Blog Archives - Bible Inspired

Our Oppression

6/30/2018

"The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in His justice and great righteousness, He does not oppress." -Job 37:23 (NIV)

To begin the summer, I have been reading books that I hope will help me improve my instruction next school year. I have been reading about equity and how to address learning with the differences that all of us bring into the classroom. When considering an equitable classroom, we do not want oppression.

In our lives, we may see or experience oppression. One thing we need to remember is that the oppression we experience is not from God. God is righteous and just. He uses His power to redeem us. In our lives, we need to address oppression by turning to God and following Him. God wants justice and we can be His hands and voice as we fight oppression and try to bring justice to our lives and the lives of others!

Fight oppression by following God's justice and righteousness!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for being a God of redemption. Help me to work for Your Kingdom and to fight oppression. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Let Others Help!

6/29/2018

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." -Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

There are people that want to do things by themselves and for themselves. There are times when we may try to work with someone that doesn't want help or there may even be times when we are that person not wanting help. Not accepting help can make the task at hand harder to accomplish, but there is another way!

We are reminded to carry each other's burdens. We are called by God to help each other! In order for us to help each other, it is true that we have to be willing to lend a hand, to help another carry a burden. However, we also need to be ready to accept that help when we have our own burdens. We can fulfill God's law by helping and by accepting the help that He provides through others!

Be willing to carry others' burdens and allow others to help carry yours!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for all those that You place in my lives that can help carry my burdens. Help me to accept their help and to offer to carry the burdens of others, too. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Find Cheer!

6/28/2018

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." -Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)

Life throws many things at us and we need to be ready to respond. We need to search for hope and cheer throughout life. As Gilbert Chesterton said, "Hope is the power of being cheerful in circumstances that we know to be desperate." Whenever we seek God, we can have hope and find cheer!

God promises to always be with us. When we are committed to God, we know that even the circumstances that seem desperate can be used for good. As followers of God, we can be cheerful. We can praise Him. We can invite His presence into all parts of our lives. We can find God's cheer to be good medicine in our lives. God can lift our spirits and heal our hearts!

Seek God, find a hope that brings healing and allows for a cheerful heart!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the hope and cheer that You provide. Help me to always have a cheerful heart that allows me to spread Your love and joy. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Reflection

6/27/2018

"As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart." -Proverbs 27:19 (NIV)

Most of us probably start the day by looking in the mirror. When we look, what do we see? We may just focus on the outward appearance, but we also need to consider how we reflect what is in our hearts. What reflection will others see?

When we choose to follow God, God can change our lives. He can fill our hearts with love and gratitude. Our lives should allow others to see what is in our hearts. Both our words and actions should reflect God's active presence in our lives. When we act out of God's love in our hearts, our lives will be a reflection of Him for others to see!

When looking in the mirror, consider how your actions will be a reflection of God's love in your heart!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the love that You give me. Allow my words and actions to reflect Your love that is in my heart. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Just a Number...

6/26/2018

"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." -I Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

We all have probably heard the expression that "age is just a number." That is something we like to say as we age, but it also applies to those that are younger. Whether we are "experienced" in the journeys of life or closer to the beginning of our journeys, we can all set examples for each other.

Sometimes the ideas of younger people are dismissed just because of their age. We are reminded to not be so quick in ignoring these ideas or examples as we can all learn from the enthusiasm and fearlessness of the young. When we consider age as just a number, we will realize that God can work through all of us, regardless of our age. Recognizing God's presence in all of our lives can allow us to learn from the examples God provides from people of all ages in our lives.

Age is just a number, so be willing to learn from all of the examples God places in your life!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for allowing me to grow and mature in You. Help me to learn from the examples and lessons You provide. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Finding a Way through Darkness...

6/25/2018

"For we live by faith, not by sight." -II Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)

Francis Bacon once said that we need the darkness in order to appreciate the light. While we may not always appreciate the darkness around us, we do appreciate a guiding light. Whenever we are trying to find the light in the darkness, where do we turn?

The world is filled with dark times and situations that may keep us from seeing what is around us. Fortunately, we do not have to "see" to make it through dark times. Instead, we need to rely on God. By having faith in Him, we can navigate the darkness of the world and reach God's eternal light. When we need to find our way through darkness, we need just need to have faith!

Have faith in God and allow Him to help you find your way through darkness!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for being a light and guiding me through darkness. Help me to continue to grow in my faith in You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Follow His Law!

6/24/2018

"Blessed are those who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart." -Psalm 119:2 (NIV)

Whether we consider our town or city, our state, or our country, we realize that our society depends on many different laws. These laws are put in place to guide and protect us as citizens. It is true that these laws are not always perfect, but they serve as a framework and can be changed when we identify injustice caused by certain laws.

While our laws that have been designed by humans are not always perfect or just, there are laws that we can know are dependable. God has given us His laws. When we study and learn from God, we will realize that His laws are just and that He is fair in His use of power. When we follow God's laws and search for or seek Him, we can know in our hearts what is right from wrong, kind from evil, or loving from wicked. When we follow God's laws and seek Him, we can be blessed!

Seek God, know and follow His laws, and spread His blessings that flow from your heart!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for teaching me about Your law and about right from wrong. Help me to follow Your law and to share the blessings that I receive from You. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Be One!

6/23/2018

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called." -Ephesians 4:4 (NIV)

In our lives we face many battles. Sometimes we try to face those battles on our own. We either think we have no other choice or we feel that we have to face things on our own. However, when we begin to join and become one with others, we may realize that our voice is much stronger!

In our lives, we can join with others. Common interests and goals can unit us and help us move forward with a purpose and power that we could not attain on our own. When we consider our spiritual journey and the work to which God has called us, we can do more if we are united as one. The Bible reminds us to be united as one body and one spirit in one hope. When we put God at the center of our lives, we can find other members of the body of Christ and we can have truly great impacts on the world around us. We can be one with God and for God as we work to serve others and show the world His love!

Be one with fellow believers as you unite with God for the glory of His Kingdom!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for allowing me to join with others as the body of Christ. Help my actions to bring glory to You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Don't Disappoint!

6/22/2018

"And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming." -I John 2:28 (NIV)

Whether we set expectations for ourselves or have them set by others, we all have some expectations in our lives. We may be expected to follow our usual routine, to do our normal things around the house or at work, or to show up as usual. Sometimes we may not even think about our routines, but other times we can feel the pressures of expectations in our lives. Either way, we probably try to live up to our expectations!

As God's children and followers of Jesus Christ, we commit our lives to following God. When we are living for God, there are expectations. We may experience expectations from others that think we should behave in certain ways. We also have expectations from God. We are to ask for and accept forgiveness. We are to embrace God's love and share it with others. We are to live for God so that others can see His grace, mercy, power, and glory. When Jesus returns, we need to be able to give a true account of our lives that won't disappoint, but will show that we have done our best to live for God!

Live for God by following His will so you won't disappoint Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for accepting me as Your child. Help me to live so that others can see You and so that I will not disappoint when Jesus returns. Through Him I pray, amen.

The Ultimate Helper

6/21/2018

"Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." -Psalm 124:8 (NIV)

Even though today was the first day of summer vacation, I had a couple of things to finish up at school. I took my daughter with me as my helper. She is almost always a willing and good helper and made the jobs today go quicker. It is nice when we find those willing to help us and we should always remember that God is ready to help us, too!

There is no better helper than God, but we must be willing to ask for and accept His help. God gives us the ability to make our own choices and, even though He knows what we need, we must be willing to admit that He knows better. Once we ask for God's help, we can be reassured that we could not find better help. When God, the Creator of everything - heaven and earth - is ready to help us, we have the ultimate, all-powerful, all-knowing helper on our side!

Call on God and accept His help in all areas of your life!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your help. Guide me in asking for help, hearing Your response, and following Your guidance. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Eternal Restoration!

6/20/2018

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." -I Peter 5:10 (NIV)

Whether it is a house, an automobile, or another piece of equipment, it is fascinating to see how people can restore old and beat up things. With the know-how and a little hard work, old can become new. The casual observer may not know the history or realize the work necessary to restore these things.

Throughout our lives we will experience challenges, hardships, and suffering, but these things do not have to define us. Even if we feel beat up or beyond usefulness, God is ready to restore us. He has the patience and power to make us new again. The best news is that His restoration is not temporary, but eternal! When we commit to Him and accept the forgiveness and redemption He offers, we are eternally restored through the blood of His Son!

Accept God's grace and mercy so you can be eternally restored!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your redeeming grace and mercy. Help me to be restored and to share Your restoring power with others. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Show Hospitality!

6/19/2018

"Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." -Hebrews 13:1-2 (NIV)

I remember a quote that I learned a long time ago. The quote is attributed to a Native American saying and reads, "To understand the man, you must first walk a mile in his moccasin." It may be easy to dismiss the behaviors of others if we do not understand the underlying causes leading up to what we see or feel from the actions of others. However, beginning with hospitality can allow us to begin the walk in others moccasins.

When we are filled with God's love, we are responsible for sharing it. We can begin with hospitality and welcoming others into our lives. We can then develop an understanding of others and the situations leading to their behaviors. That understanding can lead to empathy that allows us know each others' needs in ways that enable us to share God's love. Knowing each other or walking a mile in someone else's moccasins allows us to show hospitality and love that meets others' needs and spreads God's love!

Show hospitality by understanding others and showing God's love!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and understanding. Help me to understand others, show hospitality, and spread Your love. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Make Peace!

6/18/2018

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." -Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

When we are in times when people seem deeply divided, it can be easy to "pick a fight." A simple disagreement or difference in opinion can be escalated into much more. While we could engage in fights, it is better if we take a different approach. We can strive to make peace!

Jesus tells us that the peacemakers are blessed. We cannot truly show God's love if people turn away from us because we choose to fight. While we need to stand up for truth, righteousness, and justice, we need to consider ways that engage as many as people as possible to peacefully bring about change that aligns with God's will. As peacemakers, we can be blessed and we can bring about change that brings glory to God!

Make peace so that others can see the glory of God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for giving me the choice of peace and for Your peace that goes beyond what I could accomplish. Help me to be a peacemaker and to bring glory to You through peace. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Answer the Call or Knock!

6/17/2018

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with Me." -Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

As caller-ID and voicemail have become more common, there is less urgency to answer the phone. If the number is not one I recognize, I often don't answer the phone. Now, I see advertisements for technology that allows you to see who is ringing your doorbell from your cell phone. These conveniences can be useful, but there are calls and knocks that we should not ignore!

God calls each of us. He promises to be with us and to knock. He has a plan for our lives, but we need to answer the call or open the door. When we hear Him and answer the door, He will join us. He will then empower and guide us. When we answer God and are one with Him, we are guaranteed an eternity of glory!

When you hear God's call or knock, be sure to open the door!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for having a calling and a plan for my life. Help me to always answer Your knock or call. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Find Strength!

6/16/2018

"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." -1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)

Throughout our lives we have different opportunities that take us different places. As we travel to new places there may be some uncertainty. Even if we are not lost, we can be nervous about traveling to these places. When we need strength and comfort during our journeys, we can always turn to God!

God is a source of love, comfort, and strength. We should always seek His wisdom and power. No matter where we are or what we are facing, God has an answer. After we call on Him, we need to be sure we are listening to His response. By listening and following His will, we can find strength and direction for each and every one of our journeys!

Find strength by seeking God and listening to His response!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and guidance. Help me to always seek You and Your strength in my life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Ahhh...Refreshing!

6/15/2018

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

There are times when we feel tired and worn out. We can be drained physically, mentally, or emotionally. When we feel down and out, we need to be recharged. We need to be refreshed!

Even though we may get tired and worn out, we need to consider our calling. God calls us to serve. We are to help others. When we give of our time, talents, or resources, we can serve and help to refresh others. When we refresh others, God promises to help refresh us as well! We can refresh others and be refreshed in the love and grace of God!

Give generously to help refresh others and allow God to refresh you, too!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank you for blessing me and allowing me to give to others. Please continue to refresh and bless me as I try to serve You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Bear With 'Em

6/14/2018

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." -Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

We all know someone who may be a difficult person or we may, at times, even be that difficult person! It can be easy to write those types of people off as we may feel like they will "never be happy." It can be even harder to move forward if we have been hurt by someone. No matter what we face, we need to remember the lessons of forgiveness that Jesus both taught and demonstrated!

When we encounter a difficult situation or a difficult person that may hurt us in some way, we need to stop and call on God. It is usually not easy for us to see a lesson or be able to forgive in the moment, but with God's guidance we can learn to forgive. We can look at the examples and lessons from Jesus. We can feel God's love in our hearts and throughout our lives. From His lessons to His love, we can learn to bear with others, even the most difficult people in our lives. As we bear with them, we can learn about and from them and allow ourselves to forgive them!

Bear with others in your life and learn to forgive them as Jesus has taught you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your unconditional love and forgiveness. Help me to learn to be more forgiving. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Take a Break!

6/13/2018

"Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done." -Genesis 2:3 (NIV)

As summer approaches, I have mixed feelings. I am ready for a break, but I also will miss my students and hope that they find productive ways to learn and time to relax over the summer. When the fall comes, I will have a new group of students that I will get to know and teach. Because of the summer break, I will have a chance to prepare and be ready to face the challenges and joys of a new year!

God is always there for us and we should continually communicate with Him and follow His will. However, God also understands that there are times when we need a break, a chance to relax in His comforting hands as we prepare for the next steps of our journey. God gave us the example of resting on the 7th day. We should follow His advice as we rest and worship Him. With God's comfort, we can have a well rested soul that is prepared for the challenges and joys of sharing God with the world!

Take a break in the safety of God as you worship and prepare for the next steps of the journey!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the opportunity to take a break and to regroup and be revitalized in You. Help me to move forward with enthusiasm and love as I share You with others in the world. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Thankful for Growth!

6/12/2018

"We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing." -II Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV)

One of the joys of teaching is seeing students grow and develop. I was reminded of this today when a former student gave me a thank you note that recalled lessons from middle school that she remembered as a senior preparing to graduate and attend college. I am thankful for students that grow and mature and we should feel the same joy for each other as we grow and mature in our relationships with God!

We are children of God and therefore have room to grow in our faith and in our commitment to God. Our learning and growth can bring us closer to God. As we grow closer to Him, we can also build relationships with others by sharing the love that He has given us. We can thank God for our own growth and we can celebrate the growth of each other. We can become closer as members of God's family as we love each other and have faith in God!

Support each other as we all learn, grow, and mature in our relationships with God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for teaching and guiding me. Help me to continue to grow and to be thankful for growth in myself and others. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

See and Hear His Greatness!

6/11/2018

"How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears." -II Samuel 7:22 (NIV)

Every so often there are lists of the greatest athletes in different sports or even the greatest athletes of all time. The lists will point to the sights and sounds of the games and the spectacular plays of the contenders. We can have fun debating the "who's who" of different sports, but when we look for examples to live by, there is no debate about the greatness of our God!

God is great! When we look around, we can see His greatness. When we stop to listen, we can hear of His works throughout the earth. After we see and hear His greatness, then we need to trust our eyes and ears as we have faith in all that He tells us and shows us. The best part is that even in all of His glory, God wants to have a personal relationship with each and every one of us! We can see and hear His greatness, then we can live in His glory now and forever!

See and hear God's greatness, then have faith and follow Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for showing and telling me Your greatness. Help me to have faith in You and to follow Your direction. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Be a (Good) Neighbor!

6/10/2018

"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 younger, I remember watching Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. Even though his show was no longer on televisions when my daughter was born, we found a couple of DVDs to watch. Mr. Rogers was always a calming voice and an advocate for getting to know and stand up for everyone in the neighborhood. As we follow God, we need to make sure we are good neighbors, too!

We are called by God to be good neighbors. We need to follow God and learn His truth, what is right. We also need to be willing to seek justice. When we are filled with God's love, we need to hear His call. We need to then speak up for our neighbors, defending the oppressed and supporting those in need. We can be a voice that pleads for those without a voice. We can fill the roles for which God calls us. We can be the good neighbors that those around us and throughout the world need!

Be a good neighbor by seeking justice, doing what is right, and sharing God's love!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for calling me and showing me Your way. Help me to be a good neighbor that is focused on justice and righteousness that come from You. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Surrounded!

6/9/2018

"The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love." -Psalm 33:5 (NIV)

Sometimes we feel like we need to "get away" from certain situations. Other times we may jump in and search for answers. Taking a break from certain things can allow us to relax and gain a new perspective and searching for answers can help us feel engaged. However, we also need to realize that we do not need to go far to find righteousness and justice!

When we seem to be surrounded by darkness or trouble, we need to take another look. We are not alone in the midst of trouble. We are not on our own to find the answers. If we take another look, we can find God there with us. He is in all parts of the world. He will not leave or forsake us. Whether we feel we need to get away or search for answers, we are surrounded by God and by His unfailing, never ending love that leads to righteousness and justice!

You are surrounded by God's never-ending love, so work for righteousness and justice!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for a love that never ends. Help me to accept Your love and use it to work for righteousness and justice in the world. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Pause...

6/8/2018

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" -Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

A friend recently sent me a message and said he hope everything was fine because I had been "quiet." With different responsibilities, it seemed that I didn't have time to make a lot of noise. However, we need to always pause, give thanks for our blessings, and rejoice in the Lord!

We are reminded to always rejoice in the Lord. He only wants what is best for each and every one of us. He blesses us every day. Even in the hustle and bustle of life, we need to take time to recognize what God is doing in our lives. He is active in our lives and we should always take the time to rejoice and be thankful!

No matter how busy life may seem, we should pause and not be quiet as we rejoice in the work of God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for being active in my life and for the blessings You provide. I rejoice in Your love and guidance in my life. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Do More!

6/7/2018

"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." -Matthew 10:8 (NIV)

At a recent gathering, I was talking to friends that remarked that it is rewarding to see kids learn how to volunteer and give back to the community. When the sense of giving back is instilled and inspired, we can come together. We can also unite to do even more with God on our side!

Jesus showed how to freely give. We can take Jesus' example and we can trust that God will give us the power to do great things. We can unite as His body as we follow the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ. We can receive and give of His love. We can have faith in all the He has done and promises to do. We can do more as we become one in God and work to spread His love and power!

Do more by uniting with other believers and freely given of your blessings!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for allowing me to have ways to give back and to share Your love. Help me to always see ways to give and to work for You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Guarded

6/6/2018

"For He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones." -Proverbs 2:8 (NIV)

"Don't get your hopes up and don't let your guard down." I recently say this quote and thought about high hopes and being wary of opportunities. There are times when we are afraid to let our guard down and rightfully so, but we shouldn't let ourselves be too scared or guarded to try new things. We just need to be sure we are on the right course!

When we are listening to and following God's plan, we can allow ourselves to have high hopes and we can let God be our guard. God is all-powerful. He has plans for us that are higher than any of our hopes could be. He can lift us up and protect us. With faith in God, we can follow His path with confidence. We should have hope and we will be guarded and protected!

Follow God's course and allow Him to give you hope and protect you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank you for protecting me. Help me to follow Your path and to have hope. Through Jesus I pray, amen.