Category: Inspirational

You invite me to sing a song with you

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn blessings, faith, Heaven, Inspirational, joy, love, praise, prayer, Thanksgiving, worshipLeave a comment

My soul takes flight, my God, and soars to your throne. I leap from star to star in wonder. I arrive at your gate of priceless pearl and it is opened for Silver Cover-KINDLE-thumbnailme. I rush up your street of gold and purity, lined with the tree of life until I see ahead of me ~ ah, I see ahead of me your throne. There, in tears of love and rapture, I bow at your wounded feet. The feet that were impaled in agony in my place. You reach down and place your hand ~ the nail-pierced hand ~ under my chin so I can look at your lovely face. I ask your forgiveness once again as I have so many times in my life for my many sins. You smile and wipe away my tears, then invite me to sing a song with you.  What joy. What unimaginable joy.

I was sad and you became sorrowful with me. I was overjoyed and you celebrated with me. I was tired and you rested with me. I was energetic and you ran with me. I was bereaved and you grieved with me. I was confused and you pondered with me. I was awestricken and you marveled with me. My Lord, you treat me as though I am the only person in the world. You are everywhere at once. You are in my heart, my spirit, my soul. Thank you for being God of the universe.

.

Silver Cover-KINDLE-thumbnail365 SILVER-WINGED PRAYERS: MY SPIRIT TO GOD’S is part of a trilogy of daily devotions ~ inspirational scripture, wisdom, and prayer.  A beautiful gift set with papyrus font and original watercolor cover.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  https://bit.ly/SilverWingedPrayers

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/365-silver-winged-prayers-your-spirit-to-gods/

But when, Lord?

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #friendships, #Handicaps, blessings, discouragement, emptiness, Enemies, family, Fear, good works, Inspirational, Loss, love, persecution, prayer, problems, rest, victory, weaknessLeave a comment

The scripture for today, November 29 (11/29), is Matthew 11:29f as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

Applied Christianity“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Ah, Lord Jesus. I am so weary worn.  It seems everything that could ever go wrong in my life is happening right now. Just when I think I have one problem at least partly under control, another raises its ugly head. Or should I say Satan raises his ugly head?  Satan, why are you doing this to me? It is you who is causing all the diseases and problems at work, and the car wreck and progressive blindness.  Was it you who set me up in that posh job which you knew was never popular in the company and would only cause me grief? Was this new house I bought with my pay raise worth it after all?

I am so tired. Help me, God.  I don’t know which way is up anymore. God?  I’m calling for you. God? Don’t you even care?

“Let’s trade, my child. I’ll take your burdens, and you take mine.”

But, Lord, I do not understand. What could your burdens possibly be? You’re all comfortable in heaven.

“My child, my burden is to reach out to everyone and tell them how much I love them. My burden is to take their burdens on my shoulders. You can do it too. You can write encouraging messages to my children every day. You can open up the newspaper and pray for everyone in it by name. You can call someone who is depressed like you and sing them a sweet song.”

But when, Lord? When would I find time?

“Use your brooding time, your crying time, your anger time. Let loose of them so I can brood, cry, and be angry for you. Remember, it’s a trade.”

.

Applied ChristianityAPPLIED CHRISTIANITY:  A HANDBOOK OF 500 GOOD WORKS.  Whether you’re young or old, too sick or healthy, in a small town or large, busy or not, there are things you can do — all spelled out for you step by step.  To BUY NOW,  click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/APPLIEDCHRISTIANITY

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/1107-2/my-book-applied-christianity/

When and How Often?

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn Death of Jesus Christ, faith, Inspirational, knowledge, Life of Christ, sacrifice, Saved from hell, sin, Thanksgiving, worshipLeave a comment

The scripture for today, November 28 (11/28), is 1st Corinthians 11:28,31 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

Supper-Front Cover-Medium“A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup [of the Lord’s Supper]….If we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment.”

“When they met on THE first day of the week to break bread” (Acts 20:7), these first-century Christians were meeting to keep the Lord’s Supper, for the word (“met”) in the original Greek of the New Testament means a religious meeting. Interestingly, the word “the” in the original Greek means each and every without exception perpetually.

Even if we did not know the Greek, look how the Jews (and we) interpreted “Remember THE Sabbath Day to keep it holy.”  They did not remember the Sabbath day monthly, quarterly or yearly, but weekly. Therefore, , the first-century Christians realized that “When they met on THE first day of the week to break bread” (Acts 20:7), it meant every Sunday.

We can sing, pray, teach, and read the Bible any day of the week. What makes Sunday special is that’s the day Jesus came back to life, the day Jesus ascended back to heaven, and the day the church was established. Today, on the special first day we are to meet to take the Lord’s Supper, the Communion ~ the bread representing his body dying in our place, the wine representing his blood dripped out of his body in our place.

During the Communion, we consider Jesus’ terrible sacrifice in order to save us from hell. And we consider our sins that made his sacrifice necessary to save us from hell. Today’s scripture tells us that. During our weekly partaking of the Communion, we should be examining ourselves, comparing ourselves to Jesus. It is kind of like taking weekly exams, so we will be ready for the big final exam on the Day of Judgment.

God thought of everything ~ weekly remembering the sacrifice of our Lord so that we never take him for granted, and weekly remembering our sins. And, in the process, our souls fall at his feet and whisper, “Thank you.”

.

Supper-Front Cover-ThumbnailTHE LORD’S SUPPER:  52 READINGS WITH PRAYERS.  Excellent for men officiating at the Lord’s Supper in congregations or for personal meditation while taking the Lord’s Supper.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this………. https://bit.ly/LordsSupper52

 

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

Welcome Home

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #ransom, death, faith, Heaven, Inspirational, Saved from hellLeave a comment

The scripture for today, November 26 (11/26), is John 11:26 as found in the 0-REV-Cover-No Logo-KINDLE-mediumNew Testament of the Bible:

” ‘ And whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ “

Jesus was talking to the sister of his close friend, Lazarus, who had just died. Of course, we understand he was talking about spiritual death ~ the death of our souls. And death in the original Greek means separation; so in the case of our souls, it would be separation from God.

Revelation 20:6 & 14 refer to the second death of our souls, which is the lake of fire. So what is the first death of our souls?

In John 3:3, Jesus said we must be born again of water and the spirit. Romans 6:4 says, “we were therefore buried with him through baptism into death [of that sinful life] in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

Ah, the thought of living on inside the walls of salvation in heaven where Satan can never touch us again. The thought of walking and talking with God and never growing tired of it. The thought of singing with God with pleasure unending.

How reassuring to us when Jesus said believers’ souls would never die. Oh, glorious thought.

And so, day by day I keep on walking and keep on walking. I’m on a journey.  It will not end until, at last, I hear those words, “Welcome Home.”

.

0-REV-Cover-No Logo-KINDLE-lg-thumbnailREVELATION: A LOVE LETTER FROM GOD provides a simple way to understand Revelation without all the scary stuff so many preachers put into it.  God is saying, “I protected my people in the past and I will do it again.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this………. https://bit.ly/REVELATION-LOVE

 

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

Singing with the stars

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

OldOldTunes-mediumLord God of hosts, you sing with the stars and race with comets. When you weep, the oceans fill, deep and sad.  You step down to the moon, then onto the meadows of earth.  When you laugh, the mountains shake with gaiety and laugh with you. At the end of the day, you ride the sun back to your home and sit on your throne, content to have walked with your children once again for a little while.

God, I thank you for my slowing down due to occasional physical problems. I can make some simple things while I rest or write notes to people in the newspaper. These times are thinking times too.  More than anything, I think about heaven. This is not my home. Just as my heart bowed at the foot of your cross those years ago, I long to be at the foot of your throne so I can bow to you there. I will weep tears of happiness and I will sing the song of victory in Jesus.

.

