Psalm 51:1-2, 4a For the choir director; a psalm by David when the prophet Nathan came to him after David's adultery with Bathsheba. “Have pity on me, O God, in keeping with your mercy. In keeping with your unlimited compassion, wipe out my rebellious acts. Wash me thoroughly from my guilt, and cleanse me from my sin. I have sinned against you, especially you. I have done what you consider evil. So you hand down justice when you speak,...”

King David's response to the exposure of his sin was very different from most politicians and celebrities today. They either excuse, blame or claim what they did wasn't really so bad after all. They also will find no forgiveness as they further deaden what consciences they still might posses.

Though David had the power to wipe out the messenger, he instead listened, grieved and repented. Changing his heart and whole point of view from "I'm all that" to "God is all that."

Such a perspective changes how we see ourselves and how we behave and treat others.

V. 12 Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and provide me with a spirit of willing obedience. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:19 AM CDT

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Matthew 17:"19b-20 GW "...Why couldn't we force the demon out of the boy?" 
   He (Jesus) told them, "Because you have so little faith. I can guarantee this truth: If your faith is the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." 

Faith isn't a leap into the darkness. It is confidently going forward, knowing & trusting the promises of God.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:30 AM CDT

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Matthew 16:12 GW Then they understood that he (Jesus) didn't say to watch out for the yeast in bread, but to watch out for the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 

Who are the popular, spiritual and governmental leaders today who lead us away from our relationship with Jesus and His principles? Are we eager to follow a man or a movement instead of studying "earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." 2Timothy 2:15 MKJV
 
Only as we maintain a close relationship with Him (communication/prayer) and know His Word will we` be able to discern those who lead us to righteousness and those who lead us astray.

Whom do I listen to first?

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:30 AM CDT

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Genesis 15:5-6 He took Abram outside and said, "Now look up at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them." He also said to him, "That's how many descendants you will have!" Then Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD regarded that faith to be his approval of Abram. 

Abram didn't have to consider long and hard about what he "heard." he didn't wonder if he was insane and hearing voices, imagining or dreaming. Abram had such a close relationship with God that He knew God's voice. When God spoke Abram didn't hesitate in fear--He listened, accepted, obeyed.

I know the voices of my family and close friends. Do I know God's voice as well? Do I take time to really “hear” God (prayer, study God's Word, listening...) and, then, do I obey?

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:18 AM CDT

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Matthew 14:8-9 GW Urged by her mother, she said, "Give me the head of John the Baptizer on a platter."
   The king regretted his promise. But because of his oath and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted. 

Making bad choices or promises is only compounded if we don't admit our mistake. A promise to do something wrong is a promise that should be confessed and forgiven--not carried out. Completing evil under the guise of keeping a promise only compounds and spreads evil.

Better not to compromise with a promise to do wrong. But if a promise is made, it is better to stand up for right, admit the error in judgment and refuse to go through with the commitment than to put yourself and others in a place of hurt, wrong, evil.

Better yet to trust God in the first place and follow Him.

Proverbs 3:5-7 GW Trust the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth. Do not consider yourself wise. Fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:59 AM CDT

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Psalm 46:1b-3 GW God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. That is why we are not afraid even when the earth quakes or the mountains topple into the depths of the sea. Water roars and foams, and mountains shake at the surging waves. Selah  

Not a jolly grandfather winking at what I do.
Not just a stern judge waiting for me to goof up
Not a distant being who turns His back on His creation with a shrug.

God is not what we so often picture in our minds.

God is good. God is love.
He cares. Desperately cares. Cared enough to allow Jesus to give up His throne to come, become one of us. That He could live the life we don't and make the choice to take our place.

Because He is. Because He is loving and good. He is not distant, but He also doesn't force us to accept what He offers--unconditional love, strength, and a refuge from fear.

He loves enough to back off and give us a choice, even when that choice is for eternity and life...or death.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:22 AM CDT

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Genesis 12:6a-8 GW ... At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "I'm going to give this land to your descendants." So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. 

God made a promise to Abram that the land would belong, not to Abram, but to those who came after him. A big promise from a human point of view. After all, the land was already inhabited and many of the peoples were fierce warriors.

But Abram didn't wallow in the technical problems. He simply worshiped, believing God would work out the details.

Lord, help me have this confident faith. Amen.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:28 AM CDT

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Matthew 11:30 GW because my yoke is easy and my burden is light." 

Jesus says His burden is light. Why? He is the light and offers peace, joy and hope. Think what other "gods" offer: wealth, drugs, idols all of which carry heavy burdens of addiction, slavery and "works" instead of freedom and joy--the key to Christ.

How much better to follow Him in confident truth, than to wallow in fear, uncertainty and darkness.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:30 AM CDT

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Matthew 10:33 GW But I will tell my Father in heaven that I don't know the person who tells others that he doesn't know me. 

There is more than one way to deny Christ, and so deny salvation. We deny Him with our words--by actually denying we follow Him, by using His name in a derogatory fashion (ie in jest or swearing), and by being silent when others do these things.

We also deny Him when we claim to believe in or follow Him but make no effort to communicate with Him (pray, study His Word), when we make no effort to seek His guidance and when our choices and lifestyle are polar opposites to God's principles.

In what way--words/actions/choices--do I deny Jesus?

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:28 AM CDT

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Psalm 42:3-5 GW My tears are my food day and night. People ask me all day long, "Where is your God?" I will remember these things as I pour out my soul: how I used to walk with the crowd and lead it in a procession to God's house. I sang songs of joy and thanksgiving while crowds of people celebrated a festival. Why are you discouraged, my soul? Why are you so restless? Put your hope in God, because I will still praise him. He is my savior and my God. 

Surprise! Christians can be discouraged. God created us with emotions. He didn't wipe them out when we chose to follow Him.  Emotions are part of what makes us human.

The problem is not emotions or acknowledging them, it is what we do with them. Do we allow ourselves to be controlled by emotions or do we acknowledge them, but take steps to make sure God is in control not some fleeting emotion?

Depressed, discouraged? Remember, take note, list if you must, the positives in your life and God's faithfulness in the past--be specific. Hide in your heart His positive promises.

Feel down? Take it to Him and let Him show you the way to freedom.

V.11 Why are you discouraged, my soul? Why are you so restless? Put your hope in God, because I will still praise him. He is my savior and my God.  

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 4:31 AM CDT

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Psalm 57:11 KJV  Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.

Sometimes, when our lives are less than perfect, we begin to look down, begin to see the dirt below, instead of the blue skies above. We begin to complain instead of praise.

Instead, we can choose to keep looking up, keep praising and find as our spirits lift, so we see our circumstances in a more hope-filled light. As we honor Him, so He fills our heart with his comfort, hope and peace.

Looking up...

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:14 AM CDT

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Matthew 8:2-3 A man with a serious skin disease came and bowed down in front of him. The man said to Jesus, "Sir, if you're willing, you can make me clean." 
   Jesus reached out, touched him, and said, "I'm willing. So be clean!"
   Immediately, his skin disease went away, and he was clean.

We talk about Jesus healing the soul, but God doesn't make divisions the way we do. He was concerned with the whole person. It is good to know, whatever my need—body, mind, emotions or soul, I can ask Him for help and he will be there.

Thank you, Jesus for caring about ALL my needs. Amen.

V. 17 So what the prophet Isaiah had said came true: "He took away our weaknesses and removed our diseases." 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:28 AM CDT

Updated: Thursday, 14 August 2008 8:32 AM CDT

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Matthew 7:1-3 GW "Stop judging so that you will not be judged. Otherwise, you will be judged by the same standard you use to judge others. The standards you use for others will be applied to you. So why do you see the piece of sawdust in another believer's eye and not notice the wooden beam in your own eye? 

Do I judge others harshly out of anger? God's Word says we need to be careful how we make judgments. Are they based on discomfort, ignorance of simply preference? Do I  respond in unkind ways that are anything but Godly?

This is not to say there isn't a time and place to stand up against evil and wrong, but we need to make sure we know God's principles and not respond with arrogance. For without Christ, we, too, will fall.

I need to have an attitude of learning and growing in Him with a heart to share truth without compromise, but without underlying anger.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:49 AM CDT

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Genesis 6:20-21 GW Two of every type of bird, every type of domestic animal, and every type of creature that crawls on the ground will come to you to be kept alive. Take every kind of food that can be eaten and store it. It will be food for you and the animals." 

On the face of it, what God asked of Noah was not only ridiculous, it was impossible. Yet, Noah obeyed and God richly rewarded his faithfulness.

What about times what God asks of me seems hard (going or doing something for Him), embarrassing (telling someone about Jesus) or just uncomfortable? Once I establish God has truly spoken, what will I do? Let fear or laziness limit my obedience or, like Noah, do whatever is asked?

Do I know Him well enough to discern His voice or is my first step toward obedience one of developing a time of reading His Word and regular communication with Him?

V.22 Noah did this. He did everything that God had commanded him. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:58 AM CDT

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Matthew 5:3 GW Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. 

The first step in a relationship with God is the recognition of our need, that on our own and without Him we're screw-ups and failures.

When we come to Him, like children realizing that insisting on "doing it ourselves" hasn't worked and lay our problem in His lap, like a loving father, he may scold, even give consequences. But He also holds us and lovingly points us in the way we should go and the victors, the winners, are we--his beloved children.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:10 AM CDT

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