Taking Heaven for Granted

On October 24, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, church, Death of Jesus Christ, ego, eternity, Heaven, Life of Christ, praise, prayer, worship1 Comment

The scripture for today, October 25 (10/25), is Hebrews 10:25 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another ~ and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Do you declare, “I can walk through nature ~ the temple of God ~ and feel God is closer there than in a church building”? Well, do you really do it? How often? The purpose of the church meeting is not so much to encourage yourself as to encourage your fellow Christians and visitors, along with worshiping God.

Look at the context. Verse 23 says, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,” and verse 24 says, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” How do you do these things? A lot of it is done during your congregation’s worship and encouragement service.

And what comes after our verse for today? Verse 26 says, “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left.” Meeting together with other congregational members is one of the major experiences that keeps you and your friends from falling and missing heaven. Or does worshipping all the time in heaven sound boring too?

Should you meet once a week? This scripture says to meet “all the more as you see the Day [of Judgment] approaching.’ Do you say, “But that’s too inconvenient”?

It was inconvenient for Jesus to leave a perfect heaven for an imperfect earth. It was inconvenient for him to leave the company of angels for the company of sinners. It was inconvenient for him to do this for 33 long years. Inconvenient to take the blame for your sins, and then take your punishment. Inconvenient to experience agonizing spiritual death when God left him alone on the cross in your place, and then that agonizing physical death in your place.

Do you really know inconvenience? Do you take heaven for granted?

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Seeing myself as others do

On October 24, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn #friendships, attitude, ego, good works, humility, patience, powerLeave a comment

The 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.”

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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Prevailing over them

On October 20, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn #Handicaps, attitude, discouragement, Inspirational, praise, prayer, problems, victoryLeave a comment

I 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.

MEFIBOSET: 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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More than conquerors

On October 13, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, discouragement, ego, Enemies, Inspirational, judging, patience, persecution, problems, temptation, victoryLeave a comment

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/historical-novel-about-jesus/book-3-hearts-afire-adults-childs-versions/The Scripture for today, October 13 (10/13), is 1st Corinthians 10:13 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

Let’s balance this verse with Romans 8:37 which says, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” We cannot be more than conquerors unless we have something to conquer.

What are you tempted to do or not do on a regular basis in your everyday life? Take a long hard look at them and remind yourself of the source.

Romans 6:16 explains, “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey ~ whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?”

Physically, if you lift heavy things, you will grow more muscles. If you run beyond your endurance, you build stamina. God allows some temptation in your life in order to build your spiritual muscles and spiritual stamina. What Satan intends to break you down can instead build you up if you resist.

So, with courage in your soul and boldness in your heart, stand up and say, “No more! I am not your slave, Satan. I will win over you. God and I are stronger than you. Satan, get used to it: You lose.

HEARTS AFIRE is biblical historical novel 3 in the THEY MET JESUS series. Jesus recruits the last of the apostles. They are all strong willed. They will have to be in order to conquer the world. But they are so different, they hardly get along. Even in Jesus’ last hour with them he tells them to love each other. But, early on, their hearts are on fire with excitement. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://bit.ly/Hearts-Fire

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Unrealized Blessings

On October 12, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn #friendships, #Handicaps, attitude, Bible, blessings, Fear, good works, joy, ThanksgivingLeave a comment

My life, Lord, is like a small boat on a vast ocean. I cannot walk on anything solid, but your heaven has streets of gold. I cannot see anything beyond the vast waters of time, but you can see the future. When waves of verbal and physical attacks threaten, you steady me and say, “Peace! Be still.” I cannot tell what is lurking below me, ready to swallow me up, but you surround me with an impenetrable shell. I am thirsty, but you give me the water of life. I am hungry and you give me the bread of life. My life is not my own because you are my guide, my protector, my defender. For all this and more, I praise you.

Thank you for the mentally handicapped, especially those who are adults. They are so trusting and smile so easily when they talk to me. They have the innocence of a child while in an adult body. They are a wonderful reminder to me that I need to be more child-like in my attitudes. I love talking to them and hearing their plans and dreams. Oh, to be that innocent again. And loving. They love everyone and are happy to share their stories with anyone who will listen. Thank you for these special people you have sent the world. They are such a blessing.

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Pleasing yourself

On October 11, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, Daily, ego, ethics, family, good works, judging, sin, truthLeave a comment

The scripture for today, October 11 (10/11), is Psalm 10:11 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“He says to himself, ‘God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees.’ “

You believe in God in some form. And you believe that God knows what you do. But do you sometimes bury your beliefs in your subconscious mind so you can go around doing things you know are wrong? Do you believe you won’t get caught, and you can slide into heaven doing whatever you want?

In other words, do you justify your favorite sins? Do you justify your sins of attitude, such as jealousy, impatience, pride, short temper under the guise of an unhappy childhood, or getting what you deserve? Do you justify your sins of omission ~ good things you should be doing but are not ~ under the excuse that you don’t have time? Do you justify questionable things you do by saying they’re “not so bad” or God is so good, he will forgive anything you do as long as you say you’re sorry each time?

Do you do as children do who cover their eyes so they cannot see anyone and think that, therefore, no one can see them?

God loves you more than you can ever imagine. He never forgets you. He sees and hears everything you do. The only things he does not approve of are things that will ultimately hurt you and which he calls sin.

Here’s a jewel for you. Polish it, shine it up and put it on display: Pleasing your Creator is the ultimate form of pleasing yourself.

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Noble magnificence

On October 4, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn #friendships, attitude, blessings, discouragement, faith, good works, Heaven, Inspirational, joy, patience, Thanksgiving, worshipLeave a comment

My God, whether my last days on earth be amid turmoil or peace, I will praise you. Whether my last days are from sickness or injury, I will praise you. Whether my last days are amid friends or enemies, whether they are in a hospital or a prison, whether I die from natural causes or am slain, I will praise you. Forever in this life and the life I will have with you on the other side, I will praise you.

Father, there are some children that would go to church with me if I asked them. They like me and I think their parents would let them go with me. What am I waiting for? Why do I keep putting it off? One of them could be a great missionary someday. One of them could be a doctor someday. One of them could be a preacher someday. Get Satan away from me and make me go see those children and ask them.

Ah, my Lord, in gratitude I fall before your throne. You made it possible for me to join you and live with you someday. Yes, I know you are with me now. But, when you give me a glorious body like Jesus’, I will be able to see you with new spiritual eyes. Oh, to see you face to face. To behold your noble magnificence and divinity with my own eyes. It remains my heart’s desire and my spirit’s dream. Until then, my Lord, my soul will bow down to you and worship.

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Kicking and screaming

On October 3, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, ego, judging, knowledge, truth, victoryLeave a comment

The scripture for today, October 5, (10/5) is 2nd Corinthians 10:5f as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. Now, these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.”

This is about the 40 years the Jews wandered in the wilderness between leaving their slavery in Egypt and beginning a nation for themselves. They had the mindsets of slaves. They did not know how to make decisions for themselves. One of those decisions was to leave the gods of Egypt and worship only the one true God.

It was easier to fall in line with what they were raised to believe. That had long been their comfort zone. They took the easy way out rather than follow the God who had proved the Egyptian gods were not gods at all. They would rather die than change. So they did. They died.

Do you take the easy way out? Do you stick with things you were raised to believe even though you have learned more of the Bible and see those old beliefs are not what God said?

Those early Jews did not listen to God. What about you? Today He is calling out to you in the scriptures. “Come to me. I want to save you. Please come.”

PAUL: THE UNSTOPOPABLE. Stubborn? Indeed, stubborn. Paul just wouldn’t listen to Jesus when he was alive, so Jesus had to “drag him kicking and screaming” to stop everything and listen to him. Moses had done the same thing centuries earlier when he dragged Abraham’s great grandchildren out of Egypt kicking and screaming. We humans are a stubborn lot. To BUY NOW, click a book cover nor paste this: https://bit.ly/UnstoppablePaul

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A new day for my soul

On September 27, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, church, Death of Jesus Christ, Inspirational, praise, prayer, Satan, temptation, Thanksgiving, worshipLeave a comment

Ah, my God, you are my light. There is darkness in this world and people try to use more darkness to drive it out, but only your light can do that. Lord, you are my love. Satan, the destroyer, hates while laughing. He wants to get others to hate so he can destroy them. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can. People say it is too hard to love and sometimes this is true. Satan convinces people to take the easy way out. It takes courage to light a light, expose the darkness, then love it away. You are my courage. It takes sacrifice to convince hatred to go away. You were my sacrifice. You still are. Every day you shine your light on me. Every day you walk beside me as a body guard for my body and soul, always looking this way and that. You are so hard to grasp sometimes, but there is such joy in the effort. Make me more like you.

A new day you have given me, Lord. A day of starting over. A day of second chances. Darkness is gone and dawn is here. Now I think of your sacred family on the other side of the world. Their day is over and they are now sleeping as I am awakening. And so it goes. Your family never sleeps. Some part is always awake guarding over the rest of us and over their part of the world. The world is never without the guardian prayers of your family. Thank you for day and night ~ times to work, times to rest. And thank you for dying and overcoming death for me ~ a new day for my soul.

THE LORD’S SUPPER: 52 READINGS WITH PRAYERS is perfect to keep in the church library or next to the communion table. It has a long introduction, explaining the background of the Lord’s Supper in the Bible and why the 52. Wonderful for worshippers to meditate with as they partake. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://bit.ly/2Vhacqn

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He set out resolutely

On September 21, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, church, Death of Jesus Christ, ego, eternity, Heaven, judging, Saved from hell, worshipLeave a comment

The scripture for today, September 22 (9/22) is Luke 9:22 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“And he [Jesus] said, ‘The Son of Man[kind] must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

Jesus did not look forward to his death. Hebrews 5:7 says, “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….” Loud cries!

Yet, in today’s scripture, shortly after he announced to his apostles that he would be killed in Jerusalem, over in verse 51 it says, “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”

Jesus had to use every bit of human self-determination he could muster up to face that terrible death he had to suffer for us. What kept him to his goal? He knew only he could save us from hell by taking the death wages from Satan (Romans 6:23). Then his work would be done ~ all would be finished ~ and he could return to heaven.

Is it difficult for you to get up on Sunday morning to go to church? Is it difficult for you to read the Bible every day? Is it difficult for you to invite a friend to church with you? Do you love Jesus as resolutely as he loves you? Are you as determined to go to heaven and avoid hell as he was for you? Do you love your soul as much as Jesus does?

SHADOW OF DEATH begins with the illegal trials and witness hiring in the middle of the night, a sympathetic Pilot trying to save the harmless man, and Peter wanting to stop the whole thing but paralyzed with fear he’d be next. It ends with the apostles in hiding and wallowing in their shattered dreams of what should have been. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: http://bit.ly/Death-Resurrection

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