Be Filled with the Holy Spirit and Give in to God's Temptations

**Joyce Meyer

We all know that Satan tempts us to sin, and in a way, you could say God also 'tempts' us. God tempts, or prompts, us to do good. And when He does, Satan often attacks our mind, causing us to reason our way out of doing it. When we fall for that, he steals from us the opportunity to do good and be blessed.

It seems that we're better at resisting the temptation to do right than we are at resisting the temptation to do wrong. But it doesn't have to be this way.

James 4:7 (AMP) says, "Be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you." It's a twofold thing. You can't resist the devil without submitting to God. And you can't submit to God without resisting the devil.

Ephesians 5:18 tells us to "ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit." When you're full of the Spirit, you are submitted to God and you can resist the devil and win the battle.

Prayer Starter: God, fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I submit myself to You and want to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit to do good and bless people today.

Ephesians 5:18

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Live at Peace with Everyone

**Joyce Meyer

An important lesson I've learned is to "bend so I will not break." The Bible says to "readily adjust yourself to [people, things]. And, if possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Romans 12:16, 18 AMP).

Before I made the Word of God a priority in my life and decided to live an obedient life, I had to have my own way. I wasn't adaptable. I wanted everyone else to adapt to me. Of course, that resulted in more strife and stress.

I've now learned to bend. It's not always easy on the flesh to give in and do things differently than I had planned, but it's easier than being upset and miserable.

If you want to have peace in your relationships, you will need to be willing to be flexible. Pushing for your own way all the time will only hurt and offend those around you. But when you take to heart Paul's encouragement to 'live at peace with everyone,' the Holy Spirit will fill your relationships with His joy and peace.

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, help me to bend so that I will not break. I want Your peace in my relationships, so I choose to be flexible today.

Romans 12:18

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

Facing the Truth Brings a Happier Life

**Joyce Meyer

Nobody can be set free from a problem until they're willing to admit they have one. An alcoholic, drug addict or anyone who's lost control of their life is doomed to suffer until they're able to say, "I've got a problem, and I need help with it." 

Even though our problems may have been brought upon us because of something done against our will, we have no excuse for allowing the problem to persist, grow and even take control over our entire life. Our past experiences may have made us the way we are, but we don't have to stay that way. We can take the initiative by taking positive steps to change things, and we can ask for God's help. 

Whatever your problem may be, you must face the truth and assume some personal responsibility. The Bible says we must evaluate ourselves. That might seem daunting, but Jesus Christ is in you and can help you through any past problems and issues.

Face the truth, it can be the beginning of a happier life!

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, I don't want to live in denial and fear of my problems. I choose to evaluate myself and get to the bottom of these issues because I know that You can help me work through them to have a happier life.

2 Corinthians 2:5

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test?

The Danger of Jealousy

**Joyce Meyer

Anger caused by jealousy is one of the first negative emotions mentioned in the Bible. Genesis 4 tells us that Cain killed his brother Abel because he was jealous to the point of being angry. Although this is one of the more extreme results of jealousy, it reminds us of how dangerous jealousy can be. 

In today's society many people feel their status is dependent on their job or position in the church. Because of this mindset, they're afraid someone else may get promoted ahead of them. Jealousy causes them to try to be important in the eyes of man. 

If you have this problem, understand that God has you where you are for a reason. He knows what's in your future, and He may have you in training for it right now. 

Don't despise the days of small beginnings. Our rewards come from obeying the specific callings He's placed on our lives, not from jealously trying to achieve things that you think will impress people. Don't let jealousy grow in you. Trust God to place you where you need to be.

Prayer Starter: God, jealousy is dangerous and I don't want to have any part of it. My status isn't dependent on worldly positions and recognition.

James 3:16

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

From Seedtime to Harvest

**Joyce Meyer

Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that there is a season for everything. We don't all live in the same season at the same time. You should never be jealous of someone who is enjoying harvest while you're still in the planting season. Remember, they had to go through a season of planting just as you are. 

Seedtime represents learning the will of God. Each time I choose God's will instead of my own, I'm planting a good seed that will eventually bring a harvest in my life.

Between seedtime and harvest comes a time of waiting. Roots shoot down, digging their way through the ground. It takes time for this to happen, and it takes place underground. Above the ground, you can't tell anything is happening. 

After we plant seeds of obedience, we feel like nothing is happening, but all kinds of things are happening inside where we can't see. And like the seed that finally bursts through the ground with a beautiful green shoot, our seeds of obedience will finally break forth into a beautiful manifestation of God in our lives. 

Prayer Starter: Lord, because seedtime is necessary for harvest time, I won't get discouraged while I'm waiting and feeling like nothing's happening. I will continue to obey and trust You, knowing that You will bring me into my harvest at just the right time.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens

A Perfect Heart

**Joyce Meyer

Time and time again in my life, the Lord has reminded me that He doesn't look for perfect performance from us, but perfect hearts. 

A lot of people think God won't use them until every area of their life is perfected. That type of thinking keeps people from allowing God to use them. He uses us in spite of us, not because of us. 

People usually love you based on your performance. If you do what they want you to do, they accept you; but if you don't, they reject you. God's love is based only on God. He loves you and accepts you as you are.

This doesn't mean we should have a loose attitude and not desire to live a holy life. A person whose heart is perfect toward God is always going to earnestly and zealously desire to please God in all things, yet they understand that God will never reject us because of our weaknesses or mistakes. He wants to love us and help us when we're weak.

Let God love you, and in return, give Him your love with a perfect heart!

Prayer Starter: God, I know that you love me despite my weaknesses and flaws. I thank You for this love and turn my heart to You, knowing that You can use me when I follow You with a perfect heart.

2 Chronicles 16:9

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.

Wait for the Wisdom of God

**Joyce Meyer

People often ask me, "How can I know for sure whether I'm walking in the truth or walking according to my feelings and emotions?" I believe the answer is found in patience. 

Emotions urge us to hurry, telling us that we must do something and do it right now! But godly wisdom tells us to wait until we have a clear picture of what it is we are to do and when we are to do it. Godly wisdom tells us to seek wise guidance and counsel before we rush into decisions.

We need to be able to back off and view our situation from God's perspective. We need to make decisions based on what we know rather than what we feel. We need to receive His wisdom and the wisdom of the trusted people He's placed in our lives.

When faced with any difficult decision, wait until you have a clear answer before taking a step that you may regret. Emotions are wonderful, but they must not be allowed to take precedence over wisdom and knowledge. Seek God's guidance and let Him show you what to do.

Prayer Starter: God, I won't rush into decisions and be led by my emotions. I commit to seeking Your wise guidance for the choices I make.

Proverbs 11:14

For lack of guidance of nation falls, but victory is won through many adviser.

Hope: The Happy Anticipation of Good Things

**Joyce Meyer

I define hope as "the happy anticipation of good things." When we anticipate the goodness of God in our lives, it opens the door to greater happiness. So are you aggressively hoping for something good to happen to you?

As long as we live, you and I are always going to be heading somewhere. God created us to be goal-oriented visionaries. Without a vision, we become bored and hopeless. And "hope deferred makes the heart sick," according to Proverbs 13:12, "but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life." 

God wants us to live by His hope so that we can enjoy life.

You're not going to be happy if you don't have hope. The more hope you have in God, the happier you become. Hope believes everything is going to turn out all right, hope is positive! To enjoy life you must maintain a good, hopeful attitude. God is positive, and He wants positive things to happen to each of us, so fill yourself with His hope today and live with the happy anticipation of good things.

Prayer Starter: God, I make the choice today to happily anticipate Your goodness in my life. And as my hope increases, I know that my joy will increase too. Lord, I put my hope in You!

Proverbs 13:12

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Press on and Enjoy Your Progress

**Joyce Meyer

It's true that we all still have a long way to go. I used to get discouraged about how far I had to go, and it seemed like I was reminded of it every day, sometimes every hour. I carried a constant sense of failure, a feeling that I just wasn't who I needed to be, I wasn't doing enough and I needed to try harder. Yet, when I did try harder, I only failed again. 

I've now adopted a new attitude: "I'm not where I need to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be. I'm OK, and I'm on my way!" I now know with all my heart that God isn't angry with me just because I haven't arrived yet. He's pleased that I'm pressing on and staying on the path. 

If you and I will just "keep on keeping on," God will be pleased with our progress. He has promised to light the path before us. We may not know the way, and we may stumble from time to time, but God is faithful. He sees your progress, He's proud of you, and He's going to help you stay on the right path! 

Prayer Starter: God, I won't get discouraged about where I am. You've already brought me so far, and I know that You will continue to light my way.

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Overcoming the Fear of Lack

**Joyce Meyer

One of the biggest fears that people face is the fear of lack. It's the fear that your needs won't be met - that you'll run out of resources and that God won't come through for you in time. 

You may be in a situation of lack that you've never been in before, in desperate need of finances or other resources to simply meet your basic needs. Maybe you're facing an emotional or spiritual lack. The spirit of fear might be attacking you, telling you that God cannot meet your needs and that you won't make it. 

You need to know today that the enemy is a liar, and God cares about your situation. He has a plan and He is working on your behalf to provide what you need at the right time. Even when it seems like nothing is coming your way, God always knows how to miraculously provide.

Whatever your needs may be - financial, physical, emotional, spiritual - you don't have to fear lack. God will provide for you, comfort you, nourish you and bring you back to a place of strength. Trust in His provision.

Prayer Starter: God, Your Word says that You will supply all my needs, so I won't give in to the fear of lack. I believe that You love me and that You will come through and provide for me.

Philippians 4:19

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

God Can Use Your Greatest Trials for Good

**Joyce Meyer

God spoke this to my heart awhile ago: "Joyce, you see to the end of your nose (which isn't very far), and you assume that anything that doesn't feel good isn't good. But I see from beginning to end because I am The Beginning and The End, and I know many things you don't know." 

We know in part, but God knows all.

In Genesis 50:20, Joseph is speaking to his brothers, who had severely mistreated him. When they threw him into a pit and sold him into slavery, they thought they were working against him, but really, God had a plan to use those trials to promote Joseph to a place of great influence.

Sometimes the very things we think are awful turn out to be a great blessing. The greatest trial can develop in you the greatest faith. You might be at the bottom of a pit, but God has a plan to use that pit to promote you in His call on your life. Remember, God can see all, and He will use those trials for your good.

Prayer Starter: God, I can't see 'past my nose,' but I trust You because I know that You see all. I believe that You can take my trials and bring good out of them.

Genesis 50:20

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Receive God's Grace

**Joyce Meyer

Grace is the power of God to live the way He's called you to live. God, however, won't give us the grace to be disobedient. If He's telling us not to do something that we decide to do anyway, we'll experience the painful loss of His anointing.

Grace equals ability. God gives us grace to match our call. When we do our own thing, we do it on our own. When we follow His leading, He always supplies the grace and the energy to do what He's calling us to do.

The best part is that while we do have to choose to receive His grace, we don't have to do anything to earn it. When you choose to follow God's call, He's ready and willing to help you. Jesus died to cover your sins so that you can walk righteously before God with access to the Holy Spirit who can help you navigate everyday life.

I urge you today to make sure you're in a position to receive His grace and ability. If you're trying to pursue your own path, tell God that you want to follow Him and ask Him for help. He will always be faithful to provide His grace to you.

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, I can't live life successfully without Your grace in my life. I want to follow Your call, and I ask You to help me to daily live the way You want me to live.

Romans 5:15

But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!

Love Yourself So You Can Love Others

**Joyce Meyer

It's tough to enjoy life when you don't like yourself. People who haven't learned to accept and get along with themselves tend to have more difficulty accepting and getting along with others. 

I personally spent years having a hard time getting along with people, until I finally realized through the Word of God how my difficulty with other people was actually "rooted" in my difficulties with myself. 

The Bible says a good tree will bear good fruit, and a rotten tree will bear rotten fruit. Likewise, the "fruit" of our lives comes from the "root" within us. If you're rooted in shame, guilt, inferiority, rejection, lack of love and acceptance, etc., the fruit of your relationships will suffer. 

However, once you have a revelation of God's unconditional love for you and begin to accept yourself and others, eventually these new roots will produce good fruit, and your relationships will thrive. 

