TOPIC: God’s Strength in You
May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. – Ephesians 3:16 (AMPC)
When we are strong inwardly—in our determination, thoughts, and attitudes—as well as strong in our faith, we can do whatever we need to do in life. I pray about this almost daily for my family and me. Don’t just “try” to be strong, but instead go to God for your strength, knowing that He can enable you to do all things through Him.
When the Holy Spirit is on the inside, His strength will show up on the outside.
Try saying this out loud every day: I am filled with God’s strength, and I can do whatever I need to do with joy!
Prayer Starter: Father God, because You live in my heart, I believe I can do anything today, with Your help. In Jesus’ name, amen.
QUESTION OF THE DAY
HOW DO I ACT LIKE A CHRISTIAN WHEN SOMEONE IS BEING MEAN AND HURTFUL?
As Christians, I believe one of the greatest dangers is to think it’s okay to act like everyone else does. It’s so easy to rationalize, Well, you hurt me, so I’m going to do it to you!
But that’s not God’s way. He asks us to do what’s right even when it’s not easy. For instance, will we choose to say good things about others and not gossip? Will we use integrity with our time at work? Do we keep our word when we say we will do something? Will we truly forgive those who hurt us?
When someone hurts us, that’s when it’s time to pray, “Holy Spirit, help me. I know they hurt me, and right now this is really difficult. But help me to do the right thing.”
It’s important to remember that when we do things God’s way, He will reward us. I want to share a couple encouraging Scriptures with you. First, Galatians 6:9 (AMPC) says:
And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.
There will be times in our lives when we feel like nothing is happening, like our obedience to God isn’t making a difference. But all throughout His Word, the Lord assures us that we will reap what we sow—it’s only a matter of time! God sees every little thing you do for Him, and it all counts.
In fact, Matthew Chapter 6 encourages us that God sees our actions even when no one else does. Jesus says, …your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you (Matthew 6:6 NIV).
Maybe someone has hurt you, and you’re still holding a grudge when you know the right thing to do is to forgive them. (Trust me, I know what it takes to press past what I feel like doing and choose to forgive someone who’s hurt me.)
Or maybe you’ve wronged someone else and, in your heart, you know it’s time to humble yourself and ask for their forgiveness. Whatever the case may be, the greatest advice I can give you is to obey God’s Word.
Following the leading of the Holy Spirit and doing the right thing may not always seem convenient, and it’s not always easy, but it’s most definitely worth it!
Because when you do what’s right because it’s right, you honor God. And the Bible says when you honor God, He will honor you. (see 1 Samuel 2:30)
Joyce Meyer Devotional 17 April 2021 Saturday Message – Joyce Meyer is an American Charismatic Christian author and speaker and president of Joyce Meyer Ministries. Joyce and her husband Dave have four grown children
