A Need for Brokenness
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.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Daily Devotion From Joyce Meyer
Perseverance Pays
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.
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.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Daily Devotion From Joyce Meyer
Prudence
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Influenster (Palmolive Fresh Infusions)
So, have you ever received something in the mail that you were not expecting? Well woohoo, thanks to Influenster for selecting me to test the new Palmolive Fresh Infusions dish liquid. I received 3 detergents that I actually needed because I ran out of dish detergent yesterday ;). I will be putting one of the bottles to use tonight. I must say the design is nice and pretty, plus the scents are great. Included with the product, was 5 coupons with savings of 1.50 each. Peep the bottles below ... I would love to send one of my followers one, who wants to try it out? The first to comment can have it ;)
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Daily Devotion From Joyce Meyer
A Great Trade
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!
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!
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Daily Devotion From Joyce Meyer
Take Your Doubts Captive
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!
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!
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