Seeing myself as others do

On October 24, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn #friendships, attitude, ego, good works, humility, patience, powerLeave a comment

The scripture for today, October 24 (10/24), is 1st Corinthians 10:24 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”

The context of this verse is that some of the members of the church in Corinth were expressing opinions or doing things that were offensive to some of the other members. They hurt the consciences of some of the weaker members.

Everyone struggles with their ego sometimes. Usually, we do not even realize our ego is involved. It is so very hard to see ourselves as others do and to see ourselves as God does.

Do you ever do anything during the public worship that is offensive to some people? Do you do them as an example of how “holy” you are? Do you even try to get God on your side and say that any Christian could do those things if they had as much faith as you do?

What about committee meetings? Do you love saying no to every suggestion because it makes you feel powerful? Do you ever suggest something that the others just aren’t excited about? Do you allow your ego to eventually, seep in and begin to feel slighted or challenged because your idea wasn’t accepted? Do you even try to get God on your side and say he will be more glorified if the other committee members accept your plan?

One way to look at things objectively is to ask yourself, “Would my congregation survive without me?” What if I were killed in an auto accident and suddenly taken from them tomorrow? Would they continue to worship? Would they continue to do good works? Would they continue to meet as a congregation? Ninety-nine percent of the time, your congregation would survive without you.

“Lord, I guess I never looked at myself that way. I love you so much, I want others to know you better. Maybe I should express my worship alone as much as I do in public. Maybe I should do more good works alone without a committee. Help me know what to do. Help me. Lord, see myself as they do, and as you do.”

365 PEARLS OF WISDOM: GOD’S SOUL TO YOURS daily provides one proverb and one passage from Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes or Song of Solomon. Since it is illegal to quote a modern Bible for an entire book, it provides close modern paraphrases of each verse. This is part of the TOUCHING GOD SERIES of three books. To BUY now, click a book cover or paste this: https://bit.ly/365PearlsOfWisdom

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

Searching for Answers

On October 21, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn #ransom, blessings, Inspirational, judging, patience, praise, prayer, Thanksgiving, worshipLeave a comment

Ah, how I ever long to praise you, God, for you are the Sovereign Lord over all that exists and the only God. You formed me with gentleness and delight and I think perhaps a song in your heart. So many plans you made for me. How am I doing, Lord? Your expectations are high, but I am trying, Lord. I am trying. You inspire me, you rouse me from resting too much, and you revive my heart. Oh, how I love you.

Father, I try to convince people to be saved and that requires me to have the opinion they are not saved. I try to encourage other saved ones to reach out to the lost but that requires me to have the opinion they are not doing it. How far should opinion go? Forgive me if I have inserted my opinion above yours. Help me keep searching the scriptures for answers.

Thank you, Lord, for giving us a book that reveals your thoughts, points of view, and opinions. How fortunate Christians are. No other so-called god has done so. And the Plan! It took so long to convince people we couldn’t stop sinning or save ourselves. But you stuck it out. You were so patient over those thousands of years and are still. Thank you. I worship you.

WORSHIP THE FIRST-CENTURY WAY includes one chapter for each form of worship. It begins with quotes from famous theologians and ends with quotes from famous second-century Christians. In between is gentle step-by-step progression beginning with what we all agree with and ending with what God agrees with. Give to denominational leaders. Use as a class book. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://bit.ly/ApostleWorship

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/1107-2/my-book-worship-the-first-century-way/

Becoming Perfect

On October 15, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn #ransom, ego, forgiveness, Heaven, judging, patience, Saved from hell, things, worshipLeave a comment

The scripture for today, October 15 (10/15), is Deuteronomy 10:15 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“Yet the Lord set his affection on your forefathers [Abraham, Isaac, Jacob] and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants [Jews], above all the nations, as it is today.”

Mankind has spent millenniums trying to figure out how to be perfect so we can deserve heaven.

God gave us that opportunity the first several thousand years of mankind. Some people of the world he left alone to figure out on their own how to be perfect. They created many kinds of religions and philosophies. But to the Jews, he sent the Law of Moses containing over 600 intricate laws which, if kept perfectly, would make them perfect. They were also to be a kingdom of priests for the rest of the world. In all cases, no one could be perfect.

Then, when mankind was willing to admit we cannot be perfect, the Word of God materialized and came to us to live that perfect life that is impossible for us to live. Now, all you have to do is follow Jesus and be IN Jesus (Galatians 3:27) for the forgiveness of your sins, and God will consider you perfect too.

God sets his affections on you. Do you run from him? Do you harbor resentments toward him? Are you too busy or having too much fun or too tired to give him a second thought? Is your “worship” centered around entertaining and inspiring yourself? He will not force you, but he runs after you begging you to come to him for safety. Oh, how affectionate he feels toward you.

WORSHIP CHANGES SINCE THE FIRST CENTURY gives dates, names, and places of the changes and the martyrdoms of those who objected. In some cases, familiar hymns written by these martyrs before their torturous deaths are included. This is a must-have for students of church history. Or give a copy to a friend you have some influence with who worships the “new” ways made possible to them through the blood of martyrs. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://bit.ly/Worship-Change

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/1107-2/my-book-worship-changes-since-the-first-century/

You are my soul

On October 14, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn church, Enemies, Fear, Inspirational, joy, patience, persecution, praise, prayer, victory, worshipLeave a comment

I adore you and worship you, Adonai God. You made all I see and beyond and deserve my worship. You rebuild when we tear down, heal when we injure, resurrect when we kill. You lift up the fallen, protect the endangered, console the sorrowful. You are the sun in my sky by day, the moon at night. You are the rainbow after rain and each star that shines down on me from unimaginable heights. You are heaven and earth to me. Without you I am nothing. With you I am everything. You are my soul.

How do I get through the seekers? How do I penetrate the shell of those who run from you? I should know by now. Forgive me for not recognizing who they are and shying away from them.

Thank you for the freedom I have in my country to worship you without being threatened with prison, torture, and death. Thank you for my brothers and sisters in Christ and that we love each other enough to rejoice when one rejoices, weep when one weeps, and share each other’s burdens. Thank you for the way you want me to worship you ~ with simplicity. You do not demand pomp and ceremony, you do not demand grand performances. All you ask is my simple voice in song and prayer. I have so much to be grateful for. And so, I worship you with thanksgiving.

YOU CAN BE A HERO ALONE: SURVIVAL STORIES FOR THE COURAGEOUS ISOLATED CHRISTIAN: contains short stories of Bible people who had to stand alone in difficult times. After each story are a few multiple-choice questions and then practical thought questions. Can be used as a class book to help us understand the isolated Christian. Or order a copy for someone in prison, in the military, large university campus. Or send to missionaries to give their isolated converts. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://bit.ly/BeAHeroAlone

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/1107-2/you-can-be-a-hero-alone-survival-stories-for-the-isolated-christian/

More than conquerors

On October 13, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, discouragement, ego, Enemies, Inspirational, judging, patience, persecution, problems, temptation, victoryLeave a comment

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/historical-novel-about-jesus/book-3-hearts-afire-adults-childs-versions/The Scripture for today, October 13 (10/13), is 1st Corinthians 10:13 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

Let’s balance this verse with Romans 8:37 which says, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” We cannot be more than conquerors unless we have something to conquer.

What are you tempted to do or not do on a regular basis in your everyday life? Take a long hard look at them and remind yourself of the source.

Romans 6:16 explains, “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey ~ whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?”

Physically, if you lift heavy things, you will grow more muscles. If you run beyond your endurance, you build stamina. God allows some temptation in your life in order to build your spiritual muscles and spiritual stamina. What Satan intends to break you down can instead build you up if you resist.

So, with courage in your soul and boldness in your heart, stand up and say, “No more! I am not your slave, Satan. I will win over you. God and I are stronger than you. Satan, get used to it: You lose.

HEARTS AFIRE is biblical historical novel 3 in the THEY MET JESUS series. Jesus recruits the last of the apostles. They are all strong willed. They will have to be in order to conquer the world. But they are so different, they hardly get along. Even in Jesus’ last hour with them he tells them to love each other. But, early on, their hearts are on fire with excitement. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://bit.ly/Hearts-Fire

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/historical-novel-about-jesus/book-3-hearts-afire-adults-childs-versions/

How many times?

On October 10, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn #ransom, blessings, Inspirational, love, patience, praise, prayer, problems, Thanksgiving, worshipLeave a comment

I praise and adore you, Lord God of the unfathomable universe. You are my King, my Maker, my betrothed. All glory and majesty belong to you. This is your world and no one ese’s. You are willing to fight Satan and get him away from me because he is too strong for me. I give in to him so often, especially with my attitudes and use of my time. But you run after me and snatch me away from him again and again and again. You never tire of returning me from unknown and unsuspected danger to the safety of your everlasting arms. I do not comprehend such love. All I can do is praise and worship you every day from the depths of my heart and the heights of my spirit.

Thank you, Jesus, for loving me so much. You have been so good to me ~ far beyond what I deserve. I have salvation from Satan and peace of soul. I have freedom from sin and fulness of life. When I think of so many people without you, without hope, without understanding, all wondering what this hard life is all about, my heart aches. How much more does your heart ache for them? Thank you for my time on earth when I can work along side you to seek and save the lost just as you did me those days long ago.

LAZARUS THE SAMARITAN covers 45 years of Zarus’ life. Each chapter he lives one of Jesus’ parables. When he marries a Jewish girl, no one comes to the wedding, so her father sends to the highways and byways for wedding guests. His son grows up to be the prodigal son. His daughter’s wedding maids are the ten virgins whose lamps flicker at midnight. He becomes rich, but while in a far country, his servants turn on him. He is the Good Samaritan and at the end he is the beggar who dies and is carried away by the angels. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://bit.ly/LazarusTheSamaritan

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/books-more-biblical-historical-novels/more-biblical-historical-novels/

Love Letters

On October 8, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn #friendships, #ransom, Inspirational, joy, love, patience, praise, prayerLeave a comment

You delighted so when you made me. Ah, yes. You gave eyes for my body to see the beautiful earth you made for me, and eyes for my heart to see the beauty sometimes hidden deep in other people’s hearts. You gave ears for my body to hear the songs of the birds, the brooks, the rustling leaves, and eyes for my soul to hear the songs sometimes hidden deep in other people’s souls. You gave a mind for my body so I can reason through the many happenings of life, and a mind for my spirit to reason through the many temptations of life sometimes hidden deep in other people’s spirits. You made my body and the earth I live on as a parable to help me understand your world. You thought of everything. How I love and praise you for it.

Oh, glorious King Jesus. You reign over all who have been reborn with clean souls. You search the hiding places of those who have escaped your protection thus far. You are so good to us. Though you had to die to pay our ransom to Sin, Satan and Death, you never resented us for it or threw it up to us. Your love is strong and unrelenting. Your love is unstoppable and unbeatable. How can I thank you enough? I will spend eternity trying.

LOVE LETTERS OF JESUS TO HIS ECCLESIA. With over 500 footnotes, the Song of Solomon on his wedding day is paraphrased with updated terms of couples in love and how each reflects on the love of Christ for his church and the sometimes wanderings of his beloved church who he gently brings back to him. Great as a class book or personal reflections. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://bit.ly/LoveLettersOfJesus

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/love-letters-of-jesus-his-bride-ecclesia-2/

Noble magnificence

On October 4, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn #friendships, attitude, blessings, discouragement, faith, good works, Heaven, Inspirational, joy, patience, Thanksgiving, worshipLeave a comment

My God, whether my last days on earth be amid turmoil or peace, I will praise you. Whether my last days are from sickness or injury, I will praise you. Whether my last days are amid friends or enemies, whether they are in a hospital or a prison, whether I die from natural causes or am slain, I will praise you. Forever in this life and the life I will have with you on the other side, I will praise you.

Father, there are some children that would go to church with me if I asked them. They like me and I think their parents would let them go with me. What am I waiting for? Why do I keep putting it off? One of them could be a great missionary someday. One of them could be a doctor someday. One of them could be a preacher someday. Get Satan away from me and make me go see those children and ask them.

Ah, my Lord, in gratitude I fall before your throne. You made it possible for me to join you and live with you someday. Yes, I know you are with me now. But, when you give me a glorious body like Jesus’, I will be able to see you with new spiritual eyes. Oh, to see you face to face. To behold your noble magnificence and divinity with my own eyes. It remains my heart’s desire and my spirit’s dream. Until then, my Lord, my soul will bow down to you and worship.

A CHILD’S BIBLE KIDS: RHODA. She’s nearly a teenager and gets silly sometimes. But she has a good heart and helps support her and her mother. People don’t always understand her, but everyone loves her just for being her. Come along and spend a day with Rhoda. Think & Do at the end of each chapter. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://bit.ly/KidRhods

https://inspirationsbykatheryn.wordpress.com/a-childs-bible-kids-book-8-rhoda/

Some day it will happen.

On September 19, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn #ransom, death, eternity, faith, forgiveness, Heaven, Inspirational, patience, praise, prayer, Thanksgiving, worshipLeave a comment

Ah, my Lord, I know you long to be gracious to mankind and that you wait patiently on high for the world to acknowledge you. What do you do while you’re waiting? You turn your attention back to your children. Oh, how I wish I could help you convince the rest of the world that you are not their enemy. Does your throne radiate just a little more when you see another child returning to you? Do the angels around you flutter their wings just a little more? Do the stars sing a sweeter song? Does your smile reflect the soft light of the moon? As you wait, I bow down before your throne and worship you.

One of these days, Lord, I am going to close my eyes and soar on eagle wings to you. My heart will be swelled with anticipation as I draw nearer to you. Your love, a ray of light, will form a highway to the heavens to draw my soul ever closer and closer to you. I will soar upward. You will send my angel to guide me near the last of my journey until at last I reach the gate of heaven. Oh, glorious day, day of rapture and euphoria, when I see you at last as you open up your arms to me. Thank you for that hope. Someday it will happen. Someday.

THE LORD’S SUPPER: 52 READINGS WITH PRAYERS. Buy a book for your church library, or keep it on the shelf of the communion table. Give one to new Christians. Or buy one for yourself to meditate with as you participate in the weekly Lord’s Supper. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://bit.ly/2Vhacqn

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

Blood streaming through the veins of my soul

On September 19, 2020July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn #ransom, blessings, Death of Jesus Christ, discouragement, eternity, forgiveness, Holy Spirit, love, patience, prayer, sacrifice, Saved from hell, worshipLeave a comment

I lift up my heart to you, my God. I ache so much for the lost. But my puny efforts are nothing compared to you. You did so much more than I ever dreamed of doing and for longer than a thousand lifetimes. You paid the death ransom, then overcame Death itself. You put up with our sins while you did everything necessary to destroy our greatest enemy ~ Satan. Satan must be destroyed and you have given mankind the privilege of working with you to that end. So, amidst my paltry efforts I praise you, my majestic King. You are so incredible. Beyond finding out.

Father, sometimes when I talk to people about your love for them and ask them to return to you, I think I come across as controlling. That is not what I want to do. Help me know when to back off and let them think. Help me be patient and calm and respect the free will that you gave them.

My Lord, thank you for not getting so angry you would give up on me. You are a high and great mountain that cannot be moved. You are the deepest ocean that cannot be emptied. As the river of life, you offer to give me your blood so it will stream through the veins of my soul and give me life without impurities of sin. What more could anyone ask than that? You offered to me your blood and your Spirit. The sacrifice was too great, but you made it anyway.

SHADOW OF DEATH takes the reader through the trials and beatings and lashings. Nearly lifeless already, the soldiers carry him up that dreadful hill so he can live long enough for them to kill. Two chapters cover the agony and ecstasy of the cross of torture saved only for traitors. Then the funeral. Two old men, some women, and his mother. Washing his lifeless body with tears, surrounding him with spices only the rich can afford, wrapping him in the flimsy shreds of broken hearts. Then going home to agonize over what could have been and never will be. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: http://bit.ly/Death-Resurrection

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

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