Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It's like a fragrance that fills the air. 11 Corinthians 2:14b GWb

The apostle Paul said this with confidence. His life was focused on spreading the good news that Jesus came/died/rose again to offer forgiveness, life and hope to all who come to Him.

Does my life, my words, my choices and behavior reveal Christ in me? Do I share the truth and hope of Jesus wherever I go, to whomever I'm with?  Does my life shine for Jesus or do I cower in fear, afraid of derision, anger, consequences? If I truly believe Jesus is the only hope for the world, why do I keep silent?

http://IDealinHope.com/author 
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:08 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Do not let mercy and truth leave you. Fasten them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and much success in the sight of God and humanity. Proverbs 3:3-4 GW

Our culture likes to pretend there is no such thing as knowable, reliable truth. But it is truth that divides between right and wrong. Without that divide, law, for law is ultimately based on moral concept, has no meaning and we are left with chaos.

Without a superseding truth who decides what is wrong or right? If there is no such thing and truth is whatever you conceive it to be, then how can we judge a murderer, a rapist, a pedophile? In their world, what they do is Ok.

What those who refuse truth do not understand is that without truth, there is also no basis, no case, for mercy.

The same law applies to both. If there is intrinsic value in life, if truth is not a transient emotion but transcendent and independent pf circumstance and environment, then we have a reason to pursue truth. Truth leads us to right and wrong, which leads us to reach out to victims of wrong actions by others.

As the verse points out, mercy and truth are tied together. Without one, the other fails.

http://IDealinHope.com/author 
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:48 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Ezekiel 33:9- 11a GW But if you warn a wicked person to turn from his ways and he doesn't turn from them, then he will die because of his sin. However, you will save yourself.
   "Son of man, say to the people of Israel, 'You have said this, "Our wickedness and our sins weigh us down, and we are rotting away because of them. How can we live?"'
    "Tell them, 'As I live, declares the Almighty LORD, I don't want wicked people to die. Rather, I want them to turn from their ways and live. Change the way you think and act! Turn from your wicked ways!

Three things stand out to me here, one, we are responsible for sharing the Good News" with those around us or we who believe will be judged.

Two, God loves everyone and wants anyone to follow Him and live.

Three, the way to life is to turn from our sin and do what is right as we pursue Him--not evil.

http://IDealinHope.com/author 
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:15 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

A wise person will listen and continue to learn... Proverbs 1:5a GW 

Many of us tend to get in a rut. We've learned what we want to learn about a person, situation--life, and are closed to anything that may enlighten or change our minds.  

We even think we know God's Word and stop reading, meditating, memorizing it until it becomes tradition and our faith becomes based merely on our opinion rather than God's Word and a living, vital relationship with Him. 

Once we refuse to grow and learn, we are no longer wise. That does not mean throwing away God's principles, but using them to access the value of the information we see, read and hear as we continue to open up to growth. 

http://IDealinHope.com/author 

http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:24 AM CDT

Updated: Saturday, 5 April 2008 8:29 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Be alert. Be firm in the Christian faith. Be courageous and strong. Do everything with love. 1 Corinthians 16:13- 14 GW

Want a black and white list? Here it is.
Stay alert. Don't be easily led away from the truth of Christ.

Stand firm. Know what you believe and why and never waver in your commitment to Christ, His Word, His principles.

Be courageous and strong. Don't wimp out when others make fun, embarrass or threaten you for your faith, principles and values.

Finally, do everything with love. Hate has no part in the heart of a follower of Christ. Stand up, fight for right, yes. But with a deep understanding that God is love. He died even for those who most hate Him. We are not to respond in kind, but firmly, with respect and without hate.

http://IDealinHope.com/author
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:03 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Let Israel find joy in their creator. Let the people of Zion rejoice over their king. Let them praise his name with dancing. Let them make music to him with tambourines and lyres, Psalm 149:2-3 GW

Those Christians or not who think Christianity is all long faces and somber spirits need to get into God's Word more. It is filled with joy and celebration. I've never seen a people who had so many holidays as the Jewish people.

While there are times to reflect and be serious, joy, not depression should be the natural attitude of God's people. After all, He created us to laugh and appreciate as well as create beauty and with a spirit of hope, celebration and rejoicing.

Look up. Count your blessing and follow God's principle of joy.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, Rejoice! Phil. 4:4 MKJV

http://IDealinHope.com/author
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:55 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

So what does this mean, brothers and sisters? When you gather, each person has a psalm, doctrine, revelation, another language, or an interpretation. Everything must be done to help each other grow. 1 Corinthians 14: 26 GW

God doesn't give us gifts, talents and abilities to squander on ourselves, hide away unused or used for evil/selfish purposes. God gives us abilities that we might hone and use them to help and build up one another.

Do I use the abilities God has given! Do I hone them and then use them to build uo others in Christ's love?

Help me have a giving heart, Jesus, with regard to the use of my talents. Help me recognize they come from You and are to be used in Your loving service. Amen.

http://IDealinHope.com/author
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:56 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

You know that when you were unbelievers, every time you were led to worship false gods you were worshiping gods who couldn't even speak.  1 Corinthians 12:2 GW

In our so-called "tolerant" culture we fear claiming anything as true or false. In fact, the only real "truth" in our culture is that Christians who truly live their faith are not tolerated. Why?

Because we live and die by one truth, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6)

Without truth we have chaos. Not every philosophy can possibly be true unless there is no reality. If there is no reality then nothing matters and we are of all creatures most miserable, wondering in darkness, thinking we're significant when we are nothing more than an evolutionary process.

But if you accept reality, accept knowable truth, then the message of love and forgiveness makes sense and gives a solid basis of hope.

Let go false "gods" and embrace the reality of a being who created and watches over His world with compassion and care.

http://IDealinHope.com/author
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:08 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

One generation will praise your deeds to the next. Each generation will talk about your mighty acts. Psalm 145:4 GW

How do our children share our values? We must model them and we must talk about them, showing how Godly principles impact our lives.

Do we tell our kids not to steal, but bring home supplies from work? Do we say not to cheat, but laugh at how we "cheat" on taxes. Do we say, "Obey the laws," but speed?

Values are caught as well as taught. Make sure your actions match you mouth. Live your principles, and, most likely, your children will follow.

V.17 The LORD is fair in all his ways and faithful in everything he does.

Are we?

Imitate me as I imitate Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 GW

I don't want wicked people to die." declares the Almighty LORD. "I want them to turn from their evil ways and live. Ezekiel 18:23 GW

http://IDealinHope.com/author
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 10:02 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD! Psalm 144:15b GW

Do we truly want God to bless us as individuals, families and as a nation? Then we have to do one very important thing--put Christ and His principles first in our hearts, our lives and in all we think, say and do.

It isn't rocket science, but in a culture that discourages those who live a value based life, it isn't always simple. But if we desire God-s blessing, it is of primary importance.

How do we know God and learn His principles? Read/study His book regularly, talk to Jesus, and do life His way.

http://IDealinHope.com/author
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 7:05 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Let me hear about your mercy in the morning, because I trust you. Let me know the way that I should go, because I long for you. Psalm 143:8 GW

We often live any way we please then expect God to save us when we get into trouble. Worse, we blame Him when our lives aren't smooth sailing. How arrogant.

The Psalmist knew how to reach God. He realized God wasn't his personal magician, but the Creator, the God of the universe. In light of who God is, this king of Israel knew his attitude needed to be as one petitioning someone of much higher status and authority.

He longed for more of God, more of His mercy, more of His direction.

If we want to interact with the God of Scripture we need to come in the same way as the Psalmist, humbly, laying our sorry lives and choices before Him, not demanding resolution to our problems, but asking for mercy and help.

V.10 Teach me to do your will, because you are my God. May your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

http://IDealinHope.com/author
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:51 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Knowledge makes people arrogant, but love builds them up. 1 Corinthians 8b:

We think we're so smart because of our intelligence or because we know more, are more educated, etc., than someone else. But when we live our lives by knowledge alone, we're only half living.

When we leave out love, we leave out compassion, leave out the caring support of spouse and family. Most of all we leave out Jesus Christ who is truth, who is love and who wants to give us life in abundance.

I'm all for education, intelligence and knowledge, but true knowing comes at the feet of Christ. True knowledge is based on a life-long desire to "know" Him.

V.2-3 Those who think they know something still have a lot to learn. But if they love God, they are known by God. 

V.6 But for us, "There is only one God, the Father. Everything came from him, and we live for him. There is only one Lord, Jesus Christ. Everything came into being through him, and we live because of him."

http://IDealinHope.com/author
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:36 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

O LORD, set a guard at my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3

How often should I be praying this prayer? How often do I open mouth, insert foot? You'd think I'd learn.

Maybe the problem is I 'm not walking as close to Christ or listening to His voice as I should. Maybe I need to start working on that.

Help me, Lord, follow You more today. 

http://IDealinHope.com/author
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:26 AM CDT

Updated: Wednesday, 26 March 2008 9:28 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

ALL WHO CALL

(c) 2008 Carolyn R Scheidies 

I am glad we have a Savior that hears and answers prayer...

Because He cares, He came

Because of our sin, He died on a cross

Because He loves His creation,

   He rose to offer life and hope

        To all who call on Him.

 I have come so that they might have life , and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:10b-11 MKJV

http://IDealinHope.com/author

http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:27 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Kings will mourn, and princes will give up hope. The common people will lose their courage. I will give them what they deserve and judge them as they have judged others. Then they will know that I am the LORD. Ezekiel 7:27

Israel turned their backs on God and He, eventually, had to judge them. We're at this place as well. As a nation and culture we've turned our backs on God, on His Word, on truth. Instead, because we no longer know the truth or even try to know God's Word, we follow feel-good philosophies such as the New Age paganism espoused by Oprah and other celebrities--even some pastors.

We are also receiving the leaders we deserve; those who are Anti-American, anti-individual freedom, anti-life. We're getting exactly what we've asked for by turning away from Christ.

Nevertheless, there is hope if we turn back to Him.

http://IDealinHope.com/author
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:56 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink