chosen people

*I’m taking some time off to spend with family, so I hope you will enjoy these reflections of “the best of daily bread by Kitty” They are some of my favorites over the years. Thank you for reading and I’ll be back before you know it!*  

 

chosen people (Thursday, February 29, 2024)

 

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light. Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.

- 1 Peter 2:9-10 (NLT)

 

I hear the word “entitled” thrown around a lot recently and to be honest, I see it a lot.

Who is entitled?

Entitled people believe that they deserve privileges or recognition for things they did not earn.

They truly believe that the world owes them something.

Admit it, you see it too.

People demanding special treatment or expecting others to do things for them.

The ones that show no gratitude yet feel the need for constant admiration.

These are the people that come across as being full of themselves, believing that every situation should benefit them.

This verse seems to encourage us to be entitled but in truth it is the exact opposite.

We are chosen by God, for God and to teach others about God.

We are not to treat others as if they are beneath us, because once we were nothing.

Then we received mercy from God, and now it is up to us to show others what it is like to live in the light.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

it’s new

 *I’m taking some time off to spend with family, so I hope you will enjoy these reflections of “the best of daily bread by Kitty” They are some of my favorites over the years. Thank you for reading and I’ll be back before you know it!*  

 

it’s new (Friday, March 15, 2024)

 

They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

- Lamentations 3:23 (NKJV)

 

Mornings are a bit of a challenge for some folks.

Dragging out of bed before dawn is almost impossible.

Coffee helps, but still, it is morning.

You know what I look forward to when I wake up every morning?

Well, waking up, I mean, that is a real high point, right?

But seriously, every morning we are given a renewed spirit, a fresh day to accomplish good things.

I like the NIRV translation: His great love is new every morning. Lord, how faithful you are!

How great!

Every single day, we are refreshed with His compassion, His love, His mercy – all we need to do is ask!!

How can that not bring a tear to your eye?

How can you not feel this deep in your soul?

Sometimes, when things are looking down, we just need to remember that Our God is faithful, and He loves us.

He will guide us through what ever obstacle is in our way.

His love is everlasting.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

peace > anxiety

*I’m taking some time off to spend with family, so I hope you will enjoy these reflections of “the best of daily bread by Kitty” They are some of my favorites over the years. Thank you for reading and I’ll be back before you know it!*  

 

peace > anxiety (July 22, 2020)

 

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

- Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV)

 

Peace is greater than anxiety.

HA.

That being said by someone who actually lets anxiety stop her from doing a lot of things.

I have been learning to examine why things freak me out, and face those things, I have been forcing myself to do things that would put me in a panic attack not so long ago.

I pray – a lot – before I walk into a store alone, I pray while I am in there and I thank God when I walk out!

In every situation, I bring it to Him.

And the God of peace is indeed with me.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

what are you wearing?

 *I’m taking some time off to spend with family, so I hope you will enjoy these reflections of “the best of daily bread by Kitty” They are some of my favorites over the years. Thank you for reading and I’ll be back before you know it!*  

 

what are you wearing? (Monday, July 27, 2020)

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

- Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

 

I know that a lot of us are not going out right now, but let me ask you, when you go out, what are you wearing?

When you run to the store, are you wearing compassion, offering to help someone reach something on a shelf, or let a mom with a screaming child go ahead of you in line?

Are you wearing kindness when you go to the restaurant to pick up the food that you ordered, when it takes them a little longer to bring it to you?

Do you show patience when the lines are long?

We are God’s chosen people and how can we live up to His mighty name if our “clothing” is not acceptable to Him?

Look in the mirror before you go out, make sure you are wearing the right clothes.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

take it back

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

- John 10:10 (NKJV)

Today’s commentary is long, but bear with me, you won’t be disappointed!!
I get a lot of my ideas for writing when I am listening to Christian radio, and I do try to use my own words in my little “daily bread”.
Sometimes though, when I am researching a specific song or verse, I find something so profound it needs to be shared, as is the case today.
I wanted to talk today about a song that was released in 2022 by Tauren Wells and We The Kingdom called Take It All Back.
I am not sure how I did not hear this song until recently!! 
Please read the lyrics – I know some people skip over this part, I am asking you not to skip it today:
​​Fears got me living with the lights out

Chained down like a prisoner in my own house

Shame cycles like a daily medication

I try but I can't change my situation

'Cause the liar comes to rob my joy

Yeah, I'm bruised but I'm not destroyed

I'm rising like an army

And you're gonna hear the sound

[Chorus]

I'm calling the angels down

I'm storming the gates of hell

Tell the devil he don't own my soul

I'm taking back what the enemy stole

I'm raising the battle cry

I'm holding the banner high

With the power of the holy ghost

I'm taking back what the enemy stole

Oh oh oh

You can't speak your lies over my family, no

You can't break the promises that are standing, no

Ain't gotta flex to put you back in your place now

One name is all I gotta say, Jesus

[Chorus]

Take it all back

Take it all back

I'm taking back what the enemy stole

We're done with all the mind games you try to play

If ain't clear yet I want everything you took from me

In the name of the one who is peace, the one who heals all disease

The only reason that I am free, that name is Jesus

Lord of lords and king of kings

Jesus

The name that makes the demons flee

I want it all now, I'm taking it back now

Yeah, you know it's going down when you hear the sound

[Chorus]

Oh, oh, oh

Take it all back

Take it all back

I'm taking back what the enemy stole

Taking my peace back (you can't hold me down)

Taking my joy back

Take it all back, take it all back

I'm taking back what the enemy stole

This song sent chills down my spine.
Air1, a local Christian Radio station, has a great website that includes things like worship sessions with different artists.
In the session “Faith Behind The Song” they take a deep dive to talk about Take It All Back.  
Friends, this is amazing, I have removed a bit of the content, but don’t discount it because it is long – seriously read it.
​​In the Garden of Eden, Eve's first temptation was doubting God.

The first temptation Adam faced, however, was passivity. He failed to remind Eve of what God had told him and followed her suggestion to eat the fruit.

Passivity has been a temptation for men and women ever since. It's far easier to be passive than to step up with courage. Starting in childhood, when another kid gets bullied, it takes courage to not passively sit by while another child is hurt. In teenage years, walking in purity and self-control takes courage when your friends and the culture reward the opposite. In adulthood, it takes courage to say something to a friend who is addicted to work, always having the third glass of wine, or constantly checking their phone.

However, the Holy Spirit empowers us to claim our victory because of the cross and the empty tomb.

Wells' song is a bold, faith-filled anthem that inspires the opposite of passivity in listeners. When the song was released, Wells stated, "My hope is to empower you with the faith it takes to go get what God has promised you back! Are you bold enough to believe that God has given you the power to reclaim what the enemy stole from your life?! "

Wells' sentiment echoes Jesus' famous words recorded in John 10:10: "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." Jesus was clear with his disciples that our enemy, Satan, intended to take God's blessings from them.

As a pastor, I often encounter people who feel stuck in life. It's like they're walking in a fog, unable to see clearly the promises of God and unable to feel His presence. It can take the encouragement of a friend or the powerful words of a song like "Take It All Back" to break through the fog.

Later in the song, Wells goes on the offensive. Rejecting passivity, Wells boldly declares his faith and commits to courageous obedience.

If Wells' song has inspired you in your tendency towards passivity, these Scriptures and the song lyrics outline a bold action plan.

First, acknowledge you're in a spiritual battle with an enemy more powerful than you. Remembering this truth is essential because, like any soldier, you lose every battle you don't know you're fighting. 

Second, remember that Satan is not more powerful than Jesus. While Satan is the enemy of God, he is not his equal.

Third, reject passivity and take hold of all God has given you. From the armor of God to the power of the Holy Spirit to the promises God has made to His people, you have far more than you can imagine at your disposal in this battle. You are not a defeated victim. You have the victory by the same power that raised Jesus from the grave. As Romans 8:37 declares, "No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us."

If you're in a foggy season of anxiety, doubt, or pain, then give "Take It All Back" a listen. Remember who God is and stand in the victory He has won today!
That my friends, is how we take back what the enemy stole. 

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

made for more

Long ago, even before He made the world, God chose us to be His very own through what Christ would do for us; He decided then to make us holy in His eyes, without a single fault—we who stand before Him covered with his love.

- Ephesians 1:4 (TLB)

 

Deep thoughts, have you ever wondered what your “greater purpose” is on earth?
Were you destined for greatness?
Are you, such as Mordecai suggested to Ruth, made for such a time as this? 
Recently (2024) Josh Baldwin released his single Made For More, I am just going to share a few of those lyrics:
​​I know who I am 'cause I know who You are

The cross of salvation was only the start

Now I am chosen, free and forgiven

I have a future and it's worth the living

'Cause I wasn't made to be tending a grave

I was called by name

Born and raised back to life again

I was made for more

So why would I make a bed in my shame

When a fountain of grace is running my way

I know I am Yours

And I was made for more

Made for more.
We aren’t here by chance; we really were made for more! 
We are God’s chosen, He set us free by sending His son. 
Standing before Him covered in His love, His request it that we share His love for all of humanity.
Tell someone about the love of our God today, you might change a life.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible

nothing can keep me away

For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels won’t, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are—high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean—nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us.

- Romans 8:38-39 (TLB)

 

So often we come to a point in our lives where it feels like everything is going wrong.
In the last week, I lost two friends, both too young, both to heart attacks. 
Another friend lost his father after a lengthy illness. 
I just want to hug all three families and tell them that it’s going to be ok. 
Those words won’t come out of my mouth in their presence though. 
When a person is grieving, they don’t want to hear “I know how you feel” or “you’ll get over this”, or even “you’ll be ok”, because at that very moment, it won’t be ok, they aren’t even close to getting over it and I don’t care what you have been through, no one knows how another person feels. Ever. 
In 2022 Tasha Layton released Into the Sea, look at these lyrics: 
​​My heart is breaking

In a way I never thought it could

My mind is racing

With the question, "Are you still good?"

Can you make something

From the wreckage?

Would you take this heart

And make it whole again?

Though the mountains may be moved into the sea

Though the ground beneath might crumble and give way

I can hear my Father singing over me

"It's gonna be okay, it's gonna be okay"

I've blamed myself

And if I'm honest, maybe I've blamed You too

But You would not forsake me

'Cause only good things come from You

Though the mountains may be moved into the sea

Though the ground beneath might crumble and give way

I can hear my Father singing over me

"It's gonna be okay, it's gonna be okay"

From beginning to the end

You're so close

You have never let me down

And You won't

In the valleys, in the shadows, I know

You're so close

You're so close

Though the mountains may be moved into the sea

Though the ground beneath might crumble and give way

I can hear my Father singing over me

"It's gonna be okay, it's gonna be okay"

"It's gonna be okay, it's gonna be okay"

I'm gonna be okay

I'm gonna be okay

It is hard to remember in the middle of our pain that God is not going to let us down, that it really will be ok. 

This is the same God that can move mountains, but even if He doesn’t move the mountains that you need moved, it will still be ok. 
To the families of my friends who are dealing with loss today, please know that I care, that I am hurting with you right now.
But at the end of today, there will be tomorrow and God is going to be there for you just as much tomorrow as He is today.

 

#dailybreadbykitty

Daily Inspiration from the Bible