pure

And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

- 1 John 3:3 (NKJV)

 

The Oxford dictionary defines “pure” as “without any extraneous and unnecessary elements, not mixed with any other substance or material, free of any contamination”.
John felt that those who possess the hope of seeing Christ are inspired to purify themselves just as He is pure.

This idea reflects a profound understanding of Christian identity, rooted in the transformative nature of divine hope.
Believers, as children of God, are called to live in anticipation of their future glory while embracing a present commitment to moral and spiritual purity.
In this context, the verse serves as both an encouragement and a challenge to uphold a life aligned with God's holiness amidst a world often characterized by impurity and sin.
That comes from a website called “The Bible Says” which is one of the resources I use when I write, when I don’t fully understand the meaning behind a verse.

John encourages and challenges believers to live a life that is aligned with God, identifying as His children by pursuing a righteous existence.
In today’s terms that means ethical living. 
We all have our expectation of what we think Jesus wants, but the real truth is that He wants us to be more like Him.  

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

election time

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.

- 1 Peter 1:2 (NKJV)

 

I am probably unreasonably happy that it is election day 2024, just because I am so tired of the political ads on TV, in my email, the snail mail, text messages, phone calls and all social media. 
Yes, I get it that each party has its own agenda, and voting one way might get us something better than voting the other but I’m just so tired of hearing about it nearly every minute of every day.
It’s gotten completely out of hand. 
Long gone are the days when we can have a conversation with our neighbor without politics coming up.
It seems like forever since I was able to watch the news without hearing some negative rhetoric about one of the candidates.  

The Bible says that we need to vote, and we need to elect according to the foreknowledge of God.
This means that God has complete and perfect knowledge of everything, including the future choices people will make. 

God chose us.
Let us choose the candidate that will stand proudly and admit their love for and belief in the almighty Father, the candidate that will pray for the Lord’s guidance for this country.
Go vote.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

in God we trust

 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

- Psalm 56:11 (NKJV)

 

When we look at the United States today, it is sometimes difficult to believe that “In God We Trust” is the official motto of this country.
The origins of this motto can be traced back to the American Civil War, and first appeared on the two-cent piece in 1864.
Initially only appearing on coins, postage stamps took up the motto in 1954. Followed by all American currency in 1955.
It is still there, on newly minted currency, even in 2024.  

I have heard so many different variations of whether it is allowed or not, if it is constitutional, or if it even still matters.
It still matters. 

In 1988 the band Stryper released an album and a single of the same name, In God We Trust.  Here are the lyrics:
It's been said money talks

If so what does it say?

Four simple words we see every day

The rich, the poor

Heaven is for those who choose

Don't put your trust in money

You'll lose (again and again)

In God we trust

In Him we must believe

(He is the only way)

In God we trust

His Son we must receive

(Tomorrow's too late, accept Him today)

In God we trust

In Him we must believe

(He is the only way)

In God we trust

His Son we must receive

(Tomorrow's too late, accept Him today)
I checked the United States Mint website, all coins and paper currency minted in 2024 still have “In God We Trust” on them .
It must mean something to someone, that we are still using this phrase today, and if we read or listen to the lyrics of the song, “tomorrow’s too late, accept Him today”.
In God We Trust.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

don’t take it away

Those by the side of the road are the ones who hear the Word. As soon as they hear it, the devil comes and takes away the Word that is planted in their hearts.

- Mark 4:15 (NLV)

 

Have you ever been holding something and had someone grab it out of your hands?
We see this a lot in children, a sibling or another child in daycare wants whatever the other child has and simply walks over to them and takes it away.  

Sometimes this happens with God’s word too – He plants the seed, it starts to grow and as soon as those little green shoots begin to emerge, alone comes the devil to squash it down. 
Sometimes the word of God gets buried beneath all the craziness of the world. 
I saw this quote once: “When you’re in a dark place, you sometimes tend to think you’ve been buried.  Maybe you’ve been planted. Grow.”

Don’t stay buried.

Don’t let evil corrupt you.

Grow.

Grow in God.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible