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?

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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

light

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

- 1 John 1:6-7

 

Have you noticed that it is human nature to hide?

We conceal our addictions, our identities, and our opposition.

We hide our feelings, opinions, and insecurities.

We bury past experiences, secrets, and our shame.
There is a new song playing on the radio (for those of us that still listen to the radio) by the artist Tayá, called Come Into The Light.
Are you wounded from all the pain

Of hidden sin and secret shame?

Are you burdened and so afraid?

Come into the light

Are you weak and scared to speak

Of what you can't admit you need?

Are you tired of lacking peace?

Come into the light

Come into the light

And you will find a savior

Gentle and lowly waiting on the other side

He will meet you gladly

Over and over with loving kindness in His eyes

Oh, come into the light

Do you question how you could trust

That His grace is more than enough?

There's just One who measures up

Come into the light

Have you been here a thousand times?

Have you started to believe the lie

That it's safer for you to hide?

Come into the light

Oh, come into the light

And you will find a savior

Gentle and lowly waiting on the other side

He will meet you gladly

Over and over with loving kindness in His eyes

Oh, come into the light

Come into the light

If you're ready for your freedom

Come into the light

If you're ready for your healing

Come into the light

If you're ready for redemption

Come into the light

He is ready for your freedom

Come into the light

He is ready for your healing

Come into the light

He's the God of resurrection

Bringing dead things back to life

Oh, come into the light

Ouch.
That might hit a little close to home for some of us. 
Tayá shared the story behind the song, in a video on her Instagram feed that included this: “We just realized there was this invitation to bring every part of our life before God. And what's crazy is when you don't and you keep things in the dark and you keep it hidden, that's where the enemy (has) his playground and he loves to work. But when you bring things into the light, the broken pieces, the, the things that you think that nobody else knows about, but you maybe carry very dear or perhaps weigh heavily on you, when you bring that to God, you allow him to work and you allow him to be who he says that he is. He actually wants us to walk in freedom and us to walk in healing and wholeness more than we desire to. I just love that this is an invitation for all of us." 

Come to the light and you will find a Savior.
We don’t have to be ashamed or scared. 
Jesus can set you free. 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

unafraid

I trust in God. I praise his word. I trust in God. I am not afraid. What can mere people do to me?

- Psalm 56:4 (NIRV)

 

People who don’t know me in person have come to know me through my writing.

I am open and honest in my writing, sometimes too open.

I have shared a lot of joy, sadness, and fear here. 

Some of these emotions may seem silly, and I’ll be the first to admit that, but some are significant.

I am terrified of things being out of my control and have several fears that can paralyze me in a moment.

I deeply feel the emotions of others, sharing in both the happiness and sorrows of my friends.

However, the bottom line is that we need to turn to the Father when we are overcome by our fears and emotions, no matter how big or small they seem to us.

God has promised to love us, and we can count on that promise 100%.

Romans 8:31 says if God is for us who can be against us, which just reiterates this verse; when we trust in God, what can man do to us?

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

maybe we should pray

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

- Romans 8:26-27 (NKJV)

 

Quite often, I see requests for "unspoken prayer, God knows the need" posted on social media and various websites.

Isn’t it wonderful to have the peace of mind that God knows our heart, body, and mind?

We can sit in complete silence, and God hears our broken hearts, understands our deepest needs, and answers our prayers.

We don’t have to make our requests out loud or in public; we don’t even have to share our needs with others.

God knows what we want and what He has planned for us.

Even when we can’t see it, He is still answering our prayers, leading us where we need to be, and listening to our cries.

Unspoken prayer is still heard by our mighty God.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

healed

Come. Let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces. But he will heal us. He has wounded us. But he’ll bandage our wounds.

- Hosea 6:1 (NIRV)

 

I was hesitant to post this verse because a part of me didn’t like it.

I love that God will heal me and bind my wounds, but I struggle with the words that say He has torn us to pieces or injured us, as I don’t believe that is true.

To gain a better understanding, I read the chapters before this verse.

Israel had repeatedly gone against God.

They rebelled against Him and worshipped other gods.

Despite His warnings, they would not listen.

The people were unfaithful, and God withdrew from them.

Hosea, a prophet, encouraged the people to return to God, but they continued to ignore him.

God was saddened by their disrespect.

Think about a time when your children defied you; you were probably angry, but you never stopped loving them.

If you don’t have children, you can likely recall a time when you disappointed a parent, grandparent, teacher, or friend.

They may have expressed their disappointment, but they never stopped loving you.

God never stopped loving Israel, and He will never stop loving us.

No matter how badly we behave, God never stops loving us.

He wants us to run back to Him so He can heal us.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible