Category: sin

Prayer for Tuesday 2/18

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn blessings, eternity, forgiveness, good works, Inspirational, joy, love, power, praise, prayer, rest, sin, Thanksgiving, worshipLeave a comment

04-Isaac&Jacob-KindleThumbnailI adore you, God of the Great Example, God of the Mighty Word, God of Forever Life.  I long to see you face to face, but I already do. Your face is in the sun, your eyes in the stars, your ears in the wind. But one mystery I cannot fathom: You adore me. How can that be? I am just a spec in the universe.  I sin every day by doing or thinking something amiss or by leaving undone even the smallest kindness I should be doing for others.  Oh, yes. I remember now. You dote on lowly me because you made me your child. Your child! You are so full of surprises. Delightful surprises.  Ah, my heart swells when I think of you.

Thank you, my Adonai, for this beautiful February day. The cold has shooed the germs away and made them go into hiding so we can have a healthier summer. The trees are getting their much-needed rest. My, my! How they stand strong under gales, sleet, rain. They remain steadfast in both floods and droughts. They even are unconquerable when cut down; they just send new shoots up from their strong roots and start all over again. Am I nearly as strong as the trees? The more the weather beats on them, the stronger they become. Thank you, Lord, for those things that beat down on me. Thank you for the opportunity to stand despite them all and grow stronger. Though the world cut me down completely, may my roots be strong enough to start all over again. What a privilege it is to be in a storm with you.

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

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04-Isaac&Jacob-KindleThumbnailISAAC & JACOB is storybook 4 in the series A CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES.  This family argued a lot.  Twin brothers fought all the time and their parents played favorites.  Jacob finally ran away from home.  He was gone a long time, but got lonely for the brother he thought he hated.  He realized he loved his brother after all.  THINK & DO at the end of each chapter.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/2SPlNMi

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Prayer for Monday 2/17

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, blessings, ego, Enemies, forgiveness, humility, joy, judging, patience, persecution, praise, prayer, sinLeave a comment

03-Abraham-ThumbnailCoverAh, Lord God, when I look at the mountains, I see you standing on top of them with laughter on your lips, power in your legs, protection in your arms. When I look at the animals in winter, I see you with determination, resilience, and strength against the winds, the sleet, the snow. One of these days I will see the crocuses peeking their heads through the snow and saying to the world, “Hi! Remember me? You’ve almost made it through the winter. See I’m proof.” Oh, the beauty of your universe and all the promises it reflects of their Creator.

Thank you for life and love, for peace and freedom, for family and friends.  And, well, it’s hard for me to do, but well, here goes.  Thank, you for people who talk mean to me, are impatient with me, who mock me, who hate me even though they do not know me.  Thank you for people who misrepresent me, gossip about me, and do not see things the way I do.  Thank you for all these opportunities you put in my path to love those who do not love me.  Like you. Just like you. Thank you for the opportunities to smile when I want to frown, sing when I want to cry.  As you once said long ago, “What does it profit me if I love only those who love me?”.  And, yes, the biggie:  You loved me before I loved you.  I guess it’s my turn now, Lord.  But what’s this forgiving 490 times the same person for the same thing over and over?  Oh, that’s me. I think now I understand.  I am most blest.  Thank you for forgiveness and all those second chances you have given me. How can I ever thank you?  Hmmm… Looks like I’ve gone full circle, my Lord.

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I pen my thoughts to encourage souls. Will you help me share today’s book with someone?          https://amzn.to/38wmroy

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03-Abraham-ThumbnailCoverABRAHAM is Bible storybook #3 in A CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES series.   Sometimes Abraham would go see old Noah. But when he was 58, Noah died.  The city of Ur went wild after that. A few years later, God told Abraham to leave that city.  Come along with me to learn all the unexpected twists and turns in Abraham’s life. “Think & Do” at the end of each chapter.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….  https://amzn.to/38wmroy

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Prayer for Saturday 2/15

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn blessings, Daily, Inspirational, joy, love, praise, prayer, Satan, sin, temptation, ThanksgivingLeave a comment

01-Adam&Eve-KindleThumbnailWhat 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.

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

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01-Adam&Eve-KindleThumbnailADAM & EVE is book one in the series A CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES.  We talk about how bad they were.  But think about this:  Calculating Adam’s age when Seth was born, Adam and Eve went over 100 years without sinning!  “Think and Do” at the end of each chapter to give the child suggestions for applying what they read to their everyday life. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/2HrKqcB

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Prayer for Monday 1/27

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn Bible, Enemies, ethics, Fear, Heaven, Inspirational, power, praise, prayer, Satan, sin, victory, worshipLeave a comment

0-BOOK 7-SHADOW-ChildsCartoonMediumI praise you, my Yahweh, for life and might. And for sight and sound. And for your word and logic. You are my all. Without your tranquility, all that would be left is chaos and disharmony. Without your light and serenity, all that would be left is darkness and agony. Without your dwelling place, all that would be left is hell.  I struggle to know all about you. You are like a magnet, always drawing me to you. Come sweet death ~ death of that which just grows older and weaker anyway. Call me through the mist of my vague speculations. Come rebirth into the rapturous realm of your presence.  How I envy those who have already beheld you and touched your glory. Until then, I willingly submit to your divine majesty until, at last, you fulfill my longing to worship you in celestial fullness.

Thank you, my Lord, for being the God of Love and not allowing the god of hatred to take over.  Sometimes it seems, when the shadows of doubt surround me, he is winning. But when I peer into that unseen world through the portal of your  Word, I know he is already wounded.  When Satan causes people to fight and lie and cheat, they think they are winning.  They are blind. They cannot win.  Refusing to fight, lie, and cheat is true strength and the epitome of power.  Ah, my Lord, I cannot be strong like you. But I thank you for the divine privilege of standing beside you during the battle.  You do not hide, you do not cower, you do not run away.  You do as David did to giant Goliath so long ago.  You run to the enemy and conquer with that powerful amazing love of yours. I am so proud to belong to you.

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I write to encourage souls. Will you help me share today’s book with someone?              https://amzn.to/2GqVyGe

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07-SHADOW-ChildsCartoonThmbnailA CHILD’S LIFE OF CHRIST: SHADOW OF DEATH is one in a series of storybooks for ages 3 to 12.  “Think and Do” at the end of each chapter gives a simple good work for the child to do. Large squiggly letters are fun to read.  Long names of people, places, and things are divided with dashes between syllables for easy reading.  Perfect for birthdays, church libraries, Bible school teachers, homeschoolers and grandparents.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……… https://amzn.to/2GqVyGe 

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Prayer for Saturday 3/4

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

Supper-Front Cover-ThumbnailLord God in whom I live, I move, and I have my being. I touch you with my spirit, feel your presence with my heart, and hear you in the wind. Oh, to be able to be with you. How I long for that day of days. I care not how I leave this world and enter yours. I care not if it be by disease or injury, whether in peacetime or war, whether while at my ease or by torture. As long as I will be able to see you face to face, this is all that matters.  I try to imagine what your world is like. All I know is that your world is as far beyond my imagination as living in the dark is compared with seeing through rays of sun.

Thank you for friends. No matter how difficult the world gets, you give me friends. A friend is like honey when I am hungry, a stream of living water when I am thirsty, a barrier between me and my disappointments. We mirror each other, we encourage each other, we lift each other up, and in the doing give each other a little bit of heaven on earth. Most of all, you are my Friend and walk with me through life as friends do, hand in hand. Ah, the very thought of walking and talking with my God lifts me to the pinnacle of wonder.

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Supper-Front Cover-ThumbnailTHE LORD’S SUPPER WITH 52 READINGS AND PRAYERS can be used by men presiding over the Lord’s Table or by participants sitting in the pews. Readings are all from the Bible.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/2QmlOHD

 

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Tuesday 12/31 ~ Mind-boggling heaven

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #ransom, eternity, Heaven, Inspirational, joy, praise, Saved from hell, sin, victoryLeave a comment

The scripture for today, December 31 (12/31), is Luke 12:31 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

Road to Heaven-COVER-KINDLE-THUMBNAIL“But seek his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well.”

The kingdom is already here (Luke 9:27; Colossians 1:13), but heaven is not. That is the final destination of the kingdom. Do you actively seek God’s kingdom? Or do you drift and think God should feel obligated to take you into his heaven? Do you feel like you’re “not so bad”, so God would be bad to not take you into his heaven?

Heaven is God’s home, not yours. God has a door into his home, just like you have a door into your home. God is not required to open his door to just anyone, just like you are not required to open your door to just anyone.  You cannot just show up at the door and smile and assume he will let you in, any more than people who knock on our door and smile can assume you will let them in.

You let people into your home who you have gotten to know and whose motives you trust. Have you given God a chance to get to know you and trust your motives? Are your daily motives to enter heaven, God’s home? Do you even like God?

This life you live on earth is not your permanent life or residence. This is the testing place to see how you handle problems and to see how much your spiritual muscles will end up being. God has plans for Christians in heaven we do not know about. What we do know is that he is not a God of idleness.

Do you live like the earth is all there is? Do you fear hell?  Do you prefer heaven where people will worship all the time? Does that sound boring to you?

You are about to enter a brand-new year. Today, decide to start over fresh and set your new goal: To enter God’s home his way and live with him in staggering, inconceivable, absolute, profound, incredible, astounding, mind-boggling joy.  FOREVER.

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Road to Heaven-COVER-KINDLE-THUMBNAILTHE ROAD TO HEAVEN begins in the Garden of Eden and by the middle of the book, it is at the Garden of Gethsemane.  From there on, it goes into our heavenly bodies and imagining just what heaven must be like.  Join in the adventure as we use logic and heart to clearly understand the Road to Heaven.  To  BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/2QBK1sn

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Friday 12/27 ~ True separation of church and state

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn Bible, church, ego, Enemies, Fear, governments, persecution, power, Scripture, sin, teachingLeave a comment

The scripture for today, December 27 (12/27), is 1st Kings 12:27 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

00- Worship Changes KC COVER-thumbnail“If these people go up to offer sacrifices at the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem [not some other capital city], they will again give their allegiance to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah.”

For centuries and millenniums, kings selected a patron god for their nation, a god they most revered to protect them. Nations were always ruled by either a high priest or king. Some nations even had priest-kings.

So, when Constantine conquered much of Europe and set up his empire, he needed a patron god. One day during a battle, he looked up and saw a cloud formation that reminded him of things he’d heard about Jesus. So he made Jesus his patron God, and Christianity his empire’s required religion. He even rode his army through rivers, then declared them baptized. He ordered conquered peoples to be baptized or killed.  Headquarters was Rome.

Luther was friends of the Duke [king] of Germany, so when he broke off from Rome, the official state religion became Lutheranism. John Calvin was in the government of Switzerland, so when it broke off from Rome, the official state religion became Calvinism. When the king of England broke off from Rome, he became head of the Church of England (and Prince Charles is head of the Church there today). John Knox was influential with the parliament of Scotland, so his Presbyterianism became the official religion of Scotland.

In each instance, the king or parliament could force its citizens to follow the chosen religion of that nation. If people didn’t, they could legally put them in prison, torture them, and execute them at will. Up to a hundred years ago, it was illegal to not be a Shinto. Today, Islam is the required religion of most Middle-Eastern and some African countries. Anyone leaving Islam suffers.

Eventually, the idea of separating religion from the state government became popular in the Western World. And that is where many nations are today. But it does not mean people in government cannot express religion. It just means they cannot force citizens to be a particular government-selected religion or be in danger of punishment. That is true “separation of church and state”.

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00- Worship Changes KC COVER-thumbnailWORSHIP CHANGES SINCE THE FIRST CENTURY is a year-by-year account of governments and religious hierarchy who changed “church law” and what they did to those who protested ~ things you always took for granted were always that way. Intermingled are the hymns of some of the martyrs during this time, hymns you have sung a hundred times and never knew.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/2SwgtyY

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Thursday 12/19 ~ Sweet revenge. Or not.

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, Enemies, Fear, forgiveness, healing, judging, persecution, sin1 Comment

The Scripture for today, December 19 (12/19), is Romans 12:19 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

Old Testament Survey-Cover-thumbnail“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

Thank God, he took away the old Law of Moses and gave you the new Law of Jesus instead. Under the Law of Moses, you had to take revenge yourself. You had to stone adulterers and children who were disrespectful to you as their parent. If someone killed a relative, you were obligated to go out and kill the killer. If someone knocked out the eye or tooth of a relative, you were required to go out and take that person’s eye or tooth.

Now God says to forgive and do good to your enemy (verse 20-21). That’s what God did for you who once was his enemy as a sinner. As you are merciful to others, he is merciful to you.

Forgiveness is not condoning evil, but wishing a better life for whoever did something bad to you. You may forever be afraid of that person, but you must forgive. Hard to do? Indeed! But, with God, anything is possible. So, let go of it. Let go of them. Let God take care of it. He has released you of that burden. Released you to “overcome evil with good”.

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Old Testament Survey-Cover-thumbnailOLD TESTAMENT SURVEY AND HOW IT RELATES TO THE NEW TESTAMENT is an easy fill-in-the-blank workbook to help you see the contrast in the Old Testament laws and the New Testament “laws”. O.T. leaders were taking revenge everywhere, and so God took revenge on them. The prophets warned them and gave them promises of good to come ~ the Savior.  This is part of the EASY BIBLE WORKBOOKS series.  Great for homeschoolers, private study, small groups.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/2tt58Fc

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Saturday 11/30 ~ What Adam & Eve did Right

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #ransom, death, Death of Jesus Christ, ego, Enemies, eternity, faith, forgiveness, Heaven, judging, Satan, Saved from hell, sin, temptation, truthLeave a comment

The scripture for today, November 30 (11/30), is Proverbs 11:30 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-Michel-COVER-Kindle-Thumbnail“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.”

Remember back in the Garden of Eden? Going by the age of their three sons, Adam and Eve were in the Garden close to one hundred years.  Instead of centering on what they did wrong, look at what they did right.  They were sinless for nearly a century! Hardly any of us can accomplish that in 100 minutes.

Just think. Walking through a garden lush with the beauty of holiness.  Walking through a garden with the water of life to drink. Walking through a garden with God (materialized) himself.

How many times did that snake Satan, upright like a king’s scepter and perhaps with a crown of gold and ruby on his head, make his way gracefully through the garden, laughing and enjoying the company of newly made humans? How many times did he coil up his tail like a maelstrom spiraling through the heavens full of light and beauty as he watched the couple enjoy the fruit of the garden? How many times did this magnificent creature sway back and forth, back and forth as cobras do as he spoke hypnotic words to make them feel like gods?

“Oh, look at the fruit on that tree over there? God told you never to touch it, but God is wrong.  Go ahead. Touch it. That’s right. Did anything bad happen to you? Of course not, because God is wrong.  How about touching it with your lips? That’s right. You’re not really eating it. You’re just touching it. Smell it too. Have you ever smelled anything so wonderful? God doesn’t want you to have it. He knows you will learn what evil is and then be as smart as him. God is jealous of you. Go ahead. Take a tiny bite. It won’t hurt you.  See there? Are you dead like he said you would be? No. You are still alive. God is a liar. I am the only one who tells you the truth. I am on your side. God hates you. Sure, go ahead and take another bite, and Adam might like some too.  It’s harmless. Do not believe anything God says. He hates you. I am the only one who loves you.”

How many thousands of times did Adam and Eve chase him off, only to have him back in their lives a few hours later? How many thousands of times did they try to resume what they were doing and try to put him out of their minds? How many times did they do it right? One stumble was all the enemy needed.

That was a long time ago. Now the Tree of Life, which God withheld from Adam and Eve, is in heaven waiting for them. Waiting for you.

And as you wait, win souls.  Snatch them out of the beautiful flower-strewn web of mankind’s enemy number one. He is still out here, still beautiful, still suave, and still lying.

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0-Michel-COVER-Kindle-ThumbnailMICHEL: THE FOURTH WISE MAN lived a few miles from the Garden of Eden where the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers meet.  It was now under water.  Michel descends from Daniel. His dream is to buy what was the Garden of Eden, restore it, and bring people to it to meditate and pray so that perhaps God will return and walk the earth again. Little did he know that is what was happening over in Bethlehem.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/2Y9Z4wQ

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Saturday 11/23 ~ Eternal Thanksgiving

On By Inspirations By KatherynIn #ransom, blessings, Death of Jesus Christ, eternity, faith, forgiveness, healing, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Inspirational, love, prayer, sacrifice, Saved from hell, sin, Thanksgiving, worshipLeave a comment

The scripture for today, November 23 (11/23), is 1st Corinthians 11:23ff as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

Supper-Front Cover-Thumbnail“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ “

How the hearts of Jesus and his closest friends must have been breaking that night. How the apostles must have struggled to hold back the tears. They all knew the religious leaders in Jerusalem were plotting to execute Jesus. They knew he was risking his to be in the city ~ their lives too. How could they part with the one they now knew was the Son of God but also the Son of Mankind ~ their dearest friend?

When you take the communion every Sunday, where are your thoughts? What you’re going to do after church? What someone sitting near us is wearing? How the person in front of us is blocking your view?

Have you ever during the communion wept as Jesus’ apostles must have wept ~ and probably even as Jesus himself wept?

Oh, Jesus, it was my sins that caused you to go through that horrible death!  My punishment! How could you love me that much? I fall at your feet. I am so sorry.

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Supper-Front Cover-ThumbnailTHE LORD’S SUPPER: 52 READINGS WITH PRAYERS can be used for private meditation during the Lord’s Supper or by whoever is leading the congregation for the communion.  The Lord’s Supper is the main reason early Christians under apostle leadership met on Sundays. They could sing, pray, study any day of the week.  Sundays were specifically for the Lord’s Supper.  To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this……….https://amzn.to/37pApsa

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