Author: Tammy Phillips

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.

by Tammy Phillips
October 2, 2023

And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father. [1Ki 8:26]

My confession is I believe God is  Who He says He is, and He will do what He says He will do.  I know God as a Promise Maker and Promise Keeper. Until today, I believed that I followed the direction of  Hebrews  4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”    

I learned I  have been leaving money in the bank.  God’s promises are surer than any dollar bill, yet I have never been so bold as to say to the Lord, “Be verified. Let your word be verified.”  Have you?

King David  did it.  He prayed in 2 Samuel 7:25, “Lord, do as thou hast said.”

King Solomon, David’s son, prayed it in our focus verse.  He challenged God to keep His promises.

1. “God is no respecter of persons.” [Act 10:34 KJV]

As joint heirs and faithful children of God, the Lord looks on us like He did David and Solomon.  We have the same rights in Jesus to go boldly before the Lord.

2. “But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  [Heb 11:6 KJV]

Faith, bold unwavering faith, in God and His word, pleases Him.  The LORD said in Jeremiah 1:12 , “You have seen correctly, for I watch over my word to accomplish it.”

3. Jesus said in Mark 11:22-24: “ Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore, I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].”

Jesus was talking to His disciples.  Aren’t we His disciples, too?  He may as well have been answering David and Solomon.  I hear Him saying, “Have faith in God.  I said it.  I will do it. ”

And further, “For verily I say unto you…”   I hear the Lord saying, “I verify to you…”

Verified in Hebrew is “aman” and verily in Greek is “amen.”   These words are synonymous and mean to be firm, unshakable, true, trustworthy, faithful, be sure, certain, confident, believe, and SO BE IT.  

God gave us so many promises in His word.  They are His Kingdom promissory notes.  They are not meant to just sit on the pages of the Bible, they are meant to be used.  They bring help, healing, prosperity,  salvation. and anything we need. 

Solomon reminded God of His promises:

And he said: “LORD God of Israel, [there is] no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, who keep [Your] covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts. 24 “You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father; You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled [it] with Your hand, as [it is] this day. [1Ki 8:23-24 NKJV]

 Then he followed with, “I pray, let Your word be verified, which You spoke.”

I enCOURAGE you to go the Bible Bank, the word of God, and get to know what kingdom promises are available.  Know that God will always verify “funds-are-available” because God shall supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Remind God of His promises and then boldly declare, “Be verified.”  Know that these two words add fuel to our prayers.  They are so powerful!   Our job is to obey, ask and believe. The Lords job is to perform His word.  AMEN!

Viva Magenta:  Live! Breathe.  Be verifying!

by Tammy Phillips
September 25, 2023

“Beloved, looking forward to these things. Be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; ¹⁵ and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation… ” (2 Peter 3:14-15 NKJV)

Life is like a football game.  When the clock starts, each team is battling for victory. Saturday with 3:04 left in third quarter, Austin Peay football was down 20-7!  Almost three quarters of the four-quarter game were in the books.  The team and the coaching staff could have given in to defeat.  However, Coach Scotty Walden is diligent like Jesus.  I know he is powered by God Almighty because nobody has the energy of that man!  He has the never-give-up, keep-on-going, give-it-your all attitude.  He STANDS on the sidelines, running all around, jumping up and down encouraging each player in the game to victory.   If you do not have this picture of Jesus in your life, you need to change your channel.  Jesus does the very same for us, his beloved and favorite.

I know!  Life is not easy. It can be quite difficult.  As Paul says, “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed–“ (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NKJV).  Life keeps coming.  Life keeps punching, but God always gives an encouraging word to help us stay in the game and punch back. Love is His command, but throughout the Bible, laced from beginning to end, is His encouraging word, said a multitude of ways.  Believe! Be diligent, be steadfast, be resolute, be firm, be patient, stand, abide, hold on, stay, continue, endure, and don’t give up.

