Tag: Daily Refresh

True Humility

On By vickleaIn ScriptureLeave a comment

A Humble Beginning (Daily Refresh, 12-19-25)

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35

Generations of anticipation. Prophets foretold it and the people hoped for it. There, in a simple town, it happened. The Son of God took on the vulnerability, frailty, and weakness of man by beginning His life as we all do—as a a baby. Holiness and power were made present in humanity. And to Mary, He was born.

Do you think anyone imagined, after all the prophecies of Jesus’ coming, that He would begin ‌His life on earth as a baby? That He would grow from an infant to a child to a teenager to an adult, the same way that man has since the offspring of Adam and Eve? Even during His ministry, people loved to view Jesus as a conqueror—a man of power that was going to topple the Roman government and establish Himself as their king. They wanted Jesus to show His power in a way that gave them power, too. 

And yet Jesus was humble to His core. 

He willingly began His time on earth completely powerless, born to His mother Mary into a simple life. 

Jesus went from being one with the Father in Heaven, powerful and supreme, to willingly taking on a human beginning, being born as an infant inherently dependent on others. Such humility marked His life and ministry. He did not come to topple governments but, by His loving sacrifice, topple sin by taking on a human life and then giving it up of His own accord. 

The Son of God. Mary’s son. God’s perfect plan made manifest at last.

Humility. It marked Him from the beginning.

My Thoughts

Jesus did not have to come humbly. He could have come as a conqueror, with all the power and might of heaven behind Him. Instead, He was born just as we are, through the labor pains of a willing servant of God. The people of the day looked for a new ruler, a new king to overthrow the Romans. What they (and we) got was someone not interested in power but in real “peace through strength.” His strength was demonstrated in His humility. We would to well in this very divided world to emulate our Savior and show His peace to others who need to know what a real leader who loves regular people looks like.

Jesus Never Changes

On By vickleaIn promises, Scripture, YouVersion App6 Comments

Devotional from Daily Refresh, YouVersion Bible App

Unchanging

In an ever-changing, always-moving, constantly-shifting world, we can count on the unchanging nature of God.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the author of Hebrews said it like this:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8 NLT

A title for the three distinct parts, or “Persons,” of God is the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And the Son—Jesus Christ—is the purest reflection of the Father, who never changes.

When you unpack the stunning mystery that is God made flesh in the Person of Jesus Christ, you’ll notice that He said audacious things like: “I and the Father are one,” (John 10:30) “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father,” (John 14:9) and, “Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” (John 17:5) 

John described Jesus as the Word: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

God said of Himself, “I the Lord do not change…” (Malachi 3:6) This unchanging quality is called the immutability of God. 

From generation to generation, God is the immovable rock where we can firmly plant our faith.

God cannot lie. He cannot be unjust. He’s always good. He’s always faithful. He’s fully perfect. He’s self-sufficient. He’s continuously steady and constant, enduring and everlasting.

If your world has been rocked, or if everything around you seems to be shifting, or if it’s challenging to tell what is solid rock and what is shifting sand, you can trust in, count on, and place your hope in Jesus. 

He’s not only your righteous Savior, but He’s also your unchanging God.

My Thoughts

I am not a person who likes change. Yes, I moved twenty-five times. But moving was hard for me. It always seemed as though I had just made new friends and off we went to a new place. I don’t even like to rearrange furniture. I put things where I like them to be and I want them to always be right there.

I like the definition of “consistent”: steady reliability. That is what Jesus has been to me. My world may be rocking, but He is my rock that doesn’t move. I can totally depend on Jesus to always be there. An overnight hospital stay? He is right there, in all of the hustle, bustle, testing and prodding. He is right there, keeping me steady in the rocking world. Bad weather pattern coming through? Jesus is right there, letting me know that He has not ever nor will He ever leave me, not even when the power goes out and it’s less than 30 degrees outside. When the noise in the church sanctuary is too much for my sensitive brain? Jesus is right there, comforting me when I am distresses about not being able to be around the others in the congregation because the bass and percussion reverberate too much for me. The bottom line is Jesus has been with me and for me most of my life. He is my shelter and my anchor in the storms of life. I cannot make plans and know with certainty that they will come to pass. But I can know for sure that even if they don’t, it will be okay because Jesus is there, right beside me, walking through the changes in my life. Other people will disappoint me. Things that happen in the world may scare me. But…Jesus!

Being Honest with God

On By vickleaIn Book Review3 Comments

Honest Conversations with God

As a teenager, David was anointed as the next king of Israel. But instead of ascending to the throne in a blaze of glory, he spent years running from Israel’s current king (his father-in-law) who repeatedly tried to kill him. 

During this time, David laments to God: he has honest conversations about his situation while holding onto the hope that God can—and will—restore him. Psalm 59 is the result of one of those conversations.  

David’s laments allowed him to express his grief, cry out for justice, and remember God’s faithfulness. Focusing on God’s faithfulness reminded David of God’s character, and knowing God’s character helped him hold onto hope. That’s why he could say, “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” (Psalm 59:16 NIV)

Talking honestly with God helped David recognize that even though his current situation wasn’t good, God was still good, and still worthy of being worshiped. David believed that God was still in control, and that he would one day see the fulfillment of God’s promises.

And one day, God’s promises did come to pass. But God didn’t waste the years David spent as a fugitive: instead, He used them to help David become the leader and warrior Israel needed. The setbacks David endured actually strengthened his character and prepared him for his future purpose. Although his circumstances were painful, God was faithful. 

And God can—and will—be faithful with your life. 

When you place your hope in Jesus, you never grieve in vain because the God who is now is also the God who will be forever. And He is constantly advocating and acting on your behalf. That’s why, no matter what you face, you can hold onto this hope: Jesus can turn your setbacks and sorrows into setups for your good and His glory. 

God can take your pain and use it for His purposes. He can make a way through your desert seasons. He is your source of strength and your refuge in times of trouble. Nothing is impossible for God. 

So today, continue to draw closer to Him, and look for evidence of His faithfulness. As you intentionally pursue God, look for ways to worship Him like David did.

My Thoughts

I have never liked the idea of turning lemon into lemonade or making the best of a bad situation. That seems like a lack of faith to me. I am not sure that there are any bad situations. Rather, I believe that bad things that happen are an opportunity to look for ways to praise God in it. Yes, I said look for them! Sometimes it is hard to see good things in the middle of an overwhelming situation, but He is always there. I emboldened the print of the lines that stood out to me in today’s devotional. God is forever and Jesus can take our setbacks and use them for His glory.

I recently had yet another health scare. I am not sure why these things have started happening when I am out of town, away from home and my regular doctors. But this is twice now in as many months, so God definitely has my attention. First of all, with my sister, I tried to remain calm and faith-filled. Yes, I had to go to the ER and was there all night alone. But I was praying and reciting scripture verses and received good care. I was honest with God, telling Him I was frustrated that this was happening and I had no idea how I was going to get back to my sister’s or what the real problem was. The doctor had told me that they were doing tests to make sure my single kidney was okay since I had an E Coli bacterial infection in my bladder. Well, I told God that was more than a little concerning, but I also told Him that He made me and I was sure that He could take care of me. So I was able to tell my sister when the hospital “taxi” took me back to her apartment that the hospital was efficient and all the people were kind. She is terrified of hospitals and as this is likely the one she would go to if something happens to her, I helped to reassure her that it is a safe space.

In Maryland, my blood pressure kept climbing and reached alarming highs, accompanied by a severe headache. So, on the eve of our granddaughter’s birthday, we headed to the ER (again). My specific prayer as I lay there waiting for tests to be completed and then for meds to work, I prayed to be able to be back at our son’s house for Penny’s birthday. I was honest, and told God how upset I was to once again be in the hospital, helpless about my condition. God answered as I was discharged just after midnight. Once again, I could assure the kids that I was okay and tell them that God had taken care of me. In a household where the only time God’s name seems to be mentioned is in the epithet of OMG, that was a big deal. The kids were happy I was there and amazed that I gave God the glory for it. So, is it a great experience to go to the ER with health issues? Of course not! It’s frightening and uncomfortable and not part of the plan for the out-of-town visit. But if one good thing comes from these unexpected interruptions in my plans for the week, then I am okay with that. I was able to share my mantra with my sister and my grandchildren: “Nothing is going to happen today that God and I cannot handle together.” I am not sure what they thought about it, but I hope I fed them enough to whet their appetites to know more. When it was time to leave, we gathered in a circle and prayed and the little ones who were there (home sick with strep), joined in enthusiastically. Baby steps, but steps nonetheless and I will take them. I am certain God did not put me on earth to be a Debbie Downer. I am here to spread His positive light regardless of my circumstances and I am doing my best to do so. So, you can call it lemons and lemonades. I will call it God’s giving me an opportunity to show others that I belong to Him and they can, too!