joy of every longing heart

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

- Luke 2:26 (NKJV)

 

There are things that we wait a very long time to see.
We might wait to hear about a test result or wait to see what happens next on our favorite TV series.
We might wait for our food to be delivered or wait for the sun to rise each day. 
I don’t think that anyone waited as long as Simeon to see the Christ child. 
Simeon was a man of God who was promised by the Lord that he would live long enough to see the Messiah on earth, some say he was 112 years old.
Charles Wesley wrote Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus in 1744, just two verses (verses 1 and 4) , Red Mountain Music added two more verses (verses 2 and 3) in 2008:
Come, thou long expected Jesus,

born to set thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us,

let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation,

hope of all the earth thou art;

dear desire of every nation,

joy of every longing heart.

 

Joy to those who long to see thee

Day-spring from on high appear

Come thou promised Rod of Jesse

Of Thy birth we long to hear

O'er the hills the angels singing

News glad tidings of a birth

Go to him your praises bringing

Christ the Lord has come to earth

 

Come to earth to taste our sadness

He whose glories knew no end

By his life he brings us gladness

Our Redeemer Shepherd Friend

Leaving riches without number

Born within a cattle stall

This the everlasting wonder

Christ was born Lord of all

 

Born thy people to deliver,

born a child and yet a King,

born to reign in us forever,

now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal spirit

rule in all our hearts alone;

by thine all sufficient merit,

raise us to thy glorious throne.

Sometimes we have to wait longer than we want to wait for something to happen.
Good things happen to those who wait, just ask Simeon. 

I’m going to spend Christmas with my family, so I won’t be writing for a few weeks.
I promise I’ll be back. 
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all, and much love from my heart to yours.

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

knowledge

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

- Luke 2:19 (NKJV)

 

I don’t think that Mary had any idea whatsoever what was coming when she gave birth to the Son of God.
Heck, I had no idea what was going on when I had my own kids, and I was probably twice Mary’s age!

But she listened to the Lord, and she listened to the words of the angels, the shepherds, the wise men, she kept all the wisdom they were giving her in her heart.

In 1991. “Mary Did You Know” was first recorded and released by Michael English:
Mary, did you know

That your baby boy

Would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know

That your baby boy

Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know

That your baby boy

Has come to make you new?

This Child that you delivered

Will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know

That your baby boy

Will give sight to the blind man?

Mary, did you know

That your baby boy

Would calm a storm with His hand?

Did you know

That your baby boy

Has walked where angels trod?

And when you kiss your little baby

You've kissed the face of God?

Mary, did you know?

Oo, Mary, did you know?

The blind will see

The deaf will hear;

The dead will live again!

The lame will leap

The dumb will speak

The praises of the Lamb!

Mary, did you know

That your baby boy

Is the Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know

That your baby boy

Will one day rule the nations?

Did you know

That your baby boy

Was heaven's perfect Lamb?

And the sleeping Child you're holdin'

Is the Great I Am!
The song has been re-recorded by hundreds of artists over the years, but the lyrics remain the same, asking the question, Mary, did you know?

Mark Lowery wrote the lyrics and said “I just tried to put into words the unfathomable. I started thinking of the questions I would have for her if I were to sit down & have coffee with Mary. You know, ‘What was it like raising God? What did you know? What didn't you know?” None of the questions are answered in the song. Instead, the lyrics poetically invite the listener to contemplate the relationship between Mary and her newborn divine Son, even if her faith and awareness did not yet include the details of what would unfold”.

I still get chills when I hear this song.
Did Mary know? 
Would we react the same way if we were given instructions from God?

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

no room

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.

- Luke 2:7 (NKJV)

 

Sorry, we’re closed.
No Vacancy. 
Come Again. 

Sold out.
No room. 
There have been times when we have been traveling that I just wanted to stop and rest for the night, but finding a place to stay on the road was not as easy as it looked.
Or, I had reservations that were canceled at the last minute because the hotel was overbooked.
I would be willing to bet that the people who have had to tell me “I’m sorry, there’s no room” never had a second thought about turning me away.
In 2013 Brandon Heath released the song Just a Girl: 
I wonder if you've heard the story

Of little fame and lesser glory

The night the keeper of the innkeeper

The little town of Bethlehem

Encountered Joseph and his Mary

About to birth the Savior of the world

His wife said go and see who's knocking

He ran down to the gate unlocked it

The moment he heard Mary's cry

He couldn't look them in the eye

Denied them and went back to bed

When his wife asked who was there

He said I don't know

Just a girl

Just a couple gypsies begging at the door

Told them we don't have room for anymore

And closed the door

It was just a girl

He tried to sleep and wasn't able

He snuck out to the dirty stable

The two had found for covering

And later in her suffering

The keeper knelt outside the barn

And in the light of that great star

He prayed what have I done

He's just a babe

Just minutes old there trembling in the hay

I could have found a room for them to stay

I'm so ashamed

He's just a babe

There was no robe

There was no crown

The shepherds stood

On royal ground

The keeper wept

For what he'd done

He turned away

God's own Son

Just a King

Just a million angels crowding in to see

Jesus there among humanity

Just a babe

Just minutes old there trembling in the hay

Staring at his mother in the face

She's just a girl

Just a girl

Does she even know that she just changed the world

Does she even know that He will save the world

Does Mary know that He will save the world

She's just a girl

Just a girl

Just a girl

How did this song exist for 12 years before I heard it?
What is it about? 
In an interview, Brandon Heath said “This song relates the perspective of the innkeeper who turned Mary and Joseph away during the Christmas story”, he explained: “God is often giving us opportunities we don't realize the significance of, but we just need to say yes. God can do things though ordinary people. Mary was just a girl, but she was also a catalyst in a huge event in the rest of history.”
What happens when we say no to God? 
Are we missing out on something bigger than ourselves? 

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

traveling

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. 

- Luke 2:4 (NKJV)

 

We hear the Christmas story every year, it holds a special place in our hearts (or at least it should).
We know that Joseph was a little nervous about taking Mary for his wife, until the angel explained things.
We know that Mary was very pregnant when they made the trip to Bethlehem for the census.
I love Amy Grant’s thoughts on the birth of Jesus from Mary’s perspective in her song Breath of Heaven released in 1992:
I have travelled many moonless nights

Cold and weary with a baby inside

And I wonder what I've done

Holy Father, You have come

And chosen me now to carry Your Son

I am waiting in a silent prayer

I am frightened by the load I bear

In a world as cold as stone

Must I walk this path alone?

Be with me now

Be with me now

Breath of Heaven

Hold me together

Be forever near me

Breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven

Lighten my darkness

Pour over me Your Holiness

For you are Holy

Breath of Heaven

Do You wonder as You watch my face?

If a wiser one should have had my place

But I offer all I am

For the mercy of Your plan

Help me be strong

Help me be

Help me

Breath of Heaven

Hold me together

Be forever near me

Breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven

Lighten my darkness

Pour over me Your Holiness

For You are Holy

Breath of Heaven

Hold me together

Be forever near me

Breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven

Lighten my darkness

Pour over me Your Holiness

For You are Holy

Breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven

Breath of Heaven
How frightened Mary must have been. 
I can’t imagine preparing to give birth with no other women around to help me through.
In a dirty, smelly stable, after traveling for miles, you know she had to be exhausted, wondering if God had done the right thing by choosing her.
But Mary was strong, and she did as she was told. 
She followed God’s plan to the letter. 
I wonder if we would benefit from following God’s word like that. 
I bet we would.  

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

held captive

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

- Isaiah 7:14 (NKJV)

 

This weekend my husband and I got to spend the whole day and night with two of the most adorable kiddos on the planet (I might be biased, but I love them).
We watched Christmas movies, counted presents under the tree, renovated an old wreath, went out to see a Christmas light display.
We had a grand time. 
This morning during breakfast our granddaughter asked how many days until Christmas, so we did the math (yes, I did math) and determined that there were 10 more days.
Of course, today is Monday and we are now at 9 days, but she knows the anticipation of waiting for something.
As we come up to Christmas day, we need to ask ourselves what we are waiting for?
What holds us captive? 

What keeps us from seeking Him more?
I’m taking you back now, back to 1851 for a well-known Christmas 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 Wisdom from on high,

who ordered all things mightily;

to us the path of knowledge show

and teach us in its ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O come, great Lord of might,

who to your tribes on Sinai's height

in ancient times did give the law

in cloud and majesty and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O Branch of Jesse's stem,

unto your own and rescue them!

From depths of hell your people save,

and give them victory o'er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O Key of David, come

and open wide our heavenly home.

Make safe for us the heavenward road

and bar the way to death's abode.

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.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

shall come to you, O Israel.

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.

People had been told that this child would come, same as we have been told that Jesus will return.
People then were held captive by a variety of things, same as we are today. 
What is holding you back? 
Do you know the joy that will come when you let Him in? 

   

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

I slipped

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

- Psalm 73:1-3 (NIV)

 

I am not perfect; I have slipped a lot.

I am not perfect – I’ve said it (twice!) for all the world to hear (hey children of mine – pay attention!)

I have messed up a little bit and no one really noticed, and I have messed up bad, some of my mistakes have cost me dearly.

I hope that I don’t mess up that bad again, but I am human, and I will make mistakes.
I will slip almost daily. 

We are fortunate that God is good, that He loves us, even when we mess up.

We need to acknowledge our mistakes, ask for forgiveness, and take care not to make those mistakes again.
Yet we watch others doing things that we know are wrong, but they seem to be flourishing.

I don’t understand why or how they get to seemingly go on without punishment as they continue to do horrible things and impact the lives of others, yet they continue to prosper.

We are gently reminded “don’t envy the arrogant and the wicked but follow the path of the righteous.”
We are going to slip, but God is good and we can be forgiven. 
Just don’t envy those who are blatantly arrogant. 

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

where is he?

Arise, O God, plead Your own cause; Remember how the foolish man reproaches You daily.

- Psalm 74:22 (NKJV)

 

I have heard many people questioning God, His existence, His presence, everything about Him.

People often ask where He is or was in the middle of their pain, their tragedy.

People abandon God when they feel like He doesn’t answer them, or He doesn’t give the answers they want to hear.

People claim to be agnostic or atheist, yet they blame God when terrible things happen.

God is real, and so is the devil, both are very, very real.

Even the devil believes in God and when terrible things happen, it is not God.

When you or someone you love is in pain, or disaster rains down on your family, it isn’t God “allowing” it to happen.

It is the devil worming his way into your life, filling you with hate, anger, hurt, despair, and darkness. Wanting you to turn from God.

And the devil succeeds more than we want to admit.

Jesus is the light of the world; in the darkness we all need the light.

No matter your pain, no matter how long you have denied Him, I promise that if you turn to Him now, things will change.

They might not change today, tomorrow, or even next week, but I promise you, turning to God today will change things for the better.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

waiting

 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.

- Romans 8:19 (NLT)

 

Fourteen days until Christmas!

This time of year feels like everyone is waiting, anticipating, waiting for the most magical day of the year.
Breathe. 

Take a moment to remember that the real magic of the season isn’t the gifts under the tree, or the big meal people will consume.
We are all waiting, but maybe we aren’t waiting for the same thing. 
Maybe someone is waiting for the call from the doctor that says they are free from affliction that weighed them down.
Perhaps someone else waits for the job offer they so desperately need. 
Sometimes it really is waiting for the coming of the King. 
On that day when we meet Jesus, all His children will be revealed. 
His return is nearer than you might think. 

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

time to fight

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

- 2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV)

 

There are some things in life that are definitely worth fighting for.

We have all been through struggles, battles, trying times, some of us have had to fight for our lives. 

Our battles may be medical, physical, or emotional, but they are our battles, they are very real and very big. 

Some of us are still fighting.

Do not give up.

There is a great secular song by the artist Rachel Platten from 2015 called Fight Song:

Like a small boat on the ocean

Sending big waves into motion

Like how a single word

Can make a heart open

I might only have one match

But I can make an explosion

And all those things I didn't say

Were wrecking balls inside my brain

I will scream them loud tonight

Can you hear my voice this time?

This is my fight song

Take back my life song

Prove I'm alright song

My power's turned on

Starting right now, I'll be strong

I'll play my fight song

And I don't really care if nobody else believes

'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

Losing friends and I'm chasing sleep

Everybody's worried 'bout me

In too deep, say I'm in too deep

And it's been two years, I miss my home

But there's a fire burning in my bones

Still believe, yeah, I still believe

And all those things I didn't say

Wrecking balls inside my brain

I will scream 'em loud tonight

Can you hear my voice this time?

This is my fight song

Take back my life song

Prove I'm alright song

My power's turned on

Starting right now, I'll be strong

I'll play my fight song

And I don't really care if nobody else believes

'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

Do you realize how easy it is to turn this into a song about faith?

What if the fight that is in us is God, telling us to stay strong?

That it is Him helping you take back your life.

God is with you - even when you feel the most alone, keep your faith, keep Him as your strength - when you feel like the world is closing in, reach out and feel His arms around you. 

Find your peace, make God your hero, make the Bible your fight song. 

and never stop keeping the faith.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

give me strength

But the Lord was with me. He gave me power to preach the Good News so all the people who do not know God might hear. I was taken from the mouth of the lion.

- 2 Timothy 4:17 (NLV)

 

Every day we face challenges, decisions that we have to make.
Some are simple like what shirt to wear; others are more complicated like making a decision that will affect the rest of your life.
Granted, the shirt we wear to the office may not feel like a choice that is overwhelming, but other choices are.
God does not leave us alone when we face overwhelming odds.

Paul wrote to Timothy that he felt abandoned by others, but he knew he was not separated from God.

God had a purpose for Paul that was yet to be fulfilled, and as a result of his faith, Paul was able to stand strong even in the midst of incredible danger.

Whoa . . .

God has a purpose for ME, and for YOU.

Our lions are more metaphorical now, but they are still our lions.

We need to harness the confidence that Paul had, the knowledge that God will give you strength, for He has a destiny for you to fulfill.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible