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	<title>Comments on: Prisoners of Hope</title>
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		<title>By: TruthMedia &#187; Blog Archive &#187; TruthMedia Chat News (July 26- 27)</title>
		<link>http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2007/01/31/prisoners-of-hope/comment-page-1/#comment-74214</link>
		<dc:creator>TruthMedia &#187; Blog Archive &#187; TruthMedia Chat News (July 26- 27)</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:46:15 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description>[...] Prisoners of Hope [...]</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] Prisoners of Hope [...]</p>
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		<title>By: Violet</title>
		<link>http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2007/01/31/prisoners-of-hope/comment-page-1/#comment-5346</link>
		<dc:creator>Violet</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Feb 2007 14:51:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tmdevotionals.com/women/2007/01/31/prisoners-of-hope/#comment-5346</guid>
		<description>Thank you Suzanne.  I know you are right.  We tithe great for a while, then  we get scared and quit for awhile.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thank you Suzanne.  I know you are right.  We tithe great for a while, then  we get scared and quit for awhile.</p>
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		<title>By: Elizabeth</title>
		<link>http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2007/01/31/prisoners-of-hope/comment-page-1/#comment-5337</link>
		<dc:creator>Elizabeth</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:08:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tmdevotionals.com/women/2007/01/31/prisoners-of-hope/#comment-5337</guid>
		<description>thank you!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>thank you!</p>
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		<title>By: Elizabeth</title>
		<link>http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2007/01/31/prisoners-of-hope/comment-page-1/#comment-5336</link>
		<dc:creator>Elizabeth</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:04:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tmdevotionals.com/women/2007/01/31/prisoners-of-hope/#comment-5336</guid>
		<description>I like the responce from Suzanne concerning Violet&#039;s care-
ful concern reguarding finance.  I to am struggling in a
very bad way.  I lost  full-time job, my house, my one and only companion (spouse of 31 years) as well as a very close relationship with one of my children due to my life-long inability to connect with people.  I had an anger problem.  Like an alcoholic, I struggled with relationships with out knowing that it was I who was the major problem.  With counseling, I have learned that even if I chose not to drink, growing up with it in my parent still had an adverse affect.
I have never learned to rely on God first.  It was always
my father, then later my spouse.  After he wanted a divorce, I failed miserably attempting to rely on my self. I had never done that before - I&#039;m 50 years old too!.   I now know I am to be God&#039;s bride and to not rely on any one human (man or woman) but to put Him first.   I have completed a 9-month education in massage, but am currently unemployed.  I have limited funds left over from the sale of my home.  I feel that God is teaching me to make do with so much less than what I used to have.  (Imbarrassingly, even that at the time wasn&#039;t enough!)   To become a valid person of society, I need a job, then a car! Yet I have great fear in doing a small task, like making a resume, calling for appointments for interviews, getting out of bed!

Finances are a HUGE worry, but I need to make small steps first!  My simple 10% tything is getting me what I need so far. But I want to much more! My attitude/graditude has smoothed out, thank you God! I want to flourish as God promises.  By that I mean, become a functioning, active,
viable person of society as well as a shining Christian!!

Talk about abundance!!!  Come get me now, Lord!  :)

I have been praying like crazy,  Any more couldn&#039;t hurt!
Drench me, I&#039;m so parched it seems. . .</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I like the responce from Suzanne concerning Violet&#8217;s care-<br />
ful concern reguarding finance.  I to am struggling in a<br />
very bad way.  I lost  full-time job, my house, my one and only companion (spouse of 31 years) as well as a very close relationship with one of my children due to my life-long inability to connect with people.  I had an anger problem.  Like an alcoholic, I struggled with relationships with out knowing that it was I who was the major problem.  With counseling, I have learned that even if I chose not to drink, growing up with it in my parent still had an adverse affect.<br />
I have never learned to rely on God first.  It was always<br />
my father, then later my spouse.  After he wanted a divorce, I failed miserably attempting to rely on my self. I had never done that before &#8211; I&#8217;m 50 years old too!.   I now know I am to be God&#8217;s bride and to not rely on any one human (man or woman) but to put Him first.   I have completed a 9-month education in massage, but am currently unemployed.  I have limited funds left over from the sale of my home.  I feel that God is teaching me to make do with so much less than what I used to have.  (Imbarrassingly, even that at the time wasn&#8217;t enough!)   To become a valid person of society, I need a job, then a car! Yet I have great fear in doing a small task, like making a resume, calling for appointments for interviews, getting out of bed!</p>
<p>Finances are a HUGE worry, but I need to make small steps first!  My simple 10% tything is getting me what I need so far. But I want to much more! My attitude/graditude has smoothed out, thank you God! I want to flourish as God promises.  By that I mean, become a functioning, active,<br />
viable person of society as well as a shining Christian!!</p>
<p>Talk about abundance!!!  Come get me now, Lord!  :)</p>
<p>I have been praying like crazy,  Any more couldn&#8217;t hurt!<br />
Drench me, I&#8217;m so parched it seems. . .</p>
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		<title>By: Suzanne</title>
		<link>http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2007/01/31/prisoners-of-hope/comment-page-1/#comment-5335</link>
		<dc:creator>Suzanne</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:24:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tmdevotionals.com/women/2007/01/31/prisoners-of-hope/#comment-5335</guid>
		<description>Violet, I want to respond to your request for suggestions. I hear the heavy burden you have been carrying for a long while now. It’s unlikely that any financial suggestions I make would be of much help, since I don’t know the whole situation or understand all the circumstances.

So, instead let me offer encouragement and instruction from God’s word. Money is a big control issue for many of us. Have you surrendered this area of your life to God? Have you asked Him where and how you should spend your money? Have you given back to God the first fruits? By first fruits I mean this: In the Bible God instructs us to give Him ten percent (a tithe) – the first ten percent - of everything we earn (Genesis 14:20, Genesis 28:22, Leviticus 27:30, 2 Chronicles 31:5, Matthew 23:23). This is a gesture we make to God to show that we understand that everything we have comes from Him and belongs to Him. God doesn’t need our money, but we need to demonstrate that we believe He is in control and obey this command. The best place to give that money would be your local church.

The Bible says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:10 NIV)

This isn’t a blanket promise that as long as you tithe you’ll never have any financial difficulty, but God honors obedience, so if you are not already tithing, it would be a good place to start.

Please allow me to pray for you.

~God, You know the long and difficult struggle that Violet and her family have experienced. You know her fear that things may get worse with her husband’s job being cut back. I pray that You would help Violet surrender all her anxiety and fear to You. It is too great a load for her to carry. Search her thoughts and motivations when it comes to money and point out anything that is not honoring to You. Give her wisdom to make the decisions that are set before her each day and strength to obey Your commands. Make Your presence and Your unfailing love known to her today. Amen.

In Christ’s love,

Suzanne</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Violet, I want to respond to your request for suggestions. I hear the heavy burden you have been carrying for a long while now. It’s unlikely that any financial suggestions I make would be of much help, since I don’t know the whole situation or understand all the circumstances.</p>
<p>So, instead let me offer encouragement and instruction from God’s word. Money is a big control issue for many of us. Have you surrendered this area of your life to God? Have you asked Him where and how you should spend your money? Have you given back to God the first fruits? By first fruits I mean this: In the Bible God instructs us to give Him ten percent (a tithe) – the first ten percent &#8211; of everything we earn (Genesis 14:20, Genesis 28:22, Leviticus 27:30, 2 Chronicles 31:5, Matthew 23:23). This is a gesture we make to God to show that we understand that everything we have comes from Him and belongs to Him. God doesn’t need our money, but we need to demonstrate that we believe He is in control and obey this command. The best place to give that money would be your local church.</p>
<p>The Bible says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:10 NIV)</p>
<p>This isn’t a blanket promise that as long as you tithe you’ll never have any financial difficulty, but God honors obedience, so if you are not already tithing, it would be a good place to start.</p>
<p>Please allow me to pray for you.</p>
<p>~God, You know the long and difficult struggle that Violet and her family have experienced. You know her fear that things may get worse with her husband’s job being cut back. I pray that You would help Violet surrender all her anxiety and fear to You. It is too great a load for her to carry. Search her thoughts and motivations when it comes to money and point out anything that is not honoring to You. Give her wisdom to make the decisions that are set before her each day and strength to obey Your commands. Make Your presence and Your unfailing love known to her today. Amen.</p>
<p>In Christ’s love,</p>
<p>Suzanne</p>
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		<title>By: Lydia</title>
		<link>http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2007/01/31/prisoners-of-hope/comment-page-1/#comment-5334</link>
		<dc:creator>Lydia</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:40:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tmdevotionals.com/women/2007/01/31/prisoners-of-hope/#comment-5334</guid>
		<description>This word has truly been a blessing and inspiration. It came alive and gives comfort knowing that the God of Jacob is our refuge. We will not be afraid for He has given us peace. 
We can rest in this assurance that He is our Lord!!!!!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This word has truly been a blessing and inspiration. It came alive and gives comfort knowing that the God of Jacob is our refuge. We will not be afraid for He has given us peace.<br />
We can rest in this assurance that He is our Lord!!!!!</p>
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		<title>By: Sheila</title>
		<link>http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2007/01/31/prisoners-of-hope/comment-page-1/#comment-5333</link>
		<dc:creator>Sheila</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:31:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tmdevotionals.com/women/2007/01/31/prisoners-of-hope/#comment-5333</guid>
		<description>Violet - i don&#039;t know if you have every heard of Crown Financial Ministries.  They can help with the resources to get you and your husband started with a budget  and help you map out a plan to pay off your debt, it is a great ministry and would be a great place to start.  They have a web site www.crown.org
 Just don&#039;t give up, this is when God shines!!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Violet &#8211; i don&#8217;t know if you have every heard of Crown Financial Ministries.  They can help with the resources to get you and your husband started with a budget  and help you map out a plan to pay off your debt, it is a great ministry and would be a great place to start.  They have a web site <a href="http://www.crown.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.crown.org</a><br />
 Just don&#8217;t give up, this is when God shines!!</p>
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		<title>By: Sheila</title>
		<link>http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2007/01/31/prisoners-of-hope/comment-page-1/#comment-5332</link>
		<dc:creator>Sheila</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:30:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tmdevotionals.com/women/2007/01/31/prisoners-of-hope/#comment-5332</guid>
		<description>Violet - i don&#039;t know if you have every heard of Crown Financial Ministries.  They can help with the resources to get you and your husband started with a budget  and help you map out a plan to pay off your debt, it is a great ministry and would be a great place to start.  They have a web site www.crown.org</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Violet &#8211; i don&#8217;t know if you have every heard of Crown Financial Ministries.  They can help with the resources to get you and your husband started with a budget  and help you map out a plan to pay off your debt, it is a great ministry and would be a great place to start.  They have a web site <a href="http://www.crown.org" rel="nofollow">http://www.crown.org</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>By: Linda</title>
		<link>http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2007/01/31/prisoners-of-hope/comment-page-1/#comment-5331</link>
		<dc:creator>Linda</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:23:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tmdevotionals.com/women/2007/01/31/prisoners-of-hope/#comment-5331</guid>
		<description>Gloren, you are a success/hero in my book. You faced the storm with God&#039;s help, and now you see His beautiful rainbow. My son and his wife have adopted two precious children. I thank God for the strength and courage of their birth mothers to choose life. Those sweet children have blessed our family with great joy.
I was raised with the admonition, &quot;Don&#039;t get your hopes up.&quot; (Don&#039;t expect too much.) Ron Hutchcraft&#039;s devotional for today was about how Jesus could not do big miracles in Nazareth because of the people&#039;s unbelief (Mark 6:1). He says that Bible-believer&#039;s today know alot about Jesus, too (just like those Nazareth neighbors). We settle for the natural (spiritual mediocrity), and miss the supernatural. We don&#039;t embrace big(God-inspired)plans that will surely fail... if God does not step in and take over. I have to remember, Peter had to get out of the boat before he could walk on water. Jesus, I trust in You. Lord, help me trust in You even more.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Gloren, you are a success/hero in my book. You faced the storm with God&#8217;s help, and now you see His beautiful rainbow. My son and his wife have adopted two precious children. I thank God for the strength and courage of their birth mothers to choose life. Those sweet children have blessed our family with great joy.<br />
I was raised with the admonition, &#8220;Don&#8217;t get your hopes up.&#8221; (Don&#8217;t expect too much.) Ron Hutchcraft&#8217;s devotional for today was about how Jesus could not do big miracles in Nazareth because of the people&#8217;s unbelief (Mark 6:1). He says that Bible-believer&#8217;s today know alot about Jesus, too (just like those Nazareth neighbors). We settle for the natural (spiritual mediocrity), and miss the supernatural. We don&#8217;t embrace big(God-inspired)plans that will surely fail&#8230; if God does not step in and take over. I have to remember, Peter had to get out of the boat before he could walk on water. Jesus, I trust in You. Lord, help me trust in You even more.</p>
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		<title>By: This Little Light</title>
		<link>http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2007/01/31/prisoners-of-hope/comment-page-1/#comment-5330</link>
		<dc:creator>This Little Light</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 31 Jan 2007 17:58:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://tmdevotionals.com/women/2007/01/31/prisoners-of-hope/#comment-5330</guid>
		<description>Violet, 
         Read Jeremiah 29:11 and write it upon your heart. God never goes back on His promises. He is our hope!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Violet,<br />
         Read Jeremiah 29:11 and write it upon your heart. God never goes back on His promises. He is our hope!</p>
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