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)

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(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
 

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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.”

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

(A Saturday 'korner' to make up for none on Thursday!)

"For the wages of sin
is death,
but the free gift of God
is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord."
~ Romans 6:23 LAB

*

Bible Commentary:  "Each of the two masters pays with his own kind of money. The currency of sin is death. Christ's currency is eternal life---new life with God that begins on earth and continues forever with God.**

God,
what an exchange rate!
Our sin
for your grace, love, mercy, eternity!
Will you help each one of us
to want more of You?
Help us not to get bogged down
by things offered in this world.
Help us to desire more of You!
Amen.

(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 

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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.
 

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