1 and 2 Samuel – Page 4 – Teach What is Good

The Power and Gift of Music – 1 Samuel 16 – 2025 Day 305

Published on October 30, 2025October 30, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 93, 1 Samuel 16

When the harmful spirit was tormenting Saul, music would refresh him. I have experienced first hand the power that music has over me. It can make me feel anxious or peaceful, excited or restful.

Lyrics, too, have such power. Memorizing song lyrics is so much easier than a paragraph of prose of a similar length. What lyrics do you want stuck in your head? A jingle from some obnoxious commercial you saw on TV last night, a song from your teenage years that you heard while you were shopping at the grocery store, or a psalm, hymn, or spiritual song?

This morning, like most mornings, I woke up with a God honoring song running through my head. It set the tone for my quiet time with the Lord and helped me to focus my thoughts on things that are eternal rather than my never ending “to do list.”

This is why my advent book, “From Creation to Christ” features two songs every day. In fact, I created an Advent Playlist on YouTube to accompany it.

For the next month, pay attention to the songs running through your head and what impact they have on your thoughts and your mood.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the beautiful gift of beautiful music. You knew what a blessing it would be to our weary souls. I pray that we would use music to glorify and honor You and to lift our hearts, minds, and souls up to the heavenly places. Help me to be careful to think about what I’m thinking about, and to take any disobedient thoughts captive, renewing my mind with what is true and lovely and excellent and praiseworthy. Please show me if there is any music that I’m singing or listening to that dishonors Your Name or that leads me into darkness rather than light. For Your glory and honor I pray. Amen.

Psalm 1 – The Psalms Project

All Creatures of our God and King – Sovereign Grace Music

Is He Worthy – Andrew Peterson – Highrock Church

The First Noel – SE Samonte

To Obey is Better than Sacrifice – 1 Samuel 15 – 2025 Day 304

Published on October 29, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 92, 1 Samuel 15.

“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.”
1 Samuel 15:22 ESV

Am I as faithful to obey God in the little things, as I am to obey Him in the “big ones”?

I go to church every week without fail, but am I as faithful in reaching out to a hurting neighbor or stranger in need?
I read my Bible every single day, but am I as diligent in being patient and kind to my husband and children day after day?
I answer each and every question in my Bible study workbook, but am I as conscientious in sharing the gospel and making disciples of the lost.
I try to take every opportunity I have to teach others about the goodness of God, but am I as careful on praying without ceasing and seeking the Lord’s guidance in my own daily life.

There are some areas of my life that I find easier to obey than others. How about you? What is easier for you to obey and where do you struggle?

I think some of the things that are easier for me to obey are because they are more enjoyable for me. I simply enjoy reading and singing and studying more than I enjoy serving and listening and being kind. But I’m afraid that some of the things are easier for me because they are more visible. Other people see me at church. Other people hear me teaching or participating in Bible study. Ouch 😳

Oh, Father, help me to live for Your “well done.” Protect me from seeking man’s praise rather than Your praise. I want to live for an audience of One. You are my perfect judge. Your opinion is what matters. Help me to trust and obey. Day by day. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

One Thing – Sovereign Grace Music

More Encouraging Scripture:

Galatians 1:10 ESV — For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Colossians 3:22 ESV — Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

Matthew 6:1-34

Nothing Can Hinder God from Saving – 1 Samuel 13-14 – 2025 Day 303

Published on October 28, 2025October 28, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 91, 1 Samuel 13-14

Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few.”

1 Samuel 14:6 ESV

Sometimes we stand in our own way. We set up our own road blocks. We refuse to step out in faith simply because the bridge before us seems too difficult to cross.

We need to remember that “Nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37) Nothing. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. God can do anything He pleases.

He has absolute authority over everything and everyone on earth. He can take down an army of thousands with two faithful men. He can slay a giant with one little stone. He can part the sea, and He can bring water out of a rock. He can bring manna out of the heavens, and He can make the fleece dry while the ground around it is wet.

Nothing is impossible with God.

He can save by angels. He can save by dreams. He can use ravens. He can use donkeys. He can send floods and earthquakes and hurricanes. He can work through the youngest of babies and the oldest of women.

Nothing is impossible with God.

Heavenly Father, give me the faith that I need to trust in You. Help me to get out of the boat and follow Your lead. Let me not put up road blocks by my unbelief. Make me like Abraham who was counted righteous because of his faith. May nothing cause me to doubt, for I know that You are able to save by many or by few. Indeed, nothing is impossible with You. In the Name of Jesus Christ who triumphed over sin, the devil, and the grave. Amen.

Nothing is Impossible with God –
Luke 1:37 memory verse song

God, the Uncreated One – Keith and Kristyn Getty

Is Anything too Hard for the Lord? – Wonder Kids

For the Sake of the Lord’s Great Name – 1 Samuel 12 – 2025 Day 302

Published on October 27, 2025October 27, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 90, 1 Samuel 12

A.W. Tozer’s book, “The Knowledge of the Holy,” published in 1961, is the only book I’ve read again and again, well, besides the Bible and C.S. Lewis’s Narnia series.

I’d love to just quote the whole first chapter entitled, “Why We Must Think Rightly About God” for you, but instead I’ll share a few sentences and urge you to get the book for yourself.

“We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God.”
“Compared with our actual thoughts about Him, our creedal statements are of little consequence.”
“All the problems of heaven and earth, though they were to confront us together and at once, would be nothing compared with the overwhelming problem of God: That He is; what He is like; and what we as mortal beings must do about Him.”

I was thinking about these ideas while reading 1 Samuel 12, especially this verse:

For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself.
1 Samuel 12:22 ESV

We must ask ourselves questions like,

Is there a God and what is He like?
Does He exist for my pleasure or do I exist for His?
Does He see me, know me, and care about me?
Is He in charge or am I?

The answers to these questions are found, and must be found, in God’s Word rather than in our emotions, logical conclusions, or Google searches.

Heavenly Father, I believe that You are all-powerful and all-knowing and holy and righteous and good because Your Word and Your Creation confirm it. You have created me and redeemed me for Your pleasure, for Your Name’s sake. I want to live for Your glory. I want to glorify and magnify Your Name. Help me. Strengthen me. Enlighten me. Draw all men to Yourself that there would be a great cloud of witnesses praising You for all eternity. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Only a Holy God – City Alight

Our Past Experiences Impact Our Present Reactions – 1 Samuel 11 – 2025 Day 301

Published on October 26, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 89, 1 Samuel 11.

Once again I was reminded of the story of the Levite and his concubine which took place in Gibeah (Saul’s hometown) in Judges 19-21, particularly Judges 19:29 ESV, “And when [the Levite] entered his house, he took a knife, and taking hold of his concubine he divided her, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel.” Along with Judges 21:14 ESV, “And Benjamin returned at that time. And they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead….”

Saul is a Benjaminite from the city of Gibeah. He would have known these stories. In fact, his family would have been directly touched by these events recorded in Judges.

Now notice the connections in 1 Samuel 11. Nahash the Ammonite is attacking the people of Jabesh-Gilead — Was Saul’s mother from there? His aunt? His best friend’s mom?

Saul took the yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces and sent them to all the other tribes in Israel — Just like what the Levite had done with his concubine’s body. It had worked last time to get the people involved, and it worked this time for Saul.

Our family’s traditions, the stories we grow up hearing, the attitudes of people around us, they impact our lives. How I react to my husband, my children, and the cashier at Walmart is shaped by my upbringing. The takeaway for me in this is twofold. One, as a mom, I want to consider the impact I’m having on my children. How am I shaping them by how I behave and what experiences I invite into my children’s lives? Two, as a grown person, how are my actions today being shaped not by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God but by my past. How am I following my passions, instincts, and impulses rather than the Lord?

Heavenly Father, I love You. All Your ways are right. All You do is good. Father, I want to follow You all the days of my life. I want to be conformed into Your image. Make me more like You. I pray that all my actions would be led by Your Holy Spirit who dwells in me and Your Inspired Word which is a lamp to my feet. Give me wisdom as a mother to recognize how my attitudes and actions, what I let into my children’s lives, what I put in front of their faces, will shape their lives in the future. Help me to live for Your glory. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

God’s Ways are Higher than Ours – 1 Samuel 9-10 – 2025 Day 299

Published on October 24, 2025October 24, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 87, 1 Samuel 9-10.

Reading through the Bible book by book has helped me make connections that I’d missed before. The book of Judges ended with the horrific story of the Levite whose concubine was raped and murdered in the land of Benjamin. (Read Judges 19-21). Next, all the tribes of Israel went up against the Benjaminites. Thousands were killed on both sides and the tribe of Benjamin was defeated. In the end, though, Israel decided they didn’t want the tribe of Benjamin to be wiped out, so they devised a plan to repopulate the land of Benjamin by providing the few remaining men with virgin young women from Jabesh-Gilead plus those captured from Shiloh.

This week, reading 1 Samuel, Israel demanded a king and God chose a man of Benjamin. Benjamin, y’all. And the Lord confirmed this in front of all the people, choosing the tribe of Benjamin, the clan of the Matrites, and Saul, the son of Kish, by lots.

What a powerful example of God’s ways being higher than ours! And what a powerful reminder to study the WHOLE Word.

Lord, I often don’t understand what You’re doing. Sometimes I don’t know why You’re leading the way You do. Help me to trust You, to believe that You are at work even in the craziest of daily life situations in this crazy world. Help me to walk by faith day after day. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Poor Bishop Hooper – Psalm 87

An Earthly King Takes, but our Eternal King Gives – 1 Samuel 7-8 – 2025 Day 298

Published on October 23, 2025October 23, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 86, 1 Samuel 7-8.

The Israelites already had a king, a heavenly, eternal, sovereign, perfect king, but they wanted an earthly king like all the other nations. Samuel warned the people that an earthly king would take and take and take. He would take their sons and daughters along with their lands and animals and grain.

But to think about our heavenly, eternal king, Jesus, who gives and gives and gives, who gives us sons and daughters, who gives us land and animals and grain. And to think that Jesus gave us eternal life at the cost of His own life.

That’s My King – S. M. Lockridge

That’s my king! He is the All-knowing God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Ruler of Heaven and Earth, and He knows me by name. I am His, and He is mine.

Lord Jesus, You are my King. You are a good King. You gave up Your life that’s I might have eternal, abundant life. I bow my life before Your throne for You are worthy. You have all authority in heaven and on earth and that includes having authority over my heart, mind, will, and actions. I give my life to You willingly and joyfully, knowing that You are a good King who takes good care of Your people. Take my life and let it be, consecrated, Lord to thee. Take my moments and my days and let them flow in ceaseless praise. Amen.

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All Glory and Honor to God and God Alone – 1 Samuel 4-6 – 2025 Day 297

Published on October 22, 2025October 21, 2025 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 85, 1 Samuel 4-6

Today’s reading reminded me of the first two commandments that God gave to Moses.

1. You shall not have any other gods.

2. You shall not worship idols.

And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

“You shall have no other gods before me.

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
Exodus 20:1-6 ESV

Reading about the trials of both the Israelites and the Philistines, I was reminded that God will not share His glory with any man or any idol. He alone deserves all the praise, worship, glory, and honor.

We must not honor anything as a representative of Him, whether a priest or a saint or a statue or even the ark of the covenant. We must not honor any created thing, whether it represents a false God or the one true God, for all these things are made by human hands and therefore incapable of being an accurate portrayal of The Eternal, Almighty God.

I am the LORD; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
Isaiah 42:8 ESV

Heavenly Father, show me my faults, open my eyes, enlighten me to the ways in which I am stealing Your glory or giving Your glory to another. Forgive me, Lord. Forgive me. You alone are worthy of all glory, praise, and honor. You are God alone. I worship You in Spirit and Truth. In the Name of Jesus Christ, the God-Man, Your Only Begotten Son and my Redeemer, I pray. Amen.

Psalm 8. Shane and Shane

Speak, Lord, for Your Servant Hears – 1 Samuel 3 – 2025 Day 296

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

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 84, 1 Samuel 3

Heavenly Father, You are the Lord, the only Lord, Supreme Ruler over heaven and earth, and I am Your servant. You created me. You redeemed me out of sin and out of the kingdom of the evil one. You bought me with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the unblemished, perfect Lamb of God. You own me. I am Yours.

Better is one day in Your presence than a thousand apart from You. I long to sit at Your feet. I long to hear from You. Speak to me, Lord. Speak truth into my soul. Speak peace into my mind. Speak life into my weary heart. Speak to me.

You have said that Your sheep hear Your voice, and they follow You. Make me an obedient, submissive, gentle sheep.

Help me to hear, to listen, to understand, to trust and obey. Keep my mind from distractions and confusion. Help me to be attentive to Your voice, especially when it is but a whisper while the world, my flesh, and the devil are shouting. Give me discernment to clearly recognize Your voice in the midst of the myriad of distractions, buried like land mines all around me.

Thank You for the pure milk, the pure light, the pure water, of Your Word. Fill me. Wash me. Guide me. For the glory of Your Name and the edification of Your body.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord, I pray. Amen.

Speak, O Lord – Keith and Kristyn Getty

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