Return Jesus to his throne

changes-in-worship-cover-mediumThe scripture for today, May 4 (5/4), is 1st Peter 5:4 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

And when the Chief Shepherd [Jesus] appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”

The world is frustrated with and has left “organized religion,” and it is our fault.  We brought it on ourselves. We have organized our denominations to death, and the spiritually minded have said, “Enough is enough. I want none of it. I just want Jesus.”

Look at all the denominations that appoint someone to be the head of their religion at their world headquarters. He goes by different titles ~ bishop, high priest, father, pope, president. Their headquarters may be a small office or a multi-story building, or an entire complex of buildings.

From here, the head meets regularly with his immediate underlings (who are still much higher than us ordinary people) to make decisions for their denomination. They pass regulations on who can hold office, what percent of income must be given to their denomination, where their contributions must be spent, amendments to their particular creed, and on and on. (By the way, shepherd is translated in modern English to pastor.)

Here is a unique thought: Let us set this system aside and replace everything with Jesus as the only head, and let the world headquarters be in heaven! We do not have to rely on the decisions of men but on the decisions of God the Son who loved us so much that he became human for a while so he could die for us. Maybe we need to sell our big buildings, give the money to mission work and the poor, and return to meeting in unorganized homes or fields.

We don’t even need a creed, because, if it is less than the Bible, it isn’t enough; if it is more than the Bible, it is too much, and if it is the same as the Bible, why have it?

No more “organized religion.” No more divisiveness. No more denominationalism. Just one united church of Christ with its divine Founder as our sole leader, and His divine words as our sole creed. This will never fade away.

Jesus is the crown giver. Return Him to His throne and watch the world return to Him.

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00- Worship Changes KC COVER-thumbnailWORSHIP CHANGES SINCE THE 1ST CENTURY.  Trace the exact date changes were made in church worship and organization since the first century. These changes were mostly led by popes who had bought their office, led armies against people rejecting them, and had illegitimate children. Trace the protesters since the second century and the persecution they endured, often being burned at the stake. Discover the hymns we sing still today written by the protesters, sometimes just hours before their torturous death. Then be challenged to go forward! Back to the Bible. Be challenged to get rid of denominationalism and unite only in Christ with our only headquarters being in heaven. Can it be done? Christian unity? Read this, and make the challenge your own.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/Worship-Change

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/1107-2/my-book-worship-changes-since-the-first-century/

Writings of Churches of Christ in England 1300s-1600s

COVER-England-medThe scripture for today, April 28 (4/28), is Mark 4:28 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“All by itself, the soil produces grain ~ first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.”

Jesus was explaining that the kingdom of heaven is like a seed planted in the ground. It grows almost miraculously. The church is, indeed, like this. Planted some 2000 years ago, it has survived through every adversity and attack contrived by man. Sometimes the attacks were even from within. But at such times, just when it looked as though it was going to die, just like a seed dying in the earth, it would begin to sprout anew and grow up stronger than ever.

A little seed turning into a stalk is miraculous and amazing. The survival of the church for 2000 years in a hostile world is even more miraculous and amazing.

The church rose up in Jerusalem, then died there. It next rose up and became strong in today’s Turkey, then died there.  It next rose up and became strong in Greece, then died there.  Then in France. Then in Germany. It arrived in England with an apostle and grew strong until the pope claimed jurisdiction in the 1300s.  Then spiritual wars and threatenings and  burnings.  Still congregations multiplied everywhere and grew and thrived. Finally religious freedom came. Then came the infighting in the late 1600s and near destruction of the church there.  Then it rose up in America and became strong, and now it is dying there.  But it is rising up and becoming strong in India and Africa.

It is impossible to destroy the church. Chop down the stalks, but the wind carries the seeds somewhere else to rise up and grow.  Miraculously.

God is still on his throne, and all is well.

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COVER-England-medWRITINGS OF & ABOUT CHURCHES OF CHRIST 13TH-17TH CENTURIES ENGLAND:  Before denominations, it was natural to call the church the “Church of Christ” because that is what it is called in the Bible (Romans 16:16).  As you read, absorb the changes in tone of the writers through the decades and centuries.  Watch the New Testament raise the New Testament Church triumphantly, then witness it fall again as it has so many times beginning in Jerusalem where the church hardly exists anymore. But take heart. The church always somewhere rises up again.  Always.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  http://bit.ly/RestorationLibrary3

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/writings-of-about-churches-of-christ-14th-17th-centuries-england/

Wandering Soul, Entitled Heart, & the Side-Tracked Church

The scripture for today, April 3 (4/3), is 1st Timothy 4:3 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“They [false teachers] forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.”

changes-in-worship-cover-mediumIt is hard for you to think that smiling, humble, Bible-quoting, holy-looking church leaders could be false teachers and condemned by the God they claim to represent.  We want to think well of everyone. Isn’t that the way Christians are to think? But sometimes thinking well of someone and thinking well of the truth can clash.  Now you have a choice to make ~ a hard choice.

The apostle Paul warned of false teachers in the church that would come in the future. Indeed, it did happen. A time came when certain Christians were ordered not to marry, and not to eat certain foods (for instance, on Friday). They claim it is a sin to disobey them and don’t show you the scriptures they refuse to obey.

Remember, your church leaders are going to be judged by God, just like everyone else. Always, as the Apostle Peter once warned, “We ought to obey God and not men” (Acts 4:19). Besides, do you think this is one reason people have turned against “organized religion”?

This is why it is important to read the Bible for yourself. Use a concordance to look up all scriptures in the Bible with any keyword, and you will learn what is true and not true. Isn’t it time for you to sort through everything you have been told?  Isn’t it time for you to discover pure truth?

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00- Worship Changes KC COVER-thumbnailWORSHIP CHANGES SINCE THE 1ST CENTURY. Trace the exact date changes were made in church worship since the first century. These changes were mostly led by popes who had bought their office, led armies against people rejecting them, and had illegitimate children. Trace the protesters since the second century and the persecution they endured, often being burned at the stake. Discover the hymns we sing still today written by the protesters, sometimes just hours before their torturous death. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/3eqMQXc  https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/1107-2/my-book-worship-changes-since-the-first-century/

 

Our heroes

00-Hero Alone-COVER-KINDLE-MediumLord, reach down and show your tender power in a special way to your children who are being severely persecuted for worshipping you. They face loss of jobs, loss of homes, loss of freedom, loss of life rather than deny you. They are heroes and do not even know it. Their courage in weakness declares your glory to those who degrade them. Their determination to never deny you declares your love to those who hate them. You are the one who gives them strength. You are the one who overcomes Satan through them. They are your hands and feet, their unwavering voices, their stubborn wills. To you belongs all wisdom and glory here on earth now, and in heaven forever.

Oh, yesterday was so beautiful and wonderful. The breezes were warm with the door to spring opening up to my part of the world. The sun shone bright in a deep blue sky. The cottony clouds bumped playfully into each other.  Even the fish in the pond nearby wiggled their way around each other while the ducks paddled their little webbed feet just as fast as they could in celebration. Ah, spring. The awaking time. The rest of winter is about over now. Time to plant and go for walks and enjoy the breezes wafting around me. Thank you, Lord, for springtime.

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00-Hero Alone-COVER-KINDLE-ThumbnailYOU CAN BE A HERO ALONE:  SURVIVAL STORIES FOR THE COURAGEOUS ISOLATED CHRISTIAN. When alone, it is easy to become discouraged and stay discouraged. This book shows how people hung on alone in Bible times for ten years, twenty years, a hundred years ~ sometimes thinking they were failures, sometimes wondering if it is all worth it, sometimes thinking of giving up. But always hanging on. The account in this book of each isolated Bible character is in story form to make them more real to the reader. To know exactly what the Bible does say about them, applicable scriptures are included.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/354h5R8  https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/1107-2/you-can-be-a-hero-alone-survival-stories-for-the-isolated-christian/

 

 

Hold on while I lower than mountain for you

The scripture for today, March 6 (3/6), is Proverbs 3:6 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-REV-Cover-No Logo-KINDLE-mediumIn all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Is your life full of twists and turns, short cuts that never work out, detours, mountains to climb and valleys to make your way through?  Welcome to the human race. Life on earth can be hard.  Did you know the Bible calls Satan the god of this world (2nd Corinthians 4:4) and ruler of this world (John 12:31)?

Your path to heaven is another matter. Your path to heaven is straight. God has done everything in his power to straighten your path and make it easier for you to reach him. How? By providing you with His Word to read any time you see trouble ahead (Psalm 119:105).

Do you see a mountain ahead of you so steep it is impossible to climb or valley so full of darkness you cannot bear the thought of entering it? Do you see a curve in the road ahead of you and dread knowing where it will lead you?

Colossians 1:13 says God can rescue you from Satan’s domain of darkness and transfer you to the kingdom of Jesus Christ. There God takes control. There God says, “Hold on a minute, Christian, while I lower that mountain, brighten that valley, straighten that curve.”

The path to heaven is even, bright, and straight. What path are you on?

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0-REV-Cover-No Logo-KINDLE-thumbnailREVELATION: A LOVE LETTER FROM GOD.  Once you understand that Revelation is a history book, you sees how God punished his people’s enemies in the past and will do it again,  Once you understand the symbolism of the numbers, you see the deep love and assurance that God keeps his promises.  Satan freed after 1000 years?  Ten meaning all inclusive years tells us that after all-inclusive years X all-inclusive years X all-inclusive years, Satan will be freed.  That after eternity ends!  Can’t get any more reassuring than that.  To BUY NOW and learn more, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/36W2CqT

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

God’s Mosaic

The scripture for today, February 21 (2/21), is Daniel 2:21 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

10-Daniel-KindleMedium“He [God] changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.”

It seems there is always some amount of restlessness within each nation regarding who is ruling. Some people like the ruler, some do not. Or people may start out liking the ruler, but later dislike him. Some rulers are okay, a few are considered outstanding, and a few others are outright evil.

But God sets up the rulers of nations and deposes them. Many places among the prophets of the Old Testament, God explains that he may raise up a cruel leader just because he is strong enough to get rid of other cruel people. After that, God deposes the cruel leader.

In the midst of all this, innocent people are always hurt. That is why it is important for us not to complain, but to bear up under a hard government with patience and courage. It is in hardship that the true heart of a Christian is revealed. And it is in hardship that many people turn to God who might never have done so.

God knows what he is doing, even if we do not understand ~ at least, on this side of eternity. Remember Romans 8:28 ~ “All things work together for good to those who love the Lord.” Life is a mosaic of many colors ~ sometimes bright and sometimes dark ~ but in the end, it will be beautiful.

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Persecuted? Yes.  Frightened? Yes. Cowering? Never.

The scripture for today, February 16 (2/16), is 2nd Thessalonians 2:16 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-Medium“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”

Who were these people the apostle Paul was writing? They were suffering people. 

Physically they were suffering.  Some in their group had even been killed for their faith. Mentally they were suffering.  Would they be next? Would it be worth everything they were going through?

Spiritually they were struggling. The apostle Paul, who wrote this, had been through such struggles many times himself. He wanted to make sure their faith would not waver.

How? By praying that their persecution would stop? At no time in the Bible do we have an account of Christians pray that the persecution stop. What did they pray for? Boldness.

They could be bold if they knew Jesus Christ loved them personally. They could be bold if they knew God the Father loved them personally. They could be bold with eternal encouragement, strength.

“Just keep doing what you’ve been doing,” he told them.  “With the strength God gives you, keep doing good deeds and spreading the Word.”

Persecuted? Yes.  Frightened? Yes. Cowering? Never.

How about your life?

God’s encouragement never ceases. It is always there. There when you feel alone, when you feel forsaken, when you are frightened, when you feel helpless, when you feel hopeless.

God gives good hope. Sometimes things in your life may be going so badly you have trouble having faith in God. But you can still hope. The candle of your faith may be flickering, but your hope can still be a flaming hope, a large hope, a good hope.

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00-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-ThumbnailSTEPHEN: UNLIKELY MARTYR ran for his life when his best friend was crucified because of their prank against the city’s goddess. No matter where he lived and what he tried to get people to believe in the one true God, things seemed to backfire. His university turned against him. The Olympic Games turned against him.  His fellow craftsmen turned against him.  Then he met Jesus. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/2XBFXvJ

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Do your best, Timothy. Do your best.

00-PAUL COVER-Medium-The scripture for today, February 15 (2/15), is 2nd Timothy 2:15 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

“Do your best,” Paul told a younger co-worker.  “Do your best.”

This was an apostle speaking. This was Paul who had endured multiple beatings with rods and lashings with whips. This was Paul who no one could stop.

He had endured floods and snowstorms, hunger and robbers on the road. Still, no one could stop him. He endured shipwrecks and even treading water a day and night in the sea. Nothing could stop him.e \

It seems with Paul, it was never enough. He was driven. When he was stoned and presumed dead, he got up and went back into the city! When he was imprisoned, he defied the magistrates who put him there and sang his sermons to the other prisoners. Nothing could stop him. Nothing could shut him up.

When he wrote this, he was now in prison. He had done his best. Now it was time for the next generation. He was handing the torch over to Timothy and the others.

“Do your best, Timothy. Don’t let them stop you. Never let them stop you. They are lost and don’t know it. Tell them, Timothy. Keep telling them, no matter how terribly they treat you. Keep telling them and keep telling them. Don’t stop, Timothy. Do your best.

“Some will stop what they are doing and listen to you. They will turn their life around. They will be there with you when it is time to be presented to God. They will be there with you, and with you they will say, “I did my best.”

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00-PAUL COVER-Thumbnail-PAUL: THE UNSTOPPABLE.  I sometimes wonder what kind of child Paul was.  I tend to think when his parents punished him, he got up and immediately did the offending thing again.  Why do I think that?  Because that is what he did as a missionary preacher.  Pagan priests beat him. But he got up and preached again.  Jewish priests lashed him. But he got up and preached again.  Governments imprisoned him. But he got up and preached again. What kind of stuff was Paul made of?  To READ THIS BEST SELLER, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/UnstoppablePaul

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Go and conquer anyway

The scripture for today, January 9 (1/9), is Joshua 1:9 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-HS-592 VersesExamined-COVER-Thumbnail“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord, your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Fear can paralyze. Just ask Joshua. He had just been given the job of conquering horrible people who practiced prostitution as a religion, self-mutilation, and sacrificing their children to the fire god.  Plus, his spies said those bad people were like giants and his army was made up of the children of former slaves with no experience.

Guess what God said.  “Go anyway. Conquer anyway.”

What do you fear?  A few people fear spiders and night time and heights and such. A lot more of us fear changing a bad habit that has us in its claws and won’t let us go. Even more serious, do you fear telling a neighbor, someone in a club, a relative about Jesus’ willingness to save them from hell and get them ,entrance into heaven?  To all this, God says, “Go anyway.”

Some of you reading this live in countries where it is dangerous to be a Christian. Do you fear being arrested, tortured, killed for your faith?  God tells you, “Be strong!  Be courageous!  Do not be terrified!”  Why. Because “the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

What keeps the fear under control?  “Perfect love casts out fear” (I John 4:18).  Love yourself, love your neighbor, love God.

Today, whatever it is holding you back, “Go anyway, Conquer anyway.”

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https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/1107-2/my-book-the-holy-spirit-in-365-scriptures/?frame-nonce=9f9ac75c8f

You and God win

The scripture for today, December 14 (12/14), is 1st Samuel 12:14 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

3 Great Kings Kindle-Medium“If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God ~ good!”

The Jews had just insisted on having a king rule over them instead of a supreme judge. Samuel, their last supreme judge, replied and said two IFs. IF they serve and obey the Lord, and IF they both (people and king) follow the Lord, then it is good.

Today as then, some people live in a nation where the king/government does not follow the Lord. What to do? Galatians 5:22 tells us to be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled, for “against such things, there is no law.”

Is it hard to do this when crooked officials are getting all the advantages, and you are being cheated and even threatened if you do not cooperate? Indeed, it is. It may seem they are living the good life. In reality (eternal reality, not earthly reality). They have lost everything. This life is fleeting. Keep your eyes on the eternal. Keep your eyes on God!

Hold fast!

Stand firm!

Do the right thing!

In the end, they lose.

You and God win.

And that is good!

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