Blessed is the person who trusts the LORD. The LORD will be his confidence. He will be like a tree that is planted by water. It will send its roots down to a stream. It will not be afraid in the heat of summer. Its leaves will turn green. It will not be anxious during droughts. It will not stop producing fruit.  Jeremiah 17:7-8

Our culture is obsessed with positive self-esteem, but tends to try to develop it by taking away all challenges, decision, risk or character development through truth, reality and hardship. We have it backwards. Like happiness, self esteem and inner confidence  doesn't stem from false props, but from learning to live confidently despite pain and problems. It's having a solid foundation in truth to help us through the tough times.

A house is solid and stable only when it rests on a firm foundation. So it is with confidence and self-esteem. The only true foundation is Jesus Christ.

If we want positive self esteem and inner confidence for ourselves and our children, we need to build on the solid foundation of God and His Word.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:30 AM CST

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God created ears. Do you think he can't hear? He formed eyes. Do you think he can't see? He disciplines nations. Do you think he can't punish? He teaches people. Do you think he doesn't know anything?  Psalms 94:9-10 GW 

When we make wrong choices, we may think God doesn't see or care. Not true. First, the world is ruled by principles created into our world. If we violate those principles, we reap the consequences.

Second, like a patient parent, God isn't waiting around for us to fail or flaunt our arrogance against Him. He loves us enough to give us time to come, ask, follow. He loves enough to put people and circumstances in our path to get our attention.

Third, as with any parenting situation, if a child doesn't mend his/her ways, punishment must follow to help force a change. God, too, has limits. Eventually, if we continue to turn away from Him, He'll turn from us and allow the full weight of the consequences to fall.

We cannot take sin lightly, because God doesn't.

V.14 The LORD will never desert his people or abandon those who belong to him. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:45 AM CST

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“You have left me," declares the LORD. "You have turned your back on me. So I will use my power against you and destroy you. I'm tired of showing compassion to you. ...I will destroy my people because they will not change their ways.”  Jeremiah 15:6, 7b

God loved Israel. They were and are His special people. But when they not only turned their backs on Him, but sank into perversions that were destroying them, God took action. Every choice, every action carries consequences. God had been clear what the principles were to abundance and blessing. He'd also been clear about the consequences for choosing not to follow guidelines set up to help His people love and respect Him, themselves and others.

A parent who truly loves their child knows that when a child is defiant and rebellious there must be consequences or that child will hurt himself and/or others. Consequences aren't to harm, but to bring about greater good.

God stepped in with Israel and let them suffer the consequences for their choices. He does the same today with individuals, families and nations. When in trouble, the first thing to check is the spiritual index--is the person, family, nation truly walking with God and following His principles?

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:40 AM CST

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I will say to the LORD, "You are my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust." Psalms 91:2  GW

When I am down,
When my options have disappeared into despair
When just getting up takes effort
I run to Him for refuge.
I cry on His wide shoulders
Find comfort and strength in His presence
And peace
The flicker of hope rekindles
I wonder why I wait so long
To come, to ask
When Jesus waits
Giving me space
Leaving the choice to me
Ready to help
He needs to be more than a refuge in times of trouble
But the daily strength of my life.
Today, Lord, I come.

v.14-15a GW Because you love me, I will rescue you. I will protect you because you know my name. When you call to me, I will answer you. I will be with you when you are in trouble.
 
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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:41 AM CST

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Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, you were God. You are God from everlasting to everlasting. ...Teach us to number each of our days so that we may grow in wisdom.  Psalms 90:2,12 GW

God existed before He created us. He is eternal. Seems to me, the way of wisdom is to study the One who knows. Anything else, the meanderings of man are little more than nonsense when not based on the One who knows. Maybe it's time I pay a bit more attention to Someone a whole lot smarter than me.

That start begins with getting acquainted with His Word.

V.17 Let the kindness of the Lord our God be with us. Make us successful in everything we do. Yes, make us successful in everything we do. 
 
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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:01 AM CST

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The heavens are yours. The earth is also yours. You made the world and everything in it....Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne. Mercy and truth stand in front of you. Blessed are the people who know how to praise you. They walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.  Psalms 89:11, 14-15 GW

There is a Creator who is righteous and desires justice. Not to acknowledging this is like living life with blinders on. How much better to acknowledge the truth of who God is and know His blessing and His peace?
 
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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:42 AM CST

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You, O Lord, are good and forgiving, full of mercy toward everyone who calls out to you.  Psalms 86:5 GW

The Creator of the Universe, the God of the Bible, is not some indifferent entity who created and left. He isn't a god who watches from afar. He is not capricious, leaving us in doubt about what He wants from us or how to know our eternal destiny.

The God of Scripture is a God who created us for a relationship with Him. Though we messed up, Jesus came to make things right by taking on the punishment we deserve for turning away from Him.

He loves us, wants us to acknowledge His place in our lives and accept Christ as our Savior. He has laid it out clearly. God interacts in our lives, but He doesn't force us to follow Him out of fear. Our Creator leaves the choice in our hands--to serve Him or ourselves. The difference is light and love beyond imagination, beyond darkness and self-centered love that leads only to emptiness.

God is mercy, but the choice is ours. I like choice. I've made my choice. Life hasn't been the least bit easy. I still have lots of questions, even doubt and frustration, but now I have someone to go to, someone who is always there, always listening, always cares. With Christ Jesus, I am never truly alone.

V.7 When I am in trouble, I call out to you because you answer me. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:25 AM CST

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I want to hear what God the LORD says, because he promises peace to his people, to his godly ones. But they must not go back to their stupidity. Indeed, his salvation is near those who fear him...Psalms 85:8-9a GW

We want peace, but often make choices counterproductive to peace. We undermine our marriages, our families, our relationships by not giving time and attention or not respecting or communicating in a positive manner, letting anger and bitterness simmer and grow.

If we truly want peace, we must pursue it, live it, understanding peace, real peace means more than being a doormat. Real peace comes from knowing and following the true source of peace, the one who brings peace within--Jesus Christ.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:42 AM CST

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 In this situation God's holy people, who obey his commands and keep their faith in Jesus, need endurance. Revelation 14:12 GW

This passage refers to the final days, but it is true for all who claim the name of Christ. Regardless of what some claim, God doesn't promise His children a life of ease. In fact, He promises trouble. What He does promise those who cling to Him no matter what is to be with them, offering help, solace, hope, inner joy and forever with Him.

Christ honors those who stand by their commitment to Him, those who realize there is no other name whereby we may be saved, from the world, Satan and ourselves. Jesus is the only way. John 14:6

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:57 AM CST

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So I let them go their own stubborn ways and follow their own advice. If only my people would listen to me! If only Israel would follow me! I would quickly defeat their enemies. I would turn my power against their foes.    Psalm 81:12-14 GW

The key to military victory is God. If we follow Him, allow His people to minister, God will fight for us.

Today, our military struggles partly because they fight alone for a nation that has largely turned away from God, removing Him from public discourse, silencing chaplains who would speak His name.

We cannot win against the Creator. We will only crash and burn. Want victory personally, culturally, nationally and militarily? Get right with God, stand up and be counted for Him. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:30 AM CST

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We will not hide them from our children. We will tell the next generation about the LORD'S power and great deeds and the miraculous things he has done.  Psalms 78:4 GW

We need to proclaim God's power and might to this generation—without dumbing down the message of the cross. As parents the first way to teach our children is by setting an example of trust and faith in God. The second is through teaching, information, encouragement and standing up for what is right--no matter what.

V. 6-7 GW so that the next generation would know them. <God's commands> Children yet to be born would learn them. They will grow up and tell their children to trust God, to remember what he has done, and to obey his commands. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:05 AM CST

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"Come back, you rebellious people, and I will forgive you for being unfaithful." Here we are! We have come to you because you are the LORD our God.  Jeremiah 3:22 GW

After a catalogue of sins, including adultery and prostitution, God makes it clear, that no matter how grievous the sin against Him, He forgives, restores, and offers hope to those who come with repentant hearts. What a wonder to know God loves that much. All He desires is, like an erring child, I come to Him and ask for His forgiveness and help.

I can do that. (How much better, never to stray, but, hey, perfection isn't part of this world. Commitment is. I can commit to keep short accounts with God and others.)

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:34 AM CST

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 Beloved, in regard to all things I pray that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.  III John 1:2 GW

What a verse to speak blessing into the lives of our family. Starting now, how about substituting the name of one to bless for Beloved.

In a culture that tears down, I want to build up by speaking words of blessing into the lives of those I care about. 

V.11a Beloved, do not imitate the bad, but the good.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:39 AM CST

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The Spirit of the Almighty LORD is with me because the LORD has anointed me to deliver good news to humble people. He has sent me to heal those who are brokenhearted, to announce that captives will be set free and prisoners will be released.  Isaiah 61:1 GW

But let righteous people rejoice. Let them celebrate in God's presence. Let them overflow with joy.  Psalms 68:3

While many Grinches try to destroy Judeo-Christian holidays and tradition and everything connected to them, we can still rejoice. We can rise up and refuse to cringe before angry, Grinches, those intolerant ones, who cannot let anyone else be happy or celebrate in public.

But true joy cannot be crushed because it doesn't stem from tradition or celebrations. True joy is knowing Christ came and that He came to give abundant life to all who come to Him.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:40 AM CST

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Let the nations be glad and sing joyfully because you judge everyone with justice and guide the nations on the earth. Selah Let the people give thanks to you, O God. Let all the people give thanks to you.  Psalms 67:4-5 GW

Justice isn't a point of law, or a philosophy. True justice comes from the heart of God. Without God there is no justice and without justice there is neither peace nor freedom.

If we want a nation that upholds all three values of justice, freedom and peace, we must return to a freedom to worship Christ and a foundation of faith, trust and hope in Him.

The person who has the Son has this life. The person who doesn't have the Son of God doesn't have this life.  I John 5:12 GW

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:05 AM CST

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