My times are in Your hands, deliver me from the hands of my foes and those who pursue me and persecute me.
(Psalm 31:15)
When we pray, we don't always get answers right away. Sometimes we have to wait a long time, but that does not necessarily mean that God is saying no to our request. It is very important to trust God's timing in all matters concerning ourselves and our lives. Perhaps you have been waiting a long time for a breakthrough in something you have prayed about and the silence of God has brought confusion into your life. Please remember that God is not the author of confusion. He wants you to trust Him, not be confused.
Many delays are "divine delays." They are designed by God to do a work in us that needs to be done. If we continue serving God faithfully even during times of darkness we develop strong godly character. Think of Joseph, who waited thirteen years to see the answer to his prayers; or Abraham, who waited twenty years. If they had given up they would never have enjoyed the reward of their trust in God. God may not be early, but He won't be late. most things worth having usually take longer than we thought they would, and are more difficult than we think we can endure. But, God does know exactly what He is doing and He wants you to trust His timing.
God promises to deliver us from our enemies, but while we are waiting we need to pray for them and be a blessing to as many people as we possibly can be. God is working while you are waiting.
GOD'S WORD FOR YOU TODAY: Learn to wait peacefully or a lot of your life may be miserable.
Page 271
Hearing from God Each Morning
365 Daily Devotions
By: Joyce Meyer
Please always remember God loves you very much and you are very important to Him.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
God Has Your Answers
May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jocob set you up on high [and defend you].
(Psalm 20:1)
If you have ever been in a relationship, tried to manage your money, held a job, tried to discover and fulfill God's purpose for your life, or tried to grow spiritually-then you have probably encountered some problems. Problems are a part of life and when you get rid of one problem, you will most likely have another one right behind it! That is true for all of us and even though we can develop and mature in our abilities to confront, endure, be steadfast, and live in victor, we will always be contending with one problem or another.
Only God has the solutions to life's problems, and the best thing we can do with our problems is to give them to Him. We need to quit rehearsing them in our minds, quit talking about them, quit fretting over them, and siply release the pressures and the problem of life to God and let Him work everything out. If we will learn to commit our stresses and situations to God, we will enjoy our lives more, we will be more fun to be around, and we will be happier and more relaxed.
God can do more in one moment than we can do in a lifetime of striving and struggle. He can speak to you in an instant and turn a situation around completely; one word from Him can solve everything. Nothing is too big for God to accomplish, and nothing is too small for Him to be concerned about. He cares about everything that concerns you, so give you problems to Him and let Him give you the solutuions you need.
GOD'S WORD FOR YOU TODAY: Give God you problems and allow Him to give you solutions.
Page 253
Hearing from God Each Morning
365 Daily Devotions
By: Joyce Meyer
And Please aways Remember God loves you.
(Psalm 20:1)
If you have ever been in a relationship, tried to manage your money, held a job, tried to discover and fulfill God's purpose for your life, or tried to grow spiritually-then you have probably encountered some problems. Problems are a part of life and when you get rid of one problem, you will most likely have another one right behind it! That is true for all of us and even though we can develop and mature in our abilities to confront, endure, be steadfast, and live in victor, we will always be contending with one problem or another.
Only God has the solutions to life's problems, and the best thing we can do with our problems is to give them to Him. We need to quit rehearsing them in our minds, quit talking about them, quit fretting over them, and siply release the pressures and the problem of life to God and let Him work everything out. If we will learn to commit our stresses and situations to God, we will enjoy our lives more, we will be more fun to be around, and we will be happier and more relaxed.
God can do more in one moment than we can do in a lifetime of striving and struggle. He can speak to you in an instant and turn a situation around completely; one word from Him can solve everything. Nothing is too big for God to accomplish, and nothing is too small for Him to be concerned about. He cares about everything that concerns you, so give you problems to Him and let Him give you the solutuions you need.
GOD'S WORD FOR YOU TODAY: Give God you problems and allow Him to give you solutions.
Page 253
Hearing from God Each Morning
365 Daily Devotions
By: Joyce Meyer
And Please aways Remember God loves you.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Pray at All Times
Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).
(-Ephesians 6:18)
In Ephesians 6:10-17, the apostle Paul talks about the armor of God and how we are to use it and the weapon of the Word to engage in spiritual warfare. After each piece has been listed, in verse eighteen Paul sums up his message by saying, "Pray at all times." How often are we to pray? At all times.
What does that mean? Does it mean that when we are out doing the grocery shopping and God puts it on our heart to pray we are to drop to our knees right there in the middle of the supermarket aisle? I often kneel be my bed and pray. There are other times when I feel led by God to lie down, face to the floor, before Him and pray. We have to be careful not to confuse physical posture with prayer. We can also pray silently in the supermarket as we are walking down the aisles.
