Tag: christianity

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Hope Brings Sunshine

1 Thessalonians 4:13

Believers Who Have Died
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. (NIV)

Word Study

Sleep – G3121 κοιμάω koimaō, to fall asleep, sleep; die

Hope – G1828 ἐλπίς elpis, hope, expectation

Thoughts…

For the Christian, sleep is a particularly apt metaphor for death, since death’s finality and horror are removed by the assurance of resurrection. Inscriptions on tombs and references in literature show that first-century pagans viewed death with horror, as the end of everything (Archaeological Study Bible Notes).

Even death has nothing on my hope. God destroyed death when Jesus died in our place. We have a future beyond death. We have hope in a better life beyond this one. If our hope is powerful enough to give us peace over death, how powerful is it to get us through whatever it is we are going through today? Our hope can bring us that much-needed ray of sunshine as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. It can also walk us through the darkest of days we find ourselves in along the way.

Hope means our future’s so bright, we gotta wear shades!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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And…

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)

Word Study

And – H2256 -וְ wᵉ-, a marker showing the relationship between words, clauses, sentences, and sections; generally, coordinating: and, also; contrasting: but, yet, however; showing a logical relationship: because, so then.

Thoughts…

A little bit of background here from Holman Concise Bible Commentary.  Jeremiah Confronts the False Prophets (27:1–29:32). Early in Zedekiah’s reign, Jeremiah warned the people not to believe the false prophets’ messages of hope and peace. In accordance with the Lord’s instructions, Jeremiah made a yoke and placed it on his neck. He then sent messages to the kings of the surrounding nations, informing them that Nebuchadnezzar would subjugate their lands. They were not to believe their lying prophets and diviners who were advocating resistance and predicting deliverance. Resistance would only bring disaster and exile. They should submit to Nebuchadnezzar’s authority (symbolized by the yoke) so that they might remain in their lands.

We are often the type of people that full of, “Yeah, but…” We wait for the other shoe to drop. This is too good to be true. In this simple verse, we have all heard many times, God takes away the yeah buts with one simple word…AND! He has plans AND he is not out to get us. He is giving us hope AND a future. In other words, there is a method to his madness, so to speak. There is a purpose AND it will all be OK in the end.

Sit back AND enjoy the ride. Just wait AND everything is going to be OK.

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Have or Seen

Romans 8:24-25

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. NIV

Word Study

Have or seen

G1063 βλέπω blepō, to see, look at; to watch out, beware, pay attention:– see (51), saw (9), watch out (7), ever seeing (6), seen (6), see to it (5), seeing (5), sees (4), look (3), on guard (3), blind (2), careful (2), consider carefully (2), look at (2), unseen (2), already have (1), be very careful (1), before eyes (1), consider (1), do (1), do yet have (1), exposed (1), facing (1), gaze (1), judging (1), looked in (1), looks (1), looks at (1), pay attention (1), pay attention to who they are (1), sight (1), stared (1), take care (1), think (1), watch out for (1), with care (1)

Thoughts…

Believers have been brought into a state of safety; but their comfort consists rather in hope than in enjoyment. From this hope they cannot be turned by the vain expectation of finding satisfaction in the things of time and sense. We need patience, our way is rough and long; but He that shall come, will come, though he seems to tarry (Matthew Henery’s Concise Commentary).

One version I read compared this verse to pregnancy. We haven’t seen the baby but we are still waiting eagerly to see it. Overall though I like the word have over the word seen in this verse. 

I am a person who saves up for things. I get all excited waiting for that new gadget, item, vehicle or even house. I don’t have it yet. I have seen it, but I don’t have it. I even tend to make vision boards as I wait to purchase the item.  I wait eagerly and patiently. I keep working towards it. I place my hope that I will soon have it.

I did not see Jesus hanging on that cross. I have not seen Heaven. I hope for it. I don’t have a life filled with rainbows and unicorns, but I will. My hope in having my troubles and tears taken away one day is what keeps me going when I see nothing but trials and troubles all around me.

It doesn’t matter if you use the word have or seen. Either way, we have HOPE for the future!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Just Dance

Psalms 37:7

Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Word Study

Still – H1957 דָּמַם1 dāmam1, to be still, be silent, be quiet, rest; to be silenced; to quiet

Fret – H3013 חָרָה1 ḥārâ1, to be angry, be aroused; to burn with anger; to rage; to be jealous

Wait – H2565 חוּל1 ḥûl1, to swirl, turn, fall, dance; to wait; to dance

Thoughts…

Let us be satisfied that God will make all to work for good to us. Let us not discompose ourselves at what we see in this world. A fretful, discontented spirit is open to many temptations (Matthew’s Concise Bible Commentary).

I loved how the Hebrew words for still meant to be silent; fret meant to be angry and wait is the same word used for dancing. This verse is telling us to quit whining, do not get angry over what is going on around us and just dance. How beautiful is that! God is in complete control. We don’t have to worry. When the enemy comes against us just dance. When we are feeling unloved, lonely or left behind…just dance. Give up control and sway to God’s music. 

“The most valuable thing the Psalms do for me is to express the same delight in God which made David dance” (C.S. Lewis).

Life is never going to be equal, but God always provides what I need. So it is time to give up my whining and… 

JUST DANCE!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Jesus-The Original Avenger

Isaiah 43:1

Israel’s Only Savior
But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

Word Study

Redeemed-H1457 גָּאַל1 gā’al1, to redeem, deliver; avenger; kinsman-redeemer; to be redeemed; to be redeemed, redeem oneself; often this redemption is in the context of saving from danger or hostility, as a figure of purchasing a slave or indentured person. A “kinsman-redeemer” purchases a relative from slavery (actual or potential); a “kinsman-avenger” provides justice on behalf of a relative; both concepts are in the image of God as Redeemer

Summoned- H7924 קָרָא1 qārā’1, to call, summon, announce, proclaim; to be invited as a guest, be appointed; to be called, be summoned; to be called; “to call on the name of the LORD” means to proclaim or praise the excellence of Yahweh, to worship Yahweh, or to summon Yahweh by name for help

Thoughts…

Matthew Henrys Concise Commentary tells us Isaiah 43:1-7 speaks of, “God’s favor and goodwill to his people speak abundant comfort to all believers. The new creature, wherever it is, is of God’s forming. All who are redeemed with the blood of his Son, he has set apart for himself. Those that have God for them need not fear who or what be against them.”

In this passage, God is letting the Israelites know he is asking them to be a part of him. They are not slaves. They have minds of their own. They can choose no. He is giving them a choice. (summoned)

He also wants them to know that he is the one that has saved them from their enemies. He is the one that has brought them through so far. He is the one that has avenged them for everything their enemies did to them. (redeemed)

Today God is calling us by our names. He is pleading with us to give ourselves over to him. He has already taken care of our number one enemy-Satan. He no longer has a hold on us. We are not destined for death. We have been redeemed if we just answer the summons. 

Jesus is the original AVENGER! He is calling out your name. Let him save you!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Fear vrs Afraid

Psalms 27:1-2

The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.

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”

Afraid- H7064 פָּחַד pāḥad, to tremble, be afraid; to live in terror, fear; to make shake, make tremble

Thoughts…

This Psalm was written by David probably as a testimony after a battle. I took a new look at the word fear used in verse on “Whom shall I fear?”

Fear can stand for two things. One is to be afraid and the other is to pay respect or revere someone or something. If you respect someone you put an awful lot of trust, energy, and even love into that person. So I ask this simple question was David asking who will I be afraid of or whom will I put my respect, admiration, time, energy, and trust into?

How much time and energy do i devote to my enemy?
How much time and energy do i devote to god?
Which one is the one i should I show reverence and trust?
Who is the real stronghold?

I need to spend a lot less time and energy on my enemies and more time on the stronghold of God. After all, the God behind me is a lot bigger than the enemy in front of me!


Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.