God works through people

One morning I was having my quiet time alone with God, and I said to the Lord, "God, how can You stand being seeing all the pain, starving children, human trafficking, genocide, injustice, degradation, poverty, in the world and not do something?"


I did not say it as a complaint or because I was questioning His integrity, and I do not even know that I was really expecting to get an answer, but I just asked Him. Immediately His answer came back: "I work through people. I am waiting for My people to arise and do something."


You and I are part of an army, the body of Christ, and it is going to take everyone doing their part to change this world. God wants to work through us, and He is calling us to put on love and get to work.


In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul talked about how the churches in Macedonia gave, saying, "But first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us [as His agents] by the will of God [entirely disregarding their personal interests, they gave as much as they possibly could, having put themselves at our disposal to be directed by the will of God]."


That just amazes me, because they did not just give their money, they gave themselves. God is calling us to live the same way. And one person working for the Lord has the ability to make a profound difference! So how will you give yourself to the Lord and be His agent today?


Prayer starter: God, I invite You to work through me. I choose to lay down selfishness and pick up love so that I can be used by You to change the world.

**Joyce Meyer

2 Corinthians 8:5

And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord and then by the will of God also to us.

Complaining is a SIN!

In Ephesians 4:29, the apostle Paul instructs us not to use any foul or polluting language. At one time, I did not realize that this included complaining, but I have since learned that murmuring and complaining pollute our lives.


Plain and simple, complaining is a sin! It causes many people a great deal of problems in their lives and destroys the joy of anyone listening.


We need to ask ourselves, how quick are we to become impatient and begin to complain when stuck in traffic or while waiting in checkout lanes in grocery stores or department stores? How quick are we to spot and point out all the faults of our friends or family members? Do we complain about our job when we should be thanking God that we have one? 


The best antidote for complaining is thanksgiving. Truly thankful people do not complain. They are too busy being grateful for all the good things they have that they have no time to notice the things they could complain about. 


The Bible says that we are to enter God's courts with praise and thanksgiving. You and I need to make it a daily goal to live a life of thanksgiving. Let us be as positive and grateful as possible.


Try going to bed at night pondering everything you have to be thankful for. Let it be the first thing you do in the morning. Thank God for "little" things or things you might normally take for granted: a parking place, waking up in time for work, a meal, your family... Do not get discouraged when you fail, but do not throw in the towel and quit either. Keep at it until you have developed new habits and you are living with an attitude of gratitude.


Be generous with your gratitude. It will sweeten your relationship with the Lord.


Prayer starter: God, I want to live with an attitude of gratitude, starting right now! I thank You so much for loving me and for blessing me. Help me see the positive things in life and to thank You for them.

**Joyce Meyer

Psalm 100:4

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Pray persistently

About twenty years ago,  this next sentence changed my life: "You do not have because you do not ask God." This short verse opened a door for me to discover the life-changing power of persistent prayer.


At that time in m life, I was stressed out about a lot of different things. I was trying to make my ministry grow, trying to make my husband do this or that, trying to male my kids act a certain way, trying to make other people do the things I wanted, trying to basically do absolutely everything on my own. As you can probably guess, it was not working!


As a burned-out, frustrated young Christian, I realized one day that living in my own strength was useless. I needed to take my problems to God. In other words, I needed to pray more!


When we understand God's love for us and His plan for us, then we can begin to realize the doors that He wants to open for us. But we will only realize these things when we are constantly talking with Him, listening to his voice, and growing deeper in our relationship with Him.


In Matthew 7:7 (AMP), Jesus tells us, "Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you."


So many times, when we reach the end of our rope, we turn to prayer, but when our prayer are not instantly answered, we give up. Today, I want to encourage you to not only pray, but to pray persistently. Do not stress out trying to make things happen on your own. Give it all to God as you pray.


Remember, He promises that when we seek Him, we will find Him. Let us pray and seek Him with all our hearts.


Prayer starter: God, remind me to bring my problems to You. I am tired of living in my own strength. I need Your guidance and Your direction. As I seek You daily, I will put my trust in You.

**Joyce Meyer

James 4:2

You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

Letting God's love overcome past hurt

Early in our marriage, Dave and I had some rough years, and a lot of it was because I needed God to heal me from my past of being abused sexually, emotionally and verbally by my dad. Through a lot of tears and difficult moments of choosing to forgive instead of getting revenge, God brought me through, and He has also used my testimony to bring healing to the lives of others. When God heals you of past hurt, He not only wants to help you, but He also wants your experience to be a gateway through which others can experience the same healing.


Eventually, I came to point where God led me and Dave to move my parents to St. Louis and even buy them a home, which was very difficult for me. But my dad ended up apologizing to me for all he had done and even received Christ into his life. I experienced a whole new level of emotional health because I let God heal me through the power of forgiveness, and allowed Him to use my restoration to help heal my dad.


You know, we can all hurt in a lot of different ways. Loneliness, disappointment, rejection, fear and insecurity all have the ability to hurt us deeply. I could not move beyond the hurt from my past until I received and experienced the love of God and allowed Him to turn it all around.


Before you can move beyond your pain and learn to love and forgive others, you have to experience God's love.


When dealing with your past, remember that God loves you deeply. The Bible says that we are only complete when we experience the love of Christ, which is so great you could  never fully understand it. As you receive His love, healing will begin in your heart and you will be made complete with the fullness of His life.


Prayer starter: Lord, I believe You can help me overcome the hurt and pain of my past and use my healing to help others. Help me to experience the love of Christ and make me complete with all the fullness of Your life and power.

**Joyce Meyer

Ephesians 3:19

and to know this love that surpasses knowledges - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Change the way you think

Have you ever heard the saying "a mind is a terrible thing to waste"? Our minds have so much capacity for good, to learn, create, think and grow, and it is a tragedy when we do not use them to their highest potential.


There was a time in my life when I allowed too many damaging thoughts to enter my mind, negative, tormenting, guilty, unforgiving , shameful and accusing thoughts. The problem was that I had no idea I could control my thoughts or choose which thoughts I focused on and believed in.


I did not realize that if I was thinking something that was not true, I had the power to stop. No one ever told me I could win in my mind. Has anyone ever told you? If not, then I am here today to tell you that you do not have to let your thoughts control you. You can choose to think and focus on God-thoughts!


Romans 12:2 says to "let God transform you, by changing the way you think." God wants to help you win the battle in your mind. But what does that look like on a practical level?


Here is what has worked countless times for me and what I know will work for you too: The next time you are wrestling in your mind, I want you to stop and find something specific that you can thank God for. Tell him how grateful you are for His goodness and all the rich ways He has blessed your life. As you are diligent to do this, you will see your life begin to change and things will get better and better.


It is my hope and prayer that you will know the power God has given you and that every day in your thoughts, you will walk in the fullness of His love for you!


Prayer starter: God, I want to experience Your power in my thought life. I choose to focus on Your goodness and Your love for me. No matter what negative thought comes my way, I know that You are so much bigger and better.

**Joyce Meyer

Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed  by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Be a mouthpiece for God!

If you can grasp an understanding of the power of the words you speak, it may just change the course of your life! Your mouth is a powerful tool, either for God or for the enemy. In other words, you can either speak positive, uplifting, encouraging things into existence in you life or produce negative, gloomy and discouraging things.


Now, I do not believe any of us want to be a mouthpiece for the devil. But the fact is, the mouth can be used for blessing or destruction, not only in our lives, but also in the lives of others. I have seen it in my own life. there was a time when pretty much everything I said was negative.


But the Holy Spirit taught me how to use the creative power of the Word of God. I learned how to speak to the mountains rather than about the mountains in my life. What I mean is, I learned to apply the truth of His Word to my circumstances, and over times, I began to see positive and lasting results.


The mouth is like a pen and your heart is like a tablet. When you say something over and over, it gets on the inside of you and becomes you. It is not something you have to try to do anymore, it is who you are.


I would much rather be a mouthpiece for God than the enemy. I want to speak His truth and enjoy my life.


First Peter 3:10 says, "Let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days...keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile." Do you want to enjoy life? Then use your mouth to speak the things of God into your life!


Prayer starter: Lord, I know that my mouth is a powerful tool that can be used for You or for the enemy. I submit my mouth to You. Show me how to speak Your truth into my life and into the lives of others.

**Joyce Meyer

1 Peter 3:10

For, "whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.

Faith to see yourself through God's eyes

Whatever you are facing in life, or whatever is coming in your future, God has already given you the faith for it. It may not look like it, and you may not feel like you have what it takes to overcome, but faith in God is not based on our circumstances or how we feel.


The enemy would like for you to believe that you do not have a chance in life, that you are too weak, too poor, too whatever. But God has a different view of you. God sees you through the eyes of love. He sees not what you can be, but what He has invested in you, not what you or others may see.


Seeing yourself the way God sees you leads to a life of overwhelming victory.


But it takes faith. You can not just hear that God loves you and sees you as His child, you have to believe it. It takes faith to move forward and overcome the challenges of life. And faith does you no good if you do not know how to release it. You have to release your faith in order for it to work.


We release faith through our words, actions and, of course, through prayer. It is up to us to act.


First John 4:4 is a scripture we quote a lot, and almost anytime I say this verse in a church or meeting, everybody claps and cheers. But how many people really believe that "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world?"


The truth is, the One in you is greater and He loves you. So stretch your faith today and see yourself the way God sees you. It does not matter what enemy wants you to see or how things might look. Our faith overcomes through the One who lives in us!


Prayer starter: God, I believe that You love me and that you have given me the power to overcome. As you child, I will act on the faith You have given me every day, trusting in You and overcoming any obstacle that comes my way.

**Joyce Meyer

1 John 4:4

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Living a life of blessing

I believe that one of the greatest opportunities we have as Christians is to make a profound difference in the lives of others. Throughout my life of ministry, God has given me the opportunity to help many people who need guidance. 


But I do not believe this is a special opportunity that God made just for me. Everyone, you included, has the ability to influence someone. When you take the time to reach out to others and invest in someone's life, you are impacting the world...yours and theirs.


Galatians 6:10 tells us to "be mindful to be a blessing" to everyone God brings across our path. We are called to be a blessing and build up others in their faith, to not be afraid to reach out and to speak the truth in love.


I do not believe God want us to be more spectators in life. He wants us to be people who really love others and care enough to be willing to pour into their lives. We need to build up others in Jesus' name so they can grow and reach even more people.


Whether you know it or not, someone is watching and looking up to you. People are influenced by the way you live and they need to see God's love in your everyday actions.


At times we will make mistakes, and when we do we can thank God for His forgiveness, but we also have to realize that many times we may be the only evidence of God some people see.


Prayer starter: God, every day there is another opportunity that You have given me to reach out, bless and influence someone else with Your love. I want to live a life of blessing towards others, showing them what it means to live a God-focused life.

**Joyce Meyer

Galatians 6:10 

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Finding the fun

Want to hear a funny story? I have got a lot of them, and they come from things that happened in my ordinary, everyday life. Now, I was not laughing when those stories were in the making, but I am glad I can laugh about them now.

For example, I did not think it was funny when I could not get my hair to stay in place, but if you could seen what I did about it, you certainly would have laughed. It was not amusing when I tried to make clothes, especially for the people who had to wear them. And I was so irritated when Dave threw paper towels over the grocery store aisle at me, but I realize now, he just knew how to have a little fun no matter what he was doing. I am glad I have learned to look at times like these and see the humor in them.

Now I know that not everything in life is necessarily enjoyable, but I think we all need to learn to have more fun in our lives. And I bet if you took time to think about it every day, you could find a moment that brought you joy or you can laugh about now.

God wants His children to have some fun. The Bible says a merry heart does good like medicine. I think we all need a healthy dose of laughter everyday - many times during the day. You just can not overdose on joy!

I encourage you to deliberately look for something to smile or laugh about every day, and be sure to share a smile or a laugh with someone else and brighten their day too!

Prayer starter: Lord, Your Word says that a cheerful heart is like good medicine. Thank You for helping me to find the joy and fun in life!

**Joyce Meyer

Proverbs 17:22

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

《裸婚》

《裸婚》-- 芥末


裸婚的大意是无房无车无存款无婚戒，不办婚礼，直接登记结婚的一种方式。
然而芥末则用裸婚这两个字呈现了另一种意思 :
“我要扒光婚姻所有的光怀和彩色外衣，让它赤裸裸暴露在世人面前。”


到最后，芥末也找到了她的幸福，体验到自然而然寻找的爱情，从新让自己有恋爱的渴望。


幸不幸福由自己决定，一当决定了，就没有后悔的权力。正如芥末在后记说：“重新选择，无非是变换的经历；而任何经历也不过都是些台阶。”也许人生就在于不断地学习，就算真能从新来过，又岂能100八仙肯定已痛改前非、吸取教训，绝对不会再走上冤枉路？

Throwing fear outdoors

I want to talk to you about a four-letter word: FEAR!


Many of us can probably remember when we were kids, if we said a bad word, our mama threatened to wash our mouth out with soap. Well, if "fear" is a dirty, four-letter word, then faith in God's love is the soap!


I am not talking about wimpy faith. I am talking about a powerful faith in God's unconditional, unlimited, unwavering, perfect love for us. 


First John 4:18 teaches that understanding God's love for us will deliver us from our fears. Now this does not mean we would not ever feel fear, but faith in God and His love will enable us to 'do it afraid' if we have to.


God wants you to know that He is with you. He will lead and guide you, so you can put your confidence and faith in Him!


Remember, His love is perfect, even when we are not. He is not going to love us any more or less because of our mistakes. Isn't it good to know that God loves you right where you are? Doesn't that thought just kind of boost your faith and take your fear down a notch?


You and I are going to feel afraid now and then. When we do, we can get our focus back on God and know that He will lead us through any situation we face.


It is the perfect love of God, not perfect us, that casts out fear every single time.


Prayer starter: God, only Your love can cast out my fear, so I put my faith in You. I know that Your presence is with me and that You will lead me through my fearful situation I face. I receive Your love.

**Joyce Meyer

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

The importance of finishing

Several years ago I read a verse that caused me to weep before the Lord. In John 17:4, Jesus says, "I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do." This is saying that following God means finishing what He has called us to do.


Ever since reading that verse, it is become very important to me that I not just do what God has called me to do, but that I finish what He has called me to do.


There are a lot of people who step out and begin a journey with God, but I don not think there are nearly as many who finish it.


The apostle Paul said, '...If only I may finish my course with joy...' (Acts 20:24)


I am determined to finish God's call for me and enjoy every minute of it! That is what I want for you, too, to enjoy every single day of your life and finish what God has called you to do.


But most of this is up to us. It is not all up to God. He has done His part and given us everything we need in Christ. It is up to us to keep learning, growing, and letting the Spirit of God work in us. Take time to consider the things that God has called you to do and ask yourself, "What am I doing today to finish strong what God has set before me?"


God has great plans for you. Receive them by faith and go after them with all your heart. Today, I want you to make a commitment to finish strong. It is a commitment I know God will honor.


Prayer starter: God, like Jesus, I want to be able to say that I have completed the work You have for me. Thank you for working in me to give me the power and the desire to live for Your pleasure and finish my course with joy!

**Joyce Meyer

John 17:4

I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.

Free to be relentless

Relentlessly pursuing God is not necessarily easy, but it is definitely worth it. However, you can't really pursue God until you have first experienced real freedom.


God is in the business of setting us free, and it is glorious to be free from guilt, condemnation, and always wondering what people are thinking of us.


We are set free from the concern of failing when we know who we are in Christ. This brings us the courage to be able to step out and pursue God's promises.


One of the greatest freedoms God has given me is the freedom to be me. For years I tried to be something I was not, feeling like I needed to be like this or like that, all the while knowing I was not like everyone else. Yet, I kept trying to be like others until I learned through my relationship with God who He created me to be. This also set me free from me, so I can focus on Jesus and reaching out to others the way He wants me to.


Philippians 3 says Paul was determined, or relentless, to have the things that Christ Jesus died for, to know Him and the power of His resurrection. I believe when we are born again, there is a spirit of determination that rises within us. We can call it Holy Spirit passion or zeal, and it is what gives us the 'oomph' we need during hard times to say, 'I will not give up on having an intimate, passionate, deep, personal relationship with God. I will not give up on being all that Christ wants me to be.'


Be relentless to stay in faith and receive God's promises. Remember, you belong to Him and He has given you a relentless spirit!


Prayer starter: God, I want to live a new life, relentlessly pursuing You and Your promises. I trust You to help me become all You created me to be and experience true freedom.

**Joyce Meyer

Philippians 3:10

I want to know Christ-yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death

When it is OK to say "no"

In Numbers 11, Moses gives us an example of what we can do when we are under stress. Talk about pressure, he was leading the Israelites through the wilderness on what should have been an eleven-day trip and instead ended up taking forty years!


The people were depressed and weeping over their situation. In verse 14, Moses tells God, "I am not able to carry all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me."


Like Moses, it is okay for us to say, "I have reached my limit." Yes, scripture says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13 NKJV), but that is really referring to times when we face various trials and situations that God will help us through.


It does not mean we should take on so many responsibilities that we completely burn out, like the woman who is raising five kids, works full-time, serves on the church board, etc.


Sometimes, it is all just too much...and it is okay to admit that. It is also okay to say "no" to some things so you can really enjoy life the way God intended.


Here is a newsflash: You and I do not have to be like everyone else or keep up with anyone else. God created some people to handle large amounts of works, but many people are not made this way.


Each of us needs to be who God created us to be, and we do not have to apologize for it. we each need to individually find the balance of responsibility god has established for us to live in so we can enjoy our life, instead of making ourselves sick with an overload of stress and pressure.


When you reach your limit, go to God, just like Moses did. He will help you find a saner, healthier lifestyle.


Prayer starter: God, sometimes it is hard for me to slow down and say no to more responsibility. Help me to live with the balance of responsibility You created for me, so I can live with Your peace and enjoy life.

**Joyce Meyer

Numbers 11:12

Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors?

女儿和媳妇的分别

女儿和媳妇有差别？女儿到最后岂不也是别人的媳妇？


我觉得我这个做女儿的，跟妈妈的媳妇比起来，真的是懒惰到极点 :P
媳妇能随传随到，我呢能拖则拖。
媳妇能任劳任怨，我呢尽管撒娇。
媳妇能全时间帮忙，我呢似乎视而不见。


也许女儿不是懒惰，而是。。。
家始终是温暖的，有妈妈动，女儿就懒得动了。
再怎么说，总有妈妈在善后，从不担心做错了。
撒多几次娇，就似乎可以要风得风，要雨得雨。
再说，就显得我好像很不孝了。


也许结婚是成长的踏脚石，
从调皮变乖巧；从玩世到顾家；
媳妇到最后也变妈妈了啊！

A sustainable life

Are you living a sustainable life? Maybe you have caught yourself saying things like, "I can't do this much longer. I just can't keep this up forever." When you make comments like these, what you are really saying is, "I know i have limits and that I have reached them, but I am going to ignore them and see how long I can get by with it."


Our body gives us warnings when we are pushing too hard, like an ache here or a pain there. But we think, "I will be alright," and we ignore the warnings until we are too sick to ignore them.


I am not proud of this, but for the first twenty years of my ministry, I felt physically terrible a lot of time. I ran to doctors and tried all kinds of pills and vitamins. The doctors tried to tell me that I was simply pushing myself too hard, but I ignored them. I kept pushing myself to do all the travelling, speaking engagements, meetings, and so on, simply exhausting myself.


Finally, I realized that we can't ignore God's direction to take time to rest and not pay a price for it. So I made some changes and now I feel better than I ever have.


If you are living an unsustainable life, stop putting off making the changes you need to make. Do not wait until something happens, like a nervous breakdown or a heart problem. Make changes now to live the kind of life God wants you to live. When you live  God's way, I can guarantee you will discover an overwhelming new level of peace in your life.


Prayer starter: Lord, show me the unsustainable areas of my life. I submit them to You. Lead me into Your rest and peace today, so that I can enjoy my life and serve You for years to come. 

**Joyce Meyer

Psalm 23:2

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.

Boundaries have a purpose!

Exercising self-control and self-discipline, and establishing boundaries and borders in our life are some of the most important things we can do. A life that has no discipline is one that is filled with carelessness.


The word of God establishes the necessary boundaries to keep us in God's safety zone. It tells us what we can do, and what we better not do, to be safe.


As Christians we can think it is kind of exciting to live life on the edge. We like the image of "Yeah! That is me! Living on the edge!" It is become a popular way if looking at life. But to be honest, God does not want us living on the edge, because if we are living on the edge, then we have no margin for error.


Highways have lines, one on each side and one in the center. These lines provide margins for our safety while we are driving. If we go over the line on one side, we will go into the ditch. If we cross over the line in the middle, we could get killed. We like those lines because they help keep us safe. 


It is like that in our personal lives, too. When we have boundaries, borders, and margins, we feel much better and experience God's peace. 


The key is to go to God's word, where He has laid out all the boundaries we need to live by. Let God direct your path every day.


Prayer starter: God, I recognize the need for boundaries in my life. As I read Your Word, show me how to apply Your healthy boundaries in my life today.

**Joyce Meyer

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.

What do we do

In the world we live in, we are going to have all kinds of problems, frustrations, and difficulties. That is just life. So knowing this, what do we do?


We must remain steadfast and preserve. In other words, the answer is never give up! No matter what is going on in our lives, the victory is in refusing to quit. 


Keep in mind that in the heat of our struggles, the Holy Spirit is probably doing His greatest work within us. He is not moved by the circumstances. If you and I really trust Him, we should not be either! He is not in our lives for good times only, but for the difficult times as well.


He will lead is through anything if we will just hang in there and follow Him. This means being diligent in prayer, relentless in our resolve, unwavering in faith, and determined to stand firmly on God's Word and His promised to us.


So many times we can be sidetracked by how slowly things seem to be going. In fact, the enemy loves to point that out! But remember, that is when God may be doing some of His greatest work. You see, it is not all about you and me. The Lord's work in us is preparation for the work He wants to do through us!


I know life can be hard sometimes. But I also know that God will help us if we remain steadfast. Let us stand on Galatians 6:9:" So let us not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we do not give up".


So let me ask that question again: What do we do? My answer is, never give up! What is your answer?


Prayer starter: God, I believe that You are at work in my life, even during difficult times. I choose today to remain steadfast and to never give up in obedience to You.

**Joyce Meyer

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Jesus is our example

Love is something that can be seen. It is seen in the fruit of the Spirit working in our lives, in our behavior and how we treat people. Love has many facets, or different ways we can see it. For example, when a diamond ring is held up to the light, it can sparkle in various ways depending on which way it is turned in the light. I believe love also sparkles in different ways depending on how we look at it.


1 Corinthians 13:4-7 gives us examples of the many facets of love:


Love endures long, it has the ability to put up with stuff for a long time.
Love is never envious, it does not want what it does not have.
Love is not boastful or vainglorious, it does not call attention to itself.
Love is not conceited or rude. Love does not insist on its own way.
Love pays no attention to a suffered wrong.
Love never gives up!


These are just a few ways we are supposed to love others...and it is also the way God loves us. First John 4:8 says that "God is love." He loves us and has saved us, so now we can share His love with others.


To imitate God, we have to look at Jesus, a perfect representation of God who loved out all of the descriptions of love in 1Corinthians 13. He always acted in love in every situation, even when people came against Him. 


Colossians 3:12-14 says to "clothe yourselves therefore, as God's own chosen ones....And [put on] love".... Like Jesus, let us clothe ourselves in love and choose to follow His example, bringing honor and glory to God.


Prayer starter: God, You have shown me what love is like by loving me first. Help me to follow the example of Jesus and live out all the facets of love in my day-to-day life.

**Joyce Meyer

1 John 4:8

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Relying on God

I believe every time we feel frustration, it means we have really stopped relying on God. That might sound like a bold statement to you, but think about it: God has given you and me Holy Spirit and His grace to help us walk through anything that comes our way. Frustration hits when we stop depending on him and try to make something happen our own way.

Understanding this really helped me. Every time I became frustrated, I reminded myself that what I was really doing was trying to take the place of the Holy Spirit. I was trying to be Holy Spirit Junior!

Do you struggle with an independent spirit? When you refuse to depend on God, in essence, you are saying, "Okay, God, I appreciate that You are around, but watch me do this." Depending on God for everything may be difficult, but it is the key to the victory we need every single day of our lives.

When God saved us, He did not help us and then say, "Okay, that us it. You are on your own now!" he is eternally saved us, which means if we depend on Him, He will guide us and help us.

Galatians 5:16 urges us to "walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit...then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh"...Notice that it does not say "conquer the flesh independently...then you will certainly not gratify the desires of the flesh." No, it says to live in the Holy Spirit.

Choose to stop living independently, and rely on Holt Spirit. I promise you would not regret it!

Prayer starter: God, You are all I need. Help me not to trust in myself, but to put my trust in You and to rely only on You.

**Joyce Meyer

Galatians 5:16

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Grace, God's power freely given

If you have been in the world very long, you have learned that there are very few days that go exactly the way we would like them to go. Thankfully, God is never going to put us in a situation without giving us the ability to be in it with joy.


I believe God gives us His special grace for every situation. Here is how I like to define grace: God's power to help us do whatever it is we need to do. You can have that power today, but you have to receive it, and the only way to receive it is by faith. Romans 12:3 says that "God has allotted to each a measure of faith."


Ask yourself today, "What am I doing with my faith?" Are you putting your faith in yourself, or in others, or in your circumstances? That is not living in grace, that is just living by your own strength and works. And it would not get the job done!


But when you release your faith and trust God to do what you can't do, you are putting your faith in Him. Then grace, God's power, will come through the channel of faith and will enable you to do things that will amaze you and others. 


Here is my longer definition of grace: It is God's power coming to us freely, meaning it does not cost us anything other than just putting our faith in God, enabling us to do with ease what we could never do in our own with any amount of struggle or effort. 


Put your faith in God. He wants to give you His grace today.


Prayer starter: God, I know that life would not always go the way I want it to, but I trust in You. By faith, I receive Your grace, the power You have freely given to help me walk through any situation I face today. 

**Joyce Meyer

Romans 12:3

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

Love in action

As Christians, we are called to show others love. Jesus told His disciples, "By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves]" (John 13:35)


So many people see love as 'just a feeling,' but it is so much more than that. True love shows itself through action.


And this action does not have to be impossible and overwhelming. One of the best ways to show the love of Jesus is through simple, everyday action, 
-like giving a small gift to someone or striking up a conservation with a downcast individual who needs a friend.
-or giving a bag of groceries to the single mom who lives down the street and is struggling to put food on the table.
-showing love can even be as simple as smiling and saying hello to a person you pass on the street, in the hall, or at the store.


There are many ways to demonstrate the love of Christ. When you show His love to someone else, it can soften that person's heart, and before you know it, they will be finding ways to reach out and show love to others, and so on ans so on. So celebrate God's love and let Him lead you. Is He putting someone on your heart right now?


I want my love for Jesus to be reflected in the way I show love for others, even those who may be difficult to love. If I can soften one hard heart with the love of God, maybe that person will soften another's heart with love, then that one will reach out to others, and so on and so on...And soon we will have a love revolution!


Prayer stater: God, I want my love for You to be reflected in the way I show love for others. Show me ways to demonstrate love to anyone and everyone that you bring across my path.

**written by Joyce Meyer

John 13:35

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Oh yes you can!

We all face temptation, it is an unavoidable part of life. The question is not, "Will you be tempted?" The question is, "When you are tempted, will you be ready?"


I really want you to get this: You can beat temptation. Stop saying, 'Joyce, I just do not think I can.' Take 'I can't!' out of your vocabulary.


In your own strength and by your own ability, you are right. You can't. But when you put God's Word in your heart, when you lean on His strength and trust in His promises, there is no temptation you can't overcome.


Over the years, I have noticed five things that make all the difference in overcoming temptation. First, you have got to be wise. Think about the choices you are making and the consequences before you make them. Wisdom looks ahead.


Next, you have to believe that you can resist temptation. Condemnation, guilt and shame work off of momentum, if you stop them early, they lose their power, but once they got rolling, they are hard to stop. 


Third, think of facing temptation as normal life. If you are expecting a fight, you will always be ready.


Fourth, avoid areas of weakness. Do not put yourself in situations where you can easily fall. If you struggle with managing your money, do not go to the mall when you can't afford to buy anything!


And finally, do not give yourself too much credit. We do not graduate from being tempted. It is so easy to think you have matured beyond stumbling, and once that happens, you make yourself an easy target. 


God wants you to trust Him to bring victory in every area of your life. By His grace, you can!


Prayer starter: God I realize temptation is a part of life. Help me not to be caught off guard or surprised when it comes. Thank You for the wisdom and grace to overcome any and all temptations and to live in Your victory. 

**written by Joyce Meyer

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 

And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. 

But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Jump start your dreams

What is the dream that God's placed in your heart? I am not asking if you have one, I already know it is there because God gives all of us dreams.


I have seen people do all kinds of things to their dreams. Some people bury them so deep in their hearts in order to protect them from the criticism of others. Some people set them out of sight so they do not have to think about them anymore. And some people finally just give up on their dreams because it hurts too much to hold on.


If your dream needs a jump-start, there are two things I want you to remember. First, you need to get a vision that is clear. And second, you must keep your vision in front of you at all times.


But having a vision does not mean that it will instantly appear. God is as interested in the process of vision as He is in the end result.


The apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:11-13 that he had learned how to be content and satisfied to the point where he was not disturbed by whatever state he was in. In other words, he never allowed himself to get upset where he was at the moment, he was always looking forward to where he could be.


That means you, like Paul, need to find a balance between contentment and ambition. Here is the key: learn to enjoy where you are on the way to where you are going.


When you have a dream or a vision, you have to keep it in front of you. If it helps, write it down. And remember, God will help you live the dream He has given to you, step-by-step, one day at a time.


Prayer starter: Jesus, even though I do not always feel like it and life tries to get me to quit, I believe You have a great plan for my life. I choose to trust You to help me live the dream You have given me more than I trust my circumstances.

**written by Joyce Meyer

Proverbs 29:18

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; 

but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction.

How to experience His presence in your everyday life?

Life is busy and filled with distractions. It is so easy to get caught up in our cares, errands and worries that we lose sight of what matters most.


There is an interesting little story at the end of Luke chapter two about when Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem for Passover when He was twelve years old. After the festival was over, they left to go home, supposing He was with them.


I wonder how many times we suppose God is with us when we have wandered off to do our own thing?


Now here is the interesting part. Mary and Joseph had traveled a day's journey before they realized Jesus was not them and then it took 3 days to find Him. Three days! The massage here is that it is easier to lose that special presence of God than it is to get back once we have lost it.


We need to be careful to remain in the presence of God. When we do, we make God feel at home in our hearts.


This simply starts with being obedient to His word. A commitment to turn from behaviour that offends God is the number one sign of spiritual maturity. It shows you care about what He thinks.


That means you choose to be generous towards others, you learn to forgive, let go of your offenses and live in peace. When we choose to be intentional with our words, giving thanks to God and lifting up others, we will feel connected to God all throughout the day.


Prayer starter: Father, thank you for making Your home in my heart. I need Your presence today, Lord. Help me to honor You with my thoughts and my words and to be a blessing to those around me.

**written by Joyce Meyer.

John 14:23

Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." 

这个世界怎么了？

日历才刚刚换上新衣服不久，诗巫就发生了惨局。这场凶杀案连80岁的老婆婆和小孩子都不放过。不管事情背后的真相是什么，都想问一句这个世界到底怎么了？


这个世界的惨局可以说是一档接着一档，人心似乎真的慢慢都被钱财和势力侵蚀了。一直以来都相信，爱能改变世界。


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新的一年开始，心中没有太多的感慨。也许心里住的那位小孩已经长大了，以往的那份疯狂似乎慢慢淡稀了；心中多了一份责任；厚了一层执着；更是对家多了一个锁头。那份责任，执着，挂念我不在乎，但对于那渐渐失去的热心与关怀别人的心，我自惭，感觉好对不起朋友们。


以往，我都不会放过朋友的生日，一过12点一定送上祝福。但自从出国以来，这份“工作”也跟着收工了，就因为不喜欢在fb上留言（太多人作一样的事了）。


新的一年，我要找回我的那份斗志，那份热心，更要改掉三分钟热度的态度。

忘掉背后，努力面前！