Tag: Christian

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Carrot Stick…Yum!

Hebrews 12:11
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (NIV)

At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God. (MSG)

Word Study

Discipline – G4082 παιδεία paideia, discipline, training 

Trained G1214 γυμνάζω gymnazō, to train, exercise

Thoughts…

According to the Holman Complete Bible Commentary, Hebrews 12:1-29 is all about endurance. The writer also found encouragement for endurance from Jesus’ example. Jesus had already run the race of faith, and God had placed Him on the throne. When Christians consider the hardship He faced, they can find strength and fresh courage. God allows all Christians to experience hardship so that they might develop holiness. Even though God’s chastisement seems hard for the time, it will eventually produce righteousness in those who follow Him.

“Yes, please eat that chocolate cake. I am just going to enjoy this carrot instead,” said no dieter anywhere! Let’s be honest diet, exercise, budget, and study are not happy words. They cause pain and strife…for a short time. Those that endure are rewarded greatly. You have to decide is it worth the pain for a short while.

In Hebrews 12:11, God is agreeing with you. He knows the process is painful. He is reassuring you Heaven is so worth it!So, as Tobymac says:

Move, keep walkin’ soldier keep movin’ on 

Move, keep walkin’ until the mornin’ comes 

Move, keep walkin’ soldier keep movin’ on 

And lift your head, it ain’t over yet, ain’t over yet

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Yeah, but Lord…

Jeremiah 1:19
They’ll fight you, but they won’t even scratch you. I’ll back you up every inch of the way. God’s Decree. (MSG)

They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord. (NIV)

Word Study

Overcome – H3523 יָכֹל yākōl, to be able, capable; overcome, prevail, have victory

Thoughts…

Have you ever had a yeah, but God moment? You know when you are reading God’s promises and it isn’t that you don’t believe Him BUT you think, does this really apply to you and your situation. For instance, Jeremiah 1:19 says you will go through things but it won’t overcome you. I read that and my yeah, but is just how much must I go through!

God says it will not win. My situation is not capable of destroying me.  It will not prevail. It will not have a victory over me. Yeah, but just how much pain and turmoil must I endure! Sometimes rejoicing over the promise is drowned out by the screams of pain in my current situation.

If this is you today, I just want you to know you are not alone! You are not less spiritual or lacking in faith. Pain is pain. It hurts!

I want you to remember a time in a garden. Jesus Christ Himself knew the victory was His. He would soon walk with God and then rise again to prove victory over death. In that moment, He was so upset over the pain He was enduring, He sweats blood. He begged God to not make Him go through it if He didn’t have to. It is OK to feel the pain. Jesus understands. 

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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How is this good for me?

Romans 8:28

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. (NIV)

That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. (MSG)

Word Study

Good – G19 ἀγαθός agathos, good; good as a positive quality (vs. bad), good as a moral quality (vs. evil

According – G2848 κατά kata against, contrary to, opposed; down, throughout; (acc.) in, by, with, in accordance with, for

Thought…

In all things, God works for the good. These are hard words to swallow when your life is turned upside down. You face the doctor and he says you have cancer. Your child just died. Your spouse just walked out on you. How in the heck is God working out something good? Do I not love Him enough. Did He not call me to His purpose?

Take a deep breath. God is not angry with you. You have done nothing wrong. This verse does not guarantee bad things won’t happen to good people. Nor does it say God is happy that bad things happen to us.

What these verses are really talking about is our salvation. No matter what we go through here on Earth, we are secure in our salvation. No matter what trials we endure God has sent Jesus to die for us. We are guaranteed our spot in Heaven. 

Whatever you are facing today, God has worked out your salvation through the death of His Son on the cross. According to His promise to you, you will see Him and live with Him in Heaven. You will escape the evil of this world one day and live forever and ever in in God’s ultimate goodness. 

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Put Me In Coach


Put Me In Coach by Sam Sidders 

Job 11:13-19 ( NIV)
“Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. 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.

Job 11:13-19 (Message)
Reach Out to God “Still, if you set your heart on God
and reach out to him, If you scrub your hands of sin and refuse to entertain evil in your home, You’ll be able to face the world unashamed and keep a firm grip on life, guiltless and fearless. You’ll forget your troubles; they’ll be like old, faded photographs. Your world will be washed in sunshine, every shadow dispersed by dayspring. Full of hope, you’ll relax, confident again; you’ll look around, sit back, and take it easy. Expansive, without a care in the world, you’ll be hunted out by many for your blessing. 

Word Study

Forget – H8894 שָׁכַח šākaḥ, to forget; to be forgotten; to make forget

Recalling – H2349 זָכַר1 zākar1, also used with compound proper names. to remember, commemorate, consider; to remember; to be remembered, be mentioned; to bring to remembrance, remind, mention

Thoughts…

Today your troubles may be front and center. You might be living in the middle of a huge mess. Good news…reach out to God! His smile will shine through those clouds. A a firm place to stand is on the ROCK. When the dust settles, and I promise it will, history will fade behind you. You will once again be ready to play this game we call life.

It is perfectly OK to not be OK today. When you are ready, stretch out your arms. God has a grip on you already. He is just waiting for the word. Put me back in Lord! Let’s do this thing!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
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Prosperous Grieving

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (NIV)

I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. (MSG)

Word Study

Plans – H4742 מַחֲשָׁבָה maḥᵃšābâ, thought, plan, scheme, plot, design

Prosper – H8934 שָׁלוֹם šālôm, peace, safety, prosperity, well-being; intactness, wholeness; peace can have a focus of security, safety which can bring feelings of satisfaction, well-being, and contentment

Thoughts…

Today, I feel someone needs to hear it is perfectly OK to not feel OK. It is so OK to feel sad, angry, confused, upset, hurt, alone an devastated. God wants to just sit with you. He wants to sit in the middle of your mess and just be with you. 

He does not expect you to cheer up, put on your happy face and get moving. No! He wants you to just be, just exist, just take time and breathe. Concentrate on that next breath. Breathe in and out. Let the world go on without you. He wants to just be with you. Just exist with you.

Those plans he has for you can wait until tomorrow when tomorrow comes. You can prosper from those plans tomorrow. Today’s plans and prosperity look different. That is OK.

Today God has a plan for you. Plans to care for you, not abandon you. He has plans to just exist with you. He wants to let you rest and grieve and mend. He has all the time in the world. Melt in his arms and let it all out.

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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WSYD

Micah 6:8
But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously. (MSG)

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (NIV)

Word Study

Require – H2011 דָּרַשׁ dāraš, to seek, inquire, consult; to ponder, be sought after; to let oneself be inquired of, to allow a search to be made

Justly – H5477 מִשְׁפָּט mišpāṭ, justice, judgment; law, regulation, prescription, specification

Thoughts…

Holman Concise Bible Commentary provides a little background on this verse. The final section of Micah begins with an indictment against Israel in the form of a lawsuit (6:1-8). Israel is charged with forgetting the Lord’s righteous acts and so losing a sense of genuine devotion to Him. Although they tried to buy God’s favor with ritual sacrifices, God’s primary demand was for justice, mercy, and humble obedience.

Jesus made a very similar statement in statement in Matthew 22:37-39 when asked what was the most I portent commandment. He replied love God and love your neighbor as yourself. These are the only commandments we need to live a righteous life. Think about it. Presented with any moral question you could simply ask yourself, ”if I do this will it interfere with my loving God or others.”

Not long ago there was a movement called WWJD. It was on t-shirts, bracelets, hats and other items. What Would Jesus Do was the question. Let me tell you what he would do. He would love God with all his heart, mind and soul. Then he would love everyone as himself. So, what do you think you should do WSYD?

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Number Your Days

Psalms 90:12
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (NIV)

Oh! Teach us to live well!
Teach us to live wisely and well! (MSG)

Word Study

Number – H4948 מָנָה mānâ1, to count, number, take a census; to be counted, be numbered; to assign, appoint, provide; to be assigned, be appointed

Thoughts…

Here David prays we may know or understand, so as properly to number or appreciate the shortness of our days, that we may be wise (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary).

I think every generation tells the next generation how fast life goes by. No one believes it when they are young and then one day it hits you. You look back and think on those days when you were in school or your kids we’re just babies. Now, you are quickly approaching your 30th high school reunion and your babies are having babies. 

God doesn’t want us to dwell on our past, nor does He want us to fear our future. He just wants us to live today for today. We need to realize each day is a gift. Give it your best. Live it! Love it! When you lay your head down at night, you can say to yourself I did the best I could and look forward to starting new tomorrow.

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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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.