Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭Acts‬ ‭16‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.

Paul and Silas had been imprisoned for healing a demon possessed fortune teller. After being publicly punished and thrown in prison, Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God. When facing opposition, do you sing like Paul and Silas, tearing down the prison walls? 

Once the earthquake broke the prison and the prisoner chains, Paul and Silas each chose to stay and be a witness. Because of their obedience, the jailer and his entire family became believers of Christ Jesus. Do you have a faith like Paul and Silas? 

When Paul and Silas had the chance to leave quietly and go in peace, they stood up for what was right. Do you stand up for Christ? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for breaking my chains when I became a believer. Thank You for giving me the freedom to worship You. May I have a faith like Paul and Silas by singing Your praises and being a witness. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

You can read the full story in Acts 16:16-40 @biblegateway 

@youversion @brandonlake

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

May we all strive to have a faith like Paul who wrote 13 books of the Bible. You can learn more through an article on Bible Study Tools by Pamela Palmer. Today I encourage you to meditate on Paul’s words regarding our faith.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — For we live by faith, not by sight.

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬ ‭TPT‬‬ — In the same way you received Jesus our Lord and Messiah by faith, continue your journey of faith, progressing further into your union with him!

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭TPT‬ — Then you will be God’s servant, fully mature and perfectly prepared to fulfill any assignment God gives you.

‭‭Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ ‭TPT‬‬ — Lead the male elders into disciplined lives full of dignity and self-control. Urge them to have a solid faith, generous love, and patient endurance.

‭‭Philemon‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭TPT‬‬ — I pray for you that the faith we share may effectively deepen your understanding of every good thing that belongs to you in Christ.

@biblegateway @youversion @brandonlake

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might.

Let’s worship together with That’s Who I Praise by Brandon Lake. This week we will be diving into the meaning behind this amazing song. Today we will start with dancing like David. I encourage you to take today to worship, dance for Jesus and meditate on God’s word.

You can Read the full story in 2 Samuel 6:1-23 NIV @biblegateway

@youversion @brandonlake

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV — Pray continually.

Prayer is the strongest form of abiding.

A retired teacher was giving her little nephew some help with his school work. He was normally a good, attentive child, but on this occasion he could not fix his mind on his work. Suddenly he said, “Aunt Sally, may I kneel down and ask God to help me find my marble?” She told him to go ahead, the little boy knelt by his chair, closed his eyes, and prayed silently. Then he got up and went on with his lessons contentedly.

The next day, his aunt was almost afraid to ask about the prayer request. She was a little worried that if he did not find the marble that his simple faith would be damaged. She finally decided to ask anyway and said to him, “Well, dear, have you found your marble?” “No,” was the reply, “but God has made me not want to.”

When we abide in Christ, especially in prayer, I believe that we develop and grow into a healthy branch that conforms to God’s image. He changes our hearts desires and helps us to trust in His actions in our lives.

From Thomas Bowen’s Sermon “Blank Checks”

The little boy in the story prayed and then surrendered His will. The more you and I learn to abide with Christ, the more we will be surrendered to His will and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. How will you abide with God today? What will you surrender?

Let’s pray. Dear Lord, help me to surrender to Your will and abide in Your presence. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Psalm 19:14 NIV — May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

This week we have explored what it means to abide with God. How has your thinking changed? My relationship with Christ and my view on abiding with Him may be different each day, depending on what my day holds. However, the one constant is that abiding with God requires me to walk closely with Him so as to be in tune with Him. What does the fruit of abiding look like, feel like, and sound like in your life? 

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, as I draw close to You and abide in Your presence, may I be covered in Your dust and as a result produce Your fruit. May the words I speak and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Read the various versions of today’s scripture.

Psalm 91 KJV

Psalms 91 NIV

Psalm 91 MSG

I want to be in constant conversation with Christ so I am covered in dust. Yes, you read that correctly. I realize that sounds strange so let me explain. In Mark Batterson’s book Draw the Circle he states, “The complete devotion of discipleship is sometimes described as being ‘covered in the dust of your rabbi.’ It was an allusion to the fact that disciples followed their rabbi so closely that the dust of the rabbi kicked up with his heels would literally cover the disciples who followed him.” What a beautiful reason to be dusty. I want to be that close to Christ! That is the epitome of the word abide.

We have talked about the word abide all week. In the various versions of today’s featured scripture, abide, rest, and spend the night are all used to illustrate dwelling in the shelter of God. When I think of abiding with Christ I think of lingering as I study His word. I think of talking with Him throughout my day. I think of resting in His presence. What does abiding in Christ mean to you? How have your thoughts about abiding in Christ changed or deepened this week? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your almighty presence and for the ability to abide in You. Please continue to shape my understanding of abiding in You and may I continue to seek new ways to rest in Your presence. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Read John 15:1-17 NIV.

One way to abide with Christ is to be in prayer throughout your day. Many times we are intimidated by the thought of prayer because we think our prayers should be filled with big, fancy words. Simply put, prayer is talking with God. God wants us to talk with Him like we talk with one another. Talk with Him about your day. Talk with Him about the things that excite you. Talk with Him about the situations that concern you. Ask Him for help. Ask Him for direction. Thank Him for His presence. We can be in conversation with God by praying all through our day. It only takes a moment to call out the name of Jesus for help, comfort or peace. His Holy Spirit is always with us to guide and direct us. God wants us to be intentional about praying and talking with Him throughout our day. He wants us to walk closely with Him.

Yesterday and today our featured scripture was John 15:1-7. We read the King James Version and the New International Version. The words “abide” and “remain” were interchangeable. Today, ponder ways you can remain in and with Christ.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the simple ways I can abide with You. As I go throughout my day, remind me how easy it is to abide in You by talking through prayer. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion