the star

When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!

- Matthew 2:10 (NLT)

 

There is a lot of discussion and debate that the wise men, or magi as some translations read, were not Jewish men.

That these men were likely travelers from the East who had knowledge of astrology they’d learned in Babylonia after the Jewish exile.

According to scripture, when they were seeking the Christ child, they asked, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?”
This suggests that they were not Jewish because if they were, wouldn’t they have asked, “Where hasour King been born?” 
Over the years many religious scholars have tried to prove who the magi were and how they knew to seek Jesus.

Navigators have been using the stars as a guide for centuries, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that God led these men to Jesus using the astrology skills that they knew .

Who doesn’t want to follow the brightest star in the sky?
Jesus came to earth to bring every to the Father, and if a star leads people to Jesus then that star will lead us home.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

no need to shout

Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

- Matthew 6:2 (NKJV)

 

It is that time of the year . . .

There are bell ringers at every store, “angel trees” all over.

Surprisingly people on social media make a huge deal over their giving – oh wait, it is not surprising at all.

You don’t need to do this.

I do love the Message Translation of Matthew 6:When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure—‘playactors’ I call them—treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that’s all they get. When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.

If you have the ability to share, you should absolutely share, however, putting it on social media or discussing it in the breakroom, well that kind of takes away from the point of giving.

Pay it forward is a really cool concept, but telling the world that you did it is like you expect a pat on the back for doing a nice thing.

Drop that change in the red kettle, buy those “angel gifts”, pay it forward, donate huge sums of money to charity if you wish.

Just keep it to yourself – God knows your heart.

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

good gifts

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

- James 1:17 (NKJV)

 

Someone that I am close to told me this week, “I love Christmas, I love what it means, I don’t love what people have turned it into”.

Whoa buddy!
I could not have said it better myself. 

There are only 19 days until Christmas, and I am still wrangling up gifts for people.
I have to stop myself sometimes to remember that the perfect gift has already been given and if we are lucky enough, we have received that gift.
How fortunate are we to have a Father that loves us so much that He gave us the perfect gift in His Son Jesus?
I cannot think of a more perfect gift than that, and we don’t have to go to a crowded store or wait for an online order or even wait until Christmas morning.

We can open our hearts to the perfect gift right now.

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given,

And the government will be on His shoulders.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

- Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

once a fool

For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

- Titus 3:3 (NKJV)

 

It’s the holiday season, a time for love and peace, for giving and joy, for sharing and taking care of others.

Until we go to the store.

Then it is the season of chaos and anger, envy and hate, rudeness and selfishness.

I am not a fan of shopping ever, but it is worse during the holidays because that seems to be when people are at their worst instead of their best.

I fully admit that I am guilty of being this foolish at times – think road rage with a shopping cart – I am at my worst when I should be at my best.

When I first read this verse, I immediately thought about the old quote “once a fool, always a fool”.
Aren’t we fortunate then, that we do not have to be always a fool? 
We are given the choice to follow Christ, to have His love and kindness fill us and spill from us into those lives we touch daily.
We don’t have to be “grinchy” if we remember two things: God loves us and He gave us the tools we need to love others.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

it’s a message

Long ago God spoke in many different ways to our fathers through the prophets, in visions, dreams, and even face to face, telling them little by little about His plans. But now in these days He has spoken to us through His Son to whom He has given everything and through whom He made the world and everything there is.

- Hebrews 1:1-2 (TLB)

 

Have you ever wondered why God stopped communicating through prophets, visions, and dreams?
God has not stopped talking to us, He just changed His methods of communication! 
This verse explains and emphasizes the fact that Christ is part of God’s continuous and consistent message to His people.

God has spoken to us through His Son, Jesus is God’s perfect expression of the love He has for us.

We learn so much about God by listening to what Jesus tells us, we learn that God is a loving, forgiving and merciful Father.

That is one message that I am very happy to hear and share.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

‘tis the season

He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.

- Luke 2:5 (NLT)

 

This Sunday begins the Advent season, the time observed by many Christ followers as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.  

During Advent, we focus on Bible verses that relate to the themes of hope, peace, joy and love.

We light candles and pray specifically for those things.

Advent reminds us that we are not the center of God’s plan (what???), that He has a grand plan that is so much larger than us.
Advent reminds us to slow down, that good things come to those who wait, and teaches us patience as we wait for Jesus’ return.

Advent reminds us of history, of traditions that we have observed both in the church and in our lives.

Advent reminds us of God’s promises, we are assured through His word that Jesus is coming back.

This advent season take the time to reflect on all these things, hope, peace, joy and love.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

full of joy

 Be full of joy all the time.

- 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NLV)

 

The Oxford dictionary defines joyful as “feeling, expressing, or causing great pleasure and happiness”.

If you Google “what does is mean when someone is joyful?” the results include the Collins Dictionary definition of “full of joy, as a person or one’s heart; glad; delighted.”

For some, it is difficult to be full of joy this time of year, for those that are facing the season without someone that they have loved joy is a challenge.

I truly wish that everyone could have some joy every day, not just at Christmas, but every day find one thing that brings them joy.

If a person can find that one thing that brings them joy and focus on it, maybe there is more joy to be found.

It starts with a tiny ember and grows to a huge flame, let your joy show to the world and spark someone else’s joy.

Be full of joy – all the time.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible