Author: Tammy Phillips

by Tammy Phillips
July 26, 2020

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. – Acts 9:15 NKJV

The Bible tells us in Acts 9:15 that Saul was a chosen vessel of God to bear his name.  God used a murderous, persecutor to write the majority of the New Testament and to spread the Gospel.  And, Ananias was the disciple and chosen vessel to lead Saul to his destiny.

YOU are a chosen vessel of God to bear the name of Jesus.  If you are a follower of Christ, you are called a Christian for a reason.  You have a purpose in His kingdom.   Remember…

• You did not choose Jesus, but he chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit. (John 15:16 )
• You are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
• He also called you; He justified you ; He also glorified you . (Romans 8:30)
• You are chosen … that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  (1 Peter 2:9)
• He chose you in Him before the foundation of the world…(Ephesians 1:4)

Think of it like this, a flower is also chosen vessel to reflect the creative beauty and goodness of God.

As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. – Psalm 103:15 NKJV 

The Hebrew word for flower here is tsiyts which means bloom, glisten, a shining thing.  The etymology of this word is tsuwts which means to shine, to flourish, to be bright shine, twinkle, and to sparkle.  It looks like, God likes sparkle and shine as much as we do.  (I mean streets of gold in heaven, right?)  So, If man is like a flower, and a flower sparkles and shines.  We are his chosen vessel, bearing, his name, and reflecting His glory.  We are made to flourish. We are vessels made to sparkle and shine.

I enCOURAGE you to know how very special you are to God.  YOU ARE HIS CHOSEN VESSEL.  He did not walk into Kroger and pick any old flower or vase.  He created you and picked you.  He wants to pour into you so you can pour into others.  You know that you are called to SPARKLE.  Shine on!

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
July 24, 2020

Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: – Acts 10:34 KJV

He is Lord of ALL. (Acts 10:36)

All means all.  I open my mouth and say that the Lord does not care what you look like.  He does not care what you did in your past.  “We have all sinned.” He does not look at your face.  You do not have to look a certain way to be accepted by him.  He looks at your heart, at the inner man.  He does not care how much money you make, or do not make.  He doesn’t care if you are a janitor or a doctor.  He does not look at your skin color, nor nationality.  He is not partial because of who you are.   It is WHOSE you are that matters.

He is Lord to the,
Jew
Gentile
Republican
Democrat
Black
White
Yellow
Red
Fat
Skinny
Ugly
Beautiful
Homosexual
Heterosexual
Beautiful
Educated
Uneducated
Rich
Poor
Policeman
Criminal
Faithful
Adulterer
Abused
Abuser
Unwed Mom
Deadbeat Dad
Motherless
Fatherless
Drunk
Drug Addict
Sex Addict
Homeless
Murderer
Thief…and everyone else not on this short list.

For there is no partiality with God. – Romans 2:11 NKJV 

He is Jesus to all.  He is Savior to all.   Sadly, all do not allow him to be Lord.   All do not come to him.  All do not accept him as their Savior.   All are welcome, but all do not…, nor obey the word of God.  All do not live righteously.  All do not accept that ….

“He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” – 2 Corinthians 5:15 NKJV.  

Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; For they [are] all the work of His hands. – Job 34:19 NKJV

 I enCOURAGE you to see ALL, as the works of His hands.  He is Lord of ALL (.)   Lord, open our eyes.  Help us to see everyone with your eyes.  Help us to open our mouths and share you with ALL.

“He is either Lord of ALL, or He is not Lord at all.”  -Hudson Taylor

Deuteronomy 10:17,  2 Chronicles 19:7,  Job 34:19,
Romans 2:11, Colossians 3:25

 

by Tammy Phillips
July 24, 2020

In ACTS 9 God covered a lot of territory and was busy acting through the disciples:

ACTS 9:1-9       The Damascus Road: Saul Converted.  One of the greatest persecutors of Christianity came to Jesus.

ACTS 9:10-19    Paul recovers his sight.  The Lord sent Ananias to Paul.  Ananias said “Woe, wait a minute.  You know who he is, right?”  The Lord says, “go,” and Ananias is obedient.  Paul receives his sight, is filled with Holy Spirit and is baptized.

ACTS 9:20-22   Saul immediately preached Christ in the synagogues

ACTS 9:23-25    Saul escaped death.

ACTS 9:26-30    Saul was rejected and accepted by disciples in Jerusalem. Escaped death again.  Saul empowered by the Holy Spirit spoke BOLDLY in the name of the Lord Jesus.

ACSTS 9:31        The Church Prospers. Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. – Acts 9:31 NKJV

ACTS 9:32-35    Aeneas the Paralytic was Healed.

ACTS 9:36-43    Dorcas was Restored to Life.

 The acts were flowing in this chapter.  The apostles and disciples were full of the Holy Spirit, power and boldness.  Lets’ look at the last two acts of Peter in this chapter.  Peter did not send out a letter to the other apostles asking for prayer for the healing of Aeneas and Tabitha.   He boldly addressed the problems immediately, in person, and in the power of the Holy Spirit.  He did make one call to the Father before he spoke to Tabitha.

In Lydda, Aeneas had been paralyzed for eight years.  Simply and with no fluffy prayers, “Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ makes you whole. Arise and make your bed.’ Then he arose immediately”. – Acts 9:34 NKJV.  Eleven words, faith, and obedience in Jesus changed Aeneas’ life, forever.

“At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas.  This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.  But it happened in those days that she became sick and died.  When they had washed her, they laid [her] in an upper room.” – Acts 9:36-37 NKJV

Lydda was close to Joppa so they sent for Peter.  When he arrived, they were all wailing.

“But Peter put them all out and knelt down and prayed.  And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.” – Acts 9:40 NKJV

Here, a bad thing happened to a good person, but somebody dared to believe that the bad was reversible.  A prayer and two words, “Tabitha, arise,” spoken in the authority and power of Jesus, brought life back into Tabitha.

Not only did Peter’s faithful acts of obedience change two lives,

“all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him (Aenenas) and turned to the Lord.” – Acts 9:35 NKJV.

“And it (Tabitha’s healing) became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.” – Acts 9:42 NKJV

The Holy Spirit empowers us to these and greater works for God’s glory.   Chew on that one for a day or two.  I boldly say, “Arise! Jesus Christ has made you whole.”

I enCOURAGE you to address boldly and with the authority of Jesus, the obstacles, sickness and problems in your life.  Speak the good news of Jesus into the lives of those around you.  It will change your life, their lives and ultimately, the people surrounding them.  Act, one at a time, and watch the ripple of the Holy Spirit change lives, cities, states and the nation.

by Tammy Phillips
July 22, 2020

And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It [is] hard for you to kick against the goads.”  So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord [said] to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” – Acts 9:5-6 NKJV

When Saul encountered Jesus on the journey, near Damascus, he asked Jesus two very important questions: “Who are you, Lord and what do you want me to do?”  Paul spent the rest of his life searching for the answers to these questions.

I reached a point of despair in my life about twenty years ago.  I had been doing it my way and it was not working so well for me.  I asked similar questions.  I asked God back in 2000, “If you are God, and Jesus is supposed to have all the answers to my questions, help me out?”  The Holy Spirit led me to Colossians 2:10, which has become my life verse, “And ye are complete in him.”  As I sought the Lord through good times and bad, happy and sad, hard and not so hard times, the Holy Spirit revealed Himself to me.  Little by little, I learned who the Lord is.  I learned that all my answers are wrapped up in all that He is. I am still learning.

I believe at some point in time that all of us have asked, “What is my purpose in life?”  Have we always known our purpose?  Or, have we just thrown that question to the universe and hoped for a reply?  When we asked the Lord, “What do you want me to do?”  We have opened ourselves up to His Lordship and His plan.  He always answers.  He gives us the next step.  If He showed us everything that he had planned for our lives, all at once, I am not sure that we could or would believe it.  I know we would be overwhelmed to say the least.

Look at what Paul accomplished for the Lord in his life!  However, after his amazing meeting with Jesus, the only directive answer he received was, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” – Acts 9:6 NKJV.  Paul was told to keep going in the direction he was going, and he would receive his next step.  This is so simple.  Keep doing what you are doing until he tells you what to do next.  If you do not like the way your life is going, turn to God, go in a different direction, and wait on further instruction.  Every time, if you seek Him, you will find him.

I enCOURAGE you to ask the two questions of Jesus:  Who are you and what do you want me to do?  He will answer you.  It might take a little time for Him to return the call, but he always calls back.   I pray that you spend the rest of your life with that same goal of Paul: “…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection…” – Philippians 3:10 NKJV

by Tammy Phillips
July 22, 2020

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: [it is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks. – Acts 9:5 KJV

Saul was a devout Jew who thought he was doing the work of God.  He was viscous and was on a mission to eliminate Christians, particularly the disciples.  He was in hot pursuit of them, when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus.  The meeting stopped him in his tracts and forever changed his life.

Jesus said the funniest thing to Saul in Acts 9:5 KJV, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”  The New King James versions reads, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It [is] hard for you to kick against the goads.”  A goad was a long piece of wood that was pointed on one end.  It was used to urge a stubborn ox in the desired direction.  If the ox rebelled, it might “kick against the goad,” causing a pain in its behind.  “Kicking against the prick” would be like Jesus saying in modern day terms, “Why are you being so stupid?   Why are you making things so hard on yourself by being vain, risky, dangerous, disastrous and destructive in your resistance and rebellion against Me?”  Simply, “why are you doing things your own way?”

Jesus is kind and loving he compassionately “pricks” our spirit in the right direction.  We choose to rebel.  Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NKJV).  We can “kick against the prick” and go our own way, but it will be painful.  Ultimately, we are just slowing down the will of God for our lives.

I encourage you not to “kick against the prick.”  Surrender to the word of God.  Submit to the will of God.  When you have a come-to-Jesus meeting, let it be you that calls it and not Jesus saying, “(fill in the blanks, with your name?)”

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
July 21, 2020

“They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness and shall sing of thy righteousness.” Psalms 145:7 (KJV)

If you know me, you know I am passionate about taking pictures.  I took so many pictures on vacation.  I was scrolling through them and asked myself, “Why?”

When life is moving at warp speed, a photo stops time.  It captures a moment never to be replayed in history again. Photographs tell the stories of our life.  Pictures are the language that write the stories when words and memories fail us.

As an amateur photographer, I don’t think a day passes without me snapping a shot of something.  Some days I take “a roll of film” and some days I take five or ten rolls of pics, at least that is how it used to be. Remember, a roll of film would yield 12, 24, or 36 pics and we would wait in anticipation for them to be developed.  Digital photography and cell phone cameras changed the game.  Now, we can take as many as we want. Thousands upon thousands are instantly processed, saved and stored in something no bigger than a hand.  If that isn’t a wonder of God.  We have instant recall of moments, memories, signs and wonders. All of these images should be used to “abundantly utter the memory of the great goodness of our God.”  According 1 Timothy 6:17, it is God “who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.”

 I enCOURAGE you to be amazed at the great goodness of God.  Keep capturing God moments to share and declare His glory.  Every snapshot is a divine appointment that he has created in your life.  Record it to communicate your story and for your enjoyment.

by Tammy Phillips
July 20, 2020

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree…- Psalm 92:12 NKJV

Flourish is the Hebrew word, parach.  It means to bud, blossom, grow, break out, spread, spring up, and prosper.  Palm tree is the Hebrew word tamar which means erect.

THE PALM TREE…

Is resolute.  It stands erect and immovable.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

Stands upright and grows straight toward heaven. 

It doesn’t have to climb as many steps or take as many detours.
They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright. – Psalm 20:8 NKJV

Ever green crown can grow to 12-18 feet wide.

but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head–Christ– – Ephesians 4:15 NKJV

Has a quantity of dense roots instead of a few large ones.   

that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, – Ephesians 3:17 NKJV

Roots spread out and hold onto large volumes of soil but grow from nutrients in lots of water.

“but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” – John 4:14 NKJV

Large base of roots helps keep it stand upright in the worst of storms.

When we are rooted in Christ, we can weather the worst of storms.

Internal fiber is spongy and elastic and can bend up to 45 degrees.

When we receive and exercise grace in times of trouble, we tend to bend  instead of snapping.  It was a gift to us we need to pass it on.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: – Ephesians 2:8 KJV

Endure winds up to 145 miles per hour without breaking.

            But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. – Matthew 24:13 KJV

Survives fierce storms and never lose their large crowns.

and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. – 1 Peter 5:4 NKJV

Bears much fruit, like the super nutritious date dates and coconuts. (up to 300 pounds of dates annually)

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. – John 15:8 KJV

“Therefoer, by their fruits you will know them. – Matthew 7:20 NKJV

Dates are produced when the tree is from thirty to one hundred years old. 

Now Jesus Himself began [His ministry at] about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) [the] son of Joseph, [the son] of Heli, – Luke 3:23 NKJV

Very useful, over 350 uses.

We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

The Palm tree, shades and shelters.
Its fruit refreshes and nourishes.
Its beauty inspires.
It points to places of water.
It ever praises the Father with its waving fronds.
The palms symbolize victory, triumph, peace, and eternal life. 

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; – Revelation 7:9 KJV

I enCOURAGE you to flourish like the palm tree!   Be rooted deep in the love of Christ and produce much fruit.  Stand strong in the Lord.  Draw living water from Him and point others to Him.  Like the palm, you will endure the worst storms of life.  Plus, you want to have those palms to wave at the King in heaven and  now, to show that…they are living memorials] to declare that the Lord is upright and faithful [to His promises]; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

 

by Tammy Phillips
July 19, 2020

Put on kindness. – Colossians 3:12 NKJV

Kindness is morally good will.
Kindness is moral excellence.
Kindness is gracious.
Kindness is merciful.
Kindness is manageable.
Kindness is mild.
Kindness is pleasant.
Kindness is selflessness.
Kindness is understanding.
Kindness is caring.
Kindness is thoughtful.
Kindness is loving.
Kindness is not harsh.
Kindness is not hard heated.
Kindness is not hard.
Kindness is not hostile.
Kindness is not bitter.
Kindness is not indifferent.

God Kindness is …

ABUNDANT – Nehemiah 9:17 NKJV
GREAT TOWARD US – Psalm 117:2 NKJV
MARVELLOUS -Psalm 31:21
MERCIFUL -Psalm 119:76
EVERLASTING – Isaiah 54:8 NKJV

 For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” Says the LORD, who has mercy on you. – Isaiah 54:10 NKJV

I enCOURAGE you to put on kindness at all times with all people.  Be kind and change someone’s or even the life.  Follow Gods example because kindness matters.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. – Ephesians 4:32 KJV

 

 

 

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
July 18, 2020

“For who hath despised the day of small things?”-Zechariah 4:10

The first day of vacation, I hit the beach early for sunrise and shelling.  I found very few shells and only two little ones that I would call spectacular.  The second day of vacation led to a 4:30 am rise.  I was still chasing the sunrise and was determined to find a bounty of shells.  So, I headed out to go shelling at one of the best places in the United States, Sanibel Island.  I had been there before in the fall, once, and it was incredible. Expectations were high.  I arrived at the beach while it was still dark.  I exited at first light to wait on dawn.  Can you imagine my surprise and disappointment, when all I saw was millions of little shells?  I decided to just sit and wait for sunrise.  After the sun lit up the sky, I opted to go to another spot-on Captiva, I found the same thing.  Little nothings.  What a bummer!

Kris was reading a book and shared ta quote from Benjamin Disraeli, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1874-1880:

“Life is too short to be little.”

Little seemed to be a reoccurring theme.  I chewed on this quote and actually came up with my own. 

“Life is too short to belittle.”

According to Webster’s Dictionary, belittle means to make (a person or a thing) seem small or unimportant.  In my head, I had belittled a group of teenagers who had invaded my space on the beach.  I also had belittled all those millions of shells. I has belittle my time with wrong thinking.  I spent day three adjusting my attitude.  I will not belittle anything because everything is a gift of God.

On day four, I departed out cottage with a new attitude.  I finally relaxed and began to breathe.  The water was so clear.  I began to pick up the little shells.  Then I found a perfect fighting conch shell, and another, and another.  I stopped at one patch on the beach and found all of the shells pictured above, as fast as I could pick them up.   They were little and just perfect.  God does great things with little.

For who hath despised the day of little things?  Have we?

We have a small house and we desire a larger one.
We have a miniscule bank account and we want abundance.
We are small in stature and we want to be taller.
We have a modest job and we want one of significance.
We are least in the kingdom of God and think we need to do greater.
We take small steps and we want to see giant results.

Enjoy the little things in life.  Bigger is not always better.

“In many of God’s choice workers He uses a powerful season of small things.  Those days are not a mistake nor are they punishment; they are days of priceless shaping and preparation. They are not days to despise. -David Guzik

I enCOURAGE you to not despise the days of little things nor little shells.  Belittle nothing.  Every day is a gift of God.  Every little thing is a gift from God.  Do not be looking for the next big thing and miss the little in front of you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
July 17, 2020

Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought [them].   But when Jesus saw [it], He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. – Mark 10:14 NKJV

Ugh!  I am human!  I allowed my flesh to pull me into irritation instead of ministry.  It only took about 24 hours for me to forget everything about “being a minister and serving, when called.”   We resorted to the beach for rest and relaxation.  We were seeking peace and quiet.  We needed time to just be.  We were at the most perfect spot.  To the seaside was not even a short walk, literally,  it was our back yard.  It came complete with palm trees,  coconut trees and a hammock to watch the brilliant yet tranquil sunset.  I told Kris that he might leave, but I was claiming squatter’s rights.  I was never leaving.

The very first day, I was enjoying sitting at the feet of Jesus.  I was gazing out the glass wall of our cottage at the surf, sand, and very few beachcombers.  Our intentions were to join this paradise, shortly.  Out of nowhere, I saw a scene from the television show, Survivor, unfolding before my eyes.  Thirty plus teenagers, proudly bearing their tribe’s flag, invaded our serenity.  They did not pass by.  They stopped and planted their flags, blocking our formerly, unobstructed view.   They could have parked anywhere on the whole beach and yet, they picked our spot.

AND, of all things, it was a church summer camp!  Games ensued and loud screams that seemed as if they would break the sound barrier resounded.  I wanted to scream back.   My “minister” walked out the side door and down the street.  I did not let the Colossians 3 peace that comes from Christ rule in my heart.  You know that verse where we are called to live in peace and to always be thankful.

Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. – 1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV

I fell hard and fast.  I wanted to call the beach patrol.  They were not social distancing.  Besides heaven and Bora Bora, this was the closest I had been to paradise.  It was a teenage invasion.  I could not relax and I was annoyed.

I told one of my sisters in Christ about it.  She laughed loud and hard.   I was supposed to be “ministering to the one beside me,” not thirty, rowdy, church kids.  They could not have been louder if they were throwing a keg party.

By the end of the second day, I had allowed the carousers to steal my peace. Then, my conviction began.  I had failed.  What was wrong with me?  UGH!!! The Holy Spirit dropped this bomb on me:

“These little teenagers were brought to the beach that Jesus might touch them, but Tammy wanted them gone.  She did not welcome the interruption.  When Jesus heard about it, He was greatly displeased and said to Tammy, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God’ “.  –July 2020: 14-15

Nothing like displeasing God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost!  Sadly, He knew I would not react, correctly…

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, – Romans 3:23-24 NKJV

 …But grace, forgives! Thank God for the pardon from the interruption.

I encourage you to still get your minister on.  “For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he [is] a perfect man… – James 3:2 NKJV.  What is interrupting your life?  God has people who He wants to touch through you.  We are never on vacation from Jesus nor from serving others.  When we go astray, it is not ok.  However, forgiveness is paid for.  It is always there for the asking and the taking.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. – 2 Thessalonians 3:16 NLT