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.

@biblegateway @youversion

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.

@biblegateway @youversion

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.

@biblegateway @youversion

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.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

Take time today to meditate on this week’s scripture verses.

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.

‭‭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.’”

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

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

‭‭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.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

Join us this week as we share our independence. The best kind of freedom, Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin. 

One of my Dad’s favorites, God Bless The U.S.A. by Lee Greenwood.

As we go about our day, let’s rejoice because this is the day the Lord has made. We have the freedom to ring bells and play music for God everyday.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Proverbs 22:6 NIV — Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6 MSG — Point your kids in the right direction — when they’re old they won’t be lost.

This week’s blog theme has been about fishing for people who do not know Christ. Today I share with you a picture of one of my fishing focuses — my 3 year old granddaughter, Ellie. God has laid on my heart an urgency to introduce Ellie to worship and to begin to lay the foundation for a relationship with Jesus. Of course with a 3-year old, the first goal is to teach her to be quiet and not disruptive in a worship service. Therefore, we bring with us a bag of tricks which includes quiet toys, things to color or draw on, picture books, and even a small container with pretzels or goldfish for snacking. Today’s picture was taken this past week as she participated in Vacation Bible School at our church. I pray the memories she is making at church are planting seeds for eternity. As I fish for Christ, I know I must have patience and perseverance, and surrender my fish for God to make His impact.

Who is your fishing focus? Are you able to surrender your fishing time with them?

@biblegateway @youversion