Category: Uncategorized

by Tammy Phillips
July 19, 2021

“Therefore, by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of [our] lips, giving thanks to His name.”(Hebrews 13:15 NKJV)

When a baseball player hits a home run or a pitcher strikes a batter out, we applaud them.  When a  florist exceeds our expectations, we extol their works.  When a restaurant serves a sumptuous meal, we recommend it to our friends. When a child speaks its first words or takes its first steps, we celebrate them.  When my husband washes clothes all day on his day off, I praise him!  We all want to be acknowledged and thanked for our good works.   If we offer praise at every worldly event and action, how much more should we offer praise God?  The Lord who created and saved us from ourselves is worthy of all our praise.  Yet how often do we stop to praise the Lord?  Look at the faces of those in church,  are we  truly offering the sacrifice of praise to the worthy Lamb of God?

The author of Hebrews tells us to continually praise God.  King David said in Psalms 119:164 that  he stopped and offered praise to God at least seven times a day.  Praise is mentioned 248 times in the King James Bible.  Obviously, praise is important to God!   I was amazed to find seven different words for praise in the Old Testament: HALAL (H1984), YADA (H3034), TODAH (H8426), SABAH (H7623), TEHILLAH (H8416), ZAMAR (H2167), and BARAK (0)

1. HALAL [H1984] The KJV translates Strong’s H1984 as, to be clear; shine; boast foolishly; act like a madman; make a show of; to rave; rage; celebrate.

Sadly, we do this at sports events and music concerts, unashamedly.  When is the last time we acted a fool for God or were called a madman for our open praise to our Creator?  When is the last time we made it clear that we worship the one and only God ?

In God we boast [H1984] all day long, and praise [H2167] thy name for ever. Selah. (Psalm 44:8 NKJV)

For the LORD [is] great, and greatly to be praised[H1984]. (Psalm 96:4 KJV)

 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised.[H1984] (Psalm 113:3 KJV)

Further, our hallelujah is derived from the Hebrew words, halal and ya!

Praise ye the LORD  [H1984, 3050]. I will praise[3034]  the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in  the congregation. (Psalm 111:1 KJV)

2. YADAH [H3034] The KJV translates Strong’s H3034 114 times(!), in the following manner: give thanks; confess; thanksgiving; cast; throw; shoot. The root word for yadah is hand. Yadah means to praise with the extended hand, to throw out the hand, and to lift the hands while making a confession or surrender to God.

We also do this without thought at football games. Praise the touchdown, right?  How about when you hear your favorite song and you put your arms in the air like you do not care

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the LORD. (Psalm 134:2 NKJV) 

Give thanks[H3034] unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. (1 Chronicles 16:8 KJV)

 I will praise[H3034]thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvelous works. (Psalm 9:1 KJV)

 O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise[H3034]   thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things. (Isaiah 25:1 KJV)

3. TODAH [H8426] Todah comes from the same root word as yadah, but it is an extension of the hand in adoration; confession; thanksgiving; a choir of worshippers. It is singing and praising together. 

Whoever offers praise[H8426] glorifies Me. (Psalm 50:23 NKJV)

And when you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving[H8426] to the LORD, offer [it] of your own free will. (Leviticus 22:29 NKJV) 

When I remember these [things], I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise[H8426], With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast. (Psalm 42:4 NKJV)

4. SABAH (H7623) The KJV translates Strong’s H7623: to pacify; to sooth; to stroke; to still the waves with words, be free from care.

When the storms come, it is our soothing praise that will still the waves and set us free from our cares. 

Because Your lovingkindness [is] better than life, My lips shall praise[H7623] You.  Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. (Psalm 63:3-4 NKJV)

One generation shall praise [H7623]  Your works to another  and shall declare Your mighty acts. (Psalm 145:4 NKJV)

5. TEHILLAH [H8416] The KJV translates Strong’s H8416 as, song or hymn of praise; adoration; thanksgiving; to glory

He is your praise [H8416], and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen. (Deuteronomy 10:21 NKJV)

Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! For praise[H8416],  from the upright is beautiful. (Psalm 33:1 NKJV)

Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You [are] my praise[H8416]. (Jeremiah 17:14 NKJV) 

6. ZAMAR. [H2167] The KJV translates Strong’s H2167: to pluck the strings of an instrument and to sing

Therefore, I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles, And sing praises[H2167]  to Your name. (2 Samuel 22:50 NKJV)

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises[H2167]. (Psalm 98:4 NKJV)

I will praise [H3034] You with my whole heart; Before the gods I will sing praises [H2167]  to You. (Psalm 138:1 NKJV) 

7. BARAK [H1288] The KJV translates Strong’s H1288 as, to kneel; an act of adoration

I will bless[H1288] You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. (Psalm 63:4 NKJV)

O come let us worship and bow down; let us kneel [H1288] before the Lord our maker. Psalm 95:6

I will bless [H1288] the LORD at all times; His praise[H8416], [shall] continually [be] in my mouth. (Psalm 34:1 NKJV)

I enCOURAGE you to Praise[H1984] the LORD! For it is good to sing praises [H2167] to our God; For [it is] pleasant, and praise[H8416] is beautiful. (Psalm 147:1 NKJV)

God is good and does good.  He continually deserves our praise in every way!

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving[H4826], and into His courts with praise[H8416]. Be thankful [H3034] to Him  and bless[H1288] His name. (Psalm 100:4 NKJV)

 

by Tammy Phillips
(really just encouraging with the words of King David)
July 18, 2021

Praise the LORD!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!

Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!

Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!

Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!

Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

LET EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE THE LORD.
Praise the LORD!  (Psalm 150:1-6 NKJV)

Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!

Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts!

Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all you stars of light!

Praise Him, you heavens of heavens,
And you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the LORD,
 For He commanded and they were created. 

He also established them forever and ever;
He made a decree which shall not pass away.

Praise the LORD from the earth,
You great sea creatures and all the depths;

Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
Mountains and all hills;
Fruitful trees and all cedars;

Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and flying fowl;

Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth;

Both young men and maidens;
Old men and children.

LET THEM PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD,
FOR HIS NAME ALONE IS EXALTED;
His glory [is] above the earth and heaven.

And He has exalted the horn of His people,
The praise of all His saints–
Of the children of Israel,
A people near to Him.
PRAISE THE LORD!  (Psalm 148:1-14 NKJV)

I enCOURAGE you to praise the Lord.  If there was every any question, “Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.” (Psalm 145:3 NIV)  If you are not praising, you are not raising the name of the Lord.   Praise Him!  Raise Him up! 

by Tammy Phillips
July 17, 2021

“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;” (1 Thessalonians 4:11 KJV)

In general, I am a relatively quiet person, but not always.  Various times, my mouth has unlocked and led me through the gates of trouble, when silence would have kept the portals closed.  Did  Paul overhear one of those “various times” that inspired him to direct all the Thessalonians, and us, to “study to be quiet?”  Did he hear some Thessalonians talking about some Philippians?  Did he eavesdrop on Timothy and Silas talking about Barnabas and John Mark?

When I think of studying,  I think of meditating, setting my mind or thoughts upon something specific and learning about it.  When Paul used the words, study to be quiet, he was implying much more.  By the words he chose, he was really saying:

• Be eager to hold your peace.
• Strive to be at rest.
• Aspire to keep still.
• Be ambitious to stay settled.
• Aim to keep your seat.
• Do whatever it takes to remain undisturbed
• Make it a goal to be steadfast and immovable

Paul implied more than studying in present day terminology.  He was in essence telling us to compete, to not get stirred up, to be quiet and to let nothing move us.  Now, you know, that is easier said than done.

Paul continued by saying, “do your own business,” which  literally means, mind your own business.

Thank you, Paul, for your encouraging and inspired words:  Be quiet.  Don’t get upset and “you do you.”

I enCOURAGE you not to shoot the messenger.  I do not know why the Lord wanted me to share this verse, nor encourage YOU in this way.   Let me guess!  It’s really a lesson for ME and  not the whole class.  You do not have a problem being quiet and minding your own business.  I just got to share it with y’all because the Lord did not want to call me out.   Did the Holy Spirit  just want to send me a little text message  to  remind me once again to watch MY mouth, be quiet, not get upset and mind my own business?  Probably!  Thanks for reading MY text message to the end since I mistakenly sent it to you. 

by Tammy Phillips
July 16, 2021

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter….”  (John 14:16)

Do you have a wedding coming up, a court date, job interview, appointment with a doctor, or difficult decision to make?  Are you caring for your elderly parents, a teenager, or a new born child?  Are you fighting for your marriage, going through a divorce or looking for your soulmate?   Are you mourning? Do you feel all alone or overwhelmed?  Need some help?  Our God is God of all Comfort.  He sent Jesus to save us, then gave us the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter.  He is “Called Alongside” to partner and do life with us.  The Comforter is on every side of us to comfort us.  He is always with us. There is no place we can go that He is not with us.  There is no turn we can take that He is not with us.  There is no decision we make that He is not with us.

The Comforter is our Helper to navigate us through every obstacle of life.    The Comforter  is our Advocate  and Counsel for defense who pleads our cause.  The Comforter is our Intercessor who ever mediates and reconciles us back to God.  The Comforter is our Aid in every circumstance.  The Comforter is our Assistant.  Yes, the Lord God thought we all needed an assistant to do life.  He did not send us just any assistant, but the Assistant of all assistants.  We just have to ask for His help.  Holy Spirit will empower, lead, guide, direct, and instruct us what to do and where to go every step along the way.  Remember, He is alongside.  It is not like we can leave Him behind.  The Comforter is our Consoler who  cheers our mind, gives refreshment to our spirits, who relieves us from our pain.  The Comforter comforts, strengthens, supports and  encourages us in distress, difficulty, danger, and sickness.  The Comforter is our Standby.  He is always on standby on every side, surrounding us.  He is ready, willing, and eager to help at our call.

I enCOURAGE you to call on the Comforter.  He is waiting.  It does not matter how big or small.  You might have lost a golf ball, an earring, or a friend.  He wants to help you, to it and through it, but you have to ask.  You also have to believe He is big enough to handle your need.  The Comforter is your partner.  Don’t do life without Him.  He is standing by waiting to help.

 

by Tammy Phillips
July 15, 2021

 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. (Psalm 147:5 NKJV)

Before there was Google there was googol and before there was googol there was God.  However, there would be no googol nor Google, if there was no God.

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:3 NKJV) 

Oddly, Google was first called BackRub.  The founders wisely rebranded the company and its name which is derived from the number googol, which is 10^{100 or} 1 with 100 zeroes or 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.  This word number was selected  to signify the large quantities of information the search engine would provide.  Although there are a googol of answers Google provides.  Its resources are not infinite.  Only God can claim infinity ∞ and it’s not really a number.  God cannot be defined nor put in a box.  He is not limited by time, space, nor a number.  God is so much bigger than 10^100.Google or any search engine has made it much easier to find the answers we look for.   We can “google” part of a verse, a phrase or a word and the search engine will assist us in finding the scripture we are looking for.  I thank God for search engines.  They make it easier for us to learn about Him.  They put unlimited resources at our fingertips to help us find and understand God.

However, God is the only One who knows the number of grains of sand in and by the seas.  He knows the number of galaxies in the universe. “He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.” (Psalm 147:4 NKJV) He knows when we sit down and when we stand up.  He knows the number of hairs on our head.  My mind is blown. How about yours?  I mean the hairs on my head could literally change, minute by  minute.  My husband finds them everywhere.  How amazing it is that God knows when they fell out and where they fell.

A googol is big, but our God is bigger.  He is innumerable, incalculable, immeasurable, limitless, everlasting and eternal.

I enCOURAGE you to use the googol of Google and get to know our God even better.  Use any search engine to assist you in seeking God.  I like the search engine “Duck, Duck, Go” for its name alone.  It makes me smile.  Our Lord God has made it so easy to find Him.  We have so many resources at our fingertips.  While you are spending endless hours on the phone, iPad, or computer searching social media, news media, sports media, Pinterest and Amazon, why not read  a Bible app, listen to a podcast or “google” God.  He doesn’t care how you find Him.  He just wants to be found by you.   GO GOOGLE GOD!

“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:2-3 NIV)

by Tammy Phillips
July 14, 2021 

Instead, his delight is in the LORD’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.  (Psalm 1:2 CSB)

 Read the instructions.  Follow the directions.  These are requests of the most, simplest form.  As I have said before, God will use anything and everything to speak to us.   He used a child’s game earlier to talk to me about following directions.  Last night, He used the game of baseball to remind me that His way is perfect.  He also used the Wheel of Fortune’s bonus round puzzle  to remind me to “read the instructions,” and reiterated, follow the directions.  I could only laugh when the answer to the puzzle appeared.   I hear you God.

Have you ever tried to put anything together without reading the instructions? A basketball goal? A Lego structure?  A shelving unit from Ikea?  Have you ever tried to make a recipe without reading the directions? How about making homemade ice cream?  Ever taken medicine without reading the doctors orders? Why in the world would we try to do life without reading and following the instructions that our Creator left us?   Simply, this is what our Life Manual, the Bible, tells us…

“Give attention to reading.” (1 Timothy 4:13 NKJV)

“Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. … 13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she [is] your life!” (Proverbs 4:5, 13 NKJV)

I enCOURAGE you to read His word, delight in His instruction and follow His direction.

“All Scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV)

 

by Tammy Phillips
July 13, 2021

[As for] God, His way [is] perfect; The word of the LORD [is] proven; He [is] a shield to all who trust in Him. (2 Samuel 22:31 NKJV)

Have you ever wondered what is God doing?  What is happening in this world?  Why did this happen?  Isaiah says that His ways are not our ways.  Really now, Isaiah?  This is where faith comes in.  We must trust His word when He says… 

His way is perfect.
His road is full.
His course is upright.
His journey is sound.
His direction is complete.

His word is proven.
His utterance is tried.
His speech is founded.
His command is refined.
His promise is purged.
His direction is tested.

He is a shield.
He is a buckler.
He is a defense.
He is a protector.
He is a cover.
He is a hedge of protection.

To all who trust Him
To all who seek refuge in Him
To all who have hope in Him
To all who flee to Him

He [is] my strength [and] power, And He makes my way perfect. (2 Samuel 22:33 NKJV)

He is my strength and power.
He is my fortress
He is my protection and might.
He is my means of safety.
He is my place of security and Man of Valor.

He makes my way perfect, whole, healed and complete.

I enCOURAGE you to trust in the Lord.  His way is perfect, and He makes your way perfect, too.  It might not seem like it, but He looks at things a bit differently and sees the whole picture of your life.  He has proven repeatedly that His word is tried and true.  He can be trusted to work all things together for the good to those who love Him. Trust Him in the journey.

by Tammy Phillips
July 12, 2021

“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” (John 15:14 NKJV)

Last night, I watched the season finale of the Chosen where Jesus told Matthew that he was leaving them “directions to follow.’  I awoke this morning to a text from mom.  It was a devotion about “following directions.” Funny, I had already prayed and asked the Lord what “direction” He wanted the encouragement to go today.  I guess I had my answer.

The word direction does not really appear  in the King James version of the Bible.  However, other synonyms of direction like, guide, instruct, lead, order, charge, path, way, and commandment appear often.  The Lord is a God of order and will always show us the way. 

Have you ever played follow the leader?  The rules are simple and easy to understand. The object of the game is to try and follow everything the leader does.  Children line up in a line and do everything the leader of the line does.   If you don’t follow the leader, you are out until the next game.  The last one standing wins, and then becomes a leader.   There is even a song to make it more fun, “We’re following the leader, the leader, the leader …. We’re following the leader wherever He may go.”

Can you hear Jesus calling us, “Let’s play follow the leader?  I am going to make this as simple as possible!”  We all line up behind Him and He says, “You are My friends, if you do whatever I command you.” (John 15:14 NKJV)  We start singing, “We’re following the leader wherever He may go.”  Then He gives one uncomplicated, straightforward direction, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12 NKJV)

LOVE. STAND. WIN.

I enCOURAGE you to follow our Leader.  Follow His one direction…love like He loves.  Be love because He is love. Love encompasses and covers it all. 

Prayer:  “Lord, I hear you, but this is so much easier said than done.  We will follow You wherever You go.  We will say whatever You say and do whatever You do.  Most of all we will love well like You do.  In Jesus name, we pray! AMEN!

“Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:1-2 NKJV)

 

by Tammy Phillips
July 11, 2021

“My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they follow Me, and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. ²⁹ “My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of My Father’s hand. (John 10:27-29 NKJV)

My sheep…

• Hear My voice
• Attend to My voice
• Consider My voice
• Understand My voice
• Learn My Voice
• Learned in My voice
• Give an audience to My voice

I know them… 

My sheep… 

• Follow Me…
• Join Me as My attendant
• Unite with Me on the road
  Accompany Me
• Side with Me
• Are in the same way with Me
• Are in time with Me
• Become my disciples
• Cleave steadfastly to ME

I give My sheep…

• Eternal Life…
• Without ending vigor
• Never ceasing breathe
• Everlasting fullness
• Forever enjoying reality
• Perpetually blessed
• Endless living water

My sheep shall never…

• Perish…
• Be destroyed
• Abolished
• Put to and end
• Rendered Useless
• Be Killed
• Be Lost
• Be blotted out
• Delivered to eternal misery.

Neither shall anyone…

• Snatch
• Pluck up
• Catch away
• Carry off
• Seize

…My sheep out of My hand.

My Father, who has given My sheep to Me is GREATER …

• LARGER
• LONGER
• STRONGER
• MIGHTIER
• HIGHER
• OLDER
• MORE ABUNDANT
• MORE POWERFUL
• GRANDER

…than ALL…

• Anything
• Everything
  Anyone
• Everyone
• Every condition
• Every matter
• Ever side
• Every way
• Whatsoever
• Whosoever
• The whole thing

and no one nor nothing  is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. (John 10:27-29 KJV)

I wanted to boast  on the Greatest of them all, the Good Shepherd!    He absolutely amazes me. He is so kind.  I am blessed thankful to be counted as one known  by Him.  

I enCOURAGE you to boast on our Good Shepherd.  He is still missing a few sheep and chasing after them.  Let’s help Him and share his goodness with all because He is the Greatest.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. … 14 “I am the good shepherd; and I know My [sheep] and am known by My own. (John 10:11, 14 NKJV)

 

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
July 10, 2021

 “So, then faith [comes] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17 NKJV)

Many people think God does not speak to them. I know the Lord speaks.  I hear Him.  In fact, I expect that He is always speaking and loving us back to Him.  You may get tired of me voicing my opinion that He will use everything  and anything to reach out to us.  He wants a relationship with us.  The best place to start is His written word.  He took the time to write it down, the very least we could do is honor Him by listening to Him.

Honestly, I have never heard the audible, thundering voice of God Almighty.  I think if I did it would shake the foundation of our home and raise the roof.  However, over the last nine days, you might not have realized it, but I have shared nine different ways that the Lord will whisper to your heart or boldly proclaim the word you need to hear from Him.  I did not even realize that the Holy Spirit was speaking to me about speaking to you about Him speaking  until about four days in.  In nine days, look at the many ways God spoke to me through:

Life events:        July 1, “A TRUE STORY OF THE GOODNESS OF GOD”

Television:         July 2, “A CONVERSATION WITH JESUS”

People:                July 3, “BREAK UP TO BREAK THROUGH”

Songs:                 July 4, “SUNDAY IN THE SAND”

The Bible:          July 5, “WHAT A WORD THIS IS”

Prophets,
Pastors, & 
Prayers:             July 6, “PROPHETS, PRAYERS, AND PASTORS”

Technology:     July 7, “TECHNOLOGY TO REACH THE WORLD”

Creation:           July 8, “CREATION IS POURING OUT”

Arts:                    July 9, “PAINTING THAT SPOKE A THOUSAND WORDS”

Do you see what I mean?   When you read the post, d id you hear the voice of God in each post? 

I enCOURAGE you to purpose in your heart to hear from God.  First, spend some time with Him reading  the Bible.   If you can read this post, you can get your hands on a Bible.  Load an app to your phone.  You can carry multiple versions of His word in your hand, thanks to technology.   Pay attention to all the ways God speaks to you today.  I would love for you to come back to this post and share how and what God spoke to you.  Have a great day!

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (John 10:27 NKJV)