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Post by Aeliana on May 15, 2023 4:27:37 GMT -8
Discernment Is the Key to a Clear Conscience
Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people. Acts 24:16
It's critical to keep your conscience clear because nothing will keep you from enjoying life as much as guilt.
In Acts, Paul said that he pursued discipline and avoided worldly desires so that he could walk blameless and guilt-free before God. The same applies to us. Walking in the confidence of a clear conscience will keep us free and happy.
That sounds easy when it comes to clear-cut, right and wrong issues, but what about the 'gray' areas of life? How do we keep our conscience clear when we're unsure what the right or wrong choice is? What if we accidentally sin without realizing it? I've found that God's discernment solves this problem.
Discernment is spiritual understanding, and it's the key to living with a clear conscience. It takes practice, but it simply involves paying attention to your heart. God will let you know when you shouldn't do something that will bring guilt later on.
I encourage you to live in a way that will keep your conscience clear. Don't do things you know you shouldn't, and rely on God's discernment when you're facing an issue you're not sure about. He will never lead you wrong.
Prayer Starter: God, thank You for Your discernment. Help me to pay attention to Your still, small voice speaking to my heart so I can live in a way that will keep my conscience free and clear before You.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on May 16, 2023 4:24:59 GMT -8
Do Your Best!
For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. Philippians 1:10
God is excellent. As His representatives, we should be too. So it's important that we do our best in everything that we put our hands to. We must be motivated to do our very best in whatever we set out to accomplish. Paul urges us to "learn to...prize what is excellent and of real value." As we make excellence a way of life, we will sense God's joy and be good examples to the world.
You must sow excellence in order to reap an excellent harvest. We can't expect excellent results in life when we don't live a life of excellence. The Bible teaches us to develop diligence, steadfastness and determination, all of which will help us live lives of excellence.
So I encourage you to do your best with any project or activity that God places in your path. Be diligent. Don't leave things undone, but finish what you start to the best of your ability. Set your mind to be steadfast and determined. Commit yourself to excellent results.
God honors an attitude of excellence. Choose to do your best, and He will always work alongside you.
Prayer Starter: God, I want to live a life of excellence. Strengthen me and help me to do my best in every situation with steadfastness, diligence and determination.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on May 17, 2023 4:23:00 GMT -8
Be Generous and Cheerful
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
As Christians, we should be generous people, giving whatever we can whenever we can. And that doesn't just mean money, we can give help, encouragement, time, talents and forgiveness.
This means we can't let selfishness get in the way. A lot of people are stingy, clinging to what they have and afraid to give it up. Others aren't stingy in their actions, but they are stingy in their hearts, giving because they feel obligated, not because they really want to.
But this isn't the way God calls us to give. Second Corinthians 9:7 tells us, "God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, 'prompt to do it') giver [whose heart is in his giving]."
If you think about it, when we give our lives to God, everything we have is His anyway, it no longer belongs to us. We should be givers, using our resources the way He wants us to.
Give cheerfully today. It pleases God, and those who give cheerfully are happy, fulfilled, and highly effective.
Prayer Starter: God, I make up my mind and purpose in my heart right now to be a cheerful giver. Show me how I can generously give to You and the people in my life today.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on May 18, 2023 4:29:37 GMT -8
Are You Hopeful?
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1
When you think about the future, are you hopeful? Or do you struggle with a sense of dread?
People who have seen God's faithfulness in the past tend to be very hopeful about the future. They know a bad situation can turn into a wonderful testimony in a matter of minutes.
On the other hand, people who have lost all hope view life from the perspective of dread. A close cousin to fear, dread steals the ability to enjoy ordinary life and makes people anxious about the future.
Hope is the opposite of dread, and a close relative of faith. When we have faith in God, it leads to hope, and our outlook on life and the future is positive.
Hope allows us to leave our unanswered questions in God's hands; it empowers us to remain at peace, and it enables us to believe the best about the days to come.
You can have hope when you trust in God's love. He has the power to provide for you and lead you through every situation.
Prayer Starter: God, I choose to put my faith in You, knowing that it will turn into hope. I don't have to dread, because You have the ability to care for me, so I put my hope in You.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on May 19, 2023 4:38:33 GMT -8
Don't Give in to Self-Pity
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Self-pity is a destructive and negative emotion. It blinds us to our blessings and the possibilities before us and it steals our hope for both today and tomorrow. People who pity themselves think, "Why should I try to do anything? I'll just fail."
Self-pity is actually idolatry because it is self-focus carried to the extreme. When we allow ourselves to fall into self-pity, we are essentially rejecting God's love and His ability to change things.
I encourage you not to waste one more day of your life in self-pity. When you lose hope and begin to feel sorry for yourself, stop and say: 'I refuse to feel sorry for myself. I may be in a difficult season of life right now, but I will not stop hoping for better things!'
God has thoughts and plans for your good, to give you hope for your future. If you will hold on to your hope and fight for it when the enemy tries to take it away, you will see amazing things take place in your life.
Prayer Starter: God, I refuse to feel sorry for myself. Even if things are difficult right now, I know that You are bigger than my problems and that You have a good future planned for me. I want Your plans to come to pass in my life, and I trust in You to change my circumstances according to Your will.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on May 20, 2023 4:31:17 GMT -8
Making Tough Decisions
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15
It's important to make the right choices, especially in the middle of hurt, discouragement, frustration and confusion when the right choice is the tough choice to make. When things are stressful, we naturally like to take the path of least resistance. But those are the very moments when you need to make the tougher choice. Because to reap right results in life, you have to do right when you don't feel like it.
What's amazing to me is that Jesus knows what we feel like. When He became a human being, He struggled with all of the frustrations we struggle with. He felt like giving up and taking the easy way, but He overcame and made the tough choices.
When we grow weary and falter in our determination, we can know with confidence that we serve a God who knows what we're going through. And we don't have to make tough decisions on our own.
When you find yourself stressed-out and beat down, on the verge of giving up, remember that God is with you and He understands. Find the strength to make the tough choices in Him.
Prayer Starter: God, I'm so glad and so thankful that You understand everything I go through and struggle with. When I am tempted to take the path of least resistance, I will find my strength in You to make the tough choices.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on May 21, 2023 6:22:37 GMT -8
The Greater the Opposition, the Greater the Opportunity
There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me. 1 Corinthians 16:9
Every time God puts a fresh new idea in our hearts or gives us a dream, vision or new challenge for our lives, the enemy will be there to oppose us.
God constantly calls us to new levels. Some seem big and important; others seem relatively small or insignificant. Whatever the case, when we reach a new level with God, we will face a new level of opposition from our enemy, the devil.
Along with opposition, however, comes opportunity, but God is always with us, and we have no need to fear. Some things may seem too great for us, but nothing is impossible with God. He is not surprised or frightened by anything, and with Him, we can accomplish any challenge set before us.
If you are determined to reach the new levels God is calling you to, then don't give up in the face of opposition. Instead, realize that the greater the opposition, the greater the opportunity in front of you. Be courageous, and draw boldness and courage from the Holy Spirit, for He is always with you.
Prayer Starter: God, don't let me falter in the face of opposition. I know that You have great plans for me and great opposition only means a greater opportunity. I trust You and I know that You can take me to new levels.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on May 22, 2023 5:32:12 GMT -8
Growing in Discernment
And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
3He will delight in obeying the Lord.
He will not judge by appearance
nor make a decision based on hearsay.
Isaiah 11:2-3
Jesus lived His life by discernment. His discernment was not based on the superficial senses of His flesh, it was the result of His intimate communion and relationship with His Father God.
This same gift of discernment is available to you and me through our relationship with God.
So how does it work? Before you do anything, you must quickly check with your spirit to see if the thing you are about to do is OK. If you have peace, then proceed. But if you are uncomfortable, confused or frustrated, remain still.
For instance, at times I've been at the mall getting ready to purchase something, but before I reached the checkout counter, I sensed a frustration in my spirit, which was like a nudge from the Holy Spirit not to make the purchase.
The exciting thing about moments like these is every time you and I choose to listen to and follow the Holy Spirit's promptings, our spirits grow stronger in God, and more and more of God's power is released in our lives to operate in the fruit of the Spirit.
Yield to the Holy Spirit and follow His promptings, and you will grow in the same discernment that Jesus walked in.
Prayer Starter: God, I don't want to make decisions based on my own fleshly desires. I want to walk in discernment. As I check with You when I'm making decisions, frustrate the desires I have that are not of You, and give me peace to follow Your way.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on May 23, 2023 4:32:23 GMT -8
Trusting God Through Emotional Trials
“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Luke 22:42 NLT
Growing into a mature Christian who follows the Holy Spirit is not something that happens overnight, it is a learning process that takes time. Little by little, one experience after another, God tries and tests our emotions, giving us opportunities to grow.
God allows us to go through difficult situations that stir up our emotions. In this way, you and I are able to see for ourselves how emotionally unstable we can be and how desperately we need His help.
Jesus exemplified this for us. The night before He died for our sins, He was in great emotional turmoil. He didn't want to die, but He moved past His emotions and prayed to God, "Not my will, but Yours be done." Things certainly didn't get better immediately, but in the end Jesus emerged victorious through the greatest trial possible.
You can make it through your emotional trials. Jesus wasn't led by His feelings, and you don't have to be either. When God lets things affect you emotionally, seize the moment and view it as an opportunity to step into a place of absolute trust in God.
Prayer Starter: Lord, I know that I can trust in You when emotional trials come my way. With Jesus as my example, I say, "Not my will, but Yours be done." You know what's best for me and I trust You completely.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on May 24, 2023 5:24:57 GMT -8
Boldly Approach the Throne
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 NLT
God wants us to get in the habit of running to Him for grace (supernatural inner strength). He wants us to rely solely on Him.
But the enemy tries to lie to us, telling us that we're not good enough to be in God's presence. Satan tries to convince us that we've made too many mistakes for God to want to have anything to do with us.
But that's not what God's Word says. His Word says that as His redeemed and forgiven children, we can boldly approach His throne. You need to receive this truth today and make the choice to live by it.
Instead of saying, "I don't feel like God loves me," "I don't feel like I'm forgiven" or "I don't feel like I have a future," say, "God loves me, and nothing can separate me from His love. He has forgiven me and I can approach Him right now with confidence that He accepts me."
Every time you feel unworthy, remember what the Word of God says, and then boldly go to your heavenly Father. He is waiting eagerly to receive you.
Prayer Starter: God, I boldly come to You because Your Word says that I am forgiven and that I can always come to You. Thank You for Your forgiveness for my failures and Your grace that helps me in every time of need.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by civic on May 24, 2023 5:41:57 GMT -8
Boldly Approach the ThroneSo let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 NLT God wants us to get in the habit of running to Him for grace (supernatural inner strength). He wants us to rely solely on Him. But the enemy tries to lie to us, telling us that we're not good enough to be in God's presence. Satan tries to convince us that we've made too many mistakes for God to want to have anything to do with us. But that's not what God's Word says. His Word says that as His redeemed and forgiven children, we can boldly approach His throne. You need to receive this truth today and make the choice to live by it. Instead of saying, "I don't feel like God loves me," "I don't feel like I'm forgiven" or "I don't feel like I have a future," say, "God loves me, and nothing can separate me from His love. He has forgiven me and I can approach Him right now with confidence that He accepts me." Every time you feel unworthy, remember what the Word of God says, and then boldly go to your heavenly Father. He is waiting eagerly to receive you. Prayer Starter: God, I boldly come to You because Your Word says that I am forgiven and that I can always come to You. Thank You for Your forgiveness for my failures and Your grace that helps me in every time of need. Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional Yes as Gods children we can approach our loving heavenly Father like we can our earthly fathers who love us too. That is conditioned upon having a godly earthly father. |
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Post by Aeliana on May 25, 2023 6:35:23 GMT -8
Learn to Say "It's None of My Business."
Thousands of things we encounter every day are neither right nor wrong but are simply personal choices, choices that people have a right to make on their own without outside interference.
The devil stays very busy assigning demons to place judgmental, critical thoughts in people's minds. I can remember when it was entertaining for me to sit in the park or the shopping mall and simply watch all the people go by as I formed a mental opinion of each of them, their clothing, hairstyles, companions and so on.
But the Bible says that it's wrong to judge people this way. We cannot always prevent ourselves from having opinions, and there's nothing wrong with that, but the moment we think there's something wrong with other people because they don't share our personal preferences, we have a problem with judging others. In these situations, I tell myself, "Joyce, it's none of your business."
Don't let harmful judgments grow in you. Instead, realize that God made everyone different and it's ok for people to think differently. And when necessary, tell yourself, "This is none of my business."
Prayer Starter: God, I don't want to judge or criticize others. When I encounter people who have different opinions and personal preferences than me, please help me to see them through Your eyes and remember that my opinions aren't more important than theirs.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on May 26, 2023 4:42:22 GMT -8
Don't Have an Exaggerated Opinion of Yourself
For Rom. 12:3 if anyone thinks himself to be something, when (2 Cor. 3:5; James 1:22) he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Galatians 6:3
The Bible repeatedly warns us against pride. And I cannot emphasize enough the danger of pride. See, when we give in to pride, we give the enemy a place of great influence over us.
When we think too highly of ourselves, it causes us to value others less, forget to trust God, and ignore the truth that we're really nothing without God.
This type of attitude or thinking is detestable to the Lord. We must have a holy fear of pride and remember that we're special and valuable because God loves us and has forgiven us, not because we can accomplish great things on our own.
It's important to understand that whenever we excel in any area, it is only because God has given us the gift of grace to do it. The moment we think we've accomplished great things in our own strength, we're getting in to pride.
Remember, we belong to God. Instead of having exaggerated opinions of ourselves, let's focus on God's greatness and His love for us. It's by His grace alone that we can succeed in doing whatever He's calling us to do.
Prayer Starter: Lord, only through You am I worth anything and able to accomplish anything. I release any pride I may be holding on to, knowing that when I succeed and excel, it's because of Your grace and goodness.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on May 27, 2023 5:34:52 GMT -8
Sowing and Reaping
Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for (Rom. 2:6) whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
The Scriptures plainly tell us that we will reap what we sow. Literally, this applies to farming and planting crops. It also applies to giving money and being generous. But did you know that this principle also applies to the way we treat others?
We can sow and reap attitudes and words as well as a crops or finances.
The devil loves to keep us busy thinking selfishly, treating loyal friends as unimportant, sowing words of strife in our families, and thinking negative thoughts about bosses, pastors, etc. The devil wants us to sow bad seed in every single relationship.
So many people behave this way and then wonder why people don't like them or treat them the way they want to be treated. The answer is simple, they are reaping what they've sown!
Let me ask you, what are you sowing today? No matter the person, no matter the relationship, sow love, forgiveness, kindness, and patience. You'll find that as you treat others the way God wants you to, you will reap a life filled with encouraging friendships and wonderful, godly relationships.
Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, I want to sow good things and reap good things. Instead of acting selfishly toward others, help me to sow kindness and love in my relationships with all of the people in my life.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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Post by Aeliana on May 28, 2023 5:16:44 GMT -8
Rose-Colored Glasses and Magnifying Glasses
Romans 2:1
Therefore you are (Rom. 1:20)inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, 2 Sam. 12:5–7; (Matt. 7:1–5; Luke 6:37); John 8:9; Rom. 14:22for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.
When we think and talk about what is wrong with everyone else, we are usually deceived about our own conduct. Jesus commanded that we not concern ourselves with what is wrong with others when we have so much wrong with ourselves (see Matthew 7:3-5).
The Bible clearly tells us that when we judge others, we often judge them for things that we also do!
I once asked God why we would do something ourselves and think it was perfectly alright but judge someone else who does it. The Lord said, "Joyce, you look at yourself through rose-colored glasses, but you look at everyone else through a magnifying glass."
It's true! We make excuses for our own behavior, but when someone else does the same thing we do, we are often merciless.
I encourage you to reverse the process, assume the best in others, but keep your own life under the magnifying glass. Allow God to deal with you first, and then you will learn the scriptural way of helping others grow.
Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, instead of examining the lives of others, I want You to help me examine my own life. I know that with Your help, I can correct the issues I have and find the proper way to help others grow as well.
Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional
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