Am I a Grown-Up
Topic: Choices

Hebrews 5:14 GW However, solid food is for mature people, whose minds are trained by practice to know the difference between good and evil. 

How do we know right from wrong? By knowing Jesus, by communicating with and listening to Him. By diligently reading and studying what He has to say in His Word--the Bible.

If we're not regularly reading God's Word, we're going to struggle with knowing truth from error, right from wrong, good from evil. If we're not regularly reading God's Word, we'll be much easier led astray.

Maturity comes from growing in Christ. Do I have the commitment and courage to really know Him, study His Word and live by His principles—and not my idea of what those are?

Am I a Grown-Up
Topic: Choices

Hebrews 5:14 GW However, solid food is for mature people, whose minds are trained by practice to know the difference between good and evil. 

How do we know right from wrong? By knowing Jesus, by communicating with and listening to Him. By diligently reading and studying what He has to say in His Word--the Bible.

If we're not regularly reading God's Word, we're going to struggle with knowing truth from error, right from wrong, good from evil. If we're not regularly reading God's Word, we'll be much easier led astray.

Maturity comes from growing in Christ. Do I have the commitment and courage to really know Him, study His Word and live by His principles—and not my idea of what those are?

Mary Chose to Trust
Topic: Choices

Luke 2:4-7 NIV So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

We may think we have it bad because we're in a snow storm, but we are safe and our family is also safe, having decided the weather made traveling home too dangerous.

But Mary was almost ready to give birth. The weather could be unbearable in many ways. She probably walked or traveled in a rough cart due to their economic situation. Can you imagine walking all day for days at that time of pregnancy, knowing you might not find a place to stay (and no hospital) at the end of the journey? Uncomfortable is a small word for a situation that must have been horrendous for Mary. Yet she knew the promise and she trusted God.

She chose to trust. When our situation is less than what I'd like, how do I react? With complaints or trust?

May this Christmas start a new appreciation for what Mary went through and commitment to trust, listen to and follow Christ--no matter what my circumstances.

Wallow or Something Better
Mood:  blue
Topic: Choices
Psalm 136:26 GW Give thanks to the God of heaven because his mercy endures forever.

I don't feel much like being thankful today. I'd like to count my miseries instead of my blessings. But I know wallowing in my complaints leads only to more misery, to anger and to depression.

I choose to remember that God is a good God, to deliberately count my blessings, reach beyond my hurt to those who also hurt. In doing so, I find joy and the path to healing and wholeness.

Easy? No. Doable? With God's help, I chose life and joy and hope.

May you chose the same.

Choices I Make
Topic: Choices
Jeremiah 2:19 GW Your own wickedness will correct you, and your unfaithful ways will punish you. You should know and see how evil and bitter it is for you if you abandon the LORD your God and do not fear me," declares the Almighty LORD of Armies.

When things don't go our way, how often do we blame God? It is easier to play victim than to take responsibility for our words, actions and choices. But, how often have we caused our own problems? How often do we admit culpability?

Good choices breed good and positive attitudes and actions. Bad choices, including negative words and actions, only make us feel bad and depress ourselves and everyone around us. Choices lift up or tear down.

What choices will I make today? Which honors God, myself and others?

Cause and Effect
Mood:  not sure
Topic: Choices
Isaiah 3:10-11 GW Tell the righteous that blessings will come to them. They will taste the fruit of their labor.
How horrible it will be for the wicked! Disaster will strike them. What they have done will be done to them.

Cause and effect. Our choices good or bad will return to either haunt us or destroy us or others if those choices are wrong, or encourage, lift up, restore and heal if those choices are Godly, righteous choices based on God's Word, His leading, and His will.

What we think, say and do, does make a difference. What I feed my mind makes a difference in how I think and choose. Do I feed my mind on Godly principles from His Word or with the twisted rationalizations of those who do not know Him?

On what do I spend the most time?

Who Do I Listen To
Mood:  not sure
Topic: Choices
Job 28:29 ASV And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.

Real wisdom comes from God. Without Him at the center and foundations of our thoughts and considerations, the results will be nonsense not wisdom. If someone we listen to does not come from a foundation of God in Christ, check and double check what is said, suggested, claimed by God's Word and prayer.

Am I guided by God's principles or being misled by those who sound good, but whose wisdom doesn't come from the source of wisdom and truth--Jesus Christ?

Psalm 119:168 GW I have followed your guiding principles and your written instructions, because my whole life is in front of you.

Trusting Like Job
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Choices
Job 10:12 GW You gave me life and mercy. Your watchfulness has preserved my spirit.

Despite all Job was going through, in all his pain, frustration and wish that he'd never been born, comes this ringing affirmation of faith. He trusted, even in the worst of circumstances--losing his children, his health, his wealth, that God was a good God.

He didn't understand and he had a lot of questions for God, but he knew who'd given him life, who sustained him and, regardless of circumstance, was not about to turn his back on the only One who cared and could heal and restore him.

When my life doesn't go as I plan, will I have Job's unshakeable faith?

Trusting Jesus is a choice.

Standing For Right
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Choices

Revelation 12:11 MKJV And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony. And they did not love their soul until death.

This is a convicting passage. In the OT, Daniel's friends refused to bow down to the King's Idol statue even when threatened with death in the fiery furnace. They said what we most remember about trusting that God will rescue them. We usually miss the rest of what they said. They said that even if God didn't save their lives from the fire, they chose to trust Him.

They were willing to be burned alive rather than do something they knew was wrong--worshipping someone/thing other than God.

Do I have the courage to stand up for my faith and to live for Jesus--no matter what?

http://IDealinHope.com/author 
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Financially Free?
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Choices

Matthew 6:27-29 MKJV Which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his stature? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They do not toil, nor do they spin, but I say to you that even Solomon in his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ...31-33 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, With what shall we be clothed? For the nations seek after all these things. For your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
 
Financially I am more than a little concerned. We're not birds; can't nest in trees. Or flowers at home in an open field. We are people who struggle tp pay our bills--fully and on time, struggle paycheck to paycheck, try to claw our way out only to have unexpected expenses shatter our budget, our resources and our illusions.
 
We believe you are sovereign, Lord, give to Your work generously and without reserve. Give our time as well and yet, here we are at another cliff. Yet determined to be financially free.
 
If we jump, will You catch us ? Show us the right path. I will trust in Your direction.

http://IDealinHope.com/author

Love is Faithful
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Choices

II John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.

There is a connection between love and God's principles. You can't have love without Him, or without His commandments. His commandments show love that is faithful, true and one of integrity. Love cares, is sacrificial, even confrontational when needed. Love is strong, dynamic, and builds up not tears down. Free love doesn't exist.

Love comes with responsibilities and obligations.

Psalm 15:1-3 LORD, who shall dwell in Your tabernacle? Who shall dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; he does not backbite with his tongue, nor do evil to his neighbor, nor take up a reproach against his neighbor;...

http://IDealinHope.com/author 
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Hypocrites, Cheaters, Liars
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Choices

I John 5:2-4 MKJV By this we know that we love the children of God, whenever we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome.
 
There is no way around it. We cannot claim the name of Christ or "Christian" if we don't follow His commands. It is like saying, "I'm an American" while serving the enemy. It puts us in the camp of hypocrites, cheaters and liars.
 
If we claim the name of Christ, we need to know Him, communicate with Him, listen to Him, as well as read, study and follow the principles laid out in His Word.
 
Am I truly following Him or am I an"in name only" Christian?

http://IDealinHope.com/author 
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Confronting Evil
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Choices

I John 4:8-9 MKJV The one who does not love has not known God. For God is love. In this the love of God was revealed in us, because God sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him.
 
When things don't go our way. When others don't respond or react as we think they should, what do we do? Bring the matter before God in sadness, or get angry and send out hate mail?
 
While God calls us to confront evil, He also calls us to love people. We can't love and hate at the same time. We can be saddened by an action or behavior and still love the person through Christ within.
 
When we react in hateful ways, we show Christ is not directing our ways and call into question not only who we are, but also whom we represent. Something to keep in mind when anger flares and we're tempted to respond in hateful ways. (We need to focus on the problem, not denigrate the person.)
 
V.11, Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. ...And we have this commandment from Him, that he who loves God should love his brother also.

http://IDealinHope.com/author

All I Have
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Choices

James 5:11 GW We consider those who endure to be blessed. You have heard about Job's endurance. You saw that the Lord ended Job's suffering because the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
 
It seems to have gone on so long. I pray, read & study God's Word, I try to live right and within my means. Yet, I'm still blocked, seeing no way out. Everything crumbles under my hands.
 
All I have is God. All I have is hope. I will cling, sing of my blessings, hanging on no matter what. Trusting--somehow--finances will be at hand when the next bill arrives.

http://IDealinHope.com/author 
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

What We Seek
Now Playing: I Deal in Hope Daily Devotional Blog
Topic: Choices

James 4:1 GW What causes fights and quarrels among you? Aren't they caused by the selfish desires that fight to control you?

Job 28:17-18, 28 GW Neither gold nor glass can equal its value. Nor can gold ornaments, jewels, or crystal be exchanged for it. Wisdom is more valuable than gems....So he told humans, 'The fear of the Lord is wisdom! To stay away from evil is understanding.'"

How often do we seek wealth and status thinking those things matter, exchanging for them everything that truly matters---faith and family?

Seeking wisdom is of so much more value, for wisdom starts in the
heart of God. And God is not only wisdom, He is love.

James 4:17 GW Whoever knows what is right but doesn't do it is sinning.

http://IDealinHope.com/author
=============