Something written by Max Lucado and in my computer inbox one day last week. His writings are always good. I really liked this one:

OPEN THE BOOK

"I’ve listened to lesser voices. Locker-room know-it-alls. Godless teachers. Messed-up movie stars. Self-absorbed talk show hosts. They don’t know what they are talking about. I need an authoritative voice, an owner’s manual. And so do you.

"I played catcher in Little League baseball, Pony League baseball, and high school baseball. I noticed something: the width of home plate never changed. It was always seventeen inches wide. The width of the plate was permanent.

"So is the truth of God. It’s why Jesus said in John 8:31-32 (NIV), 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' Healthy thinking happens as we submit to Scripture. Do you want to know God’s thoughts about anything? Open the book!"

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Paul writing in a letter to the people of Thessalonica:

"But we must forever give thanks to God for you,
our brothers loved by the Lord,
because God chose from the very first
to give you salvation,
cleansing you by the work of the Holy Spirit
and by your trusting in the Truth.
Through us he told you the Good news.
Through us he called you to share
in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."

~ 2 Thessalonians 2:13 & 14 LAB

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Bible Commentary: "God worked through Paul and his companions to tell the Good News and to call new believers to share in Christ's glory. It seems strange that God works through us---fallible, unfaithful, untrustworthy human creatures. But he has given us the fantastic privilege of accomplishing his great mission---telling the world how to find salvation."

*

Thank You for trusting us
so much to tell others about You.
Help me, help us, to do a better job!
Thank You for loving us,
caring for us,
and sending people into our lives
to share Your Love and
promises in this life 
and the one that is coming!
Amen.

Have a great weekend! It is supposed to be in the  80s and 90s here in north central Iowa!!

A couple of sentences from Joyce Meyer's small book "Fight Like a Christian":

THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

"Ephesians 6:14 says to 'put on the breastplate of righteousness' (NKJV).

"It's sad how many Christians walk around feeling like something is wrong with them For years, I was one of them. If I sinned, I would torment myself (sometimes for weeks!) by allowing myself to feel guilty and condemned.

"However, the Bible says we have been made right with God through Jesus' death on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21). This means we can have the mindset that says, 'I am a child of God---He loves me, and I am forgiven.'"

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Taken from a bookmark
"Jesus from A to Z": 
(First of 3 installments)

"Abiding Vine (John 15:4)

Bridegroom  (Ephesians 5:32)

Creator  (Colossians 1:16)

Deity   (John 10:30)

Everlasting Life  (John 3:16)

Faithful Friend  (I Corinthians 1:9)

Good Shepherd  (John 10:11)

Hiding Place  (Psalm 32:7)

"I am the Alpha and the Omega." 
(Revelation 1:8)

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They are all good; the one I like the best Faithful Friend!

"...and He is the one who invited you (us) into this wonderful friendship with His Son even Christ our Lord."
(I Corinthians 1:9b).

A prayer for us today from Stephanie Sample and her "365 Days of Prayer for Women":

LOVE NEVER ENDS
 
"A thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has gone by
or like a watch in the night."
~ PSALM 90:4 NIV

"Lord, to comprehend all you have seen, all you have heard, all you have done---and that you remember it all---is too much. Your wisdom is infinite. Your love is eternal. I've watched the people in my life grow and change, and I say I've loved them 'forever', but you watch and love all of humanity all our lives. That's forever. When I realize I'll be there with you----where love never ends and where there is no time---I'm filled with wonder. I get to spend eternity with you; you designed it that way. I was made for you, and so eternity was made for me! It's so beautiful, Lord, so exciting. I can't wait to be with you and love you forever."

"Are we filled with wonder knowing that we
will spend an eternity with Jesus?"

***

Heading in my Bible says:  "Jesus teaches about criticizing others":

"Don't criticize,
and then you won't be criticized. 
For others will treat you
as you treat them."
~ Matthew 7:1 & 2 LAB

Bible Commentary: "Jesus tells us to examine our own lives instead of criticizing others. The traits that bother us in others are often the habits we dislike in ourselves. Our unbroken bad habits and behavior patterns are the very ones we most want to change in others. Do we find it easy to magnify others' faults while ignoring our own? If we are ready to criticize someone, we need to check to see if we deserve the same criticism. We need to judge ourselves first, and then lovingly forgive and help our neighbors."

*

Jesus,
like everything else in our lives.
We are going to need your help!
First to see.
And then to do!!
Amen.

This is an email written by Max Lucado and in my inbox last week. I really liked it. We talk about being afraid of terrorist attacks. We don't talk too much about the 'terrorist attacks' going on inside of our heads by random thoughts. Some are pretty bizarre at times.

Last night we started a four-week series at our church with the topic of "Self-Esteem"

We tend to have a problem with healthy self-esteem; either too high and too low. Our discussion centered a lot around low self-esteem. It seems to be a common problem in our culture. For us.

One line that stood out for me on our handout:

"God has determined our value based on His purpose for creating us in the first place and on the price He has paid to redeem us for all eternity."

We are to remember that God loves us........and the Bible confirms it:

""Even if we were good. we really wouldn't expect anyone to die for us, though of course, that might be barely possible. But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
(Romans 5:7 - 8 LAB)

And there were five more verses:  John 3:16; 1 John 3:1; 1 John 4:8 - 10; Romans 8:38 - 39 with similar actions of His Love for each of us.

Thank You, God,
for Your Love and Care!
Sometimes we forget!!
Amen.

Sorry for the lateness of the Korner. Computer problems!

 
An entry from Sarah Young and her “Jesus Calling:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence” from several days ago.
 
It talks about depending on Jesus. Not just for the big stuff but lots of things in our lives. I had a dental appointment that same day. I don’t always like going to the dentist sometimes I feel tensed up. That day I chose to focus on God and not on any potential ‘hurts’ of something the hygienist might poke and prod might make me feel.. It really gave my mind some rest.
 

"Living in dependence on Me is a glorious adventure. Most people scurry around busily,trying to accomplish things through their own strength and ability. Some succeed enormously; other fail miserably. But both groups miss what life is meant to be:  living and working in collaboration with Me.
 
“When you depend on Me continually, your whole perspective changes. You see miracles happening all around, while others see only natural occurrences and ‘coincidences.’ You begin each day with joyful expectation, watching to see what I will do. You accept weakness as a gift from Me, knowing that My Power plugs in most readily to consecrated weakness. You keep your plans tentative, knowing that My plans are far superior. You consciously live, move, and have your being in Me, desiring that I live in you. I in you, and you in Me. This is the intimate adventure I offer you.

 
~~Taken from 2 Corinthians 12:9 – 10;
Acts 17:28:
Colossians 2:6 -7;
John 14:26

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