You can't out-give God

**Joyce Meyer

Some put money or the world's system of commerce before God. But the Bible states in Revelation 18 that if we put our trust in money, it is going to fail. I have found that the way to deal with money, instead of struggling with it, is to try and out-give God...because we can't.

The more we give away, the more we will receive. The more we obey Him with our finances, the more He blessed us. The more we do for other people, the more God has other people do for us.

Society tells us to invest everything in the world's system and work all the time to make more money. But if we do, we will really never have anything that matters, especially joy. And we would not be able to enjoy the money we have because we would not be using it God's way.

It may not make sense according to the world's system, but God does not want you to simply make money and hoard it away. God says that by giving it away, you will have more in the end. I challenge you to increase your generosity today. Trust me, You can't out-give God.

Prayer starter: God, Your plan for my finances is not like the world's, but I know that when I give the way You tell me to, You will take care of me. My money is Yours and I will use it as You see fit.

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

You can win the battle today

**Joyce Meyer


Right now, you and I are in the middle of a war. As long as we live in this world, we are going to have to resist becoming like it. It is a daily battle, and sadly, the church today is full of worldly, carnal, fleshly believers. But if we want to live in a way that can change our world, then we have to stop living in the flesh and start living in the Spirit.


Every one of us needs to continually make adjustments to put our fleshly desires under the Holy Spirit's control and not let our emotions or mind rule us. Scripture explains that the spirit wars against the flesh and the flesh wars against the spirit, so they are continually antagonistic toward each other.


It is a war! The devil hates us, and he is constantly working overtime trying to make sure that we give in to the flesh.


Ultimately, you decide who wins in your life. You do not have to be subject to your flesh. You can live in the Spirit, bringing your flesh in line with His Will. You can win the battle today.


Prayer starter: God, I want to win the battle today. My flesh will lead to death, but living in Your Spirit leads to life. I choose Your Spirit today. Help me bring my flesh in line with Your will.

Romans 8:6

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace

He holds it all together

**Joyce Meyer


Colossians 1:17 is a pretty awesome scripture. It tells us Jesus is holding EVERYTHING together. Wow! Even people who do not realize this are held together by Him.


Think about it. We can't have a good marriage if Jesus is not holding it together. If Jesus is not leading and guiding our personal relationships, then we are not going to have good ones. Our finances would be a mess without Jesus. Our minds and emotions would be a wreck without Him. Everything would be a mess without Jesus.


If Jesus is not the most important thing in our life, then we need to rearrange our priorities. Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek God and His kingdom first because if we do not have first things first, then everything else will also be out of order and cause us problems. God's way of being, doing and seeking His kingdom, is to find out how He wants things done - how to treat people, how to act in situations, how to spend money, what kind of attitude to have, and what kind of attitude to have, and what kind of entertainment He approves of.


Start today by giving Him first place in your life. He is holding you together...He created you to follow Him. Put Him first in our life.


Prayer starter: God, I am nothing without You. You hold me together...in fact, You hold everything together. You are the most important thing in my life and I put You first.

Colossians 1:17

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Living free from debt

**Joyce Meyer


It is important for us to understand that the battle for our finances is really a spiritual battle. The enemy tempts us to spend more than we are able to pay off so he can keep us under pressure and distracted form our walk with God.


But we need to have a goal to enjoy the life that Jesus died to give us, a life of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. We cannot do that if we are under pressure and frustrated by financial debt.


It is possible to live debt free by using biblical principles for managing money. My husband, Dave, says that if we learn to live within our income, or our boarders, then God will bless us, our borders will be stretched, and we will have more. Luke 19:17 tells us that God is pleased when we are faithful and trustworthy in little things. When we are, it says He will give us authority over bigger things.


So do not fall into the trap of trying to live "bigger" than what God is entrusted you with. Stay out of debt by living within your boundaries...then watch God expand them.


Prayer starter: God, I want to win the spiritual battle over my finances, and I am starting by refusing to live in debt. I will not give into temptation to spend what I do not have. Instead, I will be faithful with the boundaries that You have given me.

Romans 13:8

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 

Draw close to Him

**Joyce Meyer


Do you want to be closer to God? He wants to be closer to us. The proof is that He lives inside of us. How much closer can you be?


We can always draw closer in our relationship with God. In fact, we are the ones who determine just how close our relationship with Him will be. Even though He lives in us, the Holy Spirit would not force a relationship with us. He wants us to make Him welcome in our lives.


God created us for fellowship and He greatly desires relationship with us. He longs to talk to us, to listen to us, to teach us and guide us, simply to be a part of our lives. And we are the better for it! We are renewed when we fellowship with God. The benefits of spending time with the Father are endless.


My friend, I encourage you to be relentless in making time for fellowship with the Father. He is waiting. He is saying, "Come to Me..." So go ahead...and see what is in store!


Prayer starter: God, it amazes me how You desire fellowship with me. I want to be closer to You, too. Thank You for loving me and drawing near to me as I draw near to You.

James 4:5

Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?

Simplify your prayers

**Joyce Meyer

I have learnt that simple, heartfelt, full-of-faith prayers always get God's attention. Unfortunately, we often overlook this and turn our prayers into a big show.

We have to beware of talking to impress ourselves when we are praying. Sometimes I think we just want to sound eloquent. We want to impress God with our phrases and sound holy. But God just wants to have a little chat with us.

He wants us to talk to Him like we would a friend, not with a different tone of voice. If we do not speak Elizabethan English during the day, we do not need to use it when we pray.

We also do not have to pray for hours on end. It is good to schedule prayer time, but we should just pray until we are finished and then go about out business until the next time we feel the need to pray some more.

The only way prayer will ever be satisfying is if you simply use it as an opportunity to get God's help and involve Him in everything you do. He is not here to be impressed...He is here to live life with you. Do not perform. Just invite Him in.

Prayer starter: Holy Spirit, do not let me turn prayer into a performance! I do not want to overdo it and try and pray too long just to impress You. I want to invite You, as my closest friend, into every aspect of my life.

James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Make God Your "One Thing"

**Joyce Meyer

Life is not supposed to be complicated. Jesus did not die so we could live complicated, frustrated, miserable lives. He died for us so we could enjoy life. The minute everything gets complicated, it steals joy. We need to learn how to stop stressing and stop living an excessively busy lifestyle.

The opposite lifestyle is one of simplicity. Simplicity means "single, consisting of one thing, unmingled." God has dealt with me about living a simpler life. He has shown me that the only way to do this is to just be about "one thing."

God just wants us to be about Him. He tells us in His Word that we would not inherit His kingdom if we do not come to Him very simple as a little child and say, "I believe."

That almost sounds too easy, and you might want to complicate it...but do not! God's plan for you is simple. It may not make sense to your mind, but there is nothing complicated about God, and He does not want you to be complicated. Come to Him today, saying, "I believe." Make Him your "One Thing."

Prayer starter: God, I believe in You. I do not want to live burdened by complications, so today, I seek a life of simplicity by making You the "One Thing" that my life consists of. Lead me in Your simple plan for me.

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Face the truth about yourself

**Joyce Meyer

Someone once asked how I live free from my oppressive past. My answer is very simple: God has given me the grace and the willingness to face the truth about myself.

I grew up in a war zone. Because of my quick temper, I was upset most of the time. Because of being upset, I grew up depressed, disappointed and discouraged. I wished I could have a better life, but my wishing did not solve anything. It wasted my time as I kept blaming my problems on my bad family background.

Finally, God helped me realize that I had to stop wishing and start taking responsibility, to quit blaming other people and my circumstances, and quit making excuses for myself.

You might be in a similar situation. Facing the truth about yourself is scary, but you do not have to do it alone. All your flaws are exposed to God, and if you ask Him for His perspective, He will help you pick yourself up, take responsibility, and live a peaceful life. Today, do not be scared to face the truth about yourself, but let God guide you into a new tomorrow.

Prayer starter: Holy Spirit, I need Your help to face the truth about myself. It is time to stop blaming my problems on my past and on other people, and to meet them head-on with the power of Your Word. Empower me to take responsibility and to change for the better.

Hebrews 4:13

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

You can't add one inch to your height!

**Joyce Meyer


Worrying does us absolutely no good. It does not change one thing, and we waste time by being upset over stuff we can't do anything about, things only God can change.


The Bible says we can't even add one inch to our height by worrying. Yet, we worry, worry, worry, which gets us nowhere.


Every time we get really upset, it takes a lot of emotional energy, tires us out, messes with our health, steals our joy, and still does not change one thing. We need to stop trying to fix things that only God can fix because the only one who is clapping is the devil, saying, "Ha, ha, ha! Got 'em again!"


Jesus tells us to "calm down" in John 14:27 and "cheer up" in John 16:33. I think it is a one-two knockout punch to the devil when we do. When you realize you can't fix everything, that calms you down, and when You know that God can, it cheers you up!


So, do not worry. Instead, calm down, cheer up, and send the devil running!


Prayer starter: Lord, my worrying really does not accomplish anything, so I leave it behind. I am so thankful that You can fix what I can't. You calm me down and cheer me up!

Matthew 6:27

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Be the one God is searching for

**Joyce Meyer


God is looking for people who are passionate about the things He is passionate about. He is looking for people who will wholeheartedly pursue Him. He is looking for people who will love people on their jobs, in their neighborhoods and homes; those who are committed to loving the lost, the poor and the needy. He is looking for those who are willing to start doing what the Bible tells us to do.


Second Chronicles 16:9 says that God is always searching to "show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless towards Him."


Are you one of those people? If not, i want to encourage you and let you know that you can be that person who God seeks.


Whether you have known the Lord for many years or are just beginning your new life in Him, you can be that person who will passionately seek God and listen to the Holy Spirit. You can be that person who can actively make a difference in the lives of hurting people.


Today, rise up, and be the person God is looking for.


Prayer starter: God, more than anything, I want to be the kind of person that You are searching the world for. Lead me and guide me in the way You want me to go, and shape me into a person who loves others, obeys Your Word, and truly knows You.

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."

"They" is you and me

**Joyce Meyer


God is just. It is His character, who He is, and it is something He wants us to pursue.


Justice seeks to make wrong things right. It is us working throughout our lives to fix injustices in the world around us. Every time we see something that is wrong, our first response should be to pray about it. Our second response should be to ask ourselves, "What can I do about it?"


However, it does not even occur to most of us. It is like we look at things and think that it is someone else's problem, and we wish "they" would fix it! We wish "they" would do this and that.


Have you ever stopped to ask, "Who is they?" I think "they" is us, you and me! You may not be able to fix everything, but you can do something. Do not look at injustice and do nothing. You must do something because God did not create you for inactivity and passivity. He created you for enthusiasm, zeal and passion. He put gifts in you to be used for His glory and to help other people. Live a life of justice today.


Prayer starter: Holy Spirit, do not allow me to sit around wishing "they" would do something about the injustice in the world when I can do something. Fill me with boldness, and show me how to right the wrongs in the world around me.

Psalm 89:14

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.

Stillness before God

**Joyce Meyer


One of the most important things we can learn in this day and hour is how to be still.


I believe that one of the significant reasons so many of us are burned out and stressed out is that we do not know how to be still. We do not really know God and do not acknowledge Him. And it is only by spending time getting to know Him still, small voice so that He can direct our paths.


We need to learn to be quiet on the inside and stay in that peaceful state so that we are always ready to hear the Lord's voice. Many people today run from one thing to the next. Because their minds do not know how to be still, they do not know how to be still in their heart.


If we will just slow down and quiet our minds enough to hear His promptings, we can live in a place of peace, ready to respond obediently. It is easy to see that leading a peaceful, happy life, free from exhaustion and burnout, is not all that complicated, as long as we remain still before God.


Prayer starter: Lord, I recognize that You alone are God. I know that stillness  before You is important, so show me how to remain settled and peaceful inside, always ready to hear Your voice.

Psalm 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

Walk with boldness

**Joyce Meyer


Some people exude boldness, while others struggle with living boldly as a loved child of God. I had that problem until God showed me some important keys that helped me live boldly, and I want to share them with you.


1. Refuse to live in fear. Fear is an epidemic in our society. The Bible instructs us in Hebrews 10:38 to live by faith and not draw back in fear.


2. Put setbacks behind you. You are not a failure because you try new things and they do not work out. You fail only when you stop trying. Do not be afraid to make mistakes, and if you do, recover quickly and press on.


3. Do not draw comparisons. Boldness will be impossible as long as you compare yourself with others. Boldness comes from accepting who you are and being the best you can be.


4. Be willing to take action. Search your heart and ask yourself what you believe God wants you to do, and then do it.


Pray over these four keys, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you live them out. Hold up your head and be filled with boldness.


Prayer starter: Holy Spirit, I want boldness to be one of my defining traits. Help me to live out these four keys by Your strength.

Proverbs 28:1

The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Does God love you when you make mistakes?

**Joyce Meyer


Have you ever wondered if you are good enough for God to love you? Unfortunately, many people believe God loves them only as long as they do not make mistakes.


Perhaps it was this outlook that caused the psalmist to ask, "What is man that You are mindful of him?" (Psalm 8:4 AMP). Yet the Bible tells us that we are God's creation, the work of His hands - and that He loves each one of us unconditionally.


Let us face it: Jesus did not die for you because you were great and wonderful; He died for you because He loves you. Romans 5:8-9 confirms this truth by telling us that He died for us while we were still sinners.


God loved you enough to give His only begotten Son, not only to die for your sins, but also to cover your daily mistakes. He loves you enough to get you through each day in power and victory.


God loves you, and He wants you to believe it and receive it all the time...even when you make mistakes.


Prayer starter: Lord, Your love is incredible. You love me even when it does not make sense to me. When I make mistakes, You are still with me. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, my mistakes are covered. I receive Your love today.

Romans 5:8-9

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!

Abiding in the Word

**Joyce Meyer


Most Christians know the importance of reading the Bible, but many do not understand the importance of abiding in the Word and allowing the Word to abide in them.


When we are diligent to study the Word and hide Scripture verses in our hearts, we have instant access to them whenever we need them, and Jesus promised that we can ask for whatever we need in prayer and receive it.


Abiding in the Word and allowing the Word to abide in us makes us true disciples of Jesus (see John 8:31). It gives us more power in our prayer lives, and having power in prayer gives us power over the enemy.


Can you honestly say that you have spent your years as a Christian abiding in God's Word, and allowing it to abide in you? If the answer is no, I encourage you to take action. Make reading and studying the Word a priority. Start memorizing Scriptures and hiding them in your heart. Then, when you face the battles of life, you will fully armed and prepared to win the war.


Prayer starter: Lord, I want to be a true disciple and walk in the power that comes from abiding in Your Word. Lead me as I diligently study Scripture and hide Your truth down in my heart.

John 15:7

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

God is able and stable

**Joyce Meyer


My husband, Dave, is a portrait of peace and stability. He often reminds me of a rock, which is one of the names of Jesus. You see, like a steady rock, Jesus remains unchanging. The writer of Hebrews says that He is 'the same, yesterday, today, and forever.'


I used to struggle to live with the same stability as Dave. I was happy one day, and depressed the next. Finally, I realized what makes Dave so peaceful: He trusts in the unchanging God. He know that no matter what happens, God will stay the same.


The Bible tells us that the Lord our God, who resides within each of us, is mighty (see Zephaniah 3:17), mighty to help us overcome and live by His unchangeable Word and Spirit.


Our God is able...and stable. Why not trust Him today? When you realize that no matter what, God stays the same, and you base your life on His unchanging nature, you can enjoy the continual, calm delight that He has planned for you. Why not start today?


Prayer starter: God, You are able and stable! You are the only constant in this life. I know that no matter what happens, I can rely on You and trust in Your unchanging nature.

Hebrews 13:18

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Follow God's Wisdom, not your own feelings

**Joyce Meyer


Life is no fun when we let our feelings run the show. Feelings change from day to day, hour to hour, even moment to moment. They often lie to us. In short, we cannot trust our feelings.


But we can choose, as Christ followers, to ignore false emotions and live by truth  and wisdom. Let me give you some examples. Perhaps you have found yourself in a crowd of people and felt as though everyone was talking about you. That does not mean they were. Maybe you feel that nobody understands you, but that does not mean they do not. You may feel misunderstood, unappreciated or even mistreated, but that does not mean you are.


These are only feelings. We need to be mature, disciplined, Holy Spirit-controlled people, determined to walk in the Spirit. It takes a constant act of the will to choose to do things God's way rather than our way.


Even though we may feel occasionally bombarded by negative emotions, we cannot allow those feelings to control and spoil life. Instead, we can choose to follow the truth-godly wisdom, knowledge and understanding.


Prayer starter: God, my feelings often go against Your wisdom and try to deceive me, but I would not let them run my life. Guide me with your truth so that I can stay connected to You, and not be run by my constantly changing emotions.

Proverbs 2:6

For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Change your definition of prayer

**Joyce Meyer


Have you ever heard the biblical phrase "pray without ceasing"? To many, that sounds daunting and impossible. How could anyone bow their head, kneel, and pray 24 hours a day?


If that is what you think, it might be time to change your definition of prayer. Too often we view prayer as a very specific process that can only happen once we have gone to a private place and shut the entire world out.


But do you realize that even directing a thought toward God qualifies as silent prayer? It is true! Prayer is communicating with God, so when Bible says to "pray without ceasing", it means to always be open communication with God. That could mean a two-hour prayer session, or it could be something as simple as being aware of His presence as you go throughout your day.


God has not made prayer complicated. He intends for prayer to be an integral part of our everyday lives. Today, change your definition of prayer, and you can experience the joy that comes from constant communication with God who loves you.


Prayer starter: God, help me change my definition of prayer and show me ways to communicate with You day in and day out. Thank You for Your constant presence in my life.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

PRAY CONTINUALLY

Receiving the power of God through prayer

**Joyce Meyer


Prayer is so powerful because it joins the hearts of people on earth with the heart of God in heaven. When we pray, we connect with God, and He affects our daily lives beyond our comprehension.


I believe prayer is one of the greatest powers available in the entire universe. That may seem like a bold statement, but it is true!


Prayer opens the door for God to work. It is the activity that you and I can engage in on earth when we need the power of heaven to come into our lives and bring wisdom, direction, encouragement or a miraculous breakthrough. Prayer connects us to the power of God, and that is why is is a greater force than anything else we can ever imagine. Even Jesus needed to pray and receive this power when He was on earth.


Only God's power can bring peace, instill joy, grant wisdom, impart a sense of value and purpose to a person who does not know what to do in life, and work every kind of miracle.


Do you want to see that power work in you life? Then make prayer a priority.


Prayer starter: Lord, the power of prayer is absolutely astounding. I want to connect with You and see You work in my life, so I make a commitment now to remain in a constant state of prayer with You.

Hebrews 5:7

During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

Take off the mask

**Joyce Meyer


So many times we act one way on the outside, but we are actually different on the inside. Because we have weaknesses, faults and fears, things that we think make us less likable or desirable, we would rather hide them from other people. So we  wear masks.


The danger of wearing a mask is that it misrepresents us. What other people see is a lie. It is not who we are or who we were born to be. We can change the outside, but we cannot change who we really are deep down inside.


We need to realize that God loves us just the way we are right now, and His love for us will never diminish.


And there is more good news. Second Corinthians 3:18 says that God is changing us and making us more like Himself and fixing the flaws we want to cover up.


Trust Him enough to take off your mask. You will find, as I have, that you are being changed, little by little, into the very image of your Lord.


Prayer starter: Lord, I realize that I often try to wear a mask in order to fit in and find acceptance. Today, I make a decision to find my acceptance in You. As You overwhelm me with Your love, continue to change me into Your great image.

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Speak God's Word to the mountain

**Joyce Meyer


When Jesus said that we are to speak to the mountain, commanding it to be lifted up and thrown into the sea, He was making a radical statement.


See, we usually talk about the "mountains," or challenges, in our lives, but God's Word instructs us to talk to them. And when we do, we must respond to them with the Word of God.


In Luke 4, when Satan was trying to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, the Lord responded to every trial by speaking Scripture. He repeatedly quoted verses that met the lies and deceptions of the devil head-on.


We have a tendency to try this for awhile, but when we do not see quick results, we stop speaking the Word to our problems and begin once again to speak our feelings. Persistence is a vital link to obtaining victory.


Constantly speaking the Word is powerful and absolutely necessary in overcoming any problem or negative situation. Know what you believe and be determined to stick with it to the end.


Prayer starter: Holy Spirit, remind me daily to speak the Word to the mountains in my life. Every time I give in to complaining or despair, fill me with Your peace and boldness and prompt me to speak Your will and move mountains!

Mark 11:23

"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,; and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him."

How to develop your gifts

**Joyce Meyer


People ask me all the time how to discover and develop the gifts God has given them. Here are a few helpful steps that I have discovered:


1. Focus on the strengths God gave you. Concentrating on your strengths will help you fulfill the calling God has put on your life.


2. Exercise your gift. Find something you like to do and that you do well, and do it over and over again. Want to know what will happen? You will feel better about yourself because you would not be constantly failing.


3. Have the courage to be different. Unhappiness comes when you try to be like everyone else rather than embracing the unique person that you are.


4. Learn to cope with criticism. Have enough confidence in who you are in Christ that you can listen to others and be open to change without feeling you have to agree with their viewpoint or attain their approval.


God has planted greatness in you. Let today be the beginning of a great adventure as you step into gifts He has given you.


Prayer starter: God, I want to cultivate and develop the gifts You have given me. Give me the courage to follow You and develop the gifts and abilities You have put inside me.

1 Corinthians 12:11

All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

Living with God's thoughts, will and emotions

**Joyce Meyer


As believers, we need to learn how to understand the soul, which is made up of the intellect, will and emotions. Since it is full of "self" and does not want to submit to the Holy Spirit, it must be purified.


Because we are free moral agents, our own minds tells us what we think, but our thoughts are not necessarily God's thoughts. Our wills dictate what we want, even if it conflicts with what He wants for us. Our emotions govern our feelings, when in reality our hearts should only be subject to God and His Word.


God wants us to replace our thoughts, desires and feelings with His. And we cannot live in victory until we do.


Start by telling God you want to live His way. In Romans 6, Paul urges us to "offer" ourselves to Him. Make a choice today, not to use your soul for yourself, but to instead offer it all to God.


As the soul is purified it is trained to carry God's thoughts, desires and feelings, and then you will become a powerful outlet for His glory.


Prayer starter: Lord, my thoughts are sinful, I do not always want what You want, and my feelings try to rebel against Your Word, but I do not want to live that way any longer. Father, I offer my soul to You, knowing that when I do, You can purify me and use me to accomplish Your will.

Romans 6:13

Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.

Real Love-the energy of life!

**Joyce Meyer


Love is the energy of life. It is what motivates people to get up each day and keep going. It gives life purpose and meaning.


People often have times in their lives when they believe they are unloved or have no one to love. They develop this mindset because they are looking for fulfillment in ways that seem good at first but often leave them feeling frustrated, disappointed and empty inside.


Does this ever happen to you? Do you ever look for love and end up feeling unfulfilled? Let me ask you this: What kind of love are you pursuing?


You may be looking for love, but really, you are looking for God, because He is love. Any love you gain that is disconnected from God is not really love and will leave you feeling unfulfilled.


The Bible says that in Him we live, move, and have our being. That tells me that without Him, life is not complete.


Everyone is looking for love, but are you looking for God's love? It is the only love that matters, the only love that lasts, and the only love that fulfills.


Prayer starter: Lord, I do not want to spend my life unfulfilled, pursuing love that is not from You. If it is not found in You, it is not real love, because You are love. Today, I find my love in You.

Acts 17:28

'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'

Give a love that liberates

**Joyce Meyer


Love is liberating. It provides a sense of belonging and a sense of freedom. Love does not try to control or manipulate others or reach fulfillment through the destiny of others.


Jesus said that He was sent by God to proclaim liberty. As believers, that is what we are meant to do also, to free people to fulfill God's will for their lives, not to bring them under our control.


I have discovered that trying to make people do what I want them to do closes the door for God to speak to their hearts. We need to release the people in our lives to be all they can be for God's glory, not out own.


Set people free and they will love you for it. Do not be manipulative. Instead, learn to let God be in control of their lives.


A person who has great love is one who is able to release people and things. Today, do not be a person who controls, but one who freely gives the liberating love that only comes from God.


Prayer starter: God, I want the love I give others to be the same liberating love that You give. I give up my desire to control and manipulate. I will simply love those You put in my life and entrust them to You.

2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

God has a great plan just for you!

**Joyce Meyer


We need to refrain from comparing ourselves to anyone else because God does not want us to be frustrated and feel unworthy of the blessings He desires to give us.


Comparing our lives with other people's lives is unfair, to them and to us. It is unfair to them because if we become jealous of what they have, what they know, how they look, etc., we start to resent them. Then we can no longer appreciate them as the wonderful person God made them to be.


It is unfair to us because it limits God's plan for our lives. Comparison says to God, 'I want to limit Your work in my life to this and nothing else. I just want to be like this other person.'


But God has an individual plan for each of us. His plan for you is greater than you could possibly imagine. Stop looking at His plans for others so you can walk in the plans He has for you and receive the blessings they bring.


Prayer starter: Holy Spirit, help me to examine my heart honestly and expose any jealousy, resentment or frustration in me that has developed from comparing myself to others. I want to be all that You want me to be and live the life You have for me.

Galatians 6:4

Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else.

Know the Word for yourself

**Joyce Meyer


If you have been wondering why it always seems that you are under something, facing one problem or another, and do not have victory in your life, perhaps you need to spend more time abiding in the Word.


Many believers go to church every week to listen to someone else preach the Word to them, but they never know the Word for themselves. If you want to live in victory, you must give God's Word a place of priority in your everyday life. Practically speaking, this could mean that you confess the Word while you get ready in the morning. Maybe you could listen to teaching or worship music on the way to work. You may want to use your lunch hour to read the Word or walk outside and pray.


These are just a few ideas for integrating God's Word into your life. Just make sure you pursue His truth on a regular, ongoing basis. Giving His Word a place of top priority will change your life.


Prayer starter: Lord, I want to fully integrate Your Word into my life. I do not want to hear someone tell me the Word once a week, I want to know it for myself. Lead me and give me ideas to pursue Your Word consistently.

1 John 2:14 

I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the Word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Accept the right thoughts

**Joyce Meyer


As Christians, we cannot accept every thought that comes into our heads. Instead, we need to measure each thought against the standard of Scripture, like the verse below tells us to do.


Here is a practical example: If someone hurts your feelings, you should not remain upset with them for days on end. That only gives Satan the opportunity to plant seeds of bitterness.


Instead, you need to reject negative thinking and refuse to let it drain you of your peace and joy.


You must turn to God and say, "Father, I need Your strength. By faith I choose to receive Your grace so that I may forgive those who mistreated or wronged me. I ask You to bless them and help me go on with my life. In Jesus' name, amen."


As our minds are renewed with God's word, our thinking will change and line up with Scripture. Then, day by day, godly boundaries around our thoughts will be established and reinforced. These limits will not only keep out the deceptions of the enemy, but help you live a more enjoyable, godly life.


Prayer starter: Lord, I only want to accept the right thoughts. Alert me when the enemy brings a bad thought my way so that I can make it captive into obedience to You.

2 Corinthians 10:5

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Increase your self-acceptance

**Joyce Meyer


You may not think highly of yourself, but God wants you to be like who you are. Here are 5 practical tips to help increase your self-acceptance and improve your opinion of yourself:


1. Never speak negatively about yourself. The communication of your faith is made effectual by acknowledging every good thing in you through Christ Jesus, not by focusing on the wrong.


2. Avoid comparing yourself to others. Peter encountered this obstacle when he compared himself to another disciple. He said, "Lord, what about this man? Jesus replied, If I want him to stay (survive, live) until I come, what is that to you?..." (John 21:21-22 AMP). We are not called to compare, only to comply.


3. Let God determine your worth. Remember that you have already been accepted by God.


4. Keep your flaws in perspective. It is ok to see where you want to improve, but make sure you appreciate your progress.


5. Discover the true source of confidence. If you place your confidence in God, you cannot help but have a healthy attitude. Do your best, and leave the results to Him.


Prayer starter: God, thank You for accepting me even when I have trouble accepting myself. Help me to acknowledge the good qualities You have given me and keep my flaws in perspective as I find my confidence in You.

Philemon 1:6

I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

Good enough

**Joyce Meyer


For many of us, our biggest problem is that we do not like ourselves, and our skewed outlook makes it difficult for us to believe that God could possibly love us.


For years I struggled with this problem. I spent at least 75 percent of my time trying to change myself, but all I really did was stress myself out while the devil constantly made me feel guilty. I never felt good enough.


Isaiah 53 tells us that when Jesus died for our sins, He also bore the guilt. He loved us so much that He paid the price so we would not have to suffer with the terrible feelings of condemnation. If we go to God and sincerely ask Him to forgive us, He does, and there is no reason to live with condemnation.


God loves you, and He wants you to believe it and receive it all the times. He also wants you to be free from condemnation. But it takes faith and boldness to be free. God says you are good enough. Accept that today and live a life of victory.


Prayer starter: God, Your son has taken my guilt and punishment and made me good enough. I believe that today, and I refuse to live with the burden of condemnation. I ask for and receive Your forgiveness for my sins.

Isaiah 53:11

After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

Dealing with disappointment

**Joyce Meyer


Many Christians are lying along the roadside of life devastated because they have not learned how to deal with disappointment, but it is not God's will for you to live a disappointed, devastated or oppressed life today, or any day.


Part of Jesus' earthly ministry was to go about in the anointing of the Holy Spirit and deliver all those who were oppressed by the devil. Disappointed people everywhere found new hope when they encountered the power of Jesus. This same power is available to us today.


Use that power to defend yourself against disappointment by focusing on God, meditating on His promises, confessing His Word, and submitting yourself and your situation to Him in prayer. Through Jesus, you can fight the enemy's attempts to weigh you down, rebuking him so that he cannot destroy you.


When the devil makes one move toward you, keep yourself so spiritually tuned in that you can discern what he is trying to do and then back him down. With the power Jesus made available to you, he has no choice but to run.


Prayer starter: God, setbacks and discouraging things will come my way, but I will not remain disappointed. As I stay tuned in to You, I will fight off the devil and send him running every time.

James 4:7

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.