40 Things

The word of God

Does for You
BY JOYCE MEYER
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© 2017, 2018 Joyce Meyer Ministries

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ISBN 978-1-942854-56-2

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 40 Things
The word of God
Does for you
 INTRODUCTION

People regularly ask me questions like, “Joyce, what’s the secret

to having a great life?” or “What should I do to be successful in
my job or ministry?”

I think many times people are looking for me to give them some
deep, elaborate answer they’ve never heard before. However,
it’s really very simple. If we want to have a great life—a life of
freedom that we truly enjoy—it all begins with reading and
studying God’s Word.

I certainly study God’s Word because I love Him and want to

have a strong relationship with Him. However, I believe if we
know there’s a reward at the end of our efforts, it encourages
us to keep going!

Hebrews 11:6 says that God rewards those who [earnestly

and diligently] seek Him. I can tell you from experience that
studying and obeying God’s Word will bring many rewards into
your life.

In fact, I recently sat down to make a list of some of the

things that God’s Word does for us, and I quickly reached 40!
Although there are certainly more, I think this list gives us a
pretty good idea of just how amazing His Word really is.

The truth is, taking the time to read and study God’s Word is
one of the greatest investments we’ll ever make. The Bible is
our handbook for living—it has all of the answers to living a

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peaceful, successful and enjoyable life. God uses His Word to
teach us, correct us, change us...and help us fulfill our destiny
here on earth.

Now, it’s not what we do right once or twice that changes our
lives, but it’s what we do consistently. God’s Word isn’t just
something we “try”—it’s a commitment we make, knowing it
will produce life-changing results if we stick with it.

When we regularly spend time studying God’s Word and then

do what it says to do (over and over again), we are sowing seeds
that will reap a harvest in every single area of our lives.

For instance, if you plant a peach seed, then take time to water
and nurture it properly, it will produce a tree that yields an
abundant harvest of peaches. In the same way, when we allow
God to plant His Word in our hearts, there is the potential
for a huge harvest. But it’s up to us to nurture that seed by
continuing to study and meditate on His Word. As we do, every-
thing in our lives will continue to get better and better!

There’s no way to accurately describe just how big of a mess my

life was before the Lord began changing me through His Word. I
had so many problems that I didn’t even know where to begin!
But little by little, as I continued in God’s Word, He transformed
me from the inside out and healed me from past hurts and
wounds. And He will do the same for you.

I’m so excited to share this book with you. It began as a list that
I posted online at joycemeyer.org for everyone to reference.
But I believe these promises about God’s Word are so life-
changing that I wanted to take this opportunity to elaborate on
each one of them.

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 As you begin, I challenge you to take your time and allow these
40 separate promises about God’s Word to really sink in. Look up
scriptures that speak to your heart and even do some research
on your own. As you do, I think you’ll be surprised at what you’ll
find...at just how far-reaching and all-encompassing His Word
really is.

As you read, I pray the Lord will give you a new excitement for
His Word and help you to understand in greater ways than ever
before the life and power it contains to transform every single
part of your life. God bless you!

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 - NO. 1-
God’s Word renews our minds.
ROMANS 12:2

I used to be one of the most negative, critical, judgmental and

suspicious people I knew. I was definitely a “glass-half-empty”
type of person! But what I didn’t know was that my negative
thoughts were poisoning every area of my life and stealing my
peace, joy and fulfillment.

You see, it all begins with our thoughts. We can only truly change
and become more like Christ as we renew our minds with God’s
Word. Our thoughts are the forerunners for our words, our atti-
tudes and our decisions—they even affect our relationships and
how we see ourselves and other people.

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus offers us a new way

of living; however, a new way of thinking will always precede this
new way of living. Look with me at Romans 12:2. It has been one
of the most important scriptures of my life. It says:

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its super-
ficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively
changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind
[focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may
prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good
and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

God has a good, acceptable and perfect plan for you and me, and
the way we can experience it is not to think like the world thinks,
but to be changed entirely by learning to renew our mind and
think the way God thinks.

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 Hebrews 4:12 says that God’s Word is living and active and full of
power. The Bible isn’t just another “good book”—it contains the
power of God to change the way we think, the way we act, and
how we live our lives.

Today, I can honestly say that I’m a very positive person. And
it all began with reading and meditating on God’s Word...with
replacing my thoughts with His thoughts.

I encourage you to do the same. Decide to commit some time

each day to reading and studying God’s Word—even if you begin
with just 10 minutes. If you’re struggling in a particular area, then
look up scriptures that specifically address that issue.

For instance, if you’re feeling insecure or insignificant, or having

a hard time receiving God’s unconditional love (which is pretty
much all of us at one time or another!), spend time reading and
thinking about scriptures like Jeremiah 1:5 (AMPC), which says:

Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you

[as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated
and set you apart.…

Then take it one step further. Throughout the day, when you
notice yourself thinking the same old neg­ative things, choose to
replace those thoughts with truth from God’s Word. When the
enemy tries to convince you that you’re unlovable, remind him
of what God says about you.

Say: “I am a child of God and I am fearfully and wonderfully

made. He loves me and cares about every single detail of
my life. Before I was ever born, He approved of me. He has
a great plan for my life!” (See Psalm 139; Romans 8:38-39;
Jeremiah 1:5, 29:11.)

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Wherever you are today—regardless of how negative you may be
or how far you have to go—I have great news for you: God’s Word
can change you. It won’t happen overnight, but as you take time
to read, study, meditate and even speak His Word, it will slowly
but surely get deep down inside of you...and begin to transform
every single area of your life.

- NO. 2-
God’s Word comforts and consoles us.
PSALM 119:50

No one can comfort us like God can. In fact, the Bible says He
is “the God of all comfort” (see 2 Corinthians 1:3). This means
when we’re discouraged, disappointed, grieving, or dealing
with a painful situation of any kind, we can run to His Word for
strength, healing and support.

Yes, the Lord will often use others to comfort us. But even those
people who are extremely close to us cannot give us everything
we need all the time. On so many occasions—more times than
I can count—I’ve run to God’s Word for help and comfort when
things seemed to be falling apart around me.

I take time to read scriptures like the following, allowing them

to sink in and encourage me right where I am:

...For He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you
nor give you up nor leave you without support…[Assuredly not!]
(Hebrews 13:5 AMPC).

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 ‘For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you,’ says the
Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give
you a future and a hope’ (Jeremiah 29:11).

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am

your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up
with my victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10 NLT).

I love Psalm 3:3 (ESV), which says, But you, O Lord, are a shield
about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

When you’re down, discouraged or going through something it

seems no one else can understand, there’s One Person Who
always understands...and He desires to “lift” you up and breathe
hope and new life into your mind, will, emotions and spirit.

- NO. 3-
God’s Word divides soul and spirit.
HEBREWS 4:12

Hebrews 4:12 says, The word of God is living and active and
full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective].
It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far
as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a
person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of
our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and inten-
tions of the heart.

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Did you know each one of us is a tri-part being? We each have
a body, a soul and a spirit. Our soul is made up of our mind,
our will and our emotions—it tells us what we think, how we feel,
and what we want.

Before we develop a relationship with God, our body and soul

primarily take charge, and we basically do what we feel like doing.
Sure, not everything we naturally want or desire is wrong, but if
we’re always led by our soul and body, it will get us into trouble!

However, as we read and study God’s Word, we become strong

in spirit. His Word exposes “the very thoughts and intentions
of the heart,” and we begin to recognize the difference between
right and wrong. We soon have a stronger desire to do what
God wants more than what we want.

God’s Word has the ability to “divide soul and spirit.” It helps us
understand the difference between what is us (our own thoughts,
feelings and desires) and what is God.

- NO. 4-
God’s Word brings direction
and shows us what to do.
PSALM 119:133

I often tell people that if they want to hear God’s voice, they
need to commit to being a student of God’s Word. Why?
Because God uses His Word as the primary way to speak to us.

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 It is filled with His wisdom, instruction and commands—it is full
of information about His will for our lives.

The Bible is full of truths, stories and parables to instruct us in

every area—our behavior, our relationships with God and others,
how to grow spiritually, how to discern right from wrong, ways
to fulfill God’s calling for our lives, and so much more.

The truth is, there are a lot of “voices” we can listen to in life.
And while it’s great to receive counsel and good advice from
other people, we ultimately need to know what God has to say.
I can’t tell you how many times the Lord has used His Word to
give me direction about my life or even simply speak a word of
encouragement at just the right time.

I believe some of the greatest advice I can give you is to take

regular time to read and study God’s Word. Pray and ask the
Lord to help you understand what you are reading—ask Him to
speak to you and give you revelation about His will for your life.

As you do, I can promise you one thing for certain: You will
begin to hear from God in a greater way than ever before.
Because His Word is life, and it contains the answers to every
situation you will ever face.

- NO. 5-
Jesus is the Word.
JOHN 1:1; JOHN 1:14; REVELATION 19:13

The world has a lot of different opinions about the Bible. Some
think it’s simply a collection of historical stories. Others find

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it inspiring and recommend it as “good reading.” But it’s so
much more.

Look with me at John 1:1. It says, In the beginning [before all

time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God Himself. Later, in verse 14, it goes on to say,
And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and
we [actually] saw His glory....

Wow! God’s Word is so much more than just a good book—it is

Jesus Himself. And when we spend time reading and studying the
Bible, we are spending time with Him. That’s why we can come to
His Word for peace, joy, healing, instruction, direction, encour-
agement and restoration.

I delight in hearing people tell me about their experiences.

Many people, especially new Christians who have just begun
studying the Bible, often say, “Joyce, when I’m reading, I
sometimes feel like the words are jumping off the page—I feel
like God is speaking directly to me and my situation.” That’s
because God’s Word is alive! (See Hebrews 4:12.)

The Bible is the most precious book in the world, and we should
value it more highly than anything else we own. Because every
single thing we need is found in God’s Word, and it’s truly the
one thing we can’t live without.

I want you to try something: For the next week or so, when you sit
down to read God’s Word, first take a few moments to think about
the scriptures above...that Jesus is “the Word made flesh.” Remind
yourself that the Bible isn’t just a book, but it is God Himself.

As you do, I believe you’ll notice a change in your desires and

expectations. Because the Word of God is alive, and it has
the power to change you every single time.

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 - NO. 6-
God’s Word strengthens us.
PSALM 119:28

In Psalm 119:28, King David says, My soul dissolves because of

grief; renew and strengthen me according to [the promises of]
Your word.

Just like we go to a filling station when our car runs out of gas,
I often view my time in God’s Word like stopping at a “Holy
Ghost filling station.” When life has worn me down and sapped
my strength, I can go to His Word to get “filled up” again.

You see, God’s Word renews our minds and brings us peace
(see Romans 12:2). When we reflect on His promises and the
good plans He has for us, it literally revives our spirit and fills
us with hope and expectation.

God’s Word also strengthens us to keep going, not give up, and
not give in to temptation. The truth is, we need God’s strength
just to do what’s right. I wake up some days and don’t really feel
like being very nice. But after spending time in the Word, the
Lord gives me the strength and desire to walk in love and treat
people properly.

Isaiah 40:31 has been one of the most important scriptures of

my life. It says, Those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look
for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their
power.... The busier my schedule gets and the more I have to
do, the more time I need to spend with God—reading His Word,
talking to Him in prayer, or just sitting quietly in His presence.

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You were never meant to do it alone. When you’re tired, weary
or worn-out, take some time to refresh and recharge yourself
with God’s Word. As you do, He will meet you where you are...
and give you the strength you need to handle anything that
comes your way.

- NO. 7-
God’s Word melts hardness in our hearts.
PSALM 147:18

As a child, I was sexually abused by my father for years. As a

result, I was filled with bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness,
and I developed a tough, icy exterior to protect myself. I thought,
I don’t care anymore—I don’t need people. Nobody’s going to tell
me what to do again.

This naturally showed up in my marriage and the way I treated

my husband, Dave. I was disrespectful, rebellious and hard to
get along with to say the least. However, as I made a commit-
ment to spending time in God’s Word, the Lord used it to slowly
soften my hard heart.

You see, when life’s experiences leave us bitter, cold and hard-
hearted, Psalm 147:18 says, He sends out His word and melts
the ice....

Now, it didn’t happen overnight—it’s a process. God used His

Word to gradually change me and help me receive His uncondi-

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 tional love. I eventually began to see other people the way God
sees them...with love, mercy and compassion.

Ezekiel 36:26 contains a wonderful promise. The Lord says, A new

heart I will give you and a new spirit will I put within you, and
I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and give you
a heart of flesh (AMPC).

No matter how hard-hearted we are—and regardless of what

has happened in our past to make us that way—God is able to
change us. His Word is the ultimate icebreaker...and He can
soften our hearts and help us to truly love other people.

- NO. 8-
God’s Word abiding in our hearts makes
us victorious over the wicked one.
1 JOHN 2:14

The Bible says that our enemy, Satan, is “a liar and the father
of lies” (see John 8:44). He attempts to bombard our minds with
negative thoughts of suspicion, doubt and fear, trying to get
us to believe things that aren’t true. However, when we fill our
hearts and minds with God’s Word, it helps us differentiate the
truth from the lies.

For instance, because I had a rough start in life, I had an

extremely low self-image. The enemy would come at me with
thoughts like, You’re damaged goods—you’ll never amount to
anything. Unfortunately, I believed this for many years.

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However, when I began to learn what God’s Word had to say,
it slowly began to change my self-image. So, when Satan told
me things like, “You’re worthless—God doesn’t love you,” I was
able to recognize his lies. The Bible says I am special to God,
He approves of me, and nothing can ever separate me from
His love (see Romans 8:39; Jeremiah 1:5; Zechariah 2:8).

I encourage you to read Luke chapter 4, which contains the

account of Jesus being tempted by Satan in the wilderness.
With every temptation, Jesus answers Satan with, “It is
written!” and then speaks out the Word of God.

Like Jesus, we need to know God’s Word and allow it to sink

deep into our hearts. Then, when the enemy tries to spread
his lies, we can open our mouths and defeat him with the Truth.

- NO. 9-
The Word heals and delivers us.
PSALM 107:20

Psalm 107:20 (AMPC) says, He sends forth His word and heals
them and rescues them from the pit and destruction.

I think so many people are living in some version of “a pit”—

whether it’s a pit of depression, emotional pain, bad relation-
ships, sickness, past regrets, difficult circumstances or anything
else. There’s no light or life in a pit; it’s just a dark, depressed
area. It’s where people get stuck and feel hopeless.

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 However, God’s Word can lift us out of the pits of life and set our
feet on solid ground! His Word heals us and delivers us. Anytime
we hear, read, study or meditate on God’s Word, it can only
benefit us and do good.

Psalm 107:20 has always been one of the key scriptures for
Joyce Meyer Ministries. I can still remember over 25 years ago
hanging an enormous banner across one of our main office walls
with this scripture on it.

It was a constant reminder that wherever we are in life...whatever

“pit” we may find ourselves in...God’s Word is able to pull us out,
dust us off, and make everything better than it was before.

Are you in need of being rescued from “the pit”—mentally,

emotionally, physically or spiritually? If so, it’s time to open
up your Bible and let God throw you a lifeline.

- NO. 10 -
The Word protects us.
PSALM 18:30

Whether we realize it or not, we all fight “battles” at different

times in our lives. We can battle things like sickness and disease,
financial issues, or long-standing problems that seem to never
go away. We can even battle other people who come against
us and make life difficult.

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We also have a spiritual enemy, Satan, who will do everything in his
power to prevent us from walking in God’s good plan for our lives.

The good news is God gives us weapons to fight and overcome

the enemy. Psalm 18:30 (AMPC) says that God is a shield to all
those who take refuge and put their trust in Him.

I love this—God is our protective shield. Just picture going into

battle with a gigantic shield that covers you on the front, sides and
even behind you. This is the type of protection the Lord provides!
Our part is to simply “take refuge and put our trust in Him.”

All throughout the Bible, we are encouraged to run to God for

security. Psalm 91:1 says, He who dwells in the secret place of
the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow
of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand] (AMPC).

The “secret place” is God’s presence. As we spend time with

Him in prayer, in worship, reading His Word, or simply sitting
quietly in His presence, we enter a place of spiritual protection.

I often encourage people to “fight like a Christian.” What does

this mean? It means when trouble strikes or someone comes
against us, we don’t have to handle it the world’s way—instead,
we handle it God’s way. We can trust Him to help us as we
continue to walk in love and do what’s right.

I’m so glad that I don’t have to fight my battles alone. When

other people come against me or I’m facing circumstances
that seem way too big to handle, I can run to God and trust
Him to fight on my behalf...and keep me in His perfect place
of protection.

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 - NO. 11 -
God’s Word has the power to create.
GENESIS 1

We read in Genesis chapter 1 how the Lord literally spoke the

world, the stars and everything we see into existence. He said,
“Let there be light,” and it appeared!

Now, I think it’s relatively easy for people to believe that God’s
Word is powerful. However, I want you to consider this: We
are God’s representatives here on earth, and we can speak His
Word just the same as He would—boldly, with authority, and
believing it has power to change our lives and circumstances.

Romans 4:17 tells us that God gives life to the dead and calls
into being that which does not exist. God is The Creator, and
His Word has the power to create something from nothing and
even bring dead things back to life. Isaiah 55:11 says that His
Word never fails but always accomplishes its purpose.

What would you like to see come to pass in your life? Are there
some “dead” things—issues that seem hopeless and beyond
help—that need to be revived? If so, I encourage you to begin
declaring God’s Word over your life.

Maybe you’ve suffered from some disappointments and it feels

like your dreams have died and will never come to pass. That’s
when you need to open your mouth and say things like:

“God has a great plan for my future—plans to bring me hope.

I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me, and if
I keep moving forward and don’t quit, I will reap a harvest in
my life” (see Jeremiah 29:11; Philippians 4:4; Galatians 6:9).
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Simply put, God’s Word has the power to create. And when we
speak His words out of our mouths, we are cooperating with Him
to bring about His good plan for our lives (see Hebrews 4:12).

- NO. 12 -
The Word brings stability,
fruitfulness and fulfillment.
PSALM 1:3

Psalm 1:3 provides some pretty amazing promises for the person
who delights in God’s Word and chooses to meditate on it
regularly. It says:

He will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of

water, which yields its fruit in its season; its leaf does not wither;
and in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity].

I think it’s fascinating to look at large, healthy trees that have

been around for years. They have thick, full branches with a
massive underground root system that spreads both deep and
wide. When a storm comes, although the branches may sway,
its foundation stands strong and immovable.

Similarly, as we spend time growing in the Word, we become

like one of these strong, healthy trees. We become “rooted and
grounded” in God (see Ephesians 3:17), and our spiritual roots
grow deep and wide.

You see, God never intended for us to constantly get blown

over by the storms of life. Yes, we will all go through unpleasant
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 circumstances from time to time. But if we’re rooted in God’s
Word, our “branches” may sway in the wind, but our foundation
will remain solid.

With God, we can go through our tough times with peace and
joy and actually come out stronger on the other side!

His Word is also the key to bearing good fruit in our lives. When
we continue to study and do what His Word says, it causes
everything to blossom—our work, our gifts and talents, our rela-
tionships, our walk with God...everything.

I have lived both ways. I have lived without a foundation, easily

blown over by the smallest storm, and I have also enjoyed life
firmly planted in God’s Word. And there is no comparison.

I believe it’s your time to bloom. God’s plan is for you to be

strong and stable. He desires for you to enjoy a rich, full life,
bearing fruit and enjoying growth in every season.

- NO. 13 -
God’s Word destroys mental strongholds
(lies) and teaches us the truth.
2 CORINTHIANS 10:4-5

For years, I believed so many things that weren’t true, and they
created a mess in my life. I didn’t know I had an enemy, Satan,
who wants to bring all kinds of negative thoughts to my mind.

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I didn’t know I have a choice to reject wrong thinking! The truth
is, so many of God’s children are also struggling because they are
believing lies.

Second Corinthians 10:4-5 says, The weapons of our warfare

are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself
against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into
captivity to the obedience of Christ (NKJV).

What is a stronghold? A stronghold is an area where the enemy

entrenches himself and takes control. You have probably heard
this term used when referring to soldiers fighting battles. Well,
the Bible talks about strongholds in our mind. These are areas
of our thinking dominated by the enemy—areas where we are
deceived.

How does he do it? He comes against us by bombarding our

minds with cleverly devised patterns of nagging thoughts that
lead to suspicion, doubt, fear, reasoning and theories that
refute the truth of God’s Word. When these thoughts get
rooted in our minds, then they become strongholds that give
the enemy control.

The good news is that the Word of God is the most powerful
thing on earth, and it will literally transform us from the inside
out and help us to destroy these strongholds in our thinking.

For instance, maybe you’ve walked around for years feeling

vaguely guilty about past mistakes. But here’s the truth:
Whether you feel forgiven or not, God forgives you the very
moment you ask, if you are sincere and your heart is right
before Him (see 1 John 1:9). It requires taking a step of faith
to believe the truth of God’s Word more than your feelings
or what the enemy is telling you.

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 I dealt with this for years, and it helped me to read and meditate
on what the Bible has to say, then even speak it out of my mouth.
To this day, I continue to say things like:

“There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. I

have been made righteous through Jesus Christ. God loves me,
He forgives me, and He has removed my sins as far away as
the east is from the west.” (See Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 5:21;
Psalm 103:12.)

I’ll say this many times in this book, but it’s worth repeating:
God’s Word helps us recognize the truth and expose the lies of
the enemy. And the more we know the Word—the more we read
it, study it and speak it—the greater freedom we will enjoy in
every single area of our lives.

- NO. 14 -
Meditating on the Word brings wisdom,
prosperity and success.
JOSHUA 1:8

In Joshua 1:8, the Lord says, “This Book of the Law shall not
depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on]
it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything]
in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make
your way prosperous, and then you will be successful.”

To meditate means “to dwell on a thought or roll it over and

over in our mind.” When we meditate on God’s Word, we take

24
the time to ponder it and give it our full attention. We pause
to reflect on a specific verse, phrase or passage of Scripture.

I think it’s easy to get caught up in seeing how much we can

read. However, meditating on the Word is more about quality
than quantity. Yes, I believe it’s a good thing to read as much
of the Bible as we can, and specific reading plans can be very
helpful. However, it’s better to get a deeper understanding of
just one verse of Scripture than read five chapters and not
understand anything at all!

My husband, Dave, has always been a great influence on

me when it comes to meditating on the Word. For instance,
I remember a time several years back when he studied and
meditated on Psalm 91 for about a month; he just felt like
the Lord really wanted Him to get something special out
of it.

Well, by the end of that month, God gave Dave an incredible

understanding of His love and protection—He gave him a reve-
lation that would forever change his life!

I challenge you to begin meditating on God’s Word. Practice

taking a little time to just sit and think about a particular
scripture or principle in the Bible. Maybe even write it on a
sticky note and post it on the refrigerator or at your desk so
you’ll see it throughout the day.

One thing’s for sure: The more time you spend thinking and
meditating on God’s Word, the more you’ll get out of it and
truly understand what it means...and the easier it will become
to put these principles into practice. Then you will make
your way prosperous and have success in all that you do
(see Joshua 1:8).

25
 - NO. 15 -
God’s Word upholds, guides, maintains
and propels the universe.
HEBREWS 1:3

I’m particularly fond of Hebrews 1:3. I think we all have days

when we think, Am I strong enough to do this? God, are you
really going to take care of this? During these times, I some-
times ponder this verse and remind myself Who’s holding
everything up:

The Son is the radiance and only expression of the glory of [our
awesome] God...upholding and maintaining and propelling all
things [the entire physical and spiritual universe] by His powerful
word [carrying the universe along to its predetermined goal]....

Wow, I love this! God upholds and maintains and propels all
things. Just think: What keeps the sun and the stars in the sky?
What keeps the earth rotating on its axis? What keeps the
ocean from going further than the sand? It’s Almighty God, and
we can trust Him to hold us up!

If you have a problem right now, and you feel like you’re about
to cave in, begin saying, “God, I trust You to hold me up.” Then
remind yourself that you don’t have to make it on your own...
you have the God of the universe to support you.

I want to look at another important part of this verse. How does

it say God upholds, maintains and propels all things? By “His
powerful Word.” He speaks it!

The great thing about the Word is that we can also speak it over
our lives—we can be a mouthpiece for God and say what He says.
26
For instance, when I wake up in the morning, I begin declaring
good things from His Word over my day. I say things like:

“Everything I lay my hand to today is going to prosper”

(see Deuteronomy 30:9) and “God orders my steps and He has
a great plan for my day!” (See Psalm 37:23; Jeremiah 29:11.)

Remember, God’s Word has inherent life and power, and it

always accomplishes something good (see Isaiah 58:11).

The next time you have the opportunity, take a few moments
to walk outside and look up at the evening sky. Stare at the
stars and just imagine what kind of power and ability it takes
to keep everything in our massive, almost inexhaustible
universe working perfectly.

Then ponder this: If God, through His Word, can do all of this,
He can also hold you up and orchestrate and direct every single
detail of your life.

- NO. 16 -
How blessed and favored by God are
those whose way is blameless [those
with personal integrity, the upright, the
guileless], Who walk in the law [and who
are guided by the precepts and revealed
will] of the Lord.
PSALM 119:1

27
 Let me ask you: Are you ordering your conduct and conversa-
tion...or are you allowing your emotions to order what you say
and do?

I can tell you from experience that we can save ourselves a lot
of trouble by not living out of our emotions—by finding out what
God says to do, then receiving His grace to do it.

I look back now at some of my early years of marriage, and I’m

not quite sure how my husband, Dave, put up with me. I was defi-
nitely driven by my emotions—I complained, I rebelled, I threw
fits and I blamed him for things that weren’t really his fault.

If I felt like getting angry, I got angry. Or if I felt like feeling sorry
for myself, I could spend an entire day moping around the house,
giving Dave the silent treatment.

When we live out of our emotions—when we say and do what-

ever we feel like—it steals our peace and creates problems for
everyone involved. My emotional “fits” never helped the situa-
tion...they only made it worse!

However, as I started to read and study the Word, it showed me

the right way to think, talk and act. I began seeking God for His
grace and strength to do what it says to do and make the neces-
sary changes.

Little by little, He brought me to the place where I desired to

follow His Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit more than I
wanted to follow my emotions. As a result, it brought peace and
stability to my mind, my marriage, and every single area of my life.

Do you want to have a great life? Would you like to improve the
quality of your relationships, have more peace and stability, and
truly enjoy every single day? If so, God’s Word has your answers.
And when you do what it says to do, your life will be truly blessed.
28
 - NO. 17 -
The entrance of God’s Word brings
light and dispels darkness.
PSALM 119:130

Psalm 119:130 says, The unfolding of Your [glorious] words

give light....

I really like this. When we “turn on the light” of God’s Word,

it has the power to dispel any darkness in our soul. It has a
supernatural ability to help wash away disappointment and
discouragement, and breathe new hope and life into our minds
and hearts.

In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the Light of the world.” And in

John 1:14, it says He is “the Word made flesh.” So, when you
open those pages of the Bible, you are fellowshipping with
Jesus Christ Himself—“the Light of the world.” And where
He is, no darkness can stay!

I know a lot of people look at the Bible and get a little over-
whelmed. They think, I’m not smart enough to understand all
of this. But we don’t have to be “smart enough.” If we are dili-
gent to read and study the Word, we can trust the Holy Spirit
to give us “light”...to teach and direct us through God’s Word.

Are you dealing with something difficult right now? Is there an

issue in your life that just doesn’t make sense or is causing you
pain? If so, I encourage you to spend some time in God’s Word
and allow Him to shine His light on the subject. Allow the Holy
Spirit to help and comfort you. Let Him “illuminate” the path in
front of you.

29
 I’ve found that spending time in God’s Word can do more to
teach, strengthen and inspire me than any person could ever
do in a lifetime. That’s because it has the power to get deep
down inside of us and change us from the inside out. It has
the ability to shine God’s light and dispel the darkness.

- NO. 18 -
We are born again (regenerated) by the
ever living and lasting Word of God.
1 PETER 1:23

The Bible is God’s love letter to the world. It proclaims the

message of Jesus Christ and offers the free gift of eternal life
to anyone who chooses to believe.

John 3:16 is probably the most-quoted scripture in the Bible—

and for good reason. It says, “For God so [greatly] loved and
dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only
begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as
Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Here’s more good news: “Whoever” includes you. That means

whoever you are, or whatever you’ve done, you can receive
God’s free gift of salvation.

One thing’s for sure—you’re not alone. We’ve all made mistakes
in the past that have left us feeling unworthy of God’s love and
affection. But the truth is, God loves you so much...no matter
what yesterday looks like. God sent His Son to set you free

30
from every sin in your past, present and future. All you have
to do is believe in Him and receive His unending love.

When you give your life to Christ, you not only receive the
gift of eternal life (see Romans 6:23), all your past mistakes are
washed away (see 2 Corinthians 5:21) and you become a joint
heir with Jesus—God’s one and only Son (see Romans 8:17).
By faith, everything Jesus is suddenly applies to you!

If you want to experience a brand-new life in Christ, simply

pray: “Father, I believe You love me and that Jesus died for
me. Please forgive me of my sins. I’m ready to leave my old
ways behind and start a new life with You. Amen!”

If you’re ready to start your own, personal journey with Jesus or

perhaps want to get to know Him in a deeper way, I encourage
you to visit joycemeyer.org/KnowJesus

- NO. 19 -
God’s Word causes us to delight even
in the midst of trouble and anguish.
PSALM 94:19

Psalm 94:19 says, When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,

Your comforts delight me.

God’s joy is so much greater than any sense of happiness the

world has to offer. In fact, people look in a lot of places to find
comfort and solace when they are hurting. Some look to other

31
 people for all of their comfort. Others may seek entertainment
or other ways to “check out” mentally. Some people even end
up abusing things like alcohol and drugs, stemming from a desire
to make life go away.

While the Lord will most definitely use other people to comfort
us, first and foremost He wants to be our comfort. Psalm 16:11 says,
...In Your presence is fullness of joy.... When we spend time with
God in His Word or through prayer, we enter a powerful place. It’s
a place where He takes away our anxiety, fears and heaviness and
exchanges them with His supernatural peace and joy.

Try this: The next time you feel the heaviness of life creeping
into your thoughts and emotions, take a few minutes to open
God’s Word and allow Him to comfort you. Thank Him for His
goodness and ask Him to refresh you and fill you with His joy.

- NO. 20 -
The Word reduces the capacity to sin.
It strengthens us against temptation.
PSALM 119:11

Psalm 119:11 says, Your word I have treasured and stored in my

heart, that I may not sin against You.

Did you know God’s Word will help you to want to do the right
thing? Before we know the Word, we can sin and really not feel

32
too bad about it. But once we begin studying the Word, doing
the wrong thing makes us very uncomfortable! The Word begins
changing us on the inside, helping us to want to do what’s right.

The Lord also gives us the strength to fight temptation and do

what His Word says. I love Isaiah 41:10. God tells us, “...Do not
look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties...” (AMPC).

When we spend time in the Word, it strengthens our spirit, and

the Lord “hardens” us so we can stand up to the difficulties and
temptations that come our way. He literally gives us the power
to say no to things that aren’t good for us.

Now, the Bible says that temptation will come—we’ll never

fully get away from it until we get to heaven. But God wants
to strengthen us to handle it when it comes. In Matthew 26:41,
Jesus says, “Keep actively watching and praying that you may
not come into temptation....”

I believe if we pray beforehand, we will be strong enough

to resist it. In fact, I’ve recently been aggressively praying
about my weak areas more than ever before. I’ll pray, “God,
strengthen me in these areas before I’m even tempted.”

I encourage you to take a few moments right now. Can you think
of a weak area right now that’s a temptation for you? If so, take
a minute to pray and ask the Lord to strengthen you in that area.

33
 - NO. 21 -
God’s words are life, healing and
health to all who find them.
PROVERBS 4:20-22

Proverbs 4:20-22 says, My son, attend to my words; consent and

submit to my sayings. Let them not depart from your sight; keep
them in the center of your heart. For they are life to those who
find them, healing and health to all their flesh (AMPC).

God never intended for us to limp through life and “just get
by.” These verses tell us that God’s Word brings life, health
and healing to every single area of our lives. He wants to heal
us physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, socially and in
every other way.

I like to say it this way: Jesus wants to heal you everywhere

you hurt! He wants to make you whole, and there’s not one
area beyond His reach.

For instance, maybe you can use some help in your marriage or
relationships. Or maybe you struggle with your self-image and
can use more confidence. Whatever the need, there’s an answer
in God’s Word for every single problem you have.

Let’s take a closer look at these verses. The New Living

Translation says, My child, pay attention to what I say…. To pay
attention means that we look at, read, study, ponder and even
pray about God’s Word...then do it over and over again.

34
But it doesn’t stop there. Next it says, ...consent and submit to
my sayings.... (AMPC). In other words, we shouldn’t just know
God’s Word, but we should also do what it says to do.

Just like we would take an aspirin for a headache or put a

bandage on a scraped knee, we should apply God’s Word
to the “wounded” places in our lives. God’s Word is literally
medicine for our spirit, soul and body.

Whatever your needs are today, I encourage you to research

and study the Word in those areas, then even begin declaring
what God says over your situation. For instance, if you have
sickness in your body, say things like:

“The Lord heals all of my sicknesses. Jesus took away all

sickness and disease, and by His stripes I am healed.”
(See Psalm 103:3; Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:5.)

I am walking proof that God’s Word can heal you in every way
possible. In fact, I often tell people that I feel younger and
healthier today than I did when I was in my thirties! It’s because
His Word breathes life into every part of who we are.

Whatever you’re going through today, remember that God loves

you, He sees what you’re going through, and He wants to heal
you everywhere you hurt.

35
 - NO. 22 -
The Word transforms (changes)
us into God’s image.
2 CORINTHIANS 3:18

Growth and change are a big part of life. In fact, without change
we’ll never truly enjoy our lives and become everything God has
created us to be.

I think one of the greatest lessons God ever taught me is that

we can’t change ourselves—only God can help us grow and
mature. How does He do it? Growth occurs when we spend time
in His Word and pursue a more intimate relationship with Him.

Second Corinthians 3:18 says, And we all, with unveiled face,

continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are
progressively being transformed into His image from [one
degree of] glory to [even more] glory....

God changes us in degrees—from glory to glory. Throughout our

lives, as we stay in His Word, He continues to deal with us and
helps us grow from one level to the next, gradually becoming
more like Him.

Years ago, when I first began studying God’s Word, I needed a

lot of help. But little by little, by God’s grace, I began to change.
The Lord transformed me from being rude, critical, harsh and
rebellious into someone who’s actually very nice!

What types of changes would you like to see in your life? Changes
in your thoughts, words or attitudes? Would you like to be a
better spouse, parent or friend—more loving...more like Jesus?

36
One thing’s for sure: You can’t change yourself—willpower will
only go so far! But God’s Word can. And as you continue to
spend time reading, studying and living His Word, He will
transform you, little by little, into who you need to be.

- NO. 23 -
The Word cleanses and purifies us.
PSALM 119:9; JOHN 15:3; JOHN 17:17; EPHESIANS 5:26

Psalm 119:9 (AMPC) says, How shall a young man cleanse his
way? By taking heed and keeping watch [on himself] according
to Your word [conforming his life to it].

I really love this. David, the psalmist, gives young people some
great advice as they begin their lives and start making important
decisions. He says, “Conform your life to God’s Word!”

And this is a lesson for all of us. God’s Word is a guide—it leads
us, directs us, and keeps us from getting into trouble. Now, it
doesn’t mean we‘ll never encounter any difficulties in life. Jesus
said, “In this world, you will have tribulation.” But He also said,
“Cheer up! For I have overcome the world” (see John 16:33).

When we live our lives according to God’s Word, we put

ourselves on a safe path of blessings and protection. This
means even when things don’t go our way and life gets difficult,
God will be right there to strengthen us, give us peace, help us
out, and even work everything out for our good as we trust Him
(see Romans 8:28).

37
 Psalm 119:9 also promises that God’s Word will “cleanse” us.
I’ll be honest, when I first started studying the Word, I had a
lot to cleanse! I was negative, judgmental, critical, rebellious
and hard to get along with. I had patterns of behavior that, at
the time, seemed impossible to change. But gradually, God’s
Word transformed me. Today, I am by no means perfect, but
I’ve come a long way!

You may think, Joyce, I don’t think I can straighten out this area
of my life. I’ve tried to change before and nothing ever works.

If that’s the case, then I urge you to try one more thing: God’s
Word. Don’t just read it once or twice to see if you’ll get results.
Make an investment of your time and decide to continue in His
Word and never give up. Because no matter who you are or how
much you need to change, there’s no mess that God can’t clean up.

- NO. 24 -
God’s Word gives us hope.
PSALM 119:114

Hope is the confident expectation that something good is going

to happen. It’s closely related to our faith and what we believe.
When we dare to hope, it floods our life with joy and peace.

The enemy wants us to be hope-less. He wants to convince us

that our best days are behind us and nothing will ever turn out
right. But God wants us to be full of hope—believing, expecting
and anticipating great things from Him. In fact, the Bible says

38
 He is the “God of hope,” full of mercy and new beginnings
(see Romans 15:13).

The fastest way to fill your heart with hope is to open God’s
Word and begin reading about His promises, His love, and His
great plan for your future. As you read, ask the Lord to fill your
heart with expectancy and anticipation of the good things He
can do in your life.

One thing I like to regularly do—and I encourage you to do

the same—is speak out this hopeful statement each morning:
“God is good, and something good is going to happen to me
and through me today!”

So, are you stuck in a rut and can’t see a way out? Have you lost
your positive vision for the future? Would you like to rediscover
joy in your everyday life? Then take some time to refresh your-
self with the Word...and allow the “God of hope” to help you see
your future with a whole new perspective.

- NO. 25 -
God’s Word gives us wisdom,
good judgment, right discernment
and knowledge.
PSALM 119:66

Let me ask you: Have you ever made a really bad decision and
had to live with the consequences for a long time? I sure have!

39
 And while the Lord will use these situations to help us learn and
grow, He ultimately desires to give us His wisdom and discern-
ment so we can make great decisions for our lives and avoid
negative consequences.

Psalm 119:66 says, Teach me good judgment, wise and right

discernment, and knowledge, for I have believed (trusted, relied
on, and clung to) Your commandments (AMPC).

Wisdom, for instance, is a gift from the Lord that helps us

discern truth and the right thing to do in a situation. Having
God’s wisdom is different than simply being smart or intelli-
gent. You can be extremely intelligent and still not operate in
wisdom. Wisdom is closely related to common sense. I often
say wisdom is choosing to do today what you will be satisfied
with tomorrow or down the road.

When we read and study God’s Word, we become wise. In many

cases, His Word gives us specific details on how to wisely deal
with a situation. For instance, the book of Proverbs is filled with
practical wisdom for daily life.

In other cases, the Bible may not have a specific, direct answer
to our question—for instance, “Should I buy this car?”—but it
provides wise guidelines to help us make quality decisions in
everything we do.

God also wants to give you discernment. Discernment has

nothing to do with your natural brain—it has to do with what’s in
your heart and your spirit. For instance, maybe someone invites
you to do something really fun, and it seems like the obvious
answer is to say yes; yet, something in your heart keeps saying,
“No, no, no!” The Lord wants to use discernment to guide and
protect you.

40
There have been many times over the years when I didn’t feel
right inside about doing a particular thing and I just couldn’t put
my finger on what it was, but I knew that I needed to follow my
heart. Sometimes, I would find out down the road why God was
preventing me from doing it, and other times I never found out.
But it’s always important to trust God and follow His leading
because He knows more than we do!

I know there are a lot of great books and other tools to help us
with almost every area of life. But there’s only one Book that
has the ability to provide us with God’s wisdom, good judgment,
discernment and knowledge.

- NO. 26 -
The Word of God is truth, and when
we follow it, we are made free.
JOHN 8:32

Jesus says in John 8:31-32, ...If you abide in My word [hold fast
to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are
truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth
will set you free (AMPC).

This is one of my all-time favorite passages of Scripture. In the

early years of my walk with God—when my life was a mess and
I truly couldn’t imagine ever truly being free—I held on tightly
to this promise.

41
 I think an important part of this scripture is the word abide,
which means “to continue.” In this day and age, we are good
at “trying” things for a couple days or a couple weeks to see
if it makes a difference. But God’s Word isn’t something we
“try”—it’s a commitment we make, knowing it will produce life-
changing results if we stick with it.

I’ll never forget a woman I met at one of my conferences a few

years ago. She approached me and said, “Joyce, I’ve listened
to your messages and decided to try it. But after two weeks,
I haven’t noticed any changes.”

Although she was serious, I tried not to laugh! I told this

precious woman what I’m telling you today: It won’t happen
overnight, but if you continue in God’s Word and refuse to
give up on your relationship with God, your life will change.

Jesus says in Mark 4:24: ...The measure [of thought and study]
you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue
and knowledge] that comes back to you...(AMPC).
you... I really love
this because it’s so practical. Here, Jesus is saying, “You will
get out of it what you put into it!”

When you read or listen to the Word, I encourage you to

approach it with an attitude that says, “I’m going to do what
God says to do.” Because when you approach His Word with
a willing heart, you will receive revelation and understanding.
God’s Word will show you truth that will help you combat the
lies of the enemy.

Today, I am a walking testimony of John 8:32. God has set me

free in so many areas, and He continues to set me free as
I abide in His Word and pursue a relationship with Him.

42
People ask me all the time for my advice and how they can
succeed in life. If I have to give just one answer, this is it:
Continue in God’s Word and never give up on your relationship
with Him. Because if you don’t quit, you will be free, and it will
be greater than you ever imagined.

- NO. 27 -
God’s Word is better than thousands
of gold and silver pieces.
PSALM 119:72

Psalm 119:72 says, The law from Your mouth is better to me than
thousands of gold and silver pieces.

I think it’s healthy to occasionally stop and ask ourselves this:

Are we going to pursue the Word of God as much as we pursue
money or “things”?

Many people spend their lives pursuing money, only to find out
that it can never keep them happy. However, God will give you
joy and happiness free of charge if you allow Him.

Look with me at Luke 17:21. Jesus says, ...The kingdom of God is

within you (KJV). This verse can sound deep and mysterious,
but the Lord’s message is quite simple: True satisfaction doesn’t
come from the outside—from all of the things we can do or
buy—but it comes from within.

43
 When we accept Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live
on the inside of us. As a result, we can enjoy “Kingdom bene-
fits”—joy and fulfillment that the world can never give us. As
we read and digest God’s Word, it works deep down inside
of us, renewing our minds, transforming our spirits, and grad-
ually helping us enjoy a life of true freedom (see Roman 12:2;
John 8:32).

Right now, I wouldn’t trade God’s Word or my freedom in Christ

for any amount of gold, silver, jewelry or money in the world.
Because when life gets difficult and I need true strength, comfort
and support, those things don’t have any power to help me!

I think we need to come to a place where we are absolutely

unwilling to do without the Word of God. I encourage you to
begin looking at your Bible like it’s the most precious treasure
you own. Remind yourself that everything you truly want is
found in those pages. Guard your time in the Word as if your
life depends on it.

The truth is, God isn’t against us having money or “things”—

He delights in being good to His children! But He doesn’t want
those things to have control of us. However, when we make
God’s Word a priority in our life and seek an intimate relation-
ship with Him, it honors God. And His Word says when we
honor God, He will honor us (see 1 Samuel 2:30).

When we put God first, we will not only experience His righ-
teousness, peace and joy, but we’ll find that a lot of the “things”
also come along with it (see Matthew 6:33).

44
 - NO. 28 -
The Word often brings persecution.
MARK 4:17

I can tell you from experience that the rewards of knowing God
will far outweigh any pushback you may receive from the world.
But I think it’s important to keep in mind that not everyone is
always going to be happy about your decision to follow Jesus
or the direction it may take your life.

Sometimes when you first begin studying the Word, the enemy
will launch an attack to see if you really mean business. This is
what Jesus talks about in the “parable of the sower” (see Mark
chapter 4). He compares God’s Word to “seed” being sown into
various types of soil.

He says, ...The ones sown upon stony ground...endure for a little

while; then when trouble or persecution arises on account of
the Word, they immediately are offended...and stumble and fall
away (Mark 4:16-17 AMPC).

The last thing the enemy wants is for you to make progress
with God. As a result, he’ll often bring criticism and judgment
through other people to try and stop you...to get you to
“stumble and fall away.”

For instance, when I first got serious about my relationship

with God and began to step out into the things He called me
to do, I received a lot of criticism from my friends and family
and was even asked to leave my church. The things they said
about me were painful, and it would have been nice if it all
never happened.

45
 However, I thank God that He helped me to move forward in
His plan for my life. I shudder to think of where I’d be today if
I would have allowed what a few people said to stop me from
obeying God!

Don’t give up when things get tough or you run into someone
who isn’t as excited as you are about what God is doing in
your life. Not everyone will agree with you all of the time...
and that’s okay.

When persecution comes as a result of the Word, it’s not time

to turn back...it’s time to keep moving forward and decide to
never give up! Because if you don’t quit, then God’s Word will
be planted in good soil, and you will reap a harvest of blessings
and freedom.

- NO. 29 -
The Word of God, when planted and
rooted in our hearts, has the power
to save our souls.
JAMES 1:21

James 1:21 is truly one of my favorite scriptures. It says, So

get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains of wickedness,
and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is
implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save
your souls.

46
I think many people receive salvation through Jesus Christ but
then get frustrated and even feel guilty because their behavior
doesn’t change overnight. It’s important to know that when we
begin our relationship with God, the Holy Spirit comes to live
inside of us and we become spiritually clean. However, our soul—
our mind, our will and our emotions—can still give us problems!

You see, our personal growth is a process. Little by little, God

changes us as we spend time in His Word. It renews our minds
and helps us think differently. It brings stability into our lives
and helps us not to be ruled by our emotions.

Over time, as we continue to fill our hearts and minds with His
Word, we begin to want what God wants (His will) more than
what we want (our will).

Look at it this way: If I put sugar in cake batter, it has the power
and ability to make it sweet. In the same way, if I put the Word
of God into my life, it has the power to change my soul. If I do
my part, God will do His part!

I think it’s easy for people to give up too easily on God’s Word.
They try for a while and don’t feel like anything’s changing and
begin to get discouraged. But remember, every single time you
plant God’s Word in your heart, it is accomplishing something.
Even when you don’t see anything happening, God is working
on the inside, and it’s only a matter of time before it “shows up.”

God’s Word is an essential ingredient for your life. And when

you mix it in—when you read it, study it, and apply it to every
area—that’s when life truly gets sweet.

47
 - NO. 30 -
The Word revives and stimulates us.
PSALM 119:25; PSALM 119:50

Psalm 119:25 says, ...Revive and refresh me according to Your word.

The Word of God is like spiritual smelling salts. When we’re

exasperated, overwhelmed by life, or feel like we can’t go on,
it’s time to open the Bible and let God “bring us back around.”

Sometimes, just the regular events of life can bring us down. For
instance, I have a special news app on my phone, and it allows
me to quickly see the highlights throughout the day. It’s good to
be informed; however, the majority of the news is negative—it’s
about crime, devastation, lying, cheating and everything that’s
wrong in the world.

But when I open God’s Word, it’s just the opposite. It revives
and refreshes me, and I can actually feel enthusiasm entering
my soul. I get excited!

You see, when we spend time in His Word, it helps us see

everything differently—we see it through God’s eyes. The world
is constantly trying to push us down and tell us we can’t. But
God’s Word builds hope and fills us with an expectation of good
things. It inspires us and strengthens our faith...it makes us
believe we can.

So, does something have you ready to push the panic button?
Before you do, see what God has to say. Allow Him some time
to revive and refresh your mind and spirit. As you do, you’ll grow
stronger from within...and see life with a whole new perspective.

48
 - NO. 31 -
The Word helps us see the error of our
ways and turn in God’s direction.
PSALM 119:59

Every year, I hold conferences in nearly a dozen cities, teaching

God’s Word and sharing the messages He places on my heart
to teach. And, every year, I am continually amazed at the power
of His Word to get people’s attention, soften their hearts, and
cause them to change.

Hebrews 4:12 says, The Word of God is living and active and full
of power...penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit....

This may sound funny, but as I teach the Word, I believe the
Holy Spirit is performing a kind of spiritual surgery in people’s
hearts. There are times when I come with a message that is
going to cause people to think about their behavior or take a
deeper look at their motives. Somehow, God makes it all “go
down smoothly,” and they can receive the message with an
open heart.

In John 16:8, Jesus says the Holy Spirit will convict the world about
[the guilt of] sin [and the need for a Savior], and about righteous-
ness.... The Holy Spirit works in accordance with God’s Word to
convict and convince us of what’s right and wrong. God has the
power to help us see things we would never see on our own.

You see, God loves us too much to let us stay where we are;
He wants to help us grow and change. And when He shows us
something about ourselves, He never brings guilt and condem-

49
 nation, but only loving conviction. He points out what needs
to change, then says, “Let Me help you change it.”

- NO. 32 -
The Word contains self-fulfilling power.
ISAIAH 61:11

Isaiah 61:11 says, For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as
a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God
will [most certainly] cause righteousness and justice and praise to
spring up before all the nations [through the power of His word].

Wow! God is saying, “Just like you can surely expect a harvest
when you plant vegetables in your garden, you can also count
on My Word to yield a harvest of good things.”

I love the way Isaiah 55:11 puts it: So will My word be which goes
out of My mouth; it will not return to Me void (useless, without
result), without accomplishing what I desire, and without
succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

Just think about this for a moment. God’s Word never fails.
That means every time you read and study God’s Word, medi-
tate on the Word, or even listen to a good teaching that is full
of the Word, it is accomplishing something in your life.

I encourage you to write the following sentence down on a

sticky note or a notepad, then place it with your Bible or in
a spot where you will regularly see it.

50
“God’s Word does not return void.”

Let it remind you that every single minute you spend in His
Word is valuable...and it is accomplishing something.

- NO. 33 -
God’s Word makes me wiser
than my enemies.
PSALM 119:98

Psalm 119:98 says, Your commandments make me wiser than my

enemies, for Your words are always with me.

It’s important to know we have an enemy, Satan, who wants to do

everything he can to prevent us from living in God’s perfect will
for our lives. However, it’s also extremely important to know that
God is greater than the enemy!

When we come to places in life when we don’t know what to do, or

we feel like the enemy has us backed up against the wall, the Lord
promises that He will always keep us one step ahead. Psalm 89:22
puts it perfectly. It says, The enemy shall not outwit him...(ESV).
him...

Sometimes, God will use His Word to give us a specific direc-

tion. Other times, He may not give us a direct answer to our
problem, but He’ll simply say, “Trust Me...and keep on going!”
But one thing’s for sure: As we seek Him, we can be assured
that He is “on the case,” and He’ll never let us down!

51
 The next time life gets difficult and you feel like the enemy is
throwing everything he has at you, take a moment to remember
Who is on your side. It’s Almighty God, the One Who is omni-
scient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful), and omnipresent
(everywhere at once).

And the Bible says that ...He Who lives in you is greater
(mightier) than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4 AMPC).

- NO. 34 -
The Word of God endures forever,
and it is good news.
1 PETER 1:25; MARK 13:31

Over the years, I’ve occasionally heard people say things like,
“The Bible is so outdated. God doesn’t expect us to do that—
things are different now, and you have to change with the times.”

Yes, life is very different than it was back in Moses’ or Jesus’

day...or even 25 years ago. But this truth remains: Cultures can
change, fads will come and go, and even what people consider
right and wrong may get redefined from generation to genera-
tion, but God’s Word never changes or goes out of style. It’s as
important and relevant for us today as it was for those living in
the first century!

I love how Hebrews 13:8 puts it: Jesus Christ is [eternally

changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever.

52
Whatever your situation—regardless of who you are, where you
live or even your past experiences—God’s eternal Word has
the answers for your every need. It is good news, and it has
the power to save your soul (see James 1:21).

- NO. 35 -
The Word is a lamp to our feet
and a light to our path.
PSALM 119:105

I love Psalm 119:105 because it’s such an accurate depiction of

how God leads and guides us. It says, Your word is a lamp to my
feet and a light to my path.

God’s Word is the primary way He speaks to us. And like a lamp,
He uses His Word to help “illuminate” the path in front of us,
showing us the next step to take. Then, as we move forward in
faith, He shines His light a little further and gives us another step.

Sometimes we get frustrated because we like “to know.” If

you’re like me, you want God to show you His entire plan up
front—I want all of the steps at once! But He desires for us to
trust Him with our lives, believing He knows what’s best for us
all along the way.

If you’re looking for direction, take some time to read and study
God’s Word and allow Him to “shine a light” on the road in front
of you. Then begin to move forward in faith, knowing He will
lead you step by step into His good plan for your life.
53
 - NO. 36 -
God’s Word is filled with promises
to give us mercy and grace.
PSALM 119:58

I think a lot of people view God as Someone Who’s just waiting

to punish them when they slip up or make a mistake. But it’s the
exact opposite! In fact, God’s Word is filled with promises of His
grace and mercy.

For instance, mercy is kindness beyond anything that we can ever

deserve. Salvation is the perfect example. Romans 5:6 says, While
we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at
the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly.

There’s nothing we can do to save ourselves, but out of God’s

great mercy, He sent His only Son to die for our sins and pay a
price we can never pay. And this is just the beginning. The Bible
says God’s mercies “are new every morning” (see Lamentations
3:23). Every single day, the Lord starts fresh and looks to shower
you with His mercy.

Now, God not only desires for us to receive His mercy, He also
wants us to give mercy to other people. And here’s the thing: If we
wait for somebody to “deserve” our mercy before we give it them,
it’s not mercy! Mercy is giving somebody something they don’t
deserve. It’s about our character and not about what they do.

Mercy is closely related to grace. God’s grace is undeserved

favor, and it’s the power of the Holy Spirit to help us do what
God asks us to do in His Word. So many times we can read the

54
Bible and say, “I just don’t think I can do that. I don’t think I can
forgive that person—they hurt me so badly.”

That’s right, we can’t. But God can give us the strength and
enable us to do it.

For instance, I can remember times when I would feel so angry

at somebody and know I wasn’t supposed to stay that way.
I would literally go somewhere, get my Bible out, and begin
reading scriptures about forgiveness and mercy. Eventually,
I could feel my soul calm down.

That’s what the Word of God will do—it’s like an ointment that
will calm your soul and, at the same time, enable you to do what
God says to do.

Hebrews 4:16 says to ...Boldly draw near to the throne of grace

(the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we
may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in
good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help,
coming just when we need it] (AMPC).

Receiving God’s grace is an absolute necessity if we want to

grow, change, and do what His Word says to do. In fact, God
never intended for us to “try” in our own strength. He wants
us to come to Him for the grace and strength we need.

Are you currently receiving God’s grace and mercy in your

life—for your weaknesses, your challenges...to help you change?
Remember, the Lord’s mercies are new every morning, and
He’s just waiting for you to come boldly and confidently to His
throne of grace for help with everything you need.

55
 - NO. 37 -
God’s Word is a weapon against the devil
and armor that protects us in warfare.
EPHESIANS 6:17

The Bible instructs us to put on God’s whole armor [the armor

of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be
able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the
deceits of the devil (Ephesians 6:11 AMPC).

What is our armor? Ephesians chapter 6 tells us to put on the

belt of truth, our breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace,
shield of faith, and our helmet of salvation. Then in Ephesians 6:17,
it tells us to “wield” the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word
of God.

First, the words “put on” are very important. I have never walked
into my closet and had my clothes or shoes jump on my body. I
have always had to put them on. So we must “put on” the armor
of God—it’s a choice.

For instance, God’s Word is one of our greatest weapons, but we

have a part to play. The Bible won’t help us just because we have
it sitting on our bookshelf. It’s up to us to read it, study it and
apply it to our lives.

I think many times we can think of studying the Bible like it’s an
obligation instead of a privilege. For instance, there was a time
when I felt like God wouldn’t love me as much if I didn’t spend a
certain amount of time reading His Word. Then one day the Lord

56
spoke to my heart and said, “Joyce, stop acting like you’re doing
Me a favor when you study—I already know the book.”

God’s Word is medicine for our soul—it’s what we “take” to get

better. And we don’t do it out of obligation, but we do it because
the Lord will use it to heal every area of our lives.

What if you were sick and went to the doctor, and he said, “Here,
take these pills and you’ll get better”? Would you go home and
put the pills on a shelf and never take them? Of course not! And
it’s the same with the Bible.

Ephesians 6:17 tells us that God’s Word is our “sword.” But a

sword doesn’t do us any good if we never pick it up and use it! So,
how do we “wield” the sword of the Spirit? We read it, study it...
then speak it out of our mouths.

I encourage you to regularly declare God’s Word over your life

and your circumstances. Say things like, “I will not fear. God is
faithful, He has His eye on me, and He will never let me down.
The Lord has great things ahead for me!” (See Isaiah 41:10;
Psalm 139; Jeremiah 29:11.)

Or when you wake up in the morning, make a decision to pick up

your sword and begin declaring good things over your day like,
“This is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad
in it!” (See Psalm 118:24.)

God has given you all the weapons you need to fight the enemy.
And when you choose to take action and wield the sword of the
Spirit—when you speak out the Word of God—you are releasing
His power into every area of your life.

57
 - NO. 38 -
When we are afflicted, God’s Word
quickens us and gives us life.
PSALM 119:107

We all experience difficulties—whether it’s simply a bad day, an

unexpected sickness or hardship, or even a rocky season of life
that threatens to wear us down.

When these things happen, the enemy likes to bombard our

minds with negative thoughts like, This is never going to work
out or You’re never going to get well...it’s just going to keep
getting worse.

However, one of the ways I’ve learned to stop the wrong

thoughts is to fill my mind with the right thoughts from God’s
Word. When we are going through a hard time, the Word gives us
life—it quickens, stimulates and encourages us. Thinking, speaking
and praying His Word literally breathes life into our situation!

I’ll give you an example. Years ago, when I found out I had
breast cancer, fear immediately tried to grip me. I was hit
with the “what ifs.” What if this doesn’t get better? What if
it spreads to another area of my body? However, the Lord put
it on my heart to fill my mind with the following things, then
meditate on them and speak them out loud as often as I could.
I would think and say:

“God, I know that You love me. I believe that all things work
out for good for those who love You and are called according

58
to Your purpose. I put my trust in You, and I will not fear”
(see Romans 8:28, 35-39; Joshua 1:9; Proverbs 3:5).

I eventually had surgery and have lived cancer-free ever since.

But through that season of my life, God used His Word to
keep me positive and filled with faith. In fact, I came out of it
with a greater revelation on God’s love than I ever had before
because I took so much time to dwell on His promises and talk
about them.

Whatever you may be facing today—no matter how over-

whelming or frightening it may seem—I encourage you to
put God’s Word to the test. Let His Word fill your thoughts,
conversations and prayers. Allow the Lord to strengthen your
spirit and build your faith. When the enemy comes at you with
thoughts of doom and gloom, tell him what God says and how
it’s really going to turn out.

As you do, you will begin to experience His life...and there’s

nothing that can take that away.

59
 - NO. 39 -
God’s Word enables us to walk
at liberty and at ease.
PSALM 119:45

David says in Psalm 119, Behold, I long for Your precepts; in Your
righteousness give me renewed life.… I will keep Your law contin-
ually, forever and ever [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying
it]. And I will walk at liberty and at ease, for I have sought and
inquired for [and desperately required] Your precepts (vv. 40,
44-45 AMPC).

I love this passage. It’s saying if you truly love the Word of God—if
you hear it, receive it, love it and obey it—you will have freedom
and live “at ease.” In other words, life will not be hard, frustrating
or difficult. You will have joy when you believe God’s promises for
your life and obey His commands.

You see, the only way we will ever be free from struggling is to
believe the Word and obey whatever Jesus puts in our hearts
to do. Believing God’s Word delivers us from struggling so that
we rest in the promises of God. Hebrews 4:3 says, For we who
believe [that is, we who personally trust and confidently rely on
God] enter that rest....

TRY THIS: The next time you feel frustrated or begin to lose your
peace and joy, ask yourself, “Am I believing God’s Word and doing
what it says?”

When your thoughts are negative and full of doubt, it’s time to
refocus yourself on God’s Word. As you do—as you start “hearing,

60
receiving, loving and obeying it”—your joy will return and you will
be “at ease” again.

- NO. 40 -
The Word gives us great peace.
PSALM 119:165

There was a time in my life when I truly didn’t know what peace
felt like. My mind, my relationships, and every other part of my
life were constantly in turmoil. It seemed like the slightest thing
could rattle me and ruin my day.

My husband, Dave, on the other hand was a mature, godly man

when I met him, and he was filled with God’s peace. What I saw
from Dave was the result of his relationship with God and all of
the years he spent reading and studying His Word.

Look what Jesus says in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you;
My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do
I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be
afraid....” Then, in Matthew 11:28 (AMPC), He says, Come to
Me...and I will cause you to rest....

When you spend time with Jesus, He fills your soul with His
peace and rest. The Bible says it’s a supernatural peace that
“transcends all understanding” (see Philippians 4:7).

61
 This means when the problems and cares of this world are
swirling around you—things that normally make you anxious
and upset—you can still enjoy a perfect calm on the inside.

Psalm 119:165 says, Those who love Your law have great peace;
nothing makes them stumble.

I understand this scripture so much more today. Years ago,

almost everything “made me stumble.” When things looked up,
I was up; but when my circumstances weren’t perfect, I easily
fell apart and lost my peace.

Then, by God’s grace, I finally discovered where true peace

comes from. Jesus is the “Prince of Peace” (see Isaiah 9:6),
and as we spend time with Him in His Word, through prayer,
or by simply sitting quietly in His presence, He imparts His
peace and rest to us.

62
 - STUDY TIPS -

Purposely set aside time. Make an appointment with God each

day. If mornings don’t work for you, then find a time that does.
Just start somewhere!

Make preparation for your Bible study. Choose a comfortable

place to study where you can be alone and away from distractions.

Have all your materials available. Along with your Bible, bring
any study tools you may want to use, such as a concordance or a
dictionary. Be prepared with a notepad or computer in case you
want to record scriptures or other notes.

Prepare your heart. Begin with prayer and ask the Holy Spirit
to teach you as you read and study. Make a decision that, with
God’s help, you will do what the Word says to do.

Slow down. Remember, more isn’t necessarily better—it’s about

quality, not quantity! Think about what you are studying; go over
it several times and meditate on it.

If you are struggling with something in your life, study scriptures

that address the issue. If something in particular strikes a chord
while you are studying, take time the next day to dig deeper into
that topic.

Determine to be focused. If you are easily distracted, silence

your phone and wait until you are finished to respond to emails
and texts. If other important things come to mind, jot down things
in your notebook or on your computer so you can keep your focus.

Stick with it. Consistency is key!

63
 ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and
one of the world’s leading Bible teachers. Through Joyce
Meyer Ministries, she teaches practically and candidly,
openly sharing her experiences and helping millions of
people to apply biblical principles to their situations and
ultimately find hope and restoration through Jesus Christ.
Her book Battlefield of the Mind has been a perennial
bestseller, teaching people how to win the war in their
minds and “think about what they think about.” Joyce
holds conferences across the United States and around
the world, and her Enjoying Everyday Life program is
broadcast on TV, radio and online to millions in over 100
languages. She has also authored over 135 books, which
have been translated into 160 combined languages.
 JOYCE MEYER MINISTRIES
Sharing Christ—Loving People
Joyce Meyer Ministries is called to share the Gospel,
disciple nations and extend the love of Christ.

Through media we teach people how to apply biblical truth

to every aspect of their lives and inspire them to serve the
world around them. Through our missions arm, Hand of
Hope, we provide global humanitarian aid, feed the hungry,
clothe the poor, rescue and uplift women and girls, and
reach out to people of all ages and in all walks of life.

Joyce Meyer Ministries is built on a foundation of faith,

integrity and dedicated supporters who share this call.

To view additional resources from Joyce Meyer Ministries,

to watch our most current Enjoying Everyday Life show, or
to receive information about our missions outreach Hand of
Hope, please visit joycemeyer.org
 Make Every
Day Better!

The Everyday Life Bible

BY JOYCE MEYER

Filled with practical articles, prayers and action

points, this Bible offers a unique combination of
God’s Word and Joyce’s teachings to help you go
deeper in your relationship with God.

joycemeyer.org/store
 Tap into Your Source for
Lasting Change
Taking the time to read and study God’s Word is one of the greatest
investments we can ever make. The Bible is our handbook for living,
and it has all of the answers we need. We can run to it for strength,
healing, comfort, wisdom, direction...and the list goes on.

In this unique book, Joyce discusses 40 practical ways that God’s

Word can completely transform your life. You’ll learn:
• The secret to living in God’s supernatural protection
• How to receive lasting mental and emotional healing
• Ways to stay spiritually strong in every circumstance
• How to expose the lies of the enemy and enjoy greater freedom

Are you ready for lasting change? Have you tried everything else but
still haven’t found the joy and fulfillment you’re looking for? Then it’s
time to try this. Plant the seed of God’s Word deep in your heart. As
you do—as you continue to read it, study it, live it and love it—your life
will begin to flourish in the most amazing ways!

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