Category: Scripture

From the Holy Bible

An Urgent Call

On By vickleaIn Scripture5 Comments

Imagine that you are enjoying a relaxing evening at home when your phone disrupts the silence and your good mood. The call comes up as “Unknown” but you are curious about who would be calling after nine at night, so you answer. It’s the hospital calling. Your beloved grandmother has been admitted and is being diagnosed with a probable stroke. The nurse on the other line says that it’s imperative that you come quickly if you want to talk to her because her condition is critical. What do you do? I have to believe that you rush to get ready and go to the hospital as soon as possible. After all, your grandmother is precious to you and you want to see her, tell her you love her, perhaps spend her last minutes on earth with her.

Now, imagine the same scenario but this time it’s Jesus calling you. He tells you about someone, a stranger to you, who really needs to know Him as Savior before He is called home. The Lord tells you exactly where to go and that the need is urgent for you to go quickly. When you protest that you don’t know what to say, the Lord tells you that the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say, but you need to go quickly. Do you think it’s a prank call and hang up, or do you follow the instructions, get ready to go and head to talk to a stranger about Jesus and His gift of salvation?

We all think that we know what we would do, but do we really? Are we answering the call daily to tell someone about the Lord? Every person is just as precious to the Lord as your loved ones are to you. Every. Single. Person.

The stranger to you may be a seeker to the Lord, the person who is unsure to whom to turn to find the answers, but he wants to know who can help him out of the mess he has made of his life. Maybe the person Jesus sends you to is a neighbor, a friend, a coworker or a boss. The need is no less urgent because you know them. How many people do we see every day, assume that they are okay and pass out of their lives and onto our busy routine? My guess is dozens, perhaps more. Which of those people will you share the gospel with?

As I look around at all that is happening in the world, I cannot help but think that Jesus must surely be coming soon. I am not prophesying, and I don’t know when He will come. I do know that we are always supposed to be ready. And one of the ways we get ready is to take as many people with us as we can by sharing the message that Jesus has given us to share. We are called. We have a choice to hang up and continue as though the call never happened or we can answer it and heed what Jesus says to do. The call for reaching out to the lost is an urgent one. Jesus loves…He gave everything. Can you take a few minutes of your time, step out of your comfort zone and share the gospel with someone that the Lord puts on your heart this week?

Prayer from Daily Refresh, 5-04-26, and the inspiration that started this post today

Rescue the Perishing-Hymn

A New Heart

On By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

A New Heart (Daily Refresh, 5-02-26)

When someone needs a physical heart transplant, it’s desperately serious. Their heart is failing and, left on their own, that person will physically die. 

But there is hope—the possibility of a new heart. However, in order to get a new heart, a good and capable surgeon is essential. More importantly, in order for that person to live, somebody else must die. The failing heart is then replaced with a thriving heart, and abundant life is once again possible.

In the same way, when someone needs a spiritual heart transplant, it’s desperately serious. The heart is failing and, left on their own, that person will spiritually die. 

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.”
Ezekiel 36:26 NLT

God is our good surgeon, and Jesus gave His life for yours. He takes your insufficient efforts and replaces them with something better. But to receive His abundant life, you must humbly ask for His help. You must allow Him to do surgery on your heart. You must surrender what is dying and trust Him with your life.  

Maybe the thing that needs to die is a habit that’s impacting your life. Maybe it’s an unhealthy relationship, or guilt and regret over your past. Maybe it’s an attitude of pride or insecurity. 

Whatever it is, Jesus wants to take the broken and failing parts of your heart and replace them with something completely new and life-giving.

As you process today’s verse and what God is capable of doing, ask yourself:

Do I trust Him—really trust Him—with the details of my life? Am I willing to let Him do “surgery” on my heart and show me a better way to live?

My Thoughts

Several years ago when I had to change to a new nephrologist because my former doctor retired, I met with the doctor for the first time and he was very kind, telling me the CKD stage I was in (3A) and telling me that we might have to talk about dialysis and a transplant sometime “down the road.” I told him then and I have the same opinion now. I don’t want to go on the transplant list because I am elderly and I have lived a good life, so I want someone young with a lot of years ahead of them to receive an organ that becomes available.

Then I read today’s devotional and I am happy to report that God is the surgeon for ALL who desire a transplant of a new heart. There is no list, no waiting, and the One who died for us already offered that sacrifice for everyone who trusts Him and accepts it. God did surgery on my heart many years ago. He continues to work on me, opening a valve up here and there that has been closed off because of my stubbornness or unwillingness to change. He wants me to be whole, with a new heart and a peace and trust in Him that never waivers. God’s transplant is for everyone, just as John 3:16-17 says.

I am thankful that there is no list and God doesn’t pick and choose who will be saved. The invitation is for everyone. Everyone…including you!

Thursday’s Promise

On By vickleaIn Scripture1 Comment

Fully Forgiven (Daily Refresh, 4-30-26)

Imagine a grand choir echoing a single anthem. Each distinct voice adds to the chorus, creating a symphony filled with anticipation. Their melody spans generations; they sing of a Savior whose name brings forgiveness and hope!

This song of eternity is described by Peter: “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:43 NIV).  

The prophets, whose ancient voices echoed God’s plans and purposes, stood as witnesses to this ultimate promise: Christ’s forgiveness isn’t just a possibility—it’s a reality for all who believe. 

As believers in Jesus Christ, we can find encouragement standing on the foundation laid by these prophetic voices. We stand assured that through the name of Jesus, forgiveness is granted, and reconciliation is made possible with God and others. But we’re not onlookers! We are active participants in this grand choir, singing with hearts full of gratitude, hope, and confidence in the unifying power of Christ’s forgiveness.

Jesus paid the price for your past, present, and future. What would it look like for you to fully embrace this forgiveness for your sins?

My Thoughts

People around me make promises a lot. Some they keep, some they forget to keep and others are just meaningless words to make me think that they will do something that isn’t really in their plan. I think the people who promise the most are the ones who deliver the least. But there is One whose promises can always be trusted, always be counted on, and who will always do exactly what He says. God says He will forgive our sins, and He does. We don’t have to wonder if it’s true; instead we know it is because it’s in God’s Word and God doesn’t lie or make empty promises.

I have heard of people who don’t want to trust God’s promises because they have been so disappointed with people who broke them. I was one of those reluctant to believe anything that I couldn’t see right away. After all, my childhood prepared me to be disappointed in people. But I have found through over fifty years of trusting and believing in God that He is the One that will always do what He says He will do. Promises made, promises kept. You can take that to eternity with you!

How to Pray

On By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

I like to pray the scriptures and today I am using the acronym ACTS to show you all an example.

ACTS=

Adoration

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication

Adoration

Adoration is worshipping our Creator for who He is, not what He has done for us.

Confession

I had a roommate in college who kept a written list of all that she needed to confess when she went to confession that weekend. We don’t have to go to a priest to confess because God has opened the way directly to Him through Jesus. No list is needed…just speak from your heart what the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, the things that you know do not please God. Psalm 51 is a prayer of confession by David that I have often used to start my confession time with God.

Thanksgiving

This is the time when I turn up the praise music that has been background during my prayer time and sing along, praising God and thanking Him for all He has done, first for me, then for my family, then friends and finally for those in the world.

Supplication

Supplication is when we ask God for what we need, the things that are overwhelming our hearts and minds. It’s good for me to start supplication with this verse, to remind me that all of God’s answers are because of His grace for us and the salvation that He has provided for us prepares a way for us to approach His throne.

I know it doesn’t fit into the acronym, but I always end my prayers with a praise and thanksgiving again. It’s what I call a “sandwich” prayer. I start with adoration and thanksgiving and end with the same.

I hope that this post has blessed you and helped you to see how approachable and loving our God is. Prayer is not just something one should do on Sunday, in the pew at church, but everyday during your quiet time with God.

Thursday Thoughts

On By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

I am listening to praise music as I sit and ponder this verse. If you think about it, there is no place or no time where God is not. Notice that the verse says the NAME of the Lord is to be praised. I have been watching for different names of the Lord as I read my Bible daily. God is so many things to so many different people. I think I need to focus more on who God is and less on what I expect Him to do for me. So, I am choosing to praise His name, not what He does for me. I am thankful for all He does, but I am overcome with awe by all of His names that mean so much to me.

I think that when I first started worshiping God and attending church, the first name of God that I heard was Adonai. There was a song by Amy Grant that was gaining popularity at that time and our pastor told us about Adonai meaning “Lord, Master.” He is my Lord and Master and I am His servant. Yet He calls me friend and His child.

I have often prayed to Jehovah Jireh, the Lord my provider. I don’t just pray for God to meet my financial needs but also my physical, emotional and spiritual ones. He provides all we need if we just trust Him to do so. I think too often we pray and then walk away and try to do things on our own without God’s provision. We need to consistently show our dependence on God. That’s when He shows just how much He can and will provide for us.

Recently, with health issues piling up on me, I have been faced with the name of Jehovah Rophe, God our Healer. God has told me over and over again that His healing may not look like what I am expecting, but He is still working to bring me to wholeness in Him.

I think the name of God that speaks to me the most is Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is there. Right there where I am, right when I need Him. Always present, always nearby, always ready to listen and to comfort, to bring peace and restoration.

Is there a name of God that has special significance to you? The more I learn about God, the more I know that I don’t know. I want to learn more every day until one day I am in His presence and will know Him even as I am known.

God bless you as you press into the God who is our rock, the promise keeper and our shepherd in every valley and on every mountain top.