Category: Characteristics of God

God’s Promises

On By vickleaIn Characteristics of God, promises, ScriptureLeave a comment

Cling to God’s Promises (Daily Refresh, 11-29, YouVersion)

What do you think about? 

The thoughts that fill your mind are crucial, because what you cling to influences your worldview. 

If you choose to dwell on God’s promises, you start to recognize God’s blessings during uncertain times. Trusting that God will redeem your present pain equips you to walk forward in faith and keep on fighting. 

Isaiah 12:2 reminds us that we belong to a God who is faithful to keep His promises. This God rescues us and fights for us. So when we belong to God, we have nothing to fear—all we need to do is cling to God and wait on Him to act. 

So as you walk forward today, reflect on some of God’s promises, and let them transform the way you think: 

God will sustain you. (Psalm 55:22)

God’s peace will guard your heart. (Philippians 4:7)

God delights over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

God will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. (Psalm 32:8)

God is your refuge and strength, your help in times of need. (Psalm 46:1)

In all things, you are more than a conqueror because God loves you. (Romans 8:37)

God will never leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

God’s perfect love casts out all your fear. (1 John 4:18)

Nothing can separate you from God’s love. (Romans 8:38-39)

God’s not done with you. God’s not done with you. God’s not done with you. (Philippians 1:6)

My Thoughts

First of all, the bold scripture passages are ones that I have memorized this year, but all of the promises of God are important.

Are you married or have you ever been married? Do you remember the vows you took that day? If you used the traditional vows, you and your spouse promised to love, honor and cherish until death parted you. That was a promise, a sacred covenant promise between you and your spouse, a covenant established by God when He gave Eve to Adam. I know that many have suffered the effects of divorce, and although my heart goes out to you, that is not the topic of today’s post. The vows remain the same, although some choices have been made to leave those vows behind and move on in life. God allows divorce but He doesn’t condone it because He is aware, as many of you are, that divorce hurts everyone touched by it and the healing is long in coming.

Back to promises. Has someone close to you promised you something and then didn’t carry it out? I don’t think I am in a minority when I say a resounding “yes” to that question. Whether the person forgot, circumstances got in the way or they didn’t prioritize the promise, I felt a little trust seep out. If this situation continues repeatedly, then trust evaporates and the relationship is likely broken, or at least irrevocably changed.

God does not lie and He does not break His promises. If He said it, we can trust that He will do it. He told Abram that He was taking him to a new land and his ancestors would be as numerous as the sand. He kept that promise, didn’t He? Even though Abraham was elderly and thought that he and Sarah would never have their own child, God blessed them with Isaac and the dynasty of Israel began. Think about the Biblical story that comes to your mind when you consider God’s keeping His promises. I think of David, Daniel, Moses, and yes, even Jesus. God promised a Savior and even though it cost Him a beloved Son, He fulfilled that promise.

Sometimes we want to force God into a corner somehow and remind Him of His promises, asking Him just when He plans to carry them out and make you the person He wants you to be. The answer is always the same. In His time, not ours. Remember that the Bible says, “When the fullness of time was come…” We are all a work in progress, but God is and always has been a perfect work, from infinity to eternity. One of His attributes is being a Promise Keeper.

I don’t know about you, but I think long and hard before I promise someone something. I want to be like the Father and keep my commitments, but sometimes I don’t and I always feel very guilty afterwards, even when I confess and the other person forgives me. God doesn’t have to be careful about making promises. They are already written in His Word, the treasure that we can find and hold on to in the hard times in our lives. Although other people may disappoint us with their lack of trustworthiness, God never will.

Objective Truth

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Characteristics of God, ScriptureLeave a comment

The Truth of God (Daily Refresh, 11-28, YouVersion)

What is truth? Various generations have had different ways of answering that question. It’s a popular belief in today’s culture that truth can be whatever you want it to be. This is the idea that truth is relative and unique to every individual person.

But if everyone lives their own truth, then nobody can truly know which one is right. And if one person’s truth contradicts another person’s truth, then one of them must be wrong.

Scripture tells us that there’s an objective truth available to us that we can live by. Rather than truth being grounded in the individual, it is grounded in something much bigger than ourselves. Truth is sourced from God.

God is the Ruler and Creator of the universe, and the One from whom truth and beauty come. God’s Word contains the truths that He has spoken to us so that we might live according to His truth.

Jesus says that His teachings are true because they come from God. He goes on to say that anyone who knows the truth will be set free by the truth of God.

When we know the truth, we are no longer living according to a lie. God’s truth illuminates our life and shows us true reality. This is why Jesus says that the truth will set us free. We become truly free to live according to how God designed us to live.

An important part of learning what is true and what isn’t is reading God’s Word. He has spoken to us through His Word, and all that He has spoken is true. When we read and memorize God’s Word, we learn more and more about God.

Take some time today to thank God for revealing Himself to us through His Word, and for illuminating our lives with His truth.

My Thoughts

These days are not days of truth but rather of lies and subterfuge and deception. “Everybody lies” is the new mantra, and it is backed up by the fact that we can see it daily on any news media we watch. Everyone “spins” the truth so that it says what they want it to day. The interpretation of events is different on Newsmax, CNN and MSNBC.

You know who does not “spin the truth” or ever lie? God! In Numbers 23:19, it is plain to read that God does not lie. If He says it, He does it. Period. That’s why He is a Promise Keeper.

I have been disappointed many times in life by people who tell me one thing and do another. Or those who tell a “little white lie” to hide the real truth. You know what I am talking about. It’s an easy trap to fall into. Should I tell the truth and risk hurting that person and perhaps losing their friendship? Or should I just lie to protect them? The answer lies in your heart; you tell the truth and let God work things out for you, even though it may not happen immediately.

As you immerse yourself in God’s Word, you learn to recognize truth and to be more accustomed to telling the truth in difficult situations. Jesus didn’t mince words and try to tickle the ears of the Pharisees. He called them out, saying they were vipers, they stole from widows, they prayed to be seen. If Jesus was not afraid to tell the truth, and He is our example, then we should do likewise.

Real truth is not subjective. There is no such thing as your truth and my truth. There is only God’s truth and it is the foundation for all we believe and for what we say to others.

Discipline

On By vickleaIn Characteristics of God, Scripture1 Comment

Raise your hand if you enjoy discipline. What? No hands! I used to be punished severely for things like getting a B or not doing what my mom said to do immediately. By severely, I mean large sticks and what mama called a “switchin’.” I bore marks on my legs and back for days because when I say severe, I mean, she took out her anger on me. That, however, is not an example of discipline, just in case you were wondering.

The American Heritage Dictionary online says that discipline is “Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.” Notice that discipline is training, not physical abuse. Consequences may be necessary, but the consequences fit the misbehavior, not always the same thing administered the same way.

God disciplines us because we are His children and I am thankful for His discipline. His correction often turns me around from the wrong way and heads me back in the wrong direction. I never feel scolded wrongfully after discipline from God. I always know I needed it, and I also know that He wouldn’t discipline me if He didn’t truly love me.

As our children grew up, we didn’t want them to think that “anything goes” as the current society tends to teach. We wanted them to know that there are family norms, societal norms and Biblical expectations. They knew that stepping into the road without looking both ways could end in great bodily harm, and we backed that rule up with physical consequences. But if they “forgot” to clean their room, then their punishment was no extracurricular activities until it was done. I must say, without desiring to sound as though I am bragging, that all three of our children are contributing members of society and turned out pretty well. (With the disclaimer that somehow two of them married liberals and are therefore leaning left.)

That being said, remember that God disciplines us for our good. He doesn’t want us getting hurt (like running into traffic) or to be disrepectful (like not following rules). He also wants to have a close relationship with us and that comes when He disciplines and we accept that discipline and make the necessary change to be more like Him. We want to always be more godlike and less like our human, sinful self. God forgives over and over and He has great patience with us, disciplining us sometimes over and over for the same infraction. He wants us to grow, not stay as we are in a stagnant pond. It’s all about being willing to partake of the living water instead of insisting on our own potion that we think we bring happiness..

So, discipline from God? Yes, please. (Although this may not be my attitude at the time). Discipline from other Christians who have our best interest at heart? That is a “yes” also. If you still have children at home or are helping to raise other children, remember it’s all about training, not forcing your will on them. Be a Godlike person who disciplines in love, for love and with the result of training for growth.

Believing Doesn’t Equal Understanding

On By vickleaIn Book Review, Characteristics of God, God’s blessings, Scripture1 Comment

I am someone who wants to see proof before I believe things or trust someone. Show me what you are saying is true and then I will believe you is like a mantra for me. Or at least it was until I became a Christian. Now, my whole life is wrapped up in believing without seeing everything. I can see some things, but not all. On the other hand, I believe everything God says because He is God and doesn’t lie. (Numbers 23:19)

Let’s take a walk down a path of believing vs. understanding. I am sure you are all familiar with the story of Jairus coming to Jesus because his young daughter was dying.

Jesus had a large crowd following Him, a Jairus, a synagogue leader, must have already believed in Jesus and His power because he sought out Jesus and asked Him to come and heal his daughter. That is certainly a demonstration of believing, also called faith.

Jesus’s trip to Jairus’s house was interrupted by a woman who touched Him and received healing from a blood issue that had been going on for years. Jesus was speaking about this event when people arrived from Jairus’s house and told Jairus not to bother Jesus anymore because his daughter had died. What a bummer, right? Jairus traveled to get Jesus’s help, found Jesus and Jesus was on the way when his daughter died.

Jesus overheard the news that they brought to Jairus and instead of saying, “Oh, that’s too bad. I’m so sorry that I’m too late,” Jesus told Jairus to just believe. He didn’t ask him to understand why this happened or how Jesus could change things. He said to just believe and not be afraid.

When unexpected things happen in our lives, we need to remember this scripture and hold on to it. We may never understand why bad things happen or what the end result might be, but we can hold on the promise that Jesus can make a difference and believe. Jairus believed and Jesus raised his daughter from the dead.

Can any of us understand how that happened? Of course, we cannot because our finite minds cannot comprehend miracles that occur in the presence of the Lord. We don’t have to understand for it to take place. Jesus didn’t say, “Understand.” He said to just believe. I think sometimes our quest for knowledge and understanding gets in the way of our faith, our belief in a God who can do anything because He is God.

Our belief in the God of all mankind and we cannot explain an infinite and omniscient and omnipresent God with our finite knowledge. We can, however, believe. Just believe. The understanding may or may not come later, but our belief doesn’t depend on our understanding. Our belief is based on who God is, not what we think about Him.

If we take things like our daily challenges at face value, many of us would just throw up our hands and quit before we even start our day. But because we believe, we dedicate the day to the Lord and ask Him to fulfill His plan in it and through us. I don’t understand why there is so much pain and suffering in the world, like the genocide of Christians. in Nigeria. But I do trust God and believe that He is still active and working even when I don’t understand.

How about you? Are you trying to get your understanding to line up with your faith? Faith comes first. Understanding may never come.

God Is Faithful

On By vickleaIn Characteristics of God, God’s blessings, Scripture3 Comments

I am feeling a little melancholy this morning because my devotional is all about God’s being faithful and as I meditated, I realized that God has always been faithful to me, but I keep falling short. But even in that realization, God is faithful to point out to me lovingly that He is still working on perfecting me.

When I am angry about some small thing (and aren’t all things small in the face of eternity), God is faithful and waits for me to calm down.

When I am feeling overwhelmed, whether about health issues or family problems or just things coming at me fast and furiously, God is faithful and quietly waits for me to acknowledge that He is my peace.

When I am sad about the loss of a friend or the events in the world, God is faithful, whispering in my ear that He is still in control.

When I am so tired that I don’t think I can take another step or do one more thing, God is faithful and encourages me with His strength.

And even now, when I am disappointed about all of my failures, God is faithful to remind me of where I began and where He has faithfully brought me to. I am not a finished work, and He has always been faithful to continue to work with me.

Meditation on this verse can give you astounding insight into your relationship with God. Read the first line and put emphasis on the word “my.” Yes, God is the God of the Universe, but He is MY God and He deserves all praise and honor. His faithfulness is always perfect as He has a plan and does wonderful things in my life, many that I don’t see and recognize at the time. God is faithful…all the time, in all ways.

This is a challenge I am making to myself, that no matter what is happening around me or what I am going through, I want to be faithful to praise God. It’s easy to look at circumstances and concentrate on all of the bad things that are happening. I want to be the one who looks at the circumstances and says, “Praise the Name of the Lord.” Not because what is happening is always good, but because God is always good and always present and always faithful!

Can you think of the ways that God has been faithful in your life? Please take some time today to praise Him for His faithfulness. God doesn’t change and is and will always be faithful.

Seek and Find

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Characteristics of God, Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

Seeking and Finding God (Daily Refresh, 11-01-25)

In the Old Testament, God’s presence and His relationship with His people was mediated through priests and the temple system. The people of God worshiped God and prayed to Him, but it was the priests who would enter a sacred space and speak with God on their behalf.

They revered God, but they were still separated from Him.

However, the prophet Jeremiah wrote about a time when God’s people would be able to experience a direct relationship with Him. God’s Spirit would dwell in them, and they could find Him anywhere at any time.

Through Jesus, Jeremiah’s prophecy was fulfilled. Jesus sent the Spirit of God dwell within us, to have access to God’s presence at any time.

This means that God is never far from you—just like it says in Jeremiah 29:13, He can be found when we seek Him. He is present and ready for a relationship with you.

Jeremiah also says that we must seek God with all of our heart. We don’t just seek God, He seeks us as well. When you pursue a relationship with God, He wants access to every part of you. The way you think, the way you act, and even the way you feel.

God wants to transform your entire life.

At first, it may seem hard to give God access to our past, or the things we’re ashamed of. But, God is full of grace and mercy, and He wants us to be free from those things. Seeking God with all of your heart may feel risky at times, but we can trust He knows best and will love us regardless of what we’ve done.

Ask God to reveal within you any part of your life that you haven’t surrendered to God. Pray for the strength and courage to give all of your life to Him. Continue to seek Him and follow Him each and every day.

My Thoughts

When I became a Christian, I wasn’t looking for God, but He was definitely looking for me. He sent a neighbor to tell me about His Word and to encourage me to read it. She also invited me to church and mentored me in my new life as a Christian. I don’t think any of that was a coincidence. I truly believe that God was seeking me and I allowed myself to be found.

We seek God daily by spending time with Him. That’s what I am doing now as I ask Him for inspiration to write this blog. I want each of my readers to know God so well that when a counterfeit comes along, you immediately recognize and reject it.

I cannot imagine not being able to call on God at any time and any place, knowing that He is right there to listen. I think it would have been hard to go through the priests and expect them to tell God what is on my heart. I think that is why I have difficulty with the whole confess to the priest practice that is prevalent in some religions. Why is that needed when God shows Himself to each of us individually, as the Father, Creator and the seeker of what is best for us. I don’t know and don’t pretend to understand this practice, but I am glad that I am not part of a ritual that keeps me at a distance from God when He wants me to seek and find.

There are some things that I try to hold back from God, especially when I know that I have a wrong attitude and need to change it. But I have found that He sees all things in spite of my attempt to keep some things hidden, so I may as well be honest with Him and open my heart to the change that needs to take place. God wants total access to me and everything about me. He has Top Security Clearance into all the parts of me. I seek, He seeks and together, God and I make an awesome team of finding others who also need to seek.

Believe

On By vickleaIn Characteristics of God, God’s blessings, Scripture1 Comment

The word “believe” is an action verb that means (according the the New Oxford American Dictionary) to accept something as true. I believe that the sky is blue and look up and can see that it is, at least when it isn’t raining. It is easier to believe in things we see, touch, and can hear. But what about the spiritual things? How do we get to the place where we can believe without doubting?

When Jairus came to Jesus for healing for his daughter, others came and told Jairus not to keep bothering Jesus since she had already died. Jesus’s reply was to “just have faith.”

An important part of believing in the Lord and His promises is to have faith. In the world where everything is instantly provided, or so it seems, we don’t like to wait. And faith is a hard thing sometimes when we persistently ask God for an answer and we haven’t seen one yet after weeks, months, even years. So, what do we do when we don’t get the answer we want when we want it? We continue to believe.

How do we do that? I don’t know what works in your life, but for me, I reflect on all that God has already done and keep repeating his promises. I remind myself that God doesn’t lie and if He said it, He will do it. It’s hard sometimes to stop whining and start praising, but that is exactly what we need to do. It builds our own faith and helps others to see Jesus in us. Instead of talking to God about what you don’t have yet, thank Him for what He has already done for you. Remember the song “Count Your Blessings” and do that!

We haven’t seen death yet and don’t know what happens when we die. Yet we who are Christians believe in life after death. Why do we believe in what we cannot see? Because God said it, He promised it and He fulfills His promises. In our lifetime, we see many changes, some good and some bad. Life is like a roller coaster ride of curves, twists and hills to climb. But God is right there with us, knowing that we can make it to the end of our race because He and the heavenly host are cheering us on. They believe in us…so we should also believe in the Father to do exactly as He has said. Again, how do we believe? And again, I say, count the promises that God has made to you in your life and already brought to pass. Build your faith on the firm foundation of His Word and His actions for you in the past. Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life.” He didn’t say that He was the resurrection for former believers, the heroes of the faith only and then stopped reaching out to people. No, He uses the present tense. Every day, we are saved from our sins. We were saved (when we accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior), we are being saved (as we walk with Him daily and believe His promises) and one day we will be saved to a new life, to live with Him eternally. Promises made, promises kept! (Politicians use this slogan to point out how good they are to the people, but the only One good who has kept all of His promises is God.)

Do you let God speak to you daily from His word? That’s where His promises are and that’s what helps you to believe. You can feed your faith by centering yourself on God’s word or you can feed your doubt by looking around at your world and all that is not right with it. Notice that the person in this scripture says he believes. What does he do just after his proclamation of belief? He worships. We need to spend time just adoring God for who He is, not just thanking Him for all He has done for us. He is the Creator of the Universe, yet He considered each of us important enough to send His Son to die for us. He is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, powerful and holy. Spend some time thinking about who God is…and believe that He wants what is best for you.

Little children believe in Santa and are sad to find out that he isn’t real. Some believe in false gods and one day will face the real God who will judge them for their folly. We have the greatest gift of all…God’s love, His gift of salvation and all of His promises. So, let’s believe together that God will do what He says. He may not answer our prayer with a “yes” but He will answer with what is best for us because He is our Father who loves us. Only believe!

Choose Church

On By vickleaIn Characteristics of God, God’s blessings, praise, Scripture2 Comments

Sunday is a busy day for many families. They run errands, participate in activities with other families and perhaps go to a sporting event or theater performance. But Sunday in our house has consistently been the day that we set aside to attend church.

One of the most important parts of church is encouraging each other. Look for the person who is sitting alone and talk to them. Get out of your comfort zone and help someone else to be comfortable in God’s house. Who knows what seed you may be sowing or what blessing you may receive just from reaching out to someone else? After all, you were once a newcomer to that congregation. Think about how you felt, and take the time to smile and welcome a stranger.

Think about the difference between praise and thanksgiving. Thanksgiving starts with God doing something for us, and we are thankful. Praise just starts with who God is, and there are no words to adequately express the glory due His name. Praise is based on God’s character while thanksgiving is based on His actions. Note that His actions always follow His character because God is and always will be God. As you attend church, remember to offer thanksgiving and praise. Our unchangeable, unstoppable God deserves both!

Have a blessed Sunday, my friends.

The Boot and the Attitude

On By vickleaIn Characteristics of God, Scripture, testimony1 Comment

Well, yesterday I saw the specialist at Ortho VA and he provided me with new footwear.

He told me that I do have a broken bone in my left foot, one that starts under my small toe and extends to the underside of my foot. Having discussed all of my medical conditions, he forthrightly told me that he would put me in a boot for the next five weeks or so and hope that it heals. But he also told me that since I cannot take extra Vitamin D and calcium (due to my kidney), he doesn’t think that will happen. The next step is to have surgery and insert a screw. Again, he said it probably would not heal because I just don’t have a lot of bone to work with. At that point, I think he was waiting for me to start crying or get really upset because he looked at me perplexed and asked if I understood.

I told him that I did understand and I knew that my body has a lot of problems. I also joked that my warranty ran out and God isn’t renewing it until I come to live with Him. He told me I had a good attitude and was happy to work with me to find a solution for my foot problem. I followed up by telling him that I wasn’t too concerned since I personally know the Great Physician. His entire face smiled and he said that was why I could have such a good attitude.

I must confess that I am not generally “Merry Sunshine” who looks for all of the good things wrapped up tightly in the bad. But I am realistic and know what my body has been through and what God has already done for me. Thus, I am wearing this wonderfully heavy boot, using a walker to steady myself and believing that God can do the work in me that man says is impossible.

If you have not read or do not follow Grace Fox, I encourage you to do so. She is the sweetest Christian lady, lives on a boat with her husband and travels for missions trips a lot. She also writes some wonderful devotionals. The latest one is on the names of God.

In closing, I appreciate your prayers, but I feel that I must assure you that God is in control and I know it. No matter what happens. If He heals me, to God be the glory. But if He doesn’t, to God be the glory! May He continue to use me to show people a good attitude and thankfulness. In a world filled with darkness, I want to be a light.

Weather Forecasts and Jesus

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Characteristics of God, promises, Scripture1 Comment

When you read the title, you probably wondered where I could possibly be going with the post today. Well, first let’s look at weather forecasts. According to this website Climate Cosmos, weather predictions have gotten more accurate with technology but they still make errors. In fact, in the seven-day forecast, they are only about 50% right.

Last week, Hurricane Erin seemed to be bearing down on the east coast of the United States. I got an email from Dominion Virginia Energy on Wednesday telling me to be prepared to lose power because of high winds. I have lived here for a quarter of a century and never got this kind of warning before, so my husband and I talked about the impending storm, he checked the weather channel online and I checked my weather app, and sure enough, we had high winds predicted. Thus, we made sure we were ready for an electrical outage, or as ready as one can ever be. We made sure we had batteries for flashlights, candles ready, and then my husband went to the store and stocked up on water and food that can be eaten without cooking it. So, with a supply of beanie weenies for him and crackers for me, with puddings and jellos for both of us, we decided that we were ready. Later that night, the forecast changed. In fact, the “high” winds were not forecast to be a mere 10-15 mph. That meant our preparation was not necessary, but we are ready for the next story. (Oh, by the way, the reason we buy water is that we have a well. The well will still have water, but the pump is electric, so no toilet flushing or getting fresh water from the faucets. Which also explains why we filled up both bathtubs with water…for flushing.) When my brother called for my birthday, he asked how we did in the hurricane because he, too, saw that Erin was barreling towards the east coast. I told him about our preparations and the fact that of course, we did not end up needing to do all of that. We both laughed at how the weather changes quickly and unexpectedly.

I am not saying Jesus is predictable, but His Word says that He is always the same. Unlike the weather, if He says in His Word that He will do it, it’s a done deal, something we can absolutely count on. That means that we should always be ready for Jesus to return. After all, He told His disciples that He would be back. He promised to take us to be with Him always and that He is preparing a place for us. Since Jesus is working on preparing a place for us, it’s a really good idea for us to prepare our hearts for Him. We don’t have to gather supplies or make sure that everything outside is secured, but we do have to stay in His Word and maintain a relationship with Him. He told us that the only One who knows when He will return is the Father, but we do have some signs in chapters like Matthew 24 that He told us would be a good prediction about His return. Preparing for Jesus is to always have oil in our lamps (the Holy Spirit active in our spiritual lives) and our minds and hearts clean before him. Confession isn’t just good for the soul, but it is also preparation for our eternal destiny. So, is Jesus more predictable than the weather. I can say with 100% certainty that Jesus is returning (unlike Erin that veered out to sea). He will come at the exact moment that the Father tells Him to do so, not one minute early or one minute late. And it is our job to be prepared. We may not know when, but we know what will happen because it is all written in His Word. Let’s focus on the return of Jesus instead of the storms in our lives or the weather forecast. We are much more likely to feel peace, assurance, comfort and security by keeping our focus on the certainty that is coming than on the weather or other circumstances that may or may not happen.