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Be Brave Walk By Faith & Trust HIM: Devotional for Personal Growth & Christianity

R. I. Hope

Published by Rest In Hope Ministries, 2016.

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

BE BRAVE WALK BY FAITH & TRUST HIM: DEVOTIONAL FOR PERSONAL GROWTH & CHRISTIANITY

First edition. March 23, 2016.

Written by R. I. Hope.

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Loneliness Cure

For many folks, who, overall, live in constant solitude, loneliness can be a beast that grips their hearts. The elderly and shut ins readily come to mind. Also, especially sorrowful can be those who are typically surrounded by people but loneliness is still often in residence within them. My thoughts go, too, to the many lonely wives and husbands. They have spouses but the marital disconnects have become so large that they often feel alone. The reasons for loneliness vary. How wonderful that our Lord always has remedies and

“repair kits” available. We can believe that matters are insurmountable but we can sure snap out of such false beliefs. God is a present love, comfort and help in the midst of everything. Christ is the cure for maladies small and great. Truly, there’s nothing too hard for the Highest and Christ.

Psalm 18:2 - KJV The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Let Me Fall

Passed the red light Passed the warning signs Passed the barricades and the yellow tape All around

I heard their calls I ignored their pleas I pushed them away as they tried to tell me

My knowledge superior My understanding the best My wisdom undeniable Truth be told… Better than the rest

When Angels fail to save me When friends fail to convince me When I refuse Sound judgement

Solid Love and Help

We can soar over the challenges when we remain mindful that God is able to keep us, secure us, protect us, and to sustain us through it all. The Most High cannot be conquered, intimidated, stopped or cancelled. Oh, how wondrous to know that we can truly rest in the awareness that we are not alone in whatever life delivers to us

Nahum 1:7 - KJV The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

Ultra-Joy

Where did it come from? Only the Most High can deliver appetizing pleasures at such elevated heights

Joy envelops us, circles us delightfully—We marvel and revel in the pure pleasures of indescribable joy

We gleefully partake of the joy offerings—Yes, gulps galore Woo wee, taste and see—The joy of the Lord is our strength

Why do People have to be so Mean?

September 13th, 2015, Dateline NBC ran a story about four teenagers all suffering from the effects of bullying. Two girls, two boys, each had issues with low self-esteem and a lack of confidence. They all became quite reserved and self-conscious about their physical appearance. Their parents could not talk them out of this gloomy world. A solution needed to be found. The solution became the main topic of the program. An organization in New York City offers young people the opportunity to have cosmetic surgery to repair facial aberrations. Parents send in an application for their child to be chosen to have a surgery they could not otherwise afford. Doctors and consultants look over each application, which includes a personal letter and photographs of the applicant. If chosen for the program, the applicant is flown out to NYC to have the surgery at no cost to them. The main focus of the program was not solving the problem of bullying, but how those who are bullied handle the problem. Does the solution of cosmetic surgery send the wrong message to teens? Should they try to face this particular problem by physically changing their appearance to, in theory, be accepted by peers? One mother noted, “People judge each other by your appearance…I want my daughter to be happy.” Parents do want their children to be happy. However, encouraging children to change their appearance to gain someone else’s approval seems to be the wrong course of action. If a person is cruel enough to ridicule you as you are, they would not be a good friend to have to begin with. If a person can only treat you humanely under certain conditions, the shame is on them…not you. The question that was not addressed was brought up by a high school student caught on film. She asked, “Why do people have to be so mean?” as she looked at her friend drown in his sorrows in the school cafeteria. He was the only one not selected to have cosmetic surgery. After swallowing his initial disappointment, he decided to start a program at his school that raises awareness about bullying. As the program grew, he gained friends along with improved self-confidence. He was surprised to find out how many students deal with similar problems. Unfortunately, he was the only one that seemed to handle this problem correctly. We will always have difficult challenges in life and they all cannot be solved so quickly. Along this journey in life, we are supposed to learn certain lessons. If you do not learn a particular lesson the first time, it will come back around again until you get it right. The three teens that received the surgery will find out that all of their problems will not be resolved from the solution they have chosen. Ultimately, no one wants to be judged, picked on, or ridiculed. Yet, how often do we do these things to each other? When will we finally treat others the way we want to be treated?

God Heals Sorrow

Recently, we learned of yet another mass shooting, the likes of which have increased considerably. We certainly don’t understand the full scope of why people resort to such horrendous measures of cruelty and hatred. At present, the family members of the most recent victims of a mass shooting, in Oregon, likely feel that their grief is insurmountable. But we know that God heals sorrow. I can’t wholly imagine the heart pain that loved one’s experience when their family members and friends are no longer present here for them to enjoy. And the pain is particularly enhanced when acts of violence remove those whom they love. Healing is a process and it often happens in stages. No two people grieve alike. My heart goes out to people who have losses to the family dynamic and the interruption of valued friendships. My thoughts extend to the children who will grow up without their parents. Their realities are significantly altered. Their fragile beings are shaken to the core. What a treasured relief that God heals sorrow. Murderers are often reviled, hated and not forgiven. But they are loved, too—by God and by their loved ones. Yes, murderers committed awful acts; they are loved, regardless. My heart aches for them and their family members. Certainly, justice needs to be administered in regard to the murderers …. Yes, justice indeed has a seat in the proceedings, but love and forgiveness are necessities, as well. Many victims never forgive, but that isn’t in their best interests. We’ve read reports of victimized families who’ve forgiven those who delivered grief to their lives. I salute those people who extend forgiveness. Truly, it’s not a simple or easy thing to do. Reaching forgiveness levels is a process. Murder is very difficult to forgive. Huge gratitude extends to God who equips us to extend love and forgiveness. Plentiful prayers go forth for the healing, health and forward progress of folks who endure the heartache of being victims of violence at the hands of deeply disturbed perpetrators.

Psalm 61:2 - KJV from the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 30:2 - KJV O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

Help My Unbelief

In the past two weeks, I have lost more days than I care to count to mind-numbing, bone-crushing fatigue from simple outings to visit the doctor to pick up a prescription, stop at the pharmacy and then visit two more stores for an item or two. Last week, it was visiting the lawyer and a few small errands while I was in town. I have paid for those days for the past eight or nine days with exhaustion, beginning no more than two hours after waking up. It’s like walking through concrete to get anything done. Yes, I could nap, but I don’t want to sleep my day away. I have things I want and need to do. I had higher hopes for today. I made it much further than I expected, which got my hopes up, even though I know very well how that can backfire so quickly and often. Hope springs eternal; isn’t that what they say? I made it to lunch time so I thought I had climbed out of the tunnel but instead exhaustion crept up and claimed my attention when I least expected it, tying all of me into an impenetrable ball of knots with no way to find the end to even begin to unravel the mess. My actions and decisions all bound up in my disappointment. I walked into the kitchen disgusted – asking God to please help me, knowing at the same time and knowing He knows it too, that I am afraid He won’t and there is nowhere else to go. I ask Him what to do about this state of mind. He reminds me of the man, a father, who brings his demon-possessed son to Jesus, and says, “…if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24 (NIV) I unload dishwasher and act as if I believe. It’s the place where faith must begin. If you can’t even step out that much, you are defeated before you even start. Did I receive immediate reprieve? No, but faith is moving forward, knowing that God can give you what you ask, but understanding He may choose not to. Faith accepts what God allows because we believe in His goodness. The Casting Crowns song, “The Voice of Truth” is about having the courage to listen to the

“Oh what I would do to have the kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I’m in onto the crashing waves. To step out of my comfort zone into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is and He’s holding out His hand. But the waves are callin’ out my name and they laugh at me; reminding me of all the times I’ve tried before and failed. The waves they keep on tellin’ me time and time again, boy, you’ll never win, you’ll never win. But the voice of truth tells me a different story; the voice of truth says do not be afraid, and the voice of truth says this is for my glory. Out all the voices calling out to me, I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth.” Unbelief is to belief is what a pin is to a balloon. It’s flying high until it meets its biggest challenge, then it quickly deflates. It’s easy to confidently say God is going to carry you through when you are riding high; it’s a different story when you are down for the count with no resources. When you are down to just God, you need some help with your unbelief sometimes. Don’t be embarrassed or despairing because God knows it; it’s the very reason that He had Mark include that story in his gospel account so you could see you are not alone. You aren’t even the first. Admitting you have doubt and asking for help is the first step to more faith. If you can’t admit it, you can’t ask for help, and really, God knows it anyway. When we keep it inside because we don’t want to admit our shortcomings in the faith the only person we hurt is ourselves because we don’t give God a chance to speak to us about it. When you are going through a situation where you have tried all avenues of attack without making any advancement and you are out of options, don’t count God out. He’s always good in a pinch.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made

No matter what the circumstance, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalms 139:14). Do not let anyone or anything deceive you in thinking you are anything less.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

For My Own Gain?

Are you using Christianity for your own gain or to look good in another’s eyes? You may not think so, but be willing to examine yourself. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV) Here is an example – my automatic email signature says

Jesus said if you are ashamed of me with men, so will my Father be ashamed of you. Luke 9:26 (NIV) If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels. “Mark 8:38 (NIV) But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. (NLT)

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