Here is a Bible verse which I really liked! Hope you do too. Sometimes it isn't the words which impact us as readers, it might be just something we are thinking about or going through.

At any rate it is NO April Fools!

"But didn't he (Abraham) earn his right to heaven

by all the good things he did?

No, for being saved is a gift.

If a person could earn it by being good,

then it wouldn't be free---but it is!

It is GIVEN to those who do NOT work for it.

For God declares sinners to be good in his sight

if they have faith in Christ to save them from God's wrath."

~ Romans 4:4 & 5 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "Some people when they earn that we are saved through faith, start to worry. 'Do I have enough faith?' they wonder. 'Is my faith strong enough to save me?' These people miss the point. It is Jesus Christ who saves us, not OUR feelings or actions, and he is strong enough to save us no matter ho weak our faith is. Jesus offers us salvation as a gift, because he loves us, not because we have earned it through our powerful faith. What, then, is the role of faith? Faith is believing and trusting in Jesus Christ, reaching out to accept his wonderful gift of salvation. Faith is effective whether it is great or small, timid or bold----because God loves us!

***

A daily inspirational thought from Anne Graham Lotz which I received this morning:

Strong in God's Strength

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

~ Philippians 4:13 NKJV

"I was sitting in an audience when the speaker asked, 'What do you think God expects of you?' I mentally ticked off a list of things I thought God expected of me:  obedience, faithfulness, holiness, love, service. To my astonishment, the speaker went on to say, 'All God ever expects of you is failure!' I wanted to raise my hand and say, 'I can do that! I can live up to the expectations of God! I know I can fail!' But then the speaker added, 'However, He has given you the Holy Spirit so that you need never fail!' Right! Without Christ I can do nothing, but in Him I can do all things!

"The difference between strength and weakness, righteousness and wickedness, success and failure, is Jesus - the Holy Spirit - in me."

****

Some short thoughts taken from the vertical margins of the April/May OUR IOWA magazine:

"Money can buy time but not wisdom."

*

"Faith means holding on tight when the going gets windy."

*

"The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor."

~ Herbert Hoover

*

"To lighten life's load, lift the weight from someone else's back."

*

"All wise people share one talent in common - the ability to listen."

*

"When angry, count to 10 before you speak; if very angry, 100."

~ Thomas Jefferson

*

"Forget what you have done for other people, and remember what other people have done for you."

*

"The Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime."

~ Martin Luther

****

(It seems that yesterday's KK didn't get sent like it was supposed to. So this will be the first time you have seen this. Or the 2nd!)

Some short thoughts taken from the vertical margins of the April/May OUR IOWA magazine:

"Money can buy time but not wisdom."

*

"Faith means holding on tight when the going gets windy."

*

"The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor."

~ Herbert Hoover

*

"To lighten life's load, lift the weight from someone else's back."

*

"All wise people share one talent in common - the ability to listen."

*

"When angry, count to 10 before you speak; if very angry, 100."

~ Thomas Jefferson

*

"Forget what you have done for other people, and remember what other people have done for you."

*

"The Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books along, but in every leaf in springtime."

~ Martin Luther

*****

(Troubles with my server/sender the last few days. Hard to tell what you might get today. Stay tuned if it doesn't work!)

Something texted to me by friend Jayne,

with a computer graphic:

4 inescapable Truths about HELL:

1. It is a Place of Torment. (Luke 16;23)

2. It Lasts Forever. (Revelation 14:11)

3. There is No Escape. (Matthew 25:46)

4.  You Don't Have to Go There. (2 Peter 3:9)

We chooses our destiny!

**

"But though men can do all things,

they don't know where to find wisdom and understanding."

~ Job 28:12 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "People can perform all kinds of technological wonders. They can find stars invisible to the eye, they visit space, they can store volumes of information on a microchip. But even the greatest scientists, on their own, are at a loss to discover wisdom for their daily lives. Only God can show them where to look to find wisdom because He is the course of wisdom. True wisdom is having God's perspective on life. As the Creator of life, only He knows what is best for His creation. It is fruitless for us to try to become wise merely through our own observations and efforts, because God alone sees the greater purpose for His world."

****

As we move away from winter and into spring, this is something that was read at church several week's ago. It was written by Dan Cramer for a Lenten devotional our church put together a number of years ago, featuring writings by church members.

(Still have uncommon problems with sending/receiving Karen's Korners. Thanks for sticking with me.)

