Tag: Christian

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God is NOT a Genie in a Lamp

John 15:7
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (NIV)

But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. (MSG)

Word Study

Remain – G3531 μένω menō, to stay, remain, live, dwell, abide; to be in a state that begins and continues, yet may or may not end or stop. “To abide in Christ” is to follow his example of a life obedient to the will of God

Thoughts…

The verse “Ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you,” as with 14:13, needs to be seen in the context of one who is firmly part of the vine (15:16). When one is in such a close and dynamic relationship with Christ, requests coincide with His will. In other words, asking whatever you wish and having it granted is dependent upon the first clause of the verse: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you” (15:7) (HCB Commentary).

God is not a genie in a lamp! You don’t get to ask for anything and poof it is yours. The point behind this verse is if you are in tune with God, a part of God, following God’s plan and staying in step with him what you ask for is exactly what God wants you to ask. It is what you need. It too is also part of God’s plan for you. 

In a nutshell, when God sends you, He will give you what you need. Walk with Him, follow Him, abide in Him, then ask for the tools you need and they will be yours!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Devoting my heart to God does come with some nice perks!

Job 11:13-19

“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.

Word Study

Devote – 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

I want you to read those verses again and then when you are done read them again! If you devote (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) your heart to God. Then put away the sin. In other words, ask God for forgiveness and work towards not doing it again. Will you be perfect all the time? No. Will you never sin again? No! BUT…if you stay devoted to him you will work on it. You will have a desire to try. You will put effort. You will have remorse when you slip and you will admit it and ask for forgiveness. 

You do that and all those promises will follow naturally.

I cannot earn grace. I cannot earn my salvation.  However, devoting my heart to God does come with some nice perks!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Satan Drove Me to My Knees and Laughed Until He Heard Me Say, ”Amen!”

2 Peter 3:17

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. (NIV)


But you, friends, are well-warned. Be on guard lest you lose your footing and get swept off your feet by these lawless and loose-talking teachers. (MSG)

Word Study

Forewarned – G4589 προγινώσκω proginōskō, to know beforehand, foreknow; (mid.) to choose beforehand

Thoughts…

The abiding emphases in 2 Peter, with its call for spiritual growth (chap. 1), its warning of false teaching (chap. 2), and its call for holy living in view of the Lord’s certain return (chap. 3) are just as relevant for our generation as they were for Peter’s. Such features as these have commended it to the consciousness of the church as an inspired writing. Peter’s two letters help the church focus its response to external opposition (1 Peter) as well as to evildoers who have come into the church (2 Peter) (HCB Commentary).

You have been warned. You know. You have chosen to follow Christ. You have all the tools. You know what to do. You can do anything if you walk in God’s strength. Expect attacks but don’t fear them. Be prepared but not anxious. Go through this life with your eyes wide open and turned to God. You will get through any storm!

Remember when the world drives you to your knees they didn’t make you vulnerable. On the contrary, they drove you to your greatest strength.

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Do You Have a Security Blanket?

Jude 1:21
keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. (NIV)


staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life! (MSG)

Word Study

Keep – G5498 τηρέω tēreō, to keep, guard, obey, observe

Thoughts…

Keep yourselves–not in your own strength, but “in the love of God,” that is, God’s love to you and all His believing children, the only guarantee for their being kept safe. Man’s need of watching is implied; at the same time he cannot keep himself, unless God in His love keep him (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary).

Do you have a security blanket? It doesn’t have to be a literal blanket. I mean do you have a place or an item that comforts you when you are sick or frustrated or need a time out. I have two things. I have my office and a literal blanket. These two items are my security blankets. When I need a timeout from the world and need to find God in a big way I run to them. They help me feel His love. They surround me and protect me from the world when I am feeling depleted. They keep me in His love. 

Unfortunately, I often run to them because I have tried doing things on my own instead of seeking His strength first. I should have kept myself in His love. 

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Cast It All!

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (NIV)


Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. (MSG)


casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (NKJV)

Word Study

Anxiety – G3533 μέριμνα merimna, worry, concern, anxiety

Thoughts…

Cast “all you care;” personal cares, family cares, cares for the present, and cares for the future, for yourselves, for others, for the church, on God. These are burdensome, and often very sinful, when they arise from unbelief and distrust, when they torture and distract the mind, unfit us for duties, and hinder our delight in the service of God(Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary).

Cast EVERY care on God. There is no care too small or too big. Cast every single one of them. They are all burdens that slow us down or distract us. The little ones can quickly turn into big ones. I am always praying for a good parking space when the weather is nasty! I also take time to praise God and thank him when one opens up for me. Joyce Meyer talked about praying for a good hair day or a good score while bowling. When God says everything, He means it. 

Why not cast all your cares on a God that asks you to do so? What do you lose by asking? Think of all you could gain! 

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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He Is Always There!

http://www.jeankeatonart.com/store/for-they-shall-be-comforted/joan/

Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? (NIV)


Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: (MSG)

Word Study

Who – G5515 τίς tis who?, what?, which?, why?

Separate – G6004 χωρίζω chōrizō, to divide, separate, leave; (pass.) to be separated from, set apart

Thoughts…

Notice ”The apostle says not (remarks CALVIN nobly) “What,” but “Who,” just as if all creatures and all afflictions were so many gladiators taking arms against the Christians” (Jamieson, Fausser, and Brown Commentary).

I find it fascinating that this verse starts with who. Have you been in situations where people tried to tear you apart to other people? Some have believed their lies and they walked out of your life. Let me assure you right now…GOD WILL NOT WALKOUT! I don’t care if the nasty little rumors are true. He will not leave you. He is always there waiting for you right by your side. There is nowhere you can go that He is not there (Psalm 139:7). They is no sin that you can do that will make God turn his back on you. Like the prodigal son’s father, he is standing in the driveway with open arms waiting for you to run into them. 

No one, not even you, can separate you from God’s love. He is there waiting for you to call on Him, so he can wrap His love and grace around you and bring you home. 

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Take My Hand and Stand

Philippians 1:27


Life Worthy of the Gospel
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel (NIV)

Word Study

Together – G5254 συναθλέω synathleō, to contend at one’s side, together

Firm – G5112 στήκω stēkō, to stand, stand firm, be steadfast

Thoughts…

In this very significant section of the letter, Paul urged the church members to dismiss their pride and to live and serve together in unity. Anything less falls short of the gospel’s standards. True unity will be realized by authentic meekness and selflessness, ultimately exemplified in the earthly life of Jesus. The attitude the church should exhibit was the one Jesus maintained (HCB Commentary).

Do you want to be a rock in this world of swirling storms? Then join fellow believers instead of tearing each other down. We aren’t each other’s enemy! We need to stand united against the real enemy. Pray for one another. Reach out to one another. I don’t care what religious title you hold. Baptist, Luthern, Methodist, Catholic, Pentecostal, whatever name is on the building where you choose to worship does not matter. We are one in Christ!

Let’s rise up together, look Satan square in the eye and remind him, ”No! WE are Legion and WE are a force to be reckoned with!”

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Remind Me Again Lord

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (NIV)

Word Study

Command – H7422 צָוָה ṣāwâ, to command, order, instruct, give direction

Thoughts…

God is all-sufficient. I have commanded, called, and commissioned thee to do it, and will be sure to bear thee out in it. When we are in the way of duty, we have reason to be strong and very bold. Our Lord Jesus, as Joshua here, was born up under his sufferings by a regard to the will of God, and the commandment from his Father (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary).

When I instruct students it is because I need them to know something. I don’t expect them to already know it. However, there are times when I need to remind them. God never expected us to be without fear. In Joshua 1:9 he is reminding Joshua, and us, it is OK. The fear you are feeling is natural, but you can let go because I got you. I am with you. I sent you on this mission and will be with you and equip you with everything you need. Let me remind you just how much I love you!

Instructions not only teach us new things, but they also remind us what we already know. 

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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What Do You Already Know!

1 Samuel 12:24
But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. (NIV)

Word Study

Fear-H3707 יָרֵא1 yārē’1, to be afraid, be frightened; to revere, respect; to be awesome, be dreadful, be feared; to frighten, terrify, intimidate; in some contexts fear relates to terror and fright, in other contexts fear relates to honor, respect and awe, as in “the fear of the LORD”

Thoughts…

I use to teach middle school math. My students would get anxious over learning something new. To help them out I would tell them let’s start with what we know. I would throw a new problem up on the board and away we would go. Eventually, we would get to the new part but they had the confidence to tackle it because they remembered how far they had come already. 

Life can throw us for a curve sometimes. Anxiety can build when a new challenge is presented. It can even make us want to drop everything and run the other way. When this happens set down and remind yourself where God has taken you already. What has He seen you through? What do you already know? I am not saying things ahead will become simple an easy right away, but you will get there.

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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He’ll Leave the Light on For You

Romans 8:35

Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: (MSG)

Word Study

Separate – G6004 χωρίζω chōrizō, to divide, separate, leave; (pass.) to be separated from, set apart

Thoughts…

Paul’s conclusion to the first half of the book emphasized the majesty and glory of God and pointed to the certainty of God’s redemptive plan. All that happens to them rests in the sovereign hand of God, who in all things “works for the good of those who love him.” Believers gain assurance knowing that God is for them (8:31). In all the testings and sufferings that confront believers, they can be confident that they are more than conquerors through Christ who loved them. Believers can expect difficulties in this age; yet they can be certain that nothing will be able to separate them from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus” (HCB Commentary).

Repeat after me, ”NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING can take me away from God!” No one can do this. You can’t even do this. You can’t run away. You can’t sin so bad that he won’t forgive you when you ask. He is there and will always be. Yes, even in those times when you feel totally alone. You are not!

You know if God could had a catch phrase it would be something like Motel 6. “He’ll leave the light on for you.”

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.