Guard and keep [with the greatest care] the precious and excellently adapted [Truth] which has been entrusted [to you], by the [help of the] Holy Spirit Who makes His home in us.
(2 Timothy 1:14)
In Old Testament times, Adam and Eve walked with God in the Garden of Eden and Moses met Him on Mount Sinai. Today, God does not meet us in our gardens or on nearby mountains where we can interact with Him by invitation only. He does not choose to live in a tent, as He did when the children of Israel traveled through the wilderness. And He does not live in a building mode by human hands.
When we accept Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to dwelling us (see John 14:17 KJV). God chooses to move into our spirits-into the core center of our lives-where He can be closer to us than any other living thing. When God's Holy Spirit moves into our hearts, our spirits become a dwelling place for Him (see 1 Corinthians 3:16-17) and is made holy because God is there.
The holy state into which we as believers are placed is then worked out in our souls and in our bodies and God wants this working out to be evident in our everyday lives. It occurs as a process, and the phases of change in our everyday lives. It occurs as a process, and the phases of change we go through actually become our testimony to those who know us. We are actually learning how to live inside out! God has done an amazing work in our spirits and the Holy Spirit is teaching us how to live in such a way that we can be a witness to the world that needs Him.
God's Word for you today: Live from the inside out!
Pg 143
Hearing from God each morning
365 Daily Devotions
By: Joyce Meyer
Remember God loves you.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
It Is What It Is!
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
(Romans 12:2 NIV)
My body is shaped so that I wear a size eight top and a size ten bottom. I hove always been that way. There are lots of beautiful suits I can't buy because they don't come in split sizes. I could buy two suits and take what I needed, but then I'd feel like I had to find someone who was a size eight bottom and a size ten top, so I wasn't being wasteful! The whole situation used to frustrate me until I decided, "It is what it is!"
Now I mostly laugh about it-and laughing is a very important habit to have, especially as you age. If your feet are larger than you would like them to be, your body is not proportioned perfectly, or you are shorter than you wish you were, don't ever let it frustrate you. Decide right now, "It is what it is!"
I am going to be happy with what I have been given and do the best I can with it. Never forget that God wants you to love your body and yourself. He expects it, no matter what messages the world has given you. As the Bible say, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2 NIV) Think about yourself in a new way. Determine to be the best "you" that you can, and stop trying to be what the world says you should be.
The world can tell you lots of things. It whispers untruths in your ear, many of them cruel. It also changes its views and fashions by the month. If you start following its lead, you are lost. Your friendship with yourself will be lost. But instead, if you see yourself as God sees you, then you will not only love yourself but also have the confidence and faith to be a powerful force for good in the world.
May 23 pg. 144
New Day New You
366 Devotions For Enjoying Everyday Life
By: Joyce Meyer
#1 New York Times Bestselling author
Please remember God loves you, and He is always there for you, all you have to do is call on Him.
(Romans 12:2 NIV)
My body is shaped so that I wear a size eight top and a size ten bottom. I hove always been that way. There are lots of beautiful suits I can't buy because they don't come in split sizes. I could buy two suits and take what I needed, but then I'd feel like I had to find someone who was a size eight bottom and a size ten top, so I wasn't being wasteful! The whole situation used to frustrate me until I decided, "It is what it is!"
Now I mostly laugh about it-and laughing is a very important habit to have, especially as you age. If your feet are larger than you would like them to be, your body is not proportioned perfectly, or you are shorter than you wish you were, don't ever let it frustrate you. Decide right now, "It is what it is!"
I am going to be happy with what I have been given and do the best I can with it. Never forget that God wants you to love your body and yourself. He expects it, no matter what messages the world has given you. As the Bible say, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2 NIV) Think about yourself in a new way. Determine to be the best "you" that you can, and stop trying to be what the world says you should be.
The world can tell you lots of things. It whispers untruths in your ear, many of them cruel. It also changes its views and fashions by the month. If you start following its lead, you are lost. Your friendship with yourself will be lost. But instead, if you see yourself as God sees you, then you will not only love yourself but also have the confidence and faith to be a powerful force for good in the world.
May 23 pg. 144
New Day New You
366 Devotions For Enjoying Everyday Life
By: Joyce Meyer
#1 New York Times Bestselling author
Please remember God loves you, and He is always there for you, all you have to do is call on Him.
Friday, May 11, 2012
God Speaks Through Gifts and Abilities
A man's mind plan his way, but the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)
People often wonder, What am I supposed to do with my life? What is my purpose for being alive? Does God have a plan for me? One way God answers these questions is through our natural gifts and abilities. He leads us to understand our purpose through the skills and talents He give us.
A God-given talent, or what we often call "a gift," is something we can do easily, something that comes naturally. For example, many great artists know just how to put shapes and colors together, so they enjoy painting, sculpting, or designing buildings. Many songwriters hear music in their heads, and they simply write down these melodies and/or lyrics to make beautiful music. Some people have natural abilities to organize or administrate, while others are gifted as counselors, helping people sort out their lives and relationships. No matter what our talents are, we derive great pleasure from doing what we are naturally good at doing.
If you are not sure of your purpose in life, just do what you are good at and then watch God confirm your choices by blessing your endeavors. Don't spend your life trying to do what you are not gifted to do. When people work in jobs where they are not gifted, they are miserable-and so is everyone around them. But when people are in their proper places, they will excel in their jobs and be a blessing to their employers and coworkers.
If we do what we are good at doing, we will sense God's anointing (presence and power) on our efforts. We will know we are operating in our gifts and that doing so honors God and ministers life to others. God speaks to us through this anointing, giving us peace and joy to know we are fulfilling His plan for our lives.
GOD'S WORD FOR YOU TODAY: Do what you're good at-it's God's gift to you.
Page 121
Hearing from GOD each morning
366 Daily Devotions
By: Joyce Meyer
People often wonder, What am I supposed to do with my life? What is my purpose for being alive? Does God have a plan for me? One way God answers these questions is through our natural gifts and abilities. He leads us to understand our purpose through the skills and talents He give us.
A God-given talent, or what we often call "a gift," is something we can do easily, something that comes naturally. For example, many great artists know just how to put shapes and colors together, so they enjoy painting, sculpting, or designing buildings. Many songwriters hear music in their heads, and they simply write down these melodies and/or lyrics to make beautiful music. Some people have natural abilities to organize or administrate, while others are gifted as counselors, helping people sort out their lives and relationships. No matter what our talents are, we derive great pleasure from doing what we are naturally good at doing.
If you are not sure of your purpose in life, just do what you are good at and then watch God confirm your choices by blessing your endeavors. Don't spend your life trying to do what you are not gifted to do. When people work in jobs where they are not gifted, they are miserable-and so is everyone around them. But when people are in their proper places, they will excel in their jobs and be a blessing to their employers and coworkers.
If we do what we are good at doing, we will sense God's anointing (presence and power) on our efforts. We will know we are operating in our gifts and that doing so honors God and ministers life to others. God speaks to us through this anointing, giving us peace and joy to know we are fulfilling His plan for our lives.
GOD'S WORD FOR YOU TODAY: Do what you're good at-it's God's gift to you.
Page 121
Hearing from GOD each morning
366 Daily Devotions
By: Joyce Meyer
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
God's Good Plan for Your Life
For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
Ephesians 2:10
Since before we were born, god has had a unique plan for each of us. It is not a plan of failure, misery, poverty, sickness, and disease. God's plan is a good plan, a plan of life and health, happiness, and fulfillment. In Jeremiah 29:11 we read, "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome".
It would benefit every one of us if we would say to ourselves several times a day. "God has a good plan for my life. "Each of us needs to be firmly convinced of that truth to keep us from being affected by our changing circumstances and emotions. You may be asking, "If God has such a wonderful plan for my life, why am I not living in it?" I understand why you would ask that question. It does seem strange that if God loves us so much and has such good plans for us, we should have to suffer and go through pain.
What you must remember is that we have an enemy who is out to destroy God's wonderful plan. Although God has a good plan for my life, I ended up in an abusive environment because the devil came and disrupted that good plan. But there is something else, something really awesome about God, we need to understand. God doesn't like it when someone hurts us and tries to undermine His plan for us. While He is making us lie down in green pastures to restore our soul (see Psalm 23:2-3), He is getting up to do something about our situation!
It should be a great comfort to us to know that what we cannot do for ourselves, the Lord will do for us-if we will trust ourselves to Him.
Page 122
New Day New You
366 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life
Joyce Meyer
#1 New York Times Bestselling author
Please all ways remember God loves you, and He will meet you where you are, and He will help you if you just call on Him and ask.
Ephesians 2:10
Since before we were born, god has had a unique plan for each of us. It is not a plan of failure, misery, poverty, sickness, and disease. God's plan is a good plan, a plan of life and health, happiness, and fulfillment. In Jeremiah 29:11 we read, "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome".
It would benefit every one of us if we would say to ourselves several times a day. "God has a good plan for my life. "Each of us needs to be firmly convinced of that truth to keep us from being affected by our changing circumstances and emotions. You may be asking, "If God has such a wonderful plan for my life, why am I not living in it?" I understand why you would ask that question. It does seem strange that if God loves us so much and has such good plans for us, we should have to suffer and go through pain.
What you must remember is that we have an enemy who is out to destroy God's wonderful plan. Although God has a good plan for my life, I ended up in an abusive environment because the devil came and disrupted that good plan. But there is something else, something really awesome about God, we need to understand. God doesn't like it when someone hurts us and tries to undermine His plan for us. While He is making us lie down in green pastures to restore our soul (see Psalm 23:2-3), He is getting up to do something about our situation!
It should be a great comfort to us to know that what we cannot do for ourselves, the Lord will do for us-if we will trust ourselves to Him.
Page 122
New Day New You
366 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life
Joyce Meyer
#1 New York Times Bestselling author
Please all ways remember God loves you, and He will meet you where you are, and He will help you if you just call on Him and ask.
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