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Blessings Hidden Just Around the Bend – Ruth 1 – 2025 Day 290

Published on October 15, 2025October 21, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 78, Ruth 1

[Naomi] said to [the women in Bethlehem], “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”

Ruth 1:20-21 ESV

I wish I could tell Naomi not to lose hope, to trust that joy was just around the next bend.

I once heard God’s sovereignty compared to a stoplight which controls traffic in a construction zone. This light is provided to stop people from a head-on collision with oncoming traffic hidden by the bend in the road. Sometimes a person might be tempted to ignore this light, to just assume that no one is coming and give up waiting for the light to turn. As a loving God who knows the future, He asks us to wait on Him rather than barreling forward because of His great care for us.

The point was then made that God is good to not reveal the future to us for if we knew about the tragedy that lies just around the bend we would spend our lives fretting, rather than living each day in itself.

While I do wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment, I can’t help but recognize our human propensity to dwell on the negative, on the coming trial, rather than the coming joy. Several years ago, the Holy Spirit convicted me that when I spend my time fretting about what the future might hold, I end up missing out on having HOPE, trusting in God’s sovereign goodness, waiting expectantly for what hidden joy might lie just around the bend.

Paul writes in his letter to the Romans, “Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Romans 8:24-25) Remember, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) If we could see what was just around the bend, whether tomorrow or a hundred years from now, then we would have no need for HOPE, no need for FAITH. God grows our faith, our trust in Him, by having us wait upon Him.

So, the next time when things look bleak and hopeless and we’re tempted to despair that all hope is lost, let’s remember that God holds the future and that He is worthy of our trust. May we be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” Psalm 28:7

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37:5

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.” Psalm 130:5-7

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We All Need to be Redeemed – Ruth 3-4 – 2025 Day 289

Published on October 14, 2025October 21, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 77, Ruth 3-4

In April 1994, I was having another discussion about religion with a young man I was interested in. For the dozenth time, I was arguing with him about my inability to believe in a God that I couldn’t see with my eyes or touch with my hands. Suddenly, in a brief moment of humility, I asked a simple question, “What do you mean when you say, ‘saved’?” To me, “save” was a word associated with money and stray puppies, not college valedictorians. And for the first time I heard clearly explained the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Reading through the book of Ruth, I noticed the words redeem and redeemer over and over again. Do we as 21st-century adults understand what ‘redeemed’ means?

Do we see our own lostness and wretchedness, our need for a counselor and guide to show us where to go and lead us by the hand to get there? Or do we think we already know all the answers, have already arrived, and don’t need anything beyond what hard work, Google, and the government can provide?
Do we see ourselves as hopeless, helpless beggars, searching for a morsel of bread? Or do we see ourselves as wealthy, capable, able-bodied men and women in need of nothing and noone?
Do we see our sinful nature and recognize our need for forgiveness and rebirth? Or do we think we’re good, decent people who’ve never killed anybody or done anything all that bad, especially compared to all the good things we’ve done?

Naomi, a Jew, and Ruth, a Moabite, both needed to be redeemed, and so do you and I.

Naomi and Ruth’s earthly lives were redeemed by their kinsman-redeemer, Boaz, but their eternal souls were redeemed by looking forward in faith to that sinless Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who paid the price for their sins with His own sinless blood, something much more precious than all the gold and silver all the world over.

Have you been redeemed? Have you been washed in the blood of that Lamb?

Have your sins been fully paid for by Jesus, that spotless Lamb, when He was nailed to the cross 2,000 years ago?

Forgive me, God. I have sinned against You. I have broken Your commands more times than I can count. I knew I was wrong and I did it anyway. Wash me clean in the blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Please, I want to be made new. I need You, Heavenly Father, to make me new. Give me a new heart and new desires and new strength. Fill me with Your Spirit that I might live for You all the days of my life for Your glory and for my good. Amen.

Are you Washed in the Blood of the Lamb? – Antrim Mennonite Choir, video by S.E. Samonte

Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb – The Worship Initiative

I Know that My Redeemer Lives – Keith + Kristyn Getty, Laura Story

Read more about redemption at Blue Letter Bible.

God Chooses Foreigners – Ruth 2 – 2025 Day 288

Published on October 13, 2025October 13, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 76, Ruth 2

Ruth, a widowed Moabite woman, found safety in the providence of God and in the fields of Boaz, her Israelite kinsman redeemer.

Have you ever considered the fact that God called a man named Abram, who was living in Ur, to come to Canaan to be the great father of the Israelite nation? God could’ve chosen someone already living in the Promised Land, but He didn’t. God chose a foreigner named Abram to leave his people and his land, and go to a land that He would show him.

Likewise, God chose a foreign-born woman, Ruth, to be the great-grandmother of King David, the forefather of Jesus Christ Himself. God could’ve chosen Naomi, a Jew, but He didn’t. God chose a foreigner named Ruth to leave her people and her land, and accompany her mother-in-law to her land.

And now, three thousand years later, God chose me, a young woman running from God, blaspheming His name, scoffing at His followers, to carry His Word across the world wide web to a foreign nation on the other side of the globe. He could’ve chosen someone who grew up in church, but He didn’t. God chose me to wake up before dawn, turn on my computer, and teach, and I’m trying my best to obey. 😁

Jesus said in Acts 1:8 ESV, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Is God calling you to GO?

Heavenly Father, have Your way with me. Help me to trust You and walk humbly with You, my God. You are the God of Redemption and Power, the God of Holiness and Second Chances. You are the Tapestry-Weaving God of Life and Purpose. We worship You, Lord, and thank You for Your mercy. Help us to reach out to the foreigner dwelling among us for Your glory, never forgetting that You desire the worship of people all over the globe. We want to be faithful to make disciples of all nations. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Are you looking for a family friendly devotional to use this Christmas season? A few years ago, I put down in print what had been in my heart, head, and mouth for a decade with my own kids. I hope it blesses you. It’s available in paperback or ebook versions. Download a PDF of all 25 ornaments free here.

“From Creation to Christ: A Family Advent Devotional Tracing the Story of the Savior Through Scripture, Stories, Songs, and Pictures”
by Kim Endraske

Day 11 of the Devotional shares the story of Ruth and Boaz.

Emmanuel (God with Us Forever) Bryan and Katie Torwalt

Great Is Thy Faithfulness – Maranatha Music

FORMERATHEIST58

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LOVE your Mother-in-law. LOVE your Daughter-in-law. – Ruth 1 – 2025 Day 287

Published on October 12, 2025October 12, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 75, Ruth 1

Did you know that the famous words from Ruth 1:16, “For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God,” were spoken by Ruth to her mother-in-law, not her husband? Well, now you do. In fact, Ruth said this to her mother-in-law after her husband’s death.

My grandma made this for me as a wedding gift. Ruth 1:16.

Little did my Grandma know when she cross-stitched Ruth 1:16 for a wedding gift for me, what an enormous impact my mother-in-law would have on my life. To be honest, as a young bride, I struggled in my relationship with my mother-in-law, but God… God used my mother-in-law’s patience, kindness, and forgiveness to draw me to better understand God’s patience, kindness, and forgiveness.

How’s your relationship with your mother-in-law? Rather than dwelling on all the things she’s done wrong, try dwelling instead on all the things she’s done right. You married her son. She must’ve done something well. Next time you start thinking about all the ways you’d like her to change, try looking at what you could change to improve your relationship with her. Could you be more patient, kind, and forgiving toward her? Start there and see what God does. And if you need to make a call or have a face-to-face chat about something that happened days, months, or years ago, do it. Today. Don’t let bitterness take root and spoil the good fruit that God wants to bear through you.

Baby #1 – very tired parents, very happy grandparents

Heavenly Father, Thank You, Lord, for the gift of a mother-in-law who loves You and who loves me. Help me to be grateful and to recognize that this truly is a gift. Thank you for blessing my son with a wife and my daughters with husbands. Give me the wisdom and strength I need to be a patient, kind, and forgiving mother-in-law myself. In the Name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

I Will Trust My Savior Jesus – City Alight

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Desiring God’s Word MORE THAN Gold – 2025 Day 286

Published on October 11, 2025October 11, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 74, Psalm 19

This semester, I’m memorizing Psalm 19 with our local Community Bible Study group. Psalm 19:10 says that God’s Word is to be desired MORE THAN gold, MORE THAN much FINE GOLD, which reminded me of something I learned when I was in Ohio this fall at a training conference for LifeWise program directors. They mentioned that one reason it’s hard to ask people for financial support is because our nation idolizes money; therefore, we treat it like an idol, tiptoeing around it and fearful of getting too close to it. Ouch.

In his book, “The Watchmen,” Mark Cahill wrote, “People traveled all across America to get to the West Coast for the Gold Rush, but would you walk two steps over to your bookcase and crack open the eternal Word of God which is more precious than gold?” Double ouch.

How often do we choose the pursuit of money
over the pursuit of God?

Which reminds me of Revelation 3:15-18, a passage I memorized last year with Community Bible Study, during our study of Revelation.

“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

Would you like to work on hiding God’s Word in your heart, too? Here are some graphics I created for Psalm 19:7-10 to help me (and the youth) commit it to memory.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Psalm 19:7a
Psalm 19:7b
Psalm 19:8a
Psalm 19:8b
Psalm 19:9a
Psalm 19:9b
Psalm 19:10

If you’d like a printable PDF of all the graphics, you can download it here.

Psalm 19 7-10 Download

Let’s pursue the TREASURE of God’s precious Word, faithfully and diligently storing it up in our heart, that we might not sin against Him.

If you’d like to support my local LifeWise program, I’d certainly appreciate it. Click here for my local program, or click here to find a program in your area.

Psalm 19 – Sounds like Reign

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When People Do Whatever is Right in Their Own Eyes – Judges 21 – 2025 Day 285

Published on October 10, 2025October 10, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 73, Judges 21

People always joke about Leviticus being the hardest book in the Bible, with maybe Numbers and Job being close runners up. Well, so far this year, I’ve read all three of those books, and none of them light a candle to how hard Judges has been for me. To see again and again the depravity of men, even so called “good men” like Gideon and Samson, has broken my heart time after time.

Judges ends with these words,

“In those days there was no king in Israel.
Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Judges 21:25 ESV

Whether people obey Him or not, Almighty Jehovah God is the Supreme, Sovereign Ruler. He is the King over Heaven and Earth. He rules over all creation, though mankind chooses to disobey Him, doing whatever seems right in their own eyes. We choose to follow our own deceitful, corrupted hearts rather than following the Lord.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Proverbs 14:12 ESV

As an atheist, I saw helping others as a way I could make my mark in the world. I wanted people to think well of me. I wanted to be a good person. I made up all kinds of rules for myself and tried my best to keep them, but I couldn’t do it. I didn’t have any motivation higher than my own pride, and I didn’t have any strength higher than my own will power. Like these men in Judges, I was doing whatever seemed right to me, whatever was right in my own eyes, and that way led me straight to the center of the City of Destruction via the Slough of Despond. (Have you ever read “Pilgrim’s Progress” by John Bunyan? Might I suggest listening to an audio version of it. I’ve been listening to this version read by Nadia May and I love it.)

But the Bible reveals another path. A better path. A path of humility and power, God’s power.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:5-8 ESV

Heavenly Father, Your Way is right. All Your ways are good. Help us to know You, rightly discerning the path of life. May Your Word be a light to our feet and a lamp to our path. May Your goodness be a fetter, binding our wandering hearts to Thee. Lead us straight to You. In the Name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

From Everlasting (Psalm 90)
– Sovereign Grace Music

FORMERATHEIST58

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Are we Protecting the Perpetrators or Helping the Hurting? – Judges 20 – 2025 284

Published on October 9, 2025October 10, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 72, Judges 20

And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What evil is this that has taken place among you? Now therefore give up the men, the worthless fellows in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and purge evil from Israel.”

But the Benjaminites would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the people of Israel.
Judges 20:12-13 ESV

You have to read Judges 19 in order to understand Judges 20, so please start there. I wrote some thoughts on Judges 19 here. Today, considering Judges 20, I’m thinking about how often people protect the perpetrators and turn their backs to the needy. Unfortunately, it’s all too common that the criminals with a good reputation who the community rallies behind to support, while the lesser-known victims are left with no one to defend them. May it never be.

Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecies of Isaiah 11 and Isaiah 61.

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.

He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Isaiah 11:1-4 ESV

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;

he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;

to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;

that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.
Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV

May we be vessels of His mercy and justice, of His grace and truth. May we be impartial as He is. May we help the poor and broken, remembering that we are poor and broken recipients of God’s amazing grace.

May there be unity within the light, may the body of Christ be united as ONE MAN to fight against the evil one and the powers of darkness.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day – Casting Crowns

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Where Can the Needy Find Shelter? – Judges 19 – 2025 Day 283

Published on October 8, 2025October 10, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 71, Judges 19

I think Judges might be my least favorite book of the Bible. 🥺 Chapter after chapter we read how vile, wicked, foolish, and inhumane people can be. This chapter must be the worst of all!

First off, why does the Levite have a concubine in the first place? Then, why was the concubine unfaithful to him and why would she leave him to live with her father? And then, why does her father keep insisting on keeping the Levite so late into the evening? But it gets much worse from there … You’ll have to read it for yourself.

This morning, though, what I’m still thinking about for myself, is that this Levite didn’t want to stay the night in Jebus because it was a city controlled by heathens. He insisted that they keep traveling to the town of Gibeah, an Israelite town, where he expected to find safety and hospitality. And yet, Gibeah is the very city where his concubine was violated and abused all night, to her death. 😫

I find myself asking questions like these:

Are Christians today so perpetually angry, bitter, and selfish that we, likewise, are unable to be places of mercy for the wounded traveler looking for help?

Are Christians today safe spaces for our brothers and sisters in Christ to get a few moments of peace in the midst of the storms of life?

Are Christians today hospitable and generous to the stranger in our midst?

Are Christians today committed to protecting the hurting and needy, or do we send them on down the street to be devoured by wolves and taken in by frauds?

Are Christians today humble and kind to the broken, or are we so busy feeding our own flesh that we can’t be bothered to take care of others who need someone to throw them a lifeline?

Let’s be faithful to inspect our own eyes for the logs that are lodged there, instead of just pointing fingers at lost people doing what lost people do.

Oh, Heavenly Father, break my heart for what breaks Yours. Thank You for Your saving grace. Thank You for pursuing me and bringing me into the safety of Your fold, for hiding me under the shelter of Your wings. Help me to do likewise. Give me eyes for the needy, the helpless, the hurting. Burden my heart for them. Set the captives free, Lord! Free those chained to addictions of all kinds, pornography and gambling, alcohol and drugs, selfishness and greed, laziness and gluttony. We need Your grace, Lord. Help us, Father, by Your steadfast, powerful mercy. In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, we pray. Amen.

Psalm 71 Hymn – Psalm Musicals

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Using God … Or Worshipping God? – Judges 17-18 – 2025 Day 282

Published on October 7, 2025October 25, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 70, Judges 17-18

It seems that Micah is about using God rather than serving Him. He wants a priest and an ephod and carved images, not so he can rightly know and love God, but so that he can get them to do what he wants.

God isn’t a genie in a lamp that we can rub when we want our wishes granted. God doesn’t live to do our bidding. We need to know God rightly, so we can worship Him rightly. Wrong beliefs lead to wrong actions. Every. Time.

Quit following your heart and start leading your heart to follow God. His ways are right. His ways are better. Every. Time.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your immense mercy and grace. You didn’t have to love me. You didn’t have to save me. But You did. Thank You. I want to serve You for You are worthy. Give me discernment to recognize what is good and what is evil, and give me the power to choose good. For the Glory of Your Name and Your Kingdom. In the Name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Ten Shekels or the Lamb – Chris Sandford

Is He Worthy – Andrew Peterson – Highrock

Are you USING GOD … Or WORSHIPPING GOD? – FormerAtheist58

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God WORKS even through SINFUL men and women like Samson … And ME – Judges 16 – 2025 Day 281

Published on October 6, 2025October 10, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 69, Judges 16

Judges 16 has lessons for both men and women. I have been blessed with two sons as well as two daughters. I see lessons here for both of them.

Sons, guys, be careful who you fall for. The wrong woman will lead you in the wrong direction. Strong men can become weak men in a woman’s hands. Get to know who a woman really is before you give her your heart. If you see that she has a selfish, manipulative, deceitful spirit, RUN!

Daughters, ladies, be careful how you use your seductive powers. You can manipulate a man into doing things both you and he will regret. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Don’t manipulate men, making them your puppet. It will only lead you astray.

For all of my children, for all of you reading this, it’s not too late. God can work through you to accomplish HIS purposes. He is the God of second and third and fourth chances. He is the God of redemption. He is on His throne. He works even through SINFUL men and women like Samson and Delilah and Bill and Kim.

Heavenly Father, I pray for my sons and my daughters, my granddaughters and my grandsons, men and the women. May their hearts belong to You. May You be their greatest treasure. Protect them from the sins of deceit and manipulation. Teach them and strengthen them to guard their hearts. Fill their hearts with pure, holy desires, that they would love what You love and hate what You hate. And remind them that it’s never too late to return to You. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Come Thou Fount – Shane and Shane

GOD WORKS even through SINFUL MEN and WOMEN like SAMSON and ME 🙋🏻‍♂️🙋🏼‍♀️

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