Author: kendraske

A prayer for my grandbaby

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I pray that you know how deep and wide and long and high is the love of Jesus.

I pray that you know the greatness of our God – from His mighty power and perfect holiness to His personal closeness and faithful love.

I pray that you know that God has a unique purpose for your life.

No matter what happens, no matter how hard life gets, I pray that you will always remember that God is always, always good. May your faith in Him grow as you grow. May you trust Him with every part of your life every day of your life.

I pray that you cast all your cares on Him – from the biggest to the smallest – knowing that He cares for you.

I pray that you will give thanks in all circumstances – not because the circumstances are good, but because God is good. God has created you at just the right time, in just the right place, and with just the right parents, but sometimes your parents are going to blow it. They’re going to mess things up like their parents before them and their parents before them and their parents before them. I pray that you will know that you have a Heavenly Father who is perfect in all of His ways and who is always there for you and always there for them, too.

I pray that your parents will be quick to see and confess their faults, and be quick to turn to God in their sins and shortcomings. May your parents have humble hearts toward one another, toward you, and toward God.

Baby, I pray that you will be quick to forgive those who hurt you, even your mom and dad. You can only do this, Baby, when you realize how much God loves you and how much He loves to forgive you. God loved you before you were born, before you’d taken a breath, before you’d had a chance to do even one good thing. In fact, God loved you even before He created you, before He knit you together in your mother’s womb.

You are not an accident. You are a unique, purposeful creation of the Most High God of the Universe.

God will give you unique skills and interests, and I pray that you will use those skills and interests for His glory. Wherever you live and whatever you do, may you live for the glory of God – giving thanks to Him for everything that you receive because our Father is a good Father who gives us these gifts to enjoy, for our pleasure and for His fame and glory.

I pray that you will know Jesus.

I pray that you will know all about Jesus, about His birth, His life, His goodness, His teachings, His death, and His resurrection. But I also pray that you will know Jesus – like a friend who is always there for you, who sticks closer than a brother, who walks with you on the lonely roads and busy streets of life, who talks with you in quiet closets and noisy rooms, who is your best and closest counselor, speaking words of life and wisdom every day.

May you hear His still, small voice above all the others. May you hear clearly the voice of your Lord and King saying, “This is the way: Walk in it.”

And may you obey Him. May you follow Him as a faithful sheep, discerning His voice among all the cacophony of thousands of voices screaming out at you in this world. Jesus is the way, the only way. Jesus is the truth, the source of truth. Jesus is the life. He is the giver of life, Baby. Turn to Him and follow Him, and it will go well with you even when life isn’t really going so well.

I pray that your life will be filled with Joy and Peace and Hope and Purpose. But I also pray that you will know that these are only truly found at the feet of Jesus.

I pray that your heart would be kept free from idols. I pray that you would diligently keep your life free from the love of money, of fame, of power and selfish ambition, of worldly pursuits and people pleasing, of thinking too highly of yourself and not highly enough of others.

Look to Jesus. Jesus is our perfect example. He has gone before us and shown us the way. Jesus left heaven, HEAVEN, to be born as a helpless little baby – like you. Jesus gave up His glory and His throne, to live among common men and women like your mom and dad, and your grandma and grandpa.

Jesus loved people. Always. Jesus told the truth. Always. Jesus told the truth with love. Always.

I pray this for you. May you love truth and love people. May you love God’s Word, our fountain of truth and our fountain of love, and our source of wisdom for life.

Jesus was humble. Jesus, the great and glorious King of kings and Lord of lords, listened to the very people He had made. Jesus, the sinless Savior and sacrificial Lamb of God, went willingly to the cross to die a sinner’s death in place of sinful man. Jesus willingly gave up His own life that we could have life eternal and life to the full.

Baby, I pray that you would have that kind of spirit, a humble, gentle, willing, selfless spirit.

Jesus was bold. Jesus spoke boldly and loved boldly. Jesus didn’t follow the crowd. Jesus led the crowd, or Jesus left the crowd. Beware of the self-righteous. Beware of the wolves in sheep’s clothing. Jesus spoke earnestly with the Samaritan woman at the well, an outcast, a sinner. Jesus touched the hearts, minds, and lives of broken people like you and me.

I pray that you would be a bold, sacrificial leader for God’s kingdom, following Jesus rather than the crowds.

I pray that you will have the strength and fortitude of Daniel and his three friends, standing strong for what is right despite the risk.

I pray that you would have the wisdom of Esther, discerning right from wrong and using your life to serve others rather than your self.

I pray that you would have the righteousness of Job, holding fast to your integrity and your Savior, no matter the tests and trials that come your way.

I pray that you would have the tender heart of David, repenting time and time again of your own sins even at great personal expense.

I pray that you would have the integrity of Joseph, trusting in God’s good, loving will and choosing what you know is right, even when all of life’s circumstances are pointing you the other way.

May you know that no matter how often you mess up, no matter how often you go astray like a foolish little sheep, that you have a praying grandma who loves you, who’s in your corner, who’s cheering for you.

By the grace and love and power and strength that is ours in the Mighty Name of Jesus I pray.

Amen.

What will we do with our Freedom?

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“Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from your testimonies.” Psalm 119:157 ESV

Excerpt from The Insanity of God – Nik Ripken

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:10-16 ESV

Please watch the full movie or order a copy of the DVD.

Please pick up a copy of the riveting true book, The Insanity of God, by Nik Ripken

Please commit to pray daily for our brothers and sisters who are living under daily persecution, as well as those brothers and sisters who remain silent despite their freedom. God help us all.

Father, strengthen us. Grow our faith. Help us to be confirmed to the image of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to love others, to seek out the lost, to share the good news of the gospel for those who are perishing.

Let us not be ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Lord, you have not given us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Let us be willing to share in suffering for the gospel by the power You give us, for You saved us and called us to a HOLY calling, not because of our works but because of Your own purpose and grace, which You gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began! Thank You for giving us Your grace. Thank You for giving us purpose! Thank You for your LOVE!

In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

A simple, but powerful, way to read through the Bible – John 6

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I share with you one simple way that I’ve found to really personalize and apply the scripture that I’m reading that day.

Read through the Bible, one book at a time, one chapter (or a portion of a chapter) each day. Each day, choose one specific verse that really speaks to you that day and use that verse to write out a prayer.

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me not because you saw the signs, but because you ate your fill of loaves.”

John 6:26

Father, I want to follow You because it is true, because I believe, because You are REAL. You are the true and living God, not a figment of my imagination, not my fairy godmother, not a genie in a bottle. I don’t want to pray to you like I’m wishing on a star or on my birthday candles. You are not the God of “cross my fingers” and hope You will give me whatever I ask for.

I see you and I follow you because you are REAL and Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. You have opened my eyes and I can never go back. I pray that you will use my life, my words and my testimony to spread the good new of the gospel and bring many to know the truth of Jesus.

In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

A simple, but powerful, way to read through the Bible – John 1

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Let me share with you one simple way that I’ve found to really personalize and apply the scripture that I’m reading that day.

Read through the Bible, one book at a time, one chapter (or a portion of a chapter) each day. Each day, choose one specific verse that really speaks to you that day and use that verse to write out a prayer.

Today I read through John 1 and chose John 1:34 for my verse of the day.

“And I have seen and borne witness
that this is the Son of God.”

John 1:34

I wrote this prayer based on that chapter and verse.

Father, thank You for making Yourself visible so that we can be Your witnesses. Thank you for the witnesses who came before me, for John the Baptist who told his disciple Andrew who told his brother Peter, and for Philip who told his friend Nathanael. Thank you for those who have told me their stories, testifying to the realness of God! I pray that You would make me Your faithful witness. Give me the wisdom and the words to testify to the TRUTH of what I have seen and heard. I pray that my children and my husband and those that I’m discipling would be Your faithful witnesses, too, not giving way to fear, not being ashamed of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who came to take away the sins of the world. Amen.

I’d love to hear your thoughts about how this worked for you. How do you study the Bible every day?

FREE Book — January 12 only

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In celebration of my birthday, I am giving away FREE copies of my book on Kindle, “God is Real: The Eyewitness Testimony of a Former Atheist.”

Click here to go directly to the link Amazon, or search for my name Kim Endraske on Amazon. 😊

The paperback copy is also available for less than $7 if you prefer.

I’d appreciate you sharing the good news with your friends today!

Where is your Focus?

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On the Problem or the Purpose?

On the Father or the Failure?

On the Trials or the Triumph?

On the Savior or the Storm?

Jesus told us that we would have tribulation in this world. Why are we surprised? But Jesus also said TAKE HEART, I have OVERCOME the World!

Daily we have to actively choose to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who for the JOY that was COMING endured the cross.

We, too, can endure and overcome with hope and peace … because of our FAITH in our Risen Savior who conquered death. We, too, know that JOY is coming. These trials are light and momentary when compared to the eternal WEIGHT of GLORY!


I’m looking forward to ETERNITY with Jesus. Who wants to join me there?

The road is indeed narrow, but Jesus made a way! Jesus made a way where there seemed to be no way. Jesus made a way to reconcile sinful man with Holy God – by His death on the cross, paying for my sins.

Jesus IS the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Him, but WOW what GOOD NEWS that there is a way at all for a sinful woman like me to spend eternity with a good and holy God!!!

Who needs to hear this good news today? If God’s given you this hope, go share it with someone who needs it!

TWIG

A Long Look Back at 2020

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For all of its tests and trials, 2020 was a good year, full of God’s unfailing kindness, mercy and love, if we choose to look for them.

On this first day of 2021, I want to look back at 2020 and remember.

January 2020

Noelle’s first dance, trying to be Disciplined (my 2020 Words of the Year) with a 40 day fast from Sugar, praying for China, memorizing scripture for the Bible IQ Bible Bowl, preparing for a 4/4/2020 wedding — choosing a venue, hauling stumps from a neighbor’s fallen tree and getting this needlepoint designed.

February

Sharing the gospel door-to-door, sharing my heart at the 40 Days for Life Kick Off, showering the soon-to-be bride.

March

Drawing and gifting sidewalk chalks, wearing masks, driving-by and driving-in, celebrating with more showers and a NEW ADVENTURE BEGINNING as the two became one, giving thanks for technology that brings people together when they’re many miles apart!

April

Lots and lots of Zoom calls and celebrating the Resurrection at home.

May

Extra hours working VIPKID, celebrating Mother’s Day at home, wisdom teeth removal, walking with friends, and getting our first visit from Emily.

June

Praying for racial reconciliation and healing for our city, encouraging those considering homeschooling, publishing another book, staying connected with church online and another trip to Florida!

July

Celebrating America’s birthday in our new golf cart, 4 new chicks, outside dates and school at the dining table, back at church but distanced, enjoying dog life

August

Celebrating Bill’s 50th outside with a projected movie, more outside dates, more Zooming, braces for my big almost 13 year old baby boy.

September

Cooking skills improving, more dates, my 3-year VIPKID jacket, more driving

October

Making our annual trip to the Discovery Museum, then Emily visiting (unaware that she’s expecting), finding out my first grandbaby is on the way

November

A Thanksgiving visit to Florida

December

Noelle’s 17th birthday wearing masks at the mall, making gingerbread houses, celebrating our 26th anniversary and the birth of Jesus, my Savior.

If you made it this far, Thank you!

Let me share something with you, we all have to choose where to place our focus.

Do you want to dwell on the masks on the faces and the big dream wedding that never was?

Or do you want to be thankful for the people wearing the masks and the wedding that still happened?

Even right now, at this very moment, I’m finishing this post from the E.R. waiting room as my husband got rear-ended by a speeding car while sitting at a red light.

Will I dwell on the totaled vehicle or give thanks for God’s protecting hand?

Last month I chose a new word for 2021: LOOK!

Look up. Look to Jesus. Look at what is eternal. Fix my gaze on God’s goodness.

TWIG

A prayer of worship, and a prayer for strength – from Romans 11:33-36

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“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:33-36 ESV —

The Unchanging in the Middle of a Crazy Covid Christmas

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This Christmas Season, we can dwell on how strange this holiday and this year have been … or we can dwell on those things that remain the same.


“The LORD will reign forever and ever.” (Exodus 15:18)


“I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 89:1)

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)


“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)


“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)


“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:24)

Join me in prayer.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Thank you for your faithful, steadfast love, that we can trust You, that You are a promise keeping God, our everlasting rock, our eternal anchor, our unending peace in the midst of chaos. We pray for people all over the globe to know Your unchangeable love, joy and peace. You are the beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega. We praise Your name in the middle of these days of uncertainty. Amen

From Creation to Christ – An Advent Devotional – Day 25

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My family has loved doing advent devotionals for years, so I decided to write my own. I pray it blesses your family as much as it’s blessed mine.

You can purchase the whole book in print or in an ebook format on Amazon. You can download a printable set of ornaments here or draw or make your own!

Day 25: The Birth of Jesus

Picture / Ornament: Baby in a Manger

Scripture: Luke 1:1-2:20

Song: Mary, Did you Know?

Another Song: He Shall Reign Forevermore

Today is the day. Christmas Day. The day you’ve been waiting all month for. Are you going to get any Christmas gifts today? Did you already open any gifts?

Do you know what is the GREATEST gift you could ever be given? It’s Jesus. Jesus, the promised Savior, is the greatest gift that could ever be given, and He is the greatest gift you could ever receive.

What would happen if your mom and dad spent all month shopping around for just the right gift for you and for each of your siblings, but when Christmas morning came you were all too busy playing outside to take the time to open those special gifts?

What if you all got so many presents from your grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins that you didn’t ever get around to opening that one special present from your mom and dad?

Don’t let the gift of Jesus be like that.

God has given us the most perfect, most special, most precious, most valuable gift that He could ever give, but we have to receive that gift. We have to put our trust in God and believe in His Son, the One who has been given to save us from our sins, the One who died in our place as a payment for our sins, the One who is the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords, the eternal Prince of Peace, the Good Shepherd, and the Bright Morning Star.

John 3:16-18 tells us that, “God so loved the world that He gave His Only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because He has not believed in the name of the Only Son of God.”

Today is the perfect day to thank God for His perfect gift, the gift of His One and Only Begotten Son, Jesus, the promised Savior, who was born at just the right time in just the right place to save His people from their sins.

Remember … Christmas is all about Jesus.