This week’s Holding onto Hope Devotional is entitled GOING BEYOND. Scroll down to read the devotional online, or click the link below to view, save or print the PDF version.
Download the PDF here: holding-onto-hope-devotion-october-2016-going-beyond
And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. Genesis 22:5 (KJV)
About 9 1/2 years ago, I left the land of my birth – St. Vincent, a place that I was accustomed to; a place where I was comfortable living and loved very much. I moved to Tortola, BVI for work purposes, to quote unquote, to build a better life for myself. I had to quickly learn and adapt into a new way of life and culture. I could have no longer drink water from the tap; I had to buy bottled water. I had to get settled in my new job, I had to find a new church to attend, I had to learn to get around from point A to point B and so many other things. It was a very uneasy, yet exciting feeling at that time—stepping into the unknown.
Abraham in the bible was once told by God to leave his familiar dwelling place; and go to a place where God will direct him. There are so many lessons to be learned from the above scripture, which occurred a couple of years after God made that promised to Abraham. God was getting ready to do another impossible thing for Abraham; and Abraham was getting ready to step into the unknown – another time.
Sometimes you might feel like Abraham, you are not sure about what God is doing; and what is happening around you. Or, perhaps God gave you some instructions and you are not 100% comfortable. It might seem uncomfortable and it might seem scary; but I want you to know that God is taking you somewhere and not just anywhere. He is taking you higher that you have ever been before. He is taking you beyond your comfort zone; and beyond the people and the things you are accustomed to. It is important to note that everybody cannot go where God wants to take you.
In order to get there, you have to leave some things behind. Some of these things include, the past, failures, disappointment, fear, regret, doubt, negative thinking and the list go on and on. Abraham had to leave his servants behind to go beyond; and maybe some other things too. In life, we got to be able to sacrifice and give up the good things for better things. We may have to give up comfortable things for better things. Our aim and our desire, should be to get to the top of the mountain. In order to get there, we have to leave the asses and other things that are holding us back, at the foot of the mountain. Obedience is very important here. It is time to shed some weight in your life.
Guess what, at the end of it all, we are not just going beyond; but we are going beyond to worship. O how I love spending time in the presence of God and just worship him. There is a purpose for going up the mountain. If you are willing to sacrifice some things, there is a ram waiting for you! The lamb of God is waiting for you to meet your every need.
Thinking it Over:
What are some of the things you need to give up? How can you overcome those situations?
Prayer Starter:
Abba Father, I pray for courage to leave every thing and those people behind, that are trying to way me down and block me and stop me from going to the places where you want me to go. I pray for strength as I now prepare to climb that mountain ………..
Your Sister in Christ,
Ve-Anna Thomas
Find me on Social Media @pastorveannathomas
Remember you can download this devotional in pdf format. Simply click on the link below to view, save or print. Download the PDF version of this devotional here: holding-onto-hope-devotion-october-2016-going-beyond
Ve-Anna Thomas 