Author: Tammy Phillips

by Tammy Phillips
May 19,2020

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. -Psalm 23:6

Joy or pain.
Sunshine or rain.
Happy or sad.
Feast or famine.
Health or sickness.
Journey or rest.
Whole or broken.
Peace or chaos.
Prosperity or poverty.
Increase or decrease
Success or failure.

It does not matter what valley we are going through or hill we are climbing.  Goodness, the best, the most, the greatest and mercy, loving kindness, the zeal, the passionate desire to accomplish good will follow us, run after us, pursue us, try to chase us, down all the days of our life, every day, all day.  (Remember how it felt when your love pursued you. He let you know he wanted you.  God wants you more.)

God wants the very best for us.  He assigns goodness and mercy to follow us with Him leading the way.  He holds our hand through every descent, every climb and across every plateau of life.  He empowers us with the great assurance that we will dwell, abide and sit in His house, now and forever.  We never have to move away from home but get to continually reside in His presence.

I enCOURAGE you wherever you are today to rest in the presence of our GOOD FATHER.  His goodness and lovingkindness are in hot pursuit of you. You have a resting place in Him.  He is always with you. He has not left your side and He will never forsake you.

 O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] forever. -1Ch 16:34 KJV

by Tammy Phillips
May 18, 2020

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  -Psalm 23:5

When Granny, my mother in law, invites the family to dinner, we know to expect a spread.  It does not matter if it is Christmas, Easter, or no reason at all.  One meat is never enough.  One potato dish is never enough. We might have picnic ham, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, greens, fried squash, baked beans, brown beans, green beans, corn bread, biscuit bread, rolls, a vegetable tray, vinegar cucumbers, and stuffed eggs. If that isn’t enough, there will always be an Oreo Ice Cream Cake and usually, Chocolate Fudge pie, Chess pie, and Pecan Pie to choose from.  We never leave her house hungry.  Her heart is to bless us. Her heart is to prepare more than enough.  She has the heart of God.

David tells us that our Shepherd prepares a table before us.  One of God’s Names is El Shaddai, the All Sufficient one or the God of plenty.  In other words, God of more than enough!  God does not serve up honey peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a big tall cold glass of icy milk, although I consider that manna from heaven.  He prepares, an orderly array for us.  The word for table in Psalms 23 is shulchan which means a table, but not just an ordinary table, but a table stretched out and spread out.  I see a huge table with a SPREAD prepared by God of more than enough.

You are invited to the King’s table.  He has prepared more than enough.
Prepared by the Good Shepherd

TODAY’S MENU

Bread of Life

Salvation: Wholeness, Healing, Completeness, Rescue from Danger, Protection, Prosperity

Limitless Bowls:  Grace, Forgiveness, Healing, Redemption, Righteousness, Deliverance, Contentment, Happiness, Protection,

Unlimited servings of the Fruit of the Spirit:   Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Gentleness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control

Pitchers of Living Water

Come up to the secret place of the Most High.  The table of peace is set.   Eat all you want.  Order will be served in the face of chaos and confusion because our God is MORE THAN ENOUGH.  No evil will fall on you.  Sit down and enjoy His presence because there is nothing to fear.  He has given you all that you need and more.  He will anoint your head with oil.  He will give you the anointing you need to do what he has called you to do today. His grace is sufficient.  Remember He is El Shaddai.  He has supplied you with more than you need to make it through.  He runs your cup over with Himself.

I enCOURAGE you to come sit at the table the Lord has prepared.  Take and eat in remembrance of Jesus.  Remember, all that He has prepared and done for you.  Don’t run away from the spread.  It is time to eat.

by Tammy Phillips
May 17, 2020

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. -Psalm 23:4

We often think of death as finality.  Wrong!  The enemy wants us to believe that it is the end.  This is folly.  Death on earth is NOT the end of life.   Our shell of a body may cease to exist for a little while.  However, our spirit, the very life in us, lives forever.  Nobody really dies.  We just change our address to Heaven or to Hell.  We all have a choice of our final destination.

“And, then, it is not “the valley of death,” but “the valley of the shadow of death,” for death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains.  Someone has said that when there is a shadow there must be light somewhere, and so there is. Death stands by the side of the highway in which we have to travel, and the Light of heaven shining upon him throws a shadow across our path; let us then rejoice that there is a light beyond. Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a man’s pathway even for a moment.” -Charles Spurgeon

We have been “walking through the valley of the shadow of death” for months now. I hate death and I hate the word “co-vid 19” because it is straight from the pits of hell.  It came with a mission to kill, steal and destroy.  It has killed (It has not lived up to its initial fame.  I am so mad and sad about lives it has claimed, but our God is still greater.).   It has attempted to steal our freedom, our joy and our peace (Do not allow it! God is Greater!). It has tried to destroy our nation and our world (It cannot! God is Greater).   During this time the words of Paul have come alive to me: “For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.” [Philippians 1:21]  I live only because Christ lives in me.  I live and love to share with you His glory, His sacrifice and His benefits.   If my body dies, see you in heaven. I ain’t scared.  “O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?”

I FEAR NO EVIL.  I fear no evil because God is with me.  Satan is a liar.  Stop listening to his lies. Stop giving his lies power.  Do not be duped by him.  OUR GOD IS GREATER!  Walk straight through the lying shadows.

 FEAR NO EVIL!  GOD IS WITH YOU!  

When we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, God is with us!  He comes to live in us, beside us, in front of us and all around us.  We are his temple, His resting place.  “If God be for us who or what can be against us?”  N-O-T-H-I-N-G!   Jesus died for our freedom. Don’t let satan imprison you with his lies.   I live to tell you: “Death is nothing.  Life is eternal.”  We have nothing to fear.  God is our Healer, our Protector and our Provider, our Savior, our Shepherd. “But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. “ [1Corinthians 15:57 KJV]

“The worst evils of life are those which do not exist except in our imagination. If we had no troubles but real troubles, we should not have a tenth part of our present sorrows. We feel a thousand deaths in fearing one, but the psalmist was cured of the disease of fearing. “I will fear no evil,” not even the Evil One himself; I will not dread the last enemy, I will look upon him as a conquered foe, an enemy to be destroyed, “FOR THOU ART WITH ME!” – Charles Spurgeon

If I told you that we had the power, authority, resources and security of the office of the President of the United States backing us, would you feel safe and secure?  Would stand tall and walk proudly?   Our God is greater!  Our God is more Powerful.  Our God has more authority! Our God has more resources. Our God has a better security team.  Our God’s crown is greater than the crown of the enemy, corona.  Our God is with us!  Come on!  Fear no evil.  Give the enemy no more glory or praise.  Do not be afraid of the shadows.  Walk straight through to the other side.

The Lord is our Shepherd.  He leads the way with his rod which can be used for correction, beating off the enemy, ruling, or walking on through.  His staff provides support, holding us up as we walk through the shadows.  His rod and staff bring us comfort.  Comfort is the Hebrew word, nacham. It is packed full of meaning: sigh, breathe strongly, pant, grieve, lament, to be avenged, and to repent.

I enCOURAGE you to not be duped by the enemy. Walk through the valley and shadows.  Follow the Shepherd.  Fear no evil!  God is always with you!  His rod and staff will comfort you and help you breathe all the way to the other side.

by Tammy Phillips
May 16, 2020

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalm23:3

Have you ever traveled with a tour guide?  We have been blessed to go on a few trips with a navigator.  You do not have to worry about one thing.  When going on long journeys to foreign countries, it is the best way to go.   Below, as you read the benefits of a tour director, think about how God leads us through uncharted territory:

• Very knowledgeable and up to date about the culture and area traveling to and through.
• Logistics expert:  Design and provide an itinerary, thus, eliminating the responsibility of planning for the traveler.  Ultimately, the guide is responsible for the trip.
• Organizes meals and lodging.
• Schedules transportation and furnishes directions.
• Experienced in the adventure and provides the proper equipment for the journey.
• Ensures safety in dangerous locations because of knowledge of terrain, weather, and danger zones.
• Knows the best way to lead because of prior experience. “Been there done that!”
• Points out dangers and beauties that an untrained eye could not see.
• Teaches how not to be conned by the “locals” while traveling through unknown lands.
• Knows the best places to go. (Knows location of green pastures and still waters!)
• Welcomes questions and meets the needs of the traveler.

A tour guide can be costly but worth the money.  Our Guide, our Shepherd, has redeemed us and offers all His benefits to us, freely.  His lead is priceless. All we have to do is follow.  He wants us to follow Him out of the desert and into the promises land. He has a great plan for us.

God is our Guide, Director and Navigator.  Look at how He leads: 

RIGHTEOUSNESS:   He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. [Psalm 23:3]

MERCY:  Thou hast led forth in thy mercy the people [which] thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided [them] in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. [Exodus 15:13 KJV]

PLAINLY:  Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path. [Psalm 27:11 KJV]

ROCK & FORTRESS:  For thou [art] my rock and my fortress; therefore, for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me. [Psalm 31:3 KJV]

LIGHT and TRUTH:  O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; [Psalm 43:3 KJV]

COUNSEL:  Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel. [Psalm 73:24 KJV]

SAFELY:  And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: [Psalm 78:53 KJV]

BY HIS HAND:  Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. [Psalm 139:10 KJV]

ALWAYS:  Lead me in the way everlasting. [Psalm 139:24 KJV]

CONTINUALLY:  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. [Isaiah 58:11 KJV]

I enCOURAGE you to follow His lead.  Let God navigate and direct all of your travels and travails.  He has proved Himself over and over to be the BEST TOUR GUIDE.  He loves His job but loves His customers more.  Follow the Shepherd!

By Tammy Phillips
May 15, 2020

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:3

The Lord is our Restorer.  When life is headed in the wrong direction, only the Restorer of our soul can turn things around in the right direction.  When life punches so hard that we become unconscious, only the Lord can revive our breathlessness.

The LORD will…

• Restore by returning what has been stolen, lost or unjustly detained from us.
• Reanimate our spirits when dull or languid. He will invigorate. He will infuse us with new life and courage.
• Recover us from lapse and disease. He heals all our He is our cure.
• Reestablish; He will establish us anew. He will fix us from a state of neglect.
• Refresh us and give us new strength. He will relieve us after fatigue.
• Renew us by making all things new.
• Renovate us by returning us to a good state, after decay, destruction or depravation.
• Repair and return us to a sound state after injury, dilapidation or partial destruction.
• Revive us by returning us to life.

The Lord is our Restorer. He is our Breath.  He restores our soul.

I enCOURAGE you to turn to the ONLY ONE who can turn your life around.  He is the one who will heal your body and mind.  He is the Fixer.  He is Restoration.  He is Life.

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit.  Psalm 51:12 

By Tammy Phillips
May 14, 2020

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. – Psalm 23:2

I would love to know exactly where David was when he wrote this Psalm.  I do not envision green nor water. I imagine he was sitting in a rocky, dry, dusty place, like most of the Middle East.  I do not think green pastures were as easy to find as they are here in the good ‘ole USA.  A shepherd would probably have to work pretty hard to find or cultivate a green pasture for the sheep.

Are you sitting in a dry place?  What does your green pasture look like?  What makes you lie down?  Is it sitting in a beach chair resting at the edge of the ocean waves?  Is it a cool, crisp morning on your favorite golf course?  Is it a world where all your debts are paid, and ailments are healed?  Is it the eternal hope of heaven?  Allow the Lord to take you into His rest.  He will provide your green pasture.  It is already prepared for you.

In Phillips Keller’s, “A Shephard Looks at Psalm 23,” he states it is almost impossible to make a sheep lie down unless these four conditions are met:

Sheep must be free from all fear.
Sheep must be free from friction with other sheep in the flock.
Sheep must be free from torment from flies and pests.
Sheep must be free from hunger.

Sound familiar?  If we step out of faith and into fear, rest and sleep are fleeting.  If the house is full of tension and strife, we become agitated and are not interested in resting.  If something is “bugging us,” the cares of life, sickness, lack or just the lies of the enemy, rest escapes us.

Thirsty?  The best thing to do is follow the shepherd’s lead to the still waters.  The Hebrew word for still in this verse is menuwchah which means rest, resting place, quietness, comfort, and ease.  Whenever I am ill at ease, my favorite place to go find peace is by the water, whether, it be a lake, a river, or my favorite, the ocean.  The water is restorative.  The Living Water, the Lord, is the most restorative.  He is our Peace.

I enCOURAGE you to follow the Shepherd into His rest and peace.  Be content in Him.  A good Shepherd provides for every need of His sheep.  You are marked as saved by the Savior.  He makes the way to the green pastures and to the still waters of rest.  Not only does He provide the rest and peace, He is the Rest.

by Tammy Phillips
May 13, 2020

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1 KJV)

I had nothing to say after searching for a couple of hours this morning.  I was wandering around the pasture and bleating for words.  Our Shepherd led me to Psalms 23.  I said, “Lord, everybody knows Psalm 23!  Show me.  Show me what you want to say.”  He revealed more of himself:

If you are a sheep, then the Lord is your Shepherd, right?  Shepherd is the Hebrew word ra`ah, meaning to tend.  Hence, the LORD is my Tender.  After looking up the meaning of tend and tender in Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, I have come to find the treasure in David’s words.  When he said, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” he was implying:

The LORD is my Tender.
The LORD holds me.
The LORD takes care of me.
The LORD is my Care-Taker.
The LORD is my Keeper.
The LORD is my Guard.
The LORD watches over me.
The Lord pays attention to me.
The LORD accompanies me.
The LORD is my Provider.
The LORD is my Preserver.
The LORD is my Director.
The Lord directs me to an end or purpose.

Those five words he spoke were loaded. Stop and think about it. God was all those things to David and he is all those things to us, too.  Jesus said:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.  My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:27-29 KJV)

Like Jesus, David knew the Lord was greater than all.  He knew the Lord was his Salvation.  David knew exactly who God was to him and he believed that God would do exactly what he said he would do.  Thus, he could boldly say:

“I shall not want.”
I shall not lack.
I shall not be without.
I shall not decrease.
I shall not fail.
I shall not be devoid of anything.

Again, David knew who God was and believed that God would do what he said he would do.  He had full faith in the Lord, his Shepherd.  He knew the Lord would be his Tender and that he would want for nothing.

I enCOURAGE you to follow the Shepherd through the valley, around the mountain and through every obstacle. He has His eyes on you.  He will never leave you alone.  He will not lead you astray and you will not want!  Follow Him.

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: -2Peter 1:3 

By Tammy Phillips
May 12, 2020

When we go to the grocery or order online, we make a long list of what we need so we do not forget anything.  The next week, our list might change according to our needs.  God is the coolest.  God’s list is always the same.  He does not give us a long list of what He needs, instead He gives us a long list of what He freely gives.  What do you need?  (This is just a short list; more can be found in the Bible.)

GOD GIVES US…
His Word (Matthew 4:4)
His Son (John 3:16)
His Holy Spirt (2 Corinthians 5:5)
His Glory (John17:22)
His Life (John 10:11)
New Birth (1 Peter 1:3)
A New Heart (Ezekiel 36:26)
A New Name (Revelation 2:17)
Salvation (1Peter 1:5)
Eternal life (1 John 5;11)
His Angels (Psalm 91:11)
Power to Become sons of God (John 1:12)
A Measure of Faith (Romans 12:3)
Authority to Heal Every Kind of Sickness and Disease in His Name (Matthew 10:1)
Authority Over All the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19)
Security (Job 24:23)
Justice (Job 36:6)
Peace (John 14:27)
Power in Weakness (Isaiah 40:29)
Strength and Power (Psalm 68:5)
Understanding to the Simple (Psalm 119:130)
Wisdom (Proverbs. 2:6)
Grace (Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6)
Food in Abundance. (Job 36:31)
True Bread from Heaven (John 6:32)
Power to get Wealth. (Deuteronomy 8:18)
The Increase (1 Corinthians 3:7)
Breath (Isaiah 42:5)
Sleep (Psalm127:2)
Rest from the Days of Adversity (Psalm 4:13)
Rest from your Sorrow and Fear (Isaiah 14:3)
Life (John 6:33)
Light (Proverbs 29:13)
Power, Love, Sound Mind, Self-Control (2Timothy 1:7)
Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Corinthians 15:57)
Freely All Things. (Romans 8:32)
All Things to Enjoy (2 Timothy 6:17)
Life, Breath, and All Things (Acts 17:25)
EVERYTHING WE NEED (2 Peter 1:3)

I enCOURAGE you to grasp all that God has freely given us.  Take hold of what you need. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 KJV). Our God is rich, super rich.  Actually, He is the richest.  All He asks  is for us to love Him  and love others.

By Tammy Phillips
May 11, 2020

 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop, but a good word maketh it glad.  -Proverbs 12:25

HEAVINESS
Cares
Fear
Sorrow
Anxiety
Sorrow
IN THE HEART, mind, soul, OF A MAN MAKES IT

STOOP
Bow down
Be depressed
Prostates yourself
Makes you lay up and lay out
Worship

BUT A GOOD, an enCOURAGING WORD MAKES IT GLAD (brighten up, cheer up).

Cheer, tharseo, translated from the Greek means be of good comfort and be of good courage.

Jesus is our ultimate enCOURAGER! Be encouraged by his words:
Son, be of good cheer; your sins are given you. (Matthew 9:2)
Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you whole. (Luke 8:48)
Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.  (Mark 6:50)
Be of good cheer, rise, he is calling you. (Mark 10:49)
Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.   John 16:33

Be enCOURAGED today!
You are loved.
You are beautiful.
You are simply gorgeous.
You are needed.
You are giving.
You are gracious.
You are kind.
You are smart.
You are important.
You are His beloved.

Some of the best advice I every received from a lawyer friend was:
“Gurl, get up every morning!  Look in the mirror and say: ‘I AM LUSCIOUS!’”

I enCOURAGE you to encourage yourself and others with good words.  Do no talk to yourself any different than you would talk to me.  COURAGE UP!  You are luscious! 

by Tammy Phillps
May 10, 2020

For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, [Eph 2:8 NKJV]

Y O U   A R E   T H E   MOST.
You are preferred.
You are greatly loved.
Y O U  A R E  G O D ’S  F A V O R I T E !

FOR BY GRACE…
Grace is God’s…
Unmerited
Undeserved
Unearned
Unfailing
Extravagant
Outrageous
F A V O R

…YOU ARE SAVED…
You are whole.
You are healed.
You are complete.
You are delivered from the penalty of sin.
You are rescued in every situation.

…THROUGH FAITH…
Believing that God is who he says he is and will do what he says he will do

…AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES….
You cannot be good enough.
You will never be worthy enough.
You cannot earn it.
You cannot buy it.
You do not deserve.
You have absolutely nothing to do with saving your self .
You can never, ever, even qualify for it, but Jesus did.  He paid for it. He paid for all of your salvation on the cross.

IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD.
It is your present.  You were gifted with this earthly life by your mother.  However, you were gifted with life eternal by your Father God, beginning at the moment you said yes to Jesus.

YOU ARE THE MOST.
You are preferred.
You are greatly loved.
YOU. ARE. GOD’S. FAVORITE!

I enCOURAGE you to embrace the Grace.  Take your priceless gift and say thank you.  You do not owe God anything.  Just love Him.  Jesus is more than he enough for you. He  says , “My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV)