7 Ways to Renew Your Mind in 2016

A Cup of Tea with Carol
Written By Carol McLeod

What if I told you that there is one simple change that you could make in 2016 that would change your life exponentially?

Would you do it?

What if I told you that there is one daily discipline, which takes about 15 minutes a day, that is stronger than an anti-depressant, more powerful than a personal trainer, and brings greater comfort and wisdom than the most renown counselor you could possibly find?

Would you participate in this discipline?  Would you?

What if I told you that I, a formerly depressed woman, currently experience such joy and peace in my soul that it reaches far beyond my circumstances, past the difficult people in my life and overcomes my socio-economic level?

What if?  Would you believe me?

It is not a “magic” fix although it is indeed a miraculous prescription!  I have found that participating in this simple yet meaningful practice delivers eternal rewards and rejuvenates the woman that I am with inexpressible joy and purpose.

Are you in?  Are you willing to take the plunge with me in 2016?

If you know me at all, and you understand the miracle that God has caused to happen in my life, then you know exactly what I am going to tell you to do.

Read your Bible.

Read your Bible every day with joy and delight!

Immerse yourself in its powerful principles and in its extravagant peace.

Think about the Word of God … talk about the Bible … make it part of your emotional DNA.

Read your Bible.

Did you know that the Bible has healing power over sin, sickness and emotional pain?

“He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions.” – Psalm 107:20

Did you know that the Bible is able to do for you what other resources are unable to accomplish in your life?

“My soul weeps because of grief; strengthen me according to Your word.” – Psalm 119:28

The Bible is the greatest source of healing, of comfort, of wisdom and of peace that has ever been known to humanity.

“This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your Word has revived me.” – Psalm 119:50

Whatever you have gone through in life, the Word of God has the power to heal and to assuage your pain!  I guarantee it!

Whatever you will face in all of your tomorrows will be bearable because of the wisdom and strength found in the Word of God!  I guarantee it!

So many people just simply don’t know “where” to begin reading in the Bible.  I don’t believe in playing “Bible Roulette”.  Have you ever heard of “Bible Roulette”?!  That familiar but frustrating game is when you just open your Bible and frantically look for a magic answer to whatever conundrum you have found yourself in on any given day of the year!

I believe that God’s Word is powerful and a wise counselor.   I also believe that the Bible holds the answers for God’s children when applied appropriately, when treasured daily and when a heartfelt longing for God’s opinion is desired.

If you are wondering how to approach reading the Word of God during the calendar year of 2016, let me give you a couple of suggestions:

1 – YouVersion, which is an app for your smart phone, has hundreds of devotionals and Bible reading plans.  Click here for more information.

2 – On the Just Joy! Ministries website, you can find my personal Bible reading plan that has taken me years to develop.  You can click here to access that plan.

3 – Set aside 15 minutes a day to read your Bible.  Perhaps on the weekend, you would be able to set aside 20-30 minutes a day.  We spend our lives doing so many different and various activities and ignore the importance of daily time focused on God’s heart and on God’s will.  God’s heart and God’s will is only found in the Bible … it is His eternal gift to us! 

We go to the gym, play computer games, talk on the phone, watch pointless TV shows and clean things that will just need cleaning again tomorrow!  The investment of time that you give to the Word of God will be the best investment of your entire life!

4 – Choose a Scripture once a month to memorize.  At the end of 2016, you will be the beneficiary of 12 new Scriptures that are hidden in your heart!  On the first day of every month, simply write out a verse on a 3 x 5 card and then carry it around with you.  When you are waiting in a line, read your memory verse … when you are in a doctor’s office, read your memory verse … when you are on the verge of frustration, read your memory verse.  By the end of the month, it will be written on your heart!  {Click Here to Purchase a Set of Laminated Scripture Cards}

5 – When you are in a difficult situation in life, get on your knees with your Bible open.  Ask God to speak to you through His Word.  Reverently open your Bible and bask in all that He is and all that He has. The best place to start is to study the verses that are on your daily plan for that day.

6 – Make it your personal goal to share with someone once a week what you are reading in your Bible.  Ask God to open doors for your to share a Scripture with someone. Perhaps you could set a monthly appointment with a friend and determine that you will only talk about the Bible!

7 – Remind yourself that as the children of God, we do not primarily read the Bible for information but for transformation.  Even if your mind does not understand what you have read, your spirit is being renewed, strengthened and restored!  I guarantee it!

“So I will keep Your law continually, forever and ever!” – Psalm 119:44
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Carol McLeod
Carol says, “I am just a girl who is head over heels in love with Jesus ... passionately addicted to His Word ... and find all of the joy that I need in time spent in His presence." Carol is a Christmas-aholic, loves ACC basketball and the beach! Like all menopausal women, she is overly fond of chocolate and enjoys a good read. She doesn't like cleaning her house and is an expert in carry-out dinners. She hates to shop … loves to jog … and somehow finds time in her busy life to hang out with small children. She is the kind of woman that you could laugh with over lunch, cry with over disappointment and shout with over a victory! But … if you need her official bio … read on! Carol is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. She also hosts highly successful Just Joy! outreaches. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN.  A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers.  Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain.  She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY.  Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren! Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN.  A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers.  Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain.  She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY.  Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren!
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