Category: promises

Being Content

On By vickleaIn Admonition, God’s blessings, promises, Scripture4 Comments

Life changes so quickly that sometimes it is hard for me to keep up with all of it. A month ago, our granddaughter came to live with us in order to pursue her Master’s Degree. We had agreed that she could live here for the two years that this degree would take and have been delighted to have her here. She is such a blessing to have around!

Then on Saturday morning as Josh (Teya’s boyfriend) and Teya were getting ready to go out to breakfast, Josh followed me to the laundry room to tell me in a hushed whisper that he was proposing that day. And that Teya’s friends from Pennsylvania were coming to set up a picnic in the backyard. The gist of it was, Teya was surprised that her friends had driven over eight hours and that Josh had planned everything: friends, food, surprise and ring! So, Teya’s life will definitely be changing, just not right away. She plans to get married next year, probably in August, but nothing is really set in stone yet. She is just starting her new life and has plans to continue her Master’s degree with Josh by her side.

Paul, the man who was beaten, imprisoned and tortured for his faith, wrote these verses. He said that he had learned the secret of being content in all situations. I think I am still learning this contentment thing. I am not one who likes change, whether it’s expected or a surprise. I plan and organize and expect things to follow my plan, but then, they just don’t. Why not? Because change and unexpected events are part of life.

Teya’s engagement is a good thing and I am thrilled for her. Some things are not as pleasant or welcome. Isaac, our grandson, is still looking for a job after almost five months since graduation. He is discouraged at times which is understandable. He has a good degree in math and computer science, but he keeps saying that he is falling into the black hole of non-responsive employers. What happened to the bright future he had planned? I think it is still on the way, but it’s hard to be content in the waiting. If you have ever waited for something and expected a happy ending quickly, then you know exactly what I mean.

God has a timing for everything and His timing is not always ours. In my human impatience, I want to rush some things in life and slow down others. I want a rush on Isaac’s job situation so he will be settled and more confident. But I want to slow down time with Teya as she shows us things through the eyes of youth and excitement about life, and we have been loving that experience.

Just as we cannot slow things down, we cannot rush them either. That is why we need to learn to be content right where we are. I think of my broken foot and say to myself, “Uh-huh. I am supposed to be content with this painful cement block on the end of my leg?” Yes. Yes, I am. When I started to whine today, I got a news blurb about the release of the hostages. Over 250 were taken by the evil Hamas. Only 20 were returned, starved, tortured and unimaginably damaged mentally and emotionally. Just the images stopped my thoughts on my foot and turned them to the families and the hostages. I am blessed beyond measure and need to accept the things that happen instead of being upset about them. How did these brave people survive for so long in captivity? I like to think that they were like Paul, pressing on and keeping their faith. I pray that many of them have come to know their Lord and Savior in a real way or that they will do so.

You see, what really matters in this life is not this life. It is what comes after this life is done. Thus we can be content with changes and minor inconveniences like a broken foot because we know that this life is not everything there is. God has a plan and He is working to fulfill it. I can choose to be content while He is working out His plan or I can choose to rebel against it. I choose contentment. I don’t think for one minute that God “caused” me to have a broken foot (although He could, of course). No, it just happened as part of my life. His plan is working itself in my life as I deal with this problem. How will I react on a daily basis? What coping strategies can I learn from it? How close can I draw to God in the middle of the night when the throbbing and burning begin? We can all learn something from whatever changes that come, whether we consider them good or bad. Our perspective on it is what determines whether we are content or not. God is still in His throne. He hasn’t moved or abdicated and one day all will be made new. That truth is settled in my heart, so I can choose to be content, knowing that this issue will last for a season, but not for eternity.

I leave you with a prayer request to pray for the hostages who were returned, for their peace and salvation and for them to be comforted. And pray for the families of those who will never come back because Hamas murdered them. Pray that they can forgive and have a relationship with God their Maker that supersedes all their suffering. Pray for contentment.

To Whom Do You Run?

On By vickleaIn Admonition, God’s blessings, promises, Scripture4 Comments

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.””
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭1‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.91.1-16.NIV

I included all of Psalm 91 in my post today because I think it’s important that we see what the psalmist saw as the enemies coming against him. Note the bold print: the fowler’s snare, deadly pestilence, night terror, arrows, and a plague. I dare to state that none of us have faced any of these, much less all of them. But all of us have faced difficult times, challenges, things that really try our faith and let us know with a certainty in whom we place our trust.

Some face financial ruin and run to the bank or other lenders to help them out of the hole they dug themselves into. Some face the temptation to take drugs and run to the nearest corner to go ahead and buy some to take away that edge they feel from withdrawal. Some face loneliness and turn to mindless television shows or alcohol. To whom do you run?

The only One who can truly be counted on is the Lord. People will disappoint you. The government won’t keep its promises. Banks may fail or turn you down when you seek help. But God never disappoints, always keeps His promises and will never fail or turn away from you. He is the One we can all count on when everything seems to be topsy-turvy in our world. He will either set it back right side up or He will let us see the world as He sees it so that we know we are safe with Him in spite of the circumstances.

Hold on to the promises of God, my friends. And just a gentle reminder that you cannot hold on to something about which you are not aware. So hide His word in your hearts and minds so when the hard times come, no matter what it is, you will remember the words of Psalm 91 and other promises throughout the scripture.

Death Is Temporary

On By vickleaIn God’s blessings, promises, Scripture3 Comments

The Truth About Life and Death (Daily Refresh 10-06)

No matter what part of this planet you live on, how well you take care of your body, or how much money is in your bank account, there is no escaping death. 

Sounds a little depressing, doesn’t it? But there’s still good news. Really, really good news.

For those who belong to Christ, we have a hope that’s beyond this world…

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Death is the greatest tool of our enemy, which is why Jesus came to defeat it. That’s why He became human, took the ultimate punishment, and put death in its rightful place—under the authority and dominion of God. 

Yes, life is fleeting, but death is only temporary. And the Spirit of God can do what no human can—give life to the lifeless, empower His people, and redeem what has been lost. 

The truth about death is that it’s not the end of the story.

Soon, God will wipe away every tear and make all things new. Just as a baby is given the miraculous and mysterious breath of life, His Spirit will revive the seemingly perished and bring the dead back to life!

And that is the really, really good news.

My Thoughts

For many years, I honestly feared death. I was terrified of traveling, lest I die. Terrified of bugs, snakes, rodents, anything that could cause me harm and lead to death. Sounds ridiculous, right? Especially for a born again Christian? I got the born again part but I neglected to focus on the death had lost its sting and I would be with Jesus for eternity.

I think my fear of death started when my uncle committed suicide when I was in college. He was a fun-loving upbeat guy and suddenly, he wasn’t there any longer. And the worst was the people who told us that there was no way he was in heaven because there was no way he could repent before he pulled that trigger.

Thus, I went around in a constant state of anxiety, fearing that I hadn’t repented and if I died, then I was done…over..finished.

Then, finally, I started reading the Bible and discovering the words of wisdom there about death and the fact that Jesus conquered it, once and for all. “It is finished” wasn’t just for sin. It was also for the end of death and Satan’s hold on us. Now, I am free to really live and enjoy life without the terror of what is around the next corner waiting to drag me off to the world of the dead. No matter how I die or when I die, I will go to be with the Lord. The part of taking my last breath is temporary because when I take my next breath (if that is a thing in heaven), it will be in the presence of the Lord. No fear, no doubt, no death!

Do you fear dying? Jesus is the answer to your fear!

The Price of a New Heart

On By vickleaIn promises, Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

A New Heart (Daily Refresh, 9-28)

When someone needs a physical heart transplant, it’s desperately serious. Their heart is failing and, left on their own, that person will physically die. 

But there is hope—the possibility of a new heart. But, in order to get a new heart, a good and capable surgeon is essential. More importantly, in order for that person to live, somebody else must die. The failing heart is then replaced with a thriving heart, and abundant life is once again possible.

In the same way, when someone needs a spiritual heart transplant, it’s desperately serious. The heart is failing and, left on their own, that person will spiritually die. 

But there is hope—the possibility of a new heart. In order to get a new heart though, a good and capable surgeon is essential. However, in order for that person to live, somebody else must die. Only then can the failing heart be replaced with a thriving heart, and eternal life is possible. 

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.”
Ezekiel 36:26 NLT

God is our good surgeon, and Jesus gave His life for yours. He takes your insufficient efforts and replaces them with something better. But to receive His abundant life, you must humbly ask for His help. You must allow Him to do surgery on your heart. You must surrender what is dying and trust Him with your life.  

Maybe the thing that needs to die is a habit that’s impacting your life.
Maybe it’s an unhealthy relationship, or guilt and regret over your past.
Maybe it’s an attitude of pride or insecurity. 

Whatever it is—Jesus wants to take the broken and failing parts of your heart and replace them with something completely new and life-giving.

As you process today’s verse and what God is capable of doing, ask yourself:

Do I trust Him—really trust Him—with the details of my life? Am I willing to let Him do “surgery” on my heart and show me a better way to live?

My Thoughts

If you were told that you would die without a heart transplant, you would do all of the research, assure yourself that the surgeon is capable and get yourself on the list for a new heart. Why, then, do so many need a new spiritual heart and ignore the free gift that is already waiting for them? There is no list to get on, no time you have to wait. Jesus already died so that you could have a new heart. Trust Him to show you what real life with Him means.

Behind You

On By vickleaIn promises, Scripture4 Comments

I have read this verse over and over during devotionals. I have meditated on it and I kept coming back to the same question. Why is the voice behind me? After all, in the well-known “Footprints” poem, Jesus picks up the person hurting and carries them. I finally got an answer to my question today, and I am amazed that it took me this long to discover it.

If God is walking in front of us, we are following exactly where He leads, like the Israelites in the desert. All we have to do is stay on the right path and follow. But if He is behind us and speaking to us, that requires two things: being attuned enough to God to hear His voice and stepping out in faith.

I am perfectly happy having God behind me now. Not only is He my rearguard, He is also leading me in the way I should go if I will only listen and obey with faith in His master plan.

Traveling Mercies

On By vickleaIn God’s blessings, praise, promises, Scripture5 Comments

This year has been one of a great deal of travel for me and my family members. Our grandson went to Japan while our granddaughter went to Ireland and then on a cruise around the Greek Isles. Our son went on a business trip to Germany. The trips my husband and I made this year were not as distant, but there were a lot of them. Starting with four graduations in May, we stayed on the road for almost three weeks that month. It seemed that we barely got home when we packed the car again and headed to Myrtle Beach, SC, to see my brother and his family who had flown in from Colorado. Returning from that trip, we spent a few weeks at home, then headed out to Maryland to see our son and his family. And this past weekend was our last trip of the summer. We went to Williamsburg to the Great Wolf Lodge to spend the weekend with our other son and his family. I would not trade any of those hours in the car for anything since my husband and I both got so much pleasure from seeing our children and grandchildren.

One of the things that I purposed to do this year is memorize more scripture verses. One of those became like my mantra for the year.

There was a lot of going out and coming in this year for ourselves and our children and grandchildren. They are still on the move, with one in college at Liberty, one actively seeing employment and one employed and traveling for work. This Psalm has been on my lips as a prayer for us and for our family members as they travel. The promise of traveling mercies is real. Harry and I put a lot of miles on these old bodies this year, and God was with us the whole way, just as He promised. Did unexpected things happen while we traveled? Of course, but nothing that God could not help us handle. When God promises, you can count on His acting on your behalf!

How about you? Did you go anywhere special? Did you pray before, during and after your trip for the traveling mercies that God provides?

Weather Forecasts and Jesus

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Characteristics of God, promises, Scripture1 Comment

When you read the title, you probably wondered where I could possibly be going with the post today. Well, first let’s look at weather forecasts. According to this website Climate Cosmos, weather predictions have gotten more accurate with technology but they still make errors. In fact, in the seven-day forecast, they are only about 50% right.

Last week, Hurricane Erin seemed to be bearing down on the east coast of the United States. I got an email from Dominion Virginia Energy on Wednesday telling me to be prepared to lose power because of high winds. I have lived here for a quarter of a century and never got this kind of warning before, so my husband and I talked about the impending storm, he checked the weather channel online and I checked my weather app, and sure enough, we had high winds predicted. Thus, we made sure we were ready for an electrical outage, or as ready as one can ever be. We made sure we had batteries for flashlights, candles ready, and then my husband went to the store and stocked up on water and food that can be eaten without cooking it. So, with a supply of beanie weenies for him and crackers for me, with puddings and jellos for both of us, we decided that we were ready. Later that night, the forecast changed. In fact, the “high” winds were not forecast to be a mere 10-15 mph. That meant our preparation was not necessary, but we are ready for the next story. (Oh, by the way, the reason we buy water is that we have a well. The well will still have water, but the pump is electric, so no toilet flushing or getting fresh water from the faucets. Which also explains why we filled up both bathtubs with water…for flushing.) When my brother called for my birthday, he asked how we did in the hurricane because he, too, saw that Erin was barreling towards the east coast. I told him about our preparations and the fact that of course, we did not end up needing to do all of that. We both laughed at how the weather changes quickly and unexpectedly.

I am not saying Jesus is predictable, but His Word says that He is always the same. Unlike the weather, if He says in His Word that He will do it, it’s a done deal, something we can absolutely count on. That means that we should always be ready for Jesus to return. After all, He told His disciples that He would be back. He promised to take us to be with Him always and that He is preparing a place for us. Since Jesus is working on preparing a place for us, it’s a really good idea for us to prepare our hearts for Him. We don’t have to gather supplies or make sure that everything outside is secured, but we do have to stay in His Word and maintain a relationship with Him. He told us that the only One who knows when He will return is the Father, but we do have some signs in chapters like Matthew 24 that He told us would be a good prediction about His return. Preparing for Jesus is to always have oil in our lamps (the Holy Spirit active in our spiritual lives) and our minds and hearts clean before him. Confession isn’t just good for the soul, but it is also preparation for our eternal destiny. So, is Jesus more predictable than the weather. I can say with 100% certainty that Jesus is returning (unlike Erin that veered out to sea). He will come at the exact moment that the Father tells Him to do so, not one minute early or one minute late. And it is our job to be prepared. We may not know when, but we know what will happen because it is all written in His Word. Let’s focus on the return of Jesus instead of the storms in our lives or the weather forecast. We are much more likely to feel peace, assurance, comfort and security by keeping our focus on the certainty that is coming than on the weather or other circumstances that may or may not happen.

A Pilgrimage

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

A Journey with God

Following God is a journey.

It’s not just a one-time decision. It’s a lifelong pilgrimage, a day-by-day walk of trust, transformation, and faithfulness. Psalm 84 paints a beautiful picture of travelers whose hearts are set on reaching God’s dwelling place. They’re blessed, not because the road is easy, but because their strength comes from Him.

If our strength came from ourselves, we wouldn’t make it very far. Life brings challenges: dry seasons, steep climbs, unexpected detours. If we’re depending only on our own energy, it’s easy to get weary and discouraged.

But when our strength is in God, the journey changes. We’re not walking alone. We’re empowered by His Spirit. We’re supported by His promises. We have a clear destination, and the blessing is not just at the end, but along the way.

A heart set on pilgrimage is a heart that knows this world is not our home. We’re pressing on toward something greater, and toward Someone greater.

If today finds you tired or uncertain, remember this: the strength you need isn’t something you have to muster up. It’s something God freely gives. Lean into Him. Set your heart on the journey. He’ll be faithful every step of the way.

My Thoughts

The first thing that came to my mind as I read this devotional from today’s YouVersion was John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress.” I taught about that book for several years when I taught in a Christian school. And every year, the students offered new insight that they had gotten from this wondrous novel. When I read it for about the fifth time, I really understood for the first time that life on earth is a pilgrimage for all of us. There are hard times, high mountains to climb, dry places to go across and roaring rivers to ford as we face obstacles to our goal of reaching our eternal destination victoriously. But the verse for today in Psalm 84:5 encourages each of us that we don’t have to struggle in this journey on our own. We can depend on the strength that can only come from God and know that He is with us, encouraging us and bolstering us up for each day’s new challenges. A poem I memorized in high school has the same kind of theme. “And miles to go before I sleep.” (Robert Frost, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening) May you, my faithful readers, experience the closeness of God as you make your daily journey closer and closer to the time when you can rest.