You can prepare the way for…

The scripture for today, July 27 (7/27), is Luke 7:27 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

05-Joseph-KindleMedium“This is the one about whom it is written: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ “

Jesus had a difficult task ahead of him.  He had to prove to the world who he was while not scaring them to death with lightning strikes out of the sky or being a giant, or striking unbelievers dead.  So, John the Baptizer announced his coming ahead of time, smoothing out the crooked roads in the hearts of people.

Do you know a dreamer who is struggling to accomplish something very important to them? Have they been in trying to overcome all the obstacles for weeks or months or years?  Do you know anyone who is an obstacle for them? Can you say or do  something to that obstacle in order to help smooth the way for the dreamer? Does this dreamer need something in their climb that you can provide for them? How about encouragement? 

On the other hand, do you have a dream and sometimes slump into times of discouragement or depression? You can prepare “the way” for yourself.  We all have our ups and downs. You know yourself better than anyone. You know best what you need to hear when you are down in order to lift you back up.  Write yourself a letter. Tell yourself what you need to hear. Then put your letter away in preparation for one of your down times.

Life is hard. It is full of both promise and discouragement.  Today, sit down and write yourself that letter.  Then contact someone else for whom you can begin to prepare “the way.”

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05-Joseph-KindleThumbnailJOSEPH is storybook #5 in A CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES.  Joseph was a dreamer.  His dream came true but his path to fulfill it was full of “monsters” and pits and darkness.  Great for children up to age 12 with “think and do” at the end of each chapter. Get the whole set of 10 books.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  

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https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/a-childs-bible-heroes-book-5-joseph/

What kind of building is your body?

The scripture for today, June 19 (6/19) is 1st Corinthians 6:19f as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-Mefiboset-KINDLE Thumbnail“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you whom you have received from God? You are not your own. You were bought with a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.”

Your body is pretty valuable. The purchase price was high.  Jesus bought you back from Satan with something very expensive ~ his body and the blood within it.

This world’s temples are sometimes small and sometimes large. Sometimes plain, sometimes fancy. Sometimes there is complete silence in a temple. And sometimes it echoes with song. Sometimes it has many people, sometimes it stands alone. People can usually figure out that each is a temple, whether or not it has a sign.

Can people tell what you are without you having to tell them? When your family and friends need a place of quiet and rest, can they come to you? When people need a place of joy, can they come to you? After you part company with someone, are they glad you’re gone, or do they feel good about themselves and look forward to the next time they can be with you?

What kind of building would you describe your body?

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0-Mefiboset-KINDLE ThumbnailMEFIBOSET: CRIPPLED PRINCE had a deformed body.  he could not walk, even with crutches. His legs atrophies. But he was handsome like Grandfather Saul and had no enemies like father Jonathan.  With his sense of humor and “trick crutches” he got out of messes everywhere he went.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  https://bit.ly/2ywrqJi

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Besides, why should I?

The scripture for today, June 2 (6/2), is Galatians 6:2 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

Applied Christianity“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

In case you’re thinking people should take care of their own problems, you are right. But the term “burdens” here refers to overloads.

The main reason this is hard to do is that taking on someone else’s overloaded burdens upsets our daily routine and our peace of mind which we have worked so hard to achieve and maintain. It is inconvenient.

Just remember, it is always inconvenient for those people to have an overload of burdens. They don’t want them. Many times they didn’t ask for them. But, even if they did ask for them with foolish acts, can we not roll up our sleeves and help them out a little while (not forever)?

We do not have to take on all their problems. But we can give them relief of some of the basic problems so they can concentrate on the more serious ones.  If they need a babysitter, find one for them. If they don’t have decent clothes to go to work, take them to Goodwill.  If they’re behind financially, buy them a tank of gas. Wash their dishes for them so they can have a clean kitchen at least until the next day. If they’re behind on their laundry, take the dirty clothes and linens home with you to wash and dry yourself. If they haven’t written their parents for a year, sit with them while they write that letter. Take parts of their overburden from them.

What if Jesus had said, “Hey, it’s not my problem! Those people on earth mess up their lives all the time. Why should I leave the comforts of heaven to live among sinners and misery?” But he didn’t say that. Thank God he didn’t say that.

Inconvenient for him to take our overloaded burdens to his cross? Yes. Did he want to do it? No. But he did what was necessary to rescue us. Do you really and truly want to be like Him?

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Hmmm. I seem to be missing my tantrum.

0-Mefiboset-KINDLE ThumbnailThe scripture for today, June 1 (6/1) , is Psalm 6:1 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.”

This is not only a good request to God, but it is a good request to each other ~ family and friends alike. When you disagree with someone, do you “back it up” with loud yelling or throwing or hitting things? Do you believe that your point cannot be understood and will not be accepted without a “tantrum”?

This scripture indicates that it is indeed possible to rebuke someone without the tantrum. In fact, it is more effective. When you calmly tell someone you disagree with them, it does not raise their blood pressure and put them on the defensive. With tantrums, they may react as you want on the outside, but you drive them farther from you on the inside.

Calm rebuke does not mean you don’t mean it; it means you are convinced enough, your point of view does not need reinforcement. In that case, the other person is likely to be convinced too.

Today, practice saying calmly what you normally back up with a tantrum. Practice in front of the mirror.  Practice when driving. Practice when cooking or mowing the lawn or combing your hair.  Then, next time you disagree with someone close to you, you will be ready. Ready to not rebuke in your anger.

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0-Mefiboset-KINDLE MediumMEFIBOSET: CRIPPLED PRINCE got along with everyone. Well, except those who were determined to be his enemies.  His patience and happy disposition were a mystery to most, especially after becoming cripple for life and being denied the throne.  How could he do it?  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  https://bit.ly/2ywrqJi

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Love everyone? What an intriguing thought.

0-Mefiboset-KINDLE ThumbnailThe scripture for today, May 25 (5/25), is Galatians 5:25f as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking, and envying each other.”

When someone is better than you in doing something, do you pick fights with them as punishment, or spread gossip about them in order to get others to quit respecting them?

Perhaps you don’t do this all the time. But what about times when there is something you feel you are really good at, but another person not as talented gets the honor? That’s when it’s hard to “keep in step with the Spirit.”

Whenever you envy someone, deep down, you consider that person your enemy. Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44-45a).

To many, loving our enemy is the most difficult command in the Bible. Perhaps one way to love your “enemy” is to realize that Jesus loved his enemies. Every time you sin, you become one of his enemies. But Jesus keeps right on loving you, even when you don’t want to stop doing whatever you shouldn’t.

Jesus demonstrates the love of the Son of God. And here he says, if you love your enemies, you are demonstrating what the children of God do. And that is far more important than honor that goes to those you envy. Leaving behind conceit makes it much easier to love everyone.  Love everyone?  What an intriguing thought.

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I pen my thoughts and stories to touch souls. Will you help me tell people about today’s book?

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0-Mefiboset-KINDLE ThumbnailMEFIBOSET: CRIPPLED PRINCE.  If ever anyone deserved to destroy his enemies it was this man.  His uncle took the throne from him, the steward of his grandfather’s palace took the palace from him, his grandfather’s enemies went after him.  Yet, he smiled.  Why?  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this………https://bit.ly/2ywrqJi

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…the rainbows. God must love color.

0-Mefiboset-KINDLE ThumbnailYou are my comfort, my shield, my protection. When in danger, you send your angels to stand between harm and me. When I weep, you wipe away my tears.  When I laugh, you laugh with me. When I am sick, you hold me in your arms.  When I walk barefooted, you place my feet on little sprigs of grass that tickle my toes. When I am tired, you carry me. Though you are far away in your realm, you are in my thoughts, my words, my heart.  You hear my thoughts spin, my words tumble out, and my heart beat.  I praise you for all that you are. I long to understand more.

I thank you for the rainbows.  You must love color. You made so many things with colors of rainbows in them ~ flowers, fruit, vegetables, gemstones, birds. I do love color, just like you do. When my eyes absorb all the colors around me, they dance and flutter and play tag with each other.  Color fills my heart with joy. You even made the foundations of heaven many-colored gemstones.  You have a red glow over your throne and an emerald green bow above that. I am so glad you love color too. Thank you and help me to not ever take it for granted.

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I write to encourage souls. Will you help me share today’s book with someone?          https://amzn.to/2YgH0Dc

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0-Mefiboset-KINDLE ThumbnailMEFIBOSET: CRIPPLED PRINCE.  He has everything going for him: Oldest son of tall, handsome Jonathan, the crown prince who is the oldest son of tall, handsome Saul, king of the realm for 40 years.  Suddenly left orphaned at age 5 and crippled for life, his throne is stolen from him by an uncle. Everything should have been downhill after that, but he still has the tall frame and good looks of his grandfather and positive attitude of his father. Everywhere this cripple goes, people can’t help but be charmed by him.  To BUY NOW, click a book or paste this……….https://amzn.to/2YgH0Dc

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What is in your hand?

https://amzn.to/2yt8mezhttps://amzn.to/2yt8mezhttps://amzn.to/2yt8mezhttp://bit.ly/Facebook-Haddad-authorhttp://bit.ly/Facebook-Haddad-authorThe scripture for today, April 2 (4/2), is Exodus 4:2f as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

08-Come Fly-ChildsCartoonThumbnailCover“Then the Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ “A staff,’ he replied.”

God had just called Moses to go into Egypt and free his people from their slavery ~ one man against an entire nation. Moses objected that he couldn’t do it. Five times In Exodus 3 and 4 he argued with God. “BUT I’m not famous,” “BUT they won’t believe I come from the God of their ancestors,” “BUT they won’t believe God sent me, “BUT I’m not a good speaker,” “JUST send someone else.”

Then God replied, “What is that in your hand?”.

Moses had a staff. God showed him how to use it to perform miracles. Today, are you using excuses to claim there is nothing you can do to show the love of God? “What is that in your hand?” It is a steering wheel, a shovel, thread, a computer, a spoon, a wrench, a cookbook, a band-aid. Whatever is in your hand, God can use to bless people through you.

God does not take ‘no’ for an answer. God challenges you. He wants to stretch you to do what you think you cannot do.  You are God’s hands and feet. Go ahead. Use them. Today.

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I pen my thoughts to encourage souls. Will you help me share today’s book with someone?                  https://amzn.to/2yt8mez    

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08-Come Fly-ChildsCartoonThumbnailCoverCOME FLY WITH ME is storybook #8 in A CHILD’S LIFE OF CHRIST.  It has the same chapters as the adult COME FLY WITH ME in THEY MET JESUS series with stories on a child’s level.  This one has been toned down a great deal. At the end of each of the ten chapters in each storybook is Think & Do to help the child apply that story to their daily life.  This is a great time to read with your child.  Understandable at age 3 and up to 12. At age 13, they should switch to the adult version.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……… https://amzn.to/2yt8mez  

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Prayer for Friday 3/20

Applied ChristianityHow long must I wait to see you as you are and live with you throughout eternity?  I magnify you, Jehovah, in my heart, my soul, my mind. You are my life and breath. You are my light and love. You are my salvation when Satan tries to grab hold of me. You are my existence when Satan tries to annihilate me. I will cling to you instead of life, and you will give it back in exalted glory because it is you who granted it in the first place. Oh, how I long to see you with whatever kind of eyes I need. Oh, how I long to be able to bow at your feet. Oh, how I long to sing to you, to climb mountains of magnificence with you, to drink the water of life with you. Each moment I worship you.

I am full of selfishness, Lord. I do not take enough time to inquire how others are really feeling and doing deep inside. I am so ashamed. The world does not revolve around me. Forgive me, please.

My Lord, I thank you for all you did to ransom mankind from Satan when he took my soul the moment I first sinned. The ransom was steep. The ransom was so great, I could not pay it, nor could anyone else. You materialized and paid the ransom for us.  You are Love and had to ransom us from Satan. I will stand by your side and tell others what you did to bring salvation from Satan!  Thank you for preparing a better place for me and paying for my admittance with your blood.

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I pen my thoughts to encourage souls. Will you help me share today’s book with someone?          https://amzn.to/2FuXKM1

 

Applied ChristianityAPPLIED CHRISTIANITY: A HANDBOOK OF 500 GOOD WORKS. This book is for all ages, all health and physical situations, all size cities and congregations. Something for everyone. Great for homeschoolers, gifts, church libraries, Bible classes. To BUY NOW, click a cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2FuXKM1

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Prayer for Tuesday 1/14

00-Cover-KINDLE-Thumbnail-NewGreat El Shaddai, God Almighty, I 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 are ethereal strength. You continue to struggle with me to help me win over Satan and Death. Win to live and love forever. When I am too weak, you fight for me. I cling to you. I fall at your feet unworthy.  I sin but you forgive me anyway. I sin and you save me from punishment. Ah, Lord of my soul, whatever blessing you have crowned me with, I return that crown to you. Only you, my Shepherd-King, deserve the crown.

Thank you, my Eldeah, God of Knowledge, for your fascinating Word. It fills my struggling soul 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 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, majestic voice of wisdom, my heart overflows.

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I write to encourage souls. Will you help me get the word out about today’s book?          https://amzn.to/2FMAI3K

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Applied ChristianityAPPLIED CHRISTIANITY: A HANDBOOK OF 500 GOOD WORKS not only suggests good works, but explains how and when to do them.  It is perfect for all ages, all levels of intellect and health, and congregations large or small.  Some are even using this book as a Bible class book.  Every church library should have one.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/2FMAI3K

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Prayer for Wednesday 1/8

0-Bk3-HeartsAfire-COVER-Kindle.thumbnail-newAh, my Lord Jehovah, I praise you ~ God the Father and First Cause of all things, God the Spirit and Life Bringer, God the Son who carries out the Father’s will.  In every way, you have revealed yourself. In every way, you are the white radiance of eternity in the intense delight of divinity.  I am not in the dark, wondering about your glorious will for me like those who throw your Word in a dark closet. You provide light in your Word. You are Word. You are Light.  The rays of your wisdom stream down to me.  I catch them, and my heart is filled with You.

Your Bible is a gift I shall never tire of.  I never have to guess what is going on in the world. It is so astounding, I never comprehend all that is in it ~ about the past, the right now, and the forever future. Your Plan for this world affects the next world ~ your place of ethereal love and joy. I thank you for revealing all this to me through your Words and keeping my heart as receptive as that of a little child ~ Your child.

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I write to encourage souls. Will you help me get the word out about today’s book? https://amzn.to/2QT5gWI

 

0-Bk3-HeartsAfire-COVER-Kindle.thumbnail-newHEARTS AFIRE is novel three in the series THEY MET JESUS.  It is unique in that the reader takes part in the story by urging the characters to do or not do something.  It is in present tense as though YOU ARE THERE.  Each chapter is about one of 100 people Jesus met and struggled with. Life-Application questions and scriptures cited are at the end of each chapter.  At the end of each book are READINGS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS.  Take a look at this UNIQUE series on the life of Christ.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/2QT5gWI

 

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