Ruthie's Inspirations

Acts 11-12 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.     And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.     And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.   Acts 12:21-23 The people praised Herod by calling him a god because of the oration he made to them. But, instead of giving God the glory, he kept it for himself thereby agreeing with the statement. There is only one God and He is the only one that deserves the glory and the praise. What about your life? Who gets the glory for any good that you are or do? You are not good in and of yourself, it is only God in you. Will you give God the glory for the good that He is and that He has done?

Acts 9-10 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.     Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:     But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.   Acts 10:28,34-35 So much of the world then and now is divided and fighting over racism. But God made it very clear in this passage that it doesn't matter where people have come from, if an individual trusts Christ and lives for Him, they are righteous. We are wrong if we treat any human being as less than us for whatever reason. Christ died for all men and salvation is made available to all. God is no respecter of persons. Are you? Do you have greater respect for some than others? How do you treat each person you come a...

Acts 7-8 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.     And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?     And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.   Acts 8:29-31 Because Philip was walking in the Spirit, he could hear God speaking to him and telling him where to go and he obeyed. God used him to lead an Ethiopian man to the Lord. What would've happened Philip had either not been walking with God or chose to ignore the Holy Spirit's leading? Would the Ethiopian eunuch have gotten saved? What about you? Are you walking with the Lord to where you can hear the Holy Spirit speaking to and guiding you? If you can hear Him, do you obey? What if someone is counting on your obedience to God to hear the gospel? Or to get their needs met? Will you be willing to le...

Acts 4-6 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.   Acts 4:13 Education seems to receive a great emphasis in the world in which we live. We do need schooling in order to be able to live in this society if we want a good job and to be able to read is important if we want to read and study God's word for ourselves. But where is your focus? Are you so focused on being smart or having a high IQ that you dedicate all your time to extra schooling when God should be your focus? If He leads you to pursue more schooling to be able to get the job that He wants you to then you need to follow God in that. But is your focus on God no matter what? Even if people are able to tell you don't have a high education, can they see that you've been with Jesus? It is more important that others see Jesus in you than a good education or high intelligen...

Acts 1-3 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.     For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.     Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.   Acts 1:16-18 Unfortunately there are times when someone who we think is a good Christian, and even serves in ministry walks away from Christ. Some abandon the faith and some choose to take it so far as to take their own life. It can be discouraging when someone who seems so faithful and who seems to love the Lord ends up rejecting Christ and abandoning the faith because all along they were living a lie. But we as humans don't know people's hearts. Only God does so we don't always have a way of knowing the wheat from the tares as ...

Luke 24, John 20-21 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.     He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto hijm, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.     He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.   John 21:15-17 When Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, each time Peter said yes. After that, God gave Peter something to do that would prove his love. It's not enough to say that you love the Lord or even others. If you truly love someone, you will act on that love. The Lord req...

Matthew 28, Mark 16 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdelene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.     And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.     And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?     And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.   Mark 16:1-4 As these women were on their way to anoint Jesus, they were concerned about who they would get to roll away the stone of the tomb. To their surprise, they found the stone rolled away already. So many times when you are doing what God has asked you to do, there are things that you may become concerned about, problems that you’re worried there won't be a solution to when you get to them. And yet, every time you get to that point, Jes...

Luke 23, John 18-19 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.   John 19:11 God is in control of everyone and everything. People cannot hurt us and could not have crucified the Jesus without God allowing them. We cannot control people or outcomes but God is in control. Sometimes He allows bad things to happen because of sin but He is still in control. It's not always easy to accept God's decisions and trust His judgment but it's the only way to have peace in this life. Will you follow God and give Him control of every part of your life? He knows what's ahead, and you don't. You can trust Him to lead you in the way that is best.

Matthew 27, Mark 15 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.     And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.     But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.   Mark 15:3-5 Jesus was falsely accused of many things. But He said nothing. He didn't defend Himself, or correct those that were accusing Him. He just stayed silent. What is your response when you are falsely accused? Do you feel the need to defend yourself? Do you give someone a piece of your mind? Do you try to correct others so they know that you’re right and can't possibly be guilty of the charge laid upon you? Or will you hold my tongue knowing that false accusations aren't fun but they aren't gonna hurt you? Is it worth causing division just to be right? Or will you choose to keep the peace and let offences go? It is Christ that you should be striving to be lik...

John 14-17 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.   John 14:21 There is one thing that you can do to prove your love for Jesus. You must keep His commandments. But if you keep His commandments thereby proving your  love for Him, you will also be loved by God the Father and by Jesus and not only that, but Jesus will manifest Himself to you! You will learn more about your Savior and who He is if you keep His commandments. You will have a deeper understanding of Jesus and develop a closer relationship with Him but not because you try to find out but because He will manifest Himself to you! Will you show your love for God by keeping His commandments?

Luke 22, John 13 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:   But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.   Luke 22:31-32 As with Peter, so Satan desires to distract and destroy you so that you will be useless for God and eventually deny Him. The temptation is sometimes very great to deny Christ in order to avoid mocking or ridicule, or persecution of any kind. Or just not to be thought of as weird or strange. But, just as Jesus prayed for Peter, so also He prays for us. In John chapter seventeen is one of the prayers that Jesus prayed for His disciples and the people then, but also for all who trust Him as Savior. Though you may fight against principalities and powers and the temptation to give in and walk away may at times be great, you have Jesus who is praying for you and has made a way to escape so that you can bear it and come through ...

Matthew 26, Mark 14 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.     And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.     And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.   Matthew 26:48-50 Judas uses a kiss to betray his master. It is the sign for the awaiting people to come and take Jesus away to try and kill Him. Although Jesus knew all this He called Judas friend. The man that would be the key to leading those who want to kill Him to Jesus He called friend. How quick are we to unfriend someone because of an opinion difference? Whether on social media or in real life it can be so easy to write someone of because we disagree with them. And those that would betray you, you want to cut out of your life completely. But Jesus didn't. Will you humble yourself and follow the example of Chri...

Matthew 25 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.     And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.   Matthew 25:14-15 God doesn't give everyone the same talents, or even the same amount. Paul says we are unwise to compare ourselves among ourselves. When it comes to talents, abilities, responsibilities, we are all given something different and in differing amounts. Are you using the talents that God has given you? Are you expanding on those talents so that you might give God more than just returning the talents He has given you? He expects us to use our talents and to expand them for His gain and His glory. Will you increase on what God has given you so you can give back to the Lord what He deserves?

Matthew 24 Who is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them their meat in due season?     Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.   Matthew 24:45-46 What kind of servant are you? Are you faithful and wise? Or foolish and unwise? How well are you stewarding the things and people God has given you to watch over? Everything you own and everyone in your life is a gift of God. Something that God owns but has given you the responsibility of doing with it what is right and what He wants done. Are you taking my responsibilities seriously?

Mark 13 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.     Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.     For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.     Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:     Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.     And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.   Mark 13:32-37 Are you watching for your Lord to come for you? Are you doing the work that God has given you to do? The Lord could come back at any time and no man knows when that day will be. Will you stay busy for the Lord and watch for Him? Will the Lord find you watchin...

Matthew 23, Luke 20-21 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.     And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.     And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:     For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.   Luke 21:1-4 It's easy to give when you have a lot to give from. When you make a large amount, it's easy to give a large amount. But what if God asks you to give everything you have? Even when you have little, will you give it to God to use as He sees fit for His glory? Anything you have belongs to God anyways. He just gives you things to be a steward over for a time. If He wants them back, will you willingly let them go?

Matthew 22, Mark 12 Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law?     Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.     This is the first and great commandment.     And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.     On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.   Matthew 22:36-40 When thinking about the laws in the Bible, they are often thought of a list of rules, or do's and don'ts. It's a lot easier to keep them all though when we remember the two greatest commandments that wrap all the others up. Two do's, not don'ts. Loving the Lord our God with everything we are and loving others as ourselves. If you love God like you ought, you won't love anything or anyone more than Him. If you love others as myself, you won't lie about them or cheat them, etc. Will you focus on lovi...

Mark 11, John 12 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.   John 12:3 Mary gave something to Jesus that cost her dearly. Most of us are content just to give Jesus any random thing we have and call it good. In our pride we think we're doing alright and doing God a favor by giving Him whatever it is. But Mary in her humility and love for her Savior, anointed Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair. She didn't care who was around or what others said, she offered the best that she had and herself as a gift to Jesus. And everyone could smell the ointment so it didn't go unnoticed by those around them. What is it that is stopping you from giving your best to Jesus? From humbling yourself to do whatever it is that would bring Him honor and show your love for Him? Are you worried about what people will think or say? When you choose to go...

Luke 19 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.     And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.     And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.     And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.     And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.     And he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully.   Luke 19:1-6 Zacchaeus knew where Jesus was going to be. Not only did he go to where Jesus was going to be, but he wanted to see Jesus for who He was. He didn't give up because he was short, he put effort into overcoming the challenges that he had that he couldn't change to be able to see Jesu...

Matthew 20-21 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?   Matthew 20:15 God owns everything. While He makes us stewards over people and things, they are ultimately God's. Why then do you question His choices? When He allows a hardship in your life you may not know why. But God knows. He is in control and He has a plan for your life. When someone dies young, or unexpectedly, we think it's unfair. But people are God's too and He can do with them what He wills. Will you trust His divine knowledge and decisions and walk with Him anyway? Will you choose to see that He is still good instead of getting mad at Him, blaming Him, and walking away from Him? No matter what, God is always good, and God is always right.

Matthew 19, Mark 10 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.     And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.   Mark 10:21-22 Is there something in your life that is getting in the way of you following Jesus? Do you hold so tightly to the things you love that it's worth choosing things or pleasures over Him? Unfortunately, possessions take hold of our affections easier and stronger than they should. But if you will give up your possessions, or whatever it is that God asks of you, you will have treasure in heaven that won't ever be broken or stolen. The cost on Earth may seem great to follow the Lord, but it will be worth it all once we get to heaven. Will you set my affection on things above instead of the things on this earth?

Luke 18 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.     And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,     Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.   Luke 18:28-30 To follow Christ has greater benefits than anything you could leave behind to follow Him. When God calls you to a place where the only person you know is Him, you will find greater comfort in following the Lord than you will staying in your comfort zone with the people you are comfortable with. Not only will God bless your work for Him in this life, but you will have everlasting life in the next world. Will you choose to follow God no matter the cost? Even if it means leaving behind the things and people you hold most dear? Will you make God the dearest thing to you?

John 11 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe thou shouldest see the glory of God?   John 11:40 How many times does God have to say something similar to you? There are so many promises in the word of God yet, how many times are you surprised when God keeps them? Or how many times do you expect Him to answer your way and in your time then complain when you think He hasn't answered at all? When God makes a promise, you can count on it. You can count on Him. Will you trust God no matter what things may look like to you?

Luke 16-17 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,     And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.     And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?     there are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.     And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.   Luke 17:15-19 Out of the ten lepers that Jesus healed, only one came back to thank Him. And because of His faith He was given salvation as well. Often the majority are content with the miracle and the blessings that God gives. Very few are grateful and express thanks to God and come back to Him after what He has done for them. Which group are you in? Is it good enough that God spares you from bad health or any bad situation? Or do you go back to Jesus Himself and e...