go

Then you will go your way in safety, and you will not get hurt.

- Proverbs 3:23 (NCV)

 

When I read this verse, my first thought is “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac, released in 1976, I am that weird.
But I chose this verse because I am going my own way tomorrow – on a very exciting trip.
It will be my first time leaving the country, and I am looking so forward to spending time on a sunny beach just soaking up the sun and enjoying the peace.

But it is scary, crazy things are happening in the world right now.
The verse emphasizes that those who follow God's wisdom will experience a sense of security, confidence, and peace, even in the face of adversity.
I’ll be gone (no “daily bread” messages) for a couple of weeks, but I know that I will be safe.

I trust in God.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

the difficult one

 By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.

- Proverbs 25:15 (NASB1995)

 

When I'm unsure how to handle a situation, I often turn to Google (doesn’t everyone?).

I usually start with “what does the Bible say about [situation]?” and begin my search.

Often, I find that the same verses consistently appear.

Today’s verse, Proverbs 25:15, has been particularly prominent.

I've found myself in a worsening situation where people are trying to force me to do things their way, which won’t end well for me.

One of the pages I read explained Proverbs 25:15: “Forbearance means tolerance or length of anger. Even if your anger is justified, you need to lengthen it. Stretch it out; don’t have a short fuse. And, most importantly, keep a soft tongue.”

Oh crap.
Admittedly, a soft tongue was not my initial response.

The author also suggested practicing “re-framing.”

This means placing the difficult person in a different frame.

For example, if someone humiliates and intimidates you, you likely view them through that lens, reinforcing your fear.

Instead, we should ask God to change our attitude toward the situation and the person.

By re-framing them, we might change our perspective.

It's incredible how God can transform a situation when we are willing to let Him change us first.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

losing someone

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

 

The last few months have been rough on many of my friends.
A parent should not have to bury their child, no matter how old they are, yet two of my friends have had to do that in the last month.
Grieving the loss of someone you love, no matter who it is, a child, a parent, a grandparent, a friend, a sibling, even a beloved pet, this grief hurts.

It hurts bad.
Those of us not directly impacted by the loss are sometimes unintentionally cruel.
Don’t tell someone that is grieving to “get over it”. 
Don’t try to put their grief into perspective, everyone grieves differently. 
Don’t stop talking about the one they lost, let them know of the memories you have.
As much music as I listen to, I am not sure how I did not hear this song before, Ryan Stevenson recorded and released When We Fall Apart in 2021.
Please read the lyrics, listen to the song: 
 You were forty-three when you got the news

Life will be changing, nothing we can do

The clock is ticking now

All I can think about

Is knowing I have to move on without you somehow

And I just can't believe

That you're the one whose keeping it together

As you hold my hand and say

It's ok to cry

It's ok to fall apart

You don't have to try

To be strong when you are not

And it may take sometime to make sense of all your thoughts

But don't ever fight your tears

'Cause there is freedom in every drop

Sometimes the only way to heal a broken heart is when we fall apart

You ask me to sing

Some songs that I wrote

But I can barely speak

Can barely play a note

All my tears rush in

Falling on my strings

That make the sound of these progressions have a different ring

And I hate to say goodbye

Knowing this will be the last time we're together

As you close your eyes and say

It's ok to cry

It's ok to fall apart

You don't have to try

To be strong when you are not

And it may take sometime to make sense of all your thoughts

But don't ever fight your tears

'Cause there is freedom in every drop

Sometimes the only way to heal a broken heart is when we fall apart

Whoa

And you've got the gift of mercy

Don't ever think it's strange

Not a curse, but it is a blessing to feel other people's pain

And always love without condition

And trust with all your heart

There's healing in the story of your scars

Well, it's been awhile

Since you've been gone

And sometimes I still catch myself trying to call your phone

All the hopes and dreams we used to talk about

They're still alive in me and I just hope I make you proud

Now I'm your legacy

And it's your love still holding me together

And I still hear you say

It's ok to cry

It's ok to fall apart

You don't have to try

To be strong when you are not

And it may take sometime to make sense of all your thoughts

But don't ever fight your tears

'Cause there is freedom in every drop

Sometimes the only way to heal a broken heart is when we fall apart

Yeah, yeah, it's okay to fall apart

Sometimes the only way to heal a broken heart is when we fall apart

It’s OK to cry – this directly addresses the emotional pain of loss and encourages us to acknowledge and express our feelings. 

It’s OK to grieve – let’s make it normal to validate the process of grieving and allow for the full range of emotions associated with loss.

It’s OK to fall apart – we need to acknowledge the fragility of human experience and the possibility of breaking down during difficult times.

Allowing oneself to feel vulnerable is a necessary part of healing.

This song reminds us that sometimes our greatest strength lies in acknowledging our weaknesses and allowing ourselves to surrender to the pain.

If you are grieving, it is ok.
If you know someone that is grieving, let them grieve, be their friend, and sometimes cry with them.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

where you go

But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.

- Ruth 1:16 (NLT)

 

People often feel that most moms are amazing, they love you, care for you, keep you safe, and stand up for you when things get crazy.

However, mothers-in-law have historically gotten a bad rap, often portrayed as evil, manipulative, and sometimes downright nasty.

My mother-in-law is far from that stereotype, she is simply top-notch.

She raised three amazing children (my husband included) while working hard to support the family business and keep the house.

She is the best grandma and great grandma, baking cookies and ensuring the grandkids have fun at her house (who am I kidding, she makes sure everyone has fun!).

She doesn’t stop at blood relation, if you walk into her house, you are immediately treated like family.

She has taught me a lot about cooking, sewing, and various family tricks and tips, and I see her continue to teach the next generation.

She does not back down from any challenge, I have seen her persevere where others would have just sat back and watched the world go by.
She is the strongest woman I know. 

Along with my wonderful father-in-law, she taught me the most important thing in the world, they taught me who God really is.

My mother-in-law is celebrating her birthday today, and I just want her to know how much I love and appreciate her.

I thank her for raising a wonderful son to be my husband, for being patient with me as I learned how to treat him as a wife should, for helping us teach our children, and for walking with me and gently prodding me when I was falling off the path God wants me on.

Thank you, Mom.

Happy birthday.

I love you.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

rest

I said to myself, “Relax and rest. God has showered you with blessings. Soul, you’ve been rescued from death; Eye, you’ve been rescued from tears; And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling.”

- Psalm 116:7-8 (MSG)

 

Over the past year, I've been frazzled and stressed, feeling like everything was spiraling out of control.

What I need to remember, as many of us do, is to come to the Lord in prayer, set aside our agendas, and seek God's rest.

Recall all the ways God has shown us His goodness in the past and let those memories dissolve our anxieties.

Jesus' yoke is easy, and His burden is light.

God is in control.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

goodness of God

I love God because He listened to me, listened as I begged for mercy. He listened so intently as I laid out my case before Him. Death stared me in the face, hell was hard on my heels. Up against it, I didn’t know which way to turn; then I called out to God for help: “Please, God!” I cried out. “Save my life!” God is gracious—it is He who makes things right, our most compassionate God. God takes the side of the helpless; when I was at the end of my rope, He saved me.

- Psalm 116:1-4 (MSG)

 

I think it's fair to say that we've all felt like we're talking to a wall at some point in our lives.

Whether as kids trying to explain our point of view to our parents, as parents trying to guide our children, or even at work when defending our opinions, sometimes it feels like our words mean nothing. 

But God hears us.

He listens.

We are never talking to a wall when we bring everything to God.

In 2019 Bethel Music released Goodness of God, check out the lyrics:
I love You, Lord

For Your mercy never fails me

All my days, I've been held in Your hands

From the moment that I wake up

Until I lay my head

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

And all my life You have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice

You have led me through the fire

In the darkest night

You are close like no other

I've known You as a Father

I've known You as a Friend

And I have lived in the goodness of God

And all my life You have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

'Cause Your goodness is running after, it's running after me

Your goodness is running after, it's running after me

With my life laid down, I'm surrendered now

I give You everything

'Cause Your goodness is running after, it's running after me

How fortunate are we that God is always there when we need Him?

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

not the same

Most of all, here is what you must understand. In the last days people will make fun of the truth. They will laugh at it. They will follow their own evil desires.

They will say, “Where is this ‘return’ he promised? Everything goes on in the same way it has since our people of long ago died. In fact, it has continued this way since God first created everything.”

- 2 Peter 3:3-4 (NIRV)

 

I've been hearing about the end days since I was growing up in the 70’s, but I hear it more now.

With viruses, disease, wars, and natural disasters, many people believe we are facing the end times right now.

They have "ammunition" and "proof" that the end of the world is imminent.

