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

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 Deborah Ard.

In Mark 9:50 Jesus said — Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other. 

This week we explored what the phrase “be salty” means for Christians. In today’s featured scripture Jesus tells us He wants us to maintain our spiritual purity and integrity and to remain at peace with one another. In order to stay salty, we must stay vigilant and focused on God. 

How were your thoughts about being salty confirmed or changed this week? Have you decided to do anything differently to stay salty? Being salty requires us to remain close to God and willing to surrender our will for His will. How will you be salty today? 

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Romans 12:2 NIV — Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

This week we are exploring what the phrase “be salty” means for Christians. Sometimes being salty can be controversial and sometimes it means being different. The world is full of fun, exciting, fast paced, opportunities. One can easily get caught up in the whirlwind of the world. The race to be the best dressed, the most popular, highest paid, etc., sometimes causes us to lose our focus on Christ. The world can easily pull us away from our focus and Satan is always looking for a foothold to lure us away from God. Not conforming to the pattern of the world is how we can “be salty”. Going to God daily in prayer to ask for guidance and direction, reading our Bible to test and approve His will, and having a relationship with God is how you and I can keep from conforming to the pattern of the world. Everything in our world is not bad, but everything should be tested and approved by God. What do you do so those around you see you as being salty? How do you stand out in the world as a Christ follower? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, open my eyes, ears, mind and heart to receive Your message for me this week on being salty. May my thoughts be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion