God of the Present
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Creation

He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. Psalm 147:3-5

Our God is not some far off, far out, arrogant entity. He is present and will be our protector, our provider, our peace, our comfort and our hope, if we but ask, listen and let Him lead.

What a comfort to know He cares not only about His creation in general, but also about our individual pain. How can I not want to serve this God of wonder, love and compassion?

Peaceful Co-Existence
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Peace
Col 3:13 GW Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

We wonder why nations can't get along, when individuals, couples and families refuse to do so. Instead of forgiveness and healing we too often play the blame game, hold onto resentment, involve the courts, refusing to forgive or allow forgiveness to happen. We've become a nation of victims with open, festering sores of resentment and anger. Our anger tears apart relationships, marriages, and families as well as neighborhoods, and city, state and national governments.

Christ offers forgiveness. Without His sacrifice we have no hope of either forgiveness or peace personally or nationally.

Instead of blame, we need to choose forgiveness and move into the healing only Christ provides. Instead victims, we can be victors in Him.

V.14-15 Above all, be loving.This ties everything together perfectly. Also, let Christ's peace control you. God has called you into this peace by bringing you into one body. Be thankful.

Amos 5:14 GW Search for good instead of evil so that you may live. ...

God the Artist
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Creation

Amos 4:13 GW God forms the mountains and creates the wind. He reveals his thoughts to humans. He makes dawn and dusk appear. He walks on the high places of the earth. His name is the LORD God of Armies.

The majestic mountains didn't just happen. Their fierce beauty not an accident.

Like an artist with clay God formed the monuments of earth and stone and trees and flowers. The splender of dawn and dusk, the glorious display of color and light, He created, deliberately, purposefully, especially for the human beings He lovingly crafted for one reason--to fellowship with Him.

From the mountains to you and me life isn't about purposeless evolution, but the deliberate act of loving creator with a plan for each one, starting with a heart open to beauty.

 

Mother's Day
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Celebrate!

Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. Psalm 147:1

I am freezing. Turned off the heat last week and then it turned cold again. Rained like anything yesterday. We don't want to turn the heat back on so trying to stay warm.

That said, today is supposed to be much warmer and the sun is out.

It is also Mother's Day. My daughter had flowers delivered yesterday and this morning I opened an e-card from my daughter-in-law that made me cry. I have such a warm, caring family.

I am so blessed. Praise the Lord!!!

All About Me
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Attitude

Proverbs 27:21 GW The crucible is for refining silver and the smelter
for gold, but a person is tested by the praise given to him.

We see it so often in the media. A young woman, acclaimed by the
media and fans, seems to lose all moral and emotional grounding.
Believing her own press, she begins to self-destruct under the
limelight.

Or politicians who think they're above the law.

Praise can build up a needy soul and provide motivation to achieve
great things or can derail someone who begins to believe life is all
about them.

It begins and ends with heart attitude, a vital relationship with
Christ, and a solid support system of those not afraid to confront
when one gets off-track.

Phil. 4:8-9 GW Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on
whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable,
fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable. Practice what you've learned
and received from me, what you heard and saw me do. Then the God who gives this peace will be with you.

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All About Him
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Conversion

Phil. 3:9 ...I didn't receive God's approval by obeying his laws. The
opposite is true! I have God's approval through faith in Christ. This
is the approval that comes from God and is based on faith

Too often even those raised in church have missed the foundation for the Chritian faith. Somewhere, they got the idea Christianity, like
religion, is based on a system of rules and traditions to follow.
They believe being good, going to church and reading the Bible
entitles them to a berth in Heaven. It all revolves around them and
their actions. This isn't Biblical Christianity at all.

Religion is man reaching out to an often capricious god. Christianity
is a loving Savior reaching out to us. It isn't about trying to be
"good" or wondering, "Have it done enough?"

God's Word clarifies none of us is good enough. We are saved because Jesus came, died on the cross to take the punishment we deserve for wrongs we've done, and rose in victory over evil, sin, death and hell. Because He lives, we can live by simply accepting what He offers, life as we follow Him.

We're saved by faith in Jesus Christ. It isn't about us, but about Him.
 
V. 32 Then whoever calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.

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Proverbs 25:11-12 GW Like golden apples in silver settings, so is a
word spoken at the right time. Like a gold ring and a fine gold
ornament, so is constructive criticism to the ear of one who listens.

Help me consider before I speak
That my words will heal
        not wound further,
Words to lift up not tear down
Words to inspire not incite.
May they find listening ears
And a receptive heart
May redemption
       not repudiation result
in healing, help and hope
In Him.

Phil. 2:3-4 GW Don't act out of selfish ambition or be conceited.
Instead, humbly think of others as being better than yourselves. Don't be concerned only about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others.

Honoring Our Parents
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Attitude

Ephesians 6:2-3 GW "Honor your father and mother that everything may go well for you, and you may have a long life on earth." This is an important commandment with a promise.

When many hear these verses their mind conjures up stories (or maybe their own experiences) of inattention, abuse or neglect. Honor mother and father?
 
But, this verse doesn't say slavishly go along with every hellish thing some parents come up with—regardless of their age. It clarifies our response as one of respect, always guided by God's principles. If what parents ask is against the law or not sanctioned by the life-affirming guidelines in His Word, then we, with respect and sadness, do not go along and maybe even escape a situation that becomes dangerous for health and well-being.
 
When what our parents ask of us isn't wrong, then we need to respect their authority, even when we disagree. If we come with an attitude of compromise and understanding, chances are they'll meet us half way.  This sort of attitude goes a long way in life as well as in the home.

Trust for Tomorrow
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Trust

Proverbs 23:18 GW There is indeed a future, and your hope will never be cut off.

There are times of despair, when we lose someone dear, when debts
outweigh income, when fear tries to wipe out faith. God's Word is
clear. As we trust and fill ourselves up with Him, He promises that no
matter what's going on in our lives or how dark things seem, there is
a future and hope.

Am I willing to trust Him for tomorrow?

Ephesians 5:20 GW Always thank God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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The Role of Humility
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Attitude

Ephesians 4:2-3 GW Be humble and gentle in every way. Be patient with each other and lovingly accept each other. Through the peace that ties you together, do your best to maintain the unity that the Spirit gives.

Humble is not what our culture encourages. Instead, we're supposed to be assertive, making sure no one runs over us or pushes us around. There is a place and time to stand up, but too many times we bulldoze our way through a situation, causing hurt and confusion, when wisdom,patience would have achieved the same thing--but with peace and unity rather than hurt and destruction.

When Florence Nightingale was sent out during the Crimea War as a nurse to help the soldiers, the doctors resisted her attempts to make changes. Though she had the backing of the English government, she didn't use her authority to force the doctors. Instead, she led her nurses, showing a better way with patience and respect. In doing so she not only helped the plight of the soldiers, but helped change the way the doctors practiced their profession.

Humble doesn't have to be a position of weakness. It is the position of those in the right who also show and know respect for others.

V.12-13 Their purpose is to prepare God's people, to serve, and to build up the body of Christ. This is to continue until all of us are united in our faith and in our knowledge about God's Son, until we become mature, until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard.

V.15 Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head.

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Working Together
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Generosity

Proverbs 21:13 GW Whoever shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will
call and not be answered.

We are our brother's (and sister's) keeper. No one lives in a total
vacuum. We are dependent on one another and working together makes each of us stronger. However, when we begin to think another human being not worth our time and effort, we diminish our own humanity.

Reaching out makes a difference to others and changes us. The image from Dr. Seuss's Grinch when he rescued the Christmas gifts, causing his heart to grow, is not so off the mark. In fact, the more we reach out in compassion and love, the more compassion and love we have to give. Why? Because our heart grows in proportion.

God's love never diminishes in the giving, but changes and expands
the heart of the giver. Like the Grinch, we need to listen, hear and
reach out to rescue those in need.

V.21 Whoever pursues righteousness and mercy will find life,
righteousness, and honor.

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Consequences of Choices
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Choices

Hosea 6:6 GW I want your loyalty, not your sacrifices. I want you to know me, not to give me burnt offerings.

Israel turned away from God. They had a form of religion, but their lives didn't match what they claimed to believe by continuing the traditional sacrifices. And there were consequences.

God hasn't changed. Unfortunately, too often, we claim to believe one thing, but our lives, our words, our choices are far removed from Biblical principles or an intimate relationship with Him. And there are consequences in messed up lives, marriages and children, as well as for society and the nation.

God does not extend a hand and blessing forever to those who spurn Him. He doesn't because choices have consequences. Only as we truly follow Him will we know truth and His hand of comfort, forgiveness, help and hope.

Proverbs 20:6-7 GW Many people declare themselves loyal, but who can find someone who is really trustworthy? A righteous person lives on the basis of his integrity.

Ephesians 2:4-5a GW But God is rich in mercy because of his great love for us. We were dead because of our failures, but he made us alive together with Christ...

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The Right to Choose
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Choices

Proverbs 19:2-3 A person without knowledge is no good. A person in a hurry makes mistakes. The stupidity of a person turns his life upside down, and his heart rages against the LORD.

 How true. It seems the less we know what we're doing, the more we hurry the effort--making things worse. Most of us hate asking for help or advice and wonder why things don't go well or we blow it. Worse, our choices bring on frustration.

 Who do we tend to blame when things go wrong? Not ourselves or our choices. Not our sloppy, less-then-our best efforts. Nope. We get mad at God. Hoe silly is that!

 We demand freedom to choose and when God allows us that right we get mad at Him for allowing us to reap the harvest of our choices.

 How much better to seek help for our work projects and God's help in running the life He's given.

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Sigh
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog

Looks like I've been replaying some of my blogs. Sigh. I write ahead of time and got off track of what I'd published and what I hadn't.

 Today's really hit me. The subject is one of my passions--compassion for pets. I can't fathom how anyone can neglect or mistreat a vulnerable animal.

God created animals for our use and enjoyment, not for abuse. More, how we treat the most vulnerable among us, animals and persons, reveals how much or little we respect life.  Worst are those who act one way in public, but in private abuse those that should most be able to depend upon their compassion.

Take heed that you do not do your charitable (good) deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1 MKJV

Don't Kick the Dog
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Animals

Proverbs 12:10 GW A righteous person cares even about the life of his animals, but the compassion of wicked people is nothing but cruelty.

Want to know if a person who professes faith is real? See how that person treats an animal. Is there deliberate cruelty and viciousness? If a person doesn't care about the most vulnerable, the creatures God put in our care, how will that person treat human beings?

Belief is fine, but to be real, needs to be backed up with works. 

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