Category Archives: Christian Living

Stripes That Heal

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Isaiah 53.
Please grab your Bible and read the chapter, and as you read, steady your mind on this: Isaiah lived about 2,000 years before JESUS came to earth to secure our redemption. So, 2,000 years before JESUS came, Isaiah prophesied He would come, and He did.
It has now been almost 2,000 years since JESUS said He would return — and He will!  You can count on it!

Perhaps you know, Isaiah is not the only place in Scripture that we read, by His Stripes or as sheep have gone astray.  Please see 1 Peter 2: 22-25.

May I tell you what I think? Please know up front, I am not denying in any way that by His Stripes we are healed in the sense we usually think of it (sickness and disease), but I am convinced there is a truth in this that we may have missed.  First and foremost, by His stripes, when we repent, believe, and receive, He heals us of our going astray. When we are born again, we are no longer lost sheep going astray; we become Children of GOD. By His Stripes, we are reconciled to GOD! We have been bought back from Satan! That, my brothers and sisters, is the greatest, most profound, most awesome act in eternity. He took on our iniquity of going our own way and HEALED us! Think of it: To be healed of going astray! I am profoundly grateful! You too?

Holy hugs, Kathie 

Entry-Level

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Two things to believe about GOD. 
Believing these two things will please Him and gain you and me an audience with Him. 
Are you game for that?

From the Text, we can believe them to be:
1. That He is! That He lives. That He exists, always has, always will.
2. That He is good. Good enough to hear you, good enough to listen, and good enough to do Right by you. 

And you know, I think if we continually, consistently believe these things about Him, we will please Him every day! 
Moreover, when we continually, consistently believe these two entry-level things about Him, our knowledge, trust, love, and faith in Him will grow more and more. 
Are you game? 

Holy hugs, Kathie 

Bible Stuff

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Make every effort, it says. 

I have to ask myself whether I am making every effort.  
What am I trading for making every effort?
What time am I spending now that could be then, making every effort? 

Making every effort to please Father, to be an unashamed workman who knows her stuff — her Bible Stuff.  Long ago, I made schedules and lists and the like to attempt to fit everything in, hoping to make every effort possible. 

Today, it’s just daily showing up with prayer, study, and surrender on a more regular basis. I’m seeing improvement. I am grateful. Haven’t arrived, of course, but I am on the Right Road.  And if you are reading this, I am trusting you are too. 

Holy hugs, Kathie 

Nugget

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I read this Text in various translations, but settled on the Berean Study Bible version to share with you. It’s been my favorite for a couple of years. 

I’ve had the day to think about what I want to say about it here, since I sat before the LORD with it early this morning. It’s not a passage that has been popular, and after years of listening to it taught, preached, and discussed, I understand why. But this morning, new light came.

Husbands and wives pray. They pray for the other to change. I get that, but I got it better now. 
Let me explain.

Imagine sitting curled up with your Bible, reading, and fellowshipping with the LORD, and this passage is next to be read. So, you read it, and the sweetest wave comes over your spirit because you see it! 
You see yourself praying that they will make certain changes.  But why?
Why do we want the changes? I believe it is the desire of the LORD that our desire be that we want them to change behaviors, not to make life easier for us, but so they will experience the joy of obedience; that they will know the beauty of pleasing the LORD.  And I think this in us will please the LORD too.  It’s a win-win! 

I am still loving this new light. If it’s new to you, I hope you love it too.  

One more thing. I think practicing this nugget could benefit all our other relationships, too.  Don’t you? 

Holy hugs, Kathie