I will not deny you!

0-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-MediumLet them gossip about me and harass me and tell falsehoods about me. I will not deny you, Lord God of the universe. Let them cheat me, beat me, threaten me. I will not deny you, Lord God of all that exists.  Let them imprison me and execute me. I will not deny you. How can I? You are my heart, you are my soul, you are my being. Oh, for the privilege of dying for you. Let my death have meaning. Do not give me a peaceful moment in which to die.

Father, what I just told you. Help me keep my promise. May the promise I just gave you be what will happen, not just a wish. I know, I know. I am certainly not going to die for you sitting here in the comfort of my home. What I just said is easy to say. You know my heart. Strengthen my heart. Somehow.

Thank you, Lord God, for the beauties of your nature. Sparkling sunlight on the late winter snow, crocuses budding to hint of soon-coming spring, branches fluttering in the breeze, birds flying here and there deciding where to build a nest for their families.  Clouds bumping playfully into each other, sounds and color.  All that you delight in.  Thank you for the free gifts of nature all around me. Free gifts just for my delight.

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00-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-ThumbnailSTEPHEN:  UNLIKELY MARTYR. In Antioch, Stephen’s best friend is crucified for defacing its patron goddess, and the city turns on Jews.  He flees to Cyrene. There he meets Simon. Persecution against Jews is worse here.  He decides the only solution is to pass himself off as a Gentile and start a secret synagogue with secret worship. When discovered, Stephen suffers at the hands of both pagan Gentiles and Jews. When Stephen visits Jerusalem for Passover, he sees Simon carrying the cross of Jesus. They both become Christians and the persecution starts all over again.  Here he becomes a deacon to help Greek widows and is given the power to perform miracles by the apostles. Saul goes after both Stephen and Simon of Cyrene. They rush to save each other’s lives. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/2XBFXvJ

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/books-more-biblical-historical-novels/book-7-stephen-unlikely-martyr/

And God sang

OldOldTunes-mediumThe scripture for today, March 17 (3/17), is Zephaniah 3:17 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“The Lord, your God, is with you,
He is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with his love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”

God sings? It’s right there in the Bible! God sings! We were created in his image. Everyone has music in their heart. We inherited it from God.

Therefore, today while riding or walking somewhere, or just sitting at home, why not join God and sing? Sing about everything. Sing about springtime or winter snow. Sing about family and friends. Sing about puppies and bullfrogs and trees. Sing about heaven. Sing about that mutual love between you and God.

It will delight him…

…and quiet your soul.

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OldOldTunes-ThumbnailTHE OLD OLD STORY SET TO OLD OLD TUNES. Forty-four songs for the Old Testament and forty-four songs for the New Testament. This book may be used by teachers or given as gifts to children. Anyone who knows these common folk tunes will be able to sing the songs immediately. If you do not know any of the tunes, you can find them on the internet.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/2YwJVHI

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/links-to-some-of-my-fun-bible-stuff/the-old-old-story-set-to-old-old-tunes/

Doctrines of Devils

Interesting thoughts we know about but seldom talk about.

Mulyale Mutisya's avatarDecoded Word

‘Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils’ ~ 1 Timothy 4:1

Doctrine, a set of beliefs or principles that are passed on. In this world, two broad principles govern every worldview – godly and devilish. In regard to devilish doctrine, James writes, ‘But if you have bitter envying and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, sensual and of the devil’ (James 3:14). Paul also clearly warns that ‘such teaching come through hypocritical liars, whose conscience have been seared as with a hot iron’ (1 Timothy 4:2). And so he urges Timothy; ‘If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ…

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And can never die

Love Letters of Jesus & his Bride-mediumI magnify your very name. You are in my heart and soul. I long to be with you in your realm forever rejoicing, forever yours, forever at peace.  Even now I am with you laughing and crying and struggling and it is wonderful. To be on the side of the winner, my heart bursts. I can fight side by side next to you, for you are my betrothed. You are my spiritual darling, my spiritual sweetheart, the spiritual lover of my soul. Someday we will be wed. I do not understand it, but I can hardly wait. How amazing that the Creator of the universe calls me his own! You are my Lord, my Master, my Maker, my very Being.

God, help me let go. Help me be strong enough to not let anything others say or do convince me to not love them.  Lord, help me love them. Bless my enemies, for they are your enemies too.  Help me know the difference in what I want and what you want so that I am not persecuted justly.

Ah, my Lord. I see your holy blood that seeped out of your body. Your holy hands and feet that contorted in the shock of being assaulted by the spikes. Your holy back that was made pure meat when embraced by the scourger’s whip. Your holy brow that bore the mocking thorns. They gradually overcame your body and made it lifeless. But they could not overcome your spirit and your stubborn will.  They could not overpower the love that flowed from you that day. They could not overpower the soul that had been alive forever more and can never die. In worship you.

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Love Letters of Jesus & his Bride, Eccelsia-THUMBNAILLOVE LETTERS OF JESUS & HIS BRIDE, ECCLESIA.  The Song of Songs written by King Solomon is a love story between a man and woman but overflows with the symbolism of Jesus Christ and his love for his Bride, his Church, his Ecclesia. The book begins with “His Proposal” (Prologue) ~ how Satan held her captive and how Jesus paid the ransom for her and broke her out of the dark pit where she had been chained. Each chapter thereafter coincides with the same chapter number in the Song of Songs. Come along with me now in this expansion of the greatest love story in the history of heaven and earth.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://bit.ly/2Vl3dhi

Love Letters of Jesus & His Bride, Ecclesia

The Jesus Generation!

Adam’s bride was born from the incision in his side.
Jesus’ bride was born from the piercing in his side.

Beautiful

Mel Wild's avatarIn My Father's House

I’m often surprised whenever I read genealogies in the Bible. I used to skip through them, but not anymore. God has spoken to me profoundly many times through these dry lists of names. Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus is one example. And I give credit to a notation in my Bible that opened up something wonderful. This all started with Matthew’s comment in verse 17:

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And sing!

OldOldTunes-mediumThe scripture for today, March 15 (3/15), is Colossians 3:15f as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Paul was encouraging the Christians at Colossae to get along with each other. After all, they were all members of the one body ~ the one church. In the next verse, he gave them a way to help it along:  Sing.

Today, let us sing. Sing with each other. Sing in unison to unify your heart with others. Sing in harmony to harmonize their lives together.  Sing to show thanksgiving for your brothers and sisters.

What a wonderful way to mend a rift. Sing. Sing with the person you are not getting along with. Watch the smile on your face drift over to that person. Watch the smile on their face rise up out of a heart that really does want to love you.

Let not little things interfere with your love for others. You do not want to cause pain to your heavenly Father when his children do not get along. Let us please each other ~ and sing!

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OldOldTunes-ThumbnailTHE OLD OLD STORY SET TO OLD OLD TUNES can be sung among adults, among children, among friends, among strangers.  Everyone knows the old folk tunes. Unite hearts with one another by singing of the love of God with each other. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://bit.ly/2YwJVHI

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/links-to-some-of-my-fun-bible-stuff/the-old-old-story-set-to-old-old-tunes/

Throwing away your prize

0-BK 6-PromiseKeeper-Cover-medium-new-kindleThe scripture for today, March 14 (3/14), is Philippians 3:14, as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus knew that, out of jealousy, the religious leaders were trying to kill him. So, for a while, he stayed out of Jerusalem, where the religious headquarters was. But Eventually, the time came for him to put himself in their hands. Was it easy for him to do? Definitely not! For he knew his death would be by physical and spiritual torture.

“They were on their way up to Jerusalem with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished while those who followed were afraid” (Mark 10:32).

Jesus pressed on. He did not want to go through the crucifixion. Hebrews 5:7 says that “during the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death.”

As difficult as it was for him, Jesus pressed on toward the goal to win the prize. But the prize was not for himself; it was for you and me ~ eternity in heaven instead of hell!

You do not have to go through what he did for your salvation and avoidance of hell. Your little bit of sacrifice is nothing by comparison. But do you turn away from the prize Jesus sacrificed so much for so you can have a little more fun, accumulate a few more things, watch a few more tv shows, play a few more computer games, be a little more important to your friends?

Are you throwing away your prize?

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0-BK 6-PromiseKeeper-Cover-thumbnail-new-kindleTHEY MET JESUS:  PROMISE KEEPER.  A traitor praised him, a woman crowned him, foreigners sought him. the world ran after him, Judas ran from him, his apostles deserted him. He held his own funeral service, then begged God to free him of his promise. The religious leaders were unmasked, And Herod wrestled with just who he was. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/3ldcjbB

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/historical-novel-about-jesus/book-6-promise-keeper-adults-childs-versions/

Do you hear it? God’s heart?

The Scripture for today, March 13 (3/13), Is Ezra 3:13 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-michel-cover-kindle-medium“No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.”

Solomon’s great temple had been destroyed, and the Jews forced to go to Babylon as slaves. Now, 70 years later, they were back as freedmen and had rebuilt the temple. The older Jews who had seen Solomon’s golden temple wailed in grief because this one was not nearly so grand. The younger ones shouted for joy because at least they now had a temple again. So, the laughing of the young people and the crying of the old people mingled.

Today, sometimes, the laughing and crying around us get too loud and put our lives in confusion. We don’t understand what is going on. Sometimes the laughing or crying is our own. Sometimes we need to get away from the loud laughing and crying.

Turn off the television. The radio. The cellphone. The computer. Don’t answer the door. Go into a room where you can be alone in complete silence. If you have a family, put a sign on the door. Then pick up the Bible and begin to read Luke about the life of Christ, or Philippians about peace, or the Psalms about overcoming adversity, or James about the direction your life is going.  Read an entire book of the Bible in one sitting.  Then be still.

Hear it now?

It is God’s heart calling your heart.

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0-Michel-COVER-Kindle-ThumbnailMICHEL: THE FOUR WISE MAN was a busy man advising King Phraates and making plans of his own to recreate the Garden of Eden.  Then he was interrupted by a star.  His life became even busier and he was frustrated because he could not accomplish his goal of luring God to walk the earth again as he had with Adam and Eve.  This speculative novel looks into the world of pagans and how they discovered the Christ in Bethlehem.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/2UJitnI
https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/books-more-biblical-historical-novels/book-6-michel-the-fourth-wise-man/

I cannot see you, but you are everywhere I look


OldOldTunes-mediumI praise your very name, Lord God. Your name is holy. The angels praise you day and night. The heavens praise always. I praise you forever. But it is never enough. You, our Creator, are worthy of so much more. Accept my puny efforts as a little child standing before a giant. Accept my puny efforts as a little spider crawling through the sands of a great desert. Accept my puny efforts as a single little star surviving amidst a thousand thousand galaxies. How overwhelmed I am that you actually notice little insignificant me. You not only notice me, but you love me and take me as your child. I am the child of the Creator! I am consumed with amazement.

Thank you, God, for loving me and caring for me. I cannot see you but you are everywhere I look.  I cannot hear you but you are in every sound I hear. I cannot feel you but you are in everything I touch. Most of all you are in my heart. Thank you for being there. Thank you for staying so close and making me feel as though I am the only other person in the world.

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OldOldTunes-ThumbnailTHE OLD OLD STORY SET TO OLD OLD TUNES.   Forty-four songs for the Old Testament and forty-four songs for the New Testament. This book may be used by teachers or given as gifts to children.  Anyone who knows these common folk tunes will be able to sing the songs immediately. If you do not know any of the tunes, you can find them on the internet.  If you use this book to teach children’s Bible classes, you will find that sometimes one song will cover your entire series, such as the life of Moses or of Paul.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover nor paste this:  https://bit.ly/2YwJVHI

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/links-to-some-of-my-fun-bible-stuff/the-old-old-story-set-to-old-old-tunes/

 

Shhh. Listen. Do you hear him?

0-BK 8-ComeFlyWithMe-Cover-Medium-NewThe scripture for today, March 11 (3/11), is Ecclesiastes 3:11 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

.” ..He has also set eternity in the hearts of men….”

People have always thought about eternity. Ancient explorers often went out in search of the Fountain of Youth. Everyone wonders sometimes why we are here and what happens when we die. All people hope to live on.

That instinct is God speaking to us, saying, “Yes, there is an eternity, and I want to be part of yours.”

Indeed, there is a God-shaped emptiness in the heart of man. God wants to fill it. We want him to.

But how badly do we want him to? If we spend each day so busy pursuing things and pleasures and power, it’s easy to forget about him. Then our heart aches, and we do not understand why.

It is eternity calling out to you still. It is God calling out to you still. Listen! He’s calling you in His Word ~ the Bible. Open it and listen.  Shhh.  Listen.  Do you hear him?

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0-BK 8-ComeFlyWithMe-Cover-Thumbnail-NewTHEY MET JESUS:  COME FLY WITH ME.  His apostles refused to believe, while Thomas declared him God.  Jesus dared and prepared his apostles to conquer the world.  He interrupted his own memorial service And renewed five hundred of his closest friendships.  He helped his brother, James, over the last faith hurdle, Turned the movement over to his apostles,  Then returned at last to the outstretched arms of his heavenly Father.  Religious leaders fought in vain to put out the new church’s torch,  And Jesus invited the last apostle to visit him in heaven.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/2OzEnXc

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/historical-novel-about-jesus/book-8-come-fly-with-me-adults-childs-versions/