We should strive to do everything with A mutual consent or agreement of two

a spirit of faith. Faith is confidence in or more persons under the old

God and a belief that His promises are covenant, our sin could be covered by
true. Faith will cause you to go the sacrifices of animals, but never
forward, to try new things, and to be removed. The sense of guilt
aggressive. Unless we make a firm connected to sin was always present.
decision to "fear not," we will never be
free from the power of it. "Do it afraid" But the good news is that God has
means to feel the fear and do what made a new covenant with man. It is a
you believe you should do any way. better covenant—far superior to the
old. The old covenant was initiated
I encourage you to be firm in your with the blood of animals, but the new
resolve to do whatever you need to was initiated with the sinless blood of
do, even if you have to "do it afraid!" Jesus Christ.
Trust in Him Choose to walk in faith,
trusting God's promises. Remember to Jesus took the punishment that we
"fear not," and when you do feel fear, deserve and promises that if we will
"do it afraid." believe in Him and all that He did for
us, He will forever stand in our place,
Prayer Starter: Lord God, help me and our responsibility to keep the law
not to allow fear to rule my life, but will be met in Him.
when I do feel fear, give me the
courage to do it afraid. In Jesus’
name, amen. The old covenant focused on what
man could do, but the new covenant
APRIL 09, 2021 focuses on what God has done for us
in Jesus Christ (see Romans 5).
The New Covenant
From the book Wake Up to the Word - Prayer Starter: Lord, help me see
by Joyce Meyer myself the way You see me, as a new
creature in You. In Jesus’ name,
This is the agreement (testament, amen.
covenant) that I will set up and
conclude with them after those days, APRIL 10, 2021
says the Lord: I will imprint My laws
upon their hearts, and I will inscribe Open Your Mouth
them on their minds (on their inmost From the book Power Thoughts Devo -
thoughts and understanding). by Joyce Meyer

— Hebrews 10:16 (AMPC) David said to the Philistine, "You

come against me with sword and
spear and javelin, but I come against
you in the name of the LORD
Almighty,
the God of the armies of Israel, whom APRIL 11, 2021
you have defied. This day the LORD
will hand you over to me, and I'll strike When You Feel
you down . . . and the whole world will Discouraged
know that there is a God in Israel." From the book Closer to God Each Day -
by Joyce Meyer
— 1 Samuel 17:45 - 46 (NIV)
[What, what would have become of
Like David, we all have enemies or me] had I not believed that I would
what we call giants in our lives who see the Lord’s goodness in the land of
need to be defeated. First Samuel the living!
17:42–48 tells us that when David was
preparing to do battle with the giant — Psalm 27:13 (AMPC)
Goliath, he ran toward him (not away
from him), with the power of God as We have all been disappointed at
his weaponry, confessing out loud some time. It would be surprising if we
what he believed the end result of the went through the week without
battle would be. encountering some kind of
disappointment. We are “appointed”
We can easily see from David's (set in a certain direction) for
example how we should approach the something to happen a certain way,
enemies we face in our own lives: and when it doesn’t happen that way,
we must open our mouths and speak we become “disappointed.”
the Word of God. You don't ever have
to be afraid of the giants in your life Disappointment not dealt with turns
because the greatest One lives in you, into discouragement. If we stay
and you can release His power by discouraged very long,
boldly speaking out your faith in Him. we are liable to become devastated,
and devastation leaves us unable to
Think this every day: I will use the handle anything. Many devastated
weapon of God's Word to defeat my Christians live defeated lives because
enemies. they have not learned how to handle
disappointment. The devastation they
Prayer Starter: Father, help me to be are experiencing most likely began
like David and run toward my enemies with a minor disappointment that was
with the armor of God as my shield not dealt with properly.
and protection. In Jesus’ name, amen.
It is not God’s will for us to live
disappointed, devastated, or
oppressed. When we become “dis-
appointed,” we can choose to become
“re-appointed” to keep from becoming
discouraged, then devastated.
When we learn to place our hope and Some of what God says will be
confidence in Jesus the Rock (see 1 exciting. Some things might not be so
Corinthians 10:4) and resist the devil thrilling to hear. But that doesn't mean
at his onset (see 1 Peter 5:8–9), we what He tells you won't work out for
can live in the joy and peace of the good if you will just do it His way. God
Lord, free from discouragement. does not require a higher sacrifice
than obedience.
Prayer Starter: Father, I know that
disappointment, discouragement and Prayer Starter: Lord, thank You for
devastation does not come from You. Your Word. Help me to always be
Help me to always put my hope and obedient to Your will for my life. In
confidence in You. In Jesus’ name, Jesus’ name, amen.
amen.
APRIL 13, 2021
APRIL 12, 2021
Never and Always
Hear and Obey From the book Healing the Soul of a
From the book Ending Your Day Right - Woman - by Joyce Meyer
by Joyce Meyer
"...Surely I am with you always, to the
Sacrifice and offering You do not very end of the age."
desire, nor have You delight in them;
You have given me the capacity to — Matthew 28:20 (NIV)
hear and obey [Your law, a more
valuable service than] burnt offerings When people teach classes on
and sin offerings [which] You do not effective communication, they often
require. advise students to avoid the
words never and always. That’s
— Psalm 40:6 (AMPC) because accusing someone of never
doing something or of always being a
God delights in your obedience. certain way is rarely accurate.
Naturally, it doesn't do Him any good
to speak to you if you aren't going to A person may exhibit behaviors or
listen and obey. have bad habits most of the time,
even 99 percent of the time, but
For many years, I wanted God to talk not always or never. For example,
to me, but I wanted to pick and have you ever heard people arguing
choose what to obey. I wanted to do and one person accuses another one
what He said if I thought it was a good of never doing their fair share of the
idea. If I didn't like what I was hearing, work on something? The one accused
I would act like it wasn't from God. usually comes back and says, “That is
not true . . .”
The words always and never do not That’s exactly why the enemy gives
leave room for any exceptions and them to you. The devil is a liar. Sooner
using them causes us to exaggerate or later, most things change. Negative
or misrepresent the truth. That’s why situations rarely last forever, so our
communication experts say these job is to push through them with
words have no place in healthy prayer, patience, and God’s help. As
conversation. we continue to walk in faith, believe
God, and trust Him to lead us, we can
God is the only one who can come out of any negative
accurately say “never” and “always.” circumstance in which we find
His Word is absolute truth, and if He ourselves.
says these words, we can count on
them. For example, the Bible Don’t let the enemy ensnare you with
says, The LORD himself goes before thoughts of never and always. Believe
you and will be with you; he will never God to change what may seem or feel
leave you nor forsake you. Do not be like it will never change for you,
afraid; do not be discouraged (Deut. because the only never and always
31:8 NIV). God’s Word also includes that mean anything are the ones in
Jesus’ promise to remain with us His Word. Declare this: I am thankful
always in Matthew 28:20, our verse that God never leaves me, and that I
for today. always have hope in Him.

The devil often plants thoughts in our Prayer Starter: Father, I know that
minds based on never and always, you know what’s going on in my life,
because he knows they can entrap us. and I know you always know the truth.
He tells us the negative aspects of our Help me to know and recognize the
lives will never change and will always difference between Your truth and the
be the way they are right now. devil’s lies. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Perhaps he has told you lies such as: APRIL 14, 2021
“All the women in your family are
overweight. You will never be slim and Be Kind
trim,” or “You don’t have the From the book The Confident Woman -
personality to advance at work. You by Joyce Meyer
will always be stuck in the job you
have today,” or “You will always have She opens her mouth in skillful and
to deal with the impact of the abuse in godly wisdom, and on her tongue is
your life. You just can’t get over that.” the law of kindness [giving counsel
These types of thoughts can paralyze and instruction].
you by putting fear in your heart. They
can cause you to give up on your — Proverbs 31:26 (AMPC)
dreams and not to even try to pursue
God’s plans for your life.
Our woman in Proverbs 31 knows the APRIL 15, 2021
importance of words. She opens her
mouth in skillful and godly wisdom. God Lives in You
The law of kindness is in her tongue. From the book Hearing from God Each
Speaking kindly to other people is a Morning - by Joyce Meyer
tremendous attribute and one that
certainly enhances a godly woman. Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you.
She knows that anxiety in a man's [Live in Me, and I will live in you.]...
heart weighs it down, but an
encouraging word makes it glad (see — John 15:4 (AMPC)
Proverbs 12:25). We all need
kindness, and I believe we will reap Why would God want to live in us?
what we sow. Proverbs 18:20–21 says And how can He do so? After all, He
that we will have to be satisfied with is holy, and we are weak, human flesh
the consequences of our words and with frailties, faults, and failures.
that the power of life and death are in
the tongue. It goes on to say that we The answer is simple: He loves us
will eat the fruit of our words for life or and chooses to make His home in us.
death. He does that because He is God; He
has the ability to do what He wants,
Not only do we have the capability of and He elects or chooses to make His
speaking life or death to other people, home in our hearts. This choice is not
we have the same ability in our own based on any good deed we have
lives. done or ever could do; it based solely
on God's grace, power, and mercy.
We can speak words that build
confidence in ourselves and others or We become God's home by believing
we can speak words that destroy in Jesus Christ (as God instructs us in
confidence. Be especially careful the Bible). The verse for today
about self-talk. This is the emphasizes the fact that we must
conversation that you have with believe in Jesus Christ as the one
yourself inside yourself. Be sure what God sent in order to experience
you are saying is something you want intimacy with Him. Believing in Him
to live with. enables us to hear His voice, receive
His Word in our hearts, and feel His
Prayer Starter: Lord, make my heart presence.
to be kind and compassionate, so that
it overflows in kind words to others. In addition to believing in Jesus as
May my words have the power of life God's heaven-sent gift to mankind, we
in them, to build up others and are to simply believe that Jesus'
encourage them. Amen. sacrifice for our sins was enough to
allow us into the presence of God.
We become the home of God when You are being freed from the bondage
we receive Jesus as our Savior and of Egypt and heading toward the
Lord. From that position, by the power Promised Land, where God's
of the Holy Spirit, He begins a purposes and promises will become
wonderful work in us. realities in your life, but you will have
days in the desert. When that
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for happens, don't be too hard on
living in my heart. I am so grateful for yourself.
the incredible sacrifice You made for
me. Help me to always feel Your Be nurturing and supportive of
presence. In Jesus’ name, amen. yourself, as you would of anyone else
you love. Remind yourself that ten
APRIL 16, 2021 steps forward and one step backward
still gets you where you're going.
Don’t Overreact Celebrate your successes, even small
From the book Love Out Loud - ones, and it will help you press past
by Joyce Meyer your setbacks.

When Pharaoh let the people go, God Consider writing down your victories
led them not by way of the land of the as you have them. Keep a journal of
Philistines, although that was nearer; your journey and record all your little
for God said, Lest the people change successes and include the lessons
their purpose when they see war and you're learning along the way and the
return to Egypt. good experiences you're having.
When you have a discouraging day or
— Exodus 13:17 (AMPC) one when you feel you've done
everything wrong, read your journal.
No matter how carefully you plan your You may be amazed at how far you've
progress in any area of your life, you come!
will have setbacks. That's part of the
journey. Successful people are able to Don't overreact to setbacks along your
press through difficulty and delay and journey. Remind yourself often of the
get right back on track without wasting progress you've made.
time, feeling bad about themselves, or
losing momentum. Prayer Starter: Lord Jesus, I thank
you for all the great things You’ve
Having a bad day does not mean you done in my life. Keep me ever mindful
have to have a bad life. Don't be like of all my victories and successes. In
the Israelites in today's scripture who Jesus’ name, amen.
wanted to return to Egypt every time
they had a bad day while traveling
toward the Promised Land.
 APRIL 18, 2021

APRIL 17, 2021

Eyes to See, Ears to Hear
From the book Battlefield of the Mind -
God’s Strength in You by Joyce Meyer
From the book My Time with God -
by Joyce Meyer
But rather what we are setting forth is
a wisdom of God once hidden [from
May He grant you out of the rich the human understanding] and now
treasury of His glory to be revealed to us by God . . . None of the
strengthened and reinforced with rulers of this age or world perceived
mighty power in the inner man by the and recognized and understood this,
[Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your for if they had, they would never have
innermost being and personality]. crucified the Lord of glory. But, on the
contrary, as the Scripture says, What
— Ephesians 3:16 (AMPC) eye has not seen and ear has not
heard and has not entered into the
When we are strong inwardly—in our heart of man, [all that] God has
determination, thoughts, and attitudes prepared (made and keeps ready) for
—as well as strong in our faith, we those who love Him [who hold Him in
can do whatever we need to do in life. affectionate reverence, promptly
I pray about this almost daily for my obeying Him and gratefully
family and me. Don’t just “try” to be recognizing the benefits He has
strong, but instead go to God for your bestowed]. Yet to us God has
strength, knowing that He can enable unveiled and revealed them by and
you to do all things through Him. through His Spirit...
When the Holy Spirit is on the inside, — 1 Corinthians 2:7-10 (AMPC)
His strength will show up on the
outside. One thing used to puzzle me very
much about the children of Israel.
Try saying this out loud every day: I They saw the miracles Moses
am filled with God’s strength, and I performed. They witnessed the 10
can do whatever I need to do with joy! plagues that destroyed crops,
animals, and firstborn sons and yet
never touched any of them in the land
Prayer Starter: Father God, because of Goshen.
You live in my heart, I believe I can do
anything today, with Your help. In They stood at the Red Sea and
Jesus’ name, amen. watched the waters part, and later
looked back to see the Egyptians
drown. They experienced miracle after
miracle for 40 years.

I used to ask: Why didn’t they believe?

They personally watched signs and
miracles take place, but they “Oh, it was all psychosomatic. There
remained unbelievers. Except for was nothing really wrong with her.”
Joshua and Caleb, every adult who
watched God at work in Egypt died I learned long ago that it did no good
before the waters parted at the River to argue with the spiritually blind and
Jordan. try to convince them to see God at
work. Until the Holy Spirit enlightens
One day as I read this passage, the them, they can never grasp the power
answer became obvious. We don’t of God at work in human lives. Only
understand God through natural eyes those who have been enlightened by
or human reasoning. We understand the power of the Holy Spirit can truly
God only when we’re aided by the grasp spiritual realities. To those who
Holy Spirit. Those Israelites in the love Him and believe, God reveals
wilderness saw miracles, but they spiritual truths. He assures those who
never experienced God. They saw the have understanding that the Holy
miracles at work, but they never Spirit is at work. As the Spirit works in
grasped God Himself. us, we gain power over every trick of
the devil to blind us again.
That’s the message Paul presents to
us. He says God has prepared us— Prayer Starter: Lord, please give me
those who believe and obey—and He eyes to see and ears to hear. Unveil
unveiled and revealed (see 1 Your spiritual truths to me, so that I
Corinthians 2:10) spiritual realities can see Your hand at work in my life.
through the Holy Spirit. Another way In Jesus’ name, amen.
to say this is that as long as we look
only at events and facts but see APRIL 19, 2021
nothing behind them, we don’t have
eyes to see and ears to hear. A Confused Mind
From the book Starting Your Day Right -
That’s where Satan works best. He by Joyce Meyer
tries to keep us blind and deaf so that
we don’t recognize the Spirit of God at If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let
work. For example, in a worship him ask of the giving God [Who gives]
service, someone prays for a woman to everyone liberally and
who is in great pain and she’s healed. ungrudgingly, without reproaching or
faultfinding, and it will be given him.
Only it must be in faith that he asks
Those with eyes to see and ears to with no wavering (no hesitating, no
hear, immediately praise the Lord. doubting).
Those who are still held by the devil’s
cunning lies say, For the one who wavers (hesitates,
doubts) is like the billowing surge out
at sea that is blown hither and thither
and tossed by the wind.
For truly, let not such a person they switch again. The moment they
imagine that he will receive anything feel sure they have made the decision
[he asks for] from the Lord, [for being they plan to stick with, they begin to
as he is] a man of two minds wonder if it was the correct one. They
(hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] continually doubt and question their
unstable and unreliable and uncertain reasoning.
about everything [he thinks, feels,
decides]. This kind of behavior is not the same
as being open-minded. To be open-
— James 1:5-8 (AMPC) minded means we’re willing to hear all
sides of an issue—like jurors should
A close friend of mine received a be at a trial. But eventually we have to
summons for jury duty in a robbery sort through the evidence or the
trial. For two days, 12 citizens listened circumstances in life and say, “This is
to the prosecuting attorney as he what I’m going to do.”
presented evidence to indicate that
the accused had broken into a home That sounds good, but too many
and stolen many items. My friend was people have trouble being decisive.
ready to convict him. “What if I make a mistake?” they ask.
“What If I choose the wrong thing?”
On the third day, the defense attorney Those are legitimate questions, but
presented the other side of the they are not meant to paralyze God’s
picture. The more my friend listened, people and prevent them from acting.
the more confused she became. What Too often, these are tools that Satan
had seemed very obvious at first now uses to distract and prevent Christians
seemed ambiguous and contradictory. from taking action.

Although the jury did convict the man, God’s Spirit is always available to free
my friend said she struggled over you from natural reasoning that leaves
making the right decision. Each you confused. Ask of the One who
attorney, when he was speaking, had gives wisdom liberally, and He will
seemed to be the most convincing. free you of being indecisive and
double minded.
Many Christians live much the same
way day today. They have become Prayer Starter: God, thank You for
what James calls double minded. always showing me the way and
They’re sure of one thing until helping me make decisions. In the
something else happens, and then name of Jesus Christ, amen.
they flip-flop to the opposite opinion.

In their double mindedness, they flit

from one opinion to the other. They’re
sure they know what to do, and then
APRIL 20, 2021 part of my day as I live for You. I thank
You that I can choose to enjoy even
Set a Goal to Enjoy Every the average, routine parts of my day.
Part of Your Day In Jesus’ name, amen.
From the book The Power of Being
Thankful - by Joyce Meyer APRIL 21, 2021

Therefore my heart is glad and my Do Something

glory [my inner self] rejoices; my body Outrageous
too shall rest and confidently dwell in From the book Trusting God Day by
safety. Day - by Joyce Meyer

— Psalm 16:9 (AMPC) And Peter answered Him, Lord, if it is

You, command me to come to You on
There are dozens of things that the water. He said, Come! So Peter
happen during ordinary, everyday life, got out of the boat and walked on the
and we can enjoy them all if we just water…
make a decision to do it.
— Matthew 14:28-29 (AMPC)
Things like getting dressed, driving to
work, going to the grocery store, I think it's good to occasionally (or
running errands, keeping things perhaps frequently) do something that
organized, sending e-mails, taking the seems outrageous. Do something that
kids to practice, and hundreds of other people won't expect. It will keep your
things. life interesting and keep other people
from thinking they have you tucked
After all, they are the things that life is away nicely in a little box of their own
made up of. Begin doing them with an design. People become bored
attitude of gratitude and realize that, because their lives become
through the Holy Spirit, you can enjoy predictable. One great woman who
absolutely everything you do every was seventy-six years of age said her
day of your life. goal was to do at least one
outrageous thing every week. I just
Joy doesn’t come merely from being read this week that we should do one
entertained, but from a decision to thing every day that scares us.
appreciate each moment that you are
given as a rare and precious gift from We are not created by God to merely
God. do the same thing over and over until
it has no meaning left at all. God is
Prayer Starter: Father, thank You for creative. If you don't think so, then just
the gift of life, and thank You for every look around you. All the animals,
activity that comes with that gift. I pray bugs, plants, birds, trees, and other
that You will help me find joy in each things are totally amazing.
 — Ephesians 6:18 (AMPC)
The sun, moon, and stars, planets,
space, and gravity all of which God I encourage you to talk with God
has created—can boggle our minds. about absolutely everything. You can
We could actually go on forever tell Him how you feel, what you desire
talking about the infinite variety of and what your goals are. Tell Him
things God has created. In case you what you love about Him and about
haven't noticed, God is quite your life and express your gratitude for
outrageous and frequently changes all that He has done for you.
things up in our lives. He is full of
surprises and yet totally dependable. You can tell God about the things in
You know, we really can learn a lot your life that you don’t like or that are
from God! hard for you. Tell Him what you have
done that is wrong and talk with Him
I don't want people to think they have about all your concerns for yourself,
me all figured out, and although I want your life, and your loved ones.
to be dependable and faithful, I don't
always want to be predictable. You can tell God absolutely anything,
Sometimes I get bored with myself and He is never shocked or surprised
and I have to pray and ask God for a because He knew all about it before it
creative idea to shake up my life a ever happened. He’s not surprised
little and keep me on my toes. about anything!

Trust in Him. Do something new and Prayer Starter: Lord, thank You for
outrageous today. Ask God to help being my friend and listening to
you be creative. everything I have to say. In Jesus’
name, amen.
Prayer Starter: Thank you, Father, for
Your creativity. Help me to be APRIL 23, 2021
dependable, but not necessarily
predictable. In Jesus’ name, amen. Get a Goal
From the book Power Thoughts Devo -
APRIL 22, 2021 by Joyce Meyer

Tell God Everything ...He is the rewarder of those who

From the book Wake Up to the Word - earnestly and diligently seek Him
by Joyce Meyer
[out].
Pray at all times (on every occasion, — Hebrews 11:6 (AMPC)
in every season) in the Spirit, with all
[manner of] prayer and entreaty. To Think of an area in your life in which
that end keep alert and watch with you need to refuse to give up. Come
strong purpose and perseverance, up with a goal—one that will require
interceding in behalf of all the saints you to be disciplined and overcome
(God’s consecrated people).
some obstacles, but one that also For many years I prayed the “Lord’s
promises great reward. It may be as Prayer,” and I didn’t really know God
basic as making your bed each as my Father. I didn’t have any kind of
morning, or as ambitious as running a a close personal relationship with
marathon or climbing Mount Everest. God. I was just repeating something I
It may be to break free from a fear of had learned.
flying or a fear of public speaking, or it
may be to overcome an addiction of If you want to be closer to the Lord
some kind. It may be cleaning your and effective in your prayer life, it is
house or getting out of debt. Just important to know God as your Father.
make sure you and God are in When the disciples asked Jesus to
agreement, depend on Him for the teach them to pray, He taught them
strength to do it, and then go after what we call the “Lord’s Prayer,”
your goal with everything in you. which is a spiritual treasure house of
principles for prayer. But foremost,
Be full of holy determination—not Jesus started it by instructing them to
some kind of fleshly determination or say, “Our Father Who is in heaven,
willpower—but true God-given hallowed be Your name.”
determination. You do have self-
control. It is a fruit of the Spirit, and it Jesus was showing them the
is in you— believe it and begin privileged relationship He came to
walking in it. bring to every believer. He told them
they could have a relationship with
In agreement with God, you can God as their Father if they expected to
pursue your goals with diligence and go to Him in prayer.
determination.
Don’t go to God as someone that
Prayer Starter: Thank You, Lord, for you’re afraid of but develop a Father-
giving me the determination to set child relationship with Him. That
goals and pursue my dreams with intimate relationship will give you
diligence. In Jesus’ name, amen. liberty to ask Him for things you would
not have asked for if you had a
APRIL 24, 2021 distant, stiff relationship with Him.

Know God as Your Father Our heavenly Father loves us and has
From the book Closer to God Each Day - His eye on us at all times. Learn to
by Joyce Meyer enjoy God! When you pray, remember
you have a loving Father Who is
And He said to them, When you pray, listening.
say: Our Father Who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name… Prayer Starter: Lord, thank You for
knowing me and loving me on such a
— Luke 11:2 (AMPC) personal level. I love You so much.
Thank You for all You have done for
APRIL 26, 2021
me, but most importantly, for living in
my heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Discover and Use Your
APRIL 25, 2021 Gifts
From the book Healing the Soul of a
Yearning for More of God Woman - by Joyce Meyer
From the book Ending Your Day Right -
by Joyce Meyer Before I formed you in the womb I
knew you...and before you were born I
My soul yearns for You [O Lord] in the consecrated you.
night, yes, my spirit within me seeks
You earnestly... — Jeremiah 1:5 (AMPC)

— Isaiah 26:9 (AMPC) One of the things that happens as

God heals your soul is that you begin
Nothing can satisfy your longing for to see yourself as He sees you. You
God except communion and receive His love in new ways, and you
fellowship with Him. The apostle John realize that He has made you special
wrote, And the world passes away and that He has a unique purpose for
and disappears, and with it the your life. God has gifted you to fulfill
forbidden cravings (the passionate His purpose for your life, but if you are
desires, the lust) of it; but he who like a lot of people, you may not have
does the will of God and carries out recognized your gifts. When we are in
His purposes in his life abides pain in our soul, sometimes all we can
(remains) forever (1 John 2:17 focus on is what seems wrong about
AMPC). us. It can be difficult to see what is
good and right about us. As God
The world makes it easy for you to fill begins to heal our mind, will, and
your ears with all kinds of things that emotions, we find it easier to think
drown out the voice of God and push about positive things and even
Him far into the background of your recognize positive aspects of
life. However, the day comes for every ourselves.
person when only God remains.
Everything else in life eventually I encourage you to start asking God to
passes away; when it does, God will show you something special about the
still be there. Seek God earnestly way He has made you. To some
today and every day, and He will people, He has given a very tender,
abide in you. compassionate heart. Some He has
made able to lead others effectively,
Prayer Starter: Father, You’re all I while others He has created to be
need. Thank you for abiding in me. I excellent followers. Some can cook,
love you. In Jesus’ name, amen. some can sew, and some cannot do
those things, but they can do other
things. To some, He has given a gift of Prayer Starter: Thank you, Lord, for
being able to communicate clearly, to giving me gifts and talents. I know I
teach, to make scientific discoveries, may not be good at everything, but
or to write beautiful music. that’s okay. I’m good at what You
made me to be good at. Thank you,
Only you can discover all the ways He Jesus! Amen.
has made you unique as an individual.
Romans 12:6–8 talks about giving APRIL 27, 2021
ourselves to our gifts. In other words,
we are to find out what things we are God Gives the Victory
good at and then devote ourselves - by Joyce Meyer
wholeheartedly to exercising those
gifts. You shall tread upon the lion and
adder; the young lion and the serpent
People usually enjoy doing what they shall you trample underfoot. Because
are gifted to do. Some people feel he has set his love upon Me, therefore
they are not good at anything, but that will I deliver him; I will set him on high,
is not true. When we make an effort to because he knows and understands
do what others are good at doing, we My name...
often fail because we are not gifted for
those things; but that does not mean — Psalm 91:13-14 (AMPC)
we are good for nothing. We should
look for what we are good at and do God created each of us with a free
that. As we do what God has created will. This gives us the ability to make
and gifted us to do, we find joy and our own decisions apart from outside
fulfillment in life. influence. Satan tries to force us to do
things by placing outside pressure on
People who are secure and confident us, but God attempts to lead us by His
in God know that God has created Holy Spirit. Jesus is not demanding or
them to be unique and that they have harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing. He is
a special purpose. They realize that humble, gentle, meek, and lowly (see
He loves them and has a plan for Matthew 11:29–30).
them, and they see no need to
compare themselves to others, which We are indeed complex creatures.
is very freeing. I encourage you to be Our mind can think one thing, while
secure enough to enjoy what other our emotions want something else
people can do and to enjoy what you and our will certainly seems to have a
can do, but never try to be anyone mind of its own. Once a person's
except yourself. Say positive things willpower is renewed by God's Word
about yourself instead of negative and she knows enough to choose
things because that will help release good over evil, she becomes very
the gifts God has placed in you. dangerous to Satan and his kingdom
of darkness. The renewed person can He has made a simple and enjoyable
override all the negative things Satan way for us to pray and enjoy spending
has planned by exercising her will time with Him. Satan wants us to
power to agree with God and His believe that prayer has to take a long
Word. time and that we must follow a specific
formula. He surrounds prayer with
I have discovered that doubt is a rules and regulations and steals the
thought planted in my head by the creativity and freedom God desires us
devil. He uses it to keep me from to enjoy as we pray. He tries to keep
enjoying my life and making progress us from having faith and to convince
in God's good plan for me. us that we really are not worthy
enough to be talking to God anyway
Prayer Starter: Father, thank you for and that we cannot hear God's voice.
Your gift of free will. Help me to stay
renewed through Your Word so that I When we do pray the devil always
know and recognize Your leading. In tries to condemn us by telling us that
Jesus’ name, amen. we do not pray enough or the right
way, and that our prayers do not make
APRIL 28, 2021 a difference. He also attempts to
distract us when we are praying. For
Keep It Simple these reasons, people often feel that
From the book Hearing from God Each prayer is so difficult and unfruitful that
Morning - by Joyce Meyer they rarely do it.

But I fear, lest somehow, as the In general, many people seem to be

serpent deceived Eve by his frustrated and dissatisfied with their
craftiness, so your minds may be prayer lives, but that can change. We
corrupted from the simplicity that is in can pray simple, heartfelt prayers in
Christ. faith and be assured that God hears
and answers.
— 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV)
Prayer Starter: Lord Jesus, help me
God really wants our relationships and keep my talks with You simple. In
communication with Him to be simple, Jesus’ name, amen.
but the devil has twisted our thinking
about prayer because he not only APRIL 29, 2021
knows how powerful it is, he also
knows how easy it should be for us. Spice Things Up!
From the book Love Out Loud -
Just ask yourself. Why would God by Joyce Meyer
create us for communication and
fellowship with Him and then You are the salt of the earth, but if salt
complicate it? God has not has lost its taste (its strength,
complicated anything;
 its quality), how can its saltness be You can begin by smiling at the
restored? It is not good for anything people you encounter throughout the
any longer but to be thrown out and day. Deposit yourself with God and
trodden underfoot by men. trust Him to take care of you while you
sow good seed everywhere you go.
— Matthew 5:13 (AMPC)
Prayer Starter: Father, show me
I don't know about you, but I don't like ways I can spice of the lives of those
bland food. My husband once had a around me. I want to be Your
stomach problem, and the doctor put ambassador. In Jesus’ name, amen.
him on a totally bland diet for a few
days. At every meal, I heard him say APRIL 30, 2021
over and over, "This stuff has no taste
at all." His food needed a bit of salt, a The Importance of
little spice—and that is exactly what Believing
the world needs. From the book My Time with God -
by Joyce Meyer
Each day as you leave your home to
go into a dark, tasteless world, you …Did I not tell you and promise you
can be the light and flavor it needs. that if you would believe and rely on
You can bring joy to your workplace Me, you would see the glory of God?
by being determined to consistently
have a godly attitude. You can be — John 11:40 (NIV)
"salt" through simple things like being
thankful rather than complaining like What we believe is our choice. God
most people do, being patient, desires that we not only believe that
merciful, quick to for¬give offenses, He exists, but that we believe His
kind, and encouraging. Even simply Word. Trusting God to fulfill His
smiling and being friendly is a way to promises will bring you into a state of
bring flavor into a tasteless society. rest. Those who have believed do
enter the rest of God, according to
Without love and all of its magnificent Hebrews 4:3.
qualities, life is tasteless and not worth
living. I want you to try an experiment. When I am frustrated, worried, fearful,
Just think—I am going to go out into or upset in any way, I can always
the world today and spice things up. trace the problem back to wrong
Then get your mind set before you believing. I keep a sign in my office
ever walk out your door that you are that simply says “Believe.” It reminds
going out as God's ambassador and me to examine my heart and mind and
that your goal is to be a giver, to love be sure that I am placing my trust in
people, and add good flavor to their God at all times. Joy and peace are
lives. found in believing (see Romans
15:13).
Jesus said that if we would just appointed season we shall reap, if we
believe, we would see His glory, which do not loosen and relax our courage
is the manifestation of His excellence and faint.
in our lives. I am sure that you want to
see the best that God has for you — Galatians 6:9 (AMPC)
manifested in your life, as I do in mine.
"I've been a Christian for twenty-three
If God instructs you to do (or not to years," Cheryl said. I'm just not getting
do) something, believe and obey! anywhere. I'm as weak as I was when
When God states in His Word that He I first accepted Christ as my Savior. I
will take care of you and meet all your still fail. I just don't know if it's worth it."
needs, believe it! Believe before you Tears streamed down her cheeks as
see. she continued to talk about her
failures. "By now I know all the right
In God’s kingdom economy, we things to do, but I don't do them.
always believe first and then we see Sometimes I deliberately do
the result of our believing. Right something mean-spirited or unkind.
believing leads to right living! Right What kind of Christian am I?"
believing leads to a life of peace, joy
and fulfillment! "Probably a growing Christian," I said.
A startled look appeared on Cheryl's
My message to you today is very face. "Growing? Did you hear?
simple: Believe!
"Yes, I heard. But if you weren't
Prayer Starter: Father, I know that all growing, you wouldn't lament your
of Your ways are right and just. I failures. You'd be satisfied about your
believe Your Word is true, and I ask spiritual level or tell yourself how good
You to help me believe it at all times. you are."
Remind me to believe when I am
starting to doubt and help me walk in "But I'm so discouraged, and I fail God
faith always! In Jesus’ name, amen. so many times."

MAY 01, 2021 I went on to tell Cheryl she was

correct that she had failed. All of us do
Don’t Quit at times. None of us is perfect. If we're
From the book Battlefield of the Mind - not careful, we allow the devil to point
by Joyce Meyer to what we haven't accomplished and
where we have been weak. When that
And let us not lose heart and grow happens, it's easy to feel bad or want
weary and faint in acting nobly and to give up.
doing right, for in due time and at the
That's not the way of the Spirit. No Life is a struggle, and the devil is
matter how we mess up our lives, God determined to defeat and destroy us.
doesn't give up on us. The Spirit We don't ever reach the place where
constantly nudges us. we never have to fight.

We can allow our thoughts to dwell on

what we haven't done, why we ought But it's not just our fight. Jesus is not
to be more spiritual, or how spiritual only with us, but He is for us. He's at
we ought to be after all these years in our side to strengthen us and to urge
our Christian faith. That's a trick of the us onward.
devil to make us think of our defects
and short comings. If we focus on My friend kept remembering the times
what we're not or what we haven't she had failed, but I reminded her of
accomplished, we are allowing the the times she had succeeded. "You
devil to make advances on the think the devil is in control, but that's
battlefield of our minds. not true. You have failed, but you
have also succeeded. You have stood
The fact that my troubled friend was your ground and you have made
upset was a healthy sign, even though progress."
she didn't see it that way. With the
Holy Spirit's help, she can push back "Don't quit. Don't give up." That's the
the devil. She can regain the territory message we need to hear. I think of
Satan has stolen from her. the words of Isaiah: "Fear not, for I
have redeemed you ... ; I have called
Cheryl seemed to think that holy; you by your name; you are Mine.
victorious living came slowly. They When you pass through the waters, I
come little by little. It's as if we inch will be with you, and through the
forward. Because we move slowly in rivers, they will not overwhelm you.
our spiritual growth, we are often When you walk through the fire, you
unaware of how far we have moved. If will not be burned or scorched, nor will
the devil can make us think that we the flame kindle upon you" (Isaiah
must have one decisive spiritual 43:l1-2).
victory after another or we're losers,
he has gained an important This is God's promise. He doesn't
stronghold. My advice to Cheryl, and promise to take us completely out of
to all Christians who face those dark troubles or hardships, but He does
moments, is to listen to the words of promise to be with us as we go
the apostle Paul. through them. "Fear not,"' He says.
That's the message we need to
He exhorted us not to grow weary; or ponder. We don't need to fear
as another translation says it, "not to because God is with us. And when
lose heart." He's saying, "Don't quit. God is with us, what is there to worry
Keep fighting." about?
Prayer Starter: God, despite my
failures, You are with me, encouraging
me not to give up. Please help me to because God promises that whatever
remember that, with Your help, I can we sow today we will also reap
win. In the name of Jesus, I pray. sometime in the future (see v. 9).
Amen.
Be courageous, act nobly, and
MAY 02, 2021 continue doing what you know is right
the right thing to do, in every
Sowing and Reaping circumstance.
From the book Starting Your Day Right -
by Joyce Meyer Prayer Starter: Lord, I know you
always lead me to do what is right.
So then, as occasion and opportunity Help me follow you in all my ways. In
open up to us, let us do good [morally] Jesus’ name, amen.
to all people [not only being useful or
profitable to them, but also doing what MAY 03, 2021
is for their spiritual good and
advantage]. Be mindful to be a Facing Fear Head On
blessing, especially to those of the From the book The Power of Being
Thankful - by Joyce Meyer
household of faith [those who belong
to God’s family with you, the
believers]. Those who trust in, lean on, and
confidently hope in the Lord are like
— Galatians 6:10 (AMPC) Mount Zion, which cannot be moved
but abides and stands fast forever.
If you’ve heard the phrase, “you reap
what you sow,” or maybe you’ve — Psalm 125:1 (AMPC)
heard, “what goes around, comes
around,” they both mean the same One meaning of the word fear is “to
thing. take flight,” so when we use the
phrase “fear not,” in a very real sense
Basically, these phrases mean that if we are saying, “Don’t run away from
we sow kindness, we will reap what frightens you.” Remember, you
kindness. Or in other words, if we do don’t have to do it in your own
something nice for someone else, strength—God is with you. You can
somebody will do something nice for move forward with a grateful
us. assurance in Him.

We can enjoy our life (and avoid Whatever the situation is, face it; don’t
trouble) if we follow the Holy Spirit’s run from it. Don’t try to hide from it;
leading. The Word tells us not to grow just meet it head-on, even when you
weary from doing what is right, feel like you’d rather not. Every man
or woman who has ever been given
the opportunity to do something great
has had to face fear.