Psalm 107:13-15a GW In their distress they cried out to the LORD. He saved them from their troubles. He brought them out of the dark, out of death's shadow. He broke apart their chains. Let them give thanks to the LORD because of his mercy...

God doesn't wait around hoping we'll fail so He can zap us. He loves us and patiently waits for us. Even when we mess up time after time, He is ready to forgive if we come to Him.
 
How badly do I have to goof up before acknowledging my need?

Help me, Jesus, to come first to You, making decision on your principles and with Your will and guidance. Amen

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:14 AM CST

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John 6:31-35 GW Our ancestors ate the manna in the desert. Scripture says, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"
   Jesus said to them, "I can guarantee this truth: Moses didn't give you bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. God's bread is the man who comes from heaven and gives life to the world." 
   They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread all the time." 
   Jesus told them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never become hungry, and whoever believes in me will never become thirsty. ..."

Jesus used ordinary questions, circumstances and events to share eternal truth. Do we see Him in the everyday happenings in our lives? Do we honor Him and look for life lessons in good and bad or do we simply get angry that our lives aren't always sunshine? Do I cultivate an attitude of ego or seeking/finding God's will and ways in the everyday?

Psalm 106:1 GW Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD because he is good, because his mercy endures forever. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:47 AM CST

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Exodus 23:2 GW Never follow a crowd in doing wrong. When you testify in court, don't side with the majority to pervert justice. 

Sometimes we rationalize that if everyone else is in agreement or seems to be so, the majority opinion must be correct. We may think it too difficult to stand alone or we have to much to lose by going against what we see as a consensus. But doing/believing what is right has never been about consensus.

Group think often leads to a gang-like enforcement, sometimes leading to violence against those with a different perspective. Group think isn't God's way. He says walk with me regardless of what others think and do. Use the mind I creature in you. Learn what is true and right and do it--no matter what.

Doesn't make things simple, but does make us into persons of integrity, knowing who we  are in Him.

V.7-8 Avoid telling lies. Don't kill innocent or honest people, because I will never declare guilty people innocent. Never take a bribe, because bribes blind those who can see and deny justice to those who are in the right. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:48 AM CDT

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John 4:39 GW Many Samaritans in that city believed in Jesus because of the woman who said, "He told me everything I've ever done." 

We claim we want others to know Christ. We're excited to hear stories of conversion. We may even encourage those who've made such a decision--if they come to our gatherings.

But if we truly believe others are lost without Christ, that they are lost for eternity, do we, do I, let time, fear, embarrassment or something else keep me from sharing my faith even with those I care most about? Is my comfort and convenience more important than the question of heaven or hell?

If so, do I really believe God's message both of hope in Him or hell without Him?

V.42 They told the woman, "Our faith is no longer based on what you've said. We have heard him ourselves, and we know that he really is the savior of the world." 
 
Jesus, give me the courage to introduce You to those around me. Amen.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:37 AM CDT

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Psalm 103:15-17a GW Human life is as short-lived as grass. It blossoms like a flower in the field. When the wind blows over the flower, it disappears, and there is no longer any sign of it. But from everlasting to everlasting, the LORD'S mercy is on those who fear him. ...

When we're young, life stretches out seemingly forever. As we age, we realize with every year how brief life really is.

Makes me stop and consider. How do I want to spend my life, my year, this week, this moment? Serving myself or serving my Savior?

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:18 AM CDT

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John 2:23-25a While Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Passover festival, many people believed in him because they saw the miracles that he performed. Jesus, however, was wary of these believers. He understood people  and didn't need anyone to tell him about human nature. ...

How many times do we get excited when some political leader quotes scripture or talks a bit about faith? These people catch our allegiance, often with words from carefully prepared speech writers. A strategy designed to gain our trust and our vote.

They know most of us will never take the next step. Most will never check to see if actions, past votes and present platform match a profession of faith in Christ, who most of all valued life, especially human life, because He created it.

Are we only interested in having our ears "tickled" or are we willing to make sure to reserve our allegiance for those whose actions back up profession?

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:31 AM CDT

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John 1:3-5 MKJV  All things came into being through Him, and without Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it. 

If all things were created by Jesus, if all things are sustained by Him and if He IS light shouldn't we seek to know Him, follow Him, serve Him? How can we take Him or our faith so lightly?

Furthermore, if He IS light, I want to let His light shine through me that I can make a positive difference in my world.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:36 AM CDT

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Luke 24:39-41a MKJV Behold My hands and My feet, that I am He! Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see Me have.  And when He had spoken this, He showed them His hands and feet.  And while they still did not believe for joy, ...

Jesus made it abundantly clear He was neither a spirit, ghost nor simply imagination. The disciples watched Him die. They knew His body had been placed in a rock tomb with no way out except for a stone too heavy for the average person to move.

But Jesus was with them. Either He wasn't real or He was God and death could not hold Him. The disciples not only believed, but showed, by their subsequent courageous behavior, their faith in action.

Do I believe enough that my faith impacts my life, my views, my behavior, my choices?

V. 45-47 MKJV And He opened their mind to understand the Scriptures. And He said to them, So it is written, and so it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be proclaimed in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:56 AM CDT

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Luke 23:33-34 MKKV And when they came to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified Him and the criminals there, one on the right, and one on the left. And Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. And parting His clothing, they cast lots. 

We live in a culture where offense is not only easily taken, but those offended end up in court. We're too easy offended. As Christians, we're not supposed to follow the examples of those around us in the world. We're suppose to follow Jesus' example of strength and forgiveness.

Do I easily take offense? Do I give offense when I don't have to? Most of all, do I extend forgiveness in the small as well as the great offenses against me, my family and my faith? Do I stand for righteousness without hate, anger or revenge? Do I realize I can only do so in His, not my, strength?

Help me Jesus, not to be easily offended and be quick to offer forgiveness when offended—without compromising my faith. Amen.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:33 AM CDT

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Psalm 98:4-5 MKJV  Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; breakout, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing to the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. 

Joy. Is my faith one of traditions with a long list of "dos & don'ts" or is it one of knowing Jesus and rejoicing in that growing relationship? Lists don't bring us closer to God, our behavior and choices aren't a set of rules, but a result of Jesus living within and in that loving fellowship, recognizing God's best for our lives.

In serving Him we know the joy that leads to worship.

V. ... breakout, and rejoice, and sing praise.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:36 AM CDT

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Luke 21:21:1-4 MKJV  And looking up, He saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And He also saw a certain poor widow casting two lepta in there.
   And He said, Truly I say to you that this poor widow has cast in more than all of them. For all these have cast in to the offerings of God from their abundance, but out of her poverty she has cast in all the living she had. 

Where do my finances go?
Pay my rent
Utilities
Eat out
Purchase gifts and goodies I can't really afford
Have to go on vacation
That car I really must have
And the latest cell phone with all those extras
Church?
They beg all the time for money for their programs
Reaching the lost for Christ
Reaching out to the economically disadvantaged
Counseling to save lives, marriages, homes
They can't really expect me to give up my daily latte
Or eating out--I need the break.
Really, Lord, Your people shouldn't beg so much
Isn't it Your job to provide?
What's that? Hard to hear over my latest downloaded gospel music.
You have made provision?
Lord, how? Your people? True, I do put something in each week I go to church.
It's all I have...left.
What do You mean I'm like the rich man?
Oh, Jesus....
Forgive

Exodus 15:2 MKJV The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will glorify Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:21 AM CDT

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Psalm 96:4-5 MKJV  For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols; but the LORD made the heavens. 

When we play the game of the politically correct, we may slip into the idea that all religions lead to God. Not so. In fact, many religions are diametrically opposed to one another. Not all can be true. Furthermore, since Jesus IS peace, it is inaccurate, to say the least, to claim any religion is one of peace. Without Jesus at the center there can be no real peace.

Biblical Christianity is not a religion, which is man reaching toward god, but a faith in which God in love reached down to humankind.

All other gods are false, self-created images. Only the God of the Bible who entered our world is truth, love, light and life.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:56 AM CDT

Updated: Thursday, 23 October 2008 8:22 AM CDT

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Psalm 95:2-3 MKJV Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to Him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 

How often do we whine and complain about and to God about our lives, our families, our spouses, our work and so much more? And we wonder why as we complain things are or, at least seem, worse. The answer is simple. Attitude makes a difference. Look for bad and we'll find it. Look for good and we'll find it.

Attitude makes the difference between living life to the best of our circumstance and being miserable no matter how many blessings we enjoy.

How do we start a journey to a positive attitude? Praise. Giving thanks for everything we do have, finding good even in the midst of problems.

As we focus on God and good, our hearts and attitudes change. The more we focus on Him, the more His love is revealed in us and we find that even in darkness we know joy.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:49 PM CDT

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Psalm 94:22 MKJV But the LORD is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge. 

When it is dark, His Word brings light.
When problems & pain overwhelm, He'll comfort,
Strengthen as we pray.
When hope is lost, He lifts up with His love.
Jesus only asks we come
Acknowledge Him
Receive His touch of forgiveness
And follow.
For He is
Everlasting
Hope, love, light and life.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 6:41 PM CDT

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Luke 17:3-4 MKJV Take heed to yourselves. If your brother trespasses against you, rebuke him. And if he repents, forgive him. And if he trespasses against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turns again to you, saying, I repent, you shall forgive him. 

Forgiveness isn't being manipulated into doing things we're uncomfortable with or are wrong. It isn't an excuse for inaction against evil. Forgiveness isn't about letting others take advantage of us. It is not being a doormat.

Forgiveness is empowerment, not letting someone else pull your strings, even when they may no longer be in the picture. Forgiveness is letting go, seeing yourself through God's eyes of love, acceptance and compassion, not through the negative, distorted prism of someone else.

Forgiveness is strong, not weak. It is reaching outside ourselves for what only God can provide--a new heart, new outlook...and hope.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:16 AM CDT

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