Ruthie's Inspirations

Luke 14-15 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,     When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;     And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.     But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.     For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.   Luke 14:7-11 Do you presume to be in high favor with your friends or those that are close to you? Do you take pride in being or thinking yourself someone's close or best friend?...

Luke 12-13 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.     But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.   Luke 12:47-48 What are the responsibilities God has entrusted you with? How is your faithfulness in taking care of them? For what you know, God will hold you responsible. There will be great punishment if you slack in your duties and don't obey what you've been given to do. For those things that you don't know, the punishment is still there but will be lesser. The more that God gives you to do, the more God will require of you. Are you living up to His requirements?

Luke 10 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.     And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.     But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve along? bid her therefore that she help me.     And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:     But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.   Luke 10:38-42 Service is good, especially when done for the Lord. But service is temporary. A thing that anyone can do, a position that can be filled. Service for God means nothing without a relationship with Him. That's something that can't be taken away by anyone. No one can...

John 9-10 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.     And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?     Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.   John 9:1-3 Not every problem in your life, or others life is a result of sin. So often we can be quick to judge others by their problems thinking that they're suffering for someone's sin and that they deserve it. Sometimes you may be quick to judge your own problems that way too. But sometimes, God allows problems into your life just so He can fix it and get the glory from it. Or just to get the glory from it even if He doesn't fix it. When I come to a hard spot, a trial in your life, do you jump to conclusions about why? Or will you bring it to God and trust Him to help you through whether He tells you why or not?

John 7-8 Jesus answered the, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.     If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.     He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.   John 7:16-18 What are you telling others about what you believe and what is right? What doctrine are you teaching and demonstrating in your life? It can be easy to tell others what is right based on what you think and feel is right even if it's not Biblically based or if the verses you have are taken out of context. Do you live by the Lord's doctrine or the doctrine of men? Do you lead others to Christ and His word or just give them wise sounding advice that isn't actually Biblical? If you’re following Christ, it will be Him and His glory that you seek, not your own.

Matthew 18 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?     Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.   Matthew 18:21-22 It can get tiring forgiving the same person over, and over, and over again. Especially if it's for the same offence. It can be tempting to pride ourselves on being forgiving and longsuffering but even the best of people have their "too far" point. We can justify unforgiveness by saying that we've forgiven them for so long and it's their fault for not changing. But Jesus gives such a high number indicating that there is no limit to forgiveness. There's no excuse not to forgive. God has forgiven all for absolutely nothing in return. Will you forgive those that wrong you knowing that Christ has done the same for you?

Matthew 17, Mark 9 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.     But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.     For he that is not against us is on our part.   Mark 9:38-40 There are so many times where we can feel superior to others because they aren't just like us. Yes, they claim to be saved and seem to live like it, but from the outside, they don't do things the same. They don't dress the same, watch the same movies, listen to the same music, etc. They have different standards and so they can't possibly be close to God with standards like those. But that's not true. Just because they don't follow the same standards we do, doesn't mean they aren't children of God. Then why do we spend most of our time picking people and their beliefs apart ...

Matthew 16, Mark 8 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how at he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.     Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.     But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.   Matthew 16:21-23 God knows what the future is and He has everything under control. But sometimes what you think your life should look like is quite the opposite of what God has planned. Whenever you try to change course according to how you think things should happen, you are fighting against God and His will for your life and everything will be much more challenging. When you are going against God, you are going the way of...

Matthew 15, Mark 7 And he said unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into he man, it cannot defile him;     Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?     And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.     For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,     Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, and evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:     All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.   Mark 7:18-23 People get obsessed over the latest diet trend. They all have some sort of science they use to back up why their way of eating is the best. They show personal results, before and after pics, etc. Some even turn dieting and healthy...

John 6 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.   John 6:26 Why do you seek the Lord? Do you seek Him to find Him and to know more about Him and draw closer to Him? Or are you just in it for the stuff? The things and the blessings that you can get from God. God does bless with physical blessings and provides for your needs, but that shouldn't be the reason you seek Him. What about knowing Him? Getting to know His heart and mind. You can't truly be and live like Jesus if you don't know Him. Will you seek Him so that you may know Him more?

Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9 But the ship was now n the midst f the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.     And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.     And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.     But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.   Matthew 14:24-27 Have you ever been so blindsided by fear and your situation that you cannot see Jesus, even when He's standing right in front of you? When you’re not looking for Him, it's easy to miss Him in the middle of a storm. Sometimes it can feel like Jesus isn't there but He always is. There is no situation too dark or too hard for the Lord to handle. You just need to make sure He's the one you focus on through all of life. When things get too crazy for you to handle, all you need to do is f...

Matthew 10 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.     But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.     Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.   Matthew 10:29-31 Sometimes it's easy to feel forgotten, or of little value or worth. It's hard to step into an unknown future and situations and circumstances that are out of our control. When you feel alone and afraid, Jesus said not to fear because He hasn't forgotten you and you have value to Him. You might end up in a situation that is hard and less than comfortable. Especially if it involves a big life change. But, if it's God that is leading you in the change, He will take care of you. Sparrows are one of the least of the birds. Not very wanted and very cheap. Sometimes that's how you can feel but God says that you are of more value than many sparrows. He loves you and He will take care of...

Mark 4-5 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.     And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?     And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was  great calm.     And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?   Mark 4:37-40 Sometimes life gets crazy. Even if it's not necessarily a trial or a difficult time, a lot can be going on at one time and it seems like life can be overwhelming. When life is crazy, it's easy to become fearful and to lose faith that God is working. It seems that He's asleep in our storm. God isn't worried about it because He knows that He has everything under control. Why is it then that you become afraid and mistrusting of God's control i...

Matthew 13, Luke 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.     But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.   Matthew 13:8,23 There are varying degrees of fruit that is borne by different people. The goal though is bearing fruit. Each person is going to bear different fruit and different amounts. Are you a fruit bearing Christian? When you hear the word of God do you understand it and apply it? Can others see the fruit in your life? You shouldn't compare your growth to someone else because you will grow faster than some but slower than others. And you will be growing in different areas at different times as God wants me to. Will you obey the word of God and allow Him to bear fruit in your life?

Luke 11 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against an house falleth.     If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.     And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.   Luke 11:17-19 So often we're so quick to point fingers at others and ascribe blame to them that they are not guilty of. It's so easy to project our faults and feelings on others and twist our vision so much that we believe it's actually how they think and feel and what they're doing when really it's just an assumption based on how we would naturally act or react. Do you find yourself doing this? Will you pay attention to your thoughts and assumptions towards others and stick to only what is true and be a good example for those...

Matthew 11 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.   Matthew 11:25 When you’re proud and think that you’re smart enough to understand the things of God, you won't be able to. It is when you are humble and approach the word of God with a childlike faith and lean on the understanding of the Holy Spirit that you can understand it. It's the Holy Spirit that reveals God's word to you, not any intelligence that you may have. You need to trust in the Lord with all your heart and not on your own understanding. It is then that God can reveal His word to you as you read and study it.

Matthew 9, Luke 7 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.     And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.   Matthew 9:22,35 This woman had been to doctors for twelve years to figure out how to heal her issue of blood and came up with nothing. When she heard about Jesus, she tried to get help one more time believing that God could heal her even though no one else could. In verse thirty five it says that Jesus healed every sickness and every disease. He is able to heal anything and everything. Physically, mentally, emotionally. Why is it that He isn't the first one you turn to in times of need? Is it that you have more faith in doctors than you do in Jesus? Do you have the faith this woman had t...

Matthew 5-7 Judge not, that ye be not judged.     For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.     And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?     Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?     Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.   Matthew 7:1-5 People like to use the phrase "Judge not". But what they forget is "that ye be not judged". It's not simply about never judging anyone or anything, but these verses are saying that we need to be careful who and what we judge because we will be judged by the same standard that we judge others on. Which is why that is followed up w...

Matthew 12, Mark 3, Luke 6 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the thankful and to the evil.     Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.     Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:     Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into you bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.     And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?     Luke 6:35-38,46 If you claim that Jesus is your Lord, do you obey what He tells you to do? Do you demonstrate in your life the commands that He has given? In these verses are just a few thin...

John 5 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.     But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?   John 5:46-47 So often people cling to the New Testament while discarding the Old. They believe that in today's day and age, we don't need it, or that it's not for us. But Jesus said in the New Testament if we don't believe what was said in the Old Testament, how are we going to believe what He says in the New Testament? The New Testament quotes the Old Testament over and over again. God put every word of the Bible together for a reason. If we didn't need it, we wouldn't have it and God wouldn't have preserved it for us. There's a lot to learn and to glean from the Old Testament. Truths and instructions that will benefit your life. Will you take the whole word of God into account as the word of God? Or will you discount the Old Testament which is over half of the entire Bible?

Matthew 8, Mark 2 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, son, thy sins be forgiven thee.   Mark 2:5 This man was healed because of the faith of his friends. Are you that friend to your friends? Are they helped or hurt because of their friendship with you? Do you pray for them? Do you bring them closer to Christ? What do your conversations and interactions look like with them? What about those you know that are lost? Do you do what you can to bring them to Christ? God puts people in your life to draw them to or closer to Christ. How are you doing with that responsibility?

John 2-4 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.     And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.     And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.     I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men labored, and ye are entered into their labours.   John 4:35-38  It can seem like it's taking forever to be able to reap the harvest of seeds we've planted. To see the souls saved that we've witnessed to. Thinking there's nothing more we can do and that we'll never see the fruit of our labors. But the truth is, there are other people who have felt the same way. There are those that were before you planting seeds that are ready for you to harvest already. ...

Matthew 4, Luke 4-5 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:     For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:     And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.     And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.   Luke 4:9-12 This was the third thing that Satan tempted Jesus with. The first two times, Jesus used the word of God to resist temptation. Satan thought he had caught on and gotten the upper hand by also using the word of God to tempt Jesus the third time. Jesus again used the word of God to refute Satan. Even though Satan used the word of God, he failed to use it correctly and in context with the rest of God's word. This is why it is crucial that you know the word of God for your...

Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.     And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.   Mark 1:12-13 Jesus followed the Holy Spirit when He drove Him to the wilderness. Jesus not only was in the wilderness forty days, but He also endured temptation from Satan during those times. Like Jesus, there will be times where you are led into a wilderness in your life. Times where things seem never to go well and there's no one to help you through. It is in the times where you are the most vulnerable that Satan will attack with temptations. How do you respond to those trying times? Do you shrivel up and give up on life thinking there's no hope? Do you give into temptation thinking you don't have any other option? Or will you follow Christ's example and use the word of God and take that way of escape that God provides? Even when th...

Matthew 2 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.   Matthew 2:12 To avoid Herod, God instructed the wise men to go home a different way than they came. When a situation changes, so does the way we follow God. You cannot change your circumstances. But just because things are different, doesn't mean you give up on everything you used to do. Especially your relationship with the Lord. It may look different, and you may have to change how you do things but situations and circumstances never change who God is and His desire to  have a relationship with you. Life changes make your walk with God look different, but not any less than it was before. Will you trust God when He asks you to go a different way? If you trust Him and not your own understanding, and acknowledge Him in everything you do, He will direct your paths. Will you let Him lead you in the midst of change?

Matthew 1, Luke 2 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.     And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?   Luke 2:48-49 When making a decision, big or small, who do you consult or consider when making them? When God calls you to go somewhere or do something, do you follow? Or do you weigh the pros and cons, consider the feelings of others, etc.? When you know that God has asked you to do something, it is God's will that should take precedence in your life. It's good to get advice and guidance from a few trusted counsellors, but ultimately, what God says, goes. Will you choose to follow God, even if it means enduring the words, thoughts, and actions of disapproving people?

Luke 1, John 1 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,     And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.     For he hat regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: For, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.     For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name.   Luke 1:46-49 Mary got to experience a once in a life time miracle. And while she acknowledged how blessed she was, she gave God the glory for what He did and praised His name. Where do you direct the praise for your blessings? Do you boast of your greatness or do you think you deserve the blessings God gives you? Or will you acknowledge that you are blessed but praise God for it? It is God who gives you the good things you enjoy, and it is He that deserves the praise for it.

Malachi 1-4 For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.     But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.     Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.   Malachi 2:7-9 These verses were talking about the error of the priests. While you may not be a priest in the sense that is normally thought, the Bible does say that His children are kings and priests of God. You have a responsibility to know the word of God fully and not to be partial. To set an example to those around you of how to follow God's word. Do you know the word of God well enough that others can seek help and wisdom from you? Do you take the time to learn, study, read, memorize, etc...

Nehemiah 11-13, Psalm 126 And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward.   Nehemiah 12:24 Praise and thanksgiving are so important to God that there was a whole group of men dedicated to praise and give thanks! If it's that important to Him, what importance do you put on it in your life? Do you spend any time at all praising the Lord and thanking Him for who He is and what He's done? He is worthy of your praise and it does you a lot of good to have a thankful spirit. Will you make thanksgiving and praise a priority in your day?