Author: vicklea

I love to read! I’m a retired teacher with a spouse of 45 years, three amazing children and nine wonderful grandchildren. I am blessed!

Praying for those Who Hurt Us

On By vickleaIn Scripture1 Comment

Pray for Who? (Daily Refresh, 6-30-26)

All throughout Jesus’ ministry, He constantly turned things upside down for those listening. The religious leaders at the time had grown distant from following the laws of God. Jesus’ teaching helped bring them back to the heart of the law, but He often did so through surprising ways.

Most of us probably think we do a great job at loving other people. But if we’re being honest, most of us probably spend our time loving those who also love us back. It’s a lot easier to love the people who we’re friends with. When there’s trust built over time and common ground, it’s easy to love.

Jesus says that loving those who love you is not enough. In Luke 6:28, He challenges us even further. He says we’re to bless those who speak negatively about us, and we are to pray for those who mistreat us.

If you’ve ever been mistreated by someone, or had someone speak negatively about you, then you know how hard it can be to love that person. It is hard to love unloving people. And yet, Jesus did exactly that. When we were at our worst, He still loved us.

If you find it hard to bless those who mistreat you, begin with prayer. Between you and God in prayer, ask Him to help soften your heart. Ask Him for justice in a specific situation, but also for there to be restoration.

Every person who exists is a person Jesus wants to love. And when we make steps to love those who are unloving, we’re showing the love of Jesus to someone who needs it. As we take steps to pray for those who mistreat us, we become more like Jesus.

Take a few minutes right now to pray. Ask God to help you grow in love towards those around you. If there’s someone who has hurt you, ask God to begin healing your heart. Say a prayer for that person as well. Ask God to be with them, to help them, and to make a way for their heart to be softened as well. Thank Jesus that He loved us even when we were unloving.

My Thoughts

Many years ago when our oldest son was just a young boy, probably about ten or so, we had a habit of sharing prayers before we ate dinner together. One night, Scott asked to pray and his prayer stunned us. He asked God to “heap burning coals of fire on the heads of his enemies.” I think he also prayed for dinner, but there was stunned silence after his prayer for his enemies. I remember we ate and talked together about how we should pray for others, and his method wasn’t it. He showed us the verses in the Bible and we talked through it, telling him that it’s always better to let God handle the bullies in his life and let God decide what is best for them and for him.

Fast forward to today. How many times have I wanted to pray the same prayer my young son prayed? Too many to count! But God stopped me every time, reminded me of our conversation with Scott and whispered gently to me to see people the way He sees them, not the way I see them. Everyone, even those who seem totally undeserving, are created by God to have a relationship with Him. And if I just discard them, I am disdaining part of God’s good creation.

The point of the prayer is to eventually bring restoration to a relationship. But a big part of praying for others is changing my heart, not the heart of the person for whom I am praying. Changing their heart is up to them and to God, but I am the only one who can adjust my attitude and ask God to help me to be His hands and voice to the unlovable.

The Peace of God

On By vickleaIn Scripture3 Comments

The Peace of God for Anxious Hearts (YouVersion, Daily Refresh, June 29, 2026)

There is a lot of anxiety and worry in the world around us. Many people are worried about the quality of their future, the security of their investments, or the threat of sickness or war.

Anxiety and worry aren’t just things that happens around us, but something that can also happen within us. A lot of people struggle with anxiety over their future, their family, their finances, their career, or their personal health.

Scripture tells us that while there are some things that are within our control, most things in life are outside of our control. So more often than not, we spend time worrying about things we have no control over.

Scripture tells us that trust in God should fill the gap between reality and what we desire. We should not be anxious about the things we cannot control, but rather we should submit everything to God in prayer. He alone has control over the unknown.

That is why the writer of Psalm 4 says that he will lay down at night in peace, free from anxiety and worry. Even though the writer is surrounded by danger, he places his trust in God. That leads him to sleep peacefully in safely.

The quality of our sleep is often a symptom of our trust in God. If we are anxious and restless at night, it could mean that there are things we’re not trusting God with.

Spend some time considering your own heart. Are you anxious or filled with worry? Meditate on God’s power and sovereignty. Ask Him to fill you with His peace and assurance that He is in control of your future. Continually remind yourself of the promises that God has given you in Scripture.

My Thoughts

This devotional spoke to me this morning, particularly since I got another medical report yesterday. Apparently, all of this coughing, lightheadedness and swelling of my feet and ankles is being caused by something called pericardial effusion. That means I have some fluid around the sac of my heart, perhaps caused by a previous infection or one still present. As you can imagine, when I first read the report, I was in a little bit of a tizzy. My lungs are already a mess, my kidney is okay but not great, my bones are giving up on holding me up and now my heart is in rebellion, too. But you know what God had to say? “Be still and rest.” So, I did. I went to bed and slept soundly all night. When God’s peace is present, nothing can disturb it because it in His presence that we find the trust we need to face the next battle.

I see my PCP on Wednesday and will talk to him about all the stuff going on with my body. But I have already and continue to talk to God about it. He made me and I am not leaving this earth until He calls me home. So, today, tomorrow, next month, next year or years from now, I will be ready because I am ready now. Meanwhile, I will rest in His loving arms and just know that He has command of my ship and He will never steer me wrong.

Fighting Battles

On By vickleaIn Scripture4 Comments

So far, 2026 seems to have been one long battle with my health. Shoulder, torn rotator cuff. Back, five herniated discs and a pinched nerve. And then asthma set in and I haven’t been able to shake the cough. I just had a CT Scan on my lungs this week. In all of this, I found myself getting discouraged, which if you know me, is not the usual me. I generally just give it to God and move on. From September when I broke my foot until now, I have just seemed to visit doctors’ offices for one issue or another. I know that it comes with aging, but it hasn’t been pleasant and I have found myself whining to God.

This morning, my dear Savior and Friend stopped me in the middle of my whine and reminded me of who He is and what He has already done for me. Well, that’s not quite accurate. He started by reminding me of one of my memory verses before I went to sleep last night.

With that verse on my mind as I drifted off to sleep, it was also on my mind when I woke up coughing and with my aching back again this morning. God told me that I have tried to “be still” but I haven’t really been still enough to hear His voice, His comfort and His wisdom.

So, how do I fight these battles? By being still and letting God lead and direct me. The pain is real, the coughing is a real pain, but every breath is a gift from God. That realization opens up my world to praise, not whining.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the word that God put on my heart for the year is “trust.” I have been tested over and over about whether I truly trust God or not and many times, I have found myself lacking, going back to the table with the Lord and working to understand what trust is and what it is not. I am not there yet because the battle rages on, but I do know that I am not fighting alone. God is right there, my David to a Goliath and He has all the stones I need to defeat the giants in my life. I just have to be still…not walk away. I have to stand in the battle with the Lord, knowing that He is there winning a victory for me, if I will just let go of the temptation to control things and let Him win.

This Is How I Fight My Battles-Michael W. Smith

First-Line Friday: Chase the Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher

On By vickleaIn Book Promo, Scripture1 Comment

I am all about visiting the National Parks, especially since I have been reading Suzanne Woods Fisher’s series called National Park Summers. I am learning a lot and eager to travel, vicariously of course, due to health issues. For those of you still healthy and able, take time to go to a National Park this year and enjoy the creation that God has blessed us with.

First Line from Chase the Light: “Ranger Scout Johnson was the kind of person who loved allowing room for error.”

To God be all of the glory for all that He has created for us to enjoy!

The Insidious Danger of AI

On By vickleaIn News Reports3 Comments

First, let me say that I have read and enjoyed every book by Erin Bartels. Before her dissension to work with AI, she was an author for over two decades with a well-known Christian publisher. I agree with all she says in this essay and hope that you will take the time to read it and pass it along if you also agree. (Note that she uses some language that I do not agree with, but I see the passion in what she writes and understand the fire beneath her righteous indignation.)

My state Virginia is currently in negotiations for a huge data center. It is really all about the money and not the best interests of the citizens. How do you fight tyranny and a takeover of AI? Read Erin’s essay and get some good suggestions.

https://substack.com/@erinbartels/note/p-203644243?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=8f2gn

This all goes back to my previous post “Tethered” because once again, I am reminding you of who is the prince of the power of the air. God is Creator and He created us to create. In using AI, Satan is trying to replicate God’s power.

https://vicklea.com/2026/06/25/tethered/

And so you know the author to whom I am referring, here is a link to a blog about one of her books:

https://vicklea.com/2024/04/18/review-the-lady-with-dark-hair-by-erin-bartels/

Please comment and let me know what you think. Do you have a data center near you or one planned? Please take the time to research the effects of these data centers on the area where you live and of AI on real creativity.

Tethered

On By vickleaIn Scripture6 Comments

We all have invisible tethers that carry us through the day. Some are our relationships to friends and family, knowing that whatever we are going through, they will be praying for us. But what are you tethered to when you are all alone and all is quiet around you?

In our world today, people rarely allow the silence to wrap around them so that they can clearly hear God’s voice when He speaks to us. Instead, this is what just about everyone almost always has on and active.

So, what is this nifty handful of technology tethered to?

A tower with waves of communication in the air that we cannot see, but we know it works because we can check maps, listen to music or books, go on social media, etc. at all times of the day or night. One of our grandchildren indeed stays up most nights to communicate with people on the other side of the world. But I don’t think this tethering is healthy or safe. There needs to be limits and a realization that God is not on the other end of that phone or the tower.

The ruler of the kingdom of the air (including, I think the air waves through which we communicate) is Satan. Let that sink in. To whom are you tethered?

I am not saying don’t ever use your devices or anything radical like that. What I am saying is to be careful. Don’t use the devices without knowing who controls those air waves and who can intervene and cause miscommunication and false information. After all, Satan’s priority is chaos and destruction, not peace and harmony.

So, what are we to do?

We are supposed to be firmly tethered to our vine, the One who is helping us to grow to be more like Him and to produce more fruit for His kingdom. My recommendation is that when you are waiting for an appointment or at a stoplight, don’t pick up your phone. Lift your voice to the Lord, then sit silently and wait for His to talk to you. Be tethered to the vine so that when hard times come, you keep flourishing in Him, not withering away because your devices don’t have the answers you seek.

Just my two cents. What do you think? Convenience or constant temptation? Say no to temptation and yes to time with God, staying tethered to the One who is intent on helping you get Home without a GPS.