This is the day which the
Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 18:24

This morning I felt tired,
God seemed far away,
But I arose, dressed and ate,
And went to worship anyway.
From JOURNEY OF FAITH  (c) 2006 Carolyn  R Scheidies pg. 53

Especially when our kids were small, I'd always be so tired. At times the thought of just staying home sounded so good. Yet, when I got up, got to church, things changed. As I worshipped, I felt energized, not drained, joyful, not anxious.

Making the effort, and sometimes it took great effort, to go to worship, changed my outlook for the whole week.

Not just Browning's "God's in His Heaven all's right with the world," but  I'm lifted up because God is right here--with me.

Help me, Lord, make the effort to spend time with Your people, worshipping You. Amen.

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

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:32 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret-it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth. Psalm 37:3-9 MKJV

This passage has so much in it. In fact, I pray it regularly as a prayer for my family and my friends. God is faithful as we not only “believe” that He exists, but as we “delight” in Him, get to know Him through prayer and His Word, and developing and maintaining a growing relationship with Him.

Everything falls into place if our primary relationship with God is right and righteousness. For He is God, He is a good God and He loves to bless those who honor Him.

http://IDealinHope.com/author

http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 6:59 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Whoever despises God's words will pay the penalty, but the one who fears God's commands will be rewarded. Proverbs 13:13

May the Lord Jesus Christ's good will, God's love, and the Holy Spirit's presence be with all of you! 11 Corinthians 12:13

It is easy to criticize and tear down. How much better to make a point to speak words of blessing to our spouse, our children and those around us. It is a path to faith, hope and joy.

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

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 10:01 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | View Comments (1) | Permalink

A righteous person cares even about the life of his animals, but the compassion of wicked people is nothing but cruelty. Proverbs 12:10 GW

Want to know if a person who professes faith is real? See how that person treats an animal. Is there deliberate cruelty and viciousness? If a person doesn't care about the most vulnerable, the creatures God put in our care, how will that person treat human beings?

Belief is fine, but to be real, words need to be backed up with works.

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

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:11 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

A righteous person cares even about the life of his animals, but the compassion of wicked people is nothing but cruelty. Proverbs 12:10 GW

Want to know if a person who professes faith is real? See how that person treats an animal. Is there deliberate cruelty and viciousness? If a person doesn't care about the most vulnerable, the creatures God put in our care, how will that person treat human beings?

Belief is fine, but to be real, words need to be backed up with works.

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

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:11 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

While they were being severely tested by suffering, their overflowing joy, along with their extreme poverty, has made them even more generous. I assure you that by their own free will they have given all they could, even more than they could afford. 11 Corinthians 8:2-3 GW

We live in a culture of entitlement. If I don't have, it is someone's fault and someone should pay, thus we have lawsuits and increasingly burdensome government programs. But this self-centeredness leads only to more dissatisfaction and unhappiness.

Happiness doesn't emanate from selfishness, but from generosity. We find joy and blessing as we give with grateful hearts.

Give, and you will receive. A large quantity, pressed together, shaken down, and running over will be put into your pocket. The standards you use for others will be applied to you. Luke 6:38 GW

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

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:36 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

But I'm happy now, not because I made you uncomfortable, but because the distress I caused you has led you to change the way you think and act. You were distressed in a godly way, so we haven't done you any harm. In fact, to be distressed in a godly way causes people to change the way they think and act and leads them to be saved. No one can regret that. But the distress that the world causes brings only death. 11 Corinthians 7:9-10 GW

Often when we refuse to confront out of fear or embarrassment, we also close our minds to the larger picture. Every one of us needs people in our lives willing to confront us when we get off track.

But confronting because we care is a sign of love, not dealing with problem is a sign we don't care enough. How can a problem be dealt with if it isn't recognized or with no guidance?

The truth all good parents know is that confrontation is part of being a loving parent--if we want children who understand right from wrong, and grow up to be individuals of integrity, responsibility and faith. It means we care.

Being a friend isn't so different. Do I care enough to lovingly confront when intervention is called for?

Whoever corrects a mocker receives abuse. Whoever warns a wicked person gets hurt. Do not warn a mocker, or he will hate you. Warn a wise person, and he will love you. Give advice to a wise person, and he will become even wiser. Teach a righteous person, and he will learn more. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 9:7-10a GW

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

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:17 AM CDT

Updated: Monday, 14 April 2008 9:22 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

To fear the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, evil behavior, and twisted speech. Proverbs 8:13 GW

People can see our purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives, our sincere love, truthfulness, and the presence of God's power. We demonstrate that we are God's servants  11 Corinthians 6:6-8 GW 

You must have honest scales and honest dry and liquid measures. Ezekiel 45:10 GW

God is the God of integrity and honor, not one of "the end justifies the means." over and over He demands honesty from those who serve Him.

Every time I don't tell the truth, rationalize, shade or twist truth, take what isn't mine, do and say things that are less than truthful, I not only hurt myself and others,  I also I give Christ, His followers and His Way a black eye.

Does my behavior, my words match my profession of faith? Am I honest and truthful? What I do to be more so?

Never steal, lie, or deceive your neighbor. Never swear by my name in order to deceive anyone. This dishonors the name of your God. I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:11-12 GW

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

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:03 AM CDT

Updated: Sunday, 13 April 2008 9:06 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

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.

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

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:12 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

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.

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

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:55 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

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.

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

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:04 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

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