Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

I encourage you to worship with the following songs:

Hold Onto Me by Lauren Daigle

“When the best of me is barely breathin’. When I’m not somebody I believe in. Hold on to me. When I miss the light the night has stolen. When I’m slammin’ all the doors You’ve opened. Hold on to me.”

Child Of God by Crowder

“Clap them hands, stomp them feet. Devil ain’t got no hold on me. Dance all day, dance all night. Good God, I’m on fire. I may be flesh and bone. But in my haunted soul. I got the Holy Ghost. I know where I came from. Can’t keep me from my home. I am a child of God.”

Strong by Anne Wilson

“I hit my knees with my hands held high saying, “Dear Lord, Jesus, you know I can’t do this on my own. Lord knows I’ve tried, but I’m good at falling down. Thank God you’re good at picking me up off the ground. The world’s gonna try to break me but I know the one who makes me strong.”

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV — All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

This week we have explored the topic of inspiration and remembered times we have been inspired. Today I encourage you to think of times you have been inspired by a sermon or by scripture. Have you ever read a scripture you have read dozens of times before, but this particular time the scripture inspires you in a different way? God’s Holy word, the Bible, is a vessel in which God speaks, brings Jesus alive in new ways, and causes the Holy Spirit to move within us in new and exciting ways, if we are open to receive His inspiration. When we hear or read scripture, we must listen and see with a surrendered spirit, ready for God’s individual message for each of us. God’s message for me may be different from His message for you. Let’s be ready to receive holy inspiration with a surrendered heart.

Let’s pray. Dear God, help me to have a surrendered heart, ready to receive Your holy inspiration through scripture. May I have open eyes, ears, mind and heart. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV — And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

This week we are exploring the topic of inspiration and remembering times we have been inspired. Today’s featured scripture encourages us to “spur one another toward love and good deeds”. Who are your friends who spur you on and encourage you to be more like Christ? I am blessed with friends from various aspects of life. I have friends from college, church, work, and those I met while raising my children. I am inspired to be a better coworker, be a better listener, be a better wife, be a better mother, and to react and respond as Christ. I pray that the inspiration of my friends has also allowed me to bear more fruit for Christ.

Each of my friends inspire me in different ways. Who are the friends who have inspired you? How have your friends’ influence helped you bear more fruit for Christ?

Let’s pray. Dear Lord, thank You for friends who inspire me. May I use their inspiration to bear more fruit for You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Philippians 4:13 NIV — I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 

This week we are exploring the topic of inspiration and remembering times we have been inspired. Often we are inspired by our parents. My mom has always been an inspiration to me. From childhood until now, she has always encouraged and supported me. Whenever I was discouraged or pessimistic about situations she would recite today’s featured scripture to spur me on. Mom has always modeled perseverance and has always put others above herself. As an adult, I had the privilege of watching mom model servitude as she cared for her brother and mother as their health declined. 

Were you blessed with an inspiring parent? If not, was there a parent figure in your life who inspired you? Take time today to thank the parent figures in your life who have inspired you through the years.

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for parents who have inspired me over the years. Guide and direct my words and actions so I may inspire others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Philippians 4:13 NIV — I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 

This week we are exploring the topic of inspiration and remembering times we have been inspired. Often we are inspired by our parents. My mom has always been an inspiration to me. From childhood until now, she has always encouraged and supported me. Whenever I was discouraged or pessimistic about situations she would recite today’s featured scripture to spur me on. Mom has always modeled perseverance and has always put others above herself. As an adult, I had the privilege of watching mom model servitude as she cared for her brother and mother as their health declined. 

Were you blessed with an inspiring parent? If not, was there a parent figure in your life who inspired you? Take time today to thank the parent figures in your life who have inspired you through the years.

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for parents who have inspired me over the years. Guide and direct my words and actions so I may inspire others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Psalm 32:8 NIV — I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. 

This week we are exploring the topic of inspiration and remembering times we have been inspired. School has recently begun for our area which has me remembering teachers who have inspired me over the years. I specifically remembered being in second grade and loving my teacher. She was kind, nurturing, and inspiring. It was in her class that I was first inspired to become a teacher. Another teacher who I gained inspiration from was my composition teacher my senior year in high school. Her firmness and insistence on quality work pushed me to do my best and she is the reason I am a writer today. 

Do you have a teacher or teachers who inspired you? I encourage you to take a chance and try to reach out and thank those teachers if possible. If not, perhaps you can thank a teacher you know now for his/her hard work, dedication, and inspiration.

Let’s pray. Thank You Lord for teachers who love, nurture, and inspire. Bless them as they do Your work. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion