not the same

Most of all, here is what you must understand. In the last days people will make fun of the truth. They will laugh at it. They will follow their own evil desires.

They will say, “Where is this ‘return’ he promised? Everything goes on in the same way it has since our people of long ago died. In fact, it has continued this way since God first created everything.”

- 2 Peter 3:3-4 (NIRV)

 

I've been hearing about the end days since I was growing up in the 70’s, but I hear it more now.

With viruses, disease, wars, and natural disasters, many people believe we are facing the end times right now.

They have "ammunition" and "proof" that the end of the world is imminent.

Remember when the world was supposed to end in 2012 because the Mayan calendar went no further?

Surprise!

We are still here, thirteen years later.

If we take a hard look at the earth and everything that has changed in the last 2,000 years, we will see that there is no truth in the "end is coming" conspiracy theories.

But not everything has changed.

God made the heavens and the earth; they are still here.

God made the fish in the sea and the animals on the land; they are still here.

God made humans, and we are still here.

Let's stop trying to figure out when the world is going to end or when Jesus is coming back and instead live our lives the way He asked us to live.

If we focus more on how we live rather than when we are going to die, the time that we are here will be much better.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

time

Dear friends, remember this one thing, with the Lord one day is as 1,000 years, and 1,000 years are as one day.

- 2 Peter 3:8 (NLV)

 

In many ways, I am an impatient person—just ask those close to me.

When I want something, I don't want to wait.

I have limited patience for others doing things for me, so often I prefer to do things myself rather than take the time to show someone else what to do.

I can’t imagine what it was like for God to create the earth and everything in it.
I've heard the argument countless times that God couldn't have possibly created everything in six days.

But remember, we're talking about God!

Our concept of time is specific and limited, while God exists beyond time.

This is fortunate, as we humans tend to impose time frames on everything, including our spiritual journey.

God cares for people so much that He is willing to wait for them to come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

While we might become impatient with the process, God is not like us, which is another blessing. T

his should give us great hope because, even if we are not as far along in our faith as we would like, God is patient with us.

The nature of God's patience should humble us all, for we are all in great need of His longsuffering in our journey of faith.

 

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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

something to know

My friends, here is what I want you to know. I announce to you that your sins can be forgiven because of what Jesus has done.

- Acts 13:38 (NIRV)

 

Imagine hanging out with your friends after dinner one night and suddenly finding yourself arrested and thrown in jail.

After a sham of a trial, you are paraded through the streets where crowds yell horrible words and your captors actively beat you.

You are led to a place where you endure more pain and suffering, and you are put on display to die in front of everyone.

Yet, your words are those of forgiveness toward the people who decided you had to die.

Forgiveness is a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward someone who has harmed you, regardless of whether they deserve it.

It's about letting go of anger and bitterness and focusing on healing and moving forward.

And it is available to you.

When we sin, we are hurting God, even if we don’t immediately make that connection.

However, because Jesus died on the cross, our sins can be forgiven.

We can be made right with God.

The first step is to let Jesus in.

Then, ask for forgiveness.

Finally, follow Jesus by striving to live a life of love, compassion, and service, as demonstrated by Him.

Read the Bible, pray, and seek to know and obey God's will.

 

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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

at peace

Let the peace of heart that comes from Christ be always present in your hearts and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of his body. And always be thankful.

- Colossians 3:15 (TLB)

 

Today would have been my dad’s 98th birthday, but his last 40 birthdays have not been on earth.
I mention that because we often say "rest in peace" when someone dies, but is there really peace?

These days, peace seems hard to come by with so much turmoil and sadness in the world.

It just doesn't feel very peaceful.

So, how do you find peace amidst the craziness of life?

For me, peace starts with quiet.

I absolutely love being the first person awake on a day with nothing planned.

I get to savor my coffee in my pajamas, under a blanket (usually with a cat on my lap), and delve into whatever I'm reading.

It is so quiet, so peaceful.

No music, no TV—just me, my coffee, and maybe a cat purring.

In that quiet, I can read, meditate, pray, and find peace.

Try it: find five minutes of quiet and then extend those five minutes to whatever you need to find peace.

Having the peace of Christ in your heart provides peace all the time.

It was in my favorite part of the day, when I can be in quiet in the peace of Christ, where I have come to peace with the death of my dad.

And I am forever thankful for that peace.

 

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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

choices

Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!

- Deuteronomy 30:19 (NLT)

 

Let's be honest, there are days when deciding between wearing blue or red can seem overwhelming.

But we are given choices far more significant than the color of our shirt.

Chapter 30 in the book of Deuteronomy focuses on the promise of restoration and prosperity for a repentant Israel if they turn back to God with all their heart and soul, choosing life over death.

Life over death?

That is huge!

You might think it would be an easy decision, but for some, it is a real struggle.

This verse emphasizes God's willingness to forgive and restore.

Israel resisted God at every turn; they followed Him out of Egypt only to wander the desert because they wouldn't let go of their old ways.

Even after this punishment, God was willing to forgive and renew His covenant with His people.

Life over death.

I’m choosing life.

What are you choosing?

 

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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

strong and courageous

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.

- Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

 

It is no April Fool’s joke; the phrase "be strong and courageous" appears at least 15 times in the Bible.

Sometimes, being strong and courageous doesn’t even cross our minds.

Many people struggle with getting out of bed every morning and facing the challenges in their lives.

If you are one of those people and you are reading this right now, congratulations – you made it this far, which shows that you are strong.

We have courage deep inside that just needs to be coaxed out.

When we’ve been run down so much that we have little to no self-esteem left, facing the world becomes a daunting task.

There are people out there whose actions seem aimed at tearing others down, and, unfortunately, they often succeed.

Do not be afraid of them; God is on your side.

It's hard, but God tells us to be strong and count on Him.

He will not leave us.

It is a challenge to be courageous and face the people who hurt us, but God is with us.

They might set us back today, but we have God, and He gives us hope and a future – He tells us that too.

 

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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

God and doughnuts

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

- Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

 

What do doughnuts and God have in common?

Last Saturday, they both brought people together.

Krispy Kreme doughnuts were founded on July 13, 1937, in North Carolina.

Interestingly, that's also my birthday (though not my birth year!).

Wyatt’s Lemonade, an organization started by a little boy in South Dakota, raises money for St. Jude’s and other children’s causes.

The Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) has over 125,000 members and 1,200 chapters across all 50 states and 31 other countries.

The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter provides a safe haven for children who are victims of abandonment, abuse, neglect, and trafficking.

Most people wouldn't connect these groups and a bunch of doughnuts in the same day, let alone in the same moment.

But God has a way of orchestrating events perfectly.

I found myself at a lemonade stand during a motorcycle rally, which led to a friendship and support for my CMA chapter’s fundraiser.

On Saturday, we took doughnuts sponsored by Wyatt’s Lemonade to the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter.

Sharing the love of Jesus with the staff at the local Krispy Kreme, we saw how much it meant to them to feel appreciated.

The camaraderie among us riders was fueled by a higher purpose beyond just reaching our destination.

The joy on the children’s faces as they enjoyed their doughnuts and admired the motorcycles was priceless.

God brought people together over doughnuts.

It might seem random, but He has a purpose.

What a glorious day it was.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible