Category: Admonition

Forgetfulness

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture, testimony5 Comments

Never Forget (YouVersion Daily Refresh)

As humans, we tend to forget things all the time. Our car keys, our friends’ birthdays, our passwords… those things we tend to forget on accident, and it’s usually pretty frustrating when we realize what we’ve forgotten. But we can also forget good things that have happened to us.

When faced with hard things, we often beg God for miracles or plead for His provision. But when we don’t get what we prayed for, we can tend to forget what God has already done for us. If you’ve done that before, you’re not alone—the Bible is full of stories about people forgetting the good things God has done.

God has hand-crafted this breathtaking world and chosen the unique times and spaces in which we show up. And even though the world seems to get crazier and scarier by the minute, God is always at work in the mess.

We can fight against forgetfulness today—right now—by remembering that it was God who created this world and filled it with good things—including His people! It was God who offered us mercy when we didn’t deserve it. It was God who gave us real purpose: to love Him and love others; to know Him and make Him known.

So how have you seen God show up in a way that you never want to forget? Thank Him for what He’s done, and worship Him for who He is.

My Thoughts

I was reminded of the old song “Count Your Blessings” as I read this devotional this morning. I was also reminded that yesterday as we drove to our Monday Bible study group, my husband and I were talking about possibly having to get another car. He took our car into the shop yesterday and we had an $800 repair bill for regular maintenance and a valve cover gasket that was messed up. I told Harry that I never imagined I would live long enough to need to get another car. Then, I was reminded to be thankful that I am still alive.

Ten years ago when I had a massive stroke, I did not expect to live longer than a few months, perhaps a few years if God was particularly gracious. Ten years! Ten years and a bonus of four more grandchildren that I have gotten to know and love. The bonus of more years with my husband and family members like my brother who just had cancer surgery yesterday. (The doctor said he got all of the cancer and he has clean margins, so that is another blessing.) Ten years of going to the beach with our daughter and her family, celebrating birthdays with children and grandchildren. Ten years!

I recently had a pretty serious bout with lung issues, and it has just been in the last few days that I was able to not have to use my nebulizer regularly every day. A month of struggling to breathe, of having to walk a few steps and rest because the air just wasn’t there. But…God came through again! I am well again, or as well as someone who is asthmatic during pollen season can be. I am thankful that I could record a storybook for Evie’s seventh birthday. Honestly, I was fretting about how I would be able to do that when I was choking and gasping constantly. Then, God touched me in my weakness and I started improving. Last week, I read the storybook and sent it off to Evie for her birthday next week. God doesn’t work on our timeline, but He is always, always right on time!

So, as you face another day with all of its challenges and blessings, count the blessings first and the challenges won’t seem so insurmountable. I don’t want to suffer from forgetfulness where God is concerned. I want Him to be so much a part of my daily life that He is the first person I turn to when things get tough and the One I thank when the waters of life are calm. Forget is what God does when He forgives us of all our sins, not what we should do when He is blessing us with every breath we take.

Jesus Is the Source

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

The Source of All (You Version Daily Refresh)

Look around…

Everything’s been masterfully designed: The skies, the trees, the mountains, the oceans. The animals, the people, the seen, and the unseen. 

You can breathe because you’ve been given lungs, oxygen, and an environment that sustains life. You can move because you’ve been given muscles, tendons, and a brain that instructs your body. You can think, dream, plan, design, create, build—because you’ve been given the desire, ability, and some raw materials.

So if you want to live a life that matters, a life that leaves an eternal legacy, you must stay connected to the source of life. Jesus said it like this, using an illustration that was familiar to His listeners:

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When Jesus says, “I am the vine,” He’s making a statement. He’s saying that He is the source—that anything that’s made is because of His life-giving power. 

So if you long for real truth, for genuine wisdom, or to make a lasting difference in this world, stick close to God—because anything worth being or doing starts with Him.

My Thoughts

I have somehow become the one in our household of two who knows the most about technology these days (our sons and daughter are in their own households, so we lost our tech experts). So when my husband came to me upset that his phone had been plugged in all night and had not charged, I put on my investigator cap and went into the bedroom to find out what the problem could be. It didn’t take me long to discover that the phone was indeed attached to the cord, but the cord itself had come out of the outlet, so it wasn’t really attached to anything that would provide power. That was an easy fix and I followed it with a reminder to my husband to check to make sure that the connection is complete.

Our connection to Jesus is not something we need to take for granted, thinking to ourselves, “Well, I was plugged in yesterday, so I should be good to go today.” Life with the Lord doesn’t work that way. We have to stay connected all the time if we expect to receive His power and His wisdom and the fruits of the Spirit that we need to operate properly in a lost world. If you take the batteries out of your flashlight, I don’t care how many times you click the “on” button, the light will not work. Jesus is our energy source, the one who provides the roots for our plants to grow and for us to help others to grow, too. When we take ourselves away from our source, we are left powerless and fruitless. So, check your connection before you venture out into the world. All connected? Prayed up? Fed yourself with God’s Word? Ready, Steady, Go!

Love the Unlovable

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture, testimony2 Comments

None of us has difficulty loving the people who are always pleasant, smiling and just plain lovable. Unfortunately, my experience has been (and probably yours, too) that the majority of people are like Grumpy Cat, just waiting to pounce on the next thing I say that they can disagree with. But you know what? I am called to love them anyway. Love is a choice, not one where you get to pick and choose who will benefit from your love, but one where you are supposed to choose to love everyone. All of us has at least one difficult person in their lives, the one that you make yourself spend time with, knowing that the best you can hope for is not to get into a verbal sparring match that will destroy our testimony for Jesus. I personally have relatives that cause my blood pressure to rise and my body to exhibit symptoms of high stress whenever I am around them. But rather than avoid them, I put on my armor of God and enter the battlefield, knowing that the words I say need to speak life and love into their hearts that have been hardened.

I am not the judge and jury of their actions, words or even their attitudes. I am their friend, family member and the one that they judge first when they see me start to waiver a little in my faith walk. They are not my encouragers, but they are the ones who need my encouragement. If I cannot love them with the love of Jesus, then I am the one who has failed them. Love is sometimes hard and often challenging, especially if you go into a situation with a preconceived idea of how everything will play out. I have learned through experience to hope for the best but pray as if the worst might happen so I am prepared to give the answer they need to hear. Love is telling the truth and loving the other person when they refuse to hear it. Love is accepting the barbs of rejection and knowing that it isn’t really me that they are rejecting but the Lord. Love is unconditional, not expecting anything but ready to give everything. Love is…you tell me. What is love to you?

Choosing Our Clothes

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture3 Comments

I have a closet full of clothing, including many items that I seldom if ever wear. There’s the suit dress that I wore to our son’s wedding, almost two decades ago. It is a lovely suit, but too dressy for every day and I don’t go to many weddings. I have a super heavy coat that a dear friend gifted me after she found out that I had knee replacement surgery and she wanted me to have a long coat to keep my knees warm. It is so heavy that I feel weighted down when I wear it, so I don’t wear it often, but it’s there for the really cold days when I need it. Finally, I have my wedding gown. Over fifty years old and I still have it. I won’t fit into it, and it’s nothing expensive or fancy that cost hundreds of dollars. In fact, I got it on sale at a now defunct department store, watching my pennies on a tight budget and knowing my parents weren’t chipping in for any of my wedding expenses. My veil cost more than the dress and I couldn’t tell you where that even is. I like to just see the dress sometimes and remember what that day was like for me.

Most of us have clothes that we don’t wear much but which we don’t want to give up. I have downsized my closet several times since my retirement, donating all of the professional teaching outfits that I know I don’t need now. There are some articles of clothing that God urges us to wear daily, and the good news is that they don’t take up any room in a crowded closet.

