Promises for Your Everyday Life

[Aeliana]

Conquering the Wilderness Mentality

The Lord our God said to us in Horeb, You have dwelt long enough on this mountain.
Deuteronomy 1:6


The Israelites wandered around in the wilderness for forty years to make what was actually an eleven-day journey. Why? Once, as I pondered this situation, the Lord said to me, "The Israelites couldn't move on because they had a wilderness mentality." The Israelites had no positive vision for their lives, no dreams. They needed to let go of that mentality and trust God. We really shouldn't view the Israelites with astonishment because most of us do the same things they did.

We keep going around the same mountains instead of making progress, and it takes us years to experience victory over something that could have been dealt with quickly. We need a new mindset. We need to start believing that God's Word is true. Matthew 19:26 tells us that with God all things are possible. All He needs is our faith in Him. He needs for us to believe, and He will do the rest. The Lord is saying the same thing to you and me today that He said to the children of Israel: "You have dwelt long enough on this mountain." It's time for us to move on!

Prayer Starter: God, I've spent enough time going around the same old mountains in my life. With You, I know I can move on, so I put my faith in You and let go of my wilderness mentality!


Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional

 

[Aeliana]

God Can Set You Free from the Prison of Your Past


The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity],
Luke 4:18,18

I come from a background of abuse and was raised in a dysfunctional home. My childhood was filled with fear and torment. As a young adult trying to live for Christ and follow the Christian lifestyle, I believed that my future would always be marred by my past. I thought, "How can anyone who has the kind of past I do ever be really all right? It's impossible!" But Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me...He has sent Me to announce release to the captives...." Jesus came to open the prison doors and set the captives free.

I couldn't make any progress until I realized that God wanted to release me from the prison of my past. I had to believe that neither my past nor my present determined my future, unless I let it. I had to let God miraculously set me free. You may have had a miserable past that continues to affect your present in negative and depressing ways. But I say to you boldly, your future is not determined by your past or your present! Let God break off the chains of your past.

Prayer Starter: God, I believe that You are more powerful than my past. I receive the freedom You give me. My past will not determine my future.


Joyce Meyer: Promises for Your Everyday Life - a Daily Devotional