Tag: spiritual growth

Posted in Real Talk Devotionals

Whatever It Takes, Lord

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

I’ve been a Christian for a long time. But only recently have I made a conscious decision to pursue real change in my relationship with God.

I want more of Him.

I want to know Him more deeply, hear His voice more clearly, and do my part to advance His Kingdom. But beyond that, I want to know what it truly means to live life from the throne—to live as a daughter of the King instead of merely knowing that truth in my head.

I know I’m a citizen of Heaven. I know who God says I am. But if I’m honest, I haven’t always walked in that reality.

And I know I’m not alone.

Many of us want a deeper relationship with God, but we don’t always realize what that requires.

The Cost of Going Deeper

Going deeper with God means surrender.

It means giving up parts of ourselves that have become comfortable, even when those parts don’t align with God’s best for us.

Recently, my prayer has become, “Whatever it takes, Lord.”

God has answered that prayer.

Behaviors and attitudes I’ve carried for years have started rising to the surface. As He strips them away, He exposes places in my heart that need healing, correction, and repentance.

I’ve found myself on my knees more often lately—confessing sin, seeking forgiveness, and asking God to uproot things I’ve allowed to remain for far too long.

It isn’t comfortable.

I knew God would take me up on my “whatever it takes” prayer, but I admit there was an unspoken condition attached to it.

“Whatever it takes, Lord… just don’t make it too painful.”

Then came another honest confession.

“Lord, I’m scared of what this might mean for my life.”

The Loving Discipline of a Good Father

Over and over again, God reminds me that He is a good Father.

And good fathers don’t ignore destructive behaviors in their children. They lovingly correct them.

Sometimes that correction comes through conviction.

Sometimes it comes through pruning.

Sometimes it comes through difficult conversations between me and the Lord about, well… coming to Jesus.

Laying it down.

Pride.

Jealousy—which has been a big one lately.

Disobedience.

Strife.

Gossip.

The list goes on.

Scripture reminds us:

“For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

— Hebrews 12:6 (NLT)

And Jesus said:

“He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”

— John 15:2 (NLT)

Pruning doesn’t feel pleasant while it’s happening. But pruning always serves a purpose.

God never removes something without intending to produce something better in its place.

The Humility of Honest Reflection

I’m laying all of this out here because I know this isn’t just about me.

It may be about you, too.

For a long time, I thought there really wasn’t all that much wrong with me. At least not compared to some people.

If we’re honest, we’ve all entertained that thought at one point or another.

But God showed me something important.

That attitude is pride.

The moment I started comparing my sins to someone else’s, I stopped seeing my need for transformation.

I don’t want to live that way anymore.

I want to be positioned for the Kingdom.

I want to stop obsessing over my flaws while also refusing to acknowledge them.

Yes, my flaws are many.

But God already knows every single one of them.

Nothing surprises Him.

Fully Known and Fully Loved

That’s where the beauty of this journey lives.

God knows me completely.

He knows every weakness, every failure, every hidden motive, and every struggle.

Yet He loves me anyway.

More than that, I believe He has been waiting for me to become honest enough—with myself and with Him—to let Him do this work in my heart.

It hasn’t been easy.

It hasn’t always been fun.

But I can honestly say this:

I’ve never felt more loved by my Heavenly Father than I do right now.

I’ve never felt more seen.

I’ve never felt more cared for.

The conviction has been strong, but His love has been stronger.

As David wrote:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

— Psalm 139:23–24 (NLT)

A Prayer Worth Praying

If you’ve been wondering whether you should pray the same prayer—“Whatever it takes, Lord”—I want to encourage you to do it.

Yes, it may bring conviction.

Yes, it may uncover things you’d rather avoid.

Yes, it may feel uncomfortable for a season.

But momentary discomfort cannot compare to the glory that waits on the other side of surrender.

The glory of serving Him.

The joy of walking in obedience.

The peace that comes from living in His purpose.

The freedom that comes when we stop fighting His work in our lives.

After all, it’s never really been about us.

It’s always been about Jesus.

Prayer

Father,

Thank You for loving me enough to correct me. Thank You for refusing to leave me where I am. Even when conviction feels uncomfortable, help me remember that it comes from Your love.

Search my heart and reveal anything that keeps me from You. Expose pride, jealousy, disobedience, gossip, strife, and every attitude that does not reflect Your character. Give me the courage to surrender those things completely.

Lord, teach me what it means to live as Your daughter. Help me walk confidently in the identity You’ve given me and faithfully fulfill the purpose You’ve placed before me.

When pruning comes, help me trust Your hand. When conviction comes, help me respond with humility. When fear rises up, remind me that Your plans for me are always good.

Whatever it takes, Lord, make me more like Jesus.

In His precious name,

Amen.

If you’ve prayed this prayer, or if you’re struggling and need prayer as you pray it, leave a comment below. I’d love the opportunity to pray for you and encourage you on your journey with God.

Posted in Faith After 50

How I Finally Fell in Love with Bible Study

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

Recently, I started the A Year in the Bible study from The Daily Grace Co. I had been searching for something in-depth that would guide me through Scripture every day. More than anything, I wanted to go deeper in my faith. I wanted to know God’s heart better, understand His Word more clearly, and grow closer to Him.

My Struggle with Reading the Bible

If I’m being honest, reading the Bible has often felt like a chore.

I love fiction. Give me a good novel, and I’ll happily disappear into its pages for hours. Non-fiction? That’s another story. In fact, if you hand me almost any book and tell me I have to read it, there’s a good chance I’ll resist. I’ve always been a little stubborn that way.

Thankfully, God knows me better than I know myself.

He knows I’m a process-driven person who is constantly searching for the “perfect system.” It probably didn’t surprise Him at all when I spent months looking for the right Bible study program before finally settling on one.

But eventually, I realized something needed to change.

A Prayer God Answered

I began praying a simple prayer:

“Lord, give me a love for Your Word that I’ve never had before. Help me enjoy learning about You.”

God has answered that prayer in ways I never expected.

For the first time in many years, I genuinely look forward to my Bible study time. While colorful pens and pretty highlighters certainly make the process more enjoyable, they can’t compare to the joy that comes from learning more about my Heavenly Father.

God’s Word reminds us:

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” — Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

The more time I spend in Scripture, the more I realize how true that is.

My Top Five Bible Study Tools

If you’re looking to build a consistent Bible study habit, these are the tools that have helped me the most.

1. A Bible You Can Actually Study

Two years ago, my sister gave me a Life Application Study Bible in the New Living Translation, and it completely changed my Bible-reading experience.

I know some Christians strongly prefer the King James Version or New King James Version. That’s perfectly fine. But for me, understanding what I’m reading matters most.

I needed a translation written in language I could easily understand so I could focus on learning rather than decoding.

The Life Application Study Bible includes character profiles, historical context, practical application notes, and study helps throughout the text. Those features have helped me understand both the well-known and lesser-known people in Scripture.

As Proverbs 4:7 reminds us:

“Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.” (NLT)

A Bible you understand is one of the best tools for gaining that wisdom.

2. Highlighters

Different colors make learning more enjoyable.

Maybe that sounds simple, but when I enjoy a learning process, I remember it better.

You can assign colors to themes, promises, commands, prayers, or specific people. There isn’t a right or wrong way to do it.

Bible study should be engaging. I truly believe that.

3. Pens (And Lots of Them)

You’re going to want to take notes.

That’s why I recommend getting a Bible you feel comfortable writing in. If you’re trying to preserve Grandma’s beautiful Bible in pristine condition, set it safely on the shelf and buy one you can underline, circle, and fill with notes.

Then grab some colorful pens.

You can color-code your observations if you’d like, but mostly you’ll want room to capture what God is teaching you as you read.

4. A Ruler

This one might sound strange, but hear me out.

I love marking up my Bible. I do not love crooked lines.

A simple six-inch ruler helps me underline passages neatly and organize notes in the margins. It may not be essential for everyone, but for fellow detail-oriented Bible students, it’s a small tool that makes a big difference.

5. Notebooks

Actually, get more than one.

The more God reveals through His Word, the more you’ll want to write down. I’ve already filled pages with observations, questions, prayers, and lessons I don’t want to forget.

Habakkuk 2:2 says:

“Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.” (NLT)

There is something powerful about writing down what God is teaching you.

Finding a Bible Study Plan That Works

Along with these tools, I recommend finding a Bible study plan that fits your personality and learning style.

Some people thrive without a structured plan. Others, like me, need accountability and a clear roadmap.

I happened to catch a great sale from The Daily Grace Co. and purchased their entire spiral-bound A Year in the Bible series. Having a daily guide helps me stay consistent and focused.

The key isn’t finding the perfect program.

The key is finding one you’ll actually use.

Don’t Forget Prayer

Of all the tools I’ve mentioned, prayer is the most important.

I begin every Bible study session with prayer, and I end every session the same way.

Before I open my Bible, I ask God to reveal Himself to me. I ask Him to teach me, guide me, and help me understand what He wants me to learn.

James 1:5 gives us this promise:

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.” (NLT)

That’s exactly what I’ve been doing.

And even though I’m only a few weeks into this study, I already feel like I know God in a deeper and more personal way.

I’d Love to Hear From You

What Bible study are you currently doing?

Do you have favorite Bible study tools or accessories that help you stay engaged and consistent?

Share them in the comments. I’m always looking for new ideas, and I’d love to hear what works for you.

Posted in Faith After 50

Finding Grace in Ordinary Days

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

I used to think grace showed up in the big moments.

The breakthroughs.
The answered prayers.
The spiritual highs where you wake up early, sip hot coffee, journal deeply, quote Scripture effortlessly, and somehow feel like you have your entire life together.

You know… not most Tuesdays.

Because lately, my life looks more like this:

  • Reheating the same cup of coffee three times
  • Walking into a room and forgetting why
  • Starting one task and somehow ending up reorganizing a drawer I never intended to open

And right there—in the middle of my messy, distracted, beautifully ordinary life—God still shows up.

Not with fireworks.
Not with dramatic revelations.
But with grace.

Grace in the Interruptions

I love a good plan.

I wake up determined to be productive, focused, and efficient. Then life happens.

The phone rings.
Someone needs something.
A problem appears that wasn’t on my carefully organized schedule.

And suddenly the entire day shifts.

For a long time, interruptions frustrated me because they felt like obstacles. But I’m learning that God often works in the very moments I try hardest to avoid.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” — Proverbs 16:9

God has never once checked my planner before redirecting my day.

And yet He wastes nothing.

Sometimes grace looks like patience when irritation would be easier. Sometimes it’s simply realizing that the interruption may actually matter more than the plan I had in mind.

Grace for the Unfinished To-Do List

Can we talk about the list?

I write ambitious lists as if I’m preparing to conquer the world before dinner. By the end of the day, half of it remains unfinished.

And immediately the guilt creeps in:
You didn’t do enough.

But maybe that isn’t true.

Maybe real life simply happened.

Maybe the day wasn’t unproductive just because it didn’t unfold exactly the way I expected.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

Grace doesn’t stand over us with criticism and disappointment.

Grace reminds us that faithfulness matters more than perfection.

Grace With Difficult People

We all have people who test our patience.

The ones who say exactly the wrong thing at exactly the wrong moment.

And suddenly every peaceful, Christlike thought disappears.

That’s when grace becomes practical.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another…” — Ephesians 4:32

Not because people always deserve it.
Not because we always feel like it.
But because grace changes how we respond.

I don’t always get it right. But I’ve noticed something lately:

I recover faster.

I pause more often.
I react less quickly.
I apologize sooner.

That’s growth.

Grace in Starting Over

One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn is this:

You will have to start over many times in life.

You’ll fall back into old habits.
You’ll struggle with things you thought you had already overcome.
You’ll disappoint yourself.

But starting over is not failure.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning…” — Lamentations 3:22–23

New mercy. Every morning.

God never looks at us and says,
“I’m tired of helping you.”

Grace says:
“Get back up. We’re still moving forward.”

Grace in the Quiet, Unseen Moments

Some of the holiest moments in life are the ones nobody notices.

The times you choose kindness instead of sarcasm.
The moments you stay quiet instead of retaliating.
The prayers nobody hears.
The obedience nobody applauds.

“Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” — Matthew 6:4

God sees every unseen act of faithfulness.

Nothing done for Him is ever wasted.

Grace When You Don’t Feel Spiritual

Some days prayer feels easy.

Other days you sit down to read your Bible and suddenly remember laundry, emails, dinner, and twelve other unfinished things.

And the enemy whispers:
Look at you. You call this spiritual?

But God says something much simpler:

“Come near to God and He will come near to you.” — James 4:8

He doesn’t ask us to come perfectly.
He simply asks us to come.

Grace invites us into God’s presence exactly as we are.

Grace in the Slow Becoming

At 57, I sometimes hear the quiet pressure of time.

The feeling that maybe I should have figured more out by now.
The wondering if I’m behind somehow.

But God keeps reminding me:
I am not behind.

I am becoming.

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…” — Philippians 1:6

Growth rarely happens all at once.

It happens slowly. Quietly. Faithfully.

Layer by layer.
Lesson by lesson.
Day by day.

And God is still working.

Don’t Miss God in the Ordinary

We often expect God to appear in dramatic moments.

Meanwhile, He keeps showing up in ordinary life:

  • The interruption
  • The unfinished list
  • The difficult conversation
  • The quiet obedience
  • The slow growth

Grace is not rare.

It is constant.

So if you feel like you’re missing God lately, you probably aren’t.

You may simply need to notice Him in the ordinary moments where He’s already been all along.

A Prayer for Everyday Grace

Lord,

Help me recognize Your presence in the middle of ordinary life.

When my plans change, give me peace.
When my list goes unfinished, remind me that my worth is not measured by productivity.
When difficult people test my patience, help me respond with grace.
Teach me to begin again without shame.
Open my eyes to the quiet ways You are growing me each day.

And when I don’t feel spiritual at all, remind me that You still invite me close.

Thank You for meeting me with fresh grace every single day.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out via Unsplash