Blog Archives - Bible Inspired

Your Attention!

4/30/2019

"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)

Technology gives us a lot of information in an instant. Because we can find things quickly, we sometimes don't take time to really focus and give our attention. We can also become easily distracted by all of the information around us. So where do we put our attention?

It can be easy to give our attention to what we see, but we need to keep our attention focused! While the world offers many distractions, we need to keep our eyes on God. As we strive to follow God, we can learn more and know Him better. As we grow closer to God, it will be easier to keep our attention on Him. We can then celebrate the eternal glory that God prepares for us!

Get to know God so you can keep your attention on Him and eternal glory!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your attention to my needs. Help me to continue to grow closer to You and to give You my attention. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Fervently Serve!

4/29/2019

"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." -Romans 12:11 (ESV)

We probably all have those days when it may be hard to find motivation. Whether it is a rainy day, a lack of sleep, or any number of other reasons, we may need a "lazy day" now and then. However, lazy days shouldn't become the norm!

As followers of God, we need to be committed to serving Him. We should not be lazy or slothful in our zeal or passion for God. We can prepare to share the stories of our relationships with God. These relationships can spur us to serve God with enthusiasm so others can come to know Him, too. With God as our motivator, we can live to passionately serve Him!

Follow God with enthusiasm and fervently serve Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and motivation to serve. Help me to serve You with an enthusiasm and passion that brings others to You. In Jesus' name I pray,amen.

Restored!

4/28/2019

"Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make Your face shine on us, that we may be saved." -Psalm 80:19 (NIV)

Life is busy. We may have our jobs, families, and other responsibilities that keep us busy from morning until night. While we may enjoy each of these things, the daily hustle and bustle can begin to wear on us. We need to be sure to take time to be restored!

Weekends, vacations, and days of forgetting the "to-do" list can do us good. What is more important, though, is that we take time to restore our soul. It is through God that we are saved. Only God can give us the restoration that we need and are often searching for in our lives. God can restore us and bring us back from sin. God can restore us by providing blessings and rest when we need it most. As we live our lives, we need to be sure we take time to spend with God and allow Him to restore us and shine on us!

Take time with God and allow Him to restore you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love, light, and restoring touch. Help me to ask and then accept Your work in my life. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Stay Thirsty!

4/27/2019

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." -Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

There's a television commercial that reminds us to "stay thirsty." While there are many things that may distract us as we journey through life, we need to be hungry and thirsty. However, we need to hunger and thirst for the right things!

As we live in this world, we cannot allow ourselves to get caught up in the things of this world. We need to be sure we are focused on striving for righteousness. We can begin by being hungry and thirsty for the love and blessings of God. When we thirst for Him, we will be filled with His glory and righteousness!

Stay thirsty for God and allow Him to fill you with righteousness!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and compassion. Help me to seek You and to be filled with Your righteousness. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Grace, Not Disgrace

4/26/2019

"But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame." -Isaiah 50:7 (ESV)

Mother Teresa said, "If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are." When we set out in the world, not everything will go as we envision or plan. However, when we know who we are in Christ Jesus, we will not be disgraced!

God helps us. He is always by our side and willing to lend a helping hand. When we take His hand and accept the redemption offered through Jesus Christ, we do not have to be disgraced. We can stand on God, our Rock, and never worry about shame. When we are surrounded by God's grace, we will not be disgraced!

Accept God's forgiveness, abide in His grace, and never worry about being disgraced!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for forgiveness and for Your grace. Help me to always accept Your grace and to stand tall without disgrace. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Believe!

4/25/2019

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me." -John 14:1 (NIV)

There are lots of things we believe in without even thinking. While we believe in things here on earth, these things will not last. We need to be sure we have beliefs that are rooted in God, Jesus, and the eternal!

When we feel troubled, we need to turn to God. God gave us His Son as a path to redemption and eternal life. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we can let go of the trouble in our hearts. Through our belief, we can have faith that Jesus will carry us to eternity with Him!

Believe, have faith, and follow Jesus to eternity!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your Son and the gift of Salvation through Him. Help me to always follow Your plan in my life. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Stop Talking!

4/24/2019

“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” -Exodus 14:14 (ESV)

We probably know (or maybe we are) a person who likes to talk. Sometimes so much energy goes into talking that we don't hear the whole story or see a solution. As the quote says, "Sometimes you just stop talking and that solves everything!"

If we spend too much time talking, we may not hear God's voice. If we don't hear His voice, we will continue down the path of problems without seeing solutions. God is ready to help solve our problems. He will fight for us. To allow God to help us, we may need to just stop talking!

Stop talking, be still, and follow God as He fights for you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for being willing to fight for me. Help me to stop talking, to be quiet, and to hear Your plan. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Into Training!

4/23/2019

"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." -I Corinthians 9:25 (NIV)

I like to exercise, but sometimes it may be hard to fit it in. If we want to see results, we need to be sure that we have the right training and that our exercise is consistent. The same is true when we want to build our "spiritual muscle."

When we commit to God, the devil will be waiting to trip us up. We need to prepare ourselves. We need to to be consistent with our spiritual training. We can spend time each day reading God's Word and talking with God through prayer. We can have fellowship with other believers on a regular basis. As we build ourselves and each other up, we can be better prepared to respond to the devil's temptations as we pursue our eternal crown!

Begin training with God's Word, prayer, and fellowship to build your spiritual muscle!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the ways I have to communicate with You, learn from You , and grow in You. Help me to continue to get spiritually stronger. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Shield and Blessings!

4/22/2019

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly." -Psalm 84:11

It is always good to have friends that understand you and are willing to stand up for you. These friends should also be truthful and honest, even when we may not want them to be so. Building these relationships is important and carry the benefits of safety and protection.

Even though our friends can help us through certain circumstances, we need more than what our earthly friends can offer. We need protection not just here and now, but for all eternity. To find eternal protection for our souls, we need to turn to God. Only He is the shield that can protect us. It is through Him that we receive blessings now and inherit a future of glory with Him in Heaven!

Follow God and He will bless you and be your shield!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the protection and blessings that You provide. Help me to always follow You through all the highs and lows of life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Risen Now and Forever!

4/21/2019

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

Many things in our lives are temporary. We spend a lot of time dealing with the temporary, but we can't lose sight of what will last. We can think of our plans for eternity and for the legacy that we leave behind for others!

To begin thinking about what will last, we need to think of eternity. Eternal life starts with Jesus Christ - His life, death, and resurrection. After we have found redemption through Him, then we can begin to share His impact with others. We can build a legacy of showing others the glory of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. We can show the power of the risen Savior now and forever!

Secure your eternity and leave a legacy of showing others the risen Savior Jesus Christ, now and forever!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for sending Your Son and for Salvation through Him. Help me to share the Good News with others. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Prepare to Live!

4/20/2019

"For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." -I Corinthians 15:22 (NIV)

Looking a life and death can evoke different feelings and responses. We can look at death as an end to life here and now or we can look at it as a new beginning for eternity! As we celebrate the miracle of Easter, we prepare to live forever!

Good Friday could seem like a sad and somber day, but for those who believe, it is the beginning of an incredible journey! We know we have to die and end our time on earth, but earth is not the end of our journey. After our time here, with faith in Jesus and His redeeming power, we can be reassured of eternal life. Instead of looking at Good Friday as a somber day, we can prepare for Easter and prepare to live!

Have faith and prepare to live!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the gift of Salvation through Your Son. Help me to prepare to live for You now and for eternity. Through Him I pray, amen.

One Mind!

4/19/2019

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus." -Philippians 2:5 (NIV)

There is research that supports teachers building caring relationships with students . When students know that teachers care, the are more likely to be engaged and therefore learn more. The importance of relationships extends beyond the classroom!

We are reminded that we should have positive and caring relationships with each other. The reminder also comes with directions. Our relationships should be built on the mindset that Jesus has shown us! Jesus serves as an example of how to build relationships with others as we serve and lead for God. With a Christ-like mindset, we can have positive relationships with each other!

Follow the example of Christ and build positive relationships with each other!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for sending Your Son as an example. Help me to learn from and follow His example as I build relationships with others. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

As One!

4/18/2019

"How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!" -Psalm 133:1 (NIV)

When we want to accomplish great things, we usually need to be united with others. As it has been said, "United we stand. Divided we fall." With love, understanding, and patience from God, we can become united!

When we commit to God and His Kingdom, we experience His love. We also need to strive to live together, united by this love. We need to show God's love to others. Whether we agree or disagree, we need to try to understand one another. We can also ask God to guide us and help us to have patience with each other. By following God, we can live as one, united and working for His Kingdom!

Follow God, unit with others, and live as one for Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and guidance. Help me to live as one with other followers so we can all do more for Your Kingdom. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

No Favorites!

4/17/2019

"Then Peter began to speak: 'I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.'" -Acts 10:34-35 (NIV)

Students often ask me if I have a favorite student. There are even some that proclaim themselves to be my favorites! Even though they may think they are my favorites, I truly want what is best for all of "my kids"!

When we think about God, we don't have to worry about being "a favorite." As long as we commit our lives to God, it doesn't matter who we are or where we live. God loves each and every one of us and welcomes us into His family. We can then invite others to join us as well, so we can all be God's favorites!

No matter who or where you are, you can join God's family!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for welcoming me into Your family. Help me to live my life so others can see Your glory. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Goals to Encourage & Love!

4/16/2019

"My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ." -Colossians 2:2 (NIV)

It is good to have goals, but the goals need to be the right goals. As Ted Turner said, "You should set goals beyond your reach so you always have something to strive for." Our goals should give us focus and something to strive for in our lives. As followers of God, we can also set goals that are beyond what we could accomplish on our own!

When we have experienced God in our lives, one of our goals should be to share His love and the redemption through Christ with others! We can set a goal to encourage each other. We can set a goal to love each other, even if we disagree. We can set a goal to share the gift of forgiveness and redemption that is offered through Jesus Christ. Once we set these goals, we can ask God for help in meeting them and expanding our influence in this world for His glory!

Set goals to encourage, love, and share the Good News, then ask God to help you meet these goals!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love, encouragement, and redemption. Help me to work toward the goals of sharing these things with others so they can see Your glory! In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

The Greatest!

4/15/2019

"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." -I Corinthians 13:13 (ESV)

We probably don't have to look far to find a list of "the greatest" things. Whether foods, people, songs, movies, books, or events, there are lists that name the top ones. When we think about being the greatest we can be, we need to think about the greatest behavior: love!

We need to have faith and hope. It is faith and hope that helps us build a personal relationship with God. Once we invite God into our lives, we can truly begin to experience God's love. With God's love in our lives, we can then share this love with others. The greatest behavior that can come out of our relationship with God is love. We can welcome others into the greatest family - God's family - by giving of God's love in all we do!

Invite God into your life and then share the greatest gift: love!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for all of the love that You have given me. Help me to always embrace Your love and share it with others. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Hearing Faith!

4/14/2019

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." -Romans 10:17 (ESV)

If we stop to listen, we hear many different messages throughout the course of a day. Some of these messages may inspire us. Some of them may be more discouraging. However, our faith should only be based on one message: the word of Christ!

God has given us His Word and He has given us His Son. We can learn by reading God's Word and following the examples of His Son. As we learn, our faith can grow. As our faith grows, we can put it into action. From hearing the word of Christ to acting on our faith, our journeys can allow others to see the power and glory of God!

Hear the word of Christ, grow in faith, and put your faith into action for others to see!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the lessons that You teach. Help me to grow in my faith and to act on it so others can see Your glory. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Handle with Care!

4/13/2019

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." -Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)

We are challenged to be kind and show love. Like a sign I recently saw that said, "Sometimes you have to be kind to others, not because they're nice, but because you are." When we decide to follow God, we have His kindness and love that are ours to give!

God shows us love and kindness, even when we are most undeserving. Because God has loved us, we should treat each other in the same way. We don't need to be permissive of all behaviors, but we need to approach others with kindness and love. It is through grace, love, and kindness that we can show God as our source of compassion. With God as our guide, we can handle each other with care!

Take God's love and grace and use it to handle others with care and compassion!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and grace in my life. Help me to always show kindness, love, and grace to others. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Life's Seasons

4/12/2019

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." -Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

There are events in our lives that remind us of life's different seasons. Births, deaths, and other milestones not only mark the passing of time, but also of God's perfect timing. While we may have a plan, we need to wait for the right season!

Even though we may become impatient, God has a plan. For every season that we experience, God has something in store for us. He prepares us. He bolsters and strengthens us. With God's timing we can be sure that we will get what we need, when we need it. God will lead us through whatever season we are experiencing in our lives!

Trust in God and allow Him to lead you through whatever season of life you face!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for leading and guiding me. Help me to always trust in You through every season of life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Shielded!

4/11/2019

"But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high." -Psalm 3:3 (NIV)

Whether we want to admit it or not, we can all use a little extra protection or support in our lives. When we are surrounded with the right people, we know we are getting honest feedback. We also know that others have our best interests at heart and will help pick us up when we are down!

We also need this support in our spiritual lives. God knows that we need protected. He is our shield. He will provide protection and He will pick us up when we fall. Through everything we face, we can rely on God, knowing that He will not fail us. We are shielded by the power, strength, and love of the one and only true God!

You are shielded by God. Have faith and rely on Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for shielding and protecting me. Help me to always turn to You and to rely on Your shield. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Take It!

4/10/2019

"The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace." -Psalm 29:11 (NIV)

Sometimes we may find it easier to give than to receive. When we are offered help, we may resist. However, we need to be prepared to accept help that will bring us strength and peace. God is offering strength and peace, will you take it?

God knows what each of us needs in our lives. He is prepared to give strength. He is also ready to offer love, compassion, discipline, guidance, and, ultimately, peace. God is ready to help us by giving exactly what we need. However, it is up to us to choose to accept the blessings that God is offering. We may be looking for strength and peace, but all we have to do is stop and take what God is giving!

God is offering you strength and peace. Take it!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the strength, peace, and love that You provide. Help me to always accept the gifts that You give. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Act Out of Love!

4/9/2019

"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)

There are countless places were we could donate time, money, or other resources. We could spend all of our time giving. However, we need to remember why we choose to give!

If we give, but do not have love, our efforts do not see their full value. It is through God's love that our giving can have the fullest impact on others. When we act out of love, God will bless our efforts. When we act out of love, others can see our motivation and God's presence in our lives!

Act out of love and allow others to experience the blessings of God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and blessings. Help me to always act out of Your love. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Guide through Temptation

4/8/2019

"For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." -Hebrews 2:18 (ESV)

Life is full of temptations. The temptations can range from small things, like being tempted to eat another piece of candy, to large things, like temptation to get revenge. Each day we need to navigate the temptations of the world, but it can be easier when we turn to Jesus for help!

Jesus Christ became human and experienced life on earth. He experienced love, but He also experienced temptation and betrayal. Jesus knows what we face and He is prepared to help us through it all. When we feel tempted, we need to remember to stop and talk with Jesus. We can then be confident that Jesus can guide us in the proper response!

When tempted, call on Jesus and allow Him to guide you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your Son and His time on earth. Help me to always call on Jesus as my guide through temptation. In His name I pray, amen.

Always Be His!

4/7/2019

"For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's." -Romans 14:8 (ESV)

Humans are social. Even though we may have times when we want to be left alone, we need others to survive and thrive. When we have a community, we can be better together with God!

No matter what we face, we should live for God. As part of God's community, we are His. As His followers, we should be committed to Him, sharing His love and living as an example for others. We should follow God and always be committed to His ways. Whether in life or death, when we give our lives to God, we can experience His eternal blessings.

Give your life to God and always be His!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for always being with me. Help me to follow and always be committed to You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Paying Attention!

4/6/2019

"My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart." -Proverbs 4:20-21 (NIV)

Whether sons, daughters, friends, or students, when we take the time to explain something, we usually expect others to listen to us. Listening requires more than just hearing and then forgetting the words or lesson. We want people to remember and take action!

In order to take action on what we learn, we must remember and apply it. God is a willing teacher, but we need to be willing students. We need to listen so we can truly hear His words. We need to store these words in our hearts, remembering them and how to apply them in our lives. After we pay attention to God's lessons, we can use them in our lives for the benefit of ourselves, others, and His Kingdom!

Pay attention to God's lessons and apply them in your life!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the lessons that You teach me. Help me to apply these lessons in my life. Through Jesus I pray, amen.