Blog Archives - Bible Inspired

In Due Time...

6/30/2019

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." -II Peter 3:8 (NIV)

Many of us have schedules that are probably quite full. We have places to be and times when we need to be at each of those places. Becoming involved in our schedules, we may begin to expect others to conform to our needs, our time tables. When it comes to God, we need to remember that He knows the best timing!

We may want God to conform to our schedule. We may want what we want when we want it! We are reminded, though, that our idea of time is not the same as God's time. God has always existed and will always exist, so He is not bound by the minutes, hours, days, and years that we like to use in our schedules. When we are waiting on God, we can be reassured that in due time, in His time, we will see His power and glory!

In God's time, He will provide!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for all that You allow me to do with my time. Help me to remember that Your time is the best timing of all and teach me patience so I will wait on You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Three Strands

6/29/2019

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." -Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)

My experiences this year have reminded me of the importance of relationships and the ability to defend ourselves. While we may want to think that we can handle things on our own, some situations are more complex. If we want to stand up and defend ourselves or others, it is better if we have a stronger cord with more strands!

On our own we are weaker than when we join together. We are reminded that a "cord of three strands" is stronger and will not be easily broken. We can apply this lesson to our lives in many ways. We can consider the three strands of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit that strengthen us and help us understand. We can also relate to bonding with other believers in order to work together for God's Kingdom. As we embark on our spiritual journeys, we need to have both the Trinity of God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit and a fellowship of believers that keep us strong and sustain our work!

Do not go it alone, form a cord that cannot be easily broken!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the people in my life that can help to strengthen me. Please be part of each of these relationships and strengthen us to do Your work. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

The Right Start!

6/28/2019

"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." -Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

Pre-school programs recognize the need for a good start. This importance is reflected in the name, whether the "Head Start" program or other schools that include the ideas of "bright" or "great" with the idea of "beginnings" or "start." When we consider the foundation of children's education, we want a solid footing!

The same is true in the spiritual foundation of our kids. We want our children to have a firm understanding of God and the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. We want our children to experience love, but we also want them to know discipline and the difference between right and wrong. Whether it is easy or not, we need to be sure that we start our children off the right way now, so they can be on the correct path later!

Help the children in your life have a solid spiritual foundation so they are prepared for life!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the foundation that I was given. Help me to foster opportunities for children to know You. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Take Note!

6/27/2019

"Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other." -Deuteronomy 4:39 (NIV)

There are lots of things we see and hear each day. Sometimes we begin to block out or not notice the things that are commonly part of our day. Even though we don't notice them, they are still there. God is always near us, but do we notice?

As we move through our lives, we need to take note of God's presence. When we recognize that God is with us, we need to call on God and take heart in His majesty and power. There is no other God in heaven above or on earth below. We need to rely on Him!

Take note of God's presence and take heart in Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for sharing Your majesty with me. Help me to take heart in You and Your power over everything. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Good Forgiveness!

6/26/2019

"You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to You." -Psalm 86:5 (NIV)

Deep down, we know we sin. Even if we are trying to live our "best life," we cannot avoid our human side and the sin that comes with it. We can overcome this sin. We just need to turn to God's love, goodness, and forgiveness!

God abounds in love. His love is overflowing. God's inherent goodness and love is for our benefit. Through God and the sacrifice of His Son, we can be redeemed and live in His goodness. We must accept forgiveness through Jesus Christ, then we can truly share love with others. We can live in God's forgiveness and goodness as we share His abounding love with others!

Accept forgiveness and then live in God's love and goodness as you share Him with others!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the forgiveness You have given through Your Son. Help me to live in Your forgiveness and goodness so I can share Your love with others. Through Jesus my Savior I pray, amen.

Cheerful, Not Worried!

6/25/2019

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

Benjamin Franklin said, "Be cheerful - the problems that worry us most are those that never arrive." Often our spirits get crushed and our enthusiasm dries up because we worry. However, we need not worry about the problems we may face!

We will undoubtedly experience problems in our lives. However, we can choose how we face problems. We can worry and create problems that are bigger than they need to be or we can turn to God. When we turn to God, we not only find strength, we also find cheer. God takes away the worry so we are not focused on the problems that never arrive. Instead, we can be cheerful and praise God for His presence in our lives!

Allow God to take away the worry so you can be cheerful and praise His name!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for taking away worry. Help me to let go of my worry and cheerfully praise You! Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Rejection & Humble Acceptance

6/24/2019

"Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." -James 1:21 (NIV)

We all know that the world around us is full of temptation. Often, these temptations will lead us down paths that move away from God. When we face temptation, we need strength to overcome and persevere. We need to turn to God!

Even though the world is full of temptation, evil, and filth, we can stand strong. In order to resist negative temptations, evil, and filth, we need to ask for God's help. It is through God that we have strength to overcome the obstacles of this world. However, we cannot accept God's help if we are not humble and acknowledge our need for it. After we acknowledge our need for and accept God's help, we can reject filth and evil and humbly follow His plan in our lives!

Humbly accept God's help so you can reject filth and evil and live according to God's plan!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the strength that You provide. Help me to reject evil and to live according to Your plan. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Faithful Care!

6/23/2019

"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations." -Deuteronomy 7:9 (ESV)

Whether it is summer camp, school, or Sunday School at church, we want to entrust our children to people that are trustworthy. We want people that are faithful to their word and responsible for those in their care. Needing faithful and trustworthy caregivers doesn't just apply to children!

We want our children to be in the care of trustworthy people. We also need to be sure we are spiritually cared for by someone that is trustworthy. God is the faithful and trustworthy one that cares for each and every one of us. God is faithful. He keeps His promises. God always has been, is, and always will be faithful to those that choose to follow Him. When we worship God, we can be certain that His Word and His care for us are guaranteed. God is faithful to us. All praise to Him!

When looking for someone to trust, always turn to God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for being faithful. Help me to respond by growing in my own faith. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Know Better, Do Better!

6/22/2019

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen." -II Peter 3:18 (NIV)

I was recently at a meeting that turned to discussing teacher professional development. One person noted that teachers are life-long learners. This reminded me of the quote from Maya Angelou, who said, "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." While teachers need to continue learning, they are not the only ones that can learn and then do better!

We all need to continue learning. Throughout our spiritual journey, we have opportunities to learn, to become closer to God, and to grow in grace and knowledge. By following the example of our Savior, we can learn about living for God. Through acceptance of our Savior, we can learn about God's grace, mercy, and love. As we continue to learn, we can then do better as we act to grow God's Kingdom!

Be a life-long learner that learns to do better for the Kingdom of God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for teaching me and helping me to continue to learn. Help me to use my learning for the growth of Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Peace In Your Heart

6/21/2019

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." -John 14:27 (NIV)

There are lots of things that can and should upset us. As we look at the world, we should not accept the injustices that we see. However, in order for us to take action and do good in the world, we need to have peace. It is hard for us to respond if we begin with troubled and fearful hearts!

If we want to set out to bring about positive change in the world, we need to take care of ourselves. We need to begin from a place of power and peace. To do this, we can turn to God. Through Jesus, we can find peace, love, and power. With God in our hearts, we can find peace in our own lives, power in Him, and strength to take action. With peace in our hearts, we do not have to be afraid, we can work to lift up others!

Have God's peace in your heart so you are prepared to make the world a better place!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the peace that only You can give. Help me to act on Your peace, love, and power to make the world a better place. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Take Care!

6/20/2019

"Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made." -John 1:3 (NIV)

In the midst of everything, it can be refreshing to take time in nature and experience the beauty of God's creation. Whether we are standing in a natural area or in the midst of a city, God has created everything. It is our responsibility to care for creation!

God is the Creator. Creation bears witness to the glory of God. As His appointed caretakers, we need to be aware of the responsibility of being stewards. Whether the natural world or man-made structures, we should take care of the gifts that God has given us. By taking care of what God has made and provided, we can be His good stewards and allow others to see our thankfulness to God, the Creator!

Take care of all that God has made and provided for you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for all that You have made and given me. Help me to be a good steward of all that You provide. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Gotta Have Faith!

6/19/2019

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." -Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

We are less likely to go the distance for something we are not all that interested in or to which we lack commitment. When we choose to do something and fully commit to it, we usually believe in the cause. Whether we consider our jobs, charity work, hobbies, or our spiritual lives, we need to prepare to be committed to see our work to the end.

We should always work as if we are working for God. No matter what we are working toward, we need to have faith. Without faith in God, we cannot approach Him. We cannot ask for His guidance or help. Our spiritual journey and our work needs to include faith in God. When we have faith, we know that we will be rewarded with His love, wisdom, power, and guidance. With faith, we can seek God and accomplish great things through Him!

Have faith in God so you can seek Him and receive His blessings and accomplish great things for Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for always being there for me. Help my faith to continue to grow so I can seek You and accomplish great things for You. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

The Root Cause

6/18/2019

"You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God." -James 4:2 (NIV)

When we experience problems, we often want to find a solution. However, if we focus on solutions without understanding the cause of the problem, the problem may keep recurring. To find a more permanent solution, we need to get to the root of the problem!

In our lives, we often see problems. If we seek solutions on our own, we usually only find temporary solutions. To find better, permanent solutions, we need to seek God. It is only when we ask God for help that we can be sure we find the proper solutions. We don't have to kill, to fight, or continually search for answers. We can get to the root cause and find solutions simply by asking God and listening to His response!

Find the root cause and best solutions by asking God for His help and listening to His answers!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for wanting to hear from and help me. Help me to ask and then hear Your solutions. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Use Your Voice!

6/17/2019

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." -Proverbs 31:8 (NIV)

We all have a voice and while we may want to think that all of our voices are heard, the truth is that some voices get more attention than others. When we recognize that there are voices not being heard, we are called to take action. We are not supposed to speak instead of those not being heard, but we need to make their voices louder by using our voice!

God calls us to love one another and to help each other. As we grow and mature, we may sometimes lose sight of those that are not heard. We need to take time to assess the world around us to know who is not being heard. This requires us to listen for those that have been tuned out by the majority, those that are oppressed, or those that are too weak or lack the resources to speak out. It is only through listening and relying on God's strength that we can help amplify others' voices so they, too, can be heard and their rights protected!

Listen for those that cannot be heard and allow God to help you amplify the needs by using your voice!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the voice that I have been given. Help me to know when and how to use my voice to help others and glorify You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Do Right with No Fear!

6/16/2019

"But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 'Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.'" -I Peter 3:14 (NIV)

Over the past couple of months I have been working closely with a couple of colleagues. We have planned opportunities for both teachers and students to learn and grow. We have shared our learning from these experiences and our message was well received. Even though we have been doing what we considered to be the right things for our students, other teachers, and our own learning, we have been met with some resistance and questioning from some of the "higher ups."

While we may experience resistance and threats from others in our lives, we need to be sure we keep the focus on doing what we know is right. When we follow God and implement what He has called us to do, we can be comforted and reassured by His promises and protection. We need to remember that with God nothing is impossible. With Him, we do not need to fear the retribution of those around us. As we follow God, He will allow the truth to be exposed. While we may not see His plan, we can trust that everything will work out in the end. We just need to do right without fear!

Do what God calls you to do, what is right, and do it without fear knowing that He is on your side!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for being by my side and for showing me and helping me to do what is right. Please protect me from those that do not understand and help them to get to know You. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Down the (Narrow) Middle!

6/15/2019

"Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." -Proverbs 4:27 (NIV)

When traveling to different places, we have probably moved along wide roads and narrow roads. Wider roads may give us a little more leeway. Narrow roads require us to be more alert. Regardless of the type of road, we need to be sure that we travel in the right direction. We want to stay in the middle of our lane to safely reach our destination!

The Bible warns us that the path to Heaven is narrow. Just as a narrow road requires us to be alert to stay on course and avoid any oncoming traffic, we need to be alert in our spiritual journey. We need to be sure that we are not distracted or tempted to veer to the left or the right. We need to be sure we are focused ahead and moving safely toward our destination. This is only possible when we keep our eyes on God. As we follow Him, we can be reassured that He will help us stay right down the middle of the narrow path that leads to eternal glory with Him!

Follow God and keep moving down the middle of the narrow path to eternal glory in Heaven!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for guiding me and showing me Your way. Help me to follow the narrow path that You have prepared without giving in to distraction and temptation. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Hold on Tight!

6/14/2019

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." -Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

Each year as I watch students graduate, I think about the road that lies ahead for each of them. Some of them seem to have a clear vision of where they want to go. Others may be searching for the right path. As we move through our spiritual journey, we need to be sure to hold on tight to our faith so we find the right path!

God prepares a path for each of us. Sometimes it is easy to see the path. Other times we may not want to see where God is leading us. Either way, we need to enter our journey with faith and then we need to hold on tight to that faith. God is faithful to us. We can have hope in Him and trust in His plan. As we trust, hope, and have faith, we can hold on tight and experience great things!

Hold on tight to your faith, trust in God, and have hope in all that He provides!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for giving me hope. Help me to have faith and trust in Your plans for my life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Set Free!

6/13/2019

"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 often hear that we should forgive others. However, Lewis Smedes offers that forgiveness is not just for the the person receiving forgiveness. He reminds us that, "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you."

When we hold a grudge, we damage ourselves by focusing on the wrong things. Instead of allowing ourselves to be pulled down by worry over past wrongs, we need to move forward with freedom and a fresh start. God has given us this fresh start through forgiveness and redemption offered by Jesus Christ. We, in turn, need to allow ourselves to be freed by forgiving others. We can be set free by both accepting forgiveness and forgiving others so we can experience a deeper relationship with God!

Be forgiven and forgive so you can experience the full freedom offered by God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the forgiveness that You have given me. Help me to in turn forgive others. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Keeping the Focus!

6/12/2019

"Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you." -Proverbs 4:25 (NIV)

There are many distractions around us, possibly more than ever before! With all of the gadgets, electronics, apps, and access to instant entertainment, we can find that distractions are right at our finger tips. While we may be able to find distractions, we need to maintain our focus!

As we consider our spiritual journey, we need to be sure that we are keeping our eyes fixed on the Lord! Distractions are guaranteed. The devil will be trying to get us to lose focus and change course. It is important that we keep our eyes focused ahead and not on our past sin, but on our redemption and the glory that God promised. We can stay focused with our eyes fixed on God that is ahead of us, leading us to glory!

Keep the focus on God and follow Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your direction and guidance. Help me to keep my focus on You and Your will in my life. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Two Are Better!

6/11/2019

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor." -Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NIV)

Throughout my teaching career I have been fortunate to have colleagues that served as mentors and collaborators. Having these people to talk to, confide in, and work with have made me a better teacher and a better person. When we are looking to accomplish something in our lives, it is often better to have more than one person!

God created us to live and work together. We are called to be a community - a family - for God and His work. When we want to be effective for God's Kingdom, we need the support and love of other believers. We need to build each other up and strengthen the bonds between us as well as with God. As we commit to following God and doing His work, we need to remember that He does not want us to go it alone. We can reach out to God and build relationships with those that He has placed in our lives because two are better than one!

Embrace the people God has placed in your life. Build relationships with them and get to work for God's Kingdom!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for those that You place in my life. Help me to build relationships that will allow all of us to better serve Your Kingdom. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Wake Up and Make Change!

6/10/2019

"So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober." -I Thessalonians 5:6 (NIV)

In many recent conversations, I have heard people say that the world around us is changing. Throughout history, the world has always been changing. It is up to us to decide if we want to be part of positive changes in the world!

As we look at the world, we can choose how to respond. We can "sleep" through the events happening around us, not paying attention or not standing up for God's Will. We can also sleep and let the world sweep us along in whatever direction change may be moving. We are called to do more than sleep or go with the flow. We are called to be awake and prepared. We need to know and embrace God's Will. When we know His Word and listen to His Will, we can help make positive change in the world that leads to God!

Know God, His Word, and His Will, then be awake and active in changing the world for Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your Word and guidance. Help me to know Your Will and follow it to bring about positive change in the world. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Momentary Trouble, Eternal Glory

6/9/2019

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." -II Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)

When we are truly living for God, there will be times that the institutions and authorities around us may pose challenges. Changing the ideals of the world to align with God's Will and His Word will not come without resistance and struggle. Even though we may encounter obstacles, we need to remember that they are only temporary!

The troubles of this world will one day fade away. God will renew us as we are welcomed into eternal life with Him. We cannot give up fighting for God's Will. We need to spread His Word and allow others to hear the message. While those in power may resist change, we can be confident that God will help us overcome the challenges. As we move past the challenges, we can experience the glory that God has in store for us!

Trust in God's Will and spread His Word, then your troubles will be temporary and glory will be eternal!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your will in my life and guiding me. Help me to share Your Word and to overcome the temporary challenges around me. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Ears, Eyes, and Heart

6/8/2019

"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 teaching my daughter or my students, I want them to have experiences that help them learn. I want them to hear the lessons, to see what I am teaching, and to remember the important ideas. As God's children, we, too, must focus on paying attention and learning from Him!

God is continually providing lessons for us. He wants to teach us more about Himself and His will in our lives. He has given us His Word in the Bible. He provides us with examples and stories that can help us learn. He speaks to us and allows us to speak to Him through prayer. We can also find mentors that will accompany us on our spiritual journeys. In all these ways, we can learn, but we need to pay attention to hear with our ears, to see with our eyes, and then store our learning in our hearts!

Hear the lessons of God. See what He is teaching you. Store all of it in your heart!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your willingness to teach me. Help me to keep the learning in my heart and to understand and apply Your lessons. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Reminder: Glory!

6/7/2019

"To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." -Philippians 4:20 (NIV)

Sometimes we get busy and rush through life. During these times, we may need to slow down for a bit to appreciate all the blessings in our lives. When we slow down, we can be reminded of how God deserves all the glory!

God is our Creator. He established a plan for our redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. God loves us and wants what is best for us. While God is ready to bless us, we need to express our gratitude. We know that He deserves all the glory, now and forever. We need to praise Him and give Him the glory so others can know Him now and forever!

Praise God and give Him the glory forever and ever!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the blessings in my life. All praise and glory be to You now and forever! In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Do Something!

6/6/2019

"If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?" -I John 3:17 (NIV)

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said, "Somewhere along the way, we must learn that there is nothing greater than to do something for others." As we each walk our own journey through life, we will surely encounter ways to help. Whether our means for helping is money, time, or talents, we need to be willing to give!

Giving of our time, possessions, or talents is a way to help others. Even small gestures can turn into bigger efforts that lighten others' burdens. As we share the blessings that we have been given, we are also in a position to share God's love. The gift of sharing God's love will be greater than any possessions, time, or talents that we could give. It is through God that we are loved and can be loved. We need to do something for others and share this love!

Do something that will help others and share God's love in the process!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for all of the blessings in my life. Help me to always help others and to share Your love. Through Your Son I pray, amen.