Category: Uncategorized

Scripture

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Observation

Rest- G399 ἀναπαύω anapauō, to rest, be refreshed

Application

Have you ever listened to fresh falling snow? It is as if all the other noises in the world just stop. All you hear is this light crunching sound as the snow shifts and hits the ground. If you close your eyes and take a deep breath I bet you can hear it right now. This is what it is like when we look to Jesus instead of the world around us. He is there to walk with us and help ease our path. We won’t escape our troubles, but it can look like that fresh falling snow. The world can go on around us, but all we here is the silence and gentle crush of beautiful flakes resting all around us.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for bringing peace into my life when the world tries to fill it with chaos. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Scripture

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Observation

mo·men·tar·y

/ˈmōmənˌterē/

1. lasting for a very short time; brief.

Application

As adults, when we see snow, we tend to start grumbling. We don’t want to get out and shovel it. We hate how cold it is or slick it can get. But look through the eyes of a child. They run to pullout those snow boots and race outside to play. They know it will only last temporarily. If we can use this thought on our everyday troubles, how much easier it would be to get through it all. Focus on the gratitudes of the day and not spend our energy criticizing everything around us. Next time Satan sends snow, grab your boots and build a snowman!

Prayer

Lord, thank you for being with me during every season of my life. Help me remember when troubles come that they are momentary. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Scripture

2 Timothy 2:15-16

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

Observation

Approved: G1511 δόκιμος dokimos, approved by testing, genuine:

Application

Pine trees are my favorite tree and not just because of Christmas. We had groups of them behind our house when I was a kid. They were my fort, my climbing tree, my lair and my place of solitude. Those trees always stood strong and proud. We can be those trees for others. When we prove ourselves by not being gossipy and avoiding those conversations we shine with God’s light. We become places of solitude for hurting people. So stand tall and strong. You never know who is going to need the security of your pine tree fort.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for providing me with places of shelter when I am hurting. Let me be thaat shelter for others around me. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Scripture

Colossians 3:16-17

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Observation

G3805 νουθετέω noutheteō, to warn, admonish; instruct

Definition of admonish

1) to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner

2) to give friendly earnest advice or encouragement to

3) to say (something) as advice or a warning

Application

Has anyone ever come at you like a huge storm? Even if they have good intentions what happens? You put up your defenses. You fight back or dig your heels in deep. God never meant for us to beat people over the head with His word. He asked us to admonish one another. He wants us to approach each other with gentle and friendly advice. Yes, we need to warn others of potential danger. However, a light gentle snow beats a blizzard any day!

Prayer

Lord, thank you for being gentle with me. Remind me to deliver some of that gentleness to those around me. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Scripture

Colossians 3:12-15 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Observation

body: the church is said to be like a (human) body, emphasizing its essential unity with very important diversities of function within the unity

Application

Did you ever make snow angels? All your parts have to work together going back and forth to make the angel shape. Can you imagine if your foot got mad at your head and decided it wanted to be the head of the angel. Or how about your arm decided it wanted to be a leg part? It wouldn’t work! Your body has to work in unison just like the body of Christ. We have to use compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience to work together. God gave us all the tools we need. We just have to put them to use and make a perfect angel.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for give us all the tools I need to work together as a team. Help me to learn how to use them so I can be a productive member of your body. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Scripture

Proverbs 3:25-26

Have no fear of sudden disaster

or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

for the Lord will be at your side

and will keep your foot from being snared.

Observation

Snared: H4335 לֶכֶד leked, snaring, capturing:

verb (used with object), snared, snar·ing.

    to catch with a snare; entangle.

    to catch or involve by trickery or wile:

Application

When Little Red Riding Hood approached Granny’s house everything looked normal. She had no idea of the danger that awaited her. There is danger all around us. Shoot just getting out of bed can be dangerous. I got my foot tangled in the blankets trying to get out this morning…LOL! We shouldn’t be oblivious to the dangers around us but we need not fear them. God is going to keep us from it or walk us through it. Either way we will be safe from the Big Bad Wolf. 

Prayer

Lord, thank you for protecting me from the many dangers around me that I don’t even see. Help me to not fear those that I do because I know you are always with me. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Scripture

1 Peter 5:6-9

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Observation

Alert: G3768 νήφω nēphō, to be self-controlled, clear-headed

Sober: G1213 γρηγορέω grēgoreō, to keep watch, be on guard

Application

I remember one time when I was a kid outside playing in the snow, I got pelted with a snowball. I looked up and there was my mom with her hands on her hips with a grin. “What was that for?” I asked. “I tried to call your name but you didn’t hear me.” My Earmuffs kept my ears warm, but I couldn’t hear what was around me. Kind of like our verses today, I needed to be aware of what was going on around me. It is so nice to feel God’s peace and have wonderful days. However, we still can’t let our guard down. Ignorance is not bliss!

Prayer

Lord, thank you for always having my back. I know some days I get so busy and forget to keep my eyes and ears open. Please help me to remember and prick my soul when I am not being alert and sober.  ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 5:19-25

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

Observation

G39 ἁγιάζω hagiazō, to sanctify, set apart, make holy; this can mean active dedication and service to God or the act of regarding or honoring as holy

Definition of sanctify

1 : to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use :

    CONSECRATE

2 : to free from sin : PURIFY

Application

Sanctify means to set apart, specifically to set apart from sin.  These verses are not saying God is setting us apart from other people. We should never turn away from others. We are not to feel like we are above or better than others. God wants to separate us from OUR sin. He wants to make us clean. We need to shine God to others. We need to warm their hearts not give them the cold shoulder. 

Prayer

Lord, thank you for loving me enough to want to sanctify me. Bring people into my life that I can help warm their hearts and bring them to you. ~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 5:11-15

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Observation

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

en·cour·age give support, confidence, or hope to (someone).

Application

Did you know that Emperor Penguins often huddle together to keep warm in the cold temperatures of Antarctica. They don’t stop and check to see if they like the penguin or if the penguin agrees with them 100% on the same views. They don’t argue and decide if the penguin is worth its time. No they come together and work together. They encourage each other and protect each other. They strive to do what is good for each other and everyone else.  In a mean COLD world, learn to be an Emperor Penguin.

Prayer

Lord, I want to be more like you. I want to open my heart to everyone. I don’t need to compete or compare  myself to anyone. We are all in this together and it is about time we learn to hold on to each other and support each other.

~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved

Scripture

James 1:5-8

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Observation

G1359 διακρίνω diakrinō, to make a distinction, judge a dispute; (mid./pass.) to doubt, hesitate, wave

Doubt

1 : to call into question the truth of : to be uncertain or in doubt about

2a : to lack confidence in : DISTRUST

  b : to consider unlikely

Application

God works in the realm of not just plausible but also.  possible. In other words, we often see Him do the impossible.  The bible is full of His possibles: David and Goliath, Gideon, Jericho, Lazarus, and lets not forget Jesus! Yet, we still face times in our life when we struggle with doubt. We need to remember the God we serve. You may question what God is going to do, but never doubt what God CAN do. That is what this verse is talking about. I mean, I would much rather live in a warm cozy house, but I don’t doubt that I could survive in an igloo. 

Prayer

Lord, thank that you don’t know the meaning of impossible. Please forgive me when my little brain puts limits on you. I am trying to realize, I may not know what you are going to do, but remain confident you are doing something.

~Amen

 Copyright © 2020 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved