Category: YouVersion App

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.

A Society Based on Values

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/13696/day/12

As the author of the devotional points out, Joshua had the Law, and that was enough for him to study and establish a society based on values and principles. It saddens me how far from these values we have drifted. Sometimes, I think we didn’t drift away, but instead we used a powerboat with a strong motor to get as far away from God as fast as we could. I would like to think that God is an anchor for many, the One who holds that motorboat in place and doesn’t allow it to drift too far away from Him. But I also know that if we choose to leave God behind in our quest for fame, fortune and success in this life, then that is a choice He will allow us to make, and one that has eternal consequences. If you are one who has drifted, take a few minutes today to reflect on how you can get back to where you once were. As a pastor once told me, “If God seems far away, remember that He didn’t move. You did.”

Participate and Claim

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/13696/day/10

God has promised us eternal life with Him if we but choose Jesus as our Lord and Savior. That sounds so simple and like a really good deal, doesn’t it? But how many have not accepted God’s promise because they don’t want to step out in faith, believing in the salvation that God has promised. If Joshua had not taken God at His word and stepped out in faith, what would have happened to the Israelite nation? Would God have chosen another leader or another nation to favor? Fortunately, we don’t have to deal with that “what if” because Joshua was faithful and believed God. What do we miss out on when we turn away instead of stepping out?

Resolution, Resolve, Promise

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/13696/day/9

This devotional hits all of the high points of Joshua’s taking over after Moses’s death. He was commissioned by God and he had a high calling, but he had to take the first step away from Moses and on his own. So often, we get caught up in the trap of living in the past instead of pressing on toward a hopeful future. May each of us know in our hearts that God has a perfect plan and promise for each of us and may we all resolve to follow Him to the end.

Character Over Comfort

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App3 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/13696/day/8

Think about why you sometimes find yourself in difficult situations, questioning why God would allow challenges to constantly assail you. One answer is in this short devotional. Developing your character is much more important to God than providing for your comfort. Which is more important to you? For me, I don’t like the tough times, but I do want to be more like Jesus…so whatever it takes and with total confidence that God will be with me, I choose character over comfort.

An Invitation to Die

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App3 Comments

No one that I know has a big desire to die. We are all so busy living life and doing things that we sometimes lose our focus and our biggest desire should be to die. Not physically, not taking your last breath and planning the funeral or last wishes. No, I am talking about dying to our own desires and letting God’s desires and purpose for us to take precedent. If we believe He is a good Father, then we should also believe that His plans are best for us. Thus, if we want God’s best, then we have to die to our own desires and plans and get in step with God’s. No matter how good we think our plans are, God’s will always be better. One line in this devotional really stood out to me: Jesus could not have been resurrected without being crucified first. We cannot have a new life without turning the old one over to God, completely and without any reservations. Our invitation is to die, but the result is a new life that is better than we could ever imagine.

Dying to Live

Dying to ourselves can feel like a bad thing. Most people want to exalt, applaud, and promote themselves.

But in God’s kingdom, dying to ourselves is essential.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me.”
Galatians 2:20 NIV

A lump of clay cannot become a work of art unless it is shaped into something else. A container of paint cannot be used for a masterpiece unless it is first poured out. A carbon deposit must change in order to become a diamond. A caterpillar must give up its old way of life in order to become a magnificent butterfly.

The invitation to die is actually an invitation to live.

When we give our lives to God, we’re choosing to surrender our plans, our desires, and our gifts. And that can be hard. But we also know there is something better—and Someone better—on the other side.

God can realign our plans, reshape our desires, and repurpose our gifts for His glory.

The apostle Paul, the author of Galatians, knew firsthand the life-changing power of Christ. Christ’s power radically transformed Paul from someone who persecuted believers, into a passionate follower of Jesus.

Because of that experience, Paul knew that the only way to live was by surrendering every area of His life to Christ. And that’s why he invites us to do the same.

Jesus couldn’t have been resurrected without first being crucified—and the same is true for us.

So what do you need to give to Jesus today? What behavior, habit, or thought do you need to “crucify”? Come as you are to Jesus, and give Him permission to transform and renew your life.