Blog Archives - Bible Inspired

Love...Even Your Enemies!

11/30/2018

"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." -Matthew 5:44 (NIV)

Benjamin Franklin said, "Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults." Sometimes we encounter people that may say things that we don't like to hear. They may push our buttons with their "brutal honesty." Through it all, we need to remember to act out of love!

God shows love to everyone. Even when our lives are filled with sin, God loves us. We can be thankful that God shows us love even in our darkest times. We can also learn from this and strive to show God's love to everyone. We should love even those that are rude or combative. When we struggle to love our enemies, we have a source of strength and love. We can call on God and ask Him to help us love our enemies, no matter what faults they may point out!

Allow God to be your source of strength to help you love your enemies!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and strength. Help me to show love to everyone, even those that may be enemies. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Help!

11/29/2018

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

The Beatles sang, "Help! I need somebody. Help! Not just anybody!" We all have times when we need help. As we seek help, we don't just want anybody, we want someone who understands and knows how to help. When we need help, we do have someone we can call on - God!

God is the ultimate helper. The power, grace, mercy, and love of God can help us through anything we face. When we call on God for help, He knows just what kind of help we need. His compassion and love can help by comforting us. His steadiness can help calm us and bring peace. His power can give us the strength we need, whether physicall, spiritually, or emotionally, to help us through whatever we face. No matter where we are in life, when we call out, "Help!" we need to call out to God!

When you are looking for help, call on God and allow the Almighty to provide for you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the help that You provide. Help me to always call on and trust in Your help. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Strong & Courageous!

11/28/2018

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." -Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

There are times when we face unfavorable odds. The deck may seem like it is stacked against us as we struggle to make progress on our goals. However, we can have strength and courage. No matter what we face, we can depend on more than our own strength and courage!

When we face what seem like insurmountable odds, we need to turn to God. He is powerful, courageous, and is always with us. We need to seek God and allow Him to provide us with strength and courage. Through God we can do more than we could ever imagine! We just need to seek Him, to not fear, and to allow Him to be active in our lives!

Turn to God and be strong and courageous!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the strength and courage You provide. Help me to always move forward in Your strength and power. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Give Him the Best!

11/27/2018

"Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops." -Proverbs 3:9 (NIV)

The Tuesday after Thanksgiving has become known as "Giving Tuesday." This is reminder to give back to charity or those in need. Moving from a time of reflection and thanksgiving, we can become active givers. We have been blessed, so, in turn, we are called to give back to God and to His Kingdom!

We can show our thankfulness on more than just one day a year. Each day we should give to God, whether our time, talents, or other resources. No matter the work we do, we should always work for the Lord. As we complete work for the Lord, we should also show our gratitude for the work and all of the blessings we receive. When we give the best of what we have to offer, we can show God gratitude. We can give because of His blessings...on more than one day a year!

Give God the best of what you receive as you praise Him for all the blessings that He gives!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for all the blessings that You give to me. Help me to always show my gratitude by giving to You the first and best of what I have to offer. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Seek Deliverance!

11/26/2018

"I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears." -Psalm 34:4 (NIV)

The paths we follow in our lives can take many directions. Sometimes when we choose our own direction, we may find ourselves facing fear. Even when fear seems unavoidable, we can find a way out. God will deliver us!

If we are lost or facing fear, we need to seek God. It is God that will answer us and save us. Only God can deliver us from the fear and adversity we face. We just need to seek and trust in His power to deliver us. Praise to God for His faithfulness and power!

Whether you are lost or in fear, seek God and trust Him to deliver you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for listening to and answering me. Please continue to deliver me from fear and adversity. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Repent & Rejoice!

11/25/2018

"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." -Luke 15:10 (NIV)

We all make mistakes. Sometimes our mistakes are small and may seem to go unnoticed. However, there are other glaring mistakes that we cannot hide. Whenever we sin, we know that we cannot run away from it, but that does not take away our opportunities to rejoice!

God knows that we will sin. Even though He sees all of our sin, He offers us the opportunity for redemption. When we accept forgiveness through Jesus Christ, we can rejoice! God will wipe away our sin and help us learn from the mistakes that we have made. We will make mistakes. God knows that, but He also is prepared to redeem us so we can rejoice in Him!

When you make mistakes, repent and rejoice!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for redeeming me so that I can rejoice in You. All praise and glory to You! In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Digging Out!

11/24/2018

"But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Hhim with all your heart and with all your soul." -Deuteronomy 4:29 (NIV)

There are times when we might feel as if the world is trying to bury us. We may feel as if the world is trying to bend us or force us into its way of thinking and doing things. Even though we may feel overwhelmed by all that we are trying to do, we need to remember that there is a way to stand strong and dig our way out of what the world wants. We need to focus on seeking God!

We may feel that the world is trying to force us into its mold, but we have a choice. We can seek God, His will in our lives, and His guidance. When we seek Him with all of our heart and soul, we will begin digging out from the pressures of the world. We can learn to live fulfilled lives as we serve God and show others His love. By seeking God and living in His love and grace, we can dig out and live above all that this world may throw at us!

Seek God with all your heart and soul so you can dig out of the pressures of this world!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your guidance in my life. Help me to continue to dig out of the pressures of the world as I follow Your will. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Safety to Grow!

11/23/2018

"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety." -Psalm 4:8 (NIV)

I was recently reading a book about leadership and how businesses and organizations can become successful. One of the key features are the willingness of all members of the organization to protect each other from threats both within and from outside of the group. The feeling of safety can improve emotional and physical health and needs to originate in the leadership of an organization.

God is the head of the church, the ultimate leader of our faith now and for eternity. We can become better leaders within our families and organizations by turning to God. When we call on God, we can experience the feeling of safety that can allow us to become better as an individuals and as groups. God can provide safety that allows to get the rest we need, but also to take necessary risks that will help us grow and spread His message of love throughout the world!

Have faith in God and allow Him to provide the safety that will allow You to grow!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the safety that You provide. Help me to get the rest that I need and to grow and take risks for You and Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Numbered Days

11/22/2018

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." -Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

Time flies by and seems to get faster with each passing year. Whether it is seeing former students becoming young adults or my daughter getting taller and smarter each day, I am reminded that we cannot stop time. We have a limited number of days and we need to understand our limitations to build wisdom in God!

Our days on earth are limited in number. Once we realize that we have limited time on earth, we see the greatness of an eternal God. We can also take time to acknowledge the many blessings that we experience. Our limited time on earth and the many blessings we receive can begin to fill our heart with wisdom. We can gain an appreciation of the power of God and we can prepare for an eternity with Him after our numbered days on earth!

Understand your numbered days so you can turn to God for wisdom that lasts for eternity!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the blessings and wisdom You provide. Help me to understand my limitations and to trust in Your eternal power. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

No Misconceptions!

11/21/2018

"You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine." -Titus 2:1 (NIV)

We learn many things throughout our lives. Sometimes what we learn isn't 100% correct. I sometimes see this incorrect learning in the misconceptions of my students. These misconceptions may have originated in a lack of teacher understanding or in student misinterpretation of what the teacher was saying. In our lives, we need to be sure we have sound teachers and we are correctly interpreting the lessons we both give and receive!

God teaches us in many ways. Through reading His Word, following the examples He provides, listening to leaders in our faith, and talking to God through prayer, we can develop our understanding of God, our faith in Him, and the expectations of His followers. Once we have learned lessons, we need to be sure these lessons really are sound. We need to be sure we do not have and are not spreading misconceptions from God's teaching. As we share God with others, we need to be sure we are allowing God to guide us in His sound doctrine!

