On rare occasion there is a historical figure that has the anointing to do things no one else can do. In words and actions and deeds, their life is a testament to the power of God to transform lives. Their personal life is a tangible expression of the healing power of God to do impossible and magnificent things.
Enter: Joyce Meyer.
I grew up thinking I knew about Joyce. But what I knew was hearsay, gossip, and slander. I vividly remember a group of pastors huddled around a computer screen laughing hysterically watching something on YouTube. When I peered over their shoulders, I saw a clip of Joyce preaching interjected with farting noises when she asked rhetorical questions. The clip was entitled, The Farting Preacher.
There was a shift that day many years ago. There was something about that woman that I admired. Amidst the comments, judgment, slander, and mockery, she continued to do what God created her to do: transform lives through the power of the Word.
Yesterday I had the honor of sitting under her and furiously taking notes on her life, her story, her wisdom, and her love for God’s people. No matter your theological preferences, her pure and unadulterated love for God is palatably evident.
And because I love sharing nuggets of goodness with my online friends, I’m attaching some notes that might be of value. I hope they bless you as they’ve blessed me. [Special shoutout to Christine Caine for the heart and vision in hosting these gatherings.]
XO
***
- Depth always requires time. If you don’t put time into your personal relationship with God, your life and ministry is going to be a shallow and ineffective.
- In order to take hold of something new, you need to let go of what you’re holding.
- Don’t let people control you. No one had the power to open or close ministry doors. You need to be faithful to the call of God on your life. Don’t fear criticism; at the end of the day, only God is left. So, yes, we come under authority, but we need to more committed and faithful to do what God is calling us to do.
- Don’t be a people pleaser. You need to say no sometimes.
- The faster you forgive, the easier it is.
- Be strong. Don’t think you will get to the Promise Land without any enemies.
- It takes more than talent for God to elevate you.
- The less you complain about what you’re going through, the quicker the work can be done in your soul.
- Just because something is trendy doesn’t mean it’s necessary.
- We don’t need a wishbone, we need a backbone!
- Just because someone is gifted doesn’t mean they are anointed. Charisma can take you somewhere that your character can’t keep you.
- Excellence is not extravagance. It’s just taking what you have and doing the best you can with it.
- There is a huge difference between a boss and a leader. Anyone can be a boss, but a leader requires you to lead by example.
- Success is about our relationship with God. I’m a total failure if I tell others about God but miss him in the midst.
- Don’t ever forget the people who helped you get to where you want to be!
- You can’t be in authority if you can’t come under authority.
Happy Wednesday, friends!
LOVE this!
Do you know what you are you holding onto that you need to let go of to embrace the new?
Wow! Thank you so much! What an unbelievable blessing that must have been. I love Joyce and her message about God’s love!! One of the best things she has said that resonates with me is “don’t peach the Word…Be the Word!”
I love this!!!! ALL OF IT. I totally was taught the same negative things about Joyce growing up in the church but as I got older, I realized just what a power house woman of faith she is. Dare I say, she is such a BA Godly woman who speaks straight TRUTH! Love her beyond measure. I’m totally gonna make enchiladas for her and invite her over my mansion when we get to heaven. Boom.
XXO
I love this Bianca!! Someday I would love to share my testimony with you about how God brought Joyce Meyer to lil ole’ me! Amazing stuff! Love you all, (Bianca, Christine, Joyce)
Blessings
Thank you for sharing this! Joyce’s teachings have truly helped me and I have such an admiration for her. The higher you are placed the more people like to swat at you and try to bring you down.
Thanks for sharing this, Bianca! I wanted to say hello to you at Tsh’s book signing, but you were talking and I didn’t want to interrupt. xoxox
Adore this!!! So much truth. She used to be a guest speaker at a church in my town when I was growing up-must have spoken there at least 4 different times in the course of a few years. We were plugged into another church, but whenever Joyce was in town, we were there for one of the services! Love the legacy she is leaving, and the obvious fruit of her ministry after so many years.
Feels like a John 10:27moment. I’m so grateful to u 4 posting this. I needed it ,like water in a desert.
Double portions of favor & blessings 2 u in Jesus name.
Love, Love, LOVE this post!!! Thanks for sharing!!
Bianca, I love this! Thank you for sharing. Loved seeing you last week.
I love each one of these truths! Like you, I admire this amazing lady of God. Once I attended a conference and in the midst, a person in the audience had a medical emergency. She stopped mid-speaking and asked us all to pray for this person and the situation. It made me love her even more! (BTW the person in the audience ended up okay also :))
Nice post, i enjoy reading your blog 😀 ohh! and beautiful quotes
I’m so glad you shared this. The insights were great and true but I also appreciate your honesty about slander. I get so mad (like a holy want to punch something…if that’s a thing) when I hear Christians criticizing/ mocking other ministers. I don’t get it. I just always think the fastest way to tick me off would be to criticize my kids, so why do I think God is any less protective over His kids. Anyway… can’t wait to see you later this month!
Thank you so much for sharing Bianca! Glory be to God! I really needed to read this as I’m working on a lot of things. I find myself being spread really thin and other times simply trying to make the best decisions in the midst of it all. This is one of those stand out special seasons…knowing that I must go a step further in knowing who I am in Christ and who God created me to be. It’s crucial as to where God is leading me. Nonetheless hectic, but with His hope as my anchor and with women like yourself setting the example, I will get there.
God bless!
-Swanky
Beautiful! I’m also done with listening to slander over various Christian leaders & speakers based on “preferences” and little more than things that don’t relate to the entire gospel of Christ. Thanks for sharing!
Love Joyce & Christina!!!