Tabetha’s Devotions

Scripture…

Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.

Genesis 18:14

Thoughts…

Is anything too hard for the Lord? That should be an easy question. We should be able to quickly answer with a very small word. It is simply yes or no. So, why is it that every single time I read it my head begins to spin out of control?

Now that question I can answer pretty quickly. It has nothing to do with doubt in God or His abilities. I don’t ever struggle with what God is capable of doing. I firmly believe God knows all and is able to do anything He wants to do. I never question whether can God do something. I never utter the phrase, “God can’t.” I even correct correct people when they say, “God can’t lie.” No, the truth is God won’t lie. The minute you put ‘can’t’ in the equation, you are saying God is not all-powerful. There is nothing too hard for God.

No, my doubt never lies in the ‘can’. My trouble begins in the will, how, and when. My guess is, I am not alone. It is in these questions my faith is truly tested. It is here where my thoughts can turn into hysterical laughter. It is here where God listens to my laughter and reminds me that one day we will both look back and see what He has done. 

For today, I need to look back and remind myself of all that He has already brought me through. I need to have faith that He will take care of me again. I need to wait with great excitement on the when and how. Because NOTHING is too hard for God!

Prayer…

Lord, they say laughter is the best medicine. Today, let my laughter not be in doubt. Let my laughter be aimed at the enemy for thinking they can be stronger than You. ~amen

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James 5:16

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. 

Some people would look at James 5:16 and see it as two different commands. We can confess our sins. We can pray for each other. But take a second and really read it. It isn’t a pick-and-choose. It isn’t an either-or statement. Nope, it is an all-in-one.

As a matter of fact, this verse can be read as a key to relationships. Even more specifically, a broken one. The only way to truly heal a broken relationship is to confess our part in the argument. We must open up to each other and say we are sorry for all the hurt we brought to the table. 

But we don’t stop there. No, as a couple we need to include God in our marriage. We pray together as partners and as one unity. We ask God to heal all those hurts we created in each other. We ask Him to strengthen our relationship and grow our love.

Yes, this verse was given to the church. But isn’t your marriage part of that church? It is so worth the healing!

Lord, today I pray for all those couples who are struggling. Help them find the healing they need through confession and prayer. ~amen

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 Copyright © 2023 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Luke 18:16

Jesus… said, “Let the little children come to me.”

As a kid, I loved watching The Smurfs. Yes, I know I dated myself. One of my favorite parts was when they would go somewhere together and the Smurfs would keep asking Papa Smurf, “How much farther?” It is just like that child in the back of the car who keeps asking, “Are we there yet? Are we there yet?” I am often that Smurf or Child with God.

Here is the thing with that thought, it is child-like faith. It does not mean I lack faith. It does not mean I do not believe God is who He says He is or will do what He says He will do. No, it is just the opposite. I totally believe God is going to see me through my time of wilderness. If I didn’t I would just give up and walk the other way. Instead, I am following God all along. I am trusting Him to get me where I need to be. So, I am going to keep asking Him, “Are we there yet?” Then I am going to thank Him for not getting annoyed with me.

Lord, thank you for not being annoyed with me when I keep asking, “Are we there yet?”

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 Copyright © 2023 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Deuteronomy 5:1

Here, Israel, the decrease in laws. I declare in your hearing today, learn them, and be sure to follow them. 

Can you imagine a world without any laws? Yeah, I know it may seem a little fun when you think about it. I mean you could drive down the road whatever speed you want. Here lies the problem, so can everyone else. I don’t know about you, but even with the law and the speed limits, road rage can get the best of me sometimes.

What about mom telling you that you may have one cookie? However, you manage to sneak and eat ten! No judgment here, we have all ate or drank in excess. What are you left with? Yep, a stomach ache. 

God’s boundaries are not set to make us feel caged. They are set to make us feel safe. They are also simple, love God and love others. God’s boundary is love. When you put love first everything else falls in place. I wish the whole world put love in their laws.

Lord, thank You for Your boundaries You have set. Sometimes I press them and even run right over them. Thank You for bringing me right back to safety when I fail. ~amen

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 Copyright © 2023 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Habakkuk 3:19

The Sovereign LORD is my strength;

he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,

he enables me to tread on the heights.

Another great verse today to remind me that with God I can face anything! It is His strength that keeps me stable in the rockiest of terrain.

Have you ever seen a deer run through the forest? Being from the Midwest, I have had that pleasure many times. They take off lickety-split. Their eyes are up and straightforward the entire time. They are not looking at their feet and trying to decide where to step. God made them sure-footed.

I am not telling you to not beware of where your feet may wander off the path. I am telling you when God is leading, you have no fear of where you are going. He has made you as sure-footed as the deer. 

My life seems upside down and inside out right now. I really have no idea what is coming next. I can only keep taking one step at a time. My hope is in God. He has led us to this new place and He is not going to drop us off and go His merry little way. He has plans for us. He also has every single step mapped out. It may seem like rugged terrain, but He is giving me the feet of the deer and I will tread on high places! How abt you? Are you ready to step out with me?

Lord, I trust You! ~men

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 Copyright © 2023 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Psalms 90:2

Before the mountains were born

or you brought forth the whole world,

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Welcome to my pity party. I almost didn’t write today. As a matter of fact, I am actually writing this at 11:22 pm, so I really may not make it today. I am struggling guys. This living in AIRBNBs while searching for a home is really starting to strain me to my end. My husband doesn’t make enough for us to find a nice little home in a decent neighborhood. I can’t get a job until we know where we are going to live. There is a rather large parameter around where we can live from where my husband works. If I picked one area to work, I could potentially have an hour drive every day if we found a home in one of the other towns.

Add to that homes are just hard to come by in general right now. We have looked for townhomes or apartments as well but we just can’t seem to find anything. I am thankful for the AIRBNBs but they are not home.

I am hanging on to God with all I have. I know He is in control. I know He knows exactly where we are and what we need. I know He brought forth the entire world, so He can find us a home.  I just need to wait. I need to get up every morning and keep walking one-foot infant of the other. I also need to keep reading this every morning to convince myself to do just that!

Lord, I am struggling today. I am coming unraveled. I am depending on You to grab me tight and keep me from falling completely apart. ~amen

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 Copyright © 2023 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Ephesians 3:16

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Have you ever been physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted? I mean you have no idea how you are going to take your next breath let alone your next step. You drop to your knees and can’t even lift your head to heaven. You wonder if God can hear you, but you call out His name with what you are sure is your last breath. Satan thinks he has you right where he wants you. But then . . .

God does hear you. He not only hears you but He sends His power your way. He tells you to collapse in His arms and rest. Remember Jesus was at this point in the garden. God filled Hime with the strength to face the cross. So, take a moment and let God fill you with His Spirit into your inner being so you can face your cross.

Now back to the but then. When Satan drives us to our knees all he can see is our defeat. Then he hears our words. He hears our murmur and he begins to shake. He knows he has gone way too far. He knows he drove us right to the very last place he wants us. He drives us to God’s arms. That is the best place you can be right now. Rest and let God strengthen you. Then straighten that crown and remind Satan who you are in the name of Christ!

Lord, today I want to pray for all my readers today. I pray that You fill them with Your power through your Spirit so that can face whatever is facing them. ~amen

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 Copyright © 2023 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Did you know there is a difference between correction and punishment? How about the difference between critique and criticism? It can sometimes be a fine line. The message may be the same on either side of the line. It is all in the delivery that counts. 

I can promise you that you will never help someone grow by breaking them down. Especially if you leave them broken. No, you want to help people around you, encourage them and build them up. 

You remember that golden rule you learned years ago? “Do unto others as you would have them do to you,” (Matthew 7:12). Let’s put that into action. How would you rather be approached? Do you like being told how you are doing everything wrong and can’t do anything right? Why would you ever approach someone else like that?  It is so much better when others come to help you learn and not make you feel like an idiot. 

So here is a challenge for you this week. Take time to walk beside someone. Help them learn and grow. You may just find they are helping you out as well. 

Lord, I am so thankful You teach me gently. Help me to pass this on to others. ~amen

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 Copyright © 2023 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Ephesians 1:17

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 

I have heard a take on today’s verse that is not correct. As a matter of fact, I have tried to use this verse in that same exact way.  I have dropped off the last phrase, “so that you may know him better.” The point behind the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, in this verse, is not to let you know the future. It isn’t even let you know the right path to take. No, it is so that you may know God better. 

You see we are to seek God above all else. When you get to know God better, you learn to lean on Him and all the rest falls in place. Your hope is in Him and you know He will take care of you. This wisdom gives you peace because no matter what you face you KNOW God has it all in control. 

I am trying to ‘practice what I preach’. We have sold our house and are now looking for a new one. I don’t want to rush ahead of God. I am trying so hard to rely on His perfect timing, but it isn’t easy. I am taking this time to learn to put my total trust in God. Some days it is good others it is a struggle. No matter what, I am praying for the Spirit of Wisdom and revelation to help me keep my eyes where they belong, on God!

Lord, life isn’t always easy. I face trials and often get impatient. Send me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to help me keep my eyes on you. ~ amen

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 Copyright © 2023 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

1 Peter 5:7 

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

I often choose the verse of the day from OliveTree or the YouVersion bible apps on my iPad for my study.  This week they have really spoken to my heart. Most of the time each app has unrelated verses This week both apps had similar verses. They all seemed to revolve around letting go and letting God. Hmmm. . . I think God might be trying to tell me something.

I can’t tell you how many times a day I just look up and say, “Lord!” My way of saying, “Take care of this now because I am done!” Have you ever felt that way?  When I do I try to remember the words to a song called “Sometimes He Calms the Storm” by Scott Krippaygne.

Sometimes he holds us close
Lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes he calms the storm
And other times he calms his child.

It is in those moments I know I just have to hang on to God. The real lesson here is that to hang onto God, I have to let go of the anxiety. My grip is not strong enough to hold onto both. So I need to let go and let God.

Lord, I am not very good at this but today I will practice letting go. ~amen

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 Copyright © 2023 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved