Willing to Listing, Willing to Change
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Confrontation

Eccl. 7:5 GW It is better to listen to wise people who reprimand you than to fools who sing your praises.

But who wants to listen to those who confront, those who question, those who bring up uncomfortable truths?

Those in political situations attack. Celebrities shrug off and laugh.
The media ignores.

How do I handle being confronted? With anger or with an attitude of willingness to search out truth, even if it means making changes, apologizing, confronting my own weaknesses?

V.9 Don't be quick to get angry, because anger is typical of fools.

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God is Good
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Attitude

Jonah 4:2 GW So he prayed to the LORD, "LORD, isn't this what I said would happen when I was still in my own country? That's why I tried to run to Tarshish in the first place. I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, patient, and always ready to forgive and to reconsider your threats of destruction.

Jonah preached repentance and those in Ninevah did just that. These were not a people always friendly to the Jews and Jonah was ticked that God spared them.

Even in his rant, Jonah recognized something we often forget--God is a good God who loves us and wants the best for us. He waits for us to follow Him and is quick to forgive and give hope when we do.

When things don't go as we'd like, do we like Jonah, get angry at God or do we bow like Job, submitting to God's best for us?

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Jonah's Whale
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Following Jesus

Jonah 2:1 GW From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. Jonah prayed: "I called to the LORD in my distress, and he answered me. From the depths of my watery grave I cried for help, and you heard my cry." 

Jonah ran from God.
Turned His back on God's mission.
Lacked compassion for those God wished to save.
And yet...And yet..God didn't turn His back on Jonah.
Didn't forget Him Or leave Him in rebellion.
God scooped up Jonah and
In the belly of the whale
Jonah prayed.
God heard.
God answered.
Saved Jonah and the inhabitants of Ninevah.
No matter how far we run from Him.
God waits
Ready to hear our cry of need.
And, as we follow Him,
He answers.

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How We Live
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Choices
I Thess. 5:1-2 GW Brothers and sisters, you don't need anyone to write to you about times and dates. You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
 
For all the speculation about "end times," we don't have a date. For most of us it the event won't matter personally because we'll already be dead.
 
No one knows the length of his/her life or how many days we have to live. We aren't promised tomorrow. Knowing that should make us consider how we live, what we say and the actions we take. Will what we do leave a legacy of Christ and hope or one of hurt, anger and bitterness?
 
V.15 Make sure that no one ever pays back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and everyone else.
16 Always be joyful.
17 Never stop praying.
18 Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God's will in Christ Jesus that you do this.
 
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Timing
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Listening

Eccl. 3:11 GW It is beautiful how God has done everything at the right time. He has put a sense of eternity in people's minds. Yet, mortals still can't grasp what God is doing from the beginning to the end of time.

There is a right time and place. Too often we run ahead of God's timing, not willing to wait or listen to His voice, caution or guidance, and wonder why our words/actions do more harm than good.

We need to realize, and truly, believe God has a plan and a purpose. It is our job to get on board with what that is. Then we'll wait, and what we do in His timing, in His way will have positive benefits for all concerned.

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The Healer
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Healing

Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, HEAL me; for my bones are vexed. Psalms 6:2 MKJV

Though my legs have been bothering me lately, today it's further up. Got me up at four this morning and in the bathroom. Not sure if I caught a bug or if this comes from sensitivity to gluten. At any rate, it isn't pleasant and I have a whole day of plans—starting with church.

Hubby and I also teach Sunday School. This afternoon we have plans to see Prince Caspian with friends. This is no time to be feeling like I feel right now.

But God knows all this. He is the ultimate healer. Instead of getting stressed out, I'm trusting all will be well—mind, soul and body.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. Prov. 3:5-8 MKJV

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God's Favorites
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Following Jesus

Eccl. 2:26 GW God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to anyone who pleases him. ...

There is a simple principle. If we please someone, they will most likely favor us with good will. While humans don't always respond in the way they should, God doesn't break His own principles. He promises His favor as we follow Him.

 If we seek a relationship with Him, seek to know Him and follow His way, we will receive His favor though blessing, knowledge and joy.

Pretty good motivation for following the heart of love--Jesus Christ.

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When Christian's Lie
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Following Jesus
Col 4:5-6 GW Be wise in the way you act toward those who are outside the Christian faith. Make the most of your opportunities. Everything you say should be kind and well thought out so that you know how to answer everyone.

When Christian lie, steal, defraud or lose their temper when dealing with others, they, as humans, often rationalize their behavior.

What they, or should I say WE, don't "get" is that when we claim the name of  CHRISTIAN we're taking on the responsibility of upholding God's standards of truth, righteousness, love and compassion. When we claim the name CHRISTIAN we obligate ourselves to act as Christ would have us act, because we represent Him.

When we don't, we leave a bad stink behind not just about who we are but about who Jesus is. When we lead others away from Jesus and hope found only in Him, the consequences for us are dire.

How much better to let Jesus change us from the inside out, think before we speak or act and lead others to the saving grace of Jesus.

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.