September
Father, 55 Christians died in Nagasaki four centuries ago, choosing execution over denial, faithfulness over survival, Christ over life itself. They were beheaded and burned alive rather than step on images of Jesus or renounce faith. Their courage convicts my comfortable Christianity. I
September
On September 10, 1622, in Nagasaki, Japan, 55 Christians were executed in what became known as the Great Genna Martyrdom. They were beheaded or burned alive for refusing to renounce their faith. Among them were nine foreign missionaries - five Franciscans, four Dominicans - and 46 Japanese
September
Don't be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to Me. And My peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds. You're carrying worries I never asked you to carry. Give them to Me. I'll giv
September
Father, I've already failed this month - broken commitments, compromised convictions, stumbled over the same sins I swore I'd conquer. I feel like failure, disqualified by imperfection, too flawed to be useful. The enemy whispers that I should quit trying, that I'm not serious about faith,
September
You're nine days into September and maybe things aren't going as planned. Goals from earlier this month already derailed. Resolutions from last week already broken. Commitments from yesterday already compromised. You feel like failure, like you can't maintain faithfulness even for a week,
September
I haven't given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline. The anxiety you feel isn't from Me. I give power to do what I ask, love to fuel your obedience, self-discipline to follow through. Don't let fear disqualify you. I've equipped you for what I've called you to.
September
Father, Mary was ordinary - young, poor, from nowhere important, with no credentials or qualifications. Yet you chose her for the most important assignment in human history: bearing your Son. She said yes to the impossible, trusted you when your plan made no sense, submitted when obedience
September
Today the church celebrates the Nativity of Mary - one of only three birth dates commemorated in the Christian calendar (Jesus on December 25, John the Baptist on June 24, and Mary on September 8). While Scripture records nothing about Mary's birth, Christian tradition dating to the second
September
My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed. Mary's song celebrates what I do through ordinary people who trust Me. You don't have to be extraordinary - just
September
Father, I confess I often view work as necessary drudgery rather than opportunity for worship. I drag myself through tasks, do minimum required, count down to weekends. I've divided life into "sacred" (church, prayer, ministry) and "secular" (work, chores, errands), treating most of my wak
September
In the United States, Labor Day falls on the first Monday of September, making this a three-day weekend for many. The holiday began in the late 1800s as recognition of labor movements fighting for better working conditions - eight-hour workdays, weekends off, safer factories, fair wages. W
September
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. What you're walking through now is temporary. What's ahead is eternal. The pain you're experiencing won't compare to the glory coming. Hold on. Glory is coming.