Daily Devotional for October 12, 2020
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17
Last night I had a conversation with one of my big sisters. We chatted to catch up on what had been happening in our lives over the past few months. I spoke to how I was honestly overwhelmed in a good way, and how God was blessing me in so many unexpected ways. (After listening to a message by Osteen after our conversation, REalize now I’m in the overflow!) I told her how I pray each morning and ask God to allow me to BE a willing vessel to BE used by Him, and pretty much as the title of today’s devotional by Joel Osteen reads, “Help Others Overcome”. I spoke to her (as I do with just about everyone now) how I had to go T.H.R.O.U.G.H. (Trials, Hurt, REgrets, Obstacles, Uncertainty, Guilt, Heartbreak) to get to my BREAKthrough, and how now I’m REaping the harvest that God promises from the seeds I’ve sown and as a REsult of my walk and faithfulness.
As Osteen speaks about one of his church members, he REminds us that, “When God takes you through the fire, stay in faith, and you will see God’s favor in a new way.... Your test will BEcome your TESTimony, where you can tell people ‘Hey, look. God did it for me. He can do it for you.’” Through my trials of determining whether to stay or leave my marriage after almost fifteen years, through the hurt of REalizing I was not equally yoked and my capacity to love was at a different level, to REgretting that I didn’t draw closer to the Father sooner; from the obstacles encountered while BEginning a new life when walking away from my marriage, and the uncertainty of an unexpected medical diagnosis, to the guilt of blaming myself for things I shouldn’t have, and the heartbreak of losing my father—I live now to tell of How God kept me in hopes that my TESTimony might help someone else.
I had no other choice but to trust Him with my life as I encountered all of this almost simultaneously. As the lady Osteen spoke about from his church, my attitude too was, “ God I’ve prayed. I’ve believed. Now I’m trusting You to take me where You want me to go.” And the Father has done just that. He has directed my path to growth and opportunity, to health and to wealth, allowing me to share my experiences and tell of His goodness, grace, and mercy towards me.
Deuteronomy 29
I see the REsemblance between myself and Moses. For forty years of my life God led me through the wilderness...so that I might know that He is the Lord my God (Deuteronomy 29:6). The year of my 40th birthday a change came over me, and I committed to His covenant so that I may prosper in everything I do (Deuteronomy 29:9). As in Deuteronomy 29:10, all of us are standing today in the presence of the Lord our God.... We are standing here in order to enter into a covenant with the Lord our God, a covenant the Lord is making with us this day and sealing with an oath, to confirm us this day as His people, that he may be our God as He promised us and as He swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” (Deuteronomy 29:12-13).
Today’s message from Tony Evans speaks about idolatry, and as I REflect this morning on my JOurneY, I REalize that I was guilty of idolatry. Like myself, Evans speaks to how Israel’s turmoil was self-inflicted. “Instead of following the one true God into the victory that He had promised them and had already miraculously displayed in leading them from slavery in Egypt, they turned aside to worship other idols, the gods of the tribes and nations that they were supposed to conquer.” Similarly, I relied too much on man to provide for me instead of my Father. I’m so glad I REalized that I had to let go and let God have His way with my life, and as a REsult I have experienced shalom—life put together, a life characterized by a sense of wholeness and well-being BEcause of my obedience and walk with Christ. 🙏🏽
Luke 11:13
Let us REly solely on our Father for He has a plan and knows what’s BEst for our lives. He can and will bless us in unimaginable ways that we could never think possible. 🙏🏽💚🌈🦋
Meditate on the memories that the Master made to move you for momentum this Monday, my friend.
