And as for you, brethren, do not become weary or lose heart in doing right [but continue in well-doing without weakening].

— 2 Thessalonians 3:13

All of us must face and deal with disappointment at different times. No person alive has everything happen in life the way they want it to, in the way they expect.

When things don’t prosper or succeed according to our plan, the first emotion we feel is disappointment. This is normal. There is nothing wrong with feeling disappointed. But we must know what to do with that feeling, or it will move into something more serious.

In the world we cannot live without experiencing disappointment, but in Jesus we can always be given re-appointment!

The apostle Paul stated that one important lesson he had learned in life was to let go of what lay behind and press toward all that lay ahead! (See Philippians 3:13–14.)

When we get disappointed, then immediately get re-appointed, that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’re letting go of the causes for the disappointment and pressing toward what God has for us. We get a new vision, plan, idea, a fresh outlook, a new mind-set, and we change our focus to that. We decide to go on!

Prayer Starter: God, I know that every day is a brand-new start! We can let go of yesterday’s disappointments and give You a chance to do something wonderful for me today, amen.

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He who observes the wind [and waits for all conditions to be favorable] will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.

— Ecclesiastes 11:4 (AMPC)

How deeply can we trust others? How much of ourselves do we give to others, and how vulnerable are we to them? I suppose the answers to these questions are as varied as the different situations. But considering the questions is definitely food for thought. Those of us who have been hurt by trusting too much tend to pull back when we get into certain situations.

I was once involved with a group of women whom I dearly loved, but eventually I realized our relationship wasn’t healthy for them or for me. I had become too dependent on them, even placing a trust in them that belongs only to God. 

All of us know we’re supposed to place our ultimate trust only in the Lord. But sometimes we encounter individuals or groups who mean so much to us that we give too much of ourselves, or we allow them authority in our lives that belongs only to the Lord. When this happens, our lives are out of balance. And when we get out of balance, we open a door for the devil. 

The words from John’s gospel serve as an appropriate warning to us. He was speaking of the relationship Jesus had with His own beloved disciples. Jesus knew how much—and how little—He could trust even those who were closest to Him. He understood human nature, something all of us have. 

Jesus knew that we, too, would need discernment about trusting others, so He sent His Holy Spirit to guide us and to let us know who we could trust. In 1 Corinthians 12:10, the apostle Paul referred to the spiritual gift called the discerning of spirits, and in verse 31, he urged us to earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts…(AMPC). One of these “great gifts” is discernment, and it helps us distinguish between good and bad, not just bad. 

True spiritual discernment motivates us to pray when a problem is identified. A genuine problem being discerned by a genuine gift will follow the scriptural plan for dealing with it, not fleshly ways that only exaggerate the problem. As we walk closely with God and ask for His guidance, the Spirit will provide it. 

As I mentioned earlier, some seem to have the “gift” of suspicion, and it comes out of an unrenewed mind. Discernment, on the other hand, is the fruit of a renewed spirit.

The book of Acts provides a good example of the discernment and trust issue. The Scriptures describe a couple named Ananias and Sapphira, who were members of the first church in Jerusalem. In those days, believers sold their possessions and shared them with others. This couple sold some land, kept part of the money, and brought the remainder to Peter. That was alright because it was their money. But only giving part of the money and then leading Peter to believe it was all they had earned from the sale of their property was not all right. 

But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart that you should lie to and attempt to deceive the Holy Spirit and should [in violation of your promise] withdraw secretly and appropriate to your own use part of the price from the sale of the land (Acts 5:3 AMPC). Peter pointed out that it was their land and their money. Their sin was in giving only part of the money and claiming it was everything. You have not [simply] lied to men [playing false and showing yourself utterly deceitful] but to God (v. 4b AMPC). 

Both the husband and wife died for that deception. As terrible as that story is, it shows us clearly that the Holy Spirit knows our hearts. And it also shows us that the Spirit can show the intent of our hearts to faithful, committed servants such as Peter through discernment. God wants us to love and trust others, but we need discernment to guide us. There is a line where our trust and commitment must be reserved only for the Lord. When we give that trust to others, not only will we be disappointed for no human can live up to our expectations, but we disappoint God.

So don’t make that mistake. It is wise to use discernment in loving and trusting others, but you will never go wrong by loving and trusting God completely.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I trust You, but I want to trust You even more. When I’m tempted to give the trust to others that only You deserve, please help me to be true to You. Help me, through Jesus Christ, to be sensitive to the leading of Your Holy Spirit, amen.

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And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled.

— Mark 4:37 (AMPC)

Not all storms are in the forecast. I once started a four-session teaching seminar, and after the first session, I noticed I had a sore throat. Each session it got worse, and by the final one I sounded like a squeaky mouse! Having very little voice power and facing a few thousand people who have come to hear you speak is not fun.

Things don’t always work out the way we would like them to, but it is during those times that we need to continue trusting God and believe that He will work good out of our difficulty. I was teaching on the topic “Running Our Race and Finishing Strong,” which is rather humorous if you think about it! I decided to squeak through the final message, and it turned out better than it would have if I had been completely well.

Don’t get distracted by the storms of life. Stay focused and do what you need to do whether it is easy or difficult. The more we use our faith, the stronger it will become!

Prayer Starter: Father, I thank You for Your strength in my weakness. When stormy circumstances come, help me stay focused on You and Your will for me.

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His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises…

— 2 Peter 1:3–4 (ESV)

The apostle Peter teaches us that God’s power provides us with everything we need to live and enjoy a godly life, and He has granted us all His promises. This means that everything you need for the healing and strengthening of your soul is available to you in Him. Everything you need to live the great life God has planned for you is already yours. You may be wondering how that is possible, especially if you feel like you are still struggling and there is so much you still need.

The way to access what God has provided for you is through the knowledge of God that comes from personal relationship with Him. Growing in personal relationship with Him means taking responsibility for your spiritual maturity through studying God’s Word, spending time with Him in prayer and worship, and following the leading of the Holy Spirit. No one can build a relationship with God for you. People can tell you about God, but you can only come to know Him in an intimate way if you invest your time and energy in your relationship with Him.

God has provided everything you need through His Son. On the cross, Jesus purchased not only eternal life, but also forgiveness from sin, deliverance, healing, provision, mercy, compassion, hope, power, comfort, peace with God, and countless other benefits. These are powerful and have multifaceted gifts. When you are in relationship with Jesus as your Lord and Savior, everything that is His is also yours. You sever yourself from your old life and enter into new life with Him (see 2 Cor. 5:17). The apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20 (ESV), I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Enjoying a new life in Christ is a process. Little by little, you exchange what you had and who you were for what Jesus offers you and who He is. As you invest time studying God’s Word, you are changed into His image from glory to glory (see 2 Cor. 3:18).

There is nothing you could ever need that Jesus has not purchased with His sacrifice or that God has not provided. Notice that 2 Peter 1:3 (ESV) says He has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. That means every single thing. Whatever you need today, God has it for you, and you will find it in relationship with Him.

Prayer Starter: Thank you, Lord, for giving me the tools to have a great day and a great life, because I have been made new through You! In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.

— Galatians 5:26 (AMPC)

In Galatians 6:4 the apostle Paul exhorts you to grow in the Lord until you come to the point you can have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable in itself alone without resorting to boastful comparison with other people.

Thank God, once you know who you are in Christ, you are set free from the stress of comparison and competition. You know you have worth and value apart from your works and accomplishments. Therefore, you can do your best to glorify God, rather than just trying to be better than someone else. What a glorious, wonderful freedom to be secure in Christ and not have to be controlled by strife, envy or jealousy.

You can be who God created you to be and enjoy the freedom of seeing yourself the way Christ sees you! He loves you that much and He doesn’t make mistakes!

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for loving me just the way I am. Help me to see myself the way you see me – made right through Your Blood! In Jesus’ name, amen.

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For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

— 2 TIMOTHY 1:7 (AMPC)

We have all been given twenty-four hours in each day. It is important how we use that time—how we regulate the different areas of our lives to keep them in proper perspective. If we have too much work and not enough rest, we get out of balance. We become workaholics and end up weary and worn-out.

I get a lot of satisfaction out of accomplishments and work. I don’t like a lot of wasted time or useless activities. But because of my nature, it is easy for me to get out of balance in the area of work. I have to regularly determine that I will not only work but also rest. It must be a priority for me to be healthy and close to God.

But it is also possible to have too much rest and not enough work. Solomon says that through …idleness of the hands the house leaks (Ecclesiastes 10:18 AMPC). In other words, people who don’t work enough end up in trouble. Their finances, spiritual life, possessions, bodies, and everything else suffer because they don’t do the work necessary to keep things in order.

Ask God to help you have a healthy and proper balance of work and rest. Take time to accomplish the tasks before you but be sure to seize your opportunities to be at peace and enjoy rest. Both are important. Balance is the key!

Prayer Starter: God, please show me how to bring balance to my life between work and rest, one step at a time. Amen.

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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)

Worrying does us absolutely no good. It doesn’t change anything, and we waste time by being upset over things we can’t do anything about. The Bible says we can’t even add one inch to our height by worrying. Yet we often worry, worry, worry, which gets us nowhere. 

Every time we get upset, it takes a lot of emotional energy, tires us out, can harm our health, steals our joy, and still doesn’t change one thing. We need to stop trying to fix things only God can fix. 

Jesus essentially tells us to calm down (see John 14:27) and cheer up (see John 16:33). I believe these two things combined serve as a one-two knockout punch to the devil. When you realize you can’t fix everything, you calm down; and when you know God can, you cheer up! 

Refuse to worry; worrying doesn’t change a thing.

Prayer Starter: Lord, please help me to give everything to You that I’m worried about! In Jesus’ name, amen.

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For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

— Proverbs 2:6 (AMPC)

God wants us to use wisdom, and wisdom encourages patience. Wisdom says, “Wait a little while, until the emotions settle down, before you do or say something; then check to see if you really believe it’s the right thing to do.” Wisdom is grateful for what you already have and patiently moves into what God has for you next.

Emotions urge us toward haste, telling us that we must do something and do it right now! But godly wisdom tells us to be patient and wait until we have a clear picture of what we are to do and when we are to do it. We need to be able to step back from our situations and see them from God’s perspective. Then we can make decisions based on what we know rather than on what we feel.

Prayer Starter: I thank You, Father, that patience is a fruit of the Spirit I can demonstrate in my life. With Your help, I am determined to make decisions today with wisdom and patience. Thank You for guiding me along the way.

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 For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good — whether apparent or not] keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit).

— 1 Peter 3:10 (AMPC)

Have you ever regretted something you said as soon as the words were out of your mouth? You can’t take back the words you speak to others—and words can damage relationships. The Bible says that if you can control your mouth, you can control your whole body (see James 3:2).  

Before you respond to people too quickly, stop and listen to what the Holy Spirit has to say about your situation. James taught, Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry (James 1:19 AMPC). Commit your mouth to God’s service today and use words that speak healing to others. When you do, you will begin to see an increase in your overall joy.  

Prayer Starter: God, thank You for your Word and for all the ways that You give me peace and help me fight the devil. Amen.

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Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek, inquire for, and crave peace and pursue (go after) it!

— Psalm 34:13-14 (AMPC)

“You really have the gift of gab,” one man told me many years ago, when I first started in the ministry. He had pointed out something that I already knew: God had given me “a ready tongue,” that is, I speak easily. Words are my tools. The Lord first gave me that gift, and then He called me into the ministry to use that ability to work for Him.

I have no trouble talking. That’s my gift; that’s also been my greatest problem. Because I seem to always have something to say, I have struggled many, many years over the right use of my tongue. 

It has not been an easy battle. 

Over the years, I’ve heard various people saying things like, “Hold your tongue.” “Do you have to speak every word that comes to your mind?” “Do you always speak first and think later?” “Must you sound so harsh?” Had I truly listened to what people were saying, I might have realized that God was trying to tell me something. But I ignored their comments and continued in my own stubborn ways. 

I know I have wounded people with my words in the past, and I am sorry for that. I’m also grateful that God has forgiven me. 

Several years ago, I realized that if God was going to use my life, I had to gain control of my tongue not to just stop talking, but to keep my tongue from evil, and my lips from speaking deceit, as the psalmist David says. 

I had a choice. I could hurt people with my words, or I could bring my lips into subjection to God. Obviously, I wanted to be subject to the Lord, but it was still a battle. 

Our words are expressions of what’s going on in our hearts. If we want to know who a person really is, all we need to do is listen to their words. If we listen long enough, we learn a lot about them. 

As I learned to listen to my own words, I also began to learn a lot about myself. Some of the things I learned did not please me, but they did help me realize that I had a character flaw that needed to be addressed. My words were not pleasing God, and I wanted them to. Once I confessed my failure to God, the victory came—not all at once and not perfectly, but God is patient with me. I’m growing, and part of my growth is keeping my lips from evil. 

No matter how negative you are or have been, or how long you’ve been that way, God wants to change you. In the early days after my confession to God, I still failed more often than I succeeded, but every time I did succeed, I knew I was closer to God’s plan for my life. God can do the same for you. 

It won’t be easy, but you can win. And the effort will be worth it.

Prayer Starter: Lord, help me use my mouth for right things. Put a watch over my mouth lest I sin against You with my tongue. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You. I ask it in Jesus’ wonderful name, amen. 

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The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they might have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

— John 10:10 (AMPC)

I have a few questions for you. Are you enjoying your life? Are you generally happy and satisfied with who you are and what you do each day? Do you take time to appreciate the everyday experiences that make life rich and rewarding? Or do you race through each day to get to the next one? Do you take breaks and find things to laugh about on a regular basis, or do you allow the pressures of your responsibilities to carve a frown on your face as you keep your nose to the grindstone? 

God wants you to be happy today and every day. He doesn’t want you to merely exist, but to enjoy being alive. In fact, we know from today’s scripture that Jesus did not come to us simply to give us physical life, or to give us just enough to get through life’s challenges and difficulties. He came to impart to us true life and authentic happiness—the rich, deep, joy-filled life God intends for us, the kind of life that is in abundance, to the full, until it overflows.

I challenge you to go to a whole new level of enjoyment in your daily life. Don’t wait for a special occasion to enjoy life. Enjoy it moment by moment, day by day. Learn to be happy in ordinary experiences such as waiting in traffic or doing the dishes. You’ll find your level of joy steadily increasing in your life. Whatever your current level of happiness is, I invite you to step into greater joy. Live with more passion; laugh more; relax more; smile more; and simply enjoy more. 

Prayer Starter: Lord Jesus, I want to enjoy every day of my life. Help me experience a whole new level of Your joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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 And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness [piety].

— 2 Peter 1:6 (AMPC)

Jesus not only commanded you to not allow your heart to be troubled and afraid, He also said, Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled] (John 14:27 AMPC).

You can choose not to get upset. If you are around someone whose good opinion you value, it’s amazing how much easier it can be to control yourself. It’s much harder to stay calm when you’re around people you don’t have a need to impress.

When you start to get upset, remember only one thing will put an end to it. You have to stop it. You have to get hold of yourself and say, “No, I’m not getting upset.” You need to remember that everywhere you go, you are a witness for the One you serve and love.

Prayer Starter: Lord, thank You for loving me and setting me free from fear. Because of You, I no longer need to get upset. Help me to stay calm. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry. For man’s anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires].

— James 1:19 –20 (AMPC)

In these verses, God is telling us to listen more than we talk. Think about it: If God wanted us to be quick to speak and slow to listen, He would have created us with two mouths and only one ear!

God is also telling us not to easily get offended or angry. If you have a quick temper, start listening more and talking less. Slow is good. Read everything you can get your hands on about managing anger. Repeat over and over in your mind: I am quick to listen and slow to speak, slow to anger, and quick to forgive. Trust God to help you manage the feelings of anger. It is vitally necessary for you to be able to control this emotion if you want to enjoy the life God has in mind for you.

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow in anger and quick to forgive. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest…

— Matthew 11:28 (AMPC)

Much of the world is in a hurry, always rushing; yet very few people even know where they are going in life. People rush to get to yet another event that has no real meaning for them, or that they really don’t even want to attend. We hurry so much we finally come to the place where we cannot slow down.

I can remember the days when I worked so hard and hurried so much that even if I took a vacation, it was almost over by the time I geared down enough to actually rest. Constantly hurrying definitely inhibited me from having peace in my life, and it still can if I do not stay alert to its pressure. Life is too precious to rush through it.

I find at times that a day has gone by in a blur; at the conclusion of it, I know I was very busy all day yet cannot really remember enjoying much, if any, of it. I have committed to learn to do things in God’s rhythm, not the world’s pace.

Jesus was never in a hurry when He was here on earth, and God is absolutely not in a hurry now. Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven…(AMPC). We should let each thing in our lives have its season and realize we can enjoy that season without rushing into the next one.

Our pace of living affects the quality of our lives. When we eat too fast, we don’t properly digest our food; when we rush through life, we don’t properly digest it, either. God has given life to us as a gift, and what a pitiful shame to do nothing but rush through each day and never, as they say, “stop and smell the roses.” Each thing we do in life has a sweet fragrance, and we should learn to take it in and enjoy the aroma.

Are you in a hurry? If you want to be at peace with yourself and enjoy life, you must stop rushing all the time. Trust God to give you the grace, the energy, and the time to do everything you need to do at a pace that allows you to enjoy the journey.

Prayer Starter: Father God, help me to slow down and enjoy everything You have placed around me. Please give me the grace and the time do get the things done that are really important and enjoy every season of my life. In the name of Jesus, amen!

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Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of Your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

— Romans 12:2 (AMPC)

Paul used two interesting words in Romans 12:2. I asked a friend who is a Greek scholar to help me understand the difference between conform and transform. 

He told me the word, conform, referred to the outward form. For example, my outward form at age twenty was quite different from what I’ll look like at age seventy: The body changes, but it was more than that. He said the Greek word carried the idea of the changes we make according to the fashion that was in vogue at the time much like the way our culture goes today. One year, skirt hems are just above the ankle; another year, above the knee. Those things are constantly changing. 

The word Paul used for being transformed from the world refers to the essential part of ourselves, the part that doesn’t change. He was saying that if we want to worship and serve God, we must undergo a change but not only of our outward form. The change must be inward, and it involves our personality, our mind, and our essential being. 

Outward fashions may change, but inner purity is always in style. Romans 12:1, the verse that starts this chapter, exhorts us to present ourselves to God as a living sacrifice. Only Christians can do that. His words are not about becoming believers, but they are about living as believers. This scripture challenges us to present all our members to God for His use. That means our minds, mouths, wills, emotions, eyes, ears, hands, feet, et cetera. 

I must admit that for many years, I was active in the church, and I had accepted Jesus as my Savior. I knew I’d go to heaven, but I am not sure my daily witness would have encouraged anyone else to make a commitment to Jesus Christ. I had no victory, and I wasn’t even aware for a long time that I needed victory. I guess I thought life was being miserable all week and going to church on Sunday, hoping God would forgive me for not being a good person. 

God changed that for me. He helped me understand through His Word that He not only sent Jesus to die for us so we could go to heaven, but also so we could live victoriously right here on earth. We are more than conquerors (see Romans 8:37), and our life should include righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (see Romans 14:17).

If we want to see God’s perfect will proven in our lives, we have to have our minds transformed. We have to think different thoughts and look at life differently. We must have disciplined minds. We must begin to think in agreement with God’s Word and not the devil’s lies. 

Although God has a different plan for each one of us, one thing is the same: We are to have minds that are inwardly transformed. If our minds are transformed by the Holy Spirit, we will act differently. I know I did. Church became a place for me to celebrate and to learn with my brothers and sisters in the Christ. I began to understand worship, and I became a participant rather than someone who simply went through the motions. 

Does your life need to be transformed? Start by being willing to think right thoughts, and then you’ll see the change in yourself… and so will others around you.

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit of God, please help me live a life that’s transformed by the renewing of my mind. Help me live a life that shows Your perfect will, not only to me but also to the world. I ask this through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of Your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

— Romans 12:2 (AMPC)

Paul used two interesting words in Romans 12:2. I asked a friend who is a Greek scholar to help me understand the difference between conform and transform. 

He told me the word, conform, referred to the outward form. For example, my outward form at age twenty was quite different from what I’ll look like at age seventy: The body changes, but it was more than that. He said the Greek word carried the idea of the changes we make according to the fashion that was in vogue at the time much like the way our culture goes today. One year, skirt hems are just above the ankle; another year, above the knee. Those things are constantly changing. 

The word Paul used for being transformed from the world refers to the essential part of ourselves, the part that doesn’t change. He was saying that if we want to worship and serve God, we must undergo a change but not only of our outward form. The change must be inward, and it involves our personality, our mind, and our essential being. 

Outward fashions may change, but inner purity is always in style. Romans 12:1, the verse that starts this chapter, exhorts us to present ourselves to God as a living sacrifice. Only Christians can do that. His words are not about becoming believers, but they are about living as believers. This scripture challenges us to present all our members to God for His use. That means our minds, mouths, wills, emotions, eyes, ears, hands, feet, et cetera. 

I must admit that for many years, I was active in the church, and I had accepted Jesus as my Savior. I knew I’d go to heaven, but I am not sure my daily witness would have encouraged anyone else to make a commitment to Jesus Christ. I had no victory, and I wasn’t even aware for a long time that I needed victory. I guess I thought life was being miserable all week and going to church on Sunday, hoping God would forgive me for not being a good person. 

God changed that for me. He helped me understand through His Word that He not only sent Jesus to die for us so we could go to heaven, but also so we could live victoriously right here on earth. We are more than conquerors (see Romans 8:37), and our life should include righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (see Romans 14:17).

If we want to see God’s perfect will proven in our lives, we have to have our minds transformed. We have to think different thoughts and look at life differently. We must have disciplined minds. We must begin to think in agreement with God’s Word and not the devil’s lies. 

Although God has a different plan for each one of us, one thing is the same: We are to have minds that are inwardly transformed. If our minds are transformed by the Holy Spirit, we will act differently. I know I did. Church became a place for me to celebrate and to learn with my brothers and sisters in the Christ. I began to understand worship, and I became a participant rather than someone who simply went through the motions. 

Does your life need to be transformed? Start by being willing to think right thoughts, and then you’ll see the change in yourself… and so will others around you.

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit of God, please help me live a life that’s transformed by the renewing of my mind. Help me live a life that shows Your perfect will, not only to me but also to the world. I ask this through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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.

God never intended for you to worry! In fact, when the circumstances of life begin to overwhelm you or when feelings of dread attack your mind, the Lord wants you to pray and release your burdens to Him.

Spend time studying the Word. It’s literally full of ways to help you fight the temptation to worry.

Prayer Starter: God, thank You for your Word and for all the ways that You give me peace and help me fight the devil. Amen.

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 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

— Proverbs 13:12 (AMPC)

I define hope as “the happy anticipation of good things.” You can hope for something good to happen to you by learning how to celebrate and enjoy life.

Everything in life is a process in motion. Without movement and progression there is no life. As long as you live you are always heading somewhere, and you should enjoy yourself on the way. God created you to be a goal-oriented visionary. Without a vision you become bored and hopeless.

But there’s something about hope that makes people lighthearted and happy. Hope is a powerful spiritual force that is activated through your positive attitude. God is positive and He wants positive things to happen to you, but that probably won’t happen unless you have hope and faith.

God to bring good out of every circumstance in your life. Whatever happens, trust in the Lord . . . and trust in the power of hope!

Prayer Starter: Lord, thank You for hope. Thank you for Your presence in my life. I know I can put all my trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

— 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

It’s so amazing to realize that when we give our lives to Christ, He takes us just as we are and in exchange, gives us His nature, making us a new creation. It’s just the beginning of a lifelong journey we take with Him to become everything God created us to be.

In this process, God doesn’t give us a list of rules to follow and then stand on the sidelines watching us fail, but He gives us a new heart and then helps us do all that He has given us a desire to do.

We can learn to depend entirely on Jesus to give us right standing with God and to help us do what is right in His sight. We can form the habit of leaning on God in all things.

The cardinal guideline for the Christian who wants to be what God wants him to be is, Apart from Me… you can do nothing (John 15:5 AMP). Abide in Christ as the branch abides in the vine, continually receiving new life that produces new growth.

Prayer Starter: Lord, help me see myself the way You see me, as a new creature in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

— 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

Have you ever walked into a store before with something to exchange? Maybe it was an article of clothing that you decided you didn’t like, a pair of shoes that were uncomfortable, or a gadget that didn’t do what you’d expected. You entered the store with something that didn’t work for you, exchanged it, and left with something that did work for you. You had to trade what was not effective for something that was.

The same principle applies to your thinking. If you exchange your “I can’t” thoughts for “I can” thoughts, you will see remarkable changes begin to happen. If you build into your character the thought that, with God’s help, you can do whatever you need to do in life, you will have more zeal and enthusiasm about facing every day. I have found that I even have more physical energy when I think “I can” thoughts. It helps me to not dread anything, because dread is an energy drainer.

It’s never too late to begin saying, “I can.” Say things like: “My marriage has problems, but it can work”; “My house is a mess, but I can clean it so it will bring me joy and relaxation when I come home from work”; “I can get out of debt”; “I will own a home or have a new car”; or, “I have some problems right now, but I can still enjoy my life.”

Some of the challenges you face may be very difficult ones; however, God never allows more to come on us than we can bear. With every temptation, He always provides a way out. I challenge and encourage you right now to consistently believe you can do anything that comes your way, with God’s help.

Trust in Him Which “I can’t” belief in your life do you need to exchange for an “I can”? Trust God to not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability and to always provide a way out.

Prayer Starter: Lord God, I know that with Your help, I can exchange my negatives for positive, and I can do all things through You, In Jesus’ name, amen.

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