Category: family

Sunday 11/17 ~ I think I could die for you

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn death, ego, family, Fear, Heaven, humility, Inspirational, love, sacrificeLeave a comment

The scripture for today, November 17 (11/17), is 1st Chronicles 11:17f as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

00-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-Thumbnail“David longed for water and said, ‘Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem.’ So The Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David.”

The people who followed David admired him because he knew how to be a good leader. And they loved him because they could tell he loved them.

So, many were willing to do anything to make “Captain David” happy. David had been born and raised in Bethlehem. Now he was grown and had a following of those evading power-hungry King Saul, all brave soldiers and their families. They had traveled throughout the country either evading or defending themselves against Saul and other enemies.

Their travels took them back to David’s home town which was being held by enemy Philistines. For old-time’s sake, he longed for a drink from the well he had drunk from many times in his innocent youth. Three of his strongest men ~ The Three ~ risked their lives to bring their captain, David, that drink of water.

How much do you admire and love the Captain of your Salvation, Jesus? How much are you willing to sacrifice for him? Do you say, “I’m too busy to do anything for Jesus and his kingdom today”? Do you say, “I’m afraid if I say something about Jesus to so-and-so, s/he will insult me”? Do you say, “Someone at church offended me, so I’m not going to worship Jesus anymore?” Do you admire Jesus enough to put yourself in the slightest danger just to do the smallest thing for him?

Ah, Lord Jesus, you put yourself in danger for me. You were willing to die for me.  Help me have that same kind of love and determination for you despite dangers.  And, Lord, I think I could even die for you.

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00-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-ThumbnailSTEPHEN: UNLIKELY MARTYR.  The book begins when Stephen is a 17-year-old coward on the run because his best friend is being crucified.  It ends eleven years later when he has a wife and two children and is a deacon, healer, and powerful preacher with everything to live for. He gave it all up and died for Jesus. Through those years, what changed him?  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2CPoAxh

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Sunday 11/10 ~ Then one day the light goes on. Viola! You get it!

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #friendships, church, ego, faith, family, Heaven, judging, knowledge, persecution, Scripture, teaching, truthLeave a comment

The scripture for today, November 10 (11/10), is Acts 11:10 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

000-COVER-KINDLE-Thumbnail“This happened three times and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.”

Acts 11 is about God telling Peter that his new heavenly kingdom was for the whole world, not just the Jews. What was pulled up to heaven was a “sheet” holding all the unclean animals which the Old Law of Moses commanded them never to eat. Now God was saying, “Eat it. The Old Law of Moses isn’t in effect anymore.”

This was hard to grasp. So hard that, even though it was God telling Peter directly a new spiritual concept, Peter refused it. So hard for him to believe, that God had to tell him three times!

Is this the way you are? You read something in the Bible that you never believed before. You read it and re-read it and re-read it, and it never sinks in. After all, you never believed that before. None of your religious friends or leaders believe it. No one on Christian radio/TV or in Christian magazines or the internet believes it.

But God’s Word remains. So, over the weeks and months and years, you pass through that scripture and read it and re-read it. Over the weeks and months and years, its meaning for your life goes right over your head.

Then one day, the light goes on! Viola! You see it! You get it! You are blessed!

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000-COVER-KINDLE-ThumbnailLAZARUS: THE SAMARITAN is a historical novel based on Jesus’ parables. He marries a Jewish girl, no one attends, so they send out to the highways and byways to fill the feast; his sister is the woman at the well, his son is the prodigal son, etc.  But their mixed-religion marriage haunts them.  The Jews hated the Samaritans and they endure prejudice.  Then one day they meet Jesus.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/2qJPeF1 

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Saturday 11/9 ~ A little bit of physical, a whole lot of spiritual

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #friendships, attitude, Daily, eternity, family, healing, Heaven, Holy Spirit, humility, Inspirational, love, praise, prayer, ThanksgivingLeave a comment

Silver Cover-KINDLE-thumbnailThe scripture for today, November 9 (11/9), is Luke 11:9 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

” ‘So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.’ “

Does this mean that, if you ask for your favorite team to win, they will win? Does this mean that, if you ask for a particular job, you will get that job? Or, if you have your eyes on a particular young man or young woman, you will marry that person?

In the context that Jesus said this, he had just taught his disciples what many call the Lord’s prayer. In that prayer, Jesus instructed us to ask for a little bit of the physical and a whole lot of the spiritual.

You might say, “Well, that doesn’t leave me much to pray for.” Oh, yes it does. Shift your focus from yourself. It leaves the rest of the world to pray for. What about their little bit of physical and their whole lot of spiritual? How many people do you pray for? Not as a group, but by name? Not occasionally, but every day?

