for real

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

- 2 Timothy 3:12-17

 

Every day we see evidence that science is trying to debunk the Bible.

There are many arguments published stating that events recorded in the Bible are just stories, that there is no way that they are true.

The arguments are lies.

Lies glorify people, truth glorifies God. (a quote from the lead pastor at my church a few years ago).

We know from studying the Bible that as time goes on, followers of Christ will be shamed and persecuted, we see this happening right now in our world!

Believers are being lumped into categories that do not fit, all as we are being deceived by thee very ones that are calling us Christians like it is a dirty word.

The term Christian has a negative connotation today, because a few who called themselves Christians chose poorly in their decisions and actions.

As I learn and grow in Christ, I am better able to defend my stance that the Bible is the truth (John 8:32 and the truth shall set you free!) and that being a Christ follower is the only way to the truth.

I hope that you are learning and growing as well.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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this could be it

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

- 2 Timothy 3:1-9

 

I grew up with parents that watched the news in the morning, at noon, at dinner and at 10pm and I used to wake up every morning and listen to the local news as I was getting ready for work. 

I don’t watch the news anymore because there is rarely anything happy or joyful that is reported, it seems that society has turned into exactly the kind of people that Paul wrote about to Timothy. 

Paul warned Timothy to stay away from these types of people, because it is easy to be convinced to join them, but Paul also assured Timothy that the people who are faithful will indeed see right through the imposters. 

But do we?

Look around, what do we see right now?

We see people that are truly lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – and to make it worse, we are following them.

We celebrate their wins, we make a big deal out of the very things that go against God’s word.

These are terrible times.

We must keep our faith, stay true to our God, the one true God, and don’t follow those people, lest we become like them.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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ewwww, children

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

- Matthew 19:14

 

It is kind of a joke at my church that if they need help in the nursery, with the preschoolers, grade schoolers, middle schoolers, or teen agers, to call me.

And I always give the same answer – nope!

We had Family Sunday last week, were there is one service and all the families worship together – the whole family, toddlers, children, teenagers and adults all in the same room at the same time for church. 

Ewwwww.

Part of the reason for family Sunday is to appreciate the adults that spend their time serving in the nursery or teaching a class, and part of it is to recruit new volunteers (nope!). 

There was a funny little video shown with all the excuses about why an adult couldn’t or shouldn’t serve in this capacity and I think I have used every last one of those excuses.

Bless you, teachers and care-givers and volunteers, you are doing a job that I never want to!

It’s a good thing that Jesus did not feel that way, in fact, He rebukes the disciples for sending the children away!

See, we were all children once and we are still children of God, and in the same way that Jesus told His disciples to let the children come, God wants His children to come too.

There is also a verse some where – oh yeahIsaiah 11:6 and a little child shall lead them – maybe we all need to stop hindering the children and ourselves and go to God.  

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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I am a sinner

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

- Romans 6:23 (NKJV)

 

No matter how hard we try I am pretty sure that we have all sinned in one way or another (if you think you have not, I refer you to Romans 3:23 -for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God).

We are humans, we are not perfect and we will fail, some more often than others, and some in many ways. 

Aren’t we fortunate then, that we have a God that loved us so much that He sent His Son to pay the price (death) on our behalf?

We no longer have to have burnt offerings on an alter, we don’t need to shred our clothing and throw ourselves on the ground, Jesus paid it ALL.

About a week ago, a friend of mine posted a picture of what appeared to be a receipt of some sort, I copied it and reposted and I want you to pay attention to it now:

JESUS PAID IT ALL

SIN                                        PAID

SHAME                                 PAID

PAIN                                      PAID

PAST MISTAKES                  PAID

REJECTION & LONLINESS PAID

SLAVERY TO SIN                 PAID

SPIRITUAL DEATH               PAID

===========================

      AMOUNT DUE              0.00

      CHANGE                       0.00

===========================

Subtotal                                0.00

GRAND TOTAL                    0.00

*************** 0000 XX/XX **********

 

FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, BUT

THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE IN

CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.

ROMANS 6.23

 

I really hope that copies the way I typed it when I share this on the many platforms that I use, because if that doesn’t make you catch your breath for a moment, I don’t know what I am doing here. 

We are all sinners, no matter what our minds try to tell us.

We should drop to our knees, confess our sins (and stop repeating our mistakes!), thank God and praise God for loving us that much, because nobody else loves us that much. 

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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thieves

Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

- John 10:7-10 (NKJV)

 

I hope with all my heart that you have never had to deal with someone breaking into your home, car, office or any personal space.

It’s a complete invasion and a lot of people never really recover from the experience.

I was seventeen when someone broke into the home where I lived in my entire life.

The house was ransacked, personal items were stolen or destroyed, the thieves even physically hurt my cat and my dog.

I never felt safe in that house again and our items were never recovered.

According to scripture, a thief’s only purpose is to steal, kill and destroy, and that is what those people did to seventeen year old me, the stole my stuff, they killed my safe place and they destroyed my faith in humanity. 

But (you knew there would be a “but” right?) God send His Son, so that people who believe in Him, who trust in Him, who put their faith in Him will have their lives restored.

We will have life, we will have abundant life, we will have the fullness of joy, strength for our spirit, refreshing for our soul.

Thieves can take material things, but they cannot take us away from God.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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translations

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

- Colossians 2:9-10

 

I knew that I wanted to use this verse in my daily bread, but I was kind of at a loss on what to say. 

I love using BibleHub, because it gives me alternate translations and I love what The Message (MSG) has to say: 
Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that’s not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.

Whoa.

Sometimes we don’t need extra words, we just need His word translated in a different way.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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advice

Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.

- Proverbs 15:22 (NLT)

 

When you have a decision to make, do you look at the pros and the cons to try to determine how your choice will impact you, your family and others today, tomorrow and years in the future or are you spontaneous, making the decision that you think will benefit you the most for the moment?

Do you take your time, talk to friends and family that are older, wiser or maybe have faced the same options at some point?

A lot of major decisions are made quickly without thought or advice from someone outside of the situation.

God created us to live in community, and to think that we have all of the perspectives we need without others is a Biblical definition of foolishness.

When we allow others to advise us, we can come into insights that we would never see.

This is why successful people are those who include others into the major moments of their lives.

The next time you have a choice to make, think it through and seek counsel.

It may just change the way you see the choice.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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stuff

Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

- Psalm 37:1

 

“Fret” is one of those old words that you don’t hear much anymore, it means to be constantly or visibly worried or anxious.

I’m kind of piggybacking off yesterday’s verse (if you did not read it, you should!) in the idea of humans should not seek revenge on those who have wronged them.

Sometimes it is hard to look at people that are not Christ followers and see their fancy cars, expensive homes and top of the line everything knowing that they don’t have a relationship with God.

It is hard to not be envious over their “stuff”.

Just because they seem to have it all, does not mean they are happy, and we shouldn’t be jealous of what they have because God provides us with what we need.

They may have the best of the best material things, but they are lacking spiritual fullness.

Without spiritual fullness and a relationship with God, they really have nothing, and why should we be jealous of nothing?

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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revenge

Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and He will deliver you.

- Proverbs 20:22

 

I used to have a little post-it on my wall that said “Karma.  No need for revenge, just sit back and wait. Those who hurt you will eventually screw up themselves and if you are lucky, God will let you watch.” 

I don’t believe in karma and I don’t believe in luck, and I certainly don’t think that God will allow us to observe the suffering of others for “fun”.

It may surprise you to know that I can hold a grudge for like ever.

That is one huge flaw that I have and readily admit.

I have probably spent way too much time thinking about how I could get revenge on some of the worst offenders.

When we are hurt or wronged by someone it is often very difficult to forgive and forget and let it go.

We need to do just that though because vengeance and vindictiveness - they only lead up to broken people, broken lives and broken hearts, often our own.

Even worse, when we try to get “paybacks” it speaks volumes about our character, loud embarrassing volumes.

Don’t hold on to your anger, don’t count the ways that someone has hurt you, don’t burn bridges.

God will take care of you.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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hold on

“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God, “I’ll get you out of any trouble. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party. I’ll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!”

- Psalm 91:14-16 (MSG)

 

The last two years have been tough on everyone, we have endured tragedies beyond belief and yet we are still here.

We have been isolated, we have lost loved ones, marriages have crumbled, we have had our lives turned upside down.

What do we do when we are at our wit’s end, when everything is just crashing around us and we are on the brink of our own destruction?

We hold on, because our God promises to rescue us.

Lauren Daigle is one of my favorite artists, and she has two songs I’d like to reference today:

When the best of me is barely breathin'

When I'm not somebody I believe in

Hold on to me

When I miss the light the night has stolen

When I'm slammin' all the doors You've opened

Hold on to me

Hold on to me

Hold on to me when it's too dark to see You

When I am sure I have reached the end

Hold on to me when I forget I need You

When I let go, hold me again

When I don't feel like I'm worth defending

When I'm tired of all my pretending

Hold on to me

When I start to break in desperation

Underneath the weight of expectation

Hold on to me

Hold on to me

Hold on to me when it's too dark to see You (I'll hold on)

When I am sure I have reached the end

Hold on to me when I forget I need You (I'll hold on)

When I let go, hold me again

I could rest here in Your arms forever

'Cause I know nobody loves me better

Hold on to me

Hold on to me

God promises to hold us, if we trust Him.

Second song reference:

You are not hidden

There's never been a moment

You were forgotten

You are not hopeless

Though you have been broken

Your innocence stolen

I hear you whisper underneath your breath

I hear your SOS, your SOS

I will send out an army to find you

In the middle of the darkest night

It's true, I will rescue you

There is no distance

That cannot be covered

Over and over

You're not defenseless

I'll be your shelter

I'll be your armor

I hear you whisper underneath your breath

I hear your SOS, your SOS

I will send out an army to find you

In the middle of the darkest night

It's true, I will rescue you

I will never stop marching to reach you

In the middle of the hardest fight

It's true, I will rescue you

I hear the whisper underneath your breath

I hear you whisper, you have nothing left

I will send out an army to find you

In the middle of the darkest night

It's true, I will rescue you

I will never stop marching to reach you

In the middle of the hardest fight

It's true, I will rescue you

Oh, I will rescue you

With this song I feel like God is reminding me that He won’t let me go, no matter what He is there.

Life is hard, we certainly don’t get to avoid struggle.

Some of us suffer outwardly asking for prayer from our friends and even strangers to get us through the hard times.

Some of us hide our pain, to look at us you would not know that we are hurting but inside we are a wreck, broken and torn.

No matter which person we are or even if we are sometimes both, we need to remember that God will always hold us, always rescue us.

All we have to do is call on Him

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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rise up

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.

Let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord.

- Psalm 106:48

 

One of my absolute favorite things is praise and worship music (as if you couldn’t tell!).

There is nothing like singing at the top of your lungs a song that shouts praise to the King of kings!

Music is written to encourage and inspire us. . . hey, the Bible is also written to encourage and inspire us!

Music can stir up emotions in us that we did not know were there, there are Bible verses that do the same!

Praying can teach us to praise God, there are lot’s of prayers in the Bible. 
Praise God, our Lord and Savior, He loves us no matter what from the day we are conceived He knows our name.

We should all say Amen to that!

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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mighty

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.

- Zephaniah 3:17

 

It has not been that long ago, a little over a year, that I wrote about this verse in my blog.

As things often happen, it has popped up again and I feel a strong desire to talk about it again. 

The posted verse is from the New International Version, and I have seen it written another way that I like better, but cannot find the actual translation word for word:

The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.

I don’t know why, I just like that better.

We do have a mighty God, He is with us, every day, every step we take, He loves us and He delights in us.

He longs to be with us, to be the arms we run to when we need anything.

Our God is an awesome God, let Him save you.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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rock on!

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

- Psalm 18:2

 

This is an amazing verse when you think about it.

When we face trials, hardships, struggles, when we are overwhelmed, we need to run to God.

He is our rock, our strength, the One that will shelter us from the storm.

When we lean on God, He will stabilize things and get us through whatever we are going through, He promised that we are never alone, that He will hold us through everything,

I could reference a whole bunch of songs here, just to show my point, but I feel like you get it. 

There is no rock like our God,

Our Deliverer is coming.

He is our refuge, our Strong Tower.

Why should we look anywhere else?

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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relieve stress!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

- Philippians 4:6-7

 

On my desk is a business card with a cat that looks extremely anxious.

The caption on the card reads “Relieve stress. . . take a prayer break.” and quotes this verse.

Those of you who know me or have followed  my blog for a while know that I am easily stressed and I do not handle stress well at all.

Fear, anxiety and stress go hand in hand, and as I have mentioned before the Bible says “fear not” 365 times, one time for each day!

We should not be anxious, we should not fear or worry.

When we give up our fears and anxieties, we are covered with peace, the peace of God.

Next time you feel stressed, take a prayer break, give it to God, and feel peace.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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rubies

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

- Proverbs 31:10-12

 

Ruby is the official birthstone of July, and my birthday is in July so obviously I love that the Proverbs 31 woman is compared to rubies.

Rubies, like diamonds are formed under the surface of the earth and under heat and pressure become the beautiful deep red stones that we know.

Rubies, unlike diamonds are rare because the minerals needed to create them are rare and the components that prevent their formation are common.

So a woman of noble character is considered more valuable that rubies, and should be treasured.

I have known some amazing women in my life, I am blessed to call some of them close family and friends.

Women, I challenge you to be of noble character, be a Proverbs 31 woman.

Men, if you are not already married, I challenge you to seek out a Proverbs 31 woman to make your wife and if you are married, what can you do to show her she is treasured and loved?    

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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keep fighting

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

- 1 Timothy 6:12

 

This is a crazy, crazy world that we are living in right now. 

There is so much corruption, greed, sin and hatred out there, we are in a constant battle to ensure our places in the kingdom of Heaven.

Each day we wake up not knowing what evil will surface today.

But there is something we can do – we can fight, we can give God every fear, every failure and we can shout His praises loud and proud!

Song Reference!

When all I see is the battle, You see my victory

When all I see is the mountain, You see a mountain moved

And as I walk through the shadow, Your love surrounds me

There's nothing to fear now for I am safe with You

So when I fight, I'll fight on my knees

With my hands lifted high

Oh God, the battle belongs to You

And every fear I lay at Your feet

I'll sing through the night

Oh God, the battle belongs to You

And if You are for me, who can be against me? Yeah

For Jesus, there's nothing impossible for You

When all I see are the ashes, You see the beauty

Thank You God

When all I see is a cross, God, You see the empty tomb

So when I fight, I'll fight on my knees

With my hands lifted high

Oh God, the battle belongs to You

And every fear I lay at Your feet

I'll sing through the night

Oh God, the battle belongs to You

Almighty fortress, You go before us

Nothing can stand against the power of our God

You shine in the shadow, You win every battle

Nothing can stand against the power of our God

An almighty fortress, You go before us

Nothing can stand against the power of our God

You shine in the shadow, You win every battle

Nothing can stand against the power of our God

An almighty fortress, You go before us

Nothing can stand against the power of our God

You shine in the shadows, You win every battle

Nothing can stand against the power of our God

So when I fight, I'll fight on my knees

With my hands lifted high

Oh God, the battle belongs to You

And every fear I lay at Your feet

I'll sing through the night

Oh God, the battle belongs to You

Oh God, the battle belongs to You

We are not alone in this battle, we have an army of angels with us, every step of the way, every minute of the day.

Fight for His truth to be the power over all!

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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