Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

This week we will be meditating on the Fruit of the Spirit. Take time today to meditate on this week’s scripture verses.

Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. 

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭37‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Psalms‬ ‭118‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

Proverbs 17:22 NIV — A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — For he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

Matthew 6:33-34 NIV — But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Galatians‬ ‭5:22-23 NIV — But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

For 2026 I am focusing on, Fruit of the Spirit. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are nine observable attributes that reflect the character of God. Found in the Bible (Galatians 5:22-23), they act as the visible evidence of a person’s spiritual growth and connection to Christ. These traits — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control — grow naturally as a unified whole in a believer’s life. 

Today we will focus on kindness. There are so many different personality types and God loves all of them. A sandpaper person is someone who rubs you the wrong way. You can flip your mindset to see how they are polishing you to be better. Ask God to help manage your emotions, thoughts, and words so that He can polish you to show kindness.

Really listen to the words in the sound, Humble and Kind by Tim Mcgraw. 

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Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Today we celebrate our independence. On July 4, 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. The document written by Thomas Jefferson went through an editing process. There were 86 changes made to the original draft. We started celebrating this day annually after the first public reading where bells were rung and music was played.

We get to live out our edited lives, blessed that through God’s Grace we can keep writing our story. Visit our Steps to Peace to experience grace and freedom through Christ Jesus.

Also, thank you to our men and women who have served and continue to serve our country so that we can live in freedom.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the freedom You give us through Your grace. Thank You for our independence and for the men and women who serve to keep our freedom. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

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Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73‬:‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

We all have a purpose here on Earth. Over the years that purpose will change and evolve. As we navigate through life, we often learn to be dependent on God through our failures. Let’s face it, we’re human. The Psalmist tells us that even though our flesh and heart may fail, we can still be dependent on God. This is an eternal promise, no matter our shortcomings. Through it all, God is greater. Jon Gordon wrote, “your  trust is greater than your doubt. Your faith is greater than your fear and your purpose is greater than your challenges.”

On this Independence week, it is OK to be dependent on God. We were created to be in a relationship with Him. On this Fruit Friday, what purpose is God calling you toward today? We read in ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭11‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬ — Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

You don’t have to watch this life go by. You can move forward in faith, knowing that God can conquer all fears, through His dependable strength. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for creating me to be in a relationship with You. Help me to keep You and my purpose in focus and not my failures and fears. I will choose to be victorious today with Your strength. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

In 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed. Many seasons have come and gone since then. In today’s key verse from Ecclesiastes, we see there is a time for war and a time for peace. We must also honor and remember those that have fought and continue to fight for that peace and our freedom. 

Every summer season we celebrate the joys that the July 4th holiday brings. Let’s choose to focus on those blessings. To name a few: peace, freedom, family, friends, food, and fellowship. Whether blessings are big or small, they should be celebrated. As we read in Ephesians 1:3 NIV — Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Even when we can’t physically see a blessing, God is blessing us.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the many blessings You have provided as we celebrate our independence. Help us to keep the faith even when we can’t see a blessing. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

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Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

Do you consider yourself a trailblazer for Christ Jesus? When I hear that term, I think of trekking through the mountains. In Matthew 3:3, John the Baptist was a trailblazer. He was preparing the way for Jesus. We have talked a lot about words, verses, and mantras for the year. Have you selected a word, verse, or mantra for 2026? Whether you have selected one or not, I want us to meditate on 1 John 2:6 NIV — Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

Jesus was the ultimate trailblazer. His life models who we should be today. When selecting a word, verse, or mantra, it should help us to grow in our faith and to live as Jesus did. As we celebrate Independence week, think about all Jesus accomplished during His Earthly ministry. Take a moment to celebrate all the trailblazers that have gone on before us so that we can have independence. 

The mantra I leave with you today is, “Be the Change.” Now let’s go trailblaze for Christ Jesus.

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Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – l am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

John Locke first said individuals have certain fundamental rights, such as life, liberty and property. It was Thomas Jefferson who changed it to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness when writing the Declaration of Independence.

There is a book and movie called: The Pursuit of Happiness. Both are based on the true story of Chris Gardner’s life. He was a homeless father who became a successful Wall Street Broker. In reading today’s verse our pursuit of happiness should be found in contentment. We already know that if we look at our circumstances for happiness our joy won’t always be sustained. We can honor God with contentment. On this 4th of July week, I encourage us to pursue happiness through contentment as we celebrate our freedom to worship. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Thomas Jefferson and our Declaration of Independence. Thank You for my Independence to worship You. Thank You for showing me contentment in all my circumstances. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

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