falling

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

- 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV)

 

I have been writing these little “daily bread” things since 2011, and publishing my blog since 2016, but it never ceases to amaze me that I can learn something new with each verse I read. 

The first time I read today’s verse, my initial thought was that it was a warning not to think too much of oneself.

We’ve all met those people who are stuck on themselves, hopefully we aren’t one of them.

It is very helpful to have context (the verses before and after this one) and other translations.
This verse isn’t about how one feels about him or herself at all. 

The Message translation of this verse reads These are all warning markers—danger!—in our history books, written down so that we don’t repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence.

This also led me to believe that the verse was about how one feels as an individual.

The New Life Version, however, reads a bit differently: So watch yourself! The person who thinks he can stand against sin had better watch that he does not fall into sin.

Oh – wait.

Now is where I pull in context.
Paul is writing to the church in Corinth about the dangers of worshipping false gods and he gives Old Testament examples on what happened to the folks that thought they were above reproach.

We aren’t perfect, we never will be perfect.
There is nothing in this world that can absolutely protect us from falling. 
Falling into sin, falling into temptation, falling away from God. 
We all fall, but how far we fall is up to us. 
This verse is a reminder that we need to lean on God, probably more now than ever.
There is nothing in this world that can protect us, but God, God can provide us a way to escape.

Take heed, watch what you are doing, and always do the right thing.  

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

you’re going to be ok

Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer.  - Psalm 94:19 (TLB)

 

Normal.
Since 2020 the words “the new normal” have been drilled into our heads. 
It seems that after any major event, everyone wants us to accept a “new normal”. 

So, is returning home after a week away the “old normal” or the “new normal”?
Sometimes being away awakens new things in our souls that we want to keep as our new normal.
Other times trying to get back into the swing of things gives us more anxiety than when we were trying to leave.
It’s ok. 
Lauren Daigle released this little gem called Be Okay in 2023, the lyrics are very much in line with how we need to think when the world becomes too much.
You're gonna be okay

You're, you're gonna be okay

Oh, the sun will keep on risin' in that old familiar way

And every little thing is gonna be okay

You're gonna be alright

Darlin', you're, you're gonna be alright

'Cause the stars'll keep on shinin' through the darkest night

And you can know you're gonna be alright

Lift your eyes to the hills

Remember where your help comes from

Lift your eyes to the hills

You'll never face a valley alone

'Cause even when your heart is breakin'

And you've gone and lost your way

You're, you're gonna be okay

You're gonna be okay

I know that you're, you're gonna be okay

Not a care in this whole world can take that truth away

You're, you're gonna be okay

You're gonna be alright

Darlin', you're, you're gonna be alright

At the end of all our breath, when we're beckoned on to the light

Love'll meet you there, you're gonna be alright

Oh, the end of all our breath is the beginning of new life

You're, you're gonna be alright

It’s ok.
I’m going to be ok. 

You’re going to be ok.
If you have any doubts that you will be ok, listen to the song, or turn to your Bible.

When fear and anxiety become overwhelming, God will comfort you.
And you’re going to be ok. 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

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