Promises for Your Everyday Life

[Aeliana]

Carnal Christians and Spiritual Christians

because you are not yet spiritual. You are jealous and argue with each other. This proves you are not spiritual and you are acting like the people of this world.
1 Corinthians 3:3

There are two kinds of Christians, and you have to choose which one you will be. Will you be a carnal Christian or a spiritual Christian?A carnal Christian is a people-pleaser who cares more about what people think than about obeying God. They are immature, operating out of their emotions and doing whatever they feel like saying and doing.

They are usually in strife, discontent, easily offended and lacking peace.There are far too many Christians living this way today. But you can be different.You can be a spiritual Christian who diligently follows after the desires of the Spirit. You can be that Christian who will feed their spirit with the Word every day.

You can be the Christian who will let God into every area of your life, not just church on Sundays.I urge you today to make a full-time commitment to follow Christ. Let the Lord into everything you do. Walk with integrity, humility and peace. Get along with others. Display the fruit of a spiritual Christian and enjoy the favor of God.Make the choice today. Will you be a carnal Christian or a spiritual Christian?

Prayer Starter: God, I don't want to be a carnal Christian, always led by the flesh. Instead, I want to be led by the Holy Spirit, living a life that pleases You. I choose today to be a spiritual Christian, not a carnal one.


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

 

[Aeliana]

Understanding Human Nature

But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.
John 2:24-25

One time after I had been involved in a disappointing church situation, God brought John 2:24-25 to my attention. It speaks of Jesus' relationship with His disciples. It plainly says that Jesus did not trust Himself to them.

While He gave Himself to them relationally and lived life with them, He knew that they were not perfect. He understood human nature and He did not trust Himself to them in an unbalanced way. This made me realize that I had placed my trust in people at church that should only belong to God and had set myself up for disappointment.

We can go only so far in any human relationship. If we go beyond godly wisdom, we will likely be hurt. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that some people will never hurt us, only to be disappointed when they don't live up to those standards. No one's perfect. The good news is that God is perfect and will not disappoint. He is always loving and good. Don't give trust to people that belongs to God, but rather, give yourself completely to Him. He alone is trustworthy.

Prayer Starter: God, no human is perfect, but You are. I won't give the kind of trust to people that only belongs to You. You will not disappoint. I find comfort today in Your perfection.


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

 

[Aeliana]

Thoughts and Words Are Intimately Connected

The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom]
And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.
Proverbs 16:23-24

Proverbs 16:23-24 shows us that our thoughts and words are intimately connected. They are like bone and marrow, so close, it is hard to divide them (see Hebrews 4:12). Because of this, it's important that we have pleasant thoughts so we can also have pleasant words.

Our thoughts are silent words that only we and the Lord hear, but those words affect our inner man, our health, our joy and our attitude. The things we think about often come out of our mouths and sometimes make us look foolish, but if we live God's way, our thoughts and words can make our lives more enjoyable.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that you can let your thought life run in any worldly direction and then 'fake it' by speaking godly words. Either both are pleasing or both are negative and sinful. There is no middle ground. Begin to operate in the mind of Christ, and you will step into a whole new realm of living. As you spend time letting Him adjust your thinking, you won't have to think about speaking pleasant words. It will just happen naturally!

Prayer Starter: God, I realize that my thoughts and words are connected. I don't want to try and 'fake' on the outside what isn't real inside. Please adjust my thoughts so that I can speak pleasant, godly words.

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

 

[Aeliana]

Settle the Dispute

For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do.
Galatians 5:17

To be successful in accomplishing God's will for our lives, we must have determination. One definition of determine is 'to settle a dispute by an authoritative decision or a pronouncement.' This definition encourages me because I make 'pronouncements' often as a way of building my determination in certain areas.

Sometimes the best way to overcome the temptation to give up is to say to yourself: 'Oh, no you don't! Stop your whining and straighten up right this minute!' Galatians 5:17 tells us that the flesh and the spirit don't get along. Remember, the definition of determine carries the idea of settling a dispute.

This is important because if you are going to commit to anything, you will have to settle the never-ending dispute between your flesh and your spirit. You may not always want to make the effort to be determined, but don't give up or you'll be outside of God's will.

Find the discipline today to make 'pronouncements,' encouraging yourself to stay determined and settle the dispute between your spirit and flesh as you follow God's plan.

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, I want to settle the dispute between my flesh and spirit, and I can't do it without determination. Strengthen me and give me the right pronouncements to ensure that I never give up.



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

 

[Aeliana]

Understanding Our Emotions

So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:8

I talk a lot about how we need to follow the Spirit, not our emotions. However, I find that a lot of people don't even understand how our emotions operate in the first place.Emotions are in the realm of the soul. Our soul is the intangible area between our spirit, the place where God lives, and our physical body.

It is made up of our mind, will and emotions, it tells us what we think, what we want and how we feel. Of these three areas of the soul, it's our feelings that get stirred up the fastest.In other words, our God-given inner voice of insight and understanding become easily drowned out by the cries of our emotions.

The Bible says that this kind of fleshly life doesn't please God. This doesn't mean that God doesn't love us. What it does mean is that He is not satisfied with nor will He accept fleshly behavior.However, once you understand how negative emotions work, you can combat them. Our souls may be strong, but our spirits can be stronger if we strengthen them. Get in the Word today, and give your spirit the strength to overcome your emotions.

Prayer Starter: God, I don't want to let my emotions overpower my spirit. As I spend time with You and read Your Word, give me the power I need to be led by the Spirit, not just how I feel.



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

 

[Aeliana]

More Than Conquerors

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Romans 8:37

God gives us dreams for the future, but sometimes those dreams can seem impossible. That's when fear starts to set in.If you are determined to never give up on your dream, then you have to take chances, you have to be courageous. And you need to understand that courage is not the absence of fear; it is pressing forward when you feel afraid.

So when you face situations that threaten or intimidate you, you do not need to pray as much for the fear to go away as for boldness and courage so you can move ahead in spite of the fear.The spirit of fear will always try to keep you from going forward. The enemy has used fear for centuries to try to stop people, and he is not going to change his strategy now.

But you can defeat fear, because you are more than a conqueror through Him who loves us.I want to encourage you to be determined to face fear when it comes against you. Stand firm, trusting God and knowing He is always with you.


Prayer Starter: God, even though I might feel afraid, I believe Your Word, which says that I am more than a conqueror. I can accomplish every dream You've given me because You love me and give me the victory.



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

 

[Aeliana]

Take Down the 'Do Not Disturb' Sign

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching.
II Timothy 4:2

I frequently stay in hotels during my ministry travels. When I am in my room, I usually put the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door so nobody will bother me. Hanging this sign on my hotel room door is acceptable. But putting it on my life isn't.Have you ever noticed that God doesn't always do things on our timetable or in ways that are convenient for us?

Paul told Timothy that as a servant of God and a minister of the Gospel, he needed to fulfill his duties whether it was convenient for him or not. I doubt Timothy was nearly as addicted to convenience as we are today. But if he needed to hear that, then I'm sure we need to hear it frequently.

It's so easy to put a "Do Not Disturb" sign over our hearts for fear that God's call will inconvenience us, but we miss out on so many great opportunities when we do this. We need to remember that whatever God asks us to do, it's always worth any inconvenience or difficulty we face in the process. And He will always make a way for us to accomplish His will when we are obedient to Him.

Prayer Starter: God, I choose today to take down the 'Do Not Disturb' sign over my heart. Even if it inconveniences me, I want to obey You and do what You ask me to do.


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

 

[Aeliana]

Let People Know They're Infinitely Valuable

When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the Lord will take care of me.
Psalms 27:10

I have discovered that most people we meet or come in contact with in our everyday lives don't have a sense of their infinite value as children of God. I think the devil works very hard to make people feel devalued and worthless, but we can neutralize the effect of his lies and insinuations by building up, encouraging and edifying people.

One way to do this is with a sincere compliment, which is one of the most valuable gifts in this world. Offering a sincere compliment may seem like a small thing, but it gives tremendous strength to people who feel insecure or like they don't matter much.I believe in having goals, and as I was working with God to develop good habits in the area of encouraging others, I challenged myself to compliment at least three people each day.

I recommend that you do something similar to help you become an aggressive encourager.The Bible says that God adopts as His children those who feel abandoned. Let's find those people and strive to build them up, making them feel valuable. Let's let them know that God loves them.


Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, show me the people who don't know that God loves them as His own children. Bring me across their path so that I can encourage them and make them feel valuable.


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

 

[Aeliana]

Learn to Forgive Like Jesus

'Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots. '
Luke 23:34


I once heard about a teenager who was drinking and caused an accident that killed a man's wife and child. The man knew God wanted him to forgive the young man who caused the accident, and through much prayer he was able to let the love of God flow through him.

That man knew how to forgive like Jesus. He understood that this young man was also hurt himself and needed healing.When people hurt us, we should learn to look at what people have done to themselves instead of just looking at what they have done to us. Usually, when a person hurts someone else, he's probably hurting himself at least as much and is suffering some fallout as a result.

That's why, as He hung on the cross in agony, Jesus said of His murderers, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' That's incredible forgiveness. Let that inspire you today. We all need to seek to forgive like Jesus.

Prayer Starter: Lord, when people hurt me, help me to see past my own pain and see their pain. Help me to love and forgive like Jesus.


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

 

[Aeliana]

The Nature of God's Love

4But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), Ephesians 2:4-5

Sometimes when life gets discouraging, the best thing we can do is remind ourselves of the nature of God's love.One of the most beautiful things the Bible says is that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (see Romans 5:8). He did not wait for us to deserve His love. He loves us unconditionally.

To be honest, that's hard for many of us to comprehend because we are so accustomed to having to earn everything in life.Because of His great, wonderful and intense love for us, God poured His life out for us freely. That is revolutionary love, real, revolutionary love that gives itself away because it can never be satisfied doing anything less.

It is God's unconditional love that draws us to Him, His amazing grace that erases our sin, and His powerful sacrifice that makes a way for us to enter His presence. His love will never quit, never give up, and never leave you. Whenever you feel down or depressed, remember the great love that God has for you.

Prayer Starter: God, Your love overwhelms me. Even when I don't feel like it, I know that Your love never quits. You gave Your all for me, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that You love me.



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

 

[Aeliana]

Giving Must Cost You Something

Then the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
II Samuel 24:24

I believe that in God's economy, nothing cheap is worth having. God gave His only Son to free us, and while we can never equal that sacrifice, we must give back to Him in a way that means something. King David said he would not give God something that cost him nothing.

And I have learned that true giving is not giving until I can feel it. Giving away the clothes and household items I'm finished with may be a nice gesture, but it doesn't equal real giving. Real giving occurs when I give somebody something that I want to keep.I'm sure you've had those testing times when God asks you to give away something you like.

But when you consider how He gave His only Son for us because of His love for us, doesn't that make you want to give of yourself too? The simple truth is this: We must give to be happy, and giving is not true giving if it doesn't cost us something.


Prayer Starter: God, I want my giving to be meaningful. Tell me what and when You want me to give to help or just bless someone else. I want to give to others like You have given Your love to me.



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

 

[Aeliana]

Loving Without Getting Tired

7 Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets free the prisoners,
8 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the [uncompromisingly] righteous (those upright in heart and in right standing with Him). [Luke 13:13; John 9:7, 32.]

9 The Lord protects and preserves the strangers and temporary residents, He upholds the fatherless and the widow and sets them upright, but the way of the wicked He makes crooked (turns upside down and brings to ruin).
10 The Lord shall reign forever, even Your God, O Zion, from generation to generation. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)
Psalms 146:7-9

God speaks frequently in the Bible of our responsibility to the oppressed, widows, orphans, fatherless and foreigners. He mentions those who are lonely, neglected, forgotten and devalued. He cares deeply for the oppressed and the hungry. People can be hungry in many ways.

They may have plenty of food to eat but be starving to feel valuable. God lifts up those who are bowed down with sorrow; He protects the stranger and upholds the fatherless and the widow. How does He do this? He works through people. He needs committed, submitted, dedicated people who live to meet the needs of others.Mother Teresa once said, 'Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary.

What we need is to love without getting tired.'I have come to understand that many people we encounter daily are just trying to survive until someone rescues them, and that someone could be you or me. Let's allow God's love for the hurting and broken to work through us, meeting the needs of those who are hurting spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Let's love without getting tired.

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, empower me to love without getting tired. Give me Your heart for the hurting and the needy and show me how to meet their needs.

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

 

[Aeliana]

God's Love Isn't Based on Feelings

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5

It's impossible for human love to be unconditional, like God's love. But as believers in Jesus Christ, we have the love of God in us. We can let that love flow freely, without conditions. Our love fails, but God's does not. Our love comes to an end, but God's does not.Sometimes I find that although I can't love a person in my own strength, I am able to with God's love. The true love of God doesn't depend on feelings, it's based on a decision.

It's not based on whether or not that person deserves it. And it is absolutely freeing to be able to love people without stopping to ask if they deserve it.Human love depends on feelings. It loves people because they have been good to us or they loved us first. That kind of love comes and goes. God's love is totally different.

It isn't based on anything except God Himself. When we receive Christ as our Savior, the love of God is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Pour out God's love to others today.

Prayer Starter: God, my love may run out, but Yours never will. I will continue to draw on Your endless love so that I can give it out to others, without being concerned about whether they deserve it or not.


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

 

[Aeliana]

Let Your Light Shine

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16

Famed philosopher and orator Edmund Burke once said, 'All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.' It's true. Doing nothing is easy, but it's also dangerous. Where there is no opposition to evil, evil will multiply.We all fall into the trap of complaining about the things that are wrong.

But complaining does nothing except discourage us even more. It changes nothing because there is no positive power in it.Imagine what a mess the world would be if all God did was complain about everything that has gone wrong since He created it. But the Father doesn't complain. He continues to be good and work for justice.

Evil is powerful, but good is more powerful.We need to stop and realize that God has chosen to work on this earth through His children, you and me. His light is inside us and we can't afford to do nothing. We must let our light shine, no matter what, as we live our lives doing good in His name.

Prayer Starter: Lord, it's very easy to sit back and do nothing, but it's so much better to actively let Your light shine. Help me stand in opposition to evil, and act on Your goodness every chance I get.


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

 

[Aeliana]

Show Mercy to Your Enemies

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
Matthew 5:43-44

I love the movie "El Cid," the story of the man who united Spain and became a great hero.For centuries the Christians had fought the Moors. They hated and killed each other. In battle, El Cid captured five Moors but refused to kill them because he realized that killing had never done any good. He believed that showing mercy to his enemies would change their hearts and then both groups could live in peace.One of the Moors he captured said, 'Anyone can kill, but only a true king can show mercy to his enemies.'

Because of El Cid's one act of kindness, his enemies offered themselves to him as friends and allies from that point on.Jesus is a true king, and He is good, kind and merciful to all, even those who hate Him. Can we do any less than follow His example? Right now, can you think of anyone to whom you could show mercy? Being merciful and good, especially to your enemies, may be one of the most powerful things you have ever done.

Prayer Starter: God, it's not easy, but like Jesus and El Cid, I want to be the kind of person who shows mercy to all, even my enemies. By Your grace, I choose now to live a life of mercy.


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

 

[Aeliana]

Stir Each Other Up

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
Hebrews 10:24

I have three friends with whom I sometimes go to lunch or have coffee. We often talk about things God has put on our hearts to do for others or creative ideas for fresh ways to be a blessing. I believe conversations like this are very pleasing to God.The idea of encouraging others to be aggressive in doing good works is not new.

Hebrews 10:24 says we should consider one another in order to stir up love and good works. We should actually study and think about how we can stir others to do good works and loving, helpful deeds. Following God by myself is powerful, but I find that it's so much more enjoyable with friends. I would like to challenge you to find like-minded people who want to follow God.

Enlist people you know and invite them to a planning session on practical ways to live out a Christian life. Find ways that you can serve God and live out His love together.

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, connect me with the right friends who will help me follow You more. I want to live the Christian life with others, stirring each other up to live out God's love.


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

 

[Aeliana]

Call God 'Abba'

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15

Fear can be a powerful influence in our lives. It's really just the enemy's perversion of faith. He says to us: 'Believe what I'm telling you. This is not going to work. Your prayers aren't any good. You don't have right standing with God. You are a failure.' Fear always tells you what you're not, what you don't have, what you can't do and what you'll never be.

But Romans 8:15 says that you are a child of God who can call Him "Abba Father."The word Abba was a term little children used in addressing their fathers. It would be similar to our word Daddy. It is less formal than Father and denotes a comfortable closeness between a child and his or her father.

Jesus said we could call God 'Abba' because He had delivered us from all fear. He will always take care of His beloved children, and we can approach Him without fear of rejection. When we run to Him with any problem or pain, He's waiting with open arms to comfort and encourage us.

Prayer Starter: Abba Father, I know that You will take care of me, Your beloved child. You alone can deliver me from all fear, so I run to Your open arms.

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

 

[Aeliana]

Who Does God Use?

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
I Corinthians 1:27-28


God's chosen me to speak to crowds. People listen to me because God has anointed me to speak for Him, it's part of His destiny for my life. And God will anoint whomever He chooses to work through. That includes you.Who does God use? The Bible says that He picks the unlikely. He uses common, ordinary people like you and me.

When I started to preach the Gospel, some of my friends rejected me, they didn't think I should do that because I'm a woman. In fact, they told me I couldn't do that. But I was doing it because God told me to do it, and I trusted that if He told me I could do it, then I could do it.

The same thing is true for you. If you are willing to have an uncommon goal, God can do something great through you!Every common person can be used mightily by God. You just have to believe He can use you and be daring enough to embrace the goals or vision He puts in your heart. You have been chosen!

Prayer Starter: God, because You have chosen me, I won't doubt the destiny You have for me. Thank You for giving me a purpose in You.


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

 

[Aeliana]

Narrow Is the Road

Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Matthew 7:14

Following God means walking the 'narrow road.' It means facing adversity. Here are several things I've learned that help me to keep going:

1. God's Word is a border for my life. As long as I stay within the guidelines laid out in Scripture, I'll have what I need to do what I need to do. God is faithful and true to His Word.

2. I have to be willing to finish what I start. God uses committed people who aren't led by emotion. It's easy to be excited in the beginning when something is new, but the ones who cross the finish line are the ones who hang in there when no one else is excited anymore.

3. When no one is there to help me, I get to know Jesus really well. The narrow road of living for God and not conforming to the ways of the world is often lonely. But the trade-off of gaining real intimacy with Christ is worth more than anything you could ever get from the world.I believe these truths can help you like they've helped me.

Always remember that even though there will be opposition, the rewards of walking the narrow path are absolutely worth it.

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, I desire to walk the narrow path - the way of life in Christ. Keep me within Your boundaries and show me how to live so that I can persevere to the end.


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