Humanity Archives - Page 2 of 5 - Tabetha’s Devotions

June 8, 2018

You Are Guac!

Psalms 139:13-14
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

I recently read a story about a speaker who stepped out on stage and pulled a $100 bill out of his pocket. He asked the audience, “Who would like to have this $100 bill?” Hands shot up all over.

He then took the bill and crumpled it up, threw it on the ground, stomped on it and got it all dirty and nasty. Once again, he asked the audience, “Who would like to have this $100 bill?” Again, the same hands shot up all over the place.

The speaker when on to explain this is why God still wants you! It doesn’t matter how beat up, tore up, dirty or crumpled you are, He still sees your worth! Just like no matter what is done to that $100 bill, nothing changes its worth. Nothing will ever change our worth to God!

If someone hasn’t told you today, you should know you are fearfully and WONDERFULLY made and God makes WONDERFUL things. I guarantee in God’s eyes you are the guacamole NOT the salsa!

June 1, 2018

Sit Still in the Dark

Exodus 14:14 NIRV
The Lord will fight for you. Just be still.

When you are in a fight with someone it is so hard to sit still. When that person you are fighting with is yourself it is impossible.

I have spent all of my adult life fighting myself. Mental illnesses is a two-edged sword. You often fight with people around you, never meaning to. Then you turn and fight yourself because of the guilt. You tell yourself the meanest things. Things you would never tell another human being. You hate yourself. For me it is often like an out of body experience. I see the way I am acting and scream but can’t stop myself.

Over the years, I have found the only way I make it through my “episodes” is to sit still. When all those angry voices in my head come to bully me once again, I sit still. It does me know good to fight back. I can’t fight myself. There is nowhere to run or hide. I must sit still. God fights for me. He doesn’t let go. I may not see him or feel him, but he comes for me. He always does.

I have translated these thoughts into other areas of my life. There are times when I need to stand up and fight. However, there are other times God says, “I got this! Sit still and let me fight!” It is in those moments, I am still learning, but always trying to listen. I know how important it is to sit still.

Deep Down Inside
by Tabetha Frick

Imprisoned
Shackled
Darkness surrounds
Deep down inside

Those words are harsh
They cut like a knife
No longer in control
Deep down inside

Why don’t they stop
Can’t they see the pain
Its so dark
Deep down inside

The tears are streaming
The anger is raging
Why is it so dark
Deep down inside

I hear my voice
I try to scream
I am here in the dark
Deep down inside

Too late now
The damage is done
I must wait in the dark
Deep down inside

The light will come
It always does
But for now I wait
Deep down inside

May 30, 2018

The Wrong Side of the Bed

Colossians 4:5-6
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Boy did I wake up on the wrong side of the bed!

I actually considered crawling back in and getting out on the other side…hahaha!

My poor husband. I was neither wise in my actions, nor were my words seasoned or full of grace. As a matter of fact, I felt so badly that I arranged to have lunch with him to refresh our day. I am happy to report that it did.

We all have those days. Maybe something went wrong to throw your day off. Maybe you didn’t sleep well or woke up sick. It doesn’t matter what started it. It is how you finish it.

I know taking words back is like putting toothpaste back in the tube. If like me, you let things get out of control before you could get a hold of them, then make up for it. I know this isn’t always possible, but try.

Whenever possible, be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone (Colossians 4:5-6). But when it is not and the damage is done please remember foolish people laugh at making things right when they sin. But honest people try to do the right thing (Proverbs 14:9, NIRV).

May 25, 2018

An Intelligent Failure

1 John 2:1
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

If I were writing 1 John 2:1 it would come out a little more like this…

Hey, I really hope you don’t find yourself doing things wrong. However, when you do, don’t try to hide it or pretend you didn’t screw up. It’s OK! Admit you are wrong, learn from it and move on. Jesus has you covered. He is there to help. He died for your sins. You will be forgiven.
~1 John 2:1 (Tabetha Version)

God knew we were not going to be perfect. He knew we were going to need Jesus to help us out of our sin. He also knew that Jesus dying wasn’t going to keep us from screwing up.

I have a philosophical question for you…is it failure if we learn from it?

I was reading a devotion this morning. The author was saying trying to get across how to fail successfully. He used a quote from inventor Charles Kettering that suggested we must learn to fail intelligently. He said, “Once you’ve failed, analyze the problem and find out why, because each failure is one more step leading to the cathedral of success.”

I love this idea of learning to fail successfully. Kettering went on to explain in order to do so one must do three things. (1) Face defeat, don’t fake success. (2) Learn all can from the mistake. (3) Never use failure as an excuse to not keep trying.

So, to answer my own question, no I don’t think it is truly failure if we learn from it. To stay in the light with Jesus (1 john 1:7) does not mean to not make mistakes. It means to own up to them, learn from them and start again.

Remember Jesus is always there to be our advocate. He will give you sound advice even when you screw up. So don’t be a failure. Be an Intelligent Failure!

May 14, 2018

I Am Free!

Colossians 3:13-14
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.

On the way in to work this morning, I was having a chat with God. I am struggling with how to resolve a relationship issue I have with a couple of people in my life. I got my usual answer of “Be still, Tabetha and let me do my thing!” Then I got a startling reminder of my adventure through a twelve step program.

Yes, I once went through a twelve step program. It doesn’t matter if you are an overeater, alcoholic, gambler or porn addict, addiction is addiction and the twelve steps do help. I can even say that if you are just struggling with life the twelve steps help.

Anyway, back to my conversation with God!

He reminded me of a very important piece to the program or at least to a couple of the steps. Steps 8 and 9 are what most people refer to as the make amends steps. They state:

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Now, let me state right now, YES these steps are difficult! However, as God reminded me today they are even harder when you are seeking recognition from the other person. Someone once put it to me like this… “We are only responsible for our side of the street.”

This means, that I am responsible for MY forgiving and MY being sorry for my part in my relationship. I cannot expect forgiveness from them, nor can I expect an apology. More importantly, once I have given my forgiveness and apology I am FREE! I don’t have to carry around the guilt or anger any more. If the relationship does not mend, it is OK. I did what I needed to do. I can walk away a free woman.

LORD, I know it is my responsibility to forgive other people when they sin against me, so YOU will also forgive me (Matthew 6:14). Help me to move on LORD, knowing that I have done what you asked and I am free.

May 7, 2018

I Need A Hero!

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.

I don’t care if you are Team Marvel or Team DC. In this day and age, we are all looking for a superhero! There is so much destruction around us. You can’t turn on the TV, read a newspaper of even check your social media without being pounded with bad news from around the world.

I woke up this morning and in my devotion I stumbled up the Isiah 1:17. As I read this verse, Do Something from Matthew West popped into my head.

I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now, thought
How’d we ever get so far down, and
How’s it ever gonna turn around
So I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought, “God, why don’t You do something?”
Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, yeah, I created you” (now listen)

If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something, yeah
If not now, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
Oh, it’s not enough to do nothing
It’s time for us to do something

I laughed because I couldn’t help but look in the mirror and see my lightening bolt across my chest (Yes, I am Team DC, but I still love me some Marvel)! I quickly put my hands on my hips and recited “God created me!”

I don’t need to look for a hero. God created me. Not only that he armed me!

I recently heard a lady tell a room full of women, “Jesus is our shield and our rock! We can defend off those pesky little darts Satan is throwing at us. But don’t you ever forget you also have a ROCK to throw right back at him!”

So, go ahead! Take the Superhero Stance! Recite after me! “I am a Superhero! God created ME!”

April 2, 2018

Matthew 11:30 Friend

Matthew 11:30
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all be Matthew 11:30 friends? I think if we followed the commandments we would be just that!

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal 6:2)

This is my command love one another. (John 15:17)

And let us consider how we may, spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up on meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb 10:24-25)

If we spent more time loving each other instead of gossiping

If we spent more time walking next to each other instead of tearing each other down.

If we turned to encourage instead of turning to criticize.

As Christians, we are to reflect Jesus. Jesus described himself as a Matthew 11:30 friend. Isn’t it about time we try our hand at it too?

You want the pain to cease
Extend the yoke of peace
We may not agree
But believe you me
What a lighter burden it will be!

March 30, 2018

You Can’t Earn It

Luke 22:42
Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.

Daddy, if I am really good, can I have ice cream?

Mommy, if I clean my room, can I go to the park?

If I exercise all week, I can eat out on Saturday!

If I lose weight, I can go on vacation.

There is nothing wrong with rewards and incentives. We all respond better when we get something for our efforts. If you don’t believe that, ask yourself how long you would continue working at your job without a paycheck!

There is one place where rewards and incentives don’t apply. God! No matter how good we are we cannot earn our grace. We cannot earn our salvation. We can’t even gain blessings and the answers we want to prayers for our “goodness.”

How can I say this with such boldness? That is easy. Can you come up with anyone full of more goodness than Jesus? He is perfect. He is blameless. He is sinless. He asked for one thing, he really wanted out. He didn’t want to suffer. His will was to find another way. He asked to please “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

If anyone deserved a reward, it was Jesus! He did everything he was asked. Yet he was not rewarded with what he wanted.

So what makes you think you deserve something just because you have been a “good Christian”? It doesn’t work that way. Grace and blessings are gifts. God loves to bless his children. Blessings come in many shapes and sizes. Yes, they even come as “No!”

God loves you right where you are, even when you make mistakes. That is one blessing I am glad I don’t have to earn. I am pretty sure I am not the only Christian who stumbles and fells. I am sure glad I don’t get the rewards that I deserve.

Thank you, Jesus, for taking the reward I deserved and giving to me grace and unfailing love that I will never earn.

January 19, 2018

He Trusts You!

1 Timothy 1:12
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.

What is your service? Do you work outside of the home? Is your service to your family in your home? Do you do both? What about church? Friends? Strangers?

God’s service is not confined to the four walls we call church. Nor, is only given to pastors, missionaries, and bible scholars. God has a service for everyone.

Here is something else you may not know. His service for you may always be changing. I mean daily!

I have heard that little voice before encouraging me to call someone, pray for someone, let the person go in front of me or even offer a helping hand. These little nudges come quite unexpectedly out of nowhere. I have even found myself in the place where God has asked me to give up my last couple of dollars to someone when I needed it. These are all calls to service.

Have you ever thought of it the way Paul so eloquently put it in 1 Timothy 1:12? God considered you trustworthy and appointed you to His service. Did you catch that? God considered you TRUSTWORTHY! He is trusting you to follow his instruction. He called YOU!

Not your pastor.

Not your Sunday School Teacher.

Not your small group leader.

Not the missionary or evangelist

Not even the little old lady down the street who knows every verse in the bible by heart and quotes it in every one of her prayers.

No, he trusted and called on YOU to perform this great service. No matter how small you may think the task is, in God’s plan, it is HUGE! And he has trusted you with it. The God of the Universe! The maker of all things has trusted you enough to ask you to do him a favor and perform this service.

So, the next time you hear that small voice answer with a “YES SIR! Right away sir! And thank you, sir, for trusting me with this task.”

January 12, 2018

Today I Want to Pray for You!

Lord, today I lift up my family and friends before you in prayer, and in agreement with your word, I ask:

That they will love You will all their hearts, souls, minds, and strength. Mark 12:30

That they will be patient thus gain greater understanding, and that they will be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Proverbs 14:29, James 1:19

Thay You protect them spiritually, mentally, and physically. Psalsm 28 & 41

That they will submit themselves to you, resist the temptations of the evil one, and acknowledge You in all that they do so that You will direct their steps. James 4:7

That you will give them the desire, strength, and courage to run the race with boldness, so that they may press on toward the goal that You have called them to in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

That they will be a wise steward of all the things You have given them, remembering that all things are Yours, given to us by You for Your purpose and glory.
Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 16:10-13

That they would meditate on your word, pray without ceasing, and stay faithful to you Lord Jesus to the end. Psalms 1:1-3, 1 Thesselonians 5:17

In Jesus Name, Amen!

Tag: Humanity

You Are Guac!

Like this:

Sit Still in the Dark

Like this:

The Wrong Side of the Bed

Like this:

An Intelligent Failure

Like this:

I Am Free!

Like this:

I Need A Hero!

Like this:

Matthew 11:30 Friend

Like this:

You Can’t Earn It

Like this:

He Trusts You!

Like this:

Today I Want to Pray for You!

Like this:

Thanks For Sharing!

Like this:

Thanks For Sharing!

Like this:

Thanks For Sharing!

Like this:

Thanks For Sharing!

Like this:

Thanks For Sharing!

Like this:

Thanks For Sharing!

Like this:

Thanks For Sharing!

Like this:

Thanks For Sharing!

Like this:

Thanks For Sharing!

Like this:

Thanks For Sharing!

Like this: