Category: Scripture

From the Holy Bible

Joseph Teaches Us to Wait

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/26293/day/1

If you’re like me, when I saw the title of this devotional plan, I was repelled and then drawn to it. I was repelled because honestly, I don’t know that I want to learn how to wait like Joseph. After all, he spent years in prison while he waited for God to free and use him. But aren’t we all in a prison of some kind, mostly of our own making, while we wait for God to act? We need to be willing to find out how to make the best of our current circumstances while we wait for them to change. And we need to realize that the circumstances may never change…we will change instead. So, I am now pumped up and ready to study more about Joseph. What are you waiting for?

The Passion and Zeal of Jesus

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/13952/day/28

Jesus was not a reluctant Savior. He went to the cross passionately desiring to follow the will of the Father and in so doing saving us from our sins. He did not turn away from the sacrifice but faced it head on, knowing it was the way for us to come to the Father. Willing to die for us, His passion and enthusiasm for leading us to a new life was evident. Do we have that same passion and enthusiasm when sharing about Christ with others?

Pursue Righteousness

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/13952/day/26

This devotional is a call to peace as well as a call to action. We are meant to have peace, show forth His righteousness and pursue it all of our earthly lives. The reason for our call is to spread His peace to the world; as others come to know His righteousness in their lives and the peace that follows, it becomes like a spring of living waters to others. We are a rolling wave of life for others, not a stagnant pond just soaking in the sunshine of His presence. We give, get more in order to give more. The cycle continues just as God established.

Soar Like the Eagle

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App3 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/46391/day/8

There is a big difference in the view of life that my sister and I have. I know that life is finite, that I am just passing through and I have the hope of eternity with the Lord. My sister, on the other hand, believes that this life is all there is and is in a state of constant despair because of her failing eyesight and health. She tells anyone who will listen that she is frail. She is correct; we are all weak and need a strong God on our side. She doesn’t like to hear about the freedom that comes with belief in God and the salvation of His Son Jesus. I am still praying that the Bible stories we heard as a child and the truths I have told her over the years will open her heart to hear and believe. It seems impossible, but God is the Creator of the impossible and will do what only He can do. Meanwhile, our differences in philosophy mean that I can get sick and not lose hope, knowing that this life is temporary and a better life awaits me. Do I enjoy the tests and multiple medical visits? No, of course not. But I see them as a part of this life that I am enduring with patience until I can once again be with the Lord who created me. I hope you will join me in prayer that my sister will have that hope one day soon. The love of God in my heart changes my entire perspective and I want that for her.

It Takes a Lifetime: Power, Love, Self-Discipline

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

I confess that as a new Christian, I was one of those people who expected God to change me instantly into who He wanted me to be. But life with God is a journey, a daily experience wherein we make choices and continue to grow and mature. We may stumble and fall, but we pick ourselves up and keep going. It takes a lifetime of depending on God’s power, leaning into His love and practicing self-discipline in order to ultimately arrive at our final and glorious destination.

Power, Love, and Discipline

One of the miracles of salvation is that when we have faith in Christ, God not only saves us—He also gives us the power to live according to His will for us. Your life in Christ is one that is empowered by the Holy Spirit living within you.

This is a great gift, but a big shift. It often takes time to change how we think and act. We may have bad habits that take hard work to correct, or patterns of thought that are challenging to break.

Thankfully, God promises to be with us and to empower us to make these changes in our life. When Paul is writing to his mentee Timothy, he encourages him to continue to develop the gift that God has given to him. While we are saved in an instant, it takes a lifetime to develop and work out what God is doing inside of us.

In 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul reminds Timothy that God’s Spirit does not give us fear or cowardice. Those things are tools of the devil who is trying to keep us from God. But the Spirit of God empowers us with confidence in Him. He gives us the power to live out the purposes of God in our life. This power is one that we need to continually remember as we face challenges.

The Spirit of God also empowers us to love others. It can be difficult to love people, especially those who may have hurt us. But God promises to give us His power and love so that we can be a light to everyone around us.

God’s Spirit also empowers us with self-discipline. We won’t experience spiritual change and growth if we don’t train and practice—but that takes time, dedication, and endurance. We need to be consistent in doing the things that God asks us to do, including reading God’s Word and talking to Him. Thankfully, when we belong to God, He helps us. He gives us the strength, stamina, and soundness of mind to build habits that help us become more like Him.

Today, take some time to talk with God. Ask Him to empower you by His Spirit towards power, love, and self-discipline. Consider how God is leading you to change the way you live. As you do that, remember that God doesn’t give us fear. He fills us with love because He wants us to experience a confident relationship with Him.