good or evil

If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you!

- Proverbs 11:27 (NLT)

 

How many of us have heard parents or grandparents say not to go looking for trouble ‘cause we’d find it (or some variation of that phrase)?

How many of us knew that came straight out of the Bible (I did not!)?

Have you ever noticed that some people are always looking to get something for nothing, and they will take what they want by any means necessary?  

They think that the world owes them something, and quite often they find themselves with only trouble as a consequence of their evil attitude and actions.

There are benefits to being seeking God for our riches when we are rewarded with blessings that overflow.

But it doesn’t stop there, we should live generously – look for ways to encourage and lift others up so they can have overflowing too.  

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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no anger

The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; He does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. 

- Psalm 103:8-10 (NLT)

 

Compassion and mercy are things we look for everyday without even realizing it. 
When we bump into someone in the store or get in their way, we say “excuse me”, that is seeking mercy – how horrible would it be if the person got angry and started screaming or worse pushing and shoving you? 
When we have a bad day and want to vent to someone, we are looking for compassion, how would it feel if we told our spouse that our boss was a jerk, and our spouse began to belittle us and say that it was understandable that our boss treated us like that?

We wouldn’t like it much.

We need to show that same compassion and mercy to others that we expect from them, that is what God shows us every single day.

We need to reign in our anger because God does not treat us with anger, He doesn’t punish us for the things we do wrong.

This year I learned a very personal very hard lesson on this – God does not constantly accuse us nor remain angry forever – and we should not hang on to things that others have done either. 

I have a long way to go, but compassion, mercy and forgiveness are a good place to start.  

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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it’s the truth

Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

- John 17:17 (NLT)

 

One of the things that I like about the internet is the ability to have multiple translations of the Bible at my fingertips. 

The Bible can be difficult to understand sometimes and having different translations to help discern the meaning when you don’t want to call your pastor at 3am is amazingly wonderful.

I didn’t used to like the Message translation, I felt like it was too wordy and, in some cases, “dumbed down”, for example this verse in the New Living Translation is a mere 13 words, but the Message translation is 132 words:  

Now I’m returning to you. I’m saying these things in the world’s hearing So my people can experience My joy completed in them. I gave them your word; The godless world hated them because of it, Because they didn’t join the world’s ways, Just as I didn’t join the world’s ways. I’m not asking that you take them out of the world But that you guard them from the Evil One. They are no more defined by the world Than I am defined by the world. Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth. In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. I’m consecrating myself for their sakes So they’ll be truth-consecrated in their mission.
The words that stood out to me here are “The godless world hated them because of it, Because they didn’t join the world’s ways” .

I get it that not everyone believes in God. 
Sometimes people that disagree with how I have interpreted the verse or perhaps they didn’t like it because my words hit a bit too close to home for their comfort.

I have literally lost friends over some of the words that I have posted because my words don’t support their belief.

Sorry / not sorry?

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life”. (John 14:6)

In John 1:1 we see this: In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The godless will hate this.

I don’t care. 

The word is the truth, and that truth is Jesus.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1167248103736801

 

thankful forever

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.

- Chronicles 16:34 (NIV)

 

I hope everyone survived yesterday with all the food, family, and football and best wishes to those heading out for shopping today! 
I quit shopping on the Friday after Thanksgiving a long time ago, with my anxiety about crowds that is not the place for me, so it was easier to just quit.

It’s ok for me to quit but did you know that God doesn’t quit?

The Message translation of this verse reads Give thanks to God — He is good and His love never quits.
His love never fails, never quits, He never gives up on us.

That is a huge reason to be thankful, isn’t it? 
Not a lot of parents can say that they never gave up on their kids, especially kids like us.

If we talked to God the way I have heard kids talk to their parents, you would think that He would turn His back on us (after washing our mouth out with soap) but He never has. 
I am so thankful for a God that loves me no matter what, that showers me with gifts every single day. 
Take time to reflect on what you are thankful for today. 

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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grateful and thankful

Oh, how grateful and thankful I am to the Lord because He is so good.

- Psalm 7:17a (TLB)

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ann Voskamp wrote in her book One Thousand Gifts “Thanksgiving - giving thanks in everything-prepares the way that God might show us His fullest salvation in Christ.”

I am thankful for a lot of things in my life as you should be: 
Be thankful for your home – many are homeless.

Be thankful for food – many are hungry.

Be thankful for warm blankets and clothing – many are cold.

Be thankful for friends and family – many are alone.

Be thankful for pets – many have never known unconditional love.

Be thankful for courage – many live in fear.

Be thankful for freedom – many have died for your rights.

Be thankful for your car – many must walk miles every day, no matter the weather.

Be thankful for children – many have been taken.

Be thankful for police, firemen, EMTS, nurses and staff at hospitals and care facilities – they are working while you enjoy your day.

Be thankful for the military – many will not be with their family and friends this year.

Be thankful for education – many don’t have the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for your faith – many are persecuted for their beliefs.

Be thankful for this email – many can’t read.

Be thankful for the annoying Christmas music that started November 1st – many can’t hear.

Be thankful for your job – many are unable to find employment.

Be thankful for laughter – many know only pain and sorrow.

As you prepare for the food, fellowship and football today, please take a moment to be thankful.

Even in our storms there are reasons to give thanks.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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get ready

Never stop praying. Be ready for anything by praying and being thankful.

- Colossians 4:2 (ERV)

 

People get ready, Jesus is coming!
Those are lyrics to a song from 1996 – did you know that? 

Granted, the song is about Jesus’ return and how we need to take time to know Him so when the day comes, we can go home with Him.

How do you think we do that, get ready, get to know Him?

Well, this says we can be ready for anything by praying and by being thankful.

Over the years I have seen a trend in social media where November is 30 days of thanks and I wonder, why only November, why only 30 days?

We should be thankful for that flat tire on the way to work, for losing our keys, for the long line at the store because these are all moments that God could use us to show someone else how to be thankful. 

Hey, thanks for reading this today, I hope you find something that you didn’t realize was a small gift and give thanks.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1167248103736801

it’s not just the turkey

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

 

I have recently learned that there are people in the United States who no longer celebrate Thanksgiving.

Honestly, I was floored by this concept – I had to google it to find out that it’s a real thing.

Suddenly we are a society that no longer learns from the past and would chose instead to erase it.

We can no longer read certain books, view certain historical landmarks, learn about how things were before the last 100 years because we might offend someone.

We have become a culture that walks on eggshells apologizing to people that were not there for doing things that we didn’t do hundreds of years ago.

I will not deny that there were mistakes made and that there were people that suffered greatly.

But it is not happening right now. 
To some, Thanksgiving is just a day on the calendar, to others it is the one time a year they get to see their families – it is not just about the turkey.

I’ve come to the realization that there are people that simply do not want others to be happy.

Be happy anyway.

The more thankful we are, the more we find to be thankful for. 
We can give thanks in all circumstances because we belong to Jesus. 

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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enter here

Give thanks as you enter the gates of His temple. Give praise as you enter its courtyards. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.

-Psalm 100:4 (NIRV)

 

As we enter the week where a lot of people celebrate Thanksgiving, we should really focus on being thankful this week. 
The Message translation for this verse reads: 
Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. (MSG)

What if we didn’t save it for Thanksgiving but we entered every single day saying “thank you” to God? 
Honestly, we shouldn’t set aside just one day a year to say thank you for all He has done for us. 
I am thankful for you. 

Yes, you – if you are reading this than somehow our paths have crossed and I am grateful for that because you may have taught me something, given me something or maybe you are my friend. 

Thank you for that and thank God for putting us together. 
Wake up each morning with a thank you on your lips.  

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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my safe space

I asked the Lord for help, and He saved me from all my fears.

- Psalm 34:4 (CEV)

 

I have a confession to make.  

I am a control freak.

To the point that if I am in a situation that I cannot control I freak out in major ways.

Seriously, last week I was shopping (a task that I do not look forward to, but I needed stuff) and suddenly I find myself in the middle of a panic attack.

Normally at this point I would call my husband to talk me down, but since this is a regular occurrence for me, I needed to find a different resolution because he is not always in a position where he can help. 

I wanted to just leave my cart and run to my car but chose instead to go to the back of the store and seek refuge in the restroom.

Once I was safely locked in the stall I just started crying.

Obviously, I knew I could not stay there, so after a few minutes of uncontrollable sobbing, I started to pray.

Ya’all, He answered me.

I asked the Lord for help, and He saved me.

I’m not crazy, I did not hear voices telling me to leave the stall, but I felt a calming peace wash over me and I knew that I could finish my shopping and go about my day.

I did just that.

I left the safety of the stall, found my cart, and retrieved the rest of the items on my shopping list, went through the check out and got myself and my groceries safely to the car. 

When I got home, I shared with my husband that I made it through this most recent event and he told me that he knew I could, that he had confidence in me.

Wow.

God has that confidence in us too because He is the one that puts that confidence in us.

Call out, He will reassure and rescue you.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1167248103736801 

prioritize what matters

Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.

- Luke 12:34 (TLB)

 

Today we have all these electronic calendars and gadgets to help us organize our lives, we even have wearable devices that tell us to stand up when we have been sedentary too long.

We can set reminders on our phones so we don’t forget to take out the trash, some vehicles even have an audible reminder to check the back seat before you get out.

I still use paper calendars and a Franklin Planner to track where I am supposed to be and when.

It is scary how busy my life is, some weeks I feel like I don’t get to breathe because there is always another meeting, another event, somewhere that I am expected to be.

We have to prioritize what matters.

Actually, I was quite angry when someone told me that earlier this year.

I was at an event planning meeting and every date that was suggested I had something else going on and would not be able to attend. 
After the meeting I had a separate conversation with the leader who not so kindly suggested that I needed to perhaps stop doing so much with other parts of my life so I could focus on this part.

I am no longer involved with that organization even though it holds a special place in my heart because I know that I am where God wants me to be.

I am still quite busy, but I make sure I am available for what I consider my treasure: my family (this includes people that are not related) and God.

If you are facing challenges with where you spend your time take a moment to put things into perspective, decide what your treasure, ask for God’s guidance, seek counsel from others. 

Your heart and thoughts will lead you.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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no wrong turn

If you go the wrong way—to the right or to the left—you will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the right way. You should go this way.”

- Isaiah 30:21 (NCV)

 

How often do we come to a place in our lives where we must decide something and don’t know which path to take?

It can be something impactful such as a career change or something basically meaningless like what socks match the shirt we want to wear.

The struggle is real, but so is God.

There really is no wrong turn, because God can take our mistakes and help us correct them. 
Read that again: God can take our mistakes and help us correct them. 
When we walk with God, He will help us to see our mistakes so we can admit our mistakes and take steps to make amends so we can turn around.  

“There is no way back” is a live that the evil one wants you to believe because as long as we walk with Him, we are on the right path.

No matter how dark and stormy the path may be, He is our light.

Choosing to follow Him is actually easier than choosing socks.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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taking sides

“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!”

- 2 Kings 6:16 (NLT)

 

“Whose side are you on?”

Growing up I believe I heard that a lot from friends (teen age girl drama is a real thing, even back then) and if I answered wrong I didn’t have that particular set of friends for long. 

This can be devastating to a kid who is forced to pick between friends that are bickering.

These battles don’t really go away as adults though, particularly in the realm of politics and human rights.

If you speak your mind on an issue you are running the risk of starting an all-out war between yourself and people that don’t see things the same way.

Christians (or as I prefer, Christ followers) are still persecuted in many countries – even here at home in the US.

People are demanding that we take God out of schools, out of the government.

Public schools no longer pray or teach the “one nation under God” portion of the pledge of allegiance - if they teach the pledge at all.

Statues of the Ten Commandments and crosses are being removed from public property for fear of offending someone that does not have the same beliefs.

Christ followers are afraid to share their faith for fear of being ostracized or in some cases fired!

But don’t be afraid – there are more on our side.

We are not alone in our belief; we are not alone in this world.

We have a powerful Father that will send armies to rescue us.  

Hang on to your faith and stay on the side of the Father.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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start spreading the news

The Word of the Lord has been spoken by you in the countries of Macedonia and Greece. People everywhere know of your faith in God without our telling them.

- 1 Thessalonians 1:8 (NLV)

 

Last week I wrote about how sometimes we might feel invisible, unseen, or unheard.

The response I got from that post was overwhelming and thank you for those of you who reached out, I really am OK.

In this time where social media is a priority to a lot of folks, we catch a glimpse of who people really are.

There are the political people that share every article about their favorite candidate (or more so now sharing the negative media of the candidates they don’t like).

Many are “copy and paste” people that repost the same “getting to know you” lists (be wary of the ones that ask things like mother’s maiden name or first pets, these are often security questions and there are scammers out there that search key words like that).

Also, we have the video posters, the ones that post links to you tube, reels and tik-tok.

Lest we forget the pet people who flood social media with pictures and memes of their pets (cats) eating, sleeping, sitting, walking, literally everything their pets do (me).

Finally, we have the meme and cartoon sharing people and the taggers, who see something that reminds them of someone, they share and tag on social media.

I might be guilty of everything but the political ones, if I see something cute, funny or heart touching I might repost it.  

What if for every picture, video, or meme we post we also post a Bible verse?

When you share the word of God it’s more than just words on the electronic device, you are sharing God with the world. 
When I post my “daily bread” on social media, I try to use catchy titles and pictures to get the attention of the people that don’t normally read my posts.

I think if I can bring them in with the first few words then they might stick around to read the whole post.

And just maybe if they do read, they might read the next one, then another and somewhere along the way they might get a glimpse of who God is.

People everywhere know my faith and even though I don’t have to tell them I will.

It’s what I do.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1167248103736801

Veteran’s day

Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

- Romans 13:7

 

I usually use this verse as a gentle reminder for people during tax season, but today I’d like to focus on the back have of the verse: respect and honor.

Thank you to every single one of you that are reading this message if you have served in the U.S. military, today is your day. 
I am the granddaughter of a U.S. soldier, I am the daughter of a U.S. soldier, I am the sister of a U.S. soldier, I am the mother of a U.S. soldier, and I am the friend of many U.S. soldiers, and my pride for U.S. soldiers runs deep.

I thank you for your service.

My grandfather, father and brother have left this earth and I honor them and hundreds of thousands of others who have served by asking everyone to respect, honor and be thankful for their sacrifice. 

Your freedom to read these very words was given to you by a soldier who deserves nothing less than honor and respect.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1167248103736801

decisions

A fool thinks he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others.

- Proverbs 12:15 (TLB)

 

Last month I decided on something that I had prayed about for a significant amount of time.

I was comfortable with my decision up until the last few days, now I am second guessing myself.  

Did I make the right decision?

How does my decision impact my family, my job, my life?

What does the Bible say about making decisions?

Once again, I am faced with many translations of a verse but the Good News Translation (GNT) of this verse kind of stung a little: 
Stupid people always think they are right. Wise people listen to advice.

Ouch.

We can all use advice from time to time, but we also need to take heed of exactly who it is that we are speaking to when we ask for advice.

Because we are not always going to hear the right thing, and we are not always going to like what we hear.

Today is one of those days that I am going to reference multiple Bible verses, all from the NIV translation:

Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. – Proverbs 13:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. – Proverbs 1:7

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. – James 1:5

We should all seek wise counsel, and friends, let me tell you, sometimes the people we trust most do not have our best interests at heart.

While I am still not sure I made the right decision based on recent conversation, I am going to see this one through.

At the end of the day, I pray that it is God’s will be done, in all situations.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen

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 4:17-18 (NIV)

 

Every now and then I use a secular song as a song reference.

Sometimes, songs have different lyrics but the same overall tone, an example are the lyrics of this song as recorded by Louis Armstrong: 
Nobody knows the trouble I've seen

Nobody knows my sorrow

Nobody knows the trouble I've seen

Glory, Hallelujah

Nobody knows the trouble I've seen

Nobody knows but Jesus

Nobody knows the trouble I've seen

Glory, Hallelujah

Sometimes I'm up

Sometimes I'm down

Oh, yes, Lord

Sometimes I'm almost to the ground

Oh, yes, Lord

Oh, nobody knows the trouble I've seen

Nobody knows my sorrow

Nobody knows the trouble I've seen

Glory, Hallelujah

Oh, every day to you I pray

Oh, yes Lord

For you to drive my sins away

Oh, yes Lord

Oh, nobody knows the trouble I've seen

Nobody knows but Jesus

Nobody knows the trouble I've seen

(Glory) glory Hallelujah (hallelujah) (Lord)

You see that the traditional lyrics differ slightly:

Although you see me going 'long so

Oh, yes, Lord

I have my trials here below

Oh, yes, Lord

If you get there before I do

Oh, yes, Lord

Tell all-a my friends I'm coming to Heaven!

Oh, yes, Lord

For some slight entertainment, check Wikipedia’s In popular culture section to see how many times variations of this song have been used since 1944, a few references made me smile.

OK, back to reality.

Absolutely no one has a perfect life, no matter what they post on social media.

Life is full of ups and downs, success and failure, good days and bad and it can be very tough for all of us at some point.

We have to accept that not every minute of every day is going to be wonderful.

At this very moment I know people that are facing struggles of immense proportions.

In the process of living, we're going to face some very difficult circumstances and going to experience some awful pain.

But…

Our pain is temporary, and the things that cause our pain are temporary, even the treatments, the prescriptions, the therapies, the surgeries, the setbacks are all temporary.

All these things that we have seen and experienced are passing.

Rick Warren said, “To endure the unendurable, you must see the invisible – Jesus.”
I am not sure how I would get through each day if I didn’t have God.

No matter what you are going through, you are not alone.

No matter what you are facing, it is temporary.

Your present troubles will not last long, let them bring you closer to God.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1167248103736801

unity

God told us the secret of what He wanted to do. It is this: In loving thought He planned long ago to send Christ into the world. The plan was for Christ to gather us all together at the right time. If we are in heaven or still on earth, He will bring us together and will be head over all.

- Ephesians 1:9-10 (NLV)

 

Everyone who reads my daily musings knows that I like to look at multiple versions of the scriptures that I use. 
Today’s verses were originally going to be from the NIV translation: 

He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
I like the NIV translation for the one word: “unity”, but I was afraid that the rest of the verse would be lost.

God knows what He is doing, He has known it all along.

I had the pleasure of making a new friend this weekend (I love making new friends!) when she visited the church I attend.

We talked for a few minutes before the service began and I wanted to let her know some of the things we do in this church that may be different from other churches such as the songs we sing, the order of service, the way we do communion. 

After service she told me that she had attended many denominations before determining where she belonged, and that the truth of the matter was that she really felt like it didn’t matter what church we attend, God is looking for unity among His people. 
Mic drop. 

God wants unity among His people.

The dictionary defines unity as the state of being united or joined as a whole.

We are no longer in the days where we can’t understand what someone else is saying, no longer have a language barrier when we have translators (thanks Google!) at our very fingertips!  

Why is it so hard to see that we should all have one goal in mind and that goal is to get to Heaven, to live with Jesus.

You might note that I am posting this on election day, 2022.

Unity.

Think about our one goal when you go to the polls.

Think about our one goal when someone tries to reel you into a heated argument about politics.

At the end of the day only one thing matters.

Unity - so we are ready when He brings us together.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1167248103736801

am I invisible?

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these stars? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. 

- Isaiah 40:26 (NIV)

 

I have been posting my “daily bread” blog since May 2016.

That is 1,550 Bible verses along with my personal thoughts, pain and emotions associated with each one.

I send these little nuggets via email to 97 people every day.

Additionally, I post the link to my blog on Facebook, where I have 1,379 friends, to a Facebook group with 225 members, a workplace group (Facebook for businesses) with 1,817 members, on a chat channel with 11 members, I send it individually to 3 people via text message, 4 people via messenger and I post it on MeWe, InstaGram and Twitter where I am followed by 388 people collectively.

If everyone reads these posts (and I am aware that they don’t) that is potentially nearly 4,000 (yes, I did math) people that read a Bible verse every day.

So why do I feel invisible?

There are people that react with emojis on my Facebook posts that I am fully aware do not read my messages.

People that respond to the messages just to see what responses they can stir up.

I know for fact that I have readers that do not believe in God at all, but they read my words because sometimes what I have to say hits home, regardless of their religious affiliation or lack thereof. 

So why am I feeling unseen and unheard today?

Why does it matter if the 4,000 people that “can” read my words do or don’t read them?

What difference does it make if I keep writing or if I just stop and disappear from social media completely?

Sometimes we all feel invisible and insignificant.

But we are not.

Every single minute of every single day, we are fully known and loved by Him.

As humans we crave acknowledgement from others - a pat on the back, a participation trophy for life.

In fact, our desire for absolute acceptance has caused us to create a society that has forgotten that it is ok to not be the center of attention.

And in that desire, we have also forgotten what really matters.

While human love and acceptance are nice to have, it is not the end game.

Stop seeking the approval of others because there is always going to be someone that fails to see us even if everyone else sees us. 
We are not invisible to God.

He loves us unconditionally. 
He knows every star in the sky by name, and He knows us by name too.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

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