Promises for Your Everyday Life

[Aeliana]

Keep the River Flowing

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water.
John 7:38

Deep inside each of us, there is a river of life. This river is a wonderful gift given to each of us by God. It flows with good health, a positive outlook on life, and a generous and forgiving attitude. Many people, however, have allowed their river to become stopped-up. They are always discouraged, and no matter what they do, they can't seem to snap out of it. Years of neglect have turned a once-power-flowing river into a small stream.

Do you know people like this? Does this sound like your life? Until you're able to get your river cleared out and unclogged, everything will be difficult, disappointing and unfulfilling. You'll be unable to taste the water that satisfies like nothing else. Get in the river by clearing what blocks its flow.

Make a choice today to stop spending your life fighting, struggling and trudging through the mud with every step. Ask God to help you clear out the debris. He'll show you what's blocking the flow and how to get rid of it. Then, enjoy the satisfying flow of the river of life!

Prayer Starter: God, I want to keep Your river of living water flowing in me. Show me what the debris is that's blocking the way and then show me how to clear it out.

Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional

 

[Aeliana]

Praise God in Your Prison

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison-house were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened; and every one’s bands were loosed.
Acts 16:25-26

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them; 26and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison-house were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened; and every one’s bands were loosed.

Sometimes we find ourselves in such horrible messes that it's hard to imagine waiting one more second. But we need to keep waiting on God and trusting Him with a sweet and simple faith. Then, in a way we never could've figured out, God moves suddenly!

Paul and Silas knew about waiting, and they waited well. Acts 16 tells the story of how they were attacked by a crowd, beaten and thrown in jail. Verse 24 says the jailer put them into the inner prison (the dungeon) and fastened their feet in the stocks. Paul and Silas didn't seem to mind, they just decided to start singing and began to worship the Lord. They began to wait on God.

Suddenly, God sent an earthquake that opened the prison doors and loosed their chains. He set them free! When people patiently and expectantly wait on God in the midst of horrible circumstances, suddenly God breaks through.

So don't give up! Don't stop believing! Stay full of hope and expectation. God's power is limitless, and He'll break through for you.

Prayer Starter: God, no matter how bad my messes get, I choose to praise You in my prison. I know that You will suddenly free me and come through in Your perfect timing.



Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional

 

[Aeliana]

Take Your Doubts Captive

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians

When we start the process of renewing our minds, it's OK when we mess up. God knows we're not perfect and He's always there to help us get back on track. Unfortunately, the devil also knows we're not perfect, and he does his best to remind us every step of the way.

We can be going along, serving God, doing good, stepping out in faith and then all of a sudden, without there being any justification for it, we'll have a day or week when we have an attack on our mind. Satan will tell us that we're failures, that we're not good enough, that God doesn't love us, the list goes on and on.

Thankfully, God's Word tells us just what to do in a situation like this. Second Corinthians 10:5 tells us to take every thought captive and into obedience to God. So when the devil tries to lie to you, go to the Word and find the truth that refutes that lie.

When those doubts come your way, don't get discouraged. Bring them in line with God's Word. It works every time!

Prayer Starter: God, I won't let the lies and doubts that the enemy sends my way get me off track. Instead, I'll believe what Your Word says and take those thoughts captive!


Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional

 

[Aeliana]

Wait with Patience

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:22

Many people want change, but they don't want to go through the waiting process. But the truth is, waiting is a given, we are going to wait. The question is, are we going to wait the wrong or right way? If we wait the wrong way, we'll be miserable; but if we decide to wait God's way, we can become patient and actually enjoy the wait.

It takes practice, but as we let God help us in each situation, we develop patience, which is one of the most important Christian virtues. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit. It's developed only under trial, so we must not run from difficult situations. As we develop patience, the Bible says we finally feel completely satisfied, lacking nothing. Even our relationship with God involves progressive changes.

We learn to trust Him in a deeper way by going through many experiences that require us to wait longer than we'd like. Trust me, the waiting may be hard, but it will make you stronger. The benefits that patience brings are certainly worth any uncomfortable wait!

Prayer Starter: God, I want to change and grow deeper in my relationship with You. I understand that this means developing patience, but I know that I will grow stronger as You develop patience in me.


Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional

 

[Aeliana]

Sharing in His Suffering

I believe that the present suffering is nothing compared to the coming glory that is going to be revealed to us.
Romans 8:18

As Christians, we like the thought of sharing in Christ's glory, but what about sharing in His suffering? Jesus took care of the death penalty once and for all so we don't ever have to worry about that again. But the Bible teaches that we must suffer times of trial if we are to share in the glory. Is it worth it?

According to Romans 8:18, it certainly is! We tend to believe that we suffer because of our circumstances and if they would only change, we'd be able to act right. But God wants us to become so mature and stable that we act right even when none of our circumstances are good. There are different levels of faith, and most of the time we want to use our faith to get rid of all suffering. But sometimes God's plan is for us to exercise a higher level of faith that will carry us through life's challenges.

Too often we marvel at the delivering power of God and overlook His keeping, strengthening and enabling power. Jesus promised in John 16:33 that He will give us His peace during the trials of life and the power we need to overcome them. I encourage you today, if you are going through a time of suffering, take heart because in Christ, you will come through it and share in His glory which shall be revealed!

Prayer Starter: Lord, Paul said that present sufferings are nothing compared to the glory that comes from walking with You. I want to have that same attitude. I receive Your enabling power to walk through any suffering that comes my way.

Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional

 

[Aeliana]

A Great Trade

Cast thy burden upon Jehovah, and he will sustain thee:
He will never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Psalms 55:22

Did you know that God wants to make a trade with you? He has a standing offer every minute of every day, and it's amazing how few of us actually take Him up on it. He wants you to give Him all your cares, problems and failures. In return He'll give you His peace and joy. God really does want to take care of us, but in order to let Him, we've got to stop trying to take care of ourselves and worrying about every little thing we can't control.

Many people would like for God to take care of them, but they insist on worrying or trying to figure out an answer on their own, instead of waiting for God's direction. God will give us peace, but we must first give Him our worries.

What a great trade! We give God our worry, and He gives us His peace. We give Him all our cares and concerns, and He gives us His protection, stability and joy. That's the amazing blessing and privilege of being cared for by Him.

Prayer Starter: Lord, You have offered me an amazing trade. You are so much more capable than I am, so I give You all of my cares and receive all of the peace and joy that You offer me!


Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional

 

[Aeliana]

Does Your Inside Match Your Outside?

neither shall they say, Lo, here! or, There! for lo, the kingdom of God is within you.
Luke 17:21

Sometimes we wish for things to change but are unwilling to do what it takes to make things better. I was always upset about my circumstances. I wanted God to change them for me, and I wanted Him to change the people around me too.

But then He showed me that I needed to work on changing my inner life before I could expect real change in my outer life. Matthew 6:33 (NLT) says, "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." So what is God's kingdom? The Bible says the kingdom of God is in us. If you've accepted Christ, that means He's living in you, and He wants to live in a good spiritual home.

That's why your inner life is so important to God. We must seek first His kingdom, letting His Holy Spirit take hold of us on the inside. When we allow Him to work in us, eventually we won't be able to contain it, and it will spill out and change the world around us!

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, help me not to get caught up in trying to change external things when You're asking me to focus on developing Your kingdom in my heart. I invite You to work in my inner life.

Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional

 

[Aeliana]

Prudence

The wise in heart shall be called prudent;
And the sweetness of the lips increase learning.
Proverbs 16:21

A word we don't hear much about today is prudence. It means "careful management: economy." In the Bible, prudence, or prudent, means "being good stewards or managers of the gifts God has given us to use."

Those gifts include time, energy, strength and health, even material possessions. They include our bodies, as well as our minds and spirits. Just as each one of us has been given a different set of gifts, each of us has been given different levels of ability to manage those gifts. Too many people burn themselves out, constantly using their gifts and abilities in ways that God did not intend them to.

Instead of pushing ourselves too hard to please others or reach our own personal goals, we need to listen to God and do what He's telling us is wise. Trying to impress people and live up to their standards isn't prudence. Prudence means asking God how He wants you to use your gifts and then obeying. Learn God's prudence today and put it into practice so you can enjoy your life the way He intended.

Prayer Starter: God, I desire to be a good steward of all that You've given me. I decide now to only use my gifts and abilities for You. Show me how to use them with Your prudence and wisdom.



Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional

 

[Aeliana]

Does God Prefer Polyester or Denim?

But Jehovah said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for Jehovah seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh on the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7

I used to be so judgmental about the way some people dressed. Not long ago, I thought that I couldn't wear jeans while I was teaching at a conference, but my son said to me, "Do you really think that God anoints polyester more than denim?"

It took some things like that to shock me into the realization that I was just holding on to a religious attitude when God wanted me to freshen up my look in order to reach more people.

Sure, it's good to dress nicely when we go to church. But the bottom line is, we shouldn't be so focused on our outward appearance that we lose sight of our main goal: developing a close, personal relationship with God.
God simply wants us to fellowship with Him, which means communicating with Him throughout our day just like we do with someone who's our close friend or family member. He doesn't care about the outward appearance, only real relationship.

Spend time with Him, being grateful for what He's done and is doing in your life. Have a real relationship with Him.

Prayer Starter: God, help me to have Your attitude about outward appearance. Help me not to judge others who don't dress the way I think they should, and help me to develop a strong inner relationship with You.


Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional

 

[Aeliana]

Perseverance Pays

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
Matthew 19:29

In the early years when we were building our ministry, Dave and I went through a lot of difficult tests. I needed to work on my attitude. We needed to work on our marriage and how we handled money. For six years I bought my socks and underwear at garage sales. We were totally broke, and I was teaching prosperity!

Not only that, it just wasn't popular for women to preach back then. We lost friends and had family members who didn't want anything to do with us. It was just hard and sometimes I wanted to quit. But today I am so glad that I stuck with God because there are people all over the world who have been helped because of our ministry.

Scripture tells us in Matthew 19 that we will have to leave 'important' things behind for the sake of following Him. We didn't have everything we thought we needed back then, but the trade-off ended up being more than worth it. Persevere in your walk with God, even when it's hard. Stay focused on Him, and it will all pay off when you enter the victory He has for you.

Prayer Starter: God, sometimes it's hard to persevere in the Christian life, but I know that the perseverance will pay off. I will follow You alone, because You are all that matters.



Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional

 

[Aeliana]

A Need for Brokenness

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, 7that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:
1 Peter 1:6-7

The word brokenness may strike fear in some people, but it's really not a bad word. God doesn't desire to break our spirits, but He wants to break that outer shell, the flesh that prevents Him from being all He wants to be in and through us.

He wants to break off things like pride, rebellion, selfishness and independence. God wants us to be totally dependent on Him, and suffering seems to bring us to that point. Sometimes people seem surprised that they must go through a time of trial or suffering.

Perhaps they've been faithful to learn and obey the Word, and the trials still come. Sometimes trials come simply to test and purify our faith. When these trials come your way, embrace them, because they lead to real, true brokenness.

God wants us to live by the Spirit, not the flesh, and this is so much easier when we allow Him to break off our lives any sinful or selfish habit or trait that would keep us from Him. Do you want to be close to God today? Then embrace brokenness, knowing that it will lead to greater things in your future.

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, I realize that sometimes I need brokenness. It may not be comfortable, but I invite You to break off and get rid of anything that's keeping me from You.


Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional

 

[Aeliana]

You Have a Relationship with Yourself

“I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more.
Isaiah 43:25

Did it ever occur to you that you have a relationship with yourself? You may have never given it much thought, but you spend more time with yourself than anyone else, and it's vital that you get along well with you because you are the one person you never get away from.

We should love ourselves, not in a selfish, self-centered way that produces a lifestyle of self-indulgence, but in a balanced, godly way that affirms God's creation as essentially good and right. We may be flawed by unfortunate experiences we've gone through, but that doesn't mean we're worthless and good-for-nothing.

We must have the kind of love for ourselves that says, "I know God loves me, so I can love what God chooses to love. I don't love everything I do, but I accept myself because God accepts me." We must develop the kind of mature love that says, "I believe God is changing me daily, but during this process, I will not reject what God accepts. I'll accept myself as I am right now, knowing that I will not always remain this way."

Prayer Starter: God, like Isaiah 43:25 says, You blot out my sins and accept me, which means that I don't have to reject myself. I am free to love myself in a healthy way because You love me!

Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional

 

[Aeliana]

Enduring Like Jesus

Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

There are usually two sides to everything. The cross has two: a crucifixion side and a resurrection side. Jesus had to endure one side to get to the other. But if He hadn't endured, then we'd all still be left without a Savior and no forgiveness of our sins.

Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus, for the joy of obtaining the prize on the other side of the cross, the resurrection, endured the pain. Like Jesus, we have to endure bad things. To endure means to outlast the devil; to be steadfast long enough to let the trial do whatever it's going to do in our lives and get from one side of the cross to the other. Whether we're hit by an unexpected circumstance, suffering for doing something wrong or for resisting temptation and sin by doing what's right, we have to go through things.

But waiting for you on the other side of the hard times is the joy of obtaining the prize, the good result. Today, be encouraged by the way Jesus handled trials. He knew the joy that was before Him and persevered until the end. He's given you the power to do the same.

Prayer Starter: God, I want to endure like Jesus. Help me to get a vision for the joy of obtaining the prize that awaits me so that I can endure whatever trial comes my way.

Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional

 

[Aeliana]

Put Yourself in the Offering Plate

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
Romans 12:1

In 2 Corinthians 8, when Paul was talking to the Corinthian believers about their giving, he gave them the example of the churches in Macedonia. He said in verse 5, "Nor [was this gift of theirs merely the contribution] that we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us [as His agents] by the will of God [entirely disregarding their personal interests, they gave as much as they possibly could, having put themselves at our disposal to be directed by the will of God]."

That just amazes me, because they didn't just give their money, but they gave themselves. I wonder how many of us are willing to write our name down and stick that in the offering plate. Romans 12:1 says we should offer all of ourselves as a sacrifice to God. This means living for God outside of church.

It means being willing to give money, but it also means being ready to love anyone God brings across your path. It means being willing to use any resource you have for His kingdom. So next time you're in church and the offering plate comes around, I encourage you to tell God that you're putting yourself all in for Him!

Prayer Starter: God, I want to give all I have to You. I offer myself as a living sacrifice. Show me how You want me to use the resources You've given me for Your glory.


Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional

 

[Aeliana]

Pursuing the Right Kind of Knowledge

For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
1 Corinthians 2:2

Many Christians suffer because they're too busy seeking carnal knowledge instead of the Word of God. The Lord Himself said, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..." (Hosea 4:6 AMP). Paul was an educated man, with a wealth of carnal knowledge. He thought himself better than others and even sought to kill Christians. Thankfully, God had other plans for him and revealed Himself to Paul in a way that changed his life forever.

When Paul realized that seeking carnal knowledge didn't compare to the importance of spiritual knowledge, he decided to only pursue that instead. Like Paul, we need to realize the importance of learning spiritual things. Instead of seeking worldly things and filling our heads with things that don't matter, we need to dig in and fill our minds with God's Word.

I can tell you from experience that knowing God's Word will change your life. It turned Paul into one of the greatest Christians who ever lived, and it can transform you and lead you into your amazing destiny in Christ. I encourage you today to seek out the spiritual knowledge found in God's Word. Let it fill you up and take you over!

Prayer Starter: Lord, I don't want to waste my time with carnal knowledge that doesn't matter. Like Paul, help me to only pursue the spiritual knowledge found in knowing You and knowing Your Word.



Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional

 

[Aeliana]

God Causes Things to Happen at the Right Time

For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hasteth toward the end, and shall not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay.
Habakkuk 2:3

Are you waiting for the desires of your heart to begin to manifest? Are you praying for bondages to fall off of you so you can see your dreams come to pass? Are you waiting and praying for the salvation of friends and family?

Are you trusting God for prosperity, favor, promotion, honor, and all the blessings found in His Word? Are you tired of waiting for harvest time in your life? Are you frustrated, crying out, "When, God, when?" Then you need to understand that God's timing is often a mystery. He doesn't do things on our timetable. Yet His Word promises that He will not be late, not one single day.

God causes things to happen at exactly the right time! Your job is not to figure out when, but to make up your mind that you won't give up until you cross the finish line and are living in the radical, outrageous blessings of God!

The more you trust Jesus and keep your eyes focused on Him, the more life you'll have. Trusting God brings life. Believing brings rest. So stop trying to figure everything out, and let God be God in your life.

Prayer Starter: God, I know that Your timing is perfect, even when I grow tired of waiting. Help me to trust in You and rest in Your plan for me.


Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional

 

[Aeliana]

Putting on the Gift of God's Righteousness

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21

Here are two very important questions that you need to ask yourself: 'Do I know who I am in Christ?' 'Am I walking in righteousness?' Too many people can't properly answer these questions and it keeps them from living in the freedom and peace that God designed for them to walk in.

The moment we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior, the Bible says God takes away our sin and gives us His righteousness. It's a gift, and we don't need to earn it. But we do need to put it on, and every time we do, we receive His peace. When you know who you are in Christ, worldly obstacles won't matter anymore. When you know that He loves you and He died for you, you'll just get up every day and do your best to love God.

When that happens, when you know who you are in Christ, you can put on and walk in the righteousness that He purchased for you. As you experience His love for you, your natural response will be to live for Him with all that you have.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I want to be constantly aware of who I am in You. Help me to remember all that You've done for me so that I can daily put on Your righteousness.


Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional