God's Ways Are Not Our Ways

My thoughts are not your thoughs, neither are your ways my ways. -Isaiah 55:8

I have discovered that God often seems unreasonable. What He chooses to do does not always make sense to us. It does not always fit into our balance of reason. We have a tendency to want things to make sense, but God wants us to learn to be led by our TRUST and not by our understanding. We should thank God that His ways are not our ways. My life would have turned out badly if God had given me my way in many situations. It is wise for us to pray, "Your will be done, Lord, not mine."

I often tell the Lord what I would like to have, but follow it up with, "However, if You know it is not right for me, please don't give it to me." His thoughts are above our thoughts. He sees the end from the beginning. All His ways are right and sure. In the natural we can think something make sense, but it may not be what God wants at all.

From Joyce Meyer

Follow-ups Questions.

1. Is there a recent event that had happened in your life, which you think is just unreasonable and illogistic how God is allowing it to happen?

2. What is your first reaction to it, and what do you think God would want you to react and handle it?

3. What do you think God is speaking to you about regarding this? (Perhaps something He wants you to learn about yourself, about other people, or about Him)

Take some time to write down your prayer to God, and ask Him for strength and guidance about this matter in your life.

Have a blessed day ahead!

Meditation Produces Success

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

Most people do not delve into the Word of God very deeply. As a result, they get confused about why they are not powerful Christians living victorious lives. The truth is that most of them really don't put much effort of their own into the study of the Word. They may go out and hear others teach and preach the Word. They may listen to sermon tapes or read the Bible occasionally, but they are not really dedicated to making the Word a major part of their lives, including spending time thinking about it.

The flesh is basically lazy, and many people want to get smething for nothing (with no effort on their part); however, that really is not the way it works. A person will get out of the Word what he is willing to put into it.

If you want to be a success and prosper in all your dealings, the Bible says you must meditate on the Word of God day and night. How much time do you spend thinking about the Word of God? If you are having problems in any area of your life, an honest answer to this question may disclose the reason why.

Joyce Meyer's daily devotional material

Bewar the "Flesh Days"

In all your ways know, recognize, and acknwledge Him, and

He will drect and make straight

and plain your paths. -PROVERBS 3:6

I have found that the more oedient I am, the easier it is to be obedient again. And the more disobedient I am, the easier it is to be disobedient. Some days we can tell as soon as we wake up that we're going to have what I call a "flesh day". We start the day feeling stubborn and lazy.

Our first thoughts are: I'm not cleaning this house, I'm going shopping. I'm not staying on this stupid diet either. I'm eathing what I want to eat all day, and I don't want anybody in my face bugging me about it. If they do, I'm going to tell them what I think.

If we feel that way when we wake up, we have a decision to mae. We can follow those feelings or we can pray, "God, please help me, quick!" Our feelings can come under the lordship of Jesus Christ if we ask Him to help us straighten out our attitude.

I know all about flesh days; I know we can start out acting badly and it can go from bad to worse. It seems that once we give in to a selfish attitude and follow our flesh, it's downhill to a wasted day. But every time we obey our conscience, we widen the window that God can use to led us by His Spirit. Everytime we follow the leading of our conscience, it lets in more light the next time. Once we enjoy knowing that God will truly lead us to a better plan, it gets easier to obey Him promptly.

From Joyce Meyer's devotional material

Stay Expectant Every Day

He [Jesus] said to them [the disciples], It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power.

ACTS 1:7

Often we experience a lot of disappointment, which hinders joy and enjoyment, due to deciding for ourselves that something has to be done a certain way or by a certain time. When we want something very strongly, we can easily convince ourselves that it is God's will for us to have it.

I always believe for things. I am goal-oriented and always need something to look forward to. Many years ago, I was letting what I thought was faith fustrate me. I attempted to use my faith to get what I wanted. When it did not arrive on time, I felt I had failed in the faith department.

Now, after almost twenty years, I know that I can and should use my faith, but God has an appointed time. "In due time" (1 PETER 5:6), "at the appointed time" (GENESIS 18:14), "when the proper time" (GALATIANS 4:4)-these are things the Bible says about God's timing.

Jesus Himself made it clear that it is not for us to know what these times are. Remaining expectant every day, no matter how long it takes, is one of the things that will keep you and me flowing in joy.

I am sure most of us are expecting. I know I am. There are things God has spoken to me - things e has placed in my heart - that I have not seen manifested yet. Some of them have been there as long as fifteen or sixteen years. Other things He spoke around the same time have come to pass. I used to be confused. Now, I am no longer confused; I am expecting. My time can come at any moment, any day - maybe today - and so can yours.

Joyce Meyer

Step Out and Find Out

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived

what God has prepared for those who love him. 1 CORINTHIANS 2:9 (NIV)

Perhaps God has been speaking to you about some changes in your life and you want them, but you are afraid. I want to encourage you not to be afraid to step out. Even if you make a mistake, it won't be the end of the world.

Go through the doors He is opening. You may even have to take a few steps in some direction and see if a door previously closed will open as you approach it. Maybe you have a little direction from God, but you don't see the full picture. God leads step by step. He may never show you step two until you take step one. I am not advocating doing foolish things, but I do encourage you to find the balance between living in fear and living in wisdom.

God is progressive, and I have found that my faith is also. I may have a little faith, and so God shows me a little something to do. Then as I am faithful over the little thing, He shows me the next step, and by then, my faith has grown to be able to handle it.

Don't spend all of your life looking back and wishing you had tried different things or done things differently. Wondering what could have been is a lonely feeling. I can promise you that you will not enjoy everything you try. But at least you will have the personal experience of knowing. You won't have to live your whole life hearing about what everyone else is doing and wondering what it would be like. You are not going to be able to do everything, but step out in God's timing into the things you feel He is leading you into.

Joyce Meyer's New Day New You

Putting on God's Armor

Be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him];

draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless

might provides]. Ephesians 6:10

Do you know what happens when you spend time with God? You begin to act like David when he faced the giant Goliath. You begin to take a stand and demand of the enemy, "Who do you think you are to defy the army of the living God?" (SEE 1 SAMUEL 17:26). As soldiers of the cross, you and I are not suppose to be afraid of our enemy, the devil. When a spirit of fear comes along, rather than shaking like a leaf, we are to be as bold as a lion. The devil comes against those who are doing damage to his kingdom, those who are doing something for God. How do we withstand the devil? By putting on the full armor of God, taking up the shield of faith, by which we can quench all his fiery darts, and by wielding the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (SEE EPHESIANS 6:13-17). But all of that armor and all of those weapons come from spending time in fellowship with the Lord. Ephesians 6:10 actually begins this discourse on the armor of God, saying, "Be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]." To me, that says "Be strong through your fellowship with God." Then verse 11 goes on to say, "Put on God's whole armor." Only after eing strengthened in fellowship can we properly wear the armor.

Joyce Meyer's New Day New You Everyday Devotions

Do It Afraid!

Be strong, courageous, and firm; fear not...for it is the Lord your
God Who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you.

-DEUTERONOMY 31:6-

Fear is nothing but a feeling that causes certain manifestations. It causes us to tremble, sweat, turn red, shake, and have wobbly knees. The Bible doesn’t say, “Tremble not.” The Bible doesn’t say, “Sweat not,” or “Shake not.” The Bible says, “Fear not.” And the word fear implies running away from something! In other words, God is saying when fear comes, which it will because fear is the enemy of confidence, don’t let it stop us. We are to do it afraid!

When I received this revelation, I could hardly believe it. It seemed too good to be true. I realized there wasn’t anything wrong with me when my knees knocked together in new situations or when I felt I was going to faint. Because I went ahead and did what I was supposed to do in spite of how I felt, I wasn’t a coward. We are cowards only if we run. Maybe you have been allowing a feeling to control and determine your destiny. Maybe you think that some people have fear and others don’t. But the truth is that fear comes to everybody. What we do in spite of that fear makes the difference between victory or defeat in our lives.

Joyce Meyer's 366 Devotions in New Day New You