Tag: faith

Belief, Not Feelings

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/540/day/3

We live in an era in which the mantra seems to be, “Do whatever feels good to you.” Feels good? Really? It might feel good for me to slap the person who is annoying me by being rude to the clerk in the store, but that doesn’t mean I have the license to do it. It might feel good for me to rob a bank and have lots of money to spend on a lavish vacation, but I don’t follow through on that thought…consequences, right? Unfortunately, in society today, people have decided to do things based on feelings and there are no consequences, at least none that are readily apparent. The Hamas-supporting protesters keep the Jewish students from attending class. What is their consequence? But they “feel” that they are justified in their wanton destruction and hatred, so it must be okay. After all, no one is stopping them. But I digress…this post is not about the poor choices of students. It’s about choosing faith over feelings.

I may be afraid to step out and witness to someone that the Spirit clearly tells me to speak to. If I go by my feelings, I will walk away (and honestly, I confess that sometimes I have done that). But if I go by faith that God will give me the words to say and the courage to say them, then I speak.

In this devotional, David is used as an example of faith. I have just read in another devotional about Absalom and his betrayal, David’s journey away from from Jerusalem and his cries to God. He was not blaming God for his troubles; rather, he was calling out to Him in faith to restore him to his throne and to keep him safe from the traitor. Would that we would have that kind of faith that continues to call out to God in the midst of betrayal and a real wilderness experience! Instead, we have a tendency to say “I’m just not feelin’ it today.” What if you were praying to God and His reply was, “Yes, I hear you, but I’m just not feeling it today.” God doesn’t go by feelings because He knows they change constantly, with outside influences and inner thoughts at war inside us. He expects us to choose to live by faith, no matter what the outside circumstances are and no matter how we feel about them. The Bible teaches us that it is impossible to please God without faith. Time to get off the feel good train and hop on the faith train that takes us to the throne of God. One is a bullet train that speeds us on an out-of-control path to wrong choices. The other is slow and steady, taking us in the right way to the right place, in God’s time.

Red Hot Resistance

On By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/540/day/1

I heard a pastor say once (or probably more than once) that Satan doesn’t bother attacking the non-believers because they are already on his side. On the other hand, those of us who are Christians can sometimes feel as though we are under constant attack. We get through one crisis and the next one is just waiting on the horizon. But there is good news! Have you read the end of the Book? We win! That is why Satan’s desperate ploys to divert our attention from God and get us too discouraged to worship won’t work. God wants us to be prepared for the attacks, so He gave us His Word, but He doesn’t want us to be defeated by them. The trials test our faith but they can’t destroy our firm hold on God unless we let go. Sometimes, I feel as though God is holding me tightly through the circumstances because I get too tired to hold on. Lauren Daigle sings a song called “Hold On To Me” that speaks to my heart when I face that dilemma. I recommend you listen to it with an open heart; at times, all we can do is know that God who began this faith trip with us will see us through to the end. The resistance is real, but so is the victory!

God’s Purposes are Greater

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion AppLeave a comment

This is a particularly poignant message for me today because I am sick…again. I have bad allergies and this is allergy season, so no surprise when I started with the usual symptoms of drainage and a sore throat. Then, last night, I had to use my inhaler. This morning, I am getting ready to use my nebulizer. Thus is the progression of things when I start getting click. Others want me to just “Name it and claim it.” They think that if I confess that I am healed, the miracle will follow. Well, I am healed and I am being healed but it may not manifest itself here on earth. I believe that God gave me the breath of life to begin with and even when I am struggling to breathe, He is right there, giving me each breath that I take. Would I like to be completely well? Yes, but I am willing to wait for God’s timing because His plan is the perfect one. I am not doubting God’s power, love or ability. I am just taking life one breath at a time, knowing that God is working on my lungs so that one day they will be as whole as they are meant to be. I don’t know when that one day will come, but I know it’s coming!

Where Doubt Meets Belief

In Mark 9, we read the story of a father who loved his son. He loved his son so much that, when his son was possessed by a spirit, the father brought him to Jesus, believing that Jesus could heal him and drive out the spirit. ”If you can do anything,” the boy’s father said, “take pity on us and help him.”

The boy’s father believed Jesus could drive out this spirit. But he didn’t know it for sure. He brought him to Jesus, but he still doubted—after all, no one else had been able to heal his son.

Have you ever felt torn between that same belief and doubt? The boy’s father shares a struggle many of us have—the struggle to hold onto faith during life’s trials.

Yet Jesus doesn’t shame this father. Instead, He responds in faith: “‘If you can’? Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Jesus invites this father to a decisive choice. To trust either in Jesus’ authority, or to doubt.

In this story, Jesus did drive out the spirit through prayer, while his disciples could not (Mark 9:26-28). However, we must also realize that Jesus’ response does not promise us that faith guarantees our every desire will be realized. Faith isn’t a license for wish fulfillment. Instead, it challenges us to recognize God’s supreme power and ability to fulfill His will, His way (Mark 1:40–42). True faith always comes under the authority of God’s sovereignty.

Faith, in its truest form, trusts that God’s purposes are greater than our understanding.

Relying on God

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/13952/day/24

How often do we pray, wait impatiently for a few days for an answer and then seek our own solution? I have read the story of the Israelites looking for help in Egypt many times, but this is the first time that I applied it to my own life. I want God to work in my life, but then I try to help Him out or prod Him to use the solution that I have already worked out in my own mind. I need to rely on God, step back and just be willing to wait. When I do wait, the answer is always exactly what I need even though it may lead me in an unexpected direction. Trusting that God wants and knows what is best for me is hard because I am a controlling type personality. But leaning on God takes the pressure off of me and allows me to see His awesome love for me and His power at work on my behalf.

Steadfastly Clinging to God

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

www.bible.com/reading-plans/13952/day/23

This devotional really spoke to me about not being wrapped up in circumstances but rather clinging to the hope that we find in God. Yesterday was a tense day around our house since we knew Isaac was seeing his specialist and getting his test results back. Our son Scott called as soon as Isaac was done at the doctor’s office and we were all on speaker discussing what the doctor had said.

First, the good news. Isaac’s CT scans and bloodwork were clear, showing no malignancy currently present. So, there was rejoicing when we heard that.

The doctor presented three options for treatment because the cancer they removed is extremely aggressive. According to the doctor, this type of cancer most often attacks the abdomen and all of the organs there. The first option is testing every two months. Isaac will have to have bloodwork and or CT scans every two months, regardless of whether he chooses to do the other options or not. The second option is preventative chemotherapy. Of course, there are numerous side effects. Isaac plans to discuss this option with the oncologist when he sees him tomorrow. He is leaning towards just option one and hoping (praying) for the best outcome. The third option is very radical in that they would do surgery and remove his lymph nodes in his abdomen as well as part of his intestines, the area that they think the cancer would head for next. The doctor did not recommend that but he said that if what the cancer attacks is no longer there, it cannot survive, so it is an option. Isaac definitely does not want to do surgery again unless it is necessary. He is still suffering from being sore from the first surgery.

So, in the good news department, clear tests and more to follow. Apparently, this cancer does not just disappear as the doctors had originally reported. So, vigilance is key. Isaac will talk to the oncologist tomorrow and listen to his recommendations before he makes the final decision, but he is leaning towards just getting tested every two months and dealing with the cancer problem if it rears its ugly head again. I would prefer the preventative chemo, but that does interfere with his normal routine and I can understand why he doesn’t like that idea.

Isaac is handling this well, if a bit stoically. He is resigned to whatever comes next and needs a big faith boost. I would like to spend more time with him feeding him with the Word and prayer, but so far, he has no time or interest. His “why, me” attitude has not turned into bitterness, just a resignation that somehow he is under a dark cloud that he cannot escape. I should say here that Isaac had a tough childhood because his sister is non-verbal autistic and from the time he was six, Iris became the priority. So, this is another blow for him and I want to be able to reassure him that God loves him all the time, in all ways and that He didn’t send the cancer to punish or pick on him. Please pray that my husband and I get the time to share truth with Isaac and that God will open his heart to hear and accept it. He has always been curious about our faith, so I pray God will open the door and let us in to help him through this.

I appreciate all of the prayers so far; your love and caring have helped me to face each day’s new challenges. I will post what Isaac finds out from the oncologist and what he recommends once I know anything. I am not enjoying this journey, but I am so thankful that I am not taking it alone.

By the way, my son sent me a nice photo of Isaac in the doctor’s office, looking out the window and wearing his eclipse glasses. He got to see part of the eclipse anyway. And he is really looking forward to his trip to Austin the first week of May. I am happy that he has something to look forward to that will be fun for him. God is good, even when the situation stinks.

God’s Victory

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/13696/day/25

Before reading today’s devotional, I had never really considered the significance the Sabbath Day played in the defeat of Jericho. God’s victory was a sure thing as long as the people did the work of obeying God on the other six days. That sounds like a simple thing, but it is sometimes difficult to walk out our faith all the way until we can enter into our eternal rest with God. Our walk has to be one of total dependence on God, knowing with a certainty that He was, is and will be victorious. And we can humbly say when God leads us to victory, “I’m with Him,” knowing that He is the reason for our own triumph.

Salvation Is A Gift

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App5 Comments

Have you ever been given a nicely wrapped and beautiful gift and immediately handed it back to the giver, saying that you are not interested and don’t want it? My guess is that hasn’t happened. Everyone likes to receive gifts, whether they are for a special occasion of a “just because” gift. My husband frequently surprises me with small tokens of his love, a gift that he got when he was out doing errands and thought of me. Did you know that you are on God’s mind all the time and that He has offered a free gift, the gift of salvation and eternal life, and yet some of you have turned away from the gift, rejecting it just as you reject God? The gift God offers cost you nothing; it is totally free. Yet to our Lord and Savior, it cost everything. We can only be right with God by accepting His gift. I can only imagine how much it must hurt God when so many people every day reject His gift, choosing instead the shiny things in this world that distract from the gift of the eternal life to come. We are only on this earth for a short while and what we do with our time here shows clearly what our priorities are and if we have accepted God’s gift of salvation. The era of technology that we live in today offers all kinds of glittery distractions to take our attention away from God and all that He offers us. Don’t be deceived. Your inheritance with the Lord is already there for you, but you have to accept it.

Justified by Faith

The letter to the Romans is packed with deep theological truths that are meant to shape the way Christians live. Paul, the writer of the letter to the church in Rome, covers the details of what is known as “the Gospel message”—a message that was handed down to them.

One of the central components to the Gospel is that salvation comes through faith alone. That means that we are saved by the power of God through believing and trusting in Jesus. Every Christian comes to God through faith—not through good deeds or by trying to earn salvation.

Paul says that we have peace with God by our faith in Jesus. Prior to that, we were considered ungodly and unrighteous, because we would live our lives in our own power, doing our own things. This led to separation from God.

However, by faith in Jesus, we are justified before Him. This means that through Jesus’ own right-living, we are made right before Him. Even though we still make mistakes, we stand innocent before God because of Jesus. 

It’s through being justified that we become children of God. We can have a relationship with God because of our status in Christ. We have access to God Himself, knowing that He is transforming us through our relationship with Him.

This means none of us can brag or boast about being a child of God. We all receive grace freely through faith. So right now, take a few moments to thank God for the incredible gift of salvation that He offers you. Then, reflect on what it means to be included in His family.

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?

Reality above the Real World

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App3 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/11667/day/4

I feel bad for those who don’t believe in God, not just because they are missing out on a relationship with Him, but also because the real world of sickness and troubles is all they know. They don’t have the power of God on their side so they can rely on Him to help them through the sickness and the challenges of life. God doesn’t always heal, but sometimes He does. God doesn’t always take you out of the trouble, but sometimes He does. And whether the healing comes or not and whether the trouble disappears or not, God is still there and still by your side all the way through until the end if you trust in Him. Thus, I feel bad for those who don’t believe in God. They don’t have that knowledge that no matter what happens, God is right there, fighting on our side, and in the end, He always wins. The reality is God is real. The sad thing is that people without God don’t know it.

We Need God’s Help

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App3 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/11667/day/2

If the prophet Jeremiah needed God’s help, then who am I to say that I can forge forth on my own and will just let God know if I need Him? No, that old hymn, “I Need Thee Every Hour” is more appropriate for me, and probably for you, too. We cannot stand in a world that glorifies evil and sin without God to strengthen us and stand beside us during the daily battles of life. The reality is that we are weak, but He is strong, just like the song I sing to my grandchildren. My faith and trust in God continues to grow daily as He cultivates in me the image of His beloved Son, but I have not arrived yet. In order to face the day and all it brings, I need God’s wisdom, His grace, His mercy and His strength. God is always there, and like Jeremiah, I need to call on Him for the help that I need.

Today I go to the ophthalmologist for a follow up on the eye infection I have had that lasted almost two months. I am better now and can mostly see clearly (some blurriness at times still), but I am thankful for an eye doctor who knew how to treat the disease and wanted to make sure that it’s cleared up. God heals and sometimes uses doctors to do it. I am thankful for doctors but mostly I am grateful to God!