Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭38‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

This week we are sharing Holy Week. Today is referred to as Palm Sunday with Christ’s entry to Jerusalem. Jesus rode in on a donkey, which symbolized peace. One of Christ Jesus’ many names is the Prince of Peace.

I love how he wept over the city in ‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭41‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.

As Jesus’ entered the city, the people waved their palm branches which were a symbol of triumph and victory. We can experience peace through worship. Take time today to worship with Hosanna by Gracie Binion.

The four gospels are narrative accounts of Jesus’ life, each viewed through a unique lens.Through Matthew’s lens he sees Jesus as king, , Mark with Jesus as servant, Luke with Jesus as man, and John with Jesus as God. In addition to our key verse reading from Luke, take a moment to read what Matthew, Mark, and John recounted this day as.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

‭‭John‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!”

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Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭17‬:‭3‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you.

This week we are sharing what the rainbow symbolizes to Christians and what it represents in God’s new covenant. When you see a rainbow, what do you think of? Double rainbows are caused by sunlight reflecting twice inside raindrops, rather than once as in a primary rainbow. A double rainbow is a beautiful reminder that God loves to give multiple blessings.

In today’s key verse we read about how God promised Abram the same covenant and changed his name to Abraham as He made him the father of many nations. Notice when Abram surrendered to God, he fell facedown. I think about ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭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.”

On this Surrender Saturday examine what areas of your life that you need to surrender to God. Will you fall face down in complete surrender? Will you exalt God? 

Take this opportunity to sit in God’s presence and just be still. You could light a candle or play worship music. No words are necessary. Just be still in His presence.

Bonus: Read the story of Abraham in Genesis 17.

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Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

Genesis‬ ‭9‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth. So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”

This week we are sharing what the rainbow symbolizes to Christians and what it represents in God’s new covenant. When you see a rainbow, what do you think of? They are fleeting. As soon as the water droplets fall out of the necessary position, they stop creating the color spectrum. Isn’t life fleeting? We are continually chasing moving targets.

In today’s key verse, we are blessed with remembrance. At any time, we can recall the covenant blessing. Whether we see a rainbow or not, we can always seek God and find Him. In ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ we are told — You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

On this Fruit Friday remember that life is fleeting. Don’t miss the fruit God has for you today. Will you choose to live for today?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You that I can seek You and always find You. I choose to live for today so that I don’t miss out on Your fruit. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Bonus: Today is the first day of Spring. Visit Almanac.com to learn some fun facts about Spring.

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Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭9‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.

This week we are sharing what the rainbow symbolizes to Christians and what it represents in God’s new covenant. When you see a rainbow, what do you think of? Rainbows form when sunlight refracts and reflects within water droplets. Sunlight, composed of various colors, bends as it enters a droplet, separating the colors. 

Think about the biblical meaning of the colors displayed, from red for our redemption through the blood of Jesus to violet for the majesty of God. In today’s key verse we are told when the rainbow will appear. The Good News is that Jesus is the source of our light. ‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬ tells us that He is the light of the world — When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

On this Thankful Thursday take time to thank God for His attention to detail, such as the rainbow. There is so much more to see when we start our days with gratitude.

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for your attention to details. The rainbow is such a beautiful reminder of Your sacred Love for me. Help me to see this day through the lens of gratitude. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Bonus: For more on the biblical meaning behind the colors of the rainbow, visit Biblehub.com.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭9‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.” And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come.

This week we are sharing what the rainbow symbolizes to Christians and what it represents in God’s new covenant. When you see a rainbow, what do you think of? Wikipedia describes it as an optical phenomenon. Did you know there are seven colors to a rainbow, the number of perfection? Another detail that only God could create. 

In today’s key verse God continues to give details of the covenant, promising it for generations to come. Through the generations, we build relationships. Communication is key to nurturing those relationships. How do we listen to God? Often it is through signs. ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ instructs us to listen — Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.

On this Water Walking Wednesday think about how you listen to God when He leads you to walk on water. We have God’s word, worship music, God Winks, and friends to sharpen us. How will you listen to God today?

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for speaking to me through various ways. I want to be in tune to You through what I know, hear, see, and feel. I don’t want to miss a thing. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭9‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV — Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth.‬‬

This week, we are sharing what the rainbow symbolizes to Christians and what it represents in God’s new covenant. When you see a rainbow, what do you think of? From a biblical standpoint I think of God’s promises and how God is always doing something new. Last week Deborah shared new beginnings with Christ. 

In today’s key verse, God is telling Noah about the covenant He is establishing. A covenant is an eternal agreement, a sacred relationship between God and humanity. That sacred relationship is only offered through God’s son, Christ Jesus. We read in ‭‭John‬‭14‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Do you know Christ Jesus is your way to the covenant? On this Trust Tuesday examine your sacred relationship with Christ Jesus. Do you trust that His promises are everlasting?

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your son to die for my sins so that I can experience a sacred relationship with You. I put my trust in Your everlasting promises. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

This week, we are sharing what the rainbow symbolizes to Christians and what it represents in God’s new covenant. Take some time today to meditate on the following scripture verses for the week.

Genesis 9:8-17 NIV

‭‭John‬‭14‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.

‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬ — When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭17‬:‭3‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭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.”

@biblegateway @youversion