Tag: YouVersion Bible App

God Gives Strength

On By vickleaIn Scripture1 Comment

Strength in Every Season (Daily Refresh, 2-12-26)

Philippians 4:13 is a popular Bible verse that you may have seen posted on coffee mugs, social media, or even cars. Maybe you’ve heard someone recite this verse before a sporting event or while trying to accomplish a difficult task.

Unfortunately, this verse is often misunderstood. This verse is not saying that we can accomplish whatever we want. Paul isn’t talking about winning a football game or having the courage to do something daring.

Instead, Paul is actually talking about his time in prison. He is referencing the power of God that was with him during this difficult time of ministry.

In Philippians 4:12 he talks about the power he has to live content in every situation in life. He learned how to live with abundance and with nothing. He learned to live with very little food and resources, and also with abundant food and resources.

Paul found that regardless of his circumstances, God continued to supply him with the power to do the work of God. He never lacked the strength and resources to tell others about the good news of Jesus—even while he was stuck in a prison.

Paul could live in every season of life and accomplish all that God asked of him through the strength that God gave him.

So, instead of God giving us strength to do anything we want, He gives us the strength we need to endure various circumstances and accomplish the mission that He’s given us. This means that you will never lack any resource to live a growing and godly life, or to share the good news of Jesus with others.

If you’re in a season of abundance or a season of lack, remember that God is the one who gives you the strength to endure every season. If you find yourself in a difficult situation, ask God to supply you with the strength that only He can give.

My Thoughts

I needed this devotional today to remind me that God is not finished with me yet and I have not completed His purpose for me here on earth. My health problems are not diminishing, but neither is my faith in God. In my meeting yesterday with my orthopedist, I was told that I do have a torn rotator cuff and he wants me to endure the pain for as long as possible without surgery. (The surgery is a real bear!) The next step is to have a bone scan which I need to schedule. I confess that the news didn’t surprise me since my shoulder has been in pain since early December, but I also confess that it upset me. I keep feeling as though I am taking two steps forward and three steps back. But God reminds me repeatedly that He is moving forward, with me. I am here to complete my purpose, so in spite of the circumstances, I can still be a witness for Him to the caretakers I keep meeting at hospitals and doctors’ offices. I am trying to be a little beacon of light and spread hope and cheerfulness to others. I may not feel like doing that, but God gives me strength and the words to say as well as nudging me towards the people I need to encourage. Thus, I am resolved not to have a Pity Party and sit in ashes as Job did but rather to keep moving and keep doing. Jesus didn’t stop ministering to people, even as He was dying. He encouraged the thief on the cross next to Him, He told John to take care of His mother, and He implored His Father to “forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Since I want to be like Jesus, I am strengthened by His example and soldiering on to the next medical test, the next diagnosis and my next opportunity to tell someone about God’s love, mercy, peace and grace.

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!