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Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Where is Repentance?
Mood:  blue
Topic: Truth & Justice

Jeremiah 8:6b-8 GW ...They don't turn away from their wickedness and ask, "What have we done?" They go their own ways like horses charging into battle. Even storks know when it's time to return. Mourning doves, swallows, and cranes know when it's time to migrate. But my people don't know that I, the LORD, am urging them to return. "'How can you say that you are wise and that you have the LORD'S teachings? The scribes have used their pens to turn these teachings into lies.

What scares me about this passage, and so much of Jeremiah's message to an Israel about to fall, is the similarities to our own nation and time.

We've turned away from God. Our leaders, scientists, even many preachers utter lies in place of truth. There are consequences for abandoning our foundations, our faith, truth.

Our only hope--repentance for ourselves and our nation and returning to God personally and nationally.

Forgive me, Lord, where I have failed to live for You and to let Your light shine in and through me. Forgive me for being so focused on ME, I missed what I could and should be doing to make a difference. Amen.

Psalm 141:3-4 GW O LORD, set a guard at my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let me be persuaded to do anything evil or to become involved with wickedness, with people who are troublemakers. Do not let me taste their delicacies.


Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:46 AM CST
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Tuesday, 22 December 2009
The God Who Is Present
Mood:  hug me
Topic: Following Jesus

Matthew 14:25-27 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

It was so easy for the disciples to be afraid. They hung out with Jesus, but they didn't think He was around at that moment. Their first thought certainly wasn't, "That's Jesus." Or "Jesus will take care of us."

They were used to knowing if Jesus was there, He could do something. They hadn't learned Jesus is in control of all time and space.

Jesus isn't present with us in that physical body. But He is here. Always. He hears when we grumble and complain. He hears it all.

Do we truly believe He is present? Do we let fear displace our trust? Are we ready to trust and go to Jesus,  whether or not we "feel" His presence?

Help me, Lord, commit to trusting You, no matter what, trusting You are working on my behalf--even when I can't "see" or know what's going on. Amen.


Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 1:03 PM CST
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Monday, 21 December 2009
Prince of Peace
Topic: Peace
II Timothy 2:22 GW Stay away from lusts which tempt young people. Pursue what has God's approval. Pursue faith, love, and peace together with those who worship the Lord with a pure heart.

It is interesting to me that the passage doesn't say "be" faithful, loving, peaceful. It says pursue these things. They don't just happen. We have to actively cultivate and incorporate them into our lives. But we can't do it on our own.

Faith, love, peace starts in God's heart. Only as we have a foundation in Him will our hearts be pure that we can pursue.

There is no peace without the Prince of Peace. Without Him all peace initiatives will fail.

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:09 AM CST
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Sunday, 20 December 2009
Coward?
Mood:  crushed out
Topic: Attitude
II Timothy 1:7-8a GW God didn't give us a cowardly spirit but a spirit of power, love, and good judgment. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord ...

In an increasingly hostile to faith culture, it is
Sometimes easier to hide our light and "go along to get along," but doing so is not only a compromise, it destroys our soul.

Staying close to Jesus and sharing our faith are essentials of who we are--or should be--as Christ-followers. The world needs the message of hope and salvation. Do I care enough about others and their eternal destiny to openly live and share God's truth in love?

Psalm 139:23-24 GW Examine me, O God, and know my mind. Test me, and know my thoughts. See whether I am on an evil path. Then lead me on the everlasting path.

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 7:46 AM CST
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Saturday, 19 December 2009
Made For Relationship
Mood:  hug me
Topic: Generosity
Psalm 138:3 GW When I called, you answered me. You made me bold by strengthening my soul.

We like to think we're self-sufficient and don't need anyone else. Reality check. We are extremely dependent on others.

How many things can we do that does include the efforts of others in some fashion from eating to working, we are dependent. God created us for community, for fellowship, for relationship--starting with a relationship with and a dependence on our Creator and Savior Jesus.

Am I too stubborn to seek help? Or to sense when someone else could use a hug, a listening ear, a helping hand?

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 6:27 AM CST
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Friday, 18 December 2009
Do My Actions Celebrate Sin
Mood:  down
Topic: Sin
Jeremiah 4:22 Mkjv For My people are foolish; they have not known Me; they are stupid sons, and they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

As Americans we still have a form of "religion," but our focus is self-centered, selfish and self-indulgent. We justify any sin from what we watch to actions that hurt and destroy others (such as adultery, fornication, divorce, abuse, etc.). Media celebrates sin.

Our lives disintegrate with the amount of acceptance of ways that are anything but Godly. Do I fill my mind with God's ways or evil? On what do I base my thoughts and choices? Is God truly the foundation of my life?

Time to reassess what I allow into my life.

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:09 AM CST
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Thursday, 17 December 2009
Wallow or Something Better
Mood:  blue
Topic: Choices
Psalm 136:26 GW Give thanks to the God of heaven because his mercy endures forever.

I don't feel much like being thankful today. I'd like to count my miseries instead of my blessings. But I know wallowing in my complaints leads only to more misery, to anger and to depression.

I choose to remember that God is a good God, to deliberately count my blessings, reach beyond my hurt to those who also hurt. In doing so, I find joy and the path to healing and wholeness.

Easy? No. Doable? With God's help, I chose life and joy and hope.

May you chose the same.

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 7:25 AM CST
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Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Choices I Make
Topic: Choices
Jeremiah 2:19 GW Your own wickedness will correct you, and your unfaithful ways will punish you. You should know and see how evil and bitter it is for you if you abandon the LORD your God and do not fear me," declares the Almighty LORD of Armies.

When things don't go our way, how often do we blame God? It is easier to play victim than to take responsibility for our words, actions and choices. But, how often have we caused our own problems? How often do we admit culpability?

Good choices breed good and positive attitudes and actions. Bad choices, including negative words and actions, only make us feel bad and depress ourselves and everyone around us. Choices lift up or tear down.

What choices will I make today? Which honors God, myself and others?

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 7:02 AM CST
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Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Remember Who I Am
Mood:  down
Topic: Following Jesus
I Timothy 1:15 GW This is a statement that can be trusted and deserves complete acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am the foremost sinner.

We're not OK. We're not inherently good. Quite the opposite. We tend to gravitate to the lowest common denominator. It is easy to stray, to sin. Hard to stay pure and holy.

But it is only in recognizing our need that we truly understand our need of a savior.

I am a sinner who has been saved by great love and great sacrifice.

Lord, help me not to forget who I am without You that I might not walk away into disgrace and sin, but wholly lean upon You. Amen.

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:10 AM CST
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Monday, 14 December 2009
WORDS SEASONED WITH SALT
Mood:  irritated
Topic: Attitude
Psalm 133:1 GW A song by David for going up to worship. See how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in harmony!

As Christians we do tend to fight and fuss way too much over those aspects of life and faith that do not matter all that much. We're supposed to be known by our love not war-like rhetoric.

On the other hand, we're also not to discard Biblical principles and mandates or the basic truths of Scripture just to get along with those who disagree.

There is a middle ground of holding fast to the Word, letting God's love and grace dictate our attitudes, words and actions. Words and actions, seasoned with salt.

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 7:47 AM CST
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Sunday, 13 December 2009
There is Hope
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Eternity
Isaiah 60:20 GW Your sun will no longer go down, nor will your moon disappear. The LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sadness will be over.

No matter what happens here, if we cling to Jesus and trust Him, there will come a time when light replaces darkness, healing replaces pain, and joy replaces sorrow.

I grieve for those who have no hope, who believe this is all there is. Such people should make us sad, not angry and drive us closer to Jesus in prayer.

Thank You, Jesus, that there is more, there is hope. Show me how best to share Your hope with others. Amen.

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 8:11 AM CST
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Saturday, 12 December 2009
ONE REAL SOURCE OF HOPE
Mood:  surprised
Topic: Fear
Psalm 130:3-5 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. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and with hope I wait for his word.

Fear not as in abject terror, but reverence, honor, respect, worship. Jesus loves us so much He isn't waiting around seeking to make a list of every mistake, bad choice or sin. He doesn't need to focus on wrongs, often not near as much as we do ourselves.

Because He loves us and seeks our ultimate good, God seeks to bring us to a point of acknowledging our sin, asking Him for help. God delights in forgiving those genuinely seeking help and guidance.

Why would I refuse my one real source of help?

Psalm 130:7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, because with the LORD there is mercy and with him there is unlimited forgiveness.

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 7:23 AM CST
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Friday, 11 December 2009
Exhausted
Mood:  hug me
Topic: Strength
Isaiah 46:3-4 GW Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, the few people left of the nation of Israel. I've carried you since your birth. I've taken care of you from the time you were born. Even when you're old, I'll take care of you. Even when your hair turns gray, I'll support you. I made you and will continue to care for you. I'll support you and save you.

This morning I am cold and absolutely exhausted, but still face a busy day.

I am thankful that now and always I can rest in the security of God's loving arms, knowing He keeps His promises.

TY, Jesus. Amen.

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 7:27 AM CST
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Thursday, 10 December 2009
No Other God
Mood:  d'oh
Topic: Following Jesus
Isaiah 45:18, 22 GW The LORD created the heavens. God formed the earth and made it. He set it up. He did not create it to be empty but formed it to be inhabited. This is what the LORD says: I am the LORD, and there is no other. ... Turn to me and be saved, all who live at the ends of the earth, because I am God, and there is no other.

God created the world for us. He wanted us to be here. He made us. Do we really think we can ignore Him with impunity? Do we really think anything or anyone else can save us, give us hope, or help us?

Help me Jesus, bow before You as Creator, Savior, and Lord.

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 7:35 AM CST
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Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Future Joy
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Celebrate!
Isaiah 35:10 GW The people ransomed by the LORD will return. They will come to Zion singing with joy. Everlasting happiness will be on their heads as a crown. They will be glad and joyful. They will have no sorrow or grief.

Whatever happens here, no matter how bad, it isn't all there is. It we serve Christ and honor Him, there will come a "payday" where joy will replace sorrow. Something to focus on when life isn't all we hoped. After all, God is good and He is ultimately in control.

Posted by Carolyn R Scheidies at 3:05 AM CST
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