From the book, "New Day, New You." by Joyce Meyer

"Years ago, out of my selfish, self-centered lifestyle, I began to cry out to God, "What is wrong?" God showed me how selfish I was. The truth changed my heart. Now I just want to help people. It's the reason I write, travel, and speak. I don't do things to impress people; I just want to please God.

If we can forget about our little aches and pains, our little personal trials and tribulations; if we can get ourselves off of our own minds and go find somebody else to help, our lives are going to get better. This is an marvelous discovery."

I have a chronic illness. Because of this, I think about myself a lot. I feel sorry for myself sometimes, even though I know many people are worse off than me. I think about my physical limitations, instead of rejoicing in what I can do. I feel useless, even though I am not - my family needs me. Selfishness. Yes, I know about that.
I pray God will help me to think of him and others more than myself. I pray he will use me to help people.

Simple Prayer

This is an excerpt from Joyce Meyer's book, "The Power of Simple Prayer."

Prayer is so much easier than many people think. In fact, Charles Spurgeon, who had a very sophisticated mind, said succinctly: "When we pray, the simpler our prayers are, the better." God hears the simplest, faintest cry and receives the most childlike requests. I have raised four children, and as of this writing, I have eight grandchildren - and I can tell you that one thing children are not is complicated. Children have no trouble letting you know what they want, running into your arms when they are afraid, or giving you a big generous kiss, sometimes for no apparent reason. They need to be encouraged to do things that are hard, but they will gladly do almost anything that is easy. They are not sophisticated enough to hide their hearts or feelings very well, and as a result, communicating with them can be easy and refreshing.

That's the way God wants us to be when we talk to him. We need to approach God with childlike simplicity and faith. Just as children are naturally inclined to trust their parents completely, we also need to be guileless, pure and free from doubt as we trust God. When we pray with simple childlike faith, we can experience God's miracle-working power and see things change."

Christine is Doing Well.

I just thought I would continue on yesterdays blog. Christine was in a lot of pain at first, but today she is much better. She can talk and eat soft food. I even went out and got her some baby food. She isn't allowed to chew for a whole month because they had to chip some of her jaw bone out.

Well, I thank God for his kindess in helping us through this. There were no complications, for which we are all grateful. Thank you Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

I Will Comfort You

"As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you." Isaiah 66:13


My daughter, Christine, had surgery on her wisdom teeth today. She has been worried and afraid about it for weeks. I was worried too, because she has had problems with other surgeries, and also because I knew she would be in a lot of pain afterwards.

I've been praying for her all the while, but last night I could feel my stomach go in knots about it. I felt a little panic well up inside. But immediately I felt God's Spirit say, "It's alright, don't worry." I just relaxed and felt better.

I'm so thankful for God's comfort and strength in times of need. I know he wasn't telling me that she would have no pain or troubles, but that he was here with us, with my family. Thank you God.

The surgery went well, they had to cut into her jaw bone and she is in pain of course, but I know God will help her.

Forget the Past.

"Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward." Philippians 3:13

This is an excerpt from the book, "New Day, New You," by Joyce Meyer.

I spent many years hating myself for each of my failures. I desperately wanted to be a good Christian. I wanted to please God. But I still thought it was my perfect performance that would please him. I had not yet learned that he was pleased with my faith.

If you made a mistake twenty years ago or ten minutes ago, there is still nothing you can do about it except ask for forgiveness, receive it, forget the past, and go on. There may be some restitution you can make to an individual you hurt; and if that is the case, by all means do so. But the bottom line is that you still must let go of the past in order to grasp the future. Until you do so, you will not enjoy life the way god intended when he sent Jesus.

What to Rejoice About

Here are some things the Bible tells us to rejoice in.

Rejoice in your work, family and food.
Rejoice in God's blessings.
Rejoice in every good thing.
Rejoice in salvation.
Rejoice in God.
Rejoice in the shadow of his wings.
Rejoice in God's word.
Rejoice in your wife (or husband). Rejoice in the Second Coming.
Rejoice in good government.
Rejoice in Jerusalem.
Rejoice in the birth of Christ.


Rejoice your name is written in heaven.
Rejoice when the lost are found.
Rejoice in hope.
Rejoice with those who rejoice.
Rejoice when Christ is proclaimed.

Paul said, "Even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your raith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all." Phillipians 2:17

Jesus: "For the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

Rejoice Always? Yes.

"Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10


Awhile ago I said I was going to try to rejoice in the Lord even when I felt upset or depressed. I have been doing that each day and I can testify that this has made my life calm and serene. I rejoice because of who God is, and because "my name is written in heaven."

Joyce Meyer says to, "Think on purpose." We shouldn't let our thoughts control us. If they are sad thoughts or bad thoughts, we can give them to God, quote some scriptures and go on with your day not dwelling on negative ideas.

A few days ago someone hurt my feelings. I talked with God about it and told him how I felt, then I told him I would not dwell on it but leave it with him. I realized that God is my best friend; even if other friends hurt me, he would not. He would always be there for me and he is all I need.

Whereas before I would have felt sad for a long time, it was only a few minutes this time. In fact, I felt happy for I felt God understood and was helping me.

We cannot rejoice over bad things that happen, but we can rejoice in the Lord. For the joy of the Lord is our strength.