Obey my commands so that you may live. Follow my teachings just as you protect the pupil of your eye. Proverbs 7:2 GW

Seeing brings light and light brings knowledge. Instinctively we protect our eyes from harm. We recognize how dark and difficult our lives, our world, would be without sight. We'll do about anything to preserve our sight.

God says we should be as proactive in following His principles as we are in protecting our sight. Why? Because while our eyes provide sight in the physical world, God's principles provide sight in the spiritual world, that eternal world that makes the difference between true sight and blindness.

As I protect my physical sight, I want to protect my spiritual sight by knowing Christ (through prayer and the Word) and following Him.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:12 AM CDT

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Instead, we have refused to use secret and shameful ways. We don't use tricks, and we don't distort God's word. As God watches, we clearly reveal the truth to everyone...11 Corinthians 4:2

While Islam and other religions tend to coerce conversion as part of their faith, Christianity is different. There is only one way to Heaven and faith and that is a heart, an inner, change. Conversion to Christianity cannot be forced. A person can be forced at times to conform to certain traditions, but true conversion comes from the heart and is the only one that counts.

The difference between Christianity and all other religions is that conversion comes from sharing a story of a God of love who gave everything to redeem us. Conversion is a choice. It is conquering with forgiveness, love and hope, not war, death and torture. A pretty big difference, but there is more.

Christianity has a living Lord who loves us personally and interacts in our lives.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:55 AM CDT

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A wicked person will be trapped by his own wrongs, and he will be caught in the ropes of his own sin. Proverbs 5:22 GW

The idiom that comes to mind is: Be sure your sins will find you out. It is true. Sin requires cover-up, which requires lies. Eventually lies trip up.

Wrong choices are never done in isolation. Wrong choices hurt an ever widening circle, starting with you, with me, the one who made and acted on the choice. Even repentance, forgiveness, while positive, can not undo damage done.

How much better to think before acting, considering long-term consequences to all that might be hurt by the action taken. How much better to choose God's way of standing for truth, right, forgiveness, caring and hope.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:04 AM CDT

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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?

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:08 AM CDT

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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.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:48 AM CDT

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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.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:15 AM CDT

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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. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:24 AM CDT

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

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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.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:03 AM CDT

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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

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:55 AM CDT

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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.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:56 AM CDT

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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.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:08 AM CDT

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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

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 10:02 AM CDT

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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.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 7:05 AM CDT

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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.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:51 AM CDT

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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."

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:36 AM CDT

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