Joyce Meyer

YOUR BODY FOR NOTHING BECAUSE IT IS JUST A MACHINE THAT IS GOING TO CRAVE AND DEMAND WHAT YOU GIVE IT. YOU HAVE TO BE THE BOSS OF YOUR BODY. JUST BECAUSE YOUR BODY SAYS: I WANT TO LIE ON THE COUCH AND EAT DONUTS TODAY AND WATCH SOAP OPERAS, THAT DOESN’T MEAN YOU HAVE TO DO IT. YOU CAN SAY: I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO -

WE ARE GOING TO GET UP AND CLEAN THE HOUSE; WE’RE GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE; WE’RE GOING TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE; WE’RE GOING TO VISIT THAT SICK FRIEND; WE’RE GOING TO CHURCH TONIGHT.

IT DOESN’T MATTER TO ME HOW YOU FEEL, THIS IS WHAT WE’RE DOING. A CHRISTIAN WHO LIVES IN THE FLESH, THEY DO WHAT THEY WANT, THEY DO WHAT THEY THINK AND THEY DO WHAT THEY FEEL. THAT IS CALLED “WILDERNESS LIVING.” THAT KIND OF PERSON MAY BE SAVED, THEY CAME OUT OF EGYPT, ALRIGHT. THEY STEPPED INTO THE WILDERNESS, THEY HEARD ABOUT THE PROMISED LAND BUT THEY NEVER GOT THERE BECAUSE ALL THEY DID WAS WANDER AROUND ALL THEIR LIFE. I WANT, I THINK, I FEEL; I WANT, I THINK, I FEEL; I WANT, I THINK, I FEEL; – WELL, IT IS NOT MY FAULT, DON’T BLAME ME – I WANT, I THINK, I FEEL – WELL, YOU HURT MY FEELINGS AND I’M MAD AT YOU – I WANT, I THINK, I FEEL; I WANT, I THINK, I FEEL; I WANT, I THINK, I FEEL; I WANT, I THINK, I FEEL. WE’VE GOT TO GO BEYOND ALL OF THAT. WE’VE GOT TO LIVE DEEPER LIVES. COME ON OUT INTO THE DEEP AND GET READY FOR A HAUL. DEEPER LIVING.

(Joyce) I WANT YOU TO ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT NEGATIVE THINKING LIMITS OUR POTENTIAL AND WHAT GOD IS ABLE TO DO THROUGH US. TODAY WE’RE OFFERING SIX CDs – THAT’S OVER SIX HOURS OF TEACHING ON “ATTITUDES OF THE MIND” AND I CAN TELL YOU FROM MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT MY ATTITUDE AND MY THOUGHTS WERE TWO THINGS THAT DEFINITELY HAD TO CHANGE BEFORE ANYTHING IN MY LIFE CHANGED. WE ALSO WANT TO SEND YOU A BONUS BOOK BY JOHN MAXWELL, A WONDERFUL BOOK CALLED “ATTITUDE 101.” WE LOVE YOU AND WE OFFER THESE THINGS TO YOU EVERY DAY BECAUSE WE REALLY WANT YOUR LIFE TO CHANGE.  WE KNOW THAT GOD HAS A GOOD PLAN FOR YOU BUT WE HAVE TO COOPERATE WITH THAT PLAN. I BELIEVE SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN SAYING “I NEED A CHANGE. I NEED A CHANGE. I’M NOT HAPPY.” WELL, IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CHANGE AND YOU REALLY WANT TO DISCOVER HOW YOU CAN BE HAPPIER THAN EVER BEFORE, THEN YOU WANT TO GET THESE THINGS AND LET THEM BEGIN CHANGING YOUR LIFE.

Joyce Meyer

WHEN WE BEGIN TO AVOID THAT RESPONSIBILITY, EVERYTHING IN LIFE GOES HAYWIRE. IT’S GODLY TO BE RESPONSIBLE. TWO PEOPLE OUT OF BETWEEN TWO AND THREE MILLION. THAT IS A LOUSY PERCENTAGE. THEY WANDERED AROUND THE WILDERNESS. WHAT THAT REALLY AMOUNTS TO FOR THE CHRISTIAN – YOU ARE SPIRIT, YOU HAVE A SOUL, YOU LIVE IN A BODY. GOD HAS DONE SOMETHING AWESOME IN YOUR SPIRIT. GOD WANTS IT TO BE WORKED OUT THROUGH YOUR SOUL AND SHONE THROUGH YOUR BODY SO THE WORLD CAN SEE IT. YOU’RE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. DON’T HIDE YOUR LIGHT UNDER A BUSHEL BUT SET IT UP ON A HILL SO EVERYBODY CAN SEE IT. THE SALT OF THE EARTH. THE LIGHT IS SUPPOSED TO DISPEL THE DARKNESS. THE SALT IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE PEOPLE THIRSTY. WE’RE SUPPOSED TO LIVE A LIFE THAT MAKES PEOPLE WANT WHAT WE HAVE IN CHRIST. (Amen.) (applause)

TO BE HONEST WE REALLY SHOULDN’T EVEN HAVE TO DO THAT MUCH TALKING ABOUT IT. PEOPLE SHOULD ASK US: WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT YOU? WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT I DON’T HAVE? TELL ME HOW I CAN HAVE THIS JESUS THAT YOU TALK ABOUT BECAUSE I SEE THAT IT IS WORKING IN YOUR LIFE. I SEE YOU’RE HAPPY; I SEE YOU HAVE PEACE; I SEE YOUR LIFE IS WORKING; I SEE YOU HAVE JOY; I SEE YOUR CHILDREN BEHAVE DIFFERENTLY THAN MINE; I SEE THE RESULTS IN YOUR LIFE. WE WOULDN’T HAVE TO WORK SO HARD AT TRYING TO CONVINCE PEOPLE IF WE WOULD SHOW THEM SOMETHING. (Amen.) (applause)

Joyce Meyer

(John) ISN’T THAT AMAZING? IT’S SO SIMPLE.

(Joyce) SO WHEN SOMEBODY DOES SOMETHING TO ME, I NEED TO FORGIVE THEM SO MY HEART IS RIGHT. REALIZING TOO IS THAT ONE OF THINGS THAT MAKES IT EASY TO FORGIVE PEOPLE IS THAT HURTING PEOPLE HURT PEOPLE. A LOT OF THE PEOPLE WHO HURT US DON’T GET OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING SAYING, “I’M GOING TO GET THAT JOYCE TODAY.” OR “I’M GOING TO REALLY MAKE JOHN MISERABLE.” THEY’RE MISERABLE, AND ACTING OUT OF THEIR OWN PAIN THEY BRING HURT TO OTHER PEOPLE. THAT’S WHY WE CAN PRAY: FATHER, FORGIVE THEM BECAUSE THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO. BECAUSE IN MANY INSTANCES THEY REALLY DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY DO. FORGIVE THEM SO YOUR OWN HEART IS RIGHT; FORGIVE THEM SO GOD CAN DEAL WITH THEM BUT THEN JUST ZIP YOUR LIP. YOU DON’T NEED TO BE SAYING BAD THINGS ABOUT THEM.

(John) ZIP YOUR LIP.

(Joyce) PRAY AND LET GOD BE GOD. JOHN, THANK YOU SO MUCH BEING WITH US TODAY.

(John) IT’S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE YOU. WE LOVE YOU AND DAVE SO MUCH.

(Joyce) WE LOVE YOU TOO. WE’RE OFFERING A WONDERFUL RESOURCE TODAY WHICH I THINK IS GOING TO HELP YOU. IT’S MY TEACHING SERIES “WISDOM AND THE BLESSED LIFE” AND THE BOOK WE’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT BY JOHN BEVERE CALLED “UNDER COVER.” IN JOHN’S OWN WORDS, HE SAID I REALLY HOPE THAT PEOPLE WILL GET THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT COVERS THE WHOLE SPECTRUM OF WHAT WE’VE BEEN TRYING TO TALK ABOUT HERE IN LITTLE BITS AND PIECES. IF ANY OF THIS HAS LEFT YOU WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT, “WELL, I HAVE THIS AUTHORITY AND THEY THIS OR THAT AND WHAT ARE YOU TELLING ME I NEED TO DO? AND WHAT ABOUT THIS AND WHAT ABOUT THAT?” I BELIEVE THOSE QUESTIONS WILL BE COVERED IN THIS RESOURCE MATERIAL THAT WE’RE TRYING TO GET TO YOU TODAY. MY ANNOUNCER IS GOING TO GIVE YOU ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED AND I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER THAT GOD HAS HIS EYE ON YOU AND HE HAS A GOOD PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE. IF YOU WILL JUST DO YOUR BEST EVERY DAY TO LOVE GOD AND DO WHAT HE WANTS YOU TO, YOU CANNOT LOSE. GOD BLESS YOU.

(announcer) TRUE HAPPINESS ONLY COMES WHEN WE’RE LIVING UNDER THE BLESSINGS OF GOD.

Joyce Meyer

(Joyce) THE BIBLES SAYS THAT LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS AND IT DISREGARDS OFFENSES. THERE ARE TIMES IN MY LIFE, JOHN, WHEN I NEED SOMEBODY TO LOVE ME ENOUGH TO COVER ME. I’M NOT PERFECT ALL THE TIME. IF I DO MAKE MISTAKES I SURE WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF SOMEBODY WOULDN’T TAKE THAT ONE LITTLE THING AND JUST TRY TO RUIN MY REPUTATION WITH IT. IF I NEED TO BE CONFRONTED, CONFRONT ME, BUT EVEN THEN A LOT OF TIMES WE DON’T GO TO THE PERSON WHO NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH — WE GO TELL EVERYBODY ELSE. AND THAT’S AGAINST SCRIPTURE TOO. LOVE COVERS. IT DOESN’T SPREAD RUMORS. IT DOESN’T TELL THINGS THAT DON’T NEED TO BE TOLD.

(John) THERE’S A TIME JUST TO BE QUIET. JUST DON’T SAY ANYTHING.

(Joyce) THERE’S A TIME TO DEAL WITH STUFF. BUT SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED TO KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT ABOUT SOMETHING AND PRAY ABOUT IT AND PRAY ABOUT IT AND HAVE THE HEART: I HOPE GOD CAN CHANGE THIS BEFORE IT COMES OUT IN THE OPEN. I DON’T WANT THIS THING TO GET KNOWN ABOUT PEOPLE.

(John) I WAS WITH A COUPLE OF LEADERS THE OTHER DAY AND THEY WERE JUST OPENING UP AND SHARING HOW THE STUDENTS IN THEIR UNIVERSITY CREATED THE MOST RIDICULOUS STORIES ABOUT THEM AND IT WAS ALL FABRICATED. THE THING YOU’VE GOT TO REMEMBER IS EVERYTHING YOU HEAR IS NOT NECESSARILY ABSOLUTE TRUTH. THAT’S WHY YOU’VE GOT TO CONFIRM IT. THE OTHER THING I THINK WE SHOULD DO WITH OUR LEADERS IS WE SHOULD SHOW RESPECT FOR THEM. WE SHOULD SPEAK RESPECTFULLY. IF THEY WANT SOMETHING, GET IT DONE FOR THEM.

(Joyce) APPRECIATE THEM.

(John) APPRECIATE THEM. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS WE CAN DO BECAUSE UNTIL YOU’VE BEEN IN LEADERSHIP YOU DON’T KNOW HOW TOUGH IT IS IN LEADERSHIP. I THANK GOD THAT I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING A MINISTER AND THEN BEING A LEADER. I HAVE AN AMAZING STAFF. I’M NOT A LEADER THAT’S TRYING TO BEAT PEOPLE INTO SUBMISSION BUT WHEN MY STAFF COMES TO ME AND SAYS THEY APPRECIATE ME, IT SO STRENGTHENS ME. IT’S ABOUT RESPECTING AND HONORING AND LOVING EACH OTHER. IF ONE PARTY DOESN’T DO IT… JESUS SAID: YOU LOVE THOSE THAT LOVE YOU. WHAT GOOD IS THAT? BANK ROBBERS DO THAT. WHEN YOU LOVE A BOSS WHO MAYBE DOESN’T LOVE YOU; WHEN YOU SPEAK KINDLY TO A BOSS WHO DOESN’T SPEAK KINDLY TO YOU, THAT’S BEING A CHRISTIAN, JOYCE.

(Joyce) I THINK THAT WE CAN PRETTY EASILY CONCLUDE IT WITH A SCRIPTURE THAT PROBABLY EVERYBODY IS FAMILIAR WITH, IF THEY KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE BIBLE. FORGIVE YOUR ENEMIES, BLESS THOSE WHO CURSE, MISUSE AND ABUSE YOU. BLESS THEM AND DO NOT CURSE THEM. I LOOKED UP THE WORD BLESSED TO SEE WHAT EXACTLY IT WAS THAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DOING. I LOOKED UP THE WORD CURSE TO SEE WHAT EXACTLY IT WAS THAT I WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE DOING, AND IT WAS SO SIMPLE. THE WORD BLESSED MEANS TO SPEAK WELL OF. THE WORD CURSED MEANS TO SPEAK EVIL OF.

Joyce Meyer

COME ON, HOW MANY OF YOU ARE TIRED OF PLAYING ALL THE WORLD’S GAMES TO TRY TO GET ACCEPTED? WHOO!  HALLELUJAH! THE PREACHING’S GOOD UP HERE IN MARYLAND! (cheering/applause) OKAY, LET’S GO ON WITH THIS. BUT ALL THINGS ARE FROM GOD, WHO THROUGH JESUS CHRIST RECONCILED US TO HIMSELF [RECEIVED US INTO FAVOR, BROUGHT US INTO HARMONY WITH HIMSELF] AND GAVE TO US THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION.

VERSE 19: IT WAS GOD [PERSONALLY PRESENT] IN CHRIST, RECONCILING AND RESTORING THE WORLD TO FAVOR WITH HIMSELF… THERE IT IS AGAIN… NOT COUNTING UP AND HOLDING AGAINST [MEN] THEIR TRESPASSES [BUT CANCELING THEM], AND COMMITTING TO US THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION. SEE, I’M SO EXCITED ABOUT WHAT I KNOW GOD HAS DONE FOR ME, AND I’M SO EXCITED THAT I’VE BEEN RECONCILED TO GOD THROUGH CHRIST AND THAT HE’S GIVEN ME FAVOR AND CANCELED MY SINS, THAT NOW I WANT TO BRING THAT MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION TO OTHER PEOPLE.  AND THAT’S HOW THE GOSPEL IS SPREAD. BUT IF YOU DON’T EVER GET EXCITED ABOUT WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU, YOU’RE NOT GOING TO CARE VERY MUCH ABOUT TELLING IT TO SOMEBODY ELSE. BUT WHEN YOU GET EXCITED ENOUGH, YOU WILL HAVE A HARD TIME KEEPING YOUR MOUTH SHUT! (applause) LET ME JUST THROW THIS OUT BECAUSE I LIKE TO SAY IT AT LEAST ONCE IN EVERY CONFERENCE: JESUS DIDN’T DIE SO YOU COULD HAVE A RELIGION; HE DIED SO YOU COULD HAVE A DEEP, INTIMATE, PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THROUGH HIM. (cheering/applause) AND ONE OF THE REASONS WHY SO MANY PEOPLE FEEL SO DEFEATED IS BECAUSE SOMETIMES, NOT ALL THE TIME, BUT SOMETIMES RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS JUST GIVE YOU A PILE OF RULES AND REGULATIONS TO FOLLOW — DO THIS, DO THAT, DO THIS, DO THAT, DO THIS, DO THAT, CUT YOUR HAIR, GROW YOUR HAIR, CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES, DO THIS, TAKE YOUR MAKEUP OFF, GET YOUR JEWELRY OFF, ON AND ON AND ON AND ON, AND YOU’RE SO BUSY IN THE OUTWARD DOING OF EVERYTHING AND FAILING ALL THE TIME, SO YOU JUST FEEL MORE AND MORE MISERABLE.  I WONDER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE COULD STAND IN CHURCH ON SUNDAY MORNING AND SAY, “I AM THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN CHRIST.  I’VE BEEN WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB. I HAVE FAVOR WITH GOD! MY SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN!” (cheering)

2 CORINTHIANS 5:20: SO WE ARE CHRIST’S AMBASSADORS  — HALLELUJAH! — GOD MAKING HIS APPEAL AS IT WERE THROUGH US. WE [AS CHRIST'S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES] BEG YOU FOR HIS SAKE TO LAY HOLD OF THE DIVINE FAVOR [NOW OFFERED YOU] AND BE RECONCILED TO GOD. SO, I’M COMING TO YOU TONIGHT WITH THE SAME MESSAGE THAT PAUL WENT TO THE ROMANS WITH. I BEG YOU TO BE RECONCILED TO CHRIST. I BEG YOU TO BELIEVE WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS, TO BELIEVE THAT YOUR DEBTS HAVE BEEN CANCELED, TO BELIEVE THAT GOD IS NOT MAD AT YOU, THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIVE UNDER GUILT AND CONDEMNATION, THAT YOUR PAST DOES NOT HAVE TO DICTATE YOUR FUTURE. I’M NOT JUST GIVING YOU SOME WAY TO GET OFF WITH LIVING A SLOPPY LIFE. I MEAN, I’M TALKING TO PEOPLE WHO LOVE GOD AND WANT TO DO THE BEST THAT THEY CAN, AND THEY ARE DOING THAT DAILY, BUT IN THE MIDST OF THAT, WE MAKE MISTAKES. HE SAID: I BEG YOU TO LAY HOLD OF THIS FAVOR THAT’S BEING OFFERED TO YOU AS A FREE GIFT AND BE RECONCILED TO GOD.

Joyce Meyer

(Joyce Meyer) DO YOU EVER FEEL THAT GOD IS REJECTING YOU? WELL THE TRUTH IS, HE IS NOT REJECTING YOU. TODAY ON “ENJOYING EVERYDAY LIFE” IT’S TIME TO LINE OUR THOUGHTS UP WITH GOD’S WORD. (music)

(Joyce Meyer) I DON’T KNOW WHY WE HAVE TO GET SO UPSET BECAUSE IT TAKES A LITTLE WHILE TO MANIFEST BEING WHAT YOU KNOW GOD WANTS YOU TO BE. I’VE GOT IT AND YOU’VE GOT IT, AND IF WE KEEP BELIEVING IT LONG ENOUGH, EVENTUALLY WE WILL SEE IT. FIRST A LITTLE BIT, THEN A LITTLE BIT MORE, THEN A LITTLE BIT MORE, THEN A LITTLE BIT MORE, THEN A LITTLE BIT MORE AND THEN EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU BACKSLIDE FOR A WHILE. YOU HAVE A YEAR WHERE MAYBE THE CROP’S NOT SO ABUNDANT. (laughing) BUT IF YOU DON’T GIVE UP AND YOU JUST KEEP PLANTING AND YOU JUST KEEP PLANTING, THINGS GET BETTER AND BETTER AND BETTER. SEE, IF YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THAT GOD IS NOT MAD AT YOU, THAT YOU HAVE RIGHT STANDING BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD BECAUSE OF WHAT JESUS DID FOR YOU, THAT HE SEES YOUR HEART AND HE’S NOT MAD AT YOU EVERY TIME YOU MAKE A MISTAKE, HE’S NOT THERE WITH A CLUB READY TO BEAT YOU OVER THE HEAD OR PUT YOU OUT OF THE FAMILY, THEN WHAT HAPPENS IS YOU CAN RELAX AND THE LOVE OF GOD WILL BRING YOU INTO WHOLENESS. BUT IF YOU FEEL ALL THE TIME THAT YOU’VE GOT TO PERFORM PERFECTLY IN ORDER TO HAVE THE LOVE OF GOD, THEN YOU’RE JUST GOING TO BE ON THIS WORKS TRIP THAT LEAVES YOU WORN OUT ALL THE TIME AND EVERYTHING BECOMES ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO RATHER THAN WHAT HE DID. IT’S NOT ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO; IT’S ABOUT WHAT HE DID AND WHAT HE DOES THROUGH US. WHATEVER WE DO RIGHT, GOD SHOULD GET THE GLORY. NOW LET’S GO ON WITH THESE SCRIPTURES.

VERSE 18. SO EVERYBODY SAY: I’M A NEW CREATURE. (I’m a new creature.) (2 Cor. 5:18) BUT ALL THINGS ARE FROM GOD, WHO THROUGH JESUS CHRIST RECONCILED US TO HIMSELF — RECONCILED. THAT MEANS YOUR ACCOUNT IS IN BALANCE. …[RECEIVED US INTO FAVOR...] LORD, IF WE COULD EVER JUST REALLY THINK ABOUT FAVOR LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW WHAT THAT IS. THE BIBLE SAYS ALL OVER THE PLACE THAT WE HAVE FAVOR WITH GOD, AND GOD GIVES US FAVOR WITH MAN. DO YOU KNOW WHAT FAVOR IS? IT MEANS THAT GOD MAKES THINGS HAPPEN NOT BECAUSE YOU DESERVE IT; HE JUST DOES YOU A FAVOR. (applause) I TRUST GOD TO GIVE ME FAVOR WITH PEOPLE, AND THEN I’M FREE FROM ALL THE STUPIDITY OF TRYING TO PLAY ENOUGH GAMES TO GET PEOPLE TO LIKE ME. I DON’T HAVE TO BE ON THIS PERFORMANCE TRIP WHEN I GET UP HERE AND WONDER IF YOU LIKE THIS, DO YOU LIKE THAT, DON’T YOU LIKE THIS, DON’T YOU LIKE THAT. GEE, I WONDER IF THEY’LL LIKE MY STRAIGHT-FORWARD WAYS OR MAYBE I SHOULD DO THIS OR MAYBE I SHOULD DO THAT. I CAN JUST BE ME AND TRUST GOD TO MAKE YOU LIKE ME WHETHER YOU WANT TO OR NOT! (laughing) I KNOW THAT’S FUNNY, BUT I PRAY THAT: GOD, MAKE THEM LIKE ME WHETHER THEY WANT TO OR NOT BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH ENERGY TO RUN AROUND THE WORLD AND TRY TO MAKE PEOPLE LIKE ME.

Joyce Meyer

WHEN YOU’RE UNHAPPY, IT MAKES YOU MAD WHEN SOMEBODY HAPPY IS AROUND YOU. UNHAPPY DON’T LIKE TO BE AROUND HAPPY. AM I TELLING THE TRUTH? (Yes.) JUST STAY HAPPY AND JUST MAKE THEM SO MAD UNTIL THEY FINALLY JUST POP. (laughing) NEGATIVE THINKING LIMITS GOD AND IT LIMITS OUR POTENTIAL. GOD IS NOT A NEGATIVE THINKER. GO TO NUMBERS CHAPTER 13. WE TALKED LAST NIGHT ABOUT THE THE ISRAELITES  — HOW THEY CAME OUT OF BONDAGE IN EGYPT, STEPPED INTO THE WILDERNESS, HEADED FOR THE PROMISED LAND.

IT WAS AN 11 DAY JOURNEY, STRAIGHT ACROSS THE WILDERNESS. THEY SPENT 40 YEARS WANDERING AROUND OUT THERE GOING AROUND AND AROUND THE SAME MOUNTAINS. WE DON’T KNOW EXACTLY HOW MANY CAME OUT. THEY ONLY COUNTED THE MEN, 600,000 BUT MOST OF THEM PROBABLY HAD WIVES AND SOME CHILDREN. THE EXPERTS, WHOEVER THEY ARE, SAY FROM 2 TO 3 MILLION PEOPLE CAME OUT OF EGYPT. ONLY TWO PEOPLE, OUT OF THAT ORIGINAL GROUP THAT CAME OUT OF EGYPT, TWO – EVERY TIME I SAY THAT, I AM AMAZED – TWO OUT OF BETWEEN 2 AND 3 MILLION ENTERED THE PROMISED LAND.

YOU WILL SEE TODAY BY SCRIPTURE, THOSE TWO WERE THE ONLY TWO THAT HAD A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. THE REST OF THEM HAD A NEGATIVE ATTITUDE, MURMURING, GRUMBLING, COMPLAINING, DIDN’T WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ACTIONS. EVERYTHING WAS ALWAYS SOMEBODY ELSE’S FAULT. WE HAVE A REAL PROBLEM IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY. PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. AN IRRESPONSIBLE ATTITUDE IS AN UNGODLY ATTITUDE. WE HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE TO DO OUR PART. WE HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR BEHAVIOR. WE HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR ACTIONS.

Joyce Meyer

I NEVER GET ANYTHING FREE. WHAT ABOUT ME?” A SELFISH, SELF-CENTERED ATTITUDE, A DISCONTENTED ATTITUDE. THERE WERE YEARS IN MY LIFE WHERE I JUST HAD A DISCONTENTED ATTITUDE. BECAUSE I WASN’T HAPPY WITH MYSELF, I COULDN’T BE HAPPY WITH WHAT WAS GOING ON IN MY LIFE. WHEN A PERSON HAS AN ATTITUDE OF DISCONTENTMENT, I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU DO FOR THEM, THEY ARE GOING TO FIND SOMETHING ELSE YOU’RE NOT DOING FOR THEM THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE BOTHERED ABOUT. THIS IS JUST COMING UP IN ME, SO I’LL SAY THIS: SOME OF YOU ARE IN RELATIONSHIP WITH SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE GIVEN YOU THE JOB OF KEEPING THEM HAPPY BUT THEY REALLY DON’T WANT TO BE HAPPY AND I’M JUST GIVING YOU AN ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY THAT EVERY PERSON IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN JOY AND HAPPINESS. YOU’RE NOT RESPONSIBLE TO MAKE SOMEBODY ELSE HAPPY. (applause)

IT TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO FIGURE THIS OUT BUT DON’T SPEND YOUR LIFE TRYING TO MAKE SOMEBODY ELSE HAPPY THAT HAS ALREADY DECIDED THAT THEY’RE NOT GOING TO BE HAPPY NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO. HONESTLY YOU CAN HURT PEOPLE WHEN YOU KEEP TRYING TO DO THAT. YOU’RE BETTER OFF JUST TO TELL THEM: YOU KNOW WHAT? YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE YOUR MIND UP WHAT KIND OF POSTURE YOU’RE GOING TO TAKE TOWARD LIFE BUT I AM NO LONGER GOING TO BE CODEPENDENT ON YOUR MESSED UP LIFE.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO STEAL MY JOY ANYMORE THROUGH YOUR PROBLEMS BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY. (applause) ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MADE ME THE MADDEST ABOUT MY HUSBAND BUT PROBABLY HELPED ME THE MOST WAS DAVE WOULD NOT LET ME MAKE HIM UNHAPPY. (laughing) HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW WHEN YOU’RE UNHAPPY, YOU WANT TO MAKE SOMEBODY ELSE UNHAPPY? (Amen.)

Joyce Meyer

BECAUSE THERE IS A SIN PRINCIPLE IN THE WORLD; THE DEVIL IS ALIVE AND WELL. WE STILL THINK THAT WE CAN SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS EVEN THOUGH WE SAY WE TRUST GOD. WE STILL THINK THAT SOME WAY, SOMEHOW IF WE WORRY AND FIGURE ON IT LONG ENOUGH, WE’LL GET IT FIGURED OUT AND WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THINGS. WE STILL HAVE DEEP-ROOTED FEARS IN OUR LIFE THAT EVEN THOUGH WE TRUST GOD, WE WANT TO HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN JUST IN CASE GOD DOESN’T COME THROUGH. COME ON NOW. (laughing)

I’LL TELL YOU ONE THING: I MAY NEVER BE THE KIND OF PERSON WHO JUST AUTOMATICALLY IS POSITIVE ABOUT EVERYTHING, BUT I THANK GOD FOR HIS WORD AND THE REVELATION THAT I HAVE THAT I KNOW NOW I CAN CHOOSE MY ATTITUDE AND I CAN CHOOSE MY THOUGHTS AND I CAN CHOOSE TO FORGIVE PEOPLE AND I CAN CHOOSE TO NOT BE OFFENDED AND I CAN CHOOSE TO NOT GET IN STRIFE. I CAN CHOOSE TO NOT STAY ANGRY. I CAN CHOOSE TO PRESS PAST THE PAIN OF FEELINGS AND DO WHAT THE WORD OF GOD TELLS ME TO DO, WHETHER I FEEL LIKE IT OR NOT. IF I DO WHAT IS RIGHT WHETHER I FEEL LIKE IT OR NOT, I AM SOWING A GOOD SEED THAT WILL BRING A HARVEST IN MY LIFE BECAUSE GOD IS FAITHFUL. AMEN? (Amen.)

THE BIBLE SAYS IN PHILIPPIANS 2:5: LET THIS SAME ATTITUDE BE IN YOU WHICH WAS IN CHRIST JESUS. HOW MANY OF YOU CAN THINK OF AT LEAST ONE BAD ATTITUDE THAT YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW? HOW MANY OF YOU ARE WILLING TO CHANGE? HOW MANY OF YOU CAN THINK OF MORE THAN ONE BAD ATTITUDE? I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE JUST MADE A LIST OF EVERY BAD ATTITUDE THAT I COULD THINK OF BUT I WAS JUST THINKING THIS  MORNING OF A JEALOUS ATTITUDE. SOME PEOPLE JUST CAN’T BE HAPPY WHEN OTHER PEOPLE ARE BLESSED. “WHAT ABOUT ME? I NEVER WIN ANYTHING.

Joyce Meyer

I’VE HAD TIMES IN MY LIFE WHERE MY PROJECT HAS BEEN: I’M GOING TO REALLY TRY TO BE POSITIVE TODAY ABOUT EVERYTHING. I RARELY EVER GET PAST THE FIRST 30 MINUTES OF THE DAY BEFORE I FALL OFF INTO THE DITCH AGAIN. I AM TELLING YOU, THERE IS THAT OLD NATURE THAT DIED WITH CHRIST ON THE CROSS BUT STILL TRIES TO GET A RESURRECTION EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. YOU HAVE TO TRY NOT TO BE NEGATIVE. YOU DON’T HAVE TO TRY TO BE NEGATIVE BUT YOU HAVE TO TRY TO BE POSITIVE. ISN’T THAT AMAZING? YOU REALLY DON’T HAVE TO TRY TO BE NEGATIVE — YOU JUST WILL BE IF YOU DON’T DECIDE TO BE POSITIVE. 

THERE MAY BE A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE HERE TODAY THAT YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE “UP” PEOPLE, THAT EVERYTHING IN YOUR LIFE IS JUST SUNSHINE AND FLOWERS. YOU WAKE UP EVERY DAY SINGING, OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING. THEN THERE ARE A LOT OF YOU LIKE ME TOO, SO I’LL JUST PREACH TO ALL OF YOU AND ALL OF YOU POSITIVE ONES CAN PRAY FOR US. THINK ABOUT IT — YOU DON’T HAVE TO TRY TO BE NEGATIVE. I WAS TALKING TO DAVE THIS MORNING AND I SAID… I AM REVEALING SOME OF THESE THINGS ABOUT ME TO YOU SO YOU KNOW THAT WE FIGHT THE SAME BATTLES THAT YOU DO. YEARS AGO I DIDN’T KNOW THAT I COULD HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH MY THOUGHTS.

I BEGAN TO NOTICE AFTER I BECAME A CHRISTIAN THAT EARLY IN THE MORNING, BEFORE YOU’RE HARDLY EVEN AWAKE, IT’S LIKE THE DEVIL WILL MAKE A BID FOR YOUR MIND AND YOUR THOUGHTS. IF YOU DON’T GET A HANDLE ON IT EARLY, SOMETIMES THE WHOLE DAY CAN GO SOUR JUST BECAUSE OF THE WAY YOU BEGIN TO THINK EARLY IN THE MORNING. WE HAVE FOUR CHILDREN. WHAT I HAVE FOUND IS THAT THREE OF MY KIDS CAN BE DOING AWESOME, I MEAN WONDERFUL. ONE OF THEM CAN BE NOT DOING SO WELL. WHICH ONE AM I INCLINED TO THINK ABOUT WHEN I WAKE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT? WHY DON’T WE THINK ABOUT THE THREE THAT ARE DOING SO WONDERFUL? WHY DO OUR THOUGHTS ALWAYS GO TOWARD THE PROBLEM? WHY DOESN’T IT JUST GO TOWARD THE POSITIVE?

Joyce Meyer