New Year Resolutions?

What is a "New Year Resolution"? Is it important or necessary? Why should I have one? How can I make sure I fulfill each one of them? How do I create a "New Year Resolution"? So many people ask these questions and many more at the end and in the beginning of every year. Some find it hard to follow through with what their plans for the new year is. A lot do not know how to plan one. In this article, I will be addressing this questions and a few more.

Making Your Marriage Work -by Joyce Meyer

The three-strand cord is a picture of the power that takes place when two people agree for something in line with God's will for them. As two people become one in agreement with each other, there is a tremendous amount of power.

You can have such fun in your marriage when you begin to agree with each other. Do you know that God did not put you together to be miserable? He didn't put you together to fight, pick on each other or try and change each other. The Bible says that a woman is to enjoy her husband. (See 1 Peter 3:2.) Think about that. I rarely hear a woman say, "You know what? I really enjoy my husband." And God wants us to enjoy each other. He wants us to have fun together. You need to laugh and have fun together.

Becoming A Better Child To God

Answering God's call is a lot more than being called a Pastor, in fact, we'd be trivializing it if we've left it at that. It goes beyond the office of the Pastor. God's call goes beyond that picture; it encompasses a lot in our lives and in the lives of those around us. Answering God's call is service to God and to humanity and through service to humanity we serve God. Loving your neighbor as you love yourself, which can only be born out of love for God, through God and by God i.e. the love of God dwelling in you is what makes you love God and love humanity by God's love in you and your love for him. It starts out with understanding and realization that He loves us and gave Himself for us and then accepting Him into our lives, this is when His love come to dwell in us as He dwells in us, and we going about every day, manifesting our reality —that which is indwelling, we manifest God, we manifest His love, because He now dwells in us.

Sometimes we drift for many different reasons, this is the one of the periods of testing and trials and temptations, we sometimes fall or fail. It is a good thing to overcome during trials but then the real evil is not in falling/failing but in remaining fallen/failed. If you stumble or/an fall, don't stop keep moving; if you stumble, rearrange yourself and keep moving, if you fall, pick yourself up and keep moving — focusing on God. You have learnt something new, identify it and hold on to it. That is what they —trials and temptations, are there for, no to destroy us but to build us up. After every session in school, we are supposed to write tests and exams right? Being a child of God is more of God coming straight from our hearts and through our understanding rather that just going by the book (2 Co 3:6  who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life).

The Lord's Prayer's Interpretation

Matthew 6:9-13

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,

10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.

The Devil's Lies by Joyce Meyer

[Jesus said]
You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a 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

The devil lies. In fact, the devil doesn't know how to speak the truth.

Most Christians know that—and yet they still listen to his evil words. Sometimes the lies seem to just pop into our minds for no apparent reason; sometimes Satan even speaks to us through other people. He puts something critical or hurtful into their minds about us, and they speak it out for us to hear. If we listen and accept what we hear, our enemy rejoices. If we listen long enough to the deceptive information we have taken in, we will find ourselves facing serious problems. Instead of listening and absorbing the untruths and satanic deceptions, you can look at what Jesus did and follow His example.

Love Changes Everything by Joyce Meyer

Are you willing and ready to become a student of the love walk? If so, you need to know that it requires education and commitment.

We must have our minds renewed to what love really is. Love is tangible; it is not just a spiritual thing that cannot be seen or touched. It is evident to everyone who comes in contact with it. Love is a decision we make―a decision to treat people the way Jesus would treat them.

When we make a true commitment to walk in love, it usually causes a huge shift in our lifestyle. Many of our ways―our thoughts, conversation, habits―have to change. For instance, we may be accustomed to spending all of our extra money on ourselves only to discover that walking in love requires that we spend it on others.

The Power of Peace by Joyce Meyer

Having an attitude of peace and calm is priceless. It’s an attitude that says, “I’m trusting God,” and it speaks powerfully to people. But it takes time, focus and the grace of God to be consistently peaceful.

One way to develop consistent peace is to learn to live “in the now.” We can spend a lot of time thinking about the past or wondering what the future holds…but we can’t accomplish anything unless our mind is focused on today.

The Bible tells us that God gives us grace for each day that we live. I believe that grace is the power, enablement or energy to do what we need to do—and He gives it generously, as we need it.

We need to make a decision every morning to say, “God has given me today. I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Putting God First in Your Priorities by Joyce Meyer

There are so many things that clamor for our attention and devotion: our jobs, our kids, our spouses, our hobbies—the demands and distractions of life. And we have to be careful not to let them become more important or more of a priority than our relationship with God.

The first of the Ten Commandments states we will have no other gods before Him (see Exodus 20:3). And Deuteronomy 5:8-9 (NLT) says, “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind, or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.  You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.”

Yet how many of the things that occupy our time, money, thoughts and attention have taken the place where God is supposed to be? 

Understanding the Fruit of the Spirit by Joyce Meyer

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! –Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

You may not know it, but when you gave your life to Jesus, all the fruit of the Spirit were planted inside you in seed form. Through the Spirit you can experience joy and peace in every circumstance, no matter how difficult or painful.

You may not be a naturally patient person, but you can call on the Spirit within to produce patience. If you’re battling unhealthy behaviors, like an addiction or some kind of bad habit, the Holy Spirit can give you the ability to resist the devil and make healthy choices.

The apostle Paul put it this way: When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death. But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power.

Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit. (Romans 7:5-6 NLT)

It Ain't About Survival

Before I first listened to Joyce’s teaching on the fruit of the Spirit, I confess I didn’t really understand how the fruit worked. I assumed it was all about will power. If I didn’t have peace or patience, it must be because I wasn’t trying hard enough. It never occurred to me to ask for God’s help.

It might have had to do with how I was raised. Though I grew up in a Christian home, my mother was the poster child for the self-made woman – the oldest of 10 who grew up in a West Virginia coal-mining town during the Great Depression.

She escaped at 18, married a mean man, went to work, divorced, remarried and eventually became one of the first female Chamber of Commerce executives in the country. She was a dynamo who loved to say, “I’m a survivor.” That was her battle cry and badge of honor.

The Key to Having the Life You Really Want

 I recently spent some time thinking about what bad attitude bothers God the most. I believe it’s an ungrateful attitude.

If you’re a parent, you can probably relate to that. You work hard to do all you can for your kids and you’d jump at the chance to do it all over again if they’d just say, “Thanks, Mom” or “Thanks, Dad. I sure do appreciate the things you do for me.” But not all children display that kind of maturity.

Many times they’ll come home murmuring and complaining, “I want this” and “I want that” and “Why won’t you do this one thing for me?” That’s pretty aggravating, isn't it?

Scriptures For A Sound Mind

 As you begin to claim your mind back from the enemy, he will not want to give up the place that he has had. You will have to do battle with his lies and confusion.

Your first step is to declare out loud that you will not allow any outside force to do your thinking–no man and no spirit. There are spiritual laws that demons must obey. They cannot stay where a man wills them not to stay. Your power is in the Name of Jesus, the Blood of Jesus, and the Word of God. Ask God to give you discernment of the lies of the devil.

Biblical Illustrations: Living After Jesus - Our Perfect Example.

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should walk in his steps: Who committed no sin, Nor was guile found in His mouth (1 Pet. 2:21,22).

Living After Jesus - Our Perfect Example

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should walk in his steps: Who committed no sin, Nor was guile found in His mouth (1 Pet. 2:21,22).

The word here used for "ex-ample" comes from Greek elementary education. It describes the way Greek boys learned to write. The exercise tablet was usually a shallow box filled with soft wax. A student wrote with a sharp stylus that was flat on the opposite end for erasing so the wax could be repeatedly used. The writing master prepared the student's tablet by writing a line at the top to be reproduced by the student and by drawing parallel lines to keep the student's work straight. The master's line at the top was the "pattern" the boy must copy in his own hand in learning to write. Mature skill in handwriting required practice. Peter's words show that Jesus' suffering is not only redemptive. It is also an example that even slaves could imitate in suffering unjust treatment. Jesus as our example suggests four simple facts.

Purposeful Acts of Kindness - Joyce Meyer

Have you ever talked about ways you can be a blessing to others? I would venture to say that many have never done this, and until a few years, I hadn’t either. Now, I get excited when I purposely think and talk about ways to help someone else. There won’t be a Love Revolution if we don’t do things on purpose to help others. We must have goals and press toward meeting them.

Once I became determined to make loving others the theme of my life, I hungered for a variety of ways to show love. Love is not a theory or merely talk; it is action (1 John 3:18). We can certainly love people with words that encourage and express how valuable we think they are, but we also need to use our resources of time, energy, possessions, and finances to love others.

You may be convinced you don’t have anything to give. Maybe you are in debt, doing your best to pay your bills, and the thought of giving to others is almost irritating or makes you sad because you want to give but don’t see how you can. However, there are literally thousands of ways you can give and spread love if you will search for them aggressively.

“ Love is not a theory or merely talk; it is action. ”

I’ve read books, searched the Internet, and been very aggressive on my own journey to find creative ways to incorporate this theme of loving people into my everyday life. I want to share some of the things I’ve learned, but I also want to encourage you to be creative and then share your ideas with others.

Practical Ways to Love on Purpose

1. When it’s obvious that someone else wants the same parking space you want, let them have it and do it with a smile.
2. Mow an elderly neighbor’s lawn or shovel snow for them.
3. Clean an elderly person’s house or offer to do the grocery shopping.
4. Give someone without transportation a ride to church or another event, even if it’s out of your way.
5. Truly listen to someone without interrupting.
6. Be a polite driver.
7. Hold a door open for a stranger and let them go ahead of you.

I frequently watch for people who seem to be discouraged and give them something monetary with the simple message: “God loves you.” Many times, I don’t even say anything about God; I simply show His character!

Once I saw a young girl on her break at the store where she worked. She was sitting alone at a table, looking very tired. I handed her fifty dollars and said, “I just want to bless you. I bet you work really hard and I want you to know I appreciate it.” She looked shocked and then said, “That is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”

I don’t think we realize how many people walk among us every day who feel lonely or insignificant and have had little or no experience with unconditional love. They are not accustomed to getting anything “free” or receiving anything they have not earned or deserved. I think doing things for people just to be a blessing and for no other reason is an amazing way to show God’s love!

---

This article is taken from Joyce's hardcover book, The Love Revolution.

(Get more practical ideas in Joyce’s book The Love Revolution.)

The Workings Of Grace

 THE LOVE OF GOD. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God" (1 John 3:1). Love is manifested because of Grace; “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). "Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh -" and "In this was manifested the love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him" (1 John 4:9),  And "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation [substitutionary sacrifice, ransom] for our sins" (1 John 4:10). Grace brings to light how and why we love God with the words “he first loved us”.

The Purpose Of Grace

Defining Grace:
Grace is unmerited favor that God has made available for all who will accept it. It is an extension of the pure and perfect love He (God) has for us. It is kindness we don't deserve. There is nothing we have done, are doing, or will ever do to earn or return this favor. It is a gift from God. Grace is divine assistance given to us human beings for our regeneration (rebirth/becoming born-again) or sanctification; a virtue coming from God; a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine favor.

Grace can be explained with this acronym:
God's
Riches
At
Christ's
Expense

A Father's Love -Joyce Meyer

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe]. For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust.—Psalm 103:12-14

The Devil's Mind Games: The Real Problem & Imagined Problems

 Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. —Hebrews 13:5

Six Ways to Find Unforgiveness and Remove It -by Joyce Meyer

Most all of us like getting promoted, and there's nothing wrong with that. But sometimes we fail tests in certain areas that keep us from getting promoted.

Areas like forgiveness.

If someone has hurt you, don't spend the next 10 years of your life hurting yourself by hanging on to that offense. Most likely, that other person isn't even thinking about you, while you dwell on the incident for years. That only hurts one person—you.

Fight Doubt and Unbelief

[For Abraham, human reason for] hope being gone, hoped in faith that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been promised, so [numberless] shall your descendants be. . . . No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God. —Romans 4:18,20

God had promised Abraham an heir from his own body. Despite his advanced years Abraham was still standing in faith, believing what God had said would come to pass. He kept praising and giving glory to God. As he did so, he grew strong in faith.

It would be ridiculous for God to expect you to do something and not give you the ability to do it. Satan knows how dangerous you are with a heart full of faith, so he attacks you with doubt and unbelief.
Keep praising God and give Him glory. Faith will rise in your heart and you will overcome.

The Peace of God – Col 3:15

It is not impossible for a Christian to have his life void of peace because of what he goes through in life. However, irrespective of whatever we go through, good or bad it does not change the injunction upon the believer in Col 3:15 to allow the peace of God rule in his heart. This peace is a fruit of the spirit, with the implication that every man born again can experience it. This implies that if you are not born again you cannot experience this peace. They may run around outside of God seeking it – but such search is futile, for true peace can only be found in God. For those who are born again, Jesus brought us peace by His sacrifice at Calvary (Eph 2:13-14,Rom 5:1,Col 1:20). This peace was not given us because we have done anything, but as gift – and this is the basis of the peace which the believer is to allow rule his heart.

Peace here speaks of an inner calm resulting from confidence in one’s salvation. Many Christians do not experience peace, not because they have not been given it, but we do not always focus on what matters. As long as we are in this world we cannot avoid turbulence or problems. Tribulations are not something strange or unique to us (1 Cor 10:13). Peradventure we feel we are the only ones going through a difficult circumstance, the truth is that we are not. Jesus declared that as long as we  are in the world we shall have tribulations (John 16:33). What makes the difference is what Christ did for us which enables us to experience peace, irrespective of what we go through (John 16:33).

How can someone be at peace amidst calamitous or troubling situation? Only the peace of God can give that calmness. It is difficult not to be disturbed without it. It calls for constant refocusing on the truth when it eludes us. Situations are not just supposed to just keep us under. Whatever circumstances we go through is not indefinite or forever. It is a phase, and it  is not permanent. We have to constantly strive to ensure that our hearts are constantly in a state of peace. We might not be able to identify what the cause of our tribulations are, but nevertheless God’s word still makes it incumbent upon us to make peace our experience. This peace is not based on our circumstances or situation – rather it is a fruit of the spirit, just like joy and other fruit of the spirit (Gal 5:22). We should never let this peace elude us.

In Rom 8:35, Paul asked the question, “who shall separate us from the love of Christ”, and then went to list tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril or sword, death, life, angels, things present, things to come, height and depth, etc. The point is Paul concludes that nothing was potent enough to spate the believer from the love of God, not even tribulations. This should breed a sense of confidence and foster an experience of peace, irrespective of whatever problem we go through. Is it problems in the areas of a job, family, health, children or finances? We should know that God is more than enough and allow that knowledge to put our minds at rest. We should never allow such problems to let our minds be in a constant state of disturbance, but rather allow His peace rule constantly. This is why we have to remind ourselves who we are in Christ and what we have in God, then the experience follows .If He said take no thought for your life, then He means we should allow His peace rule in every spectrum of our lives (Mt 6:24-35).

THINGS THAT ARE NECESSARY WHEN TROUBLE COMES OR WHEN PEACE ELUDES US

See the invisible (2 Cor 4:16-18) - Rather than focus on our troubles or tribulations which are temporal, we should rather focus on eternal realities, which though invisible are very much real. We should always bear in mind that whatever situation we go through all things work together for our good (Rom 8:28). We should never focus on our problems, but rather keep we should focus on God and keep looking unto Him (Heb 12:2) who is invisible (Heb11:27). We may not see Him, but He is real nonetheless. This calls for constant refocusing and redirection of our minds. When we are in turmoil, if all we can remember is that God is with us, that alone is sufficient. No matter what, we should remember God is committed to us forever.

Pray (James 5:13) - it could be the last thing on Christians’ minds when peace eludes, and even when it is resorted to, it may not be inspired by faith. But James 5:13 specifically says, “if anyone is afflicted, let him pray”. This would promote the experience of the peace of God in our hearts, even amidst trouble (Php 4:6-7). You can also pray in the spirit, especially where you do not even have the words to pray. Praying in the spirit edifies believers and contributes to enabling us to allow God’s peace rule in our hearts.

Conclusion
There is a peace that ought to rule our hearts borne out of our relationship with God. We should never let it elude us no matter what we go through. We should always keep our focus on God.

Manifesting Your Reality

For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. —Philippians 4:8

"Manifesting your reality" sounds like something from a contemporary self-help course, but the concept comes straight out of the Bible: As he thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). I like to say it like this: "Where the mind goes, the man follows."

Positive thoughts are the precursors to a positive life. On the other hand, our lives can be made miserable by anxious thoughts and negative expectations. We usually think our problems are the thing ruining our life, but usually it is our attitude toward them that does the ruining.

We all encounter people who have a great attitude despite being in trying circumstances. We also encounter those who have money and privilege to burn, yet they murmur and complain, are negative and critical, and are filled with self-pity and resentment. We have more to do with how our lives turn out than we like to admit. Learning how to think right is mandatory for good health.

Thoughts affect emotions, and they both affect the body. In order for you to be whole, you must maintain a healthy mind. Make a decision right now that you are going to have a healthy mind. Renewing your mind will take some time and effort. You must learn new, positive ways to think. But reading God's Word can help you do just that.

From the book New Day, New You by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2006 by Joyce Meyer.

When You Can't Understand, Trust God

'Trust in the Lord.' Proverbs 3:5

The Bible says, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths' (v. 5-6 NKJV). But what if your path leads through pain, pressure and problems? John the Baptist's did. He didn't deserve imprisonment. After all, he was the forerunner of Christ and the voice of God in the community. Plus, he was Jesus' cousin. So he sent Jesus a message asking, 'Are you really the Messiah, or should we keep looking?' Paraphrased: 'Lord, if I'm in your will, how come I'm in this situation?' It's a question motivated by unfulfilled expectations. We think, 'Lord, I've obeyed you, how come things aren't working out for me?' And it feels worse when you've faithfully served Him.

GOD and Love - 1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13
New International Version
1. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing
4. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
9. For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
10. but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
11. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
12. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

The Chapter is self explanatory. Love is perfection, and the Bible makes us to understand in 1 John 4:8 that God is love. If we say that we are Christians, believers of God through our believe in Jesus Christ and we have no love, then we are liars for God is love, it is His essence.

Bible References:
1 John 3:10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

---

1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

---

1 John 4:16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

Our Responsibility - God's Responsibility

"do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble." —Matthew 6:34

Every believer has the responsibility to live right—to be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer. Motivated by the reverential fear of the Lord, we can learn to live carefully and begin to make a difference in the world we live in. You and I need to be careful about what we allow into our spirits and how we live our lives.
Proverbs 4:23 says to guard our heart with all diligence because out of it flows the issues of life. I believe we should have a careful attitude about how we live—not a casual or a careless one. We need to be careful about what we watch, what we listen to, what we think about, and who our friends are.

I’m not saying we need to live according to the strict and demanding dictates of man. Some would say we must not wear makeup or that we must wear colorless clothing from our necks to our ankles. That is nothing more than legalistic bondage to a bunch of rules and regulations. I had a very legalistic relationship with God for years and was miserable, so the last thing I want to do is teach legalism.

What I am saying is that we shouldn’t compromise. We should recognize our responsibility as Christians to live our lives in such a way that unbelievers will be attracted to God by our behavior.

James 4:17 says, “. . . any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin.” In other words, if we are convicted that something is wrong, then we must not do it—even if we see a hundred other people doing it and getting by with it. They may seem to be getting by with it, but sooner or later, we will all reap what we sow.

We know that worry and anxiety are not characteristics of a godly Christian. Yet still, many Christians worry. You can choose to worry, or you can reject worry and choose to live with joy and peace. Most people don’t want to hear that message, and they seem to find an odd comfort in thinking that worrying is beyond their control. It is not. Worry is a sin against God.

As long as I’ve been in the church, I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone make that statement. But it is sin. It is calling God a liar. It is saying that God is not sufficiently able to take care of you and provide for your needs.

Faith says, “God can do it.” Worry says, “God isn’t able to help me.”

When you worry, you not only call God a liar, but you have also allowed the devil to fill your mind with anxious thoughts. The more you focus on the problems, the larger they become. You start to fret and may even end up in despair.

Think of the words of the great apostle: “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]” (Philippians 4:13). Or think of the words from the psalmist: “Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5).

Jesus told His disciples not to be anxious and, as quoted above, not to worry about tomorrow. But He did more than teach those words; He lived them out: “And Jesus replied to him, Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have lodging places, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20). That wasn’t a complaint but a simple fact of life. Jesus trusted His Father’s provision for Him even when He didn’t know where He would sleep or what He would eat.

Jesus taught that we are not to worry about anything in life. He wasn’t speaking about planning and thinking ahead. He was saying that some people never act because fear holds them back. They can always tell you ten things that can go wrong with every plan. Jesus wants us to live a stress-free life. If you are worrying about what might happen, you’re hindering God from working in your life.

I heard about a couple whose daughter was diagnosed with a serious illness that wasn’t covered by insurance. The parents were struggling to pay all the medical bills. Not knowing what else to do, they both went into their bedroom for a lengthy time of prayer. Afterward the husband said, “It was really quite simple. I am God’s servant. My responsibility is to serve my Master. His responsibility is to take care of me.”

The next day, the doctors told them that their daughter was eligible to be part of an experimental surgery and all expenses would be paid. The wife smiled and said, “God is responsible, isn’t He?” What a testimony to their faith and trust in God who remains faithful and responsible at all times and in all things. God is no respecter of persons. What He does for one, He will do for another (see Romans 2:11). I encourage you to stop worrying and start trusting in Him.

Lord God, I know that worry is a sin against You. In the name of Jesus, help me overcome all anxieties and worry and enable me to trust You to provide for every need I have. Amen.


From the book Battlefield of the Mind Devotional by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2006 by Joyce Meyer. 

Knowing God's Will For Us, Our Rightful Place, And Giving Thanks To Him

In all things we should give thanks to God for it is His will for us in Christ, we should appreciate Him for
what he has done for us; our life, the whole of it and everything attached to it is made is made and given
by Him.

His mercy is ever sufficient, His grace is ever present, His love made us and when we went astray He
sent His only begotten son to die in our place, so that He could reconcile us back to Him. He bore our
transgressions, took upon Himself our inequities, the chastisement of our sin was on Him, and by His
stripes, gotten from getting beaten, we are healed.

He left His glory, His place, all of it, to come suffer for us, to what end? It was simply for His love for us,
He couldn’t bear to see our suffering, and do nothing, even though it was our fault that we got ourselves
where we got ourselves to. He didn’t mind the shame and embarrassment, all He wanted was to save
us, to redeem us, and all He asked in return is that we acknowledge Him, reciprocate the love He has
for us by telling those who yet do not know what is in store for them and what has been done for them,
that they can also partake of His eternal, and all encompassing love.

He wants us to look up to Him for anything and everything, not to trust in our own strength which is
fleeting, which will fail us, because we are weak, fragile, and with too many flaws. He wants us to be
complete, perfect, but only in Him can we find perfection and completion. His desire is to see us happy,
joyous, and rejoicing.

He wants us to be is happy and full of His love. He wants us to be is with Him. Anything and everything
that happens to us while we are in, and with Him, is for our own good, growth (in every area),
betterment, and the prosperity of our souls.

No matter what atrocity or crime we have committed, He is willing to look past it, He wants to make
us better people, His sons and daughters, heirs to Him, and His unimaginable riches. People who will
reconcile others who are ignorant of their rightful place, even by His presence, love and glory that will
emanate from within us unto those around us.

Money, riches, gold & silver are the least things He is capable of doing for us. He has proven that
in many different ways. We have life, we can see, walk, think, act….many other things. We should
appreciate Him, give ourselves to Him unconditionally, and He will make of us what no man will ever be
able to comprehend, people that every generation will look up to and want to be like. Guiding lights to
the younger generation, and the joy of our generation, the apple in God’s eyes.

Bible References:
1 Thessalonians 5:18: give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.Psalm 34:1: I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
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.
Psalm 106
Psalm 107
Psalm 118
Psalm 136
1 Chronicles 16:34: Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Luke 10:21: At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Hebrews 13:15: Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
Ephesians 1:8: that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understandingEphesians 1:9: And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ
Ephesians 1:11:In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will
1 John 5:14-15: This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

The Refiner

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

(Malachi 3:3) This verse puzzled some women in a Bible Study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver". She asked The silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in from of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refines?"

He smiled at her and answered, "oh, that's easy, when I see my image in it!!!"

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you!

Inception

The Bible says that "all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God" Romans 3:23, and the wickedness of men, which we still see today made God to destroy the earth by water in the time of Noah (Genesis 6:13, 7:4-21).

Because of His love for mankind, He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for the sins of the world (John 3:16) because without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sin (Hebrews 9:22, 1 Peter 2:24) . This is why Jesus had to be spotless and blameless, and then die so that we would be reconciled with our Creator, and gain adoption to become sons and daughters (Romans 8:15).

The point of becoming born again through the death to sin and resurrection through the redeeming power in the blood of Jesus(Romans 6:10-11, 7:4-6, 1 Peter 2:24) is where our inception begins.

Brothers and Sisters, believers in Jesus Christ, let us not begin to wander away from the path, for Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He has sent us the Holy Spirit, the comforter to come and dwell in us. Let us not take for granted what we have been given. I myself, I have made mistakes, of this kind but that was because I didn't yet understand fully, what Christ has done, and what He left us. We have God (the Holy Spirit) living inside of each and everyone of us who accepts the Lord Jesus as his/her personal Lord and savior, and we through Him we have grace, not as an excuse to sin, but an empowerment to become bona-fide sons and daughters for grace helps our limitations.

God bless you as you have a better relationship with Him daily.