Tag: Religious

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I Will Survive

Philippians 4:12
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.(NIV)

I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. (MSG)

Word Study

Content – feeling that one’s needs or desires have been met

Synonyms of content

contented, gratified, happy, pleased, satisfied, blissful, delighted, glad, joyful, joyous, jubilant, rejoicing, tickled, ecstatic, elated, enraptured, euphoric, overjoyed, rapturous, thrilled, appeased, mollified, pacified, placated

Thoughts…

Are you content? Have you ever felt contentment? There is this wonderful blanket of peace that wraps around you when you feel content. Did you know true contentment is a choice? Paul says he learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. The secret is choosing to be content.

Notice Paul did not say it was easy. He didn’t say he was happy, pleased, satisfied, blissful, delighted, glad, joyful, joyous, jubilant, rejoicing, tickled, ecstatic, elated, enraptured, euphoric, overjoyed, rapturous, thrilled, appeased, mollified, pacified, or placated. Yes, those are synonyms, but synonyms are not definitions. 

Paul chose the word ικανοποιημένος for content. It is also the word for complacent. So, in reality, he is saying I am OK. We often say I am surviving. I am neither happy nor sad. I am just here.

This word content to me means, “I am a survivor!” It doesn’t matter what this world throws at me. I have learned to survive!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Carrot Stick…Yum!

Hebrews 12:11
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (NIV)

At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God. (MSG)

Word Study

Discipline – G4082 παιδεία paideia, discipline, training 

Trained G1214 γυμνάζω gymnazō, to train, exercise

Thoughts…

According to the Holman Complete Bible Commentary, Hebrews 12:1-29 is all about endurance. The writer also found encouragement for endurance from Jesus’ example. Jesus had already run the race of faith, and God had placed Him on the throne. When Christians consider the hardship He faced, they can find strength and fresh courage. God allows all Christians to experience hardship so that they might develop holiness. Even though God’s chastisement seems hard for the time, it will eventually produce righteousness in those who follow Him.

“Yes, please eat that chocolate cake. I am just going to enjoy this carrot instead,” said no dieter anywhere! Let’s be honest diet, exercise, budget, and study are not happy words. They cause pain and strife…for a short time. Those that endure are rewarded greatly. You have to decide is it worth the pain for a short while.

In Hebrews 12:11, God is agreeing with you. He knows the process is painful. He is reassuring you Heaven is so worth it!So, as Tobymac says:

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

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Yeah, but Lord…

Jeremiah 1:19
They’ll fight you, but they won’t even scratch you. I’ll back you up every inch of the way. God’s Decree. (MSG)

They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord. (NIV)

Word Study

Overcome – H3523 יָכֹל yākōl, to be able, capable; overcome, prevail, have victory

Thoughts…

Have you ever had a yeah, but God moment? You know when you are reading God’s promises and it isn’t that you don’t believe Him BUT you think, does this really apply to you and your situation. For instance, Jeremiah 1:19 says you will go through things but it won’t overcome you. I read that and my yeah, but is just how much must I go through!

God says it will not win. My situation is not capable of destroying me.  It will not prevail. It will not have a victory over me. Yeah, but just how much pain and turmoil must I endure! Sometimes rejoicing over the promise is drowned out by the screams of pain in my current situation.

If this is you today, I just want you to know you are not alone! You are not less spiritual or lacking in faith. Pain is pain. It hurts!

I want you to remember a time in a garden. Jesus Christ Himself knew the victory was His. He would soon walk with God and then rise again to prove victory over death. In that moment, He was so upset over the pain He was enduring, He sweats blood. He begged God to not make Him go through it if He didn’t have to. It is OK to feel the pain. Jesus understands. 

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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How is this good for me?

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)

That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. (MSG)

Word Study

Good – G19 ἀγαθός agathos, good; good as a positive quality (vs. bad), good as a moral quality (vs. evil

According – G2848 κατά kata against, contrary to, opposed; down, throughout; (acc.) in, by, with, in accordance with, for

Thought…

In all things, God works for the good. These are hard words to swallow when your life is turned upside down. You face the doctor and he says you have cancer. Your child just died. Your spouse just walked out on you. How in the heck is God working out something good? Do I not love Him enough. Did He not call me to His purpose?

Take a deep breath. God is not angry with you. You have done nothing wrong. This verse does not guarantee bad things won’t happen to good people. Nor does it say God is happy that bad things happen to us.

What these verses are really talking about is our salvation. No matter what we go through here on Earth, we are secure in our salvation. No matter what trials we endure God has sent Jesus to die for us. We are guaranteed our spot in Heaven. 

Whatever you are facing today, God has worked out your salvation through the death of His Son on the cross. According to His promise to you, you will see Him and live with Him in Heaven. You will escape the evil of this world one day and live forever and ever in in God’s ultimate goodness. 

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Put Me In Coach


Put Me In Coach by Sam Sidders 

Job 11:13-19 ( NIV)
“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.

Job 11:13-19 (Message)
Reach Out to God “Still, if you set your heart on God
and reach out to him, If you scrub your hands of sin and refuse to entertain evil in your home, You’ll be able to face the world unashamed and keep a firm grip on life, guiltless and fearless. You’ll forget your troubles; they’ll be like old, faded photographs. Your world will be washed in sunshine, every shadow dispersed by dayspring. Full of hope, you’ll relax, confident again; you’ll look around, sit back, and take it easy. Expansive, without a care in the world, you’ll be hunted out by many for your blessing. 

Word Study

Forget – H8894 שָׁכַח šākaḥ, to forget; to be forgotten; to make forget

Recalling – H2349 זָכַר1 zākar1, also used with compound proper names. to remember, commemorate, consider; to remember; to be remembered, be mentioned; to bring to remembrance, remind, mention

Thoughts…

Today your troubles may be front and center. You might be living in the middle of a huge mess. Good news…reach out to God! His smile will shine through those clouds. A a firm place to stand is on the ROCK. When the dust settles, and I promise it will, history will fade behind you. You will once again be ready to play this game we call life.

It is perfectly OK to not be OK today. When you are ready, stretch out your arms. God has a grip on you already. He is just waiting for the word. Put me back in Lord! Let’s do this thing!

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
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Prosperous Grieving

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)

I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. (MSG)

Word Study

Plans – H4742 מַחֲשָׁבָה maḥᵃšābâ, thought, plan, scheme, plot, design

Prosper – H8934 שָׁלוֹם šālôm, peace, safety, prosperity, well-being; intactness, wholeness; peace can have a focus of security, safety which can bring feelings of satisfaction, well-being, and contentment

Thoughts…

Today, I feel someone needs to hear it is perfectly OK to not feel OK. It is so OK to feel sad, angry, confused, upset, hurt, alone an devastated. God wants to just sit with you. He wants to sit in the middle of your mess and just be with you. 

He does not expect you to cheer up, put on your happy face and get moving. No! He wants you to just be, just exist, just take time and breathe. Concentrate on that next breath. Breathe in and out. Let the world go on without you. He wants to just be with you. Just exist with you.

Those plans he has for you can wait until tomorrow when tomorrow comes. You can prosper from those plans tomorrow. Today’s plans and prosperity look different. That is OK.

Today God has a plan for you. Plans to care for you, not abandon you. He has plans to just exist with you. He wants to let you rest and grieve and mend. He has all the time in the world. Melt in his arms and let it all out.

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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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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Remember the Thief

Ephesians 4:14

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. (NIV)

Word Study

Cunning – G3235 κυβεία kybeia, cunning, craftiness, trickery

Craftiness – G4111 πανουργία panourgia, cunning, craftiness, deception, duplicity

Deceitful – G4415 πλάνη planē, error, delusion, deception

Scheming – G3497 μεθοδεία methodeia, scheming, craftiness, strategy

Thoughts…

In his New Testament epistles, Paul frequently warned his readers to be on guard against false teaching (e.g., 2 Cor 11:3–4). These cautions reveal that from an early point Christianity was open to distortions and heresies that took many forms through overemphasis on some and denial of other central Christian teachings (Archeological Study Notes Bible).

 Believe on the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31). the Lord with all your heart and love others as yourself (Mark  12:30-31). I don’t read in these verses anything about wearing or not certain clothing. I don’t see hairstyles, piercings, or tattoos. I don’t see any must-have rituals. So why do people get so hung up on things like that when judging others and their walk with God?

Don’t let anyone other than God dictate your walk with Him. Remember the thief on the cross died right after believing in Christ and went to heaven with him that very day.

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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But It Is Just A Little

Galatians 5:9
A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough. (NIV)

Word Study

Yeast – G2434 ζύμη zymē, yeast, leaven

Thoughts…

Yeast is generally a symbol of evil or corruption in the New Testament. The metaphor includes the idea of a tiny amount of yeast being able to ferment a large amount of dough (Archeological Study Bible Notes). *see Mark 8:15

A pastor once gave a sermon on sin. He held up a glass of water and asked, ”Who would like a drink of water?” One man raised his hand. The pastor then said, ”Come on up. It only has a little arsenic in it.”

I also recently saw a commercial where people were going into what looked like a restaurant where they were giving out water. The gentlemen explained it only contained the legal amounts of lead in it based on what area of the country it came from. Needless to say in either situation no one wanted to drink the water. 

Sin is like the arsenic or lead or even the yeast. It doesn’t take much to destroy everything good around it. We need to watch every step. Even the white little lie is still a lie. 

Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.