Tag: life

Not the End of the Story

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

Anyone who knows me knows that I really enjoy reading. I read for pleasure and for knowledge. I read because it takes me away to places I will never be able to go and visit with people I would like to get to know in real life. Sometimes, the books I read have an ending that leave me surprised with a revelation that I didn’t see coming. Other times, I cry at the bitter sweetness of an ending where all did not live “happily ever after.” Did you know that God is writing our story, day by day? And we can already know the ending if we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Our lives are barreling quickly towards our ultimate destiny…death. But that is not the end of the story. Our story has an epilogue that makes this life worth living. Our epilogue is that after death we have eternal life to look forward to, a new Heaven, a new earth and being with God forever. The end of our story is not meant to be a sad or bitter one full of regrets that we have to leave the earth behind. It is one of hope and promise that what we are going toward is so much better than what we leave behind. So, while I read for pleasure, I live for God, because He is writing my story and He has planned a glorious future for me with Him!

The Truth About Death

No matter what part of this planet you live on, how well you take care of your body, or how much money is in your bank account, there is no escaping death. 

Sound a little depressing? Sure. But there’s still good news! Really, really good news.

For those who belong to Christ, we have a hope that’s beyond this world…

“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Death is the greatest tool of our enemy, which is why Jesus came to defeat it. That’s why He became human, took the ultimate punishment, and put death in its rightful place—under the authority and dominion of God. 

Yes, life is fleeting, but death is only temporary. And the Spirit of God can do what no human can—give life to the lifeless and redeem what has been lost. 

The truth about death is that it’s not the end of the story.

Soon, God will wipe away every tear and make all things new. Just as a baby is given the miraculous and mysterious breath of life, His Spirit will revive the seemingly perished and bring the dead back to life.

Death is not the end of the story. For all who belong to Christ, that is the really, really good news.

Gifts from God

On By vickleaIn ScriptureLeave a comment

When I was growing up, my mom was an absolute stickler for good manners and followed Emily Post religiously. When holidays or birthdays came and we children received gifts from relatives, the thank you notes came out and we were tasked with writing a thank you note to each person, naming the gift and telling how useful it would be for us and how much we sincerely appreciated it. When I graduated, I can remember having a mountain of gifts to write about, mostly checks or cash, that would help me in my quest to go to college. I wrote thank you notes for days, it seems, until at last, I was done and my mother was satisfied that I had fulfilled my duty to my family members and friends who had been so thoughtful.

I formed a habit in my youth of writing thank you cards to people who had gone out of their way to provide something for me. As I read my devotional this morning and this Scripture verse was part of it, I realized that sometimes I take God’s gifts for granted and become like one of the nine lepers who walked away without thanking the Lord. Last week when I got out of the hospital, I thanked God before I left but then, as I was getting into my own bed that night, I remembered that I had not said thank you once I got home. I was beyond grateful to be around all of my familiar things, eating food my husband and I chose together, and going to the bathroom whenever I needed to do so. I had only been home for a few hours and already I was taking these things for granted. How often do each of us do that in our daily lives? I am more aware than ever of my total dependence on God for every breath I take, for the minutes without my head aching or my blood pressure spiking, for life in general and the blessings that I have every day.

If I sat down to write a thank you note to God, I don’t think I have enough paper in the house for all the gratitude that I have. Last night, one of my young grandchildren called to FaceTime me and practice her new skill of reading. What a delight to be able to share that time with her! I talked to my daughter about the other children and some challenges with school this year. I sent a birthday wish to my daughter-in-law and got photos of her outings with her family. I talked to my sister for a couple of hours, both of us grateful that I was alive and able to talk and laugh together. So many, many things to be thankful for! And everything comes from God…my health, my family, my peace, and most of all my faith and belief that God is with me now and in the future. I am more aware than ever of just how quickly life can change and how grateful we should be that God is in control and His love is operating in our lives.

The Narrow Way

On By vickleaIn Scripture4 Comments

I know you have heard it, that lie from the pits of hell that Heaven is not hard to get into. You just have to do good, be good and God, because He is good, will take you to Heaven when you die. I have heard this falsehood from friends and family. “What kind of God would send someone to hell?” The reply is that God does not send anyone to hell; they choose to go there because they did not choose to believe in the only way to salvation that God provides, His Son Jesus. Don’t be deceived. God is a God of love and mercy, but He is also the great “I Am,” the God of Justice. He wants to set things right in the world that have been wrong for so long and the only way He can do that is to banish sin. There will be no sin in Heaven and no one can be good enough to earn their way there. No confessions to a priest or last rites will guarantee your way through the narrow gate. Only Jesus! It seems so simple, yet so many are perishing because they choose to keep living in sin and ignorance rather than accept truth and life. Since none of us knows when we will die, we need to live like it may be the next moment or as though Jesus is coming back imminently. God provided a way for us, narrow though it may be. We have to find our way back to Jesus and then stay on that pathway for the rest of our lives. God’s desire is to save all, that no one would spend eternity in hell, but He is a God of justice and He will allow us to go there if that is what we choose. Choose and live wisely…the narrow way leads to life!

May you be blessed with the knowledge of God’s great love for you and may you stay on the narrow path until He calls you home.

Review of THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW by Jessica Strawser

On By vickleaIn Book Review4 Comments

This is such a gut-wrenching, emotional book that I could read for a while and then had to sit and relive what I had read, pondering the truth within its pages.
This is a thought-provoking look at two characters whose lives intersect and change forever because of their interaction. Nova Huston is an end-of-life doula, using her empathy and heart to help her to guide others when they are facing their own deaths. When Mason Shaylor, a former rock star whom Nova doesn’t recognize at all, becomes her newest client, Nova is drawn to his kindness and humility and sincerely wants to help him face his death with courage and all loose ends tied up. What she didn’t count on is that her feelings would surpass anything she has ever felt for a client before. The conflict was a surprise, so I won’t go into that part, but suffice it to say that this book was a multi-layered character study with a lot to say about accepting death and forgiving others. Nova and Mason were both complex and fully fleshed out with lots of secrets that were slowly revealed. I loved this book and hated for it end. But the entire book was so good, including the ending and especially the reveal about the reason for the title. A dramatic and suspenseful book with complicated relationships and heartwarming themes.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

The content may be disturbing to some, so I would rate this a book for adults or older, mature teens.
Bio and photo from the author’s website at http://www.jessicastrawser.com

This heart-touching novel is available now as it just released yesterday! Purchase Links:

Bookshop

Target

Powells

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

Many, many thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC to read and review. This novel is amazing and can be life-changing if you will allow the message it holds to speak to you.

The Reward Is Life

On By vickleaIn Scripture9 Comments

www.bible.com/111/pro.10.16.niv

If we are the children of the Lord, the end result of our labors on earth is life, eternity with our Savior and our God. It is imperative that we teach the Gospel to as many as possible before we leave this earth because their end is death, an eternal separation from God. Many preachers today are saying that there is no hell, no judgment. The Word of God clearly points out repeatedly that hell does exist and that it was not made for man originally, but if man persists in sin, then death is the consequence.

What makes someone righteous? Belief in Jesus as their Lord and Savior! There is nothing, not one thing, that we can do to earn salvation and eternal life. Jesus already paid the price in full for each believer.

What makes someone wicked? A constant choice to sin. Note that word, choice. Sin is a choice. You don’t fall into sin. It doesn’t reach out and grab you. You make a choice to sin once. Then, as time goes on, the choice becomes easier, almost automatic. You look around and your life has changed because of your choices.

Each day, we all have choices to make. The righteous make choices based on our belief that Jesus died for us. For me, I don’t want to disappoint Him or cause Him any more suffering than what He already went through for me. So, I strive to please Him, often asking Him what I should do before I make a decision. Likewise, the wicked make choices, too, but they believe that the only one that they answer to is themselves. Humanism is rampant in earth today. It’s broadcast on every news channel, on every radio station, the evil choices that men are making without any consideration for the eternal consequences.

Our mission on earth, as Jesus’s followers, is to take as many people with us to Heaven as we can. We share the Gospel, tell the wicked that there is a different choice for them, a choice that means eternal life instead of eternal damnation. Sharing the Gospel is not a choice for us; it is a commission from the One who saved us. God is holding back His judgment on the earth so that as many as possible can be saved. He doesn’t want anyone to go to hell, but he will allow it to happen because He is righteous and just. Right now, I believe that He is showing His mercy, but that will not always be so. May He open the eyes and ears of the wicked to hear and accept His truth and may we be His willing servants to tell that truth to others.

God bless each of you that you may accept and go forth today with the Word of Truth in your hearts and on your lips, ready to tell those who need to hear.

God Gives Life

On By vickleaIn Uncategorized8 Comments

Well, friends, I have started once again to see physicians, whether virtually or in person. I saw my arthritis doctor and he wanted to do tests. I talked to my nephrologist yesterday and he wants to do a test because the lab reports show that my kidney (I was born with only one) may be having difficulty. So, he started me on two new meds and wants to see me again in six weeks. Six weeks?!? I was seeing my nephrologist who retired every six months and she was happy with that, never mentioning any problems. Thus I was a little concerned about the fact that the new doctor wants to see me again so soon. I tried to digest what was going on yesterday. I told my children and siblings about it. And I pondered it in my heart. After hours of distress, I came to the realization that God gave me life and no one can take it away except God. Light shining on my brain and in my heart! I will go home to Him when He calls me home and not one minute earlier or later. Having reminded myself of these truths (I knew them in my mind but had to get them down into my heart), I felt a huge sense of relief, like a huge bag of stones was taken off my shoulders.

This morning, I read the following Scriptures that encouraged me. In these days of uncertainty with Covid-19 and a presidential election that could change our entire way of life, many people are anxious. God is calming me down with these verses. I hope that they will encourage you, too.

I hope that you will join me in singing praises to God today.

Praise You in this Storm by Chris Tomlin

On By vickleaIn Uncategorized2 Comments

graceoverpain.com/2019/10/21/the-search-for-significance/

I just got a chance to read this post and I am re-blogging it because it is so important and often overlooked. Before I met the Lord, I went through life seeking affirmation from things, events, and other people. Never getting what I needed, I turned to perfectionism, thinking that if everything were perfect, I would be more acceptable to others. What I have found is that Jesus accepted me “Just As I Am” and loves me, oftentimes in spite of me. Thank you for this post that spoke so clearly to my heart! Let this blog bless you as it blessed me. Please go to the original blog and follow it!