“Faith, Gratitude, and Rest So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God. 1 CORINTHIANS 2:5 Faith allows us to rest—both mentally and emotionally. Even our will gets a rest when we have faith in God. We don’t worry or reason, we are not upset or downcast, and we are not trying to make something happen that is not God’s will—we are thankful that God is in control so that we can rest! Paul sang praises to God while he was in jail. Jesus prayed for others while He was being crucified. Joseph decided that if he was going to be a slave, he would be the best slave his owner ever had. All throughout Scripture, we see the connection between faith, gratitude, and rest. We need to be honest about what the real cause of our stress is. Is it really our circumstances in life, or is it the way we respond to the circumstances? There is a rest that comes with gratitude and faith. This is a rest we can live in every day. Prayer of Thanks I thank You today, Father, that I can live in rest. I don’t have to worry or be downcast when I face challenges. Thank You that I can have faith, knowing that You are the One in control.”
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Joyce Meyer
“People cannot change people. Only God can get inside a person's heart and cause him or her to want to change.”
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Joyce Meyer
“At this moment, each one of us is as close to God’s throne of grace as we choose to be.”
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Joyce Meyer
“Character is doing what you don't want to do but know you should do.”
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Joyce Meyer
“Don’t just try to “make it” through the day. Celebrate the day. Say, “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it” (see Psalm 118:24). Don’t dread the day; attack the day. Know what you want to accomplish today and go for it.”
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Joyce Meyer
“Stop worrying about the people who don’t like you and start getting busy finding the ones that do.”
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Joyce Meyer
“The best way to resist the temptation to give up when times are hard is to pray that you won’t give in to the temptation. It’s wiser and more effective to pray and ask for God’s help as you stand against temptation than to try to exert willpower alone. Work with God, and pray you won’t surrender to the temptation to give up.”
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Joyce Meyer
“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you”?
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Joyce Meyer
“Value the unconditional love of God more than the conditional approval of other human beings, and you will overcome rejection.”
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Joyce Meyer
“MAY 10 Light Shines Through Cracked Pots Let not those who wait and hope and look for You, O Lord of hosts, be put to shame through me; let not those who seek and inquire for and require You [as their vital necessity] be brought to confusion and dishonor through me, O God of Israel. PSALM 69:6 Everyone is like a pot that carries life. But not everyone carries a presence that blesses others. Religion tries to force people to follow laws to make them perfect, like pots without cracks. But if a light is put within a flawless pot and then covered, no one is able to see the light inside the pot. Perfect pots are not able to reveal internal light to illumine the way for others. God chooses to shine through imperfect, cracked pots. People are blessed when our cracked pots let the light of Jesus shine through. Choose to be a glory-filled, cracked pot rather than an empty, pretty vessel.”
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Joyce Meyer
“God loves with a great love the man whose heart is bursting with a passion for the IMPOSSIBLE.”
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Joyce Meyer
“Do Not Complain—Be Thankful! Do everything without complaining or arguing. PHILIPPIANS 2:14 NIV One of the reasons the Israelites spent forty years wandering in the wilderness for what should have been an eleven-day journey was because they were complaining. “And the people spoke against God and against Moses, Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, neither is there any water, and we loathe this light (contemptible, unsubstantial) manna” (Numbers 21:5). Do you hear their bad attitude? They believe their discomfort is God’s fault! Or Moses’ fault! And they are complaining about the miraculous manna God sent daily from heaven to feed them! One of the worst parts about complaining is that it prevents us from seeing all the blessings we do have. Do you have a situation or circumstance you want to be free from? Start finding things to be thankful for. Don’t focus on the things you don’t have, but look at all you do have in Christ. Power Thought: I am thankful at all times for everything I have in Christ.”
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Joyce Meyer
“It’s very hard to think negative thoughts about someone you’re taking to the Lord every day. You’ll be amazed at how God will change your heart toward that person; your thoughts and ultimately your actions could very well change the way he behaves.”
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Joyce Meyer
“Romans 8:1 says that, as believers, we can “live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.” One of the ways you can tell if you are following the flesh (your own plan) instead of the Spirit (God’s plan) is that you have no peace and you’re struggling.”
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Joyce Meyer
“Jesus also said, …In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer…For I have overcome the world… (John 16:33).”
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Joyce Meyer