Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬ NIV — Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Often our weariness comes from overcommitment. Our “get to” turns to “have to” because we haven’t set proper boundaries and we leave the door open for animosity to creep in. Whether we are serving in our homes, churches, workplaces or communities we must prayerfully look at each task as an opportunity. Steven Furtick has said, “Sometimes the interruption is the assignment.” 

Another God Wink on this week’s theme was when my daughter shared with me an excerpt from the 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think by Brianna West, on you don’t “have to’” you “get to.” “This is one of the simplest changes in perception, and yet also something truly fulfilled people master: the knowing that everything is an opportunity to experience. You don’t have to go to work; you get to go to work. You don’t have to wake up early; you get to wake up early. When you start considering things not as obligations but as opportunities, you start taking advantage of them rather than trying to avoid them.”

Ask God to hold onto you in your times of weariness. Sunday I encouraged you to worship with, Hold On To Me by Lauren Daigle. Some of the lyrics sing, “When the best of me is barely breathin’. When I’m not somebody I believe in. Hold on to me. When I miss the light the night has stolen. When I’m slammin’ all the doors You’ve opened. Hold on to me.” 

Let’s pray. Dear God, give me strength to do Your will. Guide me in setting boundaries. Give me a heart of submission to Your purpose so that I don’t get weary focusing on the tasks outside of Your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

@biblegateway @youversion @jongordon11

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭MSG‬‬ — Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

Another God Wink on this week’s theme on “get to” rather than “have to” was when Deborah shared with me a second quote by Jon Gordon: “Let Go. Focus on the things that you have the power to change, and let go of the things that are beyond your control. You’ll be amazed that when you stop trying to control everything, it all somehow works out. Surrender is the answer.”

I had just waited an hour in the dermatology office with my daughter while my mom waited for us in the car. My car battery drained as a result of me leaving my keys resting in the ignition for my mom’s convenience. Thank goodness AAA was able to come to my rescue in a timely manner. As a result of these two events, I had to surrender my plans of making dinner. Eating fast food seemed like the best option since we had other stops to make on the way home. If we keep our minds on things that are true, our mindset shifts. That day, I got to take my daughter to the doctor. I got to sit and eat a corndog with my family at Sonic. Today’s quote was a good reminder to surrender my plans. In the end, God worked it all out. We read in ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for times when I can surrender my plans to You. Thank You for opportunities to support my family by taking them to the doctor. Help me to stay in the “get to” mindset. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion @jongordon11

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

I encourage you to worship with the following songs:

Hold Onto Me by Lauren Daigle

“When the best of me is barely breathin’. When I’m not somebody I believe in. Hold on to me. When I miss the light the night has stolen. When I’m slammin’ all the doors You’ve opened. Hold on to me.”

Child Of God by Crowder

“Clap them hands, stomp them feet. Devil ain’t got no hold on me. Dance all day, dance all night. Good God, I’m on fire. I may be flesh and bone. But in my haunted soul. I got the Holy Ghost. I know where I came from. Can’t keep me from my home. I am a child of God.”

Strong by Anne Wilson

“I hit my knees with my hands held high saying, “Dear Lord, Jesus, you know I can’t do this on my own. Lord knows I’ve tried, but I’m good at falling down. Thank God you’re good at picking me up off the ground. The world’s gonna try to break me but I know the one who makes me strong.”

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV — All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

This week we have explored the topic of inspiration and remembered times we have been inspired. Today I encourage you to think of times you have been inspired by a sermon or by scripture. Have you ever read a scripture you have read dozens of times before, but this particular time the scripture inspires you in a different way? God’s Holy word, the Bible, is a vessel in which God speaks, brings Jesus alive in new ways, and causes the Holy Spirit to move within us in new and exciting ways, if we are open to receive His inspiration. When we hear or read scripture, we must listen and see with a surrendered spirit, ready for God’s individual message for each of us. God’s message for me may be different from His message for you. Let’s be ready to receive holy inspiration with a surrendered heart.

Let’s pray. Dear God, help me to have a surrendered heart, ready to receive Your holy inspiration through scripture. May I have open eyes, ears, mind and heart. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV — And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

This week we are exploring the topic of inspiration and remembering times we have been inspired. Today’s featured scripture encourages us to “spur one another toward love and good deeds”. Who are your friends who spur you on and encourage you to be more like Christ? I am blessed with friends from various aspects of life. I have friends from college, church, work, and those I met while raising my children. I am inspired to be a better coworker, be a better listener, be a better wife, be a better mother, and to react and respond as Christ. I pray that the inspiration of my friends has also allowed me to bear more fruit for Christ.

Each of my friends inspire me in different ways. Who are the friends who have inspired you? How have your friends’ influence helped you bear more fruit for Christ?

Let’s pray. Dear Lord, thank You for friends who inspire me. May I use their inspiration to bear more fruit for You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Philippians 4:13 NIV — I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 

This week we are exploring the topic of inspiration and remembering times we have been inspired. Often we are inspired by our parents. My mom has always been an inspiration to me. From childhood until now, she has always encouraged and supported me. Whenever I was discouraged or pessimistic about situations she would recite today’s featured scripture to spur me on. Mom has always modeled perseverance and has always put others above herself. As an adult, I had the privilege of watching mom model servitude as she cared for her brother and mother as their health declined. 

Were you blessed with an inspiring parent? If not, was there a parent figure in your life who inspired you? Take time today to thank the parent figures in your life who have inspired you through the years.

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for parents who have inspired me over the years. Guide and direct my words and actions so I may inspire others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion