safety

Trust in Him at all times, you people. Tell Him all your troubles. God is our place of safety.

- Psalm 62:8 (NIRV)

 

It’s a holiday weekend! The Fourth of July has become one of my favorite times of year—it’s a chance to gather with family and friends, celebrate, and simply enjoy each other’s company without the pressure of exchanging gifts. But for some, this holiday can also bring challenges. Unfortunately, it’s a time when some people overindulge and make unsafe choices—getting behind the wheel or taking to the water after drinking, putting lives at risk.

In many states, fireworks begin early in the afternoon and continue late into the night. While fireworks can be beautiful and fun for many, for others, the noise can trigger difficult memories or flashbacks from painful times. Our pets, too, often struggle with the loud sounds—did you know animal shelters are often full after this holiday because so many pets become frightened and run away?

So, how does all of this connect to today’s Bible verse? It reminds us that we must hold on to consistent and unwavering faith in God, no matter the circumstances. God invites us to be transparent and honest with Him—to share our deepest thoughts, fears, and emotions without holding back. He is our safe haven, offering protection and security in a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming.

This holiday, I pray for the safety of my friends and loved ones, and I ask that we all show respect and kindness to those who may struggle with the noise and activity. Please remember: don’t mix alcohol with fireworks, driving, or boating.

Wishing you a happy and safe Fourth of July—and may you trust God as your safe place.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

plans work out

The Lord will work out His plans for my life— for Your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for You made me.

- Psalm 138:8 (NLT)

 

We can have confidence in God’s plan for us, no matter how chaotic life may seem—God truly has a plan! Today’s verse reminds us of His enduring love and unwavering faithfulness to complete the good work He has begun in each of us. It emphasizes that God’s purpose for our lives will be fulfilled, and His love will never fail.

Nothing about our lives is random. Each of us is part of God’s divine design, and His intentional plan includes everyone. God’s steadfast love is a core part of His character—He is both our Creator and Sustainer. He promises to continue His work in our lives, never leaving us unfinished.

Trust that God has a purpose for you, and that His love will carry you through every season, all the way to completion.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

worth it in the end

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

- James 1:12 (NKJV)

 

So many trials! There are days when I feel like I’m under fire from every direction—days when I just want to crawl into a hole and shut out the world. But I know I can’t do that, and neither should you. Even when it feels like the challenges and controversies will never end, we have to remind ourselves that there’s a reward for those who stay the course and persevere.

Life can turn upside down in an instant, leaving us feeling like we’re missing important pieces of ourselves. But through it all, the way we live should reflect God’s presence—no matter what trials we’re facing. People notice how we react, both in times of tragedy and in moments of joy. When they see us, they see a glimpse of God at work.

When we face adversity, we don’t need to be afraid. God promises a crown for those who remain faithful. Each day, I strive to live in a way that reflects Him, hoping that others can see His light through me. I hope you do the same.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

choices

A fool thinks he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others.

- Proverbs 12:15 (TLB)

 

We make choices every day, often without even realizing it—whether it’s as small as choosing grape or strawberry jelly for our toast, or as significant as deciding to change jobs. Sometimes, these choices leave us second-guessing ourselves. Did I make the right decision? How will this affect my family, my work, my life?

When it comes to decision-making, I often look to the Bible for guidance. There are many translations, but the Good News Translation of Proverbs 12:15 really struck me:

“Stupid people always think they are right. Wise people listen to advice.”

That stings a bit. It’s a reminder that while we all need advice from time to time, we also need to be discerning about who we turn to for counsel. Not every piece of advice will be right, and we won’t always like what we hear.

Today, I want to share a few verses from the NIV translation that speak to the importance of wisdom and seeking good counsel:

“Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” – Proverbs 13:10

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1:7

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” – 1 Corinthians 15:33

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” – James 1:5

We should all seek wise counsel. Sometimes, though, even the people we trust most may not have our best interests at heart.

In the end, my prayer is that God’s will is done in every situation.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

craziness

Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

- Psalm 55:22 (NKJV)

 

In six and a half days, (July 2^nd) we will be halfway through the year 2025, and what a crazy year it has already been. I told someone the other day that I have already had enough of this year, and I am sure that I am not alone in that sentiment. Often I have to ask “how on earth do I deal with this?”.  Along that line, I really appreciate the ability to google all my questions. I don't always get the exact answer I seek, but I get some form of guidance. For instance, when I googled “cast your troubles on the Lord,” I found six verses. Six! Everything from "don’t worry" to "cast your burdens," "cast your anxiety," and "fear not!" I have all those things: worry, burdens, anxiety (boy, do I have anxiety!), and fear. And I am instructed to let it all go, like casting a fishing line into a lake. There is a huge challenge in letting go of the fear and anxiety, it’s tough, for sure. But God loves us so much that He wants us to share our troubles, sorrows, burdens, and anxieties with Him. The best part? He will make them go away—maybe not in the timeframe we desire, but they will go away. He will sustain us, perhaps not in the way we anticipated, but we will be sustained. He will give us rest, maybe not the kind we want, but the kind He knows we need. He will help us because He cares for us. Why look elsewhere? Cast all your cares on Him.

Feel free to look up the other five “cast your troubles” verses: Isaiah 41:13, Matthew 6:25, Matthew 11:28-29, Philippians 4:6-7, and 1 Peter 5:7, not necessarily in that order.

We can give up when facing difficult things, but where does that leave us? We can throw away everything we've worked for when one thing breaks, or we can mend that one thing and continue to build our happiness. Life can be unpredictable; you might be in the best spot on the mountain and still have a mudslide wipe out your home. You can let that destroy you, or you can lay your burdens down and let God take care of you. Remember that we cannot let the devil win this and we must never stop fighting for what God has given us, know that He will take care of us. God said that He will never leave us, that He will never forsake us. Remember the poem “Footprints in the Sand”?

One night, I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene, I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was only one. This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow, or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints. So I said to the Lord, “You promised me, Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life, there has only been one set of footprints. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?” The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”

We are never alone! We lean on each other in times of need, but more importantly, we lean on God. He will never abandon us. When it feels like no one is there, open your heart to Him. You will find that He is indeed there, carrying you through your troubles.

I struggle with anxiety, and I know many of my friends do as well. It can be paralyzing. Yet, if we take a good look, we will find that many of our anxieties surround things that could happen but have not occurred yet. We are reminded to cast the cares of what could happen upon the Lord, for we have no control over what happens tomorrow. Let me repeat that: we have no control over what happens tomorrow. When we “cast our cares on the Lord,” we find new strength, for God is more than able to keep us from falling into the “what if’s” of the future. This trust in God is what sustains us through today’s struggles.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

answered prayers

But it is sure that God has heard. He has listened to the voice of my prayer.

- Psalm 66:19 (NLV)

 

There is power in answered prayers. Recently, someone I love dearly had a significant prayer answered. While it’s not my story to tell, I know it was a life-changing response that met their needs in many ways. I imagine that at times, this person might have felt depressed, thinking the answer would never come. We need to have faith in our prayers, faith in our God. Often, it feels like we pray endlessly without seeing any results. However, if we open our Bible, we find numerous verses that discuss the concept of answered prayer. God hears and answers those who call on Him with faith. He is always listening, and you will receive answers. Most importantly, we have to trust in God’s timing. The answers may not be what you expect or come within your desired timeframe, but they will come in God's perfect timing. Keep your faith strong and your eyes lifted to Him.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

I got lost

 Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the Lord; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord.

- Jeremiah 23:24 (NKJV)

 

I got lost again. Not literally, but I took a few days off for a camping trip with friends. Despite the break, I felt lost. My mind was weighed down with stress and discomfort, which I tried to hide. I know better; hiding is not the answer.

Hide and seek is one of the first games we learn as infants, like "peek-a-boo." As toddlers, we delight in finding the perfect hiding spot where no one can find us. I remember when my youngest child, around 8 or 9 years old, got upset and left a note saying he was running away. He then hid on the top shelf of his closet. Our middle child found the note and alerted us, starting a frantic search around the neighborhood. Eventually, we found him hiding in the closet. I told him that no matter where he hid, someone would always find him.

We cannot hide from God, nor should we want to. Secret places can be beneficial, as long as we're not trying to hide from God or our loved ones. This experience reminded me that hiding is not the answer to stress or discomfort. Instead, find your place of solace and use it to get closer to Him.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible