(Sorry for no 'Korner" yesterday. Delay due a power outage!)

Another writing by Allen Jackson’s “Let’s Pray for AMERICA”; Thirty Prayers for Our Nation’s Future:
 

FOR OUR ELECTIONS
 
“When the righteous thrive,
the people rejoice;
when the wicked rule,
the people groan.”
~Proverbs 29:2

 
“Did you know that only 36 percent of adults vote in presidential elections? Those numbers dwindle to 26 percent for off-year elections, and 4 percent for local elections. Such a small minority of Americans are currently determining the direction of our nations! As the Church, this should be a wake-up call. We can’t just complain about or ever just pray for the state of our nation. That’s like praying for food when you haven’t planted a garden. We have to get involved in the process to affect the outcome of our elections. Register to vote, and then actually vote! If there is a candidate you support, tell your friends and encourage them to vote, too.
 
“Biblical issues are at stake----marriage, the education of our children, and more. There are incredible expressions of ungodliness and immorality all around us, and the Church has an assignment to stand up for the truth and cultivate righteousness, holiness, and purity. To see our nation turn back to God and elect godly leaders, we need to be faithful to vote for people and policies that uphold our biblical values.”

 
LET’S PRAY

“Heavenly Father, You have blessed us with abundance, freedom, and liberty. Thank You for giving us the privilege of choosing those who may have authority over us. May our elections be conducted in an upright, forthright, and transparent way. I pray You would motivate me and Christians everywhere to be involved in the political process of elections. Give us wisdom as we vote for godly leaders, and give us leaders who fear Your name and honor You with their choices----from the lowest offices in our land to the highest. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

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This is today's devotional by Max Lucado. He talks about storms. If we don't have one in our lives right now, hang on because one will be coming:

UPWARD, NOT INWARD

"We’d rather be spared the storm. Or if the storm comes, let it be mild and our deliverance be quick. Let the job dismissal come with a severance package and an offer of a better position. Let the marital strife turn quickly to romance. Sometimes it does.

But when it doesn’t, when we are thorax-deep in turbulence, Jesus wants us to know his name and hear him saying, “I am coming.” Such was the experience of the disciples. The moment they invited Christ into their boat was the moment they reached their destination. “So they gladly took Him aboard. And at once the boat reached the shore that they were making for” (John 6:21 Phillips).

Follow the example of the disciples. Welcome Jesus into the midst of this turbulent time. Don’t let this storm turn you inward. Let it turn you upward. Remember my friend, you are never alone."

***

In our election season, another “Let’s Pray for America”, by Allen Jackson and his ‘Thirty Prayers for Our Nation’s Future”:

 
FOR OUR NATION TO PROSPER
 
“Remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”
~ Deuteronomy 8:18
 

“Liberty, Peace, and Prosperity do not come from governments. They come for the hand of God.
 
“God is the owner of all things; we’re just temporarily handling His resources. Any other perspective will lead you astray. We might guard and protect what we’ve been given, but the reality is, we don’t truly own any of it.
 
“So, we don’t have to live in fear of the economy, or inflation, or the national debt. We don’t have to live in fear of the future. If our hearts are right before God, there is no adversary and no economic problem that He won’t shepherd us through. God is sovereign over the stock market, our businesses, and every aspect of our economy. He owns it all, and He also gives us the ability to produce wealth.
 
“Our money has the words ‘In God We Trust’ printed on it. This isn’t some peripheral, insignificant statement. This is the essence of who we are meant to be as a people. Will we trust Him once more with our resources, our finances, and our national economy? Let’s release that to Him today.”
 
LET’S PRAY
 
“”Heavenly Father, thank You for how richly You’ve blessed our nation. We know we can’t secure our future ourselves----only You can----we trust You to provide for all our needs. Help us to steward all You’ve given us with integrity and wisdom, and may those who have authority over our lives make choices that would bring Your blessings to us. May our nation use the prosperity You have given us to bring You glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

 

 
“But God showed His great love for us
by sending Christ to die for us
while we were still sinners.
And since by His blood He did all this for us as sinners,
how much more will He do for us now
that He has declared us not guilty.”

~  Romans 5:8 & 9 LAB 

*

Bible Commentary:  While we were still sinners---these are amazing words. God sent Jesus Christ to die for us, not because we were good enough but because He loved us so much. Whenever we feel uncertain about God’s love for us, remember that He loved us even before we turned to Him.”  

Another of Allen Jackson’s “Let’s Pray for AMERICA”; Thirty Prayers for Our Nations’ Future:
 

FOR HEALTH
 
“I will bring health and healing to it;
I will heal my people
and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.”
~ Jeremiah 33:6

 
“Healing is a consistent part of God’s interaction with humanity.  From the opening chapters of the Bible to its conclusion. God’s healing power plays an important part of His invitation. For forty years in the desert, God kept the Exodus generation from getting sick. Jesus gave sight to the blind, strength to the lame, and hearing to the deaf. But He didn’t stop with physical ailments. He also brought freedom and wholeness to minds and broken spirits---casting out deception, hopelessness, rejection, and mind torturing demons. To make a true impact to our culture and expand God’s Kingdom, the twenty-first century American Church needs to believe in experience God’s healing power.
 
“God created every living thing to heal. So when we ask God to bring healing to our bodies and minds, we’re doing something that is completely consistent with His character. Let’s ask the God who created us to make us whole again. Whatever need you, a friend, or a family member may have, now is a wonderful time to simply say, ‘Lord, we receive Your life, Your healing, Your wholeness, and Your peace. Amen.”
 

LET’S PRAY

 
“Father, thank You for Your great love for us and for Your healing power that has been expressed toward us. You are a God who delivers, redeems, restores, and renews, and we praise You. Thank You that You deliver men and women from darkness and sickness today, just as You delivered so many in the Bible. We pray for health for our bodies, for sound minds, and for Your protection and healing over us. We also pray for healing over all that ails our nation. May we know that we stand because of Your divine power and supernatural strength. In Jesus’ name, amen.
 

****

Yesterday's Max Lucado. Always good ones! So many things we can't do!!

CHRIST DOES WHAT WE CAN'T

"The crowd followed Jesus around the Sea of Galilee. The 15,000 people—5,000 men plus women and children—were hungry. Philip and Andrew counted the hungry people. They counted the money in their bag. They counted the amount of fish and bread.

"They did not, however, count on Christ. And he was standing right there! Yet the idea of soliciting his help did not dawn on them. Even so, Jesus went right to work. “Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed them to those who were seated…and as much fish as they were wanting, too” (John 6:11). The impossible task of feeding all these people became the unforgettable miracle of all these people fed.

"What we cannot do, Christ does. The problems we face are opportunities for Christ to prove his point. Remember friends, you are never alone!"

***

 Today's Karen's Korner is from October, nine years ago. I like it!

It refers to our local group of Marys and Marthas. Our group is still going; in our 25th year! In fact we had our monthly meeting yesterday.

It says, 'seventeen years'. You do the math. I think it should have said 'soxteem'!

Today is Wednesday, October 4th, 2017; Karen's Korner #3658

"Two can accomplish more than twice as much as one, for the results can be much better.

If one falls, the other pulls him up; but if a man falls when he is alone, he's in trouble."

~ Ecclesiastes 4:9 & 10 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "There are advantages to cooperating with others. Life is not designed for isolation, but companionship; not for loneliness, but for intimacy. Some people prefer isolation because they feel they cannot trust anyone. But we are not here on earth to serve ourselves, but to serve God and others. Don't isolate yourself from others and 'go it alone'. Seek companionship; be a team member."

*

Over a number of years, I have been asked to talk to groups of people about Clarion's Marys & Marthas (M & Ms), of which I am a part. One of my closing comments has been something I once heard:  "It is said that one horse can pull five tons; pair that horse with another horse of similar size and together they can pull 32 tons!"

The Marys & Marthas have learned over our nearly seventeen years, we can accomplish so much more together than we could have ever done as an individual. Pulling together is one of the keys.

God knew it. He designed it!

Another entry from Allen Jackson’s “Let’s Pray for America”; Thirty Prayers for Our Nation’s Future.
October is Fire Fighters’ Month!

“FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND MILITARY”
“Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged,
for the Lord, your God
will be with you wherever you go.”
~ Joshua 1:9

 
“For more than two centuries, we have been a nation that stands for freedom and liberty, and our first responders and military members are the warriors who have stood on the front lines. From the beaches of Normandy to the jungles of Vietnam and the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan, our Navy, Air Force, Army, Marines, and Coast Guard have fought for freedom and defended our country. Our fighters have been on call, running into destruction and chaos---from the Great Fire of Chicago to the World Trade Center of 9/11. Our EMTs and police officers have protected and served this nation with sacrifice and honor, even when others didn’t have the decency to say, ‘Thank you.’ Our doctors, nurses, and medical professionals have bravely faced pandemics---from cholera and measles to COVID-19.

“If anyone has embraced God’s command to Joshua to ‘be strong and courageous’, it’s these people. When you see them, thank them for their faithfulness and their service. Remember the sacrifices they make to protect us. And when we see their vehicles with flashing lights coming to assist those in need, let’s be faithful to pray."

LET’S PRAY

“Heavenly Father, we pray today for those assigned by You to watch over us: our military, police, firefighters, and emergency medical teams. Give them wisdom and reward them for their sacrifices and service. Provide wise leaders to direct and support their efforts, and comfort their families. Almighty God, we know only You can establish us in peace and safety. We ask You to bless and protect those who bless and protect us. In Jesus’ name. amen.”

***

As our congregation waits for our next minister to come to serve us, we are having guest speakers. Yesterday’s was a ‘new’ former pastor, Mark Young.

His topic was “The Gift of the Church”. As a guest for several weeks, Mark is taking us through the book of Ephesians. Yesterday’s was taken from Ephesians 3:10 – 21. Read it if you have time!

He named ‘4 things you experience by being a part of God’s church':

1. It is through the church the Holy Spirit strengthens and empowers you.
2. It is through the church you experience true faith!
3. It is through the church you experience true love.
4. It is through the church you experience the fullness of God.

“May God be given glory
forever and ever through endless ages
because of His master plan of salvation
for the Church through Jesus Christ.”

*

“Thank You, God, for the Church.
For being part of Your forever family.
For being with others.
For being with You.
Amen.”

I am reading Michael Medved's book titled “The American Miracle”; divine providence in the rise of the republic.

Amazing stories as the United States of America is finishing celebrating 250 years in 2026!

It should never have happened! From George Washington, through Sam Houston, Abraham Lincoln and many others. Most (maybe all!) men have been underdogs: had limited abilities and/or resources. Still we prevailed.

Not done with my reading yet. I am mid-section of Lincoln. What a sad, sad man. Still he did an overwhelming job.

And God has been ‘in’ everything that has happened to us as a country!

*
“Under God”
was added to our Pledge of Allegiance” in 1954.
It was to distinguish the United States
from the official atheistic language of the Soviet Union
during the Cold War.
Following campaigns by religious groups
like the Knights of Columbus,
Congress passed the change,
which was signed into law by President Eisenhower.
It was to emphasis our nation’s spiritual and moral foundation.”
(taken from Google)

*
God,
You have blessed our country mightily
over the past 250 years.
Due in part, because we have blessed You!
We continue to bless You,
as You have everything under Your Control.
Lead us.
Guide us.
In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.