Category: Parenting and Motherhood

I Stand Amazed in the Presence of Jesus the Nazarene. Isaiah 13-14. 2026

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Read the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 141, Isaiah 13-14

My Savior’s Love

I stand amazed in the presence
of Jesus the Nazarene,
and wonder how he could love me,
a sinner, condemned unclean.
How marvelous! How wonderful!
and my song shall ever be;
How marvelous! How wonderful!
is my Savior’s love to me!”

Charles H. Gabriel (1856-1932)

Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it.

Isaiah 13:9 ESV

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23 ESV

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 4:17 ESV

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 5:1-12 ESV

I Stand Amazed in the Presence of Jesus – FormerAtheist58
I Stand Amazed in the Presence – Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
Come Unto Jesus – Getty, Laura Story

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Tools in the Master’s Hands. Isaiah 10-12. 2026

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Read the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 140, Isaiah 10-12

When the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, he will punish the speech of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the boastful look in his eyes.

For [the king] says: “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding;
I remove the boundaries of peoples,
and plunder their treasures; like a bull I bring down those who sit on thrones….”

Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it?

Isaiah 10:12-13, 15a ESV

If it is easy for an unknowing instrument of God to become proud, it is also easy for a willing instrument of God to become proud.

Jesus said we should have a different attitude: So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, “We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.” (Luke 17:10) As wonderful as it is to be an instrument in the hand of God, the instrument deserves no special glory.

David Guzik

Tools in the Master’s Hands – FormerAtheist58
Led by the Master’s Hand – George Younce – Gaithers
J. D. Sumner – Touch of the Master’s Hand

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Am I a Slave or a Son? Thoughts from Galatians 4. 2026.

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 131, Galatians 4

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."
– Galatians 4:4-7 ESV

27 years ago we were packing our bags to travel to Russia to finalize the adoption process for our son. Adopted as a six-month-old, Nick learned to sit and crawl on our carpeted living room floor. He learned to cruise along our comfy brown couch. He learned to say “Mommy” and “Daddy” on my lap.

From the moment he became a part of our family, he was given equal standing with his older sister who had grown in my womb. There were no extra rules to keep. He was our son, and we were his parents. End of story.

Thank You, Father, for adopting me as Your daughter, for placing Your Holy Spirit in my heart as a seal of the genuineness of my faith. You have engraved my name on the palms of Your hands (Isaiah 49:16) and You have caused me to bear the name of Christ. Thank You for causing me to be born again, creating me anew after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24). In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Finding my Identity in Christ – I’m More Than a Homeschool Mom – FormerAtheist58
No Longer Slaves – Zach Williams

A Mother’s Prayer for Her Children from Galatians 3. 2026

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 130, Galatians 3

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the gift of faith, the grace given to me through Jesus Christ, the righteous for the unrighteous. Thank You for the example of Abraham who was counted righteous by his faith, not by his works.

Thank You for the gift of the law as a tutor and guardian to protect us until our eyes might be opened by Your grace to the beauty of that Savior hanging on the cross.

Please help me to be a good steward of Your Word. Let me not breed little Pharisees who take pride in their own good deeds. I don’t want to raise better liars and hiders and sin-concealers. May I diligently and faithfully point my children to the perfect Lamb who kept the Law in every point, teaching them to be quick to repent, to run toward reconciliation with Jesus, with their parents, and with others.

I pray that my children would indeed be made sons and daughters of Abraham, being recipients of Your blessings because of their faith in Your Son. Protect them from believing the lie that they can be good enough to deserve Your mercy or merit Your grace. Help them to recognize that this is a lie sent from that liar, tempter, and accuser, Satan, who tempts us to sin and then accuses us when we fall.

I pray that my children would receive the gift of redemption found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. May they receive that matchless inheritance which is found not in the blood running through my earthly body, but in the blood of Jesus Christ poured out on the cross.

Grant my children the faith to believe that we are each sons and daughters of God by faith in Jesus Christ, that when we are baptized into Christ we are clothed in Christ and made one in Christ.

Help my sons take joy in being boys, and help my daughters take joy in being girls. Protect them from the sin of pride, from thinking they know better than You do.

May they humbly recognize that their eternal inheritance begins and ends in You.

For the glory of Your Name, we pray, Amen.

Jesus Paid it All – Hymns of Grace

The Father Heart of God. Hosea 11-12. 2026

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Read Through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 126, Hosea 11-12

Have you ever had those days when you want to say to your adult children, “Honey, don’t you forget, it was me who changed your dirty diapers. It was me who nursed you in the middle of the night, and it was me who bathed your naked little body. It was me who sang to you and rocked you to sleep. It was me who washed your skinned knees when you fell down in the driveway. It was me who brushed the knots out of your hair. It was me who taught you to sing the ABC’s and count to ten. Honey, trust me. You should listen to me.”

God has those days with us, too.

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols.

Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.

Hosea 11:1-2

God hasn’t given up hope for His children, and we shouldn’t either.

Heavenly Father, please, draw our hearts back to You. Discipline us with Your rod of kindness and woo us with Your love. Lead us with the cords of kindness and hold us fast with Your bands of love. And Father, please, draw our children back to You. Discipline them, too, with Your rod of kindness and woo them with Your love. Lead them with the cords of kindness and hold them fast with Your bands of love. Teach us how to parent them with love and grace and humility and gentleness and courage and firmness and truth. Make us parents after You. Teach us how to be godly mommies because You are the perfect daddy. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Our Perfect Example of all things we pray. Amen.

He will Hold Me Fast – Sovereign Grace Music

As God Adds to Our Blessings, What Do We Do With Them? Hosea 9-10. 2026

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Read Through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 125, Hosea 9-10

Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; as his country improved, he improved his pillars.

Hosea 10:1 ESV

God has given us every good gift to enjoy. He has blessed us with heat and sunshine and air to breathe. He has given us homes to live in and children to fill them. He has blessed us with abundant food and wealth. He has given us eyes to see, ears to hear, and minds to comprehend. Yet, what do we do with all of these gifts?

Do we enjoy them or neglect them? Do we praise Him or take credit for them? Do we use them for good or for evil?

  • When was the last time you thanked God for the children sitting around your table or clinging to your legs?
  • When was the last time you thanked the Lord for dirty dishes and floors littered with clothes and toys?
  • When was the last time you took a leisurely walk outside and thanked God for the blue sky and warm sun?

It seems that the more full our homes and lives become, the less interested we become in the Lord. Why is that? Why would the Lord bless us with more if it will just turn our hearts away from Him?

His mercy keeps us begging for our daily bread. His mercy makes us hunger for the gift of a child. His mercy keeps us dependent on Him for a roof over our head and money in our bank account.

Sunday night I flew home after spending six long days and five short nights with my daughter and her three children under five. It was hard. It was messy. It was exhausting. But, oh, the memories it brought back.

Like all good farmers, this soil-preparing, seed-sowing, plant-tending work requires rising early and working late, but oh does it bear GREAT FRUIT.

“Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.” Proverbs 14:4 ESV

Last week, while I sat on the floor building trains with the 4.5 year old and 2.5 year old, we listened to “Sing the Bible” Volumes 1, 2, 3, and 4 by Slugs and Bugs on Pandora. “The Ox Song,” based on Proverbs 14:4, croons, “Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.” How true!

The Ox Song – Sing the Bible Vol 4 – Slugs and Bugs

No children = no legos to step on, no trains to pick up, no diapers to change.

But no children also means no little ones to put a smile on your face and joy in your heart and no older ones to help care for you in your old age.

Oh, dear younger moms, like Hannah Harper’s viral “String Cheese” lyrics say,

One day I’ll be alone with a hot fresh cup of Joe
Wishing that someone would just drop by
And I’ll sit and reminisce, the times that I sure miss
Scattered toys and a baby on my hip
I thought finding peace in the quiet’s what I wanted
But I’d give anything to go back to being needed

String Cheese – Hannah Harper

Heavenly Father, Help me to be faithful in the little things that You might entrust to me more things. Help me to be thankful for every single little gift, the birds that sing before the sun rises, the wind that blows gently through the trees, the sound of trickling water. Thank You for giving me eyes that see and ears that hear. Thank You for giving me a mind and heart that know You. And thank you especially for the children and grandchildren that you have blessed me with. May I be grateful for every day and every memory. The days are indeed long, but oh are the years so short. Amen.

Brian Sauve – Fruit is Heavy

Loving the Unlovely: Brussel Sprouts, Ice Cream, Jesus, and Me. Hosea 3-4. 2026

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 121, Hosea 3-4

If I asked a class of third grade students, “Raise your hand if you love ice cream.” I bet every hand would shoot up. 🙋🏿‍♀️🙋🏻🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🙋🏾‍♂️

But if I then said, “Raise your hand if you love Brussel sprouts,” I’m quite sure I’d get a very different response. Even if I followed it up with words like, “They are really good for you! They’re high in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.” Still, it’s a no. 🙅🏽‍♂️🙅🏼‍♀️🙅🏻🙅🏿‍♂️🙅🏻‍♀️🙅

It is only logical to love ice cream. It’s sweet and creamy and delicious.🍦😋 But Brussel sprouts … They are more of an acquired taste, suited for a more refined palate. 🥬 😝

I’m afraid I think of myself as ice cream, naturally easy to love, rather than Brussel sprouts, good for you but a little bitter, stinky, and hard to digest.

When we read the book of Hosea, I’m afraid we tend to picture ourselves as the faithful prophet, when in reality we’re much more like the wandering prostitute. Please, sisters, don’t forget that we are Gomer, that woman who abandons her true love to pursue idols, and God is Hosea, the faithful One who again and again chases after His bride, pulling her out of the pig slop. 🥴🐖

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:10 ESV

Don’t forget 1 Corinthians 13.

Love covers a multitude of sins.

Love is not irritable or resentful or rude.

Love keeps no record of wrongs.

Love forgives.

Love never ends.

Love is steadfast and patient and faithful.

Praise God that He loved us while we were yet sinners, and now He calls us to go and do likewise.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your steadfast, patient, faithful love toward me. Thank You for pursuing me, though I didn’t deserve it, though I don’t deserve it still. I’m not worthy, but You are. You deserve better. You deserve chocolate, chocolate chip ice cream with whipped cream and sprinkles and a cherry on top. And yet You have demonstrated Your love by sending Your own Son to be the propitiation, the atoning sacrifice, the substitutionary offering, for my sin. Praise Your Name forevermore. Amen.

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go

God has a Plan and You have a Purpose. Amos 6-7. 2026

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 115, Amos 6-7

Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. But the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’

Amos 7:14-15 ESV

God chose shepherds like David, Moses, and Amos and God chose fishermen like Peter, Andrew, James, and John. God chose tax collectors like Matthew and Zacchaeus, and God chose well-educated men like Paul and Luke.

It’s not what you do from 8 to 5 Monday through Friday, or what family you were born into, that matters. It doesn’t matter how educated you are, or how much money is in your bank account. God calls and chooses whom He will according to His own plan and purpose.

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 ESV

God chose Paul, a Hebrew of Hebrews and a persecutor of Christians, to write these words,

“[God] saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness,
but according to his own mercy,
by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit”

Titus 3:5 ESV

And to the church at Ephesus,

“For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand,
that we should walk in them.”

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

Heavenly Father, You didn’t choose me because I was rich or powerful or good. I wasn’t. I was a simple college student, a blasphemer and an opponent of the gospel. I was Your enemy, slandering You and hurling insults at Your children, yet You plucked me out of the miry clay and planted my feet on the rock. You called me in spite of myself. Thank You. Thank You. Father, please, help me to love and pursue others like You loved and pursued me. Help me to love my neighbor as myself, loving them even while they’re drowning in sin. For the glory of Your Name and the growth of Your kingdom, in the name of Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord, Amen.

I am Not my Own – Getty, Skye Peterson

480 Years. Of Days, Years, and Eternity. 1 Kings 5-7. 2026

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Kings 5-7.

My daughter just celebrated her 30th birthday last week. I remember when I turned 30 myself. I felt old. Now I have a daughter who’s 30, but somehow I feel young. I don’t get it. 🤷‍♀️

For whatever reason, 480 years jumped out at me in my reading.

In the four hundred and eightieth year after the people of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, which is the second month, he began to build the house of the LORD.

1 Kings 6:1 ESV

480 years. Four hundred and eighty YEARS. 480 years had passed since the Lord had delivered His people out of Egypt until Solomon had begun building the temple.

Now we are in the year 2026. 480 years ago it would have been 1546. 1546. Whoa! That was a long, long time ago. That was before the invention of electricity and the steam engine. That was before Beethoven was born or America was founded.

Just think about some things that happened in the 1500’s.

  • Copernicus published his theory that the sun, rather than the Earth, was the center of the universe.
  • Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe.
  • William Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet and King Henry VIII was the king of England.
  • Martin Luther wrote the Ninety-Five Theses, demanding reform in the church.

480 years is a long, long time, but it’s only a quarter of the time that has passed since Jesus walked on earth and was crucified and buried and rose from the dead, and it’s just a drop in the bucket in light of eternity.

There are only two paths in life, and everyone is on one or the other. There’s the path of eternity with God, and there’s the path of eternity without Him. The path you’re on in this life will determine your path for eternity. Jesus is the doorway you must pass through to have eternity with God. As we’re told in John 14:6, Jesus is “the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through (Him).”

Which path are you on?

How are you spending the time God is giving you now? Wisely or foolishly?

Heavenly Father, You are eternal. You are outside of time. You are without beginning and end. But  the number of our breaths, and our days on earth, are numbered. One day judgment will come for each and every one of us. In fact, today could be my last day here. I don’t know, but You do. Teach me, Father, to number my days that I might have a heart of wisdom. Help me to spend my years for the things that will matter for eternity. In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Redeemer, I pray. Amen.

Number of My Days –
Joni Erickson Tada and Tommy Walker

Love God? Love Others – 2 Chronicles 34-36 – 2026 Day 83

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Read the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 52, 2 Chronicles 34-36

“Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. And the king went up to the house of the LORD, with all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and the Levites, all the people both great and small. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. And the king stood in his place and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book. Then he made all who were present in Jerusalem and in Benjamin join in it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 34:29-32 ESV

Love God? Love Others – 2 Chronicles 34-26 – FormerAtheist58
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us – JJ Heller

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