Category: Uncategorized

by Tammy Phillips
October 23, 2020

In the powerful words of Isaiah 58,  God clearly outlines his plans, purposes, and  our assignment to repair, restore and rebuild.   We have an assignment in Christ to build up the broken down. 

 Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.  (Isaiah 58:12 NKJV)

1. GOD’S FAST and PURPOSE
   Is this not the fast that I have chosen? We fast…

• • • To loosen the bonds of wickedness?
    • To undo the heavy burden’s?
    • To let the oppressed, go free?
    • And that you break every yoke?
    • Share your bread with the hungry?
    • And you bring home the poor who are cast out?
    • When you see the naked exposed, cover him?
    • Don’t hide yourself from your own flesh and blood,

2. EFFECTS OF GOD’S FAST
   • Our light shall break forth like the morning.
   • Our healing shall spring forth speedily.
   • And our righteousness shall go before us.
   • The glory of the LORD shall be our rear guard.

3. THE LORD ANSWERS AND INSTRUCTS

Call, and the LORD will answer; cry, and He will say, “Here I am”.’ 
If you …

• • • Take away the yoke.
    • Stop pointing fingers.
    • Stop speaking emptiness, nothingness and wickedness.
    • Extend your soul to the hungry.
    • Satisfy the afflicted soul.

4. OUR OBEDIENCE WILL BRING
   • Our Light shall dawn in the darkness,
   • Our darkness shall [be] as the noonday.
   • The LORD will guide us continually.
   • He will satisfy our soul in drought!!!
   • He will strengthen our bones.
   • We shall be like a watered garden (flourishing).
   • And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

5. OUR ASSIGNMENT
   • You will REBUILD and RESTORE the old waste places, (the dry, desolate, drought stricken, parched by the heat of the breath of the enemy).
   • You shall RAISE up, erect, help arise, make RESOLUTE the foundations of many generations.

6. REPAIRER OF THE BREACH
   We will be called the:

• • • Repairer (Wall up, Build a wall, Hedge in, Fence in, mason) of the
    • Breach (Break, the Broken, the Broken Down, the Broken in pieces, the Gap)
    • We will Build up the Broken Down in Christ
    • We will be the Repairer of the Breach that stands in the gap, interceding, repelling the enemy. This is the act of the bravest soldiers who expose their lives to the most eminent peril.
    • “So, I sought for a man among them who would make a wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. (Ezekiel 22:30 NKJV)

7. RESTORER OF THE STREETS TO DWELL IN
   You will be called the Restorer. (Returner, Refresher, Renewer, Turner Back, Bring back, Repentance Publisher) of Streets (Path, Trodden Way, High Way)  Dwell In. (Continue, Abide, Remain, Sit)

    

8. EVERY DAY IS THE SABBATH, DAY OF REST
   • Turn away your foot from the Sabbath?
   • Turn away from doing what you please on My Holy Day.
   • Call the Sabbath a delight,
   • Honor Him.
   • Do not do your own thing.
   • Don’t go your own way.
   • Don’t find your own pleasure.
   • Don’t’ speak your own words.
   • Our walk with God should not be only defined by what we don’t do, but also what we do for the Lord.

9. RIDE ON THE HIGH HILLS OF THE EARTH
   • You delight yourself in the LORD, every day!
   • And he will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, The mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 58:8-14 NKJV) HALLELUJAH!

I enCOURAGE you to let God heal your broken heart .  Allow him into to restore, repair and rebuild you broken places.  Once you  know you are healed whole and complete in Him.  You can begin your job of helping the next broken person.  Start with yourself and pass it along.  It leads to a glorious life. 

by Tammy Phillips
October 22, 2020

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. – Psalm 51:10 KJV

A home needs to be cleaned and painted, a car needs to be washed and repaired regularly, and we take showers to rid ourselves of the grime of the day. Each of these are an example of renewal.

According to Websters Dictionary 1828, renew means: to renovate; to restore to a former state, or to a good state, after decay or depravation; to rebuild; to repair. to make new; to renovate; to transform; To revive; To make new; to make fresh or vigorous;

A perfect example of renewal is a tarnished piece of silver that is polished and brought back to its original state.  The treasure does not become tarnished as of reflection of its quality.  It is not a bad piece of bling.  It becomes tarnished as a reaction to the atmosphere and external forces in the air.  Left unpolished, it will eventually turn black. 

Our heart and mind are much like the piece of silver that becomes tarnished.  It becomes polluted from atmosphere we live in and the external forces from the prince of the air.  Like David, our daily prayer of repentance should be, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

Our heart is cleaned and sanctified by the word of God.  We keep it from becoming tarnished by polishing it and renewing it in the word daily.  

“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. (John 15:3 NKJV)

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (John 17:17 NKJV)

The word renewed in Psalm 51 actually means to make new, restore, the primary meaning is that of polishing a sword to original splendor.  God’s word is the polishing cloth to our tarnished hearts.

I enCOURAGE you “not to lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day!” (2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJV).  God wipes away the sin and grime from our heart step by step and day by day.  He polishes and renews us with His word to reflect His glory.  It is the word that transforms us and keeps our heart clean. 

“Turn us back to You, O LORD, and we will be restored; Renew our days as of old.” (Lamentations 5:21 NKJV)

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
October 21, 2020

For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul. (Jeremiah 31:25 KJV)

Feeling droopy? In this broken world if your tank is empty, running low, or just needs to be refilled for the journey, God is our refreshment.   He refreshes our soul. (Psalm 23:3 NIV) His promise is abundance.  He is not just enough.  He is God Almighty, El Shaddai, God of More than enough!  Go to Father God.  Go to His word. Get in His presence.

He will REFRESH. 

I love Websters Dictionary 1828 definition of refresh:  To cool; to give new strength to; to invigorate; to relieve after fatigue or suffering; to revive; to reanimate after depression; to cheer; to enliven; to revive what is drooping.

HEAR THE GOOD NEWS!

THE LORD:

• Satiates the weary soul
• Gives rest to the tired
• Refreshes the exhausted
• Satisfies the sapped
• Drenches the drained
• Quenches the thirsty
• Fills the faint
• Pours into the pooped

The LORD also:

• Replenishes every sorrowful soul
• Makes full every mourning mind
• Abundantly fills every pining passion
• Overflows every aching heart
• Fulfils the forlorn
• Refuels the downhearted
• Completes every soul that is melting

God is our source of infinite strength.  He does not grow weary.  His tank is always full ready to fill those who seek him.  “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul.” (Psalm 19:7 NIV)

I enCOURAGE to seek the refreshing of the Lord.  Like a plant whose leaves are bowing down because they lack water, allow God to refresh you by pouring into every cell of your body, soul and spirit. Let the Lord revive what is droopy in you! Be refreshed!

 

by Tammy Phillips
October 20,2020

God has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ!  This means God has called us back to union with Him though Christ.  He wants to be friends with us.   God has restored us to favor with the Himself, our Father through His Only Son!  It was all Him.  Amazing sacrifice of love

He is not mad us.  He is not disappointed with us.  He gave an amazing sacrifice of love to restore favored relationship between the Creator and His beloved creation, us!  When He sees us, He sees Jesus.  God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.  When we were enemies of God, when we did not choose Him, He chose us!  Have you favored an enemy lately?  We were the offender and He did not take the offense. He gave instead.   We were reconciled and brought back to favor with God through the death of His Son.  He loved us that much.  It is hard to fathom.  However, it is His word and it is true.   He does not even count our sins against us in Christ!!! (see 2 Corinthians 5:18-20) He remembers them no more!

When we repent and trust in the atoning death of Christ, we receive the gift of restoration to the favor of God.  We then are charged with passing on the good word.  God committed to us the word of reconciliation and the ministry of reconciliation.  We are ambassadors for Christ.  It is As though God Himself is pleading through us and begging on Christ’s behalf…

“Be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20 NKJV)

We must not let anything stand between God and us.  It took Jesus’ death and atoning blood to bring us back together.  However, there is more! MUCH MORE…having been reconciled…

WE SHALL BE SAVED BY HIS LIFE. We shall be safe and sound; whole, healed, and complete!

AND not only [that], but…

WE ALSO REJOICE, BOAST AND GLORY IN GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST through whom we have now RECEIVED the reconciliation!  Our glory is to God.  He is the Giver of all things!  It is all Him!   Reconciliation!  Restoration to favor!  Salvation!  Relationship with God! Friendship with our Creator! Rejoicing! 

I enCOURAGE you to really meditate on how amazing it is to “be reconciled” to God.  Then as an Ambassador to Almighty God, pass the word on…RECONCILIATION!   

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
October 19, 2020

“For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. – Matthew 26:28 NKJV

Jesus was sent to return and send back our sins. He was sent to cancel a debt we could not pay. He exonerated us from our crimes against God.

For by…
One gift
One offering
One blood sacrifice
One life

He has perfected
He made perfect
He completes
He accomplishes
He finishes

FOREVER!!!

those who are being…
Sanctified
Consecrated
Purified:
-cleansed externally
-purify internally by renewing of the soul
-purified by atonement

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD:
 “I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds, I will write them,”

then He adds,
“Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

Now where there is remission of these sins..
Where there is…
Forgiveness
Deliverance
Cancellation of debt
Release from bondage
Liberty from imprisonment
Letting them go is if they had never been committed!!!

there is no longer an offering for sin!
(a look at  Hebrews 10:10, 14, 16-18 NKJV)

We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.   We cannot earn salvation, sanctification nor purity.  We do not have to work for it.  We do not deserve it.  We cannot do anything to attain it.  All we have to do is to accept the One, Jesus as our gift.  He is the One who sanctifies us.  He is the one who purifies us inside and out.  He purges us, getting rid of the dross in our life. He purges away the pounds in our lives to make us complete in Him, whether it be physical pounds in our body, excess stuff in our homes, or burdens we have been carrying in our mind.  You know the burdens I am talking about.  The thoughts that run through the mind:

“I am not good enough.”
“I am not kind enough.”
“I am not faithful enough.”
“I haven’t given or served enough.”
“I am not or was not a good parent or spouse.”
“I don’t love well enough.”
“I am not skinny enough.”
“I am not fit enough.”
“House and yard are not clean enough.”

The problem is that all those thoughts start with “I” and not Jesus.  Jesus was enough.  He completes and perfects us by the renewing of His word written in our hearts and minds.  His word says He was enough!  He was the one payment for all of our “I am not enough’s!” His mission was the remission of our sins which reconciled us back to him!   (a study of Hebrews 10:10 14, 16-18 NKJV)

I enCOURAGE you to accept His mission of remission once and for ALL!  He does not remember your sins nor mistakes anymore!   He paid for them ALL.  Your debt is cancelled.  It is not your fault and you cannot pay anyway.   Why do you keep rehearsing and bringing them up?  Rehearse the truth.  Jesus was enough. 

by Tammy Phillips
October 18, 2020

 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NKJV)

I do not t know what it is with God and Hampton Inns!   It was 5:30 AM in Memphis.   I was sitting in the lobby asking the Lord what He had to say.  I could not hear Him because there was a young well-dressed man preparing the continental breakfast and playing his music so loudly that I could not think.  To be honest, I was a little irritated, however, I did not want to say anything because he was blasting upbeat, praise music.  He was getting his praise on loudly and early.

After the young man finished his morning duties, he returned to the front desk of the lobby.  I gave him a few minutes and then called him.  I ask him what the Lord had been speaking to His heart this morning.  I explained to him that I had a hard time “hearing” the Lord this morning.  He laughed and said he understood.  He was writing a book. I questioned his subject.  He said it was about the miraculous working of God. 

The young man, Damian, was 35 years old.  I learned that three years ago he survived 45 days in the hospital from kidney failure.  He went just because he did not feel well.  He was admitted   because he had a temperature of 104.5.  They further found that his kidneys were only functioning at twenty percent. During his stay his kidneys stopped functioning altogether.  The Lord miraculously healed him.  He is now whole and healed. He is also pastor and after working all night he will go preach today.  He is full of praise, laughter and joy.

This morning the Lord took the irritant that got into my shell and turned it into a pearl of blessing.  A natural pearl begins its life inside an oyster’s shell when an intruder, such as a grain of sand or a parasite, slips in between one of the two shells of the oyster.  In order to protect itself from irritation, the oyster will quickly begin covering the uninvited visitor with layers of nacre also known as mother-of-pearl, coat the grain of sand until the iridescent gem is formed.  It usually takes 6 months to form a pearl.   All things are possible with God.  He anointed this situation with the oil of gladness and created a pearl blessing from the irritant in just minutes. 

What is irritating you today? 

I enCOURAGE you to give it to the Lord.  Let him do his miraculous work and turn your irritation into a pearl of blessing for you.

by Tammy Phillips
October 17,2020

“For you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), (Exodus 34:14 NKJV)

Worship is adoration. 
Worship is respect.
Worship is extravagant love.
Worship is saying God you are number one.
Worship is singing, shouting, thanksgiving.
Worship is desiring to be in the presence of God.
Worship is complete submission.
Worship is bowing the knee.
Worship is kneeling to the King of Kings alone.
Worship is a mind occupied with God, first and foremost.

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
For the LORD [is] the great God, And the great King above all gods.
In His hand [are] the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills [are] His also.
The sea [is] His, for He made it; And His hands formed the dry [land].
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
For He [is] our God, And we [are] the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. (Psalm 95:1-7 NKJV)

We shall worship no other god!

• • Spouse nor our house
  • Boys nor our toys
  • Wealth nor our health
  • Jobs nor our sobs
  • Pain nor our pleasure
  • Food nor our mood
  • Ball nor our mall
  • Me nor you

God is God.  He is good. He is full of grace.  “For the LORD your God [is] a consuming fire, a jealous God. (Deuteronomy 4:24 NKJV)
The LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

• • He is jealous. 
  • He is zealous.
  • He chose us.  
  • He took our shame.
  • He took our sin.
  • He bought us with his own blood.
  • He died so that we should not perish.
  • He took stripes for our healing.
  • He gave his life so we could live forever with Him.
  • He gave his only son for us.
  • He loves us.
  • He is jealous for us.

“He loves you so much that he cannot endure that anything should stand between your heart’s love and him. Be careful Christians, you that are married to Christ; remember, you are married to a jealous husband.”-Charles Spurgeon, March 29, 1863

I enCOURAGE you to “give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! (1 Chronicles 16:29 NKJV) Take great comfort in knowing that God is jealous for you.  He wants all of you.  Surrender to his great love. 

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
October 1, 2020

 Let the redeemed of the LORD say [so], Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, (Psalm 107:2 NKJV)

On October 11,2020, I attended a peaceful protest on Nashville “Public” Square.  It was called Let Us Worship,  also been called a “super spreader event.  It was just that…
#SuperSpreadingJesus
#SuperSpreadingHope
#SuperSpreadingHealing
I heard on the news that I could receive a citation from the city of Nashville for participating.    I have had a few people question why I participated and why no masks.  (I carried a mask to this event and would have worn it out of respect, if others chose to wear a mask.)   Here is my why…

1. “For I know that my Redeemer lives.” (Job 19:25 NKJV).
   

Jesus paid for you and me. He redeemed us and bought us back.  He paid for our freedom with his life and blood.  We, as a Christian nation, have been silent and apathetic for far too long.  I know my Redeemer and I want everyone else to know him.

2. “Let the redeemed of the LORD say [so], Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, (Psalm 107:2 NKJV)

Our Bible clearly says let the redeemed say so.  I believe my attendance and this peaceful protest was me boldly standing up for my Lord.  Jesus says, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32 NKJV) I want God to know that I was not ashamed of Him.  This was not a concert.  This was worship.  It was going before the throne of God with other brother and sisters in Christ and worshipping God.  We prayed and petitioned our Father for our state, every state, and this nation.  This for me was a business meeting with the Church before God.

3. “The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.” (Proverbs 15:28 NKJV)

I have been praying about how to answer, “Why no masks?” I can only speak for myself. If I believed the masks worked, I would wear them all the time. ( I do follow the rules in stores, restaurants, doctors offices, and hospitals, etc.)   I know that when Jesus gave His life for us on the cross.  It was to SAVE us per John 3:17.   The Greek word saved is sozo.  It means to keep safe and sound; to deliver, protect, preserve, be made whole and complete; to rescue from danger or destruction; heal, restore to health, to save a suffering one from perishing one suffering from disease.   I believe Jesus is my Savior and Lord in all things.  He is my protection.   He is not just a ticket to heaven and eternal life to me. 

4. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me. Selah (Psalm 49:15 NKJV)

I am not scared, nor fearful of dying.   God has redeemed my soul, my mind and my body from the power of the grave. I will die a physical death if Jesus does not come back, but my spirit will live forever with my God.  I finally get what Paul said in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”  Jesus bought our life and our freedom back.  I am tired of living in COVID jail.  Our rights are slowly being taken away from us and we are allowing it.  No more!  We have the right to freely worship. 

5. “Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name, which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, (Philippians 2:9-10 NKJV)

The word corona means crown.  I will not bow my knee to this disease.  I will not be in fear of it. I will not crown it and make it bigger than it is.  My Jesus is the only crown I will bow to.  The corona virus has to bow its name to the name of Jesus.  As well as every other disease, when we take the authority that Jesus passed to us as His disciples.  

 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.  “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; “they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:16-18 NKJV)

6. “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you…And He who formed you… “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called [you] by your name; You are Mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will b] with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.  For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1-3 NKJV).

I enCOURAGE you to trust Jesus as you Savior and Lord.  Trust Him alone.  Do not fear.   Walk in the freedom he paid for.   Amen.  #RESOLUTE2020

 

by Tammy Phillips
October 15, 2020

He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. 18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. (Psalm 18:16-18 KJV)

David wrote and sang the Psalm 18 song after the Lord delivered him from the hands of all his enemies and arch enemy, Saul.  Things had been really bad for ole David.   Picture him sitting on a rock by a river with his cowboy hat on strumming his guitar, writing the lyrics to this song.  (Here is what Psalm 18:16-18 might look like as a country song using KJV, NKJV, NLT, NIV, CSB and TIV, Tammy’s Interpretive version)

Sing along with King David and me.

He sent from above, He took me.
He reached down from heaven and rescued me.
He reached down from on high and took hold of me.

He drew me out of many waters.
He pulled me out of deep waters.

He delivered me from my strong enemy.
He rescued me from my powerful enemies.
He snatched me from my haters.

They were too strong for me

They prevented me in the day of my calamity.
They confronted me in the day of my disaster.
They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress.

But the LORD was my stay.

I have been in the deep waters of depression, hurt, lack, sickness, and sadness.  I know you have too.  The enemy has pursued me.  He has tried to destroy or steal my life, my family and my children.  I have and continue to fight the good fight of faith against the enemy and his cohorts.  Through it all I have turned my face to the LORD and have found that He is faithful.  He has saved every time, in every circumstance and from every evil.  If I was writing the next lyrics to the song, it would go like this…

But the Lord was my stay.
My Support
My Protector

The Lord is who I leaned on
The Lord is who I relied on
The Lord is who I could trust

The Lord is my Stay.

I enCOURAGE you to sing Psalm 18 to the Lord.  It will elevate your spirit and encourage your soul.  Worship and praise will lift you out of the deep, dark places.  Verse 19 of the song : “He also brought me out into a broad place;  He delivered me because He delights in me.” 

 “I will call upon the LORD, [who is worthy] to be praised; So, shall I be saved from my enemies”. (Psalm 18:3 NKJV)

 

 

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
October 14, 2020

Somedays there is just nothing to say, but God!

But God shall be with you (Genesis 48:21)
But God meant it for good, not evil (Genesis 50:20)
But God led (Exodus 13:18)
But God said to me (1 Chronicles 28:3)
But God will redeem my soul (Psalm 49:15)
But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever (Psalm 73:26)
But God overthrows the wicked (Proverbs 21:12)
But God only forgives sins (Mark 2:7)
But God knows your heart (Luke 16:15)
But God raised him from the dead: (Acts 13:30)
But God commends his love toward us (Romans 5:8)
But God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27)
But God chose the weak things of the world to confound the mighty (1 Corinthians 1:27)
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10)
But God gave the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6)
But God hath called us to peace (1 Corinthians 7:15)
But God is faithful (1 Corinthians 10:13)
But God gave the inheritance to Abraham by promise (Galatians 3:18)
But God who is rich in mercy, for with His great love, He loved us (Ephesians 2:4)
But God has given us his Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 4:8)
But the LORD shall endure forever (Psalm 9:7)
But the LORD was my stay. (Psalm 18:18)
But the LORD upholds the righteous. (Psalm 37:17)
But the LORD is my defense and the rock of my refuge. (Psalm 94:22)
But the LORD made the heavens (Psalm 96:5)
But the LORD helped me (Psalm 118:13)
But the LORD directs my steps (Proverbs 16:9)
But the LORD shall be an everlasting light and your God, your glory. (Isaiah 60:19)
But the LORD is the true God, He is the living God, and an everlasting king (Jeremiah 10:10)
But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible One (Jeremiah 20:11 KJV)
But the LORD will be the hope of his people (Joel 3:16 KJV)
But the LORD is faithful, who will establish you, and keep you from evil.
(2 Thessalonians 3:3 KJV)

I enCOURAGE you each day to find God’s word for you.  However, when you cannot quite find the right word, just boldly say, “BUT GOD!”  Name above all names covers it all.