Devotional by Dr. Dora Washington, Founder & Executive Director of Tower of Hope Ministries

Job 16:15 NLT, I wear burlap to show my grief. My pride lies in the dust.

Job was humbled after all his suffering. He said, My pride lay in the dust, meaning he was humbled. Suffering humbles you. Nothing brings you low as sorrow and suffering. Sadly, that is often the way for God to reach many of us.

Childhood Trauma survivors have an immeasurable amount of pride. God often uses great sorrow and suffering to rid us of it. When God finishes with us, we will say like Job, I shall come forth as pure gold, Job 23:10.

Are you able to say like Job yet, my pride lies in the dust? I am.

Prayer
Lord, I humble myself before You. Mold me and shape me. My pride lies in the dust. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Devotional by Tiffany Solomon Stewart, Tower of Hope Academy Student

So Jacob worked seven years to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days. Genesis‬ ‭29‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jacob had an agreement to work in servitude for seven years to marry Laban’s daughter Rachel. When the time came to receive what he was promised, Laban tricked Jacob and gave him his other daughter, Leah, instead.

But, Jacob loved Rachel and agreed to work another seven years to marry her.

Jacob was a man of God with good character. He could have left with both Leah and Rachel, but he worked an additional seven years to honor his word instead.

Here’s what we can learn from Jacob:

• While he waited, he worked and stayed focused on the promise.
• He didn’t give up and stood on the terms of the agreement even when the terms changed.

Growth Questions:

• Are we willing to wait as long as it takes for what He promised?
• If we see or experience delays while waiting, how will we respond?

Be encouraged. Regardless of what happened last year, declare that this year, you will wait patiently and do whatever it takes to obtain the promise.

Declaration

Lord, I trust You and believe Your promises.

I will wait for You to bring Your covenant promises to life.

I will speak what Your Word says no matter the situation.

Prayer

Father God, I repent of my sins and ask You to lead and guide me to all things truthful. Please be patient with me and help my unbelief when needed. Help me to remember, say, and focus on Your covenant promises in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Devotional by Dr. Dora Washington, Founder & Executive Director of Tower of Hope Ministries

“I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬, ‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Although God had promised the land of Canaan to Abraham’s descendants over 400 years prior to them going to possess it, the new generation of Israelites struggled to possess the land. Like many of us, they had to learn that all of God’s promises are yes and Amen.

When God makes us a promise, it doesn’t matter what it looks or feels like or what happened in our past, what’s happening in our present, or what you think will happen in your future, God’s promises still stand.

The new generation of Israelites missed this truth. They thought they could conquer the land with their own strength, power, and intelligence, but this cost them greatly. They trusted in their own abilities and resources instead of God’s, which opened the door for their defeat. As a result, these tribes did not possess the land God promised them.

How can we apply this to ourselves and our situations? No matter our circumstances, we won’t succeed by our own power, strength, or wisdom alone. We succeed when we depend completely on God’s power, strength, and wisdom. Trusting in ourselves opens a door for Satan to defeat us in our situation.

We know we have opened the door to the enemy when our problems overwhelm us and seem bigger than our God.

Are you trusting in God or yourself? All of God’s promises are yes and Amen; all you need to do is trust and obey Him.

Prayer:
Lord, help me say yes and Amen to Your promises. Give me the strength to fight and the courage to heal.

Written by Dr. Washington
Tower of Hope Ministries
Copyright © 2024

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

Mark 11:25 AMPC
[25]  And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop.

Holding on to past hurts while trying to get to freedom is impossible. It’s like trying to use a fragile bag to carry a heavy load up a flight of stairs. Every time you try to take a step, something falls out. You’d never make it to your destination for having to constantly go back and pick up the things that fall out. It would become very frustrating.

When we don’t let go (forgive), we risk losing peace, joy, self-esteem, hope, love, determination, good health, healthy relationships, vision, and much more. The Bible says we can’t even be forgiven if we don’t forgive.

God isn’t withholding forgiveness to be mean. He knows the damage that is done when we don’t let go. Therefore, He requires us to forgive.

So, today, make a decision to wipe the slate. Let it go! Let them go! Let yourself go!  It’s too heavy to carry. There’s so much more in store.

You gotta let it go. You were made TRIUMPH GLORIOUSLY!

Prayer: Precious Holy Spirit, You are my helper. Help me to let go of those who’ve hurt me. Help me forgive others and myself. Remove this barrier of unanswered prayers and unforgiveness so that I can walk in freedom and healing. Lord, I want everything You have for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

I used to worry so much that when I stopped worrying, I was worried about the worry I was worrying about. True story.

Our constant worries about money, clothes, and food is not a new concept. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus encourages the people to stop worrying.

‘Look at the birds, they don’t sow or reap. God feeds them. Look at the lilies, not even Solomon could out dress them.’

Jesus points out their little faith and reminds them that God knows what they need. Are you not more valuable to God than birds and flowers? Of course you are! We serve a Good Father who loves us and takes care of us.

BUT. There is a but.

Verse 33 reads, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness…” Go after God first before you seek Him for material things. Have faith that He already knows what you need and that He is able to supply it.

Seeking God first will add to your faith and subtract from your worries.

Declaration:
I am valuable to God and He will take care of my needs.

Prayer:
Father, help me to stay focused on You when I begin to worry. I will seek Your Word, Your will and Your way because You know what’s best for me.

Devotional by Christian Wilgus, 2019 graduate of Tower of Hope Academy

Hebrews 11:17 begins with the phrase “it was by faith” and then it lists what each individual did to get to the next level.

Faith is the secret to the next level. Faith in God precedes action. In the same way that Abraham was ready to sacrifice his only son, we must act in faith to receive what we want from God. Even when we don’t feel like it.

For example, if you’ve been passive, it’ll take faith to speak up for yourself for the first time. It’s by faith that you don’t gossip, but choose to hold your tongue. It will be by faith that you choose to walk out your healing instead of yielding to fear. 

In what area in your life will it take faith for you to turn over a new leaf?

Your faith is the key to the next level.

Devotional by Shaquia Reed, 2018 graduate of Tower of Hope Academy

Jeremiah 33:19-26 NLT

In the One Year Bible today God says to his servant, “If you can stop the day and night following one another, only then will my covenant with my servant David be broken.”

God has made His covenant to us a sure thing in Christ and as long as we are in FELLOWSHIP with Him, we ALWAYS have access and possession of the Covenant Promises of God.

And the enemy says, “Well, you know you’re not “good enough” BUT GOD SAYS (v 26-27):

• I will never reject you
• I will never deny My covenant or change My plan toward you
• I will always restore you and have mercy on you

Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬-‭14‬ ‭ says:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

2 Corinthians 1:18-20 says
‭‭‬“As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.”

God has given us a sure word. A firm foundation.

What covenant promises are you standing on for your healing journey?