sunday scenes

Israel said to Joseph, “Aren’t your brothers grazing the flocks in Shechem? Come, let me send you to them.” … Now they saw him from a distance. Before he was close to them they plotted together against him in order to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes the master of dreams! Come on now! Let’s kill him and throw him into one of those pits, so we can say that an evil animal devoured him …” Genesis 37:13-20 TLV Isn’t it interesting that Joseph’s brothers plotted his demise and conjured a cover up story that reflected themselves? In essence, they projected their wrong thoughts and feelings into the cover up story, naming the culprit an evil animal. Isn’t that what their actions were like? Carrying out such a plan would be like an evil animal. We, too, can project our inadequacies onto others. If we were to pay attention to our thoughts and actions toward others, would our findings be worthy or wicked? If worthy, let us praise God for helping us reflect His image and likeness. If wicked, let us bow before Him in reverent fear and repentance. You also enjoy this resource from Warrior of the Word: Return, a study of Naomi and Ruth as they returned to God in the place where He promised to bless His people. Available on Amazon by Tanja Dufrene.

For surely, O LORD, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:12 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word We read that social media usage spikes around 9 pm. So, we at Warrior of the Word decided to expand our posts to meet you there and hope you will enjoy these restful reflections. … a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3 NIV 1984

For surely, O LORD, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:12 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word

For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. Psalm 97:9 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word We read that social media usage spikes around 9 pm. So, we at Warrior of the Word decided to expand our posts to meet you there and hope you will enjoy these restful reflections. … a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3 NIV 1984

For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. Psalm 97:9 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word

For the LORD is righteous, He loves justice; upright men will see His face. Psalm 11:7 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word We read that social media usage spikes around 9 pm. So, we at Warrior of the Word decided to expand our posts to meet you there and hope you will enjoy these restful reflections. … a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3 NIV 1984

For the LORD is righteous, He loves justice; upright men will see His face. Psalm 11:7 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word

You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them, and You listen to their cry. Psalm 10:17 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word We read that social media usage spikes around 9 pm. So, we at Warrior of the Word decided to expand our posts to meet you there and hope you will enjoy these restful reflections. … a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3 NIV 1984

You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them, and You listen to their cry. Psalm 10:17 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word

I thank and praise You, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power … Daniel 2:23 NIV 1984 / Father's Day 2026 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word We read that social media usage spikes around 9 pm. So, we at Warrior of the Word decided to expand our posts to meet you there and hope you will enjoy these restful reflections. … a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3 NIV 1984

I thank and praise You, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power … Daniel 2:23 NIV 1984 / Father's Day 2026 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word

… be ready to do whatever is good Titus 3:1 niv

For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared … Psalm 96:4 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word We read that social media usage spikes around 9 pm. So, we at Warrior of the Word decided to expand our posts to meet you there and hope you will enjoy these restful reflections. … a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3 NIV 1984

For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared … Psalm 96:4 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word

Sing for joy to God our strength … Psalm 81:1 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word We read that social media usage spikes around 9 pm. So, we at Warrior of the Word decided to expand our posts to meet you there and hope you will enjoy these restful reflections. … a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3 NIV 1984

Sing for joy to God our strength … Psalm 81:1 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word

With many stories like these, He [Jesus] presented His message to them, fitting the stories to their experience and maturity. He was never without a story when He spoke. When He was alone with His disciples, He went over everything, sorting out the tangles, untying the knots. Mark 4:33-34 msg Like the disciples of old, as we get alone with Jesus, we will find His Spirit breathes life into our thoughts, sorting out the tangles that jumble our thoughts and untying the knots in our emotions. Spending time alone with Him is as simple as reading the Holy Bible, God’s inspired Words reminding us of His reach to us. If you need to develop this habit, you may find this resource from Warrior of the Word helpful: How Can I Swim Without My Seahorse? by Tanja Dufrene. Available on Amazon.

The LORD gives strength to His people … Psalm 29:11 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word We read that social media usage spikes around 9 pm. So, we at Warrior of the Word decided to expand our posts to meet you there and hope you will enjoy these restful reflections. … a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3 NIV 1984

The LORD gives strength to His people … Psalm 29:11 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word

My eyes are ever on the LORD … Psalm 25:15 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word We read that social media usage spikes around 9 pm. So, we at Warrior of the Word decided to expand our posts to meet you there and hope you will enjoy these restful reflections. … a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3 NIV 1984

My eyes are ever on the LORD … Psalm 25:15 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress … Psalm 20:1 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word We read that social media usage spikes around 9 pm. So, we a decided to expand our posts to meet you there. Enjoy! … a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3 NIV 1984

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress … Psalm 20:1 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word

I love You, O LORD, my strength. Psalm 18:1 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word We read that social media usage spikes around 9 pm. So, we at Warrior of the Word decided to expand our posts to meet you there and hope you will enjoy these restful reflections. … a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3 NIV 1984

I love You, O LORD, my strength. Psalm 18:1 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word

Late that day He said to them, “Let’s go across to the other side.” They took Him in the boat as He was. Other boats came along. A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused Him, saying, “Teacher, is it nothing to You that we’re going to drown?” Awake now, He told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, “Quit! Settle down!” The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Mark 4:35-39 msg Notice who went along – Jesus, His disciples, and other boats. Much like a story or movie, the focus is on the boat where Jesus was. Yet there were other boats with people on the water, too. They, too, were affected by the storm. They, too, were affected by the calm that came when Jesus spoke. May we seek Him and experience the calm that comes as a result. And may those near us, also experience Him because we sought after Him. RESOURCE: Sometimes a storm rages within us bringing threats to our sense of being. Should you or someone you know be battling such a storm, consider this Warrior of the Word resource available on Amazon: Made Worthy concisely examines how and why we were created, and just what it is that makes us worthy, with encouragement to help us calm the storm of self-condemnation and doubt.

You are awesome, O God, in Your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people. Praise be to God. Psalm 68:25 NIV 1984 / Flag Day 2026 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word We read that social media usage spikes around 9 pm. So, we at Warrior of the Word decided to expand our posts to meet you there and hope you will enjoy these restful reflections. … a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3 NIV 1984

You are awesome, O God, in Your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people. Praise be to God. Psalm 68:25 NIV 1984 / Flag Day 2026 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word We read that social media usage spikes around 9 pm. So, we at Warrior of the Word decided to expand our posts to meet you there and hope you will enjoy these restful reflections. … a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3 NIV 1984

… preserve sound judgment and discernment … Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. Proverbs 3:21, 23 niv

Praise be to His glorious Name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen. Psalm 72:19 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word We read that social media usage spikes around 9 pm. So, we at Warrior of the Word decided to expand our posts to meet you there and hope you will enjoy these restful reflections. … a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3 NIV 1984

Praise be to His glorious Name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen. Psalm 72:19 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word

But You, O God, are my king from of old; You bring salvation upon the earth. Psalm 74:12 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word We read that social media usage spikes around 9 pm. So, we at Warrior of the Word decided to expand our posts to meet you there and hope you will enjoy these restful reflections. … a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3 NIV 1984

But You, O God, are my king from of old; You bring salvation upon the earth. Psalm 74:12 NIV 1984 || 2 P (Pause to Praise) by Warrior of the Word