It happened over 35 years ago and I remember it well–the TV movie I watched that night as a long-time single young woman. The movie related to the “singles” issue and was terribly hopeless and depressing. I finally slept and awakened in the middle of the night to stifling heaviness and oppression. The enemy of my soul taunted and harrassed in the darkness of that room, pointing to my own what-could-be, dark, dismal future–as though my life were a sequel to that late-night movie.

Suddenly, as I called on the Lord, into my mind came three words of a Bible verse I didn’t even know I knew–”Rejoicing in hope!” I had to look it up to find it (Romans 12:12), but I KNEW at that moment the Holy Spirit had entered that oppressive atmosphere to bring hope to His child in the middle of that dark night. How faithful our Lord is–and my future? It wasn’t anything like the fate of the single girl in that awful movie. God had good things in store for me, better than I had ever dreamed.

So now it’s the bleary, dreary January of YOUR life – no Mister or Miss Valentine in sight – or the one who came has up and GONE – and so you say, “You expect me to have HOPE?!” Your heart may be cold and broken–or warm and full. Whatever your circumstance, the Valentine for all time, Jesus Christ, is there to give you abundant love, joy and hope that passes anything the world can offer – and the offer is good for ANY day and ANY dilemma of the year!

Read the rest of this valentine devotional here! –

and know that for whatever reason you have lost hope, you can find it again in His Word and in His heart! He loves you, especially in the middle of your hopeless situation and pain, whatever it may be, romantic or not!

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God (Psalm 43: 5 KJV).”

Devour God’s Word for yourself! Dig deep until He speaks that Word into life in your very soul. When His Word comes alive within you, you can hold on to it. Know that the hope of God who will never fail nor forsake you. He holds your life in His safe keeping–you are in His loving care now and forever more. Be a January Valentine Hopeful today – you’ll find there’s a valentine of love, joy–and hope–in His Word for you this day and every day of the year!!

Feature link: My True-to-Life Love Story!

–Copyright 2012 by Peggie C. Bohanon, Springfield, MO 65803. All rights reserved.
–Find more devotionals by Peggie at The Devotional Buffet.

–Peggie’s HOME page . . . . Fun ‘n Faith blog archives.

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Now featuring at Peggie’s Place!

–Daily Bible reading

–Seasonal feature: Love Letters from Peggie’s Place . . . Valentine’s Day . . . Valentine’s Day devotionals

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Diggin’ into the devotional archives!

“The Bank that Never Breaks!”

“Going Down to the Pit!?!”

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Daily humor and inspiration

“I Love My Job (ala Dr. Seuss)” . . . “A Perfect Heart”

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Chocolate Calories

A good piece of chocolate has about 200 calories. As I enjoy
two servings per night, and a few more on weekends, I
consume 3,500 calories of chocolate in a week, which equals
one pound of weight per week.

Therefore…

In the last 3 1/2 years, I have had a chocolate caloric
intake of about 180 pounds. I weigh only 165 pounds, so
without chocolate, I would have wasted away to nothing about
three months ago!

I owe my life to chocolate.

–Reprinted from Good, Clean Funnies List, originally from Pastor Tim.

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Today’s quote:
“Footprints on the sands of time are never made by sitting down.”

Have a great day serving the Lord!

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–Archived sources:
The Devotional Buffet – 500+ archived devos
Tickles ‘n Truth archives
The Virtual Chocolate Shop

–Quote credits: Mikey’s Funnies and/or Walking with Jesus Ministries .

–Copyright 2012 by Peggie C. Bohanon, Springfield, MO. All rights reserved.

–A weekday feature from Peggie’s Place, “the most fun Christian home on the Web!
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–Want to read more? Visit archives at Fun ‘n Faith blog.