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August 2023 Archives
Today is Tuesday, August 1st, 2023; Karen's Korner #4922
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Something written by Max Lucado and in my inbox several days ago:
SATURATED IN GOD'S LOVE
"“ 'Where God’s love is there is no fear, because God’s perfect love drives out fear' (1 John 4:18 NCV).
"We fear rejection, so we follow the crowd. We fear not fitting in, so we take the drugs. For fear of standing out, we wear what everyone else wears. For fear of blending in, we wear what no one else wears. But those saturated in God’s love don’t sell out to win the love of others. They don’t even sell out to win the love of God.
"We all need improvement, but we don’t need to woo God’s love. We change because we already have God’s perfect love. Perfect love is just that—a perfect knowledge of the past and perfect vision of the future. God knows your entire story, from first words to final breath, and with clear assessment he declares, 'You are mine.' ”
****
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Today is Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023; Karen's Korner #4923
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Taken from :365 Days of Prayer for Women" by Stephanie Sample for today, August 2:
"Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed;
Save me and i will be saved,
For You are my praise.
~ Jeremiah 17:14 NASB
"Healer, I need you!
I know what you can do;
I've read it and I've seen it.
Today, I claim your healing.
You know my need, Father.
The brokenness in body and spirit
for which I pray is not news to you.
You are intimately involved, waiting to intercede.
I believe you, Lord.
I know you can take this suffering in an instant;
I know it as well as I know my name.
I know that if you choose to wait,
even until we are reunited,
that your reasons are good.
Boldly, I ask you not to wait.
I ask you to act now, today,
and to heal me."
"Where do you need Jesus' healing touch?"
***
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Today is Thursday, August 3rd, 2023; Karen's Korner #4924
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"Where is the man who fears the Lord? God will teach him how to choose the best."
~ Psalm 25:12 LAB
*
"Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises."
~ Psalm 25:14 LAB
* "My eyes are ever looking for the Lord for help, for he alone can rescue me."
~ Psalm 25:15 LAB
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Today is Friday, August 4th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4925
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A couple of thoughts to take us into the weekend.
"100 Things God Loves About You" by Tama Fortner. Number 8:
GOD LOVES THE WORTH OF YOU
"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.,... You are worth more than many sparrows."
~ Luke 12: 6 - 7
*
"How much are you worth? The bank has an opinion. So do your teachers and your boss. Even science says that the sum of all your chemical parts is worth only a few dollars. But God says 'You are worth more than many sparrows.' Think about that: not a single, tiny sparrow ever falls to the ground unnoticed by God. So imagine how much more He will watch over you! The One who knows the worth of the smallest sparrow also knows and loves the worth of you."
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Today is Monday, August 7th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4926
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Something written and in my inbox a few days ago from Anne Graham Lotz:
THE GREATNESS OF GOD'S POWER
"All things were made through Him,
and without Him nothing was made
that was made."
~ John 1:3 NKJV
"God created:
atoms and angels and ants,
crocodiles and chiggers and clouds,
elephants and eagles and electrons,
orchids and onions and octopuses,
frogs and feathers and sea foam,
diamonds and dust and dinosaurs,
raindrops and sweat drops,
dewdrops and blood drops,
and me! And you!
"The greatness of His power to create and design and form and mold and make and build and arrange defies the limits of our imagination. And since He created everything, there is nothing beyond His power to fix or mend or heal or restore!"
***
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Today is Tuesday, August 8th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4927
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A graphic in my Bible near Galatians chapter 5:
Our wrong desires vs. the fruit of the spirit
"The will of the Holy Spirit is in constant oppotition to our sinful desires. The two are on opposite sides of the spiritual battle:
Our wrong desires vs. the fruit of the Spirit:
Evil vs. Good
Destructive vs. Productive
East to ignite vs. Difficult to ignite
Self-centered vs. Self-giving
Oppressive and possessive vs. Liberating and nurturing
Decadent vs. Liberating and nurturing
Sinful vs. Holy
Deadly vs. Abundant life
**
Part 1;
part 2 tomorrow!
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Today is Wednesday, August 9th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4928
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"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives
he will produce this kind of fruit in us:
love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, good ness,
faithfulness, gentleness,
and self-control,
and here there is no conflict
with Jewish laws."
~ Galatians 5:22 & 23 LAB
* When we become Christians all these things are packed inside each one us. Whether we feel like it, act like it, or not!
Our job is to agree with God and enjoy these new fruits! Father God,
thank You for my new nature.
You have given me so many wonderful gifts!
All of these and many more.
Like grace and mercy and eternal life.
Thank You.
Help me to embrace all of them.
Today.
And every day!
In Jesus' Name.
Amen.
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Today is Thursday, August 10th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4929
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Yesterday's (August 9) entry taken from
"365 Days of Prayer for Women"
by Stephanie Sample:
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 know 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 then 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 you trust God to calm you and give you His peace?'
***
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Today is Friday, August 11th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4930
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"And I will live among the people of Israel
and be their God,
and they shall know that I am the Lord their God.
I brought them out of Egypt
so that I could live among them.
I am Jehovah their God."
~ Exodus 29:45 & 46 LAB
*
Bible Commentary: "God's action in bringing the Israelities out of Egypt showed his great desire to be with them and protect them. Throughout the Bible, God shows that he is not an absentee landlord. He wants to live among us, even in our hearts. Don't exclude God from your life. Allow him to be your God as you obey his Word and communicate with him in prayer. Let him be your resident landlord."
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Today is Monday, August 14th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4931
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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 & 12 LAB
* 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 else, remember that we are a special gift in God's eyes, a precious present that brings him great joy."
***
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Today is Tuesday, August 15th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4932
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Another installment from "100 Things God Loves About You; Simple Reminders for When You Need Them Most" by Tama Fortner.
Can you tell I like this book? I probably have read through it three times. I pick it up now and then; read a handful. Mark it and then read some more later.
Installment #10:
GOD LOVES THE WAY YOU HIDE IN HIM
"You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance."
~ Psalm 32:7
*
"When the world comes crashing, banging, stomping, and complaining through your life, it can make you want to turn and run and hide.
"So do it!
"Run straight to Him. Hide away from the world for a little while. Let God heal your wounded heart. Let Him fill your spirit with His strength and your soul with His song. Then you can go back and face the world again because God loves the way you hide in Him."
***
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Today is Wednesday, August 16th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4933
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Several SIDE NOTES from the August/September issue of OUR IOWA magazine:
"If you think someone could use a friend,
be one."
*
"Good teachers are able to challenge
young minds
without losing their own."
*
"Why did the coach go to the bank?
To get his quarter back."
*
"A good rule for going through life
is to keep the heart a little softer
than the head."
*
*"We are all travelers in the wilderness
of this world,
and the best
we can find in our travels
is an honest friend."
~ Robert Louis Stevenson
****
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Today is Thursday, August 17th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4934
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"i Paul, the servant of Christ,
am here in jail because of you ---
for preaching that you Gentiles
are a part of God's house."
~ Ephesians 3:1 LAB
* Bible Commentary: "Paul was under house arrest in Rome for preaching about Christ. The religious leaders, who felt threatened by Christ's teachings and didn't believe he was the Messiah, pressured the Romans to arrest Paul and bring him to trial for treason and for causing rebellion among the Jews. Paul had appealed that his case be heard by the emperor, and he was awaiting trial. Even though he was under arrest, Paul maintained his firm belief that God was in control of all that happened to him. Do we let circumstances convince us that God has lost control of this world? Like Paul, we need to remember that no matter what happens, God is directing the world's affairs."
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Today is Friday, August 18th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4935
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Todays' entry from Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence". It's a good one (aren't they all?):
"Expect to encounter adversity in your life, remembering that you live in a deeply fallen world. Stop trying to find a way that circumvents difficulties. The main problem with an easily life is that it masks your need for Me. When you became a Christian, I infused My very Life into you, empowering you to live on a supernatural plane by depending on Me.
"Anticipate coming face to face with impossibilities: situations totally beyond your ability to handle. This awareness of your inadequacy is not something you should try to evade. It is precisely where I want you---the best place to encounter Me in My Glory and Power. When you see armies of problems marching toward you, cry out to Me! Allow Me to fight for you. Watch Me working on your behalf, as you rest in the shadow of My Almighity Presence."
~ Revelation 19:1; Psalm 91:1
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Today is Monday, August 21st, 2023; Karen's Korner #4936
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Today's Max Lucado in my inbox:
How Are We Made Right With God?
"How would you fill in this blank: A person is made right with God through…? Simple statement, yet don’t let its brevity fool you. How you complete it is critical. It reflects the nature of your faith.
"A person is made right with God through… Being good. Giving sandwiches to the poor. Christian conduct, that’s the secret! Suffering, there’s the answer. Sleep on dirt floors. Malaria, poverty, bare feet. The greater the pain, the greater the saint. No, no, no. The way to be made right with God? Doctrine. Airtight theology which explains every mystery. Inspiration clarified.
"How are we made right with God? All the above are tried, all are demonstrated, but none are from God. Romans 3:28 says, 'A person is made right with God through faith.' Through faith in God’s sacrifice on the cross. It’s not what you do, it’s what he did."
****
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Today is Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023; Karen's Korner #4937
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"Be full of love for others,
following the example of Christ
who loved you
and gave himself to God
as a sacrifice
to take away your sins.
And God was pleased,
for Christ's love for you
was like sweet perfume to him."
~ Ephesians 5:2 LAB
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Bible Commentary: "Just as children imitate their parents, we should imitate Christ. His geat love for us led him to sacrifice himself so that we might live. Our love for others should be of the same kind---a love that goes beyond affection to self-sacrificing service."
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Today is Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023; Karen's Korner #4938
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I enjoy sayings; both thought-provoking and humorous.
A friend loaned me a book titled "Book of Great Thoughts and Funny Sayings". I am about a third of the way through. Here are a handful of them:
""Let us keep our mouths shut
and our pens dry
until we know the facts."
~ Anton J. Carlson
*
"To avoid criticism
say nothing,
do nothing,
and
be nothing."
*
""The biggest disease today
is not leprosy or tuberculosis,
but rather the feeling of being unwanted."
~ Mother Teresa
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""It is impossible to enslave
mentally or socially
a Bible-reading people.
The principles of the Bible
are the
groundwork of human freedom."
~ Horace Greeley
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"In prosperity our friends know us:
in adversity we know our friends."
~ J. Churton Collins
*
"It will soon take only two hours to get around the world --
one hour for the flying
and one hour to get to the airport."
*
"You are only what you are
when no one is looking."
~ Robert C. Edwards
****
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Today is Thursday, August 24th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4939
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Ephesians 6: 1 - 3 starts, "Children,, obey your parents".
But it continues in verse 4:
"And now a word to you parents.
Don't keep on scolding an nagging
your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather, bring
them up with the loving discipline
the Lord himself approves,
with suggestions
and godly advice."
Bible Commentary on this verse: "The purpose of parental discipline is to help children grow, not to hurt or discourage them. Parenting is not easy---it takes lots of patience to raise children in a loving, Christ-honoring manner. But frustration and anger should not be causes for discipline. Instead, parents should act in love, treating their children as Jesus treats the people he loves. This is vital to children's development and to their concept of the Lord."
*
Dear Father in Heaven,
Thank You for children.
Lead and guide all of us as parents.
And watch over all the kids as they return to school today, the week, or in the coming week or two.
Send your love to all of us.
We are going to need your help and guidance.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
****
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Today is Friday, August 25th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4940
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"The mother eagle teaches her little ones to fly by making their nest so uncomfortable that they are forced to leave it and commit themsleves to the unknown world of air outside. And just so does our God to us. He stirs up our comfortable nests, and pushes us over the edge of them, and we are forced to use our wings to save ourselves from fatal falling. Read your trials in this light, and see if you cannot begin to get a glimpse of their meaning. Your wings are being developed."
~ Hannah Whitall Smith
* Thank You, God, that you allow us to be kicked out of the nest. But through Your Holy Spirit which resides within each of us, we can soar above our circumstances far above what we could have on our own. Amen.
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Today is Monday, August 28th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4941
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Doing a little bit of drawer cleaning, I found the little booklet "Pocket Prayers" by Max Lucado. "40 Simple Prayers that Bring Peace and Rest".
In the introduction, Lucado confesses his 'trouble' with praying, "I doze off when I pray. My thoughts zig, then zig again." He said he has friends who would rather pray than sleep or eat!
I can relate to Lucado
His remedy "simple, easy-to-remember, pocket-size prayer:
"Father,
you are good.
I need help. Heal me and forgive me.
They need help.
Thank you.
In Jesus' name.
Amen."
I have more trouble memorizing and remembering as I grow older. But I can recall this little list.
Tomorrow I will include Karen's Korner, an example of one of the 40 prays printed in this little booklet.
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Today is Tuesday, August 29th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4942
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As I promised yesterday to include in today's 'korner', one of the forty "Pocket Prayers" by Max Lucado. It follows one simple pattern.
Here is #10: "Father,
you are good.
"Merciful father, I see that you are good. I fear you and am bumbled when I look toward your face. You bless me when I don't deserve it.
I need help. Heal me and forgive me.
"Lord, I often feel far from you. Bring me close and remind me what it's like to be in close relationship with you.
"They need help.
"Would you be with those who are lonely right now? Surround them with a loving community and fulfill all their needs.
"Thank you.
"Thank you that I don't need anything when I am in you."
"In Jesus' name.
Amen."
*Max's Bible verse for the writing:
"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him"
~ Psalm 34:8
****
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Today is Wednesday, August 30th, 2023; Karen's Korner #4943
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"Don't be selfish;
don't live to make
a good impression on others.
Be humble,
thinking of others
as better than yourself."
~ Philippians 2:3 LAB
*
Bible Commentary: "Being humble means having a true perspective on ourselves. It does not mean that we should put ourselves down. We see that we are sinners; saved only by God's grace but we are saved and therefore have great worth in God's Kingdom. We should place ourselves in his hands to be used as he wants in order to spread his Word and share his love with others."
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Today is Thursday, August 31st, 2023; Karen's Korner #4944
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Taken from "Book of Great Thoughts and Funny Sayings":
"There is no use whatever trying to help people who do not help themselves.
You cannot push anyone up a ladder
unless he be willing to climb himself."
~ Andrew Carnegie
*
"If you don't find time to exercise,
you'll find time for illness."
*
"Remember the good old days
when a juvenile delinquent was a boy
who played the saxophone too loud?"
The impersonal hand of government
can never replace
the helping hand of a neighbor."
~ Hubert Humphrey
****
*
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens;
but often we look so long
at the closed door
that we do not see
the one which has been
opened for us."
~ Helen Keller
*
"There is little difference in people.......
the little difference is attitude.
The big difference is whether
it is positive or negative."
~ Clement Stone
****
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