Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made.

— Psalm 7:15 (NIV)

Adapted from the resource Daily Devotions from Psalms – by Joyce Meyer2 MIN READ

Today’s scripture teaches us an important lesson: When we cause trouble for others, it will recoil back on us, and when a person causes violence, it will come down on their own head. This is the principle of sowing and reaping.

In Genesis 8:22, we find that as long as the earth remains, there will be “seedtime and harvest”—sowing and reaping. Although this verse speaks of harvesting plants that will provide food for us, we can see that seed sown does bring a harvest, according to the type of seed that was planted.

Paul teaches that we should not be deceived by thinking we won’t reap what we have sown. He says, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap (Galatians 6:7 AMPC). Matthew 7:1–2 (NIV) says, Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. And Luke 6:31 (NIV) says, Do to others as you would have them do to you, which is also called the Golden Rule. Just imagine how wonderful the world would be if we all treated others exactly as we would like to be treated.

Let’s start today applying the principle of sowing and reaping in a greater way than ever before and get ready for an abundant harvest of good things.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I repent for any time I have mistreated others, and I ask for forgiveness. I want to start fresh and, with Your help, sow what I would like to reap.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity]. Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God.

— 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (AMPC)

If you read Proverbs 31:20, you will see that the woman in Proverbs 31 reached out her filled hands to the needy. When a person truly wants to give, God will give seed to sow. Even if you don’t have extra money to give, you do have something. Look around your house and start giving away everything that you are not using or wearing. If an article of clothing has been in your closet one year without being moved, there is a good chance you will never wear it again. Pass it on to someone in need and God will bless you with new things as you need them.

I believe that we know giving is the right thing to do. In our hearts we can sense joy and confidence when we become givers and not merely takers. It is no wonder I did not like this woman in Proverbs 31 when I first started reading about her. She was everything I was not but needed to become.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, I truly want to be a giving person. I ask Your blessing that I might meet the needs of others, whatever their needs might be, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

— Psalm 126:4-6 (NIV)

Psalm 126 speaks of those who “sow with tears,” and sometimes this is what we need to do. It means that while we are still hurting, we keep doing the right thing—keep helping others, keep praying, and keep studying God’s Word. As we do, we sow seeds for an eventual harvest. I used to wonder why God wouldn’t give me the ability to solve my own problems or help myself, but at the same time I was hurting, He would give me the ability to help others. Then I learned that He wants us to reach out to others, and when we do, we are sowing seed for our future harvest.

Those who sow in tears will reap sheaves (a harvest) with songs of joy. Nothing is more joyful than experiencing a reversal of bad circumstances and having them turn into something good. It is exciting and makes us happy.

The Bible says that weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5 NKJV). Admittedly, it often takes more than one night for our problems to be solved, but this Psalm teaches us a principle: God always comes through and gives us victory. Your problems will end, and your sorrow will turn to joy.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I am grateful that I can depend on You to turn my weeping into joy. You are good, and You always bring good things. I wait on You and put my trust in You.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].

— Philippians 4:8 (AMP)

There is a proven connection between the mind and the body, and it gives us an easy and inexpensive way to help maintain good health. You can choose to think positive, peaceful, biblical thoughts in order to develop a healthier spirit, soul, and body.

Nobody wants to be a victim, and we certainly don’t want to be victimized by our own thoughts. Learning to think purposely and aggressively, instead of passively providing an empty space for whatever thoughts come to mind or the devil offers, is the way to become the victor instead of the victim.

In your quiet time with God, ask Him to help you think faith-filled thoughts, and get started today on your way to a healthier mind and body.

Prayer of the Day: Thank You, Father, for helping me think positive thoughts, faith-filled thoughts that will help me in every facet of my life. I am grateful that I do not have to be a prisoner of negative thinking and that I can choose to be happy, filled with joy, and feel better as a result!

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own.

— 1 Corinthians 6:19 (AMPC)

If we don’t take good care of our bodies, our spirit and soul will be less effective. If we rarely exercise, rest, or eat properly, we can adversely affect our health. Each part of our being—spirit, soul, and body—is important and needs proper care.

I have discovered that when I feel tired and worn-out, I don’t want to maintain the spiritual discipline that I should in order to stay strong in my spirit and soul. Good physical health and energy help us in every way.

Your body is the residence of your spirit and soul; it is the house they dwell in while on this earth. God’s Word says that your body is the temple of God—I encourage you to take care of it each and every day.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I am grateful that Jesus came so that I might have abundant, healthy life. When times are tough, my joy falters, and my strength ebbs, help me to remember that You have promised I can enjoy my life, regardless of what is going on around me. Thank You for the joy, peace, and strength I find in You, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

— James 1:2 (AMPC)

A spiritually mature person has a different view of trials and tribulations than an immature person. A spiritually mature person handles tribulations by keeping joy and trusting God in the midst of it. Even though the enemy may be bringing it, God is able to work good out of it, and very often we learn things about ourselves during trials that we would never see any other way.

We should thank God in the midst of our trials instead of murmuring and complaining and feeling sorry for ourselves. Look at your troubles in a new way. Don’t act any differently when you are going through a storm than you would if life were full of rainbows (you don’t get rainbows until you’ve been through a storm!). And remember, with every temptation, He also provides a way out (see 1 Corinthians 10:13).

Prayer of the Day: Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus, and I ask You to help me keep my eyes on You and look at the bright side when facing trouble and trials. Help me learn the lessons I need to learn and go deeper in my walk with You, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.

— Galatians 6:9 (AMPC)

One of the great benefits of following Jesus is knowing that with Him you can’t lose. Because He is with you, no matter what you face, you can overcome. Things won’t always be easy, but if you are determined to keep moving forward, you will make progress.

In your relationships, your finances, your career, and your emotional well-being the only way you can lose is if you give up. So be determined today and stay the course, even in the toughest circumstances.

God is with you (see Joshua 1:9), and He has promised to never leave your side (see Matthew 28:20). If you’ll hold on to those promises, you’ll live a bold, confident, determined life.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I am thankful for the gifts and talents You have given me. Help me to use them to Your glory, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].

— 1 John 1:9 (AMPC)

It is useless to worry about anything and doubly useless to worry about something that is over and done with and that nothing can be done about. If you made a mistake in the past that can be rectified, then go ahead and take action to correct it. But if you cannot do anything about it except be sorry, then ask for forgiveness from God and anyone you may have hurt and don’t worry about it any longer.

Let me remind you that worry is useless, so why do it? God has given us wisdom, and a wise person will not spend their time doing something that produces nothing of any value.

There are many wonderful scriptures in the Bible that teach us to let go of the past and look to the future. We’re reminded to forget what is behind and keep our eyes facing forward, on God and His plan for us (see Phil. 3:13). We can find peace in the knowledge that God’s compassion and kindness are new every morning and that His faithfulness is abundant (see Lam. 3:22–23). Also, we must never forget that He is able to overcome our mistakes and do far more than we could ever imagine that He could do for us (see Ephesians 3:16, 20). God has provided a way for your past to have zero power over you, but it is up to you to receive His gracious gifts of forgiveness, mercy, and a new beginning.

Don’t allow mistakes in your past to fester and threaten your future. When you ask God to forgive you for something that you have done wrong, He is faithful and just to do it. He continuously cleanses us from all unrighteousness (see 1 John 1:9). It’s forgiven and forgotten—but you must do the same!

When you hear the word past what’s the first memory or thought that comes to mind? If it is something that makes you feel guilty, then pray and ask God to help you let go and trust He has great things in your future.

Prayer of the Day: Thank You, Father, that I can come to You, ask forgiveness for all my past mistakes, and then let them go, with Your help, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

…Not My will, but [always] Yours be done.

— Luke 22:42 (AMPC)

Asking God for what we need and desire in the natural realm is definitely not wrong, but we should not major on those things. God’s Word says that He knows what we need before we ask Him (see Matthew 6:8), so all we need to do is simply ask and let Him know that we are trusting Him to take care of everything that concerns us.

After we ask God for our daily physical needs, we can focus the majority of our prayer time on talking to Him about our spiritual needs, such as spiritual maturity, developing and displaying the fruit of the Spirit, obedience, and walking in love, to name a few. We also have the privilege of praying for other people and being part of their victories.

God is inviting you to a deeper walk with Him and that means you want His will even more than you want your own.

Prayer of the Day: I thank You, Father, that You hear me every time I pray. Even though I have daily needs that I bring to You, help me to enter a deeper level of prayer. I pray that Your will would be done in my life and in the world around me, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

— 3 John 2 (NKJV)

Most women I know set and meet goals each day, such as “Buy the groceries. Do the laundry. Take the kids to school. Pick up Mom’s prescription. Get Mary’s birthday present.” We also set goals for each week and each year, such as getting to church every Sunday or going on a summer vacation. But how many women have this goal: “Work on getting my soul healthy”? It’s one of the most important of all.

A healthy soul is a soul at peace and at rest. It isn’t upset, worried, angry, ashamed, or fearful. It is strong and steady, full of love, joy, hope, compassion toward others, and confidence in God. It can handle the ups and downs of life appropriately and go through everyday life with ease.

As you read the description of a healthy soul, you may think, Oh, that sounds so nice! I would love that, but I just don’t think it’s possible because I am dealing with [fill in the blank]. When you fill in the blank, you may say “aging parents,” or “difficult teenagers,” or “a serious health condition,” or “job loss,” or “an abusive relationship,” or “losing my friends,” or “problems in my marriage,” or “financial trouble,” or “unreasonable stress at work.”

There are all kinds of situations that will cause you to think you really cannot have a healthy soul. They may mean you have to work hard to improve the health of your soul, but they don’t prohibit it. Actually, the fact that you are going through these things is not a hindrance to a healthy soul; it’s the reason you need one! The healthier your soul is, the stronger you will be and the better you will be able to handle your most challenging circumstances.

Just like you, I am no stranger to stress, but I have learned that things that upset us will happen. We don’t have control over that, but because God has given us the fruit of self-control (see Gal. 5:22–23) and because we can ask Him to help us, we do have control over the way we respond to them. I can guarantee you, based on personal experience, that it’s much better to face challenges with a healthy soul than with a weak or wounded one.

A healthy soul is a worthy goal for all of us. I understand that in many ways it’s easier to get the groceries or drop off the kids at school than to work on becoming healthy in your mind, will, and emotions. I also know it’s one of the best things you will ever do for yourself, and that God will help you do it. It may seem difficult to you, but all things are possible with Him!

Prayer of the Day: Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus and ask You to impress on my, the importance of healing my soul. Help me to do the work needed on myself, so that I can be all that You would have me be, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

— Exodus 3:11 (NIV)

When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land, Moses gave one excuse after another as to why he could not obey. All his excuses were rooted in fear. When Moses finally did take a step of faith, which manifested in obedience, he was used mightily by God.

What do you think of yourself? I encourage you to work with the Holy Spirit to see yourself the way God sees you—as a unique and powerful child of God. There is no power without confidence. Are you afraid God is not pleased with you? Do you regularly inventory all your faults, past failures, and weaknesses, and then feel weak like Moses did due to fear? If you do, then you are focusing on the wrong things. God gives us His power (grace) to enable us to do what is needed in spite of our weaknesses.

I experienced a lot of fear about myself, so if you are in that place right now, I can assure you that I know how you “feel.” But I am encouraging you to remember that your feelings don’t convey truth; only God’s Word does that. You may feel you are not what you are supposed to be, that you are strange or unusual, but the truth is we are all uniquely created by God for a special purpose and should learn how to enjoy ourselves.

I wasted some years trying to be like other people I knew, but I found that God won’t help us be anyone other than ourselves. Relax, learn to love yourself, and don’t be afraid that you won’t be able to do what you need to do. The truth is that none of us can do what we need to do without God’s help. If we look at only what we think we can do, we will all be frightened; but if we look at Jesus and focus on Him, He will give us the courage to go forward even in the presence of fear.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, I want to focus on the right things, rather than the wrong things. Please help me focus on Your Word and learn to love myself, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.

— 1 Corinthians 2:16 (AMPC)

In 1 Corinthians 2:16, we are told we have the mind of Christ. This statement overwhelms many people. If these were not the words of the Bible, they wouldn’t believe it. But Paul was not saying we’re perfect or we’ll never fail. He was telling us that we can think spiritual thoughts because Christ is alive within us. Thankfully, we no longer have to think the way we once did; we can begin to think as He does.

Another way to look at this is to point to the promise God spoke through Ezekiel: A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you… (Ezekiel 36:26–27 AMPC).

Your mind, heart, and spirit are new in Christ. You are growing spiritually and becoming more like Him each day—that’s something to be thankful for!

Prayer of the Day: Thank You, Father, that You have given me the mind of Christ. I no longer have to dwell on anxious, fearful, insecure thoughts. Because of Jesus, my mind is renewed, and I can think positive, joyful, faith-filled thoughts about my life, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”

— John 6:12 (NIV)

Just as the disciples had broken pieces left over after feeding the five thousand, I believe we all have broken pieces of our lives left over from pain (emotional or physical) we have experienced. I also believe that if we give those pieces of pain to God, He will find a good use for them in our lives. I was sexually abused by my father for many years, but God has used the story of my recovery to help countless others find freedom.

The Lord wants to use you and all your experiences in life. You may look at your past and think, I’ve wasted so many years, but they don’t have to be wasted if you will gather them up and release them to God for His use. He promises to give you beauty for ashes (see Isaiah 61:3), but you cannot keep the ashes and also get the beauty. Release your pain and the injustices in your life; release rejection, abandonment, and anything else that has hurt you; and start watching what God will do.

God works all things together for good to those who love Him and want His will in their lives (see Romans 8:28). Broken hearts can be mended, and broken relationships can be restored and work out for your good in the future. Stop running from the pain in your past. Take God’s hand and let Him walk you into freedom.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I offer You all the broken pieces of my life. I pray that You will not let them be wasted. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony….

— Revelation 12:11 (AMPC)

We will never have a testimony without having a test. Our faith must be tested to see if it is truly genuine or merely talk. God never tempts us to sin, but He will test our faith by allowing us to go through difficulty. We can actually become stronger in our faith during these times if we maintain an attitude of trusting God all the way through the challenge.

Trials are not fun for anyone, but we all have our share of them. Let’s pass our tests so we can have an amazing testimony that will glorify God. Stay strong, and remember, “This too will pass.”

Prayer of the Day: Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus and thank You for giving me the faith and endurance to pass my tests, face my trials head on, and to overcome the enemy today and every day, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

— James 1:2-3 (AMPC)

One of the mistakes many Christians make is that, when trials come, they pray for their troubles to stop. I believe that, instead, we need to pray for strength and endurance; we need to ask God to make us steadfast. If the enemy is aiming his best guns at us—doing everything he can to upset our lives, ruin our businesses, tear apart our families, or otherwise steal our peace—and we stay steadfast and patient, he will be exceedingly frustrated, and ultimately defeated, because we are not cooperating with him.

Philippians 1:28 (AMPC) says: And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God.

This verse encourages us not to be frightened or intimidated when the devil comes against us, but to remain steadfast. As we do, we not only show the devil that he cannot handle us, but we also demonstrate to the Lord that we have faith in Him. The fact that our actions affirm our trust in Him is God’s signal to release His power into our situations and deliver us. I believe God wants you to hear Him telling you to stand firm and not be afraid.

Prayer of the Day: Thank You, Father, for providing ways to defeat and frustrate the enemy. Help me to remain steadfast and positive so that I can ultimately win this battle, in Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Let the saints be joyful in the glory and beauty [which God confers upon them]; let them sing for joy upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their throats and a two-edged sword in their hands.

