Forgiveness & Freedom
Matthew 6:14-15 Mkjv For if you forgive men their trespasses, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive men
their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

We like to think we have a right to hold a grudge or be resentful when
someone hurts in some way. What we don't recognize is that resentment
breeds anger that changes how we approach life and how we both treat
and respond to others. Nursing anger also separates from God, cutting
us off from our source of love, forgiveness and healing.

Holding on isn't about making the other person pay, it is about
self-destruction. Holding on means the person who caused the hurt
wins. Forgiveness isn't about letting a perpetrator off the hook. It
is about getting free and moving on--a freedom we will only find in
Christ.


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
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Peace
Matthew 5:9 Mkjv Blessed are the peacemakers! For they shall be called
the sons of God.

Peace isn't necessarily the absence of conflict. It is confronting
evil and wrong and leading the way to the Prince of Peace--Jesus
Christ. He is our peace.

True peace begins inside. Only as a person knows that peace will
his/her life reflect God's peace. God's peace inside, leads to
persons, families, friends and nations seeking true peace--where Jesus
Christ is the center of thoughts, actions, words and policies.

Without God we will have conflict, discrimination and Violence against
the most vulnerable among us.

V. 44 Mkjv But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse
you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who
despitefully use you and persecute you...


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
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Playing Games with Sin
Matthew 4:10-11 Mkjv Then Jesus said to him, Go, Satan! For it is
written, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall
serve." Then the Devil left him. And behold, angels came and
ministered to Him.

Jesus told Satan to go. When we command in Jesus' name things happen.
When temptation comes, unfortunately, too many times, we don't say,
No!," don't walk away, shut down the TV, computer, phone and don't
close the book or magazine.

Sin fascinates and we play games with sin, alowing this and that. We
lose our spiritual discernment as sin becomes a barrier between us and
God.

The scary thing is, by playing games with sin, we often never realize
how far we moved from our source of protection, peace, hope and
blessing until disaster strikes and we find ourselves wondering where
God is.

How am I playing with sin today?


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
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Truth & Peace
Psalm 12:6 BBE The words of the Lord are true words: like silver
tested by fire and burned clean seven times.

When God speaks, He speaks truth. Not because He believes truth to
always be right, but because He IS truth. God is the embodiment of
truth. There is no truth without God.

Beauty may, at least to an extent, be in the eye of the beholder, but
truth needs a foundation. Truth to be truth doesn't change with time
and circumstance. Without foundamental truth two people or nations
will never be on the same page. Without God there can be no truth.

Anything else will be a muddle and end in failure. True peace starts
with truth and both start in the heart of God.


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
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Person Not Just a Principle
Leviticus 26:3-4 Mkjv If you walk in My statutes and keep My
commandments and do them, then I will give you rain in due season, and
the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall
yield their fruit.

Throughout this and other passages, the message is clear. God's
blessings stem directly from a committed to follow and serve Him. God
set in motion principles that rule our world. Follow His principles
and good will follow. But God is more than a set of principle.

He created us because He desires a direct and real personal
relationship with us. Only as we know God on this level of intimacy,
will we truly know His loving blessings in our lives.


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
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Future---Yours to Choose
Revelation 21:3-4 GW I heard a loud voice from the throne say, "God
lives with humans! God will make his home with them, and they will be
his people. God himself will be with them and be their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There won't be any more
death. There won't be any grief, crying, or pain, because the first
things have disappeared."

One day Jesus comes back. One day evil will be banished and God will
live with those who accepted and followed Him. No bloodshed. No grief.
No death. No tears.

But that future starts today with the decision to serve Christ not
just with words, but also with our thoughts, choices and actions. If I
don't follow now, will I really want to follow Him in the hereafter?
The future is ours to choose --Christ and life or eternal misery.

Psalm 9:10 BBE And those who have knowledge of your name will put
their faith in you; because you, Lord, have ever given your help to
those who were waiting for you.


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
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Be Holy
Leviticus 19:2-4 GW ...Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.
Respect your mother and father. Observe my days of worship. I am the
LORD your God. Don't turn to worthless gods or cast metal idols. Never
make any gods for yourselves. I am the LORD your God.

Be holy as God is holy. We live in a culture that delights in seeking
to destroy all that is righteous, good and holy. Books, media, movies,
videos, games mock faith, purity and righteousness.

We're drawn in by so-called news and available entertainment, not
realizing we're drawn away from our God who cannot look on evil and
sin. We're drawn away from the one who created and loved us enough to
die. We're drawn away into rationalizing a god in our image--one who
won't call us to account for putting other things ahead of Him.

We depersonalize Him and wonder why our lives no longer overflow with
blessing and why we experience more conlict within ourselves and with
those around us.

The answer is both simple and profound--let God be the center of our
thoughts, our relationships and our entertainment. Be holy as God is
holy.


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
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Early Praise
Psalm 6:9 GW The LORD has heard my plea for mercy. The LORD accepts my prayer.

Up early. Now I'm tired. I got up reasons other than my quiet time.
But I do have a time of Bible reading and reflectipn as well as prayer
first thing in the morning.

Starting my day with Jesus means I start my day on the right foot and
with a good attitude. It also means I'm more prepared for whatever the
day might bring--for which I'm grateful.


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
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Morning Devotion
Psalm 5:3 GW In the morning, O LORD, hear my voice. In the morning I
lay my needs in front of you, and I wait.

Mornings are often so busy we forget what is most important--time with
the One who created us, died for us, saved us and loves us so deeply
we cannot truly comprehend. Starting the day with God's Word and
prayer, starts the day with our spiritual tank full, emotions balanced
and our focus on what is truly important.

Starting the day with God has benefits for us, our families and
everyone with whom we have contact during the day.

World peace starts in the heart not in the political arena. You can do
your part, by centering each day on Christ. For He is our peace and
the answer to the deepest needs of our hearts.

V. 12 GW You bless righteous people, O LORD. Like a large shield, you
surround them with your favor.


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
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Sleep in Peace
Psalm 4:8 GW I fall asleep in peace the moment I lie down because you
alone, O LORD, enable me to live securely.

I sleep!
Away from fear,
Away from stress,
Away from all that plagues my days.

I sleep trusting He who
Loves me completely,
Protects me totally, wno
Provides security---come what may.

I lay me down and sleep
In peace,
Secure in He
Who died that I
Might live in Him--today.

And forever.


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
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Thanksgiving Attitude
Thanksgiving should mean more than stuffing ourselves until we cannot
move. (Which we probably did! :) ) It should mean more even than
getting together with family, as important as that may be.

Thanksgiving doesn't even exist without Someone to thank, Someone who
created us with the capacity for gratitude.

Thanksgiving needs, then, to be more than a wonderful holiday.
Thanksgiving should be a daily attitude of a grateful heart to the
One who is our provider, our protector and our peace.

Yes, "I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness, and will
sing praise to the name of the LORD most high." -- Psalm 7:17 Mkjv


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
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Rest & Trust
Psalm 3:5 KJV I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

No matter what precautions we take for our safety, and we do need to
use common sense, life happens. We cannot predict many illnesses,
accidents or catastrophies.

Fear is not the answer. The answer is to have such a close
relationship with Jesus that we rest secure not just in the knowledge
of our eternal destiny, but also trust Him as our protector, provider
and our peace here and now.


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
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Giving Thanks
Psalm 136:1-5 Give thanks to the LORD because he is good, because his
mercy endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods because his
mercy endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords because his
mercy endures forever. Give thanks to the only one who does miraculous
things- because his mercy endures forever. to the one who made the
heavens by his understanding- because his mercy endures forever.

How can we call Thanksgiving "Turkey Day," denying God His rightful
due even one day of the year? I respond with "Happy Thanksgiving" and
then make sure I give thanks and count my blessings--starting with a
Savior who loves and saved me, loving family and friends and a country
founded on Godly principles.

Personal & National Accountability
Psalm 2:10-11 GW Now, you kings, act wisely. Be warned, you rulers of
the earth! Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Like national leaders, we are to serve the Lord. But if we wish our
nation to survive and thrive, we also need to call our leaders to
account for their spiritual walk.

Only nations whose God is the Lord and who honor Him above all other
so-called gods, will prosper and be in health. Time we called our
leaders--and ourselves--to be accountable for both words and actions.


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
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My Motives???
Psalm 1:6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous: but the way of
the ungodly shall perish.

The Lord knows our true motives. We can hide them from others,
sometimes even fool ourselves, but we can't hide from our Creator who
knows our evey thought and intent.

Are my motive in line with God's Word and His will? Or do I hide,
hoping no one descerns the true state of my heart?

Jesus calls. Will I hear, listen and ask Him in to forgive, set free
and fill with love, mercy and peace? Are my motives righteous?


--
CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES
History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope!
I DEAL IN HOPE
http://IDealinHope.com
***
AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS
http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews