good leaders

If a man cannot be a good leader in his own home, how can he lead the church?

- 1 Timothy 3:5 (NLV)

 

There are leaders everywhere, at our work, in lines, in traffic, in politics in family, in businesses and in the church.
Organizations thrive under good leadership, and they fail when they have bad leadership.
I remember growing up my mother’s famous phrase was “if <insert name> jumps off the bridge are you going to follow?”.
You would be surprised at how many do follow bad leaders, on the internet there is a list of history’s five worst leaders and they all had a huge following.
When people apply for a job, the hiring manager will go to great lengths to find out what kind of person the candidate is, both personally and professionally.
It’s too bad that the candidates don’t have the same luxury of finding out what kind of leader they will be working under.

If you are in leadership, I challenge you to look around.
If you are a leader in business, are your people happy or have several people left since you took your leadership role?
If you are the leader in your family, is your home a pleasant place to be, do people want to visit you, or do they stay away?
How about your church, has the attendance dropped significantly, or do visitors join shortly after their first visit?
What about the organization that you lead, is it thriving and growing, or is membership on a downward spiral?
Churches, businesses, restaurants, organizations all have leadership and if that leadership is poor, well, people will avoid them.
If you aren’t a good leader, maybe you should step down and let someone else take the reins.

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

into the fire

If we are thrown into the fire, our God Whom we serve is able to save us from it.

- Daniel 3:17a (NLV)

 

How is it that people are able to praise God through some of the roughest and most terrible times of their lives?
I’ve watched close friends and family deal with job loss, relocation, medical issues, tragic accidents, all sorts of craziness.

And still they worship God.
They stand strong in their faith and they tell everyone what an amazing God they serve.
Outwardly they do not show signs of not trusting Him, because inwardly they trust Him with everything.
To have faith and trust like that is truly amazing. 
Tasha Layton and Chris Brown released the song “Worship Through It” this year, it kind of hits the nail on the head.
This looks impossible

But You're the God of impossible

And I've seen your faithfulness all over my life

I need a miracle

And You're the God of miracles

Some way, somehow You come through every time

I know my God can do it

So, I'm gonna worship through it

Before I see my breakthrough

I'm gonna choose to praise You

I will sing hallelujah to the one

Who can do what the world says can't be done

I know my God can do it

So, I'm gonna worship through it

In the middle of my no way out

In the middle of my don't know how

I hear You whisper to me peace be still

This is why I believe

You will deliver me

You always have and you always will

You always have and you always will

I won't wait til the rocks cry out

I'm gonna praise You

I won't wait till the walls come down

I'm gonna praise You

(Gonna) Lift my hands right here, right now

I'm gonna praise You

Oh God I praise You!
Dude. 
Worship through the pain, worship through the sadness, the sickness, the grief and the disappointment.
Worship through it. 
You may not get the outcome you wanted, but God will carry you through. 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

I’m disappointed

I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth — praise to our God; many will see it and fear and will trust in the Lord.

- Psalm 40:1-3 (NKJV)

 

It’s disappointing when things don’t go the way we wish they would go.
This past Friday morning I washed my cell phone – literally, I put it in the washing machine, and it went through a wash cycle and had started the rinse cycle before I realized where it was and retrieved it.
How I did not destroy my phone, I will never know, I am chalking it up to the grace of God.
Honestly, that should have been my first clue that the day was not going to go according to my plan, but then who am I to make plans anyway?

I needed to leave my house at 1pm for an event a few hours away, but again, I kept hitting roadblocks and did not leave until two hours later.
I never made it to my destination. 

Road construction on the interstate had us delayed by at least another hour as we sat in non-moving traffic.
Finally on the way, we had an hour and twenty minutes left of our drive and “pop”, we blew a tire on our RV.
It wasn’t just the tire though, it never is with an RV, the pieces of tire pushed off the panel where our electric hookups are, completely separating the wiring from the housing.
It was the trip that would not happen. 
I was so disappointed; I was looking forward to the adventure with a group of friends exploring an area on our ATVs.
So, I did what I always do, I used Google to find comfort in the Bible. 

“Come to Jesus Christ with your disappointment, trusting Him to meet you and change your heart”.

This wording referenced Psalm 40:1-3.
I tried very hard to not let the disappointment overtake me, but it was tough. 
In my mind I heard all the quotes about how things happen for a reason, and how God had other plans, but it didn’t make me feel better, I was still disappointed.
I knew I’d be fine, that I would move past it, but for the rest of Friday and most of Saturday, I was just disappointed.
Fortunately, things turned around and Saturday night, while not what I had planned, we had fun with a different group of friends and Sunday we were able to celebrate the 7^th birthday of a very special little girl.
It just goes to prove that we should indeed trust God, He did put a new song in my mouth.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

hurt people

So then, stop doing anything to hurt others. Don’t lie anymore, and stop trying to fool people. Don’t be jealous or say bad things about others.

- 1 Peter 2:1 (ERV)

 

There is not one person out there that has not heard or experienced someone being mean, sometimes we have been the mean one.

Women can be especially guilty of falling into the “mean girl” role, the thought that tearing another down would elevate themselves, this started a horrible trend.

Over the years I have come to realize that when we are hurt, it is in our nature to lash out and hurt others.
Dave Frey from Sidewalk Prophets said this in an interview: 
“It’s easy to fight hurt with hurt. We sometimes hide behind our tough words, sarcasm, pettiness, and meanness. But all these responses steer us away from what we really want — HEALING. Hurt people, hurt people, but only the grace and love of Christ will heal our hearts”
Sidewalk Prophets released their song Hurt People just this year:
Aches & pains, we pass them on

Kids in school, dads and moms

Sharper words, the swords we draw

Pointing out each other's flaws

We give our all, try and fail

Busted dreams, empty sails

Force a smile, pretend we're strong

The war inside keeps marching on

I know, oh oh

Hurt people

Hurt people

Broken hearts

Break hearts

Life bruises unequal

Everyone fights a battle that's hard

Grace where grace is needed

No matter who you are

Hurt people

Hurt people

But love will heal our hearts

We carry all our bitterness

And crave to know what better is

Compassion, just a little bit

Opens a mind, and changes it

Oh God, help me see now

Hurt people

...

I'm sorry

For the way I've been

I'm sorry

For the words I said

And things I did

Forgive me

Hurt people

...

But Love will heal our hearts

We all struggle, we all face challenges and I think we have all been in a place where others have hurt us.
But we don’t have to hurt others in return. 

When we walk the “mean girl” path, we are closing ourselves off from walking in the fullness of God, and why would we do or say something that would prevent us from knowing and loving Him fully?

Stop the trend, don’t be mean.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

my plans

We were already chosen to be God’s own children by Christ. This was done just like the plan He had.

- Ephesians 1:11 (NLV)

 

I love planning.
To clarify, I love having a plan that organizes me and provides me with steps that need to be accomplished to meet a goal.
I think this was instilled in me as far back as middle school when teachers encouraged us to create or buy planners to keep track of projects and assignments that were due.
My love for planners was deepened when I participated in a Franklin Covey training course that focused on time management and the essential organizing tool – the planner.
I have evolved over the years from the middle school student planner to a blank notebook, and yes, a Franklin Planner, to the electronic planner that I use now.
I don’t think that God has a planner where He records His daily tasks (although that would be cool to look at), but I do believe that He has a plan for each of us.
As a matter of fact, I know this to be true, because He tells us several times in the Bible that He knows why He made us and what He has in store for us.
God chose us, we have His great love throughout our lives on earth, He is working things out in ways we do not see.

God planned on us, we were pre-planned, His perfect creation.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

at your service

Be like the Son of Man. He did not come to be served. Instead, he came to serve others. He came to give his life as the price for setting many people free.

- Matthew 20:28 (NIRV)

 

I love going to an establishment where I am the recipient of exceptional service.
But so often these days people have forgotten what “service” is. 
Here are two scenarios to ponder: 
“Steve” is a senior vice president of a major corporation. 
Steve takes time every day to listen to his staff, becoming personally involved in their lives both at work and at home.
When one of his employees faced a devastating event, Steve was at the employee’s home, working quietly in the background to ensure the comfort of the family as they dealt with this crushing blow.
“Hank” is also a senior vice president, but most of his employees only know his face from the many corporate meetings that he holds.
When one of his employees was out of the office due to a crushing blow, Hank only noticed that one of his reports was late, resulting in Hank appearing to not know what was going on in one of his meetings.

Hank stormed out of his office, seeking the person responsible for the report.
When he was advised that this person was out of the office unexpectedly dealing with an overwhelming event, Hank showed no concern for the employee and he belittled the manager in front of the team for not getting the report out and making him look bad in his meeting.
Which boss would you rather have? 
Humble leadership is indeed a rare quality, but we do have a great example of humble leadership in Jesus.
Regardless of his title, our fictitious boss Steve served his team, while Hank was only concerned with himself and his image.

Jesus stepped into human history as an infant, then spent His life serving humanity by sacrificing His own life to offer eternal life.
Jesus’ presence was full of humility and service, without a drop of domination or control, and although Jesus deserved all the glory, He used His life to bring hope, healing, restoration and dignity to His people.
How counter-cultural is this? 

In God’s kingdom, greatness is not about power or status, but about service and sacrificial love.
How can we be more like Jeus?   

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

not dead

God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

- Matthew 22:32b (NKJV)

 

Back in 2014, Harold Cronk directed a film that grossed over $62 million dollars, which is pretty big for a movie that has religious overtones.

Since the initial film’s success, there have been three sequels and a fifth film is in production, expected to release in August of this year.
God’s not dead is based on a book series by Rice Brooks, the plot being obviously that God isn’t a myth or a story, but very much present in our world today.
In the first film, a college student takes on his atheist professor in a spirited debate that will determine the students grade in the classroom.
The second film deals mainly with a high school student dealing with the death of her brother, having been raised in an atheist home she finds herself researching the existence of a God she has never known.
God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness was the third in the series, released in 2018 focused on the pastor who has been involved in the lives of the main characters from the first two films, and his struggle with the events that unfolded in his town surrounding the fight to prove that God is real. 
2021 brought us God’s Not Dead: We the People, based on the challenges that a home-school group must overcome when the government determines that their children are not receiving a sufficient education.
Soon, God’s Not Dead: Rise Up will make its way to theaters, where we will learn the processes and hurdles that come with running for office against an opponent that seeks to remove religion from public policy.
This film series is inspired by real events, including lawsuits over whether or not religion should be allowed in public.
Sound familiar? 
It should because we see it every day. 
Portrayals of The Ten Commandments are being removed from any public building. 
There are people campaigning to have “In God We Trust” removed from our currency.
We even have groups that want the U.S. Declaration of Independence re-written to remove any text that references God.
This is what our world has turned to, denying the existence of God. 
We must not let this happen; God’s not dead!!! 
When people start to argue with us, we must hold strong to our faith, do not let them sway us.   

In the United States right now we are still allowed to worship as we wish, but there are people that would like to make us stop.
Don’t stop. 
God’s not dead, He is very much alive. 

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

these days

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

- Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

 

I think that everyone struggles at times with things going on in their lives.
Just this past weekend, the mid-west United States experienced historical record-breaking flooding, including my husband’s hometown and mine in Northwest Iowa.
It was really hard to see photos posted on social media of places that we know and love covered in feet – not inches, feet of water.
We felt completely helpless. 
Not even a month ago, Northwest Arkansas was devastated by multiple tornadoes hitting the area.

Trying to locate our family after the storms was terrifying, and this momma’s heart broke when our last (adult) child was found safe hours after the storm. 
I have a dear friend struggling with continued medical issues, no less than a dozen doctors and specialists are stumped by her condition and cannot determine what is wrong, much less how to help her, putting a horrible strain on her marriage and her job at risk. 
Another friend that requires surgical intervention for her health is concerned that her job won’t be there when she returns from her leave.

Still others fight internal demons daily, feelings of inadequacy and pain are their companions.
God knows the plans He has for us. 
Jeremy Camp recently released “These Days”, I know a lot of folks skim over song lyrics or skip them completely, but I hope you’ll listen to this song and really hear the lyrics:
These days, my heart's always on the run

These days, the world's spinning out of control, oh

These days are fast and they're furious

Feels like the worst is ahead of us, oh, oh

Sometimes it's hard to feel at home, but

I believe that you and I

Are in the right place, at the right time

God called us by name

And He doesn't make mistakes

I know we were born to shine bright

In a dark world that needed some light

Don't have to be afraid

Maybe we were made for these days

Maybe we were made for these days

What if the beauty isn't crushed?

It just needs the hope that's inside of us, oh, oh

What if it's more than a destiny?

What if we're part of a masterpiece? Oh, oh

Until our Father brings us home

I believe that you and I

Are in the right place, at the right time

God called us by name

And He doesn't make mistakes

I know we were born to shine bright

In a dark world that needed some light

Don't have to be afraid

Maybe we were made for these days

Maybe we were made (for these days!)

'Cause staying when it gets hard

To love with open arms

It's something to embrace

Maybe we were made for these days

I believe that you and I

Are in the right place, at the right time

God called us by name

And He doesn't make mistakes

I know we were born to shine bright

In a dark world that needed some light

Don't have to be afraid

Maybe we were made for these days

Maybe we were made (for these days)

We may not know why we are going through difficult times, but we do know this: at the point of our birth, even before we are born, God knows what He has in store for us.

We each face some very real struggles and some of us (me) need this constant reminder – that God has a plan. 

In the midst of despair, God has promised prosperity, hope, and a future.

Jeremiah told God's people that 70 years after the devastation in Israel, God would deliver and restore them.

How many times along the way did these people abandon God?

How many times have we abandoned Him?

But He did not abandon them or His promises to them.

And He won’t abandon us.

He was faithful.

And He is faithful.

In fact, even while they went on their way doing terrible things, God was planning and preparing a bright future for them.

Let this be a reminder to us that no matter how deep our own personal gloom may seem, God does have plans for us.

He will keep His promises to us.

He will deliver and bless us.

Maybe we were made (for these days)

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

hold on

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.

- 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

 

I started this week talking about how we are going to be ok, it is only fitting that we finish the week focused on what God can do for us when we don’t feel ok.
I have horrible anxiety, I have written about it before, many times in fact. 
Unfortunately, my anxiety is a big part of who I am now. 
And I hate it. 
Sometimes it is so overwhelming that I am frozen in place. 
Katy Nichole put out a song in 2023 called Hold On that made me stop and think about this.
Smoke clouds

All around

Couldn't see Your face

Darkness consumed me

Stuck in the bitterness

But I know there's a light

That's waiting up ahead

So I'll stay in the fight

And look to the One who said

Hold on just a little bit longer

I know it's gonna be okay

These days are gonna make you stronger

You'll find purpose in the pain

Hold on just a little bit longer

Deep down there's a well of faith

Let hope arise as you're lifting up My name

And just hold on

Just hold on, hold on

Your promise

It still stands

It's chasing after me

The rainbow

Through storm clouds

Is how I'm gonna see

That there is a light

That's waiting up ahead

So I'll stay in the fight

And look to the One who said

Hold on just a little bit longer

I know it's gonna be okay

These days are gonna make you stronger

You'll find purpose in the pain

Hold on just a little bit longer

Deep down there's a well of faith

Let hope arise as you're lifting up My name

And just hold on

Hold on, hold on

Just wait 'til you see what's at the end of the road

A new life is ready to unfold

“Hold on” – is it really that simple?
Sometimes we do get stuck in the bitterness, sometimes we only feel pain. 
Sometimes, we really do need to give it all to God. 

No matter where we are or what we are facing, we should understand that God is with us right now.

He wants to take all those worries away from us and give us peace to live a carefree life.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

war and peace

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

- Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)

 

War and peace?
This isn’t about Leo Tolstoy’s famous novel, but you might be interested to know that Tolstoy did defend Christianity to an extent.
No, today’s verse is about seeking peace in the people around us. 
Living with bitterness in your heart toward someone else doesn’t hurt them, it hurts you.
Not going to an event because someone you don’t like will be there only makes you miss out on what could be a great time.
Holding a grudge is a huge burden to bear, and the only one that is destroyed by that grudge is you.
I fully admit that I have held on to anger far longer than I should have. 
It didn’t annoy the people I was angry at, in fact, they mostly didn’t even realize that I was mad.
The only person that my anger burned was me. 
We can’t be holy if we have anger burning in our hearts. 
Let go of anger, live in peace, learn to be holy. 

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

make it about love

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

- Colossians 3:14 (NKJV)

 

We all face a multitude of decisions every day.
Some are really small, like what color shirt to wear, others are really big, like how to respond to the person that is rude to you every day.
Or what to say to the person that has hurt you in the past. 

The third chapter of Colossians tells us what our character should be like.
We shouldn’t be angry, we shouldn’t lie, the list of things that we shouldn’t do is long.
But so is the list of things we should do. 

A person of good character should be merciful, kind, forgiving, and loving.
The Bible really emphasizes love, love is a really big deal to God. 

Why?
Because He loves us. 
When we show love to others, we are showing God’s love for us. 
God’s love is perfect.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

falling

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

- 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV)

 

I have been writing these little “daily bread” things since 2011, and publishing my blog since 2016, but it never ceases to amaze me that I can learn something new with each verse I read. 

The first time I read today’s verse, my initial thought was that it was a warning not to think too much of oneself.

We’ve all met those people who are stuck on themselves, hopefully we aren’t one of them.

It is very helpful to have context (the verses before and after this one) and other translations.
This verse isn’t about how one feels about him or herself at all. 

The Message translation of this verse reads These are all warning markers—danger!—in our history books, written down so that we don’t repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence.

This also led me to believe that the verse was about how one feels as an individual.

The New Life Version, however, reads a bit differently: So watch yourself! The person who thinks he can stand against sin had better watch that he does not fall into sin.

Oh – wait.

Now is where I pull in context.
Paul is writing to the church in Corinth about the dangers of worshipping false gods and he gives Old Testament examples on what happened to the folks that thought they were above reproach.

We aren’t perfect, we never will be perfect.
There is nothing in this world that can absolutely protect us from falling. 
Falling into sin, falling into temptation, falling away from God. 
We all fall, but how far we fall is up to us. 
This verse is a reminder that we need to lean on God, probably more now than ever.
There is nothing in this world that can protect us, but God, God can provide us a way to escape.

Take heed, watch what you are doing, and always do the right thing.  

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

you’re going to be ok

Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer.  - Psalm 94:19 (TLB)

 

Normal.
Since 2020 the words “the new normal” have been drilled into our heads. 
It seems that after any major event, everyone wants us to accept a “new normal”. 

So, is returning home after a week away the “old normal” or the “new normal”?
Sometimes being away awakens new things in our souls that we want to keep as our new normal.
Other times trying to get back into the swing of things gives us more anxiety than when we were trying to leave.
It’s ok. 
Lauren Daigle released this little gem called Be Okay in 2023, the lyrics are very much in line with how we need to think when the world becomes too much.
You're gonna be okay

You're, you're gonna be okay

Oh, the sun will keep on risin' in that old familiar way

And every little thing is gonna be okay

You're gonna be alright

Darlin', you're, you're gonna be alright

'Cause the stars'll keep on shinin' through the darkest night

And you can know you're gonna be alright

Lift your eyes to the hills

Remember where your help comes from

Lift your eyes to the hills

You'll never face a valley alone

'Cause even when your heart is breakin'

And you've gone and lost your way

You're, you're gonna be okay

You're gonna be okay

I know that you're, you're gonna be okay

Not a care in this whole world can take that truth away

You're, you're gonna be okay

You're gonna be alright

Darlin', you're, you're gonna be alright

At the end of all our breath, when we're beckoned on to the light

Love'll meet you there, you're gonna be alright

Oh, the end of all our breath is the beginning of new life

You're, you're gonna be alright

It’s ok.
I’m going to be ok. 

You’re going to be ok.
If you have any doubts that you will be ok, listen to the song, or turn to your Bible.

When fear and anxiety become overwhelming, God will comfort you.
And you’re going to be ok. 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

rest

So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.

- Mark 6:32 (NLT)

 

Rest is mentioned multiple times in the Bible.

God rested, Jesus rested, the kings rested, even armies rested.

Rest is very important, humans simply are not made to go non-stop, we need rest.

We need to withdraw — not once-in-a-while, but often!

What is incredible is that Jesus invites His disciples (today that's us!) to withdraw with Him to a quiet place and rest with Him.

This isn't just about getting a good night's sleep, or a nap during the day; it's about taking time in the middle of our wild and crazy days to join Him for a few moments of grace, rest, and refreshment.

I will be taking a break next week, much needed time away from everything.
I won’t have access to the internet to write and post, so rather than stressing over whether I get emails sent and posts updated, I am going to rest.

I’ll be back before you know it, but while I am out, I encourage you to continue to read the Word and spend time with Him.

Make daily stops in God's Word - take more time than quick e-mail viewing; let it be a time to withdraw with the Savior and take a few minutes of rest!

See you soon. ❤

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible