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

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