Use Every Opportunity to Pray

On By vickleaIn Admonition, encouragement, Scripture, worshipLeave a comment

Cultivating Honest Conversations with God (Daily Refresh, 12-3-25)

Prayer is one of the most important habits we can develop. Not only does Scripture command us to pray often, but there are tremendous benefits to building a life of prayer. 

Prayer connects us relationally to God. We can thank God for who He is and what He has done for us during our prayer time. We can ask Him for things that we need.

Even though we know we should pray, we often don’t take the time to do it. Unless we set aside time to talk to God, it doesn’t always find a way into our daily schedules. But Paul, the writer of the letter to the Ephesians, urges Christians to build a life of prayer. He says that every occasion is a chance to talk to God.

All of our requests and needs should be given to God. However, our time praying should not only be asking God for things. We should also spend part of our time in worship—thanking God for who He is and all He has done. 

Paul also encourages us to pray for other people. In fact, part of our responsibility towards others is to advocate for them through prayer. We typically remember to pray for others when something negative is happening to them. But God’s Word says we should always be praying for the people in our life.

As we pray, we should not be discouraged when we don’t see immediate change. God is always working in our lives, even if it doesn’t match our desired timeline. We may not receive the answers we want, but we can rest assured that God is always listening and working on our behalf.

Take some time today to pray to God. Thank Him for all He has done for you. Tell Him your needs. Think of a few people in your life that you can pray for. Throughout your week, use every opportunity to pray to God.

My Thoughts

I have banged this drum on several other occasions, but this article today says some things that I don’t recall saying before, so I want to reiterate how vital to your spiritual life prayer is. If I knew my husband was right there next to me and never spoke to him, I would not be valuing our relationship, would I? How much more important is God in our lives? He is always close by and yet we rush into the day often without even thinking about taking time to pray.

Prayer doesn’t have to be an hour; there is no timetable to talk to God. Just make time to do it every day and build the habit of making Him a priority every day. Then, throughout the day, you can continue to talk to Him about what you see that He needs to address.

I find myself sometimes with my thoughts wandering as I pray. People I haven’t seen in years come to my mind as I sit quietly before the Lord. I don’t claim to know exactly why, but I think the Holy Spirit knows that those people need some kind of intervention from God, so I pray for them. Whenever God brings someone to my mind, I pray. I don’t have to know why, I just have to know the One who does know and who will work in their situation. We are truly being advocates for others when we pray for them.

For me, the most important aspect about prayer is establishing God’s sovereignty in my life and my awe that He wants to spend time with me. It’s not all about my “wish list” but it is all about just taking time to talk to the Lord and then to listen to what He says to my heart, before I start my busy day.

Sometimes God comforts me, other times He admonishes me, and still other times, He just listens and I feel His calming presence. I need God every day, all day, and I think that ongoing relationship starts with prayer.

Mindset of Abundance

On By vickleaIn Admonition, encouragement, God’s blessings, ScriptureLeave a comment

Refreshed (Daily Refresh, 12-02, YouVersion)

Do you know someone who constantly pours themselves out?

They’re generous with their words, unselfish with their time, and openhanded with their money. And yet, somehow, they always seem to have more to give.

The author of Proverbs, traditionally attributed to King Solomon, said this:

“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT

King Solomon knew a thing or two about generosity. In fact, Scripture tells us: “King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth” (1 Kings 10:23). But he was also generous, spending years of his life funding and building the temple in Jerusalem, as well as sharing what he had learned with others.

Some of the unhappiest people on earth are stuck in a cycle of selfishness. But if you’ve ever been generous with your life—whether you’ve given financially, contributed your expertise, invested your time, opened up your home, or offered spiritual, emotional, and physical support—you know from experience: those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. 

Of course, we shouldn’t give to get. And we also must apply God’s wisdom when it comes to setting boundaries and avoiding burnout. But Jesus is the King of an upside-down Kingdom, where:

The last will be first.
The greatest will be a servant.
Those who give up their life will save it.

Jesus even told a story of a poor woman who gave more than anyone else—because she gave everything she had (Mark 12:41-44).

You don’t have to be rich to be generous; you just need a heart that is willing to serve.

So today, instead of a scarcity mindset, let’s have a mindset of abundance. Our God has unlimited strength, power, and resources.

My Thoughts

As I write this, it is actually “giving Tuesday,” a phrase I am certain was coined by someone who wants you to get out your wallet. I am publishing it on Wednesday, however, because I want to think about it a while first.

It isn’t that I am against giving. Certainly not! But I am against anything that comes close to the “prosperity gospel” that I think has turned many away from the Lord, giving them the idea that they have to give to be saved and if they don’t, they will never prosper. I’m more of a proponent of giving when God tells you to, what God tells you to, how God tells you to and to whom God tells you to. The God who provided all for me will also give me the wisdom to know when, what, how and to whom without designating a specific day for it.

I had no less than 100 email messages in my inbox today, all asking for contributions of some kind or reminding me that I need to give to them for whatever reason. The “delete” button is my friend this morning. I already give to those I want to give to and if God prompts me to give more or to give to someone else, I will, but an email messages and various ads in my inbox won’t cut it.

I apologize if I sound harsh; I really don’t mean my words to hurt feelings or turn people away. I just want people to know that giving is a heart thing and whether you give or not, that is between you and God. God knows your heart, your resources and your abilities and He will speak to you if you listen.

I could now be a walking advertisement for the good that the organizations to which I contribute do and try to convince you to give to them, also. But that is not my purpose. My purpose is to let you know that God’s Word is true. When you give, you will be refreshed, but you need to give in the way God prompts you, not other people or even the messages that are flooding your inbox. The saying is that the “squeaky wheel gets the grease.” I would like to encourage you to let God be the “squeaky wheel” in your life so that when you give, it will truly be God-led and you will not feel pressured but blessed.

Stepping off of my soapbox now to wish you all a blessed day. Blessed to be a blessing, I am His servant.

Live Awake and Watchful

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture2 Comments

A Calling to Prepare (Daily Refresh, 11-30, YouVersion)

Just days before He would die on the cross, Jesus spoke these words to His followers:

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”
Matthew 24:42 NIV

He knew exactly when He would die. He knew the hour of His resurrection. He knew the plan, the timing, and the weight of everything unfolding around Him.

But here, during a series of parables, Jesus shifts His focus to what’s still ahead: His return. And He makes one thing clear—we won’t know when it’s coming. No date on the calendar. No countdown clock. Just this charge: Keep watch.

Why? Because when we live with spiritual alertness and urgency, we prioritize what matters. We live awake to the work of God around us. We live watchful over our own hearts, refusing to drift into complacency.

If every day could be the day Jesus returns, then we must live every day with the same obedience to His calling for us.

Jesus isn’t calling us to panic; He’s calling us to prepare. He’s inviting us to stay faithful and hopeful in a world that can dull our sense of eternity. To keep our hearts anchored in the truth that this world is not our final home—and He is coming again to make all things new.

So we watch and wait, but not complacently. Instead, we live today in light of that glorious day to come.

My Thoughts

Most, if not all of us, have watched the countdown clock in Times Square on New Year’s Eve. We watch with delight and anticipation, with the hope and promise that the New Year may bring.

Should we not also watch daily with that same hope and anticipation for the return of Jesus? We don’t know when He is coming back, but we know for certainty that it is going to happen. We need to always be prepared.

We prepare for company to come by cleaning our houses and making good food, perhaps even planning activities together for after the meal. We wait with happy anticipation for their arrival and then enjoy the visit.

How do we prepare for Christ to return? We pray, we read His Word, we seek His face and we tell others about Him so that they can joyfully expect His return, also. We are not supposed to be idle while we wait. He gave us a job to do and is watching to see if we are carrying out His instructions. We are not supposed to just take for granted that we will be ready for His return but go about our lives as though we have all the time in the world to get ready for Jesus to come back. We can’t know that, so we have to always be ready. You don’t pack your suitcase when your train has already arrived at the station. You pack it long before you go to meet the train. That is why we have to pack now, be ready now, because we don’t know when the Lord will return and we want to be prepared. That’s why we have to live awake to God’s Word, listening for Him to speak to us. And we have to live watchful over our own hearts, not getting tired of waiting, but always hopeful that today might be the day.

God’s Promises

On By vickleaIn Characteristics of God, promises, ScriptureLeave a comment

Cling to God’s Promises (Daily Refresh, 11-29, YouVersion)

What do you think about? 

The thoughts that fill your mind are crucial, because what you cling to influences your worldview. 

If you choose to dwell on God’s promises, you start to recognize God’s blessings during uncertain times. Trusting that God will redeem your present pain equips you to walk forward in faith and keep on fighting. 

Isaiah 12:2 reminds us that we belong to a God who is faithful to keep His promises. This God rescues us and fights for us. So when we belong to God, we have nothing to fear—all we need to do is cling to God and wait on Him to act. 

So as you walk forward today, reflect on some of God’s promises, and let them transform the way you think: 

God will sustain you. (Psalm 55:22)

God’s peace will guard your heart. (Philippians 4:7)

God delights over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

God will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. (Psalm 32:8)

God is your refuge and strength, your help in times of need. (Psalm 46:1)

In all things, you are more than a conqueror because God loves you. (Romans 8:37)

God will never leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

God’s perfect love casts out all your fear. (1 John 4:18)

Nothing can separate you from God’s love. (Romans 8:38-39)

God’s not done with you. God’s not done with you. God’s not done with you. (Philippians 1:6)

My Thoughts

First of all, the bold scripture passages are ones that I have memorized this year, but all of the promises of God are important.

Are you married or have you ever been married? Do you remember the vows you took that day? If you used the traditional vows, you and your spouse promised to love, honor and cherish until death parted you. That was a promise, a sacred covenant promise between you and your spouse, a covenant established by God when He gave Eve to Adam. I know that many have suffered the effects of divorce, and although my heart goes out to you, that is not the topic of today’s post. The vows remain the same, although some choices have been made to leave those vows behind and move on in life. God allows divorce but He doesn’t condone it because He is aware, as many of you are, that divorce hurts everyone touched by it and the healing is long in coming.

Back to promises. Has someone close to you promised you something and then didn’t carry it out? I don’t think I am in a minority when I say a resounding “yes” to that question. Whether the person forgot, circumstances got in the way or they didn’t prioritize the promise, I felt a little trust seep out. If this situation continues repeatedly, then trust evaporates and the relationship is likely broken, or at least irrevocably changed.

God does not lie and He does not break His promises. If He said it, we can trust that He will do it. He told Abram that He was taking him to a new land and his ancestors would be as numerous as the sand. He kept that promise, didn’t He? Even though Abraham was elderly and thought that he and Sarah would never have their own child, God blessed them with Isaac and the dynasty of Israel began. Think about the Biblical story that comes to your mind when you consider God’s keeping His promises. I think of David, Daniel, Moses, and yes, even Jesus. God promised a Savior and even though it cost Him a beloved Son, He fulfilled that promise.

Sometimes we want to force God into a corner somehow and remind Him of His promises, asking Him just when He plans to carry them out and make you the person He wants you to be. The answer is always the same. In His time, not ours. Remember that the Bible says, “When the fullness of time was come…” We are all a work in progress, but God is and always has been a perfect work, from infinity to eternity. One of His attributes is being a Promise Keeper.

I don’t know about you, but I think long and hard before I promise someone something. I want to be like the Father and keep my commitments, but sometimes I don’t and I always feel very guilty afterwards, even when I confess and the other person forgives me. God doesn’t have to be careful about making promises. They are already written in His Word, the treasure that we can find and hold on to in the hard times in our lives. Although other people may disappoint us with their lack of trustworthiness, God never will.

Objective Truth

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Characteristics of God, ScriptureLeave a comment

The Truth of God (Daily Refresh, 11-28, YouVersion)

What is truth? Various generations have had different ways of answering that question. It’s a popular belief in today’s culture that truth can be whatever you want it to be. This is the idea that truth is relative and unique to every individual person.

But if everyone lives their own truth, then nobody can truly know which one is right. And if one person’s truth contradicts another person’s truth, then one of them must be wrong.

Scripture tells us that there’s an objective truth available to us that we can live by. Rather than truth being grounded in the individual, it is grounded in something much bigger than ourselves. Truth is sourced from God.

God is the Ruler and Creator of the universe, and the One from whom truth and beauty come. God’s Word contains the truths that He has spoken to us so that we might live according to His truth.

Jesus says that His teachings are true because they come from God. He goes on to say that anyone who knows the truth will be set free by the truth of God.

When we know the truth, we are no longer living according to a lie. God’s truth illuminates our life and shows us true reality. This is why Jesus says that the truth will set us free. We become truly free to live according to how God designed us to live.

An important part of learning what is true and what isn’t is reading God’s Word. He has spoken to us through His Word, and all that He has spoken is true. When we read and memorize God’s Word, we learn more and more about God.

Take some time today to thank God for revealing Himself to us through His Word, and for illuminating our lives with His truth.

My Thoughts

These days are not days of truth but rather of lies and subterfuge and deception. “Everybody lies” is the new mantra, and it is backed up by the fact that we can see it daily on any news media we watch. Everyone “spins” the truth so that it says what they want it to day. The interpretation of events is different on Newsmax, CNN and MSNBC.

You know who does not “spin the truth” or ever lie? God! In Numbers 23:19, it is plain to read that God does not lie. If He says it, He does it. Period. That’s why He is a Promise Keeper.

I have been disappointed many times in life by people who tell me one thing and do another. Or those who tell a “little white lie” to hide the real truth. You know what I am talking about. It’s an easy trap to fall into. Should I tell the truth and risk hurting that person and perhaps losing their friendship? Or should I just lie to protect them? The answer lies in your heart; you tell the truth and let God work things out for you, even though it may not happen immediately.

As you immerse yourself in God’s Word, you learn to recognize truth and to be more accustomed to telling the truth in difficult situations. Jesus didn’t mince words and try to tickle the ears of the Pharisees. He called them out, saying they were vipers, they stole from widows, they prayed to be seen. If Jesus was not afraid to tell the truth, and He is our example, then we should do likewise.

Real truth is not subjective. There is no such thing as your truth and my truth. There is only God’s truth and it is the foundation for all we believe and for what we say to others.

Life Cycles: Dormancy

On By vickleaIn encouragement, God’s blessings, Scripture2 Comments

According to the Cambridge Dictionary online, dormancy is “ the state of being dormant (not active or growing but able to become active later.” Plants and trees go through a period of dormancy during the winter months, but they are not dead. They are just waiting for spring.

We also go through periods of dormancy, although they may not always occur according to season. Did you know that during the period of waiting, the plant is actually sending its roots down and gaining strength in order to flourish later? When we are in a period of being dormant, when we think that God has forgotten us (Note: He never does), then that is the time to lean in closer to God, to spend more time with Him and His Word, to send our roots down to the source of our strength. Likely, you have prayed and waited. And then waited some more. I would like to invite you to see this season as a period of dormancy, not a forever season that is there to destroy you. Rather, it is a season to make you lean more on God and to strengthen you for whatever may come later. God wants us to be joyful and at peace, trusting Him during the waiting periods. The trees and wildflowers are not whining and complaining. Instead, they just wait patiently and do what they were meant to do. They strengthen what they can while they can and just wait. We could learn a lot from a tree, couldn’t we?

I am not personally a fan of winter, but I do understand that it is part of the life cycle. Well, waiting for answers from God is part of our faith cycle. It is a necessary part of our growth, just as winter is a necessary part of a tree’s growth to make it stronger. If we want to flourish in the hard times, when we are waiting (usually impatiently), then we need to know that it has an ending and that springtime, the time of new life and growth is coming. God set the seasons for a reason and He makes us wait for a reason. Most of the time we don’t understand the reason, but if we can hold on and trust God, He will answer and we will be praising instead of whining. I encourage you to praise during the waiting, too. When I look at the trees with their bare limbs in winter, they are not bowing down to the earth. No, they are stretched up high to the sky, getting whatever sunlight is available. That is what we should be doing, too. Stretching and reaching for God with all that we have. Our period of dormancy will soon be over, but not until the time is right, and God determines the right time. We may not like waiting, but just think of the growth that is coming even as we wait.

The Purpose of Pruning

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture3 Comments

I am one of those people who wants to hold on to things, even if they are dead branches, because they have become part of my life and I am used to them. But in my devotional today, it was brought to my attention that pruning is a good and necessary thing, for plants and for me.

My source for the usefulness of pruning is Southern Living

Directing Growth: Pruning helps train young trees and shrubs to develop a strong structure. Crossing branches, branches that curve towards the center of the main leader trunk, and multiple leader branches are removed. As a tree grows, the lower branches are often removed to gradually raise the crown of the tree.

Size Reduction: Reduction cuts decrease the height (topping) and spread of a tree or shrub. Pruning also improves the health of the plant by reducing the above-ground portion of the plant relative to the root system. 

Thinning: Removes branches on individual limbs to create even distribution throughout the crown of the tree.  Thinning enhances light penetration and is especially beneficial for trees and shrubs that grow quickly to inhibit overgrowth.

Now, let’t take each of these practical uses and apply the scripture verse to them. Pruning directs the growth and trains the young trees to grow properly. That sounds like a good reason for us to want God to prune us. We don’t want to grow unhindered in all directions and then stop growing because we have gotten too far away from the central trunk system (God) who nourishes us.

Pruning improves the health of the plant by reducing its size. Again, overgrowth means that we are “getting too big for our britches” and may need to be reminded of Who is in control…and it’s not us!

Finally, and most importantly, I think, is the thinning. Notice that this “enhances light penetration.” I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be big and bushy with lots of branches and then no light getting to the inner parts of me. We need God to be able to shed His light on us as we read and study His Word and talk to Him each day. Thus, we need pruning to get rid of what is not needed so God can water what is needed for us in our spiritual lives.

My conclusion is that pruning is necessary and we need to submit to it as a part of our walk with God. We can’t grow closer to Him if all we want to do is show off all of our new growth. We are to grow for Him, in Him and through Him, and when He says it’s time to be pruned, prayerfully submit and let God have control. After all, what He wants is for our good always in all ways.

What’s Your Target?

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Quotation and Citations1 Comment

I always ask my husband for a target. For example, what is my target time to be ready to leave to go to an appointment? What is the target for the dinner, i.e. what are we supposed to bring? I need a focus, a target to keep me centered.

This shows my desired target every day, all the time.

There are a lot of things in our lives that plead for our attention. There is entertainment on little devices and large televisions, just waiting for us to click. There are phones that ring and mail to be answered, especially that annoyingly cumbersome e-mail. Regardless of how many other things want our time, our time belongs to the Lord first. Then the other things fall in line behind Him. Think about what you spend your time doing and ask yourself if you are giving God enough of your time or only the leftovers. The One who created you and who also made a way for you to have a relationship with Him deserves the head seat at your table, the bullseye for your target every day.

Review of Abducted in the Woods by Kerry Johnson

On By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review2 Comments

About the Book

ISBN-13:9781335957436

Publisher:Harlequin

Publication date:11/25/2025

Series:Forest Ranger Rescuers , #2

Pages:208

Just when Sarah Brindley believes she and her son, Liam, are safe from the men who murdered her husband, they are attacked—and Liam is taken. Her only hope is to team up with her brother—in—law, forest ranger Tucker Brindley, to uncover who is targeting her family. When they discover her late husband’s ties to an underground medical black—market ring, it’s clear the trail of danger runs deeper than they realized. With assaults on them ramping up, they must race against the clock to recover young Liam…before they become the next victims.

My Thoughts

This book was amazing, keeping me captivated by the story and the relatable characters. The story begins with Sarah Brindley taking her small son Liam to her aunt’s cottage, having just witnessed the murder of her husband. She has barely taken a sigh of relief when her life is in danger and she has to depend on the help of her husband’s brother, Tucker. Tucker is a realistic character, a flawed human with a hearing problem. But he doesn’t let his disability stop him from being a dedicated forest ranger. When he discovers the trouble that Sarah has inadvertently encountered because of his brother Tanner, Tucker is doggedly determined to help Sarah find out who is behind the threats. First, he has to find out who kidnapped her son and where they have taken him and why they would take a small child. The action is fast-paced as Sarah and Tucker work together to solve the mystery of Tanner’s death and to find Liam. There are unexpected twists and turns with some surprising revelations along the way to a satisfying and brilliantly written conclusion. I found this book informative as I learned about experimental drugs as well as compelling since a small child was kidnapped early in the story and Sarah is an innocent victim, caught up in a web that her deceased husband created. This book is a must read for those who enjoy excellent suspense with a firm faith foundation.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Love Inspired Suspense, Rated PG

About the Author

Kerry Johnson has been conversing with fictional characters and devouring books since her childhood in the Connecticut woods. A long-time member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), she’s a seven-time Genesis Contest finalist and two-time winner. Kerry lives on the sunny, stormy west coast of Florida with her family, a lazy boxer, and a temperamental sun conure. She loves Jesus, long walks, all creatures great and small, crowded bookshelves, and iced chai tea. More information is available on her website:

https://www.kerryjohnsonbooks.com

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