Ruthie's Inspirations

  1 Kings 3-4 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.     Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?     And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.   1 Kings 3:5,9-10 If God gave you anything you asked for, what would it be? Would God be pleased with your choice? According to Hebrews, we are to come boldly to the throne of grace. You can go to God whenever you want and ask Him for anything that you want. What is it that you ask God for? There are some guidelines throughout the New Testament for what you should ask for and how you should ask that determines whether or not God will grant your request but He's always available to talk to and bring your requests before. Are your prayers getting answered? If not, do you need to ...

Psalm 119 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.     Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.     Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellers.     I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.     I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.              Psalm 119:9,18,24,59-60 God's word is the answer for everything. For all of life's problems. Have you allowed the world to creep into your life? Are there bad thoughts, worldly songs, ungodly life choices that seem to plague you? The only way to cleanse yourself is by obeying God's word. How do you know what God is trying to tell you through His word? By asking Him to show you what His word says. If you ask God to show you what He wants you to see, the Holy Spirit will ...

1 Kings 1-2, Psalm 37,71,94 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.     Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.     Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.     And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.     Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.   Psalm 37:3-7 Do you want a successful, peaceful life with all your needs met, the desires of your heart given to you, and constant direction? It's all available to you if you will do a few things. God promises that you will have a place to live and food to eat if you trust Him and do good. Have you become dependent on God? Are you doing good to tho...

Psalm 111-118 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.     His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.                   Psalm 112:7-8 In a world that's full of bad news and scary events, these are hard verses to apply and difficult words to honestly say about yourself. There are so many things that can cause, worry, fear, and anxiety. But those feelings are not of God. God gives us the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, not of fear. Could it be that when you feel those feelings of fear that you have misplaced trust? If you are trusting in the Lord, these verses say that you won't be afraid of evil tidings, your heart is fixed on God and established and you won't be afraid. Any time you feel afraid, you need to stop and ask yourself what you’re trusting in and then ask God to help ...

1 Chronicles 26-29, Psalm 127 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.   Psalm 127:1 You can do everything to the best of your ability to instill rules, godly principles, and order in your home. But, if God is not in it, it is vain, empty, useless, destructive, deceptive, and all the other words used in the definition of vain in the Strongs concordance for this verse. You cannot depend on what you do and how high your morals are to keep things running smoothly and to keep danger away. You have to depend on the Lord. So also the city can be surrounded by the toughest guards and we could have the best law enforcement but if God is not protecting our city, then it too is vain. You ought to be a good steward of what God has given you and of the responsibilities He places on you in your life. But, if you do it in your own wisdom and strength, it will all be for nought. Only when you do it...

Psalm 131,138-139,143-145 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:     And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.   Psalm 139:23-24 These are some hard words to say and mean. It can be scary asking and inviting God to search you, and know your heart and your thoughts, and point out any wickedness that might be in you. God already knows everything but to invite Him to examine your life and show you what needs to be changed will guarantee some things will come to light if there are things that need to be dealt with or that you’re letting slide. As uncomfortable as it might be, would you be willing to ask God for an examination and let Him point out and change every little thing that He wants you to? Then will you proceed to repent for your sin and change your life around to match His will for you?

1 Chronicles 23-25 Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, saith David, to praise therewith.   1 Chronicles 23:5 David made instruments for four thousand people to praise the Lord with. In the New Testament the Bible says that we are instruments that are not to be used for sin but for righteousness. God made us as instruments and He made us to praise. How are you using your instruments? Both your musical instruments and your built in musical instrument, your voice? Are you praising the Lord? God made you to praise Him. Are you doing what you have been created to do? Do you praise the Lord to himself and to others? How much do you talk about Him or sing to/about Him? You are made to praise and you need to do just that.

Psalm 108-110 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.     Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.   Psalm 108:12-13 Vain: in the sense of desolating; evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjectively), uselessness (as deceptive, objectively; also adverbially in vain). Woah. That's a pretty serious description of what the help of man is according to the Strongs concordance. Why then do we put so much energy and time into researching the latest diet trend, psychology study, and etc.? Are you always searching for the latest and greatest self help book? The best self help book you could ever read is the Bible. The only one that knows science and biology like no one else is God, the creator of all things! He knows you and your specific needs and He knows how our bodies are supposed to work. He knows what you need and He knows science ...

2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, Psalm 30 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely but it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.   2 Samuel 24:24 David had to choose a punishment for his sin and he chose the pestilence from God because He knew that God was merciful. In order to stop the pestilence David bought a threshingfloor to offer a burnt offering to God. He was offered it for free but David insisted on paying for it knowing that serving God always costs something. What are you willing to pay to serve and honor God? To what length are you willing to go to bring Him an offering? What are you willing to sacrifice for the Lord your God?

Psalm 95,97-99 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.   Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.   For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.   Psalm 95:1-3 How often do you sing to the Lord? What kind of songs are you singing? Are they even worthy of singing to your Lord? Our singing is to be joyful. When you come before the Lord, how do you start your conversation with Him? You should be starting with thankfulness. One of the things you are to say/sing to Him are psalms. How many psalms do you know? God wants to hear you sing. It brings Him pleasure to hear you sing to Him. And being grateful not only makes Him happy, it makes you happy too. And why should you do this? Because He is a great God and He is above all other gods. Most importantly, He is the rock of your salvation. Without Him, salvation wouldn't be available to y...

2 Samuel 22-23 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.   For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?   God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.          2 Samuel 22:31-33 God's way is perfect. Always and forever. Do you believe that? Even in trials His way is perfect. You can trust Him and He will be your buckler, which is your shield. He doesn't promise a life of ease, but He does promise His protection. He is God, and He is your rock. He will keep you firm and He will protect you from the storms of life. He gives you the strength to overcome trials and temptations and power to accomplish what He wants you to do. You can have God's power flowing through you if you stay close to Him. It is only by His strength and power that you can overcome whatever it is you might face. Will you trust that God's way is perfect...

Psalm 5,38,41-42 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.   Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of they waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.   Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.   Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.   Psalm 42:6-8,11 There are days that sadness and depression is overwhelming. Days when the stress is ever present all around you. Times and seasons where tears seem to come more often than not. Where do you turn in your grief? To whom do you go when it feels there is nowhere else to go? If it's not God, you will find no healing. When you’re feeling down, you can tell God...

2 Samuel 19-21 And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel,     Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them.     And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead, which had stolen them from the street of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:     And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged.     And the ones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And ...

Psalm 26,40,58,61-62,64 Blessed is the man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.        Psalm 40:4 Are you a liar? Whether on purpose, or on accident? Do you lie in sarcasm? Lying is wrong no matter how you disguise it. So is pride. They are two of the most hated things by God. Do you put stock in your abilities or in the God who gave you your abilities? You can do nothing without Christ, so why do you choose to boast of yourself and the things you can do? Why do you choose to cover the truth in joking or in seriousness? You are to be a truthful, humble person as a child of God. But you’re also not to trust in yourself to be able to accomplish these things. Your trust is to be in the Lord. This verse says that when you make the Lord your trust, and don't respect the proud or those that lie, then you will be blessed. Do you want the blessing of God? Then you need to get rid of pride and lying i...

2 Samuel 16-18 And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his house in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.          2 Samuel 17:23 To take ones life because no one listens to ones self is shocking. We might think, that's one of the stupidest things I've ever hear, or I would never do that. And while we might not take our own lives over something like that, would we do something else that is totally unnecessary? How highly do you value your opinion, advice, what you have to say? You might not take your life, but if you feel no one is paying attention to you, might you get upset at them? Maybe ignore responsibilities and pout all day? Maybe you choose to take offence to them and then decide to ignore them whenever they're around you or you them. Do you give up on doing what's right because what y...

Psalm 3-4,12-13,28,55 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.   Psalm 3:5 I will both lay me down in peace and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.   Psalm 4:8 Do you get scared at every noise you hear in the night? Do life problems plague your mind when you’re trying to sleep causing you to be awake late in the night? Are you afraid of not waking up the next morning? There is one who knows everything and will keep you safe in the night. You can sleep peacefully knowing that God knows the problems of your life and He can keep you safe in the night. No matter the protection you have, God is the one who truly keeps you safe. Against all odds God can protect you. You can talk to Him and tell Him everything that's on your mind and He will take your problems and ease your mind and give you sleep. Will you trust God for peace and safety in the night?

2 Samuel 13-15 And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God in to the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:     But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.   2 Samuel 15:15-26 David and many others had to flee from the sneaky reign of Absalom. They had brought the ark of the covenant with them, most people believed that if the ark was with them, God himself was with them and they were sure to succeed. But David told them to return it to the city and that the Lord would bring him back home if it was His will. Despite what others may say, where is your trust? Do you leave your life in God's hands or do you trust your car, the person driving, whether that be yourself or someone else? If God calls you into a dangerous or scary situation, will you trust God to keep you safe and bring you home if it's His...

Psalm 32,51,86,122 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.     For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.     The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.     Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.   Psalm 51:6,16-17,19 Sometimes when you sin it feels like you need to do or say something to make up for it. To prove to God that you’re not that bad and that you can do and be better. But that is not what God wants from you. He wants you to be honest with yourself and with Him. Deep down, you know better, and that's because as David said: "And in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom". Even though you try to cov...

2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 20 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:   And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.     And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man.   2 Samuel 12:5-7a Do you get mad about injustices around you? Are you quick to cast judgment on others for different problems going on around you? Do you tell others what you think should happen and what would be right? You get upset about circumstances and the wrong that people are doing and then God says, you're the problem. Ouch! Sometimes you are so busy getting upset about the problems and think that they're much worse than something you would do. You get so busy thinking you know what should happen and how to solve the problems and who should be in trouble that you forget that it could be you and you could be the pr...

Psalm 65-67,69-70 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:     But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.     Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.   Psalm 66:18-20 Do you get answers to your prayers? If not, why? According to these verses, God will not hear your prayer if you have iniquity in your heart. If you’re not seeing answers to prayers, you need to check your heart and life and see if there's sin getting in between you and your Savior. Do you want God to answer your prayers? Do you want Him to draw and save those that you’re praying for? Your family, friends, neighbors. What about those you’re praying for, for health concerns? Do you want God to answer your prayers for healing for them? What about problems in your own life? Do you have things in your own life that you need God to help you with? You need to make sure that there is no sin...

2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19, Psalm 20 Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.   1 Chronicles 19:13 There are times in life, you face a challenging set of events and it seems you can't do anything right. Or you face a mountain it feels like you can't climb. Sometimes you start doing things that God has given you to do and it feels like you can't succeed. You try and fail, and try and fail again. You feel like you’re failing yourself, God, and those around you. But what is so easily forgotten is that there's only so much you can do. When God asks you to do something, you need to obey and do what you can but then the rest is up to God. Whether what you do succeeds or fails is entirely in His hands. Will you do your best for others and for God and let Him do as He pleases and handle the results? You need to have the courage to do what it is God wants yo...

Psalm 50,53,60,75 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:     And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.   Psalm 50:14-15 God will deliver you from your troubles. But, He gives some qualifiers. First of all, you need to offer thanks unto God. Even on your hardest days, do you give thanks to God first? It is essential to be thankful in everything, including in your troubles. Second, you need to pay your vows to God. Is there any promises you have made to God? Ongoing promises, one time promises? Anything that you have promised to God needs to be taken care of before He will deliver you. Once you have given thanks and made good on your vows, then you need to call upon God in your day of trouble. Do you ask God for help or just expect Him to deliver you? Once you have given thanks, paid your vows, and called upon Him for help, then God said He will deliver you! But He gives one more req...

2 Samuel 8-9, 1 Chronicles 18 Then David put garrisons in Syria-damascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.     And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David's servants. Thus the LORD preserved David withersoever he went.   1 Chronicles 18:6,13 David spent a lot of his life running from Saul for his life, fighting in war, or setting up his kingdom, but these verses say that "the LORD preserved David withersoever he went". No matter where he went, or what he was doing, the Lord preserved him. Why do we often resort to fear at the simplest request from our God? As He was with David, so He will be with you and preserve you. You have an appointed time to die and no one except God can change that. Why are we so afraid of what men think or what they can do? God will preserve you. Why not trust Him and live all out for God and let Him take care of your future and y...

Psalm 25,29,33,36,39 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.     Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.   Psalms 25:17-18 There are times when the burdens of life weigh heavy on your heart. Whether you are grieved over the situations and circumstances of others, or you have your own trials you’re facing. There is no escaping problems. Sometimes it is brought about by your own sin, sometimes God allows testing and trials to refine and grow you. Do you examine yourself for sin in your life and ask God to forgive any sin that may be there? If sin is not the problem, do you cry out to God for help? He is the only one that can soothe your hurt and heal your brokenness and pull you out of any problem that you may face. When you are in distress, you can curl up in the arms of your Savior and allow Him to comfort you and help you. He alone can control everything. Will you choose to go to Him in times...

2 Samuel 6-7, 1 Chronicles 17 For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.     Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.   2 Samuel 7:21-22 God is so good. We will never find anyone like Him. His goodness far surpasses anything we can imagine. He always keeps His word and He has a big heart. So much so that He has caused us to know all the great things that He had done. How much time do you spend learning about God and the great things He has done both for you and others? Do you thank and praise Him for His goodness? What good things has God done for you? So many people spend so much time chasing after things that won't satisfy them or dedicating their whole lives to a false religion that worship men and not God. He is the one true God. He offers salvation to us apart...

Psalm 89,96,100-101,105,132 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.   Psalm 101:2 What does your life look like when you’re at home and no one is around? Do you think you can get away with things because no one else will catch you? Whether or not anyone else is around God still sees and knows what you do or don't do. When there are times that there is no accountability, will you choose to do right? Will you walk within your house with a perfect heart? What is your behavior like? Do others see you as childish, or foolish, or just plain silly? As a child of God that should not be so. You should learn from David's example and behave yourself wisely in a perfect way. God mentions over and over again that we are to be perfect and blameless. Our reputation matters. So, what do you do at home and abroad? Can others look at your life and find no fault?

Psalm 1-2,15,22-24,47,68    The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.   Psalm 23:1 This is a very familiar and short verse but there's a lot to learn from this verse. David said that because the Lord was his shepherd, he didn't want. Christ was his satisfaction so much so that there was nothing else that he wanted. He didn't lack with the Lord as his shepherd. The Lord was enough. Can you say that in your life? With Christ as your shepherd, do you still want for more? Is the Lord your satisfaction? If He's not, are you seeking your satisfaction from someone or something else? Christ is the only one that can truly satisfy and if you try to look for it elsewhere, you will always be discontent. Will you choose to find your satisfaction in the Lord? Can you like David say, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want"?

1 Chronicles 13-16 And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams.   1 Chronicles 15:26 It was the Levites job to bear the ark of the covenant. But even thought it was their job that God had given them, they still needed God's help to accomplish God's will. When God gives you instruction, you ought to obey. But, you can only do good things and God's will with God's strength. Do you try to accomplish God's will on your own with your own strength? Do you feel like you can just do it? Will you choose to set aside your pride and lean on God's strength to help you do what He has asked of you? It's the only way you'll be able to get it done and to give glory to God and to be effectively used for Him.

Psalm 106-107 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.   Psalm 106:23 Moses stood between God and the children of Israel and convinced God to put away His wrath and not destroy the children of Israel. So many times we as humans have the mindset that if they have it coming to them, they deserve it. And sometimes even wish God would get revenge and punish someone. Do you care about others like you should? Are you as close with God as you should be? If there are people you care about that have done wrong and are going through hard times, do you care enough to intercede on their behalf? Are you close enough to God that He would hear you and grant your request? Will you stand in the breach and pray for others? Do you care enough to go before God for those around you?

Psalm 133 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!              Psalm 133:1 Unity among other believers is highly important and greatly valued in God's eyes! So why is it that we can be some of the hardest people to get along with? Some of the most judgmental, critical, unkind people that hurt others are those that claim to be children of God. This ought not so to be. As a child of God, you are to be one of the nicest people that others meet and know. Especially when it comes to those who are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Shame on you if you are the source of others hurt and irritation! You should be the one that others feel safe around. You should be like Christ. Others should be able to depend on you to be there with a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, an encouraging word, and unconditional love. How do others see you? Are you the person you ought to be? Are you the f...