Category: humility

Prayer for Thursday 1/16

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn Bible, church, ego, emptiness, faith, good works, humility, knowledge, praise, prayer, Scripture, Thanksgiving, worshipLeave a comment

00-1st Century Worship KINDLE-COVER-ThumbnailMy Jehovah, you are the highest. There is none other above you. You are most powerful and commanding, most radiant and glorious, most intelligent and logical. You are the only giver of life. You are the conqueror of nothingness and chaos, death and fear, grief and unhappiness. Nothing can change you. Every day Satan tries, but he cannot win. His ego is so large, he really thinks he can overpower you, but it is an empty, selfish and hollow dream. Ah, my Lord God, I will always be yours.

Thank you for your Plan for mankind. You did not make us and then forget us. How many so-called gods of the world did just that?  They have no personality, or they do but are wrapped up in human-like squabbling with other gods. How foolish to believe in them. You think about us all the time and provide your Bible so we will understand the way to escape Satan’s traps and run to your protective arms in heaven.  You love me as a strong and tender Father.  How unfathomably amazing! The Creator of all things loves me! How can I thank you?

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

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00-1st Century Worship KINDLE-COVER-ThumbnailWORSHIP THE FIRST-CENTURY WAY.  Do you assume the way your congregation worships is the way first-century Christians worshipped?  Are you missing out on anything meaningful that the Bible said they did which you never noticed before? Work your way through all the scriptures about worship and see for yourself.  Prayers are interspersed just in case you find yourself in uncharted waters.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  https://amzn.to/2GECkNW

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Prayer for Tuesday 1/14

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #Handicaps, good works, humility, love, praise, prayer, Saved from hell, Scripture, Thanksgiving, victory, worshipLeave a comment

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 Thursday 1/2

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #ransom, blessings, Daily, eternity, forgiveness, healing, humility, Inspirational, patience, prayer, Thanksgiving, worshipLeave a comment

Golden Cover-KINDLE-thumbnailI praise you, Lord Jehovah, Creator of all things, lover of all people, and keeper of my soul. You gave me freedom of will so I could choose my own path. You gave me freedom of will to acknowledge you or not, follow you or not, love you or not. You gave me the freedom to allow you into my life, my heart, my soul.  Without this freedom I would just be a robot. If I declared I loved you, it would not be true love. True love has a choice. Such love is like an easy breeze on a warm day, like gentle snowflakes on a cold day. So, at the beginning of this new year, I proclaim my love for you.

I thank you for being with me all last year. It held surprises, of course. Among them were the many ups and downs. My dreams were dreamed and a few came true. And now I look out my window at another spectacular dawn. You have given us a new dawn how many times since you created us? Each dawn holds a promise of starting anew. You are the God of second chances. Thank you for standing by mankind no matter how bad we get. Thank you for standing by me. I know you are there and my heart bows to you in crystal gratitude.

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Golden Cover-KINDLE-thumbnail365 GOLDEN BIBLE THOUGHTS: GOD’S HEART TO YOURS.  Book 1 of the TOUCHING GOD series.  The other two books are 365 Pearls of Wisdom: God’s Soul to Yours, and 365 Silver-Winged Prayers: Your Spirit to God’s.  Use all three in your daily quiet time with God, though each book is a stand-alone.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/2ZIwDGQ

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Thursday 12/26 ~ True and eternal honor

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, ego, eternity, humility, judging, Life of Christ, praise, things, weakness, worshipLeave a comment

The scripture for today, December 26 (12/26), is John 12:26 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-BK 4-FolkHero-Cover-Kindle-thumbnail-new“Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”

Ah, Lord Jesus. We claim we understand how humble you were, then build great cathedrals which we claim are to your glory but which are really to our glory. We organize great musical performances which we claim are to your glory, but which are really to our glory.

Just where was Jesus when he was on earth saying this?  In a posh hotel in Jerusalem? Did he have great musicians performing in the background? Did he stand on a podium and declare this to multitudes? Who are you fooling when you declare you are his servant?  

Who or what are you really a servant to? Power in a workplace, club, congregation, neighborhood? Prestige in a community, an occupation, an organization? Self-indulgence of money, music, entertainment?

While you are pursuing things in life, is Jesus there with you? Are you doing what he would be busy doing?  Are you where he was when he said this?

Dare to be a servant to the power of Jesus’ love, prestige in the eyes of God, self-indulgence in the joy of worshiping Him. In this only is there true and enduring honor.

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0-BK 4-FolkHero-Cover-Kindle-thumbnail-newTHEY MET JESUS:  FOLK HERO. Jesus was a hero but never had a cathedral to preach in.  He never had a great choir or grand orchestra as a mood creator before his sermons.  He never wore clothes that were different from other people or insisted on people bowing and kissing his ring.  When he performed miracles of feeding thousands, he never had fine crystal or silver urns to distribute the food or gather up the leftovers.  How we, in our misdirected zeal, shame him.  We bow at his wounded feet and ask his forgiveness.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2EXU85s

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Monday 12/16 ~ Feel the harmony

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #friendships, #Handicaps, Daily, ego, humility, judging, love, patience, persecution, weaknessLeave a comment

The scripture for today, December 16 (12/16), is Romans 12:16 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-Titus-Cover-Lg Thumb“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”

Who do you associate with? Just people who are like you?

Do you consider people richer than you as greedy, uncaring and uppity? And people poorer than you as lazy, users and lowlifes?

Do you consider people smarter than you as impractical with their heads in the clouds? And people duller than you as incapable of understanding anything important?

Do you consider people stronger than you as egotistical show-offs? And people weaker than you as not worthy of notice?

How this hurts your Savior who died for everyone. We are all sinners. We all need the same saving grace.

Live in harmony with all. Make everyone ~ both those “above” you and “below” you ~ feel the love of God through you. Apply the Golden Rule to your life:  “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12). Then feel the harmony.

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0-Titus-Cover-Lg ThumbTITUS: THE ARISTOCRAT.  Tradition tells us that Titus was from Antioch in the province of Pisidia in today’s Turkey. It was a city full of aristocrats. No one spoke the Greek of commoners. They spoke the Latin of aristocrats.  Titus became a lawyer and brilliantly solved crimes his poor clients were falsely accused of committing. After Paul converted Titus, he sent him as an arbitrator to Corinth, then Crete, then up in “barbarian” southern Europe around today’s Albania.  He was gifted in helping people get along with each other. He even found a way to get the “false apostle” in Corinth to voluntarily resign and leave and like doing it. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/2YSG8Tu

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Friday 12/13 ~ Our God-Shaped Emptiness

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn blessings, Daily, emptiness, faith, Fear, healing, Holy Spirit, humility, Inspirational, knowledge, love, power, rest, Scripture, things, victory, worshipLeave a comment

The scripture for today, December 13 (12/13), is Ecclesiastes 12:13 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

Pearls Cover-Palms-300dpi-Thumbnail“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

When the King James Version was published in the early 1600s, they italicized all words that were not in the old documents of the Bible. The word “duty” above was not in the original. Translators inserted it to help us understand the original. But perhaps, in this case, it did not help. Fearing God is the whole of man ~ not our duty, but our essence.

Fearing the Lord is a gift. Isaiah 11:2 predicted regarding Jesus:

“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him ~

     “…the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,”

          “…the Spirit of counsel and of power,”

               “…the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.”

Solomon had tried everything to find happiness, as he explained in his book of Ecclesiastes ~ Pleasure (ch. 2), hard work (ch. 3), advancement (ch. 4), riches (ch. 5). None brought him true happiness.  Eventually, he concluded that only one thing can bring that happiness deep down inside where no one and no situation in life can touch it ~ God. God is the whole of man ~ if we let Him be.

Why? Ecclesiastes 3:11 explains it richly: “He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.” Another way to view this is “There is a God-shaped emptiness in everyone’s heart.” Fill your mind with the Word of God. Then God will fill your heart and being, and make you feel complete.

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Pearls Cover-Palms-300dpi-Thumbnail365 PEARLS OF WISDOM: GOD’S SOUL TO YOURS.  Start your day with one Proverb and one passage from Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, or Song of Solomon. Keep them on your heart to help guide your day. These are the wisdom of God. This is book two in the TOUCHING GOD trilogy on inspirational thoughts, wisdom, and prayers. Beautiful original artwork on the cover and artistic font on the inside.  A perfect gift for all occasions.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/34h4Zl1

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Friday 12/6 ~ God’s pride and joy

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, church, Daily, ego, good works, humility, Inspirational, judging, power, praise, weakness, worshipLeave a comment

The scripture for today, December 6 (12/6), is 1st Corinthians 12:6 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.”

00-1st Century Worship KINDLE-COVER-ThumbnailThis is Paul talking about spiritual gifts and jealousy.  Later in this chapter, Paul explains, “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you.’  On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable” (12:21f). He further explains, “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body….” (12:13).

For ambitious people in the church who “fight” for position, this is hard to take. Standing in front with a microphone are the most sought-after positions in the church.  Such positions have the potential of making you famous.

Sorry, folks. Not to God. To God you are dispensable. The church could easily survive without you. God could easily get along without you. So, get control of your ego. Huh?

Do you really and truly believe this? Those who do the seemingly menial works (the “weaker”) are indispensable to God ~ you who take food to the bereaved, who read the Bible to the sick, who clean the bathrooms, who daily pray for members and the lost, who give a tract to a friend, who share a bulletin with a neighbor, who send a thinking-of-you card to a lonely person, who mow the church building lawn, who pray with someone who has just told you of a problem, who watch the nursery, who periodically quote a Bible verse to a friend in distress ~ such works that are in the background ~ the ones that don’t make it into the “schedule of worship,” the bulletin, the newspaper, the church periodicals, the billboards are the ones who are indispensable.

To you who are jealous of people who get to have a more public position in the church and stand in front of the congregation and” lead” don’t be. Take heart. God is working more in you than them. Further, public approval by people is their reward. Your reward is from God himself.

You may seem weaker to the others, but to God you are strong. You are mighty. You are God’s pride and joy.

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00-1st Century Worship KINDLE-COVER-ThumbnailWANDERING SOUL,  ENTITLED HEART, & THE SIDETRACKED CHURCH: WORSHIP THE 1ST-CENTURY WAY covers every phase of our worship.  Each chapter begins with quotes from famous theologians like Luther, Calvin, Wesley, etc. and ends with quotes of 2nd-century Christians. In between the readers is taken one step at a time from what the common pattern is and gently leads to a better way, the first-century way.  Written for denominational leaders. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/36f2vVR

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Tuesday 11/19 ~ A little self-reflection

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, church, ego, Holy Spirit, humility, judging, worshipLeave a comment

The scripture for today, November 19 (11/19), is Ezekiel 11:19 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

00- Worship Changes KC COVER-thumbnail“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.”

Although the 600+ commandments in the Old Testament /Covenant Law of Moses were nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 8:10-13), God has always had laws to keep us safe. In the New Testament/Covenant era, he does not have a lot of laws, but he still has them.

What is our worship like? Is it full of things God never asked us to do? Does our worship elevate God or ourselves? When we’re done worshiping, do we say, “We were so great!” or “God is so great!”?  Do we worship to make ourselves feel good or to make God feel good?

We add all kinds of things to our worship that were commanded only under the Old Testament/Covenant Law of Moses, or things we think would “add to the effectiveness” of our worship. If, for example, it’s okay to add things to our singing and praying because then they would sound better, then it is okay to add lemon pie to the Lord’s Supper because then it would taste better.

Again, the question: Who are we worshiping and trying to please? God or ourselves? Do we deep down have a heart of stone, but put on our halo and say, “Surely not me”?

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00- Worship Changes KC COVER-thumbnailWORSHIP CHANGES SINCE THE FIRST CENTURY looks at all the ways we worship today, thinking worship has always been that way.  Many of the ways we worship today were enforced by burning protesters at the stake.  This book gives the exact dates the changes were made.  Dare to read this book then give it to a religious friend.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2CZsdAS

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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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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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