Category: judging

Saturday 10/19 ~ Fascinating and renewing

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #ransom, church, Death of Jesus Christ, eternity, forgiveness, judging, knowledge, Life of Christ, sacrifice, Satan, Saved from hell, truth, victory, worshipLeave a comment

The scripture for today, October 19 (10/19), is Hebrews 10:19 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-Titus-Cover-Lg Thumb“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus….”

The entire book of Hebrews explains in detail how the Jewish Old Testament Law of Moses with its 600 laws was replaced by the New Testament law of Jesus’ Grace, not just for Jews, but for every nation on earth.

Only Levites (male descendants of the Jewish tribe of Levi) were allowed to enter the Holy Place ~ first room in the temple. Only the high priest, (a Levite descendant of Aaron, Moses’ brother) was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place, and even then only once a year on the Day of Atonement. Leviticus 16 explains that on that Day, the high priest was to kill a goat and sprinkle its blood inside the Most Holy Place for the atonement (forgiveness) of the people, then had to come right out.

Blood sacrifices were only to appease Satan. God commanded people to make those sacrifices, not to inconvenience people, but to keep Satan at bay until he got what he really wanted ~ the blood of God in flesh (Acts 20:28). Once Jesus gave Satan what he wanted, there was no more reason to offer the blood of animals ~ the theme throughout the Old Law of Moses.

The Jewish temple was destroyed about the time the book of Hebrews was written. This book explains that worshippers no longer need an earthly high priest and an earthly Most Holy Place. Jesus is your high priest (Hebrews 7:24-26) The Most Holy Place is heaven and open to all Christians throughout the world, not just for a few moments, but for eternity. (Hebrews 9:24-26).

Hebrews 9:12-14 explains, “He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.

“The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ ~ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God ~ cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”

God created the pattern in the Old Testament, and the spiritual reality in the New Testament.

Some people are collecting money and breeding red heifers to rebuild the temple and begin blood sacrifices again. Why in the world would they do that? Do they really want to annul Jesus’ New Last Will and Testament and return to stoning adulterers, paying 1/3 of their income (not just 1/10) to the temple, requiring all males go to the temple three times a year, etc.?  And where are they going to find a direct descendant of Aaron, Moses’ brother, to be the high priest? James said that, if you keep part of the Law, you must keep all of it (James 2:10).

Read the book of Hebrews for yourself. It is fascinating and renewing. It is full of freedom and redemption and eternity.

 

0-Titus-Cover-Lg ThumbTITUS: THE ARISTOCRAT is an arbitrator. He’s already lived a hard life before meeting Paul ~ blame for his mother’s death, loss of a child, loss of his beautiful wife. In his law practice, he defends the downtrodden. After his conversion to Christianity, Paul sends him everywhere to calm down people wanting to bring the old Law of Moses or their idol-worshipping practices into the church. The church was meant to be simple.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2OYISvL

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Friday 10/18 ~ How many stars are in your crown?

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn church, ego, eternity, good works, Heaven, humility, judging, praise, teachingLeave a comment

The scripture for today, October 18 (10/18), is 2nd Corinthians 10:18 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-Joseph-Cover-Thumbnail“For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”

Do you look at your life and decide some of your bad habits are not so bad, considering what some other people you know are doing? Do you look at your life and decide your lukewarmness in good works and spreading the gospel is not so bad, considering what most others around you are doing?

Jesus said you will receive only one reward, and you must choose: (1) Being rewarded by each other, or (2) being rewarded by God. You can’t have both (Matthew 6:5; 18).  Is standing in front of an audience of 500 who won’t remember what you said two hours later more important than sitting with two people who will put your words in their lives?

And that brings up how you judge other people. You may decide certain Christians you know are not pulling their share of the load in your congregation, not doing their part. But that may be a wrong judgment.

A lot of Christians you know may be doing good works you will never learn about. “Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward [them]” (Matthew 6:18a). Who knows? That time someone mowed your lawn while you were in the hospital may have been one of those “do-nothings”.  Ah. I wonder how many stars they have in their crown.

 

0-Joseph-Cover-ThumbnailJOSEPH: THE OTHER FATHER is an unsung hero.  What must life have been like for Joseph to raise the Son of God in a violent world and keep him safe until grown.? How many times do you think he cried out, “God! Help me protect our Son!” To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2qsC4fP

 

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Thursday 11/17 ~ Knowing for sure

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn Bible, eternity, forgiveness, Heaven, judging, knowledge, Saved from hell, truthLeave a comment

The scripture for today, October 17 (10/17), is Romans 10:17 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-HS-592 VersesExamined-COVER-Thumbnail“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”

The King James version reads “Therefore, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

Faith is not just a feeling or responding to what a friend tells us. It is not responding to a religious book or a website or to a spiritual movement. Faith is the result of hearing/reading the Word of Christ, the gospel ~ for yourself ~ all of it!

Faith is based on knowledge; zeal is not enough (Romans 10:1). Faith is based on considering the evidence; a feeling in one’s heart is not enough (Hebrews 11:1).

You who study the Bible for yourself are doing the right thing. Do not rely on anything but what you have read for yourself. All other religious people are going to be judged by God just like you are. When compared to God’s Word, their word is not important.

You are trying to please God, not people. You are worshiping God, not people. Rely only on what He says, and know for sure.

 

0-HS-592 VersesExamined-COVER-ThumbnailTHE HOLY SPIRIT: 592 VERSES EXAMINED does just that. Every verse in the Bible with the word “Spirit” is examined. No coming into the study with what we’ve been told. No guessing. Learn the facts and be astounded by what you have never known before. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2MoQi9L

 

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Wednesday 10/16 ~ He alone can

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn faith, Inspirational, judging, knowledge, Scripture, teaching, truthLeave a comment

The scripture for today, October 16 (10/16), is Acts 10:16 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

Old Testament Survey-Cover-thumbnail“This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.”

This is about a vision where God let down a sheet full of animals that were “unclean” and not allowed to be eaten according to the Law of Moses. (See Leviticus 11:1-8.) God told Peter he could now eat them.

Peter already knew that Jesus nailed the Old Law of Moses to the Cross (Colossians 2:14 and Hebrews 9). But it just hadn’t sunk in yet.

As many times as Jesus told his apostles about his Sonship of God and proved it with astounding miracles, it wasn’t until just before his death that Jesus told them, “You believe at last!” (John 16:31).

Similarly, sometimes you read the same scripture over and over and it goes right over your head. You are not seeing what God wants you to see. You assume that what you’ve always been doing will always be right. You assume that others in church do things a certain way, so it has to be right.

Do this: Search everything in the scriptures on topics that you assume you know all about, and get everything God has to say about it. Then compare scripture to practice.

It IS possible to get God’s opinion on things, and that is who, in the end, you are trying to please. He will judge you, not your friends. He alone can save you.

 

Old Testament Survey-Cover-thumbnailOLD TESTAMENT SURVEY is presented with its contrast in the NEW TESTAMENT.  Easy fill-in-the blank questions for studying alone or in a group. Great or Home Schoolers, isolated Christians, and Bible classes.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2MMUTli

 

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Saturday 10/12 ~ But keep your eyes on Jesus

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, Daily, ego, ethics, Inspirational, judging, knowledge, worshipLeave a comment

The scripture for today, October 12 (10/12), is 2nd Corinthians 10:12 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

Pearls Cover-Palms-300dpi-Thumbnail“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.”

But that is how most of the Christian world is run. You go to a church and do what they do to get their approval. Or you go one step above what the others do to get a little extra approval. Or you go one step below what the others do, and say you’re “not so bad” because, at least, you go to church all the time.

What you do must be compared with what Jesus (God materialized on earth) did. Jesus went everywhere doing whatever was necessary to spread the Good News. Instead of saying, “Well, our congregation never did such-and-such before, so it must be wrong,” you must say, “Jesus did it, so I will too.” Instead of saying, “Well, brother or sister so-and-so in our congregation is worse than me, so why object to me?” you must say, “Jesus did not do those things, so I will stop doing them.”

Who are you comparing yourself with?  Your works, your fancy doctrine, your faith?  Dear, dear friend. Jesus gave up heaven and daily associating with angels to become one of us on an earth full of grime and selfishness. He gave up being able to be everywhere at once to being confined in a body. Why?

For us. To show us how it is done ~ constantly on the go to find people who need God’s love and attention. He was so busy and so holy.

Never compare yourself to others; always compare yourself to Jesus. Keep your eyes on Jesus.

 

Pearls Cover-Palms-300dpi-Thumbnail365 PEARLS OF WISDOM: GOD’S SOUL TO YOURS is Book 2 in the TOUCHING GOD series. Daily you receive one proverb and a passage from one of the other wisdom literatures.  Great GIFT for weddings, showers, birthdays. Original artwork on cover.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2oBJIUn

 

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Friday 10/11 ~ Has God forgotten?

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn Daily, ego, eternity, forgiveness, Inspirational, judging, sin, truthLeave a comment

The scripture for today, October 11 (10/11), is Psalm 10:11 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

Road to Heaven-COVER-KINDLE-THUMBNAIL“He says to himself, ‘God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees.’ “

You believe in God in some form. And you believe that God knows what you do. But do you sometimes bury your beliefs in your subconscious mind so you can go around doing things you know are wrong? Do you believe you won’t get caught, and you can slide into heaven doing whatever you want?

In other words, do you justify your favorite sins? Do you justify your sins of attitude such as jealousy, impatience, pride, short temper under the guise of an unhappy childhood or getting what you deserve?  Do you justify your sins of omission ~ good things you should be doing, but are not ~ under the excuse that you don’t have time? Do you justify questionable things you do by saying they’re “not so bad” or God is so good, he will forgive anything you do as long as you say you’re sorry every time you do it?

Do you do as children do who cover their eyes so they cannot see anyone and think that, therefore, no one can see them?

God loves you more than you can ever imagine. He never forgets you. He sees and hears everything you do. The only things he does not approve of are things that will ultimately hurt you and which he calls sin.

Here’s a jewel for you.  Polish it, shine it up and put it on display: Pleasing your Creator is the ultimate form of pleasing yourself.

 

Road to Heaven-COVER-KINDLE-THUMBNAILTHE ROAD TO HEAVEN is for people who claim they’re “not so bad,” so God will let them into his home. It begins in the Garden of Eden and God’s warning, “The day you sin you will die.  Even today, each time we sin, we sell ourselves to Satan.  In the beginning, Satan said mankind could be freed buy only one ransom ~ the death of God. So began the long saga between the Garden of Eden and the cross.  But, why evil in the first place?  Read the book and be inspired.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/2B5oAZu

 

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Thursday 10/10 ~ Just an innocent wink?

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn ego, eternity, judging, knowledge, power, Scripture, thingsLeave a comment

The scripture for today, October 10 (10/10), is Proverbs 10:10 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

Pearls Cover-Palms-300dpi-Thumbnail“He who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.”

How can eye winking be malicious? Let’s look further at Proverbs 6:12-14 ~ “A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plans evil with deceit in his heart ~ he always stirs up dissension.”

Have you ever said something to someone, but turned to someone else in the room and winked as though to let the second person know you didn’t really mean what you just said? That made your words a lie.

You might have pre-arranged signals before a meeting, such as crossing your feet as a signal you do or don’t like what is being said. Or you may run your fingers over your hair, or tap three times on a table as a pre-arranged signal to someone else in the room. If you are saying one thing but signaling something else to your partner, then your words are lies.

Perhaps you think it is purely innocent and claim that everyone does it. But Revelation 21 says “…all liars ~ their place will be in the fiery lake.”

So, from now on, decide to be truthful in everything you say in word and deed. Remember, Jesus never told a lie. He called himself Truth. It can be done. And it is liberating.

 

Pearls Cover-Palms-300dpi-Thumbnail365 PEARLS OF WISDOM: GOD’S SOUL TO YOURS provides a daily proverb and one passage from either Job, Psalms or Ecclesiastes.  A great way to begin each day.  This is #2 of the TOUCHING GOD gift-book trilogy with original art on the cover.  Perfect for teens, newlyweds, new parents, busy professionals.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2B1SoWM

 

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Saturday 10/5 ~ Shhh.  Listen.  Do you hear him now?

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, Bible, church, ego, faith, Heaven, judging, knowledge, teaching, truth, worship1 Comment

The scripture for today, October 5, (10/5) is 2nd Corinthians 10:5f as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

NF-WorshipChanges-WorshipFirst“Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.”

This is about the 40 years the Jews wandered in the wilderness between leaving their slavery in Egypt and beginning a nation for themselves. They had the mindsets of slaves. They did not know how to make decisions for themselves. One of those decisions was to leave the gods of Egypt and worship only the one true God.

It was easier to fall in line with what they were raised to believe. That had long been their comfort zone. They took the easy way out rather than follow the God who had proved the Egyptian gods were not gods at all. They would rather die than change. So they did. They died.

Do you take the easy way out? Do you stick with things you were raised to believe even though you have learned more of the Bible and see those old beliefs are not what God said?

The early Jews did not listen to God, so God did not listen to them. He is calling out to you through the scriptures.. Shhh.  Listen.  Do you hear him now? “Come to me. I want to save you. Please come.”

 

NF-WorshipChanges-WorshipFirstWORSHIP CHANGES SINCE THE FIRST CENTURY provides a year-by-year account when changes were introduced, if not accepted, when they were reintroduced, who introduced them, and what they did to protestors.  Despite all that, a large number of Christians today think all those practices have always been from the beginning.  Written for denominational leaders with its companion, WORSHIP THE FIRST-CENTURY WAY.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2pMK6Q5

 

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Friday 10/4 ~ New and wonderful

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #ransom, Death of Jesus Christ, discouragement, ego, Heaven, judging, knowledge, Saved from hell, victory1 Comment

The scripture for today, October 4 (10/4), is Romans 10:4 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

Supper-Front Cover-Thumbnail“Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”

When Jesus nailed the Old Law of Moses to the cross (Colossians 2:14) it came to an end. Thank God. There were over 600 commandments in the Law of Moses, not just the “ten commandments.” Those 600 were tedious. Try reading Leviticus and see if you can keep every commandment in it.

Jesus was the only one who ever kept the Old Law perfectly (Hebrews 4:15). Once that occurred, he could be the Perfect Lamb of God without blemish (John 1:29), and he could be sacrificed on the altar of the world (the cross) in our place ~ take the blame for every bad act and thought, then take the punishment for them.

And with his death came the introduction of a New Law covered in the New Testament. (The book of Hebrews explains it all.). Read the New Testament in its entirety. It is not tedious. It is beautiful.

Why would anyone want to dip back into the Old Law and bring back showy worship practices done back then and tithing and special clergy? He put it to death and gave you a new and wonderful and simple law of grace.  How he loves you!

 

Supper-Front Cover-ThumbnailTHE LORD’S SUPPER:  52 READINGS WITH PRAYERS. Excellent for those presiding at the Lord’s Supper as well as meditation for worshippers in the pews.  He paid a terrible price for our ransom from Satan. Now, we thank him. It’s the book hundreds have been looking for for years. Now it is here.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2LLuc0N

 

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Tuesday 10/1 ~ Being religious isn’t enough?

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #friendships, attitude, Bible, Death of Jesus Christ, ego, faith, Inspirational, judging, knowledge, prayer, Saved from hell, Scripture, truth1 Comment

The scripture for today, October 1 (10/1), is Romans 10:1f as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

000-COVER-KINDLE-Thumbnail“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for ______ is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.”

Oh, my! Being “religious” isn’t enough? There are lots of religions out there. Feeling “spiritual” isn’t enough? There are lots of differing religions that induce a “spiritual” feeling. Confidence of salvation isn’t enough? There are lots of differing religions that create their own ways to salvation. Dedication to prayer isn’t enough? There are lots of differing religions that require much prayer.

Sincere Christian leaders today may want us to rely on feelings and inducements and confidence and dedication, but they can be sincerely wrong. If we base our salvation on feelings and inducements and confidence and dedication only, we have zeal, but our zeal is not based on knowledge. Some may defensively call “knowledge” legalism.

God gave us his Word ~ the Bible ~ for a reason. He wanted us to reason. Hebrews 11:1 says faith is accepting the evidence ~ not wishful thinking. Romans 10:17 says faith comes from hearing/reading the Word of God for ourselves ~ not someone’s sermon or a friend or a book. Let us search the scriptures daily for ourselves. And, let us not be afraid to approach our religious leaders and try teaching the teachers. Then their zeal as well as ours can be based on knowledge and take us to glory.

 

000-COVER-KINDLE-ThumbnailLAZARUS: THE SAMARITAN falls in love with the Jewess. Their marriage is filled with love, devotion, and confusion. They long for something to unite them spiritually.  Then they meet Jesus.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or PASTE THIS:  https://amzn.to/2IjojVR

 

 

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