Wednesday 7/17 ~ It’s your assignment

On July 17, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, discouragement, Enemies, faith, Loss, patience, persecution, problems, victory4 Comments

The scripture for today, July 17 (7/17), is 1st Corinthians 7:17 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him.”

In some situations in life, this scripture is hard to accept. Sometimes life gets very, very hard. Sometimes it is difficult to keep smiling, even to keep breathing. When will it end? Will it ever end?

But can it be that this is where God wants you? Can it be that the difficulties in your life right now are your assignments from God? God fights Evil from heaven and it is our place to fight Evil from earth. It is an ongoing battle. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

For some reason that cannot be understood right now, you are where God wants you to be. This is your assignment from God. Remember, we are “ambassadors for Christ” (II Corinthians 5:20). You must show the world that “all things work together for good to those who love the Lord” (Romans 8:28).

As a soldier for Christ, be brave. Think with a clear head. Hold fast, stand firm of faith, strong in spirit, pure of heart.

JOSEPH: THE OTHER FATHER had the hardest assignment in the world ~ keep the Son of God safe in a violent world until grown. How many times did he rescue the boy through the years? How many times did he cry out in desperation, “God! Help me protect our son!”? To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/2LYlfC7

#problems, #troubles, #helplessness, #hopeless, #assignment, #soldier, #fight, #resist, #conquer, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Sunday 7/14 ~ What if all the good people left?

On July 14, 2019July 14, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn blessings, discouragement, Enemies, governments, healing, patience, persecution, victoryLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 14 (7/14), is 2nd Chronicles 7:14 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

There is always a little bit of turmoil in all nations of the world. Of course, there is more in some. The average person cannot make their own nation call on God. But the average person can do this: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone ~ for kings and all those in authority” (I Timothy 2:1-2). Further, we should pray for them by name.

Even if you think some people in authority in your nation are against you, you must pray for them anyway. Then wait quietly for God to work things out. It may take Him a year, a decade or a lifetime to bring about your heart’s desire for your nation. But keep praying.

Your job, in the meantime, is to follow God’s ways yourself. Romans 13:1,3-4 says, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established…For rulers hold no terror for those who do right….For he is God’s servant to do you good.”

Love the country you are in. No country is all good or all bad. Stay where you are. What if all the good people left your country? God put you where you are for a reason. Everyone has assignments from God. This is your assignment. You are only one, but you are one. Be an example of good. Seek God’s face. God will heal what needs healing in your land.

MICHEL: THE FOURTH WISE MAN, like ancestor Daniel, decides to stay in the pagan country of Babylon, now part of Parthia. Being a minority Jew, he is not taken seriously. Through the whole book as he and the other wise men search the world for the meaning of the star. At last, they listen to him and find that, indeed, not only was a star born, but the Son of God was born to walk on earth as he had in Eden at the beginning. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/2LrXpzh

#WiseMan, #Christmas, #Star, #Pagans, #Alone, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Saturday 7/13 ~ When misery ends with gladness

On July 13, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn #Handicaps, attitude, death, discouragement, faith, healing, Inspirational, knowledge, Loss, sacrifice, victoryLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 13 (7/13), is in Job 7:13ff in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint, even then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions so that I prefer strangling and death, rather than this body of mine. I despise my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning.”

Job was extremely depressed. It happens to everyone sometimes. His depression was certainly valid ~ he had lost all his income and all his children in a recent storm. Now he had what the Bible translated as “boils” but the symptoms indicate he had a form of leprosy called Elephantiasis.

This particular form leads to nightmares in addition to the physical problems. Job had every right to be depressed. So depressed was he, that he no longer wanted to live, for his life no longer had meaning.

But, as miserable as Job was, he hung on. Patiently he hung on during the bad times. Sometimes during your bad times, the greatest thing you can do is “hang on” ~ be patient.

Romans 8:28 says all things work together for good to those who love the Lord. Job loved the Lord. Even in his misery and desire to die, he continued to love God and trust Him.

And, although at such times you may believe your misery will never end and you will never even smile again, it will happen. The misery comes to an end. It did for Job. He got his health and wealth back and more children to comfort him. God will see you through too.

THEY MET JESUS: HEARTS AFIRE. Come along with Jesus during the first year of his ministry. His apostles have been chosen and people are beginning to sit up and take notice of this amazing miracle worker. Even with such powers, he has time ~ makes time ~ for them all. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/2PXauQs

#sickness, #illness, #salary, #income, #death, #funeral, #misery, #hope, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Wednesday 7/10 ~ It’s time to come on home

On July 10, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, Daily, discouragement, Enemies, faith, Inspirational, patience, power, victoryLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 10 (7/10), is Psalm 7:10 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.”

Ah, my Lord, I become so tired sometimes. That latest assignment you gave me has been so hard. Sometimes I complain knowing I should not because that would make me a Christian coward.

Is it okay if I am afraid sometimes? I am only one and am trying to keep my head above water along with others I am trying to pull out of the flood with me. I’m trying, Lord. I weep sometimes, but amidst my tears, I continually think, “What should my next step b?.”.

Sometimes I just stand still and let the turmoil go on around me while I close my eyes and sing a sweet song to you. That’s when I sense you are singing with me.

At other times I stand up to all the turmoil charging at me. You gave me your weapons: a smile, a touch, a gentle word.

Then there are those terrible times when I feel so beaten up, I think all is lost. Then I remember you are there. You are always there. And I know you are shielding me while I rest.

Then we start all over again, you and I, Lord. Another assignment. Another. And another. Until at last you reach out your arms to me and say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. It’s time to come on home.”

365 GOLDEN BIBLE THOUGHTS: GOD’S HEART TO YOURS. Whether your quiet-for-a-moment time is morning, noon, or evening, this book 1 in the TOUCHING GOD SERIES will help guide your thoughts. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/32hUQEV

#shield, #battle, #enemy, #Satan, #struggles, #everyday, #hardlife, #courage, #coward, #battle, #victory, #soldier, #war, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Wednesday 7/3 ~ Gear up and take that leap

On July 3, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn Bible, ego, faith, family, Heaven, knowledge, persecution, sacrifice, Saved from hell, Scripture, victoryLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 3 (7/3), is Acts 7:3 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

” ‘Leave your country and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.’ “

This is part of a speech by Christian Stephen soon after the church began. He was reminding the Jewish leaders how God told their ancestor Abraham to leave his religion, home and family, and move to where God had something special for him ~ to begin the Jewish nation and a new religion.

But when Stephen got to the part where now God wanted his audience to leave the Jewish religion and move on to a still better one ~ the Christian religion ~ they were outraged. They were not like Abraham; they did not want to change. So, not liking the message, they killed the messenger. These religious leaders stoned Stephen to death.

Have you learned “new” things in the Bible that your religion is against? It is hard to change. You could lose your friends and family like Abraham did; you could even lose your home as Abraham did. It takes a great big “leap of faith” to follow that “new” truth you have discovered in the Bible. But when God does the recommending, you can know he has something special in mind for you. So, gear up and take that leap!

PAUL: THE UNSTOPPABLE did everything possible to not change from Judaism to Christianity. He hauled people to prison and even killed them if they refused to stop talking about changing. It was only when he changed sides that he saw what he had been missing out on. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/328ta59

#Bible, #scriptures, #truth, #ego, #blindness, #religion,#inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Sunday 6/30 ~ The heavenly temple

On June 30, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn church, discouragement, emptiness, faith, governments, Inspirational, joy, patience, victoryLeave a comment

The scripture for today, June 30 (6/30), is 1st Kings 6:30 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“He also covered the floors of both the inner and outer rooms of the temple with gold.”

About 40 years ago it was figured that Solomon put $3 trillion worth of gold in the temple to line the ceiling, walls, and floor. And that figure would probably be around $12 trillion today. Talk about streets of gold in heaven!

There are some people today asking for money to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Even if they accomplished it, what would it do for Christians? The book of Hebrews in the New Testament explains to the Hebrew (Jewish) Christians that they no longer need or want the temple. Why? Hebrews 8:13 says, “By calling this covenant (Testament) ‘new’ he has made the first one [Old Testament] obsolete.”

Let’s look at the temple in a spiritual sense through the eyes of a Christian ~ and of Jesus himself in Hebrews 9:1. “Now the FIRST COVENANT [TESTAMENT] had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. ⁷ Only the High Priest entered the inner room [Most Holy Place]…and never without blood.…. ¹¹When Christ came as High Priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle [temple] that is not man-made. ¹². 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 [He being the Lamb of God ~ John 1], having obtained eternal redemption. ^24. For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered HEAVEN ITSELF. For this reason, Christ is the mediator of a NEW COVENANT [TESTAMENT].’

Why in the world would anyone want an imitation temple and holy of holies made with hands back in Jerusalem again, along with all the animal sacrifices on the altar, and priests who would have to be of the Tribe of Levi, and tithing and all the other over 600 laws of Moses?

Thank God, we live in a more spiritual age ~ the age of Christ and the temple of heaven itself.

YOU CAN BE A HERO ALONE is stories of Bible people who had to stand alone and became our heroes. There are isolated Christians everywhere today ~ in countries where Christianity is illegal, in prisons, in universities, in extended-care homes, shut-ins, etc. They do not need a temple or church building to worship in. All they need is the knowledge that they are not alone and they are our heroes today. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/324ArTw

#temple, #Jerusalem, #gold, #trillions, #millions, #sacrifices, #priests, #Levites, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Saturday 6/29 ~ Invincible Faith

On June 29, 2019June 29, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn Death of Jesus Christ, eternity, faith, forgiveness, knowledge, Satan, Saved from hell, victoryLeave a comment

The scripture for today, June 29 (6/29), is John 6:29 as found in the New Testament of the Bible.

“Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: To believe in the one he has sent.’ “

Yes, it is true that the gift of salvation is just that ~ a gift, a free gift. That’s because God was the only one powerful enough to overcome Satan. Satan wanted God’s death as a ransom in order to free you from your bondage to him. God gave Satan what he wanted, then tricked Satan and came back to life. You could have never freed yourself.

And it is true that you cannot be good enough to earn salvation from Satan because you don’t know how to be sinless, and heaven can only be occupied by the perfectly sinless. Satan is always lurking in the shadows to lure you back. It only takes one sin to be a sinner.

But at the same time, James 2:18 says “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” In other words, there are things you need to do to obtain salvation. You have to believe there is a gift for you somewhere, walk over to it, reach out, and grasp it.

Believing is a work because you have to find and spend time listening to or reading the Word before you can believe. And Jesus himself said believing (faith) is a work.

How do you go about obtaining faith? By believing what other people tell you to believe? Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing/reading the Word of God ~ the Bible. It is going directly to God’s Words to find out for yourself. It takes a little bit of work to read through it. But then, you can know that what you believe is really what God said.

What a marvelous, delightful, magnificent thing it is to find out what this invisible God did for you and to bask in the glory of such knowledge through invincible faith.

LUKE: SLAVE AND PHYSICIAN started out his life being a slave and believer in may gods. All physicians in the first century were slaves. Then, one day, he met Paul, learned about the one God who would free his soul from slavery to Satan. Then, his master, Theopholis, who had learned to love him, gave him his physical freedom. After that, Luke was unstoppable. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/323txxV

#faith, #knowledge, #Satan, #crucifixion, #sin, #power, #victory, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Thursday 6/27 ~ Problems = Opportunities

On June 27, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn attitude, discouragement, faith, Inspirational, power, praise, victory, worshipLeave a comment

The scripture for today, June 27 (6/27), is Daniel 6:27 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

“He [God] rescues and he saves, he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

This was proclaimed by none other than Darius, Emperor of Persia and Babylon. He normally worshipped idols. What made him respect God? It was Daniel’s example of being true to God even in the face of death.

Everyone has problems. You can consider them opportunities. People of the world do not see any benefits to Christianity in their everyday life. You can show them the advantage by how you face your own difficulties by trusting God. They will notice.

A friend of mine was a logger (lumberjack). This big guy got up at 4 AM every day and didn’t get home from work and finish eating dinner until about an hour before bedtime. So, he began reading his Bible out in the forests during his lunch break. The other guys made fun of him.

They had to ride a small bus together to get deep into the forest, and the guys would harass him on the bus. One day they harassed and teased him so bad because of his Christianity (he wouldn’t cuss and swear with or at them) and Bible reading, that he asked the bus driver to stop. He got out and walked ten miles to his home.

Some time later one of the men who had teased and harassed my friend went to him in private with a problem. He said, “I teased and harassed you with everyone else, but deep down I admired you.” Then he went on to explain his problem to my friend “because you are the only one I know to turn to.”

So today, if you are facing a problem, face it together with God. Face it with courage. Face it with the belief that it is for a reason and that reason may be so you can be an example of godly strength to others. Give it a try. You can do it!

