Two-Year-Bible-Reading – Page 60

As For Me and My House

Published on September 22, 2023 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Joshua 24

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

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

And they said, “We are witnesses.”

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

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

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

God Keeps His Promises

Published on September 21, 2023 by kendraskeLeave a comment

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.

Even the Old Testament is Full of Practical Applications

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

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Joshua 22

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

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

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

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

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

Joshua 22:5 ESV

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

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

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

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

God is Sovereign: He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands

Published on September 19, 2023 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Joshua 21

It’s been a few days since I had time to post on my blog because I’ve been working on a talk about God’s sovereignty. So, in God’s sovereignty, today I read Joshua 21 which ends with these beautiful words.

Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.
Joshua 21:45 ESV

This verse reminded me of a quote I shared in my talk on sovereignty from the book Does God Control Everything? by R.C. Sproul.

“If God is not sovereign, then God is not God. If there is even one maverick molecule in the universe … we cannot have the slightest confidence that any promise God has ever made about the future will come to pass.”
R.C. Sproul.

As I sat down this afternoon to read my Bible and post on my blog, I decided to turn on some background music in Pandora. And this is the song that came on, “Sovereign Over Us.”

Sovereign Over Us – Michael W. Smith

Heavenly Father, You are indeed good, and You are indeed sovereign. You are sovereign over us. Your plans are for good and not for evil. Your plans are to prosper us and not to harm us. Your plans are for our good and for Your glory. We believe that every word of God proves true; You are a shield to those who take refuge in You. We are so, so thankful for Your power and might. Help us to trust You in the fire and in the flood, to walk by faith and not by fear. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our sovereign Lord, the Almighty King over all kings, we pray. Amen.

The Lord is My Refuge

Published on September 18, 2023 by kendraskeLeave a comment

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

What are You Putting Off?

Published on September 17, 2023 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Joshua 18-19

So Joshua said to the people of Israel,
“How long will you put off going in
to take possession of the land,
which the LORD, the God of your
fathers, has given you?”
Joshua 18:3 ESV

Heavenly Father, Let us not delay in whatever task You have called us to do. If you’re calling us to faith in Christ, I pray that TODAY would be the day of salvation, that we would not put it off any more. If you’re calling us to share the good news with a friend or neighbor or family member, I pray that TODAY would be the day that we open our mouths and speak the words of eternal life. If you’re calling us to cook and clean and wipe bottoms and noses, I pray that TODAY and EVERYDAY we would work heartily at the high and holy calling of motherhood, serving You, Lord, and not men. If you’re calling us to read Your Word each and every day, I pray that that journey would start TODAY.

Help us, Father, to remember that You are the God of small beginnings, that You are the God who leads and guides and calls.

You, Father, are my chosen portion and cup; You hold the lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance, because You are the sovereign Lord over the drawing of my lot.

In the Name of Jesus Christ my Lord, I pray. Amen.

Softly and Tenderly

12 Tribes of Israel

Published on September 16, 2023September 17, 2023 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Joshua 16-17

Reading today and praying about what the Lord wants me to take away from this passage today, I have three main thoughts:

(1) The people of Joseph (the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim) were numerous and received a large portion of land, yet they did not drive out the Canaanites. They could have done it. They should have done it. But they didn’t do it. Whatever the Lord is telling me to do, I can do in His strength … but sometimes I just don’t want to. Father, help me to obey you even in the things that seem too hard or too trivial. Help me to trust Your plan.

(2) God has good plans for women, too. Growing up, it was just me and my sister. Additionally, my dad was the only son in his family. Even his dad was the only boy who survived to bear children! I’m thankful for provisions like these for women, even listing these 5 daughters by name. Father, help me to be thankful to be a woman. Help me to believe that it is a precious gift to be a nurturer and a helper. Thank You for Your unending faithfulness and care for me and for my daughters. I pray for my extended family, my aunts and uncles and cousins. Lord, please draw them into Your kingdom and bless them with an eternal inheritance with You by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

(3) And, finally, I’m reminded again that God had a purpose for His chosen people, Israel, and He still does. Will you join me in praying for them?

Heavenly Father, we lift up the descendants of Israel. We pray that You will draw them back to Your side, open their eyes to see their Messiah, Jesus. Thank You for the firm roots that they have provided for us. Let us not become arrogant and haughty. Rather, we pray that they would be provoked to jealousy by this wild olive branch, so that they would be grafted back in to Your kingdom through the precious gift of faith. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord we pray.

Behold our God

A Prayer for my Children to have the Strong and Steadfast Faith of Caleb

Published on September 15, 2023September 17, 2023 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Joshua 14:6-15:63

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the example of Caleb who followed You wholeheartedly. I pray that You would give my children faith like his.

Give them strength to stand alone, trusting in Your promises and in the truth of Your Word. Help them to be steadfast in the light of ridicule and persecution. Give them the courage to swim against the current, to stand out from the crowd – not in pride but in humble submission to Your holy, revealed will.

Please, Father, give each of my children a faithful friend like Joshua to walk the lonely path of righteousness with them and to lift them up when they stumble.

Lord, You hold my children’s lives in Your hands. You alone know the number of their days. Please bless them with long life, sustain them physically and spiritually, that they may testify to Your Great Goodness for many, many years, and someday, Lord, many years from now, bring them into the Promised Land of Heaven to live in Your presence for all eternity.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, the only true Savior and Sustainor of Life, I pray. Amen.

This Little Light of Mine – J.J. Heller

Dare to be a Daniel – Cedarmont Kids

The Rollercoaster Ride of Life

Published on September 14, 2023September 15, 2023 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Joshua 12:1-14:5

See this rollercoaster? It’s called “Runaway Mine Train.” If you ever find yourself in St Louis, you can go to Six Flags and ride it yourself. The Mine Train is about the only rollercoaster ride that I’ll go on.

I don’t like rollercoasters that shoot you out going 100 mph. I don’t like rollercoasters that make you travel backwards or through endless dark tunnels. I don’t like rollercoasters that make you spin around in circles and leave you dizzy. I prefer a more sedate, predictable ride with just a few bumps and turns.

25 years ago today, we found out that the much-planned-for baby that I was carrying had passed away in my womb. Less than a month earlier I’d walked into my doctor’s office for what I thought would be a routine 12-week checkup, absolutely unaware that the entire course of my life was about to change. That day I had the first of a series ultrasounds which revealed that my unborn son had a fully obstructed bladder, followed by an amniocentesis to check for generic anomalies, and ultimately in-utero surgery. The rollercoaster ride I hadn’t signed up for came to an abrupt halt with the words, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Endraske. We can’t find a heartbeat.”

But, God.

God had different plans for me and my family. God had a different little boy in mind to grow up in my family. God was at work behind the scenes for who He wanted to be my oldest son. This journey, too, would feel like a runaway rollercoaster ride, but this time the ride included the prize of a beautiful little boy in my arms.

There have been plenty of situations in my fifty years of life that I never would’ve chosen for myself. Twists and turns, highs and lows, that I wish I’d never taken.

But, God.

El Roi, the God who sees, is the One who has expertly laid out the tracks that my life has run on. Though my life has all too often felt completely out-of-control, the truth is that God has been guiding and directing my course.

My heart had planned my way, but the Lord is who established my steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

Many have been the plans of my mind, but it has been the purpose of the Lord that has stood. (Proverbs 19:21)

The Lord’s plans have been for my welfare and hope, not for my harm (Jeremiah 29:11-14).

The roller coaster ride of my life has compelled me to seek God, rather than merely coasting down the paths I would have chosen for myself.

How about you? Are you on a ride of life right now that you’re thinking, “I didn’t sign up for this?” Are you looking frantically for the escape hatch? What do you think the Lord is teaching you in the process?

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, Your ways are higher and better than ours. You hold my life, my future in Your Almighty hand. You are on Your sovereign throne. Help me trust You. Even when I’m walking through dark valleys, help me remember that You are with me, holding my hand and guiding me in the paths of righteousness for Your Name’s sake. Give me strength to trust You to rightly order and direct my steps. In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Good Shepherd and the Captain of my soul, I pray. Amen.

The Lord’s Sovereign Will

Published on September 13, 2023September 14, 2023 by kendraskeLeave a comment

Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Joshua 11

Maybe you know and maybe you don’t, but I’ve been a member of a local Community Bible Study group for the last 7 years. Together we study verse by verse through books of the Bible, meeting weekly to discuss what we learn and listen to some teaching on that week’s lesson. Last week we began studying 1 Samuel.

Our teaching director challenged us this semester to memorize Hannah’s prayer found in 1 Samuel 2:1-10.

And Hannah prayed and said,

“My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.

“There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.

The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and on them he has set the world.

“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
1 Samuel 2:1-10 ESV

Working on memorizing Hannah’s prayer has encouraged me to remember God’s sovereignty in both giving life and giving death, in both exalting the poor and breaking the mighty.

Dear friends, God sees the whole BIG picture and He is working. He has purposes that we don’t even know about, but we can trust that His plans are good. If the Lord is hardening someone’s heart, it’s for good, just as much as when he’s softening it.

Heavenly Father, I know that Your ways are higher than mine. I know that You are good and Almighty and nothing happens apart from Your sovereign will. Help me to trust You when things seem bad and out of control. Help me to humbly, joyfully yield my life to Your will. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord, I pray. Amen

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