O magnify the LORD with me and let us exalt his name together. (Psalms 34:3 KJV)
Just like an amplifier amplifies the strums of a guitar, David asks us to join him and magnify the Lord. The Hebrew translation of the word “magnify” is much more interesting than it’s English significance. The word is gadal which means to twist, as in a cord, to make firmer and stronger, or like wrestlers who twist their bodies together and grow stronger. David was saying let’s get together and make God more famous. Is that even possible? He is God.
David continues to say let us exalt and raise His name together. There is strength in numbers. “Together” is the Hebrew word, yahad, which means union of time and place. It comes from the root word that means united or joined together.
Along with David, I ask you to join me, united.
I enCOURAGE you to be a MAGNIFYING UNIT. He stepped out of heaven and became man only to love, live perfectly, be rejected, beaten, mocked, harassed, die a death we deserved and rise again in life eternal…all for us. He was hated so we could be loved. He was rejected so we could be accepted. He was beaten so we could be healed. He died so we could live, here, now, and forever with Him. Let’s strum our vocal cords together and spread the fame of our Lord.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on…” (Colossians 3:12 CSB)
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith. (Matthew 6:30)
As children of God, we are called God’s chosen one, hole and beloved. Jesus loves us so much that he tells us, “do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on.” (Luke 12:22 NKJV). He makes life easy for us. He tells us not to worry about what to put on. Sometimes what we have in mind to wear is NOT what God has in His store for us at all.
I used to wear black all the time with a little red. I wanted to fade into the background and remain unnoticeable. I wanted to cover everything inside and out. I really wanted to be invisible. In the physical and spiritual that was not God’s choice for me. I am a child of God, and He wants me to dress like abundant life instead of death. In His store are many departments. Let’s go shopping!!!
In the Romans 13:12 …
He tells us to put off the works of darkness and PUT ON THE ARMOR OF LIGHT. Put off drunkenness and drinking parties and Put on a sober mind. Put off lust and sexual immorality and put on purity. Put off excessive consumption of food and put on self-control Put off strife and quarreling and put on peace. Put off envy and jealousy and put on long suffering. Put of getting hot and boiling and put on
Put off the flesh, cravings, longings, and lust. PUT ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. (Romans 13:14)
In Ephesians…
Put off the old man which grows corrupt from desires of lust, deception, and greed.
Put off your former conduct, (Ephesians 4:22 NKJV)
PUT ON THE NEW MAN which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:24 KJV)
Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, (Eph 4:23 NKJV)
PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUROF GOD so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. and so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, stand. (Ephesians 6:11,14)
Put on the belt of truth buckled around your waist. (Ephesians 6:14) Put on the breastplate of righteousness. (Ephesians 6:14) Put on the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace for shoes. (Ephesians 6:15) Put on the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16) Put on the helmet of salvation. (Ephesians 6:17)Put on the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God and pray in the Spirit on all occasions Put on alertness and keep on praying.(Ephesians 6:18)
In Colossians…
Put off whatever belongs to your earthly nature and old man. Put off sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.(Colossians 3:5)
Put off anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language from your lips and lying. Put off your old self with its practices. (Colossians 3:8-9) And…
PUT ON YOUR NEW MAN and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.” (Colossians 3:10)
PUT ON AS THE CHOSEN AND ELECT OF GOD, holy and beloved… Put on tender mercies and compassionate hearts. Put on kindness. Put on humbleness of mind, a deep sense of one’s littleness. Put on meekness and gentleness. Put on patience and longsuffering. (Colossians 3:12)
Put off hate and PUT ON LOVE, which is the bond of perfection and completion, above all these things. (Colossians 3:14)
I enCOURAGE you to shop in God’s store. Dress appropriately as a chosen, selected, and elected child of God. Put on the armor of light, the new man, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the whole armor of God. Put on mercy, kindness, humbleness, gentleness, and patience. Above all, put on love. It covers a multitude of sins that need to be put off.
“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God. For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, a s a bridegroom decks [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorns [herself] with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10 NKJV)
Taken by my friend, Gina Suiter, on her land, 10/4/22.
By Tammy Phillips March 11, 2024
Yes, every human being is only a vapor. Selah (Psa 39:11 CSB)
Let me start by saying life is good. It is really, really good. No death sentence has been declared over me. In fact, the word of God says, “I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the LORD has done. … I will give thanks to you because you have answered me and have become my salvation.” (Psa 118:17, 21 CSB) He is my victory!
BUT GOD…
The Lord has been showing me how very precious life is and that it is only a vapor. My prayer is:
“LORD, make me aware of my end and the number of my days, so that I will know how short-lived I am. In fact, you have made my days just inches long, and my life span is as nothing to you. Yes, every human being stands as only a vapor. Selah …Yes, every human being is only a vapor. Selah (Psa 39:4-5, 11 CSB)
“Selah” is a technical musical term probably showing accentuation, pause, or interruption, according to Strong’s definition. It is a suspension of the music. To me…selah is a suspension of the music of life. It is a time to pause and think. It is where I am today.
I am pausing and reflecting of the fact that life is a vapor. We take it and others for granted. We tend to be so busy that we do not pause and breathe in every moment.
People are so excited when the stars or planets align. It is a thing of majesty. Yes, it is.
BUT GOD…
He aligned ten days for me to spend time with Him and three different groups of women who are invaluable to me. If I had tried to plan this at the end of my life it would have never worked out.
Group One: Four ladies who have recently entered my life. We travel around the state of Tennessee visiting cities, shopping at new places and dining at local establishments. We laugh hard at our aging selves. We kicked off our most recent journey visiting our own city. You should really do that in your own city. Visit local shops and eat at local restaurants your have never tried and enjoy friends in your own city. Life is only a vapor. What are you waiting on?
Group Two: Lifelong friends who met in Blue Ridge, GA. Eight of us were graciously invited by my life long best friend. We hijacked her weekend and celebrated her. Our college bestie, said it best, “Whenever I spend time with you. I’m reminded how incredibly blessed I am to have you as my besties!” This groups of friends all live in Georgia, my home state. I do not talk, nor see them often enough. Call and visit your friends far off. One day they will be gone. Life is a vapor.
Group Three: Collectively, we are called “Cover Tennessee in Prayer” and the Lala Sisters. We were invited to meet in Cashiers, NC at a sisters mountain home. We will be meeting with Jesus. We will be praying for the world, our nation, states, counties, cities, communities, churches, our leaders, our families, and our friends. We will laugh, cry, and pray. We do everyday life together and pray our way through it. Find a group of people who you can do life with and pray often. They are invaluable. Life is vapor.
Last, and most importantly, my very best friend, my God! ( let me say, I love my husband. I thank him for supporting me on this journey to visit with friends. I miss him so much, but he knows, Jesus is my number one.) I have about three days between friend visits where I am going to turn off life and visit with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I am going to see what He has to say. I am going to seek Him and His will because life is a vapor.
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit. Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring — what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes. Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” (Jas 4:13-15 CSB)
I enCOURAGE you to selah. Breathe in life, every moment of it. Celebrate every second and every friend that God has placed in your life. I am incredibly thankful and blessed by every friend! I did not realize how full my life was.
Love your family even if they drive you crazy sometimes. I am going to do better. How about you?
Tomorrow is NOT guaranteed. Life is a vapor. Live. Breathe. Be.
My sister in Christ, “Ashely Nicole,” posed this question in a Facebook post?
“If you could sit down with Jesus for two minutes, what would you say?”
It made me stop and really think. Please, STOP, think, and answer before you proceed to read my answer. I would love to know your answers in the comments.
My answers:
1. Wow. Could I even mutter? The song, “I Can Only Imagine” ran through my mind…
“I can only imagine. Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still? Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees, will I fall? Will I sing hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine”
2. “I love you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I love you.”
3. Wow. I wake every day, go to bed, and spend every second with My God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is ALWAYS WITH ME. He said He would never leave me nor forsake me.
Do I tell him I love him, every day? Do I love Him every day? Do I thank Him every day?
God places people in our lives to point us to Jesus. Thanks, sister! You changed my life…perspective…AGAIN.
I enCOURAGE you to sit down with Jesus every day. Talk to God like He is sitting with you because He is. We were created for relationship with Him and others. He loves you so very much and only wants us to love Him and others in return. If you do not know Jesus, allow me to point you to him. He is Savior and Lord, and you need Him in your life.
P.S. ”Ashley Nicole” came into my life in the most God way on February 23, 2016. I was in Kroger trying to reach something from the top of an aisle. She got it down for me. Then right there in the middle of Kroger, she asked me, “Are you OK and how can I pray for you?” I had obviously been crying. I shared my pain with her. It was such a God moment. As a caregiver, I had lost a friend on February 10, 2016. I was still very much missing her and in the process of trying sale our house to move halfway across the state. I was a mess. God sent “Ashley Nicole” to me on that day to point me back to Him and his immense love.
I have only met her in person that one time, but we have stayed in contact via Facebook and handful of phone calls. She is my sister in Christ who always points me back to Jesus.
Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD. (Psalm 31:24 NKJV)
I used to be shy and very timid. I did not talk to anyone unless absolutely necessary. I lived life as a turtle tucked inside my shell, believing that no one could hurt me if I remained hidden. Praise God. He has delivered me. He has taught be to be strong and courageous, a bulldog in faith. He has given me a voice. He taught me to write for Him. I write to enCOURAGE you in the Lord and in life. I write to move you from the place of DIScourageMENT, whether it be from weakness, sickness, sadness, depression, anxiety, or timidity…into courage. The Lord repeatedly inspires us through His word to be courageous! The Hebrew word for courage, chazaq, is so rich in meaning.
BE OF GOOD COURAGE…
Be Strong
Withstand
Be Bound Fast
Be Gird
Hold Fast
Fasten To
Take Hold Of
Be Stuck Fast
Be Joined to
Be Constant
Be Bold
Be Earnest
Be Established
Be Made Strong
Be Made Firm
Be Repaired
Be Restored
Be Rebuilt
Be Resolute
I know you might get tired of hearing the same thing, but if the Lord encourages me every day to be resolute in Him. I am going enCOURAGE you to do the same! Courage is boldly facing our fears. Courage is confidently doing it afraid.
Continuing …
I can enCOURAGE with His Word, but it is God who strengthens. It is God he strengthens me to write. It is God who gives me the boldness to talk to the stranger. It is the Lord who makes me brave to minister and pray for others. It is all Him. We can do all things with Him and nothing without Him. He is the power behind the courage.
HE SHALL STRENGTHEN…
Be Alert Physically
Be Alert Mentally
Steadfast In Mind
Be Determined
To Be Strong
Be Fortified
Be Brave
Be Bold
Be Firm
…YOUR HEART.
Your sick heart
Your lonely heart
Your weary heart
Your pained heart
Your broken heart
ALL YOU WHO HOPE IN THE LORD.
All you who wait in the Lord.
All you who are patient in the Lord.
All you who expect in the Lord.
I enCOURAGE you to be COURAGEOUS, be STRONG and to HOPE IN THE LORD. Turn your life around; face him head on. You have an amazing life to boldly live out in Him.
Live. Breathe. Be courageous and strong. Hope in the Lord
It’s funny when I read through this chapter yesterday, I passed right over verse one. And it IS the beginning of wisdom in this instruction. I have been praying about a few situations for a while now. I know the Lord’s word and what He tells me to do, but I didn’t know how to do. Psalm 37 is my answer and I almost missed it.
Have you ever had a person or persons in your life that just at the mention of their name, it’s like fingernails on a chalk board? Seeing their face or hearing their voice makes your skin crawl?
(Remember Jesus is still working on me and transforming me into His image, obviously, I am not there yet.) I have been praying for an answer and I needed more strategies from the Lord than “love your enemies.” Those three words from Jesus should be enough. He used brother David’s Psalm 37 or song to knock me over the head.
1. SING ABOUT IT. PSALM [A Psalm] of David.
2. DO NOT FRET, meaning, don’t be agitated, kindled, hot, angry, incensed, burning, glowing warm, nor blazed up.
Do not fret because of evildoers,Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. (Psa 37:1 NKJV)
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. (Psa 37:2 NKJV)
3. TRUST: fear nothing, confide, be careless, hope, be sure, confident, secure, and bold in the Lord.
Trust in the LORD, and do goodDwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. (Psa 37:3 NKJV)
4. DELIGHT: be soft, pliable, be glad, and enjoy…
Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psa 37:4 NKJV)
5. COMMIT: roll, wallow, roll upon…yes, roll it all on the Lord.
Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring [it] to pass. (Psa 37:5 NKJV)
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. (Psa 37:6 NKJV)
6. REST: stop, be still, be silent, be astonished, and be amazed in the Lord.
Rest in the LORD. (Psa 37:7 NKJV0
7. WAIT: twist, turn, twirl, dance, and shake for Him.
Wait patiently for Him; DO NOT FRET because of him who prospers in his way,Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. (Psa 37:7 NKJV)
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;DO NOT FRET–[it] only [causes] harm. (Psa 37:8 NKJV)
For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth. (Psa 37:9 NKJV)
I enCOURAGE you to not get fired up. Sing it out like David. Do not fret. Trust the Lord. Do right. Delight in Him. Commit your ways to Him. Trust Him. He will make it happen. Rest in Him and wait patiently on Him. One of my favorite pictures of God, “But the one who rules in heaven laughs. (Psa 2:4 NLT) Our hope is laughing God who says, “Nothing is too hard for me.” and “the Lord laughs at him for He sees that his day is coming. (Psa 37:13 NKJV) God’s got it!
‘Serenade for Strings’, by Kitty Harvill and inspired by Dvořák’s ‘Serenade for Strings’. This was my valentines gift from Kris! I see God lovingly singing over you in this painting. Can you hear His serenade? “Be loved!”
By Tammy Phillips February 14, 2024
“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will BE LOVED by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (Jhn 14:21 NKJV)
“Looking for love in all the wrong places” is a well-known lyric from and old country song by Johnny Lee. Been there done that, how about you? Today, on what the world deems love day, I challenge you to be loved and find love in the only One who loves you completely, Jesus.
When my Nanny departed earth, I was sitting at work. The Lord allowed me an unforgettably, unique opportunity into her journey home. In my spirit I heard her say, “It is so love. It is so light. It is so love.” After a few moments, I gathered myself. I called my Mom to confirm and hear that Nanny’s spirit had passed on to eternal life and left her body on earth. I can just as loudly hear here words today, “It’s so love.” She was experiencing the presence of God. I want you to hear God singing over you today, words from His love letters to you…
For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
God is love.
God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love–not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. We love Him because He first loved us.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. By this we know love because He laid down His life for us. For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering, and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)
As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow–not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.*
I encourage you in the love of God. Knowing, I mean really, really, knowing how much God loved me and that nothing I had done, could do ,or would ever do would change His love for me, rocked my world. His love changed me. We all want to be loved deeply and unconditionally. This is the love God freely gives.*
This lead me to Pauls’ prayer over every one that reads this post… “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what [is] the width and length and depth and height– to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:17-19 NKJV) There is nothing like God’s love and being full of Him.
My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. (1Co 16:24 NKJV)
Live. Breathe. Be Loved!
* (Zep 3:17; 1 Jo4:8-10, 19; Jhn 15:13; Rom 5:8; 1Jo 3:16; John 3:16; Eph 5:2; Eph 2:4-5; John 15:9;Rom 8:35,37-38; . 1Co 13:4-7; 2Ti 1:7)
Ever had a day when you did not want to get out of bed? Sleep had deserted you?? Ever had to give yourself a strong pep talk to get up and get going? Fear greeted you before your feet could hit the floor. Anxiety was loudly ringing the doorbell before you could pour the first cup of coffee. The unknown was waiting for you to rise to begin its attack. Ever had to call on the Lord to help you rise much less get through the day?
I have experienced all of these and then have remembered the words of Paul in Philippians 4:11:
“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content.”
Below is a short list from 2 Corinthians 11:23-29 of the trials Paul went through…
Labors
Imprisonments
Beaten multiple times without number in danger of death
Five times thirty-nine lashes from the Jews
Three times beaten with rods
Stoned once
Three times he was shipwrecked
A night and a day he spent drifting in the sea
Exposed to danger from rivers
Exposed to danger from bandits
Exposed to danger from his own countrymen
Exposed to danger from the Gentiles
Exposed to danger in the city
Exposed to danger in the wilderness
Exposed to danger on the sea
Exposed to danger among those posing as believers
Experienced much hardship
Often unable to sleep
Often in hunger and thirst
Often driven to fasting for lack of food
Exposed to cold without adequate clothing
Besides those external things, the daily inescapable pressure of his concern for all the churches.
Feeling the weakness, pain, sorrow, and temptations of all the people.
Notice, I said that he went through them. Not only did make it through and endure every suffering on the list, he said he was content in whatever state. Content is the Greek word, autarkēs, meaning sufficient for one’s self, strong enough, possessing enough to need no aid or support; enough in means or lot. Content is a derivative of arkeō, meaning to be possessed with unfailing strength, to be strong, to suffice, to be satisfied, to be enough.
Webster’s 1828 defines content as: quiet; not disturbed; having a mind at peace; Rest or quietness of the mind in the present condition; satisfaction which holds the mind in peace, restraining complaint, opposition, or further desire, and often implying a moderate degree of happiness.
Paul was saying that it did not matter where he was or what he was going through, he was content. Whatever his lot, God was enough. Wherever he was, his mind was at rest in Him. If Paul can say it, can we be encouraged to say the same?
I enCOURAGE you to join me and speak by faith, “I have learned no matter what, I am to be content. It is enough.”
Picture from a few years back but I am still standing!
by Tammy Phillips
January 27, 2024
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power…stand…stand…stand. (Eph 6:10-14 NLT)
Be standing in your place of wide-open space. The Hebrew word for salvation is a derivative of a word that means wide, open, free, safe, and spacious, not narrow nor dangerous. Jesus Christ bought our salvation with his life and blood. He is our Savior. He paid our entrance fee, and we have a place in His Kingdom, as long as we follow Him and do His word. We have benefits purchase by Him. He gave us the authority and ability to stand and remain standing. We do not have to lose our place. When Satan and his legion come to whisper in our ears or knock on our door in order to move us from OUR PLACE, we have the right to remain…
Standing in the place of faith. Standing in the place of shelter. Standing in the place of refuge. Standing in the place of safety. Standing in the place of protection. Standing in the place deliverance. Standing in the place of grace. Standing in the place of love. Standing in the place of joy. Standing in the place of peace. Standing in the place patience. Standing in the place of kindness. Standing in the place of goodness. Standing in the place of faith. Standing in the place gentleness. Standing in the place of self-control. Standing in the place of favor. Standing in the place of power. Standing in the place of righteousness. Standing in the place of forgiveness. Standing in the place of freedom. Standing in the place of wholeness. Standing in the place of health. Standing in the place of completeness. Standing in the place of victory.
Paul encourages us to be equipped for battle in Ephesians 6:10-18. God gives us the weapons to fight off our adversaries attack. He encourages us to stand, stand, stand.
I enCOURAGE YOU to stand, stand and remain standing in the place purchased by Jesus for you and me. You are not going to let a burglar break into your house and rob you without a fight. As a parent you will guard your child from every harm. God, our Father, empowers us to do the same. We must choose to remain, standing in our place when Satan tries to break into our life and steal from us. DO NOT LET HIM steal from you what Jesus paid for. Do not let him steal your faith and move you into fear. Do not let him steal your peace and move you into a place of worry. Do not let him rob you of your joy and move you into depression. Do not let him steal. Make a choice to remain standing in YOUR PLACE.
This morning is a battle of the mind that I intend to win. Honestly, I am writing to find peace in the midst of absolute shambles in our home. Disorder creates lost things. It’s 6 am and these are questions Kris, or I have asked out loud so far this morning.
1. “Why is my wedding ring not where I put it? I put it in this little heart bowl. PANIC!”
2. “Where are my shoes?”
3. “Have you seen the Listerine?”
We are currently painting our entire home. VICTORY! However, here lies the battle, I need to change my attitude and be thankful that we are able to paint our home. I need to be grateful I have someone painting who patient with me, cares and is very meticulous. However, to be honest with you all, I was done with it all this morning. DONE. DONE. DONE.
We have two rooms that are finished, and I do not want to go in either of them because they are pristine, but we had to sleep somewhere last night. The kitchen is ok, but who wants to cook. LOL. The rest of the rooms…UGH!
At this point in my thought process, I have a choice, victory, or defeat. I can choose to be stressed or I can choose to see blessed. I can elect to continue down the road of discouragement and defeat or I can put on my big girl pants and march toward victory in the blessing.
I enCOURAGE you to turn your frown upside down no matter what you are going through! Mine was a little battle this morning but my choices could have led me into a good or bad day. I resolved victory in the chaos.
Complete in Him 