And Peter answered Him, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water. He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water…

— Matthew 14:28-29 (AMPC)

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

I think it’s good to occasionally (or perhaps frequently) do something that seems outrageous. Do something that people won’t expect. It will keep your life interesting and keep other people from thinking they have you tucked away nicely in a little box of their own design. People become bored because their lives become predictable. One great woman who was seventy-six years of age said her goal was to do at least one outrageous thing every week. I just read this week that we should do one thing every day that scares us.

We are not created by God to merely do the same thing over and over until it has no meaning left at all. God is creative. If you don’t think so, then just look around you. All the animals, bugs, plants, birds, trees, and other things are totally amazing. The sun, moon, and stars, planets, space, and gravity all of which God has created—can boggle our minds. We could actually go on forever talking about the infinite variety of things God has created. In case you haven’t noticed, God is quite outrageous and frequently changes things up in our lives. He is full of surprises and yet totally dependable. You know, we really can learn a lot from God!

I don’t want people to think they have me all figured out, and although I want to be dependable and faithful, I don’t always want to be predictable. Sometimes I get bored with myself and I have to pray and ask God for a creative idea to shake up my life a little and keep me on my toes.

Trust in Him. Do something new and outrageous today. Ask God to help you be creative.

Prayer Starter: Thank you, Father, for Your creativity. Help me to be dependable, but not necessarily predictable. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Therefore my heart is glad and my glory [my inner self] rejoices; my body too shall rest and confidently dwell in safety.

— Psalm 16:9 (AMPC)

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

There are dozens of things that happen during ordinary, everyday life, and we can enjoy them all if we just make a decision to do it.

Things like getting dressed, driving to work, going to the grocery store, running errands, keeping things organized, sending e-mails, taking the kids to practice, and hundreds of other things.

After all, they are the things that life is made up of. Begin doing them with an attitude of gratitude and realize that, through the Holy Spirit, you can enjoy absolutely everything you do every day of your life.

Joy doesn’t come merely from being entertained, but from a decision to appreciate each moment that you are given as a rare and precious gift from God.

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for the gift of life, and thank You for every activity that comes with that gift. I pray that You will help me find joy in each part of my day as I live for You. I thank You that I can choose to enjoy even the average, routine parts of my day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, [for being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].

— James 1:5-8 (AMPC)

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

A close friend of mine received a summons for jury duty in a robbery trial. For two days, 12 citizens listened to the prosecuting attorney as he presented evidence to indicate that the accused had broken into a home and stolen many items. My friend was ready to convict him.

On the third day, the defense attorney presented the other side of the picture. The more my friend listened, the more confused she became. What had seemed very obvious at first now seemed ambiguous and contradictory.

Although the jury did convict the man, my friend said she struggled over making the right decision. Each attorney, when he was speaking, had seemed to be the most convincing.

Many Christians live much the same way day today. They have become what James calls double minded. They’re sure of one thing until something else happens, and then they flip-flop to the opposite opinion.

In their double mindedness, they flit from one opinion to the other. They’re sure they know what to do, and then they switch again. The moment they feel sure they have made the decision they plan to stick with, they begin to wonder if it was the correct one. They continually doubt and question their reasoning.

This kind of behavior is not the same as being open-minded. To be open-minded means we’re willing to hear all sides of an issue—like jurors should be at a trial. But eventually we have to sort through the evidence or the circumstances in life and say, “This is what I’m going to do.”

That sounds good, but too many people have trouble being decisive. “What if I make a mistake?” they ask. “What If I choose the wrong thing?” Those are legitimate questions, but they are not meant to paralyze God’s people and prevent them from acting. Too often, these are tools that Satan uses to distract and prevent Christians from taking action.

God’s Spirit is always available to free you from natural reasoning that leaves you confused. Ask of the One who gives wisdom liberally, and He will free you of being indecisive and double minded.

Prayer Starter: God, thank You for always showing me the way and helping me make decisions. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

When Pharaoh let the people go, God led them not by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer; for God said, Lest the people change their purpose when they see war and return to Egypt.

— Exodus 13:17 (AMPC)

Adapted from the resource Love Out Loud – by Joyce Meyer

No matter how carefully you plan your progress in any area of your life, you will have setbacks. That’s part of the journey. Successful people are able to press through difficulty and delay and get right back on track without wasting time, feeling bad about themselves, or losing momentum.

Having a bad day does not mean you have to have a bad life. Don’t be like the Israelites in today’s scripture who wanted to return to Egypt every time they had a bad day while traveling toward the Promised Land. You are being freed from the bondage of Egypt and heading toward the Promised Land, where God’s purposes and promises will become realities in your life, but you will have days in the desert. When that happens, don’t be too hard on yourself.

Be nurturing and supportive of yourself, as you would of anyone else you love. Remind yourself that ten steps forward and one step backward still gets you where you’re going. Celebrate your successes, even small ones, and it will help you press past your setbacks.

Consider writing down your victories as you have them. Keep a journal of your journey and record all your little successes and include the lessons you’re learning along the way and the good experiences you’re having. When you have a discouraging day or one when you feel you’ve done everything wrong, read your journal. You may be amazed at how far you’ve come!

Don’t overreact to setbacks along your journey. Remind yourself often of the progress you’ve made.

Prayer Starter: Lord Jesus, I thank you for all the great things You’ve done in my life. Keep me ever mindful of all my victories and successes. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.]…

— John 15:4 (AMPC)

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

Why would God want to live in us? And how can He do so? After all, He is holy, and we are weak, human flesh with frailties, faults, and failures.

The answer is simple: He loves us and chooses to make His home in us. He does that because He is God; He has the ability to do what He wants, and He elects or chooses to make His home in our hearts. This choice is not based on any good deed we have done or ever could do; it based solely on God’s grace, power, and mercy. We become God’s home by believing in Jesus Christ (as God instructs us in the Bible). The verse for today emphasizes the fact that we must believe in Jesus Christ as the one God sent in order to experience intimacy with Him. Believing in Him enables us to hear His voice, receive His Word in our hearts, and feel His presence.

In addition to believing in Jesus as God’s heaven-sent gift to mankind, we are to simply believe that Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins was enough to allow us into the presence of God. We become the home of God when we receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord. From that position, by the power of the Holy Spirit, He begins a wonderful work in us.

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for living in my heart. I am so grateful for the incredible sacrifice You made for me. Help me to always feel Your presence. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

 She opens her mouth in skillful and godly wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction]. — Proverbs 31:26 (AMPC)

Adapted from the resource The Confident Woman – by Joyce Meyer

Our woman in Proverbs 31 knows the importance of words. She opens her mouth in skillful and godly wisdom. The law of kindness is in her tongue. Speaking kindly to other people is a tremendous attribute and one that certainly enhances a godly woman. She knows that anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad (see Proverbs 12:25). We all need kindness, and I believe we will reap what we sow. Proverbs 18:20–21 says that we will have to be satisfied with the consequences of our words and that the power of life and death are in the tongue. It goes on to say that we will eat the fruit of our words for life or death.

Not only do we have the capability of speaking life or death to other people, we have the same ability in our own lives. We can speak words that build confidence in ourselves and others or we can speak words that destroy confidence. Be especially careful about self-talk. This is the conversation that you have with yourself inside yourself. Be sure what you are saying is something you want to live with.

Prayer Starter: Lord, make my heart to be kind and compassionate, so that it overflows in kind words to others. May my words have the power of life in them, to build up others and encourage them. Amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

 “…Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

— Matthew 28:20 (NIV)

Adapted from the resource Healing the Soul of a Woman – by Joyce Meyer

When people teach classes on effective communication, they often advise students to avoid the words never and always. That’s because accusing someone of never doing something or of always being a certain way is rarely accurate.

A person may exhibit behaviors or have bad habits most of the time, even 99 percent of the time, but not always or never. For example, have you ever heard people arguing and one person accuses another one of never doing their fair share of the work on something? The one accused usually comes back and says, “That is not true . . .”

The words always and never do not leave room for any exceptions and using them causes us to exaggerate or misrepresent the truth. That’s why communication experts say these words have no place in healthy conversation.

God is the only one who can accurately say “never” and “always.” His Word is absolute truth, and if He says these words, we can count on them. For example, the Bible says, The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (Deut. 31:8 NIV). God’s Word also includes Jesus’ promise to remain with us always in Matthew 28:20, our verse for today.

The devil often plants thoughts in our minds based on never and always, because he knows they can entrap us. He tells us the negative aspects of our lives will never change and will always be the way they are right now.

Perhaps he has told you lies such as: “All the women in your family are overweight. You will never be slim and trim,” or “You don’t have the personality to advance at work. You will always be stuck in the job you have today,” or “You will always have to deal with the impact of the abuse in your life. You just can’t get over that.” These types of thoughts can paralyze you by putting fear in your heart. They can cause you to give up on your dreams and not to even try to pursue God’s plans for your life. That’s exactly why the enemy gives them to you. The devil is a liar. Sooner or later, most things change. Negative situations rarely last forever, so our job is to push through them with prayer, patience, and God’s help. As we continue to walk in faith, believe God, and trust Him to lead us, we can come out of any negative circumstance in which we find ourselves.

Don’t let the enemy ensnare you with thoughts of never and always. Believe God to change what may seem or feel like it will never change for you, because the only never and always that mean anything are the ones in His Word. Declare this: I am thankful that God never leaves me, and that I always have hope in Him.

Prayer Starter: Father, I know that you know what’s going on in my life, and I know you always know the truth. Help me to know and recognize the difference between Your truth and the devil’s lies. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Sacrifice and offering You do not desire, nor have You delight in them; You have given me the capacity to hear and obey [Your law, a more valuable service than] burnt offerings and sin offerings [which] You do not require.

— Psalm 40:6 (AMPC)

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

God delights in your obedience. Naturally, it doesn’t do Him any good to speak to you if you aren’t going to listen and obey.

For many years, I wanted God to talk to me, but I wanted to pick and choose what to obey. I wanted to do what He said if I thought it was a good idea. If I didn’t like what I was hearing, I would act like it wasn’t from God.

Some of what God says will be exciting. Some things might not be so thrilling to hear. But that doesn’t mean what He tells you won’t work out for good if you will just do it His way. God does not require a higher sacrifice than obedience.

Prayer Starter: Lord, thank You for Your Word. Help me to always be obedient to Your will for my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

This is the agreement (testament, covenant) that I will set up and conclude with them after those days, says the Lord: I will imprint My laws upon their hearts, and I will inscribe them on their minds (on their inmost thoughts and understanding).

— Hebrews 10:16 (AMPC)

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

A mutual consent or agreement of two or more persons under the old covenant, our sin could be covered by the sacrifices of animals, but never removed. The sense of guilt connected to sin was always present.

But the good news is that God has made a new covenant with man. It is a better covenant—far superior to the old. The old covenant was initiated with the blood of animals, but the new was initiated with the sinless blood of Jesus Christ.

Jesus took the punishment that we deserve and promises that if we will believe in Him and all that He did for us, He will forever stand in our place, and our responsibility to keep the law will be met in Him. The old covenant focused on what man could do, but the new covenant focuses on what God has done for us in Jesus Christ (see Romans 5).

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

http://www.joycemeyer.org

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)

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

“I will not fear,” is the only acceptable attitude we can have toward fear. That does not mean that you and I will never feel fear, but it does mean that we will not allow it to rule our decisions and actions.

