But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.”

— 1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV)

We rush to get every new upgrade available for our computer and phone. We spend money, wait in lines, do whatever it takes to have the newest and best. We are very aggressive about having the best equipment available, but are we as aggressive about having the upgraded life Jesus offers us?

The Bible says that the path of the righteous gets brighter and brighter every day (see Proverbs 4:18). This means God is always drawing us toward better and better things. He continually offers upgrades, and we should be determined to have each one of them.

Living the best life God has for you will require some effort on your part. You will need to educate yourself on the life He offers and what it truly means to be born again. As a child of God, you have an inheritance and you have certain rights and privileges, but if you don’t know about them, you will never enjoy them. We educate ourselves through Bible study, reading good books about biblical principles, spending time with God, and being in community with other people who are seeking God as we are. We also need a lot of patience because God is usually not in a hurry. He is always working in our lives, but we are not always aware of it.

Simply going to church once a week doesn’t necessarily help you attain the upgraded life you desire. It helps, but you will have to also seek God diligently every day of your life, not just once or twice a week. God has provided countless tools for us to help us grow, but we must avail ourselves of them. I want to challenge you to set aside at least 45 minutes to an hour a day and call it your “God Time.” Make it a goal, and if you need to begin with less time, that is okay because gradually you will desire more. During that time you can study your Bible, talk to God in prayer, listen to a Bible teaching, read a book that will help you understand the Bible better, or simply sit in God’s presence and receive His love.

If you do this diligently, you will find over time that you have changed and are enjoying yourself and your life much more than ever before. Any good relationship requires time, and your relationship with God is no different. God has so many wonderful things in His plan for you, and during this time you will learn what they are and how to access them. You can’t use what you don’t know you have! For example, you have a Helper, who is the Holy Spirit, and He is with you all the time.

Anytime you need help with anything, all you need to do is ask. This and many “other wonderful things are yours in Christ, so get busy learning about them and start enjoying the upgraded life Jesus died for you to have.

Prayer of the Day: Lord Jesus, I know You have many good things planned for me. Help me be determined to seek the upgraded life You offer. Teach me to use the tools You have provided and to spend time in Your presence every single day. I love You so much, amen.

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Persecutions, sufferings…I endured, but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Indeed all who delight in piety and are determined to live a devoted and godly life in Christ Jesus will meet with persecution [will be made to suffer because of their religious stand].

— 2 Timothy 3:11-12 (AMPC)

In the beginning of my ministry, I had a dream that I was driving my car and approaching a flooded bridge. I stopped, looking first at the water-covered bridge, back where I had been, and to the side of the road, trying to decide if I should park, retreat, or keep moving forward. Then I woke up.

God used that dream to show me that there will always be opposition when pressing toward a goal. There will always be opportunity to park and go no farther or turn around and give up. It was up to me to decide each time if I would give up or go on. That dream has helped me many times to press on when difficulties came, and I was tempted to quit. I have decided that even though I don’t always do everything right, I will never quit! Determination will get you a lot further than talent. So, if you feel you lack in talent, take heart. All you need to win in life is more determination than anyone else you know.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, today may have its challenges, but I am determined to press on following Your will. By Your grace, I will go the distance and never quit, amen.

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My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing and make melody.

— Psalm 57:7 (AMPC)

In order to experience victory in our lives and achieve great things for God, it is crucial that we choose to be determined. The Bible says that Jesus steadfastly and determinedly set His face to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51 AMPC), and we can do the same thing as we live for God. If we are going to accomplish anything worthwhile, it is important we “steadfastly and determinedly” set our face in that direction and not give up.

When you receive Christ as your Savior and Lord, Satan will oppose you at every turn. He wants you to give up! The devil is not going to roll out a red carpet for us just because we decide to receive Christ. But Jesus has already overcome the devil. Satan is a defeated foe. His opposition is not strong enough to stop you if you are close to God, walking in His strength and will for your life.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that everything in life should be easy for us. Ask for God’s help, receive His grace, and be determined to do the will of God, to stay positive and happy, and to walk in the peace of God no matter what.

Prayer of the Day: Father, please help me to be determined to accomplish great things for You. Strengthen me to not give up, even when facing opposition.

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 …It is more blessed [and brings greater joy] to give than to receive.

— Acts 20:35 (AMP)

One of the very best things you can do to make any day better is to take your focus off of yourself and begin looking for ways to help and serve others. It is a heavenly paradox: The more you help others, the more you are helped. This is why Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Rather than complaining about your problems or your terrible day, take some quiet time with God and contemplate how to solve someone else’s problems and brighten their day. Think of them, pray for them, and ask God to give you a fresh idea of how to bless them. Putting others first is a revolutionary new outlook on life that will bring you the peace and joy that only God can give.

Prayer of the Day: Dear Lord, help me to trust in You and not worry about the future, and to know and understand that when I focus on tomorrow, I waste today. Thank You for reminding me to take one day at a time, 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)

The only way to conquer fear is to confront it and to do the thing you are afraid of. If you don’t, you will be a prisoner all your life.

When we do confront things, we always find that the worst part of the fear was in our minds, and the reality of the thing wasn’t as bad as we had imagined.

If you truly want to be free, understand that facing a fear is better than being afraid all your life. Fear is a terrible burden to live with.

Bravery to overcome life’s fears comes when you ask God for His help, trust He is with you, and face that fear head-on.

Prayer of the Day: Father God, please give me the courage to face my fears, and the faith to trust in Your guidance. Help me overcome the burden of fear and live freely in Your love, amen.

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Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

— 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)

In the United States, there is an over-the-counter medication advertised as the medicine to take at the first indication of a cold, to keep it from getting worse and becoming full-blown. I take a lot of vitamin C if I have a scratchy throat or a runny nose because it often keeps me from getting worse. Catching something before it goes too far is wisdom.

I recommend that anytime you even begin to feel fearful about anything that you immediately begin to pray and confess, “I will not live in fear.” You will see amazing results. When we pray, God hears and answers. When we confess His Word, we renew our own minds and come into agreement with His plans for us. No matter what God wants to do for us, we must agree with Him in order to receive and enjoy it (see Amos 3:3). We must learn to think like God thinks and talk like He talks—and none of His thoughts or words are fearful.

This thought—I will not live in fear—will help you become courageous rather than fearful. Call it to mind the instant you begin to feel fear and meditate on it even during the times when you are not afraid.

By doing this you will be even more prepared to stand against fear when it does come.

Remember that it will take time; be committed to stick with it until you see change. I still say, “I will not live in fear.” Say it as soon as you feel fearful about anything, and you will be able to keep fear from controlling you. You may still feel fear, but you can move beyond it by realizing that it is merely the devil’s attempt to prevent you from enjoying life or making any kind of progress. Do what you believe you are supposed to do even if you have to “do it afraid.”

Prayer of the Day: Father, help me to trust in You and to have courage to face my fears head on. Renew my mind in Your Word and help me to overcome my concerns, amen.

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Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

— Hebrews 11:1 (AMPC)

“I will not fear” is the only acceptable attitude we can have toward fear. That does not mean we will never feel fear, but it does mean we will not allow it to rule our lives. The Bible says that God has not given us a spirit of fear (see 2 Timothy 1:7).

Fear is not from God, but faith is! We should remember to do everything with a spirit of faith. Faith is confidence in God and a belief that His promises are true. Faith will cause a person to go forward, to try new things, and to be aggressive.

Be firm in your resolve to do whatever you need to do, even if you have to “do it afraid”! To “do it afraid” means to feel the fear and do what you believe you should do anyway. Stand in faith, be thankful for God’s promises, and boldly pursue what God has put in your heart to do.

Prayer of the Day: Thank You, Father, that I can live in faith and not in fear. Regardless of the difficulty of the situation I may be facing, I will choose to do what You have called me to do, even if I have to “do it afraid.” Thank You for giving me the strength that I need.

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For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort] in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence).

— 2 Peter 1:5 (AMPC)

Adapted from the resource Starting Your Day Right – by Joyce Meyer1 MIN READ

Sometimes we have to make a few adjustments in our lifestyle to follow wisdom. We may have to say no to too much activity. Hebrews 11:1 teaches that faith is the assurance of things we do not see now. But, like God, we can call “those things that be not, as though they are” (see Romans 4:17). This spiritual principle applies in the negative realm as well as in the positive realm. So, we may need to make some adjustments to the things we say.

If you feel that it is hard to get up in the morning, don’t say, “I am too tired.” Get all of that weak, tired, wimpy, quitter, give-up talk out of your vocabulary. Instead, say, “Because the Lord is my strength, I can do whatever I need to do today.”

Prayer of the Day: Lord, help me to follow wisdom and make whatever adjustments to my lifestyle that need to be made. Help me to speak words of faith and trust in Your strength to overcome any challenges that come my way, amen.

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For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God’s power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance. . .. For in the Gospel, a righteousness that God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, the man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith.

— Romans 1:16-17 (AMPC)

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 taught 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. If we are justified, it means that God treats us as though we are not and have never been sinners. He treats us as His own—His beloved children. Instead of being God’s enemies, we’re His friends. Instead of fighting Him, we serve Him.

When God calls us just, or righteous, we enter into a relationship of love, confidence, and friendship. We need not fear or worry because there is no punishment for us.

When Paul says in Romans 1:17 (AMPC), the man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith, he means that those of us who have been made right with God live by our faith. That is, we live by our trust in the God who reaches out to us.

This is where many must fight the wiles of Satan. Instead of focusing on all God has done for us, they listen to the devil whisper, “Do you remember when you lost your temper?” “You’re worried about paying your bills, and if you worry, you don’t have faith, right?” “If you’re supposed to be a Christian, how could you have said what you did?”

The torments are there, and the devil never passes up the opportunity to remind us of past failures. All have failed, and we will continue to fail, but when we do, we can repent and move on.

I went through a particularly difficult time several years ago when there was absolutely no joy or peace in my life. Unhappiness filled most of my days. I repeatedly asked the Lord what was wrong with me, really wanting to know what my problem was . . . no kidding around. I was working so hard to please the Lord and trying to be the kind of Christian I thought I should be, but I certainly didn’t feel like any progress was being made.

Then one day, I came across Romans 15:13 (AMPC) in a box of scripture cards: May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope. That was it! I got it!

I had plunged into doubt and unbelief, allowing the devil to torment me with his evil lies. As a result, I had become negative, grouchy, short-tempered, and impatient. I was making myself miserable, and the devil was thrilled at the stronghold he had over me!

This scripture changed all of that old thinking! I knew the answer. Jesus loved me so much that He not only forgave all my sins of the past, but He also looked ahead and forgave me for those moments of weakness when I’d fail in the future. I’m not referring to deliberate sin, but to human weaknesses, those times when I just don’t live up to all the truth I know.

“Just think,” I told my husband, “2000 years ago Jesus not only died on the cross for all my sins before I even knew Him, but for all of my sins and failures until the day I meet Him face to face.” That was such a powerful thought to me.

Then I pondered the words of Paul quoted at the beginning of this devotion: For in the gospel, a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith] (Romans 1:17 AMPC). I finally understood the concept of living from faith to faith. I don’t have to allow Satan to sneak in with questions or unbelief. I can live every moment moving from faith to more faith to more faith.

Prayer of the Day: Lord Jesus, I am in awe of Your love for me, which is so great and so powerful that You not only died for all my sins before I was born, but You’ve provided for all my weak moments in the future. I am so thankful to You for Your love, and I rejoice in Your holy name, amen.

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A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.

— Proverbs 16:9 (AMPC)

When your day doesn’t go as planned, do you get irritated because someone or something has interrupted you? I know I do at times. What if we would see these changes in our plans as divine opportunities rather than interruptions that irritate us? Could that last-minute request from a friend for help be an opportunity to serve Christ that would produce more good fruit in our lives than our original plan? Would a one or two-hour delay perhaps end up putting us in the right place at the right time for an opportunity we would have missed had we refused to change our plan?

There is nothing wrong with having a plan—as a matter of fact, I think it is wise to do so—but we should be ready at any time to drop our plans and follow God. He often gives us opportunities to help someone or to follow Him in an adventure that will bring blessings into our lives, but we can easily miss out on His better plan if we are not willing to “let go and let God lead.”

There are also times when what seems like an interruption is God’s protection from some unseen danger we would encounter if we continued in the path we had planned. Can heavy traffic that disrupts our plan save us from being in an accident? Could the airport delay be a blessing in disguise? The answer to these examples is yes, and if we will trust God with things like this and believe that our times are in His hands (see Psalm 31:15), we will enjoy more peace and have less stress.

Prayer of the Day: Father, help me follow Your lead at all times. I want Your will to be done in my life, and I want to always be available for You anytime You need to use me to further Your will. Help me to never miss a divine opportunity with You!

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No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

— John 15:15 (ESV)

We all need to be corrected at times and I believe God’s desire is to speak to us and the correcting Himself before using other people or situations to correct us. Correction is one of the most difficult things to receive, especially when it come through others, so God prefers to first help us deal with matters privately. But, if we do not know how to let Him correct us privately or will not receive it, He may correct us in more public ways. One time we were ministering in a foreign country. I was in a restaurant trying to convey to the waiter what I wanted to eat, but he did not speak much English and I did not speak his language at all. Frustration soon became evident in my attitude and tone of voice. I was behaving poorly in front of people who knew I was in that country to minister and, of course, my example to them was important.

I knew I had behaved badly, but God wanted me to really know, so when Dave and I returned to our hotel room, Dave mentioned the incident and said I had not set a good example for others. Although I knew he was right, and I knew God was using him to make sure I fully realized how important my behavior is, my inclination was to point out that Dave had acted similarly before. Had I done that, I would not have genuinely received the word of correction and then God would have had to correct me some other way—perhaps in a way that would have been more embarrassing or painful. Begin to pray and ask God to help you receive correction from Him and to help you recognize when He is sending correction through others, knowing it is always for your good.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I come to you today, seeking Your guidance and Your loving correction. I know I am not perfect, and I ask You to help me recognize Your voice and to properly receive correction from You. Thank You for Your faithfulness and love. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

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 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

— Psalm 143:9-10 (NIV)

David prays in today’s scriptures that God will lead him on level ground. I have always thought of this as a request for God to keep him emotionally stable. David was being pursued by his enemies and declared that God was his hiding place. When I pray, I often ask God to hide me in Him. We are kept safe in Him.

David had many opportunities to become flustered and allow his emotions to affect him in negative ways, so he prayed that God would keep him level or stable. Emotional stability is very important. We all have emotions, but we should not let them have us. With God’s help, we can learn to manage them instead of allowing them to manage us. We can live beyond our feelings by knowing and acting on God’s Word rather than on the way we feel.

We cannot do this by willpower alone; we need God’s grace. We need His help and power because emotions can be very strong, and without God’s help, they will lead us in wrong directions.

Have you been allowing your feelings to control you? If so, begin today to ask God to lead you on level ground.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I am sorry for letting my emotions lead me at times and I ask You to keep me stable and lead me on level ground.

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For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people.

— Isaiah 61:8 (NIV)

When we feel we have been mistreated, the next step is usually anger and then bitterness. This is especially true if the situation is not resolved to our satisfaction. Maybe the offending party won’t admit they were wrong, or perhaps they blame you for their behavior. If you are a Christian, you will know that according to God’s Word, He expects you to forgive the person or people who abused or mistreated you. That’s when our soul screams, “It isn’t fair!”

I won’t argue about what is or isn’t fair. I can only say that a great deal that happens in life isn’t fair, but the good news is that we love and serve a God who loves justice. This means that if we are obedient to Him, He will make wrong things right in due time. Being expected to forgive someone who has hurt us and perhaps won’t apologize or take responsibility for what they’ve done does feel unfair, but that is exactly what God commands us to do. Why? Because when we forgive, we are not doing our enemies a favor; we are doing ourselves a favor.

As long as we hang on to resentment, anger, and bitterness, we are tormented. In reality, we are allowing the one who hurt us to continue hurting us until we finally let go of the situation and trust God to make it right. For your own sake, if you have anything against anyone, please release it, let it go, and forgive as God has forgiven you.

Prayer of the Day: Father help me forgive those who have hurt me, and help me to pray for and bless them as You command me to do. I choose to trust You to bring justice in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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And Pharaoh said to Joseph, Forasmuch as [your] God has shown you all this, there is nobody as intelligent and discreet and understanding and wise as you are. You shall have charge over my house, and all my people shall be governed according to your word… Only in matters of the throne will I be greater than you are.

— Genesis 41:39-40 (AMPC)

A pit is a ditch, a trap, or a snare. It refers to destruction. Satan always wants to bring us into the pit.

Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. They actually threw him into a pit and intended to leave him there to die, but God had other plans. Joseph ended up being sold into slavery in Egypt, where he was thrown in prison for refusing to compromise his integrity. Yet everywhere Joseph went, God gave him favor. Ultimately, Joseph was promoted to the palace, second in command to Pharaoh.

How did Joseph get from the pit to the palace? I believe it was by remaining positive, refusing to be bitter, and choosing to boldly trust God. Even though it looked like he was defeated on many occasions, he refused to give up on trusting God.

Joseph had a right attitude. He knew God was in control even when it looked like the circumstances of his life were spinning out of control. The same is true in your life. If you’ll keep a positive attitude, knowing that God is in control, He can take you from the pit to the palace in ways you never imagined.

Prayer of the Day: Father, help me trust You like Joseph did, to remain positive, and know that You can take me from the pit to the palace. Guide me to have the right attitude and to know that You are in control, even when things feel out of my control, amen.

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And when you pray, do not heap up phrases (multiply words, repeating the same ones over and over) as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their much speaking.

— Matthew 6:7 (AMPC)

The timing of God is never rushed or frantic. God is patient, and He causes things to happen according to His perfect, unhurried schedule for your life. The Israelites couldn’t leave the bondage of Egypt until God’s perfect time came. Joshua couldn’t take Jericho until the exact right day. Jesus wasn’t raised from the dead until the third day. These are examples of God’s perfect timing.

Think of buying a five-thousand-piece puzzle. You buy it because you like the picture on the box, but when you dump out all the pieces on the table, you feel overwhelmed. All the things going on in our lives are a bit like that. We like the picture God presents in His Word of what we can become, but will we be patient enough to see the picture put together?

Never forget: God has a perfect way, a perfect plan, and a perfect time. All things work together in due time.

Prayer of the Day: Dear God, help me to trust in Your perfect timing for my life, even when I feel overwhelmed and impatient. Thank You for working all things together for my good in due time, amen.

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If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone

— Romans 12:18 (AMPC)

How do you react to people who are rude? Do you respond in love as the Word says we should, or do you join them in their ungodly behavior? I think there are a lot of rude and unpleasant people in the world today largely because of the stressful lives most people live.

We can be very thankful that we know the Word of God and have Him in our lives to help us and comfort us—to keep us from falling into the traps that stress can cause. But we must remember that a lot of people in the world who are difficult to get along with don’t have that. Jesus said that we have done nothing special if we treat people well who treat us well, but if we are kind to someone who would qualify as an enemy, then we are doing well (see Luke 6:32–35).

People are everywhere, and not all of them are pleasant. Will you act on the Word of God and love them for His sake?

Prayer of the Day: Father, when I am in a situation that requires me to deal with a hard-to-get-along-with person, let me pray for them rather than react to them emotionally. Thank You for giving me the grace to be kind to everyone—no matter how they act toward me.

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Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].

— Ephesians 6:13 (AMPC)

When you are in a difficult situation, do what you know to do, but don’t feel pressured to take action if you have no direction from God. Ask God to open your mind to new ways of doing and seeing things. If He shows you something, then do it, and if He doesn’t, then remain peaceful and trust that He will work for you and do what you cannot do.

Think and speak, “It is not shameful to not know what to do, nor should I feel pressured that I must ‘do something.'” Nobody has all the answers, all the time, except God. Stay peaceful and stand firmly in Christ, trusting Him to guide you.

Prayer of the Day: Father, thank You for Your guidance and direction. Thank You for the reminder that it is not shameful to not know what to do. Please open my mind to new ways of doing and seeing things. May Your will be done in my life, amen.

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 Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.

— Psalm 37:4 (AMPC)

What would you say if I told you we have an obligation to be as happy as we can possibly be? I believe we glorify God the most when we are the happiest in Him. Look at Psalm 37:4 again: It says we are to delight ourselves in the Lord.

I have striven for many years to learn how to do just that. Because of the way I was raised, I had the idea it was wrong to enjoy myself, until I saw that Jesus said He came so we might have joy in our lives and have it in abundance (see John 10:10, 16:24, 17:13). He wants our joy to be full!

The belief that holiness and happiness are at odds with each other is tragic. Let me assure you that you can live a life that is holy and pleasing to God and thoroughly enjoy your life at the same time. Smile, laugh, be happy and enjoy each moment that God gives you while you serve Him with your whole heart.

Prayer of the Day: Dear Lord, help me to always delight myself in You and to find joy in the life You have given me, knowing that holiness and happiness are not at odds with each other. Thank You, amen.

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 …I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am.

— Philippians 4:11 (AMPC)

People of God should be peaceful, joyful, thankful, and content. In Philippians 4:11 (AMPC), Paul said he learned how to be content. Well, I don’t know about you, but I spent many years, even as a believer, before I learned contentment, and I believe there are many others who struggle as I did trying to find it. You may be one of them.

I knew how to be satisfied if I was getting my own way—if everything was working exactly as I had planned—but how often does that happen? Very rarely, in my experience.

I knew absolutely nothing about how to handle even the ordinary trials that come along in most every person’s life. I didn’t know how to adapt to other people and things. I found out that a person who can only be satisfied when there are no disturbances in life will spend a great deal of time being discontented.

I finally desired stability enough that I was willing to learn whatever it took to have it. I wanted to be satisfied no matter what was going on around me.

The Amplified Bible defines the word content as “satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted in whatever state I am in.” I appreciate this definition, because it does not say that I must be satisfied to the point where I don’t ever want change, but I can be satisfied to the point that I am not anxious or disturbed. I desperately wanted, and now enjoy, that kind of peace. How about you?

Trusting God and refusing to complain during hard times greatly honors Him. It is of no value to talk of how much we trust God only when all is well. But when difficulty comes, then we should say and sincerely mean, “I trust You, Lord.” He delights in a contented child. I have come to believe being content is one of the greatest ways we can glorify Him. Be content where you are while you are waiting for what you want or need.

Prayer of the Day: Father, help me learn to be content in every circumstance, to trust in You during difficult times, and to glorify You through my contentment, amen.

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Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.

— Ephesians 6:18 (ESV)

One of the great temptations we often face when we have been wounded is to think too much about ourselves. We may focus excessively on our pain, on what happened to us, or on what will happen in the future. One of the best things we can do for ourselves is to get our minds off ourselves and think about what we can do for others. We may not have extra resources to bless them in physical ways, but we can always pray for them, and that’s called interceding. It doesn’t take any money; it doesn’t require us to travel to get to them; it doesn’t demand anything of us except a willing heart and some time.

When we are hurting, we often see everything in life through a lens of pain. When that happens, we may find ourselves being hard on people instead of being gracious and showing kindness. But judging or criticizing others only holds us in bondage. If we pray for people instead of judging them, interceding for them as frequently and fervently as we pray for our own needs, we will not only be a blessing in their lives, we will also experience the joy of serving others.

In the days of the prophet Ezekiel, God was looking for people who would stand in the gap for others (Ezekiel 22:30 NKJV). I believe He is still looking for that kind of intercessor today. If there is a gap, or distance, in people’s relationship with God for some reason, we have the privilege of praying that their relationship with Him will be restored. If people have needs, we can intercede for them and expect to see them comforted and encouraged while they wait for God to provide for them.

A life focused only on self is a sad, lonely, narrow existence. When we reach out to others and include them in our lives, even in such a simple way as praying for them, we enrich ourselves and reach beyond our own little world. We begin to care about them in new ways; we begin to share their concerns and burdens—and somehow our concerns and burdens seem lighter. We rejoice when God answers our prayers for them. We grow in our faith as we trust God to move in their lives—and soon we realize we have more faith for Him to move in our lives, too.

There are many benefits to serving others through prayer, both for the ones we intercede for and for us. Praying for people strengthens our relationship with God and our relationships with them, which is good and healthy for everyone.

Prayer of the Day: Thank You, Father, for showing me that during painful times, I can shift my focus from myself and onto others. Help me to intercede, help and to find joy in serving and praying for others, amen.

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