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

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Psalm 32:8 NIV — I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. 

This week we are exploring the topic of inspiration and remembering times we have been inspired. School has recently begun for our area which has me remembering teachers who have inspired me over the years. I specifically remembered being in second grade and loving my teacher. She was kind, nurturing, and inspiring. It was in her class that I was first inspired to become a teacher. Another teacher who I gained inspiration from was my composition teacher my senior year in high school. Her firmness and insistence on quality work pushed me to do my best and she is the reason I am a writer today. 

Do you have a teacher or teachers who inspired you? I encourage you to take a chance and try to reach out and thank those teachers if possible. If not, perhaps you can thank a teacher you know now for his/her hard work, dedication, and inspiration.

Let’s pray. Thank You Lord for teachers who love, nurture, and inspire. Bless them as they do Your work. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV —  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

This week we are exploring the topic of inspiration and remembering times we have been inspired. Inspire means to spur on, affect, or influence. Spend some time today thinking about ways you have been inspired over the years. Take a walk down memory lane and reminisce about inspiration you have experienced. Inspiration often comes when we least expect it and sometimes from unlikely sources such as people, music, scripture, songs, or nature. Who or what has inspired you? Who have you inspired? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, remind me and make me aware of times I have been inspired and those I may have inspired over the years. Help me to be mindful of my words and actions today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Deborah Ard.

Spend some time reading and mediating over this week’s featured scriptures. 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV —  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Psalm 32:8 NIV — I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. 

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

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.

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. 

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

On Sunday I encouraged you to take a moment to worship with the Goodness of God by CeCe Winans. I pray as we have gone through the week, you can look back and see that God is good through every season. In today’s key verse we know that God can do immeasurably more. Take some time today to write down God’s goodness and how He has done immeasurably more than you could have ever asked or imagined.

The lyrics sing, “Cause all my life You have been faithful, oh yes You have. And all my life You have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able. Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.”

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your goodness that is immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine. As I continue through this current season, guide my thoughts and direct my steps. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversiom

Today’s thoughts are by Julie Wicker

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭20‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

In this season of your life, will you stay curious after God’s perfect will? As Walt Disney said: “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

Although it is good to plan, make goals, and dream about the future, it is also important to live in the moment. Recently on social media, I saw a post about living in “one-day” times. This could look like, “one day when my kids are out of diapers” or “one day when I pay off my mortgage.” The problem is one day gets here and we have already moved on to another one day thought like, “one day when I retire.” 

On this Fruit Friday, I encourage us to re-center our thoughts on Christ and find our one-day moments today. The gifts God has for us includes plans to prosper and hope for the future. They also include the blessing of living in today’s “present” moment. Let me remind you of my mantra for 2022: Live For Today! 

As the sun rises and sets on yet another day, let’s make sure to count the present blessings! I encourage you to watch and listen to the song Wonderful Life by Matthew West. It will put things in perspective. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for keeping me curious. I desire to live for today. Guide me toward Your perfect will. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion