Category: International Ministry

A Prayer for your Husband’s Faith – 2025 Day 37 (Genesis 12)

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Read Through the Bible in 2 Years: Genesis 12

“Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.”

– Genesis 12:1 ESV

Abram, too, finds his way into the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11, just as Abel and Noah whom we already read about this year.

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

– Hebrews 11:8 ESV

In reading Genesis 12, I wanted to either focus on Abram’s failure to protect his beautiful wife from the advances of the Pharaoh or on Abram’s faith in God when he chose to go out to an unknown land.

But, instead, I’m going to choose Door #3.

Here it is: In spite of Abram’s shortcomings and failures, he is who God chose and called to be the father of His people.

Like Noah, a righteous man, chosen by God for a great purpose who became drunk with wine shortly after surviving the worldwide flood, Abram obeyed God in going out to this new place, yet he gives way to fear.

Like we read in Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

From Abel to Noah to Abram to me and my husband, each one of us have been saved by our faith, not by our works. Yet our faith will lead us to do works of faith, whether in offering good sacrifices, or building big boats, or going out to foreign lands, or writing blogs one-day-at-a-time. May we all walk faithfully with our God.

Let’s pray together.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the precious gift of faith. You did not choose me because of any deed that I had done. In fact, You cast Your eyes and Your love upon me while I was Your enemy. You called me and chose me and drew me and put faith into me … and all I can say is THANK YOU!

Lord, I pray for my husband to hear You loud and clear. Help him to be strong and courageous and not to be afraid. Help him to resist the temptation to take the easy way out. Father, I pray that You will be faithful to complete the good work that You have begun in him. Direct his steps and protect him from the schemes and lies of the evil one. Give him the strength and wisdom to follow You. Help him to know Your Word and hear Your voice as You lead him.

Father, help us as wives to submit to our husbands, not to fear anything that is frightening. Encourage us to sit daily at Your feet, that we might trust You when life is scary. Help us to keep a careful watch over our mouths and our minds, thinking and speaking the truth in love. Make us godly helpmeets, doing good to our husbands all the days of his life, so that his heart can trust us and he will have no lack of gain.

Lord, we submit to You and Your will for our lives. We will go where you send us, when you send us, trusting that Your ways and thoughts are always better than ours.

In the Good and Sovereign Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

God Disperses the People + Psalm 5 – 2025 Day 36 (Genesis 11)

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Read Through the Bible in 2 Years: Genesis 11, Psalm 5

Remember when God told Noah and his sons to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. Well, Noah’s family multiplied, but they didn’t want to spread out to fill the earth. They didn’t want to be dispersed. They wanted to stay in one place and make a name for themselves.

But God …

Like we read yesterday about God’s sovereign purpose and wisdom in the lives of Noah’s three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, God again carries out His good plan of mankind filling the earth. God confused the people’s language … for their good and His glory!

Can you image how that must have felt to suddenly not be able to communicate with your own family and friends? I’m sure that was very frustrating! It reminds me of the times I’ve spent in China, Hungary, and Russia.

But God …

I’m so thankful that God scattered those first people all over the world, and so thankful that God sovereignly ordained for Christians to be scattered all over the world so people from every tribe and tongue might know and worship Him — we’ll get to that again later but if you can’t wait take a peek at Acts 8:1-4 for a taste of how persecution caused the early believers in Christ to be scattered.

Let’s praise the Lord together from Psalm 5

Give ear to my words, O LORD;
consider my groaning.

Give attention to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God, for to you do I pray.

O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.

The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.

You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house.

I will bow down toward your holy temple
in the fear of you.

Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.

For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.

Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.

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.

For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Amen

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

Give Me Jesus

Being Fruitful and Multiplying – 2025 Day 34 (Genesis 8:1-9:17)

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 3, Genesis 8:1-9:17

“And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.'” – Genesis 9:1

Despite God’s recognition that the “intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth,” God commanded Noah and his sons to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. In fact, God repeated this command a second time. (Genesis 8:21, 9:1, 7)

Note that this command was directed at the men in the family, not the women. Women can’t have babies on their own. We need willing husbands in order to bear children. Both husbands and wives should be willing vessels for the blessings that the Lord wants to send to us.

Sisters, let’s not be like fools who think, say, or live like there is no God. Rather, let us receive with open hands, homes, and wombs the children that the Lord desires for us. As Christians, we should recognize the incredible gift that every child is, whether by adoption or conception.

We must also be fruitful and multiply the kingdom of God by training up our children in the way they should go. As mothers, we can be powerful disciple-makers, bringing our children to the throne of God morning, noon, and night. Don’t underestimate the incredible impact of a wise, humble, praying mother.

As my years of child bearing have ended, and this new season of grandmothering has begun, I pray that I will continue living a fruitful, multiplying life – encouraging and serving my children as parents, teaching my grandchildren the ways of the Lord, and making disciples in my everyday life.

How can you lead a fruitful, multiplying life? I’d love to hear your comments.

Let’s pray together.

Heavenly Father,

You are a good Father who loves to give good gifts to Your children. Thank you for the precious gift it is to be a mother.

I pray that you would bless each of my children with children in Your perfect timing.

For those who are single, I pray that they will use this time to glorify You with their minds and lives, making the most of these days.

For those who are married and anxiously praying for a child, I pray that You will help them to wait well. I ask You, Lord, to give them children – by conception or adoption – fill their homes with the next generation of disciples of Christ.

For those who are married and in the thick of motherhood, I pray they will learn to cast all their cares on You, fully trusting that You care for them. I pray that You would make them fruitful and multiply and to receive each gift that you have ordained for them. I pray their husbands would desire the gift of children and be faithful servant leaders.

For those empty nesters and grandmothers, I pray they will use their time well, living reverent lives, teaching and serving well the younger women. Make them prayer warriors and arm-lifters and godly examples for those who are following in their footsteps.

In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

Speaking Face to Face – 2025 Day 28 (2 and 3 John)

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Read Through the Bible in 2 years: Proverbs 28, 2 John and 3 John

“Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.”

– 2 John 1:12 ESV

“I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.”

– 3 John 1:13-14 ESV

At the end of both of these letters, John says that he has so much to say, but he doesn’t want to use a pen; he wants to see them and speak face to face.

It struck me as funny, reading these verses and thinking about all the people who have read things that I’ve written but have never met me and will never meet me face to face. How different it is to communicate when you can’t see your audience face to face, yet how thankful I am that John went ahead and picked up his pan and wrote down his thoughts, that we can still read them almost 2,000 years later.

I know that my words are in no way like John’s words. My words are not inspired by the Holy Spirit like John’s were. Yet, I hope my words will make an impact on this generation as well as generations to come. I pray that children not yet born might be impacted directly by my words but also indirectly through their mothers and grandmothers being encouraged and equipped through the thoughts that flow from my pen (or stylus or keyboard or phone as the case may be).

How can your words
whether written or spoken
make an impact today
and for generations to come?

Do you keep a journal?

Do you blog?

Do you make videos?

Who do you need to write a letter, or call, or meet for coffee today?

I’d love to pray for you. Please leave a comment below.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the blessing it is to be able to write words down. Thank you for preserving Your written Word for hundreds of years that people today can read the very words of Moses and Jesus and John. Thank you for the blessing of being able to preserve our own thoughts for generations to come and to send letters to people who live far away. And thank You, too, for the gift of phone, internet, and video technology that allows us to communicate in real time with people that we can’t see face-to-face.

Thank You for each man and woman who has impacted my life through writing books and blogs and recording videos. I pray Your blessings on them and their families.  Give them wisdom in what to say and encourage them when they grow weary.

You are always good and Your love endures forever.

In the eternal name of Jesus Christ who is our perfect Savior and Lord. Amen

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

When Your Children are Walking in Truth – 2025 Day 27 (2 John and 3 John)

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 27, 2 John and 3 John

Once again John doesn’t sign his own name, but this time, he’s simply “the elder.” What a sweet title to give himself.

Once again John talks about TRUTH and LOVE – twin pillars on which the gospel rests. Jesus is the truth. The truth abides in the elect and will be with us forever (2 John 2). God’s grace, mercy, and peace will be with us in truth and love. (2 John 3).

“I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.”

– 2 John 1:4 ESV

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

– 3 John 1:4 ESV

John rejoiced greatly at the good news that the elder woman’s children were walking in the truth and that his own children were walking in the truth. What greater joy is there? Whether it’s the children I’ve raised in my own house, or children I’ve discipled in the faith, or grown women I’ve walked with and helped them grow, what JOY it is to watch them walk in truth!

Who are you discipling? Who are your children in the faith? Who are you watching grow and walk in truth?

Everyone should have someone who they can pour into. You don’t have to wait until you’re an elder like John. Learn a little, teach a little. The walk is always nicer when you have someone to share it with. You’ll be amazed at how much it blesses YOU, how much JOY you receive, when you’re teaching someone else. How can I help you?

Will you pray with me?

Heavenly Father,

We pray that You will use us to equip the body for the work of ministry. Help us to work together with arms linked as one to grow Your church. Help us to be disciple makers, scattering seeds where we go and helping those little seedlings grow into mighty trees of righteousness that bear much fruit.

We pray for those who are young in their faith and that those elders will come alongside them to encourage them and minister to them. We pray for those who are elders in the faith to not lose heart or quit the fight. Help them to finish the race well, pouring out the last drop of their lives in the service of their king.

We pray for the children that are still in our homes. Lord, strengthen us to strengthen them. Draw them into a living relationship with You that they will walk in truth and love to the glory of Your name.

In the Name of Jesus we pray,

Amen.

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

When Not Seeing is Believing – 2025 Day 20 (John 20)

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Proverbs 20, John 20

“Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.”

But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

– John 20:24-31 ESV

When I was a teenage atheist, I refused to believe in anything I couldn’t see with my eyes, but now I see the many contradictions in my own worldview. Why did I believe my world history teacher when she taught about things that happened hundreds or even thousands of years ago? Why did I believe my chemistry teacher when he taught about how chemical elements worked?

At the time, my faith in an unseen, unknown event creating the universe seemed so intellectual and reasonable to me because I thought that the images of fossils and ape men I’d seen on TV and in my school textbooks were “scientific proof” of evolution. Now I’m astonished by the irony of my “faith” in evolution, which was just as much (if not more!) “a leap of faith” as my faith in Jesus now is. As a Christian, I’m believing the eyewitness testimonies of credible witnesses like John (John 19:35), but where are the eyewitnesses for evolutionary events?

Reading John 20, I noticed how John and Peter and Mary and Thomas believed because they saw.

I have such empathy for Thomas when I think about how much he had just been through. He just couldn’t fully trust his friends’ testimonies when they said, “We have seen the Lord.”

Judas, a fellow apostle, had just betrayed Jesus. Jesus, their messiah, had just been publicly beaten and executed on a Roman cross. And now Thomas has to figure out what is next for his life. How can you be a full-time disciple of someone who’s dead? Is this whole “Jesus is risen from the dead” thing real or just a hoax?

So Thomas demands, “Unless I see in his hands, the mark of the nails and place my finger into the mark of the nails and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Strong words. Strong demands. It’s not enough just to see the mark of the nails on Jesus’s hands. He has to place his own finger in those nail-pierced hands and place his own hand on His spear-pierced side. Merely seeing, apparently, is not believing, either.

And to think that Jesus then appeared to the disciples again when Thomas was there … And went directly to Thomas and gave him what he had requested. What a display of God’s grace and mercy and love!

And, even more so, what a blessing to have my own eyes opened, though I am among those who have not seen and yet have believed.

Will you pray with me?

Jesus, we are not worthy. I am not worthy. Thomas was not worthy.

With Thomas, we cry out, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus, You are not only our Messiah and Savior and Lord, but You are God. This is indeed the gift of faith, the precious, priceless gift to those who have not seen and yet believed.

Remembering the words of Hebrews 11:1, that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen, we ask that You will open our eyes to have faith to be sure of what we hope for and fully convinced of the things that we have not seen, yet have read in Your Word. Help us to believe those eyewitness testimonies that have been passed down and preserved for us. Help us to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, that by believing we may have eternal life in His name.

In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

Behold the man! Behold our God! – 2025 Day 19 (John 19)

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Proverbs 19, John 19

“And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe.

They came up to him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and struck him with their hands.”

John 19:2-3 ESV

When I was growing up, I was such a sarcastic person. I regularly poked fun at others to get laughs and attention for myself at their expense, so reading this passage breaks my heart. Now I see the cruelty of these soldiers as they mock Jesus, pressing a crown of thorns on his head, dressing him in a purple robe, saying “Hail, King of the Jews,” and striking Him with their hands.

In verse 4, Pilate says, “Behold the man,” then moments later in verse 14, Pilate says, “Behold your king.”  Yet the chief priests, the Jewish chief priests, say, “We have no king but Caesar,” and my heart breaks again.

My heart breaks for all those people in our world who have turned their backs on the king who came to save them.

My heart breaks for the Jews who missed their Messiah who came for them, His own people. And my heart breaks for all of those Christians who are too busy to behold their king.

But my heart also breaks for Jesus Himself.

Can you imagine how it would feel to come into the world that you yourself had made, to take on human form and be born as a baby, to live among your own chosen people and speak to them week after week for more than 2 years, to perform miracle after miracle to really prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that you indeed are the long awaited messiah, only to hear your own people say not only “Crucify him,” but “We have no king but Caesar”?

They did not say,
“We have no king but
Almighty God.”

They said, “We have no king
but Caesar.”

How about you? Who is your king?

  • The current (or soon-to-be) president of the United States — or another nation of the world?
  • Money?
  • Fame?
  • The news media?
  • Your kids?
  • Your stomach?
  • Your couch?
  • Your bed?
  • Your phone?

What do you live for and serve and obey?

Can you say, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. As for me and my house, we will have no king but Jesus”?

Heavenly Father,

How I long to behold you, to see you face-to-face, to gaze upon Your glory. Hold me close to you. Bind me to you. Let me not wander away out of fear of the disapproval of man. May the fear of God be stronger than the fear of man in my life. Help me to remember that You are for me and if You are for me, what can man do to me?

Keep me from having a biting, sarcastic tongue. May my words be apples of gold in a setting of silver, full of grace and mercy and seasoned with salt.

I pray for the leaders of my nation and the leaders of all the nations of the world. I pray that they will bow the knee before King Jesus, that they will humble themselves before You. Lord, I praise You as Daniel did so many years ago – You are who changes times and seasons; You are who removes kings and sets up kings; You are who gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. (Daniel 2:21 ESV) Make our nation’s leaders like King Nebuchadnezzar who said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.” (Daniel 2:47 ESV)

Let us behold You, seated on Your throne. Let us worship and adore You alone, for nothing compares to You.

In the name of King Jesus we pray,

Amen.

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

Click here for a link to the “Behold, Our God” song and lyrics in English and Chinese.

Begin Where You Are – In the Here and Now. Thoughts from Ezra 3.

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Ezra 3

When the Israelites returned to Israel after years of living in exile in Babylon, their first desire was to rebuild the Temple and begin making offerings to God. Unfortunately, it takes time to rebuild a temple, so they simply set up an altar where the temple once had been and began celebrating the feasts and offerings there.

When I read this, I thought about the saying, “Delayed obedience is disobedience,” and wondered to myself what things I’m waiting on, what ducks I’m trying to get in a row, before I start doing what God has called me to do.

God wants us to obey Him today. Now. Right now. Here. Where you are. Wherever you are.

How many times have I thought —

  • When I know more about the Bible …
  • When I have a bigger house …
  • When I have more money …
  • When I’m not so busy …

God called some to go back to Jerusalem, and those who weren’t called to return were called to give generously to those who were. Both of these jobs were important – to go and to give – and God equipped both groups to obey Him.

If God has called you to do something, He will equip you to do it.

Maybe you’re wondering, “What is God calling me to do?”

I don’t know the specific plans that God has for you, those good works that He has prepared in advance for you (Ephesians 2:10), but I do know God has called you to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself.

Start there.

And sometimes what you’re supposed to be doing now to obey God is to be working on those things He’s called you to do.

Do you need to know the Bible better for the task He’s called you to do? Alright, then, what are you doing to work towards that goal.

Do you need a bigger house or more money for a task He’s given to you? How are you working toward that? Paying down debt … Saving money … Getting a higher paying job … Working a little on the side?

Do you need more margin to have the time for a job He has for you? How are you working toward that? Skipping your nightly TV shows or scrolling through your favorite social media platform might be a good place to start.

The Israelites began making offerings, but they also began working on the temple. Let’s start in the here and now, today, while also working toward the future and the generations to come.

Heavenly Father, I lift up every man and woman who is reading this message at this moment in time and space. Please draw them to know You, to seek You, to love You, and trust You, and obey You. You are worthy to be trusted. You are worthy to be obeyed. Please lead these men and women on the paths of righteousness for Your Name’s Sake. Show them that straight and narrow path with the light of Your Word and the perfect wisdom of Your Holy Spirit. Provide for their every need – the wisdom, the time, the finances – to accomplish the tasks that You have prepared in advance for them to do. For Your glory and for our good I pray. Amen.

Lead On, O King Eternal

What is Your Freedom For? Thoughts from Galatians 5

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Galatians 5

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Galatians 5:13-14 ESV

America has been called the land of free and the home of the brave. So, fellow Americans, I must ask you, what are you using your freedom for? For watching more TV and playing more video games? For watching more cat videos and scrolling through more Facebook posts? For drinking more wine and sleeping later on Saturday mornings?

Or for sharing the gospel with more people and making more disciples of Christ? For honoring your parents more and loving your neighbor better? For giving more freely to the poor and being a more shining example of Christ in an increasingly dark world?

May we never forget, fellow Americans, that this freedom is a precious gift granted us through the blood of many men who sacrificed their lives for our country.

But what about those of you who don’t enjoy the privileges of freedom of speech, freedom of press, and freedom of religion granted by the U.S. constitution? Have you not been freed by the blood of Jesus Christ? Have your chains not been broken by the cross? Are you enslaved to sin, the devil, and an evil empire? May it never be.

Man can oppress you, but in Christ you are free. Evil men can throw you in prison, take captive your body, and threaten your life, but you still have choices. Will you speak up or stay silent? Will you live day by day with a heart filled with  bitterness or love? Will your life reflect the prince of this world or the King of kings?

Heavenly Father, You are good! You have set free the captives by the sacrifice of Your Son! Whom the Son sets free is FREE indeed! Who can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus? What can man do to me? My life is in Your hands. Make me courageous. Make me pure. Make me shine with the light of Christ burning in my heart. Amen.

God Preserves a Remnant. Thoughts from 1 Kings 19

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Kings 19.

Do you ever feel like you’re the only one who is still pursuing God with your whole heart? Well, you’re not alone in those feelings. Elijah felt that way, too.

[Elijah] said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

1 Kings 19:14 ESV

The truth is that God preserved a remnant in Israel three thousand years ago and He has preserved a remnant today, too. Press on, friend, God is with you. Don’t lose heart. The Lord Almighty is on your side. And so are thousands of others around the globe.

Heavenly Father, I’m praying for my brothers and sisters around the world today who are despairing, feeling like they are the only ones  holding fast to the hem of Your garment. Encourage them, Father. Strengthen them with Your Word and the comfort of Your Holy Spirit. Uphold them with Your righteous right hand and shelter them under Your wings. Please, Father, give them someone to fellowship with, a Christ-lover to walk with through the valleys and mountains of life. In the Name of Christ who sticks closer than a brother we pray. Amen.

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