Today is Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012; Karen's Korner #2287
A couple more 'daily installments' from a week-long pamphlet of writings by Billy Graham as we prepare for Easter Sunday; the short thoughts are titled "VICTORY: Preparing for Resurrection Sunday":
"As we gaze on the confused and frustrated world, this Scripture comes to mind: 'For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe' (I Corinthians 1:21). The idea of our world being saved by Christ on the cross was foolishness to the proud and boastful Corinthians of the Apostle Paul's time, who thought that the wisdom of the world was vested in them. And there are many people like them today. But how different it is for those of us who in simple faith know Christ and Him crucified. For us, as the apostle wrote, the cross of Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
"We have been saved by His grace and mercy. We do not deserve it, we did not pay for it, we did not work for it. It has been given to us as a gift. It is by the work of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross--and by His resurrection--that we can claim any right to the great Kingdom that is yet to come.
"When others look at you, do they see the hope
that you have in Christ,
both for this life and for eternity?"
***
"Who looks forward to turning on the news these days? All we seem to hear about are problems. People are losing jobs and savings. A person can get depressed listening to it all, and many people are fearful. If you are facing hardship during these tough times, my heart goes out to you. Life isn't always fair or easy. You may feel you do not know where to turn. But one of the Bible's greatest truths is this: God never abandons us when life becomes difficult. He is always with us and wants to help us, even when things seem to be going wrong. He does not guarantee to reverse every misfortune, but if Christ lives in our hearts, we have His promise that nothing 'in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord' (Romans 8:39). What a guarantee! Instead of being fearful about the future, this Easter we can trust and believe that God is working a purpose in our lives. We can have hope!
"Despite troubles and bad news,
are you able to rejoice in the Gospel--
the Good News of your
salvation in Christ Jesus?"
******
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