EVERYDAY LIFE - Joyce Meyer Ministries

ENJOYING
E V E R Y D A Y
L I F E
JOYCE
MEYER
MINISTRIES
M AY / J U N E
2015
Honoring
A
YOUNG
LIFE
AND
THANKING GOD
FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY
WE HAD TO
PLAY A ROLE
“He was always
PA G E 1 6
a joyful kid
with a kind soul.”
0515 EEL 01 P.indd 1
MAY/JUN 2015 // PAGE 1 // DOM
3/23/15 1:21 PM
“Ask of Me, and I will give You
the nations as Your inheritance...”
CYAN
BLACK
PSALM 2:8
L��i�� ��o��e��e�� ��d��a�
Yellow
Magenta
Thank you for helping change lives all over the world through our various outreaches!
EEL 0515 2-5 Missions TOC SFTH P.indd 2
Children’s Homes
Disaster Relief
TV + Radio
Water Relief
Prison Ministry
Books
Feeding Programs
Inner-City Outreach
Conferences
Medical + Dental
Missions
Human Trafficking
Rescue
Correspondence
+ Prayer
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 2 // DOM
3/19/15 1:57 PM
VO LU M E 30
No 3
M AY/J UN E
2015
SHARING CHRIST AND LOVING PEOPLE
BY REACHING OUT A HAND OF HOPE
8
16
14
28
Contents
Be a hopeful person. Discover the power of making every day count.
14 Asking for the World
By Joyce Meyer
Our mission: to help as many people as we possibly can.
ST RAI GHT F ROM THE HE A RT
T V SCHE DULE
AME RI CA AT I TS B EST
GOD’S WORD M A D E PE R SO N A L
2015 CONF E RE N CES
GOOD ST UF F
BLACK
By Joyce Meyer
5
6
26
30
31
32
CYAN
8 Be a Hopeful Person...and Make Every Day Better
16 Children of Promise
By Rachael Athearn
28 Have a Great Day
By Joyce Meyer
Feeling bullied by your “to do” list? Be encouraged—God hasn’t
called you to be busy.
THANK YOU! Every day our Partners help us Share Christ and Love People. Check out
joycemeyer.org/annualreport to see how your generosity helps others in need.
EEL 0515 2-5 Missions TOC SFTH P.indd 3
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 3 // DOM
3
ENJOYING EVERYDAY LIFE
joycemeyer.org
3/23/15 9:03 AM
Yellow
Magenta
HIV positive orphans in Chandrakal, India, are given a loving home
and hope for their future.
WE SAID...
All Bible references are from
The Amplified Bible unless
otherwise noted.
Because of the generous
gifts of people like you,
we’ve been able to dig
more than 650 clean
water wells worldwide.
In Canada: Publications Mail
Agreement No. 41709522
Return undeliverable
Canadian addresses to:
Joyce Meyer Ministries
Canada
P.O. Box 7700
Vancouver, BC V6B 4E2
(800) 868-1002
[email protected]
TRIPS*
2015
Madagascar June 3–14
Papua New Guinea Jul 23–Aug 2
Zambia Jul 31–Aug 9
Ecuador Sep 26–Oct 3
Nepal Oct 23–Nov 1
Ethiopia Nov 6–15
nge.
*Schedule is subject to cha
Enjoying Everyday Life® is
published by Joyce Meyer
Ministries, Inc.® , a nonprofit
corporation, Fenton, MO USA
© 2015 Joyce Meyer Ministries,
Inc. Publications Agreement
No. 41709522. 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
Resource prices are in U.S.
Funds unless otherwise noted.
Lives will be changed,
including your own.
YOU POSTED!
issions
joycemeyer.org/medicalm
Alisa Lewandowski: <3 these
boys faces!
Order online 24/7 at
joycemeyer.org or by phone
at (800) 727-9673 or (636)
349-0303. Most major credit
cards accepted. See enclosed
form for details.
Linda Byars: Am so blessed
to be part of the work!
Titus Khor: Praise the Lord!
Contributors
Assumpta Ify: ...giving hope
to the hopeless...
BLACK
Danielle Simmons: What a
blessing!
CYAN
SHARE YOUR
ENCOURAGEMENT!
JOYCE MEYER
is one of the world’s
leading practical
Bible teachers and
travels the country
and the world conducting conferences.
She has written 100+
inspirational books
and her Enjoying
Everyday Life® radio
and television programs are broadcast
all over the world.
join
THE
CONVERSATION!
Magenta
Discounted offers expire
August 31, 2015 (while supplies
last) and are not available at
conferences. Special offers
cannot be combined for
additional discounts; some
offers may not be available
outside the U.S. All prices are
subject to change.
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Chad Spickler, David Dobson,
Evan Cox, Greg Holtzmann,
Scott Armstrong, Matt
Shannon
SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGES
2 - Moloko88, 16, 18 - Bariskina,
23 - Melissa Brandes, Ivangai,
Libellule, Miloje, Pure Solution
25 - Jiri Hera, 31 - Songquan
Deng, 32 - Redchanka,
Opicobello, 33 - bluehand
facebook.com/
joycemeyerministries
@joycemeyer
Yellow
Enjoying Everyday Life is a
registered trademark of
Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc.
[J] is also a registered
trademark of Joyce Meyer
Ministries, Inc.
DAVE MEYER
is Joyce’s husband
and Vice President
of Joyce Meyer Ministries. His passion
is to share about
this country’s rich
Christian heritage
and motivate people
to get involved by
praying, learning
about the issues,
and taking action.
We Are Committed to
Financial Accountability
ACCOUNTABILITY
At Joyce Meyer Ministries,
we want you to be confident
your gifts are being used in
the best way possible. That’s
why we are accredited by
the Evangelical Council for
Financial Accountability.
FINANCIAL PRACTICE
Joyce Meyer Ministries is
voluntarily audited each year
by an independent public
accounting firm.
4
MAY / JUNE 2015
(800) 727-9673 // Canada (800) 868-1002
EEL 0515 2-5 Missions TOC SFTH P.indd 4
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 4 // DOM
3/19/15 2:36 PM
STRAIGHT
FROM THE
Heart
D
ear Friends, I have made a powerful
discovery over the years, and that’s
the value of living with an attitude of
gratitude. We have much to be thankful for
every day, and I want to encourage people to
make gratitude a daily habit in their lives on
purpose. It’s all part of what I’m calling a “year
of thanks”…simply acknowledging all the good
God has done in our lives.
Although there are many things I’m thankful
for, one of the most important is hope. There is
so much power in having hope — a happy and
confident anticipation of something good. When
you have hope, it means you’re trusting that God
loves you and wants to be good to you.
That is why missions outreach is so important
to us. It’s why we do what we do here at Joyce
Meyer Ministries. And we’re grateful to be able
to do it with the help of our friends and partners.
A great way to express our gratitude
is to be good to someone else. Find
a way to share the goodness of God
with someone in your life or even
somebody you don’t know. You could
be the answer to someone’s prayer!
“ You could
be the answer
to someone’s
prayer! ”
CYAN
It’s interesting to me that many times, while
we are waiting for something good to happen
to us, at the same time God is working in someone’s heart to do the very thing we are hoping
for. And He wants to use us in the same way
to answer the prayer of someone else who is
feeling hopeful or one who is finding it hard
to hold on to hope.
BLACK
But there are many people in the world who
have lost hope in the face of seemingly hopeless
circumstances: things like extreme hunger and
poverty, disease, no access to clean water, or
human trafficking.
Magenta
Hopefully and thankfully,
2015 is the
#yearofthanks
5
ENJOYING EVERYDAY LIFE
joycemeyer.org
EEL 0515 2-5 Missions TOC SFTH P.indd 5
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 5 // DOM
3/19/15 2:38 PM
Yellow
In this issue, we want to share some of those
things with you and encourage your heart as
well. Beginning on page 11, we talk about our
efforts in reaching children worldwide with the
hope of Jesus Christ. And I’ll share even more
about our hopes and prayers for big things in my
article on page 14.
E N J O Y I N G
E V E R Y D AY
L I F E
Tune In
M AY
W E E K LY
M O N D AY
APR 26-MAY 2
What Do You
Know? — What do
you know about
God’s love for you?
M AY 2 0 - 2 1
2
The Mind
MAY 10-16
Finding Freedom
Through Facing
Truth — Find out
the most effective
way of sharing
Christ with others.
Yellow
Magenta
CYAN
BLACK
Spiritual Growth
MAY 17-24
A Street Called
Home* — Joyce
returns to Madagascar to help
unveil a new
safe haven for
street children.
Bible Study
5
4
Title
w/ Guest
Description
Topical
Identifier
Topical
Identifier
Topical
Identifier
Topical
Identifier
4
5
7
6
F R I D AY
1
Title
w/ Guest
Description
Get Your Hopes
Up-Part 2
Find out why
giving hope is
as important as
getting it.
Hope
8
Everyday Study:
Psalm 139
Joyce walks you
through an indepth study of
Psalm 139
What Is Sin?
Man’s law and God’s law are
two different things. Which one
is guiding your life?
Finding Freedom Through
Facing Truth
Find out the most effective way
of sharing Christ with others.
Bible Study
Temptation & Sin
Spiritual Growth
11
Bringing Hope
to America*
See how you’re
helping forgotten US military
families.
U.S. Outreach
18
12
13
Amazon Journal*
Travel to the
Peruvian Jungle
to see God’s
love flow along
the Amazon
River.
Hope on the
Inside*
God’s message
of hope reaching those imprisoned in Namibia
and Mississippi.
Feeding Programs
Water Relief
Prison Ministry
19
Everyday Study: Matthew 6
Matthew 6 has rich, practical
wisdom for your life.
26
You’ve Got What It Takes
Still have fear in your life?
Discover the only way
to combat it.
Boldness
joycemeyer.org/broadcast
21
20
Discover the importance of
why you should plan ahead to show
Kindness and Goodness to others.
Loving Others
Bible Study
25
14
See some of
Latvia’s Hidden
Treasures*,
people without
hope until the
church showed
them God’s love.
WATCH 24/7
EEL 0515 6-7 P.indd 6
T H U R S D AY
Title
w/ Guest
Description
Children Outreach
MAY 24-30
Everyday Study:
Psalm 37* — Find
out what God’s
Word reveals for
your life in Psalm 37.
3
W E D N E S D AY
Title
w/ Guest
Description
Knowing God
MAY 3-9
Power Thoughts* —
Before we can act
godly, we have
to start thinking
that way.
T U E S D AY
27
A Hope and a
Future*
In India, lepers
find they’re
welcomed in
God’s love.
28
Children’s
Outreach
15
A Street Called
Home*
Street children in
Madagascar get
to sleep in their
first safe bed.
Children’s
Outreach
22
Find out how
God is Changing
Lives and Raising Leaders*
in Namibia with
your help.
International
Outreach
29
How to Maintain a Good Attitude
Find out how you can
keep a good attitude regardless
of your circumstances.
Mind & Mouth
FOR STATIONS AND PROGRAM TIMES in your area, check your local TV
listing or visit www.joycemeyer.org/tvlistings. Schedules are subject to
change. *TBN will receive alternate programming.
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 6 // DOM
3/23/15 12:04 PM
JUNE
The votes are in!
All this month on Enjoying
Everyday Life, we’re airing the
episodes you selected as
your favorites.
BLACK
TUNE IN EVERY DAY to see which
programs you chose as the very
BEST OF 2014.
CYAN
You are here.
THANK YOU!
7
ENJOYING EVERYDAY LIFE
joycemeyer.org
EEL 0515 6-7 P.indd 7
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 7 // DOM
3/19/15 2:00 PM
Yellow
Magenta
Through your support, Enjoying Everyday Life
TV program airs 1,340 times a day in 68 languages…
to two-thirds of the
world.
declaring the Gospel
BLACK
CYAN
Magenta
Yellow
EEL 0515 8-13 P.indd 8
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 8 // DOM
3/19/15 2:38 PM
BY JOYCE MEYER
D
id you know you can have hope right now? You
don’t have to wait days, weeks, months, or years
to expect God to move. He’s with you, and He’s
already moving in your life. Psalm 71:14 says, “But
I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more.”
A hopeful person doesn’t hope occasionally or sporadically. And
a hopeful person certainly doesn’t wait until tomorrow to expect something good from God. A hopeful person is continually
hopeful, choosing to hope every day…all throughout the day.
There are some practical steps we can take to be continually
hopeful—filled with the happy anticipation of good and making
every day count.
DO SOMETHING FUN EACH DAY
Sometimes we lose our hope simply because we lose our joy.
Instead of enjoying life every day, we get burned out by bills
and discouraged by dilemmas. Why not decide to do something fun each day? It doesn’t have to be a daily trip to Disney
9
ENJOYING EVERYDAY LIFE
joycemeyer.org
EEL 0515 8-13 P.indd 9
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 9 // DOM
3/23/15 2:06 PM
CYAN
Yellow
Magenta
Whatever it is that’s in your heart, if it lines up with the Word
of God, dare to ask confidently and then wait expectantly. God
loves bold prayers. He answered them time and time again in
the Bible, and He still answers them today. Exercise hope, stand
in faith, and ask Him for something bold—and do it now.
BLACK
PRAY ONE BOLD PRAYER EACH DAY
If you have hope, you’re never afraid to believe big. In fact, I like
to say that hope is the platform that faith stands on. That’s why
it’s a good idea to go to God with a bold prayer today. You can’t
live with an expectation today if you haven’t had the faith to
make a request.
World. It could be as simple as
coffee with a friend, watching a
comedy with your family, or a walk
in the park—anything that brings a
smile to your face.
If you want to be continually full of
hope, plan fun things that will create a sense of anticipation. Hope
and joy go together, so plan something fun and go through your day
enjoying God’s presence and every
blessing He gives you.
We all need fun and enjoyable
things to look forward to. Today I
am writing for several hours. I also
plan to go for coffee with some
friends later, do a little shopping,
and go out to dinner tonight. When
I plan my day, I always include
something that I can look forward
to. Don’t wait until you retire to
think about enjoying life—enjoy
life now.
Joyce’s
newest book
now available
BLESS AT LEAST ONE PERSON
EACH DAY I love looking around
BLACK
and finding people I can bless. It’s
such a blessing to bless others! If
you really want to enjoy your day,
I suggest you help someone else
enjoy theirs. Maybe you can buy
someone’s lunch, give an encouraging compliment, or tell someone
they are important to you and that
you appreciate them.
CYAN
Ask God to show you how you can
be a blessing and then follow His
instruction. As you look to meet
the needs of others, you’re going to
be surprised at how easy it becomes to hope and believe that God
is going to meet your needs as well.
Magenta
Get Your Hopes Up!
Hardcover
by Joyce Meyer
$22
Don’t put off being a blessing. Do
it today—be a blessing now.
WRITE DOWN AT LEAST ONE
WAY EACH DAY THAT GOD
HAS BLESSED YOU Hope
thrives in an atmosphere of
thankfulness. If you want to live
with hope on a continual basis,
spend each day looking for ways
the Lord has blessed you. You’re
going to be surprised at the number of things you’ll find. The more
you realize how God is blessing
you NOW, the more hopeful you
will be that you will see even
greater things.
At the end of each day, take a moment to write those things down.
Start a “testimony of hope” journal. Some days you might have
one or two things to jot down,
other days you might have 10 or 20
things, filling an entire page. Start
documenting God’s goodness in
your life and watch how easy it
is to never live one day without
vibrant hope.
I want to challenge you to go
ahead and to get your hopes up!
Something great could happen. A
breakthrough could take place
today. You don’t have to wait until
tomorrow to believe it—believe it
today!
This is an excerpt from “GET YOUR HOPES
UP! Expect Something Good to Happen to
You Every Day” by Joyce Meyer. Copyright ©
2014 by Joyce Meyer. Reprinted by permission of FaithWords, a division of Hachette
Book Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
$28 Canada
joycemeyer.org/the happybook
Yellow
Also available in Spanish
(Paperback) $12
10
MAY / JUNE 2015
(800) 727-9673 // Canada (800) 868-1002
EEL 0515 8-13 P.indd 10
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 10 // DOM
3/19/15 2:39 PM
As children’s outreach director for Joyce Meyer Ministries’
Hand of Hope, I manage our international children’s programs. Our goal is to provide safe and loving atmospheres
where kids can learn about Jesus, receive healthy meals,
and have proper support so they can succeed in life.
Most people view children’s ministry as teaching Sunday
school and planning church events for kids. But at Hand
of Hope, our children’s ministry is about outreach, often
partnering with like-minded organizations worldwide to
support feeding programs and children’s homes.
EEL 0515 8-13 P.indd 11
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 11 // DOM
3/19/15 2:40 PM
BLACK
Yellow
BY AMY LEE
Magenta
CYAN
MINISTERING TO CHILDREN
WORLDWIDE THROUGH LOVING
ACTS & TEACHING GOD’S WORD
was a good deed had a negative effect
on the village. This demonstrates why
we are careful to provide practical
support, without disrupting social
and cultural environments, to ensure
children are safe, healthy and able to
attend school.
With multiple children’s outreaches
around the world, we have our work
cut out for us. I traveled throughout
Africa and Asia last year to visit our
facilities, meet with staff and volunteers, and interact with kids. My goal
was to identify what we are doing to
help these kids, and to find out how
we can do it better.
The needs are great, and poverty is
a significant hurdle. For many kids
who visit one of our 600 feeding sites,
that is the only meal they receive that
day. More than 70,000 kids come to
our feeding sites each year because
they are hungry, and we provide them
a meal in a safe environment. Most
of them come from extremely poor
families, so these kids often work to
help support their family rather than
attend school. If we can alleviate that
burden—the pressure of work—a child
can come to our facility and be fed,
which means they don’t have to work
for their food. This frees them up to
go to school.
Communication is key. Managing
multiple global outreaches requires
unity and vision, and an understanding of social issues and cultural
environments. The best intentions
can sometimes cause problems if one
is unaware of the impacts.
For instance, I once heard of a
wealthy woman who visited a village
in Africa and started a children’s
feeding program to alleviate poverty.
What she didn’t realize was, the men
in that village worked to provide for
their children. When the feeding
program began, it circumvented the
efforts of fathers to support their
families, so the men stopped working.
Ultimately, what this woman thought
Our facilities’ needs vary widely
around the world, and we are careful
about the way we approach meeting
them. One need is to provide ongoing
training and development for staff to
ensure they are well equipped. The
ministry curriculums we provide
must be accessible to a wide variety of
reading levels, and in many instances,
this means teaching the Gospel
through games as a fun, memorable
way to learn.
Another need is health and safety
education. We teach kids about
Yellow
Magenta
CYAN
BLACK
Access to education varies widely
around the world. For example, school
systems in India are good quality.
Children are engaged and driven to
achieve their goals. Our facilities in
India provide after school tutoring,
along with feeding programs and
Bible teaching. In other locations,
such as Cambodia and certain parts
of Africa, the school systems are very
poor. Our ongoing challenge is to
discover ways to support academic
growth by making sure kids are fed,
sheltered, ministered to and have
adequate after-school tutoring available to them.
LEFT: Girl studies at children’s home
in Thailand. TOP RIGHT: Amy pictured
with children in Madagascar.
BOTTOM RIGHT: Smiling children wait
in line to receive meals in Madagascar.
12
MAY / JUNE 2015
(800) 727-9673 // Canada (800) 868-1002
EEL 0515 8-13 P.indd 12
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 12 // DOM
3/19/15 2:41 PM
Meet some of the children whose lives
have been changed through Children’s
outreaches around the world!
SETSON
Namibia
Two-year-old Setson and so
many others in Namibia are
daily receiving nutritious meals
and learning about Jesus.
proper hygiene and self-protection. We keep track of the
children in all our locations. The most needy kids often
have the least parental guidance. We know where they are,
and when one doesn’t show up, we follow up to make sure
he or she is safe.
Building relationships with children is a critical part of
what we do. Someone once told me that every encounter
with a child is a Divine appointment. We have the ability
to change the trajectory of a child’s life by speaking
encouraging words over them and introducing them to
the Gospel. That’s the biggest part of why we do what we
do. We aim to not only provide food and shelter to at-risk
children—we disciple them. The Gospel gives them a
greater sense of value and self-worth. It’s not about just
giving them a little bit of Jesus here and there—our goal is
to help children come to know the Lord personally.
Abandoned to be raised by
dogs, it took time for Vitya to
learn how to eat with utensils,
talk and stand up straight. Today, he’s “just one of the kids”
receiving Christ’s love at House
of Mercy children’s home.
Children are so amazing to work with. They are full of life,
genuine, open and honest. My greatest reward is seeing
their smiles—when they are laughing, giggling, and no
longer hungry. My favorite question to ask them is, “What
do you want to be when you grow up?” It provokes them to
dream big and activates their hope. And watching them
sing with all their hearts, and worship God—it gives me
chills. These kids get it. They know who Jesus is and they
love Him.
Thailand
Amy Lee is the Director of Children’s Outreach for Hand of Hope,
Joyce Meyer Ministries.
EEL 0515 8-13 P.indd 13
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 13 // DOM
Magenta
CYAN
BLACK
Russia
BILLY
Once malnourished and
scarred by abuse, Billy is
growing physically and
spiritually strong, learning
about God’s love for him at
Bethel Children’s Home
in Chiang Rai.
Yellow
I once read that if you win a child, you win the future. I
can think of no better way to impact the world than to
reach children!
VITYA
3/19/15 2:41 PM
ASKING
FOR THE
WORLD
CYAN
BLACK
BY
JOYCE
MEYER
Yellow
Magenta
Several years
ago, I felt like
God placed it
in my heart
to ask Him for
something big.
I mean really big. So I did. I prayed,
“Father, I would like to be able to help
every single person on this earth.”
In my mind, it sounded ridiculous
and a bit impossible. But I know that
nothing is impossible with God!
So in faith, I began to pray this
seemingly impossible prayer and God
continues to show Himself faithful.
14
MAY/JUNE 2015
(800) 727-9673 // Canada (800) 868-1002
EEL 0515 14-15 P.indd 14
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 14 // DOM
3/19/15 2:49 PM
I’ll admit, this number
is surprising, but it also
means we have a great
Whenever Dave and I have
opportunities like this to
minister around the world,
we are constantly reminded
of you, our friends and
partners, who help make it
all possible.
Our mission is pretty
simple: to share Christ and
love people in every way
we possibly can. It’s what
we’re passionate about, and
it defines who we are. And
you are a vital part
of this mission.
GETTING THE
WORD OUT
SHARING THE LOVE
We are also passionate
about meeting people’s
physical needs. We want
to be an extension of God’s
love to the world—to be like
Jesus. God is love, and it’s
His love—working in us and
through us—that compels
us to reach out. And as we
help meet people’s needs,
their hearts are more open
to the message of the Gospel.
Through Hand of Hope, the
world missions arm of
Joyce Meyer Ministries, we
are reaching out to the
poor and hurting through
children’s homes, medical
clinics, rescue programs
I teach God’s Word at
more than a dozen conferences each year, and our
Enjoying Everyday Life
You’re also in nations like
Peru…digging water wells
where there is no clean
drinking water. That might
not mean much until you
watch a mom walk five to ten
miles one way with a heavy
pot on her head just to get
enough water for the day!
I am so grateful that we
serve a big God who puts
big dreams and visions in
our hearts. The Lord has
challenged us to go beyond
the norm…and expect Him
to do more than we can
even imagine.
So, at Joyce Meyer Ministries,
we are literally asking for the
world. Whether it’s sharing
the Gospel with someone
through our TV program…
or offering them lifesaving
assistance through one of
our Hand of Hope outreaches,
with your help and support,
we will continue our mission:
to help as many people as we
possibly can.
TRAVEL WITH US THROUGH EUROPE!
Follow Joyce’s trip for photos, videos, testimonies,
and more.
handofhope
15
ENJOYING EVERYDAY LIFE
joycemeyer.org
EEL 0515 14-15 P.indd 15
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 15 // DOM
BLACK
When people think of the
mission field, Europe isn’t
usually the first location that comes to mind.
However, a very small
percentage of those living
in Europe are Christians. In
France, for instance, less
than 1% of its population
claims to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Please keep us in prayer as
we minister in several large
venues here in Europe. We
are hoping to reach a large
number of people who don’t
yet know Jesus Christ.
From our ministry website,
joycemeyer.org, to Facebook,
Twitter, Pinterest and other
social media sites, we’re
using every tool we can to get
the Word out.
If you are a partner with us,
you are helping to provide
more than 70,000 meals a
day to hungry children—the
only meal some of them will
receive—and make it possible
for people in remote areas to
receive the medical attention
they need for life-threatening
but treatable illnesses.
CYAN
D
Right now, as this magazine arrives in your home,
Dave and I are so excited
to be in Europe with our
team. We’re in the middle
of a ten-day trip through
England, France and the
Netherlands, where I’ll
have the chance to teach
God’s Word to tens of
thousands of people at
four separate conferences.
opportunity in front of us…
it means there are a lot of
people who need to hear the
Gospel message!
I’m always amazed by the
thousands of letters we
receive from people who
have been impacted by our
programs. So many come
from nations “closed” to
the Gospel…places like Iran,
Iraq, Jordan, and Afghanistan. Translated into more
than 80 languages, our programs are reaching villages
and homes in places where
it’s otherwise impossible to
take the Gospel.
for women and children
trapped in human trafficking, disaster relief efforts,
inner city outreaches, and
so much more.
Magenta
E
From the very beginning, God
has given me a burning desire
to teach people His Word and
help them to practically apply
biblical principles to their
lives. I am thrilled to say that
Joyce Meyer Ministries is now
reaching more people with
the Gospel message than
ever before…
TV and radio broadcasts
are communicating these
messages around the
globe every single day.
3/19/15 2:50 PM
Yellow
G
From the very
beginning,
God has given
me a burning
desire to
teach people
His Word and
help them to
practically
apply biblical
principles to
their lives.
CHILDREN
OF
INDIA
India
PROVIDING
A LIFE
OF LOVE AND HOPE
FOR ORPHANS IN
CHANDRAKAL, INDIA
BY RACHAEL ATHEARN
BLACK
Sai Saran sits on the curb across from
the playground, watching his sister and
the other children fly kites and climb
on the jungle gym. Having tuberculosis
and AIDS, the sweet 13-year-old has a
hard time finding the strength to keep
up with the others while they play. But
the complete care he receives ensures
that he can enjoy the company of his
friends and, like any good big brother,
he’s especially watchful of his 8-yearold sister, Sandhya.
That’s the way I will always remember
Sai. And it’s also why it was so very
difficult when we received the news
about his passing.
Yellow
Magenta
CYAN
Sai and Sandhya are just two of many
orphaned children who have received
a new family—and been given the opportunity to know true joy—at Home
of Hope in Chandrakal, India. The
home, which is fully funded by Hand
of Hope, Joyce Meyer Ministries World
Missions, provides 50 children who are
HIV positive with the opportunity for a
better life. It’s a place where they are
nurtured and able to experience God’s
wonderful love. And we are so thankful
Sai Saran, age 13 (left) and Sandhya, age 8 (right)
0515 EEL 16-19 REV.indd 16
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 16 // DOM
3/20/15 3:43 PM
HAND OF
“After coming here, I learned about
Jesus and I came to know about
the Bible,” Roja says. Like many
of the children, her health also improved tremendously. “Before, I used
to feel very sick. I’m very active and
I’m healthy now, and also I am happy.”
Since childhood, she has wanted to
help others the way she has been
helped; so today she is studying to
become a pediatrician. “I want to help
the children who were suffering like
me,” Roja says. “After I become a doctor, I want to treat them.”
The chance to live a full life and go to
college is a dream come true. “I didn’t
expect I would live like this, but God
blessed me and (gave) me this nice
opportunity,” Roja shares. “I am here
because of God’s grace only.”
Roja, age 18
Meet Samuel
At 16, Samuel knows what he
wants to do with his life. And he
also understands that a good
education is the key to accomplishing his goal of becoming a
doctor. First in his class, Samuel
loves to read science books and
studies diligently for up to 16
hours a day at college. He is also
passionate about God, which
drives his desire to help others.
Orphaned as a young boy, he
calls Home of Hope his home.
He’s so thankful for the help he
has received through the Hand
of Hope outreach that it’s the
reason he wants to become
a doctor—so he can return to
Chandrakal with a skill that will
help the children at the home
who are all HIV positive.
“I need to help my brothers and
sisters who are living in the
Home of Hope,” he says. “I think
(being a) doctor is the (best) way
to tell the people about the Lord
Jesus Christ.”
Watch the Enjoying Everyday Life television broadcast May 27 and learn more
about how you’ve helped children in India. Check your local TV listing for stations
and program times in your area or visit joycemeyer.org/tvlistings.
0515 EEL 16-19 REV.indd 17
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 17 // DOM
3/23/15 8:52 AM
BLACK
In fact, a whole world of opportunities
has opened up for Roja and eight other
bright young adults who grew up at
Home of Hope. Now they are attending college three hours away in
At 18 years old, Roja thinks about
all the ways God has taken care
of her over the years, and she
is grateful. Her smile shines as she
reflects on her life at Home of Hope,
where she was given a good education,
clothing, nutritious food and medication to combat the virus. She also found
new life in Christ as the house parents
shared devotions from God’s Word and
demonstrated His love every day.
CYAN
Almost a decade ago, we met another
little girl who was sitting on the lawn
at the rural Hand of Hope hospital
across the street. Her father had
previously passed away, and her
mother had just died there ravaged
by AIDS, and the 10-year-old was suddenly alone and without a permanent
home. That girl—named Roja—became
the inspiration for Home of Hope Children’s Home, and today she is thriving
in college.
Magenta
“If this home did not exist, Sai would
not have known the Lord, nor would
have he had these past eight to nine
years feeling loved and valued,” says
Scott Norling, director of Joyce Meyer
Ministries in Asia. “Sai really loved the
Lord ... he was always a joyful kid with
a kind soul.”
Hyderabad, India, and experiencing
life in a big city for the first time. The
teens are on their way to seeing their
dreams realized as they study to
become doctors, computer-software
engineers, data-entry operators and
more. And as the younger children
at Home of Hope see the example
of their older “brothers and sisters”
they realize that, with God’s help
and the prayers and support of
many people around the world, they
too can accomplish any God-given
dream that’s in their heart.
Yellow
for the role God has allowed us to play
in these precious children’s lives.
hope
THIS IS THE PLACE
WHERE WE GET THE LOVE. — CHITTI
Linga, age 16 (right) and Chitti, age 13 (left)
It’s also a place for the children to
learn about themselves and cultivate
their talents through the encouragement of their house parents.
Now 16, Linga was 7 years old
when he moved into Home of Hope.
“Because I am HIV positive, people
started mocking…me at school and
there at the village, and that disturbed me a lot,” he says.
“We take care of these kids as if
they’re our own,” says G. Sunil Samuel,
one of the house parents. “We take
that responsibility, that position of
being their father and mother at times
when they are down, especially when
they need love and care.
Discouraged and unsure of where to
turn, the young boy was considering running away from home. That’s
when he met a pastor who introduced him to the children’s home in
Chandrakal. “Everybody was (HIV)
positive here, so there was nobody
to mock (me), there was nobody to
make fun of me, and I just did well
(and) enjoyed myself being at the
home,” he says.
“Whenever we…get the opportunity,
we definitely encourage them by…
showing the other nine kids who have
gone to Hyderabad to pursue their
higher education.”
You might say Roja has paved
the way for the children who are
currently being wrapped in God’s
love and given the chance of a
bright future at Home of Hope.
But you, the partners of Joyce
Meyer Ministries, have also played
a huge part! Together, we are caring for more than 925 kids in 35
children’s homes around the world,
and that is amazing.
So as these nine young people
move on to new opportunities in
college and precious Sai leaves a
permanent mark on our hearts, we
are ever grateful to God for how
they each enrich our lives. And
we thank you for helping us reach
many children like Sai, giving them
the chance to know Christ and have
a life beyond what they ever would
have had. Thank you for consistently nurturing, feeding and loving
God’s children near and far. It’s
exciting to see how God is working
in their lives!
CYAN
BLACK
Before he joined Home of Hope, Linga always thought he’d be a farmer
like his father. But at the children’s
home, he developed a love for cricket,
which he plays whenever he’s not
studying for his computer classes.
Linga’s sister, Chitti, moved to the
children’s home in 2008 with her
older brother. She misses him now
that he’s away at college, but seeing
him grow up and live out his dreams
gives her hope for her own future.
Growing up with Roja and the other
girls who are now in college has been
especially inspiring, Chitti says. They
are girls she looks up to.
Magenta
Yellow
Someday she believes she will fulfill
her dream of being a pastor. “I want
to live for God. I want to serve God. I
want to preach the Gospel,” she says.
Chitti also learned about God’s love
through the house parents and their
demonstration of Christ’s love for the
children. After coming to Home of
Hope, she decided: “This is the place
where we get the love.”
For more stories of how these young, promising lives have been changed,
visit
joycemeyer.org/meetthestudents.
18
MAY / JUNE 2015
(800) 727-9673 // Canada (800) 868-1002
0515 EEL 16-19 REV.indd 18
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 18 // DOM
3/23/15 8:54 AM
BLACK
CYAN
joycemeyer.org/Iwill
0515 EEL 16-19 REV.indd 19
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 19 // DOM
3/23/15 8:54 AM
Magenta
Help feed the little girl who would otherwise go home hungry, and rescue the woman who was forced into
human trafficking. Help the elderly man who so desperately needs medical attention, and the widow who lost
everything she owned in a natural disaster. Say, “I Will…” and help someone in their greatest time of need.
Yellow
Make a difference today.
AN INTERVIEW WITH
Yellow
Magenta
CYAN
BLACK
Joyce & Darlene
0515 EEL 20-23 P.indd 20
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 20 // DOM
3/19/15 2:58 PM
A L O O K AT L I F E , F R I E N D S H I P, A N D R E U N I T I N G
FOR THE 2015 LOVE LIFE WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
Joyce: Right away, we’re
bombarded with thoughts
like, This is never going
to work out…you’re never
going to get well. So, what
we think and say is very
Joyce: How we think and
feel about ourselves has
everything to do with our
confidence. If I don’t believe
in me, then how can I
expect anybody else to? If I
get up to teach, for example,
and don’t have any confidence that my teaching is
good, then how can I expect
others to feel that way?
BLACK
You’ve both had experiences with breast
cancer—Darlene, this past
year, and Joyce in the early
90s. What advice do you
have for other women
facing similar situations?
Darlene: I have learned
many things over the last
year. I know God is faithful
to His Word. I needed to be
around faith and around
worshippers. I learned to
reject negative emotions
and draining people during
that time in my life. I fell in
love again with the church—
local and global—as I felt
so carried by prayer. And I
learned that God’s presence
is truly heaven to me.
How do your thoughts
affect your confidence and
ability to do what God has
called you to do?
Darlene: Your thoughts are
like the fuel of your future. I
could not minister if I was
consistently depressed,
worried, or scared of failing.
We all live by the grace of God,
and rather than get taken off
course by all I cannot do, I just
trust God to use me where He
can. As Joyce says regarding
fear: “Just do it afraid!”
CYAN
Joyce: Well, I first met
her at Hillsong Church. I
was impressed right away
because I walked in with
my daughter-in-law, and
Darlene didn’t just start
talking to me first because
I was well-known. She
started talking to my
daughter-in-law, which I
thought was phenomenal.
Darlene loves everybody
and takes the time to be
kind to everybody…and
those kinds of things mean
a lot to me.
Joyce: Mainly I appreciate
that Darlene is genuine.
She’s not a phony person.
She doesn’t just worship
God from a platform. She is
a worshipper. I know she’d
be there for me if I needed
her, and she knows I’d be
there for her.
important. One way to stop
the wrong thoughts is by
confessing the Word of God
out loud. I also learned that
God is faithful. We don’t
always understand what
God does or why He does it,
but our only job, really, is
to trust God and to let Him
take care of the rest.
Can you give an example
of how our thoughts affect
different areas of our lives—
relationships, goals, etc?
Joyce: Our thoughts affect
every area. Take friendships,
for example. If I have a
friend and I meditate on the
couple times she hurt my
feelings, there’s no way I’m
going to treat her the
Magenta
How did your friendship
get started?
Darlene: We met in a
ministry setting. Joyce was
doing what she does best, I
was leading worship, and I
was so nervous to meet her
as I had admired her for so
many years.
What is one of your
favorite things about each
other?
Darlene: Since I’ve known
Joyce, she’s been the same
person on and off the
platform. She’s always been
genuinely interested in my
personal well-being and
in many ways been like a
spiritual mum.
21
ENJOYING EVERYDAY LIFE
joycemeyer.org
0515 EEL 20-23 P.indd 21
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 21 // DOM
3/19/15 2:59 PM
Yellow
Maybe the most well-known
worship artist in the world,
Darlene Zschech has written
numerous classics, inspiring millions to have a closer
relationship with God. Having
experienced a year of trials and
victories, Darlene will join us in
September to share her story as
a guest speaker at Joyce’s 2015
Love Life Women’s Conference.
We recently caught up with Joyce
and Darlene to discuss their
longtime friendship and this
year’s conference theme—Mind,
Mouth, Moods and Attitudes.
way God would have me
treat her the next time we
get together. Many times
in friendships things get
uncomfortable or just don’t
feel right. I think it often
goes back to thoughts
people are having that they
shouldn’t have.
Darlene: If I only lead
worship when I “feel” like
I could, I would be doing it
a lot less often! I discipline
my thoughts because
I know that out of the
abundance of the heart my
mouth speaks, so what I
meditate on is of premium
importance. As a wife and
mum, my attitude in the
home is so important. I set
the tone for the rest of the
family, so “joy” is where I
choose to live.
Darlene: Psalm 23:
“Though I walk through
the valley of the shadow
of death I will fear no evil.”
Psalm 91—the whole Psalm.
But I keep confessing,
“With long life I will satisfy
him and show him my
salvation.” Hallelujah!
Can you give us a sneak
peek at this year’s Love
Life Women’s Conference?
How can women prepare?
Joyce: I’ll definitely be
sharing how our thoughts
are the beginning of
almost everything else.
Our thoughts become our
words…our words become
our emotions and moods
and attitudes…and all that
becomes our life. I’d say
come with an open heart,
and ask God to show you
truth and change you…
because it’s the truth that
sets us free.
BLACK
How has God helped you
change the way you think
and speak?
Joyce: By teaching me
His Word. When we really
become serious about
studying the Word, our
minds are renewed. We
don’t realize how many lies
we believe, and we have
nothing to compare our
beliefs with until we learn
the Word of God.
CYAN
Darlene: Living to please
God is a massive trust
journey. He doesn’t just
help the way we think. If
we orientate our whole
lives around Him, then His
words become our life! In
Him we live and move and
have our being (see Acts 3:6).
Magenta
Yellow
Joyce: I feel very strongly
about confessing the Word
of God. I say things like,
“I’m blessed, and this is a
blessed day. My family is
blessed. I believe God meets
all of our needs according
to His riches in glory.” I’ll
say, “God, I put my hope
in You. Something good is
going to happen to me and
through me today.”
Darlene: To say I am
honored to be speaking
would be a massive understatement. I’ll be sharing
some of my journey and
what I heard God speak
to me during immense
trials. Come ready for God
to work in your heart like
never before. Come with
expectation…for expectation is the breeding ground
for the miraculous!
What are a couple of
Word-based statements
you regularly speak over
your life?
22
MAY/JUNE 2015
(800) 727-9673 // Canada (800) 868-1002
0515 EEL 20-23 P.indd 22
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 22 // DOM
featuring
JOYCE
MEYER
CRAIG
GROESCHEL
DARLENE
ZSCHECH
MATT
REDMAN
CHRISTY
NOCKELS
ANTHONY
EVANS, JR.
Early Bird Price
NOW $59 U.S. Funds
$69 After May 31
LADIES, THIS WEEKEND
IS JUST FOR YOU!
3/19/15 3:00 PM
THE
BLACK
TO A B ET T E R YO U
0515 EEL 20-23 P.indd 23
YOUR
JOURNEY
AWAITS
Sept 17-19
ST. LOUIS
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 23 // DOM
Register Today!
joycemeyer.org/lovelife
(888) 727-5280
(636) 349-0303
(U.S. & Canada)
(International)
facebook.com/lovelifeconference
3/19/15 3:00 PM
Magenta
There’s a road that leads to great
relationships, deeper peace, lasting joy,
and a supernatural ability to love—really
love—others and yourself. A path that
renews your mind, mouth, moods and
attitudes. Come discover the roadmap
to the beautiful life God has for you.
Yellow
e
CYAN
Y
HAND OF
hope
AN OASIS OF HOPE
SHARING THE LOVE OF CHRIST WITH
THE BOSNIAN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY
IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
BY LORI POTTER
UNITED STATES
United States
BLACK
The Bosnian War lasted from 1992 to 1995.
Bosnian Muslims were targeted for “ethnic
cleansing” — a type of genocide. This included
widespread murder, rape, torture and forcible
removal from homes — all of which resulted
in the deaths of about 100,000 Bosnians. It
was the worst act of genocide in Europe since
World War II.1
CYAN
Although most who orchestrated the genocide
are now either dead or serving life sentences
in prison, the traumatic effects of enduring
widespread violence, at the hands of people
claiming Christian faith, remain with many
first-generation Bosnian War survivors.
Magenta
Yellow
A LITTLE-KNOWN FACT about Joyce Meyer
Ministries’ hometown, St. Louis, Missouri, is that
it is also home to more Bosnians than any other
place outside of Bosnia. During the mid to late
1990s, thousands of Bosnian immigrants, rocked
by the post-traumatic stress of genocide in their
war-torn homeland, relocated to St. Louis.
Today, many of these precious families are
welcoming their third generation since immigration. And as their community grows, their deep
respect for Bosnian heritage remains strong,
amplified by their obvious love for St. Louis.
Joyce Meyer Ministries, Hand of Hope recognized
a unique opportunity to reach out to the Bosnian
community and celebrate who they are by sharing
God’s love with them with no strings attached.
Hand of Hope joined with Oasis International
and dozens of church communities and organizations to host a free festival called Celebrate
Bosnia. This first-of-its-kind event, held at
Christy Park in St. Louis, included authentic
Bosnian food, soccer clinics, arts and crafts,
live entertainment and family games. Special
giveaways included soccer balls printed with the
Gospel message in Bosnian, along with a special
edition of Joyce’s book Tell Them I Love Them
and DVD teaching, both of which were translated
into Bosnian.
Mark Akers, representing Oasis International,
shared how one mother was so grateful for
Christians reaching out to help Bosnians in
St. Louis at another event last year that she
called her two sons in Baghdad and Dubai and
handed the phone to Akers to speak with them.
They thanked him profusely for helping their
mother, expressing gratitude over the
Christians in St. Louis showing kindness toward
Bosnians. “Not only are we demonstrating
God’s love to the Bosnian people, but by doing
so, we are providing peace of mind to their
family members around the world,” Akers said.
24
MAY / JUNE 2015
(800) 727-9673 // Canada (800) 868-1002
EEL 0515 24-25 Bosnia FeatRes P.indd 24
1. http://www.history.com/topics/bosnian-genocide
MAY/JUN 2015 // PAGE 24 // DOM
3/19/15 3:37 PM
DISCOVER PEACE, CONTENTMENT, AND EVEN LAUGHTER WITH A SIMPLE, SPIRIT-LED LIFE.
CONTENTMENT &
SATISFACTION
4 TEACHINGS ON CD
$26 / $33 CAN
CYAN
BLACK
100 WAYS TO
SIMPLIFY YOUR
LIFE
HARDCOVER
$16.99 / $22 CAN
Magenta
ENJOYING EVERYDAY
LIFE MUG
$12 / $15 CAN
EEL 0515 24-25 Bosnia FeatRes P.indd 25
MAY/JUN 2015 // PAGE 25 // DOM
LAUGH
64-MINUTE DVD OF SOME
OF JOYCE’S FUNNIEST
TEACHING MOMENTS
$20 / $26 CAN
Yellow
START RELAXING AND GIVE GOD CONTROL.
ORDER TODAY AT JOYCEMEYER.ORG/BOOKSTORE.
3/19/15 3:38 PM
A M E R I C A AT I T S
best
God’s Plan
for America’s
Comeback
BY DAVE MEYER
ALTHOUGH MANY PEOPLE ARE UNAWARE
of it, Satan has a plan for America. He wants us
to forget our godly heritage and slowly erase
our rich, biblical foundation.
We see the signs everywhere. God and prayer
have been removed from schools and history
books. God has been removed from our government except during times of emergency like
September 11. Our Constitution has also been
reinterpreted and re-written to change our
Founders’ original intent.
BLACK
To take our moral temperature, all you have
to do is turn on the television. Our society celebrates doing whatever they think is right, and
sin is no longer called sin.
The good news is God also has a plan—
and His plan is always greater. What is it?
Yellow
Magenta
CYAN
God’s Four-Step Recovery Plan
In 2 Chronicles 7:14, the Lord says, If My people,
who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways,
THEN will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin,
and heal their land.
God gives us four specific things to do: humble,
pray, seek, and turn. This is our part of the process. As we do these things, then God will do
His part to hear, forgive and heal. But until we
do our part, God will not do His part. The key word in this entire
verse is “then.” It makes it clear that our part must be fulfilled
before God’s part can be initiated.
Our part involves true humility and repentance. We can pray
for restoration, however, restoration can’t come until there is
revival; revival can’t come until there is responsibility;
responsibility can’t come until there repentance; and repentance can’t come until we remember...
We must remember who we are, where we come from...and
why it’s important to be accountable for what God’s given us
through our Founding Fathers. We must discover things like:
• How was our government formed?
• What price was paid for our liberty… and who paid it?
• What role did God play in the lives of our Founding Fathers?
• What responsibilities did our Founders give us?
The Bible says wisdom comes from two sources: the Word of
God and life’s experiences (history). If we choose to forget the
past, then we lose the wisdom of the past—wisdom that came
at a great price. If we forget, then history will inevitably repeat
itself…and we’ll once again pay a tremendous price.
26
MAY / JUNE 2015
(800) 727-9673 // Canada (800) 868-1002
EEL 0515 26-27 America Friends P.indd 26
MAY/JUN 2015 // PAGE 26 // DOM
3/19/15 3:45 PM
God wants to use our nation as a beacon of light to
shine brightly for Jesus Christ all around the world.
The Lord wants to use our nation, our resources, and
our people to once again become a beacon of light,
to shine brightly for Jesus Christ all around the world.
On May 26, Memorial Day, we will celebrate those
who have allowed our light to shine in years past...an
honor all of the servicemen and women who fought
for this nation and made the ultimate sacrifice.
Today, we continue the fight. However, it’s a battle
against misinformation, passivity, and what I refer to
as “historical amnesia.”
Seeds of
Change
The future begins with us.
Discover how to transform
America from the inside out.
BLACK
What did he mean? A republic
means “rule of law” (our constitution). This form of government offers the very greatest
liberties and freedom—but it
also requires the most responsibility, moral virtue and maintenance to keep it intact.
Worth Fighting For
God is waiting for the body of Christ in America to
become a courageous body…a group who will stand
up and do what He is asking us to do. This is the true
meaning of a “patriot.” It involves becoming educated about our past, then taking action for our future.
These battles are just as important as any we’ve
ever fought. Our generation has the responsibility
to protect the precious liberties that brave men and
women have sacrificed to protect.
Friends, with your help, we can protect them—God
America has gone from a strong
has given us the plan. One by one, we can do our part
godly nation, ready to fight for
to take a stand for America. As we are faithful to do
our liberties and moral prinwhat we can do, the Lord will be faithful to do what
ciples…to one that’s complacent, we can’t…
allowing ungodliness to creep in
little by little.
…and bring healing to our land.
CYAN
In 1787, as Benjamin Franklin
exited the Constitutional Convention, a woman shouted from
the crowd, “Sir, what have you
given us?” Franklin famously
responded, “A republic, ma’am,
if you can keep it.”
As Christians, the choice is up to us: We can either
stand up and fight or lay down entirely. But we can’t
stay the same and expect the direction of our country
to change.
Renewing the
Soul of America
Paperback by Charles Crismier
$17.99
27
ENJOYING EVERYDAY LIFE
joycemeyer.org
EEL 0515 26-27 America Friends P.indd 27
MAY/JUN 2015 // PAGE 27 // DOM
Magenta
I believe a lot of people simply
want God to rescue this nation—
to solve our problems without
requiring any action on our part.
However, revival for America
includes taking responsibility to
do what God shows us to help
preserve what our forefathers
have obtained.
Evil doesn’t just happen overnight—it happens
slowly over time as we fail to fulfill our responsibilities. Not doing what needs to be done in the face of
evil encourages its existence and growth. Evil is only
denied existence by wise action...and wise action is
our responsibility!
3/19/15 3:46 PM
Yellow
Revival or Rescue?
On May 7, millions in America
will observe the 64th Annual
National Day of Prayer. It’s an
incredible opportunity to come
together and focus our eyes on
the true Source of our help.
However, as we pray, we have
to be willing to do what God
shows us.
BLACK
H OW TO F E E L L E S S B U SY
CYAN
AND BE MORE FRUITFUL
Magenta
I N Y O U R E V E R Y D AY L I F E
Yellow
BY J OYC E M EY E R
EEL 0515 28-29 Joyce No2 P.indd 28
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 28 // DOM
3/19/15 3:47 PM
You know, we spend time just like we
spend money. When we spend it, it’s
gone. We can’t get it back. So we need
to think about what we are spending
it on and decide whether or not we are
making the right choices.
No matter what’s on your to-do list
today, I want to encourage you that
God hasn’t called you to be busy. He
wants you to live purposefully and
be fruitful.
AND THE SECRET TO BEING
FRUITFUL is to have a close, personal
relationship with God.
John 15:5 says, I am the Vine; you are
the branches. Whoever lives in Me and
I in him bears much (abundant) fruit.
However, apart from Me [cut off from
vital union with Me] you can do nothing.
No matter what you have to do to
make time with God your top priority,
SO MUCH STRESS IS THAT
THEY’RE LISTENING TO
EVERY VOICE AROUND THEM
EXCEPT THE VOICE OF GOD.
You may have to wake up extra
early or stay up later at night, but I
encourage you to set aside time daily
to spend with God. And when you
do, listen for His voice. One reason
people feel pressured and under so
much stress is that they’re listening
to every voice around them except
the voice of God.
John 15:8 says, When you bear (produce)
much fruit, My Father is honored and
glorified, and you show and prove
yourselves to be true followers of Mine.
Following God can sometimes sound
like a huge, impossible task. But really,
you can be a great witness for God just
by being productive, and resting in His
presence as you go about your daily life.
When you feel like you’ve lost your
balance again and things are getting
busy, don’t just drag yourself through
the day. Make time with God your priority. He will give you the strength you
need to live each day with peace and
purpose as you accomplish everything
He’s calling you to do.
Matthew 11:28-29 says, Come to Me, all
you who labor and are heavy-laden
and overburdened, and I will cause
you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and
refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon
you and learn of Me, for I am gentle
(meek) and humble (lowly) in heart,
and you will find rest (relief and ease
and refreshment and recreation and
blessed quiet) for your souls.
Even Jesus spent time alone with God
before He went out into the world to
do ministry, and He only did what
God put before Him to do. He didn’t
let other people decide His schedule.
If we will do the same, then our lives
can be peaceful and purposeful as
well as fruitful.
Free yourself
up to be more
fruitful.
Using Your
Time Wisely
4 Teachings on CD
by Joyce Meyer
$26 / $33 Canada
29
ENJOYING EVERYDAY LIFE
joycemeyer.org
EEL 0515 28-29 Joyce No2 P.indd 29
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 29 // DOM
BLACK
Instead of dreading that you don’t
have enough time, you can make the
decision to have more wisdom with
the way you spend your time.
PRESSURED AND UNDER
God wants to encourage us through
His Word to live as people of purpose,
making the most of the time we’re given.
CYAN
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, To everything
there is a season, and a time for every
matter or purpose under heaven.
ONE REASON PEOPLE FEEL
ARE YOU LIVING PURPOSEFULLY
OR JUST BEING BUSY? Have you
ever had a day when you were busy
all day long but couldn’t tell what you
accomplished at the end of it? We
don’t have to live that way.
3/19/15 3:48 PM
Magenta
You may think time is the problem—
that there just isn’t enough of it. But
God gives everyone the same amount.
We all have 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week. I guess that’s God’s way of
saying that’s all the time we need to
live a well-balanced life with plenty of
time for work, rest and play.
you are never going to regret doing
it. There is absolutely no better way
to spend your time than to pray and
study God’s Word. It will bring you
peace, joy, confidence, wisdom and
understanding. You’ll be encouraged.
You can be healed. There’s just no end
to the good things that can happen in
your life when you put God first.
Yellow
ARE YOU ONE OF THE MILLIONS
who feel constantly busy? Do you
wake up thinking: I might as well
stay in bed. There’s no way I can get
everything done! Obviously that’s not
a good way to live. God would much
rather see you relaxed and confident
in Him, peaceful and fulfilling your
purpose in life. So if you’re in a habit
of feeling anxious and overwhelmed, I
want to help you fi x that.
JU
GOD’S
word
MADE PERSONAL
In Pursuit of
Fruitfulness
Time is a gift and we’re able to spend it any way we choose. But
once we spend it, it’s gone. At the end of every day, God wants us to
be fulfilled and satisfied, having spent our time in a fruitful way.
We can find encouragement in God’s Word to not be merely busy,
but fruitful and fulfilled.
Sometimes we get so focused on completing our “to do” list, thinking then we
can rest. We forget that something else will always come up—and that God’s Word
instructs us to rest continually in Him. Read Genesis 2:2-3, Philippians 4:6, Colossians 1:4, Acts 3:19, Psalm 62:8. How can these different forms of rest increase
our productivity?
Fruitfulness happens when we plug in to our power source—Jesus Christ (see John
15:5). Read Galatians 5:22-23. What are the some of the benefits of abiding in Him?
He has made everything
beautiful in its time. He also
has planted eternity in men’s
hearts and minds [a divinely
implanted sense of a purpose
working through the ages
which nothing under the sun
but God alone can satisfy]….
Read Luke 10:25-42. These passages show us what it means to be busy and what
it means to be fruitful. Do you ever feel compelled to be busy or controlled by your
schedule? If so, what can you do practically to see a positive change?
BLACK
—Ecclesiastes 3:11
Yellow
Magenta
CYAN
God is here for you—and He is able to bear your load. Instead of running on your own
steam, take time to be refreshed in His Word. Read Matthew 11:28-30, Luke 12:27, and
Isaiah 40:28-31…and rest in Him. What is He speaking to your heart?
PRAY: Father, Thank you for sending Your Holy Spirit to help me do everything I
need to do, even as I rest in You. Help me set my priorities according to the wisdom
in Your Word. With Your help, Lord, I can enjoy a more fruitful, fulfilling life and be a
blessing to others simply by abiding in You. Amen.
30
MAY / JUNE 2015
(800) 727-9673 // Canada (800) 868-1002
0515 EEL 30-31 P.indd 30
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 30 // DOM
3/19/15 3:30 PM
JU
UPCOMING
conferences
GRAND RAPIDS, MI
JUNE 4-6
RESURRECTION LIFE CHURCH
WORSHIP WITH CHRISTY NOCKELS
LONG BEACH, CA
JUL 30 - AUG 1
LONG BEACH ARENA
WORSHIP WITH PHIL WICKHAM
ATLANTA, GA
AUG 13-15
THE ARENA AT
GWINNET CENTER
WORSHIP WITH HIGHLANDS
WORSHIP BAND
WORSHIP WITH ISRAEL HOUGHTON
& NEW BRIEED
LONDON, ENGLAND
APR 30 - MAY 2 and MAY 4-5
PARIS, FRANCE
ROTTERDAM,
NETHERLANDS
MAY 8
MAY 9
For more information,
visit joycemeyer.org/Europe2015
joycemeyer.org/conference
facebook.com/joycemeyerministries
twitter.com/joycemeyer
Get the complete schedule and details you need to plan your trip at joycemeyer.org/conference.
Spanish translation will be available at some locations; please check online for more information.
Interpretation for the deaf and hard of hearing will be provided. No registration required.
Schedule is subject to change.
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 31 // DOM
Yellow
(866) SEE - JOYCE
0515 EEL 30-31 P.indd 31
Magenta
Enjoy four unique teachings, inspiring worship,
and a faith-filled atmosphere where anything is possible.
Take some time away—your life may never be the same!
CYAN
AUG 27-29
GIANT Center
BLACK
HERSHEY, PA
[email protected]
(800) 707-7877 x3516
3/19/15 3:31 PM
May/June ‘15
E N J O Y I N G
E V E R Y D AY
L I F E
Good Stuff
INTERESTING BITS, READER RESPONSES, MILESTONES & MORE
FAITH IN ACTION
LOVE LIFE
PRAYER STARTER
A Prayer for Moms
& Dads
SEPT. 17-19 | ST. LOUIS
MOTHER’S DAY MAY 10 | FATHER’S DAY JUNE 21
HOPE EXPECTS
GOOD THINGS TO
HAPPEN.
Here is a taste of what
it brings:
Dear Father,
Help moms and dads rest in You as they go about
their days. Provide them with wisdom and patience,
and the strength and encouragement they need to
be all You desire them to be. Bless their homes with
peace. May they find joy in each day, laugh off their
mistakes, live in the moment and expect good things
for the future. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
What to
Bring
Your heart
to be changed.
A story to tell.
A friend to share
in the experience.
MON
25
Motivation to
reach your goals
MON
25
A softening of a
hard heart
COMING SOON
There’s a room with
your name on it. For
reduced hotel rates and
travel deals, visit
joycemeyer.org/lovelife
SEE THE DIFFERENCE
MON
you are making in the lives of people all over the world!
Look for our special 2014 Annual Report issue of Enjoying
Everyday Life, arriving in YOUR mailbox in June.
25
A promise of better
days ahead
MON
BLACK
CYAN
Magenta
AN
OF TH
KS
of the
lain all
p
x
e
n
few
e
ot ev
rt and a a
e
h
“I cann
y
h fami
ess in m
s I watc
happin
a
s
e
y
e
ugh
my
es. Thro ht
x
o
tears in
b
d
o
ive fo
broug
lies rece osity we have
to so
ner
and joy
,
your ge
s
s
e
n
i
year
happ
ressful
t
s
a
smiles,
n
e
e
owed
It has b
. You sh ss
y
many.
t
i
n
u
comm
ppine
for the
ing, ha
v
i
g
s
t
n
ssed.”
de
eing ble
b
our stu
f
o
g
n
feeli
and the
E
A N OT
Help for More Than 300
Families in Ferguson, MO
The Ferguson community needed to feel
God’s love after enduring months of civil
unrest. THANKS TO YOU, the families MON
25
of all 345 students at Koch Elementary
School were blessed with Christmas gifts
and free groceries in December—plus the
development of an on-site food pantry
sustained by the St. Louis Dream Center,
MON
an outreach of Joyce Meyer Ministries.
5
25
Patience while
you’re waiting
A reminder that
God is in control
2
EY,
ER,
—KIM N
TEACH
GRADE
T
S
IR
F
O
SON, M
FERGU
Enjoyment of life
And now, Lord, what
do I wait for and
expect? My hope and
expectation are in You.
Yellow
— PSALM 39:7
32
MAY / JUNE 2015
(800) 727-9673 // Canada (800) 868-1002
EEL 0515 32-35 Stuff Testimony Thanks P_MM.indd 32
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 32 // DOM
Adapted from
Joyce’s book, Get Your
Hopes Up!
3/23/15 2:02 PM
A LIFE
FREEDOM OF GOD’S LOVE
When Aaron’s father found them and reclaimed his
children, things didn’t change. Although he really
loved them, it was difficult for him to provide for
33
ENJOYING EVERYDAY LIFE
joycemeyer.org
EEL 0515 32-35 Stuff Testimony Thanks P_MM.indd 33
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 33 // DOM
3/23/15 2:02 PM
CYAN
AND DESPAIR TO THE
She returned a short time later to get Aaron, his
brother and sister, whisking them away to a small
town in the Rocky Mountains. She believed she
was doing the best thing to protect her children,
but the reality of being a single mom and the sole
provider of the family meant working at least two
jobs and never having enough time or energy to
be a nurturing parent.
Magenta
THE PAIN OF INSECURITY
Yellow
ONE MAN’S JOURNEY FROM
AARON’S EARLIEST MEMORIES of home and
family are filled with “a lot of drama,” anger, strife
and tension. He still vividly remembers the night
when he was just four or five years old and his
parents were arguing and “really going at it.” Then
suddenly, his mom stopped fighting, picked up her
bags and left.
BLACK
Transformed
his family and be the loving father they needed.
Through this season of chaos and change, Aaron’s
sense of separation, abandonment, insecurity and
instability continued to steadily grow.
Eventually, Aaron’s mom returned and was reunited
with her two sons and daughter. She remarried, but
their stepfather had problems with alcohol and anger, which created a continual atmosphere of tension,
conflict and strife. Home became a place he wanted
to avoid, so he spent a lot of time at a friend’s house;
when he had nowhere else to go, he was usually
alone in his room, with his guitar for comfort.
Aaron and his wife,
Becky, serve together
as worship pastors at
Citipointe Church in
Australia.
Aaron began to see the evidence in his mom. He
says, “All of a sudden…I noticed my mom was this
crazy Christian. When she would drop us off at
school, she’d say things like ‘Aaron, you are more
than a conqueror!’ She had all of these Joyce
Meyer teachings and she’d watch her on TV. We’d
wake up in the morning and she was listening
to praise and worship music.” The change in her
made an impression, but Aaron needed his own
personal encounter with God.
It happened in a most unlikely situation: a spring
break trip to Mexico. For the first three days, he
was drunk most of the time. But on Thursday
morning, he says, “I woke up with this discontentment and didn’t know what it was. I went to order
a drink but something wasn’t right.” He ended up
on the beach by himself, and although he hadn’t
wanted anything to do with God because of the
hurt and confusion he’d experienced most of his
life, he was compelled to pray and worship God for
the next two hours. And for the rest of the trip, he
didn’t have another sip of alcohol.
Magenta
CYAN
BLACK
When he was around 13 years old, Aaron’s struggle
with rejection, a total lack of self-worth and constant sense of abandonment caused him to start
hanging out with the wrong crowd, drinking and
smoking marijuana. But somehow, in the midst of
all the chaos, God was there.
ing a personal relationship with Jesus. It wasn’t
long before he began attending a church founded
in Colorado by Pastors Mark and Leigh Ramsey
of Citipointe Church Brisbane in Australia. After
joining the worship team playing guitar, he says,
“That’s when I felt connected to my destiny.”
Now Aaron was ready for healing in his mind
and emotions so he could move forward in God’s
plans for his life. He recalls how God dramatically
touched his heart while he was at youth camp.
One evening during a prayer time with other
musicians on the worship team, he began weeping
uncontrollably. He says, “That’s when the Father’s
love wrapped me up in His arms. I realized He’s not
just up in the sky; He is a faithful, loving Dad.”
When Aaron returned home and told his mom
what had happened, she gave him a copy of
Joyce’s book Battlefield of the Mind. Aaron spent
the next three months of his lunchtime at school
in the library, reading this book. He says, “It was
like the world was silent and it was just me, God
and…this book. Every page just came alive. She
grabbed every scripture I needed, and the first
thought that nailed me was ‘This is the way Jesus
thinks and this is how I should think.’”
Looking at him today, it’s hard to imagine Aaron
as an extremely negative, depressed teen who
believed he was unworthy of love and fearfully wondered: Who am I going to become if I’m nobody?
How am I going to live if I will never amount to anything? The power of God’s love and His Word took
Aaron from the oppression of anger, hate, unforgiveness and self-pity to the freedom and security
of God’s unconditional love with a humble yet bold
confidence to be the man he was created to be.
Today, Aaron and his wife, Becky, serve together
as worship pastors at Citipointe Church in Australia. It’s been an amazing journey that can only be
described as a miracle of God. Aaron Lucas is a life
transformed by Love and Truth!
“Y
Yellow
Aaron returned home with a changed heart. He
started going to church with his mom and pursu-
34
MAY / JUNE 2015
(800) 727-9673 // Canada (800) 868-1002
EEL 0515 32-35 Stuff Testimony Thanks P_MM.indd 34
MAY/JUNE 2015 // PAGE 34 // DOM
To get the whole story from Aaron,
visit joycemeyer.org/extra
3/23/15 2:03 PM
be thankful
a YEAR OF THANKS
Join us in a whole year of
giving thanks. Even when
things get difficult, we
encourage you to:
We have so much to be thankful
for, and focusing on what God’s
doing in our lives is a great way to
live—it energizes us, gives us joy,
and fills us with hope! So I hope
you’ll join me in my goal and make it
your own: I want to be the most thankful
person on the planet. Together, we can
make 2015 a “year of thanks.”
I encourage you to be thankful and say so.
Tell people you appreciate them. Show
your gratitude for the small things. Live
in a spirit of thanks all year long! You can
even add to our online conversation by
using the hashtag #YEAROFTHANKS. Help
make 2015 a year filled with gratitude
and thanksgiving!
Tell people
you appreciate
them.
Have fun
with it!
Be thankful
and say so.
PSALM 100:4
Show your
thanks in
big & small
ways.
…AND SAY SO! Share your gratitude with the world. Post your thoughts, photos and creative ideas
online using the hashtag #YEAROFTHANKS. Here are just a few of the comments we’ve seen so far.
“Thankful/grateful for half days and stolen moments
with my girls!”
#YEAROFTHANKS —@NOFEARENTERTAIN
“You had your hand
of protection over
me while I was in
Afghanistan.”
—JASON
“I am so thankful for
#YEAROFTHANKS
getting thru cancer; so
thankful for my husband
and all his support.”
—MARY #YEAROFTHANKS
#YEAROFTHANKS
“He makes every morning awesome!”
EEL 0515 32-35 Stuff Testimony Thanks P_MM.indd 35
—@NSWARTZY #YEAROFTHANKS
3/19/15 3:05 PM