Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks]….

— 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (AMPC)

Just as the food we eat turns into energy for our bodies, gratitude is the fuel for joy. Ungrateful people only see and focus on what they do not have. Therefore, they are never able to be joyful in what they do have. One of the best habits you can develop is to begin each day with true gratitude. Be specific and thank God and people (when appropriate) for the blessings they provide. What are you thankful for? God tells us to be thankful and say so (Psalm 100:4 AMPC).

It is easy to find fault with your place of employment, but why not thank God and your employer for giving you a job instead? It is also easy to find fault with the people in our lives, and most of us are quite willing to voice our feelings. But I have found that my joy increases when I purpose to find the things I appreciate and love about the people in my life and consider the blessings I would miss if those people were not part of my life.

Do you desire greater joy? If so, I encourage you to increase your gratitude, and it will turn into joy.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I have so much to be thankful for. Help me remember to be grateful and say so to You every single day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

 ..Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God?

— John 11:40 (AMPC)

What we believe is our choice. God desires that we not only believe that He exists, but that we believe His Word. Trusting God to fulfill His promises will bring you into a state of rest. Those who have believed do enter the rest of God, according to Hebrews 4:3. When I am frustrated, worried, fearful, or upset in any way, I can always trace the problem back to wrong believing.

I keep a sign in my office that simply says “Believe.” It reminds me to examine my heart and mind and be sure that I am placing my trust in God at all times. Joy and peace are found in believing (see Romans 15:13). Jesus said that if we would just believe, we would see His glory, which is the manifestation of His excellence in our lives. I am sure that you want to see the best that God has for you manifested in your life, as I do in mine.

If God instructs you to do (or not to do) something, believe and obey! When God states in His Word that He will take care of you and meet all your needs, believe it! Believe before you see. In God’s kingdom economy, we always believe first and then we see the result of our believing. Right believing leads to right living! Right believing leads to a life of peace, joy, and fulfillment! My message to you today is very simple: Believe!

Prayer of the Day: Father, I know that all of Your ways are right and just. I believe Your Word is true, and I ask You to help me believe it at all times. Remind me to believe when I am starting to doubt and help me walk in faith always!

http://www.joycemeyer.org

But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.

— 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (AMPC)

Hearing from God clearly and avoiding the possibility of deception only comes from spending regular time with Him, learning Word. Listening for God’s voice without having knowledge of His Word is a mistake. Knowing God’s written Word protects us from deception. Trying to hear from God without knowing His Word is irresponsible and even dangerous. People who want to be led by the Spirit but are too lazy to spend time in the Word and in prayer set themselves up for deception because evil spirits are eager to whisper to listening ears. The devil tried to say things to Jesus, and He always replied, “It is written,” and then quoted Scripture to refute the lies of the enemy (see Luke 4). Some people only seek God when they are in trouble and need help. But if they are not used to hearing from God, they will find recognizing His voice difficult when they really need Him.

We need to compare any idea, prompting, or thought that comes to us with God’s Word. If we don’t know the Word, we won’t have anything against which to measure theories and arguments that rise up in our thoughts. The enemy can present wild ideas that make sense to us. The fact that thoughts are logical doesn’t mean they are from God. We may like what we hear, but the fact that something appeals to us doesn’t mean it is from God. We may hear something that feels good to our emotions, but if it fails to give us peace it is not from God. God’s advice to us is to always follow peace and let it be an umpire in our lives (see Colossians 3:15).

Prayer of the Day: Father, I am so thankful for the promises and instruction that I find in Your Word. Today, I choose to live a thankful life simply because You instruct me to in the Word of God. I will act in obedience, and I believe that Your Word teaches me the best way to live.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.

— Proverbs 4:20-22 (NIV)

God’s Words are life to us, and they bring healing to every area of our life, including our inner life (soul). His Word is actually medicine for a wounded soul. Just as there are different types of medicines available for various disease and wounds of the physical body, God’s Word is medicine that heals our minds, emotions, wills, attitudes, consciences, and behaviors. It has a positive effect on our joy, peace, and confidence. It can cure fear, insecurity, and negativity.

Just as we get a prescription from the doctor and patiently take our medicine as often as we are supposed to, and get it refilled when we need to, we should look at God’s Word in the same way. For example, if we are fearful, there are countless scriptures that will help us deal with fear, or if we are worried or anxious, we may turn to Scripture and find help. I am convinced that we do not have a problem for which God’s Word doesn’t have an answer.

Bible study may sound daunting to you, and if so, I recommend that you either join a Bible study group in which the scripture is being explained or find a pastor or Bible teacher who is very practical in their teaching and makes God’s Word applicable to your everyday life. Don’t simply say, “I try to read the Bible and I don’t understand it.” Be determined to find a way to understand it and begin by asking the Holy Spirit to help you learn something each time you open the Scripture to read it. After more than 40 years I still do that each morning when I study. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher.

One of the things that helped me a lot was reading good Bible-based books in any area in which I needed help. I read books on rejection, shame, guilt, fear, worry, and emotional healing. Learn to study in the areas where you need help rather than just randomly opening the Bible and reading something in order to check your Bible reading off your list for the day.

Wounded, dysfunctional people have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to go into treatment centers, or for professional counseling. Let me quickly add that both may be very good. But sometimes those same people won’t pay $25 for a Bible-based book from a Christian author or a small fee to attend a Christian conference that could be life-changing for them.

If you are serious about having a wounded soul healed, then you will need to develop a love for God’s Word. See it for what it is! It is not merely words in black ink on white pages. It is life, healing, strength, courage, and anything else you need.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I thank You that Your Word is my strength and that it is a good medicine for my spirit, soul and body. Thank You for being my Teacher. Help me to relax and enjoy the life Jesus died to give me, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams].

— Ephesians 3:20 (AMPC)

When the things we are facing in our lives loom so big in our eyes that our mind goes “tilt,” we need to think in the spirit. In the natural, many things are impossible. But in the supernatural, spiritual realm, with God nothing is impossible. God wants us to believe for great things, make big plans, and expect Him to do things so great it leaves us with our mouths hanging open in awe. James 4:2 tells us we have not because we ask not! We can be bold in our asking.

Sometimes in my meetings people will approach the altar for prayer and sheepishly ask if they can request two things. I tell them they can ask God for all they want to, as long as they trust Him to do it His way, in His timing.

When you pray, do it standing up on the inside. What I mean is, do it respectfully, yet aggressively and boldly. Recall that God said He is the Almighty God (Genesis 17:1); in other words, “more than enough.”

Prayer of the Day: Thank You, Jesus, that You always make a way, even when there seems to be no way. I respectfully and boldly reach out to You and pray, standing up, and ask You to bless my day and help me with everything I attempt today, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

I have discovered that being confident in who God created us to be is a key to living the joy-filled, overcoming life Jesus died to give us.

The devil is constantly trying to introduce thoughts into our heads to make us lose our confidence. The mind is the battlefield, and the devil lies to us through wrong thinking. He tries to tell us we aren’t good enough; we’ve made too many mistakes; God is angry with us—any thought that would make us doubt the love God has for us. If we meditate on those wrong thoughts, our confidence begins to fade.

The key to winning the battle of the mind is to fight against the lies of the enemy with the truth of God’s Word. You don’t have to dwell on wrong thoughts; instead, you can believe the promises of God and boldly declare those promises over your life.

I encourage you to confidently declare what the Word of God says about you, such as: “I am more than a conqueror through Jesus (see Romans 8:37). I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me (see Philippians 4:13). I am triumphant in every situation because God always causes me to triumph (see 2 Corinthians 2:14).”

Prayer of the Day: Father, thank You for Your Word. Thank You that I can boldly declare in Faith who I am in Christ, that I have authority over the enemy and can recognize his lies. I know Your Truth always triumphs, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Like a city that is broken down and without walls [leaving it unprotected] is a man who has no self-control over his spirit [and sets himself up for trouble].

— Proverbs 25:28 (AMP)

People often say that they have no self-control, but if they are Christians, that is not accurate. God has given us the power and ability to control our thoughts, words, and actions. We are not to try to control other people, and we cannot control all of the circumstances in our lives, but we can control ourselves.

Self-control is actually a fruit of the Spirit-led life (see Galatians 5:22–23). If you have a tendency to want to control the people and circumstances in your life, ask God to help you control yourself instead. The more we exercise self-control, the easier it will become to do it.

When a circumstance is unpleasant or even downright painful, exercise self-control. Pray right away, asking God to help you control yourself and have a godly response to the situation rather than an emotional one.

Prayer of the Day: Father, please give me Your grace to live a life of discipline and self-control—one that is guided by Your Holy Spirit instead of my own fleshly desires.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Therefore, you are no longer a slave (bond servant) but a son; and if a son, then [it follows that you are] an heir by the aid of God, through Christ.

— Galatians 4:7 (AMPC)

As a Christian, you believe Jesus died for your sins and that when you die you will go to heaven because you believe in Him. But there is more to our redemption than that. There is a life of victory God wants for you now.

It is impossible to live victoriously on this earth without understanding your rightful authority and dominion over the devil and all his works. Your position “in Christ” is one of being seated at the right hand of the Lord God Omnipotent.

God wants to restore you to the place of authority that is yours. He has already made all the arrangements; you might say He has “sealed the deal.” The purchase price has been paid in full. You have been bought by the precious blood of Jesus.

Prayer of the Day: Thank You, Father, that for helping to understand my rightful authority and dominion I have over the enemy and all his works, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

— Philippians 4:6 (AMPC)

I highly recommend speaking the Word of God when a “worry attack” comes upon you. Doing this is what it means to wield the two-edged sword against the enemy (see Hebrews 4:12 and Ephesians 6:17). A sword in its sheath won’t do any good during an attack; God has given us the sword of His Word so we can use it! Learn scriptures like Philippians 4:6, and when the enemy attacks, counter his attack with the same weapon that Jesus used: the Word.

The Word coming from a believer’s mouth, with faith to back it up, is the single most effective weapon that can be used to win the war against worry and anxiety.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I choose to trust Your Word and walk in peace today. Grant me the grace not to worry or have any anxiety about anything, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step].

— Psalm 37:23 (AMPC)

God has a good plan for our lives, but sometimes obstacles get in the way that keep us from taking the steps He’s leading us to take. If there is an area of your life where you are facing fear or anxiety, decide to give it to God and receive His grace to enable you to have faith in that area so you can keep moving forward.

Read, study, and meditate on God’s Word about being free from fear and secure in Him. His Word will renew your mind, and fear will turn to faith and courage. Take the steps of faith that God leads you to take even though you might still feel some fear, and as you go forward you will begin to sense more and more freedom.

For example, if you would love to apply for a position that would be a promotion in your company, but you’ve felt too fearful to do so, step out and try it. Even if you don’t get the position, you will have been successful in stepping out in faith, and that is the most important thing. Remember that God is always with you, and as you follow His lead, He delights in your way and busies Himself with your every step!

Prayer of the Day: Father, forgive me for the time I have wasted being fearful and fretting over things that I cannot change. Right now, I say no to worry and fear. Thank You for helping me!

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

— 1 Peter 5:7 (AMPC)

Worrying is totally useless. I was a worrier, so I know what a stronghold it can become in our lives. I also know that it is a bad habit that is not easily broken, but since all things are possible with God, then it is possible for us to live free from worry, anxiety, and fear. If you are willing to give up worrying, then you will be able to enter into an attitude of celebration. You can trust God and enjoy life while He solves your problems.

Nothing is outside of God’s control, so in reality there is nothing to worry about. When we begin to look at worry in a realistic manner, we see how totally useless it is. Our minds revolve endlessly around and around a problem, searching for answers that only God has. We may ponder a thing and ask God for wisdom, but we do not have God’s permission to worry. Pondering a thing in God is peaceful but worrying can be torment. When we worry, we torment ourselves! We can pray and ask God to help us not to worry, but ultimately, we must choose to put our thoughts on something other than our problems. A refusal to worry is proof that we trust God and it releases Him to go to work on our behalf.

I wonder how much of our mental time is spent worrying, reasoning, and fearing—possibly more than is spent on anything else. Instead of meditating on our problems, let’s choose to meditate on the “alls” of God. He says you can cast …[all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you… . (1 Peter 5:7 AMPC). Let us realize how unlimited His power is and trust Him to do what we cannot do.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I choose to trust You instead of worrying about trouble- some situations. Help me release all my worries and concerns and give them to You. I believe You love me and want to take care of me, and I am grateful.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life?

— Matthew 6:27 (AMPC)

It is one thing to know that we should not worry, but it is quite another to be thankful for that truth and then actually stop worrying. One of the things that helped me let go of worry was finally realizing how utterly useless it is. Let me ask you: How many problems have you solved by worrying? Has anything ever gotten any better as a result of you worrying about it? Of course not.

The instant you begin to worry or feel anxious, give your concern to God in prayer. Release the weight of it and totally trust Him to either show you what to do or to take care of it Himself. Prayer is a powerful force against worry. I’m reminded of an old gospel chorus called “Why Worry When You Can Pray?” When you’re under pressure, it’s always best to pray about your need instead of fretting or complaining about it.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I thank You that I don’t have to live a life full of worry. I thank You that I can come to You in prayer the moment I begin to worry about something, and I can cast my care on You. Help me make the wise choice to stop worrying and start trusting You today.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

For You make him to be blessed and a blessing forever; You make him exceedingly glad with the joy of Your presence.

— Psalm 21:6 (AMPC)

It is a learning process to keep the devil from stealing your joy, because he constantly tempts you in new ways to lose your peace. If Satan gets your peace, then he will get your joy. Be strong and resist his temptation to make you worry.

The Word says that God gives riches and possessions, and the power to enjoy them. To accept our appointed lot and to rejoice in our work is the gift of God. For he shall not much remember [seriously] the days of his life, because God [Himself] answers and corresponds to the joy of his heart [the tranquility of God is mirrored in him] (Ecclesiastes 5:19–20 AMPC). Determine that from this day forward you will do everything you can to keep your peace and enjoy your life.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I love You very much, and I want to enjoy peace of mind. I know that worry is useless, but I often do it and I am sorry. Work with me and teach me how to trust You enough to enjoy Your peace at all times, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

In the morning, when they were passing along, they noticed that the fig tree was withered [completely] away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to Him, Master, look! The fig tree which You doomed has withered away! And Jesus, replying, said to them, Have faith in God [constantly]. Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].

— Mark 11:20-24 (AMPC)

When you say the words, “I wonder,” they sound innocent and honest. They also represent the way we avoid certainty in making decisions.

Suppose you’re the CEO of a business. Every day 20 people come to your office and ask you to make decisions. Yours is the final answer on everything that goes on in the corporation. Instead of giving decisive answers, you rub your chin, stare out the window, and say, “I wonder what we should do about that?”

An indecisive CEO wouldn’t stay in that position very long. The position is much too important to the overall success and wellbeing of the organization and all who are associated with it. You are not in that position to wonder—you’re there to act.

Too many of us forget that this is the way it is with the Christian life, as well. Too often, instead of choosing what we need to do, we avoid facing the situation and say, “I wonder.”

I know because I’ve done it. In times past, when I’ve been invited to a party or to be the featured speaker at a banquet, I’ve said, “I wonder what I should wear.” It’s easy for me to waste a lot of time looking through my closet, considering the color and style, as I try to choose just the right outfit for a particular occasion.

This may seem like such a small thing—and it really is. The problem, however, is that if we allow enough of these “wonderings” in our lives, we not only fail to accomplish the things we need to do but wondering becomes the normal way our minds function. Being indecisive keeps us from moving forward and can eventually defeat us.

In the verses quoted earlier, the incident started with a fig tree that wasn’t bearing fruit. The disciples could have wasted time wondering about the particulars of why the tree didn’t bear fruit. They could have wondered if it hadn’t received enough sunlight or water. They might have wondered why the owner hadn’t cut it down since it wasn’t productive. But wasting time wondering really wasn’t necessary.

When Jesus spoke and doomed the tree, He put a stop to any mental speculation. He used the incident as an object lesson for the disciples, encouraging them to believe. He wanted them to understand that if they truly believed, they could have whatever they asked of Him.

Sometimes God’s people are reluctant to ask boldly for big things. But Jesus has given us permission to step out in faith and ask boldly. And yet some still waste time just wondering. They wonder what it would be like if God would give them a better job. They wonder what it would be like if God would give them a larger house.

I can tell you that wondering is a waste of time. So, stop wondering and start acting! That’s one of the most important things I’ve learned about the wondering mind. Rather than wondering what I should wear to a banquet, I look at my clothes and I decide. God gave me the ability to make wise choices, so I can just do it instead of wasting my time wondering.

Wondering and indecision can become strongholds in our minds that can leave us feeling confused, insecure, and ineffective. But that’s not God’s plan. He wants us to overcome the wondering thoughts by believing and then receiving the answer to our prayers from God, by faith.

Notice that Jesus did not say, “Whatever things you wonder when you pray, you will have.” Instead, He said, Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it] (Mark 11:24 AMPC).

Prayer of the Day: Lord Jesus, help me to overcome any wondering tendencies that keep me from moving forward in Your good plan. In Your name, I ask You to help me reach out in faith, boldly asking for what I need. Then help me to believe it and receive it, 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 (see 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 (see 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

— Proverbs 27:4 (NIV)

Jealousy and Envy

Jealousy is often referred to as the “green-eyed monster.” It is a monster because it devours the life of those who permit it in their hearts. God has a special, individualized plan for each of us. Being jealous of another person is pointless because no matter how much we wish it, we cannot ever have anyone else’s life. Neither can we have the specific aspect of their life that makes us jealous of them.

A jealous and envious person is never content, and God wants us to be content always, trusting that He is doing—and will continue to do—great things in our lives. Being jealous of what others have or can do prevents us from seeing the blessings in our own lives. Jealousy is not new; it has been around since people began to inhabit the earth. Early in the story of Genesis, Cain was jealous of Abel, and he murdered him because of it. In 1 Samuel, King Saul was so jealous of David that he continually tried to kill him, and at times the jealousy drove him mad. In addition, some of Jesus’ 12 disciples were jealous of one another, asking Him which of them was the greatest.

The Bible tells us that jealousy can even make us sick: A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones (Proverbs 14:30 NIV). Being jealous or envious is foolish and a total waste of time. Wisdom recommends that we live at peace, be content with what we have, and be thankful in all things.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I’m sorry for being jealous and envious of other people. You have blessed me, and I want to be very thankful for what You have done and are doing in my life. Help me in the future to resist jealousy in the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

To make it your ambition and definitely endeavor to live quietly and peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you.

— 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (AMPC)

We can save ourselves a great deal of mental anguish and trouble by learning to stay out of the affairs of other people. Most of us are too free with our advice and we often give it when the truth is that nobody really wants it.

God’s will for us is peace, and if we read the scripture quoted above, we find that peace and minding our own affairs are linked together. I am sure you are like me in that you have enough of your own affairs to tend to without getting involved in other people’s. Of course, if people ask for and truly want our advice or help, we should be ready to help them, but we should do so with an attitude of humility.

Most of us are quick to judge others who are not like us or who don’t make the decisions that we would, but it would help each of us to remember that God instructs us not to judge at a glance or superficially (see John 7:24). Only God truly knows people’s hearts and motives, and only He is qualified to judge righteously. When the Holy Spirit makes me aware that I am allowing judgmental thoughts to linger in my mind, I often say to myself, “Joyce, this is none of your business,” and I let it go. Ask God to help you mind your own business!

Prayer of the Day: Lord, I am sorry for all the times I have judged people and gotten into their affairs without being invited. Forgive me and help me mind my own business, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God’s favor) in which we safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope experiencing and enjoying the glory of God.

— Romans 5:2 (AMPC)

Did you know that as a believer in Christ, you have 24-7 access to Him?

Everything in our spiritual lives depends on our personal faith in God and our personal relationship with Him, which certainly includes being able to hear His voice. We can enjoy that relationship because Jesus’ death on the cross gives us free, unhindered access to our heavenly Father and our faith makes it possible for us to have an intimate, dynamic relationship with Him.

I love Ephesians 3:12 (AMPC) and have recently been studying it. It says: In Whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear). As I meditated on this scripture, I became quite excited to realize that as ordinary human beings we have free access to God at any time through prayer; we can hear His voice any time we want or need to. We can approach Him boldly without reservations, without fear, and with complete freedom. How awesome is that! Personal faith in God opens the door to unlimited help from Him and to unhindered communication with Him. Come to God with confidence that He loves you, desires your fellowship, and wants not only to hear from you, but He desires to talk to you.

Prayer of the Day: Father, thank You for being there for me all the time, whenever I need You. Thank You for allowing me open access, unhindered communication, and fellowship with You. I love You!

http://www.joycemeyer.org

I will clothe his enemies with shame, but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.

— Psalm 132:18 (NIV)

We all have enemies, and our natural instinct is to seek revenge against them. But God promises to deal with our enemies and bless us if we will wait on Him and not try to take matters into our own hands. In today’s scripture, God is speaking about David’s enemies and says He will clothe them with shame.

God tells us to forgive our enemies, to bless them, and to pray for them—and this is exactly what we should do. Just this week, someone hurt me and falsely accused me, and I have been praying for that person every day and sometimes twice a day. I would much rather have God’s justice than my own.

I encourage you to follow Jesus’ commands in this area. Love your enemies and do good to them (see Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27). Don’t stoop to their level by trying to get them back. God will be your Vindicator. He will defend you, bless you, and exalt you.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I want to live my life according to Your will. At times, it is hard for me to wait on You, especially in dealing with my enemies. Help me to obey You. Help me to forgive, bless, and pray for those who hurt me. Thank You.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

— Romans 8:37-39 (NIV)

What we all want more than anything else is to be loved and accepted unconditionally. If we have not received that by the time, we are teens or young adults, we have wounded souls and are unable to function the way God intended. He created us for love and acceptance, not abuse and rejection.

The good news is that if we did not get what we needed and should have had from the people in our past, we can get it from God now, and it will heal us. My father, who abused me, told me he loved me, but his kind of love hurt, so I grew up needing, but being afraid, of love. I didn’t trust people who said they loved me, and it was difficult for me even to learn to receive God’s love because I felt as if I were damaged and not worth being loved.

When I finally let God into my wounds, one of the first things He began teaching me was that He loved me unconditionally. I finally accepted that He loved me, but I still felt it must come with conditions, so I worked hard at being perfect so I could deserve His love. You may have experienced or perhaps are experiencing the same thing. If the people who were supposed to love us didn’t, then we are convinced there is something wrong with us that makes us unworthy of love. It actually took me a few years to become totally convinced of God’s love for me to the point where nobody and nothing could take it away from me.

This never-ending, perfect love of God is available to you and me, and it is the most wonderful thing we could ever have. God’s perfect love sets us free from fear (see 1 John 4:18). If you are anything like I was, you have many fears in your life, but you can be free from every one of them through learning to soak in God’s love on a regular basis. You may feel fear, but if you know God’s love, you won’t have to obey fear. You can move forward even if you feel fear because you know that no matter what, God will always be there for you. If you make a mistake, He will help you recover and keep moving forward.

God’s love is the healing balm we need for our wounded souls. Study Scriptures about God’s great love for you and learn to speak them aloud over your life. Before long, you will start believing the truth of God’s Word, and it will heal you.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I am so thankful for the healing balm of Your love and that You have given me an ability to love others. Let Your love flow through me today in ways that will help others, amen.

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