Category: Scripture

From the Holy Bible

Worry-Planning

On By vickleaIn Scripture, testimony5 Comments

I am not the originator of this phrase, but I think that I have been doing it all my life. It actually came from one of the devotionals that I receive in my email each day and this phrase stuck to me like glue on paper. I confess that I am a “worry planner.” I think of all of the what if situations that I can and try to plan for them, just in case. Yes, I am a Christian, and yes, I believe in God’s sovereignty and control, but when it comes to laying things down at the cross, I confess that I fail miserably.

I was looking out the window this morning at a hummingbird at its feeder and thought to myself that soon the hummingbirds will be gone and the cold will come. Now, think about that. I didn’t ponder the beauty and wonder of the hummingbird. I started thinking about preparing for the cold months to come. That is the worry-planner in me. God’s Spirit spoke clearly to my heart and told me to slow down and enjoy what is right in front of me instead of being so concerned about what is coming. Talk about a slap of reality and a good old dose of the Spirit getting my attention!

I realized that I want control. I say that I let God have control, but in many ways, I really don’t. Because I plan for every eventuality (to the best of my limited capability) and get frustrated when life interrupts my plans. God is telling me just to let go and enjoy the present. I don’t know what will happen next, but I do know that if it’s from God, it will be good for me in the end. So, pray for me as I am in a season of learning to let go, lay things down at the altar and unclasping my firmly grasping hands so that God can truly be in control. I don’t want to be a worry-planner anymore. I want to be a faith-filled, confident child of God. That will take some real doing on my part, but God is able to build this part of me just as He has built others. He knocks down walls and then builds from scratch what I could never build on my own. So again, prayers appreciated.

My husband and I have a big event happening next Sunday. No, not an anniversary or anything like that. Our granddaughter Teya is coming to live with us while she pursues her Master’s degree. We are the closest relative to her new college, so when we were asked if she could live with us and commute there every other weekend for her in-person classes, we readily agreed. This week, in the midst of illness, problems walking and regular life challenges, it hit both of us that we have not had anyone live with us long-term since our youngest moved out about twenty years ago. The plan is for Teya to be here for about two years. But, I am holding that plan with an open hand, knowing God is in the midst of this plan and He has His own plans for Teya and her future. In the meantime, pray for us to be helpful and loving grandparents to an adult granddaughter who is steadfastly devoted to Christ and will undoubtedly be a blessing to us. I wish I could say I did not worry-plan for this event, but I did and now I have let it go. My bum foot won’t let me clean and prepare for the visit, so my husband has cleaned out the closet for her and is getting things ready for her arrival. I am letting go and letting God tell me what He wants me to do with my limited mobility right now. God is good and He doesn’t want me to worry-plan anymore, so this is the first thing I am letting go of. I hope it lasts and that I don’t grab it back as Sunday approaches. Again, prayers, appreciated.

God’s Riches and Our Blessings

On By vickleaIn Book Review, God’s blessings, Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

Bottomless Riches (YouVersion Daily Refresh, 9-14-25)

Writing from prison to the believers in Philippi, the apostle Paul divulged that he’d learned the secret to being content—no matter the situation. 

Because of the faithfulness of God and the generosity of the Philippians, Paul’s needs had been met—even while in jail. He went on to say:

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬

What an incredible perspective from captivity, where Paul was placed for spreading the truth about Jesus.

God had given Paul peace, his friends had sent supplies, and Paul’s joy was unapologetically obvious—despite his imperfect circumstances. 

Paul knew that the same God who was taking care of Him would also take care of his friends. He knew that, because Jesus had already made a way, they could access the storehouses of heaven. He knew that, because of God’s generous character, they were covered in His grace.

Have you ever considered what a treasure trove of riches God has? And it’s not just what He has, but also who He is. God’s glorious riches, never-ending resources, and both visible and invisible qualities are limitless, bottomless, boundless, and inexhaustible. 

Think about that for a moment.
The amazing thing is—He’s granted us access. 

In His kindness, God fashioned raspberries and puppies. In His brilliance, He crafted the human eye and hung the earth on nothing. By His creativity, He made hammerhead sharks and sparkling fireflies. By His power, He designed galaxies that even the smartest of scientists are just now discovering.

The same God who cares for His creation will also provide for you.

When we become His children, we are given the key to eternal riches, to incorruptible goods, and to traits of His Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Do you need peace? You have a God who gives peace. Do you need provision? You have a God who offers provision. Do you need rest? You have a God who extends rest.

The ways in which God shows up are literally countless, and it’s all because of His gloriously limitless riches.

My Thoughts

When I started my devotional this morning, I was ready to throw a big pity party. After all, I am dealing with Flu A, a sinus infection, breathing treatments for asthma and a possibly broken foot that is swollen and painful to walk on. Then, I read the devotional and was reminded of all that I have available to me if I just take my eyes off the problems. So, re-routing, as my GPS says.

Now, I am thinking only about God and all He has done for me and will do for me. I need healing, yes, but more than that, after this tumultuous and tragic news week, I need peace. I need peace deep down in my heart, a peace that only comes from God. As I continue to read and meditate in His Word today, I fully expect Him to show up and speak peace to me because that is who He is and what He does.

My life isn’t perfect and I have challenges. But who doesn’t? God reminded me just now that I am not a new widow with two small children whose husband was murdered by a heartless man. He spoke to me that I can be still in His presence and receive His peace. I cannot go to church because I am coughing so much, but I can have church at home, worshipping the Lord and giving Him the honor He is due, not because of what He does for me, but because of who He is, all the time, for everyone in the world.

I look outside and see hummingbirds, probably the last week or so they will be here this season. Isn’t it remarkable that this is the first time for the baby hummingbirds to migrate, and yet they know just what to do and where to go? Why? Because as small as they are, God provides for them, just as He does for each of us.

I’m a mess, but God isn’t. He is good all the time, even in the middle of my mess and when I am pouting because I am ill again. I’m over it, by the way. I’m ready to take on the challenges that the day presents, with my face turned toward my Creator who is healing me, in His time and because He loves me, not because I demand or deserve it.

God bless you all “real good” as our South Carolina pastor used to say every Sunday.

Behind You

On By vickleaIn promises, Scripture4 Comments

I have read this verse over and over during devotionals. I have meditated on it and I kept coming back to the same question. Why is the voice behind me? After all, in the well-known “Footprints” poem, Jesus picks up the person hurting and carries them. I finally got an answer to my question today, and I am amazed that it took me this long to discover it.

If God is walking in front of us, we are following exactly where He leads, like the Israelites in the desert. All we have to do is stay on the right path and follow. But if He is behind us and speaking to us, that requires two things: being attuned enough to God to hear His voice and stepping out in faith.

I am perfectly happy having God behind me now. Not only is He my rearguard, He is also leading me in the way I should go if I will only listen and obey with faith in His master plan.

Let Jesus Live Through You

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App4 Comments

Live Prepared (You Version Daily Refresh, 9-12-25)

Pause and think of the people who, at a moment’s notice, have to be ready for anything. Maybe your list includes first responders, the military, athletes, teachers, parents, pilots, surgeons, or pastors. 

But does your list include you? 

As followers of Jesus, we are called to…

“…Be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We can’t expect people to observe what Jesus has commanded unless we are also observing His commands ourselves.

Do we want people to learn about God’s love? Then we need to show God’s love to people. Do we want people to learn about Jesus’ compassion? Then we need to be compassionate. Do we want people to give generously? Then we need to be good stewards of our own money. Do we want people to study God’s Word? Then we need to study it for ourselves.

When you give Jesus control over your life, you allow His love, joy, and hope to transform you. As this happens, your life becomes an act of worship that reveals His hope within you.

When you live like Jesus, people are drawn to Jesus in you. 

As you worship Jesus with your life, you will be able to honestly say that Christ in you is your hope and glory—and people will believe it because they see the evidence. 

They might not like who you are or agree with what you believe, but they won’t be able to find a logical reason to hate you when your life is centered around loving people the way Jesus loved you.

So as you go about each day, aim to live with gentleness and respect toward everyone. And let Jesus’ joy, love, and hope permeate your heart, mind, and relationships.

My Thoughts

Honestly, I am still reeling from the loss of Charlie Kirk. One meme I found online brought tears to my eyes and a new purpose to my heart. It said that one of our Lions was shot down, but the purpose of the enemy, to scatter us and make us unable to function with faith, has been thwarted because the pride has awakened to a new vision of fulfilling Charlie’s mission. So, we do have to be prepared, at all times, to share the hope within us. We don’t know who the next raging, hate-filled person will be, but they are out there, sent by the enemy of our souls to discourage and frighten us not to share the gospel. If we are not prepared and we do not share, then they win, and we know, we know from the Bible and from everything that God has spoken into our hearts, that we win! Charlie is with the Father and we grieve his loss, but we need to be prepared to lift the banner that fell the day that coward shot him down and carry it into a world that is lost and dying.

A Troubled Nation

On By vickleaIn grief, News Notes and Observations, prayer, Scripture8 Comments

We all learned division in elementary school, and we found out that it was hard and sometimes tedious. Our nation is divided along political and religious beliefs. And it’s hard and frightening. The era of civil discourse has ended and we are entering an era of violence against those with whom you disagree. If you don’t believe me, check out Blue Sky, an app for liberals that is calling for murdering Republicans. What did Charlie Kirk do to make someone want to kill him? We don’t know yet because the killer(s) have not been caught yet. But there is plenty of speculation about the assassination being politically motivated. In my opinion, that is probably accurate, but I think that the murder goes beyond that and reveals the heart and soul of America right now.

Years ago, I can’t even remember when it ended, the proper way to respond to those with whom you disagreed was to just walk away, knowing that you had agreed to disagree. You would continue with your opinion and they would continue with theirs. Nowadays, though, the evil minds of a few are vocally calling for violence when the other side does not agree with them. The issues are as numerous as the people who propagate them, but the ones that immediately come to mind are abortion, transgender rights, and illegal immigration. Those of us on the right say abortion is murder, there are only two genders and illegal immigration is, well, illegal, so those who crossed the border illegally should return to their homeland, or at least come across the border the right way. Charlie Kirk was a conservative Christian who would debate anyone about his views, not in a manner of “in your face” and “I know you’re wrong and I will prove it.” No, he reasoned with the people who confronted him and some listened and even changed their beliefs while others were angry that he was expounding on those beliefs. May we be mindful to respect the opinions of others and to disagree with love, not with hatred.

What will be the outcome of yesterday’s murder of a young family man who loved his God, his family and his nation? We don’t know, but we can be certain that things will change. The god of this world is alive and active and dedicated to destroying the truth. As Christians, we need to be ready to stand up for our beliefs and not to back down.

I subscribe to a Substack blog called Coffee and Covid. Here is today’s post that spoke to my heart about what is happening these days and prompted me to write this post.

Coffee and Covid

I will close with a photo and a scripture verse that brought me comfort and peace yesterday.

Charlie’s wife and two small children need our prayers. Our nation needs our prayers. Our leaders need our prayers. And our “enemies” need our prayers. I am comforted by the fact that God is still on His throne and although the enemy might have won this skirmish, the victory belongs to the Lord! Pray for our nation on this anniversary of 9-11. May we never forget the unity at that time and may the memory of all who sacrificed their lives on that day ever keep us true to our faith, our family and our nation.

The True Reality

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

Look Up (YouVersion Daily Refresh, 9-10-25)

It’s normal—and even understandable—to spend our time, energy, and attention focusing on the here and now. We’re busy, after all. We’re preoccupied. And when we stop to really think about it, it’s difficult to perceive something that’s beyond our five senses.

But in his letter to the Colossians, Paul encourages his fellow believers to look up:

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So, as you think about Paul’s words and the realities of heaven, here are four things to consider:

– First, heaven isn’t some vague, dream-like state. It’s a real place, with real people, where God is the true King.

– Second, there will come a day when we will all meet God face to face. We will no longer need faith or hope, because that which we’ve hoped for will finally be revealed.

– Third, our troubles and our heartbreaks (and even death itself) are temporary! Scripture tells us that, eventually, God will do away with pain and death and sickness and suffering—forever.

– Lastly (and most importantly), God is still on His throne, with Jesus beside Him in the place of honor. No matter how crazy, senseless, or heartbreaking the world can seem, we can have confidence knowing that nothing is outside of God’s sovereign plan.

So when you’re tempted to look around at others or look inward at yourself, look up instead. Heaven is wherever God is, and that’s the truest reality of all.

My Thoughts

It’s hard to keep our focus on heaven and God, and sometimes are harder than others. I have found, however, that the more I focus on the things of God, the less the reality of earth and all of its problems bother me. Yes, I may have a broken foot. I will find out next week when I go to the specialist. Yes, it hurts, but when my focus is on God, I think instead of all of the others in the world who are hurting so much more than I am. I don’t have all that I want in life, but I do have all that I need. And for that I am thankful. I am counting my blessings even when it’s somewhat easier and more apparent to count my troubles. God is the King of heaven and one day I will be with Him forever. All of these health issues and financial strain will no longer matter. They are all temporary, but life with God is forever. So, as I struggle with challenges in my daily life, I choose to look up and know that this is not my real home. It’s my temporary abode until God calls me home. Won’t you look up with me today?

Traveling Mercies

On By vickleaIn God’s blessings, praise, promises, Scripture5 Comments

This year has been one of a great deal of travel for me and my family members. Our grandson went to Japan while our granddaughter went to Ireland and then on a cruise around the Greek Isles. Our son went on a business trip to Germany. The trips my husband and I made this year were not as distant, but there were a lot of them. Starting with four graduations in May, we stayed on the road for almost three weeks that month. It seemed that we barely got home when we packed the car again and headed to Myrtle Beach, SC, to see my brother and his family who had flown in from Colorado. Returning from that trip, we spent a few weeks at home, then headed out to Maryland to see our son and his family. And this past weekend was our last trip of the summer. We went to Williamsburg to the Great Wolf Lodge to spend the weekend with our other son and his family. I would not trade any of those hours in the car for anything since my husband and I both got so much pleasure from seeing our children and grandchildren.

One of the things that I purposed to do this year is memorize more scripture verses. One of those became like my mantra for the year.

There was a lot of going out and coming in this year for ourselves and our children and grandchildren. They are still on the move, with one in college at Liberty, one actively seeing employment and one employed and traveling for work. This Psalm has been on my lips as a prayer for us and for our family members as they travel. The promise of traveling mercies is real. Harry and I put a lot of miles on these old bodies this year, and God was with us the whole way, just as He promised. Did unexpected things happen while we traveled? Of course, but nothing that God could not help us handle. When God promises, you can count on His acting on your behalf!

How about you? Did you go anywhere special? Did you pray before, during and after your trip for the traveling mercies that God provides?

A Favorite Hymn

On By vickleaIn Song, testimony, Video6 Comments

O God, Our Help in Ages Past

Link to the hymn on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/yKP_XxCBDZY

Lyrics:

1 O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:

—

2 Under the shadow of your throne
your saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is your arm alone,
and our defense is sure.

—

3 Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received its frame,
from everlasting you are God,
to endless years the same.

—

4 A thousand ages in your sight
are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.

—

5 Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
soon bears us all away;
we fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the op’ning day.

—

6 O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
still be our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home!

My Musings

I was raised in a traditional church, although I did not attend regularly. But hymns were a regular part of every Sunday when I did attend, and I learned to listen to the words as I sang them. Now that I am a Christian, I have found that the words of the old hymns continue to speak to my heart of a faithful God who is eternal and unchanging. The world may change; the standards all around us may change. But God will never change, so we can count on Him to fulfill His promises and to take us to be with Him one day.

A Personal Note:

I am spending the weekend with our son and his family at a water park in Williamsburg, Virginia. This trip was planned several months ago and we all have been excited about spending time together in a relaxing environment. Unfortunately, on the Friday before our trip, I had to go to the ER because of awful pain in my left foot. After x-rays and an examination, the doctor said that he thinks it is just badly sprained but it may have a hairline fracture. So, later this month, I have to see the orthopedic specialist. Meanwhile, I am in an ortho shoe for support and using pain patches. I cannot get in the water with the rest of my family, but I am enjoying seeing their exuberance and excitement here. So, no worries because God is good all the time and I know and believe it even when my plans don’t work out as I expected!

Have a blessed Sunday!

The Lion’s Den

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture1 Comment

I am hazarding a guess that most of my readers, if not all of you, know the Biblical story of Daniel in the lions’ den. When he refused to stop praying to our God, the king fulfilled his decree and had him thrown into a den of lions. The Lord protected him, and the king saw the truth that the Lord God is the only God worth worshipping.

Have you ever thought about the fact that God rescues us daily, too? Sometimes we are rescued from our own foolish choices and sometimes we have to be rescued because we took a step into temptation.

As many times as I have read this verse, I never associated it with Daniel in the lions’ den. We are all facing down the enemy of our souls daily and have to stay alert and resist him. He wants to devour us, to destroy our faith in God and to undermine our trust in the Father. But, like Daniel, we can choose not to be afraid but to continue to make the choices that honor our Father in heaven and show that we are Christians and the victory belongs to us.

We need to always keep in mind that Jesus defeated the enemy, all of the powers and authorities in the “heavenly realm” that set themselves against God and His chosen people. Jesus triumphed at the cross, and we win daily battles by making the choices to stand up for the Lord and not to fear confronting the enemy of our souls. We win, and the enemy knows his time is short. So, be ready to face the lions, knowing that you have already won your eternal life through Jesus!

News Notes and Observations

On By vickleaIn News Notes and Observations6 Comments

On our drive back from Maryland, I was appalled to receive this news blurb:

The headline is bad enough, but here is part of the story:

You should follow this link if you want to see the news video and more about what the police discovered: New York Post

I read the article to my husband and we discussed how she would have been lauded by the liberals if only she had chosen to have an abortion instead of waiting until the newborn was born alive and then killing the child. What a commentary on how sadly misled our world has become that a young woman, who actually appears “normal”, could think that it’s okay to discard a newborn in a trash bag along with the cleaning supplies from cleaning up the after-birth. To think that throwing a child into a trash bag is exactly what the abortion clinics do. Or worse, they sell the parts for money and make more of a profit from dealing death to the innocent.

Like I said, I was appalled, but I must admit I was not surprised. Much of our society has been on the wrong side of the abortion issue since the beginning. Contraception made it easy not to get pregnant and if that wasn’t available or didn’t work, society accepts disposing of the “mistake.” I just wonder how long it will be before the liberals demand this girl be released because, after all, it was “her choice.” It’s a baby, not a choice, a person whom God created and meant to be loved, nurtured and cherished, not tossed into a trash bag. What a travesty!

My personal opinion is that this cheerleader should have the harshest penalty possible as a statement/warning to others not to follow in her footsteps. But my assumption, given the climate in our society and the fact that Kentucky is a mostly liberal state, is that she will get a slap on the wrist and freed to pursue her dreams while her dead baby never got to have any. I am disgusted, saddened and angry that such a thing can happen in our nation. But more, I am calling out to God for forgiveness for a nation that does not value life and thinks it is disposable at will.