God Gives Grace to the Humble
First Peter 5:5 tells us that God "sets Himself against the proud, but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble." And anyone who thinks they're a self-made man or woman has a rude awakening coming because Jesus said, "...Apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing" (John 15:5 AMP).
When we live in pride, trying to succeed without God's help, we're left open to so many attacks of the enemy. But humility is a covering that draws the help of God into our lives to protect us. When we humble ourselves by saying, "God, I don't know what to do, and I'm trusting You," God will help us.
God won't allow us to succeed at anything unless we're leaning and relying on Him. But when we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, in due time, He will exalt us (see 1 Peter 5:6). "Due time" is God's time, when God knows we're ready, not when we think we're ready. The sooner we understand and accept that, the sooner God can work out His plan in our lives.
Prayer Starter: God, I humble myself before You, knowing that You will exalt me in due time. I can't succeed on my own. I need Your help.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
Daily Devotion From Joyce Meyer
Tempted' to Do Good
One thing that draws us into temptation is thinking too highly of ourselves and trusting ourselves too much. This is an attitude planted by the enemy. We get prideful and think we're just fine, but then Satan tempts us and we fall into sin.
Now, this next statement might shock you: You need to know that there's also a good kind of temptation. We need to realize that Satan tempts us to do evil, but in a way, God tempts us to do good. Every time the enemy sets a bad option in front of you, God always has a good one ready.
When the temptation to sin feels overwhelming, remember that the Holy Spirit, who is much more powerful than the enemy, also wants to overwhelm you, but in a good way. He wants to influence you to do great things if you will let Him.
God is trying to save our lives. He wants to strengthen us so that no matter what happens, we'll be preserved and protected under His covering. When God tempts you to do good, simply obey.
Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, I want to listen and obey Your good 'temptations.' When the enemy tries to make me stumble, show me Your perfect plan that I can follow instead.
One thing that draws us into temptation is thinking too highly of ourselves and trusting ourselves too much. This is an attitude planted by the enemy. We get prideful and think we're just fine, but then Satan tempts us and we fall into sin.
Now, this next statement might shock you: You need to know that there's also a good kind of temptation. We need to realize that Satan tempts us to do evil, but in a way, God tempts us to do good. Every time the enemy sets a bad option in front of you, God always has a good one ready.
When the temptation to sin feels overwhelming, remember that the Holy Spirit, who is much more powerful than the enemy, also wants to overwhelm you, but in a good way. He wants to influence you to do great things if you will let Him.
God is trying to save our lives. He wants to strengthen us so that no matter what happens, we'll be preserved and protected under His covering. When God tempts you to do good, simply obey.
Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, I want to listen and obey Your good 'temptations.' When the enemy tries to make me stumble, show me Your perfect plan that I can follow instead.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Daily Devotion From Joyce Meyer
The Wrong Kind of 'Martyr'
We all know what a martyr is. We've all heard heartrending stories of heroic men and women who have died for Christ. But there's another kind of martyr who isn't courageous and noble, a great and constant sufferer who's always willing to share their pain with anyone who will listen. This martyr wants everyone around to know what sacrifices they're making in their life.
The "martyr trap" is such an easy one to fall into. We start out serving our families and friends and loving it. But after awhile, our hearts begin to change and we begin to expect something in return. Eventually, we no longer have the heart of a servant. Our attitude sours, and we soon find out we've become mired in self-pity. We've become a martyr.
The Bible says to give without letting "your left hand know what your right hand is doing." In other words, God wants us to serve and give without caring if people notice or recognize us.
Have you fallen into the 'martyr trap'? If so, ask God to give you His heart so that you can give selflessly without a concern for recognition.
Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, show me if I've fallen into the martyr trap. I want to have Your heart for service so that I can give to others the way You want me to, selflessly and with Your joy.
We all know what a martyr is. We've all heard heartrending stories of heroic men and women who have died for Christ. But there's another kind of martyr who isn't courageous and noble, a great and constant sufferer who's always willing to share their pain with anyone who will listen. This martyr wants everyone around to know what sacrifices they're making in their life.
The "martyr trap" is such an easy one to fall into. We start out serving our families and friends and loving it. But after awhile, our hearts begin to change and we begin to expect something in return. Eventually, we no longer have the heart of a servant. Our attitude sours, and we soon find out we've become mired in self-pity. We've become a martyr.
The Bible says to give without letting "your left hand know what your right hand is doing." In other words, God wants us to serve and give without caring if people notice or recognize us.
Have you fallen into the 'martyr trap'? If so, ask God to give you His heart so that you can give selflessly without a concern for recognition.
Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, show me if I've fallen into the martyr trap. I want to have Your heart for service so that I can give to others the way You want me to, selflessly and with Your joy.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Daily Devotion From Joyce Meyer
Be a God-Pleaser, Not a Man-Pleaser
Are you the person God created you to be or are you living 'to please men'? According to this scripture, God's will is for us to please Him and be what He wants us to be.
When we choose to be the person God created us to be - unique and different than everybody else - we have to expect some criticism. But you won't like yourself very much if you go against your own convictions.
See, going along with the crowd, when you know in your heart that God's leading you a different way, is one reason people don't succeed at being themselves.
I want to encourage you to step out and be the person God made you to be. Don't let the way another person treats you or responds to you determine your worth. Have the courage to be different and deal with criticism.
Remember that God accepts you and loves you. He made you the way you are for a reason, and you have something special to offer.
Prayer Starter: God, I don't want to live trying to please men. I dare to be different. I want to win Your favor and be the person You made me to be.
Are you the person God created you to be or are you living 'to please men'? According to this scripture, God's will is for us to please Him and be what He wants us to be.
When we choose to be the person God created us to be - unique and different than everybody else - we have to expect some criticism. But you won't like yourself very much if you go against your own convictions.
See, going along with the crowd, when you know in your heart that God's leading you a different way, is one reason people don't succeed at being themselves.
I want to encourage you to step out and be the person God made you to be. Don't let the way another person treats you or responds to you determine your worth. Have the courage to be different and deal with criticism.
Remember that God accepts you and loves you. He made you the way you are for a reason, and you have something special to offer.
Prayer Starter: God, I don't want to live trying to please men. I dare to be different. I want to win Your favor and be the person You made me to be.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Daily Devotion From Joyce Meyer
The Lifter of Our Heads
God has good plans for you and He wants you to enjoy your life. He doesn't want you to live with a spirit of heaviness, despair, depression or discouragement. The good news is, your attitude and outlook can change when you look to God and let Him lift you up.
The psalmist said that God "is a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head." Think about that phrase 'the lifter of my head.' When someone walks around with their head hanging down, we assume that they're sad or depressed. If that's the way you feel, know today that God can lift your head and your spirits.
Remember, God has a good plan with a future and a hope for each of us. Because He is with us, we can think and speak in agreement with His will. We can practice being positive in every situation that arises. And when our circumstances are challenging and difficult, we can expect God to bring good out of them as He has promised in His Word.
Prayer Starter: God, You are my glory and the lifter of my head. I choose to look to You. Help me to keep my focus on You and trust You to bring Your good plans to pass in my life today.
God has good plans for you and He wants you to enjoy your life. He doesn't want you to live with a spirit of heaviness, despair, depression or discouragement. The good news is, your attitude and outlook can change when you look to God and let Him lift you up.
The psalmist said that God "is a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head." Think about that phrase 'the lifter of my head.' When someone walks around with their head hanging down, we assume that they're sad or depressed. If that's the way you feel, know today that God can lift your head and your spirits.
Remember, God has a good plan with a future and a hope for each of us. Because He is with us, we can think and speak in agreement with His will. We can practice being positive in every situation that arises. And when our circumstances are challenging and difficult, we can expect God to bring good out of them as He has promised in His Word.
Prayer Starter: God, You are my glory and the lifter of my head. I choose to look to You. Help me to keep my focus on You and trust You to bring Your good plans to pass in my life today.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Daily Devotion From Joyce Meyer
Vengeance Is God's
When someone makes us angry, Satan likes to attack us and keep us upset. Responding in a positive way is the direct opposite of what the enemy wants you to do, defeating his plan to keep you upset. It doesn't come naturally, and it isn't always easy, but when we do what we can do, God will do what we can't do.
When someone angers and offends you, a natural response for many of us is to try and pay them back. But if you really pay them back, what will you gain? You'll only make them angrier and then they might try and pay you back again. The cycle never ends!
If we hang on to anger, we're just being foolish. We must turn the anger and the people who caused it over to God and let Him take care of it. ..Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord. .
Trust God and He will take care of you and protect you. You can't change what happened, but when you give it to God, He'll use it to bring you a better future.
Prayer Starter: God, I believe that vengeance is Yours and that paying people back in anger is not something You want me to do. I give my anger to You and trust that You will take care of me.
When someone makes us angry, Satan likes to attack us and keep us upset. Responding in a positive way is the direct opposite of what the enemy wants you to do, defeating his plan to keep you upset. It doesn't come naturally, and it isn't always easy, but when we do what we can do, God will do what we can't do.
When someone angers and offends you, a natural response for many of us is to try and pay them back. But if you really pay them back, what will you gain? You'll only make them angrier and then they might try and pay you back again. The cycle never ends!
If we hang on to anger, we're just being foolish. We must turn the anger and the people who caused it over to God and let Him take care of it. ..Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord. .
Trust God and He will take care of you and protect you. You can't change what happened, but when you give it to God, He'll use it to bring you a better future.
Prayer Starter: God, I believe that vengeance is Yours and that paying people back in anger is not something You want me to do. I give my anger to You and trust that You will take care of me.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Daily Devotion From Joyce Meyer
Facing the Truth Brings a Happier Life
Nobody can be set free from a problem until they're willing to admit they have one. An alcoholic, drug addict or anyone who's lost control of their life is doomed to suffer until they're able to say, "I've got a problem, and I need help with it."
Even though our problems may have been brought upon us because of something done against our will, we have no excuse for allowing the problem to persist, grow and even take control over our entire life. Our past experiences may have made us the way we are, but we don't have to stay that way. We can take the initiative by taking positive steps to change things, and we can ask for God's help.
Whatever your problem may be, you must face the truth and assume some personal responsibility. The Bible says we must evaluate ourselves. That might seem daunting, but Jesus Christ is in you and can help you through any past problems and issues.
Face the truth, it can be the beginning of a happier life!
Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, I don't want to live in denial and fear of my problems. I choose to evaluate myself and get to the bottom of these issues because I know that You can help me work through them to have a happier life.
Nobody can be set free from a problem until they're willing to admit they have one. An alcoholic, drug addict or anyone who's lost control of their life is doomed to suffer until they're able to say, "I've got a problem, and I need help with it."
Even though our problems may have been brought upon us because of something done against our will, we have no excuse for allowing the problem to persist, grow and even take control over our entire life. Our past experiences may have made us the way we are, but we don't have to stay that way. We can take the initiative by taking positive steps to change things, and we can ask for God's help.
Whatever your problem may be, you must face the truth and assume some personal responsibility. The Bible says we must evaluate ourselves. That might seem daunting, but Jesus Christ is in you and can help you through any past problems and issues.
Face the truth, it can be the beginning of a happier life!
Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, I don't want to live in denial and fear of my problems. I choose to evaluate myself and get to the bottom of these issues because I know that You can help me work through them to have a happier life.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Daily Devotion From Joyce Meyer
The Danger of Jealousy
Anger caused by jealousy is one of the first negative emotions mentioned in the Bible. Genesis 4 tells us that Cain killed his brother Abel because he was jealous to the point of being angry. Although this is one of the more extreme results of jealousy, it reminds us of how dangerous jealousy can be.
In today's society many people feel their status is dependent on their job or position in the church. Because of this mindset, they're afraid someone else may get promoted ahead of them. Jealousy causes them to try to be important in the eyes of man.
If you have this problem, understand that God has you where you are for a reason. He knows what's in your future, and He may have you in training for it right now.
Don't despise the days of small beginnings. Our rewards come from obeying the specific callings He's placed on our lives, not from jealously trying to achieve things that you think will impress people. Don't let jealousy grow in you. Trust God to place you where you need to be.
Prayer Starter: God, jealousy is dangerous and I don't want to have any part of it. My status isn't dependent on worldly positions and recognition. All I need is You.
Anger caused by jealousy is one of the first negative emotions mentioned in the Bible. Genesis 4 tells us that Cain killed his brother Abel because he was jealous to the point of being angry. Although this is one of the more extreme results of jealousy, it reminds us of how dangerous jealousy can be.
In today's society many people feel their status is dependent on their job or position in the church. Because of this mindset, they're afraid someone else may get promoted ahead of them. Jealousy causes them to try to be important in the eyes of man.
If you have this problem, understand that God has you where you are for a reason. He knows what's in your future, and He may have you in training for it right now.
Don't despise the days of small beginnings. Our rewards come from obeying the specific callings He's placed on our lives, not from jealously trying to achieve things that you think will impress people. Don't let jealousy grow in you. Trust God to place you where you need to be.
Prayer Starter: God, jealousy is dangerous and I don't want to have any part of it. My status isn't dependent on worldly positions and recognition. All I need is You.
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