Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭20‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

In this season of your life, will you stay curious after God’s perfect will? As Walt Disney said: “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

Although it is good to plan, make goals, and dream about the future, it is also important to live in the moment. Recently on social media, I saw a post about living in “one-day” times. This could look like, “one day when my kids are out of diapers” or “one day when I pay off my mortgage.” The problem is one day gets here and we have already moved on to another one day thought like, “one day when I retire.” 

On this Fruit Friday, I encourage us to re-center our thoughts on Christ and find our one-day moments today. The gifts God has for us includes plans to prosper and hope for the future. They also include the blessing of living in today’s “present” moment. Let me remind you of my mantra for 2022: Live For Today! 

As the sun rises and sets on yet another day, let’s make sure to count the present blessings! I encourage you to watch and listen to the song Wonderful Life by Matthew West. It will put things in perspective. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for keeping me curious. I desire to live for today. Guide me toward Your perfect will. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Back in 2022 we celebrated our twins, Kendal and Trevor, graduating high school. It was a joyful time. I feel blessed that God chose Hollie and I to receive these two precious gifts. Hard to believe that Kendal graduated from nursing school in 2025 and is working as a Registered Nurse at Tidelands Hospital. Earlier this month Trevor graduated with a Bachelor degree in Business Management from Clemson University. We are excited to see what God has planned for his career path. All of these are beautiful seasons that offer hope through the hard seasons. 

I’ve previously shared about my personal HPV journey. It is something I do not want my children to experience. The same year they graduated high school and would begin their freshman years in college was the same year of my two surgical procedures for pre-cancer. I remember pouring my heart out to God asking Him to heal me and not get cancer. I desire to be healthy always but especially during such an important time in my life. Thankfully, God worked out the details that year as we read in ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Are you pouring your heart out to God in prayer? God wants us to share our joys and our specific needs. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your goodness and answered prayer. Thank You for the reminder that You want to hear all my joys and specific needs. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

‭‭Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

As I have shared in the past, I consider today’s key scripture my life verse. When I think of the word transformation, I think of this verse. Paul uses the word “began,” meaning the work is not finished. 

We are transformed as we move through different seasons. Our transformation can be dramatic or a subtle change over the different seasons in our lifetime. The opposite of that would be reverting or withering. On this Water Walking Wednesday, I encourage us all to keep moving and working toward God’s perfect will for our lives. Even if the subtle change is unseen at this moment, keep going. Some of us are ending a chapter in our story and some are beginning a new one. What scripture verse are you carrying with you as you move through this season of your life?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for my transformation story. Help me to keep moving and working toward Your perfect will. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

Each of us is in different or similar seasons in our lives. We are all moving different or similar stones. There is a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them as we read in ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing.

When you look at this beautiful image from our friend Ray, what stones do you see? Maybe for you the stones have been gathered for love and celebration. Maybe they have been scattered from grief and mourning. Maybe they represent joys or sorrows. 

Now look at the image more closely. They are stacked from largest to smallest. To scatter them, it would be easier to move the smaller stone first. Are you trying to move a stone that is burdened by the weight of other stones? God knows what stones you are carrying. Whatever season you are in, surrender your stones to God. Don’t forget to celebrate your joys.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the joys and celebrations in my life. I surrender my stones of burdens. Help me to scatter and gather stones for Your glory. Remind me to celebrate along the way. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

Take time today to meditate on this week’s scripture verses.

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭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.

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

@biblegateway @youversion

Take a moment to worship with the Goodness of God by CeCe Winans.

God is good through every season. The lyrics sing, “Cause all my life You have been faithful, oh yes You have. And all my life You have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.”

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

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. During Holy Communion at our church we speak the words, “Lord, free us for joyful obedience.” What is joyful obedience? In long obedience, it can be easy to lose hope or let Satan steal our joy. I feel it is freeing to put on the armor of God and then surrender to God.

For me, I must intentionally give Satan an Eviction notice so that I can go about my day with a joyful and obedient heart. I challenge you to put on the full armor of God, so that you can have a joyful and obedient heart.

Let’s pray for the full armor of God, ‭‭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