Learn from God and avoid misconceptions as you teach others about Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for teaching me. Help me to know Your lessons and to share them with others without misconceptions. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

True Justice

11/20/2018

"This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’" -Zechariah 7:9-10 (NIV)

We have countless interactions with people each day. Whether we are just passing by someone, talking on the phone, communicating through e-mail or social media, or interacting in person, we are responding to others. In each interaction and response we have an opportunity and a responsibility to act in ways that are just!

When we consider our actions, we can judge how just our actions are by comparing them to the standard that God has set. God is merciful, graceful, and just. He shows us through His Word and the examples He provides of how to be just. If we call on Him, He will guide us in the ways of His wisdom. We should act for true justice in everything we do and we can know justice by knowing God!

Know God, know true justice, and act for justice in each of your interactions with others!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for teaching me and sharing Your wisdom. Help me to know justice and to always act in ways that are truly just. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Just Stop!

11/19/2018

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." -Exodus 14:14 (NIV)

It can be hard for some of us to just sit still. We may like to be active, whether physically moving around or engaged in problem solving. When we don't see the progress we expect, we may become frustrated. Instead of needing to keep moving, we may need to take time to just stop and trust God!

From early on in the Bible, we are reminded that God will fight for us. Even though God is ready to fight for us, we need to be willing to let go of control. We need to be willing to stop and be still. It is in the still moments that we can hear God. It is in these moments that God can take control. As we release control, we can reap God's blessings and know that He will be fighting for us!

Let go, be still, and allow God to fight for you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for being active and present in my life. Help me to allow You to have control so You can fight for me. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Hold On and Fight!

11/18/2018

"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." -I Timothy 6:12 (NIV)

While we may all prefer peace and love in our lives, there are times in life that require us to "fight." Events in my life have reminded me that there are times when we may have no other choice than to fight for what is right. This was reinforced when I read the quote, "Choose the harder right than the easier wrong." We need to choose what is right, even if it leads to a "fight."

If we find ourselves in circumstances that require us to stand up and fight for what is right, we need to be sure we are on the right side, on God's side! It is good to have God as our back-up. When we trust in God and have faith in Him, we can have strength in His promises and in the eternal life that He grants to us. With God, we can hold on to our faith and be prepared for the fights in our lives and to fight for God's Kingdom!

Hold on to your faith in God and allow Him to prepare you for the fights you will face!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for all of Your promises and blessings in my life. Help me to hold on to my faith and to be prepared for any fights I face in my life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Empathy

11/17/2018

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." -Romans 12:15 (NIV)

In the cafeteria at my daughter's school is a banner that reads, "Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another." The sign is a reminder that we should think about and feel with others, in both the good times and not so good times. Being empathetic includes opening ourselves up to what others may feel and experience.

We are reminded in the Bible to what the sign at my daughter's school calls "feeling with the heart of another." We are called to rejoice with those that rejoice and to mourn with those that mourn. As we follow God, we should strive to understand one another, celebrate with one another, pray with one another, and mourn with one another. We can do this by developing empathy that is rooted in God's love. With God's love and wisdom in our lives, we can have empathy and act according to God's will!

Develop and show empathy that comes from God's wisdom and love!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the love and wisdom that You provide and teach me. Help me to have empathy that comes from Your love and wisdom. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Use It Wisely!

11/16/2018

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." -Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

When we read someone's words or hear a recording of what someone is saying, it is important to get the whole context. Too often, words can be manipulated and misconstrued. We need to consider the true meaning of words to avoid misquoting or miscontruing words to benefit our own ideas or opinions. We need to use our own words and the words of others wisely!

This is also good practice when we consider the Word of God. God gives us His Word to use for His glory, but we need to be responsible for how we use it. We need to realize and understand that there is power in His Word. His Word is alive and active! It is possible to misquote, misconstrue, and take God's Word out of context to justify a range of different actions, so we need to take the time to talk to God, to read His Word, and to understand His intent and purpose. We need to know God's Word in order to use it wisely for His glory!

