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!

Possibilities with God

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

I have read the scripture verse repeatedly and I admit that today is the first time that I see that it is truly about salvation. God can save anyone at any time, even those whom we deem a hopeless cause because He makes all things possible. But then, there is that little sticky point called free will. God can cross that threshold but He chooses not to do so. Thus, it is up to the free will of the individual to accept the gift of salvation. God will do everything He can to get the attention of the unbeliever and to bring him or her to the knowledge that what they really need in life is Jesus Christ. God can and will do the impossible if we believe. He will act according to His timetable and His plan. If this post seems a little muddled and not quite clear, that is how I am actually feeling. I know that God can do the impossible and will save those who come to Him. The hard thing to understand is that they have to choose to come to Him. He doesn’t drag anyone kicking and screaming to the altar of salvation. God will do His part, but we cannot expect Him to force someone to be saved. That is not part of His nature or His plan. So, if you, like me, are believing for the salvation of a loved one, perhaps pray for God to do the impossible but also pray for the person to want to be saved, to see the need for salvation, so that they come to the Lord willingly. That may seem impossible, but God does answer prayers. After all, I’m a living testimony of someone who had no idea I needed Jesus Christ as my Savior until one day I did know and I did come to Him and repent!

Jesus Does the Impossible

Jesus’ statement in Matthew 19:26 is often taken out of context. Many people have taken this verse to mean that they can do anything they want in life because God can do the impossible. Often this can lead to us asking God to do something selfish.

In order to understand what Jesus is saying, we should read the preceding verses. In Matthew 19:16-22, a young man comes to Jesus asking for eternal life. Jesus tells him that he must give up all of his earthly possessions–something the young man is not willing to do. Because he failed the test, the young man failed to inherit eternal life.

Jesus says in Matthew 19:23 that it is very difficult for a rich man to enter heaven. The point is that loving Jesus requires everything we are. Our ultimate love cannot be split between Jesus and something else.

The disciples then ask, “Who can be saved?” Jesus responds in Matthew 19:26 that it is impossible for man to save himself—but it is possible with God. God can do the very thing that man cannot.

We cannot earn our salvation. We cannot work hard enough to attain it, and we can’t achieve it on our own. It is impossible. But with God all things are made possible for us to be saved. It is only through the work and power of Jesus that we have access to salvation. And through the empowerment of the Spirit, we are enabled to have faith in God.

What in your life is keeping you from faith in Jesus? Maybe it’s a relationship. Maybe it’s material possessions. Maybe it’s a wrong mindset. Whatever it might be—God has the power to remove these things from your heart so that you can have faith in Jesus. 

So spend some time with God today, and ask Him to search your heart. Ask Him to reveal anything within you that is keeping you from loving Jesus better. Then, do something daring—surrender those things over to God.

Spotlight on THE MOSES PROJECT

On By vickleaIn SpotlightLeave a comment

I am writing this blog today to encourage my readers to hold up authors by sending them notes or emails just to let them know you are thinking about them. Writing a book is a lonely profession with a lot of bumps along the way and Vickie Escalante, an online friend, recognized that authors need encouragement to get over their hurdles. Thus “The Moses Project” came to be, named for Aaron and Hur who held up Moses’s arms so that the Israelites would be victorious against their enemies.

Here is a link to join the project:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeV8myHAGwpsCUpFIhEp04uZIlFs36uKdHzzYrGNRQeUJNcJw/viewform

It’s really an easy form to complete. Once it’s done, Vickie E. will contact you and let you know the name and contact information for the author you will encourage. This is not a big time commitment, nor is it expensive. I contacted my author a couple of times via email, she wrote me back with some basic information about herself and then I contacted her again about a week and a half later to check on her and let her know I am praying for her. Vickie has suggestions in the welcome e-mail that she will send you. I hope some of you will consider joining this group of encouragers. I depend on authors and their books to help me through some tough days, so I figure I can give back a little.

There is also a link for authors to sign up if they want someone to stand alongside them and be their cheerleader. Here is that link for the authors out there:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0LBGUcu12NsaGqV7QQS9JPusl8vA8_BbOql1WFgIE4lrjeQ/viewform

If you aren’t quite ready to sign up but want more information, there’s a link for that, too that will connect you to Vickie Escalante.

Email sign up for additional info: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeD2OOf40Y6UOlwjiRN-5259b43yEEyn4QHk5TUT4GhKt3-qg/viewform

One more favor before I go…can you share this with other readers who might want to help an author in their ministry to us? Thank you for considering my requests and being willing to bless an author who may just need a little encouragement right now.

God Always Remembers Us

On By vickleaIn ScriptureLeave a comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/15112/day/3

The story of Samson has always mystified me a little. He was given great strength from God for the purpose of destroying the Philistines. He fought and won many battles but his lust is what defeated him. That is what befuddles me. He was strong enough in the physical battles but the battle against his own lust he lost and thus lost his sight and his connection to his strength. Even in that, God remembered him so that when it was the right time, He again used Samson in a mighty victory against the Philistines. We have to wage war all the time against the enemies of our soul. The spiritual battles we fight will not be over until we are called home to be with the Lord. So, we have to expect to continue fighting and remember that God never forgets that we are here and waging a battle against an enemy whom Jesus already conquered.

Open Hands and a Surrendered Heart

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/15112/day/2

In order to fully appreciate all that God does for us on a daily basis, we should be approaching His throne the way Hannah did, with open hands and a surrendered heart. She wanted a child so badly that she was willing to look foolish to the priest in the temple, then she was willing to give back to God the much sought for child. God, in turn, blessed her with Samuel (whom she dedicated to the Lord after weaning him) and five other children. When we let God be God, He can bless us above what we are hoping for and give us an awesome testimony for Him.

Feeling Forgotten

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/15112/day/1

I think being forgotten and feeling rejected go hand in hand. So many times in my youth and after, I was the one not picked for the teams until the teacher pointed out that I had not yet been chosen. I was the one who seemed to be “forgotten” and I did feel rejected. When I got married, I thought those days were behind me. But the wives of the military spouses had their own cliques and once again, I often felt rejected and forgotten. My husband was busy building his career and gaining rank while I was in a new place with no friends. But I quickly found out that God had not forgotten me. Each time I prayed for a job in a new place, I got one. And if there was no job, God opened doors for me to do volunteer work and get to know others that way. I also always found a church to belong to so that when my husband was thousands of miles away, I still had a support system. God has always been there for me and has reminded me over and over that He has not forgotten me. I am thankful that He doesn’t need strings on his fingers or a notepad to carry with Him to remind Him of me. He just remembers, and I pray that I will never forget all of the times that He has faithfully and lovingly remembered me.

Spotlight on the “Shadow Stalkers Series” by Lisa Harris

On By vickleaIn Book PromoLeave a comment

About the Book

Riley Bishop is a single mother, working at home as a security analyst to provide for her two children, Sadie and Oliver. But something is very wrong. Riley starts forgetting things—like appointments, where she put her keys, and where she parked her car. And then she thinks she sees her deceased ex-husband while out shopping. But as Riley begins to question her own sanity, her twelve-year-old Sadie goes missing. Soon Riley finds it harder and harder to know what is truth and what are lies as she is forced to question her own reality while she searches for her daughter.

Apprehending fugitives as a part of the US Marshals Service Special Operations Group gives Tucker Shaw the purpose and drive he needs to fight the demons from his past. When he’s called out on a mission, Operation Jackal, to track down a group of endangered children, he has no idea how drastically his life is about to change. It’s a frantic hunt as Tucker and his team race to save thirteen children, including Sadie. But when Sadie’s mother comes to him with credible evidence on who is behind the girls’ disappearances, the situation quickly spirals out of control with a final twist that has Tucker questioning everything he knows to be true.

Purchase Link:

Amazon

About the Book

Riley Bishop thought the nightmare was over. 

Her daughter Sadie is making progress in therapy, and her son Oliver is thriving in school. Deputy US Marshal Tucker Shaw, once a stranger, has become an integral part of their lives. But when a mysterious figure demands the twenty-five million dollars her late husband embezzled, Riley’s fragile peace shatters. With her life at stake, she must not only find a way to keep her children safe, but also find a way to convince Tucker she’s telling the truth while navigating a frightening maze of mind games and deceit. 

Purchase Link:

Amazon

About the Author

LISA HARRIS, a USA Today and CBA bestselling author, has penned over sixty novels and novellas, including Christian romantic suspense, medical thrillers, and psychological thrillers. Celebrated for crafting tight, adrenaline-fueled plots, she has sold nearly one and a half million books. Her accolades include a Christy Award for Dangerous Passage and Romantic Times Awards for Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for Blood Covenantand Vendetta.
A confessed travel junkie, Lisa has lived on four continents and spent 19 years as a missionary in southern Africa. These experiences enrich her narratives, allowing her to incorporate unique and realistic settings into her action-packed stories. Now residing in Texas with her husband, Lisa enjoys family time, cooking ethnic dishes, and gardening.
For more information about Lisa and her books, visit her website at http://www.lisaharriswrites.com

Note to my readers: I am currently reading the second book and anticipate that it will be another five star read from a stellar Christian author.

Hands Off

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/26293/day/21

I will confess that it is hard for me to let go of things while I wait for God to act. Like Sarah, I am probably the one who is going to try to help God out so the waiting doesn’t take so long. The advice in this devotional is just to take your hands off, step back and wait for God to act. Easier said than done, but I am working on it. I have a tendency to look around and check to see if there is anything God might need some assistance with, only to find out later that He doesn’t need my help and as I used to tell my children, “I will let you know if I need your help.” God will tell us if there is something He wants us to do while we wait. Meanwhile, just wait, hands off and up in the air, surrendered to Him and His will and timing.

Your Best Days

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/26293/day/20

No matter how old you are or how “creaky” you feel, thank God for each day you have had on the earth and for all the ones He will give you. We don’t know how many years we will live, but we do know that we are called for a purpose and we will be here until that purpose is fulfilled. Jacob lived long enough to see Joseph again, to bless Joseph’s sons and include them in the twelve tribes and to fulfill God’s purpose for his life. Let’s all be like Jacob and leave this world blessing others!

Trust Him to Do More

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

With our finite minds and bodies, we cannot imagine all that God can do in and through us as we become willing partners of His plan. He has had a plan since the beginning to bring people to His saving grace, and in His mercy and love, He has made us a part of that great plan. We are not spectators, but participants! We need to trust God to use us to do more and be more, growing more like Him daily and asking Him what He wants us to accomplish today that will help Him achieve His plan.

Immeasurably More

What’s the boldest prayer you can think to pray? Or the most incredible thing you can dare to imagine?

Did you know that God can top it?

Paul said it like this: 

“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…”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

You know those quiet dreams in your heart? God put them there. You know that ache for something better than this broken world? God gave you that desire. You know the deepest longings of your soul? God knows how to fulfill them. 

Like Paul said, God can do more than we ask or imagine, but we also must remember the second part of his words: according to his power at work within us. 

It’s all God’s power and His plan. But He has invited us into it.

So what’s our part in this process? 

We can give glory to Him—knowing that it’s Him who gives us the desire and power to do what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13). He created us, loves us, and has entrusted us with sharing His message with the world.

We can submit ourselves to His plan—knowing that it’s all God, but He chooses to work in and through His people to accomplish His purposes. He doesn’t need us to be perfect, He just wants us to be willing.

We can trust Him with the process—knowing that He is good, righteous, worthy, strong, and eternal. We don’t have to know all the answers because we already have Him, and He can do more than we can ask or imagine.