Category: Faith

Mark 5: What are you Begging Jesus for?

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Mark 5.

The man, possessed by a legion of demons, “begged [Jesus] earnestly not to send them out of the country.” In fact, the legion of demons even “begged [Jesus] saying, ‘Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.’”

When the people of the area heard about what happened, they “began to beg Jesus to depart from their region,” while the newly-delivered man, finally freed from the demons, “begged [Jesus] that he might be with Him.” (Mark 5:10, 17, 18 ESV)

What is the reaction of our friends and loved ones, the people of our communities, when they encounter Jesus?

  • Do they ask to be with Him … or do they ask to be free from Him?
  • Do they ask Him to be near Him or far, far away?
  • Do they want to be delivered of the demons  holding them captive, or do they prefer to remain in the comfortable life to which they’ve grown accustomed?

More importantly, what is our own reaction to meeting Him?

  • Does our fear of His awesome power and holiness drive us to our knees in reverence, or does it drive us to run from Him in terror?
  • Do we fall at His feet and beg Him to take us with Him?
  • Do we pursue Him night and day, hungry to touch even the hem of His garment?
  • Do we proclaim to our friends how much the Lord has done for us, or do we hide our light deep beneath a bushel?

Heavenly Father, I’m begging You to be near me, to walk with me, to hold my hand, to be my ever-present companion and help. I need You every hour. I want to be Your mouthpiece, shouting Your praises from the rooftops and from home to home as I go. Please, Father, bless me to be a blessing – to You and to my fellow man. For Your glory and our good I pray in the Name of Jesus Christ who has promised to be with me wherever I go. Amen.

Mark 4: Of Rocky Soil and the Scorching Sun

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Mark 4

Spring has sprung here in the Mid-South. Temperatures are rising, and trees that were bare last month are covered with pink, purple, and white buds. Colorful daffodils, tulips, and hyacinth are poking happy faces through newly green yards. 

Sunshine is our spring-time friend, bringing growth and warmth, so I was grappling with the idea that the sun is also responsible for scorching those seeds that have fallen on rocky ground, causing them to wither away.

Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away.

Mark 4:5-6 ESV

But after more thought, I realized how much sense that makes. The pain that the Lord used to draw me to seek Him could just as easily have caused someone to fall away from Him. Truly and thankfully, our lives are in the good hands of the Master Gardener.

Heavenly Father, I pray that I would be Your faithful disciple, putting down roots deep into Your Word, that the trials of life will make me stronger not weaker, better not bitter. I pray for my many countrymen who are still teetering on the fence, reluctant to jump in with both feet, unaware of the protection that Your presence offers. For Your glory and their good I pray that You will water the soil and prepare the ground of their heart that the seeds of the gospel will find a people ready to bear fruit. In the Good and Gracious Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Mark 3: Giving Thanks in ALL Circumstances.

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Mark 3

Jesus called the twelve men whom He desired and they came to Him. One of those twelve men was Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.

As hard as it is for me to understand why God puts hard people and hard situations in my life, I want to trust Him, that this is His will for me and that His will is always right and good. Jesus ‘s own family thought He was “out of His mind.” (Mark 3:21) Why should I expect any less?

Give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

Heavenly Father, I know that no plan of yours can be thwarted. I know that You know all things, past, present, and future. You know what is in the hearts and minds of all men. You are perfectly wise and work perfectly to accomplish Your purposes. Help me, Father, to trust You enough to give thanks in every circumstance, trusting that You are on Your throne and that You are good. In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and my Lord, I pray. Amen.

The Lord is My Salvation – Shane and Shane

This is a Light Thing in the Sight of the Lord. Thoughts from 2 Kings.

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 2 Kings 3:1-5:14

In 2 Kings chapters 3-5, we read about one miracle after another. God sends water into the desert. God fills vessel upon vessel with oil. God conceives a child in a barren woman’s womb. God brings a boy back from the dead. God makes pure a poisonous stew, and God heals a man of leprosy.

This is a light thing
in the sight of the LORD.

2 Kings 3:18a ESV

Yet, to the Lord, all of these things are light. None of these incredible events are hard for him. God isn’t exhausted after doing them. He didn’t struggle or labor night after night to achieve these mighty feats. What is a few jars of oil or one little baby to a God who can speak the entire universe into existence by the sheer power of His voice?

In light of the truth (pun intended) that all things are easy for God, we need to remember that there is nothing too big for Him, but also there is nothing is too small for Him.

  • Out of work and need a job? No problem.
  • In a hurry and need a parking spot? Got it.
  • Struggling with discipling and disciplining your children? He can help.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, is impossible for Him. And nothing, absolutely nothing, is too little for His care.

I love it when my adult children ask for my advice and my help, no matter how big or how little it is. Likewise, our perfect Heavenly Father loves His children to seek His help in all areas of our lives.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6 ESV

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

1 Peter 5:7 NLT

Heavenly Father, thank You for always being there for us. We know that nothing is impossible for you, that you are able to do all things. Help us to trust You and turn to You. Whether the thing to us looks too big or too small, may we entrust it into Your watchful, loving care. In the Name of Jesus Christ our Savior we pray. Amen.

I Cast All My Cares Upon You / Jesus Loves Me

Never Hidden From God. Thoughts from 1 Kings.

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 years: 1 Kings 20-22.

Do you ever just feel like just a random cog in the vast machine of life? Do you ever feel like you’re nothing more than an inconsequential human being among billions of others?

Reading today about when King Ahab, dressed as a simple soldier rather than a king in an attempt to hide himself during battle, was struck down by an arrow launched by a random soldier that just so happened to strike him precisely between his armor and breastplate, reminded me again that God is in charge of our lives (1 Kings 22:34). God had ordained the number of King Ahab’s days. He couldn’t hide from God, and neither can we.

God knows precisely where you are, and he knows precisely what you’re thinking. He knows what you did yesterday, He knows what you will do today, and He is in control of what your day holds.

Does this thought scare you? Or comfort you?

Your answer will depend on two things: (1) the character of God and (2) your relationship with Him. Do you think God is harsh, cruel, distant, impotent, or uncaring? Or do you think He is loving, kind, patient, forgiving, and faithful? Do you think He loves you? Is He your all-powerful Shepherd and loving Father?

If you’ve never read “The Knowledge of the Holy,” let me recommend it to you or check out my own ebook on the attributes of God through the eyes of a former atheist.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your watchful care over Your creation. You see me. You know me. You know my thoughts and my way. You are always aware of me. I cannot escape from Your watchful care. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me. I know that You are good and that everything that You allow into my life is ultimately for my good and Your glory. Increase my faith, Father, that I might be able to give thanks in all circumstances and walk by faith all the days of my life. In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Savior, Lord, and Friend, I pray. Amen.

Make a Choice: God or ____? Reflections from 1 Kings 18.

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Kings 18

I had my first boyfriend when I was 13. He was the first of a long string of boyfriends, one after the other. Each relationship’s ending simply caused me to look for a new boyfriend. Even after dating the same young man for 3.5 years in college, when we broke it off I was back on the prowl. I could never be content without someone to call mine, someone to make me feel valued. 🥺

In spite of all that brokenness, I never would’ve dreamed of having two boyfriends at once. If I became interested in someone else, I’d break it off with the first guy before pursuing the next. For some reason, that is what popped into my brain when I read Elijah’s words,

“How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.

1 Kings 18:21 ESV

The Israelites wanted to worship both Baal and The Lord God Almighty. They wanted to play the field, to keep their options open. Aren’t we like that sometimes?

We don’t want to limit ourselves to a single-minded devotion to God and God alone. We turn to Facebook, food, friends, family, and fun to meet our needs and to make us happy. These things aren’t bad as long as they’re kept in their proper place, but when they’re competing with the Lord for our hearts, they’ve become idols.

Heavenly Father, You are our only hope. You are the One True God; all the other things that compete for our attention and allegiance are nothing more than lifeless idols. Forgive us, Lord. Show us Your power and might, that our hearts and lives would return to You, for You alone are worthy of our obedience and praise. In the Matchless Name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Christ our Hope in Life and Death – The Gettys

A Prayer for More Faith. Reflections from 1 Kings 17.

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Kings 17

Heavenly Father, please, increase my faith. Give me the faith of a mustard seed and then grow it. Multiply it. Make it spread and take over every aspect of my life. As I feed morning and evening, day after day, on Your Word, may it take root deep into my heart and bear the fruits of repentance and obedience and faith. I want to hear Your voice and obey.  I want Your Spirit to guide me in what I say, what I do, and where I go. Make me Your faithful worker, a steadfast laborer in Your vineyard, for Your glory and fame. By the blood of Jesus Christ, poured out for me I pray. Amen.

Counterfeit Faith. Reflections from 1 Kings.

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Kings 14

What do you do when you find yourself in a pickle? Do you cry out to God for help? Do you beg Him for mercy? Do you plead for Him to save you?

I think many Americans run their lives on their own terms 95% of the year and then suddenly remember God when they find themselves in a jam, much like Jeroboam in 1 Kings 14.

As we read earlier in 1 Kings, Jeroboam had set up his own houses of worship complete with altars and golden calves in the Israelite cities of Bethel and Dan. And yet, when his own son, Abijah, became sick, where did Jeroboam turn? Did he send his wife to Bethel or Dan to inquire of those golden calves that he had erected? No, he didn’t. He sent her to Shiloh to inquire of the Lord’s prophet, Ahijah.

Is this genuine faith? No, it isn’t. Jeroboam’s faith is the faith of demons, not the faith of born-again believers.  

Counterfeit faith says, “I know God is real, but I won’t submit my life to him.”

Friends, genuine faith will result in obedience, daily obedience. Genuine faith says, “God is real, so I want to live my life for Him.”

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! …

You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

James 2:19, 22-23 ESV

Do you have genuine faith? Or counterfeit faith?

Heavenly Father, You are the one true God. There are so many imposters, but You are the only One who is true. Search my heart and test me. Show me where I’ve fallen prey to the lies of the devil. Show me where I’m faking faith. Please don’t let me come to the day of judgment when my deeds will be laid bare and it will become clear that I was among those who never knew you. Do what You need to do to bring me into a right relationship with You. I want to know You more that I would love you more and walk in the daily obedience of faith. I pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb who died in my place, Amen.

Counterfeit Christians. Reflections from 1 Kings 13.

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Kings 13

In 1 Kings 12, I was reminded of the dangers of following counterfeit gods, and in 1 Kings 13, I’m reminded of the dangers of following counterfeit Christians. I’m afraid that all too often Christians trust whatever a professing Christian author, blogger, podcaster, or pastor says, without giving it serious thought or prayer. We need to “test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV) 

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

1 John 4:1 ESV

Remember that “all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16) It’s so important to know the Word. All the Word. Not just John 3:16 and Genesis 1:1. So that we can discern truth from error

I’m praying Ephesians 1:17 for you, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him.”

Heavenly Father, We need Your wisdom. We need Your guidance. Please, Father, give us a hunger for Your Word. Give us an all-consuming desire for Truth in our innermost beings. May the half-truths of the world and the devil be repulsive to us. Please, Father, let us not settle for sorta, kinda, half-hearted faith, but make us passionate for a Holy Fire revival to sweep through our homes, churches, cities, and nations. For Your glory and fame we pray by the blood of Jesus Christ shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Amen.

Counterfeit Gods. Reflections from 1 Kings.

Published on by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Kings 12

After Solomon’s death, the kingdom of Israel was divided. Judah (and Benjamin) followed Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, while the other ten tribes of Israel followed Jeroboam, an Ephraimite who had been a hard-working servant of Solomon. Jeroboam feared that the Israelites would turn back to Rehoboam if they went to Jerusalem to worship God, so he set up counterfeit gods and counterfeit temples, counterfeit priests and counterfeit feasts.

Isn’t that just like Satan?

Satan doesn’t create his own stuff. He’s not a creator; he’s a fake trying to look like the real thing, and he copies what is true in order to draw people away from it. He disguises himself as an angel of light, and so do his followers (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

God created mankind to worship Him. When we aren’t worshipping Him, we will worship other things, created things rather than the Creator Himself.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Romans 1:18-23 ESV

There are still people all over the world who are worshipping idols, crafted objects made to resemble a supernatural being, but the majority of Americans think we’re above that. Most red-blooded Americans wouldn’t dream of bowing down to worship a golden calf or a stone Buddha. Oh, friends, but we are worshipping all kinds of counterfeit gods. We worship at the altars of money, fame, and sex. We worship at the altars of food, fame, fortune, and phones. We worship at the altars of Amazon, Facebook, and YouTube. These counterfeit gods are trying to steal our allegiance from the One True God, the only one who is worthy of our worship, and we’re falling for it.

Will you pray with me?

Heavenly Father, You alone are worthy of our worship. You are the one who created the sun, moon and stars, the earth and the seas and all that is in them. You are who created me and every man, woman, and child on the face of our planet. Open our eyes to the counterfeits that we have made with our own hands, the worthless things that we are setting before our eyes day after day. Forgive us, Father. Create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us. For Your glory we pray in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.