Category: Scripture

From the Holy Bible

Weary of the Battle

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/1201/day/1

I confess that there are days when I just want to stay in bed, pull the covers up over my head and snuggle down, just ignoring my responsibilities and what is going on in the world. I don’t turn on the news because it’s not new and it’s rarely fair, balanced and accurate. I don’t listen to podcasters spouting their interpretation of the news, for the same reason. However, I live with a man who listens to all news, all the time and who reports to me gleefully and repeatedly throughout the day about what he heard and how he interprets it. The world is broken. The news is mostly a lie. And my husband is annoying, but I am holding on to the hope that one day God will make everything right. Does my breathing quicken and my heart speed up when my husband gives me his latest report? Unfortunately, yes, it does. Even when I tell him honestly that the news he is reporting is stressing me, he continues to report. After all, who else is going to listen to his 16 hour a day broadcast? So, I continue to fight the battle of the war of what is right (patience with my husband’s enthusiasm for the news) and what is wrong (losing my temper and telling him to go away). This is one example of a spiritual battle that I fight daily, but there are many others. Satan would love to destroy our marriage of fifty one years with constant disagreements like this one. But we have made a commitment to love each other, which means putting up with the differences we have and forgiving each other when an offense occurs. It must make Satan cringe when we go to bed together again each evening, not angry and not ready to “throw in the towel” on our relationship. The battle is real…but so is God. And since I know that God wins in the end, I will just keep fighting on His team, with the faith and assurance that this earthly battle will not last forever. (And praying that there are no newscasts in Heaven, of course.)

Live as a Child of God

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

We change from the inside out, not the reverse. When I put on clean clothes, it doesn’t make me the person I am. What is inside me, inside my heart, determines my choices and makes me who I am. We need to recognize that our sin no longer has the power to separate us from God because we are His children and He calls us to repent and live rightly before Him, totally clean and knowing who we are in Christ. I want my public persona to match the person I am in private, so that I am always and consistently living as a child of God, with the knowledge of my place in Him. I am loved and He forgives me.

True Inward Transformation

Have you ever thought about what a proper response to God looks like when you make a mistake?

It was common in ancient times to tear your clothes as a way of repenting and showing sorrow over mistakes you may have made. It was an outward expression of something happening internally. 

But what would often happen is people would make a public display of repentance without actually repenting in their heart. So, rather than tearing your clothes, God says He would rather you repent in your heart. Tearing your clothes means nothing if your heart isn’t broken before God. Outward expressions should come from true, inward transformation.

And God says that anyone who comes to Him in genuine repentance will experience His grace and compassion. We do not need to fear God’s wrath since we are His children. He encourages us to repent and return to Him when we mess up.

Scripture says that God is slow to anger and abounding in love. Rather than living in guilt and sorrow, God says He will give grace and love instead. He desires that we experience and live within His love, even when we mess up.

What is your first reaction when you mess up? If you try to hide or ignore your sin, take some time to consider why. God wants you to experience freedom and love. Go to Him with what you’re carrying in your heart, and repent of anything that goes against His ways.

Remember that nothing can remove His love from you. He desires that you live in grace and mercy as a child of God.

Recognizing Those You Know

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App8 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/31835/day/5

I have a problem that seems to have come along with aging. When I see a person who smiles at me and says, “Hi, Mrs. Watts” or “Hi, Vickie” I have been known to freeze, smile broadly and return the greeting but without a name attached. The honest truth is I recognize the face, but I genuinely have no idea who they are. Having taught for almost twenty years in VA and having between 140-170 students every year, I don’t expect myself to remember everyone, but it would be nice if I could come up with a gracious way to tell them I have no idea who they are.

If Jesus were to suddenly appear and greet me, I hope that I would recognize Him and be grateful for all He has done for me. But recognition comes with spending time with that person. If it has been days, months or years since you have spent time with someone, it is no wonder you don’t recognize them even though they may know who you are. (I figure the students had fewer teachers than I had students. That’s my excuse and I am sticking with it!) I know who Jesus is, that He is all-knowing, all wise, that He heals and shows the Father’s love wherever He goes. What I don’t know is if I would recognize Him, but I am hoping and praying that the time I spend in His Word and in prayer will lead me to instantly recognize the one I have been reading about and praying to all these years. I don’t think it will be His physical appearance that I will know, but I do think His Spirit will communicate with my Spirit, much like Elizabeth’s unborn baby knew the baby Jesus in Mary’s womb. You know, I cannot imagine what it will be like to be in the actual presence of the Lord for the first time. But I am excited about it and know that He will know me just as I am and love me just as He always has.

Trust God, Not Circumstances

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/31835/day/4

Good things happen and we are delighted to praise God. Bad things happen and we turn and blame God for them. Our circumstances are not caused by God; in general, our circumstances are caused by the sin in the world, our fallen world and our own wrong choices. My sister wants to know why she is going blind. Why would a loving God cause that to happen? My reply is that He didn’t cause it, but He has allowed it and no matter the circumstances, we are to continue to trust God. This life is a schoolmaster for our eternity with the Lord. We either learn the lessons we need to learn from the hard things we go through or we learn them later from another hard thing. Unlike some school teachers who just shake their heads in frustration and give up, God doesn’t turn away from us and give up. He wants a relationship with us that is based on His sacrifice and our trust, and if it takes hard times to get us there, then He will allow it. Harsh God? No, a loving Father who wants the best for each of us.

God’s Wisdom

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/31835/day/2

We all know that bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. And like the little child who is told to do something they don’t want to do, the ultimate question is, “But why?” God knows the answers, has a plan and is working things out to fulfill His purpose. That truth does not always satisfy my quest to know but it is the truth so I will stand on it. Satan wants to destroy us, God uses Satan’s plans for His glory. We may not like it, but that is how it is. Like the toddler put into bed kicking and screaming because they claim that they are not tired yet, we must inevitably accept that God knows best, lie down and get some rest in the middle of our temper tantrum against our authorities and know that God will watch over us and bring us through. He is a wise and all-knowing God…and we are neither of those.

Living by God’s Laws

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/31835/day/1

Do you remember when you were a child and your parents set down certain rules that you had to follow, for your own safety and well being? For example, I was told at a very young age to always look both ways before crossing a street. I was told not to touch certain plants like poison ivy or oak. They might look harmless, but I found out the hard way that they were indeed untouchable. As I aged, the rules changed and I felt more restricted by them, but my parents assured me that they were for my good. I was not to go out alone at night; I should have a sibling or a friend with me. I was told that smoking was bad for me as was alcohol. I was instructed that sexual relations before marriage was bad for me physically and emotionally.

Just as my parents had rules for me, I had rules that I expected my children to follow because I love them and wanted them to be safe. Likewise, God gives us rules, standards to live by. We are not a society that likes to follow rules. This is the generation of “if it feels good, do it” and “do what makes you happy.” People may have changed their view of God, but He has not changed His view of them. He loves each of us and wants what is best for us, even when we are ignoring His standards because we think that they restrict our freedom. What they actually do is give us more freedom to live longer, happier and healthier lives. God’s rules are for our benefit, not our harm. God doesn’t want us to suffer the consequences of wrong choices, so He makes clear what the right choices are. It is up to us to listen and follow them. Or, we can reach out and touch the hot stove and find out for ourselves that it will indeed burn us. Obedience is a choice, but so is sin. Thus, we are expected to choose wisely. Our Heavenly Father loves us, just as we love our children, and He wants us to grow closer to Him, following His rules because they are what is best for us. He who knows us best and loves us best gives us rules so that we can become the best person we can be, representing our Savior and loving the life that God gave us.

Depend on Jesus Daily

On By vickleaIn Scripture3 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/42932/day/5

I don’t know about you, but I have a large streak of independence in me. I have been that way all my life, but especially after I was left alone in a new place while my husband was deployed with the military. I had to learn to navigate myself and the children to the places we needed to go, take care of repairs of cars and the apartment, discipline the children and generally manage everything alone. But I knew, even when I was feeling lonely, that God was with me. I leaned into Him for strength to keep going when I was pregnant and alone. I cried out to Him when I was afraid because there were a boatload of mice in our new apartment. I reached out to Him when we had needs that I just could not meet alone, like getting to the hospital and giving birth. God always met me right where I was, even though I continually declared my independence, God knew that I didn’t mean that I didn’t need Him…He knew I did and He always hovered nearby so that when I reached the end of my rope and couldn’t hang on anymore, He reached out and grasped my hand firmly in His and led me to a safe and quiet place. I learned through those experiences that Jesus is a dependable ally and I can rest in Him when all of the world around me seems to be chaotic and too demanding. I learned to give to Him my resentment about moving again and being left alone. He gave me the ability to forgive and to keep on being the best wife, mother and teacher I could be in each new place. My branch had to keep moving due to circumstances beyond my control, but I found out that the vine moved with me, already deeply rooted in my heart and life so that I knew just who to turn to when I was overwhelmed. God always provided a church family, new friends, a job and the one time I needed it a good neighbor willing to take me to the hospital in the middle of the night and stay with me there until I gave birth the next morning. God is good, and I am thankful to be a dependent branch.

Christ’s Resurrection

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/42932/day/4

The good news keeps coming! Yes, we are weak humans with a finite time on earth. But the good news is that, with Jesus and His resurrection power, we have hope for an eternal future. That is the source of our joy on earth. We don’t have to go around feeling defeated by all of our earthly diseases and pains. We are ultimately victorious, and we need to live like we are victors, with a smile on our face and joy in our hearts.

Follow the Good Shepherd

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/42932/day/3

I’m sure that when you were a child, you played the game “Follow the Leader.” There was great discussion among my friends whose turn it was to be the leader, but once that was decided, off we romped, twisting, turning, rolling on the ground and laughing as we went. The leader didn’t say anything; he just did actions which we did our best to follow.

Now that we are adults and following Jesus, we have to not only follow His actions but we have to also listen attentively for His voice. He called us His sheep and said plainly that we hear His voice and recognize it. It’s like when my husband calls on the phone. I know it is him because I know his voice well. That’s how we are supposed to know Jesus’s voice…immediately and well because we have spent time with Him, in prayer and in His Word. His actions are not ones of twisting and rolling around but rather they are actions of helping others, serving and leading others to know Him. As long as we are following Christ, we are on the right path. We don’t have to be concerned about getting lost on our journey to eternity because Christ is leading the way. Our task is to follow and not to stray off. As humans, it is easy to walk away and choose our own path, thinking that we know better or that we can do just this one little thing (sin) and then get back to following Jesus again. But straying leads not just us on the wrong path but others who have been looking to us for guidance may stray as well. We have to be ever aware that others are watching, some to see if this faith we profess is real and others to rejoice in our fall if it happens. Thus, we are called to follow closely to our Good Shepherd, not straying or lingering where we should not, but always moving forward behind Him in our march to our eternal destiny.