Do not get burned out on too much activity

**Joyce Meyer


In the early days of my walk with the Lord, I was very enthusiastic and eager to serve Him, so I signed up for everything that seemed even remotely interesting to me. One result of it all was that I quickly discovered what I was anointed to do.


Because of my busy life, I was not spending time with God on a regular basis. I was doing good things for God, but somehow ignoring Him in the process. As a result, I often spent time feeling frustrated because I was doing works of the flesh.


"Works of the flesh" are things we do without God's power flowing through us. They are difficult, they drain us, and they produce no joy or fulfillment. They are often good things, but not 'God things.'


People can literally get burned out on religious activity as they struggle to serve God in their own strength. But Jesus did not die for us to have ceaseless activity...He died so that we could be have a deep personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.


Do you need to cut out some works of the flesh today to truly be with God?


Prayer starter: Lord, I realize that doing good works is no replacement for truly knowing You. Help me to find my rest in You as I lay useless activity aside to spend more time with You.

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Let God be your tour guide

**Joyce Meyer


When He walked on this earth, Jesus always knew the right thing to do because He did only what He saw His Father do. As our Lord, we can trust Him to lead us down the right path every day.


Psalm 48:14 says that God will be our guide even unto death! How wonderful to know that we have a guide to get us from one destination in life to the next.


When my husband, Dave, and I visit a new place, we often hire a guide. Once we decided to explore by ourselves, but we quickly discovered that this was a complete waste of time. We spent most of the day lost, desperately trying to find our way back.


Sometimes I think we treat life the same way Dave and I treated that trip. It is always easier to follow an experienced guide than to wander aimlessly on your own. Instead of going your own way, do what you see your Father do, and let Him guide you. God is committed to guiding us, so it is clearly important that we follow.


Prayer starter: God, I do not want to live life like a tourist without a guide, aimlessly going my own way. Only You can show me what to do and how to live, so I choose to follow Your guidance every day.

Psalm 48:14

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

Passing life's tests

**Joyce Meyer


Life is filled with challenges that test our determination and our faith in God. Whether we are faced with the impending threat of evil or with everyday hassles, the quality of our character is sure to be tested on a regular basis.


It would be a great mistake to overlook the fact that God tests our hearts, our emotions and our minds. What does it mean to test something? It means to put pressure on it to see if it will do what it says it will do. Will it hold up under stress? Can it perform at the level its maker says it can? Is it genuine when measured against a true standard of quality?


God does the same with us.


Are you being tested today? The key is to keep trusting God, even if you do not understand. There is no such thing as trusting God without unanswered questions, but when you push ahead, despite your doubts, He will build you up and make you strong.


Prayer starter: Lord, when tested, I want to be ready, holding up under pressure, following You no matter what. Show me daily how to put my trust in You, even when I struggle with unanswered questions.

Psalm 7:9

O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure.

Setting your enemies free

**Joyce Meyer


When dealing with past hurts, we all know that it is right to forgive, even when it is difficult. However. few of us rarely take the next step that God wants us to take.


A common misconception is that all we have to do is make the decision to forgive and our job is finished, but Jesus also said, "Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God's blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you]" (Luke 6:28 AMP). In addition, Romans 12:14 says that we are to bless the people who persecute us and treat us cruelly.


We are to actively bless our enemies. God calls us to extend mercy to people who do not deserve it. Why?


When you forgive, it opens a door for God to heal you, but honestly, it does not do much for the person who offended you. But when you bless them, you ask God to bring truth to them so they can repent and experience the real freedom He provides. Forgiveness sets you free...blessing your enemies sets them free.


Prayer starter: God, I thank You for helping me walk in forgiveness, but I do not want to stop here. I ask You to bless those who have hurt me. In the same way that You have brought healing to my life, bring healing to them so they can experience Your goodness and walk in Your love.

Romans 12:14

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Making a decision to forgive

**Joyce Meyer


When someone hurts us, we often react as though that individual has stolen from us. We feel that they owe us, yet God wants us to let it go.


If we refuse to forgive, what hope do we have receiving what we need? To receive from God what He has promised in His Word, we must obey Him, regardless of how difficult it may be. We must forgive.


The greatest deception that Satan has perpetuated in the area of forgiveness is the idea that if our feelings have not changed, we have not truly forgiven. When you decide to forgive someone, do not let the devil convince you that because you still have the same feelings, you have not really forgive the person.


You can make the right decision to forgive and not "feel" any differently. That is when faith steps in. You have done your part, now wait on God. He will do His part and heal your emotions, make you whole, and change your feelings toward the person who hurt you.


Prayer starter: Lord, I choose to forgive those who have hurt me. I release them from their debt, in Jesus' name. Heal my heart and make me whole.

Mark 11:25

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

When life does not go according to plan

**Joyce Meyer


The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good. Notice Paul does not say that all things are good, but that all things work together for good.


Paul also tells us in Romans 12:16 to "readily adjust yourself to[people, things]." The idea is that we must learn to become the kind of person who plans things but who does not fall apart if that plan does not work out.


Let's say you get in your car and it would not start. There are two ways you can look at the situation. You can think, "I knew it! My plans always flop."


Or you can tell yourself, "Well, I cannot leave home right now, but that is ok. I believe this change in plans is going to work out for my good. God is in control."


Allow God to be the glory and lifter of your head (see Psalm 3:3). He wants to lift everything: your hopes, attitudes, moods, head, hands, heart, your entire life. Remember, even when life does not go according to plan, He is good.


Prayer starter: Lord, because I know that you are in control and work all things for good, I can be flexible when life does not follow my plan. When my plans do not work out, help me to find the good and stay positive.

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Removing Distractions

**Joyce Meyer


One of Satan's more cunning weapons is distraction. He knows if we become sidetracked by the cares of the world that, more than likely, we will begin to neglect our time with God.


To keep us faithful and in close fellowship and communion with Him, sometimes God wants us to remove distractions that are separating us from Him, even if it hurts.


For example, if out career or desire for money or social status are more important to us than pleasing God, we need to get our priorities straight. Or maybe a relationship is keeping you from spending time with God and you are looking for that person's attention and approval more than God's. The bottom line is, any situation or desire in our life that keeps us from being led by the Holy Spirit or living for God is an unhealthy distraction that is not good for us.


God wants us to be moved by His Spirit, not by distractions. So today, set aside all of the distractions of life and purposely focus on God. When you seek God first with your whole heart, you will find Him. He is always there waiting for you.


Prayer starter: Lord, I ask You to help me remove all of the distractions in my life, even if it hurts. Help me to seek You above all else and be led by the Holy Spirit in my daily life. I want to live for You!

Matthew 6:33

But seek first his kingdom and his righteous, and all these things will be given to you as well.