Category: Uncategorized

by Tammy Phillips
October 3, 2020

For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:  “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him [who] has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” (Isaiah 57:15 NKJV)

One of my favorite scriptures is, “He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. (Psalm 143:7) I see a picture of God picking up the broken pieces of our hearts and lives and surgically sewing them back together, better than before.  He creates a beautiful quilt of our broken lives. He is God; He can do that and more.

When I read Isaiah 57:15, I did not know the definition of contrite. I found it to be the Hebrew word, dakka, meaning, dust, crushed, literally powder, very much crushed, broken small.  It a derivative of daka meaning be broken into pieces, bruised, oppressed, beat to pieces, crushed to pieces.

So according to Isaiah 57:15, not only is He the God of Psalms 143:7, who mends our broken hearts. He is the God, High and Lifted Up, who goes low into the humble spaces of our lives.  He takes the very smallest particles of our crushed spirits, the powdery dust of our disasters and revives us.

The word revive means breathe life into; return, restore, recover life, cause to grow, to flourish, to live well and be prosperous; to recover health; to be healed; to be refreshed; to deliver from destruction.

Dust is the smallest picture of brokenness that I can imagine.  Almighty God lovingly and willingly steps from the highest high to the lowest low.  He dusts up our debris.  (Yes! God dusts, too!)  He miraculously and meticulously, as only He can do, breathes life into powder of our existence.  What happens when we blow on specs of dust?  The pieces fly violently through the air.  God’s breath is different.  It is healing, restorative, reviving glue.  Not only does His breath bring our brokenness back to life, it causes us to flourish and prosper in places where we were shattered.

I will never look at dust quite the same again.

I enCOURAGE you to call out to the Reviver, the High and Lofty One.  No thing, No life, circumstance, no situation nor relationship, is beyond His healing, life giving, breath.  He made us from dust, so surely His word is true that He can revive us from dust.  Thanks God that He dusts, too!

“Revive us, and we will call upon Your name. Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!” (Psalm 80:18-19 NKJV)

Thought:  Ponder on God’s greatness and our smallness.  Think about  the galaxies, stars and planets as dust particles that God just breathed into the universe. 

by Tammy Phillips
October 2, 2020

We are in a relationship with God.  God is there for us and we are there for Him.  The confessions of our faith should be:

WE SEE
We see Him and we see others as He sees them. Our focus is Him.

• • I will look to the LORD. (Micah 7:7)
  • Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me (Deuteronomy 32:39)
  • The eyes of our understanding being enlightened. (Ephesians 1:18)
  • Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith… (Hebrews 12:2)
  • “But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;” (Matthew 13:16)

WE HEAR
We have ears to hear truth and turn a deaf ear to the enemy and his lies.

• • My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they [are] life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. (Proverbs 4:20-22)
  • The Lord GOD has opened My ear… (Isaiah 50:5 NKJV)
  • He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 2:29)

WE SPEAK
When we boldly speak only the words of God, we speak truth and life.  He will give us what to say, either way.

• • I have put My words in your mouth. (Isaiah 51:1)
  • Do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say.  For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say. (Luke 12:11-12)
  • Therefore, settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. (Luke 21:14-15)
  • Now, Lord…grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, (Acts 4:29
  • Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence…(Acts 28:31)

WE PRAY

• • Pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Matthew 6:6)
  • Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. (Mark 11:24)
  • Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything (Philippians 4:6 NLT)
  • Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18)
  • Pray without ceasing, (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

WE ARE WITH GOD

• • Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
  • Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength. (Isaiah 26:4)
  • Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. (Jeremiah 17:7)
  • Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. (1 John 3:24)
  • Raised [us] up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, (Ephesians 2:6 NKJV)

WE HELP GOD TO FURTHER HIS KINGDOM
By following Jesus’ example in Isaiah 61:1-4.

WE ARE THERE 
We are there for God by loving Him and keeping His word

• “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
• We love Him because He first loved us. …  And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God [must] love his brother also. (1 John 4:19, 21)
• My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18)
• And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This [is] the first commandment. (Mark 12:30)
•  Be still,and know that I [am] God.(Psalm 46:10)

I encourage you to have ears to hear, eyes to see, a mouth to boldly speak and pray.  Abide with God and help Him further His kingdom. Keep his word.  Most of all just love Him and be with Him.   

 

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
October 1, 2020

What words can be spoken to encourage on a day of loss?  On a day of celebration?  On a day of  victory or a day of defeat?  What words can be offered to encourage on a day that you say good-bye to yet another loved one?  I can only offer the words of our good God:

GOD SEES YOU
He is EL ROI, “You-are-the God-who-sees,” exactly where you are. (Genesis 16:13)

For the eyes of the LORD [are] on the righteous, And His ears [are open] to their prayers; ” (1 Peter 3:12 NKJV)

Not only does He see you but…

GOD HEARS

But certainly, God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. (Psalm 66:19 NKJV)

Not only does He see you, He listens to you and …

GOD SPEAKS

“It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear. (Isaiah 65:24 NKJV)

He knows what you are going to ask before you ever say a word and…

GOD PRAYS

Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26 NKJV)

God the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we don’t even have the words to speak and…

God the Son prays.

It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. (Romans 8:34 NKJV)

GOD IS WITH YOU

…for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

GOD HELPS AND HOLD YOU UP

I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isiah 41:10

GOD IS THERE

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

GOD GUARDS YOU

 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; Psalm 91:11

 You have your own Secret Service detail to help you with any need. You cannot see them, but I guarantee they are big and not to messed with.

 I enCOURAGE you to “look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV) He endured the pain. He sees and hears you.  He speaks and prays on your behalf.  He is with you, holds you up and guards you.  There is no place you can go that He is not.  God is always there for you.

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalm 34:8 NKJV)

by Tammy Phillips
September 30. 2020

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV)

GOD IS FAITHFUL.
God is reliable.
God is trustworthy.
God is ever true to His promises.
God is dependable.
God is allegiant.
God is constant.
God is true.
He called you into
Fellowship
Partnership
Companionship
Association
Communication
Joint participation
Intimacy
Partake
Share
With HIS SON JESUS CHRIST.

God is faithfully there with us through this journey of life.  He can be counted on.   He does not take leave.  He does not disappear when there is hard work to accomplish.   We do this business of life together.  Jesus is our partner.  He has called us to share life with Him and that means through the good times, the bad times, times of gain and times of loss.  Allow Him to share in your hurts, pains, celebrations, and successes.

I enCOURAGE you to count on Jesus, your companion.  You are not going through alone.  He is there with you walking through each difficult step you must take today and tomorrow.   He will strengthen and guide you.  He called you and you can call him right back.  He says, “Come to Me, all [you] who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NKJV) Trust in your Partner’s strength to help you endure.  You can count on and lean on Him, every time.

 

 

 

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
September 29, 2020

As I write to you, I am cozily sitting here under my favorite, soft, fuzzy, snuggly blanket.  Fall has announced its arrival with daily temperatures dropping into the low 60’s.  Cover is welcomed and necessary, if you are dressed in shorts, believing the warmth of summer is still hanging around.  The picture of God being our Cover has appeared several times in the last week. I have been researching a few words.  Oddly enough, what was their meaning? God is our Cover.

• As our Alpha and Omega, He is our Cover, encompassing all time and eternity. (Revelation 22:13)
• As our Passover, He is our Cover, our blood covering, protecting us from destruction. (1 Corinthians 5:17)As our Refuge, He is our cover, our dwelling place, our den, asylum and place of retreat and security. (Deuteronomy 33:27)
• As our Author and Perfecter of our Faith, He is our cover, writing the Masterpiece of our life in His book. (Hebrew 12:2)
• As our Atonement, He is our Cover, our overspread, covering over, blotting out and forgiving all our sins (Romans 5:11)
• As our Good Shepherd, He is our Cover, our door and gate.  He literally laid down His life, providing protection and salvation to us in the pen of life. (John 10:9,11)
• As our High Priest, He is our Cover, continually interceding for us, day and night. (Hebrews 3:1, Romans 8:34)
• As our Holy Spirit, He is our Cover, anointing and smearing Himself all over us. (1 John 2:20)
• As our Light, He is our Cover, enveloping the darkness with Himself. (John 8:12)
• As our Resurrection, He is our Cover, wrapping and restoring us in life by keeping us from death. (John 11:25)
• As our Lamb of God, He is our Cover, covering and taking away the sins of the world. (John 1:29)
• As our Comforter, He is our Cover, blanketing us with knowledge in all things. (John 14:26)
• As our Lord of all, He is our Cover.  He has got it ALL covered! (Philippians 2:9-11)

He is our Savior, Creator, Deliver, Preserver, Provider, Freedom, Fortress, Safety, Shield, Strength, Rock, Rescue, Righteousness, Refiner, Redeemer,  Word, Wholeness, Healer and Completer.  I think that just about covers it all. If it does not, He is all that, too!

I enCOURAGE you to sink into the warmth and security found in our Lord.  Meditate and know that He has got you covered.  You can trust Him.  God has been there, exactly where you are.  He is there with you now, hovering over you, covering and loving you through it all.

by Tammy Phillips
September 28, 2020

 You have given a banner to those who fear You, That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah (Psalm 60:4 NKJV)

We are on a journey passing through the territory of the Prince of this world from glory to glory.  The “to” is the journey.  The “to” is our walk in Christ and transformation into his image.   We would like to abide in the glory because transformation can be so painful and difficult.  Know that we will run into the enemy and his cohorts.  We will experience trials, temptations and even deaths.  When we become tired of fighting and the struggle is real to keep going, we can recall that we are not alone.  God is fighting for us.  Remember, Satan is a thief and a liar.  He uses every tool in his arsenal to execute his plan steal, kill, and destroy our life.  He is miserable and he wants everyone to “go down” with him.  He operates in the darkness where he secretly plants land mines, tuck bombs away in hidden places, and fires missiles of fiery darts to take us out.  His mission is obstruction and destruction.

But God!  He has a better plan and a better way.  He has a Highway of Holiness that allows us to travel above enemy territory.  God travels in the greatness of His strength speaking righteousness.  He is mighty to save.  It is in Him and led my Him that we go.  He is the only Way.  He is Truth.  David says in Psalm 60:4, “You have given a banner to those who fear You, That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah”

When we do not retreat in the fear of Satan, but instead stand amazed at our God, Who is Love,

He gives us His flag to fly high.  His Banner over us is Love!   We can then courageously march through enemy country displaying our Standard.  We advance in confident expectation that we will be celebrating Satan’s defeat.  We are not afraid, nor are we discouraged because of the vast enemy army.  The battle is not ours in any way, but God’s and He has already won. We are on the winning team and proudly sport our colors.  As we step in God’s tracks on His Highway, He leads up into the hill of transformation.  We follow our Love, Prince of Peace and Captain of Our Salvation.  It is He alone that brings many sons into glory and through the “to.” Selah; be silent, pause, rest and think about it.

I enCOURAGE you to take comfort in the Banner over you, Love.  This word banner is derived from a word meaning to cover over.   His Love is a large flag that literally covers, comforts and leads you. Sink into it its security like a big blanket.  “We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up [our] banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.  Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. (Psalm 20:5-6 NKJV)

 

2 Cor 3:18; Ephesians 6:12; James 1:2; 1 Peter 1:6; 1 Corinthians 10:13; John 8:44; John 10:10; Colossians 1:13; Isaiah 57:14; Isaiah 35:8; Isaiah 63:1; 1 John 4:8; Song of Solomon 2:4; Psalm 143:10; John 14:6; Exodus 17:15; 2 Chronicles 20:15; Hebrews 2:10

September 27, 2020

Encouragement from Isaiah 52!
I heard the Lord say:

Wake up! Wake up!
Put on your strength!
Put on your beautiful garments!
Put on Christ!
Put on the armor of God!
Put on the armor of Light!
Stand up!
Shake the dust off yourself!
Take your seat!

Remove the bonds from your neck, captive!
You have been set free!

My people know my name.
My people know what my name is and what it means.

Look! I AM!
No one, no body, no other God is!
I AM!

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that:
Brings good news.
Publishes peace.
Good tidings of good
Publishes salvation.
Says our God reigns.

He chose us to do His kingdom work.
Are you watching?
The watchmen lift up the voice!
Together with one voice  shall they sing.
They shall see eye to eye.

Break forth into joy.
Sing together.
The LORD comforts His people.
He has redeemed you.
You are paid for with the precious blood of Jesus.
You cannot do anything to make him love you more than he already does.
You cannot earn his salvation.
You cannot be good enough.
Jesus alone redeemed you.

The LORD has made bare his holy arm.
He has revealed Himself as the One by whose direction you are set free!
The ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.

Leave! Leave the land of exile, isolation and desolation.
Get out!
Be clean!
Be refreshed!
Be restored, renewed, rebuilt!
Be free!

You are a vessel of the LORD meant for good works.
The LORD will go before you.
The God of Israel will be your rear guard, behind you.
The Holy Spirit will come beside you.
He will hold your right hand.
He will help you!
He is I AM!
He is God.

I enCOURAGE with the word of the Lord who loves you from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet.  I see nothing beautiful in feet, but he does. Can you allow yourself to imagine what he thinks about the rest of your body, soul, and spirit, if he thinks your feet are beautiful?  You are Creation! You are His Masterpiece   You are His favored child. You were formed in His secret place and intricately and curiously wrought, as if embroidered with various colors.

How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O queenly maiden! the joints of thy thighs [are] like jewels, the work of the hands of a Master workman. (Song of Songs 7:1 KJV)

 

 

by Tammy Phillips
September 26, 2020

 Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD. (Psalm 31:24 NKJV)

I used to be shy and very timid.  I did not talk to anyone that I did not have to.  I lived life as a turtle tucked inside my shell, believing that no one could hurt me there.  Praise God. He has delivered me.  He has taught be to be strong and courageous, a bulldog in faith.   He has given me a voice. He taught me to write for Him.  I write to enCOURAGE you in the Lord and in life.  I write to move you from the place of DIScourageMENT, whether it be from weakness, sickness, sadness, depression, anxiety, timidity …into courage.  The Lord repeatedly inspires us through His word to be courageous!  The Hebrew word for courage, chazaq, is so rich in meaning. 

BE OF GOOD COURAGE…

• Be Strong
• Withstand
• Be Bound Fast
• Be Gird
• Hold Fast
• Fasten To
• Take Hold Of
• Be Stuck Fast
• Be Joined to
• Be Constant
• Be Bold
• Be Earnest
• Be Established
• Be Made Strong
• Be Made Firm
• Be Repaired
• Be Restored
• Be Rebuilt
• Be Resolute

I know you might get tired of hearing the same thing, but if the Lord encourages me every day to be resolute in Him.  I am going enCOURAGE you to do the same!   Courage is boldly facing our fears. Courage is confidently doing it afraid.

AND…

I can enCOURAGE with His Word, but it is God who strengthens.  It is God he strengthens me to write.  It is God who gives me the boldness to talk to the stranger.  It is the Lord who makes me brave to minister and pray for others.  It is all Him.  We can do all things with Him and nothing without Him. He is the power behind the courage.

HE SHALL STRENGTHEN…

• Be Alert Physically
• Be Alert Mentally
• Steadfast In Mind
• Be Determined
• To Be Strong
• Be Fortified
• Be Brave
• Be Bold
• Be Firm

YOUR HEART.

• Your sick heart
• Your lonely heart
• Your weary heart
• Your timid heart
• Your pained heart
• Your broken heart

ALL YOU WHO HOPE IN THE LORD.

• All you who wait in the Lord.
• All you who are patient in the Lord.
• All you who expect in the Lord. 

I enCOURAGE you to be COURAGEOUS, be STRONG and to HOPE IN THE LORD.  Turn your life around; face him head on.  You have an amazing life to boldly live out in Him.

by Tammy Phillips
September 25, 2020

 Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, And plentifully rewards the proud doer. (Psalm 31:23 KJV) 

I am on the way to the mountains to seek the Lord and pray with four other sisters who love our Jesus.  The big joke between us is about the 4 am wake up call to pray.  We were hoping to sleep in a little since we were spending the whole weekend in the throne room of God.  Today, my call came a little earlier than usual.  I thought it was just the “I drank too much water last night” call.   I awoke and prayed at 2:30 AM.  I wanted to go back to sleep, but something was irritating my eye.  I finally gave in at 3:30 AM and headed to the lobby of the hotel. 

I was greeted by a kind, 27-year old young man who I came to know as Lawrence.  He said, “I knew somebody was coming.   I just made a fresh pot of coffee.”  I smiled and said. “I would like to have slept, but I got the call.” No kidding, he said, “the 4 AM wake-up call?”  Amazed, I responded, “Yes!!!”  He shared with me how the Lord had started waking him at 4 AM to pray for his daughter before her birth.  He told me that he did not share that with a lot of people his age because they would think he was crazy.  I shared  that this old woman did not share her 4 AM wake-up call with a lot of people her age either because they would think she was crazy, too. (Cats out of the bag, now!)

I love the Lord and am so thankful for the divine appointment with Lawrence.  He was such a joy.  He had such light in his eyes.   I was blessed to hear part of his painful story and how God was working in His life.  He has worries and concerns as a young dad.  He used to smoke pot every day just to cope.  God instantaneously delivered him from that desire.  We cried and my eye irritation instantly disappeared.  I gave him a “flat Jesus” and we prayed together.   We hugged and each went back to our tasks.  Yes, we hugged during this “pandemic.”   I am not scared.  What a blessing from our loving Father. 

My prayer today is that this story inspires you to take the time today to just love the Lord.  He loves you so much.  He wants to be in your presence.  He has divine appointments waiting on you.  He needs you to be his hand and feet here on earth.

OH, LOVE THE LORD
Oh, Desire the Lord
Oh, Delight in the Lord
Oh, Breathe after the Lord

 ALL YOU HIS SAINTS!

THE LORD PRESERVES THE FAITHFUL
The LORD guards the believer
The LORD watches the firm stander
he LORD keeps the unshaken

AND

PLENTIFULLY REWARDS
Abundantly recompenses
Exceedingly above measure repays
Fully finishes

THE PROUD DOER. (Psalm 31:23 KJV)

I enCOURAGE you to “love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (Luke 10:27 NKJV)  Enjoy His presence today.

By Tammy Phillips
September 24, 2020

You are my Hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth. (Psalm 71:5NKJV)

When life seems hopeless and we cannot see a way out or how life will improve, we need hope.

When we cannot see to other side of the storm because the skies are gray, the storm is rolling and the rain is pounding us, we need hope.

When we think this world cannot sink into the deep any further, we need hope.

We need a lifeline and not an empty wish that things will get better.

We have misused the word hope.  We say things like, “Hope you feel better…hope to see you soon…I hope so…” The English language has watered down the original meaning of hope to the point that it means no more than a wish, but that is not God’s definition.  In the Old Testament I found six different Hebrew words for hope, betach, yacal, mibtâch, tôwcheleth, sabar, and tiqvâh. Most of them mean expectation, to wait of look for eagerly! Other meanings of hope are trust, confidence, and refuge.

I discovered my favorite Hebrew word for hope is tiqvâh.  It is used in Psalms 71:5, when David declares, “You are my hope, O Lord God.”  David was not just saying, “hope in the Lord” like he had said multiple times in Psalms.  He was emphatically stating that God is our hope.  The word tiqvâh adds another level of meaning. It does not only mean expectation, or something longed for; it means a rope or cord as an attachment.  It is the same word used in Joshua 2:18, when Joshua’s two spies told Rahab to tie the scarlet cord to the window.  The cord was a sign to spare her family when Joshua took Jericho. The cord of hope was her family’s lifeline.   God is our hope.  God is our cord. He is our lifeline. He saves and delivers us now and for eternity.

Hope is not a wish.  Hope is the joyful, bold, confident expectation of good.

HOPE DELIVERS:

• Rest (Psalm 16:9)
• Gladness (Proverbs 10:28 NKJV)
• Blessing (Jeremiah 17:7)
• Happiness (Psalm 146:5) 
• Confidence and Refuge (Proverbs 14:26)
• Strengthening of the heart (Psalm 31:24)
• Future and children coming back home (Jeremiah 31:17
• Salvation (Romans 8:24)
• Heart rejoiced (Acts 2:26)
• Glad tongue (Acts 2:26)
• Rest for the flesh (Acts 2:26)
• Hope does not disappoint. (Romans 5:5)

David also said in Psalms 71:5, “You are my trust…”  The word trust here also means hope, confidence, refuge, security.   David’s heart expounded In Psalms 71:5 could read: “God, You are my Hope, Lifeline, Refuge, Security. You are my Trust, my Safe Place, my Confidence and Confidant.  You are everything!”

I enCOURAGE to hope again! Hope in our God of “nothing is impossible!”  Hope for wholeness.  Hope for healing. Hope for healing of mind, body, heart and this land.   Expect it!  God is not only our Hope.  He is our Savior in all.  He is the Great Physician.  He can do anything and is willing.  We just have to trust Him and expect it from Him. He is Hope that delivers.

“But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.” (Psalm 71: 14 NKJV)