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Joyce Meyer
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YOU SHARE GOD’S
LOVE The first time Joyce preached at a conference, God told her to let the people know how much He loves them. That same message has been, and will continue to be, the thread that holds everything we do together. So whether you’re helping us feed, clothe, comfort or care for someone, you’re sending a message that outweighs any other. You’re saying, “God loves you, and so do I.” Thank you for sending God’s love through your partnership with this ministry. And for expressing your love to those in need.
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STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART DEAR FRIENDS,
Most of us take John 3:16 in too broad a scope. “Oh yes, I know Jesus died for the world,” but we are not just a group of people down here that Jesus died for. He died for each one of us. He died for you—not because you did something right. He did it because He loves you.
In this month’s main feature on page 16, we’ll talk more about being a part of God’s “Secret Service.” I’ll even share with you a “secret” weapon that will help you on your mission. If you can begin to know how special you are and start acting like God loves you, you can help win the world to Jesus. God’s love will spread like wildfire. I think you need to say it one more time, “God loves me. I’m His special child. God…loves…me!” Now go ahead—take a big leap of faith and believe it.
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I want you to realize that if you can really believe God loves you, you are going to begin to respond
So do you believe it yet? Say it aloud right now, “God loves me.” Sometimes you have to talk to yourself and get yourself aware and conscious that you are surrounded by and immersed in the love of God.
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It’s probably fairly easy to accept that God loves the whole world enough to send Jesus to die. But it’s a little more difficult to believe if you had been the only person on the face of the earth, that God loves you so much He would have sent Jesus to die for you and you alone.
to that love, then that love will fill you up and start pouring out all over everybody else. You will be free to be a sweetheart, flowing with God’s kindness and love.
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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16 NIV).
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Enjoyin Joyce M corp足 ora Joyce M Agreem reserve without Enjoyin price contribu ministr where Everyda are u manusc order, toll-free www.joy
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Credits Publisher Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc.
E N J O Y I N G E V E R Y D AY L I F E Volume 25 | Number 1 | FEBRUARY 2011
CONTENTS
Executive Editors Daniel Meyer Ginger Stache Creative Director Steve DeShetler Art Director Jon Richert Managing Editor Demian Farnworth Staff Writers Kacie Campbell Matthew Loomis Anne Williams Graphic Designers Megan Riordan Anna Monette Amy Roff Jessica Davis Danny Mehl Production Supervisor George Dill
All Bible references are from The Amplified Bible unless otherwise noted. In Canada: Publications Mail Agreement No. 40030597 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Joyce Meyer Ministries Canada P.O. Box 7700 Vancouver, BC V6B 4E2 (800) 868-1002 cpcreturns@wdsmail.com Enjoying Everyday Life® is published by Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc.®, a nonprofit corporation, Fenton, MO USA © 2011 Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. Publications Agreement No. 40030597. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Enjoying Everyday Life has no subscription price and is supported through contributions worldwide. All gifts to this ministry are tax-deductible (in countries where this applies). Because all Enjoying Everyday Life issues are preplanned, we are unable to accept unsolicited manuscripts. For more information or to order, call locally (636) 349-0303 or toll-free (800) 727-9673. Internet address: www.joycemeyer.org
D E PA R T M E N T S
FEATURES
14 CHILDREN CHOSEN BY GOD
6
BY GINGER STACHE
Leader’s Edge
11 Worship
Abandoned and nearly killed by their father, twins Patricia and Joshua are finally safe at home at Baby Watoto Gulu.
16 HIS MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE
24 Money Management 26
A Closer Look
27
America At Its Best
BY JOYCE MEYER
29 TV Broadcast Schedule
Think you have what it takes to be a good spy—for God? Find out right now!
31 Conference Tour 32 Good News 33 Character
20 WHEN JIMMY SMILES
35 Real Life Perspectives
BY KACIE CAMPBELL
Severely crippled Jimmy Ojoke has always had a big bright smile—even in his bleakest moments. See why he has even more to laugh about now.
22 SIMPLICITY
BY JOYCE MEYER
You can learn a lot from the simplicity of a child. Here are five things kids can teach us.
Resource prices are in U.S. Funds unless otherwise noted. Enjoying Everyday Life is a registered trademark of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. [J] is also a registered trademark of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc.
EVERYDAY ANSWERS At Joyce Meyer Ministries, financial accountability is very important. We want you to be confident that your investment is being used wisely to build God’s kingdom. That’s why we are so pleased to be accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability—one of the most widely respected nonprofi t accrediting agencies worldwide.
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Photographers David Dobson Chad Spickler Dario Acosta
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Need a little extra help getting through today or need some extra advice? Everyday Answers provides wisdom from God’s Word to help you deal with life’s difficult issues. Watch a video from Joyce, read related articles, send a prayer request, and more. joycemeyer.org | FEBRUARY 2 0 1 1 | 5
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Production Artists Jeri Icenesse Jeff Douglas Stacy Williams Robert Houston
LEADER’S EDGE
THE GIFT OF ENCOURAGEMENT BLACK
3 Tips to Make a Huge Impact on Others
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BY JOHN C. MAXWELL
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For more than a decade, I led an organization that put on an elaborate Christmas program each December. It was a big production with over 250 people participating in more than twenty performances. By the end of the season, everyone who participated was exhausted.
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Like any good Christmas show, this one always included dozens of children. One particular year as I stood in the wings while the children came off the stage, I saw that they looked tired and a little discouraged. That’s when I decided to make it my mission to encourage those children, and let them know what a wonderful job they were doing as they came off stage during every show.
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The impact encouragement makes on people can be profound. A word of encouragement from a teacher to a child can change a life. A word of encouragement from a spouse can save a marriage. A word of encouragement from a leader can inspire a person to reach her potential. Like Zig Ziglar says, “You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.” Even if you don’t have an official leadership position or title, you can become a great encourager. Parents can encourage members of their family. Friends can share encouraging words to help someone get through a rough time or to strive for greatness. Wherever you find yourself, you can help create an environment where people can become their best.
Encouragers Initiate the Positive in a Negative Environment It’s one thing to be positive in a positive or neutral environment. It’s another to be an instrument of change in a negative environment. Yet, that’s what encouragers try to do. Sometimes that requires a kind word, other times it takes a servant’s action, and occasionally it calls for creativity.
Encouragers Understand Life Is Not a Dress Rehearsal Here’s a quote I’ve always loved: “I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” People who lift others don’t wait until tomorrow or some other “better” day to help people. They act now! Everyone has the potential to become an encourager. You don’t have to be rich. You don’t have to be a genius. You don’t have to have it all together. All you have to do is care about people and initiate.
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If you are a leader, you should never forget that everyone needs encouragement. And everyone who receives it—young or old, successful or less-than-successful, unknown or famous—is changed by it. It was novelist Mark Twain who said, “One compliment can keep me going for a whole month.”
Roman philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca observed, “Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.” If you want to lift people up, do it daily.
During this holiday season, use whatever influence you have to lift up others, encourage them, and help them reach their potential. No act is too small, no kindness too insignificant, no positive word too uninspired. You may make someone’s day. Or you may change the course of their life.
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“ If you are a leader, you should never forget that everyone needs encouragement.”
Encouragers Give Others Encouragement Daily
Used by permission. Adapted from Encouragement Changes Everything by John C. Maxwell (Thomas Nelson Publishers, Copyright 2010). NOTE: This book is not available through Joyce Meyer Ministries. However, it is available wherever books are sold.
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At first, they seemed surprised and a little embarrassed as I praised them. Some looked at the ground or turned red. Only a few smiled. But after a couple of performances, I could see that they were becoming more confident. They began walking taller. More and more of them were smiling. And before long, I could see that every time as they exited the stage, they were looking for me in the wings, hoping and expecting to receive praise for the work they had done. By our final performance they were jumping around, giving me high fives, and cheering one another on.
I believe that deep down everyone wants to become an encourager—even the most negative person. We all want to be a positive influence in the lives of others. And we can be. If you want to lift people up, keep the following in mind.
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“Good job!” I exclaimed as they marched by. “You were wonderful,” I said to one child. “I love the way you smiled at the audience,” I said to another. In the few seconds I had with them as they filed past me, I showered them with as many sincere compliments as I could.
John C. Maxwell, DM is a dynamic speaker, bestselling author and founder of EQUIP. He communicates his principles to Fortune 500 companies, international marketing organizations, professional sports groups and church leaders worldwide. This article is used by permission from Giant Impact. Find other leadership content, resources, training, and events at www.johnmaxwell.com. joycemeyer.org | FEBRUARY 2 0 1 1 | 7
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Make all checks payable to Joyce Meyer Ministries. Registration fees are nonrefundable. Advance registration for U.S. and Canada ends 9/1 (by mail); for all other countries, 8/11. After that, you may register on-site during the conference. If your registration card(s) does not arrive prior to the conference, you can pick it up in the Courtyard Lobby. This is a women’s conference, therefore, we are unable to accommodate men or children.
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Even though you may not always see it, God is working things out for you. He’s taking the pieces of your life and turning them into something fresh and new. Maybe you’ve been robbed of a peaceful childhood, turned your back on what God was calling you to, or maybe you just need a fresh start or nudge in the right direction.
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The Everyday Life Bible Study Library, with WORDsearch 9 is what you need to expand your understanding of God’s Word—with 60 different teaching notes from Joyce—plus you’ll get a devotional from Joyce for each day of the year. This Bible software has 10 distinct tools that make studying the Bible easier and more satisfying. Here are four: • Superb Searching—saves you lots of time and frustration • Linking and “Sync”ing—follow links to other Bible verses with ease • Thought Organizer—collect ideas that come to you as you search and set up preliminary outlines • Highlighting—mark those important places for quick retrieval and turn the highlights off and on for your entire library
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Last year at our Deeper Conference, I announced that everyone was getting a “3G upgrade.” The place erupted! You would’ve thought revival was breaking out. The experience showed me how quickly people get excited about high tech service. But the “3G upgrade” was actually just an illustrated introduction to my message. I can relate to getting excited about better service. When the iPhone first came out, I made sure I was one of the first to get it. And that’s when God began teaching me what He meant by Strength is for service, not status.
App of Arrogance
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The next day, I traveled to the Hillsong Conference in Sydney. Walking through the airport, everybody noticed my sacred gadget. “Is that the new iPhone?” people asked. Proud as a little boy on his birthday, I was feeling like the only one in Houston who possessed this breakthrough technology.
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LEADING WORSHIP ISRAEL HOUGHTON
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joycemeyer.org/lovelife ISRAEL HOUGHTON is a multi-award winning Christian musician, composer and worship leader. A sometimes solo artist, he is also the frontman for the cross-cultural band New Breed. His home church is Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. www.newbreedmusic.com joycemeyer.org | FEBRUARY 2 0 1 1 | 11
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WORSHIP STRENGTH IS 4G SERVICE
In Australia, the iPhone had not yet been released—I felt like the only one on the entire continent with such privilege. I felt important, equating it with an elite STATUS. However, I came to understand later that the phone, beyond its very cool apps and features, is still just a phone.
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A while later, I was reading Romans 15 in The Message, and the words, Strength is for service, not status really struck a chord with me. You see, my dear friend, Aaron Lindsey and I started New Breed a few years before. Our influence had quickly grown worldwide beyond our expectations. Though effective publicly, I felt the need to inspect our motives privately, because as a balloon expands to accommodate air pressure, I felt our stretched ability would soon pop. I had to take an honest look at my calendar and ask, Why am I saying “yes” to so much? Is it pride? Can I really keep going like this? Sometimes the enemy of longevity is quick success. I felt this ungodly pressure on my character. So I quit—kind of. Let me explain.
Something I Learned from Joyce Meyer I have learned to “quit” every Monday. We all need rest, so I tell people Monday is really my day off—permanently. I tell the Lord, “I just want to make sure You got my resignation letter today.” Because when I’m at the
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end of my ability and energy, the Lord strengthens me and gets me going again on Tuesday. I called Aaron and we read Romans 15 together. I said, “I want my life and our ministry to be marked by service. I want us to always look for the give and not for the get—for empowering others, not entitling ourselves. The attainment of status is hollow if we do not use it for His purposes.”
How to Not Lose Your Focus If we are not careful, the blessings bestowed upon us can escalate to a level of influence that outgrows our capacity to sustain it. Although the beginnings were pure, somewhere along the way we allowed the success of New Breed to go to our heads—causing us to rely less on the Lord. The more we relied on ourselves, the more swamped and worn-out we felt. We lost the understanding of the privilege of walking and working with God—who clearly got our attention with Amos 5:23,24 (The Message) saying, “I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me? Do you know what I want? I want justice—oceans of it. I want fairness—rivers of it. That’s what I want. That’s all I want.” Aaron and I agreed that New Breed as we knew it was over! Now God was giving us a second chance—
“The more we relied on ourselves, the more swamped and wornout we felt." a revelation of strength being for service and not status. He empowered us to empower others, not to breed entitlement.
Starting Over Our team was reconstructed with servant-leaders and those who desired to promote the interests of God and not man. Today, celebrating over a decade of team ministry with New Breed, and more than twenty years in full-time ministry, I feel a sense of urgency like never before to love God, love people, and challenge a generation of leaders to use their strength for service, not status. We all need a motivational upgrade from time to time. Just as my first iPhone went from 2G to 3G and now 4G, I seek God’s signal to remain on His network and be used in His service. By being GRATEFUL, GENEROUS and GRACIOUS (the 3 Gs), I believe our lives and ministries will be eternally marked and equipped to GO (the 4th G) and serve; giving God glory and loving like He loves...actively and genuinely.
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WHATEVER YOU DO:
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Instead, give a bouquet of your favorite issues. Okay, maybe not. But find your own creative way to pass it on.
Just post a message on our Facebook page
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Hand of Hope is the missions arm of Joyce Meyer Ministries. Our goal is simply to help as many hurting people as we possibly can, to alleviate human suffering and to help Christians grow in their faith. 14 | E N J O Y I N G E V E R Y D AY L I F E
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Baby Watoto Gulu just celebrated its grand opening. It’s a home for babies with nowhere else to go. Here these babies will receive the basic care, medical attention, and love they so desperately need, making the difference between life and death. It’s a place overflowing with joy—and the partners of Joyce Meyer Ministries built it. Watoto Ministries has been saving the lives of children for over fifteen years, and we at Joyce Meyer Ministries are honored to work with them to rescue even more children through this new home and an entire village for children and widows in Gulu.
A Brand New Life Full of Love Here at Baby Watoto Gulu, happy coos and sleepy cries fill the air. It’s
“We’re happy to be the people here on the ground, picking up babies out of the dirt…but we need people to come alongside us and help us,” says Annie. “We’re thankful that Joyce Meyer and her team and all her supporters have joined with us to do that.” With room for more than ninety babies, the future of Baby Watoto is exciting. Many more children will be rescued. And the home will have special wards for premature babies and infants with special medical needs. Little Patricia and Joshua have a bright future as well. The twins have had a difficult beginning, but what they will remember in the days and years ahead is a childhood filled with love, safety and provision. No longer abandoned, they are free to become Uganda’s future leaders, parents or preachers. And we thank you for being such an integral part of that future.
G I N G E R S TA C H E an award-winning TV producer and the Chief Media Officer for Joyce Meyer Ministries. She has traveled to dozens of nations, spreading the Word of God. She has an enthusiasm to help the forgotten and share God’s love. She resides in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband, Tim, and two daughters. joycemeyer.org | FEBRUARY 2 0 1 1 | 15
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Baby Watoto team leader Annie Duguid says she’s grateful to those who are making the home a reality. “It’s great to see God’s people pulling together and partnering to change lives. It’s one of those things you just can’t do alone.
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Many babies are abandoned in this part of the world. Many babies die alone, hidden in piles of trash or out in the bush. But not Patricia and Joshua. Tonight they will sleep safely in a new home built to care for babies like them.
God has a purpose and a future for each of these little ones. He’s providing for them—and He’s doing it through people like you.
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Desperate to save her babies’ lives, their mother knew of no choice but to abandon them. Life is difficult in war-torn northern Uganda, and she had no one to help her. So she took the twins in front of the Gulu police station and attempted to leave them.
the sound of life and it is beautiful. You can’t help but smile watching toddlers wobbling about the yard, babies splashing in pools of water, and rows of babies happily devouring their bottles.
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Today he promised to kill them—all three of them: six-month-old Patricia, her twin brother, Joshua, and their mother. How could he do that? He is their father—the man meant to protect them. Instead, he told their mother that if the babies were there when he got home tonight, he would kill them all.
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DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE GOD’S SPY? BY JOYCE MEYER
HAVE YOU SEEN A GOOD SPY MOVIE OR MAYBE READ A SPY NOVEL? THESE STORIES SEEM EXCITING TO US— THE SPY LIVES A THRILLING, ADVENTUROUS LIFE.
In our busy lives, we go about our schedules each day, going here and there, doing this and that. We do things but we don’t notice a lot of what’s going on around us. We’re quick to notice what people aren’t doing for us or what they’re not giving us…we notice only things that affect us.
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Because today we are busy. We live in a busy society of people. Rarely do we do just one thing at a time. For example, we drive and talk on the cell phone. We’re always thinking about four or five different things at once. Many people are doing way more than they should be doing. We have our plans—and we work our plans.
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How to Become a Spy for God What do I mean by this? Let’s look at John 9:1: As He passed along, He noticed a man blind from his birth. Stop and take a close look at these two words: He noticed.
We take the time to study the steps of Jesus, but I think we need to study the STOPS of Jesus.
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Today, I want to challenge you to join God’s Secret Service. Do you want a life of passion and purpose? If yes, then sign up to be a spy for God.
But I love the fact that Jesus noticed. I also love how He stopped.
But the devil has done a number on us. He’s got us so wrapped up in everything we think we’re accomplishing—but where is it all leading us?
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Is your life a little boring? It doesn’t have to be. Because God is offering you a life that’s better than any spy story you ever heard.
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to make more money, I wonder how many things you don’t notice. And I wonder how often you don’t stop because it’s not in your plan? If you want to be a member of God’s Secret Service, you’ll need to train yourself to be spiritually prepared to go out as a spy for God and watch. Listen. And then take the action God tells you to take.
Your Mission (If You Should Accept It) You are here for a reason. Romans 12 teaches us we should offer all our faculties as a living sacrifice to God. And this includes all of our resources—given to God as a living sacrifice. He’s not interested in dead religion.
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So what did Jesus do with His secret weapon? He went about doing good. This gets me really excited, because “went about doing good” is something I can do too! I can handle this! Every day, there are good things we can do. You don’t even need a plan. All you have to do is be ready to go into your own community each day and go about doing good.
Jesus: The Ultimate Secret Service Agent
You see, I was religious for a long time, but I finally realized that I didn’t have a life. I was one of those people who went to church religiously. In fact, I always sat in the same seat. I had my seat and would get offended if somebody else sat in it. I remember one time the ushers came and removed the people who had the audacity to sit in my seat.
Listen, I’m all for prayer meetings and Bible studies, but you can overdo it by living in a religious box—a safe and protective circle of friends—and never going about doing good.
Spies for God give their lives as a living sacrifice. They don’t do what dead, religious people do—go around the same Christian cul-de-sac every Sunday singing, “This is the way we go to church. Go to church. Go to church. This is the way we go to church, every Sunday morning.” And then come back home every Sunday the same people as they were before—never changing.
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One of my favorite scriptures is Acts 10:38. It says, How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power (KJV). The anointing of Holy Ghost power is the secret weapon given to all spies who work for God.
A living sacrifice is one that is excited and enthusiastic and passionate about life. That’s how spies for God live life.
It’s really kind of sad how awesome we can think we are and at the same time be so pathetic.
We can sing I Surrender All and then not stop and listen to somebody for five minutes because that person didn’t fit into our schedule.
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Jesus went about doing good. He didn’t stay in the synagogue preaching all the time. He went about.
We do need to get together and worship corporately so that we can get renewed by the anointing, but then we need to go out and do something with the power God has given us. The mission of God’s Secret Service is to be salt and light in a dark world. Are you ready to join us?
Being a Spy for God Is Not Convenient There’s a TV show I’ve seen where the main character is a woman who has a normal life being a wife and mother and she even has a regular job. But she also works as a spy. And she’s always ready to serve. What I like about this character is, no matter where she is or what she is doing—she could be at a party or watching a movie or whatever—the spy agency will call her and she always says, “I’m on my way.”
Joyce shares more on this topic on the Enjoying Everyday Life television broadcast February 28 – March 4. Check your local TV listing for stations and program times in your area or visit www.joycemeyer.org/tvlistings.
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THE MISSION OF GOD’S SECRET SERVICE IS TO
TO SPREAD LOVE
IN A DARK WORLD.
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(ALTHOUGH IT WOULD BE COOL TO OWN ONE.) But when it comes to walking in love and spreading love to others, all you need is God’s secret weapon—His Spirit. Joyce’s Walking in Love CD series will help strengthen your relationship with Jesus while her book Tell Them I Love Them blesses you with the truth of Christ’s unconditional love. You get five copies to share with others.
Become a top-notch spy for God with this special package.
Now, if you join God’s Secret Service I can tell you that you won’t be bored—but you may be interrupted. Because oftentimes God interrupts our plan and takes us in a little different direction than we care to go.
How a Spy for God Prepares to Do Good Have you ever been in a situation where you saw someone you wanted to help, but you weren’t prepared? Maybe you wished you could have given them a book to encourage them. Maybe a Gospel tract. Or perhaps you met a poor person and you wanted to give them a gift certificate for a good meal…but you didn’t have one.
And by the way, if you want some creative ideas on how to serve others, check out our Love Revolution Curriculum. (See back cover.) It’s perfect for personal or group study.
TELL THEM I LOVE THEM 72-PAGE PAPERBACK BY JOYCE MEYER Includes 5 copies
(Super-cool spy case and laser pen not included.) FOR YOUR DONATION OF
$30
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WALKING IN LOVE 6-CD SERIES BY JOYCE MEYER
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The days of warming church pews are over. God’s Secret Service is made of people who don’t just get fat on the Word and do nothing. Spies for God are equipped and ready to do warfare.
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I want to recommend that you have things prepared and ready to be used to bless others. Go to some gas stations and restaurants and get about ten gift cards. Make it a habit to carry gift cards, books…whatever your weapon of choice is, and be ready to carry out your mission when you see someone in need.
OR MORE $33 OR MORE CANADA
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YOU DON’T NEED
JOYCEMEYER.ORG (800) 727-9673 | In Canada (800) 868-1002
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JIMMY
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A Crippled Boy’s Story of HOPE
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BY KACIE CAMPBELL
“Life was hard for me,” said Florence, Jimmy’s mom. “Other people would tell me to throw Jimmy away—to let him die wherever he was. But I told them that if God gave me Jimmy, then I would stay with him.” But even in their bleakest moments, Jimmy never stopped smiling. It was that same smile that captured Joyce’s heart in the IDP camp when she visited in 2008. Hand of Hope, Joyce Meyer Ministries World Missions, began working to find ways to help Jimmy, his mom and stepdad, his auntie and two brothers.
A New Home Full of Joy In June 2010, the team went to visit Jimmy again. The road to his house barely seemed like a road as it wound through the hills and farmlands. The ministry had purchased a beautiful piece of land with plenty of room to play and grow their own vegetables. Through the support of our partners, we were also able to provide them a nice home, a separate hut for a kitchen, and a nice stand-alone bathroom with a shower. Through the help of Watoto, a ministry we partner with in Uganda, Jimmy receives therapy and his life is totally changed.
Helping the Whole Family We also purchased a bicycle that Jimmy’s stepdad, Samuel, can use to take him for rides. Getting around is no longer a problem for Jimmy. Not that he needs to go many places anymore. All the neighborhood kids now come to play with Jimmy.
“People would tell me to let him die wherever he was. But I told them that if God gave me Jimmy, then I would stay with him.” Jimmy’s natural father died of AIDS, a disease that Florence now has. But she is using this disease as an opportunity to be an encouragement to the women at Living Hope, where many of them are also infected.
No Longer an Outcast The love and care Jimmy has received through the support of our friends and partners has had an impact on the entire village. Seeing a child with disabilities receive constant love and attention is something different than they’ve ever seen before. In Uganda people are afraid of children with disabilities because they believe the child is either cursed or contagious. That child becomes an outcast because parents are afraid their own children will “catch” whatever the disabled child has. But because of the love that was shown to Jimmy, the neighbors in the village now see it’s okay to be with him, and they love and appreciate him too. From the very beginning, one thing has never changed about Jimmy. From a miserable existence scooting across the ground in the IDP camp to one of the nicest homes in his village, Jimmy just keeps smiling.
Hand of Hope is the missions arm of Joyce Meyer Ministries. Our goal is simply to help as many hurting people as we possibly can, to alleviate human suffering and to help Christians grow in their faith. joycemeyer.org/handofhope joycemeyer.org | FEBRUARY 2 0 1 1 | 21
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Jimmy was not only born in the IDP camp, but he was born with clubfoot, clubhands and suffers from epileptic seizures. And because of his special needs, Jimmy had never been more than 50 feet away from his home, a very small hut. Without any way to get around, he scooted around on his backside, causing painful bedsores. He couldn’t feed himself or speak.
Brenda Atino Peko, a Watoto social worker who works closely with the family, says Jimmy’s therapy has helped the entire family. They have all grown closer to the Lord. Jimmy’s mom is even volunteering at Watoto’s outreach for women, Living Hope.
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”Just Throw Jimmy Away!”
“There’s a great change in Jimmy,” Florence shared. “He now eats well, plays around and is strong in his life. I’m so grateful for the people who made this possible and my prayer is that God would bless them abundantly.”
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We first met Jimmy in 2008 when his family was living in a camp for internally displaced people (IDP). When his family fled their home for the camp, Uganda was enduring a horrific war. People watched as an army of child soldiers were stolen from their families and trained to kill. Jimmy was born in that environment. But that was just the start of his problems.
Working with a therapist, Jimmy can now speak and even eat some things by himself. The medicine has also provided relief from the epileptic seizures. All of this was made possible by our partners.
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(Uganda) – “I laugh at everything.” Jimmy could barely say those words without giggling. His joy is indescribable. Nothing but beaming grins from ear to ear from this grateful fourteen-year-old. You see, in just two short years Jimmy’s life has dramatically changed.
5 THINGS LITTLE KIDS CAN TEACH YOU. — b y J o y c e M e y e r —
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How many days a week do you feel like life is just too complicated? Even if it isn’t, it doesn’t take us long to make things complicated. Human beings just have this innate ability to ramp everything up to the next level.
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I once tried to plan a simple little barbecue party…I was going to invite two couples from church, grill hot dogs and hamburgers, and just sit around and fellowship. Sounds good, right? licity on s on simp s other tip Life television re a sh e ay Joyc . ng Everyd the Enjoyi st February 14-18 ca d ram broa d an prog
Well, in one week I managed to turn two couples into twenty, buy expensive for stations .org/tvlistings. g tin steaks I couldn’t afford lis ur local TV t www.joycemeyer Check yo ea or visi ar and drive my family crazy ur yo times in with a list of chores I was convinced we just had to do before company came over. Frankly, I just wanted to impress people. And because of it, I had a 22 | E N J O Y I N G E V E R Y D AY L I F E
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miserable week—and I made my family miserable too. What’s the simple solution to all of this? I believe the answer is in Luke 18:17: Whoever does not accept and receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] shall not in any way enter it [at all]. Did you notice it says little? As children get older, even they begin to have the ability to complicate things. But when they’re really little, there’s just none of that. Little children aren’t complicated. They don’t live their life trying to
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Listen, don’t waste the rest of your life sulking about some unfair thing that happened to you. Get yourself off your mind…and simplify.
Lesson 2: Be a Dreamer Another thing children do that makes their lives simple is they so easily believe. Children believe in magic. They believe in fairytales. They have no problem coming up with imaginary playmates or imagining life to be amazing and fantastic. There’s a book by John Ortberg called God Is Closer Than You Think. And in it, he writes about a little girl who said she knew Jesus was living in her heart because when she put her
Some of us can simplify our lives very easily, even without using our imaginations. For one thing, we can go home and clean up our rooms. Keep the stuff you use and keep the stuff you love. But give away what you’re holding on to for someday because odds are when you need it, you won’t remember where you put it.
Lesson 4: Focus Your Attention Another way you can simplify your life is to practice doing one thing at a time. Multitasking may be popular, but the Bible tells us to give our mind to what we are doing (see Ecclesiastes 5:1).
Now, we mature adults know she was just feeling her heartbeat. But that little childlike spirit felt God inside her! And when you think about it, she was right because a beating heart is a sign that life is in you.
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Struggling with procrastination? Read No. 13. Discover how to take your life off the fast track and start enjoying it. Here are 100 practical tips to help you begin living a less-stressed lifestyle.
Lesson 5: Ask Your Father Finally, you can simplify your life just by trusting that God loves you and hears your prayers. Philippians 4:6 says, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (NIV). If you want something, ask Him for it. If it’s right, He’ll give it to you. If it’s not, just know He has something better in mind for you.
“MULTITASKING MAY BE POPULAR, BUT THE BIBLE TELLS US TO GIVE OUR MIND TO WHAT WE ARE DOING.” hand to her chest, she could feel Him walking around.
Fed up with family drama? Flip to No. 35.
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I can tell you that hating people is complicated and it’s hard work. You can carry a grudge and be bitter and resentful and mad and offended. And every time you see “that person” you can cringe inside and you can talk about them behind their back—or you could spare yourself the trouble.
Lesson 3: Pick Up Your Toys
Can’t seem to say “no” when you need to? See No. 7.
It really is that simple! I encourage you to stop questioning God with your mind, and start trusting Him with your heart. Be a little more childlike in your approach to life. Who knows: You may just feel Jesus walking around in your heart.
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100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
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One thing about children is they are extremely forgiving. One minute they can be fighting over a toy and the next minute they’re hugging.
FOR SEEKERS OF SIMPLICITY...
192-PAGE HARDCOVER
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Lesson 1: Let Things Go
We adults need to move into the supernatural realm and start dreaming again. We need to create joy in our own lives. It’s actually a right and privilege we have as children of God, but it’s a decision we must make.
by Joyce Meyer
$17 $22 in Canada
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(800) 727-9673 In Canada (800) 868-1002
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impress anyone. And they can teach us a lot about how to enjoy life.
MONEY MANAGEMENT
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THE BEST RETIREMENT EVER Planning to Live Your Future God’s Way
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A few years ago I had the great honor of meeting Oral Roberts at his home in California. At the time he was in his eighties and had just finished a book entitled Still Doing the Impossible. I specifically remember a comment he made toward the end of our meeting. He looked me straight in the eyes and with a serious expression on his face said, “I am so excited about going to heaven. I can’t wait to see what incredible things the Lord has for me to do there!”
But what does the Bible have to say about retirement? I can only find two instances in scripture where the concept is addressed. In Numbers 8:23-26 the Lord instructs his priests, the Levites, to retire at age fifty, but to continue to help their brethren, …protecting the sacred things from being profaned all the days of their life. Clearly, they still had a purpose in God’s plan.
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Clearly, this great man of God did not have the word “retirement” in his vocabulary.
Most of us, on the other hand, are obsessed with retiring. You can’t pick up a business or personal finance magazine without at least one article on how to retire well, which usually means rich and young.
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Luke 12:16-20 tells us about a rich man who intended to take life easy, eat, drink and be merry. This attitude so displeased the Lord that He said to him, You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. This is perhaps the shortest retirement in biblical history! The truth is there is no retirement for Christians. We are bond servants, called by the Great Commission to carry out God’s work until He calls us home. Oral Roberts had the right attitude. We need to stop asking God for the easy life after retirement and instead, prepare ourselves to be available for whatever He calls us to do, even until we take our last breath. Ideally, our retirement years will be a time of financial freedom, not financial bondage.
Wouldn’t you love to spend your twilight years free to carry out the will of the Father and then be able to say to Him, I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do (John 17:4 NIV)? That’s the kind of retirement we should be dreaming about! Now is the right time to prepare. I wholeheartedly encourage you to put your assets to work for your retirement. Properly managed, they should provide you with enough supplemental income, leaving you unencumbered by financial worry and free to accomplish God’s plan for the rest of your life. With proper stewardship your “retirement” years may just become the happiest and most productive years of your life.
Medicare can help you cover your doctor, hospital and prescription drug costs. To learn the Social Security and Medicare benefits you will be entitled to when you retire, call (800) 772-1213 or visit www.ssa.gov.
Additionally, it is imperative (see Hosea 4:6) that we fully understand our employer and individual retirement plans and take full advantage of what is offered as soon as possible.
There are countless good books that explain pension plans in detail, giving you a great understanding of how to plan for your retirement. You can also learn a lot from websites like www.medicare.gov, www.schwab.com, www.retirementplanner. org and www.aarp.org.
B O B K AT Z has worked as a CPA and registered investment advisor for over thirty years. His book “Money Came by the House the Other Day” was birthed out of a desire to offer Bible-based wisdom on financial planning and stewardship. Bob is a frequent guest on Christian television shows and often speaks at churches around the country. joycemeyer.org | FEBRUARY 2 0 1 1 | 25
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One of the saddest statistics I am aware of is that 80 to 90 percent of the people who retire in the United States live solely on their Social Security check. Realistically, Social Security provides about 20 to 25 percent of your total retirement income.
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As a general rule, you will need 60 to 70 percent of your preretirement income to maintain your lifestyle. That income will generally come from four major sources: Social Security, employer retirement plans, individual retirement plans and income from your savings.
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H OW T O B E A WO R RY- F R E E R E T I R E E ADVICE O N R ET I R E M E N T
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“Oral Roberts had the right attitude. We need to stop asking God for the easy life after retirement and instead, prepare ourselves to be available for whatever He calls us to do.”
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A CLOSER LOOK: GOD’S SECRET SERVICE
In general, people feel very insignificant. They need to know God cares about them. Sometimes all it takes is a smile. Other times you may be led to do more. But you can significantly increase your joy by becoming a secret agent for God—doing good things in secret and giving Him the credit. This Word study can help you get started.
As [Jesus] passed along, He noticed a man blind from his birth.
1. John 9:1 says Jesus noticed the blind man, and then helped him by healing him. Can you think of a time you noticed a need but weren’t prepared to help? Think of a few ways you could fill an unexpected need.
JOHN 9:1
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God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the [Holy] Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went about doing good…for God was with Him.
2. God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit (see Acts 10:38). What does it mean to be anointed? What do you see as your personal anointing? __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 3. In 2 Timothy 4:2, we’re instructed to be ready to preach the Gospel at any time. But we tend to rush around every day going about our own business, don’t we? Think of a place you go every day. How can you share God’s love with the people you meet?
Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.
__________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 4. God rewards you when you do things for Him in secret (see Matthew 6:1). Give it a try! Go out and do something in secret for God, then journal about your experience here. Were you able to help someone? How could you improve the experience next time? Were you able to give God the credit?
MATTHEW 6:1 (NLT)
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ACTS 10:38
Answers: 2. To be set apart for a special task. 26 | E N J O Y I N G E V E R Y D AY L I F E
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AMERICA AT ITS BEST
FREEDOM NEEDS YOU
The Seven Principles of Liberty Part II
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B Y D AV E M E Y E R
Only a people who have an internal unity of ideas and principles can come together in harmony and strength. That’s how America began—thirteen independent states joined together for the common cause. They shared the dream of a diversity of people living in a republican form of government where Christian virtues permeated society.
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D AV E M E Y E R is the Vice President of Joyce Meyer Ministries and has been married to Joyce for over forty years. He passionately shares the truth about our rich Christian heritage in conferences nationwide, encouraging people to get educated, pray and take action. joycemeyer.org | FEBRUARY 2 0 1 1 | 27
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Trying to force people to be unified never lasts because the people don’t have unity in their hearts. Laws or military force can only be maintained for a time. The Soviet Union was a good example of this—an ungodly alliance of countries where fear and control were used to hold together a confederacy of nations.
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5. The Principle of Christian Union
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AMERICA AT ITS BEST FREEDOM NEEDS YOU the unity will be displayed outwardly and their actions will be highly unified. 1
6. The Principle of Christian Education Galatians 6:7 tells us that people reap what they sow. This basic truth is easily applied to Christian education, because education is about “planting seeds” in the minds of people. The seeds eventually sprout results. As the first Christian nation in history, we can see much fruit from seeds that were planted generations ago, even before the American Revolution. These seeds were planted by parents, teachers, pastors, statesmen, and others. Christians would do well to study the parable of the sower in Mark chapter 4. Our faith is like a planted seed. Although our salvation is an instantaneous thing that happens as soon as we repent and submit our life to Christ, developing His character within us is a growth process. After we’re born again, we begin to study the Word, which is like a mega seed spreader. And as we continue to follow Christ, He nourishes, tends to and provides the sunlight necessary for those seeds to bear fruit.
Keep in mind that God’s growth process includes “pruning,” which is sometimes difficult but necessary for us to bloom.2 Remember, this principle of growth through Christian education is a gradual process that will eventually produce results in the nations of the world.
“We begin to study the Word, which is like a mega seed spreader.” 7. The Principle of Christian Economics or the Principle of Property As creations of God, He has given us everything. He has given us the right to own property. Not just external property as in a house or money (although that’s part of it), but also internal property—things like talents, ideas and opinions. God requires us to be good stewards of our property. How we take care of our external property is a reflection of our internal property. This quote by James Madison is helpful in understanding this principle:
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How To Keep America’s Christian Heritage Alive These two books—loaded with facts about Christianity’s early influence on America— help people see history and their government in a whole new light. Perfect for homeschooling, Sunday school groups or personal study. Order Today! America’s Providential History
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304-PAGE PAPERBACK
In Conclusion Freedom doesn’t just happen. People and nations who live in freedom have set parameters to live by. These parameters, or principles, are valuable guidelines that responsible citizens not only set, but must maintain for freedom to continue. Freedom always continues as long as the people are responsible.
by Mark A. Beliles & Stephen K. McDowell Original Intent 544-PAGE PAPERBACK
by David Barton
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“Property…in the former sense, a man’s land, or merchandise, or money, is called his property. In the latter sense, a man has a property in his opinions and the free communication of them. He has a property of peculiar value in his religious opinions, and in the profession and practice dictated by them. He has an equal property in the free use of his faculties, and free choice of the objects on which to employ them. In a word, as a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in his rights.”3
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1. “America’s Providential History,” Mark A. Beliles & Stephen K. McDowell (The Providence Foundation, Second Edition 1991) p. 271. 2. Ibid., pp. 271-272. 3. Ibid., p. 272.
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T V BROADCAST SCHEDULE
For stations and program times in your area, check your local TV listing or visit www.joycemeyer.org/tvlistings.
Watch the Enjoying Everyday Life broadcast anytime you like at www.joycemeyer.org.
D A I LY B R O A D C A S T
Programs air daily, Monday-Friday.
FEBRUARY
W E E K LY B R O A D C A S T
Programs air one day a week.
JANUARY 31 – FEBRUARY 4
Joyce Teaches from India
Hear messages straight from Bangalore, India, as Joyce teaches about the power of determination, the greatest of God’s commandments, and the joy of living a surrendered life.
JANUARY 30 – FEBRUARY 19
The Greatest Decision
This week, Joyce shares about the beauty of forgiveness with special guest Anne Beiler, the founder of Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzels. Later on, hear a message from Joyce about how to change your attitude from frustrated to free.
FEBRUARY 20 – MARCH 12
The Power of Believing
Jesus wasn’t insecure about asking God for miracles—He expected them. We can experience more of God working in our lives if we’ll unleash the power of our faith.
FEBRUARY 7 – 11 The Wisdom of Making Right Choices
Jesus is the answer to every problem you have. Monday, Joyce teaches how to live the life you’ve always wanted just by following His lead. Tuesday and Wednesday, Joyce teaches on the Jesus of the Bible and how today’s culture can cloud our perception of Him. Thursday and Friday, Joyce shares how to free yourself from complicated living by becoming more like a little child.
FEBRUARY 21 – 25 Giving God Your All
PODCASTS
www.joycemeyer.org/podcasts
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FEBRUARY 14 – 18 Jesus Is All You Need
E N J O Y I N G E V E R Y D AY L I F E
Schedules are subject to change. *Stations outside the United States will receive alternate programming. **TBN will receive alternate programming.
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Do you need to make a few decisions in your life right now? Tune in this week because Monday through Thursday, Joyce will help you see the facts instead of your feelings, so you can make wise choices. On Friday, Joyce shares how to turn your life over to Christ. Learn what Jesus did for you!
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We can only live this life once, so why not give God all we’ve got? On Monday, Joyce is joined by David Barton to talk about America’s Christian roots.* Tuesday, Joyce will challenge you with two ways to come up higher. Wednesday and Thursday’s programs will help you figure out what God’s speaking specifically to you. And Friday, Joyce teaches on the benefits of obedience, with a special segment featuring Dr. Henry Cloud.
FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 4 God’s Secret Service
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Want to bless people wherever you go? Monday and Tuesday, Joyce gives tips for giving in secret when great opportunities come along. Then on Wednesday, hear why giving of yourself is one of the best things you can do for you! Thursday and Friday, join Joyce in the studio for a program about filling people’s needs through partnership.**
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Be part of a life-changing experience. Volunteer for upcoming trips at
joycemeyer.org/ medicalmissions 2011 Medical Missions Trips • Cambodia • Zimbabwe • Ethiopia • Uganda • Lebanon
• Thailand • Panama • Kosovo • Guatemala
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If you are a physician, dentist, nurse or other medical professional, we need you. Throughout the year our medical volunteers travel to some of the poorest areas of the world to provide urgent medical care.
sure to be a blessing to you in return. We hope you’ll join us for an upcoming trip. Schedule is subject to change. For travel dates and more details, visit joycemeyer.org/medicalmissions.
Not only will God bring healing through your willingness to serve, but these trips are
Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.”
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MATTHEW 8:7 NIV
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(866) SEE-JOYCE
joycemeyer.org/conference
Volunteer! GREAT PERKS AND LOTS OF FUN! volunteer@joycemeyer.org | (800) 707-7877 x3516 joycemeyer.org | FEBRUARY 2 0 1 1 | 31 EEL.0211.30-31.indd 31
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GOOD NEWS
THE BEST KIND OF
valentine The letter from partner Lori O. of Woodstock, GA, touched our hearts. We hope you enjoy it too.
Wednesday, March 9 We want to pray for you! Share your prayer requests with us in time for this year’s Day to Heal and Restore—and take some time to join us in prayer. When you’re going through difficult times, the best way to lift your spirits is to bless somebody else. So ask God to put some people on your heart, and join us as we pray. We’re excited about the work God will do in and through you! SUBMIT YOUR PRAYER REQUEST TODAY
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joycemeyer.org/prayer
“I fully committed my life to Christ in September 1998. And I prayed God would give me someone to show me how to practically apply His Word to my life. His answer was Joyce. “Six months after I ‘stumbled’ on her TV program, my husband recommitted his life to Christ at one of her conferences in Virginia. Our marriage was in shambles then. Today, almost eleven years later, we fall more in love each day. “While other teachers have played pivotal roles in our lives, it was Joyce’s boldness and honesty that first captured our hearts and helped us make the first step toward leading a godly life. He has faithfully straightened our paths. Thanks, Joyce!”
—Lori O.
WOODSTOCK, GA
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JOYCE TO VISIT THE
L.A. Dream Center
Magenta
The L.A. Dream Center has asked Joyce to speak Sunday, January 23, during the church’s 9 and 11 am services, so she’s prepared a special message to share.
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She will also take a tour of the Dream Center’s new shelter for survivors of human trafficking, which is named in her honor. We’re excited to share more news with you as this ministry unfolds. Look for more information in future issues of Enjoying Everyday Life.
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CHARACTER
MAKING ROOM FOR GOD How to Experience His Presence in Your Everyday Life
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Ezekiel 11:19 says, And I will give them one heart [a new heart] and I will put a new spirit within them; and I will take the stony [unnaturally hardened] heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh [sensitive and responsive to the touch of their God].
JOYCE MEYER is one of the world’s leading practical Bible teachers. She has written more than eighty inspirational books and released thousands of audio and video teachings. Her Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs are broadcast around the world. She also travels extensively conducting conferences. Joyce and her husband, Dave, make their home in St. Louis, Missouri. joycemeyer.org | FEBRUARY 2 0 1 1 | 33
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Tens of thousands of people go to those games. But it’s surprising how few people give that woman anything. Most of them just file by like she’s not even there. I wonder how many of them are Christians.
See, we may live in a rude, crude, insensitive society. But as Christians, we’re not to take on the selfish flavor of the world. God wants us to be sensitive to the needs and emotions of other people.
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I wonder how many people reading this article have passed by someone like her.
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Dave likes to go to football games when we’re home in St. Louis. And every time he goes, there’s a woman who sits by the stadium gate, begging. One whole side of her face is caved in, as if part of her bone structure is missing. Well, Dave always looks for her, and she is always happy to see him because he’s developed a habit of handing her twenty dollars.
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BY JOYCE MEYER
CHARACTER MAKING ROOM FOR GOD
“We may live in a rude, crude, insensitive society…but God wants us to be sensitive to the needs and emotions of other people.” When you allow God to soften your heart, you can live a life of amazing power and purpose. He can use you to help a lot of people. But you won’t ever experience that heart transformation unless you spend time in His presence.
Have You Lost Track of God? There’s a story in the Bible where Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem and then they left to go home, supposing He was with them. I wonder how many times we suppose God’s with us when we’re really off doing our own thing?
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Now, here’s the interesting part. Mary and Joseph had traveled a day’s journey before they realized Jesus wasn’t with them and then it took three days to find him. Three days! The message here is that it’s easier to lose that special presence of God than it is to get it back once we’ve lost it. We need to be careful to remain in the presence of God.
How to Remain in Godʼs Presence
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There are a lot of ways you can make God feel at home in your heart.
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First of all, you can simply be obedient to His Word. Being willing to back off from behaviors that offend God is the number one sign of spiritual maturity. It shows you care about what He thinks and feels about your behavior.
EVERYDAY ANSWERS
Ephesians 4:31 tells us to get rid of all bitterness. I’m not sure there’s anything that irritates a parent more than having their kids fighting with one another. As Christian brothers and sisters, we can all learn how to let go of our offenses and live in peace. Now, from Genesis to Revelation the Bible says a lot about the power of words. Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. If we use our words to give thanks to God and lift up other people, we’ll be blessed.
Whatʼs the Most Important Thing? The thing that is more important to God than anything in our daily walk is having a good, solid relationship with Him. But beyond that, it’s how we treat people. It doesn’t matter how many scriptures you can quote if you aren’t treating people well. First John 4:12 tells us: No man has at any time [yet] seen God. But if we love one another, God abides (lives and remains) in us…. Did you get that? Where there’s love, God abides. Some of you are so frustrated in your lives and ministries because you feel like there’s so much more in you to give but you can’t seem to get it out. I’m telling you, when you begin to love people at a greater level, you’ll experience God’s anointing at a greater level. As Christians, we need to stop worrying about what we need, and start fi lling other people’s needs. Remember the woman at the football stadium? Now think about someone you see on a daily or weekly basis and ask yourself one question: What can I do to let them know God loves them?
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Want to go from rules to a relationship with God? Check out Joyce’s article “The Beauty of a Real Relationship with God” at joycemeyer.org/everydayanswers.
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REAL LIFE PERSPECTIVES
SCREEN TIME vs. FACE TIME Are Your Social Media Habits Killing Your Social Life?
“Real, tangible relationships are God’s perfect plan for your life. Yes, they can be messy.” ing scriptures (Philippians 4:13), videos (Here’s a cat driving a car!), and many other things. We share life together. We’re a community. But is this “community” fulfilling and meaningful enough to replace God’s original plan of real intimacy with real people?
Before getting married in 2008, I used to spend hours on Facebook (and Myspace before that). And I tried to carry that habit into my marriage. It didn’t work out. My time on Facebook was way out of balance—my marriage wasn’t operating at 100 percent. But my wife’s pregnancy and the birth of our son made me realize what was truly important in life. So I cut down my Facebook time—and my happiness expanded. Recently, a friend told me how he would think clever thoughts while with his wife and children, then send out tweets and not mention them to his family (sitting right next to him). His wife would read his
Donʼt Settle for Second Best Real, tangible relationships are God’s perfect plan for your life. Yes, they can be messy. That’s one reason we gravitate toward social networks…they are convenient and low maintenance compared to the real thing. But real relationships are so much more satisfying. Jesus spent most of His time with only twelve “friends”—giving them lots of quality time talking, laughing and crying intimately.
Final Thought If Jesus had posted on Peter’s Facebook page three times, “Do you love me?”—would this have impacted Peter the same way as their face-toface encounter? Let’s be happy Christ doesn’t set limits on His relationship with us. We shouldn’t do it with our loved ones either. Life is so much richer with a little face time. joycemeyer.org | FEBRUARY 2 0 1 1 | 35
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What Really Matters
Fortunately, my friend realized how this was hurting his marriage. He’s now spending a lot less time “tweeting” and sees tremendous benefits.
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We share vacation photos (except for the ones where we look bad). We share random thoughts (It’s sooo cold outside!), photos of our dinner (Mmmm), political rants (Unbelievable!), inspir-
It’s just that God’s been encouraging me to take a closer look at my relationships and social networking habits—and what He’s taught me has enriched my life. And I think it will enrich yours as well.
postings later on Facebook and feel like “Mrs. Second-Place.”
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According to a well-known social networking site (Facebook), I have 499 “friends.” Some of these “friends” are people I haven’t seen in over twenty years. Some of them used to be acquaintances, but now we are online “friends.” And a few of these people I haven’t actually met in person—but we’re still friends, right?
Now before I answer that question, don’t get me wrong here—I use Facebook and Twitter. I’m not saying you should never use these forms of communication.
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Relationships are interesting nowadays.
BY MATTHEW LOOMIS
12/17/10 8:10 AM
“One person can make an unbelievable difference. This curriculum will help you do that. Join us in The Love Revolution!” – Joyce Meyer Don’t underestimate the power of love. Inside this beautifully designed tin container, you’ll find just the right tools to show people what love can do to change their world! It’s time to put the love of Christ into action. This powerful package will help you find creative ways to make a real impact on those around you who need a dose of love. Get started today!
Includes:
• • • • • •
T he Love Revolution Hardcover Book 4-DVD Set Teaching CD Fuzed Worship Music CD Interactive Field Journal Group Facilitation & Leader’s Guide on CD-ROM • The Love Revolution Key Ring • The Love Revolution Creed Magnet • Mini Field Guide
The Love Revolution Curriculum $119 | $79 • $154 | $102 in Canada
joycemeyer.org/loverevolution (800) 727-9673 • In Canada (800) 868-1002