Joyce Meyer Daily Devotion James 5:12

Today's devotion speaks to me! 

Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. (James 5:12 NIV)

Be Decisive! 

Indecision is a miserable state to be in and certainly is not a fruit of the simple life. The apostle James said the double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. 

Never making a decision because you're afraid you'll make the wrong one will get you nowhere. How much time do you think we waste when we can't make up our minds? 

We often labor over the choices before us when we just need to make a decision and let it stand. This may be a simple example, but think about it: When you stand in front of your closet in the morning looking at all your clothes, just choose something and put it on. Don't go back and forth until you make yourself late for work! 

Let me encourage you to start making decisions without second-guessing yourself or worrying about the choices you make. Don't be double-minded or wishy-washy because doubting your decisions after you make them will steal the enjoyment from everything you do. Make the best decisions you can and trust God with the results. 

Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, thank You for showing me that indecision doesn't really get me anywhere. Help me to let my "yes" be "yes," and my "no" be "no." I know I can't go wrong when I make decisions the best I can and simply trust You with the results.

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Joyce Meyer Daily Devotion; Ephesians 4:23 NIV

to be made new in the attitude of your minds; (Ephesians 4:23 NIV)

Experience a New Beginning 

The Bible is filled with stories about people who experienced new beginnings. Moses became a leader after being a shepherd for 40 years. Paul hated Christ until God renewed him and made him the greatest apostle of all time. 

When we receive Jesus as our Savior, it is the ultimate new beginning. We become new creatures with an opportunity to learn a new way of living. But the first step to experiencing that new life is believing that it's available to you. 

Ephesians 4:23 says we must be constantly renewed in our minds and attitudes. It's easy to read about great people in the Bible and think that you are nothing like them, but when you start to think that, you need to renew your mind right away. 

Choose to think according to God's Word, not how you feel. Receive His love and experience a new beginning. Life will become so much sweeter if you live with an attitude that says "God is completely changing me from the inside out. He's giving me a new beginning and there are greater things ahead." 

Prayer Starter: Lord, I renew my mind in You. I know that You have a new beginning and a calling for me just like you did for Moses and Paul. I receive it today, believing that You can bring it to pass.

Joyce Meyer Daily Devotion, 2 Corinthians 10:3

I loved today's devotion! Some days are just bad days for me, someone disappoints me, annoyed by my job, things may not always go my way and then I find myself in a bad mood. When I'm in a bad mood I try to list all the things I'm grateful for and it usually helps but I often remember to do this hours later lol. So when I read today's devotional I thought this is perfect! Next time I'm in a bad mood I will refer to this devotion! Please enjoy!

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. (2 Corinthians 10:3 NIV)

Your Three Best Weapons 

Through careful strategy and cunning deceit, Satan attempts to wage war against you and keep you in a mindset of defeat. But God has given you spiritual weapons to use against him. Here are the main three spiritual weapons you can use to fight off the enemy: 

1. God's Word: Receive it through preaching, teaching, reading and private Bible study. Continue in the Word until it becomes revelation given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 

2. Praise: This defeats the devil faster and more efficiently than any other battle plan, but it must be genuine heart-praise, not just lip service or a religious ritual. 

3. Prayer: Prayer is relationship with the Godhead. It is communication with God, asking Him for help or talking with Him about whatever is on your heart. To have an effective prayer life, we must develop an intimate, personal relationship with the Father. Know that He loves you and that He wants to help you. 

There is a war going on, but God is fighting on your side and has given you the weapons you need. Use them to send Satan running! 

Prayer Starter: Lord, thank You so much for giving me the spiritual weapons I need to fight my enemy. With Your help, I know that I can win the battle today!

-Joyce Meyer