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Psalms 103:1-5
1 Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Well, here we go again. Are you ready to end one year and start the next? Do you have all your plans in place? What about all those New Years’ resolutions? Not to be negative, but how long do yours usually last? Are you one of those who really sticks to it? Maybe you are the one who makes it to February like the average person. You could also be the one who it lasts long enough for you to write it down or say it . . .LOL!

I am going to suggest something a little different this New Year. No, it is not make a resolution to not make any more resolutions. Instead of listing things you hate about your life and want to change, I want you to list your blessings. God has done a lot of things for you over this past year. Take the time to reflect on them and then do the most important thing, thank Him for all He has done! If you still feel the need to make a resolution, how about you start a gratitude log. Find something every day you can be grateful for and then thank God. Keep it somewhere and next New Year’s even you will have lots to reflect on!

Lord as we ready ourselves to begin a new year, I want to thank You for just being in my life. ~amen

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Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails.

So how are your social media picturesque Christmases going? Yeah, mine neither. You know what? I am not unhappy about it though. Our Christmas was greatly paired down this year. I put up a few decorations that made me smile. I have only made a couple of holiday treats. Our present list included just one thing for each person we thought would make their day. I hand painted Christmas cards because it made me smile. Ok, I have binged on Christmas movies and music, but again it made me smile. You know what? I haven’t felt frazzled or overwhelmed. I have enjoyed the season.

There are many times I wonder if God sits in Heaven, looking down, and giggling at all my over-the-top plans. Does He smile and say, “Good try little one, but that will not work out. Don’t worry though, I have got something better in mind.” To be honest, His plans don’t always feel better in the moment, but eventually, I can see where life made more sense His way.

So take a few moments this Christmas to breathe and check-in with God. Your life doesn’t have to look like those perfectly staged Christmases on social media. It just has to make you smile knowing God has a plan no matter what is going on around you.

Lord, thank You for being in control, especially when I am out of control. ~amen

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Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Isaiah 25:1
Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness
you have done wonderful things,
things planned long ago.

At the risk of sounding like Mary Poppins or Polyanna, there really are blessings all around us all of the time. We just need to open our eyes and hearts.

There is an old saying that has been quoted in several ways and accredited to a multitude of writers. It goes something like this, “I was upset about having no shoes until I met a man with no feet.” The point is there are always people who have less and we should find the blessings in what we have.

I could fill books and websites galore with the wonderful things God has done for me. I know He is my God and I do exalt Him and praise His name. He planned long ago for me to be born and has so many more wonderful things for me to experience in my life. I know there are many storms still heading my way, but the one thing I am very thankful for is the family and friends He has placed around me to weather the storm with me. What are you thankful for today?

Lord, thank You for the many blessings I have and are yet to come. ~amen

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She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I am not sure why when I read this verse, I always read the last word as self instead of sins. I know I am my greatest enemy. I know the other verses in the bible that talk about fighting our flesh. I am my biggest critic, hater, persecutor, and any other nasty thing you can think of. I mean, let’s get real. There is nowhere I can go to get away from myself. I even have to take myself to the bathroom. . . LOL! The good news is, we don’t have to be our worst enemies.

Jesus came to pull us out from under all that beating ourselves up. We make mistakes, we own our mistakes and we move on with our lives. Jesus died so we could experience grace, not condemnation. All that forgiveness of others and loving them unconditionally goes for me too.

There seem to be a lot of regrets that come with this time of year. Cut yourself some slack. Give yourself some grace. Remember, Jesus came to save you from yourself!

Lord, thank You for being my best friend and reminding me to love myself. ~amen

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For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”
‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2:14‬

How will the earth be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord? Umm. . . By you and me! We are in charge of filling the earth. It is our actions and words the spread that knowledge. We must share with others.

One of my favorite songs, from Newsboys, is Shine. The words are

Shine!
Make them wonder what you got.
Make them wish that they were not
on the outside looking in.

It is based on Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

As you look at the pretty lights shining this season, remember you need to shine bright too. It is your job to be the light in the wilderness that leads people to Christ. So, go on! Let’s put your sparkly on today and SHINE!

Lord help me shine to fill the earth with the knowledge of Your glory. ~amen

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Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Matthew 2:13-15
13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Sometimes God uses the least most expected ways to help you. Egypt was not exactly high on the list of favorite places to visit for the Jewish people. Throughout history, they didn’t exactly have the best of relationships with each other. Yet, God chose Egypt to protect His son. Maybe it was because He wanted to hide Him in the least likely spot to look. I really don’t know. All I know is I have found many times in my own life where help has come from the strangest places.

I can tell you of two dear friends of mine that I would have never ever have dreamed would be my friends. Not that I had anything against either of them. We just didn’t exactly start on the right foot. People I trusted in my life didn’t exactly make it easy at that time either. However, God knew I would need them in my life. Boy did I ever and still do! I guess what I am trying to tell you is to keep your minds and hearts open. What may seem like an Egypt in your life, may really be exactly what you need.

Lord, show me the way you want me to go and people I need to meet. Even if it is through Egypt. ~amen

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Copyright © 2021 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

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

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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

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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

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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

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