Author: Tammy Phillips

by Tammy Phillips
September 16, 2020

And that, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed. (Romans 13:11 KJV)

Let me start by saying that I do not like to be late!   I am on the prayer team at church. We have four services and a team prays during each one.  For at least one hour, we pray over the service and a myriad of kingdom business.  I used to be the first one to arrive and then I got a little slack.  One Sunday, I was going to be right on time.  I thought I would stop and grab a cup of coffee which would make me just a little bit late.  Holy Spirit dropped this thought into my spirit. “What if Jesus was physically sitting in the prayer room waiting for you?  Would you stop for coffee?” I don’t like to be late and I sure would not want Jesus waiting on me.  Plus, I said I would be there at 8:00 AM and I am only as good as my word.  If I had paid attention to the time and awoke earlier, this would not have been a problem.  

 When we wake up what is the first thing we want to know? “What time is it?”  Is it time to get up? Is it time for church? Is it time to start the day? It is important for us to know the time.  It really is our guide as to when it is time to rise.  We could be oblivious and uncaring to everything and everyone around us and just stay in bed all the time.  What profit is that?

Romans 13: 11-12 tells us what time it is.  It is the time that “our salvation is nearer than we believed” and that the night and time of darkness is almost gone, and the day is about to dawn. The day is the eminent return of Jesus Christ our Savior, when he comes to take his children home and the end of this age will come to a close. I promise, when he calls, we better be ready.  There is not going to be time to say, “Wait just a minute Jesus, I need to grab a cup of coffee for the ride.”

It is also “high time to awake up out of sleep.”   The alarm is going off and Paul is saying wake up sleepy heads.   The hour is come.  It is time.  It is THE time. It is the season. It is the moment.  It is the instant.  RING! RING! …or whatever sound your alarm makes.

WAKE UP!  ARISE!  RAISE UP!  COLLECT YOURSELF!  ROUSE TO REALITY!

Get yourself together.  Jesus is coming. We need to be awake. 

We need to be fixing a cup of coffee and talking with Jesus every morning.
Can’t do that in our sleep.

We need to be listening to him.
Can’t do that in our sleep.

We need to be walking the Love walk.
Can’t do that in our sleep.

We need to be talking the Love talk.
Can’t do that in our sleep.

We need to be making ourselves ready and getting dressed.
Can’t do that in our sleep.

I enCOURAGE you to ROUSE to reality.  If I came to pick you up for lunch, you would be excited and ready to go.  Jesus IS coming to take us to the most glorious event ever.  The Marriage feast of the Lamb.  We got our heavenly bodies and comfy eternal robes waiting on us.

by Tammy Phillips
September 15, 202

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord. (Romans 12:11 KJV)

I remember when I first fell in love with my hubby, Kris.  Do you remember that first love feeling?   You could not wait to see, talk and be around your new love.  Sparks and passion were flying. You could not get enough. The fire was burning hot and you would do anything to please your partner.  Even now, we call it, “warm fuzzies!”  I have discovered this to be the meaning behind Romans 12:11.

How do I know?  When a verse pricks your spirit, but you do not know exactly why, it is time to go digging!   It is like a treasure hunt.  Looking at this verse, some of the words did not make sense. It was time to unlock the riches of the word by looking at the Greek Definitions:

Slothful: okernos, meaning, lagging, lazy, idle, from okneo: to hesitate, be slow, delay.   The word apathetic and an “I don’t care” attitude come s to mind.

Business: spoudazdo, which means zeal, diligence, eagerness, haste, striving after, earnest carefulness. From the word speudo meaning to speed

Fervent: zeo, meaning to be hot; to Boil in liquids and to glow in case of a solids

Serving: douleuo, which means: one who gives himself up to another’s will ; devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests; total obedience, and bound to.

This verse is a treasure trove!  When all the rich substance of the words are combined, it could read like this:

DO NOT BE SLOTHFUL IN BUSINESS
Be diligent. Do not be negligent.
Be zealous. Do not be apathetic.
Be eager. Do not be lazy.
Be speedy. Do not hesitate or be slow.
Be caring. Do not be carless.
Be attentive. Do not be absent-minded.

BE FERVENT IN SPIRIT.
(Remember that first love feeling)
Be continuously boiling.
Be glowing.
Be hot.
Be on fire.

SERVING THE LORD
Surrendered to the Lord’s will
Devoted to the Lord.
Totally committed.
Total obedience to the Lord.
Bound to the Lord.
Do whatever is needed.
SOLD OUT.

I encourage you to be a Fire-place and “to fan into flame the gift of God…For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:6-7 NIV) So, “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.“ (Colossians 3:17 NIV) We have to stay hot, boiling and on fire  for the Lord.  Whatever we do, we need to make Him look good so that we draw others to Him.  We need to build up the name of Jesus in all that we do. We need to brag on our Man by our very actions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
September 14, 2020 

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2 NKJV)

I have spent most of my life seeking love and happiness.  I have taught my children the same thing.  I told them to find what they loved and to do it.   Sadly, I taught them to pursue knowledge, wealth, sports and happiness, more than I originally taught them to know God.   God was always important in our family, but He was not always first.  

It is so  sad that the “world” is so lost. Honestly, I believe many self proclaimed Christians are lost; I was.  It is disheartening that the answer is right before our eyes and that so many are blind to Jesus.  God wrote is all out for us in His word. 

The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge, [But] fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7 NKJV)

I am determined. I am resolved. I am resolute to not know anything among you accept Jesus.  The Lord is and always has the answer.  I sought money.  It was not the answer.  I sought art.  It was not the answer.  I sought sports. It was not the answer. I have found out why this world in such a mess?  We have sought knowledge and wisdom in all the wrong places and not Jesus first.

Christ [is] all and in all. (Colossians 3:11 NKJV)

JESUS IS…

• The Beginning!
• the Son of God
• God in the flesh
• the Savior
• the Christ
• the Teacher
• the curse for us
• the Crucified
• the resurrection
• the Raised
• the Redeemer
• the refuge
• the Restorer
• the Everlasting Righteousness
• the High Priest
• the Destroyer at the works of the devil
• The End!

For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth [come] knowledge and understanding; (Proverbs 2:6 NKJV)

Since the Lord is the most loving, most powerful and  infinitely knowledgable man that has ever lived, why would we not see to know his Words and imitate His actions?   He walked successfully through life all the way into eternity.   We have long followed the wrong things…

We have pursued happiness.
Happiness cannot be truly be found outside of Jesus.

We have pursued the fountain of youth.
 The Lord is the fountain of life.  
“For with You [is] the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. (Psalm 36:9 NKJV) 
 “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3 NKJV)

We have pursued knowledge in all the wrong places.
He is all knowledge for goodness sake.  He spoke the world into existence. He might know a little about it. Don’t think God is creator?  Simple example, We speak our dinner into existence, when we go through the drive through of Chick Fila.  We speak. The universe obeys. We drive around the corner and voila, there is our meal. That is how easy it was for God to speak the universe into existence.  He is all might and all powerful.

“…To the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”(Colossians 2:2-3 NKJV)

    Christ is the way, the truth, and the life!

• • It does not matter how many years of schooling we completed.
  • It does not matter how many degrees or certifications we have collected.
  • It does not matter whether we have a bachelors, master, doctorate or no degree at all.

What matters is that we know and purse Jesus and His resurrection.

I enCOURAGE you “to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 NKJV) Resolve to know Him!  Make him your study (not the internet), your passion, your research and the one thing you need.  All else pales in comparison.  There is no comparison.

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord [is]. (Ephesians 5:17 NKJV)

by Tammy Phillips
September 13, 2020

“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:44 NKJV)

On January 21, 1999, at 4:15 AM, an F-3 tornado with winds in excess of 160 mph made its way through downtown Clarksville, Tennessee.  It destroyed over 120 buildings and damaged 560 others.  Praise God; there were no deaths.  I am not sure that Kris and I did not sleep through it.  We were not prepared for it.

I will never forget.  Around breakfast time, Kris’ boss, Tres Mullis dropped by the house with a bandana wrapped head. He looked a little disheveled.   This was out of character for him.  He was a well-kept young man who was always dressed impeccably.   At first, I would not let him in the front door.  Brayden was 4 and Parker, almost 2.  Our toddler ravaged house looked like the tornado’s path had went directly through the center of our home.  Sadly, Tres challenged me with magnitude of what had just happened to gain entrance.  I was mortified.  I was not ready!  I did not want to see the mess nor was I ready for anyone else to see it.   

Jesus told us in Matthew 24:44 , “BE READY.”

Was the father who chose to ride his motorcycle to the lake to meet his family and friends, but instead had a fatal accident, ready?

Was the mother who was on a beach trip with girlfriends, who waded into the ocean to save another, ready?

Was the husband who was enjoying a day on a sailboat, who fell off and passed, ready?

Was the man who did not make it to his car because his heart stopped, ready?

Were the many young sons and daughters who died to early… ready?

These lives ended without notice.  Life is precious.  I pray for each of these families.   I know these are hard and painful questions.  My heart is pounding because I have been asking myself this question, “Are YOU ready?”  Are you prepared?  Are my family and friends ready?  All of the people I mentioned above are  people  we knew and  who have recently passed.   I am asking you this question, “Are you ready?”  I am begging you, and challenging me, with the words of Jesus…BE READY.   BE PREPARED.

If you have not heard, I will remind you.  God loves us so much.  He sent Jesus His Only Son to die for us. (Romans 5:8)  He died a horrible death to  pay for our wrongs and buy back our eternal life. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 NKJV)  For all  of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23 NKJV)  He rose again so that we can LIVE eternally with Him.  The only way to God is through Jesus.  All we have to do ask His forgiveness and REPENT, change our mind and run into His arms.  We must choose Him as our SAVIOR AND LORD.  If He is not LORD in our life, He is probably not our Savior either.

• If you do not intimately know Him …
• If you do not have a personal relationship with Him…
• If you do not do the will of Father God…
• If your do not spend time with Him…
• If you do not read His word and do it…
• If you do not pray with Him…

Do you really know Him?
Are you really prepared to meet Him?

ARE YOU READY?  When you meet Jesus face to face, don’t be this person…

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. (Matthew 7:21 NKJV)

I enCOURAGE and I mean strongly encourage you to ask yourself, “ARE YOUR READY?”   Death is coming.  It seems to be coming faster and faster.  It comes unexpectantly.   Jesus is coming.  God warned us and told us to be ready and to watch and pray.  I love you, but He loves you more!!!  ARE YOU READY?  Only you know.  Choose Jesus  today and every day!  It is not a “one and done” salvation.  Satan know who Jesus is,  but he does not live for him.  It is daily choosing Jesus.  

 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13 NKJV)

 

by Tammy Phillips
September 12, 2020

I have known four different families that have tragically lost a mom, a dad, a son, and a husband unexpectantly within the last two weeks.  My heart was heavy for them and for you. As you know, there is a lot of pain in many lives and throughout the world.  The heaviness and loss were preventing me from finding an encouraging word.  I looked until I found a word: REJOICE.  It was just the medicine the Great Physician ordered. 

Do you know that often times in the Old Testament the word rejoice means to spin around, turn in a circle, dance, and leap for joy?  It also means to tremble, accompanied by leaping and palpitation of the heart.  Other times, it means to brighten and cheer up.  In the New Testament it means to be cheer full.  It is often used as a salutation meaning, CHEER UP!  

We are not instructed to cheer up because of circumstances.  Circumstances change.  Our God does not, and He works all things together for good.  It is our choice to rejoice in Him no matter what.

“It is a duty for us to cultivate this joy. We must steadfastly arrest any tendency to murmur and complain; to find fault with God’s dealings; or to seek to elicit sympathy. We must as much resist the temptation to depression and melancholy as we would to any form of sin.” (Meyer)

I challenge you turn your frown upside down.  If these words of the Lord do not cause you to cheer up, then put on your dancing boots, spin around in a circle, jump up and down.  Put your praise on and rejoice when you do not feel like it.  Rejoicing is an action, not a feeling. It is trusting the Lord and His word.  He tells us over and over to rejoice.  It is not a suggestion, but a prescription.  REJOICE…

• Rejoice before the LORD your God in all you put your hands to. (Deuteronomy 12:18 NKJV)
• Rejoice in every good thing which the LORD your God has given to you and your house (Deuteronomy 26:11)
• Rejoice in the LORD; Smile at my enemies. (1 Samuel 2:1 NKJV)
• Rejoice hearts who seek the LORD! (1 Chronicles 16:10 NKJV)
• Rejoice in goodness. (2 Chronicles 6:41 NKJV)
• Rejoice with great joy. (Nehemiah 12:43 NKJV)
• Rejoice with trembling. (Psalm 2:11 NKJV)
• Rejoice; Be glad in the LORD, and shout for joy. (Psalm 32:11 NKJV)
• Rejoice in the LORD; praise from the upright is beautiful. (Psalm 33:1 NKJV)
• Rejoice in His mercy. He has considered our trouble. (Psalm 31:7 NKJV)
• Rejoice at the rising of the morning and the going down of the evening. (Psalm 65:8)
• Rejoice. Sing praises. Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. (Psalm 98:4 NKJV)
• Rejoice and be glad in the day the LORD has made. (Psalm 118:24 NKJV)
• Rejoice at His word as one who finds great treasure. (Psalm 119:162 NKJV)
• Rejoice in our Maker. (Psalm 149:2 NKJV)
• Rejoice in the future. (Proverbs 31:25 NKJV) r
• Rejoice for nothing is better. (Ecclesiastes 3:12 NKJV)
• Rejoice forever and be glad and in what I create. (Isaiah 65:18 NKJV)
• Rejoice for the LORD has done marvelous things! (Joel 2:21 NKJV)
• Rejoice in the LORD.  I will joy in the God of my salvation. (Habakkuk 3:18 NKJV)
• Rejoice with all your heart. (Zephaniah 3:14 NKJV)
• Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you! (Luke 1:28 NKJV)
• Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward [is] great in heaven. (Luke 6:23 NKJV)
• Rejoice because your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20 NKJV)
• Rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2 NKJV)
• Rejoice with those who rejoice. (Romans 12:15 NKJV)
• Rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh.  (Philippians 3:1, 3 NKJV)
• Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4 NKJV)
• Rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, (1 Peter 1:8 NKJV)
• Rejoice all day long In His name! (Psalm 89:16 NKJV)
• Rejoice and be glad all our days! (Psalm 90:14 NKJV)
•  

I enCOURAGE you to “rejoice always.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16 NKJV). Cheer up!  It’s not a suggestion.

by Tammy Phillips
September 11, 2020

One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:5-6 KJV)

One smile
One hug
One gesture
One note
One call
One choice
One word
One gift
One life

One smile can brighten the darkest day.
One hug can bring comfort and strength to continue on.
One gesture can change turn a time of sadness into a time of gladness.
One note or text can let the recipient know, they do not walk alone.
One call can cheer a weary soul.
Once choice can mean life or death.
One Word can change a destiny.
One Gift can change an eternity.
One life changed everything.

One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:5-6 KJV)

Jesus changed everything for you and me.  He gave his life and his blood in exchange for our life.  He paid a debt we could not. He saved us for now and eternity.   He rose from the dead so we could live eternally with the One.  God allowed His Words to be captured and recorded in the Bible to tell us the story of One, Jesus.

When we use our words, whether it be spoken or written, to spread the good news of the One, we are sharing the LOVE of the ONE TRUE GOD.   One can and did change all. One made a difference.

I enCOURAGE you to meditate on the ONE and all He is and did for us. Think about the ONE, and how you can change your life and the life of another.  Be the one who makes a difference.

by Tammy Phillips
September 10, 2020

 “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 “by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:29-31 NKJV)

I have something to say.  Everybody seems to have something to say about everything.  The “Every bodies” are being very bold in what they say.   As Christians what are we saying to ourselves and to others?  Are we boldly speaking our words or the words of God?   Are we speaking and abiding in hate, fear, anxiety, doom, gloom, sickness, depression or hopelessness?   Those are vocabulary words of the devil.   Or are we spreading the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Love! Faith! Peace! Future! Health! Wholeness! Health! Joy! Hope! Salvation!   I do not know what “NEWS STATION” that you tune into, but I listen to the WORD@the B.I.B.L.E.   It is the only station where you hear 100% truth and good news. 

The disciples were told that they could no longer broadcast the name of Jesus.  It was forbidden in their vocabulary by the “rulers of the people and elders of Israel.”   So, they took action in Acts 4:29 and God acted in verses 30 and 31:

THEY PRAYED:

“Now Lord look on their threats.  Grant to Your servants that with ALL boldness they may speak Your word.”

 GOD ANSWERED:

1. The place was shaken. Don’t you want to pray simple prayers that get the attention of God to the point that He shakes things up?
2. They were filled. They were filled up with the Holy Spirit, His power and His boldness just like they asked.  God words says in Proverbs 28:1: “But the righteous are bold as a lion.”   They were empowered with the boldness of the Lion of Judah!  Us, too, if we ask!

THEY SPOKE THE WORD OF GOD WITH BOLDNESS:

• freedom in speaking
• unreservedness in speech
• openly
• frankly
• without concealment
• free and fearless confidence
• cheerful courage

I enCOURAGE you to pray; ask God for boldness and a fearless roar.  Expect God to shake things up and fill you to the brim with Himself.  Then open your mouth, empowered by God and say enough is enough to your enemies, whatever or whoever is coming against you.  Courageously speak the name of Jesus and life into your need.  With fearless confidence, shout out the good news of Jesus.  He is Savior.  He is Deliver.  He is Healer.  He is every answer to every question. ‘They raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You [are] God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them”’ (Acts 4:24 NKJV)

.           BE BOLD. BE COURAGEOUS. LET THEM HEAR YOU ROAR!
(no matter how you feel!)

 

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
SEPTEMBER 9, 2020

 But the way of the upright is a highway. (Proverbs 15:19 NKJV)

It is funny and amazing how God created us all so differently.  if my sister-in law’s take my mother-in-law to the doctor in the city.  They take the back way.  Not me, I choose the highway every time, unless there is an accident or obstruction on the road.  I have to take alternate routes then.  I want to get from my home to my destination as fast as possible.  On long trips, my goal is to make few stops and arrive fast.  My desire is to get where I am going.  God has devised the same plan for us in life.  It is called the Highway of Holiness. 

For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert.  The parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water; A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it [shall be] for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray.  No lion shall be there, Nor shall [any] ravenous beast go up on it; It shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there. (Isaiah 35:6-9 NKJV)

God is the best.  Leave it to Him to create a highway to our eternal destination.  His ways are HIGH-WAYS and HIGHWAYS.    His High-Ways lead us on the highway to Him.  When followed, His ways catapult us on the road up, from:

• • living in sin to becoming the righteousness of Christ
  • death to life
  • sickness into health
  • lack into wealth
  • brokenness to being complete in Him

His highway was costly to build.  Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6 NKJV).   He gave his life to pave our highway to the Father.  The only avenue to gain entrance to the route is to have accepted and been washed in the precious blood of Jesus. The great thing is that God knew we would make mistakes, take wrong turns and detours, but that through Jesus we would never be lost again.  Holy Spirit will reroute us, bring us to repentance and turn us around the right way.  

Holy Spirit also teaches us through the Word about guardrails.  His guiding word protects us from falling off the highway.  As we grow in our relationship with Him by reading His word and praying, we learn about the guardrails that keep us moving safely along the highway.

The highway is a safe way to travel because the way of the upright is a highway (Hebrew word calal meaning:  lifted up, elevated, cast a heap, to make level away by casting up a bank.). We also trave safely because “the highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul.” (Proverbs 16:17 NKJV)

 The highway in the above verse is the Hebrew word mecillah.  It is different word from calal but derived from it.  Translated, it means: a way cast up, raised way, causeway, path, course, terraces, a stairway, or steps.  The highway is above.  We are safe on the way, above the lion and beast!   They have no access to this road.  They sit below us, waiting for us to veer from the High-Ways of God.  The Bible tells us: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”  (1 Peter 5:8 KJV).  We are untouchable as long as we maintain on and in the High-Way.  We have to remain vigilant because one bad choice could be deadly.

I enCOURAGE you to take the HIGH-WAY!   It leads to all thing good and all things God. 

“As for God, His HIGH WAY is perfect.  It is God who makes my WAYperfect.  He makes my feet like the feet of deer.  He sets me on high places.  He enlarges the path, the road, under me so my feet did not slip. The LORD lives! Blessed [be] my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted.” (Psalm 18:30-33, 36, 46 NKJV)

by Tammy Phillips
September 8, 2020

When we are in a bad place, the world around us is out of our control and we seek rest.  The Lord always has the answer.  He instructs a thousand different ways in scripture.  “Come to me,” He says.  In Jeremiah 6 the Lords says and lays out some very simple steps to rest:

STAND

Stand, stay, abide, arise, continue, endure, establish, be present, raise up, remain, persist persevere, be resolute

In the ways

The ways, in the journey, in the tread of the road where the feet have trampled

SEE

            Look out, consider, have vision, pay attention, enjoy the light

ASK

Demand, consult, demand, desire, earnestly enquire, inquire, interrogate, pray, request, require

For the old

            Concealed, hidden, secret, ancient, everlasting, perpetual, without end

Paths

            Trodden with feet, beaten track, pathway

Where the good way is

The Beautiful, Best, better, most excellent, happy, prosperous, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, most pleasant, sweet, understanding, kind, and right way is.

WALK IN IT

Go, move, march, proceed, pursue, exercise, trample, run, flow, live

You will find

 Meet, be presented, encounter, secure, acquire, fall, hit and catch

Rest

            Repose, settle, quiet, ease, stillness, cessation of motion

For your souls

            Heart, mind, will, emotions. (Jeremiah 6:16)

We cannot be like Judah in Jeremiah 6:16-17, who said, “We will not walk [in it].”  And God, even after he told them the way to go, said, “I ALSO set watchmen over you, [saying],  “Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’”  They still said, “We will not listen.”  NKJV) They chose not to walk nor listen to the ways of God.  Disregard leads and will always lead to calamity.

The old ways mentioned in Jeremiah 6 are the ways of God.  Love God alone.  Be amazed by God.  Repent and seek Him.  Pray often. Meditate on His Word. Do what he tells us to do.  He does not ask a lot, but He gives immeasurably.  The old ways are not old fashioned, out of style nor uncool! They are the paths to life!  God says, “Stand in the ways.”  These ways are not fluid.  They do not change with the times.  God has standards and if we choose to go our own way, we are choosing to live beneath God’s best life for us.  Our best life is walking in His ways.  He is a much better guide to the here, now and eternal.  When we take the steps to STAND, SEEK, ASK, WALK in HIS WAYS and in the treads of the paths of the righteous who have walked before us, our great reward is REST, His rest!!!

I enCOURAGE you to STAND, SEEK, ASK, WALK in HIS WAYS these are the steps that lead us up to his REST.

Come unto me, all [ye] that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:29-30 KJV)

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
September 7, 2020

Be my strong refuge, To which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, For You [are] my rock and my fortress. – Psalm 71:3 NKJV

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. – Psalm 9:9 KJV

Memories of childhood flee. However, for as long as I can remember I have had a “fort” in my life.  I remember being four or five.  My cousin, Frank and I used to play fort in my Nanny and Pop’s front yard.  He would go off hunting bears and I would pick beans from the mimosa tree and make “green beans” for supper.   The fort was a place to resort and hide out.  When I was older, nine or ten, I had a fort in the back yard.  It was made of four pieces of plywood that wrapped around and were nailed to four perfectly placed trees that allowed a small gap for entrance.  I secretly shaved my legs for the first time in that fort.  I spent many hours in that refuge trying to escape the pain of my parent’s divorce, not understanding why they could not be reunited.  Elvis Presley’s, “Separate Ways,” was my anthem that played on repeat in that retreat.

“Some day when she’s older, maybe she will understand
Why her mom and dad are not together
The tears that she will cry when I have to say goodbye
Will tear at my heart forever.”

In my twenties, my fort grew in size and shape.  I took refuge off of Wolfskin Road in my Aunt Kay and Uncle Sherrill’s back yard which happened to be 57-acre, Lake Oglethorpe.  I could easily make the 25- minute drive from the University of Georgia and hide out from the craziness of college life. 

On May 8, 1987 my grandfather, my cousin and I went fishing on that lake.   We took the boat to one of Pop’s favorite fishing spots.  As soon as we arrived, after just a few casts, he said we needed to head home to Nanny.  I was puzzled.  When we got back to the house, he walked out on the porch and stretched his arms toward heaven. He came inside, sat down in his recliner and we watched him die of a massive heart attack.  He was the third grandparent I had lost in less than a year.  Lake Oglethorpe was my safe place, my fort where a 21-year old heart could heal. 

All those years, I was trying to find rest, escape and heal.  And, I did to some extent.  

The “fort experience” was so important to me.  I passed the art of fort building with blankets on to my boys.  We used to build forts all over the house.  Fun memories.

Fast forward, 30 years, my current hide out is my war room, our dining room.  It is the space where I resort and feel safe.   It is the place where I go to meet my Refuge.  Now, different melodies recur in my fort; I sing songs of hope: 

“The LORD [is] my Rock and my Fort and my Deliverer The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My Shield and the Horn of my Salvation, My Stronghold and my Refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence.  I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so, shall I be saved from my enemies. (2 Samuel 22:2-4 NKJV)

God [is] our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1 NKJV

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until [these] calamities have passed by. – Psalm 57:1 NKJV

 I encourage you to resort to the Fort.  “He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.  In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, and my Refuge, is in God.  Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a Refuge for us. Selah – Psalm 62:6-8 NKJV