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.

This past week I watched the 2006 movie The Pursuit of Happiness based on the true story and book on Chris Gardner’s life. He was a homeless father who became a successful Wall Street Broker. In reading today’s verse our pursuit to 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. We can also honor Him by relying on Him for strength through all of life’s circumstances. On this 4th of July, 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. I rely on Your strength to do all things. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV – Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Do you sweat the small stuff? I recently heard a New Balance commercial that advertised not to sweat the small stuff. When you’re a Type A personality like me, this is hard to do. I am an overthinker and an over-planner. Just thinking about the coming days and weeks ahead, I start to sweat. 

We can also honor God with our work. For today I will try to let go of one task at a time. I will commit all my work to the Lord. Even the sweaty small stuff. I will be transparent in telling you that I recently had a meltdown because things didn’t go as originally planned. Although it was out of my control, weariness and stress took over. Holy cow, what just happened filled my mind. I lost sight of committing my work to God. I am sure God could see it coming. Thankfully God also rallied my troops and I had an outpouring of support, love and grace. 

I recently had a very wise friend and coworker ask me if I tried my best. When I answered with a yes, she said that is all you can do. What does our best look like? It starts with prayer, a good mindset and positive thinking. Will you join me today in committing your work to God?

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for my troops that support me. Help me to surrender one task at a time. I commit my work to You and ask that Your ultimate plans prevail. Here I am Lord, use me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Deuteronomy‬ ‭6‬:‭13‬ ‭Good News Translation – Honor the Lord your God, worship only Him, and make your promises in His name alone.

What better way to honor God with our time than through movement and worship. According to the dictionary, a salutation is a gesture or utterance made as a greeting or acknowledgement to another’s arrival or departure. We already know that in 1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ our bodies were bought at a price, therefore let’s honor God with our time through movement of our bodies.

I have included a series of movements called a Sun Salutation. You can see the different yoga poses and I have included a photo below. Notice it starts and ends with a prayer pose. If you can’t get on the ground, I suggest sitting in a chair and meditating through the prayer pose, upward solute, forward bend, and repeat. As you move, worship with ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭86‬:‭12‬ ‭English Standard Version – I give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify Your name forever. Like an Oak tree, we can stand or sit tall and find strength in God.

• Prayer Pose
• Upward Solute
• Standing Forward Bend
• Low Lunge
• Plank
• Knees-Chest-Chin
• Cobra
• Downward Facing Dog
• Low Lunge
• Standing Forward Bend
• Upward Solute
• Prayer Pose

Let’s pray. Dear God, I desire to honor You today with my time. I desire to greet You through movement. I worship You and give thanks with my whole heart. I glorify Your name. I lift those up to You in prayer that do not have the capability to move through their bodies. May we all experience Joy by honoring God with our time. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ —- Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
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Watch today’s See You Saturday video as we wind up our week together and we wish you a happy Fourth of July.

Psalms 127:3 NIV — Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.

As our VBS ended last week, the leader declared that all the volunteers had been planting seeds all week. What a beautiful reminder. The pulse of VBS is determined by the volunteers who so freely give to the children who participate. We are all called to plant and fertilize seeds. VBS is an opportunity to be a farmer for Christ. Take a moment to read Matthew 13:1-9 NIV.

Do you volunteer your time, talents, or money to help with Vacation Bible School?  What other ways are you farming for Christ and planting seeds? Is this an area you need to cultivate and grow? Ask God to guide you and yield to His direction. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank you for VBS volunteers who so freely plant seeds. Guide me as I strive to be a farmer for Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Jesus said in Matthew 19:14 NIV — Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

This week as I reminisce about Vacation Bible School, I recall snack time. When I was a kid I recall having cookies and Kool-Aid for refreshments. In 2023 the food usually consists of a full meal. No matter what food is served, God has always extended blessings through food.

Take a few moments to read Exodus 16:1-36 NKJV. 

This was one of our Bible stories last week at VBS. As I heard the story I was reminded of God’s endless provision. Often, we are like the Israelites. We need God’s help; He provides; and we grumble about the way He answers our prayers. Today I encourage you to reflect on all the ways God is providing for you. Whether His blessings are cookies and Kool-Aid or a full meal, all of His provisions are manna raining down from heaven. Take time today to thank God for His endless blessings. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, forgive me for times I am ungrateful and grumble. Thank You for Your endless provisions. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Isaiah 54:13 NIV — All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.

Usually the volunteers in charge of Bible story time at Vacation Bible School are creative actors/actresses who relay the Bible story and convey a valuable lesson to the children. The wonderful words they use leave an imprint on the lives of those who hear them. Have you ever helped with Bible story time at Vacation Bible School? If not, have you had the opportunity to listen to the Bible story time? Spend some time recalling your experiences with Bible stories in VBS or even in Sunday School. How have those experiences impacted your faith journey? How did the lessons you learned at VBS shape you? Today I encourage you to ponder the ways your Christian walk is affected by Bible stories today? When you hear stories in your Sunday School class or in worship, is your faith spurred on? Do you listen as if you were a child and allow your life to be transformed and your faith to be renewed?

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for my memories of VBS Bible story time and the wonderful words shared with me. Open my ears, heart, and mind to the stories I hear today and may I continue to grow and renew my faith. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.