Remember when the world was supposed to end in 2012 because the Mayan calendar went no further?

Surprise!

We are still here, thirteen years later.

If we take a hard look at the earth and everything that has changed in the last 2,000 years, we will see that there is no truth in the "end is coming" conspiracy theories.

But not everything has changed.

God made the heavens and the earth; they are still here.

God made the fish in the sea and the animals on the land; they are still here.

God made humans, and we are still here.

Let's stop trying to figure out when the world is going to end or when Jesus is coming back and instead live our lives the way He asked us to live.

If we focus more on how we live rather than when we are going to die, the time that we are here will be much better.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

time

Dear friends, remember this one thing, with the Lord one day is as 1,000 years, and 1,000 years are as one day.

- 2 Peter 3:8 (NLV)

 

In many ways, I am an impatient person—just ask those close to me.

When I want something, I don't want to wait.

I have limited patience for others doing things for me, so often I prefer to do things myself rather than take the time to show someone else what to do.

I can’t imagine what it was like for God to create the earth and everything in it.
I've heard the argument countless times that God couldn't have possibly created everything in six days.

But remember, we're talking about God!

Our concept of time is specific and limited, while God exists beyond time.

This is fortunate, as we humans tend to impose time frames on everything, including our spiritual journey.

God cares for people so much that He is willing to wait for them to come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

While we might become impatient with the process, God is not like us, which is another blessing. T

his should give us great hope because, even if we are not as far along in our faith as we would like, God is patient with us.

The nature of God's patience should humble us all, for we are all in great need of His longsuffering in our journey of faith.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

something to know

My friends, here is what I want you to know. I announce to you that your sins can be forgiven because of what Jesus has done.

- Acts 13:38 (NIRV)

 

Imagine hanging out with your friends after dinner one night and suddenly finding yourself arrested and thrown in jail.

After a sham of a trial, you are paraded through the streets where crowds yell horrible words and your captors actively beat you.

You are led to a place where you endure more pain and suffering, and you are put on display to die in front of everyone.

Yet, your words are those of forgiveness toward the people who decided you had to die.

Forgiveness is a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward someone who has harmed you, regardless of whether they deserve it.

It's about letting go of anger and bitterness and focusing on healing and moving forward.

And it is available to you.

When we sin, we are hurting God, even if we don’t immediately make that connection.

However, because Jesus died on the cross, our sins can be forgiven.

We can be made right with God.

The first step is to let Jesus in.

Then, ask for forgiveness.

Finally, follow Jesus by striving to live a life of love, compassion, and service, as demonstrated by Him.

Read the Bible, pray, and seek to know and obey God's will.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

at peace

Let the peace of heart that comes from Christ be always present in your hearts and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of his body. And always be thankful.

- Colossians 3:15 (TLB)

 

Today would have been my dad’s 98th birthday, but his last 40 birthdays have not been on earth.
I mention that because we often say "rest in peace" when someone dies, but is there really peace?

These days, peace seems hard to come by with so much turmoil and sadness in the world.

It just doesn't feel very peaceful.

So, how do you find peace amidst the craziness of life?

For me, peace starts with quiet.

I absolutely love being the first person awake on a day with nothing planned.

I get to savor my coffee in my pajamas, under a blanket (usually with a cat on my lap), and delve into whatever I'm reading.

It is so quiet, so peaceful.

No music, no TV—just me, my coffee, and maybe a cat purring.

In that quiet, I can read, meditate, pray, and find peace.

Try it: find five minutes of quiet and then extend those five minutes to whatever you need to find peace.

Having the peace of Christ in your heart provides peace all the time.

It was in my favorite part of the day, when I can be in quiet in the peace of Christ, where I have come to peace with the death of my dad.

And I am forever thankful for that peace.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

choices

Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!

- Deuteronomy 30:19 (NLT)

 

Let's be honest, there are days when deciding between wearing blue or red can seem overwhelming.

But we are given choices far more significant than the color of our shirt.

Chapter 30 in the book of Deuteronomy focuses on the promise of restoration and prosperity for a repentant Israel if they turn back to God with all their heart and soul, choosing life over death.

Life over death?

That is huge!

You might think it would be an easy decision, but for some, it is a real struggle.

This verse emphasizes God's willingness to forgive and restore.

Israel resisted God at every turn; they followed Him out of Egypt only to wander the desert because they wouldn't let go of their old ways.

Even after this punishment, God was willing to forgive and renew His covenant with His people.

Life over death.

I’m choosing life.

What are you choosing?

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

strong and courageous

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.

- Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

 

It is no April Fool’s joke; the phrase "be strong and courageous" appears at least 15 times in the Bible.

Sometimes, being strong and courageous doesn’t even cross our minds.

Many people struggle with getting out of bed every morning and facing the challenges in their lives.

If you are one of those people and you are reading this right now, congratulations – you made it this far, which shows that you are strong.

We have courage deep inside that just needs to be coaxed out.

When we’ve been run down so much that we have little to no self-esteem left, facing the world becomes a daunting task.

There are people out there whose actions seem aimed at tearing others down, and, unfortunately, they often succeed.

Do not be afraid of them; God is on your side.

It's hard, but God tells us to be strong and count on Him.

He will not leave us.

It is a challenge to be courageous and face the people who hurt us, but God is with us.

They might set us back today, but we have God, and He gives us hope and a future – He tells us that too.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

God and doughnuts

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

- Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

 

What do doughnuts and God have in common?

Last Saturday, they both brought people together.

Krispy Kreme doughnuts were founded on July 13, 1937, in North Carolina.

Interestingly, that's also my birthday (though not my birth year!).

Wyatt’s Lemonade, an organization started by a little boy in South Dakota, raises money for St. Jude’s and other children’s causes.

The Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) has over 125,000 members and 1,200 chapters across all 50 states and 31 other countries.

The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter provides a safe haven for children who are victims of abandonment, abuse, neglect, and trafficking.

Most people wouldn't connect these groups and a bunch of doughnuts in the same day, let alone in the same moment.

But God has a way of orchestrating events perfectly.

I found myself at a lemonade stand during a motorcycle rally, which led to a friendship and support for my CMA chapter’s fundraiser.

On Saturday, we took doughnuts sponsored by Wyatt’s Lemonade to the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter.

Sharing the love of Jesus with the staff at the local Krispy Kreme, we saw how much it meant to them to feel appreciated.

The camaraderie among us riders was fueled by a higher purpose beyond just reaching our destination.

The joy on the children’s faces as they enjoyed their doughnuts and admired the motorcycles was priceless.

God brought people together over doughnuts.

It might seem random, but He has a purpose.

What a glorious day it was.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

light

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

- 1 John 1:6-7

 

Have you noticed that it is human nature to hide?

We conceal our addictions, our identities, and our opposition.

We hide our feelings, opinions, and insecurities.

We bury past experiences, secrets, and our shame.
There is a new song playing on the radio (for those of us that still listen to the radio) by the artist Tayá, called Come Into The Light.
Are you wounded from all the pain

Of hidden sin and secret shame?

Are you burdened and so afraid?

Come into the light

Are you weak and scared to speak

Of what you can't admit you need?

Are you tired of lacking peace?

Come into the light

Come into the light

And you will find a savior

Gentle and lowly waiting on the other side

He will meet you gladly

Over and over with loving kindness in His eyes

Oh, come into the light

Do you question how you could trust

That His grace is more than enough?

There's just One who measures up

Come into the light

Have you been here a thousand times?

Have you started to believe the lie

That it's safer for you to hide?

Come into the light

Oh, come into the light

And you will find a savior

Gentle and lowly waiting on the other side

He will meet you gladly

Over and over with loving kindness in His eyes

Oh, come into the light

Come into the light

If you're ready for your freedom

Come into the light

If you're ready for your healing

Come into the light

If you're ready for redemption

Come into the light

He is ready for your freedom

Come into the light

He is ready for your healing

Come into the light

He's the God of resurrection

Bringing dead things back to life

Oh, come into the light

Ouch.
That might hit a little close to home for some of us. 
Tayá shared the story behind the song, in a video on her Instagram feed that included this: “We just realized there was this invitation to bring every part of our life before God. And what's crazy is when you don't and you keep things in the dark and you keep it hidden, that's where the enemy (has) his playground and he loves to work. But when you bring things into the light, the broken pieces, the, the things that you think that nobody else knows about, but you maybe carry very dear or perhaps weigh heavily on you, when you bring that to God, you allow him to work and you allow him to be who he says that he is. He actually wants us to walk in freedom and us to walk in healing and wholeness more than we desire to. I just love that this is an invitation for all of us." 

Come to the light and you will find a Savior.
We don’t have to be ashamed or scared. 
Jesus can set you free. 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible