God sent a letter to His people when they had just lost. Because of the Jews’ idolatry and sin, God allowed Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler of Babylon, to destroy Jerusalem and carry most of the people captive back to Babylon. God told them that they were going to remain in Babylon for seventy years, but if they pray to Him and seek Him, He will hear, and they will find Him. He told them He has a hope and a future for them, and He would bring them back to their land.

But while God’s people were stuck in a foreign land, God told them to pray for the peace and prosperity of the city where they were held captive, because if it prospers, you too will prosper (Jeremiah 29:7).

Perhaps a more familiar passage is 1 Timothy 2:1-2. There Paul wrote that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives.

In both the Old and New Testament, we are told that our lives will be better if we pray for the leaders of our government. And in both cases, the government was the enemy. I know I often do not think about praying for our leaders, and it seems an even harder task when you do not like them, but according to the Bible, our peace and prosperity depend on it.

I want to give you a few prayers for leaders to help get you started. Those in government are people just like us, but they often have unique challenges and responsibilities:

• “God, please save them. Many of our leaders do not know you. I may never have the chance to speak to them, God, but You can. Convict them of their sin and bring them to You. Show them Your love so that they may lead out of love and godliness.”

• “God, give our leaders wisdom. I sometimes have a hard time deciding what to wear, but those in government make decisions on behalf of thousands and millions of people. God, the Bible says that wisdom comes from You. Please give them wisdom and the humility to seek the advice of wise people around them.”

• “I pray for their families, God. Many leaders are under so much stress, have very busy schedules, and are away from home for extended periods of time. Their families are of course going to be affected by this. Protect them from those who would physically harm them and keep their families intact and strong.”

• “God, I ask that You enable our leaders to do their jobs and to do them well. Please let them work for our protection and peace. You have said that the government is to punish those who do evil and praise those who do good, so I pray that our leaders pass, enforce, and uphold just laws and provide an environment that allows people to do good and flourish. When government rules well, we can live in peace and open godliness. God, You said that this is pleasing to You because You desire all people to be saved. When Christians can live openly godly lives, loving their neighbors as themselves, more people will be drawn to You.”

And that is what we all want. We want to see our family, our friends, our co-workers, our country turn to God and experience His blessing. Don’t give up if our politics and government look bleak. Ask God to bless and change our leaders and turn our discouragement into praise.

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When my children were younger many of our vacations were what we would call StayCations. StayCations are roughly defined as when you are traveling within a 50 -150 mile radius or up to an hour to two hour drive from your home.  What I’d like to share with you are some of the interesting venues and events that you can find within Central Ohio!

I’ll break it into three categories: county fairs, museums, and parks and recreation. Hopefully these are low cost activities that you and your family can enjoy. The list includes many locations I have visited in the past or would like to visit now with my grandsons.

I would be remiss to not share that some of my favorite StayCations were getting a season pass at the local pool and going every day with packed lunches and snacks (and boy did that keep the house clean) or getting a membership at the local Y.  The YMCA or YWCA is a place you can go even if the weather isn’t nice and there are always things that are going on during the summer.  So also check out the local pool or Y.

I’m listing a minimum amount of information about the county fairs.  The museums and parks and recreation actually speak for themselves.  But, for more details on any of the activities you can google or contact the specific venue.  I pray that this listing will get your family out of the house and enjoying each other and the MANY opportunities that are within a short distance from your home.  This is not an exhaustive list and there are so many more opportunities within the short distance of where you live.  (Also remember to check for senior/veteran/student discounts at all venues!)

COUNTY FAIRS

County fairs are one of my favorite summer activities.  I was involved in 4H and band as a kid.  Everything all year long was working toward the final performance or product to be displayed at the county fair, with the hope you would advance to THE OHIO STATE FAIR.  I encouraged my children to be involved with the county fairs because it was the culmination and celebration of community.

Madison County (London) July 8-14

Madison County Fair dates back to 1846 when it was a combined alternating fair schedule with Clark County.  The first independent Madison County Fair took place on September 28-29, 1853.  Many upgrades have been made to the grounds since 2014.

Daily admission $10 and children 4 and under free.  Amusement ride tickets are available at an additional cost.

Montgomery County (Dayton) July 9-15

The Montgomery County Fair is a combination of innovation promoted by the Dayton Convention Center, Montgomery County Fair Bureau, and local universities and farms.

$10 admission includes Grandstand Events, free parking, and kids under 6 are free with a paid adult.

Clark County (Springfield) July 21-28

The Clark County Fair is noted for both its live entertainment by well-known artists, bands, or musicians.  Clark County Fair also offers a wide selection of fair food.  So many times the food is the main attraction for me.

General admission is $6 and children 5 years and under are free.  There is free parking.  Amusement ride tickets are at an additional cost.

THE OHIO STATE FAIR (Columbus) July 21-28

Most of the county fairs feed into The Ohio State Fair.  The fair has been operational since 1850 and includes much of the celebration of Ohio culture.

Admission prices: Adults 13-59 $12, Youth 6-12 and Seniors 60+ $10, children five and under free, and parking is free.

Greene County (Xenia) July 30-August 5

The Greene County Fair includes rides, Kiddie/Calf Scramble, Tug-a-Truck, Harness Racing, Demo Derby, Truck/Tractor Pull, Live Entertainment and much more. 

Admission $8 and children age 9 and under are free with a paying adult.

Champaign County (Urbana) August 4-11

I may be prejudice, because this is my home county.  Champaign County Fair is known for its harness horse racing, demolition derby, and largest livestock exhibition (so I’ve been told) next to The Ohio State Fair.

Adults 13 and older cost $5, and children 12 and under are free.  Grandstand events and amusement ride tickets are additional costs.

Miami County (Troy) August 11-17

The Miami County Fair always showcases the 4H, FFA, Scouts Youth Projects, Arts, Horticulture, entertainment, competitions, and more.

General admission is $6 for anyone age 9 and older.

MUSEUMS

I’ve thought about completing a museum vacation that covers the United States or even around the world.  I have always loved museums.  I like to read all the plaques and push all the buttons.  Museums can be visited several times a year and everyone in the family will still have plenty of new discoveries.  I have visited all of the museums listed except the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter…however, those are on my summer adventure list.  If you have a favorite museum or attraction, it may be to your advantage to purchase a season pass.

Hamilton County:

• Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden – Cincinnati

Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.         Ticket Prices vary by age and the activities for which

you want to participate.  Check the Cincinnati Zoo website.  Parking is $10.

• Newport Aquarium – Newport, Kentucky

Hours: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.           Tickets are recommended to be purchased online in advance.  Adult tickets range from $23 – $40 which includes all exhibits, and child discounts are available.

In reading the reviews for the Creation Museum and The Ark Encounter here is my understanding.  The Creation Museum is full of history and documentation, therefore includes heavy reading, but well worth the visit.  The Ark Encounter is much more learner friendly and has a higher level of interaction and exhibits, therefore may be more child friendly or appeal to individuals that have a lower attention span.

• Creation Museum – Petersburg, Kentucky

Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Sunday 1 p.m. – 7p.m.)

Tickets range in price based upon age.  Adults 18-59 $49.95, Seniors 60+ $44.95, Youth 11-17 $29.95, Children 10 and under free.

·  The Ark Encounter – Williamstown, Kentucky

Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Sunday 1 p.m. – 7p.m.)

Tickets range in price based upon age.  Adults 18-59 $49.95, Seniors 60+ $44.95, Youth 11-17 $29.95, Children 10 and under free.

Franklin County:

• Center of Science and Industry (COSI) – Columbus

Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.        

Tickets are encouraged to be purchased in advance, but not necessary.  Adults 13 and older $25, Youth 2-12 $20, Children under 2 free, Seniors 60+ $23, and Teachers with proof are free.  There are military discounts as well.

• Ohio History Center – Columbus

Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.        

Adults $16, Children 4-12 $10, Senior 60+ or College Student with ID $14, Children 3 and under free.  Parking is free.

• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium – Columbus

Hours: Summer Hours 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Adults including children 10+ $29.99, Seniors $27.99, Children 3-9 $25, Children 2 and under free.  Additional water park admission.  Parking $10.

Franklin County Residents receive an additional discount.

Greene County:

• National Museum of the United States Air Force – Dayton

Hours: 9 a.m – 5 p.m.

Free admission, parking, and WiFi.

Additional charges for Air Force Museum Theatre, Simulators, and Personalized Dog Tags.

Montgomery County:

• Boonshoft Museum of Discovery – Dayton

Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Sunday 12 noon – 5 p.m.)

Adults $15, Seniors 60+ $13, Children 3-12 $12, and children under 2 free.

Champaign County:

• Champaign Aviation Museum – Urbana

Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Tuesday – Saturday)

Admission is free.

Logan County:

• Ohio Caverns – West Liberty

Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

There are two tours (Historic and Natural Wonder)

Each individual tour is Adults $24, Children 5-12 $12, children 4 and under free.  However, you can purchase tickets for both tours at a special price of Adults $36, Children 5-12 $18.  There are also large picnic areas for family get-togethers.

• Piatt Castles – West Liberty

Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Adults $13, Youth 5-15 $7, and Seniors 65+ and AAA members $11.

PARKS & OUTDOOR RECREATION

The importance of spending time in God’s great green Earth is enhanced by the nature preserves and parks of Ohio.  I have spent some time at each one of the following State Parks.  My husband’s side of the family enjoyed camping.  We often would join family members or venture out on our own.  State parks are a quiet get-away that allows you to choose your type of stay from the raw nature type camping, all the way up to hotel type amenities at some of the locations.  Check out the individual websites to see the availability of the amenities you desire.

Warren County:

• Caesar Creek State Park – Waynesville

Butler County:

• Hueston Woods State Park – College Corner

Madison and Fayette Counties:

• Deer Creek State Park – Mt. Sterling

Clark County:

• Buck Creek State Park – Springfield

• George Rogers Clark Park – Springfield

Greene County:

• John Bryan State Park – Yellow Springs

• Glen Helen Nature Preserve – Yellow Springs

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Bonsai has experienced its recent growth due to its seeming ability to calm and relieve stress. The focus, imagination, and attention to detail needed for bonsai, even if it is for just a few minutes a day, is a great way to lower cortisol levels, and the trees, some able to live one hundred years or more, picture the resiliency that many people have been identifying with, especially after the pandemic.

“The focus, imagination, and attention to detail needed for bonsai, even if it is for just a few minutes a day, is a great way to lower cortisol levels”

Honestly, just thinking about the care of a bonsai tree gives me stress, but my husband has always wanted to try it and perhaps it sounds intriguing to you or someone you know as well. So where do you begin?

Well, like almost everything else you need information about, you can turn to the internet. There are hundreds of YouTube videos. You can find everything from how to pick the right tree or seedling for you to step-by-step instructions for the beginner bonsai grower and special projects for the more experienced. The internet also offers free and not-free classes. I found a Facebook page for Bonsai Dayton for some local information and hundreds of bonsai blogs dedicated to educating you and helping you make the most of your plant.

Mature bonsai plants can be quite expensive—they can live for many, many years—but if you don’t want to make a big investment before you try it out, I saw some very reasonably priced bonsai trees on the local Facebook Marketplace page, or you can always start small.

But if you would like a little more human interaction and help, a short drive away is the Cincinnati Bonsai Society, one of the oldest bonsai societies in the US. The society offers monthly meetings and beginner bonsai classes for the public and workshops and forums for members. They also host a bonsai show at the Krohn Conservatory in the fall. A short drive in the other direction will take you to the meetings of the Columbus Bonsai Society. They have a public Facebook group where you can seek and provide tips and information and even buy and sell bonsai plants and supplies. The Columbus Society’s big annual bonsai show is coming up July 29-30.  Maybe put it on your calendar and go check it out to see if bonsai is for you. Even if the care of one doesn’t interest you, they are both beautiful and fascinating.

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I didn’t learn from my parents how to be a “perfect parent” so that I could teach “perfect parenting” behavior to my children.  However, I have learned if parents have a loving heart, they do the best they can at the time raising their children.

What I’ve learned is from hindsight.  I stood at the dedication of my children when they were very young with unwavering faith and declared, “For me and my house we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

However, my children did not take the straight and narrow way of safety that I would have desired for them.  Broken relationships, skirmishes with the law, and self-destructive behaviors later, I am so proud of my adult children’s hearts for God and their acknowledgement of the right path I espoused, even with all my flaws.

I was the rebellious child to my parents.  What helped me to nurture my communication with my children was knowing how much I loved God, how He protected me, and how God steered me back to His loving embrace, even though my choices were less than positive.

Now, let’s be honest.  That better communication came way too late and contributed to the conflict and push back by my children against God values.  I was too often harsh, judgmental, and legalistic.  What was important, in spite of my errors, was a heart of LOVE.  My children tell me to this day that they always knew I loved them.

When they were in their “wayward” life choices I always kept the line of communication open. As God worked in my heart, I grew less harsh in our discussions, less judgmental, and less legalistic. I found that there were many things I needed to learn from my adult children and their perspective of the world. I was greatly humbled and have told my children how sorry I am that I often couldn’t hear what they were saying because I was so stuck on my “rightness of opinion.”  I couldn’t see that God was using them to open my eyes to see Him beyond myself.

I believe God intended for us as family to love each other in a manner that builds, not tears down.  Patience, kindness, and a tender heart covers a multitude of errors.  “I told you so” and blame games NEVER accomplish the end result of redirecting a wayward child (young or adult).

What I am sad about is that after I moved away from the area in which my children and grandsons live, the grandsons don’t regularly attend church.  That breaks my heart.  Sunday School and VBS (Vacation Bible School) were ALWAYS Grandma’s invitations.

My ability to influence and encourage my grandchildren now has challenged me to realize new and creative ways.  The burden for my grandsons’ souls seems even deeper than I remember for my own kids (but it could be just the matter of MANY YEARS HAVE PASSED) or that I’m so far away and I can’t be a regular influencer as I was with my children.  But, this has caused me to pray more specifically for my grandsons, send them encouraging words through digital messages, and to video chat as often as possible.  I tell them how much I love them, that I’m proud of them, and I’m praying for them.  I most often ask them to tell me what they want to talk about first.  During most communications I do a “Grandma Check” and ask them serious questions where I can gauge if they have their “heads on straight.”  As often as I can I remind them that God has a plan for them and He put us in family together to encourage one another.

I think that is what I missed as a kid.  I knew God loved me.  I knew my parents loved me.  I knew my choices reflected on the “family name.”  But, what I didn’t learn until way too old, was that God has a plan for me and my choices reflect on His family name.

We as parents need to nurture our children and grandchildren in the truth that God loves them and loves us.  God created us with a purpose that is fulfilling and exciting if we choose to pursue Him and His righteousness.  I believe together as family we are unstoppable for the positive purpose that God has designed for us.

‘I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘they are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.’

Jeremiah 29:11

Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them (children); They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

Psalm 127:3-5

What’s in your family quiver?  It is never too late to open communication and love on your children and let that love steer them in the direction of God’s perfect plan for them and your family.

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I do the same thing. Whenever I start to see the plants come out at Walmart or Lowe’s, I load up my cart with pretty plants. Sometimes I try to stick to a specific color scheme, thinking that will help make my front yard look more put together. But I get them home, plant them in the ground, and then usually think, ehh. . . . They look so pretty in the store, but I just am not blessed with the ability to arrange them so that they look nice together in my yard.

I don’t know why it took me so long, but it was just last year that I started “cheating.” I was at a flower show, just a little local place where you could walk around and look at flowers. I started noticing the colors, especially the color combinations that appealed to me, and since I apparently am unable to arrange them how I like them on my own, I started taking pictures specifically of what colors I liked together. Then I started paying attention to which plants were bunchy, which were tall and gangly, and how far apart they were spaced. When they are all baby plants at the store and you have no imagination like me, the little markings on the pots saying 8” or 10” really mean nothing. But here I was looking at them full-grown and it was so helpful to see them that way.

If you are anything like me, try looking around. Not just thinking “Oh, that’s pretty,” but what specifically makes it pretty to you. Honestly, I have been known to walk around in neighborhoods a little more upscale than mine (the places where they hire people to plant their flowers!) just noticing what I like and what I don’t. If you have a neighborhood like that near you, often a historic district is a good place, walk around and get your phone out (subtly, if you aren’t so bold). If you see pretty flowers out front, sometimes there is a gardening man or woman eager to show off their more elaborate back yard.

If you’d rather see several flowers all at once, there are quite a few local home and garden tours during the summer, and some are even free. A few cities I saw in the driving area were Westgate (June 10), Merion Village (July 9), Worthington (June 25), Urbana (June 24-25), and Montgomery (June 25). And there are bigger ones, like the Haus und Garten Tour put on by the German Village Society (June 26). Two more permanent displays would be the Wegerzyn Gardens north of Dayton and Smith Gardens, a small gem of a garden south of Dayton in Oakwood.

And you know what? If you don’t care how your flowers are displayed, just plant them however you want. The Bible says even Solomon, with all his wealth and glory, was not clothed as beautifully as a flower. But if you want a little help, it’s not cheating to look around!

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Facebook Events

One way to discover more local events is to use the Facebook Events page. (Click on the menu tab to find the events page.) The events page is where you can find rummage sales, workshops, all kinds of live music, arts festivals, and concerts in the park. Here, too, you can see what friends of yours are interested in or planning to attend an event enabling you to maybe set something up together.

Groupon

Another way to find local events or activities is to use the Groupon app or website. Groupon probably has the fewest options, I will admit, but if you do find something that looks interesting to you, it is often a good deal. I recently bought a Groupon for several games of bowling, and it included shoe rental and pop for a very reasonable price – way lower than if you just showed up.

I think of Groupon as a good way to try new things or new places. You might want to try an activity but not want to pay full price until you know if it will be worth it to you. So here you can find different kinds of dance lessons, music, gymnastics, sports, and art lessons. If you just want to try a new golf course, watch a tennis match or soccer game, or visit a small museum, Groupon will have deals for you. Groupon also has the most kids’ activities – arcades, play places, waterparks, mini golf, concerts, and laser tag.

Airbnb

The site I think that offers the most interesting activities is a place you may not think to look. We know Airbnb provides contacts for places to stay, but they also promote things to do. They call them “experiences” and you can find the tab right on the first page. When you click the “where you want to go” button, it will offer you stays or experiences.

If you are looking for something close to home, just type in Dayton or Columbus or whatever city you want and you will see several one-of-a-kind options. Recently I saw opportunities to explore an old house, eat dinner on a working farm, take bike tours, market tours, and photography tours. You can make Nepalese food or learn how to take care of a horse. The experiences do change so if there is nothing that interests you right now, check back later!

Whether you want to have a fun Saturday or find a new hobby, there are lots of options out there! Let me know in the comments if you have any other places to find things to do!

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“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22.36-40 NIV 

Pray

“We love because he first loved us.”

1 John 4.19

It’s important to remember that we can’t follow any of the instructions in the Bible without God empowering us to do so. Our human nature won’t allow us to “love our neighbor as ourselves” without knowing deeply that God loves us. The best place to start is prayer. Talk to God about who you need to show love to. Ask Him to help you and to be secure in your relationship with Him. If you’re having trouble loving someone, talk to Him about it. There’s nothing you can say that will surprise or offend Him. He wants to help you and give you the ability to obey Him. 

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Study

Reading what the Bible has to say about people may help change your perspective. Especially if you realize those verses aren’t just talking about you, but also about the people that annoy you. 

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Ephesians 2.10 NLT 

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”

1 Peter 4.8 NLT

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”

Romans 12.9-17 NLT

Practice

The next time you’re confronted with a difficult person, stop and pray for help. Think about how that person was created in God’s image; how Jesus died for them; how they may be going through the hardest time in their life, or they may have been deeply affected by trauma earlier in their life. Practice showing grace and love even when it’s hard. God will be there to help you. 

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John 3.16 NIV

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

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Romans 8.28 NIV

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose.”

Proverbs 3.5-6 NIV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Jeremiah 29.11 NIV

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Isaiah 41.10 NIV

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Ephesians 4.32 NIV

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

What are some of your favorite verses to memorize? 

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Start with prayer. 

You might already know that God did not design us for constant stress and anxiety. 1 Peter 5:7 says “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for us.” Ask God to help you trust Him and turn away from worry. This past blog has five other Scriptures to help you remember to give your worries to God: https://myhope1007.com/what-to-do-when-you-are-scared-and-worried/

Consider therapy. 

There are many benefits to seeing a counselor or therapist, but one of the major ones is that they can help you identify what’s causing your worry or anxiety and come up with a plan to manage it. Talking through your thoughts and feelings in a safe space can help you see things from another perspective and work through any unresolved issues that may be keeping you stuck in a cycle of worry.

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Thankfulness.

Keep a running list of things you’re thankful for. Worrying can be overwhelming and cause you to lose perspective, so it’s important to take a step back and focus on the things that make you feel grateful. Make a list of all the positive aspects of your life – no matter how small – and review it regularly. You could keep a journal or keep the list on your phone so you always have access to it.

Form healthy habits. 

Worry can cause physical symptoms like muscle tension, fatigue, and insomnia, so it’s important to maintain an active lifestyle. Exercise releases endorphins that can improve your mood and help reduce the physical effects of stress. Take a walk or join a dance class; any kind of physical activity will help you take back control of your emotional state. Also, be sure to get enough sleep. Unhealthy habits stress your body and can aggravate or even be the cause of anxiety.

Look for healthy distractions. 

Worry often comes down to ruminating on things you cannot control or change. It can be hard to just “stop worrying,” so it helps to have something else to focus your attention on. Exercise, hobbies, or even just talking with friends can be a great way to distract yourself and create some distance from the source of your worry.

Practice relaxation techniques. 

One of the best ways to overcome worry is to focus on the present moment. Worrying about what might happen in the future is often a reaction to feeling out of control, so take a step back and try to identify what has you feeling overwhelmed. Once you have identified the source of your worry, envision handing those things over to God. Take a few deep breaths, resting in His presence. Train yourself to stop and do this every time you start feeling worried and you’ll start building new pathways in your brain that make it easier over time.

We hope these ideas help you live a less-worried life. Do you have any go-to anxiety busters? We’d love to hear from you!

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What Does The Bible Say About Itself?

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 2.16-17 NLT

“Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.” John 17.17 NLT (Jesus speaking.)

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Hebrews 4.12 NLT

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How To Build a Bible Habit

“As countercultural and counterintuitive as it may feel, submission to God’s Word is where true life and freedom are found.” Matt Smethurst

The Bible is our main way to learn about who God is, what’s important to Him, how He feels about us, and the way to live life how He intended. It can seem intimidating at first, but with a little work and dedication, it can be the most life-giving habit in your life. But how exactly can you build a Bible habit? 

1. Pray about it. 

Ask God to help you want to prioritize reading the Bible and learning more about who He is. 

2. Make a plan.

Decide whether you want to use a guided Bible study, a Bible reading plan, or to start at the beginning of the Bible and read on through. If you’re not sure what you want to do, ask a trusted friend or your pastor if they have a preferred way to start. 

3. Set times to evaluate your plan. 

Don’t be afraid to change the plan along the way…remember, this isn’t about meeting a goal or checking something off your list, but about building your relationship with God and growing in your faith. Make an appointment once a month or so in your calendar to check in and see how consistently you’re reading your Bible. Then you can make changes to your routine if you realize you’re not getting around to it. 

4. Let it be a joy to you.

If you’re really struggling through your Bible reading, look for tools to help you find joy in it. Books, podcasts, Bible study groups, and YouTube videos can be ways for you to dig deeper and learn to love spending time in the Word. While you’re reading, look for the things you learn about God and His character, and allow Him to show you how much He loves you and wants to be in relationship with you. 

God has given us this book to know Him- to know His thoughts, His motivations, and His heart. When we are tempted to think the Bible is too hard to understand or too outdated to matter, let us remember it’s our main insight into the heart of God and realize what an incredible gift that is. 

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God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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Bible Study

How To Study The Bible, This 5 day plan will equip you with 3 principles of successful Bible study to turn your quiet time from a task to check off your list into an essential habit in your day. Provided by Faithspring.

Reading The Bible 101 In just 3 days, you can be encouraged to look at Bible study as a lifelong and joyful pursuit and find steps on how to begin studying the Word. Provided by Straight Truth Podcast. 

First Steps For New Believers, If you have recently made a decision to follow Jesus, you may be wondering, what do I do next? This 7 day plan walks you through the initial steps of learning how to understand what God desires, how to communicate with Him, and how to live a God-centered life. Provided by Need Him Global Ministries.

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Marriage

Moving Forward in Forgiveness, This 5 day plan will help you learn how to forgive hard things and move forward in your marriage. You’ll learn Biblical principles and practical steps to forgiving well. Provided by Awesome Marriage.

One: A Marriage Devotional by Jimmy Evans, This 52 day devotional can be read once a week or once a day for a more intensive investment. Provided by Marriage Today.

Daily Prayers For My Husband, One of the most loving things you can do to strengthen and protect your marriage is to pray. This 21 day plan will encourage and guide you as you pray for God to empower your husband to be the man He created him to be. Provided by DaySpring.

Anxiety

Facing The Giant of Fear, The Word of God says, ‘fear not,’ yet these days, it seems like we are faced with new things to fear constantly. This 30 day plan will help you find ways to overcome fear and live in peace. Provided by United Christian Broadcasters.

The Way Forward, Have you wondered how you can remain steady, unfazed, and resilient through the turbulent times we find ourselves in? This 5 day plan explores Biblical reminders and strategies to help us navigate the way forward. Provided by Hillsong Church. 

Overcoming an Anxious Mind, This 7 day plan will help you see that God can restore what anxiety wants to take from you and teach you how to lean into God to overcome. Provided by Connect with Skip Heitzig. 

Let us know if you use any of these plans, or if you find other devotions you love and want to pass on to your Hope family!

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God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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Painted Rock Place “Cards”

Cover the table with butcher paper or newspaper and let the kids go to town painting rocks. You’ll want rocks about the size of a lemon or so. If you’re trying to stick to a color theme for your Thanksgiving dinner, only provide those colors of paint. When the rocks are dry, paint the names of each of your guests and display proudly on your Thanksgiving table! You can give the rocks to your guests when they leave or you can reuse them year to year. 

Write Thank You Cards

Throughout the month of November, make a tradition of having your kids write thank you cards (or letting the child narrate and you write) to show friends and family members their appreciation and love. Everyone loves getting mail that’s not junk or bills, and getting something thoughtful and unexpected is even better! You can even have cards custom made with pictures or artwork to really take them to the next level. 

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Thanksgiving Bingo

Looking for a way to get the whole family involved? This great idea comes from madewithhappy.com. You can get free printables at this link: https://www.madewithhappy.com/thanksgiving-bingo/ along with coloring pages, crafts, and more game ideas. If you need something to keep the kids entertained while you’re putting the finishing touches on your feast, you could even use these sheets as a kind of tv show scavenger hunt. For example: put on a fall-themed movie (“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” is a great choice.) The children have to find each item on the sheet to get a prize. 

Pin the Tail on the Turkey

This activity definitely requires an adult without another Thanksgiving duty to supervise, but it promises to be a ton of fun! There’s a reason this game has stood the test of time! You could either have the children draw and color a turkey on a posterboard, or print one for ease. Cut feather shapes out of fall colored construction paper, and give each child a color of their own so you can track who ends up getting the tail feathers the closest to the proper place. If your kids are old enough to handle thumbtacks, you could use those, but if not, tape or adhesive squares work great too, just make sure it’s an adhesive that won’t damage your walls when those feathers inevitably end up there! 

Let us know if you do any of these activities with your family, or if you think of other ideas you’d like to share! Either way, have a very Happy Thanksgiving and know that your Hope 100.7 family is very thankful for you and wishes you a very blessed holiday season!

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God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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Awards You Don’t Want 

Here are some awards that people actually try to win, but the awards don’t even exist.

The Never Put Themselves First Award

The Most Stressed Award

The Worried More Than Anyone Because They Care Award

The Slept the Least Award

Stayed on That Weird Diet for the Longest Award

Sacrificed Their Entire Life for Others Award

Liked by Everyone Award.

Whew. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I wanna win any of those.

What To Do While You’re Waiting

It’s one thing to wait in a long drive through waiting on that sandwich and fries or that specialty coffee drink, and it’s another to wait on God. Some people do it for months and even years. When you’re in a season of waiting, at least from my experience, it’s never just a season of waiting. Let me explain. It’s a season of preparation, abiding. There’s a word you don’t hear every day. Abiding. Waiting is not passive, it’s actually active. You have to be prepared for what you are praying for, what you are waiting for. Be prepared that it may look different than what you expect. Be prepared to hear God’s voice. You might not know when, but when He speaks, it happens fast and you’ve gotta be ready for that next season.

Prayer is a big deal in some people’s lives. If I were to be completely honest with you, I should be praying more. I worry and try to have control too much in my life. I saw this prayer and I think it’s worth repeating. And if you’re able to pray this with me right now, I think it’s pretty powerful. 

Dear God, when I feel overwhelmed, scared or anxious, please fill my heart and mind with your perfect peace. Amen.

~hopefully you.

Don’t Run on Empty

You can actually learn something from your bank account and apply it to your spiritual life: when withdrawals exceed deposits, bankruptcy is inevitable. I started to think about my own spiritual life. I know at times when I don’t pray as much as I should or spend time reading the Bible or doing a devotional, my attitude is bad. And imagine going on for weeks, months, and years like that. I can’t imagine people without God or Jesus in their life making it through the past two years. Maybe that’s why you see what I see- a lot of angry people walking around because they don’t have hope.

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Spending Time With Jesus

If you feel like there’s a lot of noise around you right now, you have to be purposeful to choose to turn down the volume of the world. If you want to be able to hear and discern more clearly the voice of God in your life, you have to root out the distractions that can hijack your attention and time. You have to be literally ruthless to guard and protect your mind. I’ve gotten into a habit before I check my social media, before I check my email, before I check any missed texts from overnight, I try to open the Bible app and go through a Bible study and actually read the Bible.

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Mark 6.31 NIV

Be Interruptible

This could be the bravest thing you do today, or maybe even in a while; but beware, this could open up doors that you can’t even see, which could be scary. It could put you on the edge of a cliff making trust and faith a bigger part of your life. I hope you’re ready. Pray this prayer: “God, if I’m not where you need me to be, I pray that you lead me there.”

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3.5-6 NIV

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Are you ready to have your mind blown? Roughly half of Jesus’ miracles were actually interruptions. Jesus had a plan. Imagine knowing your destination, imagine knowing you would go through life, live 33 years, and die on a cross. That was His destination. He had a timetable, but Jesus was interruptible. I think of my own life: I’m someone who’s very planned. I live by that calendar on my phone- to a T, to a fault, to an extreme. So, it just makes me wonder how often I miss what God is doing because I’m holding on too tightly to my own plans.

Here’s some career advice I saw and I actually agree with it: don’t ever attach yourself to a person, a place, a company, an organization, a project, or a church. Attach yourself to a mission, a calling, or a purpose. That’s how you keep your peace. I experienced that a couple of years back where my place of work became my identity, and when that was gone, it took me months to figure out who I was and where I was going. It turns out, I should have been focused on Jesus the whole time.

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God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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1) Remain kind. 

You can talk through all sorts of disagreements without them turning into fights if you can remain kind. The next two tips can help you position your heart and mind to be able to stay kind. Before you respond to a challenging situation, ask yourself if what your about to say is coming from a place of kindness. 

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4.32 ESV

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2) Remain soft.

You can be firm in your views and your beliefs and remain soft-hearted towards people. Remind yourself that we are all made in God’s image and we’re all loved by Him. People form their opinions based on all of their experiences, feelings, upbringing, and perceptions and we would be wise to listen to why people feel the way they do. 

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Colossians 3.12-13 NLT

3) Remain humble.

It seems like so many of the bitter arguments and disagreements we see all around us come from a place of pride and unwillingness to listen to each other. We should be asking ourselves if we feel deep down like we know everything, if we think we have figured it all out and that’s why someone’s opposing views upset us so much. If that’s the case, we need to turn to God for forgiveness and turn away from that prideful attitude. 

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 11.2 NIV

Challenging Yourself to Control Your Responses

When you can’t control what’s happening all around you, I think it’s important to challenge yourself, to control the way you respond to what’s happening. It’s the response that gets you in trouble half the time. I had this situation happen to me recently, where I was not invited to something and it was kind of awkward. I had these feelings welling up inside of me- I don’t know if it was anger, but it was definitely disappointment and, and maybe a little jealousy too. Then I kind of checked myself and thought, you know what? I am experiencing these feelings and they’re not for any good reason. I literally challenged myself on the way I responded to the situation. And after I worked through that, I was able to take a deep breath and move on.

I hope these thoughts are helpful as we all walk together through these troubled times.

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God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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When you are raising babies, you feel how long the days are, but when you’re raising teens, you feel with every single bone in your body, how short the years are.

Cheryl Donely

Empty Nesters?

My wife and I were just talking about this the other day. I remember having three little ones, a nine year old, five year old and a newborn at one point, thinking this is so incredibly hard. I’m looking forward to the days when they graduate from high school and they spread their wings and they become adults and how the relationship changes when that happens. And now we’re to that point where our oldest will be 25 this year, our middle child will be 20 this summer, and our youngest turns 14 later this summer. Now I’m holding on with everything I have to the 14 year old, realizing that in four or five short years we’ll be empty nesters. And that’s kind of scaring me. 

Parents who have adult children who live out of town know that seeing each other in person only happens a handful of times a year, especially if they live states away. Our oldest child has set up in Orlando. I had a quick work trip over the weekend, a three day weekend kind of thing. I was planning on seeing him on Saturday and then nature happened. There was a tropical storm that was barreling from Mexico into the Florida panhandle and there was the threat in Orlando of the weather being severe enough to delay flights, so I didn’t risk it. I needed to get home to get back to work, and I wasn’t able to see my son. I was really disappointed we didn’t get to spend some quality time together. So I think what we’re gonna have to do is invest, spend the money, and get down there as soon as possible to hang out and make some memories.

Our middle child is adulting and has gone off to a part-time job in the great big state of Montana. It is so far away. Her wifi is limited, so we just can’t text or FaceTime her anytime, but my wife and I were so excited to get a picture from her yesterday. It’s my beautiful daughter’s smiley face with French braids leading her first guest group on a hike. There are blue skies and big puffy Montana clouds down a dirt road. She looks like she’s having the time of her life and it made me smile.

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Parenting Success

Late last night, my 13-year-old son found his older brother’s pull up bar that was disassembled. And I hear, “Dad come here. I need your help.” I’m sitting relaxing, kind of winding down on my phone, got the TV on, and I’m like, oh, I don’t want to do this, but I should go upstairs. So I went upstairs and then I discovered that he had this pull up bar disassembled and was trying to put it together. The directions were kind of funny and there’s moving parts and there’s angles, and you know, it’s gotta be put together correctly or he’s gonna do a pull up and he is gonna fall flat on his back. So we figured it out together and I can go back and think in my head, I did not fail. I didn’t stay on the couch and say, “no, this is my time I’m not coming upstairs.” I did the right thing and we had a special moment putting it together. And I’m just glad that I learned to be a better parent by success last night.

Encouragement for Parents

If you’re a parent, you can learn to be a better one by either succeeding at something and doing it well, or by failing. I’ve had plenty of those in my life. We all make mistakes. If you’re like me, there’s not a day that goes by that you don’t think of some dumb thing you did in your past. Some mistake, something that you did that hurt someone. I don’t know about you, but this is exactly what I need to hear right now in this moment:

“I forgive you now. It’s time to forgive yourself.”  

Love, God

Parents, don’t get hung up on the mistakes you’ve made in the past. Lean on God and let Him help you become the parent you want to be.

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God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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Trust in God’s Timing

I wonder how you feel about this saying:

“You’ll see why God made you wait.” 

You might feel hurt, you might feel frustration, you might smile and go, “Hey, I’ve been there, done that.” This past weekend, I wrapped up a season in my life associated with an organization that I had been volunteering with for many years, probably almost 10. And I just felt a peace recently from God saying to me, “it’s time to step away.” I don’t want to, and it hurts, but I have to trust Him. And that saying “one day, you’ll see why God made you wait,” I actually am kind of excited and have some anticipation of “what’s next?”

The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? 

Proverbs 20:24 NIV

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Trust in God’s Goodness

There are seasons in your life that will be good times. There’ll be some challenges, some trials. I know it’s difficult during those times- personally, it’s very difficult in the middle of the night, being awake and worrying or stressed out about some stuff. Consider this: it is crazy how a relationship with God can completely change your mood and attitude in an instant. Instead of worry, go to prayer. One worship song, one whispered prayer, one scripture verse can take you from the absolute worst mindset to a place of such peace and joy. There’s nothing like the presence of God. And my prayer for you today is to experience that.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4.6-7 NLT

Trust That God is With You

Today’s a great day to live by faith and not by sight. Sometimes what you see isn’t really the whole story. Faith will fill in all the gaps. I was spending time in the Bible this morning in the book of Luke, and Jesus was talking to the disciples about faith. It got me thinking about how faith is risky. I know sometimes I feel the risk; am I doing the right thing? Trusting God in this decision? Faith looks risky to others, maybe family members who don’t understand what’s going on in your life and how you are making decisions for you and your family. Especially in today’s day and age, where it seems like everyone is looking for proof of things to be true outside of God. 

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now. And don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Matthew 6.34 NLT

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God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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The truest test of your relationship with Jesus is when you don’t understand anything at all, and you still trust him fully.

God Is In Control

Worry and fear can freeze you in time. When your mind starts racing and you begin to worry, remember this: God is not caught off guard by what you’re going through. He’s in control. He is with you. There’s nothing that hasn’t first passed through His love. As a matter of fact, there are no emergencies in Heaven. None. Jesus is not moved by chaos and you can trust Him.

There’s a good chance that you have someone in your life who’s dealing with an unknown future. When I look around my life, I know people who have relationships that are failing or have failed, and it’s excruciating. Coworkers who are wondering if they will have a job next month; people who are taking money out of their savings to pay for gasoline and groceries. If you’re not careful, the pressure of an unknown future can really cause some fear and sleepless nights, but there is hope. I don’t have the right words to say for every situation, but I do know this: never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.

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During your work day, there are gonna be people who you cross paths with that put a smile on their face, but on the inside, they are crumbling. It might be someone at the grocery store, someone who you work with, someone at the gas station, or maybe that person is you. You should know this: God’s love is surrounding you. His faithfulness has covered you. You can breathe. You can let it go. Your job isn’t to run, to worry, or try to take life into your own hands. The Bible says to be still, and God will fight for you.

Be Still? 

“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37.7 NLT

There’s a chance that we’re doing it all wrong. When God says be still, I think He means be still internally, but I think He still wants you to keep pushing forward patiently with a calm spirit, knowing that He’s working everything out for your good. I don’t know about you, but I think it’s difficult to shift the way I think, especially when I have a habit of worrying and anxiousness, but I’m never gonna truly grow or get to experience the fullness of an encounter with God, an answered prayer, a still small voice if I don’t let go of the anxiousness or the need to know the ending, or control everything. Those are things I can’t change with the snap of my finger overnight, but I can be aware of them and strive to trust God, even when I don’t understand.

Time to Recharge

If you’re like me- an introvert- you need time to recharge alone. You need those quiet moments on a walk or in a quiet room with the lights dimly lit to be alone with God, to be alone with your own thoughts. One thing I do on a walk is listen to worship music. It’s just me and God, and I allow him to speak to me through those songs. I wait for those worship songs to penetrate my heart and soul. It’s so refreshing. I’d recommend it. What do you do to recharge your faith? 

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God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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“My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus’ Name. Christ alone, Cornerstone. Weak made strong in the Savior’s love. Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all. When darkness seems to hide His face I rest on His unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. My anchor holds within the veil. When He shall come with trumpet sound, oh may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless stand before the throne.”

A Rich History

“My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” is a hymn written in 1834 by Edward Mote, a pastor at Rehoboth Baptist Church in Horsham, West Sussex. The refrain of “my hope is built on nothing less” refers to the parable found in Matthew 7.24-27 of the wise and the foolish builders and has been covered and used in many songs over the years. 

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Matthew 7.24-27 NIV

Have You Lost Hope? 

Have you ever felt like it’s impossible to find hope in this crazy world? That’s because it is…at least without God. You can search the world over, and try finding peace and hope in all sorts of places, but true lasting hope can only be found by trusting in God’s goodness and what He’s done for us. 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”

John 3.16-21 NIV

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How To Find Hope

If you’re already a believer and you’re finding it difficult to have hope, you have to go back to basics. Search your heart to find what you’ve placed your hope and trust in. Do you find your security in your bank account, your spouse, your comfort? Have you put your trust in your own understanding of the world and found that it leaves you empty? Start by asking God for forgiveness for not trusting fully in Him, and begin strengthening your relationship with Him, which will renew the hope in your heart. 

Get In The Word

“If you feel like there’s a lot of noise around you right now, you have to be purposeful to choose to turn down that volume of the world if you want to be able to hear and discern more clearly the voice of God in your life. There are so many distractions that can hijack your attention and time if you’re not literally ruthless to guard and protect it. I’ve gotten into a habit- before I check my social media, before I check my email, before I check any missed texts from overnight- I try to open the Bible app and go through a Bible study. Honestly, I’ve kind of been going through the motions the past few days- that needs to change tomorrow.”

Todd Stach

If you haven’t built a strong Bible-reading habit yet, you may find it surprising to hear that reading or hearing Scriptures is one of the most life-giving practices you can engage in. The Word of God is “alive and active” (Hebrews 4.12 NIV), “God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3.16-17 NIV), and is a “light for our path” (Psalm 119.105 NIV). 

There are many tools available to you to help you prioritize Bible Study- books, apps, guides, small groups, podcasts, blogs, daily text reminders or emails, etc. Find what works best for you and build the habit. When your eyes are focused on the Father, your hope will return. 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15.13 NIV

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40.31 NIV

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God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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“I was just pondering something…you know, sometimes when we pray for something we get the answer quickly, but sometimes we have to wait and wait and wait. And I don’t know about you, but patience is not exactly my strong suit. It’s not a very pleasant thing to wait, is it? But you know what? That waiting is all part of God’s process. He’s working out that situation to perfection. So instead of asking, ‘why is this taking so long?’ Maybe our attitude should be ‘God, I thank you for working this out perfectly. And I thank you that what you promised is on the way.’” ~CJ McKay

Have you had the experience yet of having to wait on an answer to a prayer, and when you get that answer you see the reason it needed to take so long? If you haven’t, keep praying and trusting that God sees the whole picture and understands what is best for you. God is so faithful to show us how He works sometimes to build our faith and trust in Him. Today we’re going to talk about 2 different kinds of waiting on God. 

It All Starts with Prayer

The key to effective waiting is prayer. First, you need to hand over control of the situation, and then wait to hear what God’s perfect direction is. We need to be a people who stop and ask God’s will before we jump to try to solve our own problems. You might be thinking, that’s easier said than done! I agree. How many times have I come up against a problem and started panicking and scrambling for a solution before it occurs to me to pray? We must train ourselves to pray first, and then listen to God as He leads us. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Proverbs 3.5-6 ESV

“But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.”

Micah 7.7 ESV

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Wait and Be Still

When you ask the Lord for help or direction, there will be times you feel Him leading you to be still- to not do anything but watch Him work. (Or you might not be feeling Him saying anything.) To our American sensibilities, this might feel lazy or irresponsible, or even downright maddening when we think we’ve got a great plan all worked out, but it comes down to trust. Do we really trust that God knows best, or do we trust our own understanding above all else? 

I’m reminded of the story of Elijah in 1 Kings. He was obedient to what God told him to do and as a result he had to go into hiding. God could have provided Elijah with food and water in any number of ways, but He ordained for ravens to bring him food twice a day. 

“So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.”

1 Kings 17.5-6 NIV

Do Something and Wait

Then there will be times that God leads you to do something in response to your prayers. God works in such interesting ways and many times either the thing you feel led to do isn’t what you expected, or the outcome is not what you thought it would be. The situations we face in our everyday lives are rarely as simple and straightforward as we wish they would be, but we can rest assured that God has a plan and it’s for our good. 

In the book of Acts, God called Ananais to go to Saul, who was well known as a persecutor of Christians. God had a plan to redeem Saul that involved Ananais. Seeing God work through the stories of the Bible shows us we can’t just follow a pattern or do what someone else has done. We have to trust God and obey what He says, because we never know what He has planned.

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.”

Acts 9.10-15

If you’re in a season of waiting, I hope this blog has given you hope and comfort. Try to focus on what you’re learning in this season and knowing that God is working it all out according to His good plan for your future. 

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God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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