Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth.

This week we are sharing more on the life of King David from the Bible. In today’s key verse David recounts the promises that God has made. I think of the humble life that David lived before and after he became king. God called an unlikely king and David humbly fulfilled his calling. Have you humbly accepted God’s call for your life and all the promises He offers you daily?

On Thankful Thursday let’s go back to our humble beginnings and write our gratitudes as we reflect on God’s promises. 

Thank You Lord, for Your many promises!

Salvation, John 3:16

Peace, Philippians 4:6-7

Hope, Romans 8:28

Provision, Philippians 4:19

Good Works, Philippians 1:9

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Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭6‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.

This week we are sharing more on the life of King David from the Bible. In today’s key verse King David dances before the Lord in worship. Last week Deborah challenged us to examine our relationships and the way we are reflecting Christ to others. 

Notice Saul’s daughter, Michal, despised David when she saw him leaping and dancing before the Lord. Often we have to dance like no one is watching. When we outwardly worship, we have to let go of what others might think or say. This tends to be harder with those we are closest to. On this Water Walking Wednesday, I encourage you to dance for the Lord like no one is watching. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for gifting us with the act of worship. Help me throw off what hinders me, and give myself completely to You through worship. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker.

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬, ‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan, I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.

This week we are sharing more on the life of King David from the Bible. In today’s key verse David laments over King Saul and Saul’s son Jonathan’s death. After Saul discovered David had been anointed King, he had been in search of him. David had been running and hiding from Saul, yet David still revered him as King at the time of his death. 

David continues to show his trust in God’s plan as he fights to win over Saul’s followers. In grief, it is hard to see and hear God’s plan. There are many things in life that we grieve other than death, such as broken relationships or failed plans. What area in your life do you need to trust God in His plan? What steps will you take to move forward?

Let’s pray. Dear Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness to me as I walk out Your plan for my life. I desire to have trust like David. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker.

This week we will share more on the life of King David from the Bible. Take time today to meditate on this week’s scripture verses.

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬, ‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan, I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭6‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Now then, tell my servant David, This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth.”

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭18‬, ‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭16‬:‭5‬-‭6‬, ‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.

Bonus: As you meditate on God’s word, take time to write your gratitudes. Below are two videos to help you get started.

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Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker.

This week we will share more on the life of King David from the Bible. Take time today to worship with Psalm 16 (Fullness of Joy) by Shane and Shane.

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Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27‬:‭41‬-‭42‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.”

This week we are sharing Holy Week. Today is Holy Saturday, Easter Eve. As we wait in quiet reflection and anticipation, let’s look at the story with a wider lens. Jesus could have easily come down from the cross to prove it all. In today’s key verse, He was mocked to save Himself, yet Jesus remained on the cross so that we might truly believe: the prophecies and foreshadowing had to be fulfilled. 

Once we have asked Jesus to live in our hearts and forgive us of our sins, it is our job to declare and share that Jesus is Lord. We read in Romans 10:9 NIV — If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

We are children of God, chosen, loved, blessed, adopted, forgiven, redeemed, strong, and accepted. How often do we sacrifice our titles because of indiscipline, pride, and hate? We let our sins come down from the cross instead of keeping them nailed. On this Surrender Saturday, we must be reminded to daily nail our sins to the cross. In doing so we can find our Easter hallelujah.

Let’s pray. Dear Lord, thank You for remaining on the cross so that my sins could be forgiven and so that I can daily remain in You! In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

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Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

Matthew‬ ‭27‬:‭54‬ ‭NIV — When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”‬

This week we are sharing Holy Week. Why is today called Good Friday? Today shows the greatest love you and I will ever know. Jesus’ death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. We have the joy knowing in three days the stone will roll away and the grave will let Him go. Thanks to Jesus washing our sins clean, we are blessed to walk in God’s favor as His children. 

Are you mourning the loss of Jesus? Do you feel the anticipation and excitement of Sunday? This day tends to be an emotional day for many. Do you have stones in your life that need to be rolled away? Don’t know where to start? We can start rolling stones by practicing gratitude. One way of practicing gratitude is keeping a daily gratitude journal and daily writing five things for which you are grateful. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for sending Your son to die on the cross for my sins. Thank You for rolling away the stone and emptying the grave. Help me to roll away the stones in my life so that I can remain close to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

You can read about Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection in Matthew 27: 45-66; 28: 1-10 NIV.

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