Well then, will God give you every one of the souls you pray for? God gives everyone free will. He does not force people to follow him. God provides opportunities for people you pray for, and he even moves their hearts. But he does not force them. You must still, keep on praying, even when you feel like someone is hopeless. Maybe they are hopeless during your lifetime. But sometimes someone’s soul is saved after your death.

So, pray for others and never tire of it ~ a little bit of the physical and whole lot of the spiritual. Seek and you will find. God will answer in his own way. And that’s a promise.

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Silver Cover-KINDLE-thumbnail365 SILVER-WINGED PRAYERS: YOUR SPIRIT TO GOD’S provides a daily prayer of praise, confession, and thanksgiving.  This is the third book in the TOUCHING GOD SERIES. The other two are daily inspirational thoughts and daily wisdom.  The cover is original art by famed Betsy Kemp Thompson.  Interior has artistic font.  Beautiful gift book.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2yUvPSD

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Friday 11/8 ~ Safe for all eternity

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn church, death, ego, Enemies, family, Heaven, humility, Inspirational, persecution, sacrifice, victoryLeave a comment

The scripture for today, November 8 (11/8), is Proverbs 11:8 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

00-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-Thumbnail“The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead.”

You know that God does not always rescue you from trouble here on this temporary earth. He certainly didn’t rescue Jesus from all his troubles.

Sometimes God has an assignment for you just as he did for Jesus.  He may want you to be in the midst of trouble ~ war, an enemy at work, an obnoxious neighbor, death of a loved one caused by a reckless driver, a government worker demanding a bribe. Why?  So you can demonstrate to the world the contrast: God’s ways vs. Satan’s ways.  So you can demonstrate to the world how to fight Satan and win.

Retaliation never works.  Peace always wins over war. 

Eventually, the boomerang effect will take place on those following Satan. What they inflict on you will be inflicted on them by their Maker.

 And eventually, if you have followed God’s ways even in times of trouble, he will indeed rescue you. He will welcome you into his home ~ heaven ~ safe for all eternity.

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00-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-ThumbnailSTEPHEN: UNLIKELY MARTYR is novel 7 in the INTREPID MEN OF GOD SERIES.  He had a wife and children (qualifications to be a deacon).  He had a position in the church. He could perform miracles. He was a dynamic speaker and won the hearts of everyone ~ well, everyone except his religious enemies who hated Jesus.  What made this young man with everything to live for give it all up?  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2NsLTDq

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Wednesday 9/11 ~ You will be delighted; they will be fascinated

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #friendships, attitude, church, Daily, family, good works, Scripture, teaching, truthLeave a comment

The scripture for today, September 11 (9/11), is Matthew 9:11 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

Applied Christianity“When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and “sinners”? ‘ “

Jesus did not make friends with people who could lift him up. He made friends with people who he could lift up. You are not divine, so we need both. It is true that your closest friends should be Christians. However, many brag those are their only friends. That isolates and insulates them.

You must make some friends among the lost in order to show them God’s love, and try to lift them up. They can be people at work, in a club, in your neighborhood, someone you sit next to waiting for a bus, or even someone you meet by accident while waiting in line at a store.

You must always be on the watch. Always prepared to become more than just casual acquaintances. Always be prepared to get “up close and personal” with some of your friends. Most people have questions about the Bible. So, ask them if they do. If you don’t know the answer, look it up in a Bible Concordance and pass it on to them. You will be delighted and they will be fascinated.

Jesus did it. He was our example.

 

Applied ChristianityAPPLIED CHRISTIANITY: A HANDBOOK OF 500 GOOD WORKS.  Every Christian should have this on their bookshelf. Suggestions are made in it for individuals of all ages and congregations of all sizes.  Steps in doing each good work are included.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2FuXKM1

 

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Tuesday 8/27 ~ And watch them become awed

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #friendships, discouragement, emptiness, faith, family, healing, Inspirational, Loss, problems, Scripture1 Comment

The scripture for today, August 27 (8/27), is Mark 8:27 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

09-Jonah-KindleThumbnail“Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, ‘Who do people say I am?’ “

Do you ask your family, our neighbors, your friends how they feel about God? Who do they say God is? You don’t know unless you ask. A lot of people are just waiting for someone to ask. Otherwise, they don’t know how or when to bring it up.

Whenever I meet someone who has gone through a tragedy, I ask them “How’s your faith?”. Now this person may not have darkened the door of a church building for 20 years, but s/he always knows what I mean. Since I am sympathizing with them at the time, they are always honest and reply, “Not very good,” usually meaning their faith is nearly gone if not all the way gone.

Then I tell them, “You know, Satan causes bad to happen to people, not God.” They always stare at me a moment and then breathe a sigh of relief. They hadn’t wanted to blame God for their tragedy, but they had a need to blame someone. They’d forgotten Satan exists and were grateful they could now put the blame where it belonged.

There are many other people today who believe in a “Higher Power” but have no idea who that “Higher Power” is.  Many, even in America today, have never read the Bible but are curious about it.  Ask people you know, “Who is the High Power?”, and listen to them. Then offer to show them how the Bible is divided up and how to read it (especially Genesis, then the New Testament).

You must continually be on the watch for people who need help in understanding their relationship with God. Be brave. Go ahead and ask. You’ll be surprised at how many WANT to talk about it. Then be delighted as you open up a whole new world to them and watch them become awed.

 

09-Jonah-KindleThumbnailA CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES:  JONAH.  Maybe you think of Jonah as a run-away coward. But eventually, despite his cowardice, he went to the pagans, told them about God, and they repented.  He learned a big lesson about loving his enemies.  A great set of 10 books for early-reader HOMESCHOOLERS, CHURCH LIBRARIES, CHRISTMAS, BIRTHDAYS.  There is a “Think and Do” at the end of each chapter. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2Pgrt3t

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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 7/3 ~ Gear up and take that leap

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn Bible, ego, faith, family, Heaven, knowledge, persecution, sacrifice, Saved from hell, Scripture, victoryLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 3 (7/3), is Acts 7:3 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

00-PAUL COVER-Thumbnail-” ‘Leave your country and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.’ “

This is part of a speech by Christian Stephen soon after the church began. He was reminding the Jewish leaders how God told their ancestor Abraham to leave his religion, home and family, and move to where God had something special for him ~ to begin the Jewish nation and a new religion.

But when Stephen got to the part where now God wanted his audience to leave the Jewish religion and move on to a still better one ~ the Christian religion ~ they were outraged. They were not like Abraham; they did not want to change. So, not liking the message, they killed the messenger. These religious leaders stoned Stephen to death.

Have you learned “new” things in the Bible that your religion is against? It is hard to change. You could lose your friends and family like Abraham did; you could even lose your home as Abraham did. It takes a great big “leap of faith” to follow that “new” truth you have discovered in the Bible. But when God does the recommending, you can know he has something special in mind for you. So, gear up and take that leap!

 

00-PAUL COVER-Thumbnail-PAUL: THE UNSTOPPABLE did everything possible to not change from Judaism to Christianity. He hauled people to prison and even killed them if they refused to stop talking about changing. It was only when he changed sides that he saw what he had been missing out on. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/328ta59

 

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Monday 6/24 ~ The Lord bless & keep you

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn blessings, church, family, Inspirational, joy, praise, prayer, Thanksgiving, worshipLeave a comment

The scripture for today, June 24 (6/24), is Numbers 6:24f as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

Love Letters of Jesus & his Bride, Eccelsia-THUMBNAIL“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

This beautiful blessing from the Bible has been set to music and turned into a spiritual song. Enter this on the internet, and you should be able to hear it sung: http://bit.ly/1HAztLI

Sit back, close your eyes and imagine you singing or saying this to someone who does not understand God.

 

LOVE LETTERS OF JESUS & HIS BRIDE, ECCLESIA is an adaptation of Song of Solomon with each chapter a love letter to or from the church, Jesus’ bride.  A great gift.  A great reminder of who we are. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2IEkSdE

 

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Saturday 6/22 ~Did you forget me?

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn discouragement, family, good works, InspirationalLeave a comment

The scripture for today, June 22 (6/22), is Ephesians 6:22 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

Applied Christianity“I am sending him to you for this very purpose: That you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.”

Have you sent a letter to anyone in your family lately? How about your elderly parents, your grown children, aunts or uncles, nieces or nephews? Do they love you? If they do, they are going to worry about you until they hear how you are.

I have a letter written by my great grandmother to her daughter (my grandmother) saying (besides the usual chit-chat), “You never write.”  I have another letter written a generation later by my grandmother to her daughter (my mother) saying, “You never write.” And I have a letter from my mother saying to her daughter, “You never write.”

Each generation goes through this. We grow up, go out on our own, get busy, and forget to write our loved ones. They spent somewhere around 20 years raising you, taking care of you, making sure you were clean, your clothes decent, you did your homework, you got along with your friends, your scratches were healed, you ate right. How can they devote that much daily time and energy (both physical and emotional) on someone until they are grown, and then just turn it off? Just quit caring? They cannot.

So today, sit down and write a letter to someone who helped raise you. If you think you don’t have anything to say, you really do. Tell them what you had for lunch yesterday, what song on the radio you heard, where you went, who you saw. Just chit-chat things. All they want is to know how you are. Then they will feel a lot better. Because they love you.

 

Applied ChristianityAPPLIED CHRISTIANITY:  A HANDBOOK OF 500 GOOD WORKS provides how-to’s for every possible good work. We do not have to wait for a committee.  We do not have to wait until the church has a program. Just go out and do it.  Detailed how-to’s for every type good work.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2IyOZmI

 

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