Blog Archives - Bible Inspired

Depth of Knowledge

10/31/2017

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!" -Romans 11:33 (NIV)

There is something in teaching and learning called "depths of knowledge." We try to get students to think deeper about different topics and to use what they learn. With a deeper understanding, the students' learning can change their lives. We can continually learn, but we can always turn to God for deeper knowledge and understanding!

God is the source of wisdom, truth, and knowledge. We can learn many different things, but it is through God that we can have understanding about this life and eternal life that follows. We can search, but never find a deeper understanding than what God can provide. The Creator of all things will listen to each of us, we just need to ask and then trust in His knowledge that exceeds anything we could imagine or learn on our own!

Gain a deeper knowledge by trusting in God's riches of knowledge!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for listening to me and being willing to share Your knowledge with me. Help me to listen to and trust Your deepest knowledge and understanding. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Ask for Help!

10/30/2017

"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." -Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)

Over the past several days, I have been struggling to complete a research paper that I am writing. I need to say a lot in a little bit of space. As I have worked to write, revise, and edit, I find myself having trouble to cut enough information to meet the guidelines without losing the meaning. Sitting here this evening, I decided that I needed help and I reached out to my professor for guidance.

There are times in our lives when we try to do things on our own. We want to get things right before we open up and share them. While it is good to give our best efforts, we also need to realize when we need help. God is ready to help us. We can talk to Him through prayer and listen to His response, but we also must acknowledge those that He places in our lives to help us. By trusting God and those He has placed in our lives as counselors and advisers, we can be reassured that asking for help will lead to positive outcomes!

Ask for help and rely on God and those that He places in your life!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for helping me and for the people that You place in my life to guide and assist me. Help me to ask for help and to always trust in You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Moving On...

10/29/2017

"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." -Matthew 6:14 (NIV)

We know that we sin. We also know that those around us sin, too. Sometimes we think there are sins that can't be forgiven. We may find ourselves struggling to understand why things happen and how we could move on from what has happened. While it can be difficult to move on, we can begin with forgiveness.

God has forgiven us through the sacrifice of His Son. As we accept God's gift of forgiveness, we need to consider how we treat each other. When we think about forgiving others, we shouldn't put the emphasis on whether or not they are worthy of our forgiveness. We should focus on God's example. He forgave us even when we were sinners. We will experience hurt because we live in a world that is filled with sin, but we should follow God and seek to ease this hurt by accepting God's forgiveness in our lives and then offering forgiveness to others!

Move on from hurt by starting with trust in God and working to forgive others!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for forgiving my sin. Help me to show Your love to others and to be able to forgive others. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Confessions and Forgiveness

10/28/2017

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." -I John 1:9 (NIV)

I'll admit that there are times when things don't go as planned and I get frustrated. There are different reasons that we can be frustrated by the unexpected or changes in plans. We can justify our frustrations, but we should also be thankful that God is patient with us when we go astray!

There isn't anything that God doesn't expect. There are times, though, when we are not as faithful to God as we should be. Through these times, God is patient with us because of His love and faithfulness. Even when we struggle and choose to go against His law, He will welcome us back to His family. We just have to be willing to confess our sin and then accept God's forgiveness. Through this confession and forgiveness, we can be made whole and be part of God's eternal family!

Confess your sin and accept the forgiveness that can only come from God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your forgiveness and redemption in my life. Help me to know and follow Your will in my life. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Covered with Love!

10/27/2017

"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." -Colossians 3:14 (NIV)

The world around has long been in turmoil. As we look around, we can see pain and hurt. We may make judgments of others and lament a lack of morals or virtues. As we approach the world and consider our feelings, we can remember the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., when he said, "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."

Through His Word and communication with us, God teaches us morals and virtues. He shows us what it means to commit our lives to Him. Above all, God shows us His love. As we put on the virtues that God teaches, we need to be sure we put on love. When we are committed to God and to sharing His love, we can reach out to others in the world. We can use the lessons and gifts from God to help build unity among people. We can allow ourselves to be covered in God's love so we can spread that love throughout the world!

Love God, cover yourself in love, and help spread love!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and for the blessings You provide in my life. Help me to spread Your love to others. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Lighting Up My Path!

