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May 2019 Archives
Today is Wednesday, May 1st, 2019; Karen's Korner #4023
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"Because of what Christ has done we have become gifts to God that He delights in, for as part of God's sovereign plan we were chosen from the beginning to be His, and all things happen just as He decided long ago." ~ Ephesians 1:11 LAB
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Bible Commentary: "What delight youngsters display when given a special gift. Joy radiates from their eyes, spreading across their faces in big, happy smiles. As adults, we rarely experience such pure delight. Yet we ourselves are gifts that inspire an infinitely higher and greater delight in the heart of God. He accepts us with joy because of what Christ did for us. When we feel that our lives aren't worth much to anyone, remember that we are special gifts in God's eyes, precious presents that bring Him great joy!"
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Today is Thursday, May 2nd, 2019; Karen's Korner #4024
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Today is set aside each year as 'National Day of Prayer' - May 2 (always the first Thursday in May). Here are four prayer priorities for America from the national organizers which has as its 2019 theme "Love One Another" (in part):
Ask God to bless the United States of America "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord----the people He has chosen to be His own possessions!" ~ Psalm 33:12 "God, bless America spiritually in a new and fresh way and move us to return to You as our Father and Lord. "God, bless America by raising up godly leaders in all areas of our nation: locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally. "God, bless America by securing our nation from all evil and harm, from within our nation and from outside our nation." * Pray for Americans to Love One Another, beginning among Christ followers "Love one another. Just as I have loved you." ~ John 13:34 "God, you are the only One who can bring unity, harmony, and oneness in America. We look only to You, asking You for this love to prevail. "God, we ask that You create a Love One Another movement across America. Empower us to make every effort to live in unity with one another." * Pray for the centers of influence in America "First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity." ~1 Timothy 2:1 & 2 "We ask You, Lord, to bless executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the United States government to value one another, respect one another, and work together for the good of our nation. "We pray, Lord, for America's military, its leaders, and all personnel to be protected by You, and that they have the courage to depend on You. "Lord, bless the members of the media in America to be respectful of all people, bearing truth, and inspiring our nation with stories about loving one another." * Ask God for the National Day of Prayer to become a catalytic spiritual movement across America. ~They all were continually united in prayer." ~ Acts 1:14 "Lord, we ask You to call your church to love one another, so Your church can call our nation to love and unity both today and in the future. "Lord, we ask You to move each of us to love on another in the same way you love us: willfully, sacrificially, and unconditionally. "Lord, we ask You to use the thousands and thousands of observances of the National Day of Prayer to be a catalytic spiritual movement across America, ushering in the revival of the church and the next Great Spiritual Awakening in America. ****
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Today is Friday, May 3rd, 2019; Karen's Korner #4025
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"Come to Me for all that you need. Come into My Presence with thanksgiving, for thankfulness opens the door to My treasures. When you are thankful, you affirm the central truth that I am Good. I am Light, in whom there is no darkness at all. The assurance that I am entirely Good meets your basic need for security. Your life is not subject to the whims of a sin-stained deity.
"Relax in the knowledge that the One who controls your life is totally trustworthy. Come to Me with confident expectation. There is nothing you need that I cannot provide."
~ taken from Sarah Young's "JESUS CALLING: Enjoying Peace in His Presence written as if Jesus is talking with us: Psalm 95:21; 1 John 1:5 The May 5 entry
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Today is Monday, May 6th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4026
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"I don't want your sacrifices---- I want your love; I don't want your offerings---- I want you to know me." ~ Hosea 6:6 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "Religious rituals can help people understand God and nourish their relationship with Him. That is why God instituted circumcision and the sacrificial system in the Old Testament and baptism and the Lord's Supper in the New. But a religious ritual is helpful only if it is carried out with an attitude of love and obedience to God. If one's heart if far from God, ritual becomes empty mockery. God didn't want the Israelites' rituals, he wanted their hearts. Why do we worship? What is the motive behind our 'offerings' and 'sacrifices'?"
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Today is Tuesday, May 7th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4027
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A couple of items taken from '101 Thoughts - Touched by An Angel", telling about His Everlasting Love:
"Faith doesn't get your around trouble, it gets you through it." * "Wherever you go, God is already there." * "You have the right to be less than perfect." * "We mess up sometimes. You haven't exactly thrown God for a loop you know. He can handle it." * "There's nothing to be afraid of. On one side, there is life. And on the other side... there is life, too." * "God love you and He knows who you are no matter what your name is."
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Today is Thursday, May 9th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4028
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(Sorry for no Karen's Korner yesterday. Got a computer upgrade and it wasn't ready for use; I am still learning! Look for a Saturday 'korner' to get my 'five for the week'!)
Everything is Possible with God!
~ By Max Lucado
"A rich young ruler once asked Jesus, 'What must I do to get eternal life?' He thought he could find eternal life by his own strength. But Jesus said, 'What is impossible with men is possible with God' (Luke 18:27). It wasn't money that hindered the rich young man, it was self-sufficiency. You don't need a system, you need a Savior. You don't need a resume, you need a Redeemer. You cannot save yourself.
"It's not just the rich who have difficulty with this teaching. So do the educated, the strong, the good-looking, the popular, the religious. Those who desire God's presence don't brag, they beg. Admission of failure is not usually admission into joy. Complete confession is not commonly followed by total pardon. But then again, God has never been governed by what is common."
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Today is Friday, May 10th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4029
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Tuesday was this week's recycle day. I had more 'junk' than would fit into my yellow container. So I tied together one stack of periodicals and another of newspapers, to pile on top.
Maybe I had better put the magazines and newspapers in a garbage bag to protect them from the elements.
I tried putting the smaller stack of magazines on top. Too slippery. They kept wanting to slide off.
Then I tried putting the larger stack of papers on the top. Too much bigger than their smaller counterparts. They wanted to slide off.
Next plan? stack them side by side. And let the black bag cover both of them!
As I watched the process, I thought about people and how we treat them. Or how they treat us.
It works best if we are neither 'over them' in leadership. Nor have to 'put up' with someone who is 'bossing us around'.
Whether we are leaders or followers, it works best if we 'come along side' one another to accomplish a task.
The Bible says (I John 4:7 - "Dear friends, let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are children of God, and that they are getting to know Him better."
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Today is Saturday, May 11th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4030
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A Mother's Day Prayer which will be in tomorrow's bulletin at our church;
"Lord, we pray for all MOTHERS Beautiful and wonderful they fill the earth Gracious in Your call they carry life In a bond of love they bring forth a child.
"We ask You to bless all MOTHERS today May they feel the joys of motherhood everyday In all their struggles giving us a livelihood May Your LOVE and COMPASSION be with them for good.
"May every MOTHER feel today The pride and beauty of a family they bear Through all pain and sorrow Lord deliver them In Your STRENGTH and GRACE may they always stay.
AMEN!"
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Today is Monday, May 13th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4031
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Anne Graham Lotz mails out a quarterly newsletter titled "Giving You Jesus" as part of her AnGeL Ministries. Arecent one started with a letter to readers with these introductory questions? "Have you ever specifically prayed
for something, only to have the situation get worse?" She listed 'health to improve', 'a job to be more
productive', 'your child's well being".
"Things got worse for May and Martha," she penned. First, telling Jesus their brother Lazarus was sick,
following with 'please cone. Do something. Help him. Make our brother well." Then Lazarus died! Jesus said in
John 11:4, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified." And
the rest of the story: Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead!
Last August 17, Lotz was diagnosed with breast cancer. Again she wrote, "God seemed to promise from James
5:17, 'Pray for one another that you may be healed'. Rather than be healed before surgery, I went through
surgery. Rather than the cancer being contained, it was found in a lymph node. Rather than experiencing
minimum side-effects to chemotherapy, I experienced a severe side effect to my second treatment. Rather than stay on schedule, my treatment was delayed for a week, and another chemotherapy infusion was added."
She went on to write, "So........when things get worse, how should you and I respond? With complaints? Self-pity? Fear? Or trust.......
.....that God has a greater purpose than our immediate comfort.
.....that getting what we want, when we want it, is not always for our good or His glory.
.....that our faith is of more value than our physical health.
.....that His strength will be sufficient for each moment of each day.
.....that His blessings will outweigh any trial."
She concluded: "In this New Year------when things get worse--let's choose to lay our expectations down and
trust in God alone. Period."
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Today is Tuesday, May 14th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4032
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Our church has started a series on the book of Acts. I don't know for how many weeks it will be our sermon topics but we were asked by our minister to read Acts. So I started!
The first few verses of chapter 3 tells about Peter and John heading for the Temple for a prayer meeting when a man crippled from birth started pleading with them for money.
"But Peter said, 'We don't have any money for you! But I'll give you something else! I command you in the name of Jesus Christ on Nazareth, WALK!" (verse 6)
The Bible Commentary on this verse says, "The lame beggar asked for money, but Peter gave him something much better----the use of his legs. We often ask God to solve a small problem, but He wants to give us a new life and help for ALL of our problems. When we ask God for help, He may say, 'I've got something even better for you.' Ask God for what you want, but don't be surprised when He gives you what your really need."
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Today is Wednesday, May 15th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4033
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"Spending time alone with Me is essential for your well-being. It is not a luxury or an option; it is a necessity. Therefore, do not feel guilty about taking time to be with Me. Remember that Satan is the accuser of believers. He delights in heaping guilty feelings upon you, especially when you are enjoying My Presence. When you feel Satan's arrows of accusation, you are probably on the right track. Use your shield of faith to protect yourself from him. Talk with Me about what you are experiencing, and ask Me to show you the way forward. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to Me, and I will come near to you.
~ Taken from Revelation 12:10; Ephesians 6:16;James 4: 7- 8
Today's entry.
By Sarah Young "Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence"
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Today is Thursday, May 16th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4034
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Today's email devotion from Max Lucado:
A Satisfied Thirst
"'This cup is the new covenant in my blood,' Jesus explained, holding up the wine. These words recorded in Luke 22:20 must have puzzled the disciples. For generations, the Jews had observed the Passover by sacrificing lambs. It was enough to fulfill the law. But it was not enough to take away sins. Only God could offer an eternal solution.
"Jesus said, 'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.' So the thirsty come. A ragged lot we are, bound together by broken dream and collapsed promises. We thirst for righteousness....a clean conscience, a fresh start, and a clean slate. We pray for a hand which will enter the dark cavern of our soul and do for us the one thing we can't do for ourselves----make us right again."
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Today is Friday, May 17th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4035
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Sometimes everything and everyone seems to be doing well. Sometimes not! Right now, we know of a number of people in our area dealing with health issues. Several are younger people and diagnoses seem to be devastating news.
When that happens, what do we do? A good alternative is to pray and believe. Believe that God will take care of them. Their families. And us.
In 1 Peter 5:7 (LAB) it says, "Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you."
Bible commentary on that same verse: "Carrying your worries, stress, and daily struggles by yourself shows that you have not trusted God fully with your life. I takes humility, however, to recognize that God cares, to admit our need and to let others in His family help you. Sometimes we think that struggles caused by our foolishness are not God's concern. But when we turn to Him, asking for His help and forgiveness, He will bear the weight even of those struggles. Don't submit to circumstances, but to Him who controls circumstances."
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Today is Monday, May 20th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4036
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"Daily Bread" is something written by Judy Wade, a pastor and banker, and forwarded to me by our: Uncle Bud
"Have you ever thought that God cannot possibly use you? I hear discussions on inability all the time and other times people are afraid to step out and step up for fear of what might come up from the past. Charles Stanley shares, 'We don't serve the Lord because we are perfect......we do because we are thankful for what He has done for us. And the work we do is greater because every time we show His everlasting love to another person, it multiplies and grows.' As I stated yesterday (must be in another post?), 'We love because He first loved us.' 1 John 4:19. He turns the weak into strong. He blesses those who mourn and He gives greater grace at just the right time. Be blessed, dear children."
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Today is Tuesday, May 21st, 2019; Karen's Korner #4037
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"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty --- you will succeed because of my Spirit, though you are few and weak."
~ Zechariah 4:6 LAB
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Bible Commentary: "Many people believe that to survive in this world a person must be tough, strong, unbending and harsh. But God says, 'You will succeed because of my Spirit, though you are few and weak." The key words are 'because of my Spirit.' It is only through his Spirit that anything of lasting value is accomplished........ As we live for God, we need to determine not to trust in our own strength or abilities. Instead, we need to depend on God and work in the power of his Spirit!
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Today is Wednesday, May 22nd, 2019; Karen's Korner #4038
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The Dynamics of Mercy
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.' Jesus says the merciful are shown mercy. Forgiving others allows us to see how God has forgiven us. They dynamic of giving grace is the key to understanding grace. For it is when we forgive us. They dynamic of giving grace is the key to understanding grace. For it is when we forgive others, that we begin to feel what God feels.
"Those who taste God's grace but refuse to share it are tortured by anger; choked by bitterness; and consumed by revenge. But for the one who tastes God's grace and gives it to others, the reward is a blessed liberation. The prison door is thrown open. And the prisoner set free is yourself. Find the face of God who forgave you in the face of your enemy. Then set your enemy and yourself free."
~ by Max Lucado, his daily inspirational thought email from yesterday
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Today is Thursday, May 23rd, 2019; Karen's Korner #4039
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"As God's messenger, I (Paul) give each of you God's warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you."
~ Romans 12:3 LAB
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Bible Commentary: "We hear a lot about the importance of healthy self-esteem. Paul warns us, however, not to go too far in self-love----another translation says that no on should 'think of himself more highly than we ought to think'. Some of us think too little of ourselves; some think too much. The key to honest and accurate evaluation is knowing the basis of our worth----our new identity in Christ. Apart from Him, we aren't worth very much by eternal standards; in Him, our worth as a creation of God is infinite. Evaluating ourselves by the worldly standards of success and achievement can cause us to think too much about our worth in the eyes of others and miss our true value in God's eyes."
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Today is Friday, May 24th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4040
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This is Memorial Day weekend; officially celebrated on Monday. This year on May 27.
"Originally, Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day and was meant to honor Union and Confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War. By the 1900s, it had become a day to celebrate all American soldiers who died while serving in the military. But it wasn't until 1967 that it was legally named Memorial Day.
So what is the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day? Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor those who are no longer around to receive our gratitude. Veterans Day is a day to shake the hand of someone who has helped to defend our freedom. *
And now Memorial Day has become a tradition for us to honor our loved ones who are no longer with us. It is a great time to remember. I plan to do several things to 'remember'. Hope that you will too!
* taken from some internet writings
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You created relationships for us to enjoy. Help us to recall pleasant memories of those we have had in our lives and to know that life is temporary. Thank You that You have made possible relationships with You that can last forever. Bless the people now serving in our military and those who gave their lives defending our nation. Bless, too, the families who have been asked to endure the sacrifice of their loved ones in the military. Help us to not move too quickly past this weekend, but to take some time for honor and reflection. In Jesus' Name we ask these things. Amen.
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Today is Monday, May 27th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4041
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GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY
"We ask You Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in all their decisions. The burden that has been places on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.
"Protect & guide our Military, oh Lord; Strengthen them in their trials; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of Your abiding presence wherever they may be; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
~ Taken from Sunday's Clarion Church of Christ bulletin
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Today is as we celebrate Memorial Day and remember. Let's reflect on the words to 'God Bless America' and turn it into a prayer to God Who has blessed and our country on its more than two hundred years of existence.
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Today is Tuesday, May 28th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4042
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"Everyone who trusts in Him is freed from all guilt and declared righteous---something the Jewish law could never do." (Acts 13:30 LAB, written by Paul). With the commentary on this verse: "This is the Good News of the gospel---that forgiveness of sins and freedom from guilt are available to all people through faith in Christ----including me and you. Have we received this forgiveness? Ar we refreshed by this each day?"
The last few years, I mark in my Bible, Karen's Korner verses and when they were used. This one is marked KK #2749 on January 30, 2014. I also have made notes in the margins for years. On September 30, 1987, I penned, "Not will be, IS". Re-read the verse above and look at this 'IS'. Whether we feel like it; act like it or not!
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Today is Wednesday, May 29th, 2019; Karen's Korner #4043
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Nature's Witness
"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."
~ Genesis 8:21-22 NIV
"In spite of the sin and rebellion that God knew lurked in the very next generation of Noah's sons and would increase with every subsequent generation, God committed Himself to spare the earth His previous judgments. While He did not remove the curse He had placed on Planet Earth following Adam and Eve's sin in the Garden, He vowed He would not increase the curse. And He promised that never again would He destroy all life on the planet as He had done during the Flood.
"As evidence that He was good and would keep His promise, God pointed to the very cycles in nature. As you and I see the winter snows give way to spring flowers and the summer's heat give way to autumn's briskness, we are reminded that in back of the changes is the God Who never changes. The sun that rises every morning and sets every evening, the stars that come out in the night sky, and the moon that goes through its monthly phases----all reveal the glory of God, Who is good! How do your daily habits and lifestyle bear witness to the glory of God?
~ By Anne Graham Lotz
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Today is Friday, May 31st, 2019; Karen's Korner #4044
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(For some reason, yesterday's Karen's Korner didn't go through. So here it is!)
This morning I saw on the news, a Michigan law enforcement officer who grabbed a two-year-old girl out of the way of an oncoming garbage truck. She was wandering down her driveway. He intervened just a few moments before the truck happened their street. Mom said she had lost track of her briefly.
At any rate, disaster was avoided and caught on video!
I thought about us. How often do we 'wander aimlessly'? And God intervenes. Just in time to rescue us from a leering disaster. We don't always know where we are going. Or that we may need help. He knows! He helps!
Psalm 91 says, "He rescues us from every trap, and protects us from the fatal plague. He will shield us with His wings! They will shelter us. His faithful promises are our armor. Now we don't need to be afraid of the dark any more fear dangers of the day (verses 3-6)."
And it goes on later in the chapter: "For He orders His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will steady you with their hands to keep you from stumbling against the rocks on the trail. You can safely meet a lion or step on poisonous snakes, yes, even trample them beneath your feet!
"For the Lord says, 'Because He loves me, I will rescue him; I will make him great because he trusts in my name. When he calls on me, I will answer. I will be with him in trouble, and rescue him and honor him. I will satisfy him with a full life and give him my salvation" (verses 11-16 LAB).
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