Nestled in my heart

Rhoda Book Cover KINDLE-mediumWhat a powerful God you are. You speak and your words roar through the universe. You sing and your song echoes from star to star. You whisper and the wind swirls and makes the clouds bump lazily into each other. You sigh and I feel your Spirit within my soul.  Mighty and gentle. Tough and tender. Everywhere at once and nestled in my heart.

Oh, my. Forgive me when I judge others by myself. I was where they are once. Help me be patient with others and delight in their little bit of growth instead of their slow progress.

Thank you for cold, nippy mornings with the wind pounding on my cheeks, icy paths challenging my balance, and cabin fever when I stay indoors too much. And for rush-hour traffic and horns that honk and declare their presence on the road. Thank you for restless children and empty cupboards and flat tires. Thank you for a world that is not perfect so I can watch you work within it all to bring blessings and peace and wonder.

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Rhoda Book Cover KINDLE-thumbnailA CHILD’S BIBLE KIDS:  RHODA.  She was always sill and told jokes no one understood, but she was a hard worker and loved everyone she met.  She and her widowed mother worked hard to support themselves.  Then one day in the market, she voluntarily helped a lady who had dropped part of her produce.  The lady hired her to be a live-in maid.  Sometimes a man named Peter would visit Mary’s home and Rhoda learned to love his stories about Jesus.  Then, one day, Peter was put in jail.  To find out what happened next, READ NOW by clicking a book cover or pasting this: https://bit.ly/3psKU5L

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/a-childs-bible-kids-book-8-rhoda/?frame-nonce=dcd871ac5b

 

In His World

The scripture for today, February 17 (2/17), is 1st John 2:17 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-BK 8-ComeFlyWithMe-Cover-Medium-New“The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”

Have you lost anything very important to you lately? Has it left you feeling empty?

Were you injured and cannot participate in a certain sport anymore? Are your bones growing old, and you have to get around in a wheelchair?  Did you lose a savings or part of your income and no longer can buy fancy clothes, a shiny car, a big house?  Did you miss out on being a chairman for your committee or official for your community and all the importance that comes with it?

The previous verse in the KJV says there are three basic types of sins: Lust of the flesh and eye, and pride.

Is your loss devastating to you? Do you now feel worthless?  Do you sometimes even have fleeting thoughts that life is no longer worth living?

Or perhaps you recently obtained your heart’s desire. Were you satisfied? Or have you already begun to look higher, wanting a little more?

Take a deep look at yourself?  Do you think you will ever be truly satisfied?  What are your cravings? Are they all that important?  Are they all that valuable?

Only one thing can ever give you what you truly crave ~ doing the gentle will of God. He is your Creator, and he knows what will make you happy. Then you can have all you ever craved in his world ~ forever.

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0-BK 8-ComeFlyWithMe-Cover-Thumbnail-NewTHEY MET JESUS:  COME FLY WITH ME.  Jesus is dead and so is the dream.  Three years of hopes dashed. Three years of winning plunged into despair. Three years wasted.  All that is left is to pick up the pieces. But where are the pieces.  Jesus’ eleven descend into a world of nothingness.  “Calm down.  Have peace.”  Huh?  Who said that?  You’re alive? He’s alive! Hopes now soar, but the hard work has just begun.  He leaves them with the keys to enliven dead souls. They are beaten but keep on. They are jailed but keep on. They are lied about, stalked, defied but keep on.  Then one day…then one day…they’re HOME.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/2OzEnXc

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/historical-novel-about-jesus/book-8-come-fly-with-me-adults-childs-versions/

The God of Second Chances

I praise you, God of my life, my soul, my being. You are all I need to exist. Without you the world is formless and empty just as it Inside-COVER-lg thumbnailwas at the beginning.  You give my life form and substance. You give me a reason to be, to live, to die. You are beyond the finiteness of my comprehension. Oh, how I wish I could understand you more.

Forgive my inability to forgive 490 times like you said ~ 70 x 7.  If I forgive, I know I am opening myself up to them doing it again, then I’ll have to forgive again. 490 times? I haven’t even begun to reach that. Slow me down, Lord, and help me unburden myself of others’ sins.

Ah, thank you, my Lord, for your simple Word. You never left me guessing what you are doing or wanting or saying. I can just follow your Words with simple, childlike faith. When I read it and meditate on it, I feel as though I am sitting at the foot of your very throne. And thank you for sleep.  And for watching over me while I rest. Thank you for chances to start all over again each new day. You are the God of second chances.

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Inside-COVER-lg thumbnailINSIDE THE HEARTS OF BIBLE WOMEN is twelve stories of twelve women in their normal life, their life during tragedy, and their life trying to pull out of the tragedy.  Thought questions at the end.  AUDIO also available.  ADVERTISING MANUAL and LEADER’S GUIDE also available.  Great for outreach as a private reading book or group enrichment.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/3hr2bJR

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/1107-2/my-book-inside-the-hearts-of-bible-women/

 

 

How can I touch your holiness?

The scripture for today, February 10 (2/10), is James 2:10 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

00-PAUL COVER-Medium-“Out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.”

Do we pray on Sunday and curse on Monday? Do we sing on Sunday and lie on Monday? Do we recite a scripture on Sunday and mock someone on Monday?

On the other hand, do we use this as an excuse not to go to church? Do we refuse to attend because there are hypocrites in the church?

Do we refuse to go to work because there are hypocrites there who talk behind the boss’s back? Do we refuse to go to school because there are hypocrites there who would skip school if they could? Do we refuse to sit for two hours in a boring airport because there are hypocrites there smuggling things in their suitcases? Do we refuse to go to sporting events because there are hypocrites there that would literally “kill the umpire” if they could?

Even Jesus had a hypocrite among his 12 Apostles ~ Judas. That didn’t stop him from doing what was needed to save us from hell.

In a sense we are all hypocrites because we go to church and sing songs about giving everything for Jesus, then we go home and don’t. Or we sing songs about going into all the world and teaching the gospel, then we go home and don’t. Or we talk about the importance of praying for everyone around us and their loved ones, then we go home and don’t.

Perhaps Jesus was the biggest hypocrite of them all because he, who never, ever sinned, took the blame for your sins and went through excruciating body and soul death in your place.

Oh, my Lord Jesus, how can I worship you enough? How can I thank you enough? How can my spirit touch your holiness?  I am weak and need you.

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00-PAUL COVER-Thumbnail-PAUL: THE UNSTOPPABLE.  No one could stop him from cursing, jailing and torturing Christians.  Then Jesus got hold of him and he joined the camp of the enemy.  Once again, no one could stop him.  Not any of the beatings he endured, and going hungry, and being thrown into the sea and being stripped by thieves and being stoned until he was supposed to be dead.  For years he dared anyone to stop him from telling people the truth about Jesus and save their souls.  People hated him for it.  But always, in the midst of torture, he would shout, “Jesus!  This is for you!”  To  BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/3fw2mlA

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

 

The Warrior King

07-Samson-KindleMediumYou 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 getting 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 all those who I love and who love me back.  And thank you for my enemies that I might experience what you do when the world turns against you. I fall at your feet unworthy.

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07-Samson-KindleThumbnailA CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES: SAMSON.  Samson was a one-man army when God’s people did not have an army.  He stood between them and captivity.  But he was more.  He was a judge for forty years.  He was not just known for his strength of body, but also for his strength of mind.  He was not a warrior king, but he was a warrior judge.  He advised his people and they respected him for it.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://bit.ly/3aUlBUW

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/a-childs-bible-heroes-book-7-samson/?frame-nonce=1e7c6b1760

 

See? He’s running after you.

The scripture for today, February 8 (2/8), is Genesis 2:8 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

Pearls Cover-Palms-300dpi-Medium“Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.”

Just think: Mankind’s nursery was a garden. How God wanted to spoil us, his children. And dote on us.

He even visited us sometimes. He walked with us in the cool of the evening through the beautiful home he had given us. It was the first of many times in the future he would walk with man. It was a beautiful time.

Then jealous Satan appeared out of the shadows of time and lied to us. He claimed God was our enemy. How could he say that with God providing us with tasty food to eat and sparkling water to drink beautiful flowers and trees and…  Well, we had everything.

Satan knew he couldn’t deny that, so he planted in their minds what they did not have.  “See that tree over there? God doesn’t like you or he would let you touch that tree.  See that fruit over there? God doesn’t like you or he would let you eat anything you want.”  Oh, and the biggie. “God doesn’t want you to be as smart as him.  Evil is fun, but he is keeping you from knowing what evil is.  It’s the most wonderful thing in the world. If God hates you that much, then hate him back.”

So, they did. And Satan laughed. They were so gullible. Too late they discovered God had been trying to protect them.

Do you believe God doesn’t want you to have any fun? That is not true. God does not hate you. God is not trying to keep you from having a good time. The real good time is in heaven and he is trying to get you there.

Do not listen to Satan. He is the one who hates you. Do not wait until it is too late. Turn around and try once more listening to God. See?  He is running after you. He wants to protect you. He loves you beyond comprehension. And wants to spoil you. In heaven.

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Pearls Cover-Palms-300dpi-Thumbnail365 PEARLS OF WISDOM: GOD’S SOUL TO YOURS provides one proverbs plus one passage from a wisdom literature — Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon.  This is book two in the devotional trilogy — GOLDEN BIBLE THOUGHTS: GOD’S HEART TO YOURS and SILVER-WINGED PRAYERS: YOUR SPIRIT TO GOD’S.  Original art on the cover and classical papyrus font on the inside.  Perfect gift for yourself in these trying times of Covid uncertainty or a gift to someone else.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/3epvDgU

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/365-pearls-of-wisdom-gods-soul-to-yours/

 

The crown of a victor

The scripture for today, February 7 (2/7), is Proverbs 2:7 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-REV-Cover-No Logo-KINDLE-medium“He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless.”

Do you feel like a loser sometimes? Once someone gets into that mindset, it is hard to break out. One dream after another has been shattered. One goal after another has been blockaded. One effort after another has been a failure.

The world can be a cruel place in which to live. It is ruled by Satan.

But look up! Victory is still possible! There is an old song called “Victory in Jesus.” We may be losers to our friends, but victors to God. Just remember, we cannot have victory in Jesus unless we have something to be victorious over.

Life is hard. But each day problems face us and we refuse to give in, that’s victory. Each day we search God’s Word for answers in the right places, that’s victory. Each day we refuse to give up on Jesus despite opposition to him by those around us, that’s victory.

Satan hates it when you don’t give up. Satan wants you to, not only give up on yourself, but also give up on God.

Do not give up. Never give up. Turn to God who can help you — with all your sins — be blameless and victorious. Keep on fighting and walking, fighting and walking until at last you walk right through the gates into heaven and are given the crown of a victor.

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0-REV-Cover-No Logo-KINDLE-thumbnailREVELATION: A LOVE LETTER FROM GOD.  Revelation is so simple when you understand the symbolism of history and of numbers.  Revelation is not a book to scare you to death, but to lift you up and give your courage.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://bit.ly/36W2CqT

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

It’s never too late. Look up!

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

09-Jonah-KindleMedium“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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09-Jonah-KindleThumbnailA CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES:  JONAH.  Jonah could have kept running to the end of his life.  He didn’t.  He could have refused to tell his enemies how to be saved. He didn’t.   He recognized that, where ever he went, God was there.  Teach your child God will be where ever they go too.  To  BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://bit.ly/3b78DVE

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/a-childs-bible-heroes-book-9-jonah/?frame-nonce=1e7c6b1760

 

They Rocked the Cradle that Rocked the World

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

book cover3a front-MED“[the Magi/Wisemen] asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

There are people who believe the “star of Bethlehem” was in the east. But the star wasn’t in the east; the wise men (Magi) were.

The Christmas carol says the star led the wise men the whole way. But Matthew 2:9 & 10 says, “After they had heard the king [Herod], they went on their way, and the star they HAD seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.”

They rejoiced when they saw the star again, not because it had been with them the whole time, but because it had reappeared.

The Christmas carol also speaks of them as “We Three Kings.” First, there were three gifts but could have been an entourage of ten or twenty or more. Second, they were not kings.  It wasn’t until 600 AD that someone named them as the king of Arabia, king of India and King of Persia. The original language calls them Magi which is a tribe of astrologers and priests in Babylon and Parthia.

By the way, the manger scenes show the wise men there with the shepherds on the night Jesus was born.  Jesus was around two years old by the time the wise men figured out the meaning of the star and traveled over 1000 miles to get there, following by boy babies killed ages two and under.

Then there are the carols that say the angels sang are wrong. Angels do not sing. Christians do, but angels do not. Check it out.  There are so many things about the Bible that we have heard all our lives and just assume are true. Here’s an idea: Investigate things for yourself! Why take a teaching about the Bible for granted? You’re smart. You can do it. Will you?

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book cover3a front-THUMBTHEY ROCKED THE CRADLE THAT ROCKED THE WORLD is the stories of everyone in the Bible involved in the birth of Jesus.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://bit.ly/ChristmasNovelsStories

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/they-rocked-the-cradle-that-rocked-the-world/

Holy Tears

The scripture for today, January 28 (1/28), is 1st Chronicles 1:28  s found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

04-Isaac&Jacob-KindleMedium“The sons of Abraham: Isaac and Ishmael.”

Are you a parent with a grown or nearly-grown child who is going in the wrong direction? Have you tried everything you can think of, and nothing is working? Do you know in your heart that you have been a good example and things shouldn’t have turned out like they have?

Abraham has been called the Father of the Faithful. Yet he had one son who followed Jehovah ~ Isaac ~ and one son who followed idols ~ Ishmael. Certainly, Abraham tried everything he could to “talk some sense” into Ishmael. Certainly, he prayed earnestly for Ishmael. So, what went wrong?  He also had two grandsons who fought each other all the time ~ Jacob and Esau.  Again, what went wrong? He was a godly man. His son, Isaac was a godly man?  How could this have happened when they tried to raise their sons right?

Just as God has given each of us free will, our children and grandchildren also have free will. Just as God will never force us to follow him, we cannot force our children to follow God. You did not refrain from having your children because they may have difficulties in their life, and neither did God. And when our children rebel and break our hearts, imagine what God goes through when we rebel and break his heart.

Who knows? Perhaps your child will return to God someday in your old age, or even after you have died.  If your child deep down has a good heart, that is enough for God to work with.

Keep hope alive. And try not to weep too often.

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04-Isaac&Jacob-KindleThumbnailA CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES: ISAAC AND JACOB is a book of hope for dysfunctional families.  Twins Jacob and Esau fought all the time. Then Jacob stole from Esau, so Jacob ran away.  For twenty years they were apart and missed each other and eventually forgave each other.  What a reunion it was.  How happy Isaac must have been.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://bit.ly/3rcRNtZ

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/a-childs-bible-heroes-book-4-isaac-jacob/?frame-nonce=1e7c6b1760