blessed assurance

 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

- John 20:30-31

 

“It must be a sign”.

I heard that a lot growing up, I still hear it today.

A friend of mine believes that if you see recurring numbers that it might be a message that your angel or spirit guide is trying to communicate with you.

There are signs everywhere, signs are a way of communicating.

Jesus was demonstrating that He was the Son of God, as He performed miracles.

We don’t live in Jesus’ time anymore, we don’t get to see firsthand His miracles, but we can still see miracles all around us if we pay attention.

The Bible tells us that in Him we are assured life with the Father.

Song reference!

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine

O, what a foretaste of glory divine

Heir of salvation, purchase of God

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood

This is my story, this is my song

Praising my Savior all the day long

This is my story, this is my song

Praising my Savior all the day long

Perfect submission, all is at rest

I in my Savior am happy and blessed

Watching and waiting, looking above

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love

This is my story, this is my song

Praising my Savior all the day long

This is my story, this is my song

Praising my Savior all the day long

I don’t need to see a miracle firsthand, because I have His promise.

I have the word of God, and that my friends, is blessed assurance.  

 

#dailybreadbykitty

light

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

- Matthew 5:14-16

 

Darkness can be a pretty scary thing, especially if you are trying to find your way.

I’ve stumbled through the room, looking for a light switch or a flashlight, it can be scary and sometimes painful (stubbed toes!).

I’ve used the illumination from my watch to find my way before, that little tiny light makes a huge difference in pitch black.

And I think everyone has used the flashlight feature on their cell phones, or opened up a text message to use the light background to see.

How about a song reference?  (I bet it is not the one you are expecting!)

Lights shine bright everywhere we go

Music for the people, making music for the people

Lights shine bright everywhere we go

Lights shine bright everywhere we go (lights)

Everywhere we go

Music for the people, making music for the people

I wanna magnify your light

I wanna reflect the sun

Cut like precious diamonds

With the colors by the millions

This is the only world we know

And for now this rental's our home

If we gonna be a reflection

Gotta make this third rock glow

(Just so you know)

Lights shine bright everywhere we go

Music for the people to illuminate the soul

Lights shine bright everywhere we go

Music for the people, making music for the people

Lights shine bright everywhere we go

Music for the people to illuminate the soul

Lights shine bright everywhere we go

Music for the people

Jesus music for the people

Lights shine bright, lights shine bright

(Everywhere we go)

Lights shine bright, lights shine bright

Lights in the city might be more than pretty, pretty

That freaky shine might be more than meets the eyes

Anytime you see that sparkle in the dark you might look deeper, deeper

It might be more than simply theatre

Yo, that smile might be joy that's connected to the spirit

The spirit might be contagious if you dare, you dare come near it

I remember, can't forget, peace that you can't second guess

Sparkle as the light reflects we writin' pay it forward checks

Lights shine bright everywhere we go

Music for the people to illuminate the soul

Lights shine bright everywhere we go

Music for the people, making music for the people

Lights shine bright everywhere we go

Music for the people to illuminate the soul

Lights shine bright everywhere we go

Music for the people

Jesus music for the people

I pray several times a day for me to be His light that people see.

I want to be the light that leads someone to God.

I want to shine so bright that I blind the devil!

Let your light shine too!

 

#dailybreadbykitty

copy cat

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

- Romans 12:2

 

I think every child has said to their parent “but, my friends are doing it”.

And I think every parent has said to their child “if your friends jumped off a bridge would you do it too?”.

Perhaps that is not the best response we should give our children when they want to do something that goes against our wishes.

I mean, God doesn’t say that!

Instead, Paul tells us that we should not conform to the patterns of this world.

That means of course, that we do not have to do everything that someone else is doing, especially if it is not something good.

We don’t have to keep up with the Joneses.

We don’t have to be like everyone else.

It is perfectly fine for us to live the way God wants us to live, instead of being a copy cat.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

call

This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles.

- Psalm 34:6

 

I love music, almost all genres of music (almost), it just speaks to me. 

No matter how I am feeling or what I am gong through, I am guaranteed to find a song to make me laugh or cry, what ever I seem to need in the moment.

There is a secular artist popular in the 70’s, Carole King, who wrote and recorded “You’ve Got A Friend”:

When you're down and troubled

And you need some love and care

And nothing, nothing is going right

Close your eyes and think of me

And soon I will be there

To brighten up even your darkest night

You just call out my name

And you know wherever I am

I'll come running, to see you again

Winter, spring, summer or fall

All you have to do is call

And I'll be there

You've got a friend

You know, God want’s you to call Him when you are down and troubled, call out His name.  

God loves you so much, and yes, He wants to be your friend, and He will be there when nothing is going right.

What are you waiting for?

 

#dailybreadbykitty

discussion

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

- Proverbs 27:17

 

I like it when people comment on my “daily bread”, whether they reply to my email, respond on Facebook or remark on the blog.

I enjoy having open communication around my thoughts on God’s word.

I have learned so much from people that read my “daily bread”, including the fact that I am not always right.

It is good to have people around that can challenge us to think, especially when it comes to studying the word of God.

Thank you for being my “iron”, I hope that I am yours.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

reflect

 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

- Daniel 9:3

 

I wish that I could say that I always turn to God when I am hurting, stressed or just tired.

But I don’t.

I agonize over decisions, I stress over work, I worry about things that are completely out of my control.

Daniel was in the middle of an exile and he still trusted God, why can’t I?

Daniel knew that the struggle he would endure would last for years, yet he prayed continuously to God for wisdom aand peace.

We need to have Daniel’s faith and go to God in prayer and petition.

We need to reflect on what it means to really give it all to Him and to rely on Him fully.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

 

come back

 “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

- Joel 2:12-13

 

I enjoy traveling, I look forward to seeing new places, experiencing new things, I even enjoy going back to familiar places and doing things that I’ve done for years.

But at the end of the traveling, I am always thankful to come back home, there is just something about being in your own comfort zone.

God wants our comfort zone to be in Him.

He wants us to want to be with Him, to come to Him with everything.

He wants our joy, but He especially wants our sorrow, because this is when He can hold us and comfort us the most.

It’s time to go home, to the loving arms of God.   

 

#dailybreadbykitty

ashes

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

- Psalm 51:7-10

 

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.

Lent is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, nor is it observed by all religions, but the concept is one that we should consider.

Lent is the period of 40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays that is supposed to focus on repentance, fasting and reflection, it represents the time that Christ spent in the wilderness where he was tempted by the devil as He fasted. 

Depending on which religion you practice, you may give something up or refrain from something for the 40 days, as a sign of sacrifice and self-discipline – Jesus gave up His life for me, I can go without chocolate for 40 days. 

It’s not quite the same, but some people feel that depriving themselves of something that they love is today’s answer to fasting.

Regardless of whether you do or don’t abandon something you really enjoy or depend on for Lent, you should still reflect on the meaning of the season.

Jesus was nailed to a cross, suffered and died for us.

For you.

For me.

He died so that our sins could be washed away, but we still have to repent of the sin and we have to stop sinning.

Pray, fast, repent, reflect, do whatever you want but find a way for the next 40 days to invite Jesus to live in your heart and fill you with His spirit.     

 

#dailybreadbykitty

time

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

- Psalm 90:12

 

In 1976 the Steve Miller Band released a song called Fly Like An Eagle.

There is much speculation around what the lyrics mean, whether it is a bad acid trip or if the author is trying to solve all the problems of the world, but one thing is consistent in the lyrics, “time keeps on slipping into the future”.

We don’t know how much time we have on earth, how many days we get to spend with the people we love.

When we value each day and cherish each minute, we can fill out hearts with truth, love and wisdom.

Many of us have experienced the loss of a loved one this past year, perhaps it was someone you have been very close to, or maybe just a friend, but when they leave earth to go to Heaven, we often find ourselves wishing that we had more time with them. 

We can’t get that time back, time is indeed slipping away, so count each day, fill it with wisdom and love.

  

#dailybreadbykitty

look

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

- 1 Samuel 16:7

 

Ok, be honest here, how many times have you seen someone in a store, at work, or even in church, and rushed to judgement of that person based only on their appearance?

I am pretty sure that we have all done it at least once in our lives, and if we really admit it, we probably have done it more than once.

People can change their outward appearance to depict any personality trait that they wish, make-up hairstyles, tattoos, clothing, all of that goes into individual choices on what a person will display to the world about their personality.

But God sees your heart.

No matter what statement you are trying to convey to the world, God sees your heart, He knows who you are.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

love

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

- 1 John 4:16

 

Well here we are, another Valentine’s Day weekend.

Valentine’s day is a great money maker for retail though, sales of flowers, candy, jewelry, cards go through the roof! 

According to the internet, Valentines day is the number three holiday in retail, with number one being Christmas/Hanukkah and the second highest being Mother’s day.

Most years I am dieting so my husband isn’t “allowed” to buy me candy.  I have more jewelry than I could ever wear and I don’t care much for cut flowers that wither and die (or get eaten by certain cats who shall remain nameless “Mittens”). 

I’ve heard Valentine’s day being referred to as “singles awareness day” and who did not have the heartache as a child of not getting a special valentine at the school party?

We don’t need “stuff” – flowers, candy, jewelry, stuffed animals and cards, those things don’t last – but the love of our Father is forever.

You may or may not have an earthly valentine this year, but God has been asking you to be His valentine since the day you were conceived.

You are God’s love story, so show it, live it, be the love that lives in you through Christ Jesus.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

 

trouble

 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

 

We all have trials and troubles and hard times, it is a fact that we cannot escape.

Sometimes, I get so overwhelmed with whatever is troubling to me that I lose sight of the end, I become very pessimistic and my attitude goes downward as I start to feel sorry for myself. 

It is in these times, that I need the gentle shove to focus more on God and less on myself.

Our trials and troubles and hard times, they are temporary, they will eventually come to an end, but God, He is eternal, He is there for us and He will carry us through these events. 

Lay your burdens down, let God be your comfort, He is our refuge.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

fullness

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

- Psalm 16:11

 

Sometimes we go through life feeling empty, unfulfilled and incomplete.

It can be very lonely when you feel that no one understands.

We let fear settle into our hearts and we become inconsolable.

We need to be still and seek the presence of God.

Song reference!

Found in Your hands

Fullness of joy

Every fear suddenly wiped away

Here in Your presence

All of my gains now fade away

Every crown no longer on display

Here in Your presence

Heaven is trembling in awe of Your wonders

The kings and their kingdoms are standing amazed

Here in Your presence we are undone

Here in Your presence Heaven and Earth become one

Here in Your presence

All things are new

Here in Your presence

Every thing bow before you

Wonderful

Beautiful

Glorious

Matchless in every way

Here in Your presence

We are undone

Here in Your presence Heaven and Earth become one

Here in Your presence

All things are new

Here in Your presence

Everything bows before You

We can have peace, we can be filled and completed, just by seeking Him.

Let His presence fill you no matter what you are going through, find comfort in Him.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

mindset

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

- Colossians 3:2

 

Stop for a minute and look around you, what do you see?

Some of us might be in an office setting, and see our computers, stacks of work, and to-do lists while others may be at home and see a pile of laundry, dirty dishes and a floor that needs vacuumed or swept and still others may be in an altogether location with other items of interest around us.

Did you know that there is a squid in the ocean called a cockeyed squid that has two extremely different eyes . . . scientists have discovered that over time this squid’s left eye develops and becomes considerably larger than the right eye. 

It is thought that this happens because this species of squid lives in the darkest part of the ocean, and the smaller right eye is used to seek the depths for food while the larger left eye gazes upward toward the sunlight that barely filters through the deep waters.

What happens when we start looking with a larger eye, toward God (the Light)?

We need to keep smaller eyes on what is happening around us, get our work done and get through each day, while keeping larger eyes focused on God, put our mindset to always look up and see Him and all His glory and the things He is doing for us each and every day.

The more we set our minds on God, the easier things of this world are.  

 

#dailybreadbykitty

strength

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

- 1 Samuel 30:6

 

Things in life are crazy, like super hard to deal with crazy.

We endure illness, injury, heartbreaks, loss, regular “life things” that can break us.

During a recent injury and recovery I posted on social media that the pain was overwhelming and all I wanted to do was to cry.

On that post so many of my friends responded with heartfelt prayers, encouragement and reminders that I am strong.

In my mind I was thinking that I am not that strong, that I can’t do this, and then my ears hear Him say that He is with me, that I will find my strength in Him.

Yes, things in life are super hard crazy, but all we have to do is lean on Him, he is our strength, our strong tower, our ever lasting Father.

He won’t let us down.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

I know

I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.

- Job 19:25

 

Let’s face it, we have all been through a lot.

We have suffered job loss, horrible health issues, deaths of family and close friends, simply inexplicable terrible things happening to really good people.

And we ask why.

I had an acquaintance say to me that there is no way that my God is as amazing as I say He is, and yet He “allows” me to suffer.

That acquaintance could not be more wrong.

I don’t think that my suffering is any less than that of my friends and family, it is certainly way less than that of Job and Jesus.

But I do know that my Redeemer lives – oh yeah – song reference!

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?

And who told the ocean, you can only come this far?

And who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening?

Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Well, I know my Redeemer lives

I know my Redeemer lives

All of creation testifies

This life within me cries

I know my Redeemer lives, yeah

The very same God that spins things in orbit

Runs to the weary, the worn and the weak

And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken

They conquered death to bring me victory

Now, I know my Redeemer lives

I know my Redeemer lives

Let all creation testify

Let this life within me cry

I know my Redeemer

He lives to take away my shame

And He lives forever, I'll proclaim

That the payment for my sin

Was the precious life He gave

But now He's alive and

There's an empty grave...

And I know my Redeemer lives

I know my Redeemer lives

Let all creation testify

Let this life within me cry

I know my Redeemer lives

Listen hard to that song (Nicole C Mullen is the artist).

When you think that you have been forgotten, remember that Jesus, the redeemer is there for you, picking up your tired worn self.

He holds us when we are broken, He did for us, and He lives.

Maybe you don’t have that kind of faith, but I do.

I know that no matter what hurt I am facing, my Redeemer lives for me.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

no worries

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

- Matthew 6:34

 

For yesterday’s verse I was digging a little deeper into Matthew 6, trying to find the context I was looking for to discuss here.

If you read yesterday’s verse and commentary, you know what I found. 😊

Many of us only pray or talk to God when we need things, and usually we are worried about the outcome of something.

The Bible tells us not to worry, to come to God with everything.

With praise, with thanksgiving, to bring our fear and our trouble.

Bring it all to Him, and then trust Him.

God said “do not worry”.

Yes, easier said than done.

But do you trust Him? 

Because if you trust Him, your worry fades, you know God’s got this, and He’s got you.  

 

#dailybreadbykitty

first

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

- Matthew 6:33

 

I saw a meme on FaceBook that had this verse.

But the meme was not the verse.

The meme said “no matter the place or time talk to God”.

I thought maybe it was the version, I tend to use the NIV Bible for my daily verses, but sometimes I switch to the Message or to the New King James Version.

So I googled “no matter the place or time talk to God” thinking it would lead me to the version.

It did not.

Instead of leading me to a version, good ol’ google showed me an article in the Baltimore Sun published in April 2017 about how God’s timing is perfect.

A quora dot com article asking if you talk to God all day or just specific times.

A wikihow article of 3 ways to talk to God.

Billy Graham’s website of prayer 101.

Now it makes sense to me.

Seek Him first.

When you are frustrated with work, seek Him.

When you are lonely, seek Him.

When you are scared, seek Him.

Because when you seek Him first, no matter the time or place, your answers are given to you.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

where are you looking?

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

- Hebrews 12:1-2

 

How is your 2021 going so far?

Mine is a little crazy, that is for sure. 

I have already experienced every emotional range that there is, from fear of surgery, to grief over the loss of a friend, to happiness in spending time with loved ones.

It is hard to find joy in everything, but this helps:

O soul are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There's light for a look at the Savior

And life more abundant and free

Turn you eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace

Through death into life everlasting

He passed, and we follow Him there

Over us sin no more hath dominion

For more than conquerors we are

And turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace

His word shall not fail you, He promised

Believe Him and all will be well

Then go to a world that is dying

His perfect salvation to tell

And turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace

If we can just remember to turn our eyes to Him when we are troubled, we can find peace.

 

#dailybreadbykitty