Category: Family

Praying for BOTH Moms – Exodus 2 – 2025 Day 113

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Read Through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 83; Exodus 2

As an adoptive mom, the story of Moses has always had particular interest for me. The idea of Moses’s first mom, the mom who gave birth to him, was willing to risk her own life by hiding him for three months, and then to place him among the reeds in hopes that he would be rescued by an Egyptian, reminds of my son’s first mom, the mom who gave birth to him.

I will be forever indebted to her. Though I don’t know the circumstances surrounding my son’s conception or what she went through to bring him to birth, I know it couldn’t have been easy.

So, I’d like to pray for all those “first moms” out there, the moms who gave birth to a child they’re not raising. But I’d also like to pray for all of us adoptive moms who are raising children they didn’t birth. Both moms face unique pains and joys, and both moms need our prayers.

Heavenly Father, I pray right now for the mom who has given birth to a child she isn’t raising, a child who is under someone else’s care. I pray that You will encourage her. Help her to trust in You and seek You with all her heart. I pray that she will someday see in Heaven that child she carried in her womb. I pray that she will know that You are the God of redemption and restoration. You are the God of second chances. I pray that she knows You are the God who hears and remembers and sees and knows. Truly, You are the God of all comfort.

And Heavenly Father, I also pray for the adoptive mom who is raising a child birthed by another, who deeply loves a child that You have entrusted into her care. I pray that You will heal the broken places in her heart with the healing balm of Your love. Help her to cast all her cares on you, knowing that You care for her and You care for that little boy or girl, too. I pray that she will remember that You are the God of redemption and restoration and second chances. May she know that You are the God who hears and remembers and sees and knows. Truly, You are the God of all comfort. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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One Day I’ll See You Again – Emily Meikle
Welcome to the Family – Psalty

The Spreading Power of Persecution – Exodus 1 – 2025 Day 113

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 82, Exodus 1

But the more they were oppressed,
the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad.

Exodus 1:12a

I recently read a quote that went something like, “When the authorities loosen their grip, the gospel spreads … and when the authorities tighten their grip, the church is trained and becomes more disciplined … but always we are in God’s hands.”

Today in reading the story of the persecution of the young Hebrew nation in Exodus 1, I saw the Lord’s hand in both spreading and training His people, but in this case, persecution is actually what caused the people to spread abroad.

Isn’t that what happened in the dispersion of the new disciples of Jesus Christ who were persecuted for their faith? And how about what happened when God confused the people’s languages at the tower of Babel in Genesis 11? God’s people were dispersed over the face of all the earth as a result of their suffering and hardship, but all the time they were in God’s hands.

I am reminded again and again as I read through the scriptures that my ways are not God’s ways. So often the very thing that seems straight from the pit of hell is exactly what God uses for His glory and my good – if I only keep my eyes open to it. No matter what, I can trust that I am in God’s hands.

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, Help us to trust You no matter what. Help us to believe that You are in control even when life feels out of control. You are always on Your throne. You are working all things together for good. Let us not be ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation for all who believe, both the Jew and the Gentile. Help us to want for the good even of those who persecute us and shame us and say all kinds of evil about us falsely on Your account. We love You and we trust You. Increase our faith, Father. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

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People of the Cross – Selah – Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Well done, Good and Faithful Servant – Matthew 25 – 2025 Day 109

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 78, Matthew 25

The Lord blessed our family with four children over a span of eleven and a half years. I was a busy homeschooling mom trying my best to manage a very busy household. One way that I did this was with “chore charts” assigning various chores to each child in our household.

My oldest daughter was responsible for so many tasks around the home, from cooking and cleaning to helping with her younger siblings. My youngest son had much smaller jobs like feeding the dog or putting away the silverware.

Did I assign them the same jobs? Certainly not. Was it unjust? Absolutely not. They had different skill levels, so they were given correspondingly different jobs.

Yet, yhey were equally praised for a job well done and equally reprimanded for a job poorly done, regardless of whether they were supposed to clean the entire bathroom or merely empty the trash can.

Likewise, our perfectly wise Lord gives each of His children a different quantity of talents, but they are eligible for equal praise. To the ones who invested their talents well, whether apportioned two or five, the Lord says, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:20, 22) The one who invested well his five talents did not receive greater praise, nor did the one who invested well his two talents receive lesser praise.

The Lord is angry with the worthless servant, not because he only had one talent, but because he did not invest his one talent well. The one who received only one talent chose to hide it in the ground, saying that he knew that the master was a hard man, “reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed,” (Matthew 25:24) Surely this man doesn’t truly know the character of his Master, for if he did he would never utter such words.

Good servants know their Master, that He is good and generous to give His servants talents with which to serve Him.

When I was an atheist, I lived my life serving no one but me. I recognized no Master of my destiny except me.

Now, as a follower of Jesus Christ, it is a  gift to serve my Lord and to know that I was created on purpose for a purpose. It is good news to be God’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

What talents has the Lord entrusted to you?

Has He blessed you with children, a house, a skill, a passion, a testimony … all of the above?

How can you put them to good use for your master?

Heavenly Father, You are a good Father who delights in giving good gifts to Your children, and You are a good Master in giving us, Your servants, fruitful tasks to accomplish. It is a joy for our lives to have meaning and purpose. It is a joy to serve you here on earth, and it is a joy to look forward to that day we will enter into Your kingdom and hear the words we long to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” In the Name of our Gracious Master Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

Seeing yourself as a steward of your time, talents, treasures, and testimony

Come to Jesus and He will Give you Rest – Matthew 11 – 2025 Day 96

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 64, Matthew 11

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:28-29 ESV

I often find myself laboring in my own strength. I often feel heavy laden. I often feel tired and worn out and exhausted and in need of rest. How about you?

Yet, if I were sitting across the table from you and said, “I’m so tired. I really need some rest.” And your answer to me was, “Oh, sister, I hear you! I’ve got an idea. How about you take my yoke upon your shoulders? That will make your life easier.”

After laughing aloud 😂 (and thinking you must have taken lessons from Job’s friends in giving bad advice), I hope I’d remember Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ,” and then I might give you a very sincere “thank you” and proceed to ask you for some help with a variety of household tasks, like say cooking dinner or vacuuming. It certainly is a blessing to have friends to plow alongside, to labor in the field with. Jesus sent out his disciples two by two for a reason. We need friends to help us along this road of life. But, unfortunately, none of you can truly relieve my burden, for you have your own burdens to bear.

  • Only Jesus can carry my yoke for me.
  • Only Jesus can give rest to my soul.
  • Only Jesus can make my burden truly light.

Here I am, Lord. I’ve come. Thank You for the invitation. I need you. I lay all of my burdens down at Your feet. I cast all my cares upon You. I know that all my striving is for nothing. I trust You. You are the only place my soul can find rest. Your yoke is easy, and Your burden is light because You are the Almighty God, the Ruler of the universe, who sees me and knows me by name. My soul finds rest in You and You alone. Amen.

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Come Unto Jesus – Laura Story
I Cast All my Cares – Psalty

Who (or What) Do You Love  More than Jesus? – Matthew 10 – 2025 Day 95

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 63, Matthew 10

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Matthew 10:34-39 ESV

What do I love more than Jesus? Sleep? Chocolate cake? My phone?

Who do I love more than Jesus? My mom and dad? My friends? My kids? My husband?

Who is on the throne of my heart? Who rules over my thoughts and my actions? Who am I living my life for?

It’s a lot to think about.

Lord, help me to love You more than any thing, more than any one. Make me willing to lose what I love for Your name. Show me today what that looks like. In the name of Jesus Christ, the only worthy One, Amen.

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Clear the Stage – Jimmy Needham

Fear and Faith in the Storms of Life – Matthew 8 – 2025 Day 93

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 61, Matthew 8

In Matthew 8 we read about Jesus healing the leper and the centurion’s servant and then Peter’s own mother-in-law, but when the disciples find themselves in about in the middle of a great storm, they struggle with fear and faith.

And they went and woke him,
saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.”
And he said to them,
“Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?”
Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea,
and there was a great calm.
And the men marveled, saying,
“What sort of man is this,
that even winds and sea obey him?”

Matthew 8:25-27 ESV

On the one hand, the disciples showed faith because they did go to Jesus and ask Him to save them. Surely, if you and I were together in a sinking boat, you wouldn’t come to me and say, “Save me, Kim, I’m perishing!”

And yet Jesus scolds them because they are so afraid. Jesus knows their thoughts. He knows their hearts. He knows they lack the full breadth and width and depth of faith that they need to live lives free of fear. They still have much to learn about the greatness of His power!

How about you? What storms are you facing today? What do you need to learn this week about how great our God is?

Heavenly Father, help me not to be afraid about all the health stuff, weather stuff, and family stuff, the daily fears of my life. Help me to fully trust You to lead me, save me, and protect me. I know that You are able. I know that You have all authority in heaven and on earth.

If You bless me with every earthly blessing, filling my life with honor, wealth, fame, health, and wisdom, it is for Your glory and for my good that I may declare Your praises and majesty and honor. If You choose to end my life tomorrow, it’s for Your glory and for my good, because I get to be with You for all eternity. If you choose for me to endure great suffering, it’s for Your glory and for my good that I might know You more deeply and completely. Anything that You allow (or send) into my life, I trust is ultimately for Your glory, as well as for my good.

In the name of my Almighty King Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen

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Peace, Be Still – Bill and Gloria Gaither
What Kind of Man is This? – Donut Man

Resisting Temptation – Matthew 4 – 2025 Day 89

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 57, Matthew 4

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit
into the wilderness
to be tempted by the devil.

Matthew 4:1

It struck me that it was the Spirit that led Jesus to go into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Why? Why would God want Jesus to be tempted? I found the answer in the Word, in Hebrews.

“Therefore [Jesus] had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Hebrews 2:17-18 ESV

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 4:15-16 ESV

Jesus experienced temptation, yet He resisted the devil by wielding the sword of the Word, and so can we. Like 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

So … What should we do when we face temptation?

  • Take your thoughts captive to obey Christ. (See 2 Corinthians 10:5) The battle against temptation is won and lost in your thoughts. If you want to resist temptation, you need to “think about what you’re thinking about!” As soon as you’re tempted, capture that thought, get rid of it, and replace it with the truth of God’s Word. I know how I feel after fasting for 12 hours, so I can only imagine how hungry Jesus was after fasting for 40 days of fasting! Jesus overcame temptation with God’s Word, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes in the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4 – Look at Deuteronomy 8:3 for it’s original use) The more of God’s Word you have stored in your heart, the better equipped you’ll be to replace those wrong thoughts with the right ones! (See Psalm 119:11)
  • Resist the devil. Ask yourself this question, “Who am I resisting, God or the devil?” All too often we are resisting God and submitting to the devil. 😩 If we want to resist the devil, we have to recognize his temptations and schemes. If you knew you were in a lion’s den, you’d keep alert for a lion, wouldn’t you? Listen carefully to the words of 1 Peter 5:8-9, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”
  • Submit to God. In those tough moments, remember that God is your commanding officer. He has every right to give you your matching orders, and He expects you to obey them. As James wrote, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:7-8a ESV) When you’re struggling with temptation, no matter what it is, turn to God and obey Him in faith. Trust that He is good and that His plans are for your good.

Heavenly Father,

Each and every day, I meet temptations of various kinds. Some temptations are stronger than others, but all of them can be overcome by Your Spirit and Your Word. I believe that He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. I trust that Your Word is my sword by which I can fight the devil’s schemes.

Please help me to resist the devil and submit to You as my commanding officer.

I am no longer a slave to sin. I am no longer a slave to my flesh. I am no longer a child of  wrath. I am a child of God by the blood of Jesus that flows through my veins. I am a soldier in the army of the Lord. I have been bought with a price, and now I have been called to serve You with my body. Make me a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to You, my Lord and Captain and King.

In the holy and almighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

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“I am not my own”
Keith and Kristyn Getty, and Skye Peterson

He Will Save His People from their Sins – Matthew 1 – 2025 Day 86

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Matthew 1; Psalm 54

The Book of Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ. The first verse is a brief genealogy. Jesus descended from David who descended from Abraham, but then we get a father to son heritage from Abraham all the way to Jesus’s earthly father, Joseph. You might feel tempted to skip this, but I hope you won’t. I want to point out a few things.

  • The genealogy begins with Abraham, not Adam. Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation. Jesus was a Jew.
  • There are several women mentioned in this account, but every one of them has something that tarnishes their reputation. Look up the stories of Tamar (Genesis 38:1-26), Rahab (Joshua 2:1-3 and Joshua 6:17-25), and Ruth (Ruth 1:4).
  • Bathsheba isn’t mentioned by name as the mother of Solomon, but rather is referred to as “the wife of Uriah,” not because of her sin but because of David’s. You can read about the story of Uriah’s death and Solomon’s birth in 2 Samuel 11-12, but 1 Kings 15:5 says “David did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and did not turn aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.”

Matthew didn’t try to hide the thread of sin which is woven through the background of the ancestors of Jesus, son of David. Rather, these words help to prepare the reader for the words of the angel —

Joseph, son of David,
do not fear to take Mary
as your wife,
for that which is conceived
in her is from the Holy Spirit.
She will bear a son and
you shall call his name Jesus,
for he will save his people
from their sins.

Matthew 1:20-21

Joseph, too, was a son of David, a good man but not a perfect man. God has chosen Mary, a good woman but not a perfect woman to bear His son, a perfect Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. This Son will save His people from their sins.

Joseph and Mary needed saving and so do we. Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to save me from my sins. I am Your child and You are my Father. Thank you for showing us that we don’t have to have a sinless lineage to be children of Your Perfect Son.

Thank You for my earthly father and mother who did their best to raise me right. I pray that You would bless them with everything that they need for life and godliness by the power of Your Holy Spirit  and Your Word.

I pray that You would make me a woman after your own heart, treasuring Your word in my heart that I would not sin against you. In the Holy, Blessed name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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I Serve a Risen Savior

Now My Eye Sees You – Job 42 – 2025 Day 85

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Read Through the Bible in 2 Years: Job 42; Psalm 53

“And the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning.
And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. He had also seven sons and three daughters.”

Job 42:12-13 ESV

In Job 1, we read that Job had 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen and 500 female donkeys. Here at the end of his life, Job has twice as many of these animals. Yet in Job 1, we read that Job had seven sons and three daughters and now at the end of his life, he once again is given seven sons and three daughters. Why was the number of his children not doubled?

Let me share with you my thoughts: When Job’s first animals were wiped out and he got new animals, he no longer counted the ones he had earlier in his life … but children, they are different. Our children are made in God’s image and are given eternal souls. Our children are irreplaceable. If your child passes away, they remain your child. I have two children who have gone to heaven before me and I have four children here on earth, therefore I have six children.

Job began his life with ten children and he ended his life with twenty. The Lord had indeed given him a double portion.

The pain of losing all of your animals is great, but the pain of losing all of your children is immeasurably greater. But may I encourage you with this word: the pain is great because your love is great.

Job was a righteous man with a deep love for God, but Job grew to know and love God more intimately and personally as a result of his great pain – and so can we. Earlier we read the words of Job, “Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.” (Job 13:1 ESV) But now at the end of this book, Job says, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;” (Job 42:5 ESV)

I remember all too well how much the Lord grew and transformed me through the pain of losing a baby. I pray that whatever trial you are going through now or have gone through in the past, that you will keep your eyes wide open to see God as He walks with you through this dark valley.

Heavenly Father, please grow our faith. Help us to see Your hand guiding us and blessing us every step of the way as we walk through this valley. You are always good and always right. You are all-knowing and all-powerful. We need You every hour.

We pray that we will know how deep and high and long and wide is Your love toward us as Your children. We pray that we will see You in our lives and see You in Your living and active Word because we know that You are there. In the Name of Christ Jesus our Lord we pray, Amen.

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You Are So Good to Me – Mac Powell
Watch my testimony for more on how I came to see God more clearly after losing a baby.

The Lord Reigns – Job 40-41 – 2025 Day 84

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Job 40-41, Psalm 52

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right? Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his?”

Job 40:6-9 ESV

Every spring our area has terrible storms. The wind blows. The rain pours down. The heavens are alive with flashes of lightning and cracks of thunder. Tornadoes are a very real danger. It feels terrifying and utterly out of control.

But, friends, it isn’t. Even the wind and the seas obey Him. He rules over all of creation from the smallest critter to the mightiest beast, from the sunniest sky to the loudest thunder.

If God was a cruel, impetuous, reckless God, like the idols of man-made religions, we would all be in big, big trouble. But God! The one true God Jehovah, the Great I Am, reigns with grace and mercy and justice and wisdom. He is worthy of our trust.

Heavenly Father, You hold the whole world in Your Mighty Hands. Nothing is too hard for You. All of creation obeys You. Who are we to question your goodness and power? Thank You for Your mercy and grace. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die in my place and raising Him from the grave! In His Almighty Name we pray, Amen.

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The Lord Almighty Reigns – Keith and Kristen Getty
“When God Ran” – Phillips, Craig, and Dean