Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Proverbs 8:17 NIV — I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. 

Proverbs 8:35 NIV — For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.

How have you taken time this week to slow down, rest, and rejuvenate? Today’s scriptures encourage us to seek God. By seeking and finding God we are promised His favor. When we are busy, it is easy to fall into the trap of skipping time with God and rushing right into our busy day. Even in our busy season, you and I must make spending time with God a priority. By slowing down, setting aside a time to read scripture, pray, and seek God’s guidance, you and I will find rest and rejuvenation. 

On this Thankful Thursday, thank God for His promises. How will you intentionally seek God, even when you are busy? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, forgive me for the busy times that I rush through my day and fail to spend time with You. Thank You for not giving up on me and welcoming me with open arms when I return to slow down and rest with You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Mark 6:31 NIV —  Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” 

Are you in a busy season? Are you taking time to slow down and rest? Even Jesus recognized the need for rest within a busy season. Today’s scripture occurs after the disciples have gone out preaching and teaching. Jesus encouraged them to get some rest. 

Often we run in a rat race, rushing from one task to another, without slowing down to rest and rejuvenate. In Genesis 2:2-3 God established the Sabbath — By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

On this Water Walking Wednesday I encourage you to step out of your boat of being busy and slow down, pause, and relax. Take time within your day to have a “mini” Sabbath. Sit outside on a porch, take time to work on a hobby, or even take a nap. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, help me to step away from my busy schedule and take time to rest. Use my time of rest to rejuvenate me and help me to refocus on You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Isaiah 40:31 MSG — But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired,  they walk and don’t lag behind. 

In Georgetown County, this week is the beginning of summer break for students and teachers. The time has come to slow down, relax, and rejuvenate. Those of you who know me know that I am winding down a very busy season filled with completing the school year with work, my daughter graduating from high school, and my son getting married. Whew! I am ready to slow down! 

As busy as my life has been over the last weeks and months, God held me up and strengthened me when I grew weary. God gave me the ability to have moments to slow down, breathe, and enjoy blessings along the way. Slowing down allowed me to sit on my patio, feel the breeze, listen to the chirping birds, and marvel at a hummingbird flitting from flower to flower. I savored time blowing bubbles with my granddaughter and soaking in her laughter and enjoyment. Most importantly, I continued to slow down each morning to spend time with my Heavenly Father. My time with Him rejuvenated my spirit and as in today’s version of Isaiah 40:31, He gave me fresh strength to keep moving forward, even in the difficult moments.

How do you intentionally slow down in busy times? How has God blessed you in the moments you have taken time to slow down? If you are in a busy season I encourage you to find pockets of time to slow down, spend time with God, and savor the season.

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me pockets of time to slow down and rejuvenate. Thank You for giving me fresh strength. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

As we begin our week of slowing down, take time to read the featured scriptures for the week. Take your time and soak up these promises from God.

Isaiah 40:31 MSG — But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired,  they walk and don’t lag behind. 

Mark 6:31 NIV —  Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” 

Proverbs 8:17 NIV — I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. 

Proverbs 8:35 NIV — For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.

Colossians 4:5-6 NIV —  Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. 

Psalm 46:10 NIV — He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 

Psalm 46:10 MSG — “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” 

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

2 Timothy 2:15 NIV — Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Isaiah 6:8 — Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

This week I have shared various ministry opportunities that are offered or suggested within my church. What are other ministry opportunities offered by your church? I pray that this week has allowed you to ponder and pray about a ministry opportunity that you can participate in or begin. Where is God leading you? Are you willing to surrender your service and answer His call? Are you ready to respond? “Here am I. Send me!”

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Mark 10:13-16 NIV—  People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. 

Matthew 18:2-5 NIV —  He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. 

This week I am sharing ministry opportunities. Ministry is the act of serving others. On the back of the weekly bulletin at my church there is a section that has a list of ministry opportunities for the week. One of the ministry opportunities listed currently is Vacation Bible School planning meetings.

Our Vacation Bible School, also known as VBS, is not until the last of June. However, the planning is in full swing. If you read the blog May 3-9 you read about various ministry opportunities within VBS. Today’s featured scriptures remind us of how important children’s ministries are in growing the kingdom of heaven and producing Christ-like fruit.

What role do you play in VBS? Are you willing to embrace the ministry opportunity of VBS?

Let’s pray. Dear God, open my eyes to the VBS ministry opportunities You would have me embrace. Create in me a yielding heart that is open to help grow the fruit of Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

James 5:13-16 NIV

This week I am sharing ministry opportunities. Ministry is the act of serving others. On the back of the weekly bulletin at my church there is a section that has a list of ministry opportunities for the week. One of the ministry opportunities listed monthly is “Let Us Pray” prayer time.

Once a month, faithful prayer warriors gather in the sanctuary to lift prayers on behalf of our church family. Although this particular group gathers together, praying for others is a ministry opportunity that requires very little planning or time, but it does require intentionality.  I consider it an honor to have others trust me enough to ask me to pray for them. I have a prayer journal that I use to record prayers. When someone asks me to pray for something that will occur at a specific time, I set an alarm on my phone as a reminder to pray specifically at the specified time. 

How is God using you to minister through prayer?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for entrusting me with the ministry opportunity of praying for others. Continue to guide and direct me as Your vessel. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion