Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-19

Embrace the NEW!

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

I’m so glad you have joined me to study God’s Word! I’ve titled this study, “A Change Will Do You Good!” And I really believe that’s true because God is good, and He makes everything work together for our good. So, let’s get right into it.

Change happens to everyone, and it’s happening all the time, all around us. Sometimes I feel the world is changing faster than some people can keep up with it. But because God’s Word is true and powerful and always remains the same, we can approach change with positivity and learn to embrace it.

I’ve experienced quite a few changes in my own life and ministry. For example, about 20 years ago, our conference attendance was declining. As I looked at the people in the crowds, I noticed they were about the same age I was…and I realized that if we wanted to reach younger people for Jesus, we would have to do things differently.

Our son Daniel had recently been promoted to a position of authority within our ministry, and he suggested many changes that I initially resisted. He recommended having younger bands lead worship, updating the way I dressed, and modernizing the look of our platform. He also advised changing our monthly magazine and even redecorating some of our office space.

Honestly, I felt insulted by my son’s ideas, as though he was saying I had not done a good job. But he helped me understand that this wasn’t the case. I had taken the ministry to the point where it was, but the time had come when I needed input from people who were younger than me.

Even though I didn’t particularly like all the changes Dan suggested, we agreed to make them, and our ministry has grown as a result. Now when I look at the crowds at our conferences, I see people of all ages, from all walks of life, not just people of my generation. The growth our ministry has experienced has enabled us to help more people. Had I refused to change because of stubborn pride, I might not even have a ministry now.

Perhaps you are facing some changes right now and are struggling with them, or perhaps you need to make some changes and are afraid to do so. If so, I hope this story helps you realize how important it is to be willing and open to change.

While change requires courage, leaving behind an old season and embracing the new experiences God has for you will be worth it. You see, when God closes one door, He always opens another. Don’t miss what God wants to do in your life now because you are clinging to the past. Have the courage to change. With God on your side, you don’t ever have to be afraid to give up the good to go for the great!

Adapted from the book The Courage to Change by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2025 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Let’s Pray: “God, change can be difficult because there are so many unknowns, but I believe that You can work everything out for my good. You can make a way where there is no way! Help me see each change that comes as an opportunity to trust You…and watch You do something even greater in my life. Because You are with me, I know that the best is yet to come. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Scriptures: Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 1:6, Romans 4:17, Matthew 19:26, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalms 37:23

God Works Everything Out for Our Good! 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 (NIV)

I believe the greatest change of all and the greatest miracle we witness is how God changes people. I have needed many changes in my life over the years, and God has been faithful in bringing them about in His timing and in His ways. He has walked me through each one, and they have all been positive. I needed these changes desperately, and I do not think they would have happened apart from a relationship with God. 

You see, when we surrender our lives to Jesus and receive Him as Lord and Savior, the seed of His character is planted within us. It simply needs to be watered with God’s Word and worked out in our behavior as the Holy Spirit reveals truth to us and teaches us how to love. The more we learn to surrender to the Holy Spirit and His work in our lives, the easier the process of transformation is. 

We cannot change ourselves, but as we meditate on the wonder of God and how His Spirit works in us, we are transformed into the image of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). This happens little by little as we study God’s Word, as we pray, and as we surrender to God when He asks us to let go of something or do something we don’t want to do. We can ask for His help daily, and when the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, we can be quick to repent. 

God began a good work in you, and He will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6). Even if you don’t think or feel that God is working in your life, I can assure you that, through His Spirit, He is. 

Romans 4:17 says that we serve a God Who “…calls those things which do not exist as though they did” (NKJV). We can do the same thing. If God’s Word says it, then we can declare that it’s ours. Think about the changes you would like to see happen in your life and in the world around you, and begin to call them into existence, believing that all things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26 AMPC). As you do this, any number of positive changes can happen in your life! 

I encourage you to speak these things out daily as you pray and spend time in the Word. Speak aloud, “I can change” or, “Things in my life can change.” If you have children, you can declare, “God has a great plan for their future, and He is changing them and setting them on the right path for their life!” (Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 37:23) 

As changes happen in your life, remember that as a believer, you don’t walk alone through the changes you face. The Holy Spirit is leading and guiding you along a path of wonderful growth and transformation. 

Adapted from the book The Courage to Change by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2025 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved. 

Let’s Pray: “God, thank You for the good plans You have for me. I know that when I live by Your Word and stay connected to You, it will lead to wonderful changes in my life. While I’m changing, help me to stay focused on Your promises and the good work the Holy Spirit is doing in my life. With You on my side, anything is possible! In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Scriptures: Philippians 4:6-7, John 14:27, Isaiah 26:3

Don’t Let Anything Steal Your Peace

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Times of change can be unsettling, so learning to stay at peace internally and become peacemakers in the situations around us is essential to our own happiness. Jesus said, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9 NIV). When we live with a calm, peaceful attitude that seeks peace within ourselves and peace in the atmosphere around us, we are truly blessed.

I lived many years of my life without peace because I let myself get upset when things did not go my way. People and circumstances that annoyed me made me angry, and angry people do not enjoy peace. I wanted my circumstances to be peaceful, but I finally realized that I was the one who had to be peaceful even amid unenjoyable circumstances.

Jesus says that He gives us His peace—not a peace like the world gives, but Hispeace (John 14:27). This peace is present amid the worst of circumstances. We must access it and calm our souls when they are stirred with anger, worry, or fear. We can do this by thinking about God’s deliverance instead of our current problems. We can also do it by remembering past victories.

We can always find our way back to a state of peace if we will follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Today’s scripture gives us the winning game plan. Instead of worrying and being anxious about our problems, we should pray about them and give God thanks for all the wonderful blessings in our lives. Then God’s peace will fill our hearts and minds!

Isaiah 26:3 says about God: You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you (ESV). Based on this verse, I believe the thoughts we allow in our minds determine our level of peace. So, I encourage you to have a talk with yourself when you are upset. You can talk yourself into being upset by thinking upsetting thoughts, and you can talk yourself into peace by thinking peaceful thoughts.

Here’s another scripture that has had a profound impact on my life. First Peter 3:11 says, They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it (NIV). God used this verse to help me realize that peace is not an automatic experience; it must be pursued. We can’t even simply pray for it; we must do the things that will cause it. And in the meantime, we will be blessed if we do good.

Peace is a wonderful gift from God. And when we lose it, we can always get it back.

Adapted from the book The Courage to Change by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2025 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Let’s Pray: “God, I am so thankful for Your gift of peace. When I find myself struggling with worry, fear, and anxiety, please help me remember how much You love me and that You’re with me through every change that comes. Help me to diligently pursue a life of peace and do good to those around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Psalms 100:4, Philippians 4:6

Pull the Plug on Self-Pity

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

When we need to deal with change, self-pity keeps us focused on the difficult or challenging aspects of it. That’s exactly where the enemy wants our focus to stay. But the good news is, we can just as easily shift our focus to the positive things that change brings to our lives. So today, I am encouraging you to replace self-pity with an attitude of gratitude.

One of the best attitudes we can have is one of thankfulness, while one of the worst is self-pity. God does so much for us that we should never stop thanking Him. We all have many reasons to be thankful, and we should remember them. We must have a thankful heart to enter the presence of God (Psalm 100:4). We are to present our petitions to Him with a thankful heart (Philippians 4:6).

Being thankful is powerful, and it does wonderful things for us! It makes us happy to be thankful, people enjoy being around us, it puts a smile on God’s face, it is a key to answered prayer, and it is God’s will (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

No matter how many problems you may have, they don’t outweigh your blessings. Remember this when you are tempted to feel sorry for yourself. If you don’t see your blessings, it is because you are not looking for them. (The dark glasses of pity are clouding your view.)

I am eternally grateful that God has delivered me from the foolishness of self-pity. It never makes a situation better; it only makes us feel worse. If you have been feeling sorry for yourself, spend some time today asking God for His forgiveness. Then make a firm decision to work with the Holy Spirit to replace any lingering feelings of self-pity with the positive power of thanksgiving.

Adapted from the book The Courage to Change by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2025 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Let’s Pray: “God, I know that having a positive attitude will make life’s changes much easier to manage. So, help me stay alert to what I am thinking about. Help me focus my attention on You and all the good things You are doing in my life. Self-pity is a waste of my time. Help me to spend my time thinking in agreement with Your Word, showing myself to be thankful in every circumstance. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 5:20, 1 Kings 18:39, Judges 7:9

Live With Courageous Faith 

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV) 

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the final day of our study. I’m so glad you joined me, because the more we know how to adapt to life’s changes with peace and positivity, the more equipped we are to represent Christ in the world around us. Let’s get started on today’s lesson on living with courageous faith. 

Many people these days would say the world needs to change. We hear “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” If you are a Christian, God has called you to be an ambassador for Christ. You are His personal representative, and He is making His appeal to the world through you (2 Corinthians 5:20). And it is amazing what one person can do to effect positive change! 

Elijah was a human being just like you and me, yet he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years (James 5:17 NIV). Then he prayed for rain, believed it would come…and it came! The people saw God’s miracles, and it birthed courage within them (1 Kings 18:39). 

Gideon saw himself as small and insignificant and not at all the type of person God would use to deliver His people from their enemies. But God gave Gideon the job anyway! Judges 7:9 says, That same night the Lord said to Gideon, “Arise, go down against their camp, for I have given it into your hand” (AMPC). God had given the enemy’s camp to Gideon, and all he had to do was rise up in faith and take it. 

The great people we read about in the Bible were just that—people. They were people like you and me. We will never be Elijah or Gideon, but we can have the same spirit, meaning that we can be courageous, step out in faith, and do all God leads us to do. 

There is no doubt that we are living in difficult times. The answer is not to be afraid of the future but to face it with courage, asking God what He wants us to do. You see, God’s Word has the answer to every problem in this world. And through His power and through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, we can be a force of positive change. 

Courage is contagious. If you will be courageous, the people around you will catch courage and become courageous also. Go into the world and be kind to people. Be a light in dark places. Where there is injustice in the world, bring justice. Where there is discouragement, bring encouragement. Where there is fear, bring faith. When you see problems in society, determine to never be passive about them. Instead, do what you can do to change them. 

Certainly, each of us can pray, and we can get up each day and do good. You will come across several people every day who need help, encouragement, courage, or simply a smile. Don’t be part of the problem in the world by being negative and doing nothing but rehearsing the problems in your conversations. Instead, be part of the solution. 

You can be a powerful, world-changing force of change! Regardless of the changes happening around you, decide to believe that all things are possible with God. Take time to pray and receive His strength. 

God has filled you with courageous faith! And every single day, He wants you to remain filled with hope…and expect something good to happen in your life and in the world around you. 

Adapted from the book The Courage to Change by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2025 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved. 

Let’s Pray: “God, thank You for giving me a wonderful purpose in life and encouraging me to believe You for even greater things than I could ask for or imagine. I want to do my part in making this world a better place. So, thank You for giving me courageous faith—for using me to point others to You and do the impossible in this world. Help me stay focused on the good things I can do for others, and fill me to overflowing with hope for the future. In Jesus’ name, amen.”