John 15:1-2 GW Then Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father takes care of the vineyard. He removes every one of my branches that doesn't produce fruit. He also prunes every branch that does produce fruit to make it produce more fruit. 

Too often as Christians we get mad when our lives don't run smoothly and even suffer heartache and tragedy. Some even turn away from their faith--mad at God for allowing such circumstances into their lives.

But God never promised a get- out-of-real-life card. What He does offer is His presence, His guidance and His peace.

Bad things happen for many reasons. Our choices. The choices of others--as individuals, businesses, governments or other entities.

Evil starts at the door of Satan and sin. Blaming God for allowing us the freedom to make bad as well as good choices is foolish as is blaming Him when we reap the consequences of such decisions. God also allows us to experience life--good and bad, to help us grow, become strong and learn to trust Him.

When bad things happen will I blame Him or claim His promise of protection, provision and peace for those who abide in Him?

V.5 "I am the vine. You are the branches. Those who live in me while I live in them will produce a lot of fruit. But you can't produce anything without me. 

Help me, Lord, allow You to produce good fruit in me. Amen.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:24 AM CST

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John 15:1-2 GW Then Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father takes care of the vineyard. He removes every one of my branches that doesn't produce fruit. He also prunes every branch that does produce fruit to make it produce more fruit. 

Too often as Christians we get mad when our lives don't run smoothly and even suffer heartache and tragedy. Some even turn away from their faith--mad at God for allowing such circumstances into their lives.

But God never promised a get- out-of-real-life card. What He does offer is His presence, His guidance and His peace.

Bad things happen for many reasons. Our choices. The choices of others--as individuals, businesses, governments or other entities.

Evil starts at the door of Satan and sin. Blaming God for allowing us the freedom to make bad as well as good choices is foolish as is blaming Him when we reap the consequences of such decisions. God also allows us to experience life--good and bad, to help us grow, become strong and learn to trust Him.

When bad things happen will I blame Him or claim His promise of protection, provision and peace for those who abide in Him?

V.5 "I am the vine. You are the branches. Those who live in me while I live in them will produce a lot of fruit. But you can't produce anything without me. 

Help me, Lord, allow You to produce good fruit in me. Amen.

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http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:10 AM CST

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Exodus 32:32-34a GW But will you forgive their sin? If not, please wipe me out of the book you have written." The LORD answered Moses, "I will wipe out of my book whoever sins against me. Now, go! Lead the people...

Even after the Israelites made an idol and worshiped it in wild celebration, Moses was willing to give up his eternal future for them.

Do I care enough about anyone or thing to do that? Do I even love God enough to seek and follow His will and not be ashamed to stand for Him--no matter what?

Lord, help me have the heart and courage of Moses. Amen.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:01 AM CST

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John 13:14-15 GW So if I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you must wash each other's feet. I've given you an example that you should follow. 

It's not about dirty feet,
But about dirty, unrepentant hearts.
It's not about washing,
But being willing to be a servant rather than having one.
It's not a foot attitude
But a heart
Willing to be an example
To others
Of Christ's sacrificial love.
Am I willing to serve,
Not just to stranger
To whom I become a hero
But humbly serve those closest to home,
With time, attention, effort...
Spouse, children, family?

V.34 "I'm giving you a new commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:36 AM CST

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John 12:37, 42-42 GW  Although they had seen Jesus perform so many miracles, they wouldn't believe in him. ...Many rulers believed in Jesus. However, they wouldn't admit it publicly because the Pharisees would have thrown them out of the synagogue. They were more concerned about what people thought of them than about what God thought of them. 

What does it take for me to believe? What does it take for me not to hide my faith due to fear or embarrassment? Fear and faith can't coincide. If I live in fear, I don't live in faith and I'm trusting in me, not my faith in Jesus.

When will I be more concerned about what God thinks of me than what those around me think? How real is my faith?

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:56 AM CST

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Psalm 111:5 GW ...He always remembers his promise. 

God doesn't renege on His promises. What He says, He will do. Those of us who claim to follow Him, do we keep our promises or do we find excuses for breaking our promises, our commitments, contracts, our word? Do we give God a bad name because we make promises we sometimes don't intend to keep (I'll pray for you.) or don't keep because it is difficult, inconvenient or conflicts with something we'd rather do. (Sometimes marriage fits in this category.)

Jesus, help me make promises carefully, but when I do--to keep them. Amen.

V. 7-10 GW His works are done with truth and justice. All his guiding principles are trustworthy. They last forever and ever. They are carried out with truth and decency. He has sent salvation to his people. He has ordered that his promise should continue forever. His name is holy and terrifying. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Good sense is shown by everyone who follows God's guiding principles. His praise continues forever. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:00 AM CST

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John 10:25 GW Jesus answered them, "I've told you, but you don't believe me. The things that I do in my Father's name testify on my behalf. 

How many times do I know God's principles, hear that still small voice and still go my own way? How sad I must make Jesus when I claim to be His follower, but refuse to follow.

Help me, Lord to read, heed, listen and obey. Amen

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:12 AM CST

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Psalm 109:17 GW He loved to put curses on others, so he, too, was cursed. He did not like to bless others, so he never received a blessing.

Pretty sad commentary. This refers to someone who is evil. But one of his great faults was that he was not kind.

How easily miffed do I get? Am I one who seeks retaliation, refusing to forgive or move on? Am I kind? Do I bless others or only expect others to be kind and bless me?

Blessing returned is blessing and kindness extended. Help me, Lord, to know Your love so deeply that I extend it those around me. Amen.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:26 AM CST

Updated: Friday, 7 November 2008 9:30 AM CST

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John 8:10-12 GW Then Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Where did they go? Has anyone condemned you?" 
   The woman answered, "No one, sir."
   Jesus said, "I don't condemn you either. Go! From now on don't sin." 

We live in any era of easy faith. Many ready to accept Christ into their lives are told, "Just believe."

But there is problem with this philosophy. Yes, we come just as we are. Yes, Jesus forgives and extends grace when we ask. But, we do need to be repentant and, as Jesus told the woman caught in adultery, be willing to stop sinning. We need to be willing to say NO to doing wrong and YES to going God's way.

This means we need to take steps, make choices, such as find a fellowship of believers (for support), study God's Word (to get a solid foundation and learn His principles), and communicate regularly with Christ Jesus through prayer (building relationship).

Go and sin no more is not an easy faith. Following Jesus is not for the weak, but for those willing to ask for help and in God's strength, live a life of integrity, forgiveness and faith.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:07 AM CST

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God is merciful, loving and patient, but He also will not put up with sin and rebellion forever. His Word makes this clear.

Malachi 2:2,17 MKJV If you will not hear, and if you will not set it on your heart to give glory to My name, says the LORD of hosts, then I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. And indeed I have cursed it, because you do not set it on your heart. ... You have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet you say, In what have we wearied Him? When you say, Every evildoer is good in the eyes of the LORD, and He delights in them; or, Where is the God of justice?

God's favor personally and nationally results from honoring Him and obedience to Him. America continues to walk away from God, His principles, His values, His purity. Did we think God was some jolly grandfather who'd continue to allow us to walk in darkness and with His blessing? He loves us far too much for that.

There are always consequences to actions. Continued sin and rebellion leaves us without God's protecting hand and open to Satan's wiles.

Freedom and faith go together. Our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles of limited government and maximum responsibility and personal freedom. Socialism is the opposite. Yet, free citizens actually voted to usher in socialism.

How can they not realize freedom and socialism cannot co-exist? Sometimes God puts us in situations where there is only one answer--fall on our faces before Him in repentance. That time has come.

2 Chronicles 7:14 MKJV if My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Revelation 1:5 MKJV Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and will remove your lampstand out of its place unless you repent.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 7:59 AM CST

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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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