Joshua 24:20 - Free To Fly

Step 1: Pray. Select.

Sitting down this morning in my comfy, favorite chair as the sun rose, the Holy Spirit made it clear that he was calling me to examine some ways that were out of my comfort zone.

As I began to ask what scripture I needed to meditate on today, Joshua 24:20 came to mind.

Let's begin our journey here, friends.

Step 2: Write. Read. Circle

Joshua 24:20 - If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you, after He has done you good.

After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:

• If You Forsake The LORD

• He Will Turn

• After He Has Done You Good

Step 3: Re-Write

With a focus on the words that stood out, here is the personalized sentence that came alive in my heart. Don't forget, if you are doing this alongside me today, make sure to add your name to your unique sentence:

• Jennifer, if you forsake the LORD, He will turn after He has done you good.

Step 4: Visualize

Meditating on the verse and my sentence of the day, I am just beginning to understand the depth of commitment it takes to walk with GOD.

God has always been incredibly good to me in the past, but if I turn from him in the future, he will lift his hand, covering me and protecting my life.

Today is the day—let me pause for a moment to correct myself—every day is the day that I will choose him over all things going forward so he can trust me with the plans he has for me and my life. The plans that prosper me and do not harm me, the plans that give me hope and a future, as He states in Jeremiah 29:11.

The Holy Spirit brings to my attention that GOD does not want to harm me. So why would He claim that He will turn from me in this verse? That He will harm and consume me?

He shows me that if I choose to walk away from His covering that provides protection over me, he will lift his hand and allow the devourer that roams the Earth to seek and destroy me, stealing my soul like a thief in the night. If I choose to turn from Him, the things of this world will consume me. He isn't doing this; I am doing it by my own free will.

Today, he is asking me to put the devourer on notice that I am choosing God and Jesus above all the ways of this world. This will be a daily commitment, and I must practice because even though I have been walking with the LORD most of my life, I need to examine places that I may not have fully surrendered and hand those things over to Jesus.

Father, take the burdens, take this cup, but above all, take my life in your hands as I renew my declaration to you today, claiming thy will be done, not my will. Let me put my life in order with you as the head and kill the false sense of security I found in the lies of the enemy keeping me as the tail. Separate me from who I used to be so I can be free to walk into who you always meant for me to be.

A question arises, so I move to Step 5.

Step 5: Ask. Seek

The question that came to mind is:

• Holy Spirit, can you help me be strong as you require me to go even deeper into searching for areas where I have not been fully committed to your will for my life?

Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive

Here is the answer I received:

"As I was with Moses, so shall I be with you. You know the areas in which you need to burn down. These idols exalt themselves against the knowledge of the most high God. These are the places where you still think man can provide a better way and has repeatedly left you completely unsatisfied. You are scared to make this declaration because you doubt He has been the one who has provided for you this entire time. Your ego has been too loud. It is time to shut down the words that do not align with the fullness of who you really are. You are His child. You are the child of the most high God. From this day forward, go confidently and be very courageous. You understand the commitment to fully live the life GOD has for you. You are worried it will be hard. But it is harder for you to fight who you really are daily and continue trying to convince yourself the way of the world is the way. But His way is not your way, so it is time to choose. You have done well in your past, and always with a pure heart, done good work, but now he is calling you to do His work. Why? Because you will not be fulfilled until you step forward in faith and get filled daily with His purpose. Once you burn off the residue of Egypt on you, you will be free to fly. Stop questioning whether or not you can fly; run towards the ledge and jump so He can mount you up with wings as eagles.”

Step 7: Pray. Confirm

Heavenly Father, I come to you through my Lord and Savior Jesus.

Help me to be brave, stay under your covering, and walk close to you for the rest of my days. As I take this leap of faith today, I will recommit myself to you daily and remove anything that is not in alignment with where you are taking me in my future.

I ask that you show me any roots that don’t bear fruit so I can pull them out and plant my feet, seeds, and dreams on the good ground you have prepared for me and my life. For in due time and during harvest season, I trust your goodness will sprout up and grow if I follow in your footsteps.

I want you to know you are more than enough for me, and I declare my life to you daily for the rest of my life. There is no other way.

In the mighty name of Jesus, I seal this prayer with the blood - Amen!

If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.

Step 8: Share. Testify

If you workshopped any of the verses mentioned above using the 8-Step Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.

Remember to spread hope and share your miracle or testimony HERE. We want to see how God is working in your life!

Conclusion:

Today and every day, let's remind ourselves of God’s goodness but not take it for granted. We need to continue to walk with him in order to stay in His grace and protection.

Let's examine the places that might be keeping you from mounting up on your wings like an eagle.

I pray you soar freely through life and all the goodness the LORD has for you, which will prosper you and give you hope and a future.

God bless you! See you soon.