Coward?
Mood:  crushed out
Topic: Attitude
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 ...

In an increasingly hostile to faith culture, it is
Sometimes easier to hide our light and "go along to get along," but doing so is not only a compromise, it destroys our soul.

Staying close to Jesus and sharing our faith are essentials of who we are--or should be--as Christ-followers. The world needs the message of hope and salvation. Do I care enough about others and their eternal destiny to openly live and share God's truth in love?

Psalm 139:23-24 GW Examine me, O God, and know my mind. Test me, and know my thoughts. See whether I am on an evil path. Then lead me on the everlasting path.

WORDS SEASONED WITH SALT
Mood:  irritated
Topic: Attitude
Psalm 133:1 GW A song by David for going up to worship. See how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in harmony!

As Christians we do tend to fight and fuss way too much over those aspects of life and faith that do not matter all that much. We're supposed to be known by our love not war-like rhetoric.

On the other hand, we're also not to discard Biblical principles and mandates or the basic truths of Scripture just to get along with those who disagree.

There is a middle ground of holding fast to the Word, letting God's love and grace dictate our attitudes, words and actions. Words and actions, seasoned with salt.

Frustration
Mood:  don't ask
Topic: Attitude
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.

We've all known of cases where
someone with a Christian bumper sticker flips someone off or loses control over some frustrating public or business situation. Maybe we've done it ourselves.

There is truth in the saying, "The only Jesus many will see is in you and me."

Do I claim to follow Christ but shame Him with my actions, attitudes and words? Do my actions draw others to Jesus or turn them away? Do I need to apologize to God, others? Do I need to choose to lift up rather than tear down and not take my frustrations out on others?

Help me focus on You, Jesus, and not take my frustrations out on others. Amen.

Need For God's House
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Attitude
Psalm 122:1 GW A song by David for going up to worship. I was glad when they said to me, "Let's go to the house of the LORD."

Do I view going to worship as a "If I Feel like it" or "If I have time" or "If I'm not too tired" activity? Or, do I recognize time in God's house is not optional? God says we need not only to worship Him, but that we also need the fellowship and suppoort of other believers.

Why? There is power, strength and joy in worshipping together.
To grow in our walk of faith through hearing God's Word.
To put our faith in action by reaching out to others--
a welcoming hand shake, smile
helping with coffee, etc
teaching SS, etc

We were not meant to be alone. Christianity is a relationship between the person and Jesus, but that relationship is meant to be honed in community.

Help me, Jesus, find joy in worshipping with your people today.

Where Arrogance Leads
Mood:  cheeky
Topic: Attitude
Esther 6:6-7, 9-10a GW So Haman came in. The king then asked him, "What should be done for the man whom the king wishes to reward?"
Haman thought to himself, "Whom would the king wish to reward more than me?"
So Haman told the king, "This is what should be done: ...Give the robe and the horse to one of the king's officials, who is a noble. Put the robe on the man whom the king wishes to reward and have him ride on the horse in the city square.
The king's servants are also to shout ahead of him, 'This is what is done for the man whom the king wishes to reward.'"
The king told Haman, "Hurry, take the robe and the horse as you said. Do this for Mordecai the Jew who sits at the king's gate. ..."

Because of his pride, arrogance and self-centeredness, Haman lost sight of the big picture. He couldn't see anything outside the context of him as center.

He ended up honoring the very man he hated with a passion, a man he was seeking to destroy along with his whole people, a man much better than himself.

When we put ourselves at the center of life, we will fail. We become arrogant and selfish, because without God who is caring, hope and love we are miserable creatures indeed.

Who is at the center of my life? Me or Jesus? The choice makes all the difference in who we are and who'll we'll become.

Worship & Attitude
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Attitude

Psalm 131:1 GW A song by David for going up to worship. O LORD, my heart is not conceited. My eyes do not look down on others. I am not involved in things too big or too difficult for me. 

Like David we need to have a humble attitude, recognizing everything comes from God. If we honor Him and obey His leading, He'll use us to bring blessing.

We look for meaning to our lives. We need look no further than to Jesus who loved us enough to enter our world, share His message of forgiveness, salvation, healing and hope. He died for our sins and conquered death that, as we come to Him, we can live in victory. That victory comes at a price--a teachable spirit and a willingness to share the gospel message of hope with a hurt and needy world.

It begins as it did with David, with a heart of worship in the house of God with a community of believers.

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Not "All That!"
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Attitude

Psalm 119:124 Mkjv Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, and teach me Your statutes. 

Here is David, king of a whole country. He has the power of life and death. Yet, he doesn't think he's "all that." He recognizes he is accountable to Someone greater and he comes with a humble heart and a teachable spirit.

What about me? I'll not achieve what King David did, yet do I somethings think I am accountable only to myself? Do I recognize God's authority in my life and come before Him for answers, for guidance, for worship?

Lord, help me have a heart of worship and true humility before You. Amen.

V.125 I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies. 

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More Than Words
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Attitude

James 2:17-18 GW In the same way, faith by itself is dead if it doesn't cause you to do any good things. Another person might say, "You have faith, but I do good things." Show me your faith apart from the good things you do. I will show you my faith by the good things I do.
 
I can claim anything I want to, say I believe this or that. I can act like I'm all that as a Christian, but if I don't reach out to help others, if I'm not there for my family, if I don't take time for faith, family and friends, I am an arrogant nothing, a shallow windbag...a hypocrite.
 
Real faith is more than words, it is faith in action, the love Jesus showed to the poor, the miserable, the blind.
 
Am I more than words of faith?
 
V.19-20 You believe that there is one God. That's fine! The demons also believe that, and they tremble with fear. You fool! Do you have to be shown that faith which does nothing is useless?
 
V.24 You see that a person receives God's approval because of what he does, not only because of what he believes.

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Speak Truth--In Love
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Attitude
Job 6:25 GW How painful an honest discussion can be! In correcting me, you correct yourselves! --Job speaking

How true. This is one reason most of us avoid confrontation or soft-pedal truth. We're afraid of being embarrassed, hurting feelings, causing anger or a rift in a relationship. Yet, when we refuse to deal with very real problems anger builds, explodes or implodes causing the very damage we feared.

We should not fear truth. But when we deal with problems we need to do so with the right attitude.

Ephesians 4:15-16 GW But that you, speaking the truth in love , may in all things grow up to Him who is the Head, even Christ; from whom the whole body, fitted together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of each part, producing the growth of the body to the edifying of itself in love .

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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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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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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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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.

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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Tell It Like It Is
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Attitude

Proverbs 11:2 GW Arrogance comes, then comes shame, but wisdom remains with humble people.

Daniel 2:27-28 GW Daniel answered the king, "No wise adviser, psychic, magician, or fortuneteller can tell the king this secret. But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets. He will tell King Nebuchadnezzar what is going to happen in the days to come. This is your dream, the vision you had while you were asleep:...

Daniel didn't try to pretend knowledge or abilities he didn't possess. Intead, he spoke the truth, gave credit where credit was due even though it might have meant his life, and did it all without arrogance.

The truly great are also truly humble?

Am I?

V.30 This secret wasn't revealed to me because I'm wiser than anyone else. It was revealed so that you could be told the meaning and so that you would know your innermost thoughts.

V.47 The king said to Daniel, "Your God is truly the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings. He can reveal secrets because you were able to reveal this secret."

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