Lord, fix not this sin upon them [lay it not to their charge]! And when he [Stephen] had said this, he fell asleep [in death].
Act 7:60
In Acts 6 and 7 we read the story of Stephen who was called before the Jewish council and falsely accused of blaspheming God and Moses by preaching the gospel. After he had delivered a sermon that angered the council, he was taken out and stoned. But even as they were stoning him, Stephen prayed for his enemies, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive and accept and welcome my spirit! And falling on his knees, he cried out loudly, Lord, fix not this sin upon them [lay it not to their charge]!" (Acts 7:59-60).
I am afraid that in that situation I would have been tempted to pick up a rock and throw it back. But that is not what Stephen did. He forgave his tormentors and prayed for them, saying in essence, "Forgive them, Lord they don't understand what they are doing." A large majority of the time operating out of selfishness. Years ago someone told me something that helped me. He said that 95 percent of the time when people hurt our feelings, that was not what they intended to do.
God does not want us to have a offended heart. If we do, we will not be able to minister to others. You may think this doesn't relate to you because you don't have a pulpit ministry. But every believer has a ministry. You may not be on a platform teaching, but you have a ministry to you children, your spouse, your family, and God.
How can we properly praise God with a wrong heart condition? It is easy for us to be offended. But according to the Bible love is not easily offended.
Page 178
New Day New You
366 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life
By: Joyce Meyer
#1 New York Times Bestselling author
Please all ways remember God loves you, and you can call on Him anytime.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Whose Voice Are You Listening To?
I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God.
(Romans 12:1)
In order to obey the verse for today, we have to choose to give the Lord our "members and faculties." In other words, we offer Him our bodies, minds, abilities, and emotions. We must be careful not to let the devil use our minds. The human mind is his favorite battleground and he will fire thoughts at us all day long, thoughts that will drown out the voice of God if we choose to listen to them. The thoughts the devil sends us are usually sly, subtle, and deceptive so we will find them easy to believe. He lies and accuses and tells us anything he can think of the steal our joy, rob our peace, and make us feel ashamed, guilty, and unworthy. He fills our minds with ungodly thoughts about other people. We cannot stop him from sending thoughts our way, but we can resist them in the power of Christ. Then we can deliberately turn our thoughts toward God and the things He speaks to us.
To be honest, there are days when I have to cast down a dozen thoughts just in the time it takes to put on my makeup! But, thank God, I know how to do it. You can do it, too. Think of it this way: two voices are competing for your attention. You can focus on one or the other. Choose to hear the voice of God and to think about the things He says, not the things the enemy says. When we fill our thoughts with right things, the wrong ones have no room to enter.
Page 169
June 18
Hearing from God each morning 365 Daily Devotions
By: Joyce Meyer
God's Word for you today: Give your mind to God and focus on the thoughts He speaks to you.
Also please remember God love you. Go and purchase yourself a:
Everyday Life Bible
The Power of God's Word for Everyday Living
Amplified Version
Featuring Notes and Commentary By: Joyce Meyer.
Please get to know who God is. It will be the best thing that you ever have done and will do in your entire life.
(Romans 12:1)
In order to obey the verse for today, we have to choose to give the Lord our "members and faculties." In other words, we offer Him our bodies, minds, abilities, and emotions. We must be careful not to let the devil use our minds. The human mind is his favorite battleground and he will fire thoughts at us all day long, thoughts that will drown out the voice of God if we choose to listen to them. The thoughts the devil sends us are usually sly, subtle, and deceptive so we will find them easy to believe. He lies and accuses and tells us anything he can think of the steal our joy, rob our peace, and make us feel ashamed, guilty, and unworthy. He fills our minds with ungodly thoughts about other people. We cannot stop him from sending thoughts our way, but we can resist them in the power of Christ. Then we can deliberately turn our thoughts toward God and the things He speaks to us.
To be honest, there are days when I have to cast down a dozen thoughts just in the time it takes to put on my makeup! But, thank God, I know how to do it. You can do it, too. Think of it this way: two voices are competing for your attention. You can focus on one or the other. Choose to hear the voice of God and to think about the things He says, not the things the enemy says. When we fill our thoughts with right things, the wrong ones have no room to enter.
Page 169
June 18
Hearing from God each morning 365 Daily Devotions
By: Joyce Meyer
God's Word for you today: Give your mind to God and focus on the thoughts He speaks to you.
Also please remember God love you. Go and purchase yourself a:
Everyday Life Bible
The Power of God's Word for Everyday Living
Amplified Version
Featuring Notes and Commentary By: Joyce Meyer.
Please get to know who God is. It will be the best thing that you ever have done and will do in your entire life.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Psalm 143 A Psalm of David (Listen to Daivd Pray) Wow!
Hear My prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications! In and in Your faithfulness answer me, and in Your righteousness. And enter not into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no man living is [in himself] righteous or justified. [Ps. 130:3; Rom. 3:20-26; Gal. 2:16.] For the enemy has pursued and persecuted my soul, he has crushed my life down to the ground; he has made me to dwell in dark places as those who have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed and faints within me [wrapped in gloom]; my heart within my bosom grows numb. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your doings; I ponder the work of Your hands. I spread forth my hands to You my soul thirsts after You like a thirsty land [for water]. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Answer me speedily, O Lord, for my spirit fails; hide not Your face from me, lest I become like those who go down into the pit (the grave). Cause me to hear Your loving kindness in the morning, for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I Should walk, for I lift up my inner self to You. Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; I flee to You to hide me. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; let Your good Spirit lead me into a level country and into the land of uprightness.
Psalm 143:1-10
David's response to his feelings of DEPRESSION and gloom was not to meditate on his problem. Instead, he literally came against the problem by choosing to remember the good times of past days-pondering the doings of God and the works of His hands (see Psalm 143:5). In other words, he thought about something good, and it helped him overcome his battle of DEPRESSION.
Never forget this: YOUR MIND PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN YOUR VICTORY.
I know it is the power of the Holy Spirit working through the Word of that brings victory into our lives. But a large part of the work that needs to be done is for us to line up our thinking with God and His Word. If we refuse to do this or choose to think it is unimportant, we will never experience victory. But we will win if we discipline ourselves to meditate on the good things God has done.
Lift Point page 950
The Everyday Life Bible
The Power of God's Word for Everyday Living
Amplified Version
Featuring Notes and Commentary By: Joyce Meyer
Psalm 143:1-10
David's response to his feelings of DEPRESSION and gloom was not to meditate on his problem. Instead, he literally came against the problem by choosing to remember the good times of past days-pondering the doings of God and the works of His hands (see Psalm 143:5). In other words, he thought about something good, and it helped him overcome his battle of DEPRESSION.
Never forget this: YOUR MIND PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN YOUR VICTORY.
I know it is the power of the Holy Spirit working through the Word of that brings victory into our lives. But a large part of the work that needs to be done is for us to line up our thinking with God and His Word. If we refuse to do this or choose to think it is unimportant, we will never experience victory. But we will win if we discipline ourselves to meditate on the good things God has done.
Lift Point page 950
The Everyday Life Bible
The Power of God's Word for Everyday Living
Amplified Version
Featuring Notes and Commentary By: Joyce Meyer
A Biblical Prescription For Depression
Psalm 143:3-10 gives a description of depression and how to overcome it. Let's look at this passage in detail to see the steps we can take to defeat this attack of the enemy:
Psalm 143:3: IDENTIFY THE NATURE AND CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. David says he feels as if he is dwelling in 'dark places as those who have been long dead.' This certainly sounds to me like a description of someone who is depressed. I believe that the source of the depression described here is our enemy, Satan, who attacks the soul.
Psalm 143:4: RECOGNIZE THAT DEPRESSION STEALS LIFE AND LIGHT. Depression oppresses a person's spiritual freedom and power. Our spirits (empowered and encouraged by God's Spirit) are powerful and free. Therefore, Satan seeks to oppress our spirits' power and liberty by filling our minds with darkness and gloom. Please realize that it is vital to resist the feeling called "DEPRESSION" immediately when we begin to sense it. The longer it is allowed to remain, the harder it becomes to resist.
Psalm 143:5: REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES. In this verse we see David's response to his condition. Remembering, meditating, and pondering are all functions of the mind. He obviously knows that his thoughts will affect his feelings, so he gets busy thinking about the kinds of things that will help overcome the attack upon his mind. He thinks about God and the good things He does.
Psalm 143:6: PRAISE THE LORD IN THE MIDST OF THE PROBLEM. David knows the importance of praise; he lifts his hands in worship. He declares what his need truly is: He needs God. Far too often when people get DEPRESSED, it is because they are in need of something, and they seek it in the wrong place, which only adds to their problems. God alone can water a thirsty soul. Do not be deceived int thinking that anything else can satisfy you fully and completely. Chasing after the wrong thing will always leave you DISAPPOINTED, and DISAPPOINTMENT opens the door to DEPRESSION.
Psalm 143:7: Ask for God's help. David asks for help. He is basically saying, "Hurry up, God, because I am not going to be able to hold on very much longer without You.
Psalm 143:8: LISTEN TO THE LORD. David knows that he needs to hear from God. He needs to be assured of God's love and kindness. He needs God's attention and direction.
Psalm 143:9: PRAY FOR DELIVERANCE. Once again David declares that only God can help him. Please notice that throughout this discourse, he keeps his mind on God and not on the problem.
Psalm 143:10: SEEK GOD'S WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, AND LEADERSHIP. Perhaps David is indicating that he has gotten out of the will of God and thus opened the door to the attack on his soul. He wants to be in God's will because he realizes that it is the only safe place to be. Then he requests that God help him to be stable. He wants his unsettled emotions to be level-not up and down.
I ENCOURAGE you to meditate on God's Word and apply its principles to your LIFE. Let it bring you FREEDOM and PEACE.
Page 951
The Everyday Life Bible
The Power of God's Word for Everyday Living
Amplified Version
Featuring Notes and Commentary By: Joyce Meyer
Psalm 143:3: IDENTIFY THE NATURE AND CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. David says he feels as if he is dwelling in 'dark places as those who have been long dead.' This certainly sounds to me like a description of someone who is depressed. I believe that the source of the depression described here is our enemy, Satan, who attacks the soul.
Psalm 143:4: RECOGNIZE THAT DEPRESSION STEALS LIFE AND LIGHT. Depression oppresses a person's spiritual freedom and power. Our spirits (empowered and encouraged by God's Spirit) are powerful and free. Therefore, Satan seeks to oppress our spirits' power and liberty by filling our minds with darkness and gloom. Please realize that it is vital to resist the feeling called "DEPRESSION" immediately when we begin to sense it. The longer it is allowed to remain, the harder it becomes to resist.
Psalm 143:5: REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES. In this verse we see David's response to his condition. Remembering, meditating, and pondering are all functions of the mind. He obviously knows that his thoughts will affect his feelings, so he gets busy thinking about the kinds of things that will help overcome the attack upon his mind. He thinks about God and the good things He does.
Psalm 143:6: PRAISE THE LORD IN THE MIDST OF THE PROBLEM. David knows the importance of praise; he lifts his hands in worship. He declares what his need truly is: He needs God. Far too often when people get DEPRESSED, it is because they are in need of something, and they seek it in the wrong place, which only adds to their problems. God alone can water a thirsty soul. Do not be deceived int thinking that anything else can satisfy you fully and completely. Chasing after the wrong thing will always leave you DISAPPOINTED, and DISAPPOINTMENT opens the door to DEPRESSION.
Psalm 143:7: Ask for God's help. David asks for help. He is basically saying, "Hurry up, God, because I am not going to be able to hold on very much longer without You.
Psalm 143:8: LISTEN TO THE LORD. David knows that he needs to hear from God. He needs to be assured of God's love and kindness. He needs God's attention and direction.
Psalm 143:9: PRAY FOR DELIVERANCE. Once again David declares that only God can help him. Please notice that throughout this discourse, he keeps his mind on God and not on the problem.
Psalm 143:10: SEEK GOD'S WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, AND LEADERSHIP. Perhaps David is indicating that he has gotten out of the will of God and thus opened the door to the attack on his soul. He wants to be in God's will because he realizes that it is the only safe place to be. Then he requests that God help him to be stable. He wants his unsettled emotions to be level-not up and down.
I ENCOURAGE you to meditate on God's Word and apply its principles to your LIFE. Let it bring you FREEDOM and PEACE.
Page 951
The Everyday Life Bible
The Power of God's Word for Everyday Living
Amplified Version
Featuring Notes and Commentary By: Joyce Meyer
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
False Evidence Appearing Real
The devil...was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks of falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false.
(John 8:44)
It is said that the letters in the word fear actually stand for False Evidence Appearing Real.
Jesus said the devil is a liar and the father of all lies. The truth is not in him. He tries to use falsehood to deceive God's people into fear so they will not be bold enough to be obedient to the Lord and reap the blessings He has in store for them.
Most of the time the fear of something is worse than the thing itself. Usually, if we will be courageous and determined enough to do whatever it is we fear, we will discover it is not nearly as bad as we thought it would be. Throughout the Word of God we find the Lord saying to His people again and again, "Fear not." I believe the reason He did that was to encourage them so they would not allow Satan to rob them of their blessing.
In the same way, because He knows we are fearful, the Lord continues to exhort and encourage us to pres through what lies before us to do what He is telling us to do. Why? Because He knows that great blessing await us on the other side.
Page. 157
New Day New You
366 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life
By: Joyce Meyer
#1 New York Times Bestselling author
(John 8:44)
It is said that the letters in the word fear actually stand for False Evidence Appearing Real.
Jesus said the devil is a liar and the father of all lies. The truth is not in him. He tries to use falsehood to deceive God's people into fear so they will not be bold enough to be obedient to the Lord and reap the blessings He has in store for them.
Most of the time the fear of something is worse than the thing itself. Usually, if we will be courageous and determined enough to do whatever it is we fear, we will discover it is not nearly as bad as we thought it would be. Throughout the Word of God we find the Lord saying to His people again and again, "Fear not." I believe the reason He did that was to encourage them so they would not allow Satan to rob them of their blessing.
In the same way, because He knows we are fearful, the Lord continues to exhort and encourage us to pres through what lies before us to do what He is telling us to do. Why? Because He knows that great blessing await us on the other side.
Page. 157
New Day New You
366 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life
By: Joyce Meyer
#1 New York Times Bestselling author
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