This is something from a Karen's Korner from 6 1/2 years ago. Seem like the more things change; the more they stay they same. This writing is taken from the first part of Romans Chapter 13 titled "Obedience to the government".

Today is Monday, July 13th, 2020; Karen's Korner #4251

Our sermon yesterday was taken from Romans 13:1 - 5. Very timely.

• As the minister said, "Pray for our leaders at all levels of government, whether you voted for him or her or not." The only exception is if it goes against God's laws which are higher still. (i.d. Daniel who got tossed into the lions den for continuing to pray to His God.)

Sometimes we look around at some countries and wonder how that leader could be 'placed in power by God'. But He is God and we aren't!

"For the policeman does not frighten people who are doing right; but those doing evil will always fear him. So if you don't want to be afraid, keep the laws and you will get along well. The policeman is sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course, you should be afraid, for he will have you punished. He is sent by God for that very purpose."
verses 3 & 4

Bible Commentary on those couple of verses:  "When the police are unjust good people are afraid. In this verse, Paul (writer) is talking about police who are doing their duty. When the police are just, people who are doing right have nothing to fear."

"Obey the laws, then, for two reasons,
first, to keep from being punished,
and second, just because you know you should."
verse 5 (all from LAB)

****

Have you noticed that things are changing? Everything! Weather. Seasons. Relationships. Our health. Things in the world. And the list goes on.
 
Everything, but God! He never changes. Never has. Never will.
 
Something taken from “100 Things God Loves About You”, by Tama Fortner. Number 5. In case we need a ‘dose’ of His Love today!
 

God loves to call you His own.
 
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
 
` 1 John 3:1

 
“God loves you. More than just a little. More than a lot. He loves you….lavishly. His love is not the stingy, strings attached love of this world. It is a love that stretches beyond the stars and reaches far into eternity. Just call His name, reach out to Him----and His love will sweep into your life, scoop you up, and whisper softly over and over, ‘You are Mine’….for you are His very own."

***

You can tell that I like Allen Jackson and his “Let’s Pray for America”; 30 Prayers for Our Nation’s Future. Here is another one:

 
FOR JESUS’ NAME TO BE LIFTED UP
 
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done.”
~ Psalm 105:1

 
“At the beginning of our nation, what bound us together was our faith---and we have largely forgotten that. Founding Father John Adams once said that America only works with a religious, moral foundation. That moral foundation came from the Bible, which also became our first textbook in early American schools. Even our legal foundation was derived from the Ten Commandments, which were posted in our schools and halls government. Now, 250 years later, we have walked away from much of that faith.
 
“It’s essential we start to bring our faith and biblical values back to the public square---our schools, workplaces, hospitals, and halls of government. We have to be willing to be bold, unapologetic, persistent, and loving advocates for Jesus of Nazareth, as Lord, Christ, and King. That might look like praying with a coworker who’s having a bad day, sharing your testimony in a school cafeteria, encouraging a patient in the hospital with a scripture, or speaking up in a city council meeting. Wherever your sphere of influence, we’ve all been called to bring Jesus into those places.”
 

LET’S PRAY
 
“Lord Jesus, we thank You that You have been given a name above every name and authority. At the mention of Your name, every knee has to bow, every tongue must confess, and every dark spirit has to yield to Your authority. May the name of Jesus once again be exalted, revered, and esteemed, and let it start with us. Let us lift up the name of Jesus in our nation---in our schools, universities, halls of government, court rooms, workplaces, and hospital corridors. In His name we pray, amen.”

***

Something written by Max Lucado which I got before I was gone; received October 30 I really liked it. Hope you do too:

IN HOT PURSUIT

"Jesus still finds blind people and restores their sight. Did you know he promised that through his ministry the blind shall see? Christ came to give light and sight.

"Consider what he is doing in the Muslim world. According to Tom Doyle, more Muslims have become Christians in the last couple of decades than in the previous 1400 years since Muhammad and about one out of every three Muslim background believers has had a dream or vision prior to their salvation experience.

"Jesus is in hot pursuit of the spiritually blind and he finds them, he touches them. He may use a vision or he may use the kindness of a friend or the message of a sermon or the splendor of creation. But believe this, he came to bring sight to the blind.

"Remember friend, you are never alone."

****

(I will be away from my computer next week. Next Karen’s Korner will be Monday, November 9. Happy Halloween. Don’t forget to vote!)
 
Another entry from Allen Jackson’s “Let’s Pray for America”; Thirty Prayers for Our Nation’s Future:
 

For the Church to be Salt and Light
 
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world…..let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
~ Matthew 5:13-14; 16

 
“In our society, we’ve created laws to restrain evil, but those laws don’t produce good. You see, it’s not the government’s job to make people righteous---that’ the Church’s assignment. We are called to be salt and light to the world. That means we should have a sense of urgency around sharing the gospel frequently, widely, consistently, and unrelentingly. That’s the only thing that will bring a change to human hearts---not more law, different politicians, or different majorities.
 
“As salt and light, we’re here to win people to the Lord, not make war on them. We have to pray for the ungodly with compassion. We have to tell them our Jesus-story. We don’t have to engage in wickedness or their immorality, but we do need to have compassion on them. Our faith is intended to be linked to the conviction that something is happening---God is moving. He loves every person, and He has called you and me to be the expression of the Spirit of God on earth.”
 

LET’S PRAY
 
“Lord, we accept the assignment You’ve given us to be salt and light in the earth, to be an expression of the triumph of Jesus Christ. Give us the courage and compassion to share the gospel with people You put in our path, so You can change their hearts. We repent for the times we’ve hidden in the shadows and not embraced our calling. Lord, give us the wisdom to be salt and light in a way that expresses Your Spirit and pleases You. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
 
***

A friend handed us this ‘timely’ sheet at a meeting several days ago. Enjoy!
 

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin!
 
God picks you from the patch and brings you in.
(John 15:16)
 
Then washes all the dirt off of you.
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
 
He opens you up and scoops out all the yucky stuff.
He removes the seeds of doubt, greed, etc.
(Romans 6:6)
 
The He carves you a new smiling face.
(Psalm 71:23)
 
And He puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.
(Matthew 5:16)

***

(Sorry for the delay today. My computer was in the ‘computer clinic’ overnight getting its annual checkup!)
 
This is Sarah Young’s “Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence”. It is really for tomorrow (October 29). She talks about getting ready for tomorrow. Something I want to look at as I prepare for the day; early tomorrow morning:
 
“Linger in My Presence a while. Rein in your impulses to plunge into the day’s activities. Beginning your day alone with Me is essential preparation for success. A great athlete takes time to prepare himself mentally for the feat ahead of him before he moves a muscle. Similarly, your time of being still in My Presence equips you for the day ahead of you. Only I know what will happen to you this day. I have arranged the events you will encounter as you go along your way. If you are not adequately equipment for the journey, you will grow weary and lose heart. Relax with Me while I ready you for the action.”
 
~ Taken from Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 12:3
 

****

Another entry from Allen Jackson’s “Let’s Pray for America”; Thirty Prayers for Our Nation’s Future:

FOR OUR LEADERS
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people---for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
~ 1 Timothy 2:1 – 2

“The Christian faith has been an inseparable part of our nation’s heritage since its inception, but the enemy is seeking to dimmish that. We’ve heard people say, ‘We’re not a Christian nation,’ and that’s simply not true. If you look back on our history, it’s clear that faith in God has influenced our government. Our first president, George Washington, said, ‘It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefit, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.’
 
“Our allegiance begins with the Kingdom of God, and our obedience is to His Word, which tells us to pray for those in authority over us. Whether you like them or not, whether you voted for them or not, we need to pray for our leaders. Pray that they would fulfill their assignments in ways that honor God, and that their decisions would promote godliness and give us the freedom to be advocates for the gospel of Jesus.”

LET’S PRAY

“Lord, we thank You for this nation. We thank You for rising up generations after generation of leaders who have led with sacrifice, courage, and boldness, and who have conducted themselves in such a way that it pleased You to continue to bless us. We pray that our leaders today---specifically our president, vice-president, cabinet, congress, judges, and local leaders---will fear Your name, will stand for righteousness, godliness, holiness, and purity; will speak the truth; and will deal with integrity. We pray that all those in authority in our nation will honor You in their decisions. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

***

Yesterday was a Celebration of Life for Jim’s cousin’s grandson, Carl Clark. He was 24!

This young man took his own life.

Many friends and relatives attended the church service; a place which was not foreign to Carl or the rest of his immediate family.

The event was truly a celebration, but the service did not shy away from the reality of what had happened. The family knew there were problems and was attempting to get Carl help. Along with music, Bible readings, and a sermon, those in attendance were told, “If you need help, tell someone!”
There was a time for ‘Confession and Forgiveness’, as we confessed our own thought processes which aren’t always good!

One of the two Bible readings was taken from Romans 8:31 – 39.
 

“For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His Love.
Death can’t, and life can’t.
The angels won’t, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away.
Our fears for today, our worries for tomorrow,
Or where we are---high above the sky,
Or in the deepest ocean---
Nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God
Demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when He died for us.”
~ verses 38 & 39
*

Another memorable part: when both of his brothers got up to tell of their good times with their ‘little brother Carl!’