Devotional By Shaneice Miller Thomas, 2020 graduate of Tower of Hope Academy

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18
Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

3 Ways to be Strong

1. Put on the full armor of God
2. God’s armor allows us to stand against the devil’s schemes (spiritual forces of evil)
3. You are not fighting against people, you are fighting against powers and principalities of darkness that have taken residence in human bodies.

You are fighting an invisible enemy that you can’t see with your natural eyes. We are encouraged to stay focused on fighting the enemy, not fighting against people.

2.   Stand firm!

• When you have done all to stand, keep standing.
• Don’t run or retreat. Stand your ground.
• God’s armor will protect you.

It is imperative that we do not cower down to the enemy. We have power through God to stand and fight!

3. Pray in the Spirit

• Spiritual warfare requires God’s armor AND prayer
• Pray on all occasions
• Keep praying for all the Lord’s people

Prayer is a powerful weapon. We can make our requests known to God and stand firm while we await His answer.

Keep fighting, keep standing, keep praying.

Declaration:
I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
I put on the full armor of God and I stand firm against every enemy.

Devotional by Angela Jackson, 2021 graduate of Tower of Hope Academy

1 Kings 18:44 NIV The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’ ”

Elijah expected rain after a three year drought. All he needed was a little sign. A small sign.

Sometimes, we need to ride the wave of small change. Instead, we disregard small change while waiting for big change.

A little sign was a sign of something big for Elijah. He didn’t wait for the actual storm clouds or the storm, but a little sign was enough for him to know something big was going to happen.

Our change is as close as our mindset. Do not despise small beginnings for even God rejoices when the work starts. (Zechariah 4:10). Look up and see the small changes.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for restoring hope. Trauma has given me a poor outlook with little to no expectations. Help me to ride the wave of small changes and praise You there.

If You can cause a little change, You can cause ALL of the change. I thank You for your goodness. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Devotional by Christian Wilgus, 2019 Tower of Hope Academy Graduate

Don’t abandon God it’s never worth it. When Israel participated in idol worship, God decreased their size.

No matter what you are going through abandoning God isn’t worth it. Not for a moment of satisfaction, or satisfying the flesh to get even with someone. It’s not worth it.

We are to stand strong and see the salvation of our God. We are to stand strong and be strengthened through prayer and reading His Word. Only then will we achieve the lasting success we want.

Prayer: Lord help me to stay strong when I want to quit or take a short cut. Help me stay focused on You and the lasting success that following You brings.

Let me not look to the right or the left at what my neighbor is doing, for You promise abundant blessings to those who follow Your Name. I know You will renew my strength to fight.

Verse to confess: Isaiah 40:31
“…but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.”

Devotional by Angela Jackson, 2021 graduate of Tower of Hope Academy

Matthew 11:29 NLT
[29] Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Trauma survivors often struggle with the residue of the voices of authority spoken to them in their childhood.

These voices shape your outlook and inner look.
These voices alter the way you see things that are happening and how you see yourself.
These voices also cause negative thinking, along with burdensome, unrealistic images and expectations from God.

This scripture clarifies the misconception that God speaks like our parents, authority figures, and even bullies.

He is humble… that means He is sure of who He is and doesn’t have to flaunt His authority at the risk of damaging us in order to get His point across.

He is gentle… He isn’t harsh in efforts to help us, heal us, or take us into our destiny. Psalm 139 says He knows us better than anyone.

Therefore, He knows how much we can bear. He knows exactly how much pressure to apply to get everything out of us that’s not like Him.

My prayer today is that you will begin to hear the true voice of God. I pray that you will read His Word to better hear His voice and know what He says about you.

I bind confusion and ask God to give you greater discernment in knowing who’s speaking – the voices of your past, or God. When you realize it’s not God,  I ask God to help you quickly cast it down. (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Lord, help them to remember that you are not like the voices of the past, but humble and gentle. You are a Good Shepherd and Your words breathe life and lead and guide us in the right direction. In Jesus’ name! Amen.