Category: Scripture

From the Holy Bible

Joining God in His Plan

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App3 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/13696/day/22

This is a thought-provoking devotional today. I never considered the fact that an angel would not permit a man to worship him, so the Commander of God’s Armies does seem to be an appearance of the Lord Jesus. I think, if I recall correctly, that is called a Christophany, an appearance of Christ before He was sent to earth in human form. Anyway, I think it is important to note that Joshua was ready to be led by God. Joshua was a strong leader, yet he had to come to the realization that we are not the leaders of God’s army; God is. I like how this devotional puts into focus that when we go into the world, we are not taking God to the lost. God is already there. We go in order to get into step with God’s plans for those people who are lost and need to have a relationship with their Creator. All we do to promote God’s kingdom should be falling under the umbrella of God’s plan, not our own. Thought-provoking to me, and perhaps to you, too.

Salvation Is A Gift

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App5 Comments

Have you ever been given a nicely wrapped and beautiful gift and immediately handed it back to the giver, saying that you are not interested and don’t want it? My guess is that hasn’t happened. Everyone likes to receive gifts, whether they are for a special occasion of a “just because” gift. My husband frequently surprises me with small tokens of his love, a gift that he got when he was out doing errands and thought of me. Did you know that you are on God’s mind all the time and that He has offered a free gift, the gift of salvation and eternal life, and yet some of you have turned away from the gift, rejecting it just as you reject God? The gift God offers cost you nothing; it is totally free. Yet to our Lord and Savior, it cost everything. We can only be right with God by accepting His gift. I can only imagine how much it must hurt God when so many people every day reject His gift, choosing instead the shiny things in this world that distract from the gift of the eternal life to come. We are only on this earth for a short while and what we do with our time here shows clearly what our priorities are and if we have accepted God’s gift of salvation. The era of technology that we live in today offers all kinds of glittery distractions to take our attention away from God and all that He offers us. Don’t be deceived. Your inheritance with the Lord is already there for you, but you have to accept it.

Justified by Faith

The letter to the Romans is packed with deep theological truths that are meant to shape the way Christians live. Paul, the writer of the letter to the church in Rome, covers the details of what is known as “the Gospel message”—a message that was handed down to them.

One of the central components to the Gospel is that salvation comes through faith alone. That means that we are saved by the power of God through believing and trusting in Jesus. Every Christian comes to God through faith—not through good deeds or by trying to earn salvation.

Paul says that we have peace with God by our faith in Jesus. Prior to that, we were considered ungodly and unrighteous, because we would live our lives in our own power, doing our own things. This led to separation from God.

However, by faith in Jesus, we are justified before Him. This means that through Jesus’ own right-living, we are made right before Him. Even though we still make mistakes, we stand innocent before God because of Jesus. 

It’s through being justified that we become children of God. We can have a relationship with God because of our status in Christ. We have access to God Himself, knowing that He is transforming us through our relationship with Him.

This means none of us can brag or boast about being a child of God. We all receive grace freely through faith. So right now, take a few moments to thank God for the incredible gift of salvation that He offers you. Then, reflect on what it means to be included in His family.

Telling Is Important

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/13696/day/20

The faith we have is meant to be shared with the next generation. They need to hear about how we came to believe in the Lord Jesus and all that He has done for us during our lifetimes. It isn’t enough that they see our lives, although that should be a good witness to them. They also need to hear the stories. I think I have told all of my children and grandchildren my testimony but since my memory is faulty, it will not hurt to tell them again. It is in the telling that I am reminded to God’s goodness to me just as I am telling others about all that He has done. Just as the stones were set up by Israel when they crossed the Jordan River, I have memories from all of the churches we attended and what I learned there. I have Bibles marked with verses from various sermons by various pastors and notes that I have taken over the years, both in my Bible and in notebooks. You may not think so, but your children and grandchildren need the evidence of your faith shown to them so that when times get hard for them, they can look back and remember to keep the evidence of God’s working in them and their own faith. God does everything for a reason; we often don’t understand it at the time, or ever here on earth, but God has a plan and a purpose and He knows what He is doing. I needed to remind myself of that today as our oldest grandson is facing a tremendous medical burden. Please pray for him and for his family. I don’t know what God is doing here, but I know that He is control and can take care of cancer and all of its ill effects just as He took care of me when I had a stroke. God is good…always and in all ways, even when we don’t understand.

