Poetry Am I Walking with Jesus?

Walking with Jesus should
Make a difference.
Do I?
Does it?

He keeps his promises.
Do I?
He is willing to forgive, forget.
Am I?
Do I?

He seeks truth,
is truth.
Do I prefer my assumptions to His truth?
He is loving and kind.
Am I?

Or do I rationalize negative attitudes,
And respond accordingly?
He hates evil, sin and wrong,
knowing they destroy.
Do I love and trust Him enough to fight against them, too—
In my life, family, community, nation?

Am I willing to follow His way, not mine?
Allow Him control, to live within?
Realizing walking with Jesus means
Becoming all He created me to be

For in letting go,
I find forgiveness and hope,
And a Savior friend who never lets me go.

© 2021 Carolyn R Scheidies
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Poetry Hope He Gives

Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. —Psalm 119:114 KJV

He gave me hope
When darkness clouded
mind and soul
When pain beyond reason
Clutched and tore the
fabric of my insular world
Left me bleeding from every
Physical and emotional pore.

He offered life
When my own ebbed and I
Wished only for the end
Yet, I clung to that nameless something
Implanted deep within
This cannot be all there is!

His gentle voice called, comforted, cared
Even in my rebellion,
Even in my indifference,
Even in my anger
He showed me sacrifice
Someone even dared to die—for me!

Love held Jesus to that cross
God became man—lived, died.
Rose again—for me, for my pain
For my anguished cries
Of heart and soul and mind.

Jesus offered forgiveness, life, hope
He stretched out His hand
My choice. And I, in dread anticipation,
Clasped His palm--Found Him.

Thank you for finding me. Help me to live for you. Amen.
(C) 2017 Carolyn R Scheidies
From The God Connection
Print and Kindle versions

Devotion God's Principles Don't Change

Deuteronomy 29:9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant <contract/promise>, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.

Moses was addressing the Israelites. If they followed God's principles, clearly laid out, and served Him alone, God promised fulfillment and success. If they didn't, they would lose His protection and favor.

God hasn't changed. His Word doesn't change. God has promised abundant life to all who follow and serve Him.

Colossians 3:5-6 (GW) Therefore, put to death whatever is worldly in you: your sexual sin, perversion, passion, lust, and greed (which is the same thing as worshiping wealth). It is because of these sins that God's anger comes on those who refuse to obey him.

Like the Israelites we have a choice, follow God to blessing or turn away and lose the peace that only comes through Him. What will we choose?

(c) 2015, 2020 Carolyn R Scheidies
From First I Bow
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Poetry He Gave Me Hope

He gave me hope
When darkness clouded mind and soul
When pain beyond reason
Clutched and tore the fabric of my insular world
Left me bleeding from every
Physical and emotional pore.

He offered life
When my own ebbed and I
Wished only for the end
Yet, I clung to that nameless something
Implanted deep within
This cannot be all there is!

His gentle voice called, comforted, cared
Even in my rebellion,
Even in my indifference,
Even in my anger
He showed me sacrifice
Someone even dared to die—for me!

Love held Jesus to that cross
God became man—lived, died.
Rose again—for me, for my pain
For my anguished cries
Of heart and soul and mind.

Jesus offered forgiveness, life, hope
He stretched out His hand
My choice. And I, in dread anticipation,
Clasped His palm--Found Him.

Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. —Psalm 119:114 KJV

(C) 2018  Carolyn R Scheidies
From God’s Love Letter to you
Feel free to share