Are You In A Race?

What are you racing for?

In your race ... in everything you do ... God is with you.  

"The family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings" (1 Peter 5:8-9).

You're never alone.  God is with you, and the people you chose to have in your life.

Be God inspired today!  Bye for now....

J.P. Osterman

Perfect Recipe!

photo courtesy of www.ispot.tv

I have a most delicious meatball recipe.  I'm making it right now for tonight:

In a crockpot, mix 1 frozen bag of meatballs (1 lb. 4 oz.) with 1 (8-10 oz.) jar of grape jelly and 1 (12 oz.) jar of chilli sauce.  Use sugar free grape jelly if you so desire.  Turn crockpot on low for 6-8 hours.  Enjoy!  [Recipe courtesy of www.food.com.]  

Wouldn't it be great if we had the perfect recipe for life?  God does.

"Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship" (Romans 12:1).

If everyone could respect one another, the world would be a better place.  Yes we can!

Bye for today, and may your day be God inspired.

J.P. Osterman

Friendship is Vital

Have you told someone today: "You are special to me"?

We're special to God.  Every day, He never lets us forget His love for us. Today, we can pass His love around to the people closest to us.

"Keeping one another strong in faith" (Hebrews 10:25).

We can inspire change in the world by how we treat others today.

Bye for now, and have a God-inspired day.

J.P. Osterman

A New Beginning

Are You Embarking on a Beginning?

You know the definition, but I'll give it to you again:  "A beginning is a point in time or space at which something starts."

After experiencing a few weeks of personal drought because I finished a year-long project, I'm now beginning a new goal.

"God, equip me for every good work for your glory"

(2 Timothy 3:17).

God gives us the strength, courage, and knowledge to embark on a new beginning after we accomplish our goals.  We only need to ask Him and then reply back to Him: "I am willing" (Mark 1:41).

Bye for today, and let us feel secure in all the inspirations that come from Him. Amen.

J.P. Osterman

Bickering to Friending

Sometimes, people just don't understand us, right?

And a relationship can sour, and we need a little forgiveness because we said something we didn't mean....

photo courtesy of www.chadnstuart.com

God has the answer.

"Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:19).

Today's inspiration:  "I'm sorry" always works, and a little dose of time for healing and recovery.  "I am sorry" are words that emanate from deep down inside of us.  

"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me" (Psalm 119:28).

How do we say, "I'm sorry," when we're in the middle of heated bickering, and we're hurting?

God gives us the strength.

Bye for today, and be God inspired.

J.P.

Delays Happen....

But God never delays.

"I the Lord will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay" (Ezekiel 12:25)

thedailysheeple.com

I've been delayed by the weather, at the doctor's office, and in traffic jams.  I've slept in airports, cried when an important package didn't arrive on time, and stomped a bit when the pharmacist didn't have my medication as promised.

Are you feeling "delayed" today?

God doesn't delay.  He's fast acting in our prayers.  And when He speaks, He acts.  In other words, God's actions match His words.  He walks the way He talks.  We can count on Him.  We can depend on his love (John 3:16).  We can talk to Him at any point in our busy days, and He listens.  God never delays. Isn't He awesome in this world where delays and changes occur so frequently?

Bye for now, and be God inspired today.

J.P. Osterman

Imperfection to Strength

Is your day going a bit "imperfectly" today?  Need some help?  A little God boost?

                               Photo courtesy of reddit.com

We have a tendency to shy away from the people and things that aren't just right or perfect.  However, there are some people who like to help others and save all creatures great and small.  They have a heart, from God, and His strength to reach out to others in special ways.  They see something grand and beautiful in the "imperfect."  Authenticity?  Honesty?  Yes, and they see reality.  We aren't all perfect.  You and I are God created.  God has a fantastic way of changing our imperfections to beauty.

"God ... you created all things — yes, because of your will they were created and came into being" (Revelation 4:11)!

I hope you've received some inspiration for your day.

Bye for now,

J.P. Osterman

Sometimes, We Can Become Scattered....

"God, renew in me a resolute spirit" (Psalm 51:12)

The word "resolute" means "purposeful," "determined," and "unwavering."  I don't know about you, but this morning I haven't been resolute.  David, who wrote Psalm 51 must have experienced the state of being "non-resolute" as well.  It's when we become distracted or take on too many projects in our lives.  We become like a spinning top, whirlwind, or frozen in perhaps procrastination.  What's the answer?  David says God can renew in us a spirit of resolve.  Then we can become focused, purposeful and directed.

Today, let Him be our inspiration.  We can start our day over at any moment.

Bye for today!

J.P. Osterman

You can check out more of my daily inspirations in my new book by following the link below:

God Designed: 366 Days of Inspiration

Orionid meteor shower peaks October 20-22 | Tonight | EarthSky

This meteor shower should be spectacular tonight!  Enjoy this article from EarthSky!



Orionid meteor shower peaks October 20-22 | Tonight | EarthSky

He Draws us to Him

"I love you with an everlasting love.  This is why in my grace I draw you to me" (Jeremiah 31:3).

 courtesy of photobucket.com

You've heard the expression: He's got the whole world in His hands.  It's really a song!  Do you ever find yourself so stressed out, that you lose direction?  We can gain peace in throughout our hectic day when we look to God to direct our paths.  He "draws" us to Him.  And He is present in your life.  Isn't that a wonderful and awesome reality?  He loves you and me so much, He wants the best for us today and every day.

He is our inspiration and hope.  We can become strengthened through Him.

Bye for today, and have a great inspirational day.

J.P. Osterman

You can check out more daily inspirations in my book by clicking the link below:

God Designed: 366 Days of Inspiration

Triumphant

How do we triumph over habits?

photo courtesy of twowordplay.com

Courage!

Put your hope in God, be strong, and let your heart take courage! Yes, put your hope in God (Psalm 27:14, Complete Jewish Bible)!

Notice the exclamation points.  That means we can count on results when we put our hope in Him.

Bye for today, and I hope you gleaned some inspiration for your day....

J.P. Osterman

You can find more daily inspirations in my most recently released book by following the link below:

God Designed: 366 Days of Inspiration

What just happened?!

Do you ever feel like you've been struck between the eyes but have no idea what happened?

And you're trying hard to find inspiration ... and answers?

"My eyes are always directed toward Adonai [God], for he will free my feet from the net" (Psalm 25:15).

Today, I looked up to Him in prayer, and for help.  Sometimes, we're forced to face the consequences of our actions--from large to incremental.  Life just happens, right?  Yet, God has a wonderful way of calming the effects of stress in our lives.  I only need to direct my choices toward His ways.  I suffer less that way.

'Bye for today.  I pray you also find the inspiration you need from Him.

[I credit nearpictures.com for the photo.]

Find God's Stillness in Hectic Times

Yesterday, I just kept running ... everywhere.  Have you noticed that life has running and busy-ness built into the very fabric of space-time?  It seems we just can't find enough time to stop, and seek peace and stillness to settle our fast-paced lifestyles.

Have you taken the time to care for yourself in this busy day?

"God caused a wind to pass over the earth" (Genesis 8:1)

It's inspirational to notice the wind.  Try it today, as I have....

Bye for today.  And God bless you as you seek Him for inspiration.  I suggest first, the wind and breezes.

J.P. Osterman

You can find more extensive daily inspiration in my new book, God Designed.  Just follow the link below:

God Designed: 366 Days of Inspiration 

You can also read more of my books and stories at the following link:

J.P.'s novels and sci-fi short stories

Chasing "things" never works

Yesterday, I was so busy taking care of my son that I couldn't find the time to post a new blog.  Some mornings, my 17-year-old son acts like a toddler.  He also believes "things" will make him feel better and bring him happiness.  Partly, his dad and I are at fault.  We bribe him with ... you got it: things.  

"Do your classwork, bring your grade back up to a C, and then we'll buy you a ____."
"Since your grade is a D, no downloading another game."

He likes computer gaming.

For the past two weeks, his new "thing" is a vaping tool.  No nicotine, nothing harmful.  He says, "Vaping relaxes me."  Let's see how long vaping will do that, right?

I told him, "You're putting things above God.  As long as you believe that things will bring you satisfaction, you'll always be hungering for the next thing."

When we get stuck on things, our best solution is lifting God above all things.

"You are great, Adonai, God. There is no one like you, and there is no God besides you — everything we have heard confirms that" 

(2 Samuel 7:22).

God is always the answer as well as the inspiration.  We can find Him in His word.  We simply have to open it up, read, and let Him in.  If only for a minute or two as we pursue all our things.  Then, we'll find rest and relief.  He'll give us rest, true comfort, and relief.

Bye for now, and have an inspirational day ...

J.P. Osterman

You can check out more daily inspirations in my new book:

God Designed: 366 Days of Inspiration

And more of my novels and short stories at the following link:

Books and stories

Inspiration in the Form of Hope

Today I received a little dose of hope.  My son actually woke up for school, fixed his own breakfast and got dressed without my having to prod, coerce, and bribe him.  Usually, his dad and I have to peel him outta bed.  No fun.  However, today, I'm able to breathe and thank God for today because my son might not do as well tomorrow.  He has Asperger syndrome and ADHD.  He's a challenge.  Every day, I ask God to help us ... and help him.  Sometimes, the future appears not just uncertain, but bleak.

What do we do to cope, find encouragement, and glean hope in hard times?

"Your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who lives inside you, whom you received from God" (1 Corinthians 6:19).

We pray ... and we can know God has control over the future.  He handles our concerns so we can move forward with our day.

He is our inspiration.

Bye for today, and blessings from our Lord.

J.P.

You can find more in-depth daily devotionals in my book:

God Designed: 366 Days of Inspiration

Unobstructed from God

The other day, it poured down rain.  Sitting alone on my little front porch, I couldn't make out clearly the outside world.  I wondered, God, do you see me?  Ever wonder if God's around?  I think, one of the most debilitating of experiences is aloneness.  I've never free-floated in space as the character in Gravity, but I can just imagine how alone and isolated she felt ... drifting ... alone. Does God care? Is He watching?  "Where are ya, God?"

"I have chosen you, not rejected you," begins God.  "Don't be afraid, for I am with you.  Don't be distressed, for I am your God" (Isaiah 41:10).

We're never alone with Him in our minutes.  He inspires us.

Bye for now, and have a great inspiring day,

J.P.

God Designed: 366 Days of Inspiration

Inspiration from Nature

The past week looked bleak for one of my ginger plants.  It had yellowed and was wilting fast ... dying by the day just a little more.  Have you ever noticed, when something you've been trying to save doesn't appear to want to be saved?  Be it a relationship, plant, or idea, when something wants to end--or is heading in a dead end direction--nothing we do appears to save it.  Well, yesterday, I just wasn't ready to give up on my ginger plant.  I did, however, need a bit of inspiration to keep trying.  

"I will restore their ruins" (Isaiah 44:26)

God restores.  No matter what I do or how hard I try to manage people, places, and things for which I have no control, I can't.  Yet, He--God--can.  He is always working in our lives to restore us, in spite of the people, places, and things we cannot change and restore.

Last night, I didn't water the ginger plant.  When I walked outside to get the newspaper, I saw the ginger had perked up.  Thanks, God!

God Designed: 366 Days of Inspiration

Bye for today, and be blessed with inspiration for your day.

J.P.

Inspired to Trust -- God's Perspective

Trusting is hard.  We can trust our senses, but trusting other people isn't easy. Where can we find trust?

It is through the love and kindness of the Lord Jesus that we trust and are delivered" (Acts 15:11, Complete Jewish Bible).

When we look to our source of spiritual energy, we can trust today.

God Designed: 366 Days of Inspiration