Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Use Your Filter
Is Your Oath Any Good?
James 5:12
Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
This verse has some interesting background. According to Jewish writes Philo, Josephus, and Serach, it was commonplace to take an oath to do or not do something in God’s name. One would say, “May God do such-and-such to me if I do not perform this act”. By doing so, people were actually bringing curses down upon themselves. Later people started swearing by things such as the temple, Heaven and Earth or even Jerusalem itself to try to avoid the use of God’s name. However, James was telling people to not even do that because these things were considered holy as well. It was believed to do so was a violation of the third commandment. I think what he was saying was let your integrity shine through. Let your own word be good enough. When you say yes or no people should know you mean it and they can trust you.
Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Excuses!
James 4:17
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
This is my ouch verse! There have been times in my life I know I have been asked to step out and do something. My fear got in the way. I turned into a Moses with all of my “yeah, but Lord…” My daddy used to sing a song called “Excuses.” One of the verses said, “the devil he’ll supply them if the church you stay away.” I can’t put this one on the devil. I am good at supplying my own excuses.
Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Peacemaker Not Doormat
James 3:18
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
This verse hit my heart today. I so want to be that peacemaker. However, I have to remember to rely on God’s peace. In other words, I can’t do the ‘keep everybody happy all of the time’ manufactured peace. That doesn’t work. That is not true peace. The peace that comes from God is beyond all understanding. I am not meant to agree with everyone. I am just meant to love them which brings Godly peace.
Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Envy is a Junk Food
Galatians 5:22-26
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
These verses remind me of dieting. You are cruising along, eating all the good healthy foods and then BAM! That one food you struggle with hits you right in the face. You can give in and try eating just a little. What harm could just a little do, right? Before you know it, you have eaten the whole thing and are back at the store loading your cart up with more!
Envy can sneak up on you like that too. It is great to have goals and work hard toward something but beware of that slippery slope. The obsession with that goal can quickly turn your heart to envy of someone who has already reached it. Feast on the fruits and you will reach your goal.
Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Lift Your Shield and Keep Walking!
Ephesians 6:16
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Have you ever seen those movies where the good guy (or sometimes the bad guy) keeps getting shot but still walks on to get his target?
With the shield of faith at our disposal, we can be ‘that guy’ in the movie. We can take ALL fiery flaming arrows and keep walking. Reminds me of the lyrics to a song by Toby Mac:
I know your heart been broke again
I know your prayers ain’t been answered yet
I know you’re feeling like you got nothing left
Well, lift your head, it ain’t over yet, ain’t over yet so
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
No! It’s not over yet. Lift Your Shield and Keep Walking!
Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Battle Fear with Love
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Mark Twain once said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the mastery of it.” God never said we would never face fear. He said to use love against it. To fight, we must master fear by building love.
Fear is often brought on by not understanding something or someone. We choose to lead with, “I don’t know therefore I must fear.” Instead, if we let love lead us, we take a moment to step back, see God in the situation or person and realize there is nothing to fear. God has this all under his control.
Before you know it, we are letting God lead us, instead of our fear. Let your love of God lead you into battle and you will fight fear right where it stands.
Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Listen…
James 1:19
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry
Quick to listen.
Slow to speak.
Slow to become angry.
I know this is the go-to verse for holding your temper. I believe it is much more than that though. It says, slow to speak. How many times do I offer my advice or try to fix things when I should just be there for someone? How many times have I gossiped about someone or something? How many times have I stuck my nose in somewhere where it doesn’t belong? Slow to anger is just part of this verse. Listening and knowing when to speak and when to just listen are also part of this verse.
Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Keep on Trying!
James 1:12
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
I think too many people look at this verse and see themselves as complete failures. They gave in today and now they are failures. They don’t remember all the times they stood. They don’t think about all the times they will stand again. God never expected us to be tested once and pass or fail. No! Grace picks us up when we stumble so we can try again. Star Athletes are not made over one event. They are honed over years of practice. That is the reason the word persevere is used in verse 12. We will face these trials over and over again. We will stumble from time to time. It is the fact that we persevere or keep trying that matters.
Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Fear is a Choice
Philippians 4:6-9
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Fear is a choice! It doesn’t start out that way. It sneaks up on you. But when it strikes, there is plan of attack to win the battle against fear. You must first choose to pray, petition and with thanksgiving seek God. Focus Your mind elsewhere on whatever is true, noble, right, pure lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. Put all of this into practice and then….
God will give you the weapon you most desire to defeat the fear…
PEACE!
Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.