Exactly what I needed to hear

Exceedingly, Abundantly, Above and Beyond

by Joyce Meyer - posted October 12, 2014

God . . . is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]. 
—Ephesians 3:20

When I pray about or simply meditate on all the people who are hurting, I have a strong desire to help them all. I sometimes feel that my desire is bigger than my ability, and it is—but it is not bigger than God's ability! When the thing we are facing in our lives or ministries looms so big in our eyes that our mind goes "tilt," we need to think in the spirit.

In the natural, many things are impossible. But in the supernatural, spiritual realm, with God nothing is impossible. God wants us to believe for great things, make big plans, and expect Him to do things so great it leaves us with our mouths hanging open in awe. James 4:2 tells us we have not because we ask not! We can be bold in our asking.

Sometimes in my meetings people will approach the altar for prayer and sheepishly ask if they can request two things. I tell them they can ask God for all they want to, as long as they trust Him to do it His way, in His timing. It is untold what people can do—people who don't appear to be able to do anything.

God does not usually call people who are capable. If He did, He would not get the glory. He frequently chooses those who, in the natural, feel as if they are in completely over their heads but who are ready to stand up on the inside and take bold steps of faith as they get direction from God. We usually want to wait until we "feel ready" before we step out, but if we feel ready then we tend to lean on ourselves instead of on God.

Know your weaknesses and know God—know His strength and faithfulness. Above all else, don't be a quitter.

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From the book New Day, New You by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2006 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Mommy Pampering

Where would we be without our kids?

Yesterday on our trip to the grocery store, I decided to stop by a nearby salon and get my eyebrows waxed, which were desperately overdue. I took Paytin with me while Mike finished checking out at the store with Brayden. Paytin sat on top of my legs while I laid down and the beautician did her thing. If you've never had waxing narrated play by play from a 3 year old, let me tell you, you are missing out. I had such a hard time not laughing the entire time with her comments and questions. What are you doing to Mommy? What is that? Mommy does it hurt? Is she making you pretty? Will that stay there? What are you doing to Mommy? And then she asked about 5 times what the other people who were clearly speaking in another language were saying. Hilarious.

Then I met up with the guys at the car and was doing my best to explain it to Brayden. I said its kind of like getting duct tape stuck to your face to get rid of your extra hairs. It's something girls sometimes do to make themselves feel more pretty. He thought for a second, probably not wanting to get in trouble or hurt my feelings, and said, but Mom, you don't look more pretty with your face all red like that.

One day I'll get my eyebrows waxed all by myself and I'll wish they had gotten to come with me :)

Potential

This is again something that speaks to my heart. It's so easy to look at the things we cant change right now and look at those as excuses for not starting one some of the things we want to change! I am so guilty of that; I'm pregnant so I cant get my body back to the way I want it; I'm in a rental house so I can't do the DIY/Home Improvement projects that I want, etc. Those might not be the best examples, but I love the visual I got of this, of the pouring the concrete but having to have something to pour it in too. We all have excuses, and places we wish we were at in our lives or our hearts and aren't quite there yet, we all have situations and circumstances in our lives that we can't change but that doesn't mean we can't live up to our potential in Christ!

Develop Your Potential

by Joyce Meyer - posted August 08, 2014

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.
— Ecclesiastes 9:10
Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language defines potential as “existing in possibility, not in act.” Potential cannot manifest without form. Like concrete it must have something to be poured into, something to give it shape and make it useful. To develop potential properly you must have a plan and pray over that plan, you must have a purpose, and you must be doing something.
Many people are unhappy because they aren’t doing anything to develop their potential. In fact, many of them never develop their potential because they don’t do anything except complain that they’re not doing anything!
If you want to see your potential developed to its fullness, don’t wait until everything is perfect. Do something now. Start laying your hand to whatever is in front of you. You cannot start at the finish line. You must start at the beginning like everybody else.

Lovies

Two memories I want to make sure I keep when this time in our lives and these ages of the kids are long gone:

Brayden: You love to do the whole "I love you more" thing with me, and its so sweet when you do it, as well as your "one more kiss, one more hug" before bedtime or when I leave for work. Everyone just about melts into a pool of butter too because you affectionately call Paytin "Baby" all the time, and you have for quite awhile, in fact you rarely ever use her name unless your mad at her or trying to get her attention! I hope you still call her that when we have the new baby, but I treasure everytime I hear you say it because I know it wont last forever!

Paytin: You love to tell us that you love us "SO MUCH" and you love to yell it, jump up and down when you exclaim it, and occasionally throw your arms out to your sides as far as they can reach just to let us know the magnitude of your feelings. It's the sweetest thing ever. And you love to tell Dad, Bray, and I that we are your "best friends". Not sure where you came up with that, but we each are told that multiple times a day by you. I hope we always remain your best friends, but no, that doesnt mean I'm afraid to be your enemy during the times you dont love my correction and discipline.

When I think of my shortcomings as a mom, and they are many, I'm so grateful for these glimpses into your hearts that are full of love. I love you more, I love you SO MUCH, and you two are two of my very best friends.

Joyce Meyer Devotional again

If you will turn (repent) and give heed to my reproof, behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit upon you, I will make my words known to you. (Proverbs 1:23)

We need to pray and obey God’s leading when He speaks to us. Obedience is not to be an occasional event for us; it is to be our way of life. There’s a big difference between people who are willing to obey God daily and those who are willing to obey only to get out of trouble. God certainly shows people how to get out of trouble, but He bestows abundant blessings on those who decide to live wholeheartedly for Him and who make obedience to Him their lifestyle. The only pathway to true peace is obedience to God.

Many people obey God in the big issues, but they aren’t aware that obedience in the little things makes a difference in His plan for their lives. The Bible says plainly that if we are not faithful in the little things, we will never be made rulers over much (see Luke 19:17). There is no reason for God to trust us with a major responsibility if we are not going to be faithful to do the little things He has asked us to do.

I strongly urge you to be obedient to God even in the smallest of things. A sixteenth-century monk called Brother Lawrence was well known for walking continually in the presence of God. He said that he was pleased to pick up a piece of straw from the ground in obedience to God and because he loved Him.

In the verse for today, God says He will make known His words to us if we listen to Him when He corrects us. If we follow His guidance and are pleased to do each little thing He asks of us, then He will open His wisdom to us, and we will have more revelation than we could ever imagine.

God’s word for you today: If you are faithful in little things, God will make you ruler over greater things.

MercyMe - Greater

My happy song today! Hope it blesses your day too!

Felt you move today!

Little Babe #3,

It was itty bitty, a tiny little movement but I could easily tell it wasn't just my stomach or whatever. Since I'm getting WAY bigger with you WAY faster, I guess it doesnt surprise you that I would feel you WAY earlier than your brother and sister! Oh, and Dad and I picked your name out already too! I guess now we just have to wait the long next 26-28 weeks to find out if you are a boy or a girl!

Love, Mommy