Seeing myself as others do

Pearls Cover-Palms-300dpi-MediumThe scripture for today, October 24 (10/24), is 1st Corinthians 10:24 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”

The context of this verse is that some of the members of the church in Corinth were expressing opinions or doing things that were offensive to some of the other members. They hurt the consciences of some of the weaker members.  

Everyone struggles with their ego sometimes.  Usually, we do not even realize our ego is involved.  It is so very hard to see ourselves as others do and to see ourselves as God does.

Do you ever do anything during the public worship that is offensive to some people? Do you do them as an example of how “holy” you are? Do you even try to get God on your side and say that any Christian could do those things if they had as much faith as you do?

What about committee meetings? Do you love saying no to every suggestion because it makes you feel powerful?  Do you ever suggest something that the others just aren’t excited about? Do you allow your ego to eventually, seep in and begin to feel slighted or challenged because your idea wasn’t accepted? Do you even try to get God on your side and say he will be more glorified if the other committee members accept your plan?

One way to look at things objectively is to ask yourself, “Would my congregation survive without me?” What if I were killed in an auto accident and suddenly taken from them tomorrow? Would they continue to worship? Would they continue to do good works? Would they continue to meet as a congregation? Ninety-nine percent of the time, your congregation would survive without you.

“Lord, I guess I never looked at myself that way. I love you so much, I want others to know you better. Maybe I should express my worship alone as much as I do in public. Maybe I should do more good works alone without a committee. Help me know what to do. Help me. Lord, see myself as they do, and as you do.”

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365 PEARLS OF WISDOM: GOD’S SOUL TO YOURS daily provides one proverb and one passage from Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes or Song of Solomon.  Since it is illegal to quote a modern Bible for an entire book, it provides close modern paraphrases of each verse.  This is part of the TOUCHING GOD SERIES of three books.  To BUY now, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/365PearlsOfWisdom

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You make me look good

0-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-MediumAh, Jehovah God, my Father and Maker, you love me so. You enchant me like a beautifully faceted diamond ~ love on this side, joy on that side, mercy on this other side.  You are my jewel, my precious pearl, my frame of gold. Silver strains of you sing forth from my heart. You are strong when I need you to be, tender when I need you to be. You are the epitome if everything good, thus making life on this earth ruled by Satan bearable.  Oh, that’s right! That’s why I am here ~ to smile when he wants me to frown, to love when he wants me to hate, to act when he wants me to sit idly by. How I delight in defying Satan and winning one more skirmish for you.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your example and staying-power while walking on earth. Never sinning, never doubting, never quitting. All for us even while sinning against you.  You knew we’d continue to sin even after we became Christians. We are so fickle, you are so faithful. We are so deceptive even to our own selves, you are so true. Thank you for your undaunting example and loving me even when I do wrong. Thank you for making me look so good. It is your reflection in me.  How I worship you.

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You don’t have to guess

0-HS-592 VersesExamined-COVER-ThumbnailThe scripture for today, October 23 (10/23), is Jeremiah 10:23 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.”

Just how are you supposed to know what steps God has directed you to take? Do you have to guess, rely on a feeling, depend on the movement of your heart, see a vision? Actually, you have a guide, a road map.

Jesus said in John 14:16-17 that after he left, the Father would send another Counselor ~ the Spirit of Truth. In John 16:13, Jesus said, The Spirit of Truth will guide into all truth. In John 17:17, Jesus said, “Your Word is truth.”

Yes, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, guides you through the Word of God, the Bible.

You don’t have to guess! You don’t have to wonder! You don’t have to get discouraged! God has given you his Word to direct your steps. All you have to do is open his Word and read the map.

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Searching for Answers

Ah, how I ever long to praise you, God, for you are the Sovereign Lord over00-1st Century Worship KINDLE-COVER-Thumbnail all that exists and the only God. You formed me with gentleness and delight and I think perhaps a song in your heart. So many plans you made for me. How am I doing, Lord?  Your expectations are high, but I am trying, Lord. I am trying.  You inspire me, you rouse me from resting too much, and you revive my heart. Oh, how I love you.

Father, I try to convince people to be saved and that requires me to have the opinion they are not saved. I try to encourage other saved ones to reach out to the lost but that requires me to have the opinion they are not doing it. How far should opinion go? Forgive me if I have inserted my opinion above yours. Help me keep searching the scriptures for answers.

Thank you, Lord, for giving us a book that reveals your thoughts, points of view, and opinions.  How fortunate Christians are. No other so-called god has done so. And the Plan! It took so long to convince people we couldn’t stop sinning or save ourselves. But you stuck it out. You were so patient over those thousands of years and are still.  Thank you. I worship you. 

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00-1st Century Worship KINDLE-COVER-ThumbnailWORSHIP THE FIRST-CENTURY WAY includes one chapter for each form of worship. It begins with quotes from famous theologians and ends with quotes from famous second-century Christians.  In between is gentle step-by-step progression beginning with what we all agree with and ending with what God agrees with.  Give to denominational leaders.  Use as a class book.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/ApostleWorship

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Prevailing over them

0-Mefiboset-KINDLE MediumI praise you when I am happy and on top of the world.  I praise you when I am wandering around aimlessly, not knowing what I need to be doing.  And when I am struggling through a project that is not coming together as I had planned. And before I fall asleep and when I waken. And when I walk among beauty and when I crawl through the ugly. You never change. You are always the same. The thought brings sameness and stability to my life. The thought causes me to love you even more.

Your word says that, in you, I can be more than a conqueror. But how can I be that unless there is something in my life I need to conquer? There is a song about experiencing “Victory in Jesus” but how can I experience that without something to be victorious over?  Thank you, Lord, for problems and obstacles. Without them, I would not know the exhilaration that comes with prevailing over them with you.

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0-Mefiboset-KINDLE ThumbnailMEFIBOSET: CRIPPLED PRINCE.  Every sermon I have ever heard and every article I have ever read about Mephibosheth has been “woe is me”. I deny that.  First, he was the grandson of the most handsome and tallest man in the kingdom ~ King Saul. The Bible gives the name of his son and grandsons.  He got married!  He wasn’t just a poor shrunken cripple crawling around on the floor hoping people won’t step on him.  Read this biblical historical novel and be inspired.  To  BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/2ywrqJi

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And was that a wink, Lord?

Applied Christianityhttps://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/1107-2/my-book-applied-christianity/Ah, my Lord God, when I give anything to you, it is not really a gift.  I am only returning what is already yours.   The world and all that is in it is yours because you created everything. Then you loaned it all to humans to take care of for you. You give each of us talents so we can make your loans beautiful. May we, give them back to you better than they were.  How? By giving what you loaned to us to someone who cannot pay us back. Perhaps a retired person with low income, perhaps a child, perhaps a beggar on the street.  May what we give away praise you in this way.

And all those talents you gave us.  I cannot count them all.  Oh, my!  One person is an artist with pencils or paints or sand or glass or stone. Someone else is a musician making music that is loud and soft, fast and slow, high and low. Someone else is a cook, a writer, a welder, a speaker, a carpenter, a pilot, a climber. Then there are the builders of things short and tall, square and triangle, brick or wood or glass. The molders and sculptors of marble, silly putty, wood, and even food.  Mountain makers of stone, sand, mashed potatoes, and bubbles. The sewers, the writers, the cookers.  The explorers seeking more of your wonders and beauty and marvels.  Oh, so many talents you have given us to make your world just a little more exciting, intense, entertaining, lovely, introspective, and joyous.  I think you are grinning at me now.  And was that a wink? Thank you, Lord.

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When I create, it is in honor of you

COVER-Girardeau-medAh, my Lord, sometimes I can hardly stand the waiting to see you at last.  Sometimes I wonder what I will be doing if you return in the clouds before I die.  Will I be riding in a car, going for a walk, playing with my children, concentrating on a project at work, jogging, eating, playing golf, shop lifting, getting drunk, yelling at my family, cheating on a test?  What a spectacle you will be!  Trumpets heard all over the world. Making yourself be seen equally all over the world at the same time, floating on the clouds surrounded by your angels. Then, and then, those who are your children will begin floating up to the clouds to join you. What a ride that will be, Lord. You have it all worked out. You have informed everyone of your surprise return. You have been fair. For that, I praise you and will praise you forever.

Thank you, Lord God, for my powers of thinking. I can work math problem; animals cannot.  I can write music; animals cannot.  I can speak words; animals cannot.  I can read; animals cannot.  You made humans far above animals mentally, just like you are far above us mentally.  We were created in your image. You love to create and we do too.  And so, when I create something, it is in honor of you.  Thank you for making humans as we are.

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And sometimes I will whisper to you

changes-in-worship-cover-mediumLord, an old friend years ago was in a coma for weeks. One day, she opened her eyes, sat up in bed, held out her arms, smiled, laid back down, and died.  My old aunt was bedfast with a long-term fatal disease. The last few days of her life, she kept holding out her hands and whispering, “Why are you hovering so far from me?”.  Another friend was in her livingroom and her husband heard her say, “Well, hello there.” When he went to investigate who had just arrived at their house, his wife was slumped in her chair, gone. Ah, my Lord God, you do not leave us to die alone. Is it an angel who comes to get us when our time has come? Is it you, Jesus?  All I know is that I will not be alone, and slipping from this world to yours will be the whisper of a breath, an enchanting holy moment. The moment I have lived for my whole life, for then I will suddenly be home. There I will praise you forever.

It is morning and nippy outside, but I am cozy in my robe looking out the window at the dawn. I see birds hopping around eating, perhaps getting their fill before setting out on their long journey to a warmer climate for the winter.  Is that frost I see on the ground?  I will eat some cereal and drink some juice, then get dressed for the day.  My quiet time with you will be over.  But you will continue with me through all the noise and hustle and bustle of the day, and sometimes I will whisper to you with a smile, “Thank you for adorning my life.”

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00- Worship Changes KC COVER-thumbnailWORSHIP THE 1ST-CENTURY WAY is 2nd in the series WANDERING SOUL, ENTITLED HEART, AND THE SIDETRACKED CHURCH.  It gently takes the reader from what we all agree on to what they had not thought of before and gradually works them through accepting the way the apostles worshiped.  A great gift for someone who worships differently and is an avid reader.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste thishttp://bit.ly/ApostleWorship

 

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The sun will return

inside-cover-mediumSometimes storms sweep around me with gales that attack my faith. You break through the dark clouds, sweep them aside and reveal blue skies to renew my faith.  Sometimes I dare try to walk on water and do the impossible, then begin to sink. You come to me on those same waters, reach down, take my hand and lift me up out of my danger. Then you hold on to me until I am safely on the shore. Sometimes the darkness folds in around me ~ the darkness of my sin ~ and I despair of being lost. But I see in the distance a glow and know it is you coming to light my way and forgive my sins. I am overwhelmed by your love, Lord God, and worship you.

It is autumn. The leaves are glowing, the squirrels are scampering, and I am busy harvesting my garden and preserving it for the cold winter ahead. It is autumn and the shadows are growing longer as the earth tilts and winks at the sun.  It is autumn and the sun is disappearing much sooner now. But I have the promise that the sun will be back after a while. And it reminds me of your promise to take me home with you where you will be my sun and never will you disappear. Thank you for all this, my Lord.

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Becoming Perfect

changes-in-worship-cover-mediumThe scripture for today, October 15 (10/15), is Deuteronomy 10:15 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“Yet the Lord set his affection on your forefathers [Abraham, Isaac, Jacob] and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants [Jews], above all the nations, as it is today.”

Mankind has spent millenniums trying to figure out how to be perfect so we can deserve heaven.

God gave us that opportunity the first several thousand years of mankind. Some people of the world he left alone to figure out on their own how to be perfect. They created many kinds of religions and philosophies. But to the Jews, he sent the Law of Moses containing over 600 intricate laws which, if kept perfectly, would make them perfect. They were also to be a kingdom of priests for the rest of the world.  In all cases, no one could be perfect.

Then, when mankind was willing to admit we cannot be perfect, the Word of God materialized and came to us to live that perfect life that is impossible for us to live. Now, all you have to do is follow Jesus and be IN Jesus (Galatians 3:27) for the forgiveness of your sins, and God will consider you perfect too.

God sets his affections on you. Do you run from him? Do you harbor resentments toward him? Are you too busy or having too much fun or too tired to give him a second thought?   Is your “worship” centered around entertaining and inspiring yourself? He will not force you, but he runs after you begging you to come to him for safety. Oh, how affectionate he feels toward you.

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00- Worship Changes KC COVER-thumbnailWORSHIP CHANGES SINCE THE FIRST CENTURY gives dates, names, and places of the changes and the martyrdoms of those who objected.  In some cases, familiar hymns written by these martyrs before their torturous deaths are included.  This is a must-have for students of church history.  Or give a copy to a friend you have some influence with who worships the “new” ways made possible to them through the blood of martyrs.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/Worship-Change

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