My fellow teammate and sister in Christ, Alli Becker, says it like this: 

“Life is unpredictable. Mine still isn’t tied up in a pretty little “this-is-why” bow, but I’m grateful that the One who got me through yesterday is here with me today and knows all of my tomorrows. Celebrate your present today, friends.”

Do you hear the Lord?  I hear Coach, “BE DILIGENT!”   I went treasure hunting  through His Playbook to see what this exactly means.  I found…

A new heaven and a new earth ARE coming. 
The day of the Lord is coming. 
Jesus is coming. 

Peter tells us to BE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT!  Wait for it.  Expect it!  Watch for it.  This is an active role in the game, not passive, nor a delayed reaction.  He encourages us to be diligent in four things:

1. To be found by Him in peace. 
   In peace is a place! When the Lord comes again, we are to have been diligent in staying in the peace place with God, man, and ourselves through Jesus Christ.
   
   
2. To be found by Him without spot. 
   We do not need to be found in the wrong spot or with spot. We need to be found pressing into Christ in spotless purity and absolute perfection. It is only in Him that we can be found complete. This is not something we do, but whose we are. When our hands get dirty, we immediately wash them before moving on.  We should be found doing the same in our spiritual life.  We need to be aware of the “dirt” in our lives and get rid of it like a hot potato.
   
   “Keep thy heart with all diligence.” (Proverbs 4:23)
   
   
3. To be found by Him blameless without fault; innocent; guiltless; nomeriting censure. We can only be found blameless in Him by diligently abiding In Him and doing as He asks.
   
   
4. Consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation.Wait, isn’t it one of our favorite words?  I pray every second that the Lord tarries another soul is added to His kingdom.  He delayed His return for YOU and ME.  I pray He defers His coming until every member of my family, my friends, and everyone in this world come to Jesus by working out their salvation and turning to Him.  He waited on us to choose Him; the least we could do is heed His words and watch and wait for Him.  His longsuffering with humanity is salvation to us all.

I enCOURAGE you, brothers, and sisters, “give diligence to make your calling and election sure.”  (2 Peter 1:5)  Diligence keeps you in the game and not sitting on the sidelines.   Are you halfway through life?  Has victory been waining? Be diligent in all things.   My definition of diligence:   KEEP ON KEEPING ON.  DON’T STOP, DON’T QUIT AND DON’T GIVE UP!   Live and play like a “last days” Christian, prepared for the future but living like Jesus is coming tomorrow. Victory is and will be yours!

“Never expect to be found at that day of God in peace, if you are lazy and idle in this your day, in which we must finish the work that is given us to do. It is only the diligent Christian who will be the happy Christian in the day of the Lord. Our Lord will suddenly come to us, or shortly call us to Him; and would you have Him find you idle?” — Matthew Henry 

Viva Magenta: Live! Breathe!  Be diligent!

 

by Tammy Phillips
September 18, 2023

“Therefore, circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.”[Deu 10:16 NKJV]

It is profitable to have good friends who will call you out and hold you accountable.  I was speaking to a confidant and somehow the topic of trust was woven into the conversation.  I spoke my mind and in nutshell she boldly said, “Your problem is not trust.  It is unforgiveness.  You need to cut out some weeds in your heart.”  She was not wrong.

You can imagine my happiness when I was seeking the Lord about what he wanted to say to YOU today and Deuteronomy 10:16 was the verse awaiting ME!

As a woman, the thought of physical circumcision makes me cringe.  It is surgery.  It requires a knife and I know it is painful.  However, I also know physical circumcision serves its purpose to prevent, infection, disease, and inflammation. Who wants a spiritually diseased heart? Not me.

How do we circumcise our spiritual heart?  How do we get rid of the filth? 

1. Agree to the spiritual surgery.

Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, And take away the foreskins of your hearts… [Jer 4:4 NKJV]

2. Don’t be stiff-necked any longer.

“Now do not be stiff-necked, as your fathers [were, but] yield yourselves to the LORD; and enter His sanctuary, which He has sanctified forever, and serve the LORD your God…” [2Ch 30:8 NKJV emphasis]

Do you know that the Lord talks about stiff necks eighteen times in His word?  A “stiff-neck” is  stubborn, inflexible, obstinate,  proud, unbending, strong willed, unwavering, resolute, and  hardheaded concerning things of the flesh, like unforgiveness, pride, lying, drunkenness, excessive lust for anything, sexual immorality, quarreling, jealousy, idolatry, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, or division.  It is the “I-am-going-to-do-what-I-want-to-do” attitude with no regards to God’s will or His right way.

3. Ask the Lord for help to rend and till up the ground of our heart?

“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for [it is] time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you” [Hos 10:12 KJV]

“Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” ¹³ So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He [is] gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. [Joe 2:12-13 NKJV emphasis]

The flesh, our flesh,  can hold on to some deep-seated, deep-rooted weeds.  For example, when we know someone has been manipulative with ill intentions,  when we are deeply hurt,  when we have been lied to, betrayed, or called slander by the slanderer, unforgiveness is hard! This is just a few examples of  when we need to turn to the Lord and ask Him to help weed out the disease of unforgiveness and offense that we have allowed to grow.  Jesus forgave. Jesus lived a sinless life. It is only in returning to him that we can get rid of the weeds that hold us back from flourishing.

4. Pick up a knife and rend the heart.

Time for surgery to rid the weeds.  Rend means to tear away, cut off, and separate.  We must cut away any part of our heart that is after the things of the flesh, be dedicated totally to God and the things of the Spirit. Our spiritual knife for surgery if the word of God.

“For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”[Heb 4:12 KJV]

Let’s just say the word of God cuts right to, and through the heart of the matter.

“Therefore, lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” [Jas 1:21 NKJV emphasis]

5. Do not conform; be transformed.

In life, it takes more than being given a command to change. It takes transformation on the  inside. It is the word of God that transforms the heart, loosens the neck,  and saves the soul. It is Him, all Him.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what [is] that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” [Rom 12:2 NKJV]

5. Receive His promises and heal.

“And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. [Deu 30:6 NKJV]

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷ “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do [them]. … 29 “I will deliver you from all your uncleanness.”  [Eze 36:26-27, 29 NKJV]

 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, [Col 2:11 NKJV]

I enCOURAGE you with the bold words of Stephen and Moses “you stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit.” [Act 7:51 NKJV]  “Circumcise the foreskin of your heart and be stiff-necked no longer! ”  It took a good friend to strongly admonish me.  I am circumcising my heart with her words and the word of God.  And, passing them on to you.

For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh…[Phl 3:3 NKJV]

Viva Magenta:  Live!  Breathe!  Be stiff necked no more!

by Tammy Phillips
September 11, 2023

“Remember this and be brave; take it to heart, you transgressors!  ⁹ Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and no one is like me.”  [Isa 46:8-9 CSB]

Remember, all the brave men and women of September 11, 2001!

We were brave then, in the aftermath.  

Remember to be brave now and forever.

Remember we took it to heart. 

Remember take it to heart now and always.

Remember where we as a country had fallen away.

Remember now how far we have fallen.

Remember we repented. 

Remember now and repent.

Remember how we ran to God. 

Remember to turn around and run to God, now and eternally.

Remember what the enemy did to us, is doing and will do.

Remember what happened long ago, what is happening now and what will happen.

Remember God is God and  THERE IS NO OTHER!

Remember, God is God and NO ONE has been, IS, NOR WILL EVER BE LIKE HIM.

Remember, Satan tries to imitate  God. 

Remember, Satan is such a fake.

Remember his mission is to steal, kill and destroy everything and everyone.

Remember God GAVE his only son, Jesus, so that we might have life MORE ABUNDANTLY.

Remember God is love, life and victory.

Remember to live and love today, and every day.

I enCOURAGE you to remember and never forget.

Viva magenta:  Live.  Breathe.  Be.

by Tammy Phillips
September 5, 2023 (repost from November 14, 2022) 

 “Yes, God is mighty, but he despises no one; he understands all things.”  [Job 36:5 CSB]

The past three years…I do not understand.

I do not understand why so many parents I know have lost their child prematurely.
I do not understand why people are so easily deceived.
I do not understand why children are born with severe disabilities.
I do not understand why cancer is allowed to continue its thievery.
I do not understand why people call evil good and good evil.
I do not understand why zero sugar caramel macchiato is an endangered species. (comic relief)
I do not understand why people are not working, nor want to work.
I do not understand why God’s people die suddenly in car wrecks.
I do not understand why homelessness is rampant.
I do not understand why anyone would be so hopeless as to take their life.
I do not understand why (you fill in the blank).

Recently, I was sitting on the steps of First Baptist Knoxville with my prayer-warrior and sister in Christ, Kristi.  We were praying for revelation, restoration and revival for Knoxville, Tennessee. We prayed for the government, judicial system, leaders, police, schools, churches, hospitals, the river, roads, businesses, and all the people of the city.  We had just met a homeless women named Karen who told us her story and had encouraged us not to miss the free lunch in the park.  As we were praying and seeing the homeless pass, my heart broke.  Seeking the Lord, I cried out,  “I do not understand!” 

It did not take long for Him to respond.  He led me to Isaiah 40 for Kristi,  but also brought me to His answer for my plea in Isaiah 40:28:

 “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the whole earth. He never becomes faint or weary; there is no limit to his understanding.” [Isa 40:28 CSB] 

And then the focus verse… “He understands all things.”  [Job 36:5 CSB]

I thought, “I do not understand, but He understand all things.”  We are never going to understand, but He does.  We have to be ok not understanding, but have confidence in Him that He knows all things.  Did I love His answer? Not really, but it is the truth, and the truth will set us free!  The truth will set us free from thinking we will ever understand what is not understandable.  The world is broken and that is why He sent Jesus to reveal God to us, to restore us to good standing with God and to revive us.  He sent the Holy Spirit to tell us what we need to know when we need to know it.

“Great [is] our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding [is] infinite.” [Psalm 147:5 NKJV]

I enCOURAGE you to “trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.”  [Proverbs 3:5-6 CSB]

Seek Him first. “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”  [Proverbs 2:6 CSB]

“Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.” [Proverbs 4:5 NKJV].  Understand that it is ok not to understand because God does. This will eventually bring you peace in your brokenness.

In loving memory of Brandon Tharpe,  Eleanor Grace Crockett, Khandra Smalley, and all the many others who have taken an earlier flight.

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. [Ecc 11:5 NIV]

by Tammy Phillips
September 4, 2023

He said to his disciples, “Offenses will certainly come, but woe to the one through whom they come!” [Luke 17:1 CSB]

I am a graduate of the University of Georgia, and I was raised on Georgia Bulldog football.  I started going to games when I was around five.  One could say, I have been a Dawg for life.  It is a good time to be a Dawg with back-to-back National Championships!  Last year, Georgia’s defense bulldozed though the TCU offense of  Heisman runner-up, Quarterback Max Duggan and 1000 yard gainers, running back, Kendre Miller and wide receiver, Quentin Johnston.  The defense shut down TCU’s offense, allowing Georgia’s explosive offense to stay on the field and accrue a 65-7 win for the championship. 

I really love the game of football.  The offense’s objective is to score and win.  The defense’s objective is to keep the offense from scoring by crossing the goal line. 

In life, do we let the offense run you over  us or do we have our best defense waiting completely dedicated to defending the goal line?

How do we stop the offenses of life?

1. When an offensive pass is thrown, we step in front of the receiver and intercept the pass, stopping the attack in its tracks.  The pass is meant to gain yardage in our life and upset the defense. When we say, “No.”  We are not going to take the insult.  We stop the enemy.

2. When offense just keeps aggressively running at us, time after time, we must take our stand, exercise self-control, and defend our goal in order to keep our love, joy, and peace. In our playbook of life, the Bible, we read in John 10:10, that the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. We must take our defensive stance to keep the thief from stealing any points from us.
3. Jesus came to be our Savior, Helper, and Life giver. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have [it] more abundantly.” [John 10:10]. He was the Coach who came before us, played the game of life perfectly, and never let the enemy win. He took the offenses, so we do not have to.

   In His darkest hour, his best friends would not stay awake and pray with Him.  Peter denied and betrayed Him three times. He was spit in the face, mocked, shamed, humiliated, punched, scourged, and  falsely accused. He stood, said nothing, and did not take offense. He was stripped, whipped, beaten, and mocked repeatedly.  He stood and said nothing.  He was crucified and nailed to the cross for every offense and wrong throughout eternity.  How did He respond to the wrongs ?  “Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).  Jesus exemplified the best defense ever, perfect love.  He could have wiped out the offenders with one word and poof they would have been gone. We could choose to sting with our words, but then we become the offender, too.

4. Our best defense to keep the offense from scoring is to “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). The Greek word for “walk” in this verse is peripateō which means to go through, over or tread all around; to trample; to crush with the feet; to advance by setting foot upon foot;  to successfully encounter the greatest perils from the machinations and persecutions with which Satan would fain thwart the preaching of the gospel; to treat with insult and contempt; to hit; strike or sting.

   The best way to hit back, defend the goal line of life and defeat the offensive plans of the enemy is to walk by faith in Jesus footsteps, not by what we see nor hear. (I hope y’all know I am preaching to the choir, me.)

I enCOURAGE you with these last thoughts.  In football the defense makes mistakes and the offense scores. How do they respond?  They shake it off and prepare for the next offensive drive. They practice, practice, practice so that they are prepared when the offense charges at them.  Followers of Christ are no more perfect than a defensive line.  When we don’t rightly handle an insult, we have to shake it off and practice, practice, practice to become the best defenders. Say, NO!” Take our stand and walk it out by faith.

VIVA MAGENTA:  Live. Breathe.  Be defensive.

“You are my King and my God. You command victories…
⁵ Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes. … ⁷ You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies.” [Psa 44:4-5, 7 NLT]

by Tammy Phillips
August 28, 2023 

“I will declare the decree the LORD has said to Me!” [Psalm 2:7 NKJV]

Yesterday, I was at church. The dangling toes of four-month-old Cooper who was wrapped tightly in the arms of His mother captured my attention.  Immediately, my loving thoughts went to the teensy toes of my precious grandbaby.  Why I am I  so captivated by his tiny little toes and fingers?   Obviously, each digit is a miracle of God perfectly created, but then Holy Spirit clearly answered me.  Those hands and feet will determine his future, where he will go, what he will do and who he we will follow. Those  itty-bitty wonders will determine his destiny and they are so important.  Scripture after scripture flooded my thoughts. 

I was given a new and specific  assignment over my grandson, Jack, in celebration of his two months here on earth.  I prayed for him long before he was born and will continue until my death.  My new assignment is  to boldly declare God’s word and promises over his toes and fingers.  Here we go. 

Jack:

• Walk after the LORD, fear Him, keep His commandments,  obey His voice.  Serve Him and hold fast to Him. [Deu 13:4]
• Walk in all the ways of the LORD that you may live, and it be well with you, and that you may prolong your days [Deu 5:33]
• Walk in God’s ways to lengthen your days. [1Ki 3:14]
• Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon, God has given you. [Jos 1:3]
• The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. [Psa 37:23]
• God sets your feet upon a rock and establishes your steps. [Psa 40:2]
• God’s word is a lamp to your feet And a light to your path. [Psa 119:105]
• Ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil. [Pro 4:26-27]
• When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble. [Pro 4:12 NKJV]
• Wait on the LORD and renew your strength. Mount up with wings like eagles. Run and do not be weary. Walk and do not faint. [Isa 40:31]
• Those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize. Run in such a way that you may win it. [1Co 9:24]
• Run with purpose in every step. [1Co 9:26]
• Strip off every weight that slows you down, especially the sin that will so easily trips you up. run with endurance the race God has set before you. [Heb 12:1]
• When you go through deep waters, God will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. [Isa 43:2]
• Do what is right: to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. [Mic 6:8]
• The LORD God is your strength; He will make your feet like deer’s feet, And He will make you walk on  his high hills. [Hab 3:19]
• For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. [Eph 6:15]
• Walk by faith, not by sight. [2Co 5:7]
• Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. [Gal 5:16]
• Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. [Eph 4:1]
• Walk in love. [Eph 5:2]
• Walk as children of light. [Eph 5:8]
• Walk circumspectly.  Be careful how you walk it out, not as fools but as wise[Eph 5:15]
• Walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing [Him], being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; [Col 1:10]
• Jesus is your example; follow in His steps. [1Pe 2:21]
• Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand at your right hand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. ¹³ You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! [Psa 91:6-7, 13]
• By God you can run against a troop; By God you can leap over a wall. [2Sa 22:30 NKJV]
• God is your strength and power, And He makes your way He makes your feet like the [feet] of deer and sets you on my high places. He teaches your hands to make war.[2Sa 22:33-35]
• Whatever you do, whatever you put your hands to, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. [Col 3:23]
• You can do all things through God who gives you the strength.
• Tie God’s word on your fingers as a reminder. [Pro 7:3]
• God trains your hands for war, your fingers for battle.  [Psa 144:1]
• And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon you and establish the work of your hands for you; Yes, establish the work of your hands. [Psa 90:17 ]
• Let your hands be strong. [Zec 8:13]
• Use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. [Eph 4:28]
• Make it your goal to live a quiet life, mind your own business and work with your hands. [1Th 4:11 ]
• If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. [1Co 10:12 NLT]
• Stand firm in the faith. Be on guard. Be courageous. Be strong. [1Co 16:13]
• Stand. Stand. [Ephesians 6]
• Stand in awe of God. [Psa 33:8]
• Stand amazed at what the LORD will do for you. [Mic 7:16]
• Stand before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with a white robe, with palm branches in your hands. Praising our Lord Jesus Christ [Rev 7:9]

I enCOURAGE you to declare these words of God over your grands.  I did not know when my boys were growing up that I could speak, write, nor “carve-in-stone” these powerful words of life over their futures. But guess what?  I know it now.  If it was good enough for Jesus to do.  It is for me.  I will declare the decree the LORD has said to me! I declare the life-giving words over Jack and all future grands, me, my husband, my sons and their mighty, big, long toes… my daughters-in love, my nieces, nephews, theirs spouses and our grand nieces and nephews in the mighty name of Jesus.

Live.  Breathe.  Be declaring.

by Tammy Phillips
August 21,2023

“At the right time, I, the LORD, will make it happen.” [Isa 60:22 NLT]

It was our last day at the beach. The weather aps predicted an overcast day.  I was so tired; I thought about skipping sunrise and sleeping in.  However, anyone who knows me, knows one of my greatest joys is chasing the sunrise.  I arose and walked to the end of the boardwalk about 6:15 AM.  I took a seat on a bench and awaited the show.  A smile crossed my face when a young couple passed by dressed to take pictures at the dawn. 

As I lingered in my weariness, seeking the sun to dot the horizon, I determined I was not walking the beach.  Suddenly, I heard the LORD whisper, “But I have a surprise for you.”  Honestly, I thought I made this up.  I questioned the Lord, “Is it a big shell or a perfect little shell?”  He did not answer. 

I watched the young couple attempt to set up their camera for a few test shots.  At 6:45 AM, I couldn’t resist the call of the Lord, the sea, nor the vibrant orange pin hole that peeked through the clouds on the horizon.  

“A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” [Pro 16:9 NKJV]

Thankfully,  I obediently stepped to the shoreline to capture the masterpiece that God painted on that day.  I was not in place five minutes when I saw the young man approach in my peripheral vision.  I replied before he asked, “I would be happy to take y’all’s picture in just a few.”  He drew nearer and whispered over my shoulder, “I am asking her to marry me.  Will you take a few pictures and then video the proposal?”  I got so excited, but he quickly calmed me, so she would not  perceive anything unusual.  We immediately walked toward his future.  I captured several pictures and then he gave me his phone to video.  He dropped to a knee without saying a word.  She was completely shocked and elated.   Shortly, after the “YES,”  she asked if she could give me a hug and thanked me.  

It was just the four of us on that section of  beach that day, Alex, Jessica, me, and the Lord.  This was the surprise Holy Spirit had promised:  Sunrise, love, and romance.  The heart of God knew how this would bless me.  He had me at the right place at the right time for this sweetest gift. 

God’s timing blows my mind and I never get used to it.

Are you seeking God? Are you following Him when He speaks?  I have experienced unimaginable blessings when I have actually listened and been obedient to His voice.  I know I  miss out when I  don’t. . 

I enCOURAGE you to seek the Lord.  Follow Him when He speaks. Have you been waiting on the Lord?  Keep waiting.  He is seldom in a hurry, but never late.  He will get you to the right place.  And “at the right time, He will make it happen.”  His timing is perfect. 

Viva Magenta:  Live.  Breathe.  Be at the right place at the right time. 

“[If] I take the wings of the morning, [And] dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.” [Psa 139:9-10 NKJV]

P.S.  Later in the day on the beach, the Lord arranged for me to to share with Jessica the whole story about the Lord and “at the right time.”  It was a good, good day! 

by Tammy Lowe Phillips
August 14, 2023

“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.”   [1Ch 28:9 NLT emphasis]

Just so we are clear. The Hebrew word for “seek” is daras.  It means to resort to, to enquire, to ask, to require; to frequent a place, to tread, to beat a path to, to trample, to go to, to practice, to study, to and follow.  Whatever we need, if we beat a path to God, If we resort to Him, if we go to Him first, we are promised that we WILL FIND HIM.  He sees and He knows every plan. 

Our first inclination when we are challenged is to turn to our spouse, a friend, or a parent.  If we choose to follow the word of God,  we have to practice turning to the Lord first.  Seeking Him is a continuous action. It is why we have to be all about seeking him.  Paul instructs us to:   Pray without ceasing.  Pray continually.  Pray constantly. Never stop praying. (1 Ths. 5:17 KJV, NIV, CSB, NLT)  Since God is our help…

We need to be seeking Him first…
in the little things and in the big things,
about our kings,
about anything’s and everything’s.

We need to be seeking Him first…
when things are lost,
when we are crossed, and
when we are storm tossed.

We need to be seeking Him first…
when we are blue,
when we don’t know what to do,
and when we think we do.

We need to be seeking Him first…
before we write,
before we get uptight,
and before we turn out the light at night.

We need to be seeking Him first…
about building a deck,
about writing a check.
about dealing with tech.

We need to be seeking Him first…
without ceasing,
without decreasing, and
without unbelieving.

We need to be seeking Him first…
in poverty and in wealth,
in sickness and in health,
and life and death.

I enCOURAGE you to seek Him.  “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” [Mat 6:33 NKJV].  I keep hearing, “Seek Me. Seek Me. Seek Me.”  We are promised that if we see Him first.  We will find Him.  In Him is every answer, solution, resolution, plan, purpose, strategy,  direction, instruction, and counsel we will ever need.

“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shalt find me.” ( Proverb 8:17 )

Viva Magenta:  Live.  Breathe.  Be seeking Him first.