Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

This week I have been sharing books that have inspired my ministry. Today I am sharing The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst. For many years I would often say yes to different ministry opportunities without praying about them or consulting with my calendar. As a result I would overcommit and get overwhelmed. In reading Lysa’s book I finally understood that not every assignment was meant for me. Have you experienced this?

I learned to not always give an immediate yes. I changed my response to, “let me pray about this” or “let me check my calendar.” Over time I was able to set healthy boundaries that would help me walk in line with God’s will. I encourage you to take some time this week to surrender your calendar to God. As we move into the summer months, slow down and seek God for His will. As you read in today’s key verse, make the most out of every opportunity. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for equipping me to make best yes decisions for Your glory. I surrender my calendar over to You and seek Your will. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬,‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”

This week I am sharing books that have inspired my ministry. Today I am sharing, “Run for God” by Mitchell Hollis. This book helped get me through the hardest season of my life. I learned how to run while growing closer to God as my dad was going through pancreatic cancer. I discovered how running and walking parallel our faith. It quickly became the mental therapy that began to help me grow closer to God: physically, mentally, and spiritually. I learned to pray and worship through my runs and my walks. 

Mitchell Hollis has recently started a new program called Lamppost Ministries. I am excited to learn more about his new ministry that offers something for everyone. 

My dad crossed the heavenly finish line in January of 2020. Most of us have been affected by cancer and grief. I am blessed to have Jesus to live in my heart so that I can remain in Him and bear His fruit through all of life’s trials. How do you remain in God? Take time to read today’s surrounding verses in John 15:1-17 NIV.

If you don’t know Jesus as your personal savior, or maybe you need to recommit your life to Christ, check out our Steps To Peace.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

Colossians 15-18 The Message — We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.

This week I am sharing books that have inspired my ministry. Today I am sharing Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. I first read this with my Sunday School class. I remember being excited to start the book, thinking I was going to find my purpose. It wasn’t long into reading the book that I took the focus off myself and put my focus on God and His purpose.

I enjoyed the book so much that I led a “Purpose Driven Life” Bible study with the women at work. I was able to share with other women my desire to live for God’s purpose. As we read in today’s key verse, everything starts and leads back to God. When we know God’s word, we will know our purpose. Take time to read the entire passage, Colossians 1:15-20 The Message. Are you living for God’s purpose? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your word to guide and equip me to live my life for Your purpose and Your glory. Help me share the joy of You Lord in all that I do and say. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭29‬ ‭NIV — “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

This week I am sharing books that have inspired my ministry. Today I am sharing, In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day and its sequel, Chase The Lion by Mark Batterson. These two books have helped me to dream big with God and be bold in my faith. Our blog is based on today’s key verse. Mark Batterson writes, “If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat. That first step will feel awfully foolish. But that’s how God turns the Sea of Galilee into a field of dreams.”

Do you have a list of dreams? Maybe it is to be debt-free, travel, or go viral on your social channels. Maybe you’ve reached your dreams and you’re in a season where you receive great joy from watching your children or grandchildren accomplish their dreams. Take time to seek and ask God to plant dreams in your heart and nurture them so you can continue to grow into the person God has designed you to be.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for planting dreams in my heart so that I can grow into who You want me to become. Help me to dream big for Your glory. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

Jeremiah‬ ‭18‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — But the pot he was shaping from the clay WhatToReadNext marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

In 2026 Deborah and I are striving to do more reading. Some of you have asked for book recommendations. This week I am sharing books that have inspired my ministry. Today I am sharing, Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. This book changed my life when I read it back in 2012. At that time I was a young mom and a lukewarm Christian. My husband and I attended church regularly but it wasn’t until my children were a little older that I really got involved in Sunday School, VBS, and other ministry opportunities.

Redeeming Love is a fictional book based off of the biblical story of Hosea 3. Hosea is instructed by God to buy his wife even though she was a prostitute and adulteress. When reading this story, I finally understood God’s redeeming love for me. Where I had felt underqualified, God was making me new. Just like today’s key verse, I am God’s clay and He is molding us all into something beautiful. Are you allowing God to mold you and make you beautiful for His glory? Take time to read today’s surrounding scripture verses in Jeremiah 18:1-6 NIV.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for redeeming me with Your unconditional love. I surrender to You as Your daughter and for Your glory to shine through my service. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

Happy Memorial Day! This week I will be sharing books that have inspired my ministry. Recently I enjoyed reading a fictional book based on the nurses that served in Vietnam called, The Women by Kristin Hannah. I have such a new appreciation for all those who have served. Today let’s remember all those who have served and lost their lives. I am praying for all those who are currently serving to protect and provide our freedom today. 

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

Jeremiah‬ ‭18‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

Jeremiah 18:1-6 NIV

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭29‬ ‭NIV — “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

‬‬Colossians 15-18 The Message — We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.

Colossians 1:15-20 The Message

‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬, ‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”

John 15:1-17 NIV

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV — fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.‬‬

In 2026 Deborah and I are striving to do more reading. Some of you have asked for book recommendations. This week I will be sharing books that have inspired my ministry. Take time to worship with The Author by Brandon Lake and Nick Jonas.

Take some time to think about the author of your life and books that have inspired your ministry. Of course the number one book read is the Bible. 

@biblegateway @youversion