come back

 “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

- Joel 2:12-13

 

I enjoy traveling, I look forward to seeing new places, experiencing new things, I even enjoy going back to familiar places and doing things that I’ve done for years.

But at the end of the traveling, I am always thankful to come back home, there is just something about being in your own comfort zone.

God wants our comfort zone to be in Him.

He wants us to want to be with Him, to come to Him with everything.

He wants our joy, but He especially wants our sorrow, because this is when He can hold us and comfort us the most.

It’s time to go home, to the loving arms of God.   

 

#dailybreadbykitty

ashes

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

- Psalm 51:7-10

 

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.

Lent is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, nor is it observed by all religions, but the concept is one that we should consider.

Lent is the period of 40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays that is supposed to focus on repentance, fasting and reflection, it represents the time that Christ spent in the wilderness where he was tempted by the devil as He fasted. 

Depending on which religion you practice, you may give something up or refrain from something for the 40 days, as a sign of sacrifice and self-discipline – Jesus gave up His life for me, I can go without chocolate for 40 days. 

It’s not quite the same, but some people feel that depriving themselves of something that they love is today’s answer to fasting.

Regardless of whether you do or don’t abandon something you really enjoy or depend on for Lent, you should still reflect on the meaning of the season.

Jesus was nailed to a cross, suffered and died for us.

For you.

For me.

He died so that our sins could be washed away, but we still have to repent of the sin and we have to stop sinning.

Pray, fast, repent, reflect, do whatever you want but find a way for the next 40 days to invite Jesus to live in your heart and fill you with His spirit.     

 

#dailybreadbykitty

time

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

- Psalm 90:12

 

In 1976 the Steve Miller Band released a song called Fly Like An Eagle.

There is much speculation around what the lyrics mean, whether it is a bad acid trip or if the author is trying to solve all the problems of the world, but one thing is consistent in the lyrics, “time keeps on slipping into the future”.

We don’t know how much time we have on earth, how many days we get to spend with the people we love.

When we value each day and cherish each minute, we can fill out hearts with truth, love and wisdom.

Many of us have experienced the loss of a loved one this past year, perhaps it was someone you have been very close to, or maybe just a friend, but when they leave earth to go to Heaven, we often find ourselves wishing that we had more time with them. 

We can’t get that time back, time is indeed slipping away, so count each day, fill it with wisdom and love.

  

#dailybreadbykitty

look

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

- 1 Samuel 16:7

 

Ok, be honest here, how many times have you seen someone in a store, at work, or even in church, and rushed to judgement of that person based only on their appearance?

I am pretty sure that we have all done it at least once in our lives, and if we really admit it, we probably have done it more than once.

People can change their outward appearance to depict any personality trait that they wish, make-up hairstyles, tattoos, clothing, all of that goes into individual choices on what a person will display to the world about their personality.

But God sees your heart.

No matter what statement you are trying to convey to the world, God sees your heart, He knows who you are.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

love

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

- 1 John 4:16

 

Well here we are, another Valentine’s Day weekend.

Valentine’s day is a great money maker for retail though, sales of flowers, candy, jewelry, cards go through the roof! 

According to the internet, Valentines day is the number three holiday in retail, with number one being Christmas/Hanukkah and the second highest being Mother’s day.

Most years I am dieting so my husband isn’t “allowed” to buy me candy.  I have more jewelry than I could ever wear and I don’t care much for cut flowers that wither and die (or get eaten by certain cats who shall remain nameless “Mittens”). 

I’ve heard Valentine’s day being referred to as “singles awareness day” and who did not have the heartache as a child of not getting a special valentine at the school party?

We don’t need “stuff” – flowers, candy, jewelry, stuffed animals and cards, those things don’t last – but the love of our Father is forever.

You may or may not have an earthly valentine this year, but God has been asking you to be His valentine since the day you were conceived.

You are God’s love story, so show it, live it, be the love that lives in you through Christ Jesus.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

 

trouble

 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

 

We all have trials and troubles and hard times, it is a fact that we cannot escape.

Sometimes, I get so overwhelmed with whatever is troubling to me that I lose sight of the end, I become very pessimistic and my attitude goes downward as I start to feel sorry for myself. 

It is in these times, that I need the gentle shove to focus more on God and less on myself.

Our trials and troubles and hard times, they are temporary, they will eventually come to an end, but God, He is eternal, He is there for us and He will carry us through these events. 

Lay your burdens down, let God be your comfort, He is our refuge.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

fullness

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

- Psalm 16:11

 

Sometimes we go through life feeling empty, unfulfilled and incomplete.

It can be very lonely when you feel that no one understands.

We let fear settle into our hearts and we become inconsolable.

We need to be still and seek the presence of God.

Song reference!

Found in Your hands

Fullness of joy

Every fear suddenly wiped away

Here in Your presence

All of my gains now fade away

Every crown no longer on display

Here in Your presence

Heaven is trembling in awe of Your wonders

The kings and their kingdoms are standing amazed

Here in Your presence we are undone

Here in Your presence Heaven and Earth become one

Here in Your presence

All things are new

Here in Your presence

Every thing bow before you

Wonderful

Beautiful

Glorious

Matchless in every way

Here in Your presence

We are undone

Here in Your presence Heaven and Earth become one

Here in Your presence

All things are new

Here in Your presence

Everything bows before You

We can have peace, we can be filled and completed, just by seeking Him.

Let His presence fill you no matter what you are going through, find comfort in Him.

 

#dailybreadbykitty