September 25

September 25, 2024September 15, 2024 — Encouragement, Hope — 8 min read

A multitude of people are shown on both the left and right sides of an enormous room under a soaring roof.

May you give praise to the Lord, to God our Savior, Who daily bears our burdens, for our God is a God Who saves, and our Sovereign Lord provides escape from death.

September 24

September 24, 2024September 14, 2024 — Encouragement, Hope — 10 min read

Under a clearing sky, a person stands silhouetted by the bank of a body of water as the morning mist is blown away leaving a towering column of sunlit cloud on the horizon.

Psalm 78:4 We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.

September 23

September 23, 2024September 13, 2024 — Encouragement, Hope — 8 min read

From rocky, barren peaks in the background, a stream is fed by springs and becomes a river flowing past trees and shrubs along the bank in the foreground.

May God be gracious to you and bless you and make His face shine upon you that His ways may be known on earth and His salvation among all nations. Psalm 67

September 22

September 22, 2024September 12, 2024 — Encouragement, Hope — 10 min read

A young woman with eyes closed and a peaceful expression lifts her hand in praise.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

September 21

September 21, 2024September 11, 2024 — Encouragement, Hope — 5 min read

A circular picture frame surrounding a sketch representing two young people standing close to each other with pleasant and grateful expressions and a figure representing Jesus standing next to them showing an expression of approval.

May you chose to sow your time and strength to please the Spirit, for from the Spirit you will reap eternal life, if you do not become weary in doing good and give up before the proper time to reap the harvest. Galatians 6

September 20

September 20, 2024September 10, 2024 — Encouragement, Hope — 7 min read

A smooth, gently winding path, surrounded by wildflowers, meanders under the shade of a large, old tree before continuing through the meadow towards the foothills which prepare the traveler for the mountains in the distance.

May you keep in step with the Spirit since you live by the Spirit, having crucified your sinful nature’s passions and desires, and express the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, which are never against the law. Galatians 5

September 19

September 19, 2024September 10, 2024 — Encouragement, Hope — 7 min read

In the foreground, a stack of pumpkins and other produce from the field rest at the end of long, harvested rows, disappearing from sight as the rolling land stretches off in the distance. Shady clumps of trees and underbrush remain at the edges of the cleared land where the ground is too rough to plant.

May you remember the Lord on your bed, thinking of Him through the watches of the night, singing in the shadow of His wings because He is your help, clinging to Him because His right hand upholds you. Psalm 63

September 18

September 18, 2024September 8, 2024 — Encouragement, Hope — 5 min read

A walkway extends from in front of the viewer directly across a stretch of water to a rocky island in a bay. Built into the rock and covering the entire top of the island is a fortress-like castle with windows and ramparts.

May you not turn to alliances with men when troubled by other men, or court favors with authorities when oppressed by other authorities, but turn instead to the Lord, sitting in quiet submission to His will and humble dependence upon His goodness, that you may be led by the wisdom of His Spirit, not relying on your own understanding, for you cannot expect too little from man or count on too much from God. Isaiah 30

September 17

September 17, 2024September 7, 2024 — Encouragement, Hope — 8 min read

Seen against a billowing cloud extending up from the horizon is a cross, and from the base of the cross a stream flows toward to the observer with grass and trees along the banks and flowers in the foreground at the foot of the observer.

May you hear the song of joy that the Lord sings over you, a song about a fruitful vineyard that the Lord cares for and watches over, continually watering, guarding by day and night that no harm may come to it, punishing with His great and powerful sword the serpent and the fox, burning the briers and thorns that would encroach, that you will take root, bud and blossom, and fill all the world with the fruit that honors Him and draws those whom He seeks. Isaiah 27

September 16

September 16, 2024September 6, 2024 — Encouragement, Hope — 7 min read

A smooth path with grassy banks on either side leads down the slight slope past a small grove of trees, winding out of sight past the gently rounded hills.

May you look to the One who is your Creator for your needs, and have regard for the One who has planned your path long ago, not trusting to your own strength to accomplish it or your own understanding to overcome. Isaiah 22

September 15

September 15, 2024September 5, 2024 — Encouragement, Hope — 7 min read

In the foreground, a bearded man, dressed in a cloak and holding a wooden staff, is standing beside a stream and looking into the background past a grove of tall pine trees at a few simple wooden structures situated at the foot of a large rocky elevation.

May you ever recall that on the threshing floor, the harvest is trodden underfoot and dealt blow after blow, after the stalk that gave life and nourishment is cut off and dried up, to separate the chaff and straw, without harm to the grain, and even so, the afflictions and persecutions, the tribulations and troubles which come in your life will cause separation and removal of that which is useless, but cannot harm that which the Lord has grown and developed in your life and finds so very valuable and worthwhile. Isaiah 21

September 14

September 14, 2024September 4, 2024 — Encouragement, Hope — 6 min read

An open book lying flat in the foreground with a bearded man in the background wearing vestments and clasping his hands. His eyes are closed and he is expressing a sense of peaceful contentment and deep apreciation.

May you know that though the Lord remain quiet when you seek Him, and though He looks on from His dwelling place without taking action, He is not sleeping nor has He forgotten or abandoned you, and nothing of the world will triumph over you permanently nor will anything from the enemy be victorious over you in their attacks, for though you be cast down, you will not be deserted or destroyed. Isaiah 18

September 13

September 13, 2024September 3, 2024 — Encouragement, Hope — 6 min read

A bird in flight seen in front of a full moon low on the horizon with scattered clouds drifting near the moon as its reflection on the water illuminates the trees on either side.

May you truly learn of Christ’s forbearance and patience, long-sufferance and grace in the meekness of His seeking and drawing, lest you think Him weak or unconcerned until you face His anger and judgment, His cleansing and holiness, in the power of the risen and righteous King. 2 Corinthians 13

September 12

September 12, 2024September 2, 2024 — Encouragement, Hope — 7 min read

An elderly balding man in a room is wearing glasses and holding a fork while he is seated on a mound of indeterminate materiel, surrounded by trash and facing a closed cabinet with a key in its lock.

May you abide in the Shoot that comes up from the stump of Jesse, that Branch which is rooted in the Promise of the Father, so that you may delight in the respectful obedience to the Lord and rejoice in His Spirit. It is the in-dwelling Spirit Who directs and influences you with the gifts of His wisdom and understanding, His counsel and power, His knowledge and truth, developing in you the reverential awe of the Lord which gives life and bears fruit to honor the Father.