Making God look better than He is ~ A futile endeavor

On February 18, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn Inspirational1 Comment

Solomon built a temple for the worship of God, a place all Israel could gather together in the name of the Lord. When he finished building the massive temple – stone, and cedar, and gold paneled walls and doors – he instructed the priests to place the ark of the covenant in the innermost room, the most holy place. There were multitudes of musicians and singers singing praises, while priests sacrificed countless sheep and oxen, and all the leaders of Israel joined in the day of dedication by gathering in the temple courtyards alongside the Israelites who were there in even greater number.

As the ark came to rest in the innermost – the most holy – place of the temple:

Then a cloud filled the Lord’s temple. The priests were unable to carry out their duties on account of the cloud because the Lord’s glory filled God’s temple. (2 Chronicles 5:13-14.)

The priests could not carry out their duties. What duties? Praising God and offering sacrifices of thanksgiving, among others, duties they carried out in the temple. But they couldn’t, because God’s glory filled the temple. There was no room left for the priests to do their work.

Glorifying God

You might hear someone talk about glorifying God. That’s a good thing, if what you mean is you want to speak in ways that tell of how glorious God is, and act in ways that reflect his glory in the way you love and care for and serve the people God has put in your life.

It doesn’t mean anyone has the ability to make God more glory, though. God is glorious, magnificent, wonderful, and excellent beyond measure. God doesn’t need people to increase his glory. He certainly didn’t need the temple priests on that day of dedication to bring him more glory.

God brought his own glory, and it is infinite. God’s glory is overwhelming, and in the presence of his glory you see that he is all sufficient. Let this be a comfort to you. He is the one who is perfect already, and he wants you to join in his perfection, not for you to contribute a measure of your own. Besides, you don’t have any perfection apart from that which is in Jesus.

The cloud which symbolized God’s presence is no longer needed because you have God the Holy Spirit in you now. Jesus is in you because the Holy Spirit is in you. The glory of God is in you because the Holy Spirit is in you. God has filled you just as he filled the temple.

God will use you to his glory, because he has brought you into his glorious presence even now.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6.)

This is reality. You are seated with Jesus right now in the heavenly realms as you live and breathe and walk and serve here on earth.

All to God’s glory.

Friday 2/15 ~ I did my best

On February 15, 2019July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, good works, Inspirational, persecution, power, teaching1 Comment

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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Love Letters of Jesus & His Bride, Ecclesia

On February 14, 2019February 15, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn InspirationalLeave a comment

Image result for 2 two red roses

Love Letters of Jesus & his Bride-medium

Ecclesia is Greek for church. We are his bride. That whisks our imaginations to a closeness to Him most of us cannot comprehend. That is why I wrote a rendition of Song of Solomon, making each of my chapters coincide with the same chapter in Song of Solomon. After completing this book, I was a changed person. Here’s an excerpt…

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My dearest Lord Jesus ~

Three years we have been together. I still feel so warm in your love, my Lord and King. Your love is so much better than the gladness that comes from wine and parties and sparkling jewels. Better, too, than the ointments I carefully put on my face to make it shine for you. [1]

Then there is the sweet fragrance that overwhelms my senses when I am with you. I know what you did to smell so sweet to me. I know what you did but I cannot fully comprehend it….

Forgive me, but I cannot forget the amazing thing you did for me when I was so unworthy. It plays over and over in my mind.

How well I remember when I was kidnapped by Satan for stealing a few things where I worked, and lying a little and being impatient while standing in line, and cheating on tests. I did not think they were all that important and no one would notice. But Satan noticed, rushed in declaring I was bad, and grabbed me.

He kept accusing me of all the bad things I did which I had not thought were so bad.[2] Then he declared I would have to be executed and exist forever in the agony of a living death. My heart sank.

But on the day of my execution, you somehow got into my cell, made yourself look like me so you could take the blame, then allowed yourself to be executed in my place. Such love. I do not understand it. I wept and wept when I saw them bury you.[3]

Then the unbelievable happened. You came back to life and returned to me. I knew it was you even before you came into my sight because of the fragrance that emanated from you.

Your very name, my Lord, is so aromatic that even the angels love you and so look forward to our wedding feast when we, at last, will be one. What a glorious day that will be when we can feast on each other’s love.[4]

I dreamed about you the other night. I dreamed we were running down a golden street in your world. At last, we arrived at the mansion you said you were building for me.[5]

I dreamed you took me into your chamber. It was only a dream, but oh, how I wish it were now. In my dream you, my Creator, enveloped me in your pure and strong arms. But it will not happen in this life.

I pray so often to be able to leave my earthly chamber and enter yours.[6] I wish for that time to be now, but will have to wait.

I am not afraid, for you will be there, opening the door for me. [7] I will close my eyes in this world and open them in yours. In a twinkling of your eye I will be there with you forever.[8]

I went for a walk the other day and people on the street were staring at me. I am as dark as the black goat hair out of which the desert tents are made. Though I was once dark with sin, you made me pure and beautiful anyway.[9] Though others may remember my past sins, you do not.

My world brothers do not like me anymore. So, they persecute me, and make me work for them.[10] The sun has given me the appearance of being dark with sin, but that is not true.[11] My world brothers want people to think I am bad because they do not like you, my Lord, and do not want me to associate with you.[12] They do not even give me time to work in my own fields to bring souls to you. [13] But I am trying, my Lord. I am trying.

Oh, lover of my soul[14] where do you go during the day when the sun is high? People want me to join them when they rest and relax, but I do not like what they call resting and relaxing. In the middle of my work day, I want to go to you where you are so I can truly rest.[15]

I asked my friends if they knew how to find you, but they told me not to waste my time with you. They were definitely the wrong people to ask. They told me to come rest and relax with them and have a lot more fun. They keep trying to get me away from you.

Oh, I think I know where you are. Wait for me, my love. Wait for me.

Forever yours,

Ecclesia

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My Precious Ecclesia ~

I can hardly wait until you find me in your silent times. I watch for you every moment.[16] When you run back to me, you remind me of dainty Egyptian horses prancing across the meadow, your lovely hair flowing behind you like the afterglow of good deeds.

Your skin is as soft as the earth after I have watered it with gentle rain.[17] You wear a garland of jewels[18] sparkling like the stars of the universe on a dark night and all the while, you are singing to me. How I love to hear you sing.[19] The lovely ornaments you wear around your graceful neck ~ the adorning of fidelity ~ make me love you all the more.[20]

Didn’t you say your maidens made you a garment of gold framed with silver? Gold like the radiance of your praises framed in the silver of your songs? [21] How enchanting to my ears.

Your devoted Lord Jesus

My Dearest Lord Jesus ~

I had to run from people who did not want me to associate with you so I could eat with you at your table. How I love eating the bread of life with you. It fills my soul.[22]

Remember how we laughed when they stood outside watching us in anger?[23] I think they are jealous of the attention you give me. They’re also angry at all their problems, but they bring so many on themselves. They deny you exist, then turn right around and do things you would not approve of to get back at you for not obeying their will.[24]

Did you like the pure spikenard I wore around my neck? I wanted to do something special for my lord. I had always wanted some spikenard but could not afford it. This was given to me. I knew right away I wanted you to have it. It was no sacrifice for me.[25]

When I came home last night and slept, I dreamed of us again. I dreamed you held me in your arms of righteousness and the myrrh aroma filling my senses that came from you made me glad to belong to you.[26]

I dreamed you laid your head on my lap.[27]There you slept all night so you would be strong in the morning.[28]

You, my Lord, are like fragrant henna flowers surrounding work vineyards.[29] Even when I am tired from working all day, the delightful aromas of your words ease my tiredness.[30]

Forever yours,

Ecclesia

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My Precious Ecclesia ~

I just had to send you this note, my love. I am very busy watching over all people of the earth. [31] But I cannot keep my mind away from you, my precious, innocent bride.[32]

I just wanted to tell you one more time, how fair you are to look upon. And your eyes ~ oh, those dove eyes of yours ~ bring joy to my spirit.[33]

Your devoted Lord Jesus

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My dearest Lord Jesus ~

Your note made my heart glad. And you, my Lord, are so good to me. You have made luxurious places for us to rest and denied me nothing that I need.[34]

And the mansion you are building for us is strong.[35] The beams are of aromatic cedar and the rafters of fir that nothing can break down.[36] With you, my Lord, I will always feel safe and loved.[37]

Forever yours,

Ecclesia

Image result for 2 two red roses

The paper book is half price at $4.50 on Valentine’s Day only.

Click the heart.

[1] Psalm 104:15 and Numbers 6:25
[2] Revelation 12:10
[3] Ephesians 5:2
[4] Matthew 25:1ff
[5] John 14:2
[6] II Corinthians 5:1
[7] Hebrews 9:8; I Thessalonians 4:16f
[8] I Corinthians 15:51-53
[9] Proverb s 2:13
[10] Proverbs 27:4
[11] Mark 14:56f
[12] I Peter 4:14
[13] John 4:35
[14] Psalm 34:2
[15] Psalm 23
[16] Psalm 121:8
[17] Psalm 65:10
[18] Revelation 12:1
[19] Psalm 148:3
[20] Titus 2:9f
[21] Proverbs 25:11
[22] John 6:35
[23] Psalm 23
[24] Psalm 53:1
[25] Philippians 4:18
[26] Psalm 45:7-9
[27] Psalm 34:11
[28] Psalm 78:65
[29] John 9:4
[30] Matthew 11:28
[31] Psalm 33:13
[32] Revelation 21:9
[33] Matthew 3:16
[34] Hebrews 4:1-11
[35] John 14:1-3
[36] Psalm 127:1
[37] Psalm 119:116-17

But Did He Love Me?

On February 14, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn InspirationalLeave a comment

Read this to the end. It will bring tears to your eyes. Katheryn

Mitch Teemley

woman playing dead, lying in the sand

I chose to write this true Valentine’s Day story about a favorite relative in first person in order to retain the impact it had on me.

I was never sure if he loved me. I mean right off, Burt liked my sister. I don’t know why. I mean, Tina, she’s pretty in a tomboy way, but I’m the real girl with my flamey hair and legs all the way down to China. So, I don’t know why the boys like her so much. I guess ’cause she’s fun. I was never fun. I was too much work: “I’m not ready yet!” “No! It’ll mess up my hair!” Hah!

But the minute I saw Burt, I loved him. He was tall and skinny, but with cute bulgy little muscles. He lifted weights and was so vain—every time we’d go by a mirror, I’d check my make-up and he’d check his muscles…

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Wednesday 2/13 ~ Just one of those purposes

On February 13, 2019July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn discouragement, emptiness, Inspirational, Scripture, victory1 Comment

The scripture for February 13 (2/13), is Philippians 2:13 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”

Here is another related verse: “The Lord opened her heart to respond” (Acts 16:14). God the Father moved people’s hearts throughout the Bible ~ Old Testament and New Testament. But he never moved hearts to do what they were not already inclined to do. He does not go against someone’s will, for he gave everyone free will.

If you are struggling to know the will of your religious leaders and friends, you struggle alone. If you are sincerely struggling to know God’s will and do it, the Father will help you.

If you are struggling to act according to the purpose of your religious leaders and friends, you struggle alone. If you are sincerely struggling to act according to God’s good purpose, the Father will help you.

If you have a sincerely open heart, God can move you closer to himself so that he can work in you and through you on earth.

He will always tell you what to do through his Word ~ the Bible. You do not have to guess. It covers every possible situation you could ever face and shows you his good purposes.

Choose one of those purposes and do it. God the Father will work in you if you are willing. Are you?

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James and the Sermon on the Mount

On February 12, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn InspirationalLeave a comment

Very interesting. I wonder if James, Jesus’ half-brother, sneaked over and listened to some of Jesus’ teachings before going back home and harrassing Jesus for being a show-off. James was certainly a non-believer before Jesus came back to life.

Life Project Blog

The connection between James and the Sermon on the Mount is striking in that there are so many that James could almost be a commentary. Maybe it’s just me, but I think that another curious feature of this connection is that while there are more direct correlations between James and Matthew than there are with Luke, James’ language is actually quite similar to Luke in its phrasing.

While it seems unlikely that he had those Gospels at his fingertips, it is highly likely that the teachings of Jesus on that occasion were treasured and protected by the early church, and James would surely have been at the forefront of such an effort. In a letter that serves the purpose as the primary New Testament document of moral instruction, what better source to draw from than the Sermon on the Mount, the highest and most exacting moral teaching of all history?…

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What color is heaven?

On February 9, 2019July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn eternity, Heaven, Inspirational, joy, Thanksgiving, worship2 Comments

The scripture for today, February 9 (2/9), is I Corinthians 2:9 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”

This amazing promise applies to us today. It also applies to eternity. Indeed, it is difficult to conceive of heaven. That is why so much of Revelation is symbolic. The symbols are beautiful. Why not try going one step beyond reading how Revelation describes heaven, and make a drawing of what you think it looks like. Here is a link to a drawing of an imagined heaven. www.casagrandechurchofchrist.com/what-color-is-heaven Then colorize with all those beautiful hues. Revelation 21:12,13,21:

Each of the 12 GATES is named after one of the Tribes of Israel and has an angel guarding it. Make the gates pearl. Make the angel over the gate white or yellow.

Revelation 21:17, 18a: Make the WALL jasper, which is a light see-through green.

Revelation 21:16, 18b: Heaven is full of many MANSIONS (John 14:2). Make them a translucent (see-through) gold.

Revelation 21:21: The STREETS of the city are like crystal and gold. Make them a translucent (see-through) gold also.

Revelation 22:1: The RIVER OF LIFE runs through heaven coming out from the throne of God. Make it blue.

Revelation 4:6a: The CHRYSTAL SEA is in front of God’s throne. Make it blue.

Revelation 22:2: The TREE OF LIFE grows on both sides of the River of Life. Make it green and brown.

Revelation 22:2: The ALTER OF INCENSE from Christians’ prayers is in front of the throne. Make it gold

Revelation 21:23: God’s THRONE is Jasper and the glory of God is so brilliant, there is no need of a sun. Make the area of the throne silver/white.

Revelation 4:5: Around the throne of God are the seven SPIRITS of God, symbolized by seven lights. Make them yellow.

Revelation 4:3a: Near the Spirits,

there is a ruby red GLOW around the throne of God. Make this inner arch red.

Revelation 4:3b: There is a RAINBOW over God’s throne. Make the arch at the very top over the throne emerald green.

Although this is all symbolic, doesn’t drawing and coloring in the symbols help understand a little bit more of how beautiful heaven will be!

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My prayer for Thursday

On February 7, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn Inspirational, prayerLeave a comment

You, Oh, Lord, are my heart, my soul, my spirit, my being. You are my sun in dark places, my courage in scary places, my gentleness in rough places. When I need you to defend me, you roar. When I need you to give me strength, you give me work to do. When I cry, you wipe away my tears. You know my heart.

Thank you for the beautiful earth you prepared for us. Oh, how I delight to hear the birds in the summertime as they warble and sing their songs to me. How I wonder when I see the ocean and imagine its depths with life great and small, dreary and colorful happily existing together there. How I gasp when I feel the wind always turning and swirling like a top, rushing like a lion, then purring like a kitten. Such a delightful Father you are to me.

Thursday 2/7 ~ Look up!

On February 7, 2019July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn discouragement, emptiness, healing, Inspirational, Loss, victory, weakness

Yesterday I shared my thoughts for today. So today, I will share my thoughts for yesterday.

The scripture for today, February 6 (2/6) is Jonah 2:6f as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.”

This is what was going through Jonah’s mind as he was swallowed by the great fish and on his way to certain death.

It is never too late.

As long as the breath of life is in you, it is never too late to cry out to God. You may be in the pits of your life. You may feel you cannot sink any lower than where you are now.

But look up! God is watching you with tears. You are not only breaking your own heart, but you are breaking the heart of your Maker who loves you so. God wants to lift you up out of your pit.

Still, he cannot do it without your help. What is your part? You must lift up your hands so God can grab hold of them.

Look up! God is right there within your grasp.

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My prayer for Wednesday

On February 6, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn Inspirational, prayerLeave a comment

I praise you Almighty God. You are most powerful, yet most gentle. You are most gigantic, yet most minute. You are the roar and the silence. You are the silk and the sackcloth. You are the laughter and the tears. You are light but never dark. You are life but never death. You are love but never hatred. You are all that is good and right. You are my all and I worship you.

Thank you for being the Warrior King that you are. You are the winner over Satan because you are stronger than Satan. Thank you for attacking Satan in that hidden realm where I cannot go and scaring him away from me. For fighting so many of my battles for me. For standing over me protectively and being strong for me when I am weak. I cannot imagine life without you. Thank you for my loving spouse, the church, the Bible, and your amazing grace.

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Forever yours,

Ecclesia

My Precious Ecclesia ~

Your devoted Lord Jesus

My Dearest Lord Jesus ~

Forever yours,

Ecclesia

My Precious Ecclesia ~

Your devoted Lord Jesus

My dearest Lord Jesus ~

Forever yours,

Ecclesia

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