Genesis 40:23 GW Nevertheless, the chief cupbearer didn't remember Joseph. He forgot all about him.
 
How easy it is to let life and circumstances dictate who we are and how act. When things are going well, do we forget God, forget His Word, His people, His sanctuary? After all, we can handle things in the good times.

Remember how this came about? The cupbearer ended up in prison with Joseph who interpreted his dream. Only, once he was free, he forgot his prison experience and forgot the one who'd given hope.
 
Lord, help me never forget in good times as well as bad to come to you for help, hope and guidance.
 
Mark 12:29-31 GW Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord. So love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second most important commandment is this: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these."

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:06 AM CDT

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Genesis 39:3-5 GW Joseph's master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made everything he did successful. Potiphar liked Joseph so much that he made him his trusted servant. He put him in charge of his household and everything he owned.
 
When we serve God first, others take note. Why? Because if we truly serve God, we are people of honesty, integrity, self-controlled, other-centered and honorable. We become people others trust. As we seek to know, follow and serve God, there are other benefits, such as the peace from recognizing it's not about ME. It is having not just our wisdom, but His.
 
Acts 4:13 GW After they found out that Peter and John had no education or special training, they were surprised to see how boldly they spoke. They realized that these men had been with Jesus.
 
The people took note of the disciples BECAUSE they'd been around Jesus and His wisdom.
 
If I want others to look up to , listen to and follow me, the best thing I can do is to look up, listen to and follow Christ.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:45 AM CDT

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Psalm 71:5 GW You are my hope, O Almighty LORD. You have been my confidence ever since I was young.
 
Without God, life has no meaning. Right/wrong have no meaning. Love/hate have no context. Without a Savior what I think, do, say has no lasting significance.
 
But life has meaning, because God is, because Jesus came, and because I choose to follow and serve Him.
 
V. 17 O God, you have taught me ever since I was young, and I still talk about the miracles you have done.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:24 AM CDT

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Genesis 37:21-22 When Reuben heard this, he tried to save Joseph from their plot. "Let's not kill him," he said. "Let's not have any bloodshed. Put him into that cistern that's out in the desert, but don't hurt him." Reuben wanted to rescue Joseph from them and bring him back to his father.
 
As the eldest son, Reuben should have been the leader at this point. Instead, he was weak, too frightened of his brothers to do more than offer token resistance to their dreadful plan. It did save Joseph's life, but not much else--because of fear.
 
How often does fear keep me from doing what I know is right or do so, like Reuben, half-way? What long term consequences have I put in play because of my fear? What has this fear done to my faith and my witness for Christ

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 10:16 AM CDT

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Genesis 37:21-22 When Reuben heard this, he tried to save Joseph from their plot. "Let's not kill him," he said. "Let's not have any bloodshed. Put him into that cistern that's out in the desert, but don't hurt him." Reuben wanted to rescue Joseph from them and bring him back to his father.
 
As the eldest son, Reuben should have been the leader at this point. Instead, he was weak, too frightened of his brothers to do more than offer token resistance to their dreadful plan. It did save Joseph's life, but not much else--because of fear.
 
How often does fear keep me from doing what I know is right or do so, like Reuben, half-way? What long term consequences have I put in play because of my fear? What has this fear done to my faith and my witness for Christ

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:35 AM CDT

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 Mark 8:11-12 GW The Pharisees went to Jesus and began to argue with him. They tested him by demanding that he perform a miraculous sign from heaven. With a deep sigh he asked, "Why do these people demand a sign? I can guarantee this truth: If these people are given a sign, it will be far different than what they want!"

How many of us don't just pray, we make demands. If God doesn't answer when we want and how we want, we doubt Him, His Word and our relationship with Him suffers as we back away.

The question is do we truly believe He is God, Sovereign, Creator, Lord or our own private sugar-daddy? We can't pick and choose. Either we serve God or we don't. If our belief is so shallow and our egos and arrogance so large that we think to control God, then are we serving Him at all or only our own sinful hearts?

Do I demand or simply remind Him of His promises and wait for His way, in His time and praise Him even if His answer isn't to my liking?

V. 34-35 GW Then Jesus called the crowd to himself along with his disciples. He said to them, "Those who want to follow me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses, and follow me. Those who want to save their lives will lose them. But those who lose their lives for me and for the Good News will save them.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:36 AM CDT

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Mark 7:6-7 GW Jesus told them, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites in Scripture: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is pointless, because their teachings are rules made by humans.'"
 
Worshiping God isn't just about following traditions or a set of rules or expected “church” practices. Outward behavior means nothing without the right attitude and a heart submitted to His (not church doctrine) will.

V. 13 Because of your traditions you have destroyed the authority of God's word. And you do many other things like that."
 
Am I following the rules or am I truly serving Jesus?
 
Psalm 68:3 GW But let righteous people rejoice. Let them celebrate in God's presence. Let them overflow with joy.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 10:03 AM CDT

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Thank you, Lord

For my husband who works hard to provide and loves to plan surprises.

Thank you for our daughter always sensitive to acknowledge special events with a call, card, a gift or one of her wonderful keepsake scrapbooks.

Thank you for our son who takes his responsibilities for his family seriously.

Thank you for our daughter-in-law and the joy she's brought to our son and the whole family.

Thank you for our delightful grandchildren and the years we had to know them before a job took them away with their parents.

Thank you for the many ways we can stay in touch.

Thank you, Jesus, for the blessing of my family.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:13 AM CDT

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Mark 5:18-20 GW As Jesus stepped into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged him, "Let me stay with you."  But Jesus would not allow it. Instead, he told the man, "Go home to your family, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been to you."
    So the man left. He began to tell how much Jesus had done for him in the Ten Cities. Everyone was amazed.
 
Sometimes we get so excited about something, we want to "go on the road" to share our knowledge, excitement or grief with an audience. We live in a culture that hates, loves and uses the media and where most want to claim their "fifteen minutes of fame."
 
But God isn't always into the big rallys, banners, signs and media events. He knows we are moved by one-on-one interaction. How many times Jesus healed, set free and told the recipient to just go home and start not with the world but with family and friends.
 
Do I share Jesus message to be seen or to change hearts, one-on-one?
 
Psalm 66:16 GW Come and listen, all who fear God, and I will tell you what he has done for me.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 5:42 AM CDT

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Genesis 32:10-1  GW  "I'm not worthy of all the love and faithfulness you have shown me. I only had a shepherd's staff when I crossed the Jordan River, but now I have two camps. Please save me from my brother Esau, because I'm afraid of him. I'm afraid that he'll come and attack me and the mothers and children too. But you did say, 'I will make sure that you are prosperous and that your descendants will be as many as the grains of sand on the seashore. No one will be able to count them because there are so many.'" 

Jacob is a grown man seeking to do God's will. Yet, an impending attack from the brother he betrayed has him heading to the right place--God, and with the right attitude--acknowledging fear (doesn't try to hide his feelings or pretend they don't exist), and recognizing only God can help (attitude of humility). Though he reminds God of His promise, Jacob isn't arrogant.

God rewarded and blessed Jacob, not for past mistakes, past betrayals, past deceptions, but for a new attitude of trust in Him. Finally, Jacob got it and that probably saved his life.

When the big stiff happens, do I arrogantly try to work things out on my own or do I first go to the One who can truly set things right? Whom do I trust--me or Him?

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:36 AM CDT

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Mark 3:2 GW The people were watching Jesus closely. They wanted to see whether he would heal the man on the day of worship so that they could accuse him of doing something wrong. 

The reason we fail when we compromise our principles, values and faith for fear of criticism, hurt feelings and embarrassment is because those are the tactics of the enemy. Satan uses tactics and people and our own nature against us--anything to keep us from living victorious lives for Christ and humbly, if confidently, sharing Jesus message of hope and life.

Jesus didn't let criticism stop Him from doing what was right and, in Him, we don't have to either.

Mark 3: 4-5 GW  Then he asked them, "Is it right to do good or to do evil on the day of worship, to give a person back his health or to let him die?" But they were silent. 
   Jesus was angry as he looked around at them. He was deeply hurt because their minds were closed. Then he told the man, "Hold out your hand." The man held it out, and his hand became normal again. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:22 AM CDT

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Mark 2:9-12a GW  Is it easier to say to this paralyzed man, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, pick up your cot, and walk'? 10 I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." Then he said to the paralyzed man, "I'm telling you to get up, pick up your cot, and go home!" The man got up, ...

Do we truly believe Jesus forgives our sin? If so, why do we hold so tightened to our guilt? When we ask Jesus for forgiveness and turn from doing wrong, He forgives, sets free. But freedom is a gift we must accept.

When we wallow in guilt and sadness, we make a mockery of the cross, of God's sacrifice and show complete lack of trust.

When we seek forgiveness, we need to take that next step of trust and let go of the guilt, the attention-getting poor me, and reach for freedom in Christ.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 7:24 AM CDT

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Mark 1:23-25 GW At that time there was a man in the synagogue who was controlled by an evil spirit. He shouted, "What do you want with us, Jesus from Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God!" 
  Jesus ordered the spirit, "Keep quiet, and come out of him!" 

We often have the idea that when someone speaks about or recognizes Jesus, they're on the side of good. As this passage shows, that isn't necessarily so.

James 2:19-20 GW says, You believe that there is one God. That's fine! The demons also believe that, and they tremble with fear. You fool! Do you have to be shown that faith which does nothing is useless? 

Knowing Jesus is more than a claim, it is living a life of submission to Him.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:56 AM CDT

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Genesis 28:20-21 GW Then Jacob made a vow: "If God will be with me and will watch over me on my trip and give me food to eat and clothes to wear, and if I return safely to my father's home, then the LORD will be my God. 

Sounds like us, making deals with God. Problem is we can't. God already promises to be our provider, not if we bargain, but when we come to Him in our need, recognizing we have nothing to offer but allegiance, worship and a life only He can renew.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:58 AM CDT

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Matthew 27:3-5 GW Then Judas, who had betrayed Jesus, regretted what had happened when he saw that Jesus was condemned. He brought the 30 silver coins back to the chief priests and leaders. ... He said, "I've sinned by betraying an innocent man." They replied, "What do we care? That's your problem."  So he threw the money into the temple, went away, and hanged himself. 

Judas realized what he'd done was wrong. He even confessed to his wrong-doing and, in a small way, tried to ride himself of guilt by returning the money. His problem wasn't comprehension of sin, confession or even seeking to make things right--all good things. He failed to do the one thing he needed to do--ask and accept forgiveness.

He'd heard Jesus discuss prayer. He should have known the next step was not just feeling bad, but repentance before God.

We often let ourselves and others off the hook, so to speak, if they emotionally confess, even say “Sorry.” Few, however, show true remorse or a changed life. It is that last step of submission to God in a repentance that recognizes the need for forgiveness that makes all the difference—and changes lives

When caught in wrong-doing, do I wring my hands and act on emotion or do I truly recognize my need for cleansing only Christ can provide as I come to Him, ask and accept forgiveness?

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:35 AM CDT

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