Category: Family

The Power of Song – Deuteronomy 31-32 – 2025 Day 215

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 3, Deuteronomy 31-32

And the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, you are about to lie down with your fathers. Then this people will rise and whore after the foreign gods among them in the land that they are entering, and they will forsake me and break my covenant that I have made with them. Then my anger will be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them and hide my face from them, and they will be devoured. And many evils and troubles will come upon them, so that they will say in that day, ‘Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?’ And I will surely hide my face in that day because of all the evil that they have done, because they have turned to other gods.

“Now therefore write this song and teach it to the people of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the people of Israel. For when I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, which I swore to give to their fathers, and they have eaten and are full and grown fat, they will turn to other gods and serve them, and despise me and break my covenant. And when many evils and troubles have come upon them, this song shall confront them as a witness (for it will live unforgotten in the mouths of their offspring). For I know what they are inclined to do even today, before I have brought them into the land that I swore to give.”

So Moses wrote this song the same day and taught it to the people of Israel.

Deuteronomy 31:16-22 ESV

In reading Deuteronomy 32, the song of Moses, don’t forget these words from Deuteronomy 31. This song has purpose, as all songs do. Songs have the power to drill words deep into hearts. I can recite word for word songs from my childhood and my teenage years even though I haven’t heard them for years. How about you?

What songs are your kids listening to?

What songs are you listening to?

What music is playing in your car? In your home? In your mind?

What songs do you sing at church on Sunday mornings? Are they rich? Are they lovely? Do they draw your heart to worship the Lord and do they teach timeless truths?

If you’ve been reading my blog regularly, you’ll know I share a song to go with our scripture reading every day. I’m so very thankful that the Lord gave us the gift of music – that we can give it back to Him, but also that we can have a song reverberating in our own hearts and minds as we go throughout our day.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving us the gift of music. We want to give it back to You. We want to worship You in song. With words and with musical instruments, we pour out our praise and our griefs before You. Help us pay careful watch to the music that we’re putting in our mouths and our minds. We want to memorize whatever is true and lovely and good and excellent and praiseworthy. We don’t want ugly songs stuck inside our heads. Please, Lord, prick our hearts with these words from Your Scriptures today and help us to be careful how we walk. In the Name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

If you don’t have a hymnal at home, try this one – Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World’s Greatest Hymn Stories

Deuteronomy 8:3 Song
Come Thou Fount (Above All Else) – Shane and Shane
There is a Fountain Filled with Blood

1
There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Immanuel’s veins;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains:
Lose all their guilty stains,
Lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains.
2
The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there may I, though vile as he,
Wash all my sins away:
Wash all my sins away,
Wash all my sins away;
And there may I, though vile as he,
Wash all my sins away.
3
Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power,
Till all the ransomed ones of God
Be saved, to sin no more:
Be saved, to sin no more,
Be saved, to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed ones of God,
Be saved to sin no more.
4
E’er since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die:
And shall be till I die,
And shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.
5
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue
Lies silent in the grave,
Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
I’ll sing Thy power to save:
I’ll sing Thy power to save,
I’ll sing Thy power to save;
Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
I’ll sing Thy power to save.

Do Not Fear … For It Is the Lord your God Who Goes with You – Deuteronomy 31 – 2025 Day 214

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 2, Deuteronomy 31

First Moses told all Israel, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV

Next, Moses immediately summoned Joshua to tell him personally, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:7-8)

Over two years ago, I logged out of my Facebook account. I don’t miss it much. I’ve gained more than I’ve lost. But one thing I do miss is reading Sunshine Meister’s beautifully written testimonies of God’s daily sustaining grace in her life after her son Nahum’s traumatic brain injury in 2021. One morning I woke up thinking about her and tried to find a way to follow her somewhere other than Facebook, and I stumbled on this testimony on YouTube.

Her words will encourage you more than mine. To God be the glory. Do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you.

Sunshine Meister – Finding Comfort in God’s Presence
Fear Not – Ellie Holcomb

The Sojourner, the Fatherless, and the Widow – Deuteronomy 24-25 – 2025 Day 210

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 29, Deuteronomy 24-25

Again and again the Lord makes special provision for the sojourner , the fatherless, and the widow. Reading through my Bible today, and not getting much out of these chapters of “various laws,” my eyes fell upon a note in my Bible’s margin from the last time I read it cover to cover.

  • Sojourner – God is my resting place.
  • Fatherless – God is my father.
  • Widow – I am His bride.

Sisters, write notes in your Bible that you can find next year. Leave reminders to yourself of how the Lord turns your heart while you read His Word. Let these remind you – and those who come after you.

As members of God’s kingdom, we’re all sojourners, wanderers, aliens in this world. Our true citizenship is in heaven. God has called us to be His ambassadors.

As members of God’s family, we’re His children and He is our Father. We can come to Him with confidence, knowing that He loves us dearly and cares for us tenderly, as a Father loves and cares for his children.

As the bride of Christ, we are called to be shining lights for Him, His hands and feet on earth, humbly depending on Him for strength, comfort, and guidance.

I’m blessed. God is good.

Heavenly Father, You are my king, my Father, and the lover of my soul. You are worth every pain and every joy. Give me strength through the truth of Your Word. Remind me that this world is not my home, and help me to fix my eyes on the eternal hope I have in heaven. Use me as Your ambassador here on earth, faithfully declaring the praises of Him who called me out of darkness. (1 Peter 2:9) Remind me that I am Your child, and You are my Father. Help me to obey You promptly, cheerfully, and completely, and to faithfully come to You for forgiveness when I sin. Remind me that I am Your bride, and help me to depend on You for my every need. Send me out into this world as an instrument of peace and proclaimer of truth. In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior, I pray. Amen.

Jesus, Strong and Kind – City Alight

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Your Neighbor’s Stuff – or Your Neighbor’s Soul – Deuteronomy 22-23 – 2025 Day 209

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 28, Deuteronomy 22-23

I’m prone to losing stuff. At least once a week, I can’t seem to find my keys, my purse, my sunglasses, or whatever. Usually the items are lost in my home, but sometimes I lose something when I’m out somewhere, most often my purse.

When I was younger (like, less than 40 ☺️), I forgot my purse in the grocery cart with remarkable regularity. I’d like to say I’m more careful than I once was, but I’m afraid that the real reason is that I rarely go shopping anymore, preferring the convenience of grocery pickup or delivery.

Well, anyway, it seems I’ve passed on my forgetful genes to my youngest son (and at least one of his siblings). For example, I remember one summer when said youngest son was playing basketball with a friend in our church parking lot. He took his wallet out of his pocket and carefully set it on the cement light pole for safe-keeping, fully intending to replace it in his pocket when the game was done.

You know how the story ends, don’t you? Several hours later, when he was getting ready to head to work, he discovered his wallet was missing, and, in fact, he couldn’t even remember where it was. Thankfully, after making some phone calls and driving around town a while, I recovered his wallet from the church parking lot without a hitch, and not even a dollar missing. 🎉🎉🎉

Which brings us to today’s passage, Deuteronomy 22:1-4,

“You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep going astray and ignore them. You shall take them back to your brother. And if he does not live near you and you do not know who he is, you shall bring it home to your house, and it shall stay with you until your brother seeks it. Then you shall restore it to him. And you shall do the same with his donkey or with his garment, or with any lost thing of your brother’s, which he loses and you find; you may not ignore it. You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fallen down by the way and ignore them. You shall help him to lift them up again.”

Deuteronomy 22:1-4 ESV

Join me in praying, “Heavenly Father, if I find someone’s lost wallet or purse or dog, please help me to go the extra mile to restore it to him, even if it’s inconvenient.”

And suddenly I remembered the parables that Jesus told as recorded in Luke 15, the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Luke 15:8-10 ESV

Friends, as much as we should seek to restore our neighbor’s lost wallet, how much more should we seek to restore a lost soul. A lost human is of infinitely greater worth than a thousand lost sheep or a million lost wallets.

What is more valuable to you,
your neighbor’s stuff
or your neighbor’s soul?

Heavenly Father, You are my greatest treasure. You are worth more to me than all the money in the world. Help me to love my neighbor as myself. Help me to love my neighbor’s children as I love my own. Help me to be faithful to love what You love, to be about my Father’s business of seeking and saving the lost. Please forgive me, Lord, for not making the most of every opportunity because of my own selfishness. Lord, break my heart for what breaks Yours. I love You, Lord. Thank You for Your love for me, for chasing me down and running to me with open arms. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Redeemer I pray. Amen.

In the Valley (Bless the Lord) – City Alight, featuring Sandra McCracken

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Teaching your Children, Part 1 – Deuteronomy 4 – 2025 Day 198

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 17; Deuteronomy 4

“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently,
lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen,
and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children
and your children’s children.’

Deuteronomy 4:9 ESV

There is truly no greater joy in my daily life than sitting next to my son, reading and discussing the Bible together. If God has given you children, He wants you to teach those children about Him. Is this a struggle for you? It was for me. I’d love to help.

First, I suggest you consider what roadblocks are getting in your way.

  • Are you or your children too busy? Do you not have even thirty minutes a day together at home?
  • Do you have a tense, angry, disrespectful relationship with your children? Do you struggle even just being in the same room with each other or talking for more than a few minutes?
  • Do you not have your own personal time in prayer and the Word?
  • Is your husband opposed to you sharing your faith or teaching your children about God?

Different struggles have different solutions.

  • If you’re overcommitted with extra curricular activities, or spending too much time on schoolwork, housework, or office work, you’ve got to find a way to rearrange your schedule. Get up earlier. Drop a club. Turn off the TV or put away the phone.
  • If you can’t stand your children and they can’t stand you, humbly approach them and ask for a do-over. Cut out of your life what’s stealing your focus and pay attention to your children. Play some games together. Cook a nice meal together. Listen. Hang out. Speak encouraging words. Show them that they matter to you. Ask them how you can pray for them and then do it.
  • If you’re not having your own time with the Lord, why would your children? Don’t expect from others what you’re not doing yourself. Your children won’t see the need for prayer and Bible study if you don’t. Reading the Bible isn’t a school subject. It’s an intimate, genuine, personal relationship with the author of the book.
  • If your husband truly has forbidden you from speaking to your children about God and your faith, this is a very difficult subject. Pray, sister, pray. Humbly petition the Lord to change your husband’s heart. Follow the words of 1 Peter 3 and have a gentle, quiet, meek spirit toward your husband and watch what the Lord does. Get help from your local church body leaders and look for open doors.

After considering the roadblocks and seeking to overcome them, then you’ve got to just start. There will never be a perfect time. Satan will try to keep you discouraged and flustered until the day your kids are grown and gone.

Pick a song and sing together. Singing helps reorient your mind and heart to the Lord.

Next, pray for the Lord to speak during your time together in the Word.

Then read a few verses or even a chapter or two together. If your child can read, let them read. Encourage them. Praise them. Sit next to them. Look them in the eyes and listen to every word they want to share.

After you read together, ask them what their favorite verse was and tell them yours. Have them write that verse down in a journal or in the margin of their Bible, and you do the same.

Finally, pray together. Pray for each other. Pray for your neighbors and friends and family. Pray for your country and for our world. Enjoy your time together. Make it the highlight of your day.

Dear friends, I don’t want to guilt you into teaching your children about God. Rather, I want to come alongside you and encourage you. God is good and He wants to bless you through your children and bless your children through you. I’d love to hear how it goes!

Heavenly Father, You know the desires of my heart, whether they are pure or selfish. I cannot hide from You. Please, turn my heart to love what You love and hate what You hate. Show me where I’m listening to the world instead of the Word. Show me where I’ve erected idols that are coming between us. I need Your guidance to train up my children in the way that they should go. Help me to keep my own soul diligently, that I might teach my children diligently. For Your glory and our good I pray. Amen.

Psalm 106:1 (Official Video) – Praise the Lord – The Corner Room
Remember and Proclaim – The Corner Room
I’m in the Lord’s Army – Cedarmont Kids

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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A Prayer for My Children and Grandchildren – from the book of Philippians – 2025 Day 189

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Read through the Bible in a Year: Proverbs 8; Philippians 1-4

As our children grow and even start families of their own, our role as prayer warrior grows, too!

Do you have children? Grandchildren? Make it your ambition and joy to pray for them.

Heavenly Father, I lift my family before You. Bless them with Your grace and peace.  Make us partners in sharing the gospel. Begin – and complete – Your good work in them. May their love abound more and more day by day, with all knowledge and discernment, that they may know what is excellent and true, and so be found pure and blameless when Christ returns. I pray that they will be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of Your name.

I pray that they will have confidence and boldness to share the truth of the gospel without fear. May the manner of their lives be worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether we are together or apart, help us to stand firm in one spirit, having one mind, that we might strive mightily and fearlessly side by side, spreading the good news of salvation by faith wherever we go.

I pray that each member of my family would be humble in heart and mind, free from selfish ambition or conceit, looking out not only for their own interests, but also for the interests of others, counting others more significant than themselves. Make them into the image of Christ who humbled Himself from the beginning to the end of His life.

May they do all things without grumbling or complaining, children of God without blemish, shining brightly in the midst of a dark, twisted world, holding fast to the Word of Life.

I pray that they would rejoice in the Lord in all things, forgetting the things that lie in their past, and pressing on toward Jesus Christ, their greatest treasure and prize. Keep their lives from anxiety, worry, and fear. May they be filled with gratitude, praying always and about everything, that Your perfect peace will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

I pray that their lives would be kept free from idolatry, that their minds would be fixed on eternal matters and that they would remember that their citizenship is in heaven. Help them to be discerning and to think about what they’re thinking about. Teach them that great secret of contentment, so that they can be joyful in plenty or in want, for they trust that they can do whatever You’ve called them to do through Jesus Christ who gives them strength. Supply their every physical and spiritual need according to Your immeasurable riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Finally, Father, I pray that I might be a godly example for them, that they might put into practice what they have learned and heard and seen in my own life. Make my life a fragrant offering, a living sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to You. You are worthy.

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

Philippians Chapter 1 – IC The Garden
Philippians 4 – Celebrate God – Project of Love

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A Prayer for my Family and my Nation based on the Aaronic Blessing in Numbers 6 – 2025 Day 172

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 140; Numbers 6:22-8:26

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26 ESV

As Aaron and his sons prayed this over the people of Israel, I want to pray this over my family and nation. Will you join me?

Heavenly Father, I pray that you would bless my husband, my children, my grandchildren, and my nation with Your wisdom and peace. Guide them in the way that they should go. Protect them from the deceitful schemes of the evil one. Give them discerning spirits to recognize what is good and what is evil and grant them wisdom to choose that which is good.

I pray that Your face would be turned toward them, and that their hearts would likewise be turned toward You. Be gracious to them, Father. Pour Your love upon them according to Your steadfast love and mercy. May Your goodness shine gloriously upon them and out of them, that the nations of the world would be drawn to faith in Your Son.

I pray that You would smile upon them, filling their hearts with joy, hope, peace, and purpose, that they would know that You have good plans for them, plans to prosper them and not to harm them. May they follow You all the days of their lives, acknowledging You in all their ways. Please, Father, make their ways straight – not crooked or deceitful or false, not devious or evil. May they not be ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first but also to the Gentile.

Finally, Father, I pray that the peace which surpasses all comprehension would guard their hearts and their minds in Christ Jesus. Jesus is the only path to peace. He is the Only Way to You, Father. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. His blood is the covering that we need to be reconciled to You, Lord. His blood is the way of redemption. May they have peace with God and peace with man, peace in their hearts and peace in their homes. And may this peace draw them to worship You and tell others about You.

In the Holy, Almighty Name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

CLICK HERE TO PRAY WITH ME ALOUD – VIDEO LINK ON YOUTUBE.

“The Lord Bless You and Keep You” Acappella Hymn – SE Samonte
“May the Lord Bless You” – Sing through the Bible
“The Lord Bless Thee” Scripture Song – Keep the Word

God is My Witness and My Judge – 2025 Day 171 – Numbers 5:1-6:21

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 139, Numbers 5:1-6:21

Growing up my dad and my grandfather were both lawyers, I participated in mock trial and debate, and I watched countless episodes of Judge Wapner presiding over “The People’s Court.” 😄 I saw the importance of having a good judge as well as good witnesses and good evidence. The judge could only rule so far as the witnesses and evidence proved the case. Without good witnesses and good evidence, you couldn’t win.

In reading the very strange passage in Numbers 5 about how a jealous husband was to prove his wife either innocent or guilty of adultery, I was reminded of how often men and women simply don’t know what is true. In the case of adultery, there will always be at least one witness – the man or woman who you are with – but there is also another witness: God. We may not know what someone else is up to behind closed doors or in the dark of night, but we can trust beyond a shadow of a doubt that God does.

God knows the secret thoughts of our hearts,
and God knows the secret deeds of our bodies.

Is that scary to think about? Yes, frankly, it is. But it is also so very freeing. I don’t need to snoop through my husband’s online history or the pockets of his pants. I don’t need to dig through his trash or his wallet. I don’t need to track his driving history or figure out his whereabouts every minute of the day. Why? Because God always sees him, even when I don’t.

God is not only the perfect judge, He is also the perfect witness. He can judge perfectly, because He knows everyone’s heart and everyone’s motives, everyone’s thoughts and everyone’s actions. He can place blame with perfect righteousness and justice because He knows exactly what happened. He knows who said what. He knows the way of escape that He provided. He knows how your conscience was pricked. He knows it all.

If your life has been touched by the sins of fornication, lust, and adultery, then you know how far-reaching their tentacles can spread. As is often the case, the sins of others can lead you to into the snares of sin in your own life – the sins of bitterness, anger, jealousy, suspicion, manipulation, and the list goes on. Let me encourage you with the words of Peter, “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling with reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9) and the words of Paul, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)

I pray that we would take the higher road, the road of blessing and good, that we would live the more excellent way, the way of love. Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy or boast. It is not proud; it is not rude; it is not self-seeking; it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (1 Corinthians 13:4-6)

I pray that we would be like the model wife of Proverbs 31, that our husbands could truly trust us because we are faithful to do them good and not harm all the days of our life, that strength and dignity would be our clothing, that we would be able laugh at the times to come because we have such great faith in God. I pray that we would open our mouths with wisdom and that the teaching of kindness would always be on our tongues. (Proverbs 31:10-11, 25-26)

I pray that we would be 1 Peter 3 wives, bravely being subject to our own husbands, so that even if they do not obey the word, they might be won without a word by our respectful and pure conduct. I pray that our radiant beauty would come from the inside out, that the imperishable beauty of a gentle, quiet spirit would glow from within us. I pray that we would be holy women whose hope is in God, faithfully doing good and not fearing anything that is frightening.

Dear sisters, someday your boyfriend, your husband, your sons and daughters, will appear before the judgment seat of God. Someday their secret things will be judged. Someday what was hidden in the dark will be brought into the light.

But that isn’t only true for them;
it’s also true for us.
Our hearts and our lives
will be laid bare before Him, too.

What will He find there? What will He unearth in our hearts? What will He witness in watching how we chose to live our lives?

Will He find bitterness, wrath, envy, and jealousy … or peace, faith, hope, and contentment?

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, You are the perfect judge, and You are the perfect witness. No one is hidden from your sight. Someday everything hidden will be brought into the light. I pray that my faith would be in You and not in me. I am so weak, Lord. I am so prone to wander, to leave the God I love. Help me, please. I need You. Give me Your strength. Help me to overcome evil with good because You are good and I am Your child. Help me to repay wrong with blessing because that is the example that You gave to me, that You loved me while I was yet a sinner. Help me to go and do likewise. Guide me step by steap in the way that I should go. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Brother, my Friend and Lord, I pray. Amen.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.

– Psalm 139:1-12 ESV

“They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.”

– Romans 2:15-16 ESV

“Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.”

– 1 Corinthians 4:5 ESV

“So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

– 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 ESV

And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.””

– Revelation 21:6-8 ESV

“”Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

“The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”

– Revelation 22:12-17 ESV

Check out my video podcast from today’s lesson on YouTube.

Jesus, Our Judge and Our Savior –
Sovereign Grace Music

According to My Father’s House – 2025 Day 168 – Numbers 1-2

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 136, Numbers 1-2

In reading Numbers 1-2, it quickly becomes obvious that the people of Israel were organized “by their fathers’ houses.” This morning as I look forward to honoring my husband and my dad on this Father’s Day, it suddenly occurred to me that I wouldn’t have been placed with my own father’s line, but with the line of my husband and his father.

I’ve always been a bit of a Daddy’s girl. My dad is gentle, humble, and kind. Though he has so much wisdom to share, he’s more likely to be found listening than speaking. My dad will always, always have a very special place in my heart.

Yet, like Ruth of long ago, I was grafted into my husband’s family. “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16b) When I married my husband, his family became my family. His mom and dad became like my own mom and dad. I desire to honor them as I would honor my own parents.

So, Papa Bill, Happy Father’s Day to you, too. God has blessed you with a heart and a house full of blessings – children, grandchildren, and now even great grandchildren. Praise the Lord for His mercy and kindness. God has been so, so good to us.

Sisters, how can you honor your husband, your father, and your father-in-law today?

Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving my dad to me. He is a treasure. I pray that You would bless him with every spiritual blessing. And thank You, too, for my husband and his family who have welcomed me into the fold with open arms. I pray that You would bless them with peace and joy that surpasses all understanding. Give me opportunities to honor and bless my parents and my in-laws as well. By the grace of Your loving kindness poured out on me through Your Son Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

This is My Fathers World – Steve Green
As for Me and My Home – Brandon Lake