Fair-Weather Believers
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Choices

Hebrews 2:1 GW For this reason we must pay closer attention to what we have heard. Then we won't drift away from the truth.

If there is one thing I can say with certainty it is that I forget. I forget as daily responsibilities deaden past emotions, thoughts, feelings, memories--even commitments.

Foremost it is easy to forget commitments we make to God. Though we don't much care for fair-weather friends, how often are we fair-weather believers, letting anything and everything separate us from our commitment to God and so separate us from Him?

Excuses: Too busy to read His Word or pray. Sleep or activities take us from worship and fellowship. Problems/pain/hurt/life happens and we allow anger and who knows what all fill our hearts, effectively putting a barrier between us and Christ. We blame Him when the choice is ours.

God doesn't need fair-weather followers. (He has plenty of those.) His blessings are for those who remember their commitment, who seek to know and follow Him, no matter what, who recognize that He is God and only He is worthy of worship and trust.

Like Job we need to say, "Though He slay me, yet will I Trust Him."

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Not My Personal Genie
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Following Jesus

Hebrews 1:2-3a GW In these last days he has spoken to us through his Son. God made his Son responsible for everything. His Son is the one through whom God made the universe. His Son is the reflection of God's glory and the exact likeness of God's being. He holds everything together through his powerful words.

Jesus is not a pet who does tricks for some reward (like "If you..I will."), a genie who grants wishes at our command, or a friend who comforts and advises during times of pain, hurt and struggle but with no real power to change the situation.

Jesus isn't just a good man or an icon of a faith.

Jesus is fully God. He not only created the universe, but holds it together simply by His word. With a word, everything can change from the world to our petty problems. To a being who has that much power at His command, all of earth is petty and small.

But Jesus isn't some made up deity (though many seek--wrongly--to remake Him into something more manageable). He is real, powerful and He cares about you and me. Cared enough to leave His power, become a man, enter our world, sacrificing His life for our, often foolish lives. He conquered death itself that if we acknowledge Jesus for who He truly is—Lord God, Savior--He takes up residence with us that we might know Him and the power of His resurrection within.

The great, powerful being offers life and hope to all who bow. He is God. I am not. How can I not come to Him?

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Strength Without God?
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Strength

Zach. 4:6 GW Then he replied, "This is the word the LORD spoke to Zerubbabel: You won't succeed by might or by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Armies.

We flex our muscles as individuals or nations and think we're something else. We're strong, therefore we'll succeed. While there is nothing wrong with individuals and nations being and staying strong, we're wrong to think defense rests solely in our hands.

Without God, we are weak. Without God, we will ultimately fail. Only the nation who's God is the Lord will be truly strong and succeed. Only the person who relies on God not self will know the peace, provision and protection that only the presence of the living God provides.

A nation's strength derives from the strength of its citizenry. What is the source of your strength? Mine?

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Warriors or Wimps for Jesus
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Following Jesus

Job 1:20-22a GW Job stood up, tore his robe in grief, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, "Naked I came from my mother, and naked I will return. The LORD has given, and the LORD has taken away! May the name of the LORD be praised." Through all this Job did not sin or blame God ...

Job lost almost everything and everyone that mattered to him, yet he continued to honor, not blame, God. How many of us can make this same claim. We blame God and/or turn away for much less.

When we promised to serve Christ, did we do so with reservations...
If my life is good.
If nothing bad happens.
If it isn't too inconvenient.
If it doesn't get too hard.

Life happens. God never promised to shield us from life, but to be with us through good times and bad.

God needs those who keep their promises, who keep their commitments. He needs those not afraid to stand with Him for truth and right, warriors, not wimps.

Will I flake out when the going gets tough or play the blame game? Or will I stand with Job, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him..."Job 13:15 KJV

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Be An Example
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Choices

I Titus 2: 7-8 GW Always set an example by doing good things. When you teach, be an example of moral purity and dignity. Speak an accurate message that cannot be condemned. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed because they cannot say anything bad about us.

If we live right, others won't find evil, won't trip us up or make us out as hypocrites.

Whether or not we want to be, we are examples to those around us. It makes sense to make sure that what we say and how we live is based on what is true. There is only one truth and is Jesus Christ. He is truth.

The more we know Him, the more we live in a way that is good and kind and filled with joy.

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Garbage in--Garbage out
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Choices
I Titus 1:1 GW From Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I was sent to lead God's chosen people to faith and to the knowledge of the truth that leads to a godly life.

We live in a culture and time where we've divorced morality from actions, rational thinking from consequently.

But results come from input. If you put garbage in, expect garbage out. If you feed someone junk food all the time, the result is ill health. In the same way, if you feed someone distortions, perversions, and rationalizations---junk, the result will be someone without a moral compass or foundation.

Good doesn't come from evil. Those who make good choices are building on a foundation of faith and truth.

Is it any wonder our culture becomes more and more perverted and violent when we no longer give our young people a foundation of truth and faith from which good choices stem?

Want to make positive choices? Begin with a foundation of faith and truth.

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Don't Keep Silent--Share the Good News
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Following Jesus
II Timothy 4:2 GW Be ready to spread the word whether or not the time is right. Point out errors, warn people, and encourage them. Be very patient when you teach.

This is clear. No way are we to stay quiet about our faith. While we are to live our faith in our daily lives, we're also to know Him, know His message and share it with those around us firmly, but kindly.

Not that it will be easy. In fact it is becoming less so all the time. But that doesn't let us off the hook.

V.3-5 a A time will come when people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear. People will refuse to listen to the truth and turn to myths. But you must keep a clear head in everything. ...

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When Bad Things Happen to Good Christians
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog

II Timothy 3:12 GW Those who try to live a godly life because they believe in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.  

Too many Christians seem to think because they are Christians nothing bad should happen to them.  When things don't go their way they get mad at God (perish the thought that their or other's free will choices played a part) some turn off to their faith in whole or in part.

But those who take God's Word seriously and study to know it, learn that as God is real, so is Satan who comes against Christians with everything at His disposal. God doesn't promise a life of ease. He promises to be with us to provide, comfort, guide and bring hope.

Our "job" is to follow and honor Him in all we think, do, and say, clinging to Him-come what may.

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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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