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August 2022 Archives
Today is Monday, August 8th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4716
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Back after being gone some.
Today I am looking at 1 Corinthians chapter 15, known as the resurrection chapter. These few verses talks about Jesus walking on the earth again after his death. It talks about sceptics, not believing it happened.
I have people in my life saying it could never have happened. You may have people like that as well.
"He (Jesus) seen by Peter and later by the rest of the 'the Twelve'. After that He was seen by more than five hundred Christian brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died by now."
~ I Corinthians 15:5 & 6 LAB
Bible Commentary: "There will always be people who say Jesus didn't rise from the dead. Paul (writer) assures us that many people saw Jesus after His resurrection, including more than 500 Christian believers. The resurrection is a historical fact. Don't be discouraged by doubters who deny the resurrection."
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Today is Tuesday, August 9th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4717
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I didn't feel like getting started today
Lots of things happening that I don't like. Either in my life or the lives of people close to me. The news isn't any better. Either in the country or around the world. I don't like some of it; maybe even a lot of it!
Then I started reading Psalm 73. Verses 10 and 11, "And so God's people are dismayed and confused, and drink it all in. 'Does God realize what is going on?' they ask."
The Bible commentary says, "Until Asaph (writer) entered Gods' sanctuary, he could not understand the justice of allowing the wicked to thrive while the righteous endured hardship. But when he saw that one day justice would be done, he acknowledged the wisdom of God."
Later in the chapter (verse 26) it says, "Our health fails; our spirits droop, yet God remains! He is the strength of our hearts; He is ours forever! (changed from singular to plural, to include all of us!)
He is worthy of our praise and our attention. I need to be reminded often.
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Today is Wednesday, August 10th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4718
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"365 Days of Prayer for Women", written by Stephanie Sample, are all good ones. Today's "korner' is taken from the July 20 entry, talking about a 'giving heart', which most of you, us are. But we are also human beings! Sometimes we forget.
A GIVING HEART
"In all things, I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive."
~ Acts 20:35 KSV
"Generous God, I know you love a cheerful giver, and I want to be one! I want to give joyously and to the fullest extent I can. But I can be selfish, Father. I like my extras, and sometimes I listen to the voice that says I deserve them. As I cling to my luxuries, drown that voice out with your own, Remind me of how wonderful it feels to be generous. Remind me of how much I have, and how very little I need. Keep it ever before me how very many people rely on the generosity of others for those basic needs to be met. Grant me a giving heart."
Are we cheerful givers?"
****
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Today is Thursday, August 11th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4719
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Who doesn't like to hear someone tell them, "I love you!'' Or tell someone you love them!
Number 91 entry from "100 THINGS God Loves About You"; simple reminders from when you need them most by Tama Fortner.
GOD LOVES THE WAY YOU DON'T SEE
"For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile---
the same Lord is Lord of all and righty blesses all who call on him.
~ Romans 10:12
"Some people see only the differences. She is so fat! Did you see his clothes? What is she doing on this side of town? Shade of skin, heritage, size, weight, and age---instead of seeing these as amazing reminders of the creativity of God, some people see these differences as a reason to mock, to scorn, even to hate.
"But you know that the God who loves, cherishes, and saves you is the same God who loves, cherishes, and longs to save everyone. Instead of differences, you see souls who need Jesus. And God loves the way you see them instead of their differences.
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Today is Friday, August 12th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4720
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Some wise thoughts taken from Proverbs, as we move into the weekend. Summer is going fast!!
"The Lord's blessing is our greatest wealth.
All our work adds nothing to it!"
~Proverbs 10:22
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""The Lord is watching everywhere,
and keeps his eyes on
both the evil and the good."
~ Proverbs 15:3
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"A happy face means a glad heart;
a sad face means a breaking heart."
~ Proverbs 15:13
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"Getting wisdom is the most important thing
you can do!
And with your wisdom develop common sense,
and good judgment."
~ Proverbs 4:7
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""Telling lies about someone is as harmful
as hitting him with an axe,
or wounding him with a sword,
or shooting him with a sharp arrow."
~ Proverbs 15:13
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"There are 'friends' who pretend to be friends,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a
brother."
~ Proverbs 18:24
*******
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Today is Monday, August 15th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4721
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TOGETHER FOREVER
By Anne Graham Lotz
"We eagerly await a Savior....who........
will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."
~ Philippians 3:20 -21 NIV
"As wonderful as my loved ones are and as much as I miss them, they are not perfect! And if you r loved ones are like mine, your relationship with them on earth has not been perfect either. To think of living forever in the same home with my brother would give one pause! But when e get to Heaven, the joy of seeing our loved ones once again is immeasurably increased when we realize that all of us will indeed be perfect! There will be no more......disagreements or cross words,
hurt feelings of misunderstandings,
neglect or busyness,
interruptions or rivalry,
jealousy or pride,
selfishness or sin of any kind!
"There will be nothing at all to mar our full enjoyment of being with our loved ones forever and ever!"
****
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Today is Tuesday, August 16th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4722
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Number 99 of "100 Things God Loves About You" by Tama Fortner, talks about 'welcoming ways' and 'hospitality'.
That is a good one for me and many of you!
People in my world know that I don't like eating alone so I invite others to eat with me probably at least once a week. Not a 'feast' but goulash or sloppy joes that I am getting hungry for and don't want to eat as leftovers a bunch.
Something that I did at our Iowa State Fair on Sunday didn't take much 'planning' or 'work'. Thousands of people went to the fair. As I was waiting in line and began to creep to my parking space, there was a number of employees, evenly spaced. Many of them young teens, waving their arms, directing us forward to our parking spots on the enormous grassy knoll.
As I slowly passed each one, I would say, "Thank for doing this for us." Or "you are doing good job" Like maybe a dozen of them. Did they get that kind of affirmation? Often? At all?
GOD LOVES YOUR WELCOMING WAYS
"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."
~ Hebrews 13:2
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"They're everywhere, all around you. The lonely, the uncertain, the lost.
"They're those scared, searching souls trying to slip onto the back pew and then slip back out again. They're the unlovely, the unlovable, and the unloved. They're the corner cashier, the stranger on the street, and the new kid in town.
"And you welcome them. A smile, a hug, a handshake. You draw them into the circle of your friendship and introduce them to the love of God. To the One who loves your welcoming ways." **
Thank You, God, for prompting me to tell some strangers,
"Thanks for doing his/her job!"
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Today is Wednesday, August 17th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4723
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Three times in Psalm chapter 80, the nearly same things are said in three verses:
"Turn us again to yourself, O God.
Look down on us in joy and love;
only then shall we be saved."
~ verse 8
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"Turn us again to yourself, O God of Hosts.
Look down on us in joy and love
then shall we be saved."
~ verse 7
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"Turn us again to yourself, O God of heaven.
Look down on us,
your face aglow with joy and love---
only then shall we be saved."
~ verse 19
** Bible Commentary: "Three times the writer (Asaph) calls on God to 'turn us again to yourself' Repentance involves humbling ourselves and turning to God to receive his forgiveness and restoration. As we turn to God, he helps us to see ourselves more clearly, including our sin. And as we see our sin, the process of repentance must be repeated over and over again."
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Today is Thursday, August 18th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4724
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BETTER IS ONE DAY
Words to song
By Matt Redman
"How lovely is Your dwelling place O Lord Almighty for my soul longs And even faints for you
"For here my heart is satisfied Within Your presence I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings
"Better is one day in Your courts Better is one day in Your house Better is one day in Your courts Than thousands elsewhere
"One thing I ask and I would seek To see Your beauty To ind you in the place Your glory dwells
"My heart and flesh cry out For you, the living God Your spirit's water to my soul I've tasted and I've seen
"Come once again to me I will draw near to you I will draw near to you
****
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Today is Friday, August 19th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4725
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Yesterday's inspirational thought by Max Lucado, emailed to my computer:
The Adventurously Expectant Life
"As a child of God, this resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike, 'What’s next, Papa?' God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get an unbelievable inheritance! (Romans 8:15-17 MSG).
"God says, 'Hey, Lucado, you’re an heir to the joy of Christ. Why not ask Jesus to help you?' 'And you, Mr. Without-a-Clue. Aren’t you an heir to God’s storehouse of wisdom?' 'Mrs. Worrywart, why do you let fears steal your sleep? Are you not a beneficiary of God’s trust fund?'
Approach God’s throne not as an interloper but as a child of the living and loving God. Because God’s promises are unbreakable, our hope is unshakable!"
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Today is Monday, August 22nd, 2022; Karen's Korner #4726
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"Oh, revive us!
Then your people can rejoice in you again.
Pour out your love and kindness
on us, Lord,
grant us your salvation."
~ Psalm 85:6,7 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "The psalm writer was asking God to revive his people. God is capable of reviving both churches and individuals. He can pour out his love on us, bringing us back to loving him. If we need renewal in our churches, families, or our personal spiritual lives, we need to ask God to give us a fresh touch of his love and kindness."
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Today is Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022; Karen's Korner #4727
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"Now you don't need to be afraid of the
dark any more,
nor fear the dangers of the day,
nor dread the plagues of darkness,
nor disasters in the morning."
~ Psalm 91: 5 & 6 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "God is a refuge, a shelter when we are afraid. The writer's faith in God as Protector would carry him through all the dangers and fears of life. This should be a picture of our trust---trading all our fears for faith in him, no matter what kind of fear it may be."
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Today is Wednesday, August 24th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4728
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Taken from "365 Days of Prayer for Women" by Stephanie Sample. This one from August 9:
UNSHAKABLE
"The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace.
Because he trusts in You."
~ Isaiah 8:9 NASB
"God who sees and hears and knows everything, how is it you have perfect peace? I can't comprehend it. Within minutes of waking, the enemies of my peace are jabbing away at me. The weight of responsibility, memories of disappointment, and a vague sense of dread sometimes greet me before my feet hit the floor. Greet them back, Father, with your peace. Bless me with your sight, so that responsibilities become privileges, memories are wisdom gained, and dread is replaced with joyful anticipation. Make me unshakable, God. This world will come at me until the day I die, but I don't have to let it catch me. Instead, I will pursue and claim your peace."
"How can we trust God to calm us and give us His peace?"
*****
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Today is Thursday, August 25th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4729
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PLUGGED INTO THE POWER SOURCE
Today's inspirational thought in my computer inbox
by
Anne Graham Lotz
"In Your hand is power and might,; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all."
~ 1 Chronicles 29:12 NKJV
"The crowning jewel of Creation was man himself. He was created for a distinct purpose. If the purpose is lived out, life is fulfilling. If the purpose is rejected or ignored, life will never be what it was meant to be.
"A light bulb is a simple glass globe. If placed on a desk or table, it is meaningless as well as useless. But if it is fitted into a lamp and plugged into a power source, it fulfills its purpose for existence, taking on meaning as a source of light that is useful for daily living.
"Apart from the Creator's purpose, you and I are like a light bulb lying in a meaningless, useless state. We need to fit into the Creator's original design, plugging into the power source -- our relationship with Him -- if our lives are to be what they were meant to be."
*****
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Today is Friday, August 26th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4730
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Something written by Max Lucado to take us into the weekend. Not much summer left! Make it a good one!!
Stand On the Offer of Grace
“'Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them!'
(Proverbs 26:12 NIV).
"God hates pride. How do we explain God’s abhorrence of the haughty heart? Simple. God resists the proud because the proud resist God. Arrogance will not admit to sin. The heart of pride never confesses, never repents, never asks for forgiveness. Pride is the hidden reef that shipwrecks the soul. Pride comes at a high price. Don’t pay it. Choose instead to stand on the offer of grace.
"You see, 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble' (1 Peter 5:5 NKJV). Isn’t it easy to see why? Humility is happy to do what pride will not. The humble heart is quick to acknowledge the need for God, eager to confess sin, willing to kneel before heaven’s mighty hand.
"And because God’s promises are unbreakable our hope is unshakable!"
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Today is Monday, August 29th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4731
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This morning I began my journey of reading Philippians; four chapters.
The 'Blueprint' says:
* Chapter 1 - Joy in Suffering
* Chapter 2 - Joy in Serving
* Chapter 3 - Joy in Believing
* Chapter 4 - Joy in Giving
"Although Paul was writing from prison, joy is a dominant theme in this letter. The secret of his joy is grounded in his relationship with Christ. People today desperately want to be happy , but are tossed and turned by daily successes, failures, and inconveniences. Christians are to be joyful in every circumstance, even when things are going badly, even when we feel like complaining, even when no one else is joyful. Christ still reigns and we still know Him, so we can rejoice at all times."
The one Key Verse is
"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again, rejoice."
(Philippians 4:4)
Being full of joy is not a feeling nor a decision, it something that is packed into us, as believers. It is one of God's gifts to us!
Thank You, Jesus, for dying on the cross and imparting so many gifts to us! I posses Your gift of Joy. Help me to remember that and possess it!
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Today is Tuesday, August 30th, 2022; Karen's Korner #4732
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"I bless the holy name of God with all my heart. Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things he does for me.
"He forgives all my sins.
He heals me.
He ransoms me from hell
He surrounds me with loving kindness and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things!
"My youth is renewed like the eagle's!
He gives justice to all who are treated unfairly.
He revealed his will and nature to Moses and the people of Israel.
"He is merciful and tender toward those who don't deserve it;
he is slow to get angry and full of kindness and love.
He never bears a grudge;
nor remains angry forever.
He has not punished us as we deserve for all our sins,
for his mercy toward those who fear and honor him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
"He has removed sins as far away from us as the east is from the west.
He is lile a father to us, tender and sympathetic to those who reverence him."
~ Psalm 103: 1 - 12 LAB
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Bible Commentary: "David's (writer) praise focused on God's glorious acts. It is easy to complain about life, but David's list gives us plenty for which to praise God---his love, forgiveness, salvation, kindness, mercy, justice patience, tenderness---we receive all of these without deserving any of them. No matter now difficult our life's journey, we can always count our blessings---past, present, and future. When we feel like we have nothing for which to praise God, reread David's list."
*****
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Today is Wednesday, August 31st, 2022; Karen's Korner #4733
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In the September issue of Decision magazine, a publication of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Franklin Graham penned "Our Unchanging God".
He tells about a recent interview he had with British broadcaster and television personality Piers Morgan. Morgan stated that countries around the world now have less than 50% of each population who believe in God. Only 47% of Americans believe in God, the lowest that Gallup poll has ever found. Younger people is where there is the largest decline.
Morgan challenged Graham, "You should think about this a bit more. Times are changing. People are changing."
Graham responded, "God doesn't change. He's the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow." He quoted several Bible verses including Malachi 3:6, "For I am the Lord, I do not change." And Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
Graham said, "Hostility toward Christianity and believers is found in virtually every segment of society -- education, politics the public square."
At the conclusion of the article, Graham wrote, "Almighty God never changes. And a God who is unchanging in holiness, faithfulness and steadfast love makes it possible for anyone, in any age, to be changed from death to life, from darkness to light, from the dominion of the devil to the dominion of God. The times, they may be changing, but thank God, He never does."
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