Today 4-22-2026

1 Thessalonians 4:18 ESV "Therefore encourage one another with these words.""You can do it!" Today's verse, while rather simple, speaks volumes in how we are to speak to each other! No sooner did I get half way up the aerial ladder, when I heard my officer yell to me to keep going, that I could do it! At the fire department rookie school, looking up at the 100' aerial ladder was one thing but beginning to climb it was quite another. About half way, I began to go slower, not sure if I could make it to the top.That's when the words of encouragement came and helped me reach the top! At times, each of us may question ourselves and wonder if we can achieve what we set out to do. There will be struggles along the way, but that's when we may hear an encouraging word to help us finish strong. The Holy Spirit can be that voice of encouragement if we are listening for Him. Keeping our hearts open to Him can make the difference between giving up and gearing up. It all comes down to choice! Remember, the world will say we can't, but the Holy Spirit will say we can! peace, tom