Category: Scripture

From the Holy Bible

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.

Life Cycles: Dormancy

On By vickleaIn encouragement, God’s blessings, Scripture2 Comments

According to the Cambridge Dictionary online, dormancy is “ the state of being dormant (not active or growing but able to become active later.” Plants and trees go through a period of dormancy during the winter months, but they are not dead. They are just waiting for spring.

We also go through periods of dormancy, although they may not always occur according to season. Did you know that during the period of waiting, the plant is actually sending its roots down and gaining strength in order to flourish later? When we are in a period of being dormant, when we think that God has forgotten us (Note: He never does), then that is the time to lean in closer to God, to spend more time with Him and His Word, to send our roots down to the source of our strength. Likely, you have prayed and waited. And then waited some more. I would like to invite you to see this season as a period of dormancy, not a forever season that is there to destroy you. Rather, it is a season to make you lean more on God and to strengthen you for whatever may come later. God wants us to be joyful and at peace, trusting Him during the waiting periods. The trees and wildflowers are not whining and complaining. Instead, they just wait patiently and do what they were meant to do. They strengthen what they can while they can and just wait. We could learn a lot from a tree, couldn’t we?

I am not personally a fan of winter, but I do understand that it is part of the life cycle. Well, waiting for answers from God is part of our faith cycle. It is a necessary part of our growth, just as winter is a necessary part of a tree’s growth to make it stronger. If we want to flourish in the hard times, when we are waiting (usually impatiently), then we need to know that it has an ending and that springtime, the time of new life and growth is coming. God set the seasons for a reason and He makes us wait for a reason. Most of the time we don’t understand the reason, but if we can hold on and trust God, He will answer and we will be praising instead of whining. I encourage you to praise during the waiting, too. When I look at the trees with their bare limbs in winter, they are not bowing down to the earth. No, they are stretched up high to the sky, getting whatever sunlight is available. That is what we should be doing, too. Stretching and reaching for God with all that we have. Our period of dormancy will soon be over, but not until the time is right, and God determines the right time. We may not like waiting, but just think of the growth that is coming even as we wait.

The Purpose of Pruning

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture3 Comments

I am one of those people who wants to hold on to things, even if they are dead branches, because they have become part of my life and I am used to them. But in my devotional today, it was brought to my attention that pruning is a good and necessary thing, for plants and for me.

My source for the usefulness of pruning is Southern Living

Directing Growth: Pruning helps train young trees and shrubs to develop a strong structure. Crossing branches, branches that curve towards the center of the main leader trunk, and multiple leader branches are removed. As a tree grows, the lower branches are often removed to gradually raise the crown of the tree.

Size Reduction: Reduction cuts decrease the height (topping) and spread of a tree or shrub. Pruning also improves the health of the plant by reducing the above-ground portion of the plant relative to the root system. 

Thinning: Removes branches on individual limbs to create even distribution throughout the crown of the tree.  Thinning enhances light penetration and is especially beneficial for trees and shrubs that grow quickly to inhibit overgrowth.

Now, let’t take each of these practical uses and apply the scripture verse to them. Pruning directs the growth and trains the young trees to grow properly. That sounds like a good reason for us to want God to prune us. We don’t want to grow unhindered in all directions and then stop growing because we have gotten too far away from the central trunk system (God) who nourishes us.

Pruning improves the health of the plant by reducing its size. Again, overgrowth means that we are “getting too big for our britches” and may need to be reminded of Who is in control…and it’s not us!

Finally, and most importantly, I think, is the thinning. Notice that this “enhances light penetration.” I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be big and bushy with lots of branches and then no light getting to the inner parts of me. We need God to be able to shed His light on us as we read and study His Word and talk to Him each day. Thus, we need pruning to get rid of what is not needed so God can water what is needed for us in our spiritual lives.

My conclusion is that pruning is necessary and we need to submit to it as a part of our walk with God. We can’t grow closer to Him if all we want to do is show off all of our new growth. We are to grow for Him, in Him and through Him, and when He says it’s time to be pruned, prayerfully submit and let God have control. After all, what He wants is for our good always in all ways.

What’s Your Target?

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Quotation and Citations1 Comment

I always ask my husband for a target. For example, what is my target time to be ready to leave to go to an appointment? What is the target for the dinner, i.e. what are we supposed to bring? I need a focus, a target to keep me centered.

This shows my desired target every day, all the time.

There are a lot of things in our lives that plead for our attention. There is entertainment on little devices and large televisions, just waiting for us to click. There are phones that ring and mail to be answered, especially that annoyingly cumbersome e-mail. Regardless of how many other things want our time, our time belongs to the Lord first. Then the other things fall in line behind Him. Think about what you spend your time doing and ask yourself if you are giving God enough of your time or only the leftovers. The One who created you and who also made a way for you to have a relationship with Him deserves the head seat at your table, the bullseye for your target every day.

What Do You Have to Give?

On By vickleaIn encouragement, God’s blessings, Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

How to Live Generously

What’s your most prized possession? It might be the most valuable thing you own, like the house you’ve worked your whole life to afford. But it could also be a photo from a special time you spent with someone you loved. Or it could be a meaningful gift from a friend.

The value we assign to our “things” is tangled up with our emotions. How we choose to use the things we cherish most reveals our true priorities. 

Jesus’ death on the cross is one of the greatest examples of God’s generosity. Despite knowing we could never repay Him, God didn’t hesitate to give up his greatest treasure—His only Son—for us. And through that sacrificial act, He demonstrated what generosity looks like: willingly offering up what we have so that someone else can thrive, even if it causes us pain in the process.

You don’t have to just give financially to practice generosity. Living generously simply acknowledges that God is able to do anything He wants through the gifts He has given you. When you let God give through you, and you honor Him with your giving, it draws you closer to Him. Generosity flows out of a thankful and trusting heart, and when you trust God with what you have, He starts to entrust you with more. 

Practicing this habit will remind you that you are not in control, but you know the One who is in control—and He can provide for all your needs. 

So what do you have to give? Try finding a place where you can invest what you have in some way. Start small, or go big. Just start.

My Thoughts

Instead of “Just Start” I would end this devotional with “Just Give.” Just give something from your heart, something that will help someone else in their quest to trust God. It may be a gallon of milk, a turkey with all of the trimmings, or even a very small thing like a dollar bill with a scripture clipped to it. This is the season of giving, and we can start it out by being thankful for all that we have, taking stock of what we haven’t used in a while and find a new home for those things. What may seem trash to us may be the treasure someone else has been praying for. So, pray, look around and just give. And if the recipient doesn’t seem grateful, remember that you are not giving for gratitude. Rather, you are giving to follow the Father’s example. There are a lot of people in the world who have never yet said “thank you” to God for the gift of His Son, yet He continues to love and show mercy.

Names

On By vickleaIn God’s blessings, promises, Scripture2 Comments

What name did your parents give you when you were born? Me? I am Vivian Lea Watts (nee Wilson). I was named for my mom, Vivian Eleanor. But I have never been called Vivian except for those who don’t know me well, like telemarketers. My nickname and name were both chosen by my father and I am called “Vickie.” I often get asked how Vickie relates to Vivian. Answer: It doesn’t but it made it so that there were not two Vivians in our house.

When we were younger, I would dare to say that we had a lot of nicknames. Mine were things like “slow poke” and “wheezy” or “sneezy”. Because of my allergies and asthma, I couldn’t run and wheezing and sneezing were part of my everyday life.

I am very thankful that I will not have to introduce myself to God. In fact, He already knows me and will give me a new name, one uniquely mine. I don’t understand it, the whole white stone thing and the new name, but if God says it, somehow it will come to pass.

But I already have new names to add to my nickname. Here are a few that I treasure in my heart and that lift me up when I am feeling unworthy.

I am a child of God and so are you. Jesus made it possible for us to be adopted into the family of God so that we belong to Him and with Him.

We are God’s workmanship and just look around you! God does not make junk! Notice that God planned and prepared for us to do good works, using the talents that He gave us.

I am forgiven and if Christ lives in you because He is your Lord and Savior, so are you. Forgiven and redeemed, forever bound to the Savior who gave me new life.

Here is that name to which I previously referred. I am redeemed from my sins and from the “hand of the enemy” in order to say so. The hand of the enemy could be temptation and sin, but the greatest enemy is death. Death was defeated on the cross, so I am also alive forevermore. (🎶)

And ultimately, I am a brand new creation. People may refer to my past and sins I have committed, but in the eyes of God, I am totally new, with a clean slate and a white robe. The blood of Jesus paid a heavy price so that I could have this name.

Devoting Yourself

On By vickleaIn Admonition, God’s blessings, prayer, Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

What does the word “devote” mean? According to the American Heritage Dictionary, devote is defined as “To give or apply (one’s time, attention, or self, for example) entirely to a particular activity, pursuit, cause, or person.” Now, read that again slowly and think as you read to what or whom you are devoted.

I am devoted to God, my marriage and my family. How do I know? Because I pursue them daily, making them priorities. I get up early each morning and start my day spending time with God in His Word, praying and asking for insight into what I should share on my blog and into what I need to do to follow Him more closely. You know that the Bible says that where your treasure is, that’s where your heart is. What you devote your time to says a lot about your priorities, doesn’t it?

Today’s scripture verse in the Daily Refresh on the YouVersion App says this:

So, we know that this means to apply your attention and time entirely to prayer. What does that look like? I think it means to focus on praying. What are you watching for? I am watching for God to move in my life as I listen for Him to speak to me. And I am always thankful for a new day that starts with prayer.

Prayer doesn’t have to be a long speech to God about all that He has done and all that you want Him to still do. My prayers are actually very simple. I start by naming a character trait of God that I am particularly thankful for that morning. Then, I confess my sins and ask for forgiveness. Then third part of my prayer is to again thank God for something special that He has done for me. And the next part of my prayer is to ask God for mercy and grace for various family members who have needs. I end my prayer with thanksgiving and praise. I know it sounds complicated, but it really only takes less than ten to fifteen minutes. I don’t look at the time, but I know it isn’t too long. But it is a vital part of my day, to just focus on the Lord and have a conversation with Him. It’s a “good morning” greeting to my Maker. Then, I pray to Him throughout the day as any need or thought that I need His guidance comes up. And I always end my day with prayer, too. The time I spend with God in prayer is all His time, no interruptions or conversations. The phone is on silent and away from me. The books I need to read for that day can wait. The chores can wait. That time is God’s and I try very hard not to be distracted or hurry through my time with Him.

God is always there, waiting for us to notice and to spend time with Him. How important would you feel in someone’s life if they never spent time talking to you and then listening to what you had to say? After a while, that kind of relationship would break down. We need to nourish and cherish our relationship with God as it is the foundation for all of our other relationships to which we are devoted. So, devote yourself to prayer? That is a definite “yes” and a resounding praise for time to spend with the Creator of the Universe who always has time for us.

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.