Blog Archives - Bible Inspired

Regardless of Popularity

3/31/2017

"I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken." -Psalm 16:8 (NIV)

Working within a school system can present challenges. Budget and leadership issues can sometimes cloud the true mission of the school. Decision makers can sometimes lose sight of the students they are called to serve and it is up to those in direct contact with students to remind them about the consequences of decisions. Even if we are not involved in the workings of a school system, we may face times when doing the right thing is unpopular. Whether at home, work, or church, we may need to stand up for something!

When we are faced with unpopular decisions or roles, we need to be sure we rely on God's guidance. God will call us and let us know when we need to take a stand. He is with us, regardless of our popularity. He will strengthen us and allow us to proceed without being shaken. When we know that God is on our side and we are following His will, we can be reassured that we can stand tall without being shaken!

Stand tall with God and you won't be shaken!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for supporting and guiding me. Help me to stand in Your will and not be shaken. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Where is Your Victory?

3/30/2017

"It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, for You loved them." -Psalm 44:3 (NIV)

We may often think of life's challenges, but for each challenge there are victories, too. Sometimes just waking up and getting through the day is a victory and reason for celebration! While we may not be involved in physical combat, we can appreciate God's provisions for the victories in our lives!

As we face spiritual battles in our lives, we cannot claim victory on our own. God is the key to our victory. Our victory begins in redemption through the sacrifice of His Son and continues in His presence in our lives. As we talk to God through prayer, we can know His plans for us. Through our faith in Him, we can know that our challenges will become victories!

Call on God and follow Him to victory!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the victories in my life. Help me to always turn to You and follow Your guidance. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Have Patience!

3/29/2017

"Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city." -Proverbs 16:32 (NIV)

A coworker recently told me that I have patience. I was surprised because that's a characteristic that I don't usually associate with myself. As I have volunteered at the local nature center, I have observed a friend who is patient as he navigates the politics and challenges of a non-profit organization. As I reflect on my own actions, I try to learn and be more patient in approaching different situations, including areas of my spiritual journey!

God is patient with us. He is willing to wait for us. As we think about our journeys and how we interact with others, we need to remember God's patience. We need to align our expectations with those that God has for us. We are called to serve God at different times and in different ways. We can also share His lessons and message of Salvation in different ways. We can trust in God and be patient in the plan that He has for our lives!

Follow God's plan and learn to be patient in Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the people in my life and examples from You that teach me patience. Help me to continue to grow in You and to be patient in You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Sharpen Each Other!

3/28/2017

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." -Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

The people that surround us often help shape us. Through shared experiences, we can help each other grow and become stronger. We can sharpen each other as we challenge and support one another. Sometimes our relationships help us survive difficult situations. At other times, we may look for others that will celebrate with us.

In our spiritual journeys, we can help each other as well. We can fellowship with other believers. We can hold each other accountable. We can learn together and challenge each other to stay committed to continually improving. Our faith can be supported and encouraged as we learn from and with others. Through all that we face, we can keep God at the center and ask Him to provide us with others in our life that can keep us sharp and focused!

Fellowship and learn from others as you continue to seek God and His will!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and guidance. Please provide me with other believers for fellowship and encouragement. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Take His Hand!

3/27/2017

"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." -Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

At recent parent teacher conferences, the teacher told me about how my daughter is sometimes reluctant to participate because she is afraid to make a mistake. My daughter becomes focused on the fear and doesn't participate. In our lives, we may face situations that cause us to stop in fear, but we can overcome our fears!

God offers us His hand. God provides strength and power to overcome fear. God can help us move forward, even if we are frozen in fear! God can overcome anything that we face and He can help us overcome anything that we face. When God reaches out to take our hand, we need to be willing to take His hand and to trust Him to help us!

Don't be frozen in fear. Reach out and take God's hand!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for always being willing to take my hand and to help me overcome my fear and any situation that I face. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Courage, Bravery, Trust!

3/26/2017

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." -Psalm 56:3 (NIV)

There have been many recent occasions when I have heard someone remark that, "These are scary times." Different people are reacting to different situations that may involve society, finances, health, or other personal encounters and challenges. People of always faced "scary" or difficult times, but one constant in facing and overcoming fear is the presence of God!

When facing fear, we often think about courage and bravery. The source of courage or bravery can come through turning to and trusting in God. When we rely on Him, we can feel His power and love. We can know that we are supported in anything that we face. God is and will be with us through our earthly journey and throughout all of eternity. We don't have to find courage or bravery on our own. We can trust in God and receive courage and bravery through His power and presence in our lives!

When facing your fears, trust in God for courage and bravery to overcome your fears!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the power You demonstrate in my life through Your presence. Help me to trust in You and overcome any fears that I may face. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Shining!

3/25/2017

"Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love." -Psalm 31:16 (NIV)

Where I live we have gone from cold and windy days to overcast and rainy days. The dreary days can keep us inside and separate from the sun. A string of such days can cause us feel much like the days look outside. When we aren't able to spend time in the sun, we need to remember that it is out there and will return!

Sometimes we have times in our lives that are dreary and seem to be keeping us from warmer, happier moments. While these times may seem to drag on and last longer than we would like, God is always with us. He can shine in our lives. In every moment of our lives, we need to embrace His love so that we can both feel His face shining on us and through us. As we are supported in His love, we can offer hope and support to others. We can be of service to God and allow His love to save us and those around us!

Even if your days seem dreary, look to God, allow His love to shine on you and through you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Please shine on me and help me to show Your love to others. Thank You for never leaving or forsaking me. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Lessons Learned

3/24/2017

"Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." -Isaiah 1:17 (NIV)

When I was in college, one of the pastor's at the church I attended talked about this verse and what it meant to him. His father had passed away when he was a young child and he remembered the people that provided support for him and his family. He credited the strength found in this verse for the hope that he had growing up and the influence on his decision to become a pastor. As I think about my students and the situations people face, I am reminded that we need to seek justice and follow God's will!

God has provided us with His Word that we can learn about truth and justice. We can learn about God's will for our lives. As we follow God, we are to respond to His calls to show love and compassion. As individuals and communities of believers, we can defend the oppressed and support the fatherless and widowed. We can meet the needs of those in society by showing God's love through our actions and positively impact lives of those around us!

Learn and practice God's love and compassion!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the lessons that You provide. Help me to learn what You have intended for me to learn and help me to apply it throughout my actions. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

The Right Reasons

3/23/2017

"If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." -I Corinthians 13:3 (NIV)

Some students that I have taught are motivated by earning a certain grade. They may overlook the value of and other reasons for learning. Depending on the situation, we each may experience different forms of motivation. As we consider our motivation, we need to be sure that our actions are rooted in the right reasons!

We can act out of selfish reasons. Sometimes we may not even realize that our actions are self-centered. We aren't called to act on behalf of ourselves or to build ourselves up in the eyes of those around us. We are called to act out of God's love. We are called to share God's love for His glory and for the benefit of those around us. As we serve others and show God's love, we will gain so much more than we can by serving ourselves!

Act out of God's love for all of the right reasons!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for showing me Your love and for giving me reasons to show Your love to others. Please guide my words and actions to bring glory to You. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Take Time to Worship!

3/22/2017

"Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker." -Psalm 95:6 (NIV)

Yesterday was a particularly busy day. One thing ran into another and I was barely home from morning to bedtime. Those types of days can be stressful as we move from one thing to the next. There are times in our lives when these types of days may turn into weeks, months, or even longer stretches of time. As we go about our routines and lives, we can't forget to talk to and worship God!

God is supports us throughout our earthly jobs or duties. Because He is always there for us, we need to acknowledge His presence in our lives. We should always talk to God through prayer and listen for His response. We should also take time to worship Him and praise Him for all that He does for each of us in our lives. Even though life may get busy or be hectic, we need to take time apart from everything else to spend time with God. By focusing on and worshiping God, we can continue to learn and grow as well as thank Him for salvation and guidance!

Never get too busy to bow down and worship God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for creating me and blessing me. Help me to always hear Your voice and to take time to listen and worship You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Conference Time!

3/21/2017

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." -Psalm 32:8 (NIV)

During the spring and fall there are parent teacher conferences with my daughter's teacher and with my students' parents. During this time we discuss progress and learning and ways to improve moving forward. The discussions often focus on ways to support and improve students to better prepare them for the future. Parents and teachers can support and counsel students in their growth and development.

We need to have regular conferences with our Heavenly Father, more often that just spring and fall! We can talk to Him through prayer at any time. As we talk to God, He will provide us with love, support, and counsel. We can learn, grow, and become better people by heeding His guidance. We can conference with God, keep our focus on Him, and then apply His lessons to our lives!

Take time to conference with God through prayer and learn from His guidance!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your support and guidance in my life. Please continue to show me Your way and direction in my life. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Light it Up!

3/20/2017

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden." -Matthew 5:14 (NIV)

A lot of times we think of being the light when we are experiencing positive things in our lives. The challenges and struggles of our lives may be more often associated with "darker" times. As Desmond Tutu reminds us, "Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." No matter what we are facing in our lives, we can be a light!

Jesus Christ provides us with a light. Because of His life, death, and resurrection, we can have hope. It is our faith and hope in God that allows us to overcome the darkness we experience in the world. God's love can light our path and can shine through us to light the paths of others. In both the darkest, negative experiences and positive experiences, we can have hope and therefore be the light of the world through all of our words and actions!

Have faith and hope in God through Jesus and then light up the world!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the hope that You provide in my life. Help me to show Your love and hope through my words and actions. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Stumble, but Get Back Up!

3/19/2017

"We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check." -James 3:2 (NIV)

Garth Brooks sings a song that includes the line, "Failure isn't failure, if a lesson from it's learned." In our lives, we all make mistakes. We may stumble in many ways. We are not perfect because we cannot keep our entire bodies in line, but our inability to keep from stumbling or falling does not need to keep us from eternal glory!

We can learn from our stumbles or failures. There may be many different lessons that we learn when we stumble, but one enduring lesson we can learn is that God is always ready to help us get back up. We will make mistakes. We will fall short of God's glory, but God has a plan for our lives and for our redemption. God sent His Son to help us get back up. We can accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the cleansing of our sin that His sacrifice provides. When we turn to God and Jesus, we can get back up whenever we stumble or fall!

When you fail, learn to trust in God and allow Him to get back up and to learn!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Please forgive my sins and to get back up and learn from my failures. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

No Matter How Old!

3/18/2017

"Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." -Isaiah 46:4 (NIV)

After shoveling snow or an intense session of exercise, I am sore and tired. There are times and activities that remind me I am getting older. As the days on the calendar fly by, I know that I and those around me will continue to experience the consequences of getting older. As we age, it is good to know that God is a constant source of support in our lives!

No matter how young or old we are or feel, God is by our side and will sustain us. He will carry us through our time on earth and He will prepare a place of eternal glory for each of us. As we face the realities of limited time on earth, we don't have to be discouraged. We can embrace God, His love for us, and His forgiveness. As we embrace God, we know we are rescued, cleansed, and prepared for eternity with Him!

Whether young or old, allow God to sustain you and prepare an eternity with Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for loving and sustaining me. Help me to rely on You and to be comforted in Your eternal plans for me. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Hold Your Head Up High!

3/17/2017

"But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the Lifter of my head." -Psalm 3:3 (ESV)

Sylvester Stallone once said, "When you're scared, when you're hanging on, when life is hurting you, then you're going to see what you're really made of." We all have those times when we feel like we are just hanging on. Our heads may hang low as we trudge forward in spite of some pain or injustice we are dealing with in our lives. As we move forward, we may learn what we are really made of, but, more importantly, we can learn the power of our Creator!

There are times in our lives when we feel down and out, but that doesn't mean we should just give up. Instead of searching for ways to excuse ourselves and give up, we should turn to God. God will be our shield and our protector. He will give us strength and guidance. When we feel like hanging our heads, we can be assured that God will lift our heads. We can learn that what we are made of is faith in God and benefactors of His power, grace, and mercy. With our heads held high, we will see God's glory and presence in our lives!

Turn to God and hold your head up high in His glory and power!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for always being there no matter what I am facing. Help me to always hold my head up high and to see Your glory. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Clearing the Impossible!

3/16/2017

"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" -Matthew 19:26 (NIV)

This morning when heading out to walk the dog, there were rabbit tracks headed down the sidewalk and around the corner. Our neighborhood rabbit had ventured out after the recent snowstorm. Looking at the rabbit's path down the sidewalk and around the corner, I could only imagine what it must have felt like to emerge after the storm and see nothing but walls of snow that made normal activities impossible!

There may be times in our lives when we find ourselves stuck or surrounded by barriers that keep things from being "normal." When faced with impossible odds, we can choose to give up or walk away or we can look for ways to overcome the challenges. Even when things seem impossible to us, we know we can call on God. God has the power to make the impossible possible. When we call on and trust in His power and strength, He can lead us to a path that has cleared the impossible and allows us to see His glory!

Look to God to clear the impossible and follow His glory to victory!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for guiding my life. Help me to understand and trust that with You the impossible can become possible. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Weathering the Storm!

3/15/2017

"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." -I Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)

Many of us have heard the expression, "When it rains, it pours!" There are times when it snows, too! Whether we feel that we are weathering a rainstorm that threatens to wash us away or a snowstorm that could bury us, we can be strong. No matter what we face in life, we have God as a source of strength!

When storms hit our lives, we don't have to settle in and wait for the events to pass us by. We are able to meet any storm that we encounter. All we have to do is call on God and trust that He will provide us with strength and direction. We can hold God's hand and weather whatever storms and challenges come our way. With God on our side, we can be assured that we will not be washed away or buried in the events of our lives. With Him, we will rise above it all through His glory and power!

Look to God, hold His hand, and weather any storm!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the strength that You provide in my life. Help me to always look to You for strength and guidance. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

He Can Hear Us!

3/14/2017

"I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live." -Psalm 116:1-2 (NIV)

There are times that even the city becomes quiet. Today, as the snow was beginning to fall and a blizzard approached, I walked the dog in a silence that was only interrupted by the jingle of the tags on his collar. Sometimes we may feel swallowed up by the noise of our everyday lives. Whether we long for silence or enjoy the bustle of our daily routines, we shouldn't forget that God can always hear us!

God is with us. Whenever we need Him, we can call on Him. We can also call on Him to praise His name and the glory of His presence in our lives. We don't need to wait for quiet times to call on Him. He can hear us when we are walking in the still before a storm. He will also hear us after the storm hits and we are searching for His mercy and peace. God is waiting for us, all we have to do is call on and wait for Him!

No matter where you are in life, call on God and He will listen!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for always being with me and ready to listen. Help me to call on You at all times, both in joy and in need, and to trust in You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Ancient Paths and Future Direction!

3/13/2017

"Thus says the Lord, 'Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls.' But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'" -Jeremiah 6:16 (NASB)

Throughout our lives, there are times when we need direction. Whether we are physically trying to find our way or emotionally and spiritually trying to find our way, we can rely on the ways of the past. We can use knowledge of areas recorded on maps or GPS to locate ourselves and physically find our way. We can also use maps and examples of those that came before us to help us spiritually find our ways.

God has provided us with His Word, the Bible, which can act as a map for our lives. We can learn from the examples He provides in the Bible. We can fellowship with and learn from other believers. We can see the paths that those before us have taken and we can apply the lessons to our lives and the choices that we have made. We can also talk to God through prayer and allow Him to show us the path we are to take. By relying on God's Word, lessons from fellow believers, and direction learned through prayer, we can apply the ancient paths to our future directions!

Learn from the ancient paths and lessons of others to help guide your future direction!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your Word and the lessons and examples it provides. Help me to learn from all that You show me so I can follow Your will. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Discipline and Good Behaviors

3/12/2017

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." -Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)

Whether a parent, teacher, or other adult in a child's life, one lesson that we need to learn is the value of discipline. I have had the opportunity to assist in the teaching of a class future teachers. One unit of discussion focuses on different ways to discipline. We each have our own styles, but there are some basics that can be valuable in fostering future behaviors!

As God's children, we also need His discipline. God may use different approaches as He sees fit, but no matter what He chooses the goal is to help us become better people. Our perspectives may label God's discipline as unpleasant or painful, but in the end it is for our benefit. When we reflect on our lives and walk with God, we can begin to see the fruit of His discipline for our lives. We can begin to appreciate the righteousness and peace that result from God's divine discipline and we can learn positive, good behaviors!

God's discipline is not to harm you, but to build you up in His righteousness and glory!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your presence in my life. Help me to realize and grow from the discipline that You provide so that I can become closer to You. Through Your Son I pray, amen.

Reset

3/11/2017

"Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity." -Joel 2:13 (NIV)

Sometimes we would like to have a do-over. There are times that as soon as we say or do something, we would like to take it back. We can't take back words or actions, but we don't have to live with eternal consequences of our actions. God is gracious and ready to forgive!

We all sin. We all do things that we realize are wrong. Even though we try to live the best possible life, we still make mistakes, we still sin. The good news is that we can repent and be forgiven by a gracious, loving, and compassionate God. We can find forgiveness and cleansing through acceptance of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for each of us. Even though we sin, we can reset our lives through Jesus and prepare for eternity in God's glory!

Even though you sin, you can reset your life by turning to God and being redeemed through Jesus Christ!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your forgiveness and redemption. Help me to always turn and return to You so that I can follow Your plan for my life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Let in the Light!

3/10/2017

"And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." -Genesis 1:3 (NIV)

Walking into a dark room can cause us to stop and "feel" our way to the light switch. Once we turn on the light, we can see and find our way. As we move through our lives, we may experience different types of darkness in the world. God provides light not only for physical darkness, but for spiritual darkness, too!

In the beginning God created physical light to guide us through the day, but He also created His Son as the light of the world. Jesus Christ can be the light that guides us through the spiritual darkness of the world. It is up to each of us to accept the light that God has given us. We can allow Jesus to shine in and light up our lives. We can live in His light and share His light with others, but only if we let it in!

Let in God's light by accepting and living in His Son, Jesus Christ!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for creating light and sharing it with me through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help Your light to shine in me and through me. Through Your Son I pray, amen.

Not Exempt, but Saved!

3/9/2017

"The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all." -Psalm 34:19 (NIV)

It has been said that the challenges we face are what cause us to grow. Without challenges in our lives, we may be comfortable and not have reason to grow. Sometimes we think that there may be a magic bullet that takes away all pain, suffering, challenges, or troubles. Where would we be without the challenges and troubles in our lives?

Life is full of twists and turns that can help us to see the importance of different people and situations in our lives. Challenges and troubles can also help us grow closer to God. Even when we know we have been saved by Jesus Christ, we may face adversity. We are not exempt from troubling times, but we can be reassured by God's promises that He is with us and will save us. We will be brought through anything we face and to God's glory as long as we repent, accept Jesus, and put our faith in Him. We are not exempt from troubles because we may need to grow in our understanding of and trust in God!

You are not exempt from facing adversity, but God will save you from it!

Dear God-
Thank You for always being with me and saving me, no matter what I am facing. Help me to continue to learn about You and allow my faith in You to continue to grow. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Like-Minded!

3/8/2017

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had." -Romans 15:5 (NIV)

There seems to be a lot of discontent over the fact that there is not total agreement between different people. It seems that we often look for 100% agreement. Whether in the country, our work, our families, or even our churches, we do not always agree with everyone, but we can find common ground!

We can find common ground by looking to God and the following the example set by Jesus. He shows us love. He shows endurance and encouragement. When we model our lives after that of Jesus Christ, we can also encourage and love each other. We can learn to show an attitude that is rooted in God's love. We can be encouraging of each other when we strive to have a mind and actions like Jesus!

Try to be like-minded with Jesus and show God's love to others!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the example of Jesus Christ. Help me to model my life after Jesus so I can be encouraging and showing Your love to others. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Stop and Ask for Direction!

3/7/2017

"Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths." -Psalm 25:4 (NIV)

There are times when we may all get caught up in the whirlwind of life. We may have hectic schedules and feel we are doing everything just to catch up. We may get drawn into situations at work, church, or home that require more time than we first expected. As we rush to take the next step or to figure out what's coming next, we may get lost!

When we feel overwhelmed or rushed, we may not feel that we have the option of stepping back or slowing down, but that may be exactly what we need! Rushing ahead on our own may cause us to get lost in the activity of life. Instead of rushing and pushing ahead, we can stop and ask God for guidance. We also need to be still long enough to listen to His response. After asking God to show us the way and taking time to listen to God's answer, we need to choose to follow His plan for our lives, even if it means slowing down!

Take the time to stop and ask God for direction, then follow Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for knowing and being ready to give me direction. Help me to take the time to ask, listen to, and follow Your direction for my life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.