Category: Faith

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

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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.

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

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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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TRUSTING GOD when you don’t understand what He’s doing – Judges 14 – 2025 Day 279

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 67, Judges 14

There are some parts of the Bible that I just don’t understand. I’d put the story of Samson and particularly Judges 14 in that category. That’s one reason why it’s so good to read through the whole Bible – so you can’t skip over those “not so favorite” parts.

Is it ok for me as a sold-out, all-in, evangelical follower of Jesus Christ and believer in every word of the Holy Scriptures to struggle with what the Bible means here? Yes, I think it is. When my kids don’t understand what I’m doing and why, they are forced to trust what they do know about me and obey on that basis.

I know that God is good. I know that He inspired the men who wrote the Bible. I know that He is sovereign over the affairs of humanity. That

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:8-9 ESV

Heavenly Father, some things are hard to understand. Help me to trust You in my life, and in my reading of the Word. I know that You are good. I know that You are working all things together for good for those that love You and are called according to Your purposes. I know that Your ways are different from mine and higher than mine. I pray that I would trust You in all things and cast all of my anxieties on You, trusting that You care for me. I pray that You would give me wisdom as I read Your word and help me to apply it to my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and King, I pray. Amen

TRUSTING GOD when you don’t understand what He’s doing – FormerAtheist58
All Creatures – Shane and Shane

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Did Jephthah Sacrifice his Daughter? – Judges 11-12 – 2025 Day 277

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Read the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 65, Judges 12

In researching more about Jephthah, I stumbled upon two very interesting articles about the possibility that Jephthah didn’t actually sacrifice his daughter as a burnt offering.

Read this one at Stand To Reason and this one at Never Thirsty.

If you’re struggling today to understand God’s Word or God’s will, remind yourself of the things that you KNOW, the things you can be absolutely sure of.

  • God is by nature holy and good, and His Word is always true.
  • Man is by nature fallen and not good, and we can easily be led astray.

If you can’t understand what God wants you to do, study and keep studying, reminding yourself that God will never lead His children to sin.

So Good to Me – Zach Williams

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Who’s Fighting Your Battles? – Judges 7 – 2025 Day 272

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 60, Judges 7

The LORD said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’

Judges 7:2 ESV

This passage has had a special place in my heart since one night about twenty years ago when the Holy Spirit convicted me about how often I used manipulation to get my husband to do what I wanted. That night, the Lord opened my eyes to the importance of trusting Him to fight my battles, rather than trusting my own skills of argumentation to get my way. That night, I decided to quit fighting against my husband and to start praying for him. That night, I finally recognized that I might be winning these marital battles, but I was losing the war for my marriage.

Can any of you relate?

Ask yourself what weapons you’re using to fight your own battles: Nagging and complaining? Threatening and yelling? Silence and the cold shoulder? Put those weapons away, friends. They’re not the Lord’s weapons; they’re the enemy’s.

If the Lord can cause the entire Middianite army to kill one another, giving the Israelites success by merely blowing their trumpets, then surely He conquer the heart of your stubborn loved one.

Put on the whole armor of God, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation. And take up your weapon, the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and start praying in the Spirit, asking Him to fight for you. (Ephesians 6:12-17)

Join forces with the Lord.
Remember who your real enemy is.
Quit fighting your spiritual brothers and sisters
and start fighting the spiritual forces of evil.

Heavenly Father, we need You to fight our battles for us. Open our eyes to see the spiritual battle that we are in. Make us soldiers in Your army, wielding that Sword of the Spirit, your Word, with excellence and accuracy, praying without ceasing, and seeking Your face for direction day after day. Let us not grow weary of well-doing. Give us clean hands and pure hearts. Help us to root out those spirits of bitterness and selfishness. Protect us from pride and manipulation. Make us more like You. In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Brother, we pray. Amen.

Rock of Ages
FormerAtheist58 – WHO’S FIGHTING YOUR BATTLES – Full-Length
FormerAtheist58 – WHO’S FIGHTING YOUR BATTLES – 3 minutes

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Waiting for a Sign: Gideon, Jesus, and Me – Judges 6 – 2025 Day 270

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 58, Judges 6

From the beginning of time, God knew that people would need signs to strengthen their faith in Him. When God created the sun, moon, and stars, He said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years” (Genesis 1:14 ESV). A rainbow, a staff turned to a snake, and here in Judges 6, a wet fleece on a dry ground followed by a dry fleece on a wet fleece, have all been signs given by a good God to prove the truth of His promises, His Word, and even His existence.

I remember a time when I asked God for a sign that He was real, that He was out there somewhere. I was 15 or 16 years old, sitting in an empty grassy field on a college campus in Vermont where I was attending a summer debate camp. The vast blue sky, gentle breeze, and towering swaying trees were making me think.

When I wasn’t struck by lightning (or a Bible falling from the sky), I concluded that God must not be real. But, I was wrong. So wrong. In fact, God had given me signs of His existence in those very things – the sky, wind, and trees, the sun, moon, and stars – they were all pointing me straight to Him. ☝️ (Read Romans 1 and Psalm 19 for more on this.)

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.

Romans 1:20 ESV

God has also given us so many signs to point mankind to the Messiah, the Savior of the World, Jesus, the One who came into the world to save sinners like you and me. He took on human flesh, born as a human baby to a virgin mother, yet He was Immanuel, God with us. He was crucified without cause, the sinless for the sinful, the innocent for the guilty. Do you know Him?

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14 ESV

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:10-12 ESV

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Matthew 12:38-40 ESV

So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

John 2:18-22 ESV

God gave us all these signs so we would recognize the Messiah when He came the first time 2,000 years ago, but I believe He’s coming again … and soon! I hope you’re keeping your eyes wide open, being faithful to attend to your Father’s business while you’re eagerly watching for Him. Don’t be caught unaware like a thief in the night. Read Matthew 24 for more!

Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Jesus in just the right way to just the right place at just the right time. Your Word is true and trustworthy. I pray that we would be found eagerly watching for You with our hands to the plow, being about our Father’s business. I pray that we would be faithful to You and faithful to pursue the salvation of the lost. I pray for anyone who is reading this and has not yet bowed the knee to Jesus. I pray that today would be the day of their salvation, that they would wait for a sign no longer. In the name of Jesus Christ, our savior and our Lord, we pray. Amen.

As summer turns to fall, I hope you’ll purchase a paperback copy or ebook of my family’s Christmas devotional and trace the line of the Savior from Creation to Christ with your family this advent season.

Available on Amazon or wherever books are sold
For Unto Us a Child is Born – Integrity Music
All Your Works are Good – Sandra McCracken
Waiting for a SIGN from God? So was I.

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Deborah and Jael, Women Called to do Hard Things – Judges 4-5 – 2025 Day 269

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 57, Judges 4-5

God has often asked me to do things that, frankly, I don’t want to do. I didn’t want to homeschool. I didn’t want to start a ministry to women who were continuing their pregnancy after finding out something was wrong with their unborn baby. And every time the Lord has told me to go talk to someone I’m having conflict with, I’ve tried to come up with excuses for why I’m not the right person for the job.

Why did God call Deborah to judge Israel? Why didn’t He choose Deborah’s husband, Lappidoth, or that mighty warrior, Barak?

Why did God choose Jael to put a tent stake through King Sisera’s skull? Wouldn’t her father or her husband or her brother or her son have been a better choice?

The answer to these questions is this: I have no idea. 🤷‍♀️

But I do know that God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-8), and God uses the weak to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27). I do know that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5) I know that it is the Lord who gives both life and death (Deuteronomy 32:39, 1 Samuel 2:6), and He can use whoever He pleases to accomplish His purposes.

Is God calling you to do something hard,
something impossible,
something you don’t want to do?

Listen carefully to His voice.Fix your eyes on Him and allow Him to guide you by the truth of His Word and His Holy Spirit.

Fix your eyes on Him and allow Him to guide you by the truth of His Word and His Holy Spirit.

Walk by faith and not by sight.

Do the next thing – by faith in His power and might.

Heavenly Father, what a blessing and gift to know You, to be clay in Your hands. Use us for whatever You’ve called us to. Make us Your vessels, Your instruments, Your servants and ambassadors and ministers, that the lost would find hope and rest and peace at the feet of Jesus Christ, our judge and our deliverer. In His Name we pray. Amen.

One Set of Footprints – Heartland Harmony Girls

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A New Generation – Judges 2 – 2025 Day 267

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 55, Judges 2

On October 1, 2023, my youngest son was baptized. Watching him commit his life to Jesus Christ is a joy like no other.

I have found such peace, comfort, and hope in knowing the Lord. I believe His Word that eternal life is only available to those who trust in Christ and that eternal damnation awaits those who reject Him. It absolutely breaks my heart into a million pieces to think that any of my children or grandchildren might abandon the Lord and wander away after other gods.

I believe that I have done my best through many ups and downs to be faithful to the Lord in shepherding and discipling my children, but ultimately their faith must be their own. I can’t force anyone to believe, but I can pray – and so can you – for God to open their eyes, that they might receive Him by faith.

Heavenly Father, I pray that my children and grandchildren and the generations not yet born will come to You by faith. Let them not wander away after other gods and turn their backs on You, the One True God. I pray that this generation will walk day by day in obedience, trusting in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Send out a mighty army of Christ-followers to share this good news to the ends of the earth! In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

City Alight – Rise with the Sun
Teach What is Good

Waiting and Watching – 2025 Day 265

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 53

Our huge lab-poodle-aussie, Kylo, absolutely adores my younger daughter. He will sit and wait for her, watching where she went. It’s so sweet.

Are we waiting and watching like that? Do we have that kind of love? That kind of faith?

Lord Jesus, help me to watch for You, trusting You and waiting expectantly for Your return!

Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. Proverbs 8:34 ESV

Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Luke 12:35-36 ESV

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14 ESV

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28 ESV

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him. 2 Peter 3:11-15 ESV

  Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 ESV

Thorn in the Flesh – 2 Corinthians 12 – 2025 Day 263

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 51, 2 Corinthians 12

There are so many things that I used to be anxious about, especially the fear of death. I worried about fires, robbers, car accidents, and plane crashes. I am so thankful for God’s grace in freeing me from this fear. When I flew home from visiting my daughter, I was able to lay my hand on the shoulder of the woman sitting next to me, praying silently for her as she coped with her fear of flying by zoning out, watching videos on her phone.

Yet, I still struggle with fears of physical illness, infirmity, or pain. Death is no longer the enemy, but pain??? Nope. Don’t want it.

But that is exactly what God knows I need to keep me humble. A broken foot, a hurting elbow, a sore back, a horrendous allergic reaction to poison ivy, these things keep me dependent on the Lord. They push me to pray and to ask others to pray, too.

Is there a thorn that the Lord has graciously given you to keep you humble? Rather than being angry with Him, thank Him.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for all of Your grace. I see Your grace in the thorns and Your grace in the roses. Help me to give thanks in all circumstances. Help me to fix my eyes – and my mind – on You. Help me to walk by faith and not by fear. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Be Still my Soul – Selah

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