September
September's last week begins today. You've walked through twenty-two days of this month - survived trials, maintained some commitments, compromised others, learned lessons, made mistakes, kept trusting. Now the final stretch: eight days until October. This is dangerous territory. The fini
September
Though outwardly you're wasting away, yet inwardly you're being renewed day by day. What you see in the mirror doesn't tell the whole story. I'm working beneath the surface, renewing what the world can't see, transforming what aging and difficulty are wearing down. Trust the process.
September
Father, Matthew was a tax collector - despised traitor, collaborator with oppressors, living off exploitation. Yet Jesus called him, ate with him, chose him as apostle. Matthew left everything immediately and followed. That despised tax collector became the evangelist who wrote the first G
September
Today the church celebrates the Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. His story is simple but profound. Matthew (also called Levi) was a tax collector in Capernaum when Jesus passed by and said two words: "Follow me" (Matthew 9:9). Matthew rose immediately, left his tax booth and c
September
I didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Your past doesn't disqualify you - it's precisely why you need Me. I specialize in transforming tax collectors into evangelists, traitors into apostles, failures into followers. Come as you are.
September
Father, I'm twenty days into September and I'm tired. Not soaring, not running, just walking - continuing what I started, maintaining what I committed to, persisting through boring middle. The month's novelty is gone, motivation has faded, and I have ten more days to go. I need renewed str
September
You're twenty days into September - two-thirds through the month. Ten days remain. How are you holding up? The month that started with good intentions has revealed where those intentions collide with reality. Some commitments remain intact. Others have faltered. You're tired. Isaiah 40:31
September
Those who hope in Me will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. You're exhausted. I know. But hope in Me and I'll renew your strength. Not eliminate difficulty, but provide endurance.
September
Father, you feel absent. I'm praying and hearing nothing, reading Scripture and feeling nothing, worshiping and experiencing nothing. I'm doing all the right things but you feel distant, maybe even gone. This is hard. I want to feel your presence, hear your voice, experience your closeness
September
Sometimes God feels absent. You pray and hear nothing. You read Scripture and feel nothing. You worship and experience nothing. You're doing all the right things - spiritual disciplines, church attendance, faithful service - but God feels distant, maybe even gone. Where is he? This experi
September
Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid or terrified, for I go with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Whatever you're facing, you're not facing it alone. I go with you. I'll never abandon you. Never. My presence is guaranteed.
September
Father, I'm facing trials I didn't choose and don't want. Financial pressure, health problems, broken relationships, circumstances beyond my control. I can't honestly say I'm joyful about these difficulties. They're hard. They hurt. I want relief, not endurance lessons. But you say to con