Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Trusting God in Times of Trouble-Hopson Carol

No matter what God has allowed in your life right now,
no matter what heartaches or difficulties you are experiencing,
God is calling you to be faithful to Him in the
process. I pray that this book has helped you understand
how to do just that. Sometimes the struggles are huge…and
other times it's something as simple as aging.
Growing older happens to every human being, and no
one can escape it, yet it isn't always easy to deal with or
accept. But even in the process of aging, it is my desire to
trust God with each new wrinkle and age spot I see,
because even this can be used for God's glory.


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Trusting God in Times of Trouble-Mrs. C. Hopson

Humanly, I always feel that I have nothing of importance
to say, but God seems to want to use my weaknesses
and my experiences to help others learn to trust Him in
their troubled times. And so I willingly trust Him to see me
through and then ask Him to use it all for His glory alone.
My part is obedience…period!
What do you think God's purpose is for you? Are you
looking toward a certain goal that you want to accomplish?
In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers writes:
What is my vision of God's purpose for me? Whatever
it may be, His purpose is for me to depend on Him and
on His power now. If I can stay calm, faithful, and
unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life,
the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished
in me. God is not working toward a particular finish-
His purpose is the process itself.…It is the process,
not the outcome, that is glorifying to God.


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Hopson Carol Mrs. -Trusting God in Times of Trouble

COME AND DINE…
1. Which part of the three commands in Luke 9:23 is
the most difficult for you to obey? Why?
2. Reread the important things about listening to God's
voice, and write down where you might need to change
your thinking, actions, or daily patterns.
3. Feast on Romans 6, then answer the following questions:
What does it say about our "old self" or old nature?
What does it teach about being "dead to sin" and
"alive to God"? How would that apply to the instructions
in Luke 9:23?
How are we to look at sin now that we are "dead to
sin"?
What incredible victories are promised?


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Hopson C. - Trusting God in Times of Trouble

Deuteronomy 30:15, 19-20 sums this up beautifully: "See,
I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and
adversity.…So choose life in order that you may live…by loving
the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding
fast to Him." The voices you listen to each day will truly
determine your behavior and actions. Will you worry and
wither, or will you trust and triumph? Will you choose to
bring light or darkness to those around you?

I'M YOURS, LORD
I just can't think of how I'd want
To live my life today
If I were just living for me
With nothing in my way.
I can't just think of how my rights
Are stepped on every day,
And how I'd like to tell someone
Their plan is in my way.
I can't just do what humanly
Seems right to those around
Or spend my time on fruitless goals,
So many can be found.
I can't react to what I hear
With anger or with pride
Or dwell on thoughts that hurt my soul
And dwell down deep inside.
Why can't I choose to do these things?
Why have a different view?
"Because I love You, Jesus, and
My heart belongs to You!"
-Carol Hopson


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Hopson Carol-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

Thirdly, Luke 9:23 declares that God's will is for us to
"follow Him." So, what does it mean to follow Him? John
10:27 gives us the answer: "My sheep hear My voice, and I
know them, and they follow Me." Following God means that
we are to listen to His voice, and only His voice, and then go
where He leads.
Here are some important things to know about listening
to God's voice:
1. You must bring God into every aspect of your life.
This happens through prayerful fellowship throughout
the day, studying and meditating on God's Word,
and truly desiring to do His will in all situations.
2. You must be ready and willing to obey God's Word in
every area of life.
This means surrendering your life and will to God so
that whatever His Word tells you becomes your
heart's desire.
3. You can't be practicing sin and expect to hear God's
voice.
When you are practicing sin (doubting, worrying,
being bitter, having an unforgiving heart, etc.), you
have broken your fellowship with the Lord, and so you
can't hear His voice.
4. You must give up what you think God should do and
accept what He says to do.
When you are holding on to something that you really
want, such as not wanting to move or leave your
comfort zone or have to forgive someone, you can't
truly be open to what God is trying to show you
because your personal preference is affecting your
perspective. To know God's will you must surrender
your will!


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Mrs. C. Hopson-Trustin God in Times of Trouble

I remember a time when a very dear friend had hurt me
deeply, and I didn't understand why. She had turned on me
for seemingly no reason and had pulled away without even a
phone call. Now, I cherish my friends and work hard at being
a good friend and being there for them, especially in the hard
times. So this was really hard for me to accept, and it became
an emotional cross that I was bearing daily because it left
such a void in my life. After suffering for weeks, I went to
God's Word and He brought me to the passage in John 13:1-
5 where Jesus is about to wash the disciples' feet. I was
struck first by the words in verse 1: "He loved them to the
end." Even knowing of Judas' betrayal, He still loved him.
And then as an act of humility and obedience to His Father,
He took a towel and washed the disciples' feet.
Tearfully I read and reread this portion of God's Word.
Was I willing to "take a towel" and humble myself and go to
my friend and seek to restore the friendship, even if I wasn't
at fault? After praying over this, I gave her a call, and she
agreed to meet with me. Let me just tell you that I was a little
anxious and not at all sure how I could get through this.
But I needed to do what God's Word had convicted me to do,
and so I went in and met with her. All of my worries and
fears fled when I saw her tear-stained face, and I reached out
to embrace her. The healing had already begun by the simple
act of "taking up my cross" and seeking to honor the Lord
with my attitude and actions.


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Mrs. Carol Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

The second thing we see in Luke 9:23 is that we are to
"take up our cross daily." This does not mean that we are
to carry our burdens; it means that we are to accept our cir-
cumstances as part of God's plan for us and then seek to glorify
Him in how we handle them. To take up our cross daily
is to take what life brings, and God allows, and seek to use it
for God's glory. "Let your light so shine before men, that they
may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven"
(Matthew 5:16, NKJV).
Notice that there are no escape clauses here, such as…
Let your light shine except when you're suffering…
Let your light shine except when you've been unfairly
treated…
Let your light shine unless you don't really understand
what I'm doing…
Let your light shine…when you feel really good about
life!
What are those good works that others will see?
Sometimes it's the fruit of being faithful when suffering, of
being patient when wronged, of being loving when feeling
unloved, of being forgiving when you've been mistreated.


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Carol Hopson

If living for self (denying God):
You'll ask, "Why is this happening to me? It's so
unfair."
You'll despair that "This isn't what I want and I don't
like it."
You'll decide that "I guess God's plan doesn't work for
me."
You'll lose hope and become angry, bitter, and discontent.
If living for God (denying self):
You'll say, "It's not my choice, but I'll trust God with
it."
You'll decide, "I need to see what verses might help
me through this."
You'll ask, "I wonder how I can grow to be more like
Christ through this?"
You'll then pray, "Dear God, please use this situation
for Your glory!"
Can you see the difference it makes when we are willing
to say no to self and yes to God…no matter what? "I delight
to do Your will, O my God" (Psalm 40:8, NKJV).

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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Trusting God in Times of Trouble-Hopson Carol Mrs.

BREAKFAST #23
Preparing the
meal…
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW GOD'S WILL?
If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
-Luke 9:23
It seems that one of the most common things I hear from
women when speaking or counseling is, "If only I knew what
God wanted me to do!" Some have even said, "I wish He'd just
write me a letter and tell me!" I always reply, "Guess what;
He did write you that letter." And then I take them to this
verse in Luke 9:23. Often it's not what they want to hear, but
let me share how it helps us to know God's will in any situation.
First of all, to know God's will we must deny self! Yikes!
That's definitely not popular to say these days! This means
that we need to renounce self as the center of our life and
actions and realize that life is not about me but about how I
can reveal and reflect God to those around me. In my book
The Journey From Feelings to Faith, I've included a personal
checkup to see if you're living for self or for God. So, when difficulties,
trials, or changed plans come…

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Trusting God in Times of Trouble-Hopson C.

3. Do you believe that God created you to glorify Him
in all situations? Look at the following verses for your
answer and write what they say:
1 Peter 2:9
Philippians 1:20
Matthew 5:16
1 Corinthians 6:20
Colossians 1:10
2 Timothy 2:4
4. Feast on Isaiah 40, and then write out three or four
truths that will help you the most when you are tempted
to be fearful.

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Trusting God in Times of Trouble-Mrs. C. Hopson

Do I believe that this world is not my home and the
best is yet to come?
Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe
also in Me….I go to prepare a place for you. And if I
go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and
receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may
be also.
-John 14:1-3
COME AND DINE…
1. What are you most afraid of? Write it out and look at
it.
2. Are you willing to put this into God's hands, knowing
that He loves you and gave His life for you?

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Trusting God in Times of Trouble-Mrs. Carol Hopson

LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His
compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
great is Thy faithfulness.
-Lamentations 3:21-23
As I let go of the worst that could happen and trusted God
with it, He removed all my fear and replaced it with His
peace. "I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered
me from all my fears" (Psalm 34:4). Satan had nothing
left to work with, so my heart was truly at peace. And it
stayed that way during the whole three weeks he was gone.
If you're living in fear, stop and ask yourself the following:
What is the worst thing that can happen?
Do I believe that God will still be in control if that happens?
Even from eternity I am He; and there is none who
can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse
it?
-Isaiah 43:13
My purpose will be established, and I will
accomplish all my good pleasure.
-Isaiah 46:10
The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Thy
lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting.
-Psalm 138:8
Do I believe that God can and will give me peace no
matter what?
Do not tremble, and do not be afraid; have I not long
since announced it to you and declared it? And you
are my witnesses. Is there any God besides Me, or is
there any other Rock? I know of none.
-Isaiah 44:8
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look
about you, for I am your God.
-Isaiah 41:10
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you…
-John 14:27

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Trusting God in Times of Trouble- Carol Hopson

However, on the way home, the tears began to blur my
eyes, and they just kept coming. I began to think, "What if I
never see him again on this earth? What if that was the last
time he hugs me or the last time I hear his sweet voice?" That
was all it took for the flood that followed. I had to pull off of
the freeway and find a place to park so that I could pour out
my heart to God. Let me tell you that I was very surprised by
this, because I had always thought that I trusted God with
my family and really hadn't lived in fear. But I was suddenly
overwhelmed with the possibility of losing my husband.
As I sat beside the freeway and cried, I asked God to show
me where this fear came from and what I should do about it.
He so clearly showed me that my fear came from an unwillingness
to accept "whatever" God chose for me! You see, if I
was willing for God to take my husband home to heaven
whenever He chose, there would be nothing to fear. So my
fear came from thinking I might not be able to handle life
without him. After God revealed that to me, the next step
was very clear…I had to give Jim up to the Lord to do with
as He chose. I had to tell God that should He decide that I
would never see my husband again on this earth, that I
would still trust Him, love Him, and serve Him. I didn't know
all of the answers, but I knew God would take care of me. His
word promises just that!

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Hopson Carol Mrs.-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

I'm afraid of suffering with a painful illness for a long
time.
I'm afraid of the direction our country is heading.
I'm afraid that God might take one of my children
away from me.
I'm afraid that God might ask too much of me.
I'm afraid that my situation will never get better.
These are all fears that many people struggle with at
some point in their lives. Because of the unknown, we prime
the pump of worry and then spiral down into fear and end up
very stressed or even depressed. But does God's Word ever
tell us to be stressed, worried, or fearful? I haven't found that
in God's Word, and I've been studying it for more than forty
years, so why are we fearful?
I think we get afraid when we think we won't like what
God might allow and we fear that it will be too difficult to
handle. Years ago, my husband was leaving for a three-week
mission trip to a third world country, and I wasn't able to go
due to the cost. We were excited about this privilege for him
and the ministry he was going to have. I anticipated it all
with him and helped him plan and pack and then took him
to the airport. (Keep in mind that this was when we had no
e-mail and no cell phones to stay in contact, so I knew that I
might not hear from him for the whole three weeks.) As I
bravely said good-bye, I thought I was doing pretty well considering
we had been married for over thirty years and had
never been apart for more than a few days.

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Hopson C.-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

BREAKFAST #22
Preparing the
meal…
WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?
Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have
you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I
shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance, and
my God.
-Psalm 42:11
In the past month, I've asked many people what they are
most afraid of. Here are some of the answers I've received:
I'm afraid that I won't have enough money for retirement.
I'm afraid that I'm going to be laid off soon.
I'm afraid that I might get cancer.
I'm afraid that my children might make destructive
choices.

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Hopson Carol-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

COME AND DINE…
1. Read again the five "tornado warnings" that Paul
focused on. Write down which one stands out to you
right now.
2. Think of a present circumstance or storm in your
life, and write down how this warning or direction
would keep you from suffering the consequences of
wrong choices. (Use more than one if you choose.)
The world crowns success, but God crowns faithfulness.
3. Look up the following verses and write what they
say about the importance of "light":
Psalm 27:1
Isaiah 2:5
Matthew 5:14
Ephesians 5:8
1 John 1:7
4. Feast on Psalm 119:65-104, and then write what the
benefits of being in God's Word are and what our attitude
toward His Word should be.

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Mrs. C. Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

The captain of the first ship is now furious. He sends
out his previous message and adds, "I am a battleship!"
And the answer comes back from the light in the distance,
"Emergency! Collision inevitable! Change
your course ten degrees to the north! I am a lighthouse!"
God's Word is the "lighthouse" that keeps us safe from
the destruction of the tornadoes in these troubling times.
"Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path"
(Psalm 119:105). Are you heeding the warnings and running
to safety?

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Mrs. Carol Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

5. He knew where his strength came from! "I can
do all things through Him who strengthens me"
(Philippians 4:13). Paul knew not to try to handle life's
"tornados" and struggles in his own strength, so he
called on God's strength for everything he faced. He
realized that nothing was impossible with Almighty
God and that whatever He allowed, He would see him
through.
Are you heeding the warnings God has given? Think of
a ship at night, with its lights blinking. The captain sees
another light in the distance, and he also realizes a collision
is inevitable. He sends out an emergency message
that says:
"Emergency! Collision inevitable! Change your
course ten degrees to the South!"
The answer comes back from the light in the distance,
"Emergency! Collision inevitable! Change
your course ten degrees to the north!"
The captain of the first ship gets a bit frustrated and
says, "I am the captain!"
To which the light in the distance replies,
"Emergency! Collision inevitable! Change your
course ten degrees to the north. I am a third class
seaman!"

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Mrs. Carol Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

5. He knew where his strength came from! "I can
do all things through Him who strengthens me"
(Philippians 4:13). Paul knew not to try to handle life's
"tornados" and struggles in his own strength, so he
called on God's strength for everything he faced. He
realized that nothing was impossible with Almighty
God and that whatever He allowed, He would see him
through.
Are you heeding the warnings God has given? Think of
a ship at night, with its lights blinking. The captain sees
another light in the distance, and he also realizes a collision
is inevitable. He sends out an emergency message
that says:
"Emergency! Collision inevitable! Change your
course ten degrees to the South!"
The answer comes back from the light in the distance,
"Emergency! Collision inevitable! Change
your course ten degrees to the north!"
The captain of the first ship gets a bit frustrated and
says, "I am the captain!"
To which the light in the distance replies,
"Emergency! Collision inevitable! Change your
course ten degrees to the north. I am a third class
seaman!"

As a "partnership publisher," we partner you with a team of professional editors , typesetters , cover design and printers to create a high quality product and then we work with you to help market and distribute your book in today's rapidly changing marketplace.

Carol Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

1. He knew he needed to keep rejoicing! "Rejoice
in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" (v. 4). Paul
wasn't rejoicing in his circumstances, the tornadoes, or
seemingly unanswered prayers; he was rejoicing in his
Lord. He knew that God would see him through any-
thing He allowed, and he chose to rejoice that God was
using him for His purposes. He wasn't focusing on himself
but on the "big picture" of God's plan for his life.
2. He knew not to worry about his circumstances!
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be
made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses
all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus" (vv. 6-7). Paul realized that
belonging to God meant that he could take every burden
or fear to Him and leave it for Him to take care of. He
focused on obedience and left the end results for God to
work out. This, then, brought total peace in any situation…
even while chained in prison.
3. He knew he had to guard his thought life!
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is of good repute…let your mind dwell
on these things" (v. 8). It would have been so tempting to
think on how and why he had been beaten and put into
prison. It would have been normal to focus on those who
persecuted and arrested him, but he knew that would
lead to discouragement and disobedience.
4. He chose to be content with whatever God
allowed! "Not that I speak from want; for I have
learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am" (v.
11). Why could he be content in all circumstances?
Because he had given his life to the Lord to do with as
He chose, and he trusted God completely. Remember
that he wrote, "For to me, to live is Christ…"
(Philippians 1:21). He didn't say, "For to me, to live is
Paul." Therefore, he was content.


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Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Hopson Carol-Trustin God in Times of Trouble

The book of Philippians is written by the apostle Paul
from a prison cell. Do you think that is where he expected to
be when he set out on a missionary journey to serve God…to
encourage believers…to be a light in darkest Rome? Probably
not! But Paul knew some very important truths, and he based
his life on those principles in every storm of life.
Let me explain by telling you about some dear friends of
ours. They live in "tornado territory" in the Midwest and
are often faced with great weather dangers. When I asked
how they lived with that, they said, "We all have to listen
for the storm warnings (sirens) that warn us of danger, and
we heed them immediately and get ourselves to safety. If
you heed the warning, you will be just fine." They went on
to assure me that shelter and protection were available for
them; they just needed to know where to go, and then they
must go without delay.
For some reason, this reminded me of the storms in my
own life. I've been hit with a few tornados in my years of
ministry, and sometimes I've heeded the warning sirens,
but other times I've let the storm do great damage because
I wasn't going to the "storm shelter" of God's Word for protection.
Let's get back to Paul and see how he could write
"the book of joy" while being chained in prison.
As I look at the fourth chapter of Philippians, I see the
warnings that he heeded…no matter what his circumstances
were.


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Mrs. Carol Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

BREAKFAST #21
Preparing the
meal…
WHERE TO GO IN A STORM!
Those who love Thy law have great peace, and
nothing causes them to stumble.
-Psalm 119:165
I will never forget Thy precepts, for by them Thou
hast revived me. I am Thine, save me; for I have
sought Thy precepts.
-Psalm 119:93-94
"I've trusted God with my problems, and He just keeps
letting me down! He doesn't answer my prayers, and nothing
is working out as it should!" Have you ever felt this
way? Many Christians have…they look around at their
families, their health, their finances, their future, their
country, and feel like God isn't answering their prayers.
Could it be that God is answering our prayers, but we just
don't like the answers because we don't understand what
He is doing?


As a "partnership publisher," we partner you with a team of professional editors , typesetters , cover design and printers to create a high quality product and then we work with you to help market and distribute your book in today's rapidly changing marketplace.

Mrs. C. Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

COME AND DINE…
1. What would be different in your life if you put El
Gibbor up front on the battle lines every day?
2. What might you do to help you remember to set your
thoughts totally on His power and might in something
that you are worried about today?
3. Read Psalm 58:9-10, 16-17, and then write out why
David could sing and praise God while being pursued by
his enemies.
4. Feast on the nourishment in Psalm 40, and then
write out five things you can put into practice today as
you put El Gibbor on the front lines of your battles.

As a "partnership publisher," we partner you with a team of professional editors , typesetters , cover design and printers to create a high quality product and then we work with you to help market and distribute your book in today's rapidly changing marketplace.

Carol Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

You need not fight in this battle; station
yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the
LORD on your behalf.…Do not fear or be
dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the
LORD is with you.
-(2 Chronicles 20:17
DO YOU NEED A MIRACLE?
Do you need a miracle
For what you face today?
Are you stressed and fearful?
Do you want to run away?
Does life seem overwhelming?
Has hope grown, oh, so dim?
Does it seem impossible
To find true peace within?
Then you are at a good place
For God to work His plan.
So put all thoughts in His care
And remove it from your hands!
He wants so much to help you
And give you peace within,
But you must give up your plan
And leave all things with Him.
-Carol Hopson

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C. Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

I've counseled many in marriage situations where one
or the other decides to have an affair, do their own thing,
justify it, abandon their family, and then wonder why they
don't have peace or feel God's presence anymore. They even
tell me that they know God wanted this for them because
they weren't happy in their marriage. Oh, how shameful
this is…to think that you can walk away from all of God's
principles and still expect His protection.
This illustration seems so clear to us, doesn't it? And yet
we do the same thing when we decide to worry about our
children, our health, our finances, or politics and walk away
from the peace that God offers if we would only trust Him.
Then we wonder why we're miserable and can't feel God's
presence with us. Guess who moved?
While getting more and more frustrated over the political
situation and the direction our nation was heading, I
was convicted about getting all worked up over something
that God has clearly spoken to me about in the past. So I
had to confess my worried and angry heart and go back to
God's Word for direction and peace. It was then that God
gave me two verses that calmed my heart completely:
"…your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on
the power of God" (1 Corinthians 2:5). "He [the righteous]
will not fear evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in
the LORD" (Psalms 112:7). I truly can't even put into words
the peace and trust God gave me that day as I left all my
worries and frustrations with Him. He then led me to sit
down and write out twenty ways I could honor Him in these
uncertain, unstable times. (I've included these in the
appendix at the end of the book.) This list has gone out all
over the world via the Internet. As I began sharing it with
others who were struggling, they would ask for it and would
then share it at church or with their Bible study group or
send it to relatives in other states and countries. Our
mighty God (El Gibbor) was at work and transformed my
thinking, and then used what He taught me to encourage
and strengthen others. He is always willing and able to
take on the battles for us, but we must let Him.

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Friday, December 10, 2010

Trusting God in Times of Trouble-Mrs. C. Hopson

For fifteen years of our ministry in Christian schools, we
provided all-school skate nights at a local skating rink once
a month. They were great fun, with lots of spills and thrills,
but I learned a lot about human nature there. My husband
and I would always be on hand to help the young firsttimers
stay on their feet and learn to skate. Most of them
loved the attention and learned quickly after a few trips
around the rink with one of us. (I can still feel the sore arms
I'd wake up with the next morning!) But there were always
those who refused help and wanted to do it on their own. As
we watched them struggle, fall, cry, and finally give up,
we'd again remember how much wisdom there is in accepting
help from someone older, stronger, and wiser. It's just
that way with our mighty God! To experience His power
and victory in battle, we must remember to always surrender
ourselves and our situation into His care.
God says we are all like sheep that are constantly straying
(Isaiah 53:6), and when sheep choose to stray, they are
no longer under their shepherd's protection. They have chosen
to run from it and be on their own. In the same way, we
make the same mistake when we think we can handle our
problems better than God can or when we just forget He is
there and don't call on Him. God won't work things out for
us if we're taking control of our own lives…and fighting
against biblical principles.

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Trusting God in Times of Trouble-Hopson Carol

BREAKFAST #20
Preparing the
meal…
TRUST GOD FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE!
His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God…
-Isaiah 9:6
Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and
mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
-Psalm 24:8
I love to know that I have Almighty God caring for me,
protecting me, and handling all the impossible situations in
my life! The problem is that I don't always remember this
or keep Him in His proper place in the battles of life. This
name for God was given to show that He was mighty and
strong in battle. When you have God as your all-powerful
leader, do you wait until the last minute and all else has
failed to call on Him? Of course not! You put Him at the
front of the battle lines to defeat the enemy. El Gibbor is the
One who wants to be our protection in the daily battles. He
wants to go before us and defeat the enemy, but we often
forget and only call on Him when we are at the end of our
rope.


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Trusting God in Times of Trouble-Mrs. Carol Hopson

COME AND DINE…
1. Which aspects of your heavenly Father's love do you
need to feel and claim the most right now?
2. Write out how believing these truths will change
your life, your self-image, and your walk with the Lord.
3. As you've read about your heavenly Father, can you
write out a prayer that puts your trust in Him…no matter
what your fears are?
4. Feast on John 1:1-18, and then write out the facts
you find about Jesus and God. Be sure to write out how
you become a child of God the Father. (Also read
Romans 10:9-10 for your answer.)


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Trusting God in Times of Trouble-C. Hopson

If you're still feeling afraid or unloved, it's because you
don't really know your heavenly Father. As you spend time
with Him through prayer, reading His Word, and worshipping
with other believers, you will begin to see how much
He loves you, and you will stop living by Satan's lies and
will begin living in truth. That is when you will learn the
great joy of trusting Him with all you are and have.


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Trusting God in Times of Trouble-Carol Hopson

If you're still feeling afraid or unloved, it's because you
don't really know your heavenly Father. As you spend time
with Him through prayer, reading His Word, and worshipping
with other believers, you will begin to see how much
He loves you, and you will stop living by Satan's lies and
will begin living in truth. That is when you will learn the
great joy of trusting Him with all you are and have.


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Mrs. C. Hopson- Trusting God in Times of Trouble

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father
will send in My name, He will teach you all things,
and bring to your remembrance all that I said to
you.
-John 14:26
12. He will be a perfect example.
Have this attitude in yourselves which was in
Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form
of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to
be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of
a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of
men. And being found in appearance as a man, He
humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point
of death, even death on a cross.
-Philippians 2:5-8
13. He would make plans for my future.
He who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and
everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never
die.…Let not your heart be troubled…I go and
prepare a place for you…
-John 11:25-26; 14:1, 3
14. He holds my hand in fearful times.
When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong;
because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.
-Psalm 37:24
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look
about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,
surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with
My righteous right hand.
-Isaiah 41:10

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Hopson Carol-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

8. He will always be there for me.
Let your character be free from the love of money,
being content with what you have; for He Himself
has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever
forsake you."
-Hebrews 13:5
9. He corrects me out of love.
Whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father,
the son in whom he delights.
-Proverbs 3:12
For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines.
-Hebrews 12:6
He [God] disciplines us for our good, that we may
share His holiness.
-Hebrews 12:10
10. He will give me guidance in life's decisions.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which
you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon
you.
-Psalm 32:8
The steps of a man are established by the LORD;
and He delights in his way. When he falls, he shall
not be hurled headlong; because the LORD is the
One who holds his hand.
-Psalm 37:23-24
11. He will train me for everything I need in life.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for
teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in
righteousness; that the man of God may be
adequate, equipped for every good work.
-2 Timothy 3:16-17

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Mrs. Carol Hoson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

8. He will always be there for me.
Let your character be free from the love of money,
being content with what you have; for He Himself
has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever
forsake you."
-Hebrews 13:5
9. He corrects me out of love.
Whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father,
the son in whom he delights.
-Proverbs 3:12
For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines.
-Hebrews 12:6
He [God] disciplines us for our good, that we may
share His holiness.
-Hebrews 12:10
10. He will give me guidance in life's decisions.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which
you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon
you.
-Psalm 32:8
The steps of a man are established by the LORD;
and He delights in his way. When he falls, he shall
not be hurled headlong; because the LORD is the
One who holds his hand.
-Psalm 37:23-24
11. He will train me for everything I need in life.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for
teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in
righteousness; that the man of God may be
adequate, equipped for every good work.
-2 Timothy 3:16-17

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C. Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

Do you have a great, loving relationship with your
earthly father? Many that I talk with do not, and it is very
difficult for them to love and accept God as their Father,
especially if they have an abusive or unloving father. I often
tell these dear people to make a list of all the things that
would describe the "perfect father," and then we see how
God matches up with their list. Here is a new way to look
at the character of God and how He desires to relate to you.
1. He loves me unconditionally.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor
angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things
present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth,
nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us
from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our
Lord.
-Romans 8:38-39, KJV, emphasis added
2. He thinks I'm special and beautiful.
For we are His workmanship [beautiful poem],
created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God
prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
-Ephesians 2:10
I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and
wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and
my soul knows it very well. My frame was not
hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and
skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth.
-Psalm 139:14-15
3. He wants to protect Me.
You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me
from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of
deliverance.
-Psalm 32:7, NKJV

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Carol Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

Do you have a great, loving relationship with your
earthly father? Many that I talk with do not, and it is very
difficult for them to love and accept God as their Father,
especially if they have an abusive or unloving father. I often
tell these dear people to make a list of all the things that
would describe the "perfect father," and then we see how
God matches up with their list. Here is a new way to look
at the character of God and how He desires to relate to you.
1. He loves me unconditionally.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor
angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things
present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth,
nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us
from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our
Lord.
-Romans 8:38-39, KJV, emphasis added
2. He thinks I'm special and beautiful.
For we are His workmanship [beautiful poem],
created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God
prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
-Ephesians 2:10
I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and
wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and
my soul knows it very well. My frame was not
hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and
skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth.
-Psalm 139:14-15
3. He wants to protect Me.
You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me
from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of
deliverance.
-Psalm 32:7, NKJV

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Thursday, December 9, 2010

Trusting God in Times of Trouble-Mrs. C. Hopson

BREAKFAST #19
Preparing the
meal…
MEETING THE PERFECT FATHER
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts
to your children, how much more will your Father
who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask
Him!
-Matthew 7:11
His name will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Eternal [Everlasting] Father…
-Isaiah 9:6
Here is another name that reveals who God is and how
He desires to relate to us as our Everlasting Father. This is
the relational aspect of His character. It means that He is
forever doing what is good for us out of His great love for us
as His children.

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Trusting God in Times of Trouble-Hopson Carol

COME AND DINE…
1. Has God revealed some ugly contents that you
haven't dumped yet? Confess them to God right now
and find the joy of a clean heart. (Write down what He
has shown you so you don't forget. :)
2. Read Matthew 7:24-27 about the parable of the two
foundations. Which one are you building on when you
choose sin over God's way? Write out what the "rain and
winds and floods" might refer to in your life right now.
3. Feast on Matthew 6:19-34 and answer the following:
What treasures can you lay up in heaven right now?
What warnings do you see in these verses?
What commands are given?
What do you learn about God's care for you?

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Trusting God in Times of Trouble-Mrs. Carol Hopson

"CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O GOD…"
A CLEAN HEART
Create in me a clean heart, God,
And keep me steadfast too.
I want to be your servant, Lord,
Please show me what to do.
"My precious child, it's in My Book
So keep that in your mind.
If you will read it, then obey
My will you'll surely find.
"A willing heart is what I ask,
And faith to trust My plan.
For this will keep your heart from sin
When you don't understand."
-Carol Hopson


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Trusting God in Times of Trouble-C. Hopson

All of these say that God has made a mistake or He isn't
powerful enough to help me forgive or honor Him in my circumstances.
These are sinful choices and must be confessed
before we can have a clean heart that is ready for God to
use. "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate
the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise
the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [man]"
(Matthew 6:24). In order to trust God in troubled times, we
must be willing to empty the rotten contents of our self-centered
life and accept the "new life" God offers us.
In his book A Gentle Thunder, Max Lucado writes:
Here is (dare I say it?) the greatest miracle of God. It
is astounding when God heals the body. It is extraordinary
when God hears the prayer. It is incredible
when God provides the new job, the new car, the new
child. But none of these compares to when God creates
new life.
At our new birth God remakes our souls and gives us
what we need, again. New eyes so we can see by faith.
A new mind so we can have the mind of Christ. New
strength so we won't grow tired. A new vision so we
won't lose heart. A new voice for praise and new
hands for service. And most of all, a new heart. A
heart that has been cleansed by Christ.
And, oh, how we need it. We have soiled what he gave
us the first time. We have used our eyes to see impurity, our
hands to give pain, our feet to walk the wrong path, our
minds to think evil thoughts. All of us need to be made new
again.

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Trusting God in Times of Trouble-Carol Hopson

Well, what should we do? We closed the door quickly,
got out Clorox and Pine-Sol and all our cleaning supplies,
and scrubbed the outside of that freezer until it was spotless…
wow, it looked like new! But the smell was still there
and getting more pungent. Why was that? Because we hadn't
emptied the cause of the stench, the rotten contents!
There have been times in my life when I've tried to
scrub the outside of me to make me look good to others, but
the sin was still inside-and it wasn't pretty. There is
absolutely no victory without emptying the rotten contents
of sin. What might some of those rotten contents look like?
I just can't forgive this person!
I want to nurse this injustice a little longer and get
even.
My life is so unfair, and I'm so angry about my circumstances.
I just can't tolerate people who have a different, "sinful"
point of view.
I'm so angry. I don't know why this has happened; I
deserve better.
I don't like my marriage and I want out, no matter
what God says.
I think my plan is better than God's plan, so I'm
going to try mine.

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Mrs. C. Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Touble

Secondly, he realized that he had no power to cleanse
his own heart, so He asked God to create a clean heart in
him. The word create here denotes "to make from nothing,"
so David realized that there was nothing good in himself; it
was all rotten, and only God could give him a clean heart.
And thirdly, he knew that he would only be sustained or
kept free from sin by having a "willing heart" to do God's
will (v. 12).
Let me illustrate this with a story. My husband and I
had gone away for a ten-day camping and fishing trip to
Mammoth Lakes. We had looked forward to it so much and
had a great time relaxing, fishing, enjoying the family, and
exploring the great outdoors. However, after ten days, it
was a good feeling to pull into our driveway and get back to
our own beds, but we had loved the time together. As we
opened the garage door, we noticed a strong odor…what
could it be? We walked toward our extra refrigerator-freezer
that we kept in the garage and could hardly stand the
smell. My husband bravely opened the door, and we about
passed out! You see, the electricity had gone out while we
were gone, and the temperature soared. So we had a freezer
full of rotten salmon that my husband had caught on a
previous fishing trip. You can't even imagine the stench.
I'm pinching my nose as I write this just thinking about it.

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Hopson Carol-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

BREAKFAST #18
Preparing the
meal…
YOU'RE OFFERED A CLEAN HEART!
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a
steadfast spirit within me.…Restore to me the joy of
Thy salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.
-Psalm 51:10, 12
Have you tried to clean up your own heart? I have, and
it doesn't work. When I was deeply hurt by someone's words
and actions, I tried over and over to free my heart from
anger and resentment. However, it would only work for a
short time, and then the old emotions would take over
again. I tried thinking happy thoughts, and I tried ignoring
the problem altogether, but neither proved successful. I was
definitely losing control of my heart. Have you struggled
with the same thing lately?
Even today, your heart might hold resentment, jealousy,
or an unforgiving spirit. Do you wonder why it's so difficult
to get rid of those feelings? Let's look to God's Word
and see what David prayed in Psalm 51. First of all, he
says, "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse
me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin
is ever before me. Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned,
and done what is evil in Thy sight…" (vv. 2-4). You see,
David realized that his sin was against God and that he
needed to repent, turn away from that sin, and seek God's
forgiveness. So, he needed to desire a heart change first of
all and then repent of his thoughts and actions.

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Mrs. Carol Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

COME AND DINE…
1. What are some of your "if onlys" that you cling to
right now?
2. God does want to mature you through how you handle
the disappointments and detours of life. What steps
will you take to look at your "if onlys" with a new perspective?
3. How will Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11 help you?
4. Feast on Philippians 1, and write out how Paul chose
to use his circumstances to bring glory to God. Write out
his attitudes and actions and the accompanying verses.

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C. Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

Can you even imagine the rejoicing, the chapel time of
praise with our students, and the faith-building that came
because of that one event? Humanly, it looked like an "if
only"…but with God it was a "what if" moment. "What if I
want to show you My loving provision in a miraculous way?
What if I want to teach you to walk by faith and not by
sight? What if I want to give you a new testimony that will
enable you to trust Me through twenty-five more years of
ministry?" That's exactly what He did!
In Philippians 1:6 Paul says, "For I am confident of this
very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect
it until the day of Christ Jesus." Paul could accept all of
his circumstances, good or bad, fair or unfair, wanted or
unwanted, because he was "confident" that God was at
work and would continue to use him until He returned.

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Carol Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

When my husband and I started a Christian school, we
had little or no money. We had bills to pay and teachers'
salaries due, and we had no money for any of it. We had followed
God's clear leading to start the school, and we had
faith that He would see us through, but we didn't have
enough students in those early months to pay the bills.
Now, we were faced with payday and didn't have near
enough money to pay our staff and teachers…let alone ourselves.
For a few minutes those "if onlys" invaded my mind.
If only we hadn't left secure jobs in a great Christian school,
if only we had a big donor who would have provided the
funds for this year, if only we had more students, and so on.
I also wondered why God hadn't provided the needed
finances since we had stepped out in faith and obedience to
Him to start this school. Why would He put us through
such hard times where it looked like He wasn't providing…
where we'd have to tell the teachers that there was no
money to pay them?
Since I was the secretary and bookkeeper, I walked into
my husband's office and told him the problem. We decided
to spend some time praying for God's wisdom and direction.
Maybe we should try to take out a loan or call someone to
help…but who? Then we knew we would simply call on the
Lord and see how He would lead. With a peaceful heart, I
walked back into my office to find a woman standing there
waiting for me. I thought maybe she was interested in
enrolling her children in the school, so I asked her if she'd
like information about the school. Here is what she said:
"I've never done anything like this before, but there was a
detour through town that brought me right by your school.
When I saw your school sign out front, I had this extremely
strong sense that I was to stop my car and come in here
and write you a check. I don't live here and have never been
through here before, but I think God wants me to give you
this." She handed me a check and was gone as quickly as
she appeared. I was in shock and ran to the door to thank
her as she headed back to her car. When I got back to my
office, I looked at the check, and it was just what we needed
for that month!

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Carol Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

When my husband and I started a Christian school, we
had little or no money. We had bills to pay and teachers'
salaries due, and we had no money for any of it. We had followed
God's clear leading to start the school, and we had
faith that He would see us through, but we didn't have
enough students in those early months to pay the bills.
Now, we were faced with payday and didn't have near
enough money to pay our staff and teachers…let alone ourselves.
For a few minutes those "if onlys" invaded my mind.
If only we hadn't left secure jobs in a great Christian school,
if only we had a big donor who would have provided the
funds for this year, if only we had more students, and so on.
I also wondered why God hadn't provided the needed
finances since we had stepped out in faith and obedience to
Him to start this school. Why would He put us through
such hard times where it looked like He wasn't providing…
where we'd have to tell the teachers that there was no
money to pay them?
Since I was the secretary and bookkeeper, I walked into
my husband's office and told him the problem. We decided
to spend some time praying for God's wisdom and direction.
Maybe we should try to take out a loan or call someone to
help…but who? Then we knew we would simply call on the
Lord and see how He would lead. With a peaceful heart, I
walked back into my office to find a woman standing there
waiting for me. I thought maybe she was interested in
enrolling her children in the school, so I asked her if she'd
like information about the school. Here is what she said:
"I've never done anything like this before, but there was a
detour through town that brought me right by your school.
When I saw your school sign out front, I had this extremely
strong sense that I was to stop my car and come in here
and write you a check. I don't live here and have never been
through here before, but I think God wants me to give you
this." She handed me a check and was gone as quickly as
she appeared. I was in shock and ran to the door to thank
her as she headed back to her car. When I got back to my
office, I looked at the check, and it was just what we needed
for that month!

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Monday, December 6, 2010

Trusting God in Times of Trouble- Mrs. C. Hopson

Many Christians have a lot of "if onlys" in their lives,
and these keep them from all God wants to do in them, for
them, and through them. I have found that when I say "if
only," I need to go to God for a new perspective, one that
honors Him. Why not turn your "if onlys" into "what ifs"?
Here are three new ways to think about your situation.
1. What if God is allowing this situation for my growth,
to make me more like Him?
2. What if I'm missing great opportunities God has
planned for me because of my bad attitude or wrong
thinking?
3. What if I could use each circumstance in my life to
please the Lord?
Joseph was betrayed by those he loved, forgotten by
those he trusted, lied to, horribly mistreated, falsely
accused…and yet God allowed all of it so that he could be
used for God's purpose…to bring about the result God
intended. Paul saw prison as God's place for him, and
Daniel saw the lions' den as God's place. Each situation was
a terrifying, unfair, undeserved situation, but God was
faithful, powerful, and had a bigger plan. The key was that
Joseph, Daniel, and Paul all trusted God to use their circumstances,
no matter how unfair they were, for God's
glory.

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Trusting God in Times of Trouble-Hopson Carol

BREAKFAST #17
Preparing the
meal…
CHANGING YOUR PERSPECTIVE
Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in
God's place? And as for you, you meant evil against
me, but God meant it for good in order to bring
about this present result, to preserve many people
alive."
-Genesis 50:19-20
Have you ever found yourself saying or thinking any of
the following statements?
If only this situation wouldn't have happened…
If only I could do my life over…
If only I wouldn't have been betrayed by someone I
loved…
If only I would have made a different choice in my
mate or my job…
If only I had more money…
If only my kids would have turned out differently…
If only I didn't have these physical problems…
If only I wouldn't have made that mistake…
If only I could be someone different…

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Trusting God in Times of Trouble- Mrs. Carol Hopson

COME AND DINE…
1. Do you think first of what God would counsel you to
say or do in any situation? If not, why not? Do you need
to memorize some of the above verses so the Holy Spirit
can bring them to your mind when needed?
2. Write down how going to God's Word for counsel
would spare you from anger, stress, and unneeded conflict.
(See Colossians 3:12-17.)
3. Read the familiar passage in Galatians 5:22-25 and
see what the "fruit of the Spirit" looks like in our daily
lives. Do you see that it doesn't say "fruits," as if they are
separate and we can pick and choose which ones we
want to obey? How can you apply these to your life
today? (Try to be specific in your answer.)
4. Feast on Psalm 37 today, and then write out the
counsel you receive from this passage. (You should find
at least ten things in the first eleven verses.)

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Trusting God in Times of Trouble- C. Hopson

Without God as my Counselor, I would have been angry
and disturbed; I would have lost track of my thoughts and
who knows what else. I also might have tried to avoid her
all weekend, as she really was angry and caused quite a disturbance
in the meeting. However, by the very end of the
retreat, she came to me at the book table and told me how
much she learned and how much she loved being at the
retreat…she even bought a couple of books…then she gave
me a hug and was gone. Praise God for His counsel!
I need God's divine counsel every day of my life, or else
my emotions seem to take control. I especially need
Colossians 3:12-13, which says, "And so, as those who have
been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing
with one another and forgiving each other, whoever has
a complaint against anyone; just as the lord forgave you, so
also should you." Can you even imagine how our families,
our neighbors, our workplace, and the world would be
impacted if we as Christians just obeyed the counsel in
these two verses?

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Trusting God in Times of Trouble- Carol Hopson

While I was speaking at a retreat recently, I was suddenly
verbally attacked for the scriptural truth I was teaching
from Ephesians 5:22-23, where we are told, "Wives, be
subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord." In the middle
of the meeting, a woman stood up and tried to shame me
for my teaching. She remained angry with me until the
very end of the retreat, though I tried to speak with her several
times. What should I do in this situation? Tell her how
rude she was? Demand an apology? Put her in her place?
Ignore her? Argue my point? If I relied on my emotions at
this point, I would be in big trouble, so I knew that wasn't
the answer. And so, because God is my Counselor through
His Word, I remembered that I was to speak the truth in
love and give grace to the hearer (Ephesians 4:16, 29;
Colossians 4:6). That meant that I was to respond in love
and give unmerited favor to the one who had disrupted the
meeting and attacked me. So, only by the grace of God, I
smiled at her and said, "I know that this can be confusing
for some, and it's difficult to understand the first time you
hear it, but I'm sharing what God says works the best for
our marriage relationship. He's the One who made us and
designed the institution of marriage. The Bible is His manual
for how we are to live and how we can find peace, purpose,
and fulfillment in the life He designed for us. I'd be
happy to talk further with you after the meeting if you'd
like, and I do understand your concern." With that, I smiled
again and moved on. You could hear a huge sigh of relief in
the audience as I moved to the next part of the message.
How thankful I was for Colossians 4:6, which also counseled
me, "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned,
as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should
respond to each person."

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Mrs. C. Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

BREAKFAST #16
Preparing the
meal…
DO YOU NEED WISDOM?
His name will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
-Isaiah 9:6
If I were to introduce my husband to you, I could say,
"This is my husband, Jim, and I love him." That tells you
just a little bit about Jim…that he's married to me and that
I love him. But suppose I told you that my husband was a
very special man, a committed Christian, a wonderful
father to his children, an incredible grandfather, a passionate
Christian school administrator, a devoted and loving
husband, a faithful friend, a respected mentor…now you
would really know who my husband was. You heard lots
more names, and it revealed so much more about his character.
So it is with God. As I've been studying God's character,
I've seen how His names reveal so much about Him,
and I fall in love with Him more and more.
Do you find the counsel you get in the world confusing
at times? I do! You hear that you are to do this or that when
raising your children, and then the next year you're not
supposed to do it…it will damage them. You hear that we
should always stand up for our rights, we're number one,
don't give in to anyone, and yet the Bible says we are to
humble ourselves…and on it goes. That is why I'm so
thankful that God has revealed Himself as our "Wonderful
Counselor." This means that He is an exceptional or distinguished
Counselor. His words are unique, and they will
meet our emotional and spiritual needs. David knew this
when he wrote, "Thy testimonies also are my delight; they
are my counselors" (Psalm 119:24).


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Hopson Carol-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

COME AND DINE…
1. Can you think of three ways to "magnify" Christ as
you go about your day today?
2. Write down what thoughts keeps you from being
available for God to use as His light to your family and
to those with whom you have contact today.
3. Feast on Philippians 1 and answer the following:
What did Paul believe about his circumstances? (List
the verses by your answer.)
What did Paul believe about his purpose? (List the
verses.)
What promises do you find in this chapter?





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Mrs. Carol Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

CAN YOU USE ME, LORD?
Can I help a friend today,
does someone have a need?
Maybe I could share a word,
a smile, a hug, a deed.
Can You use my hands, dear Lord,
to give a gentle touch?
Sometimes a willing, helping hand
can mean so very much.
Can you use my voice, dear Lord?
Does someone need to hear
That there is One who sees her hurt
and knows her deepest fears?
Can you use my life, dear Lord?
Your servant I will be,
For leading others to the cross
is what means most to me.
-Carol Hopson





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C. Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

This precious soul broke into tears and said, "How could
you know that I'm so broken inside and the pain is more
than I can bear?" As I wrapped my arms around her, she
told me the story of a tragedy that had just happened in her
family, and she didn't know who to talk to or where to turn
for help. God, in His love, had heard her cry and sent me,
on a Saturday, when no one is usually at the school, to be
His loving arms, ears, and voice. "I waited patiently for the
LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He
brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry
clay…" (Psalm 40:1-2). And to think that I had not wanted
to do what God had planned for me that day because I had
my own plans! I was able to spend time praying with her
and helping her to know what to do and how to give her
pain to the Lord and leave it for Him to work out. It began
a wonderful relationship with this dear child of God.
You see, I was concerned about my agenda and getting
"my important things" done. God was concerned about His
agenda to meet the deep needs of one of His children…and
He wanted to use me. Thank You, God, for the great joy of
being Your servant!





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Carol Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

What is your purpose today? Did you think of all you
have to accomplish…the chores… the errands…caring for
your family? Those are all good things that do need your
care. But the overall purpose in doing all of these things
should be to magnify Christ in the way you handle things
today. Will your family see that you are making Christ's
love, joy, and peace clearer for them to understand by the
way you speak and act? Colossians 3:17 reminds us, "Do all
in the name of the Lord Jesus…," which means to do all as
if "representing Jesus" to those around you.
I was not in the best frame of mind one morning. I had
company again, and now we needed to take them on a tour
of the area, the Christian school where my husband ministered,
and so on. We had done this many times with many
people, and I had so many other things to do and was a little
annoyed that I had to do this again! After complaining
to God in my prayer, He got my attention and clearly
reminded me, through Philippians 1:20, that my purpose
was not to have my way today but to let Him have His
way…with a joyful attitude. "Rejoice in the Lord always;
again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4).
With a new attitude, we left the house to show our
friends the area, the beach, some of the special sights, and
then the Christian school. As we were walking through the
campus on a Saturday morning, we ran into a teacher and
introduced her to our guests. After walking on, the Holy
Spirit prompted me to go back and talk with that dear
teacher as I had seen something in her face and heard discouragement
in her voice. I excused myself and let my husband
continue the tour while I went back to find the
teacher. As I approached her, I asked if there was anything
I could do for her as God had sent me back because He loved
her so much and cared about her. Could I pray with her
about anything?





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Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Hopson C-Trusting God

BREAKFAST #15
Preparing the
meal…
UNDERSTANDING YOUR PURPOSE!
According to my earnest expectation and hope, that
I shall not be put to shame in anything, but that
with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always,
be exalted [magnified] in my body, whether by life or
by death.
-Philippians 1:20
My eyes are getting older, like the rest of me, and it gets
more and more difficult to see things clearly. To read anything
up close, I now need glasses to magnify the words and
make them easy for me to read. Without my glasses, words
and sentences are blurred and make no sense. In the above
verse, Paul states that his hope and purpose is to "exalt (or
magnify)" Christ whether by life or by death. Let's think
about what a "magnifier" does. Does it clarify or blur? Does
it make things easier to see or more difficult to see? Does it
enlarge or minimize things? Of course, the value of the
magnifying glass is in how well it clarifies, enlarges, and
makes something easier to read. That's its whole purpose.





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Hopson Carol-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

THE OTHER SIDE
God is weaving day by day
A pattern full of color,
Full of twists and turns galore,
That doesn't match another.
It may look like a big mistake
When glancing at it here,
With knots and loose ends dangling,
Making patterns quite unclear.
Sometimes hopeless it may seem
Because it doesn't fit
With what you thought 'twas all about
And what your life would knit.
But Sovereign God designs your days
When in Him you abide.
And someday when you see His face,
You'll see the other side.
-Carol Hopson

COME AND DINE…
1. Does your suffering take your eyes off of your Savior,
or does it make you focus on Him much more?
2. What should our suffering and trials bring about in
our lives? (Read 1 Peter 1:6-8; Psalm 119:67, 71-72.)
3. Look again at the five choices David made while in
the emotional and physical desert, and then write them
out in your own words and make them applicable to
your own situation.
4. Feast on all of Psalm 63 and write out all of the
praises and truths David declares.

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Mrs. Carol Hopson-Trusting God

4. "Because your lovingkindness is better than life, my
lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live"
(vv. 3-4, NKJV).
David now realizes that nothing…not kingdoms,
palaces, power, earthly security, or anything else…compares
to God's loving-kindness, which will never leave
him. Oh, how he must have loved God to come to this
realization while fleeing to the desert. Because he truly
believes it, he says, "My lips shall praise you. Thus I will
bless You while I live." He wants to spend his last hours
praising the Lord, not fighting for what he thinks is fair.
He was willing to leave all in the hands of "Him who
judges righteously."
5. "I will lift up my hands in Your name" (v. 4, NKJV ).
As an Old Testament posture of prayer, lifted-up hands
were a picture of sending prayers up to God, as well as
a readiness to receive that which God gave back to the
believer. It was an outward evidence of putting one's
trust in God alone, and that is what David is doing here.
He also must have realized that God would be the
Righteous Judge of all the wrong that was done to him,
so he didn't have to seek his own revenge. That's what
we were reminded of in the opening verse…that Jesus
kept "entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously"
(1 Peter 2:23).
Are you facing troubled times right now? Does life seem
unfair? I've certainly been there. I have felt that God surely
wasn't seeing what was happening to His child. But that
is never truth! "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously
look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen
you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My
righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10). God is still in control,
and all He allows is for my good and growth. I pray that in
today's problems, as well as in future trials, I will be ready
to seek Him first, that I will long for His presence to fill my
mind and heart, that I will eagerly spend my day praising
Him for His loving-kindness, and finally, that I will willingly
lift my hands in a prayer of surrender to and acceptance
of His will for my life.

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Mrs. C Hopson- Trustin God

2. "My soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for you in a
dry and thirsty land where there is no water" (v. 1,
NKJV).
Next, David longs for the comfort of God's presence as
you would long for a drink in the dry desert. This truly
shows the heart of someone who loves the Lord above
all. It is no wonder that God called him a "man after
God's own heart." You might think that David would cry
out for God to restore his position and undo all the
unfair, hurtful situations he was facing. But David
knew that above all else, the most important thing in
life was to be in God's presence, because that's where
true joy was found. "Thou wilt make known to me the
path of life; in Thy presence is fullness of joy…" (Psalm
16:11).
3. "So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your
power and Your glory" (v. 2, NKJV).
David is now asking God that he would be able to see
Him and worship Him in the desert, without the ark of
the covenant, as he did in the tabernacle. He now knew
that God's presence wasn't limited to buildings or certain
times of formal worship. So he asked to see God's
power and glory right where he was. Isn't that what we
need to do when we are in a desert?

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C Hopson-Trusting God in Times of Trouble

David was certainly no stranger to suffering. At the end
of his reign, David's sons rose up and rebelled against him,
causing great pain in his last days. His son Absalom, who
was eventually to take the throne, sought out some of his
followers and persuaded them to overthrow David.
Absalom also sat outside the city gates and pretended to be
a very caring leader who would understand people's struggles,
and gradually he gained quite a following. Then,
David's nephew and favorite counselor turned on him and
joined with Absalom and his followers to overthrow him. At
this point, David had to leave all of his comforts and beautiful
palatial surroundings to flee to the desert when he discovered
that Absalom, his own son, had planned to take his
life. Can you even fathom this kind of pain and betrayal?
It was when he was hiding out in the desert that he
penned Psalm 63. Let's look at the choices David made
while in the midst of great suffering.
1. "O God, You are my God; early will I seek You…" (v.
1, NKJV).
First of all he recognizes and reaffirms that "You are my
God." He was stating his personal relationship with and
commitment to Almighty God no matter what his circumstances
were.
Secondly, David knew that he had to begin his day seeking
the Lord, focusing on Him and not on how unfair his
situation was. That would only bring him down, so he
chose to wake up and seek God's direction. He didn't
waste time in self-pity and destructive thoughts; he
went to the only One who could give him comfort.

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Carol Hopson-Trusting God

BREAKFAST #14
Preparing the
meal…
ARE YOU WILLING TO SUFFER FOR ME?
For you have been called for this purpose, since
Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example for
you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin,
nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while
being reviled, He did not revile in return; while
suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting
Himself to Him who judges righteously.
-1 Peter 2:21-23
In all of my counseling over the years, this seems to surprise
people the most…that God says we have been called
to suffer. Many Christians believe that when they become
part of God's family, they receive a ticket to a pain-free life,
and then they are discouraged, distraught, or even devastated
when difficult trials come their way. We don't always
know the purpose of our suffering, but God does give us
clear direction as to how we are to handle it. We are to
"commit no sin" when wronged or when enduring trials,
and we are told to "utter no threats" because we can entrust
ourselves and our situation to God, who will be the
Righteous Judge. For me, it has been incredibly freeing to
realize that God will make everything just in His time, so I
don't need to be bitter or take my own revenge. Trusting in
my trials is entrusting all to Him…my life, my reputation,
my character, my future, my pain…and accepting how He
decides to handle it.

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