Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

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 love visiting South Pawleys Island beach and creek in South Carolina. On occasion, you will see starfish in the water, which are amazing creatures. For instance, they can regenerate their own arms when one is broken. They can only live in saltwater. What impresses me the most is that their vascular system is water, which gives a new meaning to living water. We can learn a lot from them as they are very peaceful creatures.

With God’s living water, we are transformed by His love. We are daily regenerated and renewed by His grace. As you slow down for summer, remember the simplicity of the starfish and God’s living water. How will you stay connected so that you may be refreshed through your relationship with your Heavenly Father?

Join me in prayer! Heavenly Father, thank You for Your living water that flows through me. May Your blessings, love, and grace flow through me so I can shine Your glory for others to see. In the name of Jesus Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

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

Have you ever seen or heard of an American Beautyberry plant? I’ve been blessed to see this plant while walking the Botanical Gardens in Clemson, SC. God never ceases to amaze me with all His creation. Through him, all things were made!!! I am so intrigued by God and His beauty.

On this Thankful Thursday, I encourage you to see God’s beauty and be thankful for all things. Just like this plant’s beauty caught my eye, we should slow down and see God’s beauty anew every day. Take a quick inventory of your surroundings. What catches your eye? What amazes you? Let’s flood the heavens with our praises!! 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your beautiful creation. Help me to slow down so that I don’t take my surroundings for granted. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

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.

Psalm 46:10 NIV — He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 

Psalm 46:10 MSG — “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” 

This week we have explored and examined our need to slow down, rest, and rejuvenate. I also encourage you to slow down and think about your words and conversations with others. Today I encourage you to not only slow down but to be still. The Message version of today’s featured scripture tells us to “Step out of the traffic!” In other words, slow down and be still. Surrender your schedule to God today. Allow Him to guide and direct your stillness. In the pause, listen for His voice. It’s in the times of quiet and stillness that we hear God’s voice the loudest.

Listen to this oldie but goodie song by Steve Curtis Chapman titled Be Still and Know.

@biblegateway @youversion