Saturday 7/27 ~ The Encourager

On July 27, 2019July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn #friendships, discouragement, Inspirational, love, praise, problems, victory1 Comment

The scripture for today, July 27 (7/27), is Luke 7:27 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ “

Jesus had a difficult task ahead of him. He had to prove to the world who he was while not scaring them to death with lightning strikes out of the sky or being a giant, or striking unbelievers dead. So John the Baptizer announced his coming ahead of time, smoothing out the crooked roads in the hearts of people.

Do you know a dreamer who is struggling to accomplish something very important to them? Have they been trying to overcome all the obstacles for weeks or months or years? Do you know anyone who is an obstacle for them? Can you say something to that obstacle in order to help smooth the way for the dreamer? Does this dreamer need something in their climb that you can provide for them? How about encouragement?

On the other hand, do you sometimes slump into times of discouragement or depression? You can prepare “the way” for yourself. We all have our ups and downs. You know yourself better than anyone. You know best what you need to hear when you are down in order to lift you back up. Write yourself a letter. Tell yourself what you need to hear. Then put your letter away in preparation for one of your downtimes.

Life is hard. It is full of both promise and discouragement. Today, sit down and write yourself that letter. Then contact someone else for whom you can begin to prepare “the way”.

MEFIBOSET: CRIPPLED PRINCE. Though he has lived nearly all his life crippled, he is the one who encouraged others. He is cheated out of his throne, swindled out of his palace, chased by his enemies and falsely accused of being a spy. How does he survive one crisis after another? To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/2GvdIqU

LINK TO ALL MY BOOKS: http://bit.ly/MyBookInfo

#encouragement, #dreamer, #obstacles, #ambitions, #JohnBaptist, #forerunner, #makeway, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Thursday 7/18 ~ Waiting is Hard to do

On July 18, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn discouragement, faith, patience, prayer, problems, victory, weakness1 Comment

The scripture for today, July 18 (7/18), is Acts 7:18 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“Then another king, who knew nothing about Joseph, became ruler of Egypt.”

Does God really answer prayers? When the Jews first arrived in Egypt, they received “royal treatment” because they were relatives of “Prime Minister” Joseph. Then he died, but his Jewish relatives stayed. Eventually, they were resented because they were foreigners, then they were feared, then they were made slaves of the Egyptians.

For the following 400 years, the Jews prayed for God to release them from their slavery. Generation after generation died believing that God does not answer prayers.

But God saw the big picture. He saw that the 70 relatives of Joseph who originally went to Egypt would become more than three million over the next four centuries. Then and only then would they be large enough to begin a new nation ~ the Jewish nation. In Egypt during those centuries, they were in a form of “protective custody”.

Are you frustrated and confused because God is seemingly not answering some very important prayers? Perhaps you are part of a bigger picture that God only knows about. Perhaps your job is to stay where you are and just keep hanging on. Waiting is hard to do. Are you up to the task God has assigned you?

THE ROAD TO HEAVEN was begun in the Garden of Eden. We blithely pray, “And forgive our sins. Amen.” It’s not that simple. It has never been that simple. It took God thousands of years to get our road to heaven built. Ah, but now that we are on that road, we look in anticipation toward our arrival in that glorious place called heaven. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/2JCvom6

#waiting, #patience, #prayer, #problems, #troubles, #petitions, #answers, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Wednesday 7/17 ~ It’s your assignment

On July 17, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, discouragement, Enemies, faith, Loss, patience, persecution, problems, victory4 Comments

The scripture for today, July 17 (7/17), is 1st Corinthians 7:17 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him.”

In some situations in life, this scripture is hard to accept. Sometimes life gets very, very hard. Sometimes it is difficult to keep smiling, even to keep breathing. When will it end? Will it ever end?

But can it be that this is where God wants you? Can it be that the difficulties in your life right now are your assignments from God? God fights Evil from heaven and it is our place to fight Evil from earth. It is an ongoing battle. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

For some reason that cannot be understood right now, you are where God wants you to be. This is your assignment from God. Remember, we are “ambassadors for Christ” (II Corinthians 5:20). You must show the world that “all things work together for good to those who love the Lord” (Romans 8:28).

As a soldier for Christ, be brave. Think with a clear head. Hold fast, stand firm of faith, strong in spirit, pure of heart.

JOSEPH: THE OTHER FATHER had the hardest assignment in the world ~ keep the Son of God safe in a violent world until grown. How many times did he rescue the boy through the years? How many times did he cry out in desperation, “God! Help me protect our son!”? To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/2LYlfC7

#problems, #troubles, #helplessness, #hopeless, #assignment, #soldier, #fight, #resist, #conquer, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Tuesday 7/16 ~ Stop and take a breath

On July 16, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn discouragement, Enemies, faith, healing, Loss, patience, persecution, problems, rest, weaknessLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 16 (7/16), is Genesis 7:16 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in.”

Does your life sometimes feel like a downpour of unending bad incidents or a flood of tragedies? Whenever that happens, why not just enter an ark of safety and let God shut the door? When God shuts the door on something, try to recognize it, accept his decision, and take advantage of its peace and quiet.

Your ark of safety is in your mind, your heart, your soul. Your ark of safety is quietness in the Lord.

“My heart is not proud, O Lord….I have stilled and quieted my soul” (Psalm 131:1f)

“In quietness and trust is your strength” (Isaiah 30:15b)

“The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever” (Isaiah 32:17).

Today, instead of being angry at God for a closed door, stop, take a deep breath, and rest in the ark of his arms.

A CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES: NOAH. This child’s book is in large print for the easy reader. It has ten chapters, each showing the problems Noah had to overcome in order to build the ark and save as many people as possible. A “Think and Do” is at the end of each chapter so the child can do a good work. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/2lCtWXp

#problems, #troubles, #tired, #exhausted, #arkofsafety, #loss, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Sunday 7/14 ~ What if all the good people left?

On July 14, 2019July 14, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn blessings, discouragement, Enemies, governments, healing, patience, persecution, victoryLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 14 (7/14), is 2nd Chronicles 7:14 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

There is always a little bit of turmoil in all nations of the world. Of course, there is more in some. The average person cannot make their own nation call on God. But the average person can do this: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone ~ for kings and all those in authority” (I Timothy 2:1-2). Further, we should pray for them by name.

Even if you think some people in authority in your nation are against you, you must pray for them anyway. Then wait quietly for God to work things out. It may take Him a year, a decade or a lifetime to bring about your heart’s desire for your nation. But keep praying.

Your job, in the meantime, is to follow God’s ways yourself. Romans 13:1,3-4 says, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established…For rulers hold no terror for those who do right….For he is God’s servant to do you good.”

Love the country you are in. No country is all good or all bad. Stay where you are. What if all the good people left your country? God put you where you are for a reason. Everyone has assignments from God. This is your assignment. You are only one, but you are one. Be an example of good. Seek God’s face. God will heal what needs healing in your land.

MICHEL: THE FOURTH WISE MAN, like ancestor Daniel, decides to stay in the pagan country of Babylon, now part of Parthia. Being a minority Jew, he is not taken seriously. Through the whole book as he and the other wise men search the world for the meaning of the star. At last, they listen to him and find that, indeed, not only was a star born, but the Son of God was born to walk on earth as he had in Eden at the beginning. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/2LrXpzh

#WiseMan, #Christmas, #Star, #Pagans, #Alone, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Saturday 7/13 ~ When misery ends with gladness

On July 13, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn #Handicaps, attitude, death, discouragement, faith, healing, Inspirational, knowledge, Loss, sacrifice, victoryLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 13 (7/13), is in Job 7:13ff in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint, even then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions so that I prefer strangling and death, rather than this body of mine. I despise my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning.”

Job was extremely depressed. It happens to everyone sometimes. His depression was certainly valid ~ he had lost all his income and all his children in a recent storm. Now he had what the Bible translated as “boils” but the symptoms indicate he had a form of leprosy called Elephantiasis.

This particular form leads to nightmares in addition to the physical problems. Job had every right to be depressed. So depressed was he, that he no longer wanted to live, for his life no longer had meaning.

But, as miserable as Job was, he hung on. Patiently he hung on during the bad times. Sometimes during your bad times, the greatest thing you can do is “hang on” ~ be patient.

Romans 8:28 says all things work together for good to those who love the Lord. Job loved the Lord. Even in his misery and desire to die, he continued to love God and trust Him.

And, although at such times you may believe your misery will never end and you will never even smile again, it will happen. The misery comes to an end. It did for Job. He got his health and wealth back and more children to comfort him. God will see you through too.

THEY MET JESUS: HEARTS AFIRE. Come along with Jesus during the first year of his ministry. His apostles have been chosen and people are beginning to sit up and take notice of this amazing miracle worker. Even with such powers, he has time ~ makes time ~ for them all. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/2PXauQs

#sickness, #illness, #salary, #income, #death, #funeral, #misery, #hope, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Wednesday 7/10 ~ It’s time to come on home

On July 10, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, Daily, discouragement, Enemies, faith, Inspirational, patience, power, victoryLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 10 (7/10), is Psalm 7:10 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.”

Ah, my Lord, I become so tired sometimes. That latest assignment you gave me has been so hard. Sometimes I complain knowing I should not because that would make me a Christian coward.

Is it okay if I am afraid sometimes? I am only one and am trying to keep my head above water along with others I am trying to pull out of the flood with me. I’m trying, Lord. I weep sometimes, but amidst my tears, I continually think, “What should my next step b?.”.

Sometimes I just stand still and let the turmoil go on around me while I close my eyes and sing a sweet song to you. That’s when I sense you are singing with me.

At other times I stand up to all the turmoil charging at me. You gave me your weapons: a smile, a touch, a gentle word.

Then there are those terrible times when I feel so beaten up, I think all is lost. Then I remember you are there. You are always there. And I know you are shielding me while I rest.

Then we start all over again, you and I, Lord. Another assignment. Another. And another. Until at last you reach out your arms to me and say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. It’s time to come on home.”

365 GOLDEN BIBLE THOUGHTS: GOD’S HEART TO YOURS. Whether your quiet-for-a-moment time is morning, noon, or evening, this book 1 in the TOUCHING GOD SERIES will help guide your thoughts. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/32hUQEV

#shield, #battle, #enemy, #Satan, #struggles, #everyday, #hardlife, #courage, #coward, #battle, #victory, #soldier, #war, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Monday 7/8 ~ Waiting for your turn

On July 8, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, blessings, discouragement, Inspirational, patienceLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 8 (7/8), is Ecclesiastes 7:8 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.”

Years ago there was a little boy who belonged to the Pee-Wee Baseball League. A lot of teams played in different parts of a very large ball field. He would get in line to wait his turn to bat the ball. But he’d become impatient, feeling that he should be able to bat as often as he wanted.

So he’d take off across the field and get in the line of another team, hoping his turn at bat would come sooner. When he didn’t go to bat as soon as he thought he should, he’d take off across the field in yet another direction and get in the line of yet another team, hoping his turn at bat would come sooner.

After doing all that, he’d finally give up and come back to his own team. By that time, if he had just stayed in line with his own team, he could have come up to bat two or three times. His pride got in the way, his impatience got in the way, and he ended up losing all his turns.

What you hope and dream for may happen today, a year from now, a decade from now. It’s hard to be patient. But try. Learn to wait for your turn and it may turn out better than you had hoped for.

A CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES: ABRAHAM waited many years for his turn ~ to receive God’s promised son. Others gave up on it ever happening, but not our Abraham. “Think & Do” at the end of each chapter. Good for early readers but can be understood from age 3. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/2NIZit2

#patience, #Abraham, #takingturns, #waiting, #hoping, #discouragement, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Sunday 7/7 ~ Extra seeking and knocking

On July 7, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn blessings, discouragement, faith, patience, prayerLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 7 (7/7), is Matthew 7:7 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

How beautiful. The Creator of the universe pays attention to each and every one of us. How does he do it? How does he even sort us all out when thousands of us are praying to him at the same time?

But sometimes you may think he is not listening to your prayers. But it takes time to answer some of them. If I am praying to meet my future husband or wife, God may have to move him or her from the other side of the country, get a new job for him or her, and arrange for the two of you to “accidentally” bump into each other. This is just one example.

At other times you may ask for something like winning a ball game. When Jesus said whatever we seek will be given to you, he had already explained that you must “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). So, within that context, God will give you your heart’s desire.

Maybe today you can do a little bit of extra seeking and extra knocking.

SILVER-WINGED PRAYERS: YOUR SPIRT TO GOD’S contains 365 prayers of praise, repentance, and thanksgiving. It is up to you to decide what to ask for, but I think after the other three parts, your requests will be a little bit you and a whole lot others. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/32fgoSL

#prayer, #petition, #request, #answers, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Friday, 7/5 ~ Your ardent concern

On July 5, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn discouragement, emptiness, Enemies, healing, Loss, problems, weaknessLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 5 (7/5), is 2nd Corinthians 7:5ff as found in the New Testament of the Bible.

“For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn ~ conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me so that my joy was greater than ever.”

Oh how much we need each other.

Sometimes in life, we go into our own Macedonia where we have no rest and are full of fear. Our Macedonia may be religious or political or medical; or it may be at work, out on the street, or at home.

At such times we need a Titus to help us, to encourage us. Our Titus may be a relative, a neighbor, a friend, or even a stranger.

Have you been a Titus to anyone lately? Look around. Be a Titus to someone today. You are so very needed.

TITUS: THE ARISTOCRAT grows up privileged, his father is the city magistrate and Titus becomes an arbitrator and lawyer. He can make the most bitter of enemies think they love each other. So, when Paul meets and converts him, Paul sends him to churches with problems where he uses his expertise to soothe them. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/32bExti

#Titus, #attorney, #arbitrator, #drained, #exhausted, #sickness, #jobloss, #death, #health, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: