Saturday 7/6 ~ It IS possible to know!

On July 6, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn Bible, eternity, faith, Heaven, Inspirational, judging, knowledge, Saved from hell, Scripture, teaching, truth2 Comments

The scripture for today, July 6 (7/6), is Mark 7:6f as found in the New Testament of the Bible.

“He [Jesus] replied, ‘Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’ ”

It is the trend today to say that all religions ~ even those who teach opposing things ~ are right and all are good. It is the trend today to say all gods are the same God, and we are all going to the same heaven if we’re pretty good. It’s not that simple. Jesus did not say this. Well, then, how do we know which religious things we are taught and do today are from God and which from men?

You are smart. Don’t be lazy. Read the holy books of all major world religions for yourself. Who knows? What you have been told all your life may be wrong. Do the other holy books have built-in proofs they really originated from God? Perhaps scientific, archaeological, ancient inscriptions, prophecies fulfilled? Here is a website with those holy books on it: https://www.sacred-texts.com Here is a website with nearly 400 proofs the Bible is from God:

https://casagrandechurchofchrist.com/bible-proofs/

If you conclude the Bible is true, use a concordance and do a study of everything the Bible says about any topic. That way you will have God’s opinion, not men’s.

Here is a website with an online Bible concordance and it’s easy to use: http://bibletab.com

You can find out for yourself,~ you can KNOW ~ whether what you were told to believe by family, friends, and leaders is what God told you to believe. Your eternity depends on it.

CHRISTIANITY OR ISLAM: THE CONTRAST quotes from both the Qur’an and New Testament of the Bible on the same subjects without comment. It can be given in a Muslim without offending them. Things they have been told about Christianity which is not true are explained. It ends with statements of over 100 Muslims I have studied with who decided Jesus really was the Son of God and not just a prophet. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/2NyJHMH

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Sunday 6/16 ~Ask for the ancient paths

On June 16, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn Bible, church, ego, judging, knowledge, Scripture, truthLeave a comment

The scripture for today, June 16 (6/16), is Jeremiah 6:16 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”

We need history, not only for an appreciation of what our forefathers did for us but also to learn which mistakes not to make all over again. This is true with religion also. There are hundreds of denominations and religions out there. This divisiveness hurts us. It seems the more denominations and religions we have, the fewer people are interested in spiritual things. They call it “organized religion”.

Within Christianity, think about creeds for a moment. If a creed is less than the Bible, it isn’t enough. If it is more than the Bible, it is too much. If it is the same as the Bible, why have it? Let us change our loyalties away from denominationalism and toward the Bible. All this confusion is exhausting!

Human nature has always been the same, and the Bible written long ago applies just as much to human nature today as it did then. Proverbs! The life and speeches of Jesus! The many mistakes made by people in the Old Testament! The advice to Christians in the New Testament!

It’s not confusing. And maybe then, we will find rest for our souls.

TITUS: THE ARISTOCRAT was raised in the elite city of Antioch (according to tradition). When he was converted to Christianity, Paul sent him everywhere to arbitrate problems between Christians and problems in churches. He was a “smooth operator” and knew how to make both sides feel they won while staying true to the one path of truth. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/2MRwnmn

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Saturday 6/8 ~ Have I died with Christ?

On June 8, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn Death of Jesus Christ, faith, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Inspirational, praise, things, truth, victory, worship1 Comment

The scripture for today, June 8 (6/8), is Romans 6:8 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.”

We all want to live with Christ, but how do we die with him? Earlier in this same chapter, God inspired the writer to say this: “We died to sin….don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead…we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:2-4).

So, just as Christ did a physical action to die for you, you do a physical action to die with him. And just as Christ’s physical death overcame spiritual death, so your physical action overcomes your spiritual death. Then you are born again, or as this verse says, you “live a new life”

Some say this is water salvation. But it is no more water salvation than the cross was wood salvation. You live in a physical world and God has us sometimes do physical things in order to obtain a spiritual outcome. Your singing praise songs is a physical thing, but it is no less spiritual in its outcome. Your eating the Lord’s Supper is a physical thing, but it is no less spiritual in its outcome.

Have you died with Christ?

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Monday 6/3 ~ Do you say no to what God says yes to?

On June 3, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn Bible, Death of Jesus Christ, ego, eternity, forgiveness, Saved from hell, Scripture, sin, truth1 Comment

The scripture for today, June 3 (6/3), is Romans 6:3f as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life….because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.”

Oh! Baptism does all that? Some people say no. God says yes. Some people hate this topic because their church leaders have rejected it as unimportant and even call people who quote such verses in God’s Word as dangerous. Why?

Look at the list in that verse that baptism does for us. In baptism, we obtain a new life ~ are born again. And in baptism, we are freed from sin ~ forgiven. Look at it this way: Just as Jesus died carrying our sins on himself, we die to our sinful nature ~ the part of us that sins and doesn’t care. Then just as Jesus was buried in his tomb, we are buried in our watery tomb. And just as Jesus came up out of his tomb the Savior, we come up out of our tomb the saved ~ with a “new life” and “freed from sin.”

Everything works together beautifully ~ hearing, believing, confessing, dying to sin, being baptized. What an honor and privilege we have been given to imitate what he did for us! 1st Peter 3:21 says it is an answer of a good conscience toward God.

Just as the crucifixion was a physical thing to obtain a spiritual outcome, baptism is a physical thing to obtain a spiritual outcome. How beautiful. How amazing.

PERFECT FOR FATHER’S DAY GIFT ~

JOSEPH: THE OTHER FATHER had the greatest challenge in the history of the world ~ to raise God’s child in a violent world. A year before Jesus died, he visited his hometown of Nazareth. The people there said, “ISN’T this the son of the carpenter?” not “WASN’T”. Read the story of Joseph and all he may have gone through to keep Jesus protected until he was grown. To BUY NOW, click a book title or paste this: https://amzn.to/2HTIcE6

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Wednesday 5/29 ~ Everlasting Arms

On May 29, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn church, death, Enemies, eternity, governments, Inspirational, persecution, truth1 Comment

The scripture for today, May 29 (5/29), is Acts 5:29 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“Peter and the other apostles replied, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’ “

There are many countries in the world today where a person is tortured, imprisoned and/or killed for believing in Jesus Christ or owning a Bible. These believers must stay in the background and try to remain relatively unnoticed in order to survive. But their faith continues unabated, even amidst their fears. Because of brave Christians like these, the church has survived persecution for 2000 years.

Even if they’re not killed, they are by-passed for promotion at work or fired, they are harassed when out shopping, they are threatened in public transportation, they are turned down for a good education, and they must tolerate derision just walking down the street or waiting at a bus stop. But their faith continues unabated, even amidst their fears and tears.

Such events are usually covered up by their governments and news media, and the good people of those countries never know it is happening.

How grateful we must be to those who live life being rejected by others. Let us daily hold up these brave souls in our prayers ~ those who obey God rather than men.

In eternity, God will deal with the persecutors. In eternity, it will be to God the persecuted will turn to, not men. And there, God will hold them in his everlasting arms.

STEPHEN: UNLIKELY MARTYR was not brave as a youth. In fact, he was a coward. Walk with him over the next ten years as he grows into one of the bravest men you will ever meet. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/2wtVwIA

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Tuesday 5/28 ~ Just like him

On May 28, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn ego, Enemies, judging, truth1 Comment

The scripture for today, May 28 (5/28), is Luke 5:28 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“And Levi got up, left everything and followed him [Jesus].”

This Matthew Levi was a tax collector, who, in those days, was allowed to set his own tax rates so he could pay the Romans their share and pocket the rest of it for himself. Why would such a man follow Jesus, a man who apparently didn’t have much money? He had to trust Jesus and believe that he was truly a friend.

And why would Jesus ask him? Jesus was certainly taking a chance since the uppity leaders of society and their religion openly declared Jesus a bad person for associating with “sinners and tax collectors”. Jesus, in turn, had to trust and believe in Levi.

A lot of Christians brag that their only friends are those who worship with them. They don’t really trust anyone else, so don’t really want to be anyone else’s friend. That is good, but how are they supposed to bring anyone to Jesus? Jesus went out to “seek and save the lost.”

And sometimes there is a visitor at worship who isn’t dressed right ~ perhaps with uncombed hair, or smell from no shower, or makeup put on too heavy, or clothes not in style, or maybe even dressed too richly. Are we ashamed to be seen with them? Jesus wouldn’t have been. He was color blind, style blind, class blind.

Today, reach out and make friends with someone you have been staying away from. Jesus did. And thereby, you will be like him.

TITUS: THE ARISTOCRAT was given the best of everything. His father was the supreme judge of the city of Antioch. He became a successful lawyer. One day he met the apostle, Paul, and his life changed. Eventually, he gave up everything to travel into “barbarian” lands to tell people about Jesus. TO BUY NOW, click the book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/2NsVRSL

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Monday, 5/27 ~ Which is true?

On May 27, 2019May 27, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn Bible, Holy Spirit, judging, knowledge, Scripture, truth1 Comment

The scripture for today, May 27 (5/27), is Job 5:27 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“We have examined this, and it is true. So hear it and apply it to yourself.”

How many times have you gone to worship or listened on TV to a minister/priest/rabbi/imam and believed everything he said because the speaker looked so holy and convincing? Isn’t that confusing when so many different holy-looking religious leaders teach different things and conflict with each other?

What is the answer to this dilemma? Examine the Bible for yourself! You’re smart! You can do it!

The best way is to get a concordance. It lists every word in the Bible alphabetically, and every scripture that contains that word. If you want to know God’s opinion instead of man’s, use your concordance and look up every passage your chosen topic appears in. You can buy one (it is the size of an unabridged dictionary but not expensive) or use one on the internet.

Then examine everything God ~ not man ~ has to say about anything. Then there are no doubts. You have examined the facts. Now you know the truth. Now you are ready to apply it to yourself. The truth will set you free.

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Friday, May 17 ~ Then your wish will be your reality

On May 17, 2019July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn discouragement, faith, good works, healing, power, truth1 Comment

The scripture for today, May 17 (5/17) is John 5:17 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“Jesus said to them, ‘My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.’ “

Psalm 115:12 says God is thinking about you all the time. When you’re walking, riding, talking, doing, coming, going. God is always working for you. A popular song a few years ago was, “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands.”

But does he always keep you from harm? He gave you free will, and sometimes you don’t make good choices. Others around you have free will, and they sometimes don’t make good choices.

If everything was perfect, this would be heaven. But it is not. Heaven is for later after we go through some tests. Regardless of what happens here, God is beside you if you fall, ready to get to work, ready to hold out his hand to lift you up.

How he loves you and cherishes you and cares for you. He always will if you follow him. Then, after you have fulfilled your own work here on earth, you can follow him right into that perfect world you wish you had now ~ heaven. Then wish will be reality.

THEY MET JESUS: HEARTS AFIRE. Jesus went public and got to work healing people. He was not a fake faith healer. Broken arms were healed, amputated legs grew back, people deaf and blind for life could hear and see. Lepers with their skin eaten away were instantly given a new body with healthy skin. Not all of them had faith. The dead he brought back to life certainly did not have faith. Yes, he had much work to do and he did it. To BUY NOW, click a picture or paste this: https://amzn.to/2w7sluE

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Tuesday 5/14 ~ You will not be able to stop

On May 14, 2019July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn blessings, Death of Jesus Christ, ego, eternity, forgiveness, healing, Heaven, Inspirational, power, sacrifice, teaching, truth1 Comment

The scripture for today, May 14 (5/14), is 2nd Corinthians 5:14a as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“For Christ’s love compels us….”

On a distant hill a very long time ago, something unbelievable happened.

Jesus ~ God materialized ~ died both physically and spiritually in your place! (Remember when he said God had forsaken him?) He knew you couldn’t come back from either kind of death on your own, so he did it for you. Such terrible things he went through for you so you wouldn’t have to and would fail.

Love is powerful! It causes you to do things for someone you love that you never wanted to do and never dreamed you could do.

How powerful is your love for Christ? And for those he was compelled to die for? Do you share his love with others? 1st John 4:18 says, “Perfect love casts out fear.”

Reach out to people who think Jesus will ruin their fun, or has too many rules, or could never forgive them, or wouldn’t stop a tragedy. If not in person, tell them in a note, a phone call, email, even a song. There are ways.

Reach out. You can if Christ’s love compels you. You will not be able to stop.

STEPHEN: UNLIKELY MARTYR became obsessed with the Lord he loved and for people around him who did not know about Jesus’ love. This young man was so compelled, nothing stopped him ~ not even death. To BUY NOW, click a picture or paste this: https://amzn.to/2QcCWhr

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Saturday 5/4 ~ “Organized Religion”

On May 4, 2019July 15, 2025 By Inspirations By KatherynIn church, discouragement, faith, governments, healing, humility, Scripture, truthLeave a comment

The scripture for today, May 4 (5/4), is 1st Peter 5:4 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“And when the Chief Shepherd [Jesus] appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”

The world is frustrated with and has left “organized religion” and it is our fault. We brought it on ourselves. We have organized our denominations to death, and the spiritually minded have said, “Enough is enough. I want none of it. I just want Jesus.”

Look at all the denominations that appoint someone to be the head of their religion at their world headquarters. He goes by different titles ~ bishop, high priest, father, pope, president. Their headquarters may be a small office or a multi-story building, or an entire complex of buildings.

From here the head meets regularly with his immediate underlings (who are still much higher than us ordinary people) to make decisions for their denomination. They pass regulations on who can hold office, what percent of income must be given to their denomination, where their contributions must be spent, amendments to their particular creed, and on and on. (By the way, shepherd is translated in modern English to pastor.)

Here is a unique thought: Let us set this system aside and replace everything with Jesus as the only head, and let the world headquarters be in heaven! We do not have to rely on the decisions of men but on the decisions of God the Son who loved us so much that he became human for a while so he could die for us. Maybe we need to sell our big buildings, give the money to mission work and the poor, and return to meeting in unorganized homes or fields.

We don’t even need a creed, because, if it is less than the Bible it isn’t enough, if it is more than the Bible it is too much, and if it is the same as the Bible why have it?

No more “organized religion.” No more divisiveness. No more denominationalism. Just one united church of Christ with its divine Founder as our sole leader, and His divine words as our sole creed. This will never fade away.

Jesus is the crown giver. Return Him to His throne and watch the world return to Him.

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