Know God, know the power of His Word, and use it wisely!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for giving me Your powerful Word. Help me to know and understand Your Word so I can use it wisely. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Rights and Responsibilities!

11/15/2018

"'I have the right to do anything,' you say—but not everything is beneficial. 'I have the right to do anything'—but I will not be mastered by anything." -I Corinthians 6:12 (NIV)

Many people feel they have the right to say or do whatever they feel or want to do. While we may have a right to do many different things, we also have responsibilities. We need to be responsible members of society and within our families. We are also responsible to the calling of God!

God calls us to follow Him. While we have the right and ability to choose our own path, the best choice is follow God's calling. Once we choose God's path, we also have responsibility to act according to God's will. We need to see what paths and actions are beneficial. We need to avoid being mastered by sin and instead listen to the only One that can deliver us from our sin. We can hold onto our rights and exercise them with the responsibility that God has shown us!

Use your right to choose and make the responsible choice to follow God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the blessings You provide in my life. Help me to make the right and responsible choices in my life. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Not Worn Out!

11/14/2018

"Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness." -Proverbs 23:4 (NIV)

Many of us probably have "to-do" lists. Whether we write down our lists or keep all of the list of items in the back of our minds, we have things we need to do. As we set out to accomplish these things, we should be careful to not wear ourselves out or to rely too much on our own cleverness!

As we set out to complete our list, we need to rely on God. It is through God that we will receive what we need. God's support goes beyond anything we could devise on our own and exceeds any riches we would hope to attain. Instead of wearing ourselves out for temporary, earthly riches, we can turn to God for eternal riches. We can achieve more for God's Kingdom without wearing ourselves out as long as we rely on God!

Don't trust your own cleverness or get worn out, but turn to God!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your guidance and wisdom. Help me to always turn to You and follow You to eternal glory and riches. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Do Right!

11/13/2018

"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)

As the poem by Robert Frost reminds us, "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood." Traveling through life presents us with different paths to take. Even though we may want to take all of the paths before us, we need to choose. An easy, inviting path may not always be the right path for us.

When life presents different paths, we need to trust that God will guide us down the correct one. Trusting in God will help us grow and learn from our travels. Even if it feels we suffer, it is worthwhile as long as it is for what is right, for God's will. Traveling with God allows us to travel with confidence, without fear. We just need to trust God and do what is right!

Follow God down the path He leads, do right, and trust in Him!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your guidance in my life. Help me to always follow that path that You have chosen for me. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Go to Him!

11/12/2018

"The Lord said to Moses, 'Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.'" -Exodus 24:12 (NIV)

We all have times in our lives when we feel like we are wandering through the wilderness. We may long for answers or direction in our lives. As we have questions about where we are going, we also have a way to find answers. We can go to God and listen to the direction that He gives!

When God's people were wandering and needed direction, God called Moses to come to Him to receive His commandments. As we find our way through life, we need God's direction. We need to go to God. Once we go to God, we need to be ready and willing to receive His direction and guidance. We can read His Word, including His commandments, and listen to Him through prayer and the experiences that He provides. We can then be prepared for whatever life brings our way!

Go to God and follow His guidance!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the guidance that You provide in so many different ways. Help me to always go to You to navigate life now and for eternity! In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Admit It!

11/11/2018

"Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.' And You forgave the guilt of my sin." -Psalm 32:5 (NIV)

Life will present us with many opportunities. Within these times, we will also make mistakes. Even though we may want to hide our mistakes or shortcomings, it is better to admit to them and work to improve. The same is true when we sin!

God knows that we will sin. He sees our sin and our shortcomings, but He does not turn His back on us. God has given us a path to forgiveness and redemption. We just need to be willing to acknowledge and admit our sin. Once we admit our sin and ask for God's forgiveness, we can receive God's greatest blessing of new life through His Son!

Admit your sin and receive God's forgiveness!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love and forgiveness. Help me to acknowledge and admit my sin so that I can freely receive Your gifts. Through Jesus, my Savior, I pray, amen.

Living in Fear?

11/10/2018

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." -I John 4:18 (NIV)

When listening to the news, we probably can't help but feel some sense of fear. It seems that many of the stories reported show the worst of humanity and the fallen nature of God's creation. We may begin being fearful of doing what we once thought were our normal activities. We do not have to remain powerless and fearful!

God is love and He has given us love. When we embrace God and His love, we can begin to lese our fearfulness. It is through God's love that we can drive out fear. We can allow His love to guide us and to spur us to action. We can show others the love that God has shown us. We can help to drive away fear and allow God to perfect us in His eternal love!

Share God's love and allow Him to drive out fear!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for Your love. Help me to embrace and share Your love in all I do. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Have Mercy!

11/9/2018

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." -Luke 6:36 (NIV)

The world often gives us injustice and adversity. It is up to us to choose how to respond. Abraham Lincoln said that, "I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice." Before we respond to the situations we face, we can consider God's will and His mercy!

God is a merciful God. He shows mercy to each and everyone of us, even while we are still sinners. Because of the mercy that God has shown us, we should in turn respond with mercy. When we show mercy, we can create an environment that allows for richer fruits of justice, accountability, forgiveness and love. We can have mercy that creates a better world!

Turn to God and then have mercy in your life!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for the mercy that you have shown me. Help me to show mercy to others. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Go Pray!

11/8/2018

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." -Matthew 6:6 (NIV)

Life is full of ups and downs and twists and turns. We will inevitably experience a range of situations, emotions, and outcomes. Through every season or event of our lives, there is one guaranteed approach - prayer. While we may not always get the answer we want, we will get the answer we need!

God is always ready to listen to us, we just need to move away from the distractions in our lives. We can go into a room or find a quiet place to communicate with God. We can focus on praying to Him and listening to His replies. As we communicate with God, we can become closer and we can experience the blessings of a relationship with God!

Go to God in prayer and then prepare to face life!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for always being there for me. Help me to continually turn to You in prayer. In Jesus' name, amen.

No Slipping, No Sleeping!

11/7/2018

"He will not let your foot slip—He who watches over you will not slumber." -Psalm 121:3 (NIV)

On some nights, sleep doesn't come easy. I toss and turn or I lie awake with thoughts running through my head. These thoughts may be ideas or they may come from worries or concerns. During these times, we can be reminded that we don't have to worry. Even while we sleep, we have an eye watching over us!

As we travel throughout our lives, we need constant guidance and protection. Fortunately, God is there with each and everyone of us ALL the time! We can rely on God to keep our foot from slipping and to keep our spiritual selves on the right path. We can also let go of our worries and rest at night, knowing that God will not sleep and will not leave our side. Through it all, we can be sure that God will not let us slip and He will not sleep as He watches over us!

Trust in God and in His power as He continuously watches over you!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for always watching over me. Help me to trust in You and to know that You are always with me. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

Not by Sight!

11/6/2018

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

Andre Gide said that, "One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time." Sometimes we spend our time searching for a glimpse of something to guide us or show us the way or show us how to change. Even though we may be used to finding our way by sight, we are not always able to use sight if we want to grow and become better. We need to also rely on faith!

If we cannot find our way by sight, then we need to be sure our faith is properly placed. When we attempt to place our faith in earthly things, we will lose our way. Choosing to live by faith needs to include placing our faith in God. He is the only One that can sustain us and lead us through this life and to eternal glory with Him. With faith in God, we can find our way, we can grow in our spiritual lives, and we can become better people. Instead of stumbling with our own limited sight, we can trust in God and have faith that He will lead us and provide exactly what we need!

Place your faith in God and allow Him to lead!

Prayer:
Dear God-
Thank You for leading me through life. Help me to continually grow in my faith in You and to become a better person. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.