OldOldTunes-ThumbnailTHE OLD OLD STORY SET TO OLD OLD TUNES.  This little book has 40 songs for the Old Testament and 40 songs for the New Testament.  You are given the lyrics and the name of  a folk tune to sing it by.  Great for Bible classes, homeschoolers, grandparents, Christmas gifts.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this………. https://bit.ly/OldStoryOldTunes

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/links-to-some-of-my-fun-bible-stuff/the-old-old-story-set-to-old-old-tunes/

Horror turned to victory

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn Death of Jesus Christ, forgiveness, healing, Inspirational, love, power, prayer, sacrifice, sin, Thanksgiving, victory, worshipLeave a comment

0-BK 7-ShadowOfDeath-Cover-new-MediumAh, my Lord, from the cross that day, drops of grief fell with your blood. From those hands pierced through with nails, drops of shame fell with your blood.  From your feet stabbed through with a rusty spike, drops of sin fell.  From your side where your exhausted heart burst, drops of disgrace fell. I can only begin to understand what you went through in your spirit on the cross that terrible day. That day of horrors which you turned into a day of victory. That day of degradation in which you were crowned with glory.

You are my bread of life that feeds my hungry soul as it yearns for you. You give drink to my heart that longs to be refreshed in springs of mercy. You provide a path for my wandering spirit as it seeks to join you in that holy of holies, heaven. You keep me alive when I am weak, breathe your love into me, and hold me in your everlasting arms. How can I thank you for loving me this much? I worship you.

.

0-BK 7-ShadowOfDeath-Cover-new-ThumbnailTHEY MET JESUS:  SHADOW OF DEATH tells the stories of the three crosses, the six hours of horror and honor on the one. It tells the stories of grief and desertion by the one they loved beyond death.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://bit.ly/ShadowOfDeath-7

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/historical-novel-about-jesus/book-7-shadow-of-death-adults-childs-versions/

 

Filled the angels with awe

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn blessings, faith, family, Inspirational, love, patience, praise, prayer, Scripture, Thanksgiving, worshipLeave a comment

Ah, my Lord, your love is is bright as the sun, as deep as the ocean, as large Love Letters of Jesus & his Bride-mediumand the cosmos.  It is as never ending at this universe we can’t even measure. It is as powerful as the wind and as gentle as a breeze.  It is as delightful as watching a little fish wiggle its way through a pond, and smelling the fragrance of a lily. You love me when I feel unloved and unlovable. You are patient with me when I am not patient with myself or anyone else. You continue to work when I give up and quit. You forgive when I sin. You never stop. You are always working to preserve my soul long enough to join you in heaven. You want your children to be gathered around you. I want that too. Give a strong vision of that to my soul so I can extol your love, your patience, your work, and your mercy forever.

You came back to life, Jesus. It was on a morning so long ago. You defied nature, confronted Satan, and filled the angels with awe.  You actually returned to your body and proved to this world and all other worlds it is possible. You made it possible for me too.  In the blink of an eye it will happen to me.  Someday. I cannot even begin to thank you for all this and heaven too. I worship you.

.

Love Letters of Jesus & his Bride, Eccelsia-THUMBNAILLOVE LETTERS OF JESUS AND HIS BRIDE, ECCLESIA. Read the paraphrased words of King Solomon on his wedding day.  Each chapter becomes a love letter and the reader is carried along as Jesus and his ecclesia have their ups and downs through the ages.  Over 500 footnotes explain the beautiful symbolism.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://bit.ly/LoveLettersOfJesus

https://atomic-temporary-67613881.wpcomstaging.com/love-letters-of-jesus-his-bride-ecclesia-2/

 

Those little churches

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn blessings, church, discouragement, faith, Inspirational, judging, patience, victory, weaknessLeave a comment

The scripture for today, November 21 (11/21), is Acts 11:21 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“00-PAUL COVER-Medium-The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.”

What had just happened? Some Christians in Phoenecia (today’s Lebanon), Cyprus (the Mediterranean Island), and Cyrene (in today’s North Africa) went to Antioch, a major city in Northern Syria near the southern border of today’s Turkey. There they established a congregation.

This little congregation ended up being the home congregation of Paul and Barnabas for many years. It started small; we don’t know the size it grew to. Regardless of the size, it had foresight and Eventually, did great things.

Perhaps you live in a town full of churches, but you’ve compared them with the New Testament, and none of them follows the original pattern. Perhaps you have even given up going to church because of this problem. What is stopping you from beginning a little congregation after the New Testament pattern in your home?

New Testament churches were simple ~ not elaborate like those mega-churches out there. And those simple churches have always been dynamic in their simplicity. Who knows but that your new little congregation will someday produce a Paul or a Barnabas….

.

00-PAUL COVER-Thumbnail-PAUL: THE UNSTOPPABLE traveled thousands of miles over 20+ years preaching to people who didn’t want preached to, establishing congregations where pagan temples prevails, offering his already-shredded back to the whips of religious leaders.  One man after reading this historical novel said, “Wow!  Oh, Wow!”  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://bit.ly/UnstoppablePaul

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/books-more-biblical-historical-novels/book-2-paul-the-unstoppable/

Never give up

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn discouragement, faith, family, healing, Inspirational, love, patience, problemsLeave a comment

The scripture for today, November 20 (11/20), is Hebrews 11:20ff as found 00-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-Thumbnailin the New Testament of the Bible:

“By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons….By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.”

Do you have children that were loving and good when they were young, but when they became older, they changed? Do you sometimes wonder, “How could I have gone so wrong with my children?” True, they have free will. But do you feel like a failure because your children did not turn out the way you had hoped and prayed?

Have faith ~ the faith of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Isaac blessed his sons with his land, even though he did not yet own the land. Jacob blessed his sons with power, even though they did yet not have power. Joseph blessed his sons and his brothers’ sons with the land, yet they no longer lived there.

Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph all blessed their children with something they believed would happen someday, even though they did not have those things yet. Why? Because they had faith in their children? Actually, it was mostly because they had faith in God. They had faith in what God would do someday for their children.

Don’t give up. Keep trusting God. Never stop having faith in what God (even after we die) will (not can, but will) do for your children.

.

00-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-ThumbnailSTEPHEN: UNLIKELY MARTYR.  In this novel, Stephen starts out as a 17-year-old coward.  Eleven years, he boldly walked in the Sanhedrin’s chambers and preached to them such truths that they killed him for it.  What happened to change him so drastically?  To  BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://bit.ly/StephenUnlikelyMartyr

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/books-more-biblical-historical-novels/book-7-stephen-unlikely-martyr/

Changeable, Enchanting and Delightful

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, blessings, Inspirational, joy, judging, praise, prayer, rest, Thanksgiving, worshipLeave a comment

0-Cover-MediumMy Lord, you think of everything ~ four seasons and different climates for a serendipity off change. Trees without their leaves show me their shear strength ~ tall and bold, standing strong after storms, holding snow on their shoulders, even when it turns to ice.  Reaching toward a gray sky from a stark earth, undaunted, sometimes for centuries. The trees I see out my window were seen by people before the invention of automobiles and airplanes and pre-prepared food and washing machines.  Standing sentry. Standing strong with a heart to live yet longer. Lord, you are that way and more. Even when you seem stark to some people, you are strong and have a heart to live forever. I praise you for all you are.

It is mid-November. We had a big rain yesterday, and suddenly there are no leaves on the trees. Before the rain they had leaves. So now they are going to sleep as the trees rest a while. I thank you for periods of rest. And for color indoors from paint and dye and the food harvested last month. And the warmth of the indoors to keep me until summer blossoms returns. How interesting and exciting you made our enchanting, delightful, changeable world. Thank you.

.

0-Cover-ThumbnailFUN WITH BIBLE NUMBERS has 525 arithmetic problems covering every book of the Bible.  Great for adult or child pastime, bulletin fillers, class openings, homeschoolers, grandparents to keep around for when grandchildren visit, or even the local newspaper.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this………. https://bit.ly/FunWith-BibleNumbers

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/links-to-some-of-my-fun-bible-stuff/fun-with-bible-numbers/