For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. — Jeremiah 29:11 (AMPC)

God’s plan for the people of Israel was only for their good, yet they wandered around in the wilderness for 40 years on what was actually an 11-day journey. Why? Was it their enemies, their circumstances, the trials along the way, or something entirely different that kept them from arriving at their destination in a timely manner?

To really know the answer to this question, let’s look back a little. God had called the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt to go to the land He had promised to give them as a perpetual inheritance—a land that flowed with milk, honey and every good thing they could imagine—a land in which there would be no shortage of anything they needed—a land of prosperity in every realm of their existence.

But the Israelites had no positive vision for their lives—no dreams. They knew where they came from, but they didn’t know where they were going. Everything was based on what they had seen in the past or what they could presently see—they didn’t know how to see the future with eyes of faith.

We really shouldn’t view the Israelites with astonishment, because most of us unknowingly do the same thing they did; we keep dealing with the same problems over and over again. The disappointing result is that it takes us years to experience victory over something that could have and should have been dealt with quickly.

I come from a background of abuse. My childhood was filled with fear and torment, and my personality was a mess! I built up walls of protection to keep people from hurting me, not realizing that while I was locking others out, I was also locking myself in. I was filled with fear, and believed that the only way I could face life was to be in control so no one could hurt me.

As a young adult trying to live for Christ and follow the Christian lifestyle, I knew where I had come from, but I didn’t know where I was going. I felt that my future would always be marred by my past. I thought, How could anyone with a past like mine ever be all right? It’s impossible!

But Jesus had a different plan. He said, The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me . . . 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] (Luke 4:18).

Jesus came to open the prison doors and set the captives free—and that included me. However, I did not make any progress until I started to believe that I really could be set free. I had to get rid of my negative thinking and replace it with a positive vision for my life—God’s vision for me. I had to believe that neither my past nor my present could determine my future. Only then could Jesus free me from the bondage of my past—and free me, He did. Looking back, I realize what a miracle that was!

You may have had a miserable past; you might even be in current circumstances that are extremely negative and depressing. You may be facing situations that are so bad it seems you have no real reason to hope. But I say to you boldly: Your future is not determined by your past or your present!

Most of the generation the Lord called out of Egypt never entered into the Promised Land. Instead, they died in the wilderness. To me, this is one of the saddest things that can happen to a child of God—to have so much available and yet never be able to enjoy any of it.

Start believing that God’s Word is true. Mark 9:23 reminds you that with God all things are possible. Because you serve a God who created everything you see out of the unseen realm (see Hebrews 11:3), you can give Him your nothingness and watch Him go to work on your behalf. All you have to do is have faith in Him and believe His Word—He will do the rest!

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for loving me and having a vision—a good plan—for my life. Please help me overcome any negative mindsets that are keeping me from the future You have for me, and make my life what You want it to be. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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For who has known the mind of the Lord and who has understood His thoughts, or who has [ever] been His counselor? — Romans 11:34 (AMPC)

We need to come to the realization that God is smarter than we are. His plan really is better—way is better than ours. I look back now at many of the frustrating times I went through trying to make things happen in my own timing and being frustrated about waiting, and I realize now that I really wasn’t ready for them. God knew I wasn’t ready yet, but I thought I was. I spent so much of my time asking, “Why, God, why?” and “When, God, when?” I asked questions only God had the answers to, and He knew I wasn’t able to handle the answers yet.

I have discovered over the years that trusting God often requires unanswered questions. When we face confusing situations, we need to say, “Lord, this does not make any sense to me, but I’m choosing to trust You. I believe You love me and that You’ll bring Your best for me at the right time.” God doesn’t need our advice in order to work; He needs our faith.

In Exodus 33:13, Moses prayed for God to show him His ways: “Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You [progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, perceiving and recognizing and understanding more strongly and clearly] and that I may find favor in Your sight.”

We should pray that prayer regularly, remembering that God’s ways include His timing. When we do, He’ll give us the grace to be patient, and the wisdom to know what to do in the meantime.

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me trust Your timing and process. I don’t want to force things to happen, so give me the grace to stay patient. Thank You for showing me how to move forward, and for working behind the scenes for my good. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Then he said, Go around and borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels, and not a few. — 2 Kings 4:3 (AMPC)

Adapted from the resource Love Out Loud – by Joyce Meyer

Today’s scripture mentions “empty vessels,” which is what all of us are. We don’t have anything useful within ourselves, except the power and presence of God that can flow out of us. Certainly, we have value, but only because of the value God assigned to us by paying such a high price for our redemption: the blood of His Son, Jesus. In Christ, we exist and have everything, but in our flesh (who we are apart from Him), there is nothing of any eternal value.

Without Jesus, what do we have to offer God? Nothing. God doesn’t need us; He can do anything He needs to do without us. But He wants to invite us into His work, which is a great privilege and honor, and one that requires us to empty ourselves so we can be filled with Him.

Now, emptying ourselves is not an easy task, and it definitely doesn’t happen quickly. I spent many years wondering if I would ever start to show humility instead of pride, trusting God’s strength instead of mine. If you feel the same way, let me encourage you that as long as you don’t give up, you are making progress. If we’re pressing on and are sincere about growing spiritually, we’ll eventually be like the vessels in today’s scripture—empty of ourselves and ready to be used by God to fulfill His great purposes for our lives.

Prayer Starter: Father, please empty me of everything in me that isn’t from You, and fill me with Your Spirit. Thank You for treasuring me, helping me grow, and making me truly valuable. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Jesus said, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead man, exclaimed, But Lord, by this time he [is decaying and] throws off an offensive odor, for he has been dead four days! — John 11:39 (AMPC)

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

Like Martha, we might think it’s too late for God to help us with our problems because we’ve had them too long, or they’re just too difficult to solve. But God has shown over and over in His Word that nothing is impossible for Him. If He can raise someone from the dead, surely He can bring home a lost child, resurrect a dead marriage, or even fulfill a dream buried deep in your heart.

I want to encourage you not to give up on anyone or anything. Talk to God about it… give Him a chance to work in your life and circumstances. Be patient and expect something good to happen! I always say I’d rather ask God for a lot and only get half of it than ask Him for a little and get all of it. If you’re going to ask God for anything, it might as well be something that seems impossible.

Speak this: God can do anything, so I am going to ask Him for everything!

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me not to write off certain dreams or hopes because they haven’t happened yet. Thank You for caring about everything on my mind, and for being willing to intervene. Show me what I need to do, and help me trust You to do the rest. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who fears, reveres, and worships the Lord, who walks in His ways and lives according to His commandments. — Psalm 128:1 (AMPC)

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

The Bible says, Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked . . . For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap”(Galatians 6:7 AMPC).

God’s Word is true, and He will not be overcome. Nothing can stop His plan, no matter how many obstacles might try to block the way (see Isaiah 54:17; 55:11; Psalm 33:11). Jesus has already completely defeated and disarmed Satan and all his demonic forces, so they cannot and will not win (see Colossians 2:15). If it seems like the enemy has built walls that are keeping you from your purpose, keep doing what’s right anyway—the harvest you’re waiting for will come at the right time (see Galatians 6:9-10).

When you’re feeling overwhelmed and discouraged, remember that God’s plan for you is good (see Jeremiah 29:11), He’s empowering you to do everything you need to (see Philippians 4:13), and nothing can snatch you out of His hand (see John 10:28). As you follow Him, He’s got your back—no matter what—and He’s the One who will give you the grace to keep going.

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me trust You with my calling and purpose, even when I feel overwhelmed. Thank You that nothing can stop Your good plan from coming to pass in my life, and that You haven’t forgotten me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (AMPC)

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

“I’ve always had a short temper. That’s just the way I am.”

“I’m a straightforward person. That’s who I am, and that’s how people need to accept me.”

“I call things as I see them. I don’t sugarcoat anything.”

This list could go on endlessly, but the one thing these excuses have in common is that each is meant to justify people remaining the way they are. It’s a way of resisting change.

Making excuses also creates space for Satan to creep into our minds. Being the deceiver that he is, he tells us that we’re not rude—we’re just being honest, and people need to respect that quality in us. We think we speak the truth as we see it, and we’re not cowards or hypocrites. If the devil can convince us that we don’t need to grow—that we’ll always be fine exactly the way we are—he’s won a serious battle in our lives.

In fact, the devil can give us a lot of excuses for not changing. If he convinces us that other people are at fault because “they’re just too sensitive” or “they don’t want to hear the truth and face reality,” we don’t feel responsible to grow in the way we communicate, and we think it’s all right to say whatever we want, which isn’t true.

Another example is this: No matter how negative we might be in our thinking, most of us wouldn’t call ourselves “negative.” We’d prefer words like logical, realistic, forthright, or candid. Not facing the truth about ourselves is one part of Satan’s deceptive work.

When I went through a season where I was extremely negative, I wouldn’t have thought of myself as a negative person—I thought I was just being honest. If I saw something wrong, I spoke up, and often offered my counsel on ways for people to change. Because I could see the weaknesses and problems of others, I was happy to show them how they could overcome. On my worst days, I found things wrong with all my friends and everything they did. I didn’t have to look for things to criticize—they just appeared without me having to look for them. I didn’t consider it negative because I thought I was merely trying to be helpful. I was so full of pride at the time that it never occurred to me that people didn’t really want my help. They wanted acceptance and encouragement, not judgment and criticism.

As I said, I had never thought of myself as being negative—that is, until God dealt with me and convicted my heart about the way I was treating people.

I’m not trying to condemn anyone for being negative, frank, blunt, candid, or whatever term you use for it, because condemning is in itself being negative. Instead, I want to help believers recognize if this is an attitude problem for them, and help them know that God is willing and able to help them get free from it. The path to freedom begins when we face our problems—without making excuses—and invite Him to help us overcome them.

We start the Christian life as new creations of God. Our past is wiped away. Our walk with God is one of change—of growth—of moving onward. We know what we’ve been in the past, but we also know that we don’t have to remain that way now or in the future. With Jesus’ help, we can have our minds renewed with His Word and always be growing.

The most difficult part may be to say to God, “I’m a negative person, but I want to change.” Once you’re honest with Him about your struggle, you can begin to win the battle and see more freedom in your thoughts, words and attitudes.

Prayer Starter: Father, please give me the grace to let go of negative, critical thinking, and help me see people and situations the way You do. Thank You for helping me renew my mind with truth, and to use my words to encourage and build others up. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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For the rest, brethren, 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 New Day, New You – by Joyce Meyer

“Manifesting your reality” might sound like something from a contemporary self-help course, but the concept comes straight from Scripture: As he thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7 AMPC). I like to say it like this: “Where the mind goes, the man follows.”

Positive thoughts play a huge role in creating a positive life. On the other hand, our lives can also become miserable by having a mind full of anxious thoughts and negative expectations. We usually think our problems are the thing ruining our life, but our attitude toward them is often the bigger problem that keeps us from enjoying our lives.

I’m sure we’ve all encountered people who have a great attitude despite being in extremely trying circumstances. We’ve also probably met those who have seemingly endless money and privilege, yet they’re negative, critical, and filled with self-pity and resentment. Like it or not, we actually have more to do with how our lives turn out than we realize. Thoughts affect emotions, and both affect the body, so learning how to think right is actually mandatory for good health.

Today you can make a decision that you’re going to have a healthy, positive mind. Renewing your mind will take some time and effort, but it’s more than worth it. As you ask God for His grace and study His Word, you’ll grow and experience more and more freedom.

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for giving me the ability to enjoy my life. Please teach me how to renew my mind with Your Word, and help me focus on life-giving thoughts. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. — Nehemiah 1:4 (ESV)

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

Nehemiah was not afraid of emotion, or reluctant to show it. Notice that he “wept and mourned.” Some of us flat-out refuse to show any of our emotions, which is not healthy. Pent‑up feelings are harmful if not dealt with, and need to be released in healthy ways. If we don’t release our emotions at appropriate times, as Nehemiah did when he heard the walls of Jerusalem had been destroyed, our emotions will eat away at us on the inside.

Stuffing or suppressing our feelings can also cause physical problems like trouble sleeping, or even digestive issues. Maybe you know someone who went to the doctor because they felt so bad and were convinced something was wrong with them, only to find out—after all kinds of medical tests—that the doctor found nothing and simply said their symptoms were related to stress or anxiety.

Our emotions will always manifest in some way, so it’s best to deal with them before they deal with us. God created us with tear glands and the ability to cry, which must mean there will be times in life when we, like Nehemiah, need to cry. In the Old Testament, Hannah wept and even stopped eating because she was brokenhearted over not having a child (see 1 Samuel 1:7). When David and the men with him discovered the Amalekites had burned the city of Ziklag and taken everyone in it (including their own wives and children) captive, they “raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep” (1 Samuel 30:4). David also wept when his son became deathly ill (see 2 Samuel 12:21–22). Even Jesus wept over the death of His friend Lazarus (see John 11:35).

Tears are certainly part of the process of healing in our soul. God speaks through the prophet Jeremiah: “Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the LORD” (Lamentations 2:19). This proves to us that God wants us to bring our pain to Him. We can tell Him everything, holding nothing back. He knows it all anyway, but getting it out in the open is incredibly helpful to us.

Though it is important to express our deep feelings through tears at times, God didn’t create us to stay in a season of weeping forever. There is “a time to weep, and a time to laugh” (Ecclesiastes 3:4). God’s Word promises us that “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5 NKJV). Whatever you’re going through right now, ask God to help you deal with it in a healthy way. Cry when you need to, and know that this season of sadness will come to an end. As you walk with God, He will heal your heart and lead you into new seasons with joy.

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me express and deal with my emotions in a healthy way. If there’s anything I’ve been putting off dealing with, please show me and give me the strength to deal with it. Thank You for being there for me, for listening, and for healing me from the inside out. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of this Philistine; your servant will go out and fight with him. . . . David said, The Lord Who delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Go, and the Lord be with you!  — 1 Samuel 17:32, 37 (AMPC)

Adapted from the resource The Confident Woman – by Joyce Meyer

When David came against Goliath, he didn’t stand for hours looking at the giant wondering how to win the battle. The Bible says that he ran quickly to the battle line, all the time talking about the greatness of God and declaring his victory ahead of time. David didn’t run away from his giant— he courageously ran toward him.

Robert Schuller said, “If you listen to your fears, you will die never knowing what a great person you might have been.”

If David had run from Goliath, he would never have been king of Israel. He was anointed by God to be king twenty years before he wore the crown. During those years he faced his giants and proved that he had the tenacity to endure difficulty without quitting.

Did David feel any fear as he approached Goliath? I think he did. In David’s writings he never claimed to be free from the feelings of fear, but he chose to do it afraid, and God honored his faith!

Prayer Starter: Father, I know I have some giants that I need to face… please help me to be tenacious and to do it afraid. Thank You for having my back in every battle. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect. — Matthew 5:48 (AMPC)

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

Being perfect sounds good, but trust me—it’s not reality. Reality is that every one of us is a human being, and no matter how hard we try to be perfect, we’ll still make mistakes sometimes. Our hearts can be perfect toward God, but our performance will never be perfect as long as we’re on earth, and that’s okay.

You are legally and positionally perfect in Christ, but experientially, you’re in the process of changing every day from glory to glory. It’s a growing process, and it takes time.

Struggling for perfection to gain acceptance and approval from God or others only brings frustration and never-ending exhaustion. And it isn’t necessary, because Jesus accepts you just as you are. He will never pressure you to perform, or demand something of you that you don’t know how to give. So just do your best . . . and enjoy life while you’re maturing.

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me be more patient with myself, and to learn to enjoy the growing process. Thank You for being patient with me as I’m maturing. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound. — Isaiah 61:1 (AMPC)

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

Love offers people both roots and wings. It provides a sense of belonging (roots) and a sense of freedom (wings). Real love doesn’t try to control or manipulate others. Jesus said that He was sent by God to proclaim liberty. As believers, that’s what we’re meant to do also—to free people to fulfill God’s will for their lives, not to bring them under our control.

Have you ever seen parents push their children to do things they don’t even want to do, just to meet their own frustrated desires? Or maybe a person who’s clingy and emotionally smothering to a new friend because he or she is afraid to lose that person? Both of these are examples of a misguided, counterfeit kind of love that dominates rather than sets free—this is not at all the way true love works.

Love does not try to gain personal satisfaction at the expense of others. Love will always nurture and promote liberty. When we truly love God and others, we’ll gladly allow the people in our lives to follow His plan—not our plan—and see who they can be and what they can accomplish in Christ. A caged bird cannot fly, so cultivate liberty! Allow people the freedom to be themselves, and watch how they flourish.

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me be a person who loves others in a liberating way. Thank You for setting me free to be myself, and for giving me the grace to do the same for the people in my life. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth) …. — John 16:13 (AMPC)

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

Facing the truth about ourselves is a vital key to experiencing breakthrough and freedom. If you want to consistently live in new levels of victory, we need to remain open and receptive to the truth about ourselves.

This is not just a superficial acknowledgment of wrong thinking and behavior— it’s an open and honest recognition of your sin to God that brings an attitude of repentance, which is a willingness to go in the right direction.

It can be painful, but receiving the Holy Spirit’s direction and correction about your mindsets, motives, and methods of doing things will enable you to move beyond despair and experience a wonderful, deep fellowship with God. As you continue in His Word, the truth will set you free (see John 8:32).

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me be willing to face the truth about myself, no matter how much it might hurt. Thank You for always being there to help me grow and mature more and more every day. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]. — Ephesians 3:20 (AMPC)

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

Have you ever been praying about all the people who are hurting and had a strong desire to help every single one of them? I know I certainly have. In times like this I feel that my desire is bigger than my ability, and it is—but thankfully it isn’t bigger than God’s ability.

When the thing we’re facing in our life looms so huge in front of us that our mind goes “tilt,” we can remember to think with the mind of Christ. In the natural, many things seem impossible. But God wants us to believe for great things, make big plans, and expect Him to do things so amazing that our mouths hang open in awe.

God doesn’t usually call people who are capable; if He did, He wouldn’t get the glory. He frequently chooses those who, in the natural, feel as if they’re completely in over their heads, but who are ready to stand up and take bold steps of faith. They’ve learned the secret of staying close to God and trusting that His superabundant power will work in and through them.

When your desires seem overwhelmingly big and you don’t see how you can accomplish them, remember that even though you don’t know the way, you know the Way Maker!

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You so much for giving me desires that will help build Your kingdom. Help me trust You to lead, guide and strengthen me for each step of the process of seeing those dreams come to pass. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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

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

Exercising our bodies and caring for our souls takes time and effort. Our emotions need to be tended to, we need to have fun and be entertained sometimes, and we need to enjoy being with other people. Our minds need to grow and be renewed daily. We also have a spiritual nature that needs attention. To stay balanced and healthy, we must take time to take care of our whole being—body, soul (mind + will + emotions), and spirit.

I believe intimacy with God is also a matter of time. We may think we don’t have time to seek God, but the truth is that we take time for what’s most important to us. Even though we have to fight distractions every day, if knowing God and hearing from Him is important to us, then we will find the time to do it, even if it’s only for a few minutes at a time.

I want to encourage you: Don’t try to work God into your schedule, but instead work your schedule around your time with Him. As you do that, you’ll begin to reap the benefits of more closeness with Him than you ever thought you could have.

Prayer Starter: Lord, please help me be intentional in my quiet times with You; I want to put You first in my time. Thank You in advance for giving me the grace to grow, and for coming closer to me as I come close to You. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving from his hands what he brought. But as the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him. — 2 Kings 5:20 (AMPC)

Adapted from the resource Love Out Loud – by Joyce Meyer

One day a military official named Naaman, who had leprosy, went to the prophet Elisha for healing. After he was healed, he tried and tried to give Elisha a gift, but Elisha refused to receive anything. Elisha’s servant Gehazi, thinking that Elisha should have taken something, ran after Naaman, stopped him on his journey, and lied to him. Gehazi told Naaman that two “guests” had stopped in suddenly, so Elisha now needed some money and two changes of clothes. Naaman immediately sent the money and clothes back with Gehazi, who hid them as soon as he got home. When Elisha asked him where he’d been, Gehazi lied again, saying, “Nowhere.”

But Elisha knew better and said that because of Gehazi’s greed, Naaman’s leprosy would now latch on to Gehazi and all his descendants (see 2 Kings 5:27). Gehazi’s choice not only affected him, it affected the generations who came after him. I wonder how many times in his life Gehazi looked at his leprous spots and thought with regret about the man he could have been.

Gehazi allowed the love of money to keep him from reaching his destiny. In a similar way, how many people today lose their relationships with their families because of greed? This happens more than we’d like to admit. Working extra hard for a season of time is admirable, and it can be wise in certain situations. But working franti¬cally for decades on end out of an obsessive lust for more and more things is wrong, and always leads to trouble in the end. Take time to spend with those closest to you, and enjoy every moment God has given you.

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me to keep the right attitude toward money and possessions, and not to let greed drive my decisions. Thank You for providing everything I need! In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. — 1 Corinthians 2:16 (AMPC)

Adapted from the resource The Confident Woman – by Joyce Meyer

We need to have daily think sessions, purposely sitting down where it’s quiet, meditating on the truth, and speaking those thoughts out loud. These thoughts from God’s Word are a great place to start!

• This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it (see Psalm 118:24). I’m looking forward to encouraging people today!
• The words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart are pleasing to God (see Psalm 19:14).
• I have the mind of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 2:16).
• I am the righteousness of God in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:21).
• I am expecting God to do something great in my life (see Jeremiah 29:11).

I want to encourage you to take time to actually think about what you’re thinking about. When you decide to think and speak on purpose every day, you’ll begin to reap the results of a clear, positive mind!

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me become more consistent with spending time in Your Word, and in speaking truth over my life. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. — John 17:17 (AMPC)

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

God’s Word is truth, and when we love it and obey it, we’re set free from things that have held us back and held us captive. Embrace the light of God’s truth; let it dispel the darkness. It can be a little difficult to look at the light if we’ve been in the dark for a long time, but if we’re willing to stick with it, we’ll adjust to the light and be able to see how much better it is than the darkness.

The Holy Spirit is always teaching us and revealing truth to us in each situation. It’s an ongoing process in our lives, one that can be beautiful and exciting. He shows us what’s right to encourage us, and shows us what’s wrong because He wants to set us free and make our lives even better. In order to do that, we need to keep our eyes open to truth, listen for His voice, be willing to repent when we’re wrong, and quickly turn back into the light.

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me to receive truth, even when it’s hard to swallow. Thank You for being faithful to guide and strengthen me so I can be free in every area of my life! In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven. — Matthew 18:19 (AMPC)

Adapted from the resource Power Thoughts Devo – by Joyce Meyer

Not only does God have a plan for your life, but the enemy has a plan for you too, and it’s up to you to decide which one you’ll agree and get on board with. I encourage you to choose wisely, because the Bible says when people come into agreement, power increases.

When the devil tries to tell you that you don’t have any future left or you’ve made too many mistakes, you need to say, “God is the God of second chances. I not only have a future, but I’ve got a good future. God has great things ahead for my life.” If the enemy can get you to agree with him, you’ll have what he wants you to have—pain, regret and brokenness—but if you stay in agreement with God, then you’ll have what God wants you to have—life, and life more abundantly (see John 10:10). Who are you going to agree with?

Prayer Starter: Father, I choose to agree with You and Your plan for my life. Thank You for wanting and planning good things for my life, and for helping me recognize and refuse to agree with the lies of the enemy. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. — Genesis 1:27 (AMPC)

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

Have you ever taken time to consider what you think about yourself? Most people haven’t, but it’s an important thing to do. I can remember desperately struggling for many years with my confidence and self-esteem, but when I finally learned to see myself as God does, it revolutionized my life. My father had told me I was no good and would never amount to anything, but God tells me the truth: that I’m His, and through Him I can do greater things than I could ever imagine. And the same is true for you!

It really isn’t what other people think about us that hurts us the most; it’s what we think of ourselves. This is why it’s so important to see yourself through the perspective of God’s Word. He’s created you with unique gifts, talents, and purpose, He paid the highest price (Jesus’ life) to redeem you, and He loves you with an everlasting love. Knowing that, you can truly walk in the confidence that you are a child of God!

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me see myself the way You do. Thank You for seeing me as Your child, and for reminding me of who I am in You when I forget. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. — Psalm 34:1 (AMPC)

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

Right now it seems like everyone around us is living in fear and dread, but as God’s children, we don’t have to. We’re not only free to live differently than the rest of the world, but we should live differently, because when we do, we’re letting our light shine. One way to do this is to simply be as positive as we can in the middle of negative circumstances. The world will notice when we’re stable in every kind of situation. I want to encourage you to make up your mind right now that your external circumstances won’t keep you from facing life with peace and joy. Make a decision not to dread anything you have to do, but to face one task at a time with a thankful attitude.

I never considered driving down the street to get a cup of coffee to be a huge privilege until after I had been hospitalized with breast cancer and had surgery. When I was released, I asked my husband to take me out for coffee and a drive through a local park. It’s amazing how much joy I felt! I was doing a very simple thing that had previously been available to me every day, yet I had never seen it as a blessing.

One day our son went on an outreach with a team of people who visit the homeless each Friday evening. After going to serve there, he was appalled at himself for the things he had murmured about in the past once he saw, by comparison, how other people were living. I’m confident that we’d feel the same way. Those without a place to live would love to have a house to clean, while we dread cleaning ours. They would be so glad to have a car to drive, even an old one, while we complain about needing to wash ours or take it for an oil change.

The point is, we can easily lose sight of how blessed we are, so we need to work at keeping it on our minds by being intentional to thank God at all times for the ways He’s taking care of us.

Prayer Starter: God, please help me to keep the right heart attitude today. Thank You so much for the ways You have and are continuing to take care of me! In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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