distracted

 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

- James 1:22 (NLT)
 
How often do you find yourself at a meeting, lecture, or sermon where you hear the words but aren’t truly listening? Or maybe you’re having a conversation with a friend, child, spouse, or sibling, and every word seems to go in one ear and out the other—you’re just nodding and saying “uh-huh” at the right moments. If you’re like me, this happens more often than we’d like to admit. We listen, but we don’t really hear. And when that happens, the chances of us actually acting on what we’ve heard are pretty slim.
It’s the same with God’s word. We can’t just listen—we have to put it into practice, let it change us, and live according to what we’re taught. If we’re just coasting through life, only hearing the noise, we’re only fooling ourselves into thinking that’s truly living.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

all of us

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
- Romans 3:23 (NKJV)
 
Let’s take a moment together: Repeat after me—“I am not perfect. I make mistakes.” Did you say it? It’s not so difficult, right? That’s because making mistakes is part of being human; none of us are perfect. Sometimes, people who act as if they never make mistakes can bring negativity into our lives. If you find yourself falling into that mindset, try to turn things around. Open your heart and look to Jesus—He loves you and is always ready to help you move forward. We all fall short, but forgiveness is always available if you’re willing to seek it.

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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

harvest

 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
- James 3:18 (NIV)
 
Harvest season typically begins in late September or early October for those who farm and grow crops outdoors. As autumn approaches and the weather cools, farmers cut and collect their crops, preparing them for use. But if a farmer didn’t plant good seeds in the spring, a good harvest in the fall is unlikely.
The same principle applies to our lives. If we spend our time being unkind or hurtful, we might think we have many friends, but when challenges arise—and they will—there may be no one there to support us. On the other hand, if we invest our time in caring for others, doing good, and showing love, we’ll find a community ready to stand by us when life’s storms come.
We all have a choice: we can plant seeds of anger, selfishness, and negativity, and reap a harvest of bitterness and disappointment. Or, we can plant seeds of humility, kindness, faith, and love, and enjoy a bountiful harvest of peace and fulfillment.
What seeds are you planting?
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

remember

I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.
– Lamentations 3:20-23 (NLT)
 
September 11th means many different things to many people—some memories are painful, others are joyful. For some, it marks the day reality changed when the United States was attacked on its own soil. For others, it’s the day they lost a friend or loved one because of those tragic events. For me, it’s the day my 17-year-old brother was struck by a truck and killed while walking home from school.
Yet, there are also happy memories tied to this date—birthdays, anniversaries, and other significant moments in history. The truth is, even on our saddest days, we can rely on God’s love to carry us through. He is merciful, loving, kind, and faithful. When we feel like we’re at the end of our rope, He is there, holding on, ready for us to let go and fall into His arms. Even in our darkest hours, we can hold on to hope.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

it's tough

My dear family, when you find yourselves tumbling into various trials and tribulations, learn to look at it with total joy, because you know that, when your faith is put to the test, what comes out is patience.
- James 1:2-3 (NTFE)
 
Every day, we hear about someone going through a difficult time. Sometimes, that “someone” is us. There are countless types and sizes of trials people face, and everyone handles their challenges differently. One of the most uncomfortable phrases I’ve heard is, “I know how you feel.” Even if I’ve experienced something similar, I can’t truly know how someone else feels.
For example, my dad passed away when I was 15. I know what it felt like for me to grow up without a father and how I sometimes wish he could share in my successes. But I can’t know exactly how my friend feels after losing her dad. My mother passed away in December 2021—though, in many ways, I lost her years earlier to illness. Even now, I struggle to put my feelings into words about her passing.
No matter how much we want to relate, each person experiences their struggles in their own way. Every situation is a test of faith and an opportunity to grow closer to God. Our troubles are real and difficult—there’s no denying that. But we must remember we are not alone, and when we come through to the other side, our faith makes us stronger.
 
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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

new clothes

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
- Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

 I truly appreciate that we have access to multiple translations of the Bible. Sometimes, reading a different version offers a fresh perspective on familiar words. For example, the New Life Version says, "God has chosen you. You are holy and loved by Him. Because of this, your new life should be full of loving-pity. You should be kind to others and have no pride. Be gentle and be willing to wait for others." 

The New International Reader’s Version reads, "You are God’s chosen people. You are holy and dearly loved. So put on tender mercy and kindness as if they were your clothes. Don’t be proud. Be gentle and patient." 

The Living Bible says, "Since you have been chosen by God who has given you this new kind of life, and because of his deep love and concern for you, you should practice tenderhearted mercy and kindness to others. Don’t worry about making a good impression on them, but be ready to suffer quietly and patiently."

I’ll admit, I don’t always live up to these standards. I’m not always compassionate or kind, and patience is especially hard for me—my shortcomings often show up when I’m driving or shopping. Maybe I need to rethink my approach. God calls us to embody compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience at all times: Compassion for those who are hurting, kindness for the lonely, humility, recognizing we’re not always right.  Also gentleness for the weak—sometimes just being present is enough and patience, both with others and as we wait for answers. I think I do well with compassion and kindness (humility could use some work!), and gentleness, but patience is a real struggle for me. So, let me ask: When you go out, what are you wearing? Are you putting on compassion, helping someone in need at the store? Are you wearing kindness at a restaurant when service is slow? Do you show patience when the lines are long? As God’s chosen people, we represent Him in all we do. If our “clothing” isn’t pleasing to Him, how can we honor His name? Before you head out, look in the mirror and make sure you’re wearing the right spiritual clothes. Sometimes, we find ourselves involved in things we’d rather not do, and we complain or want to quit. But then, unexpectedly, we encounter a situation where we’re truly needed. In those moments, we find ourselves responding with compassion, kindness, gentleness, and patience—and we learn humility along the way. These experiences remind us that we’re right where God wants us to be, and every lesson in compassion is worth learning. As His child, I know I need to work on my spiritual wardrobe. Let’s strive to be among God’s chosen people.

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Daily Inspiration from the Bible 

no lies

 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
- Colossians 3:9-10 (NLT)

 We’ve all heard the saying that a little white lie won’t hurt anyone, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The term “little white lies” refers to small, seemingly harmless lies often told to spare someone’s feelings or to avoid minor inconveniences. These lies are generally seen as socially acceptable because they aren’t intended to cause real harm. For example, you might tell a friend you like their new haircut, even if you don’t, or compliment a meal you didn’t enjoy to avoid hurting the cook’s feelings. While these "little white lies" may seem polite or considerate, it’s important to remember that honesty is usually the best policy. Even small lies can lead to misunderstandings and complications. When Jesus died for us on the cross, He did so to absolve us of our sins—including lying. Even a lie by omission is still a lie.

Lying can quickly become complicated. You have to remember what you said to each person, and if your stories don’t match, it can create confusion and mistrust. Imagine telling one version to person A, another to person B, and yet another to person C—eventually, someone will notice the inconsistencies, and you’ll find yourself tangled in your own words. As followers of Christ, we are called to leave behind our old ways, including dishonesty. Being truthful is simpler and aligns with our new identity in Christ. Before you’re tempted to tell a small lie, remember the phrase, “What would Jesus do?” and choose honesty instead.

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Daily Inspiration from the Bible