Welcome to the new year, 2017!

Daily inspirational thoughts emailed by Dr. David Jeremiah usually ends with a quote by someone. Here are several from recent writings:

"Let's keep our chins up and our knees down.

We are on the winning side!"

~ Alan Rudolph

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"As you prepare your children and grandchildren for living in changing times,

make sure they build their lives on what never changes---

God's Word. (Isaiah 40:8)."

~ Dr. David Jeremiah

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"We cannot all argue, but we can pray!

We cannot all be leaders, but we can be pleaders;

we cannot all be mighty in rhetoric, but we can be prevalent in prayer."

~ Charles Spurgeon

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"We weren't meant be somebody------

we were meant to know Somebody!"

~ John Piper

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Today's writing is for those of us who have more and more loved ones in heaven, plus friends and family members who are currently in the final stages of their lives here on earth:

HEAVEN IS BEAUTIFUL

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

~ I Corinthians 2:9 KNJV

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"The Creator Who created all the earthly beauty we have grown to love...

~ the majestic snowcapped peaks of the Alps,

~ the rushing mountain streams,

~ the carpets of wildflowers,

~ the whir of a humming bird's wings...

"this is the same Creator who has prepared our heavenly home for us! If God could make the heavens and earth as beautiful as we think they are today - which includes thousands of years of wear and tear, corruption and pollution, sin and selfishness - can you imagine what the new Heaven and the new earth will look like? It will be much more glorious than any eyes have seen, any ears have heard, or any minds have ever conceived."

~ By Anne Graham Lotz

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Several nuggets of 'wisdom' from the book of Proverbs (from the Living Bible):

"Evil words destroy. Godly skill rebuilds."

~ Proverbs 11:9

Commentary: "Words can be used either as weapons or tools; hurting relationships or building them up. Sadly, it is often easier to destroy than to build; and most people have experienced more destructive words than words which build up. Every person we meet today is either a demolition site or a construction opportunity. Our words make a difference. Will they be weapons for destruction or tools for construction?"

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"A empty stable stays clean---but there is no income from an empty stable."

~ Proverbs 14:4

Commentary:  "It is good to be clean, but it is better to be useful. The only way to have a perfect stable is to keep all the animals out. The onlyway to keep our lives in perfect order is to keep it free of other people. But if the stable is empty, it is useless, and if we live only for ourselves, our lives lose its meaning. Instead of sitting on the sidelines, we should serve others, share the faith, and work for justice. Are our lives lean, but empty? Or do they give evidence of our serving God wholeheartedly? Be involved and productive."

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"If you won't plow in the cold, you won't eat at harvest."

~ Proverbs 20:4

Commentary:  "We have heard similar warnings. If we don't study, we will fail the test. If we don't save, we won't have money when we need it. God wants us to anticipate future needs and prepare for them. We can't expect Him to come to our rescue when we cause our own problems through lack of planning. He provides for us, but He also expects us to be responsible."

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Written by Max Lucado and sent before Christmas. But every day can be Christmas Day!

Every Heart A Manger

"When Christ was born, so was our hope! This is why I love Christmas. The event invites us to believe the wildest of promises! He did away with every barrier, fence, sin, bent, debt, and grave. Anything that might keep us from him was demolished.

"He only awaits our word to walk through the door. Invite him in. Escort him to the seat of honor, and pull out his chair. Clear the table; clear the calendar. Call the kids and neighbors. Christmas is here. Christ is here. One request from you, and God will do again what he did then. He'll scatter the night with everlasting light. He'll be born in you.

"Let 'Silent Night' be sung! Every heart can be a manger. Every day can be Christmas. The Christmas miracle---a yearlong celebration!"

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Each year OUR IOWA magazine publishes an annual calendar complete with beautiful photos taken from across Iowa. Including on each month are quotes and comments by significant Iowans, many times from the past. Here are a few of them (my apologies to readers from outside Iowa!):

"I seemed to have a vision....I saw the Christ and the cross inseparable."

~ George Bernard, minister and compose who wrote the hymn 'The Old Rugged Cross', from Albia

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"I don't think a lot of people realize the influence TV has on our kids. Kids take a lot of their cues from it in their dress and their conduct."

~ Jerry Mathers, star of TV's 'Leave it to Beaver", from Sioux City

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"All the good ideas I ever had came to me while I was milking a cow."

~ Grant Wood, artist, from Anamosa

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"The real secret of success is enthusiasm."

~ Walter P. Chrysler, founder of automaker Chrysler Corporation, from Oelwein

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"Life is never easy for those who dream."

~ Ralph James Waller, author of 'The Bridges of Madison County', from Rockford

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"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body, and knit them together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It Is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous---and how well I know it. You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your Book!"

~ Psalm 139:13 - 16 LAB

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Bible Commentary:  "God's character goes into the creation of every person. When we feel worthless or even being to hate ourselves, remember that God's Spirit is ready and willing to work within each of us to make our characters all God meant it to be. God thinks of us constantly. We should have as much respect for ourselves as our Maker has for us."

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Something written by Dr. David Jeremiah:

There is Always Hope

"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."

~ Romans 15:4

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"The kindness of God is full of paradoxes:  we receive by giving, we live by dying, we receive honor by dishonor, and more. One of those paradoxes is that we gain hope by suffering, which seems odd. Normally, we seem most hopeful when things are going well, and we lose hope when we suffer. But, not surprisingly, the Bible says the opposite.

"Paul explains how suffering leads to hope in Romans 5:3-4. Suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. Later, in Romans 8:24-25, he clarifies what hope is. Hope is what carries us through when we can't see the outcome. It's what allows us to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Paul writes, 'For why does one still hope for what he sees?' (Romans 8:24) If we can see the outcome of our trials then we have no need to hope. But when we cannot see the outcome, our hopes carries us through---if we persevere and develop the character of Christ.

"Regardless of your situation today, there is hope because there is God. Cling to Him through the promises of His Word. Hope never disappoints (Romans 5:5).

"True faith is ever connected with hope."    ~ John Calvin

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Humpty Dumty sat on a wall.

Humpty Dumty had a great fall.

All the King's horses and all the King's men

Couldn't put Humpty Dumpty together again!

One of my Christmas presents this year was a puzzle. It's 550 pieces (I don't do bigger ones than that!). When I opened the box and started turning over the pieces so that they were all right-side up, they hardly fit on my card table! The box says my puzzle is 20" x 20".

I maybe have half of it put together. Now my table top has more room on it. I can only figure out as to what the 'picture' is supposed to be, by looking at the completed picture on the puzzle box.

Our lives are sort of like my puzzle. Lots of pieces which need to be put together one by one. And only God has the completed picture. He can put us together so that we can become all He wants us to be.

And unlike Humpty Dumpty, this "King" can put us back together again!

Thank You, Jesus, that You are the 'Great Puzzle Putter-Togetherer'. Thank You that You know what each of us are supposed to 'look like' and 'be'. Thank You that we can trust You with our every life need. You are the great I AM. Amen.

(First, a correction of yesterday's Karen's Korner and Humpty and Dumpty spelling. When I typed it, it didn't look right but I didn't have any children's books to look it up. Oh, well, maybe it WAS spelled right! Shortly after I took a short walk and I remembered.....not humty dumty......it needed two 'p's. I have edited it on the web site. If you'd like a corrected copy, go to www.karens-korner.com , scroll down to the second one on the front page (#3478). Print out a copy by clicking on the right hand corner, printer icon. Sorry!)

I have started receiving a "Scripture of the Day", didn't subscribe but I am getting it. Here is one from several days ago:

"And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit."

~ I Thessalonians 1:6

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THOUGHTS:

"We find it so easy to let our circumstances determine our moods. Paul reminds this group of new Christians, under attack that their new life in Christ had brought them joy despite the outwardly harsh circumstance they were facing.

"Their joy was not fleeting, circumstance-determined veneer. Instead, they had welcomed the powerful message of salvation with joy! This joy was not dependent upon their circumstances. It was rooted in their Savior's example, in His abiding presence through the Holy Spirit, and the salvation available through Jesus."

PRAYER:

"Heavenly Father, make my joy immune to outward circumstances and empower that joy by Your Holy Spirit. Bless me as I seek to conform my life and attitude to the example of my Savior. Please help me become a better example of spiritual joy to those around me. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

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Another 'something' written by Dr. David Jeremiah:

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."

~ Hebrews 13:8

"If you are struggling to keep up with changes around you, look to the Lord. Find stability in Him. Live with the Master's momentum. Let His wisdom guide you through the spinning days, and follow Him at every step. Though all the earth may change and decay, we are blessed to be able to abide in an eternal God who changes not and whose mercy endures forever.

Malachi 3:6 says, 'For I AM the Lord, I do not change." By the very definition of the word GOD, our heavenly Father exists from everlasting to everlasting. He is eternal, and His qualities of love, power, justice, and joy never change. Our hope for the future is based on His faithfulness in our past."

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"Little children were brought for Jesus to lay His hands on them and pray. But the disciples scolded those who brought them 'Don't bother Him," they said.

"But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and don't prevent them. For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.' And He put His hands on their heads and blessed them before He left."

~ Matthew 19:13 - 15 LAB

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Bible Commentary:  "The disciples must have forgotten what Jesus had said about children. Jesus wanted little children to come, because He loves them and because they have the kinds of attitude needed to approach God. He didn't mean that heaven is only for children, but that people need childlike attitudes of trust in God. The receptiveness of little children was a great contrast to the stubbornness of the religious leaders who let their religious education and sophistication stand in the way of the simple faith needed to believe in Jesus."

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Does it ever seem like to you that the 'world' is losing its mind? Watch the news and we see terrorist attacks, people randomly doing terrible things to one another.......or maybe to big groups of people. Our lists could be long.

Has there ever been times like this before?

Early one morning last week, I was running through the channels and landed for a couple of minutes on an interview program on a Christian station. Joseph Prince, someone who has programs at various times on cable television and who I have not watched very often, was telling about 'watching for God to do' something, as He always has.

Prince said that too often the devil keeps us watching what IS happening, while God is busy doing something behind the scenes that we haven't seen yet.

He sighted two cases as examples: The children of Israel were slaves in Egypt. Their numbers had grown so large that the Pharaoh decided that it was time to 'downsize', putting all boy babies to death (Exodus 1). But God! had another plan:  Moses' mother sent her son in a basket down the river.  He was rescued, raised and saved his people.

At the time of Jesus birth, King Herod was threatened by what might happen to his kingdom because of what he had read in Bible prophecy (Matthew 2). So he ordered all the boy babies to be killed. Jesus' parents heard from God and were told of the evil king's plan, so they protected Jesus. He was rescued, raised and saved His people.

While watching the news is helpful, it isn't all that is happening to us and around the world. Because of history and God's plans and purposes, we can count on the fact that 'God is up to something'. Like He always has been and always will be!

Our job is to believe in what we can't see. It's called FAITH!

Praise God!

Today's entry from the calendar/book written by Sarah Young "Jesus Calling:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence", written as if Jesus is talking with us, copies of which many of you have:

"I am leading you along the high road, but there are descents as well as ascents. In the distance you see snow-covered peaks glistening in brilliant sunlight. Your longing to reach those peaks is good, but you must not take shortcuts. Your assignment is to follow Me, allowing Me to direct your path. Let the heights beckon you onward, but stay close to Me.

"Learn to trust Me when things go 'wrong'. Disruptions to your routine highlight your dependence on Me. Trusting acceptance of trials brings blessing that 'far outweigh them all'. Walk hand in hand with Me through this day. I have lovingly planned every inch of the way. Trust does not falter when the path becomes rocky and steep. Breathe deep thoughts of My Presence, and hold tightly to My hand. Together we can make it!"

~ Taken from John 21:19; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Habakkuk 3:19

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Some words of wisdom and insight taken from the book of Proverbs 13:

" Self-control means controlling the tongue!

A quick retort can ruin everything."

~ verse 3

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"Lazy people want much but get little, while the diligent are prospering."

~ verse 4

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"Some rich people are poor,

and some poor people have great wealth!

~ verse 7

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"Being kidnapped and held for ransom never worries a poor man!

~ verse 8

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"Wealth from gambling quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows!"

~ verse 11

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"Despise God's Word and find yourself in trouble.

Obey it and succeed.

~ verse 13

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"If you refuse criticism you will end in poverty and disgrace;

if you accept criticism you are on the road to fame."

~ verse 18

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More Than Cheery Optimism

"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast......"

~ Hebrews 6:19

"In his book about hope, Dr. Lloyd John Ogilvie wrote, 'Hope is not wishful thinking......Hope is not simply cheery optimism. Hope certainly can produce an optimistic attitude, but an optimistic attitude is no substitute for true hope.....Hope is a gift of God through Christ that produces a confident, unshakable trust in HIs faithfulness, and a vibrant expectation of His timely interventions in keeping with His gracious promises to us.'

"Hope sustains us as we wait on the Lord. In fact, in the Bible, it's sometimes hard to tell the difference between words, wait and hope. Isaiah 40:31 in the New King James Version says, 'But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength...' But in the New International Version, he same verse say.......'but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.' Hope is simply waiting expectantly and eagerly for the day God will perfectly fulfill every promise and do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or imagine.

"Hope is a deep-seated confidence in God that anchors our souls, even in rough seas. Make sure your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock."

"Authentic hope is always a by-product of a personal relationship with God. It comes from knowing God."

~ Lloyd John Ogilvie

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~ written by Dr. David Jeremiah

The Sigh

"As God's story becomes your story, you will make this wonderful discovery:  you will graduate from this life into heaven. According to Ephesians 1:10, Jesus' plan is to 'gather together in one all things in Christ'. God will reunite your body with your soul and create something unlike anything you have seen -- an eternal body.

"Consider Christ's response to the suffering of a deaf mute. He took him aside from the multitude, the gospel says, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. "Then looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, 'Be opened' (Mark 7:33, 34). Jesus looked up to heaven and sighed. A sigh of sadness, a deep breath. It won't be this way for long. Indeed, it won't.

~ Today's inspirational email by Max Lucado

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"O, Lord, so many are against me. So many seek to harm me. I have so many enemies. So many say that God will never help me. But Lord, you are my shield, my glory, and my only hope. You alone can lift my head, now bowed in shame. I cried to the Lord, and He heard from his Temple in Jerusalem. Then I lay down and slept in peace and woke up safely, for the Lord was watching over me."

~ Psalm 3:1-5 LAB

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Bible Commentary: (Written by King David as he was running for his life from his son Absalom and a host of traitors). "Sometimes life offers little hope, and when hope is gone, only despair remains. When facing problems, trials, suffering, and death, we may feel like giving up. David ran from his beloved son, who threatened to kill him, knowing there was no hope except in God. When we fell like there is no hope, when life has disappointed us to the point of despair, we also have only one hope. But God is all the hope we need because He promises to be a shield to protect us. When we focus our thoughts on God, our hope is restored."

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God's Always Available

"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

~ Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV

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"When you approach God through faith in His Son, God is accessible twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, twelve months a year for the rest of your life!

"For the last several years, I have carried a small cellular phone with me whenever I leave the house. Even when I take my early morning, three-mile walk, I have my cell phone in my pocket. Invariably, when I speak with my children or staff before I go out of town, I remind them that I will have my phone with me. If I'm needed, all they have to do is call me. Yet how many times have I noticed that I have a voice message waiting on my phone because either it was out of range of a tower, or I have turned it off while flying, or muted it, or left it in that other pocketbook!

"Praise God! He is never out of range! He is never turned off or tuned out! His ears are never deaf! He is always available, accessible, and attentive to our call!"

~ By Anne Graham Lotz

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"Don't give victory to those who fight with me without any reason! Don't let them rejoice at my fall---let them die. They don't talk of peace and doing good, but of plots against innocent men who are minding their own business. They shout that they have seen me doing wrong! 'Aha!' they say. 'With our own eyes we saw him do it.' Lord, you know all about it. Don't stay silent! Don't desert me now!"

~ Psalm 35:19 - 22 LAB

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Introduction to chapter 35, written by David:

"A prayer to God for help against those who try to inflict injury for no reason. When our enemies are unjust and lie about us, even when we do good to them, we can appeal to God who is always just!"

Bible Commentary:  "David cried out to God to defend him when he was unjustly accused. If we are unjustly accused (co-workers, friends, family, media, someone on facebook, etc.), our natural reaction may be to lash out in revenge or to give a detailed defense of each of our moves. Ask God to fight the battle for us. He will clear our names in the eyes of those who really matter."

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What a way to start the day! From Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence" for today:

"Trust is a golden pathway to heaven. When you walk on this path, you live above your circumstances. My glorious Light shines more brightly on those who follow this path of Life. Dare to walk on the high road with Me, for it Is the most direct route to heaven. The low road is circuitous: twisting and turning in agonizing knots. There the air hangs heavy, and dark, ominous clouds predominate.

"Relying on your own understanding will weigh you down. Trust in Me absolutely, and I will make your path straight."

~ Taken from John 14:1 - 2; Proverbs 3:5 - 6

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Something emailed to me several days ago by Shirley Choat who faithfully sends thoughts and writings of others:

"If God is for us, who is against us?

~ Romans 8:31

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"The animal world at our farm had one predictable thing in common:  the fierce, homicidal, even suicidal concern of the mothers for their offspring. I was chased out of pens by several overly protective mother sows. I was kicked at and nearly trampled by a couple of cows who wanted nothing to do with my presence near their calves. I have felt the sting of angry wings and the pain of razor sharp beaks from hens who considered me a threat to their baby chicks.

"It should not have been much of a surprise. My human mother could react the same way for her 'flock'. Although she could dish out discipline when we strayed, she was our best cheering squad and defender.

"Now consider that our Heavenly Father has that same fierce love for you and me. It was fierce enough to face the devil, the religious authorities, and even the cross for our sakes.

"Indeed, St. Paul asks the valid question:  'If God is for us, who can be against us?' We may be confronted by demons and devils, bullies and blind guides of every nature. They may push and pull and threaten. They may even cause pain and suffering in this world, but they will have the most fearsome and awesome Judge who will wilt them like cut flowers on a hot day. No human or power on earth can hold a candle to God's overwhelming love for those who call on His name. May you share that love with those who need to know God's amazing protective, love."

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"My Heavenly Father, protect me this day from all temptations and evils that might come my way. Be with me and keep me from going in any direction different than what you would have me go. Most importantly, when I insist on going my own way, bring me into your 'flock'. In Jesus' name. Amen."

** Thoughts to Ponder by Pastor Sydow, Prayers by Pastor Freeman

A paragraph or two in Mark tells of Jesus calming a storm which frightened his water-friendly disciples. It must have been quite a storm. And Jesus? He was asleep on the boat.

What 'storm' is taking place in our lives? Or inside our minds? If we don't have a storm, chances are pretty good a friend, neighbor, or family member does. There are storms in the state where we live, or in our federal government, or places in our world.

"High wave began to break into the boat until it was nearly full of water and about to sink........frantically, they wakened  him, shouting, 'Teacher, don't you even care that we are all about to drown!'

"Then he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Quiet down!' And the wind fell, and there was a great calm!'

~ Mark 4:37 - 39 LAB

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Bible Commentary:  "The disciples panicked because the storm threatened to destroy them all and Jesus seemed unaware and unconcerned. Theirs was a physical storm, but storms come in other forms too. Think about the storms in our lives----the situations that cause us great anxiety. Whatever our difficulty, we have two options. We can worry and assume that Jesus no longer cares, or we can resist fear, putting our trust in Him. When we feel like panicking, tell our need to God and then trust Him to care for us."

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