The God of Second Chances

I praise you, God of my life, my soul, my being. You are all I need to exist. Without you the world is formless and empty just as it Inside-COVER-lg thumbnailwas at the beginning.  You give my life form and substance. You give me a reason to be, to live, to die. You are beyond the finiteness of my comprehension. Oh, how I wish I could understand you more.

Forgive my inability to forgive 490 times like you said ~ 70 x 7.  If I forgive, I know I am opening myself up to them doing it again, then I’ll have to forgive again. 490 times? I haven’t even begun to reach that. Slow me down, Lord, and help me unburden myself of others’ sins.

Ah, thank you, my Lord, for your simple Word. You never left me guessing what you are doing or wanting or saying. I can just follow your Words with simple, childlike faith. When I read it and meditate on it, I feel as though I am sitting at the foot of your very throne. And thank you for sleep.  And for watching over me while I rest. Thank you for chances to start all over again each new day. You are the God of second chances.

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Inside-COVER-lg thumbnailINSIDE THE HEARTS OF BIBLE WOMEN is twelve stories of twelve women in their normal life, their life during tragedy, and their life trying to pull out of the tragedy.  Thought questions at the end.  AUDIO also available.  ADVERTISING MANUAL and LEADER’S GUIDE also available.  Great for outreach as a private reading book or group enrichment.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/3hr2bJR

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/1107-2/my-book-inside-the-hearts-of-bible-women/

 

 

Even in winter, you are the sunshine of my soul

Ah, my Lord God, what a wonderous artist you are. You delight my senses with the gentle touch of a snow 0-Joseph-Cover-Kindle-Mediumflake and the crunch of my feet as I walk among your whited wonder. The wind is cold, but inside I am warm. Oh, look at that Woodpecker. How much fun he is having with that tree. And that squirrel scampering across the snow with something in its mouth; I’ll bet it’s some morsel it buried during the fall.  Oh, my, that child has made snow angels, and those children over there are making snowmen. How beautiful and enchanting you made everything on earth, my home.

Father, how can you forgive me for doing the same wrong thing over and over? How can you forgive me for leaving undone the good things I need to get out there and do? Help me forgive others in the same way I need you to forgive me.

Thank you, dear Lord, for loving me with a love so powerful, nothing holds it back. When I sin, you ache, then call me to you. When I ~ with your help ~ convince someone to become a Christian and saved from Satan, you notify the angels, and we all rejoice together. When I feel lonely, all I have to do is call one of the many friends you have given me. Oh, and thank you for children who remind me of innocent wonder. Even in winter, you are the sunshine of my soul.

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0-Joseph-Cover-ThumbnailJOSEPH: THE OTHER FATHER was selected to raise the Son of God.  The responsibility! How was he supposed to keep the child safe in a violent world, even on the highways where skirmishes occurred?  And up in the mountains cutting lumber where bears and lions wandered? And in foreign Egypt where there were pockets of Jews willing to take bribes for information about him? And in his own town where his uncaring children called him bastard and their fathers called his father a fool for marrying a woman already pregnant by someone else?  To READ NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/30FFlbC

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/books-more-biblical-historical-novels/book-5-joseph-the-other-father/

 

Oh, how you have spoiled me.

Oh, how you have spoiled me. You placed diamonds in mountain-top snow, rubies in the flowers, emeralds in 365 Dat by Date-Front-Thumbnailthe meadows, and delight in the birds that daily sing to me. As I climb the mountain of my life I think back of all the enormous opportunities I had as a youth. As I grow older and climb higher, my choices are narrowing and I am glad. My focus is more and more on you. Someday I will reach the mountain top, and you will be there. You will smile and say, “Welcome home.”

Forgive me when I refuse to forget a hurt and let myself become bitter.  Help me not forget those who have mistreated me. Perhaps they did not know they did. Or, even if they did so on purpose, bless them anyway.

Ah, thank you, my Lord, for all you have done for us through the history of mankind. I, along with everyone else, travel a wilderness, often not making good choices. The frustrations you must feel when I don’t pay attention to you but they do not stop you from loving me. You have been too patient. But you also give me your Word map in my wilderness to show me just where I am. And give me work to do in order to make sense of life. Thank you for entrusting me with that work. I will do the best I know how. I know you smile and reply, “That’s all I ask: Do your very best.”

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365 Dat by Date-Front-Thumbnail365 LIFE-CHANGING SCRIPTURES DAY BY DATE is a daily devotional guide with scriptures based on the date, using month numbering.  Therefore, 3/16 is John 3:16,   1/1 is Genesis 1:1,   8/28 is Romans 8:28 and   6/4 is Romans 6:4. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://bit.ly/3887z0L

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/1107-2/life-changing-scriptures-day-by-date-2/?frame-nonce=9f9ac75c8f

The crown of a victor

The scripture for today, February 7 (2/7), is Proverbs 2:7 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-REV-Cover-No Logo-KINDLE-medium“He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless.”

Do you feel like a loser sometimes? Once someone gets into that mindset, it is hard to break out. One dream after another has been shattered. One goal after another has been blockaded. One effort after another has been a failure.

The world can be a cruel place in which to live. It is ruled by Satan.

But look up! Victory is still possible! There is an old song called “Victory in Jesus.” We may be losers to our friends, but victors to God. Just remember, we cannot have victory in Jesus unless we have something to be victorious over.

Life is hard. But each day problems face us and we refuse to give in, that’s victory. Each day we search God’s Word for answers in the right places, that’s victory. Each day we refuse to give up on Jesus despite opposition to him by those around us, that’s victory.

Satan hates it when you don’t give up. Satan wants you to, not only give up on yourself, but also give up on God.

Do not give up. Never give up. Turn to God who can help you — with all your sins — be blameless and victorious. Keep on fighting and walking, fighting and walking until at last you walk right through the gates into heaven and are given the crown of a victor.

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0-REV-Cover-No Logo-KINDLE-thumbnailREVELATION: A LOVE LETTER FROM GOD.  Revelation is so simple when you understand the symbolism of history and of numbers.  Revelation is not a book to scare you to death, but to lift you up and give your courage.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://bit.ly/36W2CqT

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/1107-2/my-book-revelationa-love-letter-from-god/

Holy Tears

The scripture for today, January 28 (1/28), is 1st Chronicles 1:28  s found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

04-Isaac&Jacob-KindleMedium“The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael.”

Are you a parent with a grown or nearly-grown child who is going in the wrong direction? Have you tried everything you can think of, and nothing is working? Do you know in your heart that you have been a good example and things shouldn’t have turned out like they have?

Abraham has been called the Father of the Faithful. Yet he had one son who followed Jehovah ~ Isaac ~ and one son who followed idols ~ Ishmael. Certainly, Abraham tried everything he could to “talk some sense” into Ishmael. Certainly, he prayed earnestly for Ishmael. So, what went wrong?  He also had two grandsons who fought each other all the time ~ Jacob and Esau.  Again, what went wrong? He was a godly man. His son, Isaac was a godly man?  How could this have happened when they tried to raise their sons right?

Just as God has given each of us free will, our children and grandchildren also have free will. Just as God will never force us to follow him, we cannot force our children to follow God. You did not refrain from having your children because they may have difficulties in their life, and neither did God. And when our children rebel and break our hearts, imagine what God goes through when we rebel and break his heart.

Who knows? Perhaps your child will return to God someday in your old age, or even after you have died.  If your child deep down has a good heart, that is enough for God to work with.

Keep hope alive. And try not to weep too often.

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04-Isaac&Jacob-KindleThumbnailA CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES: ISAAC AND JACOB is a book of hope for dysfunctional families.  Twins Jacob and Esau fought all the time. Then Jacob stole from Esau, so Jacob ran away.  For twenty years they were apart and missed each other and eventually forgave each other.  What a reunion it was.  How happy Isaac must have been.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://bit.ly/3rcRNtZ

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/a-childs-bible-heroes-book-4-isaac-jacob/?frame-nonce=1e7c6b1760

 

I wipe my tears away as you did my sins

Supper-Front Cover-MediumI adore you, Jehovah, God of the universe and God of my heart, my soul, my very being. I will spend my days searching your Word to follow you closer and know you better. When I read your words, I am filled with awe and wonder. You thought of everything to include in it for me. Some is advice, but most are examples of others who rose or fell and why they did. Ah, Lord God, you are the ultimate example of rising and never falling. You are what I strive to be. I will never rise that high, I know this. So I will continue to worship you.

Help me think of others’ feelings when I see them. Help me ask them what they’re doing and feeling every time I contact them. Help me steer the conversation away from me and be all about them.

Thank you, Jesus, for being my Passover Lamb. You died so I wouldn’t have to. Now, every Sunday I eat the representation of your body and think of the sins ~ my sins ~ that caused all your mental and physical anguish. I take a sip of the representation of your blood.  How could I ever take your precious blood for granted? The cup ~ your blood drained from your body ~ was all for me. For me. I fall at your feet and wash them with the tears of my remorse and wipe those tears away as you did my sins.

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THE LORD’S SUPPER:  52 READINGS WITH PRAYERS provides personal meditation during our holy communion with our selfless-Lord or public thoughts for those presiding at the table.  Put one in your church library.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://bit.ly/2ZvCTDS

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/the-lords-supper-52-readings-with-prayers/

You brought eternity into my soul

0-BK 5-FloodGates-Cover-Medium-NewI praise and adore you, Lord God of heaven and earth. Of angels and people. Of stars and beasts. Of galaxies and molecules. So great and so minuscule ~ too large and too small for me to even see. You are in all.  You made all.  Your glory and might and wonders are reflected in all.  You are my Maker, my Defender, the Lover of my soul. You make darkness light. You make rough roads smooth. You make my chains break and fall away. I feel so warm and loved in your presence. You alone are worthy of worship.

Thank you, Jesus, for all your sacrifices. Over and over you sacrificed ~ heaven, a normal childhood, being a suspected bastard, being hounded by would-be assassins for two years. You went in and out of hiding. You dared them to live what they demanded of others. They hated you for it. They tortured you, insulted you, crucified you. Then death and hell.  So much. Because of my sins. My sins. You never gave up on me. Satan tried to destroy you. No one can destroy God.  You destroyed him. You destroyed my sins. Your persistence brought light into my life.  Your love brought eternity into my soul. Your love is unfathomable.

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THEY MET JESUS:  FLOOD GATES.  Jealous leaders feel threatened by Jesus.  The people follow him everywhere.  He is feeding them free.  Healing them free.  Teaching them free.  Even commanding demons. He must be crushed. He must be destroyed.  Spreading rumors about him has not worked.  Blaming him for breaking the law has not worked.  He must be killed.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://bit.ly/2XsOXDS

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/historical-novel-about-jesus/book-5-flood-gates-adults-childs-versions/

 

The stars sing their praises

02-Noah-KindleMediumThe stars praise you, oh God, with their singing. The mountains praise you with their rumbling. The meadows praise you with their whisperings. The oceans praise you with their ebb and flow in tune with the rest of the universe. Ah, my Lord, to be with you without Satan always trying to lure me away from you. His lies won’t work, Lord! I will not let them. And when I am weak, you will stand between us not let him get to me. Nothing praises Satan except emptiness, shadows and hollow egos. All things good and grand and glorious and praise you now and forever.

Lord, sometimes I eat too much. Why do I do that? The taste is with me but a moment, then whisks away and I have to take another bite to get it back. And another. And another. Help me eat until I am no longer hungry instead of when I am full and about to burst.

Thank you for my family and friends. Thank you for the animals that sometime show more love than do humans. And for birds that hop around and flutter and fly and sing to me. And the fish that wiggle and splash and sparkle. And touch ~ the softness of cotton, the smoothness of silk. Bumpy tree bark and smooth flower pedals. And knowing for sure that spring will return some day.

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02-Noah-KindleThumbnailA CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES: NOAH. Fun, large-print book that even has dashes between syllables in long words for early readers. THINK & DO at the end of each of the ten chapters. Can be understood beginning age three. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://bit.ly/36yPMip

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/a-childs-bible-heroes-noah/

I return my crown to you

COVER-Music-medI praise you but cannot praise you enough.  You have done everything necessary to save me from the terrible fate Satan has ready for me. You continue to struggle with me to help me win.  Win over Satan and Death. Win to live and love forever. I cling to you. I fall at your feet unworthy.  I sin but you save me anyway. Whatever blessing you have crowned me with, I return that crown to you. Only you, my Lord, deserve the crown.

Please forgive me when I feel sorry for myself.  If I were truly dead with Christ living in me, I would have nothing left of my ego. It would be dead and gone.  Give me that heroic conquest of self. The next time I start to feel sorry for myself, help me praise instead.

Thank you, Jehovah God, for your fascinating Word, the Bible filled with words to live by, act by, and love by. I learn something new and exciting nearly every day.  It titillates my imagination with new truths. How can that be?  I’ve been reading it so many years. I suppose ~ I know ~ that, if I could understand it all, I would be God. Each spiritual meal I have with the bread of your word gives me strength to keep living, victorious over Satan in this world he only thinks he controls. Ah, my Lord, my heart overflows and I worship you.

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COVER-Music-thumbINSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN THE PUBLIC WORSHIP OF THE CHURCH is one of the three (so far) RESTORATION REPRINT LIBRARY.  It was written by a Presbyterian professor of theology 150 years ago.   It is the most powerful and comprehensive book I have ever read on the subject.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://bit.ly/Worship-Music

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/instrumental-music-in-the-public-worship-of-the-church/

You are my everything

Bible Puzzles for Young And Old-CoverMy Lord, you are my everything. You are what brought the world into existence. Without you, nothing would exist, whether physical, spiritual, mental, or emotional. You are the mover of the world. You are the life of the world, and the lover of my soul. Ah, to be with you and behold you as you are. You are my light, my heart, my song. You are in the whispers of the wind, the rumblings of the waters, the sighs of a baby.

Time. Forgive me when I misuse time. Sometimes I think Jesus must have been skinny because he never sinned; he never left undone some good he should have done. Help me be more like him.

Thank you, mighty God, for all my blessings. Even if I were without food, I would thank you for the beauty I see. Even if I were without warmth, I would thank you for the warmth in my heart. Even if I were without health, I would thank you for the sweet songs of birds outside my window.

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Bible Puzzles-Cover-ThumbnailBIBLE PUZZLES FOR YOUNG AND OLD.  Secret codes, crosswords, fill in the blank, and word search — all based on scriptures and with Bible themes. Great for homeschoolers, nursing homes, birthday gifts, and more.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/Bible-Numbers

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/links-to-some-of-my-fun-bible-stuff/bible-puzzles-for-young-and-old/