Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Corinthians 12
But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
God could’ve created mankind to reproduce as clones, each new being identical to the others, but He didn’t. Every single one of the billions of human beings who have ever lived has been a unique individual, each one formed in the likeness of his or her Creator. And when a person is born again by faith in Christ, God endows them by His Holy Spirit with special gifts and interests so that His children might all fit together as one breathtaking sunset of magnificently varying colors.
As I wrote earlier, conflict is sometimes needed in order to bring about peace. But let’s remember the object of conflict is peace, wholeness, unity, not division. God designed us to live together in harmony, in one accord, each valuable members of His heavenly orchestra, playing a symphony like no other as we each play our unique notes and instruments as He leads us, working together for His glory.
Heavenly Father, You are the giver of every good gift, the writer of every perfect song. You are the director of this orchestra that has been designed by Your hand to fit perfectly together as a masterpiece that even Beethoven could never achieve. I pray that we would trust Your direction and follow Your lead. Things often look messy to our untrained eyes. Things often sound out of place to our untrained ears. But in Your perfect hands there is peace. Weave us together into a tapestry of Your glorious design for the glory of Your Name we pray. Amen.
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Corinthians 7
I’ve been married for almost 29 years now. I got married as a 21-year-old baby Christian. I was clueless but hopeful.
Marriage has been hard, but marriage has also been good. I’ve learned so much from my calm, easy-going husband, and I’ve learned so much about remaining faithful by being yoked “til death parts us.”
Sin crouches at the door for the unmarried and the married alike. Like Paul wrote here in 1 Corinthians 7, the married wrestle with distractions on every side, while the unmarried wrestle with temptations on every side. I’m reminded once again that life is hard, but God is good.
I want to choose to be grateful for my husband, to focus on the good rather than the bad and the ugly. Father, please help me!
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of marriage. Thank You for my husband. Thank You for making me Your bride. Help me to have a grateful heart. Help me to be faithful, to persevere to the end with joy. Help me to fix my eyes and my heart on heaven and on what is excellent and praiseworthy. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Corinthians 4
On my weekend trip to Greer’s Ferry Lake in Arkansas, I was amazed by the rocks that covered the lakeshore. From far away, looking down at the beach, I expected them to be solid, hard, firm, stable … you know, ROCKS. But when I finally made my way down six flights of stairs and walked on those rocks, I discovered that they were anything but that. These rocks crumbled like eggshells under my feet.
Ask yourself –
1 Corinthians 1:9 ESV — God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 4:2 ESV — Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
1 Corinthians 4:17 ESV — That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV — No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 ESV — He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
1 Timothy 1:12 ESV — I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,
2 Timothy 2:13 ESV — if we are faithless, he remains faithful — for he cannot deny himself.
Hebrews 10:23 ESV — Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 11:11 ESV — By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.
1 Peter 4:19 ESV — Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Revelation 17:14 ESV — They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.
Revelation 19:11 ESV — Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
Heavenly Father, You are Faithful. You are Trustworthy. You are a Promise-Keeper. Every word You speak will come to pass. Help me to be faithful because You are the source and the object of my faith. Help me to daily entrust my soul to You, Father, because You are trustworthy. Because my hope is in You and You alone, I will not be shaken. You have called me to Your service, so I can trust that You will fulfill all Your plans for my life. Make me more like You, Lord. Make me faithful and trustworthy because You are Faithful and trustworthy. In the Name of Jesus Christ who died in my place I pray. Amen.
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Corinthians 3
He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers.
1 Corinthians 3:8-9a ESV
These are just a few questions to ask yourself – that you might be transformed more and more into the image of Christ who came to seek and save the lost and who chose a whole variety of disciples to serve with toward that end.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for putting women into my life to minister to me, as well as giving me women to serve. Thank You for the precious gift of a wonderful weekend full of sweet conversations and much-needed refreshment and encouragement. Thank You for the drawer full of sisters who sharpen me, each in their own unique way. I am so grateful, Lord. Everything I have is a gift from Your good hand. You say to whom much is given, much will be required, and I know that You have given me so much. Please, Father, take the things that You have given to me and multiply them in my hands, my mouth, and my life. Make me Your fellow worker for the glory of Your Name and the expansion of Your glorious kingdom. In the Name of Jesus Christ, the King of kings I pray. Amen.
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: 1 Corinthians 2
This morning I woke up early because I wanted to watch the sun rise. I was eagerly anticipating the sun turning the sky pink, purple, and orange as it crested the horizon over the lake where my sisters-in-Christ and I have been staying since Friday. Instead I was greeted by a rainstorm beating down on the metal roof of the porch under which I was taking shelter.
But still, the sun rose.
But still, it got brighter minute by minute.
But still, a new day dawned.
God is still on His throne even when we don’t see His glory. God still reigns even when His presence is hidden behind clouds, and His voice can’t be heard over the pouring rain.
In God’s perfect wisdom, He had decreed before the ages that His Own Son would be hung upon a cross to die for the sins of man. In the eyes of human wisdom or logic, it appeared that Satan had won and God had been defeated.
Oh, sisters, but God. Up from the grave He arose!
Suddenly, the cries of a bird ring out over the pounding of the storm. The birds are awake and singing in the trees, despite the rain. The storm won’t stop them, and it shouldn’t stop us, either
Darkness can’t overpower the light. The rain can’t drown out the sun. The sun still rises, even in a thunderstorm.
Heavenly Father, Death could not contain Him. A grave could not defeat Him. Darkness, no matter how deep, cannot keep the King of Glory from shining. I pray that our faith would be in You and You alone. You are Almighty. You are Victorious! No storm can delay what You have decreed. Your purposes will stand. You don’t always give us “cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels.” Sometimes you give us pitch black nights and thunderstorms that last for hour upon hour. Help me remember that the trees need the rain so they can grow, and the world needs the darkness of night so it can rest. Help me trust You, rather than myself. Help me to doubt human reasoning and believe Your Word. Help me remember that You reign over the rain. In the Good and Sovereign Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
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.
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,
Joshua 23:15 ESV
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.
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.
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.
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Joshua 10
In Numbers we read about when the Israelites were afraid to go into the Promised Land because the spies had brought them reports of the people already living there. And, now, in Joshua 10, here it is. They are facing these cities and kingdoms and armies. And it’s scary.
Friends, there are lots of scary things in life. Things like cancer and job loss, hurricanes and forest fires, wayward children and wayward husbands. But there is no situation – no matter how terrifying – that is beyond God’s reach.
There is nothing too hard for our God. There is no person beyond His reach. There is no crisis on earth that God does not hold in the palm of His Almighty hand. Fear not. He is still on His throne.
Heavenly Father, sometimes life here is awfully scary. Like a child imagining what might be hiding under the bed or in the closet, sometimes I let my mind wander to all those unsettling, scary what-ifs. Please, Father, help me to cast all my anxiety on You and trust that You care for me. You care about me, and You take care of me. You are cradling me in the palm of Your Almighty hand, sheltering me under the wings of Your Steadfast, Omniscient Love. You know all things. You are in control of all things. You are wise. You are good. Help me to trust You right now, in this moment, and in all the moments still to come. In the Name of Jesus Christ who triumphed over sin and the grave, I pray. Amen.
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Joshua 8
Every person needs every word that the Lord has given to us. Joshua read every word to all the people, and so should we. (Joshua 8:35)
We need the Old Testament as well as the New. We need all the words; those that Moses wrote and those that Jesus spoke; those that David sang and those that Isaiah prophesied; those that Peter spoke simply and that Paul penned eloquently. We need them all.
Men as well as women, children as well as adults, those who are unfamiliar with the scriptures and those who grew up with them, everyone needs God’s Word.
I understand that there is value in making our children’s ministries age appropriate. Children benefit greatly from making crafts and dancing around while singing songs about Joshua and Jericho. But children also need to study the Word as God’s inspired, true, trustworthy Word – not some fairy tale on par with “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” The Bible is more than a series of inspirational stories to teach our kids to be good and kind and helpful, not to lie or cheat or steal. The Bible is the bread of life, even for children.
Additionally, children have an incredible ability to memorize the Word. Would you rather your children memorize “Hop on Pop” and “The Cat in the Hat” or the 23rd Psalm and the Sermon on the Mount?
And let’s not forget that children have been created by God to receive with simple faith the words of their teachers and parents. Children absorb truth (and lies) like thirsty sponges. Would you rather train your children to believe in tooth fairies and boogie monsters or the Holy Trinity?
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Proverbs 30:5 ESV
Proverbs 30:5 is a great verse for you, your husband, your children, your neighbor, and everyone else to hide in their hearts.
Hold the presses … My daughter (along with my two-year-old granddaughter) just called me, so I got to have a little Grammy break to read “Inside a Barn in the Country” and a story from my old Beginners Bible story book, and sing the Ten Commandments song with hand motions.
Then, my daughter told me about a new podcast for children that she’d found called “God’s Big Story“. I just love how God shows His goodness and sovereignty in His perfect timing. Don’t you?
Have you ever heard of this podcast? Are there other children or family podcasts that you’ve found? I’d love to hear about them.
Teach What is Good 
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