Category: Homeschooling

For These Children I have Prayed – Raising Your Children for the Lord. 1 Samuel 1.

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Samuel 1

For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him.

1 Samuel 1:27 ESV

I prayed for each one of my children, the ones waiting for me in heaven, the ones delivered out of my womb, and the one brought to me from a foreign land. Each one of them is a gift from the good, sovereign hand of the Lord. And I have given each of them back to the Lord – not literally, I suppose, but given back to the Lord nonetheless. Ever since they were infants, I’ve seen myself as a steward of God’s creation.

This belief that I am a steward, a caretaker for God, of my children has had huge implications for my life. How would God want His children raised?

Read the Bible to them.

Teach them to read the Bible for themselves.

Pray for them.

Pray with them.

Worship the Lord with them on Sunday and everyday.

Sing with them.

Teach them to sing to the Lord for themselves.

Be a godly model for them to follow.

Teach them to go through life seeking God first.

Raising children for God is so much more than just teaching them about right and wrong, the Ten Commandments, and Jesus Loves You. Raising my children for God has been my full-time pursuit for over twenty-five years, a pursuit that won’t end when my youngest goes off to college.

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the children that You have given to me and my husband. They are a gift from You. Help us to train them up in the way they should go, to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Help us to be faithful stewards, day after day and year after year, remembering that You are their Creator and that their lives are in Your hands. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

God Speaks to Women, Too: A Lesson from Judges 13 in the Life of Samson

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Judges 13

An angel appeared to Hagar in the desert (Genesis 16) and to Mary, the mother of our Savior Jesus (Luke 1). The Lord answered the prayers of Hannah when she asked for a son (1 Samuel 1). Abigail’s discernment and quick actions spared David from having revenge on foolish Nabal (1 Samuel 25).

Here, in Judges 13, the Lord has chosen Manoah’s unnamed wife, a barren, childless woman, to be His messenger to her husband.

Sisters, God wants to use you as a blessing to your husband, your children, your church, and your community. He has a purpose for you.

Whether you’re married or not, whether you have a house full of kids or not, if God has chosen you as His child, then He has chosen you to be His ambassador, a messenger of the most high God.

Heavenly Father, I pray that I would call out to You, seeking You, morning by morning and evening by evening and that I would hear Your voice as You answer me. You have chosen me to be a vessel of Your grace. May that grace overflow to my husband and my children and their children. May that grace bring glory to Your Name. Give my husband and I discernment as we listen for Your voice. Help us to know when You are speaking and grant us unity in Your Holy Spirit. Help us both to be humble toward each other and to You. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Who’s Fighting Your Battles? A Lesson from Gideon and Judges 7.

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 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 up 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

Deborah and Jael, Women Called to do Hard Things: Judges 4-5

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 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 deliverer and judge. In His Name we pray. Amen.

A New Generation: Judges 2

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Judges 2

Earlier this month, my youngest son was baptized. Watching him commit his life to 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. God has to open their eyes, and they have to 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 us not want away after other gods and turn our backs on You, the One True God. I pray especially for Daniel as he walks day by day in his new life in Christ. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

The Love Chapter

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Corinthians 13

If I choose all the strongest verbs and most descriptive adjectives and write the most compelling blog on the web, but have not love, I am no greater than a tabloid writer or paparazzi photographer.

If I study the Bible every single day and night and tell every person I meet on the street all about the good news of the gospel, but have not love, I am no greater than the Pharisees and prosperity preachers.

If I homeschool all my kids and feed them organic fruits and vegetables with every meal, but have not love, I am no greater than Elmo or the Jolly Green Giant.

If I teach preschoolers every Sunday morning and women every Wednesday night, but have not love, I gain nothing.

If I volunteer every Tuesday at my local food pantry and march every Friday at the abortion clinic downtown, but have not love, it profits me and my neighbor not one bit.

“Love is patient and kind;

Love does not envy or boast;

It is not arrogant or rude.

It does not insist on its own way;

It is not irritable or resentful;

It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends.

As for prophecies, they will pass away;

As for tongues, they will cease;

As for knowledge, it will pass away.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.

Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

– 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 ESV

Heavenly Father, I love You, Lord, because You loved me first. You made the first move, the move of love. You pursued me while I hated You. Strengthen me to love others like that. Help me to love others as You loved me. Help me to love them while they are yet sinners for that’s how You loved me. You are love. All You do is love. Make me more like You. I am Your child. I want to live and move and have my being in You, that I might live and move and have my being in Love. To the glory and praise of Your Holy Name. Amen.

The Sun Rises Even in the Rain

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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

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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.

God Keeps His Promises

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Joshua 23

God is faithful to keep every word of every promise. If He said it, we can trust it. We may not know exactly when it will come to pass, but we can bank on it that it will. Like His words to the Israelites as they took possession of the Promised Land,

But just as all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you have been fulfilled for you,
so the LORD will bring upon you all the evil things, until he has destroyed you from off this good land that the LORD your God has given you.

Joshua 23:15 ESV

Are we promise-keeping parents? If we tell our child that we will take them for ice cream if they finish all their chores, do we do it? If we tell our child that they will get a spanking if they do that ‘one more time,’ do we do it? Am I the only one who has an easier time keeping my promise of a treat than my promise of a punishment?

In God’s absolute sovereignty, omniscient wisdom, and omnipotent power, He is able to keep every promise, like we never could.

Let’s trust Him and cling to Him and try to be more like Him which includes not making random threats that we’re never going to keep nor manipulating our children with promises of rewards that we don’t intend to give.

Heavenly Father, I’m so glad that I can trust You. I’m so thankful that You are honest and faithful, mighty and true. You are a promise keeping God. If you’ve said it, I can believe it. Grow my faith, Lord. Bury Your Word deep in my soul, water it with Your Spirit, bathe it in the sunshine of Your love, that it may bear great multitudes of fruit and bring You glory. I love You, Lord. Turn my heart, and my mouth, to sing Your praise and to speak Your Holy Words to others. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Words made flesh, I pray. Amen.

The Lord is My Refuge

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Joshua 20

Read these aloud as a prayer of surrender to Almighty God. Put not your trust in man. Put Your trust in God. Make Him Your refuge.

2 Samuel 22:3 ESV — My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence.

2 Samuel 22:31 ESV — This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 5:11 ESV — But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.

Psalm 7:1 ESV — A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning the words of Cush, a Benjaminite. O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,

Psalm 16:1 ESV — A Miktam of David. Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

Psalm 17:7 ESV — Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.

Psalm 18:2 ESV — The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:30 ESV — This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 25:20 ESV — Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

Psalm 28:8 ESV — The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

Psalm 31:2 ESV — Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!

Psalm 34:8 ESV — Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Psalm 57:1 ESV — To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.

Psalm 59:16 ESV — But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.

Psalm 61:4 ESV — Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah

Psalm 62:7-8 ESV — On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

Psalm 71:3 ESV — Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

Psalm 73:28 ESV — But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

Psalm 91:4a ESV — He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge;

Psalm 118:8-9 ESV — It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

Psalm 142:5 ESV — I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

Psalm 144:2 ESV — He is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.

Proverbs 30:5 ESV — Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Heavenly Father, You are my refuge, my strength, my rock, and my fortress. I have no reason to fear for You are by my side. I am hidden under the shelter of Your wings. Strengthen me to trust in You and You alone. Let me not be shaken. In the strong name of Jesus Christ, my Wise Teacher, my Faithful Redeemer, and my Steadfast Refuge, I pray. Amen