light it up

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

 

Our world is so dark right now, there is so much anger and hate, lies and deceit. 

It feels like darkness and evil control everything around us.

I have lights in every room of my house, these lights help guide me from the bedroom to the kitchen in the dark without stepping on a cat or running into a piece of furniture. 

Recently I forgot to turn some of those lights on and wow - what a difference those little lights make!

The same holds true for us you know – the light of Jesus shines in a believer, shines so bright that others want to know what that is all about.

If people are lights, then we have to ask, what to people see when they see us? 
Do they see the light, the person that God wants you to be, or the person that your boss/spouse/society wants you to be? 

I saw a quote once: “When you are not the person God has called you to be, you keep others from being the person God has called them to be.”

I want to be the person that God wants me to be. 

I want to be a light that makes a difference.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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pass the salt

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

- Matthew 5:13

 

Too much salt in your diet can be very bad. 

It can make you retain water, it can give you high blood pressure, kidney problems all kinds of bad things.

But salt is actually important to your body, and we have to have some salt to live.

Salt is a preservative, helping to keep food from going bad, so if we are salt, we should preserve the word.

Salt is always best when it comes into contact with other things, adding flavor and value, so what value are we adding by being here?

Salt will make us thirsty, are we thirsty for Jesus?

If we are the salt of the earth, we need to be preserving God’s word, so it isn’t destroyed by evil, we need to add value to other peoples lives by being a living example of Christ and we always be thirsty for more of Jesus. 

We can be salt that does something or we can be salt that just sits on the table. 

Which are you?

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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by my side

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

- Psalm 118:6 (NKJV)

 

I seem to revisit the idea that we are not alone quite often in my “daily bread”.

Perhaps it is because I do see people that I care about struggling with things and wondering when it is going to get better.

I just want to hug them and tell them that they are not alone.

As everyone who knows me is aware, I love music, I listen closely to song lyrics and quite often I find in the lyrics something that speaks to me, and it is not always Christian music that does this.  

Here is a country music song reference for you:

There's so much breakin' up

Folks who won't fall in love

Put up shelves, guard themselves

Build walls

And it makes me cry sometimes

'Cause people live lonely lives

They don't want to try

They don't want to live at all

But I'm not gonna be afraid

To give up my heart that way

'Cause I need you

I need you by my side

And I'm not gonna say I'm strong

Out here in this world alone

'Cause I need you

I need you by my side

And when you find someone

Someone you really love

It makes life easier to bear

But some folks live on their own

Shut themselves in at home

They never find out what love's all about

'Cause they're scared

But I'm not gonna be afraid

To give up my heart that way

'Cause I need you

I need you by my side

I'm not gonna say I'm strong

Out here in this world alone

'Cause I need you

I need you by my side

'Cause I need you

I need you by my side

This song was written about relationships but think about your relationship with God . . . how many times do we “break up” with God?

We think that we know more than He does, that we can get through things without Him, but we need Him, by our side.

We all have friends or family that put up walls against God, who won’t let Him in, but they need Him too.

God is what love is all about, and yeah, it can be pretty scary living this life, but with Him by our side, it is not as lonely or frightening and you will never find anyone to love you more. 

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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it’s not your battle

He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.

- 2 Chronicles 20:15

 

While hanging out in South Dakota a few weeks ago, I came across a metal sign that caught my eye. 

It said “The battle is not yours, but God’s”.

Oh boy.

How many times do we wish that we were not fighting the battles that we are fighting?

So many things go through my mind when I think about this, watching people that I love struggle with things on their own.

The battle is not yours, but God’s.

Marriage, relationships, children, health, finance, all of these things in our lives can be battles.

And all of these things can and should be turned over to God.

Maybe they don’t get resolved the way that we want them resolved, but I can personally think of a handful of times that I wanted a specific outcome and God gave me something different.  

Perhaps I was angry or sad at the time, but looking back with fresh eyes, I can see that God has only wanted what is good for me, always.

We need to give our battles to Him, have faith that He will protect us in all of our battles.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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back to school

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

- Psalm 91:10-12

 

For most states school is back in session, albeit some schools are still practicing virtual learning, other districts are in full swing with in person learning and teaching.

A couple of weeks ago I saw a post on Tasha Dillon Ministries that had two prayers and referenced two verses:

I pray that you cover my children.  Give them the helmet of salvation to protect their minds against messages competing for their attention.  Guard their hearts, Lord, from anger, depression, anxiety, loneliness or anything that would make them feel unworthy of love.  No weapon formed against them shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17) In Jesus’ name. 
Keep your hedge of protection around them as they sleep, as they go to school, as they participate in extracurricular activities, as they get jobs. Let them fear nothing. Let no evil befall them. I know that I can’t be around them every minute. I thank you, Father God, for never leaving them.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. (Psalm 91:10)

We cover our children and grandchildren in prayer as they head off to this new school year, whether they are going to pre-kindergarten, their senior year in high school or their college years. 

Right now, I would also like to cover our teachers, instructors, professors and coaches in prayer as well.

These adults have taken on the challenge of teaching our children and grandchildren because they want to see future generations succeed, because they love children or they love whatever subject they are teaching. 
These adults are often belittled and treated badly because they are limited by what the government, their school district, or a parent committee will allow them to do, yet the parents expectations are that teachers are going to work miracles.

I believe that public school parents got a hard look at reality when schools went completely virtual due to Covid, but some of them still didn’t get it. 
Teachers spend way more hours then they are paid to help children that will probably forget them after a few years. 
Teachers spend a lot of their own money to get supplies for their classrooms, and supplies for the students whose families can’t afford the basic needs.

So while we are thankful that school is back in session, let’s take a moment to pray for the children and the teachers that are returning, pray that God gives them strength and protection that the children have open minds and can learn and that the teachers can continue to teach these bright young minds with loving guidance.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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writer’s block

For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way.

- 1 Thessalonians 2:18

 

I was struggling with verses for my “daily bread”, I told my husband that I was experiencing “writer’s block”, I have a lot of author friends that will understand this completely.

My husband (amazing man that he is) immediately said I should use 1 Thessalonians 2:18. 

I know I gave him a weird look as I pulled the verse up in Bible Gateway.

Wow.

Not only wow because this hit the nail on the head for me but also wow because our sermon series in church right now is on 1 Thessalonians and in fact, this verse was covered Sunday. 

I want to write encouraging words to my readers, find verses that impact all of us in our daily lives, remind us all how we are truly loved by our King.

I am a thousand percent positive that Satan does not want me to share. 
I wonder then, how many times we have wanted to say or do something and we have been blocked?

Perhaps the kid sitting alone in the cafeteria at school and we wanted to go sit with him or her, but Satan jumped into our mind and told us that we would be laughed at. 
Maybe the mom we see in the store struggling with the unruly child and tears in her eyes because she feels like everyone is judging her and we just wanted to say an encouraging word, but Satan turned us in another direction instead. 
How many times have we missed a chance to share God’s love because we were blocked by the evil one?

I want to write encouraging words and reference Bible verses, and share the word of God and I will continue to do that, no matter how hard Satan tries to block me.

I challenge you to do the same.

 

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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looking for miracles

Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

- Luke 18:27

 

Some crazy things have been coming up in my life over the last year, things that have literally broken me.

Some of these things have been resolved and some are still in play.

Some have left scars and some are healing wounds and some are still open, bleeding painful wounds.

I was blessed with the opportunity to attend a Christian concert last week, Kari Jobe, Bethel Music and Chris Tomlin, wow what a moving experience, to hear thousands of people all singing “amazing grace, my chains are gone” acapella, I’ll be honest, I cried.

I heard another song there for the first time, called “Too Good To Not Believe”, I encourage you to look it up and listen to it because it is very poignant.

Part of the lyrics say

You're the wonder-working God

All the miracles I've seen

Too good to not believe

You're the wonder-working God

And You heal because You love

Oh, the miracles we'll see

You're too good to not believe

Too good to not believe

That is not all of it though, this is a lengthy song.

Here is the part that really brought me too my knees:

And I've seen cancer disappear

I've seen metal plates dissolve

Don't you tell me He can't do it

Don't you tell me He can't do it

'Cause I've seen real life resurrection

I've seen mental health restored

Don't you tell me He can't do it

Don't you tell me He can't do it

'Cause I've seen families reunited

I've seen prodigals return

Don't you tell me He can't do it

Don't you tell me He can't do it

'Cause I've seen troubled souls delivered

I've seen addicts finally free

Don't you tell me He can't do it

Don't you tell me He can't do it

Each one of those items that are called out have directly impacted my life recently.

Some of these things have been done, and some I am still waiting for the miracle.

I believe there will be miracles.

Don’t you tell me He can’t do it.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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searching

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.

- Isaiah 55:6

 

Sometimes we get lost in our craziness, and that is when we need God the most.

Searching for Him should not be a difficult thing, He is around every corner, in every blade of grass, every child’s face, every bird’s song, every butterfly’s flutter, every gentle breeze. 

Gatewway Worship out of Dallas/Fort Worth has a pretty cool song:

The more I seek you

The more I find you

The more I find you, the more I love you

I wanna sit at your feet

Drink from the cup in your hand

Lay back against you and breath, feel your heart beat

This love is so deep, it's more than I can stand

I melt in your peace, it's overwhelming

The more I seek you

The more I find you

The more I find you, the more I love you

We don’t need to look that far, God is always near!

And when you need Him, all you have to do is call.

What more could we ask?

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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life

I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life.

- Psalm 119:93 (NKJV)

 

Life.

It is a little tiny word with a whole lot of meaning.

It is up to us to choose what kind of life we live.

We can sit around and be bitter and angry when things don’t go our way or we can accept the things that come with grace, knowing that God is in control and that He knows what He is doing. 

We should follow the Word and the laws set forth by God – His precepts – because guess what?

Without God, we would not be here. 

Choose to see the blessings, even in the middle of chaos, you’ll be amazed at how your faith will grow.  

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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crossroads

This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."

- Jeremiah 6:16

 

So now that I am back from vacation, and all things have returned to what ever normal is, I find myself looking at what the Bible says about rest.

There are several verses referring to the Sabbath, lots of Psalms where King David goes on about being with God, in His presence, finding refuge in Him.

Old Testament, New Testament, there is plenty of evidence in both that we should find peace if we turn to God.

Jeremiah, known as “the weeping prophet” because more often than not the message he conveyed was that of gloom and doom and he expressed grief for the people of Jerusalem.

In Jeremiah 6 Jerusalem was under siege, Jeremiah was telling the people to flee, and yet some did not, some chose to stay and ended up falling rejected.

So when we are at a crossroad, trying to decide which path we should take, turn to God.

He will lead you in the good way, and you will find rest.    

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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rested

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.

- Psalm 62:1

 

Hey everyone, I am back! 
We were in Iowa with family and in Black Hills of South Dakota so much beauty in God’s creation.

I hope that you all did not miss me too much. 😊 
Honestly though, a person could go anywhere and not find rest, unless they start with God.

Begin each day with a few minutes of prayer and reflection, ask God into your heart, that He may work through you each day.

Ask Him for His peace, and that His will be done.

When you have His peace, you have rest for your soul.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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rest

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

- Matthew 11:28

 

It is time for a break, ya’all, I’m taking a vacation!  

I love Nicole C Mullen, and she did a cover of “Come Unto Me” (song reference):

Are you looking for someone to be gentle

With your broken heart your shattered dreams

And are you searching for someone who'll be faithful

To you no matter what life brings

Well I know the maker of the storm the sunrise

He is both the Lion and the Lamb

He is strong enough to shake all earth and heaven

Yet meek enough to take me as I am

He says come unto me

All who are weary

And I will give you rest

Bring what hurts, bring your scars

Bring the load that you carry

And I will give you rest

Are the clouds above your head oh so heavy

Bursting with showers of despair

And do you struggle under more then you can carry

Has life given more then you can bear

And would you like to trade your failures in for victories

Like piles of ashes in for piles of gold

And can you fall down like a child who is helpless

So He can pick you up and make you whole

He says come unto me

All who are weary

And I will give you rest

Bring what hurts, bring your scars

Bring the load that you carry

And I will give you rest

So while I go refresh, I’m not going to send daily bread emails, texts, messengers, instagrams, twitters, or mewes for the next two weeks.

I invite you to look at my blog https://dailybreadgodswordmythoughts.blogspot.com/ , on the right of the page is a list of all the posts I’ve made since May 25, 2016 😊

There are 1,272 of them including this one, so don’t read them all in one day!

I’ll start posting again on August 17th. 

For the next couple of weeks I want you to do these things for me:

Be kind.

Be courageous.

Be the light.

Be an example.

Be the love.

See you on the 17^th!  

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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