Dear Reader,
The next few posts are going be a little bit different. I prayed about how to share what Holy Spirit has recently done in my life. My story has been going on longer, but this is how He has woven Himself through my life in love over the last six weeks. He has used different people, places, events, and most of all His word to continue to transform me into the best me, His bride.
by Tammy Phillips
October 9, 2023
“For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ.” [2Co 11:2 NKJV]
Has the battle ranged inside you? Have you ever been a relationship that you knew was not good for you? Have you ever had a boyfriend or girlfriend that was bad news? Have you ever had a break-up that lasted way too long? I have, literally and figuratively.
I have a bridegroom awaiting. His name is Jesus. He passionately pursues me in an effort to show His love. He longs for me to be rooted and grounded in Love. He wants me to be able to comprehend what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of His love which passes understanding. His desire is to complete me and that all my emptiness will be filled with all the fulness of God.
I have had a nagging “boyfriend” that would not let go. He wants to control me. He is my enemy and disguises himself as, “Unhealthy-Food.” I would break up with him and he would return, time and time, again. He gave me a false sense of hope and security. He is a liar, and no truth is in Him. He was, is and will always be selfish. He is no good and does no good. His mission is to manipulate, steal, kill and destroy my relationship with my Jesus.
My Groom is always wooing me to His loving arms. I had strayed from the right path. He began the month of September by saying, “Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established” (Pro 4:26 NKJV). He led me once again to break it off with “Unhealthy-Food Choices.” I boldly declared, “I break up with Unhealthy Food! I will never give up! I walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Cor. 5:7) and I can do all things through Christ, my Groom, who gives me strength!”
On day one of September 2023, my Groom told me, “The King’s daughter is all glorious within”(Psa 45:13) and that through his gift of grace and righteousness, I would reign with him. (Rom. 5:17).
He called me to, “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin” (1Co 15:34 NKJV). He shared with me in our time alone…
“Greater is He that is in your than he who is in the world. (1Jo 4:4 NKJV).
Don’t give up and you will see the goodness of God.” Three times I heard, “NEVER GIVE UP!”
“You are the temple of God. Imitate God. Make the most of every opportunity. WHATE EVER YOU DO, DO IT WELL.”
“DENY YOUR SELF and PICK UP YOUR CROSS. Follow Me.”
“You are as exciting, my darling, as a mare among Pharaoh’s stallions. … How beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful! Your eyes are like doves (Sng. 1:9, 15 NLT).
“He escorts me to the banquet hall; it’s obvious how much he loves me… My lover said to me, “Rise up, my darling! Come away with me, my fair one! Rise up, my darling! Come away with me, my fair one!” Sng. 2:4, 10,13)
I replied, “My lover is mine, and I am his.” [Sng 2: 16 NLT]
I heard my Groom, “You are beautiful, my darling, beautiful beyond words. Your eyes are like doves behind your veil. Your hair falls in waves, like a flock of goats winding down the slopes of Gilead. … 7 You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way. … 9 You have captured my heart, my treasure, my bride. You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes, with a single jewel of your necklace. … 12 You are my private garden, my treasure, my bride, a secluded spring, a hidden fountain” (Sng 4:1, 7, 9, 12).
I replied , “My lover is mine and I am His.” (Sng 4:16 NLT]
My Groom promised, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1Co 2:9 NLT).
I heard Him whisper, “ A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the left, the wrong one”(Ecc 10:2 NLT).
My Groom knew that I was still taking calls from “Unhealthy Food ” even though I had broken things off. At 2:26 AM on September 6, my Groom woke me with a call and explained the following:
- Eating of “Unhealthy Food” is partnering with Satan to accomplish his mission to kill, steal and destroy…you, your life, your body, your relationships, and our relationship.
- Eating of “Unhealthy Food” is sin.
- Eating of “Unhealthy Food” will not fuel you to our goal.
- “Unhealthy Food” lies to you.
- “Why bother reciting my decrees and pretending to obey my covenant? 17 For you refuse my discipline and treat my words like trash” (Psa 50:16-17 NLT). OUCH!
Holy Spirit has been relentless in pursuit of my whole heart. He led me to the Bible, His book of promises, and I read…
“Behold, happy [is] the man whom God corrects; do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole” (Job 5:17-18 NKJV).
“Don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. 12 For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights” (Pro 3:11-12 NLT).
“When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble. 13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she [is] your life. 14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on… Ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil “(Pro 4:12-15, 26,27).
The Groom had said it again, “Think about what you are doing, where you are going and who you are going with!”
Resolutely, and in love, my Groom led me to the letter of Hebrews, “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 6 For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening–it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak, and lame will not fall but become strong.” [Heb 12:1-4, 6-13 NLT]
My God, my Groom, is so good, so loving, so enduring, and so encouraging. His words were leading me back to Him and the right path. He knew I was having a hard time letting go of “Unhealthy Food,” yet He loved me through the first week of the breakup with open arms and loving words. He even provided me with an accountability partner who was on the same path, but that didn’t seem to matter. I was still taking “U.F’s” calls.
What has your attention? Who’s calls are you taking? Who do you need to break up with to be nearer to God? I enCOURAGE you to make the break.
Complete in Him 