Category: Faith

Reading and Writing the Word – Deuteronomy 17 – 2025 Day 206

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 25; Deuteronomy 17

The Lord knows man’s heart, and the Lord knows the future. He knows that we are prone to be partial and selfish and unjust. He knows how easy it is for us to go astray, whether we are a common laborer or housewife or the highest leader in the land. So, in His mercy, He gave us the Law, His Word to memorize and to meditate on. Though the Israelites had never had a king, God knew that someday they would, so He made provision especially for him, saying, “Don’t get a bunch of horses and wives and stuff because then your heart will turn away from Me.” But He didn’t stop there. God didn’t only have a ‘don’t do’ list. He went on to say,

“And when [a Hebrew king] sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests.

And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 ESV

This is a good word for us, too. There is great value in not only reading the Word, but also in writing it. Take the time to write down the actual words of the Bible, along with your own personal thoughts.

Read the Word daily. Meditate on what it says. And obey its commands. Remember that the Lord your God is in your midst and fear Him, that you will be humble and it will go well with you.

This spring I wrote out all six chapters of Ephesians by hand. It was truly hand-breaking, heart-blessing work. Have you ever written out a whole chapter, or book, of scripture? Have you ever kept a journal or taken notes on what you read? How did it impact you?

Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving us Your Word. We want to know it, that we may know You. We want to walk in Your ways. We want to be more like You. Help us to read, write, and meditate on Your Word that we might be merciful, humble, and just as You are. We lift our nation’s leaders before Your throne of grace. Guide and direct their steps. Open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in You. (Acts 26:18) Bless us, Lord, that we might be a blessing to other. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

God, the Uncreated One (King Forevermore) – Keith and Kristyn Getty

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You are God Alone – Deuteronomy 10-11 – 2025 Day 202

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 21; Deuteronomy 10-11

Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven
and the heaven of heavens,
the earth with all that is in it.

Yet the LORD set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples,
as you are this day.

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart,
and be no longer stubborn.

Deuteronomy 10:14-16 ESV

Heavenly Father, You are God and God alone. All of heaven and earth are in the palm of Your hand. You are above all things. You rule over all things. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the eternal and unchanging One. It is by Your will that all of the universe came into existence, and it is by Your will that all of life is sustained. What is man that You are mindful of him? Who am I that You care for me? The very thought that You know me by name, that You love me, oh, Lord, such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to understand. Thank You, Lord. I pray that I would fear You with holy reverence, that I would walk in Your ways, that I would love and serve You with all my heart and soul, keeping Your commands and loving others as You have loved me, all the days of my life. In gratitude to my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

You are God Alone – Phillips, Craig, and Dean

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When God says No – Deuteronomy 3 – 2025 Day 197

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 16; Deuteronomy 3

In Deuteronomy 3, we read the words of Moses to the Lord, “Please let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan …” (verse 25a) and we read the Lord’s answer. Moses would be allowed to view the Promised Land from atop Mount Pisgah, but he would not be allowed to go in with the people he had led for all those years. Despite Moses’s humble plea, God chose young Joshua to lead His people across the Jordan.

Why won’t God let Moses go into the Promised Land with those people that he has served through plagues and battles and complaint after complaint? It seems mean, unfair.

Is there something you’re pleading with God for, something you’ve asked God for time and time again? Do you ever feel like God has forgotten you, that He doesn’t love you, that your requests aren’t important to Him?

Let me first say that if you are not a member of God’s family, if you haven’t been adopted as His son or daughter, then that’s the first step you need to take. Give your life over to the Lord. Repent of your sins, and ask Him to forgive you. Ask Him to put His Holy Spirit in you and turn you from darkness to light. Study His Word and get involved in a local Bible-believing, Bible-preaching body of believers.

But, if you have been born again into the family of God, then let me encourage you that God hears your prayers, but sometimes His answer is no. As His children, we can trust that God has a good purpose even when His answer is ‘no.’

  • Sometimes He is disciplining us for our past disobedience, like a good Father should.
  • Sometimes He is giving someone else a blessing, a chance to lead or receive.
  • Sometimes He knows that giving us what we ask would hurt us and He is protecting us in His refusal.

I may never know why God says No,
but I can always trust that no matter what,
He is with me, He hears me, and He is at work in my life.

Heavenly Father, Your ways are not my ways. Your thoughts are not my thoughts. Help me to trust You when I don’t understand Your ‘No.’ Help me to believe that You are at work behind the scenes, working all things together for good for I love You and You have called me for Your purposes. Whether I get to lead my people all the way into the Promised Land or I only get a glimpse of the good things to come, I want to be used by You. I trust You. In the Name of Jesus Christ who is faithful and good. Amen.

Your Love Oh Lord (Psalm 36) – Third Day

All the Way My Savior Leads Me – Deuteronomy 1-2 – 2025 Day 196

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Read through the Bible: Proverbs 15; Deuteronomy 1-2

I think there’s something incredibly powerful in true stories. Reading the biographies of Christian brothers and sisters like Hudson Taylor, Gladys Aylward, and Corrie Ten Boom is both inspiring and convicting. It reminds me that God is real, that He is on His throne, that He hears and answers prayers, and that He loves His children. I would highly recommend to you and your family the Christian Heroes books written by the married team, Janet and Geoff Benge. I’ve read at least a dozen of their books and loved every one. In fact, I recently discovered that my local library has several of their Christian biographies available on audiobook. Hooray! Did you know I absolutely love listening to audiobooks?

After homeschooling for 23 years, I recognize the great value there is in learning the history of America and other countries around the world. We have been immensely blessed by all four of Linda Hobar’s Mystery of History series, as well as the Notgrass family’s fantastic series of history books.

This summer as I look toward my first year in over two decades of not reading a history book on the couch with my children, I want to remember how important it is to know the history of the Bible, not merely so my children and I might be able to answer Bible trivia questions, but that we might learn from those who went before us. May we better know who our God is, that we might love Him more, and may we remember how easy it is to go astray, like 1 Corinthians 10:11-12 says, “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”

So, here are a few of my takeaways from Deuteronomy 1-2:

  1. God made a way for His people to enter the Promised Land, but they had to take action, obeying Him, going in and taking possession of the land. (Deuteronomy 1:8) I have found in my own life that the Lord has prepared me and my circumstances to accomplish His purposes, but that doesn’t make me exempt from taking the necessary steps of obedience to achieve them.
  2. Moses was a fabulous leader and man of God but even he needed other people to partner with him in leading the Israelites. (Deuteronomy 1:9-18)
  3. Even when we get to see first-hand the Lord working before our very eyes, we can forget His love and provision for us. We must be careful to remind ourselves again and again of His faithfulness. Deuteronomy 2:7, “For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He knows your going through this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing.”

What about you? What do you want to remember from today’s reading? Write it down in a journal, or leave a comment below. Remember: Writing helps remembering.

Heavenly Father, You are as real and powerful and faithful today as You were thousands of years ago. You cared for and provided for Your Hebrew children, and You care for and provide for me. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your guidance. Thank You for the nourishing food and clean water and safe shelter that You have given to me. Even when the way seems dark and I feel alone, I can trust that every day of my life You have been with me and I have lacked for nothing. I am grateful. For the glory and majesty of Your Name I pray. Amen.

All the Way my Savior Leads Me

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Think About What You’re Thinking About – Philippians 4 – 2025 Day 195

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 14; Philippians 4

Finally, brothers, whatever is true,
whatever is honorable, whatever is just,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is commendable,
if there is any excellence,
if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.

Philippians 4:8 ESV
  • What do you fall asleep thinking about?
  • What is the first thing on your mind when you wake up?
  • Where does your mind dwell, abide, rest, live?
  • When you have a few quiet moments, where do your thoughts naturally run to?
  • Is it to things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy … Or is it to things that are anxious, rude, mean, cruel, crude, immoral, or irritable?

Dear sisters, we are caught in a battle, a battle between light and dark, good and evil, God and the devil. So much of that battle is fought in our minds and, sadly, that is where the battle is so often lost. Think about Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

If we want to win this battle, we have to think about what we’re thinking about, and forcibly take those rogue thoughts captive to obey Christ.

Ask yourself, “Is this true?” No? Get rid of it! “Is this pure and honorable?” No? Put it away! “Would I want to tell Jesus about these thoughts that I’m dwelling on?” No? Then, cast them away! They don’t belong in your head.

Heavenly Father, help me to think about what I’m thinking about. Help me to recognize the power that the thoughts in my head have over what I say and do and feel. Help me to remember that I am in a battle, and that You are victorious, that I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ, the King of kings. Help me to take every thought captive to obey Christ. Help me not to be anxious, but in everything to cast my cares upon You and know without a doubt that You care for me. Help me to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing, and in everything to give thanks, knowing that this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for me. It is in the name of Jesus Christ that I pray. Amen.

So many song choices for today! Check ’em all out and pick your favorite!

Whatever Things (Philippians 4:4-8 Bible Song) – Royal Generation
Think about Such Things – Philippians 4:8 – Truth Songs
Philippians 4:8-9 (Lyric Video) – The Corner Room
Philippians 4:8 Lyric Video – Songs from the Loop
Philippians 4:4-8 Bible Verses to Memorize for Kids with Actions – In the Gap Kids

Knowing You, Jesus – Philippians 3 – 2025 Day 194

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 13, Philippians 3

For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:8b-11 ESV

Heavenly Father, I want knowing You to be my highest goal. Jesus, I want to know You. Intimately. Personally. I don’t want to just know about You, like I might know about some famous historical person. I want to truly know You, like I know my husband, my sister, my best friend. I want to know Your power and goodness. I want to trust You with my whole life, that I might walk by faith day by day. You’re my all; You’re the best; You’re my joy, my righteousness, and I love you, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord I pray. Amen.

Knowing You – Graham Kendrick

Serving God by Serving Others – Philippians 2 – 2025 Day 193

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 12; Philippians 2

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.

Philippians 2:19-22 ESV

When you read this did you notice how Timothy is concerned not for himself, but for others, and that this is why Paul says Timothy seeks not his own interests, but those of Jesus Christ?

Dear sisters, I’m again reminded that serving others IS serving Christ.

I can serve the Lord by serving my husband breakfast. I can serve the Lord by listening attentively to my children as they tell me about their day. I can serve the Lord by washing dirty dishes and dirty socks. I can serve the Lord by chatting with a stranger in Walmart.

Who is the Lord calling you to serve today? How can you glorify God by being concerned for someone else’s welfare today? I’d love to pray for you. Leave me a comment below.

Heavenly Father, help me to look to the needs of others rather than myself. Help me to love You by loving my neighbor. I want to serve You, so give me the strength to serve the people you’ve made. Give me a humble heart toward You, so I can have a humble heart toward the people around me. This is only possible by Your grace. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Loving God, Loving Each Other – Fountainview Academy

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Suffering and Striving Side-by-Side for the Sake of the Gospel – Philippians 1-2 – 2025 Day 192

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Proverbs 11; Philippians 1-2

In Philippians 1, Paul expresses his desire for the Philippians to stand firm, having one spirit and one mind with him and with one another, striving side by side for the gospel, not being frightened of anything, because they trust that God is good and that He is on His sovereign throne. I don’t want us to lose this context as Paul moves into Philippians 2. Paul knows this side-by-side striving for the gospel in the face of fierce opposition will be hard. The Philippians will want to give up, so he writes,

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:1-11 ESV

By His Grace and In His Service, I, Kim, a fellow servant of Christ Jesus write to you.

Press on. Jesus is worth it. He’s worth it. Keep going. Do the next right thing.

Whether you can see me or not, I’m right here beside you. We are marching lockstep together, in the Lord’s army together, following the same Master, the Master who became the servant, even to death, death on a cross. Each of us are links of a chain, linked together in the bonds of the Spirit, for the sake of the gospel. We need each other. And we can stand firm by the power of God at work in us. For the sake of all those lost souls and for the sake of the Name of our Savior and Lord, press on.

Heavenly Father, give us the strength and the desire to press on. Let us not grow weary of well-doing, because we trust that in due season we will reap a harvest if we do not lose heart. I thank You for the brothers and sisters that You have given to me, my fellow soldiers, the fellow members of Your body that are marching with me. Help each of us to be willing to humble ourselves for the sake of the kingdom. We love You, Lord. You are worthy of all the praise and glory and honor. In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord we pray. Amen.

Battle Hymn of the Republic (with Lyrics) – Gaither Music TV

To live is Christ. To die is gain – Philippians 1 – 2025 Day 191

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 10; Philippians 1

“To live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Philippians 1:21 ESV

To live is Christ. To die is gain.

The world shouts, “Pursue riches. Pursue fame. Pursue power and beauty and praise. Take it easy. Enjoy life. You do you. Do what makes you happy. YOLO.”

But the Lord cries, “Pursue what makes for peace and building others up. (Romans 14:19) Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. (1 Timothy 6:11) Work hard. Enjoy Me. Be conformed to My likeness. Do what makes Me happy. YOLO.”

Whose voice am I listening to?

Oh, Heavenly Father, I only live once. It has been appointed for me to one day die and to stand before Your throne. Teach me to number my days that I might have a heart of wisdom. Give me the humility I need to count others more significant than myself, to look out for the interests of others. Make my faith firm and unwavering, that I can utter these words with complete conviction, “To live is Christ. To die is gain.” In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain, the One who is Worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. Amen.

See: Hebrews 9:27, Psalm 90:12, Revelation 5:12

My Worth is Not in What I Own (with Chinese subtitles) – Keith and Kristyn Getty
What does Paul mean by “To Live is Christ but to Die is Gain?” – Drive Thru History

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Pure and Holy Passion: Some Thoughts on Righteous Jealousy from Numbers 25 – 2025 Day 182

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 1; Numbers 25-26

While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab. These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel….

And the LORD said to Moses, “Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has turned back my wrath from the people of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I did not consume the people of Israel in my jealousy. Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace, and it shall be to him and to his descendants after him the covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel.’”

Numbers 25:1-3, 10-13 ESV

Usually jealousy is closely tied to covetousness, which is a sin. We’re jealous of someone’s marriage, children, house, job, appearance, whatever… We want what they have. In some way or other, some other person has it better than us, and we’re not happy about it.

But what about righteous jealousy? What about being jealous for your husband’s honor, or affection? Is it right to turn a deaf ear to someone slandering your husband’s name? Would a godly wife look the other way while some woman flirts with her husband … Or what if she sees her husband holding hands with his secretary?

Likewise, it is only right for us to be jealous for our Heavenly Father’s honor and affection.

How should we feel if we see a brother or sister in Christ smearing the Lord’s reputation through the dirt, chasing after idols and smut? What about when we hear someone spreading lies about our Lord Jesus?

I’m afraid we’re nothing more than
selfish cowards when we close
our eyes, ears, and mouths to someone slandering our great Savior’s name.

Our Gracious Father God says, “you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” (Exodus 34:14) In perfect righteousness, the Lord “yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us.” (James 4:5) Certainly, we need to not sin in our jealousy for our Lord’s Name. Surely, we need to speak the truth in love, having words full of grace and seasoned with salt, not repaying wrong with wrong but overcoming evil with good, but let’s look more like God’s spotless bride and less like the world’s.

I pray that our hearts would be free from selfish jealousy, envy, and covetousness, while remaining full of zealous love for our Savior’s honor, reputation, and affection.

Heavenly Father, You have loved me with a fervent, faithful love. Help me to love You back with that same kind of pursuing passion and devotion. I pray that my heart and life would be free of covetousness which is idolatry. I want to love what You love and hate what You hate. I want to be transformed by the renewing of my mind that I may be conformed into the image of Your Perfect Son. In the Holy, Righteous Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

One Pure and Holy Passion – Amy Nobles

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