cheers!

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

- Proverbs 17:22 (NLT)

 

It is hard to be cheerful when it feels like the world is crashing down around you, I get that.

I have spent countless hours in tears, trying to make sense of something horrible that has happened, hours in prayer asking God “why?”.

Maybe God doesn’t always give me a direct answer.

I have learned that if I can smile through my pain rather than dwell on the heartache, I feel better.

Sweep your crushed spirit out with the old year and begin 2024 with a cheerful heart!

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

go seek

But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

- Luke 12:31 (NKJV)

 

Here we are, almost the end of 2023.

Luke 12 is where Jesus gives us warnings, but also encouragement.

Jesus tells us not to be afraid of God or even of random people, but to be afraid of evil, for evil is the one that can throw you into hell.

Jesus tells us that Gods will not forget us, that even the hairs of our head are numbered and that we are worth more to Him than sparrows.

Jesus tells us in Luke 12 the parable of the rich fool and what not to do with our possessions, but to store up our treasures in heaven and do not worry about food and clothing, for He will provide for us.

“Do not be afraid” He says, and “do not worry.”

But He does tell us to be ready.

Be ready for service.

Be ready to share His word.

As 2023 ends, let’s not dwell on what we should have done differently this past year, but instead, let’s focus on what we can do here, now, and in 2024.

Let’s shift our focus away from ourselves and focus on what He wants us to do.

Be ready for whatever comes your way but above all do not worry and do not be afraid – God is with you.

Always.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

Christmas lights

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

- 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NKJV)

 

Have you taken down your Christmas lights yet, or are you waiting until after the new year?

Most of the time I would like to take mine down right after Christmas, but hubby makes me wait until after the first . . . and then there have been years when the lights stay up (but not on) until oh, March or April, depending on what part of the country we are in and how cold it is – ha ha.

Christmas lights give us a warm fuzzy around the holidays, filling us with love and anticipation of what is to come, but the thing is, the Light doesn’t end after Christmas.

Tim Hughes wrote this song in 1999, it has been a worship team favorite and recorded by many artists over the years:

Light of the world, You step down into darkness.

Open my eyes let me see.

Beauty that made this heart adore you

Hope of a life spent with you.

Here I am to worship,

Here I am to bow down,

Here I am to say that you're my God,

You're altogether lovely,

Altogether worthy,

Altogether wonderful to me.

King of all days,

So highly exalted

Glorious in heaven above.

Humbly you came to the earth you created.

All for love's sake became poor.

. . .

I'll never know how much it cost

To see my sin upon that cross.

And I'll never know how much it cost

To see my sin upon that cross.

. . .

Even though the holidays are basically over, we need to remember that Jesus isn’t just the Light of the season, He is the light of ALL seasons, and we need to continue to let Him shine in our lives so others may see Him.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

it’s not over

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

- John 3:17 (NKJV)

 

Well, the presents are unwrapped, the leftover turkey is put away and another Christmas is in the books.

But wait - Christmas is not over.

This gift we were given, it seems that there is a lot of misconception around the reason God sent Jesus.

Jesus was not sent to judge us, but to save us.

He did not come to punish us, but to show us mercy and grace.

The devil would love for us to think that our God is about condemnation, but I am telling you, that simply is not true!

God wanted us to have salvation, He wants to be our Father and us to be His children.

On the calendar, Christmas is over, the pretty paper is gone and the presents have been distributed.

But Christmas should not be over in our hearts, every single day we should celebrate that God gave us the best gift ever in His Son Jesus.

Don't stop just because it is December 26th. 

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

Merry Christmas

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

- Luke 2:1-21 (NKJV)

 

Merry Christmas!

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

go eat

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

- Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

 

Nehemiah said this to the Levites after Ezra read and explained the Law of Moses, see, these people had been grieving for a long time, they had just returned to their cities after a long exile and their spirits were down. 
My favorite thing to do at Christmas is to spend time with my in-laws, preparing for the upcoming feast.
Christmas Eve soups and breads, Christmas day meats and yummy sides, the time spent with family is priceless.

It’s been two years since my mother passed, even longer since my dad and my brother passed, and this Christmas is still very painful.

I’m blessed to have married into an amazing family that shows me joy through my tears.

Nehemiah reminded the people what God had provided, even through their sorrow there was joy to be found.

He also reminded them to share their food and drinks, I think that I know why, because when you have something, even when it is little, and you share it, it brings joy.
Joy to the person receiving it, joy to you and this joy fills us with the Lord’s strength.

This Christmas share joy.

The smallest act of kindness can be the spark that starts the fire of joy in someone’s heart.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

Christmas carols part 2

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

- Luke 2:11 (NKJV)

 

How the shepherds must have felt, to have the silence broken by an angel of the Lord, then a whole choir of angels singing!
The silent night was broken. 

Yes, that is a song reference.

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is going to candlelight service with my family and singing Silent Night.

Originally written in German by Father Joseph Mohr and set to music by composer Franz Xaver Gruber.

The words, the melody, I can barely sing it without crying, here it is in English and in the original German:

ENGLISH -

Silent night, holy night!

All is calm, all is bright

round yon virgin mother and child.

Holy Infant, so tender and mild,

sleep in heavenly peace,

sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight.

Glories stream from heaven afar,

heav’nly hosts sing, Alleluia!

Christ, the Savior, is born!

Christ, the Savior, is born!

Silent night, holy night!

Son of God, love’s pure light

radiant beams from thy holy face

with the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

---

GERMAN -

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!

Alles schläft, einsam wacht,

nur das traute, hoch heilige Paar.

Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,

schlaf in himmlischer Ruh,

schlaf in himmlischer Ruh.

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!

Hirten erst kundgemacht,

durch der Engel Halleluja,

tönt es laut von fern und nah:

Christ, der Retter, ist da,

Christ, der Retter, ist da!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!

Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht

Lieb aus deinem göttlichen Mund,

da uns schlägt die rettende Stund’,

Christ, in deiner Geburt,

Christ, in deiner Geburt.

The melody is haunting, the words beautiful, and this song probably speaks “Christmas” to me the loudest.

What is your favorite Christmas carol? 

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

Christmas carols

The Holy Spirit made it known to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen God’s Chosen One.

- Luke 2:26 (NLV)

 

What is your favorite part of the Christmas season?

Is it the lights and decorations, the parties and food or the gifts and time spent with family?

Ask me this and I will give you a different answer every day, but singing is likely to be my answer most of the time.

Let’s look at a few verses of a hymn written in the 17^th or 18^th century that we often sing as a carol:

O come, O come, Immanuel,

and ransom captive Israel

that mourns in lonely exile here

until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

shall come to you, O Israel.

. . .

O come, O Bright and Morning Star,

and bring us comfort from afar!

Dispel the shadows of the night

and turn our darkness into light.

. . .

O come, O King of nations, bind

in one the hearts of all mankind.

Bid all our sad divisions cease

and be yourself our King of Peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

shall come to you, O Israel.

Simeon was waiting to meet the Messiah, as he had been promised by God that he would not die until that happened.

I wonder, did Simeon sing a song like this?
Do we sing this song in anticipation of Christ’s return? 

I think that we should.  

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

truly glad

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.

- 1 Peter 1:6-9 (NLT)

 

How do you remain joyful this Christmas season when your heart is full of hurt?

Everyone has trials; it is all in how you handle it.

I don’t believe that there is one person reading this that has not been ill, lost a friend or a loved one, or had some sort of tragedy in their life. 

As we fight these battles we can go running to His arms when the storms are too strong to bear.

The trials are bad but know that there is joy after the pain.

So many crazy things have happened in my life, I simply cannot believe that God has not had a hand in each thing and has brought me through so many fires without me being terribly burned. 

So maybe I can’t see Him, but I sure know He is there. 

And that keeps my joy overflowing.

It seems to be human nature to be unhappy, you see it in almost every face.

But keep sharing the Gospel – we don’t know when something we say might be that spark that starts a flame burning in someone’s heart and leads them to God.

Don’t pressure them, threaten them or stop being their friend, honestly, don’t even try to change their mind, but instead, live as an example, let them see Christ in you.

An anonymous person is quoted as saying “I believe in the sun even if it isn’t shining. I believe in love even when I am alone. I believe in God even when He is silent.”

There is joy in everything, you can find it if you look hard enough, and be truly glad that you know there is joy ahead.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

the pink candle

As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

- Luke 1:44 (NIV)

 

This week is week three of Advent where the pink candle, representing joy, is lit.
This week celebrates the joy of Christ coming to earth. 
We highlight the joy that the shepherds felt when they heard the news about the birth of Christ.
Like the happiness that a child might experience when they unwrap a gift that they’d hoped for on Christmas Day, it is an extreme happiness that cannot be deterred by present circumstances.

This type of joy comes from God alone.

We have joy because of our faith.

But we always have a choice.
We can choose to live with anger, resentment and fear or we can choose joy. 
Joy is trusting when you want to doubt, receiving what you want to reject, celebrating when you want to fear.

God will take care of us, no matter what happens, it is a pleasure for Him to fill us with joy.

This week I encourage you to choose joy.

Share with someone one thing that you are trusting God to handle.

Encourage someone who is experiencing fear and worry by writing a note, let them know you are praying for them and God will give them the courage they need.

Evaluate what brings you joy, make a list!

Make time and space to share a meal and fun to enjoy Christmas with others.

Pray that others can see the Joy of Christ in you.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

joy

 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

- Philippians 4:4 (NKJV)

 

I find it interesting when I look back at my writing through the years that I have referenced this verse at both Christmas and Easter.
Christmas because we find unspeakable joy in celebrating the birth of our King. 
Easter because we find unspeakable joy in celebrating our risen King. 
In 2009 Chris Tomlin released a version of Joy to the World that includes unspeakable joy:
Joy to the world, the Lord is come

Let earth receive her King

Let every heart prepare Him room

And Heaven and nature sing

And Heaven and nature sing

And Heaven, and Heaven and nature sing

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns

That all their songs employ

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

Joy, unspeakable joy

And overflowing where no tongue can tell

Joy, unspeakable joy

Rises in my soul, never lets me go

He rules the world with truth and grace

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness

And wonders of His love

And wonders of His love

And wonders, wonders of His love

Joy, unspeakable joy

And overflowing where no tongue can tell

Joy, unspeakable joy

Rises in my soul, never lets me go

We have many reasons to rejoice in the Lord.

Joy is not just an emotion, joy is deep rooted, and can be amazingly simple.

As simple as a light fluffy snowfall with huge flakes.

As simple as the light in a child’s face when they discover something new.

As simple as the soft and gentle purr of a kitten in your lap.

Joy can be found in the most dire situation, as the apostle Paul showed us when he encouraged his followers to rejoice, even while he was being beaten and tortured and in prison.

True joy, is not just an emotion, but a state of well-being.

For every bit of trouble or anger in your life, I challenge you to find something in that event that brings joy.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

peacemakers

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

- Matthew 5:9 (NKJV)

 

Peace seems to be a repeating theme this year.

I love that we are told that Jesus is the Prince of Peace and that with Jesus coming there will be peace.
That we lie beside peaceful waters in the 23^rdPsalm. 

The word peace is mentioned in the Bible over 400 times, and you know what I say about God repeating Himself.

We need to hear it.

We need peace.

We need to BE the peace.  
A response was posted to my “daily bread” Monday titled “peace on earth”: 

PEACE is an impossible term for humanity. The only way it is achievable is to have everyone look, dress, and think alike.  There can be no freedom of choice or speech.  That is the only way to achieve real peace. So, stop this nonsensical idea of peace on earth. For most, the only peace we will know is after we are dead and gone.

I believe that peace begins with us.

We must have inner peace, peace within ourselves before there will be peace in our beyond ourselves.
I responded to that comment with Matthew 19:28 (NIV) With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Jesus, Son of the Living God was sent to us as the Prince of Peace, and here on earth we are to learn that as peacemakers we will be called sons of God.

We can stop the madness around us, but we can only do it with the grace of our Father.

Lean on Him, and start making changes in our world by making changes within ourselves.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

refreshing

 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

- Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)

 

As we get closer to Christmas, we begin to hear more about those who are in need this holiday season.

It is heartbreaking, really, and the needs are not always financial.

I once approached a co-worker’s desk to get information from them.

The precise moment I got to their desk, the person finished a telephone call where disturbing news was delivered. 

We talked, we cried, we comforted, we prayed.

When I got ready to leave, the person commented that I had arrived at the perfect time, because they really needed someone to listen.   

God knows when you are needed.

The VOICE translation of this verse reads A giving person will receive much in return, and someone who gives water will also receive the water he needs.

We are the water that some people need.

The Bible says that the action of giving to others sets into motion a sense of satisfaction.

If your heart is heavy this season, maybe give a little of yourself to someone in need.

A smile, a kind word, you never know when that is the very gift that someone is seeking.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

unexpected visitors

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

- Luke 2:8 (NIV)

 

It has been said that being a shepherd is a rather boring job, but it is not for the faint of heart.
Although it might seem peaceful to lead obedient sheep across a green pasture, shepherding is hard work.

Shepherds have to watch the herds constantly to protect them from predators.
So, imagine their shock and surprise when they received an unexpected visitor one night.   

In the middle of a quiet night, suddenly an angel appeared, and then, as if they weren’t frightened enough, a whole bunch of angels appeared and they were singing!
The natural instinct of a sheep is to flee when they perceive danger, but I think that the sheep that night did not flee.

If the sheep would have started running, the shepherds would have gone after them and missed an important message from the unexpected visitor.
Are we sheep? 
Are we turning in running, or are we listening for the announcement of Jesus coming back to the world?
We are probably not going to be in the middle of a field surrounded by sheep when Jesus comes back.

But I hope we hear the angels singing on that day.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

peace on earth

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

- Luke 2:14 (NKJV)

 

In the season of Advent, we remember as we light the second candle that Jesus came to be the Prince of Peace.

The promise of Christ is peace, but it doesn’t always feel peaceful.

Casting Crowns released a song in 2008 called I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, the same lyrics but definitely not the same version Burl Ives sang in 1965.   
I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play

And mild and sweet their songs repeat

Of peace on Earth, good will to men

And the bells are ringing (peace on Earth)

Like a choir they're singing (peace on Earth)

In my heart I hear them (peace on Earth)

Peace on Earth, good will to men

And in despair I bowed my head

"There is no peace on Earth, " I said

For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on Earth, good will to men

But the bells are ringing (peace on Earth)

Like a choir singing (peace on Earth)

Does anybody hear them? (Peace on Earth)

Peace on Earth, good will to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep

God is not dead, nor doth He sleep

(Peace on Earth)

(Peace on Earth)

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on Earth, good will to men

Then ringing, singing on its way

The world revolved from night to day

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime

Of peace on Earth, good will to men

And the bells, they're ringing (peace on Earth)

Like a choir they're singing (peace on Earth)

And with our hearts, we'll hear them (peace on Earth)

Peace on Earth, good will to men

Do you hear the bells, they're ringing? (Peace on Earth)

The light, the angels singing (peace on Earth)

Open up your heart and hear them (peace on Earth)

Peace on Earth, good will to men

Peace on Earth

Peace on Earth

Peace on Earth, good will to men

God is not dead, nor doth he sleep.

Too many times we get so caught up in the commercialism of the season that we forget about peace.
We forget that Jesus was sent to earth to bring peace. 
For 400 years God was silent, He was never dead, and He wasn’t sleeping. 
God knew that we needed a Savior and He sent His Son. 
When announcing His birth to the shepherds, the angels sang “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Glory to God and peace on earth. 

Let’s do our best to help bring peace.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible