Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

Genesis 2:1-2 NIV – Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. 

This week, we are sharing on the topic of long obedience. As a Christian, this is walking with God daily, staying focused on the path God has for you.  Take time today to remember how your journey began. We are all on different journeys and in different seasons of our lives. I started thinking about the first journey that ever took place, when God created the heavens and the earth. You can read the full passage in Genesis 1: 1-31; 2: 1-2. Today, we will focus on our key verse, in which God carved out a day of rest on His journey of creation. We may not be able to take a day of rest from cancer, grief, or any other trial, but we can surrender those things to God’s time. 

The days can seem long and the weeks short. We must continually find time for rest and trust God along the journey. Notice, God finished the work and then rested.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for my time of rest with You. As I reflect on my past and current journeys, may I find both strength and rest in Your faithfulness. You know both the current and future needs. I surrender them all to Your timeline. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

This week, we will share long obedience. As a Christian, this is walking with God daily, staying focused on the path God has for you. I encourage you to meditate on this week’s scripture verses. God will bless your long obedience.

Genesis 2:1-2 NIV – Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. 

Matthew 22:37‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

Matthew 22:39 NIV — “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Deuteronomy 28:1 NIV — If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV — give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Josh‬ua ‭6:3-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets.

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

This week we will share long obedience. As a Christian, this is walking with God daily, staying focused on the path God has for you. Some words that come to mind when referring to spiritual obedience are stillness, prayer, listening, submission, humility, faith, and action.

Take some time today to worship God through the song, You Lead Me by Lauren Daigle. The music video contains clips from the series, “House of David.” King David was not perfect but a great example of long obedience. Some of the lyrics sing, “I don’t know if I’m walking on water or sinking sand.”

God doesn’t always do things the way we think or imagine. Worship as you wait with Wait On You by Elevation Worship. Some of the lyrics sing, “I’m gonna wait on You. I’ve tasted Your goodness. I’ll trust in Your promise. I’m gonna wait on You.”

Through long obedience, God can shape us for His glory. Worship with Fruit Takes Time by SEU Worship. Some of the lyrics sing, “Hold me, shape me, change me daily. Find me faithful, good fruit takes time to grow. Break my heart if that’s what it takes.”

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Proverbs 16:3 — Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. 

This week I have shared with you my experience with journaling and the benefits I have found with journaling. As I have shared, there is no right or wrong way to journal. Journaling can be as formal or relaxed as you choose. In order for journaling to be successful, it needs to be a format that works best for your current lifestyle. My prayer for each of you as you journal is that you prayerfully consider journaling, commit your work to God, and surrender your will. Then allow God to direct your steps. He will lead you toward the best type of journaling for you.

Let’s pray. Dear God, guide and direct me as I write down my thoughts with You. May the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion