Category: Scripture

From the Holy Bible

What Humility Looks Like

On By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

Here’s What Humility Looks Like… (Daily Refresh, 9-08)

When you think of humility, what comes to mind? 

In our world, humility is often seen as a self-degrading concept that reveals our insecurities and keeps us from becoming our best selves. 

But true humility never leads to insecurity, because insecurity is a form of pride. Pride either puffs us up or tears us down. Pride is self-sufficient, but also self-destructive. If we’re doing great, pride makes our confidence soar. But if we’re going through a rough season, pride makes us sensitive to our failures. Pride links our worth to our accomplishments, and it prevents us from seeing who we truly are. 

Pride makes us think that if we try hard enough, we can become good enough. Humility helps us realize that we are not enough—but God is enough for us. 

Humility will often ask us to risk something. It might mean laying down our social standing, our reputation, our financial security, our sense of authority, or our expertise. 

But surrendering our self-sufficiency lets us embrace God’s authority. And our God did miracles through Moses, established David as king of Israel, worked through Isaiah in the midst of chaos, publicly honored Mary, abundantly provided for Peter, and glorified Jesus by raising Him from the dead. 

When we surrender ourselves to God, we allow Him to be glorified through us. Humility might cost us something—but it leads to abundant life. 

So today, how can you humble yourself before God? Take a few moments and process what you need to lay down in order to draw closer to God within the upcoming weeks.

My Thoughts

Whenever I think that I am doing fairly well spiritually, God puts a lesson like this one in my path so that I can see that I am not “all that.” There are so many points in this post, especially the sentence about pride linking our worth to our accomplishments. That spoke to me because I have always been one who wanted to be the best at whatever I am doing, not for the sake of completion because I am really competing with myself. But that is pride and I confess that now and pray that I will do better. I was never good enough for my mom to approve of me. Straight A’s. That was good, but I wasn’t taking all honors classes. On the Dean’s List in college. That was good, but I wasn’t on the President’s List for even higher grades. You get the idea. Now I look back and I know that no one has cared what my GPA was in high school or college…they just wanted to know that I was efficient and suited for the job they wanted me to do. I think that is how God sees me too. He doesn’t care about my accomplishments but about my being equipped to do the work He is calling me to do. Everything we do should be to glorify God, not to pat ourselves on the back or shine a spotlight on our own abilities. We have no abilities without God’s giving them to us, so He should always get the glory for all we do and for all we are. That is the prayer for myself today and for any of my readers who have been struggling with pride but didn’t really recognize it.

Benefits of Wisdom

On By vickleaIn ScriptureLeave a comment

The Place to Start (Daily Refresh, 9-05-26)

There are many places we can go to learn about something new, or to grow in wisdom and knowledge. Books are full of access to insightful information. The internet is overloaded with both helpful and unhelpful content about any subject imaginable.

While those are great places to start, Scripture tells us that the foundation of all knowledge is a healthy fear of the Lord. This means that while we can learn things from anyone, the beginning of true wisdom always begins with God.

The fear of the Lord doesn’t necessarily mean that you should be afraid of God. It means that we should live our lives in awe of Him. We do this by recognizing who He is—the Creator and Sustainer of all things. He is all-powerful and all-knowledgeable. God’s Word says He holds the power of life and death in His hands. These attributes should cause us to live in awe of God.

Scripture also tells us that God is loving, gracious, and merciful. Even though we—His own creation—previously rebelled against Him, God graciously gave us access back to Himself through His Son, Jesus. The God who created the universe loves each and every one of us. He loves you.

Living in awe of who God is and what He has done is the beginning of all wisdom and knowledge. We would be foolish to turn away from such a powerful and gracious God.

While we can learn a lot about many different things through books, people, and the internet, the most essential and important piece of knowledge about God comes from His Word.

Today, spend some time with God in His Word and in prayer—thanking Him for who He is and what He has done for you. Begin a habit of reading Scripture regularly so that you can know, respect, and trust Him in a deeper way.

My Thoughts

As I read this devotional, I had a visual in my mind of the little chick that ran around telling anyone who would listen, “The sky is falling! The sky is falling!” Sometimes we are all guilty of being that little chicken, thinking we know just what is happening and really not knowing anything because we didn’t pass our so-called knowledge or revelation through God’s filter. Using God’s Word as the first and final say in all matters helps us to think more clearly and to get things right before we share them with others. Spending time with God and in His Word is not a suggestion; it is a vital and important part of daily living for Christians. It is our source of the living water that runs from us to others. And it is where we get the wisdom that God wants to share with us each day. The benefits of wisdom are too many to enumerate; the lack of wisdom is apparent in today’s world. So showing God’s wisdom to a world bent on foolishness becomes our testimony and our duty to our loving God.

Our Treasure

On By vickleaIn Scripture, testimony3 Comments

What do you value most in your life? Your family? Your job? Your home? Your bank account? Whatever it is came from God and He is the most valuable asset you can ever have.

So, I ask you again, what do you value the most? Honestly think about your answer and if God is not your treasure just as you are is, pray and talk to God about what you need to let go of so that He can be central in your life. God doesn’t require sacrifice; He just wants ALL of you.

Postscript~Testimony about Cardiologist Visit

I went to see my cardiologist yesterday to get test results on my heart. There was no small amount of trepidation as I waited to see the doctor. But I was surprised with the news he shared with me. Yes, I have congestive heart failure, but my heart is actually okay. The tests showed no significant problems other than aging. The issue is actually with my lungs which is causing the fluid build-up and the stress on my heart. My heart has to work harder because of my lung problem. So, the pulmonologist has directed me to use my regular meds in my nebulizer as well as the new ones and try to get my breathing better so that my heart doesn’t have to work so hard. I am still taking fluid pills for the swelling and my kidney function is lower due to the stress on my heart, but I am doing well for my age. I am definitely feeling blessed with what I think is a good report. I have lived with asthma my entire life so it shouldn’t surprise me that my lungs are the issue. But I will share a secret with you. God put the breath in my lungs and they will keep working until He says it’s time for me to be with Him. Some people thank God for the sunshine, their homes, their families, and all the other good things around them. I wake up every morning thankful to be breathing without gasping for air. God is good…all the time!

How to Navigate Life

On By vickleaIn Quotation and Citations, Scripture2 Comments

These sayings are from Max Lucado and were originally in his book, In the Eye of the Storm.

“When no one is watching, live as if someone is.”

“Don’t spend tomorrow’s money today.”

“Pray twice as much as you fret.”

“God has forgiven you; you’d be wise to do the same.”

And the best advice of all is in God’s Word, so spend time reading, studying and memorizing it daily. (VLW)

Be Strong

On By vickleaIn ScriptureLeave a comment

When you think of being strong, you probably think of going to the gym, jogging, or some kind of exercise. But God calls us to be strong in Him.

When we exercise, we strengthen our physical bodies. So what do we do to strengthen our spiritual bodies?

~We pray. We talk to God daily, not just to tell him our needs and to express our outrage at current circumstances. Is that how you converse with a friend? God is the best friend we will ever have, so prayer time with Him is a conversation. Tell Him what is going on (He already knows, of course, but wants to commune with you) and then listen for Him to speak to you. It could be through His word, a song, or a still, small voice speaking to your heart.

~We read the Holy Bible and we study it. Let verses speak to you personally. I enjoy reading the psalms as a prayer for my life, for example. When I study the kings of Israel and Judah, I like to watch for their turning point toward God or away from God and compare it to where I am in my life right now.

~We worship. I enjoy playing old hymns and worship songs that I have heard on the radio that touched me. Yesterday, I listened to an album of hymns by Dolly Parton. I don’t listen for the music, which is generally upbeat and encouraging by itself. I listen to the words, the message there. Then, I turn off the music and spend some personal time worshipping God. If I sing, I am singing to the Lord and he doesn’t mind my scratchy voice that has gotten worse as I have aged and don’t have much breath to get the words out. I just want to praise Him!

~We fellowship with others. Spending time with other believers is very important for our growth and our mental well-being. We were blessed in Pennsylvania by being able to attend church with our daughter. It was a small, old-fashioned church with short wooden pews and a small band with two guitars and a drum set along with the worship leader. That is the first time in over a year that I got to sit in a real service and participate in worship since I watch a screen at our church due to the overly loud music. Anyway, it did my heart good to be with other believers and to talk to them afterwards. I met my daughter’s good friend Joanie who is a nurse who volunteers with Samaritan’s Purse. It was so good to put a face to the name that I have been praying for these last few years. In fellowship with others, we get fed and we feed others, too, with our encouraging words and our positivity that God is still in control.

~We represent Jesus to the world and in so doing we add to God’s family and make it stronger. Our speaking out for the Lord also builds our own faith as we get to remember our testimony and all that God has done for us. I prayed for God to open a door for me to share about Jesus to our non-believing grandchildren. He provided just what I asked for when the younger children were playing in the yard and the oldest joined me on the porch. She said she didn’t know what a Christian was or how to become one, so I planted a few seeds in her young heart that I know God will send someone else (or even me again) to water, nurture and help grow.

So, how do you get strong in the Lord? I have offered some suggestions and I would enjoy hearing your advice on other ways to get stronger. My physical body is wearing out, as evidenced by four medical appointments this week in just three days. But my spiritual body is getting stronger. How about yours?

Earth Is Our Temporary Home

On By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

Look Up (Daily Refresh 8-27)

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

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

I needed this devotional today as this week has been one of medical appointments daily. Today I finish this week’s appointments with two of them and both involve needles. Ugh! But I know that the pain, no matter how severe it seems at the time, will be temporary. God will be with me there and in all I face in the future. I have lived with asthma all of my life. I have known about and lived with a failing kidney for the last almost twenty years. I just found out about the congestive heart failure last month, so I am still getting used to having a physical body that is breaking down. Tests, specialists, warnings, cautions, have all become part of my life. I am looking forward to Heaven when all of this pain and uncertainty cease. One of my grandchildren asked me once how they will know me in Heaven if we are all changed. I told them with laughter in my voice and a smile in my eyes that I would be the one running everywhere since I have never been able to run here on earth. Heaven is God’s plan for us and earth is His temporary holding place. That thought gives me hope and it should give you hope too!