Category: Uncategorized

by Tammy Phillips
August 28, 2021

“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,
As a bridegroom decks [himself] with ornaments,
And as a bride adorns [herself] with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10 NKJV)

I cannot help but think all things marriage this morning.  We are blessed and have the joy of attending two weddings today.  Thankfully, they are in one city. I can hardly wait to see what the brides are wearing. 

Weddings are so exciting!   Marriage is a beginning.  It is a birth of a new family.  Marriage is a union.  There is an energy in the air when God joins two people together for life.  He creates a oneness and a bond that is never intended to be broken.  Marriage is also a mirror of God’s unconditional love. Like a bridegroom chooses his bride, God chose us. He loved us so much that He sent His son to die for us so we could live forever with Him as His spotless bride.  He bought our wedding trousseau with blood and His life.

Like Isaiah, we should be excited and echo his words:

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD!”  Look what He did for us. He picked you.  He picked me.  He unconditionally loved you and me.   

We are not ignorant, nor should we ignore the tragedies that are covering our planet at this time.  However, it is only because of the Lord that we can still greatly rejoice through our world’s current catastrophes of floods, earthquakes, insurgencies, unnecessary sicknesses, and deaths.  To paraphrase, David said, “Unto the upright light arises in the darkness; Surely, he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. He will not be afraid of bad news. His heart is steadfast, fixed, resolute in trusting the LORD.” (Psalm 112:4, 6-7 NKJV) Bad news will come, but we, as the bride of Christ, are always on His mind. And we shall determine to be joyful in our God.

Why?

He has gloriously dressed us and prepared us to boldly stand like a bride and groom ready for a wedding.  He has bought and paid for our wedding attire.  He has clothed us with the garments of salvation from head to toe.  He has given us the helmet of salvation, a belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness.  He has readied our feet with the gospel of peace. He also gifted us with the shield of faith and the sword of the spirit, the word of God.  He has dressed us to stand, stand, stand, against the evil day, all the bad news and to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one.  We do not have to take and carry all the world’s burdens.  We can choose the joy of the Lord and prayerfully, let Him as our strong and Almighty groom, handle everything.  We can trust He has it all covered, including us. 

We have yet another reason to have double joy and greatly rejoice in the Lord. The Lord has us covered.  He has us covered with the robe of righteousness! He has covered us in Christ himself, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.  This is the label we wear.  Righteousness is not about us.  We can never be good enough nor do enough to be righteous. It is a gift.  It is all about the finished work of our groom.  Jesus paid a hefty, hefty price to prepare and dress us, His bride, in garments of salvation and robes of righteousness.  It will not be a black-tie affair.  Again…

“Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” (Revelation 19:7-8 NKJV)

We are only prepared for the wedding and made righteous in Him.  Are you ready?

I enCOURAGE you to treasure your precious, and oh so expensive, actually, priceless wedding trousseau…the garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness.  They are powerful and will help you navigate through life.  You do not need much else in your trousseau.  The coolest thing about these clothes is you get to wear them every day in preparation of meeting your Love face to face.  Conceptually, put them on daily. Choose to greatly rejoice in them and in Him, our soon and coming King, Prince and Bridegroom.

by Tammy Phillips
August 27, 2021

“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4 NKJV)

Accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord is not a free pass to heaven.  It is not a one and done decision.  Jesus died to save us. Our salvation begins now.  What a waste of God’s breath in inspiring the Bible, a love letter to us, and a waste of His Son’s life if we believe salvation is just an escape from hell and entrance ticket to get us through the pearly gates.  His word says that He is not willing that any should perish, but desires ALL to be saved. 

God wants  you saved.
God wants you safe.

God wants you saved.
God wants you sound…
body, mind, and spirit.

God wants you saved.
God wants you preserved.

God wants you saved.
God wants you out of dangers way.

God wants you saved.
God wants you delivered…
from death and the penalities of sin.

God wants you saved.
God wants you full of life…
possessed with vitality, active and vigorous, devoted to Him.

God wants you saved.
God wants you healed.

God wants you saved.
God wants you whole.

God wants you saved.
God wants you complete.

God wants you saved.
God wants you to know the truth.

The truth is “there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6 NKJV)

I do not know what you are going through.  I do not know where you are in your walk with the Lord.  We all have steps to take toward Him. 

I enCOURAGE you to take your next step toward Jesus.  Accept Him as your Lord and Savior.  Begin your walk with Him.  Take your first step and follow Him.  If you have said yes to Jesus as Savior but not Lord, you have next steps to take with Him to be safe and sound.  You know it, follow Him.  Step toward Him.  If you are a devoted follower of Jesus, we all have next steps to take toward Him.  Take the next step.  Be obedient to what He has asked you to do.  It does not matter where you are on the way.  Jesus is the only Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He will instruct you and teach you where to go and how to take the next step.  Follow Him.  The LORD wants you in His kingdom!  What is your next step?  Take it.  

Talking to God about you right now.

by Tammy Phillips
August 26, 2021

God’s word to us is loving, encouraging, mighty and powerful.  After reading the following passage, I was reminded of whose hand we hold, as we navigate through the raging rapids of this crazy, upside-down world.  Be encouraged by words of David!  He comes to the end of his reign and His son Solomon is about to be anointed King. He has collected offerings for the temple of God and is overwhelmed with goodness of God. He knows his son was chosen by God and will soon build the temple of God.  These are the words of David:

“Blessed are You, LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.
Yours, O LORD, [is] the GREATNESS,
The POWER and the GLORY,
The VICTORY and the MAJESTY.
For all [that is] in heaven and in earth [is Yours];
Yours [is] the kingdom, O LORD,
And You are exalted as head overall. 
Both riches and honor [come] from You,
And You reign overall.
In Your hand [is] POWER and MIGHT;
In Your hand [it is] to MAKE GREAT
And to GIVE STRENGTH to all.
Now therefore, our God, we thank You And praise Your glorious name.”
(1 Chronicles 29:10-13 NKJV)

Honestly, if those are not words of encouragement, I do not know what is.  In His hand is power, force and firmness. His hand is fixed, steady, constant, stable, unshaken, and not moving. He holds us up as we cross the crazed currents.   He gives us the might, energy, and ability to maneuver the fierce flows.  In His hand are we made great, grown up, twisted, and bound together. His hand helps us to hold fast, be constant, persistent, and be undaunted. His hand gives us strength to become courageous, firm, and RESOLUTE to traverse these tumultuous times.

This is the same hand of God Almighty that holds us up, supports us and says, in one my favorite verses, Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I [am] your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV).”

I enCOURAGE you to literally reach out and join your hand with the hand of God.  Allow Him to release His power, might and strength into your life.  Lean into Him. Do not hold hands with the world, the world will fail you and let you fall.  Know whose hand you are holding.  As you hold tightly, take comfort in the fact that He will not let go.  The Lord will not fail you. Hold tightly to Him, His word and His ways. He will always get you across, and through the deep, ferocious water to the other side.  

by Tammy Phillips
August 25, 2021

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” (Revelation 4:11 NKJV)

You know how a song gets stuck in your head and you sing it all day long?  The word worthy showed up in my thoughts two days ago and has been running on repeat.  I went to prayer yesterday and the praise song, “Worthy of Every Song” by Brett Younker, led us off.  The lyrics begin, “Worthy of every song we could ever sing. Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring. Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe.”   

OUR GOD IS WORTHY. 

I went digging into the Bible to see what worthy really meant and how it was used.  I found that many times the word was used in the context of someone not being worthy. John the Baptist “preached, saying, ‘There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.’” (Mark 1:7 NKJV) “preached, saying, there cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.” (Mark 1:7 KJV)

Think about that statement!  If that does not put us in our place?

According to Websters 1828 Dictionary, worthy is defined as: deserving; having worth or excellence; equivalent; with of, before the thing deserved; possessing worth or excellence of qualities; virtuous; estimable.  Worth means value, importance, excellence.  Alone, we are nothing.  We are insignificant, have no value, and are not important.  We are not even worthy enough to stoop down and unloose Jesus’ shoes, and this comes from His cousin.  The world owes us nothing.  Jesus owes us nothing. We are nothing without Him.  It is because of His will that we exist or were even created. Glory to God.  He chose us.  He chose all. (All just have not chosen Him.) He alone is worthy, but He made us joint heirs. Through the sacrifice of his blood and his life, we are made righteous in Him. We are important to Him. 

The Lord is weighty, excellent, important and the most valuable in the universe, and in my life. He alone is deserving and “worthy of every song we could ever sing. Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring. Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe.”   All of heaven and earth will proclaim:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power [Be] to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”” (Revelation 5:12-13 NKJV)

I enCOURAGE you to meditate on Who is worthy, the Lamb of God.  He alone is worthy to be praised.  Think about how unworthy we are.  We are not important, in and of ourselves!  Our value is in Him.  I do not care how much money you have in your bank account, how many best-selling songs you have written, how many New York Times best-selling books you have penned, if you are movie star, professional athlete, or President of the United States, your worth is in Him alone.  I love you, but you are not all that and a bag of chips without Jesus as your Savior.

Don’t assign value to anyone or anything, where value is not due.  Jesus alone is worthy, worthy, worthy, and He is due our praise! 

 

by Tammy Phillips
August 24, 2021

“Then He said to [them] all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23 NKJV) 

I want us to contemplate, and answer one question today.  Who are we really following?  Are we following religious leaders?  Educational leaders? Business leaders?  The CDC?  NIH?  National and state government leaders? Are we following entertainers and all forms of media? Are we following family or friends?

Jesus said…

“Follow Me.”
Join Me as My attendant on a journey
Accompany Me.
Side with My party.
Become My disciple.
Cleave steadfastly to Me.
Fix your eyes on Me.
Conform wholly to My example.
Be in the same way with me.
Unite with me on the road.
Go the same way I am going.

“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:” (1 Peter 2:21 NKJV)

“Follow Me.”
Imitate Me.
Copy Me.
Think like Me.
Believe like Me.
Speak like Me.
Be compassionate like Me.
Be patient like Me.
Be kind like Me.
Be humble like Me.
Be unoffended like me.
Protect, trust and hope like Me.
Endure like Me.
Love like Me.

I enCOURAGE you to know and follow to know the Lord. (Hosea 6:3). The LORD says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6 NKJV).  Chase, run after, and ardently pursue the Lord.  Listen to His words, “Follow Me.”

“He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor.” (Proverbs 21:21 NKJV)

by Tammy Phillips
August 23, 2021

“See that you do not refuse Him who speaks.” (Hebrews 12:25 NKJV)

See that you…

• do not refuse
• do not excuse
• do not avoid
• do not reject
• do not decline
• do not shun

…the voice of the LORD who speaks.

When God speaks to your heart and your inner man is moved to run to Him, do not brush Him off!   Do not turn and run from Him.   He is Almighty God.  He is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:29). When He speaks, He thunders. He divides the thunder with bolts of flames of fire that we call lightning. The voice of the LORD is powerful.  When He speaks, give the LORD the respect that He is due.  He loves you.  He sent His son to die for you and He is only calling you to your best life. The voice of the LORD changes everything.

“Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones,
 Give unto the LORD glory and strength.
² Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name;
Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
³ The voice of the LORD [is] over the waters;
The God of glory thunders;
The LORD [is] over many waters.
⁴ The voice of the LORD [is] powerful;
The voice of the LORD [is] full of majesty.
⁵ The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars,
Yes, the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon.
⁶ He makes them also skip like a calf,
 Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.
⁷ The voice of the LORD divides the flames of fire.
 ⁸ The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
The LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.
⁹ The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth,
And strips the forests bare;
And in His temple everyone says, “Glory!”
¹⁰ The LORD sat [enthroned] at the Flood,
And the LORD sits as King forever.
¹¹ The LORD will give strength to His people;
The LORD will bless His people with peace.”
 (Psalm 29:1-11 NKJV)

I enCOURAGE you with all that is in me to “see that you do not refuse Him who speaks.”  The world is in the mess that we are in because beginning with Adam and Eve, they ignored the voice of the LORD.  We have done the same.    Thank God that He gives us grace upon grace, and chance upon chance to listen and obey His voice.  Let’s turn the world around and listen to what Almighty God has to say.  Don’t brush Him off one more time.

by Tammy Phillips
August 22, 2021

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8 KJV)

What are we thinking?  I have been pondering, “What is really going on?”   I kept hearing align to the truth and Philippians 4:8!  

What we think about efffects us.  What we think directs our life.  Our thinking can make us mad, sad, sick, depressed, anxious, out of align and can lead us to make wrong decisions.  Right thinking guides us to right living. Our right thinking can make us calm, balanced, sound, happy, healthy, carefree, peaceful, aligned and can lead us to make right decisions.

Think about this. We cannot think about a good and a bad thing at the very same time.  Paul tells us we should be:

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV)

How do we bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ?  Paul says:

Whatever things are…

True, Not Hidden, Unconcealed,
Honest, Noble, Inspiring reverence,
Just, right, upright, virtuous,
Pure, holy, clean, perfect,
Lovely, acceptable, pleasing,
Of good report, sounding well, reputable

If there be any virtue, virtuous course of thought, feeling or action,
If there be any moral goodness or excellence,
If there be anything praiseworthy, approving, recommendation

THINK ON THESE THINGS! 

If we think on the right things, we cannot be thinking on the wrong things at the same time. I t is impossible.   We are not to be conformed, and think like the  rest of the world.  We are not of this world.  We are to be transformed be the renewing of our mind, taking captive wrong thoughts and thinking the right ones.  Want to change your life?   Change your thinking. Think right.

” And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2 KJV)

 I enCOURAGE you to think about what you are thinking about.  How do your thoughts make you feel?  If you do not like how they make your feel, change your thinking.   Align your thoughts to the word of God.  This day and time everyone wants to have a dialogue into what we think.  Ultimately, it is our decision what we think.   Remember the saying, “what would Jesus do?”  I challenge you to imagine, “What would Jesus think? And then… do what He would do.  Right thinking will change your life and lead you into right living.

by Tammy Phillips
August 21, 2021

“And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.” (Luke 6:19 NKJV)

Before I went to bed last night, I asked the Lord for an encouragement for today.    At some point during the night, my husband reached out and ever so gently grasped my hand.   It was only for a moment and then he turned and rolled back into his slumber.  I thought, how powerful!  There is something in a touch!

• A touch is a word of compassion.
• A touch is a signal of love.
• A touch says, “You are not alone.”
• A touch is comforting.
• A touch soothes.
• A touch calms.
• A touch fosters a sense of well-being.
• A touch encourages.
• A touch nurtures
• A touch bonds.
• A touch brings happiness.
• A touch prompts trust.
• A touch can inspire hope and optimism.
• A touch releases the “feel good hormone.”
• A touch can relieve stress and anxiety.
• A touch can improve the function of your immune system
• A touch can reduce diseases associated with heart and blood.
• A touch can lower blood pressure
• A touch heals.

“To touch can be to give life,” – Michelangelo.

It is no wonder that all who were sick sought to touch Jesus.  There was and is power in His touch.  He was, is and will always be hope, wholeness, completeness, healing, and love.

I enCOURAGE you reach out and touch someone.  Release the power and love of Jesus in you to touch someone’s life.  If you have need of healing, body, soul, or spirit, reach out to Jesus, or someone who can lead you to Jesus, and receive His healing touch.  He healed all that reached out and touched Him.

“Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made whole.” (Mark 6:56 NKJV)

P.S.:  The Greek word for touch in both reference verses means to fasten on to; to attach; lay hold of; to set on fire.  The gentle touch of Jesus was so powerful that it set a fire in whoever He touched or whoever touched him.  A touch of fire! A touch of life!   Reach out and touch someone and spread the fire of Jesus!

 

 

 

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
AUGUST 20, 2021

 “A man’s steps [are] of the LORD; How then can a man understand his own way?” (Proverbs 20:24 NKJV)

We went to a concert the other night.  I was waiting on our group outside the restaurant and taking pictures of the beautiful sunset across the Nashville skyline. Kris called me inside and said they were waiting on me.   Our leader led us on a new path to the concert arena.  It was short cut that wound through the block to the arena, instead of around it.   It was lively, pleasant, and a fun way to go. 

We had been guests of this company and sat in their box a few times before.  When we got to the arena, I knew the way to their box.  I knew we had to go up a big escalator and take a left.  In general, I am pretty good with directions.  However, we had entered the building through a different entrance.  The escalator was to the left and not right in front of us.  We did not take the left to go up.  I chose to follow our leader to the right because I thought she knew the way and was taking us on another fun, short cut.    I also thought that we might be sitting in a different area because I had not looked at our tickets.  Our leader had not been in the arena as recently as we had, and she was a bit confused.  We wandered left, then right, then left, then up and up, and then back down, and finally arrived at our destination. 

She was the leader and I followed her because it was the right thing to do.  If I had not followed her, I could have gotten there faster, but Kris would not have run into and spoken with a friend.  Who knows why we had to wander over Bridgestone, but I did so out of respect for the leader?

A man’s steps are of the Lord; thus, we must respectfully follow the leader or be lost. When we attempt to go our own way, we end up wandering blindly through life.  The Lord says, “For My thoughts [are] not your thoughts, nor [are] your ways My ways.” (Isaiah 55:8 NKJV). He also says, ” I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” (Psalm 32:8 NKJV)

Who knows why we have to follow the Lord down different paths?  Sometimes the path to our destination or what we want seems so clear, yet He takes a different way, like our leader did at the concert.   We cannot understand His ways because they are not always the way we would take.   Just remember, ” The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.” (Psalm 37:23 NKJV)

I enCOURAGE you to follow the Lord every step of the way.  When you don’t know which way to go, wait for His leading.  He will not lead you astray even though it might seem the long way around.

 

by Tammy Phillips
August 19, 2021

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, BE BRAVE, BE STRONG. Let all that you do be done with love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NKJV)

When I go to the gym, I do not like to be yelled at nor coached up.  Obviously, the Lord thought you and I need a little push today.  I heard the word, “audacious, ” which means, a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks; daring, fearless; unafraid; unflinching; brave and courageous. I questioned, “Lord, where are You taking me and what are You getting me into?”

 This is the living water that He gave US to kick start the day! 

Let nothing stand in your way.  Whatever life sends your way today be…

• Audacious
• Bodacious
• Conscious
• Delicious
• Ferocious
• Gracious
• Judicious
• Luscious
• Officious
• Precious
• Sagacious  
• Tenacious
• Vivacious
• Voracious

I enCOURAGE you to be full of it!  (Words that end with -cious mean to be full or have) Be full of the Lord and His word.  Know who you are in Him.  Stand up straight.  Throw your shoulders back.  Walk it out and love well.  Take today by the horns and ride it out.  You have got this.