Psalm 130:3, 4, 7 GW O LORD, who would be able to stand if you kept a record of sins? But with you there is forgiveness so that you can be feared....O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, because with the LORD there is mercy and with him there is unlimited forgiveness. 

Every one of us is guilty of doing wrong. It is part of our nature without Christ. We stand condemned for our sins. There is no sense denying the truth. We are guilty. The exciting news is that when we come to Jesus, lay our sin before Him and ask, He extends mercy and forgiveness.

All He asks is everything--our hearts, our allegiance, our trust. Can I give less to the One who takes my guilt and sets me free?

Lord Jesus, help me not to play games, but to truly lay my life, my ambitions, my all before You that I might know the freedom and joy of serving You. Amen.

Acts 20:24 GW But I don't place any value on my own life. I want to finish the race I'm running. I want to carry out the mission I received from the Lord Jesus-the mission of testifying to the Good News of God's kindness. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 10:27 AM CST

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Acts 19:19-20 GW  Many of those who were involved in the occult gathered their books and burned them in front of everyone. They added up the cost of these books and found that they were worth 50,000 silver coins. In this powerful way the word of the Lord was spreading and gaining strength. 

As Christians, do we take lightly being involved with occult practices? Do we read our horoscope, use an Ouija board or fill our minds with books, shows and movies filled with vampires, witchcraft and occult practices--whether serious or not? All these things build a wall between us and our loving Savior. He is grieved when we prefer to fill our minds, hearts and time with Satan's dark manipulations/illusions/deceptions to God's amazing, freeing grace & hope.

God wants us to put away anything that comes between His loving heart and us. What do I need to change/get rid of in my life that hinders my relationships with Jesus and grieves Him

Leviticus 19:2, 26, 31 GW  "... Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy. 
26 ...Never cast evil spells, and never consult fortunetellers.
31 "Don't turn to psychics or mediums to get help. That will make you unclean. I am the LORD your God. 

Psalm 129:4 GW The LORD is righteous. He has cut me loose from the ropes that wicked people tied around me. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:47 AM CST

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Leviticus 18:1-4 GW  The LORD spoke to Moses, "Tell the Israelites: I am the LORD your God. You used to live in Egypt. Don't live the way the Egyptians do. I am bringing you to Canaan. Don't live the way the Canaanites do. Never live by their standards.  Follow my rules, and live by my standards. I am the LORD your God. 

God has His standards and principles, the culture (world) has theirs. Usually these standards are different, sometimes polar opposites. It is easy to go along with prevailing attitudes and behavior. Hard to learn what God requires and live out a Christ-centered lifestyle in an increasingly hostile environment. Too often some choices are made in ignorance because we don't "study to know" God's book of love and direction. Other times we just take the easier path out of laziness, fear or embarrassment. But God is clear. Follow Him or the world. Our actions and choices reveal the true state of our hearts and our walk with Jesus.

Do I walk with Him or the world?

V. 5 Live by my standards, and obey my rules. You will have life through them. I am the LORD. 

Psalm 128:1b GW Blessed are all who fear the LORD and live his way. 

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Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:05 AM CST

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CHRISTMAS STILL COMES
© 2008 Carolyn R Scheidies

Family and friends,
Parties and presents,
and decorated trees.
All seem part and parcel
of the Christmas season,
Yet even without all these,
Christmas will still come
to you and me.
For Christmas is
the birth of a special baby
in Bethlehem,
Who came,
the Savior,
to all who worship Him.

For to us a child has come, to us a son is given; and the government has been placed in his hands; and he has been named Wise Guide, Strong God, Father for ever, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 9:54 AM CST

Updated: Saturday, 13 December 2008 9:55 AM CST

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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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