Banished/Driven Out/Cast Out

On By vickleaIn Admonition, ScriptureLeave a comment

These verses are very sad, aren’t they? Adam and Eve were living in a perfect world, in total harmony with God and nature. Then, they sinned and God banished them from the Garden of Eden that He had created for them. Not only that, God put cherubim with a flaming sword to guard the tree of life. God, who made man in His image, casts him away from the closeness that he had enjoyed since creation. The hopelessness and despair must have been overwhelming.

Lest we decide to blame Adam and Eve for all of mankind’s problems, the Bible is filled with reminders that we are ALL sinners. Not one of us would have been allowed to stay in the Garden of Eden! We can now stop pointing that finger at Adam and Eve and point it back at ourselves. We are sinners. We are the reason that Christ had to die for the sins of mankind.

Aha! Hope follows despair if we know that Jesus is our Lord and that He died for us. God didn’t just send man out of the garden. He already had a plan for the redemption of mankind, if man would only believe and accept His free gift of salvation.

Like many of you, I have been watching with horror as a great swath of Los Angeles burns. I have been praying for the people there and for the firefighters and rescuers. But I have also been praying that no one has to suffer the eternal fires of hell. These fires in L.A. look hot and unrelenting. Imagine if you can the torment of eternity in a fire created by God for those who choose to go there. Yes, that’s right. If we don’t repent and ask Jesus to be our Savior, we are choosing to spend eternity separated from God and in the eternal fire of damnation.

As you sit mesmerized in front of your screen, please pray for all the people in L.A. But, more importantly, pray for the souls of all those who have not yet come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Let’s pray together that they come to salvation before Judgment Day.

Marriage Ordained by God

On By vickleaIn marriage, Scripture6 Comments

My husband Harry and I have been married 51 years. When we had our fiftieth anniversary, we had a trip planned to travel by train and see the western part of the United States. Unfortunately, my health had other plans for me. Nevertheless, we celebrated quietly together. No one knows except the two of us all of the struggles we have had to overcome to stay together. Our adversity started before we were even married since my mom didn’t approve of Harry and did everything she could to dissuade me from marrying him.

Then, the military kept us separated for years. We moved, I stayed in new housing and Harry was deployed, sometimes for nine or ten months at a time. We figured out that we had actually been together physically a little over half the time that we have been married.

We persevered through it all, especially the disagreements that we had over how to live, where to live and other daily decisions. I had gotten used to doing everything and when Harry retired from the military, he wanted to take over and I just wasn’t ready to give up control. So, yeah, lots of problems.

Still, we stayed together, in spite of all of our difficulties and hard times. Why bother? After all, I was alone most of the time anyway and had learned to lean on God and not my absentee husband. The answer lies in the scripture above. God brought the woman to man; God ordained the union. We both believe that God brought us together (meeting on a bus, no less) and that He has been with us through everything…three children born in three different states, twenty five moves and eleven different states plus D.C. and now ten grandchildren. He has never forsaken either of us. We are companions for life because that is what God made us. He gave me to Harry, but He also gave Harry to me.

Devotion is most evident when you least expect it. Like when I had a massive stroke and was in ICU for several days. The doctors told Harry that there was nothing he could do, he should go home and rest. Instead, he settled down on the floor with a pillow and slept next to me. There was no chair or other place he could sit since ICU visits were supposed to be short. But he refused to leave me, telling them that hospitals scared me and he was not going to leave me alone there. He also quit his job so he could be at home with me, taking social security early.

God knows we have needed each other. When Harry was floundering for a new career after leaving the military, I was his encourager and his help for online job searches. I am still his tech support, in spite of my lack of a lot of knowledge.

God ordained marriage, one man and one woman for life. That is what Harry and I believe and we are committed to our vows before God and to each other “until death do us part.”

The God of Creation

On By vickleaIn Scripture, Song5 Comments

Today is the day after Epiphany, the day I take the Christmas decorations off the tree and put all of the Christmas things away. It is usually a sad day for me, a day to miss all of the pretty decorations and the fun times that we had as a family together. But this year, I am in a more reflective mood. I took everything down and put it away and then I sat in my chair to do my devotional. Outside the window next to me, I can see the birds hopping around in the snow, eating the birdseed that my husband scattered for them yesterday. They remind me of how much God loves all of His creation.

I really don’t like snow because it’s so cold and so slippery. But it is a beautiful part of God’s creation and from inside my warm home, I can look out at the light reflecting on the white surfaces everywhere and marvel at God’s ability to create such beauty from nothing. What are you looking at in nature today that shows you God’s wonderful creation?

This verse was my memory verse a couple of weeks ago, and it is a favorite of mine. The same God who created all of the world that I know sees me, and nothing is too hard for Him. When I think I have reached the end of my rope, God lets a little more out for me to hold on to and He always reminds me that He is the One holding the other end.

I have not been doing a lot of suffering lately, but I do have friends and family who have been going through some rough times. If we are suffering according to God’s will, we can be assured that the faithful Creator is aware of what we are going through and is right there with us. When I think that I am in a wilderness and no one else is going through what I am enduring, God reminds me that His Son suffered and endured so much more than I ever could or will. He also reminds me that I am going THROUGH the wilderness; I am not supposed to camp there and have a pity party.

God of Wonders-Paul Baloche

Happy Epiphany!

On By vickleaIn Scripture, Song5 Comments

Contrary to popular belief and most Nativity sets, the wise men were not at the birth of Jesus. In fact, since it probably took them a couple of years to travel to see Him, He was likely a toddler when they arrived. Nevertheless, they left whatever they were doing in their own homelands and traveled far away, not knowing where they were going, but following a star to the place of the Messiah.

My big takeaway from the visit of the Magi is that they were willing to leave things behind and press forward towards where God was leading them. They didn’t make excuses or try to find a replacement, they just went and did what God called them to do. How often do I drop what I am doing and listen to God’s voice and immediately obey? I would guess that my answer would have to be almost never. First of all, I do not hear God’s audible voice very often and when I do, it is usually for wisdom or comfort, not instructions to do something. I would like to think that if God told me specifically to do something, I would, but I just don’t know and I don’t exactly trust myself to act quickly when God says to. Thus, I really admire the Magi who did act quickly, perhaps even spontaneously, to follow God’s plan.

My word for this year is “listen” and I am hoping and praying to hear more from God this year. My busy life has settled into a routine of household chores, reading and reviewing books along with daily devotional time. But I am willing and ready to hear from God. I would like to hear from my readers, too. Has God ever told you to do something and you acted on it? How did it turn out for you? After all, we all have a purpose and are part of God’s plan, so we need to be attentive for when He is calling on us to help carry out the plan.

We Three KIngs-Reawaken Hymns

Encourage Each Other

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture3 Comments

Do you know what the people in the world do endlessly? They tear others down so that they look better. If you don’t believe me, just spend five minutes on social media and you will see that it’s all about how great they are compared to others. Or sit in a restaurant and watch how the customers treat their server. Some snap at the server for slow service or demand extra attention or amenities. Or go to a store and listen to what people say to the cashiers or the employees throughout the store. Impatience and rudeness seems to be a part of today’s culture.

I don’t want to be one of those who tear others down, but rather I want to build up others. I can only do that if I am confident in my place in the Lord, letting others know that they can have the same peace, the same patience and the same love that Jesus showed to others. They just have to surrender their lives to Him.

Some of the least likely people need encouragement. Pastors, teachers, evangelists…those serving the Lord daily and pouring out their hearts and lives for Him. How long has it been since you said an encouraging word to your pastor? Don’t just conjure up a word because I said to do so…pray about it and say it from your heart.

The regular people that we meet or come in contact with every day are hurting and need our encouraging words. It can be a simple smile, a heartfelt “thank you” or a sincere, “you’re doing a good job.” I seldom go out shopping anymore. It’s so much more convenient to shop online, have boxes delivered and move on to the next thing on my list. But I do come in contact with people, some deliberately and some just an accidental encounter. I know that I am responsible for each word that I speak to each person I meet, so I want each word to be purposeful and uplifting. I hope I am not, but I may be the only positive person that they come across that day.

No matter how we are encountering people, online or in person, we can be encouraging. I want to be known as a “Positive Polly” not a “Negative Nellie.” So, give everyone the benefit of the doubt and let them know that you appreciate their efforts to help you, serve you, talk to you, whatever it is that others do to interact with you. Let’s be the kind ones, the ones who truly set out to make a difference in a world that has become increasingly impersonal and self-absorbed.

Come into the Ark

On By vickleaIn promises, Scripture2 Comments

In order for Noah to have an ark to go into for safety, he had to obey God and build it. God didn’t make the ark and tell him, “Here you go! Your safe space is ready for you!” Instead, Noah had to pick up his tools and work hard at building a huge boat for which he was ridiculed. Think about it. You’re doing what God tells you to do and everyone else is making fun of you. Hmm. Sounds somewhat familiar at times, doesn’t it?

When Noah finished building the ark (after about a hundred years), God told him it was time to go into it. It’s a good thing that Noah was tuned in to God’s instructions. We need to have that same mindset…just do what God says to do and the reason may/may not be told to us later, but it will be a good one.

Why was Noah called into the ark? Because God saw him as righteous before Him. The world was a wicked place, kind of like our world today. The only way we can be righteous before God is to accept His Son as our Lord and Savior. When we have done that and become the Christians that He desires us to be, adopted into His family, then we are invited into the ark. The ark is not a physical boat of safety. Rather, it is the place we can always turn to in order to be safe from the world’s temptation and sin. We are invited to go in, but we have to take the steps to get there. God will not shove us into a place of safety; rather, He woos us with love and patience, reassuring us constantly that He knows what is best for us.

There is a lot we can learn from Noah…obedience, listening for God to speak and doing what God says when He says it. We have a shelter provided from all of the storms of life. That doesn’t mean that there won’t be storms, just that we won’t suffer all of the consequences that we would without an ark to take refuge in.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Not Alone in Battle

On By vickleaIn devotional, Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

Sometimes, I feel as though I am all alone, fighting the battle against my own sinful nature. Today’s devotional was a welcome and humorous reminder that I am never alone. I used to watch the Popeye cartoons every Saturday morning. In spite of the fact that the show always ended the same way, I sat in front of the TV weekly to get my weekly look into heroism and true love. The answer was in a can of spinach. (Yuck!)

These days, when I am battling against temptation, I have only to call upon the name of the Lord and He is right there, reminding me of scriptures that I have memorized and testimonies from my past. God is always there and He does truly love me. We are all blessed to have a Savior as close as the next prayer and always willing to help us in our struggles.

From the YouVersion Bible App, “Daily Power, Day 9” by Craig Groeschel

I loved the old Popeye cartoons. You know, Popeye the Sailor Man? It was clear he was our hero and Brutus was his natural enemy, threatening to harm poor Olive Oil, the love of Popeye’s life. Every episode, after Brutus’ taunting and bullying, Popeye reached the point where “that’s all I can standz, and I can’t standz no more.” Out came his can of spinach, down it went, and suddenly his muscles were popping and fists were flying. Brutus didn’t stand a chance!

I’m convinced we occasionally need to choose a “Popeye moment.” When the Enemy attacks and we keep struggling, we need to “draw a line in the sand” and have a showdown. That’s all we can stand, and it’s time to change.

What fight are you facing today? Are you overworking, missing what’s most important in life? Are you battling an addiction and telling yourself it’s not that big of a deal? Are you putting off a conversation, hoping the problem will solve itself? Are you making excuses as to why you can’t drop the pounds, making jokes about it to help relieve your pain?

Maybe it’s time to stop. Make a decision. Enough is enough. It’s time to change. The good news is your strength doesn’t come from a can of spinach. Yours comes from our God. His power is available to you. His strength dwells within you. His spirit will help you do what you can’t do on your own.

Power Lift: That’s it, Lord. I’m tired of fighting temptation and giving in more times than I can count. Help me change—and help me change now!

A Poem that God Created

On By vickleaIn devotional, Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

I really enjoy poetry, the rhythm of each verse, the way the words flow together to paint a beautiful picture, the different ways poems can be written. I loved the analogy in today’s devotional about being a poem created by God. We are each His masterpiece and each of us has a specific purpose to fulfill. Like poems from poets, we are meant to be in the world and help others to see the imagery that the poet was inspired to write about. God wants others to see His Son in us and He wants us to know how very much He loves us, so much that He created us to be a unique part of His creation. I am, and you are, exactly who God created us to be, a masterpiece meant to serve and love God and others.

From the YouVersion Devotional, “Daily Power, Day 8” by Craig Groeschel

I’ve seen a bumper sticker on several cars that makes me chuckle every time. It simply says, “God don’t make no junk!” (Ironically, it seems like every time I see this bumper sticker, it’s always on an old clunker.) But it’s true: when you’re in Christ, God don’t make no junk!

You are the masterpiece of God, created for the Master’s purpose. The reason it’s important for you to believe this is because when you know who you are, you’ll know what to do. Otherwise, you might be tempted to accept the labels others stick on you and settle for much less.

You are special in Christ, the Master’s creation, created for the Master’s purpose. The Greek word translated as “masterpiece” here in Ephesians 2:10 is poiema (POY-ay-muh). To be “God’s poiema” literally means to be “a work made by God.” Because we derive our English word “poem” from this word, I like to think of us as his beautiful poems.

In Christ, your life should be a poetic statement of God’s glory. The master artisan designs each of our lives to join and interlock to create a big picture, a giant living tapestry, woven of people. Sometimes, from where you’re standing, you might not be able to see where you fit. But if you can take a step back and look at it from his perspective, you can see the overall masterpiece, the perfect workmanship of God.

Power Lift: God, help me to remember that I’m your masterpiece, as unique and beautiful as a poem. I am not who others say I am but who you say I am. My identity rests in you.