Daily Devotional for August 21, 2020

“They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17:8

As I read today’s devotional by Joel Osteen, all I could hear in my head was the lyrics to the song “After This” by J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise. It says:

God specializes in things impossible.

He loves to move when all hope is lost

Just so He can show himself strong in your behalf.

Don't give up, He'll come through for you.

There will be glory after this.

When we trust in our Father we can have life after death, here on earth and eternally with Him. Many times we go through life events that seem to rip out our hearts and the air we breathe, but as my theme continues to arise through these devotionals, we must go T.H.R.O.U.G.H. (Trials, Hurt, REgrets, Obstacles, Uncertainty, Guilt, Heartbreak) to get to our breakthrough.

After experiencing four of the five most stressful life events at one time, I am a true and living witness, that as Osteen says, “God has an ‘after this’ in your future.” We have to die and lose ourselves to truly live again with Him. Trust the process; it’s not easy, but it’s worth it.

Job 31

As with Job, let us always BE mindful of our deeds and thoughts for they bring satisfaction and joy or sorrow and pain. Let us choose the formers and strive to BE more like Him even through calamity and with the adversary.

At one point in my life I sat in my former home and thought about what I possessed. Through others’ eyes I had a job, education, marriage, children, house, cars, businesses—“living”. But as the scripture says, “For what shall it profit a (wo)man, if (s)he shall gain the whole world, and lose her/his own soul?” (Mark‬ ‭8:36‬ ‭KJV‬‬). I had obtained “things” in life but lost my direction and connection with the Lord. I finally REalized that He did not create me to live in misery, but fullness of JOY. I knew that, again, in order to gain I had to lose. As REminded in today’s devotional, “...one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” As Bayless Conley encourages, Let us not be a fool seeking after things. Instead, make the passion of our lives seeking after God.”

Isaiah 55:1

We shall never thirst, for He is the Living Water, our Well that never runs dry. 🙏🏽💚🌈🦋

Free yourselves from the fear of walking in faith to your freedom this Friday, my friend.