also said they would obey whatever He told them to do. As a result, they caught so many fish that their boats began to sink.

Let me encourage you to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, because God has given Him to us to guide us (John 16:13). We can always be confident that He will do it, but we must be willing to follow His guidance.

One way the Holy Spirit guides us is through peace. I teach people to not do anything they don’t have peace about doing or anything that doesn’t agree with God’s Word. God has promised to guide us even until the time we die (Psalm 48:14). Let this knowledge comfort you as you make decisions and believe that you can and will be guided by the Holy Spirit in your decision making.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I trust You to guide me in all the decisions that I make. I want to do Your will, not mine.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Now the man Moses was very meek (gentle, kind, and humble) or above all the men on the face of the earth.

Numbers 12:3 (AMPC)

Meekness often gets mistaken for weakness, but they are not the same. I believe that a meek person is one who can maintain balance between emotional extremes and manage emotions appropriately. This requires strength, not weakness. Meekness is not weakness; it is strength under control.

Today’s scripture says that Moses was the meekest man on earth, yet people do not think of him as weak. He was a strong person and a strong leader. When we think of him, we think of a man who personally encountered God in the burning bush and of a man who led the Israelites through the Red Sea on dry land. He certainly wasn’t perfect, and the Bible clearly shows his imperfections.

At times, anger got the best of him—such as when he killed an Egyptian and when he smashed the tablets with the Ten Commandments written on them because the people were worshipping an idol (Exodus 2:11–12; 32:19). He did make mistakes, but not habitually.

If Moses, in spite of his mistakes, can be known as meek, you and I can become meek too. God created all of us with emotions, and we can use them in healthy ways or in unhealthy ways. Meekness manages emotions wisely.

Prayer of the Day: Father, help me to manage my emotions wisely, understanding that meekness is not a sign of weakness but of strength, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org