Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

Psalm 32:7 NIV – You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

I have shared with you before that we have created a backyard bird sanctuary. First, we hung several bluebird houses along our fence. Next, we put out a bird feeder. Lastly, we hung a bird bath. We quickly gained a family of bluebirds. It is a beautiful thing to see them return each year. Often in the summer I sit outside for my devotion, as I am doing today. You could say it is my sanctuary and my sacred place. 

What is a sanctuary? According to Merriam–Webster it can be a building or room for religious worship. It can be a place that provides safety or protection. It can be a wildlife sanctuary. It can also be protection from a difficult situation that is provided by a safe place. Where is your sanctuary? Where do you run first when you need to rest in God’s presence? 

In our key verse, we are protected and surrounded with songs of deliverance. In our sanctuaries, we can be free to worship without worldly distractions. As you slow down this summer, I encourage you to find your sanctuary to sit and worship God.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for my sanctuary that I can sit and worship You without worldly distractions. I am so blessed to be reminded today that no one can stop You from Your protection and deliverance. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

I have the pleasure of assisting retirees at work. One retiree shared with me how she taught her students to look, listen, learn, and love. By doing this they would always succeed. This was a very inspiring message and I quickly thought about how I can apply this with my faith. I am sure these four words could help you recall many different scripture verses. As you start to slow down through the summer months, I thought the following scripture verses would be appropriate. 

Look: ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭105‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

Listen: ‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬ ‭NIV – My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

Learn: ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV – Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Love:‭‭ 1 Corinthians‬ ‭16‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – Do everything in love.

As you experience the joys of summer, I encourage you to discover what look, listen, learn, and love mean to you. Like the lighthouse pictured here, you can look to God to find our way through life.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for these encouraging words to help guide me through my day. Help me to do everything from Your Godly love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.

Our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit, which includes our hearts and minds. I love to move—whether it’s running, walking, doing Pilates, or riding my bike. Most days, I look forward to movement because it helps my mental health.

As you slow down for summer, focus on your spiritual, physical, and mental well-being. What does winning the day look like for you? For me, it’s being able to get active for at least 10 minutes every day. Win the day with God by choosing to meditate on His word. Let’s get our hearts and minds moving together for God!

Take a moment to meditate on this week’s scripture verses:

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭105‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬ ‭NIV – My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV – Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – Do everything in love.

Psalm 32:7 NIV – You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

‭‭John 1:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

John 4:14 NIV — but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

I 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.”

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

Take a moment to worship with “Let It Be A Hallelujah” by Lauren Daigle and “Goodness of God” by CeCe Winans.

God is good through every season. As you slow down for summer, let your day be a hallelujah for God. Worship through the flowers blooming and the birds chirping. Worship through your day experiencing the goodness of God.

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

On this song Sunday worship with Psalm 23 by Phil Wickham (feat. Tiffany Hudson). As you listen to the words imagine taking a slow stroll with God.

How do you intentionally slow down in busy times? Maybe it’s slowing down and enjoying breakfast with your family.

Crockpot Grits Recipe. Put 3 cups of quick grits and 15 cups of water in crockpot overnight. The next morning add a stick of butter, a pound of browned sausage, and 1-2 blocks of cream cheese.

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