rest

So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.

- Mark 6:32 (NLT)

 

Rest is mentioned multiple times in the Bible.

God rested, Jesus rested, the kings rested, even armies rested.

Rest is very important, humans simply are not made to go non-stop, we need rest.

We need to withdraw — not once-in-a-while, but often!

What is incredible is that Jesus invites His disciples (today that's us!) to withdraw with Him to a quiet place and rest with Him.

This isn't just about getting a good night's sleep, or a nap during the day; it's about taking time in the middle of our wild and crazy days to join Him for a few moments of grace, rest, and refreshment.

I will be taking a break next week, much needed time away from everything.
I won’t have access to the internet to write and post, so rather than stressing over whether I get emails sent and posts updated, I am going to rest.

I’ll be back before you know it, but while I am out, I encourage you to continue to read the Word and spend time with Him.

Make daily stops in God's Word - take more time than quick e-mail viewing; let it be a time to withdraw with the Savior and take a few minutes of rest!

See you soon. ❤

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

love and honor

Love one another deeply. Honor others more than yourselves.

- Romans 12:10 (NIRV)

 

Love and honor.
My dad always told me that he showed me he loved me by keeping a roof over my head, clothes on my back and food in my belly, “I love you” was not something he said, but rather something he showed.
Children honor their parents by being respectful in their behavior and by doing what is asked of them.

But are love and honor connected?

I believe that they are, but not in the way you might think..
I love cats (really!), but I would not say that I “honor” cats. 
I think we all know what love is, or at least some variation of love. 
Honor though, that is a high regard, respect, something that I am not sure we all understand.
People deserve both love and honor from us. 
Sometimes it is something small like hanging out, going to a movie or for a walk.
Other times it is showing up for the important moments in their life. 
Think hard on this one – how do you show someone both love and honor? 

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

the tree

He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

- Psalm 1:3 (NKJV)

 

Branching off yesterday’s verse (see what I did there? Tree? Branch? I have a sense of humor!) we learn that the person that follows God is presented as a beautiful, healthy tree. 

When you are walking (or driving) around trees, notice that the strongest and prettiest trees are the ones that get the best sunlight and rain.
With nothing blocking them, they can grow big, strong and continue to produce what ever it was created to produce.
When we plant seeds in rich fertile soil, give them daily water and sunlight, nourish them and care for them, they grow into beautiful plants that go on to create more plants just like them.

It is the same with humans.
When we are “planted” in the Word, when we refresh ourselves with the Living Water and eat our Daily Bread, we will flourish and grow.

I don’t know about you, but I like to flourish!

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

take a walk

 Happy is the one who has not walked in the advice of the wicked, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seat of scoffers.

- Psalm 1:1 (TLV)

 

My husband used to fuss at me for not watching where I was walking, I’ve been known to walk into a wall, pole, tree, another person because I was not paying attention.
We do need to watch where we walk, but not just where we walk, but who we walk with.
The Message translation is a bit harsh with this verse, almost condescending: How well God must like you— you don’t walk in the ruts of those blind-as-bats, you don’t stand with the good-for-nothings, you don’t take your seat among the know-it-alls.
As terrible as that version sounds, God does prefer that we not listen to those who would mislead us.
Sadly, the same ones that will mislead us are the ones that most of us want to be like.
Think about the people you look up to, call heroes or role models, or put on a pedestal.
Are they really leading you in the right direction? 
Not only do we need to watch where we are walking and with whom we are walking, we also need to be careful of who we are following.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

in the middle of the storm

 He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves.

- Psalm 107:29 (NLT)

 

I apologize for my weeklong absence, the area of the country where I live was victim of multiple tornadoes in the early morning hours of May 26^th.
These storms destroyed an entire town, and wreaked havoc on several other communities, including my own.
My neighborhood was without power from Sunday morning at about 2am until Thursday evening.
Some areas are still without power. 
Some families lost everything. 
Some businesses were leveled. 
It was heartbreaking to see the damage. 
Then the community came together. 
Restaurants gathered food and took to a central location to be cooked and distributed to those who needed it.
Schools and churches opened their doors to provide shelter, showers, charging stations, meals, air conditioning and comfort.
Utility companies from surrounding states sent linemen and crews in to help restore power.
The National Guard came to help with traffic and security. 

Neighbors helped neighbors.
In the Bible, there are many examples of God providing protection for His people from storms.
His Word reminds us that even when the storms come, we can seek shelter and comfort in Him.
As our communities rebuild, let’s not forget the hours following the storm, where we all came together as children of God.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

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