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Today is Friday, April 4th, 2025; Karen's Korner #5340
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My sister Jill really enjoyed a recent sermon at her church in Washington. It was titled "Lies We Tell Ourselves".
How many thoughts do we have that we don't care much about. They can help to destroy our day, or maybe even our lives!
She sent me the highlights. "Might be a Karen's Korner," she said. Here are five of the ten bullet points:
THOUGHT LIFE
I Can't Help What I Think
""Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
~ Colossians 3:2 - 4
*
FORGIVENESS
They Don't Deserve It & We Don't Think We Can
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
~ Ephesians 4:32
*
CHANGE
That's Just The Way I am
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is---his good, pleasing and perfect will."
~ Romans 12:2
*
ANGER
This Is What They Deserve
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."
~ James 1:19 - 20
"A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back."
~Proverbs 29:11
*
HURTFUL WORDS
They Make Me Say Those Things
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
~ Ephesians 4:29
**
God,
I can read these words but how can I do it?
How am I going to believe all of it?
I am going to need Your Help!
Help me!
Put Your Thoughts into my life!
Into My heart and mind.
I am not going to be able to do it myself.
Which You knew all the time!
Thank You, Father!
Amen.
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Today is Thursday, April 3rd, 2025; Karen's Korner #5339
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Our leader at yesterday's ecumenical Bible study had us begin looking at the book of James. One of the first verses was "Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow." (verse 2).
Happy? Like some of the things which happen to us that we don't like? But sometimes, bad things turn out to be good!
Then she shared this analogy:
"Think of a seed.
God uses the dark places to make us grow.
They're part of His divine plan.
Spring is coming and we think about planting.
As long as a seed remains in the light,
it can't germinate and will
never become what it was created for.
But when we plant the seed in the soil
where it is dark.
It becomes alive.
We are like that too........
we sometimes have to go through dark times,
that's where our character is developed,
where we learn to trust God
and persevere.
We tend to pray more,
draw closer to God
and listen for God's
still small voice."
(Author unknown)
***
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Today is Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025; Karen's Korner #5338
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"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.......
~ Philippians 1:3 - 4 NIV
* This is Paul writing to the people of Philippi.
And these words are Karen writing to the people who are faithful Karen's Korner readers.
I am blessed and thankful. You bring me joy today and every day!
*
Dear God, I praise You for Your wonderful words to Me. And to all of us! You bring us much JOY...... Amen!
***
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Today is Tuesday, April 1st, 2025; Karen's Korner #5337
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Something written by Paul for the Thessalonians, which was good news for them.......and for us!
"I can tell you this directly from the Lord, that we who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet Him ahead of those who are in their graves. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a mighty shout and with the soul-stirring cry of the archangel and the great trumpet-call of God. And the believers who are dead will be the first to rise to meet the Lord. Then we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with Him forever. So comfort and encourage each other with this good news."
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:15 - 18 LAB * Bible Commentary on these verses: "Because Jesus Christ came back to life, so will all believers. All Christians including those living when He returns, will live with Jesus forever. Therefore, we need not despair when loved ones die or world events take a tragic turn. For God will turn our tragedies to triumphs; our poverty into riches; our pain to glory; and our defeat to victory. All believers throughout history will stand reunited in God's very presence, safe and secure. As Paul comforted the Thessalonians with the promise of the resurrection, so we should comfort and reassure one another with this great hope."
*****
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Today is Monday, March 31st, 2025; Karen's Korner #5336
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Something in my computer's inbox last week from Anne Graham Lotz:
CARRYING THE CROSS
"Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."
~ Luke 14:27 NIV
"Imagine what it would have been like to be Simon, and to have carried the Cross of Christ while following Him up Calvary.
"What would it have been like to have shared in the humiliation of rejection as He was cast out of the city?
"What would it have been like to have felt the sticky warmth of His blood from the Cross on your skin?
"What would it have been like to have felt the encroaching horror as the place of execution neared?
"What would it have been like to have looked up through the sweat that trickled down your face and seen the executioners who stood waiting impassively with hammers in hand?
"What would it have bee like to have the burden of the Cross lifted from your back as someone said, "This is His Cross, you're free to go now," and He was nailed to it, not you?"
***
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Today is Friday, March 28th, 2025; Karen's Korner #5335
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Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence", an entry from March 25.
Have a nice weekend!
"Let THANKFULNESS temper all your thoughts.
A thankful mind-set keeps you in touch with Me.
I hate it when My children grumble,
casually despising My sovereignty.
Thankfulness is a safeguard
against this deadly sin.
Furthermore,
a grateful attitude becomes a grid
through which you perceive life.
Gratitude enables you to see
the Light of my Presence
shining on all your circumstances.
Cultivate a thankful heart,
for this glorifies Me
and fills you with Joy."
* Taken from I Corinthians 10:10; Hebrews 12:28 & 29
***
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Today is Thursday, March 27th, 2025; Karen's Korner #5334
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A friend was our substitute ecumenical Bible study leader yesterday morning. She told that her word for the year was 'trust'. Among other things, she read from a boxed graphic in her Bible titled "Seven Reasons Not To Worry". They are found in Matthew 6:25 - 34.
They are good, so here you go:
"The same God who created life in you
can be trusted with the details of your life."
"Worrying about the future hampers
your efforts for today."
"Worrying is more harmful than helpful."
"God does not ignore those who depend on him."
"Worry shows a lack of faith
and understanding of God."
"There are real challenges God wants us to pursue and worrying keeps us from them."
"Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry."
****
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Today is Wednesday, March 26th, 2025; Karen's Korner #5333
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Our Sunday School class at church is spending a few weeks looking at Jesus' last days on earth. We are going from Palm Sunday through Easter.
Sunday we looked at Thursday before Good Friday. A portion of our time, we studied John chapter 17; the entire chapter is Jesus praying. He prayer for himself, verses 1 - 5; for His disciples, verses 6 - 19. And Jesus prayed for future believers, verses 21 - 28.
He knew what was coming ahead for Him, but He was praying for us! Amazing!!
"I am not praying for these alone, but also for future believers who will come to me
because of the testimony of these.
My prayer for all of them is that they will be of one heart and mind,
just as you and I are, Father--
that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us,
and the world will believe you sent me." ~John 17:20 & 21 LAB
***
Bible Commentary: "Jesus prayed for all who would follow Him, so He was praying for us and others we know. He prayed for unity, protection from Satan, and for purity. Knowing that Jesus prayed for us should give us confidence as we work for His Kingdom."
***
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Today is Tuesday, March 25th, 2025; Karen's Korner #5332
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"God's laws are perfect.
They protect us,
make us wise,
and give us joy and light.
God's laws are pure,
eternal,
just.
They are more desirable than gold.
They are sweeter than honey
dripping from a honeycomb.
For they warn us away from harm
and give success
to those who obey them."
~ Psalm 19:7 - 11 LAB
*
Bible Commentary: "When we think of the Law, we often think of something that keeps us from having fun. But here we see the opposite---laws that free us, protect us, make us wise, and bring joy and light. That's because God's laws are guidelines and lights on our path, rather than chains on our hands and feet. They point at harm and warn us, then point at success and guide us."
***
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Today is Monday, March 24th, 2025; Karen's Korner #5331
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Back after a week away!
Readers know that I am a Bible reader. But as we were traveling light, I didn't take my heavy Bible. Instead I took a small book by Max Lucado titled "Everyday Blessings", a 365 day devotional. A Christmas gift from a friend. But I didn't read it as a 'once a day dose'. I read it instead as a book to be devoured.
I like many to most of what Max writes. But I really liked the February 27 entry:
"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
~ John 1:14 NKJV
"Jesus was touchable, approachable, reachable.
"He was the kind of fellow you'd invite to watch the Rams - Giants game at your home. He'd wrestle on the floor with your kids, doze on your couch, and cook steaks on your grill. He'd laugh at your jokes and tell a few of his own. And when you spoke, he'd listen to you as if he had all the time in the world.
:"And one thing's for sure, you'd invite him back."
***
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