Category: Uncategorized

by Tammy Phillips
November 12, 2020

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:13 NIV)

We are to encourage one another to avoid becoming hardened by sin in which we believe the lie and not God.  The lie is that we should fear anything. We have nothing to fear. Listen, we have nothing to fear. Repeatedly, the word of God says be strong and be of good courage and more often it says do not fear nor be dismayed.  Dismayed also means discouraged, broken to pieces, torn apart and broken down with fear.

 Be strong (chazaq) and of good courage (‘amats) ; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God [is] with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NKJV)

 Be of good courage (chazaq), and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” (Psalm 31:24 KJV)

In the Bible, two different Hebrew words are used for courage and they are loaded:

‘amats:  strong; brave; bold; made firm; be alert; quick on the feet; be strong in the feet; steadfast mind; restored; repaired; built up

chazaq: strong; bind strongly, hold fast; stick fast; encourage; to strengthen one’s hand; to restore, rebuild, repair; be firm, be constant, be #resolute2020! 

Joshua 1:9 could literally be translated: 

Be strong! Be strong!  Be of good courage! Be of good courage!  Do not be afraid nor broken down with fear!  Do not be shaken! Don’t be discouraged!

I lived a huge chunk of my life fearing everything until God enCOURAGED me in His word.  He taught me I did not have to fear anything, but Him.  This is why God called me to be an enCOURAGER.  He set me free from fear.  It is the reason He calls us to “encourage one another and build each other up…” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV) We are to strengthen others with God’s words and not tear them down with our own.  In the New Testament the Greek word for encourage is parakaleō which means:  to call to one’s side; to speak to; to comfort; to console; to exhort; to urge on; to strengthen; to teach; to instruct; to refresh; to cheer.

Websters 1828 definition of COURAGE, noun [Latin, the heart.] Bravery; that quality of mind which enables men to endure danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear or depression of spirits; boldness; resolution.

The Greek word and prefix “en” means:  a fixed position; to cause to be in the place, condition or state named; to be surrounded, covered with.  As we en-courage, we move others from a place of disCOURAGEment to a place and a fixed position IN COURAGE. We can encourage just by standing beside someone, calling or texting them a good word.

God is our EnCOURAGER and our Comforter. He encourages us in our discouragement so we can encourage others who are in trouble and pain. 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassions, and God of all encouragement;  who encourages us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to encourage those who are in any tribulation whatever, through the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged of God. Because, even as the sufferings of the Christ abound towards us, so through the Christ does our encouragement also abound. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 DBY)

Throughout the New Testament God sent the disciples to encourage others.  God used an enCOURAGER to get it started. The gospel was spread by sending out Paul and Barnabas, whose name means Son of Encouragement.

But God, Who comforts and encourages and refreshes and cheers the depressed and the sinking, comforted and encouraged and refreshed and cheered us by the arrival of Titus. (2 Corinthians 7:6 AMPC)

JOHN exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them. (Luke 3:18)

 BARNABAS encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. (Acts 11:23)

PAUL AFTER BEING STONED:  “strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,”  (Acts 14:22)

JUDAS and SILAS said a lot to encourage and strengthen the believers. (Acts 15:32)

After PAUL and SILAS got out of the prison they immediately went and encourage their brothers and sisters (Acts 16:40)

TIMOTHY  was sent to strengthen and encourage in faith. (1 Thessalonians 3:2)

PAUL SENT TYCHIUS for the express purpose of encouraging hearts. (Colossians 4:8)

I enCOURAGE you to encourage the disheartened. (1 Thessalonians 5:14 NIV). I “encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received instruction from us on how you should live and please God ​– ​as you are doing ​– ​do this even more.”   (1 Thessalonians 4:1 CSB)

I pray that “your hearts may be encouraged and comforted.” (Colossians 2:2)    “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, (Romans 15:5 NIV).  “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV)

Be enCOURAGED and go, be an enCOURAGER!

by Tammy Phillips
November 11, 2020

I spent a couple of hours this morning working on what I thought was todays encouragement, BUT GOD…. had a different plan.  Holy Spirit took me back to November 11, 2019 to my journal entry:

“Wow! I hear you God! I have no choice. Help me rise. Rise above! Help me take the next steps. And, show me why I keep writing 11. 11. 19, too, please?

My plans were to start Christmas decorations, BUT GOD…had a different plan.

My friend, pray warrior, battle buddy sent me a link to a sermon series, CRAZY FAITH by Michael Todd.  He started the sermon by quoting the third verse from the song, Crazy by Selo Green:

‘My heroes had the heart to live their lives out on the limb. All I remember thinking is I want to be like them.’

The sermon continued, ‘What you wrote in your journal maybe crazy until it happens!’

Without a doubt, I knew that morning that I had been called to CRAZY FAITH.  I had no idea what that meant; I know now.  Looking back, it only took until the afternoon of 11.11.19 for me to receive my first assignment in crazy faith.  I also understand why 11.11.19 would be a day that would forever change my life.  At 3:51 pm I received a text from my sister in Christ, Stephanie Tharpe:  “Our hearts are hurting… Our son, Brandon, died yesterday. Please pray for us.”  We had just talked about Brandon two days earlier.  This could not possibly be true.  Brandon was 27.  I had no words.  I felt like I never had the right words in these circumstances.

Then, the Holy Spirit spoke the unimaginable and called me to crazy faith.  I was instructed to enCOURAGE Stephanie every morning by keeping the word of God before her for one year.  I thought God was crazy!  I hate offering empty words to family members who have lost loved ones.  The words seem pointless and ineffective. However, I learned that no word said in love is purposeless.  I had to change my thinking.  I had to step out into crazy faith and trust God each day for the words.  11.11.19, God showed me how he would fulfill two calls on my life, the call to write and the call to be an encourager. 

Holy Spirit showed me that in one year an encouragement book would be completed through encouragements to Steph.  It would be His words not mine. I had to trust Father God and His leading.  I sure did not have the words.  I surrendered on 11.11.19, “I will be your scribe, Father.”

Looking back at my journal, I had surrendered on June 14, 2019 to be an enCOURAGER.  This is the entry from that day and subsequent days:

“I am enCOURAGER!  Hebrews 3:13

Father:   Send me to be an enCOURAGER by your spirit …when needed.  Help me be full of courage to give away to others. Amen.    

Stir yourself up. Step out. Show up.  The words you say may be the exact words from the Lord that someone else needs.”

June 16, 2019:

“’Be strong.  Be courageous. Be brave and do it. Fear not. Do not be dismayed. Do not be broken to pieces. For the Lord your God, my God is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you Until you have finished all the work for the service of the House of the Lord.’ -1 Chronicles 28:20  

Last night, Kris and I attended the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame induction Dinner for Peyton Manning and a list of others.  Amy Adams Strunk was named Tennessean of the year.  A lot of famous people made a lot of speeches, however, the one that spoke to me was by an unnamed woman who prayed before dinner.  She prayed: 

‘There are so many gifts to be thankful for, including the gift of athleticism, mentoring, teaching, and those who encourage….Let us all remember to recognize our gift and use it in a way that honors you, Lord even if that gift is only to encourage others.’

I hear you Lord!  I am an enCOURAGER.”

On June 24, 2019:

“Dear Tammy,

You are not weak.  You are not defeated. You are not inferior. You are full of “can do” power. The very same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside of you. Expect My favor. I have equipped and anointed you.  Walk in My favor and victory.  

Holy Spirit

‘Anything is possible if a person believes.’  Mark 9: 23

‘I can do everything through Christ who gives me the strength.’ Philippians 4:13

‘Like a rubber band, your faith is useless unless it is stretched. God will require you to stretch be pulled and in discomfort.  In this stretch God does the greatest miracles. Faith extended to fulfill its purpose is willing to stretch. God shows up and does what we cannot do.  Be bold be brave.  Be courageous.  You were made to be stretched. Whatever he tells you to do, do it!’( John 15:5)   It will require the stretch.  Stretch for success.’

‘You do know what you are capable of because you cannot fathom the potential of God in you.’ -Tammy Phillips”

One year has come and gone.  God walked with me through every step of the crazy faith He called me to.  Each morning, I sent my sister an encouragement from the word.  In March with her permission, I stepped out to be an enCOURAGER to anyone who would read my posts online.

The Lord says that He will instruct you and teach you in the way to go in Psalms 32:8.  He prepared me months before hand to accomplish His will.  I give all glory to Him.  

Now, “I urge and encourage you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Ephesians 4:1 NIV)

I enCOURAGE you to seek and answer God’s call.  He is calling you to step out in crazy faith, too.  I have been stretched more than I ever wanted to be stretched.  It has been hard and painful.  However, it is nothing in comparison to the crazy faith that God called Stephanie to in the loss of her son.  Pray for her and her husband as often as you think of her.  Answer His call!

‘What you wrote in your journal maybe crazy until it happens!’

 

by Tammy Phillips
November 10, 2020

This I recall to my mind therefore I have hope.
Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,
because His compassions fail not.
HIS MERCIES ARE NEW EVERY MORNING
Great is Your faithfulness.
The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
It is good that one should hope and
wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
(Lamentations 3:21-26 NKJV)

God was merciful when he gifted you your precious child.  Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. (Psalm 127:3 NLT)

God’s mercies are new every morning.  One morning, we will wake up.  It will be a normal day at first, if there is  even  such a thing as a normal day anymore.   In the blink of an eye, whether we are caught-away or pass in death, we will end the day in the presence of Jesus.  We will see our loved ones again!   You will see your precious Brandon on that day.  It will be the most the merciful day that we ever experience!!!  It is our hope.  It is good to hope in His mercy.   Jesus is our hope, promise and expectation for that blessed day. 

Until then, we will wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord and eagerly expect His new mercies every morning.

Every step taken; all the paths of the LORD are mercy. (Psalm 25:10 KJV)

Trust in the LORD and His mercy shall compass you. (Psalm 32:10 NKJV)

His mercy is on them that fear him. (Luke 1:50 KJV)

God is rich in mercy and because of His great love, He loved us. (Ephesians 2:4 NKJV)

Not our works of righteousness, but according to His mercy He saved us… (Titus 3:5 NKJV)

The eye of the LORD is on those who hope in his mercy. (Psalm 33:18

God is our defense, Our God of mercy. (Psalm 59:17

God is abundant in mercy to all those who call upon Him. (Psalm 86:5

God’s mercy will hold you up. (Psalm 94:18)

God is plenteous in mercy. (Psalm 103:8)

God’s mercy is great, as the high as heaven is above the earth (Psalm 103:11)

The mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him (Psalm 103:17)

 The LORD takes pleasure in them that hope in his mercy. (Psalm 147:11 KJV)

God delights in mercy. (Micah 7:18 KJV)

God’s mercy preserves.  (Proverbs 20:28 KJV)

God is faithful who keeps mercy for a thousand generations (Deuteronomy 7:9 NKJV)

Behold, we count them happy which endure. You have heard of the patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. (James 5:11 KJV)

Job endured and you endure.  Job saw the end of the Lord.  You will see the Lord’s end.  Job was held up and sustained by the mercy and compassion of God.   You are held up by God’s mercy, love and compassion.   Job endured and was a better and more blessed man.  You have remained faithful to God.  You have endured and I know God will use what the enemy stole from you, what the enemy meant for evil towards you and God will use it for good.

“I wish we could all read the original Greek; for this word, ‘The Lord is very pitiful,’ is a specially remarkable one. It means literally that the Lord hath ‘many bowels,’ or a great heart, and so it indicates great tenderness.” -Charles Spurgeon

I enCOURAGE you queen to trust in the LORD and through the mercy of the Most High, you shall not be moved (Psalm 21:7 KJV).  He has showed us what is good; and what the LORD requires: to do right, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God (Micah 6:8 KJV).  May our prayer be: “Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You (Psalm 33:22 NKJV).  And we will “give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good; for His mercy endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34 KJV)

 

by Tammy Phillips 
November 9, 2020

Life can be overwhelming, even impossible sometimes.  God is the God of impossibilities, all the time and every time.  It is His specialty.  No circumstance nor situation is impossible for our God, not even our tomorrow.   

And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, (2 Corinthians 3:4-5 NKJV)

We are not SUFFICIENT.
We have not ARRIVED.
We are not ENOUGH.
We are not GOOD ENOUGH.
We are not GREAT ENOUGH.
We are not LARGE ENOUGH.
We are not WORTHY ENOUGH.
We are not COMPETENT ENOUGH.
We are not ABLE ENOUGH.
We are not QUALIFIED ENOUGH.

…to do one thing on our own…

We cannot do it.  We cannot do and survive life without God.

BUT GOD!!!!  Our sufficiency is from God!

He gives us the ability, competency and qualifies us to do all things through Him!

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV)

God’s grace, His unmerited favor is enough to get us through the crazy year we have called 2020 and the next and the next and until Jesus comes.  His grace is enough to help us get out of bed and take one step at a time.  Keep stepping! Walk by faith.  His grace alone is enough is enough to make us stronger.  The Word says, “My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  We got the weakness!  He has the strength!  We have to count on His strength every day for every step.

The LORD is our sufficiency.
God is ALL SUFFICIENT.

The LORD is our completion.
God is already there.  He has arrived.
And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:10 NKJV)

The LORD is our MORE THAN ENOUGH.
God is El Shaddai, All Sufficient One. God Almighty!  (Genesis 17:1)

The LORD is our GOOD ENOUGH.
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. (Psalm 33:5)

The Lord is our GREAT ENOUGH.
God is greater than all gods. (2 Chronicles 2:5)
God is greater than man.  (Job 33:12)
God is greater than our biggest challenge.

The LORD is our BIG ENOUGH.
God is everywhere. (Psalm 139:7-12)

The LORD is our WORTHY ENOUGH.
You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power.(Revelation 4:11 NKJV)

The LORD is our COMPETENT ENOUGH.
For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created. (Revelation 4:11 NKJV)

The LORD is our ABLE ENOUGH.
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8 NKJV)

The LORD is our QUALIFICATION.
Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:12 NIV )

I enCOURAGE you in our all sufficient God.  He is more than enough to meet every need, overcome every obstacle and love you through every impossibility.  Let Him be your Enough in everything, even your tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
November 8, 2020

Do you know that our life reads like another book or letter of the Bible?  The apostles wrote letters to record what the Spirit of God told them.  They wrote with pen and ink.  As Christians, followers of Christ…

We are a letter from Christ.
Ministered by the words of the apostles.
Ministered by those who sow into our lives.
Our letter is written by the Spirit of the Living God.
Our letter is written on the tables of our heart,
Engraved in our heart by the finger of God.

Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is of the heart. (2 Corinthians 3:3 NKJV)

Jesus authors our letter.

 Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith.  Hebrews 12:2

The LORD gives us one heart, His Heart.
The LORD gives us one spirit, His Spirit.
The LORD removes our stony heart.
The LORD gives us a soft heart.

“Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, (Ezekiel 11:19 NKJV)

 The LORD gives a fresh, new heart and mind.
The LORD gives a new breath, new wind, and new spirit.
The LORD takes away the hard, stony, stubborn and unresponsive heart.  
The LORD gives us a soft, tender, obedient, and responsive heart.

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you and heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26 KJV)

He puts his commands in our mind.
He writes them on our heart.
He is our God.
We are His people.

“But this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. (Jeremiah 31:33 NKJV)

Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, grace, mercy, forgiveness, kindness, hope, redemption, righteousness, reconciled are words we may see written in our letters.  Really, our letter could be written in one word, LOVE.  Love is synonymous with God.  Love covers it all.

Our letter is also recorded in His book.

“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” (Psalm 139:16 NLT) 

I enCOURAGE you to take pause and seriously consider the contents of your letter, your life.  What is your life ministering to others?  The Spirit of God has written love on your heart.  Have you let His love out for all to see?  Thank God there is no condemnation and no shame written in our letter, just love. Let your letter read boldly and loudly for Jesus.

by  Tammy Phillips with the help of King David
November 7, 2020

Show us Your mercy, LORD, And grant us Your salvation. (Psalm 85:7 NKJV)

Psalms 86 is a prayer of King David.  I have been led to it several times of late.  It is my prayer for you and me.  It is my prayer for the children of God in 2020.

LORD, stretch out Your ear to us.
LORD, hear us.
LORD, answer us.
LORD, we are distressed and in need.

LORD, preserve, guard, keep our soul and life.
LORD, we are faithful.
LORD, You alone are our God.
LORD, save us who trust You.

LORD, be merciful and gracious.
LORD, show us your favor.
LORD, show us your mercy.
LORD, we call You all day long.

LORD, make us rejoice.
LORD, we put our trust in You alone.

LORD, You are good!
LORD, You are ready to forgive.
LORD, You are abundant in mercy to all who call.

LORD, listen, please.
LORD, pay attention to our call for mercy.
LORD in trouble we call.
LORD, we know you will answer.

LORD, there is none like you.
LORD, there are no works like your works.
LORD, all nations will worship you.
LORD, all nations will glorify your name.

LORD You are great.
LORD You do wondrous things.
LORD, You alone are God.

LORD, Teach us your ways.
LORD, Teach us to walk in Your truth.
LORD, Unite our heart to fear you name alone.

LORD, we praise You with all our heart.
LORD, we glorify Your name forevermore.

LORD, Great is Your mercy toward us.
LORD, You have delivered our soul from the pits of hell.
LORD, You have shown us your mercy and we ask again.

LORD, the proud and arrogant have risen against us.
LORD, a swarm of violent, oppressive, ruthless men have sought our lives.
LORD, they have not set, nor appointed You before them.

LORD, You are a God full of compassion.
LORD, You are gracious.
LORD you are long suffering.
LORD, you are abundant in mercy and truth.

LORD, turn to us
LORD, have mercy on us.
LORD, show us your mercy.
LORD, give Your strength to Your servants.
LORD, save Your servants.

LORD, You have helped us
LORD, You have comforted us.  

I enCOURAGE you to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. “(Hebrews 4:16 KJV)

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.  Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.  For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.  Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You. (Psalm 33:18-22 NKJV)

 

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
November 6, 2020

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.  Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him. (Psalm 32:8, 10 NKJV) 

True Story from a few years ago. 

I had cleaned our bedroom and noticed my driver’s license lying on the floor.  I had emptied some things out of my bag at an earlier time and I guess my driver’s license had just fallen out of my wallet.  I picked it up and that is the last I remembered of the Little 2 x 4 piece of plastic that I would need as identification.

Later in the week, Kris and I went to vote.  I knew exactly where my voter’s registration card was located and found it immediately.  When I went to retrieve my license that I thought I had returned to my wallet, it was nowhere to be found.  In the past I would have gotten mad at the inconvenience, called myself stupid more than once and definitely lost my joy.  I determined not to allow anything or anyone to steal my joy.

Kris voted.  I could not.  I went home and talked to God.  I prayed: “Lord, You know where my license is located. Will You please show it to me?”  I, emphasis on I, looked several places for it.  I just knew it would be an easy find, not so.  I kept confessing: “I know You know where that license is. I’d really like to vote today.”  I finally said. “When You bring a place to mind, I will go look.”

I spent time reading my Bible and just waited.  I completed a few chores, faithfully waited and looked as directed.  I spoke with a friend and shared my story.  She knew that I was world- famous for misplacing and finding things with God’s help.   Once, I had misplaced a Pandora bracelet in December and faithfully believed God to help me find it.  I did not stop believing.  He led me to it the next March!

God is big!  His word says in 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” and, Psalm 55:22, “Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Looking at the Greek translation of the word moved.  I confidently confessed its meanings:

I will not be moved.
I will not be shaken.
I will not totter.
I will not slip.
I will not waver.
I will not move aside from the right.
I will find my license with Your help.

I knew that I knew, God had me.   All I had to do was believe and trust that He is who He says he is and that He would do what he said He would do.

Five hours after arriving home from the polls, I put some clothes in the dryer and I heard, “Look in the car.”  I kind of offered up some resistance, “BUT GOD… I’ve already looked there and everywhere else!”  Then I conceded, “BUT GOD, I know you know where it is, so I will go look again.”  I did and there it was!  God was faithful!  God is faithful.  God will always be faithful.

Praise God!  If I had not misplaced my license, I would not have gotten to share this whole story of how God’s faithfulness, grace and mercy surrounded me.  I returned and  voted.  Four little ladies who worked were so glad to see me.  I loudly shared my God story with them, proclaiming the greatness and faithfulness of my Jesus!!!

I enCOURAGE you to go to our Father when you have lost some thing and you cannot find it.  I do not care if you have lost yourself, your health, a pair of glasses or a sparkly sapphire piece of jewelry.  God is always with you. His word says: 

“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This [is] the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21 NKJV)

by Tammy Phillips
November 5, 2020

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials…”

I thank God for sisters in Christ who speak words of encouragement into my heart.  A few days ago, a sister spoke 1 Peter 1 and specifically verse 6 to me.  Like a song on the radio, “a little while” had been on replay in my head over and over again.

Throughout scripture we hear… “a little while.”

A little while and the wicked shall be no more… 

[A Psalm] of David. Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring [it] to pass. 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. 7 Rest in the LORD and 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. 8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret–[it] only [causes] harm. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth. (Psalm 37:1-9 NKJV)

For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more. (Psalm 37:10 NKJV)

A little while… be strong and do not fear! The Lord will shake the earth, and all will come to Jesus, the Desire of All Nations…

Be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the LORD, ‘and work; for I [am] with you,’ says the LORD of hosts…My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’ For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more it is a little while I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land;  ‘and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts. (Haggai 2:7 NKJV) (Haggai 2:4-6 NKJV)

A little while, endure, Jesus is coming and will not tarry…

For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:  “For yet a little while, [And] He who is coming will come and will not tarry. (Hebrews 10:36-37 NKJV)

A little while, Jesus went away, returned and sorrow was turned in to joy….

 “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.” 19 Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’?  “Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. … 22 “Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. (John 16:18-20, 22 NKJV)

A little while, you have been grieved by various trials…

“… who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,  that the genuineness of your faith, [being] much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, (1 Peter 1:5-7 NKJV)

 We greatly rejoice which means leap and jump for joy.  Why?  We are kept by the power of God through faith through the trials to endure until Jesus comes again in a little while.

We endure “a little while.” The Greek word for this phrase is oligos which is puny!  Puny in extent, degree, number, duration or value brief, short!   The trials might be heavy, grievous, sorrowful, but they are puny in Him.  God allows us to endure through faith to show us that our faith is more precious to him than gold.  Our faithfulness brings praise and honor and glory to our King.

I enCOURAGE you grab hold of God’s “a little while.”  A little while is nothing in light of eternity.  

by Tammy Phillips
November 4, 2020

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up. (Psalm 5:3 NKJV)

GOD MORNING to you!  Often we greet loved ones, friends and coworkers with the phrase: “GOOD MORNING.”  It is a nice salutation, too.  However, I challenge that there is no good morning unless there is first a “God Morning.”   I choose to say God Morning instead.

It is a God morning.
The abiding light of the sun still rose over the horizon.

It is a God morning.
The dawn still knows it place

It is a God morning.
The foundation of the earth is still hanging in thin air.

It is a God morning.
The morning stars still join and sing together.

It is a God morning.
The clouds still come and go, providing us rain.

It is a God morning.
The waves of the great seas are still contained.

It is a God morning.
The frost of heaven is still birthed.

It is a God morning.
The birds of the air fly to and fro.

It is God morning.
The animals still birth and produce their young.

It is God morning.
The lungs still breathe in the air fresh and free.

It is a God morning.
The night might have been bad, but there is always a new morning.

It is a God morning.
The wealth of wisdom is still dispensed in the mind. 

It is a God morning.
The gift of understanding is still given to the heart.  

It is a God morning.
The weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning

It is a God Morning.
The Lord is my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.

It is a God morning.
The lovingkindness, mercy and faithfulness of God are never ceasing.

It is a God morning.
The arm of Lord is our support and salvation in time of trouble.

It is a God morning.
The glory of the LORD is our rear guard and our healing shall spring forth speedily

It is a God morning.
The Lord awakens me and my ear to hear as the learned.

It is a God morning.
The LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.

It is God Morning
The LORD [is] my portion and my hope is in Him.

It is a God Morning.
The one and only Jesus is same, today, yesterday, and forever.

It is a God morning.
The salvation he paid for is still ours.

It is a God morning.
The favor of God is for life.

It is a God morning.
The Morning Star, Jesus, shines and welcomes the new day.

I enCOURGAGE you in that every day is a GOD MORNING!   Rise and shine in His day. 

by Tammy Phillips
November 3, 2020 

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13 NKJV)

Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NKJV

One time in high school, I got a new gold necklace.  It was a really nice “add-a-bead” necklace.  I wore it to school.  A rather snooty girl asked me if it was real.  I was taken back.  I had to prove its authenticity by letting her see the clasp.  As Christians, we have nothing to prove, it is God who authenticates us with His seal, His Holy Spirit.  We are accountable to God.  It does not matter what anyone else says.   As Christians our allegiance is to Him and only His opinion matters.  

God tells us the Truth.
We hear the word of Truth.
We hear the good news of salvation
We trust the word.
We trust the promises of God.
We believe the word.
We believe that God’s promises are Yes and Amen
God anoints us.
God gives us the Spirit in our heart as a guarantee.
God seals us with the Holy Spirit of promise.
Our hearts our sealed with Holy Spirit

We are sealed.
We are marked.
We are secured
We are proved.
We are confirmed.
We are authenticated.
We are stamped for security.
We are sealed for preservation.
We are deeply impressed on by God Himself. His mark declares the full authority of royal ownership. Our soul bears His mark.  His seal definitively states: “They are mine. They are real. Hands off.”

I enCOURAGE you to know that the only mark that matters in your life is the seal of the Holy Spirit.  You are sealed, marked and authenticated by God and not one other person’s opinion of you should matter.  You are His.  You are secure and preserved in Him and His promises for eternity.