Category: Scripture

From the Holy Bible

Reflect the Light

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

Christ Calls You to Be a Light in a Dark World

Key Verses

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14–16)

For many people, this world is a dark place. They feel lost, lonely, helpless. They need somewhere to turn for guidance and hope. Jesus understood that need, so He made provisions to counteract the darkness. He tasked His followers with providing the necessary light for the world.

That may seem like an immense challenge, especially when darkness threatens to overwhelm us. The good news is that we’re not called to generate our own light. We’re called only to reflect Christ’s light (see John 1:4). Yet even that isn’t always easy.

The temptation to hide our light—to put our lamp under a basket—can be intense at times. After all, when you let your light shine, you draw attention to yourself. You invite scrutiny. If you’re not naturally comfortable in the role of a beacon, you may find that it takes some getting used to.

You may also find that some people—those who have grown comfortable in the darkness—don’t appreciate your light. They may try to dim it by knocking you off your lampstand. You’ll need to steel yourself against accusations of hypocrisy or intolerance. You’ll need to prepare to have your past thrown in your face. You’ll need to find ways to prevent people from sowing seeds of doubt in your life.

The best way to prepare for those possibilities is to draw closer to the source of life. According to 1 John 1:5–7, when you walk with Christ, you walk in His light. When other people interact with you, they experience His light too. They may not always recognize it for what it is, but they can sense something in you that lifts the darkness.

The closer you get to the source of light, the brighter your own light will shine. You get close to Jesus by following His lead. You study His light-giving qualities in the gospels—the way He prioritized people who were hurting, the way He spoke truth to power and called out hypocrisy, the way He drew comfort and strength from time alone with His Heavenly Father, the way He used Scripture to counter His enemies.

The risks of being a light bearer are real. But so are the rewards. Your light may be the only source of illumination some people have. By reflecting Jesus’ glory and pointing the way to Him, you have the potential to change their lives forever.

To learn how the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah brought light to one of the darkest times in Israel’s history, click on this link: https://bibl.es/BringLight.

(From You Version Devotional: Who Christ Calls You to Be)

My Thoughts: The challenge is for all of us who proclaim Jesus as Lord. We have to reflect His light, even when people ridicule us or walk away. In these days of chaos and confusion, when it’s all politics all the time, don’t forget to shine your light.

Who Are We?

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

Out of This World

For thousands of years, people have gathered around campfires and peered into the night’s sky, studying the stars.  Now, thanks to telescopes and satellites and advances in modern technology, we’ve uncovered more about God’s celestial creation than ever before: diverse planets, interstellar dust, mysterious black holes, and billions of other galaxies.  What we’ve discovered, however, is not new to God. It’s the very same heavens and the very same earth that He spoke into existence at the very beginning of time. And though we’ve only scratched the surface on what’s still to be discovered, the vastness of the heavens and the brilliance of its design beckons both humility and worship.  In Psalm 8, David wrote:  “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” ‭‭ Psalm ‭8:3-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ The same God who hung the sun, moon, and stars in the sky also created us. He created you. It’s mystifying to think that He considers us His prized creations.  Like David, this should humble us and compel us to worship. Who are we, after all, to be loved, chosen, and redeemed—especially when we don’t deserve it? Who are we, when we consider the magnificence of our Creator, to be made in His image? Who are we that God is mindful of us? Who are we that He cares for the details of our lives? We are His people. His children. We belong to Him. So today, let’s trust in our creative, compassionate, and loving God. He is where we’ll put our confidence. He is where we’ll put our hope. (From the YouVersion Bible App Daily Devotional)

God Has You in the Palm of His Hand

On By vickleaIn Scripture, Song, YouVersion App3 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/18910/day/3

We all know that life sometimes gets difficult, but God wants each of us to look to Him. We are not supposed to hold tightly to our possessions or the people we cherish. When we go before the Lord, our hands should be open, letting go of all that could hold us back from giving everything to God. He has each of us, holding us in the palm of His mighty hand, and we can rest assured of His love and that He will work to fulfill His purpose for us.

Shalom-Legacy Worship

He’s Got the WholWorld in His Hands

Get Near to God

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

Today’s devotional was all about getting close to God and resting in His presence. I have always had a tendency to have my entire day planned out. From the time I wake up each morning, my mind is racing with the schedule for the day and how to get everything done. God is calling me to rest in His presence. It’s not in being busy that I will find Him; it is in the quiet moments that I spend resting in His presence. Recently, I have been spending what I consider some quality time with God each morning. I am doing a Bible study on prayers in the Bible. As I find a prayer in my reading, I am writing it down and really thinking about what the person was praying. I am also starting to intentionally memorize scripture verses again. I kept making the excuse that my brain will not allow me to remember verses, but I found that when I actually focus and try, that is not true. My goal is a verse per week. Not a lot, I know, but for me, it’s a good start. I am also finding myself to be eager to get to my Bible study each morning. The Bible didn’t change…I did! I want that time with God as much as I want a drink of water when I am thirsty. Some mornings with medical appointments are hectic, but I just cannot start my day without my God time. And it’s not a “hurry up and get it done so I can do other things” kind of time. The time with God is a time of peace and relaxation for me, a time of reflection, a real quiet time where I can talk to God and then listen for Him to talk to me. I want my time with the Lord to be a dedicated time just for us to talk like friends. He already knows my heart; I desire to know His and the only way to do that is to get close to Him.

Here is the devotional I did today that started me on this blog post today:

www.bible.com/reading-plans/18910/day/2

Isn’t this what we all desire…for God’s presence to go with us throughout the day and for His rest to be a part of our lives?

Open My Eyes to See God Clearly

On By vickleaIn Scripture, Song, YouVersion App2 Comments

This is from my devotional today on the YouVersion:

You Are My Beloved Child  

The Father says, “Before you were ever a thought, I knew every detail of your design. From the number of hairs on your head to the number of days in your life, I have made you for My pleasure and delight. More numerous than the sands on the shore, are My thoughts of love towards you. You are My beloved child, and I’m proud to call you Mine.”

You are a child of God! Many people have grown up in families with fathers that weren’t active, others have grown up with phenomenal fathers, or maybe fathers that weren’t present at all. This piece of our story often becomes the lens through which we see our heavenly Father.

How do you envision your Abba Father?

Allison Fowler says, “The heart is the lens through which we see God. If we refuse to forgive, our bitterness and resentment become the dirt that clouds our ability to see Him clearly.” So invite the Lord to sweep your heart of false beliefs of His character that may have formed from your upbringing or challenges you may have faced. Let the reality of His character settle deep within you: God’s character is the embodiment of perfection, kindness, and love; it is without blemish, flaw, or stain.

Take a few moments, close your eyes, and reflect on God’s stunning nature. Healing oil from heaven is flooding into your heart right now, removing cloudiness, and opening the eyes of your heart. Listen to your Father’s voice as He whispers truth into your spirit, and receive His lavish love that is swelling in His heart for you. The Father says, “You are My beloved child.”

My Thoughts

As I read the devotional today, I was reminded of how much love I felt from my father when I was young and how I felt as though he had abandoned me later in my life, when he turned to drugs. I am thankful that I have a Heavenly Father who has no hesitation about loving me, and He is with me all the time. There is nothing I can do to make God love me more or less. His love is always perfect, and just what I need.

Open the Eyes of My Heart-Paul Baloche

God Will Finish What He Starts

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I start a project and then I get tired of doing it and I put it aside. I have every good intention to go back to the project at a different time, perhaps when my arthritis is not so bad or my eyes aren’t so tired, but the truth is that I don’t always finish what I start. I am so thankful that God always finishes what He starts. I am a work in progress, and He did not put to the side, saying that He will get back to me later and then forget about me. Not at all! God works on my daily to help me to be more like His Son. His plan for me is a good one and He methodically and purposefully is finishing what He started in me.

He Started It

When the Apostle Paul was locked in a Roman prison for telling people about Jesus, he sent a letter of hope to his friends back in Philippi. A portion of it said: “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ Though Paul was writing to specific people in the first-century Church, his words are just as true for the global Church today.  Think about it: Who started this thing we call life? Who made this world and everything in it? Who fine-tuned the universe to actually make sense? Who put you here—at this specific time in history? Who handcrafted your body, your mind, your strengths, and your unique-to-you personality? Who began this good work? Before you were ever born, God already had you in mind. Before you could even walk or talk or have dreams for yourself, God already had a plan. Before you knew to look to Him or to follow Him or to worship Him, God was already at work—in you, around you, and through you.  Sometimes it feels like we’re just wasting time and taking up space, without real purpose. But—it turns out—God is intentional and He makes no mistakes. To top it off… God always finishes what He starts.  The story isn’t over. When Christ returns once and for all, the work of God through His people will finally be complete. Until then, let’s commit to God’s good work inside of us.  Let’s magnify Him in everything we do.  Let’s believe that He’ll finish what He has begun.

A Prayer for All of Us

On By vickleaIn prayer, Scripture3 Comments

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”


‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬-‭21‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/eph.3.14-21.ESV (Emphasis added by me)

I am doing a study of prayers in the Bible and this is one that the apostle Paul prayed. Even in his afflictions, imprisonment and troubles, he prayed for all the saints everywhere, for all generations. That’s us! I am praying this prayer for you today…no matter how busy your day is, don’t be too busy to pray.

Our Purpose

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What were we created for? What is our purpose? Well, folks, that’s the big question, isn’ it? Most of us go through life and cannot figure out what in the world God put us on earth to do? I think my church’s motto answers this question: Love God, Love Others, Serve Both. No matter where you find yourself in life, you can live out this motto. Think about it and then go out and be a blessing!

From the YouVersion Daily Reading for Today:

Made for This

Do you realize that you were purposefully, lovingly, and carefully designed by God? King David said it like this: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Your eyes, brain, heart, muscles, nerves, fingernails, eyelashes, smile, everything.  Not only are you wonderfully complex, but you were also planned before life as we know it existed by your Heavenly Father.  Even as you read these words, your body is doing some incredible things—without your conscious consent. Your fingers are scrolling, your eyes are capturing, your brain is processing … All the while, your heart is pumping blood, your lungs are managing breath, your eyelids are blinking away dryness, your blood cells are multiplying by the second, your brain is directing your body while simultaneously storing memory—and so much more. David also points out in other portions of Psalm 139 that God knows everything about us, His presence is inescapable, and He thinks about us so much that such thoughts cannot be numbered. The point? You are uniquely and intentionally created by God to love Him and the people around you—to know Him, and make Him known.  So, be encouraged. You were made for this.