These are the attributes of someone who maintains a close relationship with God and who strives to be more like Jesus. Opening Jesus’s closet is free to us but it cost Him everything. Today, as I sit quietly in my pajamas (my daily outfit since retirement), I am pondering whether I am properly dressed for the day. I don’t have to wonder about whether things match or are appropriate for the activities for the day. What I put on each morning for the Lord always goes with whatever I am wearing outwardly and they are always just what I need to get me through the day. Being tenderhearted, showing mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience not only ministers to those around me, but they also make me feel better about any challenges during the day. After all, God wants me to face the world with the same empathy and compassion that His Son showed to all whom He met. The outward clothes I wear will wear out (or more likely stop fitting properly), but the clothes I put on for the sake of the Lord will always fit just right and be the exact qualities I need at the exact moment I need them.

So, what are you wearing today?

An Armor-Bearer

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture, testimony4 Comments

My devotional today included a verse that really made me think. What am I actually doing for the Lord? I am not an outspoken preacher or a missionary going to foreign lands. Rather, I am an armor-bearer, helping along those who are the leaders, those who are doing the actual work but who need my support.

Jonathan had an armor bearer, one who encouraged him and told him that he was with him in all that he set out to do. That is what I see as my responsibility. I am an encourager for those who are doing, a background cheering squad who prays and wants only the best for those whom God is sending. I am old and unable to travel or go, but I can stay and pray. I can send financial resources when God prods me to do so. I may not be the go-er and the do-er, but I am the one who helps to carry the burden so that the mission can be accomplished. It’s not a job that carries a lot of kudos or recognition, but that is not what I am here for. I am here to do the best I can until God calls me home, so I am content to be an armor-bearer.

As you go through your day, think of all the ways you can encourage others who are facing a day of being in the world and having to face persecution or ridicule, battles that we may no longer be a part of because of life’s circumstances. Pray for them, the friends who are still working every day, still bearing their cross every day and showing Jesus to a lost and dying world.

It’s not that I don’t still represent Jesus when I go out and about. Of course, I do! I just don’t go out much anymore. But the nurses and doctors I see need to see a positive attitude and a smiling face as much as anyone else. So do the people in the check out lines and anyone else I come across that God encourages me to encourage them. I am an armor bearer, not the one on the front lines, but the one backing them up and sowing little seeds so the harvest can eventually be produced.

Paul had multiple armor bearers and thanked them in his many letters, reminding other believers that he had supporters that also needed support.

As an armor bearer, I can stand in the gap and pray and I can be the best encourager possible. My words mean something to someone somewhere. I hope you will all take the responsibility of being an armor-bearer seriously. The work of the kingdom depends on each of us.

Asking for Wisdom

On By vickleaIn Admonition, promises, Scripture, testimony, YouVersion App3 Comments

Wisdom for Life (YouVersion Daily Refresh)

Wisdom is a key aspect of maturity. We often think of growing into maturity as we get older and gain more knowledge, but growing mature in wisdom transcends age. Wisdom grows when we learn to apply our knowledge to everyday choices and situations.

James, the brother of Jesus and writer of the book of James, talks about the process of growing in spiritual maturity in James 1:1-5. He tells us that anybody who seeks wisdom should simply ask God for it, and God will give it generously to anyone who asks.

Growing in spiritual wisdom happens when we use our knowledge of God, the world, and ourselves, to make right decisions about how we should act, live, and talk as Christians. It’s as we get to know God better that we grow in His wisdom and are equipped with the knowledge we need to live abundant lives that honor Him. In this way, wisdom comes from our relationship with God.

Nobody needs to lack wisdom because God offers it freely through a relationship with Him. As we seek Him and His wisdom, He gives us opportunities to practice it and grow in our trust in Him. And as we trust Him with our choices, we begin to see wisdom flourish in our lives.

So what will you do to cultivate wisdom in your life? The first step is to ask God for help. When you humbly come to God and admit your need for Him, He will generously give you all the wisdom you need.

My Thoughts

Growing up, I cultivated a lot of knowledge. This was mostly due to a demanding mother who insisted that I had a higher than average IQ (she had each of us tested) so she demanded absolute perfection from me. A “B” on a test brought severe consequences, so I quickly learned to apply myself to receive all “A’s” at the expense of friendships and acceptance by my peers. They came to me for help with school work but not real relationships. Coupled with my health problems with asthma, I was mostly a lonely child. Attending college didn’t help a lot since I was still mostly a loner, but I applied myself to do well there, too. Getting a “C” in my first math class there almost destroyed me, but I persevered and accepted that I was not as smart in all subjects as my mom insisted I was. When I was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa my senior year, I was understandably proud but also bewildered about how I got there, since it was supposed to be an organization for well-rounded students and all I did well was study. Or at least that is what I thought of myself. Looking back, I realize that in my quest to do well in college, I had taken on jobs, leadership positions (a junior counselor to freshmen and the president of the Spanish House among others) but I didn’t consider them activities but responsibilities to help others. Anyway, I graduated from college and went on to become a teacher.

It was in my first year away from home in a small apartment in Smithfield, Virginia, that I encountered someone who told me all about Jesus. I became a Christian and started seeking more than knowledge. I wanted wisdom from God and found it in His Word and in talking with other like-minded believers.

I discovered that wisdom is God’s gift to help us know when to speak, when to be silent, what to say in various situations and to always be aware that we are representing God. That is a very simplistic definition but it is one that I have tried to cultivate. Wisdom has helped me to deal with a non-believing family member who scoffs at my beliefs, particularly since I have had multiple health issues. How can a God who loves me watch me have a debilitating stroke or struggle to breathe with my asthmatic condition? My reply comes from the wisdom of knowing and walking with God. He didn’t cause my problems but He does walk with me through them. Wisdom urges me to be silent when I see others struggling with the responsibility of a special needs child. My book knowledge says that there is a better way, but my wisdom says to pray and be silent and let God show them the way. You see, wisdom is not always the loudest voice. In fact, it is rarely accompanied by trumpets sounding and the announcement that I alone have all the answers. Rather, it is a still small voice speaking in my ear and telling me what to say, when to say it or just to be quiet because God is handling things and doesn’t need my help.

For Such A Time as This

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

Finding Your Purpose (YouVersion Daily Refresh)

The story of Esther is a powerful testimony within the Scriptures. It tells about Esther who risked her life in order to save the people of God from danger. Esther faced the decision between what was easy and what was difficult, and she chose the more difficult way because it was the right thing to do.

Esther 4:14 points out that Esther’s purpose in life was tied to this very moment. She was crafted and shaped by God in order to fulfill His purposes in her generation. She was placed in this unique situation by God.

While most of us might not be servants in the house of a king or queen, we all have difficult decisions to make in life. Every day we are faced with situations that have easy answers, and some that are difficult.

The story of Esther teaches us that God has gifted each of us for a specific purpose. Even though the journey isn’t always easy, God promises to be with us as we follow the path He’s called us to.

Additionally, Esther did not accomplish her purpose alone. She had the support of her community fasting and praying for her. Similarly, we cannot make it through life alone. We need the support of our community praying for us. And they need us in their lives as well.

Take some time today to think about your own story. How is it similar to Esther’s? Consider the unique purpose that God has created you for. Pray to Him for strength to make the right decision in life, and to persevere in following where He leads.

My Thoughts

God has been speaking to me a lot lately through His Word about His purpose for me and whether I am fulfilling it or not. I sincerely want to follow the path God has laid out for me, but I am very aware that sometimes I have strayed and not done as the Holy Spirit was directing me. I am trying to get better, but I am not there yet.

The book of Esther is a story of courage, but as has been pointed out to me in every devotional and in my own reading, the Jewish people at that time were far from God. The times were dangerous and they were facing extinction. Yet there is no prayer in the book, no mention of God’s name. Esther does ask the community to fast, but that seems to be out of desperation, and I hope, her faith, but that is not mentioned.

I need the courage of Esther when I venture into the sinful world today. Seemingly innocent things like a new Snow White movie are actually sin in disguise, roping in innocent children to believe in a society that is not part of God’s plan. I haven’t really been going into the world a lot lately since I have been really ill for a couple of weeks now. I did go to my specialist yesterday, and the receptionist got a little snippy with me. You know the type…just put on a mask since you’re coughing and answer my questions even though you cannot breathe well. I said a silent prayer for strength and did the best I could. I am thankful that I did not reply with snark, my usual response especially when I am not feeling well. But the Spirit checked me and I tried to be kind and polite in spite of her somewhat unreasonable and curt demands. Where do doctor’s offices find these people who don’t really like sick people anyway? The result of my visit was six new prescriptions for a lingering infection and a visit next week to start injections of a biologic that is supposed to help me fight infections before they get such a firm grasp.

Back to Esther. Esther depended on her community to support her. We each need to have a community of supporters. I have a small group from church that contacts me when I am sick, checks on me and my husband and generally helps when we need it. I have a friend in my online Bible study. We meet online, but we have met in person as well. She contacted me yesterday because she said I had been on her mind and she felt she needed to check on me. I updated her on my health issues and we both felt better for being a part of each other’s lives. My “go-to” person when I need prayer is our daughter in Pennsylvania. She drops whatever she is doing and prays and will even drive the nine hours to get to us if she knows we need her. So, who is your community of believers that you can call on in all circumstances, those with whom you can be brutally honest about how you feel and what you are going through? I encourage you to find someone and form a mutually beneficial friendship with each other and with God. Just as Heather knew without my contacting her that I needed prayer, your relationship with another Bible-believing Christian opens the door for the Holy Spirit to keep those lines of communication open.

Whatever time we are born into is the time God meant for us to be present. He put me here in the 1950’s until now for a reason. Every day, my prayer is that in some way I can represent Him well. Times are sinful, non-believers are angry. But that has not changed since the time of Esther or the time of Jesus. Be present. Be mindful of each day that God gives you to carry out His purpose. That is how you will one day hear, “Well done!”

Appointed by God

On By vickleaIn Admonition, ScriptureLeave a comment

I hope that you all know the story of Jonah. God told him to go and preach to Nineveh, but Jonah had his own ideas and ran away from God. As a result, there was a big storm at sea, the boat he was on was about to wreck and Jonah knew that he was the reason. So, he told the sailors to throw him overboard (since he was the one who was disobeying God) and they would be fine. The sailors did, and God sent a big fish to swallow Jonah. He stayed there for three days and nights. Hmm. It would be interesting to know what he was doing during that time, but I would guess some heavy thinking and repenting since once the fish spit him out, he went where God had told him to go in the first place.

God has appointed things for each of us to do and He gets our attention in ways that only the Creator can. He has a plan and He will work His plan, with or without our cooperation. It is a much better idea to go along with God’s plan to begin with than to come up with our own “better idea.” There is no better plan than God’s and no way that we can circumvent His plan. Jonah found that out the hard way. Perhaps we would prefer to spend more time with God, find out what He wants us to do and then follow through. After all, God can get our attention and get us back on track, but He would probably prefer if we would not get off track to begin with.

The Light of the World

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture, YouVersion App4 Comments

So this is the week where we lost an hour of sleep and somehow have a longer day. I am not sure how all of that works, but one thing I do know. Jesus is and always will be the light of the world, no matter what time zone we are in.

Jesus gives His light equally to everyone. It is not His will that some should remain in darkness. That’s why He calls us to be lights to a dark world.

Knowing that Jesus is always there, shining brightly in and through us should give us the courage to tell others about His great salvation.

Think about this quotation. You don’t give to get, but receiving is a byproduct of giving. God started the whole process of light when He said, “Let there be light.” Think of all of the life forces that depend on light. God knew exactly what He was doing, and we need to be intentional about shining.

Prayer about Being a Light to Others (YouVersion Prayer)

Jesus, thank You for being the light of the world, and for giving us hope for an eternal relationship and life with You. Thank You for allowing me to represent You on earth, and for giving me the Holy Spirit to help me live a life that honors You. Each day, help me be a light in the darkness and draw others closer to You. Amen.

The Light of the World-Lauren Daigle