A CHILD’S BIBLE HEROES: DANIEL teaches loyalty to what is right when threatened by bullies or anything else the child is afraid of. At the end of each chapter is “Think and Do” to apply something from that chapter to their life. To BUY NOW, click a cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/31Y5Jvp

#problems, #trapped, #escape, #persecution, #courage, death, #victory, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth, #rescue

Thursday, June 13 ~ Go in the strength you have

On June 13, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn #Handicaps, attitude, discouragement, Enemies, family, Inspirational, power, problems, victory, weakness1 Comment

The scripture for today, June 13 (6/13), is Judges 6:13f as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

” ‘But sir,’ Gideon replied, ‘if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about? .But now the Lord has abandoned us and put us in the hand of Midian [enemies].’ The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have.’ “

How dynamic! When you feel trapped, God says, “Go.” When you feel paralyzed, God says, “Go.” When you feel hopeless, God says, “Go.”

Sometimes you spend your time concentrating on your problem rather than a possible solution. Or you try to find someone else to solve your problem for you. Or you feel so helpless, you sit huddled in a dark corner and ask God to take care of your problem for you. When Captain Gideon did this, God replied, “You’ve still got strengths. Use them.”

Yes, you have to wait for God’s final solution, but he does not expect you to sit idly by while he does all the work. “But how?” you ask. You are not a rock or tree or grain of sand. You are not an elephant or tiger or worm. You are a human being made in God’s image. God breathed life into you and gave you special gifts and talents.

Don’t sit idly by while bad things happen around you. Everyone has God-given strengths. Look deep within your heart. It’s there. Then go forth in the strength you have.

MEFIBOSET: CRIPPLED PRINCE. Preachers and teachers portray him as “poor little boy.” But he was NOT. He got out in the world, met people, got married, had children and grandchildren. Though the grandson of a king and heir apparent to the throne he was denied, he went out in the strength he had. GREAT READING FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HANDICAPPED and for FATHER’S DAY. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/2HVKRNs

#handicapped, #disabled, #enemies, #weakness, #strength, #courage, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Wednesday 6/12 ~ God loves to answer prayer

On June 12, 2019June 12, 2019 By Inspirations By KatherynIn Daily, family, governments, Loss, love, persecution, prayer, victory1 Comment

The scripture for today, June 12 (6/12), is Luke 6:12 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountain side to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”

How in the world did Jesus think of enough things to say that he could pray all night? Most of us on a good day only manage a 5-minute prayer. The next verse says that the next morning he selected his twelve apostles. Aha! He had a list. He had probably spent at least half an hour each praying about them by name, as well as about others he was considering. Jesus knew what his apostles would be facing someday. Which ones would be loyal enough, stubborn enough, strong-willed enough to someday in the future endure persecution, torture, and martyrdom for him?

Who do you pray for by name? Do you have a prayer list? How about opening the newspaper and praying for all those people in the news ~ perpetrators, victims, causes, governments, situations? Or everyone you work with? Or everyone your children go to school with? Or all their teachers and administrators? Or the clerks in the stores you go to regularly? Or members of an organization you belong to? Or every member of your congregation? What about countries where people become Christians at risk of their freedom and even their lives?

There are always people in need of prayer. And one of the joys of such a prayer life is now and then telling people whom you know that they are in your prayers; or writing a note to someone who is a stranger to you telling them that you pray for them.

Some people have never heard their names in prayer. Some people have never even been told that someone prays for them.

God loves to answer prayer. Do you love prayer?

TOUCHING GOD SERIES ~ 365 SILVER-WINGED PRAYERS: YOUR SPIRIT TO GOD’S is daily prayers of praise, forgiveness, and thanksgiving. You add your own requests. Part of the trilogy providing daily scripture thoughts, wisdom from God, and prayer. Perfect gift for NEWLYWEDS, at the BIRTH of a child, or the DEATH of a loved one. To BUY NOW, click a book cover or paste this: https://amzn.to/2IDpgbF

#prayer, #neighbors, #schools, #governments, #nations, #teachers, #clubs, #members, #congregations, #inspiration, #devotional, #worship, #vespers, #meditation,. #godliness, #Christianity, #JesusChrist, #church, #Bible, #Scripture, #HolyBook, #religion, #love, #truth

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: