Month: December 2021

Matthew 2:11-12
11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Because of the gold, frankincense, and myrrh, we always presume there were Three Wisemen. We only really know there was more than one because they are referred to as they, them, and we. We also know they were astrologers that read and followed the signs they were given. So, when it says, “having been warned in a dream” it is no surprise that they once again followed the sign. The thing that I do find funny, is they were both warned in a dream. I can only imagine the conversation around the breakfast table over the coffee that morning. . . LOL! You know the one,
“Hey I had this strange dream last night”
“Really? Me too! What was yours about?”
The first one tells his dream only to hear his companion(s) yell, “Oh, my gosh! I had the same dream!”

The important part is they took the time to listen and then followed. During this busy season, take the time to listen. Listen to God and follow His directions. I know it can get rather hectic, but it is so important we take time to listen.

Lord, I know this time of year can get out of hand very quickly. I want to take the time each day to listen and connect with You. ~amen

www.tabethafrick.com

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Matthew 2:8-10
8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” Here is a moment to make you think. Does this mean the star in the sky they had been following, or the “star” of the show, Jesus? Just a strange thought that popped into my head this morning when I read these verses. I know the most common answer is probably the star in the sky. However, verse nine is talking about them following the star until stopped it over the place where Jesus was and THEN it says they were overjoyed when they saw the star. They had already been seeing the star, why would they be overjoyed about seeing it now? So, I wondered if the star they were talking about in verse 10 was Jesus, the star of the show.

I know, it is just another crazy thought I had when I read a verse I have read a million times. You can’t deny that Jesus was and still is the Star of the Show. Remember that as you go through the Christmas season. No matter what other traditions, parties, or gifts you get all wrapped up in, don’t forget Jesus is the Reason for the season.

Lord, I know you are the Star of this season and all seasons. I will try very hard to keep You in Your proper spot as the season becomes chaotic. ~amen

www.tabethafrick.com

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:26-29‬

Does anyone else go, “Uh-Oh” when God comes calling? Know this, you are not alone! As we see today, even Mary was greatly troubled at the angel’s words and wondered what kind of greeting it might be. Now before you go questioning her faith, let’s cut her some slack here. I sure know I would be shocked and not sure what is going on if an angel were to appear in front of me right now saying, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” I might even look around to see who he was talking about because I am pretty sure it wasn’t me. . . LOL!

Let me let you in on another not so little secret. God is calling you right now. He does look at you and call you His highly favored. He does tell you He is with you. He does this every single day. All you have to do is listen. God has a path for you and me. There is work to be done and He has His eyes set on us to do it. So, don’t be troubled. Be a Mary and reply back, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her (Luke‬ ‭1:38‬).

Lord, I may be a little afraid, but I am still Your servant and am willing to fulfill Your plans for me. ~amen

www.tabethafrick.com

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Have you ever read a verse and it hit you in a very strange way? I mean really strange, like God, I am pretty sure that is not what you meant when you wrote it, strange. Take today’s verse for instance. I have always been taught that this verse was about letting us know how important it was that we stay connected through prayer, worship, and bible study to God. We cannot do anything without Him. There is no hope in your world without God. Pretty basic preaching. That, however, is not what came to mind today.

If you have read previous blogs this week, you know I have been struggling with my anxiety and depression. So, today I read this and I envisioned how tangled vines get. I mean whatever gets stuck in that vine is well, stuck. So, I read this verse as God telling me, “Don’t worry, I got you! I am the vine. I am tangled up all around you. You are safe! Don’t worry and let the world go on right now. I am in You and you are in Me. Together we can do anything.” I know that probably sounds strange, but it is so comforting. God is so good about getting His message to you when you need it.

Lord, thank You for always knowing exactly what to say and saying it exactly when I need it. ~amen

www.tabethafrick.com

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Titus 3:3-7
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

“There but for the grace of God, go I.” No one is 100% sure who actually said that phrase first. Many believe it was a man by the name of John Bradford. The story goes he uttered it as he watched a criminal being apprehended, tried, and executed. It really doesn’t matter who said it. We all know what it means and it truly represents today’s verses in Titus.

We are once again reminded that we are all sinners. We all have a past and still deal with things in the present. We did not do anything to deserve the grace Jesus died for, to give us. We do not and will never deserve that grace. That is what makes it grace. Grace is something given out of love and not earned.

I am sure today, someone will do something to make you angry or upset. Before you react take a moment. Remember there but for the grace of God, go you. Maybe it is time to extend some grace and move on today. Life is too short to hold grudges. Thank goodness, God doesn’t.

Lord, help me today to extend Your grace as You have so generously done for me. ~amen

www.tabethafrick.com

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

John 7:38
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

Truth time. Today has been one of those dark days for me. Anxiety and depression hit me out of nowhere. Honestly, I hurt all over and just wanted to curl up in my bed and cry all day. As I am writing this tonight, it really isn’t much better. I have talked myself into eating something and I am actually curled up on the couch and yes, I quit crying. I still thought I would not be able to write tonight, but then I picked up my phone and this was a verse of the day on one of my widgets. Perfect timing once again Lord.

John reminded me that I may feel dried up and dead inside today, but it isn’t true. I may be ready to curl up and cry because my depression and anxiety physically hurts today. It will be OK again. There is still living water flowing within me. Today, it may only feel like a dripping faucet, but it is going to run once again like a raging river. God has not left me to dry up in this desert. Soon the living water will flow from within me again.

Lord, thank You for not leaving me in my desert of anxiety and depression. Thank You for reminding me there is still a river of living water flowing inside of me. ~amen

www.tabethafrick.com

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Matthew 2:1-2
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

The Magi were the first recorded gentiles to search and find Jesus. By profession, they were devoted to astrology, divination, the interpretation of dreams, and fortune-tellers. They recognized something in the sky that just wasn’t right. As a matter of fact, according to the Archeological Bible Study, “The ‘star’ was probably not an ordinary star, planet or comet, though some interpreters have identified it with the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn or with some other astronomical phenomenon.” They knew the truth. This astronomical occurrence was announcing the birth of the long-awaited Messiah, King of the Jews. They just had to find him.

What phenomenon brought you to Christ? It may not have been a sign in the sky, like a shining star, but I bet it was something. God has a way of getting people’s attention. When you follow your sign, you will always find Jesus. At this time of year, you often see the message, “Wisemen still seek Him”. Seek Him every day, I promise He will be there.

Lord, I thank You for all the little signs you leave in my life every single day. I will always seek to find You because I know You will always be there! ~amen

www.tabethafrick.com

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

1 Timothy 1:15-16
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

NEWSFLASH: Jesus died for sinners and that means you! Oh and don’t forget me. I am a sinner! As Christians, we are not perfect, just saved by grace. Never think you are so far gone that God can’t forgive you. I hope and pray you never feel unwelcome at church. I know my church is filled with imperfect people that are just saved by grace. No church member has the right to judge and look down at you. As a matter of fact, no one has the right to look down on anyone, ever.

Jesus came into the world to save all of us sinners. For that very reason, we show mercy. We do this so Christ can show His immense patience as an example for those who believe in Him and can receive eternal life. In other words, if God can show His mercy for all of your faults, shouldn’t you do that for others. Remember, we are all a bunch of sinners. As Christians, we have just found grace, so pass it on to others.

Lord, thank You for grace. Help me pass it on to others. ~amen

www.tabethafrick.com

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Galatians 4:4-7
4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

The first part of verse 4 jumped out at me today, “But when the set time had fully come”. It is no secret that patience is not one of my finer virtues. God is still working on me in that area. I, like a lot of others, want things in my timing. However, God’s timing is perfect.

He sees all of the pieces in the puzzle and knows exactly how they fit. What we often see as random, unrelated circumstances are actually parts of a well-laid-out plan. Often, we see the goal and figure out all the shortcuts. What we don’t understand is if we take the shortcut, we miss out on many blessings.

So, quit trying to rush the process. Remember, A butterfly will never fly if it doesn’t first strengthen its wings by struggling to break free of its cocoon. If God spent time developing this small detail for a caterpillar to change into a butterfly, what more is He doing for your metamorphosis? When the set time fully comes, you will fly!

Thank You, Lord, for teaching me to fly! ~amen

www.tabethafrick.com

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

John 1:14-16
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.

In Jesus’ time, an older person was given respect and regarded as greater than a younger one. So, everyone would have ranked Jesus lower in terms of respect than John, because he was older. As a matter of fact, there was lots of grumbling among John’s followers. John the Baptist, however, explained Jesus existed long before John was born on Earth. Jesus was the man, John had been prophesying about during his ministry. Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah, and King. He deserved all of the respect.

Jesus still deserves all of our respect all of the time. Christmas is a wonderful time, but Jesus shouldn’t get packed away with the decorations in January. He was born, lived, died, resurrected, and then ascended back into Heaven, so we could live with grace and someday be with Him in Heaven forever. Yes, spend Christmas celebrating His birth, but spend the rest of the year celebrating His love for you all year round, every year!

Lord, I want to always show You the respect that You deserve. ~amen

www.tabethafrick.com

Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved