Category: Scripture

From the Holy Bible

Preparing for Easter

On By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

Jesus sent His disciples to get ready for Passover and everything was just as He said it would be. A local homeowner in Jerusalem had an upper room that Jesus and the disciples used for the Lord’s Last Supper. All was ready for them.

Our daughter just called on Sunday to let us know that she was planning to come this week to spend Easter with us. She is bringing the two youngest girls (14 and 11) and her oldest daughter is the one who has been living with us since September. I am really looking forward to seeing them again. They came down for Christmas, too. Hope is very intuitive and knows that travel is hard for me now and that I miss seeing the grandchildren. She called when I was feeling particularly low because our youngest son’s birthday as well as his daughter’s birthday is next week. We usually make the trip to Maryland to see them in April, but this month is filled with medical appointments and tests instead. So when Hope called to say she is coming, I was thrilled!

Then, I looked around at the house. I haven’t been able to clean properly (or really much at all) because of my shoulder. The dust everywhere is the first clue. Harry helps when he can but cleaning is not his thing to do since he doesn’t even see the dust, much less think it needs to be removed. Anyway, I started stressing about getting ready and how I would do it with an arm that doesn’t cooperate and a back that is in constant pain along with my leg that is numb most of the time, making me a fall risk.

Then, I read today’s devotional that included this verse. The disciples didn’t run around frantically preparing. They simply followed what the Lord told them to do and all was ready for them. Thus, I am resting in the Lord, knowing that the house will not be clean but we will be welcoming and loving. The groceries are ordered and Harry will pick them up today. Then, there will be plenty of helpers on Sunday to make the Easter meal before I have to head to the hospital for my MRI. Prepared? Yes, in my heart, I am prepared to welcome family and to serve the Lord with gladness on this Resurrection Day. Jesus wants my heart prepared for Him and for me not to suffer regrets because of what I physically cannot do. I know in my heart that He wants me to have peace and to enjoy time with the children and grandchildren, so that is what I am focused on today. Dirty house? Yes, but a clean and expectant heart! Our daughter is on the way and will be here by noon. I am looking forward to the visit and the rest that comes in knowing that God knows just what I need and just when I need it. A touch and reassurance from Him and a hug from family!

May your Easter preparations start in your heart and reach deeply into your soul. My prayer for you is peace and the assurance that God will give you rest.

Run With Endurance and Focus

On By vickleaIn Scripture1 Comment

Finish Well (Daily Refresh, 04-01-26)

One of the most important parts of running a race is keeping your eyes on the finish line. If you happen to look at the other competitors, it can ruin your focus, causing you to slip up. Staying focused is crucial. 

The writer of the letter of Hebrews uses this same idea when talking about our own spiritual lives. The writer encourages his readers to keep their eyes focused on Jesus while running the race of life.

When we keep our eyes on Jesus and our thoughts focused on Him, we are reminded of His great love and goodness. Keeping our eyes on Jesus helps us to not grow discouraged.

When we take our eyes off Jesus, we can lose focus on what really matters. We can become fixated on the priorities of the world around us rather than the mission of God. We can also lose our sense of value and worth if we lose sight of the love of God.

One of the reasons the author encourages his readers to focus their eyes on Jesus is because Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith. He is the reason we have faith, but He is also the one who continues to sanctify our hearts and strengthen our faith.

Jesus endured the pain of the cross with joy because He kept His own eyes on the finish line—sitting in a place of authority next to God the Father, and achieving salvation for His followers. We now experience the benefit of salvation because of His endurance.

Jesus’ example allows us to run the race of life with endurance and focus. So if you find yourself tired and wanting to give up, take some time to pray and think about Jesus who gave everything for you. Ask God for endurance so that you can continue to grow in your faith, and finish well.

My Thoughts

It has been easy for me lately to focus on the circumstances, with one unexpected medical report after another. But I am learning (and was already trying to practice before today’s devotional) to keep my eyes on the Lord. In the MRI thumping machine, during the EMG that sends shocks through me, my focus will be on the Lord. I had an MRI less than two months ago on my shoulder and I found myself quoting scripture verses to myself and singing praise songs inside my head. The thumping continued without my noticing the passage of time because I was focused on the Lord. That is what I pray will be the same this time. Jesus isn’t leaving me out on the race course of life and telling me to be strong. He is right there beside me, running the race with me and encouraging me as we go down the track. Like a good coach, Jesus doesn’t assume that I will be fine without Him. He knows that I need the constant assurance and encouragement that His presence brings. So, as I endure more tests and the results that follow, I am staying focused on the Lord and expecting Him to give the doctors wisdom and me grace and mercy.

If you are in a season where your race seems harder and more challenging, do what I am doing and what the Bible encourages us to do. Keep our focus on Jesus. Don’t be like Peter who was walking on water just fine until he took his eyes off the Lord. Keep your eyes on the only One who can make a difference in everything in your life.

May God bless and keep you as you focus on Him and may you run your race with endurance and faith in Him.

Holy Week: The Lamb of God

On By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

The Lamb of God

Have you ever waited a really long time for something important? Maybe you spent weeks waiting to see an old friend, for news about a medical diagnosis, or for someone to respond to a message you sent them.

In the first century, the people of God had waited hundreds and hundreds of years for the coming of a Savior. John the Baptist was sent to be the forerunner of that coming Savior. God planned for John to prepare the people for Jesus’ arrival, and call them back to repentance.

John waited his whole life for Jesus. He spent his days in eager anticipation of the coming of a Savior who would save his people. And on that day when Jesus did arrive, John the Baptist cried out in excitement.

John calls Jesus the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. In the old covenant, lambs were sacrificed on behalf of the sins of the people. Their sacrifices were a temporary means to restore a person’s relationship with God.

But Jesus’ coming heralds a new covenant between God and His people.

Jesus’ death is a sacrifice on our behalf, but one that’s permanent and complete. Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection pave a path for us to enjoy a restored relationship with God, and to live in freedom from sin. This is the new covenant that John the Baptist is describing when He says that Jesus takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

Take a moment this morning to thank God for the amazing gift that Jesus offers to each and every one of us. Because of Jesus’ faithfulness, we can walk in new life and enjoy a restored relationship with God. 

Think of one small step you can take to share this good news with someone who doesn’t yet know Jesus. This free gift is great news for every single person, and we are given the privilege of sharing it with everyone.

My Thoughts

We all wait for something: a phone call, an email, a letter, a package, a visit from a loved one, and ultimately an answer from God about something we have been praying for. I have prayed almost a year for a job for our grandson Isaac. No answer yet, but I am sure that God is preparing just the right job for him, one in which he can thrive physically, emotionally and spiritually. So, I wait, sometimes anxiously, sometimes almost demanding in my prayer time, but always with the same answer from God: wait.

I cannot imagine John’s excitement when he sees Jesus walking toward him and knows that this is the Lamb of God for whom he has been waiting. His whole purpose in life is to be a forerunner, a prophet of Jesus. And here He is! John doesn’t run and hide or say, “Look at me! Now my purpose in life is fulfilled.” No, he says, “Behold, the lamb of God!”

So often when God sends the answer, as He did when He sent Jesus as the final sacrifice for our sins, we don’t recognize that the answer is right there in front of us. Since it isn’t the answer we were expecting, we continue to look for another one. May the Lord make us aware of the answer when it comes so that, like John, we recognize it and give God the glory.

Sunday Worship

On By vickleaIn Scripture, Song, Video2 Comments

Today is Palm Sunday, the day the crowds welcomed Jesus with all kinds of accolades before they then joined the mob that called for His crucifixion. Before you start thinking what awful people those were, I would like to remind you that we were part of that crowd and then the mob. We might not have been there physically, but can you honestly say that if you had lived during that time, you would have reacted differently? The tendency is to follow the crowd. That’s one of the reasons the Bible admonishes us to be careful with whom we associate.

That all being said, I love the traditions of Palm Sunday and the fact that all of the praise goes to the Lord, who is indeed worthy and should have never fallen out of favor with the Pharisees who were supposed to recognize the Messiah. Since Jesus’s death was prophesied and orchestrated by God, and since each of us benefit from the salvation that comes from the flowing of His life’s blood, we can do no less than offer Him a sacrifice of praise.

We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise-Maranatha! Music

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus-Dust and Grace

To God Be the Glory-Faithful Worship

Have a blessed Palm Sunday, filled with thanksgiving and praise for all the Lord has done!

God’s Throne

On By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I think that I put God into a box and expect Him to stay there until I need Him to appear and magically make my problems disappear. But a verse in my devotional today showed me clearly that I am not really putting God anywhere; I am just not staying focused on the correct things and with the correct attitude.

God is great, powerful, and glorious. Everything in heaven and on earth belongs to him. We sometimes deify leaders, thinking that they are more powerful than what they really are. God, the One true God, put them in a position of power and He can remove them at any time. He is head over all the kings, presidents, prime ministers and governors. We need to acknowledge God’s dominion and quit giving it to humans who would have no power unless He allows it.

For me, I am really not able to comprehend God’s awesome power and majesty. But I am in total awe that He is who He says He is and He decided to make me. I see myself as “less than,” a flawed part of God’s creation, with lungs that don’t work properly, a single kidney, bones that are weak and parts of me that are torn. God sees my heart, and I pray that He sees how much I truly love and depend on Him to carry me through each day. He created me to be just the way I am and I pray that He will use me to tell others about His grace, mercy and deep love for them. God’s purpose is to love, and my purpose is to be like Him, while understanding that I cannot control or manipulate God. He is always in control, even when I am not aware of how close He is and how He is watching over me.

This scripture verse gives me a sense of total wonder. God, the Creator of the Universe, the One who is the head of all things, notices me and cares about me and all the things that are part of my life.

Majesty-Maranatha! Music

Awesome God-Josh Groban

Be Still and Know That I Am God-Josh Groban

Wednesday’s Verses

On By vickleaIn Scripture7 Comments

Since I am not liking what is happening in my life, I am focusing on scripture verses that come up in my devotionals. Here are the ones for today that are encouraging me and I pray that they will encourage you too.

Since the veil in the temple was torn after Jesus’s death on the cross, the gates into the temple are always open for us. He lives with us, in us and through us. Thus giving thanks and praising Him is as simple as opening your mouth and speaking it. No need to hop in the car and head to church this morning. Just praise God right where you are. I am not thankful for the circumstances, but I am thankful that God is God and worthy of praise.

God is always good, His mercy is always there for us and His truth never changes. Leaders change, the world changes and health changes. But God NEVER changes. Let that sink in. It calms me and gives me hope and peace.

Have a blessed day as you offer praise to the Only One who is worthy!

Overwhelmed

On By vickleaIn Scripture7 Comments

Have you ever had one of those “I Love Lucy” days in which one unforeseen circumstance follows another? If you remember those episodes, which were frequent, Lucy generally cried at the end.

That was sort of what I looked like yesterday after a really rough day.

Harry and I had to get up very early to get to an appointment with my ophthalmologist in town, over an hour’s drive away. We did that, made it to the appointment a little early and I was delighted that the tech took me back to check me early. I needed to finish this appointment on time because I had an early afternoon appointment with my neurologist about my leg going numb. The game at the ophthalmologist became one of waiting. I was taken back, did a test and returned to the waiting room. Multiple times. Finally, I got to see the doctor and he gave me the good news that my macula hasn’t changed in the last year and all is good with my eyes. I was happy about that since I had been anxious about the results.

We then headed to my neuro appointment and we made it there on time, too. I really like my neurologist who has been my specialist since my stroke eleven years ago. Anyway, he asked questions, put me through a battery of uncomfortable tests and concluded that I likely have a pinched nerve in my back causing my leg’s numbness. He gave me a referral to a spinal specialist (another specialist!), a referral for an MRI of my spine (another MRI!), a referral for physical therapy (again, a repeat), and an order to return for an EMG on April 8th. So, I left his office feeling overwhelmed.

Now, let’s get this straight. I prayed before each medical appointment and Harry prayed with me. I knew that something was wrong, of course, but I was just not ready to hear another diagnosis of something else broken in my body. I just got my second cortisone shot for my torn rotator cuff in my shoulder a week and a half ago, so I am still dealing with that pain daily (mostly nightly, when I try to sleep). And now this diagnosis. I wish I could say that I was praising God on the way home and thankful that I had an answer to the numbness. Instead, I started crying and Harry couldn’t console me with his words about our just getting older and things break down.

On the way home, the “idiot lights” came on in the car. I must say that we drive an older car (it wasn’t old when we got it, but it is now) so this was not new. It was just one more thing. So, the crying continued and Harry tried to console me with the fact that the car is also old. Not helping!

We made it home, Teya was there and had just gotten back from her run that she tries to do daily. She was getting ready for a shower and I was getting ready to lie down since I got up before 5 and it was not almost 4 in the afternoon. Suddenly, I heard Teya call for me rather frantically, so I rushed to find out what the problem was. The hot water faucet was detached and hot water was spewing everywhere in the bathroom. It was too hot to try to re-attach the faucet and turn it off, so I went to find the main water valve and shut it off. I located it behind a hatch of sorts, moved the things out of the way that Harry had decided to place there and got the hot water off. Yay! All the while, I think I must have been thinking, “Are you kidding me, God? Don’t I have enough on my plate right now?” Harry, of course, was nowhere to be found since he was wandering around the yard planning his garden. (He deals with stress by gardening, I do so by reading.) I found Harry, told him what was going on and Teya tried to reattach the faucet. She did so successfully and then Harry checked it and said it seemed to be okay for me to turn the water back on. I did and that seemed to work.

By that time, I was really overwhelmed with everything and planned to rest, but I had to eat to take medicine, so I ended up staying awake for several more hours, not really happy about life and its circumstances that day.

I have to confess that I cried myself to sleep, telling God honestly that I was just “up to here” with problems. I have always known that God knows how I feel anyway, so I may as well be honest with Him. I woke up at 4, and prompted by the Holy Spirit, I prayed for my niece who is in premature labor and tried to go to sleep again. I was still feeling overwhelmed, like I just did not want to face a new day. When I finally rolled over about 6 or so and decided to get up, I followed my usual pattern of thanking God for a new day and praying for a few minutes, waiting silently for Him to speak to my heart. He spoke a song into my heart that I haven’t heard or sung in many years. So appropriate for me!

God Will Make a Way-Don Moen

The bottom line is that circumstances have not changed. I have not changed. My shoulder hurts, my leg is numb, my back hurts and I am getting older even as I type this. What is changing is that I haven’t lost hope. As I talked to God this morning, not only did He give me a song, He also showed me a vision of my hanging onto a rope that was breaking and as I swung precariously over a cliff at the end of that rope, I looked up and there was the Lord holding on to the other end. God is still right there. He knows what is happening, and He is holding me as steadfastly as possible, even at the end of my rope, in high winds and with a cliff below me.

If you need a lifeline today, just know that God,who loves everyone equally, can be your source of hope and strength too. As I said, my circumstances haven’t changed, and if I focus on what is happening, I again feel overwhelmed. But I know deep within me that God is in control of the outcome, so I can let go of that rope. He will catch me…and you!

When I Am Afraid…

On By vickleaIn Scripture5 Comments

Fear has been a presence in my life lately as I face one challenge after another to my health. But I have made the choice to trust God. He has always been faithful and He will continue to show me His faithfulness. I may not always get the answers to my prayers that I want, but God makes sure that I get the ones that I truly need.

I Will Trust in You-Lauren Daigle

May you all have a blessed and faith-filled Sunday!

The Psalm of Moses: Psalm 90

On By vickleaIn Scripture7 Comments

I didn’t realize it until I read in my devotional this morning that Psalm 90 is the only Psalm written by Moses. It is one of my favorite Psalms, so I will quote all of it and then show you my favorite verses.

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.” A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death— they are like the new grass of the morning: In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it is dry and withered. We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. If only we knew the power of your anger! Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due. Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭90‬:‭1‬-‭12‬, ‭14‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.90.1-12.NIV

God is eternal, infinite and everlasting. He has always been and always will be.

Our lives are finite, established by God. Since we have a limit to our days, we have good reason to use each day wisely.

Every morning should start with a song of joy, knowing that no matter what has happened before or will happen that day, God’s love never fails.

God is the one who gives us favor so that whatever we do each day will be “established.” To me, that means firmly and rightly done, and even possibly remembered by other generations.

Moses’s work was indeed established and even though he died in the land of Moab without crossing over the Jordan into the Promised Land, what he had done has been remembered and spoken about for generations.

What speaks to you from Psalm 90 or from Moses’s life and his leadership of the Israelite people? What can we learn from Moses?