Category: Bible Studies

This is my journals on my bible studies

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Hold My Hand

Isaiah 41:13
I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear. I will help you.”

I am not one to repost someone else’s blog, but I was struggling all day with exactly what to say and how to say it.  I knew what I wanted to talk about today, but the words just were not coming together.

Then I sat down to check my email and here was a blog from Jill Savage expressing just what I was feeling. I couldn’t say it any better, so I decided to pass it on.

The nurse walked into my room and said, “Jill it’s time to go. You’ll need to leave your glasses here.” Mark prayed for me, gave me a kiss and then waved as the nurse wheeled me out of my room towards my lumpectomy surgery. Without my glasses I can’t see much so the feeling of being disoriented seemed to heighten the emotion of the moment.

That’s when the words of Isaiah 41:13 flooded into my mind. “I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear. I will help you.”

God settled my heart with just a few words…just a few of HIS words, that is.

My surgeon prays for her patients before surgery. She had no idea the implication it had for me when she stopped in the presurgical area, held my RIGHT hand, and prayed for me.  Coincidence?  I think not.

This verse stuck with me through all my dark seasons: my husband’s infidelity, my breast cancer diagnosis, our adopted son’s mental illness and suicide attempts.

Today I’m prompted to share it with you because if you don’t need it today, you will need at some point in time. Real life is messy.  We need God’s word to anchor our soul when the waves of real life seem to be tossing us around.

Whatever you’re facing today…He’s holding your hand.

The post He’s Holding Your Hand appeared first on Jill Savage.

 

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Wait Like an Eagle!

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

I remember growing up in what you would call a small country church.  One of my favorite songs we would sing was based on Isaiah 41:31

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. 
They shall mount up with wings as eagles. 
They shall run and not grow weary. 
They shall walk and not faint. 
Teach me Lord, 
Teach Lord to wait.

For those of you who may not know, I am excellent at waiting. NOT! NO WAY! NO HOW!

So, why in the world would I ever love to sing this hymn?

To be honest, it is because of my mom.  This has always been one of her favorite verses and she always loved singing it. She always managed to remind me of it when I wasn’t being so patient. 

A few years ago, when we were marathon training we would bring this verse up to each other when we were feeling a little low on energy. Even as I ran the marathon that year, I kept humming and singing that song over and over to keep me going.

My biggest problem with waiting is I feel powerless when I am in the middle of something. I have to do something to get started.  I have to do something to finish up a project.  In the middle, not so much to do. I just have to wait. 

And when I wait, my mind starts to wonder and come up with all kinds of problems. I play the “what if” games or “I should have”. I think of all the ways I could have screwed up somewhere. Fear comes knocking down my door.

Recently, I “stumbled” (OK, God may have pushed a little) on a couple of other verses.

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Psalm 37:23-24
The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

I realized even during those waiting times, God is holding my hand. I have nothing to fear when I am in a waiting pattern. God will give me strength to see any project to the end. Even if I have screwed up somewhere along the way, HE will make it come out alright.  I have nothing to fear.

This is exactly why when I wait and put all my trust in the LORD, He will strengthen me and give me wings to fly and feet to run and I will not grow weary of waiting.

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Copyright © 2018 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Sit Still in the Dark

Exodus 14:14 NIRV 
The Lord will fight for you. Just be still.

When you are in a fight with someone it is so hard to sit still. When that person you are fighting with is yourself it is impossible.

I have spent all of my adult life fighting myself. Mental illnesses is a two-edged sword. You often fight with people around you, never meaning to. Then you turn and fight yourself because of the guilt. You tell yourself the meanest things. Things you would never tell another human being. You hate yourself. For me it is often like an out of body experience. I see the way I am acting and scream but can’t stop myself. 

Over the years, I have found the only way I make it through my “episodes” is to sit still. When all those angry voices in my head come to bully me once again, I sit still. It does me know good to fight back. I can’t fight myself. There is nowhere to run or hide. I must sit still. God fights for me. He doesn’t let go. I may not see him or feel him, but he comes for me. He always does. 

I have translated these thoughts into other areas of my life. There are times when I need to stand up and fight. However, there are other times God says, “I got this! Sit still and let me fight!” It is in those moments, I am still learning, but always trying to listen. I know how important it is to sit still.

Deep Down Inside
by Tabetha Frick

Imprisoned
Shackled
Darkness surrounds 
Deep down inside

Those words are harsh
They cut like a knife
No longer in control
Deep down inside

Why don’t they stop
Can’t they see the pain
Its so dark 
Deep down inside

The tears are streaming
The anger is raging
Why is it so dark 
Deep down inside

I hear my voice
I try to scream
I am here in the dark 
Deep down inside

Too late now
The damage is done
I must wait in the dark 
Deep down inside

The light will come
It always does
But for now I wait
Deep down inside

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Copyright © 2018 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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The Wrong Side of the Bed

Colossians 4:5-6 
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Boy did I wake up on the wrong side of the bed!

I actually considered crawling back in and getting out on the other side…hahaha!

My poor husband. I was neither wise in my actions, nor were my words seasoned or full of grace. As a matter of fact, I felt so badly that I arranged to have lunch with him to refresh our day. I am happy to report that it did.

We all have those days. Maybe something went wrong to throw your day off. Maybe you didn’t sleep well or woke up sick. It doesn’t matter what started it. It is how you finish it.

I know taking words back is like putting toothpaste back in the tube. If like me, you let things get out of control before you could get a hold of them, then make up for it. I know this isn’t always possible, but try. 

Whenever possible, be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone (Colossians 4:5-6). But when it is not and the damage is done please remember foolish people laugh at making things right when they sin. But honest people try to do the right thing (Proverbs 14:9, NIRV).

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Copyright © 2018 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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THEATRE IS FAMILY

Proverbs 11:25
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

In the past, I was a theatre mom, but this past year I had the privilege to be part of the theatre as the co-director of our high school drama club.

As the curtains for the last time this year, I reflected about how much I learned from these wonderful kiddos. The most important thing I learned was love, hope and respect.

You see in the picture below there are many races, cultures, ages, religious beliefs and sexual identities. We joke. We kid. What we don’t do is offend or get offended. We don’t always agree or understand each other, but it never stops us from loving or respecting each other.

My co-director is fond of saying, “Theatre is Family.” I have seen that first hand this year. There is not one of these kiddos who wouldn’t drop everything to race to the side of another.

In this day and age where high schools and students are being torn apart by the media, these kids are a beacon of hope.  Without even realizing it, they are showing what true Christian love is suppose to be. They loved this old, white, straight, Christian conservative woman right where she was and didn’t care what labels she carried around. I loved and respected each and everyone of them the same way! We are and always will be family!

These wonderful human beings are my heroes!

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Copyright © 2018 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

 

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An Intelligent Failure

1 John 2:1
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

If I were writing 1 John 2:1 it would come out a little more like this…

Hey, I really hope you don’t find yourself doing things wrong. However, when you do, don’t try to hide it or pretend you didn’t screw up.  It’s OK! Admit you are wrong, learn from it and move on.  Jesus has you covered. He is there to help. He died for your sins. You will be forgiven.
~1 John 2:1 (Tabetha Version)

God knew we were not going to be perfect. He knew we were going to need Jesus to help us out of our sin.  He also knew that Jesus dying wasn’t going to keep us from screwing up. 

I have a philosophical question for you…is it failure if we learn from it?

I was reading a devotion this morning. The author was saying trying to get across how to fail successfully.  He used a quote from inventor Charles Kettering that suggested we must learn to fail intelligently. He said, “Once you’ve failed, analyze the problem and find out why, because each failure is one more step leading to the cathedral of success.”

I love this idea of learning to fail successfully.  Kettering went on to explain in order to do so one must do three things. (1) Face defeat, don’t fake success. (2) Learn all can from the mistake. (3) Never use failure as an excuse to not keep trying.

So, to answer my own question, no I don’t think it is truly failure if we learn from it. To stay in the light with Jesus (1 john 1:7) does not mean to not make mistakes. It means to own up to them, learn from them and start again.

Remember Jesus is always there to be our advocate.  He will give you sound advice even when you screw up. So don’t be a failure. Be an Intelligent Failure!

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Copyright © 2018 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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What A Day

Isaiah 41:10
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

I am so exhausted! It is tech week for our high school drama club. I will be so glad when this play is over this weekend.

In truth, I was going to skip writing my blog tonite because I was so exhausted. God had other plans.

Just as I put my head on my pillow, I got that familiar nudge.

“Tabetha, I am not finished with you yet.”

”Are you sure Lord? Cause, I feel like we put in a full day.”

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

“Well, when you put it that way LORD, how can I refuse.”

Please tell me I am not the only one that has these little conversations with God! You know those moments when you feel you are done! You can’t take one more step and God comes back with, “Don’t worry. I got this!”

Let me tell you something…He Does! He has you. He will not leave you or forsake you. He will be your rock, your shield and your strength. Don’t be afraid when He calls you. Even when you are exhausted and can’t take one more step.x

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Copyright © 2018 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Cuss, Cry, Cringe or Thank God

Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

It was a really long day! I was feeling a little overwhelmed. It seemed everyone needed me at the same time today and there just wasn’t enough of me to go around.

I still had several more things to accomplish once I got home, but I was excited because at least I was leaving work and headed that way!

Then I came to my “favorite” road home…the one with the railroad tracks!

Yep! You guessed it there was a train on the track. It was going really slow. As a matter of fact, it stopped and went the other way and then stopped again and came back.

What did I do? Do I scream (cuss)? Did I throw a tantrum (cry)? Did I give up and bang my head on my steering wheel (cringe)?

Nope!

I rolled down my windows. Turned off my car grabbed my phone to play some tunes and a book to read. I laid back and thought, “Wow! Time for me!” (Thanked God!)

I would love to tell you this is always my reaction when life throws something in my way. If I did, I would be lying through my teeth!

Patience has not and is not always my friend. However, there are sometimes I just have to find the silver lining! Today was one of those days. I mean seriously, how many times do you get to just kick back and read a book when you have a million other things to do. I had an excuse and everything! I was going to take full advantage of this!

Let’s be real here. Even the most organized list maker and planner is going to face obstacles though out the day. Now, I am not saying throw all the plans out, but how about we start looking at is as an outline of possibilities for the day. Then let’s just sit back and see what gifts God has to offer us for the day! Maybe you will be lucky enough to get a train to help you stop and relax too!

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Copyright © 2018 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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I Hope

Romans 5:5
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

I am drawing a blank today.  I prayed and prayed, but nothing is coming to me.  

A writer’s worst nightmare!

I had actually picked the verse above a few days ago and set it aside. I am staring at it and still nothing is coming, or is it?!

I think I am living this verse right now in this very moment.  I am praying and hoping that God will tell me what I am suppose to blog about.  I am hoping for some words of wisdom to pass on. 

I am HOPING!

Hope is such a teeny tiny little word, but has such a BIG meaning.  I wake up in hope and I go to bed in hope.

I hope for a good day.

I hope for a message from my children.

I hope for one more day with my mother and father.

I hope I remember everything when I leave for work.

I hope for green lights and no trains or accidents.

I hope for something good for dinner (my hubby does all the cooking).

I hope for enough energy to do my workout after work.

I hope for a relaxing evening.

I hope for a good nights sleep.

These are just a few things that pop through my mind as I go through my day. I have bigger hopes and dreams also, but the important thing is I have hopes. I do hope. When I continue to hope, God doesn’t let me down.

Do all of those things always come to pass right then? 

No, but I never give up hope.

Hope is what gets me through each moment, even the ones I hoped would never come. My hope is what sustains me because God’s love has been poured out into my heart through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to me.

Hmmm…I hope this blog has encouraged you to keep hoping. I also hope to see you again on Monday.

*Hugs*

Tabetha

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Copyright © 2018 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Just Be Still!

Psalms 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

I hope I am not the only one that sees a bible verse and says, “Yep! That is my theme song today!”

Certain seasons of my life have brought different verses over the years. The past couple of months the beginning of Psalms 46:10 has played loudly in my head.  Be still, and know that I am God.  Every time I have thought about a relationship that is in desperate need of mending I have hear God almost yell this at me.  Every time, I have uttered a “But God I think I should…” it has shown up somewhere on social media or a friend sends me a picture with the words on it.

Yesterday, I was struggling once again.  I felt my hope beginning to waiver and become strained.  It was as if I physically felt a spiritual tug of war going on between God and Satan over me. Something would pop into my head reminding me of how bad things were in my life.  The next split second I would here 2 Corinthians 4:16 “Do not lose heart!”

Eventually, I began smashing these two verses together.  Do not lose heart. Be still, and know that I am God!

I had a new anthem! 

Right now, I am in a waiting period of life.  I see the storm around me and there is nothing I can do.  No, there is nothing I am suppose to do.  Believe me I pray every day asking God for where I am suppose to go and what am I suppose to do.  Some days I feel as if I am saying this prayer every minute. It is hard to let go, sit back and wait.  It is hard to give up control.

I love the way the Ancient One puts it in Dr Strange.

The Ancient One: You cannot beat a river into submission. You have to surrender to its current and use its power as your own.

Dr. Strange: I control it by surrendering control? This doesn’t make any sense.

The Ancient One: Not everything does. Not everything has to. Your intellect has taken you far in life, but it will take you no further. Surrender, Stephen. Silence your ego, and your power will rise. Come with me.

I can hear this conversation happening between God and I. I hear him telling me, “Do not lose heart. “Be still, and know that I am God!”

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Copyright © 2018 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.