Tag: Jesus

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He Is Always There!

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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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Now Straighten That Crown

Corinthians 15:56-57
It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God! (MSG)

Word Study

Sting- G3034 κέντρον kentron, sting, goad

Power – G1539 δύναμις dynamis, power, ability; miracle; ruler, an extended meaning of a person or supernatural being who has administrative power

Thoughts…

Thanks to the victory of Christ, death will be finally abolished. This is great encouragement for all believers to persevere faithfully in the Lord’s service, knowing that “labor in the Lord is not in vain” (HCB Commentary).

We are so blessed. We have always had the privilege of Jesus destroying death for us. We don’t have to worry every second about what happens when we die. We don’t have to carry around huge heavy loads of guilt and perform long rituals. 

When Jesus died he took away Satans power. There is no more guilt-filled legal system to hold us down.  

“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55


Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Build Your Offense Before You Go on the Defense

Jude 1:20-21

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. (NIV)

Word Study

Building – G2224 ἐποικοδομέω epoikodomeō, to build up, build on

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

Thoughts…

Jude reminded his readers that the apostles had warned against the divisiveness and spiritual emptiness of the coming false teachers. The recipients were to build themselves up with prayer and obedience. They also were to offer help to wandering believers who need both an experience of divine mercy and the wisdom to avoid corruption (HCB Commentay).

Athletes never just walk out onto the court, field, ice, or diamond and start playing. No one would ever just get up one day and run a marathon. To do these things require practice. You must eat the right food and stretch. You build your body up and keep it in shape. Our spiritual life can benefit from this as well. Build your faith by reading the bible, praying and spending time with God.

Do you want to win the game of life? Build your offense with God before you have to go on the defense.

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Let the Storm Rage On!

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (NIV)

Word Study

Steadfast – H6164 סָמַךְ sāmak, to sustain, uphold; to lay (one’s hand upon); to be braced, be steadfast; to lean upon, rely upon, gain confidence; [P] to strengthen, refresh

Thoughts…

mind … stayed–(Ps 112:7, 8). Jesus can create “perfect peace” within thy mind, though storms of trial rage without (Isa 57:19; Mr 4:39); as a city kept securely by a strong garrison within, though besieged without (so Php 4:7). “Keep,” literally, “guard as with a garrison.” HORSLEY translates, (God’s) workmanship (the Hebrew does not probably mean “mind,” but “a thing formed,” Eph 2:10), so constantly “supported”; or else “formed and supported (by Thee) Thou shalt preserve (it, namely, the righteous nation) in perpetual peace” (Jameson, Fausett, and Brown Commentary).

Living with any kind of mental illness, your idea of normal is so not what everyone else thinks. You live in a physical place for mere moments and then you walk on to the next spot. You live in your brain 100% of the time. When that brain is going to a very dark space, you are often just along for the ride. However, you are never alone on this journey. NEVER! Never! Never! What is swirling around in the brain like a giant typhoon can still find peace in the eye of the storm. It may not feel like it right now, but if you can just hang on to that hope and lean upon God you will find peace.

Find your inner Elsa. Let the storm rage on. WIth God, the cold never bothered me anyway!

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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Daddy, I need a Hug!

Psalms 91:1

You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, (MSG)

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (NIV)

Word Study

Dwell – H3782 יָשַׁב yāšab, to live, inhabit, dwell, stay; to be settled, be inhabited; to set up; to cause to settle, make dwell, to cause to sit; by extension

Rest – H4328 לִין lîn, spend the night, stay the night; to hold back overnight, leave overnight; to stay for the night; by extension: to stay, dwell an indeterminate amount of time 

shadow – H7498 צֵל ṣēl, shadow, shade, protection

Thoughts…

He that by faith chooses God for his protector, shall find all in him that he needs or can desire. And those who have found the comfort of making the Lord their refuge, cannot but desire that others may do s0  (Matthew Henery’s Concise Commentary).

Ever since I was a little girl, I always envisioned God, well, like the pictures we see of Zeus. To be more specific, like the Zeus in Disney’s Hercules. You know the big muscles, long white curly beard, and hair. I see him sitting in a huge chair. Whenever I was upset, I would picture myself walking into his throne room, rather shy like. I look up at him under my eyelids to see if he is too busy. He never is. He looks down with a cute little grin and waves at me to come on. I run and jump in his lap. He cradles me and rocks me as I play with his beard and I tell him all about it. He listens, intently, to every single word. He laughs at the right times, a large belly laugh. He grins and gives me that one cocked eyebrow when I admit my part in the problem, “sort of.” Then he dries my tears and lets me know I am safe and secure in his arms and no one will hurt his little girl.

I may be an adult now, but I will always be God’s little girl and no one is going to hurt his little girl!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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I Got You

Isaiah 41:10 & 13

Don’t panic. I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. That’s right. Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go.
I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic.
I’m right here to help you.’ (MSG)

Word Study

Fear or Panic – H3707 יָרֵא1 yārē’1, to be afraid, be frightened; be dreadful, be feared; [P] to frighten, terrify, intimidate; terror and fright, fear (92), feared (12), be feared (4), dreadful (4), terrified (4), intimidate (3), alarmed (2), despair (2), frightened (2), have fear (2)

Thoughts…

Vs. 10-20. God speaks with tenderness; Fear thou not, for I am with thee: not only within call but present with thee. Art thou weak? I will strengthen thee. Art thou in want of friends? I will help thee in the time of need. Art thou ready to fall? I will uphold thee with that right hand which is full of righteousness (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary).

As I write this today I am fighting with a panic attack. I am shaking so bad I am struggling to type. Forgive me if there are errors and. Typos. it began when I picked up my bible to read today’s scriptures. I am not trying to say this is a direct attack from Satan, but it sure feels that way. the first thing I wanted to do was put it down and run. I am so glad I didn’t. Someone out there needs to know they are not alone. These verses remind us we are not alone! Verse 10 and 13 plainly state don’t panic, God is with me. He has a firm grip on me. I am not losing it. I need to just be still and let God hang on. Take a deep breath, Let go and let God. 

I don’t know what you are going through right now. I only know you are not alone. Please don’t panic. Take a deep breath, let go and let God. Fall in his arms. Let him hold you. He will get you through this. He will not let go!

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.