the greatest change

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Teaching Notes by Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer MinistriesP.O. Box 655 Fenton, MO 63026(636) 349-0303 (800) 727-9673joycemeyer.org

TN207

changeMaking Choices That Lead to Personal Growth


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Copyright 2009 Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be

reproduced, stored electronically, sold, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior writtenconsent of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc.


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March 19-21, 2009Long Beach, California

CHANGE

Change Your Mind

I. Nothing Changes Until Your Mind Changes.

A. Romans 12:2 God has a good life planned for us but we must learn tothink right.

1. We dont even know how messed up our thinking isuntil we study the Word of God and discover truth.

B. Ephesians 4:22-24 If you want to change your behavior then yourmind must change first.

1. What you think about how to change must change.

a. We cant change by merely trying to change.

b. We change by prayer (including repentance),studying Gods Word and leaning on the HolySpirit to do the work in us. (More about thislater.)

C. Proverbs 23:7As a man thinks so is he.

1. Where the mind goes the man follows.

D. We must believe (which comes from renewed thinking) that everythingis subject to change except God Himself.

1. There is nothing or anyone in your life that is beyondchange.

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2. Ephesians 3:20 God is able to do more than we dare tothink or imagine, so we must be aggressively daring in ourhopes and expectations.

E. John 11:40 Only believe and you will see the glory of God.

1. Glory is the manifestation of Gods most excellent things.

F. Rare individuals who dared to believe things could change!

1. Nehemiah The land was in a state of ruin. Their wallswere torn down, which meant they had no protectionfrom their enemies; and he dared to believe they couldbe rebuilt.

a. Nehemiah 1:2-4; 2:17-18

b. They worked together, they prayedcontinuously, they fought enemies andopposition; but they finished the wall andthe people once again rejoiced and weresafe.

2. Joseph believed that God could work something good out

of an evil and painful situation.

3. Daniel believed he would not be left alone in the lions den.

4. Peter believed he could be forgiven for betraying Christand still be used by God.

5. A woman who was sick eighteen years believed she couldbe healed.

6. Paul believed that all Christians could do whatever theyneeded to do in life through Christ, Who is their strength.(See Philippians 4:13.)

G. Romans 14:14 and Genesis 11:6 Our personal thoughts become ourpersonal reality.

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H. II Corinthians 10:3-5 Take everythought captive.

II. We Must Understand The Anatomy And Process Of Change.

A. Change is a process and often a lengthy one.

B. Change is frightening because we like to be in control and we dontalways know what will happen next or when it will happen.

1. Change occurs because we confront fear, not becausewe dont feel it. Courage is the mastery of fear, not theabsence of it.

2. The truth is that every man is afraid; and if he isnt, thenhe is a fool.

3. We must absolutely know that we are not up to the taskat hand without God!

4. David said, What time I am afraid I will trust in God.God tells us in His Word not to be dominated by fear,but He never indicates that we will never feel it.

5. Some people have said that the only thing we need tobe afraid of is fear itself but they are wrong! It is theabsence of fear that we should fear; for if we have nofear then we are self-confident, and that is the singlebiggest mistake we can ever make.

C. I recall how afraid I was the day I made the final decision to leavenormal life and go into full-time ministry.

1. I wanted the change, but it was frightening beyond

anything I could imagine.

D. I recall how frightened I was the day I confronted my father about hisabusive behavior toward me. I was so frightened that I thought I mightfaint, but I could not progress until I faced my Goliath.

1. I was stuckuntil I blasted out of the pit I was in.

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2. It was a violent emotional time that eventually broughtpeace.

E. Decisions made out of fear can cause long-term trouble.

1. I got married at the age of eighteen to a man I barely knewbecause I was afraid nobody would ever want me since Ihad been sexually abused.

2. I went on to have five years of emotional pain and torment.

F. Change provokes all kinds of emotions!

1. We must not make decisions during emotional highsor lows!

2. Let emotions subside and then decide!!

3. Think about an emotional decision you made that causeda lot of trouble for you.

a. I have purchased things out of emotionsthat to this day I think, Why did I do that?

b. After the emotions subsided, I realized Ididnt need it and didnt want to take careof it, but had no way to get rid of it.

G. When things change you must give yourself time to get used to the newway of doing things, or the new responsibility, or the new people in yourlife, etc.

1. I came to the point after thirty-two years in ministry that Iwanted less responsibility at the office, but then I felt upsetand frustrated when decisions were made without me.

2. People want peace and quiet as they get older; and thenwhen their children leave, they grieve over having an emptynest.

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3. When women go through the change of life, it is puttingit mildly to say they tend to get emotional!!

They feel everything from insane, to fat, to wanting tocommit murder. They want to be left alone one day and the

next day they are upset because they are lonely. They wantto get out of the house, away from kids, and work with realpeople. Then they constantly complain that working is waytoo much for them in their delicate condition. They cry forabout three days each month for no reason and yet forevery reason.

H. But...eventually change produces the new thing we wanted and we canfinally enjoy it.

III. When The Brook Runs Dry It Is Time For Change.

A. I Kings 17:7 Elijah was fed for a season by a brook of running water,but eventually the brook dried up and he had to move on.

1. What God led him to was nothing like what he was usedto, and certainly not what he would have expected.

B. When our brook dries up, we are no longer being fed by what we are

doing.

1. We feel dissatisfied, discontent and unhappy; and if we dontmake a change, we will begin to find fault with everythingaround us. We can easily start placing blame on others, whenthe truth is that we just need to follow God into a new place.

a. We can also feel confused and start thinking,What is wrong with me? or even worse,What is wrong with everybody else?

b. The brook drying up is one of the ways theHoly Spirit tries to speak to us.

2. I dont mean that we always need to leave the place we areat physically. Often God is trying to change us or changethe way we approach life, and He is using our surroundingsto do it.

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a. We must be VERY careful during thesetimes because we can easily assumesomething that is not true at all.

b. Example: Just because I feel like a drybrook at work doesnt always mean Ineed a different job. Maybe I need atransfer to a new department, a newchallenge, or even a new attitude.

c. Example: Just because I feel like mymarriage is a dry brook doesnt mean Ineed a different man. Maybe I need tocreate some adventure!

3. The ministry I loved for thirty years became like a drybrook to me, and all God wanted was for me to changethe way I did it.

a. I needed more rest and free time.

b. My sons needed to come forward andbegin to take more responsibility.

4. Things that can become dry brooks:

a. Our behavior. (We get very weary of theway we behave.)

b. A friend. (The season is over.)

c. A church can be a dry brook if we are no

longer growing or serving.

When Elijah moved to the next thing Godhad for him it seemed like a demotion, nota promotion. So be more concerned aboutbeing where God wants you than you areabout your position.

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d. Commitments that were right at one timebut have lost their usefulness.

Remember very few things are intendedto be forever (except marriage)!!

C. We need change, we need adventure; and we frequently need to stirthings up a bit.

1. Change something, and you might get excited again!

2. Romans 12:8 Whatever we do, let us do it withenthusiasm and zeal.

3. Revelation 3:19 When God chastises us, be enthusiasticand burning with zeal (changing your mind and attitude).

D. Whatever God wants to change in you or your life, be excited about itbecause it will lead you to the next phase of your journey.

1. Change your mind about change so you can enjoy it. Somethings will change whether you like it or not, so why notlearn how to enjoy it!!

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PERSONAL NOTES

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PERSONAL NOTES

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Something Has Got To Change!

I. What Do We Do When We Realize Things Are Not As They Should Be?

A. Some people get angry, some get depressed or sink into self-pity, andsome find someone or something to blame.

1. Do not allow yourself to get a victim mentality.

2. If you dont like the way things are going in your life,make a decision to change what you can change.

3. I was very unhappy with my schedule due to the stressit was causing; and God said, If you dont like itthen change it!

B. We should let go of what lies behind (once we realize it is not the bestfor us) and make the changes that need to be made in order to guaranteea better future.

1. John 8:31-32 The Truth is intended to make you free not make you angry and bitter.

C. When I realized through Gods Word that Satan had robbed meof peace, joy, my childhood, righteousness, dignity andconfidence; I became furious.

1. I felt cheated; and what was even more frustrating was thatI realized I had wasted a lot of years in negative mindsetsand emotions, and that I could never get those years back.

2. Isaiah 43:18-19 I could change my thinking andexpectation and see change in my future.

II. People Who Changed Their Destiny

A. Fate and destiny are really two different things.

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1. The world talks about fate with the attitude that there isnothing that can be done about it.

2. Christians talk about destiny, and we realize that throughmaking right choices we can shape our destiny.

a. Our destiny is our destination in life. It is theplace where we will finish.

b. How we finish is more important than howwe begin or even where we are right now.

B. Jacob started out in life totally wrong, but along the way he made achange that enabled him to end up right.

1. Genesis 32:22-28 Jacob changed!

C. Paul (formerly Saul) started out totally wrong, but he changed. He endedup writing two-thirds of the New Testament, and literally being a worldchanger.

1. Acts 7:58; 8:1, 3; 9:1, 4, 17, 22 These scriptures clearlyshow the amazing change in Saul, who became Paul.

D. The ability to change is one of the greatest privileges we have as humanbeings.

1. Start saying, I can change, or Things in my life can change!

III. God Promises To Turn Things Around.

A. Isaiah 61:7-8 God hates injustice and robbery, and He promises usdouble for our trouble.

1. Our choices now can affect the future generations.

B. God will always do His part, but will you do your part?

1. Joshua 1:2-3 I have given you the land. Now you goand take it.

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2. It is like I said to my daughter recently, I have some giftsat the house for you. You need to come and get them.

3. They were hers; but if she would not put out the effort tocome and take them, then she would be without them.

C. Possess means to occupy by dispossessing the current occupants.

1. Israel fought many wars to possess what God had giventhem, and we will do no less.

2. II Corinthians 10:4 The weapons of our WARFARE!

3. Daniel 7:25 Satan seeks to wear out the saints of the

Most High God.

4. He wants to press us down (to depress us), to discourageus, weaken and defeat us.

D. Isaiah 60:1 ARISE!! Get up from the depression and prostration thatcircumstances have kept you in.

E. Judges 6:6-16 The Israelites were oppressed by the enemy due to theirfears. God called one man (Gideon) to deliver them; and he was not

only afraid, but he had a very bad attitude.

1. God needed someone who would change their mindand attitude.

2. He needed someone (just one person) who would standup to the enemy and say, My God is bigger than thisproblem!

3. Judges 7:9 God told Gideon to ARISE!

F. I Samuel 16:1, 12 God is never without a plan!

1. Samuel was mourning, but God was planning!

G. II Kings 7:3-8 Four lepers said it is better to do something rather thansit here and die!

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H. Luke 19:1-7 Zacchaeus had a disadvantage, but he aggressivelypursued a way around it and found favor with God.

1. He had the option of feeling sorry for himself and beingbitter, but he made another choice and helped form hisown destiny.

Closing Statement:

If you dont like the way things are going in your life then CHANGE IT; and ifyou cant change it, then at least CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE toward it.

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PERSONAL NOTES

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PERSONAL NOTES

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The Greatest Change Of All

I. Becoming A New Creature

A. II Corinthians 5:17 We are new creatures (altogether), old things passaway and the new has come.

1. We are changed inside and need to learn to live inside out!

2. Ephesians 1:3 We are equipped by God with everythingwe need to live in a brand new way.

B. Ephesians 1:3-14 Everything that we need to live a good life is givento us in Christ and the Holy Spirit guarantees the full possession of it.

1. Some people say that it is hard to live the Christian life;but actually, it is impossible!!

2. That is why he gives us His Holy Spirit (strength, help,ability, power, and might).

a. Apart from Him we can do nothing!

b. It is not by might or power, but by MySpirit says the Lord.

c. To succeed we must learn the power ofhelplessness.

C. II Corinthians 5:20-21 He gives us His righteousness and we mustgrow into what is ours by the grace and mercy of God.

PROP: Use Large White Coat here.

D. We are instructed to put on some things and put off others.

1. That basically means we are continually changing and beingmolded into His image.

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2. Benjamin Franklin said, When youre finished changing,youre finished.

E. Put off.

1. Ephesians 4:22-24

F. Put on.

1. Galatians 3:27 Put on Christ Jesus.

2. Ephesians 4:24 Put on the new nature.

3. Ephesians 6:11, 13-14 Put on the armor of God.

4. Colossians 3:12 Put on behavior.

5. Colossians 3:14 Put on love.

6. Colossians 3:10 Clothe yourself with the new man.

PROP: In this section use the Large White Coat again, the Ragged Coat, and

the signs requested from Nathan.

II. Equipped By The Spirit

A. I Samuel 10:6-7 Saul was turned into another man when the Spirit ofGod came upon Him.

1. The Spirit equipped him to do whatever God asked himto do.

B. When God calls us He equips us, and we must never doubt that.

1. A girl wrote and said, I believe God has asked me to dosomething that will be difficult, but I dont feel that He hasgiven me the strength to do it. What should I do? Should Igo ahead and take action believing I have what I need, orshould I keep waiting?

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2. God parts the water when we put our foot in it!

Joshua 3:13-16 When the priests bearing the ark puttheir foot into the Jordan River, then the waters parted.

3. When I quit my job to prepare for ministry you mightsay, I put my foot in it.

C. Some people never experience the fullness of their destiny because theywait for feelings to give them courage rather than acting on Gods Wordto them.

D. Luke 5:1-7 Peter acted solely on Gods Word, totally disregarding hisown thoughts, feelings and desires. He saw a miracle that day!

III. Christ In You

A. Colossians 1:27 Christ in us is the mystery of the ages.

1. His presence turns us into another creature entirely.

B. The one thing we need more than any other is to know who we are!

1. We are children of God!!

2. We are anointed, and that anointing will abide with us.

3. We are forgiven. He has cast all of our sins behind Hisback and remembers them no more.

4. We are the righteousness of God in Christ.

5. We have wisdom from God.

6. We have the mind of Christ.

7. We dont need to compare ourselves with anyone else.

a. Galatians 3:26-28 There are no distinctionsbetween us.

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PERSONAL NOTES

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PERSONAL NOTES

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Courage To Change

I. The Key To Change Is To Move Beyond Fear.

A. Courage is not the absence of fear; it is facing it and doing what youneed to do.

1. We are all afraid!

2. Every hero we read about in the Bible was afraid, and theyfaced their fear and moved ahead in faith.

B. The key to peace is to change what you can change, accept what youcannot change, and have the wisdom to know the difference.

1. This statement was painted on a sign that hung above mygrandmothers matchbox in her kitchen. It ministered tome greatly during the years of my abusive childhood.

2. I am not even sure why, but it gave me courage to goon! I knew I could not change the situation, but I wasdetermined that I would survive it.

C. It takes courage to change things, but it also takes courage to acceptwhat you cannot change and determine to have a good attitude anyway.

1. Matthew 19:26 With man some things are impossible,but all things are possible with God.

II. I Can Partner With God In My Own Change.

A. I cannot change myself, but I can cooperate with the Holy Spirit.

1. Philippians 2:12-13 Work out your own salvation withthe help of the Holy Spirit.

B. I can study and I can pray!

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1. II Corinthians 3:16-18 Continue in the Word and youwill be continually changed!

2. Pray ask for help daily. When the Holy Spirit convictsyou of sin, be quick to repent and ask for help.

3. The Holy Spirit is like the stain remover we need to getthe spots off of our life.

a. II Corinthians 3:18

PROP: Rag and stain remover solution.

b. If I get a stain on my clothes and I keep tryingto get it off without a stain remover, all I do isrub it deeper into the material.

c. We cannot change without Gods help!

C. Philippians 1:6 He Who began a good work in you will complete it.

D. Galatians 3:1-3 We cannot reach perfection by dependence upon theflesh.

E. I can say NO to myself and ask God to give me the strength to gothrough the pain of not getting my way.

1. God cannot say NO for me I must make the decision!

2. I cannot give myself the strength only God can!

3. I Corinthians 15:31 Paul died to self daily.

4. Galatians 6:14 I am crucified to the world and the worldis crucified to me.

F. Colossians 3:5 Kill the flesh!

1. Examples of things I have killed by starving them to death:

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a. Self-pity I stopped feeding it.

b. Smoking cigarettes I stopped smokingand let my flesh scream.

c. Reasoning the moment I felt confused Istopped trying to get an answer and waitedon God to give me one.

d. Rebellion against authority I began bydoing what I was asked to do whether Iliked it or not. Next, I graduated to doingit without murmuring. Then I learned todo it with a good attitude; and finally, with

joy.

e. Being nosey I reminded myself that itwas none of my business and that I wouldprobably be happier if I did not know anyway.

G. Learn to recognize when you have entered works of the flesh.

1. They always produce frustration. (See I Peter 5:5b-7.)

2. They dont work! It is like digging wells that have no waterin them.

3. There is no grace! No flow! No ease! Everything is labor,labor, and more labor; and the labor is in vain.

H. John 9:4 We must work the works of God and stay busy with Hisbusiness.

1. It takes a lot of courage to change what you can,

and to accept it when you cannot change it.

III. Accept What You Cannot Change. (This Requires A Lot Of Courage.)

A. Philippians 4:11 Paul learned to be content (satisfied to the pointwhere he was not disturbed no matter what state he was in).

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1. He may have still wanted change; but for the present, heaccepted things the way they were.

B. Do you have the courage to wait on God to do what you cannot do andENJOY THE WAIT?

C. You cannot change people. They can only change if they want to change!

1. God guarantees each man or woman free choice.

2. Not being able to change people is possibly one of themost frustrating things that we deal with in life.

3. Some scriptures that comfort us:

a. Psalm 37:5 Commit your way unto theLord; trust also in Him and He will bring itto pass.

b. Isaiah 55:8 My thoughts are not yourthoughts, and My ways are not your ways.

c. Matthew 19:26 all things are possiblewith God.

D. Most people would certainly say, The world needs to change.

1. Mahatma Gandhi said, Be the change that you want to seein the world.

2. We should do what we can do. Never be passive!

3. Have the wisdom to know what you can do and what youcannot do, and dont spend your life frustrated.

4. We can pray, we can cast our vote, and we can work tobring justice where there is injusticebut ultimately, wemust trust God to be in control.

5. Psalm 37:1-13 This Psalm promises us that evil will bedefeated in the end and the righteous will inherit the earth.

God laughs at the wicked for He sees their day of defeat.

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IV. The Spirit And Power Of Elijah

A. Elijah appeared at a critical moment in Israels history.

1. Baal worship had spiritually gutted the nation. The cultishpriests and priestesses had settled into every politicalposition. Gods altars had been dismantled. His prophets

were in hiding. His worshipers were a mere handful, andbehind all of this chaos and immorality were two people

Ahab and Jezebel.

2. Elijah came from Gilead (a nobody from no place inparticular) but he was armed with the confidence of God.

3. James 5:17 Elijah was a man just like us.

B. Courage replaced fear and timidity.

1. The people saw Elijahs courage, and it birthedcourage in them.

2. Four hundred years later it was said of John the Baptist, Hewill go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah.(See Luke 1:17.)

3. The people thought John the Baptist was Elijah returning.They thought Jesus was Elijah returning. What they wereactually seeing was the spirit and power that Elijah came

with.

4. It is amazing what one man or woman can do with courageand simple confidence in God.

C. Moses, Abraham, Noah, Esther, Ruth, Peter and Paul were actually all

men and women just like us.

1. Start doing what you can do instead of talking about whatsomebody else needs to do.

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Closing Comment:

If you dont like something, change itif you cant change it; change yourattitude toward itchange the way you think about it!

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

courage to change the things I can,

and wisdom to know the difference.

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PERSONAL NOTES

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the greatest change

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