— Psalm 149:5-6 (AMPC)

We should form a habit of thanking and praising God as soon as we wake up each morning. While we are still lying in bed, let’s give thanks and fill our minds with Scripture.

Praise defeats the devil quicker than any other battle plan. Praise is an invisible garment that we put on and it protects us from defeat and negativity in our minds. But it must be genuine, heartfelt praise, not just lip service or a method being tried to see if it works. We praise God for the promises in His Word and for His goodness.

Worship is a battle position! As we worship God for Who He is and for His attributes, for His ability and might, we draw closer to Him, and the enemy is defeated. We can never be too thankful! Thank God all day long and remember the many things He has done for you.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I thank You that I can come to You in praise, worship, and thanksgiving all through the day. Help me to keep my heart focused on You instead of the circumstances around me. Thank You that through praise and worship, I will win every battle I face against the devil, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.

— 2 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV)

The enemy cannot hold you back if you are determined. You will have to be more determined than he is, but you can do it, because God is on your side. The enemy may oppose you fiercely, but you can defeat him and achieve your goals in life if you simply refuse to give up.

Some people become afraid at the thought that the enemy is against them, but there is no need to fear. God is on your side, and He always leads you in triumph.

To defeat the devil, take time regularly to seek God, study His Word, worship Him, and pray. Let your requests be made known to God, but don’t worry about the problem. Trust God to do battle on your behalf. The Word of God tells us that the battle is the Lord’s (see 2 Chronicles 20:15). If you refuse to give up, there is no way you can lose, because God is undefeated!

Prayer of the Day: Thank You, Father, that with Your help, I can defeat my giants, the enemy as long as I regularly seek You, study Your Word, pray and never give up, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!

— Psalm 91:1-2 (AMPC)

This Scripture holds the key to overcoming worry, anxiety, discouragement, disappointment, depression, despair, and disease. It is simply trusting God.

Perhaps you want to trust God, but it seems you just don’t know how. Trusting God requires knowing Him—knowing His character and having experience with Him. Going through trials with God by your side builds your faith.

So, when you face problems, you can choose trust or torment. Choose to trust God and dwell in the “secret place,” enjoying divine provision in the midst of attacks and walking through dark times in His presence.

Prayer of the Day: I am thankful for the joy and peace that only come from You. Today, I come to You with a childlike faith, trusting that You will take care of any problem in my life. Thank You, Father, that You are in control of my life, and my joy and peace are found in You.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!

— Psalm 91:1-2 (AMPC)

This Scripture holds the key to overcoming worry, anxiety, discouragement, disappointment, depression, despair, and disease. It is simply trusting God.

Perhaps you want to trust God, but it seems you just don’t know how. Trusting God requires knowing Him—knowing His character and having experience with Him. Going through trials with God by your side builds your faith.

So, when you face problems, you can choose trust or torment. Choose to trust God and dwell in the “secret place,” enjoying divine provision in the midst of attacks and walking through dark times in His presence.

Prayer of the Day: I am thankful for the joy and peace that only come from You. Today, I come to You with a childlike faith, trusting that You will take care of any problem in my life. Thank You, Father, that You are in control of my life, and my joy and peace are found in You.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

I am…being ardent and passionate for God just as all of you are today.

— Acts 22:3 (AMP)

Every human being wants to be free. We want to try new things, to be bold and fearless, to live an exciting, adventurous life.

We were created by God to have goals and to press toward them, and to dream of bigger and better things than what we have ever known. But fear and doubt can leave us frozen in place, unable to do much of anything except be idle and alone with our torment. As long as we become inactive every time we feel a doubt or have a sense of worry, we won’t live in confidence, and we’ll miss out on the exciting, adventurous life God has for us.

Please be assured that Jesus died not only for the forgiveness of your sins but also so that you might enjoy a passionate, fruitful, and powerful life in Him. Be determined to experience all that He died to give you.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I am so grateful for promises and instructions You give me in Your Word. As I hear Your voice and obey You today, help me to experience the confident, joy-filled, overcoming life Jesus came to give me—free from doubt and fear.

http://www.joycemeyer.org