Category: Grace

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It ain’t over yet!

Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Word Study

Yet – G4037 οὔπω oupō, not yet, still not; not ever

Thoughts…

Philippians 3:13-14

Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. (MSG)

Always striving, never stopping.

No mistakes, just lessons learned.

It isn’t how often you fall; it is how many times you get up.

Keep on keeping on.

You can’t drive forward while watching the rearview mirror.

I fall down but I get up again, ain’t nothing gonna keep me down.

How many other ways do I have to tell you what Paul told you so long ago? No, you are not perfect yet! You are still working towards a goal. Just because you can’t do something YET DOESN’T MEAN YOU NEVER WILL! It ain’t over yet!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Your Light Can Shine When You’re Not There

Luke 9:5
If you’re not welcomed, leave town. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and move on.” (MSG)

If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” (NIV)

Word Study

Welcome – G1312 δέχομαι dechomai, to welcome, receive, accept

Leave – G2002 ἐξέρχομαι exerchomai, to go out, leave

Thoughts…

Shaking the dust off their feet was a sign of repudiation of the people there for their rejection of God’s message, as well as a gesture indicating separation from everything associated with the place (Archeological Study Bible).

As much as it pains me, there are times I have to walk away. Relationship and situations can become toxic. It does not mean I stop loving the person. It doesn’t mean I close the door to them and lock it. It doesn’t mean my path won’t pass that way again. It means for now it is time to move on and let go.

God may take you to this crossroad. Cling to God. Listen carefully and pray, pray, pray! Let God lead your steps.  You don’t have to speak words to testify about God. Let your light she before men so they can see God’s good works.

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Religion can strengthen our relationship with Christ, but it does not establish it!

Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. (NIV)

Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that’s not the way of Christ. (MSG)

Word Study

Captive – G1639 εἰμί eimi, to be, exist, be present 

Hollow – G3031 κενός kenos, empty, empty-handed; by extension: vain, ineffective, useless, foolish

Thoughts…

The Greek termstoicheia, translated “basic principles of this world” in this context denotes false, worldly, elementary teachings. Paul was counteracting the Colossian heresy, which, in part, taught that for salvation one needed to combine faith in Christ with secret knowledge and with human regulations concerning such physical and external practices as circumcision, eating and drinking and observance of the religious festivals. (Archeological Study Bible).

Today’s word is very simple. Don’t get trapped in legalese. The thief on the cross died without observing any traditions, eating certain foods or wearing certain clothing and met Jesus in paradise. I am not saying these observances are bad, I am just saying trust that the only way to Heaven is accepting Jesus as your savior. There is no more and no less.

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Walking in the Dark

Isaiah 50:10

Who among you fears the Lord
and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light,
trust in the name of the Lord
and rely on their God. (NIV)


Who out there fears God,
actually listens to the voice of his servant? For anyone out there who doesn’t know where you’re going, anyone groping in the dark, Here’s what: Trust in God. Lean on your God!

Word Study

Rely – H9128 שָׁעַן šāʽan, to lean oneself upon, rely on

Thoughts…

The Lord’s Ideal Servant Perseveres (50:4-11). In this third servant song the servant declared his confidence in God. He had not drawn back from the Lord’s commission, despite severe opposition and humiliation. He persevered, confident that the Lord would one day vindicate him before his enemies. The song concludes with an appeal for the servant’s faithful followers to continue to trust the Lord and with a warning of judgment to those who reject the Lord’s guidance (HCB Commentary).

Sometimes our world can come crashing in on us. Darkness looms all around. Isaiah reassures us to just keep walking. Trust God. You can’t see what is coming but He can. You can’t see in the dark but He can. Keep moving. Press on. Don’t give up.

Sometimes God leaves us in the dark because our enemy can’t see in the dark either. 

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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God is Your Biggest Fan

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (NIV)

May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech. (MSG)

Word Study

Encourage – G4151 παρακαλέω parakaleō, to ask, beg, plead; to comfort, encourage, exhort, urge; to call, invite

Thoughts…

Before taking up the discussion of the power of evil in people’s lives, Paul offered thanksgiving for the Holy Spirit’s work in the life of the church. He also encouraged them to remain faithful to all they had been taught. In typical Pauline style the apostle prayed that God would encourage their hearts and strengthen them in every good word and deed (HCB Commentary, 2 Thess 2:13-17).

I could use a smile. I am sure everyone could use a smile and a kind word. The world spends so much time convincing us we are not enough, don’t have enough or will never be enough unless we do or buy this one thing. Then we do it or buy it and bam the next thing is out and we are back where we started. The world is wrong. The only thing you need to make you enough is Christ. That is true today, tomorrow and forever!

Today, let Jesus himself touch your heart with the Holy Spirit. Look to him for refreshment for your spirit. He is and will always be your biggest fan. He will encourage and strengthen you today and every day. I encourage you to give God a chance!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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A Rock is My Pillow

Psalms 62:1-2

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. (NIV)


God, the one and only— I’ll wait as long as he says. Everything I need comes from him, so why not? He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I’m set for life.(MSG)

Word Study

Rest – H1875 דּוּמִיָּה dûmiyyâ, silence, stillness; rest

Rock – H7446 צוּר4 ṣûr4, rock; stone mass, rocky crag; a title of God, with a focus of stability, and possibly as a place of security and safety

Thoughts…

I struggle with PTSD. It often leaves me terrified right where I stand. The sights, sounds, and smells swirl around me taking me right back to those horrible events. I am stuck in a never-ending tape recording and reliving every single minute. 

Today’s verses are some of the many I have learned to use to bring me back to reality. I close my eyes very tight and repeat them over and over until I begin to believe them. 

Slowly the swirling wind begins to die. The darkness can no longer hold out the light. I find my feet. They are firmly planted on the rock. I am stable, secure and safe. Soon stillness settles over my soul. Silence fills my head. I can once again rest. 

When your life starts tossing you to and fro, remember you have a rock where you can rest. 

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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God is NOT a Genie in a Lamp

John 15:7
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (NIV)

But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. (MSG)

Word Study

Remain – G3531 μένω menō, to stay, remain, live, dwell, abide; to be in a state that begins and continues, yet may or may not end or stop. “To abide in Christ” is to follow his example of a life obedient to the will of God

Thoughts…

The verse “Ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you,” as with 14:13, needs to be seen in the context of one who is firmly part of the vine (15:16). When one is in such a close and dynamic relationship with Christ, requests coincide with His will. In other words, asking whatever you wish and having it granted is dependent upon the first clause of the verse: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you” (15:7) (HCB Commentary).

God is not a genie in a lamp! You don’t get to ask for anything and poof it is yours. The point behind this verse is if you are in tune with God, a part of God, following God’s plan and staying in step with him what you ask for is exactly what God wants you to ask. It is what you need. It too is also part of God’s plan for you. 

In a nutshell, when God sends you, He will give you what you need. Walk with Him, follow Him, abide in Him, then ask for the tools you need and they will be yours!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Devoting my heart to God does come with some nice perks!

Job 11:13-19

“Yet if you devote your heart to him
and stretch out your hands to him,
if you put away the sin that is in your hand
and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,
then, free of fault, you will lift up your face;
you will stand firm and without fear.
You will surely forget your trouble,
recalling it only as waters gone by.
Life will be brighter than noonday,
and darkness will become like morning.
You will be secure, because there is hope;
you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid,
and many will court your favor.

Word Study

Devote – H3922 כּוּן1 kûn1, to be established, be steadfast, be firm, be prepared; to establish, set in place, make secure; to be made firm, be prepared; to establish, make preparations, provide; to be made ready, be established, be attached

I want you to read those verses again and then when you are done read them again! If you devote (to be established, be steadfast, be firm, be prepared; to establish, set in place, make secure; to be made firm, be prepared; to establish, make preparations, provide; to be made ready, be established, be attached) your heart to God. Then put away the sin. In other words, ask God for forgiveness and work towards not doing it again. Will you be perfect all the time? No. Will you never sin again? No! BUT…if you stay devoted to him you will work on it. You will have a desire to try. You will put effort. You will have remorse when you slip and you will admit it and ask for forgiveness. 

You do that and all those promises will follow naturally.

I cannot earn grace. I cannot earn my salvation.  However, devoting my heart to God does come with some nice perks!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Satan Drove Me to My Knees and Laughed Until He Heard Me Say, ”Amen!”

2 Peter 3:17

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. (NIV)


But you, friends, are well-warned. Be on guard lest you lose your footing and get swept off your feet by these lawless and loose-talking teachers. (MSG)

Word Study

Forewarned – G4589 προγινώσκω proginōskō, to know beforehand, foreknow; (mid.) to choose beforehand

Thoughts…

The abiding emphases in 2 Peter, with its call for spiritual growth (chap. 1), its warning of false teaching (chap. 2), and its call for holy living in view of the Lord’s certain return (chap. 3) are just as relevant for our generation as they were for Peter’s. Such features as these have commended it to the consciousness of the church as an inspired writing. Peter’s two letters help the church focus its response to external opposition (1 Peter) as well as to evildoers who have come into the church (2 Peter) (HCB Commentary).

You have been warned. You know. You have chosen to follow Christ. You have all the tools. You know what to do. You can do anything if you walk in God’s strength. Expect attacks but don’t fear them. Be prepared but not anxious. Go through this life with your eyes wide open and turned to God. You will get through any storm!

Remember when the world drives you to your knees they didn’t make you vulnerable. On the contrary, they drove you to your greatest strength.

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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He Is Always There!

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Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? (NIV)


Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: (MSG)

Word Study

Who – G5515 τίς tis who?, what?, which?, why?

Separate – G6004 χωρίζω chōrizō, to divide, separate, leave; (pass.) to be separated from, set apart

Thoughts…

Notice ”The apostle says not (remarks CALVIN nobly) “What,” but “Who,” just as if all creatures and all afflictions were so many gladiators taking arms against the Christians” (Jamieson, Fausser, and Brown Commentary).

I find it fascinating that this verse starts with who. Have you been in situations where people tried to tear you apart to other people? Some have believed their lies and they walked out of your life. Let me assure you right now…GOD WILL NOT WALKOUT! I don’t care if the nasty little rumors are true. He will not leave you. He is always there waiting for you right by your side. There is nowhere you can go that He is not there (Psalm 139:7). They is no sin that you can do that will make God turn his back on you. Like the prodigal son’s father, he is standing in the driveway with open arms waiting for you to run into them. 

No one, not even you, can separate you from God’s love. He is there waiting for you to call on Him, so he can wrap His love and grace around you and bring you home. 

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.