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