I’m not changing my mind

But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

- Joshua 24:15b

 

Well that is a cute little Bible verse that we can print on pillows and paint on canvas and display in our homes, but is it true?

I sometimes feel like people would like me to change my mind.

Perhaps it is unintentional, but people challenge my faith every single day.

I can’t convince you to believe what I believe; all I can tell you is that my life is better for having believed.

I will continue to serve Him in the best way I can and I am not changing my mind.

 

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generations

After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.

- Judges 2:10

 

I heard a song the other night that I had not thought of in a very long time. 
It’s a secular song from the 80’s made popular by Mike and the Mechanics, bear with me while I take you down memory lane with this song reference:

Every generation

Blames the one before

And all of their frustrations

Come beating on your door

I know that I'm a prisoner

To all my Father held so dear

I know that I'm a hostage

To all his hopes and fears

I just wish I could have told him in the living years

Oh, crumpled bits of paper

Filled with imperfect thought

Stilted conversations

I'm afraid that's all we've got

You say you just don't see it

He says it's perfect sense

You just can't get agreement

In this present tense

We all talk a different language

Talking in defense

Say it loud (say it loud), say it clear (oh say it clear)

You can listen as well as you hear

It's too late (it's too late) when we die (oh when we die)

To admit we don't see eye to eye

So we open up a quarrel

Between the present and the past

We only sacrifice the future

It's the bitterness that lasts

So don't yield to the fortunes

You sometimes see as fate

It may have a new perspective

On a different day

And if you don't give up, and don't give in

You may just be okay

So say it loud, say it clear (oh say it clear)

You can listen as well as you hear

Because it's too late, it's too late (it's too late)

When we die (oh, when we die)

To admit we don't see eye to eye

I wasn't there that morning

When my Father passed away

I didn't get to tell him

All the things I had to say

I think I caught his spirit

Later that same year

I'm sure I heard his echo

In my baby's newborn tears

I just wish I could have told him in the living years

Say it loud, say it clear (oh say it clear)

You can listen as well as you hear

It's too late (it's too late) when we die (it's too late when we die)

To admit we don't see eye to eye

WOW. . . who would think that a song from way back then could have predicted the things we see today?

People just don’t see.

People have been turning their hearts from God for a very long time then they cry to God for help, He forgives them and things go well for a while and then it happens again.

This pattern repeats itself throughout history, and it is happening now.

We have stopped teaching people about God, we have not given the next generation the benefit of the power of His words.

If we don’t change things now, there is little hope for the future.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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there are rules

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

- Leviticus 19:18

 

There is a lot of anger and hate being spread in the world today.

Social media takes any fact and construes it until it is twisted in a way that is far beyond what the original issue was.

And then the hatred begins.

Family turning their backs against family, friendships destroyed over a difference of opinion.

People seeking revenge against others for words.

People taking action that is not theirs to take.

We humans always seem to think that we know better, don’t we?

Many humans set off with a knee-jerk reaction and to heck with the consequences.

Stop.

Remember to count to ten (slowly) before we react, and think about these things: is it kind? Is it helpful?

Lysa TerKeurst said in her book Unglued “If I knew this conversation was being videotaped and then shown to people I greatly respect, how would this change my reaction?"

Perhaps we should think about that before we react with revenge in our hearts.

 

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listen

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

- Romans 10:14

 

What is something that you really love?

Those who know me will say that I really love cats and you know, they aren’t wrong.

So now I want you to picture a world where no one knows what a cat is.

Those of us who are cat lovers would have a huge void in our lives, no purrs or mews or demands for attention.

Would we know that there was a void though if we didn’t believe in cats?

What if someone told you that there is such a thing as a cat, but you did not believe them?

What if you were told that having a cat would fill a hole in your heart, bring you happiness and joy?

How would you know of this thing called a cat if no one had told you?

Now re-read my words and replace “cat” with “Jesus”. 
Over the years I have been asked why I started my “daily bread” blog. 

There have been many moments when I wonder why I continue to write.

Who would miss it if I didn’t send the emails, the Facebook posts, the text messages?

Many times I have been told that the verse I chose was spot on for someone that day.

But what if I didn’t share? 

What if someone who needed to hear the word that day didn’t?

I don’t want to be the reason that someone didn’t have a chance to know God.

I guess I will keep sharing.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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who is in your posse

 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

- 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)

 

In my life I have known a lot of people.

Some I had an instant connection with and others, well it was good while it lasted.

We really have to choose our friends wisely because we humans are very easily corrupted.

Do you remember the old saying “would you take this person home to meet your mother”?

I am pretty sure that was a low-key reference to choosing your friends wisely.

People can corrupt us with out our knowledge and then one day those friends that are good are gone.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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times they are a changin’

Can an Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.

- Jeremiah 13:23 (NIV)

 

There are changes in the wind.

I remember hearing my grandmother say that a lot.

Usually, it was a reference to the weather, storms, cold, rain, whatever conditions were she’d swear that she could tell by the wind what was coming.

Somewhere I read that the expression “the winds of change have begun to blow” mean that there are forces at work that have the power to change things —used generally to mean change is going to happen.

Hopefully, the force is the Holy Spirit, and the change is happening in you as you learn and grow in God’s word.

Maybe it means a big move on your part, or maybe it is a series of small changes.

The point is we cannot be stagnant because that is when evil starts to creep in and take over.

Don’t get accustomed to evil. 

Be the wind.

 

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get ready

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress.

- Isaiah 9:1a (NIV)

 

There comes a point in everyone’s lives when we just can’t take anymore.

It is like everything bad has happened and we just wonder when the “next shoe is going to drop”.

I know some people that hit this wall and they just feel that they can’t go on.

I have felt this way, I’ve had many days of tears crying “I just can’t do this anymore.”

I have lost the ability to “can”.

Except I haven’t.

Neither have you.

The road is long and hard and filled with huge bumps but keep going because you matter.

You matter.

There is a suicide awareness campaign that started in 2013 with a semicolon as its logo.

That’s it, a simple semicolon.

Why?

Founder Amy Bleuel said “A semicolon is used when an author could've chosen to end their sentence but chose not to. The author is you, and the sentence is your life.”

I have met a lot of people with a semicolon tattoo.

I am one of those people.

God promises us that there will be no more gloom, so use a semicolon in your story now so you can see God’s promises fold out.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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for what it’s worth

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

- Mark 8:36 (NIV)

 

I guess that it has been a while since I have done a song reference, so let’s go ahead and do one today. 😊

It’s just a couple of snippets though, because I need to write this. 😊

Father God, I am clay in your hands
Help me to stay that way through all life's demands
'Cause they chip and they nag and they pull at me
And every little thing I make up my mind to be
Like I'm gonna be a daddy who's in the mix
And I'm gonna be a husband who stays legit
And I pray that I'm an artist who rises above
The road that is wide and filled with self-love
Everything that I see draws me
Though it's only in You that I can truly see
That its a feast for the eyes - a low blow to purpose
And I'm a little kid at a three ring circus

. . .

I don't want to gain the whole world and lose my soul
Don't wanna walk away (I like this!) let me hear the people say
I don't want to gain the whole world and lose my soul
Don't wanna walk away let me hear the people say
Don't wanna walk away, walk away, walk away

How many times have you tried to make a deal with God, like “God, if you do this for me than I promise I will . . . “

And how many times has God said “ok” and given you what you want?

There are so many movies, TV shows and music out there about making a deal with the devil. 
The Devil went Down to Georgia is the first one that comes to my mind, and with the exception of Johnny winning the gold fiddle, most of these movies, TV Shows and songs don’t end well for the human that is making the deal.

There are a lot of things that I would really like to have, see or do.

But I don’t like any of those things enough to be willing to give up my family or friends and spend eternity with evil.

It’s not worth it.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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good things

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

- Lamentations 3:25-26 (NIV)

 

Hello friends!

It is always good to return from vacation refreshed! 
Today I want to focus on an old saying “good things come to those who wait”. 

That is not really in the Bible, but it is attributed to a poem published at the beginning of the twentieth century by Lady Mary Montgomerie Currie under her pseudonym “Violet Fane”. 

Just like many people I find myself saying “I hope” a lot, and I pray for many things for myself and others.

Friends might hope for a new job or a good report from a doctor visit. 

Our hope should lie in the Lord, He is the one that gives us salvation. 

Sometimes when we have to wait for Him, it feels like He isn’t listening to us at all. 

I can remember several times when I hoped for something, only to be disappointed when it fell through, but looking back I see that it is way better that my “hope” did not come true. 

Wait for the Lord, He knows what He is doing. 

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heading out again

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

- Psalm 46:10

 

It’s time for another break.

I know I have taken a few breaks this year, but I truly come back relaxed and ready to face the next giant.

The last few weeks I have seen more families lose a loved one than I have seen in a long time. 

Some of these deaths were personal to me, others I didn’t know but I still hurt for those families.

In the craziness of today’s world especially when we are faced with so much death and uncertainty, we all need a break.
Give yourself time to be still, let the peace of God fill your heart, meditate on His presence, notice that He is all around you.

Take time to rest in Him and be refreshed.

Be still.

Listen to the wind or the rain.

Be still.

Listen to His creation around you.

Be still.

Know that He is God.

Be still.

 

I will not be writing for the next few days because I don’t know if I will have cell service.  I’ll be back next week to share more of my thoughts with you.

Have a blessed week my friends.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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love freely

I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.

- Hosea 14:4

 

Hosea is kind of a scary book of the Bible.

Israel had turned their backs on God once again and now they were trying to find favor with Him.

Our God, being merciful and loving His people so much that He shows them compassion and a willingness to heal them if they just turn to Him again.

God loves us so much that if we are sincere in our regret and remorse that He will forgive us, He will grow us, He will refresh us.

He doesn’t stay angry, He restores us.

I wish people would practice this same idea, to throw away their anger and love one another the way God intended. 
  

#dailybreadbykitty

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trust

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service.

- 1 Timothy 1:12

 

I have had a lot of jobs since I started working.

I’ve been a waitress, a cook, a bartender, a nurse’s aide, a first responder, a receptionist, a customer service representative, a greeter, a teacher, an administrative assistant, coordinator, facilitator, and a whole lot of other titles over 38 years. 

I think the one I appreciate most though is “servant leader”.

People often say that they don’t have the skills to serve God and that is simply not the truth, Mark Batterson said “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.”

Moses had a speech impediment; do you think he thought he could lead hundreds of people out of slavery?

Jacob was a liar, Noah was a drunk, Samson was immoral, and it wasn’t just the guys back then, Rahab was a prostitute!

But God (there it is, “but God”) God saw something worthy in all these people.

He trusted them to do great things because He didn’t see them as flawed people but as the people they would become.

We all have struggles but if we take our struggles and learn from them, we can be appointed to service. 
We might think we are too broken but if you read through the Bible, you will see that God loves broken people, and when they go to Him, He changes them.
Greg Laurie said, “we see a broken life, but He sees a life put back together and used for His glory.” 
Thank You Jesus, for giving me the strength to be trustworthy, even if I don’t know it yet.

 

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don’t go alone

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”

- Ruth 1:16-17

 

I’m going to piggyback off my commentary from yesterday with today’s verse.

After Naomi lost her husband and both of her sons, she encouraged her daughters-in-law to return to the homes of their mothers and fathers knowing that as a widow she would not be able to provide them with husbands to secure their future. 

Ruth refused to leave Naomi because of the great love the two women shared.

Yesterday I talked about people that come into our lives for a season, a reason or a lifetime and I think that Ruth knew that Naomi was her “lifetime”.

I have known a lot of people that are raised in one faith then when they get married, they follow the faith of their spouse.

Some faiths aren’t really all that different, but some are worlds apart in the things they believe and practice.

Tell me, would you give up everything that you had ever known if you were asked?

What if the person that was asking is Jesus?

He did that too, you know, He told people to put down their nets and follow Him, He told people to sell all their possessions and follow Him.

Naomi did not have to go alone, she had Ruth.

Jesus had His followers.

You don’t have to go alone either – you have Jesus.

 

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because of you

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. 

- Philemon 1:4-5,7

 

I have heard it said in poetry and in music that people come into our lives for a season, a reason, or a lifetime.

I have been blessed to have experienced all three and while I agree that those lifetime people are pretty important, the “reason” and “season” people are important too.

Stop and look at your life for a moment, think about the people that have been a huge part of your world.

Maybe it was your best friend in high school, maybe it was a teacher or a preacher or someone that filled a parental role when you needed one.

We should always thank God for all people because we don’t know why they’ve been placed in our lives.

Maybe we are a “season” for them, and we should love and refresh their hearts, as we have been loved and refreshed by our people.

The Lord’s people.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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there can be only one

Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

- Acts 17:19-21

 

Have you ever noticed that it seems like everyone wants the best of everything?  
If a new generation of cell phone comes out people are chomping at the bit to get the latest technology.

When a new fashion trend is started folks just start following the trend like it is the coolest thing ever even when it is not.

It isn’t just people living in 2022, this has been happening for centuries, even back in the days when Paul was preaching about Jesus.

the line that got me the most in this verse is the last line describing people who “spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.”

I see that a lot in today’s world.

Paul had gone to Athens and found a city full of idols, so he started to teach there about Jesus.

The people were interested in hearing what he had to say but found his reasoning that there was only one God to be a little far fetched.

Paul left the Council that day with only a few new believers

I think we need to stop grasping onto these new ideas of what the Bible really means and stick to the truth. 
There is one God. 

He is good.

And He is waiting for you to turn to Him.

What are you waiting for?

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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troubles

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.

- John 14:1 (NIV)

 

Here we are three days into the sixth month of 2022.

Have things changed?

No, they really haven’t – if anything things have gotten a little worse here on Earth.

This century has thus far been full of absolute craziness.

We have watched helplessly as attacks on America took place, the U.S. sent hundreds of thousands of men and women into battle.

We watched in horror as disasters unfolded such as fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, flooding.

We were isolated as a virus literally took over the world.

And now we are seeing hardships like nothing we have experienced before with skyrocketing prices, shortages of critical products, unemployment, violence and so much more.

It’s hard to watch the news or read the papers because there seems to be nothing good left in the world.

Look up. (Yes, that is indeed a song reference)

Where are You now

When darkness seems to win?

Where are You now

When the world is crumbling?

Oh I, I-I-I, I hear You say

I hear You say

Look up child, ayy

Look up child, ayy

Where are You now (where are You?)

When all I feel is doubt?

Oh, where are You now

When I can't figure it out?

Oh I, I-I-I, I hear You say

I hear You say

Look up child, ayy

Look up child, ayy

Look up child, ayy

Look up child, ayy

Look up

You're not threatened by the war

You're not shaken by the storm

I know You're in control

Even in our suffering

Even when it can't be seen

I know You're in control

Oh I, I-I-I, I hear You say

I hear You say

Look up child, ayy

Look up child, ayy

. . .

Look up 
Don’t stop believing (yeah, I’m not going to do that song reference). 

We must continue to pray, to praise and to follow the word of God.

We trust Him to do what is right, we believe that things will get better, we have faith in our Father.

It’s hard to see the sunshine through all the rain (that’s a song reference too) but it is there.

And so is God.

Believe.

 

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