All Hail the Power of Jesus’s Name-Amazing Grace Academy
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!
The Lord Is My…
What does the Lord mean to you personally? There are many names of God: Provider, Healer, Savior. I want to explore what the YouVersion says when I search for “the Lord is my…”
As my shepherd, the Lord can be completely trusted to take care of me, to watch over me and to provide for my needs. He cares for me so much that when I was wandering around lost, He sought me out, found me and brought me into the fold.
Rock…steady and trustworthy. Fortress, a place of safety. Deliverer, from all and any who would harm me. My strength, when I think I cannot go to one more doctor and do one more test. God is right there, giving me the encouragement and strength to just get it done. My shield, the One who stands between me and those who desire to hurt me with their words. This includes the enemy of my soul who wants me to be burned by his flaming arrows. The horn of my salvation, the one to whom I run for protection. In the Old Testament, the people could run into the synagogue and grasp the horns of the altar where they could be protected from those who pursued them. And finally, my stronghold, He is my safe space. Nothing touches me in the presence of God unless He allows it.
Refuge, strength and a very present help. God doesn’t wait on the sidelines as an observer, waiting to see if we come out of our trials or not. He is right there with us, in the middle of the wilderness and the storm. He holds us up and walks us through it. For me, that means even when I don’t want to move forward into another unknown medical problem, God is right there with me, letting me know that His presence is going with me and “nothing will happen to me today that God and I cannot handle together.”
Right after the Israelites fought and won their battle against the Amalekites, this was the response of Moses. What is a banner?
When Israel faced the Amalekites in battle at Rephidim it wasn’t with overwhelming force, an experienced army, or the best commanders. It was as a transient tribe of herdsmen escaping slavery in Egypt and travelling uncertainly to a promised land they hadn’t seen in over four hundred years. They were trespassers travelling through the lands of fierce fighting peoples. They travelled with women, children, herds, and all their possessions. The battle was for survival, for hope, for a future.
But they travelled with something else too, something else that no other nation on earth had – a pillar of fire, a cloud of smoke, the very presence of God. Israel did not fight its battles alone. No matter how inexperienced or overmatched they were they were never the underdogs. No matter how desperate they felt they were never at a loss. The great general, the perfect protector, the LORD was with them. The very name used in Scripture is Jehovah Nissi – “the Lord is my banner”. Moses experienced both physical and spiritual victory with the Lord’s banner waving over the battle.
When Moses built the altar and called it, “The LORD is my banner,” he was creating a place of remembrance, a celebration of victory, an expression of thanks. He was making a declaration, one that any follower of Jesus can share in today: The LORD is my banner and we are the LORD’s. It was a declaration not just of who God is and what He has done, but of who were as His people.*
*Information from Bible Study Tools
What is God to you? The Lord Is My Everything and All I Need!
A Life Filled with Hope
Fight Fear with Hope (Daily Refresh, 2-05-26)
It seems there’s always something to worry about: natural disasters, current (and potential) wars, shaky finances, relational brokenness, unmet expectations, political/cultural/racial divisions, senseless violence, our kids, our jobs, our health, and more—much more. But many of the things we fear are largely out of our control.
We can’t always control what happens to us, but we can choose our response.
You can constantly be worried, negative, anxious, fearful, critical, and bitter. Or, you can be known for seeing the good in people, choosing joy, offering encouragement, looking for God’s fingerprints, and always finding something to be grateful for. In either case, the cycle feeds itself.
Like hummingbirds are attracted to sweet things while vultures scour the earth for dead things, we will always find what we are looking for. Why? Because darkness and light both exist. Good and evil are everyday realities. And we must decide who we’ll trust, and how we’ll spend our lives.
There are plenty of scary things happening in the world, but—because of Jesus—there is always good.
Even on our darkest days, Jesus is the light of the world. He’s already carrying the weight of the world on His shoulders, which means we don’t have to. He has already made a way where there was no way, which means we can follow the path He has blazed. The Holy Spirit is already compelling us and leading us and teaching us and comforting us, which means we’re not alone.
The hope we have in Christ isn’t just wishful thinking or positive vibes. It’s hope that’s based on truth—on facts and faith.
So what can we do? The Bible says:
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”
Proverbs 12:25 NIVWe can fight anxiousness with hope.
We can ward off worry with truth-filled encouragement.
We can resist fear by offering life-giving words.
We can refuse to settle for living scared.
We can expose the darkness to light.So the next time you feel anxiety and fear weighing down your heart, ask God for help and encouragement. Remember, He is closer than a prayer away.
My Thoughts
As usual, the devotional today was just what I needed. Lots of anxiety about various issues have been pressing in, but I have chosen to look at God while diving into His Word for the comfort and strength that I need.
I went to my arthritis doctor yesterday for a bone density test and a consultation with the doctor afterwards. The news he shared with me was bad, but since I know Who made me and the eternity that awaits me, I am choosing not to be discouraged. He told me that I cannot ever lift over five pounds because my spinal column can collapse. And my hip has a high probability that it will fracture if I fall. And my wrist won’t just fracture, but the bones there are so thin that they will shatter. Then, he told me that there are no medications he knows of to help my bones because of my single kidney. So, he wants me to see my endocrinologist to see if she has any suggestions.
I really, really like and trust my endocrinologist. She takes all the time she needs to be with me and generally assures me that she will research my problems until she has an answer. I don’t know that she will have an answer for me, but I do know that her soft-spoken words help me stay calm. She doesn’t falsely claim that all will be okay; rather, she says she will do all she can to find an answer.
Meanwhile, when I spoke to my family about the situation, they were first upset for me and then I told them that God is writing the end of my story. Not the doctors. So, whether I pass away from kidney failure, another stroke or fractured bones that won’t heal, or even something else, God will be with me. He has never left me and this new scan did not catch Him by surprise, nor is He in heaven wringing His hands over the results. God is doing what God does every day, taking care of me and you and His world. I choose to live a life of hope and for me, that means continuing to live with God first, family second and friends next. Am I rejoicing over the prognosis? No, but neither am I sleepless and anxious. I know who is in control, and it’s not me or the doctors. God is and was and always will be in control of what happens to me; thus, I walk into a certain future because it is one God planned for me. And all He does is good! 🙂
Walking Home
I didn’t walk home very much when I was young and in school. I usually took the big yellow bus. But once in a while, I did walk home and I remember that it was always with a group of friends. We chatted and laughed together as we ambled home, stopping frequently to look at whatever caught our attention. It took us a while to get home, but we always made it and with a smile on our faces.
Fast forward to today. We are each “walking home” and I pray for each of you that you are making this journey with a friend or cherished loved one.
The Lord is preparing a forever home for each of us. Wonderful news…every day brings us closer to reaching that destination!
A whole new city that God is preparing for us! This is too awesome for us to imagine, that God is going to live among us, there will no longer be any need for the sun for light and there will be no more night. No more sorrow or pain or tears! To arrive, we have to keep walking.
I found this quotation in one of my devotionals and created this graphic on Canva. I thought it was perfect for what I have been pondering lately. We are all in this together, helping each other up when we stumble, encouraging each other to just take the next step. After all, we are “walking each other home.”
Look at Yourself First
A Look in the Mirror (Daily Refresh, 2-04-26)
As humans, our default setting isn’t exactly selflessness. We often judge ourselves by our intentions, but judge others by their actions. We can be quick to accuse without first looking in the mirror.
But Jesus calls us to live differently:
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”
Matthew 7:12 NLTOften referred to as the “golden rule,” it’s a brilliant litmus test for discerning how to respond to people in the face of hardship, uncertainty, and pain.
Here are some ways we can apply this verse to our daily lives:
WHEN SOMEONE HURTS YOU…
Think: Have you ever hurt someone, either accidentally or intentionally? And when the mistake was made or realized, did you want to be screamed at and given a harsh consequence, or did you long for grace and a second chance?
To the extent that we forgive, we are forgiven. So what if, today, we give others the same grace, compassion, and mercy that we’d like to receive?
WHEN SOMEONE IS STRUGGLING…
When you personally experience hardships, you might seek counsel from a pastor or mentor, but you probably also want a friend who will listen and help you process. You want someone to come alongside you who can handle your honest thoughts, and help you navigate the hurt in this world.
Just as we need people to encourage us, we are also called to be that source of support to others. So today, consider what you can do to point people to God’s love and truth.
WHEN SOMEONE HAS ANNOYED YOU…
People can be irritating at times. But if you’re ever considered an annoyance by somebody else, would you rather that person talk bad about you, or have patience with you? We are all works in progress and are all called to show mercy and grace.
So this week, when you’re tempted to lash out at someone requiring a little “extra” of you, or dismiss someone who’s getting on your last nerve, consider asking yourself: If I were them, what would I want?
If we want to live like Jesus, we need to do what He asks of us. And Jesus explained a key mindset in following Him—to treat others how you want to be treated.
My Thoughts
The practical advice in this devotional really spoke to me in all of the places that I needed a big reprimand. The devotional is exactly correct. I let myself slide, thinking to myself, “Well, I meant well.” But I hold others to the letter of what my expectations were. For example, in the middle of the cold wave, the heat duct in our bedroom stopped warming the room. Instead it was sending out a blast of cold air. My husband couldn’t get under our house to check things out until it was drier and at least a little warmer, so he went outside on Monday. He was there for several hours and when he came back in, he said he fixed the crossover but didn’t get to our bedroom. What?!? That’s the only room in the house without the heat working and it has been going down to the 50’s there at night. I was irate and more than a little flabbergasted that he worked on every vent except the one not working right. I let him know exactly how I felt, using the phrase that “I wish I were his renter because then it would be fixed.” Yesterday, I had to repent. We had to go to two of my medical appointments and Harry was tiptoeing lightly around me, not knowing if I was going to explode again or not. He did explain that that part of the house is more difficult for him to reach and in order to work there, he has to prepare the ground, make it lower and then try to work on the insulation and vent. All in continued cold conditions and with the ground very wet still since I’ve continues to cover the yard. I told him that I understood and that he needed to get to it on better days, like when Virginia warms up some. Today’s devotional certainly applied to this situation. If I had taken the time to ask Harry why he couldn’t fix the part that he definitely knew needed a repair, I would have found out the truth before I flew out of control at him. I wouldn’t want him to treat me that way, but I neglected to look in the mirror, didn’t I?
Unfortunately, I think that is true of most of us. Remember the Lord said that before we worry about the speck in the other person’s eye, we need to get the log out of our own. My offensive behavior towards my husband was purposeful and hurtful to him. He didn’t mean to upset me; he simply did not have the capability to do that part of the house without additional tools and time that he didn’t have.
I could go on and on with examples of when I needed to extend grace and operated with judgment and little thought or kindness. I would like to say that I have learned my lesson, but I am a work in progress and I know that I will continue to act in ways that are not how I should act. I just pray that this devotional will help remind me to think before I speak and to take a deep breath as I look into my mental mirror. Then, I can hopefully speak in love and not in anger. I am so grateful that God deals with me gently and desires me to grow, not to stay the same.
Comfort in God’s Word
He Comforts Us (Daily Refresh 2-03-26)
In ancient Israel, the rod and staff of a shepherd protected and guided the sheep, and even reminded the sheep that the shepherd was there. And so King David (who was a shepherd as a boy) used the metaphor in Psalm 23:4 to convey this truth: God was his protector and guide.
King David faced death many times and had enemies bent on killing him. He also dealt with his own sin issues and personal mistakes. But in the midst of all this, he repeatedly turned his attention to the faithfulness and assurances of God.
Where did he find these assurances?
King David would have been a student of the Hebrew Scripture, the Torah—the first five books in our Bibles.
To a Hebrew, the Torah wasn’t just a story about God, it was the very Word of God. It was authority, promise, and guide. It was this Word that David based his life—and his psalms—upon. David could write about God’s character because:
1. He knew the Word of God.
2. He experienced the faithfulness and goodness of God based on that Word.We, too, have this—and more. We have the revealed Word of God from the ancient prophets in the Old Testament, the words of Jesus while on earth, and the revealed words of Jesus through the apostles and authors of the New Testament. In other words, we have what David had:
1. We have the Word of God.
2. We can experience the faithfulness and goodness of God based on that word.Read what Jesus said to His disciples:
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 ESVLike David, we don’t have anything to fear, because God is near—and He is our comfort. Knowing Scripture helps us confidently believe that God is and will be a faithful protector, guide, and presence to those who love Him. So today, commit to getting God’s words deep within you.
My Thoughts
We just went through over a week and a half of below freezing temperatures here in central Virginia, preceded by ice and snow and then wind. I prayed a lot before the storms, during the storms and after the storms. What did I pray for? For protection, for our power to stay on and for us to continue to have water and heat. In the past, an ice storm generally signaled to us that our power would go off, sometimes for days. This time, with such cold temperatures, we knew we needed electricity. Our son contacted us and told us to go to a motel, that he would reserve a room for us. But we told him “no” because we didn’t know how long it would take for the storm to pass and everything to settle down. We told him that we were praying. He still continued to check on us and ask us if we were sure we didn’t want to go to a motel. He knows we live rurally and once the storm hit it would be almost impossible for us to get out to a shelter. In staying here, we may have been considered foolish, but I kept my mind focused on God’s being a shield and on His faithfulness in the past.
We can count on God’s Word when we have it hidden deep in our hearts. John 14:26 says that our Advocate, the Holy Spirit, will teach us all things and remind us of everything Jesus taught us. Part of those “things” is all about His constant caring, faithfulness and love.
Today is the day I go to get my crown fitted. Am I thrilled about my first outing in ten days being to the dentist and then to the pulmonologist? No, but it needs to be done and I am fully trusting that God will be with me in this procedure, too, just as He has walked alongside me in so many other trials and tests. God is faithful, all the time, in all ways. Life doesn’t stop and pat us on the head and tell us that today there won’t be any problems. Instead, God tells us that we are to be courageous no matter what we face because he is always with us. Even through bad storms and very cold temperatures. Even when we go to the dentist. And I am especially trusting Him to get me across the ice to the car this morning as I leave. He is right there as I fear falling, reminding me that He is holding on to me.
With God at my side, I can face an unknown future, and so can you!
Our World in Chaos
I have pondered a lot over the happenings in our world lately. It seems that the whole world is “on fire” and no one is interested in putting the fire out. Protests all over the U.S., civil unrest over government agents doing what they were hired to do, and general disharmony throughout the world. So, what exactly is happening? I venture to say that Christ’s coming is ever closer and these events are part of getting us ready. Am I a prophet foretelling the coming of Jesus? No, of course not! I am just pointing out that we need to be ready whenever He comes back and, for me, looking at world events, the sooner the better. But He is waiting until the Father tells Him to “go” and we are waiting, too. In our time of patience or impatience, depending on the day and the events therein, we are to continue praying, working, and doing. The world’s events do not change what God has asked us to do.
I have said for a while now that the United States, along with most, if not all, nations, have lost their moral compass. For me, my moral compass is God and His Word. Denison’s Forum has an interesting perspective on the situation in our nation and the world, so I am presenting that here for you to read. Scroll down until you reach the section about the resignation of Brooks and then keep reading. Parts of this were eye-opening to me while others just made me nod my head in agreement, saying, “Yes, that is what is needed.”
I want to end my blog today with a reminder that no matter what is happening, God is there and He is always faithful.
Worship the King
I am a little sad today because it is still so icy here in Virginia that it is dangerous to be out and about, especially if you are prone to fall as I am. So, no church today. In fact, our pastor made a video of the parking lot and it’s mostly a sheet of ice. He says that they are having the 11:00 service only (we usually have four services) and only those with four-wheel drive should plan to attend. So, I will be watching the streaming service online and I am thankful that is an option. With the ice and cold and snow and cold, I have been inside, missed appointments and not very cheerful these days. God reminded me this morning that He is still the same, in the cold and icy places, too. So, I am choosing to worship and hope that you will join me.
And a song from Chris Tomlin:
O Worship the King-Chris Tomlin
Have a blessed day and stay safe and warm!
Fruit/Light/Works
maggietiggles.wordpress.com/2026/01/30/fruit-light-works/
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Live God’s Word
The Living Word of God (Daily Refresh, 1-30-26)
One of the biggest misconceptions about the Bible is that it’s just another book.
In fact, many Christians treat Scripture as if it’s just a collection of ancient letters and books that inform us about God and religious matters.
While the Bible is certainly a collection of ancient documents, it is also much more than that. It is the very word of God. The Bible is inspired by God, which means He spoke through humans to create these letters and books.
More than that though, God’s Word is living and active. The Holy Spirit uses the Bible to speak to us even today. This is what makes Scripture distinct from any other book.
James tells us in James 1:22 that the power of Scripture doesn’t just come by hearing it, but by living it out.
Scripture has the power to radically change the way we live, but we must take the effort to first read it, and then do what it says.
James goes on to say in verses 23 and 24 that anyone who reads Scripture and doesn’t follow God’s way is only deceiving themselves. We think we are following God simply by reading His Word, but God desires that we live out the truths of Scripture in our own life.
This is what it means to follow God’s way rather than our own.
Take a moment to consider a few ways you can begin to live out the truths in Scripture. Spend some time in prayer asking God to reveal to you an area of your life that needs transformed by His Word. And then, resolve to not just hear God’s Word, but to do what He says as you follow after Him.
My Thoughts
When I read this devotional today, my mind automatically went to Hebrews 4:12 which says, “For the word of God is alive and active.” I must confess that in memorizing that verse, I generally overlooked this part and went on to the “Sharper than any double-edged sword” part. I think for years that I missed the importance of the first part of the verse. Why is God’s word alive and active? Two reasons come to mind. First, because it is inspired by the Holy Spirit and God speaks through the Spirit to each of us, if we are listening, of course. But the second reason is also a valid one, I think, that came to me as I was meditating this morning on the devotional. It’s alive because it lives in each of us. We walk it, talk it and live it. And through us, others who may never pick up a Bible get to see the “alive and active” word of God. When we do what the Bible says, we are showing all those around us the truth and the power that is in God’s word and that spurs us to live as “little Christs” or Christians. I hope this devotional encourages each of us to “do” the word so that we are demonstrating that Christ lives in us all the time, and not just on Sundays in church.
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 