Category: problems

Prayer for Monday 2/3

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #ransom, death, Death of Jesus Christ, eternity, forgiveness, Heaven, Life of Christ, love, praise, prayer, problems, Saved from hell, Thanksgiving, worshipLeave a comment

Road to Heaven-COVER-KINDLE-THUMBNAILI praise you, my God, for your stubborn love, your patient, protective, persistent love. A love that never lets go of me. You are my joy in the morning, my courage during the day, my peace at night. You are the air I breathe, the bread I eat, the songs I hear. My praises fly on expanded wings to you. How I long to be with you in your home someday. It will happen, my Lord. I know it will happen. 

Thank you for going through so much to save me from problems that are my own doing. You straighten out my messes and turn them into butterflies and roses and gentle waters. Thank you for helping me sense the problems of others so I can soothe their aching hearts with a mutual tear, a smile, a happy word, a walk together.

My heart overflows with enraptured gratitude for your Bible so I can know and understand you even with my finite mind. Thank you for materializing your Words and walking among us so we could see your example of stubborn loyalty to truth and love. You never faltered, all the way to suffering in my place and, despite your agony, standing up defiantly to Satan.  The blood ransom you paid Satan to free us:  He didn’t think you would pay it. He underestimated the power of love and divine clemency.  Ah, rapturous thoughts of gratitude.

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I pen my thoughts to encourage souls. Will you help me share today’s book with someone?          https://amzn.to/2uYDhh6

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Road to Heaven-COVER-KINDLE-THUMBNAILTHE ROAD TO HEAVEN is much like Was Jesus (Why Evil?).  It begins in the Garden of Eden and ends in Heaven. It puts together scriptures we have always known about but often do not see quite clearly. Over and over the Bible tells us Jesus ransomed us.  Ransomed us from who? Who was holding us captive?  And what did the Evil One want as ransom in exchange for releasing us?  Give a copy to friends who aren’t interested in worshiping God but still expect to go to heaven.  They do not worship and thank God for what he went through to free them from Satan’s jaws. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….    https://amzn.to/2uYDhh6 

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Sunday 12/29 ~ The True Promised Land

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn ego, eternity, Fear, forgiveness, governments, Heaven, Inspirational, persecution, problems, Satan, victoryLeave a comment

The scripture for today, December 29 (12/29), is Deuteronomy 12:29 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

07-SHADOW-ChildsCartoonSmall“The Lord your God will cut off before you the nations you are about to invade and dispossess.”

Why would a good God drive people (the Amorite nations) from their own land so that other people (the Jews) could live there? Way back in Genesis 15, God promised Abraham that his descendants would possess the land he lived in as a wanderer; but first, they would be enslaved in a foreign country some 400 years. During that time, they would multiply. Indeed, they did grow from 70 of Abraham’s grandchildren to over three million.

Then it would be time for his descendants to possess the land. Why so long in the future?  Verse 16 explains it: “For the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” God always gives people plenty of time to repent and change.  But the Amorites continued to do horrible things including child sacrifices to appease their gods.

The Jews did finally possess the Promised Land, but God warned them, “If you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you” (Leviticus 18:28). Indeed, they did eventually defile the land with horrible things including child sacrifice to appease the gods they traded the real God for. So, God kept his promise and sent them into exile in Assyria and Babylon.

Today, just as Abraham searched for a country and city not made with hands, join him.  Regardless of the condition of the nation you live in on earth, look ahead to that same country and city not made with hands.  Look ahead to the true Promised Land, the spiritual Promised Land ~ heaven. And it will be forever good.

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07-SHADOW-ChildsCartoonThmbnailA CHILD’S LIFE OF CHRIST: SHADOW OF DEATH gently tells of Jesus hurting on the cross, then dying, then coming back to life to live forever.  For the Christian, Death is gentle. Death is a glow of sunshine in the valley and a shining door into heaven.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/37iVMdW

 

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Tuesday 12/17 ~ Fight the Good Fight

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, discouragement, ego, Enemies, judging, power, problems, Satan, victoryLeave a comment

The scripture for today, December 17 (12/17), is Revelation 12:17 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

07-Samson-KindleThumbnail“Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring ~ those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”

Verse 9 says the dragon is also the serpent which is also Satan.

Are you one of those people who seem to be enraged all the time? You may have long ago given up on being able to change.  But you can direct your anger. If you want to be enraged at someone, be angry at Satan. Go to war with Satan. Rage at everything he is doing. Lash out at everything he stands for.

Are you angry at the church or at God? Keep that energy and switch sides. Be a spiritual warrior, a Christian soldier of the Lord.

Have you tried and just cannot get rid of anger in your life? You may mellow in your old age, but that mellowness is a long way off. You have never experienced rage until you have understood Satan. He is enraged at you. He is enraged at anyone who loves God or good people. Go ahead. Get on God’s side, enroll in the army of the Lord, and use your anger against Satan.

Does it work? Paul said in 1st Timothy 1:13, “I was a violent man.” Yet, he saved the souls of thousands of people Satan held hostage all over southern Europe, as he “fought the good fight”.

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07-Samson-KindleThumbnailA CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES: SAMSON was a judge over Israel.  Yes, we hear about his selfishness, but he was also a one-man army against the kingdom’s enemies.  He had anger issues but learned to direct his anger.  Samson fought the enemy alone.  And, between amazing demonstrations of strength, he lived a little like John the Baptist out in the wilderness and people came to him to make judgments over their problems.  He did this for forty years.  Let us not forget the good Samson did.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/2tsOZjg

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Wednesday 12/11 ~ God be with our teenagers

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, ego, family, judging, knowledge, patience, persecution, problems, Scripture, teaching, victoryLeave a comment

(Oops.  We did today’s yesterday.  So, today we will do yesterday’s.)

00-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-ThumbnailThe scripture for today, December 10 (12/10), is Job 12:10 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?”

Let’s talk a moment about teenagers. Many adults joke that their teen is 16 going on 60. What know-it-alls they’ve become! Let’s look at the situation this way. They may have bodies that have grown to that of an adult. But minds grow much slower, and they must give their minds a chance to catch up.

As adults, it is our responsibility to help their minds catch up. Know enough about the Bible that you can apply scriptures to their activities and interests and friends. You may wish to make a list of your teenager’s activities, interests, and friends, and then list a scripture next to each. Proverbs is an excellent book to start with. Then when the occasion arises, be ready (even if you have to sneak into the other room a minute to consult your list) to instill some wisdom.

This way, it is not you speaking, but God speaking. God said, “My word will not return to me void” (Isaiah 55:11). And God is older and wiser than all of us.

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00-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-ThumbnailSTEPHEN: UNLIKELY MARTYR begins with Stephen as a wreckless 17-year-old coward. He is idealistic but always goes about proving his point in the wrong way ~ speaking when he should not, trying when he should give up, frustrated, brazen.  Go along with Stephen as he gradually matures until, at the age of 28 with a wife and two children, he walks into the death chamber (Sanhedrin council chambers) and keeps them busy with his accusations until his friend can escape.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or PASTE THIS………https://amzn.to/2t3I53z

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Monday 12/9 ~ God is so proud of you!

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #Handicaps, attitude, blessings, discouragement, governments, Inspirational, joy, power, praise, problems, Thanksgiving, victory, weaknessLeave a comment

The scripture for today, December 9 (12/9), is 2nd Corinthians 12:9 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-Mefiboset-KINDLE Thumbnail“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Oh, how much we need to be reminded of this scripture. Everyone has weaknesses of some kind. Do you complain about the hand you were dealt? Do you lament the country you were born in, the family you were born into, the physical limitations you were born with, the mental, emotional or physical deficiencies you ended up with?

This is your chance! Your grand and glorious chance. Those weaknesses! Go around others with the same weakness you have with joy in your heart, gladness on your lips and a continual gleam in your eyes!  Let God’s strength shine in your weakness!

When people begin to sympathize with you, interrupt them and tell them how much God loves you, and how much God loves them! Encourage your “encouragers.” Let them go away from you with a new understanding of the blessings of weakness! And perhaps be a little more thankful for their own weaknesses.

Lucky you! You are one of the chosen!  God will be glorified in you.  He is so proud of you!

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0-Mefiboset-KINDLE ThumbnailMEFIBOSET: CRIPPLED PRINCE was the grandson of King Saul crippled for life the day his grandfather and crown prince father, Jonathan, died.  Denied the throne at age 11 when his uncle, the last King of Israel died, his family sent him far away from the king’s enemies. Through the years, he avoided being killed by doing tricks upside down on his crutches. He successfully wooed a girl in Ur where they were first introduced to frisky camel rides and the unexpected.  An inspiring book for everyone who is handicapped.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this………. https://amzn.to/3518cGB

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Thursday 12/5 ~ Then God will arise

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, discouragement, Enemies, Fear, governments, patience, persecution, problems, Satan, victoryLeave a comment

The scripture for today, December 5 (12/5), is Psalm 12:5 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

06-Moses Thumbnail Cover” ‘Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,’ says the Lord. ‘I will protect them from those who malign them.’ “

Notice, in this scripture the Lord says, “I will now arise.” Sometimes God needs you to endure difficulties so that bad people who cause such problems can be exposed for what they are, and ultimately so Satan can be exposed for what he is. Sometimes that difficulty will last months or years ~ sometimes even a lifetime.

First Corinthians 3:9 in the New Testament says you are a worker together with God. Ephesians 6:12 says “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly [spiritual] realms.”

You are where God wants you to be. This is your assignment. Are you up to it? Sometimes your job is just to hang on and not give up on God. That’s what Satan is always trying to get you to do, just as he did Job in the Old Testament. God won’t leave you in a situation that is impossible for you to endure. I Corinthians 10:13 says, “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”

So, go ahead and groan in your weakness, beg in your frustration, and cry in your frailty, but hang on. Never let go of God. That’s your part.

As soon as the evil around you is exposed for what it is, you have proven good cannot be conquered by evil, and you have grown spiritually as a result of your experience.  And God’s part?  Then God will arise.

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06-Moses Thumbnail CoverA CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES:  MOSES’ people had endured 400 years of terrible slavery.  Thousands died thinking God had not heard their prayers. But, when the harsh treatment of the Egyptians got unbearable, God arose. He lifted up Moses who then endured the threats of Pharaoh, outlasted Pharaoh, and led over three million of his people out of their slavery and into freedom.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/36abNlZ

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Monday 12/2 ~ How much do you want your crown?

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #ransom, Death of Jesus Christ, Enemies, Loss, persecution, power, problems, Satan, Saved from hell, victory, weaknessLeave a comment

The scripture for today, December 2 (12/2), is Hebrews 12:2 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-BK 7-ShadowOfDeath-Cover-new-Thumbnail“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Yes, life gets pretty rough sometimes. And the harder we try to act like Christians among non-Christians, the more difficult it can become. Did such difficulties stop Jesus? No. He was determined to save as many souls from hell as possible. And he was determined to do the job God gave him before returning to heaven.

What is your assignment?  God gives everyone an assignment; you can often tell by what is going wrong in your life. Some bad things are our own doing. But Satan never rests, especially among Christians; and the stronger the Christian is, the harder he pushes them. He does this, according to Job, to get us to blame God.

Those with the old excuse, “If God is so good, why does he allow evil?” are still with us long after Job.  Satan makes people forget he exists, thus leaving only one being to blame. He is a liar.

First, bad exists because Satan exists. Second, God gave us free will whether to follow him or not and Christians are subject to those who choose to tear down God and all he represents.  Third, God is preparing us for something in heaven and is testing us to develop our spiritual muscles here on earth. It may have something to do with the servants Jesus mentioned to whom the Master gave cities to rule over (Luke 19:11-27). There are an estimated two trillion galaxies out there.

Where is your determination? Jesus is preparing a crown for you (James 1:12; Revelation 3:11) so you can reign with him (II Timothy 2:12). Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Do not “grow weary and lose heart.”  Jesus has a crown for you. He has a throne for you.  He has a job for you.  Will you listen to Satan’s lies that God hates everyone and is using them as pawns, or will you listen to the God of the Universe? How determined are you to live forever in heaven?

