A war is raging and your mind is the battlefield. Worry, doubt, confusion, depression, anger and feelings of condemnation . all of these are attacks on the mind. If you suffer from negative thoughts, take heart! For 20 years Joyce's book Battlefield of the Mind has helped millions win these battles and over the next 20 days, we are going to encourage you to learn to choose your own thoughts rather than letting the enemy fill your mind full of things that will destroy you. We must be responsible for our own thoughts and words because they produce our actions.
For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. Ephesians 6:12 AMPC
There is a war going on, and your mind is the battlefield. But the good news is, God is fighting on your side.
Discover how to anchor your thoughts to God's Word, get a free download, plus a great teaching from Joyce! Read more
The process of renewing our minds can take time, and we will certainly make mistakes along the way. But the Bible tells us that we are a "new creation" and that we have the "mind of Christ." So be confident that God will help you as we continue to learn how to think what He wants us to think.
For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. [Isa. 40:13.] 1 Corinthians 2:16 AMPC
You are in a battle, but you are not alone – for all God's people fight this same fight. We are all in it together.
Joyce reveals one of the greatest revelations of her life. Read more
Positive minds produce positive lives. Negative minds produce negative lives. Positive thoughts are always full of faith and hope. Negative thoughts are always full of fear and doubt. Each and every day you have a choice to make . choose to be positive.
Then to the centurion Jesus said, Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed. And the servant boy was restored to health at that very moment. Matthew 8:13 AMPC
Whatever happens – trust in the Lord and be positive!
You could wait until your life is perfect before you start enjoying it, but you may be waiting a long time. Learn to enjoy it today . and every day! Read more
Have you ever taken an inventory of your thought life? It can be a very valuable exercise. In Ephesians 4, we're told to put off our old nature and put on the new nature. But how do we do that? The answer is in verse 23: And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind . That's why it's so important that we learn how to think things on purpose.
I will meditate on Your precepts and have respect to Your ways [the paths of life marked out by Your law]. Psalm 119:15 AMPC
If you want to be a success and to prosper in all of your dealings, the Bible says you must meditate on the Word of God day and night.
Do you have hope for your future? Or do you generally expect negative or disappointing things to happen? Learn to become a prisoner of hope! Read more
Whether you've already seen incredible breakthrough in your thought-life or you still have a long way to go, don't give up! Because no matter how bad things may seem, it is possible to regain the territory the enemy has taken from you. If necessary, regain it one inch at a time, always leaning on God's grace and not your own ability to get the desired results.
And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. Galatians 6:9 AMPC
Whatever you may be facing or experiencing in your life, I am encouraging you to go through it and not give up!
Your thoughts influence your perspective. So if your situation looks bad, you can be positive! Learn to train your brain to stay optimistic. Read more
Let's be honest, sometimes what God is showing us to do doesn't always make sense. We have to learn to trust God even when things don't make sense to us. We must remember that God sees the big picture and He has our best interest in mind. So as you face this battle in your mind, start walking out what you find in Scripture. Before long, you'll start to see things change in your mind and your life.
But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. James 1:22 AMPC
I have found out that God wants me to obey Him, whether or not I feel like it, want to, or think it is a good idea.
Learn how Joyce developed the habit of trusting God, and how it made life really worth living. Read more
Doubt isn't something God puts in us. The Bible says that God gives every man a "measure of faith" (Romans 12:3 KJV) God has placed faith in our heart, but the devil tries to negate our faith by attacking us with doubt. We can choose to have faith and trust that God will do what He said He will do, instead of believing the lies of doubt. What will you choose?
In the early dawn the next morning, as He was coming back to the city, He was hungry. And as He saw one single leafy fig tree above the roadside, He went to it but He found nothing but leaves on it [seeing that in the fig tree the fruit appears at the same time as the leaves]. And He said to it, Never again shall fruit grow on you! And the fig tree withered up at once. When the disciples saw it, they marveled greatly and asked, How is it that the fig tree has withered away all at once? And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith (a firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done. And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive. Matthew 21:18-22 AMPC
Since you can choose your own thoughts, when doubt comes you should learn to recognize it for what it is, say "No, thank you" and keep on believing!
If you think God only helps other people, you've believed a lie. Put your faith in Him today, and He will work something good in your life! Read more
Sadly, very few people know how to live each day to the fullest. But you can be one of them! Don't spend today worrying about tomorrow. You have enough things going on today; it needs all of your attention. God's grace is on you to handle whatever you need for today, but tomorrow's grace will not come until tomorrow comes - so don't waste today!
Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear? Matthew 6:31 AMPC
I don't know yet what I am going to do in my situation, but God does know and that is good enough for me. He will give me direction at the right time.
Why do we worry? It sure doesn't get us anywhere! You can cast your cares on the One who cares for you. Read more
Doing the right thing starts by thinking the right thing. When we just walk through life allowing any old thought to enter our mind, we will undoubtedly find that our actions are not what we want them to be. However, when we intentionally begin to "take every thought captive" and think good thoughts on purpose, it won't take long for our behavior to get in line too.
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. Romans 12:2 AMPC
It is impossible to get from wrong behavior to right behavior without first changing our thoughts.
Are you trapped in a cycle of negative thinking? Learn how to kick this bad habit and enjoy the freedom God has for you. Read more
When do we offer thanksgiving? At all times—in every situation, in all things—and by so doing we enter into a victorious life where the devil cannot control us!
Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name. [Lev. 7:12; Isa. 57:19; Hos. 14:2.] Hebrews 13:15 AMPC
Think about the things you have to be thankful for every day. Thank the Lord for them in prayer, and as you do you will find your heart filling up with life and light.
If you want victory in your life, all you have to do is adopt one attitude. Read more
Just like anything, we may be able to think the right way for a time, but fall back into old patterns of thinking. If we want to see lasting change in our mind and our lives, we have to be determined to stick to it. Don't worry, you aren't doing it alone. God promises to stand by us through it all!
And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. Colossians 3:2 AMPC
We can have right or wrong mindsets. The right ones benefit us, and the wrong ones hurt us and hinder our progress. We need our minds set in the right direction.
Has God asked you to do something, but you either haven't done it or you just can't seem to finish it? Here's some help to get you there. Read more
Sometimes our circumstances can seem overwhelming, like we are drowning in our own mess. But when we keep our minds focused on the promises of God's Word, we will remember that our current circumstances won't even compare to the glory that is coming. Look up from your present situation and meditate on the promises of God.
The Lord said to Abram after Lot had left him, Lift up now your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; For all the land which you see I will give to you and to your posterity forever. [Acts 7:5.] Genesis 13:14-15 AMPC
I encourage you to take a positive look at the possibilities of the future and think and speak about your future in a positive way.
God has something planned for you, and if you're not living in the fulfillment of His plan for you, then now is the season of preparation. Read more
God clearly does not want us to worry, but that doesn't mean He wants us to be lazy either. God is concerned about our situations, but He wants to PARTNER with us to bring positive change in our lives.
Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. [Ps. 55:22.] 1 Peter 5:6-7 AMPC
Don't be afraid of responsibility. Learn to cast your care, but not your responsibility.
God isn't calling us just to get ready for Jesus to return. He's calling us to live ready and be a shining light to a lost world. Read more
The Bible tells us that when we are in Christ, we have been made new . have you ever thought about what that means? We don't have to think the way we have always thought. The things that have hurt us in the past and the thoughts that seem to constantly overwhelm us don't have to hurt us anymore. Jesus has given us a new mind!
Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 AMPC
You're a new creature with a new life in Christ. You can have your mind renewed according to the Word of God.
Joyce shows us how to think thoughts that agree with God. Read more
We have to equip ourselves for the battle. When we hold on to God's Word and think right thoughts, we are able to not only fight, but win the battle in our minds.
I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want. I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. Philippians 4:12-13 AMPC
Right thinking "arms" us for battle. Going into battle with wrong thinking is like going to the front lines in a war without a weapon. If we do that, we won't last long.
God is on our side . and that already makes us more than conquerors in Him! Read more
Complaining, grumbling, murmuring and faultfinding have power – but it is negative power. Each time we give our minds and mouths over to any of it, we are giving Satan a power over us that God has not authorized him to have. Set your mind today to get rid of these negative thoughts and tap into the power of God's Word.
Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves], That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world, Philippians 2:14-15 AMPC
I did not say it would be easy not to complain, but you do have the mind of Christ. Why not make the most of it?
Learn to exchange complaining for thankfulness and experience living with an attitude of gratitude. Read more
We must learn that in the spiritual realm sometimes a straight line is not the shortest distance between us and where we want to be. We must learn to be patient and wait on the Lord, even if it seems that He is taking us in a roundabout way to get to our desired destination.
There is a way that seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death. Proverbs 16:25 AMPC
Impatience is a sign of pride, and the only answer to pride is humility.
God probably won't wave a magic wand over your problems, but He does want to help you get through them. Read more
Truth is one of the most powerful weapons against the kingdom of darkness. Truth is light, and the Bible says that the darkness has never overpowered the light, and it never will. Think about, meditate on and hold on to the truth of God's Word. It is the most effective weapon we have.
IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. [Isa. 9:6.] He was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it]. John 1:1-5 AMPC
Satan wants to keep things hidden in the darkness, but the Holy Spirit wants to bring them into the light and deal with them, so that you and I can be truly and genuinely free.
Find out how real freedom and the life God has for you can only be found in the truth of His Word. Read more
As Christians, we need to learn to decide to believe. God often gives us faith for things that our minds can't always seem to get, but we have to decide to believe. The mind wants to understand everything - the why, the when, and the how of it all; but sometimes God is just wanting us to trust Him even when we don't understand.
But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]. Hebrews 11:6 AMPC
I decided long ago that I am going to believe what the Word of God says, even if I don't understand the why, when and how. As children of God, one of the privileges we have is believing the impossible.
Learn how to flex your faith and keep your life in tip-top shape. Read more
The mind is the battlefield. It is a vital necessity that we line up our thoughts with God's thoughts. This is a process that will take time and study. Don't ever give up, because little by little you are changing. The more you change your mind for the better, the more your life will also change for the better. So keep on fighting!
For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 AMPC
God has an individual plan for each of us, and I am going to trust Him to do the best thing for me.
When we choose our thoughts based on God's Word, our thoughts, words and actions will be full of His truths and we will experience the blessings He has for us. Read more