Several weeks ago our church sermon was on forgiveness. While we sometimes have to forgive others, we many times have a harder time forgiving ourselves. We can struggle with things we may have done in the past. Pastor Warren said, "Yesterday ended last night!"

Today's entry by Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence" has some thoughts along those lines:

""This is the day that I have made. Rejoice and be glad in it. Begin the day with open hands of faith, ready to receive all that I am pouring into this brief portion of your life. Be careful not to complain about anything, even the weather, since I am the Author of your circumstances. The best way to handle unwanted situations is to thank Me for them. This act of faith frees you from resentment and frees Me to work My ways into the situation, so that good emerges from it.

"To find joy in this day, you must live within its boundaries. I knew what I was doing when I divided time into twenty-four hour segments. I understand human frailty, and I know that you can bear the weight of only one day at a time. Do no worry about tomorrow or get stuck in the past. There is abundant Life in My Presence today."

~ Taken from Psalm 118:24; Philippians 3:13 - 14

***

As we inch closer to our celebrations of Easter, these thoughts by Anne Graham Lotz are good ones.

The Grave Clothes

"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

~ John 20:29  NIV

"Upon hearing the news of the empty tomb, Peter and John ran to see for themselves. Peter confronted the evidence, but he was confused. At that instant, he must have been angrier than ever. He must have surmised that the enemies of Jesus who had dared to crucify Him, had now taken the body for who knew what purpose!

"John quietly looked around. He noticed that the grave clothes were totally unlike those of Lazarus, which had been just a pile of stinking rags by the time Martha had finished unwrapping him. These grave clothes were lying, not as though someone had removed them from the body, but as though the body were still inside! The face cloth was situated where the face would have been, with the few inches of the neck separating it from the rest of the shroud. As he studied the evidence, it must have gradually dawned on him that the grave clothes looked like an empty cocoon! The looked as thought the body had just evaporated up through them! Then John knew (John 20:8). The body hadn't evaporated. Jesus had risen from the dead!

******

(An extra KK today to get '5 for the week'. By doing this, every Friday, last one of the week, ends in a 5 or a 0.)

I renewed my driver's license yesterday. I am in the age category where I can't 'buy' it for five years any longer. I am only allowed for two years at a time.

Today's verse talks about 'old age', which takes in a number of us. But there are still things God wants us to do; among other things is to listen to people who are older yet than we are.

"Even in old age, they will still produce fruit and be vital and green.

This honors the Lord, and exhibits his faithful care.

He is my shelter.

There is nothing but goodness in him."

~ Psalm 92:14 & 15 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "Honoring God is not limited to young people who are still blessed with physical strength and vitality. Even in old age, devoted believers can produce spiritual fruit. There are many faithful older people who have much to share and teach from a lifetime of living with God. Seek out an elderly friend or relative to tell you about life experiences with the Lord and challenge you to new heights of spiritual living."

***

Failures Are Not Fatal

"Nothing drags more stubbornly than a sack of failures. Could you do it all over again, you'd do it differently. But you can't. And as many times as you tell yourself, 'What's done is done, what you did can't be undone'. That's part of what Paul meant when he said, 'The wages of sin is death.' Can anything be done? What do you do with the stones from life's stumbles?

"Don't we all long for a father who cares for us in spite of our failures? We do have that type of father. A father who is at his best when we are at our worst. A father whose grace is strongest when our devotion is weakest. If your bag is big and bulky, then you're in for some thrilling news:  your failures are not fatal."

~ By Max Lucado

***

These Bible verses are taken from a listing given to us gals in a recent Bible study. We need to be reminded often of all the things God wants us to have, as the 'world' tries to tell us many other messages. Most of them not positive.

The listing is for 'daughters', but it could be for 'sons' as well. (Part 1 of 2).

Decrees for God's Daughters

"I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ."

~ Ephesians 1:3

*

"I am chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world that I may be holy and blameless before the Father."

~ Ephesians 1:4

*

"I am predestined to adoption as a daughter (son) by the Father through Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure of His will."

~ Ephesians 1:5

*

"The same love He has for His Beloved One, Jesus, He has for me. And this unfolding plan brings Him great pleasure!"

~ Ephesians 1:6 (TPT)

*

"I have redemption through Jesus Christ's blood and the forgiveness of sins."

~ Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 3:14

*

"I have obtained an inheritance in Christ."

~ Ephesians 1:11

*

"I am sealed with the Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of my inheritance."

~ Ephesians 1:13 - 14

*

"God raised me up in heavenly places to sit with Him in Jesus Christ."

~ Ephesians 2:6

**

"He isn't here! He has come back to life again!

Don't you remember what he told you back in Galilee--

that the Messiah must be betrayed into the power of evil men

and be crucified

and that he would rise again on the third day?"

~ Luke 24:6 & 7 LAB

Bible Commentary:  "The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the central fact of Christian history. On it, the church is built; without it, there would be no Christian church today. Jesus' resurrection is unique. Other religions have strong ethical systems, concepts about Paradise and various holy scriptures. Only Christianity has a God who became a man, literally died for his people, and was raised again in power and glory to rule his church forever.

"Why is the resurrection so important? 1) Because Christ was raised from the dead, we know that the Kingdom of Heaven has broken into earth's history. Our world is headed for redemption, not disaster. God's mighty power is at work destroying sin, creating new lives, and preparing us for Jesus' Second Coming. 2) Because of the resurrection, we know that death has been conquered, and we, too, will be raised from the dead to live forever with Christ; 3) The resurrection gives authority to the church's witness in the world.4) The resurrection gives meaning to the church's regular feast, the Lord's Supper. 5) The resurrection helps us find meaning even in the midst of tragedy. No matter what happens to us as we walk with the Lord, who comes in power to save us. 6)The resurrection assures us that Christ is alive and ruling his Kingdom. He is not legend; he is alive and real. 7) God's power that brought Jesus back from the dead is available to us so that we can live for him in an evil world.

"Christians can look very different from one another; they can hold widely varying beliefs about politics, lifestyle, and even theology. But one central belief unities and inspires all true Christians----Jesus Christ rose from the dead!"

****

"An Eleventh Hour Gift"

"'We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn't done one thing wrong.' These words were spoken on Skull's hill by a thief. After a life of crime, he's reached the bottom---a crossbeam and three spikes. He begins to wonder who Jesus might be, and he hears the whisper, 'Father, forgive them.'

"When the other criminal hurls an accusation at Jesus, this thief defends him. His statement includes facts that anyone needs to recognize to come to Jesus. We are guilty and he is innocent. He is not on that cross for his sins. He is there for ours. And Jesus performs the greatest miracle of the cross----the miracle of forgiveness. 'Today, you will be with me in paradise.' A sin-soaked criminal is received by a blood-stained Savior.

"Such is the definition of grace."

~ By Max Lucado

****

My friend, Jayne Hanning's mother wrote this "Easter Prayer" on Easter of 1974. Maryellen Basham told her family she most wanted to be remembered for her poetry writings. While Maryellen had been in declining health for a number of years and Jayne served as her primary caregiver, it was surprising to the entire family that she passed away unexpectedly at her home on Easter Day two years ago.

Coincidence? Or God directed? You decide!

Easter Prayer

"I thank thee God, for Christ my King,

Praises to His name I sing;

I thank thee for the life He gave,

That mine and others He might save,

on this, another Easter morn,

I thank thee God, that Christ was born,

To live and then be crucified

For all our sins He bravely died.

To him I owe both heart and soul,

Whose blood was shed to make me whole,

My fervent prayer is to His Glory,

Without, there would be no Easter story."

~ Maryellen Basham

June 2, 1928 - April 16, 2017

***

This was Saturday's entry in Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence". Not very 'Easter' but very timely:

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Hear My 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 destinations. 'I hold you by your right hand, and afterward I will take you into Glory."

~ Taken from Mark 4:39 (NKJV); Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalm 46:2; Psalm 73:23 - 24

***

Second entry of two of what we posses as 'God's Daughters (and sons!). Bible tells us these often in many places because so often we forget.

Decrees for God's Daughters

* "I have been brought to Father by the blood of Christ."  (Ephesians 2:13)

*

"I am strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man according to the riches of His glory."    (Ephesians 3:16)

*

"Christ dwells in my heart by faith. I am rooted and grounded in love."    (Ephesians 3:17)

*

"God does exceedingly abundantly above all that I could ask or think according to His power that works in me."    (Ephesians 3:20)

*

"God gives me the victory as a conqueror through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One."   

 (1 Corinthians 15:57, TPT)

*

* "I have the mind of Christ."   (1 Corinthians 2:16)

*

"I am in Christ Jesus and therefore I am a new creation. Old things have passed away and all things have become new."    (2 Corinthians 5:17)

*

"I have become his poetry, a re-created woman that will fulfill the destiny He has given each of us. I am joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before I was born, God planned in advance my destiny and the good works I would do to fulfill it."    (Ephesians 2:10, TPT)

****

"He died for our sins,

and rose again to make us right with God,

filling us with God's goodness."

~ Romans 4:25 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "When we believe, an exchange takes place. We give Christ our sins, and He gives us his goodness and forgiveness. There is nothing we can do to earn this. Only through Christ can we receive God's goodness. What an incredible bargain for us, but many still choose to pass it up to continue to sin (go their own way)."

****

Behold the Redeemer From Heaven

"For some, Jesus is the 'Rabbit's Foot Redeemer' - a good luck charm used to get you out of a jam. For many he's an 'Aladdin's Lamp Redeemer' - your wish is his command. For others, Jesus is a 'Game Show Redeemer' - let's make a deal! Few demands; no challenges; and no need for sacrifice or commitment.

"That's not the Redeemer described in the New Testament. And that's not the Redeemer seen by the frightened woman who was caught in the act of adultery. The leaders were going to stone her, but Jesus intervened. If we could somehow transport her to Calvary she would recognize his hands - hands that still hold no stones. She would recognize his voice, 'Father, forgive them....' And she would recognize his eyes; the eyes that saw her not as she was, but as she was intended to be.

"Behold! The Redeemer from Heaven."

~ By Max Lucado

***

Now and then my Uncle Bud who lives in Tennessee and is a retired minister, emails me these emails which he receives; forwarding the ones he most enjoys. They are written by Jody Wade aka as 'The Crossmaker'. Here is one he sent to me:

"To hear the words, 'Well Done' at the end of this life, is one of the things I desire to hear the most. It's just two words, but when we place them together they mean so much! And the One who speaks them, He is our Redeemer and our greatest friend!

"But the race is not over. In this life, I have messed up so many things but I am still charging forward to the day of His return and doing what I can for Jesus. Matthew 25:21 share the words we should be yearning to hear, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.'

"I encourage you to engage your life to the fullest with Jesus Christ. Turn your hearts to Him fully and strive to honor the Lord daily. Pray that we get to hear those same words when we see Him face to face.

"Be blessed!"

****

Helpless Without Him

"I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me."

~ John 5:30 NKJV

"Have you wondered, in agony, why God is doing what He's doing? Why He has delayed answering your prayer? Have you reacted to the delay by trying to help Him out and speed things up? Have you turned to.......a doctor, a lawyer, a counselor, a friend, pop psychology, a neighbor's sympathetic ear, or a popular TV talk show? Have you resorted to threats or bargaining or manipulation until you're totally exhausted? Have you come to the end of your rope?

"One reason God may be delaying His answer to your prayer and postponing His intervention in your situation is to bring you to the end of your own resources. Sometimes God waits in order to allow us time to exhaust every other avenue of help until we finally realize without any doubt or reservation that we are totally helpless without Him."

~ By Anne Graham Lotz

***

Got up and had breakfast on Sunday morning. Wasn't home for dinner, as I ate at a local Lions Club fundraiser meal. Went to a memorial visitation and a 60th anniversary party mid-afternoon.

At supper time, I went to get things out of my refrigerator. Oh, no! The door had been ajar for probably ten hours. Put my hand in to touch some of the items. My gallon of milk was actually beyond warm!

My next thought was maybe the refrigerator part wasn't working! Oh, good. The freezer was working right! My mind was tumbling to moving items out of the refrigerator to the neighbors. Calling the repairman for Monday. Maybe I'd have to buy a new fridge!

But first. I closed the door. And waited! It was still working. What about the milk? As I reassessed, It was the light bulb, near the gallon container that was the cause its additional warmth! Might not keep until the expired date but it still tastes fine.

I couldn't help but think about what can happen to our lives.

We only leave the door open a 'crack' to things of the 'world' (the Bible describes it as sin!). For awhile, it doesn't seem to make much of a difference. But with time? We are no longer 'cool' to things of God. We 'warm up' to things that may not be good for us. For our collective society. Things that can cause us to 'spoil'.

Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us the way, Your Way. Help us to see what is 'good' and what isn't. Thank You that You simply 'close the door' and make us 'cool' to You; the things You have for us! We are blessed. Thank You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.