10/26/2017

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." -Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

In preparing for a night hike at the local nature center, I was with a group taking a hike on the trail in the dark. Walking through the woods on a familiar trail can take on new meaning without the guiding light of day. As we walked, with me in the front of the group, I started to make a wrong turn. When we are searching for a way in the darkness, we need to be careful to stay on the right path, even if we usually seem to know the way!

As we go through life, we will experience times of darkness. While we may know the right way, it can be obscured by the darkness of the world or in our lives. When we are struggling to find our way, we need to be confident in turning to God and allowing Him to guide us. When we talk to God through prayer and study His Word, He can provide a light for our paths. As we commit to learning from God, we can begin to see His Word as a lamp that lights up our path and guides us through the dark times of life!

Allow God to light up your path and guide you through His Word!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for always loving me and for providing a light to guide me through life. Help me to trust in Your way and to follow it everyday. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Exceeding Limits!

10/25/2017

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." -Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

Many days my "to do" list seems to exceed the number of hours available. While there is always something else to do, there are times when my body, mind, and spirit seem to have had enough. During these times I need to be willing to take a step back, to evaluate the situation, and be sure that I am moving in God's direction.

I know I have limits, but I also know God doesn't have limits! When I feel that I am reaching the end of my patience, energy, or strength, I can call on God. As I call on Him, I know that He hears me. I know that even though I may fail or reach limits on my own, I can be more and do more with God! God can help me exceed my personal limits as I follow and trust in His way and will for my life!

Follow and trust God to exceed your limits!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for helping me both understand and exceed my limits. Help me to stay focused on You and to always trust in You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

No Stranger Danger!

10/24/2017

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone." -Ephesians 2;19-20 (NIV)

I can remember my daughter learning about "stranger danger" at school. We often learn different safety rules at a young age, whether it's to not take candy from strangers or not get into a car with someone you don't know. We need to be aware of such things, but we may also long for a place where we don't have to worry about stranger danger!

God has built a place for us that is filled with joy and praise. Through His love, grace, and mercy, He has prepared a way for each and every one of us to join Him in His eternal glory. By accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior, we can become member of God's family and join Him in Heaven. As citizens of God's Kingdom and members of His family, we will not be strangers, we will be part of a community of love, peace, and praise that goes beyond anything we could imagine. We can be assured of a place with God where there is no stranger danger!

Accept salvation through Jesus Christ and become members of God's family - where there are no strangers!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and the Salvation that You offer through Your Son. Help me to live for You and allow me to join You one day in Your eternal glory. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Restlessness and Peace

10/23/2017

"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." -Psalm 42:11 (NIV)

There are times when we may feel frustrated, upset, or even disturbed. These may lead to restlessness in our lives as we search for answers to questions or to solve problems. When the feelings of restlessness set in and we set out to find answers, we should remember where to turn, where to place our hope!

We don't need to be weighed down. We don't need to be disturbed. We have hope in God and His willingness to give us peace. He is our source for answers. Our search doesn't need to lead us far. God is near, we just need to call on Him and trust that He will replace our restlessness with peace!

When feeling restless, turn to God for His peace.

Prayer:
Dear God-
When I am feeling restless or disturbed, I thank You for the peace You provide. Help me to remember to turn to You for peace and hope. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Part of the Family!

10/22/2017

"So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith." -Galatians 3:24-26 (ESV)

At my school, we are reading a book about a gentleman that was part of the foster care system. Growing up, he never knew his parents or family. After becoming an adult, he began searching for his family, never knowing what to expect or what he would find. Even as he searched for his earthly family, he knew he had a connection with God.

Before God sent His Son to earth, humans were guided and guarded by God's law. While it served its purpose, we may not find God's law alone to be as fulfilling as a close, personal relationship with God. We are fortunate that God loves us and that He had a plan for all of humankind. Because of Jesus Christ, we can live through faith as God's children. We don't have to search for our Heavenly Father. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ welcomes us as part of the family!

You can be part of God's family through faith in and redemption through Jesus Christ!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the gift of Your Son and the redemption that I have through Him. Help me to be a productive member of Your family here on earth and for all of eternity. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

What's on Your Mind?

10/21/2017

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." -Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

I admit that sometimes my mind wanders. There are many things I should focus on or have to do, but I may daydream or allow other ideas enter my mind. As we become preoccupied by different needs or distracted by daydreams, we may need to refocus. What should be our focus?

Living in the world can be distracting. We need to maintain our focus not on the evils of revenge and retribution that are often championed by the world, but on the true, honorable, and commendable. We can focus on the love and goodness of God. When we set our minds on these things, we can be more effective at following God and fighting the evils that we witness in the world around us. With the right things on our mind, we can stand up for God and stand up to things that are not worthy of our time and attention!

Set your mind on the good things of God and fight the evils of the world!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for all the goodness that You show me. Help me to keep my mind and heart set on You so that I can be an instrument of Your love and goodness in the world. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

No Evil!

10/20/2017

"Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for He guards the lives of His faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked." -Psalm 97:10 (NIV)

We know that there is evil in the world. The news is sure to point out all that is wrong in our communities, country, and world. While it is easy to just turn the channel or turn off the news, we are called to do more. As we take a stand, we need to be sure we are protected, too!

As we stand up for what is right and true, we need to be sure we are following God's will and we need to be prepared for the evil and wickedness that is sure to come our way. As we hate evil, we also need to call on God to guide our actions and protect us. When we are faithful, we can be sure that God will protect us in our fight against evil. With God on our side, we can be protected from and overcome the evil that is around us!

Follow God, be prepared to stand up to evil and allow God to protect you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for guiding me and for protecting me. Help me to stand up to evil and wickedness and to trust in You to protect me. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

No Fail!

10/19/2017

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." -Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

There are bound to be times in our lives when we fail. We may fall short of our own expectations or the expectations of others. Even in those times, we can learn and grow. God can use those times. When we feel like our bodies and minds need to be strengthened, we know where to turn!

God knows that we will fail. He knows that we will sin and fall short of His glory, but He has a plan for that! God sent His Son so that we do not have to worry. Even if our bodies or hearts begin to give way, God provides strength. We can ask for His forgiveness and be reassured that He will be with us. God is the strength that we need to sustain us through all things, even when we feel that we may fail!

Don't feel like a failure. Turn to God and be strengthened!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for always being ready to lift me up and strengthen me. Help me to rely on Your power to learn and grow in You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Trust and Obey!

10/18/2017

"It is the Lord your God you must follow, and Him you must revere. Keep His commands and obey Him; serve Him and hold fast to Him." -Deuteronomy 13:4 (NIV)

The world around us may present a twisted path of choices and influences that do not always lead us in the right direction. We face temptations. We hear many conflicting messages. We may even feel pushed in directions we try to resist. Even if the path seems convoluted and unclear, we know that there is only one right path - God's path!

There is a hymn that reminds us to "trust and obey, for there's no other way." Our paths through life should be God's path. We need to trust in God's wisdom and promises and obey His laws and calls in our lives. It is through God that all things are possible. We need to be confident in what God can do in our lives. This confidence can be shown by trusting in and obeying God as we strive to follow His way through this world and into eternity with Him!

Trust and obey God and experience all of His eternal blessings!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your power, wisdom, grace, and mercy in my life. Help me to always trust and obey as I follow You. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Parent Conferences

10/17/2017

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him." -I John 3:1 (NIV)

Parent teacher conference week can be a long week as normal routines are disrupted in the classroom and at home. Even though the week can seem long, meeting parents can help to better understand my students. There are many times when I wish I could meet more parents than what our conference schedule allows. When we think about our lives, does meeting God, our Heavenly Father, help people know more about us, His children?

God is our Heavenly Father. If we are His children and following Him, then our lives should reflect His influence. Just as meeting my students' parents allow for a connection that helps me better understand my students, our actions and behaviors should reflect our belief in God. Our lives should show the love, compassion, and forgiveness that we have learned from God. As our words and actions help people learn more about God, those that we meet should not be surprised that God is our Heavenly Father!

Be sure your words and actions reflect the glory of your Heavenly Father!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and compassion in my life. Help my words and actions to be a reflection of Your presence and influence in my life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

A Hand Up!

10/16/2017

"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)

Whether we like or want to admit it or not, there are times in our lives when we are in need of a helping hand. Facing life's challenges can be easier when we have a helping hand and celebrating life's triumphs can be sweeter when we have someone with which to share the joy. Even if we feel alone in facing challenges or celebrating, there is a hand reaching out to us!

God promises to be there for us, through all of life's highs and lows. When we are struggling, we can take His hand and allow Him to lift us up. As we celebrate life's blessings, we can reach out and praise the glory of God. Through it all, we do not have to fear that we are alone. We just need to be willing to admit that we need God in our lives. We then can accept His hand up and His help!

When you need a hand up, call on God and be willing to accept His help!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for always being ready to give me a hand up. Help me to accept Your help and to follow You through life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Step Into Action!

10/15/2017

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." -James 1: 22-25 (ESV)

We can look around us and name any number of problems that we see in our own communities as well as throughout the world. Recognizing the problems we see is one step. However, we need to do more than acknowledge the problems we see. We need to be prepared for and take the steps to address the problems!

God has given us His Word to help us know His Truth and to see examples of how to live for Him. We can read His Word. We can talk to God. However, after reading and talking, we need to step into action. We can follow the example of many in the Bible, including Jesus Christ, as we go out into the world to spread God's love. We don't have to go it alone, because God is with us and will direct us, we just need to be willing to take the step from hearer to doer!

Talk to God, read His Word, and step into action!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your Word and examples of how to live for You. Help me to take the step from hearer to doer. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Set Yourself Apart!

10/14/2017

"You are to be holy to Me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own." -Leviticus 20:26 (NIV)

We have choices about how we live our lives. Some choices are easy, while others may be more difficult. When we stand up or go against the grain, we know we may face resistance. In all we do, we need to consider not only the short-term consequences, but also the long-term consequences. If we are going to take a stand and be set apart from others, is it worth it?

One way to check our motivations and our choices is to talk to God. We know that He is holy and that He is concerned for each of us. When we align our lives with His will, we may set ourselves apart from others. Whether we choose to follow Him as individuals or as a nation, we are His. As His own children, He will protect us and guide us, even if we are set apart. By following God, we can be assured that the long-term consequences will be eternal glory!

Follow God, be Holy for Him, and set yourself apart!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for guiding me and setting me apart. Help me to be true to Your will and to be holy in Your sight. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Good Morning!

10/13/2017

"Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life." -Psalm 143:8 (NIV)

Throughout our lives we get numerous mornings. Each morning brings a new day. In some ways, each new day is a fresh start. We can move on from mistakes and bad choices. We can offer praise for the blessings we have received and prepare for all that God holds in store!

As we wake each day, we can begin anew, knowing that God loves us and will show us His way for our lives. We can trust God with our lives. We can cast our cares on Him and ask Him for a fresh start. As we open our eyes on a new day, we can pray for God's forgiveness, grace, mercy, and guidance in all we do. Knowing and talking to God can give us a good morning, a good day, and an eternal life in His glory!

Have a good morning by starting your day by talking with God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the fresh start that You have given me through Jesus Christ. Help me to always hear and follow Your will in my life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Love Life, Cherish Understanding!

10/12/2017

"The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper." -Proverbs 19:8 (NIV)

I had the opportunity to attend a conference on teaching and curriculum. I have been fortunate to attend the same conference over the past few years and each time I am excited and invigorated by all that I learn. I return with more ideas than I have time to try out and use. The wisdom gained through conversations with other educators is amazing and inspiring!

We should be open to wisdom, understanding, and growth in all areas of our lives. God is willing, ready, and able to give us wisdom and understanding. As we come together as believers and as a church, we can learn and grow in wisdom and understanding. We can grow in Him, gaining wisdom that allows us to love life and to prosper. With God, we can love life and cherish understanding that leads us through life and allows us to share God's blessings and prosperity!

Grow in God, gaining wisdom, cherishing understanding, and sharing the prosperity He gives!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the wisdom and understanding with which You have blessed me. Help me to share the blessings and prosperity You have granted. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

How Do You Do It?

10/11/2017

"Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice." -Proverbs 16:8 (NIV)

The school year began with a seemingly simple question from the principal, "Why do you teach?" This question may seem simple to answer, but as I continue to reflect on it, there are many parts to my response. I can look at the question from different angles and continue to add to my reasons why. Through it all, I know that my focus needs to be on what is good or righteous!

There are many ways that teaching could be focused on short-term gain through unjust approaches, but, as I teach, I want my students to learn to be good people. Short-term gain may seem easy through unjust means. However, the long-term consequences are not worth it. Honest gains from righteous approaches will pay off in the long run. We can align our efforts with God's will and trust in Him, He will bless our righteous efforts. When we consider how we do things, we should focus on the righteous way, on God's way!

Focus on God's way and make gains through righteousness!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your will and guidance. Help me to always act on Your will and in righteousness for long-term, eternal gains. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Overcome and Move Beyond

10/10/2017

"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)

One of the hardest things in our lives can be forgiving and moving forward. We can sometimes struggle to overcome hurt in our lives and move beyond the people we associate with the cause of that hurt. Even though it can be difficult, it is better when we follow the example set by God and forgive one another!

The weight of carrying a grudge or not forgiving others can cause stress that leads to other dilemmas. Even so, we may not be able to work through our feelings and end in forgiveness on our own. If we need help, we can call on God. We can look to His examples and allow Him to work in our hearts. As He works within us, we can learn to forgive and to be forgiven. We can learn to embrace God's love and redemption and then put them into practice in our lives. Through time, we can overcome and move beyond hurt to truly forgive and be forgiven!

You are forgiven! Accept God's forgiveness and allow Him to show you how to forgive others!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for forgiveness and redemption. Help me to learn to forgive as You have forgiven me. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

In His Hands, So Let Go!

10/9/2017

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!" -Psalm 107:1 (ESV)

I am not a frequent flyer or traveler, so I am not used to handling delays or the unexpected on flights. Today, as we sat waiting to de-ice the plane, the procedure that the captain said usually takes 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes on a busy day, took 2 hours. Needless to say, I counted the hours as they passed, knowing that our connecting flight would take off before we landed. That's when the stress of not knowing what to do sets in, but should we worry?

There are times in our lives when we are reminded that we need to let go and allow God to take care of us. It can be hard as we may try to be "proactive" or fix things on our own. During times when we seem to lose control or not have control, we can be assured that God is still working in our lives. We can remember that we need to place all things in His hands. Once we do that, we have no reason to worry or stress. Instead, after we let go, we can just praise Him!

Put things in God's hands and then let go and praise Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for having control and for loving me. All praise to You and Your power in my life. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Perfect Friend?

10/8/2017

"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." -Romans 15:7 (NIV)

We are surrounded by many different people, with different personalities, preferences, and opinions. Some of these people we may consider friends. Others may be colleagues, acquaintances, or even strangers. How do we interact with these other people? Do we search for those that are "perfect?"

We are called to accept one another. Even within the church, we may have different points of view, but we need to continue to be centered on Jesus Christ. Jesus showed us that we are to accept each other where we are at and then try to bring out the best or improve each other. His life was an example of this as He interacted with and worked to save or redeem those that were often considered unacceptable or unworthy. Instead of looking for perfect friends or people in our lives, we can accept each other and look to God and Jesus Christ to work in all of our lives!

Accept one another, look to Jesus Christ, and allow Him to work in your life!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for accepting me and for redeeming me. Help me to be accepting and to allow You to continue to work in my life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Speak Up with Action!

10/7/2017

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

I have attended an education conference for the past several years. Each time that I attend, I reminded that being a teacher in whatever form or fashion carries responsibilities of care for and defense of those without a voice. In order to move forward toward a goal of better education, we cannot ignore those that are pushed aside in many educational settings. We need to be willing to defend those without a voice, even if it requires a something extra from us!

Being a follower of God is not a part-time position. We cannot choose to speak for some and not for others. God calls us to speak for those that cannot speak for themselves and to defend the rights of others, even those that are destitute. Jesus showed us throughout His life that we may even need to go against the grain as we befriend and defend those that are unpopular. We can speak up for others through words, but we also need to do more by speaking with our actions. It is through action that we can speak up in defense of others and in the process show God's love and glory!

Speak up not just with your words, but also through your actions!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and grace. Help me to stand in Your power in order to defend others without a voice. Through Jesus I pray, amen.