Month: December 2022

My Covenant with God

On By vickleaIn Scripture5 Comments

I really didn’t understand when I first became a Christian that I was making a commitment to honor and revere God forever. I recall excitement about spending eternity with Him and not fearing death, but I do not recall the fact that I had a part in this covenant relationship, too. I am committed to spending the rest of my life serving the One who served me by sacrificing His life for me. The best way for me to serve has been to ask God daily what He wants me to accomplish and then work on achieving it. I honor Him when I do my best at the tasks He has given me to do. I revere and fear Him when I show respect for His Name and His Word. He is the Only One worthy of all of my love, honor and respect. The covenant that we make with God when we are saved from our sins works two ways. We need to acknowledge that God desires a relationship with us and work on establishing daily communication with Him. It never shows respect to turn away from God while we pursue our own pleasures. In acknowledging that God is always with me, I am more likely to be careful what I see, do and say because I want to be pleasing to Him. He wants me to be comfortable in my choices and I can only do that if I am making choices that prioritize His importance in my life. Thus, I may choose not to review a book that is objectionable or watch a show that others are raving about. I don’t do these things to be noticed by people but so that God sees that I am honoring my covenant with Him to put Him first and not do anything that would dishonor Him. Have I fallen and disappointed Him? Yes, more times than I can count. But He is always faithful to pick me up, remind me of His sacrifice being enough to sustain me and encourage me to move on, forgiven by His grace and mercy that never end. I’m in a covenant with God, but it is not an equal one as we think of covenants on earth because not only did God establish this covenant with me, but He is constantly renewing it and showing me how much He still loves me in spite of my failures.

He has never stopped loving me and for that I am thankful.

May your day be blessed with the knowledge of just how much God loves you and sustains you each day.

Open My Eyes

On By vickleaIn Scripture3 Comments

Sometimes, I think that I am going through the world with a blindfold on. Other times, I’m sure of it! Then there are the times that I slow down, really look around and appreciate God’s creation. This morning during my devotional, God was speaking to me about becoming more aware of all of the wonders that can be found in His Word. Daily, I sit and read and study my Bible, meditate on verses and pray. But it has become a rote thing that I do, not always the joy it should be as God speaks to my heart through His Word. I don’t want it to be an automatic thing to get done, like brushing and flossing my teeth. I want my time with God’s Word to be spent with my eyes completely open and my heart ready to receive from Him. That is my prayer for me today and for all of my dear followers and readers who are seeking a closer walk with Him.

The wonderful things are already in God’s Word. I just have to be ready to receive them. I realized that my receiver is on but my antenna is not fully extended so I’m not getting the signal properly all of the time. Today is a new day to extend my antenna and just wait for God to speak wonderful things to me from the guidebook that He left me (and you).

May your day be blessed with open eyes and a receiving heart!

Help Me to Do My Part

On By vickleaIn Scripture7 Comments

I often despair when I hear or read the headlines of daily events in our world. It is so apparent that darkness is winning. But, taken from the perspective of God’s Word, what is happening is only for a season. We who are believers in Jesus Christ know that His ultimate triumph is assured, and good does overcome evil. In the meantime, while we wait for His deliverance, it is a good thing to ask God daily to show us what part we can play in overcoming evil with good. No matter how small, we can make a difference!

God will guide us to do the work that He has purposed for each of us, if we are open vessels for Him. We all live in darkness these days, but God has placed us as lights in the darkness so that we can guide others onto the path of peace. Jesus is our example, a rising sun that we can reflect to others.

It’s honestly beyond comprehension that Jesus can be the light of all mankind and that He uses each of us to shine the light that began with Him. So, yes, there is definitely darkness in the world, with evil being called good by evil, manipulative people. But, we win in the end…we just have to persevere and keep asking God to help each of us do our part.

May your day be blessed with a multitude of reminders of how you can help God’s final purpose, fulfilling your destiny and God’s plan for your life.

Overcomer

On By vickleaIn Scripture, Song2 Comments

I am an overcomer, and so are you if you are a Christian. Following in the path that the Lord has prepared for us, we cannot always expect the way to be easy. But we can know without a doubt that Jesus goes before us. Since He overcame all that life on earth and Satan threw at Him, we can, too. It takes faith, perseverance and steadfastness, but we can do it!

Overcomer-Mandisa

Have a blessed and glorious day in the Lord!

Great Joy

On By vickleaIn ScriptureLeave a comment

I’m especially happy today because I’m going home for a couple of weeks! Even if that were not the case, it is the season for joy. Because Jesus came, we can have joy in our hearts regardless of circumstances.

Happy Third Sunday of Advent and remember that Jesus is the ONLY REASON FOR THE SEASON!

A Prayer

On By vickleaIn prayer, Scripture1 Comment

The Scriptures are filled with prayers for each of us. Most of us think of The Lord’s Prayer when we say that the Bible has prayer in it. I read the Bible daily and often find prayers that help me in my daily walk with Him.

This is a prayer to say daily because we should always want to stand right before the Lord. It’s hard to lead others to eternal life if we are faltering in our own walk with Him. God knows that we suffer from anxiety, and He also knows that He is able to keep us through whatever it is causing the anxious thoughts. We should strive not to be offensive, to God or to people so that the testimony we give to others stands out as truth and something others will desire.

Have a blessed day as you begin each day with prayer and a clear conscience before the Lord.

Unwrap the Gifts

On By vickleaIn ScriptureLeave a comment

Not many of us can leave unwrapped presents lying around from one year to the next. Like children, we are eager to open the gifts spread under the tree and to find out what great surprise someone has given us. Yet, year after year, God offers us gifts and we leave them unwrapped, as if they are still nicely arranged under the tree of our lives.

Peace is a gift that keeps on giving, if we will just open it. It’s always there when we need it, but we have to make the choice to unwrap it and take advantage of the peace that comes from God. We don’t have to understand it to accept it. There are many gifts from God, but I think peace is the one that I unwrap the most. My life gets cluttered with chaos and unplanned activities that overwhelm me. So, I unwrap the gift of peace, sitting quietly in His presence and letting Him fill me with the peace that can only come from Him. Then, and only then, can I face each new day with a calm spirit, confident that God will be with me through the journey, no matter where it takes me.

May your day be blessed with peace as you unwrap the gift from the Lord and appreciate His presence in your life.

A Prayer for You

On By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

As we get closer to the holiday season, busyness seems to encompass our days. Let’s not forget to pray for one another and to ask for God’s blessing on our family, friends and other dear ones.

Have a blessed and glorious day in the Lord and may you prosper as your soul prospers!

Children of the Light

On By vickleaIn Scripture1 Comment

Although there may be darkness all around us, we are not a part of it. Darkness does not penetrate light, but rather, light penetrates the darkness and causes it to shrink or to disappear altogether. I am determined to remember that I am part of the light of Jesus and I will not let the darkness overwhelm me.

Have a blessed day and be the light that a dark world needs!