Category: Journal

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Willing to be Willing

Psalms 51:10-12

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (NIV)

God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don’t throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile,
put a fresh wind in my sails!(MSG)

Word Study

Steadfast – 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

Willing – H5618 נָדִיב nādîb, willing, generous; prince, noble, ruler, official

Thoughts…

David now saw, more than ever, what an unclean heart he had, and sadly laments it; but he sees it is not in his own power to amend it, and therefore begs God would create in him a clean heart (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary).

David is my hero! He is so real and honest. I am so over the moon that he mentions creating a steadfast spirit and a willing spirit. This blows any thoughts of I have to be perfect t before I approach God. I have been told by friends and loved ones that they feel they need to straighten up their lives before they come to church. I just want to scream, ”Nooooooooooooo!”  That is what grace is for!

David is really saying here not only do I not have to change before meeting God, but I don’t even have to be willing to! I get to ask God for the power to be willing to WANT to change! Mind blown!

I can’t tell you how many times I have known what I was supposed to do and didn’t want to do it. I seriously had to pray, ”God, make me be willing to be willing.” It is OK! God is ready for that prayer. He doesn’t expect us to work on our power. He is ready to create a steadfast and willing spirit in you!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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God the Ultimate Optometrist

Philippians 3:15

Following Paul’s Example
All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. (NIV)

So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet!(MSG)

Word Study

Clear- G636 ἀποκαλύπτω apokalyptō, to reveal, disclose

Thoughts…

I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sun-shining day
It’s gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sun-shining day

Oh yes I can make it now the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I’ve been praying for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sun-shining day

(Jimmy Cliff)

I have said before our lives are not always filled with rainbows and unicorns. There are times when all we see in front of us is total darkness. It is during those times we cling tightly to God and pray He will take it all away. 

Sometimes He doesn’t take it away. Sometimes He walks through it with us. A good prayer during those moments is to ask God to reveal your next step. Shine a light on your the path. Adjust your vision so you can see clearly which way to go. He is the ultimate optometrist. You may not see the whole picture at once, but He will reveal a clear spot for your foot to go next or keep the light right where it is so you will stay put!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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In a Windy World, Be the Tentmaker

Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (NIV)

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. (MSG)

Word Study

Unwholesome – G4911 σαπρός sapros, bad, rotten, decayed

Building – G3869 οἰκοδομή oikodomē, building, construction, a physical edifice; by extension: building up, edification, strengthening, developing another person’s life through acts and words of love and encouragement

Thoughts…

According to the Holman Concise Bible Commentary, The conclusion of chapter 4 includes ethical exhortations grounded in theological truth. Believers are to rid themselves of vices like “bitterness,” “anger,” and “slander” and instead imitate the compassionate kindness of Christ.

Have you ever tried to build a sandcastle while the tide is coming in? Have you ever tried to set up a tent while the wind is blowing? I have. It doesn’t work! You cannot something and destroy it at the same time. 

Our goal is to love others and lead them to Christ. Our actions and words are our tools to help people. With these tools, we show love and grace. We help build them up and strengthen them. Cruel, hurtful, and angry words like gossip will not only destroy the person it is aimed at but it also destroys you. You destroy your ability to help that person. 

Your words cannot be taken back or erased from memory. You become the wind instead of the tent maker. You darken your image and become someone no one can trust. You are no longer able to build others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Heart From The Rock, Not Of Rock

Ezekiel 36:26
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (NIV)

I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed. (MSG)

Word Study

Stone – H74 אֶבֶן ’eben, n.f. stone, rock, natural or shaped, sometimes of specific size for use in a balance scale; a “precious stone” is a gem or jewel; by extension: hailstone. Rock is a title of God, with a focus of strength and stability, a place of refuge

Thoughts…

All that have an interest in the new covenant, have a new heart and a new spirit, in order to their walking in newness of life. God would give a heart of flesh, a soft and tender heart, complying with his holy will. Renewing grace works as great a change in the soul, as the turning a dead stone into living flesh (Matthew Henery’s Concise Commentary).

I have a confession. I am not perfect. I know! I know! I have ruined my reputation…hahaha! Seriously, I struggle sometimes with automatically hardening my heart. I hear a certain person’s name, event, or topic and I go into defense mode. I have to remind myself this is not God’s heart. 

God has placed his heart in mine. His heart is firm but soft. His heart listens and loves. His heart guides and offers grace. His heart doesn’t turn away but waits with patience. 

God is the rock. He has replaced my heart of stone with a heart from the rock!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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God Allows U-Turns

Lamentations 3:22-24

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” (NIV)


God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).
He’s all I’ve got left. (MSG)

Word Study

Consumed – H9462 תָּמַם tāmam, to complete, finish, perfect; to end, stop, complete; to show oneself blameless

Thoughts…

The Lord would eventually deliver those who trust in Him, even though they might have to endure His discipline for a time. The Lord is sovereign and decrees both calamity and blessing. The author urged his compatriots to acknowledge their sins and come before the Lord with a repentant spirit (HCB Commentary).

As Christians, we do not live out the rest of our days with rainbows and unicorns. We face problems. Some of those problems are brought on by us. We do not become perfect the minute we are saved. Temptations still come our way and we still give into them occasionally. 

These verses are telling us to hang on! Turn around, run to God and admit you were wrong. God is waiting. He hasn’t stopped loving you. His love will never stop. He is ready to forgive you and move on.

I will not be consumed by this world. God is not finished with me. He will not stop loving me. It is time I turn to Him. He is waiting to pick me up, dust me off, bandage my wounds and send me back on His path for my life. Good thing God allows u-turns!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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God’s GPS

Isaiah 43:19
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (NIV)

Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. (MSG)

Word Study

Wilderness – H4497 מִדְבָּר1 midbār1, desert, wasteland, barren wilderness, desolate land that supports little life; open country, suitable for grazing

Thoughts…

Michael Hingson got up and went through his usual routine then left for work like every other day.  He was a sales manager for Fortune 500 company Quantum. He arrived at work went up to his office on the 78th floor and proceeds to finalize preparation for an upcoming seminar with his colleagues.

At 8:46 am, he heard a loud explosion and felt the building underneath his feet shake. Unbeknownst to him, debris was falling all around him. His coworkers began to panic as darkness and smoke filled the room. Michael, on the other hand, remained calm and reached down for Roselle his guide dog and gave the command ”forward!”

Roselle proceeded to lead her master and his coworkers down 1463 stairs and out of Tower 1 on September 11,  2001.

I challenge you to convince me that was NOT God making a way in the wilderness.  God is still making ways in the wilderness. He sees where you are and knows where He needs to lead you to get out. All you need to do is follow Him. He will get you through!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Prepare to Drop Your Bombs!

Mushroom Cloud Over Nagasaki
Lieutenant Charles Levy
1945

Romans 6:14
For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. (NIV)

Sin can’t tell you how to live. After all, you’re not living under that old tyranny any longer. You’re living in the freedom of God. (MSG)

Word Study

Master – to lord over, be master of, have authority over, one who rules or exercises authority; note in some contexts there is an implication that the authority exercised is harsh

Thoughts…

What would the world be like if we really understood the power we have? On July 25, 1945 orders we’re given for bombs to be loaded on planes and prepare to drop on Japan. On July 26, 1945, Japan was warned and given a final ultimatum. They were to surrender or they would see prompt and utter destruction. Japan didn’t think the US, Great Britain, and Canada had it in them. On August 6, they found out they were wrong. Three days later they still didn’t believe and a larger bomb was dropped. It was estimated that 226,000 lives were lost between both bombs. Japan had no idea the power the Allies held. 

Can I let you in on a secret? Satan does not want Christians to know the power they have in themselves. God has placed two bombs inside each of us that would devastate Satan and his plans. Those bombs are the Holy Spirit and grace. 

Grace sets us free from Satan. We no longer owe him anything. He is not our Master. We do not answer to him. The Holy Spirit gives us the tools to fight back. We can throw other bombs right back at him and put him in his place. We can take our lives back! We have the power to blow Satan apart. He cannot stand in the light of God. He has been given his ultimatum. Now prepare to drop your bombs!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Job Well Done

Anderson Avenue, in the Bronx. Photo Dennis Harper via Flickr.)

Luke 17:10
So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ (NIV)

It’s the same with you. When you’ve done everything expected of you, be matter-of-fact and say, ‘The work is done. What we were told to do, we did.’ (MSG)

Word Study

Duty – G4053 ὀφείλω opheilō, to owe, be in debt; be bound by oath; be obligated, ought, must

Thoughts…

Have you ever felt unappreciated? I can think of a lot of jobs where people are not thanked nearly enough. One particular group in NYC decided enough was enough. In Febuary, 1968, the sanitation department walked out. They had worked without a contract for six months and decided they were done. The city wouldn’t give them a raise, so they went on strike. For nine days, no one picked up trash that eventually piled up to 100,000 tons. The entire city began to look like garbage dump.

Everyone may deserve appropriate pay, a pat on the back or even a simple thank you, but we don’t always get it. When we don’t we can sulk about it. We can let the trash pile up in our heart. We can even get angry and strike out against people…OR…we can simply say, ”The work is done. What we were told to do, we did” (Like 17:10, MSG).

You see when we keep our eyes on God and remember we are only out to please HIm, we will find our appreciation. Our real rewards come from God. It is from Him one day after all of our hard work is done we will hear, ”Well done, good and faithful servant” (Mark 25:23, NIV).

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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I Dwell Too Much

Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,
rivers in the badlands. (MSG)

“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (NIV)

Word Study

Dwell – H1067 בִּין bîn, to understand, discern, realize; be prudent; to be discerning, be understanding; to care for; to have skill, insight; to instruct, explain; to look closely, consider with full attention, ponder

Thoughts…

Hi, my name is Tabetha and I am a re-hasher! I replay events over and over and over in my mind. I play the what-if game. I play the I should have game. I even play put words in the mouths of other people game. I am just so sure I can figure out the puzzle and fund a solution to make it better or even all go away. 

Sometimes I do this to figure out what I did wrong. Honestly moment though, most of the time I spend trying to prove I am right or justify my actions. What I really need to do is let it go!

Isaiah specifically says, ”don’t dwell on the past.” What’s done is done. God is moving on. He has plans for us. We can’t control the last, but. God controls the future. He is working on something. We need to just move in with Him.

History is already in the books. There is no need to break it down and give it your full attention. God is on the move, catch up with him!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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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.