even them

Christ has accepted you. So accept one another in order to bring praise to God.

- Romans 15:7 (NIRV)

 

Have you ever met someone and just “clicked”, someone that you immediately feel like you’ve known them forever and the more time you spend with them, the more you find that you have in common?

Have you ever met someone that from the very first impression you could not wait to get away, and being around them just instantly puts you in a foul mood?

I know people in both categories, and sometimes the latter really do drive me crazy.

It is easy to find fault in others.

It is hard to welcome folks with open arms, especially when we don’t get along, but we really should try.

God has always welcomed us; shouldn’t we extend that same grace to others?

We as Christ followers want to bring glory to God in everything that we do, so that means accepting others, even when we don’t like them or the things they do.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

happy sons

How happy are the sons of a man who is right with God and walks in honor!

- Proverbs 20:7 (NLV)

 

To day is the day that I send my mother-in-law a message telling her thank you.
Today is the day that a little more than a half century ago, she gave birth to the man who I would someday call my husband.
She and my father-in-law raised him to be a wonderful human, honest, brave, strong, smart, and most of all, a man who knows God.
We have three sons ourselves, and I hope that they see what an amazing dad they have.
This verse could be re-written to read “how happy is the wife of a man who is right with God and walks in honor” because it is very true.
I thank God everyday for my husband, I thank my mother and father-in-law for raising him in the church.

Happy birthday, my love, may today be as much of a blessing to you as you have been to me.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

never been heard

My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.

- Romans 15:20 (NLT)

 

I like to write my little “daily bread” messages.
While I wasn’t very unique in the name, I do try to be unique in my thoughts of each verse.
I choose the verse carefully and I write exactly as my thoughts flow, as I said when I named my blog, these are God’s words and my thoughts about them.
Often, I find people don’t agree with me. 
Then there are more times when I receive responses that are positive, telling me that the verse and thoughts were much needed by someone that day.
I’ve mentioned before that I send my messages to a bunch of folks via email, then I post it online in my blog spot, then I share that link publicly via several social media outlets.
I am always looking for new platforms to share His words, always happy to have new readers.
I started going back to school several years ago because I want to earn my degree in Christian Leadership.
This past weekend I was at a retreat with my CMA family (Christian Motorcyclists Association), where I had the opportunity to preach, but more importantly I had the opportunity to listen.
One of the first speakers used this verse, My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. and it hit me. 
If we don’t spread the word of God, who will? 

So I continue to write, to send the daily message via email, text, and various social media platforms.
And I encourage any one that reads these messages to share them, to follow me on social media, and, if I am doing it right, to hear God’s voice through me.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

a readable face

A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.

- Proverbs 29:11 (NKJV)

I have this meme that I like, it’s a cat (surprise) making a face that seems angry, it says “I’m sorry for the things my face said while you were talking”.

It’s funny, but it is not funny.
I have a very readable face; my husband says I do not have a poker face. 
My voice too, will often reveal my feelings when I am dealing with a particularly difficult situation.
This has put me in a bad spot on more than one occasion. 
This verse means that foolish people let their emotions control them (guilty), blurting out their feelings with out thought or consideration of the consequences for themselves or others.
Wise people hold back their tongue and process their feelings in a way that considers the potential damage, often putting aside their own feelings.
I wish I were wiser; I think if I had held my tongue and temper I would have diffused many serious situations.
pastor Jason Witt from Morningstar Christian Chapel said “This verse is a straight kick to the stomach for me as I reminisce all the times I spoke all that I felt without any type of filter. I’m sure many of you reading this can relate. Think about all the pain and heartache, or even anger, you may have caused another person because you felt it was about time they get what’s coming to them. At first you think it was a good idea because you couldn’t hold it in anymore only to soon realize you did a great deal of damage that you might never be able to repair outside of the hand of God, of course.

I must admit, I very much hate this type of regret because as the proverb says, I feel very much like a fool after it is all said and done. And not only do I feel like a fool, I look like one as well. The wise man, however, holds back his tongue. He weighs out his feelings and processes them in such a way to realize that what is being said is only going to cause damage and bring regret. So he stalls, he goes to God, he lets God minister to him. He lets God work in his heart so that if there are things to be said, it can be done in such a way that speaks to your love for this individual and edifies them even if the information is difficult.

Our feelings can get the better of us and when we see that happening, the best thing to do is hold your tongue. Allow yourself time to process and seek the Lord, then move forward in however the Lord directs. This doesn’t mean avoid conflict, this means handle conflict appropriately and when you do, you’ll end up looking wise at the end of it.”
I’m not sure that I will ever look wise, but maybe if I lean more on God, my face and my thoughts won’t betray me.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

admitting that I’m afraid

Moses answered the people. He said, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm. You will see how the Lord will save you today.

- Exodus 14:13a (NIRV)

 

I am afraid of a few things.
I try not to be, I try to conquer my fears, but there are still some things that I can’t overcome.
I am hearing that a lot of people are afraid of what the next four years are going to bring.
God has bee trying to tell us since the days of Moses that we don’t need to be afraid.
In 2022 Josh Wilson released a song called Things That I’m Afraid Of: 
When I am shaking

And my heart's pounding

You always take me

Make me lie down in

Peaceful fields where

I can clear my head

'Cause I get so overcome with anxiety

Like there's an enemy livin' inside of me

Like a mocker yellin' out, tellin' lies to me

And I don't feel brave, but I don't have to be

'Cause I walked through the valley of shadows

And it scared me half to death

But You're with me everywhere I go

So I won't give up yet

My fears would surely kill me

If I didn't know the truth

The things that I'm afraid of

Are afraid of You

When my emotions

Turn against me

Not faith nor reason

Could convince me that

You have patience

Left to fight for me

When my depression is affectin' every ounce of me

I can get the medication and the counseling

Still I can hear the fear callin' out to me

And I don't feel brave, but I don't have to be

'Cause I walked through the valley of shadows

And it scared me half to death

But You're with me everywhere I go

So I won't give up yet

My fears would surely kill me

If I didn't know the truth

The things that I'm afraid of

Are afraid of You

You prepare a table for me

Right in front of my worst enemies

You're as calm and relaxed as can be

There's no place where

My demons can't find me

But just wait 'til they see

Who's standing behind me

I walked through the valley of shadows

And it scared me half to death

But You're with me everywhere I go

So I won't give up yet

My fears would surely kill me

If I didn't know the truth

The things that I'm afraid of

Are afraid of You

…

I googled what this song was about, and Josh Wilson said this in an interview:

“I used to think that being a Christian meant that life should be easy, but Jesus himself said, ‘In this world, you will have troubles.’ Sounds pretty discouraging until you read the next part, where he says ‘but take heart, for I have overcome this world’ (John 16:33).” Wilson adds, “Life isn’t easy for anyone. We’re all fighting a hard battle. If you’re facing addiction, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or any other mental health struggle, you’re not alone. Whatever you’re going through, whatever you’re struggling with, Jesus promises he will never leave or forsake you. Here’s my favorite line in the song: ‘There’s no place where my demons can’t find me / But just want till they see who’s standing behind me.’ Our troubles are big. Our God is bigger.”

Y’all.

Every day we face challenges, some of them are harder than others to endure, but you know what?

We can overcome because Jesus gives us His peace.

There is nothing about life that is easy or perfect.

Sometimes every day is a struggle.

For many people that struggle is very, very real.

First and foremost, let me reiterate what I have said over and over since I started my blog – You. Are. Not. Alone.

You do not have to do life by yourself.

If you are reading this, somewhere along the line we have crossed paths.

That means that someone felt like we needed each other.

What we really need though, is God.

In this world we will have trouble – there are some really bad things that happen out there – but you don’t have to deal with it by yourself – Jesus was sent to bring you to God the Father.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

no shame

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

- Romans 1:16 (NKJV)

 

I have always been a fan of the actor Tom Hanks.

From his early roles in television to the big screen in well, the movie “Big”, the man has had an amazing acting career.
He has done everything from horror to rom-com, historical action movies, voice overs and portrayals and he is a Christ follower.
One of his roles in the early 90’s he is the manager of an all-girls professional baseball league during Word War II.  
A famous line in that movie is “There’s no crying in baseball!”, said after the coach played by Tom Hanks belittled the player and made her feel ashamed.
I have a point, I promise. 
There was no shame in women playing baseball back then, and there is no shame in following Jesus today.
Here are the lyrics for a song Matthew West released recently called Unashamed. 
Three brothers in a fire

Willing to die for their faith

But You were with them in the fire

And they walked out the next day

And Daniel met a lion

Because he chose to pray

But You shut the mouth of that lion

And he walked out the next day

So what's gonna be said of me when it's all said and done?

Will I stand for my beliefs or will I turn around and run?

Well, let the whole world hear me say

I'm unashamed

Of the gospel of Jesus Christ

And the truth that changed my life

For the name above all names

I'm unashamed

And I will live my faith out loud

Take a stand and stand my ground

For the One who took my shame

I'm unashamed

I don't answer to the crowd

I answer to a king

So the louder they shout

Oh, the louder I sing, yeah

...

At the name of Jesus

Every knee will bow

And every tongue confess

So let it start right now

Before you come back, Lord

Before the rocks cry out

I will lift my praise

Let it start right now

I'm unashamed

Of the gospel of Jesus Christ

And the truth that changed my life

For the name above all names

I'm unashamed, yeah

And I will live my faith out loud

Take a stand and stand my ground

For the One who took my shame

I'm unashamed

Oh, I'm unashamed

I want the world to hear me say

I'm unashamed

Oh, I'm unashamed

For the One who took my shame

I'm unashamed

Lord, I will stand for You

I tell the world about You

I'm unashamed
Y’all. 
We need to be this strong. 
We need to be unashamed. 
There is power in His words, just as there is power in His blood. 
I am NOT ashamed of the Gospel. 
Are you? 
  

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

too busy

My friends, do not be surprised at the terrible trouble which now comes to test you. Do not think that something strange is happening to you.

- 1 Peter 4:12 (NCV)

 

I listen to Christian radio a lot.
The music is generally uplifting and there are days that the music is the only thing that keeps me sane.
We are so busy all the time that we don’t take a moment to breathe, and I fully admit that I am one of those people.
My husband used to laugh at me because I would not just sit down and watch television or a movie, I had to be doing something. 
On the morning show of the Christian station last week, I heard the host quote “If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy”.

DUDE.
Why are people seeing my life? 
I had to heck the googles and I learned that Corrie ten Boom said those words and John Mark Comer quoted her in one of his books, following that with “There’s truth in that. Both sin and busyness have the exact same effect—they cut off your connection to God, to other people, and even to your own soul.”
Again, DUDE. 
We are coming up on the holiday season and we are going to start getting busier and busier.
That is the perfect time for us to start seeing more and more trouble as the devil tries his hardest to drive a wedge in between you and God.

Don’t let it happen.
Don’t chalk it up to something strange going on. 

See it for what it is – the devil keeping you busy so you don’t have time for God.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible