…He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. — John 16:13 (AMPC)

Adapted from the resource Hearing from God Each Morning Devotional – by Joyce Meyer

One of the many benefits of hearing from God is that listening to His voice helps us prepare for the future. The Holy Spirit gives to us the messages the Father gives to Him, and He often tells us things that will happen in the future.

We find many instances in the Bible in which God spoke to people and gave them information about the future. He told Noah to prepare for a flood that would come to destroy the people of the earth (see Genesis 6:13–17). He told Moses to go to Pharaoh and ask for the release of the Israelites and that Pharaoh would not grant this request (see Exodus 7).

Obviously, God does not tell us everything that will happen in the future, but His Word promises He will tell us some things.

There are times when I sense that something good, or perhaps something challenging, is going to happen. When a challenge awaits me and I have some prior knowledge of it, that knowledge helps to cushion the blow when the difficult situation comes.

If an automobile with good shock absorbers hits a pothole, those absorbers protect passengers in the car from the jarring impact that would result and no one gets hurt. God’s giving us information ahead of time works the same way.

Part of the Holy Spirit’s ministry is to tell us things to come. He knows the mind of God and He knows God’s individual plans for our lives. He will reveal what we need to know when we need to know it in order to fulfill the good plans God has for us.

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for the ministry of Your Holy Spirit, Who speaks to our hearts and shows us what we need to know. Help me to be sensitive to Your Spirit at all times. Open my eyes to the things I need to see today and in the future. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” — 2 Kings 2:9-10

Adapted from the resource The Confident Woman Devotional – by Joyce Meyer

Just as under-confidence comes with its list of symptoms, the same is true of confidence. A confident person believes they are loved, valuable, cared for, and safe in God’s will. When we feel secure, it’s easy to step out and take a chance on failing in order to try to succeed.

When we know we are loved for ourselves and not just for our accomplishments or performance, we no longer need to fear failure. We realize that failing at something does not make us a failure at everything. We are free to explore and find out what we are best suited to do. We are free to find our own niche in life, which is not possible without stepping out.

Trial and error is the road to success, and you can’t drive that road as long as your car is parked. So, get moving, and God will direct you. When people are confident, they try things, and they keep trying until they find a way to be successful in what God has called them to do.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I want to explore all that You have for me, and I accept there may be failures. Show me the way to be successful for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. — Matthew 12:33

Adapted from the resource Ending Your Day Right Devotional – by Joyce Meyer

The Bible says a tree is known by its fruit, and the same is true of you. You can look at a person’s attitude and know what kind of thinking is prevalent in their life. A sweet, kind person does not have mean, vindictive thoughts. By the same token, a truly evil person does not have good, loving thoughts.

Your thoughts bear fruit. Think good thoughts and the fruit in your life will be good. Think bad thoughts and the fruit in your life will be bad. Remember Proverbs 23:7(AMPC) and allow it to have an impact on your life: For as you think in your heart, so are you.

Prayer Starter: Thank You, Father, for the power of Your Word to renew my thoughts and transform every single area of my life. Help me to be aware of what is going on in my mind and to constantly choose positive, uplifting, faith-filled thoughts from Your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

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[Yes] I will grant [I Myself will do for you] whatever you shall ask in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]. — John 14:14 (AMPC)

Adapted from the resource Closer to God Each Day Devotional – by Joyce Meyer

I reached a point in my prayer life where I felt frustrated, so I began to seek God about it. I wanted the assurance that my prayers were being effective. I wanted to have confidence that when I prayed, power was released to work in the situation I had prayed about. I wanted those things, but to be honest, I didn’t have that assurance or confidence.

Satan definitely wants to steal our confidence concerning prayer. Many people express the same frustrations that I felt. They pray, but all the while they’re wondering if they are being effective. What is wrong? I believe that we mistakenly think that we need to be perfect in order to have power in prayer, but we don’t. That is why we have been given the name of Jesus in which to pray!

When we pray in Jesus’ name, we are presenting to God the Father all that Jesus is, not what we are. Thankfully, I don’t pray in Joyce’s name; if I did I would never accomplish anything! The Holy Spirit helps us pray as we ought to, and the name of Jesus guarantees the answer!

Be bold in prayer because you have the name above every other name, and at the mention of that name, every knee must bow (see Philippians 2:10). Pray boldly, expecting results!

Prayer Starter: Thank You, Father, that I can come to You boldly in prayer, knowing that You love to hear from me. Increase my level of expectation and help me to make prayer an easy, simple, natural part of my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. — Proverbs 4:20-22 (NKJV)

Adapted from the resource Battlefield of the Mind Devotional – by Joyce Meyer

When we refer to “meditating,” we mean we ponder something and give it our full attention. A French couple helped me see that meditation is like eating. They will take a bite of food after they have enjoyed the way it looks on the plate. They comment on the pleasant aroma and often mention one or two special ingredients. They chew slowly and deliberately, and they sometimes even comment on how it makes the inside of their mouth feel.

That seems a bit too much for most Americans, but that’s a good picture of meditating on God’s Word. We don’t just wolf down a few words or a verse and hurry on to the next. We pause to reflect on a word, a phrase, or a concept. We compare that scripture with others that come to mind. We feel in no hurry to dash to the end of the chapter.

The words are there for us to savor and enjoy. We should learn to be more concerned about quality than quantity. It is more important to get a deep understanding of one verse of Scripture than it is to read five chapters and understand nothing.

Meditating on God’s Word demands discipline. We live in such a fast-paced world that few of us make time to meditate. We should form a habit of setting aside time just to sit and think about God’s Word and the wonderful promises He has made to those who believe in Him.

The blessed person mentioned in Psalm 1 is the person who meditates on God’s Word “by day and by night.” The expression “by day and by night” means that it is a major part of a person’s life. It’s a way of saying that thinking about the Word of God should be a regular part of daily activity. This will require casting down wrong thoughts when they come and choosing to think on things that will benefit us. If we keep ourselves focused, it pays off spiritually.

I spend time with God in prayer and in study of His Word each morning, but I also apply the Word to situations that I deal with all throughout the day. During the writing of this devotion, I got some bad news by phone, and my response was to quote and think about various promises in God’s Word. His Word strengthens us and helps us keep our peace and joy.

I titled this “Meditation Produces Success” because it’s important for us to understand that contemplating the meaning of Scripture isn’t simply a good thing to do or an activity reserved for scholars. It’s God’s command to all of us. It is a requirement for true success.

I thought of the instructions to Joshua as he prepared to lead the people into the Promised Land. The first few verses of the book of Joshua provide God’s direction for him. There were at least two million people going into the land, and the responsibility of leading them was immense.

God promised to be with Joshua as He was with Moses, and He urged the new leader to be very courageous. Then He said, This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success (Joshua 1:8 AMPC).

The instructions seem clear. Joshua had the commands of God, and his primary responsibility was to contemplate those words. By immersing himself in the law, he was learning to understand the mind of God more fully. God went on to say that if Joshua kept his mind and heart on the law, he would be prosperous and successful.

Too often people focus on their problems instead of meditating on God’s promises. As they do, their problems seem to get bigger, and God’s power diminishes.

God doesn’t want Satan to fill your mind. He doesn’t want you to give him the opportunity to inject wrong and negative thoughts into your head. For the enemy to control your life, all he needs to do is to control your thoughts. Make a decision right now that you will not allow him to do that. Don’t let him defeat you.

Prayer Starter: Father God, You have told me to meditate on Your Word, and I ask You to help me do that. I want Your Word to be the focus of my life. When problems come, help me turn to Your Word immediately. When Satan attacks my mind, remind me to counterattack with Your Word. As I meditate on Your Word regularly, I believe I will see good progress in my life. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the same God who produces all things in all believers [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them]. — 1 Corinthians 12:6 (AMP)

Adapted from the resource Wake Up to the Word Devotional – by Joyce Meyer

To energize means, “to give strength or force to; to give active vigor to.”

All of our thoughts, good or bad, have an effect on our physical being. The mind and body are definitely connected. Positive, hopeful thoughts energize our soul and physical bodies, whereas negative, hopeless thoughts drain our energy.

Physical tiredness is not always a result of wrong thinking. We can certainly have a sickness or disease that leads to a loss of energy, or we may even wake up tired for no known reason. But we do know that science and medical technology verify that the mind and body have a close connection, and that our thinking does have a direct effect on our body.

Our bodies are like automobiles that God provides for us to drive around on earth. If we want them to perform to their maximum ability and be energized, then we need to choose to think in ways that will help fuel them.

Prayer Starter: Lord, please help me to choose positive, hopeful, faith-filled thoughts today—thoughts that agree with Your Word and will energize my life. 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. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] — Matthew 11:28 (AMPC)

Adapted from the resource Trusting God Day by Day Devotional – by Joyce Meyer

Being relaxed feels wonderful. Being nervous, tense, and worried are not so wonderful. Why aren’t more people relaxed? Jesus said if we are weary and overburdened, we should go to Him and He will give us rest, relaxation, and ease (see Matthew 11:28–29).

Jesus wants to teach us the right way to live, which is different from the way most of the world lives.

It would be putting it mildly to say that I was an uptight woman for the first half of my life. I simply did not know how to relax, and it was due to me not being willing to completely trust God. I trusted God for things, but not in things. I kept trying to be the one in control. Even though God was in the driver’s seat of my life, I kept one hand on the wheel just in case He took a wrong turn.

Relaxation is impossible without trust! If you know you can’t fix the problem you have, then why not relax while God is working on it? It sounds easy, but it took many years for me to be able to do this.

I know from experience that the ability to relax and go with the flow in life is dependent upon our willingness to trust God completely. If things don’t go your way, instead of being upset, you can believe that getting your way was not what you needed. God knew that, so He gave you what was best for you, instead of what you wanted.

If you are waiting much longer than you had hoped to, you can get frustrated, angry, and upset, or you can say, “God’s timing is perfect; He is never late. And my steps are ordered by the Lord.” Now you can relax and simply go with the flow of what is happening in your life.

When it comes to things that are out of our control, we can either ruin the day or relax and enjoy it while God is working on the situation. As long as we believe, God keeps working!

Prayer Starter: Father, right now I commit all of my cares, concerns and circumstances to You. Help me, moment by moment, to trust You—to give my burdens to You and relax in Your love, knowing You have everything under control. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. — John 15:5

Adapted from the resource The Power of Being Thankful Devotional – by Joyce Meyer

There have been times when we have all tried to handle our circumstances instead of trusting God to take care of them for us. It is not a sign of weakness to admit that we cannot help ourselves—it is the truth. You may be frustrated, struggling, and unhappy simply because you are trying to fix something you cannot do anything about. You may be trying to change something that only God can change.

While you are waiting for God to take care of the situation, I encourage you to be thankful that God is in control and to decide to enjoy the wait. That may be hard because it takes patience, but it pays marvelous dividends in the end. Waiting on God honors Him, and the Bible says that the person who honors God will be honored by Him (see 1 Samuel 2:30 NIV).

Prayer Starter: I thank You today, Father, that I don’t have to handle my circumstances on my own, but that You are here to help me. While I wait on You, help me to enjoy the process, knowing that You have good things in store. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. — Matthew 21:22

Adapted from the resource Starting Your Day Right Devotional – by Joyce Meyer

Before the fulfillment of God’s promise to multiply Abram, He changed his name from Abram (“high exalted father”) to Abraham, (“father of a multitude”) (See Genesis 17:1–6). God spoke the promise long before it was visible to anyone.

Anything that is in the Word of God is a promise that be can rightfully and legally spoken forth even before it visibly exists.

Reach into the spiritual realm, that you cannot see, and pull the promises of God out of there, with the words of your mouth, and prophesy them into existence. Read God’s Word, and speak as the Holy Spirit leads you to do so today.

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for all of the promises in Your Word. Help me to fill my thoughts and words with the great things You want to do in my life. Help me to declare Your good plan over my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. — Isaiah 55:8

Adapted from the resource Power Thoughts Devotional – by Joyce Meyer

Whose thoughts are you thinking? If your thoughts are not God’s thoughts, I recommend changing your thinking! If we want to have what God wants us to have, then we will need to learn to think the way He thinks.

In Jeremiah 29:11, God says, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you… (KJV). God has thoughts for you. Do you think about you and your life the way God is thinking about you?

If you’re not thinking the way God is thinking, you are not going to end up with God’s plan for you. The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7, For as he thinks in his heart, so is he… (AMPC).

You can stop God’s plan by thinking your own fleshly thoughts, or agreeing with others’ or Satan’s thoughts, or you can think God’s thoughts and believe and receive the good plan He has for your life. Who are you in agreement with?

Prayer Starter: Father, Help me to think positive thoughts today that agree with Your Word and the good plan You have for my life. Please help me to be more aware of the thoughts I think and the words I speak, knowing they have tremendous power. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue. — John 12:42

Adapted from the resource New Day, New You – by Joyce Meyer

The Bible teaches us in John 12:42-43 that many of the leading men believed in Jesus but would not confess it for fear that if they did, they would be expelled from the synagogue. For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God (John 12:43).

In this example, we see that some people were hindered from a relationship with Jesus because they were addicted to approval. Although they wanted a relationship with the Lord, they loved the approval of man more. That is sad, but it happens all the time.

The people mentioned in John 12 knew that Jesus was real. They believed in Him, but the love of approval would not permit them to have a true relationship with Him.

I wonder how their lives turned out. What did they miss because they said yes to people and no to God? I wonder how many of them were never mentioned in the Bible again. I wonder if they faded into oblivion and never fulfilled their destiny because they loved the approval of men more than the approval of God. How many of them spent their lives disrespecting themselves because they were people-pleasers?

Follow God, not people!

Prayer Starter: Lord, I want to put You first in my life. Please continue to change me and help me to care what You think more than I care what other people think. I sincerely want to grow in You and seek to please You in everything I do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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…Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” — 1 Peter 5:5

Adapted from the resource Trusting God Day by Day Devotional – by Joyce Meyer

Humility is knowing we cannot succeed by trusting in ourselves and our own human effort. Instead, we trust in God, thankful that He does what we cannot.

As we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and lean on Him at all times, He always equips us to do what we should be doing. Most human failure comes from people trying to do things in their own strength without relying on God.

I have found that when I feel frustrated, it is because I am exerting fleshly effort trying to do something that only God can do. I suggest that when you feel frustrated that you stop and ask yourself if you are doing the same thing.

Works of the flesh equal frustration, and works of the flesh mean that I am working without God.

We can live the joyful, overcoming life God has for us when we realize God helps those who know they cannot help themselves—those who realize they are totally dependent on Him and are grateful that He will provide everything they need.

Prayer Starter: Father, I am thankful that I do not have to depend on my own strength or best effort to get through life. Thank You that You are here to guide me and help me each day. I trust You and I place my life in Your hands. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Although my father and my mother have forsaken me, yet the lord will take me up [adopt me as His child]. — Psalm 27:10 (AMPC)

Adapted from the resource Love Out Loud Devotional – by Joyce Meyer

Today’s scripture has been particularly meaningful and encouraging to me over the course of my life.

I was abused as a child. During my childhood, my mother was deeply afraid of my father, so she was unable to rescue me from the various kinds of abuse he perpetrated against me. I felt very alone, forgotten, and abandoned.

I have come to understand firsthand that multitudes of people we encounter daily are just trying to survive until someone rescues them—and that someone could be you or me.

The Bible says that in God’s love, He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world… (Ephesians 1:4 AMPC). He planned for us to be adopted as His own children. These beautiful words brought a great deal of healing to my wounded soul. God adopts the forsaken and the lonely, and He lifts them up and gives them value.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta felt that each person she met was “Jesus in disguise.” Just try to imagine how much differently we would treat people if we thought of them as she did. She realized that God loves everyone as His own sons and daughters.

If someone insulted, slighted, ignored, or devalued one of my children, I would take it as a personal insult, so why is it so hard to understand that God feels the same way when one of His children is mistreated?

You and I belong to Him, so we need to love ourselves appropriately and treat ourselves well. We also need to treat others as part of God’s family and do what we can to build them up and add value to their lives.

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for personally choosing me—picking me out as Your very own. Help me today and every day to encourage and value others, treating them as Your precious sons and daughters. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

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O God, You are my God; early I will seek You… — Psalm 63:1 (NKJV).

Adapted from the resource Hearing from God Each Morning Devotional – by Joyce Meyer

Sometimes I marvel at how long we can struggle in a situation before we think to talk to God about it and listen for His voice. We complain about our problems; we grumble; we murmur; we tell our friends; and we talk about how we wish God would do something about it.

We struggle with situations in our minds and in our emotions, while we often fail to take advantage of the simplest solution there is: prayer. But worse than that, we then make perhaps the most ridiculous statement known to man: “Well, I guess all I can do is pray.”

I am sure you have heard that before, and maybe you have even said it. We all have. We are all guilty of treating prayer as a last-ditch effort and saying things like, “Well, nothing else is working, so maybe we should pray.” Do you know what that tells me? It tells me that we really do not believe in the power of prayer as we should.

We carry burdens we do not need to bear—and life is much harder than it has to be—because we do not realize how powerful prayer is. If we did, we would talk to God and listen to what He says about everything, not as a last resort, but as a first response.

Prayer Starter: Father, I need You in every area of my life! Help me to talk to You about everything and make prayer a natural part of my life. In every situation, let prayer be my first response, not my last resort. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

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I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart. But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the Lord my God. — Joshua 14:7-8

From the book The Confident Woman Devotional – by Joyce Meyer

I know what it is like to live in fear. Fear can actually make you sick to your stomach. It can make you so tense and nervous that everyone around you notices that something is wrong; it’s that evident in your facial expressions and your body language.

What’s more, just as confidence is contagious, so is the lack of self-confidence. When we possess no inner confidence, no one else has confidence in us either.

Imagine a timid, cowering basketball player, standing in the corner of the court with his arms wrapped around himself. Is anyone going to pass him the ball? Is anybody going to call out plays to him?

When we think people are rejecting us, we feel hurt by them. The basketball player in the example above might think that his teammates hate him or have something against him. But, for fearful, under-confident people, the root of the problem is that they are rejecting themselves. They are rejecting the person God intended them to be.

Prayer Starter: Lord, help me to be the confident and courageous person You created me to be. I want to wholly follow you no matter where You lead me. When fear tries to attack or I get focused on my weaknesses, help me to remember who I am in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.'” — Exodus 3:14

From the book Ending Your Day Right Devotional – by Joyce Meyer

This awesome scripture holds much more than you may realize at first glance. God is so great there is no way for us to describe Him properly. What was God really saying when He referred to Himself as I AM?

Moses asked a question about God’s identity, and evidently the Lord did not want to get into a long dissertation about who He was. It was as if God was saying:

“You don’t have to worry about Pharaoh or anybody else, I AM able to take care of anything you encounter. Whatever you need, I AM it. Either I have it or I can get it. If it doesn’t exist, I will create it. I have everything covered, not only now but for all time. Relax!”

Prayer Starter: Father, please open my eyes to Your greatness and Your ability to provide every single thing I need. When the cares of this world press in on me, help me to remember that You are the great “I AM” and nothing is impossible with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God…For God did not give us a spirit of timidity…but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind…. — 2 Timothy 1:6-7 (AMPC)

From the book Closer to God Each Day Devotional – by Joyce Meyer

On difficult days, it is helpful to be reminded to persevere in order to fulfill the call of God on our lives. On those days when you feel like giving up, just remember that God has given you the power to hold on!

In the scripture for today we learn that Timothy was a young minister who simply felt like giving up. The fire that had once burned within him was beginning to grow cold. The church in those days was experiencing a great deal of persecution, and Timothy had some fears. Perhaps he felt worn-out and that everything was crashing down upon him. He had reached a place where he needed to be encouraged to stir himself up in faith.

Paul was saying, “Timothy, you may feel like quitting, but I am reminding you of the call on your life. Remember the power of the Holy Spirit that changed your life. He gives you a spirit of power, love, discipline, and self-control.” Paul encouraged Timothy to be stable.

If we have stability, we do what is right even when it is difficult and does not feel good. Be encouraged today that you can do whatever you need to do. In Christ, you’ve got what it takes!

Giving up is only an option for those who plan to fail in life.

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for the power to persevere. Right now, I ask for Your supernatural strength, encouragement and peace to deal with every situation in life. Thank You for being with me every step of the way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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And He came and preached the Good News of peace to you [Gentiles] who were far away, and peace to those [Jews] who were near. — Ephesians 2:17 (AMP)

From the book Ephesians: The Biblical Commentary – by Joyce Meyer

Jesus preached the same message of peace to Jew and Gentile alike. He had come to kill the hostility that divided them. Through Him they both had access to the Father. Those who had been outsiders were now included in the household of God.

Have you ever felt like an outsider, as if you didn’t belong or weren’t welcome? Most of us have felt that way at some time, and it is exactly how Satan wants us to feel. He hopes we will feel either inferior or superior, and he doesn’t care which one it is as long as it brings division.

But in Christ, no one is inferior or superior; instead, we are all one in Him. Paul taught that there is no more Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female, but we are all one in Christ (see Galatians 3:28).

Our confidence and security is in Christ and in Him alone. It cannot be found in our performance or any other so-called advantage we may have.

Paul said that he was more than happy to count all of his advantages as a Jew as rubbish (garbage) compared to the priceless privilege of knowing Christ Jesus and being found and known as “in Him” (see Philippians 3:8–10).

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for offering the priceless gift of salvation to everyone—it’s nothing we could ever earn or achieve on our own. Help me to share this gift with as many people as I possibly can. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Elijah was a man with a nature like ours [with the same physical, mental, and spiritual limitations and shortcomings], and he prayed intensely for it not to rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its crops [as usual].— James 5:17-18 (AMP)

From the book James: The Biblical Commentary – by Joyce Meyer

I like the fact that James makes the point that Elijah had a nature like ours. He was imperfect and displayed weaknesses, but God heard and answered his prayers.

He will do the same thing for us. Don’t let Satan convince you that God won’t hear your prayers because you have sinned. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (see Romans 3:23), but we all may be forgiven and restored through God’s grace and mercy.

When we repent of our sins, God forgives them and forgets them. To Him, it is as if we never did anything wrong and have a totally clean slate. We should learn to see ourselves the same way and boldly approach God’s throne in prayer (see Hebrews 4:16), expecting Him to answer.

Prayer Starter: Thank You, Father, for Your amazing grace, mercy and forgiveness that allow me to come to You in confidence. Help me to run to You for help on every occasion, knowing that You delight in hearing my prayers and long to show Yourself strong in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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So wait patiently, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord… — James 5:7 (AMP)

From the book James: The Biblical Commentary – by Joyce Meyer

James starts his epistle writing about patience, and here in the last chapter he writes about patience again. Patience is not just the ability to wait; it is the ability to keep a good attitude while we are waiting.

Patience is a fruit of the Spirit that can only be developed under trial. That is the reason God permits us to go through times of testing and difficulty instead of delivering us from them as quickly as we would like. God always has a plan for our deliverance, but He wants us to grow and stretch so we will be stronger when we come out of the trial.

Isaiah 40:31 is a well-known verse about waiting on the Lord: But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power; they will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not grow tired (AMP).

This verse teaches us that waiting on God is expecting, looking for, and hoping in Him. It is spending time with Him in His Word and in His presence. We do not worry while we wait on God; we do not get frustrated while we wait on God; we do not get upset while we wait on God. We rest in faith believing God will do what needs to be done for us at the right time.

Learning to wait with patience and hopeful expectation is a mark of spiritual maturity. When we find ourselves having to wait on something, we can patiently take a seat in Him and rest in God’s presence. The promise of God’s peace is not made to those who work and struggle in their own strength but to those who rest in Christ Jesus. As we wait on Him, our strength is renewed.

Prayer Starter: Father, help me to wait well—with patience and hopeful expectation. Help me to use the challenging times in life as opportunities to grow closer to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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