What are your roots planted in? Examine your heart today and pray that God will firmly plant you in the soil of His love, so that you can genuinely love yourself and then love others. Make sure you are rooted in Him today.

Prayer Starter: God, I want to be rooted in Your love for me. Without Your love, I can't love myself or others, so I receive it today.

Mark 12:31

The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.

Do Unto Others

**Joyce Meyer

I'm sure we lose a lot of blessings we never even know about simply because we fail to do for others what we would like to have done for us. We always want to be blessed by others, but do we take the initiative to unselfishly bless them first?

If your marriage, family, or friendships aren't what you would like them to be, you could literally turn them around by adopting this one principle right now. 

You may have been waiting for your spouse to do something for you. Maybe you have even been stubbornly refusing to help a friend because you want them to help you first. Living this way can be selfishly comfortable, but things will never change until you decide to actively change them. It's time to swallow your pride and save your relationships.

Instead of sitting around, focusing on yourself, waiting for blessings to come your way, it's time to actively make sacrifices and serve the people God has placed in your life. Be a servant and make others the focus.

Instead of feeling rejected and ignored, you'll be amazed at how your relationships improve when you treat others the way you want to be treated.

Prayer Starter: God, I have nothing to gain by living a selfish life. Instead of waiting for people to be good to me, I'm going to be good to them first, treating them the way I want to be treated.

Matthew 7:12

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Courage to Be Yourself

**Joyce Meyer

Are you tired of playing games, wearing masks or trying to be someone other than yourself? Wouldn't you like the freedom to just be accepted for who you are, without the pressure to be someone you really don't know how to be? Would you like to learn how to embrace your uniqueness and resist the pull to be like everyone else?

If you're going to overcome insecurities and be the person God's called you to be, you must have the courage to be different. Unhappiness and frustration happen when we reject our uniqueness and try to be like each other. 

You're going to have to take a chance on not being like everyone else. You must ask yourself, am I a people pleaser or a God pleaser? It's not worth it to try and please man, because God didn't make you to live for other people's approval. 

God knew what He was doing when He made you. You are a unique individual, God created you the way you are! It's time that you dare to accept yourself as different and stop being insecure about who you are. 

Prayer Starter: God, I will not fear man. You did not design me to live for the approval of others. Today, I dare to be different. I want to be a God pleaser, living as the unique individual You created me to be.

Psalm 56:4

In God, whose word I praise - in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

The High Cost of Low Living

**Joyce Meyer

Satan tempts us to live a low life, but God tempts us to come up higher. One of the worst mistakes we can make is to get complacent, thinking that what we have right now is okay. A mindset of low expectations holds us back because God can only do through us what we believe for.

Be careful not to get in an 'okay place' spiritually. I don't want to be average because I don't serve an average God. God is a God of excellence, and I want to follow His example. And like the scripture below says, we can gain all the world has to offer and end up forfeiting the blessed life He has for us.

Low living has a high cost. Nothing is worth giving up the wonderful, peaceful, joyful, righteous, holy life we can have in Christ here on earth. If you spend your life resisting the will of God and living your way, you're living the low life.

God wants you to be blessed, but He doesn't want you trying to provide it for yourself. He doesn't want you to seek things or put things ahead of Him. Remember that as we seek first God and His kingdom, all of the blessings He has in store for us will come. And that's living the high life!

Prayer Starter: Lord, I don't want to settle for a low life. Help me to keep my focus on You, so that I can live the high life of Your kingdom today.

Matthew 16:26

What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

Confess your faults to people you trust

**Joyce Meyer

Why don't we ever talk about our faults and weaknesses? Why don't we want to bring things like that into the open? It is because we are afraid of what people will think. We are afraid of being rejected, misunderstood, or unloved by those we care about or that they might have a different opinion of us if they really knew all about us.

But confessing our faults is important for emotional healing. The Bible says that all hidden things will eventually be disclosed, so we might as well share our hurts and weaknesses today with people that we trust.

When I finally worked up the courage to share with someone about the abuse from my past, it was incredibly difficult emotionally. But now when I talk about my past, it is as though I am talking about somebody else's problems. The process of confessing the pain and weaknesses in my life brought healing and restoration.

Pray and ask God to show you who you can trust, and then commit yourself to a relationship of openness and honesty with them. As you share together, you will bring God's healing to each other.

Prayer starter: Holy Spirit, show me who You have placed in my life that I can share my faults, weaknesses and hurts with. I want to open the door to greater healing in my life and in theirs.

Luke 8:17

For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.

Be in the world, not of it!

**Joyce Meyer

Many people today are living in a perpetual state of overloaded, stretching themselves to the limit. As a result, they are on the verge of collapse. Even the atmosphere seems to be charged with all kinds of stress, pressure, discouragement and negativity.

But the good news is that, as Christians, although we may be in the world, according to John 17, we are not of the world. Our attitude and approach should be entirely different. The world responds to difficulties by being upset and discouraged, but Jesus said in John 14:27 (AMP) that we should stop allowing ourselves to be agitated, disturbed or upset.

This verse indicates that our attitude can be different from the world's. I have noticed that the right attitude and approach can completely turn a situation around. The right attitude opens the door for God to work supernaturally and help you. The right attitude is what allows you to be in the world but not of it, even when you are surrounded by it.

Remember that Jesus has deprived the world of its power to harm us, and because we are in Christ, we are able to approach the challenges we face in life in a calm, confident manner.

Prayer starter: God, You said that even though I am in the world, I do not have to be of it. I choose Your attitudes and mindsets today. Even in the midst of this world, I choose to respond with Your peace and the mind of Christ.

John 17:15-16

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 

They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

Choose better thoughts, reap a better life

**Joyce Meyer

This scripture clearly says that death and life are in the words we speak. It is so important that we learn to control our mouths, but we need to make sure we do it the right way.

I think some people try to control their mouths but do nothing about their thoughts. That is like pulling off the top of a weed, unless the root is dug up, the weed always comes back. You will never control your mouth unless you first learn to control your mind.

We are constantly tempted to think wrong thoughts, but we do not have to accept them. We have a choice! We can purposely choose right thinking so that we can then choose right speaking.

You can choose life-generating thoughts by hearing, reading, thinking and talking about God and His Truth. What is inside you will find its way outside, so when you fill your mind with good, positive, powerful, life-giving things from God, positive, powerful, life-giving words will naturally follow.

Prayer starter: Holy Spirit, I want to change my thoughts so that I can speak life-giving words. Help me fill my thoughts with Your Truth so that my words reflect You.

Proverbs 18:21

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Do not meditate on the little disappintments

**Joyce Meyer

Deep hurt does not just come from huge disappointments, like when we fail to get the job or promotion we really wanted. Deep emotional hurt can come from a series of minor annoyances and frustrations. That is why we must know how to handle the small, daily disappointments and keep them in perspective.

When you focus on something continually, it is called meditation. The little frustrations that come up every day are annoying on their own, but when they pile up, it almost seems impossible to meditate on anything else.

But instead of concentrating on your problems and getting discouraged, focus on God and meditate on His promises for you. Life might get you down, but you do not have to stay down. God is ready, willing and able to pick you up.

When disappointment weighs on you, you can either let it press you down, or you can use it as a stepping-stone to better things. Choose to face disappointment at its onset by meditating on God's ways. He has better things for you, and He will help you defeat disappointment. 

Prayer starter: God, like Psalm 119:15 says, I will meditate on Your Word, not the little disappointments that try to press me down. Life can be discouraging, but Your Word is so encouraging, I know I can overcome the discouragement by looking to You!

Psalms 119:15

I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.

Becoming one means enjoying each other

**Joyce Meyer

You can have such fun in your marriage when you begin to enjoy each other. Do you know that God did not put you together to be miserable? He did not put you together to fight, pick on each other or try and change each other.

The Bible says specifically that a woman is to enjoy her husband, but I believe this scripture applies to both sides of a marriage. However, I rarely hear a woman says, "You know what? I really enjoy my husband," or hear a man says, "I am enjoying my wife."

But in marriage, God wants us to enjoy each other. He wants you and your spouse to laugh and have fun together. I realize it is not always easy. Marriage definitely has its challenges, but despite your differences, ask God to show you wonderful things about your spouse. Ask Him to help you see you spouse the way He does, because He loves them and died for them just like He did for you.

When you have God's perspective of each other, joy will just naturally fill your heart, and you will be able to enjoy your spouse.

Prayer starter: God, I want to enjoy my spouse. Even when marriage is difficult, help me to find joy and have fun with them by seeing them the way You do.

1 Peter 3:2

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.

Resist the devil and rejoice in the Lord

**Joyce Meyer

Depression is defined in part as "a hollow, being in a low state; a state of sadness; dejection." The real cause of depression is not where we are, but our attitude about where we find ourselves. That is why the devil wants to make you feel like you are worthless and rejected.

But if you do not let the devil impress you with what he does, then he cannot oppress you; and if he cannot oppress you, then he cannot depress you.

I think one of the best ways to resist the devil and achieve victory over depression is to let the Holy Spirit lead you into a time of rejoicing. The enemy wants you to look at the negative and have a pity party, but the Holy Spirit wants you to look at the positive and just have a party!

Philippians 4:4 says to "rejoice in the Lord always." When we are focused on God, rejoicing in Him, depression has no place in us. So the next time the enemy tries to make you feel low or sad, choose to rejoice in the Lord!

Prayer starter: God, You are wonderful and amazing, which is why I can rejoice in You always. Depression has no place in my life because I am filled with You!

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!

Find the power to overcome the temptations you face

**Joyce Meyer

Temptation, or giving in to temptation, has been a serious problem since the beginning of time and is still a very real part of our lives today. Like it or not, we all have to deal with it. In Luke 17:1, Jesus said, 'Temptations (snares, traps set to entice to sin) are sure to come.'

But why do we have to deal with temptation? Because it strengthens our faith, or our spiritual muscles. If we did not have to stand against temptation, we would never know our own spiritual strength. To develop spiritual strength, we must pass all kinds of tests of temptations both large and small.

In Luke 4, we find that Satan tempted Jesus, hoping to find an area of weakness to invade. But Jesus stood strong and defeated the enemy. I encourage you to do what Jesus did when He was tempted. He went straight to God's Word. I believe God knew ahead of time that Jesus would pass the test, and I believe He has confidence in us, knowing if we follow the example of Jesus, we will overcome temptation and pass many of our tests too.

Prayer starter: God, thank You for helping me understand how to develop the strength I need to resist the temptations of the enemy. When temptation comes, I will go straight to Your Word and resist it with Your truth.

Luke 17:1

Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come.

Dealing with dread

**Joyce Meyer

It is impossible to reach your God-given destiny if you allow your thoughts to be overcome by dread. Dread is a close relative of fear, and allowing it to remain in your mind, sets you up for misery and robs you of joy.

Once, I experienced a feeling of dread as we were planning our trip to speak in India. I was excited about the wonderful opportunity there, but all I could focus on was the long flight and poor conditions that exist in that country. I am grateful that I knew how to dispel that dread by focusing on and dwelling on God's Word. If I had allowed myself to dwell on the negative aspects of the trip, it would have taken away the joy and excitement God wanted me to experience. 

Dread is a trap, and you must be determined not to fall into it. If not being sure of the future or facing new things causes you to feel dread or fear, turn to Psalm 27:1, praying and confessing out loud, 'The Lord is my Light and my Salvation, whom shall I fear or dread?'

Prayer starter: Lord, I declare today that You are my Light and my Salvation. Because of You, I do not need to dread the future. I have victory in You.

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?

Receiving and giving the Word

**Joyce Meyer

Sometimes we suffer attacks from the enemy simply because of our involvement with the Word of God. Mark 4:17 speaks of those who hear the Word and endure it for a while, "...then when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Word, they immediately are offended (become displeased, indignant, resentful) and they stumble and fall away."

Satan knows the Word will strengthen us and he wants to stop it, before we can spread it to others. So it is imperative to guard the Word in your heart and resist the devil when he comes to steal it from you. When you do, the trials the enemy brings will actually help bring others to the Lord.

The apostle Paul said there were many things that God allowed him to go through simply as object lessons for other people. Even during Paul's imprisonment, his stability and ability to be used by God was evident.

If we are to minister to others, we too must face some adverse circumstances. But if we stand in faith and confidences, God will bring us through to victory, and we will be a great encouragement to others in the process.

Prayer starter: God, I want to abide in You and Your Word every day. When trials come my way, I pray that You would use them to make me stronger and spread Your Word to those around me.

Philippians 1:12-14

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

Four steps for studying the Word

**Joyce Meyer

Many people have asked me how to study God's Word. Here are four helpful tips:

1. Purposely set aside time. I make an appointment with God in the mornings, but if that does not work for you, find a time that does, even if it is not every day. Just start somewhere and you will see the positive fruit that this time brings to your life!

2. Make preparation for your Bible study. Choose a place that you enjoy being, a room in your house where you can be alone.

3. Have all your materials available. You will want your Bible, of course, but also get a good Bible dictionary, concordance, pen and paper. That way, you do not have to stop every few minutes to reference something or write something down.

4. Prepare your heart. talk to God about things you may need to confess, and enter your study time peacefully and without anything that may block you from receiving revelation during your study.

Take the time to study the Word because there is power in it to change your life and become the person God wants you to be.

Prayer starter: Lord, I purpose in my heart to set aside time to really study Your Word. Teach me how to understand, consent and submit to Your truth in my life every day.

Proverbs 4:20

My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.

Permission to lighten up

**Joyce Meyer

I used to be too intense. I was intense about how my children behaved and looked. I was intense about how my house looked, how I looked and what people thought of us. I was intense about trying to change my husband into what I thought he should be. I really cannot think of anything I was not intense about! What I really needed to do was give myself permission to lighten up!

I did not know how to trust God with daily life. I was out of balance in almost everything. I did not yet realize that celebration and enjoyment are necessary in our lives, we cannot be healthy spiritually, mentally, emotionally or physically without it! In fact, celebration is so necessary that God made sure He put it in the Bible. He literally commands us to celebrate. 

The best gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you, and you cannot be healthy without celebration being a regular part of your life. Today, change the entire atmosphere in your life with celebration. Give yourself permission to lighten up!

Prayer starter: Holy Spirit, do not let me be too intense. Help me remember to give myself permission to lighten up and celebrate Your goodness every day.

Psalms 138:5

May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great.

Your life would not change until your thinking changes

**Joyce Meyer

I spent a lot of years unhappy because the minute I woke up in the morning, I started thinking negative, sad, depressing things. Now I can truly say I am fully satisfies since the Holy Spirit has helped me operate with the mind of Christ that is within me. Maybe you have spent years thinking wrong thoughts, but that can change today.

If you struggle with negative thinking, it is important for you to come to grips with the fact that your life would not change until your thinking does. Renewed, God-like thinking is vital for change.

The Bible presents a lot of detailed instruction on what kinds of things we should think about. Philippians 4:8 alone tells us to think about things that builds us up, not tear us down.

I want to issue you a challenge. Instead of waking up in the morning and immediately thinking negative thoughts, I want you to pick a positive truth from scripture and focus on it everyday when you wake up. Let God's Word grow in you and transform your mind. Fix your mind on good things and enjoy the godly changes it brings.

Prayer starter: God, I am ready to change and live with the mind of Christ. Help me to only think about what is true, honorable, pure, lovely, kind, gracious, virtuous - whatever is of You.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

Waiting Expectantly

**Joyce Meyer

Have you been praying about a situation in your life and found yourself waiting for a breakthrough? Are you wondering why the answer has not come yet? Do you feel as though victory is passing you by?

Sometimes when we pray long and hard about a situation in our life without receiving any answers, we just learn to live with it. We go on about our business, wondering if or when God will send the answer. But God does hear those prayers, and He has working out the answers even though we may not know all the details. Our situation can change suddenly, quickly, without warning!

Until then we can either wait passively or expectantly. A passive person gives up, but the expectant person, on the other hand, is hopeful, believing the answer is just around the corner, due to arrive any minute. His belief is not a passive thing. His heart is full of hope, expecting his problem to be solved at any moment. He wakes up every morning expecting to find his answer. He may wait and wait, but he will keep asking until suddenly, God turns everything around.

Prayer starter: God, I want to wait expectantly, not passively. I will keep asking You for my breakthrough, knowing full well that You will bring it at the right time.

Matthew 7:7

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Honesty outweigh perfection

**Joyce Meyer

We can care too much about what people think of us to the point where it totally immobilizes us and we are petrified about looking wrong. But do you know what? I think if we are more truthful, we will actually get more respect than we do by trying to hide everything, pretending we are perfect.

I believe one of the main reasons people like to listen to me is that I tell all my junk. It helps them to relax, to relate to me, and offers them hope that if I can do some of the things I have done and make it, so can they.

We need to stop living in fear of making mistakes, because we will make mistakes, period. God is not asking  us to not make any mistakes. He is asking us to be honest and open about our flaws. When we get them out in the open, He can help us get rid of them and move on to bigger and better things.

Do not hide your mistakes. Get them out in the open so that you can learn form them. When you trust God with openness and honesty, He can help you overcome anything.

Prayer starter: Lord, I have weaknesses that I am ashamed of, but holding on to them would not do me any good. I choose to be open about my flaws so that You can help me overcome them.

2 Corinthians 4:2

Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

Accept God's timing

**Joyce Meyer

God gives us hopes and dreams for certain things to happen in our lives, but He does not always allow us to see the exact timing of His plan. Although frustrating, not knowing the exact timing is often what keeps us in the program. When we accept God's timing, we can learn to live in hope and enjoy our lives while God is working on our problems.

Exodus 3:17-18 tells us that God led the Israelites the longer, harder way on their journey to the Promised Land because He knew they were not yet ready to go in. There had to be time for their training, and they had to go through some very trying situations. And in the process, God never failed to take care of them and show them what He wanted them to do.

The same is true in our lives, God's training period simply requires us to do what He tells us to do when He tells us to do it, without questioning or trying to figure everything out. No matter how long things take, we can always confidently know that it will be better when we accept God's timing.

Prayer starter: God, I accept Your timing. I may not always understand, but I know Your ways are perfect and I completely trust in You.

Exodus 3:17-18

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt."

So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.

How to travel the smooth road

**Joyce Meyer

On the road of life there are spiritual signs along the way. In order to stay under God's protection, you must obey these signs that tell you to trust Him and not worry. Do not be afraid; have courage. If you will pay attention to these signs, you will find it is easy to stay on course. You will experience the protection, peace and joy that only God can provide.

However, if you fail to head the signs, you may notice that the road seems a little bumpier than usual, and you are not as confident in your ability as you once were. You may become anxious about the unknown things waiting around the corner, and even veer off the road.

You and I do not need to be anxious because God wants to guard our paths and preserve our way. Why waste time ignoring His signs and becoming anxious when it is not going to solve anything?

Have an attitude of obedience, and when you see His signs, follow them. When you follow His instructions, you will always arrive safely at your destination.

Prayer starter: Holy Spirit, help me to see the spiritual signs that You have placed for me on the road of life. When I see them, I will obey them and follow You safely through life.

Proverbs 2:7-9

He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

Then you will understand what is right and just and fair - every good path.

Are you seeking the right stuff?

**Joyce Meyer

Romans 14:17 defines the kingdom of God as a life of goodness, and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

We are to seek His kingdom, but a lot of people spend their life seeking all kinds of other stuff. When it comes to righteousness, peace and joy, they do not have any because they are chasing after other things.

I used to think that if I had all kinds of worldly stuff, I would have no worries and my life would be peaceful, but no matter how much stuff I gained, it never really brought peace. True peace comes from being one with God.

It is important for us to understand this because I think a large majority of Christians spend their whole life searching for the wrong things, when our real treasure is in Jesus.

So what are you seeking today? What is your treasure? Worldly things will ultimately leave you unsatisfied, but if you seek God and His righteousness, peace and joy, you can experience the completely satisfying and fulfilling life God wants you to have. Go after Him today.

Prayer starter: God, I decide today to stop pursuing worldly things that will not satisfy. I want to be one with You, so I seek Your righteousness, peace and joy.

Romans 14:17

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit