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April 2020 Archives
Today is Wednesday, April 1st, 2020; Karen's Korner #4178
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Psalm 3: 1 - 3 LAB; i talks about 'enemies'. Enemies might not be people. It might be circumstances and happenings in our lives:
"O Lord, so many are against me. So many seek to harm me. I have so many enemies. So many say that God will never help me. But Lord, you are my shield, my glory, and my only hope. You alone can lift my head, now bowed in shame."
**
Bible Commentary: "When circumstances go against us, it is easy to think that God also is against us. But David (writer) reminds us that the opposite is true. When everything seems to go against us, God is the only on who is for us. If life seems against you, don't blame God----seek Him!"
****
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Today is Thursday, April 2nd, 2020; Karen's Korner #4179
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Last
installment of "My Identity in Christ" by Sharon Jaynes'
EQUIPPING WOMEN TO LIVE FULLY AND FREE:
* "I am
now alive with Christ." ~ Ephesians 2:5
* "I am God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works
which God prepared in advance for me to do." ~ Ephesians
2:10
* "I am a fellow citizen with God's people and a member of God's
household." ~ Ephesians 2:19
* "I am able to do all things through Christ who gives me
strength." ~ Philippians 4:13
* "I am a citizen of Heaven." ~ Philippians 3:20
* "I am complete in Christ." ~ Colossians 2:10
* "I am rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought into the
kingdom of light." ~ Colossians 1:13
* "I am holy in God's sight, without blemish and free of
accusation." ~ Colossians 1:22
* "I am born of God and the evil one (the devil) cannot harm
me." ~ I John 5:18
**
All totaled there about 50 things
which you (we) are. Whether we feel like it, act like it, or
not.........it's God's truth! Think about these things!!
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Today is Friday, April 3rd, 2020; Karen's Korner #4180
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It seems like the daily inspirational thoughts really hit the spot these days. Or maybe I am just paying closer attention:
Something written by Max Lucado and in my email box several days ago:
Our Sovereign God
"Many years ago I spent a week visiting the interior of Brazil with a longtime missionary pilot. Just to say, Wilbur and Orville had a sturdier aircraft! I could not get comfortable. I kept thinking the plane was going to crash in the jungle and I'd be gobbled up by piranhas. I kept shifting around, looking down and gripping my seat---as if that would help.
"Finally the pilot had enough of my squirming. He looked over at me and shouted over the airplane noise, 'We won't face anything that I can't handle. You might as well trust me to fly the plane.'
"Is God saying the same to you? Examine those poles of your faith, those truths which sustain your belief in God. Make sure one of them is etched with the words, 'My God is sovereign!' Then be anxious for nothing!"
****
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Today is Monday, April 6th, 2020; Karen's Korner #4181
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This morning I heard on the news that as of yesterday, 886 Iowans have, or have had, the coronavirus.
Know what that means? It means that 99.97% of the 3.2 million of us who live in Iowa do not have, or have not had, the virus (total is .03%)!
It means that we need to continue what we are doing to slow the spread of the disease; to celebrate God's care for each of us; to thank Him for those who been cured; and to pray for those who have the virus now and those who will get it in the future.
*
"When I look up into the night skies and see the work of your fingers---the moon, the stars You made---I cannot understand how You can bother with mere puny man, to pay any attention to him!"
~ Psalm 8:3 & 4 LAB
** Yesterday Dawn Cordle gave me a hand-copied blessing that she liked and wanted me to have. She is a special friend, who while she was in school as a child, attended classes with the same name.
A BLESSING
For Those Whose Adventure Is The Open Road
May the sun rise in front of me
May the rain fall behind me
And the wind follow beside me
May the angels guard my travels
For they know the road ahead of me.
**
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Today is Tuesday, April 7th, 2020; Karen's Korner #4182
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"Don't worry about anything;
instead, pray about everything;
tell God your needs
and don't forget to thank Him for His answers."
~ Philippians 4:6 LABGod tells us not to worry. But what happens if you are someone like me who was either born a worrier or it is a learned behavior. I don't know but at any rate, I am pretty practiced at it!
That is the beginning of my prayer, "God, you tell me not to worry and I can't even do that. I am going to need Your help!" Then we are to tell Him what is on our minds. Next we are to thank Him for His answers; even before He answers them.
The last few days rather than begging God for the answer that I am (probably all are!) looking for on the world pandemic, I have changed my mind to say, "What is Your Will for this situation? What do You want to teach me? What do You want us to learn?"
God, You tell us not to worry and I (we) confess, we can't even do that without Your Help. You tell us that You want us to pray about everything and tell You our needs. We are praying for our world pandemic and the coronavirus. Protect us. Be with people who have it; heal them. Protect the medical people and the first responders. Guide researchers as they look for a cure. We don't know where this is going to end. But if You wanted our attention, You have it. Help us not to seek so much what we want but what You want. We want Your Will through this matter; not ours! You have nothing but Love and Care for each of us. So we thank You! We know that we can trust You because we have in the past. We trust You today. We trust You tomorrow! In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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Today is Wednesday, April 8th, 2020; Karen's Korner #4183
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Jesus said,
"You will know the truth,
and the truth will set you free."
~ John 8:32 LAB
Bible Commentary: "Jesus himself is the truth that sets us free. He is the source of truth, the perfect standard of what is right. He fees us from the consequences of sin, from self-deception, and from deception by Satan. He shows us clearly the way to eternal life with God. Thus Jesus does not give us freedom to do what we want, but freedom to follow God. As we seek to live for God, Jesus' prefect truth frees us to be all that God meant us to be."
As we celebrate Easter, we need to remember
that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.sets us free!
Thank You, Jesus!!
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Today is Thursday, April 9th, 2020; Karen's Korner #4184
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Overcoming Obstacles
By Ann Graham
Lotz
"The women asked each other, 'Who will roll the stone
away from the entrance of the tomb?'
~ Mark 16:3 NIV
"The women who had been so
faithfully vigilant at the Cross during the long hours of Jesus'
suffering returned together first thing Sunday morning to complete the
embalming process that Joseph and Nicodemus had hastily done later Friday
afternoon.
"Their voices could be heard on the brisk early morning air as they
discussed the problem of how they would roll the stone away. They knew it
would be impossible for them to accomplish, even if all of them pushed
together. What stone, what obstacle is ahead of you that you think you
can't move or get around, that blocks you from fulfilling your commitment
to the Lord? Is it the stone of
financial limitations?
practical inexperience?
physical weakness?
"If we steadfastly cling to our faith in Him, persevering in our
commitment with obedience to His direction and call in our lives, He will
roll away the stones for us!"
***
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Today is Friday, April 10th, 2020; Karen's Korner #4185
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How the Virus Stole EasterBy Kristi Bothus (with a nod to Dr. Seuss)
"Twas late in '19 when the virus began
Bringing chaos and fear to all people, each land.
"People were sick, hospitals full,
Doctors overwhelmed, no one in school.
"As winter gave way to the promise of spring,
The virus raged on, touching peasant and king.
"People hid in their homes from the enemy unseen.
They YouTubed and Zoomed, social-distanced, and cleaned.
"April approached and churches were closed.
'There won't be an Easter,' the world supposed.
"'There won't be church services, and egg hunts are out.
No reason for new dresses when we can't go about.'
"Holy Week started, as bleak as the rest.
The world was focused on masks and on tests.
"'Easter can't happen this year,' it proclaimed.
'Online and at home, it just won't be the same.'
"Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the days came and went.
The virus pressed on; it just would not relent.
"'Pooh pooh to the saints,' the world was grumbling.
'They're finding out now that no Easter is coming.
"'That noise,' said the world, 'will be something to hear.'
So it paused and the world put a hand to its ear.
"And it did hear a sound coming through all the skies.
It started down low, then it started to rise.
"But the sound wasn't depressed.
Why, this sound was triumphant
It couldn't be so!
But it grew with abundance!
"The world stared around, popping its eyes.
Then it shook! What is saw was a shocking surprise!
"Every said in every nation, the tall and the small,
Was celebrating Jesus in spite of it all!
"It hadn't stopped Easter from coming! It came!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
"And the world with its life quite stuck in quarantine
Stood puzzling and puzzling.
'Just how can it be?'
"It came without bonnets, it came without bunnies,
It came without egg hunts, cantatas, or money.'
"The the world thought of something it hadn't before
'Maybe Easter,' it thought, 'doesn't come from a store.
Maybe Easter, perhaps, means a little bit more.'
"And what happened then?
Well...the story's not done.
What will YOU do?
Will you share with that one
Or two or more people needing hope in this night?
Will you share the source of your life in this fight?
"The churches are empty - bu so is the tomb,
And Jesus is victor over death, doom, and gloom.
"Sot this year at Easter, let this be our prayer,
As the virus still rages all around, everywhere.
"May the world see hp when it looks at God's people.
May the world see the church is not a building or steeple.
May the world find Faith in Jesus' death and resurrection,
May the world find Joy in a time of dejection.
May 2020 be known as the year of survival,
But not only that -
Let is start a revival."
******
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Today is Sunday, April 12th, 2020; Karen's Korner #4186
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NO MATTER WHAT
By Phil Morgan
"We live in historic times. This could be the first in thousands of years that churches around the world will remain closed and empty on Easter Sunday. The good news we need to remember is this - Christ's resurrection is not dependent on our attendance. Think about it.....
"No on was waiting by the tomb that first Easter morning.......and Jesus rose anyway.
"Peter had denied even knowing Him......and Jesus rose anyway.
"Judas betrayed Him, never asking for forgiveness......and Jesus rose anyway.
"Thomas doubted.....and Jesus rose anyway.
"The leaders of His own church plotted to kill Him......and Jesus rose anyway.
"Pilate, the one with power to derail the execution, didn't.....and Jesus rose anyway.
"One by one, His closest followers were persecuted, jailed, and martyred......and Jesus rose anyway...
"Throughout the ages, leaders have denied Him, science has tried to replace Him, the church has done terrible things in His name........
and Jesus rose anyway.
"So not matter where or how we celebrate Easter this year, Jesus is still as risen as that first glorious morning. Nothing in this world can change that fact.
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us..... For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor death, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
~ Romans 8:18, 38-39
"We have every reason to rejoice - Christ our Lord is risen from the dead!
"Hallelujah and Amen!" **
(Happy Easter! Special Sunday edition of Karen's Korner!) |
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Today is Tuesday, April 14th, 2020; Karen's Korner #4187
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"I
am always thinking of the Lord, and because He is so near. I never need to
stumble or to fall. Heart, body, and soul are filled with joy."
~ Psalm 16:8 & 9 (LAB)
Bible Commentary : "It is our human
nature to make our own plans and then ask God to bless them. Instead, we
should seek God's will first. By constantly thinking about the Lord and his
way of living, we will gain insights that will help us make right decisions
and live the way God desires.
"God does not exempt believers from the day-to-day circumstances of
life. Believers and unbelievers alike experience pain, trouble, and failure at
times. David (writer) was talking about the unique sense of security felt by
believers. Unbelievers have a sense of hopelessness about life and confusion
over their true purpose on earth. Those who seek after God, however, can move
ahead confidently with what they know is right and important in God's eyes."
**
(No Karen's Korner yesterday due to the Sunday Easter edition!)
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Today is Wednesday, April 15th, 2020; Karen's Korner #4188
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Random thoughts
from "Biscuits, Butter, and Blessings" and offered by Dayspring.
The book includes
devotional thoughts, recipes, and a number of random thoughts. Here are a few
of those thoughts:
"Charity never
made poor,
stealing never made
rich,
and wealth never made
wise."
~ English proverb
*
"When life isn't
a bed or roses,
remember Who wore the
thorns."
*
"I stopped
understanding math
when the alphabet
decided to get involved."
*
"Heaven will be
the perfection we've always longed for.
All the things that
made Earth unlovely and tragic will be
absent in
heaven."
~ Billy Graham
*
"Every faithful
believer will eventually
attain a Ph.D in the
gospel:
Past-having-Doubt.
*
"In old western
movies, settlers would cry out,
'Here comes the
cavalry!' when they were about ready to be rescued.
But our greatest Hero,
Jesus Christ, gave His life for all of
mankind at Calvary and
rescued us forever."
*
"Knowledge is
knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting
it in a fruit salad."
~ Miles Kington
*
"If you look at
the world, you'll be distressed.
If you look within,
you'll be depressed.
But if you look at
Christ, you'll be at rest."
~ Corrie ten Boom
***
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Today is Thursday, April 16th, 2020; Karen's Korner #4189
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God has a Higher Purpose Daily
Inspirational Thought by Max Lucado from and email several days ago
"No moment, event, or detail falls outside of God's supervision. God is the one who 'causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous' (Matthew 5:45). He isn't making up this plan as he goes along. Daniel 5:21 says, 'The most High God rules the kingdom of men, and sets over it whom he will.'
"So if God is in charge, why does he permit challenges to come our way? Wouldn't an almighty God present them? Not if they serve his higher purpose! The ultimate example is the death of Christ on the cross. Everyone thought the life of Jesus was over.Jesus was dead and buried, but God raised him from the dead. God took the crucifixion of Friday and turned it into a celebration of Sunday, Can he not do a reversal for you?"
****
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Today is Friday, April 17th, 2020; Karen's Korner #4190
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In the changing times which we are experiencing around the world, isn't it great to think that God's words remain the same over generations!"The Lord is my light and my salvation; he protects me from danger---whom shall I fear!
~ Psalm 27:1 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "Fear is a dark shadow that envelops us and ultimately imprisons us within ourselves. Each of us has been a prisoner of fear at one time or another -- fear of rejection, misunderstanding, uncertainty, sickness, or even death. But fear can be conquered by the bright liberating light of the Lord who brings salvation. If we want to dispel the darkness of fear in our lives, we need to remember with this Psalm writer that 'the Lord is my light and my salvation'."
***
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Today is Monday, April 20th, 2020; Karen's Korner #4191
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Many of us own a "Sarah Young: Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace in His Presence"; a day-by-day inspirational thought book or a flip calendar.
No matter; they are all good.
Today's for April 20 is especially good!
"Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Hear Me saying Peace, be still to your restless heart. No matter what happens, I will never leave you or forsake you. Let this assurance soak into your mind and heart,until you overflow with Joy. Though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,you need not fear!
"The media relentlessly proclaim bad news: for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A steady diet of their fare will sicken you. Instead of focusing on fickle, ever-changing news broadcasts, tune in to the living Word--the One who is always the same. Let Scripture saturate your mind and heart, and you will walk steadily along the path of Life. Even though you don't know what will happen tomorrow, you can be absolutely sure of your ultimate destination. I hold you by your right hand, and afterward I will take you into Glory."
~ Mark 4:39 (NJKV); Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalm 46:2; Psalm 73:23 - 24
****
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Today is Tuesday, April 21st, 2020; Karen's Korner #4192
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A prayer copied from my friend, Judy Kirstein's facebook page. Let it be Judy's, mine, and your prayer today:
"Lord, I come to you in prayer, to ask you in Jesus' name, to heal the land, and to stop the chaos......and evil that is at play. May the lands be whole again! Please, Lord, bring your glory down and bless each and every person here on this earth!
"Lord, I pray that you would release us from this plague, and this epidemic, and crisis in each and every country. I pray you be with everyone who has lost their job or whose jobs are at risk. I also pray you be with all the doctors and nurses and everyone who's working hard to get things under control. I pray for all the grocery store workers and truck drivers as well!!
"I come to you and pray that there be no more death to this virus and only healing, in the name of Jesus! WE ARE NOTHING WITHOUT YOU, GOD!!! AND WE NEED YOU! Eradicate this virus faster than when it started! Leave this world in wonder at how mighty the work of your hand will be! Let nations seek after you! May we are repent and turn to you, God!!
"In Jesus' name. Amen!"
***
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Today is Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020; Karen's Korner #4193
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Something written by Anne Graham Lotz,
sent via email several day ago:
He Wants to Be Your Life
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."
~ I Corinthians 2:9 NIV
"One of the pictures in John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress is of a man bending double from his waist, sorting through a can of garbage, carefully extracting the little bits of tinsel he finds there. Behind him is standing an angel who is offering him a solid gold crown studded with precious jewels, but the man is so engrossed in the garbage he never notices the angel.
"When we get to heaven, will you and I be ashamed of our preoccupation with 'garbage' in this life - garbage that prevented us from dying to our desire for it, turning around leaving it all behind, and reaching out for what God wanted to give us? Why is that we seem to cling so tightly to what we want, and in the process lose what God wants us to have? God wants us to have power and blessing and glory. But you don't obtain it by adding Jesus to your life.
"He has to BE your life!"
***
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Today is Thursday, April 23rd, 2020; Karen's Korner #4194
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So many thoughts being passed along right now. Here is a hand-written note I was given by Nancy Erickson; probably given her by someone else:
"Jesus said to the disciples, 'If you only have faith in God---this is the absolute truth---you can say to this Mount of Olives, 'Rise up and fall into the Mediterranean,' and your command will be obeyed. All that's required is that you really believe and have no doubt! Listen to me! You can pray for ANYTHING, and IF YOU BELIEVE, YOU HAVE IT; it's yours!"
*
"Heavenly Father,
by faith I believe that You can do all things.
I know that in my head,
but struggle to feel it in my heart.
Please help me to believe
that nothing is impossible for You!
In Jesus' Name. Amen."
****
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Today is Friday, April 24th, 2020; Karen's Korner #4195
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"Why
Does God Allow The Coronavirus?"
4 Christian Insights (in part)
By Dr. Sean McDowell
1) The world is deeply broken. From the
beginning of creation and Adam and Eve, the world very quickly gets
messed up. Not only is there a broken relationship between God and human
beings because of their sin, the physical ground itself is cursed
(Genesis 3: 17 - 18). The Apostle Paul reminds us that creation 'groans'
and awaits restoration (Romans 8: 19 - 20). Christians should not be
surprised by the brokenness of the world, including the existence and
spread of deadly viruses.
2) God allows suffering and evil to draw us to eternal things. God
does not cause evil. But He does allow it. It is easy to get distracted
by the desires and needs of the moment. Yet, if the afterlife is real,
God may allow evil and suffering to stir us up to think about the eternal
life.
3) Jesus understands our suffering. He
suffered immensely from hunger and stress (Matthew 26:36 - 46). The God
of the Bible has not abandoned us to our suffering. He understands when
we suffer and empathizes with us. Where is God when we suffer? He is
right there suffering with us.
4) Jesus has conquered this world. Sickness,
evil, and death do not have the last word. Jesus does. Paul suffered immensely.
He was shipwrecked, beaten, stoned, experienced deep hunger and thirst.
Yet he refused to lose heart (2 Corinthians 6:4 - 5). Why? Because he
knew Jesus had already conquered this world. Paul believed in the
resurrection of Jesus and thus refused to grieve without hope (1
Thessalonians 4:13).
"So much more could be said about why God allows suffering and
natural evil, nor to offer simple and tidy responses. These are just a
couple of insights of how Christians might think about difficult
questions."
*****
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Today is Monday, April 27th, 2020; Karen's Korner #4196
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"Oh, come, let us
sing to the Lord! Give a joyous shout in honor of the Rock of our
salvation!
"Come before Him
with thankful hearts. Let us sing Him psalms of praise. For the Lord is a great
God, the great King of all gods. He controls the formation of the depths of the
earth and the mightiest mountains, all are His. He made the sea and formed the
land; they too are His. Come, kneel before the Lord our Maker, for He is our
God."
~ Psalms 95:1-6 LAB
*
Today is a good day to
celebrate our God! Another day to seek Him - His blessings! His peace! His joy,
as a gift to each one of us as believers! Praise God!!
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Today is Tuesday, April 28th, 2020; Karen's Korner #4197
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A friend told me yesterday, "The Bible seems so real for what we are going through right now!"
I thought that too, as I was reading Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence", as she paraphrases verses from the Bible.
I couldn't find when what she wrote was published but my flip calendar was given to me as a gift seven years ago. Current for today, each day:
"As you look into the day that stretches out before you, you see many choice-points along the way. The myriad possibilities these choices present can confuse you. Draw your mind back to the threshold of this day, where I stand beside you, lovingly preparing you for what is ahead.
"You must make your choices one at a time, since each is contingent upon the decision that precedes it. Instead of trying to create a mental map of your path through this day, focus on My loving Presence with you. I will equip you as you go, so that you can handle whatever comes your way. Trust Me to supply what you need when you need it."
~ Lamentations 3:22 - 26; Psalm 14:8 NKJV
**** |
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Today is Wednesday, April 29th, 2020; Karen's Korner #4198
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"Christ came with this new agreement so that all who are invited may come and have forever all the wonders God has promised them. For Christ died to receive them from the penalty of the sins they have committed while still under their old system."
~ Hebrews 9:15 LAB
*
Bible Commentary: "Value in our human way of thinking, is not measured by how many can have something good, but by how few can have something good. 'Limited edition' means 'valuable' because only a few can have it. God's great plan of redemption, however, stands in sharp contrast to this. It is the most valuable of all treasures, yet it is available to all. The more who have it, and the more they use it, the greater its value! We need to exercise our faith by sharing it and using it to serve God, and so increase its value."
***
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Today is Thursday, April 30th, 2020; Karen's Korner #4199
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A short inspirational thought by Max Lucado,
in my email inbox earlier this week.
What's not to like about his making Biblical thoughts - real, practical, for every-day. Here you go:
Pray Specific Prayers
"A father was teaching his three-year-old daughter the Lord's Prayer. She would repeat the lines after him. Finally she decided to go solo. She carefully enunciated each word, right up to the end of the prayer. 'Lead us not into temptation,' she prayed, 'but deliver us from e-mail'. (not a bad prayer).
"God calls us to pray about everything. We tell God exactly what we want. We pray the particulars. When the wedding ran low on wine, Mary wasn't content to say, 'Help us, Jesus.' She was specific: 'They have no more wine' (John 2:3). A specific prayer is a serious prayer. If I say to you, 'Do you mind if I come by your house sometime/" you may not take me seriously. But if I say, 'Can I come over this Friday night/ I really need your advice.' Then you know my petition is sincere. When we offer specific requests, God knows the same!"
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