Choose to be Changed

This Devotion is used with permission from Joyce Meyer's book, Starting Your Day Right.

But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. (1 Corinthians 2:16Close1 Corinthians 2:16 For,"Who can know the LORD's thoughts?  Who knows enough to teach him?"*But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) )

Do you get mad every time somebody tries to correct you, or tell you what to do, because you always have to be right? If you answered yes, I am sure that you are not a happy person. You cannot change others, but you can allow God to change you so that things don't bother you anymore.

With Jesus Christ as your Savior, you can learn how to live a different way. You can have peace. You can sleep well at night. You can like yourself. You can restore relationships that have been ruined. Your mind can be renewed to be like Jesus', if you read His Word and ask Him to help you live the abundant life He came to give you (see John 10:10CloseJohn 10:10 The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

Trust God

But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits. ">(Psalms 5:11ClosePsalms 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;  let them sing joyful praises forever.Spread your protection over them,  that all who love your name may be filled with joy. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) )

Many wounded people don't know how to get what they really need, so they wallow in self-pity. God once told me, "Joyce, you can be pitiful or powerful, but you can't be both."

Taking our eyes off of ourselves enables us to look to God. This positions us to trust Him to meet every need in our lives. God knows exactly what we need, and He promises to provide it through His abundant grace and mercy.

Ask Him to fill you with His power today, and trust Him as Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord our Provider (see Genesis 22:14CloseGenesis 22:14 Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means "the LORD will provide"). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) KJV).

Wait for God's Justice

Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah). ">(Colossians 3:24CloseColossians 3:24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.* OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) )

God has brought a great reward in my life in recompense for the abuse that I suffered in my earlier days. Now I have a wonderful life. God blesses me. He does things for me. He opens doors of opportunity for me. He makes me happy. He gives me joy.

When you really trust God, He will bring justice into your life. In Isaiah 61:7CloseIsaiah 61:7 Instead of shame and dishonor,  you will enjoy a double share of honor.You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land,  and everlasting joy will be yours. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) the Lord says, "For your former shame I will give you a double reward" (paraphrased). If someone has mistreated you, rejected you, abused you, or abandoned you, hold on to that promise. You have many blessings ahead of you. Trust God with your future, and enjoy your day as you wait for God's justice.

© Joyce Meyer. Used with permission.