Promises for Your Everyday Life

[Aeliana]

God's Love Is More Powerful Than Abuse

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, Romans 8:38

Abuse means "to misuse, to use improperly, to use up or to injure by maltreatment." The effects of abuse can be devastating and long-lasting.

Many people never recover from it. There are different kinds of abuse: sexual, emotional, verbal, physical. No matter the form, the results are always terrible. It will keep you from functioning properly and prevent you from receiving and experiencing the righteousness, peace, and joy of God's kingdom.I understand this firsthand because I was abused throughout my childhood.

Thankfully, I don't just know the power of abuse, but I know the great power of God's love. Because of the love of God, my past doesn't have to affect my future anymore. If you've been abused in the past, understand today that God loves you.

Nothing can separate you from His love. He has made a way for you to be free from your past and to enter true Kingdom living.With Jesus, there is hope for newness of life. Will you receive His love today?

Prayer Starter: God, I've been abused and misused, but I won't let my past affect my future. Overwhelm me with Your love today so that I can experience Your freedom from abuse.


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

 

[Aeliana]

Worry About the Camels, Not the Gnats

You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
Matthew 23:24

It's hard to believe how many denominations and independent churches there are today, yet there's only one Bible, one message. It's evident that God has one thing to say to all people, a single plan for our conduct and relationship with Him. But over the years, because of our pride and narrow-mindedness, we've felt the need to develop a myriad of churches and church groups, even different versions of the Bible, to suit our own strict interpretations of what we believe the Bible says.

I've come to realize that none of us are 100 percent correct. Most of the things we fight over are petty. In Matthew 23:24, Jesus told the Pharisees that they strained out a gnat but swallowed a camel. They had gotten so picky about the little things, it prevented them from dealing with the things that were truly important.

As long as we allow prejudice, hatred and division to continue to have a place in our lives, we'll be powerless to stop it. Only agreement and unity in the love of Christ will bring the power to defeat prejudice. We can defeat hatred by allowing love to overcome our critical, divisive attitudes toward others.

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, help me to not waste my time worrying about gnats. I realize that I must defeat hatred and prejudice with Your love and be unified with others in the body of Christ.


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

 

[Aeliana]

Sacrifice in Marriage

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:1

Early in our marriage, God had to teach me that truly loving Dave meant that sometimes I would have to make sacrifices. Up until that point, I only wanted my way and was very much like the noisy gong mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13. Love is the highest form of maturity. It often requires a sacrificial gift. If love doesn't require some sort of sacrifice on our part, we probably don't really love the other person at all.

If there is no sacrifice in our actions, we are most likely reacting to something nice they did for us, or simply pretending to be kind to gain some control over them. It is important to understand that true love gives of itself. So our decisions should always have our spouse's interests at heart.

When you do, you're giving of yourself. God's desire is for husbands and wives to love each other sacrificially and unconditionally. This means you don't get your way all of the time. But the good news is, when a husband and wife sacrifice their selfish desires, they will have a triumphant marriage!

Prayer Starter: God, I want to walk in true love in my marriage. I make a decision today to not always push for my own way, but to be willing to sacrifice for my spouse.


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

 

[Aeliana]

Why Does a Good God Let Bad Things Happen?

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17

When we experience terrible tragedy, being angry with God is quite common. People frequently ask, "If God is good, all-powerful, and full of love for us, why didn't He stop the thing that caused the pain?" This is where Satan seeks to build a wall between God and the hurting person. He seizes the opportunity to say, "God isn't good, and He can't be trusted." However, we know according to the Word of God, the truth is not in Satan, he is a liar and the father of lies.

Read James 1:17. Everything good comes from God. God is good, and He cannot be anything else. Furthermore, He isn't one way one time and another way another time. He doesn't change. He is good, and that's the way He is. It's obvious that God doesn't always stop tragedy, and we honestly don't always know why bad things happen.

First Corinthians 13:12 says, "...Now I know in part (imperfectly)...." We have to remember that faith will always require us to accept unanswered questions, and we must come to the place where we're satisfied to know the One who knows and place our trust in Him.

Prayer Starter: God, I may not always understand why bad things happen, but I know that You are good. When I don't understand why, I will find my comfort in You.


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

 

[Aeliana]

Why You Need to Read the Bible

Let them not depart from thine eyes;
Keep them in the midst of thy heart.
22For they are life unto those that find them,
And health to all their flesh.
Proverbs 4:21-22

The Bible is no ordinary book. The words within its pages are like medicine to your soul. It has the power to change your life because there is life in the Word! When you discover the power and truth of God's Word, you will begin to see changes in your life that only this truth can bring.

You will also learn how to recognize the lies that the enemy tries to bring against you. If you are just starting to study the Bible or feel intimidated by it, don't think you have to read it all at once or understand everything right away. Be patient with yourself.

The important thing is that you start somewhere and stay determined to stick with it. Because every time you study the Bible and pay attention to what you're reading, you're learning something. Proverbs 4:20 says, "My son attend to my words., " This is important to understand because attending is more than just reading - it means to meditate on the Scripture or roll it around over and over in your mind.

As we spend time reading and meditating on the Word of God and learn to agree with it above all else, we will be filled with the life and healing power of God.

Prayer Starter: God, thank You so much for the life-giving power of Your Word! As I read and study it, teach me what You want me to know and bring Your healing power into my life.


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

 

[Aeliana]

It's OK to Enjoy Your Life

There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.
Ecclesiastes 2:24

Enjoyment is the fuel we need to reach the finish line of an endeavor with a good attitude. We may drive ourselves to finish, but somewhere along the way we will probably become bitter and get a chip on our shoulder if we don't lighten up and take time to celebrate the journey. Too many people work constantly and stress themselves out, feeling guilty about enjoying and celebrating life when God has clearly ordained and commanded both labor and enjoyment.

Ecclesiastes 2:24 says that it's good for us to relax and enjoy ourselves in the midst of hard work. Our thinking has been warped in this area. Satan has managed to deceive us, and by doing so he succeeds in keeping people weary and worn-out, feeling resentful and taken advantage of because of excessive work and responsibility. We need times of refreshment and recreation as well as work and accomplishment.

You should be diligent in whatever task God has placed in front of you, but make sure that you find a balance by learning to reward yourself and enjoy life. God thinks you are worth it!

Prayer Starter: God, I realize now that You want me to enjoy my life and reward myself. Instead of feeling guilty and never stopping for a break, I choose today to experience the joy that You planned for me.



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

 

[Aeliana]

Stop Keeping Score

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
1 Corinthians 13:5

If someone has hurt you, don't spend the next ten years of your life hurting yourself by hanging on to that offense. Most likely, the other person isn't even thinking about you, while you dwell on the incident for years. That only hurts one person, you. When we walk in unforgiveness, we try to "keep score," viewing ourselves as better than the other person.

Back in the early days of our marriage, when Dave and I were fussing and fuming at each other, I would bring up stuff that happened years before and Dave would say, "Where do you keep all that stuff?" Well, I had a place, and it was all in there eating at me.

And every new thing Dave did wrong would get added to this list, and it kept growing until it became a bitter giant in my heart. When we walk in God's love, we find freedom by keeping "no account" of wrongs done to us.

If you're hurting from the pain of unforgiveness today, ask God to help you stop keeping score. You can let go of your bitterness today.

Prayer Starter: God, I don't want to keep score anymore and let my unforgiveness hurt me. I release it to You and ask You to help me walk in Your love, which keeps "no account of the evil done to it."


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

 

[Aeliana]

Think About What You're Thinking About

Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of measurement [that is, to the extent that you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you [and you will be given even greater ability to respond]—and more will be given to you besides.
Mark 4:24

If you're a believer, you probably think some Scripture-based thoughts throughout each day, but think about this: Are you mixing them with negative thoughts or just any random thoughts that come into your mind? For most of my life, I simply thought whatever fell into my head.

Much of what was in my head was either lies Satan was telling me or just plain nonsense. Read Mark 4:24. It tells us the more time we spend thinking about the Word, the more power and ability we will have to walk in it. It also says the more we read and listen to the Word, the more revelation we will receive to understand it.

In the flesh we are lazy and want to receive from God without any effort on our own part, but that's not the way it works. You will only get out of the Word what you are willing to put into it. I encourage you to make a decision to meditate on God's Word every day because every moment you spend absorbing it, the more virtue and knowledge you will receive from God.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I make a decision to spend more time in Your Word every day. I know that when I do, I will get more out of it and receive more powerful revelation from You.

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

 

[Aeliana]

The Greatest Gift You Can Give

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:36

It's the most outrageous thing. The more I think about it, the more amazed I am. It gives blessings that are undeserved and withholds punishment when it is deserved. It's absolutely the greatest gift you can give someone. This gift is called mercy. See, Jesus came to earth and gave us mercy, so we need to learn to give mercy to others.

By Christ's example, we're taught to love and pray for our enemies. We're taught to be friendly to those who do not treat us as we would like to be treated. We are told to give to and care for the poor and helpless who will never be able to pay us back. We can give to people who will give us gifts in return.

But we're more blessed when we choose to give to those who cannot pay us back, that's giving mercy. The greatest gift you can give God is to become more like Jesus. You can do that by treating others the way He treated you. Give those around you the greatest gift they could ever receive from you: mercy.

Prayer Starter: God, I thank You for the mercy that You selflessly give me every day. I choose now to give that mercy to others. Every chance I get, I will show them the mercy that You have shown me.



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

 

[Aeliana]

Say What God Says

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8

God tells us that the more time we spend meditating on and speaking His Word, the more we will see the benefits in our everyday lives and even have a closer relationship with Him. He even promises we'll be prosperous and successful!

I can testify to this because I have made it through many trials and even devastating times by believing and confessing the Word of God over my life.There's something powerful that happens when we speak His Word out loud. It's the way we learn to purposely think right thoughts, especially when we make the Scriptures personal confessions of faith.It's great to read the Word and receive it in your heart, but when you confess it out loud, you actively interact with what God says and release its power into your life.

I encourage you to spend time reading and meditating on God's Word, lining your thoughts up with it. But I also urge you to speak the Word. You can make up your mind to work toward changing your life by saying what God says. Read His Word and speak it over your circumstances today.

Prayer Starter: God, I want to release the full power of Your Word into my life. Along with reading and thinking about Your Word, I choose today to speak it over my life.


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

 

[Aeliana]

God Is Untying Your Knots One at a Time

May the Lord lead your hearts to express God’s love and Christ’s endurance.
2 Thessalonians 3:5

Picture your life as a jumble of shoestrings all tied up in knots, each shoestring a different color. Each knot represents a problem, and the process of untangling those knots and straightening out those problems is going to take a bit of time and effort. It took a long time to tie all those knots, and it will take some time to straighten them all out.

In our modern, instantaneous society, we tend to jump from one thing to another, but God never gets in a hurry. He never quits or runs out of patience. He will deal with us about one particular thing, and then He will let us rest for a while, but not too long. Soon He will come back and begin to work on something else.

He will continue until, one by one, our knots are all untied. If it sometimes seems that you're not making any progress, it's because the Lord is untying your knots one at a time. Let His patience develop in you, and sooner or later, you will see victory in your life and experience the freedom you have wanted for so long.

Prayer Starter: God, I'm so glad that You can work out all of my knots and get my life straightened out. Help me to develop steadfastness and patience as You work continually in my life.


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

 

[Aeliana]

How Forgiveness and Patience Can Help Your Marriage

howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me as chief might Jesus Christ show forth all his longsuffering, for an ensample of them that should thereafter believe on him unto eternal life.
1 Timothy 1:16

Marriages are not as good as they could be when someone holds on to offenses and hurts that their spouse has caused. I know it's difficult to completely open yourself up after being hurt, but nobody can promise that loving someone won't hurt. In fact, you can't love without being willing to be hurt. It's not possible.
You can't have real love unless you're willing to forgive. Love keeps giving the other person another chance. Love keeps trusting them over and over again, expecting them to do the right thing the next time, believing the best of them. I realize there might be big hurts in your marriage, along with little things you deal with daily.

Still, you need to decide to let go of its irritating hold on you. If you're struggling with unforgiveness in your marriage, ask the Lord to reveal what has caused you to feel bitterness or resentment. You may be surprised at what He reveals to you, but when you see the truth, decide to let go of that grief. Decide to forgive your spouse and walk in patience as you treat them with God's amazing, unconditional love.

Prayer Starter: God, I want my marriage to be the best it can be. Help me let go of any areas of unforgiveness and to patiently love my spouse the way You want me to.


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

 

[Aeliana]

Find the Answers and Power You Need in the Word

because God’s word is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates to the point that it separates the soul from the spirit and the joints from the marrow. It’s able to judge the heart’s thoughts and intentions.
Hebrews 4:12


When people ask me where to start reading the Bible, I tell them there's really no wrong place to start. You can study anything that's going to help you. When I first started studying the Word, I didn't have very good relationships because I didn't really understand what love was. So that's what I studied.As I studied the subject of love, I learned that it's more than a gooey feeling.

It's a decision you make about how you're going to treat people. By studying what the Bible says about love, I learned how to love. Then my life began to change.Whatever you're dealing with, you can find scriptures about it by using a concordance.

For example, if you're dealing with anger or fear, flip to the concordance in the back of your Bible and locate those words to see which scriptures talk about those issues.If you can't think of anything right away, thumb through the concordance and pick a subject that grabs your attention. Begin looking at all scriptures referenced with this word and read them.

Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and reveal truth to you. No matter where you start, remember that the Word is alive and has something for you today!Prayer Starter: Lord, I know that Your Word has something for me today. No matter what I'm dealing with, I'm going to find out what Your Word says about it.


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

 

[Aeliana]

Dealing with Emotions While Grieving

Why, I ask myself, are you so depressed?
Why are you so upset inside?
Hope in God!
Because I will again give him thanks,
my saving presence and my God.
Psalms 42:5

People experiencing tragedy often go through stages of emotional expressions of sobbing and hysteria. These may come and go when least expected. Confusion, disorientation and fear are also common. Depression and waves of overwhelming feelings are experienced by many. In times like these, I believe it's wise to look at King David.

The Bible talks of how King David was feeling depressed but he resisted it. He didn't sink into it or get into the pit of despair. He described how he felt, but he made a decision not to live by his feelings. He praised and trusted in God.

Most of us go through emotionally difficult times when tragic loss occurs. Those who are walking in faith come out of it, and they come out of it better than when they went in. If you are hurting right now due to a loss in your life, I want to tell you that a new beginning is in front of you. Trust and praise God like David did. What Satan intends for your harm, God can turn around for your good!


Prayer Starter: Lord, even when I'm grieving and depressed, I will choose to praise and trust in You. I believe that You can and will make everything work out for my good.


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

 

[Aeliana]

Every Day Is a New Day

This is the day the LORD acted;
we will rejoice and celebrate in it!
Psalms 118:24

God wants us to have joy in the midst of our ordinary, everyday life, even on the worst days of our life.There were times in my life when I dreaded facing each day. All I could think about was my circumstances, wondering how Dave and I were going to pay the bills or get everything done that we needed to do. Sometimes I wanted to pull the covers over my head and just stay in bed.

I was so wrapped up in worry that I was missing the point: God had created a new day, and He created it so that I could enjoy it.

Every single day is filled with all kinds of situations that could upset you, things like losing your car keys or getting caught in a traffic jam. But you can choose to be at peace and in control in the midst of them.When you and I take our minds off of ourselves and our circumstances and put our focus on God and loving others, we are embracing an attitude that will bring honor to Him and enable us to view every day as an exciting, new gift from God.


Prayer Starter: God, thank You for the gift of a new day. Instead of focusing on the frustrating things in life, I choose to be at peace in You and rejoice and be glad in it!



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

 

[Aeliana]

The Best Way to Deal with Money

Those who give to the poor will lack nothing,
but those who turn a blind eye will be greatly cursed.
Proverbs 28:27

I've discovered the best way to deal with money is to give it away. And we need to keep on giving, especially during challenging financial times. This is a key factor in helping us to maintain a biblical focus on our finances. It's always possible to live by God's financial principles, even in difficult times.

You might find yourself in what seems like an impossible financial situation and feel like you're in no position to give, but don't let that stop you. God will help you when you simply work with what you have. Luke 19:17 tells us that God is pleased when we are faithful and trustworthy in very little things.

When we are, it says He will give us authority over bigger things. Proverbs 28:27 says, "He who gives to the poor will not want., " If we obey God with our finances, even when we don't have much, and give to help other people, the more God will have other people do for us. It's just that simple. Choose to be a giver today, and you will not lack anything.

Prayer Starter: God, I choose today to give my finances to You. Even in hard times, I know that Your financial principles still apply and that You will take care of me. You are my source!

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

 

[Aeliana]

You're Not Built for Guilt

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus
Romans 8:1

When I ask large audiences how many people spend their lives feeling guilty, my guess is that at least 80 percent of the people raise their hands. I was part of that 80 percent until I decided that I was not built for guilt, and I was not going to continue to allow a renegade feeling to rule my life.

I studied God's Word about guilt and studied His character and nature until I was totally convinced that God is not the source of guilt.

I see guilt as an illegal invader that attacks our mind and conscience, attempting to prevent us from enjoying anything God has provided for us. Guilt has no legal right in our lives because Jesus has paid for our sins and misdeeds. If it is in us illegally, then we need to send it back where it came from, which is hell!

Refuse to let guilt steal your joy any longer. You must remember that you are not built for guilt. Deal with it aggressively anytime you experience it by receiving God's love and grace.

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, I know I'm not built for guilt! Every time guilt tries to rise up in me, bring it to my attention and remind me that I am forgiven and made whole by the sacrifice of Jesus.

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

 

[Aeliana]

When Good Things Happen to People Who Have Hurt You

that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous
Matthew 5:45


Have you ever seen someone receive a blessing from God and felt like they didn't deserve it? Have you seen good things happen to someone who has hurt you? When a person who offended you gets a blessing, it can grate on you, at least it did for me until I learned how to forgive. The Bible says that good and bad things happen to both the righteous and the unrighteous. When someone who's hurt you receives a blessing, it makes it even harder to forgive them, but you are still called to pray for them.

I want to encourage you today to bless the people who have hurt you by praying for them, even though you may feel hurt and irritated by them. When you pray for people who have hurt you, it's a choice you make. And forgiveness is based on your decision - not a feeling. But there's healing in that for you. A forgiving lifestyle helps you become more like Christ.

As you learn the importance of forgiveness and begin to pray for blessings for those who have hurt you, your heart will heal from bitterness, and your personal growth will lead you to the blessings God has planned for you.

Prayer Starter: God, it might be hard, but I know I need to pray for and bless those who have hurt me. I realize that forgiveness is a choice, so I ask you to help me as I choose to forgive.



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

 

[Aeliana]

Don't Let Yourself Snap

and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;
and, “You reward everyone
according to what they have done.”
Psalms 62:12

Let's say you're working around the house and break a rubber band while trying to stretch it around something. You can't find another rubber band, so you try to fix the broken one by tying the ends together. Sometimes in our daily lives, we stretch ourselves beyond our capacity, and we snap like the rubber band. We think we've fixed the problem by simply tying the ends back together. But soon we fall into the same behavior that caused us to break down in the first place.

Over time with repeated exposure to stress, our lives begin to resemble that worn-out rubber band. It can completely deplete us. Ignoring God's laws and His ordained limits for our lives will ultimately cause burnout. You simply can't continue to overwork your mind, emotions and body without eventually paying the price. But that's not how God wants you to live.

Adjust your perspective to match God's. Seek His peace and His pace for your life. Respect your body. Treat good health as a priceless gift. Don't waste the energy God has given you on stress. Save it for living and enjoying life!

Prayer Starter: God, I want to find my rest in You. Instead of constantly going and snapping under stress, show me how to follow Your pace for my life.


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

 

[Aeliana]

When Progress Is Slow

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
Romans 5:3

It's important to renew our minds, but it's also important to realize that this process of reprogramming or renewing our minds will take place little by little. Don't be discouraged if progress seems slow. Don't get down when you have setbacks or bad days. Just get back up, dust yourself off and start again.

When a baby is learning to walk, he falls many, many times before he develops the ability to walk without falling; however, the baby is persistent. He may cry for a while after he falls down, but he always gets right back up and tries again. Learning to change our thinking works the same way. We struggle and fall down, but God is always there to pick us up.

Rather than get frustrated, you should, as the Bible says, "triumph" in your hardship, because the very fact that you're struggling means that you're fighting the good fight. There will be days when we don't do everything right, days when our thinking is negative. But never stop trying. God is gradually bringing us around to His way of thinking. Just don't give up!

Prayer Starter: Lord, thank You for picking me up when I fall down. I know that my struggles mean that You are helping me overcome my negative mindsets and bringing me more and more in line with Your way of thinking.

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