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0-BK 7-ShadowOfDeath-Cover-new-ThumbnailSHADOW OF DEATH is book 7 in the 8-historical-novel series THEY MET JESUS. For most of three years, his nation’s leaders tried to kill him, sometimes legally and sometimes illegally. In the end, they got him illegally.  He was beaten by the priests, by Herod’s soldiers, by Pilot’s soldiers. He had no skin left on his back, his eyes were swollen, he was probably missing some teeth. Then there were the spikes that finished attacking his flesh and robbing him of his blood.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this………..https://amzn.to/2DEnxRj

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Sunday 12/1 ~ Treasures in the heart of God

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn blessings, discouragement, eternity, faith, Heaven, Inspirational, joy, Loss, problems, victory, weaknessLeave a comment

The scripture for today, December 1 (12/1), is Jeremiah 12:1ff as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-BK 8-ComeFlyWithMe-Cover-Thumbnail-New“Lord, you always give me justice when I bring a case before you to decide. Now let me bring you this complaint: Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why are evil men so happy? You plant them. They take root and their business grows. Their profits multiply, and they are rich. They say, ‘Thank God!’ But in their hearts, they give no credit to you. But as for me ~ Lord, you know my heart ~ you know how much it longs for you. And I am poor, O Lord!”

Now compare this with Job 15:20-24:

“All his days the wicked man suffers torment, the ruthless through all the years stored up for him. Terrifying sounds fill his ears….He despairs of escaping the darkness; he is marked for the sword. He wanders about ~ food for vultures; he knows the day of darkness is at hand. Distress and anguish fill him with terror.”

These two passages contradict each other. So what is the problem? The words spoken in Job were by Eliphaz, one of Job’s well-meaning friends who took it upon himself to help Job figure out why he had lost all his wealth, all his children, and all his health. Was Eliphaz right?

At the end of the book of Job, is this: “The Lord…said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends because you have not spoken of me what is right.” Then God ordered Eliphaz and his friends to sacrifice seven bulls and rams (not small sacrifices), then ask Job to pray for them so God “will not deal with you according to your folly.”

When we read scripture, let us be careful to investigate its context and ALL other scriptures on the same subject. Only then can we have the whole picture. Only then can we avoid religious folly.  And truly know the heart of God.

(And, by the way, always remember, this earth is not your home. You’re just passing through. Treasures beyond comprehension are being laid up for you right now in your permanent home ~ heaven.)

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0-BK 8-ComeFlyWithMe-Cover-Thumbnail-NewCOME FLY WITH ME is novel 8 in THEY MET JESUS  series.  Persecution of Jesus ended in his death, but it was his greatest triumph. Persecution continued with his twelve and would the rest of their lives. But, the reward at the end of the race.  Oh, the reward. Heaven in all its splendor and being with Jesus once again. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/2OZFOxK

 

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Friday 11/29 ~ Rest for your soul

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #friendships, #Handicaps, Daily, discouragement, emptiness, faith, good works, Inspirational, love, problems, rest, weaknessLeave a comment

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

05-FLOOD GATES-Child'sCartoon-Thumbnail“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 them 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.”

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05-FLOOD GATES-Child'sCartoon-ThumbnailA CHILD’S LIFE OF CHRIST:  FLOOD GATES.  Jesus’ life on earth was filled with taking other people’s burdens onto his shoulders.  The people loved him for it and didn’t care that their leaders hated him for it.  Oh, how he loved us.  At the end of each chapter is “THINK AND DO” for children to apply that chapter to their own lives with a good work.  Perfect for children’s classes, church libraries, grandparents, birthdays, Christmas.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/2XZM5xo

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Wednesday 11/20 ~ The children

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

The scripture for today, November 20 (11/20), is Hebrews 11:20ff as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

04-Isaac&Jacob-KindleMedium“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.

 

04-Isaac&Jacob-KindleThumbnailA CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES: ISAAC & JACOB teaches your child how to treat their families.  Great for church libraries, homeschoolers, grandparents, birthdays, Christmas, shower gifts.  A good work at the end of each chapter.  To BUY NOW, Click a book cover or paste this:  https://amzn.to/2OwZx7D

 

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