In the different seasons of life we are able to pray in different ways. A young mother with three or four little children, for example, is going to have to structure her prayer life differently from that of a grandmother whose family is all grown up and out of the house.
If we become to "religious" about prayer, thinking we must do it one way or the other because that is how someone else does it, we will bring condemnation on ourselves. The important thing about prayer is not the posture of the time or place but learning to pray in faith-at all times, unceasingly. Anytime the desire or need arises-pray!
Page 254
New Day New You
366 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life
By: Joyce Meyer
#1 New York Times Bestselling author
(-Ephesians 6:18)
In Ephesians 6:10-17, the apostle Paul talks about the armor of God and how we are to use it and the weapon of the Word to engage in spiritual warfare. After each piece has been listed, in verse eighteen Paul sums up his message by saying, "Pray at all times." How often are we to pray? At all times.
What does that mean? Does it mean that when we are out doing the grocery shopping and God puts it on our heart to pray we are to drop to our knees right there in the middle of the supermarket aisle? I often kneel be my bed and pray. There are other times when I feel led by God to lie down, face to the floor, before Him and pray. We have to be careful not to confuse physical posture with prayer. We can also pray silently in the supermarket as we are walking down the aisles.
In the different seasons of life we are able to pray in different ways. A young mother with three or four little children, for example, is going to have to structure her prayer life differently from that of a grandmother whose family is all grown up and out of the house.
If we become to "religious" about prayer, thinking we must do it one way or the other because that is how someone else does it, we will bring condemnation on ourselves. The important thing about prayer is not the posture of the time or place but learning to pray in faith-at all times, unceasingly. Anytime the desire or need arises-pray!
Page 254
New Day New You
366 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life
By: Joyce Meyer
#1 New York Times Bestselling author
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Be Content
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.
Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)
Contentment is a decision to be happy with what you already have. But I am convinced most people are not truly content. Unbelievers certainly aren't content, whether they realize it or not, but it is very sad how many believers have not learned to be truly content in their circumstances. I wonder how many people can truthfully say, "I'm happy with my life. I love my spouse and my family. I like my job. I'm satisfied with my house and my car. There are things I want God to do for me, but I am content to wait until He does them in His timing. I do not covet anything that belongs to my neighbor. I am not jealous of anyone else or envious of what others have. If God gave it to them, then I want them to enjoy it."
I believe God actually tests us in this way. Until we can pass His "I-am-happy-for-you-because-you-are-blessed" test, we are never going to have any more than what we have right now. Yes, God wants us to prosper in every way. He wants people to see His goodness and how will He takes care of us. But we must desire God more than we desire His blessings. So He tests us to make sure this is the case before He releases greater material blessings into our lives.
Page 259
New Day New You
366 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life.
By: Joyce Meyer
#1 New York Times Bestselling author
Please do not ever, ever, forget that God loves you!
Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)
Contentment is a decision to be happy with what you already have. But I am convinced most people are not truly content. Unbelievers certainly aren't content, whether they realize it or not, but it is very sad how many believers have not learned to be truly content in their circumstances. I wonder how many people can truthfully say, "I'm happy with my life. I love my spouse and my family. I like my job. I'm satisfied with my house and my car. There are things I want God to do for me, but I am content to wait until He does them in His timing. I do not covet anything that belongs to my neighbor. I am not jealous of anyone else or envious of what others have. If God gave it to them, then I want them to enjoy it."
I believe God actually tests us in this way. Until we can pass His "I-am-happy-for-you-because-you-are-blessed" test, we are never going to have any more than what we have right now. Yes, God wants us to prosper in every way. He wants people to see His goodness and how will He takes care of us. But we must desire God more than we desire His blessings. So He tests us to make sure this is the case before He releases greater material blessings into our lives.
Page 259
New Day New You
366 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life.
By: Joyce Meyer
#1 New York Times Bestselling author
Please do not ever, ever, forget that God loves you!
Friday, September 14, 2012
Receive Stregth from Prayer
Bring in an agony [of mind], He prayed [all the ] more earnestly and intently, and His sweat became like great clots of blood dropping down upon the ground.
(Luke 22:44)
When the time was close for Jesus to go to the cross, He endured a great struggle in His mind and emotions. He needed God's strength to go through with God's will just like we do at times. He prayed and received that strength. The Bible states that as He prayed angels came and ministered to Him.
Never just assume that what God is asking you to do is too difficult. If you are willing to do the will of God and you ask God to strength you, He will. Don't waste words telling God and others how impossible your task is. Use that same energy asking God to give you courage, determination, and strength. I think it is a beautiful thing to witness when God joins in partnership with an individual and enables him or her to do impossible things.
Many things are impossible with man by himself, but with God all things are possible. Perhaps you are facing a crisis or a difficulty right now; if you are, then I ask you to remember the struggle that Jesus went through in the garden. He felt such pressure that His sweat became blood. Surely if He could do what He did through God's strength, then you can gain a victory also through prayer.
GOD'S WORD FOR YOU TODAY: God never gives you anything to do that is beyond your ability with Him by your side.
Page 257
hearing from GOD each morning
365 Daily Devotions
By: Joyce Meyer
Please alway remember God loves you very much.
(Luke 22:44)
When the time was close for Jesus to go to the cross, He endured a great struggle in His mind and emotions. He needed God's strength to go through with God's will just like we do at times. He prayed and received that strength. The Bible states that as He prayed angels came and ministered to Him.
Never just assume that what God is asking you to do is too difficult. If you are willing to do the will of God and you ask God to strength you, He will. Don't waste words telling God and others how impossible your task is. Use that same energy asking God to give you courage, determination, and strength. I think it is a beautiful thing to witness when God joins in partnership with an individual and enables him or her to do impossible things.
Many things are impossible with man by himself, but with God all things are possible. Perhaps you are facing a crisis or a difficulty right now; if you are, then I ask you to remember the struggle that Jesus went through in the garden. He felt such pressure that His sweat became blood. Surely if He could do what He did through God's strength, then you can gain a victory also through prayer.
GOD'S WORD FOR YOU TODAY: God never gives you anything to do that is beyond your ability with Him by your side.
Page 257
hearing from GOD each morning
365 Daily Devotions
By: Joyce Meyer
Please alway remember God loves you very much.
Monday, September 10, 2012
You Trusting or Worring
Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
What do you let your mind do when you have problems? Do you try to figure things out instead of leaving them in God's capable hands?
There is the mind of the flesh, which is wrong thinking based on your thoughts and reasoning. And there is the mind of the Spirit, which is right thinking based on the Word of God and the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit. Confusion, frustration, and anxiety are the products of operating in the mind of the flesh. Joy is the product of the Spirit and of following the leading of the Spirit in prayer and fellowship with God.
If you operate in the mind of the Spirit, you can have the peace of God, which passeth all understanding," and you can have "joy unspeakable" and be "full of glory" right in the middle of terrible trials and tribulations (see Philippians 4:7; 1 Peter 1:8 KJV). The peace "which passeth all understanding" and "joy unspeakable" are types of peace and joy that don't make any sense. In other words, when you have these types of peace and joy within, you are happy just because you know that God is. He is able to "direct and make straight and plain your paths" in an exceedingly abundantly above all -you-can-ask-or-think way. You don't have to try to change yourself or anyone else-and that makes you happy.
You don't have to worry about tomorrow-and that makes you happy. You don't have to worry about yesterday-and that makes you happy. You don't have to know how to do everything-and that makes you happy. All you need to do is know the One who knows. Trying to figure things out will only wear you out. But if you trust God for the answer, you enter His rest.
Page 250
New Day New You
366 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life
By: Joyce Meyer
#1 New York Times Bestselling author
Always Remember God Love You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Proverbs 3:5-6
What do you let your mind do when you have problems? Do you try to figure things out instead of leaving them in God's capable hands?
There is the mind of the flesh, which is wrong thinking based on your thoughts and reasoning. And there is the mind of the Spirit, which is right thinking based on the Word of God and the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit. Confusion, frustration, and anxiety are the products of operating in the mind of the flesh. Joy is the product of the Spirit and of following the leading of the Spirit in prayer and fellowship with God.
If you operate in the mind of the Spirit, you can have the peace of God, which passeth all understanding," and you can have "joy unspeakable" and be "full of glory" right in the middle of terrible trials and tribulations (see Philippians 4:7; 1 Peter 1:8 KJV). The peace "which passeth all understanding" and "joy unspeakable" are types of peace and joy that don't make any sense. In other words, when you have these types of peace and joy within, you are happy just because you know that God is. He is able to "direct and make straight and plain your paths" in an exceedingly abundantly above all -you-can-ask-or-think way. You don't have to try to change yourself or anyone else-and that makes you happy.
You don't have to worry about tomorrow-and that makes you happy. You don't have to worry about yesterday-and that makes you happy. You don't have to know how to do everything-and that makes you happy. All you need to do is know the One who knows. Trying to figure things out will only wear you out. But if you trust God for the answer, you enter His rest.
Page 250
New Day New You
366 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life
By: Joyce Meyer
#1 New York Times Bestselling author
Always Remember God Love You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Spending Time with God
Be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides.
(-Ephesians 6:10)
When I first started trying to spend time with God, it was hard for me. I felt silly and self-conscious. I was bored. I would sit and yawn and try not to fall asleep. Like anything worthwhile, sitting quietly in the presence of the Lord takes time to master. You have to keep at it. And it is not something you can learn from someone else. I don't think it is possible to reach another human being to fellowship with God. Why? Because each person is different and has to learn for himself how to communicate with his Creator.
My fellow ship time includes prayer of all kinds (petition, intercession, praise, etc.), reading books that God is using to help me, Bible study, waiting on God, repentance, crying, laughing, receiving revelation. My time with Him is different almost every day.
God has an individual plan for each person. If you will go to Him and submit to Him, He will come into your heart and commune with you. He will teach and guide you in the way you should go. Don't try to do what someone else does or to be what someone else is. Just allow the Lord to show you how you are to fellowship with Him. Then follow as He directs your life, step by step.
Page 249
New Day New You
366 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life
By: Joyce Meyer
#1 New York Times Bestselling author
Also please always remember God loves you, and you can run to Him any time, He will always be there for you.
(-Ephesians 6:10)
When I first started trying to spend time with God, it was hard for me. I felt silly and self-conscious. I was bored. I would sit and yawn and try not to fall asleep. Like anything worthwhile, sitting quietly in the presence of the Lord takes time to master. You have to keep at it. And it is not something you can learn from someone else. I don't think it is possible to reach another human being to fellowship with God. Why? Because each person is different and has to learn for himself how to communicate with his Creator.
My fellow ship time includes prayer of all kinds (petition, intercession, praise, etc.), reading books that God is using to help me, Bible study, waiting on God, repentance, crying, laughing, receiving revelation. My time with Him is different almost every day.
God has an individual plan for each person. If you will go to Him and submit to Him, He will come into your heart and commune with you. He will teach and guide you in the way you should go. Don't try to do what someone else does or to be what someone else is. Just allow the Lord to show you how you are to fellowship with Him. Then follow as He directs your life, step by step.
Page 249
New Day New You
366 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life
By: Joyce Meyer
#1 New York Times Bestselling author
Also please always remember God loves you, and you can run to Him any time, He will always be there for you.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
A Personal Relationship
Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God.
-( John 3:3)
When the Bible says that we must be born again-it doesn't say that we must be religious. We must let Jesus come into our lives and sit on the throne of our hearts to rule and reign over every step we take. When He tells us to go a certain direction, He will also issue to us the power we need to do what He has told us to do. Jesus will never say, "Just do it!" He always gives us the power to do whatever He tells us.
The greatest hindrance to hearing from God is trying to get to Him through works instead of through a personal relationship with Him by being born again and fellowshiping with Him regularly. People can go to church for years and do religious things all their lives without ever knowing Jesus as the Lord of their lives.
It is frightening to realize that there are probably thousands of people sitting in church won't go to heaven. As I often say, "Sitting in a church won't make a person a Christian any more than sitting in a garage will make him a car." In Matthew 7:20-23, the Bible states that there are people who will say in the judgment, "Lord, Lord, have we not done many mighty works in Your name...?" and He will say to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]." People can be doing good works and yet disregarding God's commands if they are not taking the time to be with Him and hear His instructions.
Page 248
New Day New You
366 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life
By: Joyce Meyer
#1 New York Times Bestselling author
Also please remember God loves you, and wants to spend time with you, and have a personal relationship with you. So please take the time to get to know God, spend some personal time with Him in His Word, He love you.
-( John 3:3)
When the Bible says that we must be born again-it doesn't say that we must be religious. We must let Jesus come into our lives and sit on the throne of our hearts to rule and reign over every step we take. When He tells us to go a certain direction, He will also issue to us the power we need to do what He has told us to do. Jesus will never say, "Just do it!" He always gives us the power to do whatever He tells us.
The greatest hindrance to hearing from God is trying to get to Him through works instead of through a personal relationship with Him by being born again and fellowshiping with Him regularly. People can go to church for years and do religious things all their lives without ever knowing Jesus as the Lord of their lives.
It is frightening to realize that there are probably thousands of people sitting in church won't go to heaven. As I often say, "Sitting in a church won't make a person a Christian any more than sitting in a garage will make him a car." In Matthew 7:20-23, the Bible states that there are people who will say in the judgment, "Lord, Lord, have we not done many mighty works in Your name...?" and He will say to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]." People can be doing good works and yet disregarding God's commands if they are not taking the time to be with Him and hear His instructions.
Page 248
New Day New You
366 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life
By: Joyce Meyer
#1 New York Times Bestselling author
Also please remember God loves you, and wants to spend time with you, and have a personal relationship with you. So please take the time to get to know God, spend some personal time with Him in His Word, He love you.
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