Acts 17:11-12a GW The people of Berea were more open-minded than the people of Thessalonica. They were very willing to receive God's message, and every day they carefully examined the Scriptures to see if what Paul said was true. Many of them became believers, ...

We live in a time when selfishness and emotionalism rather than rational thought and consideration reign. Behavior is based on what sounds or feels good now rather than weighing long term options or consequences (intended or otherwise).

Those with this low level of intellectual thought tend to be easily led--or misled because they are ignorant and have little desire to take time to research and/or think things through. And forget prayer or seeking guidance from God.

Christianity, unlike what is often portrayed in media, demands thought and careful introspection. While love is core, so is truth. Together they open the door to an abundant life and a people of solid character and integrity not blown away by fancy-sounding rhetoric or circumstance.

Jesus really really is is our solid Rock.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 6:29 AM CST

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 Leviticus 16:11 GW Aaron will bring the bull. He will then slaughter it as his own offering for sin. By doing this he will make peace with the LORD for himself and his family. 

Sin cannot be brushed off with a shrug. Sin has consequences, requires a death, a blood sacrifice. In the Old Testament, God required the blood of perfect, innocent animals. Even priests had to make sacrifices for themselves and their families.

But these sacrifices were only an image of things to come, a pale imitation of what Jesus did on the cross. Like OT priests, not one of us is righteous before God. Each of us needs a sacrifice for our sins, because God is holy and cannot look on sin.

But the exciting news is that our sacrifice has been made. Jesus was our blood sacrifice when He died on the cross. We no longer have to sacrifice animals or, through works, seek God's mercy and favor.

Because Jesus died for us there is only one way into God's mercy and forgiveness, to stop trying to please God on our own terms, to accept what Jesus did for us, follow and serve Him.

Acts 16:30-31 GW Then he took Paul and Silas outside and asked, "Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved?" They answered, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you and your family will be saved." 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:23 AM CST

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Acts 15:1 Some men came from Judea and started to teach believers that people can't be saved unless they are circumcised as Moses' Teachings require. ...
9 (Paul said) God doesn't discriminate between Jewish and non-Jewish people. He has cleansed non-Jewish people through faith as he has cleansed us Jews. 
10 So why are you testing God? You're putting a burden on the disciples, a burden neither our ancestors nor we can carry. 
11 We certainly believe that the Lord Jesus saves us the same way that he saves them-through his kindness."  GW

How many churches do the same thing--add to the simple gospel message of salvation by faith/trust in Jesus? We add sacraments, attendance, appearance and other traditions, burdening and overwhelming new believers.

Sanctification is God's job. Ours is to love, accept and guide others to Jesus.

Lord, for myself and others, help me not substitute works and tradition for the work and guidance of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:04 AM CST

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Acts 14:1-2 GW  The same thing happened in the city of Iconium. Paul and Barnabas went into the synagogue and spoke in such a way that a large crowd of Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up some people who were not Jewish and poisoned their minds against the believers. 

The very ones who should have rejoiced at the positive things happening, with people turning to God, instead got jealous, then angry.

Things weren't done their way, with their rituals and traditions. Instead of exploring the phenomenon as to its value and truth, the Jews went on a sabotage and destroy mission. How many were deceived and lost because the Jew's actions?

How many times do I so vigorously protect my turf that I undermine what God is doing in the lives of others? How many times does jealousy rather than God propel my words and actions?

Forgive me, Lord, for putting my way, my comfort zone, ahead of Your guidance. Help me see beyond my pettiness to Your work in and through others--rejoice and assist rather than undermine. Amen.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 7:56 AM CST

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Acts 13:9-12 GW But Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit. He stared at Elymas and said, "You are full of dirty tricks and schemes, you son of the devil! You hate everything that has God's approval. Quit trying to distort the truth about the way the Lord wants people to live. The Lord is against you now. For a while you will be blind, unable to see the light of day." Suddenly, Elymas couldn't see a thing. He tried to find people to lead him. When the governor saw what had happened, he believed. The Lord's teachings amazed him. 

Paul didn't mince words or seek to soften the truth. He certainly wasn't "politically correct." Paul didn't let fear keep him from speaking truth firmly and forthrightly.

And the governor turned to the Lord, because Paul spoke the truth and showed God's power.

Are we afraid to truly let God work in and through us because we fear what others will think, we fear what God might actually do, or we really don't trust in God's Word or His goodness?

If we claim His name, can we do less than trust and obey? Only then will we, like Paul, see lives changed.

Jesus, help me trust and not be afraid. Help me listen to Your voice and step out in faith when You speak. Amen.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 10:32 AM CST

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Acts 12:14-15 GW  When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so happy that instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and reported, "Peter is standing at the door!"
   The people told her, "You're crazy!" But she insisted that Peter was at the door. They said, "It has to be his angel." 

Do I
© 2008 Carolyn R Scheidies

Do I keep praying for answers
Instead of recognizing the answers sent?
Do I make demands
Instead of petitioning for mercy?
Do I grow angry when I don't see results--in my way and time?
Do I question and doubt
Instead of trusting & praising?
Oh yes, I do them all
Forgive, Jesus,
Help me trust instead of doubt
Hang on, not give up
And hold onto hope You'll work it out...
No matter the circumstances.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:34 AM CST

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Psalm 121:2-3, 7-8 GW My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let you fall. Your guardian will not fall asleep.  ...The LORD guards you from every evil. He guards your life. The LORD guards you as you come and go, now and forever. 

We give thanks not for conflict
But for grace to forgive and move on.
We give thanks not for evil
But for all the good that still exists.
We give thanks not for pain
But that pain and heartache draws us to the One
Who comforts and heals.
We give thanks not for horror or war
But for the peace God provides in the midst of it all.
We give thanks not for hate
But for the love we know inside when we ask Jesus to live within
Filling us with healing, help and hope.
And, looking up, we can give thanks--no matter what.  

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 10:34 AM CST

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Acts 10:25-26 GW When Peter was about to enter Cornelius' house, Cornelius met him, bowed down, and worshiped Peter. But Peter made him get up. He told him, "Stand up! I'm only a man."

How often when someone wows us, do we check our minds, our rational self, at the door and go from admiration to adoration. Such happens to celebrities, politics leaders, even preachers.

But God is not pleased with such worship, and make no mistake, worship it is. If He isn't first in our hearts and lives, we're off track. We are never to accept mindlessly, without investigation, without testing against God's word and His principles.

My worship, admiration and adoration must start and end in Jesus. Anything else is idolatry.

Who or what is crowding out God in my heart?

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 5:11 PM CST

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Psalm 119:163-164 MKJV I hate and despise lying; but I love Your law. I praise You seven times a day because of Your righteous judgments. 

God hates lies and deceit. He is the embodiment of truth. If I walk with Him, if I seek a closer relationship with Him, I will know truth. But do I seek Him? In a culture of spin, do I seek and speak truth? Do I follow so closely I can discern truth from error?

Help me, Jesus, be so close to You that I recognize truth...and follow. Amen.

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:55 AM CST

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Acts 8:25 MKJV Then, indeed, having earnestly testified and having spoken the Word of the Lord also having preached the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans, they returned to Jerusalem. 

Psalm 119:139-140 GW My devotion for your words consumes me, because my enemies have forgotten your words. Your promise has been thoroughly tested, and I love it. 

When those around me turn their backs on Jesus and His principles, do I "go along to get along" or do I stand for faith, integrity and truth?

Do I stand strong for Him, knowing His is the only security or do I "wimp" out in fear and embarrassment, showing just how weak my faith and trust really is?

Help me, Jesus, stand strong for You--regardless of what others do. Amen

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:48 AM CST

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Psalm 119:124 Mkjv Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, and teach me Your statutes. 

Here is David, king of a whole country. He has the power of life and death. Yet, he doesn't think he's "all that." He recognizes he is accountable to Someone greater and he comes with a humble heart and a teachable spirit.

What about me? I'll not achieve what King David did, yet do I somethings think I am accountable only to myself? Do I recognize God's authority in my life and come before Him for answers, for guidance, for worship?

Lord, help me have a heart of worship and true humility before You. Amen.

V.125 I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:32 AM CST

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Leviticus 6:4-7 Mkjv ...then, it shall be, because he sinned and is guilty, he shall pay back that which he got by robbery; or if he robbed the thing extorted; or the deposit which had been deposited with him; or the lost thing which he had found; or all that which he swore about falsely, --he shall even repay it in its principal, and the fifth part he shall add to it, to whomever it belongs. He shall give it on the day of his guilt offering. 
   And he shall bring his trespass offering to the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, together with an amount set by you, for a trespass offering, to the priest. 
   And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD, and it shall be forgiven him for anything of all that he has done by being guilty in it. 

When one offends/sins, God demands we take responsibility for restoration and repentance. One reason for today's crime rate and the wishy-washy attitude toward truth is the failure of many parents, school, civil, government officials and the courts to require the offender to shoulder responsibility and take consequences, require consequences in line with the offense, restoration and most importantly--repentance.

When I offend God or others do I shrug it off or do I seek to restore relationships, goods, services and do I truly repent for my actions, words, behavior first to God, then to those I offended?

Jesus, help me be part off the solution, not part of the problem by taking responsibility and when I do wrong--repent and seek to restore. Amen.

Psalm 119:98 Mkjv Through Your commandments You make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 7:58 AM CST

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Psalm 119:89 MKJV Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in the heavens. 

Truth is relative to the situation many say today. Truth does not exist or cannot be known. All these so-called philosophers have it wrong. Truth is not an “it” to find, but a person. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6) He is the final word and that doesn't change, not for all the so-called scholars or professors or other learned sages.

He is truth. Without Him, truth cannot and will not be found. 

His Word of truth is found as we bow before Him, allow Him access into our lives and to "Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth."  (11 Timothy 2:15 MKJV)

Psalm 119:93 MKJV I will never forget Your commandments; for with them You have given me life. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:14 AM CST

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My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let you fall. Your guardian will not fall asleep.  ...The LORD guards you from every evil. He guards your life. The LORD guards you as you come and go, now and forever.  Psalm 121:2-3, 7-8 GW

We give thanks not for conflict

But for grace to forgive and move on.

We give thanks not for evil

But for all the good that still exists.

We give thanks not for pain

But that pain and heartache draws us to the

One who comforts and heals.

We give thanks not for horror or war

But for the peace God provides in the midst of it all.

We give thanks not for hate

But for the love we know inside when we ask Jesus to live within

Filling us with healing, help and hope.

Looking up, we can give thanks--no matter what.  

Counting my blessing, not my complaints.

Happy Thanksgiving.   

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:08 AM CST

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Leviticus 4:14-16 MKJV when the sin is known which they have sinned against it, then the congregation shall bring near a young bull for the sin, and bring him before the tabernacle of the congregation.
   And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the young bull before the LORD, and the young bull shall be killed before the LORD.
   And the priest that is anointed shall bring of the young bull's blood to the tabernacle of the congregation. 

We live in a culture that laughs at sin. Sin becomes the foil for late night comedies and sitcoms. A president redefined sexual sin. Many of us shrug off sin as mistakes, assuming God forgives, no big deal, and move on.

But God takes sin, even unintentional sin, very seriously. In the Old Testament it meant repentance and the sacrifice of an innocent bull. Scripture says without the shedding of blood, sin cannot be forgiven. There are always consequences. Someone has to pay.

What we take lightly, God took so seriously He allowed His own Son to be brutally murdered in order to pay that debt. Jesus could pay that enormous debt of our sin, because He was both innocent and sinless.

Every time we sin, we lash Jesus one more time. We make His burden heavier.

He paid the debt. But for us to receive forgiveness, we must come, acknowledge what we've done, accept His sacrifice for us. Sin is not a joke. But Jesus waits to forgive.

We don't sacrifice animals. When we sin and take that lightly, we sacrifice our faith, our reputation, our integrity, our fellowship and future with Christ. Is sin worth the cost?

Psalm 119:66 MKJV Teach me good judgment and knowledge; for I have believed Your commandments. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:32 AM CST

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