Tag: God’s hand

No Excuse

On By vickleaIn Scripture3 Comments

Look all around you. There is evidence of God’s everywhere we look, so mankind is without excuse to believe in God. I have friends who say that they cannot possibly believe in a supernatural power whom they cannot see. Well, have they seen the wind? The recent blast of wintry air was a testament to God’s power and His presence. No one can see the wind, yet we know it exists because we dress in layers to protect ourselves from the cold that it brings. Some say that they cannot believe in God who doesn’t control all of the evil in the world. Hmm. Why does evil exist? Not because of God but because of man’s choices. We continue to laugh in the face of God and to refuse to acknowledge His sovereignty and then we claim that we are angry at God because of all of the evil that is taking over the world. Once again. If you want to know the source of evil, check out the choices that mankind is making. Building museums to honor unholy practices of matrimony, exhorting politicians who steal from the people they serve, and in general calling the things that God calls sin as okay. So, once again, there is no excuse. One day, we will all stand before God and give an accounting to Him for our lives. We cannot stand there and say that we had no idea that God actually existed because He shows us each day that the sun rises, the moon comes up, the tides roll, the rains pour down. God is showing us His sovereignty in nature and in all of the creatures around us.

Even the animals know that God exists. Mankind, in trying to establish his own control over his life, has denied the existence of God, much to their eternal detriment if they don’t repent and turn away from such foolishness. God is in control and there is no excuse not to know that and to give Him the glory due His Name.

May the Lord who does indeed exist bless you with the knowledge of His power, grace and mercy.

Crossing the Street

On By vickleaIn Scripture3 Comments

I am sure that you remember being a child and having the adult with you grab your hand at each intersection of the road, carefully taking you safely to the other side of the road. I still do this for my younger grandchildren. Even in crowded parking lots, I am quick to grab a hand in the hope that I can keep them safe from the cars that are coming from all directions.

Did you know that sin comes at us from all directions? These days, it is prevalent wherever we look. If we look in the newspaper, there it is! Listen to the radio or television, there it is! So how do we navigate to the other side safely?

God takes our hand, just as we take the hands of those we love in order to safeguard them. But just as we walk carefully and lovingly to the other side, so does God. He doesn’t grab our hand forcefully and pull us to the other side of the road. Rather, He takes our hand gently in His and leads us there. How is that possible? Because His Word is in our hearts, so we are constantly being led to the safe place where we can fellowship with Him instead of with evil. Yes, evil is rampant, but God is bigger and will always help us get to safety if that’s where we want to be. Unfortunately, many of us like the sins more than the Savior, so we choose to stay in the unsafe territory where we can be run down by the sins all around us, much as a speeding car can do at an intersection if we are not vigilant. Choosing to take God’s hand is the right choice and for me it is the only choice. We don’t need to be afraid of all of the sin that surrounds us; God is bigger, better and already victorious!

May you remember that God is always reaching out His hand to you to take you safely to the other side of the street, no matter how much chaos there is between you and safety. God bless you!

Tight Spaces

On By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

I would not say that I am claustrophobic, but I will admit that I am not a fan of closed in, tight spaces. I don’t like getting into closets during a tornado warning or closed doors at any time. I want to see the open spaces around me and know that I can walk around freely.

One of my verses in my devotional this morning gave me a new perspective on tight spaces. I don’t mind at all being hemmed in by God’s presence, surrounded by His protection, with His hand on me and telling me that He is there and it’s all going to be okay. That is not a tight space; rather, it is a place where I am free to trust and lean on Him.

There is freedom in knowing that God knows my name. I often wonder if He knows all of the people that are behind each name that I use. But then, I read this verse and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He knows my name, my nickname, my online names and all about each person that each name represents. That is awesome to think about, especially since as I age, I cannot always recall the names of those whom I know I have met and should know. God knows all of us intimately and completely and that gives me the freedom to offer myself to the only One who truly knows me and still loves me.

May each of you have a blessed and safe day. Let’s continue to pray for those in Florida affected by the devastation of Hurricane Ian. And if you have extra funds to donate, may I suggest Samaritan’s Purse. They have already mobilized and headed to the worst-hit places, taking hope, food, water and medical care with them.

Samaritan’s Purse