Author: Tammy Phillips

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.

by Tammy Phillips
August 7, 2023

O LORD, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God.  [Psa 25:1 NLT]

How does the song go?  “I surrender all. I surrender all.  All to thee my precious Savior.  I surrender all.”   When we give our life to the Lord it is not in partial,  He wants it all. He gave us His ONLY son so that we could live, here, now and forever with Him.  The very least we can do is give all our life to Him.  Have you given all your life to God?

I give…

My life
My body
My spirit
My soul
My thoughts
My kids
My grands
My family
My friends
My job
My money
My giving
My home
My time
My travel
My worries
My fears
My all…to You.  I trust in You,  my God.

I enCOURAGE you to join me and surrender all.  Give your whole life to Him. You may have to do this daily because if you are like me, you might like to try and take things back.  

“Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit [who is] in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” [1Co 6:19 NKJV emphasis]

Our life is not ours. We are His. 

Viva Magenta:  Live. Breathe. Be giving your whole life to the Lord.

by Tammy Phillips
July 31, 2023

 “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature. So, they have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Romans 1:20)

MY HUSBAND JUMPED OUT OF A PLANE FROM 13,000 feet.   GUESS WHAT?  He hates heights.  We were out west and visited Hoover Dam.  I wanted a picture 890 feet above the Colorado river on the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial bridge overlooking the dam. Kris went with me, but he was none too happy about it.   He did not linger after the photo op. 

You can imagine my surprise when Kris was invited by the Golden Knights, 7^th Brigade, BRAVE WARRIORS to skydive and agreed.  I was SHOCKED. I reiterate; he HATES heights.  As jump  day approached, I began to pray more for this “excursion.”  I am supposed to be the one with no fear, but Kris did not show any signs of anxiety.  He never entertained thoughts other than the fact that he was going to jump out of a plane.  Timidity was absent.  He wore brave and bold like a uniform. 

Kris’ tandem partner was SFC Rick Sloan.  As they were preparing to enter the plane, he told us a story of how he had saved another soldier during an exercise.  He had broken his arm midair trying to gain control of the other soldiers fall.  This story was so comforting to me. NOT!  I talked to a few of the Golden Knights and asked how many jumps they had completed.  The answer ranged from 3000 -10,000.  Wonder where the 7^th brigade gets its name, Brave Warriors?  Wow.  What a job!

Kris willingly and courageously exited the plane about 10:15 AM.  It was CRAZY seeing him fall from the sky. My husband faced his fears head on and demonstrated to me that really nothing was impossible with God.  If God is for us, who can be against us?  No one and no thing!

Sixteen people were brave and dove that day.  I wanted to know in one word what they felt.  I was surprised by their answers. 2009 Titans  Pro Bowl cornerback, Courtland Finnegan answered, “Serene.”  Others answered, “Incredible. Peaceful! Exhilarating. Quiet. Tranquil.“  I was surprised most by my husband’s answer, “God!”  He explained, “I did not feel like God, but I experienced God.”   In air He asked his tandem partner, “How can you see all this and not believe in God?  SFC Sloan replied, “That is what we all say.”

 In our focus verse, the Bible tells us we have no excuse for not knowing God.  He shows Himself in all creation.    God’s word also tells us multiple times to be brave, bold, and courageous. 

Faith is not always easy, but it is required to please God. God reveals to us who He is, He tells us what He has done, and will do.  Our assignment is to be bold, brave, and to trust Him. Live the life He has planned and promised for us.  We have no excuse. He has shown us Himself.   

Sadly, scripture also tells us, “Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. ²² Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. ²³ And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. ²⁴ So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. ²⁵ They traded the truth about God for a lie. So, they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. ²⁶ That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. ²⁷ And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. … ²⁹ Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. ³⁰ They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. ³¹ They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. ³² They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.” [Rom 1:21-27, 29-32 NLT]

WOW!  Sadly, sound familiar?  These are not from my mouth but from God’s.

I enCOURAGE you to stop and see God in creation.  When I look at my new grandson, Jack, I am totally amazed and thankful to God for Who He is and what He does. I ditto, my husband, “How can anyone see and not believe in God?”

I enCOURAGE you to be brave and bold without excuse  Face your fears.  Let go and choose God.  You can do nothing without Him and all things through Him.  He is  real and waiting on your choice to worship Him and to give Him thanks in all things.  He has a great life awaiting.  He wrote an instruction manual for you to follow Him into your best life.

VIVA MAGENTA.  LIVE! BREATHE. BE BRAVE! BE BOLD and without excuse.