Ruthie's Inspirations

Lamentations 3-5 And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD:     Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.     My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.     This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.     It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.     They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.     The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.     The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.   Lamentations 3:18-25 There are times in life where it seems that one bad thing happens after another. You may ask, why does God allow this? Why is He hurting me? I'm trying my best to live for Him, why is this happening to me? Perhaps there's sin in your life, but som...

Lamentations 1-2 The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.   Lamentations 1:18 Are you willing to humble yourself and share with those around you your faults so that they may see the goodness of God? Or that they may learn from your mistakes and avoid making the same mistakes? James says that we should confess our faults to one other so we can be healed and others can pray for us. Will you be willing to suffer some humiliation so that others can pray for you and God can bring help and healing into your life? God is willing to give you victory, and to help others avoid the same mistakes. Are you willing to allow God to work in your life to accomplish His will?

Jeremiah 51-52 For Israel hath not been forsaken,  nor Judah of his God, of the LORD of hosts; though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One.   Jeremiah 51:5 Though Israel chose to do what was right in their eyes and their land was filled with sin, God in His goodness still didn't forsake them. He, likewise, will never leave you nor forsake you. Even when you go your own way, choose your own path, live in sin. God's mercy is never ending and we are undeserving. Are you grateful for His mercy? Do you try to take advantage of His mercy? When God extends His mercy, you ought to be grateful, but that doesn't give you a license to sin. He will forgive, and He will never leave, but He wants you to never sin and never leave Him either. Will you stay right with the Lord, accept His mercy when you need it, but not take it as a liberty to sin?

Jeremiah 49-50 Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about: all ye that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows: for she hath sinned against the LORD.     Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.        Jeremiah 50:14-15 God's people turned their back on God and God commanded their enemies to destroy them. What happens when you've sinned against God to the point where God calls others in your life to humble you? To be hurt by your enemies or your friends is sometimes what God has to do to bring you closer to Him. Will you accept His punishment and turn back to Him? Will you choose to accept what you deserve with humility and not take it out on those whom God chooses to use to deflate your pride? God loves you so much that He's willing to do what it takes to...

Jeremiah 46-48 For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together.   Jeremiah 48:7 To trust in your works will lead you astray. It puts your focus on you and what you can do rather than on God and living in his strength. It can lead to a life of dependency on keeping others happy and keeping friends. You then start to think only of yourself and how you feel and what you can do to make yourself feel better and be happy. Will you set aside your pride and trust in yourself to live a life where God is seen through you and He gets all the glory for what He does in your life?

Jeremiah 41-45 The LORD hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day.     For ye dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God, saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it.     And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, nor any thing for the which he hath sent me unto you.   Jeremiah 42:19-21 Do you live a hypocritical life? Is your life to the point where people can only do as you say but not as you do? Where is your heart at? While you’re asking for prayer for God to help you to do what's right and obey Him, are you in your heart distant from God? Is your heart set on other things and divided? Do you loosely promise to do what's right but then do your own thing without giving it another tho...

Habakkuk 1-3 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:     Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.     The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.   Habakkuk 3:17-19 If there was no food, and no means of making money, would you still rejoice in the Lord? Will you trust Him enough that the first thing out of your lips would be praise to Him? God will take care of you even through the hardest of times. Will you thank and praise Him for all He is to you and trust Him to provide for your needs? If you would do it then, what about now? Will you rejoice in your Savior? Will you praise Him and trust Him to provide for your daily needs? That's h...

2 Kings 24-25, 2 Chronicles 36 And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:      But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.   2 Chronicles 36:15-16 God's mercy and longsuffering reach far beyond human standards. What do you do with God's goodness? When God uses others to point out the flaws in you, how do you treat them? Do you, like the children of Israel mock and despise them not giving heed to their words but making them feel ashamed for trying to help? Or do you receive instruction and correction with a humble, grateful spirit? If you mistreat those that God chooses to use in your life, you will have to answer to God for that. You will have more friends and a better life if you choose to accept instruc...

Jeremiah 38-40 For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shall not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.   Jeremiah 39:18 If all you were promised in exchange for your lifelong service to God was your life, would you still serve Him? Would you give Him your all? Would you surrender your life and do as God asks even though you would lose everything and would see no fruit? Would you remain faithful to the Lord? That's all Jeremiah was promised and He continued to do what God asked him to. You need to count your blessings and be grateful for the Lord's goodness. Christ should be your satisfaction, not what you can get from serving Him.

Jeremiah 35-37 Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;     Nor to build houses for us to dwell in: neither have we vineyard, nor field, nor seed:     But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.   Jeremiah 35:8-10 There is wisdom in what those before us have taught us. Especially when their teaching lines up with the word of God or instills good and moral ethics in us, we would do well to heed them. Do you have a teachable spirit? Are you willing to comply with what those in authority say to do as long as it lines up with the word of God? Usually, they have your best interest in heart and aren't trying to hurt or confine you. When you follow them as they follow Christ, you can learn a lot of wisdom and live a good life.

Jeremiah 32-34 And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,     Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee saying, But thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.     So Hanameel mine uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said unto me, But my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which  in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; but it for thyself. Then I know that this was the word of the LORD.   Jeremiah 32:6-8 Jeremiah knew what Hanameel was saying was true and what he was supposed to do because God had previously told him it was going to happen. How are you supposed to know if what people say and do is truth? God's word. He has written everything you need to know in the Bible and you can look there for the answers you need. Do you compare ...

Jeremiah 30-31 For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.     Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me.   Jeremiah 31:25-26 When life gets busy and you feel more stressed than not, you can go to God for the satiation and replenishing of your soul. Then Jeremiah said he woke up and his sleep was sweet. One of the practical ways God provides this refreshing is sleep. Are you sleeping at night during appropriate times? Or are you adding to your stress by stressing your body and starving it of the rest it needs to replenish the energy you need to accomplish what God needs you to do? If you’re staying up into all hours of the night, you won't have sweet sleep and wake up refreshed. Will you go to sleep at a decent hour and trust God to satiate and replenish your soul and give me the strength and the time you need to accomplish what you need to get done? If you make it a priority to get a good nights...

Jeremiah 26-29 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.     Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.     And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.   Jeremiah 29:11-13 God isn't "out to get you". He's not waiting for you to mess up so He can punish you. He has a purpose for your life and He thinks thoughts of peace toward you. He wants you to succeed in life and in His will. Because of His love and care for you, you can call upon Him and pray unto Him and He will listen! And if you’re willing to put in the effort to seek Him and search for Him with all your heart, He will be found! Will you draw close to Christ and dwell on His thoughts of peace toward you? Will you allow those thoughts to comfort you and encourage you to seek Him more?

Jeremiah 23-25 Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?     Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.   Jeremiah 23:23-24 Whether you are close to God, or you've walked away from Him, He is still God. What you do doesn't change who He is. When you’re close to Him, you get to experience the joy of His fellowship and the sweetness that being with the Lord brings. When He's far away because you've pushed Him away, you experience His loving discipline and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Either way He is still God and you need to surrender to Him whether in spending more time with Him, or confessing sin and restoring fellowship with Him. God is everywhere. He fills heaven and earth and there is nowhere that you can hide from God. If you’re hiding because of your sin or because you’re ashamed of your sin, you can't ever get away from God. He will never ...

Jeremiah 18-22 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.     Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.     For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.     But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.     But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the re...

Jeremiah 14-17 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.     For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.   Jeremiah 17:7-8 To trust in the Lord and to make Him your hope is to be blessed. To know how much you’ll be blessed by it, these verses use the picture of a tree. The tree is planted by waters and it's roots are spread by the river. Are you firmly planted and growing stronger in Christ? Are you daily in His word getting the spiritual food that you need? Because this tree is by the water, it doesn't shrivel up and die when the heat comes but the leaves remain green. When trials come, do you wither and fade away? Or do you abide in Christ and continue to flourish even in hard times? It says that the tree also won't ...

Jeremiah 10-13 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.     O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.   Jeremiah 10:23-24 It is not up to you to decide where to go with your life and what to do. Sometimes you will choose to walk your own way and plan your life the way you want to. It is then that God has to correct you and change your course. He uses His word to point out the changes that need to be made and the direction you’re supposed to go. Do you read your Bible? Do you let the Holy Spirit speak to you, and convict you when you’re wrong? Do you listen to His direction when He wants you to do something different? He is the only one that knows what's best for you. You can trust Him to guide you in the way you ought to go.

Jeremiah 7-9 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:     But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.   Jeremiah 9:23-24 In what or whom do you glory? In your gifts or abilities? In the stuff that you have? The only things that you are to glory in according to these verses is that you understand and know the Lord and that He exercises lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. That is what He delights in and you should acknowledge and glorify the Lord for it! Where is your love and loyalty? Will you glory in the Lord and who He is?

Jeremiah 4-6 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.     Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your soul. But they said, We will not walk therein.                   Jeremiah 6:15-16 Does sin no longer bother you? Are you so insensitive that you no longer blush at what is wrong in God's eyes? If you remain unashamed you will eventually become just like those who sin and will start doing the same things as they do and when you stand before the Lord, you then will be ashamed. You are to seek the old paths and follow those in order to find rest for your soul. How do you find the o...

Jeremiah 1-3 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.     But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.     Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.   Jeremiah 1:6-8 Do you ever feel inadequate for the job God has given you to do? God calls those who are available, not necessarily qualified. You may feel like a child knowing nothing about the task ahead or how to proceed or what to say, but, when God calls you to accomplish His will and gives you a job to do, He doesn't leave you helpless. He equips you for whatever it is He wants you to do. All you have to do is be willing to do it with His help and in His strength. After all, the greatest ability is availability. Will you follow Him in faith, trusting that He will provide what you need to get the job done?

Zephaniah 1-3 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.     The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.   Zephaniah 3:16-17 Although this was written to Jerusalem and to Zion, we can claim the promises in it as God's children and make application to our own lives. As so often it is written, God starts by saying not to fear. He also adds that we should be busy about the Lord's work and not slacking off in our duties. Do you choose not to fear? Are you staying busy in what God has for you to do or are you choosing to be lazy because you just don't feel like working hard right now? God gives you the best motivation in the next verse! He starts by saying that He is in the midst of those who are serving Him, and that He is mighty! He will save you, rejoice over you with joy, rest in Hi...

2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 34-35 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.     For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem form the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.   2 Chronicles 34:2-3 Josiah was only eight years old when he became king. The Bible says that He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord...at eight years old! How many kids can that be said of?! It also says that he didn't decline to the right or the left. He was following God just as he should be. At only sixteen years old, he began to seek after God and at twenty years old, he began to get rid of all the sin in the land. Josiah left a good example of what can be done for God at any age as God ...

Nahum 1-3 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.   Nahum 1:7 Trusting in God makes a difference when you’re in trouble. No matter what, He is always good. But when trouble comes, is He your strong hold? Do you run to Him for peace and safety? Or do you watch your favorite show or movie to give you escape or do your favorite hobby? God knows you if you trust in Him and He is waiting and wanting to be your strong hold. Will you choose Him as your strong hold and run to Him when you need help? The Lord is good and He loves you and wants to help you. But so often the temptations to turn to your creature comforts outweighs your need to be calmed and kept safe by your Savior. What will you choose in your day of trouble?

2 Chronicles 32-33 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,     And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.   2 Chronicles 33:12-13 Manasseh was a wicked king and God had to bring Him to a very low place in order for him to acknowledge God. And even though he was wicked, God still forgave him when he besought and greatly humbled himself before God. And not only did God forgive him of his wickedness, He also was intreated of Manasseh and heard him when he prayed and brought him back to his kingdom! And then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God. If God is willing to offer forgiveness and restoration to someone who was very wicked and cared nothing for God, He is willing to do the same for you. You will fail, but according to Proverbs, you are just i...

2 Kings 20-21 And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD.     Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.     And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.     Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?   2 Kings 20:16-19 Are you so consumed with your own well being that you don't care about what happens to others? Even if they suffer the consequences of your actions? Are you filled with selfishness and only concerned with your peace, safety, and happiness? Do you make your decisions based on what you can gain for yourself? When we get saved, we ar...

Isaiah 64-66 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.     He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.     I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.     Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy,...

Isaiah 59-63 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:     But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.   Isaiah 59:1-2 When God doesn't answer your prayers, have you considered that it's not His fault? That maybe there's some sin in your life that is separating you from God? God cannot condone sin. He is more than willing to hear your prayer and to save you out of trouble, but if you’re not right with Him, you won't be able to get ahold of Him when you need to. Is it worth it to hang on to your sin but be separated from God? If you can't learn how to confess your sin and keep fellowship with God, what kind of an example is it to those who you’re trying to reach for Christ? You’re asking them to do the same thing and you need to lead by example. Will you choose to confess your sin and have fellowship with God ...

Isaiah 54-58 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:     Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.     For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.     For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.           Isaiah 55:6-9    Do you think you know best? Do you try to forge your own paths and do what you think is best for your life? The only place you can go to know where to go or what to do next is the Lord. There will be a time when He can no longer be sought so you best do it while you have the opportunity. Is there anything in your life that you need to get right? Are you...