Category Archives: Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Take Responsibility

 

Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge. — Proverbs 23:12

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

any times in my meetings, someone has asked me to pray for physical healing. I do pray for people, but I also know that many times what people really need is to take personal responsibility for their health and well-being.

Often, their physical problems can be solved by improving their health—eating better, exercising, drinking more water, getting enough sleep at night, or taking time for leisure, recreation, and relaxation.

In what specific areas do you need to take responsibility to improve the quality of your life?

Prayer Starter: Father, help me to take at least one step today towards better health. My body is the temple of Your Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 6:19), and I want to take care of this gift You have given me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen

 

 

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Joyce Meyer – Friendship Makes Us Bold

 

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. — Hebrews 4:16

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

When we begin to understand our friendship with God and see ourselves as His friends, our prayers become more Spirit-led, more faith-filled, and much bolder.

Jesus told a story in Luke 11, immediately after He taught His disciples to pray using what we call the “Lord’s Prayer.” We can surmise that He was using the story to illustrate His lesson on prayer.

He said: Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and will say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves [of bread], for a friend of mine who is on a journey has just come, and I have nothing to put before him; and he from within will answer, Do not disturb me; the door is now closed, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and supply you [with anything]? I tell you, although he will not get up and supply him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his shameless persistence and insistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs (Luke 11:5–8 AMPC).

Notice that the man who needs bread gets it only “because of his shameless persistence and insistence.”

We will only “shamelessly persist” with our friends—because friendship makes us bold, and the more we grow and progress in our friendship with God, the bolder and more confident we can be as we approach Him.

Prayer Starter: Lord, Help me to love You and talk to You as a close friend. When I feel like there’s a wall between us, remind me that I can come boldly before your throne of grace and ask for help in my time of need (see Hebrews 4:16). In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Joyce Meyer – What Is Confidence?

 

Hezekiah trusted in, leaned on, and was confident in the Lord, the God of Israel; so that neither after him nor before him was any one of all the kings of Judah like him. — 2 Kings 18:5 (AMPC)

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

What is confidence? I believe confidence is all about being positive concerning what you can do—and not worrying over what you can’t do.

A confident person is open to learning because they know that their confidence allows them to walk through life’s doorways, eager to discover what waits on the other side. They know that every new unknown is a chance to learn more about themselves and unleash their abilities.

Confident people do not concentrate on their weaknesses; they develop and maximize their strengths.

For example, on a scale of one to ten, I might be a three when it comes to playing the piano. Now, if I were to practice long and hard—and if my husband could put up with the racket—I could, maybe, transform myself into a middle-of-the road, level-five pianist.

However, as a public speaker, I might be an eight. So, if I invested my time and effort into this ability, I might just be able to get to a level ten. When you look at it this way, it’s easy to see where you need to invest your efforts.

Prayer Starter: Lord, if Hezekiah could learn to lean upon and be confident in You, I know that it’s also possible for me. Enable me to focus on developing and maximizing my strengths rather than concentrating on my weaknesses. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Joyce Meyer – Always Constant

 

Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever. — Hebrews 13:8 (AMP)

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

What is the main thing you love so much about Jesus? There are many answers to that question, of course, such as the fact He died for you on the cross so you wouldn’t have to be punished for your sins; then He rose again on the third day.

But in your daily relationship with Him, one of the things you will appreciate most about Him is the fact you can count on Him not to change.

You love Jesus and are able to trust Him because He is never changing. He has said in His Word, “This is the way I was, and this is the way I’m always going to be.”

If you can count on anything, you can count on Jesus never changing. He can change anything else that needs to be changed, but He always remains constant.

Prayer Starter: Jesus, thank You for being the constant in my life! You never change, but You are always working in my life and helping me to change. Today, I pray that You will open my spiritual eyes even further and help me to understand Your unchanging love and faithfulness in a greater way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Joyce Meyer – No More Self-Doubt

 

And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. — 1 Samuel 30:6

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

If we don’t believe in ourselves—in the talents and abilities God has given us—who is going to? God believes in us, and it’s a good thing too; otherwise, we might never make any progress. We cannot always wait for someone else to come along and encourage us to be all we can be.

When David and his men found themselves in a seemingly hopeless situation, which the men blamed on him, David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord. Later on, that situation was totally turned around (see 1 Samuel 30:1–20).

When David was just a boy, everyone around him discouraged him concerning his ability to fight Goliath. They told him he was too young and too inexperienced, and he didn’t have the right armor or the right weapons. But David was close to God and had confidence in Him. David believed that God would be strong on his behalf and give him the victory.

Self-doubt is absolutely tormenting, but we can rid ourselves of it. Like David, we can learn to know our God—about His love, His ways, and His Word—then ultimately we can trust that He will provide us with the strength we need.

Prayer Starter: Father, You know everything about me—every insecurity, weakness and fear. Help me to be sufficient in Your love and strength today. Help me to grow stronger and more confident as I continue to know You in a greater way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Joyce Meyer – From Faith to Faith

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, “THE JUST and UPRIGHT SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” — Romans 1:17 (AMP)

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

Faith is a word the apostle Paul used often in his writing. When writing to the Thessalonians, he wanted to know about their faith.

While the word faith means belief or absolute trust, it’s more than that—the word also implies loyalty and commitment.

Faith means being convinced that something is true. In 1 Corinthians 15:17, the apostle told the Corinthians that if Jesus did not rise from the dead, their faith was meaningless. He was saying that all they believed was utterly useless. True faith acknowledges that the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection is true.

True faith begins when we’re receptive—when we’re willing to listen. It starts with a kind of mental assent—it seems reasonable that it’s true. But that’s not true faith. True faith happens when we say, “Not only does it make sense to me, but I’m willing to stake my life on it.”

Paul quoted from Habakkuk 2:4, saying that the just—the righteous—shall live by faith. One way to think of the just is to think of those who were “justified,” or made right, by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Continue reading Joyce Meyer – From Faith to Faith

Joyce Meyer – Breaking Bad Habits

 

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. — 1 Corinthians 15:58

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

Habits are behaviors that we often do unconsciously, and to break bad ones we have to become conscious and aware that we are doing them and choose to replace them with good habits.

Breaking bad habits is a process, and if you are a person who gives up easily, you won’t get very far. So, make a decision that you are in it for the long haul and that you are willing to have the pain for the gain.

Anything worth having in life is going to take a concentrated effort. With God’s help, a determined attitude, and an awareness that a bad habit needs to be broken, you can have victory—be encouraged that you can break that bad habit, with God’s help, and replace it with a good one.

Prayer Starter: Lord, help me to not give up! Strengthen me today to make right choices. Help me to replace the bad habits in my life with good, healthy habits that glorify You. I can only do it by Your grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

 

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Joyce Meyer – There’s Great Value in Variety

 

Behold, here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in all the labor in which he labors under the sun during the few days of his life which God gives him—for this is his [allotted] reward. — Ecclesiastes 5:18 (AMP)

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

If we do the same thing over and over, sooner or later we’re going to get bored. We don’t have to wait for something nice to happen to us; we can be aggressive and do something nice for ourselves. For many of you, I know this is a new thought that may seem foreign and even unspiritual. But I can assure you that it is part of God’s plan. You can create variety, and it will keep your life more exciting.

I sat with my computer on my lap for about four hours this morning and then stopped for a while to do some other things I needed to do. When I went back to my writing, I decided to sit in a different part of the house just for variety. I chose a place that had plenty of light where I could look out the window. Simple little things like this cost nothing, but they are very valuable.

No day needs to be ordinary if we realize the gift God is giving us when He gives us another day to live and enjoy. An extraordinary attitude can quickly turn an ordinary day into an amazing adventure. Jesus said He came so that we might have and enjoy life (see John 10:10). If we refuse to enjoy it, then it’s no one’s fault but our own.

I would like to suggest that you take responsibility for your joy and never again give anyone else the job of keeping you happy. Add a little variety to your life—break up your routine, do something different, and so on. When you do, expect God to meet you and help make your ordinary…extraordinary!

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for Your joy. Please help me to approach my life with adventure, choosing to enjoy each and every day…and adding variety all along the way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Joyce Meyer – Making a Trust Confession

 

The Lord is good, a Strength and Stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows (recognizes, has knowledge of, and understands) those who take refuge and trust in Him. — Nahum 1:7 (AMPC)

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

When you choose to confess and meditate on the thought, I trust God completely; there is no need to worry, you will eventually form a new mindset that will enable you to put your trust in God with ease.

You will habitually look for what is good and magnify it, thanking God for each victory along the way. Life is very enjoyable when we decide to pray about everything and worry about nothing.

Don’t be discouraged if forming mindsets seems difficult in the beginning. You may have to say that you will trust God and not worry 1,000 times before you start to feel the effects of doing it.

Just remember that each time you think and say the thing that agrees with God, you are making progress. Satan will relentlessly try to get you to give up, but if you will relentlessly decide to trust God, I guarantee that you will see the result in due time.

Prayer Starter: I thank You, Father, that You are trustworthy and I can depend on You in every area of my life. I trust that You can handle any and every problem I’m facing. I won’t worry; I will trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

 

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Joyce Meyer – Make It a Habit

 

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. — Romans 13:11

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

The Word says that Jesus had a habit of going up the mountain to spend time with God. Luke 22:39 says, And He came out and went, as was His habit, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples also followed Him (AMPC).

Jesus formed a habit of communicating with God every morning.

It has been said that if you do something consistently for 30 days, it will become a habit. You can either make or break a habit by consistently doing the same thing. Follow Jesus, and form a habit of starting your day with prayer.

Prayer Starter: Father, I want to make a habit of spending time with You. You are my Source of help and strength, and I can’t have any real success in life without You. Help me to today to begin spending regular time with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Joyce Meyer – The Written Word of God

 

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart — Psalms 119:2

Adapted from the resource Power Thoughts Devotional – by Joyce Meyer

In order to know God—what to expect from Him and what He expects from you—you must know His Word. It’s not possible for God to say one thing but do another. He cannot lie, and He’s always faithful to perform what He has promised.

I know many people who have studied God’s Word diligently and whose lives have been changed, but I also know many who, although they would like their lives to improve, won’t discipline themselves to study and learn the Word or to speak the Word.

Spending time with God by studying the Word is your choice, and only you can make it. When you make that choice to seek Him with your whole heart, it won’t take long before the desire to really know God and His Word becomes a natural response.

Prayer Starter: Lord, help me to take steps today to make Your Word a priority in my life. As I move forward, give me a true hunger and desire to know You more intimately. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

 

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Joyce Meyer – Giving Aggressively

 

Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you. — Luke 6:38 (AMPC)

 

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

When you and I give, we are to give generously and aggressively. Because the way we give is the way we receive. When we look into our wallet or purse, we are not to pull out the smallest bill we can find. Instead, we are to give as God gives—abundantly.

Now, I realize that no offering is too small and none is too great. But at the same time, we have got to learn to be as aggressive in our giving as we are in any other aspect of our Christian life. I seek to be a giver. I desire to give all the time.

One time I was in a Christian bookstore and saw a little offering box for one of those ministries that feeds hungry children. There was a sign beside it that read, “For fifty cents two children can eat for two days.”

I started to open my purse and make a donation when a voice inside said to me, “You don’t need to do that; you give all the time.”

I immediately got violent—spiritually violent! No one could tell on the outside, but I was aroused on the inside. I reached into my purse, pulled out some money, and placed it in the box just to prove I could give as an act of my free will!

You can do the same. Whenever you are tempted to hold back, give more! Show the devil you are an aggressive giver!

Prayer Starter: Father, You give to us so generously—help me to be like You! Show me ways today and every day that I can establish a lifestyle of giving in ways big and small. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Joyce Meyer – Living Large

 

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. — 2 Corinthians 9:8

Adapted from the resource My Time with God Devotional – by Joyce Meyer

When I feel like my “get up and go” has got up and gone, I purposely stir myself up through aggressive expectation!

God is the God of abundance, the one who wants us to live a large, free, and full life.

Dare to have big faith, big plans, and big ideas, because God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond all that you can ever dare to hope, ask, or think (see Ephesians 3:20 AMPC).

It is time to start asking God to do greater things! Have great expectations!

Don’t be afraid to ask God for big things. The truth is that you cannot ask for too much as long as your heart is right and you are willing to not only be blessed by God, but also be a blessing everywhere you go.

The Bible says God is searching for those in whom He can show Himself strong (see 2 Chronicles 16:9), and it can be you if you are willing to believe. You don’t need a perfect performance to qualify for God’s best; just love Him with all your heart. Don’t settle for less than the best life that you can have.

Prayer Starter: Amazing heavenly Father, I am humbled that You want to offer me an abundant life. I know that I don’t deserve Your goodness, but I do ask in faith that You would do great things for and through me. Thank You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Joyce Meyer – The Power to Do Good

 

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. — Psalm 82:3-4

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

I heard a story about former New York City mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. One winter night in 1935, LaGuardia paid a visit to night court in the poorest section of the city. He told the judge to take the night off, took his seat on the bench, and presided over the night’s cases himself.

Soon a tired, despondent elderly woman appeared before him because she had been charged with stealing a loaf of bread. In her own defense, she said, “My daughter’s husband left her. She is sick, and her children are hungry.”

The storekeeper had no mercy. With a sigh, LaGuardia said to the woman, “The law is clear. I have to punish you.” He fined her ten dollars. As he was pronouncing the woman’s sentence, LaGuardia was simultaneously reaching into his pocket to pull out a ten-dollar bill. He dropped it into his hat and said:

“Here’s the ten-dollar fine, which I now remit, and furthermore, I’m going to fine everyone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant!”

The total collected for the grandmother was $47.50.

I like the fact that the mayor of New York City used his position of authority to influence others to help the poor grandmother. Any time we can inspire or provoke others to do good, we need to do so.

Prayer Starter: Lord Jesus, help me to use my influence to help others to do good. Let my heart break with compassion for those in need. Help me to always stand up for the rights of the innocent. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

 

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Joyce Meyer – Come Closer!

 

Come close to God…and He will come close to you… — James 4:8 (AMP)

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

Not everyone is willing to pay the price required to be close to God. Not everyone is willing to simply take the time required or make the investments needed for spiritual growth.

God doesn’t ask for all of our time. He certainly wants us to do things we don’t consider “spiritual.” He designed us with bodies, souls (minds, wills, and emotions), and spirits, and He expects us to take care of all these areas.

Exercising our bodies and caring for our souls takes time and effort. Our emotions need to be ministered to; we need to have fun and be entertained, and we need to enjoy being with other people. Our minds need to grow and be renewed daily. In addition, we have a spiritual nature that needs attention. To stay balanced and healthy, we must take time to take care of our entire being.

I believe the whole issue of intimacy with God is a matter of time. We say we don’t have time to seek God, but the truth is that we take time to do the things that are most important to us.

Even though we all have to fight distractions every day, if knowing God and hearing from Him is important to us then we will find time to do it. Don’t try to work God into your schedule, but instead work your schedule around time with Him.

Getting to know God is a long-term investment, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t get instant results. Be determined to honor Him with your time and you will reap the benefits.

Prayer Starter: Father, I can’t live without You. Help me to put You first in my life and take the time to develop a deeper, more intimate relationship. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Joyce Meyer – Rest for the Weary

 

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own  — 1 Corinthians 6:19

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

The first key to overcoming stress is to recognize or admit we are experiencing it, and look for the source of it.

There was a time in my life when I was constantly having headaches, backaches, stomach aches, neck aches, and all the other symptoms of stress, but I found it very difficult to admit I was pushing too hard physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

I wanted to do all of the things I was doing and wasn’t willing to ask God what He wanted me to do. I was afraid that He would lead me to give up something I wasn’t ready to give up yet.

Although the Lord gives power to the faint and weary, if you are worn-out from continually exceeding your physical limitations, you will have stress.

Our bodies are the sanctuary (home) of God, and we are in disobedience when we push ourselves past God-ordained limitations and live in continual stress. We all have limits and we need to recognize what they are and eliminate excess stress from our lives.

If you wear out your body, you can’t go to a department store and purchase another one, so take care of the one you have!

Prayer Starter: Father, I lift my schedule and activities up to You. Show me areas where I need to change. Help me to do my part to eliminate stress and take care of my body, the temple of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for Your grace to change! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

 

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Joyce Meyer – A Tempting Offer

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. — Matthew 4:1-2

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

After Jesus had gone through a 40-day fast, Satan approached Him with three tempting offers. The devil came to Jesus when he was weak and hungry.

It’s natural to assume that the Lord was physically weakened after being without nourishment for such an extended period of time, so, of course, the devil’s first offer involved food. If You are God’s Son, command these stones to be made [loaves of] bread (Matthew 4:3 AMPC).

Later Jesus performed several miracles that included food, such as changing a boy’s lunch into enough fish and bread to feed five thousand people and, at another time, to feed four thousand.

All of Jesus’ miracles were for the good of others. He never performed miracles for Himself or to satisfy any need of His own. That’s one major lesson we learn from His temptation.

The devil then took Jesus to a mountaintop and showed Him the nations of the earth. He said, in effect, “You can have it all in exchange for one slight, easily excusable act. Worship me—just once—and You can have it all.” I can even imagine the devil saying, “It’s all right; God will understand. You’re so weak right now.”

It was as if Satan said, “You’re going to rule it all anyway. This is just a shortcut.” He implied that through one simple act of worship, Jesus could avoid the rejection, the suffering, and even the horrifying death on the cross. And either way, He would achieve the same goal.

As attractive as the offer may have sounded, Jesus turned it down. He recognized the deliberately crafted lie, and Jesus never hesitated. The world would be won for God, but it would be won by the way of sacrifice and obedience. The way of the cross would be Jesus’ pathway to victory.

Again, Jesus teaches us that His is not the easy way. Instead, we must take the right way. Whenever the devil tries to convince us there is an easier way—one that will make life better for us—we know we don’t want to listen.

As we read the story, the choice seems obvious. But suppose you had been in that wilderness for 40 days and nights without food and water. Suppose you had faced such great temptations. Suppose the devil had whispered in your ear, “Just this one time and no one will know.”

This is one of the enemy’s most subtle lies. Not only does he tempt you to give in and to receive the things you’d like to have, but he also makes it sound simple and easy: “Just do this one thing, and it’s all yours.”

God never works that way. He wants you to have the best and only the best, but it has to come in the right way.

At the end of the temptation accounts, Matthew inserts a powerful statement. With each temptation, Jesus won because he relied on the Word of God for His strength. And the devil couldn’t fight the Word. Finally, Matthew records, Then the devil departed from Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him (Matthew 4:11AMPC).

The wisdom to be gleaned from this experience is powerful. Even after you’ve been battered and tempted, God doesn’t leave you. He remains with you to comfort you, to minister to your needs, and to encourage you. Never forget that He is as close to you as the mention of His name. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Prayer Starter: Blessed Lord Jesus, thank You for winning the victory over the enemy. Thank You for not listening to Satan and for standing on the Word of God in the midst of every temptation. Lord, in Your name, I pray for the wisdom and the strength to defeat the same enemy when he tempts me. Amen.

 

 

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Joyce Meyer – Best

 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. — James 1:17

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

You were created to have a deep, intimate, personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ and the very best life He came to offer.

Acts 10:34 (AMPC) says, God shows no partiality and is no respecter of persons. This means His promises apply equally to everyone who follows Him.

Yes, you can have the very best God offers, but you can’t give up when times get tough. If you’ll trust God and follow Him wholeheartedly, you will discover your best life in Him.

God has a great purpose for you, and I urge you not to settle for anything less. He wants to bless you and give you a life that will not only thrill you, fulfill you, and bring you deep joy and sweet satisfaction but also challenge you, stretch you and help you discover that, in Christ, you’re stronger than you think.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I want every good thing You have for my life! Help me to persevere through life’s difficulties and seek You with my whole heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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Joyce Meyer – You Don’t Have to Burn Out

 

And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. — Mark 2:27

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

Are you excessively tired all the time, and even after sleeping, do you wake up feeling tired all over again? You may be experiencing some of the symptoms of exhaustion, or what is commonly called “burnout.”

Long periods of overexertion and stress can cause constant fatigue, headaches, sleeplessness, gastrointestinal problems, tenseness, a feeling of being tied in knots, and an inability to relax.

Some other signals of “burnout” are crying, being easily angered, negativity, irritability, depression, cynicism (scornful, mocking of the virtues of others), and bitterness toward others’ blessings and even their good health.

“Burnout” can cause us to not exercise self-control, and when this happens, we will no longer produce good fruit in our daily lives. “Burnout” steals our joy, making peace impossible to find. When our bodies are not at peace, everything seems to be in turmoil.

God established the law of resting on the Sabbath to prevent “burnout” in our lives. The law of the Sabbath simply says we can work six days, and rest one day. We need to rest and worship and play. Even God rested after six days of work. He, of course, never gets tired, but gave us this example so we would follow the pattern.

In Exodus 23:10–12, we find that even the land had to rest after six years, and the Israelites were not to plant in it the seventh year. During this rest, everything recovered and prepared for future production.

Today in America, almost every business is open seven days a week. Some of them are even open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. When we make ourselves available at all times, we are in danger of “burnout.”

People today are quick to argue that they cannot afford to take a day off, but I say they cannot afford not to.

Some people feel guilty anytime they try to rest, but that guilty feeling is not from God. God wants us to live balanced lives, and if we don’t, we open a door for Satan to bring some kind of destruction (see 1 Peter 5:8). Trust God that your resting time is just as valuable as your working time.

Prayer Starter: Lord, thank You for the examples You have given us in Your Word about rest. I ask for Your help to live a truly balanced life and do whatever it takes to have the proper time to relax and recharge. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

 

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Joyce Meyer – Carried in His Arms

 

I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” — Psalm 91:2

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

At various points in our lives, all of us feel we’re getting “out of our depth” or “in over our heads.” There are problems all around: a job is lost, someone dies, there is strife in the family, or a bad report comes from the doctor. When these things happen, our temptation is to panic because we feel we’ve lost control.

But think about it: The truth is that we’ve never been in control when it comes to life’s most crucial elements. The only thing that holds us up—and the thing we can be most grateful for—is the grace of God, our Father, and that won’t change.

God is never out of His depth, and therefore, we’re safe when we’re in life’s “deep end” because we can trust that He will always carry us in His arms.

Prayer Starter: Thank You, Father, that You are a refuge for me. I know that because You are with me, I can feel safe and secure. Thank You that no matter how difficult life may seem, I can be at peace because You will never let me go. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

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