Category: Enemies

Sunday 9/15 ~ Can you spare a few more minutes?

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #ransom, death, Death of Jesus Christ, ego, Enemies, forgiveness, Heaven, sacrifice, Satan, Saved from hell, worship1 Comment

The scripture for today, September 15 (9/15), is 2nd Corinthians 9:15 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

Supper-Front Cover-Thumbnail“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

Can you imagine dying in the place of someone else?  We occasionally hear stories from the battlefield of a man falling on a grenade so he is the only one killed, thus saving his buddies.

But closer to home, if you saw a child in the path of a car, would you run out and throw the child out of the way knowing there will be no time for you to escape death?

What if you were hiking or sailing with a friend and got lost? Would you split the food and water evenly, or would you give it all to your weaker friend? What would you do if you were lost with someone who hated everyone? Would you give them all the food and water knowing you would die and the hateful person live on?

What if you were with a friend and were arrested for a crime the friend did? Would you take the blame and the punishment of twenty years in prison so your friend could go free?  What if that person was a habitual criminal, you happened to cross paths at the wrong time, and you were both arrested for his heinous crime? Would you take the blame and his punishment (execution) for him?

Now try to imagine making your child die in the place of your enemy ~ your sinless, innocent child.

It is indescribable.

It is unimaginable.

It is unthinkable.

But God did exactly that.

How can we thank Him for his indescribable gift of Jesus redeeming us from Satan? We fall silently at His feet and worship.

Today is Sunday, the day the apostles and those they taught kept the Lord’s Supper remembering Jesus’ body that was tortured and died in our place and his blood that was drained from his body in our place. When you worship today, will you have time to remember his death with all the singing and praying and speechifying going on? Will you squeeze out the reason for Sunday, the day he came back to life and the day he returned home to heaven? Can you take a little more time?

This is the day he ransomed you from Satan and hell! So, I ask again, do you have time?

 

Supper-Front Cover-ThumbnailTHE LORD’S SUPPER: 52 READINGS WITH PRAYERS provides scriptures about Jesus and his ultimate sacrifice, the love of God for us, and sacrifice in general. Never run out of things to say and think about in this most precious time every Sunday.  The prayers will help you say what is on your heart during those intimate moments with Jesus.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2I7yfm4

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Sunday 9/8 ~ Nero and your government

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn discouragement, Enemies, governments, persecution, power, prayer, Satan2 Comments

The scripture for today, September 8 (9/9), is Daniel 9:8 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-BK 7-ShadowOfDeath-Cover-new-Thumbnail“O Lord, we and our kings, our princes, and our fathers are covered with shame because we have sinned against you.”

Have you prayed for your government lately?  I Timothy 2:1 & 2 says “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone ~ for kings and all those in authority.”

At the time of this writing, Nero was Caesar. First-century historian Tacitus said this about Nero in his Annals 15:44:

“But all human efforts, all the lavish gifts of the emperor, and the propitiations of the gods, did not banish the sinister belief that the conflagration was the result of an order. Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called “Christians” by the populace.

“Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilate, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their center and become popular.

“Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired.”

If the Apostle Paul could pray for such a government leader, can you not follow his instructions? Why don’t you stop and pray for your own government right now?

 

0-BK 7-ShadowOfDeath-Cover-new-ThumbnailTHEY MET JESUS: SHADOW OF DEATH tells the story of “Christus’ ” death at the hands of two governments ~ one out of jealousy, the other out of job protection.  Two chapters in this book cover the first three and last three hours on the cross.  The Merck Desk Manual for Physicians was the major source along with scripture. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/30V6hBb

 

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Wednesday 9/4 ~ Shhh. Listen. Do you hear?

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn Bible, death, Death of Jesus Christ, ego, Enemies, eternity, Heaven, humility, love, Saved from hell, victory, weakness1 Comment

The scripture for today, September 4 (9/4), is Daniel 9:4 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-BK 7-ShadowOfDeath-Cover-new-Thumbnail“I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands….’ “

A lot of people in the world think God should feel obligated to take them to his heaven. After all, they are fairly good, and better than some. God couldn’t possibly in all good conscience turn them away.

Yet, their entire life they resent God. They don’t like his few commands; they don’t want anyone telling them what to do or not do. Or they claim to love God, but create their own commands that just aren’t in the Bible, making themselves God. What confusion!

Ultimately, heaven is God’s home, not yours. He is not obligated to invite anyone into His home. Besides, only perfection can live with God who is perfect. It only takes one sin to make us an imperfect sinner.

So how do you become perfect? That’s where God’s awesomeness is demonstrated. By following Jesus who was perfect and never sinned, and obeying Jesus’ few commands, God considers you perfect by proxy.

But it’s like a boomerang. God treats you the way you treat him. If you don’t take time for God, he doesn’t take time for you. If you don’t like to spend time praising him, he doesn’t spend time praising you. Actually, if you don’t really like anything about God, you would be miserable in heaven.

God never forces himself on anyone. He loves you even when you do not love Him.  So, he keeps on calling, “Come back!  Come back to me!  I can keep you safe.”  Shhh. Listen.  Do you hear Him?

 

0-BK 7-ShadowOfDeath-Cover-new-ThumbnailTHEY MET HIM: SHADOW OF DEATH is book 7 in the 8-novel series.  The world is so full of people who expect to go to heaven but hate thinking about Jesus. They think he is full of rules just to make their life miserable. They do not understand that is Satan lying to them.  Share this with someone who doesn’t care at this moment. Perhaps just the cover will lure him into opening it and reading page one. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/30V6hBb

 

 

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Thursday 8/29 ~ And what about demons?

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn Enemies, faith, Fear, joy, knowledge, power, problems, Satan, truth1 Comment

The scripture for today, August 29 (8/29), is Matthew 8:29 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

365 Dat by Date-Front-Thumbnail” ‘What do you want with us, Son of God?’ they shouted. ‘Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?’ “

If you are not familiar with this passage, these are the words of a demon. If you have ever studied demons in the Bible, you will find they never tried to spook or scare people. They never made dishes rattle or lamps fall over.

All they did was cause physical problems during the lifetime of Jesus and his apostles. There is no evidence of demons doing this in the Old Testament before Jesus, nor after his apostles died, either in the Bible or in the writings of the apostolic fathers. It is as though the demons were loosed for a season so Jesus could show his power over them also ~ Ephesians 1:20-21.

Notice, demons never said bad things. If they talked at all, it was out of fear and honesty.  James 2:19 says all demons believe in Jesus. In the book of Matthew, they knew who Jesus was. They called him the Son of God.

Jesus told them to be quiet. Why? He didn’t want evil beings telling people who he was; he wanted goodness to tell people who he was. And Jesus never did incantations or any begging to lure demons out. He demanded them to leave and immediately they obeyed him.

The movies have warped our understanding of demons. Let us search the scriptures to find out their true nature. Then we no longer have to guess. We can know.

 

365 Dat by Date-Front-Thumbnail

 

365 LIFE-CHANGING SCRIPTURES DAY BY DATE provides a daily devotional to think about during the day or even during the night. Perfect for WEDDINGS, BABY SHOWERS, CHRISTMAS.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2yQgWkh

 

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Wednesday 8/28 ~ Be patient. It’s coming.

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn blessings, discouragement, Enemies, Inspirational, Loss, patience, problems, Thanksgiving1 Comment

The scripture for today, August 28 (8/28), is Romans 8:28 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-BK 7-ShadowOfDeath-Cover-new-Thumbnail“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

This is a favorite verse of many people. Notice, God can make all things work together for good. ALL things. That means bad things, disappointing things, unfulfilled things. It doesn’t say God will make them all work together for the best. But, even if you made a bad decision or something terrible happened, he will bring some kind of good out of it.

What has been your most recent disappointment, tragedy, heartbreak ~ something that just did not go the way it should have? At such times, it is easy to blame God instead of Satan. You’re playing into Satan’s hands when you blame God and forsake him. Try to remember that, with every disappointment and tragedy, God gives you a promise:  Someday you will smile again.

Are you are living according to his purpose? The promise is only to those who are. If, indeed you are, believe God will take your heartbreak and turn it in to some kind of good especially for you. As hard as it may be right now, try to be patient.  Your good thing is on its way.

 

0-BK 7-ShadowOfDeath-Cover-new-ThumbnailTHEY MET JESUS: SHADOW OF DEATH covers the last few hours of Jesus’ life before he let them crucify him.  They thought they’d won; they lost.  Satan had thought he’d won; he lost.  God brought the most amazing good out of this tragedy that mankind has ever seen. This is book 7 on which my proposed TV SERIES is based.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2Zx9HwC

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Saturday 8/17 ~ Go ahead! Do it!

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, blessings, death, Enemies, eternity, Heaven, joy, persecution, sacrifice, Satan, Thanksgiving, truth1 Comment

The scripture for today, August 17 (8/17), is Romans 8:17 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

00-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-Thumbnail“Now if we are children, then we are heirs ~ heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (see also Galatians 3:16)

I Peter 4:12-14 says we should not be surprised when persecution happens, “as though something strange was happening to you.” If we are insulted because of Jesus, we are blessed.

Notice, we are co-heirs with Christ IF we share in his suffering. Have you shared in Jesus’ sufferings lately? Have you ever in your entire life shared in Jesus’ sufferings? If not, you haven’t told very many people about Jesus loving them or stood up for Jesus when people around you were making fun of him or using his name as a swear word.

Are you sinning by omission? Do you huddle with your church friends all the time and brag that all the friends you have are Christians? Jesus didn’t. Jesus went out to “seek and save the lost.” Are you seeking?

Sometime today, say something to someone about Jesus ~ someone in a store, at work, a neighbor, a fellow passenger on a bus. They probably won’t insult you. This may be exactly what they’ve been looking for. But if they do insult you, smile and say, “Thank you.” If they threaten you, say, “God bless you.”  If they hit you, say, “I appreciate that.”

Go ahead.  Do it!  Share!  I double dare you!

 

00-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-ThumbnailSTEPHEN: UNLIKELY MARTYR had a wife and two children and was 28 years old (in the story) when he sacrificed it all. Did he dread death? He’s never done it before. But he also saw what was on the other side of the door ~ Jesus rooting for him.  “Come home, Stephen. Come on home.”  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2P0ABJv

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Thursday 8/15 ~ Rest in God

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, discouragement, Enemies, faith, Loss, love, rest1 Comment

The scripture for today, August 15 (8/15), is Romans 8:15 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

00-PAUL COVER-Thumbnail-“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.”

I knew someone a long time ago who went through a period of being afraid of everything, something she just could not control. Then she found this scripture and applied it to all her fears. She had read it many times before, but this time was able to apply it to her constant fear. She thought to herself, “Stop being afraid! You are a child of God! He is right there with you. Be brave now. And rest in God.”

Are there times in your life when you are a slave to fear? Perhaps it is fear of the dark. Or fear of losing health. Or fear of strangers. Or of a certain nationality. Or of losing a job or home. Or of losing a loved one.

Stop being afraid! Jesus said we cannot add one hair to our head by worrying.  Write today’s verse on some pieces of paper and tape it to your refrigerator, the dash of your car, the door in and out of your house, your bathroom mirror. Read it until you believe it.  Children of God are not afraid. God is right there with you. Be brave. And rest in God.

 

00-PAUL COVER-Thumbnail-PAUL: THE UNSTOPPABLE was just that. He purposely set himself up to be beaten, scourged, imprisoned so he could defy the local priests and tell people the only way to escape hell and be saved from Satan.  Each time he was beaten, scourged, imprisoned, he called out, “Jesus!  This is for you!”.  Go along with Paul and live what he lived.  To BUY NOW,  click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2OY5ka3

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Friday 7/19 ~ How often do you want God to forgive you?

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, death, ego, Enemies, family, forgiveness, humility, love, patienceLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 19 (7/19), is found in Romans 7:19 as found in the New Testament of the Bible.

00-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-Thumbnail“For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do ~ this I keep on doing.”

Doesn’t this pretty much describe you and me in some area of our life?  It may be eating too much, breaking the law by going over the speed limit, laughing at dirty jokes, habitual lying, stealing “little things” at work, cheating on tests, jealousy, impatience, temper ~ any number of things.

Sins of habit and attitude are hard to break. So you go to God over and over asking him to forgive that which, deep down, you know you’re going to do again.

Perhaps this emphasizes the importance of you forgiving others who habitually do wrong to you. You do not know their deep inner struggles any more than they know your struggles.

Jesus said, “IF you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14).

Satan wants you to quit trying to do better. And he wants you to quit forgiving other people. Don’t give in to Satan.  Give in to God. God’s way leads you to ultimate forgiveness of your sins ~ ultimate and complete.

 

00-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-ThumbnailSTEPHEN: UNLIKELY MARTYR was insulted by other people; he forgave them. He was harassed by other people; he forgave them. Mocked by other people; he forgave them. Bawled out by other people; he forgave them.  Killed by other people; he forgave them. How did this former coward change?  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2M0sjxX

 

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Wednesday 7/17 ~ It’s your assignment

On 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:

0-Joseph-Cover-Thumbnail“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.

 

0-Joseph-Cover-ThumbnailJOSEPH: 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

 

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Tuesday 7/16 ~ Stop and take a breath

On 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:

02-Noah-KindleThumbnail“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.

 

02-Noah-KindleThumbnailA 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

 

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