Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

I have the pleasure of assisting retirees at work. One retiree shared with me how she taught her students to look, listen, learn, and love. By doing this they would always succeed. This was a very inspiring message and I quickly thought about how I can apply this with my faith. I am sure these four words could help you recall many different scripture verses. As you start to slow down through the summer months, I thought the following scripture verses would be appropriate. 

Look: ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭105‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

Listen: ‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬ ‭NIV – My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

Learn: ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV – Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Love:‭‭ 1 Corinthians‬ ‭16‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – Do everything in love.

As you experience the joys of summer, I encourage you to discover what look, listen, learn, and love mean to you. Like the lighthouse pictured here, you can look to God to find our way through life.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for these encouraging words to help guide me through my day. Help me to do everything from Your Godly love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.

Our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit, which includes our hearts and minds. I love to move—whether it’s running, walking, doing Pilates, or riding my bike. Most days, I look forward to movement because it helps my mental health.

As you slow down for summer, focus on your spiritual, physical, and mental well-being. What does winning the day look like for you? For me, it’s being able to get active for at least 10 minutes every day. Win the day with God by choosing to meditate on His word. Let’s get our hearts and minds moving together for God!

Take a moment to meditate on this week’s scripture verses:

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭105‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬ ‭NIV – My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV – Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – Do everything in love.

Psalm 32:7 NIV – You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

‭‭John 1:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

John 4:14 NIV — but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

I Mark‬ ‭6:31‬ ‭NIV‬ – Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

Take a moment to worship with “Let It Be A Hallelujah” by Lauren Daigle and “Goodness of God” by CeCe Winans.

God is good through every season. As you slow down for summer, let your day be a hallelujah for God. Worship through the flowers blooming and the birds chirping. Worship through your day experiencing the goodness of God.

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Psalm 46:10 NIV — He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 

Psalm 46:10 MSG — “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” 

This week we have explored and examined our need to slow down, rest, and rejuvenate. I also encourage you to slow down and think about your words and conversations with others. Today I encourage you to not only slow down but to be still. The Message version of today’s featured scripture tells us to “Step out of the traffic!” In other words, slow down and be still. Surrender your schedule to God today. Allow Him to guide and direct your stillness. In the pause, listen for His voice. It’s in the times of quiet and stillness that we hear God’s voice the loudest.

Listen to this oldie but goodie song by Steve Curtis Chapman titled Be Still and Know.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Colossians 4:5-6 NIV — Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. 

This week we have been examining the need to slow down, rest, and rejuvenate within our busy lives. Today let’s examine the times we need to slow down and think before speaking. Our featured scripture today reminds us of how our conversations are always an opportunity to show the love of Christ. Our words matter. Proverbs 18:21 tells us — The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 

Today I encourage you to be mindful of your conversations with others. Are your conversations full of grace? Are your words uplifting? How are you using your conversations to share Christ with others? Are your words displaying the fruit of the spirit?

Let’s pray. Dear God, may my words today be uplifting, full of life and grace. May the Holy Spirit guide and direct the words I use. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Proverbs 8:17 NIV — I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. 

Proverbs 8:35 NIV — For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.

How have you taken time this week to slow down, rest, and rejuvenate? Today’s scriptures encourage us to seek God. By seeking and finding God we are promised His favor. When we are busy, it is easy to fall into the trap of skipping time with God and rushing right into our busy day. Even in our busy season, you and I must make spending time with God a priority. By slowing down, setting aside a time to read scripture, pray, and seek God’s guidance, you and I will find rest and rejuvenation. 

On this Thankful Thursday, thank God for His promises. How will you intentionally seek God, even when you are busy? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, forgive me for the busy times that I rush through my day and fail to spend time with You. Thank You for not giving up on me and welcoming me with open arms when I return to slow down and rest with You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Mark 6:31 NIV —  Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” 

Are you in a busy season? Are you taking time to slow down and rest? Even Jesus recognized the need for rest within a busy season. Today’s scripture occurs after the disciples have gone out preaching and teaching. Jesus encouraged them to get some rest. 

Often we run in a rat race, rushing from one task to another, without slowing down to rest and rejuvenate. In Genesis 2:2-3 God established the Sabbath — By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

On this Water Walking Wednesday I encourage you to step out of your boat of being busy and slow down, pause, and relax. Take time within your day to have a “mini” Sabbath. Sit outside on a porch, take time to work on a hobby, or even take a nap. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, help me to step away from my busy schedule and take time to rest. Use my time of rest to rejuvenate me and help me to refocus on You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion