Silent Stones https://silentstones.org/ Mon, 21 Sep 2026 03:20:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.1 https://silentstones.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/cropped-Silent-Stones-Logo-Orange-256-32x32.png Silent Stones https://silentstones.org/ 32 32 21 Sep 2026 https://silentstones.org/21-sep-2026/ https://silentstones.org/21-sep-2026/#respond Mon, 21 Sep 2026 03:18:59 +0000 https://silentstones.org/?p=49791 Sometimes you may get to the end of the road and don’t know what else to do. There are times when giving up seems like the only option. Israel had been destroyed and the people taken captive. There was hopelessness. Then Jehovah sent a prophecy through Ezekiel, one of hope. It must have been difficult to listen to that encouraging message considering their circumstances. God then gives Ezekiel the vision of dry bones in chapter 37 to illustrate what He would do with Israel. May the Lord encourage you and restore your hope. May He speak to you concerning your circumstances. Ezekiel 37:1-14.

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]]> Sometimes you may get to the end of the road and don’t know what else to do. There are times when giving up seems like the only option. Israel had been destroyed and the people taken captive. There was hopelessness. Then Jehovah sent a prophecy through Ezekiel, one of hope. It must have been difficult to listen to that encouraging message considering their circumstances. God then gives Ezekiel the vision of dry bones in chapter 37 to illustrate what He would do with Israel. May the Lord encourage you and restore your hope. May He speak to you concerning your circumstances. Ezekiel 37:1-14.

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]]> https://silentstones.org/21-sep-2026/feed/ 0 Today’s Verse – Joel 2:23 https://silentstones.org/todays-verse-joel-223/ Sun, 20 Sep 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://silentstones.org/todays-verse-joel-223/ Rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. —Joel 2:23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “The prayers go up, and the blessings come down…” The words to this children’s song are only half right, because God sends his blessings many times even when we don’t pray. But just as we love the special smell that comes with a drought-breaking rain, God loves the aroma of his children’s joy, especially when he is the source of their delight! So, dear friends, let’s find reasons to rejoice with the seasons changing to autumn (Northern Hemisphere) and spring (Southern Hemisphere). As the apostle Paul told the Philippians: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near (Philippians 4:4-5). My Prayer… Holy God and tender Father, you are our great delight. In the changing of our seasons, you remain our dependable, faithful, and loving God. You are our rock and fortress; you are our tender shepherd; and you are our solid mountain that cannot be shaken or moved. Your blessings and grace shower down upon us and fill us with joy. We can’t wait for the day we get to see you face to face and delight in your presence forever. Until then, O LORD, we will rejoice in anticipation as you shower us with your blessings. In Jesus’ glorious name, we pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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Rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.

—Joel 2:23

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

“The prayers go up, and the blessings come down…” The words to this children’s song are only half right, because God sends his blessings many times even when we don’t pray. But just as we love the special smell that comes with a drought-breaking rain, God loves the aroma of his children’s joy, especially when he is the source of their delight! So, dear friends, let’s find reasons to rejoice with the seasons changing to autumn (Northern Hemisphere) and spring (Southern Hemisphere). As the apostle Paul told the Philippians:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near (Philippians 4:4-5).

My Prayer…

Holy God and tender Father, you are our great delight. In the changing of our seasons, you remain our dependable, faithful, and loving God. You are our rock and fortress; you are our tender shepherd; and you are our solid mountain that cannot be shaken or moved. Your blessings and grace shower down upon us and fill us with joy. We can’t wait for the day we get to see you face to face and delight in your presence forever. Until then, O LORD, we will rejoice in anticipation as you shower us with your blessings. In Jesus’ glorious name, we pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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]]> Today’s Verse – Ephesians 4:29 https://silentstones.org/todays-verse-ephesians-429/ Sat, 19 Sep 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://silentstones.org/todays-verse-ephesians-429/ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. —Ephesians 4:29 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The goal in Christian communication is not just clarity. The goal is not just to be understood. The goal is not just to be truthful. The goal is not only to be appropriate and helpful, but also to be JESUShaped disciples; it means we want to deliver our message based on their needs so it benefits, blesses, and builds up those who listen. Not only do we avoid crude, profane, or improper speech, but we are to fill our lives and the ears of those who hear us with the kinds of words that Jesus would share with people. God has called us to this high standard because we are to reflect and demonstrate Christ’s character in our lives, bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) as he transforms us to become more like our Savior (2 Corinthians 3:18). My Prayer… Tender Shepherd, please bless me with a pure heart so my words will be a helpful blessing to those who hear them. Please give me a kind heart so my words will build up those who hear them. Please help my heart be full of joy and encouragement so that I may benefit those who need my words. In Jesus’ name, I pray, asking the Spirit to help my words be shaped by the fruit you want to see come alive in me. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

—Ephesians 4:29

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

The goal in Christian communication is not just clarity. The goal is not just to be understood. The goal is not just to be truthful. The goal is not only to be appropriate and helpful, but also to be JESUShaped disciples; it means we want to deliver our message based on their needs so it benefits, blesses, and builds up those who listen. Not only do we avoid crude, profane, or improper speech, but we are to fill our lives and the ears of those who hear us with the kinds of words that Jesus would share with people. God has called us to this high standard because we are to reflect and demonstrate Christ’s character in our lives, bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) as he transforms us to become more like our Savior (2 Corinthians 3:18).

My Prayer…

Tender Shepherd, please bless me with a pure heart so my words will be a helpful blessing to those who hear them. Please give me a kind heart so my words will build up those who hear them. Please help my heart be full of joy and encouragement so that I may benefit those who need my words. In Jesus’ name, I pray, asking the Spirit to help my words be shaped by the fruit you want to see come alive in me. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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]]> Today’s Verse – Philippians 2:3-4 https://silentstones.org/todays-verse-philippians-23-4/ Fri, 18 Sep 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://silentstones.org/todays-verse-philippians-23-4/ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. —Philippians 2:3-4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Do you remember one of the earliest questions in the Bible? “Where is your brother… Abel?” To which Cain responded: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9) Paul’s answer to Cain’s question is clear and undeniable: It is, YES! As Paul tells the Philippians (and us) in this verse, we must not look only to our “own interests, but also to the interest of others”! We are our brother’s keeper! We are our sister’s keeper! We look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of those around us who need God’s grace and our love. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, teach me to love your family as you love me. I get so caught up and distracted in my own world and my own problems that I forget to notice those hurting around me. Help me grow more aware and attuned to others’ needs, so you may minister to their needs and interests through me. In the powerful name of Jesus, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

—Philippians 2:3-4

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

Do you remember one of the earliest questions in the Bible? “Where is your brother… Abel?” To which Cain responded: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9) Paul’s answer to Cain’s question is clear and undeniable: It is, YES! As Paul tells the Philippians (and us) in this verse, we must not look only to our “own interests, but also to the interest of others”! We are our brother’s keeper! We are our sister’s keeper! We look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of those around us who need God’s grace and our love.

Video Commentary…

ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos

My Prayer…

Father, teach me to love your family as you love me. I get so caught up and distracted in my own world and my own problems that I forget to notice those hurting around me. Help me grow more aware and attuned to others’ needs, so you may minister to their needs and interests through me. In the powerful name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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]]> 18 Sep 2026 https://silentstones.org/18-sep-2026/ https://silentstones.org/18-sep-2026/#respond Fri, 18 Sep 2026 06:05:26 +0000 https://silentstones.org/?p=49787 The love of God for us is unfathomable. We are meant to show the same love to those He places around us as He leads us. Jesus summarized the commandments to two: love God and love your neighbour. May His love guide our thoughts and actions. Matthew 22:37-40.

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]]> The love of God for us is unfathomable. We are meant to show the same love to those He places around us as He leads us. Jesus summarized the commandments to two: love God and love your neighbour. May His love guide our thoughts and actions. Matthew 22:37-40.

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]]> https://silentstones.org/18-sep-2026/feed/ 0 Today’s Verse – Ephesians 5:8 https://silentstones.org/todays-verse-ephesians-58/ Thu, 17 Sep 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://silentstones.org/todays-verse-ephesians-58/ You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light… —Ephesians 5:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Our before and after: we were lost, now found; we were darkness, now light. This should be our journey of grace. “I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see,” as the old hymn “Amazing Grace” has us sing. If we could only fully grasp what we so easily sing, then maybe our lives would be filled with more grace and our churches with more confident servants of God. Let’s “live as children of light” (1 Thessalonians 5:5), transferred from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of God’s love (Colossians 1:13-14), in whom we have light and life (John 1:4). My Prayer… LORD God Almighty, by your grace we know that we stand before you today, welcomed into your glorious presence and received as your beloved children. You have rescued us from the dominion of darkness and flooded our hearts with your glorious light. Thank you for rescuing us from all the traps of the darkness and bringing us into your light. Please guide our hearts and our feet so they will walk your path and show forth your light to those in darkness. Through Jesus and by his authority, we pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light…

—Ephesians 5:8

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

Our before and after: we were lost, now found; we were darkness, now light. This should be our journey of grace. “I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see,” as the old hymn “Amazing Grace” has us sing. If we could only fully grasp what we so easily sing, then maybe our lives would be filled with more grace and our churches with more confident servants of God. Let’s “live as children of light” (1 Thessalonians 5:5), transferred from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of God’s love (Colossians 1:13-14), in whom we have light and life (John 1:4).

My Prayer…

LORD God Almighty, by your grace we know that we stand before you today, welcomed into your glorious presence and received as your beloved children. You have rescued us from the dominion of darkness and flooded our hearts with your glorious light. Thank you for rescuing us from all the traps of the darkness and bringing us into your light. Please guide our hearts and our feet so they will walk your path and show forth your light to those in darkness. Through Jesus and by his authority, we pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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]]> 17 Sep 2026 https://silentstones.org/17-sep-2026/ https://silentstones.org/17-sep-2026/#respond Thu, 17 Sep 2026 03:58:06 +0000 https://silentstones.org/?p=49785 Isn’t it interesting that most of the qualities Peter mentions in 2 Peter 1:5-9 have to do with how we relate to one another? And he suggests that if we possess these qualities in increasing measure, we will become more effective and fruitful in our knowledge of Christ. How do we view and treat our parents, children, siblings, neighbours, colleagues, friends, workers and strangers? May we reflect on this and may the Lord convict us where we need help.

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]]> Isn’t it interesting that most of the qualities Peter mentions in 2 Peter 1:5-9 have to do with how we relate to one another? And he suggests that if we possess these qualities in increasing measure, we will become more effective and fruitful in our knowledge of Christ. How do we view and treat our parents, children, siblings, neighbours, colleagues, friends, workers and strangers? May we reflect on this and may the Lord convict us where we need help.

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]]> https://silentstones.org/17-sep-2026/feed/ 0 16 Sep 2026 https://silentstones.org/16-sep-2026/ https://silentstones.org/16-sep-2026/#respond Wed, 16 Sep 2026 04:42:20 +0000 https://silentstones.org/?p=49784 I don’t know the full mind of God concerning me. I have not fully understood His plan for me. Peter suggests how I can get a better understanding of that. I need to do a few things with God’s help to become all He created me to be. Those things are listed in 2 Peter 1:5-9.

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]]> I don’t know the full mind of God concerning me. I have not fully understood His plan for me. Peter suggests how I can get a better understanding of that. I need to do a few things with God’s help to become all He created me to be. Those things are listed in 2 Peter 1:5-9.

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]]> https://silentstones.org/16-sep-2026/feed/ 0 15 Sep 2026 https://silentstones.org/15-sep-2026/ https://silentstones.org/15-sep-2026/#respond Tue, 15 Sep 2026 04:25:31 +0000 https://silentstones.org/?p=49783 Despite our circumstances, let us not forget that we have all we need to live a life that reflects God and we potentially have an awesome inheritance in Him if we do not give up. That realisation alone should go a long way in giving us reassurance and peace. May we never forget that. 2 Peter 1:3-4.

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]]> Despite our circumstances, let us not forget that we have all we need to live a life that reflects God and we potentially have an awesome inheritance in Him if we do not give up. That realisation alone should go a long way in giving us reassurance and peace. May we never forget that. 2 Peter 1:3-4.

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]]> https://silentstones.org/15-sep-2026/feed/ 0 Today’s Verse – Philippians 2:1-2 https://silentstones.org/todays-verse-philippians-21-2/ Mon, 14 Sep 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://silentstones.org/todays-verse-philippians-21-2/ If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. —Philippians 2:1-2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… While our passage begins with an “If…,” it would be better translated as “Since we have…” Our call to sacrificially submit ourselves to others does not begin with our sacrifice, but with Jesus’ love, example, and sacrifice! We are called to unity in spirit and shared purpose after having received all these blessings from being in Jesus! We are encouraged by being united with Christ. We are comforted by his love. We do share in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. We have received tenderness and compassion. So, dear brother and sister, how can we not share those blessings with our Christian family and find a way to live together in his Kingdom with loving harmony? My Prayer… Holy and righteous Father, you have blessed me so richly in Jesus. Open my eyes to see how those around me in my spiritual family need to receive those same blessings from me. In the name of Jesus, and because of the grace he has lavished upon me, I pray with thanksgiving in my heart. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

—Philippians 2:1-2

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

While our passage begins with an “If…,” it would be better translated as “Since we have…” Our call to sacrificially submit ourselves to others does not begin with our sacrifice, but with Jesus’ love, example, and sacrifice! We are called to unity in spirit and shared purpose after having received all these blessings from being in Jesus! We are encouraged by being united with Christ. We are comforted by his love. We do share in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. We have received tenderness and compassion. So, dear brother and sister, how can we not share those blessings with our Christian family and find a way to live together in his Kingdom with loving harmony?

My Prayer…

Holy and righteous Father, you have blessed me so richly in Jesus. Open my eyes to see how those around me in my spiritual family need to receive those same blessings from me. In the name of Jesus, and because of the grace he has lavished upon me, I pray with thanksgiving in my heart. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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