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Natalia Elam Designs, 982 N Garden Ridge, Lewisville, TX (2026)

09/07/2026

Above Every Name
We will explore Philippians 2 and specifically verse 10: “…that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow.” We will reflect upon different titles given to Jesus, proclaiming his name over ourselves, our communities, and our nations.

As we pray boldly in the name of Jesus, these passages lead us, his global royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), from adoration and into action. From the place of prayer, we are invited to imitate our royal priest Jesus through humble service and self-giving love.

Lord Jesus, you are exalted to the highest place. Your name is above every other name – every ruler and principality and power, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.

So today we pray in the name of Jesus—that every knee would bow and every tongue confess that you are Lord. Not because we have the strength to make it happen, but because you do. Not because our plans are sufficient, but because your power is limitless.

Read: Psalm 103:13–14
Pause and pray
Today I am reflecting on probably the greatest passage Paul wrote about Jesus, pointing us towards his example of humility, self-denial and obedience that is to shape our way of relating to one another…

Read: Philippians 2:5–11 (NIVUK)
I am drawn to the phrase “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus”. This word mindset can also be translated as attitude. Christ wants me to move beyond mere understanding and mental assent to an actual way of life. Here I read that unity, harmony and humility appear to be how he wants me to live.

In this life, I’m never going to be fully like Jesus, but I can choose to adopt the same attitude as him. My attitude should begin in humility, and my humility should be seen in my relationships with others.

Lord Jesus Christ, I long to be like you. Rather than humbling others, bringing them down to earth, or exerting my own perception of superiority over them, may my attitude today be one of humility.

Pause and pray
In a world where winning seems to be the order of the day, I pray that I would choose to lose. I ask that winning wouldn’t be the driver of my life, but that I would stop striving to use people for my own advantage, instead preferring others over myself.

Humble Jesus, I bring someone I often overlook to you now in prayer, asking you to bless them with your goodness.

Pause and pray
As I return to today’s passage, I pay particular attention to my feelings as I read these words…

Read again: Philippians 2:5–11
I take a moment now to reflect on any particular feeling stirred within me by this passage.

Pause and pray
I feel inspired and awestruck at the countercultural nature of the life of Jesus. His incarnation led to a life of self-emptying obedience. I am stirred by Jesus’ life, and excited by the opportunity to be obedient to whatever God is asking of me today.

Lord, I choose to lose today, not seeking to win at the expense of others but to be humble and to serve. I yield to you, longing to obey you, and do whatever you ask of me.

Amen.

Devotional from YouVersion:

09/07/2026

My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
Psalms 121:2 NKJV

09/06/2026

The Place to Start

There are many places we can go to learn about something new, or to grow in wisdom and knowledge. Books are full of access to insightful information. The internet is overloaded with both helpful and unhelpful content about any subject imaginable.

While those are great places to start, Scripture tells us that the foundation of all knowledge is a healthy fear of the Lord. This means that while we can learn things from anyone, the beginning of true wisdom always begins with God.

The fear of the Lord doesn’t necessarily mean that you should be afraid of God. It means that we should live our lives in awe of Him. We do this by recognizing who He is—the Creator and Sustainer of all things. He is all-powerful and all-knowledgeable. God’s Word says He holds the power of life and death in His hands. These attributes should cause us to live in awe of God.

Scripture also tells us that God is loving, gracious, and merciful. Even though we—His own creation—previously rebelled against Him, God graciously gave us access back to Himself through His Son, Jesus. The God who created the universe loves each and every one of us. He loves you.

Living in awe of who God is and what He has done is the beginning of all wisdom and knowledge. We would be foolish to turn away from such a powerful and gracious God.

While we can learn a lot about many different things through books, people, and the internet, the most essential and important piece of knowledge about God comes from His Word.

Today, spend some time with God in His Word and in prayer—thanking Him for who He is and what He has done for you. Begin a habit of reading Scripture regularly so that you can know, respect, and trust Him in a deeper way.

Devotional from YouVersion:

09/06/2026

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7 NKJV

09/04/2026

God Our Rock

There are hundreds of different names and titles for God throughout Scripture. And since the Psalms are written from various seasons of life, there are many different perspectives of how God acts within those seasons.

Psalm 18 is written at a time when the author, King David, was delivered from his enemies by God. In this Psalm, David almost immediately calls God his rock, because God was dependable and stable. There was nothing that could overtake God or move Him. And this truth wasn't just for David, but for anyone who relies on God.

When we belong to God, He is a rock and a fortress for us as well. Everything in the world is constantly shifting, but we belong to a God who never changes. He is our protection from things that might seek to harm us.

We belong to a God who can protect us throughout our lives. Even if we don’t have physical enemies, we can run to God when life gets difficult. That’s why, like David, our response to God should be filled with praise. We need to remember what God has done—so we can praise Him for who He is.

Take some time today to thank God for how He has led and protected you so far in your life. And if you’re currently in a difficult season, run to God and ask Him for help. He is able and willing to be your rock.

Devotional from YouVersion:

09/04/2026

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalms 18:2 NKJV

09/03/2026

Compassion Over Criticism: Viewing Your Anxiety Through a New Lens
By: Alyssa Chandler and Chrissie Steyn
We are Wonderhunt, and we aim to help you notice the deep and hidden things of God. Sometimes, those things are actually parts of us God wants us to consider… like anxiety.

If you experience anxiety (many people do!), two things can be true: God doesn’t want you to feel desperate about your anxiousness. And yet, maybe you still do anyway.

Maybe you’re following Him with all your heart, and yet you’re still struggling. Maybe you want to be free from anxiety, and at the same time you can’t simply will it away.

So often, we talk about anxiety like it’s something bad. Something to be avoided. Something we shouldn’t be experiencing, that we should rid our lives of at all costs. But maybe the truth is more nuanced than that.

Throughout this Plan, we’re going to challenge you to choose compassion over criticism. What if instead of judging our anxiety, we were curious about it? What if we asked questions about where it was coming from? What if we believed that God knew what he was doing when He created our bodies, our nervous systems, and when He made us, it was good?

At the same time, we’ve experienced anxiety firsthand and we know how it can feel. All consuming. Debilitating. Have you ever felt like anxiety has a hold on your life? Maybe you’ve been in the ring, fighting to hold on, just like the bull rider. Maybe you’ve even been there for a long time and it feels like nothing will ever change.

A biblical figure who knows how this feels is Hagar. She was pregnant and alone. She was running from abuse. And she found herself in the wilderness scared and rejected and likely very anxious. In all of her pain is where God met her, not with criticism, but with presence and love. He called her by name, asked her story (despite, of course, already knowing it), and spoke a blessing over her life. Read Hagar’s words: “You are the God who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13). God wasn’t dismissive of her fear, He was receptive. He was big enough to handle it. Maybe your anxiety, just like Hagar’s, needs to be seen and felt before it’s soothed.

We want to encourage you over the next few days to view your anxiety differently. To notice it through a new lens. To wonder where it might have come from, and to acknowledge that the Holy Spirit lives inside you.

Join us tomorrow for day two to explore why anxiety sometimes seems to have a grip on us, and how we can respond in a God-honoring way.

Reflection: What comes up for you when you consider the possibility that your anxiety might be trying to be helpful, even if it is disrupting your present sense of peace?

Prayer: God, would you help us to become aware of our anxiety through Your eyes? Would You remind us that we are good, that You made our bodies to worship You? Help us to love ourselves–every part of ourselves–the way You do. We trust You, and we love You. In Your name we pray, amen.

Note: As you journey through this plan, be assured that we partnered with a licensed mental health professional, Chrissie Steyn, to provide informed, compassionate, and evidence-based support. Be aware that this plan is not a substitute for professional mental health care.

Join me in reading Compassion Over Criticism: Viewing Your Anxiety Through a New Lens

Devotional from YouVersion:

09/03/2026

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:34 ESV

09/02/2026

Today's devotional:
The word trauma literally means wound. It is an unplanned identity hijack where the enemy tries to rewrite your name. Whether it is the deep-seated scar from the abuse of a biological father or the sudden shock of a recent betrayal, trauma creates a "blue-faced" season where you feel like you are gasping for air. In these moments, the enemy’s greatest weapon is isolation—the infection that keeps a wound from healing. Just as Moses needed Aaron and Hur to hold up his weary hands, you were never meant to carry the weight of your trauma alone. We acknowledge the event not to wallow in it, but to strip the thief of his power. When you name the trauma, you stop it from naming you.

Mobilization Step: Identify your "Aaron and Hur"—the people you can trust with your true story. Reach out to one person today and say, "I’m in a season where I need help holding my arms up. Would you pray for me?"

Devotional from YouVersion:

09/02/2026

as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
II Peter 1:3 NKJV

Natalia Elam Designs

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