Month: October 2021

John 7:28-29
28 Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, 29 but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.”

I love reading multiple bible translations when I study. I try to hit at least three. The Message Bible hit me hard today, particularly one part of the verses. “My true origin is in the One who sent me, and you don’t know him at all. I come from him—that’s how I know him. He sent me here.” My true origin, my identity is in Christ NOT any of the labels people try to put on me!

Yes, I am a sister, daughter, mother, grandmother, aunt, an in-law, teacher, writer, artist, college graduate, suicide survivor, and many other names. However, each of those is a part of me. They are not me. Just like when others (or I) call me dumb, stupid, lazy, weak, fat, old, among other things, they are not who I am. I have faults and I do make mistakes, but my identity is not defined by labels.

My identity is in Christ. I was made by Him and for a purpose. It is His love and light that shines in me. It is Him that I live for and seek to please every single moment. So pass out the labels. They aren’t sticking to me!

Lord, remind me when the world tries to label me, my identity is in You! ~amen

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

John 7:24
Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”

I love today’s verse in the Message Bible “Don’t be nitpickers; use your head—and heart!—to discern what is right, to test what is authentically right.” I am pretty sure this is where I say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

I remember a trip we took, when I was a kid, to Galveston, Texas. My parents, grandparents, and I had been driving and sightseeing all day. We decided to stop for lunch. As any good midwestern tourist down south in January, we were dressed in shorts and t-shirts. We pulled over to this shack. On the outside, you could tell it had weathered the many storms that had tried to destroy this little island. We assumed we would go in and grab some fish and chips or burgers. That is NOT what greeted us inside!

We were met by a man in a tux who seated us at a table with fine linen, silver, and china. Our meals were brought out in several courses. I remember feeling like royalty. We were the only ones there and our waiter was the nicest man. Oh, and yes the food was awesome.

We can’t judge people or circumstances by what we see. We can’t stick our noses in the air and get all nitpicky. We have to open our hearts and eyes. Then we can see the whole picture. Aren’t you glad God looks at you that way too?

Lord, help me learn to not judge people or circumstances by their covers. ~amen

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

John 6:61 & 66
61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you?
66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

I love the way the Message Bible states verse 61. John 6:61 “Jesus sensed that his disciples were having a hard time with this and said, “Does this throw you completely?” Jesus was a true teacher. He sensed these Jews were not understanding. As a matter of fact, they were downright frustrated. So, what did the Good Teacher do? Well, as you read on you will see He tried stating the information in a different way. He did not just give up on them.

In the end, they walked out on Him. He did not walk out on them. As a matter of fact, He would have still been there for them if they decided to turn around and try again. Good news! He will do the same for you!

We all get frustrated sometimes. We don’t understand why God does some things to some people. We may even be tempted to walk away. God is prepared to be there for you. He is prepared to wait for you as you grieve. He is the Ultimate Teacher after all. Patience is kind of His thing.

Lord, thank You for being patient with me. ~amen

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

John 6:53
53 But Jesus didn’t give an inch. “Only insofar as you eat and drink flesh and blood, the flesh and blood of the Son of Man, do you have life within you. (MSG)

Like yesterday, Today’s verse comes from John 6:25-59, Jesus the Bread of Life. As I continued To read these verses for my bible study time, I noticed when Jesus began talking to the Jews they became angry. “Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’” (vrs 52). I can almost hear Jesus’ eyes rolling and the deep breathing right now. . .lol!

Instead of walking off or backing down it says, “But Jesus didn’t give an inch!” He continued with His message. He knew the truth and God had sent to Earth to spread the word. Jesus was and is our only way to salvation. He was not about to give up.

We have been given the same job. We know the truth and God gave us this ob. We should not give an inch either. We must stand our ground against Satan! Do not let him distract us. By the way, it is perfectly OK, to deep breathe and roll your eyes at him!

Thank You, Lord, for standing Your ground with me! ~amen

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

John 6:36
But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.

Today’s verse comes from John 6:25-59, Jesus the Bread of Life. I read these verses for a bible study I am doing on the life of Jesus. He is talking to His disciples and explaining He is the Son of God. Through Him you will have eternal life. He is the bread of life meaning He is everything you need.

The verse stuck out to me because these men have been with Jesus everywhere. They have seen all these miracles. Even the Pharisees around Him have seen the many miracles He performed. Yet, here they all are still struggling to believe In Him.

Flash forward to today. How many Christians believe in Jesus and yet don’t see or believe the miracles around them. They go through life just, going through life. They think miracles were just for those in the bible and died with Christ. Let me tell you, miracles still happen every single day and we need to share them so others can live a life and live it more abundantly.

Lord, I thank You for the many miracles You perform in my life every single day. ~amen

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Matthew 6:19
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

Not living in debt is actually biblical. There is nothing wrong with saving money for a rainy day. There is nothing wrong with being rich. Saving up and buying items you want isn’t a sin either. It is when we become obsessed with these things and turn into a Scrooge that sin creeps into our lives.

When we begin to store up “things”, we lose sight of meaningful parts of life. Maybe you become obsessed with working harder and longer to get that money and forget about time with your family. Perhaps all you can think about is that next new item and max out all your credit cards to get it forgetting about your bills. It is so easy to make money a god in your life, and for what? What do you really get out of it long-term?

When we learn to balance our lives, we find happiness. We bring peace into our lives and can spread it to others. Money and time become things we share and use to help people around us. Peace and love are always treasures worthy of storing up in this world!

Lord, I want to share the treasures You have so graciously given me. Help me own them and not let them own me! ~amen

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

John 6:9
“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

My mom is the queen of stretching! Seriously, she can make a dollar seem like a million dollars. Have a bunch of extra people show up for dinner, no problem. She can feed an army on whatever is in the kitchen. When asked, she says she got it from her mom. I have been told I have inherited that gene as well, however, Jesus really did feed 5,000 on a fish sandwich!

Although it was a huge miracle, there are small details in this story that often get overlooked. The small boy and his lunch! This boy was there alone. There is no mention of any family or friends. It seems this child came to see Jesus all by himself. He offered up his lunch to Jesus. In this huge crowd of men, a small boy offered up what little he had and Jesus turned it into something huge!

What can He do with what we give? I am not just talking about money. With just a little faith, God can take down giants in your life. What do you have to offer up to Jesus today?

Lord, I offer up my all to You today to use to touch others. ~amen

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

1 Thessalonians 2:4
but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.

I would not suggest getting in someone’s face and scream, “You are a sinner and are going to Hell!” Nor would I ever expect you to apologize for your faith and beliefs. Living your life as a Christian can sometimes feel like balancing on a tightrope. Good news! You have a net!

If you want to tell the world about Christ, live it! Show the world Christ and His love. Show patience, grace and forgiveness. At the same time, show strength in your beliefs. You don’t have to back down or apologize for Christ.

Most people don’t want to offend someone. However, there is a responsibility on the other person in a conversation also. It is not my job to please everyone all of the time. I only have to make sure I am pleasing God. One way to do that is loving my neighbor, even when I don’t agree with him. That is my net!

Lord, help me love others even when I don’t agree. ~amen

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

1 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

When he told you you’re not good enough
When he told you you’re not right
When he told you you’re not strong enough
To put up a good fight
When he told you you’re not worthy
When he told you you’re not loved
When he told you you’re not beautiful
That you’ll never be enough
Fear, he is a liar
He will take your breath
Stop you in your steps
Fear he is a liar
He will rob your rest
Steal your happiness
Cast your fear in the fire
‘Cause fear he is a liar
~Fear is a Liar by Zach Williams

If you have never heard this song, I would suggest heading to Youtube! It is a beautiful song. It goes so well with today’s verse. NEVER let Satan tell you who you are or what you are capable of in this world. God tells you right here you are HIS! You are filled with His strength. That strength beats everything! Fear has no hold on you when it comes calling. Fear is a liar!

Lord,  thank you for helping me stand up to my fears. ~amen

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

John 5:8-11
8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10 and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” 11 But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ””

If you are unfamiliar with the healing at the pool of Bethesda. I recommend reading John 5:1-15. Many people see it as the miracle of the lame man. It was a miracle by all means. However, I read a different take on these verses.

The man had 1 million excuses for why he couldn’t walk. He blamed others around him. Jesus came along and asked him one simple question, “Do you want to walk?” He didn’t say, you poor baby, or I know these people are big meanies and it is not your fault. Immediately the man opened his mouth and replied, “Well yeah I do!” Jesus came back with then do it and he did. Then the Pharisees told him he couldn’t do it (because it was the Sabbath). Instead of listening to them, however, he continued on because Jesus told him he could walk.

It’s just like us, we have excuses for why we can’t do things. But then Jesus gives us the strength to do them. Satan and the world try to tell us we can’t do that. The question is whom do we listen to? Are you ready to pick up your mat and walk?

Lord, I don’t want to let the world dictate what I am capable of. You are my strength. ~amen

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved