Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV —  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

This week we are exploring the topic of inspiration and remembering times we have been inspired. Inspire means to spur on, affect, or influence. Spend some time today thinking about ways you have been inspired over the years. Take a walk down memory lane and reminisce about inspiration you have experienced. Inspiration often comes when we least expect it and sometimes from unlikely sources such as people, music, scripture, songs, or nature. Who or what has inspired you? Who have you inspired? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, remind me and make me aware of times I have been inspired and those I may have inspired over the years. Help me to be mindful of my words and actions today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Spend some time reading and mediating over this week’s featured scriptures. 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV —  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

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. 

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

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.

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. 

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

On Sunday I encouraged you to take a moment to worship with the Goodness of God by CeCe Winans. I pray as we have gone through the week, you can look back and see that God is good through every season. In today’s key verse we know that God can do immeasurably more. Take some time today to write down God’s goodness and how He has done immeasurably more than you could have ever asked or imagined.

The lyrics sing, “Cause all my life You have been faithful, oh yes You have. And all my life You have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able. Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.”

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your goodness that is immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine. As I continue through this current season, guide my thoughts and direct my steps. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversiom

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭20‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

In this season of your life, will you stay curious after God’s perfect will? As Walt Disney said: “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

Although it is good to plan, make goals, and dream about the future, it is also important to live in the moment. Recently on social media, I saw a post about living in “one-day” times. This could look like, “one day when my kids are out of diapers” or “one day when I pay off my mortgage.” The problem is one day gets here and we have already moved on to another one day thought like, “one day when I retire.” 

On this Fruit Friday, I encourage us to re-center our thoughts on Christ and find our one-day moments today. The gifts God has for us includes plans to prosper and hope for the future. They also include the blessing of living in today’s “present” moment. Let me remind you of my mantra for 2022: Live For Today! 

As the sun rises and sets on yet another day, let’s make sure to count the present blessings! I encourage you to watch and listen to the song Wonderful Life by Matthew West. It will put things in perspective. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for keeping me curious. I desire to live for today. Guide me toward Your perfect will. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Back in 2022 we celebrated our twins, Kendal and Trevor, graduating high school. It was a joyful time. I feel blessed that God chose Hollie and I to receive these two precious gifts. Hard to believe that Kendal graduated from nursing school in 2025 and is working as a Registered Nurse at Tidelands Hospital. Earlier this month Trevor graduated with a Bachelor degree in Business Management from Clemson University. We are excited to see what God has planned for his career path. All of these are beautiful seasons that offer hope through the hard seasons. 

I’ve previously shared about my personal HPV journey. It is something I do not want my children to experience. The same year they graduated high school and would begin their freshman years in college was the same year of my two surgical procedures for pre-cancer. I remember pouring my heart out to God asking Him to heal me and not get cancer. I desire to be healthy always but especially during such an important time in my life. Thankfully, God worked out the details that year as we read in ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Are you pouring your heart out to God in prayer? God wants us to share our joys and our specific needs. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your goodness and answered prayer. Thank You for the reminder that You want to hear all my joys and specific needs. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

‭‭Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

As I have shared in the past, I consider today’s key scripture my life verse. When I think of the word transformation, I think of this verse. Paul uses the word “began,” meaning the work is not finished. 

We are transformed as we move through different seasons. Our transformation can be dramatic or a subtle change over the different seasons in our lifetime. The opposite of that would be reverting or withering. On this Water Walking Wednesday, I encourage us all to keep moving and working toward God’s perfect will for our lives. Even if the subtle change is unseen at this moment, keep going. Some of us are ending a chapter in our story and some are beginning a new one. What scripture verse are you carrying with you as you move through this season of your life?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for my transformation story. Help me to keep moving and working toward Your perfect will. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion