Category: Grace

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Take My Hand and Stand

Philippians 1:27


Life Worthy of the Gospel
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel (NIV)

Word Study

Together – G5254 συναθλέω synathleō, to contend at one’s side, together

Firm – G5112 στήκω stēkō, to stand, stand firm, be steadfast

Thoughts…

In this very significant section of the letter, Paul urged the church members to dismiss their pride and to live and serve together in unity. Anything less falls short of the gospel’s standards. True unity will be realized by authentic meekness and selflessness, ultimately exemplified in the earthly life of Jesus. The attitude the church should exhibit was the one Jesus maintained (HCB Commentary).

Do you want to be a rock in this world of swirling storms? Then join fellow believers instead of tearing each other down. We aren’t each other’s enemy! We need to stand united against the real enemy. Pray for one another. Reach out to one another. I don’t care what religious title you hold. Baptist, Luthern, Methodist, Catholic, Pentecostal, whatever name is on the building where you choose to worship does not matter. We are one in Christ!

Let’s rise up together, look Satan square in the eye and remind him, ”No! WE are Legion and WE are a force to be reckoned with!”

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Remember the Thief

Ephesians 4:14

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. (NIV)

Word Study

Cunning – G3235 κυβεία kybeia, cunning, craftiness, trickery

Craftiness – G4111 πανουργία panourgia, cunning, craftiness, deception, duplicity

Deceitful – G4415 πλάνη planē, error, delusion, deception

Scheming – G3497 μεθοδεία methodeia, scheming, craftiness, strategy

Thoughts…

In his New Testament epistles, Paul frequently warned his readers to be on guard against false teaching (e.g., 2 Cor 11:3–4). These cautions reveal that from an early point Christianity was open to distortions and heresies that took many forms through overemphasis on some and denial of other central Christian teachings (Archeological Study Notes Bible).

 Believe on the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31). the Lord with all your heart and love others as yourself (Mark  12:30-31). I don’t read in these verses anything about wearing or not certain clothing. I don’t see hairstyles, piercings, or tattoos. I don’t see any must-have rituals. So why do people get so hung up on things like that when judging others and their walk with God?

Don’t let anyone other than God dictate your walk with Him. Remember the thief on the cross died right after believing in Christ and went to heaven with him that very day.

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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He’ll Leave the Light on For You

Romans 8:35

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

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

Thoughts…

Paul’s conclusion to the first half of the book emphasized the majesty and glory of God and pointed to the certainty of God’s redemptive plan. All that happens to them rests in the sovereign hand of God, who in all things “works for the good of those who love him.” Believers gain assurance knowing that God is for them (8:31). In all the testings and sufferings that confront believers, they can be confident that they are more than conquerors through Christ who loved them. Believers can expect difficulties in this age; yet they can be certain that nothing will be able to separate them from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus” (HCB Commentary).

Repeat after me, ”NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING can take me away from God!” No one can do this. You can’t even do this. You can’t run away. You can’t sin so bad that he won’t forgive you when you ask. He is there and will always be. Yes, even in those times when you feel totally alone. You are not!

You know if God could had a catch phrase it would be something like Motel 6. “He’ll leave the light on for you.”

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Hope Brings Sunshine

1 Thessalonians 4:13

Believers Who Have Died
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. (NIV)

Word Study

Sleep – G3121 κοιμάω koimaō, to fall asleep, sleep; die

Hope – G1828 ἐλπίς elpis, hope, expectation

Thoughts…

For the Christian, sleep is a particularly apt metaphor for death, since death’s finality and horror are removed by the assurance of resurrection. Inscriptions on tombs and references in literature show that first-century pagans viewed death with horror, as the end of everything (Archaeological Study Bible Notes).

Even death has nothing on my hope. God destroyed death when Jesus died in our place. We have a future beyond death. We have hope in a better life beyond this one. If our hope is powerful enough to give us peace over death, how powerful is it to get us through whatever it is we are going through today? Our hope can bring us that much-needed ray of sunshine as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. It can also walk us through the darkest of days we find ourselves in along the way.

Hope means our future’s so bright, we gotta wear shades!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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What If I Screw Up?

Titus 2:7-8

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. (NIV)

Word Study

Example – G5596 τύπος typos, pattern, model, example, type, a visual form to be copied, such as in crafting an idol; by extension: a pattern of behavior to be emulated 

Thoughts…

Every godly man’s endeavor must be to stop the mouths of adversaries. Let thine own conscience answer for thine uprightness. What a glory is it for a Christian, when that mouth which would fain open itself against him, cannot find any evil in him to speak of (Matthew Henery’s Concise Commentary)!

But what if I screw up? What if I make a mistake? God wants me to be an example of good. I must show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned? I can’t live up to this all of the time. I am going to trip up. I am not perfect! You know what that is OK! God knows that about us. He expects it. You ever heard of a little thing called grace. When we fall, we get back up. We apologize and make amends where we can. We show the world an example they can identify with. Someone who has enough integrity to make things right and try again. 

Our mistakes can be good examples too. It is our testimony of being saved by grace and getting up to try again that helps people see a loving God that does not expect perfection. He only expects us to strive for it. Shoot for the moon and if you miss at least you will be among the stars. 

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Love Your Enemy, Even When It Is You!

1 Peter 4:8

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (NIV)

Word Study

Love – G27 ἀγάπη agapē, love, in the NT usually the active love of God for his Son and his people, and the active love his people are to have for God, each other, and even enemies 

Covers – G2821 καλύπτω kalyptō, cover, veil, hide, swept over

Thoughts…

Love is the animating spirit, without which all other duties are dead. Charity shall cover the multitude. The oldest manuscripts have “covereth.” as not harshly to condemn or expose faults; but forbearingly to bear the other’s burdens, forgiving and forgetting past offenses (Jamieson, Fausett, and Brown Commentary).

I am sorry guys, today is all about me. I am sitting here hating myself. I don’t want to show myself any love or grace. I can go out and love others. I can offer them forgiveness, but I am fighting to do it to myself. I have an eating problem that is quite literally killing me and I struggle to overcome it.

I know we all have our own personal demons. TODAY, I feel like I am losing the battle. I feel like a fake because I tell you that you can overcome, as I sit here behind this keyboard struggling.  Well, let me tell you something. I am not here to tell you how to do something or where to find peace, love, faith, hope, grace or forgiveness. I am here to walk with you, fight beside you and face these demons with you. Together we fight. Together we win. Together we show Satan, ”No! We are legion!”

Loving one another and covering one another with grace and forgiveness includes loving yourself and forgiving yourself.

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Plug into the Power Source

2 Corinthians 12:10

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (NIV)

Word Study

Weakness  –  G819 ἀσθένεια astheneia, weakness, illness, infirmity

Strong – G1543 δυνατός dynatos, possible (based on power); powerful, able, the Mighty One

Thoughts…

The opponents’ criticisms forced Paul to say what he did in this chapter. They claimed true apostles had special revelations. Paul knew this boasting was senseless, but he related a time around a.d. 42 when he experienced the inside of heaven. Paul disliked sharing this account, for he knew that God’s strength is more easily seen in the apostle’s weakness. In fact, God allowed Satan to afflict Paul to keep him humble and to demonstrate the power of God in his life. If vulnerability revealed God’s power, Paul gladly accepted the weakness (HCBC Commentary).

We are not perfect. We are not goodie-two-shoes. We don’t have some magical power that makes life full of rainbows and unicorns. What we have is hope, love, faith, and grace.  When we are faced with our weakness, we rely on a power source that does not end. When we give in and give up, God takes over and makes us powerful, able, and strong!

Feeling a little weak today. Stop fighting it. Let it go. Plug into the power of God. Find your true strength!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Troubles Will Come But…

Psalms 34:19

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; (NIV)

Word Study

Righteous – H7404 צַדִּיק ṣaddîq, righteous, upright, just, innocent; in accordance with a proper (God’s) standard, and so implying innocence

Troubles – H8288 רָעָה3 rāʽâ3, bad, disaster, harm, trouble; by extension

Delivered – H5911 נָצַל nāṣal, to be saved, be delivered, be spared; to plunder, take away, tear away; to deliver, save, rescue; to be snatched; to strip off oneself

Thoughts…

The righteous are taken under the special protection of the Lord, yet they have their share of crosses in this world, and there are those that hate them. Both from the mercy of Heaven, and the malice of hell, the afflictions of the righteous must be many. But whatever troubles befall them, shall not hurt their souls, for God keeps them from sinning in troubles. No man is desolate, but he whom God has forsaken (Matthew Henery’s Concise Commentary).

Troubles come in so many different ways every day. Just because we become Christians doesn’t mean we are trouble-free. On the contrary, we seem to attract more trouble. God wants us to know we are not alone. He will see us through this life. He gave us hope to continue on today and the many tomorrows.

One day, we will be saved from ALL of the troubles here on Earth and be with Him in Heaven where no troubles exist.

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Let the Storm Rage On!

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (NIV)

Word Study

Steadfast – H6164 סָמַךְ sāmak, to sustain, uphold; to lay (one’s hand upon); to be braced, be steadfast; to lean upon, rely upon, gain confidence; [P] to strengthen, refresh

Thoughts…

mind … stayed–(Ps 112:7, 8). Jesus can create “perfect peace” within thy mind, though storms of trial rage without (Isa 57:19; Mr 4:39); as a city kept securely by a strong garrison within, though besieged without (so Php 4:7). “Keep,” literally, “guard as with a garrison.” HORSLEY translates, (God’s) workmanship (the Hebrew does not probably mean “mind,” but “a thing formed,” Eph 2:10), so constantly “supported”; or else “formed and supported (by Thee) Thou shalt preserve (it, namely, the righteous nation) in perpetual peace” (Jameson, Fausett, and Brown Commentary).

Living with any kind of mental illness, your idea of normal is so not what everyone else thinks. You live in a physical place for mere moments and then you walk on to the next spot. You live in your brain 100% of the time. When that brain is going to a very dark space, you are often just along for the ride. However, you are never alone on this journey. NEVER! Never! Never! What is swirling around in the brain like a giant typhoon can still find peace in the eye of the storm. It may not feel like it right now, but if you can just hang on to that hope and lean upon God you will find peace.

Find your inner Elsa. Let the storm rage on. WIth God, the cold never bothered me anyway!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Daddy, I need a Hug!

Psalms 91:1

You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, (MSG)

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (NIV)

Word Study

Dwell – H3782 יָשַׁב yāšab, to live, inhabit, dwell, stay; to be settled, be inhabited; to set up; to cause to settle, make dwell, to cause to sit; by extension

Rest – H4328 לִין lîn, spend the night, stay the night; to hold back overnight, leave overnight; to stay for the night; by extension: to stay, dwell an indeterminate amount of time 

shadow – H7498 צֵל ṣēl, shadow, shade, protection

Thoughts…

He that by faith chooses God for his protector, shall find all in him that he needs or can desire. And those who have found the comfort of making the Lord their refuge, cannot but desire that others may do s0  (Matthew Henery’s Concise Commentary).

Ever since I was a little girl, I always envisioned God, well, like the pictures we see of Zeus. To be more specific, like the Zeus in Disney’s Hercules. You know the big muscles, long white curly beard, and hair. I see him sitting in a huge chair. Whenever I was upset, I would picture myself walking into his throne room, rather shy like. I look up at him under my eyelids to see if he is too busy. He never is. He looks down with a cute little grin and waves at me to come on. I run and jump in his lap. He cradles me and rocks me as I play with his beard and I tell him all about it. He listens, intently, to every single word. He laughs at the right times, a large belly laugh. He grins and gives me that one cocked eyebrow when I admit my part in the problem, “sort of.” Then he dries my tears and lets me know I am safe and secure in his arms and no one will hurt his little girl.

I may be an adult now, but I will always be God’s little girl and no one is going to hurt his little girl!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.