Category: Sharing your Faith

Finding Favor in the Sight of God and Man – 2025 Day 33 (Genesis 6-7)

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 2; Genesis 6-7

“But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD…. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.”

– Genesis 6:8, 9b

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.”

– Psalm 1:1-4 ESV

“Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.

Serve the LORD with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.”

– Psalm 2:10-11 ESV

Like Abel found favor with God because of his faith, so did Noah. Noah walked with God, and therefore he lived a righteous life. Noah had reverent fear of the Lord, therefore he obeyed God and was saved. Like Hebrews 11:7 says, “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”

None of us can live a righteous life on our own. It is only in trusting the Lord that we are able to follow Him.

Think of how Noah must have felt to be told by God to build a boat in the middle of a desert. Think of how he must have faced ridicule. Peter refers to Noah as a “herald of righteousness.” (2 Peter 2:5). Imagine the animosity he must have faced, maybe even from his own family. Don’t forget what we just read about Cain and Abel – Cain hated Abel because Abel’s deeds were righteous (1 John 3:12).

As you read through Genesis, try to remember that these are real people living real lives in real communities not so much unlike our own.

I pray that the life of Noah will be an example for us of how to live a righteous life, delighting in God and His Word, serving Him with fear and reverence, even in the midst of a very unrighteous world.

Will you pray with me?

Heavenly Father,

I pray that we would bind steadfast love and faithfulness around our necks and write them on the tablet of our hearts. I pray that we would trust You, Lord, with all of our hearts, leaning not on our own understanding. Help us to acknowledge You in all our ways. Let us not be wise in our own eyes, refusing to give way to cowardice and fear of man, living in reverent fear, knowing that You are the living God.

I pray that You will strengthen our husbands that they will walk by faith and not by sight all the days of their lives. Please, Lord, make my husband like Noah who walked with You, that he might be righteous and blameless. Give him strength to live for You and not for himself. Guard his heart from the fear of man.

I pray, also, for our children who are growing up in the midst of such a wicked generation. I pray that they will shine brightly for You, bringing You glory with their every word and deed. I pray that they will not forget what we have taught them – and that we, as their parents, would be faithful to train them up in the way that they should go.

I pray that You would lengthen our days and the days of our children, that we might accomplish all the works that You have given us to do. Add years to our lives, not that we might spend them in wicked, vain pursuits, but that we might have not opportunity to bring You glory, honor, and praise for You are worthy!

In the precious name of Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord 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.

A Prayer for God’s Dearly Loved Children – 2025 Day 25 (1 John 3-4)

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Proverbs 25 and 1 John 3 and 4

“I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.”

1 John 2:21 ESV

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”

1 John 3:1a ESV

“No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.”

1 John 3:9 ESV

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

1 John 4:4 ESV

Heavenly Father,

Please fill us and lead us by Your Holy Spirit, that we would know, love, and walk in truth. Help us to discern truth from lies. Help us to turn to You when we need wisdom and knowledge, and to trust that You truly do abide in us.

By our faith in your Son, Jesus Christ, You have made us Your children. You have caused us to be born again and we are new creations in Christ. Your seed abides in us.

Give us the wisdom we need to test our faith to see if we are truly in You, and if we are not actually in You, please reveal that truth now.

But, Father, if we are Yours, then help us to be conformed into Your likeness, loving not merely in words or talk, but in deed and truth.

Help us to live holy and godly lives in this present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Keep us from bitterness, wrath, anger, malice, envy and slander. Give us clean hands and pure hearts to the Glory of Your Name.

By Your power at work in us, give us both the desire and the ability to turn away from sin and turn our faces to You. Help us trust Your Word that He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. Transform our hearts and lives that we would come out of the dark and be useful, shining vessels of Your light.

In the matchless name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord we pray, Amen.

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

Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant – 2025 Day 12 (John 12)

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Proverbs 12; John 12

How often do you find yourself saying things to impress others or to look good while your true motives are all wrong?

  • Like Judas said when Mary poured out the ointment of pure nard, “Why was this ointment not sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor?” (John 12:5) when really Judas just wanted the money for himself.
  • Like when the people were all crowding around Jesus crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the king of Israel!” (John 12:13) But days later they will be crying out “Crucify him!” (John 19:15)

When I was an atheist, I took pride in standing out. I took great satisfaction in not following the crowd. I thought, “Those people are all gullible sheep,” yet my motives were still selfish. I loved people’s admiration of my ability to stand out and swim upstream.

But even in my attempts to “do my own thing,” I was still working for the approval of others. I wanted to look like my favorite band, Depeche Mode. I wanted to get good grades and win the praise of my teachers.

So often we are swayed by the approval of others,
whether in “fitting in” or “standing out.”

But here in John 12 Jesus has some weighty words that are most worthy of our serious consideration,

“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”

– John 12:25-26 ESV

Now in my fifth decade of life, cresting the top of the hill and beginning my race toward the finish line, I want to live the rest of my days for the praise of God, my righteous judge, with my ears tuned to those most excellent words of praise, “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 25:21 ESV)

Heavenly Father,

Help us to pursue You with single-minded devotion. We want to live for Your praise and Yours alone. Forgive us for all the times we give way to comfort and pleasure and ease, choosing the wide path rather than the narrow road. You know our hearts. We are laid bare before You. Create in us new hearts. Renew our spirits anew. Give us strength to continue on for Your glory, longing to one day hear you say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master.”

In the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord we Pray. Amen.

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

I Believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God – 2025 Day 11 (John 11)

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Proverbs 11; John 11

“But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

– John 11:4

Like the man born blind in John 9:3, Lazarus’s illness was for the glory of God that the Son of God may be glorified in it.

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.”

– John 11:5-6

Jesus loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus… So he stayed away two days longer. God’s ways are not like ours. His timing is not like ours. He has bigger purposes than our ease and comfort. We must fix our eyes on him rather than our circumstances. Paul learned the secret of being content in all circumstances, that he could do all things through Christ who gave him strength. We can live likewise, and as we do Christ will be glorified in our lives.

“… for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe….”

– John 11:15

Lazarus’s life and death and healing aren’t just about him or even just about his own family. Jesus wants his disciples’ faith to be grown through this tragedy. We need to remember that our brothers and sisters in Christ are watching us and being either encouraged or discouraged by how we live.

“So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

– John 11:16

Thomas often has a reputation as the unbelieving disciple, the doubter, but here you see that he was willing to die for Jesus. We, too, as disciples of Christ have our ups and downs, our good moments and are bad moments. Praise the Lord that He knows our hearts, and that He is a just and righteous and all-knowing God who sees us through the cleansing blood of His Son.

“So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house.”

– John 11:20

Martha, too, has a bad rap, known for complaining to Jesus for her sister to help her, yet she’s the one who ran out to meet Jesus while Mary stayed in the house. In fact, Martha is who Jesus was speaking to in John 11:25-27, “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.'” Mary and Martha each have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and God can use both of them for His glory. Martha can learn from Mary, and Mary can learn from Martha, and we can learn from both of them!

I am so thankful God gave me an older sister who is both very different and very similar to me. We were both created in the image of God, but with very unique gifts and purposes.

“… I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.”

– John 11:42

Jesus has purpose not only for Lazarus and his sisters, not only for His disciples, but also for the people standing around watching. My life isn’t just for myself, it’s not just for my family and friends, it’s not just for my brothers and sisters in Christ, it is also for those who are just standing around watching, my neighbors, the people at the grocery store, the people in the park, the people driving next to me on the street. Lord, be glorified in me!

Heavenly Father,

We pray that we will treasure up Your words in our hearts, calling out for insight and understanding, seeking wisdom like silver and searching for understanding as hidden treasure, that we will fear You and know You, that we might believe in You and trust You with all of our hearts.

Thank You for the truth that those who KNOW Your name put their trust in You for You, oh Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Help us to be wise, being careful who we listen to, and being careful how we live. Help us, Father, to remember that people are watching us – our children, our husbands, our parents, our brothers and sisters in Christ, those who are far away from you are watching us. We pray that our lives would testify to the truth of the gospel. We pray that people will see our good deeds and give glory to You, our Father in heaven.

Help us to have faith as a mustard seed that grows and multiplies and fills our cities and nations.

Help us to share the good news of the gospel, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world, that all might believe in Him and receive the gift of eternal life.

It is in the good and holy name of Jesus our Savior and Lord that we pray. Amen

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

Believing from a Testimony … Believing from the Word – 2025 Day 3 (John 3:1-4:45)

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Proverbs 3; John 3:1-4:45

“Many Samaritans from that town believed in him (Jesus) because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me all that I ever did.’ So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.'”
John 4:39-42 ESV

Heavenly Father,

Please make me truly wise. I don’t want to merely read Your Word to grow in knowledge about You like someone researching the life and times of C.S. Lewis or Albert Einstein. I want to know You – personally, deeply, mightily. I want to sit at Your feet and drink deeply of Your lifegiving Word. I want to worship what I know, who I know.

I need insight and understanding and instruction. I need my mind renewed. Here I am. I want to see and taste that You are indeed good.

I want Your springs of living water to flow in me and through me. Help me to decrease, and You to increase, in my life. I want to be about my Father’s business. Make me a true worshiper, worshiping you in spirit and truth and helping other to know You, too.

Help me to be one who welcomes in the outcast, who notices the forgotten and neglected, who has to go through Samaria because there’s someone there that You want me to meet. I pray that my eyes will be open to the people in front of me, and that my ears will be open to Your voice prompting me, “This is the way, walk in it. This is the one, talk to her. These are the words, say them.”

Lord, I’m asking You to encourage my Chinese brothers and sisters. Help them to know that you see them and hear them and know them. Help them to dig into Your Word and find pearls of great worth, gold of great price, and diamonds of great value. We want You to be our greatest joy.

Father, help me to help others to sit at Your feet day after day and be transformed by the reading of Your Word. May my food be to do Your will. Send me to accomplish Your Work to the glory of Your Name.

In the Name of Jesus Christ who is my only Lord and Savior. Amen.

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A Beautiful Former-Atheist Testimony

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Check out this beautiful discussion between Ray Comfort with Living Waters Ministries and a college student named Tristan who doesn’t believe in God.

Tristan reminds me so much of myself 30 years ago. I’m so thankful God sent Bill into my life and Ray into Tristan’s that we might hear the good news and be saved.

Who does God want you to share this good news with?

Will you pray with me?

Heavenly Father, I am a walking, taking, living, breathing testimony of Your Grace. Send me where You will, to speak to whomever You will. Give me the words to speak and the courage to speak them. For Your Glory and for the love of my neighbor I pray, Amen.

Living a Crucified Life: Thoughts from Galatians 2

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Galatians 2

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

In so many ways, I’m much the same person that I was back in college as an atheist. I still have brown curly hair and blue eyes. I’m still short. 😄 I still like to read, and I still couldn’t care less who won the World Series or the Superbowl. I still don’t drink. I’m still pro-life. (Yep, I was a pro-life, non- drinker as an atheist.) I still struggle with pride, and I still struggle to be honest. And I still like having deep conversations about heavy topics.

But, in so many ways, I’m a totally different woman. I have so maybe different “want to’s” as well as different motives for why I want to do what I want. I want to forgive others because Jesus has forgiven me so much. I want to love my enemies because Jesus loved me while I was His enemy. I want to speak words of encouragement because Jesus has spoken words of encouragement over me. I want the world to know the depth of the Father’s love because I have experienced that love first hand.

Because Christ lives in me, I’ve been changed from the inside out. The old me has died, and a new and improved me has been born. Praise God for new beginnings!