Image of God--His or Mine?
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Intelligence

Habakkuk 2:18 GW What benefit is there in a carved idol when its maker has carved it? What benefit is there in a molded statue, a teacher of lies, when its maker has molded it? The one who formed it trusts himself to make worthless idols that cannot speak. 

If the god we serve is little more than an image of ourselves, we are pathetic. If the god we serve is a recipe of our own devising, we are of all people hopeless and blind. In the end will the god we create save us?

Unfortunately, celebrities like Oprah are leading the charge for god's of self, gods created for our own fantasy world, using just enough religious jargon to fool those not well founded in faith.

We can devise all sorts of theories, philosophies, beliefs. That doesn't make them true. How pathetic to turn our back on the God who is, who sacrificed for us, who lives to love and guide if we come to Him.

All human plans lead to destruction. Why not explore the truth. Jesus said,  "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6

V. Hab. 3:18b GW  I will be happy with the LORD. I will truly find joy in God, who saves me. 

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Cowardly Spirit
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Trust

II Timothy 1:7-8a GW God didn't give us a cowardly spirit but a spirit of power, love, and good judgment. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord ...

Afraid? Turn that burden over to God. Those who truly know Him don't need to live in fear because fear and faith don't mix. Fear and love don't mix.

Faith is trusting and loving no matter what. Sometimes other human beings don't deserve such unconditional faith/trust, but God does. While we may not understand the big picture, we can trust He's in control and has a plan and purpose for our lives--if we let go fear and stand to be counted for Him, seeking and following His guidance every step of the way.

When we fail, not give up, knowing Christ forgives, to seek it and move on. In Christ we can be overcomers and joyful victors rather than cowardly victims.

V.9 God saved us and called us to be holy, not because of what we had done, but because of his own plan and kindness.  ...

V. 12b ...However, I'm not ashamed. I know whom I trust. I'm convinced that he is able to protect what he had entrusted to me until that day.  

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Listening & Following
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Listening

Micah 6:8 GW You mortals, the LORD has told you what is good. This is what the LORD requires from you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to live humbly with your God.

How do we know what is right? By knowing God, by knowing His Word and by staying in communication with Him--listening & following His guidance through His Word & prayer.

Only then will we know mercy for God and His love will be who we are. Want to live humbly with God? Then ask Jesus Christ to live within.

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Good Things
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Generosity

I Timothy 6:7 GW We didn't bring anything into the world, and we can't take anything out of it.   

If we don't leave with the material possessions we acquire, why do we so stress over them? What positives can we acquire that don't die when we do? If there is more to life than this, what do I want to build into my life and into the lives of those around me? How about kindness, compassion, modeling what is good, building relationships of integrity and honor.

V.17-18 Tell those who have the riches of this world not to be arrogant and not to place their confidence in anything as uncertain as riches. Instead, they should place their confidence in God who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. Tell them to do good, to do a lot of good things, to be generous, and to share. 

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Walk Humbly Before God
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Attitude

Micah 6:8 GW You mortals, the LORD has told you what is good. This is what the LORD requires from you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to live humbly with your God. 

How do we know what is right? By knowing God, by knowing His Word and by staying in communication with Him--listening & following His guidance through His Word & prayer.

Only then will we know mercy for God and His love will be who we are. Want to live humbly with God? Then ask Jesus Christ to live within.

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Complain or Pray--A Choice
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Choices

I Timothy 2:1-3 GW First of all, I encourage you to make petitions, prayers, intercessions, and prayers of thanks for all people, for rulers, and for everyone who has authority over us. Pray for these people so that we can have a quiet and peaceful life always lived in a godly and reverent way.  This is good and pleases God our Savior.   

I find it easy to complain about certain elected officials. But do I let them know when they've done well?

My father said, "Don't complain about someone if you aren't praying for them."

In my complaining, do I recognize the need for spiritual guidance and prayer support? Am I part of the problem?

Maybe I can be part of the solution by praying for elected officials, letting them know what I think, complementing when they do well. Most of all, do I pray for candidates, pray for my involvement as I take time to dig past rhetoric, and do I vote?

Help me Lord to stop complaining and instead hold officials up to You. Amen.V.4-6 He wants all people to be saved and to learn the truth. There is one God. There is also one mediator between God and humans-a human, Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for all people to free them from their sins. This message is valid for every era. 

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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?