Category: YouVersion App

Not the End of the Story

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

Anyone who knows me knows that I really enjoy reading. I read for pleasure and for knowledge. I read because it takes me away to places I will never be able to go and visit with people I would like to get to know in real life. Sometimes, the books I read have an ending that leave me surprised with a revelation that I didn’t see coming. Other times, I cry at the bitter sweetness of an ending where all did not live “happily ever after.” Did you know that God is writing our story, day by day? And we can already know the ending if we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Our lives are barreling quickly towards our ultimate destiny…death. But that is not the end of the story. Our story has an epilogue that makes this life worth living. Our epilogue is that after death we have eternal life to look forward to, a new Heaven, a new earth and being with God forever. The end of our story is not meant to be a sad or bitter one full of regrets that we have to leave the earth behind. It is one of hope and promise that what we are going toward is so much better than what we leave behind. So, while I read for pleasure, I live for God, because He is writing my story and He has planned a glorious future for me with Him!

The Truth About Death

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. 

Sound a little depressing? Sure. 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 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.

Death is not the end of the story. For all who belong to Christ, that is the really, really good news.

Fruit for Others

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

If you are like me and get frustrated sometimes about the spiritual growth in your life that you don’t think is coming fast enough, maybe it’s because you have fruit and you aren’t distributing it. I could do a checklist of the fruit of the spirit and say to myself that I feel that I have those qualities internally. But they are not meant to nourish me; the purpose of the fruit of the Spirit is to nourish others, both those inside and outside of our Christian community. It’s great that I am patient with myself and give myself the time to do what I want to get done. But what about when I am waiting for my husband, the Christian closest to me, to accomplish something. At times, I feel like I am patting my foot on the ground and looking at my watch every few seconds waiting for him to “get with the program.” To me, that is evidence that I am not where I am supposed to be. The good news, though, is that since I am aware of my shortcomings and what I am supposed to do with the fruit that God’s Spirit is producing in me, I think I will be more likely to nourish others the way I am supposed to. Christianity is not an overnight change just as fruit does not grow the day after you plant the apple tree. It is a process, and I am thankful that God is still working on me to get my fruit up to par and ready to feed others who need that kindness, gentleness, joy and all of the other fruits. And it’s not one fruit at a time that we are growing but rather all of them so that we can call them up as needed when we are ministering to others or just being a witness to them of Christlike behavior. I want more fruit, don’t you?

The Fruit the Spirit Produces

Paul, the author of the letter of Galatians, spends a large part of his letter explaining what it means to live by the Spirit of God. He describes what it looks like for Christians to live according to the Spirit, and also what it looks like to live apart from the Spirit.

One of the key distinctions for those who live according to the Spirit of God is that they produce certain external qualities. Paul calls these the fruit of the Spirit.

Just like an apple tree produces apples and a vineyard produces grapes, so we as Christians are also meant to produce certain things in our life.

Paul lists nine character qualities that should be evident in someone’s life if they’re walking according to God’s ways. They are:

Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self-Control

Just like the fruit of a tree isn’t meant for the tree itself, but for others, so also the fruit of the Spirit in a Christian’s life is not meant for themselves, but for others. We are to love one another, take joy in one another, have peace with one another, and be kind to one another.

The fruit of the Spirit is meant to be grown and harvested within Christian community rather than in isolation. We were created for a relationship with God and others.

Take a look at the list of fruit the Spirit produces in a Christian’s life. Be honest and ask yourself: Which fruit am I producing? Which fruit am I not producing, and why am I not producing it? Take note of a few small steps you can take to grow closer to God in those areas of your life and produce more fruit.

A Pure Heart

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

The Levites were the closest people to God of all the Israelites because they ministered before Him. But they had to purify themselves repeatedly. I am not a scholar of Levitical law and practices, but I know that Aaron had to be purified before he first went into the tabernacle. I remember reading that those who were near dead bodies had to be purified and stay away from ministering for a certain amount of time. There were all kinds of laws about purification and offerings that the people made to achieve this goal.

The good news for us is that Jesus paid the price once and for all for us to be purified forever. Our sins were washed away and we are in right standing before God just because of Jesus’s sacrifice. No rituals, no animal sacrifices, just confession, repentance and maintaining that pure heart before the Lord by coming before Him regularly and telling Him where we have failed and need help. I am in awe of God’s plan. What started as so many laws and rituals ended in the cross and therein lies the pure heart that we all want to have before God. Jesus’s death was not an easy one and our daily walk may be filled with uphill battles against our own human nature to sin. But each day, we need to crucify our worldly desires and continue to make the choices to keep our hearts pure. Some days and some choices are harder than others. But it will be worth it…we have the promise to see God!

Is Your Heart Pure?

What do you think about when you hear the word pure?

Do you picture a tall glass of crystal clear water? A freshly washed load of white sheets? Or maybe someone who’s morally wholesome and good?

In the sixth of the beatitudes—a series of promises Jesus made about God’s Kingdom—Jesus said this:

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Matthew 5:8 NIV

The word “pure” means clean or blameless, free from corruption or contamination, purified by fire, or unstained by guilt. None of us can truly be pure on our own—despite our best efforts.

Before Jesus showed up, the highest ranking Levitical priests were charged with ministering and mediating in the holiest spaces (inside the tabernacle in the wilderness and, later, the temple in Jerusalem)—where God’s presence dwelled on earth. But even they had to be purified over and over again.

Now, because of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross, He has paved the way for us. His blood covered our sins, and when we accept the sacrifice, He makes us pure. Now and forever, we can “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God,” where we can find mercy and grace when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16). Now, our bodies are the modern-day temples where God’s Spirit has chosen to dwell.

Being pure of heart is not about being perfect, but trusting in Jesus to purify our souls.

As Isaiah once prophesied…

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.”
Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you been made pure by trusting in Jesus? Today can be your day. By believing in Him and trusting in Him, you become a new creation, pure and blameless through faith. He paid the price for you to be made pure. Do you receive it?

Meaningless Life

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

Solomon likely wrote the Book of Ecclesiastes and he is considered by many to be one of the wisest men who ever lived. Yet he wrote a book that for twelve chapters expounds on how meaningless life is. I think he derailed his own life by marrying so many foreign women who did not worship the One True God who gave him the gift of wisdom to begin with. I don’t know for a fact, but I think that he left the train station fully intending to follow the track all the way home to God and got derailed by his own lust. He did point out wisely that he concluded one needs to fear God and keep His commandments. Well, that is truth for sure! We cannot keep God’s commandments without a relationship with Him because I think it is His Spirit in us that enables us daily to fight the spiritual battles against all of the darkness in the world around us. I don’t know what happened to Solomon after his death or what his relationship with God was like after he married so many women and built altars to their gods. I do know that he was wise in exhorting us to fear the Lord and to keep His commandments. Without God, life is meaningless. With God, life has purpose because God has a plan for us that He wants to fulfill in our lives. We have to stay on the track and keep chugging along through all of the challenges in life in order to reach our eternal destination that God has prepared for us. Life isn’t meaningless unless we choose the wrong path and go in the wrong direction, away from God and His best for us. Choose God and choose His plan! That is wisdom.

What’s the Point?

There once lived a king whose experience exploring and grappling with life’s perplexities was recorded in the book of Ecclesiastes.

What’s interesting is that this king—likely King Solomon—reigned in Israel during some of the best years in its history. From the world’s standards, he had more power, prestige, and wealth than any other person before him. Yet, still, he summarized his luxuries with one depressing word: Meaningless!

“Everything is meaningless!” (Ecclesiastes 1:2) “Everything is wearisome beyond description.” (Ecclesiastes 1:8) “Nothing under the sun is truly new.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9) “I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

Though written thousands of years ago, this bleak analysis still resonates with our own restless yearning for more. We want more than meaningless stuff. We want more than surface-level connections and ambitions. We want more than a seemingly thriving, yet secretly unsatisfied life. We want more—but what we want doesn’t typically satisfy us.

Like the author of Ecclesiastes, we might find ourselves asking: “What is the point of life?”

By the end of the book, “the Teacher” has tried to find meaning in everything under the sun, and he concludes his reflections with these powerful words…

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV

We can chase after everything this world has to offer and it might bring temporary pleasure. But in the end, pursuing those things apart from God will always leave us empty.

The great news is, there’s a God in heaven who created and loves us, and He understands what we really need. He knows that life is best when we follow His design for life. He is worthy of our awe, our honor, and our worship.

So, fear God and keep His commandments. Love Him with everything in you and love your neighbor as yourself. That is the point. Only then will life no longer be meaningless.

Take Up Your Cross

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

I have often wondered what my cross is that the Lord wants me to take up. I have come to the conclusion that it is whatever He asks me to do, I should do it, without hesitation or question. I need to be obedient to Him and His Word, not follow my own desires. We live in a very selfish world, one in which people all seem to be trying to get to the top by climbing over other people. The temptation to “join the crowd” is always present, but we are called to rise above those temptations and take up the cross of self-sacrifice, to put others above ourselves and to love even those we think are unlovable. Jesus wants us to point others to Him, and there is no better way to do that than to be different from the selfish multitudes who are constantly demanding their own way. The cost may seem high at times, but isn’t eternity with God worth it?

The Price of Following Jesus

We know from Scripture that salvation is a free gift that Jesus gives us when we believe in Him. But just because our salvation is free—that doesn’t mean the rest of our lives with Jesus will cost us nothing as well.

Jesus says that following Him will cost us everything. This doesn’t mean that we have to earn our salvation or work for acceptance, but it does mean that following Jesus requires everything that we have.

When we become disciples of Jesus, we follow in His footsteps. We let Jesus teach and guide us. If we are serious about this, then our lives will become patterned after His life. This means that just as Jesus took up a cross and gave up everything He had, by following Jesus we must also do the same.

So what does it mean to take up a cross and follow Jesus? It means that we should be ready to give up everything for the sake of Jesus. It means denying ourselves by surrendering our own desires and plans for God’s desires and plans. Rather than focusing on ourselves, we center our lives around God’s mission in the world: loving Him and loving others as we make disciples. 

Taking up one’s cross isn’t easy, but there is nothing in this life that is better than following Jesus. While immediate pleasure often feels more desirable in the moment, it quickly fades and leaves us searching for more. No possession or position can lead to true satisfaction in life—that is found only in Jesus.

Take a moment to think about your life. Are there things that you’re holding onto that you would be hesitant to surrender to Jesus? Are there relationships that serve your own desires rather than God’s? Commit to following Jesus regardless of how difficult or challenging life might become. The cross, while painful, is temporary—abundant life with Jesus is eternal.

Believe Your Beliefs

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/1201/day/37

It doesn’t do a lot of good to just say you trust God and then doubt that He is taking care of all of the situations that come up in your life. It is easy to fall into the trap of doubting and then getting attacked by Satan’s fiery darts because the doubt left the door open. Keeping on the shield of faith is essential to Christian living. Every time I think of the possibility of a certain candidate being elected and the havoc that will create, I cringe and start to doubt. Then, I stop myself and tell myself that no matter who is in the Oval Office, God is still on His throne. Doubts are alive and well…but so is faith. Which will you choose?

Don’t Be Shoeless

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/1201/day/36

Peace comes from within, from knowing that no matter who or what is coming against you, God is for you. I just cannot understand people who hold grudges, seemingly forever. They don’t understand the harm that their grudge is doing to them, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Jesus was never bitter. He didn’t come back from the grave and tell His followers, “Now, let’s go show those Romans and Pharisees who’s boss!” No, He just peacefully showed Himself to those who believed in Him and left them last words of wisdom and encouragement and their marching orders to go. If anyone had the right to be bitter (no one does), then it was Jesus. If anyone had the ability to avenge Himself, the Lord certainly could have. But that was not His purpose. His goal had been reached and He continued to keep His eyes on His Father and follow His Word. If we put on the shoes of peace, then we are able to follow in His footsteps, closer to Him than we may ever realize.

Say “Yes” to Jesus

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

The most important and life-changing word you can speak is one syllable. Say “yes” to Jesus and watch as your life becomes one of never-ending hope and faith in Him. It doesn’t mean that all of your problems will go away instantly. But what it does mean is that you can have a relationship with the God of the Universe and talk to Him about your problems and how He can help you with them. God loves, and when we accept that sacrificial love and say “yes” and really mean it, our lives will never be the same!

Say “Yes” to What Matters

Peter sat in grief and darkness. He had publicly denied knowing Jesus just before Jesus was crucified. And for a couple of days, Peter had to process his guilt without expecting it to go away. But on the third day, Jesus’ tomb was found empty and the stone rolled away. 

Not long afterward though, Peter was out in a boat with several other disciples doing what he was trained to do before he met Jesus: fishing. 

It’s as he’s doing this that Jesus appears. But instead of letting Peter continue to live with the shame of his past, Jesus pulls him aside and asks him a question that propels Peter into his purpose: 

“Do you love me?”

Three times Jesus asks Peter this—one for each time Peter denied him. This wasn’t a passive-aggressive question: Jesus was inviting Peter to reaffirm the relationship he’d previously denied. 

Every time Peter responds with, “Yes Lord, you know that I love you,” Jesus re-commissions Peter by calling him into the role of church builder and shepherd. 

Jesus’ resurrection meant that Peter didn’t have to be defined by his mistakes. He could still embrace the call on his life and become the leader Jesus knew he could be. 

Like Peter, you also have the opportunity to say “yes” to loving Jesus and being loved by Him. No matter how dysfunctional your life looks, or how far from Jesus you feel, there is nothing that can separate you from His love. 

Your past mistakes or current problems do not dictate your purpose when your life is rooted in Christ. 

God has given each of us access to a free gift we don’t deserve: a free gift that is available when we choose to love God and receive His relentless, sacrificial love for us.

The resurrection reassures us that no situation or mistake is impossible for God to redeem. There is no fear Jesus cannot conquer and no life He cannot heal. No darkness can stand against the power of the risen God who conquered death on our behalf. 

There is nothing our God can’t do, and no one our God can’t redeem. 

Today, say “yes” to Jesus and allow Him to reveal His deep, unending love for you.

Worship, A Glimpse of Heaven

On By vickleaIn praise, Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/49366/day/2

During the isolation period of the pandemic, I missed going to church. I missed the sermons, the friends there and the atmosphere of being in the place I should be. What I missed most was the corporate worship…all of us there for the purpose of giving thanks to God and praising Him for who He is and what He has done. I missed church yesterday because our church was having an outdoor service that is hard for me to attend due to health issues. So, my husband and I watched the livestream from home. The sermon was great! Seeing all of the people was nice, too. I enjoyed the worship service and even sang along to some of the songs. But it just wasn’t the same as being there. I encourage you to find a church home and to enjoy the fellowship of believers just like you. It truly is a small taste of Heaven on earth!