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

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

I’m at a point in my life where I love to cook for my family. For me, it is a love language through acts of service. As my children are now older and lead busy lives, I place great importance on home-cooked meals. Providing a safe place of security. My prayer is that my children will always cherish these memories and that they will always desire to return home. For Love never fails! 

I encourage us as we end this Mother’s Day week, to surrender our schedules and cherish our meals spent with those we love.

Let’s pray. Dear Lord, encourage us to enjoy the day-to-day tasks. Help us to live unrushed lives. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Bonus: What is the #1 meal request or staple when your children come home? We would love to hear from you. I have featured Granny’s famous hamburger balls. Make sure to check out our At The Table recipe page.

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

There are different types of love. Today I will highlight Phila Love which is considered friendship love. The words in the above photo that describe this love are fondness, organic, and affection. There is a quote that I love by Jess C. Scott, “Friends are the family you choose.” I truly believe that God organically puts all the right people in our lives just when we need them.

Paul writes in the verses above that as God’s chosen people we are to clothe ourselves in certain virtues. When I think of friendship, these same virtues come to mind: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love. I am so thankful to have a circle of Godly friends wholove me and are patient with me. Have you ever thought of Jesus as being your best friend? Just like our earthly friends fill our cup, Jesus fills it so that it runs over. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for putting friends in my life who help me to grow Godly fruit. My cup runneth over. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah’s daughter, Briley Ard

When I think about friendship, one of the most important aspects in a friendship that I think of is feeling safe with one another. A song that I always think about as a good example of this is “What a Friend” by Matt Maher. This song is about how Jesus is our friend, and it tells of some of the aspects we get to have through this incredible friendship. The verses talk about how everyone has trials, temptations, heart breaks, isolation, fears, worries, sorrow, and devastation but no matter what it is we can always lay our burdens down to Jesus. In the chorus it talks about how our sins are gone and replaced with grace and how His heart is our home forever. In the bridge it talks about how there is no longer any betrayal because Jesus is faithful. Not only does this song remind us of how great our friendship with Jesus is, but it is also a reminder and example of how we should be with our relationships with others. It reminds us to be open, good listeners, and forgiving to our own friends because He always is with us. What a friend we have in Jesus.

@biblegateway @youversion