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

One of the effects of trauma is passivity. Many feel they don’t have a voice, so they don’t use theirs. It’s one of the reasons that believers allow life to just happen without pushing back the enemy.

During Sunday’s sermon with Pastor David Blunt, I learned that the first step to getting out of a storm is faith. No matter what happens, it’s important to remain in faith. (Matthew 17:20)

I also learned that the first corresponding action of faith is our confession. (Romans 10:8-10)

What you say changes your life! (Proverbs 18:21)

Lastly, nothing changes until we say it. When we don’t say anything, we are being passive and not using our authority.  (Luke 10:19)

Being quiet, ignoring things, or hoping isn’t faith or resistance. 

We don’t wrestle against flesh and blood. (Ephesians 6:12)

Using our voice isn’t for cursing or “giving a piece of our minds” but to confess the Word of God. That is the way Jesus defeated the enemy. (Matthew 4:3-11)

So, today and going forward, realize we have a weapon, and it’s in our mouth.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for being so good to me. Please forgive me for not using the weapons You’ve given me. Thank You for supplying me with everything I need to fight and win. 

Confession: 

I walk by faith

I speak faith

I will live on the level of faith-filled words

Devotional by Tiffany Solomon Stewart, Tower of Hope Academy Student

1 Kings 13:11-18

As childhood trauma survivors, our ability to discern the truth from lies has been compromised. 

But thanks be to God that as we heal we start to see the truth through God’s eyes. We begin to hear the Holy Spirit more and more by spending time in the Word, in praise and worship, and through the anointing of our Academy assignments.

It’s the enemy’s goal to distract us from doing this work through lies; he is the father of lies, but we know the truth.

We no longer believe the lies he tells us. We no longer allow our past, people, or things that had our attention consume us.  When we fall, we get up, dust off, repent, bind the enemy, loose the Spirit of God, and head towards our Heavenly Father. 

The question is not when will we heal, but instead, will we keep fighting to ignore the lies and focus on the truth that we are healing.

Declaration:

I am a woman/man of God.

When I fall down, I will get up.

I won’t give up, I won’t give in, I can do all things through Christ

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

In the One Year Bible, we’ve been reading about King David and his valleys and victories as he was destined to reign as King of Israel. This was the king about whom the LORD said “He is a man after my own heart.” We get to see the similarities between the earthly king and his humanity and the Heavenly King and His Divinity.

On more than one occasion David wept at the destruction of those who opposed him so-much-so that he was even accused of having more love for those who hated him over those who loved him. (2 Samuel 19:6)

But the beauty of having a heart after God is that loving and having compassion for those who hate, abuse, or betray you is one of the deepest forms of love. It was something Jesus showed us all at Calvary. “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬

Real love:

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬

Prayer: Father, thank You for being so loving and compassionate toward me.

Even when I hated You, You loved me.

Even when I rejected You, You loved me.

Even when I betrayed You, You loved me.

You loved me so much that You were willing to die in my stead.

Father give me a soft, loving and compassionate heart toward those who have hurt me.

May Your love in me be the thing that draws all men to repentance.

May I never rejoice at their destruction, but rather at Your Truth.

In Jesus’ name Amen.

Declaration: I am a man/woman after God’s own heart. I am full of His unfailing love and compassion.

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

“Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.”‭‭ Psalm 119:98 NLT

What an amazing promise from God! He promises to guide us and instruct us through the Word. The more we get into the Word, the more He starts to make our path straight in unknown situations.

If you have a problem, find a scripture regarding it to stand on and confess that God will give you the answer. For example: If you are feeling anxious, 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.”

If you don’t know what to do, you can declare Psalm 138:8, “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy O Lord endures forever.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the power that is in Your Word. They are precious promises for me to live by. Thank You for giving me victory over every issue in my life.

I have victory over every enemy because of Your Word. Every enemy of fear, rejection, abandonment and every result of trauma.

Help me to do the work and apply Your Word to remind me that I triumph gloriously. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Declaration: I overcome every enemy because of God’s Word.

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

“Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.“ ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭14‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Prayer: Father, I ask you to forgive me for my simple ways. As you are rebuilding my emotional, mental, spiritual and relational walls, I thank You for a greater wisdom and discernment.

Let me move slowly and carefully, for I have not been this way before. Guard me. Let me be quick to listen and slow to speak so that I am not trapped by the words of my mouth. By what I think, feel, see, or hear.

I renounce every belief and annul every agreement made by my members. I believe and come into agreement with only Your Word and purpose for my life. Close every door to wickedness in my life in Jesus’ name! Amen.

Declaration: I am moved only by the purpose and power of the Spirit. I hear and recognize His voice. The voice, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors of a stranger, I will not follow!

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

Scripture Reading: Joshua 14:6-15

How are you handling the giants in your life? They may be financial, physical, spiritual, emotional or family. Caleb said this about the giants in the way of his promised land. “If the Lord is with me I will drive them out of the land, just as the Lord said.”

Takeaway: Caleb wasn’t afraid to fight because He knew the Lord fought for him. It is the same with us. We too, no matter our age or size can overthrow our enemies of debt, sickness, disease, emotional disorders or giants because it is God who goes before us to fight for us and give us the victory!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for fighting for me and shining Your light and destroying all my enemies. Thank You that I overcome through You. Help me keep a good attitude like Caleb, that no matter his physical circumstance, he held on to his spiritual word from You.

Remind me to rehearse all the miracles You’ve done for me until now. This gives me confidence that You will continue showing up for me. Help me not let one of Your promises pass me by, but let me take full advantage of the Covenant Promises you have made to me. I have complete and total victory in You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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

Matthew 28:6 TPT‬
[6] He isn’t here—he has risen victoriously,  just as he said! Come inside the tomb and see the place where our Lord was lying. 

He has risen JUST LIKE HE SAID HE WOULD!!! What has God told you and you’re still awaiting on the manifestation?

People had forgotten all about what Jesus said when everything opposite happened. It’s so easy to forget when time and opposition become (seemingly) louder and larger than what we’re waiting for.

The angel said in Matthew 28:22, “Don’t be afraid. If you are looking for Jesus, He is not here. He is risen, JUST LIKE HE SAID IT WOULD HAPPEN!!!” (emphasis added)

If God has spoken to you (and I know He has, because His Word is full of promises) it will happen just as He has spoken! Dont be afraid! Keep proclaiming and keep believing! It will happen just as He said it would!

What are you believing for…

A home? Psalm 107:7, Joshua 24:13, Deuteronomy 6:11

A child? Isaiah 54:13, Proverbs 11:21

Peace? Psalm 119:165, John 14:27

Just as the angel said, “It will happen just as He said!”

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for being a Promise Keeper. Forgive me for wavering. Just like You rose victoriously on the third day, I know You will do what You said. In Jesus’ name. Amen!