Painting Over Your Cracks

Scripture

John 3:16-18

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Observation

Condem

1. express complete disapproval of, typically in public; censure.

2. sentence (someone) to a particular punishment, especially death.

Application

A good coat of paint will brighten up a room. However, it will not change the flaws. Oh, it will cover them up for a time, but they are still there. Jesus came to wash away our flaws to help us change them. He didn’t come to judge you and then send you on to hell. He came to repair them and help to make you strong. He doesn’t want to slap a coat of paint over your cracks. His blood was meant to fill them.  Best part, we don’t even have to do the painting. We just have to believe in the painter!

Prayer

Lord, thank you for loving me cracks and all. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Hope is Not Dead, Nor Does It Sleep!

Scripture

Job 11:18-19

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.

Observation

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

~Casting Crowns

Then rang the bells more loud and deep

God is not dead, nor does he sleep (peace on earth, peace on earth)

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail 

With peace on earth, good will to men

Application

We are all in uncharted waters. Covid 9 has shut us in away from people and activities we love and enjoy. It is easy to get caught up in the depression and darkness that surrounds us. But take a look at Job for a minute. Think of all the things he went through yet, these words were so powerful to him. We can still cling to them today. We have hope and hope will take us anywhere. Take a look out your window. The sun is still shining, the birds are still chirping. God is not dead. Hope is still very much alive! 

Prayer

Lord, thank you for daily reminders that you are still in control and our hope is is still alive!  ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Be A Happy Nut

Scripture

John 5:21-26

For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.

Observation

The mighty oak was once a little nut that stood its ground. ~unknown

Application

Take a moment and give a big shout out, “THANK YOU GOD!” Go ahead, I will give you a second. Oh, wait, you are wondering why? Well, because you my friend have been raised from the dead. No, I am not talking zombies or anything. Your soul was dead. You were headed straight to hell, no chance at living. Jesus came to raise us up with him. He died so we no longer had to die. Remember, Satan can try to burry you, much like a squirrel buries nuts. Also, remember mighty trees come to life from those buried nuts!

Prayer

Lord, thank you for seeing in me what I never could. Thank you for loving me enough to raise me from the dead! ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

The Window of My Soul

Scripture

Psalms 18:2-6

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies. The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.

Observation

Holding Out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler

I need a hero 

I’m holding out for a hero ’til the end of the night

He’s gotta be strong

And he’s gotta be fast

And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero

I’m holding out for a hero ’til the morning light

He’s gotta be sure

And it’s gotta be soon

And he’s gotta be larger than life!

Larger than life

Application

These verses scream PTSD, depression, and anxiety to me. When these take hold it is like the cords of death trying to strangle me. All I can do is cry out to the Lord and hope He hears my voice. Some days I just have to take a deep breath and clear my vision. Clean the window to my soul. Then I see what is really going on inside. The Lord is right there. He is my rock to stand on as the waters rise. He is coming to not only rescue me, but take me back to the fortress where He will shield me. He is my stronghold. I just need to watch out the window. He is on His way!

Prayer

Lord, thank you for opening my eyes when I am in distress so I can see the whole picture. I know you are my rock and I can see you coming to rescue me! ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Promises!

Scripture

Romans 8:27-30

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Observation

Purpose: G4606 πρόθεσις prothesis, n. [12] [√ 4574 + 5502]. setting forth: plan, purpose, will; (a.) consecrated (bread):– purpose (5), consecrated (4), opportunity (1 [+3195]), plan (1), true (1)

Appliction

If God called you to do it, He promises it will all work out in the end. It may not look like it today, but it will all be fine. I am often heard saying the Christian life is not filled with unicorns and rainbows. We struggle too. Well, this isn’t completely correct. Our lives are filled with rainbows, the rainbows of promises. In the end, we will be just fine. God provided a plan for us to live with Him forever and ever!

Prayer

Lord, thank you for your many promises. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Strength and Shelter

Scripture

Psalms 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Observation

A true friend encourages us, comforts us, supports us like a big easy chair, offering us a safe refuge from the world. ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Application

We face trials every single day of our lives. Unlike unbelievers, we never face them alone. We have supernatural strength to see us through. God gives a place to take a moment to breath, when things get overwhelming. The fight is always hard, but we don’t have to fear it. Our God is bigger than any trial or fight that comes our way. You will never see a caterpilar afraid of the fight. God has sheltered it in a cocoon and given it the strength to break through and fly high as a butterfly.

Prayer

We face trials every single day of our lives. Unlike unbelievers, we never face them alone. We have supernatural strength to see us through. God gives a place to take a moment to breath, when things get overwhelming. The fight is always hard, but we don’t have to fear it. Our God is bigger than any trial or fight that comes our way. You will never see a caterpilar afraid of the fight. God has sheltered it in a cocoon and given it the strength to break through and fly high as a butterfly.

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Do You Hear Him?

Scripture

John 10:27-30

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Observation

John 10:27-30

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Application

I have never herded sheep. However, I have trained dogs and have a service dog. When he is working, he is trained to listen for my voice only. I can tell him to sit and and he will stay put until I call or whistle. Others can call and whistle away, he will not budge. When he is not in working mode, his head can oft be turned with the promise of cheese, LOL! “No one will snatch them out of my hand.” can be misunderstood. It is true no one can take you away from God, BUT you most certainly can walk away. We are given free will. God loved us so much, he gave us the choice to love and follow him. No one and, I do mean NO ONE, can take that away from you. No even you! The choice to walk away and not follow him IS totally up to you. He will still be calling your name and waiting for your to hear his voice. He is waiting for you to simply pray and call on his name too! 

Prayer

Lord, I know I don’t always listen and sometimes wonder off, but thank you for always being there to call me back. Thank you for continuing to call my name so I know where to find you. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Good Friday

Scripture

Philippians 1:3-6

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 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.

Observation

Mercy, peace and love. May the grace and Lord surround and be with you on Good Friday. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. – John 3:16

Application

This weekend I am doing what I can to spend time with family over Zoom and the phone. My husband (Pastor) and I will be doing a live Facebook Easter service from our church. We will ring our bell 33 times at 7 am with lots of churches around the world. I want you all to know today, Like Paul, I pray for you all. Maybe not by name, but it doesn’t matter if I know them. God knows each and everyone of you! Happy Easter! 

Love, hugs and lots of blessings!

Tabetha

Prayer

Lord, thank you for giving your life so that we may all live ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Let the Storm Rage On!

Scripture

Psalms 91:1-4

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Observation

Sometimes He Calms The Storm

~ Scott Krippayne 

Sometimes He holds us close

And lets the wind and waves go wild

Sometimes He calms the storm

And other times He calms His child

Application

We had an awful storm come through last night with 80 mph winds, lightening, and torrential rains. As I write this morning, I am looking out my window. The birds are chirping and the flowers and trees are blooming. You would never know 12 hours ago firemen were running all over town to answer calls of distress. Nature doesn’t stop for storms. Oh it may hunker down, but it continues to grow.  We have a place to find refuge as well. God will shield His faithful. It doesn’t always mean the storm will stop around us. It means we will continue to grow in His fortress as it rages on.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for being my place of rest in the middle of the storm. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

The Bible Tells You So

Scripture

Romans 8:1-6

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Observation

Jesus loves me this I know

For the Bible Tells me so

Little ones to him belong

They are week but he is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me! 

Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes, Jesus loves me!

The Bible tells me so.


Application

Do you ever feel unloved? I mean you can’t even find a reason to like yourself. Pick up your Bible! It is filled with love letters written to you straight from God’s heart. Take a moment to read Romans 8:1-6 again. Really read every word. Do you see what God did just for you. He sent His son because He loves you. Not because He had to or even just wanted to, He Loves You! He provided a way for you to live and not be condemned by the law. He not only changed the rules to the game, He changed the game. Satan no longer owns you! The Bible tells you so!

Prayer

Lord, thank you for loving me yesterday, today and tomorrow! ~amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved