As Karen's Korner readers know, I pick a book of the Bible and read it. It's a random pick. I am getting to the end of the book of Mark. I am involved with the Easter story. Even though it is past Easter, the story is a good one 365 days a year.

The sub-heading is "Jesus is placed on the cross'"

"The people jeered at Him as they walked by, and wagged their heads in mockery.
"Ha! Look at you now!" they yelled at Him, 'Sure, you can destroy the Temp and rebuild it in three days! If you're so wonderful, save yourself and come down from the cross.
"The chief priests and religious leaders were also standing around joking about Jesus.”

~ Mark 15:29 - 31 LAB
 
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Bible Commentary:  "Jesus could have saved himself, but He endured suffering because of His love for us. He could have chosen not to take the pain and humiliation; He could have killed those who mocked Him---but He suffered through it all because He loved even His enemies. We had a significant part in the drama that afternoon because our sin was on the cross, too. Jesus died on that cross for us and the penalty for our sin was paid by His death. The only adequate response we can make is to confess our sin and freely accept the fact that Jesus paid for it so we wouldn't have to. We should not insult God with our indifference toward the greatest act of genuine love in history."

At our ecumenical Bible study last Wednesday, we looked at Intercessory Prayer. Among other things, our leader Carolyn Bowman worked up a 'guide' to help us with praying for others.

Quite often we don't know what all to say about or for someone. "God, bless......." or 'Protect.........".  But not always sure what else to say. Carolyn had each one of us read together aloud, as we concluded our study. Even though we were praying for different people.

Here is a nice guide:

Dear Lord, I pray for _____________ .

Mind - Protect _________ mind from any thoughts that might cause him/her to follow the world rather than You. Help him/her to think on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable. Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8; Proverbs 3:5 – 6.

Shoulders - No matter what _____________ goes through today, assure him/her that nothing is too hard for You. Empower him/her to cut the cords of worry with the saber of praise and to place his/her burdens on Your able shoulders.  Genesis 18:14; Deuteronomy 31:8; Psalm 9:10.

Heart - Place a hedge of protection around ___________  heart to keep corruption out and purity in.  Proverbs 4:23; Proverbs 17:20; Proverbs 17:32.

Back - Protect __________  in the physical and spiritual realms. Keep him/her from the devil's schemes that would attempt to trap or trip him/her up. Thank you that no weapon formed against _________ will stand. John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:10 – 18.

Arms - Help __________ be strong and courageous in Your mighty power. Bolster his/her courage when afraid and reassure ______________  when he/she doubts.  Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 30:15.

Hands - Bless the work of _____________ hands. Reward his/her efforts and bring success.  Deuteronomy 33:11; Deuteronomy 28:12 - 13. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

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Continuing Max Lucado and his daily emails into my computer. This is today's. People say that I use Max often and I do! I like how he makes his points. Hope that you enjoy today's!

JESUS HAS RISEN TO YOUR DEFENSE

"Satan’s condemnation brings no repentance or resolve, just regret. Satan has come to steal, kill, and destroy. To steal your peace, to kill your dreams, to destroy your future. Satan has deputized people to peddle his poison. Friends dredge up your past, preachers proclaim all guilt and no grace, and parents—oh your parents! They own a travel agency that specializes in guilt trips. 'Why can’t you grow up?' they say. 'When are you going to make me proud?' they say.

"But your accusers will not have the last word. Jesus has acted on your behalf. Jesus has risen to your defense. Hebrews 10:22 (NCV) says, 'Let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, because we have been made free from a guilty conscience.' Not just for our past mistakes, but also for our future ones."

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This is today's Max Lucado in my computer inbox. He talks about the voices in our head and in our world. Who hasn't heard them?

CHRIST STANDS UP FOR US

"The voices in our world and the voices in our head. Who is this morality patrolman who issues a citation at every stumble? Does he ever shut up? No. Because Satan never shuts up. Revelation 12:10 (NLT) says, 'For the accuser has been thrown down to earth, the one who accused our brothers and sisters before our God day and night.'  Satan is relentless, tireless. The accuser makes a career out of accusing, but he will not have the last word. Jesus has acted on our behalf.

"He stooped. Low enough to be spat upon, nailed, and speared. Low, low enough to be buried. And then he stood. He stood up. Romans 8:34 promises that he is in the presence of God at this very moment standing up for us. So we have a clean conscience. We have a clean record. Free from condemnation, a new life in Christ!

"Grace."

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Thank You,
Jesus,
for what You have done for us.
And continue to do for us every day!
You.
Your words.
Your love.
Are stronger than the dumb stuff
Satan tries to tell us!
In Your Name. 
Amen.

Fun today! Once again looking sayings in the April/May issue of OUR IOWA magazine. Printed in the vertical border of some of the pages:

"Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens
can change the world.
Indeed it is the only thing
that ever has."

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"Nothing improves your driving
like the sudden discovery
that your license has expired."

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"Each kindly act you do 
will bring kindness back to you."

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"What lies behind us 
and what lies in front of us
are tiny matters
compared to what lies within us."

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*Life isn't about waiting for
the storm to pass.
It's about learning to dance
in the rain."

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"Perseverance is not a long race; 
it is many short races,
one after another."

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"Ideas are funny little things--
they won't work unless you do."

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Today's "Jesus Calling:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence" by Sarah Young:

"I AM WITH YOU AND FOR YOU,
your constant Companion and Provider.
The question is whether you are with Me
and for Me. 
Though I never leave you,
you can essentially 'leave' Me by ignoring Me;
thinking and acting as if I am not with you.
When you feel distance in our relationship,
you know where the problem lies.
My Love for you is constant; 
I am the same yesterday, today, and forever.
It is you who change like shifting sand,
letting circumstances toss you
this way and that.

"When you feel far from Me, 
whisper My Name.
This simple act,
done in childlike faith,
opens your heart to My Presence.
Speak to me in love-tones;
prepare to receive my Love,
which flows eternally from the cross.
I am delighted when you
open yourself to My loving Presence."

~  Taken from Genesis 28:15; Romans 8:31; Hebrews 13:8

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While I was gone visiting my sister, Jill, we attended her worship service that Sunday. I really enjoyed their sermon.

The minister introduced all the different 'generations'. We have all heard them:  Gen Z, Baby Boomers, Greatest Generation, Millenials. And others.

The Bible reading for the day was from 1 Chronicles 22:1 - 19. David really wanted to build 'the house of the Lord'. but because of all the battles he had been in and 'the blood on his hands', God told David that the job would be left up to David's son, Solomon.......even though Solomon was 'young and inexperienced'.

The 'take away' from the day was that every generation has something to offer. And some things we may not like.

My sister Jill summarized it this way:

"We are not good at honoring generations.  .                        
"Older generations.  1) push past your preferences and propel the next generations. 2) speak words of encouragement.  Your words carry weight.  

" Younger generations.  Receive their wisdom (older generations. ). 1). seek their wisdom.  2) express your gratitude and grace.."   

God,
will You help me to see things as You see them?
I am thankful for watching younger people
step into their new roles.
And help me to encourage older people
who can do less than they used to,
to do ALL that they can still do
to honor, worship, and serve YOU.
Amen.

He is risen! Risen indeed!!

"But when they arrived they looked up and saw that the stone---a very heavy one---was already moved away and the entrance was open! So they entered the tomb---and there on the right saw a young man clothed in white. The women were startled, but the angel said, 'Don't be so surprised. Aren't you looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified? He isn't here! He has come back to life! Look, that's where his body was lying. Now go and give the is message to his disciples, including Peter.

"'Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died!'"

~ Mark 16:5 & 7 LAB

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Bible Commentary:  "The resurrection is vitally important for many reasons:

1) Jesus kept his promise to rise from the dead, so we can believe he will keep all his other promises;

2) The resurrection ensures that the ruler of God's eternal kingdom will be the living Christ, not just an idea, hope, or dream,

 3) Christ rose from the dead, giving us the assurance that we also will be resurrected,

4) The power of God that brought Christ's body back from the dead is available to us to bring our morally and spiritually dead selves back to life so we can change and grow (1 Corinthians 15:12-19),

5) The resurrection provides the substance of the church's witness to the world. We do not merely tell lessons from the life of a good teacher, we proclaim the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

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Today's email from Anne Graham Lotz. It's a good one!
Happy Easter!

SET FREE!

"You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness."
~ Romans 6:18 NIV

"With blood flowing from His wounds and streaming down His face from the thorns in His brow, Jesus stood before Pilate. As part of the Passover celebration, it was Pilate's custom to release any prisoner the crowd chose. It just so happened that 'at that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas So...Pilate asked them, 'Which one do you want me to release to you. Barabbas, or Jesus Who is called Christ?; (Matthew 27:16 - 17 NIV)

"The rulers shouted back, 'No, not him~ Give us Barabbas! (John 18:40 NIV). Barabbas! Barabbas was a thief and a murderer and a rabble-rouser! The religious leaders of Israel were demanding that Barabbas be ser free and Jesus be crucified. And so Barabbas became the first person to be set free by the death of Jesus.

"Jesus died, not just in the place of Barabbas, but in your place and mine. Because He died, I am free! Free  from my sin and its penalty."

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 (Back after a few days away! Just in time for the Easter weekend!)

Maundy Thursday, we tend to think about the Last Supper and communion. But the event kicked off with Jesus washing His disciples' feet:

"Jesus knew on the evening of Passover Day
that it would be His last night on earth
before returning to His Father.

"And how He loved His disciples!
So He got up from the supper table,
took off his robe,
wrapped a towel around His loins,
poured water into a basin,
and began to wash the disciples' feet
and wipe them with the towel
He had around Him.”
~ John 13:1, 4  & 5 LAB

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Bible Commentary:  "Jesus was the model servant and He showed this attitude to His disciples. Washing guests' feet was a job for a household servant when guests arrived. But Jesus wrapped a towel around Him, as the lowliest servant would do, and washed His disciples' feet. If even He, God in the flesh, is willing to serve, we His followers must also be servants, willing to serve in any way in order to glorify God. Are we willing to follow Christ’s example of serving? Whom can we serve today?

:"Jesus did not wash His disciples feet just to get them to be nice to each other. His far greater goal was to extend His mission on earth after He was gone. They were to move into the world, serving God, serving each other, and serving all people to whom they took the message of salvation."

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