The Bible says that God has not given us a spirit of fear. Fear is not from God; it is the devil’s tool to keep us from enjoying our lives and making progress. Fear causes us to run, retreat, or shrink back. The Bible says in Hebrews 10:38 that we are to live by faith and not draw back in fear—and if we do draw back in fear, God’s soul has no delight in us. That does not mean God does not love us; it simply means He is disappointed because He wants us to experience all of the good things He has in His plan for us. We can receive from God only by faith.

We should strive to do everything with a spirit of faith. Faith is confidence in God and a belief that His promises are true. Faith will cause you to go forward, to try new things, and to be aggressive. Unless we make a firm decision to “fear not,” we will never be free from the power of it. “Do it afraid” means to feel the fear and do what you believe you should do any way.

I encourage you to be firm in your resolve to do whatever you need to do, even if you have to “do it afraid!” Trust in Him Choose to walk in faith, trusting God’s promises. Remember to “fear not,” and when you do feel fear, “do it afraid.”

Prayer Starter: Lord God, help me not to allow fear to rule my life, but when I do feel fear, give me the courage to do it afraid. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

For You, O Lord, have made me glad by Your works; at the deeds of Your hands I joyfully sing.

— PSALM 92:4 (AMPC)

Focusing on our problems will prevent us from rejoicing and being glad. Look for the good in your life and your joy will increase. You might have a problem, but if you focus on what’s good, then you will discover there are some good things in your life also. The world is full of people and situations that don’t please us, so if we are waiting for perfect circumstances to make us happy, we will be waiting forever.

That’s why we must learn not to base our happiness and joy on outward circumstances, but on the Lord’s presence inside us.

Thankfully, we can learn not to fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in everything to give thanks and praise to God. Then the peace that passes all understanding will be ours.

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for the gifts of joy and contentment. Regardless of the circumstances around me, I choose to praise You and realize that You are the true source of my joy. Thank You for Your goodness in my life. I choose to put my hope in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

My eyes anticipate the night watches and I am awake before the cry of the watchman, that I may meditate on Your word.

— Psalm 119:148 (AMPC)

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

It is interesting that our popular greeting is “Good morning.” Somewhere along the way, someone realized that if we get started off right in the morning, we will have a good day. Proverbs 20:13 says, Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes and you will be satisfied with bread. And Psalm 57:8–9 encourages us to wake up ready to sing praises: Awake, my glory (my inner self); awake, harp and lyre! I will awake right early [I will awaken the dawn]! I will praise and give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations.

Good rest is very important, and we all need to be rejuvenated in order to face the day and be productive. Starting every day with a good attitude, studying God’s Word and getting in some praise and worship helps get every day off to a good start!

Prayer Starter: Father God, thank you for good rest. I know I can face every challenge today because You are with me. I lift up all of my concerns to You right now. I choose to believe Your Word. Thank you for rejuvenating me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

All the Israelites grumbled and deplored their situation, accusing Moses and Aaron, to whom the whole congregation said, would that we had died in Egypt! Or that we had died in this wilderness! Why does the Lord bring us to this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and little ones will be a prey. Is it not better for us to return to Egypt?

— Numbers 14:2–3 (AMPC)

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

A stronghold is an area in which we are held in bondage—any part of our lives in which Satan imprisons us. He does this by causing us to think a certain way—a way that is based on lies we have been told. As long as we believe things that are not true, we will remain imprisoned by those strongholds. To enjoy freedom, we must learn to use God’s mighty weapons.

“What is your problem?” That’s the question I would have liked to ask the Israelites! Their chief occupation seemed to be to grumble. As the verses above tell us, they not only lamented and groaned about their situation, but they also accused Moses of bringing them into the wilderness so they could die. In other scripture passages, we read that they complained about the food. God provided manna for them, and all they had to do was pick it up fresh every morning—but they didn’t like the heavenly diet.

In short, it wouldn’t have mattered what God did for them or what Moses and Aaron told them. They were committed to complaining. They had formed the grumbling habit. And much of it is a habit! If you grumble about one thing, it’s not long before there is something else to complain about.

When two complainers come together, the situation only gets worse. What about the million or more people who came out of Egypt? Once the disease of disgruntlement struck, it became like a virus and infected them all. They were negative about everything. When the slightest problem arose, they were ready to return to Egypt. They preferred bondage as slaves rather than pressing on into the Promised Land.

One time Moses sent 12 spies into the land, and they came back and reported what wonderful, fertile land they had seen. (Read the story in Numbers 13 and 14.) The complainers joined with 10 of the spies (again, all but Joshua and Caleb). “Yes, it’s a great place,” they agreed. But grumblers never stop with positive statements. They added, “But the people who dwell there are strong . . . and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers” (13:28, 33 AMPC).

Had they forgotten all the miracles God had done for them? Yes, they had. That’s where Satan trips up many people. They whine—and often it’s about a small thing. They find fault with something. If they don’t realize what they’re doing by allowing such thinking to continue, they don’t need to ask, “What is the problem?” What they need to learn to say is, “I don’t have a problem; I am the problem.”

That was exactly the situation in Moses’ day. The enemy in Canaan wasn’t any worse, bigger, or more powerful than what the people constantly faced. But what if their problems really were more serious? If God could destroy the Egyptians at the Red Sea, why wouldn’t He give them another miracle? They were His people, and He loved them.

They themselves were the problem, and they never accepted that fact. Forty years of wandering, and they never got the message. How dense could they be? I’ve wondered many times. Of course, it’s easy to say that—because I wasn’t there, and I can see the situation with hindsight. It’s harder to examine our own lives and see why we gripe and moan.

“But my situation is different,” people often say to me. That’s true, but the spirit in which you operate is the same as those in ancient Israel. You’re so caught up in grumbling, complaining, and seeing what’s wrong that you have no energy or time to appreciate what’s good.

Prayer Starter: Father God, please forgive me for seeing others or my surroundings or the situation I’m in as the problem. Forgive me and set me free. In the name of Jesus, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

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

— Galatians 5:26 (AMPC)

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

Every person’s relationship with God and ability to hear His voice is different, so feel free to pursue communication with Him in the way He leads you. A relationship with God is not about laboring or striving or trying to perform; it’s simply about talking to Him and listening to His voice. We do not need to try to be where someone else is or hear God with the clarity and accuracy someone else has because that person may be enjoying a relationship with God that has taken years of practice and we may not be as far along in our walk with God as that person is. It’s all right for us to be “younger” than others spiritually; God still hears and answers us, no matter the extent of our experience. Comparing ourselves with others only makes us miserable. God is happy simply because we are learning and growing.

Comparing yourself with others will hinder your spiritual growth. God knows you intimately and He has a personalized plan for your advancement. He knows your background, what you have experienced, your disappointments, and your pain. He also knows just what it will take to make you completely whole and you can be assured that He is working in you as long as you are seeking Him.

I have four children who are all very different and I don’t expect them to be anything other than what they are. I have learned that God is the same way with us. Be yourself, enjoy yourself, and enjoy the level of spiritual growth you have attained so far.

Prayer Starter: Lord Jesus, help me to seek Your presence and listen for Your voice above everything else. I want to know you more. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

 …whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

— Philippians 4:8 (AMPC)

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

Dr. Caroline Leaf, a leading brain scientist/learning specialist and committed Christian, notes in her teaching on the brain: “The Word and science believe that the mind and the brain are one.” The way you think is voluntary—you can control your thoughts. I want you to give your brain a new job and begin to teach your mind to work for you instead of against you. One important way to do this is to make the intentional decision that you will begin to think positively. I realize your brain won’t be able to fulfill the new role completely overnight. You may be asking it to undergo a radical transformation, and that will take time. So, give it a little grace, but determine that with your diligence and God’s help, your brain will go to work for you instead of against you and become a powerful, positive force in your life.

I like what Dr. Leaf says—that the human brain takes “18 years to grow and a lifetime to mature.” Don’t miss this point. Although every other organ in the body is fully formed when a person is born, and simply gets bigger as the body gets bigger, the brain actually takes a full eighteen years to be fully formed. After that, it continues to mature until the day a person dies. This means, no matter how old you are, your brain is still maturing. This is great news because it means you do not have to be stuck in any old or wrong thought patterns. Your brain is still maturing, so you can still mature in your thinking. Trust in Him What comes to mind immediately when I ask: in what way(s) is your mind working against you? Remember, it takes a lifetime for your brain to mature. Trust that it’s never too late to change your mind!

Prayer Starter: Father God, I want my brain to begin working for me rather than against me. Help me as I give my brain this new job to start thinking in more positive ways! In the name of Jesus, amen!

http://www.joycemeyer.org

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

— Colossians 1:9-10 (NIV)

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

Even though we won’t fully reach it this side of eternity, God’s Word encourages us to strive for perfection by growing into complete maturity and godliness in mind and character, having integrity, like our heavenly Father (see Matthew 5:48).

Paul said that even though he hadn’t attained the ideal of perfection, he pressed on to grasp and make his own that for which Christ had laid hold of him (see Philippians 3:12). Like Paul, let’s strive for maturity and integrity today.

I want to encourage you to invite the Holy Spirit to teach you and help you grow in each area of your life. The more you grow and produce mature, godly behavior, the more you’ll shine and show others God’s love (see Matthew 5:16).

Prayer Starter: Father, please show me where and how I can grow today. Thank You for giving me the grace to shine Your light into this dark world, and to help people find You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed one, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity], to proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound].

— Luke 4:18-19 (AMPC)

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

Did you know Jesus’ first public appearance recorded in Luke’s gospel was in His hometown’s synagogue in Nazareth? When the leader handed Him the scroll of Isaiah, Jesus read the words you see in today’s verse. What the people there didn’t understand yet was that what He was reading to them was describing Himself: “The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me . . . to announce release to the captives” (v. 18). Isn’t that what Jesus did then? Isn’t that what Jesus does now? He said God had anointed Him specifically for that task. If that’s true—and I don’t doubt it for a second—do I honor Jesus by remaining a captive? Do I honor Him by believing that I can never overcome my past? Because Jesus received the anointing to deliver me, there’s only two possible results: He sets me free or He doesn’t.

This is what happens on the battlefield of the mind, as I’ve pointed out again and again—the enemy and Jesus are both always speaking to you. Your deliverance (and mine) depends on which voice we listen to. If we listen to Jesus and believe Him, He says that deliverance is not only possible, but it becomes our reality. If God anointed Jesus for that purpose, it means God empowered Him to open prison doors and set captives free. You and I can’t be set free until we start to believe it’s possible. If you believe that God loves you, wants only the best for you, and has a perfect plan for your life, how can you doubt?

Even if you’ve had a terrible, heartbreaking and abusive past, as I did, please know that so many others are walking through this with you, and that healing and freedom are possible for you. Even one of the most broken people in the Bible—a man who was possessed by multiple demons, living in a graveyard and far beyond human help—was completely restored and set free when he met Jesus (see Mark 5:1-20). Jesus did that because that’s what the Lord does—He sets prisoners free, and He’ll set you free.

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for anointing Jesus to set me free. Please forgive me for the times I’ve listened to the enemy’s voice that makes me feel like I’m beyond help. You are the Deliverer. Thank You for delivering me from everything that holds me back from fully serving You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

…Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

— Ephesians 4:15 (AMPC)

– by Joyce Meyer

When we look back over our lives, we often see that we didn’t grow during the easy times, but we grow significantly during hard times. In the easier times, we’re able to enjoy what we’ve gained during the harder times.

This is really a life principle. You work all week, then you receive your paycheck and enjoy your time off. You exercise, eat right, and take care of yourself, then you enjoy a healthy body. You clean your house, or basement, or garage, and then you enjoy your neat, clean surroundings each time you walk through them. This concept reminds me of Hebrews 12:11 (NIV): No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

To be truly victorious, we need to grow to the place where we’re not afraid of hard times but are actually challenged by them, because God uses them to ultimately prepare us for the good times. I encourage you today to ask God for the grace to appreciate and grow, even in the difficult things you’re facing. When you do, He’ll work in and through you to accomplish it (see Philippians 2:13).

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me today to see how You’re working in my life and give me the grace I need to grow, even in the harder things I’m dealing with. Thank You for promising to be there for me, and for working in me and through me to bring about real maturity. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

 As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him.

— Psalm 18:30 (AMPC)

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

Hearing and reading the truth in God’s written Word helps keep us stable through the storms of life. It never changes or wavers in its intent for us, and the message of God’s love never changes. Even if His Word doesn’t speak specifically to the details of our situation, it always speaks accurately of God’s heart and character, and reassures us that He’ll always take care of us and make a way for us. That alone makes it worth studying!

The Word teaches that our knowledge in this life is fragmented, incomplete, and imperfect. According to 1 Corinthians 13:9, we know only “in part” (NKJV). This tells me there will never be a time in our lives when we can honestly say, “I know everything I need to know.” Go to God in humility and be hungry to learn from His Word. Ask Him daily to teach you what you should do in each situation you’re facing, and receive the Holy Spirit as your Teacher. When you do, He will lead you into all truth, revealing things to you that you could never figure out on your own (see John 16:13). I’ve decided to be a lifetime learner and student of God’s Word, and I strongly encourage you to do the same—you won’t regret it!

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for the gift of Your Word. Today I invite You, Holy Spirit, to teach me, to reveal truth to me, and to open my eyes more and more to the beauty of who Jesus is. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org

He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].

— 2 Corinthians 5:21 (AMP)

Adapted from the resource Healing the Soul of a Woman – by Joyce Meyer

Part of the joy of being a Christian is the ability to exchange all you have for all Jesus has. You can exchange sin for forgiveness, fear for faith, uncertainty for confidence, lack for abundance, anxiety for peace, sadness for joy, despair for hope, failures for a fresh start, weakness for strength, and you can make all kinds of other wonderful exchanges because you belong to God. According to Romans 8:17, believers are “co‑heirs with Christ” of all that God gives to Him (NIV). We can have everything He offers us, under one condition: we need to let go of everything old in order to pick up the new blessings He has for us.

I like to say that Jesus invites us to an exchanged life. On any given day with Him, we can make the exchanges I mentioned earlier, but we don’t get the new until we release the old. One of the great exchanges of the Christian life is exchanging our inability to do everything right for the righteousness of God. Isaiah writes that our old righteousness—or ability to produce right behavior—is like filthy rags or a polluted garment (see Isaiah 64:6), but Jesus’ righteousness is perfect. Because of His sacrifice, 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us that we can exchange our imperfect righteousness for His perfect righteousness.

Have you ever gone through life with a vague sense that something just isn’t right about you? You may not be able to articulate it, but you feel it. If you’ve been there, I can relate. Because of the abuse that happened during my childhood, I felt for many years that something was wrong with me, but I could never say with certainty what it was. I just knew that for my father to abuse me the way he did, something had to be wrong with me. Imagine how thrilled I was when I learned that Jesus makes everything about me right before God through my faith in Him!

The impression that something is wrong about you is a lie from the enemy. The truth is that because of God’s lovingkindness, He sees you as right with Him. He accepts you just as you are, holds nothing against you, and is always there to help you become what He wants you to be. You no longer have to carry the burdens of guilt, shame, condemnation, or that vague feeling that something just isn’t right about you. This doesn’t mean that every old sense of something being wrong will instantly go away. But as you study and meditate on this truth, and as it becomes more and more established in your heart, you’ll become more and more confident in the fact that your relationship with Jesus has made you completely right with God.

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me let go of any sense of there being something wrong about me, and to receive Your perfect righteousness and forgiveness, even when I feel guilty. Thank You so much for paying such a high price to make me right with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

http://www.joycemeyer.org