Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – l am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

John Locke first said individuals have certain fundamental rights, such as life, liberty and property. It was Thomas Jefferson who changed it to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness when writing the Declaration of Independence.

There is a book and movie called: The Pursuit of Happiness. Both are based on the true story of Chris Gardner’s life. He was a homeless father who became a successful Wall Street Broker. In reading today’s verse our pursuit of happiness should be found in contentment. We already know that if we look at our circumstances for happiness our joy won’t always be sustained. We can honor God with contentment. On this 4th of July week, I encourage us to pursue happiness through contentment as we celebrate our freedom to worship. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Thomas Jefferson and our Declaration of Independence. Thank You for my Independence to worship You. Thank You for showing me contentment in all my circumstances. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

Take time today to meditate on this week’s scripture verses.

Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – l am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73‬:‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ —For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

Join us this week as we share our independence. The best kind of freedom, Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin. 

One of my Dad’s favorites, God Bless The U.S.A. by Lee Greenwood.

As we go about our day, let’s rejoice because this is the day the Lord has made. We have the freedom to ring bells and play music for God everyday.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Proverbs 22:6 NIV — Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6 MSG — Point your kids in the right direction — when they’re old they won’t be lost.

This week’s blog theme has been about fishing for people who do not know Christ. Today I share with you a picture of one of my fishing focuses — my 3 year old granddaughter, Ellie. God has laid on my heart an urgency to introduce Ellie to worship and to begin to lay the foundation for a relationship with Jesus. Of course with a 3-year old, the first goal is to teach her to be quiet and not disruptive in a worship service. Therefore, we bring with us a bag of tricks which includes quiet toys, things to color or draw on, picture books, and even a small container with pretzels or goldfish for snacking. Today’s picture was taken this past week as she participated in Vacation Bible School at our church. I pray the memories she is making at church are planting seeds for eternity. As I fish for Christ, I know I must have patience and perseverance, and surrender my fish for God to make His impact.

Who is your fishing focus? Are you able to surrender your fishing time with them?

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Mark 1:16-18 ESV — Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

As I shared earlier in the week, Aunt Clefa taught me how to bait a hook with a worm, how to sit quietly and patiently wait for the red and white float to bob up and down, and when to know just the right moment to pull up my Bream Buster pole and bring in my fish.

I encourage you to spend some time today examining how you are fishing for men. Take lessons from Aunt Clefa.  

1. Bait the hook. Intentionally plan ways you can be a witness to others. Spend time thinking about your faith journey and how your experiences may relate to others. How can your story point others to Christ? What can you say or do to make others want to learn more about your Savior?
2. Sit quietly and be patient. Sometimes the most important part of fishing for men is sitting quietly and patiently. Listen and observe others. What are their struggles? How do they respond to the circumstances of life? By looking and listening you may realize a connection that can be a point of entry to talk about Christ. Use your connections to witness and share the love of Jesus.
3. Wait for the right moment to bring in your fish for Christ. Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as to when is the right moment and what are the right words to witness to others. When we are open to His guidance He will open opportunities and lead us through unbelievable ways as we fish for Him. God’s timing is perfect.

The time is now. It’s fishing season and the fish are biting. Jesus is on the shore calling you and I to follow Him. Let’s go fishing!

Pray with me. Dear God, thank You for trusting me to fish for You. Open my eyes to ways to be an effective fisher of men. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Matthew 28:16-20 NIV — Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Place yourself in the shoes of the disciples at the time of today’s featured scripture. A whirlwind of events has just taken place. Jesus was arrested, tortured, crucified and died. Today’s scripture takes place just after the discovery that Jesus’ body was not in the tomb and the claims that He has risen from the dead. I imagine at this point the disciples are in such shock from the rollercoaster of emotions and events that they are just going through the motions trying to put one foot in front of the other. They recalled that Jesus had told them to go to Galilee and so they did. There, Jesus appeared. Imagine their surprise and awe in the moment. Jesus doesn’t make small talk. He cuts to the chase. 

This scripture is called “The Great Commission.” In this passage Jesus gives a directive and a mission for the disciples and for us. You and I are called to make disciples. We are called to be fishers of men. How have you responded to your commission? How do you make disciples? How do you fish for men?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for trusting me to fish for You. Open my eyes to ways to be an effective fisher of men. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Matthew 4:21-22 ESV — And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Dad and Aunt Clefa went fishing every Thursday. Dad also picked us up from school every afternoon since mom worked at a bank in town and he had a more flexible schedule. However, every now and then on a Thursday, all the other kids would be picked up and my brother and I were left sitting and waiting at school. Dad and Aunt Clefa would finally drive up in a rush, apologizing for being late, and claiming the fish were biting and time got away from them. On Thursdays, they were living in the moment and at the moment, fishing was their most important focus.

Jesus calls you and I to also make fishing our most important focus. However, He wants us to fish for men every day, not just on Thursdays. Read today’s featured scripture again. When Jesus called James and John to follow Him, “immediately they left the boat and their father” to follow Him. The scripture does not indicate any hesitation. They seized the moment and their fishing focus changed from fish to men. 

Are your eyes and ears always open to ways to fish for Christ? How do you intentionally look for and plan for being a fisher of men? Is your fishing gear packed and ready to go? Is fishing for Jesus your most important focus?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for trusting me to fish for You. Open my eyes to ways to be an effective fisher of men. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion