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

I am so glad the God of Tower of Hope Ministries is the God that restores everything that we have lost and better than ever! No matter the loss—your childhood, your loved one, your job, relationships, your dreams, your ability to trust, your mind, and emotions, HE RESTORES! (Joel 2:25)

”Once again you will have all the food you want, and you will praise the Lord your God, who does these miracles for you. Never again will my people be disgraced.“
‭‭Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

He is the God of ONCE AGAIN! He never leaves you in your pain, He always brings you into a place of gain!

And because we serve THIS GOD, the GOD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, Jehovah Shalom (Peace), Jehovah Jireh (Provider), Jehovah Rapha (Healer), and Jehovah Nissi (Banner of Victory), we will not be disgraced! In fact, He says He will do it, and we will prophesy according to His Word and purpose!

“Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.“ ‭‭Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

He’s already done what He’s gonna do! Let’s now come into agreement with His promises!

Prophetic Declaration: God is restoring everything that my trauma, grief, and pain have stolen! I am walking in my GAIN SEASON! He is the God of the ONCE AGAIN!

Once again I praise the Lord! Once again I will know my miracle-working God! Once again I will be my authentic self, walking confidently in my purpose! Once again I have healthy relationships, salvation to my family and friends, a prosperous home, big and possible dreams, a healed mind, emotions, finances (whatever you want to add….)!

Prayer: Thank You Lord for being the God of once again!  I felt disgraced and overlooked for a season, but You miraculously restore everything that was taken from me! I will prophesy your promise until I see it fully materialized in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Devotional by Tiffany Solomon, Tower of Hope Academy Student

“So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.12.12-13.NLT

This scripture speaks to me as we begin the  next phase and chapter of our healing, calling, and purpose. To take a NEW grip and not let go.

The path to healing has been made by divine knowledge prayer and obedience through Dr. Washington. Wherever we are in our journey, let’s take a new grip and not let go!

It’s about us, but not just about us. Our path can be made straight through prayer, reading, journaling, spending quality time with our Father, and being obedient to do the work whenever, wherever, and however.

Not just for ourselves but for those who are weak and lame so they WILL NOT fall but become STRONG in Lord! 

Prayer: Father God, we come before you humbly today asking You to forgive our sins. Please give us a fresh anointing, strength, and strategy to do the work You’ve called us to do.

Help us to hold on to YOU Jesus. We love and honor You with our lives. Giving You all praise and thanksgiving for what You’ve done and what You are doing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Devotional by Dr. Dora Washington

Ezekiel 3:18-19

The Scripture yesterday in our One Year Bible reading reminds me of the need to overcome passivity and people pleasing.

God says if someone dies in their sin and you don’t tell them, you will be responsible for them. That is heavy and a huge responsibility. That’s why I am always asking God to make my heartstrings sensitive to His pulling, leading, and guiding. This is not to be a burden, but simply a sensitivity to God’s leading.

When the righteous sin and we go along with it, we are placing our reputation over someone’s life. God is telling us that He’s not trying to save our reputation, He’s trying to save souls.

There is a time and a place for everything. Giving encouraging words instead of corrective words because we want to please someone, don’t like conflict, or fear losing our reputation will not go well for us when God says, “Why didn’t you tell him or her?” “You knew they were misled or sinning and didn’t say anything when I prompted you to do so.”

For this reason, Christians are to grow into spiritual maturity. We must learn to speak a word in season — and sometimes that word is correction.

Prayer
Lord, thank you for your Word that teaches and matures me. Give me a face like flint to speak when you say speak and a heart of wisdom and discernment to know and hear the Spirit. I pray one’s blood will not be at my hand. Keep my focus on saving souls and not saving my reputation.

Written by Dr. Washington
Tower of Hope Ministries
Copyright © 2023

Devotional by Shaneice Thomas, 2020 graduate of Tower of Hope Ministries

SLOW. This is the word that I heard in my spirit as I prayed for my own spiritual growth.

Dr. Washington once told me that whenever I felt rushed or felt like I had to do something fast, it was typically the flesh.

As we see from numerous examples in the Bible, those that took action always consulted God and waited for an answer. David, Gideon, Esther, and even Jesus.

Feeling the need to “take action” is an act of pride. We have a need to be in control. We want to see something happen right now, so we take charge without regard to God’s timing or His will. Impatience is a lack of humility.

God’s “slowness” is His grace to give us more time for repair and repentance.

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Declaration:  God, help me to go slow, and wait before I go, so that I can grow.

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

The book of Jeremiah is full of occurrences where false prophets “prophe-lied” over God’s people.

Jeremiah 29:11 starts with 2  keywords we ought to etch into our minds, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” 

I KNOW!!!

THE ANSWER TO OUR QUESTIONS:

When? GOD KNOWS!
Where? GOD KNOWS!
How? GOD KNOWS!
Who? GOD KNOWS!
What? GOD KNOWS!!!

God knowing and being in control is the equalizer for anxiety from the unknown. He knows the thoughts and plans He has towards us.

The beauty of it all is that His plans for us are good!

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

Reference: Isaiah 37:1-38:22 NLT

In today’s One Year Bible reading we continue learning about how God delivered King Hezekiah after he is threatened by the King of Assyria, the self proclaimed, “Great Conqueror.”

King Hezekiah demonstrated what to do when you are faced with “Great Threats.” We can learn several things from his response:

1. King Hezekiah immediately went to God in prayer when faced with this great threat.
2. In his prayer, he exalted God for who He is, greater than any false god or earthly power.
3. He asked God to listen to his request and presented it before God.
4. He remembered God’s power and put God in His proper place which gave him confidence and peace.
5. He asked his request with the intention to give God all the glory.

Whether your “Great Threat” is the effects of childhood trauma, generational curses, financial issues, or fear, we can use this model of prayer to find our deliverance.

In chapter 37, verses 36-38 we see how God delivered them. The Angel of the Lord went out and killed 185,000 of the Assyrian army! Then the king was killed by his own sons. In one blow, God defeated this enemy. We know He can and will do the same for us when we trust in Him.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for being the All Powerful God. There is no one like you or anyone stronger than you. All of my enemies melt like wax before you. I will trust You to deliver me like you did King Hezekiah when I come to you with my issues. No matter how big the enemy is, it is no match for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Devotional by Dr. Dora Washington

Ecclesiastes Chapter 3

God the author and finisher of all things set seasons in motion governed by time for us to move, act and do His Will. We exist in time but are created for eternity. Therefore, the things we do in time affect eternity. Time is set according to God’s Divine providence and is to be used for it.

This means God grants us time, space, and opportunity to do certain things. Too many times we make time, give space and grant opportunities for things God didn’t. As a result, we find ourselves struggling, depressed, sick, and feeling hopeless. God sweetens life’s bitterness when we are faithful—meaning when we are in God’s time, space and opportunity, He gives us a special grace and favor to suffer, endure and triumph. We will succeed no matter what it looks like. We have to because He has set a specific time aside for our healing, restoration, and success.

There are 29 different “times” in Ecclesiastes 3. Always seek God about what time you are in so you will know the next steps to take. Stay within His time and He will make your time successful. Let no-one and no-thing take this time away.

Prayer
Lord, Thank you for this time, space and opportunity to heal.
Help me to use it wisely so I can advance your kingdom.

Written by Dr. Washington
Tower of Hope Ministries
Copyright © 2023

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

As God promotes us, some of us may be feeling fear or intimidated about what’s next, but it is a trick of the enemy to keep us paralyzed where we are and afraid to move forward.

Let our confession be as David’s! We will seek him, praise him, and obey our way through every attack and see the goodness of God and our enemies destroyed!

Psalm 27 says, “Yahweh is my revelation-light and the source of my salvation. I fear no one! I’ll never turn back and run, for you, Yahweh, surround and protect me.

When evil ones come to destroy me, they will be the ones who turn back. My heart will not fear even if an army rises to attack. I will not be shaken, even if war is imminent.

Here’s the one thing I crave from Yahweh, the one thing I seek above all else:

I want to live with him every moment in his house, beholding the marvelous beauty of Yahweh, filled with awe, delighting in his glory and grace. I want to contemplate in his temple.

In the day of trouble, he will treasure me in his shelter, under the cover of his tent.
He will lift me high upon a rock, out of reach from all my enemies who surround me.

Triumphant now, I’ll bring him my offerings of praise, singing and shouting with ecstatic joy! Yes, I will sing praises to Yahweh!”

Yet I believe with all my heart that I will see again your goodness, Yahweh, in the land of life eternal!

Here’s what I’ve learned through it all:

Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for he will never disappoint you!”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭1‬-‭6‬, ‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭TPT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1849/psa.27.13.TPT 

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

Ref: Ezra 3:1-6:22

When the people of God decided to rebuild the temple, they faced great resistance.

This is a reflection of what it looks like when one decides to go forward and take hold of what God has promised. Healing. Warning: Everyone won’t be happy about your progress.

Once you decide to go forward, leave excuses, fear, what ifs, and all other distractions behind. The enemy will try to pull out every weapon possible to stop you.

The people in the book of Ezra experienced much resistance while trying to rebuild the temple. Although the people were a little afraid, they decided to make preparation to rebuild the Lord’s Temple. (Ezra 3:3)

Their courage to get started made their enemies mad. They were “just” getting started and people already felt threatened! They knew the history of God’s people and how He always caused them to triumph! So, they lied on them. (Ezra 4:11)

Some of you may feel like you’re “just” getting started. You finally decided to give it all you’ve got and get your healing, and the enemy feels grave danger! He knows what could happen if you decide to remain.

BE AWARE (not beware)! It will not come without resistance. There may be times when the enemy is holding you back and it feels like things have come to a halt.

However,  be encouraged! God will not leave you without a witness. (Ezra 4:24)
It will irritate some to see you doing well under pressure. To see you become what they never thought you’d become. All despite the things that gave them the upper hand in their relationship with you. (Ezra 6:8)

Your confidence won’t sit well with everyone. (Ezra  6:11) Don’t be dismayed! As you remain, you will build muscle. What you thought you could never do, you’ll begin to do with great energy and success! (Ezra 4:8b)

This time, when the enemy tries you, you won’t stop because you’ll know all of heaven is backing you!

Because of the people’s consistency and faith, the king reissued a decree that allowed them to finish building the Temple because God watches over His Word to perform it. No enemy can stop what He has planned for you!

You won’t know how God is working until you’re tried.  All you have to do is remain.

• It is working
• You are healing
• You are victorious

Prayer: Lord, thank You so much for Your faithfulness. There are times when things get really tough and times when I feel like nothing is happening. There are times when I feel so courageous and then the enemy shoots every dart possible. I have decided, I won’t give up, I won’t give in, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! To You be all the glory! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Devotional by Dr. Dora Washington

Acts 28:20 NLT, “For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”

In today’s One Year Bible passage, Paul explained to the leaders of the Jews about why and how he ended up in Rome. Still, Paul knew he was destined to go to Rome because God sent an angel to him telling him that he would have to go before Caesar. He told them that he had to go through it all, be bound, and be in chains for the Hope of Israel, meaning for Christ. For we know He was bound for us.

One of our culture codes is “It is about us, but not just about us.” Paul knew this well when he tells his purpose of the chains, pains, and struggles. He knew his purpose would set others free. As long as we look within, we will never be able to look without thinking of ourselves. Like Paul, we are bound in chains for the hope and freedom of our children, friends, family, co-workers, strangers, and God’s purpose.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your willingness to be not only bound for my Hope but for dying for it. Help me to willingly surrender to Your will for me and the hope of others as You did for me. Help me to understand and do like Paul so that even in persecution, criticism, and rejection, I am bound with these chains for the Hope of Your people.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Written by Dr. Washington
Tower of Hope Ministries
Copyright © 2023