Blog Archives - Bible Inspired

Be Still

2/28/2017

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." -Exodus 14:14 (NIV)

We encounter problems in our lives and in response we often look for solutions. Finding solutions means action. We look for what it is that we can do to make things better. We problem solve, often relying on our own experience and knowledge to make things better, but there is another way to approach our problems and challenges!

Author Lisa Chan is quoted as saying, "Being still means you and God. Alone. Just the two of you." When we are faced with problems, we can become so involved in fixing things that we don't take the time to be still, to talk and listen to God, to follow His lead. God will fight for each of us, but we need to be in tune with His will and His plan. By being still and spending time alone with God, we can know Him and become aware of His plan for our lives!

When problem-solving, be still and spend time learning God's plan!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for fighting for me. Help me to take the time to talk and listen to You so that I am following Your plan rather than fighting against it. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Anti-Anxiety

2/27/2017

"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy." -Psalm 94:19 (NIV)

There are times in our lives when we become anxious. Sometimes the anxiety comes from within. Sometimes it is prompted by events or situations around us. Either way, our anxiety usually comes from worry that is unnecessary!

God offers to help us through our journeys. He is by our side. We have to be willing to let go and trust in His plan. We can decompress and be relieved of anxiety. When we turn our troubles, fears, and worries over to God, we can be assured that He will lead us through all of them. Instead of worrying and being anxious, we can call on God for His support!

When feeling anxious, turn to God for some anti-anxiety support!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me, comforting me, and guiding me. Please continue to lead me in Your will. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Understanding

2/26/2017

"Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions." -Proverbs 18:2 (NIV)

Throughout time people have had differing opinions. The differences may be small at first, but, if we let them, they can grow. Our disagreements can also grow if we become focused on our opinions without taking time to understand others. We may find ourselves in the middle of a battle of opinions, but we can be a voice of reason with the help of God's wisdom!

God teaches us and provides wisdom in our lives. God also calls us to be compassionate and to love our neighbors. We are called to listen and to understand, not simply argue opinions. We do not have to give in to every whim of society, but we do need to understand in order to respond in ways that will be heard and allow God's glory to be seen by those around us. With God's wisdom, we can listen and respond appropriately. We can understand and we can help others understand!

Move on from opinions to God's wisdom and true understanding!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the wisdom and understanding that You provide. Help me to listen and understand so that I can respond to others in the proper ways. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

I'll Try to I Can!

2/25/2017

“'If you can?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who believes.'” -Mark 9:23 (NIV)

Life is often busy. Family time, work, and volunteering keep time moving. When preparing to do something or responding to a request, I often find myself saying, "I'll try," or "I'll see what I can do." It is good to try, but when we are working for God, we need to believe beyond trying!

When we set out to work for God, we can't be stuck trying. God is with us and can give us wisdom, power, and strength. When we believe in God and have faith in His active presence in our lives, we can know that anything is possible. With faith in God and reliance on Him, we can be assured that we can do more than try. With God, we can!

Believe in God and change your "I'll try" to "I can!"

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving and empowering me. Help me to remember that I can whenever I believe in and rely on You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Continue to Learn!

2/24/2017

"Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." -Psalm 25:5 (NIV)

As I teach, I try to reinforce for my students and my daughter that it is good to continually learn. To grow requires being a learner, whether from experience, from "schooling", or from exploring and discovery. Learning can take many different forms and often involves curiosity. We should be spiritually curious and ready to learn from God!

When seeking to grow spiritually in God, we can call on Him and open ourselves to His truth and His teaching. We know that we can hope in God. We can read His Word. We can explore the world around us that He created. We can talk to Him and listen to His guidance for our lives. As we listen and grow, we know that we can have hope in God. He will always have something to teach us and He will provide us with hope as learn and grow in Him!

Continue to learn and grow in God's truth and teaching!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving me and teaching me. Help me to continue to learn more about Your truth. Continue to teach me. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Power of Good or Harm?

2/23/2017

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act." -Proverbs 3:27 (NIV)

I recently hear a quote of Milton Friedman that said, "The power to do good is also the power to do harm." Throughout our lives, we have choices about our actions and reactions. We can choose to do good. However, if we choose to withhold doing good, we can cause harm!

God calls us to do His will. He calls us to do good. Even when we think we are powerless, God can provide the power to act. When God provides us the power and recognition of what is good, we must be prepared to act. We can give excuses for why we can't act. We can't let our pride stand in the way of doing good. We need to submit to God and follow Him for the glory of His Kingdom. We need to do good whenever it is within our power!

Follow God and act in His power to do good!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the power and goodness You display in my life. Help me to always do good whenever it is in my power. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Feet in the Right Place!

2/22/2017

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." -I Corinthians 16:13 (NIV)

There are times in our lives when we are faced with choices that we have to make. We may have to pick a side. We may have to take a stand. Abraham Lincoln provided the advice, "Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." When we consider standing firm, we can rely on our faith in God!

When considering which choice to make, we shouldn't be timid or ashamed. We don't have to avoid making a decision. God has provided us with direction. In Him, we can be courageous, we can be strong, and we can stand firm. We can continue to learn from God so that we can be on guard and standing firm with our feet in the right place!

Know God and keep your feet in the right place so you can stand firm!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for teaching me and leading me. Help me to be on guard, to know the right place, and to stand firm. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Waging War?

2/21/2017

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does." -II Corinthians 10:3 (NIV)

We live in a time where society seems to be polarized. Differing views clash on a variety of issues. As we live in the world, we may be drawn to one side or another. However, with God in our hearts and on our side, we need to consider our actions and reactions.

We live in the world, but we are called to live differently. We are called to live as God directs us. We are to follow the examples He has provided through the Bible and the life of His Son. We are to talk to God and listen for His directions. As followers of God, we must then enter the world and wage a war for souls not as the world does, but as God shows us!

Do not engage in waging war as the world does, but follow God's lead and win souls for Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the love and redemption You have shown in my life. Help me to show Your glory to others. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Keep at It!

2/20/2017

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." -Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

I recently read an article that even when people believe in something, they can reach a level of "fatigue." No matter how committed people may be at the beginning of an endeavor, many lose momentum and cannot persevere. We all experience times in our lives that are difficult, but we can't give up on doing good!

If we try to go it alone and take on the injustices of the world and do good, we will become fatigued. On our own, we will tire. However, we have an eternal source of strength. When we set out to do good, we need to go with God. As we call on God and follow His lead, He will strengthen us. He will support us so that we can keep at God's work and doing good for the glory of His Kingdom!

Rely on God so you won't get tired and can keep at it!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the strength and guidance You provide. Help me to persevere for the glory of Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Just Do It!

2/19/2017

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." -James 3:13 (NIV)

There are many things that we could do in life. As my students consider questions about courses and scheduling, they often begin thinking about careers and where they want to be in the future. As we think of our futures, we can think about love, wisdom, and understanding and what that means for what we do in our lives.

God gives us wisdom and shows us love. As we receive God's wisdom, love, and understanding, we are called to action. We are to apply what God has shown and given us to our lives. We are to be God's hands and feet on earth, doing good for others out of humility and for the glory of God. Our lives should reflect God's presence in them. We can take the love and wisdom from God and just do it by putting our faith into action in service of others!

After receiving God's wisdom and love, show it in your humble actions!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for showing me love and teaching me wisdom. Help me to show love and wisdom with humility for Your glory. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Greatness

2/18/2017

"Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom." -Psalm 145:3 (NIV)

There are and have been many great people throughout the world. Some people are considered great because of their ingenuity. Others are said to be great because of their generosity. Greatness may be judged by many attributes, but all the things considered that lead to greatness in the world are small compared to the greatness of God!

God is great! His greatness is so vast that we cannot even begin to imagine how great He really is. He is Creator. He is Lord. He is Ruler over everything. He provides for us now and for eternity. He planned our redemption while we were still sinners. Taking time to reflect on all that God has done for and given each of us can only add to His greatness. As we begin to realize God's greatness, we should be motivated to praise and thank Him. In all we do, we should praise God for being faithful, great, and worthy of all glory and honor!

Reflect and recognize the greatness of God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for all that You do in my life. I praise and honor Your glory and greatness! Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Be Excited!

2/17/2017

"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." -Romans 12:11 (NIV)

My daughter recently got a new movie. She was excited and watched the movie several times, never losing excitement. As we read the Bible, we should increase our excitement for God's Word and His presence in our lives!

We can spend time with God each day through His Word and in prayer with Him. As we get to know God better, we can discover more and have adventures trusting in Him. We can renew our excitement as we talk to God and move closer to Him. Our continued excitement can then be shown to others as we live in and serve God!

Be excited and continue to grow in God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the excitement I get from learning about You and following You in my life. Help me to show others the excitement that can be found in You! Through Jesus I pray, amen.

No Shame in Hope!

2/16/2017

"And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." -Romans 5:5 (NIV)

Sometimes the events in our lives are discouraging. Maybe our efforts go unappreciated or doing good seems like a battle against all of the other pressures in the world. We can become jaded, shamed, and begin to lose hope or we can turn to our true source of hope: God!

There are many pressures that challenge us throughout our journeys, but being hopeful should not be a source of shame. God has given us hope through His love for each and every one of us. God has sent His Son to redeem us. Because of God's presence in our lives, we should have hope, we should have reason to be positive, and we should continue to do good and show God's love in everything we do.

Have hope in God, do not be ashamed, and continue to do good!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the hope that You have provided in my life. Help me to maintain hope and to always do good in Your name. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Don't Fake It!

2/15/2017

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." -Romans 12:9 (NIV)

As humans, we have flaws. Even though we know that we are called to love on another, it is sometimes easier said than done. Because we know we should love, we may put on a fake smile and do what we think is the right thing. Instead of doing what we think is right, we can choose to learn from God and to know sincere love!

God has shown us love. He teachings us how to love by teaching us what is good and what is evil. As we read God's Word and spend time communicating with God through prayer, we can learn about His love and how to show His love in our lives. We can learn the good that we should cling to and how to be sincere in our love for God and for others. We can learn what we need to do so that we don't have to "fake" showing love. In the sincerity of His love, we can reach out to others through our words and actions!

Learn from God and show a sincere love for Him and for others in your life.

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving and teaching me. Help me to learn from You so that I can be sincere in the love that I show to others through my words and actions. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Eternal Valentine!

2/14/2017

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." -II Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)

Valentine's Day often brings thoughts of Cupid, hearts, and love. We take time to pause and celebrate the love that we have in our lives. We may choose to make our show our love through gifts or other actions. By focusing on love, we choose how we make our feelings visible, but the gifts we give are only temporary!

The gifts that we give each other on earth may be temporary, but our love should come from an eternal source: God. God's love is present in our lives each and every day! Through faith, we can focus on God's love and promises for our life on earth and for eternity with Him. We can experience God's love here and now and we can know that much more, unseen awaits beyond our time here on earth!

Have faith in God's promises, focus on the unseen, and trust in God as your eternal Valentine!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and promises. Help me to focus on what is unseen and on eternity with You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Our Only Rock

2/13/2017

"There is none holy like the Lord; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God." -I Samuel 2:2 (ESV)

There are many questions that swirl throughout society. As people search for answers, sometimes it is difficult to accept answers to questions. Sometimes we can get caught up in searching for answers or debating questions. In the end, we need to realize that there are answers and that God is the source of truth and answers!

Some questions may be open to debate, but others have a definite answer. As we search for answers, we can be assured that God is holy and He is our rock, our solid foundation. We don't have to search for a higher power. We don't have to search for a source of love, truth, or answers. We just need to turn to God, talk to Him, praise Him, and rely on His power and presence in our lives. He is the answer to our questions and the treasure at the end of our search for answers!

In the midst of questions and searches for answers, remember that there is only one God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your presence and power in my life. Help me always remember that You are the One God! Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Have Mercy and Bear Rich Fruit!

2/12/2017

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." -Luke 6:36 (NIV)

Showing mercy to others can sometimes be challenging, but Abraham Lincoln said, "I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice." We can be tempted to rely on strict and swift justice, but that's not what God has shown us. God wants us to bear rich fruits for His Kingdom!

God is merciful. He has shown us mercy by sending His Son as a pardon for our sin. Even though we are sinners, He spares our lives. We can be forgiven and redeemed through acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Savior. With God's mercy, we can have a new life, we can bear rich fruit in our lives, and we can choose to show mercy to others!

Have mercy just as God has shown you mercy!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the mercy that You have shown me. Help me to understand Your mercy and to show mercy to others. Through Jesus, my Savior, I pray, amen.

Follow the Right Path!

2/11/2017

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters." -Psalm 23:1-2 (NIV)

I recently read a piece by fitness professional Sagi Kalev where he said, "When things go wrong, don't follow." We all have things that go wrong in our lives. Sometimes it is difficult for us to see ways around things that are going wrong. Whenever we seem to be headed down a path that is the "wrong" one, we do have a guidance system we can turn to for help!

When we are following our journey through life, we may experience things that go wrong. To avoid following the wrong things, we can call on God. God will shepherd us. He will guide us. Whenever we experience things that are going wrong, we don't have to follow them. Instead, we can follow God and allow Him to lead us away from the wrong things and through the right path for our lives!

When things go wrong, turn to God and follow His right path for your life!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for guiding me in my life. Help me to know Your path for my life so I can avoid following the wrong things. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Always Rejoice!

2/10/2017

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior." -Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)

There are times when things just don't go as planned. We have expectations that may not be met. We can get caught up in and discouraged by events in our lives, but we need to remember that God is in control!

When we acknowledge that God is in control, we can become aware of His power. We can look for ways that God is working in our lives and we can rejoice! God working in our lives gives us reason to be joyful. As we have faith in God, we can always rejoice knowing that God will provide all that we need.

No matter the circumstances, always rejoice that God is your Savior!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for always being with me and for saving me. I rejoice in your eternal love and support! In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Never Changing!

2/9/2017

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." -Hebrews 13:8 (NASB)

It's been an interesting several days of weather. One day was ice that eventually turned to rain followed by a day of nearly 60 degree temperatures. Now, a day after that spring-time warmth, comes a 20 degree, windy day with 18 inches of snow! Things have been changing quickly!

While preparing for swings in the weather can be annoying, we don't have to let life jostle us around. We can have an anchor, a rock, and firm foundation. We can seek Jesus Christ and make Him a part of our lives! When we live with Jesus at the center of our lives, we know we can trust His guidance and try to live as He showed us during His time on earth. Jesus Christ will never change, so if we stay focused on Him, we can live steady lives that won't be tossed about by the whims of the world!

Keep your life focused on the steadiness of Jesus Christ and allow Him to protect you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for sending Jesus and for the example He set during His time on earth. Help me to focus on that example and to live a life modeled after the love, compassion, and enduring steadfastness of Jesus. Through Him I pray, amen.

The Golden Rule

2/8/2017

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." -Matthew 7:12 (NIV)

One rule that many of us probably learned as children was, "Treat others the way you want to be treated." This "Golden Rule" may have guided many interactions throughout childhood. As we grow older, the rule shouldn't be forgotten. Our actions should be guided by kindness and respect for ourselves and for others!

When considering our reactions to others, our actions can be rooted in the love from God that we have experienced. We can think about how we are treated by God and then consider how our actions can reflect this in our treatment of others. We can know love and show love. Even as adults, we can remember to treat others the way we want to be treated by showing God's love and compassion in our actions and reactions!

Treat others with the respect and love learned from God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for showing me and teaching me love and respect. Help me to treat others as I want to be treated as a reflection of Your love. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Discourage or Encourage?

2/7/2017

"A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." -Proverbs 11:25 (NIV)

A friend recently shared a video on social media about a boy with cerebral palsy that was determined to participate in a race with his classmates. As the race went on, the boy fell behind the rest of his classmates. One of the teachers ran up to the boy to offer encouragement and was soon joined by the boy's classmates. Together they offered encouragement that the boy appreciated.

The actions of the teacher and the classmates of the boy remind us that our actions matter. What we choose to do and say impacts those around us. We can choose to discourage others or we can be a source of encouragement. When we know God and are filled with His love, our choice should be obvious. We should want to encourage others, to build them up in love, and to share God's glory with them! We should be generous with the love we have so that we can all be refreshed!

Choose to encourage others so that everyone can be refreshed!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and for refreshing me. Help me to share Your love so that others can be refreshed. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Thank You!

2/6/2017

"And in that day you will say, 'Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; Make them remember that His name is exalted.'" -Isaiah 12:4 (NASB)

It's always nice when someone lends a hand or does something kind. Some organizations sponsor a day, a week, or a month devoted to random acts of kindness. These efforts remind us to be kind and may even help us to remember to say, "Thank you!"

God is much greater than a series of "random" acts of kindness. God is love. God is the source of our salvation from sin. Because of God's greatness, we need to do more than simply accept God's gifts. We need to say, "Thank You!" We then need to praise Him and help others know of God's glory and His gift of salvation. As we spread the word, we are showing our thanks and helping others to know God!

Thank God for all that He does in your life and then spread the word!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for saving me from my sin. Help me to spread Your Word and to help others know of Your saving grace. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Be Positive!

2/5/2017

"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." -Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Big sporting events like the Super Bowl can make a lot of people anxious as they cheer for their favorite in the game. The ups and downs of the game can be filled with excitement and disappointment. Life can be the same way. We can experience highs and lows that make us worried or anxious, but we don't need to be anxious. We just need to stay positive!

God gives us reason to be positive and confident. He tells us that we do not need to worry and that we need to trust in Him. No matter what we experience or how things turn out, we can know that God is in control and that He will use the outcome in our best interests. Whether we are facing things we think we can control or things that seem beyond or out of our control, God will help us. We don't have to worry or be anxious, we just have to have confidence in God and stay positive!

Don't be anxious, but call on God and stay positive in His love and power!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your guidance in my life. Help me not to worry but to trust in Your peace and direction. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Better Wisdom

2/4/2017

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." -James 3:17 (NIV)

Anthony Douglas Williams is quoted as saying, "Knowledge comes from learning. Wisdom comes from living." We all have unique experiences in our lives that form us and influence our actions. Some experiences educate us and give us knowledge. Other experiences provide wisdom and while this wisdom is valuable, we can find an even better source of wisdom!

God gives us experiences to teach us and to help us develop wisdom. We can grow as we move through our journey of life. However, when we face times that require a greater wisdom than we have or could hope to acquire, we can call on God. We can ask God to provide us with wisdom The wisdom that God shares with us will go beyond any earthly wisdom that we could ever hope to obtain. We will continue to build knowledge and wisdom through the events of our lives, but when we need a better wisdom, we can ask and be assured that God will provide!

For a better wisdom than earthly experience can give, call on and trust God to provide!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for being with me and for being willing to grant me wisdom. Help me to always call on You for Your wisdom and guidance. Through Jesus I pray, amen.