Tag: devotional

The God Who Sees

On By vickleaIn promises, Scripture, Song, YouVersion App2 Comments

Part of my blog today is from my devotional, “The Bible in One Year, 2025 by Nicky and Pippa Gumbel” from the You Version:

All this is by grace (vv.15,17,20–21). Allow these truths to sink deep into your heart. See yourself as God sees you – as righteous in his sight – and believe that, because of what Jesus has done for you, when God looks at you he is pleased with you.

Lord, thank you so much for the death of Jesus on my behalf. Thank you that although I deserve judgment and condemnation, you have made it possible for me to be justified and to receive the righteousness from God by grace as a gift.

God sees us as righteous, forgiven, loved by Him beyond anything we can comprehend.

Hagar was ready to just admit defeat for herself and her small son Ishmael. But God was right there and saw her and had a different plan.

How often are we ready to just give up, to admit that we cannot face the challenges of life any longer? I had a week like that. I don’t talk about it, but my husband is a hoarder which almost drives me crazy since I am an organizer bunny. I was getting ready this week for family to visit, and I do try very hard not to go into the back bedroom, the site of my husband’s “treasures” but I had to dust. I was so dismayed to find that he had decided to “clean out the closet” and other spaces by stacking things under the mattress of the bed. The bed now sits about three feet higher than the frame and I think it looks ridiculous, not to mention, slightly unsafe since it’s uneven. We had an argument about it and neither of us is happy with each other. I want the family members coming to be safe but also to not be overwhelmed by the sheer outrageousness of my husband’s collections. Newspapers, boxes, video tapes, plastic containers, etc. There is no reason for all of it…it just is. The whole hoarding thing has gotten worse since retirement and I have no solution. I cannot face it, but God can. He sees my frustration and discouragement. And he also sees my husband’s mental problems that cause the problem to begin with. So, what to do? I choose to submit to God, knowing that He sees me just the way I am and will help me once again get through this situation that seems to have no answer. I generally end up backing off and my husband has his way about everything, but I am so tired of that posture. I really want God to intervene, but His intervention may be that I change and not my husband. In the meantime, I feel somewhat like Hagar, in the wrong place at the wrong time and with no one to help me. But then, there is Jehovah Roi, the God who sees. I am blessed beyond measure by God who sees all and continues to love me.

The God Who Sees by Kathie Lee Gifford and Nicole C. Mullen

In the Water

On By vickleaIn Scripture, Song, Video, YouVersion App7 Comments

From my devotional today:

The word “cancer” rattled around my brain like a pinball bouncing back and forth, looking for a place to land. A place to register. And then it dropped. Sinking into my heart. Shredding everything in its path.

As much as comfort can be our friend, it can also be our enemy. Have you ever been just fine where you are? Your health is good. You have plenty of money in the bank. Your job is secure. All of your kids are healthy. Life makes sense. God is behaving like he should, or at least like you think he should. And then Jesus says, “Follow me. You’ve learned enough by the lake. Let’s go in the lake.” 

This is exactly what Mark records Jesus doing with his first disciples. Jesus shifts his location as he shifts his lesson.

The disciples found themselves in water instead of by water. It was getting dark. Evening was coming. And where there is water, there are also waves. Before long, these waves were threatening the very lives of these young followers of Jesus.

But if not for the storm, they would never discover the goodness and power and faithfulness of the God who was with them. Without fear, they would never know faith. Without hurt, they would never know hope.

It’s no wonder Mark records that Jesus was the only one unmoved by the storm. The chaos of the water and storm were no threat to Jesus. In fact, he was in the stern of the boat, sleeping on a cushion. At rest. This was going to be a lesson not for Jesus but for the disciples. And for us.

We need water to grow. And some lessons we can learn only in the midst of chaos, not in a classroom. And no matter how we get there, we can trust the God who meets us in our storm

(From You Version Devotional, “In a Boat in the Middle of a Lake”, emphasis added by me)

My Thoughts

I really needed to start a new devotional, and this one was recommended to me. I really like that the underlying theme is trusting God in the midst of difficult circumstances.

On Tuesday, I was in the waves, the wind was getting stronger and the waves threatened to overcome me. But I contacted my neurologist, the one who is faithful and dedicated and told him my fears about my Doppler scan and asked what I should do about it. He has called me before as late as 9:00 p.m., just to check on me or to reassure me. Last night, Dr. Smith called at 7:30 and told me not to worry. He read the scan and my blockage is there but it is mild. He said “mild” is considered 10-50%, but he also told me that he compared this year’s scan to last year’s and this year’s is actually better. No change in medicine or routine and no surgery! It was like Jesus speaking, “Why did you doubt? Peace, be still!”

I doubted because of my humanity. I am ready to meet the Lord, but I am not ready to go yet, so hearing that I could possibly have another massive stroke was scary for me. There is so much more I want to do, more people to talk to, more relationships to work on. I know that God’s timing is perfect, but is anyone really ready to die? When I do pass away, I don’t want to linger. I want to just go, and I have prayed to God about that. Whatever happens, I do have confidence that God will take care of all of the details in my best interest and with the love He has constantly shown me.

I am hopeful that this experience will help me remember how trustworthy God is, even when the winds come up and threaten to topple my boat. I am still discovering more of God’s power, faithfulness and the hope that He wants me to have in Him. I am taking small steps, but they are in the right direction.

Peace Be Still-Holly Darst

Mountains and Valleys

On By vickleaIn Scripture, Song, Video, YouVersion App1 Comment

There Was Jesus: On the Mountain and In the Valleys (YouVersion Devotional, “There Was Jesus”)

Sometimes, I don’t know what’s harder to remember: to praise Him in the hard times or to praise Him in the good times. He’s with us during both and every time in between. Remember the last time you had a really great day? Did you recognize Jesus with you that day? Were you mindful of His presence? Did you thank Him for that good day? It’s not often that I remember that He is with me when I have a good day, probably because things feel under control. 

Just like in yesterday’s scriptures, trusting that God is with us in difficult times poses its own set of challenges, but as there are scriptures to remind us He is with us during the rough times, there are scriptures to remind us He is with us during the good times too. 

James 5:13 says, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.”

It doesn’t say to sing praise only when times are bad or only when times are good. 

My prayer is that we can always look around and recognize His presence at all times; good and bad, on the mountain and in the valleys. 1 Chronicles 16:11 tells us to “seek His presence continually.” I invite you to do an exercise with me right now: take a look around and thank God for existing in this place and in this time right now. You may not feel anything; you may not see anything, but trust that He’s there with you right now.

‘Every minute, every moment 

Of where I been and where I’m going 

Even when I didn’t know it 

Or couldn’t see it 

There was Jesus.’

My Thoughts

Usually, my life, and probably yours, too, goes in cycles. I’m on a mountaintop and then in a valley (or traveling between the two). Yesterday started to be a regular day for me with an appointment for a Doppler test at my neurologist’s office. My husband was driving, and suddenly (like really fast), the car in front of us braked and Harry had to brake quickly. Praise God for looking out for us! We didn’t hit the car in front of us and the car behind us didn’t smash into us, either. I thought about my verses for this week in Psalm 121:7-8 that remind me that God “keeps me in my going out and coming in.” We continued on our journey and a car darted out of a side road, right in front of us. It was like he didn’t see us or was daring us to hit him or something. Once again, Harry employed a hard brake and I was thankful for God’s calming presence. Yesterday’s trip was like trying not to play “bumper cars” on the roads to the hospital.

Then, I had my Doppler. The technician that does the test has been doing them annually for me for the last nine years, so I am acquainted with him but he has never really been talkative. I decided that was just his personality and just followed his instructions. But yesterday, he was talkative and said more than, “Lie down on the table, please.” He asked if I could get on the table and would I be okay there for a few minutes on my back. Then he chatted with me a little as the test proceeded. At the end of the test, which took less than fifteen minutes, he told me that he saw a little blockage in my carotid and hoped it didn’t get any worse. Well, for someone who has had a stroke, a blockage of any kind is not good news, to say the least. I told him that I would be praying about it, he walked me to the exit and I was done.

So, was all this a mountain or a valley? I honestly don’t know. I felt God with me in the car as we avoided accidents that could have been the result of driver error (the other drivers). I felt God with me when I was with the technician, soothing me to be okay on a hard table with a bad back. And when the technician told me I have a little blockage, I focused on the word “little” instead of the blockage. I knew right away that was something I would need to be praying about in order to achieve peace about it.

Regardless, I knew that God was right there with me. He tells me in His Word that He won’t leave me and that He would keep me as I traveled, and He did, He does, and He will. I contacted my neurologist to ask what the plan is now that my Doppler has been done and I expect to hear from him in a couple of days. Whatever the plan is, God will be beside me.

“There Was Jesus”-Zach Williams and Dolly Parton

Review of FARMHOUSE DEVOTIONS by Cheryl Shuermann

On By vickleaIn Book Review1 Comment

ABOUT THE BOOK

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D4N2LZ86
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bold Vision Books (May 19, 2024)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 19, 2024
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 205 pages

From picture rails and antique church doors to prairie flowers and sticktights, Farmhouse Devotions: God’s Glory in the Ordinary invites you on a journey to enjoy God’s truth and wisdom in everyday experiences.

Combining sound biblical truth with the timeless appeal of anything farmhouse, this sixty-day devotional will encourage and inspire and satisfy.

Original artwork and family-friendly recipes are included in the book as sweet treats.

Grab your coffee, get comfortable, and discover God’s glory in Farmhouse Devotions.

Welcome to The Farm!

My Thoughts

This devotional offers practical and immediately applicable messages to encourage one’s heart and to guide one along the right path to a firm and steady relationship with the Lord. Each chapter begins with a scripture verse and ends with a prayer. The titles of the chapters are inviting, giving a small clue as to what treasures will be found within those pages. Reading the book in just a few days was thought-provoking, but now I must admit that I want to go back and savor the wisdom found there. The stories of grandchildren playing on the farm, of rocking on the porch, of seeing birds enjoying a sprinkler are all vivid reminders that life is good and is to be cherished, with a legacy to pass along to those who follow in our footsteps. This book presents a loving look at life lived and shared with others, with all of its challenges and its triumphs. This is a devotional to read again and again and get new truths from it each time as the words are appealing and fresh just like God’s Word.
I own a copy of this book and all opinions expressed are my own.

Christian Non-Fiction, Rated G

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cheryl Schuermann attended Oklahoma State University where she received a B.S. in Curriculum and Instruction and a master’s degree in Education with emphasis in Literacy. She devoted her professional career to literacy education and working with at-risk students. After many years in the classroom, Cheryl contracted as a literacy consultant and curriculum trainer in schools across the United States. She wrote and conducted dozens of workshops and presented at numerous literacy conferences. 

In addition to writing, Cheryl facilitates a caregiver support group for her community. With a passion for children and families, she and her husband Stan have mentored and taught parents in their local church for over twenty-five years. Cheryl spends as much time as possible with her family: Stan (married 52 years), four sons, four daughters-in-law, and thirteen grandchildren. They are her inspiration and source of her many stories. The Farm is her favorite place to write, be with family, and host ministry groups. For more information about Cheryl and her books, visit her website at Cheryl Schuermann

Purchase Your Copy:

Amazon

God Knows

On By vickleaIn Scripture1 Comment

Just in case you think that you can have secrets from God, let me clue you in to some truth. You can’t! Try reading Psalm 139 aloud and let it speak to you about where God is and how intimately He is involved in your life. This psalm was in both of my devotional books this morning, so if I didn’t get the message the first time, God repeated it.

When I got up this morning, my first thoughts after saying my thanksgiving prayer were all that I have to do today to get ready to go to the beach to meet our daughter and her family. No, I didn’t procrastinate. Well, maybe a little. We have known since April that we would be meeting our daughter at Myrtle Beach and I waited until today to organize and pack. It’s not that I don’t want to see everyone. I do, I really do! I just am not a big fan of traveling or packing or unpacking. I get anxious that I will forget something vital (like meds), so I make lists. Then I check things off, highlight them, circle them, carry the list with me from room to room. You get the idea, right? We were away from home for three weeks in June to July. Then, mid-July, I visited my sister in NC for a week. Two weeks at home and back on the road again for another week now. We will be traveling again later in August and one final trip in September. So, all of this traveling and packing has me a little fidgety. But God surprised me with a verse this morning that jumped off the page at me and immediately calmed me down.

Wow! Just wow! I always pray for traveling mercies and know that God goes with me wherever I go, But for Him to affirm that He is seeing me as I travel…this blows my mind. I know it shouldn’t because of course, God sees me everywhere, doing everything that I do routinely. I am blessed that He is aware that I am traveling again, that my heart wants to go but my mind is reluctant, and that I have tons to do to get ready to head to SC. For now, I will focus on God’s great love for me and His attention to details. I have no doubt that He will help me to remember all that I have to pack and do to get ready for the trip. But mostly, I pray that He will continue to bring this verse to my mind so that the anxiety that I usually suffer when traveling will flee.

Expect the Unexpected

On By vickleaIn Scripture4 Comments

Have you ever looked forward to something that you have planned and really, really can’t wait for it to happen? That was me last week. I have been in MD taking care of grandchildren for about six weeks now. I miss my comforts of home, my husband and my kitty terribly. But I knew that this season of my life would be ending in about three more weeks. My husband plans to come up for Christmas together here and then we would head home.

Sometimes what we plan doesn’t happen just as we plan it, but it doesn’t mean that God was caught by surprise or that He isn’t still in control. On Monday, my son told me that they have a glitch in their plan and wanted to know if I can stay another month. I tried hard not to show how I was feeling, but inside, my heart was racing and I was asking God, “Why, God? You know I miss Harry and home and was looking forward to going back, relaxing again, all of the things I normally do? Now, another month in MD?” When I spoke to my husband, he was dismayed but not surprised and he said that we would work it out so he can visit more often and I won’t feel so lonely. I have only seen him for four days in the last six weeks, but the future plan is for him to come for Christmas and then every other week until I can go home again. So, resignation as well as hope for the future is still in my heart.

Don’t get me wrong. I am grateful for the time that I have with my beloved grandchildren. They are precious, but they keep me oh, so busy and so tired at times. Their energy is boundless whereas mine is waning. But God knows all of that, too. He keeps reminding me that His strength is made perfect in my weakness and that I can do all things through Christ.

With that being said, here are some Scripture verses from my devotional today.

Praise God for the hope He puts into His Word!
This is a hard one, to be still when plans fall apart. But I’m learning.
This is one of the things that God has called me to do in this household. What a privilege it is to let HIS light shine through me to the members of this household, especially the children!
My prayer for each of you.

This is a season for me in which not much time is my own. Early in the morning, I do my devotions and I go downstairs for bed about 8 every night so that I can read and relax before falling asleep. Whatever minutes that are mine, I cherish because that is the time to re-boot, to re-charge and to wait on God to show me His truth and His will for me during these days of separation from what is familiar.

May God richly bless you during this holiday season and may each of us, separately and together, form a strong bond that reaches hands across the earth and binds us to each other and to the Lord.

His Mercy Endures Forever

On By vickleaIn Scripture12 Comments

In my devotionals this week, I read about the word “Selah” that is in the Bible almost one hundred times. The writer of the devotional (entitled “Mornings with Jesus 2021”) said that this word really means to pause, focus and praise. I liked that, along with the suggestion that followed. I set my alarm for three different times during the day and each time my watch alarm went off, I paused what I was doing, focused on Jesus and praised Him for something specific. Simple, yet so profound!

The day that I started my “selah” moments, my husband and I had an appointment to see my ortho back specialist. It was just a routine follow-up, so not a really big deal. However, on the way there, we were in a car accident. We were shaken up but not injured, our car was towed from the scene and we are getting a rental car today. Praise God! We were okay! I had to climb over the seat into the back seat to get out because my door was jammed shut. The police officer and my husband assisted, so I got out okay. The other driver could not have been more concerned or kind. He even called yesterday to check on us and drove to his insurance office to expedite the claim and the rental car. That’s God’s mercy and grace at work, folks! My husband and I are fine except for a little soreness and I think that’s to be expected. I’m just so thankful! Life and its plans change so quickly, but God never changes and we were never out of His loving care.

As an added blessing, I talked to the other driver’s insurance agent and told her our dilemma. We have plans to visit our new grand baby next week and our grandson who graduates from high school the following week. She said to just take the rental car and go…we can worry about getting our car back when we return since it will likely take several weeks to get it back on the road again. God is good! All the time! Never have I ever been so glad to be totally dependent on God’s sovereign power. Honestly, I don’t know how anyone makes it one day without Him!

May the Lord of all grace and mercy bless and be with you today as you seek His face and how to be His ambassador.

Selah=Pause, Focus, Praise

Scriptural Wisdom for Wednesday

On By vickleaIn Uncategorized6 Comments

These are the verses that spoke to my heart as I read my Bible today during my devotional. I hope that they will also encourage and speak to you. What verses is God speaking to your heart these days?

Blessings, my friends, for a clean heart and an ear that is able to hear when the Lord speaks to you.