God Is Always Right on Time

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www.bible.com/reading-plans/13696/day/19

There has never been a time in my life that I did not know that God was working things out, regardless of how difficult the circumstances became. I like the details in this devotional about what had to come together perfectly in order for the Israelites to cross the Jordan on dry ground. The thought of a super computer and engineers was amusing to me, because God just saw what needed to be done and did it, at the absolutely perfect time. It’s a good thing to keep in mind that when we are getting impatient and wanting God to act quickly, He is in no hurry because He knows that what He does and when He does it will be the best thing for us and at the right time.

Consecration: Turning Away and Turning Toward

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App3 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/13696/day/18

This devotional presents one of the simplest and easily understood explanation of consecration that I think I have ever read. We have to turn away from the things of the world and turn towards God. The wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon, started out right, wholeheartedly devoted to God. He built the temple and dedicated it to the Lord in a long prayer asking for God to dwell there and bless His people. But as he aged, Solomon’s heart was turned towards the wives that he had married from other nations, the very thing that God had warned him not to do. In turning away from God, Solomon turned to the world, worshipping the false gods of Moab among others. As a result, God took the kingdom away from Solomon and Israel was divided between Jeroboam and Rehoboam. What great blessings could have continued for generations if only Solomon had kept his first love for God and not for his foreign wives! We will never know the outcome of that scenario because it didn’t happen that way. Solomon had consecrated his life to serving the Lord, asking only for wisdom to rule well. Then he turned AWAY from God and toward the world and his own ego destroyed his kingdom. How many times have we felt the pull of the world, the entertainment that others seem to get so much pleasure from, the language that others use freely and seem to be accepted because of their irreverence, the riches and success that the world clamors for? We feel the pull, but if we are turned away from the world and toward God, these things cannot capture our hearts and souls. They may capture our attention, hopefully only briefly, but not enough to entice us away from our commitment to God. Each time we feel a tug to turn towards the world, we must remember that leads to destruction, not to life. Only God offers life eternally. Thus, our consecration to Him must be wholehearted, sincere and with a complete knowledge that the choices we make today may affect our eternal destiny and the witness we show others affects the way they turn, either towards God or away. Solomon’s choices led to the destruction on a united nation; choices matter. God desires us to turn towards Him but He will not force us to do so. It is our free will choice, and therein lies the problem. We are a sinful people saved by grace, a fact that we must remember every day, especially when we are faced with the choice to turn towards the world instead of towards God.

How We Live Matters

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App3 Comments

Our everyday lives may seem very common, not extraordinary in any way. But we need to be aware of our important role in the lives of others even as we go about out daily routines. Others are always watching. Some are watching to see if we are genuine in our caring for others. Some are watching to see if we make mistakes and if we own up to them when we do. Some are watching in hope that they, too, can live a life that is founded on faith in God, but they don’t know where to start. You and I are the ones that God uses to allow others to see Him in us. We are not perfect, not by any means! Nevertheless, the glimpse that others get of God and His love through our words and actions may make a difference in where they spend eternity. Be conscious of your words and actions because you may not know it, but others are always watching. The light you shine today spreads into the dark places of others who are looking for the way to get that light into their lives. Be wise with Godly wisdom, make wise choices and shine that light brightly so that others will want what we have…Jesus!

How to Live with Wisdom

The world is full of ways to grow in knowledge and become smarter. We can learn from schools, books, or other means. But more important than gaining knowledge is growing in wisdom. Wisdom increases when we apply ourselves well in relationships and circumstances, and make good decisions.

However, Scripture also says that true wisdom begins with God. While there are many people on earth who are wise, in God’s eyes real wisdom begins with our relationship with Him. God is perfect in truth and knowledge, so all wisdom must begin with Him.

Those who live with true wisdom will be a bright light for God in a dark world. How we act and speak matters. We are representatives for God to the rest of the world, so it is important that we act wisely.

One aspect of living wisely is being righteous. Righteousness is living in accordance with God’s law and ways of life. When we live according to God’s Word, we are living in accordance with His design for our life.

Jesus says that other people will know we are His disciples by the way we love others (John 13:35). That means that loving others is living according to God’s Word. And, by loving God and loving others, we will point other people to Jesus.

This is why Jesus says we are a city on a hill that cannot be hidden, and a light in the darkness (Matthew 5:14). Daniel 12:3 says that as we live wisely and righteously, we will shine bright like stars in the darkness.

The way we live, think, and act matters. Those are the primary ways that other people will see the love God has for them. So consider your own life. Think of ways you can live in accordance with God’s Word. Write down one or two ways you can shine the light of Jesus by loving others in tangible ways.

When I Am Afraid

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App3 Comments

God’s Word does not say that we will not ever be afraid. In fact, the word used is “when,” implying that God knows that you will be afraid and has prepared you for that scenario with words of peace and strength and a reminder that He is always close by. I have had some really scary medical things happen in the last few months. Nowadays, I take each day as the gift that it is and thank God for it. But that is not to say that I don’t sometimes feel afraid. When I was in the hospital after my second mini-stroke in six months and under observation because my neurologist thought another major stroke could be imminent, my first thoughts were of fear. But then, I thought of scripture verses that have always comforted me and heard God’s voice say clearly, just as He has told me in the past, “Nothing is going to happen today that God and I cannot handle together.” I am never alone and neither are you. You can put all of your trust in the One who created you and believe that He will carry out His plan in your life, all the way to the end. God’s promises are “yes” and “amen” and His Word is true!

How to Fight Fear

Think back to a time when you were genuinely scared.

As much as we’d prefer to never experience fear, fear is a part of the human experience. But when we are afraid, we have options…

We can panic, stress, get overwhelmed with worry, overthink every worst-case scenario, and attempt to numb out the anxiety-inducing situations around us in unhealthy ways … or, we can echo David’s words:

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” ‭‭
Psalm‬ ‭56:3‬ ‭ESV

Something worth noting is that these words were penned after David had been captured by the Philistines. He was being harassed by his enemies and was scared for his life.

But David refused to settle for scared.
He resisted the urge to let fear have the final say. He decided to fight back with Truth…
…And so can we.

We never have to fight alone. God has given us something more powerful than ordinary weapons: He’s given us His Word, His Spirit, and His people. Even when we don’t have access to the perfect inspirational sermon or a timely word of encouragement, we can pause and remember the truth: that God fights for us, He’s with us, and He’ll never leave us.

When we shift our minds from our overwhelming fear to God’s overwhelming faithfulness, everything changes. So, today, if you’re scared, anxious, terrified, overwhelmed, or uncertain—speak this out loud:

When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.

Overwhelming and Overbearing

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/13696/day/13

I really needed this reminder today that God is with me, especially in the really tough times. My husband and I had looked forward to a visit for weeks from two of our granddaughters. Our daughter dropped them off before going to visit Liberty University with her older daughter. Thursday was an okay day, talking, making plans and watching movies (after we did schoolwork). Then came Friday and some kind of stomach bug to start the day. And to continue throughout the day. I was at the doctor’s office for my check up when I got multiple texts from my daughter to check on T4. So, I tried to call my husband who was at home with them. No answer. (Turns out he was in the shower). Eventually, I got hold of my husband, my daughter talked to me and told me T4 and T5 were both throwing up and didn’t see Grampa around. I got home, gave them water and crackers…more sick. Waited. More crackers. More sick. Five loads of laundry later, the girls went to bed to watch a movie and rest and I fell into bed exhausted. All of our plans were gone. I was feeling overwhelmed…not from terror but from discouragement. God spoke peace to my heart and told me just to be there to love them and let them know that I would take care of them and that their mom is only a phone call away. This morning is an “iffy” morning. No sickness during the night, so we tried dry cereal for breakfast and will see how the day goes. We travel tomorrow to meet their mom and give them back. This will be a memorable visit, not because of all of the fun we had but because of all the love and care we got to show. God is always there, even when we are feeling totally bummed out.