Holy Living – Page 12 – Teach What is Good

Grief

Published on October 15, 2023October 20, 2023 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 2 Corinthians 7

October 15 is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day, a day set apart each year to remember those babies that have gone from our arms too soon.

In God’s providence, unaware of this date (or had it just not been established yet?) I had planned my own baby’s memorial service for October 15, 1998, because it was the one month anniversary of his passing. In today’s reading in 2 Corinthians 7, I was struck by verse 10.

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV

The greatest times of growth in my life have always come on the heels of the greatest griefs. Sometimes that grief has taken the form of physical and emotional pain – losing a baby, marriage and parenting struggles, financial hardships. Sometimes that grief has taken the form of spiritual pain, the result of grieving over my own past or present sin.

And yet, it is quite possible for that very same grief to turn us away from God rather than toward Him. The loss of a baby, the infidelity of a spouse, a wayward child, the recognition of our own sin, all of these things can drive us to doubt God’s presence or goodness.

This, I believe, is one result of what Paul here calls, “worldly grief,” grief turned inward rather than heavenward. We think God must not care for us if He has allowed such pain to enter our life, forgetting the profound wisdom of a mother who chastens her child for his good.

Do you find yourself today in the midst of an unending sea of grief? Cry out to God. Ask Him to rescue you by the mercies of His Son, Jesus, who came to Earth to seek and save the lost, who surrendered His own life that you might have the gift of eternal life.

Heavenly Father, I lift up the person reading this post. I pray that You will draw them into Your loving arms. I pray that You will chasten them like a wayward lamb, that they will come running through the narrow gate of Christ and find safety in the fold of forgiveness. You are so good. I am so thankful for Your righteous judgement and Your boundless mercy. In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Good Shepherd and King, I pray. Amen.

Act Like Men: Stand Firm, Be Strong, and … Love Well

Published on October 8, 2023 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Corinthians 16

We hear 1 Corinthians 13 read at every wedding. Love is patient and kind. Love does envy or boast. Love is not proud or rude. Isn’t it beautiful?

But love is also steadfast and firm, immovable and strong. Love is a mother telling her toddler, “No,” a hundred times in the same day. Love is a grown daughter telling her alcoholic mom that she’s got a problem. Love is refusing to stand idly by while pornography tries to ruin your marriage or homosexuality tries to steal your teenager.

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith,
act like men, be strong.
Let all that you do be done in love.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 ESV

Love takes guts. Love takes strength. Love takes the stamina of a thoroughbred racehorse and the patience of Job. Love requires you to be willing to get battle scars for the sake of another because you believe they’re worth the fight.

Ladies, sisters, friends, act like men. Be watchful. Stand firm in the faith. Be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

Heavenly Father, Your Son, Jesus Christ, is the perfect manifestation of manhood and love. Strength and humility. Stamina and kindness. Make us more like Him. Teach us, show us, how to love like He loves, how to give up our lives for another, to be willing to suffer to save someone else. We need You, Father. We can’t do it on our own. In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Lover of my Soul. Amen.

Division in the Church

Published on October 3, 2023 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Corinthians 11

For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.
1 Corinthians 11:18-19 ESV

I hate conflict. I like everything to be calm and peaceful and happy. Anyone with me?

But sometimes conflict is necessary. Sometimes conflict is necessary in order to bring change and, ultimately, peace. I want to be a peacemaker – not a peace-faker. And sometimes that requires stirring the pot: asking questions and seeking answers, calling people to take responsibility for their beliefs and actions.

The entire letter of 1 Corinthians is Paul’s attempt to bring holiness and peace to a body that has gone astray and needs to be brought back to the Lord. Like a shepherd using his rod and staff to correct and redirect a straying lamb, the Lord’s messengers are often called to speak harsh words in order to bring healing.

Hosea 6:1-2 ESV — “Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.”

Heavenly Father, You are holy. You are good. You are mighty. Reveal Yourself to and through Your body here on earth. Purify Your Bride in the cleansing waters of adversity. Do what needs to be done to eradicate the cancer of complacency from our hearts. We trust You. In the name of Jesus Christ who surrendered His life for His bride we pray. Amen.

One Pure and Holy Passion – Amy Nobles

Though You Slay Me – Shane and Shane

The Gift of Old Testament Stories

Published on October 2, 2023 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Corinthians 10

Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
1 Corinthians 10:11 ESV

For the past month I’ve been studying 1 Samuel in depth verse by verse in my Community Bible Study class. 1 Samuel isn’t a letter like 1 Corinthians. Rather, it’s a story. A true story. A true story full of life lessons. I’m so thankful that the Lord chose to give us so many stories in His Word instead of just giving us lists of things to do and not to do. We can learn so much from the lessons contained in the stories of the Old Testament.

Hannah and Elkanah, Eli and Samuel, Saul and Jonathan and his armor bearer. Each of these real people have a lesson to teach me if I’m willing to study with an open heart.

What is your favorite Old Testament story? What did you learn from it?

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness in giving us a book full of true stories of men and women who lived long ago. These stories teach us about You – about who You are and how You interact with Your creation. These stories also teach us life lessons about how we ought to live in this world that You’ve made. I pray that we would be faithful to study Your Word not just for more head knowledge but that we would seek to be transformed by the truth found in its pages. I want to know you more that I would love You more that I would be conformed more into the image of your Son. I love You, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Sinning Against Your Brother is Sinning Against Christ

Published on September 30, 2023 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Corinthians 8

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
1 Corinthians 8:9-12 ESV

Oh, Heavenly Father, help me to love my brother as myself. Help me to die for them, as Christ died for me. Help me to do what is in their best interest, even if that takes sacrifice on my part. Jesus was such an example of humble sacrifice. Conform me into the image of Christ. Help me to serve others as a service to You, my Lord and King and Heavenly Father. Make me more like You, Lord, who left the glories of heaven to live among sinful man. You are my greatest joy and treasure. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Immorality in the Church (part 2)

Published on September 28, 2023 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Corinthians 5-6

1 Corinthians 5 and 6 are each so short, I decided to stay here and read them together again, but this time I’m thinking about a new idea.

How should I handle someone who is regularly assembling with my church, but is living far from Jesus in their life?

1. Mourn for them heartily. Don’t be haughty or arrogant, thinking too highly of yourself. Take heed, lest you fall. (1 Corinthians 1:12) Remember, such were you. Their sin may look different from yours, but you have struggles, too. Grieve over the pain that their sin is bringing on their own heart, and grieve over the pain that their sin is bringing on the heart of Jesus. Mourn and weep and wail for them and for the Lord.

2. Go to them privately. Study Matthew 18, the whole chapter, verse by verse. God wants His lost sheep to be found, and He wants to use you to help do it. Be a good shepherd, like Jesus who came to seek and save what was lost (Luke 19:10). Go to them one-on-one and plead with them to turn away from their sin and follow Christ. If they refuse to listen to you, bring along a brother or sister to help you. Imagine that person were your son or daughter, your mom or dad, your brother or sister, and do your best to pull them out of the quicksand of sin into which they are sinking.

3. Remove them publicly. Consider the impact their sinful lifestyle is having on the other members of your church. Recognize the shame that someone living in unrepentant sin brings upon the Name of our Spotless Savior. A person can’t live like a pig while they claim to be a sheep, and we can’t stand idly by while the name of God is blasphemed because of a fellow member’s ongoing, habitual lifestyle of sin (Romans 2:24). For some people, as long as they are allowed to have both their sin and their fellowship with the body, they will continue on. We have to love them enough to be hurt, in the hopes that their “spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 5:5).

Heavenly Father, how my heart grieves for those who come to church each Sunday morning while living in unrepentant sin day after day. Please, Father, set the captives free. Loose the chains of those in slavery to sin. Rescue those who are sinking, drowning in a pit of their own making. Open the eyes of the blind. Remove the stoppers from the ears of the deaf. Father, empower Your sheep to be good shepherds. Give us a holy hunger to seek and save the lost, even those who sit next to us in the assembly of believers. May we treasure the Name of Christ and refuse to allow it to be blasphemed because of our own laziness and love of comfort. Wake us up, Lord! Wake us up! We need You, Holy Father. Revive us we pray in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Lord. Amen.

Immorality in the Church

Published on September 27, 2023October 1, 2023 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Corinthians 5-6

Oh, precious reader, I don’t know you, but the Lord does. I don’t know what skeletons you have hidden in your closet, but the Lord does.

Likewise, you don’t really know me, what all has gone on behind closed doors or in the recesses of my mind in the fifty years I’ve drawn breath, but the Lord does.

All I can say is, praise His Name for the “such were some of you” promise of 1 Corinthians 6:11. I have been washed, sanctified, justified, redeemed, forgiven, and made new in the blood of Jesus Christ. Because of my testimony of who I was, it grieves me so very deeply to hear of professing Christians who are still walking in sin. People calling themselves followers of Christ and yet refusing to repent and break free from the chains of sin.

Whatever form your lust takes, whether fornication or adultery, pornography or homosexuality, gluttony or anger, jealousy or greed, Jesus says, “Leave those things behind and follow me. No one can serve two masters. It’s either My way or your way. Which way are you heading? You know full well that those things are not good for you. As My child, you must put them far away from you. In Me, you are no longer your own. I have purchased you with my blood, and you have become a temple where my Holy Spirit dwells. My Holy Spirit will not share His temple with idols. Now clean out every little corner of that temple of yours, so my Spirit can dwell fully in you. Glorify Me in your body, in how you think, in how you eat, in how you speak, in how you live, and it will be well.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for your grace and forgiveness. Thank You for causing me to be born again. Thank You for washing me clean and making me new, giving me new desires and a new name. As Your daughter, I want to be made more like Your Son. I want to have a pure heart and mind. I want to glow. I want to reflect Your glory as only a clean mirror can. I want to be filled with Your Spirit, Your presence, Your peace and love and joy. May others see You in me. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

The Sun Rises Even in the Rain

Published on September 24, 2023September 24, 2023 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Corinthians 2

This morning I woke up early because I wanted to watch the sun rise. I was eagerly anticipating the sun turning the sky pink, purple, and orange as it crested the horizon over the lake where my sisters-in-Christ and I have been staying since Friday. Instead I was greeted by a rainstorm beating down on the metal roof of the porch under which I was taking shelter.

But still, the sun rose.

But still, it got brighter minute by minute.

But still, a new day dawned.

God is still on His throne even when we don’t see His glory. God still reigns even when His presence is hidden behind clouds, and His voice can’t be heard over the pouring rain.

In God’s perfect wisdom, He had decreed before the ages that His Own Son would be hung upon a cross to die for the sins of man. In the eyes of human wisdom or logic, it appeared that Satan had won and God had been defeated.

Oh, sisters, but God. Up from the grave He arose!

Suddenly, the cries of a bird ring out over the pounding of the storm. The birds are awake and singing in the trees, despite the rain. The storm won’t stop them, and it shouldn’t stop us, either

Darkness can’t overpower the light. The rain can’t drown out the sun. The sun still rises, even in a thunderstorm.

Heavenly Father, Death could not contain Him. A grave could not defeat Him. Darkness, no matter how deep, cannot keep the King of Glory from shining. I pray that our faith would be in You and You alone. You are Almighty. You are Victorious! No storm can delay what You have decreed. Your purposes will stand. You don’t always give us “cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels.” Sometimes you give us pitch black nights and thunderstorms that last for hour upon hour. Help me remember that the trees need the rain so they can grow, and the world needs the darkness of night so it can rest. Help me trust You, rather than myself. Help me to doubt human reasoning and believe Your Word. Help me remember that You reign over the rain. In the Good and Sovereign Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

As For Me and My House

Published on September 22, 2023 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Joshua 24

“Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” …

“Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD, to serve him.”

And they said, “We are witnesses.”

He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel.”

And the people said to Joshua, “The LORD our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey.”
Joshua 24:14-15; 22-24 ESV

Heavenly Father, What foreign gods am I serving? Where is my heart not inclined toward You? Where am I still limping between the world and the Lord rather than fully surrendering all my all to You? Please show me my sin. I’m blind to my own iniquity. Open my eyes that I can see my own blindness. I want to love You more that I can serve You better for You are worthy and good. In the Name of Jesus Christ who died in my place I pray. Amen.

Even the Old Testament is Full of Practical Applications

Published on September 20, 2023September 22, 2023 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Joshua 22

Wow, this is a rich chapter full of practical application for my own life!

It reminded me to be steadfast and faithful and to keep my promises, even when I’d rather not.

It reminded me of that greatest commandment to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

It reminded me that love is more than just an emotion. Love is an action, and love results in humble submission to the will of the one we love. If we love God, we will obey His commands, like John 14:15 says.

Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law
that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you,
to love the LORD your God,
and to walk in all his ways
and to keep his commandments
and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart
and with all your soul.”

Joshua 22:5 ESV

It reminded me that I need to not be so quick to judge other people’s motives, but instead give them the benefit of the doubt until I have time to hear from them. If I’m having a problem with someone, I should bring it to their attention and talk to them about it. And then I need to really listen to what they have to say, rather than assuming the worst.

It reminded me that God cares about why these Israelite tribes were building that altar – but also that just having the right motives doesn’t make something ok. There are still right and wrong decisions even if your heart is in the right place.

That was a lot from one chapter out of the Old Testament! 🎉

Heavenly Father, please help me to be faithful to keep my promises, even when it would be easier to just move on. You are a promise keeping God, and I want to be more like You. Cleanse my heart and renew my mind. Help me to love You with my all in all. Help me not turn aside to idols, remembering that I cannot serve both You and my own passions. Give me the patience and courage I need to talk to people that I’m having problems with and to sincerely listen, rather than hastily prejudging their motives. Make me more like You, Lord. I want to be more like You. In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Savior, Redeemer, Lord, and Perfect Example for everything, I pray. Amen.

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