filled

But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might.

- Micah 3:8a (NIV)

 

These days, you can make yourself into just about anything.

Snapchat has filters that can change your hair, remove wrinkles, make you look younger or older, you can even be a cat.
Photoshop can help you remove blemishes, birthmarks, or anything you don’t like about yourself.

If you never have to interact with people, you can use filters and photoshop and they will never know what you really look like.
You could always have blue eyes and blond hair and perfect skin, as long as no one ever sees the real you.

Micah was a minor prophet who was active in the last half of the 8^th century before Christ was born.
He was known for criticizing unjust power, advocating for the oppressed, and prophesizing the downfall and restoration of Judah and Israel.

There were people in the 8^th century that would tell you exactly what you want to hear if the price was right, regardless of how from the truth their “prophecy” was.

But Micah wanted the people to know that you can’t buy good news.
Just like we can’t pretend that we are followers of the Word when our lives are so far from what they ought to be.
When our hearts are filled with pride or bitterness we aren’t living right, and we are in danger of judgement.

When we follow God, we are filled with power and the Holy Spirit, and that is a glow that you can’t photoshop in.  

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

watch me

The Lord will watch over your life no matter where you go, both now and forever.

- Psalm 121:8 (NIRV)

 

I think that everyone feels insignificant at some point in their lives.
Sometimes we can feel like our existence does not matter and no one would notice if we were gone.
Friend, I am here to tell you that there is nothing farther from the truth. 
YOU matter. 
You are not invisible or insignificant, you are an amazing creation of God. 

And He loves you.
He knows every hair on your head, every thought in your mind, He is there, knowing everywhere you go, always watching over you.

Always loving you.
You matter. 

 Now and forever you are important to someone and don’t let anyone take that away from you.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

I’m not stopping

Pray without ceasing.

- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV)

 

Pray without ceasing?

That can be and is once of the biggest challenges that some of us face.
It is hard to pray continuously. 

But being consistent with our prayer is key.
Matthew West even wrote a song about it this year called Don’t Stop Praying (what else?) here are the lyrics:
What's your impossible? Your "I need a miracle"

What's got you barely hanging by a single thread?

What looks so hopeless now? What weighs down your heart with doubt?

You beg for a breakthrough, but no sign of breakthrough yet

[bridge] When you've cried, and you've cried 'til your tears run dry

The answer won't come, and you don't know why

And you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time

[chorus] Don't stop praying

Don't stop calling on Jesus' name

Keep on pounding on Heaven's door

And let your knees wear out the floor

Don't stop believing

'Cause mountains move with just a little faith

And your Father's heard every single word you're saying

So, don't stop praying

He's close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit

The Alpha and Omega knows how your story ends

[bridge][chorus]

Oh-oh

(Don't stop, don't stop praying) oh, don't stop praying

(Don't stop, don't stop praying)

Oh-oh

Don't stop praying for the prodigal

Don't stop praying for the miracle

Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen

Don't stop praying that addictions end

Don't stop praying for deliverance

Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen

Oh, don't stop praying for the sickness healed

Don't stop praying for His power revealed

Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen

No, don't stop praying for the Kingdom come

Don't stop praying that His will be done

Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen

[chorus]

(Don't stop, don't stop praying) hey, don't you give up now

No, don't stop praying

I was doing great until I heard these lines: Don't stop calling on Jesus' name, Keep on pounding on Heaven's door, And let your knees wear out the floor, Don't stop believing

Let your knees wear out the floor.
When was the last time you got on your knees to pray? 
One church taught us that you can pray in any position, I often pray while I’m driving, but when there is something weighing really heavy on me, I return to my knees.
God may not answer our prayers immediately, that is why we pray without ceasing.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

nothing at all

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord. Without you, I don’t have anything that is good.”

- Psalm 16:2 (NIRV)

 

Do you ever look around you and think about everything that you have?
Maybe even think about how far you have come? 
I remember a time in my life when I didn’t own a thing. 
I lived in a rented house, made payments on a car that the bank owned, made payments on furniture that I bought.
And I didn’t have God. 
Fast forward years into the future, I have a lot! 
But now, I don’t just count the material things, because I have God. 
Because of God, I have a wonderful husband and an amazing extended family. 
Because of God, I wake up every morning, breathe with my own lungs, stand on my own feet, see with my own eyes.
None of this would be possible without my Lord. 
True security comes when God is the center of all that we think or do.

Circumstances shift, jobs change, and people can come and go, yet it is God who keeps us safe in the midst of change.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

things that I’m afraid of

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

- John 16:33 (NIV)

 

I am afraid of a few things.
Spiders, storms, darkness, snakes, just to name a few. 
People tell me that snakes are more afraid of me than I am of them. 
I doubt that but, maybe they are more afraid of God than I am afraid of them. 
Josh Wilson released his song Things That I’m Afraid Of in 2022:

When I am shaking

And my heart's pounding

You always take me

Make me lie down in

Peaceful fields where

I can clear my head

'Cause I get so overcome with anxiety

Like there's an enemy livin' inside of me

Like a mocker yellin' out, tellin' lies to me

And I don't feel brave, but I don't have to be

'Cause I walked through the valley of shadows

And it scared me half to death

But You're with me everywhere I go

So I won't give up yet

My fears would surely kill me

If I didn't know the truth

The things that I'm afraid of

Are afraid of You

When my emotions

Turn against me

Not faith nor reason

Could convince me that

You have patience

Left to fight for me

When my depression is affectin' every ounce of me

I can get the medication and the counseling

Still I can hear the fear callin' out to me

And I don't feel brave, but I don't have to be

'Cause I walked through the valley of shadows

And it scared me half to death

But You're with me everywhere I go

So I won't give up yet

My fears would surely kill me

If I didn't know the truth

The things that I'm afraid of

Are afraid of You

You prepare a table for me

Right in front of my worst enemies

You're as calm and relaxed as can be

There's no place where

My demons can't find me

But just wait 'til they see

Who's standing behind me

I walked through the valley of shadows

And it scared me half to death

But You're with me everywhere I go

So I won't give up yet

My fears would surely kill me

If I didn't know the truth

The things that I'm afraid of

Are afraid of You

The things that I'm afraid of

Are afraid of You

The things that I'm afraid of

Are afraid of You

I googled what this song was about, and Josh Wilson said this in an interview:
“I used to think that being a Christian meant that life should be easy, but Jesus himself said, ‘In this world, you will have troubles.’ Sounds pretty discouraging until you read the next part, where he says ‘but take heart, for I have overcome this world’ (John 16:33).”

Wilson adds, “Life isn’t easy for anyone. We’re all fighting a hard battle. If you’re facing addiction, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or any other mental health struggle, you’re not alone. Whatever you’re going through, whatever you’re struggling with, Jesus promises he will never leave or forsake you. Here’s my favorite line in the song: ‘There’s no place where my demons can’t find me / But just want till they see who’s standing behind me.’ Our troubles are big. Our God is bigger.”

Y’all.
Every day we face challenges, some of them are harder than others to endure, but you know what?

We can overcome because Jesus gives us His peace.

There is nothing about life that is easy or perfect.

Sometimes every day is a struggle.

For many people that struggle is very, very real.

First and foremost, let me reiterate what I have said over and over since I started my blog – You. Are. Not. Alone.

You do not have to do life by yourself.

If you are reading this, somewhere along the line we have crossed paths.

That means that someone felt like we needed each other.

What we really need though, is God.

In this world we will have trouble – there are some really bad things that happen out there – but you don’t have to deal with it by yourself – Jesus was sent to bring you to God the Father.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

the right road

This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

- Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)

 

Not every path in life is straight, that is for darn sure.

Every day we face decisions and must determine which road is going to take us where we want to be.
Jeremiah was known as “the weeping prophet” because more often than not the message he conveyed was that of gloom and doom.
He often expressed grief for the people of Jerusalem.

In Jeremiah 6,  Jerusalem was under siege and Jeremiah was telling the people to flee.
Yet some people did not flee, instead they chose to stay and ended up falling rejected.
Jeremiah tried to show them the good path, and they refused to walk on it.

When we are at a crossroad in our life, trying to decide which path we should take, let’s always turn to God.

He will lead you in the good way.    

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

faith and hope

Because of Christ, you have put your trust in God. He raised Christ from the dead and gave Him great honor. So now your faith and hope are in God.

- 1 Peter 1:21 (NLV)

 

There are a lot of things that we hope for in our lives.
We hope we pass that class. 
We hope we get that job. 
We hope we can accomplish everything we set out to do. 
And then there is faith, we need faith to know that we will pass that class. 
Faith helps us be confident in getting that job. 
Faith keeps us grounded when what we are trying to accomplish is overwhelming. 
Where do we find our hope and our faith? 

In Christ, in God.
There are so many things that could go wrong in a day, but our trust in God keeps us believing that He knows what He is doing and it will all be ok.
Put your trust in God, along with your faith and your hope. 
You’ll find there is no better place for those things to be. 

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

same God

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

- Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

 

I like doing crafty things.
Some things I am rather good at, others not so much. 
It’s like I have an image in my head of how I want the end result to look and, well, have you ever seen “Pinterest fails”?
Yeah, some of my crafty creations are that bad! 
If you look at all creation, you have to agree that God is good at His crafts.  
He made everything!  
Hannah Kerr says it beautifully in her sone from 2021 Same God: 

The same God who makes the planets spin

Tells the tide when it should rise

Put the color in my eyes

The same God who makes the seasons change

Knows the number of the stars

Every secret in my heart

All my doubts, all my questions

In every fear I have about what might happen

You're the same God

You're with me in the middle of it all, God

You're catching every tear as it falls

I know You'll never change

Even when I'm feeling far away

You love me the same, God

You love me the same, God

You love me the same, God

You love me the same

You're a God of grace and empathy

You know how it feels to cry

'cause You lived a human life

You're not afraid of anything

Even darkness is a light

There's no reason I should hide

All my doubts, all my questions

In every fear I have about what might happen

You're the same God

You're with me in the middle of it all, God

You're catching every tear as it falls

I know You'll never change

Even when I'm feeling far away

You love me the same, God

...

Even when I'm running

When I feel ashamed

Even when I'm breaking

Still, You love me

Even when I'm lonely

When I lose my way

When I don't believe it

Still, You love me

the same, God

You're with me in the middle of it all, God

You're catching every tear as it falls

I know You'll never change

Even when I'm feeling far away

You love me the same, God

I love this.
No matter what I am going through, God loves me the same. 
The same God that created everything, created me. 
And He loves me. 
The same God that created me, created you. 
And He loves you, too. 

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

believe

Then they believed His words; They sang His praise.

- Psalm 106:12 (NKJV)

 

We have a promise from God that His love will never fail and that He is faithful in every way.

No matter what happens in our lives, His love for us is unending and unbreakable.

And since God is eternal, His love for us will last for eternity.

That is worth praising Him!
In 2006 Chris Tomlin released “How Can I Keep From Singing” it’s got a catchy swing to it in my opinion:

There is an endless song, echoes in my soul

I hear the music ring

And though the storms may come, I am holding on

To the rock I cling

How can I keep from singing Your praise

How can I ever say enough, how amazing is Your love

How can I keep from shouting Your name

I know I am loved by the King, and it makes my heart want to sing

I will lift my eyes in the darkest night

For I know my Savior lives

And I will walk with You, knowing You'll see me through

And sing the songs You give

How can I keep from singing Your praise

How can I ever say enough, how amazing is Your love

How can I keep from shouting Your name

I know I am loved by the King, and it makes my heart want to sing

I can sing in the troubled times

Sing when I win

I can sing when I lose my step

And I fall down again

I can sing because You pick me up

Sing 'cause You're there

I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord

When I call to You in prayer

I can sing with my last breath

Sing for I know

That I'll sing with the angels

And the saints around the throne

How can I keep from singing Your praise

How can I ever say enough, how amazing is Your love

How can I keep from shouting Your name

I know I am loved by the King, and it makes my heart want to sing
I believe His words, that is why I sing. 
I hope you’re singing too. 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

live wise

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

- Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)

 

This verse is a great vision for time management.

Think for a moment about something that you have always wanted to do, see, or own.
How often does that thing get put aside because of time, money or responsibilities?

I remember being told when I learned that I was pregnant (so many years ago!) that I should have waited until we could afford to have a child.

I remember when we moved here, being told that we should not have moved because it was too expensive.

But if I would have waited to have children, I would not be a proud mom of three awesome kids.

If I would not have moved, I would have missed out on meeting some incredible people and making my life so much better.

Expect opportunities to happen and order your life in such a way that you are prepared for those opportunities WHEN they happen.

Take a chance on things that you would normally shy away from, you might be pleasantly surprised with the results.

It would be a shame to have doors opening to you without being prepared to walk through them.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

speak to me

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.

- Ephesians 5:19 (NIRV)

 

One of my absolute favorite things in the world is music (as if you couldn’t tell!).

Music is written to encourage and inspire us.

Music can stir up emotions in us that we did not know were there.

Sometimes when we can’t find words to express how we feel, music helps us get our point across.

When we speak to others, we should use kind words and speak from our heart.
Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus, encouraging them to follow God’s example as they live their lives, singing and praising the Lord for all they had.
Music can soothe our soul, calm our anxiety, and tell people how we feel. 
Music that praises God should do all of that and more, and no matter how bad you think your voice is, God loves to hear you sing!   

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

not just words

They are not just idle words for you—they are your life.

- Deuteronomy 32:47 (NIV)

 

The Bible – “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth”.
There are people out there that do not like this mnemonic to explain the work of the Spirit from which we draw the truth of God.  

The Bible isn’t very “basic”, its 66 books!
Scripture is complex and intricate, definitely not basic. 

The Bible contains basic instructions, but not everything in the Bible is a simple starting point for faith.
The Old testament, that is where you get your history, poetry, prophecy, and an amount of directions, laws or guidance that was laid out under the Old Covenant.
It’s not a manual that you just read.

“Bible” comes from a Greek word that means “books”, and these books are woven into a beautiful and harmonious library.
We have a number of names we can call them, including the “Scriptures” (what is written), and the “Gospel” (the good news)!
They are not just idle words on the page, learning His word, living His word, this is how we should live!

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

many years

Remember the days of old, Consider the years of many generations. Ask your father, and he will show you; Your elders, and they will tell you.

- Deuteronomy 32:7 (NKJV)

 

Have you ever taken the time to sit with someone older than you and listen to stories of their past?
It is interesting to learn what things were like when they were growing up, issues they faced, how people handled different situations, and especially reactions to new things.

My great grandfather was a farmer, and in the 1930’s and 40’s he farmed with horses.
One of my great grandmother’s stories was to tell of Grandpa’s first time driving an engine powered tractor.
She said he was driving the tractor, but he needed to stop, and he kept saying “Whoa, Whoa, WHOA!”
Grandmother said she was running along side the tractor yelling “Bob, you have to use the brakes, the BRAKES!”

I’m sure that Grandpa was frustrated that the tractor wouldn’t listen to him.
Today is my father-in-law’s birthday, (Happy birthday, Dad!), now that guy can tell the best stories! 
I love to sit and listen to him talk about growing up in Wisconsin and when he first started his business in Iowa.
I go to him for advice on a lot of things, both he and my amazing mother-in-law have so much information to share with us.

The knowledge that our elders have also needs to be passed down, it might surprise you how much they actually know, and how much of their life lessons are still very relevant today.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

this I know

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.

- Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)

 

These words, do not be afraid or discouraged, how many times have you heard them?
How many times have you taken them to heart? 
Something interesting popped up on my FaceBook feed the other day: 
If I die tomorrow, I’ll be with the Lord.
If I live tomorrow, the Lord will be with me. 

Either way, I belong to Him.
And I can never thank Him enough for staying by my side through thick and thin. 
How many times have we heard “do not be afraid” and known in our hearts that we are not alone, that God is always with us?

We don’t have to fear.
We don’t have to be discouraged. 
He will never fail us. 
He will never leave us alone. 

This is a promise God made to His people long ago, and He won’t let us down.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

little kids

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t keep them away. The kingdom of heaven belongs to people like them.”

- Matthew 19:14 (NIRV)

 

It has never been a secret that I am not a fan of children.
Since my children have grown up, whenever I’ve been asked to teach Sunday school, work with teens, or help out in the nursery, my answer is always a resounding “no”, followed by “I don’t like kids” .
I have said it to a lot of people. 
Often. 
I own it because I do not want to be involved with kids, they stress me out. 
But God. 
I have heard it said that God has a sense of humor, and He has found a way to change my mind.  
Recently two little “someones” entered my life that I can’t get enough of. 
They don’t stress me out.
They aren’t related to me, but I would move mountains for them. 
They don’t know how much they have affected me. 
I count the hours until I get to see them again, and I cherish their smiles, their laughter, their hugs.
If the kingdom of heaven belongs to children, I hope that those children are like the little “someones” that are now in my life.

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

protection

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

- 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)

 

Protection is something that we all seek.
Animal mothers protect their young from predators and other dangers. 
Human parents protect their children from injury and mistakes. 
Officers of the law protect us from people that intend to harm us. 
I’ve often heard miracle stories of God sending angels to protect His children in dire situations.
I have no idea if God really sends angels, I have had some personal experiences, where I believe that He did.
Lauren Daigle is one of my favorite Christian artists, and in 2018 she released “Rescue”, here are some of the lyrics:
You are not hidden

There's never been a moment

You were forgotten

You are not hopeless

Though you have been broken

Your innocence stolen

I hear you whisper underneath your breath

I hear your SOS, your SOS

I will send out an army to find you

In the middle of the darkest night

It's true, I will rescue you

There is no distance

That cannot be covered

Over and over

You're not defenseless

I'll be your shelter

I'll be your armor

I hear you whisper underneath your breath

I hear your SOS, your SOS

I will send out an army to find you

In the middle of the darkest night

It's true, I will rescue you

I will never stop marching to reach you

In the middle of the hardest fight

It's true, I will rescue you

I hear the whisper underneath your breath

I hear you whisper, you have nothing left

I will send out an army to find you

In the middle of the darkest night

It's true, I will rescue you

I will never stop marching to reach you

In the middle of the hardest fight

It's true, I will rescue you

Oh, I will rescue you

The thought of always being protected, seen, loved is a thought that I truly cherish.
God loves me enough that he protects me. 
And He loves you that much too. 

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible