Category: faith

Scripture for Friday, December 9 (12/9)

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn Daily, faith, healing, Inspirational, judgingLeave a comment
The scripture for today, December 9, is 2nd Corinthians 12:9 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-Mefiboset-KINDLE Medium“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Oh how much we need to be reminded of this scripture. We all have weaknesses. Do we lament the hand we were dealt? Do we lament the country we were born in, the family we were born into, the physical limitations we were born with, the mental, emotional or physical deficiencies we ended up with?
This is your chance! Those weaknesses! Go around others with the same weakness you have with joy in your heart, gladness on your lips and a continual gleam in your eyes!  Let God’s strength shine in your weakness!
When people begin to sympathize with you, interrupt them and tell them how much God loves you, and how much God loves them! Encourage your “encouragers.” Let them go away from you with a new understanding of the blessings of weakness!
And perhaps be a little more thankful for their own.
#Disabilities, #Handicaps, #Illness, #Friends, #Overcomers, #Weakness, #PositiveAttitude

Scripture for Wednesday, December 7 (12/7)

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn Daily, faith, Holy Spirit, InspirationalLeave a comment

The scripture for today, December 7, is Luke 12:7 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

HS-COVER-KINDLE-GOLD“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Jesus had just said that God knows every sparrow individually. Amazing! This God of ours, this Creator of ours knows everything that is going on in his world and knows everyone in his world, regardless of where we are in the world. 

Not only does He know everyone, but He knows our name, our likes, our dislikes, our struggles, our joys, if we bump into a door, how much we paid for groceries this week ~ everything. 

He is with us where ever we go. 

There is no place we can go that he is not there. 

We are never alone.

#Omnipresence, #GodIsEverywhere, #God, #GodKnows, #GodCares, #GodWatches

Scripture for Monday, December 5 (12/5)

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn Daily, faith, healing, Inspirational, persecution, Satan, worshipLeave a comment

The scripture for today, December 5, is Psalm 12:5 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

00-Heroes-Alone-COVER-KINDLE” ‘Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,’ says the Lord. ‘I will protect them from those who malign them.’ “

Notice, in this scripture the Lord says, “I will now arise.” Sometimes God needs us to endure difficulties so that bad people who cause such problems can be exposed for what they are, and ultimately so Satan can be exposed for what he is. Sometimes that difficulty will last months or years ~ sometimes even a lifetime. 

First Corinthians 3:9 in the New Testament says we are workers together with God. Ephesians 6:12 says “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly [spiritual] realms.”

We are where God wants us to be. This is our assignment. Are we up to it? Sometimes our job is just to hang on and not give up on God. That’s what Satan is always trying to get us to do, just like he did Job in the Old Testament. God won’t leave us in a situation that is impossible for us to endure. I Corinthians 10:13 says, “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” 

So, go ahead and groan in your weakness, but hang on. Never let go of God. That’s your part. 

As soon as the evil around you is exposed for what it is, you have proven good cannot be conquered by evil, and you have grown spiritually as a result of your experience, God will then arise.  That’s God’s part. 

#Troubles, #Problems, #Trials, #Endurance, #Patience, #Evil, #Judgment, #Punishment, #Satan

Scripture for Sunday, December 4 (12/4)

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn Death of Jesus Christ, faith, healing, Inspirational, judging, persecutionLeave a comment

The scripture for today, December 4, is Isaiah 12:4 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-Joseph-Cover-Kindle-Medium“In that day you will say: ‘Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.’ “

Do you make known to your part of your nation what God has done for you? 

When a friend tells you of a difficulty, do you share what you went through that was similar, and that God helped get you through it? Are you ready with an easy-to-remember scripture to prove God cares and God helps? 

When someone is sick or bereaved, do you let them know that God hurts just as much when they suffer as when he watched his own Son suffer on the cross?

Look back over your life. Make a list of some difficult times you and God made it through. Find an applicable verse and memorize it. Find out what is going on in the lives of your friends, co-workers, neighbors. Then be ready to share your story and what God has done for you. It’s up to each one of us to do this. 

Thereby God’s name will be exalted.

#problems, #troubles, #illness, #death, #MoralSupport, #GodsLove, #GodHurts, #GodCares

Scripture for Friday, December 2 (12/2)

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn Daily, Death of Jesus Christ, faith, Inspirational, Life of Christ, persecutionLeave a comment

The scripture for today, December 2, is Hebrews 12:2 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

CHANGES IN WORSHIP-COVER-KINDLE“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Yes, life gets pretty rough sometimes. And the harder we try to act like Christians among non-Christians, the more difficult it can become. Did such difficulties stop Jesus? No. He was determined to save as many souls as possible. And he was determined to do the job God gave him before returning to heaven.

Where is your determination? You think you have problems? Look at the problems Jesus endured. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Do not “grow weary and lose heart.” 

Dare to stand firm, hold fast, and do the right thing.

#Non-Christians, #ChristianLife, #Persecution, #Opposition, #SinfulMen, #Problems, #Difficulties, #Determination, #Heart

Scripture for Thursday, December 1 (12/1)

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn Bible, Daily, faith, Inspirational, ScriptureLeave a comment

The scripture for today, December 1, is Jeremiah 12:1ff as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

Life-Changing-Scriptures-Cover-medium“Lord, you always give me justice when I bring a case before you to decide. Now let me bring you this complaint: Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why are evil men so happy? You plant them. They take root and their business grows. Their profits multiply, and they are rich. They say, ‘Thank God!’ But in their hearts they give no credit to you. But as for me ~ Lord, you know my heart ~ you know how much it longs for you. And I am poor, O Lord!”

Now compare this with Job 15:20-24:

“All his days the wicked man suffers torment, the ruthless through all the years stored up for him. Terrifying sounds fill his ears….He despairs of escaping the darkness; he is marked for the sword. He wanders about ~ food for vultures; he knows the day of darkness is at hand. Distress and anguish fill him with terror.”

These two passages contradict each other. So what is the problem? The words spoken in Job were by Eliphaz, one of Job’s well-meaning friends who took it upon himself to help Job figure out why he had lost all his wealth, all his children, and all his health. Was Eliphaz right? 

At the end of the book of Job, is this: “The Lord…said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends because you have not spoken of me what is right.” Then God ordered Eliphaz and his friends to sacrifice seven bulls and rams (not small sacrifices), then ask Job to pray for them so God “will not deal with you according to your folly.”

When we read scripture, let us be careful to investigate its context and ALL other scriptures on the same subject. Only then can we have the whole picture. Only then can we avoid religious folly.

 
#Scriptures, #Bible, #Folly, #Creeds, #Doctrines, #Understanding

Scripture for Tuesday, November 29 (11/29)

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn Bible, Daily, faith, healing, Inspirational, prayer, ScriptureLeave a comment

The scripture for today, November 29, is Matthew 11:29f as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-BOOK 3-HEARTS AFIRE-COVER“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Everyone has problems, and pretty much the same kinds of problems. They may be rich or they may be poor, but it happens to everyone. Just because someone smiles a lot, it does not mean their heart is not aching inside. Just because they wear nice clothes, it does not mean they are not torn with a growing crisis. Just because they live in a nice home and drive a nice car, it does not mean they are not riddled with guilt over past sinful acts.

Jesus knew this. And so he said to the world ~ to you and me ~ let’s trade. I’ll take your burden and you take mine. What is Jesus’ burden? Telling others of his love. What a wonderful trade. 

So today, make that decision. Will you continue to carry your burdens and let them weigh you down so you can’t move? Or will you let go of them and smile as Jesus smiled, reach out to others as Jesus reached out, teach God’s love as Jesus did? 

Jesus would not have asked you to do the impossible. It is your choice. Today let go and let God.

#Problems, #Troubles, #Relief, #JesusChrist, #Burdens

Scripture for Sunday, November 27 (11/27)

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn faith, Inspirational, ScriptureLeave a comment

The scripture for today, November 27, is Mark 11:27f as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

PAUL COVER-KINDLE-“…the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him [Jesus]. ‘By what authority are you doing those things?’ they asked. ‘And who gave you authority to do this?’ “

As you learn more of the Bible, consider teaching your community’s religious leaders. Have the courage to speak up and quote something in the Bible which that church may not be following. Then, when your religious leaders go to you wanting to know by what authority you teach something new, be ready for them with the scriptures. Periodically tell them in private ~ gently and respectfully ~ again and again.

Just remember that leaders often take longer to accept a new teaching. It may take them months or years to accept it. Keep on keeping on. And be patient with them. 

Pray for your community religious leaders.  Ask God to touch their hearts. He will not go against their natural nature, but if they have honest hearts, it will work. Plant the seed, and God will give the increase (1st Corinthians 3:16). God said, “My Word will not return to me void” (Isaiah 55:11).

#Bible, #Bishops, #Pastors, #Reverends, #Elders, #Preachers, #Ministers, #Scriptures, #Truths, #Doctrines, #Creeds

Scripture for Saturday, November 26 (11/26)

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn faith, Inspirational, Saved from hellLeave a comment
The scripture for today, November 26, is John 11:26 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

WORSHIP THE FIRST-CENTURY WAY-COVER-KINDLE” ‘ And whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ “

Jesus was talking to the sister of his close friend, Lazarus, who had just died. Of course, we understand he was talking about spiritual death ~ the death of our souls. And death in the original Greek means separation; so in the case of our souls, it would be separation from God.

Revelation 20:6 & 14 refer to the second death which is the lake of fire. So what is the first death of our souls?

In John 3:3 Jesus said we must be born again of water and the spirit. Romans 6:4 says “we were therefore buried with him through baptism into death [of that sinful life] in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a NEW LIFE.”

Someone has said “Born once [physically], die twice. Born twice [physically & spiritually], die once.” If we emerge from the waters of our mother’s womb, that is the first birth of our souls. If we emerge from the waters of baptism, that is our second birth.”

So when Jesus said believers would never die, he meant our souls would never die. How reassuring!

Scripture for Wednesday, November 23 (11/23)

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn Death of Jesus Christ, faith, Inspirational, Life of Christ, Saved from hell, worshipLeave a comment

The scripture for today, November 23, is 1st Corinthians 11:23ff as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-BOOK 7-SHADOW OF DEATH-Cover“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this whenever you drink it in remembrance of me.'”

How the hearts of Jesus and his closest friends must have been breaking that night. How the apostles must have struggled to hold back the tears. They all knew the religious leaders in Jerusalem were plotting to execute Jesus. They knew he was taking his life in his hands to be in the city ~ their lives too. How could they part with the one they now knew was the Son of God but also the Son of Mankind ~ their dearest friend?

When we take the communion every Sunday, where are our thoughts? What we’re going to do after church? What someone sitting near us is wearing? How the person in front of us is blocking our view? 

How many of us during the communion weep as Jesus’ apostles must have wept ~ and perhaps even as Jesus himself wept? 

Oh, Jesus, it was my sins that caused you to go through that horrible death!  My punishment! I fall at your feet. I am so sorry.

#Lord’sSupper, #HolyCommunion, #Eucharist, #Crucifixion, #Sacrifice, #Jesus, #Salvation, #SavedFromHell